I do not own Harry Potter or gain anything from writing this other than the opportunity of expanding on an already brilliant universe for my own entertainment, and hopefully yours.

CHAPTER 8 - EARTH & WATER

The next day's Quidditch game was a frustrating experience for Harry. He found out Malfoy was opting out of playing, no doubt to work on whatever he was in the Room of Requirement. Harry almost considered ditching the game in favour of following him but grudgingly went to the pitch.

Dean Thomas had replaced Katie as third Chaser and walking into the change rooms to catch him and Ginny snogging before the game just made Harry miss Katie more. The game went fine, Ginny carried the weight on the scoring front quite well and Ron, believing he was under the effect of the Felix Felicis, was playing magnificently. When Harry caught the snitch they were already ahead by one hundred points, making it a massive victory for Gryffindor.

While that was all well and good, Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of loss at the absence of his favourite Chaser. He made a point of writing her a letter as soon as the match was finished, doing the writing in the girls locker room for nostalgia sake.

Walking into the Gryffindor common room he found the victory celebration already underway. He was very surprised to see Lavender Brown in the arms of a certain red-headed Keeper, snogging the life out of him. He saw Ginny scowling at them from a corner and made his way over to her.

'Where the bloody hell did this come from?' Harry asked her in an annoyed voice.

'Happened as soon as we got back, bloody hypocrite,' Ginny said with a disgusted look on her face. 'Looks like he's trying to eat her face.'

'Where's Hermione?' Harry said, now concerned.

Ginny grimaced and looked to the dorm stairs.

'She stomped off to her dorm,' she said hesitantly. 'Was something going on between them?'

'Something is certainly the right word,' he grabbed Ginny's broom from next to her. 'I'm borrowing this, mine's in the lockers.'

He walked quickly to the stairs to the girl's dorm and mounted the broom, ignoring Ginny's shouts of, 'you're not allowed up there though!'

Harry flew swiftly up the spiral staircase and burst through the sixth floor girl's dorm room without knocking.

'Harry!' a surprised Parvati Patil cried from Hermione's bedside. 'What are you doing in here?'

Hermione lifted her head off the bed in surprise and looked at Harry with wide bloodshot eyes.

Harry, ignoring Parvati, marched up to Hermione's bed and plopped himself down before pulling her into a fierce hug. She immediately buried her head into his chest and cried hard.

Harry nodded to Parvati who seemed placated for the moment that the boy had invaded their dorm, leaving them to it and heading for the door. Ginny appeared at that moment but just silently retrieved her broomstick and left with Parvati.

'He's such a bloody prat,' Hermione sobbed into his damp shirt.

'He really is,' Harry agreed with a sigh. 'Are you alright?'

Hermione sat up away from him and wiped her eyes fiercely.

'I'm fine,' she sighed shakily, 'I'm just really embarrassed.'

Harry smiled at her and let his forehead touch hers. Wiping a fresh tear with his thumb.

'You never have to feel embarrassed in front of me,' he said gently.

Hermione let out a wet chuckle and looked up at him.

'I don't deserve a friend like you,' she said quietly.

Harry laughed out loud at that.

'Don't you get started on the pity party Hermione,' he said playfully. 'I believe I have the market cornered on that front.'

Hermione laughed again, not disagreeing in the slightest.

'I've had so many low points where you've been there for me Hermione,' Harry said. 'I wouldn't be alive now if it weren't for you. I certainly wouldn't be happy now if you weren't there for me.'

Hermione pointed her wand at her face and cast a spell silently that made it look like she hadn't just been crying.

'And where would I be without you?' she sighed. 'Troll food no doubt.' She scowled then, eyeing the door leaving the dormitory. 'I was crying because of him then too,' she scoffed. 'After the Yule ball… I'm done with it. He can snog whoever he wants.'

Hermione eyed Harry curiously.

'Can I ask you something?' she said a bit more hesitantly.

' 'Course,' Harry said easily.

'All those times when you were flirting with me and all that,' Hermione said, shifting uncomfortably. 'Why didn't you ever kiss me?'

Harry's eyebrows rose, it wasn't the question he'd expected.

