Here in Your Arms

Here In Your Arms

It was Friday night, and Hermione had just come home from a long day at work. After all, the ministry never was a place for an easy job. She tossed her purse on the table and plopped down on the couch. She looked over to the clock. 6:00 pm. Harry and Ron should be home by now. Ever since graduating Hogwarts and Voldemort finally meeting his end, the Trio had decided to move in together. They found a small apartment big enough for the three of them in London and loved living together without having to worry as before. Of course, she and Ron still bickered. At the thought of Ron, Hermione became frustrated. It's been 12 years, yet he still doesn't notice me as anything but "one of the guys". She hated to admit it, but she knew she was starting to feel for Ron. Deciding she just came home from work, and knowing the boys would be late again from Quidditch practice--Ron and Harry were currently playing professional, Ron as a catcher and Harry as seeker, of course--she decided to just take a nap to clear her head.

"Hermione? 'Mione?"

Hermione felt a slight shaking, and fluttered her eyes open to the sight of Harry's face close to hers.

"Hmm? Oh, Hi Harry. What's up?" Hermione yawned, sat up, and stretched, and Harry had to avert his gaze from her impending breasts. It wasn't that he was opposed to the womanly figure; he just still had some getting use to that Hermione now had one--and a nice one at that. She had definitely matured over the years, and at age 24, she was a very attractive woman with a body any guy would die to touch. Harry, however, knew she was his friend, and knew he could not be one of those guys.

"Hey Hermione. Tired, much? See you had a nice nap there."

"Yeah, I was. But I feel much more refreshed now." Hermione stood up and smoothened out her hair, which now fell into soft curls down her back. "What time is it?"

"9 'o clock. But hey, it's Friday night, and therefore, still rather early. You up to going out tonight?"

"Oh. Sure. Where do you have in mind?" Hermione grabbed her purse and walked over to her room, Harry close behind.

"Well that new club down the block. It's Ron's idea. Some bloke on the team, I don't know who, told him it's a great place to dance, have a drink, have fun, meet girls--"

"Meet girls?" At this, a lump formed in Hermione's throat. Great, she thought, another night out with the guys. She kept her cool though, and entered her room and placed her purse on her nightstand and sat on the bed. Harry followed suit and sat next to her.

"Yeah. You know Ron. Anyways, want to go? We haven't gone out for a while, the three of us if you think of it. Who knows, it might be fun." Harry shrugged his shoulders as he ended his words.

"Hmm, you know what, sounds good. Let me just get ready. Give me...half an hour?" Hermione got up and headed towards her walk in closet, already looking for something to wear.

"Sure." He also got up, but headed for the door. With his hand on the doorknob, he called out to Hermione. "But you know, I don't know what this fuss is all about. You're beautiful enough as it is." And with that, he left and closed the door, leaving Hermione alone to get ready. Hermione was thankful that her closet was a walk in closet, or else Harry might have been able to catch the obvious blush that she felt creep onto her cheeks at his remark. She wasn't often called beautiful, and if anyone were to compliment her, it was always Harry.

Hermione proceeded to get ready with a smile on her face.

Once Hermione finished getting ready--and just on time: 30 minutes--she walked over to the living room and was greeted to the sight of Harry and Ron furiously fumbling the buttons of her Playstation. When she moved in, she brought along her, what Ron called, "muggle nonsense" and soon found Ron to be playing it more than herself. Harry played a bit too, but was never too into it.

"Hey Ron, Harry. I'm ready."

Hey "Mione." Ron turned off the game and television, while Harry neatly put away the controllers. Ron then walked up to his friend and gently slapped her back. "Finally." He then gave her one of his goofy little smiles, and she lightly punched his stomach.

"Ha Ha. Very funny. I didn't take that long. Anyways, are we going or what?"

