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CHAPTER 3
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title: No Take Backs
rating: PG13
keywords: harry, hermione
category: romance
summary: When Harry and Hermione finally make that connection, what Harry gets is more than what he intended.
a/n: yeah, so i've been sick the past few days, and so the story is out much sooner than i thought i'd have it out. once again, excuse any spelling or typing errors because my computer is a BITCH! oh, and there is a bit of a ginny/draco thing going on. i never intended for it to come to that, but it did. i just couldn't help myself. READ AND REVIEW!
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A cold draft passed through the darkened girls' dorm on this early morning in late February. It swept through the room quickly making all of the girls cover themselves up further with blankets and murmer softly in their sleep. Hermione was no exception to this. She rolled over on her side and said something that sounded like "buttons" before settling back down.
The door that had opened to cause the draft silently closed, and if one listened right, they could hear the very soft sound of padding footsteps on the floor.
Harry Potter took off his invisibility cloak and held it securely in his left hand. He gazed down at Hermione as she slept peacefully.
"My angel," he muttered as he reached down and kissed her forehead softly. He sat down on the edge of the bed and watched her as she slept.
In the distance Harry could hear a clock chime two o'clock and he knew that he should probably be in his bed sleeping. But it was because he couldn't sleep that he found himself sitting here next to the love of his life. It was almost funny to him when he thought about her as the love of his life. But he couldn't help but realize that when he did think about it like that, he was being honest.
Harry sighed and stood, putting the invisibility cloak over his head. He took small, soft steps back to the door and opened it, making he same draft enter the room, and then he was gone.
Hermione opened her eyes and smiled gently, touching her forehead where his kiss had been laid.
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Harry stood in a side corridor later that same day clutching his wand. Draco Malfoy stood not far away doing the exact same thing, and he matched Harry's icy glare. They both stood in a fighting stance waiting for the other to make the first move.
"Take it back, Malfoy," Harry said through gritted teeth. "Take it back right now."
"It's not that you can help the fact that your girlfriend is a mudblood. I mean she is afterall-" Malfoy was abruptly cut off by the shouting of Harry's spell. Malfoy went sailing into the wall behind him, his wand flying right into Harry's hand.
"What in heaven's name is going on out here?" Hagrid came walking around the corner at about that time carrying a large sack with something inside that seemed to be moving. "Harry, now tell me that yeh haven't been cursin' Mr. Malfoy. I'd have ter turn yeh in fer that! Yeh'd be in a heap o' trouble, an' they'd punish yeh summat fierce!"
"It's nothing, Hagrid. I was just leaving," Harry said as he turned around and walked off.
Hagrid came and followed Harry around the corner. He reached up and touched Harry's shoulder, making him stop in the middle of the hallway. He didn't turn around, and he didn't make any movements that showed that he was going to.
"Harry, what on earth is goin' on with yeh? Yeh've been so uptight abou' things lately," Hagrid said worriedly. "I jes' don' know what ter make of it."
"Like I said, it's nothing. I'm just sick of Malfoy poking fun at Mione. I wish he'd leave her alone."
"That's un'erstandable. But yeh don' have ter go aroun' throwin' spells at people jes' ter make yer point!"
Harry sighed in resign. "I know that."
"Do yeh?"
"Yes. It won't happened again. I promise." Harry began to walk off from Hagrid.
"Oh, an' Harry," Hagrid said, beckoning him to stop where he stood. "Something's been playin' on me mind fer a while. Yeh haven't been down ter the hut in a few weeks, an' we haven't really talked much. Are you sure there's nothin' wrong? Yeh can talk ter me abou' anything, yeh know."
Harry turned around. A smile played on his lips. "Hagrid, I've just been so busy with everything lately. I'll be sure to come down sometime soon. And no. Nothing's wrong. For once in my life, things are going right."
Harry turned around waved goodbye to Hagrid before continuing down the corridor. He walked at a slow, casual pace, taking his time to enjoy the sites of the castle. Some of the potraits spoke merrily to him, asking him about his day, and Harry kindly greeted them and spoke back.
Upon reaching the Fat Lady's portrait, he noted that she had a large grin on her face. She said hello and asked him how his day was like most of the other portraits had done. He replied just as kindly and gave her the password.
Harry walked inside unnoticed to the dozens of people sitting around socializing with other Gryffindors. Some of them looked up when he passed by, but they did not say anything to him. He spotted Ron sitting alone in the corner, a book in his lap, and a look of concentration on his face. Harry grabbed a chair and carried it over to where Ron was sitting.
"Hello, Harry," Ron said as he looked up. Harry flinched at the site of Rons face. He had a slightly bruised cheek with a small cut in the center of the bruise. This was the damage that Hermione had told him she'd inflicted on Ron. If it weren't for the proof, Harry wouldn't have believe the story.
"Yeah, she hit me pretty hard yesterday," Ron said as he put a piece of parchment in to mark his page in the book. "It doesn't hurt as much as it did when she hit."
Harry laughed. "I just hope that I never have to deal with the wrath of Hermione. I'd probably get it worse than you did."
"I guess I deserve what I got, though. I had no right to say those things to Ginny."
"Hermione told me what you said. Nothing you said was justified. I mean, I hate Malfoy just as much as you do. I just about had a good row with him in one of the west corridors not a half hour ago."
"If it were me I would have killed the bastard."
"I thought about it. He was saying some awful things about Hermione. But lucky for him Hagrid came around the corner."
"You should have done it anyway." Ginny came walking over and jumped in her brother's lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at a stunned Harry.
"My big brother is just looking out for me. I can't hate him for it. Anyway, Hermione taught him his lesson." Ginny reached up and ran her fingers over Ron's bruise. He pulled back sharply and gave her a warning look.
"Okay, okay. Well, I've got to go. I'm late for a....pressing social engagement." Ginny got up and walked over to her group of friends in the corner.
"Damn girls and their gossiping." Ron's frown faded into a smile that was directed over Harry's shoulder. Harry turned and saw Parvati walk into the room. She smiled at Ron and waved. Much to Harry's surprise, Ron got up and crossed the room to go and talk to Parvati.
Harry sat back in his chair and smiled. One less thing to worry about.
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Hermione shoved an apple at Harry's face. "Want some?" Hermione took much pleasure in watching Harry jump, apparently startled at the offering. He reached over and took a bite out of the apple as it was still in Hermione's hand. A light breeze blew over them and Hermione couldn't help but smile at Harry's frustration with his too-long hair.
