Earlier that day, the group of friends declared their dates: Harry with Ginny, Padma with George, Pavarti with Fred (Pavarti and Padma refused to be paired with Harry and Ron again) and Ron and Hermione. They met at a fancy restaurant called 'Shea Magic Chateau' at 8:00 in the evening when the skies were pink and yellow and the first stars peeked out from their hiding.
Harry, Ron, Fred and George wore black suits with white shirts underneath. Harry wore a black and red, stripped tie and Ron had a tie that was undone and just hung around his neck though it seemed to suit him well. Fred and George wore bowties of different colors and had their hair gelled back. Harry combed his hair a bit and Ron just simply combed his hair too.
Pavarti and Padma wore silky dresses of opposite colors. Pavarti had the red dress and Padma wore the pink one. They both had a silky boa that went from one elbow to around their backs to the other elbow. Ginny wore a light blue dress that went down to her ankles and she handled a small blue purse. Hermione wore a black dress and had a silky cloth around her shoulders. She wore white pearls and fancy heeled shoes that you weren't able to see from under her dress that flowed and just touched the floor. Her hair was up in a bun and several strands of curly hair framed her face and stuck out from the bun.
"I've made reservations earlier. Our table will be opened up at 8:15." Harry announced as he walked back outside from the service desk.
The restaurant was a tall stone building with candles in each window and ivy climbing the sides. Two people in tailcoats opened the doors for people with a polite smile and inside you could see waiters escorting customers up stairs or around the corner to their table.
Outside of the decorated restaurant was a fountain and plenty of foliage. Tiny fireflies randomly flew about and small white lights framed the walkway and fountain. Several benches were placed around the walkway, which most everyone got comfortable on as they waited patiently for their table. Pavarti, Padma and Ginny went inside to fix their hair and makeup in the ladies room and Hermione found herself sitting opposite of Ron on a bench. Harry, Fred and George were talking about Hogwarts and whispered secretly to one another and every once in a while looking over at Hermione and Ron.
Hermione stood up to walk around and observe the scenery to pass time. She faced a portrait of a young woman during the Renaissance she had a beautiful red drape rapped around her with ivy in her hair and she sported long blonde hair. In the background was a child with a small dog and right behind the lady was a man who touched her hair.
Hermione felt someone behind her. She turned her head a little and saw Ron looking over her shoulder at the portrait too. He looked down at her with his big blue eyes and back at the portrait. Hermione smiled faintly and turned back to the portrait, not really looking at it anymore.
"Beautiful isn't it?" Hermione asked.
"Yep." Ron whispered.
He too wasn't looking at the lady but was mostly paying close attention to Hermione. All of the sudden, Ron rammed into Hermione, pushing her into the stone wall. She turned around and Ron was uncomfortably close. Hermione went on her tippy toes and saw Fred running away while laughing along with George and Harry and she went back down to her normal height. Ron quickly moved away and blushed and went to sit down on the side of the fountain.
Hermione was clueless as of what to do so she just took her spot back on the bench. She spotted Harry talking to Ron quietly.
"Potter, table ov eight?" A young waitress in a spotless uniform with long sleek hair called from the restaurant doors. She had a familiar French accent and she was looking at a clip-bored she carried around. "Velcome to Shea Mageek Chateau- oh my vord!" She said as she saw the party of eight.
"Fleur!" Padma and Pavarti said at the same time. They ran up to her and hugged and greeted.
"Vell, hello!" Fleur said to everyone. "I know. eet's kind ov awkward that I am a waitress but eet's a start! I am beginning Eengleesh lessons tomorrow!" She hugged the rest of the group, the guys very willing. "Vell let me show you to your table."
She turned on her heel and escorted the group up three flights of stairs while passing two different kitchens. They came to a balcony that faced the ocean. The four gentlemen helped the four ladies into their chairs and took their seats next to each of them. Fleur handed everyone a menu as they tucked their napkins onto their laps.
"Eev you all vouldn't mind, I vill be back in a few meenutes to take your orders." She explained and then walked away.
Their table was the only one on the balcony. It had a white cloth from one end to the other. The centerpiece was a vase with ivy around it and white and red roses inside. There were also tall decorations made of roses on either side of the door. As Fleur disappeared around the door, Ron was looking at Hermione, which made her feel flattered but uncomfortable.