Harry and Ron grabbed their cloaks from the rack, and Harry got Hermione's as well. Harry then placed her cloak around her. As he did, he looked her from head to toe, and was amazed at how stunning she looked. She was wearing a spaghetti strap black dress that went about half down her thigh and ended a bit above her knees; it accentuated her curves perfectly while still leaving room for imagination. Her hair was down, and cascaded down her back in more defined curls than earlier, indicating she had fixed her hair. She had light make up on and had only dainty diamond earrings for jewelry. To top it off, she wore a pair of small black open toed heels that made her legs look even more amazing. He couldn't stop staring at her.

"What, is there something wrong with my dress? Something in my teeth?" Hermione couldn't help but feel Harry's gaze burning her when he looked her up and down.

Harry laughed. "No. You're perfect." Hermione felt herself blush, but no one noticed when she turned away. Ron became more impatient to leave with every minute.

"Yes, you look great, now let's go!"

"Let's get to it, then," said Harry. And with that, the three friends apparated to the club.

Upon arriving at the club, Harry, Ron, and Hermione ordered some drinks and grabbed a small booth. There, they proceeded to talk about their week in brief (since they didn't talk too much about work during the week due to busy schedules) and while doing so, Hermione took the opportunity to look over her friends outfits. Ron was wearing a dark blue button up long sleeve shirt, and dark jeans. His shirt had a couple buttons undone, and his hair lay neatly atop his head. Harry wore a green button up long sleeve shirt and black slacks. He was wearing a black shirt underneath his green shirt and therefore left his shirt unbuttoned. His hair was a messy as usual, and his glasses lay acutely upon his nose.

"Hey there." Hermione was shaken out of her thoughts when a beautiful blonde walked up to their booth. "Would you like to dance?" She was asking Ron, and frankly, Hermione became infuriated. Lately it seemed that Ron's taste in women was becoming more, in her view, tasteless. Sure they had gorgeous bodies, and were breathtakingly beautiful, but all that was due to their attempts at vanity. Ron also seemed, Hermione noticed, just wanting to get into their pants. He was never really serious about anyone; not since Hogwarts, at least. To be frank, Hermione thought Ron was becoming a playboy.

Before accepting the blonde's offer, Ron turned to his friends and searched for their approval. Hermione became agitated.

"Go on, Ron. What are you waiting for? Just go ahead and "dance" with the lady. I'm sure that's all you ever do anymore, now, right? You just love dancing with gorgeous women." By this time, Ron was confused.

"What are you talking about, Hermione?"

"You can't honestly ask me that and have no idea. I'm talking about how you always do this at clubs. You dance with slutty women like this one, and then we're hauling you out of the back closet two hours later. You're never serious of anything! You can't take relationships seriously!" Hermione and Ron were now standing at this point, and Harry did all he could to hide behind his drink.

"What?! What the bloody hell is the matter with you?! So what if I like to have a good time? If you can't enjoy fun, then too bad, but don't take it out on me!"

"Are you kidding me?! Fun? Fun?! You call getting it on with these..women..fun? What happened to the "there's only one girl for me out there, and I'm gonna find her one day" thing? You've become the biggest playboy I've ever known!"

"Well I'm sorry if some people can get a date and others can't."

Hermione went still.

"What?!"

"You heard me. It's not my fault if I'm not a rigid as you and like to have a life instead!"

All the blood that rushed to Hermione's face from anger had disappeared. Ron noticed what he had said, and regretted it.

"Look, "Mione, I didn't mean--"

Hermione slapped him. She couldn't believe what Ron had said, and did the only thing she felt like at that moment.

"Don't say anything. You meant what you said, and you know that's true. I can't believe you, Ron." With that, Hermione ran out of the club, leaving Ron and a red hand mark stinging his cheek.

He touched his cheek gingerly, and then shrugged. He proceeded to get up with the blonde, but was stopped when Harry punched him in the side. He was his best mate, he knew that, but he had to agree with Hermione. Lately Ron had changed to exactly the kind of guy that seemed to have no concern for his friends whatsoever.

