The Other Night

Harry and Hermione started dating right after his 22nd birthday. He had been broken up from Ginny for two years and Hermione had been broken up from Ron for nearly three years when the best friends started their own romantic relationship. The most interesting part of it all was that it had been wholly unintentional, as neither had explicitly expressed a romantic interest in the other before then.

Harry's friends had thrown him a rousing birthday party at Grimmauld Place for his 22nd that had been spearheaded by Ron and Hermione. It had been vivacious, raucous fun for everyone and Harry had gotten decidedly drunk, something that had mostly been his old dorm mates' doing. Hermione, who had been intoxicated herself but not to the degree of the birthday boy, had cut him off and scolded Ron for his youthful shenanigans. (The red head, consequently, had waved her off).

She went into mother mode and took over responsibility for Harry's well being, a habit that had been present within her since age 12. He had gone with it and wore a goofy grin on his face while he laughed over nothing and everything. At one point, Hermione led him by the hand into the kitchen to get him water and something small to eat, pushing him into a chair at the table. When she had gotten the glass of water and turned around, Harry was standing up with one eye closed and his wand aimed at the pantry, noting he would help with the food. Realizing the disaster that could happen from drunken magic, the witch rushed him in an attempt to grab his wand.

It caught him off guard and both the glass and his wand were dropped in the ensuing scuffle. When things had settled from the brief altercation, Harry was leaning against the table and holding Hermione around her middle while she had one hand braced against his chest and the other held his wrist. Both their hearts were beating frantically, they were staring at one another, and broken glass lay at their feet.

It was unclear who moved first after those long, frozen moments, but when they did, their lips collided in a heady manner.

It could have very well been the alcohol that prompted their make out session and Hermione said as much. She pulled away from Harry after a couple minutes with a gasp, her arms dropping from around his neck when she felt his hands slip beneath her top and caress the skin of her stomach. When she backed away from him, shocked and nervously wringing her hands, she mentioned that they had been drinking- him especially. He stared at her briefly before replying:

"Yes. But that doesn't mean snogging you was a mistake. Or that I'll forget it tomorrow."

His tone of voice had been grave and sure, as if he had sobered up for just that instance. She stared at him in return with an astounded expression before Kreacher marched into the kitchen immediately following this, grumbling about the guests. The elf yelped when he saw the glass shards on the floor and started to magically clear them away while he admonished Hermione and his master for making a mess, sounding caring in his own, cantankerous way. The brunette used Kreacher's appearance as her way out and fled from the room, a strangled "excuse me" coming from her mouth as she did not look back. Harry initially felt urged to follow her but slumped down into a chair instead, sighing while his mind raced with thoughts of kissing Hermione Granger and questions of why he had drank so much.

He did not see her for the remainder of the night and did not attempt to seek her out.

The best friends spoke about their unexpected kitchen snog the following day. Ron and Hermione had spent Harry's birthday night at Grimmauld Place, and the first thing that Harry was cognizant of upon waking at 12PM in his designated bedroom (i.e., Sirius' old room) was that he was still dressed in his clothes from his party, minus his shoes. The second thing he realized was that he had kissed Hermione hours previously… or she had kissed him…. He was not sure, but they had kissed each other and they absolutely had to discuss it. Nervous that she may have already left at an earlier time because she regretted what they had done, Harry rushed to the room she usually occupied when staying at the old Black home. He quickly peeked in on Ron and saw the shirtless wizard sound asleep with his mouth open and a leg sticking out from the bedding.

Hermione was indeed still at Grimmauld and opened the bedroom door to see a bemused, disheveled looking Harry on the other side. She had been up for an hour already and was properly dressed and groomed; she had spent the entire time dissecting and fretting over kissing her dark haired friend and what would happen now. He was markedly glad she had not left and both of them blushed somewhat as they traded awkward hellos. Harry asked if she would go to the park with him to talk, the subject of which he did not have to clarify, and Hermione agreed, feeling instant anxiety that she pretended was not there. After he had showered, changed clothes, and taken a potion supplied by his elf to take care of his hangover, Harry led Hermione out the house with instructions for Kreacher to inform Ron of where they had gone if the red head woke during their absence.

The pair went to a nearby park and spoke for over two hours. It was difficult to begin dialogue about what had happened between them the night before but, once they accomplished it, the words poured forth freely and willingly, as they often did when Hermione and Harry spoke. Both admitted to not planning the make out session but also enjoying it, immensely, which brought forth questions of if it would happen again, if they wanted it to happen again, and if romance or sexual attraction was at all a part of their feelings for each other. Certain things were revealed and disclosed to one another during those two hours, things that had not yet been shared with anyone or things they had not even fully admitted to themselves. And the crux of it all was that, yes- at some point in knowing each other, both had wondered (and partially wanted) if something more would ever happen between them.

