Chapter 12

Monday, 23 December 1996

The Ministry of Magic, London, England

"I hope they found something," Harry commented. Beside him, Sirius snorted.

"Doubt it," the older man replied. "Oh, I'm sure they've an idea, but they're going to want to 'run tests'." He finished with air quotes. The lift opened as a bell dinged. They'd arrived at Level 9. Stepping out of the lift, it was a short walk to the plain black door that granted admittance to the Department of Mysteries. Rather than try the door, Sirius knocked.

"Welcome," the shadowy unspeakable said after opening the door. He gestured for the two visitors to enter. Harry followed Sirius into a circular room with a mirror-like marble floor and twelve identical doors. When the unspeakable closed the door behind them, the room spun, and Harry couldn't tell which door was which when it stopped. The unspeakable led them to a door indistinguishable to any of the others, and opened it. Harry followed, entering a conference room.

"Please, sit," the unspeakable requested. Harry and Sirius both sat at the table on the same side. The unspeakable moved to the other side. Without further ado, he began. "We have spent the last six months investigating horcruxes. In that time, we have learned much. There are now no fewer than six known ways to destroy a horcrux, including one that doesn't damage the vessel…"

"That's great!" Harry practically shouted.

"…unless the vessel is living," the unspeakable finished after Harry's outburst.

"Damn," Harry sighed. "I knew it was too good to be true."

"Can I ask how you managed to research horcruxes?" Sirius asked. "You make it sound as though you'd experimented with actual horcruxes, but Harry destroyed six of them, and save himself, those are the only horcruxes I've heard of in centuries."

"The unspeakables do no discuss our research methods with outsiders," the unspeakable countered. "We were able to secure horcruxes to conduct our research. Let's leave it at that."

"What other idiot made bloody horcruxes?!" Harry shouted, trying to rise to his feet. "Do I have to kill him too?"

"Sit down," the unspeakable deadpanned. "No one outside of the Department of Mysteries has made a horcrux that we are aware of other than Tom Riddle. There are currently no extant horcruxes of which we are aware except yourself. If they did exist, we would be aware of them, I assure you."

"That means someone inside the Department of Mysteries is a murderer," Sirius pointed out coolly.

"While, as you're aware, the creation of a horcrux demands a murder to split the soul, no innocents were killed in the creation of these horcruxes," the unspeakable informed them.

"The captured Death Eaters!" Harry gasped and turned to Sirius. "They're sentenced to death anyway, so why not use them? It makes perfect sense."

"No comment," the unspeakable said, effectively ending the discussion. "Rather than proceed down that rabbit hole, let us instead turn to discussing ridding you of your horcrux."

"Do you at least have an idea how to do it?" Harry asked, not hopeful.

"We have several," the unspeakable said lightly.

"Well?" Sirius pressed, tired of waiting.

"The simplest way would be to hit you with the killing curse," the unspeakable told Harry. Harry almost cried at that.

"We want him to LIVE," Sirius growled.

"It is entirely possible that he would," the unspeakable revealed. "The killing curse works by ripping the soul from the body. Lord Potter has two, or at least a portion of two, souls in his body. Hypothetically, the killing curse could take the soul shard and leave him otherwise untouched."

"Do you have any other bright ideas?" Sirius asked sarcastically.

"A few," the unspeakable said. "Obviously, the killing curse would be a solution of last resort."

"Thank God," Harry sighed.

"One thing we uncovered in our research is that how the soul shard is placed into the vessel is important," the unspeakable continued, then turned to Harry. "Since the method of your horcrux creation is largely unknown, we'd like to run some tests to determine how the soul shard was placed into you, where it is located within your body, how your body interacts with the shard, and any other bits about your body that might influence, effect, or otherwise have bearing on the horcrux or its removal."

"How long will that take?" Harry asked, nonplussed.

"We should be able to have the tests completed by the end of the day," the unspeakable replied. "We should then have an idea of how to proceed by the end of the month."

