Harry stared in disbelief. Hermione stared beside him. After a moment, they
had pulled apart, but Harry could still see it in his mind, the image that
was burning into his soul.
'Let's go,' he said gruffly to Hermione. He turned and went back up to the common room. Hermione followed him close behind. They walked in silence all the way back to common room. When they got there, they sat down in shock.
'I can't believe this!' Hermione was the first to speak. 'Well, I guess I won't have to worry about telling him I don't like him in that way.'
'Yeah,' Harry said.
'But I can't believe he was kissing me earlier and then we just saw him kissing Claire. I mean, do I mean that little to him, that he would risk my feelings like that?' Hermione said angrily.
'I don't know,' Harry said. Really, he was thinking the same thing. The kiss with Claire obviously meant nothing to her, if half an hour later she was kissing Harry's best friend. But he didn't think Claire was like that. Harry's head was spinning. It felt like everything he had believed, wasn't true, everything he had cherished that had happened that night between him and Claire was just an act. Harry couldn't believe how shocked he felt about this. Considering everything that he had to bare, the last thing that should be worrying him is a girl. But she was special. Harry had almost begun to think.well he shouldn't have been so stupid. Everything with Claire had just been in his head. But why had she said she didn't want to go to the party with Ron, and that she wanted to go with Harry? Maybe she had realised that Harry wasn't what she wanted, after all. Harry was struck by a horrible thought. What if their kiss had put her off him? What if she enjoyed kissing Ron far more? Harry felt sick.
'Do you think I'm stupid for being annoyed?' Hermione asked. 'Considering I just told you that I'm not interested in Ron in that way? It's not that I'm jealous, it's just the fact that he could kiss me and then go and kiss another girl. He must have absolutely no respect for either of us.'
'Yeah.' Harry said, although he guiltily suddenly realised the truth. It wasn't that Ron had no respect for Hermione, he had just never even wanted to go with her, and it had been Claire and Harry that had persuaded him to ask her. Maybe Harry should have just let Ron ask Claire to the Party in the first place and he and Hermione would have been saved all this heartache. Ron liked Claire and obviously the feelings were reciprocated, and Harry had been stupid enough to let his own emotions get in the way of Ron's happiness. Just then, Ron came back up to the common room. Before he could even say anything, Harry walked out. He was going to go and find Claire.
'I didn't interrupt you guys talking?' Ron asked.
'No, you didn't,' Hermione said monotonously.
'Hermione, are you okay?' Ron asked.
'No I'm not okay Ron. I saw you kissing Claire down in the Great Hall. If you'd wanted to go with her, you should have asked her, not me. Would have saved us all a lot of bother,' Hermione said sharply.
'Hermione.I'm sorry,' Ron said apologetically. 'You're a great mate, and you really do look great tonight, but I'm finding it hard to think of us as anything else after we've been friends for so long, do you know what I mean?'
'I do know what you mean,' Hermione admitted.
'And I was going to ask Claire but people kept saying we would make a good couple, and I was getting the impression that Claire wasn't interested in me like that so I thought maybe I should ask you. I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to hurt you, you certainly weren't meant to see that.' Meanwhile, Harry was walking down to the Great Hall. It was not as packed as it had been before as people were disbanding to various places around the castle. He couldn't see Claire. He decided to go and look outside for her. He wasn't sure exactly what he wanted to say, but he knew he had to talk to her. Out onto the grounds he went. Beside the lake stood a figure in white so pure it shone. The wind was blowing gently at her skirt and dark hair so it fluttered out to one side. She threw a pebble out into the murky depths of the water, and watched the ripples fan out. When she heard Harry behind her, she turned.
'Harry,' she said softly.
'Why?' Harry asked. 'If you wanted to come tonight with Ron, why didn't you tell me when I said he wanted to ask you?'
'What?' Claire frowned. 'What are you talking about Harry, I didn't want to come with Ron, he's just a friend.'
'I saw you kissing him,' Harry interjected.
'You saw me.oh Harry, I didn't kiss him, he kissed me! I didn't want him to kiss me, he just did.I pulled away though,' Claire said earnestly.
'Didn't look like that from where I was standing,' Harry said tonelessly.
'Oh Harry, I don't feel anything for Ron, you know that. I told him, I'm sorry but I just want to be friends. I did, you can ask him.'
'Really?' Harry asked hopefully.
'Really,' Claire nodded.
'I suppose I can't blame Ron. He did want to ask you tonight, we just persuaded him not to. But I guess he still likes you,' Harry said fairly.
'I guess so,' Claire agreed. 'So, are we cool?'
'We're cool,' Harry smiled.
'You know Harry, I kissed you because I wanted to, not because you jumped on me like Ron,' Claire said seriously. Harry blushed a little. 'I was worried that the kiss had put you off and that's why you went off with Ron,' he admitted.
'No,' Claire laughed. 'I can't believe you'd think that. You weren't bad,' she grinned.
'You weren't bad yourself,' Harry grinned back. 'In fact, you're a really good kisser. No wonder Ron wanted to kiss you.' It was Claire's turn to blush. 'Shut up Harry, you're embarrassing me.' Harry laughed. 'It's true.' Claire shoved him playfully, and Harry stumbled backwards, almost falling into the lake! Claire grabbed him and pulled him to her, saving him.
'Wow, thanks Claire,' Harry said breathlessly.
'That's okay,' Claire laughed nervously. They were very close now, their lips only inches apart.
'You know, I'm really glad you came with me tonight,' Harry said softly.
