Midnight Duel, Midday Love
Love is Blind
By Draco664
Love is blind
Harry lay under the covers next to his naked girlfriend and lightly flicked his tongue over Cho's taut right nipple, eliciting a moan of appreciation. He covered the dark flesh with his mouth and suckled gently, knowing that Cho's nipples were too sensitive to accept harder stimulation without pain.
The lithe body beneath him strained under his ministrations. Cho placed her hands round his neck and pressed his head firmly against her small breast.
"Harder, harder." she panted softly, surprising him. Ignoring the faint feeling of unease, he complied, pulling more of her small breast into his mouth. Harry swirled the tip of his tongue around the hard nub of flesh, and began to wonder if he should put silencing charms around his bed as Cho's voice rose in ecstacy.
Harry's right hand stroked down Cho's side, gently tickling her. She jerked beneath him, obviously reacting to his touch more than usual. Well, it had been a while for both of them.
Without removing his mouth, Harry ran his hand up along Cho's flat stomach, and gently squeezed her other breast. He lightly dragged his finger in slow circles around her dark nipple, all the while giving the other plenty of attention with his tongue.
Cho's smooth thighs ground together, and she writhed on the bed under his attention. Harry released Cho's nipple from his mouth and looked up at his beautiful girlfriend's face, her eyes closed, her enjoyment evident. "I love you Cho." he whispered.
Cho's eyes flickered open and she gasped faintly. Looking down at him, she whispered, "Harry, don't talk, just love me."
Harry grinned wickedly. "I love making you feel like this." he said, before lowering his right hand to Cho's groin, and gently cupped her pubic mound.
He grinned as Cho gave another gasp and thrust herself against his palm. He again lowered his mouth to her breast. In seconds, the state of his girlfriend's arousal became physically obvious, as he felt moisture on his fingers.
Harry shifted his oral attentions to Cho's other nipple. Her moans of pleasure grew more intense. Harry was glad that all the other sixth-year Gryffindor boys were out of the dorm.
Harry pulled his palm away from Cho's center, and explored her intimate area with his fingers, looking for that special spot. Just... there...
Cho threw her arms around his neck and bucked wildly beneath him, quivering violently for long seconds. After what seemed like a fortnight, her uncontrollable thrashings calmed, and she gulped in huge lungfuls of air.
Harry smiled at the sight, feeling very pleased with himself. Eventually, Cho managed to calm down enough to speak. "Make me yours Harry." she said. "Now."
Without any hesitation, Harry positioned himself between Cho's legs. She grunted in pain as he gently pushed, but grabbed his buttocks with both hands and forced him further onwards.
Harry frowned in concern. Cho had only been in pain once since they had taken this next step, and that was on the beach. He looked deep into Cho's eyes, silently asking if she was alright.
Cho's dark, almond shaped eyes stared back, filled with joy, dispelling his worries. Harry started with a slow rhythm, intending to make this a night to remember.
A gasp of horror from behind the curtains could not penetrate the pair's loving embrace. Harry dimly heard the door to the room open and slam, but it was the woman of his dreams beneath him that attracted all his attention.
Less than a minute later, the sound of curtains being savagely opened caused his heart to skip a beat. The sheets were torn from them a second later, the cool night air causing goose bumps to appear on Harry's damp skin.
Harry whipped his head around to see who had interrupted them, half expecting to see the dread sight of Professor McGonagall. Instead, the sillouette of someone shorter stood there, looking down on the lovers. The person paused, as though in shock, before shrieking, "Harry! What do you think you are-"
Midway through the verbal explosion, Harry rolled off Cho and prepared to leap at the intruder. The tirade stopped once Harry's movement exposed Cho. With a powerful leap, Harry threw himself at the sillouette, ramming his shoulder into their stomach.
A distinctly feminine grunt escaped the person as Harry bore her to the ground. With a slight twist, Harry changed his fall so he rolled off the person, rather than crush her underneath him.
