Experience

"They canceled Advanced Arithmancy," Hermione repeated numbly. She held a crumpled letter in her hand.

Ron, Harry, Parvati, Ginny, and Hermione were all seated in the Great Hall for their study and snack break. The house elves always provided snacks for the students while they studied. At their table, there were two wooden bowls of popcorn, a basket of apples, and a tray of Wizards sweets. There was also a large pitcher of pumpkin juice. All around them, students were opening letters and parcel packages from home. The owls had just delivered the day's mail.

"It'll be okay, Hermione," Ron said. "Its not like they called off Christmas or something."

Hermione sent him a withering look. Ron would never understand her devotion to school. "No, Ron, not one class. All of it. There won't be an Advanced Arithmancy class this year."

"Why?" Parvati asked as she passed an apple to Ron.

"Professor Vector has been ill and she can't teach a full course load. They decided to cancel the advanced section because there were so few students in it."

"You'll need another elective now," Ginny said. "Do you have anything in mind?"

Ginny was seated next to Harry who was uncharacteristically silent this afternoon. He had his nose buried in his History of Magic textbook, apparently fascinated by his reading assignment. It was the first time he'd ever passed up the company of his friends for school work.

"I've taken most of them," Hermione answered honestly.

"Why don't you take Advanced Muggle Studies with me?" Ron asked as finished polishing his apple on the sleeve of his robe. He sunk his teeth into the red apple.

She examined her letter once more. "No, its full. I have a list of the open ones." She groaned then as she suddenly realized something awful. "The only one I haven't taken is Advanced Divination."

"I'm in there," Harry said quietly. It was the first thing he'd said all afternoon. Harry had been brooding about Hermione most of the day. He was also terrified of accidently giving himself away in front of Ginny.

Everyone turned to stare at him, aghast at his "confession".

"What? I still hate that class but I'm required to take it. Professor Dumbledore said I should stretch my intuitive abilities." He shrugged, clearly embarrassed. "Because I have a connection to Voldemort anyway. He thinks I may be able to get a premonition or something." He allowed himself to look at Hermione. Harry made sure his face was neutral and his motivation could, in no way, be perceived as something more than platonic. "We haven't even had class yet. Professor Trelawney just got back from Romania this morning."

"Maybe she should try to get into a class with her crush," Ginny suggested slyly. She really didn't like the idea of the two of them being alone together, even if it was in a classroom. "After all, Harry, she might be your girl *friend* but she has her own life to lead, right, Hermione?"

Hermione couldn't help but smile at Ginny's obvious ploy to separate her from Harry. She'd have a fit if she knew what Harry had already agreed to coach her on. "Actually, Gin, my crush was in my Arithmancy class. I've no idea what elective he'll be

taking."

"Maybe you could ask him," Ginny suggested. "Or you could just tell me his name and I'll do it for you."

"And wouldn't that be a weird conversation?" Hermione mused. "No, I don't think so, Ginny, but thanks for the offer. I'm just not ready."

"Oh, that's too bad, Hermione," Harry said with feigned sympathy. "Guess you'll be in divination with me, huh?" Inside, he was dancing. They'd have a class together, just the two of them. No Ron, Parvati, Ginny, or that blasted Malfoy to muck it up.

She smiled. "I guess so."

Ginny scowled.

"You obviously don't use them," she said gesturing to his pale skin.

"Of course not. . .its so common," Draco said, sounding quite a bit like his pompous father. "You aren't tan either, Granger."

"No, I spent most of my summer studying potions," she said ruefully. "It didn't leave much time for a holiday."

"Well, then, you're due." Malfoy extended a hand. "Why don't you come with me and we'll have a bit of fun?"

She found herself staring at his hand. The fingers were long and tapered, the nails were clean and freshly buffed. "I promised Harry and Ron that I'd watch their match. Its really pretty interesting. Ron just hit a Bludger not too long ago," Hermione said, trying to sound enthusiastic. Her gaze drifted up to his stormy grey eyes which were issuing an unmistakable challenge. By the way he said "fun" , she doubted they would be doing anything as wholesome as reading a book or seeing a movie.

"How interesting could it be? You were practically falling asleep. I'm sure Scarhead and Weasel will do just fine without you."

"Hey!" Hermione bristled at the unflattering terms he'd used her for her friends but, unfortunately, he was right . . .about being bored. . . not her friends' nicknames. She was bored stiff and she'd only been here a half an hour. "I guess I could take a little break." She hesitantly took his hand and he pulled her aboard his broom.

"There you go, then," Draco said, trying not to smile. She'd actually chosen him over friends, albeit in a small way. It was the first of many small victories. Creating discord among Potter's friends was going to very interesting.

Hermione swung her legs over either side of the broom, bracing a hand against Malfoy's muscled thigh. He drew her into his body and she sighed in wonder at how well they seemed to fit together. Hermione's head was tucked under his chin and his body bracketed hers as if it were made for her. "I've never ridden on one of these before," she confessed as she ran an admiring hand down the polished wood.

