A/N: Sorry for the delay in updating....I've got exams atm.... :(

Chapter 10

A Short Time Together and An Angry Exchange

Gilderoy placed his hands on Hermione' shoulders and gently turned her around to face him. Without speaking he leant down and kissed her. The feel of his warm lips on hers was so wonderful that any embarrassing thoughts were pushed out of her mind; in fact the only thing she could think of was that she didn't want this to stop, ever. Breaking off their kiss, Gilderoy took Hermione's hand and led her over to the bed where he sat down, pulling her down next to him. He slipped his black robes off, letting them fall to the floor, and then gently pulled Hermione's robes off her shoulders as well.

"I've been thinking about you all night and this morning," he said "I just had to see you as soon as I could".

"I know, I've been thinking about you as well," Hermione whispered shyly "I was trying to do my charms study, but it was getting a bit difficult," she admitted with a quick smile.

"Oh my beautiful Hermione, no one as gorgeous as you needs to worry about study, and especially not in a subject taught by one very handsome Professor" Lockhart said with smiling back at her.

This time it was Hermione who reached up and pressed her lips against Gilderoy's. She was almost shocked at the fierce passion that seemed to suddenly well up inside her. It was like she couldn't get close enough to him. Kissing his mouth hard she pressed herself against him and ran her hands through his hair. Lockhart responded, running his hands over her body and making her gasp out aloud. Frantically she undid the buttons on his shirt and then pulled it off his shoulders and arms. His body was smooth and muscular and warm as she ran her hands over his chest, feeling his skin. She moved her mouth down his neck, tattooing little kisses down to just behind his ear which made him gasp aloud as well. Lockhart gently reached out and unknotted her tie, and then slowly started undoing the buttons on her blouse.

"Is this alright?" he asked softly looking at her with eyes that were warm with desire.

"Yes...yes just please don't stop," she said.

Lockhart smiled and in the next moment slid the blouse off Hermione's shoulders. He reached behind her and quickly undid the clap of her simple white bra. Hermione pressed herself against his naked torso as they kissed again, this time more slowly. Hesitantly she moved her hand over his thigh and then brushed lightly over his crotch, feeling the warm hardness there. Until yesterday she had never even kissed anyone, let alone this, she thought. She wanted more but it was a little scary as well.

"Hermione, I don't want to do anything you aren't ready for," Lockhart whispered in her ear.

She hugged him tightly and whispered back "I love this, I love being with you and I want....well you know...., but there's something I have to tell you. I've never..,"

"It's ok," Lockhart said stopping her words with another kiss. "Are you cold?" he asked concernedly noticing that Hermione was shivering a little.

"Well...maybe just a bit," she said.

Lockhart pulled back the soft eiderdown and pulled Hermione down next to him, lifting the covers back over them both. She snuggled close to him, loving the feeling of pressing her own skin against his. They lay side by side, their faces almost touching. For a long while neither of them spoke, but just looked at each others faces and enjoyed being so close together.

Harry made his way to his next class which he thought was Defense against the Dark Arts, but when he reached the classroom and opened the door he saw that the room was occupied by third ear students.

"Sorry," he said and quickly shut the door, at the same time realising that in actual fact he had Potions with Snape and that he was going to be late. Cursing under his breath he started running in the direction of the class. Potions remained his least favourite subject, but unfortunately to even be considered for a career as an Auror it was a compulsory subject. As he ran Harry decided that as soon as lessons were over for the day he was going to find Lavender and tell her the bet was of. Who cared what she said anyway, he thought. She couldn't make him go through with it.

Hermione opened her eyes sleepily. Lockhart's arms were still around her and she snuggled more closely against him. It had been so warm lying there together that after they had talked for awhile she had drifted asleep. Lockhart opened his eyes as well and smiled at her.

"I've got my second year Charms class in about twenty minutes," he said.

"And I've got Arithmancy," Hermione replied.

