Oooh lookkeee! A Chapter! It's almost like I might actually be coming out of my funk. Quiet though, don't say it too loud, or that wicked witch of my muse will sod off again .
As always, not mine, never was.
Days passed since Malfoy's return, and he had so far steered clear of Hermione. Harry had kept a close eye on the blond Slytherin, and he'd not allowed Hermione to go anywhere unless he, or one of their housemates was with her. Most of the Slytherins had kept their distance too, all except Pansy Parkinson, who had taken up the annoying mantle of appearing wherever Hermione might be alone.
The first time it had happened, and Harry had seen it, his temper had flared. He'd been ready to hex the Slytherin witch to oblivion until Hermione had laughed and high-fived her. Whatever it was that was going on, she didn't seem under threat, so Harry left it alone. Pansy had even taken to escorting Hermione around when Harry struggled to make sure his wife was looked after.
"It's really quite sweet how much you fuss over her," Pansy said to him on the Friday in Potions.
Harry blinked at her and cocked his head. "To be honest, I worry I'm smothering her. But after what Malfoy did, I can't help but panic when she's out of my sight."
Pansy sighed dreamily. "Damn, Potter, you're gonna make my cold, dead heart start beating."
He snorted loudly and clapped a hand over his mouth when Snape glared and deducted points from him. "Bollocks," he murmured.
"What Draco did…" Harry stiffened. "It was wrong, not everyone seems to see that, but I do. To be honest, almost all of the girls are horrified. We…we have one Muggleborn in Slytherin, she comes of age next year. Slytherin are meant to protect their own, but the boys…the things they say, it's horrible."
Harry stared at Hermione's back as she worked with Neville, trying to make sure he didn't blow their cauldron up. He watched her tie her hair back, the first sign of distress that the potion she was making with Neville was going wrong.
"I won't hesitate to destroy Malfoy if he goes near her again," Harry murmured, ice in his voice, already filing away the knowledge that maybe Pansy didn't follow the ways of her Housemates.
Pansy stared at him a moment before nodding. "I wouldn't blame you, Potter. You protect what you love."
Harry nodded and then whipped around to face her, finding a smirk on her lips. "Fucking played."
She laughed quietly. "Don't worry, Potter. I won't tell your little secret."
He glared at the witch but found his lips twitching into a smile. Perhaps, not all Slytherins were terrible after all. It was a startling discovery, but since she'd so far been helping protect Hermione, he couldn't bring himself to even be pissed off about her tricking him.
-oo0oo-
Through unspoken agreement, that night was the first time they were to attempt to consummate their marriage. Harry had noticed she was carrying more tension that usual, and ran her a hot bath, asked for dinner in their rooms so she could relax. Hours later, fed and warm, the pair were in bed reading.
Harry sat with his novel open in his lap, a cup of tea in hand, wearing some pyjama bottoms, but shirtless since it was warm in their rooms, a fire roaring in the grate. Hermione lay at his side, until she slowly shuffled closer, her head nuzzling his arm, nudging him gently out of the way.
He'd shifted the book until it was in his hands, and Hermione's head instantly moved until her hair completely covered his lap. Harry took deep, measured breaths, fighting the desire that pooled in his belly and threaten to make his cock harden. The last thing he wanted was to frighten her, but sweet Merlin he couldn't help it. Her shampoo teased his nose, her skin rosy in the firelight and smooth, freshly cleaned.
Taking hold of his book one handed, Harry shifted his left hand down to stroke her bare upper arm. She gave a quiet sigh and continued reading, book tilted to accommodate her new angle. He carried on stroking her skin until Hermione had laid down her book and was staring up at him.
A slight frown crossed his face, disappearing when he saw the uncertainty in her brown eyes. Harry laid his own book on the bedside table and moved his hand down until it rested lightly on her waist. Using his pinkie finger, Harry moved it back and forth until the material of her strappy night shirt slid up and the digit touched bare skin.
Hermione wriggled out and rose to her knees, shuffling close and pressing her lips to Harry's cheek. He accepted the kiss, then moved his head a fraction at the same time Hermione did, and their lips met. The kiss was chaste, gentle, warm, and familiar.
