That Ship Has Sailed

Draco & Hermione

"You're an absolute--you are simply horrid!"

"Hermione, calm down, it was just a joke."

"No, Ron! He needs to realize something. Harry, this is exactly what your father did to Snape growing up and look how he turned out! Is it any wonder that Snape turned out the way he did? Turning to the Dark Arts for solace when he couldn't find it in his every day life?"

Harry turned red and rubbed the back of his neck, ashamed, "Min, I'm sorry--"

"I'm not the one you need to apologize to, Harry. He is."

With that, Hermione stormed out of the common room, asking a painting which way the blonde boy had run in. A helpful knight offered to lead Hermione to him and she followed him as he ran through the paintings until finally, she slowed upon hearing a noise behind a wall drapery.

"Thank you, I think I've found him," Hermione whispered to the painted knight. He bowed before starting his journey back to his own painting.

Hermione slowly turned toward the drapery and walked forward. She gently lifted one side and peered behind it. There, in a crevice in the wall behind the drapery, sat Draco. Though he tried to hide it, even from himself, he was clearly crying.

She slowly walked forward and knelt beside him. He cringed and backed away when he noticed her, "What are you doing here?" he demanded, not moving to wipe his eyes for fear of letting on that he was crying, though the tears were evident anyway.

"I gave Harry a good talking to. I'm sorry about what he said, Draco, but he's really not all bad. You should give him another chance."

"I don't want to give him another chance, Hermione. I'm done giving him chances."

"Draco," Hermione rested her hand on his leg gently, "Please. Give him one more."

Draco glared, but when he looked into her kind, dark brown eyes, he sighed and rubbed his eyes, "If he means that much to you, I suppose I'll give him one more chance."

Hermione nodded, giving Draco a small smile. Just then, they heard a voice call from the hallway. It sounded lost and annoyed.

"Hey. Min? Where are you? The knight led me here, so if you're around you better come out before I start feeling like a fool for talking to no one..."

Draco gave Hermione a look and Hermione blushed, but smiled, reaching out her hand to take his. Draco quickly dried his eyes before following Hermione out from behind the painting. They then stood, hand in hand, in front of Harry who turned around when he heard them moving.

"This castle is full of surprises," he mumbled, then louder he said, "Look, Draco--"

Hermione cleared her throat loudly.

Harry cleared his own throat to get rid of the heir of annoyance in his tone, "Draco...I'm sorry about what I said. I didn't realize it was so cruel until Min pointed it out to me. I don't really think of you as a twit and if you want to go out with Min, I guess I support that--"

Hermione cleared her throat again.

Harry groaned, "I will support it. Happy, Min?"

Hermione nodded, smiling, then looked toward Draco.

"I never meant to steal your friend from you," Draco said, "I only wanted her to go out with me...be my girlfriend...I'm so--"

"Don't apologize," Hermione interrupted, "You did nothing wrong, Draco."

Draco stopped talking and nodded, glancing from Hermione back to Harry. Both boys stood there staring for a few seconds, then Hermione cleared her throat again and both looked at her.

"Are we going to kiss and make up now? Is the fighting done?"

Harry and Draco nodded. Hermione nodded to confirm and gave Draco's hand a squeeze before walking toward Harry, "You'll always be my best friend, Harry. Just because I have feelings for Draco, doesn't mean I don't still love you."

Harry nodded, "I know, Min. I just got heated and a bit jealous. It's your life, I can't keep you from doing what you love or being with who you love."

"Wait," Draco said, looking up, stunned, "You--you love me?"

"You hadn't told him yet?" Harry whispered.

Hermione glared at him, "I was working up to it, thank you."

She then turned to face Draco, "Yes. I love you, but this isn't how I wanted to tell you," she glared at Harry again. Harry gave a sheepish grin.

"I love you, too," Draco said.

Hermione's posture relaxed a bit and she smiled. Harry glanced from one to the other and then rolled his eyes, shoving Hermione toward Draco, "Go on. Snog or something. I'm going back to the common room to vomit."

Hermione turned toward Harry, "I'll see you back there."

"I won't wait up," Harry called behind him as he continued walking away.

Hermione turned back toward Draco and he held his hand out. She walked forward and took it willingly. His other hand took her waist and he pulled her close to him for a kiss. Hermione held the kiss willingly, stepping closer to him until there was no space between the two.

Then, Draco pulled away and looked around before pulling her back behind the drapery. Once there, he quickly cupped her cheek, bringing her lips back to his for another kiss.

"I love you," Hermione mumbled in between kisses.

"I love you, too," Draco replied as be began to unbutton his shirt.