As I am NOT the original author, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.

Chapter 5

The day of the hospital dance Jane and Hermione were up and out of the house early returning around noon with their hair protected by scarves. After a quick lunch Harry was banished to the back yard until Alan returned home giving the two ladies the run of the Manor.

Harry heard Alan drive up and went around to the garage to meet him. "Harry the women kick you out?" Alan asked seeing him approach.

"Yes, something about they needed some privacy," Harry grumbled good naturedly.

"It's getting close to the time we need to get ready. I think it might be a good idea for you to bring your clothes to the den when we get inside and once I've made sure the coast is clear you can take a relaxing shower then dress in the den. Just so you know I'll be in our home office being the husband and father doesn't carry much weight on these days," Alan said patting Harry on the back.

Once they were at the door Alan said, "Let me go first I'll come get you when the coast is clear," Before knocking and stepping into his own house calling out, "It's just Dad can Harry and I get to our rooms and take a shower?"

"Tell Harry to wait a few moments," Hermione's voice came down the stairs followed by the sounds of doors being shut and mother daughter conversations.

"Can the two of you dress downstairs?" Jane called out.

"All ready arranged."

"Good both of you come get your clothes downstairs then take a quick shower," Jane added just before a door slammed.

"Come on Harry it sounds like everything is normal," Alan said holding the door open so Harry could enter.

Just over an hour later Harry finished tying the bow tie on his tux when Alan knocked asking, "Need any help?"

"Come on in I think I've got everything but it's always good to have someone else check," Harry said slipping on his jacket.

"I never thought I'd see a fifteen year old who not only knew how to tie his own tie properly but wears a tuxedo well. You look quite sharp Harry. I'm sure Hermione will enjoy being with you tonight," Alan said wondering just how much his daughter would enjoy the evening.

The two males chatted quietly until Jane called out, "You ready down there?"

"Give us a moment," Alan said leading Harry out to the bottom of the stairs before he replied, "Ready."

Jane came down first her dress started low, all bare shoulders and neck highlighting the glittering necklace she wore, and reached to the floor. All together it did a great job of highlighting her thin figure.

"Wow," Harry said then quickly turned red when he realized he'd spoke aloud.

"Don't worry Harry I agree wow is a good description," Alan said pleased. He was about to add a snappy comment about Jane being taken when Hermione descended and it was both males that took a deep breath. It was only his wife's hand holding him back that stopped Alan from rushing over and carrying Hermione back up stairs until he was able to lock Harry out of the house. His daughter's dress consisted of multiple layers of lightly colored gauze with a small strip of material going over her right shoulder leaving her left shoulder and arm bare. The dress stopped just at her knees with each layer of gauze ending at a slightly different angle and length. All Alan could think of was this was a fairy's dress for an adult woman not his fifteen year old daughter.

"Hermione I… Wow just doesn't do you justice," Harry said shaking his head.

Five minutes spent taking pictures later they were in the Jaguar Mr. Limbu was driving them to dinner before they moved on to the hotel were the dance was being held.

Alan enjoyed the excitement that ran through him when they entered the hall and the noise level lowered as the first to see the four of them went quiet before the rest turned to see what was causing the sudden drop in the ambient noise level. The noise level quickly rose but not before Jane smiled at him. "Quite the entrance. Not sure which of us caused it though," He muttered before turning to his wife and seeing the look on her face he added, "You enjoyed it."

"Yes and so did you," Jane replied before turning to greet one of her friends, "Oh yes, that is Hermione's boyfriend from school. He's staying with us for a few days before the start of school," Jane replied smiling at her friend.

"Mother bring your claws back in," Alan teased once they were out of hearing range.

"She's always going on about how good a dancer her daughter is and how luckily she was to find a boyfriend that liked to dance."

"And tonight you get to show off your daughter and her dancing boyfriend."

"Who me? No tonight I get to watch my daughter and her boyfriend have a good time. Next week at the club I get my props," Jane said smiling.

After a few more minutes passed the administrator of the hospital welcomed everyone and the band started playing a waltz. Hermione kept her hold on Harry's arm saying, "This first dance is for the administrator and the heads of staff. Then the doctors can dance with their wives or husbands as the case may be. Finally after that we can get on the floor."

Harry nodded and watched the various groups dance remembering what it was like when he had to open the Yule Ball with a dance. He was quite willing this time to allow someone else that 'privilege'.

Suddenly it was time and Hermione steered him to the dance floor with far more subtle movements than Parvati Patil had used to steer him around at the Yule Ball. Almost without thought he had his arms full of Hermione and they were waltzing around the hall.

