Tonight's The Night
The Mating Scent
This had to be the longest evening of Hermione's life. Didn't these people have homes to go to?
She sat at a table alone, staring into her fourth glass of wine. This evening hadn't gone to plan. Not at all. She had barely spoken to Harry let alone managed to dance with him. Yet every other male in the room seemed determined to dance with her.
Everyone except Harry...and Ron.
Ron had been avoiding her all night. She knew why, and a few years ago she would have found that endearing. Now it just irritated her that he didn't have the guts to approach her...even though she didn't want him to.
"'Mione!"
She jumped as she heard Harry call her through the crowd. He squeezed through the people standing around the table where she'd plonked herself.
"'Mione, come on. You must be the only girl I haven't danced with. Wha'd'ya say? Save me from the admiring hoards!"
inglingly, she glanced past him,
"Where?" she grinned.
Harry looked around, feigning surprise.
"..she was here a moment ago! Come on, best pal..."
He held out his hand which she took, and they walked over to the dance floor.
It was quite a fast number - one that demanded dancing apart, but Harry held her as they twisted and turned without their hands breaking contact.
The song finished and changed to a slow ballad. Hermione looked up at him and before he could lead her off the floaid,aid,
"How about a smooch with your best pal?"
It was less than a moment before he grinned and moved closer, but Hermione felt her heart beat three times.
Again she felt his hand on her bare back as his body made contact with hers, and it sent shivers down her spine. He took hold of her right hand and bent his head so that it rested against hers.
They shuffled slowly round in a circle. Hermione's heart was racing as she felt the warmth of his body through her dress and her knees weakened as she allowed her mind to wander to the delicious moment when perhaps there would be no cloth separating their bodies.
"'Moine?" Harry whispered into her ear as they swayed together.
"Yes?" she replied, breathlessly, her mind still on fleshy things.
"You know I've had too much to drink."
"I wondered what that pungent bouquet was," she smiled.
"You're the sensible one. Will you sort me out if I get out of hand?"
She paused before she replied,
"Don't worry. I'll make sure you get to bed at some point..."
"Herrrrrrrrmione!"
A figure stumbled into them, knocking them apart.
"Ron! What the fuck..?" Harry was frowning at him. Hermione was desperately wondering how she could grab Harry again.
"Herm..(belch)..ione. You haven't danced with me yet. Come on..." Ron grabbed her and began slow dancing, his bottom sticking out as he bent his head to Hermione's level.
She looked at Harry - he was laughing.
"Can you only ask me when you've had a few drinks, Ron?" She snapped.
"Yep. You're far to lovely and scary otherwise."
Ron looked in ecstasy.
Hermione watched Harry walk away, and could have cried.
~
She managed to escape Ron's clutches, made her way back to the table and flopped down next to Ginny.
"Ginny! You're smoking!" Hermione watched her friend take a long drag of a cigarette.
"Apparently," said Ginny, closing in conspiratorially. "they're not real cigarettes."
Hermione looked at her.
"No?"
Ginny was definitely tipsy.
"No. Luna says they're made from the hair of the Frippaninnie Farting Flower...no wait...that doesn't sound right," she frowned. "Anyway, so it doesn't count!" Ginny hit Hermione playfully on the arm as she laughed in triumph. "Hey, Hermione. You don't look happy. Wassup?"
"Oh, nothing...just...you know."
Ginny studied her for a moment.
"Ohhh, I know what the trouble is, and I might just have the answer..." She dived to a handbag.
"Ginny, that's not your bag..."
"I know," Ginny giggled. "It's Fleur's. When we were in the toilets, I saw...this in her handbag..."
Ginny pulled out a small deep-pink bottle.
"Ginny!" hissed Hermione, looking around frantically.
"No, s'all right, she's dancing with Bill. They look pretty occupied. Look, it's muggle perfume. Have you ever heard of pheromones?"
"The mating scent? Of course but...oh, you mean there's some in this perfume? Why on earth does Fleur think she needs pheromones?"
"Beats me! Go on, put some on."
"Oh, no, I couldn't."
Ginny looked at Hermione straight in the eyes.
"Do you want him, or not?"
"Look, if Fleur - who's a bloody Veela - uses it, surely it wouldn't hurt?" Hermione looked around and caught sight of Harry flirting with Susan Bones over the other side of the room. She grabbed the bottle and tipped it over her hand. Filling her palm, she rubbed it over her neck, shoulders, wrists, between her breasts... "Go get him, gurl..." called Ginny as Hermione swept her way determinedly across the room. She walked so fast, people were turning to look as she barged her way through. "Hi," she said, tapping Harry on the shoulder. Susan whipped a look of daggers at her. "'Mione!" sairry.rry. "I was just telling Susie here 'bout my Quidditch injuries..." "Sounds scintillating," laughed Hermione. "Hey, you smell nice," said Harry leaning into her and sniffing. Susan's lips had gone thin. Before she could interrupt, Hermione said, "Sorry, Susan, but I was wondering if I could pinch Harry for a dance?" "Absolutely!" enthused Harry. "Come on." He took Hermione by the hand and then turning back said, "Don't go away, Susie, I'll be back in a tick." Not if I have anything to do with it, thought Hermione. "Don't let Ron interrupt us this time, huh?" She said as they began to dance. "No! Bloody idiot. He's completely pissed. Did you see how he was dancing? Like a bloody baboon." They continued dancing. Hermione deliberately getting her body closer and closer to him. She was trembling with the thought of what she was about to say. Harry bent his mouth to her ear. "Hmmmmmm. You smell SO good," he murmured. She closed her eyes, almost dizzy with the moment. "Harry..." she whispered in his ear. "Did you know I booked the attic room?" "Yeah, I heard. That's a big room just for you..." Hermione swallowed. Her pulse was beating hard in her neck. "I was kind of hoping...I wouldn't be spending the night on my own." He pulled his head away from her ear and looked at her. "'Mione?" "Harry, I was wondering...um...if..." But suddenly there woud oud shouting from the edge of the dance floor. "HARRY! OI, HARRY!" They both turned to see Fred motioning to them. "Oh, ignore him," said Hermione desperately, thinking she could cheerfully put a curse on most of the Weasley family tonight. "He's probably planning a birthday trick." But Fred was walking towards them. "Come with me, Harry. We've got your birthday present." "Can't it wait a few moments," said Hermione with a forced smile. "We were dancing." "Nope. This can't wait, and neither will Harry when he sees it," laughed Fred. "Come on." Harry took Hermione's hand and followed Fred off the dance floor and through the hall to the door where George was leaning against the door frame. "Ah, Harry - at last," he said, standing up straight. Fred went to stand next to George. "We thought and thought about what to get you for your birthday and we figured, you've either got everything, or enough money to buy everything, so we came up with something money can't buy..." "Oh, get on with it, George," spluttered Hermione, impatiently. "We got you this..." said Fred, grinning. They both moved aside, revealing Harry's present. "CHO!"