Chapter Eighteen
Hermione watched with a half smile as Harry danced with Fleur. Ron sitting next to her followed her gaze and grinned.
"You know he's the only one who doesn't turn to mush around Fleur." Hermione turned to look at Ron with a smile.
"I noticed. Why do you think that is?"
"I'm not sure…I guess they shared the same fears in the TriWizard Tournament. He never had a chance to think of her as anything but a fellow competitor…" Ron pondered. Hermione nodded thoughtfully.
"But she's still part Veela."
Ron looked at her slyly.
"Maybe he's only ever really had eyes for one girl." Hermione looked at him curiously, then the light in her eyes dimmed slightly.
"I guess he was distracted by Cho…" She said softly.
Ron stood and reached out a hand.
"I think you owe me a dance Miss. Granger."
Hermione smiled and took his hand as he led her out onto the dance floor.
They danced without talking, Hermione just giggling slightly at the faces Ron pulled when he saw Laurie dancing with Draco.
As they walked to the bar after the song ended, Ron turned to her and whispered in her ear.
"I didn't mean Cho…"
Hermione stopped to ask him what he'd meant by that comment but turned to find that Ron had gone and Harry now stood behind her.
"Hey Harry."
"'Mione, why are you blushing? What was Ron saying?" Harry asked with a teasing grin.
Hermione shook her head.
"He was just being his usual self." She said with a smile, all the while thinking, did Ron mean what she thought? Or was she just interpreting his words in the way she wanted to hear them?
"Earth to Hermione?" She heard Harry saying and blushed again. He laughed.
"You really zoned out then. How much champagne have you had?" He asked with a grin, looping his arm around her shoulders and leaning against the bar next to her.
Hermione decided to ignore that last comment and just winked at him teasingly, causing him to laugh.
"I can't believe Hagrid's married at last…look how happy he is." Harry said looking over to where Hagrid and Olympe stood gazing into one another's eyes, oblivious to the party going on around them. Hermione smiled.
"I want what they have."
Hermione looked up to see Harry looking at her intently. She was puzzled.
"Oh God, did I say that out loud?" She said looking embarrassed. Harry nodded. Hermione moved to turn away, but Harry tightened his arm around her shoulders pulling her closer to him.
"Don't be embarrassed `Mione, everyone wants what they have." He said softly.
"It's all I want." He admitted in a voice so quiet that for a moment she wasn't sure if she'd imagined it.
Hermione looked up at him, he looked so sincere.
"Then why aren't you dating?" She asked him, trying to sound casual, but her heart was in her throat waiting for his answer. He was silent.
"Don't you need to look to find what Hagrid has?" She asked him again.
Harry studied her face.
"I haven't been dating because I know where to find it. I…I just don't know how to get it." He said softly. His eyes moved and for a moment they were looking right into one another's eyes, Harry opened his mouth as if to speak but was interrupted as Gabrielle came rushing over, grabbing Hermione's arm.
"Olympe's going to throw the bouquet! Come on!"
Hermione was dragged off by the arm and looked back at Harry, silently telling him that they'd have to finish their discussion later.
Harry watched as Hermione was dragged away from him with frustration. He'd been about to tell her. It had been the perfect moment, and looking into her eyes he'd felt that maybe there was hope for the two of them. He sighed and made his way over to stand with his friends as the women gathered around Olympe. He rested a hand on Ron's shoulder.
"You're looking a little nervous there." He observed. Ron grinned sheepishly at his best friend.
"Laurie seemed kind of eager to get over there." He admitted.
"And that's a bad thing?" Harry asked carefully. Ron started to reply, but then paused and looked across the room at his girlfriend, then a smile spread across his face.
"No." He said quietly to Harry.
"No, I guess it isn't a bad thing."
Harry grinned at Ron who was staring happily at Laurie.
"Well, it's your anniversary in a few weeks isn't it?" Harry prompted him. Ron nodded absentmindedly, then his eyes widened and he turned to look at Harry. They exchanged a silent glance and Harry laughed.
"Anyway, what's going on with you? You and a certain someone are looking close today." Ron commented. Harry nodded.
"I almost told her." He admitted.
"What happened?"
"Gabrielle interrupted with this whole flower throwing thing. I was so close." Harry grumbled.
"You're going to tell her though." Ron told, rather than asked him.
Harry nodded with a smile.
"I just have find another `right' moment." He sighed and looked over at her, standing arm in arm with Ginny, the two of them laughing together, not really involved with the rest of the women eager to catch the bouquet. As he watched, Olympe turned and threw the bouquet over her shoulder where it landed in Ginny's surprised arms. Hermione burst out laughing at the look of shock on her friends face, Ginny had simply opened her arms for a moment to gesture to Hermione during their conversation and she now looked very embarrassed. The guests applauded and Hermione led a blushing Ginny back to their table where she then studiously avoided Draco's gaze. Harry smirked as he saw Draco watching Ginny closely, as the rest of their friends returned their gaze to the dance floor or their conversations. Draco walked over to Ginny and crouching down next to her chair whispered something in her ear causing her to smile at him and gently take his hand. Harry looked up to see that Molly Weasley had also caught this exchange between her daughter and Draco. Molly looked over to Harry and winked at him, he smiled knowing Molly was already planning the wedding in her head as he suspected she had been since Ginny was in school. Harry grinned even more widely as he thought that he knew more so than Molly did that there might be another wedding in the Weasley family before Ginny's.
A few hours later, most of the guests had retired and the newlyweds had travelled via Portkey to their Honeymoon location. Harry found a rather drunken Ron and Laurie propping up the bar, and gently pushed the two in the direction of the exit, knowing they were sober enough to get back to the hotel safely. Looking around he searched the emptying room for Hermione. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Professor Dumbledore.
"Harry, I think you'll find Miss. Granger fast asleep over there." Dumbledore said gesturing to a quiet corner of the room where Harry could now make up a curled up form on a small sofa. Harry laughed softly and smiled at his mentor.
"She works too hard." Harry said.
Dumbledore chuckled and his blue eyes sparkled knowingly.
"A lovely evening." Harry nodded his agreement, and the pair watched as the room slowly cleared, an understanding in the silence.
"I suppose I'd better go collect Sleeping Beauty." Harry said with a smile. Dumbledore nodded and watched with a private smile as Harry walked over and gently picked up Hermione's sleeping form, her head resting on his shoulder as Harry carried out of the room.