Save The Best For Last

The Great Hall was decorated to the most magnificent and majestic extent, that final year of Hogwarts on the occasion of the annual Yule Ball. Glittering fairy lights danced around every corner of the hall, leaving every spot luminous and shining. All the sides of the tables were twined with mistletoe and holly, and the candles on top had tiny bows of colour red and green. The ceiling above was open out to the sky, which was filled with stars tonight and a most bewitching full moon. The High Table was set aside to make place for the band, The Weird Sisters and everybody was swaying to the beat with their respective partners. The Headmaster had especially invited all the ex-students of the school that year to mark the 1^st anniversary of the end of the Voldemort Era, and was last seen talking to George Weasley and his date, Alicia Spinnet.

Upstairs, Hermione Granger slowly but steadily, made her way down the stairs leading to the common room of Gryffindor. There, pacing in a slightly uneasy manner was Ron Weasley. “Maybe it's the dress robes.” He thought, nervously glancing at them. But he had nothing to be anxious about, as the formal ink-black robes were suiting him and his flaming red hair excellently. But soon he forgot everything as he looked up to see his date walking down towards him. His mouth opened and closed like a goldfish, as he took in Hermione's dress gown of the most exquisite color of soft pink.

“Are we ready to go, Ron?” She asked, taking his arm. The grin on her face matched his, as they went to join the rest of the students towards the Great Hall.

Hermione and Ron held each other closely as they whirled around the endless dance floor. Ron who couldn't take his eyes off her beautiful face, tenderly kissed her cheek, and whispered, “What would have happened, Herm, if I hadn't found out that I liked you from the very beginning? What if I hadn't found the courage to tell you what I felt, when I did?” She smiled mischievously, saying, “You'd have remained single till the day Moaning Myrtle would be finally willing to go out with you.

Ron made a comical face of disgust, before retorting, “ But at least she knows how to pronounce my name properly, 'Herm-own-ninny'!”

“Hey, Victor was very sweet the short time we were together,” She replied, defending her long time boyfriend. He wriggled his eyebrows, “Okay, whatever you say, 'Hermy-own'” After getting a whack from her, while laughing and apologizing, he murmured softly in her ear, “How could I have been so blind as to not see that it was you all along? The one I was looking for.”

Hermione opened her mouth to say something, when suddenly; The Weird Sisters started playing that old Muggle song from the past. Her song.

Sometimes the snow comes down in June,

Sometimes the sun goes round the moon.

Velvety snow started falling from the Ceiling, making the Great Hall a magnificent ice kingdom. Hermione looked up at Ron and catches her breath at how he was looking at her.

I see the passion in your eyes,

Sometimes it's all a big surprise.

Still wrapped in his arms, she sighed and went back to the time when she used to hear these very words at times, but with gloom and misery.

Coz there was a time when all I did was wish,

You'd tell me this was love.

~*~ Flashback~*~

Hermione hopefully looks up at Ron, as he complains about finding a date for the Yule Ball in the Fourth Year. But instead, is filled with enragement and disappointment mingled, when she watches him staring at Fleur Delacour as if in a trance.

It's not the way I hoped or how I planned,

But somehow, it's enough.

She winced as he treaded accidentally on her foot. He corrected his mistake by kissing her neck and spinning her around, making her laugh with delight while everyone looked at them, smiling.

And now we're standing face to face,

Isn't this world a crazy place?

Just when I thought our chance had passed,

You go and save the best for last.

They went around dancing, smiling occasionally at the different couples that had formed at the end of their school years. Harry and Cho, with Ron winking at Harry at the sight of a ring shining on Cho's left hand. Seamus and Lavender, both looking so captivated by each other. Ginny and Lee, with Hermione laughing over how Ginny was trying to avoid Lee's feet from stomping hers. They kept a little distance away from Fred and Angelina, who still hadn't changed their exuberant dance habits one bit.

All of the nights you came to me,

Some silly girl had set you free.

