Upon their return to Grimmauld Kreacher intercepted them. He informed them that the table was set with all of their favorites, and that the Weasley’s had stopped by. They thanked him and ate as much as they could of their deliciously prepared meal. Although they tried to clean up after themselves, Kreacher chased them out of 'his' kitchen, threatening to iron his ears if they didn't leave him to do his work.
Laughing at the house elfs dramatics, they retired to the Library. At first Harry prodded the chess pieces, playing in practice mode, but he became bored rather quickly and joined her on the couch. He lay in her lap, breathing deeply of her scent and listening to her voice as she read aloud. It was the most peaceful he could ever remember feeling and he never wanted it to end.
It was too good to be true. Moments after the thought crossed his mind, a whoosh from the fireplace made him stiffen. Hermione rested a hand gently in his hair and he settled slightly as Ron came through. Ron’s eyes narrowed as he took in their position then slowly his face became a flaming red until finally he exploded. “What the bloody hell is going on?”
“Calm down Ron,” Hermione said, eyes narrowed while Harry lay tensely in her lap. “We’ve been working at Hogwarts all day, helping rebuild, now we are relaxing. You’re welcome to join us.” She gestured to a chair near them and when he sat she continued to read, absently playing with Harry’s hair. He relaxed into her again but kept a wary eye on Ron who was watching them suspiciously. He couldn’t control the smug smile that broke through when Ron’s eyes narrowed on her fingers in his hair. Rubbing it in just a bit more he raised his arm so that it lay across her lap and his hand rested on her hip, near his head. She shifted to accommodate him, but other than that made no acknowledgment of the intimate embrace he held her in.
Ron on the other hand was returning to that unhealthy shade of red. Harry’s arm in front of his face hid the grin he was trying to suppress. He didn’t understand his behavior, Ron was his best friend, but his every instinct wanted Ron gone. Harry was not one for questioning his instincts, they’d rarely served him wrong, and right now they were telling him that Ron being here was a bad idea.
Hermione was his, but she’d been Ron’s first. Now he had to break that tie and make the one between him and his witch stronger. He nuzzled her leg, for a moment ignoring Ron in his need to reassure himself that it was he she was holding onto. She scraped her nails lightly across his scalp and that growl built in his throat again.
Ron was glaring at him when he looked back up and his eyes narrowed in response. He could feel his wolf pushing closer to the surface, telling him to get rid of the one who would steal his mate. Ron’s eyes grew wide as Harry continued to stare at him with malicious eyes. Finally he jumped to his feet and strode to the fireplace. “You’re a right bastard Harry Potter,” he spat back at them before jumping in the fireplace and disappearing in a flash of green flames.
“What just happened Harry?” she asked quietly, putting her book down.
He shook his head, keeping his face turned away from her. She pulled his shoulder, forcing him to his back and met his eyes. She gasped slightly and her hand rose to trace his cheek. “Oh Harry, what’s wrong?”
“What do you mean?” He asked quietly, scared at the look on her face.
“Only high emotion will bring the inner wolf to the surface at any time other than the full moon. You... well your eyes... they’ve changed. And your,” she reached out and brushed her finger over one of his razor sharp teeth. “Oh,” she exhaled softly when that gentle touch broke the skin. He ran his tongue over his canines, shocked to find them elongated. Then the taste of her blood hit him and he literally whimpered.
It was divine. It was ambrosia and sunshine, and everything good in life. “Harry...” she said as he continued to whine softly in her lap. His arousal was instant, painful and getting worse by the minute as he lay against her. He’d never felt desire like this before, it was... all consuming. He couldn’t let it take over!
He focused on controlling the power that came with the wolf and when he felt calm he opened his eyes. He turned to face her and froze. It was Hermione, but she looked different. Her smell was stronger and he turned his muzzle towards her to breath it deeper. Wait! Muzzle? What the hell? He jumped away from her, falling off of the couch on his four legs. Four Legs? What the hell is going on? He tried to yell, but it came out as a different sound, a growling sound.
He looked back to Hermione who was staring at him nervously. “You need to calm down Harry,” she said in her soft voice. “Come back here and sit with me.” He crawled back to her, shamefaced. He didn’t know what had happened, but somehow knew it was his fault. He climbed up to her and lay in her lap. She began to pet him and he could feel his nerves settling, the way they always did when she touched him.
Moments later he’d returned to his human form, minus his shirt and she was stroking his bare back and shoulders. His arousal made itself known immediately and he once more curled away from her, hoping to hide it.
“Tell me what’s happening Harry, I can’t help if you don’t tell me...” he looked into her eyes, wishing desperately that she knew Legilimans so he wouldn’t have to tell her. She stiffened slightly as he thought this and he froze.
“Is that what you want then? You want me to take it from your mind rather than telling me.” He nodded, feeling like a coward, but so relieved at the same time. If she could see his memories, feel what he felt then perhaps she could understand. She nodded in return, staring deeply into his eyes. If he hadn’t been watching so closely he might have missed her whispered, “Legilimans.” He was impressed with her technique, it was so subtle that he would never have known she was using it. He showed her what he wanted her to see, feeding her the memories as they came to him, rather than by importance.