"I can't believe you, Ron." Harry then ran out of the club after Hermione.

When Harry got outside, he immediately spotted brown cinnamon curls and ran in her direction. It did not take him long to reach her, since she was walking by this time with her arms wrapped around her and her head hung low. It was rather cold out, and she had not taken time to grab her cloak.

"Hermione." She didn't turn.

"'Mione." Harry stopped right behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder, making her turn to face him. He saw that a few tears fell down her cheeks, and immediately took her into his arms. She hugged him back, and began sobbing.

"Oh, Harry. I can't believe Ron would say such a thing. Sure, I knew he was no longer the Ron we once knew, but I never thought that it would resort to this." Hermione came to the conclusion that she never really loved Ron; she was just yearning for affection, and Ron was the closest thing considering their brief time together as a couple in seventh year. She thought he might still have feelings for her somewhere in the back of his mind, but obviously she was wrong.

"Shhh. Don't worry, Hermione. Ron has become a prat. I didn't want to admit it either, but Ron is no longer the same old Ron."

Harry held her like that for a while in silence, and rubbed her back in soothing strokes. The night wind picked up, and soon it began sprinkling. Then drizzling. Then it started raining hard. Harry took out his wand from his pocket and unlocked one of the nearby muggle cars, and ushered Hermione inside, following suit. Thanks to Harry's quick thinking, the two of them were only slightly wet, not soaked to the bone.

Once inside, Hermione resumed hugging Harry. She didn't realize until now how comforting it was to hug Harry and be hugged by him. He hugged her back, and kissed the top of her forehead. Hermione sighed.

"Thanks Harry."

"For what?"

"For this."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if I were any other girl, I would see why. But it's just me, and yet you still comfort me and like me for who I am despite how plain looking I am and how--"

"What?" They let go of each other, and Hermione looked away. Harry placed a hand on one of hers, which was currently fiddling in her lap, a sign she wasn't all too comfortable with the situation.

"You know what I mean. I'm not that pretty, or fun, or exciting, or anything. I'm just book smart. I don't really understand why you've remained my friend considering those reasons." Hermione still wouldn't look at Harry.

Harry slightly squeezed her hand. "Hermione, look at me." After a moment or two, she eventually did. "You're not just book smart. And you are exciting, fun to be with, caring, and everything I could ever want in a friend. And I mean it. You are my best friend, and someone I could never live my life without."

"Really?" Hermione's heart warmed.

"Really." He looked her in the eyes. Harry then hugged her tightly, and she hugged him back. Hermione shut her eyes and felt at peace for once that night. She might not have Ron anymore, but she still had Harry. And she knew he wouldn't leave her.

After a few moments, Harry pulled back enough to kiss her cheek. Hermione felt her cheek grow warm from the contact.

"And you know...you are beautiful. The most beautiful person in the world, in my opinion."

"Aww, Harry, that's sweet, but you don't have to lie to me."

"It's not lying. You are beautiful, even when you don't try. You don't spend endless time on make up and hair and all that other vanity junk that other girls do. Like earlier today. You just woke up with your hair all messy and clothes wrinkled and still warm from sleep, and you were gorgeous. You are gorgeous. And this isn't the firewhiskey talking; I barely had any. It's the truth." Harry all the while was stoking her cheek, and by now was looking straight into her eyes. Hermione for once couldn't read what he was thinking. He began to move closer. She became mesmerized by him, and began to move in as well.

After what seemed like an eternity, their lips touched in a chaste kiss. When they broke apart, Harry searched her eyes for permission, and her parted lips encouraged him on. They kissed again, only this time, they did not pull apart right away. It began tentative, but soon Harry licked her lips, and she granted him access. Their tentative, unsure kiss soon grew into a fiery, passionate one. Both were heatedly exploring one another's mouths, tasting each other. They grasps on each other became more urgent. Harry pulled Hermione's legs onto his lap, and caressed her soft skin. Never breaking the kiss, Harry stroked her legs up and down and then took her heels off so she was more comfortable (and just so there would be no chance of any accident, what with how pointy the heels were; Harry marveled at how she could walk in them and still keep upright).

