Hey Guys,
Another chapter for you and its a fun one! Hope you guys like it
Here we go!
The couples exited the floor, and Hermione watched as Draco ran off as they arrived backstage, his retreating form, heading for costume, ready for the pro dance number which was going to be filmed shortly.
Hermione felt a weird lull settle over the celebrities, some headed off for rehearsals and others relaxed, and Hermione was unsure what to do. She could feel herself feeling more and more vulnerable without Draco by her side, and mentally shook herself at this thought.
'Snap out of it' She thought 'You're a strong woman, you don't need a man by your side 24/7'
She wandered around the backstage area, not particularly taking note of where her feet led her, and soon found herself in the green room, it was quiet, everybody else seemingly milling about elsewhere. Rummaging through her bag, she found a book and decided to take her mind off the impending elimination by immersing herself in a different world.
She was unaware how much time had passed and was disturbed from her head when a soft knocking sounded on the door.
"Hello?" She called out, willing the person on the other side of the door to enter. A dishevelled blonde head rounded the door, a smug smirk gracing his face. She took a quick note of shirtless form, this was more than just the glimpse of him she'd had through the V in his shirt earlier.
"There you are!" He exclaimed, entering the room, Hermione putting a bookmark between the pages and putting the book back in her bag. "I've been looking for you everywhere".
"Well obviously not everywhere" She replied, a smirk of her own now gracing her face. "What's up?"
"We're needed back on set" Hermione stood nodding, grabbing his hand, they left the room and headed for costume where he slipped into his earlier outfit, and then allowed the hair and make-up ladies to adjust him again. "The voting lines just closed, and the director wants some group 'tension' shots and then we're going straight into the reveal". He said once he was in the matching outfit to her again.
Smiling, she walked towards him, their hands subconsciously joining once more as they headed back to the studio floor.
"Hermione and Draco, you'll be stood here, this is your spot for upcoming weeks, unless you're told otherwise" The director said, as the couple made their way to where he was pointing. They stood on the mark, a nervous energy fluttering between everybody waiting.
10 minutes later, the director finally spoke up again, and Hermione noticed Tina had re-emerged.
"Ok, we're going to going into the vote and elimination now". He said, and Tina walked to her spot, in a new outfit, hair scraped back, a faux sympathetic smile on her features. "Cue TINA!"
"What an incredible night of dance we had last night, but unfortunately not everyone can return for next week's movie week, it's time to find out who is in tonight's dance off" Tina said. "The results have been counted and verified and will be announced in no particular order."
Stood in what had quickly become their 'default' position, Hermione felt Draco's arms tighten around her with nerves, his arms had crossed around her, his thumb gently stroking the exposed skin at her waist. Sensing his nerves, she reached up and grabbed his hand, her thumb rubbing intricate patterns over his knuckles.
"We got this" Draco whispered in her ear, his soft voice sending a chill through her entire body.
'Get a grip' Hermione thought to herself.
"Safely through to next week's movie extravaganza are…." Hermione felt her heartbeat quicken. "Angelina and Peter!"
Hermione smiled briefly at this; her friend was safe.
"Dancing next week are… Daniel and Rachel!"
"Making their sequel next week are… Phoebe and Michael".
The longer they stood, their spotlight still on, the more tense Hermione grew. She could feel Draco's hands tightening slightly with every name called that wasn't theirs.
"Hoping for a comeback are… Diana and Liam".
"Returning next week are… Tanya and Matthew".
"Hoping for a box office smash next week are… Hannah and Vincent".
"Returning for one more dance is… Simon and Michelle".
Hermione felt rather than heard the change in music, as they awaited the first dance off couple to be called.
"And now, it's time to announce our first couple who will be dancing again tonight. That couple is…" Hermione felt her breathing change, through her back she felt Draco's heartbeat thumping, his chin coming to rest on her shoulder. "Anna and Anthony. I'm sorry my loves, the rest of you will have to wait until later in the show to find out your fates, come down here Anna and Anthony everybody!"
After a quick interview, the couple moved off the floor, presumably heading for some last-minute rehearsal, and the saved couples went to do some interviews with Olivia in her sky box.
"Ok Tina let's continue with our second round of results" The director said, after what seemed like an eternity.
"Now it's time to reveal who will be joining Anna and Anthony in the dancing, good luck everyone!" Tina said. "The first couple safely through to next week is… Seamus and Lindsey!"
