Hermione and George entered the large hall, surprised to see that it was already crowded with so many witches and wizards. Stopping just inside, they took everything in. At the opposite side of the room from the band, Hagrid stood with Olympe chatting freely, while Professor Sprout was talking with the small Charms Professor not far away from the two giants. Hermione looked up at the ceiling and couldn't help but smile as the clear starry night. When she looked down again, she laughed at seeing that the house elves had moved the portrait of Dumbledore to the back wall so he could see the dance floor. As she walked with George to one of the clear tables, she continued to take in the details. How the fake snow glittered as it fell, and then turned into silver glitter before it reached the floor. How the large Christmas tree in the corner swayed, even though there was no breeze and how George stiffened in his seat as the side door opened and in walked the rest of his family. Reaching out, Hermione gripped his hand, letting him know that she was there for him.

George watched as his family walked in, all smiling and waving at various people and couldn't help but wish that he was over there with them. Just as he was about to turn away from the scene, his twin looked up and caught sight of him. Without thinking about it, he stood up and only took a single step forward before he was pulled into a bear hug from Fred who had run across to them. When he pulled back, he couldn't help but smile at the large smile his accomplice of many years had on.

"It's good to see you Forge."

George nodded his head in agreement, his eyes misty with unshed tears, "Same here Gred."

Soon enough they were engrossed in a conversation with each other and Hermione. But before long, a nervous voice filled the relaxed atmosphere surround them, "H-Hermione. Can I talk to you, please?"

Hermione turned around in her seat to see Ronald standing not far from her. Looking back to Fred and George, she noticed Fred's encouraging smile and turned back to face Ron, trusting that Fred knew what he was doing.

"Sure," With that, she stood up and walked beside Ron. After a few minutes silence, Hermione stopped walking and took hold of his arm, "What was it that you wanted to talk to me about Ronald?" She may trust Fred, but the years had taught her that with Ronald nothing was a guarantee.

Ron looked up with the tips of his ears turning red, "IjustahwantedtosaythatIdontcare," He rushed out, looking up nervously.

Hermione frowned at the jumble of word that flew from his mouth, "What?"

Taking a deep breath, Ronald straightened up and looked Hermione in the eye, "I just want you to know that I don't care and that mum was wrong," He said calmly.

Unexpectedly, tears gathered in her eyes. Giving a soft cry, Hermione threw herself into his arms and half sobbed, half laughed, "Oh Ron." Feeling his arms move around her in an awkward fashion, she held on to him until she was sure she wouldn't break down. When she pulled away, it was with a bright smile.

Taking another deep breath, he looked at her and bowed slightly at the waist, "Would you like to dance Hermione?"

Not knowing what to say, Hermione smiled and allowed him to lead her out on to the dance floor where he lead her around in a small circle. While they were dancing, they didn't notice the main doors to the hall open, or see the two people walk in and stop at seeing them smiling and laughing together. Instead they continued to dance around in a circle as they reminisced about the years they had spent together getting into trouble, whether they wanted to or not. No, they didn't see that the woman on the young man's arm seemed to fall in on herself.

Harry watched as two of his best friends danced together without a care. With a happy sigh, he spoke in a soft whisper, "It looks like they finally made up."

Minerva looked down at Harry with a slight frown, "What do you mean Harry?" She asked just as quietly, looking back at the pair. Harry hadn't said a word about Ron in his explanation earlier.

"Ron loves Hermione," Minerva couldn't help but stiffen at the response, "And even if Molly doesn't like it, nothing would keep him from her. She's his best friend," He continued on not noticing Minerva's reaction. Turning to look at her, he smiled, "Would you care to dance?"

Looking down at the young man Minerva thought for a second. The last time she had danced, was in his fourth year when he had been entered into the stupid contest. Nodding, she allowed him to lead her to the centre of the floor and spin her around as if they had been dancing together for years. While they were dancing, Harry twirled her around in a smaller circle suddenly, causing her new dress to flare up around her ankles, showing off her black heels that had blood red soles. As Harry spun her under his arm, Minerva laughed as she noticed that everyone had stopped dancing and were watching them. It had been years since she'd found a partner she didn't have lead. 'It must have been those lessons with Hermione.'

