A/N: I adore J.K. Rowling's amazing world and she is the owner of it all, the only thing I claim here is my love for her books.

Chapter Four: Life hurts, dance heals

December 18th, 1994

The cold sunday morning should have been a warning to Hermione that she should stay inside the castle and take a day off to relax her body and mind. However, despite her sore muscles and tired brain, the bushy haired Griffindor decided to start her day with a jogging around the Black Lake and a picnic followed by some light reading.

Thus, she put her running outfit on under her regular school robes and lightly descended the girls' dormitories stairs even though she was still a bit sleepy. The girl considered waking the boys up or checking if they were awake and wanted to join her on her morning endeavour, but thought it was better to let them sleep since they were getting nervous by the day with the second task and Harry's situation with the egg that they had absolutely no clue how to deal with. She was sure that they only had to find where that sound belonged to in order to understand the clue. If only I could detect by the sound its origin. If it comes from an instrument or a ritual... Nevertheless, the meaning was still a riddle for them.

While passing through the common room, Hermione noticed that the fire was out, signalling how early it really was. What amazed her, though, was that the wood was the same as yesterday night. It was burnt and there were ashes all over the area close to the fireplace. How weird. Normally, the house elves cleaned the common room before dawn so the early risers could enjoy the quietness of the place before their colleagues woke up. Something must have happened. With the intent of getting some food to eat after her run, Hermione started making her way to the kitchens when one of the steps of the staircase she was going through vanished, which made her trip and twist her ankle.

"Aaaaargh", was the strangled cry Minerva McGonagall heard while coming back from her early breakfast and meeting with the house elves regarding the menu for the Yule Ball. Since there were three different cultures sharing the event she thought it would be nice to have traditional appetizers from the three countries involved and a main dish that should be something unique representing the host school. Knowing how much the elves that work in Hogwarts were creative, loyal and eager to please, she scheduled a meeting in order to suggest a contest among them. The elf who managed to win the competition would not only be acknowledged during the introduction of the plate, but would also name it. By now the elves must be going crazy in the kitchens. At least, they will also get some fun from all the extra work I am requiring from them since the start of term.

The cry startled the Deputy Headmistress who used her animagi instincts to locate the voice's owner. Sitting near a staircase in a very weird position was none other than Miss Granger who wore her school robes and some weird neon trainers. What is this girl doing this early wearing muggle trainers for Merlin's sake?

"Miss Granger, good morning. Are you all right?" the Transfiguration professor inquired preoccupied when she realized the girl was firmly pressing her hands over her ankles.

"I'm… I'm not quite sure, Ma'am. I was on my way to the kitchens before going outside for a morning jog when one of the steps vanished and I tripped. I think I might have done something with my ankle", came the pained voice from the young teenager.

"You probably twisted it when you fell. I take it you can't you walk, can you?"

"Not properly, no. But I would rather try to walk then go to the infirmary flying beside you on a stretcher if you don't mind, Ma'am". I can't let her carry me! I am fine and there's no need to humiliate myself over such a silly fall.

I imagined she would grow up to be a proud elegant woman, but at only fourteen she is sure making a cute adolescent scene. "Of course, Miss Granger. I will assist you on getting to Madam Pomfrey", said the older woman. "Just hold my hand and use my shoulder to support you", she said while holding Hermione's waist to stabilize her. "There. Are you sure you can walk?" Minerva inquired just to be sure the girl was not in any extra pain just because she wanted to look mature and capable.

"Yes, Ma'am".

Their way to the infirmary was filled with comfortable silence until they passed by a large window and Hermione saw how foggy was outside.

"Well, I would not have been able to run anyways. Maybe I will just finish my Potion's essay and, if my ankle is up to it, I can run at the gym near the Quidditch pitch later before I meet Madam Hooch…" The girl said quietly more to herself than to the professor.

So that is why she is wearing these ridiculous shoes this early. I did not know she ran. Good to know she is looking for strengthening her body. "Running is a good exercise, Miss Granger. I, myself, do it every morning since I was a bit younger than you".

Oh, really? Nice."I totally agree, Ma'am. I started a while ago, after the basilisk incident. I felt so terrified after being petrified that all I wanted to do was feel my body moving and push it to its limits. Running has helped me relax and get the pressure of the day off my body. I can't believe I took so long to start doing it", the girl said enthusiastically.

"Indeed. Exercising is fundamental when it comes to enhancing your life quality. Now that you a learning how to dance, it must have helped largely, since you are already healthy and your body is used to exercise", said the professor realizing that they were almost at the infirmary.

