A/N: Guess who rocks? That's right—you do chantal-j.t!! Yeah! ::Coughs:: Okay, I'll shut up now. Oh, should I go back and actually name the chapters?? I was thinking… OOH! That reminds me!!! For some reason, I can't ever chapter 9 to show up!! It's gone missing! I think I'm going to have to rewrite it and that pisses me off!!!

Lock and Key

Chapter 19

It was Christmas day, at last. On Christmas Eve Harry had been in a good mood, relishing in the fact that he would see Hermione the following day, and that is was Christmas. Tonks spent most of the day with them, entertaining without truly meaning to. Ron received a Christmas poem from Luna that was both strange and personal. His ears seemed to be permanently red and the others could not stop their mirthful taunting. Harry also used the day to try out Sirius' magical door; he found he loved it. He startled many people by, apparently, appearing out of nowhere (or one of a room's walls), and would indulge no one with the secret to it. (Well, that wasn't entirely true—he caved in and told Ron). They all went to bed with anticipation and awoke exceptionally early the next day.

At seven, Harry found a large amount of gifts on the foot of his bed. In fact, it seemed large than usual. He took the blanket on which they rested and bundled it up, dragging it out of his room and down the flight of stairs to Ron's room. Ginny was already there, and when they saw him, they tore into their gifts. He had plenty of things from the Wealseys, obviously, and a good amount from Order members (including Hagrid, Tonks, Kingsley, Dumbledore, Mundungus, and Remus). Something new was the amount of parcels sent by the DA, noticeably the Gryffindors.

"Ooh! Harry! Thank you!" Ginny cried as she opened her new Quidditch set.

"No problem," he responded, taking the wrapping off Neville's package.

"Dear Merlin!," Ron raucously exclaimed, running a hand unbelievingly over the beautiful orange volume, "Harry, this is… why… the whole team autographed this, and there w-was only one shipment of these!" It was a book about the history of the Chudley Cannons.

"You're welcome Ron." Harry smiled. He then noticed a parcel from Parvati. He opened it with just as much curiosity as anything else and found a very nice watch.

"Wow. I-it's great. I'll have to thank her," he noted.

"Who's it from?" inquired Ginny.

"Parvati."

"Really?," grinned Ron, "Well, if I didn't know any better—"

"Shut up Ron." Harry instructed, rolling his eyes.

Fred and George showed their faces at nine, just when Molly finished a pleasant breakfast for the entire house. The kids thanked the present givers for their keepsakes and ate merrily alongside everyone else. In the back of Harry's mind was the reminder that Hermione would come to Grimmauld Place in a few hours. When they were done in the kitchen, they divulged themselves in their new possessions. Ron pointed out Harry's teller of time to his brothers and gave his ill conceived, stupid opinions of what it meant; Harry felt like throttling him.

Fifteen minutes before noon, Remus came into the lounge where the five of them were.

"Harry, a word," he requested, standing in the doorway. Harry got up and followed him out the room.

"Yeah?" he wondered. The older man sighed.

"I hate to do this to you, but… you've got a lesson today. With me," he revealed.

"What? T-today? On Christmas?" Harry inquired.

"Yes, unfortunately. I know it's terrible timing, but that's the way the schedule worked out."

"And I can't skip this one time?," he exasperatedly implored, "Dumbledore won't let me or something?" He thought of Hermione's near arrival.

"Harry, Albus says that you cannot afford—" Remus grimly began.

"Forget it," Harry forcefully said, "I'll go get my wand." He turned and rapidly left. Remus waited a little while before going after Harry, feeling a sorrowful compassion for the boy.

Hermione stepped out of the hearth in Ginny's room, exhaling. She had come at her prearranged time of twelve o'clock. As she removed her shrunken luggage from her pockets and magicked it back to normal, a radiant smile crept on her face. Harry was here, somewhere in this house. Her days of isolation from him had been unconditional torture, although it had been pleasing to spend time with her family. She'd have to find a way to get him alone, sooner rather than later (least she explode), and demonstrate how much she had craved to see him.

"Hermione!" Ginny said, walking into the room and spotting her. She gave her a quick hug.

"How has your day been so far?" Hermione asked.