Several times he heard her breath hitch, felt her arms tense and her eyes widen, but she continued to pick through his memories of the last week. Finally she broke off and looked at him rather than into him. “Oh Harry...” she whispered, embracing him so that he was once more surrounded by her addictive scent.
“I need you to help me Hermione, I don’t know what’s happening... you’ve always helped me... always.” He put his hand in her curls, pulling her head back slightly so he could meet her eyes. “I’ve loved you for so long Hermione, I just didn’t understand it until I woke up with you next to me. I knew then that it was your face that I always want to see when I wake up. It’s you I want to spend my time with, hold onto and laugh with.”
He stared up into her dazed eyes and took a chance. “I... I really want to kiss you now Hermione,” he said softly. She nodded and he did, before she could take it back. He wiggled slightly so they were both more comfortable and then brushed his lips against hers. He began slowly, having had less practice than most guys his age, due to the whole saving the world thing but Instinct quickly took over, as well as his other senses.
He tasted her first, running his tongue over her lips, savoring the sweet taste and soft plump flesh. She parted her lips slightly in surprise and he moved in a little further, tasting around her teeth and the roof of her mouth before tangling with her tongue. He could smell her arousal, and when she began to kiss him back, her fingers buried in his hair, he reacted. He flipped them so that she was on top of him and then buried his hands in her hair and deepened the kiss.
She was straddling him, laying against him with her legs drawn up tight against his hips. Her core was resting right over his groin, her lush breasts pressed tight against him. He groaned into her mouth and thrust his hips against her. “Gods Hermione, you are so beautiful, so perfect...” he muttered against her lips before he made his way across her cheek and down her neck. He licked and nipped, instinctively following a trail to her pulse.
Her breathing was ragged as her hips shifted against him, grinding herself hungrily on him. His hands tightened in her hair, moving her head so that he had better access to the spot on her neck that he wanted. His teeth gripped the skin firmly but gently, tugging it while his tongue soothed at the same time.
She whimpered and the sound went straight to his already painful arousal. “Fuck ‘Mione... I ... stop me. Tell me to stop ‘Mione before it’s too late...”
She looked at him with dazed golden eyes and he knew that any restraint occuring tonight did not lie with her. She was far more lost than he was and as flattering as it was to see her losing control, an occasion rare in itself, it was also extremely dangerous in his current state. She wants us! Take her! He could almost hear the wolf screaming at him while he stared up into her glassy eyes. “So beautiful... so innocent. I don’t want to hurt you...” He watched his knuckles brush gently over her cheek, marveling at the joy he got from the simple touch.
She’s ours, take her, take her now before it’s too late and we lose her! We have her, take her, claim her... the wolf was whimpering as Harry continued to try and control his baser instincts. ‘She’s our best friend,’ his human side argued. ‘After everything she’s done and sacrificed for us she deserves better than a brutal shag on the Library floor! She’s innocent! If we hurt her we will lose her, we have to do this right...’
“Hey,” he whispered. He could see her eyes starting to clear up and tightened the arm around her waist in anticipation of her next move. He was partially right, a deep red flush crept up her cheeks as she turned her face away from him. But she didn’t pull away from him.
“Hey,” he said again, cupping her chin gently and turning her to face him. “Don’t hide from me... I didn’t stop because I don’t want you, but you deserve better. You aren’t some slag to be pounded into the floor... when we... we’ll be in a bed, where I can love you the way you deserve...” he brushed his lips against hers.
When tears welled up in her eyes, he felt a moment of panic. He brought both hands to her face, wiping the tears away. “What’s wrong?” he whispered with pain filled eyes.
“Oh Harry...” she whispered, staring down at him with a look he’d never seen before. She fell back to his chest, burying her face in his shoulder before turning it to place soft kisses on his neck and cheek. “I love you...” he held her wrapped tightly in his arms, on the floor in front of the fire until she fell asleep. When her breathing had finally leveled out and he knew she was asleep, he loosened his grip rolling to the side and rising up on his elbow to get a better look.
He stared down at her for at least an hour, brushing his knuckles over her delicate features. Always. Hermione had been by his side through every disaster fate had thrown at him since first year. Always. During the worst parts of his life, even when Ron had abandoned him Hermione never had. Always. Everytime he'd needed her she'd been there, helping him without complaint. Always. She'd loved him and most especially, she'd shown it. With every exasperated look, every comforting hug and most of all, her complete dedication to keeping him safe
Mine! The wolf growled. Always, Harry agreed, pressing a kiss to her forehead and wrapping her securely in his arms once again.
A/N: I could stop it here, because to be honest this is all that I really have plotted out. I do have some more written, just not sure where it's going. Let me know if you think I should continue or just let it ride as is...
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