When Harry took her by surprise and kissed her while they were alone in Bathilda Bagshot's private Library, a bolt of pleasure rocked Hermione back on her heels. She melted into the softness of his lips, the caring and considerate way he cupped his hands around her face. As he kissed her, desire burned in her unlike anything she had felt before; she wanted more. Harry's restraint was more intoxicating than the pleasure of his touch. The thought of his fingers in other places, tracing over her bare skin, was like fire in her veins. She ran her hands up his back, feeling the slope of his spine, the broadness of his shoulders. Her touch made him moan. The way Harry reacted to her touch was incredible as if every one of his nerves were more sensitive.
Harry pulled back and she stared into his deep green eyes, framed by his thick eyelashes. They sparkled and he sighed softly, his mouth quirking up in one corner.
"Let's finish our tea and then make a move…" Then Harry's eyes danced with humour. "Hopefully before the world finds out that I declared war on Lord Voldemort."
Runes set in the walls around him suddenly flared and Harry jerked violently, his body going completely rigid as if petrified. His eyes flew open and rolled back and he spasmed. Hermione seized him by the shoulders.
"Harry!" She screamed, his body surrounded by a blue glow. Then he passed out, going limp, sagging against her.
"Harry! Oh my God." He was too heavy for her to support so she was forced to lay him on the ground. He was totally unconscious.
"What is it? What happened?" Bathilda had heard the commotion. "Oh… Harry!" She bustled over to them, putting a hand on Hermione's shoulder.
"The runes, my dear… what did Harry do?" Bathilda asked her at once. "What spell did he cast?"
"N-nothing," Hermione stared up at Bathilda, aghast. She pulled Harry's head onto her lap, putting her finger under his nose. Her chest eased at once when she felt his breath on her fingertip.
"He's alright, my dear. He just ran afoul of my defenses, but I need to know what he did."
"He didn't do anything! He was just talking and then the runes attacked him."
"They would not have attacked unless there was malignant magic being cast within the wards." At the mention of 'malignant magic', Hermione immediately jumped to Harry's defense.
"He didn't cast anything, he just said… that we need to leave before…" Hermione's hand trailed in her hair, her mouth hanging open. "He said his name. Volde-"
"No!" Bathilda shouted, making Hermione jump. She patted Hermione on the shoulder, giving her a reassuring look. "Don't speak it unless you wish to be like Harry here."
"But…" Hermione frowned, running her hand over Harry's forehead. "It's a name, it's not a… a curse." She looked up at Bathilda, her eyes wide. "Unless…"
"The name is a curse." Bathilda met her gaze and she drew out her wand. " Finite. Enervate. " Harry gave a gasp and his eyes fluttered open. He frowned in confusion, staring up at Hermione, very bewildered.
"Um… why am I on the floor?"
"My house attacked you," Bathilda told him. Harry looked even more confused.
"Your house attacked me?" Harry asked, startled. "Why? Because I said Vol-."
"No!" Both Hermione and Bathilda shouted at him this time. Harry's mouth clicked shut, his eyes wide as he looked over at Hermione. He brought a hand to his head, grimacing.
"I… don't understand."
"The protections I set up for my house involve a rather complicated spell that targets sources of Dark magic. When you spoke that name, you evoked a Dark spell around the name and my guess is that my protective charms saw you as the threat, not the name, so attacked you."
Hermione put her hands under his arms and helped him up to his feet. He complied, a little unsteady as he supported himself on the desk. He looked pale. Bathilda turned from them, checking the etched runes on the walls. They flared blue when she touched them.
"The Fidelius is still active. Whatever saying the name did, it did not break the charms."
Hermione studied the old witch, seeing the runes blazing in the wall. The magic was nothing like anything Hermione had seen. Ancient and strange. She understood that the magic was similar to the enchantments around Hogwarts, but a lot more specialised. The spells around Hogwarts did not attack people, for one thing.
"What did it do?" Hermione asked her in a hushed voice.
"It is difficult to say," Bathilda said.
"We… we should go," Harry said tightly. He gave Hermione a loaded look. "If I am cursed by saying the name..."
"No, my boy, you are not cursed. The name is," she moved towards them, giving Harry a thoughtful look. "It is an extremely complicated spell, the Taboo. Speaking the cursed word breaks the taboo and gives away the blasphemer's location, however… our location is a secret that only we know, so we are concealed from discovery."
Hermione looked at Harry, putting a hand on his arm. "Harry, this sounds a lot like what happened at Grimmauld. Do you remember? How those Death Eaters knew we were there but they couldn't see us?"
Harry's face went even paler. "It was the name… this whole time. So when those Death Eaters found us in London…"
"It was the Taboo."
