At The Heart Of The Matter

Authors Note: Thanks again to ALL my reviewers! Harry Potter is still not mine!

Winter In June

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Stepping out the French doors of the Abbots’ mansion, the sight that met them was a shimmering winter wonderland. “Now this is a reason to gasp! This is beautiful!” said Hermione taking in all the wonders before her. All around the giant ‘L’ shaped pool, was what appeared to be a miniature version of the Swiss Alps. A ski lift took you up to the top, about 60’, and then you slid down the curvy slope into the warm dark blue pool below. Secluded cave entrances littered the base of the mountains and glitter had been used in abundance, and with the late afternoon sun, the whole area was alight in a mystical dance. Ice sculptures depicting magical beasts like unicorns, phoenixes, and griffins were at all corners of the pool and through their mouths, fountains of water spewed forth. Off to one side of the humungous patio, was a fire pit that had several roasting meats on a rotisserie, and beyond that, was an ice skating rink that on command would become none slick for use as a dance floor. The lounges around the pool looked to be made of clear ice that had a slight wave as to contort to the bodies of those who sat in them. Glimmering snow flakes were everywhere suspended in mid air and blue lights under everything made of ice shown through, giving it an ethereal glow. Heavenly was the only word to do it justice.

“Wow! Hannah, this is….Wow!” said Ernie taking his girlfriend around the waste. With similar compliments, several people took to the pool and quickly starting giving the ski lift a true work out. Others headed to the ice skating rink and soon, laughter could be heard by all the brave souls falling and making a complete mockery of themselves. Despite the chilly look of their surrounds, the atmosphere was warm and sunny. Harry thought, ‘Nothing is melting! Magic ROCKS!’

Several of the girls had taken to the pool house to change into their swimming attire, Susan included, so Harry and some of the other guys waited for their girlfriends to reemerge. Looking around, he noticed many faces that had not been at Neville’s party. His best guess was that there had to be about 35 people here. Some of the faces he knew to be Slytherin’s and that set him on edge somewhat. He saw a tall, dark guy that he recognized as Blaise Zambini, an attractive shorter girl…he thought her name was Tracey Davies or Davis or something like that. Standing with her, was Daphne Greengrass who had her arm looped with the now graduated Professional Quidditch player, Adrian Pucey. Noticing they seem as uncomfortable as he himself was feeling, he decided to put on his brave Gryfindor front and walked over to introduce himself. He may have known who they were, but he had never been truly introduced to them, besides, Hannah knew how he felt about Voldemort and his Death Eaters, so surly she would only invite those that were against the dark or at least neutral.

Sticking his hand out to Blaise, Harry started, “Hi, I’m Harry Potter. It’s nice to see a variety of Hogwarts students here. Tracey and Daphne, correct? Pucey, it’s good to see you again. Oliver Woods tells me you’re one of his teammates. How do you like playing Quidditch professionally?”

Adrian responded with a questioning glint in his eyes, “Potter, good to see you too. This is Tracey Davis, Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zambini. Oliver speaks of you often, especially to the coaches. If your not careful, he will have you recruited to play with us soon. Professional Quidditch is a lot more demanding, but I wouldn’t trade it.”

Tracey spoke a little coolly, “We have a few classes together, but you have never taken the time to introduce yourself before. What is it that you want?”

A bit taken aback, Harry kept his face from showing this fact and said, “I didn’t mean to offend you, but considering I am usually having to deal with Malfoy’s oral diarrhea, it doesn’t leave much time for pleasantries. I’m sorry it has taken this long to be formally introduced. I hope you will take my coming over here as nothing more than wanting to be sociable.” he ended with a slight bowing of his head.

“I’m sorry for my previous attitude, but it isn’t everyday that we speak with Dumbledores’ ‘Golden Boy of Gryfindor’ so I was a little on edge myself. I never took you as the type to approach a Slytherin.” Tracey said relaxing a little.

“I have no problem with your house, just some of it’s members. Considering I don’t often see you with Malfoy and his goons, I took a gamble and decided to come over….and please don’t call me Dumbledores’ Golden Boy….you may just find that your facts are greatly lacking.” Harry said as congenially as possible.

Blaise finally decided to put his two cents in and said, “Potter, what is that suppose to mean? Everyone knows that your in the pocket of the Headmaster.”

“As I just said, your facts are incorrect. Let’s just say that tomorrow’s headline in the Daily Prophet will definitely stop those belief’s. I may appear to be all good and righteous, but believe me, I break more rules than anyone…granted, it’s usually to help protect my friends, but that’s beside the point. I am my own man, so never associate me with that senile, lemon drop eating, goat loving, manipulative ass again!” Harry had started off calmly, but as he got to the end, there was a definite edge to his voice.

