Only a Memory Away

Only a Memory Away

"Another butterbeer?" a voice asked.

Hermione nodded, unaware of who was talking, or if it was her they were talking to.

Perhaps I shouldn't have accepted. She didn't need anything else to drink, especially with Draco Malfoy and his goons serving the refreshments. She couldn't be sure what they were adding to the butterbeer.

She sat quietly at her seat, staring at the cuff of her dress robes wondering where Ron had gone. She had just lost herself in deep thought when someone nearby called out her name.

"Mione?" Hermione looked up. She could barely see who was speaking to her from just a distance. Whoever it was looked like a shadow in dress robes. Wow, they should really brighten up the lights for these dances. The Great Hall was dark. Only candles and a few candelabras bewitched to change colors randomly were lighting the dance floor.

"Hermione," he repeated. "Would you like to dance?" The figure grew closer and Hermione squinted, trying to focus on him. A few moments later, Harry appeared in clear view before her, smiling.

Hermione's eyes widened once she realized who it was. She beamed at him, and a slow romantic tune, one of her favorites, had just begun.

"Um, sorry, what?" Hermione asked. She was excited, but a little shocked. She blinked a few times to get her eyes to focus a bit more, but Harry had just disappeared.

"I said," Ron was staring at her eagerly, "Would you like to dance?"

"Wait, where'd Harry go?" Hermione stood up, stretching out her neck, as she searched for any sign of Harry.

"Harry?" Ron's eyes narrowed. "I haven't seen him for a few hours, why?"

Hermione looked down at her shoes, trying to change the subject without having to explain that she would rather be with dancing with him tonight.

Ron reached behind her, and placed two butterbeers on the table. "Look," he sighed, "This is our Graduation Ball and we've only danced twice. Wadd'ya say?"

Hermione stared at his outstretched hand. She remembered imagining Harry walking toward her a few moments ago, and began to ponder what to do. She didn't want to break Ron's heart. She glanced sideways for a moment and finally noticed Harry sitting alone at a table across the hall. He was staring out the window, frowning. Ever since he and Ron had had that argument a few months ago, he hadn't really talked to her. He kept to himself more. Ron had been the only friend that she had since then. She wondered curiously what would have happened if they hadn't had the fight. If it was like it was last year, the trio. Who would be holding their hand in front of her, asking to dance?

"Sure," Hermione managed to smile, "Yeah. You're right. Let's dance."

Hermione placed her hand in his, and let him lead her to the center of the Hall. She wrapped her arms limply around his neck, and he firmly held her hips. Another song began, and they swayed to the beat of the music.

Hermione was just beginning to enjoy herself, as she rested her head on Ron's shoulder.

"Can you believe it?" Ron broke the semi-romantic silence halfway through the song.

"This is the last time we'll get to dance in the Great Hall. Our seventh year and our life at Hogwarts are... over."

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"I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, and you are?... For the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points... It doesn't hurt anymore, does it Harry?... Nasty temper he's got, that Sirius Black... Not at all up to your usual standard, Hermione... Twitchy little ferret, aren't you Malfoy?... Don't call him Vicky!... Surely the whole point of Defense against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?... Accio Wand!... Hermione look out!... Still Famous...

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Seven years of memories flashed before her eyes, and she finally realized what she needed to do.

"Bloody," Hermione lifted her head off of Ron's shoulder at once, and backed away. The song that they had been dancing too had come to a stop, and people all around her were clearing out. "No! I can't do this."

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Ron said, "Do you want to leave? Should I go get your cloak for you?"

"No, not yet!" Hermione shouted, looking around the hall at all the people who were headed toward the door to the Entrance Hall.

"That was the last song, Hermione. Everyone is heading up to the common room."

Hermione gasped, and took off across the Great Hall, tears streaming down her face.

Harry was in the corner, where he had been about an hour ago. He reached for his father's cloak, which was hanging over the chair.

"Harry, wait!" Hermione reached for his wrist, just catching the sleeve of his dress robes.

Harry turned to her, looking worried. "Hermione, what is it? Why are you crying?"

"There's something that I need to tell you," she wiped a hot tear from her cheek, "now."

"What is it?" He gave her his full attention.

"I, uh..." Hermione glanced at her feet. An uncomfortable lump formed in her throat, and she couldn't speak. C'mon Granger, do this, it could be your last chance! A voice inside her head told her.

Hermione swallowed hard. She had no choice. She had to do it. It was now or never.

She grabbed the collar of Harry's robes, closed her eyes, and pulled him into a long passionate kiss.

Harry's lips pressed against hers, and he gathered a few strands of chestnut hair between his fingers. They stood there, in a dark corner of the Great Hall, just kissing.

After a few moments, Hermione pulled away, looking into Harry's deep eyes. "...Love you."

Harry stood a few inches away from her, still holding her hair.

It's him. For real this time, Hermione thought.

They stood there for a few more moments, looking into each other's eyes, as if a huge weight had been lifted from each of them.

"Would you like to dance?" Harry whispered.

Hermione looked around. Everyone else had left by now; it was just the two of them, sitting in silence.

"But there's no-" she began, looking up at him.

He reached into his pocket soundlessly and flicked the air.

Quiet music began to play, and all of the lights dimmed.

"Hermione," Harry whispered to the top of her head.

"Yes," she breathed, concentrating on his shoulder.

"I love you too."