Romeo x Juliet (Hermione) [Week 1, Prompt 7] Title: A Gentleman Author:lanerose Rating: PG Word Count: 180 Characters: Hermione Notes: This is actually my second attempt at this ficlet, because my computer ate the first one. XD Fortunately, I like this one better. ^.^;;
Hermione's life would have been easier if Romeo hadn't been such a gentleman.
He smiled at her politely the first time that they were introduced. He sat beside her, and chatted with her, and offered her his hand to dance. Romeo was a good dancer, too – he had not stepped on her foot or whacked her with his elbow, but had glided easily around the room. He even inquired after her family, and whether they were well. She had been worried, because his father was so cold, but Romeo himself was day to his father's night.
It would have been easier if he had said something rude. It would have been easier if he had stomped on her toes, or told her about some long-held grudge he had against her fifth cousin. If only he had even had so much as bad breath, maybe she would never have fallen for him, never wanted so badly for him to love her as his father had promised her he did.