Hermione wrapped her arms around his waist, and Harry brought his hands to the small of her back. The two were pulling each other closer and closer until their bodies were right against one another's. Harry then began to lean Hermione down underneath him, still never breaking the kiss. Hermione was now lying on her back, and Harry was on top of her, and her hands went under his shirt and touched his hot skin. One of Harry's hands went in her hair, and the other was at her side. Due to lack of air, the two eventually broke apart and when they did, Harry became, if possible, more aroused then when he was kissing Hermione. Just the sound of her quick, shallow breathing and the sight of her closed eyes and parted lips made him want to ravish her more. Which he did. They kissed again, and despite that fact that there was no air left between the two, they still tried to get closer and closer to one another, and in the process of doing so began grinding their bodies against each other. Hermione squirmed underneath Harry, and bucked her hips. Harry grinded his now growing erection into Hermione's bare thigh. Hermione felt this, and pulled away from the kiss with eyes still closed. She gasped under Harry and rolled her neck to one side, revealing more skin to Harry's access. Harry took this opportunity and began kissing, sucking, and nibbling the soft skin of her neck. He hit an especially sensitive spot, and Hermione felt her stomach explode with butterflies.

"Oh...oh Harry...right there..." Hermione opened her eyes, and reached down to what was currently protruding into her leg. Harry gasped at her touch, and turned to jelly.

"Oh Gods, Hermione...please...I need...to get...closer."

With that, Hermione helped Harry strip off his shirts, leaving a bare and--to immense Hermione's liking--very well defined and smooth chest. His skin was pale, and the moonlight gave his skin a glowing quality. Hermione licked her lips. Harry then quickly helped her pull off her dress, leaving her in her bra and knickers which were also black and silky. Harry placed a hand on her breast, and gave a light squeeze, causing Hermione to arch her back. Harry then reached around and undid the clasp of her bra, letting the garment fall to the car floor. His breath hitched. He then started kissing her breasts, and licking her nipples.

"Harry..."

He began kissing his way down her chest, past her navel, until he reached her knickers. He rubbed her over the now moist cloth and she gave a strangled moan. He hooked his thumbs in the waistband of her knickers and slowly pulled then down, each time kissing the newly exposing flesh and touching all but her core. Hermione was getting frustrated, and was tired of Harry teasing her. She needed him, and she needed him now.

"Bastard."

Harry gave a wicked smile, and brought his lips down to hers for another deep kiss, all the while exploring her body with his hands. Hermione then began undoing his belt, and when he heard a zipper being undone, he broke the kiss and looked down at Hermione.

"Are you sure? I don't want to make you do anything you don't want to, and I'll stop if you tell me to, you know that."

Hermione brought a hand up to his cheek and smiled. "I'm sure." She then tangles that hand into his jet black hair, so soft and silky, and now slightly moist. She pulled away and kissed up and down his neck. "I'm sure , Harry." And what she said next drove him over the edge. "I want you. I need you. More than anything." Harry's mind completely shut off at that point, and he resumed ravishing her lips. Hermione resumed pulling down his pants, and Harry helped her by kicking them off. When he was just in his boxers, Hermione rubbed and touched him through the fabric to make him pay for his teasing. Harry buried his face in the hollow of her neck.

"Please, Hermione...I need you too..."

Hermione smiled, and quickly slid the fabric down and Harry kicked them off as well. They were both now completely naked, skin on skin. Harry lifted himself up enough to take in the view below him. He looked her up and down. He decided she had the most breath taking body ever. Hermione began to feel self conscious under his gaze, and brought a hand down to cover herself, but Harry stopped her.

"You really are beautiful." Hermione blushed. While Harry was still staring into her eyes, Hermione secretly brought a hand down to touch him down south. When she did, his eyes immediately shut, and his lips parted.