Hermione felt herself tense, now both of her friends were safe, she began to worry about whether she'd impressed the public enough to ensure her own safety. Draco's head on her shoulder turning slightly, pressing a light kiss to her cheek, almost in reassurance.
"Dancing again are… Maria and Tom".
"Making their movie debut next week are… Jason and Aliona".
"Hoping for a cinema success next week are… Hermione and Draco!"
Hermione almost screamed with relief when their names were called, turning, and throwing her arms around Draco, as he lifted her up slightly in a hug, a kiss pressed softly to her head, as they turned to the camera mouthing huge 'Thank You's' to the cameras, her lips on his cheek in an elated celebration.
"Well done!" Draco said in her ear, the pair's spotlight going out.
"Having another dance is… Zachary and Ola".
"And now, the couple that will be joining Anna and Anthony in the dance off is… Nicholas and Karen, that means Charlie and Witney we'll see you next week".
The lights came up, and with her hand wrapped in Draco's they moved from their position as Nicholas and Karen moved toward Tina.
Moving around backstage, Hermione felt Draco guide her up to the sky box, them taking a seat on the sofas, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her hair as they waited for Olivia to be cued to start interviews.
"And here I have some very relieved saved couples with me… Jason and Aliona".
Tuning out of the conversation, Hermione felt Draco's thumb tracing patterns once again, on her shoulder this time, and she smiled lightly.
"Now Seamus, you seemed the most nervous on Saturday night?" Olivia said, and Hermione turned to her friend.
"Yes, I was so nervous, going out onto the National Rugby field is nothing compared to coming out on this floor and dancing" Seamus said, his accent heavy but his voice light and jovial.
"And Hermione, I don't think we've ever had a reaction like that, what a scream" Olivia said, and Hermione blushed, her reaction was full relief and only now did she realise anyone but her and Draco had heard her scream of delight.
"I honestly thought, the longer we were stood there that it was inevitable that we'd be in the dance off, and it was a scream of pure relief!" Hermione said.
"Movie week next week, Draco do you want to reveal your dance?" Olivia asked, and Hermione turned to her partner, her eyebrows raised.
"We'll be dancing, the… Paso Doble!" He said, and Hermione laughed nervously.
The interviews continued for a little while after, but Hermione tuned out, instead focusing on the happy feeling bubbling in her chest, and Draco's hand which kept her securely against his chest.
The results had been filmed, and the hardest part Hermione found was trying to keep a secret who had been eliminated until 7:30 the next evening.
Luckily, Hermione had already arranged a distraction, and pulling up to the kerb outside Draco's house, she felt a sense of nervousness fall over her. This wasn't about rehearsing, she was meeting his son, and this had absolutely nothing to do with dancing.
Walking up a pathway, she knocked on the door, hoping beyond hope she wouldn't scare Scorpius off, or make a fool of herself.
"Hermione, come in" Draco said, opening the door wide, and Hermione smiled, walking into the house. She took in the grand entrance hall, a perfect mix of classic and modern stylings.
Dropping her bag, she removed her coat and noting the shoes piled by the door, slipped off her black ankle boots, placing them neatly against the wall. "Hey" She finally spoke, picking her bag up once more, and Draco grabbed her hand, something she regarded as second nature for them now.
Leading her down the hallway, he led her to a large open plan kitchen/diner, and Hermione smiled when she spotted a small blonde doppelgänger in the corner of the room playing.
"Scorpius" Draco said, and the boy looked up, smiling at his father, and Hermione noted just how much they looked alike. "This is Hermione, she's my dance partner, but she's here to help you with your lines, she's an actress and she also writes some pretty cool books".
Scorpius stood, and putting his toy away neatly, which surprised Hermione, before he ran over to them, and Hermione bent down to be on level with the child.
"Hi, I'm Scorpius" The boy said, extending a hand to her in a somewhat formal gesture.
"Well, hi Scorpius, I'm Hermione, but you can call me 'Mione" She said, grabbing his small hand and shaking it gently.
"You write books?" Scorpius asked, though he knew she did.
"Yes, have you read them?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, they're my bedtime favourite" Scorpius replied.
"Wow, thank you, high praise, and I hear you have a school play with a big part?" Hermione said, as the young boy retracted his hand from hers.
"I'm going to be a farmer!" He said proudly, flashing her a beaming smile, and Hermione was stunned by the likeness, it was a smile she'd seen on his father's face many times now.
"Well, how about you go and get your script and we can start work?" Hermione said, and the boy scrambled out of the room to grab his script.
