CHAPTER FOURTEEN

'They played at hearts as other children might play at ball; only, as it was really their two hearts that they flung to and fro, they had to be very, very handy to catch them, each time, without hurting them.'
~Gaston Leroux, The Phantom of the Opera~

Dinner at the Burrow the following week found forgiveness and merriment. George arrived with Angelina, who had a pie for dessert. Upon seeing Hermione, he gave her a big hug and just like that all ill will was forgotten. The Burrow had been magically cooled, but there was a warmth in the air that drew them all together. Ron kept his arm around Hermione, who leaned into him and kissed his cheek whenever she could. Harry rocked baby Victoire and made adorable baby faces at her. Percy had brought paperwork with him, but George playfully set them on fire and then he took baby Teddy from his mum and gave him to Percy, who seemed quite pleased with himself at having gotten control of the little boy.

There was music and Hermione grabbed Ron and brought him over to the "dance floor." It was actually their living room, but Ron didn't refuse her. Although he did just shuffle from left to right awkwardly. She buried her head in his neck, enjoying the feel of being near him. He smelled of soap and something that was just unique to the Burrow. It was nice- it was familiar and it comforted her.

Harry broke up their twosome and once again they were a trio. He had given Victoire back to her parents once she started crying. Harry was no better dancer than Ron, but he was also willing to try. Hermione laughed, throwing her head back, feeling as free as she could be. She'd been at work all week with hardly any free time. Her whole body had ached from being on her feet all day long all week, but tonight she felt happy and buoyant. She could have danced all night.

Everything was wonderful. She had no reason to ever doubt her feelings for Ron. They were real and she was happy and the relationship was right. She couldn't explain it, but it just was. This was where she wanted to be. There was no way she could ever doubt her feelings for Ron when the mere sight of him made her... something. It made her happy. Whatever it was, she wasn't willing to let it go away. There was no one she wanted in his place.

Not even Draco Malfoy, like Harry had asked her. It was true, she'd been having a great time with him. But he wasn't Ron. It was that simple. It didn't have anything to do with the fact that he would never like her or the kind of person he'd been before. It was simple, really. He wasn't Ron and the only man she did want was Ronald Weasley. No one had anything to worry about. No hearts were getting broken.

She could feel the cameras trained on the three of them as they danced. Harry spun her around before shaking his hips and kicking his leg up. She laughed so hard tears streamed down her cheeks and she couldn't breath properly. Ron was laughing too and he grabbed her shoulder to pull her closer. If she could freeze time, this would be the moment she stayed in. It was all she needed to be happy.

There was a knock at the door. Hermione barley heard it over the noise. Ron smiled brightly and she turned to him, but he was already running to the door. She turned to Harry, confused, "Who else is coming? Charlie isn't on vacation... is he?" She asked, referencing the other Weasley brother who worked in Romania. He was hardly home. Hermione hadn't met him until nearly four years after she had become friends with Ron and his family. He didn't come home much.

"No," Harry shook his head. "Jenna is coming. Ron didn't tell you?"

"Oh." She said, looking over the door, where Jenna had launched herself into Ron's waiting arms. She was determined to hide her disappointment. After so little time spent together, she was looking to forward to hanging out with just the Weasleys and Harry. She had nothing against Jenna since she'd only seen her once, but she knew Jenna was spending plenty of time with Ron and the others. Couldn't she have one night to herself?

"This is my girlfriend, 'Mione," She vaguely heard Ron saying. She turned, finding Jenna right next to her. She plastered a smile on her face, sticking her hand out.

"It's so nice to finally meet you! These two have told me so much about you, I feel like I know you already!" Jenna said. She disregarded Hermione's hand, pulling her in for a hug. Hermione hugged her back awkwardly. Jenna's voice was ringing in her ear, her voice was so high-pitched. It reminded her of Lavender Brown, Ron's ex-gremlin. She instantly felt a stab of regret for her mental thoughts- Lavender had died in the battle. She'd fallen from a balcony and then been attacked by the psycho, every-possible-ophile-that-existed werewolf Fenrir Greyback.

"Yes, erm, you too," She pulled free, noticing Harry biting his cheek. She glared at him, there was no reason for him to be enjoying this.

