Sweetest Sin

Chapter 1

Harry Potter glanced around and then climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express. He hadn't caught sight of Ron or Hermione yet. He began working his way down the corridor on the train, glancing into each compartment, smiling at his fellow schoolmates. He didn't seen Ron or Hermione in any of the compartments, so he headed into an empty one. He settled onto the cushy seat and stared at the open door, wondering when his friends would arrive. Finally he spotted Hermione working her way down the corridor.

He jumped up and ran to the door. "Hermione!"

Hermione turned around, and seeing Harry, flashed a big smile. "Hi Harry!"

She hurried over to give him a hug and he inhaled the scent of her shampoo. "Hey Hermione, how was your summer?"

She sighed, "It was pretty dull, I was supposed to go visit Viktor, but then I decided it was better for us to break up, and well he didn't exactly want me visiting anymore! We're better off as friends, though."

They sat down side by side in the compartment and Harry looked at her. She looked quite different, he realized, as he looked at her smoother, more controlled, hair. She also was wearing makeup, enhancing her good features. He gave her a somewhat shy smile. "You look really nice, Hermione."

She ran a hand over her hair. "Oh, my mom decided I was going to be her project for the summer. She taught me how to make my hair manageable without taking hours, and gave me some makeup tips as well." She touched his arm that was showing from under his short sleeves. "You've changed too; you're definitely looking more like a man."

His pulse quickened and he quickly looked away, clearing his throat, "So, are you ready for our final year at Hogwarts?"

Hermione leaned back in her seat. "Ooh I'm so nervous! These finals grades are important, and I still don't quite know what I am going to do after I leave Hogwarts. Are you still going to be an Auror?"

Harry sighed, "Well...if I can, it's sure going to take a lot of work, and I'll need training, tons of it."

"Well, I have faith in you, Harry, I know you can--"

Hermione was cut off by Ron noisily coming into the compartment. "Whew! Can't believe I made it on time, nearly missed the bloody train!"

Harry and Hermione both greeted Ron, and as he collapsed onto the seat opposite them, the train whistle sounded and soon they were rumbling down the tracks.

Hermione smiled at Ron and said, "Well, how was your summer?"

Ron shrugged. "It was all right, nothing too special, though I did meet a girl."

"A girl? Does she go to Hogwarts?" Hermione prodded.

Ron was starting to flush. "No, she's a Beauxbaton actually, I met her when there was a wizard convention my dad dragged me too. We've been writing to each other over the summer, and I went on a short trip to visit her right before school started."

Harry looked down at his hands, and Hermione said, "Well, what's her name?"

Ron cleared his throat, "Her um, name is uh, Lily."

Harry looked up quickly, and Ron glanced at him. "I know, mate, weird coincidence."

Harry shrugged it off; surprised that the fact Ron's girlfriend was named Lily perturbed him. My mom wasn't the only person in the world to have that name. He jumped as the cart carrying food accidentally crashed into their door. The door slid open. "Sorry, the cart got away from me."

Harry purchased several Chocolate Frogs, Hermione bought Pumpkin Pasties, and Ron got Cauldron Cakes. The dumped the treats in the middle of them so they could share. They started in on the snacks in silence. Harry and Hermione reached for a Chocolate Frog together and when their hands brushed against each other, Harry pulled back like he'd been burned. Hermione gave him an odd look, but said nothing. Ron was too absorbed reading the card he'd gotten out of his Chocolate Frog to notice. Hermione settled back in her seat, and Harry leaned forward, studying his own Chocolate Frog card. Hermione studied Harry, the tense muscles in his neck, and the general anxiety that was about him. She lifted her hand and gently rubbed his back. "Harry? Are you okay?"

Harry felt his insides jump at Hermione's touch, and it took all he had to act casual. "Yeah, everything's good, everything good with you?"

Hermione smiled and said, "Yup, everything's wonderful."

She kept rubbing his back, feeling his firm body through the material of his shirt. Ron looked back and forth between the two of them. "You guys are acting weird, is something going on?"

Hermione quickly moved her hand to her lap. "What do you mean, Ron?"

Ron was studying Harry's face. "I mean...nevermind."

Harry was gnawing on his lower lip and then leaned back in his seat, forcing his many thoughts from his mind. "So, Ron, tell us more about this girl, you have a picture or anything?"

Ron nodded, digging in his bag he had with him. "Yeah it's in here somewhere."

He pulled out a picture and stared at it for a moment, a look of longing coming across his face, before handing it over to Harry. Hermione leaned closer to peer over Harry's shoulder at the picture, and he forced himself to focus on the image, not Hermione's warm breath cresting over his neck. He studied the pretty girl, who had long blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. He turned the picture over and saw written on the back, "Ron - Don't forget me at Hogwarts! I love you!"

Harry handed the picture to Hermione and said to Ron, "So she's a Beauxbaton, but she speaks English?"

Ron nodded, "Yeah, she was born in England, her family moved, so she ended up being a Beauxbaton."

Hermione handed the picture back over to Ron. "She's very beautiful, Ron!"

Ron smiled down at the picture. "Yeah, I can't believe she'd be interested in a guy like me, she's really something special."

Hermione looked at Harry and smiled. He smiled back and Ron yawned out, "I actually think I'm going to catch a nap, if you don't mind."

Harry and Hermione nodded and Ron settled back in his seat and was asleep in minutes. Hermione said softly, "I think I'm going to sleep a little too, I'm pretty tired."

Harry expected her to lean back in her seat too but was surprised when she moved closer. She rested her hand on his knee and then put her head on his shoulder. She squirmed a bit and murmured, "I can't get comfortable."

She moved and stretched out along the seat, resting her head on Harry's lap. He knew he couldn't deny his attraction to Hermione a second longer, but kept it to himself. Obviously Hermione must be feeling something too; she had never acted like this with him before. He slowly stroked her hair for a few moments before letting her drift off to sleep. Ron was snoring softly and Harry stared down at Hermione's lovely face. He listened to the soft sound of her even breaths and soon found his head drooping back and he too was asleep.