Author's Note: *Obligatory denial of ownership* This might be the final chapter. Don't know if I'll be posting an epilogue or not.
Chapter 3: Secret Revealed
Not much changed between Harry and Hermione once they decided their relationship wasn't strictly physical. There were subtle differences, lingering touches that they knew weren't platonic but that no one else really made any mind, afterall, they'd been the closest of friends for years. They did sneak kisses with each other when no one was around, they disappeared together frequently to study alone together, or to snog in private or even find somewhere secluded and private to shag. But for over three months, no one caught on. Even when they began the D.A., no one questioned that they would always be the last to leave the Room of Requirement, and no one wondered why it always seemed to take them the longest to get back to Gryffindor Tower. No one even questioned how Hermione had convinced Harry to go along with her plan to form the D.A. in the first place. It seemed as though nothing had changed between them, they looked to be nothing more than the best of friends, which of course, they still were.
As for the couple, Harry was so thrilled to have something private in his life, something that people weren't harassing him about, and that the something in question was his girlfriend who seemed equally thrilled to be left alone to enjoy her boyfriend's company. They didn't want the truth of their relationship to be spread all around the school. They were plenty content to pretend nothing had changed.
But, everything was about to change with one careless mistake. One night they didn't think about the possible consequences, because for once the need for discretion and secrecy wasn't on their mind, reminding them that their peace and solitude could easily be snatched away.
The entire day had been an utter nightmare for both of them. Umbridge had inspected Snape a third time that day, sure she was going to find something wrong with him to rid the castle of his presence as she had tried to do with Trelawney, and because Snape hated Umbridge and her endless questions as much as every other teacher did, he was eager to lash out at anyone he took issue with, and Harry was at the top of that list, quickly followed by Hermione, who had stood up for him. Snape pretended to smash Harry's potion vial by accident and Harry lost his temper over it, with Hermione quickly taking Harry's side. Snape was quick to dock them fifty points each for the yelling, and Hermione had to physically restrain Harry to keep him from doing or saying anything else.
What made it all worse was that later that day they also had their joke of a defense lesson and Umbridge tap danced on both of their last nerves during the entire class period. Harry barely kept himself in his seat, knowing that he already had a week worth of detentions with her that she'd given the day before and he knew what was waiting for him that night. And after the multiple hours of cutting into his own hand repeatedly to write out "I must not tell lies," until the pink toad was satisfied, all Harry wanted was to destroy everything around him and pass out. He wanted to leave the day behind him, pretend it hadn't happened.
Hermione had other ideas. Harry had calmed her nerves and given her a means of escaping her troubles so many times before, she didn't think it was fair not to at least offer the same for him, so when Harry walked into the common room, stone faced and clearly in more pain than he would be willing to admit, Hermione was waiting for him.
"Hey," she said softly and waved Harry over to sit with her. Harry gave her half hearted smirk and sat down beside her. Hermione gestured to a bowl that she'd filled with murtlap essence and the bandages that were currently soaking in it. "Let me see your hand," she said softly and gently took his outstretched hand. Harry winced off and on as Hermione bound his hand in the bandages. "Leave these on tonight while you're asleep, it should eliminate the pain, but it won't do anything for the scarring unfortunately."
Harry shrugged. "What's another scar anyway?" He asked sarcastically and tapped the bandages with his wand to keep them from dripping all over the place and eliminating the scent. "Why did you wait so long, Mione?" Harry asked softly and kissed her cheek.
Hermione smiled warmly at Harry. "I know you need me tonight, Harry. And I need you," She answered and leaned forward to kiss him.
Harry returned Hermione's kiss and allowed her to push him gently onto his back. "You've got a point, love," Harry commented and groaned at the feel of her core against his member.