"Best get started then," Harry said, resigned. He stood, with Sirius following, and let the unspeakable guide him further into the Department of Mysteries.

-oooo-

"So, then they spent all day waving their wands over me while I lay on a bed," Harry recounted that evening at dinner. "They learned that the horcrux was centred on my scar, and that, my mother's sacrifice is what initiated the horcrux creation process in addition to saving me from the killing curse. It was a bit of a struggle to learn all that whilst nude."

"You were naked?" Hermione asked, surprised.

"Apparently, it was necessary for the monitoring," Harry deadpanned. "I hope your day was better."

"It was nice, right?" she asked Dudley.

"I learned a lot," Dudley explained. It wasn't really a reply. Dudley had been escorted to Middleborough by Hermione, Neville, and Katie, where he was introduced to the Granger parents and Brenda. "I think the biggest shock was how normal everyone seemed. Even the… h… the… elves."

"The house elves?" Hermione corrected.

"That's it!" Dudley smiled. "Yes. Once you get past all the magic that's being done, it just seems so… normal. People are going around doing things, acting as though magic's unremarkable. Even the normal people…"

"Muggles," Hermione supplied without being asked.

"Yeah," Dudley agreed. "Even the muggles didn't bat an eyelash at the magic. Brenda and Nick weren't phased a bit, and I got to hear what it was like to learn magic was real from Mr. and Mrs. Granger, as well."

"We'll have to make sure you get to Diagon Alley sometime," Harry grinned. "You'll not think that place normal."

"That's the magical high street in London, right?" Dudley asked. Harry had to admit, he was picking things up quickly.

"Yep," Harry nodded.

"We should take Dudley skiing," Katie suggested. "He could see a bit more of Pottershire that way, and the slopes are close to Bergdorf, so we could get dinner and a show there after."

"That sounds like a fun day out," Harry admitted. "Shall we see if any of our other friends are available?" It was just Harry, Katie, Hermione, and Sirius at the table.

"That'd be a great way to introduce Dudley to those who haven't met him yet!" Katie agreed.

"Just make sure he stays away from the Resort until he's had a bit more time to get to know everyone," Sirius said.

-oooo-

"Harry!" Sirius called when he saw him. "And Dudley!" He clapped both boys on the back. "Come in, come in! Happy Christmas!" It was eight o'clock Christmas morning. Harry and Dudley had arrived via trunk. "Have you eaten?" Harry shook his head. "Breakfast is still on, if you don't mind eating with Amelia, Remus, and Tonks?" Harry shook his head again.

"Good morning, boys," Remus greeted them.

"Wotcher," Tonks managed around a mouthful of eggs. Amelia just rolled her eyes and smiled at them.

"'Lo, all," Harry replied for them, taking a seat next to Tonks.

"Katie won't get jealous?" Tonks asked, waggling her eyebrows at him.

"Nah," Harry laughed. "She'd probably ask if I wanted to shag you, and then see if she could watch." Tonks' eyes got wide and she blushed as Remus did a spit take with his morning tea.

"That was certainly… descriptive," Amelia said wryly.

"Still the truth," Harry shrugged. "Katie's surprisingly open about things like that. We've done quite a bit more than I'd ever imagined. Though, looking back on things, I wonder if that's not just magical society as a whole. It seems quite prudish and backwards on the surface, but underneath, it's quite progressive sexually."

"Do tell," Amelia said, cocking an eyebrow.

"If you look at the manner of dress, it's very old-fashioned," Harry explained. "People don't seem to want to change centuries of tradition in politics or business or what-have-you. But when it comes to sex, there don't seem to be many of the hang-ups that plague muggle society, or did even just a few years ago."

"Like what?" Sirius wondered.

"You and Amelia or Remus and Tonks are essentially cohabitating without being married," Harry said as an example. "That'd have been a big deal ten or twenty years ago in the muggle world. Still is, some places. Leanne and Lee, or George and Angelina," Harry continued. "Interracial couples aren't accepted everywhere in the muggle world, either. And the group sex…" Dudley's eyes bulged. "I can't think of how prevalent it is, but if my experience is anything approaching normal… well, there's a lot of it going on."