Draco had a Firebolt 2, it was a sleek black model with enough room and power for two people. "Ah, a virgin," Malfoy purred in her ear. "I'll have to take it slow then. Give you a good ride."

Hermione would have rolled her eyes if it didn't sound so sexy when he said it.

There had to be a Veela somewhere in his vaunted family tree.

"Here then, let me show you how to hold my broomstick." He fit his hands over hers and positioned them on the broomstick. "Good girl. Hold it just like that. Not too tight, just enough pressure to hold on to it." And with that, he kicked off and thrust them both into the air.

Hermione felt a tickling sensation all over her body and then found herself turned around and facing Malfoy who tucked his wand away with a satisfied smirk. She was practically on his lap, her legs overlapped his slightly, their thighs were on top of each other. Hermione started to scramble away from him but remembered where they were. "Do you know how dangerous that was. . .? You could have--"

"Calm yourself, Granger. It was a simple movement charm. I've had that one down since first year." His arms slid around her back and he pulled her completely on his lap. "Isn't this better? Cozy, even."

"Yes," Hermione admitted. Although ''cozy' didn't cover it. She could feel him, hard and strong between her thighs, their mouths were scant inches apart, and she could feel his hot breath on her cheek.

Draco pressed his lips against hers in a soft succession of kisses. Each touch was slight and subtle. Then, his tongue outlined the seam of her lips. Hermione automatically opened her mouth to grant him access and he entered. But he wasn't through tempting her. His tongue urged hers to dance with it, with flickering little movements . Hermione moaned as she gripped his shoulders, trying to get a better hold on him. His own mouth captured the sound and he finally unleashed himself, giving free reign to the need within.

Hermione was everything he was raised to hate. She was an uppity little Mudblood with a loud mouth and soft lips. His father always told him that Mudbloods were foul creatures who were unworthy of the gift of magic. He said that they threatened their society and should be stamped out. Right now, at this precise moment, Draco couldn't care less what his father said. He wanted her -- end of story. The part of him that was still rational, registered what she was. But the sordidness of it all excited him, added spice to the taking. Touching her like this gave him pleasure and he was a young man who had always been ruled by his desires.

Hermione had never experienced anything like Malfoy's expert kiss. She'd been subjected to the crude but enthusiastic fumblings of boys who had no idea what they were doing. Malfoy might not be older than she was but he was definitely not a boy. She also knew it was dangerous. Draco Malfoy was just as likely to chuck her off this broom as he was to kiss her. He should have been off-limits and that made her want him even more.

When they broke apart they were both trembling with need. Draco traced her swollen lips with a finger as she whispered hesitantly, "Malfoy, I want to but are we going to do this here?"

"Not this time," Draco replied, his voice hoarse but filled with cocky self-assurance. "Relax, Granger. I only wanted an appetizer, not the main course."

"Oh," she said, a little relieved. Then, she shook her head, clearing the muzzy feeling he seemed to have on her. "Wait a minute, did you just compare me to a meal?"

He chuckled. "Yes, I did. A gourmet meal that I want to savor." Draco deliberately lifted his hips, letting her feel him. "Half the fun is in the anticipation, don't you think?"

Hermione was silent, it was too much effort to form words when her thoughts were centered on her body and the aching void within it.

"You still with me, Granger?" Malfoy asked, amusement in his voice.

Hermione was astonished by her own behavior but her curiosity was piqued by something he'd hinted at. Something that was causing the most delicious images drift through her mind. "Malfoy, are you insinuating that you've had sex up here before?"

Malfoy lifted a slim perfectly sculpted eyebrow. "Wouldn't you like to know?" He pulled her against his chest once more, tucking her head against his shoulder. "Hold on tight now. It's time to come back to earth."

Harry, on the other hand, was clearly peeved about something. "It wasn't that hard, Hermione. ' ''Malfoy' isn't exactly original."

She scowled at him. "It was all I could come up with for the moment."

"Where did you go this afternoon? I looked up and you were gone."

"Oh!" Her face brightened. "Malfoy came and got me."

"And what did he do with you once he ''got you' ?" Harry was trying to keep his tone light.

Hermione collapsed on the bed beside him in a dreamy fashion. Her head was pillowed on his thigh. "He kissed me, Harry, and it was. . .wow. There aren't words to explain how very 'wow' it was," she sighed. "Wow."

"That good, eh?" Harry asked. Mentally, he was picturing the next Quidditch match against Slytherin. It would be a damn shame if Malfoy had an "accident". She turned to stare at him with glittering eyes. Her lips were pink and swollen and her cheeks were tinged with red. In short, she was breathtaking. And it was all due to Malfoy and his god damned kiss. It couldn't have been *that* great. "What's your basis for comparison, Hermione? Have you kissed many guys?"

"Well, Viktor and Ron, of course. Their kisses were nice but not like--"

"Malfoy's. I get it. And three guys is a small number."

