Thanks to my reviewers! Sorry about Krum being made into some gigantic ogre or something. I know he would probably never say those things to Hermione; it's just funnier to make him do that, and write how Ron would react. :D Anyway, on with the show kids...
Ron found himself circling the edge of the dance floor with a glass of wine and a pint of beer looking like an alcoholic vulture. Krum was eyeing him malevolently but he didn't care. He finally found Hermione, dancing with Luna and laughing.
Fred and George chose this moment to hone in on him like a couple of homing pigeons with significant looks on their faces. Feeling a bit cornered, he glanced at one then the other and nervously moved away.
He could see Harry was grinning at him from across the room; he'd spotted Ron doing that weird sort of dance that others feel they must do when approaching others on a dance floor.
'Hi.' Ron approached the girls and nearly dropped one of the drinks he was holding.
Luna smiled dreamily and took the drinks from Ron.
'I'll put the drinks down on the table over there Ron. I think I'll go and get one myself actually...'
As Luna danced off in a decidedly weird fashion, Hermione smiled at Ron. She was having so much fun she poked him in the ribs playfully and took his hand. She began swinging it as she danced to the rhythm of the music.
Ron half shook his head and looked extremely awkward – he really wasn't a dancer.
'Come on Ron!' She smiled, her cheeks bright. 'Stop worrying about whether Fred and George might see you!'
'Oi! I don't have to watch out for Fred and George every time I want to dance!' he said, scanning the crowd like an escaped prisoner.
Hermione smiled at him.
'There you are you see. Ron you're so...'
'Annoying?' he ventured. 'A pain in the arse?... Ugly as sin?'
She hit his arm. 'No! Although...'
'Hey! We can't all be like Miss Hermione beautiful Granger!' Ron retorted, without realising what he'd said.
Hermione simply stared at him.
'What did you just...?'
'Nothing. Just ignore me I think I'm cracking up. I was er... thinking of how best to pummel Krum later when I get hold of him...' He blushed profusely.
'Ron...'
He looked at the floor, embarrassed. 'Sorry. I'm going to get that drink...'
She followed him off the dance floor and sat next to him at the table.
'Is this one mine?' she asked, pointing to the drink.
'Yeah.'
She sipped her drink and looked at him.
He was staring at the table, his ears very red.
'Ron, I really don't mind what you said. I'm very flattered,' she ventured, though blushing herself.
'Dunno what you're talking about,' he answered, infuriatingly.
Hermione wasn't going to be shaken off that easily. She knew he had a soft spot for her; he just always did his best to cover it up. She knew it was naughty but she wanted to get him to lower his guard just for a moment – sometimes she could make him pull that face if she said the right thing.
'Well I think you look very handsome tonight Ron,' Hermione said with a hint of her business like tone.
He looked up at her, a surprised expression on his face.
'Handsome?' he said, scathingly. 'Me?'
'Yes, you,' Hermione said insistently, though she could feel herself getting redder and hotter by the minute. She didn't think they'd honestly ever been this frank with one another.
At this point Harry walked past and did nothing to improve the situation by grinning like a Cheshire cat and giving them thumbs up.
'What's he been drinking tonight?' Ron asked, forgetting his situation momentarily with this uncharacteristic display from Harry. 'Has he been at the Felix Felicis again?'
What the hell? Hermione thought. His hand was rested on the table – she put her hand in his.
The reaction was immediate. They looked at one another; Ron looking like a startled animal and Hermione very shy. They both immediately looked away but Ron didn't move his hand.
Breathing a little faster than normal, his ears very red, Ron managed a quiet and strangled, 'are you trying to kill me tonight Hermione?'
I know they are short chapters, but there's more to come! Hope you're enjoying it!