Outside the Fire

Disclaimer: Everything (except the plot) belongs to JKR, and no money is being made from this attempt at fiction.

A/N: Thanks to Sunglow for beta reading, and to my husband for putting up with me (he wants to know when I'm going to write an original book and get paid for it!!). Thanks to all my reviewers out there, too. Your encouragement is greatly appreciated.

Outside the Fire

Chapter 6 - Halloween

Harry shed his cloak on top of his trunk and slipped behind the closed curtains of his bed to find an almost-naked Draco Malfoy lounging against his pillows. Black silk pyjamas rode low on his hips, and Harry's eyes flared at the sight.
"Strip. Now." He demanded, shedding his own pyjamas in a hurry. Draco's eyes widened at the sight of a more dominant lover than he was used to, and the look in Harry's eyes had him slithering out of his clothes in record time.
"Hey!" he was startled as magical bindings held his wrists above his head. Harry joined him on the bed and stopped his protests with a deep kiss. When he let Draco up for air, the blond boy's eyes were dark with arousal.
"Do I want to know what this is about?" Draco asked softly.
"Probably not."
"Oh, come on. You've got me semi-tied up here. The least you can do is give me a hint."
"Hermione."
"Ooh, into bondage, is she?"
"Not really, but she gave me a few ideas." Harry's smile flashed at him and he produced a silk scarf that he proceeded to tie around Draco's eyes. "Relax, and enjoy." Harry's voice whispered over Draco throat and he bit down lightly on his collarbone. Draco moaned as Harry's mouth and hands slowly drove him wild and he was begging by the time Harry reached the sensitive skin of his instep.

Harry used his elbows to keep Draco's legs still as he continued his task of driving his lover wild. He would never allow Draco to use restraints on him, but knew instinctively that Draco would allow him this much control over him. From the sounds he was making, though, he had an idea that maybe hands wos would be a good stocking filler this Christmas.

Holding onto Draco's trembling thighs, he nudged them apart with his knees and reached into the bedside table. Unscrewing the small jar, he poured a generous amount into the palm of his hand, allowing a little to drip onto Draco's cock. He jerked upwards and moaned slightly.
"Get this blindfold off, Harry, I want to see you."
"Not yet." Harry breathed against his lips, one finger spreading the oil that had dripped. D whi whimpered and arched into his hand. Only the sound of Harry's breathing and Draco's moans were heard behind the closed curtains as Harry carefully prepared his beautiful lover. Holding him gently, he slid up the bed and inside Draco, holding still for a moment to collect himself. Thrusting slowly, his hand worked its way between them and he stroked Draco in time with his thrusts. Draco's cry was silenced by Harry's mouth and he shuddered as Draco clenched around him.

Relaxing, Harry released Draco's bindings and discarded the blindfold. Shimmering silver eyes were veiled through long lashes and tired arms encircled his waist.
"Okay?" Harry asked hesitantly.
"More than okay." a sleepy smile curved Draco's sensual mouth.
"I didnant ant to hurt you."
"You didn't. Is this what happened with Hermione?" he held up one wrist.
"Not exactly."
"How, 'not exactly'?"
"She wasn't the one restrained."
"The kinky bitch."
"She's not as generous as me, either." Harry pulled him close; hooking a leg over Draco's to keep him there.
"You mean.."
"Didn't let him finish."
"She really is kinky."
"It was hot, though." Harry's cheeks flushed.
"Got turned on by het sex, eh?" Draco teased.
"Not so much the people, just the scenario."
"Well, you created it, didn't you?"
"Not really. I just planted a few suggestions about a man. That was all her subconscious mind at work."
"Hmm, think you can plant a few more suggestions tomorrow night?"
"Draco!"
"What? Can I help it if I want more of the best sex I've ever had?"
"Oh, that says a lot about what we've been doing up until now!" Harry sat up, offended, but Draco was too quick for him and he found himself pinned to the bed under the blond boy.
"I was joking, Potter!" Draco grinned at him. Harry squinted up at Draco, trying to decide if he was being truthful or not. Sometimes you could never tell with Draco. At the moment, though, his eyes cle clear and not glinting with that smirk he had in them sometimes; those times he'd learnt to be wary about being caught in the open where Draco's exhibitionism could spill over in full view of everyone. There had been a few cases of shocked first and second years being escorted away by winking friends. It could be quite embarrassing sometimes.
"You'd better be." Harry huffed.
"I'm sure my imagination can come up with something better than Granger's fantasies." Draco leant down to kiss him, "But this gives me a good idea about Christmas presents."
"Nothing too kinky, please."
"No, I mean for the Teacher's presents."
"Pardon?"
"It's tradition. The Head Boy and Girl exchange token gifts with the teachers."
"So you have to get something for each teacher?"
"Yes." Draco smirked, "And they have to get us something."
"You're only happy about this so you can get more presents."
"Of course."
"So what has Hermione's fantasy got to do with gifts?"
"Who do you think will advise Ms Granger about a gift for a Potions Master?"
"You sneaky.."
"Save the compliments for later, Potter. I will, in my generosity, offer to obtain the perfect gift for her."
"And that will be..?"
Draco held up the luxurious, black silk scarf.

