3-Trains

(15/11/97)

While walking to the bus stations, Hermione noticed a shop selling picnic baskets and supplies. This gave her an idea. She dragged Harry there, choosing a medium-size basket and having it filled with sandwiches, drinks and some fruits. It turned much larger than they would need for lunch, but Harry understood that Hermione had a certain plan, although he didn't yet know it. Hermione also chose a large cloth to spread on the ground for the picnic.

When they found the bus stations, Hermione chose one that stopped near a field used for picnics during the warmer seasons. It didn't get much use in the winter, of course, but some brave souls would occasionally use it even then. The bus driver noticed their basket and their entwined hands and smiled when they stated their destination. He probably suspected that they had more in mind than just a nice lunch.

It turned out a relatively warm and sunny day, allowing Harry to really enjoy spending it with Hermione, surrounded only by nature. With nobody to overhear their discussion or see where they were pointing on the map, it was quite easy to decide what to do and where to go. Since that location was so remote, they could easily use apparition and land in another similar area, much farther. Hermione, though, thought it would be safer not to use apparition at all. "We used it to reach this town. If anybody noticed, they'll look for us here. Now if we depart using muggle means, they won't be able to track us. That reminds me – we need to check all our belongings for tracking spells. I don't expect to find any, but we'd rather err on being too cautious."

They unpacked and spread practically everything on the grassy field, checking each item with multiple detection spells. They also checked each other after removing most of their clothes, despite the cold. Luckily, they found nothing. They repacked everything with a sigh of relief.

After eating their fill, they put the remaining food under stasis and repacked the picnic basket. Using buses, they reached the closest train station.

"We're in no hurry, on one hand, and we may like to shake any possible 'tails' away," Hermione told him, "so we may make the rest of this day and night into a train-hopping experience."

Harry wasn't sure what she was planning but trusted her.

They first took a local train that only brought them to a bigger city, where they could choose several destinations. They took the train to Leeds, but dismounted at the first stop and took another train that went to London. They also dismounted it after a few stations, mounting a train to Glasgow, only to change a few stations later to Edinburgh.

By the time they reached the Scottish capital, it was already evening. Harry thought they would check-in to a local hotel for the night, but Hermione thought differently. An hour later they were lounging in a night train speeding to Manchester. Hermione reserved a sleeping compartment for them, so that they could continue sleeping even after arriving at their destination, at about 4 in the morning.

Sleeping on the train wasn't as comfortable as sleeping at the hotel but was certainly better than sleeping in their tent. Besides, with no sleepwear ready, they both stayed nude, spending almost half the night kissing and caressing. Harry still had no name for the kind of relationship they were having, but he didn't mind. Whatever it was, it was fabulous, and was bound to get better soon, if all went well. This relationship, (or was it a bond?) was much better than he could expect.

\/\/\/

Manchester didn't greet them nicely. When they woke up, the sky was very dark and it was pouring rain, accompanied by strong winds that made the rain even more of a hurdle.

Hermione didn't mind. Although she had initially thought of spending a few hours there, she had no expectations from this mainly industrial town and didn't consider skipping it to be a loss. Instead, they had a nice breakfast at the train station and used the phone to reserve a room at a hotel in Liverpool.

Just for the variety, they took a bus from Manchester to Liverpool. By the time they reached there, the seaside city was already enjoying some sun rays penetrating between the retreating clouds.

Harry enjoyed the views. His only experience with the sea was when Uncle Vernon tried to flee the Hogwarts letters, and that didn't really count. Hermione indulged him with a tour of the city before going to their hotel, a tour that Harry enjoyed very much. The port, the beaches and the old town impressed him the most.

Harry let her feel how much he enjoyed it by giving her three fabulous orgasms soon after reaching their room, using only his tongue and his fingers. As soon as she recovered, she promised to retaliate later, after dinner. It was something that Harry was looking forward to.

The receptionist was glad to direct them to a high-quality restaurant. Both teens wore their best, as Hermione requested. "We're not too tired and we're not in a hurry. I think this is the right time to take our relationship to the next level, and I feel like celebrating it with a luxurious dinner. Don't you agree?"

"You've already done so much for me. Of course, I agree. Besides, you're the one paying for it all, so…"

She hit his arm playfully, "Oh, you!…"

Dinner was something else. Harry had never eaten at a restaurant of this type. The few times he'd eaten out, it was at fast-food outlets or cheap, low-quality restaurants, where one only stopped when needing food. This one was different. The décor, the service, the way the food was presented – they all were part of making the outing enjoyable and memorable. And of course – the food was the best of its kind.

When Harry checked the menu he was frightened by the prices, but Hermione only laughed, "If you compare this with going to a theatre for a play or a concert, then the price is not much higher, and if you choose well, you may enjoy your stay here for longer than at the theatre. Think of it as of tonight's entertainment, not merely food."

Looking at it this way, the prices didn't seem quite so high.

After returning to their hotel room, Harry discovered another benefit of visiting that restaurant: Hermione was in a very good and sexy mood. She made a show of getting naked and then removed Harry's clothes just as sexily, making him even more eager to continue in that mood. She then dragged him to bed and let him bring her to her climax. Just before reaching it, she blurted, "Go in now! Make me fully yours! It won't hurt."

As usual, Harry did what she requested. He wasn't sure he was doing it right, but Hermione was in no state to direct him. He just pushed in all the way, passing a certain barrier that didn't seem too significant. He then waited, letting his body get acquainted with the new wonderful sensations and letting Hermione calm down as well. He was sure that he liked this new feeling and would like to experience it as many times as he could.