"He's not kidding, I think he's heard your books about 3 times each now" Draco said, as Hermione returned to standing, and Draco led her through to the living room, a hand at the small of her back.
Taking a seat on a sofa, she felt Draco drop down beside her, his arm around her shoulder, and she blushed. Scorpius joined them again, not long after, settling on the floor in front of them.
After working through the script for a while and making significant process, Draco excused Scorpius to go and play.
"He's adorable" Hermione said, as the two were left alone, snuggling into him a little. Her head resting on his shoulder.
"He's a good one" Draco said, kissing her head. "Want to stay for dinner?"
Hermione's head popped up at the question. "Erm… well if it's no problem"
"No, of course not, we can watch the results with Scorpius." Draco said.
"As long as it's ok with him then yes" Hermione said.
"Scorp!" Draco yelled, making Hermione jump in surprise, Draco laughing lightly at her.
Hearing light footsteps down the stairs, Hermione smiled warmly as the small blonde head entered the room, a small action figure clenched in his hand.
"Is it ok with you if Hermione stays for dinner with us?" Draco asked his son, who was climbing into his lap.
"Can I show her my room?" Scorp asked.
"That you'll have to ask her" Draco replied.
"Can I?" Scorpius asked, turning his attention to her.
"Of course," Hermione replied.
"Then yes" The 4-year-old replied.
"Ok, well why don't you show Hermione and I'll get dinner started" Draco said, and Scorpius nodded, climbing out of his father's lap, and holding out a hand tentatively to Hermione. Hermione smiled and grabbed his hand as she stood up. The young boy excitedly leading her from the room.
Half an hour later and dinner was done, and Draco shouted for the pair, however, receiving no reply, he headed up the stairs and came across the door ajar to his son's bedroom.
Opening it, he found Scorpius sat on the floor between Hermione's jean clad legs as she read her own book to him. His heart warming instantly at the sight. He stayed watching them for a moment before deciding to interrupt.
"Come on, dinner's ready you two" Draco said, bringing the pairs attention to him.
"YAY!" Scorpius yelled, excited at the prospect of food. "Thank you 'Mione" Wrapping his arms around Hermione in a hug, she smiled, before the boy withdrew, running out of his room.
"Wash your hands!" Draco shouted to his son, and watched as Hermione placed a bookmark in the book, and stood, placing it on the bookcase where they'd got it. Moving towards him, he stopped her as she moved to pass him, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug, during which he snuck a few kisses to her hair and forehead, before he withdrew with a smile, and grabbed her hand gently, intertwining their fingers and leading her back down the kitchen where Scorpius sat at the table waiting for them.
Hermione had left the pair after dinner, receiving a tight hug from Scorpius before she left, and an equally tight hug from his father with a kiss on the cheek as she left. The following morning, she woke early, showering quickly before slipping into her rehearsal clothes, and heading for the studios, her car windscreen foggy with the early morning cold.
Entering the rehearsal space, Hermione was unsurprised to find Draco stood in front of the mirrors. The first pair to leave had been revealed yesterday, and the entire public knowing about the departure of Anna and Anthony, seemed to up the ante for Hermione.
Setting her bag down, and joining Draco in the centre of the room, they stretched and warmed up, before he revealed their song.
"So, Paso this week, and its movie week, so we'll be dancing to 'America' from West Side Story" Draco said. Hermione smiled at the news, West Side Story being one of her favourite musicals of all time. "You'll be Anita and I'll be Bernardo, unlikely I know, but it fit the theme!"
Hermione laughed, and the pair began work on their Paso Doble. Watching him adopt his matador persona Hermione felt herself flushing as she watched.
'Fuck that's hot' Hermione thought as she watched him, his stern expression, and grey eyes boring into hers.
Tuesday's rehearsal was jam packed as they began to work on the technique, and their rehearsal day was shorter too, the pair having to go to the 'It Takes Two' studio that evening.
"Good" Draco said, as he stood watching her footwork, her arms moving in the way he'd shown her before they'd broke for lunch. "Ok, so we're going to end in a deep lunge, one of my arms will be up in a power punch, and the other holding you, your arms will be extended above your head."
Nodding, Hermione watched as he moved towards her. "So, I go into it from the final spin?"
"Yes, exactly" Draco smiled, and the pair worked through it step by step.
Having successfully completed the move a few times, Hermione felt confident, though Draco's face suggested he wasn't entirely set on it. They ran through everything, at a slower speed, tomorrow they would work on refining footwork and arm-o-graphy, but for now, they would run the piece once through.