Bathilda then bustled off. Harry and Hermione shared a look and immediately went to follow her. She glanced behind her to see them. She continued into the sitting room, moving to the large windows, sliding between stacks of books. Harry pulled Hermione back.
"We need to go. If this is like then, Bathilda is going to have Death Eaters hanging around outside because of my big mouth."
Hermione gave him a stern look. "It's not your fault. You didn't know."
"It is my fault even if I didn't know," he corrected, his hand going to rub the back of his neck the way he did when he was uneasy. "But what do we do? If we leave, they're just going to wait until something happens."
Hermione sighed and looked over to Bathilda, who was gripping the curtains, staring out into the street, her eyes searching for any unexpected visitors. Harry let go of her arm and went on into the sitting room, his shoulders slumped, dejected by his actions. He looked out the window, the sunlight illuminating his pale face, causing his features to look all the more striking. They were also pinched with fear.
He glanced over to Hermione and waved at her to come over.
"They're here."
Coming up to his side, she looked out at the cobbled street and, sure enough, there were two men in dark robes, pacing, clearly puzzled.
"They will not be able to see the house," Bathilda assured them, "but the absence of a house will be suspicious."
Harry sighed harshly. "They will find out soon enough who lives here… damn it! Why does this happen?"
Hermione put a hand on his shoulder, her mind getting to work. They needed to draw the Death Eaters away from Bathilda's house. They needed something that would absolve her of any suspicion so she could continue in peace without the Death Eaters harrassing her. She didn't need any more trouble.
This curse is to trap those who are brave enough to say the name. Order members like Remus and Kingsley. And Harry. It's common knowledge that Harry is bold enough to say it.
The Death Eaters knew they had a prime suspect in this vicinity. They would need something more enticing to draw them away from the suspiciously concealed location.
A plan was forming in her mind, pieces falling together. She opened her beaded bag, removing Harry's Cloak from the top where she had kept it within easy reach. Harry watched her, his brow furrowing.
"I have an idea," she said to him. "Do you have your portkey on you?" Harry nodded, patting his pocket. "The Death Eaters know about your Invisibility Cloak from Snape, so it's believable that they can't see you right now because you're invisible," she thrust the silvery cloak into Harry's hands. "We need to divert any suspicion from this house towards us. "
Harry stared at her.
"You want them to know we're here?"
"They'll know we were here, but not where and… well… it will rather keep them distracted from anyone else."
Harry drew in a deep breath, fiddling with the folds of the ancient cloak.
"It could work," he admitted. "But I think… it needs to be more believable. We need them to take the bait."
Hermione smiled. Despite the seriousness of the situation, it was so satisfying when Harry worked with her. He had a good mind for strategy after all.
"So we make this seem like you were here for personal reasons, make them find you outside your house, then…"
"The portkeys," Harry breathed out, smiling. "Even if they use anti-apparation jinxes, we'll be able to leave… you're a genius, Hermione." He pressed his lips against hers in a fast, firm kiss and then rushed over to where Bathilda was still staring at the Death Eaters, her eyes hard and angry.
"Bathilda… I'm so sorry for bringing this to your home," Harry said at once, coming up to the old woman. Her eyes were wide as she took in Harry and surged towards him. She raised her hands up to him, waving him down. Harry's cheeks were pink when he lowered himself as he had to so she could see his face. She searched his face, her eyes brimming with tears, and she hugged him in her thin, spindly arms.
"We are going to lure them away so you can go back to your life," he assured her, "and so you can still get the paper."
"But you will come back?" Bathilda asked him. Hermione's heart seized at the hint of pleading in her voice. Bathilda's eyes were ranging around Harry's face as if she was desperately trying to commit him to her memory.
"Th- that's why we're luring them away," Harry's voice was a little husky as he, too, was moved. "I want to come back… if you'll have me?"
"Oh…" Bathilda's tears leaked onto her heavily lined cheeks. "I… I would like that very much, Harry."
"I… I don't have any family left and Hermione… can't see hers so maybe we could see you for Christmas?" Harry asked in a shy voice that reminded Hermione very strongly of how timid he was during their first year at Hogwarts.
Bathilda's lips wobbled. "You would come here for Christmas?"
"I hope so," Harry breathed back. "For the 25th?"
"Yes… oh, my boy…" Bathilda was overcome. "You could both stay… oh… yes. That would make this old lady very happy indeed."
Harry then brought his arms around the old historian and held her to his chest. Hermione saw the tear fall from his eye. He had found a family that he didn't know he had.
