Disclaimer: I don't own anything you'll recognize
A/N: This chapter was a bit of a pain to write, I must have gone over and rewrote it at least 3 times and I'm still not completely happy with it… but well, to be happy with it would mean developing the Riddle part of the story and I wanted it to be a short fluffy story, even if it was quite cliché, but well, sometimes cliché is good…
So before I start wanting to rewrite it again, I'll post this version which might be modified later on. Only the epilogue to go and Dance! will be over.
Chapter 11: The year comes to an end
"Mr Dumbledore?"
"Enter, enter Mr Potter."
Harry stepped into the Headmaster's office, his eyes wandering from one trinket to another. Shaking his head, he looked at the man sitting behind the desk.
"Do sit down Mr Potter. Lemon drops?"
Harry shook his head with a smile. The man always tried to give his students his favourite sweets with little if no success.
"No thanks, sir."
"All the more for me then," he said, putting his tin box back into one the drawers. "So what brings you to my office, young man?"
"Well, I have a request regarding Phoenixia."
"Really?" Harry looked up into the man's twinkling eyes.
"Indeed. Why it was just yesterday that Miss Weasley came to see me regarding Phoenixia too. But please, my boy what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
Harry took a deep breath.
"Well, as you know I have already played the part of Istyan with my parents' company. As such I had quite the advantage over the other students. Moreover I do not need more exposure."
"Yes, your parents told me of your project."
"Exactly, so I wished to ask you if I could switch role with Draco. We have studied both roles as our professor will confirm. The ballet will not loose in quality and I think it's only fair to Draco as is I hadn't transferred he would have been the one to get it."
Dumbledore only smiled and turned on his interphone.
"Mr. Filch? If you could fetch me Miss Weasley, Miss Granger and Mr. Malfoy and send them to my office, I would be quite grateful. Yes. Thank you."
They both waited for several minutes, the Headmaster asking him about his own project and his parents.
Finally, his three friends entered the office with slightly worried looks.
"Do sit down, you're not in trouble."
They all took a seat, Hermione shooting a small smile to her boyfriend.
"Well, I called you all here today because Miss Weasley yesterday and Mr. Potter today came to me with similar requests."
Both Ginny and Harry looked at each others in surprise.
"What request?" asked Draco.
"Well, both of them asked to switch role for Phoenixia, Miss Weasley with you, Miss Granger, and Mr. Potter with you Mr. Malfoy."
Hermione turned to Ginny.
"But you won that role fair and square, Ginny. You have to keep it. I have no right to ignore the judgement of the professors. They thought you were the best for Kalia's role, so it's yours!"
"Hermione, I've had the lead role for most of the past Gala's ballets. I think it's your time to shine for once. And don't tell me you can't. You heard Flitwick as well as me."
"My role will allow me to shine well enough. I do not need you to give me what you earned fair and square."
"Well, in that case, I might keep it if you perform a solo during the Gala." She retorted with a satisfied smile.
Hermione glared at her murderously.
Dumbledore rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"I can't allow only one student to perform a solo. That would not be fair to your peers. However, I will ask McGonagall to have all her classes elect one student to represent their year and have them perform a small technical demonstration. It would be interesting for the audience to gauge the technical level of our classes."
Ginny smiled, already planning how to get all her peer to nominate Hermione.
"Regarding Phoenixia, I can't change the roles that were attributed by your professors. It would not be right and I would be flooded with demands for switches."
He held his hand as Harry and Ginny were about to protest.
"However I had been toying with this idea for quite a long time and this gives me the opportunity to set it up. If all goes well, Hogwarts will present the ballet a second time for ill-children and pupils of the ballet schools in the area for free."
The four youths looked at each other, surprised.
"That would be a great idea, sir," finally said Draco.
"I thought so, Mr Malfoy," replied the Headmaster with a smile. "For this occasion, I will let you decide who would play which role, just be sure to tell me it beforehand."
Ginny and Harry shared a look, before nodding.
"I think it'll all though out already, sir. We will just switch the role around. This way both Hermione and Draco will be able to perform the lead roles…"
The headmaster looked at the other two.
"Do you agree?"
Draco and Hermione looked at each other and shrugged.
"If they both agree, then, yes," said Hermione, while Draco nodded.
"Well then, I will be setting this up and a notice will probably be posted soon for your peers. Now, is there anything else?"
"No Sir," said Ginny, standing up.
The four friends left the headmaster's office after bidding the man a good day.
As soon as they were out of the office, Hermione turned to her friends.
"What were you thinking?"
Ginny placed her hand over her mouth, cutting her rant.
