A/N: I hope everyone likes this chapter. I will try to keep updating it as soon as I can. Please leave reviews. I have put up 7 chapters and only received 27 reviews. I write this for feedback. So if you read please just leave me a short review. Or a long one. Enjoy!
Harry and Ron were waiting outside of the Great Hall, which had been cleared to be the place where the ball would be held. Inside students were already dancing, talking, eating, and enjoying themselves. And then more students waited outside for their dates to arrive. So far to what Harry could see there was no crying, no fights, and no drama what so ever. He hoped it would stay that way for just a little while longer so they could enjoy a little bit of the night drama free. Harry recalled memories of the Yule Ball where Ron and Hermione broke out in to a fight. Harry and Ron left Hermione crying on the steps. Harry remembered looking down to her seeing her hair had fallen in front of her eyes and her face was buried in her hands. Harry never could fight that memory away and felt bad about it ever since. He should have stayed with her. Tonight, if anything like that happened, he promised himself he would stay with her no matter what.
Harry looked over to Ron who was playing with his thumbs nervously looking down to his feet whispering words to himself. It was as if he was reciting everything he would say tonight. Like he had a script tucked in to his pocket that had something for him to say in any situation. Harry walked closer to Ron trying to get his whispers to become audible. Harry finally could hear what Ron was whispering to himself if he strained his hearing as hard as he could.
"You look very nice Luna…I'm glad you came…Want to dance?"
Harry smirked to himself taking his place by Ron's side. Ron's eyes traveled up from the floor to Harry. His whispers faded in to the air and he stood up straight stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"Are you okay Ron?" Harry inquired.
"Yea…I am fine," Ron said then clearing his throat.
Harry looked to the hallway then again anxiously waiting Hermione's arrival. A girl that Harry knew appeared around the corner. However, this girl was not Hermione. Luna Lovegood appeared around the corner walking towards Harry and Ron. She was wearing a tan dress with her charms still hung around her neck. Her hair was hung down in its usual fashion. Harry thought she looked very nice and smiled to her. Harry then looked over to Ron whose face turned bright red. Harry looked down to Ron's legs, which were shaking slightly, and his palms were sweating.
"Don't worry Ron. It'll be fine," Harry whispered over to Ron before Luna got close enough so she could hear.
Luna then stopped in front of Harry and Ron. Luna looked over to Harry and smiled. Her eyes then wandered over to Ron who was not hiding his nervousness very well at all. Luna looked Ron up and down at the dress robes he was wearing. Harry looked over to Ron out of the corner of his eye and then back to Luna. Luna's eyes met with Ron's eyes and she smiled to him.
"You look great Ron," Luna said in her sweet voice.
Ron couldn't believe what she said at first, but before his face could show his shock he smiled to Luna. "You look very nice as well Luna."
Ron extended his hand out to Luna. Luna looked to his hand and then placed her hand in his. She could feel his palms were slightly moist from being nervous and she just giggled and looked up to Ron again.
Ron looked over to Harry and gave him a nervous smile. "I'll see you in there…"
Harry nodded to the couple and watched the two of them walk in to the Great Hall together. Ron looked back to Harry. His eyes were asking Harry if he was doing well so far. Harry simply nodded to Ron and Ron made a sigh of relief before turning around.
Harry then took a deep breath turning to the hallway again waiting for Hermione to appear. More and more couples made their way in to the Great Hall. As each couple moved in to the ball Harry became even more anxious. His mind was flooding with hundreds of thoughts at the same time.
Where is Hermione?
Did she changer her mind?
Is she okay?
Is she hurt?
Is she sick?
Oh Harry she is fine.
Just wait.
Be patient!
Harry took deep cleansing breaths as he waited for Hermione. Harry looked in to the ball spotting Ron and Luna dancing. Ron's face was filled with fear, but it gradually faded as they continued to dance. Neville and Ginny were dancing as well. Since they had danced at the Yule Ball the year before they were perfectly comfortable with each other. Harry soon looked back to the hallway to see a beautiful girl approaching him. She was in a purple dress that looked similar to Hermione's at the Yule Ball the year prior, but there were some differences. The girl's hair was done up beautifully. It hung down in curls. As Harry examined all of these different features he locked on to the girls eyes. They were the eyes of those, which he had looked so many times before. It was Hermione who was walking towards him.
A large smile grew on Harry's face. Hermione returned his smile with a smile of her own. She stopped in front of Harry and looked at Harry who to her looked perfect. Soon the butterfly feeling had slipped back in to her stomach, but she was enjoying the feeling now.
"You look great Harry…"
"Not as good as you Hermione. You look…Amazing. I mean it. Just…Perfect," Harry said scrambling for words still astonished by how good Hermione looked.