Leaving them to have some privacy, Hermione crept over to the window, watching the two Death Eaters as they prowled up the street, talking among themselves. She wondered if they suspected it was Harry who broke the taboo. The location itself would give him away. Only a few houses down from where Harry took down their master sixteen years ago.
"We have to leave now. I'm so sorry…"
"Hush now, dear boy, it is not your fault," the elderly witch consoled him in her wavery voice. "I only wish for you to be safe. If you must leave, I understand."
Harry nodded, swallowing. He reached out to Hermione. She understood what he was after and handed him his Cloak.
"We'll be back for Christmas. I promise," he said to her. Hermione then turned to Bathilda. The little old lady approached her, lifting her hands up to her in the way she did for Harry. Hermione glanced over, surprised, but she bent down so the old lady could give her a hug.
"Keep an eye on him, my dear, something tells me he is trouble."
Hermione smiled as tears smarted in her eyes. Bathilda was such a treasure. Her wacky ways must have been such a comfort for Harry's parents while they were isolated from their friends in fear for their lives and it was so clear that she adored Harry. The poor old lady must have been so lonely and then a wicked person like Rita Skeeter came along and took advantage of her loneliness, plucked the stories from her, and dared to obliviate her. Harry was right to give her hope of company for Christmas. She only hoped that they could make the date.
Moving back from the historian, Hermione found Harry's arm. He met her gaze and he kissed her cheek.
"Are you ready?" He asked her. She nodded. Saying farewell to Bathilda was extremely hard, but after some more hugs and promises to return, they were back under the Cloak in jumpers and coats. Harry checked his portkey, then drew out his wand, his eyes now hard.
"Straight to the ruin," he said to her under his breath. She nodded.
They slipped out through the front door, quietly shutting it behind them. Harry took Hermione's arm and set off at a brisk, purposeful pace. Hermione's heart was racing as they stepped out into the open. As they passed the Death Eaters, there was a crack and a third appeared. Harry and Hermione froze at once at the sudden arrival.
"You two… do you know the consequences of a false alarm?"
The third wizard wore pure black robes, tight around his chest with splits up the sides, revealing dragon-hide boots and black trousers. Dueling robes. Harry tensed at her side and she glanced at him as he pulled her back. His eyes were wide. He recognised the man.
"Mr Avery, sir, there was a taboo breach… right here…"
Avery… Hermione suppressed a gasp. He was one of the senior Death Eaters, one who had been present when Harry had been kidnapped and used to resurrect Voldemort.
"So your hastily scribbled note told me, yet I see no one here other than you buffons."
"He's here. He's under his wrapper, hiding…"
Hermione met Harry's look, raising an eyebrow at him. She had been right to assume that they would suspect Harry's presence.
"The fellas in Magical Transportation would have set up the Anti-Apparation wards by now."
"So why are you still here? Do you think he would linger and risk capture? Potter is young but he is not stupid."
As they neared the former Potter residence, the concealment charms rippled away, revealing the ruined building. Harry's sharply drawn in breath made Hermione grasp his arm in support. She couldn't imagine how it must feel for him to see the site of his parents' murder, fully preserved, in a gruesome tribute to him and his family. Harry pulled them to a halt, glancing back at the Death Eaters, then he fiddled in his pocket, drawing out the covered-up portkey, which he stuffed into his sleeve. He gestured for her to come with him around the corner of the wall, out of sight.
"Right. Whatever happens, stay here, out of sight. You're going to need the element of surprise to, well, help me."
"You want them to think that you're alone?" Hermione asked him, her voice hushed. "Harry, what if Avery calls him right away?"
"He won't. He'll want to make sure I can't get away before calling him. He was at the Graveyard when I escaped so he knows I'm slippery." Harry shot her a side-along look. "I reckon if I try to apparate, it'll get their attention. That should give me away and lure them over."
Hermione stared at him, trying to find ways around his logic, but his strategy was sound. If he drew the three Death Eaters to him, she could easily ambush them from her concealed position if he needed assistance.
"I'll make it seem like I'm surrendering and then I'll leave, but if they do get the better of me…"
"I'll rescue you if you get in trouble," she said to him huskily, then slipped out from under the cloak. She tapped her head, casting a disillusionment on herself. The cold sensation of the charm ran over her hair and down her body. She checked her arms, watching as the charm washed over her, making her more chameleon than witch. When she was mostly concealed from view, she looked over to Harry. Of course, he was invisible so she couldn't see his reaction to her charm.
"That's a good one," Harry whispered to her. "When I portkey away, you do the same." She nodded.
"Go," she whispered back, "I have you covered."
