DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER, AND I AM NOT MAKING ANY MONEY.

WARNING: STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT.

Chapter 8

'What Horcrux should we go after first then?' Hermione asked. They were sitting on the sofa, the log burner giving off a comfortable heat. Hermione leaned into Harry, as his arm snaked around her middle and he took her hand, rubbing her palm with his thumb.

Harry went over them in his mind.

'The Diadem is at Hogwarts, the Cup is at Gringotts and Nagini is with him,' he thought.

'I think we should go for the Cup first,' Harry said slowly. 'It's the closest to us, because it's at Gringotts, and to get the Diadem we're going to have to go to Hogwarts. Nagini will be the hardest to get to because it's always with You-Know-Who.'

Hermione nodded her head against Harry. 'Yes, I think you're right. To be honest, we're kind of being forced to find them in this order.'

Harry hugged her tighter. 'The problem is, how do we get into the vault?' He watched as Hermione frowned, and squeezed his hand.

'Harry, you know when I was captured?' Hermione said tentatively.

'Yeah...' Harry said, not knowing were Hermione was going with this.

'Well, when we got back I made sure I kept some of Bellatrix's hairs that had gotten stuck on my coat.' Harry raised his eyebrows.

'You did what?'

Hermione was worried that Harry wouldn't understand why she did it, so she quickly explained herself. 'I just thought that it would be useful to have them, you know, in case we needed to impersonate a Death Eater, and I stole some of Mad-Eye's polyjuice potion before we left the Burrow.' She finished and looked down at her hand in Harry's.

'You- Are- So- Clever- My- Love,' Harry said, kissing Hermione after each word. She looked at Harry, her face wearing an expression of shock. 'What?' he asked. 'That's an amazing idea, Mione.'

'You- You think it is?' Hermione said, still surprised at Harry's assault on her lips.

'Yeah, one of us can transform into her, then we can just walk into Gringotts and take the Cup from her vault.'

Hermione sat up from Harry's body. 'But how are we going to make the goblins open her vault for us?'

Harry was already formulating a plan and he jumped up, beginning to pace.

'We apparate to the Leakey Cauldron, one of us is under the invisibility cloak, then we go to Gringotts and use the imperius curse on the goblins to make them let us in,' he said excitedly.

'I don't think it'll be that easy Harry,' said Hermione. Harry stopped pacing.

'Why not?'

'Because, we've got to get into Gringotts first, and then there's the fact that I don't have the same wand. We'll need a goblin to take us on the cart down to the vault, then they'll have to open the vault for us and take us back up to ground level,' Hermione said, exasperated.

'Mione, a few imperius curses and we'll be set. Though, I'll probably have to practice using them...' Harry trailed off, thinking of a way to practice.

'Harry, you are not cursing innocent people. If- If you need to practice, you can do it on me,' Hermione said, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at Harry.

'I wasn't thinking of practising on innocent people. I was thinking of using animals,' said Harry, flopping back down on the sofa next to Hermione.

'You can't use animals, that's cruel,' she said, still glaring at him.

'Fine, I'll practice on you,' Harry grumbled, stretching out on the sofa and laying his head on Hermione's lap.

Hermione finally stopped her glaring and raised Harry's head slightly, placing a delicate kiss on his lips. She was greeted by her favourite lop sided grin as she opened her eyes.

'Just don't make me do anything stupid, or dangerous. I don't want to end up like you in fourth year when you smashed your legs on the desk,' she said, her hand stroking Harry's hair.

'Don't worry, Mione, I wouldn't do anything of the sort,' said Harry. 'I'll just have you do a handstand, or something.'

'Okay, but we need to prepare to go to Gringotts. The quicker we do this, the longer we might have to find the rest of the Horcruxes,' Hermione said. She stood up, forcing Harry to move his head from her lap. Pulling her wand out of her pocket, Hermione moved all of the furniture against the walls. Then she stood in the middle of the room, and looked expectantly at Harry.

Harry stared at her for a moment before getting the idea. 'Oh, right.' He too pulled out his wand and then stood facing Hermione.

