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AUTHOR'S NOTE: HAPPY HARRY POTTER'S DAY! I hope everyone is enjoying their nice new copies of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince! As soon as I submit this I'm heading to my reading nook to see what's really happening in Harry's sixth year! Lol, well, as a gift to all of my readers on this joyous occasion, this chapter is exceptionally long and juicy... So, enjoy!
CHAPTER 16
DEATH EATERS ATTACK HOGSMEADE
Last night, Thursday, December tenth, the peaceful town of Hogsmeade was bombarded by no less than ten supporters of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The attack, solely believed to be an attempt to evoke fear in our world, occurred at 9:23 pm when a number of hooded and masked individuals apparated on the outskirts of the town. Upon entering the town, they began striking innocent bystanders at random, taking the lives of five people and injuring eight. Two lives were taken by two separate, yet successful, attempts at, what is believed to have been, the Killing Curse. Three others were killed when one blast made contact with and destroyed the Stalk family's home near Zonko's Joke Shop. The inhabitants of the home were a man and wife, and Mrs. Stalk's father. Mr. Blenheim Stalk was a renowned expert on Muggles and an author of many books.
Another blast destroyed Dervish and Banges, a small shop for magical equipment located at the end of High Street. Luckily, the elderly owner of the store, Mr. Thelonious Dervish, was at the Hog's Head at the time of the explosion, and was unharmed.
The Hog's Head, a small inn and bar located near Dervish and Banges, was unscathed, and yet was not totally uninvolved in the attack. The owner of the inn, Mr. Aberforth Dumbledore, managed to capture one of the Death Eaters when he left the security of his establishment to enter the fray after hearing the sounds of battle. The captive, Stanley Nott, will have a trial today that will surely result in a life sentence in Azkaban.
Investigators believe that Dumbledore's involvement in the battle may have saved many innocent lives by prompting the early disapparation of the Death Eaters. Dumbledore would not participate in an interview, but reporter Natalie Pry was able to conduct a brief interview with the brother of the innkeeper, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts is located less than two miles from the small village of Hogsmeade.
When asked if the attack did or would affect the school in any way, Albus Dumbledore responded, "The students are quite safe inside the Hogwarts Castle. My staff and I hold the students' safety above all things, and extra precautionary matters will be invoked into our usual routine to ensure the utmost safety for each child. Parents are free to contact me or any of my staff for further questions or concerns."
Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was interviewed, as well. "This most unfortunate travesty will be thoroughly investigated." Fudge said when asked what the Ministry planned to do about the attack, "The Ministry will not stand for such crimes and we will not stop searching for these criminals until they are all behind bars."
Fudge also revealed that a committee has already been selected by the Ministry to help the citizens of Hogsmeade repair all damages.
Hermione watched Ron lay the paper down on the table between his and Harry's breakfast plates after reading the article aloud. Hermione had just received the paper but she had asked Ron to read it for fear that she would become too emotional. However, after hearing the article, she felt closer to being emotionless than emotional…
Was she supposed to feel numb inside? The underlying fear of an inevitable attack by Voldemort or his Death Eaters had now become reality. Yes, there had been other attacks already, but they weren't reported…so it was almost as if they hadn't happened… But now, instead of worrying about Voldemort's first move, Hermione was trying to cope with it… But…she couldn't cope with it because she didn't really understand it.
Had the Death Eaters really not had any objective other than evoking fear? Or, had the attack had something to do with this prophecy that she didn't believe in? Or, had it had something to do with Harry's dream? They had destroyed the home of a renowned Muggle expert… was that intentional…or just a morbid coincidence? And, if Aberforth had caused a premature departure from their mission, what had the rest of their mission entailed?
"Nott…" Harry said absently, interrupting Hermione's thoughts, "He was there that night…at the graveyard."
Ginny looked at him sadly, "And at the Department of Mysteries…"
"And…" Hermione began, "His son, Theodore, was one of the Slytherin students to enroll in the Slytherin School of Magic…"
They all sat in silence for a moment, digesting the article. When suddenly, Ron spoke.
"I can't believe they aren't canceling today's classes." Ron said glumly. "I mean…I feel like I've been run over by the Knight Bus!"
"Well," Ginny began, "At least we know everyone's okay."
Yes, Hermione thought, at least they did know that. The Weasley's had sent Ron and Ginny a letter informing them that everyone from the Order had returned from the mission alive and well.
"Yeah," Ron said gruffly in agreement, "And, at least Dumbledore's brother caught one of the son's of-…"
"Ron…" Hermione said tiredly; she didn't really feel energized enough to put up much of a fight…but neither did she feel like hearing him curse at the breakfast table.
"Sorry, Hermione." Ron said quietly before continuing, "At least he caught one of the dirty old bas-..."
"Ronald…" Hermione whined. Ron sighed deeply and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table with a look of defeat.
Ginny then said matter-of-factly, "You know, Hermione, I've got to side with Ron on this one. They are dirty son's of bitches."
Hermione's mouth fell open as she looked at Ginny with a wide-eyed expression. Harry had spit his juice out onto his tray, unable to hold back a strangled laugh, and Hermione was then forced to chuckle herself. But Ron had just grabbed a couple of pieces of bacon from his tray; apparently unaware that Ginny had even spoken.
As Hermione looked at Ron, she began reminiscing over this morning. She had woken with her hand still lying in Ron's; Ginny had already left for the shower rooms. It was more than a bit awkward waking up side-by-side and holding hands, with your best friend. Especially when there were a few early risers milling about the common room, surely wondering what was going on between them.
