Title: Finding a Family
Author: Crimson Rosary
Summary: All is good after Voldemort's demise, but then comes Harry's magical and creature inheritance. Now he has to do what in order to accomplish what?! Manipulative!Dumbledore, Molly, Ron, Ginny Bashing!
Pairing: HPxHarem
Rating: M
Author's Note: This is my first HPxHarem story! Please leave comments whenever possible – please be specific about where in the chapter you felt a certain place or didn't understand something! It would be really helpful! Also, if you don't like HPxHarem, click the little back button in your browser or click the red X at the corner! Thanks! (:
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Harry Potter; all those belong to J.K. Rowling.
'Thoughts'
{Parseltongue}
[Telepathy]
A/N: I've changed my mind! Straight female harem. No males.
Chapter 10
~ Affectionate Commitments ~
"Professor Snape, might I have a word with you?" Harry asked, after catching up to the potions master in the corridors.
"You aren't going to ask me to brew you any love potions, are you? Amortentia is illegal, Mr. Potter-Black; surely you know all about this."
"I am currently in a relationship with two beautiful women; I have no need for Amortentia." Harry said.
"Well, well. Your love should be something you hold onto once you lose all that air in that bloated head of yours." Severus said, leading the Gryffindor into his private quarters.
"What do you need, Harry?" Severus asked, once they had settled down into the small den.
Harry didn't speak at first, going over his thoughts and the past few months' worth of experience he'd had in his, suddenly changed, life. Severus allowed him his peace – it wasn't difficult to see how different Harry was compared to his father. He was more like Lily, Severus should have known, but he had been caught up in his hate for his father that he had refused to see Harry for whom he was. His silent musings were broken when Harry took a deep breath, as if to calm his nerves down before delving into something private.
Severus knew how private of a person Harry was. Like Severus, Harry valued his privacy – it was also one of the things that helped bring the two together while Severus had stayed in 12 Grimmauld Place over the summer with the boy, the dog and the wolf.
"I-I'm not – I don't know what to do, Sev. It's just…everything is moving so fast. I don't feel like I'm in control of my life right now." Harry admitted, his hands wrapped around the warm mug of chamomile tea that Severus's house elf had brought in for the two of them.
Severus took a sip of his tea before he spoke. "It feels like someone else is living your life. Someone else has taken the reigns as you watch the on-goings in the backseat."
"Exactly." Relieved green eyes looked up towards onyx black ones.
"I would expect it is somewhat nerve-wracking to suddenly realize that your inheritance has appeared a year earlier – end up having to find seven wives and now be so wealthy that everyone in Wizarding Britain, never mind the rest of the world, will now fall at your feet for permanently defeating Voldemort." Severus listed with an amused grin.
"Doesn't help that some fan mail consists of girls throwing themselves at me – guys as well, mind you. There was this one time that Hermione caught sight of a girl's fan letter – she immediately set it on fire with her accidental magic."
"Is that what happened?" Severus said with a wry smile. Everyone in the Great Hall had seen that incident.
"Yes!" Harry exclaimed. "That girl had no self-respect! She sent a naked picture of herself wrapped in a thin red stripped bow. A BOW! NAKED!"
Severus took another sip; now he understood why Harry had come to him with his problems. If it had been his godfather, the potions master knew that the old dog would guffaw at Harry's worries, even insisting that he was like his father in more ways than his appearance. The ex-Auror would not have taken this seriously until Harry would get angry at him and only until then would Sirius realize that Harry's worries were actually quite serious.
"I might be gay." Harry then revealed.
"Do you see men in the same like as you see women?"
"No. . . not really." Harry admitted.
"Do you. . . find men attractive? Give them a double-look? Feel the same way towards them as you do towards Ms. Granger or Ms. Bones?"
"No," Harry said confidently.
"Then what do you feel towards men?"
"I wonder how they can be so brave." Harry hedged uncertainly. "How they can stand on their two feet and brace the world's problems on their shoulders. How they can protect the ones they love – that they care about."
"Men are not the only ones that can protect their loves ones, Harry." Severus gently chided.
