Disclaimer: This gets more and more ridiculous. If you've read this far, then you know that they're not mine, since I've told you this in every chapter before this. Obviously if you've gotten this far and still believe that they're mine (at least, Hermione, Draco, Ron and Ginny) then you're crazier than me.
As she apparated into the center of the dance hall, Hermione's head was abuzz with a million different things. However, the most prominent was I wonder what Ron's going to say.
The Ministry had granted a single apparation, since she was one of the "Two Who Won." However they insisted that she apparate slowly. They were just upset that they couldn't actually say "No." She did have to admit it was a splendid way to make an entrance. Slow apparations always included a smoke cloud. For some reason, slow apparations always remind me of the Wicked Witch of the West in the movie version of "The Wizard of Oz." Of course, my silver smoke cloud is a prettier color than the red of the Wicked Witch.
She knew the process perfectly, of course. First the smoke began to gather - it came from high in the air and drew closer to the earth. As it grew closer to the ground, it began to become more solid, and form her shape. Finally, she materialized out of the smoke. Yes, slow apparations are definitely used by people who want to make an entrance - and make sure everyone sees it. Usually, she preferred to sneak in, but tonight it was important that everyone see her arrive as Hermione.
By now, she had fully apparated into the ballroom. A collective gasp had come from the crowd. There was silence for a few seconds, then the whispers began. Breathe, Hermione. You can handle this. It's not nearly as bad as falling off the stage while singing with the band. Just keep breathing.
She promptly forgot her own advice as she saw Ron step to the middle of the crowd, looking confused. Instead, her breath caught in her throat. Here it comes… Ron stopped moving, dumbstruck. His mouth hung open. As she crossed to where he was standing, she saw Ginny push her way to the front of the crowd, but her attention was completely focused on Ron.
She smiled nervously when she reached him. "Close your mouth, Ron. You look utterly ridiculous." The music had reached the point where they usually bow, so she curtsied low. As she rose, she noticed that the training his mother had hammered into Ron the summer before 5th year had kicked in also, for he had bowed in return.
They came together to dance the familiar dance. True, it wasn't as easy-going as normal, but it wasn't the coldness that it had been the year before either. Silence ruled for a few minutes as the two got used to being in each other's presence again. Hermione breathed in his cologne. He always smells so good. She knew the cologne was Chrome; it was the only cologne he wore. He hasn't worn any other type of cologne since I bought him a bottle of Chrome for Christmas our 7th year at Hogwarts. She smiled at the memory. That was a good Christmas.
It was that memory that made her open her mouth. "How have you been, Ron?"
He shrugged slightly. "Not too bad - except for the fact that I lost my best friend almost a year ago, and couldn't find her for the longest time."
Best friend? Is that all I am? She felt a pang in her heart, but replied, "Really? What happened?" If he wants to play this the hard way, then I can play that way. Besides, he hurt me again by not recognizing me at Aria's.
He sighed. "I was a bloody prat."
She laughed. "Ron! Language!"
He smiled back at her. "I've missed you." He looked contrite. "I should have never put that spell on you. I wasn't thinking. When I came home and found that note… 'Mione, it killed me inside. Can you ever forgive me?"
She looked at him. "I don't want to talk about this here, Ron. I'll be glad to discuss it with you tonight at the flat. But I need to hear more than that pretty little speech before I forgive you." She paused for a second, then smiled again. "How long did you work on it?"
He blushed a little. "Not much." At her doubtful look, he insisted, "No, really! You can ask Ginny, if you like."
She looked at the floor. "Does she hate me, Ron?"
He looked at her in astonishment. "Hate you? You must have gone bloody bonkers! She was upset for a little while that you didn't go to her after fleeing me. However, she was more upset with me. She was ready to take my head off, then decided you might want the honors." He winked at her. "I explained everything to her and my family. None of them blame you, Hermione. Now, they might think you're a little foolish for wanting to be Malfoy's friend, but, as you said, it's your life." He sighed. "I may not like it, or him, but I do have to admit that he was worried about you. Even came to me with a claim that he had found you in some bar."
She was so relieved that Ginny didn't hate her, that the Weasleys didn't hate her - that Ron didn't hate her - that she was close to tears. She moved closer to him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. His arms slid around her waist, pulling her even closer. Her eyes shut as she enjoyed the embrace. "Thank you, Ron." She whispered.
He kissed her forehead. "Any time, beautiful."
They pulled away again, and continued dancing. Over Ron's shoulder, she saw Draco standing by the balcony. He had his Hogwarts stony façade on again, but she could see his eyes, and what was reflected in his eyes made her heart ache. What is wrong with him? He looks so hurt, so dejected. I'll have to pry it out of him.
As the song came to a close, the audience began to clap. This was normal, but for some reason this year it seemed louder and to last longer than in previous years. Of course. We've made up. The fairy tale can continue. She smiled at the thought. 'The fairy tale can continue.' Is that what my life is supposed to be? A fairy tale? She shook her head in bemusement.
Ron tapped her on the shoulder. "Earth to 'Mione."
"What?"