~~@~~

It was the best nights sleep that Hermione had had this term. She stretched lazily, her nightgown bunched around her waist and then she remembered. And flushed. And then buried her face in her pillow, never more thankful that she had a room to herself. Pulling her nightdress down to her knees, she slid out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.
"You look rested, Dearie." the mirror chirped.
"Thank you." Hermione muttered and dropped her eyes from her reflection. Hastily showering, she dressed in record time and didn't really notice that she'd pinned her hair in a much looser knot, allowing curling tendrils to hang artlessly around her face. Gathering her books together, she ran lightly down the stairs to the common room, meaning to go early to breakfast.
"Malfoy? What are you doing here?" she frowned at Draco who was lounging on one of the sofas.
"Thought we'd get an early start on the Halloween project." Draco stood up. Hermione wondered if he practiced that fluid way of moving he had, and then narrowed her eyes.
"You've been here all night."
"No." Draco could lie like the snake he was.
"So how come you're wearing yesterday's shirt?"
"It's not.." but Draco still glanced down to check, then flashed his smile at her, "Okay, you win."
"You're going to get in trouble one of these days, Draco." she shook her head at him and he opened the portrait hole for her, allowing her to scramble through first.
"No-one will ever catch me," he boasted.
"Catch you doing what, Mr Malfoy?" a smooth voice enquired from behind them.
"Nothing, Professor Snape. Nothing at all." Draco shot a quick glance at Hermione as they turned towards the Slytherin Head. Damn. Nothing, not even a blush. Wait; was there a slight pink tinge to Snape's cheeks? And why was he avoiding looking at Hermione? Was there something that Harry had omitted to tell him about last night? He could see he'd have to have a word with Potter about that..
"Draco came to discuss Halloween, Professor Snape. Do you have a problem with him being up so early?" Hermione challenged.
"Not at all, Miss Granger," Severus inclined his head towards her and determinedly met her eyes, "Providing that's all he's been up to." his lip curled.
"Of course." Hermione's chin lifted and Draco wondered what was going on between these two, "If you don't mind, Professor, Draco and I have things to discuss, unless you'd like to watch while we talk?" there was an edge to Hermione's tone that Draco had never noticed before. He was definitely going to question Harry about last night.
"Adolescent ramblings do not interest me, Miss Granger. Good morning." Snape fumed and swept away.
"Care to enlighten me, Granger?"
"No." Hermione tossed her head and moved swiftly towards the great hall, where breakfast was waiting.

Draco heard about Hermione's encounter with Snape from a whispered conversation with Harry just before Potions. He grinned at the mental image he got of Hermione threatening to drop her towel. No wonder Snape had disappeared so quickly at the sight of an aggressive woman. He remembered, with a grimace, his father sneering at Severus at one of their 'dinner parties' about his lack of success with women, and his taunts that the only women Severus could get were ones he'd paid for. Draco had been too young to understand at the time, but now he knew how cruel his father had been. No wonder his godfather avoided social contact like the plague. Draco frowned, and where before this plan had been just a bit of fun to him, it was now serious. Severus could get hurt by this, and he was determined to make sure that didn't happen. Hermione would be good for him, and he'd make damned sure that she fell in love with Severus, or his name wasn't Malfoy! He nudged Harry, and indicated that he was going to sit with Hermione this lesson.

Severus raised his eyebrow as Draco made his way down to the front of the classroom, but didn't mention his change of seats. Miss Granger was sitting in her usual place and looked up when Draco's bag landed on the desk nex her her. Hmm, she seemed to have accepted Draco into her circle of friends, for she honoured him with one of her more open smiles, not the polite one she kept for acquaintances. Severus let his eyes wander over her animated features as she discussed the potion they were brewing today, and idly wondered what it would feel like to have all that attention focussed on him. He snorted to himself; he was turning delusional as well as middle-aged. Thank Merlin he wouldn't be here when she ted ted her apprenticeship with Poppy.

