29- Crisis Averted

Author's Note: Just a warning: there's quite a bit of Harry and Ginny in this chapter. Don't worry, it won't become a regular thing.

Nicole aka Good_Witch

Chapter 29- Crisis Averted

Dinner that Saturday was a subdued affair, since those who had gone to Hogsmeade were fair knackered. Hermione was pleased to see another owl coming toward her. Ron and Harry looked mildly interested in what she was getting, but Ginny remarked, "You're awfully popular lately. What are you expecting now?"

"Oh, I owled my folks to send me some contact info to help me get started on my Christmas gifts, and this is it." She thanked the owl and offered it a spear of broccoli. It screeched, and she rolled her eyes and handed it a chicken bone instead. Hooting its appeasement, it flew off.

The four of them sniggered at the owl's indignation. Hermione scanned the list of photo shops. Seized with the compulsion to begin immediately, she gulped down the last of her pumpkin juice and wiped her mouth with a napkin, folding the letter and stuffing it in her pocket. "I need to go get started on this. I'll see you all later." She stood and flicked a glance at the High Table. Snape was staring blankly at her, perplexed at her sudden departure. She shrugged and quirked one corner of her mouth up. He scowled, but inclined his head, peering through his hair at her, so as not to draw attention. Briskly, she strode out of the Hall, disappointed that she couldn't explain to Snape why she was leaving so abruptly.

Out in the corridor, her stride faltered as she was struck with an idea. Oh! Now I have even more messages to send! She grinned to herself...and it was a rather Slytherin grin for a Gryffindor.

Up in her room, she sat at her desk and began writing her letters. She wrote the same thing over several times, to send to the various photo shops, but the last letter was different.

"Dear Fred and George,

Hermione"

Once again grinning in satisfaction, she sealed all of the letters and prepared them to take to the owlery the next morning. Pleased that her self-appointed tasks were complete, she turned to the packages on her bed. Her purchases from Hogsmeade had been delivered, and the house-elves had brought them up to her room. She unwrapped each parcel and looked over the items, arranging them in piles. She had managed to almost complete her shopping all in that one trip to Hogsmeade. Once she had the photos copied, she could put them in the frames and wrap the gifts. Smiling, she hid the gifts in her closet.

Returning to her bed, she stared at the chocolate. How am I going to get the mousse made? I don't have the facilities up here... She pondered the chocolate, frowning in thought. Suddenly, her face brightened and she snatched up the recipe, barrelling out of the room.

Several hours had passed since she had retreated to her room. She burst into the common room, quickly glancing about. Damn! Harry's not here. There were a few students lounging about, conversing in low voices. None of her mates were there, so she began the climb to the boy's dormitory. Reaching the seventh years' dorm, she paused, hearing them talking. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door. The talking stopped for a moment and she heard Ron call, "Yeah? What's up?"

"It's Hermione. Can I talk to Harry for a moment?"

There was silence on the other side of the door for a long moment. Then, it was flung open and a warily curious Harry eyed her, his pyjama shirt half buttoned.

"What's up?" Harry tried hard to sound casual, but he was too perplexed to succeed. Hermione looked past him and saw the other boys watching them avidly. She rolled her eyes and jerked her head.

"Can I talk to you, privately?" Harry glanced over his shoulder at the others, who suddenly found the ceiling or the floor very interesting. Grimacing, he nodded and stepped out into the corridor, pulling the door closed behind him.

"Is everything okay?" He frowned at Hermione, concerned.

Hastily, she retorted, "Yes! Everything's fine. I just needed to ask you a favour, and they don't need to hear it." She gave him a significant look and tilted her head.

Harry's eyebrows rose in interest. "What do you need?"

Lowering her voice, knowing that the others might have Weasleys' Extendable Ears, she said, "I need to go down to the kitchens, and I was wondering if I could borrow your Cloak. It's for something for Christmas... I won't be long."

Harry relaxed as he heard her request. Quirking his lips knowingly, he murmured, "Is it for the Secret Santa thing?"

Hermione shrugged noncommittally, but Harry smirked. In a deliberate voice, Hermione said, "If it were, I couldn't tell you and keep it secret, now could I?"

