Part 3 of 3 - Harry & Hermione grudgingly agree to attend the Graduation Ball together at Ron’s insistence. They are each blissfully unaware that the other is in love with them. Two unlikely people conspire to get the duo to admit their feelings.
From the Unofficial Portkey Archive: https://portkey-archive.org/story/1890/
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters herein. All the characters in the Harry Potter universe belong exclusively to J.K. Rowling. I am publishing this only for my own selfish desire to be a part of their world.
The song “Drift Away” isn’t mine, obviously! As far as I know it was first sung by Dobie Gray, and then reprised by Uncle Kracker. It belongs to them, and their record labels, etc, etc.
The song “You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This” isn’t mine either. The version I’m referring to was sung by Toby Keith. I would guess as he writes most of his songs, he owns it, or co-owns it with the other guy who he writes with. There may be others who own it more than he does, aka his record label. Lyrics quoted are borrowed from listening to my very own purchased CD. So please, Mr. Covel, don’t get mad! (Psst, do any of you know who Mr. Covel is? Enough reviews and I’ll post my answer for you with the next chapter!)
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Chapter One – I’ve Got a Funny Feeling
Ron Weasley was quickly becoming frustrated with his two best friends. It was beginning to look like, despite his best efforts, his two best friends would not be attending the Graduation Ball. For the past two weeks he and Draco Malfoy had been trying to set Harry up with Lavender Brown, while Ron’s sister, Ginny, and Ron’s girlfriend, Luna Lovegood, had been trying to get Hermione to accept a date from Justin Finch-Fletchley. Both had been adamantly refusing their friends’ attempts at matchmaking.
Finally, in utter frustration, Ron had been sitting with Harry and Hermione in the Common Room of Gryffindor Tower, for the past hour, offering names of possible dates that the two could take to the Graduation Ball. Both of them had at first tried to be pleasant in their refusals of his meddling, then their attitudes had quickly changed to being annoyed, and then had morphed into ignoring him in favor returning to their studying for NEWT’s.
Now Ron was getting angry, and quite honestly, an angry Ron is a frightful sight…red hair, mottled skin…you get the picture. Honestly, he thought, if anyone needed to be studying for NEWT’s it was himself, not Harry and Hermione. Those two had been revising constantly since the beginning of seventh year. So if Ron wanted to take time from his studying to make suggestions for their pathetic social lives, he thought they at least owed it to him to listen. After all, Ron had been used to being ignored by Hermione Granger when she was in deep study mode, which given the brilliant witch’s penchant for studying happened frequently. He was not, however, used to being ignored by Harry Potter. Since the defeat of He-Who-Now-Rots-Beneath-The-Earth, Harry had become almost worse than Hermione.
Speaking of which, I suppose you’d be interested to know how the darkest wizard of the century met his demise. Not that it’s at all pertinent to the story, but if you insist. Anyway, Lord Voldemort had been defeated under the most unlikely of circumstances. He had been bested by a Muggle kitchen utensil. Voldemort and his Death Eaters had broken the wards on #4 Privet Drive the summer before the trio’s seventh year. They had apparated into the residence, startling Harry and the Dursleys who had been preparing their morning meal at the time. Acting purely out of reflex, Harry had taken the frying pan of sizzling bacon and had smacked it against the back of Lord Voldemort’s head. Voldemort had been knocked dead by the blow, and so was unable to take any soul-saving precautions prior to his death. In truth, he hadn’t even had the time to raise his wand.
Apparently Harry’s Muggle cooking skills had been the “power the Dark Lord knows not” which had been foretold by the Prophecy. Who would have thought? Well, anyway, the Death Eaters present, shocked by what had occurred, had been quickly stunned and bound by two of their ranks, Severus Snape and Draco Malfoy.
Severus and Harry had come to a truce after the disastrous events of Harry’s fifth year. Both had admitted their faults and the Professor had been training Harry ever since for his next battle with the Dark Lord. In retrospect, perhaps he should have been training Harry in wielding kitchen utensils instead of katana blades, swords, and hand-to-hand combat, but I digress.
Draco Malfoy had pledged his allegiance to the Order in their sixth year after thanking Harry privately for putting his father in Azkaban and giving Draco the first curse-free summer of his life. Draco took on the role as a spy to assist Professor Snape, and soon after had fallen desperately in love with Virginia Weasley.
So Harry headed back to his seventh year as a free man. He had been able to stay with Hermione and the Weasleys the remainder of the summer, as he no longer needed the protection that his Aunt’s home had afforded him. For all intents and purposes, Harry should have been a happy young man. But he was far from it. Harry felt as if he had no direction. Even though it had been forced upon him, he had had a purpose in life while Voldemort was alive. Now, he had no idea what to do with his life.
