Hermione discretely scanned the entrances to the great hall, her worry increasing every minute. Harry and Ginny were late to dinner. They'd been locked in that room for two hours now. Hermione had tried to enter right before dinner started, but the door was sealed.
There was a lot to be worried about. Maybe Harry wouldn't go through with it. Maybe Ginny had changed her mind- though Hermione doubted that. Both of them were struggling through a lot, and Hermione wished she could help two of her closest friends.
About fifteen minutes into dinner, Harry and Ginny finally arrived. Hermione's eyes widened as she took in their appearance. Both of their clothes were horribly disheveled, like they had just gotten out of bed. Their hair… well Harry's hair was always a mess but Ginny's hair was as messy as her clothes were.
And then there were their expressions. Both of them were acting like the cat that caught the canary. Particularly Ginny, who sported a cocky grin that grew brighter whenever her gaze shifted to her companion. They were touchier than normal. They were always pretty attentive to each other, but now they seemed completely wrapped up in each other.
There was only one explanation. They'd just… they'd just had sex.
"Have a nice evening?" Hermione pried as the pair sat down opposite of her. Harry blushed, but Ginny was completely unashamed. "Just fantastic!" She proclaimed with a grin.
The byplay went over Ron's head, but Neville's fork clattered to the table when he realized what had just happened. "Err, good for you?" He congratulated after a moment.
Hermione spent most of the rest of dinner eyeing her two friends up, trying to figure out exactly what happened. Had they really spent the entirety of their time in the room of requirement… doing it? Was that even possible? Did this mean that Harry was on board with the plan? Was Harry really as good in bed as Ginny was making it out to be?
Okay, that last one was a little out of left field. But didn't she need to consider that with where their relationship was going now? Granted, it wouldn't be the first time that she'd considered Harry in that way. After he saved her from that troll, when he outflew the Hungarian horntail- yes, she had the passing thought, nothing she lingered on or seriously considered.
Hermione surveyed Ginny again. Looking for what, she didn't know. Her and the redhead's eyes locked. Ginny seemed to instantly pick up on Hermione's thoughts, because her grin quickly turned cheshire, and she winked.
Hermione blushed a deep red and stared down at her plate. Neville looked on, amused. Harry knew something was up, but was confused. Ron's focus was on dessert.
-----
Back at the common room, Hermione pulled the lovebirds into a secluded corner of the room. Neville had helpfully challenged Ron to a game of exploding snap with Dean and Lavender. Harry cast muffiato around them.
"So… you know? And you'll do it?" She asked him.
"Err… yeah." Harry's answer hung in the air, as he tried to choose his next words. "And you're willing to… help me?" His tone was disbelieving.
"Of course I am! You're my best friend!" Hermione affirmed, but Harry still seemed astonished.
"But… you're giving up so much." Harry said regretfully. "I'm not going to try and talk you out of this, because I'm pretty sure Ginny would hex me." The redhead smirked in response "But… you could have a husband. A family of your own." Harry paused, then much more sadly "Ron."
"I know what I'm giving up, Harry. Lord knows I've thought about this a lot. First of all, I don't know if you've noticed, but Ron seems to have eyes for someone else." Her eyes darted briefly to their friends' exploding snap game, where Ron and Lavender were flirting shamelessly. "And, yes, I know I could find a husband and have children like a proper witch. But would you and me… really be so bad?" Her voice wavered, but she plowed on recklessly "I mean, we're best friends and I'm sure I could still have children if I wanted, one way or another. I'd still have friends, and a family, and my career. That's not a bad life. And then I think about what would happen to you if I decided to be selfish. You would die." That word burned in her throat. "I don't know how Ginny would get through that. And all the people who love you, they'd never be the same. Including me. So yes Harry, it's absolutely worth it. Do you understand?"
Harry was stunned, and his cheeks were wet. Ginny's hand came up to cup his face tenderly, wiping away his tears. His eyes bored into hers earnestly. "Thank you." He said hoarsely. Harry stood up suddenly, and walked up to her. She stood uncertainly to meet him, and was engulfed in a tender hug. "Thank you." Hermione sank into his arms, not caring if people were watching. Her own eyes stung with tears, she was sad for what she was losing, happy for who she was saving, and something else, something hopeful.