Harry looked away with a blush, "I didn't mean it. I just –"
"I understand." Severus said, stopping Harry's ramblings. "But people are only brave because they have something they want to protect. They want to cherish the happiness, the smiles they see in those they care about. They care about the future, not only theirs, but those around them and their unborn children. That is strength. And yes, despite the old coot being quite adamant that love is the key to strength, he was correct. He just didn't believe in your own path, wanting to forge his own in order to have things done his way."
"Well then. He was an idiot." Harry declared.
The potions master smirked, bring the topic round back. "Now then, why the unease towards your sexuality?"
Harry fidgeted in the armchair, fingers flexing around the warm mug.
"Does this have to do with being unable to control your life?" Severus asked.
Harry nodded meekly and that's when Severus saw him for who he really was. Harry was just a sixteen year old boy with five years experience in the Wizarding World. He knew absolutely nothing of his parents except for the things he's heard from others. He knew nothing about the prophecy until fifth year; Harry had been tested for all five years – four of them having to deal with facing Voldemort. And he had finally taken a man's life. Now sixteen, he needed to find seven women to marry and mate with as he was now a High Elf – with no knowledge of the magical creature other than the facts in the tome he received from the werewolf himself.
"You are always able to make your own decisions, Harry." Severus said softly. "You need protection and your family provides that – the mutt, the wolf and yes, even I count as your family. Your friends provide you support – Mr. Longbottom, Ms. Lovegood, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Weasley. Your wives will provide you with love – Ms. Granger, Ms. Bones and whomever the other lucky five women may be. Whatever you need, Harry, you have everyone around you. You have not noticed, but everyone has stood by you, even if they have not said anything out loud. Normally an obvious support is the best thing for everyone, but sometimes silent and subtle support is the strongest thing for us."
"You make it seem like I cannot come to you guys for anything else other than what you've specified." Harry laughed.
Severus broke out into a small smile. "I see you can still joke at a time like this."
"Thanks Severus." Harry said, drinking down the rest of the tea. "I really needed the talk."
"Think nothing of it, Harry. You were just insecure about how fast-paced your life had become. It's okay to think about your sexuality in a manner if you really feel like your affections can also include the male gender." Severus concluded. He turned his head towards the door and knocked back the rest of his sea, placing the empty mug onto the side table. "Now, I think that's the bell for lunch. We wouldn't want to miss our meal, now would we?"
Harry smiled and placed his own empty mug down onto the side table, leaving the room with his potions master behind him.
…..
February 14th, Valentine's Day
It was quite nerve wrecking for Harry on this day, but he remembered Severus's words and earned a little extra confidence in himself. While he had wanted to hang out with both Susan and Hermione, it seems that the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor had already made plans together and confirmed it before telling Harry that he would be spending time with Susan for the first half of the day and Harry would be spending time with Hermione for the rest of the day. So that was what Harry did.
"Morning Harry," Neville greeted once the elf had stepped out of the showers.
"Morning Neville," Harry smiled as he walked through the room, drying his hair with a towel.
"Got anything special to do today?" The shy Gryffindor asked, pulling up his pajama top.
Harry chuckled, throwing the towel into the laundry basket and sifting through his trunk for an outfit. "Yeah. I'm going to spend the first half of the day with Susan and then the second half with Hermione. What about you?"
Neville hummed. "I'm taking Hannah to Hogsmeade. We're going to have our date there, but since it's a bit colder than usual, we might just stay there for less than a few hours. We'll probably return soon."
Harry grinned broadly, mirroring Neville's own smile before the latter walked away to get ready. The elf had finished putting his outfit on when there was a tapping on his window. Turning to see the bird who had retrieved his package, Harry wasn't surprised to find that it was Hedwig who was trying to get in.
Opening the window, he allowed Hedwig to perch on his arm before untying the package. "Thanks Hedwig," Harry smiled. "Susan is going to love it."
The snowy white owl hooted and bobbed her head, as if affirming that there would be no way that the Hufflepuff wouldn't like her hatchling's gift. After all, it was thoughtful! Plus, it showed that Harry remembered her allergies.
"I'll see you later, Hed," Harry smiled.
The owl hooted once more and flew out of the room, towards the Owlery.
The elf had met up with the Hufflepuff who was all dressed up for their small date, with a gift hidden behind his back. Susan wore her hair up in a side ponytail that was draped over her right shoulder. She wore a burgundy draped cardigan over a cream sheer button down blouse with a ribbon tied above the top button and pair of jeans that fit snugly against her skin, framing those gorgeously well-toned legs and her firm arse; Harry had to keep his eyes from wandering back to it.
