Chapter 16 - Dance with me
It was finally the big day. The morning was spent making final preparations ready for Bill and Fleur's surely beautiful wedding. The first day of August was a lovely one, the sun shone through effortlessly casting a pretty glow throughout the house. Mrs Weasley was rushing around frantically to ensure that everything was in place.
It must've been about seven o'clock when Hermione woke up and admired the lovely, hazy sun rise upon the green fields that surrounded The Burrow. The tranquility of the air was almost teasing her. Hermione knew it wouldn't be too long before Harry decided he needed to leave and begin the hunt. Letting out a sigh, Hermione vowed to herself that she wouldn't let dark thoughts ruin such an already wonderful day. Quickly getting dressed, she headed downstairs to assist the Weasley matriarch.
Hermione was utterly perplexed by what Dumbledore had left her in his will, much to the Minister's frustration. A book? A well-known fact about Hermione Granger was that she loved books, but why had Dumbledore left her this particular one? She had never seen or even heard of it before, and Dumbledore had never mentioned it. From what she gathered from Ron, this was a child's book! Nevertheless, Hermione knew it must be of some importance so she placed it safely in her beaded bag after being interrogated by Rufus Scrimgeour.
That was the first time she had seen Ron today, his face glistened with perspiration from when he and the other men had set up the marquee. He looked tantalisingly gorgeous, already, and he hadn't even looked like he had had a shower yet. Pull yourself together, she commanded of herself but it was proving more difficult.
As late morning transitioned into early afternoon, Hermione and the other women of the house finally began the process of getting ready. She and Ginny were in the youngest Weasley's bedroom. Hermione let out an annoyed huff of panic as she tried on all of the different dresses she had set aside for today. But everyone of them had an issue of some sort. Whether it was the colour, length, shape or neckline, Hermione found a problem in every one. No wonder she had never really paid much attention to these sorts of things, it was far too exasperating.
"I won't have a single thing to wear at this rate!" She sighed, nearly laughing at her own dramatic outburst.
Ginny did the laughing for her, however. "Well that's good cause we can use that as our excuse not to go."
"Ginny!" Hermione reprimanded. "I know you're not Fleur's biggest fan-" Ginny scoffed but Hermione ignored it. "But it'll be a glorious day, just please be nice. It is her wedding day after all." Hermione said pleadingly.
"You know I will, but it is rather difficult to be nice to anyone after they shove you in a dress like this!" Ginny retorted, spinning around in front of the mirror.
Her bridesmaid dress was a deep plum shade which Hermione knew was not her favourite colour. "Well, I think you look gorgeous. And Harry will too." She smirked from behind her.
"Oi!" Ginny nudged and both girls laughed. Ginny's expression changed suddenly however to a face of realisation. "Oh, how could I forget?" She said to herself, reaching under her bed.
Hermione arched an eyebrow curiously as Ginny pulled out a box. She lay it on the bed and Hermione vaguely recognised the logo on the lid. Then it snapped in her mind, that was the logo of the boutique she, Ginny, Fleur and Mrs Weasley had browsed in a few weeks ago when searching for bridesmaid dresses. Hermione looked up at Ginny's face and was met with a wide grin. "Here." She said, opening the lid to reveal a stunning scarlet dress that made Hermione gasp, as she instantly recognised it from that boutique. She loved that dress and it was the only one which had caught her interest in the shop, but she relented from buying it at the last minute. She looked up at Ginny curiously again.
"Well, put it on then." Ginny said as if it was obvious.
Hermione was lost for words. "B-but, what is this?"
Ginny rolled her eyes. "Mum and I knew you loved that dress, and I had an inkling you wouldn't be around for your birthday this year, and Mum wanted to get you something for turning of age in the Muggle world." Her smile widened with the explanation.
"Oh, Ginny! It's beautiful, but I can't accept this.. it's too much!" Hermione scrambled with her hands at her chest.
"No it isn't! Now please, just put it on, you will look beyond amazing." Ginny insisted.
Hermione shook her head in disbelief whilst wearing a bright smile. "How will I thank you?"
"By bloody wearing it." Ginny chuckled. Hermione finally obliged and took the light pink box from Ginny's bed.
Hermione flattened down the deep red dress and rotated herself in the mirror to take in what it looked like. It was a truly beautiful dress, that Hermione only hoped she could do justice.
Ginny gasped from behind her making her jump. "What?" She asked worriedly, spinning around in the dress to look for something wrong.