Hermione couldn't help but marvel at the cloak. There was nothing to give away that Harry was there, no disturbance, nothing. But then, she remembered, it was a priceless artifact, a Hallow, straight from myth.
She heard his quiet footsteps as he moved into position, moving closer to the Death Eaters so he could lure them her way. Wand aloft, Hermione covered the area, bracing herself for the ambush that Harry was about to trigger.
"Well, here goes," she heard him say. There was a strange tug in the air around him as he went to attempt apparation. It looked like a heat haze, the air shimmering and distorting as the jinx kept Harry from leaving. Immediately, stunners flashed from the street towards the disturbance. Hermione saw one deflect off Harry's shield.
"He's there!" One of the lower Death Eaters cried out. The three men sprinted over. "You can't run and you can't hide, Potter!"
Hermione heard Harry's harrump in response.
"Give it up. You're surrounded and outnumbered."
" Accio cloak! "
Hermione saw a shift as Harry was briefly revealed before holding his cloak in place. It was enough to give him away.
"You can't take three-on-one, boy. Reveal yourself."
"If I reveal myself, do I get the ten thousand Galleon reward?" Harry's voice entered the fray. He then pulled the cloak off himself. He backed from them, holding his wand aloft as he targeted each wizard in turn.
"Fuck me, it really is him," gasped out the wizard on Harry's left. Harry stayed in a defensive stance as he backed away. The Death Eaters moved to flank him as he backed towards the house. He was letting them corner him. Avery advanced and Harry turned his wand on him.
"Harry Potter?" Avery questioned. Harry raised his eyebrow and gave a chuckle.
"Yeah, what gave it away? The scar? The glasses?"
"I wouldn't be so cocky, boy, your race is run," Avery had his wand trained between Harry's eyes as he took point. Harry backed up until he reached the low-rise wall that surrounded his family home. Hermione didn't blink, her wand trained on Avery, preparing to defend Harry instantly.
"Drop your wand." Harry rolled his eyes.
"You really think I'm going to do that ?"
"Why d'you show yourself?" The man on the left demanded. Harry grinned.
"So you can go back to Voldemort and tell him that I came back to the spot where I blew him up as a baby." Harry said.
" Expelliarmus ," the wizard on Harry's left tried to disarm him, but he hadn't accounted for Harry's lightning fast reactions.
" Protego !" Harry had his shield up before the man finished his spell. Red light cracked over Harry's shield. He chained the shield up with a non-verbal Expelliarmus. He took the man by surprise, his wand flying out of his hand.
Hermione made her move before Avery could curse Harry. She stepped out.
" Expelliarmus ."
Avery gaped in surprise as his wand was out of his hand before he could form the word 'crucio'.
Harry gave the Death Eater a grin. "Oh, I forgot to mention. I'm not here on my own." Then with a flick of his left hand, he pulled free the handkerchief that covered his portkey. It fluttered on the ground before him.
"It was nice to see you again, Avery. Been a while."
Hermione then followed suit before the third Death Eater could register what had even happened. He went to try to disarm Harry, but there was a loud whoosh and Harry vanished just as his spell zipped towards him. Hermione watched Avery's face pale as he reeled in his failure to capture Harry Potter. She felt the familiar jerk behind her navel and she, too, went spinning off to their safe destination, leaving Godric's Hollow, Bathilda, and three baffled Death Eaters behind her.
When Harry crash-landed in a bed of leaves and twigs, he moaned as the fall winded him. For some reason, he really could not get the hang of travelling via portkey. The spinning completely disorientated him. He lay on his back and gave a light chuckle, grinning, elated at the success of his reckless stunt. A second later, he was winded again as a body crashed on top on him. The forest canopy over him was obscured by a large amount of brown curls. His chest throbbed at the impact and he wheezed in a breath.
"Ow," he commented.
"Oh my… Harry… are you alright?" Hermione gasped as she scrambled to get off him.
"Y-yeah," he said, propping himself up on his elbows. He rubbed at his ribs. "Wasn't expecting you to fall on me."
"I… suppose next time I should make sure our portkeys don't take us to the exact same location," she said guiltily. Harry looked across at her, taking in a sore breath, then he laughed. Hermione looked at him, bewildered, then she laughed too. Before long, they were both breathless with giggles. Hermione had flopped onto her back, laying next to him in the leaves.
"Harry… you should have seen their faces …" she choked out.
"If only we had a pensieve," Harry said, feigning regret, rolling onto his side to look at Hermione. She met his look. His heart powered through a surge of longing as he took in her flushed face, her glittering eyes and irresistible lips. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth as she stared up at him. He rustled in the leaves as he edged closer, sliding his hand under her face, drinking her in.