"Er, I got you Patchi chocolates. I thought you'd like the the taste of flesh milk and premium cocoa." Harry replied stiffly, handing the small but highly decorated package over to Susan.
"Is this a muggle chocolate?" Susan asked.
Harry nodded his head. "It's a combination of Swiss and Belgian flavors."
Susan smiled. "Are you going to keep up the muggle brands of chocolates, each time we meet up for a date?"
Harry shrugged, "I just thought you might like to try something new. After all, it would probably get boring tasting the same Wizarding sweets year after year. This is just something new for your palate."
"How very. . . thoughtful."
"Thoughtful in a good way or . . ?"
Susan giggled, kissing Harry on the cheek. "Definitely a good way. I want to have a piece about the muggle world, even if it is just the foods that are different."
Thanking her date for the gift, Susan walked alongside Harry as they headed to the Great Hall. Harry spent half of his day, before lunch, with Susan sitting by the Black Lake after sitting with her at the Hufflepuff table for a light breakfast. Harry had sent a warming charm at the snowy ground besides a large and sturdy willow tree that sat before the large body of water, allowing for a great view. He first sat down before allowing Susan to sit firmly onto his lap. He threw a blanket over the two of them and heated it up with a warming charm. Dobby came by five minutes later with a small picnic basket and two mugs of hot chocolate with whipped cream.
"Thank you Dobby," Harry smiled.
"Dobby be helping Harry Potter whenever he needs! All Harry Potter needs is to be calling for Dobby!" The house elf nodded his head, firmly believing in the words he spoke.
"Well, I'm thankful that you've done the cooking for us today," Susan smiled.
The house elf tittered with glee, "Does Missy Bones and Harry Potter need anything else?"
"No, we're good. Thanks again." Harry smiled.
The house elf nodded once more before popping back to the castle.
Harry pulled the picnic basket close to them and waved his hand, removing the dishes packed inside so they could see the variety they would be eating.
"So this is what you have planned for today?" Susan asked, looking over the dishes that were charmed to stay warm even in the cold Scottish air.
"Pretty much," Harry shrugged. "I thought it would be nice if we had a little private moment between the two of us. Away from the public."
"And how did you suppose you'll do that if the students start walking out of the castle and around the Black Lake?"
"Privacy charms and spells?" Harry replied, sheepishly.
Susan rolled her eyes and plucked up a small finger sandwich. "Here."
Harry raised his eyebrows and smirked, taking a bite of the sandwich and sucking Susan's fingers clean in the process. "Delicious," He said with a sensual grin.
Susan's cheeks tinted pink from a sudden overcoming of shyness as she ate from Harry's hand as the elf fed her a strawberry covered with chocolate fondue.
"Dobby does a good job of cooking," Susan smiled, covering her mouth as she chewed. Harry removed her hand and licked the remaining chocolate drizzle from her bottom lip, sucking on them before pulling back.
"You're right. He does a fine job." He smirked.
Susan's cheeks were brighter than before and it had nothing to do with the nipping cold wind that brushed past them every so often. She slapped him on the chest before moving onto to a sandwich, feeding herself when Harry attempted to take a bite out of it.
Smiling victoriously at her boyfriend's pout, Susan held her sandwich in her mouth and reached over for another finger sandwich before continuing her own.
Three hours passed by and during this time, Harry would feed Susan bite-sized chocolates or read her cheesy poems and talk about school. They had ended their picnic with a thorough discussion of politics and had thanked Dobby for cleaning up after them. They ended their small, mini date with a kiss on the lips, which grew into a passionate tongue sucking and mouth exploring adventure. As they pulled away, Susan's lips were bruised from the kisses and Harry's nibbles on her bottom lip.
"Thanks for a great Valentine's Day date." Susan breathed, chest heaving from the lack of air from their make out session.
The elf swallowed and smiled. "If this is a treat for all days we have a date, we should do it more often."
Piling the empty dishes back into the picnic basket, the duo walked back to the castle hand in hand, delivering their container over to an awaiting Dobby who squealed when he looked in and realized that they had finished his, his, handmade lunch for them. The house elf squeaked when both Susan and Harry thanked him once more, disappearing with a shyness that was not familiar to those who knew of the house elf.