"You look beautiful." She mused. "And Ron will think so, too." She winked, returning Hermione's comment about Harry earlier. Hermione chuckled but she would be lying if the prospect hadn't crossed her mind. Maybe this would make him look at her differently, prove to him that just because she didn't show it often, doesn't mean that she didn't spend time working on her appearance. Hermione applied a styling charm to her hair, today was not the one where it would get in her way.
Both girls were adding finishing touches before a knock startled them. "Yes?" Ginny called frustratedly.
"Are you ready, girls?" Mrs Weasley opened the door slowly. "Hermione," She gasped. "You look simply gorgeous!"
"Thank you! So do you!" Hermione beamed back. Mrs Weasley was in a beautiful, blue, long dress. Her appearance heavily contrasted to the usual house-working one she often possessed.
"And Ginny! You look wonderful!" Mrs Weasley commented as she made her way further into the room.
"Thanks, Mum." Ginny said sheepishly. "Where's the bride?" She asked and Hermione was proud of the sincerity of her curiosity.
"Oh she's just about ready. I've been downstairs tending to that horrible Aunt of yours. Maybe you could go check up on Fleur, she's with her mother and her sister and I think she could use a different source of company." Mrs Weasley suggested. Both girls nodded and Molly made her way back toward the hall. "Coming, Muriel.." Her voice trailed off down the stairs.
Hermione gasped as she entered the room of the bride. Fleur had always been breathtaking, not to mention she was part-Veela. But today, today she looked phenomenal. Her long blonde hair was up in a braid that went all the way around the back of her head, a few curled pieces framing her face that was done up with beautiful, yet natural, makeup. And then her dress. It was a stunning shape that showcased her gorgeous figure well but in a modest way. The sleeves were lace and delicate. The tiara at the top she was wearing finished the already perfect look as it dazzled from the top of her head.
"'Ermione! Ginny! You look beautiful!" She beamed with enthusiasm.
"Nowhere near as beautiful as you!" Ginny replied. Hermione smiled at Ginny for saying possibly the kindest thing she had ever said to her soon-to-be sister in law.
"Thank you, Ginny! But I do not know. Ees eet too much?" The bride asked as she turned back around to look at the mirror.
"Not at all." Hermione answered quickly and very truthfully.
Ginny was called by her mother from downstairs, rolling her eyes and explaining that she would be back soon. Hermione walked over to Fleur as she realised her face fell considerably as Ginny left. "Is everything okay, Fleur?"
"Oh! 'Ermione! I know I should be so 'appy but I cannot 'elp eet! I'm just so nervous." Her wall broke and it was obvious she had pent up this problem for a while.
Hermione sighed and sat on the bed beside her, careful not to touch her dress. "Fleur, you have nothing to be nervous about. I know that's easy for anyone to say, but not anyone sees just how amazingly Bill looks at you, he adores you. And not just anyone gets to experience this wonderful family. No matter what, they will always love you. No matter who you are, or what you do." She hoped her words were working as Hermione believed every single word of it.
Honestly, she was rather jealous of Fleur, Hermione would give anything to be a permanent part of this family, anyone would be so lucky to be welcomed in. Each member was so brilliant, in their own ways. But when Hermione had dreamt of becoming a permanent part of this incredible family, there was only one person she would want to join through. She watched Fleur as her face became relieved, Hermione was happy that her words had seemed to be taking effect. Even despite everything going on in the world, there really was one thing that the good side had against the bad; love. Love that she felt for someone without even looking at him, without even being in the same room as him. How much longer could she go without?
Ron and Harry had finally finished rushing the chairs and tables around the marquee with their wands before they rested against the bar, taking a well earned bottle of butter beer.
"I'm already knackered. The bleeding wedding hasn't even begun yet." Ron sighed.
Harry chuckled in response, trying to regain his own energy. Ron looked around the tent that was decorated with flowers, bunting and other decorations that Ron had never really had a care for. But as he scanned the marquee, realising that his brother was about to be wed, the question crossed his mind. Would he ever want to get married? It was never really something that he thought about. He knew at school, girls often obsessed over their future weddings, Ron found it rather silly that they were planning their 'big day' without even someone to experience it with yet. Lavender used to talk about their wedding which Ron felt guilty to say made him feel queasy. How could she find the whole concept so easy? You'd have to really love someone to marry them, surely. To promise them everything, to love everything about them, not just their perks but their flaws too. He shifted slightly as these thoughts made him only focus on one person. Surely not, they were barely of age. Ron felt that he was acting as silly as Lavender and the other girls at Hogwarts, but he knew it was different. It was different because he didn't just view Hermione as an 'anyone'. Yes, she was gorgeous, but she was also so much more. And even though they could bicker like they hated each other, Ron would never change a thing about her. Ever. What made him come to this realisation? He couldn't be sure, but since he was fourteen, reality had been slapping him in the face, there was a high chance that Hermione didn't feel the same. Ron couldn't lie to himself, their relationship was leaning more towards them bursting through the hold that the term 'friends' had upon them, and that filled Ron with joy. But Ron believed that he could never deserve someone as amazing as her, and she was so smart that by the time the war had ended, she would've realised it and would only view whatever was going on with Ron as a heat-of-the-moment thing, nothing more. He swallowed a lump in his throat that he hadn't even noticed appear and took another swig of his butterbeer.