Hermione seemed to be of the same opinion. As soon as she could control her body after that first climax, she asked Harry to start moving and moved in tandem with him. They increased the pace after a short while and Hermione urged him to go faster and deeper. Harry felt that he might reach his peak before satisfying her. That was not an option he wanted to consider. He used his previous experience, adding his fingers to the action and bringing Hermione to a much higher climax than previously, seconds before he spilled into her.

It took them much longer to calm down. Hermione was the first to speak. "It was fabulous, Harry, much better than all we did until now. I want to keep doing it with you for the rest of my life!"

"It was just as great for me, but mainly because it was you. I don't think I'd like it with anybody but you. I'd like us to stay together for as long as we live," Harry said.

Hermione just smiled contentedly and found a comfortable position to cuddle into Harry. A few minutes later, they were both sleeping already.

\/\/\/

They woke up feeling happy and horny. It didn't take them long to resume that action that made them so happy, and then fall asleep for another hour.

"I think we missed breakfast," Hermione said when they next woke up. It was after ten in the morning.

Harry shrugged. "We ate so well last night that I don't feel any need for breakfast. I could do with some more…"

The way his hand was trailing down her belly made his intentions crystal clear.

Hermione giggled, not minding at all that she sounded quite girly. "I could too, but we only booked one night. Would you like to stay another night here?"

Harry looked around. The room was quite elegant. It sported a large television set and a separate music system. It also had connections for a computer, if one wanted that. There was a mini-fridge with various drinks and an electric kettle with some complimentary tea, coffee and several kinds of sweeteners. The attached bathroom was also large and nicely furnished. He could easily spend some more time there. "I don't mind. I don't feel like getting out of bed yet."

Hermione smiled and bent over his body to reach the bedside telephone. Harry didn't pay attention to the conversation, just enjoying the feeling of her body pressing on his.

"We can stay here another night and they won't send the cleaners before midday. We can spend some more time in bed, although I'm not sleepy," Hermione informed him.

"I'm not sleepy either, so what shall we do?" he asked teasingly.

"I think I have an idea," she said, pouncing on him.

There was no more talking for quite a while, until they finally separated, both sweaty and sated.

"I think we should shower now, or everybody will smell what we did," Hermione noted. "Not that I'm ashamed, you know, but I'd rather keep this private."

"Of course, dear. Want to shower first?"

She smiled teasingly. "Why not shower together? And I don't mind if we do more than showering."

Harry found the idea quite enticing. Of course, they ended having another orgasm in the shower. They then cleaned themselves properly, wore the bathrobes and got dressed, turning their backs to each other as a means to remove distractions.

Since it was almost lunchtime, they made sure to hide anything that could look suspect or show their true identities before leaving the room. Not wanting to use any magic, they didn't even bother with the bedsheets although they wondered what the maids would think of the bloodstains.

They found a modest diner for lunch. It was self-service, which fit them well. They chose their meals, paid and found a table to sit at. With the euphoria caused by their night and morning activities calming down, their thoughts came back to their precarious situation. Still, they couldn't talk about it in public, yet some different aspects could be discussed.

"We haven't talked about it, but are you protected against pregnancy?" Harry asked.

"Why? Afraid you impregnated me?" she teased lightly before turning serious and talking in much lower volume. "When I went to the Burrow, before Bill's wedding, I was afraid Ron would force me. Not physically, you know, but nag and pressure until I would be unable to refuse. I made sure to have several months' worth of the contraceptive potion. I also took half a year supply of the muggle contraceptive pill, in case I couldn't use the potion. I only need to take it once a week, you know, and I last took it just before Ron left, so I should be protected."

She then smiled. "I wouldn't mind getting pregnant by you, but we can't afford it while still..."

Harry smiled fondly. "I'm sure that our daughter would be just as smart as you. She'd also like flying, like me."

Hermione's eyes grew wide for a moment at hearing "our daughter," but she didn't let it affect her. Instead, she focused on something different. "I thought you were dating Ginny. How come you're suddenly interested in me?"

Harry could see that she dreaded the possible answer but she needed to know. Well, he had nothing to hide from her. "I broke up with Ginny after the headmaster's funeral and I meant it. Ginny couldn't accept being rejected and she tried her best to reclaim me while we stayed with her family. I don't think I ever liked her as more than a friend, but she's quite tenacious, you know."

He could see Hermione relax at his words, so he decided to ask back. "I thought you were interested in Ron, at least for the last year or so. What happened?"

She shrugged. "Nothing, really. I was always attracted to you, even before I knew it. How could I not fall in love with the boy who jumped on the back of a troll to save a girl he barely even knew? I didn't think you'd ever show more interest in me than mere friendship, so I tried to find love with the only other boy I was somewhat close to. It didn't work, as you could clearly see. He's infatuated with Lavender and she gave him all that I was reluctant to give. He only wants me so he'd have something you want. I should have realized he wasn't a real friend for either of us but…"

Harry knew what she wasn't saying. Her social insecurities kicked in, depriving her of the ability to do what she considered the right thing. "Well, we're together now and staying together. If you like, we can get married as soon as the war is over and make it official."

Hermione seemed surprised for a moment and then turned coy. "Why, Potter, are you proposing to me now?"

Harry felt confused for a moment. He had no intention of proposing so offhandedly, but this was more a statement of intent than anything else. Weren't they living as a couple already? Yet there was only one answer he could think of to the question she posed. "Of course, dear." He left his chair and went down on one knee. "Will you give me the honour to become my wife as soon as circumstances allow it?" he asked, speaking much louder than before.

"Gladly!" she said, pouncing on him, not minding their audience.

They sobered a moment later, hearing the clapping of the other clients there. One of the workers even came with a small cake for them to celebrate, with compliments from the management and the workers. Both teens thanked everybody, feeling a bit embarrassed. The cake was quite good, though.