Well, they weren't the only ones wondering… Hermione could not ignore the fact that Ron's behavior toward her was noticeably different than previous years. He was more protective…more gentle… And she couldn't forget about the hospital incident. Was it temporary insanity? She had felt so sure that he really had, in fact, been tired and shaken that night. The thought of Ron Weasley wanting to kiss her had been to good to be true, so Hermione had accepted that it was false. But…Hermione couldn't and wouldn't know for sure unless Ron made the first move. He would have to be the one to say, 'hey, I feel something for you.' She was sticking by her rule. No jeopardizing the friendship…
The rest of their breakfast went by quickly, as did the next two weeks leading to Christmas holiday. It was strange to Hermione how tragedies could make such an impact, but then be so easily shoved to the back of one's mind. The day after the Daily Prophet article was released; everyone seemed to stop discussing the Hogsmeade attack. There seemed to be an unwritten agreement between the faculty and students to avoid the subject. Everyone, Hermione included, just wanted to make it through the term for a well-deserved break.
Fortunately, the attack had not affected their classes or end-of-term exams. Everything immediately returned to normal; Sinistra did not even offer an explanation to the class on her strange behavior, and no one asked her about it. She just began teaching the class as she had been the whole term, which was exactly what all of their teachers had done.
Although the students weren't allowed outside of the castle unless escorted by a staff member, no one seemed to complain. Everyone was too busy studying for exams, which went exceptionally well for her, Ron, and Harry. They had stayed up late each night studying, and it had paid off. Ron had been elated with his marks, and Hermione was thrilled for him. Hermione was surprised, however, that Harry had done well since he had continued to go on his 'walks' through the castle. Apparently his late night studying was enough to carry him.
And now, finally, exams were over and the trip to the Burrow was only one day away. Christmas with the Weasleys would be a first for Hermione, and she didn't remember the last time she had been this excited over Christmas. Of course, when she was a child, she had always been ready for the holidays because that meant new books and toys. But…that had slowly worn away with age… However, Hermione was now remembering what that childlike excitement had felt like.
Ron was rummaging under his bed and through his bedside table for his belongings that he would be taking home over Christmas holiday. Finally! Finally he, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny could ditch this castle for a couple of months at the Burrow. Ron had been in high spirits for the past week. After the shock of the Hogsmeade attack had worn off, he had discovered that he could not wait to leave this place! Tomorrow morning, Christmas Eve, they would be on their way home.
He had never been so ready to leave Hogwarts… And Ron knew why… This was the first year that he had actually given his all in his classes…the first year that he had had the prophecy constantly nagging at his mind…and the first year he had truly been consumed with Hermione. He thought about her when he awoke, when he ate, when he studied, when he slept…when he breathed… In past years, he had definitely had feelings for her, he'd had urges, he'd had hopes… but this year his feelings had definitely reached new heights.
Had it started with the knowledge of Harry's dream…that first train ride to the castle? In the past, he had always worried more about Harry than Hermione; Harry had always seemed to be the vulnerable one of their trio. But this year, Hermione's welfare was his every thought. Was the dream real? Was the dream about her? He couldn't stop these questions from plaguing him. He couldn't stop himself from imagining his world without her. And it was this that had made Ron realize that without Hermione…he had no world.
Ron now knew that he could not lose her. But…could he have her? He had been telling himself, 'no,' for the past two and a half years… could he continue to ignore the part of him that was now saying, 'yes?' Where had this part of him come from? When had it started saying, 'yes?'
As he continued to search his dormitory for his strewn belongings, Ron began repeating the words that had unexpectedly sprang into his mind this morning…this Christmas Eve Eve. 'Oh sure, he crosses the line sometimes, but I always set him right.' What had made him remember this? Why was he suddenly jovial about Hermione's admission that she had no romantic feelings for Viktor Krum? It had been over a month since the letter incident… since these beautiful words…these words that suddenly gave him hope.
Hope? Was it at that moment when part of him had started saying, 'yes, you can have her?' Or did that happen the night in the common room when he had held Hermione's hand as they slept? She had taken his hand willingly and gratefully. She took his hand; might she take him? He had done exceptionally well on his N.E.W.T. classes' end-of-term exams. Maybe he wasn't as stupid as he'd thought. Of course, he could never be good enough for Hermione, but could anyone?
Suddenly, Harry entered the dormitory, breaking into Ron's reverie. Harry immediately went to his bed and began fumbling through a large pile of clothes with a slight look of concern. Ron was about to ask him if everything were okay when Harry looked up at Ron with a furrowed brow.
"Hey, mate." Harry said anxiously, "What are you wearing tonight?"
Ron's heart leapt into his throat. Lost in thoughts of Hermione, Ron had temporarily forgotten that the Gryffindors had decided to throw an end-of-term Christmas Bash. Ron's first reaction to the news of the party had been excitement, but then it had quickly turned to something closer to dread.
He thought it was probably due to the fact that everyone in the tower had been talking about how fun it was going to be to have their very own Gryffindor dance. This made Ron nervous. He wished the 'bash' would just be like the Quidditch celebration parties; mingling, some food, maybe a few scattered games of Exploding Snap or Wizard's Chess. But, dancing?
Besides some odd spins and jumps he used to perform alone in his room at the Burrow, Ron had never danced. He didn't know how. Plus, if it weren't with Hermione, he didn't really want to, anyway. Should he ask her to dance tonight?
"Um…Ron?" Harry prompted curiously. Ron looked up to see Harry staring at him from over by his bed with one raised eyebrow.
