Chapter 2

Experimentation

Saturday morning found Harry pacing in his living room, his steps, as well as his voice, echoed throughout the room as he moved back and forth across the floor. He ran his hands through his messy hair and groaned before rubbing them down his face in agitation.

He had been at this for an hour, arguing with himself. Should he tell her he had seen her the night before? What if she shut down, what if she rejected him when he told her he'd wanted to be the one pulling those sweet sounds from her lips?

He couldn't believe the turn things had taken in the last fifteen hours. How had he missed it? How had he not realized that his best friend, the person who he thought he knew better than himself, was a submissive?

He had returned home the night before and laid in bed for hours unable to sleep. His mind ran through interactions between the two of them that he had paid no mind to before, little mannerisms and responses to him that he could so clearly recognize now that he knew. Like last night, he was feeling an immense amount of regret for the time lost between them.

He couldn't be sure about when she had begun to change, but he knew it had been around the end of her last year at school. She had been in a relationship with Ron for around six months before the redhead had called it quits, admitting to Harry that she had just been too needy. Harry had been livid with his friend, they had all just come out of a war, of fucking course she was needy! Ron had tried to explain that it was over the top but Harry hadn't listened, he couldn't believe that the man would turn his back on her when she had needed him most.

After her breakup with Ron, Hermione had been single for a year before dating Anthony Goldstein. She had been happy for a time but Harry had noticed the way she slowly wilted due to his apathy toward her, and in the end, he had broken up with her as well.

She had never told him the exact reason for the breakup, just that they wanted different things and it was better the relationship had ended when it had rather than dragging out. Draco had told him that Goldstein was a prick and was unable to meet Hermione's needs. It seemed there was a trend of men being incapable of taking care of the witch and of course, now he knew why. She needed someone to take over for her, to make her stop and be still.

Thinking back, he saw that she had always been that way. He remembered having to check on her at school while she studied to make sure she ate and got enough rest. He would drag her outside to get some sunshine and have fun because she tended to put herself last.

He continued to pace and looked at the clock on the mantle, another groan tore from his lips. He had told her he would be there at twelve and it was just now eleven, he wondered if it would be rude to show up early just to stop his incessant pacing.

Looking at the clock once more he huffed, it wouldn't be the first time he had shown up to her place early and he couldn't take the waiting any longer.

With a decisive nod, he grabbed a handful of floo powder and threw it into the grate before calling out for Hermione's flat and walking through.

Harry walked into the cozy apartment to the sound of music playing. The radio that sat in the corner was up enough to be heard in every room but Harry could hear the witch singing from the kitchen.

Following her voice through the living room, he caught a glimpse of her standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes. Before he could fully process what he was seeing, he felt his heart rate increase and he had to force himself not to go to her.

His eyes greedily took in the sight of her hips swaying to the music, so obviously unprepared for his arrival. The oversized button-down shirt -that looked very familiar- hung off of her shoulder, just begging him to taste the skin there. His eyes traveled down her body to the pink lace knickers peeking out from the bottom of the shirt and on her feet, she wore thick socks that went to her knees.

His fingers ached to touch her, to run through the curls falling to her waist and gather them tightly in his fist as he bit into her exposed shoulder. He took in a deep breath, closing his eyes only to be assaulted with images of her flushed skin and bound wrists.

"Pretty baby, don't you leave me, I have been saving smiles for you. Pretty baby, why can't you see you're the one that I belong to?"

She continued to sing, her voice drawing him from his lustful musings, and his head snapped up as he realized the position he was in. She was his best friend, and though he had seen her bare the night before, she didn't know that. He quickly retreated back into the living room and called out to her, warning her that he was early rather than bursting into the kitchen where she stood in her knickers.

"Hey 'Mione!"

The sound of Harry's voice startled Hermione out of the daze she had been in and she dropped the plate in her hands with a small yelp.

She shook her head cursing under her breath and tried to clear her head of the fantasies that had been running through her mind all morning. It was just her bloody luck that the very man she'd been fantasizing about was standing in her living room an hour early while she stood here with drenched knickers. What the hell was he doing here already?

She dried her hands on a towel and turned to go into the living room only to stop short. She had been so busy cooking Harry's favorite lunch and distractedly cleaning the mess that she had lost track of time. Her stomach dropped knowing that in order to get to her bedroom and change, she would need to go through the living room where Harry was waiting for her. Shite.

"Fuck! Okay, Hermione, it's not that big of a deal...Harry has seen you in a bathing suit before...this is more than a bathing suit."

She looked down at her bare legs and tried to tell herself it was completely fine but in reality, the thought of Harry seeing her in her frilly knickers and a shirt she had nicked from him last time he had been there had her face burning.

"Umm, Harry I wasn't expecting you so soon. Is everything alright?"

Harry smiled and shook his head, her falsely cheerful tone betraying her nervousness. If she only knew the state he had seen her in last night.

