A/N: Twice as long as usual, but I wanted the whole dance to be one chapter. I love the reviews, so keep them coming! Thanks so much. Also, I didn't go into much detail on Draco asking Ginny to the dance, nor will I go into much detail if they meet over the holiday. I am still trying to keep this mostly Harry and Hermione.
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The Dance
The next day, Ginny relayed the story to the girls about Draco asking her to the dance; how he had found her walking around the lake and had fallen into step beside her.
"He didn't waste anytime," she said, careful to leave out the kiss he had given her near the lake. She wasn't ready to share that with more than Hermione.
He point blank asked her to the dance and she had said yes. She said they walked around the lake once more, coming up with a time and place in the castle to meet and then each went their own way. Ron hadn't said anything to Ginny about Draco talking to him and likewise Hermione saying anything to Ron.
The week passed by at a snail's pace, many taking exams since the dance was on a Friday and holiday's started on Saturday. Ron was a bit depressed that Samantha's parents were insistent that she spend the holidays with them. He was now hoping that he would be able to go over and meet her parents one more time before school started again in the New Year.
Hermione managed to convince Harry to come to her parents for Christmas Dinner; Ron and Ginny were going to The Burrow to meet their new sister in law, Katharine, while Harry and Hermione had an open invitation to join the Weasley's at anytime during the holiday. Harry was excited that Hermione had agreed to spend the majority of the holiday with him at Grimmauld Place, but wasn't too eager about his promise to try skiing with her family. Ron laughed hysterically when he heard that Harry was going and made Hermione promise to take pictures.
Friday evening finally arrived, and the teachers sensed that none of the students were paying attention so in the spirit of the season classes after 2pm were cancelled.
What took the boys twenty minutes to do took the girls hours. It was six in the evening when Harry and Ron were waiting for Hermione, Samantha and Ginny. Neville was already waiting for Luna in front of the "Room of Requirement" and Ginny was to meet Draco near the library. As Harry and Ron sat in the Gryffindor common room they talked about how easy it was for boys to get ready for something as formal as this. Put on their shirts, dress pants, dress robes (Harry's a darker than Emerald Green with a fine gold hem; Ron's a deep blue with bits of silver reflecting the light), dress shoes, comb the hair, maybe some special wizard cologne and off you go to wait for your date…and wait…and wait.
"What the hell do they do up there?" Ron asked, impatiently drumming his fingers on his knee.
"Calm down Ron…I think it'll be worth the wait!" Harry reassured him, leaning back against the Common Room's red sofa, eyes taking in other Gryffindors waiting for their dates. Then, the unmistakable sounds of high heels clicking their way to the bottom of the stone steps echoed through the room.
They stood up and walked to the bottom of the stairs; both boys had their hands in their pockets fiddling with a few loose sickles. Harry drew a sharp breath as Hermione came down first. She gave him a sweet, melt your heart smile but he was so taken he couldn't even return the smile. She had on a long champagne colored dress that looked like she poured herself into it to get it to fit. It was low cut and he was noticing there weren't any sleeves, revealing her slender arms and shoulders.
He had to take his eyes off of her for a second to collect himself and saw Samantha behind her and was amazed that Ron hadn't fallen over in a dead faint yet. A long black dress that stopped halfway between her knees and ankles, it fit her perfectly, even up to the sleeves that were off her shoulders, exposing her darker colored skin. Ron flicked his eyes towards Harry, then looked back seeming to find his voice.
"You look amazing," was all Ron could choke out as she took his arm. Harry wrapped his arm around Hermione, feeling the silky dress and her hip under his fingers. He echoed Ron, not trusting anything else to come out of his mouth that was appropriate. He bent over and kissed Hermione softly on the cheek, taking in her hair that was piled on her head and the small diamond earrings in her ears.
"You should see Ginny," Hermione said softly as they heard her coming down the stairs. The whole common room drifted into silence as she appeared at the bottom of the stairs. Her dark red hair was piled up on her head with beautiful, sparking clips and her dress looking, like Luna had said, like it was poured over her. She moved with ease towards Harry and Ron who just stared at her.
