Much Ado About Hermione

Chapter 11: Friends Again

Harry leaned down and whispered into her ear, "I really love doing this to you." He then traced his mouth down the side of her face and onto her neck.

Hermione stayed pressed against the wall, fingers splayed in the middle of his back. She tilted her head to one side, giving him better access to the nape of her neck. A smile spread on her face as she felt his lips move against her skin.

They had been in the dimly lit classroom for the past hour, their nightly excursion where they could indulge in the wonders of each other's body. The abandoned room allowed for more privacy than the heavily populated Astronomy Tower; allowing them freedom to make noise and not be hindered by the presence of others.

"It tickles," she said at the feel of his tongue flickering on her bare skin.

With his mouth still on her, he asked, "What?"

"What ever you're doing really tickles."

"You mean this?" He flicked his tongue out and ran it along her already moist skin. Hearing her squeals, he moved his mouth along the hollow of her collarbone, where he felt her heart pulsating; he let his tongue dance on her once more.

She threw her head back and cried delightfully. Realizing how loud she was, she placed her hand over her mouth. "Oh, I should be more quiet. I don't want anyone to catch us."

Harry pulled his mouth away. "It's okay if we're a little loud. No one comes up here anyway."

"But Filch is probably out on patrol at the moment, looking for rule breakers wandering about."

Harry shook his head. "No, he's too busy giving Neville detention."

He held her face between the palms of his hands, looking down at her. The light from the full moon cascaded through the small window, allowing him to fully examine her appearance. The color in her cheeks was crimson, made so from the night's activities.

"I hate it when you restrain yourself," he said. "I love hearing you make those sounds; they're so wonderful. Remember our first time? You didn't hold back at being vocal. That's why I loved it so much."

She placed her hands over her face. "Oh my God. I can only image the kinds of things I was saying. I must have sounded like a real idiot."

She coyly looked up at him through the space between her fingers. "Tell me what I did and said, and don't leave out any details." She suddenly reconsidered her decision and closed her fingers around her face once more. "No, I don't want to know what I sounded like. Or what I looked like."

Harry pulled her hands away. "I really enjoyed listening and watching you. It was so amazing. I couldn't believe that anyone could contort their face in so many different shapes before."

She hit him on the shoulder. "Don't tease me like that." She looked up at him for a moment before directing her gaze elsewhere, anywhere but his face. "Did I look funny? Did I make a goof-ball face during the whole thing?"

He cupped her chin and forced her to look at him. As he opened his mouth to talk, she quickly pressed her hand against his lips. "Don't tell me," she said. "I just know that I'm going to be embarrassed by what you say. I'm afraid you're going to say I looked stupid."

She removed her hand from his mouth and stared at his eyes, trying to get some signs of reassurance from him. He remained quiet, his face giving nothing away. "Okay, your silence is now beginning to scare me."

A smile spread on his lips. "You looked absolutely beautiful," he finally said, trying to squash her fears.

She creased her eyebrows into a worried frown. "Are you just saying that? You know I can tell when you're lying."

He bent his head and brought his lips to her forehead.

She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, as all doubts began to subside. "I think I'm ready to hear all about it now. What did I do? Did I scream or anything?"

He ran his fingers in her hair, smoothing it back against her head. "Your mouth was opened."

She turned her head to the side. "I knew I shouldn't have asked."

"Your lips were parted," he continued, "and you were omitting the most wonderful sounds I've ever heard. You weren't saying actual words, but moaning in a deep, raspy voice. Your eyes were halfway opened, but I don't think you were staring at me. You looked like you were elsewhere, like you were in a dream or a trance."

His finger began to trail along her collarbone. "Your head was thrown back, your body arching towards me. And your skin..." His mouth touched her neck once more. "Your skin was dewy with moisture; it was glistening."

She wrapped her hands around his waist as he talked. Staring up at him, she watched his mouth as it moved; mesmerized by every word he had to say.

"And I could feel you when you climaxed," he uttered. "You were pulsating around me."

"Did you like watching me?"

"Yes. Watching you is what made me lose myself. That's when I finished."

She stood up on the tips of her toes and kissed him. Her lips moved across his face, making their way to his ear. "Do you think about me when you're in bed?"

