Good Evening

Welcome to Chapter 09 of A New Beginning. Please be advised that this scene contains mild adult themes and mild language.

Read and enjoy.

Chapter 09

As I walk past Ron's bedroom, the slamming of a cupboard draws my attention and I hesitantly push the door open and reluctantly step into his bedroom that has not changed in all the years I have known him. There are Chudley Cannon posters plastered haphazardly on his walls and his bed, I notice, is an untidy mess, but what draws my attention is the duffle-bag next to his bed. As I give the room a sweeping glance, my eyes settle on his back - he is only wearing a pair of jeans and socks - and I notice scratch marks. Sucking in air, I force myself to tear my gaze away from his offending back. Those scratch marks have undoubtedly been caused by a girl's fingernails…

It's been three weeks since the memorial at Hogwarts. It's been three weeks since Harry returned the Elder Wand to the White Tomb and it has been three weeks of Ron disappearing every single night to God knows where only to return as drunk as a lord in the early hours of the morning. He is not quiet about it. He slams his way through The Burrow disturbing the entire household and not really caring that he is doing it. Every morning, I have to endure his dark glances over breakfast while he attempts to recover from his hangover. Mr and Mrs Weasley are concerned about him. George just raises his eyebrows and smirks as if he knows something we don't and as for Ginny, she spends time sending owls to Dean Thomas. They have even gone out a few times. At least she comes home sober, unlike her brother….and it's been three blissful weeks of long nights and happy days for Harry and me, apart from the broody and sometimes dark moments he has mainly because of his quest to find out more about Professor Snape and his Mother…and of course, the decision he has yet to make concerning the teaching post Professor McGonagall offered him.

As for me, I am excited about the possibility of starting at Cambridge University in September. I applied and I am waiting to hear from them. I am very interested to study Law, but whether they will accept me on pure merit considering my secondary education is apart from the norm, I do not know. I can only hope they will. I have always regarded myself as intelligent and others have regard me as an insufferable know-it-all simply because I was proactive in learning as much as I can about the wizarding world. I love reading. I love studying and I am very determined by nature, but that has got me into trouble more than once. Abandoning school rules in pursuit of solving the many mysteries that came my way alongside Harry and Ron.

"What do you want, Hermione?"

My head snaps up at the animosity in Ron's voice and I recoil as if he has physically attacked me. His expression is fiery and his eyes are flashing dangerously with undisguised anger. He straightens to his full height and puffs out his chest as he saunters towards me.

"Um…I…I heard cupboard doors slamming. I just wanted-"

"What?" he barks as he shoves me aside to close his bedroom door and for some inexplicable reason, a sense of fear settles over me while he regards me from head to foot.

"Lost your tongue have you?" he snarls. "Knowledgeable Hermione is speechless for once in her fucking life? Is that it?" he spits as he deliberately stalks me like a lion stalks his prey.

"Um…No. I just wanted to know what was wrong," I hastily explain even though it is a feeble explanation. I don't know what compelled me to investigate what he was doing. As my eyes flicker from his face, to his chest, I suck in air. He has a whopping love-bite in the middle of his chest in almost the exact same position as the scar left by the locket on Harry's chest.

He scowls darkly, "Nothing is wrong, Hermione. I am leaving The Burrow, but I am sure you figured that out already."

I frown, "You want to leave? Why?" I stammer while I keep my eyes firmly locked on his face while he continues his approach. My heart starts hammering as soon as he steps into my space. I panic as I cast about for a means to escape, but he has me well and truly trapped…against the wall, without me realising it. Damn you, Ron, flashes through my mind as well as wiping that self-satisfied smug smile from his face…

"Because," he balls his hands into tight fists and slams them into the wall next to me, "I am fucking sick and tired of answering to my parents. I want out and the sooner I leave the better."

"What, so that you can screw Lavender whenever the need arises?" I blurt without thinking about it, but as soon as the words leave my mouth, I realise that he has been screwing her, hence the scratch marks on his back.

"Yeah," he smirks, "So that I can screw her to rid myself of you and your betrayal."

