Chapter Six - A Dance worth Remembering
Alexandria rushed down the shifting staircase. She was late. The ball had started 20 minutes ago. Her hair had not wanted to curl so she had to cast a spell on it to do it and hold. Her curls were pinned high to her head with only a few strands falling, slightly hitting her shoulders. Her shoes were not too high as she had hoped to dance this night. The dress was black and it fell to the floor opening at a slit in fron, on her right side directly above her knee. There was a green gemstone where the slit beganand some more green gemstones running up the right side of her chest holding the dress to the choker top. Her cloak fluttered behind her as she hit the bottom floor with her foot. Stop Alexandria, you cant rush in there. You have to look like you've got it together and you meant to be late. Her biggest fear was seeing what Severus had done with the centerpieces. She would have been early if Hermione had not come to her in desperate need of help with her hair and dress. She fixed the cloak over her shoulders and walked in gracefully. The room was filled with students and professors. The centerpieces took her breath away. They were enchanted to look like snow was falling and there were horse drawn sleighs riding through all heading towards the dance floor regardless of what table you were sitting at. The horses were in gold bells and the sleighs were either red or green. The snow seemed to glitter in the light coming from the crystal chandalier.
"My... don't you look lovely." Remus said taking her hand and placing a soft kiss on it.
Alexandria smiled, "Why, thank you Remus."
"You are most welcomed. I must say we did really well putting this together."
"Yes, we did. Severus did the centerpiece enchantments though," she said examining one close up realizing she could put her hand through it and actually get some of the sparkling snow on it.
"Did he? I say, I never took him for the decorative type." Remus said raising an eyebrow.
"No, but I'm glad it came out this good."
Remus watched her as she looked around the room. "He's outside."
"Who?" Alexandria asked surprised by the comment.
Remus laughed at her and walked away. He did look rather handsome in his tail coat tuxedo. Very handsome indeed. I don't know what he was talking about though… Her eyes wandered around the room. She smiled when she saw Harry and Ginny together on the floor, hardly moving except for side to side gazing intently into each other's eyes. It gave her butterflies in her stomach. If anything gave her that it was the sight of people happy in love with one another. Hermione was sitting at a nearby table with Ron who was just handing her some apple cider. They seemed to be enjoying their meal as were Neville and Luna. Luna Lovegood was a funny girl in Alexandria's opinion but it was a good thing.
"Professor!" Hermione shouted waving at her.
"Hullo Hermione. Hullo Ron. How are you enjoying it so far?"
"Bloody hell professor…" Ron gulped, "Excuse me but, you look good."
"Why thank you Ron."
"We're having a great time. The centerpieces came out really good too."
"You can tell professor Snape you enjoy his work then," she repied.
"What!" Ron shouted.
"Honestly Ronald… keep your voice down." Hermione scolded. "We will professor. Have you found Professor Lupin? He was looking for you."
Alexandria looked around the room. "Yes, I already found him… well he found me."
Hermione smiled as she watched the professor scan across the room. "He's outside Professor."
Alexandria looked down in surprise, "Huh?"
Hermione nodded, "He's outside. Come Ronald, Luna and Neville beat us to the dance floor."
"Who? Who is outside?" Alexandria tried asking but it was pointless as her words were drowned out by the orchestra. If she meant Remus then I already knew that…
The teachers were all dressed up as well. McGonagall was in her usual color, green, but it was a very nice dress and cloak with her matching hat. The only one not dressed up much was Trelawny. She was busy telling Hagrid his future. Poor Hagrid. McGonagall smiled as she took a seat beside the Headmistress.
"Well don't you look rather nice Professor Moonberry?"
"Thank you."
"Not dancing tonight? I had thought Remus had intention of asking you to dance."
"Did he? He didn't say a word when we spoke. I figured he had brought someone. He is after all a rather good looking man."
"Yes, I most certainly agree with that last part." she said with a wink.
Alexandria could not help but laugh to herself. Where is Severus? Did he decide not to attend? I thought it was mandatory. The floor was large and yet it was full. Neville shinned with his dancing. A sense of pride came over the professor. Neville Longbottom was without a doubt her favorite student. A certain want to watch over him had come over her from the moment she had seen him. It as only later she had learned of the conditions his parents were in. They had been driven mental after being tortured by the cruciatus curse. She wished she could have met the git who did that to the poor young boy's parents. Her thoughts left her as she watched the boy preform his dance so well, even Luna seemed to dance better as he led her. All the boys looked so handsome in their tuxedos and cloaks. The girls shined in their dresses.