Ron paused before remembering. Oh yes…what was he wearing… He hadn't thought of that. Oh, crikey! Was this a formal party? Was Hermione going to be dressed like she had been at the Yule Ball? Ron swallowed involuntarily.
"Uh…I dunno. I hadn't really thought about it." Ron admitted apprehensively, leaning down into his trunk to shuffle through his recently packed clothes. Glancing at the clock he saw that it was already five-thirty. He only had an hour and a half to get ready! Wait…what was wrong with him? It took him ten minutes to get ready. For some reason Harry's question had really intensified his nervousness for the party.
Luckily, Ron had inherited some stylish hand-me-downs from his oldest brother Bill. He pulled out some fairly new jeans that Bill had simply outgrown in the waist. Ron held them up. They were dark denim and had a few small, fraying holes on them, but they were supposed to…at least, he thought that's what Bill had said. Ron shrugged and threw them on the bed. Okay, now for a shirt. There was a blue button-down shirt with a collar and that red, v-neck sweater.
"Hey mate, will you wear the red one?" Harry asked from behind his pile of clothes.
"Why?" Ron asked curiously.
"Because I'm wearing this." Harry held up a blue button-down shirt with a collar almost identical to the one in Ron's left hand. "I'm not sure…but I don't think you're supposed to wear the same thing as your friends at parties." Harry said. It sort of sounded like a question.
"Fine by me." Ron said tossing the blue shirt back into his trunk. Now to shower, get dressed, and hope that Hermione wouldn't be wearing anything too…nice. Ron felt suddenly warm.
Hermione was sitting on her bed, while Ginny sat behind her up on her knees, fixing Hermione's hair. She couldn't see what Ginny was doing, but it felt very complicated. Her scalp was being pulled back every now and then making her eyes bulge. She kept telling herself that there was no reason to be nervous. It was just a party with her fellow Gryffindors! It would be fun…right?
But, all Hermione could think about was the Yule Ball. How Ron had ignored her most of the night, and scowled at her the rest. She was sure it was because of Viktor. At the time of the Ball, Hermione had been sure that Ron was sulking because Hermione hadn't helped him or Harry out by going with one of them, and had instead helped a foreigner that she'd only just met. But now…she was beginning to question his motives… Oh! It was just another strange Weasleyism that made her want to pull her hair out! Ow! Of course, there was another Weasley doing a good job of that right now.
"Ginny?" Hermione asked, holding her breath. "Why do you think Ron makes such a fuss over my writing to Viktor?" Ginny's tugs, pulls, and rapidly moving brush strokes stopped immediately. Hermione, you idiot! What had come over her? She hadn't meant to ask that… Ginny was probably suspicious enough since she had awoken to see her brother asleep with Hermione's hand in his…
Ginny cleared her throat and slowly resumed her brushing and tugging. "Well, I suppose it's because he cares for your safety." Yes, Hermione thought, that's what Ron had said. Something about worrying that Krum would hurt her if they got together.
"So, kind of like, when he got so upset about you dating Michael?" Hermione asked, trying her best to sound casual.
"Well, sort of like that. But, I also think that…" Ginny paused. What? Hermione wanted to scream! "…well, that he really loves you…and Harry, and he can be…well, possessive."
He loves me…and Harry…yes, of course he does… But something about the way Ginny said possessive made Hermione's heart flutter. Just the very definition of possessive was to desire control over another. Did Ron desire control over her? Hermione's heart skipped a beat…no, two beats. But Ginny had also said that Ron was that way about Harry. But, Hermione thought, Ron had only been excited for Harry when he had dated Cho…
"Done." Ginny said, scooting off of the bed. She stood up in front of Hermione and looked her over. She smiled broadly. " Come look!"
Hermione was then dragged over to the mirror beside Lavender's bed. Ginny had pulled her hair way up on top of her head, and had smoothed out her bushy curls to form silky brown ringlets all over. It did look nice.
"Thank you, Ginny. I really like it." Hermione said sincerely.
"Now, just one more thing before you change…" Ginny said shuffling through her purse, which was hanging around her neck, "…ah! Here…" Before Hermione could protest Ginny had grabbed Hermione's chin with one hand and pulled her face toward her. She then began applying some sort of fruity smelling gloss on Hermione's lips. Just when Hermione thought she was done, however, Ginny had put something on her eyes and cheeks, as well.
"Fantastic!" Ginny exclaimed excitedly. She then glanced down at her watch. "Oh jeepers! We've only got half an hour to change! Gotta go!" Ginny then all but ran out of the sixth year girl's dormitory.
Hermione remained in front of the mirror for a moment. Ginny had let her borrow a sleeveless brown knit sweater, which Hermione was already wearing. She didn't want to mess up Ginny's masterpiece atop her head. Hermione just felt so clueless when it came to…well, being pretty. She would have never worn jeans and small brown heels with this sweater if Ginny hadn't ensured her that it would match. Heels and jeans? Hermione shrugged as she quickly finished changing.
She descended the steps to the common room and smiled as she saw the festive decorations and scattered smiling faces. The fourth year girls had volunteered to decorate, and had done a nice job in Hermione's opinion. There were gold stars hanging from the ceiling and garland strung around the fireplace and doorways. There were already quite a few people mingling about, but no Harry or Ron.