Everything felt good, until it came to the final spin, going into it everything felt good, but as she spun into Draco, his hand placement felt off, and as she lowered down, she didn't stop, crashing to the floor, her head banging against the wooden dance floor.
"Ow!" Hermione yelled, as her hand came up to cradle her head, Draco dropping to his knees beside her, his face screwed up in concern.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry, are you ok?" He asked, helping her sit up, his arm cradling her back.
"Yeah" She replied, softly, a few stubborn tears leaking from her eyes contradicting her.
"Your head?" Draco asked, a guilty look in his eyes as he looked into hers, his eyes sweeping over her head looking for any possible indication of a serious injury. Not finding one, he pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before locking his eyes with hers again.
"Yeah" She replied, and she brought her hand up to wipe away the tears, his thumb beating her fingers to it as he wiped them away. "My ankle kind of hurts too"
Moving from cradling her back, Draco looked down to her feet, and noted some bruising forming around the joint already, a worried look appearing on his face.
"Well, we're heading for the studios anyways, let's drop in to see the medical advisor, and check you haven't done any serious damage" Draco said, and Hermione nodded, shifting, and wincing as she stood.
Limping over to her things, silent tears dropping down her face as she stepped on her right ankle. Draco grabbed his own belongings, helping Hermione out of her dance shoes and into her trainers, before helping her out to the car park, his arm wrapped securely around her back.
Putting her in his car, he dropped her bag in the back seat before jumping in the driver's seat. The drive was silent, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel, a guilty feeling consuming him. Upon arriving at the studios, he left her in the car to find the medical advisor, who came out to his car with him, the two helping Hermione from the car, one arm each scooped under her own.
Arriving in a small room within the studio, the man began looking over Hermione's injuries, she'd twisted her ankle quite badly, but nothing that would rule her out of the competition, and she'd have a nice egg on her head for a few days.
She was advised to take ibuprofen to help reduce swelling and alternate with paracetamol to combat any pain. Smiling, she stood up, limping, and the pair left the room.
Draco however, still seemed concerned, and the guilty look was still firmly in place on his face.
"Hey, its ok, I'm ok, frankly I'd be more concerned if we didn't have accidents like this" Hermione said, stopping and taking a hold of his hands. "We'll work on it tomorrow, and nail it down".
"I know, but what if I'd been lifting you or something? It could have been a lot worse; I'd never forgive myself you'd broken something" He replied, voice breaking slightly, a few tears welling in his eyes.
"Well, I'm fine, there's nothing to forgive, accidents happen" Hermione said, taking his face in her hands and wiping at the tears that had escaped. "Now come on, we have an interview to do".
"How is it, that you're the injured one and yet you're comforting me?" Draco asked, a slight chuckle in his voice.
Hermione simply rolled her eyes and held out her hand to him, which he took, and he noted, after a dose of ibuprofen her limping had become significantly less.
Arriving in the right area, they were rushed into hair and make-up, Hermione's curly hair being swept into a high ponytail and her face being dusted with various powders.
Opening her eyes after her make-up was completed, she smiled as she saw Draco had waited for her, the two headed for the dressing room they'd been put in before and browsed the racks before selecting what to wear.
Hermione selected a white dress, an autumnal pattern spread across the fabric, and she didn't even bother with modesty as she changed into it.
'He's felt most of it anyways' She thought, shedding herself of her tank top.
Draco's eyes widened and he turned as was faced with his topless partner.
'I knew she was toned, but fucking hell' Draco said, taking note of his partners body, trying at the same time not to look.
Hermione pulled the white, high necked dress down over her sports bra, being careful of her hair and make-up. Pulling her trainers off, careful of her ankle, and the pulling her leggings off, she stood once more, pulling the zip up on the dress, oblivious to Draco's eyes involuntarily following her every move.
The material clung to her curves, and she sat once more, pulling some flat white ankle boots on, covering the strapping which had been put on her ankle.
"Ready?" She asked, finally looking up, and Draco gulped, nodding. She seemed unaware of his internal struggle.
Standing up, she gathered her things, depositing them in a neat pile and headed for the door, Draco catching her hand as they left.
Walking into the green room, a camera already set up in there, the two sat down on a sofa, Draco's arm once again encircling her, his hand playing with seam around the sleeveless dress.