"Do I even want to know?" Amelia asked.

"Was Hufflepuff a sexual free-for-all back when you were in it?" Harry asked her.

"I was a Gryffindor," Amelia replied, surprising Harry. Then he realised that she had dated Sirius in school and was less surprised. "What do you mean sexual free-for-all?"

"That's why Neville and Hannah broke up," Harry said. "Come to think of it, that's what might've led to the misunderstanding with Justin…" He trailed off as he thought about how Justin had felt entitled to sex, and wondered just how much consent was given, or rather, assumed, in Hufflepuff.

"What misunderstanding with Justin?" Amelia asked, becoming disturbed.

"Back during Katie's birthday party…" Harry began, stopping a moment to consider what he was about to reveal, but then realising that the twins weren't regular visitors to his house anymore. "Justin was in the hot tub with some other people, and saw the Weasley twins and their girlfriends having sex poolside. He decided he wanted to join in, and without asking, walked over and started shagging one of the girls. He quite quickly came to regret that, and besides being banned from Pottershire, he was also unceremoniously kicked to the kerb and then literally kicked, repeatedly, by Hermione. She was not well pleased. For a long time, none of us could fathom why he'd done it. Then in November, things started falling into place."

"Erm… what things?" Tonks asked, looking a little shifty.

"You were a Hufflepuff, weren't you?" Harry asked, suddenly realising. He shook his head and turned back to Amelia. "Neville and Hannah went over to Susan's the night before the quidditch match that second weekend, and walked in on Justin and Susan shagging." Amelia cringed and sighed, closing her eyes in frustration. Harry didn't want to be there when she talked to the girl about this, but it was about to get worse. "Neville ran off, but then when Hannah didn't go find him after a few minutes, Neville went looking for her and overheard her talking to Susan about how everyone in Hufflepuff is sleeping with everyone, even if they've got boyfriends or girlfriends, and she didn't know what to do if Neville found out she'd been sleeping around. I mean, I knew that the Hufflepuff quidditch team was shagging each other all the time, but I'd no idea that extended to the whole house as well until November."

"That doesn't sound too bad," Remus temporized. "I mean, loads of people have multiple partners.

"We found out Justin had been shagging Susan and Hannah when he was dating Hermione, Susan was dating Ron, and Hannah was dating Neville. Susan even broke up with Ron because he'd cheated on her, when she was doing it to him! The difference was, the Hufflepuffs seem to have a code of silence about it: date whoever you want, but you'll be shagging your housemates, and you'd better not gas on them."

Beside him, Tonks looked like she wanted to melt into her seat. Amelia looked very upset. Remus looked uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Sirius looked like he was thinking he'd missed a great opportunity by not being in Hufflepuff. Dudley just looked like his head exploded.

"So, what you're telling me is that my niece's boyfriend committed a rape that you didn't bother to report to me," Amelia summarized. "And that no one in Hufflepuff is a faithful partner, so far as you're aware?"

"First, the Ministry has little to no authority in Pottershire," Harry rationalised. "We're not even sure it's technically Britain. I've yet to ask Mrs. Hampton about whether the trunks use space expansion charms or are a portal to a different dimension. Second, when asked, the girl in question chose not to press charges. Third, to be fair, Hermione kicked the absolute crap out of him in punishment. Fourth, he was banished from Pottershire. Fifth, we didn't know he was dating Susan until November, and when we did find out, we were all pretty pissed off to find out she'd been cheating on Ron, and Hannah on Neville, so..."

"Do you have any insights you'd like to share?" Amelia asked Tonks.

"No," Tonks said very softly. Her hair shifted to a dull brown, and she seemed to shrink a few inches in height, even sitting down.

"Was this sort of thing going on when you were a student?" Amelia pressed.

