Puzzle to a Frozen Heart

Chapter 15

(Head versus Heart)

Harry woke up to the sun shining on his face.

"What the...?" he started to question himself due to the fact that his bed wasn't anywhere near a window. That was, of course, before realizing that he was not on his bed and that a very naked Hermione was sleeping peacefully beside him. Wait a minute! Hermione? "Oh, my God," he murmured as last night's memories started flowing through his brain. He had slept with her! He had slept with his charge, he had let his guard down and, what's worse, he had let his heart get in the way!

He got up, doing his best to not wake Hermione up and succeeding. He showered, got dressed, and got the hell out of the room. However, on his way to the Great Hall, he found himself face to face with Oliver.

"Harry! I was just coming to look for you. Dumbledore gave me Hermione's schedule so you can keep up with her. He also told me to revise our strategies, you know, so we don't leave out charges alone. I figure you'll use your cloak but...." he stopped when he noticed Harry's face; it held no expression whatsoever. "Hey, you okay mate?"

"Uh? Oh, yeah, I just had a weird night."

"Well then, you might want to catch some sleep before the students arrive."

"Students?" Harry asked, bewildered as his thoughts were still on Hermione and last night.

"Yeah, they arrive tonight so be prepared. It's likely that Voldemort will send someone to finish what he started, we got to be on full alert." Oliver gave him a pat on the back and left him to his thoughts.

He automatically headed to his room. As he opened the door, he saw Hermione getting out of the bathroom in her Head Girl robes.

"Harry," was the only thing that escaped her mouth as her eyes were fixed on his own.

Just seeing her again made his heart go to his throat. Thoughts of Voldemort fled out of his mind as he saw her smile. God, he hadn't seen her smile like that since... hell, he didn't even remember. Suddenly a grin invaded his face as he got closer to her, claiming her lips in a passionate kiss that she reciprocated almost instantaneously.

"Good morning," he greeted her as they parted. He caressed her face as they stood still, just looking at each other. Finally, Hermione blushed and broke the glance.

"What?" she asked.

"Nothing. You're just very beautiful," he answered simply.

"Really?"

"Do you want me to prove it to you?" Harry asked flirtatiously.

"Depends on what you have in mind."

Harry leaned in once more and crashed his lips down upon hers. Hands began to roam everywhere as Harry descended onto his bed with Hermione on top of him. He kissed her neck as he began to open her robes. They rolled over so he was on top as Hermione got rid of Harry's shirt.

Unfortunately, the tender moment was too good to last and, sure enough, they were interrupted by a knock, causing Hermione to get up in a flash, sending Harry to the floor in the process

"Ouch!" Harry complained as Hermione got out of the bed and proceeded to put on her robe.

"Sorry," she mumbled as she headed for the door. Harry got up and put on his shirt just as the door opened, revealing a not so happy Professor Snape.

"Miss Granger, I wonder, what in the world are you doing here when you should be in the staff meeting that started five minutes ago!" he growled, shifting his eyes at Harry, who looked as if he'd just run a marathon. "Mr. Potter, a pleasure as always," he added sarcastically. Harry merely nodded at him. He had seen enough of the greasy-haired professor at Dumstrangs as he was also a Jedi Wizard. "So, Miss Granger, if you don't mind, I would like to get going."

"Sure Professor. Let me just collect my things and I'll meet you outside," Hermione said, heading to her part of the room.

"Oh, the joy," Professor Snape replied before disappearing behind the door. Hermione emerged out of her room a couple of seconds later, carrying her book bag.

"Why do you need that? Classes haven't started yet," Harry said, looking at her strangely.

"This is where I keep all my Head Girl stuff, besides, if I get bored at least I have books to entertain myself. I'll see you later."

"Wait! Let me go with you."

"Harry, you don't have to. You're just Head Boy in papers; every teacher knows this, so you can skip the meeting," Hermione said, looking at him in a puzzled expression. This had been cleared the moment he had arrived and he had been somewhat relieved if she remembered correctly.

"Yeah but my orders were to not let you out of my sight and I don't intend to."

"Suit yourself," Hermione shrugged just as she exited the room, Harry tagging along.

****

"Wood, 'zere you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Fleur exclaimed as she found Oliver in the Gryfindor locker room, polishing his Nimbus Two Thousand.

"What can I do for you?" Oliver asked, getting up and putting his broom on his locker to distract himself from his charge's lovely curves, visible through a mini skirt and an extremely tight blouse.

"You're my Jedi Wizard! You are not supposed to let me leave your sight but instead, I 'ave to look for you everywhere. You know, I don't see 'Arry ever letting 'E rmione get out of 'is sight. What ees your problem?" It was evident that Fleur was getting mad so Oliver chose to handle the situation with caution. After all, nobody wanted to mess with an angry half-Veela.