Quicker than a blink, Harry was back on his feet and dropped himself down on the intruder, each of his knees pinning an arm beneath him, and he sat on her chest. With the speed of a striking snake his left hand closed around his opponent's throat and squeezed, while he drew back his right fist, ready to flatten his captive's nose.
Hermione looked up into the eyes of her best friend, willing him to recognise her before his fist landed. "Harry?" she croaked.
The speed of Harry's attack had stunned her. She had been shoulder checked and crushed beneath him before registering pain from the attacks. Upon landing on the floor, her breath had exploded from her lungs, winding her badly. Now, her arms were pinned painfully beneath Harry, each of his knees pressed agonizingly into her biceps. He sat on her chest stark naked, his manhood both aroused and uncomfortably close. His hand round her throat prevented her from breathing or speaking normally.
In the space of two heartbeats, Harry had gone from distracted and vulnerable, to holding a position from which he could kill her.
Slowly, Hermione watched as the fire in Harry's eyes died, and he looked down at her in shock.
"Hermione?" he whispered.
Suddenly, he couldn't get off her fast enough. As his weight left her chest, the pain from all his assaults swept over her at once. Hermione rolled onto her side and vomited the contents of her abused stomach. Her lungs felt as though they had burst, her arms as if they had been torn off.
"Harry?" croaked his captive.
Recognition slowly dawned on Harry. Hermione's petrified eyes stared straight into his own. "Hermione?" he whispered.
Unthinking, he leapt of his friend. She rolled over and vomited through her groans. He bent over and cupped her head, making sure she didn't drown in her own bile. "Cho!" he shouted. "Get my wand, and give me a robe."
Cho sat on the bed, unhearing, looking down at Hermione's battered form. Hermione tried drawing a breath, but her battered lungs refused to cooperate.
"Hermione! Harry said in her ear. "Your lungs are winded, don't try and breathe in. Breathe out!"
Hermione looked at him incredulously, her face turning purple.
"Trust me, breathe out. It works!" said Harry desperately.
Hermione swallowed, and forced the meager remains of the air left in her lungs out her mouth. Tiny remnants of her vomitus dribbled down her chin. It worked though.
Hermione drew a shuddering breath, filling her lungs. She let it out and drew another, then started crying from pain, shock and oxygen starvation.
Harry cradled her in his arms, whispering soothing noises into her ear. He looked up at Cho again. "Cho! Please pass me my wand and a robe!"
Cho finally shook herself out of her insensibility, and leapt of the bed and grabbed Harry's wand from the bedside table, knocking off a small vial there. It landed on the hard stone floor and shattered unnoticed.
Harry gratefully accepted his wand and robe, struggling into it without noticing it was inside out. With his wand, Harry cast several minor healing charms on Hermione's arms and stomach.
"I'm sorry, Hermione. I'm so sorry." he whispered, doing what he could to ease her pain. Finally her sobs subsided.
Harry looked up at his girlfriend. "Cho, stay here. Close the curtains around the bed and wait for me. I'll be back as soon as I can." He bent over and gently picked Hermione up, one arm under her knees, the other under her shoulders. "I'm taking her to the hospital wing. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Cho looked at Hermione, her face screwed up in desperate thought. "Can't she go there herself?"
Harry looked at his girlfriend in shock. "Cho!" he scolded. "She's hurt! I'd no sooner let her make her own way there than I'd let you go by yourself." he said angrily.
Cho looked abashed. "Ok." she said meekly, and quietly drew the curtains closed.
As Harry turned to leave, he could hear quiet sobbing from his bed.
Everyone in the common room heard Hermione's outburst cut off suddenly. The assembled Gryffindors gave each other questioning looks, wondering what was going on. Cho was still crying piteously to herself, wriggling in a vain effort to get away.
A few moments later, heavy footsteps on the stairs signaled the arrival of someone from the boys dorm. Everyone turned to see Harry carrying Hermione down the stairs, her arms gently crossed over her chest.