"I guess so," Tonks shrugged. Amelia's expression darkened. "Fine! Yes!" Tonks cried. "I shagged every bloke in my house in my year, and several from years above and below me. Everyone liked me because I could shift. I bloody hated it, but I was a loyal Hufflepuff, so I did it."

"Why?" Remus asked, astonished.

"It wasn't all bad," Tonks admitted. "Besides, there was enough sexual tension in that house to cut with a bloody knife. There was almost always somebody shagging in the common room."

"In the common room?!" Amelia asked, astonished.

"Blokes can't get up the girls' stairs, can they?" Tonks reasoned. "Besides, the boys' dorms were almost always full."

"What about the younger years?" Sirius wondered.

"They got a very thorough sexual education very quickly," Tonks shrugged. "Most were shagging by thirteen."

"Does Pomona know?" Amelia asked.

"I don't know what she knows," Tonks rationalised. "Though, she was a Hufflepuff, so I'd imagine she has a good idea." Harry shuddered at that. Professor Sprout was not his idea of attractive.

"I wonder if Minerva's aware," Amelia muttered.

"Doubtful," Sirius offered. "This surprised the hell out of me, and I was…"

"You were a bloody lothario until we started going out," Amelia finished. "It seems I won't be able to watch you all open presents after all," she said, standing. "I need to have a very unpleasant conversation with my niece. I'll see you this evening, Siri." She kissed her boyfriend on the lips and hurried out.

Fortunately, breakfast was done, so the party moved into the parlour where there was a grandiose evergreen bedecked in a rainbow of glass balls and fairy lights, and frosted with tinsel. It was rather gaudy, Harry thought. His own tree, decorated in alternating gold and red balls with white lights and no tinsel was much more tasteful. There was a small pile of gifts. Harry, Katie, Hermione, and Dudley had all already exchanged gifts immediately after waking up, and before departing to their individual families, so the gifts under the tree were from others.

"Since this is my house, I suppose I'm Father Christmas this year," Sirius observed as the five of them sat on the comfortable leather couches spread around the tree. Sirius went over to the pile and pulled out a gift. He handed it to Harry.

"From Sirius," Harry read. He turned the box over. It was small. "It better not be another Lamborghini," he joked.

"What!?" Dudley gaped.

"Last summer for my birthday, this tosser gets me four cars, including a Lamborghini," Harry told his cousin. "When we get back to mine, I'll show you the garage. I'd forgotten you hadn't seen it yet." He ripped off the packaging and opened the box. Inside were some fine gold cufflinks with the Potter crest on them.

"They're engraved with runes that provide defensive support in case you're attacked," Sirius said. "They came from Germany."

"Thanks!" Harry said. "Now I need some shirts that require cufflinks."

"Well, you haven't opened all your gifts yet," Sirius pointed out as he handed Dudley a flat box. Dudley looked at the tag, then opened it.

"What's this?" he asked as he pulled a piece of parchment out of the box. Harry looked over. It looked like a form of some sort. "Is this for real?"

"Dudley, what happened to your parents was a terrible thing," Sirius stated firmly. "I know you don't have a lot of options when it comes to who your guardian is. From what I understand, the current choice is Marge Dursley, and that's about it. I want to give you another option. I was Harry's godfather. His dad was like a brother to me, and Harry's grandparents were like my parents. We're not related by blood, but I was all set to be Harry's guardian until he got emancipated. I consider him a nephew. Since he doesn't need a guardian anymore, I'm willing to do that for you – his last remaining family on earth – if you'd like. I might not be 'normal' but I'd like to think I'd be a better guardian than some fat bint who loves dogs and drink more than people."

"Wh… Ho… So many questions," Dudley sputtered. "Would I live here?"

"Here or at my place in Middleborough," Sirius replied. "Or I have a holiday home in the Blackshire Mountains, or you could live with Harry if he allows it, or at one of his holiday homes. I've also got a place in Islington, but it's not the nicest place at the mo. But most of the time you'll be at school. Then once you turn eighteen, you can do as you like. Really, this is for legal reasons, and to make sure you're taken care of during the summer and holidays. You seem like a smart lad, and there's not much trouble you can get into around here, as there aren't many people."

