Guilty Love: Year 6
Chapter 8: Christmas Love
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter so bugger off.
Sitting all alone in the earliest hours of the morning, one Slytherin stared into the embers of the nearly dead fire. He had sat there every night for two weeks now. He poked the small kettle sized cauldron at his feet with his wand, bringing his Pepper-Up potion steaming into life. He lifted a ladle and poured the contents into a flask, downing a few gulps before turning back to the fire.
This was Draco Malfoy's life right now. Go to class, watch the fire.
His Father would try to contact him, he was sure of it. His Father loved him…didn't he?
This is all Potter's fault. I can't wait until the Dark Lord finishes him off. I hope it's painful, Draco thought bitterly. He took a few more gulps of the potion and stood quickly, walking over to the window. He studied his reflection in its glass, smoothing his white-blond hair down with one hand. A new thought was forming in Draco Malfoy's head. What if I do it for him? I could take my Father's place as the Dark Lord's most loyal follower. If my Father were still alive, he would love me for sure.
As the sun's first light peered through the cracks in the curtains surrounding his bed, Harry Potter stretched happily. He had been awake for near an hour already, content, for once, to simply lie back and enjoy the comfort of his bed.
He heard the grumbles of his roommates awakening, assorted curses and some shuffling sounds, the entirely expected THUMP as Neville fell out of his bed.
"Nice one, Neville." Harry heard Seamus tease, "I'd give that one an eight and a half."
"I'd say seven," came Dean's response. "Ron?"
Harry saw Ron stick one rather particular finger out from his bed curtains. Harry chortled as Dean and Seamus threw assorted socks in Ron's direction. Ron grumbled a bit but crawled out of his bed, stretching his arms in front of the window. "Bloody hell!" he exclaimed.
"What is it, mate?" Harry asked in a mock groggy voice, poking his head out of his bed.
"Come see."
The boys gathered at the window, a sparkling white sight meeting their eyes. Winter had arrived.
The boys dressed rather hurriedly, racing down to the common room. It was Saturday, there was fresh snow on the ground and these boys were in dire need of some fresh air and fun.
Harry paused in the common room long enough to ask Parvati where Hermione was.
"Sleeping, for some reason she is extra tired today," Parvati said with a smirk.
Harry flushed, "Er, right…well, when she gets up, would you tell her to come outside?"
Parvati sighed as if Harry was asking her a huge favor, "I suppose…"
"Thanks!" Harry interjected brightly before racing off after his friends.
About 15 minutes later Hermione bounced downstairs in her coat, having just seen the snow outside her window. "Hermione!" Parvati called, "Harry said to tell you he's…"
"Outside!" Hermione finished for her, "I figured," she added with a laugh before running out the door.
Out in the blinding whiteness of the snow, there was a terribly intense snowball fight going on among the houses. There was a Ravenclaw team, a Hufflepuff team, a Gryffindor team, and Hagrid as his own team.
Harry rolled up a particularly nice ball and lobbed it at Roger Davies, smacking him on the back of the head, causing him to yelp with surprise. Harry laughed and ducked a ball that had been flying his way, which promptly knocked over Colin Creevy.
Hagrid gathered up a ball that was easily the size of both Creevey brothers put together and beamed it at the Hufflepuff team, taking out five of their players upon contact. Hagrid let out a hearty laugh as several dozen snowballs flew at him, exploding softly against his clothes.
"Oi! Mate!" Ron shouted at Harry. Harry turned to look at him and Ron pointed to the doors of the castle where Hermione stood laughing at the sight of them all. Harry grinned and gathered up a snowball and hid it behind his back before running over to Hermione, dodging a few snowballs on his way.
"Harry James Potter, you put that snowball down!" Hermione cried as Harry reached the door.
"What snowball?" Harry asked innocently.
Hermione pulled out her wand, "This one! Accio snowball!"
The ball floated out from Harry's hands and into Hermione's gloved hands. She studied it for a moment before smirking and chucking it at Harry, where it hit the side of his head, knocking his glasses askew.