“Wow, Potter! It’s not our intention to piss you off, we were just a little skeptical of your coming over is all. Something major must have happen to create the new ‘Harry Potter’ before us. Might I say it’s a drastic improvement over the old.” said Adrian finishing with a sly smirk.

Laughing at his own antics, Harry said, “Yeah, drastic doesn’t even begin to do what happened justice. Anyway, enough about this, just understand that not all Gryfindor’s view all Slytherin’s as evil, hem kissing, boot licking Voldemort sycophants. I hope you four fall out of the general populace’s beliefs. I have no problem with anyone who thinks for themselves and treats everyone with respect. Different opinions and views are good and what makes us all interesting, it’s when you take those views and force people to bend to your whims by whatever cruel means necessary that I take issue with. Being proud of one’s heritage is nothing to be ashamed about, Godric! knows I am, but the annihilation of muggles and muggleborns is just stupid. Magic is magic and you get what the fates give you. If all purebloods are more powerful, how do explain Crabbe and Goyle? Or explain how a muggleborn like Hermione is top in all her classes…it takes more than bookwork to earn that title. Like I said, being proud of where you come from does not have to be disgustingly taken out of proportion.”

“Here! Here! I couldn’t agree more!” said Susan making her way over with Hermione, Neville, Hannah and Ernie. Turning towards the voice, Harry nearly had a heart-attack at what Susan was wearing. She had on a white, french cut bikini that tied at the sides and showed her amazing legs and hips. Her top consisted of triangle shaped pieces that tied behind her neck and back with thin spaghetti style straps. She wore 3” high sandals that made her already long softly muscled legs stand out all the more. It took all his will power to stop his blood from heading south and embarrassing himself. Forgetting that anyone else was near, he took her by the waste and leaning in for a soft sensual kiss, he said in her ear, “Baby, you look so sexy….I’m not sure I want to share this view with anyone else. Your driving me wild! I want to untie you like an early birthday present.” he then proceeded to give her a searing kiss making all those around turn hot.

“Damn, Potter, when did you gain all this new confidence! You’re definitely turning out to be quite the quandary, aren’t you?” said Daphne, fanning herself, as the rest of the group laughed at the totally perplexed look on the four Slytherin’s faces.

“Don’t judge a book by it’s cover! It was just laying below the surface waiting for the right goddess to bring out the lion!” This sent all of the group off on a spree of joviality.

“Man, come to a Hannah Abbot party and get your world knock off it’s kilter. I’ll say this, I like this new you! It’s almost Slytherin of you!” said Adrian while patting him on the back in a congratulatory way.

“Would it surprise you that I was almost put in Slytherin then? If it hadn’t have been for Malfoy, I might not have fought the hat so diligently.”

Shock! Everyone around had a slack-jawed expression, even Neville and Hermione. It was Hermione that broke the silence first by saying, “Five years and you never saw fit to tell me this little tid-bit of information! Harry James Potter, what am I going to do with you! Quit shocking me lately…I don’t think my heart can take much more!” This got the group laughing again.

Tracey said, “I always knew Malfoy was bad for our house. I can’t speak for the rest of my fellows, but I’m willing to start afresh. Hi, I’m Tracey Davis, pleasure to meet you!” and this was followed up by similar introductions and hand shakes from the whole group.

Spending about an hour more getting to know each other, Harry leaned in and nibbling on Susan’s ear said, “Want to go try out the lift and pool…just you and me?”

“Absolutely……we’ll talk to you all later!” Susan said to Harry and then the group of new friends.

“When did they happen? She certainly brings out the animal in him?” asked Daphne.

“We went to that new club in Diagon Alley last Friday and he has been smitten ever since. He really likes her relaxed nature and she doesn’t make him think of all the shit going wrong lately. She’s good for him right now!” said Neville to the shock of many. Tracey thought, ‘What has happened to these Gryfindor’s lately?’

“Neville, when did you and Hermione start dating? I have to admit, that you too, seem to be shredding all the preconceived notions I had about you. What’s in the water in Gryfindor Tower?” Blaise asked.

“We started the same night as Harry and Susan, and I don’t know about any water problems, but I just got sick and tired of being kicked around. I’m just showing why I was placed in my house, I guess.”

“Well I like the new you, Nev. Give me a kiss!” said Hermione drawing his attention to her. Giving her his own fiery kiss, they to went to find a more private spot. The four Slytherin’s just laughed when they left and went about having a good time.

“Merlin! He’s gone and cast his spell on her again!” shouted Seamus as he and the majority of the guests watched Harry and Susan’s escalating passion rise with each tick of the ski lift. When they had reached the top, Harry scooped her up and sat on the top of the slope putting her in his lap, launched them into the pool. When they emerged from the depths below, they were still kissing. Oliver and George shook their heads in mock exasperation over the behavior of their friends, and Oliver hollered out, “What will it take to cool you two off….we’re already in the depths of winter here!?”