Harry grinned conspiratorially and nodded. "Okay, I get it. No problem. Sure. Hang on a tick, and I'll get it." He spun back into the room, nearly ploughing the door into Ron. The redhead grimaced sheepishly at them and rubbed the back of his neck. Neville, Seamus, and Dean laughed. Harry punched Ron on the arm and he yelped. Scowling at Harry, Ron flicked a glance at Hermione and cringed at her look of scathing disdain.

Harry opened his trunk, stuffed the Cloak into a bag, and glared at Ron as he walked back into the corridor. Shutting the door firmly, he waited a moment, his finger pressed to his lips and looking at Hermione. After a few beats, he nodded sharply to Hermione and flung the door open again, cracking it on Ron's head and knocking him over. Harry snorted at Ron's howls of pain, and the other boys all dissolved into guffaws. "Nice one, Ron," Harry muttered. He rolled his eyes and shut the door. "Here you go. Be careful. And get it back to me as soon as you can."

Hermione nodded gratefully. "I promise. Thanks, Harry. I should have it back to you tomorrow." She took the bag from him and smiled. He smiled back at her wistfully, his eyes darkening. Hermione felt a chill of recognition at his expression and hastily backed away. She turned and hurried off, glancing back to see him staring after her.

She emerged into the common room again and was surprised to see Ginny, curled up in her nightgown in her favourite reading spot near the fire, staring blankly at Hermione. Hermione stopped, colouring guiltily in spite of herself. Ginny gazed at Hermione, glancing at the stairs to the boys' dorms and back at her. She noted the bag in her hand and her flushed countenance. Ginny's eyes flashed and her lips thinned.

"Uh, hi, Ginny," Hermione ventured, trying to sound nonchalant.

"A bit late to be out visiting, isn't it, Hermione?" Ginny's voice was thick with suppressed venom. Her brown eyes sparked with anger. Hermione blinked, flustered.

Before Hermione could answer, they heard footsteps pounding down the stairs, and Harry burst into the room, right behind Hermione. He said, "Hey, 'Mione..." before he saw Ginny staring. Stopping, he glanced between the two girls, noting the tension. Ginny looked at Harry and saw his pyjama shirt half open. Her eyes widened, and she shot an incredulous look at Hermione. Hermione closed her eyes and shook her head, opening her eyes again to gaze imploringly at Ginny.

Harry ran his hand through his messy hair and backed against the wall, leaning against it, trying to be casual. Faintly, he said, "Uh, hey, Ginny. How's it going?" Ginny turned to him, her eyes raking him from head to toe. He was taken aback by the intensity with which she devoured him. He hadn't seen that look since before the war.

Hermione saw the exchange and jumped at the opportunity to escape. Quickly crossing to the portrait hole, she muttered, "Um, I have to go do something. I'll get this back to you tomorrow, Harry. Good night, Ginny."

The other two didn't respond and she hastily scrambled through the portrait hole, slipping the Cloak on. Wow! That was awkward... Relieved to be out of there, she sped down to the painting that covered the entrance to the kitchens.

Back in the common room, Harry was dazedly staring at Ginny, who had him pinned under her fierce gaze. Ginny glanced around the otherwise empty room quickly as she stood. Deliberately crossing to him, she said, "Why were you following her? How long is it going to take for you to see that she's not interested like that?" She stepped up to him, gazing up at him soberly. Harry's green eyes were filled with a welter of emotions. He shrugged half-heartedly and averted his eyes.

Stuffing his hands in the pockets of his pyjama bottoms, he mumbled, "I dunno'. It's just... hard, y'know?"

Ginny closed in on him, making him press himself closer to the wall as she invaded his personal space. He blinked owlishly at her as she lightly traced a finger down his bare chest. She locked eyes with him and murmured, "Yes. I do know." Harry's breath caught at the hunger and desire glowing in Ginny's eyes as she placed her palm flat against his skin.

Her voice was barely above a whisper as she said, "Why do you torture yourself by keeping after her, when there are others who are just waiting for you, ready to jump at the chance..." She stretched up and gently pressed her lips to his. He gasped, unsure of how to react.

"Ginny, I..."