Harry reached down and gathered a second snowball into his hands, smirking at Hermione, "You're going to pay for that you know."
Hermione shrieked and took off across the grounds, running as fast as she could. Harry chased after her, heading towards the edge of the ice-covered lake. The snow got deeper as they got closer to the lake, making it harder to run. Hermione stopped suddenly and flopped into the snow with a happy giggle, making a snow angel.
Harry caught up and stood over her, watching her. "What're you doing?" he asked.
"Making a snow angel," Hermione replied breathlessly, her cheeks pink from the run. "Try it, you just fall in the snow and move your arms and legs like this." She demonstrated.
Harry shrugged, "Ok." He fell forward, right on top of Hermione, causing her to squeal,
"Harry! You ruined my snow angel!"
"You're the only angel I need," Harry answered smoothly, leaning closer to her.
"That was sweet," Hermione said with a smile, "Corny, but sweet."
Harry smirked and leaned in for a kiss, Hermione closed her eyes and Harry dropped his snowball on her head. "HARRY!" Hermione shouted but he was already off and running.
Hermione chased after him, eventually catching up, she jumped and tackled him into the even deeper snow. Hermione laughed as she looked at Harry, whom she was now sitting on.
"So, you've captured me. Now what?" Harry said with a smirk.
Hermione smiled and placed her lips against his, "I shall use you for my needs."
Harry groaned, "Don't tease me!"
Hermione simply smiled and kissed him again, exploring the inside of his mouth with her tongue. "Hey, you passed on that offer, remember?" Hermione said when they broke apart.
"And I'm regretting it at the moment," Harry moaned, pulling her back for another kiss, wondering if she could feel the effect she was having on his lower half.
"You two gonna snog all day?" came Dean's sarcastic voice from above them. Harry looked up and saw all his friends standing over them, armed with snowballs.
"FIRE AT WILL!" Harry heard Ron bellow. Suddenly Harry and Hermione found themselves being pelted with snowballs. Hermione screamed and ran off, gathering snow as she went, Harry behind her.
Hours later many very wet students trudged in for lunch, each boasting that they had most definitely, spectacularly, and tragically, lost to Hagrid.
"How comes my potion, Wormtail?" The cold, cruel voice of Lord Voldemort asked, piercing the still air.
"It is not as easy as you--I mean I--thought…" Wormtail whispered, immediately knowing he would pay for that slip of the tongue..
"I see," answered the Dark Lord, smiling slightly, as he drew his wand from within his robes, "CRUCIO!"
Wormtail writhed on the floor, screaming from the pain the now coursed through him, piercing every nerve, driving him closer to the edge.
Harry walked alone down the stairs from his dorm to the common room, using the towel he had slung around his neck to ruffle his hair dry. He spotted Hermione and Ron crouched over a chessboard near the fire. He walked over and grinned at Hermione.
"So you finally let Ron talk you into a game?"
"Yeah, he's teaching me," Hermione smiled.
"Ron, mate, just because she new, you don't have to let her win."
Ron groaned, "I'm not."
Harry laughed and snapped the towel at Ron before sitting on the couch to watch them finish the game.
Dean, who had just signed up to go home for Christmas break, came over and plunked down next to Harry on the couch.
"You going home for break, Harry?" Dean asked cheerfully, a leaf of holly dangling off of his stocking shaped hat.
Harry snorted, "To the Dursley's? Of course not!"
Dean laughed, "Yeah, from what you've told us over the last six years, I wouldn't either. Well, here you go, Harry, use it well." Dean smiled and handed Harry a bit of mistletoe before bounding off to flirt with the recently single Ginny.
Harry laughed and watched as Dean dangled a bit of mistletoe over Ginny's head. She laughed and blushed bright red, pushing him away a bit. He grinned and pointed to the mistletoe and Ginny leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, before falling into a fit of giggles.
Hermione, having just finished demolishing Ron at his own game, plopped down next to Harry, smiling brightly. She took the mistletoe out of his hand and held it above them before kissing him lightly on the lips. Harry smiled when they broke apart, before looking around and asking, "Where'd Ron go?"
