CW: Mature themes ahead!
Ron removed his cloak as he stepped inside the tent. He hung up the thick garment on the coat hook and paced further in. Harry watched him, eyes narrowed, as he hung up his Invisibility Cloak. Hermione met his eyes, her hard look softening when she looked at him. Harry sharply looked over to the sitting room chairs, noticing that Hermione had restored the seat to its former size. The mugs were cleared away too. His face set into a hard expression. They were already dancing around Ron, trying to avoid igniting his temper and his jealousy.
The atmosphere couldn't have been more different to how it had been when it was just him and Hermione. It was tense and brittle. Harry tapped his wand on his arm, caught in indecision. He watched Ron pace towards the sitting room chairs, looking at the bowl of flames.
Ron then turned, looking between Harry and Hermione. She stood at the table with the books, leaning back on the chair, watching Ron like a hawk. Harry remained at the flap, tense. He could see Ron trying to work out who was the safest person to talk to, who was the least hostile. He wisely chose Harry.
"I… get it that you're mad at me," Ron said nervously, "when I heard your voices again, tonight, I debated leaving it but… Bill told me to make amends…"
"Bill told you? You've been staying with him?" Harry asked, giving in to his curiosity. It felt strange to think that the Weasleys were still living their lives while they were in hiding. Like they were in two different worlds.
"Yeah. After I got away from the Snatchers, I went to his place. I… couldn't go back to the Burrow, so… I went there." Ron picked at his nails. "He wasn't very impressed that I ditched you but he let me stay. And then I started hearing you from the deluminator."
Harry glanced over to Hermione, seeing her stony expression. He cleared his throat and stepped up to Ron.
"Alright well. I'll hear what you have to say." He saw the flash of relief in Ron's blue eyes. He gave a nod. Harry turned, catching Hermione's eye. Her eyes ignited with that ferocity that had burned in their depths when she had set birds on Ron a year ago. The same anger had blazed in the pale green and brown eyes when she slammed her fist into Draco Malfoy's face. Seeing her outrage rekindled his own and he paced over to Ron, still tapping his wand on his bicep in an unknowingly threatening way. He was showing Ron that he was in charge of the situation.
He stepped right up to Ron, waiting. Ron was pale as he stared at Harry, his mouth working as he tried to form the words. His gaze dropped to the horcrux that was in plain view around Harry's neck.
"Could… could you take that off?" He asked, pointing at the golden locket. Harry reached up and pulled it off over his head, tossing it onto one of the sitting room chairs. Ron's shoulders sagged in relief.
"I'm listening," Harry said firmly, his gaze flicking up to Hermione when he caught her appraising look that she flashed his way.
"I… I guess the conditions got to me. Getting splinched and… then wearing that thing. Being cold, hungry…" Ron sighed. "I know it sounds like I'm making excuses."
Hermione gave a cold laugh from behind him.
"Because it is exactly what you are doing."
Ron turned, his back straightening as he bristled at her tone.
"I had half my arm ripped off!"
"Which I healed," Hermione snapped back, pushing herself off from the table, approaching where the two boys stood. She lifted a finger, pointing at Ron. "You were perfectly well enough to do your part but instead you sat back, watched us do all the hard work and moaned all the time…"
Harry lifted his head, staring across at Hermione, and gave a small shake of his head. Losing their tempers with each other wasn't going to help. Hermione caught his look and stopped, her arm dropping to her side. She sighed harshly, then came up to Harry's side. He shot her a look, warmth burning in him at her support.
Harry looked back at Ron. "You were saying?"
"Right," Ron dragged his gaze from Hermione, clearly affronted and offended by her accusations. "I was saying that I know I messed up. I'm just not… cut out for this like you. I don't know how you bloody do it, but…" He sighed angrily, turning away from them, putting his hands behind his head. "I let you down. I'm sorry and… I want to come back and make it up to you."
He emphasised each word with a bob of his head as if it was a physical effort to speak them. His eyes were shut, the anguish of his guilt rippling over his face. Harry inwardly sighed. He hated that he felt sorry for Ron, but things couldn't go back the way they were.