"Shhh..." She placed a finger on his lips and tangled her other hand in his hair, pulling his head down so she could whisper in his ear. "Didn't we have fun? I can help take your mind off her, you know." She nibbled on his ear the way she knew he liked, and smiled at his choked groan. "I've missed this, Harry. Why should we all be miserable? Quit chasing her. She doesn't want you." She pressed her body against his, feeling his reaction hot between them. Boldly, she slid her hand down his back and gripped his arse, pulling him tight. Her voice was low and husky as she pulled back and locked eyes with him again. "I do." At that, she closed in on him and kissed him passionately, her pent-up lust and longing pouring out.

Harry responded instinctively. He knew how to kiss Ginny. He remembered how she liked it. And it was clear that she remembered what he liked too. His body hadn't forgotten.

They broke apart at the sound of footsteps on the stairs from the boys' dorm. Ginny hastily retreated to her chair and buried her flushed face in her book. Harry glanced about wildly, desperate to hide his rampant erection that was threatening to poke through his pyjama bottoms. He flung himself onto a couch and grabbed a pillow to cover his lap. He could feel his face burning, and knew his hair was even messier than before, from Ginny running her fingers through it.

Both green eyes and brown gazed warily at the doorway. They saw two large feet and bony ankles under too-short pyjamas descending, and then Ron popped into view. He scowled in confusion as he saw only Harry and Ginny. "Where's 'Mione?"

"She left already," Harry said, hoping he sounded normal.

Ron glared at Harry reproachfully. "My head still hurts from that crack you gave me."

Harry huffed. "Serves you right! You shouldn't have been eavesdropping."

Ginny looked up. "Ron! What did you do?"

Ron shrugged. "I just wanted to know if she had changed her mind about Harry. Hey, I snoop because I care!" He glared indignantly at Ginny, who was rolling her eyes in exasperation.

Hotly, Ginny averred, "She didn't."

Ron squinted at her vehement retort. Then he glanced at Harry, who was sheepishly studying the seams on his pillow. "So then, what'd she want?"

Harry cleared his throat. "She just wanted to borrow the Cloak. Said she needed to go to the kitchens for something relating to the Secret Santa. She'll give me the Cloak tomorrow. That's all she'd say. The only reason she asked to speak to me in private was because the other blokes don't know about the Cloak. Why do you think I put it in that bag?"

Ron's brow smoothed again. "Oh." He rubbed the lump on his head absently. Then, he grimaced in confusion again. "So then, what took you so long? I was wondering what was going on...you know, if things were looking up or if you two had got in another row. So I figured I'd come check. But if she's gone, what have you been doing?"

Harry felt the colour rising on his cheeks again and wished he had more control over his body. Ginny furtively shrank in on herself, trying to be inconspicuous. Ron glanced between the two oddly silent teenagers. Comprehension dawned.

Harry gamely ventured, "Oh, Ginny and I were just talking about 'Mione. Right, Gin?"

Ginny's bright brown eyes peeked over the top of her book. Vigorously nodding her shiny red head, she added, "Yeah, that's right."

Ron's blue eyes kindled with a brotherly protective light and his lips thinned. Darkly, he retorted, "I see."

Suddenly, Ginny popped up from behind her book and spat fiercely, "Drop it, Ronald! We needn't go through this again, do we?" She glared at him warningly and he crossed his arms, scowling. Harry simply sat, afraid to move and draw attention to himself during this familial confrontation.

Ginny and Ron held each other's gazes for several moments, until, finally, Ron huffed harshly through his nose and jerked his head a fraction. Glancing sharply at Harry, he started to turn around, to head back upstairs. He cast a meaningful glance at Ginny as he said, "Good night, then." Ginny visibly relaxed from her tense posture. Ron stepped through the doorway, and then looked back over his shoulder at Harry. Pointedly, he said, "Don't be too long coming to bed, mate."

Harry nodded weakly and Ginny glanced at him. "Uh, sure thing. Night, Ron."

Ron nodded grimly and retreated back up the stairs. Harry sank back against the couch, his eyes closing in relief. He lifted one clammy hand to remove his glasses, rubbing the heels of his palms over his eyes. He was therefore surprised when he felt someone pouncing on his lap, pinning him to the couch. His eyes flew open to see Ginny straddling his legs, peering intently at him. He squinted up at her, shoving his glasses back on.

