wow, so so sorry for the delayed post, the school year ended for my students and I was just so exhausted I slept A LOT for a week. now i'm visiting my parents and they love to monopolize my time, and it's super awkward to write sex scenes when your parents are in the room :/ anyway, please enjoy and have a wonderful week!

the Room of Requirement, actually

The Quidditch game is a success, and even though she's still very, very mad at Harry for using Felix Felicis, she's happy they won.

As they walk back to the Gryffindor Tower to celebrate, Lavendar gushes over Ron's performance as Keeper, while Parvati and Hermione nod along and roll their eyes together when their gazes meet.

The stairwells are crowded as every Gryffindor and members of other houses travel up to the tower. She catches a glint of platinum hair out of the corner of her eye and sees him leering behind a corner on the third floor. She grins to herself before clearing her throat and announcing to the girls, "I forgot, I have to use the loo really quick, I'll be up in a minute!"

Lavendar is too engrossed in her own world to realize another person has spoken, but Parvati nods, "Hurry or all the firewhiskey will be gone!"

"I doubt that will happen, Parv," she laughs. "Seamus has a secret stash!"

She peels away from them and down the corridor a bit before she sees him hidden in an alcove. She hurries to him, jumping into his arms and kissing him soundly on the lips. He 'oofs' but wraps his arm around her waist and responds with the same amount of fervor she gives him. He sets her back on the ground when her lips finally leave his and grins.

She smiles widely, "Guess what?"

"Seamus Finnegan has a secret stash of firewhiskey?" He guesses, looking cheeky.

She laughs and swats him. "No, but we can meet in the Room in an hour and we can have some fun," she says, waggling her eyebrows.

He raises a skeptical eyebrow, "Aren't you still —"

"Nope," she says, popping the 'p'. "Ended this morning."

He looks very pleased to hear this, "Oh really? But how are you going to sneak out of the tower?"

"In the middle of a huge party? Easily," she shrugs and explains. "I'll pretend to go to bed but I'll actually just leave."

"And no one will notice?"

"The girls and I have an agreement that if the drapes are closed around our beds, it means we want privacy. I'll just close them before I leave."

"Brilliant," he grins and kisses her again. "So, one hour?"

"One hour," she agrees, squeezing his hand. "Promise." She checks the area outside the alcove, sees no one, and leaves.

When she gets to the Gryffindor Common Room, the celebration is already in full swing and the Quidditch players haven't even gotten in yet. Music is playing and confetti is continuously falling from the ceiling. They are pouring drinks into cups and Seamus is indeed adding shots of firewhiskey to people's cups, if asked. She's tempted to get a cup, but she doesn't want to feel icky later. Lavendar, it seems, has already downed a cup or two.

"Parvati, how many has she had?"

"She chugged one when we got here, now she's working on her second." Parvati explains, holding a cup of her own and keeping one eye on their roommate at all times. Her sister Padma is flirting with a Hufflepuff that Hermione doesn't recognize. "Do you want one?"

"I'll take an actual pumpkin juice, nothing else."

Parvati laughs but nods and leaves to get it.

She looks around the room and notes how happy everyone is. It's the first weekend in November, always the start of the Quidditch season, and when it starts to get really cold. But it does not damper anyone's mood, in fact it just fuels it. Only a month and a half away until the end of first term and the start of Christmas break, and she can't wait for it to arrive. Although she wouldn't mind more time here, without her responsibilities, to spend with Draco.

Parvati returns and they talk about more academic topics. Despite Parvati being a roaring gossip like Lavendar, she also has high expectations of herself (as does Padma). She wants to become a Healer, preferably one that works with pregnant witches. Hermione likes that prospect for her.

"Hermione, what are you thinking about doing?"

"I want to work at the Ministry, probably the Department of Magical Creatures, or maybe the Department of Magical Cooperation."

Parvati nods enthusiastically, "That's a good place for you!"

Lavendar turns her attention to Hermione and stalks over quickly. "If I kiss Ron tonight, will you absolutely hate me forever?"

She's taken aback by that question, her eyes going wide with shock. "E-excuseme?"