As she was being pulled back in, her bright green eyes connected with dark mocha ones that shone brightly with hurt and sadness. Not wanting to see anymore, she broke the contact and turned back to continue with Harry until the band finished playing. Before she could step back, the band started playing another song, and Harry continued to guide her around the floor. Soon enough, the rest of the couples started dancing once again, including Hermione and George. They passed each other twice before they bumped into the other, causing the men to let go of the women.

George looked into Harry's bright green eyes and taking his chance, he smiled widely, "Would you like to dance, Harry?" He asked with a small bow from the waist.

Harry blushed and nodded his head shyly before George swept him up into an embrace and moving them away from the two women. Twirling around the floor, George smiled down at Harry and pulled him closer, whispering in his ear, "How much longer do you think?"

Resting his head on his dance partner's shoulder, Harry smiled as he closed his eyes, "Not long, Flitwick should be ready to cast the spell soon," Nodding, George fell quiet and continued to dance around the floor without a care.

Minerva watched as Harry was carried away by George and couldn't help but smile at the pair. Shaking her head, she turned around and looked at the young lady beside her who was standing as if she was frozen on the spot, "It seems we just lost our partner's."

Hermione stood stiffly beside Minerva, not knowing how to act. Slowly she turned her head to look up at the tall witch. If she wasn't so scared, she would have gasped at seeing the older woman smile down at her. Hearing her beloved Professor speak to her, she could only nod her head, not trusting herself to speak.

Smiling again, Minerva held out her hand, "Care to dance, Miss Granger?"

Again, Hermione could only nod.

Taking the young woman into her arms, Minerva slowly led them into a waltz. At first she could feel that Hermione was tense, but as she gracefully twirled them around for a second time, she felt her relaxing. Looking down, she was surprised to see, even for a second, unguarded love shining in those dark brown eyes. Blinking, she looked again and couldn't find it, but felt Hermione tensing up again. Without thinking about it, Minerva pulled her closer and moved her left hand more securely around her waist with a soft sigh.

"Hermione," She whispered softly, almost like a caress.

Hermione looked up into her emerald eyes and felt her own mist over with tears, "Headmistress."

Minerva slowed their dancing until they came to a standstill in the centre of the floor, staring into the young witches' eyes, not noticing the golden light above their heads. For minutes they stared into each other's eyes. Before long, Hermione looked away and stepped back slightly, "Thank you for the dance, Headmistress."

As Hermione moved back, Minerva finally noticed the large glowing branch of mistletoe floating above their heads. Smiling once again, she stepped forward and grasped Hermione's wrist gently. "Hermione," Looking up, Hermione was surprised to see Minerva standing so close to her. "Call me Minerva," The headmistress said before leaning forward and kissing her.

The young woman hesitated for a second before relaxing and responding to the light kiss. Pulling back slightly, Hermione stared up at her former Professor with a hint of a smile as she tried to get her breathing under control.

Minerva smiled at the rose tinted cheeks, knowing that her own cheeks were the same colour. Leaning forwards once more, she wrapped her arms around her waist and whispered in to her ear, "I love you so much Hermione and I am sorry for how I've acted."

With a grin that could light up the whole castle, Hermione threw her arms around Minerva's neck. "I love you too," She said and kissed her again, not noticing the five pairs of eyes on them.

Harry and George smiled as they watched them kiss for a second time, before turning to face the other. Slowly they moved closer to the other and shared their own first kiss.

Sprout and Flickwick looked at each other from separate sides of the room and shared a smile. Rolanda clapped silently as she watched her closest friends kiss the ones they loved and couldn't help but allow a single tear to roll down her cheek.

Looking down from above, a pair of twinkling blue eyes took in the scene and smiled. 'Congratulations Tabby.'

The End

Merry Christmas darlings! xx