Hermione smiled to him looking down and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. A large smile stayed on Hermione's face as she looked up to Harry. Harry reached out his hand for Hermione to take. Hermione looked around and then at the hand. This may be one of the few nights that Hermione will be able to hold Harry's hand without it being published in the Daily Prophet. At least that is what she hoped. Hermione took Harry's hand and smiled to him.
Harry took a deep breath and turned to the Great Hall and stepped inside with her. The air was filled with the sound of music, laughing, and talking. Harry looked around for Ron who was no where to be found. He was fine with it though. He was just glad that Ron was having a good time. Harry's eyes slowly moved over to Hermione who was also looking about the Great Hall. Soon their eyes meet and they shared a smile.
"Would you like to dance?" Harry asked Hermione predicting what her answer might be.
"Of course I would," Hermione answered.
Harry guided Hermione out on to the dance floor with the large group of other students who were already dancing. Harry turned to Hermione as she did. Harry put one hand on Hermione's hip and took her other hand in his. Harry looked over to her shoulder as she put her hand on it. A smile was brought to Harry's face as he remembered the training that all of the students received before the Yule Ball.
Soon he was brought back to reality however when he felt Hermione start to dance. He followed in suite and began to dance with her. Their feet went from side to side in their small area that other students had allowed them to dance. It seemed that everyone on the dance floor was in his or her own small are of the Great Hall. Completely oblivious to every other student that was around him or her.
Harry soon was having the same feeling. He felt as if it was only Hermione and him in the Great Hall. Harry looked in to Hermione's eyes. They locked gazes with each other. Hermione began to lose herself in Harry's eyes as Harry did the same with her eyes. Although they didn't speak a word to each other, their bond allowed them to speak to each other just through their eyes. And at that exact moment they were telling each other the same thing.
I love you…
Hermione smiled up to Harry and she then leaned forward and laid her head on Harry's chest as they danced. She closed her eyes and cherished the moment. The person she was dancing with was the one she yearned to for so long now. Those eyes she had been looking in to were the eyes she had loved looking in to. She was with the boy, which she loved. She was with Harry Potter.
After a few dances Hermione and Harry decided to sit out a few and relax. Maybe talk to a few other couples they knew. As they walked out to the tables Harry spotted Ron and Luna. Harry pointed over to their table and Hermione spotted them as well. They took two seats that were next to Ron and Luna and smiled to the couple.
"Hey you two. How long have you been sitting out?" Harry asked hoping it wasn't long.
"Oh. Not long now. Just one song," Ron replied with a small smile. Harry could tell that his friend was no longer as nervous as he once was.
Hermione looked over to Luna and smiled. She changed seats so she was sitting right next to Luna so they could talk in private. Harry watched Hermione move and smiled to Ron. As the two girls began talking Harry leaned in to Ron.
"So how are things going Ron? You don't seem as nervous."
"Things are going great. I actually wasn't too bad at dancing tonight," Ron commented with a small chuckle. "So how have things been for you and Hermione?"
"Great," Harry answered looking over to Hermione. She looked over to him as she was whispering to Luna and giggled. Harry smirked to her and back to Ron. Ron also had been looking at Luna and Hermione.
He looked back to Harry curiously and leaned in again. "What do you think they are talking about?" Ron inquired.
"I haven't the slightest clue Ron," Harry answered wondering why Ron expected he might know.
Hermione stood up with Luna and walked over to Harry. She leaned down and whispered in to his ear. "We are going to the bathroom. We'll be right back."
Harry nodded to her and smiled as the two left. Ron and Harry went on to talk when suddenly an unexpected guest sat down next to Ron and Harry. Not only was the guest unexpected, but he was also unwanted. Draco Malfoy had a wicked grin on his face as he looked to Ron and Harry.
"Oh look. Couple of the year is sitting together," Draco snickered.
Harry turned his head around and scowled at Draco. "What do you want Malfoy?"
"God Ron. You look god-awful. I can't believe that Lovegood girl wanted to go to a dance with an oaf like you."
"Shut up Malfoy," Ron snapped at him crossing his arms.
"Oh no. Did I hurt your feelings?"
"What do you want Malfoy!" Harry stated with an angry tone in his voice.
"Just wanted you to know that I notified the Prophet about you and Granger. They'll love this story. Although I did give them a few other parts of the story I thought would spice it up. Just wanted you to know that Granger and yourself can't run of to the lake to hope that no one will see you."
Ron looked over to Harry and then back to Malfoy. He knew Harry hated the press and that this very well could be very bad for the two of them. "Why don't you just get the hell out of here Malfoy!"
