Dance In Paradise
A short fic in reply to Lisa Oceans Potter's Dance Challenge!
Hope you enjoy it, look out for special comedy appearances from Fred & George, Crabbe & Goyle and many more...
Chapter 4.
Hermione trudged up the winding stair
case; the initial hype of their success was fading and her limbs were sore and
tired. Somebody from behind shouted her name, and she spun around stifling a
yawn.
"Hey Hermione!" Olivier puffed running up the stairs to meet her. Hermione
smiled at him raising her eyebrows at his flushed face.
"Hey, good show. Hmm?" She
said, "Where's the fan club?" She joked peering behind him. Oliver snorted and
wrinkled his nose at her.
"Shut it!" He huffed with a grin. "Uh, 'Mione I've got
some bad news." He added twisting his hands nervously. Hermione frowned
anxiously.
"What's up?"
"It's just I won't be able to go to tonight's ball with
you." Oliver said with an apologetic look. "My sister's had a little baby, so
my parents are collecting me to go and meet my nephew!" He explained not
concealing the excitement in his voice.
"Oh, that's okay!" Hermione replied giving him a hug.
"Have a good time."
"I'm really sorry." Oliver said. Hermione shook her
head.
"It is fine. Go be a good uncle." She said giving him a
final squeeze and watching him bound eagerly down the stairs dodging yet
another group of hysterical first years, who promptly swarmed Lee as he emerged
from the boys bathroom. Hermione turned and continued up the staircase.
------
There was an insistent prodding companied with a nagging
voice, and Hermione blearily woke up.
"Wha? Go away Harry." She moaned trying to pull her duvet over her
head in irritation. The cover was yanked away sharply and a loud voice
screeched.
"Harry?! Since when did he wake you up!"
Hermione sat up and glared at Lavender.
"Oops sorry." Lavender giggled sheepishly. "It's time to get ready for the
ball though, I had to come and wake you. You said me
and Gin could get ready with you and use the bathroom remember?"
Hermione groaned and flopped back onto her pillows.
"I'm tired. And in pain." She
complained sleepily.
"I know. Drink this." Lavender said pushing a small cup
into Hermione's hands. Hermione gulped the pale yellow liquid which was syrupy
and tasted of honey. It instantly revived her and made her feel positively
beaming and full of life. She stared at the empty glass in amazement.
"What the hell was that?" She exclaimed. Lavender
smirked.
"It's stuff which Quidditch players drink when they've
done too much practise and their muscles are aching. I got it off Harry."
"Oh." Hermione said feeling a pang of sadness as she
remembered the current situation between her and her best friend. Lavender
cocked her head and eyed Hermione,
"What's up with you two? Did you have an argument?" She
asked. Hermione bit her lip,
"Uh, kind of. I don't really want to talk about." She
replied with a shrug. Lavender studied her for a minute then nodded in
agreement. Hermione shook her head getting used to the perky mood she was in
and hopped out of bed.
"Let's get going then. Where's Gin?" She asked. At that
moment a head of wet red curls popped out of the bathroom.
"Here!" Ginny chirped with a grin as she emerged from
the bathroom wrapped in a towel. She shook her head and released a shower of
perfumed droplets into the room. "Shower's free 'Mione.
You go. Lavender's had hers and she can do my hair whilst you're in there."
"Alright." Hermione said
grabbing a robe and shutting the door behind her. She shed her pyjamas and
stepped under the jet of water, quickly shampooing her hair she scrubbed
herself down and got out. Perching on the edge of the bath she slavered herself
with a sweet scented body lotion, that made her skin silkily smooth. Wrapping
herself in her huge, fluffy towelling robe she entered her room. Blasted by a
concoction of hairspray and a mixture of remnants of different beautifying
charms, Hermione headed towards her wardrobe. Inside hung
her, Ginny and Lavender's dresses for the ball. Dumbledore had chosen a
Muggle theme of formal dress, so the males were wearing tuxedos and girls had
all purchased gowns. Hermione had been itching to wear hers since she had
arrived at Hogwarts; she grinned at it, winking enticingly at her in its
plastic wrapping and shut the door. Her eyes turned to Ginny who was perched in
front of her wall, which she noticed had been transfigured into a huge floor
length mirror. Her wild ringlets were scooped back away from her face, save a
few which sprung free and fell across her forehead. Ginny grinned widely.
