Desperate to Believe

The Dance

By: Kinoryo

"Honey, calm down!"

Hermione placed her hands on Harry's shoulders. Harry had been fretting about for the last hour about what he'd wear and what he'd say when he saw everyone again. You see, it was the night of the Hogwarts reunion of their graduating year, and they'd both be attending.

Harry had been back for about a week already, and he had made Hermione promise that she wouldn't tell anyone that he was alive.

"Yeah, daddy."

Adrian was trying to help Harry pick out a tie, but she kept picking out really outrageous ones that made him look like a clown.

"Oh, I like this one!"

She picked up a deep navy blue tie. Hermione smiled and took it from her.

"Perfect!"

Harry stood up and began pacing around the room. Hermione tried caught him and wrapped the tie around his neck.

"What if they all hate me?"

"They love you, honey. They'd never hate you. Harry, hold still!"

Harry had kept walking while Hermione had been trying to tie his tie. Harry stopped, but he bounced up and down so much that it was impossible to tie it! Hermione rolled her eyes and thumped Harry on the back.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"You're acting like a child!"

"Hey!"

Adrian, who'd been watching her mom chasing around her father, sniffed.

"No offense to you, sweetie. Now, hold still or I'll end up choking you!"

Hermione reached for his tie again, but he caught her hand in mid-air and flopped down on the bed, pulling her on top of him. Adrian squealed and rolled off the bed to avoid being squished.

"Mom, come help me with my dress when you're done with daddy's tie."

She walked out of the room, leaving a laughing Harry and Hermione rolling around on the bed.

"What is the matter with you tonight?"

Hermione giggled as Harry rolled her under him. Harry's glasses had fallen off and he was looking down at her in mock seriousness.

"I think it has something to do with the alignment of Mars and Saturn tonight. You know what that means don't you?"

Hermione laughed and shook her head 'no'. Harry bent and whispered something in her ear. She flushed pink and gave him a small slap in the chest.

"Not until after the party!"

Harry sat up and climbed off her, pouting.

"Spoil all of my plans, why don't you?"

Harry got up and let Hermione stand.

"Uggh."

She eyed his hair.

"Now your hair is a mess."

Harry shrugged.

"When isn't it?"

Hermione laughed again.

"I've got to go work on Adrian, you do what you can."

_-_-_-_

"Please stop fidgeting, dear."

"Really, Hermione, what if they totally hate me. I'm still amazed that you don't hate me!"

"Don't be silly, I could never hate you."

Harry looked over at her. She was looking very beautiful. She was wearing a sparkly, deep blue dress. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail with her curls flowing down to her neck. And tucked into her ponytail was a crimson rose with gold edged leaves.

"You kept it."

Hermione looked at him to see what he was talking about. She reached her hand up to feel what she was staring at, and felt the rose. Hermione smiled.

"Of course I did."

Harry felt an urge of sadness as he thought about what it must have been like, thinking your husband was dead for so long. Suddenly, he wasn't as scared as he had been. He reached down and took her hand in his. Hermione gave it a comforting squeeze.

All this was taking place on the patio outside the Hogwarts castle gate. Adrian had gone inside a long time ago. Hermione kissed Harry on his cheek.

"It'll be ok, honey."

Harry took a deep breath and resolved to go inside no matter what.

"Lets go."

_-_

The Hogwarts interior was decked in the colors of the four Hogwarts houses. Images of snakes, lions, badgers, and ravens hung on the walls. They approached the doors to the Great Hall. The voices inside were so loud they could be heard through the thick wooden doors. Hermione and Harry pushed open the doors with little effort.

All noise in the Great Hall stopped. Students and teachers from long ago were crammed around the tables, munching on food and things. Every eye was on the two of them. Nobody seemed to breathe as Harry and Hermione stood there, waiting for someone to do something. Finally, a voice sliced through the silence. It came from a table nearby.

"The prodigal son has returned."

The voice belonged to Draco Malfoy, who stood next to his wife, Ginny. All eyes turned to Malfoy for a second. Then they flickered back to Harry. Draco stood up and walked up to Harry, putting his hands on his hips.

"So, you're Potter, right?"