He sought counsel from the people he trusted the most: Ron, Hermione, Albus Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, and surprisingly, Severus Snape. The end result was what had Ron Weasley so frustrated today. Harry had committed himself to being the best wizard he could. He studied long hours, sought extra lessons when possible from his Professors, and planned to apprentice Remus Lupin, who had returned as DADA Professor, after graduation. Ron was thrilled for his friend. Harry seemed happy, but there was still something missing from Harry’s life in Ron’s estimation. In short, Harry had no one to share his life with.
Ron was worried what would happen to his friend after they graduated. Ron had signed on with the Chudley Cannons as their reserve Keeper for next year. He would leave for training the day after their graduation from Hogwarts. Ron, however, would not be alone. His fiancée, Luna Lovegood, would be accompanying him. Of course, by then, she would be his wife. Luna had advanced her studies and would be graduating a year early, as would his sister Ginny. Ginny’s wedding to Draco Malfoy was set for the day after his wedding to Luna.
Harry hadn’t dated at all since his disastrous date with Cho in fifth year. Whenever Ron questioned Harry about it, Harry had claimed that he didn’t want to subject someone to the threat of Voldemort. Once Voldemort had been killed, Ron tried again. Now Harry’s excuse was that he was too focused on making up for his lack of attention to his schoolwork. Harry seemed quite content with spending all of his time with Hermione in the library.
Of course, Hermione was even worse. Hermione hadn’t dated anyone since she had attended the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum in fourth year. Besides her schoolwork, her only focus had been Harry. When Harry had been taking extra defensive lessons in sixth year, Hermione had helped him train. Now that Harry had become committed to school, Hermione had been helping him prepare for NEWT’s. She had also been planning her own future. She had been studying to be an animagus and had agreed to apprentice Professor McGonagall after she graduated.
Ron was extremely proud of his two very mature friends. However, he was worried that if they didn’t at least enjoy doing one truly fun, teenage thing before they graduated, that they would live to regret it. This is why at this moment he found himself so angry and frustrated with the two of them as they sat with their noses buried in their books in front of him. Ron pounded his fist on the table. “Honestly, you two are ridiculous. Harry, mate, you’ve got to attend the Graduation Ball. And Hermione, you’re Head Girl, what would it look like if…”
“FINE!” Harry hissed out through gritted teeth. “I’ll go to the damned ball. But I’m not going with any of those simpering girls you suggested. The last thing I need is someone fawning over me all night. They only want to go with me because I’m the bloody hero of the Wizarding world. I’ll get my own date.” Harry turned towards Hermione. “Go with me? Please? If we agree, he’ll leave us alone, and we can probably get in a couple more hours of studying before the Charms NEWT.”
Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. “If I must, but I truly think this is a ridiculous waste of time.” Hermione suddenly groaned and squeezed her eyes shut. “You realize of course that the reporters will have a field day with the fact that you and I will attend together.”
Harry ran a hand through his hair nervously. “Everyone already thinks we’re a couple. It’s not like we’re creating any new rumors. Besides if I go with anyone else they’ll be writing about how I’m cheating on you. But if it bothers you…”
Hermione let out a snort of laughter. “Of course it doesn’t bother me, I was just thinking of how all that press affects you.” Hermione paused and nodded her head once. “Fine, we’ll go together. I suppose as Head Girl I’d be forced to put in an appearance anyway. But let’s not talk about it again until after NEWT’s are over, okay.”
“Fine by me, tell the red-haired menace we call a friend. He’s the one who’s been annoying us about going.” Harry nodded his head in Ron’s direction and smirked.
Ron held up both hands in a gesture of defeat and laughed. “I give up. If you two want to spend yet another night in each other’s company, who am I to argue. I’m just glad that my two best friends will be there.” Ron raised an eyebrow and shook a finger at both of them playfully. “Just don’t blame me if you two end up old and alone because you’ve wasted your youth on platonic dates with each other instead of taking up with someone who you could have a proper snog with.”
TBC
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters herein. All the characters in the Harry Potter universe belong exclusively to J.K. Rowling. I am publishing this only for my own selfish desire to be a part of their world.
The song “Drift Away” isn’t mine, obviously! As far as I know it was first sung by Dobie Gray, and then reprised by Uncle Kracker. It belongs to them, and their record labels, etc, etc.
The song “You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This” isn’t mine either. The version I’m referring to was sung by Toby Keith. I would guess as he writes most of his songs, he owns it, or co-owns it with the other guy who he writes with. There may be others who own it more than he does, aka his record label. Lyrics quoted are borrowed from listening to my very own purchased CD.
Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed so far! What an amazing response! I’m honored!
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Chapter Two – There’s a Different Feel About You Tonight
The next two weeks passed quickly as the seventh year students sat for their NEWT’s. Before it seemed possible, the tests were done, the scores had been posted, and Harry, Hermione, and their friends were ready to graduate. As most of the students found themselves scurrying around finishing their final packing before getting ready for the Graduation Ball, Harry sauntered down to the dungeons, happy to be free of the pressures of studying, but eager to start the next phase of his life.
Harry peeked through the open door to the Potions’ classroom. “Professor, do you have a minute?”
Severus looked up from the potion he was stirring with a smile he allowed very few people to see. “Harry, come right in. And I believe you can now officially call me Severus in public as well as in private. You are now my colleague, not my student.”
Harry smiled genuinely and sauntered over towards his former Professor, and perched on the edge of one of the work tables. “Funny isn’t it? Just a couple years ago I couldn’t imagine calling you anything but ‘the greasy git’ and now I can’t imagine not having you as a mentor and a friend.”
Severus gazed off into the distance as if recalling a memory, and then turned to look at Harry seriously. “I often wondered if I had made a mistake showing you this side of myself after Black died, but you were too despondent for me to continue to harass you.” A slight smile curved the corners of his lips. “In retrospect, I’m glad that I trusted in your maturity, and your rather Slytherin-esque ability to continue to act as though we were enemies until the Dark Lord’s demise.” Severus put out the fire beneath the cauldron, and cast a stasis charm over the contents. He turned towards Harry with a bemused expression. “So why are you here? Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the Ball? What precious flower will be gracing your arm tonight?”
Harry snorted. “Nah, I’m pretty much ready already. I’ve just got to fish out my old dress robes from my wardrobe. I’ve got plenty of time. I really have no desire to even go to the stupid Ball.” Harry rolled his eyes, annoyed. “Ron basically forced the issue so ‘Mione and I are going together. Not like it’s a real date or anything…” Harry trailed off, almost sadly.
Severus looked at the young man before him wondering if he had been as clueless as the Boy-who-lived when he was seventeen. Severus snorted to himself in disgust. Never mind, obvious answer there. He had been clueless enough to enter the Dark Lord’s ranks when he was seventeen, poor Harry merely was too blind to realize that he had feelings for his best friend. And obviously had no idea that the girl had feelings for him either.
Severus pondered if he would have seen the signs when he was seventeen. Alas, Harry Potter was a great deal like Severus Snape. Both, for strikingly similar reasons, had been forced to grow up far before they should have, and by doing so missed out on the social niceties of dating and parties. While Harry’s school years had been a mite more carefree than Severus’ had, the weight of the job he was destined to do carried heavy on Harry’s shoulders even while he was supposed to be enjoying himself.
No, Harry had definitely missed the signs. He had no idea that Hermione Granger cared for him in a more than friendly way. Likely, she didn’t know about Harry’s feelings either. And their classmates? Well they were simply too involved in their own lives to see the truth right in front of them. Hmmm, Severus hadn’t played matchmaker in almost eighteen years. And that time proved to have spectacular results. The first time he had encouraged a shy Lily Evans to give James Potter a chance, perhaps now…
“Harry, you can’t honestly plan to just show up wearing your old dress robes? You’ve grown at least several inches since then.”
“What? Oh, hmmm, I guess you’re right. Think if I transfigure them longer…”
“I think you should come with me to my quarters, I should have something that will fit you. You’re my height now, and we’ve got about the same build.”
Harry’s face blanched as he pictured himself wearing one of Severus’ all black ensembles. “You want me to wear…”
“Oh, don’t look so panic stricken.” Severus spat out. “Children! You act as if you believe all I wear is black teaching robes or Death Eater garb. Honestly! You know your professors do have lives outside of school.”
Meanwhile, across the castle… “Honestly, Professor. I can stay and finish up here. You go. It’s not like I have much to do to get ready.” Hermione waved her hand dismissively, as she went to levitate another row of textbooks into the storage box in front of her.
“Hermione Granger! If you think I will allow our Head Girl to be late for the Graduation Ball you are sorely mistaken. And for the hundredth time, call me Minerva!” Minerva stood with her arms crossed, lips pursed, tapping her foot in annoyance.
“I’m sorry, Prof-…I mean, Minerva…it just is so difficult to change seven years of reflex.” Hermione smiled apologetically.
