Chapter Ten

"I look like Frankenstein."

Hermione's frame sagged as she stared into the mirror sadly. Her dress was a deep, satiny blue just lighter than the summer's midnight sky. Her hair, softened to loose waves, flowed gently to her fairy-dust covered shoulders, pulled out of her face with a light blue ribbon. A shimmery gold rope laced up the front of her strapless dress. Its bottom was translucent chiffon in a slightly lighter shade of blue. Long, curved fairy wings clung to her back, perfect for the dance's theme of a Midsummer's Night Dream. Hermione looked practically perfect- but neither of them could avoid the fact that the ugly dark stitches on her face stuck out and detracted from her whole look.

Though they had read the entire volume of Ginny's research, none of the charms they had found helped at all. Hermione suspected that Madam Pomfrey had put her own charm on them; one trip to Hospital Wing confirmed and worsened these fears. Not only had Madam Pomfrey charmed them, she's used a spell that was permanent until the stitches had completely healed. Hermione asked if the charm could be temporarily removed for the dance, but the nurse immediately refused, not wanting to take the risk. Make-up, the only other option, (unless you consider wearing a mask an option) hadn't worked well, either. The amount of concealer needed to hide the stitches quickly piled up- producing a flesh-colored bump that looked like a freakish mutation. Hermione eventually decided that it looked worse than the stitches alone. Now, there was only one way to hide the stitches, and that was to avoid the dance completely.

"Hermione, you have to go," Ginny pleaded. "You'll break Ron's heart."

"You'll break mine if you force me to go through with this," Hermione whined.

"Ron's been waiting forever for this. Look, Hermione-" she grabbed her shoulders and stared her straight in the eye. "Ron didn't even know if you'd be alive to spend this dance with him. A week ago, it seemed unlikely. Do you realize how lucky you are to have gotten out with your life-and only bearing thirty stitches? That was a miracle. Besides, Ron won't even care. He sees you, not a beaten-up chin."

Hermione shuffled her feet. "But everyone else will notice and care."

"Do you honestly care if they care?"

Hermione smiled. "I dunno…"

"We are marching down there, Granger. My brother is a total prat, but you're going to the dance with him."

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Hermione stared at the cold grey ground awkwardly. Now it was just the two of them- Ron and her- sitting at a table silently. The others were partying on the vibrant dance floor, but Hermione couldn't bring herself to do it, not that Ron had asked, anyway. Little more than brief compliments had passed between them, if you could call that conversation.

"Hermione?"

"Yes, Ron?" she turned from her staring position to face him.

His ears turned pink and he scratched his head nervously. "I really…like your stitches…they…bring out the color…in…your…eyes?"

Hermione blushed, grabbing his hands and pulling him to his feet.

"Dance with me, you moron."

Ron grinned stupidly, obviously pleased with himself. The two glided to the dance floor, in a secluded corner- so they could be alone. As if on cue, a slow song began to play, and couples immediately formed. Hermione looked at Ron helplessly.

"What's the matter, 'Mione?" he asked, concerned.

"Well…it's been some time…and…I know this is going to sound stupid, but-"

"You forgot how to dance?"

She nodded, cheeks burning.

"Sorry, but it's been awhile since the Yule Ball."

"Don't worry about it," he said kindly. "If mum hadn't coached me day and night, I'd be pretty clueless myself."

"Guide as you will."

"Here," Ron gently took her hand and set it on his warm neck. He took her left and set it next to it. Then, slowly, his own two hands slipped to her waist. Hermione gasped in surprise.

Ron immediately released her. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Sorry, it's just…that's the first time you've ever held me like that."

She averted her eyes.

"Do you like it, 'Mione?"

She smiled in reply and his hands gently returned to their position.

"I never thought this would happen," Hermione admitted as they swayed back and forth. "You know, us together, dancing…"

"Yeah, this is finally an official date."

Hermione smiled. "You know, Ron, I still liked you even though we hadn't technically started dating. I mean, you have to consider the fact that a lot of unavoidable obstacles came in our way."

"I know, but this is just so surreal. It's like a scene from a dream almost. The lights, all the fairy scenery…it seems too perfect to be real."

"But it is real."

"Yeah, I know," Ron said, raising his eyebrows suggestively. Hermione laughed and set her head on his chest, taking deep breaths filled with his cologne. Hermione's eyes began to droop…the lullaby-like song…swaying gently…pressed against the warmth of Ron's body…she felt herself drifting…

"Hermione!"

She jumped and looked at Ron.

"…What…?"

He held her close. "Are you okay? I thought you were going to pass out or something; I felt your legs start to give out."

"No, I'm fine," she replied, stifling a yawn. "Just sleepy. I mean, with the music and everything…"

"Let's go sit down," Ron suggested, evidently still worried.

"No, Ron, I want to keep dancing," she protested.

"No, let's go sit down. The song's over, anyway…"

"Oh," she said sadly, letting herself be dragged to the nearby tables.

"Now," Ron said as they each sat down. "Are you sure you're all right?"

"Yes, Ron," she mumbled impatiently.

"Look, Hermione," he reached over and planted a kiss on her nose. "You know I'm not trying to ruin this. I just care a lot about you."

"I know," she sighed. "I'm just so excited about this, and I hate it when you baby me like this."

"Okay, 'baby', let's go dance," he took her hand and led her back to the dance floor. The song playing was a fast-paced Weird Sister's hit, "Hello", one of Hermione's all-time favorites.

"I love this song!" Hermione squealed.

"I know," Ron said, smiling.

"Oh, Ron," she wrapped her arms around him affectionately. "I don't know why we didn't go out sooner. If Viktor was half the man you are…"

To her surprise, Ron suddenly violently pushed her away.

"Ron? What's the matter?" she gasped, searching his cold blue eyes.

"Viktor?" he hissed sardonically. "Viktor? What am I to you, some replacement? We actually have a moment together, and you bring him up?"

"Ron what are you talking about?"

He roughly grabbed her shoulders. "Is that all you care about? Having rich Bulgarian boyfriends?"

"Ron, you're hurting me!" she screamed, desperately trying to pry his hands off.

"YOU'RE HURTING ME!" he bellowed in her face.

"Ron, I-"

"I hate you," he spat, pushing her viciously to the ground. She stared up at him, tears welling in her eyes. All heads turned and watched Ron march out of the Great Hall, slamming the door behind him. Hermione bit her lip as a tear choked down. She was empty, numb, lonely…and betrayed.

A/N: I was disappointed with the last chapter's results; I wanted to finally reach my goal of 100 reviews. However, I had already prepared most of this chapter, so I posted it anyway. Heads-up on next chapter- Hermione goes to the next level. It's in-progress, but until I get another three reviews on Chapter Nine, not in general, on Chapter Nine, then I refuse to post. Sorry guys but it's been a big goal for me.