'Really?' he said. 'I wasn't sure you wanted me to. You never made a move back, I thought you were just humouring me or you were letting it happen because you thought you had to for the ritual or something.'

'That wasn't it at all,' Hermione said quickly. 'I thought you didn't actually want to do that with me,' she explained and sighed. 'I mean I wouldn't blame you, there are much prettier options for the Earth soul.'

Harry let his head fall to her shoulder and groaned in frustration.

'So it was just a misunderstanding?' he whined. 'I could have been snogging you for months?'

Hermione actually giggled at that.

'You'd actually want to?' Hermione asked hopefully.

'First of all,' Harry said fiercely, looking into her eyes, 'to me you are, bar none, the most amazing witch I know. You're beautiful, smart, and sexy and damn you're distracting when you bite your lip like that.'

Hermione quickly released her lip from her teeth, then grinned impishly and bit down on it again.

'You asked for it,' Harry growled playfully and pressed his lips against hers roughly.

Hermione reciprocated immediately, falling backward onto her bed with Harry still glued to her. The two poured five years of unrequited passion into the kiss, releasing all the frustration they had towards each other in the desperate embrace. To Harry's surprise, Hermione started removing his clothes. Pulling his shirt over his head before capturing his lips once more, cutting off any questions.

Harry decided to go with it; he'd wanted this badly for so long, there was no need to hold back if she wanted it too.

She was so curious about his body, studying it like she would read a book. Harry had seen that look many times before as she was enjoying a good read, though this look had a large measure of desire added to it.

To say he was surprised when she took his sex in her mouth would be a gross understatement. To see her curly haired head bobbing up and down on him while she watched his reaction nearly sent him over the edge far too soon, forcing him to stop her else they ended their fun early.

The only thing he could do to wipe the smug look off her beautiful face was reciprocate, it also had the added bonus of letting him calm down a bit. Not that he needed a reason to pleasure her in that way, he enjoyed it immensely. She did too, if her desperate moans were any indication.

When it got to the point where Hermione was fully begging him to take her, Harry was quick to oblige.

'I've wanted this for so long Harry,' she moaned recklessly as he pushed inside her.

'Me too Hermione,' he growled, pushing steady onward. 'God you feel good.'

Harry was slow and attentive, making sure she was comfortable through the whole process. For her part Hermione had nothing in terms of protest, she just watched the point where they were connected almost obsessively, urging him ever onward. The fact that he was doing this with the person he cared about more than probably any other person in the world made Harry's climax come far quicker than he'd like. Forcing him to use his hand to finish Hermione off only shortly after him as the sandy brown lettering appeared on his chest.

Gaeus.

'Did it hurt at all?' Harry asked in more curiosity than actual concern.

'It really didn't,' Hermione said thoughtfully. 'I read about how sometimes the wizard's magic can heal the witch as he goes, making it more comfortable.'

'It hurt for Luna quite a bit though,' Harry said with a furrowed brow.

'Well you weren't as experienced as you are now were you?' she pointed out. 'I imagine that would help with your concentration.'

'I suppose that makes sense,' Harry said absently, running his fingers through the hair by her core, eliciting a breathy gasp.

'Feeling up for another round?' he asked hopefully. 'I feel like I need to redeem myself a bit.'

'Oh, shut up Harry. It was more than wonderful,' Hermione said. 'Besides, we should probably get back down before people get too suspicious.'

Harry pouted in disappointment but didn't argue as they got dressed.

'But since you offered,' Hermione said nonchalantly. 'Maybe we can meet up later in the Room of Requirement. Might be fun.'

Harry's smile split his face as he kissed her quite improperly before they slid their way back down to the common room.

Harry was quite pleased with his weekend all and all, he'd gained two more tattoos and became much closer with two of his most favourite people. He couldn't help but recollect how this whole project of his started and how quickly he had managed to progress. Maybe it wasn't so bad to be the famous Harry Potter after all. He only had two more to go before he could perform the final phase of the ritual.

Harry regarded the two Slytherin girls in front of him. The four of them were in the Room of Requirement as they usually were after their Monday potions class to work on their homework. Sue Li was the fourth, and Harry was pleasantly surprised that she got along quite well with Daphne once she started joining them for their regular homework sessions. Harry had the impression that Sue didn't have many friends in her own house, so it was nice to see her branching out a bit.

