The second dance was at a get-together between old friends at the Leaky Cauldron one year and a half after the war. A lot had happened in the that short time. Hermione and Ron had tried dating after the war, following their kiss in the Chamber of Secrets during the battle of Hogwarts. While dating, they had both taken up positions in the ministry. Ron had become an Auror fresh from the battle. Hermione had taken a position in the department of rules and regulations They had managed a year before their constant arguing had grown to an entire new level, as Ron had continued trying to pressure Hermione into staying home and becoming a stay at home mom the way his own mother had been and Hermione wasn't having it, forcing the couple to break up rather than lose friendship altogether.

Though it hadn't taken long, not even two days, after the break-up for him to start dating Lavender once more. Or rather, officially. As it turned out that for the second six months of the relationship with Hermione, Ron had been seeing Lavender in secret. Hermione had learned that fact from Lavender by owl post. When Hermione had confronted Ron about it at one of the Weasley family dinners, he had casually shrugged it off.

"Hey, I had needs and you were either rarely at home or just too tired." Ron shrugged. "Maybe if you'd been home more and not working so much, I wouldn't have had to go to Lavender."

That had of course been the absolutely wrong thing to say. As Hermione had launched into him angrily, unleashing her anger and frustration in a mix of hard punches and hexes. It had taken Harry, Ginny, Charlie, and Bill to get her off of him. When they finally had pulled her away far enough and slipped her some calming draught, Ginny had unleashed her bat bogey hex on Ron in her own anger.

Molly and Arthur were both disgusted with Ron and had comforted Hermione. Molly had declared that Lavender was not welcome at the Burrow ever.

Ron had balked at that news. Whining about how his siblings all got to bring their significant others to the dinners. But he made a second mistake by mentioning that Hermione wasn't a Weasley nor was she dating one and that it wasn't his fault that her own parents couldn't have their memories returned.

At the reveal about her parents, Hermione had given him a glare that would've killed him if looks could kill before storming off upstairs to Ginny's room to cry. Molly and Ginny, in turn, both hexed Ron for his insensitivity that time. Molly had gone off on him one last time, making it clear that no matter what, Hermione was considered family and she would not have that sort of talk from him in her house. Ron had huffed and left and things had been awkward and full of tension between him and Hermione ever since.

While at the celebration, Harry and Ginny had gone around to mingle with old classmates while Hermione sat nursing her drink and keeping to herself. Though she knew she shouldn't, she'd spent a good twenty minutes glancing over at the corner where Ron and Lavender were. Lavender looking obviously pregnant at six months along, a sign she had gotten pregnant around the time that Hermione and Ron had broken up. Not that Hermione cared about the exact timing of the child's conception, but it still hurt her that her first love had chosen the bimbo of their year over her.

"He doesn't deserve you." Neville spoke as he walked up to Hermione's table, a drink of his own in hand as he too watched their year mates in the corner. "Mind if I sit with you?"

Hermione looked to him and shook her head. "Go ahead." She smiled before looking back at Ron and Lavender again with a frown.

"Stop it Hermione." Neville spoke, a frown on his face as he watched her. "Ron's a stupid git for choosing her over you. He didn't deserve your tears back in fourth year and he doesn't deserve them now."

Hermione looked back to him in confusion before sighing. "It still hurts. It shouldn't after all this time. I didn't expect it to. But then, I barely see him and I haven't seen her in ages. So I guess it makes sense that the first time I see them together, it would hurt."

"How he could tolerate her is beyond me. But honestly, you were too good for him Hermione. She's more his level anyway." He smiled at her.

Hermione smiled again and nodded. "You're right. Thanks Neville."

"Anytime Hermione." Neville beamed, glad she was feeling better.

The two engaged in small talk, discussing their jobs and future career paths. After a while, a recognizable song started playing. The same one they had danced to back in fourth year at the Yule Ball.

Hermione giggled when she recognized the song. "Well, that's a nice coincidence."

Neville set his glass down and stood up. He held out a hand to her. "Care to repeat and give me the honor of another dance with you?"

"With pleasure." She set her own drink down and let him lead her to the dance floor that had been set up for the evening.

Neville and Hermione danced together to the song as they had years before. Only this time, they started off dancing close rather than the unconscious gravitation they'd had , while enjoying the closeness, was silently pondering if he should finally take the step of asking Hermione out. Hermione, was realizing some things while dancing in Neville's arms. That she was currently feeling safer in Neville's arms than she ever had in Ron's. That she seemed to fit against Neville perfectly. That, dare she say it, was having feelings for Neville.

When the song ended this time, Neville took a bold step. He looked at Hermione and gently tilted her head up with a finger before closing his eyes and leaning down to kiss her softly. He was quite surprised when she responded easily before slowly breaking it. Her cheeks were flushed as she looked up from under her eyelashes. As they tried to process what had just happened, they silently went back to their table and drinks.

"I'm sorry." Neville admitted.

"For what?" Hermione asked.

"For kissing you." He thought for a moment. "Actually, no. I'm not sorry for kissing you. I'm sorry for not asking first."

Hermione smiled and blushed. "What brought that on?"

Neville's answer to Hermione was a blush of his own. "Well, I've liked you for a while."

"How long?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Since first year." He shyly admitted.

Hermione's eyes widened at the news. "Really? Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"Cause I didn't have the courage." He shrugged. "I'd wanted to ask you to the Yule Ball, but Krum beat me to it. And then I'd figured you'd started having feelings for Ron, not that I understood why so I settled for being a friend."

"Oh." Hermione looked down at that. "I was that obvious fourth year, huh?"

Neville nodded. "At least to me anyway. I wasn't surprised that Ron hadn't seen how you felt right away. The two of you did constantly fight like an old married couple." He half-chuckled. "But I noticed you had feelings with him and didn't think I stood a chance. So I remained a friend and silently wished for your sake that he would make you happy."

"You're a good friend, Neville." She looked up with a soft smile. "Granted, looking back, I wish that you had said something. Maybe then I wouldn't have gone through that pain."

"And do you honestly believe that part of your head wouldn't have been filled with 'what ifs' in relation to Ron?" He asked pointedly.

She was shocked by the question briefly but soon regained her composure. "You're right. And it wouldn't have been fair to you."

"Exactly." He smiled in pride. But, we have a chance now if you're willing to take it."

Hermione nodded. "I'd like that."

Neville nodded even as he caught sight behind Hermione of Lavender heading their way likely to antagonize Hermione."Well then, come on. Let's go ahead and get out of here." He said, not wanting to alert Hermione as he stood and held a hand out to her once more.

Hermione nodded and took it, letting him lead her out of the Leaky Cauldron.