Sway Chapter 38: Moondance, a harry potter fanfic

A/n: Woohooo… thanks for the reviews… I will reply to them later because I would love to keep writing… I'm still in disbelief of how far this fic has come… I could have never done it without you guys…

Moondance

"I can't believe we're not practicing… where are you taking me?" She asked smiling.

Malfoy was leading Hermione out of the house and into the backyard. Tonight was the night that he was going to propose to Hermione Granger, he had wanted to make it special and this was going to be one special night. He had gotten permission earlier from her father, now it was time for the actual act.

"All in due time," he replied.

They turned around to face the back of her house.

"Do you trust me?" He asked smiling.

"Of course," she replied.

"Do you love me?" He asked again.

"Do you have to even ask?" She questioned.

"Well hold on…"

"He is right for her you know," Blaise said smiling.

"I'm going to have to agree with you," Cheryl replied.

Cheryl sat down on Blaise's lap. She looked to all of the supplies that littered the kitchen table.

"I just realized something," he said softly after placing a kiss on her neck.

"What's that?"

"In less than three weeks, you will be Cheryl Anne Zabini."

Hermione let her eyes adjust to the new scenery. She couldn't help but feel her face fall slightly. With Malfoy being all secretive about the location of their dinner, she thought that tonight was going to be the night that he finally asked her. This is probably why he told her to dress nicely but not too nicely.

"What are we doing here?" she asked looking at him.

"It's Sunday isn't it?" He asked.

She smiled at him, yes it was Sunday. She looked down the road to the Burrow. How long had it been? He grasped her hand in his own. "Let's get going."

The walk down to the Burrow was a silent one. Hermione didn't know what to expect which scared her the most. Familiar faces swam in her mind as memories of Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ginny, Ron, and Harry filled her head.

"It's going to be alright," he whispered reassuringly.

They had reached the backdoor and before she could stop him Malfoy reached out a pale hand and knocked. A familiar red head made his way to the door. He smiled at the sight of them before opening the door.

"You made it!" He said loudly.

Hermione smiled back.

"Hey Ron, how are you?"

"Just fine," he replied smiling.

They embraced each other in a hug. The familiar scent of the Weasley home filled her nose. His body felt warm but hard against her. Ron always gave the best hugs, she could hug him forever, but she didn't because her boyfriend/future fiancé was with her. She let Ron go reluctantly and took a step back to join Malfoy at his side.

"No hard feelings?" Malfoy asked. He stretched a hand towards Ron.

Hermione couldn't help but look on dumbstruck. She watched as Ron grasped Malfoy's hand firmly.

"We're all family now," Ron replied. "Come on in guys, we already started without you."

Hermione walked through the familiar kitchen which was oddly empty without the familiar wooden scrubbed table.

"Mum had to add on to the house Hermione, to accommodate everyone for Sunday Dinner."

He led them to the new addition of the house which had its usual Weasley charm. In this room pictures of everyone adorned the walls, and Mrs. Weasley also made another clock which was expanded to include Harry, Pansy and The Weasley's extended family. To her surprise Hermione could see her own name and picture. This place had always felt like a second home to her next to Hogwarts.

"HERMIONE!" a voice yelled out.

There was a long table which groaned under the weight of all the Weasleys and the tons of food. There was an outburst of yells and smiles directed towards Hermione and to her surprise, Malfoy. Everyone got up to hug her, she embraced each Weasley long and hard too afraid to let go. She heard Mrs. Weasley huff about the food getting cold, but that didn't stop Mrs. Weasley from giving her an extra squeeze during her hug.

Hermione couldn't help but smile. She watched as each of the Weasley males shook Malfoy's hand vigorously. This had to be Pansy's and Ron's doing. They must have informed the Weasley's that Hermione was seeing Malfoy.

Hermione hugged a very huge and waddling Ginny. Her red hair was shinning extra bright. Pregnancy suited her well.

"It's so good to see you again, Hermione, so sorry I couldn't make the party. I was hoping you were going to stop by tonight."

"How are you doing?" Hermione asked stepping back to take a look at the huge belly that was close to bursting.

"Good, I'm guessing Harry told you already. He and Mum have me locked up in here, like they think I'm going to leave England…"

"It's for your own good Ginny dear," Mrs. Weasley spoke up. "The healer said to stay off your feet, and if that means I have to tie you down myself then so be it."