At the end of their conversation, having covered many related topics to Harry, Hermione, and something more, they both felt relieved, excited, nervous, and hopeful. The pair decided to try dating, as they saw it as a natural progression of their relationship considering how close they were; it also allowed for them to abandon it yet maintain their bond if dating did not work out or feel right. Feeling slightly giddy, they went back to Grimmauld close to 3:30PM and encountered a conscious Ron. They did not tell him what they had just discussed although they knew they would and knew they had to, but not yet. It was so fresh and new and theirs, and they wanted to keep it that for a little while.

Hermione and Harry told Ron they were dating about 10 days into their "trial period." After three weeks of dating, it had obviously gone exceptionally well because they found themselves in an exclusive relationship. Their friends were exhilarated for them when they found out. Nobody, not even the couple themselves, thought it was rushed or odd or forced that they were a couple almost a month after they had started dating, merely for the fact that everyone knew just how close the witch and wizard were. Their connection was deep and indisputable, and while romance may seemed to have happened quickly for them, it had apparently always simmered under the surface; given the right circumstances and the right time, it had been primed to flourish- they had already had everything else.

Ginny had been clearly happy for Harry and Hermione. Above anyone else, the new couple had been worried what the two youngest Weasleys would think, but Ginny gave them her full support. She and the brunette had had a very honest conversation about it one night and the younger witch had informed Hermione that she may have been Harry's ex but Hermione was perfect for him. Ginny claimed that Hermione was able to give him what she herself had been unable to provide. She noted Hermione had been giving Harry the understanding he had needed since she first met him all those many years ago, and no one else on Earth would be better suited. Of course, the red head had also attested, while displaying a devilish smirk, that the women would now be able to have lurid talks about Harry's prowess in bed.

Ron, on the other hand, had a more difficult time accepting his best friends being together than his sister had. He was not truly jealous (as he had Luna and was quite happy and satisfied) but more so uncomfortable, and he was not certain how to feel about it. These were his two best friends in the world, one of whom was also his ex, so it only made the matter all the more complicated. Inevitably, it called to and poked at old insecurities of Ron's as well, and the darkness of the horcrux hunt lingered around the perimeter of his mind when he thought of Hermione's and Harry's status as a couple. He did not avoid them and things were not awkward for the trio, per se, but their dynamic was off. It was as though they were eating at a table where one of the legs was just slightly shorter than the others.

Harry wanted validation from Ron about the relationship but did not directly ask for or discuss it with the red head, whereas Ron had maintained he was fine with it when the subject was brought up by Hermione. Consequently, it took a month for Ron to come to terms with, accept, and support his friends' relationship, and Luna played a large role in that. The blonde's knack for abrupt insight and truthfulness coaxed her boyfriend into getting to the root of his discomfort, which really centered around his deep seeded fear of his inadequacy as a person and his shame over leaving Hermione and Harry during the hunt. Ron's subconscious and old beliefs viewed his friends' relationship as evidence that he was not needed, which, rationally, was anything but true. Discussing this with Luna and eventually his best friends caused him to feel as though an unrecognized weight had been lifted from his chest; old thoughts about himself and his worth were laid to rest and fully allowed him to be Harry's and Hermione's biggest cheerleader. And he was- for three years: the amount of time they remained together.

The three years went by quickly for Hermione and Harry and the time was enjoyable, fulfilling, and loving, overall. While every couple has disagreements and points of contention at various times in their relationship, and they were no exception, the pair functioned exceptionally well together romantically. They were able to say they were literally dating their best friend; their strong foundation is likely what made the relationship so affable.

After their one year anniversary and right before her 24th birthday, Hermione moved in with Harry to his apartment in a borough of outer London. (He had moved out of Grimmauld Place a couple years prior yet still frequented and used it often enough to keep the home and Kreacher from being forgotten). Going to work together many days, working in the same department, and coming home to each other did not get repetitive or annoying to them. They enjoyed it, actually, because it allowed them to actually see one another and spend time together as their schedules were often so different.

Their relationship seemed to thrive for so long… so it was rather shocking when it ended. And ended badly.

Harry was still unable to cite what precisely caused them to fail but he knew it was mostly his doing. Perhaps the war and Voldemort would always have some hold on him and his emotions, despite the fact that he had sought professional help for his mental struggles induced by constant trauma. Perhaps he had been too captive to these old feelings during the last stages of his relationship and been too emotionally befuddled. Ginny had witnessed this in her relationship with Harry and Hermione had as well, both as a friend and girlfriend, but perhaps the latter had grown tired of it.

The final two months for the Chosen One and the Brightest Witch of Her Age were surly. They were full of impatience, misunderstanding, confusion, short tempers, and loud silences, which was not helped by their abundant workload. The dissolution happened unexpectedly but surely, the way their relationship had commenced, and it had gone too far to be fixed before either realized.