"Everything is fine, love. Do you need-"

Harry's voice cut off as she walked into the room. Her cheeks and ears were crimson and she tried to hold his shirt down to cover her modesty. Her attempts only caused the top of the shirt to fall dangerously low and his eyes were drawn to the tight peaks hidden beneath. He prided himself of the self-control he had come to learn over the years, but right now she was killing him. His mouth was dry and he cleared his throat while he averted his gaze, lest he lose control and fuck her against the wall.

Her eyes widened when she realized where he had been staring and she quickly continued toward her bedroom.

"I just, uh, I need to go get dressed. I'll be right back! Make yourself at home!"

Harry watched her scamper off, her mess of curls trailing behind her and reached down to adjust his aching cock. He sat down on the couch and waited for her to return, laying his head back on the cushion to try and calm the need that was consuming him. He slowly felt himself relax and released a breath as he thought about his options once more.

He could tell her what he had witnessed or he could keep it to himself and let things come out on their own. He growled lowly and closed his eyes, visions of the witch kneeling in front of him clad in only her pretty pink knickers danced behind his eyelids. Would she submit to him fully? Would she allow him to take care of her like he so desperately wanted to do?

He wanted to take care of her while encouraging her submissive nature. He wanted her to trust him to take care of her when she needed to let go and he wanted to lavish her with the love and attention she deserved.

Opening his eyes once more he decided to conduct an experiment, he would dote on her and take care of her today and see how she responded to him. He sat up when he heard her door open and smiled when she walked into the room.

"Merlin, Harry I'm so sorry about that. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I wasn't expecting you so early and I had just finished cooking, so I was trying to get everything cleaned up before I got dressed."

Harry stood and walked over to his rambling friend and wrapped her in a hug. She immediately stopped talking and relaxed in his arms.

"Mione, it's alright, you didn't make me uncomfortable. You don't need to be embarrassed either, I happen to think my shirt looks much better on you than it ever did on me."

He pulled back from her and with a wink he turned and walked into the kitchen as if it were his own.

Hermione stood in the middle of the living room too stunned to move. Had he just flirted with her? Her heart began to beat frantically and she put her hands on her face to cool it down. She thought she had imagined his hungry stare before, wishful thinking and all, but maybe she wasn't going crazy after all.

"'Mione did you make baked ziti?" Harry moaned as he inhaled the delicious scent coming from the dish, "Merlin, woman you know the way to my heart. Are you ready to eat?"

Hermione shook herself from her daze and giggled, as she joined him in the kitchen. Harry was standing at the counter, he'd already pulled down plates and was beginning to dish out the salad and pasta she had made. She moved to stand beside him and placed a hand on his forearm.

"Harry, you don't need to do that. Here, let me take care of it."

Harry shook his head and smiled warmly, "nope, not today 'Mione. Let me take care of you for once, you work so hard all week and you've been up all morning cooking, you don't need to make my plate as well."

She opened her mouth to protest but his tilted head and pointed stare conveyed rather clearly that he would not hear any argument over this. She felt her face heat and quickly nodded her acceptance watching as his face relaxed again into an easy-going smile.

"Go sit down, 'Mione, I'm sure you've been on your feet for hours. I can take care of this."

She bit her lip, puzzled by this behavior from her friend unsure of how to proceed. He had always been able to tell when she was going overboard with studying and work and there had been times when he forced her to take a break, but this was different. This was just lunch...His insistence to serve her both confused and comforted her but she also felt guilty.

Harry must have noticed her hesitation because soon his hands were cradling her face and bringing her attention up to him. Her eyes widened as his green eyes stared into her own, so very close and she couldn't breathe. If she just leaned forward a couple of inches...

"Hermione, I said go sit down. Please allow me to do this for you, it will please me very much."

She felt shivers run down her spine at the firm tone of his voice, and she couldn't help the automatic response to his command.

He released her from his hold after she had whispered her acceptance and she felt his hand move to the small of her back. She turned and walked to the dining table where she sat down in the chair he'd pulled out for her. She smiled up at him after he pushed her chair under her and so quietly she thought she could have imagined it, she heard him whisper "good girl."

Hermione's eyes widened but before she had time to dwell on his words he was back with her plate and set it in front of her with silverware, a glass of water and a napkin.

Satisfied that she had everything she needed, Harry sent her a bright smile before going back into the kitchen to retrieve his own plate. She couldn't help the warmth that filled her knowing she had pleased him, even in such a small way and soon he sat down beside her.

They spent the next hour talking about the previous week and their plans for the following day. Sunday's were usually reserved for going to the Burrow and they had heard that Charlie would be in town, the first time in months that the entire Weasley clan would be together.

When there was a lull in the conversation Harry stood and gathered the dirty dishes. He could see that Hermione wanted to protest his cleaning up but was pleasantly surprised when she held her tongue.