"You know… he's outside if you are looking for him." Minerva said in a semi whisper.
"Who!" Alexandria asked rather irritated with the statement.
"Why Severus of course. He is no doubt pulling kids out of carriages and taking points as we speak."
A flush of red came to Moonberry's cheeks as she realized everyone had known from the beginning she was looking for the straight faced professor. "Oh… um… ok. I should probably go check on him then. Right?"
Minerva nodded with a sort of suspicious smile. "Yes, my dear I think you should go and get him to join our ball. At least to eat something. He only came in for the opening dance and then disappeared."
Well how am I supposed to get him to come in? The man never does anything he doesn't want to. "Ok I'll try." And with that she was off.
The new moon was bright in the sky and caused the snow to shine. Breath-taking. The ice crushed under her feet as she tried very hard not to slip on the covered concrete. How she would walk through the thicker snow she didn't know. She did not even see Severus anywhere around the coaches. She walked around on the frozen concrete. She stopped when she saw Harry and Ginny slip out of a door. Ginny pulled him to her as she leaned against a wall. Harry leaned down and took her lips with his. He kissed her slowly but apperently it was not what Ginny wanted. She kissed him intensely. That was when she saw Professor Snape appear behind a carriage. The man must be psychic or something… The thought crossed her mind that perhaps he had a sixth sense for people who were doing things they were not supposed to be doing. Quickly she ran across to the other side and sat on the wall. She would have sworn he heard the footsteps but nothing happened. Instantly she slipped off one of her shoes and dropped it on the ice. In no time at all he walked around the carriage. He did not see her but he found the shoe. He jerked from side to side. Looking to see where it came from.
"Professor, could you please bring me that shoe back?" she called out to him. Uncharacteristically of him, he turned slowly and raised an eyebrow.
"How did you lose your shoe over here and are sitting way over there?" he asked walking forward.
"Well… I was siting here, as you see, and I was kicking my feet and that shoe just flew off. Do you mind?" She asked putting out her bare foot. Her toes pointed with her heel sticking out further at an angle.
Severus looked at her leg as the dress slipped down at the slit. With the way her foot was curved he was sure she was a ballerina. He walked over and handed her the shoe. "Here."
"Can you please put it on? Its hard to bend in this dress. It was rather difficult to get them on the first time." He left the shoe on her lap and turned away. She sighed putting the shoe on quickly despite what she had just said. Alexandria went after him and stepped in front of him. "Really Severus, that was SO un-romantic…"
"And your point is what, Professor Moonberry?" he said sounding annoyed.
"You know… I think you should go inside and join the ball. How many kids have you found out here? I mean, there are so many inside I find it hard to believe that there are that many out here."
"Shows how much you know on the matter, I've found quite a few already. Now if you don't mind, leave me alone."
"The centerpieces are wonderful. I loved them. Thank you for doing that Severus."
He eyed her and for the first time noticed her hair up in curls. It was much different from the usual straight hair. Her glasses were gone and her dress seemed to be made exactly for her body as it seemed to cling to her until under her hips and then hang to the floor and part at the slit. The cloak over her shoulders had covered it mostly but in the moonlight it was easier to see. Alexandria smirked at him as she seemed to notice his eyes run up and down her body. Why is she smiling like that? I was only looking at the dress not at her... like I would be interested. She's much too meddlesome, she knows too much as it is. "What is that… look… for?"