Hermione still thought about the day of their break up at times and the raw emotion that had defined it. It was a break up that had not been planned but had been unavoidable after the encounter that preceded it. It had been on a Sunday afternoon in early October and they had been at home. They had been having a conversation about something that had seemed vital then but inconsequential now, and the conversation had progressed into a disagreement which then erupted into an argument, followed by a fight that resulted in the cessation of their romance. Harry's rather well known anger was hardly ever directed at Hermione but she had been its sole recipient that Sunday. At the climax of their verbal altercation, he had informed her that it was incredibly ironic that she was so logical because, emotionally, she was "a fucking head case." After being rendered momentarily speechless due to the pure shock and hurt that had slammed into her, the witch had replied in a most disdainful, cold tone of voice that Harry's biggest fear was being alone and he deserved it. Hermione left the apartment the very next second by Apparating away, and, in an intense fit of fury and anguish, Harry tore through the flat and gathered half of her belongings in a quarter of an hour, his anger fueled magic aiding him. He dumped them near the front door before also Apparating away, his destination being Ron's and Luna's home.

He did not return until the next morning. Harry knew he had to prepare for work but the previous day had been awful and taken a large, emotional toll on him. He regretted his words to Hermione but any chance of any dialogue between them withered away when he trudged into his apartment and noticed fairly quickly that the brunette, and every single possession of hers, was gone. Additionally, she was not present for work at the Ministry that day and it was then that Harry knew-and knew without a doubt- that their relationship was over. It shook him to his core and he spent most of the day stowed away in his office, feeling as though his life had crumbled around him.

He did not hear from Hermione until one week later and it was not friendly when he did. It was an indication of things to come.

The first seven months following the pair's break up was contentious and strained, something they had never really experienced before in regard to one another. Their romantic relationship had negatively influenced their friendship and made things uncomfortable and awkward between them through the entirety of winter and spring. Harry and Hermione had only started being friendly again within the last five months, intent on rebuilding the strong friendship they had shared since the beginning of their prepubescent lives. Consequently, Ron had been the one to encourage them to salvage their meaningful bond, sincerely unhappy that their dynamic as a trio had been ransacked by the failed romantic attempt between two of its members.

And now, about a year after the end of their relationship, Hermione and Harry seemed to be in a very promising place to rebuild the staunch connection that had been established between them 15 years ago… and the brunette witch would be damned if an old roommate from school told her how she felt about Harry Potter.

It was busy downstairs. The music thrummed more deeply against one's bones, and bodies pressed against one another in a way that was both careless and impactful. The wizards and witches on the dance floor were packed together tightly, all victims to the music and substances they had consumed, and a clear line or pocket of empty space could not be seen or detected. Ginny and Hermione pushed their way through the exuberant crowd, the latter still scowling and determined to make her way to one of two bars downstairs. When they had managed to step up to the long counter of busy patrons and bartenders, the red head looked dubiously at the older witch.

"Hermione…" the Weasley woman commenced as Hermione hailed one of the workers behind the bar.

"Yes?" came the short reply.

"Why did we come down here for a drink?"

"Because I wanted to see what it's like!"

"Okay… and it has nothing to do with you possibly being upset over Parvati?" Ginny pondered.

"I am upset, actually," Hermione admitted, "Because she has no bloody idea what she's talking about!"

"She doesn't?"

"No!"

"Oh. I see," Ginny answered, "Well, it does seem like you were noticeably pissy once she had danced with Harry."

Hermione was saved from having to respond to that by being directly acknowledged by one of the bartenders. She gave her order before turning around and resting her elbows on the counter, trying to downplay her disgruntled facial expression.

"Let's just get a drink and dance." Hermione suggested. It sounded like both a command and a plea. Ginny said nothing and simply nodded in agreement.

Once Hermione had gotten her drink and consumed it (rather quickly), the two women moved purposefully into the throng of moving bodies captivated by pulsing harmonies. They moved slightly to the pounding beat of the first song as they half shouted to each other but had committed to dancing freely when the second song began. By the end of the third song, Hermione appeared markedly more at ease and not so vexed, even sporting something of a smile on her countenance. When Ginny proposed they return upstairs, the Granger woman agreed and the two initiated their trek back upstairs.

They were stopped, conversely, by a wizard with sandy colored hair and wearing a brazen smile.

"Hello, ladies!" he greeted, holding up a hand in front of Hermione (who was a few steps ahead of Ginny).

"Hello," she cautiously stated. Ginny appraised him and his friend, whom hung back and was displaying a lecherous grin.

"I recognize you, of course!"

"You do?"

"How could I not? Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley! Who wouldn't?!" the man supplied, eyeing them both.

"Oh. Well, yes- thank you for the kind greeting." Hermione said.

"Where're you two duckies off to?" the friend questioned.

"Upstairs." Ginny stated.

"What? You're leaving?" the original wizard asked.

