Meant to Be (Harry Potter X Hermione Granger)

The Offer

Hermione sat on the couch closest to the fire in the Common Room whilst Harry worked in his History of Magic essay on the floor. Hermione, of course, had already finished hers and was helping Harry where he needed it. She absentmindedly stroked crookshanks and stared at the wall. It was nearly 11pm and the Common Room was almost empty for night.

"Harry? I wondered if I might ask you something." She sat crookshanks down on the space next to her and sat forward a little.

Harry looked up at her from his essay and nodded. "I wondered if you would like to stay with me and my parents for the Christmas holidays." Harry's eyes widened at this somewhat. "You're always here at the castle and you've never had a proper Christmas, not with the Dursleys at least." She practically spat the name.

"Hermione that's..that's really nice of you to offer. But I really wouldn't want to be a burden on your family and I'm fine at the castle." Hermiones face changed from hopeful to sad but she continued, "you wouldn't be a burden, Harry. It'd be wonderful if you came! We could continue to prepare for the tournament."

"Is this really about the tournament?" Harry mused. "Well...no," Hermione blushed then sat up straight and lifted her head. "I want you to come because I want my best friend with me for a proper Christmas day. And I don't care what you say, you're coming." Harry looked stunned, but happy.

"Well then it's a good thing that I'd love to come." He beamed at her whilst getting up. "Well then, it's a good thing I already asked my parents and they agreed." She stood up too as Harry chuckled at her premature guess as to his decision. "It really does mean a lot Hermione, that's incredibly nice of you." He reached forward and gave her a hug to which she tightly reciprocated. They broke apart after the short hug and bid each other good night. Harry couldn't help but smile as he left the common room. Hermione on the other hand was ecstatic. Out of sight of Harry she silently celebrated on the way to the dorm. I'm so glad he said yes! This will be a fantastic Christmas!

The next day

At 14:00pm, all of fourth year Gryffindors made their way to where Professor McGonagol had requested their presence. Harry lightly bumped Hermione's shoulder with his to get her attention, "What'd you suppose is going on?"

"Honestly, no clue." As much as she liked a mystery, there were no clues to this one and she had to wait for the answer. Upon entering the fifth floor room, they were instructed into seats that separated gender. And it gets more confusing, Hermione thought. She looked over to Harry who was sitting next to Neville.

Professor McGonagoll strayed to the middle of the room and began to say some words about the House of Gryffindor. Meanwhile, Filch wheeled in a giant gramophone. "Now, I assume this will come as news to all of you as it has not been held since the last Triwizard Tournament. However, I will hear no complaining," she looked to the boys, "on the 15th of December, the school will be hosting the Yule Ball. Which is first and foremost a dance." She smiled whilst all the girls began excitedly muttering, the boys meanwhile, slumped in their chairs. Harry's face was unreadable. McGonagoll then bid the students to stand and pick a partner after embarrassing Ron by showing a dance.

Immediately, all the girls stood whilst all the boys, minus Neville, remained seating. Neville, followed by two other boys from Gryffindor found partners and Harry's brain kicked into gear and told him to get to Hermione. "Do you, er, want to dance?" He scratched the back of his head. "Sure, Harry." She seemed relieved that he'd came to her.

Harry took her hard and very, very, lightly put her hand on his waist. They began to awkwardly dance as Filch played the music and tried not to step on each others toes, fall over, bump into anyone and in general, avoid calamity. His hands are so soft, yet strong. Who knew that was possible. Hermione remarked to herself. Meanwhile, Harry was remarking to himself how nice she smelled, lavender? No, that's not it. What is it? Before he could work it out, McGonagoll had come over, "you'll not hurt the poor girl, Potter, now hold her tight for good form." She placed his hand firmly against her hip and lowered it somewhat. They both breathed a sharp breath.

"I feel so stupid for not working out what this was. It was in that book I was reading last week."

"Well you can't know everything, Hermione, including how to dance."

"Hey! You're not exactly a professional yourself you know." She mocked him.

Upon returning to their seats, McGonagoll informed them that they would all need to attend and have a partner. She also mentioned that the three, in this case four, champions open the ceremony. To which almost all eyes darted to Harry.

Great, now I have to find a date to a dance. They both thought, not knowing that they had just danced with their perfect partner.

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Hope you guys enjoyed that chapter! Any feedback and comments are welcome!