The Great Hall was simply majestic. Decorations in hues of black and orange were everywhere, accenting the well-dressed students that milled about the food tables or swayed to the melodies produced by this year's band, Clarissa Clarock and the Rotten Pumpkins.
Ron was happy. Happier, he believed, than he'd ever been before. Even as he marveled at the Great Hall's transformation, his eyes kept returning across the room to the most beautiful girl in the room, who, luckily for him, just happened to be his date.
Hermione was wearing sky blue robes, a nice complement to his own dark blue robes with light trim. Her hair was straightened again, and looked fabulous, but Ron was just as happy when it was all puffed out around her head. She was talking animatedly to Ginny, while he and Harry got their drinks.
"Hey, Ron." Harry's voice interrupted his gaze.
Ron glanced up and noticed the drinks he was holding.
"All set then?"
Harry nodded, and the two of them made their way across the floor, trying not be jostled lest they spill the drinks in their hands.
"Er, Harry, Ron?"
Ron came to a sudden halt. Draco Malfoy stood before him, in ornate and expensive robes, with a most peculiar expression. Nervousness?
"Yeah?" Ron's reply was short and rough.
Draco looked around for a moment, then managed to look Ron in the eyes.
"I just wanted, to well, thank you…I guess."
Ron's brow furrowed. "For what?"
"Well, for…uhh…beating some sense into me, I suppose."
There was a moment of silence, and Harry tensed, not sure of Ron's response.
Then Ron let out a loud guffaw. Putting his drinks down on a nearby table, he slapped Draco on the back heartily.
"Sure thing, mate, anytime!"
Draco's nervous face vanished, replaced by a small smile.
Ron checked to make sure no one was listening to their conversation, and murmured, "So Draco, Hermione told me, well, everything. I just wanted to let you know that, if you're serious about not going home, well, you're welcome at my house. It's nothing like you're used to, I'm sure, but there's always room for one more."
Draco looked astonished, which was just how Harry felt.
"You serious?" he managed.
Ron shrugged, a bit bashfully. "Well, I haven't owled my Mum yet, but I'm sure she won't mind. Harry won't be there til August, and neither will Hermione. My brother's fiancé, uh, you remember Fleur Delacour? She and her little sister will be there in July, so that'll be good. More people to talk to. One thing about the Burrow, there's always something to do."
"But," Draco sputtered, "Don't you think I could be a …spy or something?"
Ron shrugged again. "Maybe. Maybe not. Hermione trusts you though, and she says she knows you're not really like your father. I figure, why push someone to that side when you can introduce them to yours? You've gotta make your own choice, but it can't hurt to see all your options. Have a place you can choose to be, instead of a place where you don't have choice at all."
Ron noticed Hermione and Ginny staring at them.
Grabbing the drinks, Ron said, "Think about it and let me know if you want me to owl my Mum that you're coming. You can join us right off the train. And don't worry about your Dad, mine will take care of him, all right. See you later."
And with that, Ron said goodbye and moved back over to their table. Harry followed, quite dumbfounded.
Ron sat down, and handed Hermione her drink.
Narrowing her eyes at him, she asked, "What was that all about?"
"That's what I'd like to know," muttered Harry.
Ron stabbed at his pumpkin tart, then consumed a large bite.
Through his food, he said, "Nothing. Just told him he had a place to stay if he wanted."
Hermione's eyes widened, then suddenly filled with tears. "Oh, Ron! You're so…wonderful!"
And she kissed him full on the lips, not minding that his mouth was still half full of pumpkin.
"Yeah," Ginny muttered darkly. "Wonderful. Draco Malfoy will be in my house, where I sometimes walk around in nothing but a towel. Fantastic. Bloody outstanding."
Harry started. "I've never seen you there in a towel. I reckon I'd remember."
Ginny smiled in spite of herself. "Well, you obviously weren't looking when you should've been."
Harry bent down a little closer to her. "So, is this behavior going to continue in August?"
Ginny giggled, but before she could reply, Ron interrupted. He had stopped kissing Hermione and was glaring at them.
"Hello? I'm right bloody here! Don't say stuff like that in front of me!"
"Fine, Ginny retorted. "I'll say it to Harry on the dance floor. C'mon."
Harry followed her like an obedient little puppy.
Ron meant to snort in disgust, but his attention was captivatated by Hermione, who was looking at him like he was the most wonderful thing in the world.
"Do you know something?" she asked.
"What's that?"
"I really, really love you, Ron."
Unexpectedly, Ron felt tears pricking in his eyes.
Hoarsely, he replied, "And I love you, Hermione. I really, really do."
She smiled a secret sort of smile. " You have pumpkin on your face, did you know? Just there."
Ron laughed loudly. "God, you were such a little ….know it all."
"Don't knock it, Ron, I know it turns you on."
He grinned at her. "You're absolutely right. Dance?"
She nodded happily, and they moved to the dance floor and began to glide along together.
Hermione nestled her head against Ron's shoulder.
"Where do you think we'll be in ten years?"
Ron thought hard. "Well, Harry and I will be best Aurors the ministry has ever seen, Ginny will be a Charms teacher right here, and you….you will be the first muggle born Minister of Magic."
Hermione laughed. "I rather think that's Percy's job."
Ron considered. "You might be right. Maybe you'll take over for Madam Pince."
"Why can't I be an Auror?"
"Because I can't stand the thought of you in danger."
"But if you're going and Harry's going, then so am I. Not that I care because I'll do what I want anyway, but if it makes you feel better, just think of it as us all looking out for each other so none of us is in danger."
Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm not that thick."
Hermione smiled. "I might not even do it, but I like to think that all my options are open, and I don't fancy you trying to shut me out because you're worried. How do you think I'd feel, you and Harry going out to battle who knows what, and me at home alone? I mean, I'm sure I'd quit once we started a family, but I would like a bit of a career first."
Ron sat up so fast he spilled some of his punch.
"Whoa, back up there. Did you say a family?"
Hermione's eyes widened as she realized what she'd said. She firmed her lips and straightened her shoulders before nodding. "Yes, I did, Ron."
Ron gaped at her. "You want- a family? With me?"
Hermione huffed impatiently. "Well of course! Did you think I was just going to have my fun and move on to some other bloke? I told you I love you, Ron."
"I know, Mione." Ron's voice was much more soft and tender.
"I guess I just never thought that you would think so far ahead, although, seeing how it's you, I should've expected."
"Ha ha," Hermione muttered sarcastically.
"No, Hermione, you're taking it all wrong. I'm….honored that you've…thought..about us like that. I've been too scared to hope for a date, much less a whole life together."
"Does that sound…okay to you? A future together?" Hermione bit her lip, nervously awaiting his answer.
"It's the only future I want." He leaned forward and softly touched his lips to hers.
And for a long while, they danced, visions of their life together playing about their minds.
Epilogue to follow: The Summer After – Hermione, Harry, Draco, the Weasley clan and the Delacours are all at the Burrow…..hmmm, what could happen?