Chapter Fifteen – DANCING TILL DAWN
Ron and Hermione sat in the back of the limo, both trying so hard to contain themselves. They giggled, each knowing exactly what the other was thinking. Hermione made an effort to look out of the window for somewhere they could go. Spotting a sign, she asked the driver to go back around the block.
"There!" Hermione said. "Live jazz and dancing till dawn" she read off the sign.
"Perfect" Ron replied.
The driver opened the door, and Hermione and Ron exited the limousine. Ron spoke to the driver and they agreed that he would return at 4am to pick them up if Ron or Hermione didn't contact him earlier.
Hermione snaked her arm around Ron's waist as he hung his arm around her shoulder. "I could get very used to this very quickly." Ron said, pulling her in close to him.
"Sounds like a good plan to me." Hermione said, nestling her head into his chest.
Ron only let her go when he opened the door for her, and again when he held out her chair for her. Hermione blushed and sat down, not quite used to this side of Ron. "Champagne?" he suggested.
"I'd love some" Hermione replied, and Ron called over the waiter and ordered a bottle of champagne.
As the waiter poured the champagne he asked "Are we celebrating tonight?"
"That's an understatement" Ron replied, once again taking Hermione's hand.
"Let me guess, you two got engaged tonight" the waiter, Zach, asked.
"Not quite" Hermione said. "But after 8 years of being best friends, we decided tonight that it might be about time we tried out being a little more than friends."
"That's even better. Congratulations" Zach replied, and left Ron and Hermione alone once again.
"Sounds amazing to hear you say that" Ron said.
"Feels even more amazing to say it" Hermione replied, blushing.
"Then, by all means say it" Ron suggested. "I know I'm going to be walking around saying 'my girlfriend Hermione' at every opportunity."
Hermione giggled and said "Well, my boyfriend Ron, that sounds rather contagious."
Ron took her hand to his mouth and planted a soft gentle kiss on it. "What was that for?" Hermione asked.
"What? I can't give my girlfriend a kiss?" Ron said, smiling to himself at how good it felt to say that.
"Whenever, wherever, and however frequently you want to." Hermione said.
"Enough talking" Ron said, standing up. "We came here to dance, didn't we?"
"That we did" Hermione replied, taking his hand and following him to the dance floor.
The band played a slow ballad, and Ron pulled Hermione in close to him. "Promise me something" Ron said, looking down at Hermione.
"What's that?" Hermione asked.
"Promise me we'll go out dancing all the time. I like dancing with you." He replied and was rewarded with a huge grin from Hermione.
"On one condition" Hermione said, cheekily.
"What condition?" Ron asked.
"That you'll kiss me all the time. I like kissing you" she replied, and Ron bent his head down and pressed his lips to hers.
"Like that?" he asked when the kiss ended.
"Just like that" Hermione replied and allowed her head to rest on his chest. "This feels so right" Hermione whispered.
"Like it was meant to be?" Ron asked.
"Exactly" Hermione replied, wondering when Ron had gotten so smart.
"Why didn't we do this ages ago?" Ron asked.
"Because it wasn't the right time ages ago. Could you imagine us trying to be together at school? Or during the war?" Hermione said. "I couldn't have done it, especially during the war. It was hard enough loving you and not knowing if you'd come back from each skirmish."
"Every time I watched you go off with the others," Ron said, "I whispered I love You just in case you didn't come back."
"You know, once I thought I heard that, but then I thought I must have been imagining it. It was the day that Harry killed Riddle." Hermione said.
"I'm glad Harry insisted the three of us split up. I'm not sure that I could have done half of what I did if you were with me. I would have spent the whole time making sure that you were safe." Ron confessed.
"Me too. I wouldn't have been able to focus. Would have been looking over my shoulder at you to make sure you were ok." Hermione answered.
They danced the rest of the song in silence, taking in the enormity of what had happened that night. All the long years of waiting silently had suddenly paid off. They joined the rest of the couples in applauding the band at the end of the song. The band then began playing I Can Only Give You Love and Ron and Hermione both looked at one another. "I have the sneaking suspicion that this is OUR song." Ron said.
"I was just thinking that." Hermione replied.