Minerva relaxed her posture, and gave her charge a bright smile. “Of course, child. I understand. It took me quite a while to call Albus by his first name as well. After all he had been my Transfigurations Professor, you know. That point aside, you really do only have four hours until the Ball, you really should start getting ready.”
Hermione sighed in frustration. “So the other girls tell me. Lavender, Parvati, and Ginny are having a makeup and hair party right now in Gryffindor Tower. I’m quite sure Luna and Padma are doing the same thing over in the Ravenclaw dormitories. They’ve been getting dressed in stages since they woke up this morning. It’s revolting.” Minerva chuckled at Hermione’s obvious disgust at the thought of getting ready with the girls. “It should take me less than an hour to get ready.” Hermione shrugged and looked off into the distance. “I mean, I’m only going with Harry, and he doesn’t exactly want to go with me. If Ron hadn’t goaded him…well goaded us both…”
Minerva could see the disappointment etched on her young student’s face. Could it be that Minerva’s suspicions were accurate and Hermione did have feelings for her best friend? If so that would make it all easier. Hermione had been difficult to read. Minerva hadn’t seen a young one so able to hide emotions since…well, since Severus Snape had been her student. Harry, quite on the other hand, was an open book. He wore his emotions candidly on his face just like his father had before him.
Minerva sighed to herself. She supposed she’d be helping yet another young lady have a Cinderella makeover tonight. With any luck this one would wind up as a Mrs. Potter as well.
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Several hours later a very nervous Harry Potter entered through the portrait hole of Gryffindor Tower. Harry blushed furiously at the appreciative glances cast his way by most of the females milling about in the room awaiting the arrival of their escorts. He spotted Ron and Neville staring at him wide-eyed from across the room. Harry hurried over to meet them. Ron blinked owlishly at his best friend. “Mate, we were getting a bit worried that you’d decided not to go tonight when you didn’t show up to get dressed. I thought you were planning on wearing your old dress robes. These are…wow!”
Harry chewed his lower lip nervously. “Too much, eh?”
Ron shook his head profusely and grinned. “No, they’re bloody fantastic. It’s just that I’ve never seen you so dressed up. And your hair…it actually looks good, mate. How’d you get it to lay flat? Where are your glasses? And where’ve you been? Not to mention where did you get those robes?”
Harry chuckled through his nervousness. “Slow down Ron. Um, actually, the robes belong to a friend. He loaned them to me since I’ve outgrown mine. He helped me get ready, and charmed my hair and eyes as well.”
Ron whistled in appreciation as he circled around Harry admiring his outfit. “Well he’s got excellent taste.”
Harry grinned cheekily. “Yeah, Snape really does have good taste doesn’t he?”
“SNAPE?” Both Ron and Neville bellowed out.
Harry chuckled at the looks of surprise on the faces of Ron and Neville. Harry had been astounded himself when he saw the stylish robes Severus had hidden away in his wardrobe. True, Harry had gotten to know the Slytherin Head of House much better over the last two years, but he had rarely seen Severus out of his teaching robes. “Shhh, not so loud. He does have a reputation to uphold. I doubt he’d want anyone to know he was caught being nice to me…of all people. “
Severus had selected a set of midnight blue raw silk robes for Harry that had a crushed velvet cape of the same color attached at the shoulders. He had additionally supplied Harry with a pair of black knee-high dragon hide boots which peeked out from beneath the floor length robes. The look complemented Harry’s lithe, Quidditch-toned body and lightly tanned features. The deep blue color also brought out the vivid green in Harry’s eyes. Severus had cast charms on both Harry’s eyes and hair to temporarily correct Harry’s vision and to subdue his usually unruly hair, respectively.
Harry was about to comment again when he heard Neville mutter under his breath. “Oh my gods, who is she?”
Harry turned towards the portrait hole to see that Professor McGonagall had already entered, and was now taking the hand of a beautiful young woman to help her step through the entrance. Harry couldn’t see the young woman’s face at first, but her figure was flawless. The first thing he noticed was the delicate golden three-inch heels which graced her petite feet. Her dress robes hugged her curves, accentuating a body that couldn’t possibly belong to a seventh-year student, at least not any he had ever seen. Her robes themselves looked as if they had been spun from pure gold. The skirt sparkled with iridescent patterns, and swayed with her body as she walked, almost as if it had been bewitched to do so.
As Harry’s gaze traveled upward, he noticed that silver threads were spun throughout the bodice of the robes, which only served to further accentuate her ample bosom. When his eyes finally strayed upwards to her face, he was met by the shy smile of his best friend, Hermione Granger. Harry’s mouth fell open as he fought with the realization that the incredible beauty before him was, in actuality, his Hermione. He knew Ron was speaking to him, but he truly couldn’t concentrate on anything but walking across the floor to Hermione. Time seemed to slow down as he drank in the sight before him. Her face was made up delicately, only enough to let her natural beauty shine through. Her lips were glossy, and her eyelids were surrounded with a smattering of glitter which highlighted her bold cinnamon eyes. Her hair had been tamed and she was wearing it loose in long, silky ringlets down her back.