Claire sighed a murmur of agreement. They stared into one another's eyes and a small smile played on Claire's mouth. Gently, she ran her tongue along her bottom lip. Harry swallowed.
'Thank you,' Claire said, even softer. She placed her hand gently on Harry's chest and looked down at where it touched, smiled slightly, then looked back up at his face. Harry smiled back at her. He slowly lifted his hands, and tentatively put one on her shoulder and ran the backs of his fingers down the side of her hair with the other.
'You look so beautiful tonight,' Harry said, so quietly it was almost inaudible. Only someone as close as Claire would be able to hear it. Without realizing it they were getting closer and closer. Soon all Harry had to do was tilt his head slightly, and move it a little forward.and they were kissing. Harry moved his hand round to the back of Claire's head and brought her closer to him. Claire wrapped her arms around him and pressed her body against his. They held each other tightly and kissed passionately. It was even better than before because they were less inhibited this time. Their lips moved and their tongues slipped in and out of each other mouths, and Harry gently ran his hand down Claire's spine. The stars and the moon watched down on them as they kissed in the darkness, and for a moment in time, everything was perfect.
Finally, they came apart. Claire smiled dreamily at Harry.
'That was good,' she said.
'Yeah,' Harry agreed. Then they kissed again.
Harry slept well that night. He had no dreams of Voldemort, instead he was flying on his broomstick, flying up into the sky, flying so high he was among the clouds. He landed on a cloud covered with angels. From the angels walked Claire and she went over to Harry and kissed him. He woke the next morning with a smile on his face. Ron was not so happy.
'I've made such a mess of things,' he sadly told Harry. 'I'm sorry Harry, I know she went with you last night, but I kissed Claire. And Hermione saw me and she's really upset with me, and to make things worse Claire pulled away and said she just wanted to be friends with me. I made such a mistake.'
'Don't worry,' Harry said. 'I'm sure it'll sort itself out.' He felt guilty, because he had had a great time with Claire last night. He didn't know how he was going to tell Ron what had happened between them. He decided that he wouldn't mention anything until there was really anything to tell. Okay, so they kissed, but it wasn't like they were going out or anything. He didn't want to add to Ron's worries, so he kept quiet. At breakfast, he quietly advised Claire to do the same. She nodded, and smiled, a dreamy sort of smile as if remembering the kissed that they'd shared. Harry would not forget them for a long time. He would not forget that night for a long time; how pretty Hermione had looked; the surprise of Snape and Professor Weasley; the shock of seeing Ron kiss Claire; the relief when Claire told Harry she felt nothing for Ron; how completely divine she had looked, and kissing in the moonlight. Things between Harry and Claire were a little strange, for neither of them were sure what their situation was, but good. Both knew that the other had enjoyed the kisses and that was enough for both of them. However, things between Hermione and Ron were a little icy. Both Claire and Harry felt guilty about this, for it was in part, their faults. They had encouraged Hermione and Ron to go to the Halloween Party, when it was now clear that neither felt that way about the other. Claire felt it was her moral duty to make them friends again. She wasn't sure quite how though.
The weekend passed strangely. Neither Harry or Claire mentioned the kiss after that Saturday morning, but both had an understanding in their eyes when they looked at one another. It was up to them to fill the silences left by Ron and Hermione barely speaking to one another, but they were happy to do it. For once in a long time, Harry felt close to contentment. Of course, he constantly had the worried that came with being him buzzing around in his mind, but for a while they were repressed. He even managed a cheerful thought about Sirius; if he were there, he'd be pleased that Harry had met such a wonderful girl.
When the school week started again, Harry was almost pleased, because he got to sit in every lesson with Claire. He felt like he was living in a world of his own happiness. For once something seemed to be going right, and although he couldn't be sure, Harry had that excited anticipation that his feelings might be returned. He felt like he was filled up with Claire, that was the only way he could describe it. She was all he could think about, and when he did, he got an irrational happy buzz. Every time he looked at her, he was struck by her beauty, almost as if he were seeing her for the first time.
Their first lesson on Monday morning was Defense Against the Dark Arts. They were currently writing out their research for their project. Ron and Hermione sat on either side of Claire and Harry. There was an awkward silence, which Harry ignored by getting on with doing his work. He was lost in his thoughts, scribbling away, when he felt something on his leg. His quill paused on his piece of parchment. Whatever was touching his leg was slowly working it's way up it, and then back down again, gently caressing it. At first he wasn't sure what it was, but then he looked over at Claire, who was smiling at him sweetly, but had a mischievous glint in her eyes. Harry smiled back at her but he felt himself feeling turned on. Claire ran her hand up even higher up Harry's leg and felt a stiff lump at the top. Claire shot Harry a look, and he looked back rather embarrassed.