Giving a smug grin, Harry retorted, “What? She’s just making sure I stay warm! Now bug off and go find Angelina! Fred, George….Don’t even think about pranking Susan and I….I’ve learned a few things from Ginny on getting even!” he said in a false threatening tone. Laughing they said,

“Harry, we’re hurt….” Fred started
“that you think we….” George continuing
“would do anything…” Fred again
“like that to you two…” George said gaining momentum
“love birds!” Both said together in a grand finale.

“Yeah….Riiiight! Just heed my warning!” this sent everyone around them into gales of amusement.

Turning his attention back to the lovely woman in his arms, Harry suavely said, “When you first came over to me earlier, it was all I could do not to hide you away and start ravishing that amazing body of yours. Damn, woman, what you do to my circulatory system! Bloods been flowing the wrong…or maybe it’s the right way all afternoon! Can I convince you later to show me the inside to one of these little caves? Now that we can do magic, we won’t have to worry about being seen or heard. I want to taste you sweet nectar again….”

“Your reeking your own havoc on my body to, mister! Let’s swim a little longer and slip away unnoticed.” Susan said back seductively. Never letting go of her prize, they continued to tease and play until slowly they made their way to the pools edge and slipped out and into an unused cave.

Casting a cushioning charm, a privacy spell and a silencing spell, he began to rub her sides invitingly, up and down from her hips to where the string from her top wrapped around the back. Leaning in and slowly sucking and licking on her long, glorious neck, his hands went around and found the knot and bow that would lead to the unveiling of her perfectly proportioned breasts that he planned to feast on. She was moaning by the time he untied the bottom knot and, making his way seductively to the top knot around her neck he untied that one also. Loosening his grip around her, the top fell between them. “I’ve been waiting all day to see you like this again.” he said. Looking into her bewitching eyes, he temptingly asked, “Susan, I want you, all of you. I want to be in you, feel your wet heat rubbing me to completion. I want to be so deep that I make you scream your own release. Will you let me show you the pleasure I can bring by making love to you?”

Breathily, she answered, “Yes! Merlin! I want you, too! Make love to me, Harry…make me scream!” and with that he started devouring her as if this was his last meal. Conjuring a blanket, he ever so slowly lowered them both down on the cushioned surface all the while fervently kissing her. Laying beside her, propped up on his elbow, he began messaging her breasts, stomach and thighs. Moving down to where her neck and shoulder met, he gently bit down and began sucking the erogenous zone.

Lifting his head, he took in her slick body, glistening from the wet of the pool and the heat they were generating. She reach a hand to his face, placing the palm against his cheek, and tantalizingly ran her thumb across his lower lip. He sucked in the digit and swirled his tongue slowly around it. When she removed her thumb, he bent his head and the kiss that ensued, starting slow and sensual, quickly turned full of lust and fire. Moving down her body, he took one of her hard nipples in his mouth and bit just hard enough to make her arch up into him even further. While he lavished her breasts with attention, his hands worked their way to the two remaining ties that held his treasure locked away. Leisurely he pulled at the strings, drawing it out as agonizingly slow as he could, and once he had them both undone, he lifted his head an crawled lower to rest between her legs. Kneeling, he pulled one of the strings and ever so slightly she lifted her hips and the material was tossed aside. Gazing at her reverently, he lifted her knees and spread her a little further open. Her raspy breathing mix with his, was all that could be heard. Taking in her almost totally shaven area, with the exception of a small triangle of hair that was pointing him in the proper direction, he gently began rubbing her clit with his thumb. Drinking in the wanton woman, moaning under his administrations, he became even harder. Licking his thumb of her juices, he quickly divested himself of his swim shorts. Laying back down with his head resting on her lower abdomen, resuming the rubbing of her increasingly sensitive bump, he looked up to her and said, “You smell and taste just as sweet and hot as I remember. Your going to love this, baby. I’m going to make you beg for release, them I’m going to fuck you good and hard until your begging again. Do you want that, baby? Do you want me to fuck you hard?”

“Aahh….Yes!….Merlin!, Harry just fuck me already! Your….aahh….driving mad!” she said between gasps and moans. Getting the okay, he lowered his lips and started raining little kisses to her inner thighs and the folds of her vagina. Darting out his tongue, it joined his thumb in the perpetual torment of her clitoris. Roaming a little further south, he sucked at her opening before jabbing his tongue in and out. After a few minutes of this, he removed his tongue from inside, letting it return to her bump, and relocating his hand, inserted two long, thick fingers.

“Aahh…..mmmhh….yes, right there….ooohhh….so close…..aahhh” were the only words Susan could produce. Grabbing his head as to keep him in position, she began grinding with his ministrations. She was so close and she didn’t want him to stop. She felt herself being stretched even further as he added a third finger. In and out, in and out he slowly pumped her. Then the tingling began along with the numbing of her entire body as it built toward her climax. Closer and closer until she finally erupted.