Laura Madley a Hufflepuff who would soon be starting her third year at Hogwarts had finally managed to accompany her parents to the big dance after years of trying. Sitting with her folks who had just sat down after one waltz she was watching all the couples enjoying themselves on the floor when her eyes went wide and she muttered a little too loud, "No it can't be not here."

"What can't be pumpkin?" her mother asked.

"Mother!" The teenager exclaimed through gritted teeth exasperated at the childhood nickname she was thirteen for Merlin's sake.

"All right Laura what has got you so excited?"

"Do you know who that young couple is dancing?" She said motioning towards the dance floor.

"I haven't seen them around but I think they came in with the Doctors Granger."

"Then it is them."

"Who?"

"Hermione Granger and Harry Potter."

"The Harry Potter?" Her mother asked perking up.

"I think so. If you are sure the girl is Hermione then I'm sure that's Harry," Laura said firmly.

"Honey, Laura and I are going to mingle," Mrs. Madley said taking her daughter's hand and heading off leaving her husband to amuse himself.

"Dr. Jane Granger I'd like you to meet my daughter Laura," Susan Madley said as she approached the table were the Grangers were seated.

"Hello Laura how are you liking the dance? Your mother told me you were excited about coming," Jane said smiling up at the young lady.

"Very much, would you mind… is that Harry Potter dancing with your daughter?" Laura asked unable to contain herself.

"And how would you know that?" Jane asked her voice suddenly devoid of all emotion.

"I'm sorry I didn't mention this earlier but I believe my daughter attends the same school as your daughter," Susan said just as Harry looked from the dance floor to the Grangers and caught Alan looking worried.

"Hermione I think it would be best for us to return to your folks," Harry said dancing them over to the edge of the dancing area allowing them to gracefully exit the floor.

Hermione caught the tension in her parents posture and quickly made her way over. "Mum you simply can not sit here all evening," Hermione said as she approached intending to give her mother a quick out of the conversation she was in.

"We will in just a few moments dear. I was wondering if you might remember Laura Madley?"

Hermione looked at the young lady her mother had indicated for a moment running through her mental rolodex of people she'd met with her folks coming up blank. "Hufflepuff second year?" Harry asked from beside her.

"YOU know me?" Laura asked looking at Harry in total shock.

"I remember you being with Cedric a couple times last year," Harry replied not noticing Hermione trying to hide her astonishment.

Harry realized the silence at the table was starting to stretch when he heard a waltz start playing, "Laura if your mother doesn't mind would you give me the pleasure of this dance?"

"What… huh?"

"Laura is a little stunned. Honey, I believe he was asking you to dance with him."

"Yes sure anytime," Laura replied in shock her eyes watching Harry's hand as he reached down and took her own hand before leading her to the dance floor.

"I think that may just be the high point of this evening for her. Be sure to thank your boyfriend for me," Abigail Madley said watching her daughter looking up at Harry in total shock as he danced with her.

"I will," Hermione said shocked at Harry's actions.

"How is your evening going?" Abigail asked Hermione.

"If I could figure out a way to keep these nylons up I'd be set," Hermione mumbled to herself.

"I told you a garter belt would be needed," Her mother added.

"Last time I believe the advertising."

"Hermione are you a witch or not?" Abigail asked.

"What do you mean? I can't do magic out of school."

"Come with me and I'll tell you and your mother a story while showing you how to fix your problem," The other two followed Abigail to the ladies room where Abigail said, "First off the ministry can only detect high powered magic using your wand a simple sticking charm said while pressing your fingers against the two items will not be detected. Simply go in to a stall and once you have your nylons situated properly hold your finger against the top edge and say the charm." A few minutes later Hermione emerged with a big smile on her face. "There is a lot you need to learn that isn't in books because the ministry doesn't want muggle born to learn it. I'll write you a few letters and have your mother send them. That should help you out."

"Why do you want to help me?" Hermione asked.

"Hermione!" Jane Granger said intending to remind her daughter about the manners she seemed to have forgotten.

"Jane don't, you haven't seen what your daughter has to deal with from full blooded witches being muggle born and from what I've seen tonight the girlfriend of the savior of the wizarding world," Abigail said drawing a frown from Hermione.

"Mum she's right," Hermione interjected before her mother could speak up.

"Now before we leave let me tell you how my daughter owes her existence to Harry," Abigail said with a smile.