I glare at him, "My betrayal? My betrayal, Ronald? You were the one who ran like the coward you are….Some friend you've been to Harry, especially when he needed you the most."

"I doubt I was missed, Hermione, considering you were probably screwing him already," he says, voice laced with sarcasm and bitterness.

I straighten to my full height even though my eyes are level with his chest and I glare at him, "Of course you'd assume that. After all you have the emotional range of a teaspoon…That has not changed and I doubt it ever will." I regret the words as soon as they leave my lips. The last thing I wanted was to insult him. By this point, his look is positively murderous and deeply offended. It is enough to make me wilt beneath his glowering eyes. His eyes… I stare deeply into them trying to understand where I've gone so horribly wrong. It is clear he shoulders no blame whatsoever about us. As I study him, I realise he blames me completely, and that is not fair.

"You aren't being fair, Ron," I barely whisper. "I can't help the way I feel about Harry. It's not something I planned. It just happened and the last thing I wanted was to hurt you, but I doubt you'd even accept that with the grace you lack."

He sighs and softens his features, "I love you," he whispers, "And it hurts to see you with Harry. It hurts to see the happiness he brings to you. You absolutely glow and sparkle with life when he is around. I could have given that to you-" he trails off. He sighs sadly, "It doesn't matter, Mione. It really doesn't matter. There is nothing keeping me here anymore and besides, George wants me to start working in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes."

He loves me? Of course he does, but that does not excuse his irresponsible behavior. He is walking a very thin line and he is going to fall and when he does…I don't even want to think about that as it is not going to be pretty.

"Ron, I am sorry, but I don't feel that way about you…I never have," I trail off.

"Then why, Mione? Why did you kiss me back?" he asks softly as he makes a move to brush my fringe back, but I stiffen. Pain briefly flickers in his eyes as he hand drops to his side.

I look away, "I don't know. I guess I wanted to see if there was anything I felt for you, but there was nothing, and that is why I pushed you away. It didn't feel right, Ron. You can't force someone to love you. They either love you or they don't. There are no grey areas."

He sighs as he pushes himself away from me providing me with breathing space and I take in a deep breath hoping it will clear my head of it's unexpected confusion. As my head clears, I realise it is not confusion, it is relief. At least we know where we stand, so I gracefully step away from him and perch on the edge of his untidy bed.

"I guess I couldn't expect anything less from you considering the way I've treated you over the years," he says as he places the duffle-bag on the bed next to me. He grabs a clean tee-shirt from his cupboard and he pulls it over his head. "And yes, I have fucked her," he says more to himself than to me, but I hear it anyway and I choose not to react.

"Have you spoken to Harry at all?" I ask to move the conversation away from us and because I need time to think.

He sighs, "Yeah, but not much. Something's bothering him, Hermione."

"He was offered a teaching post at Hogwarts."

"Yeah, I figured that out myself. Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"Yes."

"And-" he prompts.

"Not keen," I reply.

He smiles wryly at me, "I can't imagine why."

"I am not going back, Ron," I murmur thinking it best to be upfront with him. I can give him that much.

He crouches in front of me, so that we are eye-level, "Why not?"

"I don't want to go back…I can't… You?" I ask in an effort to move the conversation away from me as I am not prepared to discuss my reasons with him. My reasons are meant solely for Harry's ears as he is the only one who understands.

He runs his fingers through his hair and gives a tired sigh, "I don't know what I want at the moment…and I don't give a flying fuck either." He pushes himself to his feet and walks away from me.

"Your Mum will expect you and Ginny to at least complete your education…Imagine that," I muse, "You and Ginny in the same year along with Lavender if she decides to go back."

"I don't give a fuck about what my Mum wants, Hermione. I don't want to go back. At least not yet. You and Harry are not the only people affected," he pauses to pick up his jeans. He folds them neatly and places them into his bag. What a stark contrast, I think as I survey his bedroom. His bedroom is a mess yet he packs his clothes neatly.

Now it is my turn to be annoyed and I jump to my feet, "I never said or implied otherwise…" I sigh, "You know, I cannot talk to you when you are being so damn difficult and hot-headed. It's not very attractive."

