Authors Note: This is only my 2nd attempt at fanfiction. Reviews are welcome. This will be a multi-chapter story, and I'll try to upload more chapters regularly. Please let me know what you think, and if I should continue. Enjoy!

Harry was sitting in a chair in the middle of the tent, watching his best friend moping over the betrayal of their other best friend. She was sitting on a step with her arms wrapped around her drawn up knees, listening to music for a change. He couldn't believe she chose to stay with him when Ron gave her the choice to stay or to go.

He knew things weren't working out as he'd hoped. They'd been on the move and in hiding for a lot longer than he thought they would be. He thought Dumbledore would've left them more to go on than a snitch, a book, and a device to capture lights. He noticed a while ago that Ron and Hermione had begun to lose hope. In all honesty, he expected them both to leave him eventually. The fact that she stayed made his heart swell, and the need to accomplish something soon arise.

He knew Ron had liked Hermione for quite a while now. She had also been showing signs of returning his feelings since about fourth year. Harry watched from the sidelines, letting his best friend have the glory for once. Not that it didn't hurt, but he wanted his friends to be happy more than anything. But, she chose him when all was said and done. Why didn't she follow Ron? He didn't care. He felt a renewed energy and sense of purpose.

Harry just couldn't take seeing her like that anymore. He got up, and slowly made his way over to her. Hermione looked up and quirked her eyebrow at him. She didn't understand what he was doing. Things had been kind of tense between them lately. They hadn't really been speaking to each other much. Neither knew what the other was thinking, and if anything they said would push the other over the edge.

When she wasn't looking for food or keeping watch, she was crying in her bed. She just couldn't believe Ron would leave them like that. They had devoted most of their time for the past six years to helping Harry find a way to defeat Voldemort. He was their center. She and Ron would've probably never become friends if hadn't been for Harry. Harry had been trying to give her space, not really knowing what to say to her. He was never good at showing his emotions, or dealing with the emotions of others.

She had watched him over the years fumble through a horrid attempt at a relationship with Cho Chang, and begin a relationship she never understood with Ron's little sister Ginny. She couldn't believe how he didn't see it was just hero worship that made Ginny want him. But, she sat back and watched knowing he would never look at her that way. Then Ron made it clear in his bumbling oaf sort of way that he fancied her. True they fought like cats and dogs, but they had true affection for each other.

Hermione was startled when Harry reached her, then held out his hand to her. She trusted him no matter what, so she slowly placed her hand in his. He pulled her up, and slowly traced his fingers up her arms to the back of her neck. She felt shivers run down her spine at his touch. She wondered what he was about. When she looked up, he was gazing right back at her.

He never broke eye contact as he unclasped the locket and wordlessly tossed it onto the nearby bed. He began backing up towards the middle of the tent, pulling her along by her hand. She couldn't believe it when he began to move side to side. He was trying to dance! A small smile began to pull at the corner of her mouth. This was a huge step for him, to try and make her feel better. They began twirling around the tent, smiling, and forgetting about all their troubles for a few precious moments.

They began to slow, and they made their way closer to each other. Harry pulled her hand to rest over his heart, and she lowered her head to his shoulder. She breathed in his scent, and cherished this moment being held by her best friend. Harry was also taking in the moment. Never had he been able to be this physical with someone, or this intimate. He never felt like he had to hide from Hermione. Neither noticed the song had ended. They continued to sway to the music in their hearts.

Hermione lifted her head from Harry's shoulders, quickly looked into Harry's eyes, and then lowered her eyes to the floor. He could tell she was about to become melancholy again. He didn't want to see her sad anymore, so he acted on instinct. He put his hand under her chin, and tilted her head up to meet his gaze. She looked a little confused until he began to move in closer to her. Her eyes got wide before she too leaned in closer. They both closed their eyes, and Harry tentatively brushed his lips lightly over hers.

It could hardly be called a kiss, but he wanted to make sure he hadn't ruined their entire friendship in one moment. He lifted his head and looked at her closely. She slowly opened her eyes hoping she wouldn't see regret in his. When all she saw was love and affection reflecting back at her, she reached around his neck and slid her hand into his hair, pulling him in for a deeper kiss. Harry eagerly returned her embrace. He wrapped his arms around her waist, sliding his hands under her shirt, and their tongues fought for dominance.

After several moments of very heated kissing, Harry became bold, and brushed his hand along the underside of her breast. At her moan of pleasure, he raised his hands to her shoulders, and slid off her unbuttoned, plaid over shirt. She tilted her head to the side to offer him access to her neck, as her shirt slid to the floor. He passed his lips across her cheek to her ear lobe. She gasped as he bit down slightly. Making his way down her neck, he moved his hands under her tank top, and slowly pulled it over her head. He stood back a little to admire her in only her bra and jeans. She was breathtaking.

