Chapter 8 - The Yule Ball
Harry and Ron waited in the common room for their dates, Hermione and Lavender. After a brief explanation on why Ron asked her to the Ball, (Ron fancied her) he saw her walk down the steps from the girls' dormitories. She looked quite pretty. She was wearing a scarlet red dress robes and she had her hair tied back. Ron hugged her as she came up to him. She spoke to Harry.
"Looking sharp Harry!" Lavender said, smiling. "Heard you'll be taking Hermione. It's about time you two came out to the world!"
"We'll meet you down there Harry," Ron said, and walked off with Lavender, arm in arm.
Harry heard footsteps coming down the stairs from the girls' dormitories. He looked up and his jaw dropped. He had to hold on to a chair to prevent himself from fainting. Hermione made her way down the steps and smiled at Harry when she saw him.
"Wow!" Harry said to himself. It was Hermione all right, but it didn't look like Hermione. She was wearing a shoulder-less, periwinkle-blue dress robes that glittered in the light. She had a hairpiece in her hair to match. Her hair wasn't bushy and curly anymore. She kept her hair down and it was sleek, straight, and shinny, with highlights. And around her neck, the necklace Harry had given her. It was glowing as blue as her dress robes. She looked very beautiful indeed.
"Hi Harry!" she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "You look very handsome!"
"Thanks, Hermione," he said, turning red. "You look…beautiful…very beautiful!"
"Thanks Harry," she replied. "Do you mind me wearing this, Harry?" she asked, looking down at the necklace, still glowing bright blue.
"Not anymore," he said, looking at it too, "it looks marvelous on you."
"If anyone asks, can I tell them?" she asked, looking into his green eyes.
Harry put on his thinking face, it no longer mattered to him that people knew that he had given it to her. Now, he wanted people to know. And after a very brief moment, said, "Of course!"
****
They made their way to the Great Hall where it would take place. Sure enough, just like before, the four House tables were gone and replaced with smaller, circular, tables with silver plates and gold goblets. The teacher's table was still there with all the teachers sitting, looking just as formal as the students. They joined Ron and Lavender at the table they were sitting at. The four of them picked up their menus and looked at all the delicious foods.
"Your attention please," Professor McGonagall called, after tapping her glass cup with a spoon. After she had everyone's attention, Professor Dumbledore stood up and spoke.
"Before the Yule Ball Feast this evening, I have something I wish to announce. Professor McGonagall has written down all of the couple's names on small pieces of parchment an placed them into this goblet." He held up a shiny, brand new golden goblet.
"When the time comes," he continued, "the couple that is drawn from the goblet will start off by dancing alone on the dance floor. Thank you."
Whispers and murmurs went about the Hall after Dumbledore had spoken. Harry looked at Hermione, bewildered.
"What if we're picked Harry? Wouldn't that be exciting?"
"Sure would! But what are the chances of that happening?" Harry said and blushed at the thought of him and Hermione being picked to dance. Ron, as though reading his mind, saw him and grinned. They looked anxiously back at their menus.
"Pork Chops!" Ron shouted, and POOF! It appeared on his plate.
"Rib Roast!" shouted Harry, and POOF! It appeared on his plate.
Hermione and Lavender both ordered small helpings of chicken and a Caesar Salad. After talking about various things over dinner, their plates were cleared and Professor McGonagall got everyone's attention once again. Professor Dumbledore stood up and spoke, holding the goblet in one hand.
"Fun part starts now Harry," Ron said grinning, poking him in the chest with his elbow.
"What for? Its not like we're going to get picked," Harry stated.
"Shhh," Hermione and Lavender said in unison, putting a finger to their lips.
Professor Dumbledore reached into the goblet and pulled out a small piece of parchment. He said, "And now, I am pleased to announce, that the lucky couple who will start this years Yule Ball Dance will be…" and unfolded it. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but there was a pause. Dumbledore stared at the parchment for a moment, as if there was a mistake on it. Harry was surprised when Dumbledore's eyes looked over his half-moon spectacles and toward him. Harry continued to look at Dumbledore and Dumbledore gave him a small smile. "…Harry Potter and Hermione Granger!"
Everything in the Great Hall, including ghosts and elves, gasped when Dumbledore made the announcement. He continued, "Will Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger please make their way to the center dance floor?"
Harry sat still, motionless, in his seat, not believing what he just heard. Ron had slapped him hard on the back, as if congratulating him. The Hall stood unusually silent. Hermione shook him out of his daze.
"Come on Harry!" she said, looking excited. "Let's go."
Harry still didn't move. He was frozen with fear to move. Filled with half excitement and half timidness.