Harry brushed his hair out of his face and looked out at the other students outside on the grassy Hogwarts lawn. It was a rare day. The early days of March were normally cold and forbidding, but today the weather was sunny and slightly warm.
A few of the Hufflepuffs were kicking around a strange white ball joyfully a little ways away from them, and not far from that Ron sat with Parvati and some of the Ravenclaws talking in a giant circle. Not surprisingly, most of the Slytherins were still inside the castle. Harry spotted memebrs of his house scattered everywhere. There was no set location that any of them gathered around. It was jsut in their nature to socialize, he guessed.
Harry was shaken out of his reverie when Hermione reached up and played with his hair. He pushed her hand off, clearly annoyed, and she giggled slightly.
"Since when do you giggle?" Harry asked.
"When was your last haircut?"
"I asked you first."
"I don't giggle. I just laugh playfully. After all, it's so much fun to annoy you. It's so easy." Hermione reached up to play with Harry's hair again, but he caught her wrist and smiled mischeiviously.
"I haven't had a haircut in a few months. I think I'm due for one." Harry kissed the inside of Hermione's hand and released her from his grasp.
The white ball that the Hufflepuffs had been playing with came flying over to Harry and Hermione quickly. Hermione went to duck out of the way, but Harry reached up and caught it. He examined it for a few seconds before looking up to see Justin Finch-Fletchley standing in front of him.
"Nice catch, Potter. You play?" Harry shook his head and threw the ball back at Justin.
"No, I was never the sporting type."
"Oh, well, carry on then."
Justin ran back to the game quickly, kicking the ball before ever getting there.
Hermione laid herself out on the grass and gave a contented sigh. Harry began to lay down beside her when a flash of black caught his eye. He looked up and saw Draco Malfoy walking over to a small shade tree much like his own. Ginny sat under the tree waiting for Malfoy. Upon arriving, he sat down on the grass and gave Ginny a very long, messy kiss.
Harry looked over at Ron, hoping that he hadn't noticed Malfoy coming outside. But Harry wasn't that lucky. Ron was staring openly at his sister and Malfoy with a glare that could kill. And if Malfoy were any closer, it probably would have. Parvati looked over and saw Ron staring at Ginny and Malfoy. She looked up at Ron and said something that Harry wasnt able to hear since they were at least fifty feet away.
"What are you looking at?" Hermione sat up from her bed on the grass and touched Harry gently on the arm. Harry looked at her and motioned to the tree where Ginny and Malfoy still sat kissing. Hermione looked over at Ron and saw that his wand was out. Parvati now had her hand on Ron's arm, speaking to him in what she was sure was a scolding tone.
"If I know Parvati, she'll keep him out of trouble. Jsut leave them alone and enjoy the day." Hermione layed back on the grass. Harry glanced down at her for a few brief seconds and then turned his attention to Ginny and Malfoy. They had stopped kissing and were now talking. harry looked over at Ron and saw that his defense was down, and he had joined back in to the conversation that the Ravenclaws were holding.
Harry felt a tugging on his shirt and he looked down at Hermione. He smiled and laid down beside her. He reached over and played with her hair like she had done with his.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" Hermione blushed at the compliment Harry had paid her.
"Thank you."
Harry leaned down and planted a few soft kisses on Hermione's lips. She graciously returned the affection and wrapped her arms around his neck. The kissing became more insistant, and Harry felt himself being drawn in by Hermione. He couldn't help but think of every happy thought the had ever had in his life when he laid on the grass that afternoon kissing her. She made him feel that good.
Their kissing was interupted by the sound of heavy footsteps and harsh vibrations on the ground not far away. Harry reluctantly broke away from Hermione's lips long enough to see Hagrid walking up in the distance. Harry sat up and brushed the grass off of his clothes. He stood and walked across the grass to greet Hagrid.
"I...I er...didn't mean ter be botherin' ya, Harry. I jes' thought that it was such a good day an' that maybe you'd like ter come an' see what jes' decided ter show itself."
There was a glint in Hagrid's eye, and Harry knew that whatever it was Hagrid had must be something incredible. He turned around to see Hermione looking over at him from their spot under the tree. She raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
"Hermione can come too, if she'd like. I'm sure tha' she'd like ter see it as well."
Harry walked over and helped Hermione to stand. He helped brush the grass off of her clothes, and they walked hand in hand with Hagrid away from the lawn and to his hut which was a distnace away from where they had been resting.
Upon finally getting there, Hagrid took them to a pen next to the hut.
"Now yeh don' wan' ter scare him. He's jes' a baby. Born not long ago by the looks o' him. Brigh' gold, he is. They're only gold when they're babies."
Hagrid slowly opened the gate to a makeshift shelter that rested up against the hut. Harry and Hermione follwed Hagrid in cautiously, on their guard for anything. As they entered the shelter a bright shimmering light came from the corner. Hermione peeked out from behind Harry and smiled as she saw it.
"Oh my, he's gorgeous!" Hermione said happily. Hagrid smiled warmly as he led them over to the newborn unicorn foal that lay on a bed of straw. It looked to be sleeping peacefully, but it raised its head when he felt Hagrid's footsteps draw to within feet of him.
"Yeh can touch him if yeh wan'. Jes' be gentle like."
Hermione tentatively reached down and touched the unicorn's muzzle, rubbing it lightly. The foal nudged his snout into her hand affectionately.
"Where ever did you find him?" Harry asked as he joined Hermione in petting the creature.
"Well, me an' Fang were jes' walkin' through the fores' when we comes upon a brigh' light in the hollow o' a tree. I looked down an' foun' this feller inside. It's not like a unicorn ter jes' leave its baby alone. So I picks him up an' brings him home wit' me."
"Won't it's parents come looking for him?" Hermione asked.
"Hopefully they will. But I hate ter say it, but I don' think the poor thing has any parents anymore. If he did, they'd've come fer him already."
The unicorn made a small sound and tried to stand up. He collapsed back down on the straw and resigned the task. Hagrid reached down and rubbed the foal's back softly.
"I think we'd better let him rest. Yeh can come back an' see him in a few days if yeh'd like."
Harry and Hermione nodded and walked with Hagrid out of the shelter. Hagrid shut and locked the gate. Harry and Hermione said their goodbyes and walked back to their shade tree in companionable silence.
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The unusually warm day proved to be just what it was. An unusually warm day. The rest of the week brought more cold, and by the time late March had arrived, the temperatures started to rise. They bordered the warm side, and most everyone made it a point to go outside and enjoy the weather at least once a day.