"Hermione, I really love you, but spare the lecture. Everything is fine."
Hermione pushed her hand away.
"I can't believe you went to Dumbledore with this!"
The younger girl shrugged, enjoying seeing her friend usually so collected being so unsettled.
"You deserve to shine, Hermione."
Her friend rolled her eyes.
"I've shone enough for my taste this year, Ginny."
"But it's important you show your talents to the directors of the companies that will come for the ballet."
Hermione didn't answer, knowing the young girl was right. But she had never had that much ambition to begin with.
"As long as I'm dancing I will be happy."
Ginny didn't answered, already planning how to get everyone to nominate her friend for that technical demonstration Dumbledore had proposed.
The next day passed in a flurry of rehearsals and excited talks as notices where put up for both the technical demonstrations and the 2nd presentation of Phoenixia.
Hermione knew that Ginny had been campaigning to have her as the seventh year nominee and just hope for once that Lavender or one of her clique would get it.
So it was quite nervously that she went to McGonagall's lessons, Harry by her side.
But the stern teacher made no announcement, starting her lesson as she always did, reprimanding several of the most distracted ones.
After a few cutting remarks and stern glances, everyone concentrated on the task at hand.
It was only as McGonagall had them stretching and cooling down that she finally broached the subject everyone had been waiting for.
"As you know, Headmaster Dumbledore has decided to have one student per year group perform a small technical demonstration. He left it to me to decide who those students would be. I have a few names in mind but will partly leave the choice to you."
She paused and pointed to a small table with a stack of small papers, a box and a few pens.
"Each of you will go and write two names on a paper and put it in the box. We will then go through them and if the one with the most votes to her or his name was one of those I thought of, then she or he will be the one performing. If not it will be the one with the most high number of votes and my own vote that will be chosen."
Whispers rose in the room as people went to take a paper, wrote on it then went to put it in the box.
The whole process took about ten minutes.
Once everyone had voted, McGonagall went and started to read them, as well as noting the name and number of votes to it on a piece of paper.
As more and more papers were read, Hermione's blush deepened. Her name kept being called, even though others also got their fair share of votes, in particular Ginny, Cedric, Harry and Parvati.
By the time the last paper was read, the result left little doubt as to the winner.
McGonagall turned to look at her, her face softening a little as she gazed at the ballerina who had quickly become one of her favourite that past year, not that she would ever admit to it.
"Well, Miss Granger, it seems you and I will be seeing quite a lot of each other for the coming weeks. Come see me in my office by 6 pm."
Hermione opened her mouth to protest but was stopped by a hard pinch to her side from Ginny.
"Yes, Madame." She managed to say while glaring at her friend.
"Very good, you're all dismissed."
All the youths slowly headed for the changing rooms, chatting.
Hermione was sulking, much to Ginny's amusement.
It was Lavender that finally spoke up.
"Hermione please shut up! Modesty might be nice but you're pushing a bit too far. Just thanks Ginny for her lobbying in your favour and smile."
She said, rolling her eyes while shouldering her bag. She left the room, her friends following her closely.
Looking down, Hermione sighed.
"Sorry, Ginny. It's not that I'm not grateful, but…"
The red-head just waved her hand.
"Don't worry about it, Hermione. Just smile and do your best."
The young woman nodded, placing her shoes in her bag.
A few minutes later, they all left for their next course, talking animatedly about what McGonagall might ask of her for the Gala.
By dinner's time, Hermione slumped in her chair next to Harry, shooting him a tired smile as he gave her a peck on her cheek.
"Tired?"
"I'm completely knackered, sore and I think my brain is starting to leak out."
"McGonagall?" enquired Ron.
Hermione nodded and started to eat slowly.
"Yes, you can't even imagine what routine she's came up with…"
"I don't even want to know. Now eat and then it's to bed with you," said Padma.
"Yes mother."
A few more days passed in a blur. Between the different rehearsals and her work with McGonagall, Hermione had barely any time for herself and for the first time was looking forwards the holidays.
The second presentation of Phoenixia would take place a week after the first one and one before the end of the year Gala.
Harry and her still managed to find a few moments to spend together alone. They both were enjoying getting to know the other better.
They had just finished their last rehearsal when Sirius called Hermione to him.
"Miss Granger?"
"Yes sir?"
"Headmaster Dumbledore asked me to tell you that you are expected in his office after dinner."
She nodded.
"Is there a problem?" she asked, shooting a worried look at Harry who had approached her.
Sirius shook his head, a small smile fleeting on his lips as he took in his godson and his girlfriend.
"Not at all. He wants to see you regarding what happened to you earlier this year and the investigation's results so far."
