Chapter 36-Dancing the Night Away
Dr. Porter proved to be quite a fortune-teller. In fact, Luna's spirits soared as she saw the progress she was making. What had seemed impossible at Christmas was now not only possible but a reality. After three weeks of post-operative therapy and two visits to the neurologist in London, Luna was able to walk with a walker. She'd learned a thing or two watching Harry and Ron. She worked tirelessly to get better. The frustration at how hard it was just meant she'd get better sooner.
"Come on, Luna. You can do it just two more steps." Ron was standing in front of Luna holding her hands lightly to give her confidence. She took one step, then she started to falter. Ron grabbed her around the waist and spun around. "Great job. I can't believe it. Six weeks exactly and you're walking." He kissed her. He was so proud of how hard she'd worked. He'd like to see the look on the evil bastard's face who'd hoped he'd killed her.
"It's easy now, Ronnie." Luna said being modest. "With everyone helping me, I don't have to do much at all." Every single one of her friends had helped her. She was silent about the fact that she felt like a dog doing tricks sometimes. They wanted to see her walk, but Luna knew it was that they were excited.
They sat down on Luna's bed for a moment. The only possible thing that could be better was that she couldn't feel anything yet below the waist. That was why her progress had stalled over the past week. It affected her balance a little. Ron spent afternoons after classes rubbing her toes and feet hoping to see some reaction. The therapy and their sessions like this had drawn them closer.
"So, have you and Hermione picked out a dress for the spring dance?" Ron asked.
"No not yet. None of us have been to a formal during the spring or summer. We are going to surprise you though, you can bet on that." She had a suggestive smile on her face. Ron kissed her.
"Who gets the little hideaway today? Or, is today the day we share?" They'd made a deal with Harry and Hermione that they'd share on Sunday nights, but during the week and Saturday they'd have exclusive use of the stereo and most of all, the romantic fireplace.
"We have the room today." Luna's smile got wider as she realized that was suggesting they take the opportunity for a little snogging session up there. "Okay, race you." She knew how ridiculous it was with her using the walker. She'd be getting rid of it very soon. But thank goodness, she thought, at least I have a chance now.
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Harry and Hermione were busy planning the spring dance. They thought about what would be different about having the courtyard open for dancing. The meal would be served in the Great Hall. How would they transition from there to the courtyard? Should they separate the two into dinner and then dancing? Or could they create a serve yourself buffet that you could carry the food to the courtyard and sit at the tables under the setting sun or candle light? They thought the last option was best. They'd have to work out the menu later.
"Hey, Hermione, do you think your folks would consider driving from New York to Chicago?" Harry asked.
"I don't know…maybe? Why what do you have in mind?" Hermione was interested to find out what scheme Harry had up his sleeve this time.
"Well, the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland. I was looking at this muggle map of the U.S. and there's this highway here that connects New York to Chicago to San Francisco. I'd love to see it. I have all this stuff here, see?" Fred and George had put a computer in the back of their shop and the last time they took Luna to the neurologist Harry had spent two hours learning to surf the internet. "I want to see this place. I'd even pay for what the muggles call a 'rent-a-car' to get there. I know you have your dad in your pocket. He'll do it if you tell him you want to." Harry looked like a Saint Bernard with his droopy sad eyes. "Please, sweetie, I promise to learn that ballroom dancing stuff you and your dad do." Now he'd sealed the deal.
"I thought you said you didn't like to dance like that?" She cocked her head to the side in disbelief in his promise. "I'll hold you to it."
"Heck, I'd learn to squawk like a chicken if it would get me to the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame." Harry didn't mean to put ballroom dancing in the same category as squawking like a chicken. "SMACK!" Every time Hermione slapped him in the shoulder she seemed to get more on it.
"I ought to make you learn ballet too after that comment." Hermione smiled. He was obsessed with music. He now listened to The Strokes, Maroon 5, O.A.R., the Beatles, and Eric Clapton. He really liked Eric Clapton on the guitar. She worried though. The other day he'd splinched himself during Apparation Class. He'd forgotten some important part of the process, because he'd spent the night before listening to Eric Clapton on the stereo instead of studying. Of course, Hermione could already apparate.