"Isn't Lavender great at hair?" She said, "You're turn
'Mione, then we get changed!" She exclaimed bouncing a little on the stool
before jumping off to allow Hermione to sit down. Lavender chewed her cheek in
thought, her eyes set on Hermione hair. After a while she gave a decisive hum
and muttered a spell pointing her wand at Hermione's head. Hermione felt her
hair appear to become heavier, and watched in the mirror as the wet waves
tightened into loose curls and became brilliantly glossy,
the deep chestnut hue of her hair deepened and sparkled. She smiled, giving her
head an experimental toss; the long curls swayed catching the light prettily.
Hermione nodded.
"I love it! Thank you." She said grinning at Lavender. Lavender
shrugged and directed her wand at herself. She mumbled a few spells watching
her hair critically in the mirror as it changed from elaborate up do's to
ringlets, finally she settled on her natural long sheet of blonde, it shimmered
magically and the strands glistened as if they were spun gold.
"Okay. Dresses!" Ginny yelped
hopping off the bed and running to the cupboard, she carefully distributed the
correct plastic cases to each girl then charged into the bathroom carrying
hers. Minutes later a loud cough signalled her entrance. She snickered
playfully and sidled seductively around the door in her dress. It was a floor
length gown of gold, which clung to her curves and fell to the floor in reams
of smooth satin like fabric. The colour complimented her skin tone and hair
perfectly.
"You look gorgeous!" Lavender exclaimed
enviously. Ginny did a little shimmy.
"Thanks! Now get in there lady!" She said propelling
Lavender towards the bathroom clutching her bag. The door slammed shut and
moments later Lavender appeared clad in her midnight blue dress. It had thin
spaghetti straps and a long flowing train Lavender's hair fell down her back in
a long golden stream. She smiled and twirled in front of the girls who whooped
enthusiastically.
"That colour is fantastic! It makes your eyes zing!"
Hermione said, studying how bright the sapphire pupils of her friend looked.
Lavender smiled.
"Now you, go on Hermione." She urged. Hermione didn't
need asking twice, she leapt up the plastic packaging rustling invitingly and
sped into the bathroom. She threw off her robe and stepped into the dress. It
had a corset top which clung tightly to her upper body and waist before
smoothly flaring into a full skirt, which trailed lightly across the floor.
Hermione glanced in the mirror and grinned. She loved the dress; it was a
shimmering greeny-peacock blue, in yards and yards of
pure, stiff, spun silk. She was about to leave when the adjoining door creaked
open and Harry was silhouetted in the doorway. His mouth dropped open as he
took her in. The way the dress hugged her waist before flowing off her hips,
the way her hair cascaded in a waterfall of shimmering curls over her bare
shoulders, the large expanse of creamy skin which was revealed above the
corset. He swallowed, speechless. Hermione took his silence as a sign he was
still furious about the nature of the dance and the previous fight, she winced
as he began to speak.
"You…" Harry said his eyes sweeping up her body to meet
hers. Hermione flinched and looked away, not wanting to hear what disdainful
things he thought of her after the dancing, she spun and plunged through the
doors into her room, slamming it shut behind her.
"Wow!" Ginny breathed appreciatively.
"'Mione you look stunning!" Lavender gushed smiling at
her friend. Hermione swallowed hard and hitched up a dazzling smile.
"Thank you guys. C'mon lets go I can't wait." She said rushing towards the
door. Ginny and Lavender sped after her and the trio, each clutching handfuls
of skirt fabric, hurried down the staircase towards the common room.
-----
Hermione, Ginny and Lavender had just finished
re-enacting some of their tamer dance moves for an appreciative crowd, gyrating
against each other in the centre of the dance floor to a thumping bass track. A
slower song had struck up and the throng had dispersed into couples, swaying in
time to the music. Lavender had been snatched by Ron, and Ginny had been swept
off by Blaise. Hermione lingered awkwardly for a second before being captured
by Fred; he spun her round at dizzying speeds before passing her onto his twin.
George cut paths through the couples, practically carrying Hermione through the
dances moves before eventually letting her go. Instantly, Neville Longbottom asked her to dance, and before she knew it she
was mingled among the moving couples. She had barely settled into the slightly
jerky dance when someone tapped on the Neville's shoulder.