"What happened with the Snatchers?" Harry asked him, looking for something to say, to talk about before he was forced to make up his mind. Ron glanced at Hermione before answering.
"They weren't all that bright. I swear one was half-troll, but anyway, I managed to get hold of a wand and I apparated… but I splinched myself again," he held up his hand, showing them two missing fingernails. "I remembered Bill and Fleur's place, on the coast, they're both fine. Asked after you."
Harry grimaced at that. He wasn't that pleased that Ron had been talking about what they were up to.
"Tonks's mum showed up and said that she saw you," Ron continued, "on Halloween… blimey Harry, showing up at Godric's Hollow on Halloween? Didn't you think that was a bit risky?"
"I didn't realise the date," Harry said with a shrug, catching Hermione's angry look. "We had a reason for going."
"Really? Like what?"
"I… look, I get that you're sorry and that you want to patch things up, but… it's not that straight-forward," Harry said, putting his hands into his pockets, eyeing Ron closely. He looked over to Hermione.
This wasn't a decision for just him to make.
"I'm going to talk with Hermione outside. Stay here. And don't bother trying to eavesdrop. You won't be able to," Harry said, inwardly wincing at the harshness in his voice. Ron flinched a little at his tone, but he didn't rise to it. He looked rightfully worried. Harry nodded with his head, indicating the flap that led out into the Hut. He headed off, Hermione following him. He could tell that she wanted to hold his hand but knew that Ron would notice.
Pushing through, he gave an immediate shiver as he left the warm bubble of their tent home. He continued to the wall and turned, seeing Hermione behind him, her wand raised.
" Muffliato. "
She turned back to Harry and immediately wrapped her arms around him. She sighed.
"I know," Harry said, pressing his head against hers. He closed his eyes, breathing in her soothing scent, feeling her warmth. "What do I do, Hermione? I can't pretend… I don't think I can give him a second chance."
"Go with your gut," she told him. "If your gut is saying no, then it's just going to play on your mind. You don't need that stress. You have enough. We have enough."
"My gut is telling me to tell him to get lost." He didn't mean it to come out so bluntly. Hermione stepped back from him, her face shadowed, but he could feel that she was in agreement. "I want to be the better person, but… what have we learned about giving people second chances? Look what happened to Dumbledore when he trusted Snape?"
He saw Hermione's downturned mouth. "I'm not saying that I think Ron's going to murder me, but… I think it's fair to be a little bit less trusting in these circumstances."
Hermione gave a thoughtful hum. "You could make him take the Unbreakable Vow?"
Harry snorted softly. "So I force him to stay?" He shook his head. "No, I…" He gave a bitter laugh, shaking his head at himself. "Why am I like this? He practically abandoned me to die and I feel sorry for him? "
Hermione inched up on her tiptoes and kissed him gently. He closed his eyes at the touch of her lips, tears burning under his eyelids. They parted.
"You are too good for this world, Harry Potter."
"This isn't just my decision to make," he said quietly, "we're a team, right? We do everything together… including what do to here. I hate be the one to say it but 'Two's company-."
"And three's a crowd," Hermione finished the adage. "The thing is, Harry, if you can't trust him to guard your back… taking him back for sympathy's sake is dangerous. This isn't some holiday for self-discovery."
"Yeah," Harry nodded, agreeing, "he might feel genuinely guilty, but I can't afford to wait around for him to get my trust back. I sort of have other priorities." He pressed his back against the wall, looking at Hermione. "This is going to be ugly and I think some fists are going to fly. Promise me, this time you won't separate us. Let me work this out."
His rapidly diminished erection nearly returned at the seductive quirk on Hermione's lips.
"You want to fight him?"
"I hope it doesn't come to that, but I can take a hit. I spent ten years of my life as a punchbag."
Hermione stared up at him, worrying her lip between her teeth. "He needs to understand what he did wrong. I'm livid at him, but I want him to learn." She then pressed her hand on his chest. "But you're right, this isn't the time nor the place for him to grow up. Our lives are on the line here. We can't afford to tiptoe around him in fear of his temper."
Harry studied her face and brought his hands up, holding her, his heart filling with his affection, his overwhelming gratitude causing his hot tears to fall.