"Would I stay at Smeltings?" Dudley asked.

"I'll send you wherever you can get in, and want to go," Sirius shrugged. "If that's Smeltings, then I've no objections. If you want to go somewhere else, and have the grades, I'll see about transferring you."

"I… I don't know what to say," Dudley said, clearly overwhelmed by the care and consideration this stranger was giving him. Harry could see the wheels turning.

"Think about it," Sirius said softly. "There's no need to decide today. You've until Smeltings lets out for the summer to decide."

"Thank you," Dudley said gratefully. He wiped a tear away with the back of his hand and sniffed.

The rest of the morning passed with a lighter tone. Harry opened several fine shirts which required cufflinks from Remus and Tonks, and a set of nice business robes from Amelia. Dudley received shirts and trousers from everyone. Having lost weight recently, he needed some new things.

When it neared lunchtime, Harry and Dudley departed for Middleborough, where they visited the Bells, and opened another round of gifts after eating. Then Harry, Katie, and Dudley left for the Grangers, where they collected Hermione and went to Middleborough Station, where they collected Neville for the ride back to Potter House.

"Good Christmas?" Neville asked the others as they sat in Harry's private train car. They could've gone by trunk, but the train was a nice relaxing end to a busy but fun day.

"Absolutely cracking," Harry grinned, as Katie leaned up against her boyfriend. "I think the Hufflepuff secret is finally out."

"Oh?" Hermione asked, perking up.

"Someone might've told Amelia about Justin's behaviour at Katie's party," Harry said coyly. "That same person might've also spilt the beans about what happens in Hufflepuff house."

"That was you, Harry," Dudley blurted. Everyone laughed.

"Then, Tonks might've confirmed the whole thing to Amelia, who promptly stormed off to have a word with her niece," Harry concluded.

"I wouldn't want to be Susan today," Neville shuddered, thinking about what might've happened to her.

"I also got some rather nice gifts from everyone," Harry said. "I've rounded out my fine wardrobe."

"Sirius offered to be my guardian," Dudley told the others. For a boy with a brutish reputation, he was fitting in quite well. Harry was glad.

"Did you take him up on it?" Hermione asked, curious.

"I told him I'd think about it," Dudley said shyly. "It was a nice offer, and he's a sight better than Aunt Marge." The stocky boy shuddered.

"Anyone else get anything good?" Katie asked, shifting the conversation away from what was probably a difficult discussion for Dudley.

"I got another three trunks from my gran," Neville told them. "I'll be looking to merge them with Longshire, but I think I want to put them between the current holdings and Grangershire. I've decided I want some mountains of my own."

"No problem, Nev," Harry said. "We'll talk to Lady Greengrass about detaching you from Middleshire, and Hermione and I can let you go from our holdings, then you can reattach to Middleshire and us when you've fixed your land. When did you want to do that?"

"Day after boxing day?" Neville suggested. "It'll take me that long to get everything set up and ready."

"I await your floo, my good man," Harry said with a flourish. Everyone laughed at his antics.

-oooo-

After dinner, the five friends moved to the game room, where they passed the time chatting about everything and nothing. Harry and Dudley played a round of billiards, while Katie and Neville threw darts. Hermione watched and chatted. Around nine, Dudley begged off another game, saying he really had some thinking to do. He wandered up to his suite, leaving the four magicals to their own devices.

"I suppose it's about time to turn in," Katie said when the door had closed. Harry nodded, and replaced his cue in the holder.

"Erm… Harry?" Neville said hesitantly.

"Yeah?" Harry replied, turning to see a nervous Neville.

"Hermione and I were talking…" Neville began nervously. "D'you think I could stay here tonight…" Harry waited for it. "Y'know… with you lot?"

"Is that OK with you?" Harry asked Hermione.

"Yes," Hermione said, blushing. She avoided his eyes, but smiled slightly.

"Katie?" Harry turned.

"Sure," Katie said with a smile of her own, standing.

