Passion

Warning: Mild sexual situation!

...

"So... what should we do now?" Ron asked, taking a bite out of his bacon.

The trio was in Harry's room. Harry sat on the bed with Hermione next to him while Ron was sitting in front of them on a chair, holding a piece of bacon and toast in both hands. He was taking turns taking a bite out of them, stuffing his face as usual. Hermione scowled at that. Even in this situation, of course he'd still eat. He wouldn't be Ron if he didn't. Harry smiled at that.

"We'll need to get Hufflepuff's Cup from Bellatrix's fault as soon as possible. Bellatix accused us of stealing the Sword of Gryffindor from her Gringotts vault and was pretty miffed about it because the cup was in there, too. If she finds out that we haven't gotten the cup yet, she'll move it to another place and it'd be impossible to retrieve it now," Hermione said matter-of-factly.

Harry nodded. "Hermione's right. We need to act fast. How does tomorrow sound?"

Ron nodded. "Tomorrow sounds good... but how are we going to pull this off?" He had finished eating his bacon and toast by now.

Harry turned to Hermione. She pulled out a piece of curly black hair from her jacket pocket. "With this."

Ron raised an eyebrow. "How is a lock of hair going to help us break into Gringotts? They have new security measures there, by the way. They have wards that can detect through charms. And we'd need Bellatrix's wand to get into her vault."

Hermione furrowed her brows in thought. "That might be a problem. Why don't we ask Griphook and Bill before we do anything?"

Harry clapped his hands. "Let's go, then."

Before they could do anything, Ron stood up quickly. "Woah, woah, woah. Hold on a second. Are you bloody insane?! You're asking a goblin to break in Gringotts? What makes you think he'll help us? The second we step into that building, he might sell us short."

Harry sighed. "That's what I thought, too. But we have no choice, Ron. He's out last chance. And besides, he owes me. I saved him, remember? If anything, he has to help me."

"How are you so sure life debts work on goblins?"

Hermione glared at him which made him shut his mouth. He next thing he knew it, Hermione had gone into full lecture mode. "Life debts work on everything that has life, Ron. And besides, goblins are known to be creatures with pride. Harry's right. Griphook has to help us. Wizards and witches are not the only beings safe from You-Know-Who. How are you so sure he'll stop only with humans? He might target the goblins next or maybe house-elves. No one is safe from him. He's already gotten Griphook... need I say more?"

Ron's ears turned red with embarrassment. "Alright, alright! I see your point. Blimey, Hermione."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. Harry rubbed his scar which started to itch. Of course, Hermione noticed.

She frowned. "What's wrong, Harry?"

Harry glanced at her. "Don't worry. It just itches. He's pretty miffed now. I wager he already knew about our escape."

She scooted closer to him and removed his hand from his forehead. She brushed his hair away from his scar then brought his head down to her lips so she could place a tender kiss on it. "There. Is that better?"

To his surprise, the itch from his scar actually faded. Harry grinned brightly and grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers. "Loads. Thanks."

Hermione smiled shyly, blushing. "Don't mention it."

Ron rolled his eyes at the two who seemed to forget he was still in the room. "Don't go snogging now, I'm still here, you know."

Hermione reluctantly removed her gaze from Harry's to glare at Ron. "If you don't want us snogging in front of you then maybe you should leave," she quipped. She seemed quite irritated.

Ron snorted. "If you wanted to snog, you should have just asked," he retorted. He stood up and walked towards the door. "Just come out when you're done then we can go talk to Griphook. I'll go find Bill."

He then exited the room, winked and said, "I'll give you ten minutes. And before I forget, use protection."

As the door closed, their faces were as red as the Weasleys' hair. Slowly, Hermione turned to face him. "Harry?"

He gazed down at her eyes. "What is it, 'Mione?"

She smiled a little at her nickname. "We need to talk."

At her seriousness, he focused all his attention on her. "What about?"

She avoided eye contact with him and bit her lip. She didn't want to have to bring up the subject of them being together but she couldn't help it. She hated not knowing. She hated being uncertain.

Harry cupped her cheek. "Look at me, Hermione."