Hermione decided they weren't on even ground. She placed her hands under his jumper, and pushed it up as far as she could go. As he was a bit taller than her, he pulled it off the rest of the way, and tossed it aside. She didn't realize how much work Quittitch was until she noticed Harry's well sculpted abs and chest. She didn't waste any time reaching out to run her hands from his shoulders to his belly button. He began to pull her back into another kiss, but she stopped him with a hand on his chest. He began to feel that she thought this was a mistake, until she reached behind her and unclasped her bra. It slowly fell from her shoulders leaving her breasts bare. He couldn't help but ogle her.

She then pulled him back to her for another kiss, having wanted them skin to skin. As they kissed, Harry moved his hands to her breasts. He cupped them, never having had the weight of a girl's breast in his hands before. It felt wonderful. He then brushed his thumbs over her nipples. She shivered as they hardened into peaks. Encouraged by the sounds she was making, he lightly pulled on them. He knew he had to have more of her. He reached around and cupped her ass, lifting her until she wrapped her legs around his waist. He then began walking over to the bed near where she'd been sitting.

He gently laid her on the bed, and then he reached down and unbuttoned his jeans, sliding them to the floor. He lowered himself on the bed next to her clad only in his boxers. She reached her hands around his neck to pull him in for a passionate kiss. Harry kissed his way down her neck, over first to her left breast, teasing her nipple. He made sure to give equal time to the right breast before making his way down her stomach.

Hermione watched him, not believing this was happening, but feeling so amazed that it was. She moaned as Harry circled his tongue around her belly button. He quickly rid her of her jeans and panties. She felt a little self-conscious once she was completely naked. Harry moved her hands to her sides as he lifted one of her thighs, opening her up to him. He lavished her with his tongue. He wasn't really sure of what he was doing, but took encouragement and guidance from the sounds she was making. She gripped his hair with both hands, and pulled him back up her body. She could taste herself on his lips.

She reached her hands into the front of his boxers, and stroked his length. She had a moment of trepidation at how long and thick he was, thinking that was all going to be inside her. She helped him push his boxers off, and he positioned himself at her entrance. Harry suddenly realized they hadn't spoken a single word to each other since this all began.

"Hermione, are you sure? I don't want to do anything you don't want to do."

"Yes, Harry. I want this with you."

Harry had to know if this was her first time. He couldn't bear the thought of hurting her. But he could be gentle for her if he needed to be. He looked into her eyes and asked:

"Are you…?"

"Yes….are you?"

"Yes." Hermione felt relieved knowing that they would both be inexperienced at this, and sharing this special moment together. She couldn't think of anyone she could trust more to give her virginity to.

Harry was relieved that he wouldn't seem like a bumbling idiot. Very gently he eased himself into her. He paused to let her get used to him. When she gave him a slight nod, he pushed his way through her barrier. She gasped and bit down on his shoulder. He stilled, he felt awful that he hurt her, but he didn't want to go too fast. He was afraid if he made the slightest movement he would come too quickly.

The pain began recede, and Hermione shifted her hips up to meet Harry. Harry slowly pulled out and pushed back in. She met him thrust for thrust, and soon they each began to feel the building of something wonderful. Hermione began to feel it pull from her stomach down to her core, her body tensed as it was rocked with her orgasm. Harry felt her muscles constricting around him, and gave three more hard thrusts before his body shook as he spent himself inside her.

Trying to catch his breath, Harry pulled out of her, and moved to her side. He tucked a curl of her hair behind her ear, and placed a gentle kiss on her neck and asked:

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah." She sat up and tried to reach for her shirt in an attempt to cover herself. As she stood up, Harry grabbed her arm, and pulled her back down.

"Hey, don't go. I didn't just use you Hermione, and I don't believe you would use me like that either. I don't want this to be meaningless."

"Of course I wouldn't use you Harry! It wasn't meaningless. I don't...I don't really know what I'm thinking. I really care for you."

"I care for you too. Come, lay back down with me. Let's bask in the afterglow of lovemaking." He couldn't help it, a small smirk began playing in the corner of his mouth.

Hermione felt her own answering smile starting.

"Are you getting fresh with me Harry James Potter?"

He laid back down, and motioned for her to lay next to him with her head on his arm.

"I wouldn't dream of it Hermione Jean Granger." He chuckled as she nestled her cheek into his chest, and rested her hand on his abs. "Let's just put everything out of our minds tonight, relax and enjoy each other, and start fresh tomorrow."

"Harry, I think that's the best idea you've had in while."

He ran the hand of the arm she was laying on up and down on her hair. She felt so relaxed, and her mind was at such ease, that she easily drifted into a content slumber. Harry was quick to follow, and he had the biggest, most genuine smile on his face as he drifted to sleep.