"Um, uh... G-Ginny?" Harry felt his heart hammering in his chest. He was rather bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.

Ginny looked down at her hands where they lay against his bare chest. Avoiding his eyes, she whispered, "Harry, I'm not going to beat around the bush here. We've been through enough to skip that." She flicked a solemn glance at him before averting her eyes again. "I... really liked what we had. And I can't help but want you back." She shrugged minutely. "If you want me to leave you alone, I will." She tossed her head and made a moue of displeasure. "I won't like it, but I'll do it." She looked at him through her lashes. Almost shyly she added, "Do you want me to leave you alone, Harry?"

Harry felt her resting against his still half-erect cock. His mind flooded with memories of their dalliances. Dazedly, he became aware of her hands gently smoothing over his skin, under his pyjama top. He closed his eyes to concentrate.

Do I? I mean, we did have fun, but... She's not Hermione.

Fine! Keep loving her. She is your best friend.

Brilliant!

Harry opened his eyes to see Ginny gazing at him, her cheeks flushed and her eyes crackling with heat and want. He licked his dry lips and saw her inhale sharply, staring intently at his mouth. His voice was gravelly when he spoke.

"No, I don't want you to leave me alone."

Ginny's face lit up in delight and she smiled broadly at him. He grinned crookedly back at her. She laid one hand on his cheek and leant closer to him. Harry slid his hands along her thighs and gripped her arse as he stretched forward to meet her. Their lips met with an explosion of energy, and they easily slipped back into their old habits of pleasing each other.

They had been snogging passionately for a while, Ginny grinding against Harry's lap, when Harry finally wrapped his arms around her and shifted her to one side, laying her down on the couch. He gingerly arranged his legs between hers as he kept kissing her, covering her body with his. Neither of them noticed when the portrait hole opened.

****************** ************

Hermione tickled the pear in the painting and it swung forward, letting her into the kitchen. She glanced quickly around at the host of house-elves staring at her warily. Smiling in reassurance, she nodded at them and politely said, "I'm looking for Dobby. Is he around?"

The house-elves nodded in relief and pointed. Hermione thanked them and hurriedly strode over to Dobby. Dobby sensed her coming and spun around, crowing, "Miss Granger! Oh, Dobby is so glad to see Miss Granger! Dobby is always glad to see friends of Harry Potter. Is there something Dobby can do for Miss?" He gazed joyfully up at Hermione with his huge watery eyes.

"Actually, Dobby, there is something I need help with..."

Dobby wriggled in excitement. "Oh, Dobby loves to help friends of Harry Potter! Just tell Dobby what you need, and Dobby will help right away!"

Hermione glanced about, then she leant down confidentially. In a low voice, she said, "I have a recipe that I need to make..."

Dobby clapped his hands. ""Dobby would be honoured to make Miss's recipe!"

Hastily Hermione clasped Dobby's thin shoulder, gaining his attention. "No, thank you, Dobby. I need to make the recipe myself. That's what I need help with. You see, I don't have the facilities to do that in my room, so I need a kitchen to work in. But, you know that we're not supposed to be down here. And, I'm making the recipe as part of the headmaster's secret gift exchange, so I have to make sure no one finds out about it."

Dobby's eyes goggled more and more as she explained. Nodding breathlessly, he whispered, "Of course, Miss! Dobby understands. Dobby can help Miss whenever is wanted."

Hermione beamed. "Perfect! Here's the recipe. '3 ½ oz Milk chocolate, 3 ½ oz Semi-sweet chocolate.' I have those already. 'Three large eggs – separated, a dash of salt, one cup whipping cream – chilled.' I'll need those. 'Melt the chocolates in top of a double boiler over hot, not boiling water, stirring often. As soon as the chocolates melt, transfer to a 5- to 6-cup serving dish. Set aside and cool. Use a fork to froth egg yolks. Use a rubber spatula to combine egg yolks with cooled chocolate. Beat egg whites with salt until they hold their shape, but are still moist and shiny. Use a spatula to stir 1/4 egg whites into chocolate mixture. Fold in remaining whites. Whip cream until thickened. Fold into chocolate mixture. Use a spatula to smooth surface. Clean around the bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve chilled. Makes 8 servings.' That's all of it. So, can I get all of the utensils and the rest of the ingredients here to make this?"

