Chapter 46: Wheels within Wheels

Harry was uneasy with the mood of the school, but kept it to himself. After a little time had passed, most students stopped talking about the escaped Death Eaters. It was difficult for them to care too much, or be too afraid, when they were safe at Hogwarts.

He couldn't help but feel that some new disaster was on the horizon. Though all but one of the horcruxes was gone, they still had no idea where Voldemort was hiding. Nor did he know what would be required of him if they found the monster. If things played out as they usually did, he would find himself tossed into a dangerous situation and have to fly by the seat of his pants. How was he supposed to prepare for a surprise?

Two days ago, an Unspeakable had been driven mad and committed to St. Mungo's. He'd died soon after in an 'accidental' poisoning. Dumbledore believed that the Dark Lord was trying to access the Prophecy before he made any big moves. Bones beefed up security at the Department of Mysteries even further, despite objections from Fudge.

Harry learned through Sirius that there had been at least one dementor attack on the muggles. Two dozen people had lapsed into mysterious comas. All came from the same small village in the Lake District. Their condition was blamed on a carbon monoxide leak, but that excuse wouldn't hold up to scrutiny if the attacks continued.

Snape's 'spying' seemed to be pointless. Voldemort was still holding him at arm's length. He could confirm only that the health of the escaped Death Eaters was improving, which was yet another ominous sign.

Their small army of conjured snakes had proven useless so far too. They had been instructed to return to bolt holes if they discovered traces of Nagini, at which point they would be portkeyed directly to Dumbledore. None had discovered a whiff of the giant snake. Harry irritated the Headmaster on an almost daily basis with his inquiries.

Things within Hogwarts, at least, were mostly positive. Narcissa Malfoy responded to Harry's letter about Pansy Parkinson, affirming Hermione's assessment of the girl. The Parkinsons had no connections to Death Eaters other than the Malfoys, who had deliberately 'befriended' them after the first war. They were an old, respected family whose neutrality could make Lucius' imperius claims seem more plausible.

Narcissa referred to Pansy as 'a silly little thing' who craved only reflected glory. She had never been considered as anything more than arm candy for Draco, which made Harry feel oddly sorry for her. Still, it was a relief to know that she was tormenting Hermione for her own foolish reasons, and not as part of a Death Eater plot.

Gryffindor won its second quidditch match of the season, obliterating Ravenclaw in horrendous weather. It started sleeting soon after the game started, and Angelina commanded him to catch the snitch as soon as humanly possible. He did so within thirty minutes, much to the relief of players and students alike. The Ravenclaws lost 310 to 50, but were so happy to get back to the warmth of the castle that they didn't really care.

Cho pretended to be put out with him for beating her to the snitch, but that didn't stop her from indulging herself in the Pride later. She demanded to be shagged by the entire quidditch team as a form of penance. Everyone happily obliged her.

Harry and Hermione ended up repeating their performance from the prefects' bath with her. While Cho's pussy dripped with the cum of the Weasley twins, Harry bent her over on a bed and took her gently in the ass. Hermione spread her legs in front of her face, and Cho cheekily maneuvered her fist into her soaked pussy. Others watched and cheered, delighted to see Hermione wince and groan and otherwise lose her mind. Cho finished the night passed out in one of the beds. Luckily, Hermione retained enough sanity to wake her early in the morning.

Susan finally informed Harry that she intended to visit the Pride soon. She only wanted to watch, and he assured her that she could do so in private. He was confident that she would have a more positive reaction than Fay. Leanne Turner, her fellow Puff, would also be there to make her more comfortable.

He was less enthusiastic about the consequences of his tryst with Tracey and Daphne in the Chamber of Secrets. The night itself had been incredible, and he could tell just from Daphne's posture that she was pleased with what had happened. Her eyes raked over him in class for the first time ever. It was the Slytherin duo's meeting with Hermione that unnerved him.

The girls had indeed sought her out in the library—the only place it was acceptable for them to speak—but Hermione wouldn't tell him the subject of their conversation. She referred to it as 'girl talk,' but he couldn't imagine her or Daphne engaging in such a thing. The little smirks that Tracey sent him when no one was looking made his stomach churn.

He longed to ask her if she'd gotten in trouble for teasing Daphne's clit, not to mention cumming in her face, but there wasn't yet time for another rendezvous.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"What do you think?" he whispered in Susan's ear as he massaged her breasts from the back. Though she was still clothed, he had already opened her blouse and lowered her panties to her knees.

They were standing in the alcove with Leanne, watching the debauchery from above. The lights were low and the music soft, lending the room a sultry rather than chaotic atmosphere.

Susan blew out an incredulous breath. "I think Gryffindors are fucking insane."

Leanne laughed. "I know. Aren't they great?"

