A/N
It's looking like I will no longer be able to keep this story withing the guidelines of a rated R fiction, so after this chapter, undates will only be available at AdultFanFiction.net . I write under the same name and the story also has the same name. I will continue to update "But I thought YOU loved her on portkey.org it's main home) as well as on fanfiction.net.

Chapter 15 (Stolen Moments)

Ginny and Harry kept Hermione company for lunch. Ginny had grabbed a basket of food figuring Hermione would prefer to avoid the Great Hall for a while.

Ron still hadn't left his dorm room and was more afraid of the response from his mother than the massive combined Muggle Studies/History of Magic research assignment about the horrors of domestic violence he was responsible for completing during his next few weeks of detention. Ron had asked permission to include a written apology to his parents along with the official school owl and his request had been granted. He hoped his mother would realize that he felt bad enough and that she wouldn't send a public howler.

Ginny did her best to keep her hands to herself as they walked across the grounds out of respect for Hermione. They found a nice secluded spot near the lake and set up their picnic.

Ginny sat next to Hermione and gave her a hug. How are you holding up, Hermione?

Hermione took a big swallow of pumpkin juice and answered, I'm really doing fine. I almost feel guilty about it. It's like this giant weight has been lifted from my shoulders. She saw the sad look on Ginny's face and felt that she better continue. Ginny, your brother and I should have never started going out. We'll make better friends again eventually. At least I hope so!

Ginny looked down. The more I think about it, the only time you ever seemed happy with my brother was when you were doing things you would have done as friends anyway.

Hermione grabbed a meat pie and started to eat. Harry, still uncomfortable remembering his good friend in an intimate situation with Malfoy asked, Is there anyone out there you're interested in, Hermione?

Ginny, scolded Harry, Sheese Harry, it hasn't even been 4 hours yet!

Oh, I don't know. Hermione answered. I'm going for so many NEWTs and I have such plans after Hogwarts. I also have my hands full as Head Girl. I'm not going to go out hunting or anything, but if the right person comes along, I'd give him a chance.

Ginny and Harry looked at each other, both thinking the same thing. Was their friend feeling worse than she was admitting? She had to be. Why else would she have allowed Malfoy to touch her like that? Neither of them could even begin to figure out how to bring it up or if they should just drop it.

They finished their lunch and since Ginny had a 1:00 class, she grabbed the picnic basket and headed back to the building. Harry and Hermione's next class was advanced NEWT Defense against the Dark Arts at 3:00, so they decided to enjoy what was left of the good weather for the year. It got cold quite early near Hogwarts.

Hermione adored Ginny, but she was always so much more comfortable when it was just Harry, Ron and herself. She sighed as she realized those days were over now that she and Ron had broken up and Harry had paired off. Harry was just about to comment about how terrible he felt about Ron being punished for something that he was far guiltier of, but before he could say anything, Hermione completely broke down and cried hysterically. Her tears where the kind that were completely primal and came from someplace deep inside, and she wasn't able to make any attempt at any other communication. Harry put his arms around her, and soon found that he was supporting her weight. She was so lost in her emotions; she would have collapsed without his support. Harry cuddled her close and hoped maybe crying it out would be good for her.

When she showed no sign of calming down, he decided to ask, Is there anything I can do? Do you want to talk?

Hermione wasn't able to do much more than shake her head no, but eventually she was able to state, Holding me is good, let's just stay like this, she felt so safe.

Harry snuggled her closer. I've got nothing else to do before we need to head to class this afternoon. Come on, walk with me a bit. He supported her and they walked to together to an even more secluded spot by the lake and sat down together, letting her curl up close. Her tears continued to flow, so he pulled her onto his lap and cuddled her like a little girl. Over the years he had grown so much bigger than she. He gave her a gentle kiss her on top of her head as he held her close and her tears continued.