Hermione had actually enjoyed spending the afternoon getting ready with Minerva for the ball. Apparently it wasn’t that Hermione had trouble forming friendships with other females, it was only that she was not interested in the same things as her female peers. However, as relaxed as she had been in Minerva’s chambers, her anxiety reappeared the second they had left for the Common Room.
Minerva had insisted that Hermione borrow one of her sets of dress robes, and Hermione was glad that she had done so. As she had watched her reflection in the mirror as Minerva helped her with the finishing touches on her outfit, she was shocked at the difference a few charms and a decent outfit could make in a person. How could she have ever considered wearing her dress robes from fourth year?
While she was concentrating on not tripping over her robes, using Minerva’s hand to steady herself as she walked into the Common Room, all sound had stopped. When Hermione finally looked up, she had realized with embarrassment that all the appreciative eyes in the room were on her. She blushed furiously until she saw Harry. As she stood watching Harry walk towards her, she could barely remember what her robes even looked like. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw how handsome he looked. But before she could ponder further on when Harry had a chance to obtain such fine robes, or how he had gotten his hair to flatten, or how absolutely glorious his eyes looked when they weren’t encumbered by his glasses, Harry was standing before her.
Words failed Harry as he reached Hermione’s side. His eyes locked with hers, and when he saw that she was as nervous as he was, he relaxed immediately. This was his best friend, granted the best friend that only moments before had made his heart, and other body parts, leap to attention, but still…his best friend. Maybe this night would be fun after all. Harry took her hand in his own, and leaned down to gently brush his lips to her fingertips. “Milady, I believe that I am your escort for this evening.”
Hermione giggled as the tension left her body at Harry’s gentle teasing, then immediately returned, but to a far different place, as she felt the electricity pass between his soft lips and her fingertips. She answered him softly. “Yes, kind sir, I believe you are.”
Harry bowed briefly towards Minerva. “I promise I shall have the young lady back at a decent hour madam.”
“Hmmm, I would hope so, Mister Potter. Now run along, children.”
TBC
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters herein. All the characters in the Harry Potter universe belong exclusively to J.K. Rowling. I am publishing this only for my own selfish desire to be a part of their world.
The song “Drift Away” isn’t mine, obviously! As far as I know it was first sung by Dobie Gray, and then reprised by Uncle Kracker. It belongs to them, and their record labels, etc, etc.
The song “You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This” isn’t mine either. The version I’m referring to was sung by Toby Keith. I would guess as he writes most of his songs, he owns it, or co-owns it with the other guy who he writes with. There may be others who own it more than he does, aka his record label. Lyrics quoted are borrowed from listening to my very own purchased CD.
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Chapter Three – They’re All Watching Us Now
By the time Harry and Hermione had gotten to the Ball their nervousness had returned. Both had realized over the past couple of years that their feelings for the other were more than friendship, but neither had been willing to risk that friendship on what they both supposed was unrequited love. As the two milled around, mixing with various friends throughout the night, two very frustrated Professors sat at a side table comparing notes.
“I swear to you Severus they are more frustrating than Lily and James.”
“I do agree with you Minerva.”
She smiled warmly at her former student, and squeezed his hand gently. “I’m so glad that you helped Harry get ready. He looks simply stunning.”
“Thank you, Minerva. I must say that Hermione looks positively radiant as well.”
“She does, doesn’t she? Oh, Severus, I wish you could have been there to see their reaction when they first saw each other. They both were positively glowing.” Minerva’s lips thinned as she glared in frustration at the two young people in question. “I’ve no idea what overcame them between the Common Room and here. I would have laid a ten galleon bet that they would have never made it to the Ball, but instead wound up snogging in the rose bushes.”
Severus chuckled. “No, unlike you, I didn’t think it would be that easy. They are similar to Harry’s parents, but these two have seen far more at their tender ages then Lily or James had seen at the time. James was willing to take the chance of losing Lily’s friendship by declaring his feelings for her. Harry is not. He will go to any lengths to protect his friendship with Hermione. She is the only one who has consistently stood by his side no matter the circumstances. Even Ron has been prone to fits of jealousy and anger, but Hermione has never wavered in her steadfast loyalty to him. I’m afraid desperate measures are called for.”