Despite how much she liked to whisper filthy words when they were together, Susan seemed intimidated by the lust on display in the Pride. Harry kissed her neck, then reached a hand underneath her skirt. She was very wet, and staring intently at the scene below. He followed her gaze. She was watching Ginny worship Dean's enormous cock with her tongue. His purple crown shone with her saliva, and she kissed and suckled it luxuriously. They watched in silence until Dean could no longer stand her caresses.

He took control of his cock from her. She pulled away and closed her eyes. Dean grunted as a thick stripe of cum splashed against her nose and arced onto her brow. The next one hit her cheek and eyelid. He shot over and over, more than a dozen times, coating her with his cum. When he was finally finished spurting, Ginny laughed and teased the last of it from his tip. Then she leaned forward and kissed him, creating a sticky concoction in their mouths.

"Sweet Merlin," Susan whispered.

"You don't have to participate in anything," Harry said. "You can just stay here and watch. But everybody down there would please you in whatever way you wanted. Or I can drag you into that bed right now."

Susan licked her lips as he placed kisses along her shoulder and teased her swollen clit back and forth. Jo whimpered below them as Molly devoured her pussy. She cried out and thrust her hips into the bigger girl's face when she came. The filthy eroticism of the scene was overwhelming even to Harry. It was far too much for Susan.

He mashed his fingers into her clit and she grabbed his hand with her own. Her fingers directed his, and moments later she panted and came, almost doubling over from the intensity of it. Harry smiled as he withdrew his wet fingers.

"Want to go down there?"

"Absolutely not," she said, her cheeks flushed. "I'm staying right here. I want to watch you shag someone's brains out though."

He laughed and squeezed her breasts one last time. "As you wish."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry did his best to put on a good show for her. So did his lovers, several of whom were aware that Susan was watching. At the moment, he was on his knees behind Katie, fucking her gently while she went down on Hermione. Hermione's legs were spread wide on a large couch. Her eyes were closed as she made out with Angelina. Angelina reclined next to her, kneading her breasts while Hermione reached between her legs to finger her.

On the other side of the couch, Alicia rode Fred with deliberate slowness. She raised and lowered herself on his long cock, removing all of it before making it disappear. Next to them, Cho was on her back and sighing in bliss as Lee Jordan filled her. The couch was crowded with bodies, but no one fucked in a frenzy. It was slow and sensual, and Harry loved that his position allowed him to see everything.

Katie moaned, and he looked down to watch his cock slide into her depths again. The pace was making her cream all over him. Her asshole flexed, and he caressed it as he pulled out. He pushed in just as slowly, delighting in how warm and wet she was. There was no hurry to cum. He wanted her to be able to focus on pleasing his best friend.

Hermione looked as if she were inhabiting some other world, one composed entirely of warm, orgasmic flesh. Her breasts and mouth and pussy were being feasted upon relentlessly. He could hear how wet she was as Katie kissed her clit and tongued her lips. As much as he liked being with her, Harry never grew tired of watching her.

Katie had been more affectionate with both of them lately. Though she was rarely serious, she was more aware of his moods than the other girls, and tried to dispel them when they grew dark. Especially after quidditch practice. When Ron and Jack left, she was fond of strolling into the shower to shag him beneath the falling water.

The open-mouthed kiss between Angelina and Hermione grew sloppy. Harry felt he could watch their playing tongues for hours. Hermione parted Angelina's folds with three fingers, exposing the pink flesh behind her dark lips. They disappeared inside her, only to return wet and shining. Hermione whimpered and broke their kiss, her eyes tightly shut. Katie's tongue was starting to overwhelm her.

Harry squeezed Katie's ass and slid into her, watching Hermione's face as she lost control. Angie tweaked her nipples, and she trembled as ecstasy overcame her. Katie continued kissing her clit until she took a faltering breath and collapsed against the couch. Angelina immediately captured her lips again, and Hermione obliged by sliding her fingers deeper into their queen.

Katie looked over her shoulder at him, her chin and lips shining with Hermione's juices. "Okay, give it to me, Harry. Katie-bugg needs to cum."

It was all he needed to hear. He pulled her hips to him and filled her roughly. Each penetration grew deeper and faster. Katie panted and reached between her legs. It didn't take long for her to come undone. Her walls gripped him hard, then spasmed around his cock. Harry pulled forward his own release and grunted as he filled her with cum.

He withdrew, and she lay down on the floor with a satisfied smile. She laughed as Colin appeared and dove between her legs, eager to lap at her cum-soaked pussy. Harry moved on to Angelina. Watching her lips spread wide around Hermione's fingers was too much for him. He needed to smell her and taste her too. He pulled on her muscular legs until they were spread open. Hermione watched with amusement as he wrestled away control of her body. She removed her fingers while Harry buried his face in the musky wetness between her legs.