"Let's hope they've taken the bait," Hermione said softly. Harry smiled and then sobered. He brought his other arm around her, holding her close to him. He closed his eyes, enjoying the comfort of her presence, the steady beat of her heart and the warm huffing of her breath on his face.
"We did it," he breathed out. He nuzzled his face against hers, their hot skin touching. "We… made progress. We found Bathilda and…" He found her lips, kissing her gently. Hermione immediately responded, feverishly, her hands wrapping around him.
There was an urgency to their kisses. Hot and hungry, desperate to taste and touch each other as they were drunk on their euphoria. Harry's glasses were instantly knocked off his face, gone somewhere in the forest bed, but he didn't care. He especially didn't care when Hermione's lips moved from his and started to kiss his neck and under his jaw. He shuddered as she passionately caressed his arms, her hands scaling down his back and went to explore under his layers of clothes to make contact with his bare skin.
" Hermione …" He moaned her name as he hardened under his jeans, his penis swelling sideways, throbbing. His thoughts were scattered at the pure bliss of her touch. He was completely aroused, half-panting as she sucked at his skin. Things had never been like this with Ginny. She had never come close to destroying him with her touch and lips alone.
He gasped as her lips parted from his neck and she ceased her exploring of his skin. He heaved in lungfuls.
"I… I take it this means we're official then," Harry gasped out, pulling away to search for his glasses. She extracted her hands from under his clothes and plucked his glasses from the leaves. She kissed him on the nose and returned his glasses to his face.
"I think it might do," she breathed back, "I never thought it would be like this. Being… intimate, I mean." Harry's hardened penis jerked in response to the word, the rush of blood from his head to his dick leaving him light-headed. He gazed across at Hermione, eyes a little unfocused. He reached up a hand, running it down through her hair.
"It's not… well… at least it's never been like this before, for me…" he said softly, "everything feels so natural with you. Like my body knows what my head doesn't. I can tell you what my body is thinking right now." He glanced downwards. Hermione followed his gaze and saw his erection. She took him by surprise and cackled, throwing her head back as she laughed.
" Harry Potter! "
"Hey! I can't help it!" Harry blushed furiously. Hermione pushed her lips together. Harry gave a chuckle. "You left me in a spot of bother last night too. I didn't really want to make a mess in Bathilda's bed… I mean, Gellert's bed." He corrected himself. "Holy shit, imagine if I came in his bed." Harry laughed. "Harry Potter, Defiler of a Dark Lord's bedsheets."
"What a lovely accolade," Hermione said. "I think I prefer The Chosen One. " Harry's nose wrinkled.
"Really?"
Hermione kissed him on the lips, sighing into his mouth. She drew back and smiled, holding his face in her hands.
"Yes, because I choose you… I choose this. Whatever this is, whatever we are to each other now, there is no going back from this," she stared up into his eyes. Harry held his breath, searching the intensity of her gaze, seeing the depths of her feelings towards him. "I want you, Harry. And I think… maybe I always have."
Harry eyes dewed with tears. "But… but I thought… you never thought of me like that before."
"I did once," she confessed, "you were my first crush." Harry let out his breath in a woosh.
"W-why did you never say anything? I had no idea!"
"Because you were too busy mooning after Cho," she said, biting her lip. Harry rolled onto his back, staring up at the multi-coloured canopy of leaves above him, autumn in all its glory.
"I was such a fucking idiot." Harry said suddenly. Hermione burst into laughter. "She was jealous of you as well."
"Apparently she had reason to be," Hermione wisely pointed out. Harry laughed.
"Bloody hell… well, I guess better late than never," he said, looking across at her. He rolled back over to her, leaning over her, and he reached into her long curls, plucking an orange leaf from her hair. He ran his fingers over her cheek, taking her in, his chest surging with love and hope. The tears came loose from where his eyelashes held them captive. His mind went to the nightmare he had during the night, the stark reminder of his cursed existence as the arch-enemy of Lord Voldemort. Hermione was already in mortal peril, just for being his accomplice. She was in even more danger now that she meant so much to him. But if indeed anything were to happen where she would be used against him, his life would be over. They were inseparable now, bonded. He would not leave her and she would not leave him.
It was deeper than desire and stronger than friendship. They trusted each other with their lives.
Hermione wrapped her arms around him, burrowing her head into his chest. He bowed his head over hers, holding her tightly. They stayed that way for a while, on the forest floor, just two young people who had just discovered how much they mean to each other while in the middle of a war, in the middle of a wood.
There was a sudden rustling sound from behind them. Harry was instantly on the move, rolling into action and springing to his feet. Wand out, eyes alert, he searched for the threat.
