tattooedsiren

Title: Dance
Ships: Remus/Hermione
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: Say it with me now ~ me ... don't ... own.
Summary: Hermione looks up, surprised but genuinely pleased when Remus walks over to her. He smiles down at her and then holds out his hand. “Dance with me?”
Authors Notes: Written for my lovely LJ stalker -

alexi_lupin.

Dance

If she has to tell one more person how okay she is, she might scream.

She knows they mean well but she can’t take it any more. What does she have to do? Stand up on the table and scream, “I’m fine, happy even, so stop asking and leave me the hell alone!”?

Part of her can understand their concern. It must have been a great surprise for anyone on the outside. For anyone who didn’t see the implosion of her and Ron’s relationship, who didn’t see the chance meeting between Ron and Luna instantly develop into something more, who didn’t see them fall in love and brighten each others lives, Ron and Luna getting married only seven months after she and Ron broke up might seem hasty. But Hermione knows better. Ron and Luna are perfect for each other. And she is thrilled for them. She really is.

And now it appears she has to convince every guest at the reception of this.

She brings her glass to her lips, sipping slowly. Despite the constant condescending looks being thrown in her direction, Hermione really is enjoying the day. She dances once with Harry and once with the groom but otherwise remains at her table all night. Her table companions are all her old Hogwarts classmates so she is never left alone, even with Harry and Ginny spending most of the night on the dance floor (or in a dark corner or two).

It’s towards the end of the evening that she comes back from the bathroom to find her table deserted. She sits down, grateful for a moment of peace. She loves her friends, but suspects they have taken pity on ‘the ex-girlfriend’, hence why she has been surrounded by people all day. But she adores Ron and Luna and she knows this is how it should be.

Hermione looks up, surprised but genuinely pleased when Remus walks over to her. He smiles down at her and then holds out his hand. “Dance with me?”

She smiles, putting her hand in his and allowing him to lead her over to the dance floor.

The orchestral music is slow and beautiful. Remus’ hand is firm on her waist as they sway to the music. His gaze is focused on her and it doesn’t make her feel uncomfortable. On the contrary, it makes her feel safe.

“Aren’t you going to ask me?” Hermione says at last.

“Ask you what?”

“How I’m feeling about Ron being married.”

He pauses a moment. “Do you want me to ask you that?”

She smiles softly at him. “No.”

“Good,” he says, running his thumb along hers. “Because I would much rather concentrate on dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room.”

The statement shocks her, and her eyes search his face for any sign of jest. But he just smiles at her, and though she wants to protest the validity of his statement, for some reason she can’t do it.

“Well if you wait a few minutes I’m sure Fleur will be free.”

He laughs softly and Hermione finds herself smiling like a mad woman.

They continue dancing in silence. As the music continues, Hermione feels a growing anxiety in her chest. She doesn’t know what it is but she is unprepared for the intensity of it. And then she realises she and Remus have gotten closer, their bodies pressed together, and Remus moves a hand from her waist to her back. Her deep purple dress is backless and she can feel his skin on hers and her stomach swoops. She feels his fingertips, light on her back, tracing small circles, as though they too were dancing. She gingerly leans her head on his shoulder and when she does, she can feel, just for a split second, Remus tense. Then there is an exhale of breath, his arms tighten around her, and she grins into his shoulder.

Too soon, the music stops, the song over. They slowly separate, eyes locked on each other. Remus smiles, rather nervously Hermione thinks, and grips her hand, bringing it up to his mouth and pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles.

“Thanks for the dance,” Remus says softly.

He turns to walk away, but before she realises what she is doing, Hermione is reaching out and seizing his hand. He turns and looks at her, waiting. Hermione’s heart pounds heavy in her chest. She is dimly aware that while they stand in the middle of the dance floor a new song has started and people around them are swaying to the music. She takes a deep breath and leans up, pressing her lips to his.

It is soft and gentle, not overtly passionate. But it lifts Hermione’s heart in a way no other kiss has done. She wraps her arms around his neck, his arms firm around her, and even as they kiss they begin to sway to the music.

At last they break away. Hermione smiles at him and he smiles back. Remus kisses her temple, soft, and then they continue dancing, cheek to cheek.

It was their first dance. But not their last.

Current Mood: tired
Current Location: home :O)
Current Music: The Producers