Chapter 12: A Picnic Date
Soon the last week of the semester has arrived, as it is now the month of December. Everybody in the secret training class has been either working on their magic or combat skills. So far when it came to combat, some people in the secret class were showing promise as they were taking it very seriously. Some examples include Neville, Cedric, and Daphne. But it was mostly Neville who managed to impress everyone and due to Neville's strong will and determination, the boy has became arguably one of the best when it came to combat training, and it was proven when one day Malfoy was picking on him, when out of nowhere Neville followed one of Naruto's instructions on CQC and managed to put Malfoy in his place and by that, Neville meant the ground.
"Ok everyone, so that's it for this lesson. Now we're not going to meet again until after the holidays so just keep practicing on your own as best as you can," Harry stated. "That's right, I want you to continue practicing whatever I taught you and feel free to take a martial arts class if you want to expand your knowledge on hand to hand combat. But otherwise, from the both of us, we would like to wish you all a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!" Naruto finished. Everybody clapped and cheered as the two showed off some neat magic tricks for the holiday. Soon they all left, after wishing the two mentors Merry Christmas. Naruto leaves the Room of Requirements as he sees that Hermione was there waiting by the door. "Hey…" Naruto said, as he was surprised that his girlfriend was waiting for him. "Hey…" she said, sounding shy and nervous as it was just the two of them alone.
"So…I was wondering…if you are doing anything later today?" Naruto asked. "Oh…uh…no, I don't have any plans today, why do you ask?" Hermione asked. "Well I was wondering if you wanted to go on a date with me," Naruto stated, which surprised the girl. "I mean we haven't spent much time together alone, given the whole thing that was happening during the school year…and I just wanted to make up for lost time. Plus when we get back home, we can do whatever you want, so what do you say?" Naruto offered. "Sure that would be lovely," Hermione said, with a tinge of pink showing through her cheeks, as if she were blushing. "Sweet, meet you in a few minutes as I prepare for our date," Naruto stated, as she nodded. The two went to their dorms as they changed into something casual. The two meet up at the courtyard, "Are you ready for the date?" he asked, as she nodded. "Alright then," he said as he summoned Brutus, as the wolf summoned the two to the Howling Forest.
"Ah Naruto and Hermione, what brings you to our domain today?" Thorn asked, as she and Quetzalcoatl, the dragon, came by to greet the two humans. "Hey guys, I was just bringing Hermione here on a date, as we couldn't do one at the castle ever since Umbridge decided to dictate everything we do around there," Naruto said as both giant summons snarled at that name. The two learned about Umbridge due to how Naruto rants about the bitch, and he even shows his hand where had to write lines on it, which infuriates the two as they want a piece of that monster they call a human for hurting their summoner. "Well then, we'll leave you two kids at it, come on Quetzalcoatl," Thorn said, as she and Quetzalcoatl left the two, not before showing them a private area where they could have their date. Naruto and Hermione walked to a spot where it showed a really nice view of the valley, even though it was snowing as it is winter.
Luckily they started a fire using the Incendio spell and soon they sat down together, enjoying the view. "It's a good thing I bought a basket full of food for this picnic date," Naruto said as he summoned a basket full of food and drink. Inside the basket were some sandwiches and some butterbeer bottles. "So what do you want: ham and cheese, tuna, turkey, or pbj?" Naruto offered. "I'll take ham and cheese," Hermione said, as Naruto handed her the sandwich, while he took a turkey sandwich. The two ate and drank as they talked about things. "This is nice…it's a really nice change of pace after everything, from training to dealing with that toad of a teacher, though it is disrespectful to actual toads," Naruto stated. Hermione laughed at that comment, "That is true, I bet even Neville's toad, Trevor, would probably be offended being compared to that vile, old, gargoyle." The two shared a laugh, as they toasted their bottles of butterbeer to celebrate their date.
That's when Hermione noticed that something was up with Naruto, "What's wrong Naruto, I noticed that you looked troubled?" she asked, looking concerned for the blond. Naruto sighed, "I guess I can't hide anything, huh. Truth be told, I'm worried for the future, like what if I fail to defeat Menma?" Naruto stated. "You won't fail Naruto, I promise you that," Hermione said, trying to assure him that everything will be fine. "But what if I do? If I die against Menma, he's going to go after everyone I know, especially you. I can't lose you, I just can't. I lost my sensei to him, I can't let the bastard take away the ones I hold dear to my heart. Some nights I even get nightmares where everyone I know gets taken away from me," he said. "Nightmares?" she asked, looking concerned for the boy. He explained everything about his nightmares as she listened completely, and as she listened, she was shocked by how detailed the nightmares were.
"There's a reason why I have been hard on myself, and especially others when it comes to training. So that they don't get to experience what I saw from those dreams, even if they weren't real," Naruto said, sounding drained yet relieved after he finally confessed those dreams he didn't want to tell anyone, even though he yearned for someone to listen to him. After hearing everything, Hermione sighed as she looked at Naruto. "Those dreams you saw, despite how detailed it is and how real it might be…I know it will never happen, because I have faith you will stop Menma. I know it, deep from my heart." Naruto was surprised by how much faith she had in him, and Naruto knew through how her eyes were telling the truth. "You really have faith in me, huh?" Naruto asked, as she nodded. The two stared at each other, before Naruto draws his face close to hers, as she pulls her face close to his, as both of their eyes were closed. Their lips touched each other, as the two kissed.
They were kissing for about a few minutes and it seemed that the world around them stopped as they were enjoying this moment. Soon they stopped as Naruto decided to use Hermione's lap as a pillow. "Can we just stay here, just for a while, till we get back?" Naruto asked, as he wanted to be at peace before heading back to what they now call Hogwarts, "Prison School." She smiled softly and nodded, as she kissed his forehead. They savored this moment, not wanting to think about an upcoming war, Menma, and everything that has been happening.
Soon they returned back to the castle, this time holding hands, as they talked and laughed at things. They were sounding pretty happy as well after that conversation they had. As they were walking to the common room, they saw that Harry was staring at the fireplace, as he was looking pretty content with himself. Naruto smirked knowing where this was going on, "Looks like you had a good time, huh Harry?" Harry turned around, "Was it that obvious?" he asked. Naruto nods, "Dude it is, I mean come on we've seen how you've been acting around Daphne, even after the Yule Ball." Harry thought about it, "We'll when you put it that way-"
"Ah, are you seriously talking about relationships?" Ron said, entering the conversation. "Yeah we were just talking about Harry and his relationship with Daphne," Naruto explained. "Bloody hell mate, what was it like, I mean being with her?" he asked, as Harry blushed. "It was…pretty good," Harry said, as he was trying to come up with more to say. "Pretty good?! That's all you have to say?!" Ron asked, wanting to know more. "Now, now Ron, let's not hound our friend here with more questions, I mean give him a break at least," Naruto said, trying to calm Ron down. "Well I mean come on, this is Harry we're talking about," Ron said. Hermione rolled her eyes, "This is the reason why you are single Ron, you keep pestering people here without any tact." Ron looked a little scandalized, "I'll have you know, I could be in a relationship, as I have range and charm, it's just that I don't have time or it's just that people can't approach me."
"Sure you could Ronald, but then again you have an emotional range of a teaspoon, so that doesn't mean anything really," Hermione retorted. Harry and Naruto snickered at that response, and soon the others joined as it was pretty funny. It was a fun night and soon everybody went to sleep.