Disclaimer: I know it's hard to believe, but I don't own Harry Potter and Co. I don't, really! Stop saying that!
A/N: Well, I did promise to update after six reviews, so here goes. Here's where the F/H starts. Enjoy.
Hermione couldn't sleep. The humiliation of today and the dread of tomorrow were jumbled up in her mind. She looked at the clock, which read 1:07 am. Normally she would have turned on the light and read herself to sleep, but tonight she was too restless to read. She climbed out of bed and crept down the stairs, hoping that a cup of tea would calm her jumpy nerves.
She fixed herself a cup and took it into the family room. She and Fred saw each other at the same time. "Hi." she said nervously.
"Hi." Fred replied softly.
An uncomfortable silence rose. "I'm sorry." they said together.
Hermione took a step closer to him. "No, I acted like an idiot. The whole date thing wasn't your fault; it was mine. I'm just bad with people."
Fred was ashamed. He already felt like such a jerk and now poor Hermione was standing in front of him at one am, in her nightgown, apologizing to him for being upset about a bad first date! He couldn't stand it. Standing up, he offered her his hand. "How about we get a head start on that dance lesson?"
Hermione's teeth glowed white in the dark room. "Really?" She studied him carefully. "I thought you weren't ever going to dance with me again?"
Fred shrugged good-naturedly. "Well, you aren't wearing shoes now." He offered as explanation. "Besides, this is my Christmas present to Ginny and her feet."
Hermione giggled. "Okay, Mr. Lord-of-the-Dance, how do we start?"
Fred slipped his arms around her waist and Hermione gasped quietly. She couldn't understand why his touch made her react that way.
"Hands on my shoulders." Fred instructed in a whisper. She obeyed. "No music." he continued in hushed tones. "I'll count. Just pay attention and follow my lead."
Hermione nodded and waited for him to step back before she stepped forward. "Good." Fred told her.
She managed to dance for several minutes before stepping on his foot. "Sorry!" she murmured desperately.
"It's okay. It's okay." he reassured her. It didn't hurt a bit when she wasn't wearing her spear-heels, he reflected.
They started over, Fred keeping time. "One…two…three…"
Hermione's heartbeat quickened as his breath brushed her ear. She clumsily picked up the steps.
"One…two…three…" Fred breathed softly. "One…two…Hermione! You're not feeling the music!" he accused quietly.
"There is no music." she reminded him.
Fred rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean!"
Hermione's eyebrows were knitted in concentration. She happened to glance at Fred's face and noticed a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
"What-" she started to ask, but before she knew it, Fred had maneuvered her into a low dip. They both started to laugh as her pulled her up, no longer dancing. His eyes captured hers and they sobered, falling into a natural silence.
Fred instinctively reached his hand up to stroke her cheek. She really was pretty…
Hermione shivered as his fingers made contact with her face. Warmth seemed to radiate from where he was touching her. Why? Her mind was screaming that this was no time for analysis; it was a time for action. Her hands were still on his shoulders, pulling him closer, closer, until their foreheads touched…
Whirrrrr.
A toilet was flushing upstairs. Hermione felt a rush of relief; she was back in control of her senses. The spell, so to speak, was broken. By a toilet. It was hilarious, really. Hermione found herself laughing, tears streaming down her cheeks for the second time that night.
Fred was trying to figure out the odds that someone would have to use the bathroom at that exact moment. Actually, with all the people in the house, the odds were pretty good. Fred grinned at Hermione and laughed too.
Hermione removed her hands and Fred suddenly felt cold and somber. He smiled anyway. "Good night."
"Good night, Fred. Thanks."
Up in her room, Hermione realized that she couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed before this weekend.
A/N: Thought you might like to read some F/H fluff in there. Please review and let me know what you think! If you review as much as last time, we'll get along just fine.