"There's been news?"
Sirius shrugged.
"I do not know, but I'm sure everything will be explained to you tonight. Harry can go with you if you want to."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, Hermione. Now, has my dear little godson asked…?"
Harry took her hand, tugging it lightly.
"Come on Hermione, or we'll be late for Snape's class and you know how much he likes lateness."
She smiled at him.
"I've never seen you that eager to go to chemistry… any reason?"
"None whatsoever. If you except escaping from a nosy godfather."
Hermione let herself be dragged away, chuckling.
It was with some trepidation that Hermione headed to Dumbledore's office after dinner.
She knocked on the door timidly.
"Enter."
She made her way inside, Harry on her heels.
"Miss Granger, Mr Potter, please take a seat. I'm sure you remember Inspector Moody and Inspector Shacklebolt?"
Both teen nodded.
"This is Special Agents Nymphadora Tonks and Darryl Penn. They have been dealing with The Riddle case for quite a few years."
Hermione eyed the electric-blue-haired woman sitting by a man that seemed quite common by comparison.
"Happy to meet you."
The young woman racked her hand through her violently blue hair.
"I wish it was under better circumstances, Miss Granger."
"We all do, Special Agent Tonks," stated Hermione.
"Well, Miss Granger, we led an in-deep search of your room after your belongings were taken out. We managed to find the reason that had Tom Riddle so eager to have you leave that room. We succeeded in recovering around 300 kg of various drugs packed and hidden in the walls and under the floorboards," started Tonks.
"But more importantly, we recovered several files regarding a lot of his dealings and his accomplices. This allowed us to take a huge leap in our investigation and made it so we now have enough evidence to issue an international warrant against him."
Hermione shot a worried look.
"Am I in danger, won't he be angry all of this was found and try to get his revenge?"
Penn shook his head.
"No. You were never directly involved in the investigation. You were not the one to discover his cache. He has no reason to go after you. Miss Hedgecombe however will be put in a witness' protection program until we catch Riddle and his trial is over."
Shacklebolt smiled at Hermione.
"Her parents wanted to thank you again for not pressing charges against her."
Harry squeezed her hand to comfort her.
"She is being punished enough as it is…"
"It was kind of you nonetheless, Miss Granger."
"And what will be done about Riddle?" she asked.
The four people shared a look before Inspector Moody spoke up.
"You both understand that these pieces of information must remain secret. Riddle is currently hiding in Romania. Our informants have been keeping a close eye on his dealings and his movements. We have been negotiating with the Romanians to extradite him once he is arrested. Now that the warrant has been issued we are going to move quickly to prevent him from escaping us and going underground. If all goes well, you should hear of his arrest on the news in the coming days."
Hermione nodded.
Dumbledore spoke, his eyes twinkling.
"That's great news, inspectors, Special Agents. However might I be right to assume you'll leave some of your people to watch the school?"
Moody nodded.
"Indeed. Even if we leaked through the underground that Riddle's cache was found and everything was taken. We can not guaranty that there is no risk of him sending some men… If he does we will catch him."
"Good, good…" said Dumbledore with twinkling eyes. "Was there anything else?"
Shacklebolt shook his head.
"Not really, except if Miss Granger has any questions. We mainly came to keep you and her apprised of the evolution of the situation."
Hermione looked pensive.
"There's only one thing I'd like to know. Why this year? He hasn't been looking for all those things for years. Why now?"
Shacklebolt smiled a little.
"A very valid question. It's the direct results of all the efforts of the policies and various agencies in six countries. It allowed the infiltration and the dismantlement of his organisation at the start of this year, thus forcing him to flee to Romania and hide there. He has been trying to reorganize everything but needed funds. Here was one of the various caches of drugs and other illegal merchandises across Europe."
"So it was a simple coincidence then…"
Tonks nodded.
"Yes, an unfortunate one for you, but a simple coincidence."
"Thank you, I think it's better if I don't know more. I just want to forget about this whole thing."
Penn offered a small sad smile.
"I can understand that, Miss. Should you ever wish it, a psychological help is available to you."
Hermione looked at Harry who was caressing her hand in a soothing manner.
"I've been talking with my friends. They've been helping me a lot."
"Friends are sometimes the best medicine there is," said Dumbledore. "Well, I won't keep you any longer, I'm sure you both have a lot of things to do."
Hermione and Harry stoop up and shook hands with the two inspectors and the two Agents, bidding them a good day before exiting the Headmaster's office. They quietly made their way to a study room where their friends were waiting for them for some late studying as their exams were coming soon after Phoenixia's presentation.
