A/N: Do you know how hard it was to find the perfect song for this part? Well, let me tell you—it was hard! But, I think I did a good job and I think you'll enjoy the chapter and the song! Happy reading!
Disclaimer: I don't own a British accent, I don't own the Harry Potter characters nor do I own the song. I do however have the ability to pretend to have a British accent, I do own Harry Potter merchandise and I do own the Faith Hill CD this song is off of…so it's all good.
*** Thank you to: Shaunna, who is a really good reviewer! And thank you so much for all your praise! And I try to post after everything is edited because, like you, I am an English major (actually, English and History, but that's a different story all together) and grammar mistakes drive me nuts…OK, so I'm a little picky, but that's me! Anyhow, thank you so much for saying I'm brilliant! I really do appreciate all the praise! Thank you Jenny for reviewing! And you know what, I've noticed the two worlds (ours and Harry Potter's) kind of parallel each other like you have…it's nice to know we think alike! Desdemona47, a new reviewer! This is so cool! I love seeing new names! It makes my day! Anyhow, thank you so much for reviewing and I'm glad you enjoyed the last few chapters…I'm sure you'll like this one too! Hermione Weasley I must admit I have a lot of fun torturing you all! He he! I'm not really so bad! And I'm glad you thought some of that was funny…I never know if what I'm writing is funny or not because I don't think I have same the same sense of humor as most people! Victoria, do you really think it was a fabulous chapter? I'm glad if you did! And don't worry, I completely understand about homework and stuff like that! I promise you'll enjoy this chapter! And this chapter is dedicated to all my lovely reviewers…even if you've only reviewed once because reviews mean that much to me! Enjoy!
Chapter 23: Beautiful
Ron tugged at his collar nervously as he and the other Gryffindor boys waited for their dates to descend from the girls' wing.
He didn't think he looked too bad. His dress robes were a dark, dark blue that enhanced the blue of his eyes. He would probably be forever in debt to Fred and George for buying them and when he told them that they chuckled and told him to come and buy things from their joke shop. That would be payment enough, they said.
Harry stood next to him in forest green robes; a color Madame Malkin told them would make him look older, handsome, and more refined. Of course, she had said the same thing to Ron about his blue ones so he wasn't sure if she was being serious or not.
Harry jabbed Ron in the side.
"Ow! What did you do that for?" Ron accused, rubbing the tender spot Harry had created.
"Are you nervous?" Harry asked. His emerald-colored eyes were wide and bright and Ron thought Harry was the one who looked nervous.
Ron shrugged. "A little," he admitted with a sheepish smile. "Are you?"
Harry gulped. "No," he said with a frown as if he was trying to convince himself of that more than he was Ron. "No, I'm not nervous at all. I mean, I went to the Yule Ball with Parvati last year and it was a disaster…I figure things couldn't be any worse this year than they were last year—
"Harry, take a breath!" Ron interjected. His brows scrunched together as he observed his best friend. Harry wasn't a big talker at all; he usually preferred to observe people from afar. He didn't talk like this last year when he was waiting for Parvati, why was he now?
It seemed the roles had reversed. Ron figured he should have been the one rambling but he wasn't, instead he was lost in his own nervousness while Harry was babbling.
Harry gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks there man…I didn't know if I could get myself to shut up there…"
Seamus interrupted their chat with a nod of his head toward the stairs. The first wave of girls was coming down.
Seamus didn't have a date for tonight. He was going stag tonight, figuring that there would be at least some other girl who was also dateless. "Who knows? She could be the love of my life!" he joked earlier but his roommates weren't convinced by his relatively jolly behavior.
Ron pressed his lips together. Now I'm nervous Harry.
The first girls to come down were a couple fourth year girls, excluding Ginny. Harry looked at Neville. He appeared to be the calmest one of the group of boys at the bottom of the stairs. Even Fred was pacing around like he had ADD, which Harry wouldn't have been surprised if he did have ADD.
"Harry," Ron whispered quietly. The look on his face was one of utter awe and Harry when Harry looked up his jaw dropped.
