"I know, I know... that's what I like about you. But I figure I'm better at making things up as I go, and that's why I need your help." Trying to steer the conversation to a more cheerful topic, he said, "I hope you like fish..." as he cleared took their plates back to the kitchen, returning with the main course.
"Seriously, Harry, forget about saving the world. Be a chef instead," Hermione said in awe as he carried the plates out. "Mmmm... it's so moist! And succulent!" she declared as she dug in. "How did you make this?"
"The room kind of helped," Harry said. "It gave me a steam oven instead of a regular oven, so I used it. Turns out it's a lot better this way."
"I really have to wonder sometimes if this room... or the castle... is sentient or not. I mean, if it gave you what you really needed instead of what you asked for, doesn't that mean it can think for itself? I wonder if we can find a way to communicate with it..."
Whoops, set her off on another mystery to solve, he thought. But that's my Hermione. The rest of the evening was far more light-hearted as they pondered what the room could or couldn't do, as well as what Harry could or couldn't cook, given all the ingredients in the world. Harry turned that around on Hermione, asking her what kind of books she would or wouldn't read, given a library of everything ever recorded. The back and forth continued until it was time for dessert, where Harry surprised Hermione again with crème brulée.
Afterwards, Harry asked Hermione to open the gift he'd given her. Upon seeing the matching lockets, Hermione gasped out, "Oh! How cute!"
Damn, there's that word again, he winced mentally as he reached across the table and flicked one of them open. "Do you like the picture?" he asked. He held his breath as he watched Hermione's eyes flicker to the photo, who watched the full scene play out in front of her before replying.
"It's perfect! This is exactly what I want to remember from that night, Harry... not all the fuss that came afterwards."
"Well, that's why I asked you to wear your dress today. This time, we can do all the dancing we want without anything interrupting us," he said, getting up. As he did, soft music filled the room.
Hermione took his hand and they walked over to the dance floor. "Should we begin where we left off?"
"Sounds good to me." They began with a simple box step, moving back and forth until they were completely in sync. They progressed to travelling back and forth, moving across the entire room. With nobody else to bump into or watch them, they went faster and faster until they were careening into the walls, laughing all the way.
"I think our dancing's improved," Harry commented as they sat on the dance floor.
"If you call falling down left and right better, then yes," Hermione laughed.
"Hey, at least we fell down when we wanted to!"
"Sure, make your excuses."
"Alright, do you want something to drink? I have some Butterbeer in the kitchen as well," Harry said, getting to his feet again.
"Sounds great... that dancing really got me thirsty," Hermione said, fanning herself off with her hand. Harry returned with two opened bottles, handing one of them to her.
"Here's to a wonderful evening with the most perfect witch in the school," Harry said, raising his bottle.
"And here's to the perfect date with the greatest wizard a witch could ask for," Hermione answered, raising her bottle as well. They clinked them together and, just before taking a sip each, she added, "Don't get another vision this time."
"Ha ha. Don't get dragged off by aurors this time," Harry said, taking a sip. They waited silently for a few seconds after that. "Were you actually waiting for me to flop down to the floor?" he asked.
"Um... yes?" she said sheepishly. "Look, Voldemort just seems to have a knack for picking the worst days for you to give you visions. I mean, one on your birthday, and the next one at the ball..."
"Yeah, me too," Harry admitted. "I think Fate just likes to mess with me or something. I think I've earned today, to be honest."
"You certainly did," Hermione answered him. "Let's just... enjoy tonight, shall we?"
"Let's." The two of them finally wandered out to the balcony the room had provided. It was a perfectly clear night as the stars shone down, reflected on the black lake. The cool night air was refreshing, though Harry did have to cast a silent warming charm on both of them. A gentle breeze made the treetops rustle and gentle ripples along the surface of the lake. The light scents of the grass and the forest mixed with the light perfume that Hermione was wearing that night. This kind of tranquility was something Harry had never experienced before at Hogwarts. When he'd been awake at night, it was either for Astronomy class or he was sneaking around with his heart thumping. This time, he was enjoying the serenity of the night. This is what he wanted. Peace. Not just for himself, but for everyone. Not just getting rid of big bullies like Voldemort, but even the little bullies like Dudley and Malfoy. Maybe it was impossible, but at least it would keep him busy. For now, though, he just wanted to enjoy the night for all it provided.
"Hermione?" he whispered into her ear from behind.
"Mmmm?" Hermione had her eyes closed and was enjoying the night as much as Harry, leaning back into his shoulder.
"May I kiss you?"
"We've been dating for months, Harry... You don't need permission anymore." She smiled as she turned her head, still resting it against his shoulder.
"Just wanted you to be ready for this," he said, moistening his lips. He leaned into her, cradling her neck with his hands as they both pulled their bodies into each other. As they tasted each other's lips, smelled each other's aroma, heard each other's breath, and felt each other's heartbeat, neither of them wanted their embrace to end.
The joy of the previous night lasted well into their first class the next day, which was Ancient Runes. "Thank goodness Draco isn't taking this class... we won't have to see him again until Charms this afternoon," Hermione commented as they walked together. "At least he didn't come by to say something stupid this morning."
Harry suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. "Whoops."
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