Blood pulsed through his veins, gathering in his groin, and Harry inhaled sharply when her tongue nudged his lips. Harry groaned and slid his hand up to cup her cheek, tilting his head slightly so he could deepen the kiss. His tongue met hers, then retreated so she could take charge.
She tentatively explored his mouth, Harry's pulse skyrocketing when she moaned ever so softly, he almost hadn't heard it. He reared up and gently lowered Hermione back down onto the bed, his arms bracketing her head, his weight solely on his forearms, his lower body seated between her legs.
Harry shifted slightly to make sure his erection didn't press into her, afraid of frightening her. He let it rest in the juncture where her thigh met her groin, nipping her lips slightly and murmuring soft, soothing words between their kisses, telling her she was safe, she was beautiful, he would protect her, he was hers.
Small hands held onto his ribs, running up and down the skin there. He moved his head and pressed kisses to her neck and throat, sucking on the skin between her neck and shoulder, his breathing becoming more laboured as his arousal intensified, hearing the way her own breathing changed, her pulse dancing under his tongue.
He caught a sensitive spot and Hermione moaned, involuntarily raising her hips to push against him. Harry growled in her ear and pressed his erection into her without thinking, his teeth scraping against the flesh of her throat.
Hermione's small whimper of fear brought him back to himself and he rolled off her instantly. She dashed for the bathroom, sobbing, leaving Harry to feel like a complete bastard for losing his control with her. "Fuck," he mumbled.
Hanging his head, Harry rolled off the bed and grabbed his dressing gown and some blankets. He made a bed on the sofa, put some pillows down and made Hermione a cup of tea. He placed it on her dresser and knocked on the bathroom door.
"'Mione, please come out," he called softly.
Water splashed for a moment, then the door opened, revealing a red-eyed Hermione. "I'm sorry," she whispered brokenly.
Harry took her face in his hands gently, keeping the touch light. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm the arse who failed you, I should have been keeping you in mind at all times and making sure you were comfortable with what I was doing."
Hermione shuffled into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. "It all felt wonderful, I just panicked."
He smiled and buried his nose in her hair, smelling her shampoo. "I thought so too. We'll try another time, love. I want you to drink your tea, then get some rest. I'll sleep on the sofa tonight."
"Oh, Harry, no, this is your bed too!"
"No, love. You need to feel safe more than I need a bed. Please. I don't want you afraid of me."
Hermione shook her head rapidly. "Harry, I'm not scared of you!"
He pressed a kiss to her lips. "No, not of me, but you're afraid of what we need to do. And I can't live with myself if we end up having to forge on through this, regardless of how you feel. I can't do that to you."
She slid her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Harry. I don't know what I did to deserve you, but I'm so grateful you asked me to marry you."
Harry held her tightly, burying his nose in the juncture of her shoulder and inhaled, kissing the skin softly. "So am I, 'Mione. Get some sleep, we'll talk again tomorrow."
Kissing her forehead, Harry sent her off to bed. True to his word, he slept on the sofa, only rising when morning came, and with it, a tap on the shoulder from Dobby, waking him for breakfast.
-oo0oo-
Harry was unsure how to go about relaxing Hermione enough that she wouldn't freeze up, but he was struggling for ideas. He was desperate not to have to force Hermione through it, and he knew the only way he'd be able to even orgasm while doing that would be with a potion, which would mean going to Snape and he wasn't quite ready to have to talk to the man yet.
After some careful thought, Harry recalled the dream he'd first had about Hermione, and planned a picnic down at the lake. It was Friday and neither of them had many lessons for the day, and both were up to date on their homework. Harry had written to the headmaster via school memo and explained neither would be attending their classes due to their impending consummation had yet to be met.
So, Harry asked Dobby to put together a picnic for the two of them, and Harry gently woke Hermione. He pressed kisses to her head until her eyelashes fluttered, and she met his gaze with sleepy eyes. She smiled lazily and pulled him down beside her, snuggling into his side.
"Morning," she murmured.
