I will stay with you

Part 6

The Yule Ball has been a tradition of the... Triwizard Tournament since it's inception," Professor McGonagall spoke. Behind her, Mr Filch was carefully tinkering with an oversized record player, while his cat, Mrs Norris, watched him carefully.
"On Christmas Eve night, we and our guests gather in the Great Hall for a night of well-mannered frivolity," McGonagall said. "Now, as representatives of the host school, I expect each and every one of you to put your best foot forward; and I mean this literally because the Yule Ball is first and foremost... a dance."
Hermione felt a tingle of excitement run through her, and beside her, Padma Patil gasped and clapped her hands excitedly. Hermione couldn't help but imagine her at the ball, dressed in the long lilac dress that she always loved, dancing with Harry...
She shook her head. Harry wouldn't wanna go with her... Yeah, they were at a... complicated state in their "relationship", but she was sure that he just saw them as close friends. She knew he fancied Cho Chang, and that was probably who he would ask.
~
Hermione rushed towards the Charms classroom- her last class of the day. She rushed into the classroom, moments before the bell sounded. She took a seat in her normal spot near the front, next to Padma Patil- a fourth year Ravenclaw.
Professor Flitwick stepped onto the podium and waved his wand for silence. Flitwick was a tiny little wizard- who had goblin ancestry- who had to stand on a pile of books to see over the podium.
"Now, class, pull out your books and turn to page 208," he said, though he was barely heard over the voices of the students.
Hermione didn't pay attention at all as they took notes on how to perform the Diminuendo Charm. She, of course, already knew how to perform it. Though she tried to listen, her mind kept drifting off to thoughts of Harry. The way his emerald eyes crinkle in the corners when he smiles... She imagined the two of them at the Yule Ball- dancing in each other's arms...
Before she knew it, Professor Flitwick dismissed the class. Hermione wanted to smash her face into the desk for not paying attention. She had to stop thinking about Harry; it was bad for her grades! Besides, they were only friends. And that's all they ever would be.
Hermione met Harry and Ron outside the charms classroom. She hadn't expected them to be there, since they had Transfiguration at the same time she had charms, though she didn't argue with it. The Trio made their way towards the Gryffindor tower in a comfortable silence. Harry's hand brushed Hermione's softly, sending goosebumps up her bare arm. She glanced over at him through the corner of her eye. He was looking at her hand, a small smile barely visible on the corner of his mouth.
The circular common room was empty as the three friends entered. The fire was lit, casting glowing orange shadows that danced across the wall. Ron took a seat in an armchair while Harry and Hermione sat on the couch. They kept their distance, and Hermione couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment.
"Do you have any idea of what the next task is?" Ron asked after a moment of silence. Harry shrugged, his eyes reflecting the fire as he stared into it.
"Harry, the others must have some type of plan," Hermione said. She moved closer to him, "Please say you're going to figure it out."
"I'm trying my best, Hermione," said Harry as he rubbed his temples. "It's not that easy."
Hermione pursed her lips and looked into fire, trying to push away the hurt that tugged at her chest, "I know."
The large door to the common room opened, and Fred and George entered through the portrait hole. Their eyes were full of awe as they talked quietly amongst themselves, taking a seat on the couch opposite of Harry and Hermione.
"That Moody sure is something," Fred said.
"Yeah," agreed George. "He actually knows all the things he's teaching, not reading them from a book. He's been there. Probably the best Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher yet."
Hermione couldn't help but disagree. George was right; Moody had lots of experience, but in her opinion, Professor Lupin was the best. Lupin taught DADA in their third year, and definitely did it the best.
"He actually showed us the three Unforgivable Curses. It was wicked," said Fred, and his brother nodded, "wicked."
Hermione saw Harry tensest the mention of the Unforgivable Curses. She felt sorry for him, and sent him a small, understanding smile.
~
Hermione sat in the study hall with Harry and Ron. The Yule Ball was only a week away and so far, no one's asked her. She always wished that whenever Harry approached her, he was going to ask her to the Ball, but he never did.