The next day was spent in a flurry of last-minute rehearsals and fittings. Hermione was dragged from the main auditorium, to some smaller rehearsal rooms, to the fitting rooms along with Ginny.
It was an exhausted ballerina that slumped on her bed straight after dinner. She had only seen Harry during the rehearsals they shared. He and Ginny were still working as McGonagall had not been satisfied with one of their lift and had wanted to go over it again, even though the woman knew both of her pupils could perform it in their sleep…
She made a quick call to her parents to reassure them and make sure they would be there tomorrow before getting changed and going to bed, her stomach fluttering with nerves.
oO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°Oo
She was woken up by her alarm-clock's beeping. She sat up abruptly, remembering what day it was. Taking a deep breath, she got up and changed into a simple tee-shirt and a pair of shorts. She grabbed a bottle of water and an apple before heading for the stairs.
Harry was waiting for her on the first floor.
"Hi,"
"Hi, Harry." She pecked him on the lips.
"That's not a kiss Miss Granger." He grabbed her chin and kissed her. "Now, that's a proper good morning kiss."
Hermione stepped back, laughing at his smug look.
"Come on Casanova, let's burn some of that energy."
They both walked out of the building hand in hand, talking quietly. They had both agreed not to jog that day but stretch and use relaxing exercises, not wanting to risk an injury on this particular morning.
The whole graduation class had been given the day off. Hermione and all her friends had agreed to spend the day together. By 3 pm., they were all to report to the main auditorium were the ballet would be performed for a last briefing then the afternoon would be spent with the make-up and hair-dressing teams as well as the costumiers. The students would also set themselves up in their rooms. All the leads and first roles had a single room; the secondary roles were two a room. The corps de ballet had been given a room for five people.
The morning passed quickly. Hermione read a book, her head on Harry's lap while he played on his DS. Ron and Draco played several games of chess before taking out their DS and playing games with Harry. Ginny and Padma spent their time reading various magazines, trying from time to time to get Hermione to participate to no avail. She had enough clothes already and her graduation dress was already bought and waiting in her wardrobe. A fact she knew was also true for her friends.
Finally they all found themselves seated in the auditorium, listening to McGonagall, Dumbledore and several other teachers.
"Mesdemoiselles, Messieurs, I'm sure you do not want to listen to an old man's ramble, so I will keep this short then leave the stage to your professors for some last minute advice. I will start by saying that Phoenixia will be performed once more a week after the Gala's for hospitalized children as well as members of the regional dance schools. I thank you for your response to this project and I'm sure the children will appreciate it as well"
He looked over his audience, his eyes twinkling.
"I'm sure you all know how important this performance might be for you so I won't put more pressure on your shoulders. Know that you are ready. You have been taught by some of the finest dancers and choreographs and no matter what you achieve, be proud of having graduate from one the premiere dance schools."
"I'm certain that you will delight us tonight and I'm quite impatient to see you on stage. Make Hogwarts proud by showing everyone your skills, your dedication, the pleasure you have to dance as well as the artists you've become."
He paused for a few seconds.
"Finally, I'll end this on those famous words: Break a leg"
Scattered applauses were heard through the auditorium, most of the youth too stressed to really be amused by the man.
Then McGonagall, Black, Lupin, Sinistra and Flitwick each came up to give some last pieces of advice and wish their students luck. The corps de Ballet was sent to the small auditorium for some light routine work under Sinistra's and Flitwick's watchful eyes. All the secondary roles were sent to a studio with Black and Lupin.
"Weasley, Granger, Malfoy, Potter."
The four looked at the Deputy Headmistress who gave them a thin smile.
"Go change and be on stage in five, we'll be doing some stretching, warm up and some small routine work."
They all nodded and hurried back stage.
Five minutes later they were ready and awaiting their teacher's orders.
For the first twenty minutes, she had them laying down, doing several exercise to have them concentrating on their bodies.
Then it was half an hour of stretching to slowly warm all of their muscles, first laying down, then, sitting up to end standing up. The next hour was spent doing some short routines, going over a few lifts one last time. At 5 pm, they were all ushered backstage to their rooms. First they took a shower then checked that all their costumes were ready. The girls were then sent to the hair dressers after having put on clothes they could get off without disturbing their hair-do. Meanwhile the boys were told to relax a bit. A light dinner was brought to their rooms around half past six and they all met with Ron and Padma to eat. Then Hermione, Ginny, Harry and Draco were sent to the make up teams. The boy also had their hair styled at the same time.
Hermione and Ginny chatted quietly as two women applied foundation, blush, eyeliner and various other products on their faces.