Hermione sighed, "I think I may have hurt his ego a bit just now." Harry laughed. "Anyway, he said he was going for a walk."
"I see," Harry said, smiling again. He slipped his arms around Hermione's waist and drew her into his lap, kissing her gently several times on the neck and jaw. Unable to resist, Hermione turned around and put her mouth on his, not caring that they were in the middle of the crowded common room, kissing him deeply.
"I'm staying with you for Christmas," Hermione whispered softly when they broke apart.
"I'm glad," Harry told her.
They spent the rest of the evening completely oblivious to the rest of the world, lying in each other's company, watching the fire die down.
The next evening there was a Prefect meeting, something about more banned items that Filch was complaining about, or so Ron said. Harry seized the opportunity to sneak to Hogsmeade to find Hermione the perfect gift.
Underneath the protection of his invisibility cloak, Harry crept out through the one-eyed witch passage, climbed through Honeydukes cellar and headed up the streets of Hogsmeade.
After an hour of searching Harry knew he had chosen the right gift.
Christmas Eve arrived, and Harry and Hermione said goodbye to Ron and Ginny as they boarded the Thestral-drawn carts. "We'll be back early this year, Mum says the Order will need the house a few days after Christmas…" Ron said, before shaking hands with Harry and giving Hermione a brief hug. Ginny hugged them both before taking Dean's hand and disappearing into the cart.
Harry took Hermione's hand and dragged her into the castle. Once inside he pulled her into a close hug, burying his face in her neck. "Happy Christmas," he murmured.
"It's so strange," Hermione said, "knowing that most of the school is empty. There are only twenty students staying here for Christmas. Plus the staff of course…but really, it seems so empty…"
Harry grinned, "I'm here with the one person I want to be with, that's all that matters to me."
Hermione leaned up and kissed him softly. "Me too."
The next morning Harry woke early and found Hermione waiting for him in the common room. She looked amazing in her striped blue and green pajama pants and blue tank top, a white robe hanging loosely around her. Her unkempt hair swept back into a ponytail. Harry threw on his green robe and bounded down to meet her in the common room.
"Merry Christmas, love," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and locking him into a deep kiss.
"Merry Christmas," Harry said, kissing her again.
"Merry Christmas, Harry!" squeaked a pair of excited voices from behind. Harry turned and found himself facing the Creevey brothers.
Harry forced a smile, "Hey…guys! I didn't, er…know you were staying!"
"Yep," said Colin proudly. "Mum said we're old enough to have Christmas on our own now."
Harry heard Hermione cover a laugh behind him. "I, uh, see. Well, I guess I'll see you around then," Harry said, turning his back on them. After a moment they wandered out into the hallway, in search of breakfast, no doubt.
Harry and Hermione opened their presents together, spending the morning laughing, kissing, and telling tales of their childhoods. When they got to the end of their piles, Harry pulled Hermione in for another deep kiss. "You'll have to wait until tonight for your gift," Harry smirked mysteriously.
"Well, then I guess you'll have to wait too then."
They wiled away the afternoon, and a short-lived snowball fight with the Creevey brothers, and then went to the Christmas Feast with Dumbledore.
Finally, it was dark. Harry led Hermione to the Room of Requirement. They opened the door to find the room decorated with one Christmas tree, and a lot of candles floating everywhere.
Harry kissed Hermione again. He slipped his hand just under the back of her shirt and traced his fingers along her skin, feeling the goosebumps rise on her smooth skin.
Harry broke the kiss and led her over to the fire, sitting on the floor, smiling at her casually.
Hermione sighed, "Well, since you seem to be in no hurry…" she pulled a gift from her sweatshirt pocket. "Merry Christmas, Harry."
Harry grinned and opened it slowly. He felt the box shake slightly and he gave Hermione a confused look before opening the lid to the box. A tiny silver snitch launched out of the box and Harry snatched it out of the air. He noticed tiny markings all over it, and pulled it closer to his eyes.