"That's it then," Harry nodded. "Coming?" he asked as he took Katie's hand and led her out the door.

Two minutes later, the four of them were standing in the master suite. Harry applied the tooth-cleaning charm, and went to use the loo. Katie and the rest followed him. He was the first one out, and started disrobing, sliding into bed as Katie and Hermione entered the room.

"That was fast," Katie noted as she started disrobing. Neville was the last to enter.

"Not much sense waiting," Harry shrugged from the middle of the bed. "What side'll you want, Nev? Katie's there and Hermione's there," he explained, indicating their usual sides.

"Oh…" Neville pulled up short. "Erm… the left, I think," he decided, indicating Hermione's side. Harry nodded and scooted farther onto Katie's side as she slid into bed as well. Hermione followed shortly, with Neville, clearly nervous, bumbling a bit with the buttons on his shirt and trousers.

"You don't have to be nervous, Nev," Harry said with a grin and an arm around Katie. "It's just sex. You've had it before." Neville blushed, but didn't say anything. Hermione was likewise uncommonly quiet, watching Neville shuck his trousers. Without waiting for Neville, Katie leaned over and kissed Harry. There was heat behind the kiss. It was clear she was excited about what was happening.

"Why don't you take care of Hermione first, and I'll keep Neville occupied?" Katie suggested softly. "Then we can switch." Harry nodded.

"I love you," he told her, and rolled over to Hermione. "Hey," he said. Hermione jerked her eyes off Neville and looked at him. "You don't have to be nervous," Harry whispered in her ear. "He likes you, and he knows you like him. You don't have to try so hard." He kissed her and started rubbing her shoulders and arms, their tongues warred as he tried to gauge her mood. "Don't think. Focus on me. You'll get Neville in a bit." He kissed her neck and she shuddered. He could feel her muscles relax and when his mouth hit the nape of her neck, he could feel her slight moan through the skin.

Harry's hands danced across her breasts and stomach, his touches feather soft. Hermione began to reciprocate, her fingers laced through his hair, holding his head to her shoulder. He pushed her back against the pillow and lowered his head to her nipple, his hand palming her other breast as he suckled. She shivered and closed her eyes, a guttural sound caught in her throat. He trailed a hand south, splitting her folds with his fingers and playing there. Her breathing became raspy as Harry's fingers became slick.

A more masculine moan came from Katie's side of the bed. Before his head dipped below the covers, Harry looked over and saw Katie running her tongue up the side of Neville's erection. It was the last thing Harry saw before he entered a world of darkness. There he found Hermione's centre, and he quickly applied his own tongue to the task of bringing her pleasure. It wasn't long before both Hermione and Neville were moaning loudly and thrashing about as Harry and Katie did their work. They gasped out their orgasms nearly simultaneously. Harry emerged from under the covers to find the two of them panting and smiling.

"Our turn!" Katie announced happily. She rolled onto the bed, pulling Neville on top of her, kissing him. Hermione watch briefly, then gave Harry a wry grin, and pushed him onto the bed. Climbing on top of him, she kissed him hard, a hand snaking out to grasp his cock. She gave him a few tugs before sliding down his body. She smiled seductively at him and lowered her mouth onto his erection.

Hermione had improved quite a bit in her blowjobs over the past few months, and she wasn't bad to start with. Harry was also quite aroused, so it wasn't long before he, too, was panting.

"Hermione…" he warned in a strangled voice. Hermione merely nodded, and pulled back so that just the tip was in her mouth. Her hand worked him for mere seconds before he erupted into her mouth with a groan. "Fuck that was good," he sighed as she licked around the head. When she'd gotten all of his release, she wiped her mouth and slid up into his arms. Together, they watched Neville work on Katie. She'd confided in Harry that Neville was a fast learner when it came to his duties as well. It was clear to Harry that she wouldn't be long. Her hair was splayed out on the pillow and the sheets were tightly balled in her fists as she raced towards her peak.

