Story: War
Chapter: 20
Rating of Chapter: R
My other Fics: Stress, Wake Me From This Nightmare, Psychokinesis, Forlorn
Beta: Cheryl
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. The only things I own are the plot, any characters, spells etc that you do not recognize.
Author Notes: Thank you for all of the reviews on the last chapter. This chapter is pretty light-hearted again to begin with. Christmas Bells are ringing. I didn't include anymore Occlumency practice here; I figured we could do with a break from that. And special thanks to my sick, pregnant Beta. She really is the greatest.
Chapter 20: Unwelcome Guests
Term break had started and Christmas Eve had arrived. Harry was pre-occupied by the evening's Yule Ball. However, his mind drifted to thoughts of past Christmases, of Dudley pestering Vernon for information or whining for an early glimpse of his presents. Harry shook his head and chuckled as he remembered learning that Dudley had received 46 presents from Vernon and Petunia last year compared to Harry's half eaten mince pie and lone glove with the finger pockets missing. Harry wasn't envious; he had the love of a wonderful woman, something that Dudley would never have. Harry delighted in that thought and felt complete.
Tomorrow was the big day. Harry planned to formally ask Hermione for her hand in marriage. Even though he had asked her before that proposal had seemed very easy, a little inferior after the events that had taken place. This time he had the ring and he intended to propose properly, to show Hermione that he was serious about his commitment to her. Harry expected Hermione to say yes again, but his stomach still lurched a little he was still nervous.
He sat alone on the edge of his bed in the boy's dormitory, wondering how to begin the proposal. He eyed the mirror in front of him and began. "Hermione, c-could I ask you something?" his voice was shaky and the sweat paws were opening on his forehead.
"No No, far too nervous," replied the male voice of the mirror boldly. "Relax." Harry nodded and gulped hard. He was about to begin again when Ron came back in from the bathroom, his dress robes hanging loosely around him.
"Who were you talking to?" Ron asked curiously as he approached Harry while buttoning up his shirt.
"Oh, I was just singing, you know?" Harry scratched his head in an attempt to the throw the conversation onto another subject. Ron furrowed his brow and did what Harry hoped.
"Okay," he replied unconvincingly. "Are you wearing the same robes as last year?" Harry nodded. "Me too, Susan won't mind. I just hope we don't get any Dementor's like last year." Harry chuckled.
"Yeah, last year certainly wasn't too much fun, this is our last year too." Ron mumbled a brief "yes" before proceeding to fasten his tie.
*
Hermione invited Susan to get ready for the Ball in her room so that they could all walk to the Great Hall together.
After about an hour of preparation Hermione and Susan greeted Harry and Ron in the Prefect Common Room. Harry was taken aback by Hermione's beauty. She wore midnight blue robes of rich velvet that swayed elegantly as she moved down the stairs towards Harry. Hermione had managed to tame her usually bushy hair into a neat chignon held with a dainty silver clip. "You are breath-taking Hermione," sighed Harry in awe holding his arm out for her to take.
"You don't look so bad yourself," she replied taking his offered arm and glancing at his midnight blue dress robes.
Meanwhile, Ron looked up at Susan dressed in dark red chiffon robes, her hair was held back in an ornate golden hair band her soft curls cascading down her back. Susan smiled nervously at Ron standing before her speechless. After staring for what seemed like minutes, Ron finally reached out and took Susan by the hand.
They exchanged a smile and together the foursome walked to their table. Already seated were Neville and Padma, Seamus and Parvati, Draco and Ginny and a few other students Harry wasn't familiar with nearly filled up the table for twelve.
A look of disgust came over Harry's formerly calm face as he noticed Felipe approaching the table, holding the hand of a petite blonde girl. "'Allo, dis is Lizzy `Ikkle." Nobody at the table acknowledged him; Harry knew that he wasn't the only one who disliked Felipe. Even Susan looked away, although probably more guilt stricken than uncomfortable. Draco's eyes briefly flashed with anger he was as angry as Harry just better at hiding it.
"What do you want?" asked Ron bitterly.
"I came to say `Allo."
"Yeah well, hello. Now fuck off to your own table," grumbled Seamus.
"And you can take our tart with you," added Draco.
"But dis is my table." Harry shot him an evil glare looked to his left where Hermione was sitting.
"Let's dance," he muttered. Hermione smiled taking Harry's hand as she rose from her seat. They walked into the middle of the room and Harry took her gently into his arms. He leant his head in close as Hermione laid her head on his shoulder. "This is one way to avoid him." Harry whispered into her ear.
"I don't want him here either Harry, but let's not let it ruin our night." She spoke as she removed her head from his shoulder and peered into his emerald green eyes.
"I know." Harry sighed, he had to try and avoid the little punk if he was to enjoy his last Yule Ball. Harry looked on at him sitting at the table with a pathetic grin on his face. I wish I could wipe that grin off his face…with my right hand.
Unfortunately Harry and Hermione couldn't dance all night. Eventually they returned to the table where to Harry's delight Draco, Ron and Seamus had decided to terrorize Felipe using the most complicated words they could conjure.
Harry glanced at the menu dancing merrily around and spinning in mid-air. "Hold still," he instructed and the menu complied. He looked over at Hermione and asked, "What are you having?" "I don't know, what are you having?" replied Hermione as she looked over her own menu. "Let's see…I'll have the roast chicken, potatoes with onion gravy and vegetables." stated Harry to the menu. Hermione said "Sounds good, I'll have the same." to her menu. Both menus then squeaked in acknowledgement and took off into the air making their way to the kitchen.