"Go sit down and relax, I'll clean this up and be in there in a minute," he said.

Hermione stood slowly from the table slightly annoyed that he wouldn't let her help. She hadn't invited him over here to wait on her and she didn't know how to deal with the current role she found herself in with him.

Harry stood in the kitchen whistling as he charmed the dishes to wash and packed up the leftover pasta. She watched him work and he glanced up from his work to ask if he could take some food home to eat for dinner.

"Yes, take all you want, I always make too much."

Harry looked up at her approach and rolled his eyes, she was so bloody stubborn.

"Hermione Granger, I told you to go relax while I did this. I know I'm irresistible, but I didn't think my presence would cause you to forget which way your own living room is."

She snorted at his sass and pushed his shoulder. "Shut it, you. I just feel bad that you've come to my house and are doing all of the work!"

He laughed, finished with his task and dried his hands with a towel. With her attention focused on sneaking the dish of leftovers into the refrigerator, and therefore breaking the rule he'd set for her, a mischievous grin spread across his face and he snapped the towel, popping her on the arse.

She shrieked, her hand going to her stinging backside, "Harry James!" She tried to pull the towel from his hands but he was faster and after snapping her two more times she fled into the living room.

He walked in a moment later wearing a smug grin and went to the cabinet next to the telly to choose a DVD. Making his choice, he popped the disk in before sitting down beside her laughing at her suspicious glare. He held his hands up, showing her that he'd left the towel in the kitchen and pulled her into his side.

"You know 'Mione, it's okay to let someone else take care of you now and then. You deserve to be put first."

She scoffed, "right. I'm beginning to think that anyone who would be willing to do that for me is nonexistent. But thank you...for forcing me to let go even if it was just for a little while."

He smirked, knowing she couldn't see him and squeezed her shoulders before releasing her. She pouted adorably when he sat up straight and moved to the other end of the couch and chuckled at the small moan that escaped her when he pulled her feet into his lap and began to rub the arches.

They sat like that for the rest of the afternoon, his fingers kneading into her feet and calves. When the movie was over, he looked over to find her sleeping and moved her feet from his lap.

He turned off the television and pulled a blanket from the back of the couch to drape over her. He looked down at her peaceful form and though he would rather stay there with her, he knew he'd better get home. He leaned down and dropped a kiss to her forehead whispering a quiet good night before heading through the floo.

Hermione woke a few hours later to a quiet, empty room and realized Harry must have gone home. She noticed that he had tidied up their mess and left her a glass of water on the table beside her.

She grinned thinking about the entire day, he had spoiled her and she couldn't deny that she felt better than she had in weeks. Going to Nox and spending time with Graham worked to relieve the tension from work but she often found herself worrying over things again before the weekend was over. The stress always crept to the surface by Sunday and she would find herself thinking about the cases that needed looking over when she went back to the office.

Today, Harry had easily distracted her. She hadn't thought about any of the tasks that needed completing once. He had forced her to take a step back and give him the reins, and she wondered if he realized what that did to her. The way he had looked at her and the commanding tone of his voice made her think he just might. It didn't help that she'd been in love with him forever and she found herself inserting him into her many fantasies increasingly over the years.

Many mornings she woke up drenched in sweat after a particularly steamy dream featuring her best friend. The flashes of his hand wrapped around her neck or his voice whispering what a good little girl she often lingered well after her eyes opened and led to her fingers being a poor replacement for his cock.

Hermione huffed as she stood from the couch and walked into her bedroom. Pulling the bedspread back, she stripped down to her knickers and crawled into bed. Maybe he'd be open to her lifestyle if she just explained what she wanted, he seemed suited for it.

She thought about the way his eyes had darkened when he had seen her that morning. The way he'd commanded her and then praised her when she'd done what he asked. She groaned as her fingers grazed lightly across her stomach, moving up slowly to pinch her nipples. She arched her back enjoying the way it stung and whimpered as she thought about the sting on her arse when he'd popped her with the towel.

Moving one hand from her breast, she pushed it into the band of her knickers unsurprisingly finding them drenched and ran her fingers over her wetness. She gasped as her fingers brushed her clit and began rubbing circles around the little bud.

Her eyes closed as she moaned and her vision was filled with lustful green eyes and strong hands. She imagined those hands pulling her roughly into him and squeezing her arse. She pushed her fingers inside of her soaking entrance, whimpering his name as she fucked herself.

As she got close to the edge, she backed off and her fingers went back to teasing her clit as she begged her imaginary lover to please let her come. Bringing herself to the edge once more she buried her fingers inside of her pussy and pushed herself over the edge with a scream.

She laid there after, breathing deeply, her hair was damp with sweat and her fingers soaked until she came down from the high of her orgasm. She sighed and reached for her wand on the bedside table to clean herself up and set an alarm for the morning before getting comfortable. It wasn't long after, that she succumbed to sleep once more, falling into peaceful dreams.