"How's your ankle and head?" He asked, lowering his head to her ear, noting a slight purplish bruising beginning to make itself known even through layers and layers of make-up on the right side of her face.
"Fine, the medications kicking in" Hermione replied, placing a small kiss to his cheek. "Stop worrying."
10 minutes later the intro music played, and Hermione settled back into Draco's arm.
"Hello, and welcome to Tuesday's 'Its Takes Two', I'm Jenny Beale, and do we have a show for you tonight, we have Henry Armstrong here to do a dance debrief! And we have the return of 'Tunes on Tuesday' where we'll see what songs some of our couples will be dancing to. And to top all that off, we have 3 gorgeous couples here tonight, we have Jason and Aliona".
Hermione watched as the camera turned to them, the pair waving.
"We have, Phoebe and Michael".
The pair waving.
"And we have Hermione and Draco!"
The camera panned to the two of them, Hermione waving at the screen smiling, Draco looking at her, pressing a kiss to her cheek before turning and smiling to the camera.
Hermione blushed as the host continued talking.
Phoebe and Michael were interviewed first, remaining in the studio for the musical segment of that night's show.
She and Draco were called next, and hand in hand they entered the studio.
"Now next up tonight, we have the couple that just keep climbing and topping that leader board, it's Hermione and Draco!" Jenny said.
Smiling, the pair danced up to the sofas, Hermione a little more tentatively than she usually would.
"Happy Tuesday you two!" Jenny said, as the pair sat down, Hermione once again closest to the TV monitor and Draco beside her, his arm wrapped around her shoulder. "Now you two you danced up a storm on Saturday night with your Salsa, how did it feel to top the leader board again?"
"Amazing, I mean no one goes into this competition thinking they'll be top of the leader board on week one, and no one goes into this thinking they'll repeat that feat again the following week!" Hermione replied.
"Now this week you two have the Paso Doble, how have rehearsals been going?" Jenny asked.
"Really well, Hermione has picked the steps up relatively quickly, we still have some techniques to refine but she's been doing really well" Draco said, a slight guilty look returning to his eyes as Hermione turned to look at him.
"We had a small mishap this afternoon, but we're going to push through and hopefully pull off a fantastic routine on Saturday night" Hermione said, her left hand reaching and grabbing Draco's free hand.
"Glad to hear it, we'll be wishing you all the best of luck!" Jenny said. "Hermione and Draco everybody! Now it's time for the long-awaited return of the Tuesday Jukebox, for 'Tunes on Tuesday".
The three stood up, and Jenny headed for her next mark, and Hermione and Draco headed for a spot off camera, Draco's arms coming around her once more as they waited, some props being dropped at their feet.
"Yes, so for anyone who isn't clued up, 'Tunes on Tuesday' is where we reveal some of the songs our couples will be dancing to on Saturday night. I would like to welcome our DJ, Henry Armstrong!" The man walked behind a set of prop decks, and he and Jenny interacted for a second.
"Shall we reveal our first song?" The studio crew cheered, and Henry pressed a button in time with music being played through the studio.
"Yes, 'Seasons of Love' from the Movie 'Rent'" Jenny said, as Phoebe and Michael went in front of the camera, dancing with roses, and goofing around. "Did you know 'Rent' is loosely based on 'La Boehme' by Puccini, and Martin Scorsese was considered to direct the 2005 movie? Now shall we see who will be dancing to this on Saturday night?" Jenny asked, and again there were cheers in the studio, as a monitor beside her flicked through various couple's pictures, slowing before landing on Maria and Tom.
"Yes, Maria and Tom will be waltzing to this on Saturday night, thank you Phoebe and Michael, next on our playlist please DJ" Jenny said, and a new song began playing. This time she and Draco emerged in front of the camera, rubbing prop lamps.
"Now, 'Friend Like Me' from 'Aladdin', to land Robin Williams for the role of Genie, animators made sequences showing the Genie performing Williams' stand-up routines" Jenny said, as Hermione and Draco danced around to the music, Hermione laughing hysterically as she and Draco made a fool of themselves, him grabbing her arm and twirling her around. "And the film marked the end of voice actors having to great singers! Now shall we see who will be dancing to this on Saturday night?"
Cheers were heard around the studio, and the monitor began flicking through various couple's pictures, stopping on Seamus and Lindsey.
"Seamus and Lindsey will be dancing their couple's choice Street/Commercial to this animated classic, thank you Hermione and Draco" The couple bowed comically and exited the set, and stood behind the cameras once more, taking their 'default' positions once more.