Daphne and Harry had become fairly good friends themselves. Once she became more comfortable with the Gryffindor boy she gave him as good as she got. Responding to his casual flirting with a witty insult or two, though never with any heat behind them. He thought she might have been becoming interested in pursuing the more physical possibilities of their relationship that Harry was quick to suggest, but she was still holding back. Not that Harry had any desire to push her past where she was comfortable, he enjoyed what they had and didn't want to ruin it.

The third girl of the study group seemed far more distracted than usual today. Often not even hearing what one of her companions had to say due to being lost in her own thoughts. She was also being very shy toward Harry, which was unusual as she'd normally be trying to outdo him for the bawdiest comment.

'Have you asked anyone to Slughorn's Christmas party yet?' Daphne asked him as she packed her bag.

'No, not yet,' Harry said over the three thousand word essay he was checking over. 'Why? Interested?'

'I really am actually,' she said honestly. 'From what I hear it's going to be a lot of fun. There's going to be all kinds of famous and powerful people there. I'd even be willing to go with the likes of you if not for the obvious reasons I can't.'

'Can't say I'm looking forward to it myself,' Harry said, ignoring the jab. 'Slughorn's just going to be parading me around to all his friends like some kind of trophy.'

'At least you get to go,' Daphne mourned. 'I wouldn't mind being paraded around like a trophy to go.'

'Well you're pretty enough, that's for sure,' Harry said absently.

'You're going with Terry Boot aren't you?' Daphne asked Sue.

'He sort of just told me he was going with me,' Sue sighed. 'I don't think he actually likes me very much, I'm just his ticket inside.'

'Why wouldn't he like you?' Harry asked, feeling somewhat offended for his friend.

'I'm not exactly very cool,' she mumbled quietly. 'Only reason I got invited is because we're doing so well in Slughorn's class. Nothing much special about me.'

'There's loads special about you!' Harry protected. 'Only reason you get overlooked is because you're a little shy. Trust me, once a bloke is smart enough to see you for who you are they are going to be kicking themselves for not realizing it sooner.'

Sue just gave a non-committal shrug and continued watching her hands.

'I've got an idea,' Daphne said, perking up a bit. 'Why don't we go dress shopping for you at Hogsmeade this next weekend? I can show you a few make up spells and things too. By the time Tracey and I are through with you, Boot won't be able to keep his eyes off you. Right Trace?'

'Hmm?' Tracey said distractedly.

'Where is your head today girl?' Daphne asked disapprovingly.

'Sorry,' she mumbled, glancing quickly at Harry then looking away with a blush.

'Are you taking anyone to the party Tracey?' Sue asked.

'No,' she sighed. 'Can't really go with the person I…'

As she trailed off Harry was struck with a bit of inspiration.

'I've got an idea,' Harry said excitedly. 'Why don't you go with Tracey, Daphne?'

The two girls looked up at him a little confused.

'As friends I mean, obviously,' Harry clarified. 'You know, unless you have some ulterior motives there Tracey.'

Tracey just mumbled incoherently under her breath at the teasing comment.

'It's not that bad an idea actually,' Daphne said thoughtfully. 'If you don't mind anyway.'

'No that sounds fine,' Tracey said with a hopeful shrug. 'Should be fun actually.'

'OH!' Daphne cried in sudden excitement, 'We can all buy new dresses at Hogsmeade! This is going to be so much fun!'

Even Sue looked excited at the idea of dress shopping with her friends. Tracey still looked fairly distracted but perked up visibly at the idea. Harry just sat back and smiled as the three talked excitedly about parties and dresses and the upcoming holidays.

'You okay?' Harry asked Tracey once the other two had left.

Tracey fidgeted slightly and then leapt to her feet suddenly.

'Sod it,' she said under her breath and climbed into Harry's lap, straddling him and kissing him hungrily.

Harry, not one to complain when such a pretty girl begins kissing him, wrapped his arms around her arse and squeezed it appreciatively. The moment Tracey felt him hardening under her she started grinding into him eagerly. Moaning and whimpering at the pleasure she was feeling. Harry himself was feeling quite overwhelmed at the sudden forwardness of the girl.