"Oh 'Mione..." Hermione loved teasing him, and Harry soon decided it was once again her turn to be teased. He grabbed her hand and stopped her from all activities down there. Instead he pinned her arms above her head, and began kissing her breasts. She moaned, and Harry grew more excited. Harry then rubbed the tip of his cock right at her entrance. Hermione arched herself, trying to get him to enter her. He prolonged the deed. Instead, he used one hand to secure her arms, and used the other hand to rub her sex. He thrust a finger into her, and she moaned even louder. Harry loved that he could do that to her. He then kissed her again, and she pulled apart breathless, eyes closed.

"Harry...fuck me. Please...now..."

Harry grew really aroused by hearing her say that. He brought his lips to her ear, and whispered.

"I love seeing you like this." Hermione shivered as his hot breath tickled her ear.

Harry positioned himself outside her entrance, and very slowly began to enter her. He moved slowly at first so as not to hurt her. She had told him how she was still a virgin, and Harry wanted this experience to be as painless as possible. She winced, and Harry abruptly stopped. When she no longer felt any pain, she opened her eyes, and gave a small nod, signaling Harry to continue. Harry entered her the rest of the way, and began thrusting in and out of her. The two soon fell into rhthym, and were reaching for something, it seemed, when they both saw stars and went over the edge.

"Oh Gods, Hermione...My 'Mione!"

"Harry...Harry! Ohh!..."

When the two were entirely spent, Harry collapsed on top of Hermione, and rolled over. Since the space was tight, Harry hugged Hermione even closer so they could both fit.

The two fell into a lapse of silence, enjoying each other's company, and thinking.

Hermione thought of Harry, and how she could never have fared without him. It wasn't even the whole The Boy Who Lived thing that made her know she couldn't live without him, it was the fact that he was, and always will be there for her. He was always there for her to cheer her up, listen to her problems, and to care for. Harry thought the same things about Hermione. He knew that although he supposedly saved the world, he could never have done it without the one who saved him. Hermione was there for him whenever he needed a helping hand, a listening ear, or even just someone to enjoy each other's company. He had to face it, he loved her. Harry knew his feelings for her had been evolving ever since they started hanging out more, what with Ron's being different.

"I told you you're beautiful." He kissed her forehead. She seemed to be asleep, and he whispered ever so gently, "I love you." He then held onto her tighter and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek."

Hermione wasn't asleep. She heard him, and her heart almost stopped. She knew that somewhere deep inside her heart someone like Harry could never be replaced. She whispered back before he fell sleep.

"I love you too, Harry."

Upon hearing this, Harry kissed Hermione once more. This time, he kissed her slowly and sweetly.

"Let's go home." Hermione agreed to this, and the two silently got dressed. The two then stepped out of the car and Harry locked it back up with a spell. Hermione then wrapped her arms around Harry's waist.

"You ready?" Hermione nodded, and the couple apparated back to their home.

Immediately upon arriving home, Harry kissed Hermione on the lips again, not quite so fiercely, but not to sweetly either. They continued kissing, and the kisses grew more forceful. Somehow Hermione once again found herself on her back, and opened her eyes to see herself in Harry's room.

"Hmm...I can see myself here more often." Hermione stretched out on Harry's bed, and Harry smiled at the sight.

"Good. 'Cus you will be, Love." Harry lay down next to Hermione, and wrapped an arm around her waist, causing Hermione to giggle. Harry looked deep into her eyes, and Hermione was concerned with his sudden serious expression.

"What?"

"Promise?"

"Promise what?"

"That you'll stay here in my arms forever." Hermione brushed his cheek with the back of her hand.

"Harry...that needs no promising." Harry gave a slight pout, making him, Hermione thought, even more adorable. "But if it makes you feel better, I promise. On one condition."

"What's that?"

"That you stay in my arms forever too."

Harry smiled. "I promise."