Between Good Friends

"This is going well," said Harry as the Golden Trio settled down for the night. "All this time and we've managed to find only one horcrux."

"It's not that bad," pointed out Hermione as she used her wand to light a small fire for warmth in the chilly night. "At least we've found one."

"Right, all we've got to do now is figure out how to destroy it without getting killed and then find all the others," added Ron, sounding somewhat less optimistic than his words would indicate.

"At this rate, we will die of old age before finding all the horcruxes!"

"Harry!" Hermione turned to her longtime friend, knelt in front of him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We can do this. We will do this. And we'll do it together, like we always have every other year."

"I wish I had your confidence," muttered Harry.

"You're just stressed. You need to relax." She smiled at him, though her eyes betrayed her worry. It was not easy being away from the one you loved, but sacrifices had to be made. She understood that all too well.

"How can I relax?" Harry's voice was louder than it needed to be and it caused both Ron and Hermione to wince. "You can't just wave your wand and make it all better!"

"That's not what I meant, Harry." He knew she meant well, but stress like this could not be spelled away. His mood was rapidly deteriorating.

"There's nothing that can help me," he muttered as he aimlessly picked up small twigs and threw them into the fire she had created. Ron sat to the side, his widening eyes the only indication an idea of sorts was taking form there.

"Maybe there's something we could do, but I'm not sure what exactly they meant." He appeared deep in thought, his expression serious. Both Harry and Hermione looked at him.

"What who meant?" Hermione stared at him.

"Fred and George." His eyes were still looking up at some indeterminate spot above their heads. For several long seconds the only sound was the crackling of the fire. Harry opened a bottle of butter beer and began drinking.

"Well?" Hermione sounded somewhere between curious and annoyed, wishing he'd get on with it.

Ron turned to Hermione and said "manage a trough. Although, I have no idea how that would relieve stress. Actually, I think it would be rather stressful." He looked confused. Hermione smiled in a way she'd never smiled at her two best friends before. Harry spewed butter beer clear into the fire, causing the flames to shoot higher for a brief moment.

"I don't think that's what they said, Ron. Then again, knowing Fred and George I wouldn't put it past them." Both Harry and Hermione grinned. Ron still looked confused and now a little annoyed.

Ron looked between both of them. Obviously, they knew something he didn't and it seemed they were in no hurry to enlighten him. "Would one of you please explain it then instead of making eyes at me like that?"

"Will you do the honors, Hermione?" Harry then smiled at Hermione. She'd never know he'd wanted this a long time. He glanced over at a still oblivious Ron. 'He'd never know either' Harry thought with a grin. That set Ron off again. "Will somebody tell me what this is about?"

"You look good when you're all flustered, Ron," smiled Harry.

Ron rolled his eyes and appeared to be about to stand up, when Hermione reached across, grasping his elbow and pulling him down next to her. "A menage-a-trois," she spoke the French flawlessly, "is when either two boys and one girl or two girls and one boy have, erm, relations with each other." The light of the fire illuminated her growing blush.

Ron looked as though he was considering what she'd said, but then a look of pure skepticism crossed his features. "No one really does that. They were having me on. Just you wait till I see them again. I'll give them a piece of..."

He was cut off by Harry. "I've done it before." Ron stared at him in shock.

"With who?"

"Your sister," mumbled Harry a little sheepishly. "I don't think it was her first time, either. It was for me, though." A smile crept across his face as he remembered the night in question.

"Ggginny," Ron stammered. "And who else?" Harry was relieved that Ron was not as angry as he could have been. He seemed more stunned than anything else.

"Neville. Herbology is not his only talent," he said, lost in the memory.

Ron shook his head as he slouched where he was sitting. "That doesn't make me feel any better, Harry." He glanced over to Hermione, who had fallen rather silent. "I suppose you've done it, too, then," he blurted in near resignation. The look on Hermione's face told him more than he needed to know. "Who was it Hermione?" He didn't wait for her to answer. "Krum?" He looked almost completely defeated as she nodded her head.

"It was only once," she started to explain.

"Krum and?"

"Well, it was only the one time. It didn't mean anything. It's not important, Ron!" Her voice and gaze held real pleading.

"Who was it?" He persisted.

"Yeah, who was it," chimed in Harry, genuinely curious and excited by this side of Hermione.

Hermione's eyes flitted back and forth a few times. With a resigned sigh she mumbled almost silently "itwasMalfoy."

"Malfoy? You shagged Ferret-Face?" the two boys screamed in unison.

"It was Viktor's idea to include him. I didn't know beforehand!"

"But you agreed to it once he suggested it?"

"He's not that bad, Ron, really." Ron stared at her in disbelief. "In bed, I mean. He's quite good in bed."

Ron sulked even further, mumbling "cor, now I'm really depressed!" Harry appeared annoyed at first, but then Hermione's admission emboldened him to think he may just have a chance here. He let the Gryffindor side win out and decided to press his luck.

"So, Hermione," he began hesitantly to the now somewhat dejected girl sitting between him and Ron. "Since you've already done this with Malfoy," he spat the name with obvious distaste, "maybe you'd be willing to let a good friend touch you?"

Harry looked cautiously optimistic, hoping he'd not overstepped any boundaries in their friendship. "Are you asking what I think you are, Harry?" Was that intrigue he heard in her voice? Her interest was unmistakable.

