Hermione Granger gulped down yet another goblet of ice-cold lemonade as she watched the couples on the dance floor in front of her. Absorbed in the sight, she failed to notice a certain tall, red-headed boy determinedly making his way to the table where she sat. Ron Weasley's face was set; his mouth a grim line, as though he was approaching a battlefield, not a table at his brother's wedding reception.
As he neared Hermione he noticed her glazed over appearance, realizing she was lost in reverie, he took the chance to observe his usually guarded and composed friend. There was a slight crinkle to her brow, as though she was deep in thought. As always, Ron grimaced. It wasn't that he envied her intelligence, but sometimes it was difficult to be in the constant presence of someone who at least thought she knew all of the answers.
He surveyed her again, although she was not a great beauty she was by no means ugly, she was just…well, just Hermione.
Or is she still just Hermione? the often unbidden voice in the back of his head asked.
Shut it you, he told it, he did not need it to interfere now, as he was about to embark on a very large leap of faith.
Well if she's just Hermione, it should hardly be difficult, should it? the persistent voice forced its point.
Firmly ignoring it, Ron shook his head to clear his mind, accidentally letting out a small throat-clearing noise as he did so. Rudely awakened from her mental vacation, Hermione whipped around to face Ron, attempting to discern the cause of the interruption.
Again, Ron awkwardly cleared his throat, hoping that by so doing the question would come out without him actually having to speak it. Hermione regarded him curiously.
This is pathetic, Ron told himself, and steeling his resolve, he asked the question he had spent the whole evening working up to.
"Hermione, wo-would you like to dance?" cursing his stutter, he anxiously stared at her, waiting for her response.
Hermione smiled and rose from her chair as Ginny winked at her from across the room.