Her head shook and her shoulders shrugged at him. The music could be heard from inside. The orchestra was staying with ballroom dances. A rumba came on and he almost laughed trying to picture the kids who had a hard time learning waltz trying to dance it. They would no doubt probably turn it into some sort of sway. Severus walked past Alexandria, he had heard a noise earlier coming from the north side of the coach's section but stopped as she grabbed his hand and turned him forcefully. Her freehand tugged on the chords holding her cloak and tossed it aside onto the top of a coach. Now she looked stunning in just the dress. Severus could not help but let his eyes roam up and down especially where her leg was sticking out of the slit. His gaze ran down her leg and then back up where her hips swayed and her hand ran up her skin pulling the slit up her thigh and then letting it drop as her hands shot out and began to sway with her upper body. Alexandria stopped and posed biting her lip and looking at him intensely. She danced toward him, one foot in front of the other; her hips moving side to side and then round. Severus stood still as she danced around him and then ended up in front of him once more. With her back turned and pressed against him she wrapped one of his arms around her waist. Never having let go of his hand she turned outward quickly and she was rather surprised when he turned her around in circles and then watched for her next move with eyes of a hawk. Alexandria gabbed the dress at the right side of the slit while holding his hand with her left. Their eyes met and would not part. Until her hand flew in front of her causing the dress to swirl a bit and reveal both her legs for a moment. She dropped the dress and again ran her hand up her bare leg as she stood in a semi squat position, one leg in front of the other. She kicked that same leg behind her and dragged it to the other slowly. Severus pulled her to him and her back began to arch as she propelled herself backward slowly and then pull up with the same speed. Color had come to her cheeks and he could see her breath in the cold night air just inches from him. Alexandria could see Harry and Ginny watching from around the corner. A smile came over her and she backed away.
"That was most impressive Severus."
"Pardon? I did nothing…"
"Come and dance with me inside. It's cold out here," she said pulling her cloak from the coach.
"No, dancing is a ridiculous waste of time. I don't dance," he sneered fixing his long coat that stopped at his knees. He looked very handsome in Alexandria's eyes with his suit and no professor robes, his body tall and slender.
"Are you sure? Cause you seemed to know the technique rather well except the rumba involves some body movement and in that department you seemed to be clueless." she smiled.
"I was not trying to dance with you. If I had been you would have known."
"Oh so I suppose you just twirl random girls here and there. Holding them as they dance around you? Engh… what am I talking about? I guess you can't dance."
His eyes formed a bit of a slit and he grabbed her coat from her and threw it aside. The rumba still played softly inside. It was a slow but intense dance. One he had hardly learnt from his cousin's classes. It was the dance of love. Something he did not feel for Moonberry. His hand took hers and he turned her quickly and then backed up as she stepped toward him with her free hand rubbing the side of her body and then taking his other hand as her feet twisted and turned quicker than one could see to determine where she had stood a moment ago. He watched her lips part as she preformed more difficult movements. Severus yanked her to him and then moved forward as she moved back. They dragged their feet slowly and then quickly, synchronized with one another. Alexandria was wrong, he could move his body a bit but he refused to do it even now and make things more intense. His hand met her mid back and held her to him tightly as they both moved their upper bodies in an eight formation. He turned her slowly so her body never lost contact with his and stared at her as her head tilted back and pressed against his own face. He turned her out (not really wanting to). The look on her face at that moment made it seem as though her body never wanted to leave his. She let go of his hand as the song inside ended. He raised his eyebrow.
"Now can you say that I cant dance?"
"Hahaha… if you are so sure of yourself why don't you come inside and dance with me?"
"No. I don't dance when people can see. It's not exactly my favorite thing to do and I would not have done it had you not been so quick to underestimate me."
"Dance with me Severus…" she begged, not even thinking to tell him that Harry and Ginny had seen their whole little show. "Please?"
"I said no… I need to be out here."
"Leave the kids alone… Dance with me."
"Moonberry if I have to tell you no one more time…"
"Please?"
"Dance with Remus! I'm sure he's wondering where you are at the very moment anyway! Seeing as how you two are never apart now."
"I cant…. He's dancing with…. Trelawny…" Alexandria almost kicked herself for not being able to think of another name. Even McGonagall would have been more convincing than Remus dancing with Trelawny.
"He is? My… I wonder what possessed him… Seeing as he finds her to be ridiculous…" he said shaking his head. "I am not buying into your lies."
Alexandria sighed a smoke of frosty breath leaving her body. "Fine… I just wanted someone to dance with. I suppose I will have to go and sit and watch like the other professors." Her voice seemed genuinely upset that he would not accompany her. He made fists with his hands and grumbled under his breath. He walked over to her and grabbed her arm firmly but gently.