"O-n-o-m-a-t-o-p-o-e-i-a," Draco said to a confused Felipe.
"I give up, I canno' do dis. Nor can I order anyting from dis menu. Whare are de French cuisines."
"There's some frogs in the lake," Harry snapped. Felipe shot up from his seat, taking everyone by surprise.
"Don' insult my country!" he yelled at Harry, who in turn leaped up from his seat.
"I'm not insulting your country I'm fucking insulting you!"
"You…you shut your mouth! I despise you and your silly friends too!" bellowed Felipe while striding over to Harry, Felipe was about to blow. Harry was amused as he continued to boldly taunt Felipe. Harry ignored the huge audience gathering and Hermione tugging on his sleeve.
"Bring it on Frenchy!" Harry taunted.
"You are noting!" yelled Felipe as he lunged at Harry only to be stopped by Draco's right fist catching Felipe's jaw. His vision blanked for a second then dizzy he stumbled around as Seamus' knee made contact with Felipe's groin. Before he could recover Ron elbowed Felipe in the back of his head. Even Neville got a shot into Felipe's stomach. Hermione, Ginny, Padma, Parvati and Felipe's date Lizzy watched on in horrified shock as Felipe lay on the floor in a crumpled heap. The Great Hall suddenly fell into dead silence interrupted only by the sound of loud footsteps. Harry in an instant knew what was coming.
"Potter!" Snape stepped in between them all. "I saw what happened, I want you out now! Potter, Mr Weasley, Miss Weasley, Mr Malfoy, Mr Finnegan, Mr Longbottom, Miss Granger, both Patil's, Mr Dupree and Miss Likkle. All out…NOW!" he roared. With no real option the group left the Great Hall, Felipe obviously went in another direction with his date while Harry walked ahead with Hermione.
"I can't believe you did that Harry," she muttered. Harry tried to keep up with her fast walking. Clearly she was trying to avoid him.
"I think I had every right to do what I did," he replied as they reached the door to the Prefect Common Room. Hermione turned to him a tired look in her eyes.
We'll talk about this in the morning." she said as she quickly closed her dorm room door behind her leaving Harry to stare blankly at the space she had just occupied. The night certainly did not go as he had planned. Harry's big plans for tomorrow would be in turmoil if he didn't make it up to her now. Harry slid down the closed door to a sitting position. He was reminded of the beginning of last year when he had comforted Hermione. Lost in thought Harry sat against the door the Yule Ball was over luckily they had all escaped with a warning from Professor McGonagall despite Snape's pleas for expulsion. Harry couldn't sleep knowing Hermione wouldn't be able to sleep either.
"Please don't be mad at me Hermione," he pleaded. No answer came, so Harry continued. "I know what I did was out of line, and I apologise. But Felipe just makes me so angry, I couldn't help it." Harry looked ahead into the empty and dark Gryffindor common room.
Harry sat up when he felt the door push against his back. Hermione crept around it and stood opposite Harry, staring at him blankly. "I understand you being mad at Felipe, and I am too. I just wanted to enjoy our last Yule Ball."
"We still can, come on." Harry took a confused Hermione by the hand and led her to the centre of the room. The only light in the room was from the burning fire and Harry held Hermione as tightly as he could while swaying with her. "I know we don't have music, but that doesn't have to stop us from dancing."
Hermione smiled. "You're so sweet." Harry returned her smile.
"I know I let my temper get the better of me sometimes but I can't help it."
"I know Harry." They looked at each other knowingly before Harry looked away from her and thought for a moment. He glanced down at his watch and noticed the time.
"Merry Christmas," he stated as the time had crossed midnight.
"Oh yes," said Hermione realising the time. "Merry Christmas Harry." Suddenly it hit Harry, this was it and this was the time.
"Wait here, I'll be right back." Harry said as he parted from her and nipped up quietly to his dorm room. A moment later he returned with his hands tightly clenched around a small black velvet box. He reached out taking her left hand in his and lost himself in her peaceful chocolate eyes. "I want to give you your Christmas present now." Hermione began to protest but Harry cut her off with a soft kiss. He then knelt down on one knee before her, his hand still gripped to hers.
Hermione since we met six and half years ago I have grown to love you more and more every second. I will never love or care for another person as much as I do you. You have stood by me through so much over the years especially these last two since we started our relationship. We have been there for each other through all those tough times." He gazed into her glistening eyes. Harry could feel the emotion coursing through their bodies the intensity greater than the roaring fire on the coal. Harry continued, "Hermione I always want to be there for you. I know things didn't go quite as…planned earlier…I know I've asked you before…I want to do this right…" He gently opened the box, "Hermione, will you marry me?"
Hermione stared at the most amazing ring nestled in that beautiful velvet box. She looked up at Harry his face full of anticipation her bottom lip trembled slightly tears streamed from the corners of her eyes. This was real and Harry was serious. "YES! Of course I'll marry you Harry. I love you so much," cried Hermione as she leapt down to Harry wrapping her arms around his neck throwing them both off balance and crashing to the floor.
They held each other for several minutes before the hot blaze from the fire; little did they know that a death had just occurred at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Author Notes: There you have it, beatings, proposals and insults. Enjoy it? Review it! Maybe it was a little cliché but still. That teaser at the end wasn't originally there, but I thought I would add it at the last minute. Hehe, I'm evil. Despite my beta's suggestions I didn't leave a cliffie at "will you marry me?" I thought you would be expecting bad news or something huge, which would simply have been a "yes." Plus it was nice to finish off the night on a high.