Eventually, they settled down, and Hermione insisted they talk about the plan. She fished a roll of parchment from her bag, where she had neatly written a set of names.
Luna
Cho
Pavarti
Padma
Susan
Hannah
Demelza
Katie
Harry and Ginny looked at the page. "Luna definitely." Harry agreed. "The others…" As he trailed off, Ginny took her quill and began vigorously marking through Cho's name. "Er, yeah. Let's not go with Cho."
"Guys, we really can't afford to be picky right now." Hermione entreated "She obviously still likes you. Just because there's a history there doesn't mean she's not an option."
"She does?" Harry asked, genuinely surprised.
Ginny rolled her eyes "Of course she does." Ginny was all too aware of the nasty glances the Ravenclaw sent her way after she and Harry became an item.
"Oh. Err, well this… thing is supposed to be based on compatibility, right?"
Hermione nodded "Not necessarily romantic, but an emotional connection is definitely needed. A strong one too." She didn't want to admit she had no idea how strong was strong enough. Apparently, none of the early attempts with the ritual had worked, which made Hermione think that it took a pretty special bond to establish the connection. But Harry was Harry, and love was supposed to be the power that would let him defeat Voldemort.
It had to work.
"Well I don't think it would work with her. The one time we dated, we could barely hold a conversation, and then she started playing games with me." Harry grimaced "She also bullies Luna."
Ginny grinned smugly, while Hermione gave him a look of pride "That's very mature of you Harry, but that still leaves us with a problem."
"Hermione, I don't think we're going to have that much of a problem finding willing witches." Ginny said flatly.
"What do you mean?" Harry asked.
"You're famous, rich, ridiculously attractive, talented, a hero, and most of all you're a great bloke and never let any of that get to your head. I know for a fact that most of the girls on this list would jump at the chance to date you, if you'd ever shown any interest in them."
Harry was blushing, but Hermione wasn't convinced. "That doesn't mean they'd be willing to do this."
"To save Harry, and help save the world. They would, especially if he took the time to get to know them. Like you said, it's not that much of a sacrifice, comparatively speaking." Ginny argued "I'm just saying, we shouldn't try to settle for someone we don't get along with, or don't completely trust. If we could even get this to work with them, we would all just end up miserable."
Harry frowned as he looked down the list, and thought of the other girls he knew. "I don't know how we're going to do this. Most of these girls are nice enough and I do care about them, but we're not particularly close. If this bond requires an emotional connection…"
"Well that's why you need to get to know them, Harry." Hermione told them "Go study with someone other than our little friend group. Nearly anyone in our year would study defense with you."
"You can fly with Demelza." Ginny added "Call it 'supplementary quidditch practice'. I can go with you two at first so it's not weird."
Harry was nodding along, though he still seemed intimidated. Hermione remembered how hapless he had been in the run up to the Yule Ball, and now he'd have to get four other girls (assuming Luna was willing) to do this ritual.
"Don't think about it as finding people to… complete the ritual with." Hermione said delicately "Think of it as making friends. And if any of those friends are willing to bind themselves to you to save your life… all the better."
"There's one more thing." Harry's eyes drifted back to his best mate "How do we tell Ron?"
Ginny and Hermione's eyes met briefly.
"He's going to be jealous." Hermione said, exasperated. "You know how he is. He's going to throw the same little fit he always throws."
"Especially since you'll be 'taking' Hermione." Ginny added.
"But I can't just let him think that I'm doomed to die. That isn't fair." Harry protested "We should give him a chance."
"How about we just hold off." Hermione countered "The next new moon is in a little more than a week. Once we know it works, we can tell him."
Harry sighed. He didn't like it, but he also didn't want to provoke Ron's jealousy. And he had to admit, knowing that Harry was going to be having sex with seven witches, including Hermione, would make Ron jealous as hell.
"Okay."
-----
After making herself come the third time in bed that night, Ginny realized that masturbation was an exercise in futility. The orgasms came quite easily- she was still high from their time together earlier, and her mind could conjure up every memory so vividly. Her pussy and clit seemed to be hyper-sensitive, so that every touch sent her reeling. She gave herself orgasm after fantastic orgasm with her fingers on her sensitive, needy little clit, but it wasn't enough. Because she was looking for more than release. She wanted him. His body, his scent, his cock, his love, his lust.