"Are these names?" Harry asked, glancing up.
Hermione nodded, "Signatures is more like it. The entire Irish Quidditch team signed that for you, Mr. Potter."
Harry's jaw dropped, "Hermione! How did you manage that?"
Hermione leaned over and kissed him on the lips, "You like it then?"
"Yes! It's amazing!" he kissed her back, "Thank you. Now it's my turn. You have to stand up, though." Hermione got to her feet, as did Harry.
He pulled a small box from his pocket, "I tried this once already," he grinned, getting onto one knee, "but the girl never gave me an answer." He opened the box and pulled out a ring. He held it up, and took Hermione's left hand.
"Hermione Jane Granger, I love you more than anyone on the planet, more than anyone in the universe. You have always stood by me and taken care of me. Will you marry me?"
He looked up at her, his emerald green eyes shining with hope. Hermione laughed a bit, a tear running down her face, "Of course." Harry slid the ring onto her finger and stood up, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her over and over.
"I have one more thing for you," Harry said, stepping back. He waved his wand and another package appeared on the table next to her. Hermione wiped the tears off of her face and took the package and began unwrapping it.
It was a book, with a plain brown cover. Hermione looked curiously at Harry and began flipping through the pages. "It's blank?"
Harry smiled, "Look at the first page."
Hermione flipped to the front of the book and read aloud, "Hermione, here is somewhere for you to put all the thoughts from your brilliant mind. I love you, never give up."
"Harry, it's perfect!" Hermione said with a warm smile. She looked carefully at the book, running her hands across the cover, then set it down on the table and stepped over to Harry, wrapping her arms around his neck, looking into his emerald eyes. "I love you."
"I love you, Merry Christmas," Harry said, kissing her gently on the lips.
Hermione released him from her arms and pulled him over to the bed, pushing him down and crawling on top of him. Harry slid his hands underneath her shirt and started lightly dragging his fingers across her skin again.
Hermione pressed her lips to his again, and he could tell what was going on her in mind. She's thinking about sex again. She wants to do it, and I told her not yet. But that was then…why not now? We are getting married…and, Merlin knows I want her…
Harry closed his eyes and deepened the kiss, putting his other hand at the base of Hermione's neck and running his fingers into her hair. Changing tactics, he broke this kiss and turned his attention to her neck, kissing her gently, all the way up her jaw bone to her ear, biting it gently.
Turning back, he kissed her again. Hermione reached down and pulled his shirt up over Harry's head, running her hands across his chest.
Out of nowhere, Harry's scar burned white hot. He yelled in agony, rolling off of the bed. On the floor, he pushed the palms of his hands into his eye sockets, trying to block out the pain. The darkness brought him a brief vision.
"What do you mean, 'He's gone'?" The cold voice of Lord Voldemort screamed, his voice piercing the silence of the night. "Tell me, Macnair, where did he say he was going?"
"H-he didn't," Macnair replied quietly. "He transformed and took off before I could get my wand on him."
"Then perhaps you need to work harder. CRUCIO!" After a few moments Voldemort smirked and lifted the curse, "Go, and don't come back till you find him." Macnair stood to leave. "And Macnair…bring him to me alive."
"Harry? Harry! Harry, what is it?"
Harry wiped his eyes. His body ached as if the unforgivable curse had been performed on himself, not Macnair.
"Harry, did you have a vision?"
Harry nodded bleakly. "We need to go see Dumbledore."
"What did you see?"
"Voldemort is angry. More angry than I've ever seen him…Wormtail escaped."
A/N: Ok readers, that's all! It's a bit short, and it only took me a month and a half. I'm sorry! I have the flu…and well, you don't want to hear my excuses. Anyway, there are eight days of school left for me here, so after that I'll be sure to really get going, as I want to finish this before HBP comes out. Anyway, I know it's a bit of fluff, but I needed some fluff… sometimes we all do. Alright, you know the drill, leave me some love and I'll get cooking faster, hopefully much faster than this chapter!
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