"Oh, I didn't know Madam Hooch had informed you too, professor…"

"She did inform professor Dumbledore because, normally, when a professor decides to tutor privately a student he or she is required to tell the Headmaster the aim of the tutoring so we can better arrange the school curriculum to fill possible needs regarding the subjects been taught. Of course we have freedom to tutor, help and organise activities in our fields freely, it's just a matter of sharing information with the staff", the Deputy Headmistress explained. "And I am a good friend of Rolanda's, so she told me about these dance classes she's become so fond of".

"That is so good to hear, Ma'am. I thought I was imposing on her, even though she always seems happy and glad to be there with me. She even said she would bring another member of the faculty to practice with us, but I guess her invitation was declined…" Hermione said in a thoughtful manner.

If the girl had not just turned her head to focus on going through the infirmary door, she would have noticed the light blush on her professor's cheeks. Minerva had declined Rolanda's proposition. She did not think it would be appropriate for her to participate in a tutoring that did not belong to her area of study, especially after her friend told her Miss Granger's conflict with words regarding leader, follower and the whole misplacement of ideas that usually surrounded it. They would eventually get too personal discussing the dance prejudice matter –which angered her- and she preferred to keep her relationships with students strictly professional and sober, at least while in school. After that, she could even accept to meet to drink tea or maybe play chess. But, even on those situations, she kept certain topics closed.

"Good morning, Miss Granger. Professor McGonagall. I see you have twisted your ankle, girl. Please, come with me to check it", said Madam Pomfrey.

Minerva took that as her cue to get back to her office. "Well, I will take my leave. Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. You will be just fine, Miss Granger. See you in class tomorrow. Have a great day you both".

The bushy haired Griffindor had to take a potion and wait for three hours, that she spent reading. After leaving the infirmary to her common room with the promise that she would rest for at least six more hours before doing any exercises, Hermione overheard a conversation that got her worried.

"Yes, the Weasel bloke just embarrassed himself. He's such a loser", said Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherin girl in her year, with disgust.

"Well, he did ask for it. Inviting her, of all people, to the ball. He must be delusional", came Draco Malfoy's agreement. "If she is going with a fourth year, it will be me".

"If you were available, Drake. We all know we are going together to the ball", Pansy added.

Hermione avoided been seen by them and fastened her steps, even though she still felt her ankles a little funny. When she arrived at the Griffindor common room, she saw half of her house gathered around Ron who looked green.

After learning what had happened, Hermione wanted to laugh because it was just like Ron to want the most beautiful girl in the three schools to be his date. She felt, however, sorry for her friend. From what she heard, he was humiliated. Hermione also couldn't help but feel a little satisfied that he was denied by Fleur. She thought they were developing feelings for each other and the thought that he did not even consider asking her was just a confirmation that she was wrong in her predicament.

She tried to say things would be fine to her friend, but his acid mood was annoying her too much, so she headed to the library to study a topic Professor Snape spoke of repeatedly that week.

Hermione got involved studying the uses of murtlap essence in the making of potions and forgot to go to lunch. When she realized what time it was, she quickly went back to her common room to leave her things and change to meet Madam Hooch. Today she would start wearing the hills she bought to match her dress to get used to them, or break them, as Madam Hooch said. She decided she would change in the gym instead of going dressed already because someone might see her and inquire about her outfit.

Hungry, the girl headed to the great hall to get an early dinner with the boys but didn't find them there. Not so early dinner, it seems. After eating, she went back to the common room to leave a book she had forgotten in her backpack. Arriving there, she had another surprise. Harry had invited Cho to the Yule Ball and she denied him because she was already going with Cedric. Today is definitely not a good day in our lives. First, I twist my ankle. Then, Ron acts like a crazy man and asks Fleur to the ball and is rejected. Finally, Harry is also rejected by the girl he likes. Hermione's musings were interrupted by Ginny who was laughing because both boys had been rejected and were probably the only ones without a date to the ball.

Suddenly, Ron became the biggest arse she had ever seen. After finally realizing she was indeed a girl, he told her she should go as his or Harry's date. Even though she affirmed over and over again that she had a date, he did not believe her. His adamant decision to insist she was lying and trying to use her as a last option tool was more than she could handle. That's it! I'm done with this immature boy. Hermione left to the girl's dormitories and then quickly departed for her appointment with Madam Hooch. Terrible, terrible day.

"I can't believe it's our ninth session of dance practice and I can't manage any of these moves in chapter five of "Swing Dances: spells and movements", said a very frustrated Hermione to her professor after their first hour of training.