"So what is this going to be? Between us I mean." Susan said.
"Well, we've been on a couple of dates. And honestly, I'm enjoying your presence. I intend to end our courting session with marriage. I only have one gift left, but I hope you'll enjoy it as much as the other gifts you've received."
Susan smiled softly at Harry's nervousness. "Of course I'll love it. I'll love it just because it came from you. It doesn't have to be extravagant or fancy."
Harry heaved a sigh of relief, "That's good." Fingering his pocket, he pulled out a small box wrapped with golden gift wrapping paper and decorated with a shimmering gold bow. Tapping on it with a finger, the elf handed the present over after it returned to its normal size.
Opening the box, Susan smiled. "Well. . . it's definitely not extravagant. But how did you get this?"
Harry rubbed the back of his neck. "I hired Collin to take pictures of us whenever he could. Then I just piled up the pictures and sorted them out. It isn't much, considering it's just starting from the time we began to date, but it's enough to fill up some of the album. Plus, I thought you would like it. It's not much, but I hope you like it."
"It's sentimental and romantic." Susan smiled. "And we can add to it when we get more pictures." Turning each page, Susan laughed when he saw the one where Harry had dropped to the ground to dodge a prank that had gone awry when one of the Weasley twins' test subjects had released a new invention they created, Spitting Fireballs – a chewable gum that would heat up with each bite, turning into a fireball when the chewer would spit it out.
The invention had had some problems with trajectory and targeting, so Harry had dodged it when the fireball came a little too close for the elf's comfort.
"It's great Harry. Really – thank you," Susan returned it to the box and shrunk it, pocketing her gift. Pulling the elf down to her level, she bestowed his lips with a kiss. "That was really thoughtful of you."
Harry smiled, wrapping his arm around Susan's waist. He planted a last kiss on the crown of her head, enjoying his second mate's immediate reaction, as she snuggled up closer to the elf's body.
As Susan and Harry moved to the Great Hall, they were met with whispers about their relationship. Susan walked with confident strides, even as girls glared at her for being one of the candidates to be Harry's future wife. It was quite obnoxious of them to believe that no one would be worth Harry's while, unless it was themselves that were wrapped around Harry's arm, with Harry's arm around their waist, and with Harry bestowing, what they believed to be, expensive and extravagant gifts for their courting session.
They all dreamed to be the next Lady Potter – yet that would be taken by one Hermione Jean Granger. However, they just shrugged that off. Whatever position they believed they would earn after marrying Harry was still something that would allow them to enter the high class pureblood society. The dreams of being filthy rich, not having to work the rest of their lives, wearing lavish clothes, being the center of attention at the arm of the most powerful wizard of all time, being married to the Harry Potter, Boy-Who-Lived, Twice Defeater of Voldemort, was running rampant throughout the female students' heads.
Harry ignored all the zealous looks from the female student body, mirroring Susan's steps with poise, self-confidence and radiating with intoxicating power, eliciting even more downhearted sighs from them. Yet, there were some that would eye him as if he were a piece of meat, ready to sink their claws in when the Gryffindor, as they believed, would be done hanging around Susan. And if the two didn't break up, it was fine by them. After all, with seven titles and only two that would be taken – they would have five more chances to become one of Harry's wives. Five of them would be the so-called lucky winners that would live the rest of their lives in riches and luxury.
Somewhat oblivious to the stares of their year mates and others, but not letting the stares erase the happiness either one of them felt, Susan and Harry spent the rest of lunch together where others would wolf-whistle and jeer at their obvious public display of affection.
But it was fine by them. They were dating after all. And after lunch, Harry was all Hermione's.
…..
"Oh, Neville! There you are." Harry said with surprise. "I thought you and Hannah were heading over to Hogsmeade."
Neville shrugged, seeing his best friend, walking up to the Gryffindor table with Susan in his arm. Hannah was sitting besides him, easily chatting him up before catching sight of her best friend.
"It is supposed to snow later on, so Hannah and I thought it would be best to stay indoors and just chat around the fireplace. That's why we hung out at the 'you know where' until lunch time."
