"Is this about… getting back at Ginny?" Hermione felt her heart drop. From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows.
Harry laced his fingers through hers. Hermione closed her eyes as a prisoner being dragged to the gallows. She knew she was done for.
"No," he said. "This is about doing what I should have done in the beginning of fourth year, when I realized I was in love with you."
Without another word, he leaned forward to kiss her…
Hermione turned away. She could feel his disappointment, as though they were one, connected by their intertwined hands. She could feel it as her own. She felt him stiffen; she was unable to look him in the eye, denying them both what they have been yearning for, for years. How could she? No matter what she did, she betrayed herself.
She turned to look at him, owing him at least this much. She felt tears form in her eyes and roll down her cheeks as she blinked. She saw Harry's taut jaw soften; she could feel his grip loosen, as though reassured she was still his. Oh, she had always been his! If only he'd come to claim her…
"I… I…"
"What is it, Hermione?"
She could feel her resolve melt as he slipped a finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him as she spoke. It was all that much more difficult, or rather altogether impossible to deny her emotions for him this way. To denyhim.
"Please don't," she begged, eyes fluttering open and close, between reality and ecstasy. The price of her happiness was betraying herself and everyone else. The life she'd built would crumble if she started living as her heart dictated, as she truly was and felt. It had all been built on a lie, on the denial of her most heartfelt truths; her feelings for Harry. But when she closed her eyes and allowed herself to get carried away by his élan, all felt right in the world.
Harry smirked slightly; it devastated what little strength Hermione had against his charms. She closed her eyes as he began to kiss her neck. She felt her knees buckle. She steadied herself before she could fall. Harry had noticed, however; he grinned at her devastatingly before continuing to kiss her.
"Please don't what?" he teased.
"Please don't make me do this," Hermione said, breathless. "If you continue, I won't be able to resist any longer."
She lay herself at his mercy. His grin only broadened, his green eyes flashing. He was going in for the kill.
"That's kind of the goddamn point," he said, making them both laugh, before leaning into kiss her again.
An eternity seemed to pass before his lips finally met hers.
First, Harry slipped a hand around her waist, pulling her close, so impossible close she could feel his heartbeat in her own bones, as he must have felt hers in his. Two hearts beating as one.
Second, he cupped her face one hand, turning it slightly to the right as he turned his to the left. To feel him even closer, she slipped her fingers into his dark hair, another around his waist, as he lowered his other hand to cup her derriere. They were in perfect symbiosis, as though through desire, they'd become one.
When their lips finally met, it was as though they'd set the world on fire. He picked her up without any difficulty, as though she were light as a feather, and set her atop the windowsill, standing between her parted legs which she crossed behind him.
Wordlessly, Harry broke apart for just another moment, breathless, his cheeks flushed, hair in even greater disarray than usual. He cocked an eyebrow, and she nodded yes to his unspoken query. He picked her up again, kissing her all the while, before gently throwing her onto the bed.
Between impassioned kisses, she helped him take off his shirt, revealing a well-toned torso. He gave her no time to savor the moment; instead, he took her shirt off with one swift moment, making her giggle.
This is wrong,she thought.This is so wrong.
But no atom of her otherwise rule-abiding body resisted. Perhaps Harry was right. She was more than what she pretended to be.
She was a Gryffindor, after all.
She ran towards danger, not away from it.
She asked for forgiveness, never permission.
She was going through with this, damn the consequences.
"Wait," she said, pushing him away, a sinking feeling in her stomach.
"What?" Harry asked, eyes wide with concern.
"I… I want this moment to be perfect."
"Isn't it?" he asked, breathless, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Yes, yes," Hermione said. "But… my underwear – it's nothing –"
"I don't care," he said, "I'll be taking it off anyway," he said, grinning, making her laugh.
"Please," Hermione said. "Please, for me. I'll go get some candles. I'll get changed. I – I want this to be perfect."
Harry bit his lower lip. "Fine," he said. "Whatever you want. But just so you know, this is already perfect to me."
Hermione blushed, her heartbeat accelerating. "I'll be back," she said, "I promise, it'll be worth it," she added with a wink.
There was a sinking feeling in her chest as though she were making the wrong choice. But realistically, how could she be making the wrong choice? She'd quickly slip into something more provocative, put on a dash of makeup (she'd since learned!), and he'd probably light some candles and put on some music. No, she told herself, dismissing her bad premonition, labeling it stupid.
As she crossed their shared bathroom, she glanced at herself in the mirror; her hair a tangled mess, her cheeks flushed, her bra peeking through the shirt she'd put back on hastily, her skirt askew and her tights ripped. She grinned at herself.Well, old girl. You got what you wanted.
Nothing could ruin this night. She was certain.
"Hermione!" she heard Harry call.
She practically skipped into the next room, giddy, making him chase just a little.
Oh, God. Tonight would be the best night of her life, she knew.
Then he saw who was sitting on the bed.
"I cannot wait," Harry said, catching up with her, grabbing her breast as he hugged her from behind.
"Harry…" she mumbled, pointing at the man on her bed.
How the hell had he gotten through the Portrait Hole?
"McLaggen?" Harry asked, grimacing with disgust. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Cormac rose to his feet. "What the hell are you doing withmygirlfriend, Potter?"
The best night of Hermione's life quickly turned into one of the worst.