"So where is Harry?" Hermione asked.

Two chairs magically appeared out of thin air and were placed at the table. Hermione was led to sit down at the seat next to Ginny as Malfoy was directed to sit next to her at the end. Pansy and Ron sat across from the both of them. They were both beaming happily at Hermione and Malfoy. Two plates found their way towards their end of the table and Malfoy began filling her plate.

"Well," Ginny started after taking a bite of her own food. "Harry is working right now."

"On Sunday?" Hermione asked.

"So Draco, are you ready for this…every Sunday?" Pansy asked.

Malfoy looked around at the table. People were spreading bowl after plate after bowl of delicious food around the table. Dinner…conversations…laughter. Yes, he could do this every Sunday.

"So, Malfoy, how's the dancing going?" Ron asked trying to keep a straight face.

"Go on, let me have it…" He replied smiling.

Dinner was a very noisy affair. About halfway through Potter showed up looking tired, but accepted a steaming plate of food from Mrs. Weasley. The conversation continued around the table for a few hours. In his conversations he found that Pansy received a promotion at the ministry, she was working in the Magical Sports and Gaming department. He found that Ginny was due only in a few weeks, and that Ron was starting as keeper for the Chudley Cannons and that they had won their first game of the season.

The family around him was more interested in what they were doing, how they had gotten back together. Hermione shrugged off what happened the last eight years and he couldn't help but feel better. She was already forgiving him. He grasped her hand under the table, and relished in the warmth that radiated from it.

"I still can't wrap my head around it," George said smiling. "You, Draco Malfoy, Lord of the dance?"

There were snickers around the table.

"Yes, yes laugh it up, but I make a good living by dancing. Hermione and I are working on a new show, if you guys want to come see…"

There was uproar at his statement and he couldn't help but smile.

"Of course we would love to go," Mrs. Weasley said happily.

"Excellent," George called out.

"Well I'm not actually in the show, I'm just the understudy…"

"That would be great, when does the show open?" Pansy asked.

"It opens…the day after the wedding." He called out.

"Wedding?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Yes, the wedding of Blaise Zabini to Cheryl Granger, Hermione's cousin," Pansy said reminding everyone.

"It would be great if you guys could come to the wedding as well, but its going to be more of a traditional muggle wedding, so no magic."

Everyone one seemed keen of the idea.

"As long as this one decides not to come early," Ginny said smiling fondly at her huge stomach.

Hermione couldn't help but look on with a sense of content. Malfoy fitted in so easily with her extended family. She didn't know what she was so worried about. She was worried that she was going to get the cold shoulder from the Weasley family, but she realized that time did heal some wounds. She also knew that if Ron hadn't found the love of his life, things may have been different.

"Hermione dear, would you help me with the dessert?"

She could feel Malfoy's hand squeeze hers. She got up from the table and followed into the kitchen.

"Thanks for having me Mrs. Weasley, and Draco of course," Hermione said uncovering the dishes that were warming on the counter.

Hermione finally got a good look of Mrs. Weasley. She was the same as Hermione remembered, except for one small difference. Hermione could see that her hair was sprinkled with gray, especially at her temples.

"Anytime dear," She replied smiling.

Hermione couldn't help but see that her smile was a bit forced.

"Is there anything wrong?"

"Well… yes there is."

Hermione finished uncovering the dishes in silence as she waited for Mrs. Weasley to find her words.

"Are you sure you're ready to be a Malfoy?"

"Mrs. Weasley, I am by no means rushing into getting married." Hermione said smiling. "But yes, I am ready to be a Malfoy, but not for the obvious reasons. Those eight years that he was gone were absolutely hell for me. I thought I could move on, I thought that maybe our relationship was supposed to stay at Hogwarts, but that is not what my heart wanted."

"Hermione, I know you're not my own, but I consider you as family. It's just that Ron told me what happened between the two of you at Hogwarts…"

Her voice trailed off… Hermione didn't know what she was saying; maybe she thought that she and Ron were made for each other. Hermione thought the same at one point or another, but she knew who she belonged to.

"Ron and I are just friends Mrs. Weasley. There was a time when I thought that maybe I was going to be with Ron forever, but that was at Hogwarts. We're all adults now Mrs. Weasley, we know who we want to be with. Ron is extremely happy with Pansy and I'm extremely happy with Draco."

