Harry Potter and the Torrid Affair

Chapter 10: Find the Golden Snitch

When Harry went to bed that night, he was feeling a bit uneasy. He was heartbroken at the fallout between his two best friends, and the scrutiny of his classmates only rubbed salt in the wounds. It took a while for him to fall asleep, and he started to dream.

He was in his bed, alone except for Hermione lying next to him. They were both wearing clothes, but Hermione reached over and started to undress Harry.

"I," she said while unbuttoning his shirt, "have a job for you, Harry. I think you'll enjoy it."

"What is it?" Harry asked, helping Hermione pull his arms free from his shirt sleeves.

"Well, since you're such a brilliant Seeker, I want you to find the Golden Snitch."

"Where is it?" Harry asked as Hermione unbuckled his belt.

"Somewhere in my possession," she said with an alluring smile. Harry's pants were removed.

"Perhaps you've swallowed it," Harry suggested, and he sent his tongue into Hermione's mouth to try to find it. He found no Snitch, but he was healthily distracted from his search.

"Harry," Hermione said, breaking away, "Slytherin's already scored two goals."

"Better stay focused then," Harry said. He pulled up on Hermione's shirt, and she lifted her arms so Harry could pull the shirt off over her head. He then unhooked her brassiere and she removed it.

"And Potter deftly handles the two Bludgers," she said with a laugh.

"I don't need the commentary," Harry said, smiling.

"I think you might. Malfoy's got a lead on the Snitch. You have to beat him to it or you'll lose the House Cup."

"I hope Malfoy doesn't really have a lead!" Harry said.

"God, no," Hermione said, "it's just a metaphor."

As far as Harry could tell, there was only one more place to look. He pulled off the rest of Hermione's clothing, and found a miniature Golden Snitch resting between her legs.

"Potter's gaze averts. He seems to have found the Snitch at last."

"Great," Harry said, "Now what?"

"Well," Hermione said, "the wood of your broomstick is hard and polished. It's high past time for you to go after it." Harry smiled and obliged, pressing into Hermione with surprising force. She started to moan pleasurably, and the two of them completely forgot about the Quidditch metaphor and just about everything else.

"Harry," she said softly. She looked her lover in the eyes, but there was something wrong with his. The pupils were narrowing into slits, and his eyeballs around the irises were turning bright green.

"Harry?" she said, suddenly scared. Harry slowed himself, wondering why she was frightened. Then he felt a surge of black energy course through his veins and a high-pitched voice screaming in his ear.

"KILL HER!" the voice yelled. Harry suddenly felt his body constrict and lengthen, felt his blood grow cold, felt his tongue elongate and become forked, felt his nose shrink, felt his teeth grow and sharpen. Suddenly, Harry lunged at Hermione's neck, striking with his fangs. Blood began to drip down her arm from the wound, and she started to scream. Harry lunged again and again, penetrating her flesh, poisoning her with his venom. She passed out, blood flowing down her naked body.

"HERMIONE!" Harry yelled as he awoke, gasping for air, cold sweat dripping down his neck.

Ron was the first to reach his side. Neville, Dean, and Seamus soon joined him.

"Bloody hell, Harry, are you all right?" Ron asked.

"Ron, God, I just attacked Hermione! Just like last year with your dad! She was bleeding and—" Harry suddenly stopped, horrified at what he was saying. He felt ready to vomit and his hands were shaking terribly.

"Harry, relax," Ron said, "it was only a bad dream. It's not like last time. You couldn't have possibly attacked Hermione."

"Are you sure? Her dorm's not that far from here."

"Harry," Neville said, "you've been asleep the whole time. I was busy reading when I saw you start to tremble in your sleep." Harry was suddenly embarrassed with himself. He thought the nightmares from last year had come to an end. All of a sudden, he was recovering from the worst one since he attacked Arthur Weasley last year.

"Harry, do you need to go to the Hospital Wing?" Ron asked, "You look awfully clammy."

"I'm fine, Ron," Harry said, "You're right. It was just a bad dream. I'm sorry everyone. You can all go back to sleep."