"Harry!" shouted several students. "What happened?"
Harry grimaced. "Hermione surprised us, I reacted without thinking. She is Ok, but I need to take her to the hospital wing."
Pavati looked from Harry to Cho, who was now silently lying on the floor out of Harry's sight, obstinately not looking at him. "Us, Harry?" Pavati asked, an uncharacteristic edge to her voice.
Harry looked at her surprised at her tone. "Cho and I."
Harry appeared surprised at the snarls and sneer of contempt he received from his fellow Gryffindors at this announcement.
He snarled back. "I don't care what you all think of her, whether you believe all those rumours flying around. I love her. If you don't approve, tough. You can all bugger off." Harry started storming towards the portrait exit.
"Oh, that's not it, Harry." said Pavati. "We don't care who you spend time with, but don't lie to us."
Harry frowned. "I'm not lying. Cho is upstairs."
"Oh really?" replied Pavati sweetly, and grabbed Cho's wrist and lifted her to her feet. "You lying sack of sh-"
"He's telling the truth." said Hermione, still in Harry's arms. The bushy-haired girl looked over to the group. "There is a Cho upstairs, and one here. One of them is a fake." she coughed, screwing up her face in pain. "I saw her, with Harry. Upstairs."
Harry looked at her in confusion, turning to face his tear-stained girlfriend standing in front of him, surrounded by his housemates. Then he looked up the stairs towards his dorm room. "Then- then who- who is up there?" he stammered.
Dean bolted up the stairs, which prompted the rest of the Gryffindor group to follow suit. Cho was left alone. With a cry, she ran from the common room and out into the corridors, ignoring Harry's frantic, "Cho! Wait!"
Harry looked down at Hermione in his arms. He couldn't chase Cho while carrying her, and couldn't leave her alone. With a sigh, Harry decided to take his friend to the hospital wing.
Hermione struggled. "Don't be silly, Harry. Go after her."
Harry shook his head. "Not until you are safely in the hands of Madam Pomfrey."
Harry had just made it to the exit, when Dean appeared at the bottom of the stairs. "Harry, man, you'd better come and see this."
Harry sighed, and began carrying Hermione back up the stairs to his bedroom.
Hermione had recovered enough to stand with assistance after a few minutes, which was fortunate. On their arrival, a few things became terribly apparent.
One, the Cho Harry had made love to was gone. The bloodspots on the sheets were all that remained of her presence. Harry's trunk lay open, and had obviously been rummaged through. Even without Harry's help, Hermione could identify an item that had been taken. His invisibility cloak.
Harry had seen the broken vial next to his bed, and had fallen to his knees. "The potion, the potion." he said, over and over.
"What potion, Harry?" Pavati asked, still not sure what had occurred.
"P-polyjuice. My version of polyjuice." he said.
It didn't go unnoticed that the vial had been empty when it smashed.
Pavati looked confused. "What does polyjuice potion do?" she asked Hermione.
Hermione gave her a look. "It allows the drinker to take the appearance of someone else for an hour." She looked at Harry with pity. "Someone took it, and tricked Harry into thinking that they were Cho."
Dean Thomas swallowed loudly. "Harry, are you alright?" he asked.
Harry just knelt at the side of his bed, the shards of the empty vial in front of him. "That wasn't Cho." he whispered, over and over again. A second pile of vomit landed on the sixth-year dorm room floor.
Ginny sobbed into her pillow, still sore and tender. On reading Harry's notes on his new potion, she had realised that there was a window of opportunity for the one thing she had dreamed about as long as she could remember. But once Harry had left with Hermione in his arms, she knew he wasn't coming back in time to finish what he had started. Voices from the common room told her that she would have been noticed if she had gone down then, so she had rummaged through Harry's trunk, and borrowed his invisibility cloak, then cast a silencing charm on herself.