"I was a young witch out celebrating Harry's defeat of He who must not be named when I met a recent Uni graduate. He helped me celebrate rather well. When I woke up the next morning he asked for my phone number. Of course I didn't have one so we made arrangements to meet later. Once thing lead to another and a few months later we were married and Laura was born nine months after Harry's victory."

"So when did he find out about…"

"My being like you? I told him a few days after we'd met when I realized we were starting to get serious, and I was happy I had a few weeks later," Abigail said with a twinkle before adding, "Now let's go rescue your boyfriend from my daughter."

Back in the hall they met up with the two abandoned husbands, "You daughter is going to be a handful getting to bed tonight," Abigail's husband said looking towards the dance floor.

"Let's go rescue him," Abigail said taking her husband's hand leading him to the dance floor where they made their way to Harry and Laura. Then switched partners allowing Abigail to guide Harry back to the Granger's table. "Here he is all safe and sound," Abigail said taking her leave of them.

"That was very sweet of you Harry," Jane said.

Suddenly the music tempo changed as the band took a break and the leader announced they were going to play some music for the younger crowd. "Come on Harry you are dancing to this with me," Hermione said leading Harry to the floor. Harry listened intending to catch the beat when he realized the song that was starting, "Ah crap," Sirius always insured this particular song played at least once a night while he was learning to dance. Harry could hear his voice in his mind right now. "Give it up pup the ladies are going to want to dance to this with you and you'd better be very good at it," Harry had turned out to be very very good at it.

Hermione felt Harry spin her around so she was facing him just as the singer started:
"Where have all the good men gone, and where are all the gods."

Harry's dancing was getting more and more flashy as the song built. The ones watching them realized that for the young lady she was dancing with her hero and for one of the rare times outside of a fight her companion did look the part.

When they took a break and sat down Jane Granger looked over saying, "Hermione after that show I believe you are going to have trouble. Every female here is going to want to dance with your beau."

She turned out to be right but no other female got the dance partner that Hermione got. The evening was winding down when the band announcer said, "We have a request for a tango contest. Would everyone wishing to participate check in with the lady holding up her hand."

Hermione looked at Harry who shrugged his shoulders before nodding. She made her way over holding Harry's hand and shortly they were on the dance floor. A nervous Hermione looked over the see Harry with his eyes closed in concentration. Then she felt it. Harry had gathered his magic and had done something she didn't recognize with it. "One of Sirius's tricks he used around muggles it helps with a dance like this," seeing the look on Hermione's face he added, "Yes I'll teach you later. Sirius said he could only keep it up for a few songs, the longest I've tried is a few hours and it wasn't a good idea. Sirius had to drag the girls off me when I left the dance."

Not being experienced contest dancers they were just standing and talking when the music began instead of taking starting positions like some of the other couples so the start of the dance was a little awkward. Once they got going however it was a different story. Harry released his magic and Hermione found her eyes locking on Harry despite knowing what was going on. Half of the couples in the contest were eliminated quickly receiving a tap on the shoulder they looked and seeing a shaking head they left the dance floor. Harry took note of the happenings but his focus was on Hermione and their dance. For her part Hermione was totally focused on Harry. Normally she focused on her dancing and while error free it was passionless. Taking her mother's parting suggestion this time she focused on Harry and just danced.

The judges willowed down the dancers over the next few tunes until there were only three couples dancing. They were stuck with what to do regarding the young couple. They were not dancing the standard British style of tango but a more modern style that one of the judges had noticed in the clubs over the last few years. The one thing they all agreed on was the more that couple danced the better they were getting. Finally the one judge that insisted on only the British style should judged was won over by a complicated move Harry and Hermione made look quite easy all the while displaying the passion the tango was noted for.

At a wave the music stopped and an announcer spoke up, "We have a winning couple, will Miss Hermione Granger and her partner Mr. Harry Potter come to the stage and receive their trophy."

Alan Granger was standing beside his wife applauding the couple when he noticed his wife smile and wave at another woman. "What was that all about?"

"Oh nothing special."

"Jane I know that look who just got slammed?"

"Well Mrs. 'my daughter is the best dancer ever born' might have just watched my daughter beat hers in a dance contest," Jane said with a sly smile.

"And you are enjoying this way too much."

"There is no way I could enjoy this too much," Jane said stepping forward and giving her beaming daughter a big hug. While her husband shook Harry's free hand the other was busy holding the trophy they'd just won.

There were a few more songs after that but Harry and Hermione danced only the "Last Dance" then the two tired teens piled into the back seat for the ride back to the Granger's home.