A silence overtook the group and Hermione was ready to shout at someone for inviting Jenna Boyle. "I'll find some more music," Jenna finally said, when the CD they'd been playing stopped.

"I'm going to get a drink," Hermione muttered, leaving the room.

"I'll get one too," Harry said, following her. She hoped Ron would too, but he stayed behind as Jenna riffled through Mr. Weasley's collection of muggle music. Mr. Weasley had always been fascinated with muggle things even though he didn't know what any of it was. He'd been collecting things for years. When Ron had brought home Harry and Hermione, his two muggle raised friends, it had been a happy day.

"She's not that bad," Harry said, once they'd made it to the kitchen. "Honest, she just takes a bit of getting used too. Ask her about cars," He suggested, "She loves cars and she knows a lot."

She slammed the water pitcher onto the counter, grabbing a glass from the cabinet above. "Geez, 'Mione, calm down," Harry muttered.

"I don't want to ask Jenna Boyle about cars." Hermione growled, pouring a glass of water. "I wanted to dance with my two best friends, eat good food, listen to George talk about his new exploding chocolate frog or whatever he just invented, and just relax after the crazy week I had. Tomorrow I have to take the Malfoys to a matinee at the West End. All I wanted to do was catch up with my friends, not have to do whatever it is I'm supposed to with Jenna."

Harry touched her shoulder. "You can still do those things. Come on, we'll go dance right now."

She cracked a smile, nudging Harry. "Sorry, I think I'm PMSing."

Harry blushed and looked away from her. "You really need some girlfriends," He muttered.

She rolled her eyes, "Ginny isn't here. And by the way, when she is here, eventually she'll be bitching to you about it, so get used to it. No, it's fine. I don't want to dance."

"You just said you did," Harry muttered. "I don't get women."

They went back into the living room to find Ron and Jenna arm wrestling. So much for music. Hermione took a seat on the arm rest of the chair Harry plopped himself onto. They watched in silence, while Jenna and Ron went back and forth.

"You're so going down, Weasley!" Jenna exclaimed, Ron's arm shaking.

It looked like they were gripping each other's hands tightly. Hermione's brows furrowed as she watched, their hands turning red. She glanced at Harry to see if he was concerned. He didn't appear to be. He'd pulled the Prophet from the coffee table and started doing the crossword with his wand. "Do they do this often?" She asked.

"Sometimes," He said, his tone blasé.

She looked back at her boyfriend and Jenna. Ron's tongue was touching his upper lip. It was the most concentrated she'd ever seen him. "No way, Honey Badger!"

Honey Badger? He called her honey badger? If anyone ever called her a honey badger-

"She's a Hufflepuff," Harry said, not lifting his head from the paper. It reminded Hermione of how Draco would say something to her while reading a book. She smiled at the memory for a moment.

"I know that." She said. The animal of Hufflepuff house was badger. She couldn't help herself. She went over everything she knew about honey badgers: they were closer to weasels and bears, native to Asia, Africa, and India, thick skin, carnivorous, and were no where near extinction. Why would anyone want to be called a honey badger? They didn't usually travel in packs. They're born blind. They live in holes. Things weren't looking so good for the honey badger nickname.

And a honey badger wasn't even the emblem of Hufflepuff house. It was just a badger, plain and simple. What was Ron's problem throwing the 'honey' in there? It irked her. So was Ron not even noticing she, and Harry, had come back into the room. Harry sans a drink. He was so concentrated with his stupid arm wrestling. You'd think with his weeks of impressive auror training he'd be able to whip this scrawny girl's butt. Harry had quite obviously buffed up- his arms and shoulders looked very nice under his button up. Ron still looked like he did when he was fourteen: tall and lanky with no sign of improvement.

Finally she helped Harry with his crossword. Angelina came in some time later, begging them all to have more pie. She didn't listen to any of their protests, handing them a paper plate with a hearty slice of blueberry pie.

Hermione laughed as Angelina scurried away before any of them could throw it at her. She collided into George who had come in looking for her and the two of them went tripping back into the yard. Hermione smiled and saw Harry was doing the same, but Jenna and Ron were busy having a thumb war.