"Can I cut in?" Harry asked, more to Hermione than him.
Neville shrugged and looked at Hermione. She nodded resignedly.
"Thanks for the dance Neville." She said with a wan
smile, as she felt Harry's step into his position. Harry's hand barely grazed
her back and their hands were hardly touching as they moved together. Hermione
glanced up and noticed Harry's emerald eyes were fixed upon her, she swallowed
hard, determined not to cry. She couldn't show him how much their petty
argument had got to her
"Don't you want to know where Oliver is?" She said
quietly, immediately regretting it. Her eyes snapped up to his quick enough to
witness the flashing wounded look speed across his face.
"I didn't come here to speak to you about Oliver." Harry
said a bite of indignation in his voice. Hermione hung her head slightly, and
an uncomfortable silence arose between them, she looked over his shoulder at
the endless couples that were spinning across the floor of the Great Hall, the
conventional black tuxes each united with a splash of colour. Finally she
spoke.
"I'm sorry Harry. I shouldn't have shouted at you that
night." She said softly her eyes returning to his face.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have got into that argument. It
wasn't my place." He replied. No, Hermione thought bitterly but what
if I want it to be your place? Harry's lips twitched into a small smile,
"So are we okay?" He asked quietly. Hermione forced down
her disappointment and strained a smile.
"We're okay." She replied, the smile becoming more
genuine as she felt Harry relax and his arms wrap tightly around her, and rest
his chin on her head.
-------
Ginny and Blaise had been dancing for a long time before
Ginny rose her head from his shoulder and took a glance across the sea of
tuxedos. She jolted as her gaze came into direct contact with Draco Malfoy, his
steely eyes boring into hers. Blaise drew back from her suddenly stiff body, a
look of slight alarm on his face.
"Are you okay Gin?" He asked her. Ginny gulped and tore
her eyes away from Draco.
"Yeah! Yeah… I'm having a great time." She
replied smiling at him, she moved back into his arms and positioned her head so
she could monitor the dance floor over his shoulder. After a few frustrated
moments she managed to relocate Draco. He was dancing with a stunning girl with
dark hair dressed in a scarlet dress, his eyes met hers again and he smirked
and began to move towards her and Blaise. Ginny frowned slightly and snuggled
even closer into Blaise's embrace her eyes flashing at Draco who was mere feet
away from her now. Draco twirled the girl round and came into speaking distance
with Blaise.
"Blaise." He greeted his friend with a nod. "You know Jet…" He trailed
off, watching in obvious glee as Blaise noticed his dancing partner. Blaise's
mouth dropped open.
"Yeah, hi Jet." He mumbled with a grin. "Uh, Gin. You
want to swap partners for a while?" He asked turning to Ginny, a pleading look
in his eyes. Ginny shrugged.
"Okay..." She replied letting Blaise detach himself and
pass her into Draco's waiting arms. She didn't look at Draco for a few minutes,
she watched Blaise move away with the pretty dark haired girl. Suddenly she
felt Draco pull her body tight against his and his mouth was at her ear.
"Forgive me?" He whispered. Ginny couldn't help but
smile, he hadn't apologized as such, but it was more than she'd hoped for. She
drew back slightly and looked him in the eye.
"That depends." She said her eyebrow arched, she was
trying hard to look nonchalant, and it was hard to not swoon with him looking
as gorgeous as he did. The tux was perfect on him, the stark black and white
accentuated his icy eyes and he had let his blonde hair hang loose, just how
she loved it.
"On?" He questioned his fingers lacing through the
straps that crisscrossed her back, and delicately stroking her skin.
"On the question that started this
whole argument." She said fixing him with
a piercing stare. Draco didn't answer for a minute and Ginny felt the beginning
flutterings of doubt, before he swooped down and
captured her lips with his. One of his hands was splayed across her back, the
other clasping her hand softly; his lips parted slightly, the kiss deepening.
He drew back,
"Does that answer the question?" He asked quietly. Ginny
smiled and nodded, feeling him pull her roughly into his strong embrace. She
felt him plant a soft, sweet, totally un-characteristic kiss in the curls just
behind her ear. Her eyes rose and she saw Ron through the crowd staring blankly
at her. Ginny stiffened, and Draco released her, and turned, retaining her hand
in his to face what she was. Ron's eyes blazed for what seemed like an age. But
they couldn't seem to melt Draco's cool and defiant stare. Eventually Ron
relented and a tiny inclination of his head was all Ginny needed, she tugged
Draco back to her, and pulled his face to hers.