'You ready?' asked Harry. He waited for Hermione's nod, and raised his wand. 'Imperio.'

A curious tingling warmth spread down Harry's arm. It seemed to flow directly from his mind and through his wand. Harry saw Hermione's eyes glaze over, and he knew that he had control of her. He willed her to do a handstand.

'Do a handstand,' he thought.

Harry watched as Hermione seemed to struggle. She bent over, but then quaked as she fought the curse. Hermione wobbled as Harry tried to make her do his will. Then she threw herself forward, landing on her chest. Harry lifted the curse at once and he helped Hermione as she gingerly rose from the floor.

'Mione, are you okay?' asked Harry. She clung to him and they fell back onto the sofa.

'It was easier to fight than in fourth year,' she said. Harry held her close to his body.

'Maybe that's because I'm not as powerful as … him,' he said.

Hermione snuggled into his chest and said, 'I think you're more powerful than him. I mean, you've been able to do wandless magic at will. You fixed my bruised jaw.'

A dark look came over Harry's face as he remembered Ron. 'I wouldn't have had to fix you if he hadn't hit you,' said Harry, determinedly not mentioning Ron's name. He was happy that Hermione followed his lead when she spoke again.

'Harry, are you ever going to talk to him again? Because he's been our friend for so long and I don't want him out of our lives forever.' Hermione spoke, Harry noted, with a certain softness to her voice.

He grimaced. 'I don't-' he paused. 'I don't know, Hermione. I would like to, but after he hit you … If he hadn't hit you, but still left, I would definitely talk to him. The only way I'm talking to him again is if he shows that he feels truly sorry for hurting you, and even then he's going to have to work hard, Mione.'

Hermione nodded, accepting that this was the best she was going to get out of Harry on the subject of Ron. Once she was settled comfortably on the sofa, cuddling with Harry, Hermione was finding it very hard to bring herself to tell him they really needed to leave now.

'Harry, this is really nice, but we need to get ready to leave.' She untangled herself from Harry and stood up. 'I'll get the polyjuice and go and transform. You transfigure something into Death Eater robes, and I'll meet you in the bedroom.'

Harry watched as Hermione rushed off up the staircase. He gave a heavy sigh, not really wanting to see his girlfriend as Bellatrix Lestrange, but he pulled himself together and gathered some cushions. Harry decided to try and use wandless magic on them. 'Wingardium Leviosa,' he thought, holding his hand out over them. To his great delight the cushion began to hover in the air and Harry made his way upstairs to the bedroom, the cushions floating along behind him.

Entering the bedroom, Harry let the cushions fall onto the bed. Once again trying to advance his wandless magic capabilities, he began to transfigure the cushions into a good representation of what Bellatrix wore. The black garments lay limply on the bed, and Harry went out to the balcony.

He couldn't describe why he liked standing on it so much, maybe it was the feeling of the gentle forest breeze tickling his face that reminded him of Hermione's breath on his neck. Harry waited until he heard the bathroom door open. He turned and was met by Bellatrix Lestrange.

'Hi,' said Hermione, uncomfortably, twisting her hands. Harry thought it was very odd seeing Bellatrix acting like a shy schoolgirl at a dance. To make matters worse for Harry though, Hermione seemed to only be wearing her underwear, although she was covered by a thick white robe. Harry knew that this was Hermione, but the fact that he was looking at Bellatrix in Hermione's sexy underwear made him cringe. He didn't think that he'd ever be able to look at that particular set of bra and knickers the same way again.

'Do you think you could put those clothes on, it's just that I don't want to ruin the memories I have of your underwear by seeing Bellatrix wearing it.'

Hermione immediately turned her back on Harry. He hoped that she understood why he was acting like this. Had it actually been Hermione that had come out of the bathroom, wearing just her underwear and a robe, he would've told her she looked beautiful and that she was probably wearing too much. But this was a clone of Bellatrix that had appeared wearing Hermione's underwear, so she had to get dressed, she just had to.

