Hermione didn't really like what she was going to do, she felt as though it went against what she really thought was the right thing but then again, she wanted someone who was engaged to someone else and that was wrong in itself. It hadn't taken half as long as she thought it would to agree to what Draco had in mind and although she found it devious, she knew she would have to be in order to get what she really wanted.
Draco had pressed a small piece of parchment into her hand and smiled, telling her not to read it herself but to go and give it to Percy. What Percy had to do with the matter she had no idea but she wasn't about to question any help from a friend. She'd pressed her lips together and nodded, agreeing. Now, she was stood in front of the older Weasley brother and he was looking at her intently. "What is it Hermione?" he asked. The slight frown in the centre of his brow did nothing to calm her trembling nerves but she knew this had to happen!
She offered the ginger haired man a small smile. She had never been his biggest fan, however he had always tried to be polite to her rather than condescending like he was with nearly everyone else. "I was asked to give you this," she said before sliding the small piece of paper into his hand. "I cannot say any more about it, just… read it and you'll see," she said. A suspicious look crossed his face; she kept hers impassive, the smile fixed in place. When he didn't say anything else, she darted away, more than keen to be away from his mildly questioning expression. The last thing she wanted was to have to answer any of them, she would give herself away.
After fleeing Percy, she sought the refuge of a nearby wall and a large glass of wine. It seemed to calm her now racing heart at least and gave her the opportunity of watching the people who had already taken to the dance floor. Her eyes fell on the enchanting couple that were Draco's parents. Say whatever you will of Lucius and Narcissa, they were still very much in love with one another and it showed in their every movement. Even in the way Lucius looked into her eyes with adoration when they danced. It made her smile if nothing else. Next to them were Ron and Lavender, nowhere near as graceful yet equally enthralled with one another, it was sweet. Luna danced with Neville in her own way too, the strange pawing at the air similar to that which she had done with her father back in her own time.
Hermione sighed and drained the glass in her hand. It was a fine thing watching those that were in love, except it highlighted her growing frustrations at her situation. Perhaps it had been a mistake to come here and see what was going on. She would have been better sat at home reading a book or researching something instead. This was nothing more than a glorified market for marriage. Snorting, she placed her glass on the table and picked up her long skirts, she would order a carriage and get out of the way of this nonsense.
"Going somewhere?" came the drawl of Severus.
She let out a sigh and shrugged, "I was about to go home," she said, "Part of me loves seeing everyone but another cannot abide the idea that this is just a wedding factory," she said. The smile on his face had her relax a little.
"Normally I would agree with you," he said indicating the huddle of youngsters who were talking with one another. One of the boys leaned over a girl as he spoke. Hermione would have found it invasive yet the girl didn't seem to mind. "However, I think I can find it within me to dance tonight, if you've a mind?" he said. Hermione blinked. She had never in her life expected this man to ask her to dance, never. For a moment, she had no idea what to say. "If the idea offends you that much…" he said when she remained silent.
Hermione shook her head, "I'm just surprised," she said, "I had no idea you liked to dance."
"I don't," he replied with a small shake of his head, "But I know you do so wouldn't be averse to doing so on occasion," he explained. That was when her heart melted all over again and she linked her arm through his. In that moment, she had no idea where his fiancé was and nor did she care. He slowly led her to the dance floor and stopped at the edge. Hermione turned to face him and waited for him to take the lead.
There was no hesitation. His hand was resting on the hollow of her waist, the other clasping her hand lightly. She placed her hand on his shoulder and before she knew it, they were gently swooping around the dance floor. Hermione could feel the eyes of everyone they knew on them. It was a rare thing indeed for Severus to dance and even rarer that he should be doing so with someone who was not his fiancé. He was well known for his decent manners and sense of propriety. Hermione didn't really care in that moment. All she wanted was for this song to last forever.
Her eyes were held captive by his coal black ones, the bright shine in them as they looked at her. It was something she hadn't seen for a while. The smile on her face didn't want to leave and she hoped that it didn't make her look manic. She didn't think so. Her heart was pounding however and she had to focus on her feet. The last thing she wanted was to step on his feet and make herself look foolish. She studied his face, the angular lines and the harsh planes seemed to melt away when he looked as he did now. He seemed far more at peace.
While the turned around the floor, she was very aware of how close they were; she could remember being this close to him before but not for a long time. The reminder was sharp. His subtle scent swamped her and she had to keep saying to herself that they were not alone in the room. The heat gently built and she knew her cheeks were flushed as they turned once more. She could perhaps dismiss it to anyone else that it was the wine she had consumed but Severus would know better. He was the one person that she was unable to lie to.
His hand slid up her back, pressing between her shoulders, inching her ever closer to him. She could feel the heat coming from him through the fabric of their clothing and she had to force herself to keep looking at his eyes, not drop them to his mouth. Her lips parted anyway and she leaned her head in a fraction. The sound of the music fell away, all she could hear was the hammer of her heart in her ears. Even that fell away as she utterly failed. Her eyes flicked down to his mouth and the thought of how much she wanted to kiss him then flashed through her before she dragged them back to his black eyes.
"Hermione," he said. The verbalisation of her name brought her sharply back to the present.
"Maybe this was a bad idea," she whispered.
"I'm not going to kiss you here," he said, softly so no other would hear, "It wouldn't be fair on any of us." She nodded, understanding it but unable to contain the bitterness that followed it. "That's not to say I don't want to," he added. Her eyes found his once again, this time, with a gleam of their own in them.
"Soon," she said.
"Soon," he nodded. The song chose that point to end and he dropped his hand from her waist and gave a little bow. She curtseyed and they parted ways. She just hoped that it looked as innocent as it should to the rest of the room. The last thing she needed was a shouting match with Molly in the middle of the dance floor. She had no idea what that woman had against them and she didn't really care to find out. As far as she was concerned, it was her life and her decision, no one else's. She could still feel the press of his hand on the small of her back and it made her smile all over again. Now, when she looked over at the other people dancing, the sting was no longer in her mind. She knew she was being silly, getting her head all lost over something as small as a simple dance but she couldn't help it.
Her thoughts turned to the note she had passed to Percy and she dearly hoped that it would work; that it would get Fleur out of the way so she would be free to court and marry Severus at her leisure. It was with this thought in mind that she headed out of the dancing hall to a carriage. She knew there was no further point being there and that she might as well go home and entertain her thoughts in a more peaceful environment.