"Right there!" she cried, shuddering. "Oh… Oh… Oh, fuck!" Her hand snapped down to Neville's head, holding it in place as she shook violently, coming. Her chest was heaving and her face contorted in bliss.

"Go, Nev!" Harry cheered as Katie fell back, spent. Neville looked up, his face slick and shiny, to see Harry and Hermione grinning at him. He grinned back. Harry looked at Katie, who was still catching her breath. "Hey, Nev, can we switch? I'd really like to shag my girlfriend." Neville suddenly got a deer in the headlight look. Katie grinned at Harry, noticing Neville's sudden mood shift.

"Erm… yeah," Neville nodded lamely. "I'll just… Hermione, then?" He sort of trailed off, looking at Hermione, who'd suddenly gotten nervous again.

"He won't be a jerk," Harry whispered quickly to Hermione. "He cares about you." Then he kissed her quickly, and scootched over to where Katie was laying. "Show her what you've learnt," Harry instructed as Neville abandoned his spot for the other side of the bed. Harry started kissing Katie as his friend went.

"I want to watch this," Katie whispered into Harry's ear once Neville was nearing Hermione. She continued to kiss him, but they were both watching the other couple as they moved towards each other.

"Come here," Hermione said, reaching out after Neville had paused a little too far away for them to do anything. She pulled him down next to her. There was a brief, whispered conversation that Harry couldn't hear, and then Neville propped himself up on an elbow, lowered his head, and kissed Hermione. It was a sweet, almost innocent, kiss. Hermione reached up and her hand caressed his face. He dipped down for another kiss, a lover's kiss.

To Harry, it seemed they snogged forever, but it couldn't've been more than a few minutes. It took half of forever for Neville to finally touch her breasts, which he did hesitantly at first, but with increasing surety. Hermione was less hesitant, having apparently realised that she would need to take charge and show him what he could do. Her hands roamed Neville's body, covering his chest and abs.

Gradually, the heat between them rose, as the perceived barriers fell away. Harry and Katie slowly did less kissing and more watching, though Harry did slide a hand between them and start stroking her. She was so incredibly wet. Finally, Neville shifted so he was fully atop Hermione, and Hermione took hold of his erection and guided it into her. At that moment, Harry slipped himself into Katie, and his girlfriend gasped softly at the feel.

Neville thrust slowly into Hermione, and their eyes locked. Harry tried to match his rhythm, largely succeeding. The two friends moved in time, everyone's eyes locked on the newest couple. Hermione sighed in satisfaction, even as Harry watched her need build. She wore a look of pure contentment. Neville, on the other hand, beamed with pride. It took nearly a minute for the novelty of the act to wear off, and the hormones to take over. Beneath him, Hermione started to move as well, and Neville's thrusts came quicker. Harry increased his pace to match.

It took Neville five minutes to come. In that time Harry counted two orgasms for Hermione. Beneath him, Katie came three times, fuelled by her excitement at what she was watching. When Neville finally stopped, he kissed Hermione gently. They were both panting with their exertions, chests heaving, broad smiles plastered on their faces. Harry tried to stay quiet as he emptied himself into Katie. Neither Neville nor Hermione noticed. Instead, they were whispering to each other and kissing lightly.

Harry rolled off Katie onto her far side, and spooned up behind her as she rolled over to watch the other two. Harry's actions finally seemed to catch their attention, and they looked over. Both retained the smiles they wore, but suddenly seemed to remember they weren't the only two in the room. Neville leaned down and whispered to Hermione, who looked at Harry and Katie, then back at Neville. She nodded.

"Would you mind if we… erm… got another room?" Neville asked Harry. "We'd like to talk about some things. Y'know… in private."

"Sure, Nev," Harry quickly agreed. "Out the door, second room on the right is free."

Not bothering to dress, the two new lovers disentangled and got up. Without another word, Hermione grabbed Neville by the hand and pulled him, practically running, towards the door.

"I wonder how many more times they're gonna 'talk about things' tonight," Katie joked after the door closed. "I bet we don't see them before lunch tomorrow."

