When Hermione had told Ginny about her Potions project and the supposed dance date with Professor Snape, her reaction was not at all what she had expected.
Instead of finding it a disaster, she had exclaimed happily, "Wow, it sounds wonderful. Kind of like a fairy tale, Hermione! Looks like you've found your prince."
Hermione remembered the name Snape had written in his school Potions book which Harry had found, 'Half-Blood Prince'.
"And now you are smiling! Tell me honestly, do you like him?" Ginny inquired.
"Honestly…well, I don't know. I know that he's a brave man, and I also find him attractive. But I don't think I see him as a potential boyfriend, if that's what you want to know." Hermione replied honestly.
"Hmm…may be not yet. But I have a feeling that you both would make a great couple." Ginny wondered aloud.
That made Hermione's cheek blush pink, but she said, "The important thing is, I don't want to disappoint him at the ball."
"Of course, you don't." Ginny teased. "When is the Ball?"
"November 3rd."
"Then, I think we have enough time to turn you into a proper princess. Good thing I have a Head Girls' room all to myself." Ginny said happily.
Hermione did not have any more private lessons in September as the full moon had already gone. She had ordered the ingredients, and was reading every book she could find in the library regarding the Wolfsbane Potion and Lycanthropy.
October soon arrived, and so did the first private potion lesson with Snape.
"Good evening, Miss Granger." Snape had greeted her.
"Good evening, professor."
"I have informed the Headmistress about our project and she has wished you good luck with its results."
"Thank you, professor."
"You should thank the Headmistress, Miss Granger. In my opinion, only your potion skills and patience can get you the desired results."
Of course, Hermione thought, trying hard not to roll her eyes.
"Now that, you have everything you need, we should set up the cauldron. Its going to be a long night." Snape had said, mostly to himself; when he noticed Hermione leave her robe in the chair, wearing only her school uniform.
They set up the cauldron in Snape's private garden, where it received the perfect light of the full moon.
Snape had given her the extra instructions regarding the first part of the potions, and monitored from afar while she executed the procedure.
While they were waiting for the potion to soak in the moonlight, they both stood in silence watching the Black Lake and enjoying the splendid view from the railings.
"I can see why you like coming here. This place seems to take you away from the world for a while; away from your past, and away from the present." Hermione had speculated out loud.
Severus Snape had given her a curious glance and said quietly, "I couldn't have put it better myself."
They had just stood together silently after that, both very comfortable just with the other's presence. It was a new experience for both of them.
Hermione; because the last term that she had been his student she had despised him for his attitude to her and her friends. But now that she knew all about his reasons and recently learnt a bit about his real character, she admired him.
Snape; because after Lily Evans, he had never been very close to anyone before. Even though he had started to find Hermione attractive recently, he had done a good job of subduing those feelings to the very back of his mind. But, standing alone with her in the moonlit garden so comfortably was a novelty for him.
When it was time to leave, Snape had put the cauldron in a statis state, for the new moon night. Hermione had packed her bags and retrieved her robe when he said, "Good job with the project today, Miss Granger."
"Thank you, professor. I just followed your instructions."
"Even in the class today, only your Polyjuice Potion received the satisfactory result. I don't think I am responsible for that also, Miss Granger."
Hermione blushed slightly. He hadn't said that aloud in the Potions class while marking their grades. "Thank you, professor."
"Good night, Miss Granger."
"Good night, professor."
Ginny had been up, waiting for Hermione in the Head Girls' room. Hermione used to spend more time in Ginny's room than she did in her own dormitory. When she arrived she demanded the whole account for that night.
When Hermione had finished, Ginny sighed. "What? You just stood there? Silently? It was a perfect opportunity, Hermione. You could've asked him any question, even a private one."
"Why are you so disappointed? I wasn't on any romantic date, you know?" Hermione said.
"That reminds me. We have a Hogsmeade visit this Sunday. We could shop for your dress and make-up." Ginny said, sounding excited now.
That Sunday, Hermione and Ginny went through the robe shop in Hogsmeade, but nothing seemed good enough for them. Hermione had an idea. "Ginny, why don't we try a muggle shop. I know a place in London."
"Yeah, there are better chances of finding a dress in London than here." Ginny agreed.
They both apparated to the Leaky Cauldron and started exploring muggle dress shops. After a few more hours and a dozen shops, Ginny found the perfect dress for Hermione.