She slowly raised her eyes to meet his. His eyes held so much emotion in them and she knew she didn't- shouldn't- have to worry about anything when it comes to Harry. He's never let her down before and he wouldn't start doing it now. That's what she loved about him. She can just be herself around him. With him, she feels free.

Steeling herself, she said, "Harry... what are we exactly?"

Harry sighed. He had expected this. "I... I don't really know, Hermione. I want to be with you but I'm scared. I'm scared at what will happen."

"I know you're scared, Harry. I am, too. I love you so much. I can't stand the thought of not being with you. If anything, this war is the perfect reason for us to be together. Everything from now on is uncertain. We don't know if we'll still be alive tomorrow. I don't want to regret anything."

Harry didn't know what to say. She was right, of course. She always is. "I don't want to regret anything, too, 'Mione. I love you."

"So... does this mean it's official?"

Harry chuckled. "Yes. I guess it does."

And with that, they both leaned forward and pressed their lips together in a passionate kiss. Harry's arms wound around her waist as Hermione's wound around his neck. She tilted her head to deepen the kiss. They pulled each other closer, rubbing their bodies against each other.

Hermione shifted and without breaking the kiss, straddled Harry, her hands running through his hair. She ran her tongue across his bottom lip then entered his mouth. Their tongues battled for dominance as their hands started to wander. Harry's hands went under her shirt and caressed her back causing Hermione to shudder. Her hands brushed against his muscular chest then descended until she fiddled with the hem of his shirt.

Breaking the kiss, Hermione pulled his shirt above his head and removed his glasses. She took her time admiring his physique this time. He had six-pack abs, his arms were muscled, his chest was firm and he had a V riding low on his hips. He looked like Adonis personified.

Hermione licked her lips which made Harry chuckle. He may not see much without his eyeglasses but he could see her clearly. "See something you like?"

Hermione's eyes shifted to his and he was surprised to see her brown orbs darkening. "Yes. And it's all mine."

She proceeded to lick at the column of his neck towards his ear where she nibbled on his earlobe, earning a groan from the young man. She kissed, nipped, nibbled, and sucked on his neck and shoulders, her mind hazy with his taste. She couldn't get enough. She pushed him down on the bed and caressed every part of him with her hands. At some point, her fingernails grazed his pectorals and he hissed.

"Hermione... slow down," Harry gasped.

Hermione moaned in response. "You just taste too damn good, Harry."

Harry laughed at that then groaned as she suckled viciously on the crook of his neck, wanting to leave a hickey. He tugged her and brought her towards him where he brought her lips in a devouring kiss, pouring all their love and desire for each other. Harry's hands went under her shirt once again and cupped her breasts through her bra, making the witch above him moan in his mouth.

Feeling emboldened, he pushed her bra upwards then cupped her bare breasts. In answer, she pushed her chest towards him, urging him to continue. He caressed her. He squeezed and fondled her breasts, earning him moans and whimpers. At some point, when he rolled her nipples with his fingers, he pinched them and Hermione broke free from the kiss, gasping loudly. Harry then placed open-mouthed kisses on her neck and shoulders. Mimicking Hermione, he placed a lighter hickey on the crook of her neck, marking her as his.

Harry grabbed the hm of her shirt and began to push the shirt upwards when the door burst open and someone gasped, "Bloody hell!"

They broke apart quickly, turning to look at the intruder-

"Ron?!" they both exclaimed.

The red-head blushed furiously and turned away. They scrambled off the bed and tried to fix themselves, Harry grabbing his shirt from the floor and putting it on, missing Hermione's rather disappointed stare. When they were done, they both glared at their best friend.

Ron threw his hands up in the air. "What?! Why are you looking at me like that? I told you I'd give you ten minutes. It's been fifteen minutes! Come on, Griphook and Bill are waiting for us downstairs." And with that, he bolted out of the room.

Harry and Hermione stood awkwardly beside each other, avoiding eye contact.

"We should, um... we need to go," Harry said, blushing, and walked towards the door.

Hermione grabbed his shirt and turned him around to give him a peck on the lips. Harry smiled at that. He grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers as they both exited the room with goofy smiled on their faces.