Bittersweet

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Because, due to the blockage they won't be able to get back home tonight. They have gotten a hotel room and will be back no sooner than tomorrow afternoon," she answered as she turned to face him. "Meaning that for tonight...we're on our own."

****

Harry sat, quietly staring at his CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES text, not having turned a single page in the last ten minutes. Hermione's words played over and over in his head as he tried to focus on reading. He knew to act like nothing had happened was a futile goal because what had happened was huge. Try as he might, all he could think about was the fact that for one night he would be alone with his girlfriend. He didn't really know what he planned to do, but just the possibility of being able to do anything without worrying about getting caught was more than enough to suffice him for the moment.

Oh my God, what am I going to do? Hermione questioned herself. For the past however minutes since the phone call, she had been having a gigantic battle of right and wrong in her head. On the one hand, she was overjoyed, though she'd never let Harry know, that they were going to be alone for tonight. She loved nothing more than to spend time with him, and being that their relationship was a secret thus far, this was probably the only time they'd get completely alone together for a while. But on the other hand, even though Harry was sweet and patient and considerate and all those other wonderful things, he was still a teenage boy. A teenage boy filled will raging hormones and left alone with his girlfriend and a house to themselves. Even the thought of what Harry wanted to do (not like she didn't ) was enough to excite her a bit. If their kissing before the phone call was any indication of what they were capable of when left to themselves, she wasn't too sure that being alone together for the entire night would end as innocently as it had begun. She would have gone on contemplating the possibilities of the night but her stomach suddenly gave an all mighty grumble sending color rushing through her cheeks.

"A little hungry, Hermione?" Harry teased.

"Oh, shut it!" she retorted, "I haven't eaten since breakfast, hunger is pretty normal you know?"

"Yeah, and at the decibels you stomach is hitting," Harry smirked as another rumble sounded, "I'd say it's pretty loud as well."

Hermione just glowed a brighter shade of embarrassment and threw a pillow at his head.

"Leave me alone," she muttered as he laughed out loud, "it's not that funny."

"I'm sorry Hermione." He smiled at her, not sounding sorry at all, "Would you like something to eat?"

"What do you think?"

"I think I'd better go fix you some dinner," he laughed as he put his books to the side and began getting up.

"You can cook?" She asked incredulously.

"Of course. You didn't honestly believe the Dursleys only used me as their gardener, did you?" He joked.

Hermione just looked on with a mixture of disbelief, sympathy, and anger apparent on her face.

"Don't look at me like that, it makes me uncomfortable to see pity on your face." He mumbled.

"It's not pity Harry. I'm just a little shocked," she answered softly before her stomach sounded again, "and very hungry." She added while giving into laughter herself.

"Yeah, I can tell," he smiled. "So Ms. Granger, would you please do me the honor of accompanying me for dinner tonight?"

"Well, Mr...Potter, did you say? I would love to, but I don't think my boyfriend would approve." Hermione replied flirtatiously.

"Oh, I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Besides, he must be a complete jerk for leaving someone as beautiful as you unaccompanied for the night." Harry replied as he kneeled at the side of her bed before Hermione, putting his hands on her waist.

"Oh no, Mr. Potter," she whispered while her mouth inched towards his, "he's wonderful." She added before kissing him soundly on the lips.

****

A hour later and a half, Harry walked through the kitchen surveying the food he had prepared. At Hermione's request he had also showered and changed his clothes, as had she. She had insisted that since this was their first authentic date they should both look nice. Harry tugged at his black shirt as he turned the heat down on the soup, leaving it going at a warm simmer. The shirt, though relatively new, was a bit snug. It had fit him quite comfortably at the beginning of the summer, but now clung to his body a little more tightly than he preferred.

Hmmm...I probably grew.

As for the rest of his outfit, he had just put on a pair of muggle blue jeans and black shoes. He had attempted to fix his hair as well. It took a good ten minutes of vigorous brushing and gelling, but he thought it had turned out almost nicely. Unfortunately, he caught his reflection in the window as he went to get glasses out of the cupboard and noticed his hair was back to it's original state of disarray. In fact, it seemed to have gone a step further tonight; instead of just being wild it was bit more wavy and textured looking from the gel he had applied in hopes of taming it. It's official, he thought to himself, I'm cursed, before shrugging and returning to his dinner preparation.

He finished setting the table before he looked up to see Hermione coming in.

"Wow," was all he could say as took in her appearance. Her bushy brown hair was pinned up with a few tendrils escaping and brushing her radiant face. She was wearing a simple spring, mid-thigh length skirt with an accompanying fitted light-blue cotton shirt. The clothes weren't that amazing, it was just their relative fit and length compared to Hermione's usual wardrobe of knee length skirts and sweater sets. They displayed her maturing figure almost teasingly and gave her that girl next-door type of appeal. Harry looked up to see she was staring back at him with the same desire etched across her face as he was feeling at the moment.

Hermione had been a bit apprehensive about wearing such a "flirtatious" outfit, but after seeing Harry's reaction she was more than pleased with her selection. However, she noticed that her clothes weren't the only one's straying from their usual style.