"That's where we've been, where our friends are. So we just want to get back."

"Already?"

"We've been down here for quite a bit-" Hermione started.

"So we reckon it's time to go," the red head finished.

"But we've only just been acquainted!" man number one claimed.

"Yes, and it is a shame. Maybe if we'd met earlier we would've been able to chat longer, but we really should be getting back now!" Hermione relayed. She made to move forward but sandy hair stepped right in front of her, his smile not wavering. Ginny's eyes narrowed.

"But you haven't even asked our names," he observed, nodding at his friend.

"What are they, then?" Ginny posited impatiently.

"I'm Sam and that's Will."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both- Will, Sam- and it is unfortunate it wasn't sooner, but we've got to go. Really." Hermione asserted.

"Whoa whoa whoa!," Sam exclaimed, moving forward closer to the brunette, "Now, what's the real rush, love?"

"We want to get back. Is that a crime?" Ginny wondered, stepping up next to her friend. Sam looked at her and, for the first time since he had accosted them, the smile fell from his face. Will leered at the witches.

"No need to be cross, Miss Weasley. I also believe I wasn't talking to you." Sam dryly pointed out. The red head felt her anger instantly flare up and the other witch saw it in her demeanor.

"Well we would like to get back. Apologies, again," Hermione cited firmly, glancing between the men, "Good night to you both."

She had to shoulder past Sam as he made no effort whatsoever to get out of the way, and he ended up roughly grabbing her forearm before she could bypass his vicinity completely. He yanked Hermione around to face him and she gasped in surprise and outrage. Ginny cried out.

"Don't be so rude!," he seethed, peering at her in both an angry and lustful way, "No one likes a bitch!"

"Take your hands off her!" Ginny shouted, moving forward deftly right as Sam invaded the Muggleborn's space even more. He glanced quickly at the approaching Ginny and used his free hand, his left hand, to abruptly shove her away.

Everything seemed to happen all at once in the following moment.

Sam yelled out in alarm and pain as he was forced away from Hermione in the blink of an eye. He hit the ground, hard, and Harry had suddenly appeared next to both women, looking nothing short of livid with balled fists and a heaving chest, glowering at the man on the floor below him.

When Harry watched Ginny and Hermione leave their room he was slightly confused and a bit disconcerted, if only because Hermione had stalked out of the room and look perturbed. He did not go to follow them, of course, but he did vow to watch out for them through the room's windows as they milled about downstairs. He did a good job of engaging with his old school mates while simultaneously keeping track of the two women among the large crowd on the lower level, a feat that was made easier due to Ginny's flaming hair. Consequently, once more than 20 minutes had passed and they still had not returned, Harry gave up pretenses and stood at the glass with a drink in his hand to do nothing but watch them. Ron joined him not long afterward.

"Looking down on your subjects below, King Harry?" his best friend joked. A smile tugged at the Auror's lips.

"Just two of them," he answered, gesturing to their female counterparts.

"They've been down there for a bit, eh?"

"Aye."

Harry could not articulate why he had steadfastly monitored their whereabouts since their departure or why he simply did not turn away, but he reasoned he was just being a good, observant friend. On the lookout in case anything were to happen… such as two men approaching Hermione and Ginny with smiles that were obvious from even up here. He felt a tiny knot develop in his chest as he squinted at the men.

"So, things have been good with you and Hermione tonight." Ron mentioned.

"Yes," the darked haired man replied, glancing at the pureblood, "We're friends. Why wouldn't they?"

"Of course you are. You're right. Best friends- all of us! So I reckon it only makes sense, then, that you've been looking at her all night."

Harry felt his shoulders tense but was unsure if it was in response to Ron's statement or the fact that the men downstairs continued to linger near the witches.

"You Weasleys are all the same." Harry commented, thinking of Ginny's earlier sly remarks. Ron laughed heartily.

"One of my perceptive siblings also noticed that?" he questioned.

"Perceptive may be too strong of a word. I think I prefer delusional."

"Delusional. Right. Says the bloke who is staring down at our friend as we speak!"

Harry grinned before giving his full attention back to the quartet on the dance floor, only to witness one of the men grab Hermione. His breath stopped and his grip on his drink vanished. He felt Ron start beside him and begin to yell something, but when he then saw the same man push Ginny while he held onto the brunette, Harry stopped thinking as well. He only felt. And what he felt was rage and adrenaline and a surging need to be next to Hermione. Right away.

Sam had been hit with three bouts of magic: Hermione's, Ginny's, and Harry's. He wailed as he rocked back and forth in the fetal position. Will stared at him helplessly, mouth agape, before he brought his eyes to the, now three, former Gryffindors. He was met with hard glares and then rushed to help his friend stand up, although he was shaking himself. However, once Sam had made it back on his feet, Harry swiftly bombarded him and grabbed him around his shirt's collar, the snarl quite evident on his countenance. Will had jumped back in fear.