Hermione smiled at Harry and unbuttoned his pants, freeing his dick and immediately gripping him gently in her hand, loving Harry's groan of pleasure and quickly licking her lips before taking him in her mouth. Harry grabbed Hermione's hair, gripping tight in his unbound hand as he groaned in pleasure. "Fuck Mione," he moaned and Hermione eagerly licked and sucked until Harry finally released into her mouth, then she swallowed and slipped her knickers off, moving herself back up to stradle Harry and sliding onto his member easily.
Harry groaned and sat up, holding Hermione in his arms as they rocked against each other, enjoying the slow, steady pace. This wasn't just relief, or frantic passionate need to let each other know they were wanted. No, this was something even deeper. "I love you, Harry," Hermione whispered softly in his ear. It was the first time she uttered those words, and they felt more right than she ever thought they would.
Harry pulled Hermione in for a passionate kiss and unbuttoned her shirt. "I love you too Mione," he replied and slid her shirt off of her, quickly followed by unhooking her bra and pulling it off of her too.
Hermione followed Harry's lead and unbuttoned his shirt, and pulled it off of him eagerly, wanting to feel his skin against hers. They embraced, kissing passionately as they moved together, allowing themselves to truly express the love they realized they shared.
Unfortunately, their peaceful, pleasurable moment was interrupted in one of the worst ways possible. "Bloody fucking hell what is going on here?!" Ron commented, having failed to fall asleep while he waited for Harry to return from his detention and finally coming downstairs after hearing shuffling coming from the common room.
Both Harry and Hermione panicked upon hearing Ron's voice and Harry quickly moved to conceal Hermione's nudity by holding her tight against him and summoning her shirt and bra so she could redress herself. "Ron, don't freak out," Harry begged, terrified that he was about to lose his friend again.
Ron's ears were redder than they'd ever been before. "Is this what you've been off doing when no one can find you?!" Ron asked the couple.
Hermione quickly slipped her bra back on, rehooking it, and pulled her shirt back on, holding it closed, as Harry stood up and redressed himself hurriedly. "Ron," Hermione began. "This isn't your concern, please just leave it alone," she pleaded, biting her lip.
Ron shook his head. "This isn't my concern?! My two best mates are shagging in the middle of the common room and I have no right to know what's going on?!" He shouted.
Harry wrapped an arm around Hermione defensively. "No, it isn't your concern Ron. We didn't want to tell anyone for a while, we both knew if we did we would never get another moment's peace," Harry explained.
Ron didn't like that explanation. "When did this happen then? Was this the first time?" He asked.
Hermione shook her head. "Please Ron, we'll be sure to find more private places from now on, we were for a while, we were just a bit careless this time. I'm sorry you walked in on this, please just go," Hermione begged.
Ron sneered at Hermione and focused his attention on Harry. "How long?!" He asked again.
Harry sighed. "This summer," he answered reluctantly.
Ron snarled. "You've been keeping this from me for that bloody long?!" He asked, his tone fully accusatory. "You're lying bastards," he accused and stalked up the stairs back to his dormitory.
Harry sighed as he looked down at Hermione's tear-streaked face. "Any chance he won't spread it all over the school?" Hermione asked, hoping beyond hope that the worst of it would be that night.
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know Mione. I have no idea how many of our house mates were woken up by his shouting."
Hermione swiped at her face and eyes, trying to dry the tears that just wouldn't stop flowing. She rarely responded well to being yelled at. And Ron was good at making her cry, it was something Harry had noticed and took major issue with, but he had been too worried that if he spoke up it would make the redhead suspicious of them. Now that their secret was out… Well, at least he could stand up to Ron for Hermione's sake on a more frequent basis without worrying he'd be giving away their secret. Harry held Hermione to him tighter and kissed her forehead. "We should head to bed…" he said awkwardly.
Hermione nodded. "I'm scared, Harry. If they heard and we head upstairs we'll be walking into a catastrophe. But if we leave to sleep somewhere else and our dorm mates don't see us in the morning, everyone will be sure to know."
Harry sighed and nodded his agreement. "I think we have to accept that the secret's out, and hope that most of our classmates don't respond like Ron did."