~*~Flashback~*~

Ron coming up to the common room saying in a choked voice, “Hermione, I need to talk to you. Can we go outside for a walk?” “What's wrong?” she says, with concern reflecting in her voice. “Are you alright?”

“No, I'm not alright. She broke up with me, just like that!” he said painfully.

Hermione, hugging him slowly with sympathy and compassion in her eyes.

“I'm sorry, Ron. I'm so sorry.”

You wondered how you make it through,

I wondered what was wrong with you.

~*~ Flashback ~*~

“I don't know if I'll get be over her. How could she be so mean? I gave all my heart in that relationship. And now it's gone. How will I go on?” Ron with emotion.

Hermione, looking at him wistfully. “If only he understood.”

Coz how can give your heart to someone else,

And share your dreams with me?

~*~Flashback~*~

Ron speaking dreamily, “Wouldn't it be nice to buy a big country house near the border of Nice, when you grow up Herm? I'm going to do that one day, with a small family...”

“A few pets, and guests every Sunday” finished Hermione, lost in her own thoughts.

Ron, surprised, “Yes! How did you guess?!” Hermione, equally shocked, but wondering silently how they always seem to have the same dreams and fantasies.

Sometimes the very thing you're looking for,

It's the one thing you can't see.

~*~Flashback~*~

Hermione helping Ron up after an especially gruesome fight with Malfoy. She takes him up to Madam Pomfrey alongside Harry, scolding him all the way, “Why do you let him provoke you so? Just ignore him whenever he opens his mouth.”

“I just can't stand it when that stupid git calls you a Mudblood. What right does he have to say anything like that, when he doesn't even know you!? Next time I'll use the Cruciatus curse on him.. Or wait, I'll give him some Polyjuice Potion with a hair of Mrs. Norris in it..” Ron continues sputtering and fuming while Hermione simply stares at him.

But now we're standing face to face,

Isn't this world a crazy place?

Just when I thought your chance had past,

You go and save the best for last.

~*~Flashback~*~

“Hermione, I need to talk to you right now. It's important.” There was a certain urgency and embarrassed together in Ron's voice, which made her jump up and follow him to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. “Ron, what is it? Are you in trouble? Is it anything to do with that fight you had with Malfoy? You were such a fool to fall for his tricks again. I knew I should have used the Binding Charm on both of you, now Professor Dumbledore must be ang..”

“Hush..” He said, gently placing a hand over her mouth. “You're blabbering. I'm not in trouble.. But I have been a fool. There's something I realized when you and Krum had started going out. I kept quiet because you are my friend and you seemed happy with him. I remained aloof sometimes, even after you broke up because I figured you still cared for him. I hoped you'd forget but.. But this can't go anymore. Hermione, I have.. I mean..” He stammered for a few seconds, and then suddenly in a rush, “I have feelings for you as more than a friend.”

Hermione, looking at him flabbergasted.

Sometimes the very thing you're looking for,

Is the one thing you can't see.

~*~Flashback~*~

“I didn't find out how or when this happened. Do you remember the Yule Ball in fourth year? I do, never could forget it. I couldn't understand what you had tried to tell me then, about asking you out before and not as a last resort. I was such an idiot, I went around with girls whom I knew would never stick around for me.” He said, with regret and remorse. “Sometimes the very thing you're looking for, is the one thing you can't see. And that's what happened. Will you ever forgive me for being so sightless?” His voice now, a single plea. “Will you give this old fool another chance?” He whispered, opening up his arms.

She simply smiled, “Yes.” and went to his warm embrace.

Sometimes the snow comes down in June,

Sometimes the sun goes around the moon.

Just when I thought our chance had past,

You go and save the best for last.

“The song is ending, Ron” Hermione softly whispered to his shoulder. “Let's go.”

He lifted his head from her silk-like hair, fixed his eyes on hers for a moment before dropping a long, deep kiss on her lips. “Let's go.. my Hermione.”

You went and saved the best for last...

The End!