Dancing Lessons with A Snape

Summary: After Professor McGonagall announces the Yule Ball, Juliet asks fellow 4th year Romeo Snape (Snape never had feelings for Lily,) if he could teach her to dance in time for the ball. Will these two become close or will it rip them apart with House rivalry.

A/N: I OWN NOTHING! This is my first fic, so forgive me. Lily and James are still alive; they were only stunned on Halloween 1981. Rated K.

*********JP/RS*********

(Chpt 22 Pg. 336-338)

'The Yule Ball is approaching – a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialise with our foreign guests. Now, the Ball will be open only to fourth-years and above – although you may invite a younger student if you wish –'

(Ignores Lavender + Parvait)

'Dress robes will be worn,' Professor McGonagall continued, 'and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight, in the Great Hall. Now then-'

Professor McGonagall stared deliberately around the class.

'The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to – er – let our hair down,' she said, in a disapproving voice.

(Ignores Lavender)

'But that does NOT mean,' Professor McGonagall went on,' that we will be relaxing the standards of behaviour we expect from Hogwarts students. I will be most seriously displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way.'

The bell rang, and there was the usual scuffle of activity as everyone packed their bags and swung them onto their bags and swung them onto their shoulders.

Professor McGonagall called above the noise, 'Potter – a word if you please.'

Juliet smiled at Hermione and told her to go on, she'd catch up. She made her way towards the front while everyone else, filed their way out. Once everyone else had left, McGonagall turned to her and said. 'Potter, the champions and their partners – '

'What partners?' said Juliet.

Professor McGonagall looked suspiciously at her, as though she thought she was trying to be funny.

'Your partners for the Yule Ball Potter.' She said coldly. 'Your dance partners.'

Juliet's insides seemed to curl up and shrivel. "Dance partners?"

She felt herself go red. "I don't dance," she said quickly.

"Oh, yes, you do," said Professor McGonagall irritably. 'That's what I'm telling you. Traditionally, the champions and their partners open the ball.'

Juliet nodded her head at her professor while, a single thought was raced through her head. 'I don't know how to dance.'

*********JP/RS*********

After Professor McGonagall dismissed her, Juliet made her way downstairs towards Great Hall. With a thousand thoughts rushing through her head, she didn't realise someone was walking beside her, until they coughed.

Juliet turned her head and smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Hey Romeo, what's up?"

Romeo Snape beamed at her. "Hey Jul, Professor Snape's just after telling us about the Yule Ball. You excited?"

Romeo Snape and Juliet Potter had been best friends since the minute they first met on the Hogwarts Express in their first year. Romeo had been looking for a compartment because all the others were full and happened to come across the one Juliet was sat in, reading Hogwarts: A History. He asked if could sit in the compartment and Juliet invited him in and, the rest is history. Though before the sorting they made a promise, that no matter if they were separated into different houses even, if it was Gryffindor and Slytherin they would always be friends. No matter what happened.

Juliet smiled slightly and sighed. "Rom I…I can't dance. I'm going to be a laughing stock."

Romeo looked puzzled. "Jul, you won't be a laughing stock and what do you mean you can't dance?"

"I don't know how to dance, I've…. Never been taught how to." Juliet said sadly. "I'll probably trip over my feet and I doubt anyone will ask me, anyway."

Romeo smiled at her and rapped an arm are her shoulders. "I've got an idea, you don't have to agree with it but, I think it's a good plan."

Juliet leaned her head on his shoulder. "At this point I'll listen to anything. What's your plan?"

"Well what if I taught you how to dance?" Romeo suggested. "I'm sure dad knows somewhere we can practice. I know this next bit may sound crazy but," he paused. "What if we went together, you know as friends."

Juliet stopped for a beat before she turned around and hugged Romeo with all her strength. "You are brilliant, Romeo Snape. Absolutely brilliant."

He smiled at the girl standing in front of him. "Is that a yes, then?"

Juliet grabbed his arm, pulling it along behind her. "Of course it's a yes, my Slytherin friend."

With that, the pair made their way towards the Great Hall smiling all the way.

*********JP/RS*********

So, what did you think? This was swimming around my head for a while so I finally wrote it done. Review if you want me to continue this. Bye Kind Baudelaire.