Ginny's fiery hair had been brought back in an elaborate bun with tiny plaits weaved all around. For the first act, a crown of fake white flowers was fixed firmly on her head.
Hermione also had the flower crown, though hers were blue, but her hair was done in two large plaits using some extension to get enough length. The plaits were twisted together to form some sort of bun on the nape of her neck.
Once their make-up was done, they left their place to Cho and Lavender and went to put on their first costume, readying everything in their room for their changes of costumes and accessories. People would be there to help them but they had been told to have everything set up.
They then went upstage to warm up. The inner and outer curtains were both closed. Slowly they stretched using some of the exercises McGonagall had them do earlier. They were joined by Harry Draco and Ron, Padma being still in the hand of the make-up teams.
Too soon for Hermione's tastes, the spectators started to fill the auditorium if the noise was any indication. She and Harry were finishing their last warm-up routine and the young man couldn't help but see how nervous the young ballerina was.
He took her hand.
"Relax Hermione; I'm sure you could dance that ballet in your sleep. You'll be great. If I didn't know you any better I'd say you were fishing for compliment."
Hermione frowned then sighed.
"I know I can dance this, Harry. But I'm not sure I can make people feel…"
Harry squeezed her hand, bringing his face close to hers.
"If you mess up my make up minutes before the start, Claudia and Jennifer will have your head."
Harry smiled.
"With such a threat, I'm not going to try." He gave her hand a last squeeze before letting it go. "Seriously though, you will be wonderful. Just open yourself and follow the music. Ok?"
Hermione shot him a small smile, her stomach doing a strange flip.
"Ok."
A light ringing echoed backstage signalling that only five minutes were left till the start of the Premiere. Everyone left the stage, the dim light went off leaving the stage in the dark.
Hermione and Ginny both waited on the left side, listening as Dumbledore made a short speech to open the night and then the music started and Harry entered the stage.
The night passed in a twirl of music and colour. Hermione didn't even have the time to get nervous. As she, along with Ginny, Draco and Harry, performed the last series of jumps and lifts, her and Draco stopping first, leaving Harry and Ginny to finish alone, surrounded by the whole cast, she realised that she could do it.
As Harry and Ginny finished, the last seconds of the music dieing in everyone's ear, she smiled as thunderous applauses broke through the auditorium.
The lights went of and all the leads and secondary roles went backstage, leaving the corps de Ballet in a triangular disposition on stage.
Lights came back full on and the applauses increased as Dumbledore presented the corps de Ballet as a whole and then called the roles one by one.
"Hermione Granger in the role of Elysa and Draco Malfoy in the role of Thoran!"
Loud applauses welcomed them and increased as they respectively curtsied and bowed, Draco making her twirl to the right to exchange places and salute once more. They stepped back, leaving Dumbledore introduce Ginny and Harry, both were met this deafening applauses as they saluted the audience before coming to stand next to Draco and Hermione.
Dumbledore stepped forwards.
"Well, well, well, a marvellous night, thanks to all those young and promising dancers. I think they all deserve to be applauded once more." He smiled as the spectators followed him.
"I will also thank…." The man started on the thanking list, waiting each time for the applauses to decrease. Hermione's hands were going numb with all the clapping as Dumbledore came to the end.
"And lastly I will thank you public!"
Hermione clapped harder.
After a few more words, Dumbledore warned everyone that they would all be able to discuss with the dancers in the Main hall where refreshments and some food would be served.
The curtain fell. Hermione felt her heart soar as she watched the heavy velvet move, closing her vision of the audience.
This was her dream come true.
They all hurried back stage, getting out of their costumes and into some formal wear. Hermione wore a simple though flattering little black dress. A set of pearl earrings and necklace and high heels completed the outfit.
They all kept their make-up, not having the time to get it off and Hermione was thankful that it wasn't too extravagant.
Harry was waiting for her in a black pair of pants, a deep green dress shirt and black dress shoes.
"Looking smart."
He pecked her on the lips.
"Looking good. Come one, the others will meet us in the Hall."
He took her hand, nearly dragging her to the Hall.
"Slow down, you're going to make me trip!"
He shot her a sheepish smile.
"Sorry, my parents were there tonight. Didn't yours come?"
Hermione laughed.
"They did. However they won't disappear if we do not get to the Great Hall in the minute."
Harry smiled and kept walking to a more sedate pace. They finally reached the Hall which was crowded and echoing with talks.
As they stepped in Hall, Hermione could feel many eyes turning to them. She looked down, feeling very self-conscious. As Harry squeezed her hand she looked up.
