That Ship Has Sailed

Draco & Hermione III

"It's been months, guys. Are you really going to keep following me?"

Harry looked toward Ron and Ron looked back. Harry then shrugged. Ron shook his head at Harry, then turned to Hermione again, "It's not like it's every time. You've been alone with him before..."

Hermione looked sadly at Ron, "It doesn't matter. I just want to be alone with him without having to look over my shoulder to see if you two are following or watching. I'm nervous every time and it's starting to come between me and Draco."

Harry felt bad when he saw the beginnings of tears in Hermione's eyes.

"Look, I appreciated it at first, but now...it's just intrusive."

Ron looked upset, but Harry took his arm, holding a finger up to Hermione to pause her as he pulled Ron aside, "She's right, Ron. It's got to stop some time. Now I see why she didn't want to tell us in the first place. We're over reacting."

"Harry, we're doing it because we love her. She has to see that," Ron whispered back.

Harry looked intently at Ron, "Look, I don't like it any more than you do, but he hasn't been anything but a gentleman to her so far and I doubt he'll start now. I may not trust him, but I trust Hermione. If you do, too, you'll stop now."

Ron glanced back at Hermione, then looked at Harry and sighed, "Fine. You're right, as usual."

Harry smiled and took Ron's hand, giving it a squeeze to thank him as they walked back to Hermione. She looked hopeful now, less sad, and the tears were gone. Harry nudged Ron and he rolled his eyes, "We'll stop," he finally said.

Hermione smiled and hugged the two, "Thank you," she said, "Thank you, thank you."

"On one condition," Ron continued.

Hermione looked nervous.

"You must promise to tell us if he hurts you in any way. Emotionally, physically, anything."

Hermione nodded, "I promise. Thank you, guys."

Ron nodded, smiling down at Hermione before letting go of Harry's hand to hold hers. He kissed the top of her head and told her he loved her, then Harry said the same, giving her hand a squeeze before she hurried off to find Draco.

"Thank you," Harry said to Ron, nudging his arm.

Ron rolled his eyes, "You owe me," he declared.

Harry grinned, "I'll find some way to repay you."

Ron rolled his eyes again, but grinned as Harry followed him back into the common room.

Hermione, meanwhile, was jogging down the hallways to Draco's favorite hang out spots. Finally, she found him and approached slowly, seeing he was with his friends. She lingered several feet away until he spotted her and waved. She smiled and waved back and he excused himself from the group.

"Hey," he said, "I didn't see you without your bodyguards. Did you manage to sneak away?"

"Nope," Hermione shook her head, "They agreed to stop."

Draco's eyes lit up, "Really?"

Hermione nodded, taking his hand, "They're nowhere near us right now."

"Are you sure? They didn't just fake you out and now they're following?"

"No. I trust them and they trust me. If they said they'll stop, they will. They're nowhere near us."

Draco smiled and looked around quickly, waving to his friends before calling out that he was going for a walk and he'd see them later.  Hermione smiled as he held her hand tighter and began leading her down hallways.

"Where are we going?" she asked with a grin.

"Somewhere they can't find us, even if they tried."

Soon, Hermione and Draco stood before what looked like an ordinary wall. She was confused.

"I learned about this place last year. It's called the Room of Requirement. If you need it enough, it turns into whatever room you need it to be. Right now, a quiet room is all we need. Somewhere we can be alone. Hopefully there's food, though," he grinned.

Hermione blushed and nodded. He did the ritual quickly and soon, a door opened. The two looked around before entering and when they did, they saw a room with tables and chairs and a few sofas. Similar to a common room. They were confused at first, but then went to the table and got some food.

As they ate, they talked, without fear of who was listening. They knew they were alone and they liked it.

When they finished eating, Draco simply sat, staring and smiling at Hermione. When she asked what was wrong, he shook his head, "Nothing. It's just so good to be alone with you."

Hermione blushed and looked down.

Draco reached over and took her chin, making her look up again. He then wasted no time in bringing his lips toward hers. She closed her eyes and put her hands on his neck. He leaned closer, only to accidentally knock over a plate of their food. Hermione laughed when he got startled. He chuckled and moved the plates, swiftly picking up where he left off as soon as they were out of the way.

Hermione smiled into the kiss and moved her hand to Draco's waist.

The two spent hours in the Room of Requirement together and when Hermione returned to the common room, she was quiet, just in case. When she entered and saw Harry and Ron sitting on the couch, however, she sighed.

"Waiting up for me isn't as bad as following me," she said as she walked over, "So thank you."

Ron looked over at her, "How was it?"

"It was fun," she said, "We ate and talked and kissed."

"And?"

"That's it," Hermione replied, honestly, "It ended at kissing."

Harry nudged Ron, begging him not to pry with the pleading look in his eyes. Ron obeyed and relented his questioning, though he had a few more in mind, "I'm glad you had fun," he finally said.

"Me too," Harry chimed in.

"What about you two? Did you have a fun evening together since you weren't busy following me around?"

Harry looked at Ron and grinned. Ron chuckled and stared at the fire. Harry's grin broadened, "We did have fun, thank you. I think we all should get some sleep now, though."

Hermione nodded, "I agree. Goodnight, boys. And--thank you again..."

Harry and Ron nodded, each accepting the kiss to the head that Hermione gave them before she went to her dorm to get ready for bed. Harry looked at Ron.

"She's all grown up," he joked.

Ron chuckled, whacking Harry's leg, "Come on. Let's go."