He cleared his throat and the class fell silent. He began his lecture and started to relax when he realised that he didn't have to watch out for Longbottom's disasters. This class was Advanced Potions, and he decided to rearrange the syllabus to reflect that. Leaving them to start brewing, he sat at his desk and drew out his lesson plans to start reworking them. His intense concentration on his papers drew Hermione's eyes to him. His hair swung forward to hide his face and her dream suddenly flashed through her mind's eye for some unknown reason. She squirmed uncomfortably and Draco shot her a look, his mouth quirked in a half-smile. Ah, she'd only just noticed his much cleaner appearance, had she?

~~@~~

Hermione stayed longer in her exercise room that night, pummelling the bag into submission until she was too tired to stand anymore. Sinking down to the floor, she stretched her legs in front of her and grasped her ankles, bending easily at the waist until her hair flowed down over her feet. She groaned as the stiff muscles eased with her stretches and she flipped her hair back, frowning as it frizzed about her in a cloud. She'd have to do something about it when she went home for Christmas. Her mum's hairdresser had mentioned something about it being too heavy and needed layering to reduce the bulkiness of it. As long as he didn't mention cutting it short, she'd put herself into his hands.

She giggled slightly at the thought of herself in any man's hands. After that dream last night she'd wondered whether subconsciously her bossiness was just another outlet for sexual frustration. Apart from that snippy conversation with Snape this morning, she had felt remarkably relaxed all day. Perhaps Harry was right after all; good sex is a great tension reliever, even if it is by her own hand. Not to mention that dream, either. She dragged herself to the shower and soaped the sweat away from her body, allowing her hands to explore where they willed, her mind filled with the memory of her fantasy lover. Why had she blindfolded him? Was it just because she didn't have a face to go with the body, or was it because subconsciously she didn't want to know his identity?

Spelling herself dry, she braided her hair and dressed in jeans and scooped neck t-shirt. The corridors were quiet as she made her way back to Gryffindor tower, as Friday nights were usually spent in common rooms in anticipation of the Hogsmeade weekend the next day. Halloween was looming, and Draco had gathered a committee together to come up with further ideas for the scavenger hunt. They had decided on a treasure hunt for the younger students, with clues to follow for the prize at the end, and a scavenger hunt for the older students. They'd come up with a weird and wonderful collection of items to gather, and both Hermione and Draco had agreed that no one would get the final item on the list. It just wasn't possible to obtain.

Hermione kept a lookout for Snape on the way back; she didn't feel like challenging him in the same way she had last night. And what was all that about this morning? Why had she felt the same need then? They would be working together next year, so why make life difficult for herself? Admit it, girl, you just like to wind him up. And see his dark eyes flash at you. And have that smoky voice of his... stop it, Hermione! Next you'll be shagging Snape in your dreams..yeah, in your dreams, girl, she thought, and marched quickly back to Gryffindor.

~~@~~

Halloween was on a Friday, this year. Dumbledore had announced that morning that they would be celebrating in a slightly different manner, and that no magic was to be used in the course of the entertainment. Draco smiled smugly over at Hermione who rolled her eyes back at him. Severus Snape glowered from the teacher's table, wondering how quickly the insanity would stop this evening. Random groups were picked out of the Sorting Hat, and Hermione found herself paired with Millicent, Ron, Ginny, Blaise and Michael Corner, a Ravenclaw. Draco and Harry were paired with Seamus, Lavender, Dean and Parvati. Draco didn't seem too happy to be the only Slytherin amongst Gryffindors, noted Severus, and smirked at his godson's discomfort.

What was this, musical chairs? For nearly seven years, the same people sit in the same seats. Now, they decide to start swapping places. Today, Bulstrode is sitting next to Granger, with Zabini next to Potter and finally Weasley is with Malfoy. If I get through this lesson without a migraine it will be a miracle, Severus thought. He vaguely wondered if he'd have to go into Muggle London for a new supply of cigarettes, as he'd been smoking rather more than usual lately.

He was surprised when the class settled down with no problem; he'd expected the excitement over Halloween to have filtered through and had looked forward to deducting at least fifty points from Gryffi tod today. Oh well, there was always the third year Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw class after this one.