"If you ever touch either of these women again or acknowledge them in any capacity, I will personally come to your place of residence and stuff your wand down your throat before I break every last bone in your body!," Harry growled, "And once that's done, I will arrest your pathetic arse and haul you off to Azkaban! Do you understand me?!"

"Yes! Yes!" Sam breathed out, grasping at the Auror's hands as they tightened around his neck.

"Harry!" Hermione uttered, dashing up to him and using one hand to hang loosely around his waist while the other tried to forcefully loosen his grip on Sam, "Let go!"

A part of her realized that the only way to explain Harry's sudden presence next to them was Apparition, which meant that he must have been watching them, but there were more pressing matters to currently consider.

The dark haired wizard directed his irate expression on her and she looked back without contrite.

"Let go. Please. He's not even worth the paperwork you'd have to do for an arrest!" she rationalized. Harry peered at her for another second before attuning to Sam once more. He released Sam with repulsion written all over his face and in his tone of voice.

"Get the hell out of here." Harry deadpanned, flexing his wand hand. He wanted nothing more than to take out his indignation on the other man. Panting and looking scared, Sam rubbed his throat as he looked at the Potter man before gazing at the women.

"Now!" came the forceful demand.

Will smacked his friend on the shoulder in warning before running off and Sam was quick to follow. Neither looked back.

"What a prick!" Ginny half shouted, "A disgusting prick!"

"Are you two okay?" Harry asked, peering between them.

"Yes. Just furious! The git deserved to be hexed by all of us!"

"I wanted to do more." Harry grit out, shaking his head.

"You did enough! You were great." Hermione said, looking at him earnestly, "Thank you, Harry."

"Yes. Thanks, Harrison," Ginny added, stepping up and squeezing his upper arm, "Where'd you come from, anyway?"

"He Apparated."

"Blimey! I know this place has pretty stringent Apparition rules so I'm impressed!"

"I didn't even realize! I just saw what he did, saw red, and next thing I know I'm standing over him," he claimed, frowning at the floor and still feeling notably angry.

"I think we all saw red. I would've liked to see it in the form of his blood, but…" Ginny remarked.

"Ginny." Hermione uttered in a sharp voice. She knew Harry was still upset and he did not need anything to keep him riled up. The younger witch shrugged.

"Let's go back," the Granger woman cited.

"Yes," exhaled Ginny.

"Harry? Let's go." Hermione gazed at him, noticing that his eyes had not left the floor. She waited until he met her stare but he continued to look angry.

"Come on," the red head noted. She led the way and the brunette took Harry's hand before following. He went along but wore a scowl, which may or may not have caused the people who had watched that confrontation (which was a large portion) to trip over themselves to get out of the way.

Ginny vivaciously complained about Sam the entire time they made their way back to the room with interjections from Hermione, while Harry remained totally silent, bringing up the rear as he still held Hermione's hand. When the trio crossed over the threshold, at least half of the room's occupants' eyes fell upon them. (Harry's Apparition downstairs had been loud and drawn subsequent attention, but had had to compete with the club's bumping music). Ron was the first to run over to them and was trailed by a handful of others.

"Bang up job of tossing that pissant out, Harry!" Ron gruffly acknowledged.

"Are you two okay?" George questioned, peering at the women.

"We're fine." Hermione assured. Ginny nodded her agreement.

"I can't believe he had the fucking audacity to touch either of you!" Ron exclaimed.

"Nor can I." Harry grumbled.

"Did you get his name? Where he lives? Are we going to beat the shit out of him later?"

"Yes, no, and no. Ms. Granger here says we shouldn't beat him to a pulp!" Ginny attested. Hermione sighed. Being the voice of reason when dealing with Ron, Harry, and Ginny, all of whom were short tempered, was never easy.

"We're fine now. There's no point in making things worse or staying angry. He didn't get away with it, he's gone, and it's over," the brunette attested.

"As long as he doesn't show his face again!" Ron threatened. Luna put a soothing hand on his bicep.

"He won't. He can't be that much of an idiot."

"Ergh. I think I need another drink to come down from that!" Ginny cited, throwing out her hands and turning left for the bar.

"Wait a minute there, Quidditch star! I'm coming as well to start monitoring how many you're consuming!" George stated.

"You're one to talk! And it's my last one!... most likely."

They walked away and left a quartet in their wake.

"You and Ginny surely don't need protection as you're more than capable witches, but I'm sure it was nice to have Harry there as a defender." Luna observed.

"Yes. Very much." Hermione confirmed, peering at him. Harry returned the look but the vestiges of anger were still very much present on his face, which caused her to draw her brows. Surely he still could not be as upset as he was when he confronted Sam? Surly Harry would be anything but helpful or enjoyable right now!

"Harry beat me to it, but, you know, I would've jumped in to help as well." Ron pointed out.

