Chapter 4: Torturous Desires

Hermione was a jittery mess. For the last three days, she had been performing all kinds of charms on herself to keep her conscious and awake. She had avoided Ron wherever necessary, making Harry look completely confused at the both of them; Ron could only shrug and look frustrated while Hermione would purse her lips and shake her head only once to ensure he did not ask questions.

She was sitting alone in the common room. Everyone else was down at dinner. No one was missing her…except, perhaps… She put down her Transfiguration homework that had only been completed halfway and nibbled on her lower lip. She had not allowed her thoughts to wander to her nightmarish admirer, but tonight she felt very lonely and very competent in dealing with the nightmares she used to have. It was always the same thing; the dark forest, her subconscious self was always running scared from someone, and then, he would appear and strap her down and try to take advantage of her.

Hermione flushed at the thought of sex. She was still a virgin and very much a modest girl. She would never consider even masturbating. Her breathing became shallow and rapid; there was something sexy about being forced into the act, as well as scary.

"How you holding up?"

The voice startled her and made her feel incredibly guilty at the dirty thoughts running through her mind. She turned around and came face to face with her good friend Harry. She smiled at him. "I've been better, but thanks for asking."

He returned her smile and sat down next to her on the couch in front of the fireplace. He sighed. "So what do you want me do to help you?"

Hermione sighed as well, and slid a hand through her hair, stopping it on her cheek so she could lean on it comfortably. "I'm not sure exactly. I am sure that it's not Ron, no matter what I believed a few days ago. He's not quite that apt at magic. But I have no clues as to who it could be…I don't know why anyone would want to take the trouble with me because I'm not that attractive."

Harry laughed. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Mione. You're a really pretty girl." His eyes clouded slightly. "Are you always so scared in your dreams?"

Hermione remembered back a few nights ago when she had let Harry into her thoughts and let him see the chase she always envisioned. She smirked at him. "Well, I haven't slept in three nights…what does that tell you?"

He whistled softly and reached out to her. She gave him her hand and turned herself to face him. He squeezed her hand gently. "I am so sorry."

She smiled sweetly at him. "It's not your fault, Harry." She tried to pull her hand away; she did love Harry, but it was a familial type of love and the way he was holding her hand was too intimate, making her uncomfortable. He didn't let go.

"I don't think you understand; I'm sorry I make you so scared." His voice slowed and deepened to a predatory growl.

Suddenly, she was transported back to the woods. She could hear it in his voice now; little bits of light reflecting off his face showing a familiar friendly face in a ferocious snarl; she could feel it in his touch. She blinked and was back in the common room, Harry still holding her hand. She gasped at him.

"All this time and it was you!" She tried to pull away, but he just held her tightly, pulling her closer, letting his lips caress her skin.

He let a moan escape his lips as he touched her, enjoying the feel of her flesh near his. "I'm sorry, my darling…I tried to fight it. You're not exactly what I had in mind for the love of my life, what with my dealings with Cho and Ginny." He grimaced as he said it, realizing he wasn't at all sounding like a lover but a snotty jerk. "I apologize, but you must understand…together we would be so amazing. So powerful. With your knowledge and my skills…can't you imagine!"

Hermione wriggled and struggled; when did he get so strong? Quickly, Harry was laying her back onto the couch and sliding slowly on top of her. He was raining kisses all over her face, neck, arms, anywhere where skin was exposed. Hermione wanted to fight, to yell at him for scaring her so, to slap him for practically raping her a few dozen times, but she couldn't seem to fight how good it felt to be in his arms or how wonderful his kisses felt on her skin. Each caress made her feel so sexy and exotic, she wanted more and more; eventually she was kissing him back.

He moaned as her tongue entered his mouth, testing the waters. He had wanted this for so long, and yet, he had never tried the direct approach. He pulled away and said as much and instantly regretted it. Hermione pushed him away, slapped him across the face and cursed at him horribly.

"Stay away from me, Harry Potter. I never want to speak to you again. And I'm finding a way to keep you out of my dreams once and for all." Then she thundered upstairs to her dorm.

Harry groaned inwardly. How could he mess things up so badly when he was only minutes away from consummating the thing…making her his forever…he would have to find a way to take control of this situation, this torturous desire, once and for all and make Hermione his bride…

a/n: do you hate me? Like, really? It's going to get dirty next chapter…be prepared… ~nelli~