Harry turned away from Hermione and stared off into the dense forest once again. After a few minutes he heard Hermione say, 'Harry, we should go. The sword is in my bag, you'll have to take it for obvious reasons, your invisibility cloak is in there as well.' Harry didn't like hearing Bellatrix's voice using Hermione's words. He picked up Hermione's beaded bag and slung it over his shoulder. He opened it and reached inside, pulling the sword to the top, just to make sure that he'd be able to reach it easily if he needed to. Harry pulled his cloak out and held it in his hand. He took Hermione's hand, and made a face. Bellatrix's hands were rough, and nothing like the soft, dainty hands that Hermione possessed.

'One thing, Hermione,' he said just before they apparated out of their bedroom to Diagon Alley. 'Please don't call me darling.'

Harry and Hermione landed in Diagon Alley. All around them people bustled in and out of the shops. There were several witches and wizards entering Olivander's with their children, some were staring at the Firebolt in the window of Quality Qudditch Supplies.

Harry whispered to Hermione, 'Let's go.'

Hermione gave him a small nod and they advanced between the shops towards the large and imposing doors of Gringotts. To Harry, they seemed much larger than they once were, he wondered if that was only because he was about to try and steal something from within.

They were getting closer to the doors and Harry saw to security goblins holding Probity Probes. He acted quickly and sent a confundus charm at both of them. They gave a small start and Hermione faltered.

'I've put a confundus charm on them. Just walk in and say they already used the probes,' Harry whispered quickly to Hermione. She did as Harry said and she walked straight past them.

'Hang on, we need to check you,' said one of the goblins.

'But- But, you've already checked me,' said Hermione.

'Y-Yeah, you already checked her,' said the other goblin.

They agreed that they had already checked Hermione over, and she and Harry were able to proceed into the bank. For some reason, only a few goblins were present to serve customers, so Hermione walked over to one that was as far away from the other goblins as possible.

'I would like to visit my vault,' said Hermione, Bellatrix's voice making her words sound harsher than they were.

'Of course Madam Lestrange,' said the Goblin, 'I'll need to see your wand though.'

Hermione was taken aback. She and Harry hadn't discussed what would happen in this event. She glanced to her side, where Harry was hiding under the invisibility cloak and then back to the goblin. Harry didn't dare say anything, as the goblin was waiting and a silence had fallen in the back.

'Y-Yes, my wand. Of course,' said Hermione, handing over her own wand. The goblin took it from her and examined it. Then he handed it back to Hermione. Harry wasn't sure if he believed their luck. There didn't appear to be many goblins in the bank, and they had just got away with not having Bellatrix's wand.

'We needed to see your wand Madam Lestrange, because we've had reports that there was a possible theft at your place of residence. We need to make sure that you're not an imposter, and we'll lower the defences,' said the goblin.

'Yes, my wand seems to have disappeared,' said Hermione, going along with the story. The goblin then called out for another goblin to take Hermione down to her vault.

'Bogrod!'

Bogrod appeared and he motioned for Hermione to follow him. She did and so did Harry. They entered the catacombs beneath Gringotts and Bogrod said, 'If you'll step into the cart Madam Lestrange.'

Hermione stepped in and Harry quickly followed. Bogrod then whisked them away deep into the depths of Gringotts. Harry grabbed the cloak to make sure that it didn't fly off as they flitted past hundreds of golden vault doors.

When the arrived very near to the bottom of Gringotts, Bogrod stopped the cart. He pulled something out of a compartment and said, 'Follow me.'

Hermione got out of the cart and followed Bogrod. Harry walked beside Hermione and he said quietly, 'We might not need to use the imperius curse.' Hermione gave him another small nod. As they neared a corner Bogrod began to use the object that he had removed from the cart.

He was making a very loud noise that echoed off the caverns around them. They heard a roar, and then a massive weight shifting. They walked around the corner, and they saw it.

The fabled dragon that resided within Gringotts. Harry's mouth fell open, and he heard Hermione gasp. But they couldn't stare for long, because they had reached the Lestrange's vault. Bogrod opened the gold door and Harry and Hermione were met with a mass of gold. They stepped inside and the door sealed behind them.