He looked away for a moment, then glanced back at her inquisitive eyes. He laughed as he felt his face become warm. "You really want to know about it?"

"That's why I asked."

"Yeah. Whenever I'm in my bed and I'm feeling a bit randy, I just close my eyes and imagine what you looked like when you came. That always seems to get me pretty hard."

"How often do you do it?"

"Not as much as I used to. Before we got together, it was every night for me. Sometimes during the day as well. But now, it's an occasional thing."

He ran his finger down the side of her face. "I guess I feel content just being around you and spending time with you." He paused. "Do you ever do it?"

She looked down at his shirt before answering. "Sometimes."

"How do you do it? What technique do you use?"

She scrunched up her face. "You want me to give you details?"

"Yes. This is something that I've thought about for the longest time. First off, do you use any toys of some sort?"

She laughed nervously. "If you're referring to vibrators or dildos, the answer is no."

Harry strolled to the corner of the room, picked up an old chair and bought it in front of her. He sat back in the chair, waiting for her to enlighten him on the masturbatory acts of females.

She cleared her throat and began to talk. "I like to do it after my nightly shower, when I feel really relaxed. Also, most of the other students are downstairs, allowing me lots of privacy." She shook her head. "I can't believe I'm telling you this."

"Don't be shy," he said.

"I start off by lying on my bed and--"

"Are you clothed or not?"

"Not. I'm usually not under the covers, either. I prefer having freedom to move around and I like the feel of the cold draft against my skin."

"What do you think about? Do you fantasize about me?"

"Yes. I think about you kissing me all over, your hands touching me. Or sometimes it can just be the sound of your voice that arouses me."

As she began to talk, she realized that it took no effect at all. Soon the words poured easily from her mouth, as she described what she did with her hands and fingers that gave her the most pleasure.

Harry closed his eyes as she spoke, imagining her taunt body on that bed, her hands moving along her skin, creating friction and heat. He found himself absolutely enraptured by the images that she created in his head.

He then pictured his own hands running down along the swells of womanly shape. Soon, he began to have thoughts of hiding his fingers into that delicate flesh, seeing how far inside he could reach.

He slowly opened his eyes, which were dark with thoughts and images. He watched her face as she continued talking of peaking and how her orgasms usually came in unending waves, two or three times in a row.

He sat in silence, staring at her as he felt himself stirring underneath his clothing. A queer expression flashed in his eyes as he came up with an idea. "All this talk has gotten me thinking," he said. "Maybe we can get a room somewhere for the night. I don't know about you, but I can't handle another night on this classroom floor."

"You can't just waltz into an establishment in Hogsmeade and get a room."

"That's what disguises are for. We can sneak out late tomorrow night and get back here the following morning. What do you say?"

He waited for a response, but her mind seemed to be elsewhere.

"Do you hear something?" she asked.

"No."

"Wait. There it goes again. Did you hear it?"

Harry held his breath, trying to hear what was on the other side of the door. "Yeah. I hear it. Sounds like laughing. It's probably Peeves."

"Do you think he's coming this way?" Her words were barely audible.

"I don't know."

They both listened as the poltergeist's distinct cackling grew louder.

She flashed him a concerned look. "If he comes in here, you'll be in trouble. I have a right to be out this late, I'm on my way to the Prefect's meeting."

"I'll just put on my cloak."

"But he might get curious as to what I'm doing in an empty classroom alone."

"I can't hear him anymore. I think he went another way."

She opened the door and poked her head out into the hall. "I don't see anyone. The coast is clear."

As they both walked out of the room, she began to run her hands over her robes, straightening out the folds that his fingers had created during their exploration. She smoothed her hair neatly behind her ear. "Do I look okay?" she asked, turning around in front of him.

"You're fine." Just then, he glanced at her neck; red marks had begun to form in the spot where he had taken his time sucking and biting at her skin. "You have some marks on your neck though."

"I'll take care of those later." She pulled her collar over her neck. "Can you still see them?"

"No. Come on let's get going before people start wondering where you are."

She stopped fumbling with her clothes and stared up at him. "I don't think it would be a good idea if you walked over there with me."