At that moment Luna and Hermione entered the Great Hall again. They were giggling with each other. Suddenly the smiles they wore in to the Great Hall turned to frowns when they saw who was sitting with Harry and Ron.
"And here she is! The girl of the hour!" Draco exclaimed standing up and walking up to Hermione.
"Stay away from me Malfoy," Hermione said with a frown stepping away from him.
"Just wanted you to know that you and your boyfriend will be getting a lot of unwanted press. Have a good night you two," Draco sneered then walking away from them all.
Harry was shaking his head in anger. Draco always had to come in and ruin something that good. It was a great hobby of his to ruin the trio's lives.
Harry and Hermione had been trying to hard to hide their feelings for each other from the press and not wanting the public to know. Because when the Prophet got their hands on the story their would be no end to the warped stories of the couple.
Hermione sat down next to Harry and leaned towards him. "What did he do Harry?"
"He gave the Prophet a story about us. A warped story of course," Harry said with a scowl still.
Hermione looked around to Ron and Luna with a frown on her face. She set her hand on Harry's hand making his eyes travel up to hers. "It'll be fine Harry. The Prophet would be writing stories about us even if we weren't together. And Draco could very well just be lying to us. But don't be upset. I know…The Prophet doesn't like to leave you alone...I promise we'll be fine. We have each other. That is all that matters."
Harry took a deep breath. With everything Hermione said he began to feel comforted by her. His scowl turned to a smirk. "Your right. We'll be fine. Just…Draco." Harry then let out a light laugh and as did Hermione.
Harry looked out to the dance floor and nodded his head towards the dance floor. Hermione nodded and they stood up and walked back out to the dance floor. There were less couples then before out on the dance floor, but there was still a good number of students. Ron and Luna followed behind the couple and began to dance as well.
Hermione smiled to Harry as they danced again. She then was stuck with a moment of déjà vu. She recalled the dream she had just three weeks before about the ball. It just seemed like it was that moment. As this thought was rushing through her head she locked eyes with Harry. She felt the butterflies return to her stomach as the moment unfolded. Harry made a small smile down to Hermione and she smiled back up to him.
Harry began to move his head towards her. He was leaning in for a kiss. Hermione hesitated after the conversation they just had. However, her hesitation didn't last long. She too began to lean in and going to kiss Harry.
Just before their lips touched there was a loud commotion coming from the tables. They drew their heads back and looked out to the tables. Neville had knocked over a platter of food full of many assorted meats. He was completely embarrassed as he stood over the tray and some students laughed and others groaned.
Hermione sighed wanting to have kissed Harry, but maybe this dream would be one that wouldn't happen. Ron and Luna walked over to Harry and Hermione. Ron was shaking his head and he then made a light laugh.
"Only Neville," Ron muttered with a smile over to the couple.
"Yea," Harry agreed.
"Well should we call it a night?" Luna asked the other three.
Hermione didn't want the night to end, but she knew that it was getting late. Hermione reluctantly nodded. "Yes I guess we should."
The two couples slipped away from the ball and walked back to their common rooms. Ron walked Luna to her wing leaving Harry and Hermione. As Hermione and Harry moved towards their common room Harry looked over to Hermione and smiled.
"Thanks for going to the ball with me Hermione. It was great. I had fun with you," he said with a sad tone since the night was ending.
"Yes. It was fun. Thanks for asking me to go Harry," Hermione replied thinking back to her dream. Maybe those dreams she had been having were just dreams. Maybe they didn't mean anything more. Even though one of her dreams came true before, maybe it was just a coincidence. Just pure luck is what it could have been.
As these thoughts were spiraling around in Hermione's head, Harry stretched out his hand, and his fingers grazed her arm. She cranked her head around to Harry and smiled. He stopped in his tracks and so did Hermione. Harry turned around to Hermione and she did the same.
"What is it Harry?" she asked wondering why they had stopped.
Harry didn't answer. He just looked in to Hermione's eyes. He lost himself in her eyes. Before she could ask him her question for a second time he leaned in and kissed Hermione tenderly on the lips. Hermione was at first surprised, but she then closed her eyes and cherished the kiss. She wrapped her arms around Harry and embraced him. The kiss lingered on for a moment before Harry broke away from the kiss slowly.
Hermione smiled to Harry stroking his cheek with her fingertips. He took her hand and smiled to her. He then continued the journey up to the common room with Hermione.
Hermione smiled to herself. Maybe the dreams do mean something. They soon were up in the common room. They sat down on the couch and talked with each other for a long time. They waited for Ron to come in and he told them about Luna and how amazing she was.
Harry and Hermione were glad that he had found someone. Harry had to admit he never thought of Luna and Ron as a couple. But then again, who would have thought that Harry and Hermione would end up with each other.