She absentmindedly scanned through the pages of A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot. She tried to focus on what she was reading, but it was hard with Ron and Harry having a conversation right next to her.
"At this rate, we'll be the only ones in our year that don't have dates!" Ron was saying. Unfortunately, Snape was passing by when he had said that, and got a whack in the head by a book.
"Well,us and Neville," said Ron after Snape was out of earshot.
"He can always take himself," Harry joked, and Ron laughed.
Hermione closed her eyes and sighed, giving up on reading. It was nearly impossible when her two best friends were around.
"It might interest you to know that Neville's already got someone," she hissed. Ron groaned, "Aw.... now I'm really depressed."
Suddenly a white piece of parchment landed in front of Ron. He opened it and scanned through it, reading the words. Hermione strained to see what was written, but it was too well hidden by Ron's hands.
Ron set down the paper and looked over at his brother, "Who're you going with then?"
Hermione looked over to see Fred balling up another piece of parchment, throwing it across the room. It hit Angelina Johnson on the shoulder, and she turned to look at him.
Fred mouthed something, moving his hands as if he were dancing. Angelina smiled, "the ball?" she asked quietly, and Fred nodded.
"Yeah, alright," Angelina said, nodding. Fred turned back to his younger brother and winked. Hermione rolled her eyes and looked down at her book once more.
"Oi, Hermione, you're a girl," said Ron, turning to her.
"Well spotted," Hermione muttered.
Ron moved his hands as if he were dancing, just as Fred had done, "Come with one of us?"
Hermione turned around just in time to see Snape's book come in contact with the back of Ron's head. Hermione pursed her lips and scrunched her nose when he did the same to Harry, who was peacefully reading his book.
"Oh, c'mon, it's bad enough for a bloke to show up alone. But for a girl, it's just sad," said Ron quietly, much to Hermione's annoyance.
"I won't be going alone because believe it or not, someone's asked me," he hissed, closing her book loudly. She got up from the table and stalked out of the study hall, leaving the two boys alone.
No one's asked her; she didn't know why she said that. She didn't wanna go with Ron. He was one of her best friends, but that was all.
Hermione took a seat on one of the stone benches in the courtyard, pulling out her book once again. The courtyard was empty- apart from a few first years- which she was thankful for. She just needed some time for herself.
After a while, the first year Slytherins left, leaving Hermione alone with her thoughts. Though that didn't last long. She put down her book as Harry took a seat next to her.
"Where's Ronald?" she asked, though it came out much more harsher than she intended.
Harry shrugged, "I dunno. Probably already in the common room."
They sat in silence for a while. Hermione scanned through the last few pages of the chapter she was reading before closing her book once more.
"Hermione," Harry spoke quietly, nervously. He played with his fingers, avoiding her eyes. He was nervous, which was very unusual for Harry Potter.
"Yeah?" Hermione said as she set her book down.
"I was thinking..." said Harry. "Maybe, we could... would- would you like to go to the ball with me?"
Hermione couldn't help the 100-watt smile that spread across her face, "Of course I will."
"R-really?" Harry sounded surprised as he turned to look at her. Though his green eyes were sparkling and he was smiling a smile that may have been even bigger than Hermione's.
She nodded, "Yes."
She leaned in to kiss his cheek, but cheek wasn't what she felt underneath her lips. She pulled away to see Harry staring at her with a cheeky smile on his face. She just kissed him on the lips!
"I'm looking forward to it," said Harry. He leaned in and planted another soft kiss on her lips before standing up. "You coming?"
Hermione nodded and stood up, grabbing his hand and entwining their fingers. Together, with smiles plastered on both of their faces, they headed back to the Gryffindor Tower

A/N:

Hiiii!

I wanted to make this chapter kinda longer!

I have a feeling this chapter sucks /.\
The only thing I like about it is the moment at the end :3

Sneaky bastard Harry is, isn't he? I thought it would be cute to add a moment like that in there somewhere.

I have a feeling I'm rushing into the romance too quickly, though? any comments?
Tell me what you think!
PLEASEEEE comment and tell me :D
I love you all