"Merlin, Ginny...," was all Ron got out when she cut him a look. He ignored it as he looked at her hair then down to her shoes. He turned to Harry who was trying hard not to stare at his best friend's sister.
"When did she grow up?" he asked quietly and Harry shrugged. Ginny heard them and blushed, not used to being
stared at by Harry much less her brother.
Hermione took Harry's arm and he offered his free one to Ginny and together they walked out of the Common Room and down to the great hall where they stopped outside the doors and took in the beautiful decorations in front of them.
"I'm going to go the library. I'll meet you in there," Ginny said nervously and turned away. Ron caught her arm and walked her away from the door.
"Please be careful," Ron whispered to her. "With the way you look tonight, I don't mean just with Malfoy either. There will be many eyes on you." Ron leaned down and kissed his sister's forehead. Ginny smiled at him and patted his chest.
"You be careful in that robe. Samantha will jump you right on the floor." Ginny squeezed her brother's hand and walked around the corner to the library.
As her friends were situating themselves in the Great Room for a fancy dinner, Ginny walked down the hall towards the library, conscious of the stares she was receiving. She slowed down a bit before the last set of stairs that would take her to the library. Taking a deep breath she carefully made her way up them and saw Draco leaning against the wall near the huge oak doors to the library. For a moment he didn't move then walked over towards her, stepping into then out of a shadow. He was wearing the deepest blue, almost black, dress robe with a matching cape. His hair was brushed down so his fringe stopped above his eyebrows. He stared at her and gave a slight shake of his head.
"Merlin, you look amazing." He openly stared at her and Ginny looked down at her feet for a minute and then looked up at him.
"So do you," she said softly and took the arm he offered her.
More stares followed as Ginny Weasley and Draco Malfoy walked into the Great Hall together and found their way to the table they shared with the usual gang.
Dinner was a fancy affair, many different courses materializing in front of them, glasses of champagne for the students seventeen and up and the dinner magically ending with the tables disappearing and curtains being drawn to the side to reveal the band who would play for the remainder of the night. Many students mingled with their friends and the music slowly drew people onto the dance floor. Harry led Hermione out onto the dance floor, placing his arms around her, running a hand along her bare shoulder as if not quite believing she was letting that much skin show.
"This dress is my favorite piece of clothing on you ever," he said softly and laughed as she blushed. "I'm very lucky to have you, you know," Harry whispered down to her, as she rested her head against his chest.
"I should be saying that, not you. You could have anyone you want, Harry," Hermione said, surprised he would even say that. He tightened his arms around her suddenly and then pulled away.
"Come with me for a minute." He grabbed her hand and pulled her to the balcony on the other side of the room. Someone had placed a warming charm on the balcony so students could enjoy being outside, under the stars and crescent moon without freezing. Harry led her to the furthest corner and pulled her into his arms, kissing her. Hermione could feel him shaking slightly and she pulled back, concerned.
"Are you ok?" She touched the back of her hand to his forehead and he gently took her hand in his.
"I'm ok." He gazed down at her, seeing the worry in her eyes. "I just couldn't wait to give you
your Christmas gift."
Hermione smiled her eyes lighting up. "Really? Wonderful." She gave a little clap of her hands and stepped back a bit to look up at him.
Harry took a deep breath, hoping she didn't see his nervousness increase.
"You need to close your eyes first," he paused for a second then he took her left hand in his. She obediently closed them and felt him raise her hand a bit into the air.
Harry's heart pounding in his chest, he whispered, "I love you, always," and brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. Hermione's eyes flew open and she jerked her hand from his as if she had been burned. She looked at the back of her hand and stared open mouthed, looked up at Harry, then watched as he lowered himself to one knee, taking her hand in his. He looked up at her, his green eyes shining brightly, his hand shaking under hers. She immediately recognized the Muggle way of proposing and was speechless, seeing him down there, his robes covering his knee, his hand holding hers.
"We have been together for seven years, Hermione, and I realized that I don't ever want us to be apart." He saw the first tears run down her face as she laid her free hand on the balcony to steady herself, not believing what she was seeing, what she was hearing.