"Isn't the neck too low?" Hermione had complained when she tried it on. But after glancing in the mirror, even she couldn't disagree with Ginny. The mermaid styled gown fitted her perfectly, revealing every curve of her body; even the fabric seemed soft on her skin.
"Oh, come on. Nobody's going to recognize you there. It's a Masquerade Ball." Ginny argued. Hermione couldn't offer any more complains.
After the dress was bought, they proceeded to buy the make-up and shoes. Those didn't take too long; but they now had their hands full with bags. Getting back to the Leaky Cauldron, Hermione took out her small beaded bag and put those bags inside it.
"Nice trick, Hermione." Ginny had said.
"Charm, actually." Hermione corrected, and Ginny rolled her eyes.
They apparated back to Hogsmeade in time to purchase their other magical supplies for the school. It was a long but productive day.
November arrived and it was time for the next lesson with Professor Snape.
They proceeded just like the previous night, the only problem was that Hermione had less visibility up in the garden.
"Sorry, Miss Granger. But we cannot use any other light source." Snape had said, when they stepped out in the garden.
"Don't worry, I'll help you with the ingredients. I know we can manage to do everything correctly today." Snape had added, looking at her worried expressions.
Professor Snape had participated more actively, as he handed her the ingredients to be put in the potion; clearly he had more experience working in dim light conditions.
Severus Snape was having some trouble that night. Not with the potion of course, but with being in such close proximity with her. He had noticed how she held her breath every time his hands touched her skin, and her straightened back when he had demonstrated to her the procedure for stirring the potion standing behind her back. She had smelled amazing, reminding him of strawberry and honey. It was taking a lot more to control his own impulses, watching her being so responsive to his body.
Hermione didn't know if she was thankful for the new moon or not. It was the new moon that had led to the otherwise needless involvement of professor Snape, if she could only see the book and the ingredients properly. She was positive that professor Snape couldn't see her blushing cheeks in this light, when he had demonstrated the stirring procedure. Being this close to him, feeling his breath on her neck, in the dim lit garden was having an uneasy effect on her. She knew that it was just an academic matter and she shouldn't be feeling uncomfortable around her professor, however nice his breath smelt; but she couldn't control it. She wished she hadn't left her robe back in his office.
Both were glad when they descended down the elevator, away from the electrifying energy of the garden.
When it was time to leave, Snape started hesitantly, "Miss Granger, about tomorrow."
"Oh yes sir. About the Ball? What time do you want me to be here?" Hermione asked.
"You really want to go? I thought you might be regretting your decision to say 'yes'." Snape couldn't hide the surprise in his voice.
"Well, this might be the last chance for you to refuse, Miss Granger. Do you want to go?"
"I do. But there is a condition, professor."
"A condition?"
"You can't wear this tomorrow night." Hermione replied, pointing to his usual black coat.
"I am aware that the invitation is for a Ball, Miss Granger. I'll see you at 7pm tomorrow then." Snape had replied, giving her a rare smile.
When Hermione had finished getting ready, she examined herself in the mirror. Ginny has certainly outdone herself, Hermione thought.
"I see that you are satisfied with my work." Ginny said, looking at the smiling Hermione.
"Thank you so much, Ginny." Hermione gushed.
"Now stop stop, before you have tears in your eyes. That'll ruin the eye make-up." Ginny said, examining Hermione's eyes.
"I think I can take care of that." Hermione said, picking up her wand from the table. She pointed it towards her hair and face.
"Now, they'll remain exactly as they are till the end of the night." Hermione announced.
"Wow, way to use your magical talent." Ginny clapped.
"Now, how are you getting to the Dungeons without being seen? Its almost seven." Ginny asked after she had finished admiring Hermione.
Hermione thought for a minute, before saying "I may have an idea."
"Dobby." she called clearly.
With a pop, a little creature with large, bat like ears and bulging green eyes the size of tennis balls appeared before them. Dobby, the house-elf was wearing a shrunken maroon jumper.
"Miss looks beautiful today." Dobby said bowing to Hermione.
"The girl Harry Potter loves – it's a pleasure to meet you." Dobby bowed to Ginny.
"Oh, now I see. That's how Harry and Ron are still alive; you were the brains behind the trio." Ginny said.
"Nice to meet you too, Dobby. You couldn't have arrived at a better time." Ginny smiled at the elf.