Harry removed his arm from around Susan's waist, watching as his girlfriend skipped over to the other Hufflepuff and start up a new conversation. The elf took a seat next to Neville and grabbed a plate of food, feeling hungry even after his picnic date with Susan.
"It was quite nippy. You can tell from our noses and cheeks, but I placed a strong warming charm around our sitting area. It helped that we also had a warming charm on the blankets we sat on and the blankets we were wrapped around with."
Neville turned to look at Susan before returning his gaze to Harry. "So, I'm guessing that your date went well?"
Harry nodded his head. "She liked the last gift for our courting session. I'm glad you told me about it. Thanks, by the way. But," Harry snorted. "Remember the look on Collin's face when I told him that he had permission to take my picture, only for the album? And to keep it silent and a secret?"
Neville choked on his pumpkin juice, scowling at his dorm mate when he felt the juice dripping from his chin. Grabbing a napkin, he wiped his mouth and chin and then proceeded to throw the used tissue at Harry.
"You're a right git you know that?"
Harry shrugged with a grin on his face, "It was the perfect time to remind you of it."
"Did you have to do that in front of my girlfriend?" Neville asked with an exasperated sigh.
"Oh! Girlfriend, huh?" Harry echoed, eyebrows wiggling suggestively.
Neville rolled his eyes, "Speaking of girlfriends, you up for your date with Hermione? I heard from Lavender and Parvati that she was still in their dorm when they came down for breakfast. Wouldn't tell me what was going on though. Just kept. . . giggling."
Harry groaned. Hogwarts' two most gossipy girls, the two girls that seemed to know all the rumors and dirt on all the students in the school, were keeping quiet about what was going on with Hermione?
He looked down the table and saw said Gryffindors looking away when they caught him staring at them. Sighing, Harry placed a hand on Neville's shoulder. "Is there anything I should be wary of?"
Neville thought about it and shook his head. "No, nothing of importance. But all girls take time to get ready for their dates."
Harry smiled, "Speaking of. It's about time I met up with Hermione. I'll catch you later."
"See you, Harry."
The Gryffindor walked up to Susan and kissed her on the cheek, saying his goodbyes before he walked out of the Great Hall and headed over to the Gryffindor tower.
…..
Harry and Hermione had walked around Hogwarts grounds, hands held together with Hermione leaning her head on Harry's arm. There was no need for conversation – all except for Harry's compliment of Hermione's outfit. She left her hair down curled at the ends and wore brown makeup – even her lipstick was a dark brown. Hermione had on a blood red silky racer front bodycon dress that hugged every curve of her body. Red pumps helped to accentuate her toned calves and long, long legs.
Harry had nearly thrown caution to the wind when he saw her in that outfit with a sultry smile on her face. But he held steadfast and offered her a pair of entwined red and white thorn-less rosebuds, along with a box of chocolates. Knowing what it signified, Hermione's eyes glossed over with happy tears as she thanked Harry profusely with a passionate kiss.
However, the elf was not the only one to notice the bookworm's gorgeous transformation. As they cruised down the corridors, many female students would whisper behind their hands, eyeballing Hermione's outfit and companion with either distaste and jealousy or appreciation and awe.
Some of Hermione's sudden admirers were attributed to the hormonal male study body. Of course, Harry's death glare that would freeze even the darkest of hearts had sent them scurrying away. One of them had even dared to come up to the couple to ask Hermione for a date.
Harry wasn't surprised that it was Cormac McLaggen. In fact, Harry would have been surprised if it wasn't him! After all, only that particular Gryffindor had the gall (and the balls) to actually try something of that nature. His personality was awful and his table manners were atrocious, if only a little more refined than Ron had whilst he ate. And while his grades were a little above average, McLaggen's behavior was primitive –acting on his animalistic desires whenever he tried to woo a girl into his pants.
Cormac McLaggen, the Seventh year Gryffindor, was an absolute menace on the Quidditch field, but he was even more of a moronic, egocentric nitwit when he was grounded. And Harry didn't know if he should be amused that his death glare had practically reflected off of whatever sphere of stupidity that the elder teen emitted or the fact that Harry should listen to his elven instincts and just kill the human who dared to encroach on his already spoken for mate.
"So how about it Hermione?" Cormac repeated, his eyes roving over Hermione's body. The lip licking did nothing to save him from the rabid elf that seemed to promise death. Only Hermione knew how close Cormac was to dying if it hadn't been for her calming Harry down by curling up around his arm.