Dobby nodded solemnly and pointed around the kitchen. "Dobby can get everything Miss wants. When will Miss be wanting to make the recipe?"

Hermione thought for a moment. "Well, would it be too hard to get in here after curfew on Christmas Eve?"

Dobby shook his head. "No, Miss. House-elves is busy that night, but Dobby can make time to help Harry Potter's friend. Will Miss be showing up like tonight?"

Hermione nodded. "Exactly like I did tonight. That'll be perfect, Dobby. Now, remember, don't mention this to anyone! It's supposed to be secret, per Dumbledore's orders. All right?"

Dobby stared at her and nodded reverently. "Yes, Miss. Dobby won't say nothing to no one. Not even Harry Potter!"

Hermione smiled. "Thank you, Dobby. I'll see you Christmas Eve, and I'll bring my own chocolate. Good night, Dobby!" She spun and quickly retraced her steps to the painting at the entrance.

Dobby waved at Hermione and called, "Good night, Miss! Dobby will be ready!"

Hermione poked her head out of the doorway and snuck a peek down the corridor. Grateful that it was empty, she stepped into the corridor and covered herself with the Cloak to trek back up to the Tower.

Counting her blessings that she didn't even run into Filch's cat on the way back, she muttered the password to a sleepy Fat Lady and furtively crept through the portrait hole, only to be met with the sight of Harry and Ginny writhing on the couch, snogging feverishly.

Oh! My word! She stifled a stunned gasp and stared, gobsmacked. She couldn't look away. Ginny's arms were wrapped around Harry and her fingers were dragging across his back and into his hair. Harry's hand was tightly gripping her bare thigh where it hooked around his hip. His glasses were lying askew on the floor, and they were panting and whimpering as they probed each other's mouths with their tongues. Hermione felt a pang of arousal, remembering such antics with Snape. Then, she shook herself and exhaled gustily.

Well, it looks like Ginny managed to get through to him... She carefully tiptoed over to them and stood behind the couch, trying not to notice Harry's arse as he was grinding and flexing against Ginny. Quickly, she took the Cloak off and whirled it over them. They disappeared, but she heard their startled squeaks.

Looking pointedly away, she hissed, "Here's your Cloak. Um, I'm going to bed. And I'm going to pretend, as Head Girl, that I didn't see any of this. Um, have fun, you two." She flashed a half-hearted smile at the couch and spun quickly to hurry out of the room. At the doorway, she paused and flung over her shoulder, "Oh! And, good for you, Ginny. And you too, Harry. I'm glad you two are back together. You're a really cute couple." Then, she whisked away on light feet.

Harry and Ginny stared at each other, stunned. Neither spoke for a long moment. Finally, Harry said, in a strained whisper, "I can't believe she caught us. I'm sorry. I should have thought..."

Ginny shook her head vehemently and hissed back, "No, it's my fault. It's okay. She didn't seem upset..." She peered intently at Harry, her expression worried. "I'm more concerned about you. Are you okay?"

Harry held his breath for a moment as he thought. Ginny could see the play of emotions across his face. Tensely, she waited for an answer.

Harry's eyes darkened as he seemed to turn inward, shutting Ginny out. After a few beats, he shook his head and sighed deeply. He looked at Ginny's apprehensive expression and gave her a wan, lopsided smile. He could feel the relief flow through her body, pressed against his as it was. He leant down and lightly touched his lips to hers. "Yeah. I'm okay."

Ginny closed her eyes and hugged him fiercely. Harry smiled gently into her hair. He pulled back a bit and looked at her, querying, "Are you?" He could see her eyes shining with unshed tears as she nodded at him.

In a choked voice, she murmured, "Never better." She gave him a watery smile and pulled him back down to her, holding him close. Harry idly stroked her thigh as he cradled his face in the curve of her neck. Ginny sighed.

They lay there, silent for a long moment. Then, Ginny murmured, "Harry?"

"Hmm?" He pulled back enough to see her pensively fingering the cloth of the Cloak.