Severus strode over to the wizard who was supervising the playing of the music tonight. He had obviously chosen to play only the newest Wizarding tunes for the group of young people. Minerva watched inquisitively as she saw Severus arguing with the young man. She saw Severus discreetly toy with his wand, and the young wizard suddenly stand up straight, cease his arguing abruptly, and nod in agreement to whatever Severus had suggested.
Minerva pursed her lips in annoyance, but her eyes danced with amusement as Severus returned to her side smirking like the proverbial cat that swallowed the canary. “Please tell me that you didn’t cast an Unforgivable, Severus. I would hate to have to Obliviate the young man at the end of the night.”
Severus chuckled evilly. “Ah, the good old days!” Severus rolled his eyes with disdain, as Minerva’s eyes grew wide with concern. “No you silly old feline, he was simply hesitant to play the songs I suggested, so I reminded him that even though he is no longer a student here that I could make the lives of his children a living hell when they come to attend Hogwarts in a few years.”
Minerva clapped her hands with glee. “Tsk, tsk, Severus! How evil of you.”
Severus shrugged dismissively. “Whatever works.”
“So what music did you suggest?” The two Professors leaned their heads forward and whispered conspiratorially.
“Well, it occurred to me that neither Harry, nor Hermione, are very interested in Wizarding music. They both have favorite Muggle artists. I simply gave a couple of requests for appropriate music, and now I believe I must encourage a young man to take his date for a dance. Perhaps you can make yourself useful and suggest she accept?”
“Done.”
Minerva and Severus moved to their positions, and Severus cued the nervous young wizard to start the first song. As the wizard spoke to the graduating students, announcing what he was about to play, Severus leaned over and spoke to Harry. “You don’t seem to be having much fun.”
Harry shrugged noncommittally. “I’m all right. I just don’t care much for this music.”
Severus nodded in remembrance. “Ah, yes. If I recall from the past summer at Grimmauld Place you were constantly harassing us with songs from that young Muggle American artist who can’t even come up with his own songs.”
Harry smirked at Severus’ obvious attempt to goad him into a disagreement. “Uncle Kracker is quite talented, and I believe you agreed that his rendition of ‘Drift Away’ was just as good as Dobie Gray’s?”
Severus snickered in reply. “Perhaps, but my opinion doesn’t really count. I believe that it was Hermione who quite agreed with your choice in artists.” Severus listened as the strains of the song started off. “Ahh, it seems someone has requested just that song. Perhaps you should take her out to dance to it. I seem to recall the two of you dancing quite smartly together to this song.”
Harry narrowed his gaze in annoyance. “Severus, Hermione is just a friend.”
Severus crossed his arms and raised his eyebrow challengingly. “So dance with her like a friend, if you can.”
“And just what does that mean?”
Severus smirked knowingly at Harry. “Nothing, absolutely nothing. Go on.”
Harry rolled his eyes towards Severus, but quickly returned his gaze to Hermione. He smiled at her and nodded towards the dance floor. She grinned broadly and nodded affirmatively and the two swept through the crowd towards each other. The two met and fell into an easy rhythm as Harry alternately held her close, rocking his hips with hers, and then spun her perfectly outward and back.
The longer the song went on, the more the two seemed to drift under its spell. Their fellow students, unbeknownst to Harry and Hermione, had for the most part stopped dancing and had encircled the two watching their smiles grow as they softly crooned the song to each other and got lost in each other’s eyes. The two had never looked more alive, more whole then they had at that moment in each other’s arms. For some, like Ron, it was a startling revelation. For others, like Ginny and Draco, a twinkling Headmaster, and two certain conspiring Professors, it confirmed any doubts they might have had. No one witnessing the display could have a question: Harry and Hermione were in love. But, would they ever figure it out?
And finally, at the last moment, when the group collectively groaned as the song faded away thinking that neither would be willing to take the chance on love, Harry lowered his head just as Hermione raised hers and their lips met in a tender kiss. Magic flowed through the room as their lips touched. Both felt their bodies and their magic react as they continued to deepen the kiss. As the music changed, Harry suddenly realized just who he was kissing, just who was making his body react so passionately. As Harry pulled back from Hermione’s lips he suckled her lower lip into his mouth gently and she moaned softly as her eyelids fluttered open.
Harry pulled Hermione close to him, unwilling to risk his shaky voice at the moment. Hermione buried her head in his chest, and could feel his heart beating rapidly as she felt his chest rise and fall with the effort to control his breathing.
Harry looked out over Hermione’s head and noticed Severus chuckling, with a broad smile plastered on his face. Harry began chuckling himself when he realized that almost every eye in the room was glued to them, and that Draco and Ginny both even wiping back tears of joy as they embraced.
