Chapter 7: The Prom
Ron and Parvati met in the common room, like most of the Gryffindor students. He did not saw Hermione there; she was probably out side waiting for his Ravenclaw date. Not that he was even thinking of Hermione when he had the most beautiful girl on Gryffindor as his date.
They walked to the Great Hall where the Prom, just as the Yule Ball three years before, was taking place.
The walls were completely covered with thousands of fairy lights that made the Hall look like a picture taken from a Fairy Tale. The House tables were replaced by at least 20 smaller tables, smaller than the ones used during the Yule Ball. Instead of 12 people, these ones seated 6.
Hermione had not shared the table with them, she had seated with Dewey and his friends from Ravenclaw. Ron and Harry shared the table, along with their dates, with Neville and Luna.
Ron would never admit this to his sister but he thought she looked beautiful and very lady-like, unlike her usual behavior consequence of having 6 older brothers. He could tell Harry liked the way she looked this particular night but he could also tell he was feeling a bit nervous. Maybe Harry had just realized Ginny was a girl.
Dinner was served, and once everyone was done, Professor Dumbledore stood up and asked for everyone's attention.
"It has been a long time since I saw each and every one of you take your turn to sit on a stool, put on an old pointy hat and wait for your destiny to be reveled. You have all come a long way. You are all taller." The students laughed. "And you are wiser... and, well... I would like to give the word to a very fine young lady, as she prepared a speech. Miss Hermione Granger."
Most of the students applauded. The Slytherings stood still on their chairs.
"Hi," said Hermione, shyly, "uhm..." she said looking at the piece of paper. Ron could tell she was really nervous; she was a bit blushed. He could not help to notice, just like Harry did with Ginny and even himself 3 years ago, that Hermione was a beautiful girl... a beautiful young woman. "I'm sure I haven't met all of you during this past 7 years, but I'm also sure we've all been through a lot of things. I believe we were lucky. Luckier than other generations. The return of Voldemort," while most student gasped in shock, Ron just smiled, at how bold and courageous she was, "and with him the fear all wizards and witches all over the globe had forgotten one night of July, provide us of something most didn't learn until later in their lives. I believe we are leaving Hogwarts with a deeper respect for life. We've all lost family, friends in the hands of evil, but our fighting spirits will never die. No one can take our freedom from us. No one," she said as she glared at Malfoy, who looked as if he was dying to cast a course on her.
"I've met people I never thought existed; I've done things I never thought I could do: I've yelled at teachers, I've run through the halls at nights, I've even punched some students." The image of Hermione slapping Malfoy 4 years ago came back to Ron's mind, and laughed, just like Harry and Ginny, who had been told about it. "... I've fallen in love..." that caught Ron's fully attention. In love? In love with who?! I hope not with Dewey 'the git', or with bloody Krum... Bloody Hell!! In love with who??!!! "I met people I will never forget... teachers who inspired me to learn... all inside these walls. And I will miss them, because for 7 years they protected me... us, from the world. And even though it is time for us to leave, to live in the world, I will still miss them. It is time to move on and move out. It is time we grow up, though many of us have already did. Good Luck!"
Dumbledore stood right next to her, whispered something to her, and they shared a hug. Hermione left to her table.
"Let the music begin," said the Head Master, and the band began to play. The Weird Sisters were yet back again on Hogwarts and, unlike the last time Ron had heard them, he now knew most of the songs, thanks to Ginny.
Everyone danced, laughed and had a great time. But as much fun as Ron was having with Parvati, he could not stop thinking about Hermione. He would look around every once in a while to see if he could catch a glimpse of her. He did a few times and all those times he had seen her smiling, dancing with Dewey.
Harry sat on a table while Ginny went to chat with Luna. Ron and Parvati joined Harry after dancing for almost an hour. Parvati sat with them for a little while but then went with her group of girl-friends saying a sweet 'be right back' and kissing Ron's cheek, making Ron blush.
Once she was gone Harry chuckled and Ron hit him in the arm, with a slight smile.
"So," said Harry, "having a good time?"
"Yeah, I guess so," answered Ron.
"I didn't know you could dance."
"Well, my dear friend, there's a big difference between wanting and knowing."
"Oooooh, ok."
"How 'bout you? Having a good time with only baby sister?"
"We are having purely innocent fun, if that's what you're asking," Harry answered with a mischievous smile.
"Good answer. Just one thing: no kissing in front of me, ok?"
"No problem, mate. There are many dark places where--" but he was stopped by Ron's fist on his arm (yet again).
"Aw! That hurt!" Harry whined laughing.
"Yeah--"
"Hey," said Hermione. She looked at the two of them with a nervous smile.
Ron went quiet and stared at the table. He wasn't going to talk to her, because he had promised himself he would let her be... and, well, the only thought of her voice pronouncing his name made him go week on the knees, so he did not want to make a fool of himself anymore.
"Hey, 'Mione. Come, sit with us," said Harry standing from next to Ron and leaving the empty seat for Hermione to sit on. He sat next to Hermione, but not for long.
"Well, I'm gonna find Ginny. See ya!" said Harry.
Both Ron and Hermione glared daggers at Harry. And then looked at each other for a second, somewhat uncomfortable. There were a few uncomfortable smiles, a few stolen glances.
"So," said Ron, trying to brake the ice. "I really liked your speech. I didn't know you were preparing one."
"Oh, uhm... thanks."
Who's the bloody git you're in love with??!
"Are you having fun?"
"Um... yeah, sure. I guess so."
Silence.
"You?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah.. you, uhm... you look-- You look good." Idiot!
"Oh," said Hermione, blushing a bit, but hiding it behind her perfect locks. "Thank you. You... You look good too. Are those the dressing robes the Twins got you for Christmas?"
"Yeah, they're great, aren't they?"
Hermione smiled, a wide and shiny smile, and then Ron, realizing what he was doing, went back to stare at the table. He had made her smile, which was wrong. If she smiled then everything was ok between them; well, not ok, but they were working their way there. And then, the vicious circle would star again. The fighting, the yelling over stupid things, the realization that he is head-over-heels in love with Hermione and can not do a thing about it. The usual.
"Hey, I'm back," said Parvati sitting next to Ron, in a very perky mood. But it was when she realized who was sitting on the other side of Ron that her mood changed completely. "Oh, hi," she said coldly.
"Hi," Hermione simply replied. "Well, I'm... leaving now... bye."
And she was gone.
Ron did not want her to leave, but she had to, because feeling her so close to him was too painful, it was killing him. She had only been there for three minutes and he had already imagined ten different ways the declaration of his eternal love and devotion for her would end. Well, actually, they all ended the same way. On a big, cozy bed... such a boy.
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Author's Note II: Ok, not much to say except, Review! And if you want to share any thought about the story please share!!!