"Yes, I do know," the brunette smiled wryly. He was being his usual, humorous self but she also knew there was truth behind his quip. Harry's expression did not change at Ron's joke and the red head glanced at him.

"Everything all right, Harry?" Luna inquired, cocking her head to side as she, too, seemed to notice his non-responsiveness. The dark haired wizard's head shot up and he looked around at them quickly.

"I'm... I'm fine! I'm fine," he half muttered.

"We'll, uh, we'll leave you two on your own. We have to finish our conversation with Neville and Hannah anyway! Catch back up in a bit." Ron commented, giving his female best friend a look before glancing rapidly at his male best friend. Hermione nodded in appreciation and Luna waved merrily as she was guided away by her husband in the subsequent instant.

Hermione turned to face Harry once the pair was alone.

"Harry," she said simply. His gaze locked with hers.

"Yes," he replied.

"You're upset. Or still angry."

He did not answer this time. She searched his face and he did not look away but he continued to look exceptionally displeased. Hermione sighed after a long moment and then took his hand once more.

"Let's dance."

"What?" Harry posited, frowning slightly.

"Dance with me."

He stared at her briefly. When he slowly nodded his consent, she led him back to the room's glass windows, coincidentally right by the one through which he had watched her and Ginny. He immediately looked out and down to the dance floor, squinting a bit as though he expected to find Will and Sam present again and resuming their seedy prowl. Hermione wrapped her arms firmly around Harry's neck and pulled him closer as she began to sway slightly and stare at him fixedly. This caught his attention and his gaze rapidly moved from the level below to the witch in front of him.

They watched each other without words and, soon enough, his hands came up to rest on her hips.

"Why are you still so bothered by what happened?," she pondered softly, "I know you are, Harry- it's quite easy to read your emotions. It was… ludicrous, yes, but we're okay! I'm okay."

There was silence and the witch initially thought, with some exasperation, that he would keep with his pattern of not speaking. However, he did answer her after a stint.

"I… I hate seeing people trying to harm you," Harry explained in a low voice, "Seeing people… touch you, when you don't want it, or haven't invited it… it drives me mad. It blinds me." Shock passed over Hermione's face as she gaped at him.

"Still?" she asked quietly.

"Still?," he asked, confused by this question as evidenced by him drawing back his head, "When would it have changed?" The brunette gave a meek smile and finally looked away.

"Well, it's just… after how things ended between us, I thought…"

"But things didn't end between us, Hermione. Our romance did, but if it had all truly ended, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now. We wouldn't be dancing. We wouldn't be this close to each other- literally."

"We wouldn't be anything." Hermione stated in a far away voice, looking at him once more. He nodded.

"I'll want to protect you no matter what happens between us. You could scream that you never want to see me again come tomorrow, and follow through with it, and I would still do whatever I can to make sure you're safe," Harry relayed, returning the gaze, "It's in my bones, protecting you."

They stared at one another. Conversely, it was broken, unintentionally or not, when it became too magnetic.

"Good to know. I'll be sure to exploit that," she remarked in a charming tone, moving her arms and having them secure his neck more tightly.

"Actually, I think I've exploited how willing you are to protect me. Hogwarts years one through six are ringing a bell here, plus that little camping trip. You know, the one that lasted nearly a year and was spent running in terror while looking for impossible clues," he replied. A large smile appeared on her face.

"Yeah, I think I remember something about a small camping trip. But that was nearly a decade ago so you'll have to forgive me if details are rather fuzzy."

"You are a bit on the old side so I can forgive you."

Hermione looked scandalized and made a tut of protest although she was smiling. She made to detangle herself from Harry's embrace but his arms quickly went to circle around her waist and he pulled her in closer, his grip tightening. She inhaled inaudibly.

"Nuh uh. You told me to dance with you so we have to dance before you run off." Harry cited, grinning in a mischievous, triumphant way.

"Harry Potter actually insisting he dance? What world is this?" Hermione inquired, hands on his chest. She wore her own playful smile.

"One where his partner is Hermione Granger. It's also easier to ensure you don't go back downstairs, where there are creeps, if you're dancing with me."

"That means we'd have to actually dance. And not talk. As we've been doing."

"We've danced plenty of times before so that shouldn't be a problem for us. And come to think of it, we didn't talk those times either, although I do remember one or both of us moaning," he cited.

The brunette gasped aloud and her eyes widened, understanding the type of "dancing" Harry had just referenced. His eyes were glittering and his grin was positively wicked. Harry was usually an odd mixture of decorum and cheek but for him to allude to their former sex life, in such a blase, blatant manner, when they had only been on the good end of their separation for a number of months!... He was either totally comfortable with Hermione right now or inebriated. Or both.

She swatted at Harry repeatedly while he laughed. He did not not attempt to stop her playful jabs and actually seemed to enjoy them.