Harry smiled sweetly in return, taking full advantage of his good looks and said it out loud, "Just a shag between good friends?"

Hermione's face lit up as it had back in second year at the End-of-Year Feast when she'd been reunited with her friends. "I thought you'd never ask, Harry!" She leaned her head towards him and met his lips, gently at first, but then with more passion. Their arms encircled one another greedily as all the years of repressed attraction burst forth. Harry's lips melded to hers. Their hands rose and fell as they feverishly sought out sensitive spots.

Harry deepened the kiss. Hermione sighed, breathing his name as he opened her blouse and lifted up her bra to expose the soft flesh beneath. One hand kneaded and caressed while his tongue lavished affection on her now erect nipple. His other hand dropped to lift her skirt and slide his fingers into her warm and increasingly wet knickers.

She began to tug at his trousers, trying to get a hand inside. She could already feel his growing hardness. She wanted that warm skin in her grasp, to feel him, see him, taste him. "Harry, takmmoff," his lips gave her no leeway to speak. His urge was almost primal.

"Do you want me to get undressed, Hermione" he teased.

"Please!"

Both sat up and still gazing at each other began to undress. Harry's shirt was off in a second, as was Hermione's. She quickly unfastened her bra, held it tantalizingly in front of him, and then dropped it. Harry's eyes never left her chest as he hurriedly stepped out of his trousers. She allowed her skirt to fall next. Still holding each other's gaze, each removed their remaining shreds of clothing. Their eyes reflected a silent appreciation. Their hands joined, bodies pressed together as they tumbled to the ground. Hermione laid back, legs apart and gazed at the stars between the tree branches. Briefly, Harry's face came into view as he settled atop her. Reaching between their almost joined bodies, she grasped his erection and guided it into her.

A steady rhythm gradually built in intensity, both alternately uttering sounds of pleasure and the other's name. Harry began to thrust more powerfully into her. She grabbed his arse as though trying to pull him even closer. Faster, harder, louder the two sought solace in the other's body, finding a peace that only raw sex could offer. Harry tensed, arching his back, his eyes squeezed shut. Beneath him, Hermione still thrust her hips up to meet his, her arms pulling him back to her. Harry continued to thrust, reaching a finger down to stimulate her manually as well. Finally, the frantic coupling slowed. Harry raised himself up, though they were still joined. His thrusts were now slow and deliberate, though still utterly delicious. The two smiled.

"Harry? Hermione," squeaked Ron. He was more red-faced than was probably healthy, even for a boy his age. His eyes darted between his best friends.

"Are you still a virgin, Ron?" Harry asked as he stood and walked behind him, placing his hands on Ron's shoulders and beginning a gentle massage. Hermione moved to stand directly in front of him, placing her hands on his waist. "I think he's a little over-dressed, Hermione."

She looked as though she were considering that, and then added "yes, this will never do." Harry began to unbutton Ron's shirt from behind while Hermione opened his trousers and reached inside. She looked up at Ron "I know just the charm." She dropped to her knees in front of him, pulled his trousers down and tenderly cupped his balls, caressing them lovingly. Ron groaned slightly, his eyes wide staring down at her. She leaned in, placed a gentle kiss on the tip of his penis causing an even louder groan of pleasure from him. Ron did not notice Harry nibbling and licking his ear or Harry's hands on his chest, pinching a nipple.

Hermione licked his length before closing her lips around him. Her tongue darted along every surface as she sucked, her hands still cupping his balls. Ron threw his head back, eyes closed tightly as pleasure ripped through him. He started to moan "Hermi...," but as his head went back, Harry turned his face and pressed his lips to Ron's still open mouth, giving his tongue free rein.

Ron never knew how he got from standing while Harry kissed him and Hermione proved her mouth could do more than talk to lying on the ground as Hermione lowered herself onto him. He reached one hand up to play with her breasts. Then he noticed Harry to the side of Hermione, her head moving up and down as she pleasured him orally. He blacked out.

He opened his eyes and reached for Hermione, but grasped only air. He pulled his hand back towards his face, studying it almost as if it were not his hand.

"Oh Ron, you're awake. Good. Hermione has a brilliant idea about where to find another horcrux."

"It's simple really, once I remembered something Professor Flitwick had mentioned in passing once. I can't believe I never thought about that until now." She and Harry were fully dressed as was he, Ron noted with a hint of confusion on his face, though he said nothing. He stumbled to his feet, looked at his friends and asked "so, where are we headed next?" His look of confusion was in stark contrast to the excitement on Harry's and Hermione's faces about the new piece of information.

"Are you all right, Ron?" Hermione looked worried.

"You look a bit flustered," commented Harry. "Do you not feel well? Hermione, do you still have that rejuvenating potion?"

"I'm fine, really." Ron glanced between Harry and Hermione. "Where are we headed?"

"Hogsmeade," answered Hermione with a satisfied look. "It's been there all this time."

"Right," responded Ron and walked out in front, looking back once at Harry and Hermione as though he were about to speak. He appeared to reconsider and said nothing, just shook his head.

Harry and Hermione hung back a second or two. "Should we tell him," whispered Hermione, no longer able to cover her grin.

Harry considered her words for a moment longer, "No. I think we'd all enjoy the memory more if we didn't." The two stifled a laugh. "Come on. Let's go find that horcrux."