Lavendar takes a breath to steady herself, and she starts to clarify, but they hear the portrait hole swing open and Harry, Ron, Ginny, and the other members of the team walk in. They start cheering for them, and then Seamus starts chanting "Weasley! Weasley! Weasley!" Everyone joins him and then a few boys lift the redhead onto their shoulders.

She doesn't know how to answer Lavendar's question, but not because she wants Ron — she definitely doesn't anymore — but because she can't imagine hating Lavendar for expressing her feelings. Then again, if she was still in love with Ron, she probably would be annoyed. She never did tell anyone about her feelings for him, although she's sure it was written all over her face in the past. It does't matter, though, because the minute Ron is put back on the ground, Lavendar walks up to him and kisses him firmly on the lips. And Ron seems to enjoy it. The crowd goes nuts.

Harry looks over at her worryingly, but she is basically unbothered. She doesn't feel anything for the redhead, but people still seem to think she does, so she might as well play to that.

She pretends to look forlorn and casts her eyes downward. Harry notices and pulls her away from the crowd and into a quieter corner. "You okay?" She shakes her head slowly, looking up at him and trying not to show that she's 100% lying. "Wanna know a secret?" She shrugs and watches as he pulls the vial of Liquid Luck out of his pocket. It is full. "I didn't use it. I just wanted him to feel a little more confident."

She breaks character and grins, "Reverse psychology, very nice."

He smiles too, then pockets it again. "I thought it was the best way." She nods, agreeing. "Hermione, you know you aren't alone, right?"

"What, are you secretly in love with Ron as well?"

He snorts, "Not after hearing him snore for five years. No, I'm … I'm —"

"In love with Ginny, yeah, I know," she says, putting him out of his misery. "It sucks to see her with Dean, huh?"

"Pretty much a stab in the heart every time."

She nods and bites her lip, debating on whether to tell him the truth about Ginny and Dean's relationship. "Just know, you're always going to be Ginny's first love, and first loves are strong. Trust me."

He doesn't look convinced, but he nods and hugs her close. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'm going to go to bed, okay? Have fun down here."

"You sure?"

"Completely positive," she laughs and heads up the stairs. She stops once she's in her own dormitory and takes a deep breath. She hates lying to him, but god, is it necessary. She can only sudden when imagining what could happen if the whole school were to find out she is sleeping with — in a capital-r relationship with — in love with — Draco Malfoy. She shakes herself out of it and changes into new (sexier) undergarments quickly. She draws the drapes around her bed and casts a disillusionment charm on herself to sneak out unnoticed.

The rest of the castle is quiet as she sneaks up to the Room of Requirement. Sneaking around is tedious, but years of meddling with Harry and Ron seem to have prepared her for this — maintaining a secret relationship with their enemy.

How ironic.

Draco is waiting for her by the tapestry and he grins widely at the sight of her. She grins back, happy the days of hiding their enthusiasm are long over, and they can be stupidly happy to see each other.

They hurry through the door and as soon as it's closed, he presses her against the wall next to it, hands cupping her arse, and kisses her thoroughly. She cups his face and tilts her head up so their kisses become deeper and more frenzied. His leg slips in between hers and his thigh rubs against her center. Heat radiates in waves from her and onto his leg, and it causes him to start hardening.

She moans into his mouth and runs her fingers through his hair. His hands squeeze her behind and then travel up her sides, taking the hem of her sweater and pulling it off her. He peels the tank top off as well, and she responds by unbuckling his belt and untucking his shirt. He resumes kissing her, his tongue laving over hers, and his hands splayed across her back, touching all the skin he can.

He reaches to unhook her bra, but she turns them, pushing him against the wall. She drops to her knees and pushes his pants and boxers down to his ankles. She grasps his length and runs her hand up and down it several times. He sucks in a breath at her light pressure and then groans when her thumb brushes over the slit. He's starting to leak pre-come and she licks her lips before leaning forward on her haunches and slowly enveloping him in her mouth.

She sucks in her cheeks and bobs her head quickly, then slowly, then quickly again. She can hear him moaning and grunting above her, and when she takes as much of him as she can without gagging (which is surprisingly a lot), he mumbles "oh fuck" and threads his fingers through her hair.