"Who cares?" Harry asked rhetorically. "As long as they're happy." Harry rolled over Katie, and moved back to his usual spot in the bed. "It's so empty over here."

"Are you gonna miss Hermione?" Katie asked, partly serious.

"I only need you," Harry said fully serious. "Though she was good for keeping my side of the bed warm."

"And some other things," Katie said with a smile.

"Are you going to miss Neville?" Harry asked in return.

"A little bit, probably," Katie admitted. "His cock's quite nice. Almost as good as yours. I'll not find another like that soon."

"Maybe they'll swing with us again," Harry offered.

"No," Katie said, a hint of sadness in her tone. "We've served our purpose with them. They'll be monogamous from now on. Oh, they might have sex where we can see, but not with us."

"You're probably right," Harry nodded.

"We can move on to others now," Katie told him. "There's quite the queue forming, too."

"Oh, really?" Harry laughed. "Besides Lee and Leanne, who is there?"

"Ginny and Dean," Katie listed. "Millie, Fay…"

"That's not that many…" Harry trailed off.

"I bet we could talk Blaise and Tracey into bed if we really wanted to," Katie continued. "And Angelina, Alicia, and the Weasley twins."

"You do have to take your NEWTs this year," Harry pointed out, grinning. "And we have quidditch."

"Spoilsport," Katie grinned at him.

"I love you," Harry said, grinning back. She leaned forward and kissed him, then doused the lights.

-oooo-

Harry was wrong. They didn't see Neville and Hermione until dinner. Part of that was because Harry and Katie took Dudley on an extended tour of the estate. Aside from the towns and the mountains, Dudley hadn't seen much of it. In the morning, they piled into the Range Rover and drove around the northern squares, seeing most of the houses there. Returning to Potter House, they had lunch on the train, and spent the afternoon at Harry's southern homes. When the three of them entered the dining room, they spotted a slightly dishevelled, but properly dressed, Neville and Hermione eating together at the far end.

"'Lo," Harry greeted them, sitting across from Neville. "How're things?"

"Great, actually," Neville smiled.

"Oh?" Katie asked, joining them with Dudley following behind.

"Hermione's agreed to be my girlfriend," Neville informed them.

"I'm so happy for you two," Katie beamed at them. Her smile was almost as wide as Hermione's as Neville took her hand.

"Yeah," Harry agreed, serving himself some chicken. "So… I assume you won't be continuing your living arrangements now?"

"Oh…" Hermione realised suddenly. "I hadn't… No." She looked at Neville. "We should talk about that." Neville suddenly looked scared. "No!" Hermione said quickly. "I can't keep sleeping in Harry's bed now that I'm with you…" Dudley looked shocked at that. "But, I don't know if I'm ready to move in with you. We've been friends for a long time, but…"

"No, I understand," Neville agreed, solemnly. "I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I don't want to move back to Pemberly, either," she continued. "It's so… lonely there."

"Maybe Harry would let you keep using the room we used last night," Neville suggested.

"Well, I was thinking…" Hermione jumped in before Harry could agree. "What if I were to stay in one of your guest rooms? Would that be acceptable to your Gran?"

"I don't see why not," Neville said thoughtfully. "Hannah would often…" he trailed off, sad. "There's precedent for it."

"Let's stay here tonight, and we can move me tomorrow," Hermione suggested. "Would that be alright, Harry?"

"Sure," Harry agreed. "That room's yours for as long as you like."

"Thanks," Hermione said.

Harry smiled at her. There was feeling behind her simple word. Harry could hear it in her tone and see it in her face. She wasn't thanking him just for the room, but for everything in the past several months. She was thanking him for his love and support, for his encouragement and friendship. Harry, was glad – happy beyond words for her, but for him, it was tinged bittersweet, that she wouldn't be in his life quite as much as she had been recently, that he wouldn't be able to love his friend as he'd become accustom. Katie took his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze, probably knowing the feelings he was having. This chapter in his life was over, and a new one was about to begin.