"Great minds think alike" Ron said.
"Fools seldom differ" Hermione replied, and she and Ron shared a giggle, remembering their encounter in the bathroom just a few days previously.
"When is your meeting with the Cannons?" Hermione asked.
"Wednesday. What made you think of that?" Ron asked in response.
"You really want to know?" Hermione asked.
"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't" Ron said, good humouredly.
"This is going to sound incredible 'girly', but I was just thinking about the future. I was thinking what was going to happen when you sign with the Cannons and leave university." Hermione said.
"How about this for an idea," Ron said, "We'll worry about the Cannons when the time comes to worry about it. But whatever happens, wherever I end up, we'll make this work. Maybe I can still live at the apartment or something, I don't know. But I doubt that Chudley are going to offer me a contract. I'm only 19 years old, and the youngest keeper in the league is 26, and what are you smiling at?"
"Have I ever told you how adorable you are when you talk about quidditch?" Hermione said, a smile creeping over her face.
"Usually you just roll your eyes" Ron said, laughing.
"No I don't, do I? Anyway, you get this cute little gleam in your eye. It's like a parent talking about their child. It's just adorable" Hermione replied.
"Kind of like you and a library, huh?" Ron suggested, and Hermione playfully slapped his chest.
"Watch it Weasley, you're not THAT cute" Hermione said in jest.
"I thought you just said I was adorable." Ron said, feigning disappointment.
"Just promise me that when you're a big Quidditch star, and you win the world cup for England, and you have thousands of young witches all across the world falling at your feet, you won't forget little old Hermione." Hermione replied, half joking.
"Impossible. You're unforgettable. Plus, you'll be right there beside me all the way, won't you?" Ron asked.
"If you can stand having me around" Hermione answered.
"I wouldn't want you anywhere else. Ever" Ron replied. "But speaking of the world cup" he continued until Hermione giggled. "Hey, you bought it up! Anyway, Harry was talking about heading to Paris next year. You know, on a holiday or something to coincide with the cup. And I was just thinking that, maybe, if you wanted to, you might come with me."
"You want me to go on a holiday with you to Paris?" Hermione asked.
"I want you to go everywhere with me, but yes. Come to Paris with me." Ron said, looking into her eyes. "Come to Paris with me" he repeated with a whisper.
"This is totally crazy, but ok. Looks like we're going to Paris" Hermione replied.
Ron bent his head down and kissed her tenderly. "Paris is the city of lovers, you know" he whispered in her ear.
"Oh is it now?" Hermione mocked.
"I'm trying to be romantic, here." Ron said, pretending to be hurt by her comment.
"I know, but I couldn't help but poke fun at you. Sorry. Paris IS a very romantic city, though, you're right. It'll be amazing and wonderful to share it with you." Hermione said.
"Couldn't help poking fun at me! Merlin's beard, if that's what you do when I ask you on a holiday, what are you going to do when I propose?" Ron said before he really knew what he was saying.
They both stopped dancing and Hermione's jaw practically hit the floor. Ron's mouth opened to speak, but no words came out, so he closed it again. "Ron?" Hermione said, but was unable to say anything else.
"Let's dance" Ron finally spoke moments later and pulled Hermione back in close to him.
At 3am, Hermione stifled a yawn. "You tired?" Ron asked.
"A little. Maybe it's all the champagne." Hermione confessed.
"Wanna go home?" Ron suggested.
"I think it might be an idea" Hermione said, and Ron walked her back to the table where he left her momentarily to call the driver to collect them.
Ron carried a sleeping Hermione up the stairs to her bedroom, and deposited her on her bed. He carefully removed her shoes and jewellery, and pulled the covers up over her. He thanked Merlin that Ginny was apparently sleeping elsewhere. As he bent down to kiss Hermione's forehead, she stirred.
"Where do you think you're going?" Hermione asked, sleepily.
"To bed." Ron said. "Goodnight."
"Please don't go. Just stay here with me" she asked quietly.
Ron removed his jacket, tie, and shoes, and slipped into bed beside Hermione, and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you" he whispered.
"I love you," Hermione murmured. "And I wouldn't poke fun. I'd just say yes."