“Oh goddess, oh goddess….oooohhhh, AAAHHHHH!!!!!! HAAAAARRRRRYYYY!!! OH! FUCK!” she screamed and he sucked her to completion. When she had come down some from the peak of ecstasy, he moved back up her body and shared her taste with her and they kissed with such passion, she could feel herself start to re-ignite.

“Did you like that one, baby! Your beautiful when you scream out in orgasm.” and with that he took hold of his penis and guided it to her. Wrapping her legs around his hips, she lifted ever so slightly as to accept him more fully. As the tip of his penis made it’s way in, she arched into him, causing more of his man-hood to enter her. ‘Goddess above, he is soooo big!’ she said to herself.

Realizing that he was stretching her almost to the point of hurting her, he took it very slow. When at last he had all 9 ½’ in her, he stilled and gently kissed her. “You okay, Susan?”

“I’m okay….just give me a sec’ to adjust.” Susan said breathing deeply. When at last the slight discomfort gave way to total bliss, she motioned him on by lowering her hips a little the raising them again to create a small thrust. Getting the hint, he unhurriedly withdrew and thrust back in just as methodically as he had exited. He kept this pace going until he was sure she was no longer in any discomfort. When she was again moaning and begging, he began to speed up, the thrusts became more forceful, moving their bodies with each pulse. Realizing that they were sliding, he pulled completely out of her and said, “Turn over, baby, I want to take you harder and faster!” and with that conjured a large, thick pillow and had her lay, legs spread on her stomach. Re-inserting himself into her hot, moist, pussy, he put his hands on either side of her torso and started ramming her. Moaning, gasping and flesh slapping flesh spurred him on. He began to feel her walls vibrate as her second orgasm approached. As he felt his own building climax, he leaned back, pulling her to her knees more and pounded her pussy until they both were screaming each others name out in completion.

Falling onto her, and panting, he rolled over, pulling her on top of himself. Languidly kissing till their breathing was back to normal, she said, “That was amazing, Harry. My body feels like it has just been through 10 rounds of Quidditch….but in the ‘I won and am so exhausted euphoria.’ You can have me anytime you want me! Fuck! There aren’t words to describe it.” chuckling at her still scrambled thinking.

“I thought the other night was hot….but DAMN! You’re fucking hot, and amazingly responsive…I could barely contain myself! I’ll take you up on that offer, because I definitely want you again!” said Harry, resuming the light kissing they had been doing. As they lay there, relaxing in the afterglow of amazing sex, Susan said, “I think we better reappear soon, or they might send out a search party for us!” Laughing, he could only agree. After a few more minutes, they both helped the other dress and started making their way back to their friends. As they emerged from the cave they had been occupying, they noticed it was getting dark.

“Hey, you two, did you get lost on your hike through the mountain’s?” asked Ernie slyly.

“Not at all, I knew exactly where I was going….just took the long way ’round.” said Harry nestling behind Susan with his arms wrapped around her. Several people heard his comment and the jibing commenced. Eventually, they made there way over to the food, having worked up quite the appetite, where they met back up with Blaise, Tracey, Hermione, Neville and Hannah.

“Couldn’t help but overhear the jibes being sent at you two. Funny as hell, some of them!” said a self-satisfied Blaise.

“Well, yeah, Fred and George were involved…not to mention Seamus. Hilarity follows them around like bad body odor on a hot day! Just a riot, that bunch is! I better pair them up or Susan and I will never get any peace!” Harry said melodramatically.

“OOOHHH! Harry! Could you use another metaphor….that’s just gross.” shouted Hannah while scrunching up her nose in disgust.

“Well, they are! Morons, the lot of them!” laughing at his own drama.

“Say, where did you disappear to?” asked Neville.

“As I told the Morons, we went on a long, hard hike!” and with Harry’s retort, the group could contain themselves no longer. Laughing and carrying on they were quickly joined by several more of their friends and shortly after sunset, the dancing and party rolled on. It was well after midnight when the party finally started winding down.

“Susan, aren’t you going to get in trouble for being out past midnight?” asked a concerned Harry. She smiled and gave him a little kiss and said, “I’m staying here tonight, so no problem staying on Auntie Amelia’s good side, Harry.” Laughing at his hurt puppy dog look, she continued, “OOHH! Did I hurt your feelings, my personal sex god! Do I need to make it up to you?”

Smirking at her playfulness and feeling triumphant, he said, “Yes! You should! After I give you two of the best orgasms of your life and this is the thanks I get….you evil little vixen!”

“Well then, let me take you to our special place and lick…all….your….wounds!” she teasingly licked and purred at him. As the night turned into the wee hours of the morning, she did indeed lick all his wounds and much, much more. Needless to say, they would both be walking a little stiffly tomorrow.