"Shh…" Hermione consoled him, rubbing her hands up and down his arms. "I have your back in this. You're not going back in there alone."
He took back control of his emotions, nodding, and sniffling. Hermione gently brought her fingers up to his eyes, wiping his tears away.
"Alright… I'm going to accept his apology but… tell him that he's better off going back to his family, maybe even back to Hogwarts." He said quietly.
"What about us?" Hermione asked. He met her gaze.
"No… this will be hard enough to handle as it is. If he knows that we're a couple, he'll just overreact," Harry said wisely, then he stuck his hands in his pockets. "Right, best get this over with. It is getting a bit late and it's been a long day."
Hermione moved aside so he could lead them back into the tent. He took a deep breath, summoning up his Gryffindor courage, steeling his nerve. He stepped through the flap, taking a moment to register Ron's presence in the tent, now used to his absence. He was now sitting down in Harry's chair at the fire. Harry felt a stab of irritation but squashed it. He needed to control his temper, and be the one in control. This was more important than his hurt feelings.
Ron turned in the seat as they returned, nervously rising to his feet. He considered them, studying their expressions. Judging from the look of worry, he could glean enough from their body language.
When Harry stopped in front of him, he let out his held breath. Hermione gripped his arm for support, showing Ron where she stood. Ron didn't miss it, his brow furrowing at their contact.
"I'm going to have my say," Harry said eventually, "it's not going to be easy for you to hear and it's not going to be easy for me to talk about, but I'm getting it out in the open. You can deal with it however you like - I won't stop you and neither will Hermione."
Ron was frowning at him, his eyes ranging over his face as he sensed the threat and the shift.
"I accept your apology," Harry continued, holding his gaze, "I can see that you meant it and that you feel bad for bailing." Ron's face smoothed a little. "When this is over, if it ever is over and I'm still breathing, we can talk about picking up the pieces, but… as of this moment, I don't trust you. Having someone to guard my back, Hermione's back, who I don't trust, is suicide."
The colour bleached from Ron's face and went completely to his ears where they burned a vivid vermillion. Ron went to interrupt but Harry put up a hand warningly.
"I'm not finished," he cut over him before he could speak. "You said that I didn't care about Ginny and the others, and that I don't care about your family having another kid hurt, that I don't care because 'my parents are safely out of the way'."
Ron's face crumpled in a grimace of shame. "Harry, mate… I know I said something hurtful things and I'm sorry…"
"Maybe you are, but do you understand why it was hurtful? Do you have any idea what it's like for me?" Harry heard the waver in his own voice as he moved into a personal topic that he never spoke to Ron about. "I wake up every day terrified that I'm going lose another person I care about. I have nightmares of being the last one living, surrounded by corpses, made to suffer as you all fall down in front of me before the green light finally takes me too."
Hermione's hands gripped him tightly.
"So maybe, yeah, compared to you, I am Harry I-Faced-Worse Potter," Harry's voice broke and he slipped out of Hermione's grip, stepping up to Ron, who recoiled back. Harry jabbed a finger in Ron's chest. "And it's you who doesn't know how this feels." On the word 'this', Harry patted at his chest, indictating the rapidly beating heart that slammed against his ribs.
"You were the first friend I ever had," Harry said, his voice nearly choking up, "remember when you said that you would be my second when Malfoy challenged me to a duel in our first week?" He didn't wait for Ron's response. "You showed more loyalty then when you barely knew me than you did when I needed you the most."
Ron stared at him, his blue eyes wide with shock. He had never really seen Harry's heart exposed in such a way, his defenses dropped, bravado gone.
"I will forgive you… because that's just what I do," Harry threw his arms up, shaking his head in a self-deprecating way, "but trust is earned, Ron, and I… well… have better things to do than wait for that to happen. Unlike you, I can't turn my back on my responsibilities."
Silence fell, dense, weighted. Harry's adrenaline was lit up, his vision shaking with his elevated pulse. He backed away from Ron. Hermione was immediately at his side. He glanced at her, seeing the intense worry on her face.
Ron just stood there, his gaze flicking to and from Harry and Hermione. Neither of them spoke for a good minute. Hermione's hand rubbed up and down Harry's back, supporting him, reminding him that he still had her total belief and trust.