Harry kissed her head. "Good morning, love. Did you manage to get some sleep?"
She nodded and fiddled with the hem of his shirt. "Did you?"
"Of course. Come on, up you get, I'm taking you on a date."
"What? But Harry, it's Friday, we have Charms and Potions- double Potions at that!"
"A date. Come on, get up! I've already cleared our absence. Now hurry!" Harry urged, tickling her stomach and blowing a raspberry on it. He laughed as she ran screeching for the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later she was ready. Harry slid his hand into hers and led them down to the main entrance and out to the grounds. They walked down to the Black Lake where Dobby had set up a beautiful picnic, taking care to include all her favourite snacks and drinks.
A huge patterned blanket lay on the grass just at the water's edge, the giant squid flicked a tentacle lazily at them. Harry waved at it, it blew bubbles on the surface then disappeared below the water. Hermione laughed and sat down on the blanket, patting the space beside her.
Harry stretched out, laid on his front and placed his head on his hands, elbows pressing into the blanket. "I can't believe how warm it is to say it's November," Harry marvelled.
She smiled and tugged her jumper down. "Well, it's a little nippy, but certainly not cold. I wonder if we might even be getting a white Christmas back home this year."
Harry's smiled disappeared slightly. Christmas was something he'd completely forgotten about. Shaking his head, he resolved to deal with that later. The most important thing right now was Hermione.
He pulled drinks from the basket Dobby had left under a preservation charm and handed her one, sipping the cold juice. The sun broke through the clouds and shone down, highlighting Hermione's hair. Harry glanced up and stopped breathing.
Hermione had her face tipped into the sun, eyes closed, and a little smile playing on her lips. Her hair shone like a wild halo about her head, her freckles standing out across her nose, and Harry could honestly say he had never seen her more beautiful than in that moment.
Swallowing past the lump in his throat, Harry smiled when her eyes opened and met his. "What?" She asked.
"Nothing…I just…Merlin, Hermione, you're so beautiful it takes my bloody breath away," he whispered.
Hermione smiled and blushed. "Thank you, Harry."
"Seriously," he said.
She chuckled and leant down to kiss his nose. "Again, thank you."
He grinned and shoved her gently, digging his fingers into her ribs and tickling quickly. She squeaked and tried to wriggle away before she dropped her drink. Harry left her alone then, not wanting her to ruin her clothes with sticky juice.
Couples walked hand in hand around them, but Harry paid them no mind. The only person he had eyes for was Hermione. They snacked on sandwiches, pasties, the little bell peppers Hermione loved so much, pickled onions and various other little delights.
Harry produced a tub of ice cream and two spoons. Hermione grabbed for one, but Harry moved it out of her way, smirking at her. "If the lady would like a spoon, she will need to give the gentleman payment."
Hermione giggled and sat back. "What payment does the kind gentleman require?"
"Oh, nothing of consequence, just a kiss from a beautiful lady."
He half expected her to sober up and tell him to stop mucking around, but Hermione leaned in and pressed her lips to Harry's, one hand sliding up to cup his cheek, then up further to tangle in his hair, and finally making a lunge for the spoon and sitting back with a triumphant crow.
Harry shook his head and laughed. "That was very sly," he teased.
She shrugged. "A lady uses whatever is in her arsenal, dear husband."
He blinked and a slow smile curved his lip. "Well, my lovely wife, what else does my lady hold in her arsenal."
She tapped him on the nose with her spoon. "A rather nasty Bat-Bogey hex if you don't give me that ice cream."
Harry fell over laughing and held the tub out for her. She smirked and flipped the top off, digging her spoon in and scooping out a large mouthful, unashamedly cramming the whole thing in her mouth and grinning triumphantly at him.
The rest of the late morning and into the afternoon was spent mucking around in such a manner. As rain began to fall, they traipsed back to the castle and decided to go hide out in the Room of Requirement. The room presented them with a huge sofa and a stack of board games, a nice mixture of both Muggle and wizarding ones. They played Scrabble, Wizard's Chess, Battleships, and Exploding Snap. When their stomachs rumbled, the room presented them with a table of food.
