Falling Star

Stolen Dances

I make it out of the Great Hall and down one staircase when I hear someone calling my name.

"Li! Wait up," I hear someone pant from behind me.

I turn to see Fred running after me. He looks handsome, dressed in a navy blue suit and gold tie, although his pants are a fraction too short. His hair is combed and styled as opposed to his normal shaggy look.

I wait for him to catch up to me, smoothing the front of my dress to give my hands something to do.

"Hey," Fred says as soon as he's in front of me.

"Hi," I say back.

"Are you alright? I-I kinda saw what happened back there," he asks gently.

I groan internally. At the time, I knew people could likely see and hear us, but I was too heated to care. "I'm fine," I lie easily. "Just a spat with my date. It's no big deal. I was just going to head back to my room."

"The dance just started," he argues.

I shrug. "I know. I just.."

"Would you like to dance?" Fred cuts me off suddenly.

I blink at him once. Twice. I eye the Great Hall nervously, and Fred catches my glance.

"We don't have to go back in there if you don't want to. And Lee stole Angelina for a few dances, so really you'd be doing me a favor," he says.

I allow myself a small smile. "Alright. But only if you have improved since rehearsals."

"Well of course," he says, grinning and offering me his hand. "Come on, let's go."

I take his hand, and we find a secluded spot near enough to the Great Hall that we can still hear the band. It's a slower song, the notes floating in the air and twinkling like the stars above.

Fred places one hand on my waist, the other taking one of my hands. I set my other hand on his shoulder. This is just like we practiced, but tonight, the places where his hands rest send tiny jolts of electricity through me. My stomach swirls with butterflies, and my heart is a wild bird in my chest.

We can hear the music drifting out from the Great Hall, and we softly sway to the melody, finding the rhythm. By the second song, Fred was throwing in twirls and dips, and we were both giggling, permanent grins plastered on our faces. We dance through two more songs like this without stopping.

Near the end of that fourth song, we are both breathless, and beads of sweat glisten along Fred's brow, causing the front of his hair to stick to his forehead.

"So tell me, Dahlia, has my dancing improved?" he asks as we slowly sway to the beat, trying to catch our breath.

I nod. "Much improvement, Frederick. McGonagall would be so proud."

He chuckles, and then the music comes to an end. Fred's hands linger in mine and on my waist for a moment, then he lets them fall. He doesn't say anything, but he has an odd expression, and I remember that Fred still has a date inside who is probably wondering where he is. My heart lurches a bit at the thought, but I say softly, "You should probably get back to Angelina."

He runs a hand through his shaggy hair. "I suppose I should, shouldn't I?"

"Thank you. For dancing with me. And saving me from a boring night alone in my room," I say.

"Well I had to prove that our dancing lessons paid off now didn't I?" he replies with a cheeky smirk.

I roll my eyes and give a short laugh. "Oh yes. I suppose you did." I shift my weight from my left foot to my right. "Enjoy the rest of your night, Fred."

He nods and waves goodbye, then turns and heads in the direction of the Great Hall. I stand there for a beat before deciding to head in the opposite direction. I round a corner and run smack into Draco.

"Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you?" Draco questions.

"I, uh, needed some air. And away from Blaise," I sputter.

He narrows his eyes at me, clearly knowing I had been doing more than just "getting some air," but there was no way I was getting into dancing with Fred and my possible feelings with my brother tonight. Draco luckily doesn't push the issue, though.

"Why were  you looking for me?" I ask.

"Hermione just stormed out of the dance. She looked really upset; like she might burst into tears at any moment. She seemed to be heading toward the North stairs," Draco explains. "I know she's your friend, so I thought you might want to know."

I look at Draco curiously, surprised that he would come find me over this when he doesn't even like my friends. My heart softens at his kindness.

I give him a quick hug and whisper a thank you, then begin my search for my friend. I wonder if Krum did something? Famous Quidditch player or not, if he hurt Hermione in some way I would hex that boy into next year.

As soon as I reach the stairs, I spot Hermione sitting on one of the middle steps. Her heels are kicked off and sitting lopsided beside her legs. Her mascara is smudged like she had indeed been crying. She jerks her head up and catches my eye as I approach. 

I quicken my pace and plop down beside her. I throw an arm around her and she leans in to my side, sniffling. 

"What happened? Did Krum do something? Do I need to hex him out of Hogwarts?" I ask, my tone sharper with each question. 

Hermione exhales heavily. "No. It's not Viktor at all. He's been a perfect gentleman all evening. We had a lot of fun. It's..." she pauses. "Ron." 

I cock my head to the side, a puzzled expression on my face. "Ron? As in, our Ron? What did-" 

Hermione gives a laugh that turns into a hiccup and tilts her head back, trying not to let a fresh wave of tears escape her eyes and leak down her face. 

"Oh. OH. You fancy him, don't you?" I say, understanding finally dawning on me. 

She shrugs and laughs humorlessly again. "I don't know. He's my best friend. But not in the same way that you and Harry are my best friends. And if he had just asked me to this stupid dance in the first place instead of treating me like yesterday's leftovers, I would have said yes. In a heartbeat. And then he has the audacity to question why I said yes to Viktor." 

I hug her closer to me, letting her ramble. 

Hermione groans and pulls away, wiping at her eyes as she does so. "Ugh, this is so stupid. Why am I letting him ruin my evening?" 

"You're not stupid, 'Mione," I say, grabbing her shoulders. "If Ron can't see that he missed a wonderful opportunity, then that is on him." 

She nods and straightens her shoulders, taking a deep breath. "Thank you, Li." 

"What are friends for?" I tease. "Now come on, I bet we can talk the kitchen elves into giving us some ice cream." 

I stand up and extend my hand to help Hermione up as well. She smiles and accepts my offered hand. "That is the best idea you have ever had," she laughs. 

We both laugh and begin our journey to the kitchens, determined to salvage what is left of our night.