'Harry.' Claire started with a whisper, but Professor Weasley shot her a warning look telling her to be quiet. Claire and Harry looked at one another, and then down at their work. But Claire's hand remained under the table where it was. And slowly and gently she began to unzip his trousers. Harry gave Claire a shocked look. She grinned at him and licked her lips seductively. Claire continued to slip her hand into his boxers. The organ inside had expanded and was pressing uncomfortably against the restraining material, and Claire decided to do something about it. Watching Harry out of the corner of her eye, she began to deftly stroke his member. Harry grabbed Claire's hand under the table to stop it from moving. Embarrassed for having over-stepped the mark, Claire withdrew her hand, and looked down at her work. Harry sat trying to concentrate on his work, but his trousers were still unzipped, and he was now throbbing painfully with lust. He wanted nothing more than Claire and he had to fight his urges to take her in his arms and finish what she had started inside her. He looked at her, bent over her work, cheeks pink with embarrassment and lost the battle against himself. He took her hand gently in his own, stroking her soft skin with his thumb as he did. Claire looked up at Harry in surprise. He smiled at her, and drew her hand to his jeans. She knew what he wanted. Grinning, Claire began again what she had begun before. Her touch set Harry alight and filled him with a deep desire and a strange hunger. Claire smiled to herself as he began to scribble faster. Her hand began to move faster, her fingers gently stroking and squeezing and she heard Harry exhale loudly. This signaled that he was responding to what she was doing and in response to that, Claire moved her hand even faster. Harry was now trying to control his ragged breathing so it was not obvious that anything was going on to the silent classroom. He wanted Claire so badly now. Claire's attention was now fully focused on the task in hand. Harry emitted a short gasp, and a few people turned and looked at him. Claire had to try and stop herself from laughing. Beads of sweat were appearing on Harry's forehead as he was coming closer to his goal. Claire felt sudden wet warmth cover her fingers and Harry coughed loudly. A few more people turned to look at him. Harry now looked very pink.
'Harry, are you.' Professor Weasley started, but was interrupted by the bell.
'Thanks,' Harry said to Claire and she knew exactly what for.
'What our next lesson?' Hermione asked.
'I'll meet you there,' Claire said. 'I've got to go and wash my hands.'
Harry's mind was buzzing as they sat down in Transfiguration. He couldn't believe what had just happened. He hadn't thought that Claire even liked him that much, and then she had gone and done that. It had been the most erotic moment of his life and he had never been so overcome with lustful feelings towards someone as he currently felt for Claire. Every breath he took, every beat of his heart was eagerly anticipating her return. But Claire did not return.
'Does anyone know where Claire is?' Professor McGonagall asked, frowning and looking at her empty seat.
'I think she said she was going to the bathroom,' Hermione said. 'Shall I go and see if she's there professor?'
'That would be helpful Hermione, thank you,' Professor McGonagall said. 'You may go, seeing as you have already mastered the spell.' Hermione smiled despite herself, and walked from the classroom. Harry waved his wand, too worried about Claire to concentrate on turning the mouse in a box into a hairbrush without altering the box. So far, all he could manage was covering the box with bristles, and turning the mouse's tail into a handle. For Claire to disappear after what had just happened was making Harry particularly worried. She was probably fine, but what if she wasn't? After everything that had been happening with Voldemort lately, Harry had perfect justification to be worried.
A short while later, Hermione came back.
'Claire was in the dormitory,' Hermione told Professor McGonagall. 'She apologizes but she said she really wasn't feeling very well and had to lie down.'
'Well she should have gone to the hospital wing then,' Professor McGonagall frowned.
'She didn't seem to think she needed to,' Hermione shrugged. 'She said she'll get the work off me.'
'Fine,' Professor McGonagall nodded. 'Now if you'd like to go and give Mr. Potter a hand Miss. Granger, I think he's having a bit of trouble with his spell.' Everyone looked over at Harry's desk, where his box was furry and had a tail, and his hairbrush which had legs in all the wrong places, was scurrying around retardedly on his desk. Everyone laughed and Harry went pink.
'Of course, Professor McGonagall,' Hermione said, going over to Harry.
'Is she okay?' Harry asked with concern, as Hermione waved her wand and turned the box back into a box, and the mouse back into a mouse.
'I think so,' Hermione said, putting the mouse back into the box. 'Now watch this.' Hermione flicked her wand perfectly. Nothing appeared to happen, the box remained exactly the same, but the squeaking inside stopped.
'See?' Hermione said, upending the box, a hairbrush sliding out.
Claire did not appear for lunch. Harry wolfed his lunch down, and hurried up to the common room. She was not there.
'She'll probably still be in the dormitory,' Hermione said. 'Shall I go and have a look?'
'Please,' Harry nodded. Hermione disappeared up the stairs.
'I wonder what's wrong with her,' Ron said. Harry had a strange sick feeling in his stomach that something wasn't right.
A few moments later, Hermione came back down the stairs.
'Umm, she said she's not feeling too well,' she told them.
'Not even well enough to come down here?' Ron asked.
'Obviously not,' Hermione said, giving Ron a withering look.
'Well how was I supposed to know, I was just asking,' Ron fumed.
'Can you see Claire? No! So don't ask stupid questions!' Hermione retorted
'It wasn't...' Ron started but Harry interrupted.
'Could you two please stop bickering for two minutes?' Harry demanded. 'What exactly is wrong with Claire.' Harry was getting an impending sense of dread.
'I'm not sure,' Hermione said. 'I got the impression she wanted to be left alone.'
'Right,' Harry nodded, feeling sick now.
'Probably girly trouble,' Ron muttered.
'Oh? And what would you know about that?' Hermione snapped.
'I know it turns you into a monster every month. Not that I can tell the difference between that and normal.' Ron retorted.
Harry thought Claire wasn't going to turn up for Charms, but she walked in late, and went and sat with Pavarti and Lavender. Harry looked over at her, but she did not look back at him. Harry now had a definite bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something he had done must have freaked Claire out. Maybe the whole incident in Defense Against the Dark Arts had been a joke, and Claire had not expected Harry to pull her hand back for more. She was probably disgusted with him, and thought him a freak. Harry sighed. He had nearly lost Claire once already, and he had been stupid enough to be stupid enough to risk losing her again. Harry sat through Charms, not listening to one word that Professor Flitwick said, trying to figure out what he was going to do. By the end of the lesson, Harry knew what he was going to do. As the classroom emptied, Harry walked right over to Claire, so she could not avoid him.