"Miss Delacour, for now, Hogwarts is safe because the only ones here are the teachers, Harry, Hermione, and us. So I don't really have to be with you all day until the students arrive. You can do anything you want for the next few hours; just make sure you are ready at seven o'clock for the welcoming feast."

"What if I want to spend my time wiz you?" she purred seductively.

"Sorry, so many Quidditch to do, so little time." Oliver tried to get out, but all he accomplished was getting cornered into a wall by Fleur. Bad mistake.

"I get 'ze feeling 'zat you're avoiding me. Now, you wouldn't be doing 'zat, would you Quidditch boy?"

"Avoiding you? Why would you think that?" Oliver asked nervously.

"Maybe because you want more 'zan 'ze kiss I gave you?"

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but no. I am a Jedi Wizard and I like the rules. Not falling in love means exactly that."

"See, 'zat would be a teznicality. You're not in love, you just want me and don't know 'ow to get me," Fleur whispered, getting so close to him that he could feel her breath on his face. At hearing this, Oliver tensed up and tried to move, but Fleur just wouldn't let him.

"Okay, well, it's been great but I really need to get going. So, if you would just..."

"It's not time to go yet Wood," Fleur deliberately attacked Oliver's lips while he stood frozen in place. As she opened her lips to grant access to Oliver's tongue, he reacted by putting his arms around her, returning the kiss slowly, but eagerly.

****

"Now, as for the Head Girl and the Head Boy..." Professor Mcgonagall began as Harry let out another yawn. This meeting had already taken three hours of his time and was now threatening to take a fourth one. Hermione, however, was very interested in what the good professor had to say. He had already tried to catch her glance several times but all he had got from her was a thin smile before her head returned to professor McGonagall's speech. "... we have accepted a new student from Dumstrang. He has already been sorted into Slytherin as he will be cursing his seventh year. I expect..."

"Wait, a student from Dumstrang?" Harry asked before he could stop himself, earning an angry glance from Professor Mcgonagall.

"Yes, that's right. Maybe you know him; his name is Brad Forte. Now, as I was saying, I expect from you the very best and I know that you'll make him feel welcome and right at home. Any questions? Miss Granger, is everything clear?"

"Crystal Professor," Hermione answered as she proceeded to put away her things.

"I have a question. Why did you admit a seventh year? I'm quite sure that Hogwarts chose its students on a very early age, so they can come at eleven," Harry stated, earning another angry glance from the Professor.

"Yes, that is quite right but the Headmaster decided to make an exception. Now, if there aren't more questions... that aren't from Potter," she added as she saw him raise his hand again, "I declare this meeting adjourned. You may return to your rooms and prepare for the welcoming feast." At hearing this, everyone got up from their seats except for Harry, who was clearly waiting for Professor McGonagall.

"Harry? Come on, let's go. The feast starts in two hours, we have to be there extra early as we are Head Boy and Girl," Hermione stated, picking up her book bag. Harry got up at her request, but seeing that Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape were the only ones left at the room, he decided to stay a while longer.

"You go ahead. I'll catch on with you later." Harry kissed Hermione's cheek and made his way towards the professors.

"Fine, I'll see you then." Hermione started the way to her room.

Once there, she stopped to look for her magical key, which was in the book bag. Since she was the Heir of Gryffindor, the professors had decided against the use of passwords and gave Harry and her a magical key, which only they could manipulate. Suddenly, she heard Fleur's voice coming from outside. She stared at one of the hallway's windows and saw... Oliver and Fleur? Were they holding hands? She made a mental note to ask them later as she didn't want to be late for the feast. However, when she opened the door, she saw a figure that made her regret opening the door in the first place.

"Honey Bunny!"

****

As Harry approached the teachers, Professor Snape beckoned him before he could even open his mouth.

"Potter, come with me." Snape took him to his office and only when they closed the door did he talk. "Mr. Potter, you can't go around questioning Hogwarts's motives to admit students, it isn't any of your business."

"But sir, we're talking about Forte. Surely you'll understand my point here," Harry expressed, taking a seat in front of the professor's desk.

"So? You're a Jedi Wizard too and you're here."

"But I have a reason to be here, I'm protecting Hermione."

"And what makes you think he doesn't have a reason to be here? Huh?"

"Oh, come on. He certainly hasn't graduated yet because he's a year younger than me and he's an expert on the dark arts. Not to mention I don't trust him one bit."

"I don't trust you and you're still here."

"Yeah, but you know me since I was eleven."

"You're missing the point here, Potter. This is not your problem, hell, I'm not even sure it is a problem so mind your own business from now on. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for the feast." Snape started to get up but Harry had made up his mind.

"Well, I'm not leaving until I get some answers."

"Pity, you're not going to get them. Now get out or I will personally see that you get out."

"Fine, but you haven't heard the last of me." With this warning, Harry got out of Snape's office and proceeded to his room. He got out his key and opened the door. That was something he too regretted dreadfully. Thrown on the bed was Hermione, but she wasn't alone. She was very busy kissing...

"Weasel?!"