"DJ final track please!" Jenny said, and the final song played through the studio, Hermione recognising it immediately. Jason and Aliona dancing to the music.
"Its 'America' from the musical 'West Side Story'! This Romeo and Juliet story was originally supposed to be based around a Jewish Girl and a Catholic Boy but was changed to rival gangs and the theme changed from religion to immigration. And the rival gangs, the Sharks and the Jets were banned from interacting on set, but which couple will be dancing to this classic on Saturday night?" Jenny asked. The monitor flicking through couple's pictures before landing on Hermione and Draco.
"Yes, Hermione and Draco will be dancing the Paso Doble to this on Saturday night, and we hope they do it justice". The camera quickly panned to them and they smiled at it.
Hermione tuned out after that, and soon the show was over, she and Draco collecting their things, Hermione depositing her clothes in her bag in the back of Draco's car before jumping in the passenger seat.
"Look after that ankle" Draco said, as they arrived back at the rehearsal studio, Hermione grabbing her bag from the back seat.
"I will." She said, kissing his cheek lightly, before exiting the car.
The week flew by quickly after that, on the Wednesday, Hermione had to persuade Draco to keep their ending as it was, arguing that she was fine, and that not sticking to their original ending would make the routine pointless.
Saturday morning arrived before either of them registered it, and Hermione knew she was in for a hellish day when after 20 minutes her ibuprofen had done nothing to calm the pain in her ankle. Sighing she got up, showering before getting in her car, and heading for the studio. Arriving at around 12, she was immediately hurried into hair and make-up, Hermione glared into those grey eyes as she watched her partner enter the room, sauntering.
"Hey," He said, taking a seat beside her.
"Don't hey me, I've been here for an hour already" Hermione said, grouchy, her bruised head becoming sore as Francine carried on teasing her curls and pining various pieces in place.
"She been this grouchy the whole time Angie?" Draco asked the woman sat beside his partner.
"Yes" Angie replied, and Hermione simply turned her glare to Angelina.
"Your head?" Draco asked, turning back to his partner, a look of concern in his eyes.
"It's nothing, it's just because it keeps getting pulled at" Hermione replied, before wincing as her head was pulled on once more. Francine was under taking the very arduous task of creating a '60s looking style from her tameless curls.
"You're all done" Francine said, 2 moments after, and Hermione almost screamed with delight. Draco quickly assessed her head as she stood, his hands cradling her face, before he searched her eyes, seeing the pain welling in them.
"Hermione I'm ready for you" Vikki said, and Hermione made to move, but not before her placed a quick kiss to where her head was bruised before she moved seats to sit in the make-up chairs. Draco sat in her now vacated seat, allowing Francine to begin working on his blonde locks.
Hermione closed her eyes, willing her headache to disappear as Vikki painted her face.
"You're all done" Opening her eyes, Hermione smiled in thanks at the woman, before she grabbed her belongings, and left the room heading for the green room. Dropping her bag, she grabbed her phone and tucked it into her pocket, quickly taking some more painkillers before sitting down on a chair, removing her trainer, and rubbing her sore ankle.
"I thought you said that wasn't sore anymore" She looked up to see her partner stood in the doorway, his shoulder leant against the doorframe. Moving forward he knelt in front of her, taking her foot in hand, and massaging the damaged joint.
"It wasn't but it's been acting up all morning, the ibuprofen's not even touching it" Hermione said, Draco nodding, before grabbing a bandage from her bag, strapping up her ankle. "But I got this".
"You sure?"
"Yes, we've worked too damn hard to have this put us out of the competition" Hermione said, removing her ankle from his grasp and standing up, pulling her trainer back on.
Holding her hand out to him, she waited whilst he stood, and they walked to costume. Sitting side by side whilst they waited, Draco drew patterns on the back of one of her hands whilst she scrolled through various social media on her phone.
"Hermione, you ready?" Georgina asked, coming to the pair, looking every bit as frazzled as she did at this time every week.
"Yes" Hermione said, standing up, and moving to following Georgina.
Standing in the changing booth, Hermione slipped off her own clothes, and put on the lilac dress which Georgina had handed her.
Pulling the sleeves up her arms, before stepping out of the booth, Georgina already ready with her cotton. Adjusting the material in the right places, she began sewing up the seams.
Once finished, Hermione moved once again to the full-length mirrors, taking in her appearance, the dress was perfect, with enough movement for their dramatic routine but still holding enough character to resemble Anita's from the film, and her hair and make-up gave the fiery look they were going for.