'I'm sorry Claire, but.' Harry begun.
'No Harry, I'm sorry,' Claire said, and rushed past Harry and away. Harry watched her go with surprise. Great. She was sorry. Sorry for having mislead him, having let him ever believe she would seriously want to do something like that to him. Harry stormed blindly up to the common room.
Next morning they had Potions first lesson, which didn't add to Harry's worries. Claire sat on the other side of Hermione to Harry. Harry could feel the underlying tension, which came from Harry and Claire not having exchanged words for some time. Snape seemed to notice this, and although it didn't seem to brighten his mood as much as Claire sitting beside Draco would, he seemed to gain a certain smugness that lesson. Although Snape did seem to be in a lot of uncharacteristically good moods lately, which puzzled Harry slightly. He sat, his mood matching the gloomy dark of the dungeon. What could he do? He had tried to apologize to Claire, and she had brushed him off. Instead of copying down Snape's words, he began writing down his thoughts.
Dear Claire I'm sorry. I tried to apologize to you before but you wouldn't even hear it. However I upset you, I didn't mean to. I just got carried away in Defense Against the Dark Arts, because I do really like you, but I don't want it to affect our friendship. That is the most important thing to me. Meeting you has helped me forget a little of everything that has happened to me, and make me feel normal again. I really do care about you but if you can't face me any more then I guess I'll have to respect that and try and find a way to accept it. Once again I am sorry.
Yours Always
Harry
Harry folded the note up into as many tiny pieces as he could manage. He had once heard that if you folded a piece of parchment enough times, it would reach the moon. The thought of jumping on his broom and flying to the moon right then seemed very appealing to Harry.
'What's that?' Hermione whispered.
'Nothing,' Harry said quickly, scrunching up the parchment even smaller.
'Can I have a look?' Hermione asked.
'Is there something wrong Miss. Granger?' Snape snapped, looking over at her.
'No, sorry sir,' Hermione mumbled, turning pink for being told off. Harry thought Hermione would leave it at that, but to his surprise, she wrote a question of a small piece of parchment and handed it to him. Hermione never risked passing notes in class. It had to be important.
Harry, was that a letter to Claire?
Harry sighed, and scribbled back;
Why?
Hermione took the note and wrote back;
Because if it is, I think you should give it to her.
Harry felt slightly annoyed that Hermione was interfering.
I can't Hermione, okay? It's complicated.
Hermione read it and tutted.
Do you want to make up with her or not?
Harry thought Hermione was being rather hypocritical on this point.
Maybe I'll try and make up with Claire when you make up with Ron.
Hermione read this and sighed. She began writing something back, but screamed as the note spontaneously burst into flames. Somehow, the fire seemed to burn nothing else around it though, just the parchment. The whole class turned to look at Hermione.
'That's what happens to notes that get passed in my classroom,' Snape said cooly. 'Ten points from Gryffindor. Now, Mr. Potter, what was I saying is the main ingredient in the confusion potion?'
When Harry was packing away his things at the end of Potions, he couldn't see the tiny folded up piece of parchment he had written to Claire. He looked frantically for it on his desk, but when he couldn't see it, he figured it must have fallen on the floor, or been set alight with Hermione's note. Still, Harry was a little worried, he didn't want it falling into the wrong hands. Harry was glad to get out of the dungeons after a particularly vile Potions lesson. Snape seemed to have taken it that because Claire and Harry had fallen out, it was an excuse to be mean to Harry. Things didn't look to be getting much better though, next they had General Studies Arithmacy, and from what Harry had gathered from Hermione's ravings about this subject, it was very boring. Luckily, Harry and Ron could whisper in undertones, sitting at the back of the class while Professor Stavri rambled on at the front. Harry noticed that Hermione and Claire were passing notes (Hermione was sitting between Harry and Claire, and Harry was sitting between Hermione and Ron) and tried to catch a glimpse, but Hermione always managed to conceal the words from Harry without clearly trying. Harry gave up and carried on talking to Ron. Near the end of the lesson, Hermione slipped Harry a piece of parchment. Giving her a puzzled look, he opened it.
Dear Harry I'm sorry if I was not meant to read your letter, but Hermione gave it to me as she thought I should read it, Please don't be mad at her. I'm glad I did though. The reason I was acting weird with you was because I thought I'd gone too far, doing what I did in DATDA, and that you would think bad stuff about me. When you said "I'm sorry" to me in Charms I thought you were going to say something like "I'm sorry Claire if I gave you the wrong impression but I don't like you like that". I'm sorry if you thought that I was mad at you. Our friendship is really important to me too, and I'm glad if it can help you take things off your mind that you really shouldn't be having to worry about. Being friends with you has helped me fit into this school, and to be honest, it's helped me take some stuff off my mind too. I thought coming back to England might be hard, it might bring back some bad memories. But I've found things so easy (well, apart from being bewitched by my own Uncle into fancying someone else). So thank you. If we could just start again, I would be grateful.
Yours Forever,
Claire
Harry smiled. He felt like jumping out of his seat. Claire didn't hate him! He looked over at her and smiled, and she shyly smiled back. Harry felt everything that had been weighting him down lift, and his heart was filled with happiness. Now all he had to do was get Hermione and Ron to make up, and things would be back to normal.