'Well, I suppose we should look for something with the Hufflepuff badger on it,' said Hermione. Harry pulled off the cloak and stuffed it into Hermione's bag. Their eyes scanned the mountains of gold.

Initially they had no luck, but then Harry's seeker trained eyes found it. It was perched atop a shelf. The Cup was smaller than either of them had imagined. Hermione walked over to it and reached out to pick it up. Slowly she wrapped her hand around one of the handles and picked it up.

Harry had been expecting something to happen, and when nothing did after Hermione had walked back over to him, he breathed a sigh of relief.

'I'll put it in my pocket,' said Hermione, and she pocketed the Cup. Harry pulled the sword out of the bag along with his invisibility cloak.

'Just in case we need to finish it quickly,' he said to Hermione, who nodded. She then turned to the sealed door.

'Er, I'd like to be let out now,' she called.

The door clanked and opened again. Bogrod was still present and he said, 'Did you get what you came for?'

'Yes, thank you,' said Hermione, walking away with Bogrod back to the cart. Harry followed silently and stepped into the cart before Hermione, just to make sure he didn't get left behind.

The ride back to the ground floor was much quicker than going down. They stepped out of the cart and Hermione thanked Bogrod.

When they had to walk through the foyer, Harry kept thinking that they would be stopped. But they weren't and they emerged into Diagon Alley. They hurried away, and Harry pulled Hermione into an alley. He pulled the invisibility cloak off his head and hung it on his shoulder.

She grasped Harry's hand, and disapparated

Harry and Hermione's bedroom was being lit only by the setting sun as they apparated back into it. Harry was holding the sword, his invisibility cloak hanging off his shoulder. Hermione pulled Hufflepuff's Cup out of her bag and quickly threw it on the bed. Then she put the sword down next to it, the metal clinked against the Cup.

Hermione had transformed back into herself, and Harry completely forgot about the Horcrux laying on their bed. She had pulled off the Death Eater robes and was now standing in only her underwear. The very same underwear that Harry had earlier thought he'd never be able to look at again. The memories of Bellatrix Lestrange in Hermione's underwear were purged from his mind as he saw the real Hermione practically nude.

He surged forward and turned Hermione around. She gasped at the sudden movement, but she was silenced when Harry claimed her lips. She let her head fall back, and Harry trailed kisses down her neck to the top of her breasts. He gently cupped her warm body, and pushed her breasts up so they were pushed out of the top of her bra slightly. He kissed and nipped at them, and Hermione began to moan. She cradled Harry's head, and he reached up her back to unhook the bra that was blocking his progress to her nipples.

Hermione finally found her voice and moaned, 'Harry- Darling- We need- To destroy- Horcrux.' Hermione's moans were stopping her from speaking properly. She desperately wanted Harry to continue, but she knew they had to stop.

She pushed herself away from Harry. 'Harry, we need to get rid of the Cup.' Harry nodded, and Hermione saw that he looked sad. 'We can carry on later, if you want to...'

'I'd like to,' replied Harry. Hermione nodded and pulled her robe off the hook on the back of the door. She put it on, marvelling at it's warmth.

'Okay, where should we destroy it?' asked Hermione. Harry picked up the sword, the Cup falling to the hilt.

'The kitchen, it's mostly made of stone. We'll just have to hope that nothing comes out of this one.'

Hermione followed Harry down to the kitchen. He placed the sword on the granite worktop, letting the Cup slide off. Then he presented Hermione with the sword. She looked surprised.

'Me?'

'Yes, you. You're the only one that hasn't had the pleasure,' said Harry.

'I- I don't know, Harry. I'm not strong enough,' stammered Hermione.

Harry put his hands on her shoulders. 'Mione, you are the strongest person I know. You can do this. I know you can do this.'

Hermione gave him a nervous nod, and took her position. She held the sword in both hands. She brought it up near her head, then swung down sharply. The Cup split into two pieces. There was a distant wail, and then, nothing.