'Tracey,' he growled her name hungrily. 'What's gotten into you? Fuck.'

'I'm tired of waiting, Harry,' she moaned into his mouth. 'You're shagging me tonight dammit!'

At this statement Harry threw her down roughly onto the couch and ravished her mouth, his knee coming up between her legs and grinding roughly against her sex. Quickly they removed their clothes, ripping any pieces that were especially stubborn in their haste.

'Harry Potter, you slut,' she moaned in something that sounded like awe when she spotted the two new tattoos on his chest.

Harry just growled at the girl again and dove down on her sex, making her scream out his name in passionate moans. When she was good and warmed up Harry slid up her and placed his shaft at her entrance, but hesitated at her whimper.

'Tracey,' he said gently. 'We don't have to, there's really no-'

'I want to!' she groaned in frustration. 'I'm just… scared. I heard it hurts and I… I…'

'I would never hurt you,' Harry said, smiling at her. 'Even with this… trust me.'

Tracey nodded quickly and Harry concentrated on making sure she didn't hurt at all, slowly pushing his way past her resistance. Her eyes widened at the feeling, mouth hanging open as she concentrated fully on being filled. When Harry bottomed out inside her he brushed the hair out of her face and raised an eyebrow with a cocky smirk.

'Why doesn't it hurt?' she squeaked at him.

'Because I don't want you to hurt,' he said simply, 'and also, magic. Now I'm going to fuck you very hard. And I expect you to scream my name quite loudly.'

So as he was keeping his word, Tracey found herself almost immediately crashing over the edge of orgasm. Still in awe of how amazing she was feeling. He wasn't gentle with her after the initial penetration. He didn't need to be, and she certainly didn't mind what he was doing to her.

When he was about to fill her core he asked her to say his name for him one more time. As she repeated 'Harry' over and over he emptied himself inside her, his chest glowing dark blue as the word appeared there.

'Tote,' Tracey repeated for the umpteenth time, 'Tote.'

'You hate it,' Harry teased, toying with her dark hair absently.

'I love it,' she corrected, lying on his chest and staring at the word. 'This isn't just a random pattern is it?' she asked, leaning back to look at the near completed circle. 'It looks like something out of Ancient Runes.'

'Wouldn't know,' Harry said sleepily. 'I was a moron and took divination instead.'

Tracey chuckled mockingly at that, circling the empty space at the bottom left of his tattooed chest.

'What colour will Daphne be when she goes here,' Tracey asked casually.

'Black,' Harry said grinning at his intelligent lover, 'now stop being so smart.'

'It'll be a perfect Heptagram then,' Tracey concluded. 'What's the ritual for?'

Harry sighed and attempted to give Tracey a stern look, but couldn't hold it. Finally he sighed again and relented.

'It has to do with destroying Voldemort.'

He was impressed with her lack of shudder at the name, though she did make a pained face.

'Sounds dangerous,' Tracey said, frowning.

'Very,' Harry admitted sadly. 'How did you figure it out?'

'I didn't really,' Tracey said, shrugging. 'Like I said we study stuff like this in Ancient Runes, then I just guessed and you confirmed it.'

'House of cunning indeed,' Harry said then yawned into his hand.

Tracey snuggled back into his chest and closed her eyes and they fell into a comfortable silence. Harry just let the moment wash upon him, listening to her even breathing, wondering if she'd fallen asleep.

'What makes you think Daphne would go for it?' he asked quietly into the silence.

'I don't know for sure, but I know she wants to,' she spoke just as quietly. 'If not, you could always get Sue. Pretty sure she just wants you to make the first move.'

'Wouldn't work,' he explained. 'She's water, like you.'

'Oh, cool,' she said. 'So they're all different… what exactly-'

'Types of soul,' Harry said, 'want me to tell you the whole story now? Or do you want to sleep?'

'Sleep,' Tracey yawned. 'Tell me in the morning.'

'Mmm,' hummed Harry.

The couch they were laying on magically turned into a bed, but the couple didn't move. Just fell into a deep slumber together in the Room of Requirement. With no worries of things like curfews or school houses. At least not for the night.