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.

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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.

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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.


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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.


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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