Harry noticed how comforting it felt to be needed by his dear friend. There was a touch of sexuality to it, but not enough for him to question if he was crossing a boundary that he shouldn't because of his relationship with Ginny. He knew Ginny loved Hermione like a sister and would want him to care of her. He also knew that if Ginny were still there, most likely Hermione would now be curled up between the two of them. Hermione's tears began to ease and her breathing became more regular. Harry handed her a self-cleaning handkerchief so she could dry her eyes and blow her nose. Hermione had to tap it with her wand several times and say, refresh' each time because of the amount of crying she had done. She gave it one final tap before returning it to Harry. Even though her tears had stopped, neither of them felt like moving. They cuddled close and watched the lake and the late blooming wildflowers blowing in the wind.

They spent almost half an hour cuddled together silently before Harry spoke again. He wanted desperately to ask her about Monday night. He was puzzled by what he had heard regarding Malfoy selecting Ginny for something, but he was far more concerned that the stress of her impending breakup with Ron had led her to do things with Malfoy she never would have otherwise. He hated to think of her being the type of person that would use random sexual encounters as some sort of outlet. As far as he knew, unless something more had happened with Draco, she was still a virgin and unlike most of the other girls also didn't believe in little technical virgin-everything but' games like the other girls did. He had no idea how on earth to bring it up. He finally decided on an approach. So what's it really like being Head Girl? You've got that posh private room and shared sitting area with Malfoy, how's that working out?

Hermione cuddled closer and really wished Harry hadn't started talking, especially asking something that could lead to a difficult conversation. She had been enjoying the quiet and the comfort of no expectations being placed on her. So far it's been nice. I enjoy representing our house and spending time with the 1st years. They say some of the funniest things!

What about your living situation?' Harry asked.

The private room is really nice. Since I'm an only child, I never really got used to all the sleeping sounds from my roommates. It's all so luxurious! All that space for just me! My desk is also large enough to really spread out my homework and I can always study in peace. Hermione hoped that would be enough information, not realizing that every time she omitted an answer to a question, Harry was clever enough to notice the omission and wonder about it.

Harry decided on a more direct approach this time, You didn't say anything about having a shared sitting room with Malfoy. How's that working out so far?

Hermione snapped an answer a little too quickly. She knew she needed to add more words to the response, but wasn't sure what to say. She softened her voice. Since his father has been Azkaban for over a year, he had already started to mellow a bit last year.

Harry was not Hermione's intellectual equal, but he was smart enough to know she had not answered the question that he asked. Fine,' he thought. I've watched the two of them making out in the prefect's bath, and her willingness to go along with some sort of initiation game with him.' Harry also thought about the way Peeves reacted to Malfoy's threats. A scary thought hit him. Was he using some sort of dark magic on her? He wanted to ask her about it, but he also wondered if she was being controlled. If she were, she wouldn't know anything about it anyway. He decided to drop it for now. Maybe he could find some sort of evidence.

Hermione switched her position, rested her head on Harry's lap, and he began to absentmindedly stroke her soft curls. He noticed the way that she tended to move into every touch so it would last a fraction of a second longer. Harry came to his own decision about her situation as he moved his body to lie down next to her, leaving his arm extended so she had a place to rest her head. He pulled her to his chest and cuddled her close. I'm crossing a line here, but she's so hurt and lonely right now,' Harry thought to himself as he held her. She never felt anything romantic for Ron, but at least it led to some sort of physical contact...' While he was thinking, he didn't notice that he had begun stroking her hair, her back and kissing her on the head as he cuddled her close. He also hadn't noticed that she was crying again until he felt the wetness on his shirt.

As she cuddled close and felt his caresses and innocent kisses, all Hermione could think about was making this moment last forever...Harry holding her so close, the scent of his skin, the caresses from his free hand the kisses on her hair...her forehead. She wished she knew a spell to slow down time.

The butterfly kisses on her head stopped. He had to end this now. He pulled back her head a bit and he looked into her eyes that were still wet with tears. Then without any warning or planning, he kissed her lips to the surprise both of them. The rest of the world went away as their lips touched so gently at first. Harry had no other way of describing it, he felt, home.' It was as if all the love and security he had missed from childhood was right there in his arms and the one kiss was healing those emotional wounds. His thoughts drifted back to Ginny for a fleeting moment and he realized that this couldn't continue, but he didn't have the strength to stop it.