The foal that Hagrid had found abandoned in the forest was now growing rapidly and Hagrid had him running around in the pen beside the hut. Some of the other Hogwarts students went down to the hut to watch it play on their days off. Harry, Hermione, and sometimes Ron went down to visit Hagrid at least once every weekend. Harry found it good for him to go and talk to Hagrid about anything and nothing at all.
Harry and Hermione were spending their weekend with the rest of the students permitted at Hogsmeade. Only having been there an hour, they already carried around bags of treats to take back to school with them.
Around lunchtime they decided to go to the Three Broomsticks for a bite to eat. They walked in the pub and found Neville, Seamus, and Ron sitting at a table near the back. The three waved Harry and Hermione over to sit with them.
"How's it going?" Seamus asked enthusiastically.
"Not bad. We just spent our entire month's worth the money on sweets." Harry looked over at Hermione and smiled.
"You should see the sack full of stuff that Fred and George bought at Zonko's. I'd watch you backs if I were you," Ron cautioned.
"What's that about us?" George asked as he and Fred came waltzing up to the table. They pulled up the nearest chairs they could find and sat Fred between Harry and Hermione, and George between Neville and Seamus.
"Oh, I was just explaining to them how you two are gonna make a fortune with the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and how you're gonna give it all to me," Ron said sarcastically.
"Oh, you know we will," said Fred in a voice just as laiden in sarcasm.
The waitress came over and took all of their orders for drinks. Harry supressed a laugh as Fred and George gave each other devilish smiles, and then looked in the direction of the waitress as she walked off to the kitchen.
"You two leave that poor girl alone," Neville said, also catching their smiles. "She's too busy to deal with your tricks and games. Just look at her." Neville pointed to their waitress who came running out of the kitchen carrying a tray of food. She was obviously in a hurry.
"You're right, Neville. We'll be good," George said. Harry had a suspicious feeling that both twins had their fingers crossed under the table.
The hour passed and nothing bad had happened. George and Fred seemed to be true to their word that they would behave. That was until Hermione looked up and saw that the hair on Neville's head was turning psychadelic colors.
"Neville, your hair!" Hermione said loudly.
"What about it?" Neville said, reaching up and feeling around his head for anything out of the ordinary. Fred and George sat on the other side of the table doubled over laughing. Neville looked very angry that they were having fun at his expense.
Neville scooted his chair back and stood up. He took out his wand and threw a spell in the direction of the Weasleys. The entire restraunt got silent as they saw him casting.
The Weasleys sat on the other side of the table, now silent. They stared at Neville who now stood with his arms crossed looking very smug. The twins looked at each other and shrugged.
Neville smiled evily. He threw enough money on the table to cover his meal, and he walked out of the restaraunt.
"What was that about?" Ron asked to no one.
"I have no idea," Fred said aloud.
"Hey, let's get going, you guys. I still need to go to Honeydukes before we get back to the school."
"That's a good idea," Harry said. He helped Hermione stand up. He threw some galleons on the table and began to walk out of the Three broomsticks with Hermione on his arm.
"Damnit, Fred, come on. I can't wait for you all day," George said as he stood next to the table. Getting impatient as Fred finished the last bit of his food, George took a few steps, and Fred went flying out of his chair.
"What the hell?!" Fred yelled loudly.
Harry and Hermione turned around and saw Fred laying on the ground, and George standing there with his mouth open. A realization came to Harry's mind.
"You know, I can't remember the hex that Neville put on you, but I do know what it does. I'm afraid you two won't be able to walk outside of five feet from each other until this time tomorrow."
Fred and George looked at each other in shock. Then smiles broke out on their faces, and they each began to walk in different directions, laughing hard when they both came flying back into each other.
"Oh lord," Hermione sighed as she walked out the door.
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In the early days of April, the cold temperatures were gone for good, and so had Ron's hatred for Ginny and Malfoy. It came as a shock for everyone to find all four Weasleys and Malfoy sitting outside together under a tree one Friday afternoon playing exploding snap.
This pleased Harry because he was sick of listening to Ron whine about how much he hated Malfoy. But it displeased him because it also felt like Ron was stabbing him in the back.
Hermione was the only one aside from Hagrid that knew how Harry really felt at any given time of the day or night. This battle with Ron had been an unending conflict with Harry for the past two weeks. Hermione was set to get things straightened out before Harry's worry turned into her own more than it already had.
Hermione rolled over on her side and layed a hand on Harry's chest. They laid in the floor in the Gryffindor common room in front of the fire on a plush rug. Hermione ran her fingers in lazy circles across Harry's chest. He sighed loudly.
They had just gotten done with their history of magic homework. The Professor had asked for a short essay over any wizard that had attended Hogwarts, and a summary of his life and death. The two had worked on it long past the time everyone else had gone to bed. And they spent their extra time together curled up on the common room floor.
Hermione crawled over Harry's chest and kissed him sweetly. He smiled at her and caught her lips for a second kiss. This kiss did not end as abruptly as the first one. If anything it was more heated and fueled. When they finally did pull away, Harry and Hermione were both left breathing slightly harder than before the kiss started.
"I feel strange," Hermione said. "Harry, what are you thinking?"
Harry opened his mouth to speak, but the words never came out. He laid there with his lips partly open for a few seconds before Hermione nodded back at him.
"Just what i was thinking too." Hermione covered his mouth with hers again, and they began a heated snogging session. Hands roamed places where they shouldn't have gone, and soft moans could be heard coming from both parties.
The clock chimed one, thus stopping the two on the floor. Harry looked at the clock on the wall. He smiled at Hermione and the two sat up. Hermione buttoned her shirt, and Harry smoothed his hair. Their fun was over for the night.
"We really should get to bed, you know," Hermione said.
"Yeah. I've got a huge test tomorrow afternoon." Harry stood, pulling Hermione with him. They gave each other a final goodnight kiss.
"If you keep kissing me like that, I won't be able to go to bed. Not without you, anyway." Hermione blushed after having just realized what she had said. She looked away from Harry's eye shyly. He noticed this and ran his hand along her cheek, forcing her to look at him.
"That'll come later. But until then, get some sleep."
Hermione kissed Harry's cheek and ascended the stairs to her common room. Harry stood there for a few moments longer, just enjoying the memory of having had her there in his arms. Her smiled and walked up to his own dorm with a smile on his face.
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"I don't -fucking- care what your explanation is!" Harry stuck his head around the corner to see what was happening. He saw Draco Malfoy standing outside of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom with with wand out, and Ginny standing behind him. Malfoy was red in the face and he seemed to be shakne to his last nerve.