"Harry," Seamus said, "if you need to go—"

"I'm fine, Seamus," Harry said, a bit too forcefully. The others went back to bed, Ron being the last to leave Harry's side. Harry drew his curtains and lay awake, afraid to fall back asleep.

After all, none of them had heard the voice of Lord Voldemort screaming in their head.

…

Harry wasted no time talking to Hermione the next morning.

"Good morning, Harry," she said on their way down to breakfast, "Looking forward to tonight?"

"Not in the slightest," Harry said, which greatly offended Hermione. "No, please, let me explain. I had an awful nightmare."

"What happened?" Hermione asked.

"Do you remember when I was inside the body of Voldemort's snake and I attacked Ron's dad?"

"Yeah. Hard to believe that was a year ago. It felt like yesterday."

"It felt like my nightmare last night, only this time I was attacking you." Hermione stopped walking and took a deep breath.

"Yeah, but Harry, it was just a bad dream. See? I'm here, not a puncture wound on me."

"It's not just that, Hermione," Harry said, "Voldemort told me to do it."

"V-Voldemort?" Hermione asked, starting to tremble. "Doesn't that mean—?"

"I think Voldemort's trying to penetrate my mind again," Harry said, "using Legilimency."

"Harry," Hermione said more firmly, taking charge of the situation, "you need to go see Professor Dumbledore today and ask him for help. You've got to master Occlumency, or this will keep happening."

"Hermione," Harry said, "he just got back to Hogwarts on Thursday, and he was exhausted. I don't want to trouble him with this."

"That's rubbish, Harry. You have to see him. I'll go with you to his office, right after breakfast." Harry couldn't refuse any longer.

"Fine," Harry said.

…

Once they ate, Harry and Hermione hurried to the stone gargoyle guarding the spiraling stairs leading to the headmaster's office, only to find it refused to offer entry even with the proper password. That's because they had beaten Dumbledore, who hobbled down the corridor and was surprised to see them.

"Well," he said, "I'm not back two days, and students are already trying to knock down my door."

"We're not knocking down—"

"Please, Harry. I was merely jesting, but I see now that you are in no mood for such frivolities as humor."

"Professor," Hermione said, "we're sorry to intrude, but it's urgent. Harry—"

"Pardon my interruption, Miss Granger, but I must correct you. You and Harry are not intruding, and your sense of urgency is palpable. We'll speak in the privacy of my office. Acid Pops." The gargoyle moved aside to let through the three of them, and they rode the stairs up to the door leading to the office. Dumbledore opened it and sat at his desk. He conjured comfortable chairs for Harry and Hermione, who also sat.

"Now, Harry," Dumbledore said, "what is troubling you?"

"Sir, I had another dream like last year with Arthur Weasley. No, I didn't really attack anyone," Harry said, after seeing the look of horror on Dumbledore's face, "well, I did, but it was only a nightmare because I attacked Hermione. Still, it felt like that dream from last year, especially because Voldemort ordered me to kill her."

"Professor," Hermione added, "Harry's afraid that Voldemort is using Legilimency to penetrate his mind."

"I surmised as such, Miss Granger, but thank you. As for you Harry, I believe you were just having a ruefully unpleasant nightmare. However, your concerns about Lord Voldemort are certainly warranted, and a refresher course in Occlumency could not hurt. Even if Lord Voldemort is not trying to penetrate your mind—and after last year, Harry, I highly doubt he is trying—that doesn't mean he won't try something more malicious in the future.

"My suggestion is to come to our meetings half an hour earlier, so that we you may practice Occlumency while you are still relatively awake. I realize that is cutting into precious time you could spend studying, but I am sure Miss Granger will help you make the best use of your time. Is that all right?"

"That's wonderful, sir," Harry said.

"Splendid," Dumbledore said with a smile. "Now, I will send you a message with the time for our next meeting. As I am weary, it will not be any time soon, but given your concerns I will try to arrange something for you as soon as I can."

"Thank you, sir," Harry said.

"You're welcome, Harry. You and Miss Granger are free to go." Harry and Hermione left the office, feeling considerably better than they did when they went in.