As he looked outside upon the lawn, however, Ron felt anger mixed with bewilderment bubble inside of him. "What in Merlin's name is he doing here?" He asked, narrowing his eyes to clarify that it was really true.
Harry had been so lost in thought about the other night, still coming to terms with the fact that yet another soul was lost to the war that he had barely registered what Ron had asked. When he looked up, though, Harry could grasp well enough what his best friend had grumbled. Viktor Krum, Harry hadn't seen him since his fourth year during the Triwizard Tournament. That in itself brought back a flash of awful memories of staring down at Cedric Diggory's lifeless form. Sighing and pulling himself back together, reminding himself that this was meant to be a joyous occasion, he sat up straighter and tried to focus on his best mate's clearly still apparent disdain for the Bulgarian Quidditch star.
"Oh, Fleur must've invited him." Harry glanced to Ron, who looked as though he was about to charge fourth when he watched Viktor enter his house.
"Where the fuck does he think he's going?" Ron huffed and stood quickly from the bar stool. Harry stood too but it was no use, Ron had already begun his march up towards The Burrow.
Hermione had successfully managed to cheer Fleur up and helped her to finalise her gorgeous appearance. Ginny and Mrs Weasley had returned to the room along with Mrs Delacour and Gabrielle. The five of them were enjoying a pleasant pre-wedding chat in the hopes of calming Fleur's inevitable nerves. The sound of the front door opening and closing caused Mrs Weasley's expression to fall. She was frequently on edge these days, which Hermione expected and couldn't blame her for.
"Ginny, dear, would you go and check who that was, please? I'm sure it was just your father or one of your brothers." Mrs Weasley asked.
Ginny rolled her eyes and Hermione could almost predict the retort so she acted quickly to prevent any pre-ceremony tension. "I'll go." She insisted, standing up and readjusting her dress.
"Oh, thank you, dear." Mrs Weasley smiled gratefully and Hermione nodded with a smile in response.
Walking down the stairs, Hermione couldn't quite believe who she had found at the bottom.
"Viktor?" She asked, her voice full of surprise. She hasn't seen the Durmstrang student in an awfully long time, and they had stopped writing to each other almost three years ago but she still felt slightly awkward as she approached him, knowing that she was the one who had indeed distanced herself from him.
"Her-mow-ninny!" Hermione looked down with a sheepish smile at his attempt of her name which he still hadn't quite managed. "You look incredible!" He gushed.
Hermione felt herself go slightly rosy at the cheeks at the compliment but it had nothing to do with the fact it had come from him. "Why, thank you! So do you." She returned in a friendly manner. He looked her up and down, seemingly scanning her body which made Hermione feel rather awkward and almost uncomfortable. "So, how are you?" She asked, trying to ignore the way his eyes lingered at her breasts.
But before Viktor had the opportunity to answer, the front door burst open behind him and they both looked towards it. In came Ron, who looked as if he'd been annoyed, angry even. But when he looked at Hermione, his face changed completely. Hermione felt herself blush to an incredible shade of red as he took her in with his eyes, his blue orbs resting on her brown ones. Hermione thought she would melt under his gaze, not to mention how handsome he looked in his dress robes. She didn't know how much more of the rising heat of the air she could take before she'd become suffocated by their silent communications.
"Rod Veasley!" Viktor called, breaking the tension that he wasn't at all part of; Hermione had mostly forgotten he was even there.
Ron's face turned to him, although hesitantly, and Hermione feared for what this conversation would bring; Ron hadn't exactly left his fourth year as the same fan he was of Viktor Krum at the beginning. Hermione didn't think that the fact he had gotten Ron's name wrong would help matters, either.
"Uh, it's 'Ron' actually." He corrected but his voice wasn't as cold as Hermione had braced herself for.
"Oh! I am sorry." Viktor said quickly but turned back to Hermione. "Hermowninny, you really look-" Viktor tried to compliment Hermione again but Ron audibly cleared his throat which distracted the Bulgarian Quidditch player.