------
Harry and Hermione had been twirling across the dance
floor for what seemed like ages. As Hermione stared out across the hall, Harry
looked down on her, he grinned relishing the way she fitted perfectly into his
arms. He loved the silkiness of her hair, it begged him to stoke it, and with
her being so innocently in his arms, her hair cascading down her back, a mere
hand movement satisfied his craving. Hermione's feet were beginning to rub a
little, she had chosen some raw silk sandals to match her dress, but they were
painful for this continuous dancing, she cursed herself for not thinking to
bewitch them to be comfy. She tilted her head to Harry's.
"You want to have a rest?" She asked. Harry nodded.
"Yeah, I'm kind of hot." He said, releasing her but
gently picking up her hand as they crossed towards the edge of the hall.
"Do you want a drink?" Harry asked Hermione.
"No, I'm okay. Do you want to take a walk?" She asked
glancing to the doors, Harry nodded again and they left the hall, and walked
down the wide stone steps out into the dark grounds. They wandered in silence
for a few minutes until they reached a secluded, moss covered bench. Hermione
grinned nostalgically at it and sunk onto the seat. Harry sat next to her.
"We haven't been here in a while." He pointed out with a
grin.
"Hmm, not since you broke up with Heather. And I
consoled you." Hermione replied with a nudge. Harry frowned,
"I seem to remember the time before was your break up
with Justin. And I consoled you." He retorted,
Hermione chuckled.
"What are friends for?" She quipped lightly, turning her
face to Harry's. Harry swallowed, his mind had stopped functioning. There was
something about her. He knew no one else could ever have. She glowed, maybe the
moonlight on her skin was helping but there was something within her. His eyes
locked with hers, and Harry felt a surge of emotion as he witnessed the black
pools within the liquid coffee dilate to huge proportions. His gaze tore away
from the mesmerising stare and dropped to her lips. They were full and a
natural rose hue, he saw the corner twitch as Hermione bit her lip slightly.
Giving in to what he had wanted to do all night Harry leant in, and kissed her.
It was amazing; it came from the fact that through everything they had shared
as best friends, the jokes, the hugs, and even the meaningful looks, this had
been off bounds. But the feelings it was conjuring, it couldn't be wrong.
Hermione felt Harry's tongue lightly sweep across her bottom lip, and her mouth
parted voluntarily deepening the kiss. When they finally broke apart, the
couple stared at each other in silence for a few moments. Finally Hermione
smiled slightly.
"Well, we've never done that before." She admitted with
a sly look. Harry grinned.
"No. But I have wanted to for a long time."
"Me too." She agreed her eyes
dancing over his face taking in the familiar features, the tousled raven hair,
the sparkling bottle green eyes which both appeared to have taken on a new
quality after the previous event. They fell into silence again, until Harry
spoke.
"Why have we been holding back?" He asked quietly.
Hermione shrugged slightly and considered a moment.
"I guess I was scared. Scared of losing what we had.
Have." She said, "I mean we had the closeness, but everything was kept light,
unserious just to be safe. It was just a
rule,"
"Yeah. I know what you mean." Harry said, remembering
the electric feelings that had continually jolted between them during a play
fight, or a reassuring embrace. They had ignored them, dismissed them just to
be careful and cautious to retain their bond. It was clear to both of them now
though, that nothing could severe it, and this taboo kiss had
don't nothing to weaken the bond; it had simply added another intense element
to their relationship. Harry turned back to Hermione, his hand reaching over
the mossy wood and capturing hers.
"I'm tired of being safe." He said quietly, bringing her
hand to his lips. Hermione's eyes glittered; a mischievous smile curved her
lips.
"Me too, where's the harm in a
little danger?" She said softly.
"Plus we've broken the rule now, so it can't get broken
again." Harry teasing her lightly about her penchant for
following rules religously, his hand travelling
around her neck and his fingers lacing through the curls.
"That's true." Hermione granted,
closing her eyes as their lips met again.
The End