Fred and Pavarti began making out and George and Padma sat very close and looking into each other's eyes. Ginny and Harry talked quietly and lightly flirted. Hermione was well aware of what both she and Ron wanted to do. Ron watched everyone else with longing in his eyes. Then Ron stood up and backed his chair away with a small screech. Everyone looked up at him including Hermione. He faced the decoration on the right side of the door and pulled off a single red rose. He whipped around slickly and paced over to Hermione's chair and kneeled on one knee. Hermione breathed deeply and smiled while doing so.
"Hermione," Ron began. Padma and Pavarti giggled. "There are no words that can describe your beauty or the feelings I have for you, not to mention the ones that lasted since the moment I first saw you on the Hogwarts express." Hermione and Ron's eye connected. "Wow. This is nerve wracking. Um- no, I'm not proposing for marriage, a bit too young for that." Everyone giggled lightly. "I was just wondering if you would consider going steady with me?" He finished and handed Hermione the rose.
Hermione was smiling and her breathing calmed down. Everyone was carefully watching her and the pressure was rising. She slowly took the rose offered and…
"Yes!" She said with energy. Everyone clapped and cheered. Ron and Hermione shared their first intimate kiss and pulled each other into a tight everlasting hug. The guys patted Ron on the back and girls giggled wildly along with Hermione, who was still bright red and stunned. She tore herself from the giggling group and threw her arms around Ron, who was surrounded by Harry, Fred and George. They kissed deeply once again and were obligated to end it.
The best part about this newly formed relationship was, Hermione thought, was that Ron, her new boyfriend, didn't care whether he kissed or showed any other kind of affection in front of his friends. He was like no other guy, he was a caring gentleman and he would do anything to put a smile on her face.
"I am back evereeone!" A French voice said. All the guys sharply turned their heads towards Fleur except Ron, who kept his eyes on his beautiful girlfriend without a care in the world at the moment. "Has anyone made up zeir minds as to vat you want to order?" She had a pen ready in hand and waited for a response. They started with Pavarti and went clockwise. Then they came to Hermione and Ron. They ordered the same dish and then quickly went back to flirting and kissing.
The group ate their wonderful meals, helped themselves to delicious deserts, and chatted with Fleur as she was on her break. Before calling for the bill, they decided, well Ron and Hermione decided, where to go after dinner. They were to go to this dance club for under aged teens about a few blocks down that was on the beach. So, the gentleman all chipped in on the bill and they left the restaurant.
They walked to the dance club and waited in line to get in. A big guy wearing black leather let people in one by one. Fred, Pavarti, George, Padma, Harry, Ginny, Hermione then Ron entered. Inside were a couple hundred people. There was a bar, no alcoholic drinks served and a DJ changing tunes. Most everyone were dancing to the music under the shimmering, silver disco ball. There black lights one each wall, making the place glow and there were bubbles falling down along with large pieces of silver glitter.
They all automatically joined the hundreds of people dancing. Hermione danced with Ron, though with not a lot of skill. Pavarti, Padma were dancing together and Fred, George, Harry were dancing around Ginny. Then the room slowed automatically down when a slow song began.
Ron put his hands on Hermione's hips and Hermione wrapped her arms around his neck. They watched each other carefully and felt every move they made. Ron plucked several pieces of glitter out of Hermione's hair and Hermione wiped a bubble off of Ron's nose after it landed.
"You have no idea how much I appreciate you." Ron said.
"I think I do." Hermione responded. She kissed Ron on the check and they danced slowly.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" Ron said once the song was over and the mood lifted to a party scene. Hermione nodded. Ron told the guys their plans and Hermione consulted the girls as well.
Ron and Hermione left the club hand in hand and sat down in the sand next to the water's edge. They took off their shoes and socks and put their feet in the chilled water. Ron carved Hermione's name in the log they sat on and Hermione watched.
"What's on your mind?" Hermione asked. She put her head on Ron's shoulder and awaited the response.
"You." He responded. Hermione kissed him on the check and they watched the stars shoot across the sky. Ron slid off the log and onto the sand. Hermione lowered herself onto the sand next to him.
