Disclaimer: I don't own the song 'The Dance,' it belongs to Garth Brooks.
Chapter 12
The Dance
This chapter is for choc_syrup, who gave me the idea for Hermione and Sirius to have dinner by the lake.
"I need to do something special for her," Sirius told Remus, James, and Peter. They knew who 'she' was. The four were in the common room, after dinner. Hermione and Lily were off somewhere, presumably talking about them.
"I don't want to have to make her dinner," Sirius said. "No sense in her running off in horror."
Sirius swallowed hard. "I, er, I lost a bet with her."
"What kind of bet?" Peter asked.
"We were racing and I lost," Sirius admitted. He glared at them so hard that none of them dared laugh. "Anyway," he said, clapping his hands together, "I need ideas, men."
"Candy?" Peter asked.
"This is too big for candy," Sirius informed him. "I need her to know how I feel about her."
"Flowers?" Remus asked.
Again Sirius shook his head. "Flowers are for when she asks if she's fat and you say 'A little.'"
James look at him in disbelief. "You did that to a girl once?" he asked.
"Hey, I gave her flowers, didn't I?" Sirius shot back.
The four sat in silence for a full ten minutes until James snapped his fingers triumphantly. "I've got it," he cried.
Sirius practically pounced on him. "What? What is it?"
"When Lily and I go out I have the house elves make the food and tell Lily I made it. Works every time. All you gotta do is fix it with the house elves."
Sirius nodded. "Good idea. What else?"
Peter spoke up, "Have music."
Sirius nodded. "Good, good. Great ideas."
"Anything for our little Sirius," James said, smirking.
Just then Hermione and Lily entered the common room. The Marauders immediately regained composure; James ran his hand through his untidy hair, Remus and Peter sat up straighter, and Sirius immediately put his plans away.
"Hi," Lily said, and headed straight for James, who gave her a warm hug.
Hermione hung back a little. She didn't feel very comfortable with the Marauders yet. Sirius, sensing this, pulled her toward him and she leaned against him. It was perfectly natural to them. The others noticed their closeness.
"You can have anything you want," Hermione said, half-joking, half-serious.
Sirius grinned widely. "Later." He led her away from the group, toward a sofa. He sat down and she sat next to him, putting her arm around him. "Hello," she said heavily.
He responded with a quick but deep kiss. "Hi," he answered, smiling a little.
"I've decided to make you dinner," he said, leaning back on the couch. She leaned on his chest and smiled. "Oh?"
"Yeah. I'm gonna show you my culinary skills."
"I wasn't aware you had any," she said jokingly.
"Cheap shot."
"Sorry. So when am I going to get to see what you have to offer?" she asked, her grip tightening around his neck.
"How does midnight on top of the Astronomy tower sound?" he asked quietly. Then he slapped his head playfully. "Oh, you mean dinner!"
Hermione laughed.
"Seven o'clock, near the lake," he told her. "Be there."
"I will," she promised.
On the other side of the common room Jennifer Clearwater watched them with growing envy. She had been Sirius' number one girl, before this Hermione had shown up. She had always been the one Sirius came to when he needed. . .Jennifer turned her back on the pair, but knew she would have to tell Hermione what a git Sirius was when it came to girls.
They talked for a little bit more, then Lily called, "Hermione!"
Hermione looked up and broke her gaze with Sirius. She peeked over the back of the couch. "Yes?"
"Could I have a word?"
Hermione nodded. She and Sirius disentangled themselves.
Lily led Hermione up to the dormitory.
"Amy! Livvie!"
Two seventh-year girls answered Lily's call.
"Lily, what is this all about?" Hermione asked.
"Hermione, you're going to have a big dinner with Sirius. James said so. Of course we need to have you looking pretty. Amy will do makeup, Livvie will do hair–" Both girls nodded–"And I'll take care of everything else," Lily finished.
Hermione giggled. "You'd do that for me, Lily?" she asked.
"Of course. Ladies–" she motioned to Livvie, Amy, and Hermione "let's make her irresistible."
***
"The first order of business is the outfit," Lily said. "The outfit sets the tone for the entire evening."
Livvie and Amy put Hermione's only dress on the bed. "That's for the Autumn Ball," Hermione told them.
Livvie considered the dress. "And it's too formal for tonight," she decided. "We need something, oh, more innocent-looking."
"Something white would look good. Make Sirius go mad. White's a very innocent-looking color," Amy put in.
"I don't have any white dresses. Er, the train lost my luggage," she told them.
"I thought it was stolen?" Lily asked.
Hermione kicked herself for not remembering her story. "It was. That's what I meant," she said quickly.
Lily was deep in thought for a few moments. Then she snapped her fingers triumphantly. "I've got it!" she ran to her trunk and produced a white silk dress.
"Oh, Lily, it's beautiful," Hermione cried. "Can I really borrow it?"
"Of course," Lily said sincerely. "I want Sirius to be dazzled, and so do you."
Hermione gave Lily a quick hug before slipping into the dress.
Quickly and expertly Livvie did Hermione's hair. She left it flowing but with a slight wave.