"Ugh…" Hermione grunted impatiently, and picked him off of his chair. Everyone in the Hall exploded in cheers. She stood behind him, put her hands on his shoulders, and gently pushed him onto the dance floor. To her surprise, similar cheers, hoots, oh's, and ah's were shouted as they made their way on the dance floor. Even the teachers were applauding for them, not looking surprised, as if they knew as well that Harry and Hermione were a couple.
The lights dimmed and slow music started to play (cheers died down) as they made their way to the center of the dance floor. Hermione turned Harry around and faced him, expecting to dance the exact same way they did in their 5th year. Harry, now feeling proud and very excited, surprised her and snaked both arms around her waist, pulling her affectionately close to him, her chest firmly up against his. Harry had done his job because Hermione jumped surprisingly, at Harry's touch and was more surprised that he pulled her toward him. She responded by putting both of her hands over Harry's shoulder and around his neck. And they danced very well. Not looking sloppy of stiff, but looking very good, almost professionally good.
Hermione looked up into Harry's emerald green eyes once again. She had seen his eyes with looks of something before, but it was only now she noticed that his eyes were telling her something. She had seen it in 1st year, when she told him what a great wizard he was and to be careful going after (what they thought at the time was) Snape, in 2nd year, after she happily told him that he solved the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets, in 3rd year, when they went on their little mission with the Time Turner to save Buckbeat and Sirius, in 4th year, when she had kissed Harry on the cheek for the first time, in 5th year, when Harry had given her the Happiness-Charm Necklace for Christmas, in 6th year, after she confirmed to Harry that she had found his necklace she forgotten, and quite a few times in 7th year, when she was alone with him in the library, meeting very late to ask her to The Yule Ball, seeing him wake up after she found out Harry had put her comfortably on the couch, and when it was announced that they would dance together to start the Ball. And she was seeing it now. She now knew what that look was, it was a look of love. Her lip started to tremble.
"Your crying," Harry said, noticing her eyes water up. He took his hand from Hermione's waist and wiped away a tear that was building up under one of her eyes.
"Sorry Harry," she said, sniffling, "I'm just so…happy!"
And never in her entire life did she feel so happy. She leaned in and rested her head on Harry's chest, closing her eyes. Her pendant was showing it, glowing a very bright blue. The brightest it had ever glowed. Even though the pendant was sandwiched tightly between her and Harry, the glow seamed to light up the entire room. Everyone noticed it and Harry and Hermione could hear people talking on the side.
"That's the light from a Happiness-Charm Necklace! Those things aren't cheap!" one person said, "Potter must've given to Granger!"
"Wow!" someone answered, "He spent that kind of money on her? He must REALLY love her then. Look at them, they're so cute!"
"Sure are! They've been going out for what? Like 2 years, right?"
"Yep! Its been awhile."
Harry, turning scarlet, gave a small chuckle after hearing the conversation. Hermione giggled. He put his head down toward hers until their foreheads touched. They started to talk, but quietly so that no one could hear them, their voices drowned out by the slow, soft dancing music.
"Harry? They think that we've been together for two years! Silly them."
Harry smiled, "Yep Hermione. I don't blame them though. "
"Nether do I."
"Hermione," Harry whispered, still with their foreheads touching, "how does it feel to be dancing in front of the whole school and not care?"
"Great Harry! Just splendid!"
"Hermione," Harry said again, looking even deeper into her eyes, "God…you're beautiful…"
She looked up at him, turning red. "Really Harry? You think so?"
"I know so, Hermione. And I don't mean just now. I'm talking about all the time. Even with you carrying all those heavy books around."
Hermione smiled again. "You're very cute yourself, Harry James Potter!"
Harry blushed, turning just as red as Hermione. He withdrew his forehead form her, however still looking into her eyes. "This is the time Potter. NOW!" said a voice in his head. Harry knew what it was talking about. He was going to bear his heart and soul to Hermione.
"Hermione," he started.
"Yes Harry?"
"Look, I…don't know how to tell you this…but," he paused.
"What Harry?
"I'm…I'm in love with you…" he said softly, yet embarrassingly.
Hermione didn't respond right away because she couldn't believe what she just heard. There was a long silence between them as she felt a bolt of electricity run through her body.
"Oh!" sputtered Hermione, looking surprised and bland at the same time. Harry, seeing the delay in her response and failing to see Hermione's face, dropped his head and shook it in disappointment, sighing deeply. Hermione saw his heartbroken look and tried to speak.
"Harry? I-"
"That's what I thought," he began, moving slightly away from Hermione, no longer making eye contact with her. "I honestly thought that I was going to be right. I mean, I think I lived too much on hopes and dreams and failed to live by reality. But…I feel that you should know the truth…and I…have just told you it. Even if you don't love me back, I…I am just finally relieved that you know. If you don't want to speak to me again, I understand. But, j-just let me finish this dance with you, so that I'll have something to live with and go on with my life. After that, I'll leave you completely alone and you'll never see or hear of me again. I p-promise." His eyes slowly became glossy, trying not to cry.
