This Dance We Do
Chapter 1 – Promenade
You're searching just like everyone
Could be anyone.
And the friends that you have are the best
Impressing most of us as permanent
And I'd like to see you undone.
It's cool to take these chances.
It's cool to fake romances
& grow up fast.
The Swiss Army Romance by Dashboard Confessional
"Ron! Hurry up; you're going to miss the train!" Ron climbed aboard the scarlet car as the Hogwarts Express pulled out from Platform 9 ¾. Hermione pulled her head back from the window when Ron stumbled into the car that Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were sharing.
Hogwarts was re-opening from the year long hiatus. It took 10 long months for Hermione, Ron, and Harry to figure out what and where all of the horcruxes were. It took another 3 weeks to figure out how to destroy them all. Once they were destroyed, The Final Battle, as it came to be called, took place where Harry finally defeated Voldemort once and for all. Professor McGonagall took over as Headmistress with Professor Flitwick as Deputy.
During the 10 month period the Trio stayed at Grimmauld Place, the Trio had gotten considerably closer, especially Harry and Hermione.
Harry sat in the drawing room with books spread around him. He was trying to figure out how to destroy their first horcrux they had found when he heard soft footsteps enter the room. He looked up.
"Hey," Hermione said softly.
"Hi," he replied moving the books around to make an empty space for Hermione. "Here, sit," he offered. She sat down next to him.
"Listen, Harry, I – I wanted to apologize for this past school year. I know I wasn't the friend I should have been. I should've listened to you about Malfoy –" she began.
"And I should've listened to you about the Half-Blood Prince," he interrupted. Hermione just continued talking.
"I also know that me and Ron, well, I though you might have felt excluded," That was true, he did feel like a third wheel ever since school let out and he left Ginny behind. "I just wanted you to know that me and Ron have put off our relationship until we destroy Voldemort," she finished. She looked up at Harry expectantly. He sat there in silence for a moment.
"Thank you," he whispered, his eyes meeting hers. And suddenly…she understood completely. She would put her life before his and she knew he would put his life before hers as well. She smiled.
"Good night, Harry," she said leaning over and giving him a kiss goodnight on the cheek.
"Good night Hermione," he whispered as she walked out the door…
The previous 6th years had to come back to Hogwarts because they hadn't taken their N.E.W.Ts. Everyone else started the year they were meant to start the last year. This made Ginny a 6th year and the trio 7th Years and the 1st year class twice as large.
"Ron, I can't believe you almost missed the train! What were you thinking?" Hermione yelled at Ron.
"Sorry Herms, I was saying goodbye to Fred and George. Jeeze! Can't you get off my back for once?" Ron replied in a harsh tone. Hermione huffed and crossed her arms and opened her mouth as if to respond.
"C'mon guys, cut it out," Harry said trying to keep them out of an argument. He had his arm around Ginny's and was playing with her hair. After Voldemort was defeated Harry and Ginny got back together. Ron and Hermione had dated briefly after Dumbledore's funeral, but broke it off quickly once the search for the horcruxes began, even though they still had feelings for each other.
"Don't worry, Harry, we weren't going to fight," Hermione answered him, uncrossing her arms.
"Shwwz rrrt yool knof," Ron added with his mouth full of chocolate, pointing a licorice wand at Harry.
"How many times do I have to tell you, Ronald, don't talk with your mouth full?" Hermione scolded. Ron swallowed and set the wand down.
"Sorry, Herms," Hermione just rolled her eyes looking away a smile playing on her lips. She met Harry's eye and giggled. Harry let out a laugh as well.
"What?" Ron asked confused. He had a large amount of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean in his hand.
"Nothing!" Harry and Hermione answered simultaneously before laughing again. Ron opened his mouth to ask again, but Ginny cut him off.
"So – er – how about a game of Exploding Snap?" Ginny asked. Everyone agreed. They played this for most of the ride with the occasional "bathroom break" for Harry and Ginny. Neville and Luna stopped by to say hello, as well as other students wanting to see the Boy Who Won before they all went to change into their robes. They arrived at the school shortly after changing. Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny all shared a carriage to the school.
"I can't believe it's our last year," Harry said with a sigh when they were in sight of the castle.
"I know," Hermione said softly looking out the window across the grounds. It raining lightly and the drops clung to the window.
"I'm going to miss it," Ron put in also looking out the window. They sat in a comfortable silence until they reached the castle.
"Well, well, well, look what we have here," sneered none other than Draco Malfoy. Although he had helped the Order, he was still not friendly to any Gryffindors. He had dumped Crabb and Goyle for Blaise Zabini, a rather nice Slytherin. "The golden trio and – " he stopped when his eyes came upon the youngest Weasley. "Weaslette? Is that you?" he asked in a shocked voice. Ginny blushed and half hid behind Harry. "My, my you have grown up nicely," he said licking his lips and rubbing his hands together.
"Shove off Malfoy," Ron threatened. Hermione grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him past Malfoy and into the Great Hall, Harry following close behind. Ginny moved to follow but Draco stepped in front of her.
"Move it Malfoy," she said in a low, threatening voice. Instead of doing as he was told he leaned in close; his cheek brushed hers.
"Forget Potter, Red, come find me and I'll show you a good time," he whispered into her ear. It sent shivers down Ginny's spine. He pulled back and gave her a wink as she strode quickly into the Great Hall taking a seat next to Harry. He gave her a questioning look, but she just shrugged and smiled.