She had crept down the stairs to find Cho was actually in the common room. The one chance she got to make love to him, and Cho just happens to be in the common room. She swore to herself, glad that the silencing charm was strong enough to cover her voice. Harry had just declared his love for Cho, and had with no room for doubt expressed his feelings for those who believed the rumours Ginny had been spreading.
Ginny looked from Harry to Cho, and realised that her efforts to discredit Cho had hurt Cho only. Harry was noble enough to not give them any credence.
She'd have hated him for that if she didn't love him so much.
When he looked back up the stairs, almost straight at her, she quickly ran past the group, and up the stairs into her own room.
Damn that girl! she thought. Damn them all!
Harry's touch had been electrifying. Her skin had never felt so alive, so sensitive. Ginny had never swooned before, but when he kissed her palm, she had almost lost balance. That one violent orgasm she experienced had just been a taste of what was denied her. His kisses had been so passionate, his mouth had played her body like a musician plays an instrument. That was what Cho got to have, just because Harry noticed Cho before he noticed Ron's ickle sister.
Ginny lowered one hand and gently touched herself. He had been amazing, better than she had expected, better that she had hoped.
And he had stopped too soon. For less than one minute, they had been gloriously joined. It had felt both like an eternity and an instant. With her busy fingers, thinking about that magic moment caused Ginny to climax again, but it was a very pale shadow of what she had experienced just minutes before. Her hand came away moist and slightly bloody.
Ginny groaned in frustration, and thrashed on the bed in anger. Why is he not mine? I've loved him forever, Cho hasn't. I kept myself pure for him, Cho didn't. Why do I have to wear Cho's face, just to accept what should be mine?
For a long time Ginny sobbed silently, the charm she cast on leaving Harry's dorm room still in effect. Finally, she looked at her hands. They were still tiny, with smooth even toned skin. Not a freckle, not a mole, not a damned blemish anywhere.
Ginny grabbed her hair, and looked at the handful of straight, silky, beautiful dark hair. How long was this potion going to last? For a moment, Ginny was horrified at the notion of being stuck in the form of her hated rival. She started to hyperventilate, panicking with that thought. It had been almost an hour, and she was still wearing Cho's face. Cho's beautiful, perfect face.
Ginny viciously clawed at Cho's face leaving deep, oozing gashes; desperate to remove the mask she had so desperately wanted to wear an hour ago.
Draco crept as quietly as he could down one of the many dungeon corridors underneath the castle. He was amazed that his new acquaintance knew these old, abandoned passageways so well. Though he had never removed his mask while in Draco's presence, Draco was sure he would soon discover the identity of this mysterious man.
Draco wasn't stupid, but he was a Slytherin. Knowledge is power. And the knowledge of this man's identity would give Draco much power. If there was one thing Draco craved, it was power. With enough power, he could regain what had been taken from him.
The tall man even refused to give himself an alias for Draco to call him by. The blond Slytherin could understand this; nearly all code names described some attribute of the person so named. By refusing to give himself a name, Draco learned little more about him, just one thing.
He was clever. And that meant he was dangerous to have as an enemy.
What Draco was doing on behalf of this man was dangerous in itself. Having heard tales of the aftermath of his target's temper, he knew that he needed more influence over his 'benefactor'.
"Report." a calm, clear voice whispered from just behind him.
It took all of Draco's considerable self-control to avoid yelping in fright. He spun around to find his masked contact standing silently behind him. Swallowing in an effort to ensure his voice was steady, Draco spoke.
"It is working perfectly, as you expected. She was cautious at first, since I was offering her something she hasn't been able to attain for herself. She was delighted to wear the ring though, once she knew what it did."
The mask nodded, the shadows playing over the mask surface making it look like it was alive.
Draco continued. "I doubt she has the skill to notice the real effect the ring will have on her."
"I doubt it too, given what I know of her talents."
Draco's heart flipped. He secreted away in his mind this subtle piece of information.
