Dance With Me

dragonrider

Rating: G
Genres: Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 29/12/2006
Last Updated: 29/12/2006
Status: completed

Harry decides Hermione needs a break from studying on a rainy afternoon.

Chapters

1. Dance With Me

1. Dance With Me

Dance With Me

Harry Potter removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He tilted his head back, then turned it from side to side, hearing the familiar pop of vertebrae – the tell-tale sign of a neck held far too long in one position.

He glanced discretely at the only other occupant of the room. She sat across from him in a large, worn easy-chair, her legs tucked up beside her. Her attention was completely focused on the book spread open on her lap, her brow furrowed in concentration. She was unaware that his attention was currently focused on her.

Harry watched as she absently pushed an errant strand of wavy chestnut hair behind her ear. His gaze traced the gentle slope of her jaw down to her chin, then moved upward to soft, pink lips. His eyes continued to journey up, stopping at hers, which were lowered to her book and mostly hidden from his view. A part of him wished that he had a clear view of them, for he thought her eyes were beautiful. But he was glad that for the moment she was unaware that he was watching her so intently.

A slight movement of her hand caused him to look away instantly, return his attention to his own book. She gently turned a page, settled back in to her reading.

They were alone at the moment, having chosen to tackle their studies in the Room of Requirement, their other options having been incredibly busy and crowded. A steady rain had driven the student body inside on this gloomy Saturday, leaving them nowhere to congregate but their dormitories or the Great Hall. For the majority of said students, not being in major exam years, that meant finding alternative ways of entertaining themselves, which led to a great deal of noise and commotion. For those remaining students, faced with the prospect of intensive studying, it meant finding somewhere relatively quiet and uncongested. For most, that meant the library, which had in turn become quite full.

For a certain Trio, a more private solution was in order. Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley had retreated to the Room of Requirement, which Hermione had in turn made sure no one else would be able to “require” for the duration of their needs. Not only were they needing a place to study, but the nature of recent times often resulted in their need for privacy – to be able to converse without being inadvertently overheard, or even spied upon.

And so, the three had found themselves in their current location. After several hours of researching horcruxes and revising for N.E.W.T. levels under Hermione’s watchful eye, Ron being Ron, had had all he could take of schoolwork on a Saturday, and bowed out for more pleasurable, social activities.

Harry had stayed, knowing that Hermione would not quit until she had completed whatever it was she was currently working on, or had run out of resources. She had never deserted him, no matter what, and he had decided that he wouldn’t leave her now. He’d stay as long as she did. There was another reason Harry knew he would not leave, as well. He’d rather be in this room, studying, with her, than be anywhere else without her.

Harry glanced up in response to a faint sound from Hermione – a sort of yawn-sigh. She met his gaze, smiled.

“I think I need a bit of a stretch,” she stated, closing her eyes and letting her head drop against the back of the chair. When she opened her eyes roughly a minute later, Harry stood before her, grinning roguishly. She quirked an eyebrow, looked at him questioningly.

“Dance with me,” he said. Her look turned to that of surprise.

“Come on,” he continued. “You said yourself you needed to stretch. What better way? Dance with me, Hermione.”

“But Harry, there’s no mu…,” she began. But as she spoke, a slight flick of Harry’s hand produced a melody, a pop song he’d heard on Muggle radio. Hermione forced a scowl.

“It’s so wrong that you can do that,” she stated. He grinned shamelessly, held out his hand.

“But Harry, you don’t like to dance,” she insisted.

“But you do,” he replied. “Dance with me, Hermione.” He took hold of her hands and pulled her to her feet.

“Harry!”

His left hand grasped her right. His right hand slid to her waist as her left found his shoulder. His eyes locked on hers as they began to sway to the music. And so they danced, for several minutes, neither speaking – just enjoying the music, the peace, their closeness. Finally, Hermione broke the silence.

“Harry, when did you become such a lovely dancer?”

“It’s a newly acquired skill, actually,” he confessed.

“Who taught you?”

“Ah, wouldn’t you like to know?” He grinned at her teasingly.

“Prat.”

He chuckled triumphantly.

“So, what made you decide to learn to dance?”

“I want to be able to dance at my wedding.” Hermione was surprised and touched at the sincerity in his voice. She felt a tear escape one eye.

“What’s wrong?” Harry’s voice took on a note of concern. Hermione felt him tighten his hold on her, pulling her closer. She shook her head.

“It’s just that… that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you speak as though… you truly believed in a future.” This time it was she who drew closer, letting her head rest against his shoulder.

“Maybe it’s because I finally realized everything I have to live for.”

Hermione raised her head, looked into his eyes.

“And what would that be?”

Harry smiled. And what Hermione Granger saw in his emerald eyes and in that smile took her breath away. Her heart began to beat faster. If she was correct, everything she’d wanted, everything she’d dreamed of for quite some time, was now gazing down at her. A moment later she had confirmation when he leaned forward, meeting her lips in a kiss sweeter than she had ever imagined.

His hand slid around to the small of her back. His other hand briefly cupped her chin before sliding to the back of her neck. Her arms slid up to encircle his neck.

They finally broke apart out of the need for air. Harry continued to hold her tightly, as though relaxing his hold would allow her to slip away. For her part, Hermione was content to stay just as they were. She pressed her cheek to his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

“Dance with me, Hermione,” he whispered. “Dance with me forever.”

And that’s precisely what she intended to do.

-End-