Harry stuck his head out around the corner a little further and saw one of the seventh year Slytherins standing across from him. He had his wand out as well, but his composure was more stable than Malfoy's.
"If I ever see or hear of you trying to put your hands or any other part of your body on Ginny, I swear to God I'll kill you," Malfoy boomed loudly.
Harry came out from around the corner and walked down to where the three stood.
"Malfoy," Harry said calmly. Malfoy put his wand inside of his robes and walked away from the seventh year. Ginny ran up behind him and clutched his hand tightly. She leaned up and whispered something in his ear, kissing him on the cheek after she did so.
Harry glanced over at the seventh year to find that he had begun to walk down from the direction Harry had come.
Harry looked down the hall to see that Ginny and Malfoy were gone.
"You know, I can't stop thinking about the other night in the common room."
Harry turned around at the sound of that familiar voice. He smiled at the sight of Hermione standing feet away in the shadows. She had her arms crossed, and she leaned against the wall. Harry began to walk over to her, noting that she was licking her lips in anticipation.
No time was wasted in formal greetings. Harry immediately rushed himself at her, pushing her against the wall with his body. He kissed her hotly, his lips traveling from her mouth to the side of her neck. An audible gasp could be heard coming from her lips. Harry could feel his name being called from the soft vibrations that came from the skin he was nibbling at insistantly.
"We shouldn't be doing this here, Harry," Hermione said into his mouth as he began to kiss her lips again. "Someone could find us here."
"You're completely right," Harry added, his lips finding the hollow of her neck.
"Oh God," Hermione gasped at the feel of his touch. "You know, almost everyone is at Hogsmeade today. They shouldn't be back for another hour or so."
"What are you implying, Miss Granger?" Harry asked, now kissing the soft skin between her neck and shoulder.
Hermione grabbed Harry's face and pulled it up to meet hers. SHe smiled seductively and pushed him off of her. She walked down the hallway leaving a stunned Harry to stare as she walked away. About twnety feet away, Hermione stopped and turned around.
"Are you coming, or are you just going to stand there?" She asked as she resumed walking. Harry ran down the hallway to meet her.
After a long, taunting walk back to the common room, Harry and HErmione climbed through the portrait hole to find that the common room was empty. It was a strange sight to behold. Almost as if everyone knew that they were coming, and knew what was on their minds.
Harry looked over at Hermione and smiled nervously.
"Everyone must be outside," he said.
Hermione nodded and grabbed Harry's hand. He sqeezed her hand and began to walk forward. Nothing was said on the walk to where the dorm staircases were split. They stopped at the both and turned to look at each other. Hermione looked back at the staircase to the girl's dorm, and Harry nodded. They climbed the stirs quickly and entered the room, shutting the door behind them.
The fading light of the afternoon soon turned into dark, and the stars shined brightly in the night sky. The students that had gone to Hogsmeade still were not back, and neither Harry or Hermione noticed. The empty common room remained that way, and neither Harry or Hermione noticed. But when a cry errupted throughout Gryffindor Tower, no one but the stars noticed.
And everything was right with the world.
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Harry awoke to the sounds of muffled giggles coming from down the hallway. He sat up and looked around. Where was he? Oh, right. The girl's dormitory. He looked down at a sleeping Hermione next to him. Harry touched her bare back, waking her from her light slumber.
"Wha-?" She asked as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. She heard the same giggling down the hallway. it seemed to be getting progressively louder. She could make out the sound of Parvati laughing. "Oh no. Harry, get your clothes," she whispered as she shoved him out of the bed. He stumbled and ran over to his robes that were laying tangled with Hermione's. He threw Hermione's shirt and pants to her. She quickly began to get dressed while Harry searched violently through his pockets.
"Harry!" Hermione said in a loud warning whisper.
Harry, standing in the middle of the room wearing nothing more than the boxers that he had found a ways away from the bed, had found his invisibility cloak. He gave Hermione a quick smile before grabbing the rest of his clothes and throwing the cloak over his head and vanishing from sight.
The door to the dorm opened and a stream of girls came rushing in.
"Hermione! You should have gone with us!" Parvati yelled loudly.
"Yeah, well, when you've got homework, what else are you going to do?"
Hermione looked over to where Harry had been previously standing. She smiled when she heard the soft, almost unnoticable sounds of footsteps padding in the direction of the doorway. Then they were gone.
Harry stood on the outside of the door to the dormitory. He looked inside at Hermione. She smiled with a new-glow about her face. Had he done that to her? He turned his back to the dorm and began to walk down the staircase. On his way to his own dorm, he stopped to look at the people in the common room. He saw all of his friends sitting in a corner of the common room talking excitedly.
Harry rushed up to his dorm and threw off the ivisibility cloak. He dressed quickly and ran a comb through his messy hair. Without taking the time to check the mirror, he ran downstairs to meet his friends. He walked up to the group casually and took a seat next to Ron.
"Hey Harry," Ron said casually. "What have you done all day?"
"Oh, not much. I took a walk, visited Hagrid. Nothing special."
"Say, have you seen Ginny lately? She's nowhere around," Ron said as he scanned the common room.
"I saw her earlier with Malfoy. Maybe they're still together. I'm sure she's fine."
"She's always with Malfoy. I'm surprised he hasn't declared her an honorary Slytherin."
"I don't think that would go over with the Slytherins well."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked quizzically.
"I ran into Malfoy earlier today screaming at one of the seventh year Slytherins. Something about Ginny. I haven't seen them since."
Ron apparently wasn't pleased at this bit of information, and he began to get up. Harry was about to pull on Ron's sleeve until the portrait hole opened and a smiling Ginny stepped through. Ron sat back down and joined in on the conversation about quidditch that Seamus had started.
"Yeah, dad said that he was going to try and get some tickets to a Chudley Canon's game this summer. I hope he pulls through," Ron said excitedly.
"Say, did you guys hear about..."
Harry quit listening to the conversation. He drifted off into his own thoughts which were occupied by Hermione. He remembered the smell of her skin, the taste of her mouth, the sight of her content underneath him. Harry smiled the smile of a wizard in love.
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a/n: the next chap shouldn't be more than a week in writing. thanks to those of you who reviewed the story so far. tell your friends about it so they'll read. i'm gonna start a new story soon, but i'll still be writing this one. i need some ideas. my info is AIM @ CURSEoftheSCOTS. message me. i love to chat all the time. and i'm on every night. 9.00 pm to 1.00 am central standard time. REVIEW!