Hermione, with her lip trembling and eyes filled with tears, managed to say,
"H-Harry no. You're wrong. I-I love you too…"
"What?" Harry said stunned, looking up at her still with tears in his eyes. His voice was shaken. "You do!?"
Hermione nodded, "Uh huh. Since the end of our 4th year. My feelings for you grew and grew. I wanted you as a boyfriend but, I didn't want to say anything because I was afraid of rejection, and quite possibly, losing our friendship."
Harry couldn't believe his ears. "Wow Hermione! I'm so happy to hear that," he smiled. " So…what?"
"Just hold me Harry."
And he did just that. He embraced Hermione tighter than before, inhaling her deeply into his sinuses. After what seemed like forever, Harry whispered in her ear.
"Hermione? Um…does…does this mean we're…an official b-boyfriend-g-girlfriend couple? W-will people will actually be right this time? W-when they whisper to each other about…us…as we walk down halls." His voice trembled very nervously.
"I don't know Harry," Hermione said, blushing. "Convince me that we're a couple."
Harry smiled. Hermione didn't even have to say, yet Harry knew very well what she wanted. She wanted a kiss. Harry continued to stare at Hermione, bewildered. Looking deep into her eyes. His best friend of 7 years. He nervously put his head down toward her, almost making their foreheads touch. He smiled at her again and she smiled back, knowing what was coming next. He closed his eyes and leaned in closer to Hermione. She closed her eyes as well, tilting her head to the side, moving her head toward his. And in a brief moment, Harry touched his lips on Hermione's for the first time. Feeling his insides do summersaults. Everyone in the Great Hall saw the kiss happen and immediately screams and ohhhh's filled the room.
Nether of them, could hear everyone's praise.
Hermione could feel Harry's heartbeat hasten through his chest, as she held Harry tighter for support, because her knees became weak at the touch of her lips on his. She took the initiative and deepened the kiss, opening her mouth against his. She knew Harry felt her lips part because he did the same. She slowly slid her tongue into his mouth, exploring it, massaging his tongue with hers. She moaned softly against the kiss and poured 7 years of friendship into it, not wanting to stop. They were lost completely in the kiss, as if in their own world, as if nobody else but them were in the Great Hall. Finally, Harry broke the kiss slowly and looked down at her. Her eyes still closed. She opened them slowly, looked up at Harry, and smiled weakly, overwhelmed at the power of their kiss.
"Wow Harry! That. Was. Amazing!"
Harry just smiled. "So Hermione? Will you be my girlfriend?"
She leaned in and kissed him again. Harry knew, of course, what her answer was.
After the second kiss broke, their brains started working again they began to return to the real world because their ears were overwhelmed with cheers and applause from the Great Hall. They realized that they were still dancing, but there was no music. Looking very stupid, they stopped and looked around the Hall, grinning, as students and teachers were shouting louder than ever, as if one of their Quidditch Teams had won a World Cup. Harry took Hermione's hand and walked back to the table where Ron and Lavender were applauding. They sat down and Hermione scooted her chair closer to Harry, resting her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and swooning.
"You two were excellent!" Ron said, as the cheers started to die down. "Wicked! You two were still up there dancing a good five minutes after the song stopped. Dumbledore got up to say something but stopped when he noticed you two hadn't moved. Everyone was quiet and just watched. The light from the Happiness-Charm Necklace Hermione's wearing outlined you two brightly! You two were whispering to each other and then, we see out of nowhere, Harry lean in and kiss Hermione! Everyone went crazy! You two looked perfect together!"
Harry grinned and looked at Hermione, still with her head on his shoulder, and kissed her on the head. She looked up to him and smiled. Dumbledore got everyone's attention again.
"Now," he started, clearing his throat, smiling at Harry and Hermione, "after that superb performance from Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger, everyone may now dance." And sure enough, right after the words left his mouth, couples went onto the floor and danced, probably getting confidence from Harry and Hermione. Some students still stayed put. Jaws dropped, star struck and in awe of Harry and Hermione.
"Well Lavender," said Ron, "lets leave the lovebirds alone and see if we can match Harry and Hermione."
"Oh no one can match that!" she said, as she was dragged on to the dance floor, loud enough for Harry and Hermione to hear.
A party of 5 girls ran over to the table where Harry and Hermione were still sitting.
"Did Harry give you that necklace, Hermione?" one of them said. Hermione nodded. "Wow!" she said astonished. "I hope my boyfriend buys something like that for me one day."
"Potter must be some boyfriend huh?" another one said. Hermione looked over at Harry and back at the girl. "Oh he sure is!" she answered. All the girls giggled.