Madam Hooch found herself concerned by the girl's uncharacteristic shortness. "Regarding the moves you are complaining, Miss Granger, relax. Even if we were practicing for more than a year, I would be careful while teaching them to you. I know they seem appealing, but aerial moves are advanced. You have to consider that you have evolved so much that I lent you the book so you could see that it is possible to join your physical body and magical soul while dancing. As you could see in the images and explanations on the book, a true wizarding dance spreads an aura that may reveal not only a dancer's feeling, but his or hers magical core too. Which is why all dancers are required to learn first the complexity of the dance, so they can later understand how these spells work completing it. I definitely cannot just throw you in the air while dancing because it looks appealing and then let you fall on the floor, or just put on a cushioning charm because it will look like a regular stunt, not like a dance move. Mr. Krum probably doesn't know how to make those and, unless a dancer is used to dancing with another, it's considered very bold and careless to just throw one in the air and expect a gracious landing and display of magic. And I know that you know that, Miss Granger, which leads me to a question…" Madam Hooch inclined forward to look the girl in the eyes, "Are you all right? I am sensing tension in your body today, which is causing you to react differently to the moves I am suggesting. Do you feel anything different?"

Hermione blushed at her show of teenage drama and the way her professor had assessed her feelings and mood so easily. "I am sorry, Madam Hooch. I nearly broke my ankle today, so I couldn't run in the morning. I guess my mood is directly related to that…" The girl answered with a tentative smile that looked more like a grim.

"Are you sure that is all, Miss Granger?"

"Actually, no, Ma'am. Don't worry over it, though. It's just silly stuff… I guess my focus on studying the aerials today was just a way to feel" to feel what, Hermione? Special? Desired? Beautiful? Capable? "different than I was earlier. Like I could do anything, you know?" The bushy haired girl said sheepishly.

Rolanda could definitely understand the Griffindor's feelings. She had eyes and ears, after all, and had seen and heard the way the young girl looked at young Mr. Weasley at times. She also knew that he had invited Miss Delacour to the ball that morning because the whole school saw it. Maybe she wanted to shine a little to become more confident. It was very understandable. She could help the girl find the confidence she was seeking in a safe manner though.

"I think I understand what you are feeling, Miss Granger, and have a proposition to make", the professor said appreciating the girl's eagerness to learn what said proposition was. "The book I lent you regards advanced magic. What I propose is that we keep working on our regular practice so I am confident you have grasped all the basics until the ball", she could see the disappointment on the girl's face, but kept going on, "therefore you will be able to respond to all the suggestions Mr. Krum might want to make. You are a quick learner, Miss Granger, but your body is less used to internalize what you have read than your brain. You told me this yourself. So, we keep out regular practice until the 24th and on the 25th we make a revision with simulation so you can be self-assured during the night".

"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you very much for practicing with me. I really appreciate it", Hermione answered truly, yet still feeling a bit pensive.

"Wait, there's more", Rolanda said with a wicked smile. "We will add an extra hour of training every day and I will teach you two, and I mean only two, spells that can be used while dancing. You will learn later, if you wish to further your studies in dancing and wizarding dancing, that students are only allowed to learn dancing spells after they reach and advanced level of dance and magic since you normally have to perform them nonverbally and wandless. These two that I will teach you are one of the few exceptions. The first one is Chorus Revelum. Performers who like to feel the music above all things during a dance love it. Normally during dance competitions or moments of stress, the dancers cast this spell because no matter what you feel, what you are thinking, your brain and body will mainly connect to your partner and to the music. It's a very good asset if you are nervous. The second spell is Fortunatus Pila. This one is an interesting spell. It is meant to create an array of visible magic around you and your partner to show them how much you appreciate been there. It's also visible to others, which makes the effect even more beautiful. Both are complicated spells, but you can cast them before the dance starts and each has a lasting effect of ten minutes before you need to recast them. Will that be enough to lighten your mood?" Madam Hooch said innocently with a striking smile.

"Yes! Yes, Ma'am. Thank you so much! I will not disappoint you, I swear. Thank you so much for the opportunity!" Hermione said so happy it sounded like a young girl on Christmas.

"Okay, now let's get back to practice because your hills will not learn to dance Rumba by themselves and I just saw you trying to compensate the bit of pain you are feeling on the balls of your feet now. By the 25th you'll have to walk like a runaway model on them and dance like you are wearing nothing. Let's train!"

Well, seems like today will not be a bad day, after all.

A/N: The next chapter will be our big breakthrough event: the Yule Ball! It's probably going to be a longer chapter so, please, be patient with me.

Soooo, what did you think about dancing spells? I'll try to develop something on that topic and if you have any ideas, I'm all in for discussing them.

As always, reviews are welcome –and encouraged!-. Thank you for reading!