"Okay, I promise." He had to promise like that because he'd let his dry wit get the best of him. Sometimes he just talked himself into trouble and at others he could convince a bald man to pay for a haircut.
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Classes seemed to drag by as May became June. There was only one more week until the dance. The girls were all hush, hush about their dresses for the dance. Harry, Ron and Draco had a bet on which one would have the sexiest dress. It was idle talk because they each knew who they'd pick so no one would get more than one vote. The studying for their exams had been organized by Hermione. It was brutal. No time for snogging or even listening to music. Hermione had unplugged and hidden the stereo. It was the first time Harry had really gotten mad at Hermione about something. They're little spat had lasted two days now.
"Harry, are you still mad at me about the stereo?" Hermione looked at him as he stared blankly at the History of Magic book. He pretended not to hear her.
"Look, we've missed more classes this year than any other year. You have to study. You made five O.W.L.s last year and now you can do better with getting all your marks to eligible to go for your N.E.W.T.s." She pleaded. She waited several minutes for a reply. She wasn't going to let this silly argument stand between them. "That's it, Harry, if you want to have your stereo back I'll get it. But you can find someone else's shoulder to cry on if you don't get the marks and N.E.W.T.s you need to get into auror training."
"Hey, who said I wanted be an auror anyway? I'm kind of burnt out on the whole find-the-nutter-black-magic-wizard
thing. Aren't you? Can you see yourself married to Mad-Eye? One leg and eye missing. Who knows maybe the reason he isn't married is that the plumbing doesn't work either." Harry didn't mean to make fun of Mad-Eye, but with all the sadness and death this past year he wanted to think of a life with Hermione that included kids and job like Mr. Weasley's.
"Well, you have a point. I suppose I would like you to have all your bits and pieces working properly." Hermione had tried for two days to get Harry talking. "That's not the point though. You'll have all summer for other things. We need to concentrate on this now."
"I know, Hermione, I'm just mad that you couldn't confront me like this instead of just taking it and hiding it. My walkman's missing too. That was the last straw." Harry said.
"I didn't take your walkman, Harry." Hermione was dead serious. Now she understood. He couldn't even go to bed listening to music the way he had become accustomed to doing. "Well, if you would have told me what got you so mad I would have told you two days ago I didn't have it."
"Aw, forget it. Let's just study. Exams will be over Tuesday and we'll have the rest of the week to get ready for the dance." Harry wasn't ready to kiss and make up, but he decided he wouldn't act like a jerk with the silent treatment anymore. He didn't want to say anything, but sometimes Hermione tried to hard to look after him.
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Finally, the big night was here. The weather was absolutely perfect. There would be a half-moon tonight and the temperature was going to be about 22°C. Harry was glad because that he and Hermione could stop worrying about rain.
By mid-afternoon, Harry, Ron and Draco had pretty much run out of Quidditch stuff to talk about. But out of the blue Harry mentioned how he was getting to the States. They'd leave tomorrow.
"What's it called again? Did you say an airplane?" Ron said with a quirky smile.
"Yeah, a jet from British Airways. It'll take us eight hours. And when we get there the local time will be only three hours later than when we started. That's just too weird. I mean my mum was a muggle and I spent all that time with the Dursley's but this is insane. Get this! There will be more than two hundred people on the airplane. Hermione says that sometimes muggles hate to fly so much they get sick…airsick I think she said." Harry didn't want to think of sitting next to someone as large as Aunt Marge or Uncle Vernon while they were sick.
"Hey, my dad would love to see an airplane. Maybe we could see you off at the airplane place?" Ron asked.
"Airport, Ron, they call it an airport." Harry answered.
"Bloody hell, that sounds pretty cool." Ron said.
"So, where are you going while you're there?" asked Draco.
"Oh, New York, Cleveland, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Maybe we'll get a chance to go to New Orleans too. Who knows?"
Harry was excited. He would have a suite next to the Grangers. Hermione and her parents had adjoining rooms with hers on the opposite side of Harry's while they were in New York. Her parents weren't aware of Hermione's and Harry's ability to apparate. Harry had worked hard at it when he realized that he could sneak in and out of Hermione's room undetected and they didn't even know it was possible.