"So… so that's it?" Ron finally broke the silence. "You're… ditching me? Telling me to bugger off home?"
Harry's eyes shuttered at the word. Home. Something that Harry didn't have.
"Your place is with your family," Harry said quietly, "unlike me and Hermione, you have one."
Ron gave a harsh laugh, now wearing an unpleasant look as he tried to hide his hurt at Harry's rejection.
"I don't believe it. You're pushing me away like you did with Remus."
" You left! " Harry yelled, lurching out of Hermione's grip, now incensed. "You left and ran away to your brother, your family. Do you have any idea what I would give to have what you have?"
Deathly silence fell at Harry's outraged words. His pain reverberated through every furious syllable as he exposed the truth of his tragedy to the person he once trusted with his life. Ron stared at him, clearly shocked by the sincerity and emotion that Harry was laying bare.
"If things get too hard for me, where do I run, Ron?" Harry asked him, his voice croaking now. "If I get hurt, who will patch me up? If I'm upset, who will comfort me ? And if I die… who will mourn me?" Harry searched him up and down. "Oh sure, it'll be a big blow when the Boy-Who-Lived becomes the Boy-Who-Died, but they'll just be mourning this." He pointed up at his scar. "Not me. "
"Harry…" Hermione's anguished voice broke through before the imminent breakdown robbed him of what was left of his self-control.
He took a deep breath and staggered back from Ron, putting his hands behind his head. Hermione was at his side at once, wrapping her arms around his mid-drift. Then she turned, slowly, at the cause of Harry's distress.
Her rage crackled out like static, her hair building in volume, lifting, as her magic ignited. She dropped her arms from Harry, her eyes shining with utter fury.
"Were you really so naive to believe that we would accept you back with open arms?" Her voice was low and dangerous. Ron immediately knew that he was in danger. Harry was level-headed enough to not lash out. Hermione on the other hand...
Ron backed up, his legs colliding with the chair and he fell into it.
"You practically made it clear to Harry that you value your own creature comforts over his life !" Hermione's voice pitched up. Ron flinched. Harry followed Hermione, alarmed, remembering how things had gone the last time she was this angry.
"I know, and I said I'm sorry," Ron gasped out, finally finding his voice.
"And then you think he'll just gloss over that? His life is on the line. Your friend . And then you asked me if I was going to leave him too?" Ron cowered back as she approached him.
Ron gazed up at Hermione's fuming visage, taking in the savage cut of her lips, pressed together firmly. He took in her eyes, how the pupils had shrunk almost to pinpricks, the pale green centres shining almost with the magic that was triggered by her rage. Then his gaze trailed down to her slender neck where, vivid on her pale skin, was an angry red mark.
He sat up, eyes glued to the mark. His hand came up, brushing back the curtain of her hair to get a better look. Hermione inched back, eyes flickering, uncertain, before understanding what he had seen.
Harry had marked her with his lips.
"Is that… a hickey?" Ron asked, voice rough with shock. He raised his gaze, seeing Hermione's surprise, then the brief hint of guilt. He dropped his hand from her hair, face morphing into a look of ugly hate as he rose up from the chair and directed his gaze to the target.
"Did you even wait before my bed was cold before making a move on her?" Ron asked, forcibly pushing Hermione aside as he advanced on Harry. "Before you took the chance to cheat on my sister!"
He had launched himself at Harry who had the split-second to dodge or counter. He did neither. The moment he had seen Ron out on the rock, he knew that this was coming. And as he had rightly said to Hermione, Harry knew how to take a punch. It didn't make it any less painful when Ron's fist slammed into his face. The force sent his glasses flying off his nose and he rolled with it, twisting away. Light popped into his vision as his brain slammed against his skull.
"RON!" Hermione screamed, outraged. Harry steadied himself, looking up at Ron, pain lancing through his split lip, throbbing where the fist struck. He had bitten the inside of his mouth as well and could taste blood.
"You're a fucking piece of work, Harry!" Ron seethed, grabbing Harry by the front of his jumper and yanked him over. He jutted his face into his. "All that shit about trust and you have been all over her while I was gone!"