"Oh, really? And just how many girls have you kissed?" She questioned. "You said that you'd, er, been with three. By the way, who exactly did you-"

Harry answered her first question instead. "Six. Twice as many as you," he said proudly. "So I know a good kiss when I experience one."

"And you think I don't?" she asked skeptically.

"No. You only know that Malfoy--" Ugh! He hated even saying that name! "Is better than those two."

"So, you're saying I should go out and kiss more boys. Comparison shop." Hermione nodded. It made sense and was based on sound economic reason.

"No!" Harry cried. He had this awful vision of Hermione setting up some sort of kissing booth. She would snag perfect strangers from the street and kiss them, all the while keeping detailed notes on their kisses with categories like ''tongue" and ''moisture level".

"Oh?" She frowned. "Then, I'm confused. I mean, what does it matter if Malfoy's better or worse than any other theoretical person? I'm still going to have sex with him. He's perfect, Harry. He doesn't like me and I certainly don't like him. "

Harry thought on his feet. "A kiss is everything, Hermione. It's a. . .preview of what's to come. A guy who's not a good kisser won't be good in bed. You need to make sure Malfoy's worth it. Your first time is important." He blew out a breath. "Why don't you kiss me?"

"Harry," Hermione began worriedly, as she scooted away from him and sat up. "We agreed that you and I would not be having, er, physical sessions. You have a girlfriend and I--"

"I know," Harry admitted. Yes, he did know all of the reasons who it would be wrong but he wanted. . no, needed to kiss her. He tried to think of some rational, sane reason to get her to kiss him. He had the odd thought that maybe it would be like one of the Muggle fairy tales. He would kiss her, effectively breaking the spell, and she would forget all about Malfoy. "Well, you see I've kissed six people so it would be like you were not only kissing me but everyone I kissed. You would get the benefit of lots of experience without having to kiss many people."

She narrowed her eyes and he could see that she was mentally trying to do his ''fuzzy math". "I *guess* that sounds right. But I've already kissed Malfoy and *he's* kissed so many girls that--"

"Yes, but he's your experimental group, I'm the control group. See?" He nodded, proud of his use of scientific terms that she was sure to enjoy and understand.

"It's an experiment."

What Harry had said made sense in an odd sort of way and she really wouldn't mine kissing him. . .for the sake of science, of course. But Ginny was troubling to her. "What about your girlfriend?"

"This doesn't count as, er, cheating on her. We're not doing anything wrong, we're testing a theory! Its not like we're kissing just for the sake of kissing here." It was as much of an experiment for himself as her. He wanted to know if there was something worth pursuing.

"Okay, then. Let's do this." Hermione scurried off the bed and Harry stood up too so they were facing each other, eyeing one another warily.

"Er, maybe we should start off with a hug. Nothing threatening about that. We've done that loads of times, right?"

"Right." She nodded and came forward to embrace him. As always, she laid her head against his chest. He was still warm from his shower and slightly damp. She could smell the musky scent of his aftershave.

Harry buried his face in the wild tendrils of her hair. He loved the soft springy texture. "Mmm. . .this is nice."

"Mmm," she murmured in agreement, wrapping her arms around him more tightly. "I can hear your heart beating." She could feel it under her cheek, beating in a staccato rhythm.

Harry pulled back from her slightly and removed his hands from her waist. "Look at me," Harry demanded, sliding a finger under chin and tipping her face up. "Do you know how beautiful you are? How special?"

"Harry," she protested, ducking her head.

His hands slid into her hair, and brought her head up once more. "You are and you don't even know it, but I intend to show you." He briefly rested his forehead against hers, his eyes shutting and when Harry's mouth sought hers. He unerringly found it. Her lips were ineffably sweet and pliable. It was his undoing. Unbidden, desire for her rose within, like some ravening beast. Her mouth was filled with liquid heat and he would eventually be scorched. Not that he cared. After just one taste, Harry was ensnared, he wanted all of her. One small taste would never be enough.

Hermione was in a state of confusion. Until this afternoon, she never knew kisses could be so stimulating. Never knew she could be caught up in the desires of her body. And here she was, kissing her best friend and experiencing those same feelings. While Harry lacked the polished grace of Malfoy's kisses, he made it up for it in sheer hunger. His mouth was forceful, his kisses impassioned and Hermione was nearly mindless with need by the time he was through. She felt as though she were on a speeding train. . .only she didn't want to get off. She wanted to go faster.

Finally, Harry pried his mouth away from hers and released her. They braced their arms against the bed , lest they fall while their breaths came in hot, harsh pants. When she could speak again, she didn't recognize her own voice, it was raspy and breathless. "H-Harry, that was--"

"I know." His voice was gravelly too and his eyes were still hot. "I should probably go."

"I know," she echoed. She really didn't want him to but he definitely *should* go.

Harry stiffly walked from the room, his heart thundering in his chest and mind full of possibilities.

Hermione collapsed onto her bed in a boneless heap.