Day 23 for Countdown to Christmas
Prompt:
Yule Ball
Disclaimer: I don't claim anything.
She was at the Yule Ball. That was the first thing that registered in her brain. Same dress, same hairstyle, same couples dancing to the same songs.
"You look beautiful, Hermione," he came out of nowhere, and reached out for her hand, half bowing.
"What?" she breathed, half confused and half dazed, putting her hand out for him to grab. He wasn't her date, although deep down she had wanted him to ask. She knew he never would though.
He pulled from the staircase, and straight into his chest. Hesitantly, Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt a kiss on the top of her head, and looked up at him with big eyes. "This isn't right," she whispered.
"It doesn't have to be," he whispered back, putting his forehead on hers.
"I'm... confused."
"I'm sure you are."
Hermione pulled back, putting her hand on his chest. "Is this really you?" She wanted to be. She wanted it all to be real.
"Yes," he smiled.
"You're lying."
"Yes," he repeated, "Yes I am."
She didn't want to respond, because then she would have to say something responsible and nag him. Hermione just wanted to enjoy the night in his arms. They spent hours dancing after that, neither of them saying a word. Then the clock struck midnight.
He looked down at her as if he were pain. "You have to go," he whispered.
"I don't want to." She didn't. She wanted to stay with him. But even as she felt those thoughts, she felt herself being pulled back from. Watching as he got smaller and smaller. "Will I see you again?" she called out to him, unsure if he could hear or see her as everything got darker and quieter. Hermione waited for what felt like forever for an answer, and as she thought he wouldn't say anything in time before she was taken back, he did.
"In your dreams," he called back, a split second before she woke up.
Hermione turned off her alarm, showing half past six in the morning. She closed her eyes, pulling her legs into her chest and setting her head onto her knees. She felt a wave of tears wash over her. There was no way they would ever be able to be together in real life.
Only in her dreams.
Nice and depressing, eh? I didn't say who 'he' was, because to me he can be so many people (I ship Hermione with A LOT of characters). So 'he' is whoever you want him to be :) Thanks for reading.