The sun had just started to break through into dawn as the couple slept entwined on the uncomfortably firm hotel bed. They would have slept well into the morning if not for the light tapping on their window.
Harry shot out of bed instantly, sprinting boldly towards the noise. Hermione had awakened from the abrupt jostling of the bed to find Harry peaking cautiously behind the curtains. She held her breath as she silently reached for her wand from the bedside table.
Millimeter by millimeter Harry moved the edge of the curtain at impossibly slow speed. Hermione's wand was raised in front of her, countless spells for countless malevolent beings running through her head.
Suddenly Hermione noticed Harry's tense stature relax as he carelessly opened the window to let a very rambunctiously clumsy owl buzzing into their room.
"That's Ron's owl, isn't it?" Harry mumbled.
Hermione nodded silently.
Harry managed to snatch the letter Pigwidgeon was clutching between his talons, motioning for Hermione to bring the tiny bird a bowl of water. He unwrapped the enveloped and read the note. It was very cryptic, but Harry understood.
"What does it say, Harry?"
"From what I can gather Ron made it to his parents house after he left and he wants us to spend Christmas with him."
"Well that's a bit much isn't it? He abandons us but wants us to eat treacle tart and exchange gifts? What a git."
"He must feel awful for what he's done. He just wants to make it right."
"How did he even find us?"
"I haven't the faintest idea."
"Harry what if it's a trap? What if the Death Eaters got to the Weasleys and had them send this."
"The Weasleys? They'd die before they'd do anything to hurt the cause."
"Well I suppose you're right. Are you actually considering going?"
Shocking even himself, yes, he was. He hadn't thought through how he and Hermione would handle themselves, or if they would allow Ron to return with them but he had to admit he did miss his mate, despite the fact he would likely never speak to him again if he knew Harry had slept with the only girl he had ever loved.
"I do miss the Weasleys. And it would be nice to see familiar faces on Christmas and take a short break from this endless journey. But it's up to you. I can't imagine how hard it would be for you to see Ron."
"Ginny is going to be there, too." Hermione said, slightly annoyed. "Have you considered that?"
Honestly Harry hadn't and he was instantly regretting showing an interest in going at the sound of Hermione's tone.
"You do make a good case, actually. It would be good for us to get some encouragement and a holiday meal." Hermione hesitated. "Maybe if we just go for the day, we won't get corned by them."
Harry knew she was talking about Ginny and Ron wanting to talk and probably more with each of them. If they just went for the day, they wouldn't necessarily have to worry about that.
"Alright that should work. Should we send a letter back to let them know we're coming?"
They watched the miniscule bird wiz around the room like a pinball. They had to laugh. It was any easy decision to give Pig the rest of the day off. They would apparate early in the morning and spend all of Christmas day with the Weasleys.
Harry moved the curtain back again and after a few seconds, Pigwidgeon got the hint and flew out, only hitting the edge of the window once.
The next morning, the soon-to-be secret couple joined hands and apparated to the Burrow. After the excruciating seconds, they found themselves just outside the quaint house. They walked towards the door and Harry knocked several times in rapid succession.
After a brief moment they heard the sound of someone lumbering towards the door. At once it swung open and the two were instantly suffocated by a hysterical bear hug.
"I hoped it was you two!" Mrs. Weasley squealed. "It's so good to see you! You can stay as long as you like. There's plenty of room and plenty to eat. Now go see my children, I know they're even happier to see you than I am."
Finally they were released from the pleasantly confining hug and reluctantly walked into the house. They hoped Ron and Ginny weren't expecting to have any long chats right away.
To their delight, Fred and George welcomed them with a crack about Harry's unshaved face and a jab about Hermione's black eye.
"It makes you look very intimidating." Fred quipped.
"It looks like she could defeat You Know Who all on her own." George added.
"I have always said she was the real Chosen One." Harry joined.
Hermione laughed. She considered telling them of Harry's daring rescue, but she knew it was borderline what a boyfriend would do, and she didn't want their minds to wonder.
Mrs. Weasley passed by them, heading back to the kitchen. The two couldn't help but get lost in the spirit of Christmas here. Decorations adorned every inch of the home, delicious smells flooded your nose and made your salivary glands ache.
Two sets of steps were bounding down the stairs. Harry and Hermione looked at each other, knowing what was coming.
At once Hermione found Ron with his arms tightly around her and Harry found a tearful Ginny doing the same.
"Happy Christmas, Ginny." Harry managed to say.
"I think we should go help Dad in the garden with all those pesky gnomes." George remarked.
"Yes it is getting a bit crowded in here." Fred agreed.
