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Hermione Granger.
Of all the girls in Hogwarts, you just had to pick her, didn't you? Wanker.
The music is loud, but Ron's thoughts override the music as he narrows his eyes at the scene unfolding across the dance floor. Harry sits beside him, huffing at his own frustrations, their dates glaring daggers at them both, but Ron couldn't care less. He pulls at the ruffles of the most horrid dress robe in existance and can feel anger coloring his cheeks and ears.
Viktor bloody Krum. Being a Quidditch star isn't enough for you, is it? Girls standing in line to even get a glimpse of you - beautiful, gorgeous girls… not that Hermione isn't… well… a girl. I did notice! I do notice she is a girl!
I jump from thought to thought like a flea jumps to a light
Ron groans and drops his head into his hands. As if his life isn't difficult enough. As if being best friends with Harry bloody Potter isn't stressful enough: Oh, hey! He might die in a tournament this year! Whoop-de-doo!
He glances at Harry who is staring at the enchanted ceiling, apparently lost in his own misery. When he looks back at the dancefloor, Krum boldy grabs Hermione by the waist as they swing from side to side, her periwinkle blue dress gliding over her knees as they do.
Why are you having so much fun with this, this, this sodding prick?! You should be here with me. I mean, Harry and me. Yes, Harry and me. You should be with your best friends!
You could give an aspirin the headache of its life
Ron follows their every move; dark blue frustrated eyes glued to her smiling and flustered face as Krum leads her to one of the tables where she sits down. Ever the gentleman, Krum kisses her hand and leaves to get drinks. She fans her face and stares at his retreating form.
I wonder if you'd talk or yell at me if I got up and approached you right now?
Maybe it's the crazy that I'd miss
Sod it.
Pulling the ruffles scratching his neck clean off, Ron stands up and straightens his robes before starting his slightly over-confident march to Hermione.
Maybe it's the crazy that I'd miss
"Dance with me."
It's not much of a request, more of a demand and she blinks at him, turning an even darker shade of scarlet. He is blatantly bold, his hand stretched out awaiting hers and to Ron's surprise, she doesn't even bother seeking out Krum before she slowly places her petite hand in his.
It won't get better than this
Ron pulls her up cautiously, daring a lopsided grin as he catches her suspicious glare.
"What is this? Are you and Harry up to something tonight? Do I need to tell you off?"
I like the way your brain works, I like the way you try
To run with the wolf pack when your legs are tired
Ron can't stop grinning at her. He doesn't reply and she keeps staring at him for another moment until her big brown eyes give away the smile she had been hiding from him. On cue, he interlaces their fingers and stretches their hands above her head and swirls her around.
I don't dance. I am terrible at dancing. Why am I doing this? I am dancing with Hermione Granger and she likes it. Hell, I like it.
I should have asked you first.
I like the way you turn me inside and out
I like the way you turn
He could stare at her heaving chest, the delicate lines of her collarbone or gracious neck like any other randy bloke, but instead he gazes at her radiating face, and the wayward curls that caress it with every turn. All he wants is to lock this image in his mind forever.
They say the best memories are the ones that we forget
"I'm getting dizzy!"
"I won't let you fall!"
"Ron, I will murder you if you let go now!"
He does let go, but only to wrap his arms around her waist and pull her body flush against his. Hermione looks up at him with dazed eyes as he holds her, ignoring the music, the murmurs, the dancing silhouettes grazing their sides, and even sodding Krum wherever he may be. He lowers his head, their noses an inch apart.
Maybe it's the crazy that I'd miss
It won't get better than this
"Ron?"
"Mmm, yeah?"
"I said - are you going to ask me to dance?!"
Padma crosses her arms with a pleading look and Ron clears his throat. Feeling like a child caught with it's hand in a cookie jar, he can't help the flaming redness creep onto his cheeks.
"Uhm, no."
She groans and turns to her sister who rolls her eyes. Harry just shrugs and continues to stare at the ceiling like it's the most interesting thing at the party.
Ron lets out a frustrated sigh. He let his imagination run dangerously wild. This night really is the worst in so many ways, but he steals a glance one more time, despite the agony building up inside.
What are you doing to me, Hermione Granger?
She finally catches him staring and places her hands on her lap, chewing her lower lip.
Ron tilts his head and dares an apologetic smile.
She purses her lips, but her eyes always fail to hide that smile she reserves only for him - the one that comes after heated arguments, the smile that mends his heart over and over again.
Baby, it's the crazy I like
I think I saw the world turn in your eyes
Ron's face lights up and he relaxes into his chair. Hermione gives into the smile as she shakes her head at him.
I think I might be… I think I like you, Hermione.
It won't get better than this