CHAPTER 3
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title: No Take Backs
rating: PG13
keywords: harry, hermione
category: romance
summary: When Harry and Hermione finally make that connection, what Harry gets is more than what he intended.
a/n: yeah, so i've been sick the past few days, and so the story is out much sooner than i thought i'd have it out. once again, excuse any spelling or typing errors because my computer is a BITCH! oh, and there is a bit of a ginny/draco thing going on. i never intended for it to come to that, but it did. i just couldn't help myself. READ AND REVIEW!
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A cold draft passed through the darkened girls' dorm on this early morning in late February. It swept through the room quickly making all of the girls cover themselves up further with blankets and murmer softly in their sleep. Hermione was no exception to this. She rolled over on her side and said something that sounded like "buttons" before settling back down.
The door that had opened to cause the draft silently closed, and if one listened right, they could hear the very soft sound of padding footsteps on the floor.
Harry Potter took off his invisibility cloak and held it securely in his left hand. He gazed down at Hermione as she slept peacefully.
"My angel," he muttered as he reached down and kissed her forehead softly. He sat down on the edge of the bed and watched her as she slept.
In the distance Harry could hear a clock chime two o'clock and he knew that he should probably be in his bed sleeping. But it was because he couldn't sleep that he found himself sitting here next to the love of his life. It was almost funny to him when he thought about her as the love of his life. But he couldn't help but realize that when he did think about it like that, he was being honest.
Harry sighed and stood, putting the invisibility cloak over his head. He took small, soft steps back to the door and opened it, making he same draft enter the room, and then he was gone.
Hermione opened her eyes and smiled gently, touching her forehead where his kiss had been laid.
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Harry stood in a side corridor later that same day clutching his wand. Draco Malfoy stood not far away doing the exact same thing, and he matched Harry's icy glare. They both stood in a fighting stance waiting for the other to make the first move.
"Take it back, Malfoy," Harry said through gritted teeth. "Take it back right now."
"It's not that you can help the fact that your girlfriend is a mudblood. I mean she is afterall-" Malfoy was abruptly cut off by the shouting of Harry's spell. Malfoy went sailing into the wall behind him, his wand flying right into Harry's hand.
"What in heaven's name is going on out here?" Hagrid came walking around the corner at about that time carrying a large sack with something inside that seemed to be moving. "Harry, now tell me that yeh haven't been cursin' Mr. Malfoy. I'd have ter turn yeh in fer that! Yeh'd be in a heap o' trouble, an' they'd punish yeh summat fierce!"
"It's nothing, Hagrid. I was just leaving," Harry said as he turned around and walked off.
Hagrid came and followed Harry around the corner. He reached up and touched Harry's shoulder, making him stop in the middle of the hallway. He didn't turn around, and he didn't make any movements that showed that he was going to.
"Harry, what on earth is goin' on with yeh? Yeh've been so uptight abou' things lately," Hagrid said worriedly. "I jes' don' know what ter make of it."
"Like I said, it's nothing. I'm just sick of Malfoy poking fun at Mione. I wish he'd leave her alone."
"That's un'erstandable. But yeh don' have ter go aroun' throwin' spells at people jes' ter make yer point!"
Harry sighed in resign. "I know that."
"Do yeh?"
"Yes. It won't happened again. I promise." Harry began to walk off from Hagrid.
"Oh, an' Harry," Hagrid said, beckoning him to stop where he stood. "Something's been playin' on me mind fer a while. Yeh haven't been down ter the hut in a few weeks, an' we haven't really talked much. Are you sure there's nothin' wrong? Yeh can talk ter me abou' anything, yeh know."
Harry turned around. A smile played on his lips. "Hagrid, I've just been so busy with everything lately. I'll be sure to come down sometime soon. And no. Nothing's wrong. For once in my life, things are going right."
Harry turned around waved goodbye to Hagrid before continuing down the corridor. He walked at a slow, casual pace, taking his time to enjoy the sites of the castle. Some of the potraits spoke merrily to him, asking him about his day, and Harry kindly greeted them and spoke back.
Upon reaching the Fat Lady's portrait, he noted that she had a large grin on her face. She said hello and asked him how his day was like most of the other portraits had done. He replied just as kindly and gave her the password.
Harry walked inside unnoticed to the dozens of people sitting around socializing with other Gryffindors. Some of them looked up when he passed by, but they did not say anything to him. He spotted Ron sitting alone in the corner, a book in his lap, and a look of concentration on his face. Harry grabbed a chair and carried it over to where Ron was sitting.
"Hello, Harry," Ron said as he looked up. Harry flinched at the site of Rons face. He had a slightly bruised cheek with a small cut in the center of the bruise. This was the damage that Hermione had told him she'd inflicted on Ron. If it weren't for the proof, Harry wouldn't have believe the story.
"Yeah, she hit me pretty hard yesterday," Ron said as he put a piece of parchment in to mark his page in the book. "It doesn't hurt as much as it did when she hit."
Harry laughed. "I just hope that I never have to deal with the wrath of Hermione. I'd probably get it worse than you did."
"I guess I deserve what I got, though. I had no right to say those things to Ginny."
"Hermione told me what you said. Nothing you said was justified. I mean, I hate Malfoy just as much as you do. I just about had a good row with him in one of the west corridors not a half hour ago."
"If it were me I would have killed the bastard."
"I thought about it. He was saying some awful things about Hermione. But lucky for him Hagrid came around the corner."
"You should have done it anyway." Ginny came walking over and jumped in her brother's lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and looked at a stunned Harry.
"My big brother is just looking out for me. I can't hate him for it. Anyway, Hermione taught him his lesson." Ginny reached up and ran her fingers over Ron's bruise. He pulled back sharply and gave her a warning look.
"Okay, okay. Well, I've got to go. I'm late for a....pressing social engagement." Ginny got up and walked over to her group of friends in the corner.
"Damn girls and their gossiping." Ron's frown faded into a smile that was directed over Harry's shoulder. Harry turned and saw Parvati walk into the room. She smiled at Ron and waved. Much to Harry's surprise, Ron got up and crossed the room to go and talk to Parvati.
Harry sat back in his chair and smiled. One less thing to worry about.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Hermione shoved an apple at Harry's face. "Want some?" Hermione took much pleasure in watching Harry jump, apparently startled at the offering. He reached over and took a bite out of the apple as it was still in Hermione's hand. A light breeze blew over them and Hermione couldn't help but smile at Harry's frustration with his too-long hair.