The music started up suddenly, and a few people cheered. Hermione decided it might be a good idea to put an Imperturbable Charm on the portrait hole door. She was a prefect, after all; she couldn't let them cause a disturbance. So, she made her way over to the door and pulling her wand out of her back jeans pocket, she quickly said the appropriate incantation. Good, Hermione thought, now they can be as loud as they want. When she turned around to head back into the mix of people, however, she stopped in her tracks.
Coming down the stairs to the boy's dormitories was a group of smiling boys, but Hermione only saw one. Hermione was partway hidden behind the corner leading to the portrait hole, so she didn't have any misgivings about taking in the astonishing site before her.
Ron's tall lean form had taken Hermione's breath away. She couldn't stop her eyes from wandering slowly over his body. His chest and arms filled out the deep red sweater he had on even better than his Quidditch uniform. His flaming hair had grown out some since the beginning of term. It looked as if he had simply run his hands through it a few times; it was messy, which Hermione realized could apparently be a good thing.
Her gaze traveled down to his thin waist, where his dark jeans fit low on his hips. Were those holes in his jeans? Were they supposed to be there…on his thigh? Hermione didn't really care if they were supposed to be there or not; she was just glad that they were. What was she doing? It was wrong to stare at his body like this, wasn't it? Okay, Hermione, she thought, you need to get a grip on yourself. She couldn't hide back here the entire night, gawking. She took a couple of deep breaths to try and get her heart rate under control.
As she began walking toward the doorway to the boy's stairwell, where Ron was standing, she realized that Harry was beside him. Ron appeared to be in the middle of telling Harry something, and he was using his hands to tell the story. He really looked spectacular.
When she was about six or seven feet away, he looked up in her direction and his whole body froze except for the rise and fall of his chest. His hands had stopped in mid-gesture, his mouth was partway open, and his crystal blue gaze was raking slowly up the entire length of her form. It made her mouth go dry and her head feel fuzzy. His expression was very odd…she'd never seen him look at her quite like that before.
"Hey, Hermione!" Harry said brightly. Hermione willed her eyes off of Ron and smiled sweetly at Harry.
"Hey, Harry. You look nice."
Harry shrugged. "Thanks. You too." Hermione turned to look at Ron again, who was still in the exact same position, staring at her. She should say something!
"Um. You too, Ron." Hermione said. Shoot! She knew she was blushing. Maybe they would just think it was her make-up.
Ron started moving his mouth but no words came out. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Y-you…yeah, too…pardon me." He rushed by her and went to a refreshment table set up against one wall. He grabbed a cup of water and drank the whole thing in one gulp.
Hermione turned to see what Harry was making of Ron's strange behavior, but he wasn't paying attention. He was smiling at an approaching redhead. Ginny was also wearing a sleeveless sweater, but hers was a deep green. It complimented her red hair very nicely, which was falling halfway down her back in a straight shiny sheet.
"Hi, Harry…Hermione. You two look great." Ginny stated gaily, but she was looking at Harry. "Where's Ron?"
Harry was looking at Ginny with a silly smile on his face as he pointed vaguely toward the refreshment table where Ron was gulping down another cup of water. Ginny barely glanced in his direction before rolling her eyes. Harry then grabbed Ginny's wrist.
"Hey…would you like to…play chess?" He asked, somewhat mischievously. Ginny smiled and nodded.
"Hermione, would you like to come along?" Ginny asked politely. Hermione looked from Ginny to Harry; Harry was smiling…how did Ginny do that to him? Hermione simply smiled and shook her head, and then Harry and Ginny were off to a chess table in the corner.
Hermione was now standing alone by the boy's stairwell. She was gnawing on her bottom lip and staring at Ron, who was still across the room leaning over the refreshment table. Had he always been so well put-together? What was her problem? These thoughts were impure…
She watched him for a moment longer before remembering his odd behavior. Had he come down with a fever? Or…was this his reaction to seeing her? She'd never seen him act that strangely before. Well, maybe a few times before…but he had never had a spontaneous case of unquenchable thirst. Taking a deep breath, she decided that she should check on him.
Hermione quickly made her way over to the refreshment table, where Ron was downing yet another cup of water. "Ron?" Hermione said softly from behind him. He jumped and spilt the remaining amount of water down the front of his sweater, before turning around quickly to look down at her.
"Oh, sorry!" Hermione exclaimed, quickly grabbing some napkins from the table. "Here, let me…"
Hermione reached up and put a napkin to the water mark on his chest. She was dabbing at it when Ron took his hand and placed it over hers to stop her. Her eyes flew to his and his expression was troubled. She could feel his rapid heartbeat under her palm. Heat immediately rushed through her body, making her feel weak kneed.
"Hermione!" A boy's voice called from behind her. She dropped her hand from Ron's chest and spun around to see a concerned Neville. "Um, sorry to interrupt, but I think one of the prefects should do something about Seamus."
Hermione turned to the middle of the common room where Seamus was drinking out of a full bottle of Firewhiskey and dancing with two girls at the same time… It was disgusting! That was definitely not the same type of dancing that had taken place at the Yule Ball.
"I'll go." Ron said with his lip twisted in disgust.
"No," Hermione said handing Ron some napkins, "I can handle this…just…dry yourself." Hermione walked determinedly to the middle of the dance area before Ron could object. If there was one thing Hermione could not tolerate, it was drunkenness! It was just too irresponsible! She stood directly in front of Seamus and put both hands on her hips. Suddenly the music seemed deafeningly loud.
"Seamus, as a Prefect I am going to have to confiscate that bottle!" Hermione shouted sternly over the music. The two girls with him laughed as they all continued to…dance. Hermione felt like vomiting.