Hermione heard Harry’s chuckle and looked up to see him nodding towards the crowd around them. Hermione turned her head to the side and blushed as she saw Minerva smirking and Ron and Luna clapping with glee.
Harry took in a deep breath and looked down at Hermione uncertainly. “Is this just about tonight ‘Mione? Because if it is, I need to know now.”
Hermione’s expression grew serious as she ran her hands lightly along his back. “It’s never been just about tonight for me, Harry. What about you?”
Harry smirked at Hermione as he realized what song was now playing. “Why don’t you let me sing to you, and maybe you’ll find out?” Hermione nodded in agreement as she slid her arms around Harry’s shoulders and stepped in to nestle closer to his body.
Harry smiled and tears of joy filled his eyes as he crooned the words of the song to her. Hermione reached up to brush the tears away from the corners of Harry’s eyes and cupped his face lovingly in her hands.
“I've got a funny feeling, the moment that your lips touched mine. Something shot right through me, my heart skipped a beat in time. There's a different feel about you tonight, it's got me thinkin' lots of crazy things. I even think I saw a flash of light, it felt like electricity.
“You shouldn't kiss me like this, unless you mean it like that, ‘cause I'll just close my eyes and I won't know where I'm at. We'll get lost on this dance floor spinnin' around, and around, and around, and around.
“They're all watchin' us now. They think we're falling in love. They'd never believe we're just friends. When you kiss me like this, I think you mean it like that. If you do, maybe kiss me again.”
Hermione pulled Harry’s face down to hers as she stepped up on her toes to seal their lips together. Harry smiled and his lips parted as Hermione traced his lips with her tongue. Hermione deepened the kiss and she felt Harry’s arms encircle her more tightly. Her tongue lovingly mapped out the inside of Harry’s mouth as she attempted to convey the depth of her love for him through her kiss. The song continued on as the two gently swayed back and forth to the music as they continued to kiss. Hermione and Harry’s tongues danced together until his finally pushed forward and invaded her mouth taking control of the kiss. Hermione moaned as she felt his body’s reaction to her and an answering pulse of desire shimmered through her own body.
The group around them still watched the couple, but returned to their dancing and partying as Hermione and Harry seemed to get lost in their own world. The songs continued to play as the two continued to snog, oblivious to the world around them. When they pulled back briefly to catch their breath, Hermione looked up at Harry expectantly. “Harry, I think we’d better talk about this.”
“Please don’t say you regret this, because I…”
Hermione nodded her denial vehemently. “I don’t. I couldn’t, not ever. But I just need to be sure about one thing. If the girl you wanted to kiss was the girl who was all dressed up tonight, I’m not her.”
Harry smiled with relief. “Of course that was the girl I wanted to kiss.” Hermione felt her heart plummet as she felt the tears building up in her eyes. “But not in the way you think. You’re my Hermione whether you’re all dressed up or not. The same girl who sported an inkstain right below her ear for the last week.” Harry gently nuzzled the skin below Hermione’s earlobe. “The only girl that I can picture waking up next to every day for the rest of my life, looking just as gorgeous with her fresh, clean face and bushy hair as she does tonight. I love you, ‘Mione. If I was only in love with the beauty you let everyone else see tonight, I would have taken you up to the Astronomy Tower for a night of passion instead of taking you into my heart. Dancing with you made me show you my feelings, not how you’re dressed or how your hair looks. You’re the only person who makes me feel normal in this whole world. You ground me. When I’m with you I feel like I finally have a family.”
Hermione embraced Harry even tighter, as her tears spilled down her cheeks. “Oh Harry. I love you too. I don’t need you to wear the finest dress robes. I love it that your hair looks like you’ve just rolled out of bed. It’s been the subject of many a morning-after fantasy of mine.” Hermione smiled shyly at her implication, and blushed profusely. “And as for your eyes, I like that they’re usually hidden away from most of the world. That just means that there are less women I have to battle for you.”
“Trust me, there’s no one else but you. I don’t want there to ever be anyone else but you.” Harry’s expression grew serious as he took one of Hermione’s hands in both of his and dropped to one knee on the dance floor, eliciting sighs and whispers from those around them who had once again stopped dancing to watch the tableau before them. “Hermione, I know this is rather sudden, but I’ve been in love with you one way or another since first year. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife some day soon?”
“Oh, Harry.” Hermione’s eyes opened wide, as she covered her mouth with her hand.
Harry babbled on. “You don’t have to answer now. I promise I’ll do it more properly again once I get my Mum’s engagement ring from our vault at Gringott’s tomorrow. It’s a Potter family heirloom, and I’d like you to wear it, if you would, of course if you’d rather…”
Hermione chuckled. “Harry, shut up.”