"Have it your way." he said pulling her inside. The orchestra was just about to start playing when they walked in. McGonagall seemed rather concerned upon seeing him pull in Moonberry. He tossed her cloak one more time this time at Ron who was the closest person at the moment. Severus let her go and glanced around. There were quite a few people he could tell were surprised to see him there at all. The waltz started and couples began taking each other's hands. He watched as Moonberry looked around her and then curtsied. He bowed and held out his hand. Gently he felt her warm and soft fingertips land on his. She smiled as he pulled her softly and placed his right hand below her shoulder on her back. His other hand barely held hers. Slowly they began to glide across the dance-floor. The three counts in his head played continuously. He stared at her as she held her head high and to the side a bit. She was indeed very beautiful. He was so fixed on her that he had not noticed the floor begin to clear. The students stopped in shock and awe, seeing their DADA professor dance with their Potions mistress. Before long it was just the two of them gliding over the enchanted floor. Everyone watched intently as he led her everywhere and turned her softly, holding her for a small dip and pose, here and there.
"This is amazing…" Ron whispered to Hermione as he watched the professors dance.
Hermione just sighed with a large smile on her face. In her opinion it was just what the two needed.
"They look like the king and queen of Slytherin house…" Draco whispered to Hermione, for a reason even he didn't know. She turned to him with a raised eyebrow thinking he was trying to provoke her. And yet he seemed to have a point. "Dance with me Granger." he asked holding his hand out.
"No!" She she said rather loudly that she covered her mouth afterward.
"What are you scared of dancing with a real man?" he said looking over at Ron.
"Draco stop talking," she said shoving him so he turned the other way. She looked back at the two professors. Professor Snape seemed to have realized that everyone was watching at the moment because he almost stepped on Moonberry's foot. Yet she whispered his name and he continued as good as before until the song ended. He turned her in the end and they bowed and curtsied to each other. The applause they heard was louder than the orchestra had been.
"Now professor... Now I'm impressed," Alexandria said with a large smile on her face. She curtsied for her audience and then turned and wrapped her arms around him. He gave her a half smile that everyone could see except for her and kissed her hand after pulling her arms off of him. He bowed and walked off the dance floor. The crowd parted as he walked out.
"That was brilliant professor." Neville said still clapping.
"Thank you Mr. Longbottom." He said before exiting completely.
"Well I'm certainly impressed." McGonagall spoke as she watched the kids on the dance floor. More contemporary music was being played now and all the professors sat drinking butterbeer and eating Napoleon pastries. Alexandria smiled, she could not stop smiling since the dance. "I have never seen that side of Severus, I mean who would have thought the man could dance? I sure didn't."
"Well surprise," Moonberry said getting up and excusing herself. Her heart was racing thinking of the way she felt every time he held her close. The butterflies came back into her stomach and she giggled upon reaching the outdoors. "Oh Severus…" she whispered to herself.
Severus walked along the corridor on the 2nd floor looking out at where the coaches were. He cold not believe that he had just done that. To have everyone watching him. He would have stopped sooner if he had noticed everyone clear the floor. Alexandria had been so lovely as she danced in his arms he could not help but look anywhere else. He had started to feel warmer the moment she was in his arms. The snow outside started to trickle down. He opened a window and leaned on the sill. The air was cold and fresh. Alexandria caught his attention. She walked outside without her cloak on. Surely, she was freezing at the moment. He did not know why but the feeling to take her in his arms overcame him. He frowned. No Severus don't think of her like that… He had tried constantly to not think of her and had found it rather easy since the last episode with Narcissa. He tried to convince himself that Narcissa was the only woman who could make him feel warm inside but even he was not buying it. He felt so frustrated then he almost let out a growl. Great now I'm turning into Remus. Where is the damned wolf anyway? Did I not charge him with watching over her? I know I did. He closed the window and walked down the stairs into the yard.
"Where is Remus?" he asked keeping is tone flat.
"Oh my! You scared me." She said turning suddenly. "I don't know where he is."
"He should be with you!" his voice firm.
"Why?" she asked wrapping her arms around herself trying to rub them warm.
He turned and walked inside rather quickly, practically running in and out bringing her cloak with him. He threw it around her. It seemed like a slow motion moment. As he saw it flutter behind her and her eyes look up and at his. He tied the chords. "Because I told him to watch over you so that Lucius doesn't try anything funny again."