Harry nodded, still shocked at Malfoy's behavior.

"Prove it."

Harry thought about his reply for a moment.

"You're an ass."

Malfoy seemed totally unfazed for a moment. Then he broke into a broad grin.

"What do you know? Potter's back."

At those final words, the entire Great Hall broke into a thousand voices as everyone rushed to talk to Harry.

_-_

Hermione took a sip of her pumpkin juice. She had snuck off as the crowd closed in on Harry. Everyone was so glad to see him. Ron was in tears, and it was all Lavender could do to comfort him. After about a half an hour, things began to calm down. She hadn't seen Harry for the last hour. No doubt Ron and Lavender kidnapped him. She didn't mind.

Professor McGonagall tapped her fork against her glass. All of the Great Hall leapt to attention. Professor McGonagall cleared her throat.

"I have been asked to introduce the man who seems to be the topic of discussion. Mr. Harry Potter."

Hermione applauded enthusiastically along with everyone else. Harry stood up. He had indeed been sitting with Ron, who stood up and applauded as Harry made his way to the front. Once Harry got up to the front, he shook hands with Professor McGonagall and took the mike.

"Hello, all. I'm sure you all know me. I'm sure you're all very surprised to see me here, too. Well, I wish I could say that there is a good reason for that, but I'm not one to make excuses. I'm sorry you all had to go to my funeral, well, most of you. I am not dead, however, as you no doubt have noticed. I'm so sorry for deceiving you all. Believe me, it was all I had just to show up here. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Hermione. She and Adrian. They got me through a lot. Even when it was only the memory of them. And so, I dedicate this song..."

Harry nodded at the band, which started up a familiar tune.

"...To Hermione."

Hermione was shocked. The lights in the hall dimmed as the song began. Harry leapt off the stage, a spotlight on him as he ran through the crowd. The crowd parted as he made his way to where Hermione was sitting.

Hermione looked up at him. He was smiling broadly and extended a hand to her. She grinned, tears in her eyes, and took his hand.

Harry pulled her onto the dance floor. Hermione and Harry revolved slowly on the spot, the center of attention. Hermione barely recognized the song.

"There'll be no strings to bind your hands

Not if my love can't bind your heart.

And there's no need to take a stand

For it was I who chose to start.

I see no need to take me home,

I'm old enough to face the dawn.

Just call me angel of the morning angel

Just touch my cheek before you leave me,

baby.

Just call me angel of the morning angel

then slowly turn away from me.

Maybe the sun's light will be dim

And it won't matter anyhow.

If morning's echo says we've sinned,

Well, it was what I wanted now.

And if we're the victims of the night,

I won't be blinded by light.

Just call me angel of the morning angel

Just touch my cheek before you leave me,

baby.

Just call me angel of the morning angel

Then slowly turn away,

I won't beg you to stay with me

Through the tears of the day,

Of the years, baby baby baby.

Just call me angel of the morning angel

Just touch my cheek before you leave me,

baby."

Hermione looked around her. Couples were dancing all around them. Ron and Lavender were slowly swaying next to them. Even Ginny and Malfoy were dancing. Adrian and Lucas Malfoy were dancing together, too. Hermione smiled as she watched the platinum haired Luke twirl her little Adrian around.

She looked up to see Harry watching her intently. She smiled.

"What?"

"You're beautiful."

Hermione blushed.

"Thanks, you don't look bad yourself you know."

Harry shook his head, smiling. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. She buried her face in his chest and felt him rest his head on hers. They stayed like that for a long time.

"You have no idea how much you mean to me."

She looked up at Harry. She smiled and touched a hand to his face.

"Yes I do, Harry. I know how much you mean to me. You mean the world to me. I can only hope you feel the same way for me."

"I do. I love you, Hermione."

"I love you too, Harry."

Harry kissed her lightly. They were so wrapped up in each other that they hadn't noticed that the song had been over for nearly five minutes.

It was a long time before everyone fully adjusted to Harry coming back from the dead. Harry and Hermione had some tough times in their future, like the time Adrian would try to elope with Lucas. They'd tackle the tough times together, and, like the rose Harry gave her all those years ago, their love never wilted.

The End