And saw a squirrel run up the tree in fright. He sighed, looking down at Hermione on the ground, her face pink and streaked with tears.
"I think it's a good idea for us to put up the charms and get the tent out."
Before any more woodland creatures could ambush them, they got straight back to work. They moved like the well-oiled machine they were. Hermione was up on her feet, pacing the perimeter as she cast charm after charm, adding layers of protection. Harry summoned the tent from her bag and expanded it, putting it up while Hermione protected their location. He took in the forest scene around them, huffing out a breath in appreciation. It was truly picturesque. Hermione had chosen a spot on top of a hillock that looked down into the forest, a river curving in the valley below. The trees around them were in varying states of change, a patchwork of warm orange, yellow and the occasional splash of red.
He came up to Hermione, handing over her handbag. His rucksack was slung over his shoulder. He planted a kiss on her forehead.
"I'm going to grab a shower, then take a leaf out of Bathilda's book and make us some tea," he said to her. She smiled warmly at him.
"Which book? She has thousands."
"Good point," he grinned, "I'm surprised you contained yourself, surrounded by so many books."
"I'm glad you appreciate my incredible restraint."
"I appreciate a lot about you."
Hermione smacked him on the arm. "Get in that tent, you hopeless romantic."
Wearing his lopsided grin, Harry slipped into the tent, then rushed for the bathroom, tugging off his shoes as he went. He was desperate for the shower, not just to wash, but to relieve the uncomfortable hard-on in his trousers.
Clambering into the bathroom, he lobbed his bag onto the floor and erratically pulled off his clothes. Once nude, he climbed into the bathtub and pulled the curtain, sighing as turned the taps and got the warm water running. Standing under the stream, he gripped the curtain rail with one hand and rubbed himself with the other. He had already been close to the edge and it only took a couple of minutes of wanking to have him squirting his seed into the bathtub and on his feet and legs. He was breathing heavily, realising only then that he had gone into the shower with his glasses on. He gave a shaky laugh at himself and took them off, throwing them on the messy pile of clothes that he had left on the floor.
He cleaned away the evidence and then washed himself, lathering shampoo into his hair and then rubbing soap into his skin. He never took long in the shower as he was used to sharing a bathroom with four other boys. Once clean, he went to grab a towel before realising that, in his haste, he had forgotten to grab one. He slapped himself on the forehead.
For a moment, he debated asking Hermione for a towel, but then he knew what response he'd get. Use a hot air charm. He sighed and carefully stepped out of the bathtub, dripping all over the floor as he bent down to search his clothes for his wand. He raised his wand above his head, giving the complicated little wave
" Calida aerem," he muttered, grimacing as he prepared himself for the surge of hot air. It rushed down his body, causing a little yelp from him as the water steamed off his skin, stinging in his eyes. His skin was left red and smarting from the uncomfortable heat, but he was dry. He snatched up his clothes, pulling them on, leaving off his jumper as he felt rather uncomfortably hot. He gathered up his bag and stuffed his wand into the waistband of his jeans.
The rest of the tent was considerably cooler than the bathroom. Harry's ultra-sensitive skin erupted into goosebumps as he stepped out of the bathroom. Hermione was already at the table, unloading books, including the garish copy of Dumbledore's biography. Harry scowled at the book, at the evidence that Rita had exploited poor Bathilda and wiped her memory of the abuse. Hermione lifted a hand in greeting but didn't immediately turn. Harry headed for the kitchen.
"H-Harry?" Hermione squeaked out his name, making him spin around. As he turned, she gave a hoarse gasp as she looked at him. He froze.
"What?"
She gaped at him, then choked out a shocked laugh. "What… what have you done to your hair ?"
Harry slowly brought his hand up to his hair and found that it was stuck up as if he had been electrocuted.
"Oh great…" He scrubbed his hand through his hair, trying to get it to lay flat. "I knew I hated hot air charms for a reason."
"You… this is what happens when you air dry your hair?" Hermione gasped out, breathless with giggles as she came over to him. She pressed her hand flat onto the top of his head and then lifted it. "It doesn't stay down!"
"I know!" Harry burst out, exasperated and flustered. "I forgot to bring a towel into the bathroom. I have to towel dry my hair otherwise this happens." He gestured at his head. He looked self-consciously at her. "How bad is it?"
"You look like a porcupine."
"Oh… well that's not too bad. They're sort of cute," he said with a shrug.
"You could wear a hat."
"Ergh… no, I'll be right back. I'll get a wet comb and sort it out."
"Why are you so worried? It's only me here. No one's going to take your picture," Hermione held her hand up to her mouth to hide her giggles.