"I love you with all my heart and soul, Hermione Jane Granger…would you do me the honor of being my wife?" Harry whispered the last few words, emotions catching in his throat. Hermione tugged at him to stand up and nodded, flinging her arms around him, feeling him hug her as hard. She met his lips, feeling her tears get between them; feeling his thumbs wipe away the ones on her cheeks. She pulled away and looked at her ring, taking in the beautiful diamond in the center, two crescent moon shaped sapphires on each side, the way it sparkled when it caught the light and she brought her hand up to her mouth and kissed the ring.
"Forever, Harry." Was all she could get out and he smiled at her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. They looked at each other almost shyly then back down at her ring. She ran her finger around it, feeling everything she could and not believing he had managed to pick something this gorgeous out and to do it without her knowledge.
"Let's go show everyone," Harry said. Hermione nodded in agreement as they walked towards the door.
"No one knew?" Hermione asked in surprise. Harry shook his head and explained to her how he snuck off to Hogsmeade twice, once to look and order the ring and the second time to pick it up. Hermione just shook her head in disbelief and grabbed his hand, dragging her to Samantha and Ron who were on the dance floor.
Ron looked slightly miffed that they interrupted a slow dance, but Hermione held up her hand in front of Samantha who let out a shriek, causing Ron to jump back. He watched them hug and cry and stared at Harry.
"What the hell is wrong with them?" he asked, completely confused. Harry reached over and pried
Hermione's hand off her cousins back and held it out for Ron to see. Ron took Hermione's hand in his and looked
down at it then up at Harry.
"You git! You kept this a secret!" He clapped Harry on the shoulder and managed to hug Hermione while she was hugging her cousin. Samantha let Hermione go and beamed up at Ron, who seemed to have tears in his eyes as well.
"We should tell Ginny," Ron said averting his gaze, looking for his sister. He found her dancing halfway across the dance floor, his stomach clenching when he saw her and Malfoy moving to the music. Clearly, they made a striking couple but it was still Malfoy. Hermione followed his gaze.
"Let's wait until they are done." Hermione turned back to Harry and beamed at him.
"I can't dance now; I want to hear the whole story!" Samantha led the group back to the tables against the wall and found a spot for them to sit. Hermione whispered excitedly to Samantha as Ron threw himself next to Harry.
"Well done, mate." Ron gave him a bit of a shove and Harry ducked his head.
"Sorry I didn't tell you, but I didn't want anyone to know in case I couldn't find what I was looking for," Harry said quietly and Ron nodded his understanding.
The music ended and transitioned into a fast song. Ron saw Ginny and Draco walking towards them, but Hermione met them halfway between the dance floor and table. Draco had the same reaction as Ron did when Ginny shrieked and hugged Hermione, making everyone in a ten foot radius turn to look at them. Draco walked over to their table and glanced down at them.
"Why are they screaming?" he asked, clearly baffled. Ron couldn't help laughing out loud.
"Hermione and Harry just got engaged," he explained and Draco raised his eyebrows.
"Well, congrats," Draco said and Harry thanked him. Ginny came over and pulled Harry up to give him a hug, telling him how happy she was.
"I think all the girls in the room now know what has happened!" Ginny said breathlessly, carefully wiping away her tears. Draco pulled out a handkerchief from thin air and held it out to her.
"Just from the screaming?" Ron asked looking around and indeed girls were pointing in their direction and whispering to their dates.
"That's what girls do when this happens," Samantha said flippantly, excusing herself and walking towards the band.
"Oh, no," Hermione groaned and buried her head into Harry's shoulder.
"What?" Ginny and Ron asked at the same time, but they didn't have to wait for an answer as the music stopped and they heard a familiar voice begin speaking.
"Everyone, can I have your attention, please." Samantha was now standing up on stage, the light shining down on her.
"I just wanted to make a quick announcement, which most of you girls probably know already." She smiled at them and most of them were nodding their heads.
"I just wanted to pass along the news that Harry and Hermione just got engaged!"
There was a huge roar of approval and soon their small group was being converged on, congratulated first by Professor Dumbledore himself. As people lined up to shake the famous Harry Potter's hand and for Colin to get their picture, Ginny and Draco drifted off towards the back of the room and watched the well wishers from afar.
"I can't believe he kept that a secret from everyone!" Ginny said more to herself than Draco.