"This would cover two people, wouldn't it?" She narrowed her eyes at him mischievously.

"Ah... yeah. If we hunched down. Why?"

Ginny's face split into a positively wicked grin. "Wanna' get out of here and find some place more... private?" Her eyes glinted once again with desire. Harry felt an answering jolt in his centre. A slow grin crept across his face.

"Why? What did you have in mind?" His voice was low and rumbling.

Ginny smirked and quirked one eyebrow at him. "Oh, I'd much rather show you than tell you." She grinned at him challengingly. "Whaddya' say? Up for a little adventure?" She wriggled against his still hard cock as she spoke and Harry's eyebrows shot up.

He smirked back and said, "Hey, you're talking to the Boy-Who-Lived-Twice. I'm always up for adventure." He pushed up and sat back on his knees, pulling Ginny up with him. She giggled as they stood and Harry settled the Cloak around them. Muffling the sounds of their mirth, they tiptoed to the portrait hole and left.

******** ***********

Snape eased back again from his work table. He eyed the sliver of horn before him. Pleased with his progress, he laid the tool on the tabletop and stretched, shaking his tense hands.

Excellent. A few more sessions, and it'll be ready. Then we move on to the next stage.

He glanced at the time and was surprised to see how late it was after curfew. Damn! I was supposed to start my rounds a while ago. He hastily stood and crossed through his office to the classroom. As he stepped to the doorway, he cast a Silencing Charm on his boots, as he always did before beginning his patrols. It both amused and annoyed him that none of the students seemed to figure out how he managed to slink about so silently. He quietly stepped into the corridor and made his way up to begin his policing of the usual hiding spots.

He had been pacing the corridors for a while, traipsing up and down stairs, covering as much area in as little time as possible. After so many years at Hogwarts, he had discovered the best path through the castle to hit the most trouble spots. His ears strained to hear anything out of the ordinary and his eyes peered through the shadows, searching for movement or light.

Suddenly, his vigilance was rewarded. He heard the unmistakable sounds of students engaged in less-than-scholarly behaviour. His lips stretched into a malicious anticipatory grin and he skulked closer to the doorway of the classroom from which the noises were emanating. He could hear the heavy breathing and moaning, rhythmic in their utterances. He edged to the doorway and cast a barely audible concealment charm...really, a good spy uses as much as possible to his advantage. Peering around the doorjamb, he could hear the sounds more clearly, but he couldn't see anything.

He scowled. Squinting in the darkness, he searched the room for any place to hide. All he could see were tables and chairs, neatly lined up. Perplexed, he paused and listened again, trying to zero in on the sounds. Carefully stepping in the direction he thought they were coming from, he darted his gaze about the room. Suddenly, he noticed it.

One of the tables was shaking. The chair backs were blocking his view of part of it, but he could see the movement of the table against the stone floor. Stealthily, he sidled around to one side. There, in the moonlight through the window, he saw two disembodied feet, splayed against the desk, sole up.

Potter! Recognition of the use of the Invisibility Cloak hit Snape like a mallet. He vividly remembered using that Cloak to sneak into the Shrieking Shack four years before. He was frozen to the spot.

That has to be bloody Potter! And he's shagging right here in a classroom! Oh, Dumbledore can't overlook this. He has to expel him! Or at least punish him severely... Snape's imagination took wing as he thought of all manner of torturous things Potter could go through for punishment. And yet, even Snape never thought of making Harry write lines with a quill that would cut into his hand.

He was brought back to reality by a particularly loud grunt from the table, followed almost immediately by a high pitched feminine squeal. Snape stepped closer to them, about to rip the Cloak off them and scare them near to death. The thought made him positively quiver with predatory glee.

His hand paused in midair. A single thought galvanized him. What if that's Hermione under there? He nearly staggered at the pain that seized his gut. Choking back the bile that rose in his throat, he fell back a pace. No. It can't be. She rejected him. She loves me. Me, not Potter! He felt his legs going weak and stumbled to another table, leaning against it.

Numbly, he stared at the disembodied feet on the table before him. I have to know. I have to be sure! Gritting his teeth, he pushed forward again and tentatively reached out to the table edge, feeling for the Cloak. He felt the fabric rustle against his fingers and he grasped it. His heart pounding painfully, he gingerly lifted the cloth.