Brought back to reality by their brothers' sarcasm, the siblings let go of Harry and Hermione and hugged the other.
"I'm so sorry, Harry." Ron said. "I regretted leaving immediately after I did."
"I know you would, Ron. It's alright." Harry replied.
Thankfully a scream from the kitchen of "Breakfast is ready!" interrupted the painfully tender moment.
They all filed in and sat at the table, in awe of the great feast.
Mr. Weasley quickly joined them, along with the rest of the Weasley men. Tonks and Remis were going to join them for dinner.
They ate heartily as Harry and Hermione filled them in on their adventures since Ron had left. Mr. Weasley told them about the current goings on at the ministry and what the Order was doing to combat it. Ginny complained about Hogwarts under Snape's rule. Ron recounted his run in with some snatchers after he left Harry and Hermione.
In so many ways, it felt like any other holiday but it so many others it could not have been more different. Ron and Ginny could palpably feel the cooled passion their former lovers were exuding towards them. Not to mention Harry and Hermione couldn't very well relax knowing what a great risk it was even being here.
But they continued to chat like nothing had changed and Mrs. Weasley continued to force feed them troughs of delicious food. All the while Hermione innocent ran her foot up the length of Harry's leg. Harry did hid best not to react. Why was she playing with fire?
Two could play at that game. The long table cloth completely hid the fact that Harry's fingertips were now tracing the inside of Hermione's sensitive thigh, coming dangerously close to the middle seam of her pants.
Harry shot a quick glance at Hermione, her eyes were closed and a pained smile befell her face. To anyone else, she may have just seemed tired. She was a tremendous actor.
"I hope you two will stay the night. It's been so long since I had so many of my children under one roof." Mrs. Weasley lamented, acknowledging Harry and Hermione.
"Oh we'd love to Mrs. Weasley, but it probably wasn't smart for us to even come in the first place, for your safety's sake. We'll stay for dinner, but we best be going after that." Harry said disappointedly.
"I understand." Mrs. Weasley said. "Do you know where you're going to go next?"
"We have a few leads." Hermione answered vaguely, making sure not to look at Ron.
"How are Bill and Fleur?" Harry asked, changing the subject.
"We haven't heard from them in a few weeks." Mr. Weasley answered, hiding concern. "But the last time we did they were doing fine. Trying to enjoy the newlywed life, despite the…" He trailed off.
"Well, unless anyone would like another serving?" Mrs. Weasley said to a sea of fervent "no's." "Then I'll clean up, will you help me dears?" She said, acknowledging Hermione and Ginny.
They arose at once, stacking plates and carrying still heaping serving dishes to the kitchen.
"I think I'm going to go for a little walk." Harry said. "I'm afraid if I lay down I may never get up."
"Would you like company?" Ron asked expectantly.
"I think I need just a bit of time with my own thoughts." Harry said delicately. "I won't be gone long, it looks like it might snow any minute."
"Alright. Well I would like to talk when you get back."
"Of course." Harry knew what was coming. Ron was going to make a spectacle of an apology and beg them to take him back. Another head to put together would be helpful. And they did appreciate his perfectly timed comic relief during the particularly trying days. But Harry knew Ron would expect to get back in bed with Hermione before too long, and if she refused, he wouldn't be able to contain his suspicions for long. Then they would be right where they were now. Maybe if they all met up again after it was all over, they could explain that something happened a long time after Ron left. Then maybe he would forgive them and they could all be friends. But now they couldn't risk anything more disrupting their work. Selfishly Harry also didn't want to risk Hermione's feelings for Ron to come flooding back.
He turned towards the door and walked out. Harry enjoyed the brisk silence outside. As welcoming as the Weasley's always were, all those red heads talking at once could get a bit overwhelming.
He walked around the property, enjoying all the eccentric angles of the home, the lush garden and the intimidating gnomes.
Out of nowhere he felt the smallest of pebbles hit his back. Was it a gnome? None of them looked guilty. He didn't see Fred or George hanging out of a window or peaking out from behind a corner. He paused for several seconds before turning back to the path when I felt a slightly bigger pebble hit his left hip. At once he saw a flash of long brown hair before a cloak was roughly shoved over his head.
He was now face to face with Hermione under his invisibility cloak.
"I couldn't wait another minute!" She said breathlessly. "Quick lets go behind those trees."
Hermione began to run, and Harry had no choice but to join her, unless he wanted to be found out. Luckily the snow on the ground was slowly beginning to melt, so you couldn't see any tracks.