He threw Harry away from him and went to swing again. This time, Harry moved out of the way and stepped forward.
"That's enough. I would never disrespect Hermione like that!" Harry snapped at him, now angered. "And Ginny and I have been over for months ."
"Oh really?" Sneered Ron, nastily, "because I seem to remember your mouths glued together on your birthday…"
Hermione's hand wrapped around Ron's wrist and she spun him around.
Crack!
Hermione had whacked Ron nearly flying. He stumbled back, shocked.
"How dare you?" She practically shrieked at him. Then her wand was out and jabbed into Ron's chest. "Lay another hand on him and I'll curse you where you stand, Ronald Weasley."
"Hermione, don't," Harry said, moving over to stand between them. Harry pulled himself up to his full height, one hand behind him, keeping Hermione from cursing Ron, one hand in front, ready to shield himself and guard Hermione as well. Ron's blue eyes found the matching mark on Harry's neck. The hatred on his face guttered out, replaced with hurt, as he looked over to Hermione, his eyes widening as he understood. Hermione had gone to protect Harry and now Harry was protecting her. It was mutual.
"We didn't mean for it to happen," Harry said quietly when he saw that the threat had passed and the fight had left Ron. "But it did and… we're together now. This wasn't how I wanted you to find out."
Hermione reached for his hand, taking it in his and squeezing it. Ron stared at their joined hands. Harry could see the comprehension dawning on his face. It was real.
"Despite what you did, I don't want to hurt you. I still care, but… this is what it is," Harry said, "and we're not going to sacrifice our only chance of happiness. You made your bed when you left. You have to sleep in it."
Another painful silence fell. Harry sighed, letting go of Hermione's hand. He tentatively checked his teeth with his tongue, making sure none were loose. His lip was bleeding. He reached up a hand and wiped at it. He caught a flicker of guilt in Ron's eyes as he did.
"I'm going to grab the things that you left and… then I think it's best that we part ways," Harry said firmly. He slipped away before he could ignite his own anger, leaving Ron facing against Hermione's wrath alone. Once he was in the bedroom, concealed behind the partition that split the room from the living space, he slid down to the floor, strength gone. He pressed his forehead against his knees, not caring that he was getting blood on his jeans.
Harry heard the voices through the canvas.
"You… you and Harry are…"
"Together… and he is right. You left. You have to take accountability for that."
"But… I thought we…"
Harry could hear the brokenness in Ron's voice. The last of his hope for a reconciliation fluttering away in the wind.
"There is no we. Not when you expected me to leave with you and abandon Harry to his fate, alone. How… how could you?" Her voice was like ice. "He was your friend, your brother, and you valued your own stomach and comfort over his life ."
Harry raised his head, only then realising that he didn't have his glasses on. They were still on the floor in the other room where Ron had punched them off his face. He poked at the rapidly swelling bruise.
"It… it was the horcrux. I didn't…"
"Save your excuses," Hermione snapped, "I don't want to hear them. You have no idea how gracious he is to even forgive you. We are all he has and you turned your back on him."
Harry hugged his legs as he listened to his girlfriend fight his battle.
"And then you had the audacity to suggest that I do the same?" Hermione's voice was now icy venom. "Surely even you have some brainpower to work out that Harry may have abandonment issues considering that he has lost all the family he ever had?"
At that silence, Harry unfolded himself and went to search for Ron's bag before Hermione guilt-tripped Ron into an early grave. He found it in the corner where he had shrunk Ron's bed. He gave a small laugh to himself, a little savage pleasure flaring in him at the sight of his pettiness. He grabbed the handle of the rucksack and carried it with him.
"I know… I… I know I messed up."
"You don't get it. Yes, you stomped on my heart, again, but what you did to Harry was far worse. We agreed to help him and all you did was drag him down. When things got too tough, instead of doing something proactive about it, YOU LEFT!" She shouted, her voice blaring through the canvas. "How can you not understand what that would do to Harry? He believes that everyone leaves him, that he is truly alone, and when he was at his lowest, instead of supporting him, you abandoned him."
Harry paused, listening.