…

The rest of the Saturday was much more of a relief for both of them, and that eager anticipation of the night ahead returned to them after meeting with Dumbledore. Hermione winked at Harry when they said good night, and once again Harry couldn't sleep. Eager as he was for Hermione's arrival, he was still uneasy about sleeping. He hoped to avoid another nightmare like the one from last night.

At 11:50, Harry cast Muffliato on the other four beds and the entrance to the room. He then propped himself up, eager for Hermione to arrive. Minutes later, a small tug on the curtain was the signal for Harry to let Hermione in. She entered, and a hand came free to draw the curtain. Harry was about to pull off the rest of the Cloak when she stopped him.

"Hold on, Harry, I have a surprise for you. Can you wait a moment?"

"I've been waiting for hours," Harry said, "and it's quite disconcerting to talk to you when I can't see your face."

"Sorry!" Hermione said, and soon her face appeared from beneath the Cloak.

"So what's the big surprise?" Harry asked.

"Well, you'll see in a minute, Harry, but I just want to make sure you don't laugh or judge me harshly."

"Why would I do that, Hermione?"

"I don't know, I'm just nervous," she said.

"You don't have to be," Harry said. Hermione took a deep breath, placed her trust in Harry, and removed the Invisibility Cloak. She wore nothing underneath.

Harry's eyes opened wide in disbelief. Hermione was beautiful, and apparently very bold, but she still seemed unsure of herself after removing the Cloak. Harry didn't mind in the slightest, but he was worried.

"Hermione," he asked carefully, hoping not to upset her, "what exactly did you have in mind tonight?"

"Well," Hermione said, "you told me that dream from last week, not the one from last night, and I've been thinking about it ever since. You're right about our friendship, Harry. Five years is long enough and life is too short to hesitate. So…I took a risk."

"You haven't answered my question," Harry said, "but I think I just answered it myself."

"Is it all right with you, Harry?" she asked. She had the most frightened look on her face, and for some reason Harry found it adorable.

His mind shut off and his body took over as he worked to undress himself. Hermione smiled with relief and helped him remove his clothing, kissing his face as she did. Harry kissed her in turn, and even with the spell they tried to be as quiet as possible. Soon Harry's clothes were on the foot of the bed, and to Harry, being with Hermione in this moment was even better than his dream. His hands explored her body at their own free will, and their mouths refused to break contact with each other.

Suddenly, to Harry's frustration, Hermione broke away.

"I'm sorry, Harry, I almost forgot something. Where's your wand?" Harry was confused, but he reached out of the curtain for his nightstand. He stuck his head out of the curtain, opened the drawer, and took his wand, which he gave to Hermione.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked.

"Taking precautions," Hermione answered, pointing the wand at Harry's crotch. Harry was about to protest, but before he could, Hermione whispered, "Infelicitas." An ice-cold chill spread through Harry's groin, but stopped as soon as it had started.

"Hermione," he asked, "what did you—"

"Spermicidal Hex," Hermione said, "It took me ages to find it in the library. Don't ask, it's a long story. I think Madam Pince would have banned anyone else for trying to find it."

"Okay, never mind," Harry said, and there were no more hesitations. The two of them started to kiss again, and Harry was about to make his move, but he felt a raw, dark sensation pass through him, and he stopped.

"What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked, now frustrated with him.

"Hermione, it's…it's like my dream," Harry said. "It feels like Voldemort intruding my mind again." Hermione's frustration vanished, and she felt very sad for her friend.

"Do you want to try Occlumency?" she asked.

"Please, how am I supposed to empty my mind now?" Harry asked.

"You have a point," Hermione said. "You know what? Ignore it."

"What are you talking about?"

"That little bit of Voldemort that seems to be inside you," Hermione said, "sometimes I like to think of it as your wicked side. And, call me crazy, but I think this act calls for a bit of wickedness."

"So, we use it to our advantage?"

"I think so," Hermione whispered into his ear. Harry needed no further invitation. The two of them finally made love, and all thoughts of Voldemort vanished from Harry's mind as he felt an unprecedented sensation of euphoria penetrate his entire body.

Nothing else would ever make him feel quite the same again.