Angelina writhed at the intensity of his tongue's ardor.

"Fuck, Harry," she whimpered, and thrust her pussy deeper into his face.

He reached two fingers deep inside her, searching for that spot that would make her squirm. He engulfed her entire mound in a kiss, and slid his tongue up and down her clit roughly. Angelina gripped the back of his head and came with a muttered curse. She relaxed into the couch, then cursed again when Cho plopped down on her lap with a drunken giggle.

"No rest for you, Harry Potter," she said. "Give me that tongue too."

She spread her legs wide, covering Angelina's body, and he laughed. He happily suckled on her wet, engorged clit as dark hands reached around her body to massage her breasts. Angelina groaned in pain, and he looked up to discover that Hermione had added to the pile on top of her. She half-stood on the couch, straddling Cho's face, and lowered her pussy to her waiting tongue. The three looked like a small mountain of swaying female flesh. He went back to work on Cho, teasing her for whole minutes, until she squeaked and closed her thighs around his head. The whole couch nearly tipped over as both Cho and Hermione moaned and came together.

They hadn't planned for a night of craziness. Certainly not an impromptu orgy. But everyone was having so much fun that inhibitions had disappeared entirely. Laughter and panting filled the room. Harry stood and stared in wonder at all the bodies surrounding the single couch. Parvati stumbled into him trying to join the fray. Katie was now slobbering all over Colin's cock, and Lavender had pulled both Gunnar and Latimer Sykes to the floor beneath the watching Fred and Alicia.

"You're all fucking amazing," Harry said to no one in particular.

Katie paused in her efforts and looked up with a goofy smile. "Damn right, we are."

Hermione met his gaze, and glanced up at the darkened alcove. He took the hint. It had been more than an hour since he'd descended the stairs. Hopefully Susan was still there, and not hyperventilating in shock. Given her importance within Hufflepuff, those in the know wanted her to have a good experience on her first visit, even if she didn't want to participate.

He disentangled himself from the pile of limbs and went to check on her.

At first glance, the alcove was empty. But the bed curtains were pulled, and little noises emanated from within. He peeked inside, and smiled at what he discovered. Susan was riding Neville vigorously while Leanne reclined next to them and rubbed his chest. It seemed Leanne had gone downstairs to retrieve a playmate for them.

Harry was happy to see it. It meant that Susan didn't object on principle to the Pride, and that she wouldn't attempt to monopolize him. Even if she wasn't ready to have sex in the middle of the room, she might become an occasional visitor.

He would pay a considerable sum of galleons to have Tracey and Daphne in this position, but they weren't ready for it. Daphne had only just become comfortable having a single lover. Maybe their 'girl talk' with Hermione would tempt them into visiting in secret someday. A boy could dream.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

March arrived, and with it a break from snow and bitter winds. Harry hoped the bright sun heralded good tidings.

He opted not to attend the next Hogsmeade weekend. Hermione stayed with him to study. Though he could have gone under Polyjuice, there was little point. He wouldn't be able to socialize with people as himself, and Dobby could do whatever shopping needed to be done.

Ron was unhappy with their decision. He'd invited them to The Three Broomsticks to hang out with him and Tamsin. Harry wasn't sure what the invitation meant. So far, Ron had mostly kept her to himself. It seemed out of character for him to seek some sort of double date.

Instead of The Three Broomsticks, the four of them retreated to the kitchens one night for dinner. The elves were only too happy to provide for them. They prepared a little nook in the corner for their human guests. Harry and Hermione sat on one side of a wooden table, while Ron and Tamsin sat on the other. A tiny feast was laid about before them, including actual ale. That came courtesy of Dobby.

They made small talk at first, discussing mostly classes and quidditch, until Tamsin took things in another direction.

"Ron's been telling me the most incredible stories," she said with a smile at her boyfriend. "I can't tell if he's pulling my leg."

The tips of his ears turned red. "I wouldn't lie to you."

"I know. I'm just teasing."

"What have you been telling her?" Hermione inquired.

"Just some things about our adventures around here. Nothing that's, you know, super-secret."

"Unless you count the Chamber of Secrets," Tamsin said. "I can't believe it's real. Or that Lockhart was so evil. I used to have a crush on him."

"So did Hermione," Harry replied, earning a little smack to the arm. "He was definitely a bastard. Tried to obliviate me and Ron, but Ron's broken wand saved the day."

Tamsin laughed and patted Ron's leg. "That's what I hear, and you don't have to worry about me spilling any of your secrets. I'm just curious."

"Did he tell you about Fluffy?" Hermione asked.

"The Cerberus? Oh, yes. I've heard that one several times."

"Did he also tell you he squealed like a little girl when he saw it?"

"Oooh, did he?" she said gleefully.

