May 2nd, 1999. The Victory Ball.
Hogwarts castle, once battered and broken, was now dressed in all its old grandeur. Banners of red, blue, yellow, and green adorned the great walls of the Great Hall, signifying the unity that had brought about their victory. The air buzzed with excitement, chatter, and laughter—a stark contrast to the solemn memories of the same night just one year ago.
The student body gathered at the Victory Ball, every face alight with smiles. It was an event meant to celebrate their resilience, organized by the few who had carried much of the burden of the war: Hermione, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and even Draco.
Standing off to the side, Hermione surveyed the room. The golden decorations on the ceiling shimmered against the light of enchanted chandeliers, illuminating the happy faces below. There was an almost surreal air about the entire evening—the echoes of the past still resonated, but there was undeniable hope in their laughter tonight.
Draco Malfoy, who had worked tirelessly alongside her for the ball, stood nearby, nodding in approval at the festive scene. He caught Hermione’s eye and smiled—a gesture she returned. No one could have imagined a year ago that they would be working side by side, let alone sharing a friendly glance.
“Good job, Granger,” Draco said, folding his arms across his chest. “The decorations are top-notch. A little too Gryffindor for my taste, but I suppose we can’t have everything.”
She laughed. “Thank you, Draco. It wouldn’t have been possible without all the help—yours included.”
Harry and Ginny were not far away, their heads bent close in conversation, sharing a look that spoke volumes more than words ever could. Ron and Luna, an unlikely but surprisingly fitting pair, danced with an ease that brought a smile to Hermione’s face. Luna’s dreamy laughter as Ron spun her around stood out above the hum of chatter.
Nearby, Neville and Hannah Abbott exchanged bashful smiles, their hands brushing every now and then as they hovered near the refreshment table. George stood beside Katie Bell, cracking jokes and earning a delighted laugh from her.
And then there was Fred.
Fred Weasley, with his lopsided grin and a twinkle in his eyes, was unmistakable in a crowd. He’d been watching Hermione for some time now, always on the periphery, making her heart skip a beat whenever their eyes met. He looked dashingly handsome in his dress robes—something that Hermione had noticed more and more lately, though she kept that thought to herself.
As the music shifted, the lively tune turning to something soft and enchanting, Fred approached her, extending his hand with a grin that could melt glaciers.
“Care for a dance, Hermione?”
Hermione felt her face heat up, but she placed her hand in his without hesitation. “I suppose I can spare one,” she teased.
He pulled her to the dance floor, his arm slipping easily around her waist. Hermione followed his lead, and they moved to the soft rhythm, the world around them blurring out.
Fred’s gaze lingered on her, and she caught herself getting lost in his blue eyes. They were no longer the teasing eyes she’d known before, but something deeper, more serious, hid within them. She glanced around, noting Ginny’s knowing smirk from the sidelines, Luna’s dreamy nod in their direction, and even George, who winked before turning his attention back to Katie.
“Having fun?” Fred’s voice brought her focus back to him.
“Surprisingly, yes,” she said, smiling. “I never imagined organizing a ball would be this stressful. I’m glad to finally just relax.”
Fred chuckled. “You’re incredible, you know that?” His tone softened, and his gaze turned earnest. “All this… You pulled it off. I think you could do anything you set your mind to.”
Hermione’s cheeks flushed, and she looked down briefly before meeting his gaze again. There was something in his eyes that made her heart stutter.
“Fred, I—”
Before she could finish, Fred abruptly stopped dancing. He took a deep breath, a hint of nervousness creeping into his demeanor—a rare sight for someone like him. He dropped to one knee, pulling a small, folded piece of parchment from his pocket. The room went silent, and Hermione’s breath caught in her throat.
“Fred, what are you doing?” she whispered, her eyes wide.
Fred looked up at her, grinning cheekily. “Something I should have done a long time ago.”
He cleared his throat dramatically, then began to read from the parchment.