~~@~~

Blaise was with Millie outside the Gryffindor common room, waiting for Ron, Ginny and Hermione to appear. They would be meeting up with Corner in the Great Hall. He almost growled at the thought of Ginny's ex, and shifted restlessly. He ainnyinny had been spending a great deal of time together, and he knew that he had Ron's tacit permission to court her, his conversation by the lake had proved that, but he still wasn't sure of her yet. Sure, they flirted with each other, and her kisses drove him wild, but she was always holding something back from him.

He frowned again, remembering his talk with Ron. He'd said Ginny didn't sleep around, and Blaise couldn't remember hearing any gossip about her either. Who had she slept with? Was Corner one of them? He shook his head, dismissing that thought. She'd been with Corner in her fourth year, so unless she was extremely precocious, he hadn't been her first. It all boiled down to double standards. It was okay for a wizard to sow his wild oats, but they expected witches to be pure. He snorted, thinking about the way Parkinson had handed out sexual favours like they were sweets. He was thankful that he'd never been that desperate to take anything she'd offered him, and she'd offered plenty in her time.

He looked up as the portrait opened and Ron clambered out, followed gracefully by Ginny and Hermione. Potter and the rest soon followed and they made their way to the great hall, where pumpkins and candles were floating below a starlit ceiling. Instead of the usual four ta in in rows in the all, smaller tables seating six were scattered about the room, charmed to ensure there was enough room to seat everyone. Dumbledore indicated that they were to sit in their Sorted groups, so a sense of team building would enable them to work together effectively.

Blaise made sure Ginny sat between himself and Ron, and that Corner was well aware that Ginny was now Blaise's property. He'd surprised himself by feeling so possessive of the willowy redhead; that wasn't how it usually went with his girlfriends, a week or two at the most was the longest they'd lasted, and then it was lly lly for a quick shag anywhere convenient. Not that they'd complained, of course, but it was a well known fact that Blaise Zabini had a short attention span when it came to girls. Perhaps it was because Ginny hadn't let him get any further than a few kisses, and wasn't available all the time. Often she'd sent a first or second year with a note to tell him not to bother waiting for her as she was busy studying. It was getting bloody frustrating.

His eyes narrowed as he saw the assessing look in Corner's eye as he looked at Ginny. After Cho Chang had left, Corner had been working his way through the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff girls and he had a reputation that almost rivalled his own. It was Corner that usually did the dumping, and Ginny was the only one that had got away. Tough shit, Corner, she's mine now, and she's not going to dump me, Blaise's lip curled in derision at the other dark haired boy.

Ron watched in amusement as Zabini and Corner snarled at each other, and then smiled as Millie caught his eye. It was nice that they could communicate like that sometimes. A quirk of an eyebrow and a head toss often let them know what the other was thinking. Mills was possibly the best thing to have happened to him. After pining over Hermionr thr the best part of three years, and then discovering his feelings were only sisterly, he'd lost confidence in himself. Spending that time in Romania, and having a rather cute, older woman pursue him had given him that confidence back, and Millie was reaping the benefits of his experience. There was no game playing between them; Millie told him in no uncertain terms what she wanted, and those thighs of hers could crack walnuts. She was awesome, and was now looking at him from under those incredible lashes of hers, oh shit, good job my robes cover a lot..

Millie smirked when she saw Ron's eyes glaze over. Her foot reached under the table and slowly worked its way up his leg and rubbed the inside of his knee. It was a particularly sensitive spot she'd discovered only recently, and she knew it drove him wild. Warm fingers grasped her toes and he shot a warning glance at her, promising retribution later that night. Hermione was completely oblivious to what was happening under the table, but she caught the glares going backwards and forwards between Blaise and Michael.

What on earth possessed the Hat to put the two of them in the same group? She'd have her work cut out for her tonight to prevent Blaise from hexing the Ravenclaw from the looks he was giving him. Ginny shook her head imperceptibly at Hermione, indicating to leave them to it. She knew she could handle Blaise's jealousy, and Michael could be dismissed with nothing more than a look. It was a good job Millie and Ron could be relied upon to keep the fiery Slytherin in check. Sometimes his Italian blood could run a little hot.