"No, he didn't!" Ron snapped. "I dragged our arses out of there. You were more worried about us getting expelled than killed!"

Hermione winked at him. "Well, someone around here has to have their priorities straight."

Ron calmed down when he realized that she was teasing him for Tamsin's benefit.

"Did he tell you about the time a big, black dog broke his leg?" Harry asked. "It dragged him all the way to the Shrieking Shack."

"I do remember hearing something about Sirius Black…"

"Still got the bloody scar from that beast," Ron muttered. "Sirius was waiting on us when we got there. 'Course, we didn't know he was one of the good guys at the time."

Harry smiled, relieved that Ron hadn't revealed his godfather's animagus abilities. He appeared to be using at least some discretion in his tales.

"What was it you said, Ron?" Hermione mused. "If you want Harry, you'll have to go through us first?"

"I, er, might have said something like that."

Harry tipped his glass. "Your finest hour. Ready to fight Sirius Black with no wand and a broken leg."

Tamsin looked at him admiringly, and he finally saw what this was all about. She'd been hearing quite a few outrageous stories. She was curious about them, and probably wondering why Ron was no longer attached at the hip to his closest friends. Perhaps she had even detected something wrong, and wanted to fix it.

The more they talked, the more comfortable everyone became. The trio's old dynamic reasserted itself, as if fourth year had never happened, and soon everyone was laughing. It felt quite good to reminisce about things they had experienced together—things that had once formed their original bond.

Harry's heart ached as the stories came tumbling out. If Ron's jealousy and insecurity hadn't gotten the better of him last year, so much might be different right now.

Then again, if it hadn't, he might not even be alive. That single domino had caused a dozen others to fall. Ron's absence was the reason he had been offered membership in the Pride. Katie and Angelina had said as much. If he hadn't joined, he might not be as close to Hermione right now. Or have trained so fiercely with her. Their training with Cedric began only after the boy's visit to the Pride, and it had saved their asses in the graveyard. He wouldn't have had the confidence to sleep with Fleur either, and that had led directly to the removal of his horcrux.

Maybe in a strange sort of way, Ron's insecurities had saved his life.

Harry smiled at his friend's flushed face. Perhaps everything was working out as it should. Tamsin's presence had clearly done wonders for his self-esteem. Had they not appreciated his contribution to the trio enough? It couldn't have been easy being friends with the most famous teenager in their world and the most brilliant girl in the school. Now Ron had a less stressful friendship with them, and some semblance of a normal teenage life.

Talk turned to quidditch as the night wore on. Tamsin was as opinionated on the subject as any fanatic. Truly, they had gotten lucky when Cedric suggested her for their plan. She wasn't particularly girly, but she was down-to-earth and didn't hesitate to scold Ron when he needed it.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Tamsin didn't seem like the kind of girl who would join the Pride. And even if she were, Ron was very possessive. He'd inherited a very traditional notion of gender roles from his mother. He'd likely explode if he witnessed another guy looking at her, let alone sleeping with her. Their club just wouldn't work for exclusive couples.

Then there was Ginny. The likelihood of Ron being able to witness Ginny suck someone's cock without having an aneurysm was very, very low. Ah, well. Perhaps things would change in the future.

For now, Harry decided he would appreciate what they shared with Ron, not lament what they didn't.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hermione couldn't stop smirking at the note. '8pm – across from the one-eyed witch.' It wasn't signed, but she recognized Parkinson's handwriting. It had taken two weeks for the Slytherin girl to respond to the offered deal, but here was the proof that she had been right about her motives.

She took one last look around the corridor, making certain that Harry's cloak was wrapped around her. He would be watching the map in a nearby classroom in case something went wrong. He still wasn't fully confident in her understanding of Pansy, despite what Narcissa Malfoy had said.

Hermione slipped inside the appointed room and softly closed the door behind her. Pansy was sitting on the teacher's desk, looking apprehensive as she stared out a window. She jumped when Hermione suddenly whipped off the cloak in front of her.

"Merlin, Granger, there's no need to scare me to death!"

"Sorry, couldn't resist."

Hermione placed the cloak on a nearby desk and removed her outer robes, leaving her in skirt, blouse, and tie. The tie was loose and four buttons were undone, exposing more flesh than she ever would have in the hallways. Pansy furtively took in the view.

There was a long silence as the two girls watched each other. Hermione was careful to keep her expression warm. Pansy displayed none of her typical disdain. She seemed almost sulky. That alone told Hermione all she needed to know.

"So you've had time to consider my offer," she said. "I assume you're interested."

"I want guarantees," Pansy said petulantly. "A contract or something, so you can't hold this over my head."

"How ironic."

She had the grace to blush. "I'll answer your questions, but I'm not going to let you ruin me. If anyone found out…"

Hermione drew closer, until she was standing in her personal space. Pansy stiffened, but didn't pull away when she brushed a fringe of hair off her forehead.