As the tension grew, Harry found it harder to stop the little touches, brushing fingers, tucking hair behind Hermione's ears, stroking her arm. None of which she seemed to mind, and in fact seemed to encourage. Harry led her to the bed in the room, one very similar to the one they had slept in after Hermione had been assaulted. Either she knew it was a different one, or she didn't care, but Hermione climbed up and pulled her jumper off.
Crawling up her body, Harry peppered her face with kisses, his hands clasping hers and lightly pushing them down onto the bed, then releasing her a second later. Her eyes held no discomfort or fear, and her hands quickly returned to touching his sides. Her small hands rucked up his shirt and soft fingertips trailed along his skin, making him shiver.
Harry groaned and buried his face in her neck, keeping himself still while she trailed his skin. Unable to stand it any longer, Harry pushed up her shirt and spread the fingers of one hand across her stomach before pushing the shirt up higher. He bared the skin of her stomach to his eyes, then his lips as he kissed each inch he revealed.
He listened to Hermione's panting, for any tell-tale sign she was uncomfortable. The shirt cleared her bra covered breasts, and she raised herself up to pull it off. Instead of laying back down though, she cupped Harry's head and gently tugged him up to kiss him.
It was sweet but filled with unspoken meaning. Not wanting to make the same mistake as last night, Harry laid down, rolled over, and pulled Hermione atop him, her knees on either side of his hips, her groin pressed very close to his own.
"Oh, gods, 'Mione," he groaned.
She leaned down and kissed him again, her hands tangling in his hair, her breasts squashed deliciously against his chest. "Harry," she breathed into his mouth.
The kiss grew more heated, Harry's hands massaged the globes of her perfect arse, fighting the urge to grip harder and grind against her. She moaned, her hands gripping his hair tighter and shifting his head to better suit the kiss.
Harry slid his hands to her hips, fingers stroking the smooth, creamy skin. He moved higher, hovered over her ribcage, and worked his thumbs under her bra, just brushing the underside of her breasts.
Hermione whimpered, the kiss slowing down a little, but no less passionate. She raised herself up, grabbed his hands and placed them on her breasts, his palms cupping them through her bra. His breathing hitched, eyes widening, and he very carefully shifted his hips, so his clothed erection pressed a little harder into her.
The witch chewed her lip, eyes screwed tightly shut as she fought back her fear. Her body started to tremble, so Harry removed his hands from her breasts and went back to just resting on her hips. "Talk to me, Hermione. What can I do to the help?"
A tear slid from under her closed lids and his heart clenched painfully. He summoned her shirt and passed it to her so she could cover herself up. She shook her head and put it back down. "I'm just scared," she whispered.
Harry sat up and shuffled back to rest against the wooden headboard, keeping her on his lap. "Scared of what? That it'll hurt?" She shook her head and a sob escaped. "'Mione, love, talk to me. I can't help you if you can't tell me what's wrong. Does it keep reminding you of Malfoy?"
Hermione opened her tear-filled eyes and nodded once. "He's all I can think about," she admitted in a whisper.
"Would a Calming Draught help?"
"No, I don't want to be drugged."
He sighed. "It's not drugging, just a few drops in a cup of tea might make you feel less afraid."
"No, Harry, I don't want to do this while I'm numbed or something stupid. I can get over this."
Harry cupped her cheek, swallowing against the giant lump in his throat. "You don't need to 'get over' it. Is there something I can do to help you calm down, no potions?"
"Maybe we should just carry on- we don't have a lot of time."
His face hardened and he took her chin in his hand and tilted her head to look at him properly. "Do not, for one minute, think I am going to force myself on you because of this fucking law. I will not see my best friend crying as I rape her!"
Hermione looked away. "It wouldn't be rape- you own me."
Harry made a pained noise. "'Mione, no, I don't. If anything, you own me," he murmured, forging on when she frowned at him. "Let's call it quits for today and see if Professor Snape can help somehow."
She nodded and shifted off him, laying down beside him and throwing an arm over his waist. "Please don't let me be given to someone else."
He kissed her head. "Never. We'll find a way, Hermione."