"I don't want to look like I've been struck by lightning around my girlfriend, thank you very much," he said, giving her a playful nudge with his shoulder. "Especially if you rather I wear a hat. I look awful in hats. Remember that beanie that Seamus gave me? I looked like I was about to rob a bank!"
Hermione had tears in her eyes. "You… you did ." She wheezed out. Harry rolled his eyes and stalked back into the bathroom, grumbling under his breath.
After some valiant attempts to tame his wild hair, Harry returned to find that Hermione was making their tea in the kitchen. He sauntered straight towards her and put his hands on her waist, making her jump in surprise at his advance. He leaned towards her ear.
"I have a bone to pick with you," he said in a low whisper. Hermione turned, frowning in puzzlement, then she smiled, looking up at his hair.
"Very handsome," she remarked. Harry's cheeks flamed.
"Nah-uh, no deflecting," he said, feigning sternness. "I want you to explain… this. " He pulled his shirt collar down, exposing to her the side of his neck. Hermione's eyes travelled to what he was referring to. Her face went completely pink when she saw it, bright red and round, vivid on his pale neck.
"You gave me a love bite, Hermione Granger."
Hermione put her hands over her mouth to stifle her giggles. Harry scowled at her, then noticed something behind her.
"I didn't know we had a teapot," he remarked.
"It was always in the cupboard. I suppose Bathilda inspired me to use it."
"She definitely likes her tea."
"Hmm." Hermione hummed back, giving him a shy glance. He met her stare and shook his head.
"You marked me," he said, disbelieving. " You? I had no idea you were so… so… kinky."
Hermione snorted. "Kinky?"
"You're a bloody vixen!"
She smacked him on the arm. "You liked it."
He grinned. "I did." He ran his gaze over her face, his breath growing shallow. Hermione pushed him back, smiling.
"Get out, you. If we keep this up, we'll never get anything done!" She told him. "I'll bring the tea out. Go and make yourself useful."
Harry slapped up a sloppy salute. "Yes, boss."
Ejected from the kitchen, Harry moved into the sitting area, hands in his pockets. He picked up his bag and decided to unpack. He went to their sleeping quarters. He shivered a little when some water dripped down his back from his now wet hair. He froze, seeing the three campbeds. His gaze fell on the bag that had been left on the bed at the back.
He pulled out his wand, frowning at the bag. Anger surged through him as he thought of the owner of the bag and the bed. He had half a mind to hex the offending item into oblivion, but instead, he dismissed it. There was a savage sense of satisfaction at leaving the bag as a witness to his and Hermione's new relationship. Making a decision, he shrunk Ron's campbed to the size of a shoe and moved it to the corner of the room, pushing the bag in the same corner. He considered his and Hermione's campbeds and moved them together in the centre at the back so they looked like a double bed. They would still have to sleep in their sleeping bags, but at least they would be close together when they slept. He lay blankets over the top of the two beds to give the illusion that it was one bed.
Harry returned to the sitting area, finding Hermione sat in her seat, The Life and Times of Albus Dumbledore on her lap. Their mugs were on the coffee table, steaming away. Harry smiled. So she wants me to join her.
He sauntered over, leaning over her shoulder, where he kissed her on the cheek.
"What were you doing? Moving furniture?" She asked him.
"In a manner of speaking, yes. I… changed our sleeping arrangements a little," he said, then went to sit down in his chair. "If we're official, and we had no trouble sharing a bed last night, I figured putting the beds together made sense."
Hermione glanced across at him, her lip worrying between her teeth.
"What did you do with Ron's bed?" She asked him quietly. Harry smirked.
"I shrunk it."
Hermione gave a snort of laughter.
"Should have set it on fire."
"I thought about it but it seemed a bit petty," Harry then sobered a little and took his mug. It was his favourite one. Hermione noticed the small things. "We should talk about it. Him. If we're going to do this. Be in a relationship."
Closing her eyes briefly, Hermione sighed.
"What is there to say, Harry?" she said to him, opening her eyes, the remnants of her hurt burning in them. "Yes, I did have feelings for Ron, but they were nothing like this. I never realised how vast the gap is between us and Ron in terms of maturity. Really, out here, on the run, where our lives are on the line, we need to be mature and tough. When things got difficult, he just couldn't cope. We have enough to deal with right now without that sort of baggage."
Harry considered her words, steepling his fingers.
"Being together with you, working like we have been, getting things done , sharing the tasks between us… it made me realise that this is what works. This is how we are going to survive," she reached across for his hand. Harry looked over and held his out for her to take. "I have no regrets about being with you... if that is what you're worried about, Harry."