"You are that concerned for me?" she asked stepping closer.
"Yes, you don't know what Lucius is capable of. I do… I couldn't let anything like that happen to y…" he stopped realizing that sounded a bit like he was interested in her.
"Me?" she whispered taking both his hands.
He nodded and let her wrap her arms around him. He stood soaking in her warmth and the hint of berries he could smell sweetly on her skin.
Minerva looked down at the snow globe in front of her, watching the two from above. A smile came over her face. "Miss Granger I think we have accomplished something." she said to Hermione who stood beside her.
"It really is rather wonderful to see a different look on Professor Snape's face. Do you think he's fallen for her completely headmistress?"
"I don't quite know. Only time will tell. I think perhaps what they need is to spend quality time together. Think of something Miss Granger and run it by me. I think you were right in wanting to help things like this further along."
Hermione nodded and walked back into the grand ballroom and over to Ron. The ball had gone over well.
Alexandria pulled away from him for a moment and then leaned in and kissed the left side of his cheek by his lips. He felt the burn his body had been missing since the first time her lips had ever grazed his skin. As she pulled back her lips skimmed his and he wanted to yank her back but she got a pained look on her face and walked away without a word. A frown came over him and he ran after her.
"Alexandria, what is the matter?"
"Nothing, I just want to be alone right now," she said keeping her back turned to him. No, I know something is the matter. What did I do? I just stood there.
"Nothing? Seems like you're hiding something from me."
"What is it to you? You hide things too. Everyone hides things. So I was attacked by Lucius Malfoy… That does not mean I suddenly need to be under constant supervision! I'm a big girl Severus! I'm 25 years old… I… I just want to be alone now. You walk away from people all of the time and no one goes after you asking what the matter is."
"Thats because everyone knows details of my past, not complete details and they are more horrible than you could ever imagine!"
"Stop shouting at me Severus, I know there is shit in you bloody past! I know… I'm not as stupid as you seem to think I am sometimes. Why are you insisting? What do you want from me? What can I possibly give to you?"
He wanted to tell her straight out what he wanted from her but, he could not… Everything. I want everything from you, you bloody woman! I want your arms around me constantly and it drives me insane. I want your lips on my lips, face, everywhere! I want you to be mine and only mine! I want to wake up in the morning and see your face. I want to touch you in ways I can hardly believe I've thought of. And that is annoying cause I start thinking of it in class and that day is shite… I want to grab you right now and kiss you so much our lips go numb. I wanna rip that cloak off of you and dance again feeling our bodies rub together. I want... you… Severus looked down at his feet feeling somewhat pathetic at the moment. He wished. If only she could have heard that... Then again he was sure she would have ran from him. He shook his head. "I don't know… nothing I suppose." He said turning away from her.
Alexandria could feel her emotions coming up. She would lose herself any moment. The orchestra was still playing loudly inside. The ball would be over soon. She decided it best for her to go her own way as well and thus bringing the night to an end.
Hermione had finished opening her gifts her parents had sent her. Most of the kids had left for home the day after the ball but not her. She had decided to stay with Harry this year as it seemed he spent every winter break alone. This year Ron had gone with his family to Romania to visit his brother Charlie. Harry sat beside her happily eating away at some cookies and talking about their plans to go ice skating. The castle was wonderful when it was nearly empty except for a very small few of random students and of course some professors had stayed as well. "Harry, do you know if Professor Moonberry has stayed for the break?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"No reason. What about Professor Snape?"
"He always stays unfortunately. Why are you asking me these questions 'Mione?"
"I just need to know for something I have in mind. Will you help me look for them?"
"Sure, but just remember that Neville asked to go ice skating with us later before he heads to St. Mungos."
"Alright, alright. Lets go shall we?"
Harry looked down at his pj's and then back at his friend. "I'll change before you drag me anywhere."
They spent the next two hours looking for their professors. They found Severus first. He was in one of the dungeons working on a potion. It was a dark room and only a few candles lit it. If Harry wouldn't have known better he would say that Snape was back to his old ways and doing something evil.
"Professor?" Hermione said stepping in.
"How dare you intrude!" he said surprised and walked up to them. "I suggest you get out before I hex the both of you!"
"Please Professor, we came to tell you that Professor Moonberry is looking for you. She was in a rush to somewhere but she asked us to find you and tell you."
