Around midnight Harry and Christina crept out of the Room of Requirement holding their wands ahead of them. They looked around for any teachers and began to walk, hand in hand, back to the Gryffindor common room.
"It's times like these I wish I had my invisibility cloak.", said Harry.
"My dad told me you were quite the rule breaker. Like your father."
Harry smiled at her.
Suddenly there was the sound of clashing metal around the corner. Harry pushed Christina behind him but she pushed herself forward.
"I'm YOUR protector remember?" ,she whispered
"You're just a trainee."
Christina frowned but Harry didn't notice. He slowly crept towards the corner and listened for voices. He heard the whispered voices of two people.
"Ron, you stupid......."
"That sure got you quiet didn't it Hermione."
"Don't think you can kiss me everytime you want me to be quiet Ronald Weasley."
"Wanna bet?"
Harry swung around the corner to see Hermione in the midst of Ron's strong arms. He tried to keep from laughing but as soon as Christina turned the corner she gasped and Harry had to let it out. He burst out laughing when Ron and Hermione parted.
"What is so funny Harry?", asked Hermione.
"You....two....were always......fighting....hahaha! Now look!"
Christina crossed her arms over her chest and smiled, "It was bound to happen."
Ron's face grew crimson, "Shut up you two. Plus you haven't told where you've been for the past few hours or why you're sneaking round the castle together."
Christina crept closer, "Shhhh....we can all swap stories when we reach the common room. Come on."
The four reached the common room without being caught and they all sat down in front of the burning embers of what had been the fire. Harry got up to poke it when Ron spoke up.
"Well?"
"Well what?", asked Christina.
"Where have you two been all day and what were you doing sneaking round?"
"Oh that! That's Harry's department, Harry? What were we doing sneaking around?"
Harry tried to hide his face in the shadows because his face had begun to turn to the color of Ron's hair. Christina smirked.
"I think someone is a little embarassed. Come on Harry. Tell them what a die-hard romantic you are."
Harry put down the fire poker and sat on the couch next to Christina.
"rerentoeoomoirement.", murmured Harry.
"What?", asked Hermione.
Harry took in a deep breath, "I took Christina on a picnic and then I took her to the Room of Requirement."
Ron smirked but Hermione obviously got the wrong idea.
"You brought her up to speed on the D.A.?", she squealed happily.
"Not exactly.", said Harry.
"Then I don't understand.", said Hermione, confused.
Ron sighed, "God Hermione, sometimes I forget you're a girl. What were we doing in the back bookshelves of the library?"
"Kissing, it was lovely..."
"Let me finish, What do you think these two who are obviously head over heels but don't want to say anything, what could they POSSIBLY be doing in the Room of Requirement?"
Hermione gasped, "OOOOOHHHH!!! I've got it now!"
Ron rolled his eyes, "I love you Hermione but you really have no idea how relationships work."
"Neither do you!"
"So?"
Hermione smirked, "Then I suppose you'll have to teach me won't you?"
"You're getting good already."
Christmas was soon around the bend. Ron was going home for the holidays and had invited Hermione to come with him for a few days after Christmas. Harry was disappointed that Ron was leaving but he did have Christina. Of late the two had grown used to the idea of their being a couple. It was Harry's dream come true, to hold hands with the one he felt sure he was in love with, and walk down the halls for everyone to see. Christina was still shaky on the whole couple business though. She wasn't used to the feelings she had for him. She thought she loved Harry but was it really? How could she tell? Christina never showed Harry her true feelings and Harry felt this but he never said anything. The day before Ron and Hermione left for the holidays, Ron asked him about Christina.
"Hey mate, how are you and Christina?"
"You would know, the four of us are hardly ever separated."
"I mean how is she? Is she still sick from when she was hit with your curse."
"It wasn't my curse and shes still in pain alot of the time but she takes a potion every morning to keep it from coming back. Plus I've learned how to massage her back."
Ron grinned, "And how have you not had a girlfriend before?"
Harry shrugged,"I don't know. I don't really care but Christina is different than the other girls."
"You're telling me, I don't think she really loves you Harry. I think she's just trying to keep you happy."