"Don't worry, I'm only going to walk you to the door, it's not like I'm going into the meeting with you." He watched as the doubting expression stayed fixed on her face. "Is there a problem with that?"

"Someone might see you and wonder what we're doing together."

"I could use my invisi-"

"And you know how the people in this school are; always gossiping and coming up with wild stories about others. Plus, some of the school's biggest blabbermouths are at the meeting. I just wouldn't want word of our relationship to get out."

"You mean you don't want word to spread to Ron." He tried to catch her gaze, but her eyes skipped away.

"Yes."

He watched her mouth with great anticipation, waiting for her to say more, but she remained quiet. "When are you going to tell him?"

"Shortly."

"In the next couple of days perhaps?"

"Yes. It's a possibility."

"Maybe you can tell him tonight, after your meeting. Pull him aside and let him know what's been going on with us."

"I can't just do that. I can't rush into something as sensitive as this. I need time to plan and think of what I'll say to him."

"You've been saying that for awhile now. And it's getting pretty obvious that you have no intentions of doing any of that. You've had ample time and opportunity to break the news to him, but you never do."

His gaze started to harden as he glared at her. "I'm really sick of playing these games, always having to pretend when we're around him. I've waited patiently, thinking you would break the news to him at any day. But that day never seems to come. And I'm starting to wonder why you haven't done it yet."

She lowered her head, hiding the expression on her face.

Harry's voice began to turn cold. "You know what? You don't have to tell him now. We can just wait until our wedding day for him to find out."

She sighed loudly. Her hand fluttered to her neck and began to nervously tug at her collar. "It's not that simple, there's a lot of things you don't understand. Ron's not the kinda person to take something like that lightly; news like that would kill him."

"I don't want to hurt him either, but this charade has gone on long enough. I really want to be able to be your boyfriend in public and not have to hide my feelings for you."

She took his hands in hers. "You're right. He should know the truth. I'll tell him tomorrow, I promise. But I suggest you keep away from him after he's told. I don't want there to be any trouble."

"I won't say anything to him. I'll keep my distance." He wrapped his arms around her waist. "I don't want to see him hurt, but I think him knowing is a good thing."

"And get that room for us."

"Are you sure about that?"

She nodded her head.

"Okay," he said. "I'll make all the arrangements in the morning."

She looked down at her watch. "I have to get going." She kissed him on the cheek and began to make her way down the hall.

"What time do you want to go to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" he called out.

"I think I'll just meet you there. I have something I want to do before-hand."

Before he could say anything else, she was already half-way down the corridor. "See you later," she called over her shoulder.

He stood in place, watching as she disappeared around the corner. Listening to her faint footsteps till they were not audible, he then turned on his heels and made his way back to the dorms.

He took off his cloak when he reached the Fat Lady. "Pukka," he said.

The woman in the portrait suddenly awoke from her daze and stared at him. "Where have you been young man? You should be in here with everyone else."

He stood quietly, half listening to what she was saying. He pulled his lower lip into his mouth; he could still taste her.

Finally realizing she would get no response from him, the Fat Lady sighed loudly and swung open.

As he entered the common room, a few faces turned around to stare at him. Others were clustered around tables, too absorbed in their games and idle chitchat to pay him any notice.

He walked slowly to the dorms, hoping none of his dorm mates would be present, giving him the freedom to reminisce and perhaps the possibility of conducting some other acts. As he opened the door, he glanced around the room to make sure no one else was there.

He approached his bed and slowly began to take off his robes. He lifted the garment to his face and began to inhale the scent of her perfume that had rubbed onto his clothing.

A tingling sensation soon began to trickle down his spine, as he felt he was being watched. He turned around to catch Ron standing in the dark shadows of the doorway; his eyes glued on his every movement.

Harry's heartbeat began to quicken as he questioned how long the other boy had been standing there and whether he had witnessed his foolish behavior. He dreaded what his friend would say to him, for his night was going well so far and he was in no mood to engage in verbal warfare.

He waited for some mocking or stinging statement from Ron, but the other boy remained quiet.

"Where've you been?" Ron finally asked.

"I was just out walking around."