"There's nothing I'd like better than to stay here in this bed with you all day, but unfortunately my duties as a Professor call," said Lockhart, pulling Hermione more closely against him.

"Yes you can't deprive all those second year girls of your presence, they would be really disappointed," Hermione said in a muffled voice as she pressed her face against his chest.

"Hmmmmm, good point, that wouldn't do at all. I couldn't allow those girls to go for more than a day without seeing my face".

Hermione looked up to see Lockhart grinning widely.

"Oh but of course, Mr Witch Weekly's most charming smile award winner".

"Five times running," they both said together and then erupted with laughter.

"Well you must admit," he said turning on the full force of his dazzling white smile for her to admire "It was deserving".

Harry didn't go to diner that night, not wanting to endure any comments from people about the bet now it seemed as though everyone was getting far too interested. Instead he made his way to the Gryffindoor common room and settled himself in one of the comfortable chairs by the fire to wait for Lavender to make an appearance. He must have drifted to sleep because the next thing he knew someone was speaking in a loud voice next to his ear.

"Wha..um..what?" Harry mumbled.

"I said good luck with the bet mate, I've got a galleon on you that you win so don't let me down!" Dean's said heartily giving Harry a forceful clap on the shoulder.

"What are you talking about?" he asked anxiously sitting up now fully awake.

Dean pointed over to the other side of the common room where a group of students were grouped around a piece of parchment stuck to the wall, all talking noisily.

"Hey look don't get mad but everyone's been....um.... well you know.... interested in the bet so a group of us just started taking a few bets here and there and well Harry it's got rather big," Dean said apologetically.

"But don't worry we're all definite that you'll win and Hermione will pull I off," he said encouragingly giving Harry another slap on the back.

Harry leaned back in his hair and groaned. The whole thing seemed beyond salvation. What was it, he wondered, that he seemed to invite publicity and attention no matter what he did?

The portrait hole swung forward and Lavender and Parvati climbed through and were immediately surrounded by a group of fourth years

"Hey Lavender!" one shouted "Is it true that you believe there is a 100% chance that you will win the bet?"

Lavender just smiled serenely and pulled Parvati's robe to keep her walking next to her. Parvati didn't look particularly happy Harry noticed.

Harry gave a louder groan as he watched more students head to where Lavender was standing in the center of the room. It must have been louder than he thought because Lavender turned and looked over at him, giving him a large smile.

"Harry!" she exclaimed walking over to him "How are you?"

"Look Lavender, we really need to talk," Harry said in a lowered voice.

"Of course we can talk," Lavender said loudly so that everyone could hear.

"Not here, in private," Harry hissed as everyone's eyes focused on him and Lavender.

Lavender looked rather taken aback at his angry voice but recovered quickly.

"Of course Harry, where ever you want," she said soothingly patting his arm for the benefit of those watching.

Harry shook off her hand and stood up.

They found a quiet spot in the corridor outside the common room and Harry tuned to Lavender.

"I want to call the bet off," he said "Lavender, you know it was just said as a joke and that as seventh years we have far too many other things to worry about than getting involved in silly arguments".

Lavender was shaking her head.

"Ohhh no Harry," she said smirking "You can't just get out of things that easily. Everyone's very excited about this. You can't pull out now just because you know I'm going to win".

Harry had trouble controlling himself as he saw the self-satisfied expression on Lavender's face.

"Look Lavender be reasonable," he said trying to keep his voice calm.

"No Harry you're the one backing down," she said "But of course if you want to drop it well then you'd better start thinking up ways to ask Professor Amos out," she added looking at him with wide seemingly innocent blue eyes.

Harry gritted his teeth. "Fine then!" he shouted turning to walk away down the corridor. "Oh and by the way it's going to be you thinking up ways to ask Snape out!" he yelled furiously over his shoulder.

Harry made his way up to bed trying to avoid everyone, even Ron. It looked like the bet was till very much on. Well maybe Hermione's idea of simply going for a drink with Lockhart after school would work.....he'd have to talk to her. I've let her down, he thought miserably.