In the moonlight, he could see the girl's hair fanned out against the tabletop. It was dark, but even in the pale light, he could see that it was straight, not bushy curls, and it gleamed red. Reeling in relief, Snape closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He dropped the edge of the Cloak and backed away. Desperately trying to regain his composure, he barely noticed the increase in speed and pitch of the cries and gasps coming from beneath the cloak.

Finally, he heard a high pitched keening. A breathless voice hissed, "Yesss, Harry! Oh gods, yes!" The moaning that followed was a series of ululations. The deeper grunts got harsher and harsher until they culminated in an oath and a growling groan.

"Fuck! Ahhh, fuck yeah..."

Snape was rooted to the spot, unable to move. It was like a train wreck; he couldn't look away, completely in the thrall of morbid fascination. His rational mind kept telling him to break it up and punish Potter once and for all, but his newly stirred emotions disagreed.

But at least those emotions were Slytherin...

Don't do anything! If Potter and the Weasley girl are shagging, then he's certainly not going to pursue Hermione any more! Just leave it be, and hope this is the end of that idiot's juvenile fascination with her...

He heard their breathing slow, and there was the sound of humming as they kissed wetly.

There was a contented sigh, followed by, "Gods, I forgot how great that was..."

A low, delighted giggle answered that remark. "I hadn't. Why do you think I suggested it?"

Snape's eyebrows shot up. She suggested it? Merlin's balls! What would Molly and Arthur say if they knew?

Harry's deep chuckle mixed with the sound of them kissing again. "Mmm, definitely a good idea." There was rustling as Harry sat up, the Cloak lifting up and exposing Ginny's satisfied smirk. Then, Harry's head emerged, flushed and dishevelled. He grinned at her and adjusted his pyjamas, resettling his glasses. Ginny sat up and smoothed her nightgown.

Snape stared, fighting every impulse to flay them alive with vitriol. He was surprised at the way Harry reached out and smoothed Ginny's hair, and the boy's next comment stunned him into a grudging respect.

"Uh, Ginny? I know we didn't get a chance to talk about it before, but, um, do we need to cast a contraceptive charm? Or get a potion from Madam Pomfrey?" Harry gazed at her, concerned.

Ginny shook her head and smiled. "No. I've stayed on the weekly potion ever since we were together the first time around." She ducked her head and blushed. Sheepishly, she mumbled, "I guess you could say I wanted to be prepared. Wishful thinking and all that."

Snape was hit with the memory of Hermione using the same words after she had said he was hers. He blinked at the boy in front of him. If he had any sense at all, the Potter boy should realize the huge compliment inherent in such a confession.

Harry nodded and smiled shakily. He looked at Ginny through his lashes and murmured, "Oh. Well, that's good then." He shuffled back and spun to drop to the floor. The Cloak lay in a heap on the table as Harry reached up to help Ginny slide off the table. As she got to her feet, Harry wrapped his arms around her and gazed down into her eyes.

Snape averted his gaze, uncomfortable indeed witnessing such intimacy.

Softly, Harry said, "Let's get back to the Tower. Ron may have backed down, but I don't want to rub his nose in it by being gone so long. Besides, he can hex me while I'm sleeping if he wants!" Ginny wrinkled her nose at him and giggled. They kissed tenderly once more before Harry draped the Cloak around them.

Snape watched them disappear from sight. He heard their faint footsteps crossing the classroom and let out a breath he hadn't known he had been holding. Bloody hell! I can't believe I just witnessed that and didn't do anything! He snorted. Grimly, he thought, Just wait till I tell Hermione of my self-restraint... He pondered her possible reactions, and smirked to himself, hoping that he would be properly rewarded for his sacrifice.

He reversed the concealment charm and retreated to the corridor again, to finish his patrol. Fortunately for his shattered nerves, he didn't encounter any more rule-breaking students.

As he entered his quarters and prepared for bed, he amused himself picturing the delighted smile Hermione would give him when he confessed the evening's events and his out-of-character response. He slid between his cool sheets, smiling at the image of a beaming Hermione in his head.