"Come on, sweetheart! Jus' enjoy de party!" Seamus said playfully. His breath smelt strong of liquor and Hermione had to fight the urge to hold her nose. He was already intoxicated! The party had started ten minutes ago! He must've been drinking on this a while before the party, Hermione thought sickened.
"I am enjoying the party…but without that horrid drink!" Hermione replied before reaching for the bottle and grasping it firmly. She then wrenched it out of his hands. Without a backward glance, she went straight over to a bin near the girl's stairwell and tossed it.
When she turned around, however, Seamus was approaching her smirking drunkenly. She found herself taking a few cautionary steps backward until she bumped into the wall by the girl's staircase.
"I don't think that you're enjoyin' the 'ooley." He slurred, standing too close for Hermione's liking. She tried to glance around him for Ron, but she didn't see him anywhere. Suddenly he put one hand on the wall behind her head and the other came to rest on her hip. She gasped as she shoved his hand off of her, but his face was disgustingly close to hers now. The odor of Firewhiskey was so strong she almost choked.
"Hey!" Hermione heard Ron yell from across the room. Seamus was leaning in…to kiss her. Gross! She was pushing on his face when an arm reached around his throat and pulled him back harshly. Seamus coughed frantically as Ron released him.
"Go take a cold shower you bloody drunken bastard!" Ron shouted at the doubled over Irishman. A few people had stopped to watch the scene, but didn't seem to be too concerned as they quickly resumed their partying and dancing. Hermione felt a rush of affection for the man that had caused two boys to double over in pain this term…for her. Yet her voice found a reprimand instead of a 'thank you.'
"Ron, don't swear!"
"Are you alright?" Ron said, with his brow furrowed in concern, ignoring her reprimand. He looked very…sexy. Where had that come from? Maybe she was the one that needed the cold shower instead of Seamus… Hermione could only nod.
"Bloody idiot." Ron said under his breath as he watched Seamus staggering off to collapse on a sofa.
"Ron…" Hermione began. She was about to say 'don't swear,' but she changed her mind. "…would you…I mean it's fine if you don't want to, but I thought…maybe…" She was looking over at the dancing girls and boys in the center of the room. What was she thinking? What about her rule? He needed to make the first move…
"Dance?" Ron asked surprised. Hermione looked up at him. His face was adorable when he was surprised. "You want to dance…with me?"
Pushing all logic and reasoning aside, Hermione nodded her head. She couldn't look at him now. Oh…he's going to say no. Oh, why did I ask? Suddenly Ron's warm hand clasped her own. She looked up at him and he jerked his head back toward the other dancing partners. Hermione's heart leapt into her throat as Ron lead her out into the middle of the room.
When they reached the middle of the floor, he looked down at her and smiled nervously. He slowly entwined their fingers of their still clasped hands. Hermione wanted to faint. She felt tingly all over, and before she knew it, Ron had taken her other hand in his.
Ron swallowed hard. Hermione Jane Granger was standing one foot from him with both of her delightfully fragile hands in his, and she looked absolutely beautiful. As soon as he'd seen her walking toward him in that sweater that revealed her flawless pale arms…and those jeans that revealed her flawless…everything else…he had lost it. Surely Hermione had noticed him gawking at her like some foul pervert. His eyes had taken advantage of her, and he had had to distance himself before they did it again.
But…she had asked him to dance…well, sort of. She was going to, but had seemed unsure. Ron looked down at her. He guessed they were supposed to be moving around like the other dancers, but now that he was in the middle of the dance area looking down at Hermione's tremendous brown eyes, Ron couldn't seem to move a single muscle. Why had she wanted to dance with him? Or more importantly, why had he consented? He had no idea what to do!
At least the music was slow; Ron looked around at the dancers. It looked easy. Each couple was basically just leaning on each other and swaying back and forth. Most of the guys had their hands on the girls' waists. Sweat began to bead along his forehead. Easy? Yeah, right! In his room with a pillow, then it would be easy. But with Hermione? Would she let him put his hands on her waist? Okay, you're going to have to do something other than stand here holding her hands. Although, Ron would have been content with just doing that for the rest of the night.
Ron looked back down at Hermione, who was staring down at their hands. "Uh…," Ron began, "I've never done this before…so…where can I put my hands?" Ron could feel his face turning bright red. That had come out wrong…
Hermione blushed a lovely shade of pink before moving closer to him and placing his hands gently on her waist. I'm going to die… Ron thought, weakly. Her waist was so small compared to his long-fingered hands, which were resting on the tops of her jeans. His thumbs could feel the softness of her belly through her sweater, and Ron was strongly resisting the urge to rub his thumbs around on the thin fabric.
"I've never danced quite like this, either. So, um…where should I put my hands?" Hermione asked, her glowing face still a lovely rouge. Ron couldn't hold back his smile. Ha! She could put her hands wherever she wanted! But, he really shouldn't be thinking things like that.
"Well, um…" Ron glanced around again at the dancing couples. "I guess the popular choice is…around the neck?"
Hermione bit her lower lip and slowly stepped a little closer and reached her hands up to rest on the curve of his collarbone. Now they were but three inches apart. Ron could feel her body heat as they started swaying slowly to the music. The only embraces he'd ever shared with Hermione were either hugs of greeting or embraces of comfort…but this…this was different. This was two people intentionally standing close to one another…for pleasure.