"I have no desire to ruin you, Pansy. But you'll have to trust me. I'm not going to sign any contracts. If you're a good little girl, and keep our secret, I promise I'll do the same."

She kept to herself the fact that Harry already knew everything. That revelation could wait until Pansy was fully under her spell.

"That's not good enough. And I didn't give you leave to call me Pansy."

Hermione ignored her whining. "I don't want revenge. I want information. And if you're honest with me, I'll let you indulge all those desires you're afraid to accept."

"I'm not afraid of you."

"I didn't say you were. Give me your hand."

Pansy hesitantly reached forth, and Hermione put it on her bare thigh. She ran it slowly up her leg, beneath her skirt, until it rested between her legs. Pansy sighed and closed her eyes. Hermione marveled at what was happening. She was successfully seducing a Slytherin who had treated her with nothing but contempt. The world had turned upside down, and it was thrilling.

"You feel how wet I am?" she whispered. "I didn't wear panties for you. Because I know how much you want me."

She guided one of Pansy's fingers inside her wet lips with a soft squelch.

"This is all yours, if you're willing to take a little risk. You're soaking wet right now too, aren't you?"

Pansy swallowed thickly. "I don't trust you. I don't even like you."

"You will. And you want me so, so badly, don't you? Admit it."

Hermione slid another of her fingers inside her, and Pansy hung her head. "Yes."

She lifted her chin with a finger. "Tell me why you want me so much."

"I don't know."

"Yes, you do. You want me because I'm a mudblood. You've been taught to believe you're better than me. But we both know that's not true."

Pansy didn't answer, but her breathing grew heavier as she stared into Hermione's eyes. Her fingers clearly exulted in the soft flesh that squeezed them, and she couldn't resist twisting them.

"I'm not just any mudblood," Hermione continued. "I'm superior to you in every way. You know it, deep down, don't you? You may not like me, but you admire me, and you're ashamed of how much you want me to take control of your little body and make you cum so hard you forget you're a pureblood."

"You're insane, Granger," Pansy whispered, something like desperation in her eyes.

Hermione leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "Your wet pussy knows the truth. Be my pureblood pet in Slytherin, and I'll satisfy needs you didn't even know you had."

She withdrew Pansy's fingers from her pussy and brought them to her mouth. Then she licked them succulently. Pansy looked like she might faint.

"Will you be my pet?"

Pansy stared into her eyes for a long time, then closed them, her resistance collapsing. "You better not betray me, and I'm not betraying anyone else," she muttered almost inaudibly.

"Good girl."

Hermione kissed her softly on the lips. It was tentative at first, but soon Pansy was leaning into her and playing lustily with her tongue, overcome with desire. Hermione felt her apprehension melt into nothingness. She squeezed her breasts until she was panting, then pulled away.

"I want to feel your tongue. Get on your knees and show me how much you want to worship my mudblood pussy," Hermione instructed, keeping her tone kind but firm. She instinctively knew it would be a mistake for her commands to be insulting.

Pansy glared at her but obediently dropped to her knees. Hermione lifted her skirt and put a leg on the desk to give her better access. The Slytherin girl buried her nose in her little stripe of pubic hair and inhaled deeply, as if she had wanted to do so for years. She went lower and engulfed her lips and clit in a hungry kiss.

Hermione smiled at her touch. Two small fingers slid inside her to caress her walls. This situation was setting her libido on fire. She would never refer to herself as a mudblood in any other context, but in this one she decided to use the term proudly. It only emphasized Pansy's submission.

"Look at me," she said.

Pansy looked up and into her eyes. Hermione reveled in the desire she saw there. And in the position itself. Pansy was literally beneath her. That familiar need suffused throughout her abdomen and grew.

"You're mine, aren't you? Add another finger."

Pansy obeyed. A third finger reached deep inside and dug into her flesh. A drop of arousal trickled down her wrist. She leaned forward to lick it off, then suckled gently on her clit, afraid to be too bold.

"Pull back on my clit and press down on it," Hermione said.

She did so, and it took only a few gentle caresses to overpower her. Hermione moaned as she came. Pansy licked her feverishly, burying her nose in her mound.

She dropped her leg with a pleased sigh and patted Pansy's cheek. "That was good. Did you like that?"

"Yes," she admitted reluctantly.

"You're good at it. Now strip and get on your back, and I'll reward you. Don't forget we're going to talk afterwards."

Pansy stood and shivered as she undressed. Hermione watched her, curious what she looked like beneath her uniform. She looked even more waifish without clothes. She had a body like a porcelain doll, with skin so translucently white that little blue veins were visible here and there beneath it. Her breasts were small and pert with pale pink nipples. Her pubic hair was sparse and as black as the hair on her head. The overall effect was surprisingly vulnerable.

