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Dancing NEWTS

Hermione stood just outside of the portrait hole on Easter, nervously fingering her dress. Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Pansy had all been expelled, she remembered with satisfaction, as she waited for James to arrive. When she saw him, her eyes widened in shock, then she clapped her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. Remus had spiked his hair! "Hello, James," she gasped, trying her best to keep a straight face.

"Hello, Hermione, you look stunning," he responded. "Happy Easter."

"Happy Easter!" Despite her best efforts, Hermione started laughing uproariously.

"Something amusing, Hermione?" questioned Remus, arching an eyebrow.

"Your -" she started, in between breaths. "Your hair! You spiked it!"

He grinned. "I thought you'd like it."

"Oh, I do, it's just, I never thought you'd do something like that," she answered. Remus took her hand and led her to the Great Hall. When they sat down at the table with Harry and the rest of her friends, she nearly started laughing again at the priceless looks on their faces. They were shocked. Not only was Remus here, without a scratch from the full moon night, he was here with Hermione, and not only that, he had spiked hair!

Ron recovered first. "I thought you hated each other," he blurted.

Remus and Hermione looked at each other with knowing smiles. "We made up," said Hermione simply.

"Evidently so! Nice hair, James," said Harry, smirking.

"Thanks," replied Remus, grinning despite himself.

"Daddy says we're out of danger from the nargle race. But the flying cligres might attack in a couple months," warned Luna. Ron put his arm around her and grinned. (Nice touch) he thought, fingering the diamond ring he had in his pocket. He'd chickened out on Valentine's Day, and he hoped to try again today.

Remus and Hermione danced with each other exclusively the whole night. They felt they'd finally had been able to iron out their differences and it would be smooth sailing from there on. (Except when I'll have to tell my parents) Hermione realized with dread. (But they'll just have to deal with it, he's worth it!)

Hermione walked into DADA class the next day, her stomach in nervous flutters. They were more of the pleasant kind today, for once. As the class progressed, people began to notice their change of attitude towards each other and began to wonder. At one point, Remus strode by Hermione's desk. Now that she could see him closer, some remaining spikes were evident in his hair. It had been one thing to see spikes on young Remus, but it was entirely something else to see them on older Remus. Hermione clapped a hand over her mouth. (Don't laugh, do not laugh) she chanted. Unfortunately, a loud giggle escaped her.

"Something funny, Miss Granger?" he asked in a voice he hoped sounded annoyed.

She took a deep breath, then giggled again. "It's just - your hair - " she threw her head back and laughed.

Remus had a hard time not laughing himself. He scowled. "At least I'm able to make my hair look decent three hundred sixty-four days a year. The same can't be said for you, Miss Granger," he said Snapishly. Remus started coughing to cover up his laughter. He'd tried his best to get the spikes out this morning, but he hadn't had much luck. He turned around and continued his class, with periodic coughing when he glanced Hermione's way.

Over the next few months, everything went quite well for Hermione and Remus. Hermione found herself quite busy between hanging out with Remus and studying for NEWTS. Before she knew it, it was the day before the test. Hermione was a basket case. Her test was tomorrow, she was leaving school soon, and the day was imminent when she'd have to say something to her parents.

She walked down the hall, and saw Remus coming. For some reason, his smile stuck her as unusually bright. She stopped him. "You look bright this morning," she said. She peered at him closely. "Your smile seems different."

"I've been to see the dentist," he said. She could see color rising to his cheeks.

(He must want to impress my parents! But that could mean - ) she decided not to finish that thought. She grinned at him. "He did a great job! My parents would be proud." She turned from him with a knowing smile.

Remus stared at her back as she left. Did she guess what was on his mind? (I wouldn't be surprised. She's very bright) He nervously fingered the contents of his pockets. He felt like he was taking NEWTS all over again.

Later on, Harry, Ginny, Ron, Luna, James, and Hermione were walking along the grounds, trying to get their minds off the test on the next day. "Luna, can I see your ring?" asked Hermione. Ron and Luna had finally gotten engaged. Luna nodded silently and handed it to her.

Hermione gazed at the small diamond thoughtfully. It was quite pretty, Ron had good taste. She never would understand what he saw in Luna. Well, as long as Luna made him happy, she was happy. Even if Luna got on her nerves sometimes. She found herself trying the ring on herself for size. It was a bit small, so she couldn't get it all the way on. She glanced up and saw Remus looking at her oddly. She quickly slipped it off and handed it back to Luna. "Thanks, Luna. It's lovely." Luna smiled shyly and replaced it on her finger.

"How did you propose, Ron?" asked Remus, his attention intently on him.

"I proposed to her while we were dancing, just as the song ended," Ron said. "I was so nervous, but I needn't have been. Luna accepted right away." He beamed.

"Congratulations." Remus paused. "Harry, I was wondering - did you plan on coming to live with me, or did you make other arrangements?"

"I want to live with you," said Harry eagerly. "I hadn't really thought about other arrangements."

"Great, it's settled then. I was going to get back to my house a few days after Hogwarts closed. You can come with me then." He glanced at Hermione, an apprehensive look on his face.

Hermione frowned in puzzlement. Remus was up to something! (What could he possibly be so nervous about, though?)

"Hermione, you will join me in the end of the year dance, right?" he asked confidently.

"Yes, of course," she agreed. "Just let me know when you're going to pick me up."

At the end of the walk, Remus said, "Good luck to you all with your NEWTS. I probably won't be seeing you tomorrow. Hermione," he said, touching her on the shoulder, "I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors. Especially, I daresay, the DADA section of the test." He winked and left them to do some last minute studying.

Replies to Reviewers:

Moony's-Mate: Thanks for your two reviews! Originally I didn't have Pansy expelled, but after you reminded me that she should be too, I added it. Thanks for your kind words. Hmmm, we'll just have to see if we've seen the last of the Malfoys...

BrennaM: Thanks a million for your review!

Nevnarial: Hello Nevvy! I thought of a story title for my next fanfiction that's a little weird but it fits. After all those titles you threw at me last night, I slept on it and suddenly when I woke up it leapt at me, like I should have known all along. Let's just say it's something you would order at the Dairy Lodge...odd, very odd I know! It's a title for the Frequency/HP one I have in mind. I'm leaning on doing that one since I have the most ideas for that. Maybe when I get more practice at this I'll attempt a solid Harry/Hermione one. Anyway, next time we talk I'll give you the title to see what you think. (I think you deserve to know after last night) Thanks for reviewing:)

Lucidshard: Yes. :) But unfortunately it may have some consequences for this pair...ok, enough evil forshadowing, LOL. Thanks for reviewing!

sporty12gd4u: Yes they're back together! Yay:) Thanks for reviewing!

Aljinon: "Ennervate" is the spell you use to make a person come back to consciousness. It's the opposite of "Stupefy." You might see it again before the story ends. Thanks for your kind words. :) Yes, I did feel I wrote him as rather rash, but they did do something quite serious, attacked and kidnapped a teacher, attempted to set him on the school, and had the intention of wiping Hermione's memory and killing a teacher. Thanks for reviewing!

Preview of next chapter: "What's on your mind, Remus?" she asked, figuring it was safe to use his real name out here.

"I've - I've been thinking -" he paused, taking a deep breath. He chucked a stone into the water. "I've been thinking about all that's happened this year."

Hermione got the feeling that he'd planned on saying something else. "Yes, it's been quite eventful, hasn't it? I'm really going to miss being at school, and being around you so much. It's going to be harder to be together now that I've graduated."

Remus stopped his stone skipping abruptly, turning to face her.