“Hermione Jean Granger,” he started, loud enough for everyone to hear. “You are the brightest witch of our age, a war hero, and, well, the person who managed to make my heart do strange, fluttery things I never thought possible.” His eyes twinkled mischievously, a classic Weasley spark. “Will you, in front of all these lovely people, do me the honor of being my girlfriend?”
A gasp echoed around the room, followed by murmurs of surprise. Harry’s jaw dropped, and Ron’s face turned a bright shade of red.
“Is he serious?” Ron muttered to Harry, frowning.
“He must be joking,” Harry added, his brows furrowed.
Hermione could see them from the corner of her eye, but before either could take a step forward, Ginny swiftly moved between them, placing a hand on each of their chests.
“Calm down, you two,” Ginny said firmly. “He’s not joking, and you both need to stop being so protective.”
Ron looked stunned, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “But—but it’s Fred!”
“And it’s Hermione!” Harry added, looking equally bewildered.
Ginny rolled her eyes. “Yes, and Fred likes her. She likes him too. You two need to get over yourselves.”
Ron looked at Luna for backup, but she just smiled serenely. “I think it’s wonderful, Ronald. They’re quite well suited for each other.”
Back on the dance floor, Fred remained on one knee, waiting for Hermione’s answer, his eyes locked on hers. The entire room seemed to be holding its breath, watching the scene unfold. Hermione’s heart pounded in her chest, her cheeks warm as she looked down at Fred.
He was serious. He wasn’t joking or playing one of his infamous pranks. His eyes held no trace of the usual mischief—only hope, nervousness, and something else, something that made her heart swell.
“Yes,” she said, her voice soft at first, then louder, more confident. “Yes, Fred Weasley, I’ll be your girlfriend.”
Cheers erupted around the room, and Fred’s face broke into the widest grin she’d ever seen. He stood up, pulling Hermione into a tight hug, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. She laughed, her arms wrapping around his neck, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time.
He set her down gently, their foreheads touching, and for a brief moment, the world around them ceased to exist. It was just Fred and Hermione, wrapped up in a moment they’d both been waiting for, even if they hadn’t realized it until now.
“Well, that was unexpected,” Hermione whispered, a smile playing on her lips.
Fred chuckled, his eyes softening. “I’m full of surprises, Hermione. You’ll get used to it.”
She laughed, her heart fluttering in a way it never had before. “I think I could get used to that.”
As they pulled away, they were immediately surrounded by the rest of their friends. Ginny was the first to hug Hermione, a knowing grin on her face.
“I knew it!” she exclaimed, pulling back and looking at Fred. “Took you long enough, didn’t it?”
Fred rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Well, you know me, Gin. I like to make a scene.”
Harry approached, still looking a bit bewildered but offering a hesitant smile. “Just... take care of her, alright?” he said, giving Fred a stern look.
Fred nodded solemnly, placing a hand over his heart. “I swear on all the extendable ears in the world.”
Ron, however, still looked slightly suspicious. “If you break her heart, Fred, I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” Fred challenged, grinning. “I’d like to see you try, little brother.”
Luna, ever the voice of calm, placed a hand on Ron’s arm. “I think it’s lovely, Ronald. Let them be happy.”
Ron sighed, shaking his head, though a reluctant smile tugged at his lips. “Alright, alright. But I’m watching you, Fred.”
Fred saluted dramatically. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
With the tension diffused, the group dissolved back into the festivities, the music picking up once again. Harry pulled Ginny back onto the dance floor, Ron took Luna’s hand, and even Neville found himself slow-dancing with Hannah. Draco and Astoria stood off to the side, observing the celebration, a small smile on Draco’s face.
Fred turned back to Hermione, offering her his hand once more. “May I have this dance, my lady?”
Hermione giggled, taking his hand and curtsying playfully. “You may, good sir.”
They moved together to the rhythm of the music, their bodies close, their hearts beating in sync. And as they danced, the rest of the world faded away, leaving just the two of them—two people who had found light after so much darkness, hope after despair, and love when they least expected it.
In that moment, surrounded by friends, laughter, and love, Hermione knew that this was just the beginning of something wonderful. And for the first time in a long time, she felt truly, undeniably happy.