"Why don't you just step aside?" She asked warningly. Her tone was a mixture of one that warned McLaggen to leave them in peace and one that subtly advised the seventh year Gryffindor to stay away from them if he knew what was good for him. Though Hermione enjoyed Harry's admiring gaze when he first set eyes on her, disgust rolled off her in waves when she saw Cormac staring at her like she was a piece of meat. "I'm dating Harry you know. We're engaged?"
"So?" Cormac asked, idiotically. "Didn't you know? Most of the pureblood men who are married, also have affairs on the side. So don't be surprised if you find out that Potter is involved in a few hanky-panky's of his own."
The students around them didn't know if they should move closer to see what would happen, or step away when they felt a dark aura emanating from the Boy-Who-Lived. But their faces were more stricken with fear than anything else. Ultimately, it was practically a death sentence to claim that Harry was disloyal to Hermione, especially considering their five-year track record as two-thirds of the Golden Trio at Hogwarts.
"Are you insinuating that Harry is involved with anyone other than Susan and I?" Hermione said, astounded by Cormac's foolishness.
"Yeah," Cormac smirked. Finally, Granger was getting it! "And besides, we all know you're just in it for the money." He looked at Harry, trying to intimidate the younger Gryffindor, even when Harry was taller than he was.
"In it for the money?" Hermione echoed with a sense of detachment.
Cormac furrowed his eyebrows. "Yeah. After all, what other quality does Potter have that's good about him?" The seventh year Gryffindor frowned at Hermione. "Granger - is there something wrong with your hearing?"
Hermione glared up at him with furious brown eyes. "My auditory system is perfectly intact. Now would you please excuse us? Harry and I are spending time together today."
"You didn't disprove my claim. So you are with Potter for the money." Cormac declared boldly, 'hmph'ing victoriously as if he'd won the argument.
Ignoring the imbecile, Hermione made a move to walk around the boorish teen, but was halted when Cormac yanked her back.
"Come on. Spend some time with me. You can't tell me that you didn't feel the sparks whenever our eyes meet."
"Hah! If it's revulsion, then it's true. That's what I felt whenever I caught you staring at me. And for your information, whenever our eyes met, that was only because you were being a creeper." Hermione said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh come on! You don't like what you see?" McLaggen scoffed, making a show of exhibiting the length of his body with a dramatic flourish of his hands. "Surely I'm better than this wimpy stick."
"You're treading on dangerous ground, McLaggen." Hermione warned. "And just so you know, Harry is leagues above you. Come on love. Let's go."
Stopping once more, the brunette slapped away the offending and restrictive appendage. Hermione glared her own version of Harry's glower, smirking when Cormac stepped away. "If you ever bother us again, I can tell you that it won't be by my wand that you will fall. I'm sure you understand who I'm referring to?"
Cormac seemed to finally, finally, get it into his head that the arm Hermione was wrapped around was Harry Potter, Boy-Who-Lived, Golden Boy and the Boy Who Defeated Voldemort Twice! The younger teen was standing besides Hermione with a silent, stoic and calm façade, but the seventh year even flinched when he felt Harry's livid magic washing over him in tides, practically drowning him like a tsunami.
Swallowing the thick lump that generated in his throat, Cormac staggered backwards at the full force of Harry's scowl before attempting to redeem himself in the eyes of his audience.
"Y-You better watch your back." He laughed weakly, turning to the onlookers for support, but was met by incredulous looks. Turning to look at Harry, he paled when he saw the sharp fangs that seemed to protrude from his gums. Running away from the duo, Cormac stumbled and tumbled until he disappeared from sight.
Harry closed his mouth and smiled at Hermione, who turned to examine what had frightened McLaggen so.
The elf just shrugged at her inquisitive gaze, "Maybe he had something else to do."
Rolling her eyes, Hermione dragged Harry down for a kiss, softly thanking him for allowing her to fight her own battles. With a dopey grin on his face, the elf allowed Hermione to lead them away from the crowding masses.
As they walked around the school grounds, surprisingly they hadn't come across anyone else. Perhaps the rumors and gossip that had come from their encounter with McLaggen had sent them scurrying away. But whatever the cause was, the couple was happy about it.