She lay down on her back nervously and spread her legs. Hermione's eyes examined the pink lips residing there. They already shined with arousal. She removed the last of her own clothes and went to her knees.

"Such a tiny body. Are you ready, little Pansy?"

"Please, Granger. There's no need to mock me."

"I'm not mocking you. I treat my possessions with care. When we're alone together, I want you to call me Hermione."

Pansy sighed but nodded.

Hermione wondered if this was the first time another girl had taken control of her like this. Her encounters with Bulstrode and Cork were probably tainted by the politics of Slytherin. With her, however, she was free to relinquish control; she seemed, in fact, grudgingly pleased to be told what to do.

She leaned down to inhale Pansy's scent. Her pussy was musky and soaking with arousal. The little hairs on her lower lips were plastered to her skin. Her clit was almost hidden. Hermione teased it with her tongue, and Pansy groaned and grabbed her hair.

The girl was so turned on that she came almost instantly. Hermione slipped two fingers inside her to stroke her walls, and her pussy contracted, gripping and releasing her fingers so hard that it trapped them. Pansy gasped with each little pulse.

Hermione continued suckling on her clit as she came down. She added a third finger, spreading her lips wide, even though Pansy tried to close her legs.

"No. Spread them. I'm going to tease you until you can't take anymore. I'll only stop when you beg me to."

"Okay," she agreed softly, and spread her legs as far as she could.

Hermione did her best to drive her mad. It took very little time for her to start writhing her hips again. She reached up with one hand to massage a breast. Pansy grabbed it and held it there until she was gasping for air and pushing her pussy wantonly into her mouth.

She came twice more in the next half hour. Hermione didn't let her rest for long, forcing her to receive pleasure from her erstwhile enemy. Her kisses moved from her pussy to her mouth, and Pansy kissed her so hungrily that both girls lost themselves in it. Eventually Hermione commanded her to return the favor. She did so worshipfully, so eager to please that Hermione too almost lost her mind with lust. Pansy could fit four of her small fingers inside her. She stretched her and stroked her walls as tenderly as she could. Outside of Angelina and Cho, it was the most erotic experience she'd shared with a girl.

Pansy was silent the entire time. She didn't sneer or deliver insults, though her expression alternated between sulky and longing. She didn't try to reassert control of the encounter, which left Hermione delighted. In her own way, she was as submissive as Colin. Her true nature was hidden behind a mask of pureblood disdain.

Afterwards, Hermione sat with her back against the teacher's desk. Pansy sat between her legs, her back resting against her chest. Hermione massaged her little breasts and occasionally kissed her neck as she recovered.

"It's time to fulfill your end of the bargain," she said.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything."

"I don't know what that means."

"Let's start with the social hierarchy in Slytherin. Who's near the top and why?"

Pansy frowned and began speaking.

They talked for the better part of an hour, pausing only when Pansy got so aroused by Hermione's teasing touches that she could no longer focus. Then Hermione would reach between her legs to play with her clit again until she cried out in ecstasy.

She learned quite a lot from their talk, even if most it was mundane. Slytherin's hierarchy was based on family status, bullying, and blackmail. Magical power didn't matter much if one came from the wrong family, which is perhaps why Voldemort had changed his identity. The girls were usually given less respect than the boys, even if they came from the purest of families. The place really was a den of vipers, but not because the people there were evil. A minority of powerful, aristocratic assholes enforced a centuries-old code, and most accepted it as the natural order of things. It resulted in a culture of back-biting and secrecy, where everyone sought out an advantage to move up the social ladder.

Crabbe and Goyle were at the bottom of it in their year. They were rudderless, and unlikely to initiate violence on their own. Pansy herself no longer had much power either. She hadn't endeared herself to anyone when Draco had been by her side, and now her housemates shunned her as much as they could. Narcissa Malfoy had been right about her lack of real connections to Death Eaters.

It came as no surprise that she wasn't enamored with Draco. She was basically gay, even if she didn't use that word. Draco was just a convenient way to gain prestige in the house. But she did consider him a friend, and was worried about his fate.

Hermione took mercy on her and revealed that she knew Draco to be alive and safe with his mother, but revealed no more. She refused to answer any questions about Nott, claiming ignorance.

In return, Pansy revealed that Slytherin was currently in a state of confusion. The prefects exercised nominal control. Snape was consulted only when punishment needed to be meted out, and almost never entered the common room. No one knew what to make of the recent Azkaban breakout. They seemed to be waiting on something to happen, whether it be a new event or some new person trying to step up and take control. But there was no hint that anyone suspected Voldemort's return.

For now, Hermione's curiosity about Slytherin was sated. There would be more questions to follow, especially about Pansy personally, but they could wait until later, when she was more thoroughly wrapped around her finger.

