Chapter Twelve

Love Abounds

Seamus stepped back on the stage and grinned broadly. "That was great! Thanks, Justin." The boy looked out at the crowd. "Now it's time for more Gryffindor singing. I'd like to introduce Mister Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger."

Ron and Hermione stood from their seats in the audience and climbed the stairs to the stage.

Ron slipped off his robe and revealed a pair of neatly pressed khaki pants, and a royal blue button-down shirt. The top few buttons were open, showing the top of a white tee-shirt. His feet were covered by softly polished, brown Doc Marten-type shoes. A few girls squealed and he blushed.

Hermione undid her robes then and uncovered her own outfit. She was wearing a knee-length dress, royal blue to match Ron's shirt. On her feet were a pair of black t-strap shoes with a slight heel. She snapped once and her hair was wisked up by invisible fingers. In a second, her hair was the same way it was for the Yule Ball last year, perfectly straight and wrapped into a bun at the base of her neck. Quite a few of the boys in the audience whooped and whistled in appreciation. It was Hermione's turn to blush, and Ron tried contain the glare that was threatening to mar his features.

"Ready?" he whispered to Hermione. She nodded slowly.

Ron drew his wand and waved it to begin the music. The opening notes began playing throughout the Hall. He looked at Hermione and smiled. The smile was returned tentatively.

Then came Ron's cue, and his throat let out a soft tenor.

"If I never loved you,

If I'd never won your heart,

I don't know just where to start

To tell how glum I'd be."

Ron took Hermione's hand in his and looked her right in the eyes.

"And if I never loved you,

I would not have been the same."

As Ron sang the next line, he looked to the heavens shown on the enchanted ceiling.

"Thank the gods I found in you

The better half of me."

Ron's eyes ventured back to his girlfriend's face.

"In this world so full of fear,

Full of rage and lies

I can see the truth so clear

In your eyes

So dry your eyes."

Ron's fingers had found their way to Hermione's face and he wiped away a tear that had actually formed while he sang to her.

"And I'm so thankful for you

'Cause I'd've lived my whole life through

Lost forever

If I never loved you."

Hermione sighed and smiled at Ron. She thanked Merlin she had a few seconds to recover from that look in Ron's eyes as he sang. Then came her cue, and her alto began.

"If I never loved you,

I could never feel this free.

Never knowing what love could be

If I didn't have you."

Hermione stepped closer to Ron and slipped a hand around his waist and put her hand on his cheek.

"And I'm so thankful for you

'Cause I'd've lived my whole life through

Lost forever

If I never loved you."

Ron grinned and sang

"I never knew love was this beautiful."

Hermione grinned back and countered,

"With you my whole world seems so right."

The pair turned away from each other to look at the audience.

"I never thought feelings could be as strong as this,

But now I can tell you that love is simply bliss.

And now my heart will fly with just one kiss."

The singing couple turned to each other again and looked into each other's eyes, smiling. Hermione started again.

"Oooh! If I never loved you,"

Halfway through her line, Ron began,

"There's no time that I lament"

"If I never knew your love,"

"In the time that we have spent."

"I would never have a clue"

"If the heav'ns fell from above

"How happy I can be"

"At least I've loved…"

Their arms wrapped around each other's waists and they beamed, singing.

"I never knew love was this beautiful.

With you, my whole world seems so right."

With you, my whole life is so beautiful.

Because of you, my future is so bright.

"And always my heart sings

We are right."

Ron grinned.

"We are right.

And if I never loved you"

Hermione echoed.

"If I never loved you"

She reached up and stroked his cheek.

"I would never know"

He leaned into the touch and joined in.

"Love would never show.

Lost forever

If I never loved you."

The couple stared into one another's eyes, seeing all the feelings they'd just sung aloud displayed there. The music faded out with them still standing there in each other's arms, beaming at each other. Ron pulled her close and hugged her tightly. "I love you, 'Mione," he whispered.

She returned the hug in full force. This was the first time he'd ever told her he loved her. A tear ran down her cheek as she squeezed back. "I love you too, Ron."

The crowd exploded in applause for the pair. They were startled out of their Hallmark moment and realized they were still onstage. Hermione smiled to the crowd, embarrassed. She started walking off the stage.

Ron grabbed her arm. "Wait."

~*~TBC~*~