They ran towards a grouping of trees that would allow maximum coverage. Once they knew they were out of range of anyone's eyes they threw off the cloak. Harry pinned Hermione against a tree, kissing her roughly and passionately. Forcibly gliding his tongue deep into her mouth. She then bit and sucked on his lower lip and he raked his nails up her silky smooth back.
He pulled his lips away from her grasps and began firmly kissing down the side of her neck, then back up to caress her sensitive earlobe with his tongue.
Hermione began running her hands through Harry's dark locks, tugging cruelly when he roughly nibbled the wafer-thin skin of her collar bone.
Harry tore away Hermione's coat and shirt. Hermione didn't even notice how bitter cold it was. Harry resumed nibbling and biting and kissing Hermione's exposed skin, teasing the areas her bra still covered, tickling her skin with his coarse beard. She pawed at his erect cock through his pants before she leaned back against the tree and enjoyed a few minutes of painfully erotic foreplay until she couldn't take it anymore.
She took the wand out of her pant's pocket and disrobed Harry in one swish and flick.
"It's no fun when you take all the romance out of it!" Harry dramatically complained.
"Oh do you ever shut up?" She screamed. She took him by the hips and brought his body flush with hers.
"You know how much I hate to punish you." Harry said between kisses. "But you leave me no choice."
Instantly Harry had thrown Hermione to the ground. He ripped off her pants and gave her a merciless spank to her bare buttocks. She let out a high moan of searing pleasure.
Before she had a second to recover, he pummeled her again. This time a silent scream escaped her.
She was trembling as Harry threw her into her back. Harry hadn't been this rough since before she was kidnapped. She was so relieved not to be treated delicately anymore, like a fragile doll. He was throwing her around without a hint of gentleness. She loved his painfully aggressive passion.
He tossed her legs behind his head and leaned down to kiss her before he began to innocently tracing the impossibly smooth skin between her legs. He slowly slid his fingers between her delicate folds, making small circles around her sensitive mound. Hermione's back arched with the aching neglect of her most intense nerve endings.
She bit her lips as his fingertips grew closer and closer until…
Hermione let out a quiet moan as Harry lightly stroked her clit while he caressed her breast and gently pulled at her nipple with his teeth.
He made a quick glance through the branches at the Burrow to make sure no one was watching them or looking for them. Everyone seemed to still be inside.
Their privacy a certainty, he brushed the hair away from Hermione's face. She looked back at him, eyes begging, mouth agape, body shivering with anticipated pleasure.
He grabbed her hair in one tight grip. Then with his other hand, he guided his achingly erect cock gradually, but deep inside her. Hermione couldn't help but tremble with every centimeter he filled inside her.
She finally exhaled when he slowly pulled out of her. Eyes black with lust, Harry gave Hermione a look of warning.
She bit her lip and gripped the ground beneath her. In one deliciously excruciating slide, Harry slammed back inside of her with impossible force. Hermione stole a gasp of air before Harry unleashed a barrage of thrusts upon her quivering body. Her breath shallowed and her heartbeat soared. She could barely remember where she was, she was experiencing such exquisite agony.
Harry had to look away from his lover. The mere sight of her body thrashing, her back arching, her nails digging into the ground in protest was enough to make him come right then.
Harry closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his throbbing cock encased inside her warm sleeve. Impossibly tight but deliciously wet. Again Harry felt the familiar burn inside of him.
Hermione slowly began contracting and relaxing her muscles around him, shooting a burst of pleasure up his spine.
He let out a low groan of satisfaction. Harry couldn't help but steel a glance at Hermione. Her eyes were in pained slits, lips pursed and muscles tensed. She grabbed him around the neck and let his hot breath enter her open mouth as they both braced themselves for the wave of gratification beginning its fast ascent inside them.
Hermione bit Harry's lip and dug her nails deep into his flesh. Twinges of searing bliss began to build inside her sex. At once Harry felt the pleasure begin flooding through his body, beginning in his toes and bursting out of his pulsating cock.
Hermione moaned in delight as Harry's warm essence filled her completely and suddenly she too erupted into breathless spasms of climax. Eyes slammed shut she allowed the agonizing pleasure to consume her whole body in one heart-stopping wave of fire.
Harry collapsed on top of her, exhausted and quite literally drained.
They knew they couldn't revel in their shared ecstasy for very long but they knew whatever happened today, their brief moment as one would make it a whole lot easier.
After several breathless seconds, Harry rolled over to Hermione's side. She nestled in next to him out of affection and the need to stay warm.
