Chapter Three
The Yule Ball
Hermione felt the eyes of everyone on her as she and Krum walked arm in arm into the Great Hall. She could feel Ron's angry glare as she glided past. They took up their positions in the dance floor and Krum tried to pull her close, she resisted and as she look over Krums shoulder her eyes snapped to meet Freds. He was in the crowd with Angelina, who was looking very pretty in deep red dress robes. She felt like there was an invisible beam connecting them- she couldn't look away. Fred's expression was inscrutable as his eyes held hers. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips and she saw him glance down at her mouth then back at her lips, a slight frown marring his handsome face. Then the music started and as she was twirled around the floor by Viktor it was Fred who she was dancing with in her mind.
She danced for most of the evening with Viktor and it was with relief she managed to slip away saying she needed some air and could he get them drinks and she would be back soon. She went out the great front doors and saw Ron and Harry headed into the rose garden- not wanting to deal with Ron right now she slid silently into the shadows and made her way to the deserted courtyard. The night air was freezing so she conjured her bluebell flames contained in a jam jar which she placed on the sun dial. She huddled close to the fire and looked up at the stars. The night was crystal clear and the more she looked the more stars appeared. She often spent time looking at the stars, and not just for revision for astronomy, she liked to be reminded of just how small they really were, compared to the immensity of the universe. Her thoughts went back to Fred and the way his eyes had held hers before the dancing. She thought back to the night he had taken her to see the elves- she had felt so alive as they ran through the castle hand in hand. She sighed to herself and her breath came out in a misty cloud. She had to admit to herself that she liked him. More than liked him. He had this ability to make her heart race and he always managed to make her smile, whatever her mood. And they had this connection- the way their eyes seemed to capture the others… but he was Ron's brother. Ron, her best friend, who thought himself in love with her. She knew that Ron wasn't really in love with her- they were worlds apart really. But Ron didn't know that yet, and she couldn't hurt him. Fred Weasley was off limits.
Fred stood in the shadows and watched as Hermione sighed heavily, her breath misting out in front of her as she looked up at the sky. She was huddled next to a jar of bluebell flames and looked utterly beautiful in the silver light from the moon and the flickering blue light from the flames. Her hair was sleek and pulled back into an intricate knot, but all her dancing had caused tendrils to fall out, framing her face and brushing her shoulders. He stood silently drinking in the sight. She really was the most remarkable witch. But judging from Ronnikins open hostility tonight, Hermione Granger was off limits. He should go back inside and leave her to her thoughts. But Fred didn't move.
The hairs on the back of Hermione's neck prickled and she spun around.
"Fred?" she gasped, "you scared me"
"Sorry" he said, moving across the courtyard to her, "that wasn't my intention" he came close under the pretence of warm himself by the flames.
"And what was your intention?" Hermione asked softly. Fred raised an eyebrow at her, "something innocent, I assure you"
"Well, that's a shame" she whispered. They were close now, both holding their hands up to the flames. Fred's fingers grazed hers and she felt that electric charge surge through her. Her eyes snapped up to Fred's.
"Hermione." Fred started, his voice barley above a whisper, "we.. I.. Shouldn't"
"No" breathed Hermione as her fingers laced into his "we shouldn't"
Fred hesitated for just one second longer before pulling her into him and capturing her mouth with own. He kissed her softly at first, relishing the feel and taste of her. The intensity soon increased as the heat built between them, Hermione moaned as his hand came up and buried itself in her silky hair and his other hand snaked around her waist and pulled her close to him.
"Hermy-own-ninny?" Came Krums voice from far away. Hermione and Fred broke apart breathing heavily their eyes searching the others face. Fred cupped her cheek with his hand and let his thumb gently brush her slightly swollen soft lips, he looked confused. Hermione closed her eyes and turned her head into his touch for a brief moment. Then she tore herself away and hurried off to meet Krum, fixing her hair as she went. The bluebell flames vanished with a pop, leaving Fred in the dark.