Harry looked gorgeous. His well fitted shirt and unruly hair complimented one another unfairly well and gave his tan a bronze glow, not to mention making him look dead sexy. And with all that black surrounding them, his green eyes stood out with piercing clarity as he gazed back at her making her heart rate quicken. She smiled back a bit demurely as he shot her his shy grin making her heart palpitate yet again.

"You look nice," he finally offered.

"Thanks, you too," she replied a bit shyly. Why are we being so shy? She wondered. Just two hours ago they were flirting and kissing shamelessly and now all they could do was make awkward conversation. God, he looks gorgeous she smiled to herself while trying to think of something to say. She opened her mouth but her thoughts drifted back to Harry's body and any hope of conversation died instantly. He's just too damn good looking she finally concluded before giving up speaking all together.

Snape in a bikini, Snape in a bikini, Snape in a...Harry kept repeating to himself while trying to regain control over his "reactive" body. He tried to think of something to say to break the awkward stalemate but his eyes kept drifting over Hermione's figure, zoning in on the curve of her hips and soft thighs voluptuously accented by her small skirt. He saw Hermione notice his gaze and run her hands nervously up and down the short length of her skirt, attempting to pull it lower and cover a bit more. Harry's breath hitched in his throat when she looked up to meet his gaze and gave him a softly seductive smile before biting her lip uncertainly. Snape in a bikini, Snape in a bikini...

"Er...Would you like to sit down?" Harry ventured and pulled out a chair for her to sit in.

Hermione sat down, unnervingly aware of the proximity between her and Harry's bodies as he leaned across the table to get the silverware he had yet to set out. She smelled his intoxicating musk as he rounded the table to go get the rest of their dinner. He placed the large dish containing the main course in the center of the table, all the while Hermione took in quick unsteady breaths at noticing the way his arms visibly flexed through the black shirt while carrying the heavy tray. She nearly jumped when Harry's hand swept her bare thigh as he placed the satin napkin across her lap.

Get a hold of yourself Hermione! Breathe, just breath.

Finally, he pulled out the seat across from her and sat down.

"I hope you like it." Harry began uncertainly, "I wasn't sure what you'd prefer so I just made a little bit of everything."

"Oh, you didn't have to do that. I'm so hungry I could eat a hippogriff." Oh my God!! Did I just say that out loud? A hippogriff?? Ugh...I'm such an idiot!

"Well being that I'm not the best cook in the world, my cooking might just taste like one," Harry joked nervously. Good going Potter, I'm sure she's just dying to dive into her meal with a description like that. Why don't you tell her you got your dessert recipe from Hagrid?! That'll go over big!

"I'm sure everything tastes just fine Harry," Hermione replied before cautiously taking a bite of her chicken. "Mmmmm, this is delicious," she answered truthfully before taking another bite.

Harry slowly expelled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Good, I'm glad you like it."

"Well, Mr. Potter, after this I'm just going to have to keep an eye on you."

"And why is that?" Harry asked now relaxing a little.

"There are enough witches after you as it is. If they ever found out you cook, well... I'd be trampled in the mass mobs running after you."

"Sure, Hermione." Harry laughed. "Trust me, all those girls don't care if I can cook, all they care about is the scar, and The Boy Who Lived, and all that crap. Besides, you're the only girl for me, you know that right?" He grinned shyly.

Hermione smiled as she fought not to blush for the umpteenth time that night and lost. "I do now."

"Well, good." He smiled back.

The rest of dinner continued pleasantly. Though the awkwardness had died down considerably, it was not completely gone. Harry and Hermione had kept conversation going quite easily but they both seemed a bit unsure about touching, or kissing one another. It was not as if they had suddenly found the other unappealing, in fact, the opposite; they were finding one another a bit too appealing.

Hermione had to keep reminding herself to breathe every time she noticed Harry's broad chest or wondered about his powerful hands and how they would feel against her body. He'd never touched her intimately or even seen the flesh of her chest, but for some reason it was all Hermione could think about tonight. She wanted to feel him, see him and have him feel and see her in return. She ached to have him run his fingers over the unseen and painfully unexplored intimacies of her body. She felt as if a touch... just one single touch from him would be enough to lose all self control and tell him to take her right then and there. Suffice to say, it shocked her beyond words to feel such strong, raw emotions for Harry, but the tingling excitement permeating through her skin didn't leave much room for argument. The truth was she wanted Harry Potter, in the most intimate and satisfying ways she could possibly think of and it scared the living daylights out of her to realize it.

Harry nearly dropped the dishes as he brought them over to the sink where Hermione was washing them. His eyes were glued to that goddamn skirt and the way it slightly rode up every time she leaned over or reached for something. He swallowed hard when she finished up drying the dishes and reached on her tiptoes to place the plates back on the high shelf. All the while unknowingly giving him a generous glimpse of her smooth stomach as her shirt lifted. Harry had pictured Snape in so many vile outfits that night that he was running out of things for him to wear.

Ugh, Snape naked...Well, that effectively killed the romance (or for a while at least).