Harry brushed his hair out of his face and looked out at the other students outside on the grassy Hogwarts lawn. It was a rare day. The early days of March were normally cold and forbidding, but today the weather was sunny and slightly warm.
A few of the Hufflepuffs were kicking around a strange white ball joyfully a little ways away from them, and not far from that Ron sat with Parvati and some of the Ravenclaws talking in a giant circle. Not surprisingly, most of the Slytherins were still inside the castle. Harry spotted memebrs of his house scattered everywhere. There was no set location that any of them gathered around. It was jsut in their nature to socialize, he guessed.
Harry was shaken out of his reverie when Hermione reached up and played with his hair. He pushed her hand off, clearly annoyed, and she giggled slightly.
"Since when do you giggle?" Harry asked.
"When was your last haircut?"
"I asked you first."
"I don't giggle. I just laugh playfully. After all, it's so much fun to annoy you. It's so easy." Hermione reached up to play with Harry's hair again, but he caught her wrist and smiled mischeiviously.
"I haven't had a haircut in a few months. I think I'm due for one." Harry kissed the inside of Hermione's hand and released her from his grasp.
The white ball that the Hufflepuffs had been playing with came flying over to Harry and Hermione quickly. Hermione went to duck out of the way, but Harry reached up and caught it. He examined it for a few seconds before looking up to see Justin Finch-Fletchley standing in front of him.
"Nice catch, Potter. You play?" Harry shook his head and threw the ball back at Justin.
"No, I was never the sporting type."
"Oh, well, carry on then."
Justin ran back to the game quickly, kicking the ball before ever getting there.
Hermione laid herself out on the grass and gave a contented sigh. Harry began to lay down beside her when a flash of black caught his eye. He looked up and saw Draco Malfoy walking over to a small shade tree much like his own. Ginny sat under the tree waiting for Malfoy. Upon arriving, he sat down on the grass and gave Ginny a very long, messy kiss.
Harry looked over at Ron, hoping that he hadn't noticed Malfoy coming outside. But Harry wasn't that lucky. Ron was staring openly at his sister and Malfoy with a glare that could kill. And if Malfoy were any closer, it probably would have. Parvati looked over and saw Ron staring at Ginny and Malfoy. She looked up at Ron and said something that Harry wasnt able to hear since they were at least fifty feet away.
"What are you looking at?" Hermione sat up from her bed on the grass and touched Harry gently on the arm. Harry looked at her and motioned to the tree where Ginny and Malfoy still sat kissing. Hermione looked over at Ron and saw that his wand was out. Parvati now had her hand on Ron's arm, speaking to him in what she was sure was a scolding tone.
"If I know Parvati, she'll keep him out of trouble. Jsut leave them alone and enjoy the day." Hermione layed back on the grass. Harry glanced down at her for a few brief seconds and then turned his attention to Ginny and Malfoy. They had stopped kissing and were now talking. harry looked over at Ron and saw that his defense was down, and he had joined back in to the conversation that the Ravenclaws were holding.
Harry felt a tugging on his shirt and he looked down at Hermione. He smiled and laid down beside her. He reached over and played with her hair like she had done with his.
"You're beautiful, you know that?" Hermione blushed at the compliment Harry had paid her.
"Thank you."
Harry leaned down and planted a few soft kisses on Hermione's lips. She graciously returned the affection and wrapped her arms around his neck. The kissing became more insistant, and Harry felt himself being drawn in by Hermione. He couldn't help but think of every happy thought the had ever had in his life when he laid on the grass that afternoon kissing her. She made him feel that good.
Their kissing was interupted by the sound of heavy footsteps and harsh vibrations on the ground not far away. Harry reluctantly broke away from Hermione's lips long enough to see Hagrid walking up in the distance. Harry sat up and brushed the grass off of his clothes. He stood and walked across the grass to greet Hagrid.
"I...I er...didn't mean ter be botherin' ya, Harry. I jes' thought that it was such a good day an' that maybe you'd like ter come an' see what jes' decided ter show itself."
There was a glint in Hagrid's eye, and Harry knew that whatever it was Hagrid had must be something incredible. He turned around to see Hermione looking over at him from their spot under the tree. She raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
"Hermione can come too, if she'd like. I'm sure tha' she'd like ter see it as well."
Harry walked over and helped Hermione to stand. He helped brush the grass off of her clothes, and they walked hand in hand with Hagrid away from the lawn and to his hut which was a distnace away from where they had been resting.
Upon finally getting there, Hagrid took them to a pen next to the hut.
"Now yeh don' wan' ter scare him. He's jes' a baby. Born not long ago by the looks o' him. Brigh' gold, he is. They're only gold when they're babies."
Hagrid slowly opened the gate to a makeshift shelter that rested up against the hut. Harry and Hermione follwed Hagrid in cautiously, on their guard for anything. As they entered the shelter a bright shimmering light came from the corner. Hermione peeked out from behind Harry and smiled as she saw it.
"Oh my, he's gorgeous!" Hermione said happily. Hagrid smiled warmly as he led them over to the newborn unicorn foal that lay on a bed of straw. It looked to be sleeping peacefully, but it raised its head when he felt Hagrid's footsteps draw to within feet of him.
"Yeh can touch him if yeh wan'. Jes' be gentle like."
Hermione tentatively reached down and touched the unicorn's muzzle, rubbing it lightly. The foal nudged his snout into her hand affectionately.
"Where ever did you find him?" Harry asked as he joined Hermione in petting the creature.
"Well, me an' Fang were jes' walkin' through the fores' when we comes upon a brigh' light in the hollow o' a tree. I looked down an' foun' this feller inside. It's not like a unicorn ter jes' leave its baby alone. So I picks him up an' brings him home wit' me."
"Won't it's parents come looking for him?" Hermione asked.
"Hopefully they will. But I hate ter say it, but I don' think the poor thing has any parents anymore. If he did, they'd've come fer him already."
The unicorn made a small sound and tried to stand up. He collapsed back down on the straw and resigned the task. Hagrid reached down and rubbed the foal's back softly.
"I think we'd better let him rest. Yeh can come back an' see him in a few days if yeh'd like."
Harry and Hermione nodded and walked with Hagrid out of the shelter. Hagrid shut and locked the gate. Harry and Hermione said their goodbyes and walked back to their shade tree in companionable silence.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
The unusually warm day proved to be just what it was. An unusually warm day. The rest of the week brought more cold, and by the time late March had arrived, the temperatures started to rise. They bordered the warm side, and most everyone made it a point to go outside and enjoy the weather at least once a day.