"One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb war!" Jenna sang with gusto for the tenth time that night.

Hermione rolled her eyes, not able to take anymore. "You have that look on your face again." Harry said.

"What look?" She turned to him, finishing off her pie.

"Just before you blow up on Ron. So are you unsure about something again?" Harry noticed everything, she realised. Was she deluding herself earlier when she was positive all she wanted was Ron? Was it because it was so familiar and she didn't know what she would do without it?

"I... I don't know," She said, softly. She'd promised him she'd be honest. He was her friend. He'd listen. "I was so happy all night and then Jenna showed up and he's like... become someone else."

"This is who he is," Harry told her. "'Mione, I'm going to tell you something."

"Okay,"

"No, it's really important." Harry said, his face dead serious. She looked at him, lowering her head. Something changed between them, she could see how nervous he was, but the resolve in his features to tell her. "I think you and Ron have grown apart. I'm only telling you this as your friend. I don't want to see either of you hurt yourselves."

"You... you think we've grown apart?" She questioned. She was starting to regret that second piece of pie.

"I think you've grown up and he's just kind of stayed where he's always been. The difference is, you've noticed it and he hasn't. Don't get me wrong, he is madly in love with you, but it feels like you aren't." She shut her eyes, wishing she could shut out his words, but they took hold of her, like a mime had tied her up with an imaginary rope and started to pull.

"Please don't be mad, 'Mione," He pleaded. He had taken a risk telling her that. She wouldn't be mad at him for that. If the same thing happened with him and Ginny, and she told him that, she wouldn't want him to be angry.

"I'm not. Thank you for telling me how you feel." She said, controlling her voice. "I guess I'm not done trying to sort everything out."

The next day she got dressed for the theatre. It had been awhile since she went to see a show and also a whole week had gone by since she saw the Malfoys. She'd spoken with Narcissa in owls throughout the week, mostly planning their trip today, but that had been all. They were going to see 'Chicago.' Hermione figured if they boys were bored, at least they'd have sexy women in leotards to gawk at.

She stood outside of the Garrick Theatre. It was an old theatre, opened in 1889 and named for a great actor who mostly performed Shakespeare. She was eager to tell Narcissa that fact. The architecture was gorgeous, the balcony on the second floor with pillars. It took her breath away. The contrast of the navy blue, the white stone, and golden lettering stunned her. She had forgotten how perfect the theatres on the West End were. Everywhere she looked there were perfect, quaint playhouses gearing up for matinees. Queues were forming as eager theatre goers talked amongst themselves about how excited they were.

She was in charge of keeping their tickets safe and they were in her bag. The Malfoys arrived and her eyes landed on Draco first. He was dressed as he always was, decked out in black. She was used to it now and the book he was clutching in his hand. She felt her body heat up, but it had to be because the sun landed right on her. She pushed her sunglasses down from their perch on her head and waved.

Narcissa hugged her, wearing a floral skirt that made Hermione smile. She nodded at Lucius who still hadn't warmed up to her. She doubted he ever would. She wanted to hug Draco- she realised, looking at him. For a moment she thought he did too, but he didn't. "What book?" She asked.

He glanced down, like he forgot he was holding one. "Fellowship of the Ring."

Her eyebrows rose. "That's a muggle book." She poked his flat stomach.

He grinned, curling inward. "A little bird told me it was good."

"I also remember a bird telling you to watch 'Doctor Who.'" She said, playfully, her hand under her chin.

He scratched his head, like he couldn't remember. "Oh, yeah. The alien that had a box. Not gonna happen."

She rolled her eyes, "You will one day."

"As if,"

The line moved forward and she pulled the tickets out of her bag and gave them each theirs'. "Oh," Draco added from behind her, "there are six volcanoes on Hawai`i, the big island. Thirteen in total."

"What?" She asked, turning towards to him.

"You said you didn't know how many volcanoes were in Hawaii. Thirteen." He explained, smoothly.

"When did I say- oh. Last week?" She had completely forgotten about that. He remembered? He looked it up? And he was telling her?

"Yup. Now you know everything." He grinned at her.