"Well, you look like we could just pop you in that movie and you'd fit right in" Draco said, as she turned to face him. He was dressed in a red shirt, a black tie around his neck, and black dress pants.
"Thank you" She replied. She waited until he was done, and they exited costume, heading for some food before they were called for a last-minute dress run.
Throughout the routine Hermione could feel her ankle twinging and the stamping vigour of the routine was doing nothing to help that. Doing her best to hide her discomfort from Draco, they ended the routine, and were given the 'all clear' to head backstage once more.
"Your ankle?" Draco asked, as they walked slowly to the green room and she made a small whimpering sound.
"Yeah, it's fine though, honestly, I'll just dance through it" Hermione said.
"I want you to see the medical advisor again, we don't need you doing permanent damage to that" Draco said, and Hermione sighed, though she nodded and agreed with him, changing direction as he led her to the small room once more.
Knocking, they were ushered inside, and after a quick look, the advisor deemed her fit to dance, but to ice the injury once they'd finished and rest it all day the following day.
"Told you I could dance on it." She told him as they left.
"Yeah, but the last time I checked you weren't a medical professional" Draco said. "I don't want you to be seriously injured".
Stopping and taking his face in her hands, she smiled, and kissed his cheek. "I know, but I got this, I told you".
They continued walking, heading for the green room once more. Sitting in a corner side by side, phones out, they interacted lightly, laughing at one another, before Draco went silent suddenly.
"What's up?" She asked.
"I just had a thought, it's stupid, ignore me" Draco said.
"Nothing is stupid unless it remains unsaid" Hermione replied.
"Well, I was just thinking Bernardo and Anita are in love right, they came from Puerto Rico together to make a new life, so to tease him, I figured maybe she'd kiss him, before running off to continue dancing" Hermione's eyebrows raised.
"Ok, well if that's what you want to do" Hermione said.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, it's for the dance, right?"
"Yeah, after the first break, kiss me then push me away" Draco said, and Hermione nodded.
"Ok, I can do that, just don't judge me, I haven't kissed anyone for a while" Hermione said.
"I won't" He smiled softly at her.
"It's a plan"
"It is."
The cast lined up on the stairs once again as the show began it's build up, Hermione and Draco were quite far up in the queues tonight.
"Live from London, it's Strictly Dancing Stars, please welcome your hosts Tina Mahone and Olivia Harrison"
Hermione zoned out, just waiting for their cue.
"Hello and welcome to Strictly Dancing Stars, and this week it's our Movie Week Extravaganza!" Tina said.
"Yes, now last week we had to say goodbye to our first couple as Anna and Anthony became our first couple to leave the competition, and backstage we have 14 nervous pairs ready to dance to some movie classics" Olivia said.
"But before that we have to meet 4 very important people who will be scoring our couples tonight" Tina continued.
"The Judges." They said together.
"Martin Thomas" Olivia said.
"Selina Valentine" Tina continued.
"Zoe Chalmers"
"And Tim Lisetsky"
"Our judges everyone!" Olivia said.
"Now I think the time has come to meet…" Tina paused.
"Our Strictly Stars"
"Footballer, Zachary Bell and his partner, Ola Aksana"
"Ireland Rugby Captain, Seamus Finnegan and his partner, Lindsey Thompson"
"TV Doctor, Diana McCall and her partner, Liam McKay"
"Soap Opera Star, Tanya Gutierrez and her partner, Matthew Parkinson"
"Author and Stage Actress, Hermione Granger and her partner, Draco Malfoy"
The two stepped out, waving at the audience, before coming down the stairs and taking up their usual position on their mark on the dance floor.
"Boyband Star, Nicholas Marshall and his partner, Karen Lewis"
"Ex-Cricketer, Jason Whitman and his partner, Aliona Kopilova"
"Tennis Star and Wimbledon Champion, Angelina Johnson and her partner, Peter Fletcher"
"Singer, Phoebe Stevens and her partner, Michael Peace"
"Olympic Gold Medallist, Daniel Hulmes and his partner, Rachel Evans"
"Children's TV Personality, Hannah Reid and her partner, Vincent Alamore"
"Singer and Actor, Charlie Walsh and his partner, Witney Larson"
"TV Presenter, Simon Lake and his partner, Michelle Norris"
"And Finally, Gymnast, Maria Adamson and her partner, Tom Malloy"
"There they all are, and undoubtedly nervous, I bet they're all ready and raring to go" Tina said.