"Since she will know when Potter is next in Hogsmeade..."
The mask held up one hand. "Enough. The amplifying charm on the ring is subtle enough to escape her notice and will do its job. With any luck it will also escape the notice of those around her. You have done well. The amount we agreed upon has been placed in your account. I have arranged for documentation from one of your trust funds to account for the increase, should you be investigated."
Draco raised his eyebrows in surprise. He had expected to have to hide the money somehow. "Thank you. I appreciate that."
The mask seemed to regard him for a moment. "You are worth it. We will meet again soon." he said, then turned and silently made his way deeper into the bowels of the labyrinth.
Draco smiled to himself, and wondered to what he would treat himself, with his new wealth. He was particularly happy with himself as he quietly made his way back to the Slytherin common room.
"Albus! Come in. What can I do for you?" asked Professor McGonagall, her thin hand clasping shut her thick woolen night gown.
Professor Dumbledore entered his deputy's room and sat down in an armchair with a deep sigh. "I have just come from the hospital wing. Two Gryffindor students were admitted earlier this evening."
McGonagall's eyes widened in shock. "Oh my goodness. Who? Are they alright?"
Dumbledore sighed again. "Ms. Granger and Mr. Potter. Ms. Granger has severe bruising to her neck, arms and stomach."
Dumbledore looked up to see the deputy headmistress already dressed and ready to go. He got to his feet and followed her out of her rooms.
"Were they assaulted by the same person?" she asked, setting a brisk pace through the hallways.
"No. Mr. Potter is not physically harmed, and we know who assaulted Ms. Granger."
"Who?"
"Mr. Potter."
Minerva McGonagall spun to face the headmaster, her hand covering her mouth, muting a gasp of disbelief. "I find that very hard to believe, Albus. Those two are like brother and sister."
"I know." replied Dumbledore. "But I am incredibly worried about him."
"Why? What has happened? Was he attacked again?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "Not in the way you think." Dumbledore paused, not elaborating for several moments as they made their way towards the infirmary. "According to Ms. Granger, he was violated."
"Violated? You mean raped?" whispered McGonagall, horror evident in her voice.
"Yes. Someone apparently disguised themselves with polyjuice potion, appearing as Ms. Chang. Harry and his attacker were rather intimate before being interrupted by Ms. Granger. She admitted that Mr. Potter was the person who assaulted her, but wanted it known that she did startle him, and he acted instinctively. She also wanted it known that on realising what he had done, he immediately tended to her injuries and started transporting her to the infirmary."
McGonagall was speechless. Finally, as they reached the domain of Madam Pomfrey she spoke up. "Does anyone have anything to tell us about the attack on Mr. Potter?"
"No. According to Ms. Granger, she was the only person at the scene, besides Mr. Potter and the person imitating Ms. Chang. After Harry realised who it was he was attacking, he immediately ceased and began performing first aid. He also insisted on taking her to the hospital wing himself."
"Still," replied McGonagall. "Mr. Potter needs to explain his actions."
"Agreed, but do give him your support for now. Ensure his is given enough time to recover before chastising him for his behaviour."
The two Professors entered the infirmary, and immediately made their way to Hermione's bed. Hermione was sitting up, arguing with Madam Pomfrey. She turned to face the new arrivals.
"Professor Dumbledore! I didn't get to tell you everything before you left."
"You have more to add, Ms. Granger? Information on who it was who violated Harry's trust?"
"No. I invited Cho to the Gryffindor common room to talk to Harry, since she couldn't work up the courage herself. She walked in on Harry and the person in Cho's image. She ran out of the common room in tears. She needs to know what happened, that Harry has not left her. I'm worried that she may do something stupid."
"I will look into it immediately. Your wonderful map will be of much use locating her. Excuse me." Dumbledore spun on his heel and left.
Professor McGonagall pulled up a chair next to Hermione's bed. "The headmaster has informed me of the major events of this evening. If you feel able, I'd like the details."
