Puzzle to a Frozen Heart

Chapter 20

(Harry's birthday)

Harry stirred as memories of last night surged into his mind. He quickly reached for Hermione, only to find that she wasn't there. He sat up and looked around for his charge.

"Hermione?" he called, but received no answer. "Hermione!" he called again, now getting nervous. He grabbed his wand, which was at the bedside table as he put on his boxers. He got out of bed and began searching the room when...

"Jeez Harry, pipe down or you'll wake the entire school," came the sweet voice of none other than Hermione Granger. He looked up to see her standing by the Gryffindor curtains that separated their beds, wearing nothing but a towel.

"Hermione, you scared me. I thought...well I..." he couldn't help but get a little sidetracked as his eyes roamed her body, whatever his argument, it was obviously forgotten.

"I was in the shower, I didn't want to wake you. Anyway, happy birthday!" she exclaimed excitedly, going over to him and wrapping her arms around his neck as they kissed. "Here," she gave him a box wrapped in hunter green paper. Harry's eyes widened slightly. Truth was, he wasn't used to receiving gifts, whether on his birthday or any other festivity.

"Oh, thanks but you really didn't need to get me anything."

"How can you say that Harry? It's your eighteenth birthday! It's a day to celebrate. Of course, that's not all you get," she purred seductively, tracing a finger down his chest.

"Really?" Harry's breathing hitched; he was going to like this gift- thing.

"I have another surprise for you, but this one you'll get in the evening." Her finger kept going down until she reached his abdomen. " I promise it'll be worth the...." her mouth clamped shot instantaneously as her eyes set sight on a serpent forming on his abs, synchronized in a perfect S.

"What's wrong?" Harry took her hand, caressing it.

"What's this Harry?" He looked down and saw the source of her discomfort. The Slytherin S.

"Where did that come from?" Harry asked himself, eyeing the tattoo curiously. Could this mean...? No, he wasn't remotely related to that bastard so he just dismissed the idea.

"You know what? It's probably just Oliver playing a joke on me. He always did say I wasn't a true Gryffindor. I'm sure it'll wash right off." He captured her lips with his once again, making her moan. But she broke it before he could deepen it, finishing it with a light peck.

"Tonight. Now, I'll finish getting dressed and you can open your present."

"But I want my other present," he pouted.

"Oh, sod off Harry. You'll have to wait" She grabbed her robes and entered the bathroom once again as Harry seated on the bed and began to open Hermione's present.

It was a hunter green cloak with the letters HP engraved on it in gold linen.

He smiled. It was really nice. He was just figuring out a way to thank her properly when knock interrupted his train of thoughts. He grabbed his robe and opened the door.

"Happy birthday Harry!" Oliver greeted him, a cake on his hands and Fleur behind him. "This is for the birthday boy," he said, as he handed him the cake. Harry took it as his friends entered. "So, what are the plans for today?"

"Actually, I was...."

"Hogsmade! We're going to the Three Broomsticks to celebrate! The butterbeer's on me. Let's go." Oliver was halfway through the door when he noticed that Harry wasn't following him. "Harry? Come on, mate."

"Aren't we going to wait for Hermione? She's dressing. Speaking of which, I'm not dressed either, " Harry pointed out.

"Oh, she isn't going. She told me yesterday that she wanted nothing to do with you. Anyway, I reckon she'll be safe in the room. She said she was going to study. So, let's go, put some pants on and we'll be on our way." He held the door open for Harry, but he just continued to stand still.

"Just give me a minute. Wait for me outside."

"Okay," Oliver said hesitantly. He stepped out of the room, Fleur behind him.

Harry grabbed some pants and a shirt and began to dress as Hermione came out of the bathroom, dressed in shorts and a red top. She was really a vision, but he had other things to worry about at the moment.

"Is it true that you're not going to celebrate with me?" he asked.

"Don't be ridiculous Harry. Of course I want to celebrate with you."

"Oliver said you...."

"That was yesterday. This is today." She went to his side, kissing him.

"Good, because I'm not letting you out of my sight again." He kissed her back.

As they exited their chamber, Oliver looked at Hermione curiously.

"'Mione? What are you doing?"

"I'm going with you guys," Hermione answered, making it seem like the most natural thing in the world.

"But yesterday, you said..."

"I changed my mind, now drop it."

"Fine."

****

The four friends headed for Hogsmade, where they had a round of butterbeers. Everything was fine, until Oliver began to narrate some of Harry's childhood stories.

"How about the time when you saw Hermione naked?" Harry spat his butterbeer as Hermione looked at Oliver curiously.

"Really? And when was this?" she asked as Harry turned as red as a beet.

"Well, it was back in second year..."

"Oliver!" Harry glared at him, fact which made Hermione even more interested.

"So, it's true then?" she couldn't help but blush.

"Oh, very true. At that time he already had his Dad's invisibility cloak so he wandered around the school. One night, while he was doing his daily 'entertainment rounds', he saw Neville entering the Gryffindor Tower so Harry entered as well, curious to see what was happening in Gryffindor."

"Hermione, it was an accident, I swear," Harry tried to excuse himself, but Oliver scoffed.

"Yeah, accident my arse. He heard you sing 'Kiss the Rain' from beginning to end."

"For your information, I love that song!" Harry snapped in his defense.

"Sure Harry. Anyway, he saw Parvati Patil heading up the dormitories and decides to see the girls' dorms. As you know, the protection charms don't detect invisibility cloaks so he passed without any problems. As soon as he entered the room, he heard someone singing in the bathroom so he went to take a look. Guess what he found? Hermione coming out of the shower and he stayed there until you had put on every last piece of garment," Oliver confirmed.

