A/N: I was waiting for reviews, and since I'm so impatient I thought, screw waiting for reviews! I'll write the next chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the song Magic Works (It's from the Goblet of Fire movie soundtrack.)
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The Other Way
Chapter 12: Yule Ball Part 2
Oh God, Fred Weasley's kissing me, was the only thought running through Hermione's mind.
At first, his lips had been cold from the night air, but as soon as their lips met warmth spread through her down to her toes. She had never kissed anyone before and was unsure of what she should do. Though she had imagined her first kiss for a while, she had always thought of it being with someone who didn't know how to kiss this well.
But Fred must have snogged a lot of girls. He was also sixteen, two years older than her. Hermione tried her best to let instinct take over.
She felt his hand let go of hers and his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to his muscular body. She tried to think of something to do with her hands, and finally reached up to wrap around his neck. She hesitantly moved her lips a bit more against Fred's, and this seemed to be the right thing to do, because that encouraged him.
Fred hadn't even thought about the fact that since he was kissing Hermione Granger, if anyone caught them there would be hell to pay. He instead focused on her, on making what he assumed was her first kiss a special one. He didn't want to move too fast, no matter how hard it was, so he kept his mouth closed.
After what seemed like an eternity, they ended the kiss at the same time. They didn't step away from each other, but they held each other's hands and looked at each other closely.
Hermione didn't know how to react. Fred, who would possibly be the best looking and hottest guy to ever be in her life, had just kissed her. And he liked her! For some reason, their minds connected and seemed to think that it was best not to ruin the moment by talking.
Still, after several moments, voices traveled to their ears. Fred recognized the silky drawl of Snape and the accented voice of Karkaroff. There was no way he wanted to get caught out here by those two.
"Over here," he hissed to Hermione, and led her by the hand behind a larger bush. He and Hermione ducked behind it, but not before Snape caught them.
"Well, well...Weasley and Granger...twenty points from Gryffindor and get back inside!" Snape said, pointing to the doors back into the warm castle.
Fred and Hermione ran back, knowing that if they walked too slow Snape would surely hex them.
They skidded to a stop inside the Entrance Hall, laughing. "Stupid dungeon bat," Fred said idly. There was still music playing in the Great Hall. It was 11:45, fifteen minutes before the ball ended.
Fred peeked into the hall and saw that it was still fairly crowded, but Krum was nowhere to be seen. He sighed with relief, knowing that he could go in with Hermione without being killed.
"Is Viktor in there?" Hermione whispered, hiding behind Fred. He shook his head.
Hermione walked in just as the Weird Sisters began to play a slow song. She stood frozen in the spot, but Fred dragged her on to the dance floor. He didn't care if anyone watched, wondering why he stole Krum's Yule Ball date, he just wanted to dance with Hermione.
Dance your final dance
This is your final chance
To hold the one you love
You know you've waited long enough
Fred felt as though this song was directly aimed at him. He had waited the whole night to be with Hermione. He put his arms around her petite waist once again and pulled her close. She stretched her arms up around his neck and they began to sway with the music.
So,
Believe, that magic works
Don't be afraid
Of bein' hurt
Don't let this magic die
The answer's there
Oh, just look in her eyes
Hermione listened to the song as she laid her head against Fred's chest, listening to his heart beat. She could forget about getting hurt by anyone, emotionally or physically, and just relax by dancing with him. And she was going to savor this moment.
And make
Your final move
Mmm, don't be scared
She wants you to
It's hard
You must be brave
Don't let this moment slip away
It was almost cliché, how the lyrics seemed to play out this night, and their lives since the announcement of the Yule Ball. Don't be scared...she wants you too...it was true. Fred had taken hold of the moment, and now he was here with Hermione.
Believe, that magic works
Don't be afraid
Afraid of bein' hurt
No, don't let this magic die
Ooh, the answer's there
Yeah, just look in her eyes
Even though the song was nearing its end, neither of them took any notice of it, nor of the other dancers or the people watching them curiously. Who cared if everyone would be talking about how the rumors were true tomorrow?
And don't believe that magic can die
No, no, no, this magic can't die
So dance, your final dance.
'Cause this is... your final chance.
True, it was a magical evening. It could last for as long as either of them wanted, as long as they had both taken the opportunity.
As everyone began to file out of the Great Hall, Hermione and Fred were left standing on the dance floor, surrounded by ice sculptures and Christmas trees.
Finally, as teachers began to leave as well, Hermione and Fred left, holding hands. This night couldn't be ruined by anything.
Or so they thought.
"HERMIONE! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL!" Ron shouted. Hermione stopped moving and her eyes widened, almost giving her the appearance of a deer caught in the headlights.
"Get away from her, Fred!" Ron said, pushing Fred. The older redhead didn't move and said, "Why should I?"
"She doesn't like you!" Ron said furiously.
"How do you know, Ron?" Hermione said softly. Ron swooped down on her.
"How do I know? HOW DO I KNOW? You were here with Krum! Now you're leaving with my brother! You just can't like either of them! You're not supposed to be some sort of...of...scarlet woman!"
Fred pushed Ron's shoulder to make him move. "Leave her alone, Ronnie," he said in a quiet voice.
Ron stepped back to really look at the two of them. Hermione's hair was a bit messed up, as though she'd been out in the wind. They were holding hands. And Hermione's lip gloss was smeared a little.
"So you really like him?" Ron asked in a deadly voice. Harry was standing back, looking petrified of Ron's behavior.
Hermione didn't even dare to nod, as Ron lunged towards Fred yelling, "I'LL KILL HIM! I SWEAR I WILL!"
Fred ducked and Ron fell to the floor. "Leave us the hell alone, Ron," Fred spat.
"But...," Ron said, looking up.
"Ron, if you're so angry, you know the solution, don't you?" Hermione said. "Ask me earlier, and then maybe I might have considered you! But now it's too late, so accept it! 'Night, Harry," Hermione said, and she and Fred walked up to the Gryffindor Tower.
Hermione sniffed. Why had Ron reacted that way? She knew the answer, of course; he liked her, probably, but he was mostly mad that she had ended up at the ball with his brother.
Still, it was her choice.
"Hermione? Are you crying?" Fred said, and before she could say anything, tears overtook her. Fred looked nervous and gave the password to the Fat Lady, who laughed drunkenly and let them in.
Fred took Hermione over to the couch and put his arm around her shoulders, and with the other hand he wiped her eyes. She leaned her head against his should and cried a little louder.
"Shh...it's okay. I know Ronnikins is a big old prat. Don't let him get to you," Fred said reassuringly, and put his other arm around her in a hug. She hugged him back, her sobs subsiding a bit.
"H-he ruined ev-everything!" Hermione whimpered against the fabric of his jacket.
"He tends to do that, now doesn't he? It's ok, it's ok!" he said, as she began to cry more.
"I-I'm sorry," she sniffed, pulling away from him. She wiped her now reddening eyes and looked at him. "You must think I'm a terrible crybaby."
"I don't think that. I'd cry too if Ron yelled at me like that," Fred said lightly, wanting to make her laugh.
It worked. She let out a tiny laugh and then started to get up. "I'm really tired, I think I'll go to bed," she said, yawning.
Fred stood up, too. "Good night, fair maiden," he said, and kissed her delicately. Hermione appreciated it for the moment that it lasted, before he pulled away and they went their separate ways up to the dorms.
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A/N: I hope no one thinks I've ruined it with the fluff. I for one love fluffy Fred/Hermione :D
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-DSA
