The Yule ball was coming up. Hermione really wanted to go with Ron and Ron really wanted to go with Hermione, but neither one would make that known out of fear of rejection. They felt the other couldn't truly feel the same way or want to go to the hall together. It just felt too perfect.
They both tiptoed around each other, avoiding the glances and the knowing stares. Hermione desperately wanted Ron to just pluck up the courage and she didn't know what else to do to make her desires known. She mentioned on multiple occasions how many had asked her, but she said no because it didn't feel right. She mentioned how she had her dress picked out, but still no date. Too many times now she made it clear she had NO date so why couldn't Ron take the hint?
Unbeknownst to Hermione, Ron actually wanted to take advantage of the opportunity every time she brought it up to ask her, but he was nervous. What if it also didn't feel right to her? He couldn't bare losing his friendship with Hermione over the awkwardness of a rejection. He finally took the difficult decision to Harry. They didn't talk much about girls, let alone Hermione being a girl they discussed, but he had to. He had no one and no idea what to do.
"Oi, Harry.." Ron called across the room of their dorm to Harry who was propped up against his headboard, lurking on the marauders map. "What do you think about Hermione?" Harry's head shot up. He took Ron's question the wrong way. He knew before Ron himself that he fancied Hermione so he had no idea where this question was leading "Uh, what do you mean?"
Harry shifted uncomfortably on the bed. Ron could notice the tension. "No.. not you... I don't think you.. I just... I want to ask her to the ball" Ron said it with more confidence then he reckoned possible. He looked wide eyed at Harry who was mimicking him only with a slight grin.
"Oh really? You do? Then ask her. Merlin, she's been sulking around, waiting" Ron's eyes bugged out of his head. "What do you mean?" Harry chuckled. This boy can be so dense. "Ron, you seriously haven't noticed? She's been hinting around that she has no date and a dress and no date and it didn't feel right when anyone else ask and again, NO DATE. She's said it so many times I about asked her just to get to shut up" Ron tried to stifle a laugh at Harry's joke, but immediately felt hot and a lump in his throat."She wants to go with... me? Why? Bloody hell, my dress robes are embarrassing enough. Why would she want to subject herself to even more embarrassment by going with me?" "Ron, you think to low of yourself, mate. Hermione sees a lot more in you than just your looks."
Ron crinkled his eyebrows in a heated moment of "gee thanks" and Harry immediately retreated. "Bloody hell, that's not what I meant. You're a... well, you're a nice looking bloke if it means anything. Not my type, but clearly Hermione's" Harry gave a grin and a wink, causing Ron to drop the barrier and laugh. "Just ask her, okay? She'll say yes and you'll have a great night. At least until the one of you start a row with the other." Harry had now gotten up and walked over to Ron to give him a nudge on the shoulder as he walked to the bathroom. Ron suddenly felt confident and full of joy. Hermione wanted to go with him. All he had to do was ask. And he was.
—
The next day, Hermione made her way down to the common room early so she could get some reading in without interruptions. She usually just went to the library, but wanted to sit by the fire this morning. She was making her way towards the couch in what she believed to be a deserted common room when she noticed a blur stand up out of the corner of her eye. It took her a second and a whole breathe later to realize it was just Ron. She jumped back as he started walking closer. "Merlin, Ron!! You scared me" She placed her hand over her chest with the book in hand. She let out a chuckle and then immediately dropped the smile as she walked to the couch. She felt annoyed with him and had no idea what he was doing.
"Oi! Sorry! I just saw you coming off the stairs and thought I'd join you.. I figured you woke up earlier to do some reading.. just, feels something you'd do" Ron let out a nervous smile, scratched his neck and sat down on the couch, waiting for Hermione to join him.
Hermione was confused on why Ron was up waiting for her and why he wanted to join her. "Did you need something? Did you need help with an assignment? If you've waited until the last minute for somethin-" "Hermione! Stop!" Ron half laughed, half tried to hide his annoyance at her need to berate him so early in the morning. She probably wasn't wrong. There probably was an assignment he needed help with, but that's not what he was here for.
"Listen, I've been... stupid" Hermione tried to hide the smile across her face that indicated she agreed, but she wasn't sure if he was talking about the same thing she was thinking about. "Go on..." She gave him a gentle smirk and continued to get her books out. She loved watching him stumble on his words and try to navigate his nerves. Ron felt on display.
"I... Would you maybe..." He sat up straight, let out a cough and looked her confidently in the eyes. "Hermione Granger..." Hermione felt her cheeks turn red. What was he doing? Why did he say my whole name? Before she could say anything, the words spilled out of him.
