The Waltz
The brisk dance music sounded.
Sprigs of mistletoe and ivy sway almost gracefully from side to side to the music against the starry night sky above the ceiling. The bells on the frosty Christmas tree swayed like stepping on the beat, and the silver frost dotted on the walls of the auditorium created a dreamy silver-white halo in the center of the dance floor.
Hermione couldn't help beating a drum in her heart.
At this moment, Fred's right hand was resting on her waist, and there was a dark blue reflection in his light brown eyes that usually smiled, and she could see her nervous expression in them.
He smiled and scratched Hermione's waist lightly, which made Hermione's body stiff.
"Fred!"
There were several pairs of Beauxbatons pacing gracefully. Hermione couldn't make too much noise, she gritted her teeth and called out in a breathy voice against Fred's chest, "You—"
The hand that pinched her waist tightened.
Promise to Merlin, if she will help them test the magic products next time!
Hermione bit her lips and wanted to say something, but there was a sudden pause in the brisk dance music, Fred held her hand tightly and let her throw it out forcefully. In the rotation, the light purple dress glowed with a hazy blue light, blooming a dreamy petal.
His strides are long, his movements are decisive and neat, and there is a trace of familiarity, as if he has practiced a thousand times already.
The flickering candlelight on the dance floor weakened Hermione's senses, and after another spin, she didn't even realize that she was leaning on Fred's firm chest. She raised her head slightly and met his deep eyes.
Hermione's heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly stepped back, but was gently pulled back, the palm of her waist added some strength, and she was fixed in front of the second button of his ice-lake blue suit jacket.
"Hermione is so beautiful today."
Fred leaned close to her small ears protruding from the soft hair, and said something softly.
Fortunately, the light was dim, fortunately she kept her head down, fortunately he... couldn't hear her beating heart at this moment.
Hermione thought in such a flustered and shy way that her hands resting on his shoulders kept moving back and forth. Krum and his Ravenclaw partner walked slowly past.
"Little Hermione is giving me a massage?" Fred stepped forward and gently supported her to lean down. "Are you admiring the demeanor of the world's star over there?"
Hermione didn't understand what he means, "What?"
"It's nothing." He led Hermione to turn around gorgeously, his eyes drooping slightly, "I'm afraid little Hermione will forget about me when she dances with somebody else later."
Hermione looked up at Fred, who was pretending to be sad. With amused expression, she lightly squeezed his left shoulder, "What strange words are you talking about again?"
"That's right, that's the spot, just a bit more left. Miss Granger, please continue the massage……"
Fred's black leather shoes were successfully stepped on.
Soon, the eccentric sisters on stage changed their repertoire. Such a solemn music style was really incompatible with their eccentric attire. The light on the dance floor was turned on again, and the round dance began quickly.
Based on the existing dance partners, the group in the center of the dance floor moves forward, back, circles, slides, and then rotates to exchange partners with adjacent groups, all of which are natural and skillful. This kind of dance dates back to the French court dance during the Renaissance. No one really knows if it was added to the dance night because of Beauxbaton.
"I didn't know there was a round dance arrangement." Fred deliberately avoided the combination of left and right, and tightly held Hermione's slightly sweaty hand.
"Professor McGonagall really didn't seem to be emphasizing," Hermione nodded before she realized, "Huh? Shouldn't we rotate and exchange—"
Fred curled his lips slyly.
A pair of group quickly turned to them, and the boy in the dark purple striped gown looked excitedly at Hermione. Hermione didn't notice much, and was about to spin out, when she saw the boy spin out towards the opposite column strangely, and the boy's partner also looked blank.
"What happened?"
"Showing little Hermione my recent practice of silent spells," Fred chuckled, coughing, "reverse spells."
Immediately afterwards, a Ravenclaw, a Hufflepuff, two Slytherins, and two Durmstrang boys stayed away from Hermione under the effects of the Lame Curse, the Delay Curse, and the Jumping Curse respectively.
"……"
"Ah, it's really a good target for practice. Giving up on little Hermione," a natural and loose voice came from the side of the ear, "It's almost impossible for me."
The spike earrings on his left ear reflect silver reflections, and now they are completely exposed from the orange-red hair that is flamboyant beside his ears.
Hermione's breath stopped.
Fortunately, the small commotion of those boys did not attract everyone's attention at all.
Because the formation on the other side of the dance floor has become chaotic. At the moment when many faces passing, she saw Parvati not far away manipulating Harry to circle around extremely slowly. Neville and Ginny were jumping up and down—Ginny frowned and dodged frequently because Neville stepped on her foot—and Dumbledore was waltzing with Madame Maxime. He was a dwarf next to her, and the top of his pointed hat just touched her chin. Still, she danced gracefully for a woman of her size. Mad-Eye Moody was awkwardly two-stepping with Professor Sinistra, who was nervously dodging his wooden leg.
Perhaps compared to the uniform tradition of round dancing, having fun is what everyone cares most about.
Hermione thought, when she caught a glimpse of a bright red turning around her.
"Hermione, can I ask you to dance?" Krum and his fishtail dancer just spun to Hermione's side.
Professor McGonagall was tap-dancing and smiling as she floated by. Under the pressure of the dean's gaze, Hermione couldn't refuse and looked up at Fred.
Unexpectedly, Fred glanced at Krum lightly, raised his eyebrows, and let go of the hand holding Hermione's waist.
As soon as it was loosened, Krum's Ravenclaw partner in the square-neck mermaid skirt staggered a little bit, and took the initiative to meet Fred and put her hands on Fred's shoulder.
Hermione frowned instinctively. But Krum has already started the pace, so she can only watch from a distance through his burly arms.
Fred held the girl's waist expressionlessly, and passed Krum almost shoulder to shoulder. Krum's dancing steps were so violent that Hermione struggled to follow, almost stepping on his wide bright red cloak several times.
Looking at the backs of Fred and the girl who were far and near, sour bubbles popped up in her heart for no reason.
Her foot slipped, and just when she thought she was about to make a fool of herself, one hand caught her faster than Krum, and after hugging her, Hermione found herself half-lying on Fred's generous chest.
"This dance is over, I will take my partner away now." He glanced at Krum and said lightly. Stepping on the last bar of the waltz, he half-embraced Hermione and turned away from the crowded crowd.
The air was frozen for a few seconds, and Hermione opened her mouth in embarrassment, "Thank you……guess I shouldn't be wearing shoes with such a high heel……"
Fred looked at her.
"Having fun dancing with him？"
That face raised the familiar smile again, but that sharp look went straight at her, and the palm on the waist suddenly increased strength, as if to rub her soft shoulders into him little by little into his warm chest.