"I thought at least your brother would have been privy to that," Draco said glancing up as a bunch of third years pointed up above their heads and giggled. He glanced down at Ginny who wasn't paying attention to the mistletoe hanging above their heads. Draco gave the third years a dark look and they scampered away, giggling the whole time. Draco nudged Ginny and she looked over at him. He pointed towards the ceiling and she followed his finger and saw the mistletoe hanging there. Immediately, Ginny felt her stomach practically jump to her throat and quickly looked around. Most people were still hovering around Harry and Hermione or on the dance floor. She didn't see her brother's tall red haired frame anywhere, so she glanced back up at Draco.
"Well," Ginny said, kicking herself for that nice intelligent remark.
"Deep subject." Draco gave a small little smile, reached out and placed his hands on her bare arms. She felt him pull her towards her and she let him, feeling his arm go around her waist.
"Don't look so terrified Weasley," Draco said softly and Ginny blushed, for some reason she didn't want everyone to see them kiss, but then again part of her reasoned that it was mistletoe. If she had been caught under here with Harry they would have to kiss, so it didn't matter.
Apparently, the rumor was if you didn't kiss, then it would start shrieking and follow you around until you kissed the person it caught you with.
"I could be Crabb or Goyle," he added a beat later.
Ginny let out half a laugh and half a snort then felt his lips on hers, just like when they were in the snow. She froze for a minute, her senses on overload. Ginny could hear laughter and the band; she felt his arm around her waist and his other hand on the back of her neck and his warm lips against hers. On their own accord, her hands slid up his chest and rested on his shoulders, feeling the tight muscles of his arms and she felt herself lean into him, feeling like she was going to fall with all the emotions coursing through her. He tightened his arm around her for a moment then they both pulled away, faces inches apart.
At the same time they both looked up and Draco said softly, "Looks as if went over to bother someone else."
"Too bad," Ginny said quickly then covered her mouth. She saw Draco's eyes light up and he laughed, a deep, delightfully happy laugh and it was so surprising that Parvati, Padma, Neville and Luna who were nearby glanced over with a look of surprise on their faces.
"You surprise me to no end." He quickly got a hold of himself and escorted her to the refreshment table. They found Harry and Hermione had finally been let out of the circle of admirers and were grabbing plates of fruit and pudding along with another glass of champagne.
"Come have a drink with us!" Harry gestured to them and Draco grabbed two glasses and followed him back to the table. Most of the Gryffindor house, and a few others from the other three houses were there with champagne. They all raised their glasses to Harry and Hermione, who both looked tremendously happy, and everyone took a drink. Ginny could tell her brother must have been on his third or fourth glass because of the flush in his face; thank goodness the school had enough sense to schedule the time for the train to depart at 3pm, getting them home at night but letting the students sleep in a bit and recover. She also noticed that a few students weren't seventeen yet but were still drinking; she looked around for Dumbledore but didn't see him anywhere.
Harry turned to Hermione after everyone started drinking and set his glass down. He pulled her to him and gave her a kiss that had many girls "ohhing" and "ahhing" and left Hermione breathless. At that point everyone cheered and Ron announced another round "on him" and accio'd numerous glasses their way.
"Well, we know what they will be doing tonight," Draco said and Ginny took a sip from her second glass of champagne so she didn't have to answer that she thought the same thing.
"Do you want go out on the balcony or dance some more?" she heard Draco ask. She tore her eyes away from Harry and Hermione kissing again and nodded towards the balcony. With a hand on the small of her back he escorted her through the crowd and onto the slightly cooler balcony. Ginny rested her arms on the balcony and looked at the lake shimmering in the moonlight, Draco stood next to her one hand still on her back and the other resting on the railing.
"How is your mother doing?" Ginny asked softly, trying a different line of conversation. She felt Draco shrug then let out a quiet sigh.
"She's dealing fairly well. I think she expected this to happen, as did I."
"What will you do over Christmas?" Ginny pressed, trying to get him to open up a bit.
"Spend the day with her and some family friends I suppose. Though once they find out I don't intend on following in Lucius Malfoy's steps, they won't be so supportive."