Hermione asked the elf, "Dobby, would you mind taking me to Professor Snape's chambers?"
"It will be an honor, Miss! Dobby will be proud to help Harry Potter's friend." Dobby answered.
"Good Luck, Hermione. Don't forget to have fun." Ginny said, mouthing 'Steal-a-kiss' to her.
Hermione blushed, shaking her head exasperatedly at Ginny before taking Dobby's arm.
Severus Snape stared at the mirror in his bedroom. He remembered how Hermione had told him not so subtly that she wanted to be escorted by a by a well-dressed partner. He picked up his white dress shirt from his bed, and started to button his shirt.
A loud crack behind him alerted him, and with a lightning fast speed he picked up his wand and pointed at the intruder. Intruders.
Hermione Granger was standing in front of him in all her glory. She wore an emerald green mermaid gown, deep necked and sleeveless; the dress perfectly fitted her curves perfectly. Her sleek brown hair was meticulously tied in a knot, leaving half-curled fringes on either side of her face, which framed her heart-shaped face. Her eyes were stunning in themselves, sparkling with green eye-makeup; but right now her brown eyes were wide open in surprise, gaping at him or rather his unbuttoned shirt. She had her arm on an elf, whom Snape recognized to be Dobby, Harry Potter's pet.
Hermione had opened her eyes to find an almost bare-chested Severus Snape in front of her eyes, pointing his wand at her. She had clearly caught him in the middle of dressing up in his bedchambers. He wore black trousers, thank god for that, but his white shirt was still unbuttoned, revealing his well-built chest. His hair was wet fresh from the shower. He looked thrilling, specially with his open shirt. Who would've thought that thick black coat of his was hiding such a fine specimen underneath it. Stop that, he is your professor, Hermione thought.
Finally, she tore away her eyes from his chest, and said, "Sorry professor, I had told Dobby to take me to your chambers, which he must have interpreted as your bedchambers. I'll wait outside."
Hermione turned to the door, pulling Dobby with her. She opened the closed door and walked out.
Snape could hear Hermione pacing outside his room in her clunking heels, while he got dressed up. She was clearly taken by surprise finding him like that. He wanted to know if she was thinking about him. Control yourself, Snape; before its too late, said his voice of reason.
Snape finally walked out the door, wearing black dress robes to find Hermione waiting for him, who glanced appreciatively at him before turning her eyes to the floor.
"Miss Granger, you should not spoil your mood by overthinking. It was an honest mistake, I don't hold you responsible for that. Now, I believe I have something that should improve your mood." Snape told her.
He handed her a black box. When she opened it, she found two masks inside. One was black, clearly for him; the other was silver, and it was the most beautiful mask she had ever seen.
She looked at Snape, her eyes now excited.
"Try it on. We have to show up wearing those." Snape encouraged, as he picked up the black mask for himself.
She put on the silver mask, which fitted perfectly over her nose; it almost covered her face leaving only her eyes and mouth exposed.
"Its gorgeous." she said.
"I'm glad you approve." Snape smiled, with his mask on. His mask had only covered his eyes.
Snape picked up the invitation, which was also supposed to be a portkey, and said to her, "Shall we?"
Hermione nodded, and touched the card at the same time as Snape, her heart filled with anticipation as she was speeding forward in a howl of wind and swirling color.
Author's Notes:
A big thank you to all those who read the story and also to those who reviewed. Please continue giving me your kind support.
JohninNH, I haven't discussed Snape's survival story in detail yet. But I'll give you my description here: In the sixth year, Draco did not bring the army of Death Eaters inside Hogwarts, instead he trusted Snape like his mother had asked. This led to Snape killing Dumbledore as planned who ahd told Draco to keep this secret from the Dark Lord, but Harry had seen him do it. So, Snape and Draco ran away that night. When Voldemort wanted the Elder Wand to work properly, he killed Draco, thinking he was the one who killed Dumbledore. Snape had given Harry the ownership of Elder Wand and instructed him to surrender, showing him the memories of his conversations with Dumbledore. When Voldemort's curse made Harry unconscious in the Forbidden Forest, it was Snape who was told to check whether he was alive. He had lied, saving his life once again. Snape had joined in the fight during the final battle at Hogwarts killing off many Death Eaters. Harry had seen to it later that everyone knew about his significant role in the war.
