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Hermione looked on, somewhat dubious, as Marcus held out a hand out to her.
“Come on love. You’re going to have to dance whether you want to or not. Might as well get some practice in.” The mock scowl that Hermione sent his way wasn’t lost on Marcus as he laughed and pulled her into his arms. Gliding with her across their make-do dance floor. For a moment, just one moment. They could forget the war that raged outside their door.
They could forget that their lives and their friends hung in the balance. The old gramophone had been charmed to play and change records on its own continuously, and it kept up a steady pace as Marcus twirled her around their makeshift dance floor. The red dress Hermione wore had come from a muggle charity shop a few towns, and several weeks, over. It had needed some work; she’d had to take it in by a few inches and do up the disastrous hem that had initially been on the piece. Now it fit nicer than she could ever imagine.
“Why would I ever need to learn this dance?” Hermione’s voice was rather cheerful for someone semi-protesting the dance Marcus was leading her in. The kiss he pressed to her brow seemed to cause her to melt into him as he smirked.
“Our wedding day, for one.” Though Marcus kept his tone playful, Hermione could hear the seriousness laced in the undertone of his voice.
“I’ll believe that when there’s a ring on my finger.” Hermione laughed as Marcus twirled her out and back into him, taking the breath from her body before he pulled her back into his arms.
“Do you want a ring?” Marcus tried to keep his question casual, but they’d been on their own for too long. Hermione could read his moods and tones far better than he could ever hope for.
“Only if you want to give me one.” Hermione kept her tone light, even as Marcus froze, holding Hermione’s hips still to get her to stop for a moment.
“Seriously, love. You always said you didn’t want to…” Hermione sighed, knowing where Marcus was going with the sentence he didn’t want to finish.
“If you want to propose, I wouldn’t be against it.” Hermione’s tone was light, as Marcus wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into a mockery of a waltz. The fact he was this excited caused Hermione to laugh. They’d talked about it before but never with any proper depth to the conversation.
“You won’t have a choice but to learn this dance.” Marcus’ voice was soft as he pulled Hermione closer. “First dance as a proper married couple….” He let his sentence trail off, raising an eyebrow as Hermione sighed good-naturedly before she gently hit him on the chest.
“Ring first. Then the wedding.” The humor that laced Hermione’s voice caused Marcus to chuckle as he suddenly dipped Hermione, enjoying the gasp it tore from her lips. Bringing her back up, he smiled as her hands moved to wrap around his neck. Marcus leaned forward to kiss her neck, latching onto the one spot he knew drove her wild.
“I ….I thought we were dancing?”
“There’s more than one way to dance, love.” The humor that laced his voice wasn’t lost on Hermione, even as he spun her around their makeshift dance floor again. He was making her head spin, literally and figuratively. When they finally came to a stop, Marcus wrapped an arm around her from behind before he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Sorry, love. I was just joking with you.” Hermione sighed before a smile broke out across her face.
“I know.” Working herself loose from Marcus’ grasp, she set about starting water for their afternoon tea. Pulling the makings for chicken Alfredo from the fridge, Hermione set to start on their dinner as Marcus gave her a rueful smile.
“You’re not mad at me are you?” The perplexed look Hermione shot his way answered his question. “Alright, love. If you want I can start a….”
“Don’t even think about it. I’m cooking tonight, and you are banned from the kitchen.” The mock glare Hermione shot his way nearly caused Marcus to laugh. “You can cook tomorrow night.” Marcus sighed, knowing he wouldn’t win; Hermione started to go through what they had available in the fridge as Marcus returned to the dining table.
While it was called a dining table, it was covered in books more often than not, and Marcus had to move several stacks just to be able to sit down. They really needed to do something about their book collection. It was beginning to get out of hand. The library they kept with them was already overflowing, but that wasn’t counting the library that Lisa and Bill were setting up.
It might be worth it just to change out some of the books and get some rest. Glancing at Hermione, who was currently lost in the sauce she was making, Marcus let his thoughts wander.
He figured it was about time he found a ring.
They’d been together long enough, and it wasn’t like they were any closer to defeating the megalomaniac that now ruled the Wizarding World. Tucking that thought away for another day, Marcus knew once they reached the library, he’d at least have some with that.
Watching as Hermione flitted here and there, lost in her own head as she worked on creating their dinner, he couldn’t help but feel a swell of affection for the witch. She’d been there when no one else had been. It’d been inevitable in a way.
Their coming together had been written in the stars long before they actually contemplated dating
As it was. As it should be. As it would be.
Or at least that was what they’d been told the prophecy had said. No one could be sure anymore since the Hall of Prophecy was destroyed. Yet Marcus found he liked the thought of Hermione by his side forever, prophecy or not.