She sucked in a breath and was terrified to notice her heart was pounding. Pounding, pounding. What was that? No! She had a boyfriend. One she loved- most of the time. Something like that. She risked a glance up at him and saw he was still looking at her. What was she going to do? When had THIS even happened? She remembered being annoyed at Astoria at the dinner. She had stared at him a lot during their reading in the study. He was always looking at her.

Merlin.

This was not supposed to happen. She needed to get rid of this.

She looked away, handing her ticket to the man in a suit at the door. He scanned it, handing it back to her. She turned, gesturing for the Malfoys to do the same. Narcissa handed hers over nervously and Lucius looked disgusted at having to get that close to a muggle and his infernal machine. When they were inside, an usher led them to their row in centre orchestra and handed Hermione four playbills. She took them, following the Malfoys into the row.

She found herself next to Draco. She took in a deep breath and felt her body flame up again. There was no sun to blame it on this time and the room was blasting with air conditioned air. She handed him the playbills- she more like threw them at him so she wouldn't accidentally touch his hand. He looked at her oddly, before taking one and passing them to his mum. Lucius wouldn't take one from his wife, so Narcissa huffed and tossed it at the camera crew that had magicked their way in.

Hermione flipped through the book, her leg twitching. She felt too close. Their elbows collided on the shared arm rest. She hastily pulled her arm away and saw from the corner of her eye, Draco had abandoned it as well. She didn't move her arm again. She flipped through the cast's head shots. Hopefully there was someone cute she could distract herself with. Unfortunately, this was 'Chicago.' The cast was predominately women and the two men in show were Billy Flynn, the good looking- but older- shady lawyer. Then there was Amos who was meant to be a bumbling idiot. Hermione sighed and busied herself by reading the list of scenes even though she could recite this entire show from memory.

Draco nudged her, making her jump nearly ten metres in the air. He looked at her like she was losing it, his eyebrow quirked up. She tried to smile and he said, "Are you okay? You don't look too good."

Great. She had tried to smile and ended up looking like a sick gremlin. She nodded.

"I'm confused." He said, back to the reason for his nudging in the first place. He held up the playbill. "There's just adds for cars and some interview with someone that isn't in this show. And a list of places to eat."

"If you keep going you'll find the stuff about the show," She said, trying to go back to studying her own playbill instead of the way his hair fell into his eyes. His hair wasn't gelled back today, like it had been at the dinner party. His hair was free most days, so she should have been used to it, but recently everything was starting to make her feel a bit queasy.

Her abrupt turn must have shocked him since they usually had no problems talking. He probably thought she was mental. "You sure you're okay?" He asked, his lips dangerously close to her ear. His warm breath washed over her, gluing her to her seat like a kid caught stealing cookies before dinner. She felt like a deer caught in the headlights and her eyes probably reflected that.

"Yes," She squeaked. She cleared her throat and relaxed when she felt his gaze move away. She was happy when the lights dimmed and the show began. She thought it would be easy to lose herself in the show and forget whatever it was that was going on with Draco and her abnormal, pounding heart. It was for awhile, until her legs started getting stiff. She squirmed around, trying to get comfortable again and that's when Draco moved his leg at the same moment.

His leg brushed her, sending a lightening fast zing up her leg. She jumped again, pulling away quickly as gravity would allow. She shut her eyes as Matron Morton belted out "When You're Good to Mama." When she looked up, the chubby woman was shimmying, her assets prominently displayed. She looked down at her legs and then over where Draco's were. Did he have to move precisely when she was? The seats were cramped enough, he could have waited his turn.

She breathed in and out, telling herself the zing was from the shock. Not because it had felt good or something. How could a pair of smooth trousers on her bare legs feel good, anyway? It had lasted a mere millisecond anyway. She tugged on her shorts and looked back at the stage. Her fingers started folding her playbill, her anxiety getting the best of her.

Nothing with Ron has ever felt like that, her mind said, tugging at all her insecurities. She wanted to brush the thought away, but suddenly she was comparing everything with Ron with her precious two-ish weeks with Draco. It was so wrong, but she couldn't stop herself. There was something about Draco that kept pulling her in even though she kept trying to run away.

And he understood. That day he showed her where she'd been tortured. He hadn't said a word. Ron would have. He wouldn't have been able to read her that well. He would have just started rambling on until she cut him off. Draco being there had just made her feel better. No, no, no. That could NOT be true.