"Yeah well, perhaps it is better this way," he smirks. Sighing loudly, I stalk towards the door and open it, "I think you are the sexiest thing alive, especially when you are pissed off. Sex on two legs. How does he like it, Hermione? Do you fuck or make love?"

My temper flares and my blood pressure shoots through the roof making my head spin. How dare he speak so disrespectfully to me? As I whirl around, I am shoved aside. Gasping and muttering my displeasure about the offending person…Oh I know who it is. I catch a whiff of his deodorant. I turn around just has his fist connects with Ron's jaw, sending him sprawling backwards.

"Don't you ever speak to Hermione like that again, Ronald!" Harry roars as he flexes his hand which undoubtedly will swell up later because of the impact. "She deserves better than you can ever give to her." He goes in again, but once again I am shoved aside by George and Percy as they rush in and grab Harry around the waist and shoulders to pull him off Ron. I lean against the wall willing myself to calm down. I briefly wonder when they came up the stairs, but that is pushed to the back of my mind when Harry shrugs free of the bigger boys. He glares at Ron, nursing his jaw and bloody nose before casting about for me and when he finds me, he walks towards me and grabs my hand, pulling me out of the room, down the stairs and out into the early afternoon sun. Wordlessly, we walk along the path and we disapparate. A rushing sound fills my head and I feel as if I am falling…and falling and then I do land on something soft that lets out a muffled oomph. A muffled oomph that quickly wraps their arms around me and rolls, trapping me securely beneath his body.

"Shit, are you okay?" he asks as he tucks a lose tendril of hair behind my ear. I am…dazed to say the least and he is like my knight in shining armor. All bold and daring with his glasses askew and mussed up jet black hair. He winces and that springs me to action, sort of. I reach for his hand and I sigh… As I predicted, it is swollen and bruised. Without thinking too much about what I am doing or where we are, I graze my lips along his hand, being mindful to be gentle as I don't want to hurt him.

"Are you trying to be hero?" I tease as I study his face.

He laughs, "I am a hero, Hermione. I defeated the Dark Lord and was once the-boy-who-lived and the Chosen One."

He is attempting to be arrogant, but he does not have an arrogant bone in his body. He is too good, too kind and compassionate for that. I lift my hand to touch his cheek and sighing softly, he leans into my touch.

"Mmm," I consider what I am going to say next, "Doesn't that make me a hero as well?"

He considers his answer thoughtfully before he replies, and while he thinks about his answer, I look up and for the first time, I notice trees and we are lying in what appears to be a meadow or something like that. There are birds chirping ahead. Bees buzzing around us and there butterflies fluttering about. I release his hand so that I can stretch my arms and I let out a contented sigh feeling the soft grass beneath the back of my hands and I close my eyes to take in the scents and sounds of spring and the new beginning it promises to bring for everyone. My tension slowly fades, instilling a sense of peace and contentment within me. Now this is what I want all the time. To be with Harry in a place like this. Just the two of us. No disapproving glances. Just Harry and me in a world of our own.

He moves on top of me, but I don't open my eyes. I like his weight on top of me. It's comfortable and warm and right now, I don't want to move. He moves again and I watch him from beneath my lashes. He is removing his shirt, exposing his chest to me. His very fair chest, with a fine smattering of jet-black hair around his nipples, along his breastbone, running over his belly-button and disappearing into his jeans. Lazily, I reach for his belt to loosen it. He sits back on his legs, waiting for me to complete my task while he deliberately stretches his arms above his head.

"It's lovely here, don't you think?" he muses and at that moment I become aware of the sounds of running water not far from us.

"Where are we, Harry?" I ask, fully opening my eyes.

He smiles, "This is where my Mum and Professor Snape used to play as children. I believe my Mum's childhood home is not far from here. There is also a willow tree on the banks of a small lake… I believe they still came here when they were at Hogwarts."

"Why is this so important to you? Is it not enough to know that Professor Snape loved your Mum therefore loving you in turn?"

He shakes his head, "No…. Hermione," he sighs as he settles himself on top of me, enabling me to hang my arms loosely around his neck. I love being this close to him.

