Note: This story is part of the Dances with Dunces story set, though it may be enjoyed separately. Visit my profile page for recommended reading order.
The asterisk (*) marks something that refers to a detail from another story in the set.

THE SWEET ASSUMPTION

It was another fine day outside, but Hermione was in the lonely library, studying. With OWLs only days away, she wanted to finish taking notes from the final chapter of her Charms book that day, so she could revise the entire year's teachings just once more. Usually, she had no trouble focusing on schoolwork, but today, like the rest of week, while seeming as normal as any other to everyone else, was a little different to Hermione. Concentration was difficult. She happened to be sitting right at the spot where the sunlight fell through the window. The warmth seemed to tease her, call her to the outside and enjoy the few remaining hours of light before the day ended. After a moment, feeling the warm light on her eyelids, she gave in, packed her books and headed for the courtyard.

There were quite a few other students also enjoying the sun there. Some sat in groups on the grass while others at tables. Hermione spied an unattended table on the far end of the courtyard and made her way towards it. On the way, she passed Dean, Seamus and Neville. They were talking excitedly about the coming dance. "Are you taking Ginny Weasley again?" she heard Seamus ask Neville, as he nudged his friend with a grin.

Neville shook his head. "No," he said in a disappointed tone. "I already asked her. She's already going with someone."* The boys paused in their conversation to acknowledge Hermione as she walked by. She gave them a passing smile and continued on her way, feeling their excitement take her over when thoughts about the dance floated into her head as well.

She spread her books on the table and opened her Charms text to the final chapter, but it was impossible to transfer her attention to study when it was already occupied with the annual social event. She leaned over the table, crossing her arms and resting her chin on them. Surely it couldn't hurt to spend a few short minutes in her study time to daydream?

The gentle chattering of students slowly muffled and the courtyard before her melted away to show the cliffs and the mossy boulder perched precariously on its edge. Ron was there, nervously picking at the boulder's thick covering. He was muttering, clearly embarrassed about something. Hermione hadn't really heard what he had mumbled, but she remembered feeling incredibly moved by the fact that he was jealous of the time she had been spending with Harry. If only he'd known that she had only sought Harry's advice on Ron's birthday present. Then she tugged on his sleeve, and Ron, looking adorably uncomfortable, let those emotions slip and received her kiss.*

Hermione tried to think of what had actually driven her to make such a bold move, but there was only seeing Ron, and kissing Ron; there was nothing in between. The kiss had happened the previous week and there hadn't been another. She wasn't particularly disappointed about that; it wasn't like all she wanted to do was corner him at every opportunity. There were better things happening between them.

Since then, they had sat together in almost every class they shared, exchanged grins and teased each other in arguments that didn't much differ to their normal rows, only that they now ended with a laugh. She had never looked forward to anything more than the dance, now that she was sure Ron would ask her to go with him.

"What are you smiling about?" a voice interrupted her thoughts. It was Lavender. She and Parvati took seats across from Hermione and both were grinning. Hermione felt herself blush as she straightened her posture. She knew it had been obvious what she had been thinking about, just not whom.

"Nothing," Hermione mumbled, unable to suppress the silly grin that remained on her face, and hating herself for the lack of control.

"Oh, come on. Tell us!" implored Parvati, keen for a bit of gossip. "Who are you thinking about?"

"I told you, no one."

The girls stared at each other for several moments, but Hermione stood her ground. It wasn't like her to share her deepest feelings with anyone. Sensing this and knowing they were no match, Parvati and Lavender sighed heavily. "Okay, then. But it will be obvious when the dance comes around."

"Then you'll just have to wait until then," Hermione told them. "Besides, I haven't been asked yet," she added.

Parvati and Lavender looked utterly shocked. "You haven't?" It might have been the worst thing she could've told them. "But the dance is the night of the OWLs! That's three days away!"

Hermione frowned, thoughtful. They were absolutely right. Ron had had a week to ask her and he hadn't yet. He hadn't even mentioned the dance during their many conversations since the kiss. She told herself that he was probably trying to find her during her free period when she insisted to study alone. Maybe he was looking for her now. "I have to go," she suddenly said, packing her books. Lavender and Parvati exchanged looks and shrugged as they watched her in a half-jog back to the library, dragging her bulging bag.

Hermione waited. It was the most obvious place she would be, but Ron didn't come. She had sat with a random book opened at the same page until dinner time came. For that hour, she had steadily become more confused, and, there was no denying it, angrier. There was no reason she could think of why Ron wouldn't ask her. He was far from shy and their relationship had already taken steps beyond friendship. "That's it!" she huffed under her breath as she noisily shoved her books back into her bag. "If he doesn't ask me by tomorrow..."

Tomorrow rolled around, and soon it was the day before the dance. Hermione had grown cold towards Ron after he had failed to ask her, despite her numerous attempts to bring up the topic. Because she had waited for him, she had missed opportunities to go with someone else. A few times, boys had approached her, some she didn't think she ever saw before, and others she did know ("I'm sorry, Neville. I was hoping to go with someone else."). She scolded herself for caring so much about a night that would only last a few hours, and for being so preoccupied with it that she felt like all her revision had been spent. She knew she was prepared enough for the OWLs that morning, but wished she could just put the dance out of her mind for the duration of the exams.

Hermione hadn't talked to Ron at all before the exams started, and he hadn't said much to her either besides, "Are you ready?" and "Good luck." It wasn't so much that they weren't talking to each other, she was just curt with him now. Besides, he seemed completely oblivious to her feelings and smiled at her with the same warmness that now somehow irritated her.

As they filed into the Great Hall which now looked like an enormous classroom with neat rows of single desks, someone stood on her toe. Hermione grunted, annoyed and impatient. She wasn't in the best of moods to have her toes stood on. "Sorry," whispered a familiar voice. It was Neville.

"That's okay," she muttered. Then she glanced at him. He didn't seem to have that excitement about the dance bubbling just beneath his skin like all the other students in their classes, either. "Have you found someone to go with yet? To the dance, I mean," she finally whispered, as the crowd slowly bustled into the hall.

"No," he answered mournfully.

"Neither have I, actually," she told him.

"Really? How come?" he asked, surprised, taking the desk beside her to continue their conversation.

"Can I call for quiet, please? Quickly, take your seats," called Professor McGonagall at the front of the hall.

"I'd rather not talk about it. Do you want to go with me, then? As friends? At least arrive together?" Hermione whispered quickly.

Neville gave a small smile and nod, "Yeah, alright."

Then the OWLs began.