"You! Enough! Dance!" she directed, pointing at him when she was finished. Her eyes were alive as well and she was wrestling between displaying a smirk and a smile. The brash of this man!

"All right, all right!" he conceded.

Harry pulled the witch closer again so they were back in their original position more conducive to dancing in sync. She shook her head at him and he flashed her another wide grin before he began moving them to the beat of the uptempo song. They said nothing during the first song although they did look at one another and trade grins, smirks, and tiny laughs while their hands moved around frequently. They persisted in remaining silent while dancing to the second song but the humorous mood faded away; instead, the two were beginning to gaze steadily at each other and their hands had found suitable stationary homes: Hermione's perched on his shoulders and Harry's wrapped around her waist.

Hermione had been so wrapped up in her staring competition with Harry that it took her a moment to realize a third song had commenced, one that was notably more mellow than the previous two. She continued to peer at him but stopped moving for a second and licked her bottom lip.

"Do you, erm, want to take a break or anything?" she questioned. Maintaining eye contact, Harry shook his head and pulled her back to him, one hand falling to her hip. He guided her bottom half in returning to the rhythm they had previously set and she followed without question.

When the hand that had directed her hip then slowly caressed this area before gently squeezing it, the brunette felt her breath hitch. Harry had not looked away from her once and she felt her heart rate increase as she looked into his green irises. She briefly recalled that he had referenced their past sexual interludes and wondered why he had done so.

Conversely, the magnetic pull between them was broken in the succeeding moment when the couple felt two large hands fall suddenly upon her left shoulder and his back. They both jerked somewhat only to see Ron standing right next to them with a bright grin on his countenance.

"Well you seem to be feeling better, mate!," the red head exclaimed to Harry, patting his back, "Just needed to loosen up a bit, I see! Good thinking, Herms!" The dance partners glanced at one another.

"Er, yeah, Ron, yeah! Just needed to calm down a bit." Harry attested, reluctantly letting go of Hermione.

"Have you had something to drink while we danced, Ronald?" she inquired, tipped off by the use of the unappreciated nickname.

"Just a shot! But I think I'm done for now because Luna thinks I'm done for now, so I came to fetch my best friends so we can talk!" Ron relayed. She struggled not to roll her eyes while Harry grinned.

It seemed that Ron actually did want to talk because, when they relocated to a place closer to the room's entrance, they ended up discussing a variety of topics: more about Teddy and their respective jobs, about expansion for Ron's and George's joke shop, about Harry's desire to become Head Auror, and about Hermione's goal to become Head of the DMLE. The conversation was indeed enjoyable but a small part of Hermione was still disappointed her dancing with her dark haired friend had been interrupted, and she wondered if he felt similarly. She threw furtive glances his way to assess his reaction to their short lived dancing but she could not gather anything. It had been nice to dance with Harry, satisfying….

The trio rejoined the fray of their schoolmates after their personal discussion. Hermione observed that the two witches who had come via George and Dean were no longer present and she felt moderate vindication that they were gone. Seamus started squabbling with Lee about something and the Muggleborn watched their interaction with surprised amusement while standing near Harry. He was making remarks under his breath as though commenting on a sports match and she had to stifle her laughter, feeling too loose from the alcohol to admonish him. It was pleasant to be close to him as she was still perturbed that their dancing had been halted.

If it's that big of a deal, just ask him to dance again, hellooo! an insipid voice directed.

The thought gave Hermione immense pause. Why was she hyperfocusing on dancing with Harry? She did not know what was stopping her from asking him to dance again and at some point while she deliberated over this, the man in question had wandered away from her, likely due to the fact that the witch had gotten progressively less vocal, too immersed in her thoughts. When Hermione snapped out of her mental daze and registered Harry was gone, she instinctively sought him out with her eyes before scolding herself for doing so.

You've looked out for him all night! Stop it. Socialize with others! she instructed. Frowning, she realized the truth in that. To remedy it, she set her shoulders before merging into the nearby conversation of Susan and Padma, plastering a smile on her face.

Hermione was only half successful in conversing with the other witches. She was able to keep up with input and processing half of what they were discussing, but her mind had also decided to then analyze why she had been looking out for Harry all night. Thinking that perhaps she needed a different topic of conversation to get her focused, she switched to join Ernie, Alicia, and Dean in their discourse. It worked for a few minutes until her brain went back to questioning why the Auror had mentioned their old sex life as the others spoke around her.

Hermione huffed to herself. Why was her brain suddenly concentrating on Harry so much? There were other people here, other friends she had! She could dance with other people, talk to other people, hell- she could even mull over a past sex life with Ron if she really wanted to! So what was that unique about Harry right now? Why was he becoming the focus of her thoughts?

Maybe if you just see where he is, it'll ease some of your thoughts. Just pinpoint where he is right now and continue on with your night.