"Tonight was worth taking a risk for, wasn't it?" she whispered in her ear.

"Yes," Pansy admitted. "When can we do it again?"

"Next week. Maybe sooner if you're willing to tell me more about Slytherin."

"I still have to call you a mudblood in the halls."

Hermione smiled and gave her nipple a brief caress. "I know."

The evening had turned out exceptionally well from her point of view. Pansy's personality had begun to make sense. Despite all the sneering and disdain, she felt weak. She sought out power through others and submitted to them. She manipulated her 'inferiors' only when she felt protected by someone stronger. Of course, nothing of the sort had been admitted out loud, but Hermione knew how to read between the lines.

A vague plan for Slytherin house was beginning to form in her mind, whether a full-scale war with Voldemort broke out or not. It was too early to tell if it was viable. Its success would require the aid of more than just Pansy.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry was in a poor mood for his next prefect patrol with Hermione. He'd endured an exhausting, rainy quidditch practice, and then listened to more placating platitudes from the Headmaster. There was no news about Voldemort. He read the papers every day like a hawk, and tried to keep his irritation to himself, but sometimes that was impossible.

"How much longer?" he muttered.

"Five minutes less than the last time you asked. It's only midnight."

"Dammit."

They were walking aimlessly along the fifth floor. He appreciated the fact that they were together tonight, but was growing increasingly resentful of the pointlessness of the patrols. He had half a mind to beg Sirius to make a donation to the school, so they could hire someone to patrol after hours. Exhausting the prefects was ridiculous.

"I bet I can take your mind off things until we go to the bath," Hermione said.

"How?"

She wafted her hand beneath his nose. "Sniff."

He inhaled deeply and raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Parkinson. I met her again an hour before curfew."

He snorted. "I still can't believe you're hooking up with her."

"She could be an invaluable source of information."

"You just like having her under your thumb."

"Well, she does make some delightful noises, and she's quite submissive, but I'm serious—with Greengrass and Davis on our side too, we might be able to make some changes in Slytherin."

"On our side? What have you been talking with them about?"

"This and that. Nothing important yet. Don't worry, they're pleased with the performance of their Gryffindor toy, as Tracey put it. She's talkative when she feels comfortable."

"Oh, Merlin."

She smiled. "They're quite keen to know all your secrets. Greengrass actually laughed when I told her about you crashing a car in the forest."

"Don't tell them too much. I'll never hear the end of it."

Though he was uneasy about what the three might get up to, Harry was pleased that Daphne was willing to socialize with Hermione, even in secret. She didn't seem to harbor the blood prejudice that so many of her housemates did. Or at least not as much of it. It probably helped that she and Tracey already had very intimate knowledge of her body.

"If you trust them, I will too," she said. "They seem like decent people. Davis is a bit like Katie Bell, isn't she?"

"Sometimes. Especially when she's drunk. She's a lot more sarcastic though."

"That's just a Slytherin trait, I think. We need more allies there. Your secret lovers might give us an opening."

"An opening?"

"If Pansy feels indebted to me, she could influence Bulstrode, who is also sleeping with her. Honestly, Bulstrode doesn't seem that bad. I didn't realize she came from such a respected family."

Harry looked at her oddly. "Are you trying to orchestrate some sort of coup in Slytherin?"

"Three steps ahead of you, dear partner. I'm going to discuss it with Davis first. Greengrass wouldn't want to lead, but I bet she'd consider backing Bulstrode if she makes a move. We might be able to shag our way into control of Slytherin."

He burst out laughing. "Oh, my God. Do you hear yourself? What happened to the Hermione who was terrified of leaving her room after her first visit to the Pride?"

Hermione grinned. "She had some sense shagged into her by Harry Potter, among others. I want to decimate the bigotry in Slytherin. If we defang the worst snakes, it will be helpful even after Voldemort is dead. We could reform them in secret with their own people. Don't you want the place to change?"

"You're a little bit scary. You know that, right?"

"Why, thank you."

He chuckled. In another world, one where ambition and cunning meant more than blood status and tradition, Hermione might have made the consummate Slytherin. Well, if she weren't so blunt in her boldness. He wondered if the other Slytherin girls somehow sensed that.

"You can't do anything risky while Voldemort is still around. It would put people in danger."

"I know. They need to warm up to me a lot more anyway, especially Greengrass. I'm just thinking long-term."

"It's going to take more than sex to change centuries of bigotry, but I'll help however I can."

She yawned. "Good. We can head to the prefects' bath early if you want. I'm tired."

"Yeah, just let me check the map again."

He pulled it from his robes and frowned at it. She looked over his shoulder curiously.

"What is it?"

"See that kid? Second-year Slytherin, isn't he? What's he doing?"