When they were outside, Harry would drape his coat over her shoulders, but he enjoyed the redness of her cheeks against her lightly tanned skin in the cold winter breeze.
Soon, they returned to the Great Hall as the sun had set and the temperature had dropped several degrees. Hermione had buttoned up Harry's jacket, not wanting other students to have wandering eyes on her body. She and her body were for Harry and for Harry's eyes only. After dinner had ended, Hermione told Harry that she had one more gift left for him to celebrate Valentine's Day with him.
…..
The couple walked up to the seventh floor and walked towards the left corridor of the Hogwarts castle drawing closer to the opposite side of the tapestry depicting the attempt of Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach trolls ballet. Harry and Hermione were only a few feet away before a door appeared. Smiling at each other, Harry opened the door and allowed Hermione in first. Then he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, hearing the door closer firmly behind them before disappearing.
Inside the Room of Requirement, the magic of the school had opened up a room that was lit by candles. At the edge of the room was a large queen sized bed with silk blue bed sheets, diamond patterned blue duvet and white fluffy pillows. To the left of the room was a large fireplace already crackling with brightly lit fire. The wall opposite of the fireplace was a medium sized window, showing the glowing full moon in all its glory. Other than that, there was a black round rug underneath the bed and a loveseat five feet away from the fireplace.
"It's perfect." Hermione breathed out. Harry bent his head down and took in Hermione's scent. It smelt of her arousal and anticipation of what they were about to do next, but her hands also shook slightly with uncontained nerves.
Pulling his mate into the middle of the room, classical music started to play as Harry pulled Hermione close to his chest, his right hand on her back and his left hand holding her right hand as if it were made from spun glass. Together, they swayed from side to side.
"Why Lord Potter." Hermione smiled foxily, looking up at the elf from underneath thick full lashes, sending Harry an image of a tantalizing scene before him – an eyeful of her cleavage on his beloved fiancée. The picture sent a jolt down to Harry's groin, but he kept his lust behind bars.
"Yes, my love?"
"I didn't know you knew how to dance." Harry smirked, his green eyes twinkling mischievously.
Hermione laughed when the elf spun her, before pulling her back to his chest and dipping her low, only to pull her up and kiss her.
"I had to learn. It was part of the lessons that Remus and Sirius taught me over the summer. Once I would inherit the titles, they knew I would be invited to many pureblood galas, so ballroom dancing is one of the know-hows I needed to be perfect at."
Harry twirled Hermione, before his right hand reclaimed its place at the small of her back. "Not bad, huh? Much better than my dancing during the Yule Ball fourth year."
Hermione giggled, "I cannot say for certain. I wasn't the one dancing with you that night."
"Ah yes. I believe my date was Parvati Patil." Harry bent down to whisper in Hermione's ear. "Don't tell anyone, but I think I stepped on her toes a good couple of times."
Hermione gave a mock horrified look, before smiling. "Well, I'm glad that you are doing a lot better now."
"You know," Harry began. "I really should have asked you out during fourth year, but I was too afraid of it – the change that might happen between us. Then I had an inkling that Ron had feelings for you – and you him after that comment he made about you being a girl. I was so stupid. I don't know why I didn't ask you as my date."
Hermione shook her head before leaning it against Harry's chest. "You're not the only one. I was afraid too. I knew that you had yet to realize any feelings of your own – not just towards me, but towards any female in the school. After all, you didn't even notice anyone's advances until after I told you that there were many girls hoping to be your date."
Harry chuckled softly, bringing his forehead against Hermione's. "I guess we were both stupid. We should have just acted like Gryffindors and taken a risk. I should have asked you out even if I didn't understand what it was that I was feeling towards you."
"Yes, I suppose so."
"Well, no use crying over spilt milk. Our life together have yet to begin and I have no doubt that I'll be taking you and everyone of my wives to all the social gatherings I'll obviously have to attend. But at least the company is great." Harry said, laughing at his own joke.
The two spent half an hour in close contact, swirling around the center of the room until the songs ended. The room fell into silence, allowing the two to hear each other's soft breathing and feel the warmth of their bodies pressed up against each other. Their limbs had shifted during the dance. Harry's had wound themselves around Hermione's petite waist whilst Hermione had her arms circled around Harry's neck.