'Let's go,' he said gruffly to Hermione. He turned and went back up to the common room. Hermione followed him close behind. They walked in silence all the way back to common room. When they got there, they sat down in shock.
'I can't believe this!' Hermione was the first to speak. 'Well, I guess I won't have to worry about telling him I don't like him in that way.'
'Yeah,' Harry said.
'But I can't believe he was kissing me earlier and then we just saw him kissing Claire. I mean, do I mean that little to him, that he would risk my feelings like that?' Hermione said angrily.
'I don't know,' Harry said. Really, he was thinking the same thing. The kiss with Claire obviously meant nothing to her, if half an hour later she was kissing Harry's best friend. But he didn't think Claire was like that. Harry's head was spinning. It felt like everything he had believed, wasn't true, everything he had cherished that had happened that night between him and Claire was just an act. Harry couldn't believe how shocked he felt about this. Considering everything that he had to bare, the last thing that should be worrying him is a girl. But she was special. Harry had almost begun to think.well he shouldn't have been so stupid. Everything with Claire had just been in his head. But why had she said she didn't want to go to the party with Ron, and that she wanted to go with Harry? Maybe she had realised that Harry wasn't what she wanted, after all. Harry was struck by a horrible thought. What if their kiss had put her off him? What if she enjoyed kissing Ron far more? Harry felt sick.
'Do you think I'm stupid for being annoyed?' Hermione asked. 'Considering I just told you that I'm not interested in Ron in that way? It's not that I'm jealous, it's just the fact that he could kiss me and then go and kiss another girl. He must have absolutely no respect for either of us.'
'Yeah.' Harry said, although he guiltily suddenly realised the truth. It wasn't that Ron had no respect for Hermione, he had just never even wanted to go with her, and it had been Claire and Harry that had persuaded him to ask her. Maybe Harry should have just let Ron ask Claire to the Party in the first place and he and Hermione would have been saved all this heartache. Ron liked Claire and obviously the feelings were reciprocated, and Harry had been stupid enough to let his own emotions get in the way of Ron's happiness. Just then, Ron came back up to the common room. Before he could even say anything, Harry walked out. He was going to go and find Claire.
'I didn't interrupt you guys talking?' Ron asked.
'No, you didn't,' Hermione said monotonously.
'Hermione, are you okay?' Ron asked.
'No I'm not okay Ron. I saw you kissing Claire down in the Great Hall. If you'd wanted to go with her, you should have asked her, not me. Would have saved us all a lot of bother,' Hermione said sharply.
'Hermione.I'm sorry,' Ron said apologetically. 'You're a great mate, and you really do look great tonight, but I'm finding it hard to think of us as anything else after we've been friends for so long, do you know what I mean?'
'I do know what you mean,' Hermione admitted.
'And I was going to ask Claire but people kept saying we would make a good couple, and I was getting the impression that Claire wasn't interested in me like that so I thought maybe I should ask you. I'm sorry Hermione, I didn't mean to hurt you, you certainly weren't meant to see that.' Meanwhile, Harry was walking down to the Great Hall. It was not as packed as it had been before as people were disbanding to various places around the castle. He couldn't see Claire. He decided to go and look outside for her. He wasn't sure exactly what he wanted to say, but he knew he had to talk to her. Out onto the grounds he went. Beside the lake stood a figure in white so pure it shone. The wind was blowing gently at her skirt and dark hair so it fluttered out to one side. She threw a pebble out into the murky depths of the water, and watched the ripples fan out. When she heard Harry behind her, she turned.
'Harry,' she said softly.
'Why?' Harry asked. 'If you wanted to come tonight with Ron, why didn't you tell me when I said he wanted to ask you?'
'What?' Claire frowned. 'What are you talking about Harry, I didn't want to come with Ron, he's just a friend.'
'I saw you kissing him,' Harry interjected.
'You saw me.oh Harry, I didn't kiss him, he kissed me! I didn't want him to kiss me, he just did.I pulled away though,' Claire said earnestly.
'Didn't look like that from where I was standing,' Harry said tonelessly.
'Oh Harry, I don't feel anything for Ron, you know that. I told him, I'm sorry but I just want to be friends. I did, you can ask him.'
'Really?' Harry asked hopefully.
'Really,' Claire nodded.
'I suppose I can't blame Ron. He did want to ask you tonight, we just persuaded him not to. But I guess he still likes you,' Harry said fairly.
'I guess so,' Claire agreed. 'So, are we cool?'
'We're cool,' Harry smiled.
'You know Harry, I kissed you because I wanted to, not because you jumped on me like Ron,' Claire said seriously. Harry blushed a little. 'I was worried that the kiss had put you off and that's why you went off with Ron,' he admitted.
'No,' Claire laughed. 'I can't believe you'd think that. You weren't bad,' she grinned.
'You weren't bad yourself,' Harry grinned back. 'In fact, you're a really good kisser. No wonder Ron wanted to kiss you.' It was Claire's turn to blush. 'Shut up Harry, you're embarrassing me.' Harry laughed. 'It's true.' Claire shoved him playfully, and Harry stumbled backwards, almost falling into the lake! Claire grabbed him and pulled him to her, saving him.
'Wow, thanks Claire,' Harry said breathlessly.
'That's okay,' Claire laughed nervously. They were very close now, their lips only inches apart.
'You know, I'm really glad you came with me tonight,' Harry said softly.