"I stayed because I was hearing the song!" Harry said again as Oliver and Fleur laughed at Hermione's still blushing face. "Well, now that that's out and Oliver s happy, I'd like to go to Zonko's now," Harry stated, standing up.

"Excuse me! I haven't finished," Oliver said indignantly while taking a gulp of butterbeer.

"See you later then. You think I still want you by my side to embarrass me further? No thank you. Bye Fleur." Harry took his leave as Hermione stood up.

"I'll go with him." She left and scanned the street for Harry. Spotting him, she neared him, whispering in his ear: "Liked what you saw?"

"Hermione! Don't scare me like that. And for your information, that's when I developed a crush on you," he whispered back, his voice low and throaty.

"Really? Tell me more."

****

When they arrived back at Hogwarts, Harry and Hermione decided to go to the lake as Oliver went to play Quidditch, Fleur having no choice but to go with him.

Harry came out of the water, passing a hand through his hair to get it out of his face. He glanced at Hermione, wearing a red and yellow bikini, her tattoo more visible than ever. She was reading, again, much to his surprise, surely. He got out of the lake, resting by her side.

"Planning on going into the water?" he asked as he nibbled on her ear, making her moan softly, before she hit him.

"Harry, stop it. I'm reading." Harry grinned as he got on top of her, kissing her almost bare back. "Harry, we're in a public place!"

"So? There's nobody here."

"Technically...but..." Her statement was muffled as Harry turned her over, claiming her lips. "So, having a good time?" she asked breathlessly as they parted.

"The best. You're mine now," he lowered his head, capturing her lips with his once more.

However Hermione had only one thing on her mind as she caressed his damp chest: his snake tattoo. What did it mean? Was he the long awaited Heir of Slytherin? She had to find out and she knew exactly who could she ask for help.

****

Evening came by quickly for Harry, who had never been happier. He had celebrated with his friends, Hermione was finally his... nothing could ruin his mood. They entered the room, Harry dropping their towels in the process.

"I'm going to get a shower Harry. Be right back," Hermione smiled and locked herself in the bathroom.

Harry took this opportunity to write a letter to his Jedi Master. He wanted some answers, regarding Snape's album. As he finished, he closed the parchment and opened the window. Hedwig came flying in, landing on his arm.

"Now Hedwig, you go to Russia and take this to Master Yoda. Don't leave without an answer." He tied the letter and the album to Hedwig's leg and saw her take off into the night. Just in time, Hermione got out of the shower, wearing a black nightgown. Harry stood there, his eyes moving up and down her body. Boy, was she a sight for sore eyes.

"Harry, you better close you mouth before birds start nestling in there," she said, amused, "So I take it you like your surprise?" Harry nodded vigorously. "Why don't you take a shower while I finish it then?"

"I'll be out in a jiffy."

Hermione shut down the lights and started to light some candles when she heard a knock on her door.

"Just a minute," she stated, grabbing her robe and opening the door. "Brad, what are you doing here?" she asked surprised, noticing that her friend looked nothing short of terrible. His face was pale and he had shadows under his eyes. "I take it you didn't sleep well?"

"Sorry to bother you, 'Mione but, you see, I kind of need your help."

"Sure, whatever you need."

"You think I could talk to you outside?"

"Of course." Hermione stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her. "How can I help you?"

"Well, as you know, today is my eighteenth birthday."

"Oh my God! Brad, I'm so sorry, I completely forgot about it!"

"That's okay, I'm sure you've been working all day. Anyway, that's not what I'm here to tell you. I'm here hoping that you can tell me what the hell is this," Brad lifted his shirt, revealing the Heir of Slytherin mark.

"Oh God. This can't be good," Hermione murmured to herself.. "When did you get this?"

"I first saw it this morning, when I went to take a shower."

****

Meanwhile, Harry was under the hot water, trying wash the tattoo away. He grabbed Hermione's sponge and rubbed it against the tattoo. It didn't work. Next, he grabbed Hermione's antibacterial soap, no results. As he got out of the shower, he grabbed some alcohol and poured it in gauze, rubbing it to the spot. The tattoo was still there.

"You've got to be kidding me!" he snapped while putting his boxers on. He got out of the bathroom to see that Hermione wasn't in the room. He heard voices coming from outside the room and, hearing a little more closely, he realized it was Hermione talking to none other than Brad, whom he had so friendly nicknamed "Brad the Prat".

****

"I'll talk to Professor Dumbledore first thing in the morning. Right now, you've got to rest, you look awful."

"Thanks 'Mione', I owe you one." Brad gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek before disappearing into the dark halls. Hermione opened the door carefully, finding herself face to face with Harry.

"What did Brad the Prat want now?"

"He just wanted to talk to me. And don't call him that!"

" Can't help it, don't like him. Plus it rhymes, don't you think?"

"He's my friend Harry, so knock it off."

"How do you know him anyway?"

"He has been my neighbor since I was nine years old and my first crush."

"That's just grand," Harry said sarcastically.

"Be nice. I'm with you now so don't start, you'll ruin the surprise."

"And when will I get it?"

Suddenly, Hermione clashed her lips to his as their tongues explored one another Harry picked her up and carried her to the bed without breaking lip contact.

"Harry," she moaned at the feel of his lips on her neck.

Rest assured, this was the best birthday present Harry had ever gotten.