“Sorry, Hermione.”
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
Hermione beamed at the clueless Harry. “Yes, you ruddy prat, I’ll marry you, and I’d be honored to wear your Mum’s ring.”
Harry jumped to his feet and swept Hermione up into his arms, spinning her around on the dance floor, to the applause and catcalls of their friends, schoolmates, and professors. Hermione and Harry both blushed furiously at the attention, and Harry quickly spied Severus in the crowd and mouthed a quick ‘thank you’ in his direction just as Hermione was nodding her thanks to Minerva. Harry then leaned down to whisper in Hermione’s ear. “All right with you if we get out of here for a while?”
“Yes, definitely.” Hermione waved to Ron and blew him a kiss in thanks for his insistence that they attend the Ball tonight. Ron bowed to the two of them and grinned.
“Then wrap your arms around me tightly. I’m going to apparate us to the Astronomy Tower.”
Hermione did as Harry asked, but looked up at him confused. “But Harry you can’t…” Suddenly the occupants of the Great Hall heard a loud ‘pop’ as Harry and Hermione disapparated.
Minerva looked at Severus bewildered.
Severus laughed out loud. “What Minerva? ‘You can’t apparate or disapparate on the grounds of Hogwarts?’” He mimicked in a falsetto tone. “Oh, but you can if you hold the wards of the castle. Dumbledore has been training him to do so.”
“That conniving old coot.”
“Well, now that that’s settled, fancy a walk in the rose bushes.” Severus offered his arm to his colleague.
Minerva graciously smiled at the younger professor and linked her arm through his. “Ah, Severus, up to your old tricks, blasting rosebushes and scaring poor young lovers off into the night?”
They reached the door to the Great Hall, and Severus escorted her through and down the steps towards the entry way of the castle. “Actually I was thinking of a much older trick, using the rosebushes for cover as I attempt to fumble through my seduction of a bewitching older woman.”
Minerva stopped abruptly on the steps, and smirked at his implication. “Severus! I am almost thirty years your senior! You were once my student!”
Severus stopped on the step beneath her so his face was level with hers and smiled evilly. “I haven’t been your student for twenty years now. Besides, I’ve had this wicked fantasy for ages about serving a detention with you.” Severus waggled his eyebrows suggestively as he teased his colleague.
Minerva giggled as she sighed dramatically, draping her arms around the younger wizard’s neck. “You are incorrigible young man! You’d better watch out. One day I’ll actually take you up on that offer.”
Severus chuckled as they resumed their walk outside. “I won’t stay up late waiting for you. Besides I think a certain Headmaster might be a bit put out if I ever laid a hand on his lady love.”
Minerva and Severus laughed together for a moment, when suddenly she stopped him. “By the way, Severus, how ever did you ever get Harry’s hair to lay flat tonight?”
“Quite sorry, but I can’t answer that. Had to dabble in the Dark Arts for a spell to settle that hair. I’d gladly tell you, but I don’t want to have to explain to Albus why I had to ‘Avada’ you tonight.”
The two friends chuckled as they walked into the night whilst Harry and Hermione were tucked away in the Astronomy Tower watching the stars and planning their future lovingly ensconced in each other’s arms…
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“…And that, sweet child, is the story of how your parents shared their first kiss.” Severus looked down upon the sleeping child he was rocking in his arms.
Minerva chuckled from her place by the fire in the staff room. “Oh, Severus, do you honestly think that was an appropriate bedtime story for young Mister Potter?”
“Minerva, little James isn’t even a year old yet. He has no idea what I’m saying. I promise by the time he’s old enough to understand, I’ll only tell him the G-rated version of Harry and Hermione’s first kiss.”
“See that you do. I plan on us being their designated babysitters for quite a few more years.”
THE END
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Author’s Note: Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed. I know a few of you have questioned how realistic Snape and Harry having a positive relationship is, but I truly think that JKR has given us a lot of clues that the two have a great deal in common, and we have seen each book from Harry’s perspective. It’s quite possible that Snape hid the memory of James in the pensieve to try to protect Harry from his only bad memory of Harry’s father. Remus gets along with Snape despite their troubles. It’s only Sirius who had a serious problem with Snape and he was in jail for twelve years.
Given a chance to get to know each other, I suspect that a maturing Harry could get along with Snape, just as I suspect that Snape and James Potter could have buried the hatchet long before James and Lily died. But, of course, that’s just my opinion. I’m not entering it as a point of debate, just clarifying what perspective the story was written from.