"There are so many missing gaps and I need to know the truth. Why did she choose my father over and above the man she clearly loved?"

"Harry, Snape was into dark magic. He was one of Voldemort's death eaters and trusted followers. It's perfectly clear as to why she chose your father….Sometimes loving someone is not enough especially when darkness taints what's supposed to be pure…And it is not just that, you might not like what you find if you dig more than you should. Perhaps you should let it slide…Just let this go, Harry. Please? We don't want to re-open old wounds and cause new ones in the process."

He clenches his hand into a fist and slams it into the grass next to me, "I can't let it go, Mione. Otherwise I will-"

I press my fingers to his lips, "Or what? Go it alone? Come on, Harry. Surely you know that I will stick by you no matter where our paths may lead? Oh," I chuckle when pain flickers in his eyes, "That was your bruised wrist you just slammed into the grass."

"Shut up," he growls as he protectively cradles it and then he smirks, "You can make it better, Mione. Kiss it," he commands and I stifle my exasperated sigh. In the bedroom he has all the control. It is the way he wants it, but for once I am going to show him who is really in charge.

I muster as much annoyance as I possibly can into my voice, knowing he will see right through me, "Kiss it yourself."

He scowls at me and then hangs his head and gives me that I feel so sorry for myself look. It reminds me of a puppy when it wants attention. All big-eyed and cute and irresistible. There is no way I can resist him even if I tried really hard. He has got me well and truly under his thumb and he is well and truly under my skin and he smirks…Yes, he knows exactly what's going through my mind and if he was still wearing his shirt, his lips would be well and truly meshed with mine, but as it is, I have nothing to pull him towards me, so I settle on waiting for him to make a move, because he is going to. If not right now, then shortly as he cannot hide the obvious effect I have on him.

"Damn it," he mutters as he grasps my face in his hands and his lips crash towards mine, eliciting a soft and surprised gasp from me at the ferocity of his kiss. He is beyond controlling himself, coupled with his anger about Ron's accusations, he is in a foul mood and I am in for a hard time, no pun intended.

"Wait," I whisper.

"I can't," he growls.

"Yes, you can, Harry. Now wait. You can't always have the pleasure," I mutter.

"And why is that?" he smirks.

"Well," a slow grin spreads across my face, "I have this fantasy."

This catches his attention because he looks at me and regards me with interest, "Yeah?"

"Of sitting astride the Chosen One and riding him into oblivion," I blush as the words leave my lips, but it is too late to retract them.

He growls as he grudgingly rolls off me and onto his back. I smile sweetly at him as I go to work to rid him of his jeans and undies and I am surprised by the longing and excitement pooling in my belly.

"But I never thought it would be here," I continue as I peel off his jeans, exposing the object of my desire, along with his thighs and then his calves. Finally I reach his feet and with a sharp tug, I pull them off. I then proceed with his jocks while he watches me with hooded eyes. By the time his jocks are off, he is fully aroused and my innermost muscles clench deliciously at the thought of impaling myself on him. Oh my God, impaling myself? Oh Hermione, how far you have fallen, I silently muse as I sit back on his thighs, away from temptation. I remove my hair-band and run my fingers through my hair until it cascades around my shoulders. Oh, I am going to miss my long hair when I have it cut short next week.

He reaches up to fondle my hair as he likes to do that, however, I smack his hand away, "I am in charge, Mr Potter and you will do exactly as I say. Is that clear?" I ask in my bossiest tone of voice.

"Oh my God, Mione, you are killing me…You really are," he laughs as he forces his hands to stay alongside him.

"Good," I smirk, "You can't have all the pleasure, you know," I tease as I tug my tee-shirt upwards and over my head. I give my lovely locks another run through with my fingers before reaching around to unhook my pink lace bra. His eyes widen as my breasts are exposed, ready and wanting and desperate for his touch, but I am in charge. I am calling the shots today.

"Don't," I caution and he elicits a long sigh. I know he loves fondling my breasts. In fact, he lavishes so much attention on them sometimes, that he neglects other parts of me.