"Well, mates. I do believe it's time to get ready. Hermione will be looking for me in about an hour." Harry bid his friends adieu and headed for Gryffindor tower.
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Harry waited in front of the stairs to the girl's dormitory. The anticipation was killing him. They'd convinced Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore that they should be able to wear formal attire without the robes since school was officially out. Harry had no idea how Hermione would look today. She wouldn't even let him see the shoes she was wearing.
He could see someone's feet from the bottom of the stairs. He was hoping it was her. The shoes looked okay he thought, but who cared about shoes, anyway? Harry stood their in a tuxedo they'd bought the last time in London.
He couldn't believe how long it seemed to take waiting for the girls to get ready. He didn't want to sit down and wrinkle the suit before he saw Hermione. Finally, two pairs of feet came into view. They started down the stairs. The dresses were different but he could tell which one was Hermione. He knew the curves of her legs and hips.
She was wearing a peach-colored dress gathered at the waist and reasonably tight across her backside yet loose enough for some serious dancing. The dress material seemed to be a combination of silk and chiffon. He saw the silk matching purse. He couldn't believe his eyes. Her hair was perfect. He could tell she had makeup on only because he saw her everyday without it. She was absolutely the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. That was saying a lot, because Ginny was pretty standing next to her.
"Hermione, you look absolutely gorgeous. No, stunning is the word I'm looking for. You look great too, Ginny." Harry kissed Hermione lightly on the cheek. She took his arm as they walked toward the portrait.
Outside Draco was waiting impatiently. He looked like a cartoon character when he saw Ginny. She was so beautiful he couldn't speak for a second. "Ginny, my god, are you a sight for sore eyes! You look magnificent." Draco put out his arm and all three headed toward the infirmary where they'd meet Ron and Luna.
Luna had put a charm on her door this afternoon that only the girls knew. She didn't want Ron to see her until they were all together. Hermione unlocked the door. She and Ginny stepped through. Luna was too excited she stood at the bureau finishing her lipstick and straightening her dress. "Do I look okay?"
"Okay…if Ron doesn't trip over his tongue when he sees you, I'll eat your corsage." Ginny said with a little giggle. The boys had left their corsages here in the little refrigerator used by the infirmary. Madam Pomfrey didn't have any patients so she hadn't noticed. Hermione got the corsages and walked to the door.
"May I present the fabulous, Miss Luna Lovegood." Ron expected the walker or at least the cane to be with her, but Luna walked slowly at a very even pace straight toward him. She looked like an angel to Ron at that moment. The sun glinting through the window behind her gave her an aura he'd only imagined.
"You look…umm…someone pinch me….ummm….wonderful, I mean simply smashing…I mean…" Ron was embarrassed because he'd known what he would say, but the sight of her walking so sexily toward him knocked him for a loop. She put her arms across his shoulders.
"I've been faking with the cane and walker for about two weeks now. I wanted to surprise you tonight. Thank you, sweetie." Luna kissed him and he thought he was going to fall over. He was stunned.
"I knew I could count good old brother Ron to keep me from eating the flowers." Ginny laughed. They told Ron the story as they walked toward the courtyard. They were a little early. Mrs. Weasley told them all they didn't have to worry about the setup tonight. She'd handle it so they could enjoy their special night. She didn't know about Luna either.
"I can't believe it. Arthur…look at Luna…she can walk." Tears formed in the corners of Mrs. Weasley's eyes. She was so happy for both Luna and Ron.
The next 15 minutes they walked around looking at the bunting at the head table. There was no arranged seating since the food was an open buffet that would be there all night. Couples started to arrive precisely at 7 PM just as the sun began to fall behind the forest tree line. Some put their things on chairs and went to get something to eat and others milled about talking to their friends, introducing one another. Several of the seventh years that had just graduated brought their muggle girlfriends from home. But otherwise, everyone seemed to know one another.
The music was going to be arranged so that entire sets of each genre would get some airtime. Harry loved his rock 'n roll, but he'd actually found some jazz and blues very appealing. He'd hired Fred to do the music in between the fireworks and magic show. Fred was one of those entrepreneurs who knew the meaning of "diversification of assets" he called it.
When everyone of the official party had taken their seats and quite a few guests had gathered in the courtyard, Hermione and Harry stood in front of the middle of the table to make some announcements.