"Hmmm. Bryce Morehead. He's just standing there."

"In a dead-end corridor in the dungeons. Let's go check it out."

They made their way quickly to the lower floors. Both disillusioned themselves along the way. With Tonks' instruction, they had long since mastered it. Five minutes later, they passed the entrance to the Slytherin common room and turned a corner that led to nowhere.

At the end of the corridor was a boy standing directly in front of a painting. They approached cautiously. Morehead was tall for a 13-year-old, and they didn't want to take any risks.

As they got closer, he heard a little gasp from Hermione. A second later he cottoned on. The boy's hands were in front of him as he stared at the painting. It was the portrait of an attractive middle-aged witch. Her breasts were exposed, and she was smirking and fondling them.

Morehead groaned and thrust his hips. Harry stopped abruptly, unsure what to do. He had to fight not to laugh. He'd never imagined anyone masturbating to a Hogwarts painting, and wished that Hermione's face was visible.

Both stayed silent until the boy was finished. He murmured his thanks to the painting and stuffed himself backed into his trousers.

Harry decided on a course of action. He shimmered into view and Hermione quickly followed suit. Morehead turned around and stopped dead in his tracks. He paled at the sight of two Gryffindor prefects blocking his path.

"I—I didn't do it!"

"Didn't do what, Bryce?" Harry asked innocently.

"Nothing! Nothing happened!"

He seemed to have lost all composure, and was looking between them with fear and mortification.

"We're not going to embarrass you," Harry said. "Relax."

"I was just taking a walk. Now if you'll excuse me…"

Hermione smirked. "If you're going to take more walks, you should probably learn the scourgify spell."

She gestured at the wall, and Bryce grimaced when he saw stripes of cum sliding down the stone.

"I, er, haven't learned that one yet," he mumbled, his face turning bright red.

She drew her wand and deftly cleaned up the mess. "We won't harass you, but you need to be more careful. Don't take any 'walks' unless you're certain that prefects aren't nearby. And use some tissue next time, for Merlin's sake."

"Okay," he muttered. "Please don't tell anyone. Please. I'd never live it down. I'll owe you a big favor. Whatever you want."

"Don't worry about it," Harry said, thoroughly amused. "We won't talk. Gryffindors aren't your enemies. Maybe try to find a magazine though? It's easier."

"Perhaps you could send him one," Hermione said. "A friend of ours has a surplus."

He almost laughed at her smile. "I suppose I could. Do you happen to like hairy girls, Bryce?"

"What?"

"Never mind. Just go back to bed. We won't take points this time."

"Right. Thank you for your, er, discretion," he said, and walked away with as much dignity as he could muster.

They let him get out of earshot before they looked at each other and started laughing.

"You know," Hermione said, "if you send him a couple magazines, we could have another secret ally in Slytherin."

"I'm starting to appreciate the way you think. Maybe I'll have Dobby deliver some to his bed."

They returned the way they came, and ten minutes later were relaxing in the prefects' bath. Both had stripped and entered the pool, swimming lazy laps in the scented water. Harry intended to make use of their time for more than swimming, but there was no hurry. They had almost two hours left in their shift.

Hermione swam up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, nuzzling her nose against his.

"I might have a proposition for you. I'm not sure yet," she said.

"Your hands go any lower and I can guarantee the answer is yes."

She snorted. "Not that. It's about Ravenclaw. I met with Anthony Goldstein again two nights ago."

"Got him properly trained yet?"

"It's a work in progress. I think he finds me a little intimidating."

"Imagine that."

"That's not the important part. He made a subtle hint that he's a member of Ravenclaw's version of the Pride."

"Seriously?"

"Yes. I played it coy, because I wasn't sure. I'm thinking of hinting to him that I would an accept an invitation."

"You're not worried about your reputation among Ravenclaws?"

"Well, I wouldn't go crazy there, and contracts would presumably be involved. But no, I'm no longer scared what anyone thinks of me."

"I love the new you."

"So do I. If I can coax him into inviting me, would you come with me? I'm sure we can talk Cho into joining us too."

Now that he considered it, it was rather odd that Cho hadn't invited them herself. Or that Hermione hadn't interrogated her before now. Perhaps she had, and he wasn't aware of it. Cho had implied that she wasn't very fond of the place, after all.

Harry squeezed her ass and rested his forehead on hers. "Gryffindors no longer enough to satisfy you?"

"Oh, be quiet. I'm just curious what it's like there. Aren't you?"

"There aren't many people I want to sleep with in Ravenclaw, but I'd go just to watch you shock them all silly. Don't pretend you wouldn't try."

Hermione smiled. "It could be fun."

"Yes, it could. Let me know the details. I'll go."

She kissed him and squeezed his cock until it grew hard in her hands. "Good. You ready to fill me with this big thing?"

"Always."