He laughed. "You didn't hear anything I said, did you? I said, why don't we head to the flat to talk?"
"But what about your date? Shouldn't you…"
He shook his head. "She left earlier. She didn't feel good. What do you say?"
"That's too bad. I would have liked to talk to Meg and see how she's doing."
"Oh, Meg's doing alright. She's an apprentice wand maker now – to Ollivander, if you can believe it."
"Really? I'm glad. She always wanted to work with wands."
Ron chuckled. "Do you have any idea what you just said?"
She looked up at him, confused for a second. Then it registered in her head. "Ron! Honestly, you have the most perverted mind alive! Not like that." She smacked him lightly on the head. They smiled at each other for a second; then burst out laughing.
"So, c'mon, 'Mione. Let's go. Please?" He looked at her with puppy dog eyes.
She glanced at Draco again. "You go ahead, Ron. I'll be along in a minute. I need to say something to Draco first."
He shook his head. "Don't think I'll ever understand what changed your mind about him." He held his hands up in an appeasing manner as she turned to glare at him. "Hey, hey, hey. I was just saying… But take your time." He turned to go, then turned back. "Hey, 'Mione?"
"Yes, Ron?"
"You are coming home tonight, right? You're not running away again?" The nervousness in his voice made her smile.
"No, Ron. I'll be home in a little while. Go on now."
He flashed a radiant smile at her, then turned towards the door. Hermione worked her way over to where Draco had been. It took her a while, because everyone was congratulating her on making up with Ron. She smiled politely at most of them.
However, she had to take a few minutes with Ginny when she saw her. Ginny threw her arms around her. "Oh, 'Mione! I'm so glad you're back safe! I was ready to kill my prat of a brother for what he did!"
Hermione smiled at that. "Never fear, Ginny. I think he's suffered enough - for now."
Ginny laughed. "Oh, 'Mione, how I've missed you." She wiped away tears. "I was so afraid Ron was going to blow it out there on the dance floor and that we'd have a repeat of last year's Ball."
Hermione laughed. "Never a dull moment around Hermione Granger." She teased. She glanced up at Draco again. He looks lost in thought. She smiled at Ginny again. "How about we do lunch tomorrow or the next day, to catch up?"
Ginny looked to see what Hermione was looking at; then smiled. "Sure, Hermione. How about day after tomorrow? I'll clear my schedule." She paused a second, then added, "You know, he was just as worried as Ron - if not more. You've got a good friend there, Hermione." At Hermione's startled look, she winked. "I have no problem with it. He's been polite to me over the last couple of years, and we got to know each other over this last year. But… 'Mione, be careful, please?" After Hermione nodded, she shoved her playfully. "Now get going. If you're not careful, he'll leave before you get over there." With that last remark, Ginny left.
Finally, Hermione reached Draco. "Hey." She said softly.
He looked up. "Hey." He looks surprised to see me. "What are you still doing here?"
She looked at him, confused. "Why shouldn't I be here?"
"No reason. I just thought… I mean, don't you want to discuss things with Ron?"
"Yes. However, I was taught good manners by my mother." He stared at her for a second, looking confused. So, she continued, "I couldn't leave without saying good night to my date, now could I?" She raised one eyebrow at him, and smirked.
He looked at her in shock for a second; then smiled. "Why Miss Granger, you must be mistaken. I came with a lovely girl name of Miss René Mighero. Do you, by any chance, know her?" His eyes danced with amusement.
She smacked him lightly on the arm. "Be nice, Draco!"
He gestured to the crowd. "That went well, don't you think?"
She smiled slightly. "Yeah, it did."
He raised an eyebrow. "Not so scary as they seem, huh?"
She hit him on the shoulder. "That's right, pick on me and my fear, why don't you."
He laughed. "But Hermione, dear, don't you realize that that's my purpose in life?"
"Oh, you!" I'm glad he's out of his funk. But I wish I knew what it was about… She looked up at him, staring into his grey eyes for a moment before adding, "What am I to do with you?"
He became serious again. "Whatever you want to do with me." He said softly.
For some reason, that made her feel slightly uncomfortable. Maybe he's not completely out of that funk yet… Her eyes fell to the floor for a second. When they came back up to rest on Draco's face, she caught an unguarded look at his face. It bore a very peculiar expression, one she could not begin to decipher.
"Draco, I need to go. I told Ron that I would meet him back at our flat so we could talk some tonight. Is that okay with you?"
"Sure, 'Mione. Do whatever's best for you."
His tone sounded so dejected. She looked him in the eye. "Are you okay with me going?"
Draco nodded, slowly. "You need to work things out with Ron." He took a deep breath. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get going, missy."
Before she knew what she was doing, she had leaned over and kissed Draco on the cheek again. As she disappated, she saw him slowly reach up and touch his cheek.
A/N: Oooo! More and more fun. What will Ron's story be? The plot gets thicker and thicker. More's the fun for everyone.
The only shout out for this chapter goes to one of my beta readers – enoimreH. Everyone should thank her and her computer for saving this chapter and the last one. My computer crashed, but thanks to her, I only had to fix the mistakes she caught. Thanks again, sweetie!