"Yes, and up first it's the Gymnast who left everyone astounded last week with her amazing kicks and flicks, Maria and Tom will be hoping they can keep up the good work this week when they dance the Cha-Cha"
Clearing off the floor, they headed up to the sky box, and waited patiently for their turn to come. They watched the other celebrities dance, and about half-way through the show they were called, and led away for make-up touch ups, before they climbed the stairs up to the sky box, smiling and waving.
"Up next we have the couple who have been top of the leader board for our first two weeks, Hermione and Draco will be hoping to keep up that honour this week as they pay homage to West Side Story, let's see how they got on in training" Tina said, and she and Draco got into position on the dance floor.
"Dancing the Paso Doble to 'America' from the movie West Side Story, Hermione Granger and her Partner, Draco Malfoy" The voice over man announced.
The music began with a mighty crash, bursting into life, and after the first break Hermione felt the butterflies rising in her stomach. Gathering her courage, she pulled Draco in closely by his tie, kissing him lightly on the lips before pushing him away, his face the perfect picture of bewilderment, and doing the flamenco shaping, they'd decided on a few days ago in rehearsals.
The pair ended their routine as practiced, and Hermione could barely feel the pain in her ankle, high on adrenaline and an amazing, though quick, kiss.
Helping her stand upright, he hugged her tightly.
"You were amazing!" He said, squeezing her tightly, a giggle sounding down his ear.
'That kiss was fucking amazing' He thought. 'Over much to quickly though'
She grabbed his hand, and together they walked over to Tina, waiting for the judges' comments.
"Well, what a fiery woman you make!" Tina said, "Let's see what the judges had to say about that shall we? Selina?"
"Well, you just come out of nowhere, don't you? You were teasing him, and it was sexy, that ebb and flow as you got so close, we got so close and then you'd move away again and it really felt like you captured the spirit of the Paso Doble, well done!" Selina said.
"Zoe?"
"I agree with Selina, your lines were excellent, and it was like watching the bull fight, your back could have been a bit more arched but you were fantastic!"
"Tim?"
"You were controlled and passionate, sexy and innocent all at the same time, I love West Side Story and that number, and my word you gave them all a run for their money didn't you".
"And Martin?"
"You're back needed to be more arched and some of your steps felt too placed, it needed to be more staccato in places, but you gave off the spirit, your arms were perfect, and the footwork was actually the neatest I think we've seen for a Paso Doble"
"Good comments from the judges, head on up to Olivia to get your scores." Tina said, Hermione grasping Draco's hand tightly as they ran off the floor and up to the sky box, their fellow competitors screaming loudly for them.
"Wow, wow, wow, I heard Lindsey over there saying you had the best arms she'd ever seen for someone dancing a Paso Doble" Olivia said, as Hermione and Draco arrived, their arms wrapped around one another.
"Wow, thank you Lindsey" Hermione said, turning to the professional partner of her friend and smiling. "We worked so hard this week, and we had some slight mishaps but we pushed hard and we did it"
"Can I just say I think everyone up here was screaming when you kissed him, there were definite wolf-whistles" Olivia said, and Hermione blushed despite herself. "You were enchanting, shall we see your scores?"
Draco's arm tightened around her, his mouth dropping to her ear. "You were incredible, I don't care what they say, you were perfect, I'm so proud of you".
Smiling, she grabbed his hand, squeezing it lightly before dropping it and turning their attention to the judges scores.
"Martin Thomas?"
"9"
"Selina Valentine?"
"9"
"Zoe Chalmers?"
"9"
"Tim Lisetsky?"
"9"
"That gives you a score of 36 out of 40, the highest score of the series so far, and puts you top of the leader board once again" Olivia said, and Hermione smiled as she was pulled tightly into a hug by Draco. "Now if Hermione and Draco were your favourites be sure to vote for them when the lines open at the end of the show, now coming up we have Angelina and Peter dancing a Tango to Lady Marmalade, and Seamus will be blue as he and Lindsey dance their couple's choice, Tina".
Smiling as they moved out of the way, Hermione locked her arms around Draco once more, delighted with the result.
They spent the rest of the evening with arms wrapped around one another, neither caring about the audience, content to be in one another embrace, knowing they needed to talk, but not worrying about when the talk would happen.
So there you have it, another chapter, and a kiss!
Hope you enjoyed it, as always let me know with a review!
Thanks,
DWMS6