"Alright, as long as your happy dear," she replied smiling. "I guess the Weasleys and the Malfoys will be friends after all."

Hermione smiled, because this was true.

Dessert went by quickly. Hermione instantly fell in love with the new recipe Mrs. Weasley had for treacle tart and asked for a copy immediately. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Cheryl's bridal shower which was coming up. During dessert she couldn't help but notice that Malfoy kept glancing at the watch that adorned her arm.

Hermione felt oddly full when Malfoy announced that it was time for them to go. She reluctantly stood up and embraced everyone in a hug. She gave Mr. and Mrs. Weasley an extra long hug, gave Harry two hugs because he wasn't there when she first got there. She watched as Malfoy made his rounds, and when he reached Mrs. Weasley he was surprised when she embraced him in a motherly hug.

"Next Sunday same time," she said beaming. "It was a pleasure to have the both of you."

"It was great to see you ," Hermione smiled. "Bye everyone."

After everyone said their goodbyes she was being led out of the room, through the kitchen and out of the back door. They walked in silence the full moon lighting their way. As soon as they were some ways away from the house he turned on her.

"That was fun," he said smiling.

"It was." She replied.

He grabbed her right hand in his as his left hand found her waist. He began twirling her around softly as the warm summer breeze made its way into the space between their bodies.

"Draco, what are you doing?"

"Close your eyes, and don't open them until I say so."

She closed her eyes without hesitation and his lips found hers. She couldn't help but moan into his mouth; she could taste the remnants of the treacle tart on his tongue. When he broke the kiss she kept her eyes closed.

"I wanted to do that all night," he whispered.

Before she could comment he grabbed her forearm tightly and disapparated from the spot.

After the slight discomfort of being squeezed through an abnormally narrow tube she found her feet on solid ground, but kept her eyes closed. He led her and she walked carefully over the grass.

"Don't worry I got you," he said softly.

He stopped walking so she stopped. He grabbed her hands again in their ballroom stance. She couldn't remember the last time she did ballroom. He began whirling her around again and she smiled.

That's when she heard it, music…

"What have you planned Mr. Malfoy?" Hermione asked.

He didn't answer her, but kept swirling her about. She couldn't help but get excited.

"Ok, you can open them now." He said. Her eyes opened and she looked around. It was her backyard, but the gazebo was alit with dangling lights. She could see a band playing. Her eyes turned to survey the rest of her backyard. Underneath her feet was a hardwood floor and Cheryl and Blaise smiled happily at her from the other side as Blaise twirled her silently around. They were under another canopy of lights that dangled above them.

"What is all this?" Hermione asked smiling.

Her eyes caught Malfoy's. She could feel her heart skip a beat as he fixed his intently on hers.

"Well you needed to relax. Hermione the show is in about three weeks and we're not even halfway through…"

"Not helping." She interjected.

"Look, we both know that you dance better when you are relaxed. Just think of this as a day off."

"A day off that requires a live band, extraordinary lighting and…"

A familiar song floated towards them which made Hermione stop. She looked to the gazebo and couldn't believe her eyes.

"Draco, you didn't."

"I didn't what?" He asked grinning. She looked wide mouthed at the entertainment. "Well, he sort of owed me a favor so I flew him over here."

"He owed you a favor?" Hermione said. She waved towards the gazebo and he waved back at her.

"Well…"

"You're telling me that Michael Bublè owed you a favor!?"

Hermione couldn't help but sigh. He was Draco Malfoy of course, everyone owed him a favor. They continued dancing as his voice washed over them. The slow song changed into a fast song that Hermione knew very well. She couldn't help but think how fitting it was to the scenery around them.

He brought Hermione's body in close as the song started. He led her across the dance floor in a foxtrot like dance.

Well, it's a marvelous night for a moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush

Can I just have one a' more moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love

He led the way and Hermione followed not taking her eyes of his. He spun her around him and let her go. She walked around him her intricate footwork done in sneakers. He grabbed her hand and spun her into him. His body felt nice against hers. Before he spun her out she kissed him full on the lips.