"Look up and smile, Mione. It's your moment of glory, so smile and enjoy it."
She rolled her eyes.
"Glory-hound"
Harry chuckled and steered her through the hall, pointing some people as they headed towards his parents.
"Harry!"
Lily Potter hugged her son tightly, smiling widely.
"You were fantastic!"
James nodded.
"You've got even better, son, we're both very proud of you."
Harry flushed a little, much to Hermione's amusement.
"Thanks, but you know that I had already worked on that role before…" he said before quickly changing of subject. " You both remember Hermione, my girlfriend?"
Lily nodded, her smile deepening.
"Of course I do, you were marvellous. Harry told me you also practiced Kalia's role?"
Hermione blushed.
"Thank you Mrs. Potter…"
"Tatata, Lily, dear."
"Lily. And yes, Ginny and I have learnt each other's role."
"And we'll perform Phoenixia again with some role's switches after the Gala," added Harry.
James chuckled.
"We know; Albus came to us about it. As it is for a good cause we agreed to lend the school the original costumes for this ballet as well as help pay for the transport of some children."
They talked for a few more minutes before Hermione's parents came to congratulate her. The Potters stepped back a little to give them some privacy.
"How are you Harry?"
"Fine Mum, everything is going fine."
"Have your choices changed since last time?"
Harry shook his head.
"Not for the main choices. There are a few modifications I'd like to make but nothing major."
James smiled.
"Good. We will send the offers as soon as the graduation's results are out." He shot Harry a mischievous smile to his son. "So Hermione was just a friend?"
"You're never going to let me live this down, aren't you?"
His father shook his head.
"Not even your dreams."
"She really bloomed into wonderful dancer. Are you sure about her? What if you two don't work out?" asked Lily worriedly.
Harry gave her a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry Mum. We are both mature enough and both love dance enough to be able for my project to work out."
Lily still looked a little dubious, but knew her son was stubborn and would not change his mind over this.
"Well, then you know you'll have our support."
"I know. That aside, did you enjoy the ballet?"
Both Lily and James nodded enthusiastically but didn't get to tell him as Hermione came back, her parents following her.
"Harry, Mrs. ..." Hermione paused seeing Lily's pointed look. "I mean Lily, James, this is my parents. Mum, Dad, these are Harry's parents, Lily and James Potter.
Both couple greeted the other, Harry a bit uncomfortable as Hermione's Dad stared at his and Hermione's intertwined hands.
However Hermione's mum didn't have such reservations.
"So we finally meet the infamous boyfriend, though it's not as if we didn't know you, young man." She hugged him.
"Thank you so much. I've never seen my Hermione so happy," she whispered in his ear.
"My pleasure," he whispered back.
She drew back and went to Lily, both women starting to talk.
Harry turned to look at Hermione only to be face with her father. He handed him his hand.
"Nice to see you tonight, sir."
Mr Granger eyed him as he took his hand in a strong hold and shook it.
"I was looking forwards to see the young man that Hermione chose to date... and who transformed her so much." he stated calmly.
"I think you're giving me too much credit, sir."
"Let me be the judge of that. So what do you do besides dancing?"
Harry looked at him, an innocent smile on his lips.
"Dancing?"
Mr Granger looked at him, stunned for a few seconds before laughing.
"You dancers. Not one to make up for the other."
That broke the ice and the evening passed quickly.
Hermione had been talking with Padma and Oliver about the companies present when she felt someone tapped her lightly on her shoulder. She turned around, surprised.
"Victor!"
The Bulgarian smiled as they both hugged each other.
"Hello, Hermione. You were wonderful tonight."
She let him go with a smile.
"I didn't know you were coming!"
"Mr. Dumbledore invited me and Fleur as we helped with its casting. You made a great Elysa."
Hermione blushed.
"Thank you Victor. And you how are you?"
"I'm fine. My company is leaving for New York for a five months stay and then will go on a tour."
"That's great."
"It is."
They both fell silent.
"So you and Harry?"
Hermione looked down, embarrassed.
"He's been wonderful."
"I'm glad. You deserve it."
Hermione didn't know what to say.
"Thank you, Victor."
Before she could say more, she felt a hand slip in hers.
"Good evening Victor."
The Bulgarian smiled.
"Hi Harry. You were as good as usual."
"I heard about your company, congratulations."
Victor raked his hand through his hair.
"Yeah, it's quite the opportunity."
He looked at the both of them.
"Well, I wish you both the best. Good luck on your project, Harry."
The young dancer laughed.
"Let me guess, my parents?" Seeing Victor nod, he laughed again. "My mom never learnt how to keep a secret."
