Chapter 19 - Comfort

They took their time strolling around the grounds then came inside and lit some candles as Hermione attempted to teach Neville to cook the Muggle way. They were mainly successful, only having to resort to magic to get some wayward sauce stains off the ceiling.

After dinner Hermione took Neville by the hand and led him into the sitting room. He thought they were heading for their usual spot in front of the fire but instead she pulled him to the middle of the floor and turned to face him.

"Dance with me," she said.

"Again?"

"Yes. I'm hoping this time we won't be interrupted."

She flicked her wand towards the radio and the familiar strains of the Yule Ball Waltz could be heard.

"Sorry for my appearance," she said, gesturing towards the Muggle jeans and jumper she was wearing. "The one thing I didn't pack in my bag was a formal gown. Would you prefer I transfigure something to make myself more presentable?"

"No need. It's not fancy clothing that make you beautiful. You're stunning just as you are."

"Flatterer," she blushed.

"Not flattery if it's true, remember?"

She placed his hand on her waist and took the other in her own. "Do you think you can remember the steps?" she teased.

"Maybe. I had an excellent teacher but I was pretty distracted during my lessons. Might need a refresher course."

"The teacher must not have been that good if you got distracted."

"She was wonderful. She couldn't help it if she was the distraction."

Hermione's eyes twinkled. "And what, exactly, kept you from concentrating on what she was trying to teach you?"

"Everything. Her smile. Her laugh. Her hair. Sweet Circe, that glorious hair." He ran his fingers through her thick brown locks before dropping his hands to her hips and tugging her close. "The smell of her shampoo. The warmth of her body when it brushed against mine. She overpowered all my senses. I was damned lucky I didn't faint right then and there the way my pulse was racing. I was sure she could hear my heart pounding the entire time."

"I know what you mean."

"You do?"

"I do," she said. "Because that's exactly how I feel right now."

She raised herself up on her toes and kissed him slowly before returning his hands to the correct waltz positions. "Right. Dancing, remember?"

"If you insist," said Neville with a good natured sigh.

She flicked her wand back at the radio and the song started over from the beginning. It took a few bars for them to remember the correct sequence of moves and Neville stepped on her toes once or twice but they soon found their rhythm and before long they were twirling and dancing around the room. They were gearing up for a big finish when they bumped into an ottoman, lost their balance and landed with a thud on the divan, causing both of them to start giggling uncontrollably.

"You okay?" Neville finally managed to ask.

"I'm fine. You?"

"I'm good. Told you I needed a refresher course, though." He made an effort to stand but Hermione stopped him. She pulled him back then swung her body around so she was straddling him. Before he could fully process what was going on her lips were on his and her hands were running through his hair. A split second later he responded, pulling her even closer and deepening the kiss.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed when he became aware of the fact that she was unbuttoning his shirt and he felt her lips making their way down his neck.

He managed to catch his breath long enough to ask, "What are you doing?"

She whispered in a low voice, "If you have to ask then I must not be doing it properly."

She nibbled on his earlobe and he had to fight to remain coherent.

"No. I mean, I've got the general idea. I want to know why."

She switched to the other side of his neck. "Again, if you have to ask..."

Neville dug deep, summoned every last bit of self-control he possessed and pushed her back a fraction of an inch. "Wait. I'm trying to make sure this is what you really want."

"Of course it is."

"Are you sure? When this happens I don't want it to be out of fear or pity or some misguided sense of obligation. It should only happen because you want it as badly as I do."

"It is. I do. I want this. I want you, Neville." She brushed her lips over his then rolled her hips against him and murmured, "Please."

In that moment the last shred of his restraint vanished. He held her as tight as he could and staggered to his feet. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he growled, "Bugger the stairs. Hold on."

He apparated them directly to the upstairs hallway. He struggled to keep his balance as he briefly hesitated between their two doorways.

He wanted this moment to be special - to choose the place where she'd feel most comfortable. He lifted his lips from hers just long enough to ask, "Where will you feel safest?"

Her reply nearly stole the breath from him.

"With you," she whispered. "I feel safest when I'm with you."

xxx

When he woke up he was still curled protectively around her. He smiled into the mass of curly dark hair then moved a section aside to nuzzle her ear.

He heard a soft giggle. "Sorry. Should I tie it back to keep it out of your face?"

"No. I love it." He kissed her neck, enjoying the shiver of anticipation the action provoked in her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

She snuggled closer as he whispered, "I wish we could stay like this forever."

"So do I."

"Then why don't we? Let's tell the world to sod off and just stay holed up here together."

There was a moment of silence until Hermione sighed, "Oh, Nev. I'd give anything if we could but you and I both know that's not an option."

"I know. A bloke can dream, though, can't he?" He tightened his arms around her. "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course. Anything."

"I'm terrified of what might happen to you after the vote."

Once the group had started making plans to confront Hermione's attacker, she had been adamant that they hold off enacting any strategy until after the vote on the werewolf referendum, fearing if anything went wrong it could jeopardize the legislation she'd poured her heart into.

"That's funny," Hermione confessed. "I'm terrified of what happens after all this is over."

Neville raised himself up on one elbow to look at her. "What do you mean?"

She remained on her side, staring across the room. "If I live through this, then what? What happens when there's no more threat and you're no longer compelled to stay by my side? You're a brilliant and talented wizard with a world of opportunities and a full life ahead of him."

He gently forced her to look at him. "And I want that life to include you. I love you, Hermione Jean Granger. That's not going to change. Ever. No matter what happens. Nobody is 'compelling' me to stay anywhere. I'm right where I want to be. Where I will always want to be. With you."

Hermione's eyes welled up with tears. "You really mean that, don't you?"

"Absolutely. I swear it. Now get some sleep," he said, kissing her forehead. "We've got a long couple of days ahead of us."

Hermione rolled over to face him and ran her fingers lightly over his chest. "I can sleep later. Right now I have other priorities."