That Ship Has Sailed

Harry & Hermione

"Honestly, Mr. Granger, I never suspected to pass, either, but Hermione was such a big help. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have made it as far as I did in school. You raised her very well."

"Thank you," Mr. Granger replied, "You are a great boy, Harry. I'm proud of my girl to have found someone like you."

Harry beamed with pride.

"Hermione, would you like to help me with the dishes before you two have to go?"

"Sure, mom," Hermione replied, following her mother into the kitchen. Harry and Mr. Granger could be heard chatting and laughing while Hermione helped her mother in the kitchen. "What do you really think of him, mom? I know you wanted me to marry a muggle, but--"

"Nonesense," her mother interrupted, "We never said any such thing. We suggested not secluding yourself because you grew up in this world and would have a lot in common with a muggle, but we never expected any such thing for you. We just want you to be happy."

"Well," Hermione said, "Harry did grow up in the muggle world. He knows all about it and we share a lot of common interests and..."

Hermione trailed off and then smiled to herself, "And he's so sweet. He treats me with respect and cares about me and--"

"Sounds like you like him a little more than you're letting on."

Hermione blushed.

"Don't be bashful, dear. Your father and I approve one hundred percent. We just want you to be happy."

"I am happy, mom," Hermione finally admitted.

Harry and Mr. Granger entered the room not long after and Harry had no shame in going up to Hermione and wrapping his arms around her, placing kisses on her neck. She blushed, telling him to stop. He smiled and did as she asked, not wanting to further embarrass her.

"I should be going pretty soon, Min," he said.

"Oh, okay. Let me walk you out," she said.

Harry smiled and took her hand, thanking her parents for a lovely evening before heading toward the door. Hermione followed him out into the night and the two walked slowly toward the driveway.

"I had fun tonight," he said with a smile.

Hermione blushed, "I'm glad. Mom and dad really like you."

"Do they? I'm glad. I like them, too, Min. They're great. Now I see where you get your beauty from."

Hermione smiled.

"Your mom is quite pretty as well," Harry continued.

Hermione whacked his chest with a laugh. When her hand came into contact with his chest, he grabbed her wrist and used the leverage to pull her close to him, wrapping his other hand around her waist.

"Harry, my parents are probably watching through a window," she mumbled.

Harry looked past her and scanned the windows. He saw a curtain pulled back in the upstairs and grinned broadly, waving. He then pointed at Hermione and shouted, "Can I take her out for a bit?"

Mr. Granger gave a thumbs up through the window and Mrs. Granger blushed at having been caught.

"Your dad says it's alright," Harry said, returning his gaze to Hermione.

Hermione shook her head and laughed, "Okay. Where are we going?"

"Hang on. I want to give them something to see first," Harry said, glancing up to make sure they were still watching before turning and kissing Hermione on the lips. She lost her fingers in his shaggy hair and he smiled, pulling away. He then waved up at the window and the parents waved back before closing the curtain.

"Nice folks," Harry chuckled.

Hermione blushed as he then led her toward his broom.

"Oh, Harry, we can't both ride on that. It isn't safe."

"Don't you trust me?"

Hermione paused as Harry mounted his broom. He then held out his hand and Hermione carefully stepped forward, taking his hand. She squealed when he pulled her close and closed her eyes out of fear. Harry chuckled a few seconds later and told her to open her eyes.

She carefully peeked them open, looking around. She saw that they were flying, hundreds of feet off the ground and gliding safely. Harry held her in his lap securely and let the broom fly itself.

"See? It's not so bad," he said with a smile.

Hermione looked back at him and an exasperated smile crossed her lips, "You exhaust me sometimes, Harry Potter."

"And you make me crazy sometimes, Hermione Granger," Harry replied, doing a loop on the broom very quickly, causing Hermione to squeal in terror and delight.

"Harry, don't do that!" she begged, though she smiled.

"Do your parents really approve of me?"

"Of course they do, Harry."

"Good, because parental approval is important to me. I'm sure if mine were still alive, they'd love you as much as I do, too."

Hermione was stunned and mixed emotions made her eyes water, "Harry--"

"Don't cry!" Harry chuckled, "This is a happy moment. I just subtly found a way to tell you that I love you--or did you not catch that?"

"I got it," Hermione replied with a small smile.

"Good, because a witch of your intellect really should have - otherwise, I would have been concerned."

Hermione laughed and looked at the sky before glancing back into Harry's eyes, "How do you always know what to say?"

Harry shrugged, "I'm my father's son?"

Hermione smiled, pressing her forehead against his, "And he'd be proud of you. Your mum, too. Especially for finding a wizard as intellectual as I am."

"Touche," Harry laughed, "Are we going to kiss now, or do you want to tell me you love me back first?"

"What if I don't love you back?" Hermione tested.

"Nah," Harry replied with a grin, "Let's just skip the formalities and kiss now."

He then interrupted Hermione with a passionate kiss. He held her chin and held her lips, disconnecting and reconnecting a few times to get the perfect angle before holding it for several seconds.

Finally, Hermione broke it.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked soberly.

"Nothing," Hermione shook her head with a smile, "It's just--we're hundreds of feet in the air, gliding on a broom through the stars and you told me you love me. This night couldn't get better if we tried."

"I can think of a way to make it better," Harry said gently, a smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

Hermione shook her head with a laugh, "Harry Potter, I love you."

"It's about damn time," he replied, kissing her once more. He then broke it and said, "Do you want to park this thing somewhere?"

Hermione laughed, then blushed and nodded, agreeing to his suggestion. Harry smiled and guided the broom back toward the ground. Once back on solid ground, he scooped Hermione up and held her thighs as her legs wrapped around his middle. He smiled as she held his cheeks and kissed him.

"I don't ever want this night to end," Hermione then whispered.

"You and me both," Harry replied, staring into her eyes with a smile, "How about you marry me? Then we can do this all the time."

Hermione blushed again, but leaned down and kissed him again, "Does that answer your question?" she then asked.

"More than," he replied, connecting their lips again as he gently knelt, laying her against the grass as they kissed.