Victor joined in his laughter.
"True, though I think she's just very proud of you."
Hermione looked from one boy to the other.
"I think I missed an episode there."
Harry shook his head.
"You'll learn about it soon enough."
"Harry!"
The young dancer turned along with his friend to see several flashes going off as Emily and Jonathan walked to them.
Emily hugged Harry, kissing him on his cheek before greeting Hermione and Viktor as Jonathan nodded to them in greeting.
"Both of you were wonderful."
"Thank you, Emily. Glad to know you enjoyed it and you Jonathan?"
The actor smiled a little.
"Well, I don't know much about ballet, but I enjoyed your performance."
"Was it your first ballet?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, I'll admit I'm not that much a classical person, I'm more into the more modern pieces."
As Hermione and Jonathan both started to talk about the latest productions, Emily shot a smug look at her ex.
"I told you so."
Harry shot her a small glare.
"I don't know what you are talking about Emily."
She rolled her eyes.
"Everything turned out for the better, didn't it?"
"Yeah, though if you told me this a few months ago I wouldn't have agreed." He paused then spoke up again, changing of subject.
"I heard you were signed for a new movie."
"Two in fact. Jonathan's next movie about Louis XIV, I got Mme de Montespan's role. We'll start filming in a year. Then I was also signed for a medical thriller dealing with genetic manipulations. I started the rehearsal and stunt training two weeks ago."
"Looks like you'll be busy."
"Yeah, but no more than you."
"Not you too!" said Hermione, having heard Emily's last words. "First Viktor, now you! Stop talking in riddles!"
They all laughed and talked about the ballet for a few more minutes before being approached by other people.
For Hermione, the evening was a whirl of colours and faces. She met many company directors that complimented her on her performance and asked her what she was planning.
It was well past midnight when she entered her bed, her mind still reeling from all the night's happenings. It would take her a long time to fall asleep.
oO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°OoO°Oo
The Gala came and passed. The graduating class presented several extracts from Sleeping Beauty as well as several original pieces. As usual the critics were all enthusiastic about the new graduates and were already taking bets on who would go to which company. Hermione hadn't been able to stop blushing for a day as several magazines wrote about her and a few other Hogwarts' girls.
Another good piece of news had been the arrest of Tom Riddle in Romania in a large international sweep made possible by the cooperation of the law enforcement offices of various countries. He was currently waiting in a detention center in Romania for the extradition procedures to be transfered to England were he was going to be trialed.
The exam's results had gone out two days ago and the celebrations had been wild. To nobody's surprise, Hermione had earned the first place.
Currently, Hermione was alone on one of the small practice rooms, going over some routines. While the academic subjects were done and over with, the main dance lessons had been maintained. None of the graduating dancers could afford not to practice regularly.
She was working on her pointe work at the barre when Ginny entered the room, a stack of letters in her hand.
"Hermione, come on, we've all got mail to look through."
Hermione frowned as she went through a series of lancés.
"Who would write me?"
"Companies, you ninny! You know, the offers we've been waiting for a few weeks now?"
Hermione frowned.
"I thought they wouldn't come till the end of the week."
"I'm sure all they were waiting for were the official results. So you're coming?"
Hermione shook her head.
"Go on, I'll finish and meet you all later on."
Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Workaholic. I'm leaving yours here," she said, putting several envelopes on the floor before leaving the room.
Hermione held out for five minutes before her resolve broke and she rushed to pick the letters up before going to sit up and opening them while stretching.
All in all she had received seven offers among them one from Victor's company. She quickly read through them, knowing she would go other those more in depth later but being too giddy upon seeing that seven companies wanted her.
Finally she opened the last one and gasped, reading it with wide eyes. She looked up as Ginny burst back into the room.
"Hermione! Did you?!" She spotted the letter in her friend hand. "So you got one too. I can't believe he didn't tell us about this before!"
Hermione shook her head slowly, trying to clear it.
"Do you think it's serious?"
Ginny sat down next to her.
"I think it is. This is from his parents' company and I don't think he would pull something like this on us, not if he wanted to live to his 20th birthday."
"He's offered you a prima spot too?"
"He did, from what I get, I think he wants to create two groups that will be able to tour at the same time and have a pool of dancers available in case of injury or other problems."
Hermione sighed.
"I need to talk to him."
She stood up and placed all the letters in her bag before walking out of the room, Ginny watching her with a frown.
Hermione walked quickly up to the dorms, knowing he would be there. She knocked on the door and waited for him to let her in.
She went to sit on his bed and waited for him to settle next to her. She handed him the letter.
"Is this serious Harry?"
He took her hand.