"I found him outside that morning, practically a human ice cube, waiting for you to come back…"
"I… I wanted to come back, but the Snatchers…"
"Enough of the excuses. Enough deflecting." Hermione's voice harshened. Harry quickly rushed in before Hermione did even more damage. He saw Ron backing away from Hermione, his blue eyes wet. Harry came up to Hermione at once, putting his hand on her shoulder.
"It's alright," he told her.
"It's not alright!" She then rounded on Harry and her eyes widened when she saw the state of his face. "He's hurt you… in more ways than one."
Harry couldn't argue with that. He glanced over at Ron, whose face paled when he saw Harry's split lip properly. Harry cracked her a grin.
"I've had worse," he said to her and then put his hand on her lower back, hoping to communicate to her his feelings at hearing her coming to his defence. No one had fought for him like that before. The ice and hate in her eyes dwindled as she meet his gaze, softening and warming. He then looked over to Ron and handed his bag over to him.
"I'm… sorry that things turned out this way." He said to his oldest friend. Ron met his gaze, glanced at Hermione, and finally, resignation took over the hurt and anguish. He sighed out his nose, stepping up to Harry, taking his bag back.
"Yeah, me too," he said. Harry closed the distance, holding out his hand. Ron took it and they shook. Hermione didn't move nor look Ron's way, making her opinions clear. Ron sniffed, stepping back. He swallowed and nodded again.
"I… well… I guess this is goodbye."
"See you around," Harry said, a stab of loss lancing through his heart. Ron looked Hermione's way but didn't receive what he was after. He ducked his head, miserable, and without another word, he turned, heading to grab his cloak from the hook. Harry then went to follow, leaving Hermione's side.
He stepped out into the cold and dark, moving after the shadow that left, following in step. He waited in the doorway, staying behind the protections of his charms. Ron walked out onto the rock, lifting his head as he turned, looking over his shoulder. He brought a hand up in farewell then with a twist and a pop, Ron Weasley departed.
Harry's strength seeped away and he sagged against the doorframe, pain crushing in his chest. But he was not alone for long. Warm hands wrapped around his middle and pulled him back into warmth and safety, back into the arms of Hermione Granger.
"Come on, Harry, it's over," her voice soothed, hot and breathy on the back of his neck. He bowed his head, sucking in lungfuls of the night-chilled air, tasting the salt. "Come on." Gently, she supported him, guiding him back into their sanctuary.
"All things considered, that could have gone a lot worse," Harry said shakily, attempting humour. Hermione led him back into the tent, pushing the flap aside.
"Harry, you're bleeding."
"I did notice," he said thickly. Hermione lead him over to his chair and sat him down. She drew out her wand, frowning at his face, lightly touching it.
"Ow!"
"I would put dittany on this but I've been looking up some healing spells…" she said softly, poking his face now with her wand.
"Oh great, so you're going to experiment on me."
"You took the punch, you pay for it. I know you could have easily dodged it," she met his gaze, "you wanted him to hit you so he would feel guilty."
Harry went to smirk, but stopped when it pulled his cut lip. "Ah well… I have my occasional Slytherin moments."
"I really don't think a Slytherin would choose to be punched," she said. Her hand ran down his face. Harry brought his hand up, closing his eyes at her touch, the adrenaline wearing off as the reality sunk in. Ron had come back and they had rejected him, both of them. It was over; his oldest friendship was over.
"I… didn't think he'd notice…"
"Shh…" Hermione hushed him, "enough about him. I don't want another word said about him. I want to look after you and then get back to where we left off before we were so rudely interrupted."
Harry opened his eyes, taking in her face, her steadfast loyalty and how, no matter how hard it was tested, she never left him. She had even defended him, striking Ron for him. And the things she had said about his feelings… she truly understood him like no one else. Feelings unfolded inside him, stronger than he had ever felt, intoxicating. He wanted to claim her lips, go further than he had ever gone with anyone before. He wanted to show her with his lips and tongue how much she meant to him.
She meant the world.
"In that case, experiment on me as much you'd like. I think I'm going to need these lips."
Her wand ran over his lips gently, tracing the shape of them before stopping at the split.
" Episkey ."
He felt a flash of heat, followed by intense burning pain. He gasped, throwing his head back.
"Yow!" He burst out.
