Prologue
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
He was sitting in a chair; halfway through reading a book she gave him on potions. Hermione could hear the music coming from the dance on the floor above.
"Why aren't you at the ball dancing with Potter? I wasn't expecting to see you tonight." He said, standing slowly.
"Well, you left the ball before I could ask you to dance" she said, trying to fight her growing blush. He walked slowly towards her, not saying a word, grabbing her right hand he placed it gently on his shoulder, tenderly he put his left hand on her waist and held her other hand firmly in his.
"Does this solve your problem?" he asked as they started to dance slowly to the music from above.
"Definitely" she whispered.
A large smile crept across her face – the smile that comes from realising that you have everything you have wanted for so long.
Hermione felt so safe, swaying in his arms. She was where she had wanted to be for longer than she could remember. Just to find someone she connected to, someone who let her be herself, someone who needed her.
A couple of months ago she would have said there was no where she belonged, her family didn't understand her world, and her friends had their own lives; but now, dancing here, with him, she knew she belonged, she knew she was loved.
The song ended and she looked up into his eyes. This time as their faces came together neither of them pulled away. Their lips met for the first time. It was just a simple kiss but it conveyed all the emotion that both of them had been feeling for so long. They broke apart.
"I am sorry". He said murmured.
"Why are you apologizing?" she whispered back.
"I shouldn't have done that," he said taking a step away form her.
She stepped forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. "We all make mistakes".