"First," Harry began. "I would like to thank Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore for thinking of us when they decided that we deserved something like this after the events at the Yule Ball." Applause for the Professors. "Second, I want to thank Mrs. Weasley for all her hard work today setting up the courtyard." Applause for Mrs. Weasley. Hermione nudged him unobtrusively with the hand that was hidden behind him. "Of course, none of this would be possible without our friends, the house-elves." Applause for the house-elves. "And last but not least, I would like to thank Hermione Granger for the great job creating the concept, the menu, and giving so much thought to this so that we could have a great time. Hermione." Harry introduced Hermione and took a short step back. Applause for Hermione.
"Thank you Harry. The music is brought to you by Fred Weasley, but the concept for the music was done by Harry." She paused for a second. Applause for Harry and Fred. "It is now my pleasure to introduce Headmaster, Professor Albus Dumbledore." Applause for Professor Dumbledore.
"I want to say just a very few things. Normally we have a winner for the year in the race for the House Cup. This year each house will receive one as a demonstration of unity you have shown in overcoming the obstacles this year. You are all to be commended." Standing ovation. "I would like to remind you that some are still feeling the sorrow of lost love ones this year. Please honor and respect them through a moment of silence." Dumbledore paused. "I promise that I shall be brief, but I think it is important to point out the most important lesson we have all learned this year. Myself included." He paused again. "I was reminded of the power of love and its ability to change lives, heal emotional scars, and give encouragement to those who desperately need it."
Dumbledore continued, "In my many years here at Hogwarts, I have never had this much tragedy to overcome in a single school year. But the healing that took place at Hogwarts this year....both physical and emotional….was nothing short of a miracle attributed to love and friendship. Set aside the knowledge and experience you gained from your lessons this year. The lesson of the power of love and friendship can be applied to our everyday lives in all we do--whether those tasks involve magic or just helping someone who needs it. The example is the miraculous recovery of Luna Lovegood." Luna was caught of guard and shocked. The crowd had grown larger and now it applauded until Luna stood. Ron motioned for her to turn around to show them she was okay. She did.
"The love of her friends kept her focused on life. They encouraged her. At the beginning of the year none of them truly knew each other. Now they have the true bond of friendship that can withstand the greatest tests. The care and feeding of our friends and loved ones is the most important lesson of all." Dumbledore sat down. The growing crowd was very reflective for a moment.
"Thank you, Headmaster. Let the dance begin." Harry proclaimed. The music started softly to allow for discussion and the tone for the rest of the night was set.
Harry and Hermione took the dance floor. For a couple of minutes maybe more, no one went to the dance floor. They watched as Harry and Hermione held each other and moved with the music. They were not officially the King and Queen of the Spring Dance, but if anyone was it would be them.
Hermione thought of the wisdom Professor Dumbledore had just shared with them. It was true. At some point, all six of them--Harry, herself, Ginny, Draco, Ron and Luna-had cared for and fed one another's need for love and acceptance. She was happy everyone was safe and happy. She kissed Harry's cheek as a tear formed on her cheek. "Why are you crying Hermione?" Harry asked.
"I am happy and I love you, that's all." Hermione and Harry kissed more passionately this time as they stopped in the middle unaware of anyone in the courtyard. She knew Harry cared for her and fed her soul. She was happy to be the most important one responsible for the care and feeding of Harry Potter.
THE END
Author's Note: I hope the action and tragedy in the story didn't hide the true intentions of the story: the power of love in our everyday lives. The Epilogue tying this story to the next edition will be out this week. I wonder how Mr. Weasley will act when he sees muggle passenger jets as Hermione and Harry take on the Big Apple and other places in "Harry and Hermione's American Vacation." They'll be going a lot of places. If you'd like to see Harry and Hermione have lunch or shop in someplace you love in the States, just give a brief description of the place(if needs be they can apparate there soon enough. It may end up being in Chicago, New York or L.A., because I'm not planning on another 35 chapter story for this one but I will include it somehow. As usual though, nothing is easy for Harry and Hermione. Trouble usually finds them. See how. Thank you for your gracious reviews and the time you spent encouraging me and trying to make this story better through your suggestions."