Hermione nodded, but first turned to Madam Pomfrey. "How is Harry?"
"Sleeping. As should you be."
"How on earth did you get Harry to sleep? He was all but lashing himself for betraying his girlfriend."
Madam Pomfrey looked slightly abashed. "Never mind. He took his potion, you need to take yours."
"Not just yet, Poppy." McGonagall said primly. "I need some more details from Ms. Granger."
Hermione almost laughed at the dark expression on the nurse's face.
Cho sat rocking back and forth at the top of the Astronomy Tower, arms hugging her legs, her knees pressed against her chest. She looked up at the heavens, the few visible stars twinkling through the cloud cover failing to distract her from her misery.
Again and again, two voices moaning with pleasure ran through her mind. Her imagination supplied her with cruel images of Harry in the arms of another girl, his expression one of lust. She screwed her eyes shut in a futile attempt to shut out the scene.
No tears fell, she had cried them all. There were none left.
"Do you wish to be alone, my dear child?" a voice said softly behind her.
Cho knew without looking who that soft, yet powerful voice belonged to. "Yes Professor."
The headmaster sat down on the stone floor next to her. "But should you be left alone?"
Cho sighed deeply. "Probably not."
The pair sat quietly together, looking into the heavens. Cho was honest enough to herself to admit that the headmaster had a most calming presence.
"How did you know I was here?" she asked finally.
"Ms. Granger was worried about you. You ran off so suddenly, she didn't get a chance to talk to you."
Cho snorted. "Like there is anything she could say."
"She is currently in the hospital wing. She was attacked tonight."
Cho looked up in alarm. "Is she alright?"
Dumbledore nodded. "She is more worried about a fellow Gryffindor also in the hospital wing who was raped tonight."
Cho paled. "Oh my God. Who was raped?"
"Your Mr. Potter."
"What?" she shrieked, startling the headmaster.
"Yes Ms. Chang." he said. "Some people will disagree with my interpretation, and say rape is too strong a word."
"What happened? she asked, jumping to her feet.
Dumbledore regarded her thoughtfully. "Are you sure you want to know?"
Cho swallowed, and nodded.
"What I am going to tell you is a secret, one that not even the Department of Mysteries is aware. Professor Snape has been working on improving a powerful potion, one that if successful, could well turn the fight against dark wizards in our favour for a long time. Harry has been assisting him in his research."
Cho's jaw dropped. "Was he attacked because of his work with Professor Snape?"
Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "Perhaps indirectly. The potion has taken over a month to brew, and was completed before the evening meal-" Dumbledore paused to open a pocket watch. "-yesterday. Harry volunteered to test it, and extracted a single dose. According to Professor Snape, he was going to test it when he woke up this morning."
"What does this potion do?"
"It is one Harry is familiar with, since it was used successfully to frame him."
Cho gasped at the realisation. "Polyjuice."
"Exactly. The evidence suggests that someone entered Mr. Potter's dorm, and drank the potion sample. That person took your form, and sexually assaulted Mr. Potter."
Cho's eyes filled with tears she didn't think she had.
The headmaster continued. "After being interrupted by Ms. Granger, Harry initially reacted violently. Ms. Granger was injured. On recovering from being startled, Harry tended to her, and began carrying her to the infirmary."
Cho nodded. "I remember him carrying Hermione, but I don't remember what he said. All the Gryffindors let me go, and I just ran here."
Dumbledore nodded and took Cho's tiny hand in his own. "No one could blame you for your reaction. But there is an explanation for what happened. Mr. Potter needs your support now. After your departure all the nearby students went up to his dorm. They discovered the shattered remains of the potion flask, and his invisibility cloak was missing. Whoever it was, knew how to get away undetected."
"Is he Ok?"
"Ms. Granger said that when he realised that it was not you he was with, he threw up, and became almost catatonic."
"Can I see him?" asked Cho, already moving to the exit.
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