Disclaimer: Credit goes to JK Rowling...(and a few other companies, people, etc. who probably own a little bit of The Boy Who Lived...)

A/N: This was my first fanfic EVER. I wrote this about two years ago, WAAAAY before OOTP, so there are a lot of things that won't fit in with canon. My writing was horrible, and I switched back and forth between plot lines...but I still think this is a pretty darn good story. However, it is the only thing I have EVER completed in all the fanfics I've ever tried to write...so I thought I'd just post it online...It is a love triangle sort of thing...Hermione likes Harry, Ron, and there's some Draco in there too...so if you don't like this...then don't read it... Well, enjoy my REALLY old fanfic...

Chapter Eight - Their Dance

"Hey Ron!" Hermione said, happily, sitting back down in her chair at their table; Ron didn't respond. "O...K...well, have you seen Harry?" She asked, trying to get Ron to talk...he didn't. "Well...are you having fun?" No response..."Ron?"

"What do you want?" He snapped, not looking up from his shoes. Hermione didn't say anything. A few seconds later, the song that was playing stopped, and the Weird Sister's began to sing a slower song. Hermione just looked at Ron, though he didn't look at her.

"Would you like to dance?" She asked quietly.

"No."

"Alright..." Hermione got up. "Want some punch?"

"No."

"Ok, well I'm getting some for myself, I'd be glad to get you some." Hermione said, irritated.

"I said no."

"Ok, I'll be back in a few." She left and as she was walking away she bumped into Harry and Ginny. "Oh, hey you guys! Having fun?"

"Loads!" Ginny replied with a big grin.

Ginny and Harry walked over to the table where Ron was sitting alone.

"Howdy!" Ginny said in her bubbly, but annoying voice. Harry and Ginny sat down on either side of Ron.

"Harry, I have to tell you something..." Ron whispered. "In private..." He added, looking over at Ginny.

"Ugh, fine, whatever! I can take a hint!" Ginny got up and left, but not without hugging Harry first...

"Yeah, what is it?" Harry asked impatiently after Ginny was out of earshot.

"Well...it's about Hermione..." Ron began, trying to find his voice.

"Uh huh..." Harry replied.

"Well...she...uh...well...er...um..." Ron didn't know where to start.

"Just tell me!" Harry blurted.

Ron sighed heavily, "she kis---" he got interrupted when Hermione returned with her punch. Ron went back to sulking and stared at his feet.

"Hey Harry!" Hermione said cheerfully. Harry just smiled.

The three of them sat down at the table, all alone, but not saying a single word to each other. It was an awkward silence. Hermione wanted to tell them about her kiss...but she decided against it. Ron wanted to tell Harry and seeing Hermione and Malfoy kiss, but he just couldn't bring himself to say the words; especially in front of Hermione. And Harry was just being the normal guy, lost and confused, not having a clue what's going on.

Ginny was a lifesaver and came back and got Harry to go dancing again. Then it was only Ron and Hermione at the table.

"So you like him do you?" Ron blurted, looking Hermione in the eye for the first time.

"Who?" Hermione responded.

"You know who."

"No I don't know, actually."

"Don't lie."

"Ron? Who?!" Hermione really didn't know who he was talking about.

"Him! You kissed him!" Ron said sourly. Hermione just sat back in her chair, now knowing who he was talking about.

"You...you...you saw?" She stuttered.

"Yes I saw!" Ron yelled.

"Were you spying on me? Did you follow me?"

"No" Ron said quickly, "But...but...but...you kissed him, Hermione!"

Hermione put her finger to her lips. "Shh, Ron! No need to yell!"

"Sure there is a need!" Ron shouted even louder. People were turning to look at them.

"Hush!" Hermione was turning very red.

"Don't hush me!" Ron spat.

"Ron, please, I don't like him!"

"Oh right, so, you sneak off with Malfoy, then go to the Ball with him, and then you kiss him! And no, you don't like him. Gosh, you are such a horrible liar, 'Mione. Just horrible." Ron sulked.

Hermione started to tear up. "You don't understand! I..I..."

"I completely understand!" Ron interrupted.

Hermione just broke down and began crying. Ron just sat there looking at her, and then realized that about twenty people around them were staring at him. He started to feel horrible.

"It's alright, Herm," he patted her back. "Ok, I'm willing to listen...tell me everything."

Hermione looked up and scooted her chair closer to him. "Oh Ron..." she sniffled. She went on to explain how she thought Draco had changed as was being sweet, she told him about the kiss, and then what happened afterwards.