He eyed the two of them. Harry gulped hard thinking of what he would say if she was actually not at the castle. They would probably end up with some sort of evil curse on them.
"Did she? Well… you may go…"
Hermione smiled at her professor and then grabbed Harry's hand and yanked him out of the dark room and back outside. "Ok now we just need to find Professor Moonberry."
"I need the Marauder's map. It will make things easier. Lets find Lupin first."
After acquiring the map the found Alexandria at the frozen pond. She was ice skating. Hermione walked right up to the pond and shouted to her. Alexandria turned and skated over. Harry could not help but look at how tall she was on her skates. She was also the most beautiful teacher he had ever had. Her hair was up in a ponytail and her dress was extremely short. It was tight like a leotard and a light blue like her earmuffs. Her stockings were white like her skates. It was obviously an ice skating costume. The glitter from it glistened as she flashed them both a flawless smile. "Hullo you two. How can I help you?"
"Do you ice skate too?" Hermione asked looking at the hem of the dress.
"Not very well. I just like to dress the part. Do you like it?"
"Yeah!" Harry answered and then covered his mouth. "Sorry…"
She laughed at him and then looked straight past them. Hermione turned and saw Professor Snape walking towards them. He was looking down at the snow making sure he did not take a wrong step. He had added another coat to his outfit, a scarf and some gloves. It was very cold. "Professor Moonberry… what can I do for you?" he asked sounding unpleasant Hermione thought.
"Pardon?"
"Stop! I lied to you both…" Hermione felt herself say unsure as to what her reason might be. Together they turned to her. Everyone, including Harry kept their gazes fixed waiting for an answer. She finally thought of one and Harry would hate her forever for it. "Well I figured… sorry for assuming… but you see… uh… I enjoyed your dancing so much and Harry told me of the dance you both did outside that night and well…" Harry elbowed her in the ribs. Bloody hell… I just told them that Harry was outside that night. Nice Hermione… really brilliant. "I mean…"
Professor Snape's gaze had fixed on Harry and she knew the points would be deducted later. "What was Mr. Potter doing outside?"
"Oh he had been looking for me," Moonberry inserted, a move Hermione had not seen coming. "After the dance he followed us inside and then I spoke with him a bit after concerning… Well, its none of your affair…"
Severus rolled his eyes at her and then looked at Hermione, "Well Miss Granger get on with it before I lose my temper."
"Well I was hoping… You and Professor Moonberry could show me the... the... Tango. My parents want to put me in a muggle dancing class and I though I should see what I'm up against. Could you please? There aren't nearly as many people to see you this time if you agree."
Alexandria laughed, "Can you tango Severus?"
"No. And I would not try even if my life depended on it."
"Please Professor, you don't know how scared I am of these lessons, I mean… have you seen me dance?"
"Yes I danced with you as you stepped on my feet before I paired you with Mr. Weasley."
"Come on Severus, lets show them… I'll teach you."
He watched as she waved her hand over her feet and her ice skates became ankle boots. His gaze ran up her legs. He turned away and shook his head. "I said no. Why do you always insist? I will not embarrass myself for this rubbish!"
"Its not rubbish!" Alexandria shouted at him. He could feel how insulted she seemed to be at hearing this.
"All dancing is rubbish…"
"And yet, you still dance when you have to."
The two were at each others throats before Hermione could do anything. A snowball hit professor Snape on the side of the face. He looked at the two standing beside him. "Why how dare you…" Another flew from behind them and hit him on the nose. He shook it off. That one had hurt it had been made of ice, not fluffy snow. He turned as Moonberry laughed.
"How dare you. You… will… pay for this."
"Oh come on, lets go inside… its freezing out here," she said crossing her arms.
"Well if you were wearing more clothes…" Severus answered.
"These are ice skating clothes I'll have you know. Men…"
Hermione laughed at this while Harry and Severus seemed to be insulted. Everyone except for Alexandria shook off their snowy clothes.
"We can use the ballroom, no one is in there." Hermione said leading the way.
"I never agreed to…" Severus started but Alexandria covered his mouth.