*

Hermione had noticed that Harry had stopped kissing her forehead and looked up at him. She saw a look in his eyes she didn't understand as he leaned forward and to her surprise and delight, he began kissing her lips. It was the most amazing feeling she ever had. It was natural and gentle and she felt like her body was melting into his. Harry's kiss was so warm, gentle, and made her feel filled with love. But there was darkness about it that she just couldn't shut out. It was a stolen moment that belonged to someone else. She now knew that she loved him and wanted him desperately, but it would soon be over and she would end up feeling even more alone than she felt before.

They didn't stop their kisses until Harry realized they only had 10 minutes to make it back to Hogwarts and get to their Defense against the Dark Arts class. Harry helped her up and looked deeply into her eyes for a moment, but Hermione had to look away. It had been so wonderful at the time, but now it seemed cruel, she had just been given a just the tiniest taste of something she knew she could never have. She broken up with her Ron only hours earlier, and then spent the best two hours of her life being held and kissed by the man she now knew she had been in love with since she was 11. She had a vague awareness that Harry was trying to say something to her, but she was too lost in her own thoughts to pay attention. This stolen moment may have also cost her relationship with Ginny if she ever found out. How would she ever be able to look at her again? And for that matter, how could she ever be able to stand being near Harry each day knowing that this could never happen again? She halfheartedly wondered if it was too late to get into some sort of exchange program.

*

After Harry helped Hermione up, they walked together in silence. He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away. He reached over to her as they walked and pulled some grass and twigs out of her hair and the back of her sweater. Harry thought he had her attention. He had no idea she was so lost in thought that she wasn't listening. Hermione, I know I may have made things worse for you, but those last two hours were very special to me. We have to talk. She just kind of nodded as the two of them made a beeline for class.

*

They arrived at their first Advanced NEWT Defense Against the Dark Arts class with less than a minute to spare. Even though there was a seat next to him, Hermione walked to a seat in the front of the room. Draco watched Harry and Hermione enter the room and he was amazed at what a show they were putting on. The show by the lake had been far more enjoyable to watch, but this was fun in it's own twisted way as well. There wasn't a hint that they had just spent at least the past hour snogging. Draco pondered at this and thought, Curiouser and Curiouser.' She spent the night with him playing their little initiation game the other night; she broke up with her boyfriend this morning and was with Harry only a few hours later. Not to mention two trips to the Hospital Ward by the third day of school. Hermione was getting more and more interesting as each day went on.

His whole life, he had been taught that a pure blood with bloodlines such as he had should look for an equally pure but empty-headed trophy wife. There were witches that met the criteria that also had some intelligence, but it had been drilled into him that a wife with brains was just a nuisance. Now that his father was out of the way, maybe he could explore the possibility of finding someone that he could enjoy being around. He had to admit, Hermione was fun. She understood things. He had almost wanted to jump up and down with excitement when she worked out the theory behind a spell she had never heard of before using a Dark Arithmancy concept she had read somewhere but hadn't seen the connection to Arithmancy as a whole before. What would he need to do to make her belong to him? He had seen enough believe Voldemort was not going to win this time, so it wasn't like he had to join up with the good guys' with delusions of playing King Arthur and Merlin with Dumbledore's little Army.

He decided that as soon as class ended he would send an owl to a family friend with a shop on Knockturn Alley. Usually he specialized in wizard family history and blackmail. When a family was found to not be the pure bloods they claimed they were, even if it was from one act of indiscretion 600 years ago, he would demand payment to keep the information secret and for the right price, he could even make under-the table modifications to official wizard records. Draco decided to use his services for the opposite means. Did Hermione Granger have wizard blood in her family? Nothing could bring her to what his father's standards demanded, but perhaps there was a branch of her family that could elevate her from mudblood to mixed blood. It wasn't important to him, but his mother still might have something to say about it. He pretended to take notes, but wrote the letter instead of listening to yet another teacher drone on about the importance of their NEWT exams.