Parvati was leading the group in long flowing robes of iridescent white silk. There were layers upon layers of white silk that contrasted nicely with her chocolate skin. Her thick dark hair was lying straight across her shoulders and back and little white flowers were strewn about the dark strands. She was wearing the barest hint of makeup except for her mascara which was layered on thick, encompassing her blue eyes. Harry's gaze traveled to her throat, in which a single thread of white cloth acting as a choker. It was simple but the effect was princess like. His gaze subconsciously dropped lower where he found her robes weren't too low cut…but they plunged plenty. He mentally slapped himself. This was Parvati Patil he was staring at! He tipped his head to one side and as she stepped off the last stair, holding her robes up so she didn't trip; he caught sight of dainty sandals surrounding even daintier feet. She was lovely, he finally conceded.
It took a lot of effort but he finally managed to rip his gaze off his date and to Ron who was ogling the lady in red fairly floating down the stairs.
Ron had never seen anyone look so…good. He could see her tiny feet poking out from the hem of her red robes. They were clad in cute little slippers. The slippers were red, the same color red as her dress robes. They fit her perfectly, hugging her body in all the right spots and Ron's cheeks flushed. The red dress robes were the color of clean blood, they were that red. His eyes roved up her body, taking note of the collar. It was square and plunged low, perfect for the gentle rise and fall of her breasts. Her neck was bare except for a thin silver chain that twinkled in the different light. His blue eyes finally reached her face, which was graced a hint of makeup. The only thing shocking was the red of her lips. Her hair was wound and curled and crimped and held up on her crown with two large pins while fairy dust shimmered in the dark waves.
He swallowed hard when she reached the bottom of the stairs. She looked up at him bright-eyed. She understood the way he looked at her and it gave her a thrilling chill like nothing else she had ever felt before.
Ron looked at her, drawing in a shaky breath. "Wow Hermione…you look…you look beautiful."
He didn't see Angelina and Alicia share a smile behind Hermione upon hearing his words.
"I mean…you're…beautiful."
I love the way you stand in my way /
You won't move til you get a kiss /
Hermione continued staring up at him with round eyes. There really ought to be a class on dating, she thought absent-mindedly. She had no idea what to do. Everything she had ever thought or learned before now flew from her mind.
"Thank you," she replied, the words slipping off her tongue easily at his earnest words. "You look wonderful too, Ron," she added quietly and it most definitely was not an afterthought.
He blushed and Hermione was struck at how handsome he looked. On impulse she stood on tiptoe and kissed his freckled cheek.
And how you tell me that my name /
Tastes so sweet on your lips /
He seemed to recover from his state of shock and offered her his arm which she happily received. She nodded with a smile. Walking to the Great Hall on his arm, behind a chatty Harry and Parvati she felt like she was floating. She absently wondered how she had ever thought of going to the ball with Viktor last year.
Ron glanced at Hermione frequently, each time with a smile. He could not believe his luck. Hermione was walking to the dance with him, not Viktor or Harry or Seamus…or…or anyone else. She was walking with him.
Before too long they came to the Great Hall, the door being held open by Sir Nicholas who bowed to every couple.
Hermione took in the Great Hall. Hundreds upon thousands of candles hung low, suspended in mid air while the ceiling was once again bewitched to look like the night sky. Hermione thought how pretty it was.
Ron leaned down to whisper in her ear. "That isn't the real ceiling, you know. It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. A girl I know read about it in "Hogwarts, A History."
She giggled. "Well, she sounds like a very smart witch."
Ron winked. "Oh that she is…and beautiful too," he said with such sincerity Hermione's knees seemed to wobble. She continued looking up at him with rapture until Parvati interrupted the mood.
She pointed over to a table. "How about that table?" she suggested. Harry readily nodded and Hermione smiled inwardly. It was quite funny to see him practically drooling over Parvati when last year he hadn't wanted to give her a second thought.
Ron and Hermione looked at each other, shrugged and then nodded. It didn't matter to them where they sat.
Ron and Harry acted like the perfect gentleman and pulled out their dates' chairs while Fred and George frowned seeing now they'd have to do the same for their dates, Angelina and Alicia, respectively.