Claire sighed a murmur of agreement. They stared into one another's eyes and a small smile played on Claire's mouth. Gently, she ran her tongue along her bottom lip. Harry swallowed.
'Thank you,' Claire said, even softer. She placed her hand gently on Harry's chest and looked down at where it touched, smiled slightly, then looked back up at his face. Harry smiled back at her. He slowly lifted his hands, and tentatively put one on her shoulder and ran the backs of his fingers down the side of her hair with the other.
'You look so beautiful tonight,' Harry said, so quietly it was almost inaudible. Only someone as close as Claire would be able to hear it. Without realizing it they were getting closer and closer. Soon all Harry had to do was tilt his head slightly, and move it a little forward.and they were kissing. Harry moved his hand round to the back of Claire's head and brought her closer to him. Claire wrapped her arms around him and pressed her body against his. They held each other tightly and kissed passionately. It was even better than before because they were less inhibited this time. Their lips moved and their tongues slipped in and out of each other mouths, and Harry gently ran his hand down Claire's spine. The stars and the moon watched down on them as they kissed in the darkness, and for a moment in time, everything was perfect.
Finally, they came apart. Claire smiled dreamily at Harry.
'That was good,' she said.
'Yeah,' Harry agreed. Then they kissed again.
Harry slept well that night. He had no dreams of Voldemort, instead he was flying on his broomstick, flying up into the sky, flying so high he was among the clouds. He landed on a cloud covered with angels. From the angels walked Claire and she went over to Harry and kissed him. He woke the next morning with a smile on his face. Ron was not so happy.
'I've made such a mess of things,' he sadly told Harry. 'I'm sorry Harry, I know she went with you last night, but I kissed Claire. And Hermione saw me and she's really upset with me, and to make things worse Claire pulled away and said she just wanted to be friends with me. I made such a mistake.'
'Don't worry,' Harry said. 'I'm sure it'll sort itself out.' He felt guilty, because he had had a great time with Claire last night. He didn't know how he was going to tell Ron what had happened between them. He decided that he wouldn't mention anything until there was really anything to tell. Okay, so they kissed, but it wasn't like they were going out or anything. He didn't want to add to Ron's worries, so he kept quiet. At breakfast, he quietly advised Claire to do the same. She nodded, and smiled, a dreamy sort of smile as if remembering the kissed that they'd shared. Harry would not forget them for a long time. He would not forget that night for a long time; how pretty Hermione had looked; the surprise of Snape and Professor Weasley; the shock of seeing Ron kiss Claire; the relief when Claire told Harry she felt nothing for Ron; how completely divine she had looked, and kissing in the moonlight. Things between Harry and Claire were a little strange, for neither of them were sure what their situation was, but good. Both knew that the other had enjoyed the kisses and that was enough for both of them. However, things between Hermione and Ron were a little icy. Both Claire and Harry felt guilty about this, for it was in part, their faults. They had encouraged Hermione and Ron to go to the Halloween Party, when it was now clear that neither felt that way about the other. Claire felt it was her moral duty to make them friends again. She wasn't sure quite how though.
The weekend passed strangely. Neither Harry or Claire mentioned the kiss after that Saturday morning, but both had an understanding in their eyes when they looked at one another. It was up to them to fill the silences left by Ron and Hermione barely speaking to one another, but they were happy to do it. For once in a long time, Harry felt close to contentment. Of course, he constantly had the worried that came with being him buzzing around in his mind, but for a while they were repressed. He even managed a cheerful thought about Sirius; if he were there, he'd be pleased that Harry had met such a wonderful girl.
When the school week started again, Harry was almost pleased, because he got to sit in every lesson with Claire. He felt like he was living in a world of his own happiness. For once something seemed to be going right, and although he couldn't be sure, Harry had that excited anticipation that his feelings might be returned. He felt like he was filled up with Claire, that was the only way he could describe it. She was all he could think about, and when he did, he got an irrational happy buzz. Every time he looked at her, he was struck by her beauty, almost as if he were seeing her for the first time.
Their first lesson on Monday morning was Defense Against the Dark Arts. They were currently writing out their research for their project. Ron and Hermione sat on either side of Claire and Harry. There was an awkward silence, which Harry ignored by getting on with doing his work. He was lost in his thoughts, scribbling away, when he felt something on his leg. His quill paused on his piece of parchment. Whatever was touching his leg was slowly working it's way up it, and then back down again, gently caressing it. At first he wasn't sure what it was, but then he looked over at Claire, who was smiling at him sweetly, but had a mischievous glint in her eyes. Harry smiled back at her but he felt himself feeling turned on. Claire ran her hand up even higher up Harry's leg and felt a stiff lump at the top. Claire shot Harry a look, and he looked back rather embarrassed.