"Yes you did, now lets go." She grabbed his hand and pulled him as she ran. He could not help but think she looked like an elf in her small dress, white stockings and those little ankle boots that looked to be folded outward in front of her ankle making them look a lot like elf shoes. Not a house elf of course but the tall and fair ones that were rare in this part of the wizarding world. The ball room had been cleared out and the only thing that remained were the mirrors and a great chandalier. Alexandria pulled out her wand and without a word a large light emanated from it making even Professor Snape close his eyes. When they opened the room had several smaller chandaliers and the mirrors had been lined in gold each of them separated by only a few inches. Severus looked her way.
"What is all this for?"
"Well, Schonbrun Palace has a ballroom like this and naturally you cant dance in it but what I would have given to do so. So I decided to enchant this one to look similar It is only based on memory but it is close enough."
"You mean that one palace in Austria?" Harry asked still examining the mirrors.
"Yes, in Vienna. Have you been?"
"No, I don't go out much in the muggle world, except when Aunt Petunia needs someone to carry her bags for her if she's shopping."
"Oh, perhaps someday… you should go. I love castles."
Hermione added her own enchantment to the room. Music began to play. The tango, to see Alexandria do it would be a treat, but she was not so sure about Professor Snape.
"Ok Hermione. Harry. Take your places anywhere in the room, preferably not too far apart."
"What?" Harry asked backing up. "I don't wanna learn. Its 'Mione, not me."
"Well she cant do a tango alone, Potter!" Severus raised his voice. Hoping if it all went well he would not have to be involved.
Harry hesitated and finally agreed when Hermione winked a him. She has a plan.
"Ok good, now.." Alexandria continued. For a few minutes she showed Hermione and Harry basics. Severus just stood aside and watched. He would correct Harry's posture here and there but did not say more. He was slightly more interested in seeing Alexandria. The sleeves on her dress began to disappear, until only a small glittering string held it up. The dress itself began to turn a deep red almost black. Her stockings disappeared leaving only her bare legs. Her elf shoes turned into black high heels. He turned quickly as she looked at him. A smile came over her and she walked over to him. "Come on Severus… lets dance."
"No," he said in almost a whisper due to losing his breath.
His voice was like velvet and sent chills up and down her spine. "Please?" she whispered only a few inches from his face.
He turned from her once more and looked at Harry and Hermione. They were laughing as they took each step. The young girl turned from her partner and looked at her professors. "I don't think I've got the right shoes on for this and I think Harry needs different pants we'll be right back." She said pulling Harry out the door with her.
His gazed turned and fixed on Alexandria, "I really don't want to."
"Not even with me?"
"Not even with you."
A smile came over here, "I'll change your mind," she whispered in his ear. His hand had hers suddenly as she stepped back and away from him. She leaned to toward the floor not letting go of his hand. He yanked her up and she hit his chest with hers. She grabbed the back of his neck with both hands and kicked her leg around his waist. "Not working yet?"
He raised his eyebrow, "no actually, its not."
He felt her take his other hand and place it on her hip, under the dress. His hand ran down the leg she had around his waist, and back up. His other hand made its way around her back and then he spun her away from him. It was too close for comfort. He walked over taking her waist violently and dipping her, his other hand held hers high. She did not dip back entirely but held herself to look at him in the eyes. She could feel one of his legs stretched out and touching hers. The other of course had stepped forward holding both of their weights. For a while they stood in that position. Alexandria looked up at him wishing circumstances were different. "Severus…" she whispered her breath deep and low.
Severus knew as well as she did what would happen next if they werent parted. He pulled her up. "No more. I cannot do this anymore. This is by far the stupidest thing I've ever done. Good day Ms. Moonberry." He said walking out of the room.
He wasn't getting away that easy. "What is that supposed to mean?" she shouted running up to him.
"It means what I said it means… Ahhh… will you leave me alone!"
"No! I wont! I feel insulted."
"What part do you not understand? The part that dancing all these silly things with you is rubbish or the part that I don't want to be in your company anymore today… or this week , I should say."
A jolt of pain hit her hard. She could feel tears swelling in her eyes. Not being able to look him in the eyes she just turned and ran as fast as her legs would carry her. He had regretted it the moment it all came out his mouth. It was too late to go after her now… Bloody brilliant aren't I? I just wanted to get some distance and I make her cry instead. He sighed and shook his head. I'll have to make it up to her if its the last thing I do...