"Don't be such a baby."
Harry chuckled, bringing his head back to look at her, touching his lip and finding the skin sealed. He was still bloodied. He took out his own wand and pointed at his face.
"Tergeo. " The blood cleared away.
"Beautiful," Hermione said, then her eyes locked onto his, "now, where were we?"
The pair of them stared at each other, a moment of stillness, eyes drinking each other in, reading their matched desire, their shared intentions.
"Do you trust me?" Harry asked her, voice husky.
"You know I do," she answered. He leaned forwards, cupping his hands under her cheeks, holding her face.
"Good… because I want to please my valiant champion who came to my defense." His voice was low, intense, "any time you feel uncomfortable, or if you think I'm going too fast-."
"Shut up and kiss me, Harry Potter," Hermione interrupted huskily. Harry grinned and did as obliged.
He moved as his now healed lips claimed hers, falling down with her to the floor where he moved on top of her, his lips gliding over hers, eager, hungry… desperate. They sighed in each others' mouths, hot breaths that were laced with lusty spice. Harry's hands were entangled in her hair, fingers running over her scalp. Her hands were clutching his face.
"Undress me," Harry gasped to her, "I… I'll do the same to you."
The burning look in her eyes at his order made him stand to attention once more in his boxers.
"All the way?" She asked in her husky, erotic whisper that sent shivers all over his skin.
"Only… if you're ready."
Her eyes were hazed and she replied with a hard, violent kiss. Her hands gripped at the hem of his jumper and shirt and pulled both garments up. Harry obliged, lifting his arms so she could pull them over his head. She threw his clothes behind him in a flump. Harry then asked permission with a look, earning a bob of her chin. He unzipped her fleece, peeling it off her gently. She was wearing a vest top underneath and his eyes drank the dip of her breasts.
He lowered his head onto her breasts, placing soft kisses on the exposed skin. Hermione moaned. He then pulled the vest off, leaving her in her bra.
His blood was up now, his urges in full rage. He brought his mouth up to hers, pulling her lip with his, sucking her, tasting her, before going to worship the body that was on display.
"You are so beautiful, Hermione." He said into her neck. She gave another moan and her hands ran up his back, her fingernails brushing his skin.
"And… you are… too," she said breathlessly, "you make everything worth it, Harry…" His breath huffed out of him at her words and he kissed her passionately, running his hands down her face and then down her shoulders.
"I… I want to kiss every inch of you."
"Please…"
He ran his tongue along her collarbone, causing her back to arch with pleasure. He smiled and kissed her breasts, scooping his hands under her to reach the clasp.
"Do you need a hand?" Hermione asked him.
"Pfft, no. I'm amazing with my hands."
To prove his point, he undid her bra. He looked up at her, then grinned and bit the middle of her bra and pulled it off with his teeth. Hermione laughed, fully laughed, her eyes sparkling as she did.
"You are so ridiculous."
Harry returned, his face flushed, emerald eyes wild with desire. He took in Hermione's breasts, planting his hands on either side of her. He took her in and then went to claim every part of her exposed skin with his lips. Hermione was panting by the time he reached her nipples, his touches feather-soft, caring, worshiping.
"You are so perfect," Harry gasped as he then went to touch her breasts, running his fingers over her nipples. Hermione bit her lip, her cheeks fully flushed with arousal. He felt a dampness in his pants then, the warning sign of his precum.
"I'm not doing it on the floor." Harry said, brushing his hand over her cheek, "I am a gentleman."
Hermione released a bubble of heady giggles. "I am yours to do with wherever you please."
Now half-drunk with lust, Harry scooped his arms under her, causing her to gasp in surprise as he lifted her up from the ground. He cradled her against his bare chest, navigating with difficulty without his glasses.
"Hmm… I forgot that I can't actually see."
"Left… to the left."
"Thank you."
He made it through the partition to their bedroom. Thankfully, Hermione had the foresight to put bluebell flames ready to keep the space warm while they slept. Harry carefully lay Hermione on her bed, then he pulled off his jeans, lobbing them over her head to his side of the room. Hermione got the hint and she removed her own. He stilled as he saw her in her underwear, her bare legs… legs…
He was there at once, ravenous, his lips firm and greedy as he tasted each of Hermione's pleasure-filled gasps. Her hands were running over his arms, feeling his muscles. Their lips parted and Hermione stared at him, her lips shining with his saliva.