Then Hermione went off to Amy, who applied subtle hints of eyeshadow, "to give your eyes depth," she said.
Hermione was ready. Her hair was shiny and flowing, her dress fit perfectly, and her makeup looked professional. She was the epitome of beauty.
Lily looked as if she could pat herself on the back. "Good job, girls," she said. Hermione thanked Livvie and Amy profusely before they took their leave.
"It'll be cold tonight," Lily said.
"Oh, my cloak is in my trunk," Hermione said. "I'll go and get it. Lily.....I am so excited." Hermione ran to her trunk and grabbed her cloak. Something fell out of the pocket.
It was a picture of herself and Ron.
***
Sirius clapped his hands together. "You have all that?" he asked the house-elf. "Treacle tarts, pumpkin pasties, pumpkin juice, steak and kidney pie?"
The house elf nodded dutifully. "Yes, Sirius."
"Good. By seven o'clock, if you please."
The elf nodded firmly. "I promise."
"All right, then. Thank you." Sirius turned oh his heel and went back to his dormitory to change.
***
Of all nights to find a picture of herself and Ron. It was dated in their sixth year, when they had begun to date. It was Ron who had given Hermione her first kiss, Ron who was her best friend and boyfriend, Ron whom she was supposed to be in love with.
How could she betray him like this? Snogging other boys and going on dates with them? Especially when they turned out to be twenty years older than she.
Hermione knew what Sirius' feelings were. She thought she'd known her feelings too. When she was with Sirius her heart burned with longing. He brought out the playful side of her, as well as a flirtatious side of her. No one else had drawn out these qualities in her. No one else had put his feelings out on the table so clearly like Sirius had in the Room of Requirement. Ron had danced around his feelings for her for six years. Sirius had decided he wanted her and went after her.
So why did she feel so guilty? Was it because she was ready to throw everything out the window and be with Sirius? Was it because she rather missed Ron and Harry and Ginny and Hogwarts and her family? She didn't know. Every day it seemed as if she lost some of her present self and became a girl of 1975. She tried to think of Ron, but found he was slowly slipping away, like time.
"Hermione!" Lily called.
Hermione was feeling so guilty. I can't go now. I am too confused.
She would have to, or Sirius would be suspicious. Wiping away tears she hadn't known she had, Hermione went back to Lily.
***
After Lily had wished her luck Hermione walked reluctantly down the stairs and met James, who told her Sirius would meet her at the lake.
Hermione left Gryffindor tower and immediately ran into a girl she didn't know. "Sorry," Hermione murmured. She turned to leave, but the girl grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"I am Jennifer," the girl said coolly. "And I want to tell you what kind of person Sirius really is."
***
When Lily walked down to the common room she saw Sirius. He was wearing a suit and he looked unbelievably handsome. His hair fell just right and his eyes were smouldering.
Lily admired his appearance. She took Sirius' tie and tied it in a motherly gesture.
"Thanks," he told her. "Where is Hermione?"
"She already left," Lily informed him. Sirius hurriedly adjusted his tie.
"Thanks. How does she look?" Sirius asked.
"Amazing."
Sirius smiled softly. "I thought as much."
***
"Excuse me?" Hermione said. She didn't think she had heard correctly.
"Sirius uses girls. Did you know that?" Jennifer asked. "He once bragged about going out with five girls at once. Some stupid bet with James. He gets what he wants from a girl, and that's it."
Hermione already was feeling so vulnerable about her relationship with Sirius, she didn't need this.
"Why are you telling me this?"
Jennifer spoke softly this time. "I know that Sirius is irresistible. Believe me, I know. I wish I still had the same chance you did. To get away before he gets your heart and breaks it." Tears brimmed unexpectedly in the girl's eyes. "If you care about yourself at all, you'll get out. While you still can."
***
Sirius lit the candle. He and Remus had set up the table near the lake, under the stars and moon. (The half moon!) The house elves had brought the food just in time.
Hermione walked down to the table. Sirius' breath was literally taken away at the sight of her. The moonlight caught her hair and her dress caught the shining stars. She was like an angel. Oh, the things he wanted to do....
Hermione noticed how handsome Sirius looked. It was funny, no matter what kind of mood she was in, she always noticed how handsome he was.
He walked up to her. "You look beautiful," he said with longing. She smiled weakly and let him kiss her gently. "It looks wonderful," Hermione commented. It certainly did. There were even pink roses in the middle of the table.
"Well, I did lose the bet," Sirius remarked. A song began to play, and Sirius took Hermione's hand. Together they danced under the stars, unaware of how much the song reflected their relationship.
Looking back on the memory of
The dance we shared 'neath the stars alone
For a moment all the world was right
How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye
Hermione had no right to be with Sirius for one year and then say goodbye. It wasn't fair to him at all, and it wasn't fair to his heart. He had no idea about the circumstances to which Hermione had come to him. Hermione leaned her cheek on his shoulder, breathing in his scent.
And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance
Sirius held Hermione gently, as if she would break if he held her too hard. This girl was so strong, she'd captured his attention, and she was beginning to capture his heart as well. Her quiet ways, her outspoken ways. He felt so lucky to hold her.
