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"Come and dance," Ron said, grabbing Hermione's hand and pulling her from her seat.
"Um," she stuttered, following him, "s-sure." As they left their table, she vaguely heard Viktor ask Harry, 'Ah, they are together now?' before she and Ron were lost in the crowd of dancers.
Once they reached the middle of the group, Ron faced Hermione, placing his hand at her waist, her free hand finding his shoulder. Hermione's mind raced to remember her dancing lessons from childhood.
They stepped ungracefully to the music, and by the time the first chords of the next song played, they were both laughing nervously.
"I didn’t know you knew how to dance," giggled Hermione as Ron lifted their hands over her head, allowing her to twirl under them. Through her hair that was flying wildly around her, she couldn't help but notice how intently Ron watched her. Smiling to herself, she returned to her place directly in front of him, moving to the music.
"I don’t," Ron admitted, smiling as he watched his feet to avoid stepping on Hermione’s toes. "I’m just here to assist you. And make sure you're not stuck dancing like that." He gestured over to Luna, who was swaying around the dancefloor, waving her hands in the air.
"It doesn’t look odd when she does it, but I would just look silly." Hermione shook her head at the thought of herself dancing in the same manner as Luna.
Ron laughed. "See, you get it." He had both of her hands in his now as they stepped jovially to the melody. "I’m just here for you."
Hermione, spinning once more, said, "I thank you for your service." She saw Ginny dancing with a man whom Hermione assumed to be one of Fleur's cousins. When they made eye contact, Ginny gave Hermione a small thumbs-up, causing Hermione to blush.
"You really do look lovely today," said Ron, a faint pink hue filling his cheeks.
"Thank you," Hermione replied, her cheeks matching Ron's. "You clean up nicely as well."
"Remind me to thank Fred and George again for the new dress robes," said Ron. "Otherwise, I'd be covered in doilies." Hermione smiled with the memory of Ron's hideous robes that he had worn to the Yule Ball.
Hermione's laugh made several people look at them, and Ron beamed. She saw him share a look with Charlie dancing nearby.
"You'd look handsome either way," Hermione stated boldly, the pink that persisted across her nose now spread across her cheeks and up to her ears.
Ron's ears turned deep red and he swelled with pride. "Thanks," he replied. "That's a lie, but I appreciate it."
Hermione grinned and rolled her eyes at him while he lifted her hand for another spin. As she faced him again, he gave her a playful wink. Both of them were getting more comfortable and amiable by the minute, and the upcoming challenges of the war vanished from their memory.
The music slowed and Ron placed his hand back on her waist. She looked up at him and closed the remaining space between their bodies, resting her head against his chest. She felt his chin resting atop her head. To her left, she saw Fred and George, both dancing with Fleur’s veela cousins, exchange a knowing look with each other. George pressed a Sickle into Fred's outstretched hand.
Ignoring them, Hermione closed her eyes, taking in the smell of Ron's cologne mixed with the familiar fragrance of the Weasley laundry detergent. She had almost lost sense of her surroundings when she felt him quietly saying her name in her hair. "Hmm?" She hummed, looking up to meet his eye.
"Hermione," began Ron, maintaining his firm grip on her waist, keeping her close, "I- I need to know. I mean, I'd like to talk to you about-"
His ears were turning their signature shade of pink, and Hermione found herself blushing just as deeply. She was sure she knew what he was trying to ask. "About us?" She stated in a matter-of-fact tone, though she didn’t have the nerve to look at Ron as she said it.
"Yeah, about us," Ron responded with equal authority. "There is something here. I can't be the only one who's finally realized it." He swallowed hard, and his fingers trembled against her side.
Hermione felt a tear fill her eye. She blinked it away before taking a shaky breath. "You’re not wrong," she chuckled, biting her lip nervously. "There is potential for us."
Ron raised his eyebrows in anticipation, a lopsided grin forming on his lips, and Hermione couldn’t resist smiling back at him. The music around them could have stopped playing and neither of them would have been the wiser. They stood swaying on the spot for what may have been hours, blue eyes locked on brown.
Hermione wanted this to go on all night but also wished he would stop looking at her. She became uncomfortably aware of Mrs. Weasley watching them from across the dance floor.
She looked down, sighing deeply, drawing her focus to their intertwined fingers resting against his chest. "But," she said, a new tear blurring her vision, "we can't. Not now."
Ron's shoulders dropped and his face fell. He continued to look at Hermione for another moment, deep in thought.
"I know you’re right," he said with a sigh.
"We have the mission--" Hermione began.
"I know," Ron interrupted. "We need to focus our energy on looking for--"
"And Harry needs us," Hermione said resolutely. "Our focus needs to be on that."
"We can’t get distracted."
"I already said that you’re right," said Ron, pulling Hermione to close the small space created between them. "Please don’t make me say it again."
Hermione gave a watery smile as she placed her head against his chest once more. Hot tears filled her vision. He gave her hand a soft squeeze and replaced his chin in her hair.
To Hermione's displeasure, the music picked up tempo again and Ron loosened his hold around her waist. Hermione snaked her hand from his shoulder to his empty hand and interlaced her fingers with his. She grinned up at him and moved their hands, causing both of their bodies to twist. "We can still have fun tonight," she offered.
"True," Ron laughed as he guided Hermione into a low dip, causing her to burst out laughing.
They danced and laughed their way through one song and into the next. When the final chords of the third song rang through the marquee, Ron lifted his hand for Hermione to twirl under. When she faced him again, he placed his hand against the small of her back, pulling her close, laughing.
"I could use a drink," Ron sighed, continuing to sway. Hermione laughed into his chest, nodding. Neither of them let go.
"And we should probably go find Har-- I mean, Barny," Hermione said, snaking her arms around Ron's neck.
Ron gave a lopsided grin, Hermione's insides give a flutter. "I told you I wasn't going to tell you that you're right any more."
Hermione gave a mischievous smile. "Aw," she teased. "I wanted to hear you say it one more time."
"Sorry, I've already met my quota for the year."
"Darn. I was just getting used to it too."
Their laughter slowed and fell into a companionable silence as they swayed, disregarding the music. Hermione's head returned to Ron's chest. Ron's cheek returned to Hermione's head. The other dancers moved around them.
"You know," Ron began quietly, speaking into Hermione's hair, "tonight has been bloody brilliant."
"I’ve had a wonderful time," agreed Hermione. She could hear his heartbeat quicken.
"When this is over and we’ve won the war," Ron began, his voice remaining steady, "can we come back here and pick up where we left off?"
A wide smile spread across Hermione's face, and she pressed her face closer to Ron's chest, squeezing her arms around his neck, tracing her fingers along the fabric. "That sounds fantastic."
Ron turned his head and pressed his lips lightly against the top of Hermione's head. The action was so quick and soft that she felt that she may have imagined it.
Hermione wished she could have stayed right there forever. She wished she could ignore the upcoming war. She wished the world could stay as peaceful as this. She also wished she wasn't so aware of the heated argument growing between Viktor Krum and Xenophilius Lovegood several feet away from her.
"Now," said Ron a moment later, snapping Hermione out of her daze. "If I don't get a drink soon, I may just dry up completely." He let go of her waist and pulled her by the hand to the side of the dance floor. "I'll find us some Butterbeer. You go find Barny."
Hermione nodded and set off to find the table where a disguised Harry was seated talking to Aunt Muriel. She had butterflies in her stomach and a bounce in her step. The future may look perilous, but this night with Ron had been an absolute dream.