"Well, Viktor, the wedding's about to start, so you should probably head down to the tent," Ron suggested as he walked across the space towards Hermione.
Viktor opened his mouth to say something but shook his head in contemplation. "Right, vell, I'll see you down there, Hermowninny." He added before leaving through the door he had appeared through.
Hermione raised her eyebrows at Ron for being rude to Viktor but before she could say anything, Ron opened his mouth and said, "You look beautiful, by the way." Hermione blushed so much that she could probably blend into her dress. Once again, Ron had one moment infuriated her, the next, made her feel again so jealous of Fleur for being the one who got to marry a Weasley today. She knew her thoughts were a bit over the top however, so she tried to calm them. "You ready?" Ron asked with a smile and offered her his arm.
Hermione smiled back and looped her own arm through his. "You don't look so bad, yourself." She added before they left The Burrow to head down to the marquee.
The wedding was exceptional. Watching Bill and Fleur exchange their vows left not many eyes dry in the venue, especially not Hermione's. Tears of adoration streamed down her face as everyone arose from their seat as the happy couple walked down the aisle. Hermione watched them intently as their smiles were wide and tears were in their own eyes, or in Fleur's case, trailing down her face.
Ron couldn't believe it, his brother was now a married man. He was filled with glee to watch his brother marry the woman he loved, especially during this horrific time. Bill hadn't had any groomsmen, deciding that he had too many brothers to stand behind him at the altar. So, instead Ron sat in the crowd that watched the wonderful ceremony. As they stood to wave off the newlyweds, Ron turned to watch Hermione. She looked breathtaking, more beautiful than any Veela that Ron had ever seen. Not only because of the stunning dress, or the makeup she was apparently wearing, but because Ron had always viewed her as beautiful, and today was no exception.
Hermione wiped a tear away with one of her hands that were previously held to her chest. Before she could return that hand, however, Ron took it and squeezed it. Hermione looked back at him and gave him a watery smile. She loved him. That fact only made her want to cry even more.
Once the bride and groom had left the tent so Fleur could change into her evening dress for the reception, the seats started to empty as people made their way to fill tables that lined the tent, leaving most of the floor clear for dancing later in the evening. Hermione loved to dance but sadly she knew that Ron was never a fan. As the commotion of everyone trying to find somewhere to sit and eat took place, Ron was tracing circles with his thumb on the back of Hermione's hand, as they walked through crowds of guests. Hermione didn't think that that small notion would ever not be able to invoke a warmth in her. It made her feel safe, somehow.
It was a lovely evening to follow a perfect day, the food was divine and a live band was playing beautiful songs from the corner of the marquee. Hermione was sitting in a booth beside Ron and opposite Luna. Harry had just returned from speaking to Ron's Aunt Muriel and Elphias Doge, Dumbledore's old friend, and took Luna's place.
The three of them talked about what the elder wizard and witch had said to Harry about Dumbledore. Hermione was as shocked as Harry to hear the secrets of Dumbledore's family, especially about his sister and that he lived in the same village as baby Harry when he was young. That part seemed to upset Harry the most. Ron hadn't said much but seemed just as taken aback as the other two at the insinuation made by Ron's Aunt, that Dumbledore wasn't actually as brilliant as everyone thought.
The three's conversation was extinguished, however, when Viktor Krum slid into the booth beside Harry. Hermione considered she could be going insane, but swore that Ron had shifted closer to her at the Bulgarian's arrival. She wanted to roll her eyes at his petty jealousy, but she restrained herself.
Once again, the stupid prat had joined them, Ron thought as Krum sat down, uninvitedly. He hoped Hermione hadn't noticed, but Ron, as subtle as he could, moved closer to her. Ron didn't say much to Krum but instead watched him and Hermione talk about the wedding. Ron didn't appreciate the pervy look in the dick's eyes as he talked to Hermione, whose name he could never get bloody right, so he took her hand abruptly again.
"Shall we go dance?" Ron asked, out of the blue. Hermione turned from Viktor to him with a confused expression on her face, but still agreed to joining him on the dancefloor. It was something she had never expected Ron to ask, and it extremely excited her, briefly, before she began to contemplate his true motives.
They took a place close to the centre of the floor; there were many people scattered around that were enjoying the music from the band. Ron hadn't really thought the dancing thing through when he blurted out the request to Hermione. He looked around helplessly to other couples who were dancing, to see if he could quickly learn how he was meant to do this. Nervously, he circled Hermione's waist with his arms. Hermione still had a perplexed look on her face and had only said, 'okay', to him when he asked her to dance but nevertheless, she wrapped her arms around his neck. The shoes she was wearing helped give her extra height so she was able to reach him better.