The foal that Hagrid had found abandoned in the forest was now growing rapidly and Hagrid had him running around in the pen beside the hut. Some of the other Hogwarts students went down to the hut to watch it play on their days off. Harry, Hermione, and sometimes Ron went down to visit Hagrid at least once every weekend. Harry found it good for him to go and talk to Hagrid about anything and nothing at all.
Harry and Hermione were spending their weekend with the rest of the students permitted at Hogsmeade. Only having been there an hour, they already carried around bags of treats to take back to school with them.
Around lunchtime they decided to go to the Three Broomsticks for a bite to eat. They walked in the pub and found Neville, Seamus, and Ron sitting at a table near the back. The three waved Harry and Hermione over to sit with them.
"How's it going?" Seamus asked enthusiastically.
"Not bad. We just spent our entire month's worth the money on sweets." Harry looked over at Hermione and smiled.
"You should see the sack full of stuff that Fred and George bought at Zonko's. I'd watch you backs if I were you," Ron cautioned.
"What's that about us?" George asked as he and Fred came waltzing up to the table. They pulled up the nearest chairs they could find and sat Fred between Harry and Hermione, and George between Neville and Seamus.
"Oh, I was just explaining to them how you two are gonna make a fortune with the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, and how you're gonna give it all to me," Ron said sarcastically.
"Oh, you know we will," said Fred in a voice just as laiden in sarcasm.
The waitress came over and took all of their orders for drinks. Harry supressed a laugh as Fred and George gave each other devilish smiles, and then looked in the direction of the waitress as she walked off to the kitchen.
"You two leave that poor girl alone," Neville said, also catching their smiles. "She's too busy to deal with your tricks and games. Just look at her." Neville pointed to their waitress who came running out of the kitchen carrying a tray of food. She was obviously in a hurry.
"You're right, Neville. We'll be good," George said. Harry had a suspicious feeling that both twins had their fingers crossed under the table.
The hour passed and nothing bad had happened. George and Fred seemed to be true to their word that they would behave. That was until Hermione looked up and saw that the hair on Neville's head was turning psychadelic colors.
"Neville, your hair!" Hermione said loudly.
"What about it?" Neville said, reaching up and feeling around his head for anything out of the ordinary. Fred and George sat on the other side of the table doubled over laughing. Neville looked very angry that they were having fun at his expense.
Neville scooted his chair back and stood up. He took out his wand and threw a spell in the direction of the Weasleys. The entire restraunt got silent as they saw him casting.
The Weasleys sat on the other side of the table, now silent. They stared at Neville who now stood with his arms crossed looking very smug. The twins looked at each other and shrugged.
Neville smiled evily. He threw enough money on the table to cover his meal, and he walked out of the restaraunt.
"What was that about?" Ron asked to no one.
"I have no idea," Fred said aloud.
"Hey, let's get going, you guys. I still need to go to Honeydukes before we get back to the school."
"That's a good idea," Harry said. He helped Hermione stand up. He threw some galleons on the table and began to walk out of the Three broomsticks with Hermione on his arm.
"Damnit, Fred, come on. I can't wait for you all day," George said as he stood next to the table. Getting impatient as Fred finished the last bit of his food, George took a few steps, and Fred went flying out of his chair.
"What the hell?!" Fred yelled loudly.
Harry and Hermione turned around and saw Fred laying on the ground, and George standing there with his mouth open. A realization came to Harry's mind.
"You know, I can't remember the hex that Neville put on you, but I do know what it does. I'm afraid you two won't be able to walk outside of five feet from each other until this time tomorrow."
Fred and George looked at each other in shock. Then smiles broke out on their faces, and they each began to walk in different directions, laughing hard when they both came flying back into each other.
"Oh lord," Hermione sighed as she walked out the door.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
In the early days of April, the cold temperatures were gone for good, and so had Ron's hatred for Ginny and Malfoy. It came as a shock for everyone to find all four Weasleys and Malfoy sitting outside together under a tree one Friday afternoon playing exploding snap.
This pleased Harry because he was sick of listening to Ron whine about how much he hated Malfoy. But it displeased him because it also felt like Ron was stabbing him in the back.
Hermione was the only one aside from Hagrid that knew how Harry really felt at any given time of the day or night. This battle with Ron had been an unending conflict with Harry for the past two weeks. Hermione was set to get things straightened out before Harry's worry turned into her own more than it already had.
Hermione rolled over on her side and layed a hand on Harry's chest. They laid in the floor in the Gryffindor common room in front of the fire on a plush rug. Hermione ran her fingers in lazy circles across Harry's chest. He sighed loudly.
They had just gotten done with their history of magic homework. The Professor had asked for a short essay over any wizard that had attended Hogwarts, and a summary of his life and death. The two had worked on it long past the time everyone else had gone to bed. And they spent their extra time together curled up on the common room floor.
Hermione crawled over Harry's chest and kissed him sweetly. He smiled at her and caught her lips for a second kiss. This kiss did not end as abruptly as the first one. If anything it was more heated and fueled. When they finally did pull away, Harry and Hermione were both left breathing slightly harder than before the kiss started.
"I feel strange," Hermione said. "Harry, what are you thinking?"
Harry opened his mouth to speak, but the words never came out. He laid there with his lips partly open for a few seconds before Hermione nodded back at him.
"Just what i was thinking too." Hermione covered his mouth with hers again, and they began a heated snogging session. Hands roamed places where they shouldn't have gone, and soft moans could be heard coming from both parties.
The clock chimed one, thus stopping the two on the floor. Harry looked at the clock on the wall. He smiled at Hermione and the two sat up. Hermione buttoned her shirt, and Harry smoothed his hair. Their fun was over for the night.
"We really should get to bed, you know," Hermione said.
"Yeah. I've got a huge test tomorrow afternoon." Harry stood, pulling Hermione with him. They gave each other a final goodnight kiss.
"If you keep kissing me like that, I won't be able to go to bed. Not without you, anyway." Hermione blushed after having just realized what she had said. She looked away from Harry's eye shyly. He noticed this and ran his hand along her cheek, forcing her to look at him.
"That'll come later. But until then, get some sleep."
Hermione kissed Harry's cheek and ascended the stairs to her common room. Harry stood there for a few moments longer, just enjoying the memory of having had her there in his arms. Her smiled and walked up to his own dorm with a smile on his face.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"I don't -fucking- care what your explanation is!" Harry stuck his head around the corner to see what was happening. He saw Draco Malfoy standing outside of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom with with wand out, and Ginny standing behind him. Malfoy was red in the face and he seemed to be shakne to his last nerve.