"That doesn't sound like fun," Ginny sympathized, feeling his arm move from her back to the balcony. His hand was very close to hers and she could almost feel energy coming off of him and she didn't know why.
"No, but it needs to be done. I am not going to waste my life chasing people and hiding from things and people like my father did. He never really saw my mother the past two years, even more so since Potter defeated Voldemort." Draco watched some bats fly over the lake and Ginny looked at his profile.
"I think that it needs to be done, for you to move on," was all she said and she wished he could see how a happy family acted, how they laughed, joked and teased each other. Then almost as if the words formed in the air in front of her (instead of in her head) she blurted out, "Would you like to visit The Burrow after Christmas?" She had to grip the railing hard in order to not smack herself in the head for what she had just offered. He turned and looked at her, moving a bit closer so she had to tilt her head up.
"I have a feeling your parents wouldn't approve of that."
"Well, I was going to," Ginny looked away feeling very hot at the moment, "…to talk to them about you. I want to see what their reaction is. I think that it would be fine with them. So, if it is, will you consider it?" she held her breath as he thought for a few quiet moments.
"I think I would." He looked up as a shadow passed over them and this time Ginny saw the mistletoe along with him.
"I think it heard you last time." Draco let a hand trail up her arm and rest on the hollow of her neck. Ginny smiled at him, leaned up and brushed his lips with hers.
"I think we have kissed more than we have danced tonight, so let's go." She grabbed his hand and led him back inside, squeezing her brother's arm as they walked by him to let him know that everything was fine with her and he had no reason to worry.
The dance seemed to turn into an engagement party for Harry and Hermione as well. Finally, as midnight approached, Professor Dumbledore called for the last dance of the night and everyone rushed out onto the floor. Ginny had managed to squeeze in a dance with Harry and her brother, giggling the whole time because both were pretty well tipsy at this point.
"Draco, I think I will need your help getting my brother and Harry to the tower." Ginny glanced down at the boys sitting on the bench, laughing hysterically at something Ernie McMillan had said. Students were slowly trickling out to their respective dorms. Hermione and Samantha were giggling a bit and were helping Luna with Neville who was giving some speech about how great it was to be Head Boy.
"Ok, I'll take your brother since he is bigger if you can handle the-boy-who's-drunk." Draco hauled Ron up by his arm.
"Malfoy! Didn't know you wanted to dance!" Ron laughed at his own joke and Draco rolled his eyes. Ginny hauled Harry up who slung an arm around her shoulder.
"Ginny…Ginny…Ginny…great dance! You're beautiful you know?" he grinned at her and she couldn't help but laugh, putting an arm around him and feeling him lean against her for support as she followed Draco out the doors. She instructed him on what portrait to stop at once they reached the top of the stairs.
"This is when I wish we could use magic. How much does your brother eat?" Draco called back to her, repositioning Ron's arm around her shoulders.
"Quite a fair amount."
Ginny hit the wall as Harry stumbled, as he pointed at a picture who was telling him to halt and fight a courageous battle.
"Harry, stop pointing. You are going to throw us down the stairs." Ginny helped him up the last step.
"Harry!" Ron called, seeing them come up the steps. Draco was leaning Ron against the wall, catching his breath. "I love you mate!" Harry found this hilariously funny and fell to his knees laughing.
Ginny went up to the portrait who was trying to tell her that she shouldn't allow anyone from another house in, but Ginny ignored her.
"Gillyweed," Ginny said insistently and the portrait swung open. With some effort they managed to get the two inside, and up the boys stairs. Draco dropped Ron on his bed and helped Ginny get Harry into his bed.
"Ok, I need to sit," Ginny breathed and went back downstairs, flopping onto the couch. Draco rested next to her, getting strange stares from students trickling in. Before they could relax, in came Samantha and Hermione with Neville. Draco groaned and got up, taking Neville off their hands. Ginny just waved her hand in the general direction of Ron and Harry's room and he trudged up there with Neville practically asleep in his arms.
"Where are Ron and Harry?" Hermione turned around in circles and Ginny pointed up their stairway. They slowly made their way up the stairs, stifling giggles all the way.