"I think I have died and gone to heaven," he muses as he winks at me and that sends a delicious tingle along my spine to my already aching centre, but I will persevere. All I need to do is remove my offending jeans and lace undies, but in order to do that, I have to stand up and I do so…with great reluctance. I take my time in removing the rest of my clothes and as I do so, I do not break eye contact with the man watching me with undisguised desire in the deep green of his eyes.

"Hermione, please? I need you," he murmurs as he reaches for me as I lower myself onto him…Unexpectedly, my courage has all but left me. I don't know if this is going to be painful or not. We have never made love any other way before as I prefer him to take the lead. Biting my lip, I focus on his face to distract myself from inner nervousness.

"Don't bite your lip," he groans as he locks his hands around my waist. I hover above him. In fact I feel the tip of him brushing the entrance to my innermost place and it draws a shuddering breath from my lips.

"I can't help it. I'm nervous," I whisper.

He smiles, "Don't be. It's just you and me, Mione. Focus on me, sweetie," he says softly and I roll my eyes.

"You really should cut that out," I tease.

"Well, it is the only way I can get you to comply…sweetie," he adds as he winks at me.

"Oh shut up, Mr Potter," I giggle as I reach between us. His hands are gently clasping my hips. It is up to me to do the rest. Okay, this is good. It means I can take my time, but I don't want to take my time. I've extended this long enough and we are both not going to last if I drag it out any longer.

"It's just you and me, Mione," he breathes as I slowly sink…Oh my God. My eyes close and I moan loudly. This feels wonderful and without hesitating, I slowly sink onto him, savoring every delicious inch of him. I all but cry out when he readjusts his position to ease my slight discomfit.

"Oh God," I whimper as I sit there, readjusting to this very pleasurable and enjoyable position. I never thought it would be like this and the fact we are God knows where, makes it perfect, more so than my fantasy.

"Okay," he murmurs, the strain in his voice is there. He will not be able to control himself that much longer if I just sit here dumbfounded and enjoying this experience, so I slowly rock my hips.

"God," I whisper. This is going to be intense. It feels as if my emotions are stretched to breaking point and I love the absolute fullness he gives to me. I love it and keeping that in my mind, I slowly increase my pace and then he starts matching the rhythm I've set for us. He reaches up and gently tugs me towards him. I don't object as I want physical contact with him and the added bonus is that I can kiss him.

"Mione," he whispers as his stomach muscles contract.

"Wait…Wait for me, Harry," I barely whisper.

"I have to-"

My innermost muscles clench tightly around him, hastening my pleasure and I cry out at the same time he murmurs a garbled version of my name. I close my eyes as intense waves of pleasure radiate throughout me, milking him for all his worth and he tightens his arms around me and quickly rolls without breaking our connection where he continues moving. God, it is so intense. I am going to explode again and so is he. I desperately bring him back to my lips and kiss him. His mouth is hot and demanding as our kiss intensifies and again, I feel the pressure.

"Oh God, Harry," I whimper.

"Let. It. Go. Mione," he whispers. I don't need to be told twice and the pleasure rocks through me, shattering the very foundations of my body and soul. I feel his warmth spreading within me, leaving a buzz in its wake. He collapses onto my chest and I hold him while we ride out the rest of our magnificent pleasure. Tiny waves of pleasure radiate throughout me and around him buried deeply within me. I hope he is not going to move, otherwise I am going to lose all sense of self, but he does.

"Harry," I whisper, but he ignores me as he starts moving. I cannot believe it. He is not finished with me. I can barely move. I just want to go to sleep. My body starts reacting before I realise it and I bite down on his shoulder without meaning to, drawing a rumble from deep within in his chest. I tighten my arms and legs around his waist as his movements become desperate and hard.

"Harder," I blurt.

"Hermione, you are insatiable," he murmurs, but he complies. I throw my head back and try my best not to scream. It comes out as a squeak, which serves to amuse him.

"Shut up," I tease as the pressure begins to build…for the third time in half-an-hour and he seals his mouth over mine and I cling to him for dear life for what is going to be another intensely pleasurable experience for both of us.