Hermione tentatively let the sword drop onto the granite, and Harry rushed over to her. He enveloped her in a strong embrace, resting his head on her shoulder. He whispered into her ear, 'See? You did it. Everything's okay.'

Hermione didn't reply, instead she spun around in his arms and returned the hug.

'I love you,' said Hermione, her voice as quiet as Harry's.

They stood there, embracing for the longest time, Harry finally saying, 'Do you want to go to bed now? We've had a long day.'

Hermione didn't move in his arms. She spoke into his neck, her breath tickling the ends of his hair, 'If you want to. Do you want to continue what you started earlier?' Harry pulled away from Hermione to observe the mischievous smile that graced her lips.

'Yes, if that's okay?'

'Of course it is,' said Hermione.

'How far do you want to go?' asked Harry, trying to judge Hermione's answer from the look on her face.

'We'll see how far we go,' she replied. Then she unwrapped her arms from around Harry, and took his hand. Hermione lead him up the stairs and when they got into the bedroom she let go of Harry. She turned and walked seductively backwards, biting her lip, until the backs of her knees hit the bed and she fell gracefully onto it.

Harry didn't need Hermione to ask him to come over. As soon as she hit the sheets he began to move. He was on top of her in an instant. Their lips locked as Harry's hands found their way under Hermione's robe. They ran up and down her soft, smooth legs, and gently cupped her bum when they got to the top. Harry's mouth left Hermione's lips. He kissed and sucked on her neck whilst she pulled her arms free of the robe. She let her hands run through Harry's hair. Hermione quickly pulled off Harry's top, and as he removed her bra and began sucking on her small peaks, she left light scratches on his back.

Harry's tongue teased Hermione's nipples, and her moaning intensified.

'I- Want- You- Lower- Baby,' she gasped between moans and pants of passion. Harry grudgingly left her nipples, and began to trail kisses down her taught stomach. He did, however leave his hands on her breasts, squeezing and kneading Hermione's soft mounds. Harry kissed his girlfriend's flesh and started to gently bite at her when he passed her navel. Hermione moaned louder as Harry got closer to her most sensitive area.

When Harry was nearly backing off the bed, he suddenly became aware of his state of arousal. He'd been so focused on pleasing Hermione that he'd forgotten that his manhood was suffocating inside his jeans and boxers.

'Mione, do you mind if I take the rest of my clothes off?' inquired Harry, as he was now kissing just above the top of her knickers.

'Let me,' was Hermione's response. She sat up on the bed, and waited for Harry to stand up in front of her. She eyed the bulge in his jeans, and looked up at him with hooded eyes. Hermione saw that Harry was looking rather worried. 'Don't worry, darling, I've seen you before, remember?' Harry didn't really relax, so she lowered his zip.

Hermione had been in half a mind to tease Harry, by pulling his zip down with her teeth. But she thought better of it considering how nervous he seemed to be. Once Hermione had undone his jeans, Harry let out a relieved sigh as the pressure was eased. She pulled his jeans down to his ankles, and Harry stepped out of them, taking his socks off as well. Then he went back to nervously watching Hermione, as she hooked her fingers around the waistband of his boxers.

Hermione gave Harry one last look, before she wrenched his boxers down. His organ bounced and wobbled a bit as it was released from its second prison. Hermione leaned forward and placed a kiss on the tip of his member. Harry gasped, and Hermione took this to mean that she should carry on. She kissed his tip again, and then took his head into her mouth. The sensation that shot through his body was so much better than anything he'd ever felt before.

Harry could feel Hermione's tongue swirling around his tip as she became more confident with each of Harry's moans of pleasure. She raised her hand, starting to stroke Harry's length, slowly at first, but she speeded up as Harry moaned again. Hermione began to bob backwards and forwards in sequence with her stroking. As she managed to take him into her mouth deeper and deeper, Hermione dropped her hand to caress his balls.

He could feel himself about to reach his peak, and Harry thought it would best if he told Hermione what was about to happen.

'Mione, I'm gonna cum.'