"Fantastic! Yours?"

"Good, but I'm glad to be here!"

"We'll go tell everyone you're here. And after that we can go exchange gifts—we've only got yours left! We had a beast of a breakfast and are having a huge dinner at five." Ginny spilled. Hermione nodded.

"Harry and Ron will be happy to know you're here," she continued. She then looked as if she remembered something, "Oh, wait… Harry went with Remus someplace, and we don't know where." Hermione felt her heart plummet slightly. She wouldn't see Harry, and God knew for how long.

"Oh," she said, trying to conceal her bitter disappointment.

"Well come on. I'll tell you about my brothers' attempt to murder Colin." Ginny remarked.

Remus shot a deep purple hex at Harry, his face blank. Harry clenched his teeth and grunted, deflecting it, but barely. He had no time to defend himself against the second spell and was hit in the arm. (It did no physical damage but did cause pain).

"Damn it!" he growled, cradling his arm. Remus sighed and lowered his wand.

"Harry—" he started.

"I don't want to do this Remus." Harry stubbornly told him.

"I know you don't, nor do I. But… I don't want to see you at Voldemort's mercy either." After a few moments of silence Harry said:

"But we've been at it for 40 minutes!"

"I know. Just one more round, that's all I ask." Remus stated. Harry nodded, not looking at him. Lupin moved back to his respectful position and fired his first hex. Harry had his brows furrowed and blocked it, the next as well, then hurled his own, trying to imagine Voldemort.

Harry walked by the sitting room, troubled. He had just checked most of the upper portion of the mansion and could not find his friends. Had Hermione made it? His next plan was to go ask Mrs. Weasley if she knew their whereabouts. On the inside, Hermione saw a tall boy with dark hair pass the entrance. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Oi, Harry!" called George.

"Don't bother looking in rooms, do you?" Fred shouted. Ron and Ginny laughed. He came back, saw them sitting comfortably on the couches, and smiled. Hermione felt her pulse dangerously spike and her body doing cartwheels on the inside. Had he gotten more appealing? His smile suggested so. She couldn't believe he was so close but yet so far; she wasn't able to kiss him now like she wanted.

"Look who the dragon dragged in." Ron pointed out, waving to Hermione. His eyes met hers and a million emotions seemed to erupt between them. Harry sent the message that as soon as it was permitted, he wanted her to himself. Hermione got it and bit her lip to stop an oncoming, overjoyed grin. Their eye contact was not too long, or evident, but it was enough to convey their desire for one another.

"Hi Hermione," he cheerfully greeted.

"Harry," she answered amiably.

"Where were you? It's been almost an hour!" Ron protested.

"Ah, just stupid stuff really. Nothing important." Harry replied, shrugging. He sat next to Ron and across from the girls on the opposite couch. The twins sat on the boys' sofa's arms.

"Right…"

"Well, we were going to trade presents now, so you're in time," informed Ginny.

"Oh. Well, Hermione—I left yours in my room." Harry said. How perfect was that?! When they were finished here, they could escape to his room and finally make up for lost time. Oh, it worked too well in their favor.

"It's okay," she told him, realizing this, "We can get it later!"

"Sure," he agreed, feeling a smile tug at his lips. Hermione then gave everyone their coinciding gifts, while receiving her own. She had already unwrapped Ginny's and was on the brink of opening the twins' when they started to laugh.

"Wow! Thanks Hermione!" George said.

"We're glad you're concerned about our behavior." Fred noted. They held up a book titled, A Time To Laugh, A Time To Be Serious. (It was written by a Muggle author).

"I think she's trying to tell you something," grinned Ginny.

"Go on, open ours. You'll find that Forge and I gave you a book as well," encouraged Fred. Hermione obeyed. It was a small novel with clouds and grass on the cover. It read: So, You're Uptight… A Lesson on How to Relax. Hermione pursed her lips and looked at the boys. Harry, Ron, and Ginny all laughed.

"How subtle," she remarked.

"We're concerned about your well being in turn, love," winked Fred.

"Happy Christmas from me and Gred!" George proclaimed. Hermione put it aside, scoffing in a good nature.