Harry stuck his head out around the corner a little further and saw one of the seventh year Slytherins standing across from him. He had his wand out as well, but his composure was more stable than Malfoy's.
"If I ever see or hear of you trying to put your hands or any other part of your body on Ginny, I swear to God I'll kill you," Malfoy boomed loudly.
Harry came out from around the corner and walked down to where the three stood.
"Malfoy," Harry said calmly. Malfoy put his wand inside of his robes and walked away from the seventh year. Ginny ran up behind him and clutched his hand tightly. She leaned up and whispered something in his ear, kissing him on the cheek after she did so.
Harry glanced over at the seventh year to find that he had begun to walk down from the direction Harry had come.
Harry looked down the hall to see that Ginny and Malfoy were gone.
"You know, I can't stop thinking about the other night in the common room."
Harry turned around at the sound of that familiar voice. He smiled at the sight of Hermione standing feet away in the shadows. She had her arms crossed, and she leaned against the wall. Harry began to walk over to her, noting that she was licking her lips in anticipation.
No time was wasted in formal greetings. Harry immediately rushed himself at her, pushing her against the wall with his body. He kissed her hotly, his lips traveling from her mouth to the side of her neck. An audible gasp could be heard coming from her lips. Harry could feel his name being called from the soft vibrations that came from the skin he was nibbling at insistantly.
"We shouldn't be doing this here, Harry," Hermione said into his mouth as he began to kiss her lips again. "Someone could find us here."
"You're completely right," Harry added, his lips finding the hollow of her neck.
"Oh God," Hermione gasped at the feel of his touch. "You know, almost everyone is at Hogsmeade today. They shouldn't be back for another hour or so."
"What are you implying, Miss Granger?" Harry asked, now kissing the soft skin between her neck and shoulder.
Hermione grabbed Harry's face and pulled it up to meet hers. SHe smiled seductively and pushed him off of her. She walked down the hallway leaving a stunned Harry to stare as she walked away. About twnety feet away, Hermione stopped and turned around.
"Are you coming, or are you just going to stand there?" She asked as she resumed walking. Harry ran down the hallway to meet her.
After a long, taunting walk back to the common room, Harry and HErmione climbed through the portrait hole to find that the common room was empty. It was a strange sight to behold. Almost as if everyone knew that they were coming, and knew what was on their minds.
Harry looked over at Hermione and smiled nervously.
"Everyone must be outside," he said.
Hermione nodded and grabbed Harry's hand. He sqeezed her hand and began to walk forward. Nothing was said on the walk to where the dorm staircases were split. They stopped at the both and turned to look at each other. Hermione looked back at the staircase to the girl's dorm, and Harry nodded. They climbed the stirs quickly and entered the room, shutting the door behind them.
The fading light of the afternoon soon turned into dark, and the stars shined brightly in the night sky. The students that had gone to Hogsmeade still were not back, and neither Harry or Hermione noticed. The empty common room remained that way, and neither Harry or Hermione noticed. But when a cry errupted throughout Gryffindor Tower, no one but the stars noticed.
And everything was right with the world.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Harry awoke to the sounds of muffled giggles coming from down the hallway. He sat up and looked around. Where was he? Oh, right. The girl's dormitory. He looked down at a sleeping Hermione next to him. Harry touched her bare back, waking her from her light slumber.
"Wha-?" She asked as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. She heard the same giggling down the hallway. it seemed to be getting progressively louder. She could make out the sound of Parvati laughing. "Oh no. Harry, get your clothes," she whispered as she shoved him out of the bed. He stumbled and ran over to his robes that were laying tangled with Hermione's. He threw Hermione's shirt and pants to her. She quickly began to get dressed while Harry searched violently through his pockets.
"Harry!" Hermione said in a loud warning whisper.
Harry, standing in the middle of the room wearing nothing more than the boxers that he had found a ways away from the bed, had found his invisibility cloak. He gave Hermione a quick smile before grabbing the rest of his clothes and throwing the cloak over his head and vanishing from sight.
The door to the dorm opened and a stream of girls came rushing in.
"Hermione! You should have gone with us!" Parvati yelled loudly.
"Yeah, well, when you've got homework, what else are you going to do?"
Hermione looked over to where Harry had been previously standing. She smiled when she heard the soft, almost unnoticable sounds of footsteps padding in the direction of the doorway. Then they were gone.
Harry stood on the outside of the door to the dormitory. He looked inside at Hermione. She smiled with a new-glow about her face. Had he done that to her? He turned his back to the dorm and began to walk down the staircase. On his way to his own dorm, he stopped to look at the people in the common room. He saw all of his friends sitting in a corner of the common room talking excitedly.
Harry rushed up to his dorm and threw off the ivisibility cloak. He dressed quickly and ran a comb through his messy hair. Without taking the time to check the mirror, he ran downstairs to meet his friends. He walked up to the group casually and took a seat next to Ron.
"Hey Harry," Ron said casually. "What have you done all day?"
"Oh, not much. I took a walk, visited Hagrid. Nothing special."
"Say, have you seen Ginny lately? She's nowhere around," Ron said as he scanned the common room.
"I saw her earlier with Malfoy. Maybe they're still together. I'm sure she's fine."
"She's always with Malfoy. I'm surprised he hasn't declared her an honorary Slytherin."
"I don't think that would go over with the Slytherins well."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked quizzically.
"I ran into Malfoy earlier today screaming at one of the seventh year Slytherins. Something about Ginny. I haven't seen them since."
Ron apparently wasn't pleased at this bit of information, and he began to get up. Harry was about to pull on Ron's sleeve until the portrait hole opened and a smiling Ginny stepped through. Ron sat back down and joined in on the conversation about quidditch that Seamus had started.
"Yeah, dad said that he was going to try and get some tickets to a Chudley Canon's game this summer. I hope he pulls through," Ron said excitedly.
"Say, did you guys hear about..."
Harry quit listening to the conversation. He drifted off into his own thoughts which were occupied by Hermione. He remembered the smell of her skin, the taste of her mouth, the sight of her content underneath him. Harry smiled the smile of a wizard in love.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
a/n: the next chap shouldn't be more than a week in writing. thanks to those of you who reviewed the story so far. tell your friends about it so they'll read. i'm gonna start a new story soon, but i'll still be writing this one. i need some ideas. my info is AIM @ CURSEoftheSCOTS. message me. i love to chat all the time. and i'm on every night. 9.00 pm to 1.00 am central standard time. REVIEW!