Harry held her close in his arms, running his fingers through her hair, tracing the contours of her body with his feather-light fingertips. He leaned down and kissed her sweetly on the forehead. Hermione felt like her whole body was vibrating. She knew it was cliché, but she happened to enjoy this time just as much as the act that preceded it; those vulnerable minutes you lay still naked with your lover, enjoying their company and jointly recovering from the amazing experience you just gave each other.
Bodies entwined and pushed to the limit, they laid there in utter bliss.
Faintly coming from the direction of the Burrow, Harry heard the impossible sound of footsteps coming towards them. He whipped his head around to look at the house. Fred and George seemed to be looking all around the property for something. Harry knew it was them they were looking for.
Moving with deliberate speed, Harry grabbed his clothes and the invisibility cloak. He dressed underneath it as Hermione grabbed her clothes from around their makeshift bed.
An invisible man in front of her whispered, "I'm going to go back to the house, you act like you're reading a book." Harry bent down and pushed back the cloak to give Hermione a rushed kiss. He ran back towards the house with speed that amazed even him as a light snow began to fall.
He didn't know what had come over them to have to make love to each other right then and right there. He hoped Ron didn't bombard him the second he walked in, but he knew his indescribable last hour he just experienced represented the remainder of his good karma for the day.
Making a wide loop around the twins, he was nearly at the house. He knew he had Ginny to still worry about, too. As stressful and dangerous as his and Hermione's life on the road was, it wasn't complicated by all this inane relationship drama. He loved Hermione with all his heart.
He hoped to defeat Voldemort for many reasons, but the one that reigned over all of them was a desire to make a life with Hermione in a peaceful world, one they could raise kids in.
He ducked behind the back of the house outside of eyeshot of any of the windows and threw off his cloak, folding it and stuffing it his shirt. He walked to the front door and took a deep breath, quickly fixing his hair.
True to form, Hermione had brought her carryall to their rendezvous, so finding a novel to pretend to read was no problem. The laughing brothers were almost upon her. She smoothed her hair as best she could.
"There you are! We were afraid you'd joined the Death Eaters you had been out here for so long." George said.
"And you're reading! You know I had a newfound respect for you and Harry when you made the brave decision George and I did to quit school. But you're still reading? I just don't see the point of dropping out of school and continuing to read." Fred remarked.
"I like to learn. It's a lovely art form, you should try it." Hermione quipped as she put the textbook back into her bag.
"I'll get on that right after I lick Snape's arse." George answered.
"You would do that, George. Anyway mother wants you back in the house just in case, may we escort you?" Fred held out his open hand expectantly in mock chivalry.
"Yes, you may." Hermione responded, letting Fred help her up.
They walked back to the Burrow is silence, going quickly so as to avoid the snow which was now falling in rapid succession.
Hermione found it hard to walk normally after her encounter with Harry, but did her best so as not to get any suspicious remarks from the brothers.
She felt a little embarrassed she had been so aggressive in initiating this dangerous interaction. She just had to have him. Hermione was surprised after this many weeks, her passion and desire for Harry was only growing. She loved him more than she thought was possible. He was the most thoughtful man she had ever known.
"Can we ask you a favor, Hermione?" Fred inquired.
"You may ask, yes." She replied diplomatically.
"Will you please let Ron back on your team? He knows he choked in the playoffs, but he really wants to come through in the championship." George said.
This was about the last favor Hermione was expecting or hoping for, "That's something I'll have to leave up to Harry to decide. This is his odyssey."
"I suppose you're right." Fred agreed. "It was worth a shot. It was selfish, really. We didn't want to listen to him pine over you day after day if we didn't have to."
Thankfully they were about to pass through the door and the conversation would end.
When they walked into the delightfully warm home Hermione didn't see Harry. Ginny wasn't there either. She got a pang of jealousy in her heart, but she was glad not to have to see her after what she had just done. Luckily George asked the question she needed to know.
"Where is the Chosen One?"
"Upstairs shaving, thank Merlin." Mrs. Weasley said. "I wasn't going to let him save the world, or at the very least kiss my daughter with that scruffy monstrosity."
Hermione was so glad she had worn a turtleneck. She had no idea the damage his beard might have done. She chuckled at the joke and went upstairs to find a spare bed to nap in before dinner.
As she walked up she heard laughing coming from the bathroom. The door was cracked open and she could see Harry shaving in front of the mirror and Ron next to him laughing and carrying on.
Just for that moment everything was right and nothing had changed. She closed her eyes for a moment, willing it to be true. The fate of the world didn't rest on their shoulders, the fate of those boys' friendship didn't rest on hers. Nothing was complicated. Hermione opened her eyes again. Harry noticed her watching him. He gave her a quick wink that made her blush. Contented, she continued up the stairs in ignorant bliss.