"Mine's the last one, since Harry's unreliable." Ron mentioned, a bit nervously. She grabbed the bag in which it was and took it out. Inside the red, rectangular box was a very graceful, attractive hairpin. It was a jeweled dragonfly, and appeared both pristine and expensive. Hermione gasped as Harry's mouth fell open. Ginny's face glowed.

"Ron!," Hermione breathed, "My God! It's… lovely! But… goodness—what, why—how?"'

"I thought of you when I saw it," he remarked, a light shade of red, "It's no big deal really. Just figured you should have it." Fred quirked an eyebrow at George and they smiled, knowingly.

"Thank you," she quietly said, meeting his gaze for only a second.

"Welcome." Ron half grinned. Harry continued to stare at the hair accessory. No one gave someone something that special without meaning something by it. What was Ron doing?

"That's like Harry's gift from Parvati." Ginny observed.

"Yeah, but Ron forgot to add a pair of his knickers!" smirked George.

"What?" Hermione sharply said.

"Parvati sent Harry a gift, though her knickers had nothing to do with it!" Ginny clarified.

"Oh. What, what'd she give you?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Ron held up Harry's wrist while Harry rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. He looked at the ceiling.

"How nice." Hermione stated, gathering her presents. The truth was, however, she thought there was nothing nice about it.

"I'll go upstairs with you Hermione." Ginny volunteered.

"And we have to go find Dung. He has business to discuss with us," commented Fred.

"Uh, Ron." Harry prompted, while they all went their separate ways. He gave a short, meaningful glance to Hermione, letting her know he'd be in his room soon enough.

"Yeah?" the gangly redhead responded, standing up.

"So… Hermione's gift."

"Yeah," mumbled Ron, ears starting to alter colors.

"It—it looked like it… cost a good amount. I'm not saying you can't afford it or anything—"

"It was a lot. There was no way in hell I could have paid for all of it on my own! It's a good thing, having two successful brothers."

"Oh." Harry said. He now seemed to be at a loss for words. He looked at the carpet, hands in pockets.

"I got it for her because… well… I dunno. I've been a sodding prat to her sometimes, and the school year's halfway over…. Maybe it's time to show her that… I do care." Ron rationalized. Harry nodded, beginning to feel awful.

"So," smiled Ron, "What'd you get our bookworm?"

Harry closed his bedroom door and reached under his bed to collect Hermione's gift. He stared at it, but not critically. Ron's present had been a huge step, but not in the right direction, and not for the right person. There was suddenly a small knock on the door.

"Er, yeah," he called. Hermione walked in and quickly shut the door.

"Hi," she greeted shyly. Ginny had shown her Harry's room while he had been with Lupin.

"Hello again," he answered. He moved towards her, and Hermione just knew he was going to kiss her. The usual extreme excitement kicked in and then she saw the watch, sent by Parvati.

"So that's it?" Hermione asked, stopping him. She pointed at it.

"Yeah." Harry confirmed.

"Hmm." He looked at her for a moment and then smiled.

"You're not… jealous? Right?"

"No!," she insisted, folding her arms, "No…"

"Just making sure," he said, "Because that seems unlike—"

"It's just that she… unnerves me!," Hermione suddenly burst, "She obviously still likes you and she's sneaky about it. I know you say it was an accident, but there's always that feeling that she's going to ensnare you in her manipulative web and refuse to release you."

"Hermione," Harry plainly said, gazing at her, "Stop worrying about Parvati. You know how I feel about her and how I feel about you." He gave her a quick kiss, leaving her lips wanting more.

"Now Happy Christmas." Harry handed over her gift. Hermione took it and stripped everything away to behold a small container. Inside was a gold necklace that had a golden ball on its chain.

"Open it," he told her.

"Open it?" she repeated, surprised.

"The circle," he grinned. Hermione complied and exhaled loudly when it had been exposed. On the inside was a miniature universe. Galaxies, stars, and planets were all there.

"The universe." Harry presented.

"Harry—it's… beautiful," she sighed, eyes racking it over.

"It's really intricate. I'll never know how they did it."

"It doesn't matter—I love it." Hermione slipped it on, closing the orb.

"That's always good news," he noted, smiling.

"Now I've got to give you your gift," she told him.

"You already have!"

"Well, actually, this is the second one."