Hermione could tell immediately that Ron hadn't the faintest idea of what he should be doing right now. It gave Hermione all of the reasons she'd need to guess that he had an ulterior motive for asking her to dance. "Have you just asked me here because Viktor was speaking to me?" She asked with her brows furrowed, hold on his neck loosening.
"No, Hermione!" He answered far too quickly and held her tighter, causing her traitorous body to ignite. "Well… I, I don't know. All I do is know that you look incredible, and I just want to dance with you." Hermione's expression softened at his words.
She rested her head against his chest and sighed. "When will you stop acting so immaturely around him?"
"When he stops looking at you like that." He grumbled into her hair. Hermione lifted her head to look up at him. He did look gorgeous, as always. His crystal blue eyes bore into her soul in such a powerful way that she had forgotten to be angry with him. She just wanted to dance with him. Anything could happen and she would not waste this moment of solace arguing about a pathetic yet everlasting disagreement.
"This is how you dance." She said simply, placing a hand on his shoulder whilst the other laced their fingers together. Ron kept a hand firm on her waist whilst the other held her own hand. They began to sway to the music together and all Ron could think of was that all he wanted to do for the rest of his life was dance with her, despite how much he hated dancing.
They danced in silence for a while, enjoying the closeness that this opportunity gave them. Hermione eventually rested her head on his chest again, the events of the day tiring her along with her high heels that were causing her feet to ache. Her eyes closed as she enjoyed the comforting sway of their bodies. "What happened to your hair?" At Ron's random question, however, her eyes snapped open and she looked up frantically to him. Hermione let go of his shoulder to start smoothing down her hair but was surprised to find it hadn't changed from when she had charmed it earlier.
"What do you mean?" She sighed.
"Well, it doesn't look like it usually does." He responded dumbly.
"Thanks for noticing." Hermione rolled her eyes. "I used a charm to calm it down, I could never attend such a beautiful wedding with hair like that!" She said exasperatedly.
"Why not?" Ron asked with his brows furrowed. "I think it looks way better naturally." He added, pulling at a loose bit of hair that framed Hermione's face.
"Thanks, again." She chuckled. But she couldn't lie that she was touched by his words. Her laughter faded as she realised how intently he was watching her. His eyes dark with emotion that Hermione hadn't realised he could feel. She didn't trust herself to look into his eyes any longer so yanked her gaze away, suddenly able to hear the music that she had become deaf to moments before.
Ron cleared his throat loudly when the song changed into a more upbeat and lively one, unlike the slow and romantic one that played before it. "My feet are killing me." Hermione whined in an attempt to break the tension.
"Wanna go sit down?" Ron asked quickly, happy to leave the now awkward dance floor.
"Yes, please. Shall we go get a drink and find Harry?"
"Okay, I'll go find some whilst you find Harry." Ron muttered quickly and was about to turn away just as fast, until Hermione grabbed his hand and squeezed it with a reassuring smile.
Ron instantly felt the chance of tension leave, and all he wanted to do was to follow her to a booth where they could be alone again, but alas, they had already formed a plan. He walked around briskly towards the bar but was stopped by his brother, Charlie.
"Woahh, where are you rushing to, Ronniekins?" He asked with a chuckle.
Ron's eyes were focused on Hermione who was looking for Harry. "Just getting a few drinks." He answered.
"Think you could spare your dear brother a minute of your attention?" Charlie asked, noting his brother's wandering concentration.
"Y-yes." Ron replied, hesitantly looking away from Hermione to speak to Charlie.
He rambled on about Romania and what Ron might think he'd be interested in once leaving Hogwarts, Charlie didn't even seem to acknowledge the fact that there was a war looming. Before he could waffle on any longer, though, a huge ball of light burst through the tent's canvas. The light morphed into a patronus in the form of a sphinx.
And just like that, no sooner had Kingsley announced what was going on, about ten death eaters apparated in. Screams and cries flooded the tent as people rushed around frantically to leave. All Ron could think of was one person in particular. Shoving people out of the way for what felt like hours, Ron finally found her.
Worry and panic overcame Hermione as Kingsley made the announcement, her first thought was Ron and that she, him and Harry needed to leave. Right this second. After dashing to the booth they were sat in before, she retrieved her beaded bag and hurried through the tent to look for Ron. Hermione saw him and relief filled her only momentarily before she remembered that Harry was still at large. The two of them, whilst holding one another, found Harry and as hastily as she could whilst keeping concentration, Hermione disapparated them away.