"So, this is a pretty good party, I guess?" Ron asked nervously, looking around the room. Were you supposed to talk when you danced? It just felt like the thing to do. Hermione said something in a small voice that Ron couldn't hear above the music. "Sorry?" Ron asked leaning down so that his ear was an inch from her cheek. Oh, blimey, she smells good! Was that…fruit?
"Oh…I was just saying I would've enjoyed it more if I weren't …well …dressed quite like this." She said again. He could feel her breath on his cheek; it sent chills down his neck.
"Why's that?" He whispered back, watching the curls of hair around her ear move with his breath.
"I don't know. I just feel sort of silly."
Ron leaned his head far enough back to look at her head-on. "Are you mental?" Oh, crap! Why was he having trouble censoring his words tonight?
"Excuse me?" She asked with an edge to her voice and both eyebrows raised.
"I just meant that…um…you don't look silly." Ron said timidly. Hermione's face softened but she didn't really look convinced. Did she not own a mirror? Ron removed one hand from her waist to pull gently on one of her silky brown ringlets; it bounced slightly after he released it. He returned his hand to her waist. "I like it. Really."
Ron knew that he was blushing again, but for the first time in his life, possibly not as much as Hermione. That meant she liked his compliment, right? He suddenly wanted to give her another one.
"Your sweater…it goes with your eyes, ya know? I mean…I like the color." Ron bit the inside of his cheek. Hermione grinned at him this time; his heart flip-flopped.
"Thanks. Yours, too. Well, obviously your eyes aren't red, but I just mean that…" Hermione suddenly started giggling. She covered her mouth with one hand. And Ron couldn't contain a broad smile.
"Oh, I see. Here I am trying to tell you that you look pretty, and you try to start a row!" Ron said jokingly. This made Hermione giggle more. She was absolutely gorgeous.
Ron swallowed as he looked down at her. "Do you know that you have a freckle…right here?" Ron said softly, reaching up to Hermione's face and touching the small brown speck to the side of her left eye with the back of his index finger. He let his finger rub softly down her flushed cheek before lowering his hand. He thought he heard her gasp slightly. Careful, he told himself. He hadn't meant to allow his touch to linger… Hermione opened her mouth to respond, but then…
"Hey, Weasley." Dean Thomas had approached them from the side. "You mind if I cut in?" Something in Ron's stomach tightened as he looked at Dean's stupidly smiling face and he realized that he was squeezing Hermione's waist. Ron loosened his grip.
"Sorry, Dean. We were discussing something." Hermione said casually, giving Dean a polite smile.
"Oh, no problem! No problem at all!" Dean said cheerfully, turning to leave. He suddenly stopped and turned back around. "Oh, by the way, Weasley, you do realize that you two are snailing along for this beat?"
Ron was puzzled for a moment before he realized that Dean was right. The music had changed, and it was now fast paced. He looked around to see everyone around them dancing in beat to the cheerful song. Dean chuckled as he walked off. Ron was a bit embarrassed, but he looked down to see Hermione smiling up at him. He then remembered that she had just refused Dean Thomas' request; his heart did two somersaults and a back-flip.
"So, you were enjoying our discussion on freckles, were you?" Ron asked Hermione, trying to hold back a smile.
Hermione laughed a little, but then a more serious look overtook her face. "Actually, I was just enjoying dancing with you." Ron suddenly had a fit of coughs come over him, and he had to cover his mouth with one hand and turn his head.
"Are you alright?" Hermione asked worriedly. Ron managed to shake his head 'yes' before his coughing fit stopped as suddenly as it had begun. He looked around to make sure that he was, in fact, in the Gryffindor common room and not in some sort of alternate universe. Well, Ron thought, this didn't appear to be a dream, but by the way some of his fellow students were dancing with one another… it didn't look like anything he'd ever seen, either…
"Uh, Hermione? You don't want to do…that…do you?" Ron asked nervously indicating to the dancers with a jerk of his head. He and Hermione were still slow dancing to the upbeat music. Hermione's eyes got wide and her jaw dropped as she looked around Ron's shoulder.
"Gracious, no!" Hermione exclaimed before grabbing Ron's wrist and dragging him from the dance area. She dragged him all the way to the refreshment table, where she then turned and watched the dancers in shock. Suddenly she grabbed his shoulder and pulled him down to whisper harshly in his ear, as she used her other hand to point out into the dancing crowd.
"Is that Harry…and Ginny?"
Ron almost laughed out loud as he followed Hermione's pointed finger. "Yeah," he whispered back, "yeah it is."
Harry and Ginny were circling the entire floor of dancers performing some sort of silly dance Ron had never seen before. It wasn't … scandalous … like the other dancers. It was just…silly. They seemed to be laughing hysterically as they basically skipped sideways around the room, holding hands. That was the first time Ron had seen Harry laugh like that in…years. He looked down at Hermione, who was smiling brightly at them.
"Um…do you want to do…that?" Ron asked tentatively. Hermione looked up at him and to Ron's surprise, burst out laughing.
"NO!" She managed to squeak out. "Let's go upstairs for a moment, though. It's hotter than a boiling cauldron in here!"
Ron wholeheartedly agreed, but at the same time, he was a bit weary of being alone with Hermione. He wasn't going to be able to just…act friendly toward her after all that on the dance floor, was he? Before he could dwell on this thought, he found himself being dragged off toward the boy's staircase. As soon as they entered the dormitory, Ron realized just how hot it had been in the common room. The cool air felt good on his face.
Hermione had gone straight to the window in between Ron and Harry's beds. She was attempting to pull up the heavy metal lock to open it, but she seemed to be having some difficulty. Ron knew he should probably help her, but she looked so cute trying with all her might to unlatch it. Why didn't' she just use 'Alohomora?' Oh well, Ron thought, this is cuter.
