This is my first Harry Potter fic, don't hold it against me

Fragments

Chapter One: Dances and Rumors

"Why did you invite him Hermione?" Ron asked whining a little but echoing my own question.

"How can you ask that after everything that happened Ron!" Hermione looked more then a little annoyed. "If you didn't get it the first five times I explained it, then you won't get it this time either."

I walked away from the head table lost in thought. It felt odd to be around so many happy, cheerful people when I couldn't bring a smile to my face. But then, maybe I should be used to this feeling by now. The saying "standing on the outside looking in" didn't fit me. Instead I was that person on the inside who desperately wanted out, at least then I could explain those stupid feelings of loneliness.

Then He passed through my vision, the one everybody was talking about. Strange how people change. He was the recluse seventh year and I the extroverted minor with a crush. How ironic now to see him chatting easily, happily while I barely existed.

He glanced at me, captured my gaze, and something strange fluttered up in my stomach. But what was it? What did it mean? Why couldn't I remember? And most importantly, why did I want to feel it again and again?

Neville saw me and started to fight his way through the crowd to my side. But I wanted nothing more then to be alone and sort out my own perverse desires.

"Dance with me, Lady," A deep voice whispered and that feeling in my stomach multiplied.

"You're mistaken, sir. I don't dance." I tried to walk away, but he held on.

"That's a lie. You love to dance Miss Weasley, but you don't dare share that scandalous fact with anyone."

My mind froze. How could he know? How could this virtual stranger know I loved to dance? How?

He pulled me out among the other couples and waited. I tried to resist the lure of the music, but as the seconds ticked away, it drew me in. The steady one, two, three, four, one, two, three, four had my heart beating in time. When the man extended his hand I couldn't not step forward or not place my hand in his or not be drawn into the dance.

The fast paced music flowed through the fragments of my soul and heart as he pulled me against him. Strength radiated from his whole body, contradicting with my own willingness to bend. Spinning, twirling, yanking me close, he sent my body wheeling about just like my emotions. It was as if he could read my every desire through my hands.

My head no longer felt connected to my body as he stared deep into my soul. And then we were apart, not touching but unable to look away from each other.

A few girls moved in between us, trying to steal my partner, but my passion could not be denied. I pushed the girls aside and grabbed his hand, demanding his complete attention. And that was all the encouragement he needed to continue our own sensual movements.

With bent knees, we were closer then close, our hearts beat in time. Apart, together, spin, I became aware of an inner rhythm, a calling that could not be ignored. We were body to body, intimately in sync, connected as no other on the dance floor.

His hands moved to rest on my hips and I leaned back nearly in half. He pulled me back gruffly against him and our harsh breath mingled. In that moment I saw in his eyes all the loneliness, the pain, and horror I felt on a daily basis. And then he twirled me away.

It was an attack on all my senses; I could feel the pulse of his heart below my hands, see the desire in his eyes, smell the sweetness of his sweat, hear his ragged breath, and taste my own need every time I licked my lips.

"We're two of a kind, you and me." He whispered as our bodies twisted together in the heat of the music. "We both live half-lives, lives without hope, need, or passion."

His words rang true and here on the dance floor, in his arms, I felt alive. But why? Why did it feel so good here and now? "How do you know?"

"Eyes are windows to the soul and I see how you lust for life." The song started to wind to a close. "Grab life with both hands; don't be afraid to dance." And he was gone, melting into the crowd, disappearing from my life.

My heart stopped. Not literally, it simply reverted back to its previous state of non-emotion, of non-life. People talked loudly around me, but I only caught the fragments.

"-Amazing-"

"-The way they looked-"

"It's really too bad-"

"Do you understand now Ron?"

"-You-Know-Who—"

"-Curse-"

"-Forbidden love-"

"-Can't even remember-"

"-Too long-"

"And Harry Potter-"

The world spun around me. People, colors, sounds, past, present, they all blended together as if warped by the dance. My heart beat loudly, horribly, painfully. Tears streaked down my face. Oh why couldn't I remember? Damn them all!

Well, how did you all like it? I made some changes...not like any of you will notice.