RP: A Much Nicer Night

[rar_dean]

Date: 9 September 1999 | evening
Characters: Dean Thomas, Hermione Granger
Location: Diagon Alley
Status: Private
Summary: Dean meets up with Hermione while out for a walk.
Completion: Complete

Comments

[rar_hermione]

It probably wasn't a good start to the week to be leaving work this late. It had been one of those days, though, with meetings running late and too many files on the desk for Hermione to leave for tomorrow. While she could have left them, she would have thought of them waiting for her all night, which would have been distracting. Now, though, she could go home and relax and maybe whinge, just a little, at Harry until he let her use his chest as a pillow while she read

[rar_dean]

Dance lessons sounded an awful lot like something he and Katie probably would have done together. The thought was mildly irritating, that he'd have to avoid something like that simply because it made him think of his ex-girlfriend, but then he wasn't wanting to take salsa classes at the moment anyway, so it really didn't matter.

"Oh, Hermione. Hey," Dean said, giving her a quick one-armed hug as she walked up beside him. Glancing one more time at the flyer, he turned to face her, smiling. "Not bad. Avoiding going home to the rain. What about you?"

[rar_hermione]

"Are you considering attending the class?" she asked when she noticed what he had been looking at. "Harry and I are planning to attend. It sounds like it could be fun. I figure, if it isn't, then we don't have to go to another lesson, so it's worth trying out."

"I just got off work, so I'm on my way home. I worked late to take care of paperwork." She smiled. "I was trying to convince myself that I'd earned a dip of ice cream. Still not sure whether or not I won that argument with myself or not, though."

[rar_dean]

Dean shook his head. "No, the whole idea of going alone just isn't all that appealing, even if there would be people I could dance with." He shrugged. "And I've already got plans tomorrow night anyway, so I guess it's a good thing I'm not dying for a lesson."

He nodded as she talked about finishing up at work. For once, Dean had actually left the studio on time tonight, but it was really only because he was between paintings. At her mention of ice cream, he grinned. "Well, then it's fortunate that I'm about to offer to treat you. Yourself will simply have to be polite and accept. No arguments necessary."

[rar_hermione]

"Well, if it's any fun, I'll let you know. Then, you could possibly attend another lesson," she said with a shrug. "I was surprised that Harry wanted to go, but I think he might enjoy dancing more now than he did during fourth year."

She snorted. "I wasn't fishing for an invitation; however, an excuse to get ice cream is perfectly acceptable. I couldn't possibly refuse for fear of being considered rude."

"Did you have a good weekend?" she asked as they began to walk to Flavours. "I saw you at the beach party last weekend, but I didn't get a chance to say hello."

[rar_dean]

Dean sniggered a bit at the mention of Harry dancing fourth year. "I think we all enjoy it a bit more than we did fourth year. Of course, it might have been different if we'd really realised back then that dancing meant standing really close to girls."

Shaking his head, he said, "I know you weren't. But I need fresh air, wouldn't mind a bit of conversation, and it sounded like a good idea. Only for you, though," Dean added jokingly. "Finnigan would be paying for his own bleeding ice cream if I'd been able to drag him out."

He fell into step next to her. "It wasn't bad. Lessons on Saturday, of course, then dinner with my family. And don't be too shocked, but I actually relaxed a bit on Sunday." He grinned. "The beach party was fun. Good chance to see everyone, of course, and the weather was perfect for a swim." Surprisingly fun he thought.

"What about you? Anything exciting?"

[rar_hermione]

"Ah, yes. You might have, at that," she mused. "Of course, it depends on the sort of dancing you're doing as to whether or not you're close, but that's the style I prefer. I'm not exactly fond of that where you flail around and look ridiculous

[rar_dean]

"Afraid not, but I'm a rather upstanding citizen these days, so I'm sure I'm trustworthy," Dean said, laughing. "My family's good. It's getting more bearable to be around the girls now that I see them at least every other weekend. They don't immediately assault me with questions and requests and detailed descriptions of everything they've done for the last twenty-four hours."

He nodded. "I like the sound of a yearly tradition. Fleur mentioned something about it last time I saw her, but I imagine she's got her hands full at the moment, with the baby and the Centre and all."

Dean held open the door to the ice cream shop for Hermione, then followed her inside. "Anything you need help with?" he asked, when she mentioned H.E.R.O. "Not sure what you'd need, but I'm at your service if you need me, you know." He nodded at her mention of Harry. "You know, I was pretty surprised when he told us. Not that you'd got together so much, but that none of us figured it out." He chuckled a little, eyes scanning the menu board.

[rar_hermione]

"How old are your sisters now?" she asked curiously. She couldn't remember how long ago it had been when he'd told her their ages, so she couldn't figure out their current age easily. "I'm sure that they enjoy seeing you more often

[rar_dean]

"Far too old," Dean said, with a slight groan. "Daisy's fourteen now. Kara and Amanda are twelve and ten. It's the younger two I have to watch out for, really. Daisy much more laid back than she was at that age." Sullen, too, but he guess that he probably was at that age, too.

"You know I'll be there," he said, nodding. "I know what you mean, though, about being frustrated with losing focus. I think I've finally got myself back on track with my painting project, which is a good feeling. I think it's all timing, really, so I'm sure you'll get there, too."

Dean looked over the menu, deciding to try the strawberries and cream before he looked back over at Hermione. He laughed a little. "No, I'd say you've always been very good at keeping secrets. It's a good thing, I think. Merlin knows the two of you deserve it. To be happy, that is."