Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Harry Potter or the song 'Hero'

A/N: This story was inspired by the song 'Hero' by Enrique Iglesias. Each chapter will be based off of a line or two in the song, which will be the title of that chapter. Also, this takes place in their 7th year, Dumbledore has died but Harry/Ginny wasn't there nor Ron/Hermione. Just take it as it is :D ...Enjoy!

Would You Dance

If I Asked You To Dance?

Harry sat in an arm chair in the common room gazing into the ebbing flames. Weariness fled when he lain down and memories filled his mind when he closed his eyes. So he sat there, cold and alone, sitting mere feet from the fire in a castle brimming with people.

He held his gaze on the dancing flames. Watching them spring about, leaping and dashing, moving at a fast rhythm. He was fascinated and, for the moment, distracted from his thoughts.

"Harry?"

His gaze fled the fire in search of the warmly familiar voice that had called his name. He found his friend, watching him with concern, paused on the steps. Their eyes frigid with fear, sorrow, pain, and worry until they softened with a dawning of understanding.

"Can't sleep?" The words drifted to him yet he did not reply. He was pondering deeply how someone could care so much for him, even after he pushed everyone away and acted horrid.. How could someone be so loyal and determined?

The lack of response caused worry as Hermione proceeded down the steps and sat on the couch near him.

"Harry?"

Harry lightly shook his head and smiled ever so softly at his friend. "Sorry."

"It's fine, Harry. I was just wondering why you were still up."

"I haven't been able to stop thinking..." he replied as his eyes wandered back to the flames briefly.

Hermione nodded her head with silent understanding.

He peered back to her. "Why are you up?"

"I've been thinking about...things too," her reply was soft as she averted her eyes.

Harry watched her several moments until his voice took control and spoke, "Would you dance with me?" As confused as he was as to why he asked, he listened intently for her answer, wanting her answer, desperately to be 'yes.'

Hermione immediately looked over at him and into his vibrant, emerald eyes. Her brow was knitted with confusion. "What?"

A grin broke out over his features. "Dance with me." He then stood up and walked to her, holding his left hand out to her.

Hermione continued to gaze at him in bewilderment. He could see that she seemed to be struggling to decide what to do.

Harry's voice dropped to a soft, sincere whisper, "Dance with me."

She slowly raised her right hand and took his. He grinned once again as he clasped her small hand in his and pulled her to her feet. He then moved around the couch, pulling Hermione with him, to the open area behind the seating.

Harry turned and stepped up to Hermione, barely leaving any space between them and, without hesitation, placed his free hand on her waist. He slid his fingers to entwine with hers as she gently laid her hand on his shoulder, letting her arm rest on his slightly.

Harry peered down at Hermione as she looked up at him; their eyes met in a fusion of green and brown. Only a whisper of a smile graced his lips yet his eyes shown with a wide grin. Her features conveyed questions and awe as she tried to figure out what was going on.

The room was dark, cast with shadows, yet it was a comforting darkness that soothed the two souls. The feint light from the fire caught Hermione's hair and bound elegantly with her curls, her eyes gleamed gold in the light as her visage appeared to glow.

Harry began to slowly move, swaying and gliding, much to the contrast of the flames. Their eyes stayed on each other's as they moved together. The guarding walls between the two crumbled away, leaving them vulnerable, open, and content.

They began to move less, slowly regressing into slight swaying movements, bodies pressed close together.

The light was slowly dimming, fading into darkness, yet their eyes shown bright.

"Harry?" she whispered softly, nearly inaudible.

He answered with his eyes as he continued to peer into hers.

She didn't know what to say and he understood. She resolved to resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes. Harry, in turn, rested his cheek against her hair, closing his own eyes.

Darkness fell over them, and, for awhile, they simply swayed together to the music of silence and peace. They were content, far off in a world without care, a peaceful, safe darkness, unlike the darkness that shrouded their wizarding world.

Soon though, a dooming light crept back into their world and movement was heard in the distance. Sighing, they both lifted their heads to gaze at one another once again. They spoke with their eyes and smiled softly, reluctantly letting go of each other.

Harry slowly made his way up to the boys' dorms as Hermione watched him go, lingering a moment after he had disappeared, before moving to a couch and sitting down with a book.

She barely heard footsteps on the staircase as she stared at the words on the page; seeing the words but not being able to understand what they meant, reading the sentences but letting the lines slip away as she thought about the warmth she still felt from Harry's nightlong dance. Hermione suddenly felt the presence of another and stiffened but kept her eyes on the book in front of her.

"Hermione?" The soft words were spoken with slight confusion. Hermione looked up to see the young redhead moving towards her. "Wow. I thought I was actually going to be the first one up today."

"Well, technically I suppose you are," Hermione replied, smiling softly. "I didn't go to sleep last night."

"Hermione, you really should stop studying so much. I mean, it's the weekend! You should be sleeping in to wake up and be lazy or have a bit of fun! Well, at least loosen up a bit and enjoy yourself every now and then," Ginny finished after noticing the look Hermione was giving her.

Hermione just sighed, shaking her head. "I'll try, Ginny. I'll do my very best, I promise," she said with a laugh.

Ginny smiled then looked to the clock quickly.

"Why are you up so early Gin?" Hermione asked as, she too, looked at the clock to see that it was nearly six.

"I was going to go get some Quidditch practice in," she replied with a grin.

Hermione smiled at the younger witch. "Go on then."

Ginny let out a small laugh and bid farewell as she exited the common room.

Hermione sat there for a few hours, progressing into actually reading the book in her hands, as many more students awoke and started their days. She waited and read until she heard the voice of one of her best friends.

"Oi! I don't see why we had to get up! We could've had a couple bloody good hours more! It's the weekend for Merlin's sake!"

Hermione laughed, her eyes still on her book but her mind on the two approaching her. She just knew that Harry was rolling his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips.

"We had to get up, Ron, because I was not about to leave Hermione to spend the day alone without her best friends! Who knows what trouble she might've gotten into, or, dear Merlin, what she might've studied!" The voice of Harry was filled with laughter and feigned horror, he sounded happy. Hermione smiled at his thoughtfulness, humor, and the fact that he was happy for once in so long.

She looked up from the forgotten book into striking green eyes. She took a moment just to gaze into his eyes before speaking, "Harry Potter, I feel offended! To think such things of me! I never!" She barely contained her laughter as she stood, book falling to the ground, hands on hips.

Harry merely laughed, joined shortly by the other two of the Golden Trio. Everything seemed alright again. For a brief moment they were happy, without a care. They could smile again.

A/N: There you have it, the first chapter! How was it? Reviews would be lovely!

Next Chapter:

Would You Run And Never Look Back?