"I hope no one saw you. I wouldn't want us to lose any house points. We're tied with Slytherin and I want to beat them so badly this year."

"I used my cloak. So I don't think anyone saw me." Harry slowly began to unbutton his shirt, but stopped when he heard the other boy chuckle. He lifted his head and flashed Ron a questioning look.

"You don't have to lie to me," Ron stated. "I know you were out with her."

Harry's eyes grew wide, as if startled by his statement. "Out with who?" he asked in his calmest voice.

"The girl you've been sneaking around with for the past couple of weeks. Everyone in the dorm's been talking about you and your mystery woman."

"I don't have a mystery woman." He looked at the expression on Ron's face; the other boy was clearly not convinced. "I haven't been sneaking around. I've just been taking strolls around school. I hate being cooped up in here."

"Yeah right. I've seen you trot in here late at night with lipstick marks on your face on more that one occasion. So I know that you're not by yourself when you take your so-called strolls. Now tell me who this girl is."

A wry smile spread on Harry's face as he stared at the floor, trembling fingers tight around his buttons. "She's no one special."

"Don't be coy with me. She has to be special to be dating the great Harry Potter. The same Potter whom every girl in school drools over."

Harry's head snapped up and his spine stiffened, as he tried to detect any sarcasm from Ron's statement. The other boy's words were free of malice and hatred.

"I don't think you know her," Harry said in a mumble.

"I might. Which house is she in?"

"Ravenclaw."

"I had a very strong feeling that she would be in Ravenclaw. I just couldn't imagine you with a giggly Hufflepuff. I guess you can't get enough of those brainy girls."

Harry forced a tight smile on his face.

"And I bet you she looks just like Cho," stated Ron. "Am I right? I think I am. You still haven't gotten over her after all this time? "

"I guess not," muttered Harry. He swiftly turned around and began to undress.

Ron walked across the room and sat on his bed. "Do you like her?"

Harry's eyes wandered to the window as he began to stare at the moon. "Yeah. I've really fallen for her. She makes me so happy, just thinking about her puts a smile on my face."

Ron nodded his head in agreement. "I know how you feel. Every time I think about my girl, I go all soft. I get butterflies in my stomach when ever I see her."

Harry's gaze drifted to Ron, who was looking up at him with a wide grin on his face. The happiness he was feeling soon faded, as an overwhelming feeling of guilt began to take over him.

"I'm really glad you finally got someone," Ron said slowly. "For awhile there I was beginning to think you were trying to cozy up to Hermione. That's why I was a little... distant with you."

He shot Harry with a quick sideways glance, and then brought his gaze down. "It was a bit hard not talking to you like old times. But things are different now. We've both got someone in our lives. And maybe when you're not feeling too shy and secretive you might introduce me to this girl. Perhaps all four of us can go out together. A bit of a double date."

"All four of us?"

"Yeah. You and your girl and me and Hermione."

Harry's heart began to squeeze tightly in his chest.

Ron got up from the bed, standing only inches away from him. He regarded Harry for a moment. Then his hand slowly rose and touched the green-eyed boy's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.

The redhead soon pulled away and headed towards the door. "I have to get back to the game. I've been beating Dean all night in wizard's chest. He owes me a lot of money."

Just as he was about to leave, he turned around once more. "Hey. With the money I get from Dean, I'll be able to buy drinks for you and your girl tomorrow at the Three Broomsticks." He smiled and stepped out of the room.

Harry squeezed his eyes shut, then threw himself on his bed and drew the curtains around him. He took a deep breath as he thought of how his renewed camaraderie with Ron would soon change tomorrow.

"It's for the best," he muttered to himself. "He'll hate me for a couple of days, but then we'll go back to being friends." He repeated the words over and over again in his head, until he was forced to believe them.

Thoughts of Ron were easily erased when he began to lick his lips once more. A smile spread on his face as he thought of his night in the classroom and the new techniques he had learned in which to please her; techniques he would surely be using the following night.

He looked down at his right hand; that same privileged hand that had the honor of exploring her, diving deep into her skirt and past those cotton panties. He brought the hand to his face, letting his fingers hover over his nose. He closed his eyes as he began to inhale deeply.