At Last

At Last - Chapter Two

***

Friday evening, after classes, Hermione went upstairs to get ready as Harry and Ron did the same. Harry pulled on his old green robes and Ron put on his newer, lace-free dark blue ones.

"Ah, so nice to not have those ugly excuses for dress robes anymore," Ron said. Harry was busy trying to make his hair lie flat, which it never did and never will do. "So, who did you end up asking?"

"Hermione."

"Finally," Ron muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Harry gave him an odd look and shrugged, going back to pressing down his hair with both hands. After ten minutes of doing this, he gave up and looked at his watch. "Ten minutes to six," he said. "We'd better go."

Seamus, Dean, and Neville were already downstairs with their respective dates. Harry and Ron hurried down.

"I'd better go meet Luna," Ron sighed. "See you later?"

"Okay," Harry said, scanning the room for Hermione. He spotted her after a moment. She was wearing new robes, ruby red in color, and her hair was twisted into a complicated-looking knot similar to her hair for the last Ball. She saw him and grinned.

"Hi," she said, when he reached her.

"Hi," he said. "You... look really nice."

"Thanks," she said, a little shyly. "Should we go down?"

"Oh, yeah," Harry said. They walked in silence down to the entrance hall, arriving just in time for the doors to the Great Hall to open. They filed in, along with everyone else, and sat down at a table.

The House tables had disappeared, leaving a large area for dancing in the middle. A new singer Harry had never seen or heard before was on a small stage, and smaller tables lined the Hall. Snow was falling from the enchanted ceiling and stopping just over their heads. The usual twelve giant Christmas trees stood around the Hall.

"It's so pretty," Hermione said, looking up at the enchanted snow. "Oh, look, there's Ron and Luna!"

Harry followed her gaze and saw Ron dancing somewhat awkwardly with Luna. Luna was wearing bright yellow robes and large earrings that seemed to be miniature, live canaries. And she was grinning.

"Oh, they look so happy," Hermione said, smiling. "Well, Ron looks... a little less than happy... no, look, he's smiling a little!"

Harry caught Ron's eyes and grinned. Ron returned the smile, then looked at Hermione and back at him, raising his eyebrows.

Harry's brow furrowed. He pushed it aside and turned to Hermione. "So... er, I'm glad we could both come... you know..."

"Yeah," Hermione said. "Listen, Harry, I have to tell you something."

"Okay," he said, not following.

"Well, um... this is sort of hard, and I don't want you to laugh at me," she continued.

"I won't," he promised, still a little confused.

"Well," Hermione said. "I... I've sort of... fancied you... since about third year."

"Really?" he asked, caught off guard. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

She looked at her shoes. "I didn't want to ruin our friendship."

Harry's mind was overflowing as it all clicked into place. Hermione liked him... and, suddenly, he knew he returned the feelings.

"You wouldn't have," he said. "Because I think I like you too."

"Really?" her voice was slightly squeaky.

He nodded, feeling more sure of himself. "Do you... do you want to dance?"

She grinned. "Okay."

A slower song started up, and Harry vaguely recognized it as a Muggle song.

At last
my love has come along
my lonely days are over
and life is like a song

He took her hand and led her over towards the dance floor. She put her hand on his shoulder and he moved his to her waist. Their free hands joined and he pulled her closer.

Ooh At last
the skies above are blue
well my heart was wrapped up in clover
the night I looked at you

Ron, dancing with Luna, caught Harry eye and grinned knowingly. Ron seemed to be actually enjoying himself with Luna as well.

I found a dream
that I could speak to
a dream that I could call my own
I found a thrill
to press my cheek to
a thrill that I have never known

"I'm really glad I asked you," Harry whispered into Hermione's ear.

"I'm glad you asked me too," she said softly.

Ohh yeah yeah

You smile, you smile
Oh and then the spell was cast

"I can't believe you were standing by me all this time and I never realized how I felt until now," Harry murmured.

"Well, it doesn't matter now," she replied. "Because now you know how you feel, and everything's okay."

And here we are in heaven
For you are mine at last