"I would love it if you accompanied me to the Yule ball" He gave a small nod and grin, mentally patting himself on the back. He felt confident and happy. Until he noticed she hadn't answered and was just staring at him. She only dreamt of this day, she didn't think it would actually happen. Ron felt a lump in his throat. He was fixing to say "never mind" and walk back up stairs until Hermione grabbed his hand, sensing he was spiraling. It was the first moment she was left speechless.
"Ronald, yes. I'd love to! More than anything" Ron felt his face involuntarily shoot up into a grin and Hermione let out a breathe she didn't realize she was holding and began laughing. "It's about bloody time" "Hermione! You cursed!" Ron was taken back and began laughing. "Well, Ronald... There are some things about me that might surprise you" Ron's smile faded into wide eyes and a smirk. Merlin's beard. She drives him crazy.
—
The hall was tonight and it's finally hit Ron that he was going with Hermione. It finally hit him that he was going with him in those dress robes. He stared at himself in the mirror with so much discomfort and embarrassment. "Oi.. I'm not going" Harry walked through the door as he spoke the words aloud to what he thought was himself "You're going to bail on Hermione? Mate, I know you're embarrassed, but you wouldn't do that to her. I know it. Besides, you don't look awful. They.. they are more traditional." "Bloody easy for you to say! Look at yours! Yours are alright!" Harry glanced down and did have to admit he'd rather not wear Ron's, but he wasn't going to tell him that.
"Come on, Ron.. Hermione's waiting for you. And guess what? She looks gorgeous" With those words, Ron suddenly didn't care about the bloody awful Aunt Tessie smelling dress robes. Hermione chose to go with him. He was on top of the world.
Harry and Ron walked to the great hall where they told their dates they'd wait for them. Harry and Ginny were going together much to Ron's distaste. He told Harry he'd not hesitate to hex him if he did any funny busy with his little sister. Harry assured Ron it was just a date for the ball, but Harry didn't tell him he planned to ask Ginny out at the end of the night. He'd deal with that later.
They made it to the bottom of the stairs right outside the great hall and waited patiently, chatting with Seamus and Deal when they saw Ginny and Hermione rounding the corner. Seamus broke the silence.
"Whoa... they... they look like girls" Harry and Ron simultaneously smacked the sides of Seamus' arms causing him to curse. "Oi! I'm just saying.. they look, beautiful"
"They do" Ron and Harry said at the same time, neither boy paying any attention to the other. Their eyes remained glued on the girls as they walked down the steps. Hermione and Ginny were smirking and giggling, loving the way the boys glanced at them. They reached the bottom of the steps and both held out their hands for Ron and Harry to take.
Ron grabbed Hermione's hand and he doesn't know what came over him, but he spun her around to get a good look at her and she smiled the biggest smile she could.
"Hermione... blimey! You look marvelous.. I... there just isn't a word good enough to describe it" Hermione's eyes widened at the loaded compliment and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. She didn't register what she was doing until it was over. Their cheeks turned red. They smiled at each other until Hermione broke the silence.
"You're looking rather dapper yourself, Mr. Weasley" She stuck her hands out to the top of his dress robes to fix the collar and he felt himself cringe. He did not feel "dapper" at all. "Hermione, you don't have to... to say that. I know I look- Blimey, I don't deserve to be here with you, dressed like this" Hermione's heart shattered because she truly did think he looked handsome. Yeah, she laughed when he got the robes, but it was more about his reaction than anything. She knew he'd look good.
"Ronald, I do not lie. When I tell you you look handsome, I mean it." She cupped his face in her hands to make him look at her. The confidence they had with one another truly shocked the both of them. She finally had the boy she wanted and she wanted him to know how she felt. She wanted him to see himself the way she saw him. "You look stunning. Dapper. Handsome. I am the luckiest girl here to be attending the ball on your arm" She ended her tiny speech with a grin, a firm hand on his cheeks and a huge lump in her throat. She really needed him to say something now.
He took his hands to hold hers and just smiled. He finally got the girl. He wasn't being stupid anymore. He wasn't scared to hide his feelings in fear that she'd reject him because she hadn't rejected him. She fully accepted him, fluffy dress robes and all.
And with that, they entered the great hall together that had been transformed into a beautiful ballroom. They beside each other, arms linked, watching the contestants have the first dance and they felt more at peace than ever before. Hermione glanced up at Ron to find him glancing down at her with a smile. Neither could believe they'd gotten through the awkwardness and were attending the ball together.
Their thoughts were interrupted when it was time for everyone else to join into the dance.
"Ms. Granger, can I have this dance?" Ron stepped aside, letting their arms fall to the side then extending his out for her to hold his.
"It would be my absolute honor and privilege, Ronald."
They danced and laughed the night away. It was a night to remember.