'Harry.' Claire started with a whisper, but Professor Weasley shot her a warning look telling her to be quiet. Claire and Harry looked at one another, and then down at their work. But Claire's hand remained under the table where it was. And slowly and gently she began to unzip his trousers. Harry gave Claire a shocked look. She grinned at him and licked her lips seductively. Claire continued to slip her hand into his boxers. The organ inside had expanded and was pressing uncomfortably against the restraining material, and Claire decided to do something about it. Watching Harry out of the corner of her eye, she began to deftly stroke his member. Harry grabbed Claire's hand under the table to stop it from moving. Embarrassed for having over-stepped the mark, Claire withdrew her hand, and looked down at her work. Harry sat trying to concentrate on his work, but his trousers were still unzipped, and he was now throbbing painfully with lust. He wanted nothing more than Claire and he had to fight his urges to take her in his arms and finish what she had started inside her. He looked at her, bent over her work, cheeks pink with embarrassment and lost the battle against himself. He took her hand gently in his own, stroking her soft skin with his thumb as he did. Claire looked up at Harry in surprise. He smiled at her, and drew her hand to his jeans. She knew what he wanted. Grinning, Claire began again what she had begun before. Her touch set Harry alight and filled him with a deep desire and a strange hunger. Claire smiled to herself as he began to scribble faster. Her hand began to move faster, her fingers gently stroking and squeezing and she heard Harry exhale loudly. This signaled that he was responding to what she was doing and in response to that, Claire moved her hand even faster. Harry was now trying to control his ragged breathing so it was not obvious that anything was going on to the silent classroom. He wanted Claire so badly now. Claire's attention was now fully focused on the task in hand. Harry emitted a short gasp, and a few people turned and looked at him. Claire had to try and stop herself from laughing. Beads of sweat were appearing on Harry's forehead as he was coming closer to his goal. Claire felt sudden wet warmth cover her fingers and Harry coughed loudly. A few more people turned to look at him. Harry now looked very pink.
'Harry, are you.' Professor Weasley started, but was interrupted by the bell.
'Thanks,' Harry said to Claire and she knew exactly what for.
'What our next lesson?' Hermione asked.
'I'll meet you there,' Claire said. 'I've got to go and wash my hands.'
Harry's mind was buzzing as they sat down in Transfiguration. He couldn't believe what had just happened. He hadn't thought that Claire even liked him that much, and then she had gone and done that. It had been the most erotic moment of his life and he had never been so overcome with lustful feelings towards someone as he currently felt for Claire. Every breath he took, every beat of his heart was eagerly anticipating her return. But Claire did not return.
'Does anyone know where Claire is?' Professor McGonagall asked, frowning and looking at her empty seat.
'I think she said she was going to the bathroom,' Hermione said. 'Shall I go and see if she's there professor?'
'That would be helpful Hermione, thank you,' Professor McGonagall said. 'You may go, seeing as you have already mastered the spell.' Hermione smiled despite herself, and walked from the classroom. Harry waved his wand, too worried about Claire to concentrate on turning the mouse in a box into a hairbrush without altering the box. So far, all he could manage was covering the box with bristles, and turning the mouse's tail into a handle. For Claire to disappear after what had just happened was making Harry particularly worried. She was probably fine, but what if she wasn't? After everything that had been happening with Voldemort lately, Harry had perfect justification to be worried.
A short while later, Hermione came back.
'Claire was in the dormitory,' Hermione told Professor McGonagall. 'She apologizes but she said she really wasn't feeling very well and had to lie down.'
'Well she should have gone to the hospital wing then,' Professor McGonagall frowned.
'She didn't seem to think she needed to,' Hermione shrugged. 'She said she'll get the work off me.'
'Fine,' Professor McGonagall nodded. 'Now if you'd like to go and give Mr. Potter a hand Miss. Granger, I think he's having a bit of trouble with his spell.' Everyone looked over at Harry's desk, where his box was furry and had a tail, and his hairbrush which had legs in all the wrong places, was scurrying around retardedly on his desk. Everyone laughed and Harry went pink.
'Of course, Professor McGonagall,' Hermione said, going over to Harry.
'Is she okay?' Harry asked with concern, as Hermione waved her wand and turned the box back into a box, and the mouse back into a mouse.
'I think so,' Hermione said, putting the mouse back into the box. 'Now watch this.' Hermione flicked her wand perfectly. Nothing appeared to happen, the box remained exactly the same, but the squeaking inside stopped.
'See?' Hermione said, upending the box, a hairbrush sliding out.
Claire did not appear for lunch. Harry wolfed his lunch down, and hurried up to the common room. She was not there.
'She'll probably still be in the dormitory,' Hermione said. 'Shall I go and have a look?'
'Please,' Harry nodded. Hermione disappeared up the stairs.
'I wonder what's wrong with her,' Ron said. Harry had a strange sick feeling in his stomach that something wasn't right.
A few moments later, Hermione came back down the stairs.
'Umm, she said she's not feeling too well,' she told them.
'Not even well enough to come down here?' Ron asked.
'Obviously not,' Hermione said, giving Ron a withering look.
'Well how was I supposed to know, I was just asking,' Ron fumed.
'Can you see Claire? No! So don't ask stupid questions!' Hermione retorted
'It wasn't...' Ron started but Harry interrupted.
'Could you two please stop bickering for two minutes?' Harry demanded. 'What exactly is wrong with Claire.' Harry was getting an impending sense of dread.
'I'm not sure,' Hermione said. 'I got the impression she wanted to be left alone.'
'Right,' Harry nodded, feeling sick now.
'Probably girly trouble,' Ron muttered.
'Oh? And what would you know about that?' Hermione snapped.
'I know it turns you into a monster every month. Not that I can tell the difference between that and normal.' Ron retorted.
Harry thought Claire wasn't going to turn up for Charms, but she walked in late, and went and sat with Pavarti and Lavender. Harry looked over at her, but she did not look back at him. Harry now had a definite bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something he had done must have freaked Claire out. Maybe the whole incident in Defense Against the Dark Arts had been a joke, and Claire had not expected Harry to pull her hand back for more. She was probably disgusted with him, and thought him a freak. Harry sighed. He had nearly lost Claire once already, and he had been stupid enough to be stupid enough to risk losing her again. Harry sat through Charms, not listening to one word that Professor Flitwick said, trying to figure out what he was going to do. By the end of the lesson, Harry knew what he was going to do. As the classroom emptied, Harry walked right over to Claire, so she could not avoid him.