"I am exhausted I will see you two tomorrow morning, late tomorrow morning," Jane said taking Alan's arm as he lead her to bed.

Harry and Hermione followed them up the stairs.

Late the next morning Jane quietly opened her daughter's bedroom door intending to have her help with brunch only to spot Crookshanks her familiar laying in the center of a still made bed. She then checked the bathroom to make sure her daughter was all right, again coming up empty. When she cracked opened the bathroom's opposing door she found her daughter in bed with Harry and their clothes draped over a chair. Jane pulled the door shut and went to start brunch alone. Once she had things going she when up and woke her husband then knocked on Harry's door calling out, "Brunch will be ready in a few minutes Mr. and Mrs. Potter," before dashing downstairs.

Hermione came up to the hazy level of sleep when she hear her mothers voice announce brunch shooting wide awake and sitting up at the Mrs. Potter comment. Looking around she realized she wasn't in her room and the boy in bed next to her mumbling, "Hermione come back to sleep," had her checking her clothing.

'Panties - check, Bra – yea, top – none, nylons- yes, what the heck am I doing in bed with Harry wearing panties, a bra, and nylons? Of all the things nylons!' Hermione thought then remembered the dance last night. That evolved to memories of her and Harry undressing and climbing into bed. She'd been so tired she had just joined him in the guest bed. Now her mother's comment about Mr. and Mrs. Potter at least made sense. Evidently she'd been spotted in bed with Harry. Ah well when all else fails bluff your way. "Harry we need to get up."

"Her…Hermione?" Harry asked coming awake. His eyes going wide as he looked up at her still topless beside him.

"Yes Harry,"

"You … you're…"

"Don't you like the view? You seemed to enjoy it last night," Hermione said looking over at Harry trying her hardest not to blush and admit embarrassment.

"Yes I like the view but what about your folks?"

"Seeing as how my mother just called through your door for Mr. and Mrs. Potter to come down for brunch, I suspect they are aware of where I spent the night."

"Your father is going to kill me," Harry said following Hermione out of bed and pulling on a robe that she passed him after donning her own.

"I doubt it. He might try and scare you but just remember compared to Snape he's an amateur."

"That may be but unlike Snape he has a very good reason to kill me."

"Don't worry about dad Mum is the one that will kill without remorse."

"Gee… Thanks… Now I have to worry about both of them," Harry said guilt setting in at what they thought he'd done.

Hermione decided to let Harry off the hook. "If my mother had intended for you to be punished in anyway she'd come in here and had it out with you right then. I suspect we'll be in for some teasing but that's about it," Hermione said leading the way downstairs.

"Nice of you two to finally join us. Did you have a good night's sleep?" Jane asked her eyes twinkling.

"Yes mother I did. I haven't slept that well in years."

"And how did you sleep Harry?" Alan asked looking at him with a neutral face.

'I'd rather be killed for being honest.' Harry thought before replying, "I've got to agree with Hermione it was the best night's sleep I've had in quite a while."

"Do you need anything from the chemist dear?" Jane asked.

Hermione looked at her mother in shock that she'd asked such a question at the table. "No mother there is no need. Everything is in the same condition it was this time yesterday. As we've both said, we slept nothing else," Hermione said firmly.

"Can we expect the same thing to happen tonight?"

"Ask me tonight. Harry and I have to talk about things."

"Not until I've had a talk with the both of you, Mr. Potter."

"Harry please," He said interrupting.

"Not for this conversation. Mr. Potter I do not expect my daughter's first time to occur in whatever passes for a passion hideaway up at your school."

"I agree Mrs. Granger. As Hermione said we were quite exhausted last night and just fell asleep," Harry said turning bright red.

"Am I to understand my daughter was so tired she couldn't walk ten feet to her own bed?"

"No Mrs. Granger, I mean… I don't know what I mean. Mrs. Granger I feel quite strongly about Hermione and I wouldn't do anything with her that she did not want to do."

"Good if you are still seeing each other at Christmas I expect to see both of you here for the holidays. As for the next few days you have left I expect each of you to sleep in your own beds, are there any questions?"

"No Mrs. Granger."

"No Mum."

They were back up in Harry's room before Harry relaxed enough to look at Hermione asking, "Were we just let off with a warning not to do it again?"

Hermione stopped and thought for a moment before replying, "Yes provided we behave."

"No snogging?"

A little smile graced her face as she said, "Well I guess a little snogging wouldn't be too far out of line."