He slowly thrusts into her mouth and she moves in time with his hips, moaning to encourage him to go faster. The vibrations from her moan travels up his cock and goosebumps erupt over his skin. He jerks harder and faster into her mouth and the head of his dick bumps the back of her throat before sliding down her throat. Her eyes water, but she sucks him hard in retaliation, to which he shouts "shit!"

She can tell he's close, so she removes her hands from his hips and scratches her nails down his thighs. A chill goes up his spine and he loses his rhythm briefly, but resumes fucking her mouth almost immediately. One of her hands reaches up and fondles his balls, rubbing and lightly squeezing to bring him closer to his orgasm. He throws his head back and tugs on her hair, saying her name warningly.

She doesn't stop her motions, continuing to rub his balls and suck his dick faster and faster. Her own hips move in time with her movements as she is horribly turned on with nothing to grind against to relieve any pressure. He notices this and stares down at her, watching through glazed-over eyes as she bobs her head furiously and reaches into her pants between her legs to rub her clit. She closes her eyes and moans scandalously when she touches herself and he lets out a shout, beginning to shoot streams of come down her throat. She sucks him through it, swallowing down load after load of come, wishing she could orgasm as well.

When he finally slumps against the wall, she releases him from her mouth, a long line of saliva connecting her mouth to his cock. He groans again, the sight too sensual for him and pulls her off the floor. When she kisses him, he tastes himself on her tongue and lets her grind down on his thigh wantonly. She tries unbuttoning his shirt, but she's so aroused that she's shaking, and eventually she just yanks the shirt open, buttons popping off.

He chuckles against her lips and unbuttons and unzips her jeans, not even bothering to push them down all the way before thrusting his hand into her knickers and rubbing her slick opening with two fingers. She removes her lips from his and cries out loudly, "oh god!" She pushes her pants and knickers down, kicking them off as fast as she can. He steps out of the puddle of his pants and picks her up in his arms, walking the short distance to the bed. He tosses her onto it before clambering up himself. She makes short work of her bra and his undershirt before they are both finally naked.

Their bodies collide, skin rubbing skin, mouths fusing together. He reaches down again, using two fingers to gently part her lips and explore her soaked opening. She almost sobs at how good it feels and bucks her hips up so the tips of his fingers sink inside her. She whimpers and pleads "please, Draco," and his lips travel lower, nibbling and sucking on her pulse point. He pushes his fingers all the way inside her, up to the knuckle, and curls them in a "come hither" type of motion. She yelps, her eyes rolling back in her head, and she's so close to coming already.

"Draco, I need you," she whines. He thrusts his fingers into her quickly, and she is so slick and open that he can fit a third finger inside, stretching her delightfully. His thumb rests on her clit and he presses down on it in time with his thrusts. His mouth travels even lower, attaching to her left breast. She bites her lip and furrows her brow, and she's so close, so close, so close —

He twists his wrist and his fingers hit her g-spot momentarily. Her walls flutter around his fingers, and he does it again, more firmly swiping the spot, and she screams his name, squeezing his fingers and humping his hand shamelessly as she orgasms. He draws it out, bringing her down from the high with slow finger thrusts.

She takes a slow deep breath when it finally subsides and opens her eyes to find him hovering above her, staring lustfully. She smiles up at him lazily and pulls his head down for another kiss.

This kiss is sweeter than before, less demanding, more soul-searching, and she plays with the hairs at the nape of his neck. He cups her cheeks, gently running his thumbs over her cheekbones.

He lays between her legs and uses his forearms to hold his weight so he doesn't crush her, although she never minds it when he does lay on her. She bends her knees to cradle his hips with hers, his once-again hard cock rubbing against her entrance as they kiss slowly, deeply.

She feels it in her soul. The love she has for him fills her, blossoming from her chest and spreading throughout her body, to her fingers and toes. It overwhelms her, and it just has to be said."Draco, I …" she starts to say, looking up at him with wide eyes. She brushes his hair out of his eyes and he stares down at her adoringly. She doesn't know if he feels it too, but she thinks he just might by the way he's looking at her. "I love you," she whispers.