"I had no idea you were so strong…"
Harry grinned at her compliment. "Not the skinny, short boy anymore."
"No, now you're the strong, sexy man."
"HA!" Harry shouted out the laugh. " Sexy?! "
"You, Mr Potter…" Hermione sat up, propping herself with her elbows behind her, her hair falling over her half-naked form. "Are incredibly sexy."
Harry laughed and brought his head down to her midriff, kissing her stomach. He moved down the bed, lifting his head.
"I'm going to pleasure you for that compliment," he told her, "and don't worry, I got a very detailed instruction on how to do this, courtesy of one Sirius Black."
He kissed her stomach, peppering kisses all the way down to the edge of her knickers. He stopped, glancing up at her. He waited, fingers running down to her hips.
"If… if you want to see me too…" he was cautious. Hermione gazed into his eyes.
"I do."
Harry bowed his head, holding on, trying to keep himself from losing his seed too soon.
"You go first." He told her. Her hands ran up his thighs as she leaned forwards. Her expression was one of concentration. This was a first for her. She wanted to commit as much as she could to her memory. Harry stared at her, trusting her, as she pulled down his boxers and his member sprung out. Harry gave a sheepish grin at the state of him. Hermione met his gaze.
Her hands ran down his chest, but he caught them, putting them down at her sides.
"I'm close to the edge," he said breathlessly, "I… I want to pleasure you… before." He moved back into position over her. He looked up at Hermione, again asking permission with his eyes and she nodded. He grinned and carefully pulled down her knickers. A smattering of hair covered her, but it was neat and looked after. It was Hermione, after all, Miss Perfection herself.
The scent of her arousal hit him, pheromones striking him. He had felt the moisture on her knickers as he pulled them down, knowing from his many talks that it was a good thing when a girl was wet.
He lowered himself over her, being as exceedingly gentle as he could as he found her clitoris and rubbed it. Hermione immediately moaned and gasped, her hair wild as she threw her head up to see him. He continued, probing with careful fingers, feeling the shudders of her pleasure as he inserted a finger.
"H-Harry…"
"Tell me to stop if…"
"No… don't stop."
He rubbed his thumb over her clit, stimulating her with one hand, then with the other, he brought it under her back and sat her up so he could kiss her while he pleasured her.
They were a tangle of limbs, locked together while Harry's fingers were deep in her. His mouth was pressed against hers as her kisses deepened, her moans upped in volume. Harry lay her back down, moving his head to her womanhood, extracting his fingers.
"Don't stop," Hermione gasped.
"I'm not, love…" he breathed. He went down on her, tongue red-hot as he found her opening. Hermione gave a squeak, her hands grasping handfuls of the sleeping bag. He tasted the salty sweetness of her, moving in, spreading her legs with his hands so he had better access.
"H… Harry…" Her hands then found his hair, digging into his black locks and pushed his head in against her. Surprised, Harry kept at it, his tongue going in deeper. Hermione let out a harsh gasp and her hands went slack in his hair. He lifted his head, her face blurry without his glasses.
She lifted her head and sat up languidly, her hands snatching his head. She forcefully yanked him towards her, claiming his mouth, then with surprising force, she pushed him over to his bunk next to hers. His back thudded against his sleeping bag and his vision was suddenly obscured with brown curls.
"Are we a team?" Hermione asked him. Harry gazed up, drunk on desire and very confused.
"Yes."
"Then we do things equally."
Harry's confusion disappeared the moment he felt hands wrapping around his cock. All thoughts of Ron were far, far away as Hermione Granger gave him her very first blow-job.
AN: Sorry if this felt a bit sloppy. I had to get this out fast as my time is soon to be eaten up by IRL writing work.
I hope this hit the mark. I didn't want it to be Ron bashy and more realistic. They're people and they'll react like people. Ron's not a bad person, just very sheltered and not as mature as Harry and Hermione. He can grow, just not at the same pace as them. He has some catching up to do.