After finishing up in the kitchen, both Harry and Hermione now sat in the living room pretending to watch TV. Harry sat at one end of the couch while Hermione was at the other, trying to look like she was paying attention to the drone of the television. They both wanted to kiss the other but something was holding them back. They knew what it was but even thinking it would cause both to flush profusely, and then stutter stupidly, before regaining their composure and allowing the other a turn to be embarrassed.

Harry was fighting with everything he had to not give into temptation. He had his hands gripped into fists so tight that his knuckles were turning white. His mind was nearly gone. All he could think about was Hermione's gentle body, her soft lips, her eyes (now dark with desire...). He didn't know how far she wanted to go tonight but judging from the effect she was having on him his decision was clear. He knew they were young, and they would probably be rushing into it, but all sense seemed to seep out as his brain clouded over with raging emotions and appallingly dirty thoughts.

Hermione noticed Harry's deep breathing and clenching and unclenching fists as he visibly struggled to keep control over himself. It exhilarated her that she was able to have such an effect on him. She gingerly wondered how else she could effect him tonight. She also vowed that if she ever found out who had decided to market that black shirt that Harry was wearing she'd kiss them! Between the ceiling lamp, Harry's obviously toned body, and that heavenly shirt, she could see every muscle move as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Her fingers itched to feel his defined stomach, to hear him groan under her touch, and other naughty things that thinking about increased the light throbbing in her body.

"Um...Hermione?" Harry breathed acknowledging her unwavering stare on his body.

"Yes?" She swallowed, not meeting his eyes.

"I think we should go to bed, um...separately of course." He added as her eyes widened in alarm.

Hermione just stared back. This is it she thought to herself. She knew if she went to bed right now, Harry would probably do the same and their night would be over. But if she asked him to stay, she knew from his darkened gaze, that she would be committing to something she wasn't too sure about doing. She wanted to, of course, in fact she had even looked up and memorized a contraceptive charm in case. Was she ready? Was he? Was it too soon? Would it hurt? What if someone came home and caught them? She stopped her questioning as she realized Harry had gotten up and was heading towards the stairs.

Oh no...he's leaving. Hermione nearly cried out at the empty ache that passed through her.

"Harry, wait."

Harry stopped in his tracks and slowly turned to face her as Hermione came to join him at the foot of the stairs.

"Wait for what?" Harry nearly growled with desire.

Hermione gathered up all her Gryffindor courage, took a deep breath and placed a hand on his chest and the other on his face before answering.

"Me."

She nearly fell back as he crushed her lips in a bruising kiss while his strong arms came to encircle her waist and roughly press her body against his. Hermione's half-hearted moan of protest was lost as she physically felt Harry's reaction to her. She raked her hands through his unruly hair and under his shirt as she attempted in vain to get as close to him as possible. She let out of gasp of surprise as she felt Harry's hand cup her bottom, something which he had never done before. But then again, it shouldn't have surprised her too much, being that tonight would be a night of firsts for them.

Harry pulled out the pins from her hair as he ran his fingers through it, assaulting her lips yet again. Hermione grabbed a handful of his shirt and began walking backwards, leading him up the stairs. He reluctantly pulled his lips away and looked straight into her eyes.

"Hermione, are you sure? I don't want you to hate me in the morning." He breathed.

"Yes, Harry; I'm sure. Besides, I could never hate you." She hastily replied before leaning forward for another kiss.

Harry yet again pulled back as she let out a frustrated moan. "I'm serious Hermione, if we don't stop now, I don't think I'll be able to later on. Are you absolutely sure this is what you want?"

She momentarily gave up trying to kiss him. "Harry, I'm absolutely sure. This is what I want. I don't want you to stop. I want you to..." she stopped unintentionally, smiling a little at what she was about to say.

"You want me to what?" Harry slowly questioned, worried that she was reconsidering.

Hermione cupped his face with her hands as he brought his hands up to hold on to her wrists, both of them breathing heavily.

"I want you to make love to me."

She barely finished before Harry smiled at her and captured her in another explosive kiss. She began stumbling backwards up the stairs again as she fervently kissed Harry and tried not to lose her balance at the same time. After nearly falling twice, Harry stopped the climb and grabbed her waist, lifting her up as Hermione instinctually wrapped her legs around his waist; the rough material of his jeans rubbing against her exposed legs. They then, for the third time, began up the stairs.

They finally reached the top as Harry pressed Hermione against the wall and kissed down her neck and across the swell of her breasts. She began to unconsciously grind against him as he let out another deep groan and pressed against her even harder. Hermione let out a slight yelp of pain as the corner of a framed photograph on the wall dug into her back. She knew it would probably bruise later on but at the moment she was a bit too preoccupied to care.

After blindly stumbling down the hall they finally reached Harry's bedroom door. Hermione had pulled up Harry's shirt and was roaming his sensational chest as Harry's fingers ventured up her back and under the strap of her bra. Harry absent-mindedly fumbled with the doorknob as Hermione trailed kisses down the side of his neck. He finally got it open. He walked into his room, backwards, with Hermione's legs still wrapped around his waist. Hermione kissed him hungrily as they disappeared behind the door. It slammed shut before the audible click of the lock resounded through the now empty hallway.