"Hermione, you look beautiful," Alicia said with a knowing glance in Ron's blushing direction.
As soon as they sat down food appeared in front of them. Ron eyed it hungrily and Hermione laughed, easing into something she was comfortable with. "Ron you look like you haven't eaten all day!"
"Well I haven't eaten since noon!" he exclaimed.
She laughed harder and then the music started. Hermione's laughter stopped immediately and Ron looked like he had just eaten until he was beyond full. Angelina stood up, pulling her boyfriend with her. "Come on Fred let's show all these poor suckers how to dance!"
"Yeehaw!" Fred cried out joyfully as he willfully followed his girlfriend to the cleared floor.
George and Alicia watched them until George spoke up. "Well now, we can't let those two spoil all of the fun, can we?"
Alicia shook her head eagerly and they bounded out on the dance floor.
The dance floor was filling up quickly and Parvati looked at Harry, who had temporarily forgotten how to speak. Parvati looked at him with dark eyes. "Would you like to dance Harry?" she asked, holding her hand out to him.
Harry's mouth might as well have been glued shut with the use he was getting out of it. He nodded. Parvati smiled and led him out on the dance floor.
Ron shifted uncomfortably in his seat, throwing a sideways glance at his date. "Uh, Hermione…would you like-like to dance?" he asked in an abrupt voice. Hermione bit her lip and nodded.
"I would love to."
Ron nodded and they walked nervously to the dance floor. The barely even looked at each other.
When they found a spot that suited them, they both looked at each other nervously. Ron was the first to make a move. He put his hands carefully around her thin waist. Hermione noted how he acted like she would break with his touch. It was rather endearing.
She slid her arms around his neck and in doing so pulled him close. She pulled him so close their chests were touching. He was watching her with rapt attention and she was returning the glance.
I love the way you hold me with your eyes /
Hold me so tight that I can't move /
It's like everything I've ever known is a lie /
And you're the simple truth /
Ron was a really good dancer, Hermione thought as they twirled around. He could keep in time and he didn't hold her too tight or too loose. Everything was perfect.
He was painfully conscious of where his hand lay at the curve on the small of her back. Ron could smell her, she smelled like rain and smiles and sunflowers all rolled into one. He took a deep breath, reveling in her scent.
"How does it feel Weasel to finally have something Potter doesn't have?" Malfoy asked scathingly as he danced with a sixth-year Slytherin named Helga Princely.
Hermione willed Ron to not too violent.
Ron looked at Malfoy. He was ready to beat the scum's bloody arse but immediately thought better of it. He smiled bitterly. "Have a…night, Malfoy," he said. Malfoy's perfect brows rose with shock and he was rendered speechless but it didn't matter anyway because Ron directed he and Hermione away from the ferret.
Hermione beamed up at him. "That was wonderful Ron!" she exclaimed happily.
"Thanks," he muttered.
Hermione suddenly stopped. "Ron…are…are you hot? I think I'd like to go outside for a moment if you would," she suggested.
Ron's eyes widened and he nodded silently. They ignored the few catcalls that followed them as they went out into the gardens. The beauty of it all was ethereal and Ron's head was spinning from his rapid intake of oxygen.
Hermione led them to white balustrades and leaned her hip against them, looking up at Ron quietly. Music from inside drifted in the black night. A slight breeze ruffled her hair.
Is it a dream or is it real /
All I know is you make me feel so /
Beautiful (beautiful, beautiful) /
Her smile was lopsided. "Why are you looking at me like that Ron?" she whispered.
"Like what?"
She shrugged and suddenly became very interested in the paint of the rail. "I don't know…like that."
Beautiful (beautiful, beautiful) /
Beautiful (beautiful, beautiful) /
You make me feel so /
Beautiful (feel like I could fly) /
Beautiful (across the clear blue sky) /
Beautiful (baby I could cry) /
You make me feel so /
Beautiful
Ron took a deep breath and his sight focused on rustling rose bushes but they didn't matter anymore because he was out here with Hermione. "Hermione," he said her name slowly as if tasting it upon her lips for the first time. "Hermione, with everything that's-that has been happening lately, I jus-just thought…well…" His voice had gone dry and he could no longer speak with her looking up at him like that.