Hermione sighed and kissed Harry softly. "I still love you," she reminded him.
Harry smiled down at Hermione. "And I still love you. Now go on and head upstairs, we undoubtedly have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
Hermione nodded and made her way to her dormitory. Miraculously, none of the girls had woken up, so at least until morning, she could breathe easily and get to sleep. Harry wasn't quite as lucky. Seamus and Neville had woken up when Ron slammed the door shut behind him, so when Harry walked in, he was greeted by Ron pulling his curtains shut around his bed, Seamus following suit as if to say, 'I don't want to get involved yet,' and Neville watching him sympathetically.
"Anything you want to talk about, Harry?" Neville asked, feeling awkward and nervous, not sure how to be a friend to Harry when he didn't even know what was wrong.
Harry sighed. "Maybe in the morning," Harry answered quietly. "Right now, all I want is sleep."
Neville nodded and everyone settled themselves in bed, and everyone except Harry fell asleep rather quickly and easily. Harry was tossing and turning for hours in bed before he could finally sleep, coming to the conclusion that anyone that couldn't accept that he was dating Hermione and in love with her wasn't his damn friend anyway and he didn't need that in his life. He was happy, and he wasn't going to sacrifice that happiness for anyone.
When morning came, Harry's resolve held firm as he waited for Hermione in the common room, so that they could head to the Great Hall together for breakfast. Hermione hurried up to Harry, and he laced his fingers with hers as they walked out of the common room together, their hands locked together as they made their way into the Great Hall and sat down next to each other. For one shining moment, everything was perfect, they were together and happy and public about their relationship. And then Ginny came stalking into the Great Hall and walked up to Hermione. She gripped Hermione's arm and yanked her out of her seat. "I need to talk to you," was her only explanation as she dragged Hermione out of the Hall with Harry watching on nervously. He didn't like this, but he trusted Hermione could handle herself. If she wasn't back in five minutes, he'd find her and handle it.
As Ginny dragged her away almost violently, Hermione began pulling against Ginny's grip. "This is far enough, damn it," she argued and yanked her arm out of Ginny's grip. "What's gotten into you, Gin?" Hermione asked.
Ginny was enraged as she glared at Hermione. "What's gotten into me? What's gotten into you?! You're shagging Harry! You're the worst friend in the world! You know how much I like him! How could you do this?!" Ginny shouted.
Hermione glared right back at Ginny. "You have no claim on Harry! He made it very clear he didn't feel the same way about you, and I have no intention of denying him when I don't want to!" She argued.
Ginny shoved Hermione. "When did this start?! When did you first start shagging him?!" Ginny shouted angrily.
Hermione grinned maliciously. "Over the summer," she answered. "At Grimmauld Place. Most of the time in his room. Haven't stopped since then."
Ginny was sure she couldn't have been more furious in that moment until Hermione said that. "You're a pathetic, disgusting slag!" Ginny accused.
Harry showed up at that point and stood between Ginny and Hermione. "You'd better not be insulting my girlfriend, Ginny. Go find something else to do and something else to be angry about. Hermione and I need to eat breakfast and neither of us has time for you."
With that, Harry wrapped a defensive arm around Hermione and led her back to the table, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You're my hero, Harry. I'm sorry you had to come rescue me."
Harry shook his head. "I doubt I had to, you're more than capable of handling things like that yourself, but you shouldn't have to. It isn't right."
Hermione sighed as they sat down together. "Well, whether it's right or not, it's our new reality. I suppose we'll just have to accept it and roll with the punches."
"Agreed," Harry responded and kissed Hermione in full view of the entire Great Hall, ready for everyone to know exactly what they were to each other.
The couple ignored the whispers all around them throughout their day, and by the time they made it back to the common room that night, they'd nearly forgotten what they'd come to the conclusion that as long as they were happy, they didn't give a damn who knew about them.