His leg brushed her, taking her out of her thoughts. Billy was singing, a cluster of showgirls on his arms and she realised she had totally missed 'Cell Block Tango' due to her crazy, boy infested debate. She tensed up and glanced over at him. He wasn't moving. His leg was just, there barely touching her, just hovering nearby. No. No. She should pull her leg free.

Now.

Any minute now would be nice.

It seemed her brain wasn't sending the correct message.

Biting her lip she stared up at the stage for the entirety of act one. When the lights came up after Velma and Roxie sang 'My Own Best Friend,' she glanced over at the Malfoys. Narcissa had a big smile on her face as she stood up to stretch. "It was fantastic," She gushed to Hermione, "Those are some tough girls."

She grinned, standing up too, finally taking a step away from the force that was Draco Malfoy. He followed suit and they all walked outside for some fresh air. It felt good to walk, she thought she could shake Draco from her thoughts. He left them to go to the restroom and Lucius stayed in his seat like a child throwing a tantrum, so it was just Narcissa and Hermione.

"I can't believe I've never seen live theatre before. How come there is none in the wizarding world?" Narcissa asked.

Hermione shrugged, "It's amazing, isn't? We can probably go to the stage door after the show, if you want. We can meet the cast, get autographs, take pictures."

"Pictures that don't move?" Narcissa asked.

Hermione nodded, glad she was catching on. Narcissa seemed pleased at the thought and started talking about how much she loved Velma Kelly. Hermione lit up- Velma was her favourite character too. Most people loved Roxie, but Hermione had always imagined playing Velma. "She's got this great song in act two called, 'When Velma Takes the Stand.' It's amazing!"

"I'm so happy we're doing this. Hermione, I mean more than just seeing this show." Narcissa said, taking Hermione's hand in hers. "I know Lucius isn't happy, but I'm so thankful for everything you've taught me and its only been a few weeks."

Hermione blushed, shaking her head. "Really, it's nothing-"

"Art, literature, theatre... it's all so fascinating. That TV contraption your father was showing me. And your home," Hermione cringed, but Narcissa shocked her by saying, "it's so warm and wonderful. It's nothing like the Manor where we hardly see each other. Your family is perfect."

"We're not perfect," Hermione laughed, her cheeks growing red. "But thank you. That, uh, means a lot. You guys aren't what I expected either- at least, you and Draco."

Narcissa smiled, "Lucius is too set in his ways. I'm glad Draco still has a chance. For a moment two years ago, I thought it was all over."

"Nothing is over. Not really," She smiled, checking her watch. It was time to head back inside for act two.

Draco and Lucius were sitting in the chairs, talking amongst themselves. They stopped when the women arrived, suspiciously like they had been talking about them. Hermione glanced at Draco with a raised eyebrow and he shrugged. She rolled her eyes and reclaimed her seat.

"Did you like act one?" She asked, feeling a bit better after getting some air.

"Sure. The scantily clad women were nice." He sent her a sly smile.

"Typical," She muttered, shaking her head.

"No, no. It's uh... yeah, it's cool. Kind of scared of all the women killing men, but yeah, it's cool." He said, picking up his playbill. "Am I supposed to read this again?"

She was about to say something when the lights dimmed and the music swelled. She forgot all about the drama that had plagued her for act one and settled into the show. It was easy since Velma had a song that opened act two. And then Draco's leg was brushing up against hers and she didn't move. Not an inch.

Because nothing was ever over. Not really.

A/N HIIII! There is a hurricane coming! Never, ever thought I'd say this living in NYC and all. I hope you enjoyed the chapter :D Thanks so much to everyone that reviewed! Especially to the lovely anon reviewer that reminded me I was coming up on 5 days. I was not going to update tomorrow, and then you reminded me! :D And because we may lose power I'm gonna put this up one day early for everyone that won't be affected by the storm and just dying to read the next chapter haha.

THANKS TO: Loveable Leo (;)), Anon, Jazu-chan13, Taylor F, Snape Savvy, DoCtOrWhOlUvEr11, Guest, edwardsoneandonlylove, and HalfwaytoNowhere142.