Breaking the rules

AN-I realized I needed to move some stuff from what was originally going to be "Hermione's chapter" in order for things to flow better. So I had to add this chapter to Harry's flashback experience. It became too long for one chapter...so basically I just deleted the old chapters 2 & 3 and hopefully things will make more sense now. LOL

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Flashback, Harry's POV

Luna had just shouted something about a 'blibbering humdinger,' whatever that was. Everyone else looked out the window, but not Harry. He quickly rose to his feet, wordlessly grabbed Hermione's hand again and lead her out the shattered frame of what used to be the doorway between the Great Hall and the castle's foyer. She followed him unquestioningly as he slowly made his way through piles of rubble that forced him to make several unplanned turns and detours. His route was so convoluted that it took several minutes longer than usual to reach his destination.

Finally, they arrived in the seventh floor hallway; right around the corner from the Gryffindor dormitories. The Fat Lady wasn't in her frame, which hung drunkenly from broken hinges, leaving the tower completely unguarded. Harry ducked through the hole in the wall and pulled Hermione into the Common Room. In his tired state, he was unconcerned with this lack of security or the fact that there could still be Death Eaters lurking in the castle.

Stopping him with a gentle tug on his hand, Hermione pulled out her wand and cast a quick 'reparo' on the portrait's hinges, then pulled the empty canvas closed behind her, effectively blocking anyone else from entering until the Fat Lady returned. Next, she motioned for Harry to be quiet and quickly cast 'Hominum revellum'. When the spell revealed no one else inside the dormitory she breathed a sigh of relief. "It's clear."

"I should have thought of that," Harry murmured ruefully. Hermione peeked up at his face, looking a bit nervous now that they were alone. Harry gazed back at her, drinking in the beautiful face that he had almost left behind forever. He'd been so stupid.

He wasn't sure what she saw in his eyes, but she frowned briefly and reached up to press the back of her hand to his forehead. "Harry? Are you okay?" Waving her wand over him, she cast a few quick cleansing and healing spells on his numerous cuts and bruises, then repeated the process on herself before tucking her wand in the holster on her left forearm. Harry must have seemed a bit flushed, because she reached up and felt his forehead again, then moved her hand down to cup his cheek. "Are you alright, Harry?" She asked again, worriedly.

Harry pressed his cheek against her palm, nuzzling it gently and closing his eyes. "I'm perfect. You're here," he mumbled, tiredly. She gasped softly at his words. Prying his eyes open with great effort, he stepped even closer to her, putting his hands on her hips. Gazing intently into her eyes, he took a steadying breath and murmured, "I'm too tired to make some romantic speech, so I'm just gonna say it. I love you, Hermione. I should have told you ages ago. Gods, right before I died, I realized you would never know how I feel about you, and that bothered me more than anything else about dying," he frowned sadly, remembering her sorrowful expression when he'd left her to turn himself over to Voldemort in the Forest. "I promised myself that if I somehow got another chance, I would tell you."

"What do you mean before you died?!" Hermione yelped, "I thought you were faking!" Apparently she was so horrified by the second part of his statement that she'd missed the point of the whole thing.

"When they brought me to the castle, I was faking, but Voldemort really did kill me in the Forest," Harry shuddered involuntarily. "I was dead for several minutes, I think. It was hard to tell how long."

"Oh my god, Harry!" Hermione burst into tears and hugged him tightly, burying her face against his chest.

"Hey, it's alright, Mi," Harry enveloped her tightly in his arms and murmured softly into her ear, "It's alright. I'm okay. I'm here.  Dumbledore helped me come back somehow. Malfoy's mum lied about me being dead when Snakeface made her check on me...I'm not really sure why," He paused and pulled back slightly to look at her tearstained face. "I promise...I'm fine. Please don't cry 'Mione. I'm right here," he begged as he rubbed his hands up and down her arms soothingly.

Hermione nodded slightly but continued to cry. "S-sorry!" She gasped, trembling uncontrollably. "I can't s-stop."

Harry realized she might be in shock from everything that had happened in the last twenty four hours. Despite his own exhaustion, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to one of the huge armchairs in front of the large fireplace. Sitting down, he settled her on his lap and gently rubbed her back until her tears finally subsided. "Are you okay?" He whispered, his breath tickling the side of her neck, making her shiver.

"I'm sorry," Hermione sniffled embarrassedly, wiping her cheeks. "I didn't mean to cry like that. I just...it was so horrible...thinking you were dead. I wanted to die too. I was so relieved when I thought he was going to kill me too." Her words were like a punch to the stomach and Harry's breath left him in a rush. Seemingly oblivious to her effect on him, Hermione continued, "I didn't want to live without you."

"I'm so sorry, Hermione," Harry whispered, shaking his head sadly. "I know I scared you. I wanted to tell you I was okay so badly, but I couldn't  risk making a move until the right moment. I'm so sorry I made you feel that way," he hooked a finger under her chin and tilted her head up so he could look into her eyes, "I love you," he smiled at her nervously and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her close to him and kissing her on the forehead. "I love you so much."