I love how soft you touch my skin /
Like you're touching the wings of a butterfly /
I wish we could lock ourselves away in a room /
Where there was no such thing as time /
Hermione's heart soared with his words and then nearly came crashing down when he stopped. From the looks of his red cheeks it looked as if he may never say the words she was hoping beyond all other hopes he would.
She took a deep breath and blundered blindly ahead. "Ron," she said his name more firmly than she meant to and he looked at her warily, as if he expected to get rebuked for something he was sure he didn't mean to do. "Ron," she repeated much softer this time. Gingerly she reached upward and touched his soft skin.
With a trembling voice she continued, "Sometimes Ron, the Muggle books are wrong: the hero doesn't always get the girl."
Her voice was so quiet Ron strained to hear and upon hearing her words a tremor ran through his heart. "What?" he asked although he was afraid she would laugh and tell him it was a terrible misunderstanding.
This time she looked up at him and locked her eyes to his.
I've never let anyone get this close /
I've always been afraid /
"The hero doesn't always get the girl. Sometimes the so-called sidekick does," she told him.
He grabbed her shoulders and hugged her tightly to his body upon comprehension of what she said. He was her so-called sidekick. Harry was the hero. She was the girl. She was the girl and he got her, not Harry.
But you break down every wall and yet I feel so safe /
Every part of who I am /
Is so in love 'cause what I have is /
Beautiful
Ron pushed her away gently and took her face in his hands, rubbing his thumbs gently over her face, sending sparks wherever they touched.
Hermione bit her lip tensely. He could not be so close to her and not want to kiss her. He just could not. The Muggle books may have been wrong about the hero getting the girl but they were never wrong about first kisses.
Beautiful (beautiful, beautiful) /
Beautiful (beautiful, beautiful) /
You make me feel so /
Beautiful (feel like I could fly) /
Beautiful (across the clear blue sky) /
Beautiful (baby I could cry) /
You make me feel so /
Beautiful
He lowered his mouth to hers and when they touched it was unlike any experience Hermione had ever been through. She had dreamed about this kiss for so long…she had allowed herself to start dreaming about it during Third Year although even when she was eleven sneaky little thoughts of kissing him would interrupt her dreams.
The sweetness, the utter sweetness and tenderness and ferocity evoked by this kiss was nothing like she heard a kiss was supposed to be like. It was so much more. She was kissing her best friend! Her best friend in the whole world!
Hermione vowed that she was going to keep Ron for forever now. There was no way another man could kiss her like this. Absolutely no way. And she didn't want anyone else to be kissing her like this.
Ron pulled away and in his slight sway and shaky breath Hermione could tell he was just as affected by the kiss as Hermione was.
With eyes focused only on the lady in red leaning against him his thumb stopped rubbing her cheek.
Beautiful (beautiful, beautiful) /
Beautiful (beautiful, beautiful) /
You make me feel so /
Beautiful (feel like I could fly) /
Beautiful (across the clear blue sky) /
Beautiful (baby I could cry) /
You make me feel so /
Beautiful
He leaned his forehead against hers, dropping his arms to her waist as she brought hers to encircle his neck and they swayed to the music from inside. "So beautiful," he murmured.
Well, what did you think? Oh, guys! I had so much fun writing this chapter! I had an absolute ball! I hope you loved it as much as I did/do! And don't worry there is more Autumn Ball (by the way, I called it the Autumn Ball because every other fanfic calls it the Halloween Ball and I am just sick of that…) to come! (There will be one more chapter dedicated to the actual ball…but hey! I had to give you guys [and myself] what we've all been waiting for!) Thank you so much for reading and please review!
*** As a side note, please pray/light a candle/meditate/whatever-it-is-you-do for the Allied forces in light of the war…and not only for the Allied soldiers but also the innocent Iraqi lives that will be lost. Remember, it is not Iraq we are against, but Saddam Hussein. I apologize if this request has offended you.
A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths is a statistic.
~ Former Soviet Leader Joseph Stalin
