The Yule Ball: The Way it Could Have Been

Chapter Three: Another Dance

It was ten. The girls all had on their dress robes.

'Panicking!' screamed Parvati. 'I need concealer!'

Hermione handed her a pot of concealer.

The girls were applying and reapplying their makeup. Hermione took a break and walked into the bathroom. She looked in the mirror. She didn't look bad. She actually looked sort of pretty. She ran a brush through her hair. She'd look a lot better after Lavender would style it.

She spun around. The skirt flew up to her knees. She smiled. None of the other girls' dresses did that.

She walked out of the bathroom.

'Hair time!' yelled Parvati.

The girls had agreed to style each other's hair.

Hermione did Ginny's hair first, while Parvati did Lavender's. Parvati straightened Lavender's wavy locks and twisted her hair up into two buns on each side of the back of her head.

Ginny's hair was quite limp, so Hermione added some Hair Muscle Gel for volume. She crimped it and let it fall down her back, instead of wearing it up like she always did.

Then Lavender started to do Hermione's hair, and Ginny did Parvati's. Ginny put Parvati's hair into a plait and twisted golden ribbon into it.

Lavender slicked back Hermione's hair with a handful of Sleekeasy Hair Potion and put it into a bun on top of her head.

Hermione looked in the mirror. It was just what she was hoping for.

*

Harry was trying to tame his messy hair with gel. No luck.

'It doesn't matter, Harry. It's fine,' Ron said.

'I know.' Harry frowned at his reflection. Why couldn't his hair cooperate?

'It's ten forty-five!' called Neville.

'We know,' said the other four boys in unison.

*

'It's time!' Parvati squealed. 'Eleven fifteen.'

The girls put the finishing touches on. Lavender put on gloves, Parvati added some gold jewelry and Ginny put on earrings that matched her robes. Hermione quickly put on some earrings and a necklace.

*

The boys walked down to the common-room. They were all very nervous, especially Ron. He said goodbye to the other guys and made the long walk to the Beauxbatons carriages. Dean remembered his date after a minute and ran quickly out of the room without saying a word.

'Oh, Seamus,' said Lavender as she walked down the stairs.

'M'lady,' he said, taking her arm.

Ginny and Parvati came down the stairs at the same time. Parvati went to wait for her date outside in the hall.

'Hi, Ginny.' Neville looked like he was about to faint.

Finally Hermione came down the stairs. Harry's heart skipped a beat. He smiled.

'You look great,' he said, taking her arm.

The Gryffindors walked down the hall, chatting and laughing. Harry didn't speak. He didn't know what to say. He had barely recognized Hermione as she walked towards him.

'Looks like you got the prettiest one, eh?' whispered Seamus as he passed by Harry.

Harry just smiled.

Hermione was just as nervous as Harry. It had finally hit her that she was with Harry. She wasn't just with him, she was 'with' him! She clutched her purse, anxious.

They arrived at the ball about two minutes after it started. Harry noticed happily that Draco looked absolutely ridiculous in his dress robes. Pansy was just as bad.

Harry and Hermione sat at a table.

'So...' said Harry. 'How're things?'

'Good,' said Hermione. 'Good.'

'You look really pretty tonight,' Harry blurted out. They both blushed.

'Thank you,' said Hermione. 'You look good too.'

Fleur and Ron came running over to their table.

'Harry, I thought you were taking Herm -' Ron gaped. 'That is Hermione, isn't it?'

Harry nodded, beaming.

Fleur was wearing silvery robes. 'Hermione - thank you so much. I have nice time so far.' She grinned at Hermione.

'Don't worry about it.'

They went back to dancing.

'Want to dance?' Harry asked.

'All right,' said Hermione, grinning.

They danced for a bit, then collapsed into their chairs again.

Harry heard a slow chord. 'Want to dance again?' he asked.

'I'd love to.'

They slow-danced to the next song. They were both a bit uncomfortable, but after a minute or two, Hermione rested her head on Harry's shoulder. He did the same. The song ended. Harry looked up. So did Hermione.

Hermione looked into his eyes. He grinned and spun her around. She closed her eyes. He kissed her.

Hermione opened her eyes. She hugged him tightly.

He grabbed her hand and led her out the door. They went undercover, away from the falling snow.

'I love you, Mione.'

'I love you, Harry.'

They kissed again.

Harry grinned, and led her back inside for another dance.