21.10.2016
"Dance with me."
"Dance with…you?"
"Yes, that's what I said, wasn't it?"
"Oh. Yeah, um, ok."
Hermione extended her hand out to Ron. Still uncertain Ron reached up to accept her. He pulled himself up and they walked a short distance to the edge of the dancefloor. Hermione brushed Ron's arm up to sit at her waist on her way to clutching his shoulder. Grasping his hand, she pulled them into a turn and started swaying with the movement. Ron's height always made his movements heavy but the nerves made him even shakier. Hermione didn't seem to mind or notice however. She kept a tight hold on him, leading the dance and smiling up to him.
Even with her ribbon fastened high heeled shoes she was considerably shorter than himself. Ron liked it though. Her heels weren't the tallest by far (He thought back to his head shake at Ginny's outfit earlier), but they seemed to give her the confidence to stand tall. The absence of her thick robes and large bag made her frame seem even smaller and slimmer.
They fell into a more gentle rhythm as Ron felt more settled into their activity. The music had changed at some point, matching their sleepier, slower movements.
"Don't look now but I can see Ginny sneaking off with Neville."
"She's what?! I'll-"
"Ron, I was kidding. You're so easy to get sometimes."
Ron frowned at her." Yeah, whatever. I am glad they went together though, she's been banging on for a month about how unfair it was that 3rd years and below can't come to the ball. Neville's a bit of a sap but he's a nice bloke."
"She's having more luck than Harry. He seemed absolutely miserable earlier. I'm not convinced Parvati has the right template for Harry."
Ron chuckled at this comment. "That's the nicest way of phrasing it, Hermione. Harry doesn't do drama and she lives for it. At least her sister has some smarts about her."
"Is that so?"
"No! No, Hermione that's not what I meant!"
"Ron, calm down. I was only teasing you. Padma's a bright girl, I can see why you asked her tonight."
"Not that asking did a whole lot of good, did it? Don't think she was best impress with my lack of charm."
"Oh Ron," she smiled," you are full of charm."
"Is that so? More than Krum?" His words were joking but not light.
"Obviously so. It's you that I'm dancing with, isn't it?"
"Spose, not the one you said yes to though."
"You're not the one that asked first."
"That's more important then I guess."
"It's better than never knowing if anyone else will ask."
Neither of them were angry. Their tones were sharp, not airy. But neither of them were really annoyed. They slowed to a swaying stand still.
"I didn't think you'd want me to ask," Ron said quietly into her hair.
Hermione was quiet for a moment.
"I've always wanted you to ask. For everything. Any time. I'll always say yes Ron."
Sighing deeply, Ron pressed his lips to her head.
"You're right. Hermione, may I have this dance?"
Looking up so his smile, beaming underneath her eyelashes she squeezed his hand.
"I would love to Ron."
This time it was Ron who took the lead, twirling her through the largely empty floor. They tripped and stumbled, but always into each other's arms. The laughed, smiled and lived for the moment. They had argued all night, and fought all of their friendship. But that didn't matter. They had each other tonight. Boxing Day was another day. Tonight was Christmas and they were young and happy.