That could work… acknowledging the issue in order to lessen its effect. Feeling a bit better that she was giving herself permission, Hermione rapidly shut her eyes before turning away from Dean, Alicia, and Ernie and searching the room for her best friend. (Consequently, her detachment was not noticed much by the other three). She found him seated on one of the sofas and her gaze immediately became glued on him.

There. You've found him. Satisfied?

She was satisfied, actually. And this satisfaction only grew when Harry looked up and met her gaze before fully returning it. There was a cursory streak of staring between them until he broke it by giving half a smile and beckoning her over. The satisfaction turned into dull excitement for some reason (why did that excite her?) and something related to a smile made Hermione's mouth twitch before she made her way over to where he was seated. Harry watched her progression without looking anywhere else the entire trek.

The Granger woman settled on the right of him but did not look at him; instead, she peered out at their friends and smiled lightly. Harry watched her with a covetous smirk.

"Fancy meeting you here." Hermione quipped.

"Quite. I would've never thought it were possible to run into each other in a room that's the size of a classroom," he responded, the smirk still in place, "How've you been enjoying tonight?"

"Very much, actually. I'm glad I came out."

"Yeah. I know what you mean. Of course, this is not counting the mishap downstairs."

"Harry, you seem more traumatized about that incident than I do!" she partially laughed, "Still holding a grudge… but then again, you did always have a hard time letting things go." The Auror's mouth fell open in humorous disbelief.

"Me? I have a hard time letting things go? Really, Miss Spew?" Harry prodded. This time, her mouth fell open in mock indignation.

"S.P.E.W.!" Hermione avidly insisted.

"Yeah. Spending months upon months to trick elves into gaining freedom is totally something people who can let go of things do!"

"It was for their absolute benefit! They'd been brainwashed and needed an advocate!"

"Sounds like you still can't let go of the elves," Harry noted, the smirk back in place, "But I don't know if I can blame spew."

"Take it back," she demanded, shaking her head although a grin was on her features.

"Take what back?"

"Everything you just said! But especially take back that horrid play on words."

"No," he grinned.

"Take it back!" the brunette ordered.

"Sounds like you're having a difficult time letting this go right now, Hermione!"

"Harry!"

Grinning, Hermione raised her hand as if to swat him. He laughed and dodged a swipe before quickly grabbing her hand and then snatching the other one.

"If you want me to take it back, make me." Harry muttered, pulling her within inches of his face.

The witch felt her breath stop. The playfulness of their interaction promptly faded away as he realized just how close he had brought her to his upper body. Hermione's eyes rapidly dipped down to his lips before shooting back up to his face. She then remembered how Harry had caressed her during the last song to which they had danced and her heart began to pump notably fast. His gaze roamed over her face earnestly and he continued to hold her hands in his. Another moment of captivation between them, and they only seemed to be growing in how long they lasted.

"Harry!" someone nearby called. They attuned to the voice with surprise and saw Hannah standing on the other side of the table. She looked happy and a bit red.

Yet another interrupted interlude.

"Yeah, Hannah?" Harry replied, feeling just a tad disoriented. He granted his friend's hands their freedom.

"Would you allow me a dance? Neville has gone into professor mode and is giving Ginny a lecture about Herbology. It's his go to when he drinks but I want a dance, not a lecture," the Hufflepuff reported.

"Oh! Er, sure!," He peered at Hermione again, "D'you mind?"

"Of course not! You don't have to ask me, anyway; you can dance with whomever you want," she claimed, gesturing and chuckling somewhat nervously.

"Just want to be considerate." Harry observed, half smiling as he stood up.

"I'll return him shortly, Hermione." Hannah remarked.

"No worries!" Hermione stated, waving it off.

And the Muggleborn actually was not worried. Or annoyed, or upset, or any other intense emotion because Hannah wanted to dance with Harry. This was in stark contrast to how she had felt when it was that random woman and Parvati, and she pondered as to why as she watched the pair. It may have had something to do with the fact that Hannah was engaged and utterly clear with her intentions, and because she had never shown any interest in Harry that was not strictly friendly.

But why did any of that even matter to Hermione? It shouldn't have. She should not feel threatened by others dancing with her best friend. Beginning to feel flustered with how tonight was turning out for her in relation to Harry, she grabbed a drink she spotted on the table and took a long sip. Hermione made a face before setting it back down; when the world swam before her eyes even though she was sitting perfectly still, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She was done drinking, she reasoned. And maybe this was for the better- maybe the alcohol had contributed to this night's ever increasing odd state with Harry.

A/N: Okay, so, I misjudged myself in my writing. I initially thought this fic would be a one-shot… then I thought it'd be a two-shot… now it's looking like it's going to be a three-shot. Or a two-shot with some change. Haha. I'm unsure if I should apologize or not for having this turn out to be longer than anticipated, but I'm just taking it as I get a little too enthusiastic when writing H/Hr.

Final part coming soon!