Holding you I held everything
For a moment wasn't I a king
But if I'd only known how the king would fall
Hey who's to say you know I might have changed it all
If Sirius had the chance, to know I would only be here for a year, Hermione thought, would he still want to be with me? Would he take that risk?
Yes my life is better left to chance
I could have missed the pain but I'd of had to miss the dance.
Listening to that last line Hermione didn't know it summarized her relationship with Sirius. She didn't know that she could miss all the pain but she would have to miss every tender moment with Sirius if she did. She didn't know when she fell into another time she would fall into-love? She didn't know yet. She was close. Hermione pressed hard against Sirius, trying to block out all the bad thoughts.
When the song ended Sirius took Hermione's hand and led her to the table. He gallantly pulled the chair out for her. She sat down.
"You made all this?" Hermione asked, amazed at the spread before her.
Sirius nodded smugly. "You doubted me?"
"No! I just. . ."Hermione trailed off and picked up her fork. They ate in silence for a full five minutes.
"Is everything okay?" Sirius asked.
Hermione could not answer, she was being pulled into another memory of this very spot, from another place in time.
Hermione was giggling. "What is it, Ron?" She held a small wrapped box. It was her birthday.
"Open it," Ron said eagerly.
Hermione lifted the lid to find a silver necklace in the shape of a heart. "Oh, Ron, it's so beautiful!"
Ron smiled bashfully. "I hoped you'd like it."
"I love it." Hermione said sincerely.
Ron took the necklace and put in on Hermione. She turned to him and said quietly, "I love you, Ron."
"I love you too, Hermione."
Hermione was rooted to her chair. She could not move. All she knew was that she had to leave and go to a place where there was no Sirius and there were no choices.
"Hermione?" Sirius asked, sounding concerned.
Hermione's legs seemed to unglue themselves. She stood up from the table, knocking over her water glass. Sirius stood up too, knowing something was wrong. "What is it?" he asked, sounding worried.
"I....I'm so sorry." Hermione ran back to Gryffindor tower as fast as she could.
Sirius easily caught up with her and grabbed her. Hermione sank to the ground, bringing Sirius down with her.
"Hermione, please tell me what is wrong."
Hermione wrangled herself out of Sirius' arms. "Please let me go," she whispered.
"No. Not till you tell me what's wrong."
Hermione stood up and kept on running. This time Sirius didn't follow her. Half of her wished he did, the other half wished she had never had to choose.
***
Lily, James, and Remus were in the common room, talking.
"Ten Galleons that they don't get back till midnight," James said to Remus.
"Oh, yeah? Twenty Galleons says they don't get back till noon," Remus countered.
Just then Hermione came bursting through the portrait hole, breathless, and with tears staining her cheeks.
Lily, James and Remus watched her, dumbfounded. She walked up to the dormitory without a second glance to them. Sirius entered a few seconds later, looking confused and hurt. Lily immediately ran up to the girls' dormitory to see Hermione. Sirius looked at James and Remus, shook his head at them, and went up to his own dormitory.
MY REVIEWERS: Riffinton: Well, congrats! I am happy for you! Isn't it great when a crush realizes how great you are? :) Raclswrt: thank you! as you can see, I updated early. vaderisgod: thanks for the history lesson! I'm like that too–I sprout out facts from Lord of the Rings all the time. My friends know by now to ignore me. (Go Arwen and Aragorn!) Puffy Marshmallow: Thank you soooo much! Hope you enjoy this chapter. Raven Potter Weasley: No worries. As for Harry/Ginny, I am a HUGE fan of theirs, and I hope they become canon. Sorry! Moony's Angel: Poor Sirius? You know Hermione adores him! meeny: you hit the nail on the head for what i was trying to do! I wanted to make the readers see why H and S like each other and I want Hermione to be her own person. I don't like it when girls kind of mesh into their boyfriends and sometimes don't have lives outside of their boyfriends...thank you so much for the compliment! Nicole: Thank you! mystripedskirt: I only thanked Naomi, my beta, because she helped me figure out the plot in the chapter. The whole story's dedicated to her so you can have the whole chapter, okay? Don't blame Hermione. She loves art, it's her passon. Thanks for the compliment about 'all rights reserved!' CeLeStIaL BeInG: Lol! Yes, it's a real special person who can make clouds and squiggles. I love him anyway though. Isn't he the best! Glad Hermione sees that. QOA: Thanks....sorry you weren't here today...you didn't miss much. Willow 'Black Rose' Edra: I love Monet too. When I wrote about their favorite artists I made sure to put in good ones! Although I admit I grabbed Da Vinci from 'The Da Vinci Code,' which I just finished reading. UPDATE! :) DreaMCatcheR639: Thank you! Caitlin I don't want to tell you if you're wrong or right because I don't want you to be robbed of the climax! You don't want that do you?!? Fallen Angel of Hell: Don't blame Sev. Hermione is a great girl. I like your twist. Tinkerbell-06: I can't tell you! See Caitlin's mention, above. I don't want to ruin it for you. Isnani: Thank you! Gorgeous, huh? Love that adjective.