Hermione smiled at him happily, her eyes shining. "Just so we're absolutely clear, you do mean...romantic love? Not just 'love me like a sister?'" She bit her lip, quite obviously trying not to laugh as she looked up at him through her eyelashes.

Harry snorted scornfully,  "Are you kidding? Who kisses their sister like we did earlier?!" He asked, smirking. Hermione giggled and he narrowed his eyes in mock anger, "You're a brat. Just for the record, I definitely don't love you like a sister, 'Mione. Or as a friend," His voice rasped huskily, as he cupped her cheek in his hand. "You're so smart and funny. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. And I never could have stopped Voldemort without your help. You're the only one who stood by me all these years, without fail," she smiled embarrassedly at him and he kissed her on the forehead again. "I realized I was in love with you when you helped me save Sirius back in third year. You were so amazing; you took my breath away. I've tried for four years now to hide how I feel, partly for Ron's sake; but I refuse to hide it anymore. I want you, Hermione. I need you," he finished with a growl. Hermione gasped as he rocked his hips underneath her, pressing his growing erection against her bottom. "I need to hear you say you feel the same way," he begged shamelessly, pulling back slightly to look her in the eye.

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed smiling tearfully. "I love you too. So much. Ironically, I think maybe I realized it fourth year when you started fawning over Cho during the Triwizard tournament, and Rita Skeeter was saying all those horrible things about us."

"I'm sorry about that. I didn't really like Cho that much, I was just too afraid of messing up our friendship to tell you how I felt. And then I was jealous of Viktor, but he was rather intimidating, so I still didn't say anything..." Harry admitted, grinning sheepishly. "I realized during fifth year that Ron was in love with you, and after that I just tried to stay out of the way..."

"Well, I only went to that Ball with Viktor because you didn't ask me. The next year I realized Ginny was in love with you, so I tried to stay out of her way!" Hermione exclaimed, laughing ruefully. "That's when I started trying to convince myself I loved Ron..." she shrugged sheepishly. "It didn't work."

Harry blinked, then threw his head back and laughed a bit giddily. "Damn Weasleys..." He muttered lightly before ducking his head and pressing his lips to hers.

Hermione immediately parted her lips, flicking her tongue lightly over his bottom lip. He let out a loud groan before opening his mouth and proceeding to gently suck on her tongue. Needing to get closer, he pulled gently on her upper arms. Hermione scrambled to straddle his legs, accidentally kicking him in the shin in the process. Harry grunted painfully and nearly bit her tongue. "Sorry!" Hermione gasped, still struggling to get turned around so she could face him properly.

"S' okay," Harry chuckled, recapturing her lips as he lifted her by the waist, guided her right leg over his lap and set her back down astride him. They immediately pressed their torsos closer together. Hermione moaned happily as she ground her pelvis against his now throbbing erection and Harry whimpered. She rocked against him occasionally as they took turns thoroughly exploring each other's mouths. Harry couldn't seem to get enough of her...her taste, her scent, and the feeling of her soft, full breasts pressed against his chest. Soon, however, a lack of oxygen became an undeniable problem and they were forced to separate in order to keep from passing out.

Hermione rested her cheek on Harry's shoulder, drawing in large, gasping breaths as he felt her heart pounding against his chest. "Wow!" she panted breathlessly. "I was a little afraid that kissing you would be awkward...but...wow!"

"Why would it be awkward?" Harry chuckled huskily before licking the side of her neck.

"Ask Ron," she muttered, rolling her eyes. Harry raised an eyebrow questioningly, wondering if he should be jealous. "I'll tell you later. Seriously though, no one's ever made me feel like this, Harry," Taking her cue from him, she began licking, nibbling and suckling her way up his neck. "I-I want you," she whispered close to his ear, blushing as soon as the words left her mouth.

Harry moaned as an intense jolt of arousal shot through him. Wrapping his arms tightly around her, he kissed her neck before whispering, "If I wasn't so tired, I'd lay you over that desk and make you forget you ever heard the name Weasley." He gestured vaguely at the nearest flat surface and she shivered.

"Oh, you would, would you?" she asked teasingly, lifting her head to look at him, her right eyebrow raised playfully.

"That didn't come out sounding nearly as romantic as it did in my head..." Harry frowned for a moment, then grinned sheepishly at her. "Can you just forget I said that?"

"Well," Hermione pretended to think it over, then glanced over at the desk and shivered again. "Um...how tired are you?" She asked softly.

"Seriously?" Harry asked incredulously, leaning down to look her in the eyes. To his surprise (and delight) she seemed to be serious. "Hermione Granger!" He tsk'd playfully.

"Don't look at me like that," Hermione said, suddenly defensive. "I wouldn't do...that...with anyone but you. I'm not some slag!" She tried to pull away from him, but he hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.

"For Merlin's sake, Hermione I know you're not a slag!" he exclaimed, trying not to laugh at the mere idea of it. "That's part of what I love about you. That's why I thought you would want to wait."