"It's all right, you know. We don't have to do this. I love you already." Harry whispered, as if their moment would break should he speak any louder. His Avada green eyes bore holes within Hermione's dark brown eyes. Hermione could tell that he was serious in his declaration. Hermione needn't prove to him that she needed to have sexual intercourse to prove her love and that it was the only way for them to proceed with marriage. She truly believed it as well, but she wanted it.
"No." Hermione shook her head. She swore she would go through with it and she would! "I want to do it. With you. Now. Please. It's my gift to you. My Valentine's Day gift."
She gasped, bending her head in the opposite direction to allow Harry more skin when his nose ghosted over Hermione's neck, quickly trailed by his slick wet tongue. Harry nodded his head and pulled Hermione to the middle of the room, away from the glow of the fireplace. Though he enjoyed how her hair shone from the fire, his enhanced vision allowed him to see the beauty before him even better than before.
Harry itched to mark her and caved into his instinct, leaving dark red border lining purple, hickies on her smooth soft skin. Nevertheless, as soon as Hermione moved to remove her attire, Harry bit his lip and pulled away, eyebrows furrowed together.
"W-What's wrong?" Hermione whispered.
Harry shook his head. "I can't do this."
"W-What? Why?" The hurt in Hermione's voice nearly did the elf in, but Harry stood firm.
"You know. You know as much as I do, how much I would love to," Harry whispered feverishly, brushing his hands over Hermione's body with reverence. His eyes tried to catch hers, but she kept looking away.
"Then why don't you?" She asked. Her eyes then grew wide with realization. "Is it what Cho said? Did she get into your head? I-I thought you loved me."
Harry reared his head back, "No! This has nothing to do with Cho!" Has this always been playing on Hermione's mind? For a month long? Did that petty Ravenclaw's words create such insecurities? Did Hermione have such insecurities in her in the first place?
"I love you Hermione. Of course I do!" Harry said, his voice filled with promise and much more. But when Hermione refused to make eye contact, he lifted her chin with his finger and tilted his head closer to hers. "But, I just can't. I want your first time to be something unimaginable. I want your first time to be the night we marry. I want to follow traditions. I want to make your parents proud – to know that when your father walks you down that aisle, that you are pure, untainted by something that lust has thrown together in order to fulfill an itch that can be contained – contained by will."
Hermione sniffled and wiped at her eyes, allowing for Harry to erase the tear track marks. "But what about what I want? I want you now. I want you to make love to me. I can't wait until we marry."
Harry sighed and brought his mate against his chest, stroking her hair with gentle fingers that ran down the length of her back before moving back up to repeat the process all over again.
"You don't mean that. That's just the lust talking."
"It's love talking, not lust." Hermione insisted.
"Hermione, just because we stop today, doesn't mean that I won't marry you. Just because we don't have sex today doesn't mean that I will love you any less. And, this doesn't mean that our engagement is cancelled. Just stopping today, right at this moment, means that we can control our primal urges – that I can control my urges. You don't understand how much I just want to take you on that bed. I want you, as badly as you want me. But we can't do this, not now. Trust me."
"But what about what happened during the vacation –"
"I should hope that that was just something that would tide the both of us over should we wish to move further than needed. I suppose touching each other is all right, but the act of sex is something that we should wait until we get married."
Hermione looked into the elf's green, green eyes and saw all the things unspoken there. All the unspoken promises, the truth of the matter and the love that she believed was magnified by thousands when compared to those she saw in her reflection in his eyes. Yet, she knew that their love was about equal and nodded her head.
"Okay." Then she threw him a halfhearted glare. "If our wedding night isn't as grand as you make it out to be –"
The elf laughed happily, kissing the breath out of Hermione. "No, I should hope it is. After all, we both love each other. Isn't that what matters?"
"I've read that –"
"Hermione, you can't learn or experience sex through a book."
Hermione harrumphed and turned her head. Eyeing the bed, she turned to look at Harry. "Well. . . the bed will go to waste."
"Shall we?" Harry grinned.
And the night passed on with loving touches and intimate gestures.
…..
A/N: Ooo la la~ Things are getting a little steamy! R&R (: Also, I might start an account in aff just in case ff doesn't allow for certain… scenes to be placed in the site. I'll let you know! :D