She couldn't take it anymore. Ginny put on a bathrobe (and nothing else) and casted disillusionment and birth control charms on herself (so she wouldn't forget later in the heat of the moment). Even disillusioned, sneaking into the boy's dormitory was very risky. There was something about the danger of being found out that keyed her up even more. Her heart was pounding as she crept up the boy's staircase, past the dorm rooms, and she was all too aware of her arousal dripping down her thighs.
She eased her way into Harry's dorm, noting the gentle breathing or snoring from all of the beds… except Harry's. A wild thought entered Ginny's mind… could he be? I bet he is! He had silenced his curtains, just like Ginny would do when she was pleasuring herself.
She parted the curtains and found Harry illuminated by pale wand light. He was completely undressed, and was vigorously stroking his cock. Ginny felt her entire body throb at the sight. Holy fuck. His look of focus and the flushing of his face, the tensing of his muscles, the soft, involuntary noises he made- it didn't matter that she had seen it all earlier that day, Ginny didn't think she'd ever get used to it.
Harry startled, grabbing his wand and thrusting it towards her with surprising speed. Ginny realized she was still disillusioned and quickly dispelled the charm. Harry, with one hand on his cock and the other pointing his wand straight at her froze. "Gin." He whispered.
Without a word, Ginny climbed into bed, and Harry closed the curtains behind her. She was crouched above him and Ginny was acutely aware of how easily it would be to take him inside of her from this position. With shaking hands, she loosened the ties to her robe and shrugged, letting it slide off of her body. Harry moaned audibly, eyes wide as he took her in. "Have I ever told you how sexy you are?" Harry asked, as one hand went to caress her breasts.
Ginny had been thinking exactly the same thing. Harry's hands moved lower, tracing her curves and muscles, but Ginny stopped him. She was not in the mood for foreplay. She'd been ready when she'd parted his curtains, but the show she'd walked in on had pushed her beyond ready. Kissing and rubbing against each other for ten minutes like they had before round three would be torture, she wanted to fuck him now.
So she did. She wrapped one hand at the base of his cock, and lowered herself down. It took a few tries to position herself perfectly, but when she was finally able to sink down on him… "Harry. Fuck. Your cock is perfect."
"You're perfect." He answered, almost automatically, and Ginny had to giggle.
Slowly, because she didn't want either of them to cum quite yet, Ginny began rocking up and down on him. "Were you thinking about me, when you were masturbating?"
"God yes." Harry moaned. "I was thinking about earlier. Your-fuck- body. God damn it you're so sexy Ginny" Her moaned, his eyes were still raking over her body.
It was torturous, everything was pushing her to the edge- the lust in his voice, his vulgarity, his utter desire for her, and of course the feel of him in her, but she needed to know more.
"How often do you think about me while jerking off?" Please say every night.
"Every night, and every morning." Ginny couldn't help it, she slammed herself down on him, provoking cursing from both of them.
With great effort, Ginny withdrew, her abs clenched with the struggle to control herself. "When was the first time you thought of me like that?" Her voice was barely recognizable, distorted by lust and the tension of keeping herself from coming.
"The summer before fourth year. You walked past me after getting out of the shower in just a bath towel."
"I did that on purpose." Ginny interjected. Even yesterday she wouldn't have imagined telling Harry that. "I wanted to get your attention.
"Well you did! I thought of you that night."
"Did you cum, thinking about me?"
"God yes."
"If I had walked in and offered to suck you off, would you have let me?" Her movements were speeding up, she just couldn't help it. She could tell that she was building up to something utterly spectacular.
"Merlin, probably! Would you have?"
"Fuck! I would've! I touched myself thinking about you that night. Imagining that you were doing the same thing I was!" Ginny cried. Harry growled and gripped her hips with both hands, helping her piston on him with even more force.
Wild fantasies spun through her head, what could have happened if she had ever built up the courage. She was delirious with lust and pleasure. They locked eyes, and Harry moaned "Cum for me Ginny."
So she did. She didn't know how she had denied herself for so long (even though it had probably only been a few minutes), but what resulted was… intense. She was cursing profanely, and she was damn glad that Harry had strong silencing charms. Her core clenched around Harry's cock powerfully, rhythmically massaging him in a vice-like grip that drew an orgasm from him.
One thing was for certain, she had a lot more material for her fantasies now.