"It is. It was one of the reasons I came to Hogwarts. I wanted to create my own company but I needed talented people my own age or close to that I could live and work with."
Hermione looked back to the letter in her hand. Harry carried on his explanations.
"I want a company with two core groups that will be able to tour with added dancers depending on the pieces we perform."
"That's why you also asked Ginny and Draco."
"Yes."
Hermione looked up.
"Answer me truly Harry. Did the fact that we're going out influenced your choice?"
Harry shook his head, smiling at her.
"I knew you would ask that. I want you in my company because I think you are a very gifted dancer and I know you'll be a real asset to any company. And I know I'm not the only one to think so. Victor and Fleur both told me their directors would send you and offer." He could see by her small frown that she didn't completely believe him.
"But if you really want to be sure, I handed my choice to my parents before we started to go out. You can ask them it you want."
Hermione sighed, twirling a strand of hair with her fingers.
"I don't know what to think, Harry…"
Harry pecked her on the lips.
"Take your time, review all your offers; discuss it with the others, your parents and the teachers. I want you to make the choice that you think is the best for you. Integrating a newly formed company is a risk, moreover when you have plenty of known companies offering you a spot. You have to be sure of what you want."
Hermione nodded, still looking deep in thought.
She stood up.
"I'll go do that. I'll see you later for Sirius' lesson?"
Harry laughed.
"Like I would live it down if I missed it."
She kissed him and left quietly straight for her room.
She had a lot of thinking to do.
She spent the whole day thinking about what Harry said and about the different offers she had received. She compared the pros and cons of each made comparative lists to try to make a decision. She couldn't however get Harry's words out of her head.
Sirius Black and Remus Lupin's lesson ended before she knew it.
"Miss Granger?"
She turned to face Harry's godfather.
"Mr. Black?"
"Can I speak with you?" He turned to look at Harry smiling. "I'll give her back, Harry, don't worry. Now shoo!"
Harry shot her a worried glance. She smiled at him, making shooing motions and watched as he left with Draco.
Mr. Black looked back at her after having sent an amused smirk his godson's way.
"You seemed distracted, Miss Granger. Is there a problem?"
Hermione sighed, noticing that the other professor was also listening.
"Well… We just received offers from different companies…"
Sirius smiled.
"I'm sure you were quite solicited."
She nodded.
"I was… It's just… Did you know Harry was here to find dancers for his own company?" She blurted the last part without really thinking.
Sirius went serious.
"So, that's what is troubling you. Yes, I knew. His parents told me and Remus to keep an eye on him and make sure his choices were good ones."
Hermione looked down.
"I just don't know. He offered me a place within his company, but I'd like to be sure it is not because we're going out… And what if we don't work out?"
Sirius let out a small laugh.
"Rest assured on that point. That boy had you on his list early on and he handed his final list to his parents before asking you out."
Hermione perked up at that.
"Really?"
Sirius shook his head to emphasize his words.
"Really, really. And about what would happen should you not work out… well I think you and him need to talk about it. So I'll leave you to it, won't I?" She frowned confused but then noticed Harry standing in the doorway and blushed.
Sirius and Remus both left, the former winking at his godson on his way out.
Harry stepped in and walked to Hermione's side.
"I thought you left with Draco."
Harry looked down, flushing a little.
"Well… I wanted to know how you were feeling about all of this…"
"You could have asked."
"I didn't want to push you, Hermione."
She shifted her bag, a bit embarrassed.
"I… er… I didn't know how to…"
"Hermione. As Sirius told you I gave my parents the list of the people I was interested in way before we started going out. There wasn't any favouritism involved if you think that being asked to join a forming company is a privilege that is."
Hermione frown did not fade.
"But what if we break up? What will happen then?"
Harry took her hand.
"I think that both of us are professional enough so that no matter what happen we'll still be able to work and dance together. If things really get that bad, there would be nothing stopping us from creating a third unit, though I don't think it will come to that."
Hermione looked in his eyes before nodding.
"Alright, I'll hold you to that, Harry."
He raised an eyebrow.
"That means that…"
"I'll be joining you."
"Are you sure? This isn't as great an offer as I'm sure other companies made."
"That's for me to decide, Harry. Who else did you asked to join you?"
Harry flushed a little.
"Well, you, Ginny, Draco, Terry, Cho, Oliver, Cedric, Padma, Ron, Luna, Nathan, Jennifer…"
Hermione kissed him on his cheek.
"Well, we'll not be bored at least. Now come one. The others must be wondering where we are."
They left the room hand in hand, switching the light off, both looking forwards their futures and what it would bring.