Ginny couldn't help a grin that flowed across her face thinking that both Head Girl and Head Boy were pretty
inebriated. She hoped that Hermione would remember to cast the Sobriety Spells that would help them in the morning. She
saw the last of the students come in as Draco came down the stairs.
"Thank you for helping." Ginny didn't move off the sofa as Draco sat down next to her.
"Sure. Never thought I would see Harry Potter drunk though."
"Me neither…looks as if both Head Boy and Girl are going to be out for the night also," Ginny remarked, feeling him sit back next to her, shoulders touching.
"Guess it will be up to us prefects to keep things in line," Draco joked and Ginny smiled at him. "I should probably get back to my dorm."
"Hmmm," Ginny said trying not to look disappointed.
Ginny was hoping he would stay a bit longer, she was enjoying his company and he seemed more relaxed than ever.
"I had fun tonight. Thanks for asking me." Ginny shifted a bit, kicking off her shoes and sighing as she stretched her legs. Draco glanced down at her bare feet, then back at her flushed face.
"I did too. The mistletoe seemed to be following us," he said with a small smile watching her glance up above their heads. "I didn't mean right now though."
"Habit," Ginny smiled and stood up as Draco made a move to stand. He held out his hand to her and she took it, feeling him pull her in for a hug.
"You are so much shorter without shoes."
"Meanie." Ginny mumbled into his chest, feeling his heart beating against her cheek. She felt so warm and cozy, standing there and probably could have fallen asleep. She didn't know how long they stood like that, arms around each other until Draco spoke, yanking her out of her reverie.
"Still awake?"
"Barely." Ginny pulled back a little so she could look up at him. She realized that this would probably be the last time she would see him, unless he came to The Burrow, until January. The Common Room was very quiet, and Ginny could swear she faintly heard Ron's snores coming from up the stairs.
"I'll…I'll send you and Owl about you coming to visit," Ginny said softly and he nodded placing a hand under her chin. Every fiber of her was screaming for him to kiss her and she swore he could feel it. She vaguely remembered what Hermione had said during their chat earlier that month. She wanted to see what that was like; not that she was going to take him right here in the common room, but to kiss him and feel what was under that steely control of his.
Ginny's eyes fluttered closed as she saw him bend down to her and she felt the now familiar, soft dry kiss. Placing a hand on the back of his neck she pulled herself closer to him, feeling him respond and feeling that familiar tightening of his hand, the one that had made its way from her chin and took her hand in his. She brought both their hands up to chest level in an intimate gesture, losing her senses as she felt a small flame leap into her stomach and radiate outward, pushing her deeper into his kiss…her mind spinning trying to take in the way his hand was moving on her back…the feeling of warmth radiating out of him…his tongue gently touching her lips which led her to grab on to his robes steadying herself. Her lips moved with his in what was a timeless existence of just the two of them. Every nerve was tuned to him and she swore that the room was moving. She suddenly felt her hair cascade down her shoulders and his hands buried in it, pulling her mouth closer, if possible. Reflexively, Ginny pushed against him and felt his hands move to her hips holding her in place for a moment, she swore she heard him say her name against her lips before they pulled away, breathing fast.
"What?" she breathed, her voice barely audible. Draco shook his head at a loss for words, his hands gripping her hips firmly as if regaining control.
"I'm sorry…," Ginny continued thinking maybe she did something wrong.
"No," Draco said forcefully. "We can't…here," he explained, his grip relaxing as he felt Ginny trembling. Ginny nodded, thinking that anyone could come down and see them.
"I should really go back; I don't want too, but we should get to bed," Draco said softly, kissing her temple.
"Yeah, ok." Ginny pulled back, bent down and picked up her shoes.
"Goodnight." She smiled at him and walked slowly towards the portrait with him. In the dark hallway, he turned to her bent down and kissed her.
"You're beautiful tonight…Ginny," he said, with a slight emphasis on her name. She gave his arm a squeeze and turned around as the portrait closed behind them. As she turned to go up her set of stairs, she noticed the pillows had moved clear off the couch and were on the chess table. She walked over and tossed them back onto the sofa, a small nugget of knowledge that brought a warmth to her heart…she had helped Draco lose just a bit of control. She set off for her room, still feeling slightly tingly from her date's kiss.