Well I wanna make love to you tonight
I can't wait till the morning has come
And I know now the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run
And when you come my heart will be waiting
To make sure that you're never alone
There and then all my dreams will come true, dear
There and then I will make you my own
And everytime I touch you, you just tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that you can't hide

Can I just have one a' more moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love

They continued to dance around the floor, he led her smoothly as Blaise and Cheryl watched from the side. He held her in hold strongly, leading the way. Hermione couldn't help but sigh in his grasp. The continued around the floor, but he didn't let her go this time. He twirled her lazily around the floor.

"Do you feel better now?" he asked.

"Of course I do, you know ballroom is my weakness."

He dipped her slowly to the ground. Hermione could see Cheryl and Blaise leave out the corner of her eye. Hermione could feel her heart pounding in her ears as his hair glowed unnaturally in the moonlight that was behind him. He lifted her up slowly, letting her body rub up against his. He didn't take his eyes off of hers as they slowly revolved on the spot

Can I just have one a' more moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love

-"Moondance" Michael Bublè

She rested her head on his shoulder. He really did want her to relax, but she couldn't help but think there was something else on his list of things to do tonight. The song ended and they stopped. Hermione turned to the lit gazebo and clapped enthusiastically.

"Thank you," she said turning back to Malfoy. "I really needed that."

Music started up again.

"Can I have this dance?" He asked softly.

"For you, always." She responded.

He danced her around the floor for a couple more songs. It had been a long time since he had done ballroom but this was fun. He had to admit that Blaise did a good job of setting everything up. She rested her head on his shoulder and it felt nice. The intoxicating scent of her hair filled his senses. He saw Blaise and gave him the signal. He watched as Cheryl and Blaise hurried to finish setting up their final destination.

He danced her across the floor and off of it. The music faded softly as he danced her through the grass. Candles were a lit around the blanket that Blaise had set up. He had made sure that Blaise had setup in the exact same spot where they both shared their first real kiss. There was a basket with champagne and various snacks that he had helped make with Cheryl.

Hermione looked to the blanket then back up at him.

"You remembered…"

"Of course," he responded. He couldn't help but capture her lips in a kiss. She tasted sweet.

He felt a bit nervous as she took off her shoes before placing her body on the blanket. He followed suit and joined her. She looked skyward, the stars reflected in her large eyes.

She began pointing out the constellations which made him relax. He sighed as her left hand was pointed upward toward the sky, finding the North Star easily.

"Do you remember the first time we gazed at these stars?" She asked, placing her hands next to his.

"Of course I do, your Aunt made a marvelous dinner of leftovers. It was also the night that someone wanted to…er… be a little reckless."

She propped her head on her shoulder.

"A little reckless," she said smiling.

The glow of the moonlight illuminated her smile, which caused his heart to beat faster.

"I was willing to cheat on my boyfriend for a strong attraction to a guy who tormented me for six years at school. To a guy who I knew only wanted only one thing, at the time. To a guy who I knew was going to go back to hating me once we got on the train back to school."

"But that didn't happen…" he said smiling fondly at the rush of memories that filled his head.

"No… it didn't."

She sighed and rolled on her back once more. He propped himself on his arm and looked down at her. Her eyes were focused on the stars.

"I'm glad you made that decision…even if it was a little reckless."

"I am too…"

"If you hadn't I don't think I would have ever been able to do this." He could feel his heart pounding as he pulled the ring out of his pocket.

She sat up and smiled fondly at him and then looked to the ring. He got down on one knee as she brought her own knees to her chest.

"Hermione Jean Granger, I love you. I've always had, even during my years of tormenting and torturing you. I know that I am not perfect and the fact that you accept my flaws and my little discrepancies let's me know that you love me too. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?"

He brought her left hand to his lips before placing the ring on her finger.

"Of course I will," she replied smiling.

She grabbed his neck and placed his lips on his bring his body down on top of hers. He deepened the kiss without hesitation and felt his heart soar with the warm summer breeze.

A/n: Here's another chapter!!! This was supposed to go up as a New Year's Day present… but alas. This chapter was really hard to write for some reason… I don't know why but it ended exactly how I pictured it. If only real life was like this… so as far as the chapter update I think there is going to be two more chapters… maybe even one more than the epilogue. Thanks for sticking around for my longest fic ever! You guys rock of course…

As Always…Cherbi161