"Oooh, two parts! I like it already."

"Yes," smiled Hermione, "This one is of a more… physical nature." He perked up.

"I really like it," grinned Harry. She moved in closer.

"I think I'll enjoy it just as much as you will." Hermione remarked.

"Oh?" he wondered, gathering her in his arms.

"Yes. It's been far too long since we—" Her sentence was short lived due to Harry's lips covering hers. Ah yes—his kiss. Only days apart and it was already sweeter. Her hands went to his neck as their lip lock became more profound.

Hermione had decided on her first night home that she wanted her relationship with Harry to go to the next level, which meant snogs. Kissing him was wonderful, but it didn't seem to be enough any longer. His scent and lips drove her crazy, which led to her body screaming at her to let them get even closer. She wanted to let his hands roam wherever they pleased, and was very curious to find out what his tongue in her mouth would feel like. Besides, Harry had been patient.

Hermione's hands moved into his hair and she kissed him harder. All right Granger, this is it. I sincerely doubt he'll object! she lectured. With her fingers intertwined with black locks, Hermione slowly licked his lips.

Dear Merlin! She had just, just!…. So was that it, then? Was she giving him permission to… go further? God please yes, he groaned in his mind. Assuming this was it, Harry's tongue slipped inside her open mouth. A firecracker seemed to detonate, sending more heat and lust into their systems. Their hormones jumped up the scale colossally with that one action. Harry explored her mouth thoroughly and eagerly, coming in contact with her own tongue two or three times.

Hermione's grip on his hair tightened and she moaned quietly. He took notice of this and felt exhilarated. Harry's hands then went to her hips and he guided her back up against a wall. He pressed his body more firmly into hers, amazed that they were finally snogging. Their tongues were now passionately running over and into one another. Oh God, this was extraordinary.

Harry's hands soon found themselves underneath her shirt, shaking slightly. He was actually touching her flesh, her erotic, inviting flesh. He ran over her flat stomach tentatively at first, but then madly when discovering how fantastic it was, all the while kissing her with everything he had. He came in contact with her bra after awhile, and his hands dropped down a bit. Oh, how easy it would be…. But no, he had to control himself somewhat.

Hermione let out another moan, a louder one, when she felt Harry's hands on her skin. It felt horribly right and made her shiver with delight. Hell, the fact that he had her pinned against the wall made her shiver with delight. Her hold on his hair was now virtually impossible to break but neither noticed.

Harry finally broke the kiss, lips throbbing, which elicited a small gasp from Hermione. His hands went back down to her hips and stroked them, as he viciously attacked her neck. Hermione tried to use the moment (in which he wasn't trying to devour her face) to gather her bearings, but found it immensely difficult. She hardly had any breath, her heart was beating like an insane drum, and she couldn't stop thinking of his tongue, or his hands for that matter. Harry groped and kissed like a pro (though only truly having snogged one other girl), knowing all the tricks to make her tremble. Goodness, even his neck kisses were tantalizing! He was doing sort of a sucking thing that threatened to render her utterly helpless, allowing Harry to do whatever he wanted.

"Harry." Hermione inhaled, putting a hand on his chest. (She still had a burning desire to see what it looked like, but had absolutely no intentions of viewing it now). He looked at her searchingly. All right—so he wasn't as worn out as she; Harry personally had the stamina to investigate the beauty that was Hermione for hours. She gave him one last intense kiss, bidding his tongue farewell, and pulled away.

"I'm going to collapse," she reported. He sighed and nodded, realizing it was over, for the time being anyway. Harry moved to his bed and fell back on it, arms outspread. He had a gigantic grin on his face. Hermione smiled and went to join him, finding space in the grove of his right arm. She snuggled against him and he wrapped his arm around her.

"Happy Christmas Harry," she said. Indeed it had been. Furthermore, besides his Firebolt, that snog had been the best Christmas gift Harry had ever received.

A/N: Ha ha! I apologize for the 30 page snog scene. Lol. I promise, they won't be that long again. Second note—I should probably mention that Buckbeak is no longer at Grimmauld Place. He was set free during their sixth year, whatever that means. Use your imagination. I'll post again either Monday or Tuesday. Nerf!!