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Meanwhile, up in Ron and Harry's room, Hermione and Samantha lay beside their fiancée/boyfriend with Hermione having remembered to utter the sobriety charm as Ron lay snoring loudly competing with Neville across the room.
Hermione snuggled next to Harry, still in her dress. He had removed his robe, but still wore his short sleeve shirt and grey school pants and was stretched out on his bed, hand over his eyes.
"How long til that sobriety charm kicks in?" Harry asked, tucking his arm under Hermione's neck and pulling her towards him.
"About now," she whispered back, laying a hand on his chest. Thirty seconds ticked by and Hermione could sense Harry was feeling better.
"You know, this still is my very favorite piece of clothing on you ever," Harry rolled on to his side, placing a hand on her hip and letting his fingers trail over the fabric, making her move slightly closer.
"Well, thank you. The girls told me you were going to trip over your feet, but I didn't see any tripping." Hermione lightly drew different shapes on his chest with her finger, feeling him flinch as she moved her finger closer to his ribs.
"Well, I almost took you right there on the stairs when you walked down, but I thought I recovered pretty nicely," he rested his hand on her arse, and brought his other hand up to her cheek. He could feel her blushing under his hand, even thought it was pitch black in his room. Feeling her breath on his cheek he turned his face towards hers and lightly moved his lips over her face, finding hers and flicking them with his tongue. He enjoyed the feeling of her pressing against him and the soft silk of her dress under his arms. He reached up and grabbed her hand that moved to his cheek and he felt the ring on her finger. Pulling his mouth away from hers, he brought her hand up to his lips.
"I'm so glad you said yes," he whispered against her hand.
"You thought otherwise?"
"Well, a guy never knows, 'Mione, and well---you never know. I am not the easiest person to live with or understand."
"Harry, you should know I love you and you don't ever need to doubt that." Hermione pulled his shirt out from his pants and ran a hand under his shirt. She heard him suck in his breath as she moved her hands in circles up his chest. "I know what I am doing, being with you and loving you."
"No doubt," he whispered, feeling her hand move down and run a hand along the waist of his pants.
"Did you cast the silencio charm?" he murmured lost in the feel of her hands.
"No, should I?" she asked coyly, feeling his hands exploring her dress, reaching around to the zipper and slowly pulling it down.
"Hmmm…only if you can keep quiet," he whispered in her ear, then giving her a kiss on the hollow of her throat. She reached back to help him with the zipper, but his hands stopped hers. "I think I would like your dress to stay on for a bit."
"You like it that much?" Hermione whispered back, feeling him roll her onto her back, careful to move her under him so she wouldn't fall off the bed.
Harry heard Hermione stifle a giggle as he kissed her neck, pressing himself into her, so she could feel his answer.
"I guess so," she pulled his lips to hers, jumping slightly as Ron snored in his sleep. Harry started laughing silently, lips pressed to hers, his shoulders shaking.
"Shhh," Hermione whispered, and Harry nodded slightly, smiling against her lips…his hand pulling up the fabric of her dress over her thigh, letting his fingers rest on the inside of her leg. Hermione moved her legs apart just a bit pushing against him, feeling his hands move higher on her nylon clad thigh. Quickly and quietly, she helped him pull her nylons down and toss them off the side of the bed.
Her hands started working on the button of his pants, and then the zipper, taking her time and feeling his hands tighten on her hips. Lazily, she moved her hand back up from his zipper, feeling him suck in his stomach and at the same time, running his tongue along hers making her grab him around his back and pressing up into him. He moved a hand to her belly and she felt a warmth spread over her, recognizing the contraception charm making her thankful he had mastered wandless magic.
Her thoughts of anything else were totally thrown from her as she felt his fingers down there, moving slowly as if shy about what he was doing. Digging her fingers into his back to take the place of any noises that she might make, she wiggled against him in silent communication to him. She pulled his shirt up over his head and he quickly ducked out of it, feeling her hands tugging at his boxers before his arm was even out of his shirt. Helping her undo the button on the fly of his boxers he pushed himself up against her feeling the last barrier between them. With a muttered charm, Hermione felt her knickers disappear….and very slowly and very quietly they brought in the Christmas holiday.