He smiles and rests his forehead against hers. "I love you, Hermione," he breathes, stroking her cheek. She feels light-headed but giddy at his declaration and she laughs happily. He chuckles at her contagious laughter and kisses her again, resuming their snogging session.

He draws himself up onto his knees and pulls her hips to his, the head of his cock pressing into her clit. She moans and bucks her hips up, the head slipping inside her. She mewls and arches her back, begging for more. He places one hand on the small of her back, keeping it arched, and thrusts his hips forward, entering her. She moans a low "yessss" once he's inside her fully and digs her fingernails into his shoulders, urging him to move.

He sets a slow pace, withdrawing his hips and pushing completely back into her each time. She whines his name, asking for him to go faster, but he doesn't, keeping his steady pace and kissing every inch of skin he can find. She drags her nails down his back and pulls his body flush against hers, wanting to feel more of him, as she wraps her legs around his waist. His pelvis hits her clit and she throws her head back, reveling in the pleasure.

He bites and sucks a dark hickey over her pulse point on her neck and brings one of his hands up to knead her breast. He picks up the pace, slamming into her quickly over and over. She cries out, clinging to his shoulders and moving her hips in time with his. "I … oh my god, I —"

"I know," he groans, barely withdrawing himself from her before thrusting back in deeper and deeper. "Fuck," he grunts when he bottoms out and she screams as his pelvis grinds into her clit roughly.

She climbs higher and higher until she doesn't think she can take it anymore and thankfully her body lets go. She screams and seizes around him, clinging to his shoulders and rutting her hips into his as she falls off the cliff. Her walls squeeze him so tightly that he cannot move, he just closes his eyes and comes, shouting her name. He keeps grinding down on her clit, drawing out both their orgasms until they can't breathe.

He gasps when it finally subsides, falling on top of her and groaning into her chest. She swallows lungfuls of air and pushes her hair off of her sweaty forehead. He takes some deep breaths to calm down before picking up his head and watching her relax. She flits her eyes over his face and smiles widely, giggling a bit. He grins and kisses her quickly before removing himself and rolling onto his side.

She sighs contentedly and rests one hand over her stomach while finding his hand with her other one. He rubs his thumb over her knuckles and brings them to his lips to kiss lightly. She hums and whispers, "I love you."

He leans over to brush her hair out of her eyes and kiss her lips slowly. "I love you too," he whispers and she smiles, her heart soaring again. He looks around and sees a blanket at the bottom of the bed and he pulls her body into his as he lays it over them. She wraps her arm around his torso and lays her head in the crook of his neck, one of her legs draped over his. He cradles her into his side, hand possessively holding her hip, and presses light kisses to her forehead.

They're quiet for a while, before she starts giggling out of nowhere. He looks at her, clearly confused, and raises his eyebrows, silently asking what prompted this giggling session. She looks up at him and tries to stifle it, but she fails miserably. Her laugh is contagious though, and soon he's laughing too without any idea why.

"Hermione," he tries to speak but laughs some more. "'Mione, why are you laughing?"

"It's just —" she giggles and presses her face into his shoulder. "It"s just that, I guess, it's weird for me — I mean it's amazing, don't get me wrong — but it's so weird to hear that you …" she takes a deep breath, sobering up enough to continue seriously, "you love me. I never would have thought … that we'd be in this sort of situation, but we are. It's just strange. But a good strange, an amazing strange, a wonderful, happy, beautiful strange."

He smiles at her ramblings and nods in agreement. "It is pretty odd that we're in this relationship and that we're happy. I didn't think I'd … I'd love anyone as incredible as you, and even though we're doing this in secret, it's still the best thing I've ever done. I can't …" he sighs and rubs his hand down his face. "I just can't wait for this war to be over."

She can't help but agree. "And when it's over … what are you going to do then?"

"Maybe I'll grow a pair and finally stand up to my father?" He says, not a drop of sarcasm in his voice, only pure desolation. She stays quiet, biting her lower lip and rubbing his side comfortingly. "I just don't want to make any more mistakes."

She nods against his chest and understands. "I don't want to see you unhappy."

He lays his cheek on her head and sighs. "When I'm with you … I'm the happiest I can be."

pls fave and review!