As he stood by his bed watching her, he had the sudden urge to pinch himself. This night that he had been severely dreading was turning into one of the best nights of his life. He'd danced with Hermione…and she had enjoyed it! Blimey, she had suggested it! And, if Ron wasn't mistaken, they had even flirted some. Ron didn't think he even knew how to flirt. Wasn't it some sort of art that you had to practice at? It had just come so naturally with Hermione.
'Oh sure, he crosses the line sometimes, but I always set him right.' The words just came out of nowhere, taking Ron slightly by surprise, and he suddenly realized something. His hands had been on Hermione's waist. They had flirted with each other, and she hadn't wanted to stop dancing with him for another guy. Ron's heart began to accelerate, exactly where did Hermione draw the line with him?
Open, darn it! Hermione was pulling hard on the window latch. She had gotten way overheated downstairs. And, she didn't really think it was caused from the crowd…she thought it probably had more to do with one individual. She could still hear the booming music below, but it was slightly muffled. It seemed like a dream that moments ago she had been down in the common room dancing with Ron. Oh, it had been marvelous!
Her hands had been resting on his strong shoulders and neck; his hands had been on her waist. And, Hermione thought with a small smile, his hands had tightened around her when Dean Thomas had asked to cut in. Was that a sign of the possessiveness that Ginny had referred to earlier? Hermione suddenly realized something…she had told herself that she would wait for Ron to make the first move. Had he made that move? She felt like she might wake up at any moment and this would all be a dream…a wonderful dream.
"Hermione?" Ron asked suddenly from over by his bed. She stopped fiddling with the lock to turn around and see him approaching her. Before she could stop herself, she had raked her eyes over his body as she had when she'd first seen him coming down the stairs. There was something sultry about his walk, she noticed, as he came to stand by her at the window.
"Yes?" She asked in a whisper as she turned her head up to his blue irises. He was smiling as if he knew something she didn't. Suddenly he extended one hand to her waist, and his fingertips brushed around her side to her back. Hermione took a sharp intake of breath. Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness! She then felt his fingertips lift off of her back, and her wand being pulled from her back pocket. He held it out to her, still smiling.
"Do you think that lock might open a bit easier with this?" He said teasingly. She took the wand from him, releasing a small shaky breath. Oh yeah, Hermione thought. Why didn't I think of that? She chuckled a little before turning back to the window…her hands trembling slightly.
"Alohomora."
The latch opened with a soft creak. Hermione then pushed open the window to let in a cold rush of air. The frigid air mixed with her nervousness made her whole body tremble slightly. There was a heavy snow falling outside, and it seemed to be covering the ground in thick layers. Hermione leaned onto the window seal to peer down at the frozen lake; it was shining in the moonlight. Some snow had been on the ledge, though, and now her hands were wet and icy. Chills erupted all down her bare arms. She suddenly had an idea.
Whether or not Ron had intentionally flirted with her downstairs, he had, and Hermione didn't want to stop…not yet. What if she woke up the next morning and this was just a dream? She needed to make the best of tonight. So, she turned around with her back against the cold stone under the window. Ron was very close because he had apparently been looking out of the open window, as well. He smiled down at her and started to take a step back.
Hermione quickly reached behind her and grabbed a handful of snow off of the ledge and before she could talk herself out of it she reached up and dropped it down the front of Ron's sweater. He jumped backward with his mouth wide open and looked at her with amused disbelief. She burst out laughing as he shook his sweater to allow what snow hadn't already melted against his chest to fall onto the floor.
He sprung toward the window and Hermione let out a yell as she ran to the other side of the room. Ron took a handful of snow from the ledge and started slowly making his way toward her. She suddenly couldn't stop giggling; she was positively giddy!
"I'm not sure I quite see the humor in you freezing me to death…but, then again…" Ron suddenly lunged for her, and she let out a shrill scream. She attempted to run around him, but he caught her one-armed around the waist. With his other hand he poured his snow down her back, under her sweater. Chills washed over her, and it temporarily took her breath away.
Hermione then felt herself being lifted off of the ground as Ron's other arm encircled her waist from behind. He began carrying her toward the window despite her kicking and giggling.
"Ron! What are you doing?" She managed between giggles once Ron stopped in front of the window. He was holding her back against his chest with his arms still tightly circling her waist, but he allowed her feet to touch ground. Their bodies were flush together and heat was radiating off of him. Hermione was resisting the urge to lean her head back against his chest. Something about the fact that she wouldn't have been able to break free from his strong hold, no matter how hard she tried, sent a warm wave throughout her body.
"Hmm. I wonder if you would survive a trip out this window? There's plenty of snow down there…surely it would break your fall…don'tcha think?" He said in a mock-serious tone. She could feel his chest vibrating as he spoke. A reply wouldn't form in her throat…she thought she might faint. "Well, let's just try it, shall we?" He said.
Ron released her just long enough to spin her around by her shoulders to face him. His hands gripped her waist and hoisted her up to sit on the inside ledge of the window. She could feel the cold air on her back through her sweater and she turned to see how close the snow was to her bottom.
"Ron! I'm serious… if you push me back any farther I'm going to sit in this snow!" She said sternly. He shrugged at her with an expression that said, 'so?' Hermione pursed her lips and grabbed some snow from behind her. Feeling a bit more daring than earlier, she rubbed it all along the side of his neck. His shoulders hunched up around his neck, squeezing her hand, and he laughed out loud.
