Never Ever

Harry sits alone in the common room late that night. He is of course studying, not anything in particular but just studying every subject to death and reading ahead.

"Harry?"

Harry looks at the stairs to the girls' dormitories and sees Hermione.

"What are you doing sitting all alone at this hour?"

"This is the only time I can stuffy uninterrupted, but I'll leave," he says in a calm voice.

"Why?"

"So you can have the common room."

"You don't take up the whole common room, Harry."

"I know, but people don't like it when I'm in the same room with them."

Harry gets up to leave but Hermione intercepts and stops him. "Wait, Harry, please stay, I want to talk to you."

Harry sits down and remains physically calm, although he is actually a nervous wreck mentally. Hermione sits down next to him a little closer than Harry would like, which doesn't help Harry's mental state.

"So what did you want to talk about?"

"You."

"Me?" he asks in confusion.

"Yes, you."

No one has ever been interested in Harry before. Usually it's always homework or an upcoming exam. "What about me?"

"Well, Harry," she starts in a caring tone. "You know how everyone pushes you around and makes fun of you and all?"

Harry hesitates as he sees the concern in Hermione's eyes. "Yeah, I guess."

"Why do you let them do it to you? I mean, why don't you stand up for yourself or tell a teacher?"

Harry looks at the ground just to the side of Hermione's head. "Well, what's the point? No one has ever really liked me. So since they're forced to be in the same room as me, the least I can do is to give them the pleasure of pushing me around."

"But you help them with their homework and they push you or trip you or even tackle you while they call you names."

Harry looks back into her eyes. "It's not a big deal, I've gotten used to it."

"You shouldn't have to get used to it and shouldn't be used to it. Harry, no one has the right to do those things to you."

He looks at the floor as dejection sets into his mind and voice. "It's okay, it's part of everyday. I really have grown to accept it."

"You don't deserve that treatment, though."

"I know..." Misery is now coursing through his veins and his words. "...I deserve much worse."

"Why? How could you say that?"

"Because, I'm alive and people have to put up with me. That is a punishment no one should have to endure."

"Harry, if it weren't for you, a lot of us would never have passed our exams or finished our homework. We need you, Harry."

"No..." He lowers his head. "...You don't. You're smart, Hermione, they could go to you. You're popular too; there isn't anyone who doesn't like you. Plus, you're a right smart prettier to look at." Hermione blushes and looks away from Harry in embarrassment. Harry looks at her. "I mean...you're beautiful. You have the most incredible brown, flowing hair and no one can resist your deep, sparkling, brown eyes." Hermione's blush deepens as her smile grows and as she looks at Harry. Harry starts moving his eyes down her body. "Your legs look like that of an angel's..." Harry stops himself, realizing that he is not only checking Hermione out while she is looking at him but is also getting noticeably aroused.

Hermione also observes Harry's physical state. She looks at the back of the couch, blushing even more at Harry's description of her and at the observation she made.

Harry quickly gets up as he finally notices the extent of Hermione's blush. He strategically places his hand to cover up a now prominent feature of his. "I'm sorry, ishouldn'thave...I..." He heads towards the stairs to his dormitory.

"Wait," Hermione says, quickly getting up. "Harry-"

"I'll leave, please accept my apology for insulting you." Harry's body shakes in shame and nervousness. He starts for the stairs again.

"Harry, please wait."

Harry stops.

"You didn't insult me." A wide smile appears on Hermione's face as her blush, already deeper than anyone could even imagine, deepens. "I'm actually quite flattered that you think that of me. Most boys only pay attention to my bum, or more commonly my chest. At least you took the time to look at my face."

Harry stands frozen to his spot.

"Would you come back and sit down?" Hermione sits back down on the couch, leaving the space next to the arm open for Harry.

Harry stands there a minute then slowly turns around. He then walks over and sits down nervously in the spot Hermione wants him to sit in. He tries to hide his aroused state while he yells at himself to calm down. Hermione scoots towards him slightly. This plus the fact that he knows she's looking at him, doesn't help him calm down.

"Have you ever been with a girl, Harry?"

"N-no, why would any g-girl want t-to be with me?"

"You're kind, generous, and respectful, which almost all of the boys here lack those qualities."

"B-but don't you want a g-guy who is b-better looking? Plus...I'm not popular, everyone m-might make fun of you f-for even t-talking to me."

"Harry, I don't care what everyone else thinks, says, or does...and you are very handsome," she says as she puts a hand on his shoulder. She can feel his body shiver at her touch. "Harry, don't be nervous, I'm just a girl."

"You're a-an extremely beautiful g-g-girl, th-though. I-I..." He shoots a glance at her face. "...You c-couldn't have more p-perfect hair, or l-l-lips, or gorgeous eyes l-like you already, h-have."

Hermione blushes once more and turns Harry's head towards her. She looks directly into his eyes, which are fixed on hers. "Harry," she says softly and sweetly. "No one has never...ever said that to me." Her eyes start glistening with the beginnings of tears. "You are the sweetest, most thoughtful boy I have ever met."

Harry is only able to get out a nervous, "Hermione" as Hermione leans in to kiss him.

As their lips are almost touching Harry can only get one thing out of his mouth. "Hermione..." he says weakly.

Hermione kisses his quivering lips. Harry is shocked and inexperienced in this area. He sits there, unable to do anything else. Hermione pulls away gently with a smile on her face.

"H-H-Her-Hermione..."

"Harry, it's okay. Don't be afraid." Hermione says in the most sweet and gentle voice possible.

She puts her hands on his cheeks, which like the rest of his face, head, and body are shaking like mad. She leans in once more and gives him a long, soft kiss.

As Hermione finally pulls away, she sees Harry's hand still pushing down, in an attempt to hide it, on his excited body part. She removes his hand while Harry just shakes in his frozen position, unable to control any part of himself.

"Harry, believe me, it's alright," she says with a smile on her face. "Just relax."

After a minute, Harry is able to regain just barely enough control to speak. "I-I've n-n-never d-done this b-before."

"I know, Harry, I know." She puts her own hand on Harry's now extremely prominent feature. Harry moans in response to her touch. "Harry, just stay calm, there is nothing to be afraid of. I'm here, I'll take care of you."

Harry responds with whimpers. Hermione's soft smile widens and she leans in and softly kisses him. Hermione makes the kiss last for hours and now never ever becomes forever and ever.