Harry wasn't sure if she had heard him, at least until she took him deeper than she had done before. He couldn't stop it, and he exploded. Harry shot his seed into Hermione's mouth. She did her best to keep him in her mouth, but eventually she had to let him slip out.

Harry sat next to her on the bed and put his arm around her. He could feel a light sheen of sweat on her back, and pulled her close to him. He saw her swallow his load. Harry couldn't help but laugh at the face Hermione pulled.

'Harry, I liked doing that to you, and I'm glad you enjoyed it, but you don't taste very nice,' said Hermione, leaning on Harry.

'Do you know if there's anything I can do to change it?' asked Harry.

'There probably is. I'll take a look in a few books and see what I can find.' Harry beamed at her. That was classic Hermione. The answer would be in a book, but he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he pushed Hermione back down onto the bed.

'Harry, what're you doing?' said Hermione in surprise.

'You made me feel good. So, now it's my turn to make you feel good.'

Harry grabbed Hermione's knickers and pulled them down her legs. He threw them over his shoulder and she helpfully spread her legs for him. Harry was desperate to make her feel good too. He wanted her to feel the pleasure of having her boyfriend make her orgasm.

Harry looked at Hermione's vagina. He exhaled and Hermione twitched, the sensation raising her arousal. Harry hadn't ever done this before, so he said, 'Mione, I haven't done this before. Just … tell me what feels good, okay?'

'Hurry up, Harry, I'm practically dripping,' moaned Hermione.

Harry smiled at Hermione's demand. He lowered his head and stuck his tongue out. He licked all the way from the bottom of Hermione's vagina to the top. She shook at his action and cried out.

'I need to think of a better name to call Hermione's vagina. Hmm, pussy? No, too vulgar. Flower? Hmm, yes. Yes flower is good. She has "petals" and her clit is like a nub. Right, that's fine then,' he thought.

Harry licked Hermione's flower from bottom to top, and then sucked on her sensitive nub. She cried out, and buried her fingers in his hair. She tasted good, and Harry never wanted to stop pleasuring his girlfriend. He needed to hear her cry out in ecstasy.

'Mione, can I use my finger?'

'Yes! Just- Don't stop!' shouted Hermione.

Harry sucked on his finger, then he slowly pushed it into Hermione's wet folds. He found that she was remarkably hot when he had pushed most of his finger inside of her. She was crying out, and Harry wondered if she could be reaching her orgasm.

He suckled on her most sensitive nub, and slowly moved his finger in and out. Hermione's legs suddenly clamped around Harry's head, forcing him to stay in the position he was in; licking and suckling her. He felt the walls of her flower contract around his finger. Harry stopped moving it as Hermione cried out the loudest she had ever done.

'Harry!'

He rode out her orgasm, and when she was finished he kept going with his ministrations.

'Harry, darling, stop. I want to see you,' said Hermione quietly. Harry was enjoying pleasuring Hermione so much, that he didn't want to stop. But he conceded, thinking that if he did as Hermione asked, she would be likely to let him do this again.

He unlatched his mouth from her beautiful flower and crawled up the bed. Laying next to her, Hermione used her wand to vanish the covers and then make them reappear over them. Harry didn't mind the warmth of the covers, even after he had just sweated buckets pleasuring Hermione. Hermione was facing away from him, laying on her side. Harry moved over to her and turned to lay on his side too.

Both of them were happy to fall asleep together, content that another Horcrux was gone.

A/N: So, you'll probably be able to guess that the Gringotts scene was a little rushed, as i wasn't originally planning to add it in. Also, there is no Thieves Downfall simply because I can't think of a way around it, and I don't want to go down the dragon route. Any suggestions to make the Gringotts bit better are welcome.

This story will probably end up being more of a chronicle, because I want to go through Harry and Hermione's lives with each other, not just stick to a particular point in their lives. That means they'll be several 'stories' within this story, kind of like 24, where Jack Bauer finds the terrorist but a new problem comes along right after, that kind of thing.

Poll is open on my profile: Should Harry be able to cast, and use effectively, the killing curse?