can i have this dance?

2030 words.

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The Yule ball was coming up. Hermione really wanted to go with Ron and Ron really wanted to go with Hermione, but neither one would make that known out of fear of rejection. They felt the other couldn't truly feel the same way or want to go to the hall together. It just felt too perfect.

They both tiptoed around each other, avoiding the glances and the knowing stares. Hermione desperately wanted Ron to just pluck up the courage and she didn't know what else to do to make her desires known. She mentioned on multiple occasions how many had asked her, but she said no because it didn't feel right. She mentioned how she had her dress picked out, but still no date. Too many times now she made it clear she had NO date so why couldn't Ron take the hint?

Unbeknownst to Hermione, Ron actually wanted to take advantage of the opportunity every time she brought it up to ask her, but he was nervous. What if it also didn't feel right to her? He couldn't bare losing his friendship with Hermione over the awkwardness of a rejection. He finally took the difficult decision to Harry. They didn't talk much about girls, let alone Hermione being a girl they discussed, but he had to. He had no one and no idea what to do.

"Oi, Harry.." Ron called across the room of their dorm to Harry who was propped up against his headboard, lurking on the marauders map. "What do you think about Hermione?" Harry's head shot up. He took Ron's question the wrong way. He knew before Ron himself that he fancied Hermione so he had no idea where this question was leading "Uh, what do you mean?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably on the bed. Ron could notice the tension. "No.. not you... I don't think you.. I just... I want to ask her to the ball" Ron said it with more confidence then he reckoned possible. He looked wide eyed at Harry who was mimicking him only with a slight grin.

"Oh really? You do? Then ask her. Merlin, she's been sulking around, waiting" Ron's eyes bugged out of his head. "What do you mean?" Harry chuckled. This boy can be so dense. "Ron, you seriously haven't noticed? She's been hinting around that she has no date and a dress and no date and it didn't feel right when anyone else ask and again, NO DATE. She's said it so many times I about asked her just to get to shut up" Ron tried to stifle a laugh at Harry's joke, but immediately felt hot and a lump in his throat."She wants to go with... me? Why? Bloody hell, my dress robes are embarrassing enough. Why would she want to subject herself to even more embarrassment by going with me?" "Ron, you think to low of yourself, mate. Hermione sees a lot more in you than just your looks."

Ron crinkled his eyebrows in a heated moment of "gee thanks" and Harry immediately retreated. "Bloody hell, that's not what I meant. You're a... well, you're a nice looking bloke if it means anything. Not my type, but clearly Hermione's" Harry gave a grin and a wink, causing Ron to drop the barrier and laugh. "Just ask her, okay? She'll say yes and you'll have a great night. At least until the one of you start a row with the other." Harry had now gotten up and walked over to Ron to give him a nudge on the shoulder as he walked to the bathroom. Ron suddenly felt confident and full of joy. Hermione wanted to go with him. All he had to do was ask. And he was.

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The next day, Hermione made her way down to the common room early so she could get some reading in without interruptions. She usually just went to the library, but wanted to sit by the fire this morning. She was making her way towards the couch in what she believed to be a deserted common room when she noticed a blur stand up out of the corner of her eye. It took her a second and a whole breathe later to realize it was just Ron. She jumped back as he started walking closer. "Merlin, Ron!! You scared me" She placed her hand over her chest with the book in hand. She let out a chuckle and then immediately dropped the smile as she walked to the couch. She felt annoyed with him and had no idea what he was doing.