"I know 'good girls' are supposed to wait," Hermione began quietly. After pausing for a moment, she licked her lips, took a deep breath and said, "Look, Harry, I've loved you for ages and I think we already know each other about as well as two people can know each other, right?" She paused and he nodded agreeably before she continued, "I almost lost you today, Harry." Her voice cracked and her eyes filled with tears again. Harry reached up and gently wiped them away as she blurted, "I just don't see any good reason to wait some arbitrary amount of time to make love to you. Unless you're really too tired?" She smiled up at him gently. "You must be exhausted..."

Harry's skipped a few beats and he smiled at her nervously. "I'm feeling a bit less tired after having this conversation with you, but I hurt all over from all the fighting," he admitted reluctantly. "I'm really not feeling up to the whole desk thing right now, I'm afraid." If he were completely honest he wasn't sure he could even make it over to the damn thing.

Hermione nodded understandingly, "Oh, of course not," she glanced at the desk again, "That would probably be rather uncomfortable anyway," she giggled embarrassedly.

"Right," Harry laughed awkwardly, then nervously ran his hand through his hair despite realizing he was mussing it even more than it already was. "How do you feel about beds?" He asked hesitantly. "I think I could handle trying it in a bed." Assuming he could get to one. He bit back a yawn while he waited for her reply.

"I am all for finding a bed," Hermione chuckled nervously. "A nice, soft, cushy bed..."

"Alright then..." Harry smiled as brightly as he could and scooped her back up in his arms. After a few attempts, he somehow found the energy to stand up while still holding her. "Your place or mine?" He murmured huskily in her ear, loving the shiver he felt go through her in response.

"Um, we don't even have our own beds here this year, Harry," Hermione pointed out, giggling.

"If you think I'm going to make love to you in that bloody tent of yours after the day I've had, you've got another thing coming, woman," Harry growled playfully. "Girls room or boys?"

"Girls," Hermione chuckled, pointing at the correct staircase when he started to head for the boys' dorm out of habit. "I don't even want to think about the state of the sheets in the boys' dorm," she commented with a shudder.

"Point well taken," Harry laughed as he started up the stairs. To his embarrassment he started panting when they were less than halfway up the second flight. He couldn't say he was surprised though. Luckily, Hermione took pity on him.

"This is ridiculous. You're exhausted, Harry, and I can walk," she said, squirming to be set down.

He let her down with a sigh, "This might end up more, 'Nap now, shag later,' I'm afraid," he mumbled regretfully, trying and failing to smother another yawn. "I'm sorry. I really want to..."

"I know," Hermione wrapped her arm around his waist as they trudged up the remaining stairs to the 7th year dorm. "It's okay. I mean, you only saved the world. I think you earned a little nap," she smiled teasingly and patted him lightly on the back.

"Ya think?" he grinned tiredly as he opened the door and ushered her inside.

To their surprise, Hermione's usual bed was there, looking freshly made up. Her beaded bag, which he thought she had long since lost track of in the battle, was sitting on the trunk at its foot. "Oh my...the elves...I can't believe they took the time to do this..." Hermione murmured, her eyes filling with tears again as she walked over and ran her fingertips over the familiar red velvet comforter.

"Remind me to thank them by not letting you offer them clothes," Harry joked. After stuffing his newly repaired holly wand in her bag, he plopped down on the bed. He instantly sank into the soft bedding and let out a deep, contented moan. "Oh gods, I forgot how good Hogwarts' beds feel..." he sighed happily, his eyes drifting shut for a moment before he could force them open again.

"Harry, I think a sleeping bag on the floor would feel pretty good to you right now," Hermione chuckled as she closed and locked the door. Moving closer, she pulled her own wand from its holster and quickly undid the straps, sighing softly as she removed the stiff leather and placed it, and her wand, on the nightstand.

"Blasphemy," Harry snorted, holding his hand out to her, "You've just forgotten how great they really are," he insisted, wiggling his fingers at her. When she rolled her eyes and took his hand, he unceremoniously tugged her down beside him.

Hermione yelped in surprise, then rolled over and stretched out beside him. "Ohhh, this is good," She sighed happily, snuggling into the pillows. "Oh gods, I take it back. This is definitely better than a sleeping bag," she moaned deeply, "I hadn't noticed how sore and tired I was until now."

"Mmm," Harry hummed tiredly, "Well, this is me...impressing you with my mad love-making skills..." he mumbled, not moving a muscle. At some point his eyes had closed and he found he lacked the ability or desire to open them. He decided it was probably for the best that they didn't try to do anything but sleep right now. From what he'd heard, first times were awkward enough without adding complete and utter exhaustion to the equation.

"S' very impressive, Harry," Hermione yawned sleepily. Rolling on her side, she snuggled up against him, rested her head on his shoulder and threw her arm over his chest. "Nap now, shag later..." she murmured drowsily. Clearly, there was no way either of them were going to find the energy to do anything even remotely physical right now.

"'Kay," Harry mumbled, patting her arm tiredly. Seconds later he heard a soft snore. Turning to the beautiful witch in his arms, he kissed her softly on the cheek before plopping back down and closing his eyes again. He quickly joined his girlfriend in a deep, well deserved slumber.