He nodded in response, swallowing at how well she knew his thoughts. "I can't help but feel a bit guilty. I know he bailed on us and abandoned us, but… well… it's not exactly good on my part to then shack up with you in his absence." He gave a shrug. "I feel bad for putting my happiness first when, well, I'm meant to be fighting Death Eaters and taking down Vo- you-know-who. " He ran a finger over the mark on his left hand.
"It's not selfish to want to live your life, Harry," Hermione said quietly.
He shrugged again. "I can't help how I feel."
"I know, but… if we're going to talk about Ron, what about Ginny?" She asked him. Harry's eyes shot up at the mention. "I know you kissed on your birthday."
"That was her…" He sighed, sitting back in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "But I ended it after Dumbledore's funeral. There was some attraction still, sure, but if you're asking if I still have feelings for her like that, then no. Whatever I had with her is nothing like what I feel for you. This… is much stronger."
Hermione stared at him and nodded in agreement.
"So… if you put the bed together, you're serious then. About us," Hermione said quietly, her eyes wide.
"If you think we're going too fast, I understand," Harry said at once. Hermione shook her head.
"No. I trust you to be responsible and respectful."
Harry's face burned a little in response. "Y-yeah. I'd never do anything that will make you uncomfortable, Hermione. I take it I'm… a little bit more experienced in… that department."
Hermione let go of his hand and stared at him in surprise.
"You… you mean you aren't a virgin?"
Harry's face fully flamed at the question. His mouth dropped open. "N-no. I am. Ginny and I never… oh Merlin. I guess I shouldn't be embarrassed talking to you about this now that you're my girlfriend."
Hermione bit her lip, her eyes dancing as she took in his bright red face. "Is this where you tell me what exactly you and Ginny got up to in the broom cupboard on the fourth floor?"
Harry busied himself with taking his mug of tea and sipped at it. It immediately scalded his tongue.
"Ah… hot…" He gasped. Then he saw Hermione's smirk. "Well… I expect we went a bit further than you and Krum."
Now it was Hermione's turn to go a fierce shade of pink. She let go of his hand and pulled The Life and Times of Albus Dumbledore to herself.
"I'm going to make a start on this. The sooner, the better really."
Harry laughed. "Oh, okay, so it's okay to probe me on my sex life, but not you?" Her eyes narrowed at him.
"We kissed, that's all. I've done more with you in the past day than I ever did with Viktor."
Harry grinned, feeling rather pleased with himself. He curled his toes in the rug underfoot. He saw Hermione sigh, looking a little flustered.
Harry leaned over the arm of his chair, catching her attention. She lowered the book, looking a little anxious. Harry slid out from his seat and moved over to her. He took the book from her hands and put it down on the table.
"Harry, I need to read-."
"I know, but first… I want to kiss you properly."
Hermione lips parted and she mutely nodded. He held out a hand and she took it, rising to her feet. She was breathing fast, her hand moving to press against his chest. Harry took her hands in his and placed them on his waist. He then brought his hands up to either side of her face. He didn't hold back this time, turning his head so he had a better angle. He parted Hermione's lips with his, his tongue running over the backs of her lips where the skin was velvety soft. They both sighed in breaths between kisses, losing themselves. Harry's hands dropped from her face and gently ran down to her waist where he pulled her in closer to him so their bodies were touching, legs moving together.
When Harry ended his kiss, he drew back, seeing Hermione with her eyes closed, a tear curving down her cheek. He reached up and wiped the tear away gently. She opened her eyes and he stared deeply into their wonderful depths, the pale green feathery lines blending into the deep brown at the edges of her irises.
"There is no one… no one in my life that comes anywhere close to what you mean to me," Harry said softly, brushing her face with his fingers, "you've always been there when I needed you the most. Even when petrified, you helped me. You broke the laws of time travel to help me save Sirius… and you believed me about the Goblet… you always believed in me."
Tears sparkled in Hermione's eyes.
"I'm sorry it took me this long to realise that we're stronger together, that I'm stronger with you at my side. I can't do any of this without you," he kissed her softly, a small, chaste kiss that dusted on her lips. "You are my Chosen One, Hermione Granger. I choose you, too."
AN: Just to clarify. I know the cloak is immune to charms and stuff. Even though canon is patchy about it. The scene is in Hermione POV so she assumes it worked, but Harry is trying to purposefully get cornered and lure the Death Eaters. He just thinks they messed up the spell and so plays along. I was cautious about including that, but as it was Hermione POV, there wasn't a way to explain it. We have the benefit of dramatic irony. Rest assured, I do know the cloak has those properties.
Thanks for reading :)