"Okay…okay!" Smiling, he gripped her around the waist again and began to pull her down. Hermione placed her hands on his biceps as he lowered her down to solid ground. She was smiling as well, but once she was back on the ground, their gazes locked.
With his hands still around her waist and hers on his arms, Ron's smile slowly began to fade into that familiar stony expression that Hermione remembered from the hospital. He had wanted to kiss her that day…just as he wanted to now…Hermione's smile was now gone as well as she began to feel dizzy.
Ron began slowly lowering his face down to hers. Hermione's breath caught in her throat and her heart was beating painfully in her chest. Ron was breathing heavily as he continued to lower his face to hers until the sides of their noses were touching.
"I like that smell." He said huskily. With every word Hermione felt warm breath on her lips.
"W-what smell?" Hermione was barely able to whisper; if she leaned her head back, even slightly, her mouth would be on his. She suddenly closed her eyes tightly as she had that day in the hospital.
"It smells…fruity." He said more quiet now. Hermione opened her eyes to see him moisten his lips with his tongue. I'm going to collapse…right here in the floor, Hermione thought. Her hands tightened around his bicep for support, and she felt it flex.
"It's m-my lips…I mean…my lip-gloss."
"Lip-gloss?" He whispered. Hermione thought she felt his hands tighten around her waist.
"Mm hmm." She managed weakly.
"So, Harry! You say that you saw RON and HERMIONE walking up the stairs earlier?" It was Ginny's voice coming from outside in the stairwell, and for some reason she was shouting.
Ron pulled away from her with a frustrated sigh and quickly sat down on his bed, looking toward the door expectantly. He was nervously wringing his hands. Hermione leaned heavily against the wall to keep from falling out in the floor; she tried to look as if she had just been carrying on a casual conversation with Ron. Glancing at him, she hoped that she wasn't as red as he was.
"Why are you shouting?" Harry's voice asked as the door came swinging open. Ginny and Harry emerged in the doorway. "Hey guys!" Harry said cheerily before his face fell slightly, "Hey…you two alright?"
"Great gads! You two have it freezing in here!" Ginny said loudly disregarding Harry's question. She hurried over to the window and closed it shut with a loud bang. She leaned against the wall beside Hermione, but she was staring at Ron with a strange smile. Ron was avoiding her eye.
"Is the party over?" Ron asked Harry quickly. Hermione could tell the casual tone in his voice was forced.
"Pretty much. The only people down there now are either playing Exploding Snap or talking around the fire." Harry said taking a seat on his bed; he was looking from Ron to Hermione with a slightly worried expression. Hermione was sure that he guessed that they had been rowing. Maybe their flushed faces were a good thing. What would Harry's reaction be if he knew that his two best friends had been flirting all night and had just been about to kiss? It was too awkward to even think about.
"Guess what!" Ginny said excitedly. She then went into a long, dramatized story of how Peeves the Poltergeist had come into the common room and had started taking down all the garland and gold stars. He had apparently begun draping the students in the garland and throwing the gold stars at their heads. Hermione didn't get to hear the part about how they finally got Peeves to leave, however; she was too busy remembering the feeling she had had in her stomach when Ron was contemplating whether or not to kiss her.
"Are you alright, Hermione?" Ginny asked suddenly. Apparently her story was finished. "You look…" Ginny glanced briefly over at her brother, "…flushed."
"Oh, no…I'm fine…just tired, really." Hermione swallowed and pushed herself off the wall. Did Ginny know? Harry looked clueless, but Ginny…not so much. "I guess I'm about to turn in." Hermione said. Ginny nodded in agreement.
"Well, goodnight you two." Harry said happily. Ron suddenly stood up as Hermione and Ginny started for the door.
"Wait!" Ron said urgently. "Where's Seamus? I don't want you two walking back alone if…" The door suddenly swung open, interrupting him, as Hermione's heart fluttered at Ron's constant concern for her.
"Yo ho! Yo ho…and a…and a…wha's affer that?" Seamus Finnigan was being carried in by Dean and Neville. Neville looked almost frightened and had Seamus by the ankles. Dean had his arms up under Seamus' arms, but Dean looked amused. To Hermione's disgust, Seamus had one hand clasped tightly around an empty bottle of Firewhiskey. He must have retrieved it from the bin. She knew she should've vanished it!
"And a pirate's life for you, mate." Dean said as he and Neville tossed Seamus onto his bed. Dean took the bottle from his hand and put it in a bin at his bedside. Seamus started chuckling a little before he hiccupped and then surprisingly began snoring loudly. Everyone started laughing then except, Hermione noticed, Ron. He was scowling at Seamus' sleeping form.
"Well, then…I guess we can go now." Ginny said, still giggling a little. Hermione noticed Dean suddenly look sadly at Ginny. She knew that they had had something going on when school ended last term. Apparently, though, it had ended before the summer was up.
All the guys said 'goodnight' to Ginny and Hermione as they headed for the doorway. Hermione turned around to look back at Ron, still sitting on his bed. He was watching her. His eyes were shining and his lips slowly curved up into a meaningful, yet timid, smile. It was a look that said, 'We almost kissed and you know it." Hermione grinned at him and her heart turned over. As she turned to exit, she began thinking…if this is a dream; I'm going to try my hardest not to wake up…
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yay! I told you it was juicy! Some of you are probably wanting to wring my neck right now, but please have mercy! I mean, really, how much longer can they wait? Lol... Please keep sending in reviews and enjoy HBP!