After the feast, the groups of younger students were handed a sheet of parchment with their first clue. They scattered in different directions and Ginny looked at Hermione, puzzled.
"Aren't they supposed to be following the same clues?"
"They are, but in different orders. The clues are charmed to change to the next one, so each area of the castle is covered." she explained. The older students lounged back in their chairs and watched a magical screen that showed the different bits of the castle, similar to Muggle security cameras.
"That group will win." Millie indicated a small group of Slytherins and Hufflepuffs.
"Care to make a bet?" Michael challenged.
"Sure." Ron trusted Millie's judgement.
"Ten Galleons." Michael said.
"You're on."
"Ron!" Hermione knew he didn't have that amount of money, and looked on in dismay as the two boys shook on it.
"Don't worry, Hermione." Millie murmured in her ear, "That money is as good as his."
"How do you know?"
"I just do." she tapped the side of her nose, and Hermione tried to relax.

Blaise found it as amusing to watch the younger set scampering over the castle as they did. It wasn't often they were allowed to run in the corridors without being told off, and they made the most of it, laughing and shouting to each other, ignoring Argus Filch who threatened them with talk of torture. He ignored the glares of Corner as he held Ginny's hand above the table and played idly with a silver ring she had on her index finger. He smiled when he noticed it had a snake engraved on it and his triumphant look at the Ravenclaw earned him a sour grimace.

Sure enough, Millie's prediction came true when the group of Slytherins and Hufflepuffs ran into the hall with their prize; a Golden Snitch.
"How did you know?" Ginny asked Millie as Michael handed over his I.O.U. to Ron.
"That would be my secret."
"Did they cheat?" Michael asked belligerently.
"No, because the Headmaster ensured no cheating could occur." Hermione frowned at him. "Why do you think they weren't allowed to use magic?"
"Oh."
"Just like we won't be able to use magic." she looked around the group.
"We have to act like Muggles?" Blaise was mock-horrified.
"It'll be fun." Hermione threw her napkin at him, reminding him that she was Muggle-born.
"Boring, more like." Michael muttered.
"Where's your sense of competition?" Hermione asked them, "Surely you don't want Harry and Draco to win, do you?"
"How are we supposed to find all these objects, anyway?" Ron was looking through the list.
"That's the whole idea of having mixed groups." Hermione explained, and looked up as Dumbledore tapped on his goblet to attract everyone's attention.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. You have two hours to find the twenty items on your list. The only magic you may use is to shrink each item. No cheating will be allowed. At the end of the allotted time, you will make your way back here and your items counted. The team with the most items wins the prize of vouchers to spend in Hogsmeade, generously donated by various tradesfolk. Good luck." and he sent them on their way.

The groups scattered with their lists and soon the halls were filled with laughing students. The teachers made sure the younger students were kept occupied in the main hall with games of chess and exploding snap. The screens showed at one point Harry and Draco dragging Fang around with them. The two hours flew by, and soon the hall was filled again with sweating, flushed students and various livestock. Filch was fuming from the doorway at the sight of the mud being tracked through it.

Each group lined up and enlarged their haul of objects. The teachers had been drafted in to adjudicate, to make sure no one had cheated. Various weird and wonderful objects were sorted through, a few discarded as not living up to the criteria. The living creatures varied from a Puffskein and a Niffler to Fang and Crookshanks, who was perched on Hermione's shoulder, hissing at the Boarhound.

Severus winced at the proon oon of red objects; what in Merlin's name possessed Draco to put a red object on the list? What was wrong with green? Where on earth had Longbottom got that? He hadn't seen one of those since Bill Weasley graduated.

Dumbledore had the scores for the different teams displayed on one of the screens, and at the moment, Draco's team was in the lead with nineteen items. The two-hour time limit had been a bit tight, and Sprout was in the process of counting the Granger team's objects. Nineteen flashed up on the screen, and then Longbottom's team flashed the same number. Three teams were tied for first place.

Harry was happy for them to share the vouchers, and Neville agreed after consulting with his members. Hermione looked at her team for their agreement. Millie nodded, along with Blaise, Ron and Ginny. Michael frowned, glaring down at the list to the final item. There must be a way to win this. His eyes narrowed in thought, and then he looked up.

"Professor Snape!"
"What is it, Mr Corner?" Severus glided forward towards the cluster of students. Michael Corner drew him forward.
"We win." He announced.
"Pardon me, Mr Corner?" Dumbledore glanced down at him.
"The last item on the list, Sir. We win, with Professor Snape."

There was shocked silence from the students and teachers alike, and Severus stiffened.
"If you will excuse me, Headmaster, I have things to attend to." He said quietly and disappeared quickly from the room.


TBC

A/N: Yes, I know it's the evil cliffhanger, but what Moonglow story would be complete without at least one?