"That slimy git! He kissed you then called you a Mudblood for not going out with him?" Ron asked, disbelieving. Hermione just nodded her head and started to tear up again. "Oh, 'Mione...I'm so sorry. You don't deserve to be treated that way..." He hugged her, and Hermione hugged back as tight as she could.

Then came on another slow song. Ron and Hermione pulled out of their embrace and looked each other in the eye.

"Care to dance?" Ron asked.

"I'd love to." Hermione smiled.

Ron stood up and pulled Hermione's chair out form under the table. He grabbed her hand and helped her up. When she was standing up, he let go of her hand, but Hermione grabbed his hand harder, forcing him to keep holding her hand. When they got to the dance floor, Ron turned nervously to Hermione.

"Um, Hermione?" He stuttered.

"Hmm...?"

"I..I don't know how to dance." Ron turned bright red, thinking Hermione would laugh at him.

Hermione just smiled. "It's alright, here, let me lead, ok?" Hermione took Ron's right hand and put it on her waist. She put her left hand on his shoulder and then took her free hand and grabbed Ron's other hand. "Is this ok?" She asked. Ron just nodded his head and smiled.

"Um, can we dance a little...closer?" Ron asked politely. Hermione moved up closer to him. "Um...closer?" Ron turned bright red, and looked over at his side. He felt Hermione move up so close to him, it was almost like a hug. But Ron was still embarrassed so he kept looking over to the side. Hermione let go of his hand, and tilted his head so he would look at her.

"There, that's better...don't you think?" Hermione whispered.

"Yes...much...much...better..." Ron replied.

And there Hermione and Ron danced, staring into each other's eyes, not caring about who or what was around them. It was as if they were the only ones on the dance floor.

"I have to tell you something." Ron said suddenly.

"I have to tell you something." Hermione said at the same time.

"Oh...you go first." Hermione giggled.

"No...ladies first." Ron grinned.

"Ok, well, the reason why I said no to Malfoy when he asked me out was because I like somebody else." Hermione began.

"Oh..." Ron said, looking down at his feet. He knew she was talking about Harry...

"Well..." Hermione sighed. "uh...um...oh...you go first, Ron."

"Well, I wanted to tell you that I...I..." Ron faltered.

"Yes?" Hermione said, tilting his chin yet again to look at her.

"I love---"

Just then Ginny walked up and poked Ron in the back. "Hey! I see you two are having fun!"

"Oh hey Ginny!" Hermione said, letting go of Ron and talking to Ginny.

"I need to tell you something, Hermione, in private." Ginny whispered and lead Hermione away.

"I...I love you..." Ron said to Hermione's back as she walked off.

"You love that Mudblood?" Came a cold and cruel voice from behind Ron...It was Malfoy.

Ron turned around to see who was talking to him. "Shove off, Malfoy." He blurted...his hands clutching into fists.

"Oh yeah, Weasley?" Malfoy sneered.

"Yeah!" Ron pounded his fists together. Malfoy just stood there laughing.

"You think you can beat me?" He sneered and Ron just stared at Malfoy, fuming with rage. Malfoy made a grab for Ron and punched him hard in the nose.

Ron grabbed his bleeding face. "You'll pay for that one!" Ron grabbed Malfoy's hair and attempted to take a handful out of his head. Malfoy kicked Ron in the shins and made a grab for his wand; but Ron was faster...soon Malfoy found himself under the jelly legs curse.

"Weasley!" Malfoy yelled when Ron just sat there laughing at Malfoy, twirling his wand between his fingers. While Ron was too busy laughing, he didn't notice that Malfoy had grabbed his own wand and performed the counter curse. Before Ron knew it, his own wand had been yanked out of his hand and he had Malfoy grabbing him by the throat.

"Now, you see here, Weasley...you'll pay for this petty little fight. You and your little Mudblood friend will pay dearly for your little escapades tonight. I hope you're happy." Malfoy growled, holding Ron up against a wall where his toes did not stroke the floor. Malfoy took one hand off of Ron's neck and grabbed his wand and pointed it at Ron.

"I need no mistakes from you, do you got that? I've got some plans now and I don't need them to get ruined by a disgrace to the Wizarding world and his Mudblood friend. Got that?" Malfoy taunted, jabbing his wand into Ron's chest. Ron slowly nodded his head and Malfoy let go of Ron's neck. Ron fell to the ground and grabbed his neck where Malfoy had been holding it. Malfoy kicked Ron in the side and threw Ron's wand at him.

"Now get!" Malfoy yelled. Ron grabbed his wand and stood up.

"Shove it up your ass!" Ron yelled and ran off to the Gryffindor Common Room.

........

A/N: Please Review!