'I'm sorry Claire, but.' Harry begun.
'No Harry, I'm sorry,' Claire said, and rushed past Harry and away. Harry watched her go with surprise. Great. She was sorry. Sorry for having mislead him, having let him ever believe she would seriously want to do something like that to him. Harry stormed blindly up to the common room.
Next morning they had Potions first lesson, which didn't add to Harry's worries. Claire sat on the other side of Hermione to Harry. Harry could feel the underlying tension, which came from Harry and Claire not having exchanged words for some time. Snape seemed to notice this, and although it didn't seem to brighten his mood as much as Claire sitting beside Draco would, he seemed to gain a certain smugness that lesson. Although Snape did seem to be in a lot of uncharacteristically good moods lately, which puzzled Harry slightly. He sat, his mood matching the gloomy dark of the dungeon. What could he do? He had tried to apologize to Claire, and she had brushed him off. Instead of copying down Snape's words, he began writing down his thoughts.
Dear Claire I'm sorry. I tried to apologize to you before but you wouldn't even hear it. However I upset you, I didn't mean to. I just got carried away in Defense Against the Dark Arts, because I do really like you, but I don't want it to affect our friendship. That is the most important thing to me. Meeting you has helped me forget a little of everything that has happened to me, and make me feel normal again. I really do care about you but if you can't face me any more then I guess I'll have to respect that and try and find a way to accept it. Once again I am sorry.
Yours Always
Harry
Harry folded the note up into as many tiny pieces as he could manage. He had once heard that if you folded a piece of parchment enough times, it would reach the moon. The thought of jumping on his broom and flying to the moon right then seemed very appealing to Harry.
'What's that?' Hermione whispered.
'Nothing,' Harry said quickly, scrunching up the parchment even smaller.
'Can I have a look?' Hermione asked.
'Is there something wrong Miss. Granger?' Snape snapped, looking over at her.
'No, sorry sir,' Hermione mumbled, turning pink for being told off. Harry thought Hermione would leave it at that, but to his surprise, she wrote a question of a small piece of parchment and handed it to him. Hermione never risked passing notes in class. It had to be important.
Harry, was that a letter to Claire?
Harry sighed, and scribbled back;
Why?
Hermione took the note and wrote back;
Because if it is, I think you should give it to her.
Harry felt slightly annoyed that Hermione was interfering.
I can't Hermione, okay? It's complicated.
Hermione read it and tutted.
Do you want to make up with her or not?
Harry thought Hermione was being rather hypocritical on this point.
Maybe I'll try and make up with Claire when you make up with Ron.
Hermione read this and sighed. She began writing something back, but screamed as the note spontaneously burst into flames. Somehow, the fire seemed to burn nothing else around it though, just the parchment. The whole class turned to look at Hermione.
'That's what happens to notes that get passed in my classroom,' Snape said cooly. 'Ten points from Gryffindor. Now, Mr. Potter, what was I saying is the main ingredient in the confusion potion?'
When Harry was packing away his things at the end of Potions, he couldn't see the tiny folded up piece of parchment he had written to Claire. He looked frantically for it on his desk, but when he couldn't see it, he figured it must have fallen on the floor, or been set alight with Hermione's note. Still, Harry was a little worried, he didn't want it falling into the wrong hands. Harry was glad to get out of the dungeons after a particularly vile Potions lesson. Snape seemed to have taken it that because Claire and Harry had fallen out, it was an excuse to be mean to Harry. Things didn't look to be getting much better though, next they had General Studies Arithmacy, and from what Harry had gathered from Hermione's ravings about this subject, it was very boring. Luckily, Harry and Ron could whisper in undertones, sitting at the back of the class while Professor Stavri rambled on at the front. Harry noticed that Hermione and Claire were passing notes (Hermione was sitting between Harry and Claire, and Harry was sitting between Hermione and Ron) and tried to catch a glimpse, but Hermione always managed to conceal the words from Harry without clearly trying. Harry gave up and carried on talking to Ron. Near the end of the lesson, Hermione slipped Harry a piece of parchment. Giving her a puzzled look, he opened it.
Dear Harry I'm sorry if I was not meant to read your letter, but Hermione gave it to me as she thought I should read it, Please don't be mad at her. I'm glad I did though. The reason I was acting weird with you was because I thought I'd gone too far, doing what I did in DATDA, and that you would think bad stuff about me. When you said "I'm sorry" to me in Charms I thought you were going to say something like "I'm sorry Claire if I gave you the wrong impression but I don't like you like that". I'm sorry if you thought that I was mad at you. Our friendship is really important to me too, and I'm glad if it can help you take things off your mind that you really shouldn't be having to worry about. Being friends with you has helped me fit into this school, and to be honest, it's helped me take some stuff off my mind too. I thought coming back to England might be hard, it might bring back some bad memories. But I've found things so easy (well, apart from being bewitched by my own Uncle into fancying someone else). So thank you. If we could just start again, I would be grateful.
Yours Forever,
Claire
Harry smiled. He felt like jumping out of his seat. Claire didn't hate him! He looked over at her and smiled, and she shyly smiled back. Harry felt everything that had been weighting him down lift, and his heart was filled with happiness. Now all he had to do was get Hermione and Ron to make up, and things would be back to normal.