Chapter 7 – Invitation

Professor McGonnagall took upon herself the responsibility of introducing the Hogwarts students with the wonderful magic of dance. As she invited everyone to find a pair and practice the steps, I ended up, dancing with tall fifth year student on whose feet I managed to step on a couple of times. I was absolutely uncoordinated when it came to such difficult task as dancing. I wondered with whom I will be damned to be partnered in ball.

My concern did not ceased until the dancing practice was over. The main problem was that there was only one person with whom I would like to go, but I had no courage to invite him, because I did not know if it was allowed. I waited until the students left the room, leaving Professor McGonnagall and me alone, and then approached her.

"Professor, can I have a word with you?"

"Of course, Bella. How can I help you?"

McGonnagall as always was kind and understanding. And she was the only one apart from Dumbledore who addressed me by first name. She reminded me a little of my grandma Swan.

"I have a problem with my date for the ball," I glanced around to make sure we were alone in the hallway. "I was wondering, are there any rules about choosing the partner for the ball? Like age or status in school? Can I invite someone myself or should I wait until the guy will invite me first?"

"As one of Champions, you are allowed to ask anyone," McGonagall said. "Do you already have someone particular on your mind?"

"Well, the problem is that... he's not a student, so I was wondering if it would be appropriate to ask one of... teachers to be my partner," I stammered.

The Transfiguration teacher narrowed her eyes at me. I could almost see her mentally running over the whole list of Professors in Hogwarts. "Why don't you ask a seventh year student?"

"They all are younger than me, Professor. It would be like going to the ball with a youngest brother." I made a wry face. "I thought, since I'm eldest student in here, it would be okay to ask out someone who's – "

" – older than you, I understand that. Well, like I said, as the Champion, you are free to choose anyone, no matter student or Professor," McGonnagall smiled. "And good luck to you, Bella. You will need it, if you're planning to ask your chosen person. Assuming that my guess is correct, of course."

I blushed and gave her a smile. That was the encouragment I needed. As long as there were no rules broken by doing it, I could muster up my courage to ask him out. After all, it was just a ball, not a date or something else. And I was certain that he could do something about my dancing skills as well.

The next day I held back in Potion class a bit longer than the others, waiting for the moment when the room will be empty. Professor Snape sat at his desk, making a few notes on parchment and at first did not realized he was not alone. Only when I walked up to him, Snape finally lifted his head and gave me stern and impatient look.

"Miss Swan, you'll be late for your next class," he dryly commented and went back to his notes. Few seconds later he raised his head and noticed that I was still standing where I was.

"Professor Snape, I was wondering – "

"Now that is something really extraordinary."

" – would you agree to come with me to the ball?" I already was so used to Snape's comments that they did no effect anymore.

There was a moment of silence while Snape tried to figure out if I was being serious. I reminded myself that I must be patient, and stood still, waiting. Finally Snape put his quill away and folded his arms on desk. His dark eyes narrowed, scrutinizing me from head to toes, his lips curved in small smirk.

"What on earth makes you think I would agree?" he slowly drawled.

"Nothing," I shrugged. If he was about to be cool and indifferent, two could play the game. The last thing he needed to know was how much my knees were shaking inwardly. Once again I felt lucky for my ability to keep my thoughts in secret from his Legilimens skills.

"Then why bother asking?" Snape's smirk grew bigger.

Okay, apparently this was not going to work. Maybe I should try a different approach. I closed my eyes for a few seconds, then quickly glanced at Snape and turned around, slowly counting to ten while walking to the door.

At count of seven, I heard Snape's voice behind me. "Never thought you would be giving up so quickly."

I owed a big thanks to the person who invented reverse psychology. It is one good and useful thing indeed. I definitely must remember this trick for the future. Snape never saw the smile that flickered on my lips before I turned to face him.

"Why to bother? Isn't it obvious I'm only wasting my time?"

"I didn't said I won't go."

"I know. You don't even have to say that. It's pretty obvious anyway," I crossed my arms and did my best Snape impersonation I could, scowling at him. For one moment I could swear I saw the corners of his lips tugging upwards.

"I'll meet you at Great Hall entrance at seven o'clock. Don't be late."

That was rather easy. However it was only half of my problem being solved now. Time to get to the second half.

"Umm, professor, there is one thing you should probably know," I fidgeted a bit nervously.

"Oh, there is? And what that would be?" he sounded rather curious than irritated.

"I'm not a good dancer. In fact, I'm totally uncoordinated." My words proved to be true in action as I made a careless step aside and hit the table, nearly losing my balance. Snape watched me with a slight grin.

"Yes, I can see that. Thankfully it can be easily fixed. In spite of what you may think of me, I do care about the students of my house," he murmured a quick note to the Dictoquill, and then pointed at door. "Like I said, you're running late for your next class. I would suggest you to hurry up, before Slytherin loses five points."

"But..."

"Now, Miss Swan! As for that little... problem of yours, leave that to me," he smirked again.

There was no use of arguing. Without a word I turned and left, making my way to Herbology class. I had no idea of how could he possibly solve my uncoordination, maybe he was about to feed me with some potion or put a spell on me – it did not mattered. As long as it kept me from stepping on his feet, I was fine with any solution.

My biggest problem was that I had absolutely no idea of what to even wear. Dresses, shoes and other female fashion things were something I never really cared about, but now I had no choice but to start taking at least a little interest. Thankfully it was holiday, and the trip to the Hogsmeade was planned tomorrow. I already spoke to Ginny who agreed to accompany me in search of dress. She had a good taste, besides lately we rarely got to spend some time together.

It seemed that I was not the only one who had problems with the Yule Ball. Just a few days were left, but Harry and Ron still had no partners. Harry even risked to suggest that maybe I could go with Ron. I felt guilty at seeing his hopeful look when he said that, and even more when I had to say no. Hermione too had been asked out already, though neither of us told the others with whom we are going. Or even to each other.

One thing was clear – this ball gave me more trouble than the battle with dragon.

At the evening of Yule Ball, I sat in my dormitory, dressed up in an emerald green dress from the richest velvet which left my shoulders bare, revealing my neck. Ginny's help with choosing the dress was as valuable as taming my hair. I could never deal with it myself, but Ginny made a true miracle. Now my dark locks were pulled up with few separate curls tangling along my cheeks, nicely framing my delicate features. Silver necklace with one single emerald in center hung around my neck – the Christmas gift from Snape in my second year.

"So, with whom you're going?" Ginny's voice came from dormitory door.

She was hiding under Invisibility Cloak which Harry kindly let her to borrow, otherwise Snape would most likely explode in anger upon finding a Gryffindor student inside of Slytherin rooms. She entered with me as I returned from the lunch, and has been sitting on my bed all the time while my roommates were dressing up themselves. Only when we were finally left alone, she removed the Cloak from her head and pulled her arms out – which looked kind of freaky, but we both agreed that this was best for her to be able to hide fast should anyone come in.

"Well, I asked someone, he agreed, the end of story," I evaded the truth.

For a several days Ginny was trying to snoop this information out, no matter how I tried to avoid the answer. If I told her I was going with Snape, she would share this information with half of school. And the last thing I needed was some stupid gossip spreading around. I owed Severus that much.

"Aww, it's so not fair! You could at least give me some hint." Ginny whined, while I carefully opened the door and made sure if I can get her out safely.

There were a few first and second year students, but they were not looking at us. I took my wand, Disillusionated myself (just in case if we run on Snape – I did not wanted him to see me before the time), then grasped Ginny's arm under the Cloak and led her out. Only when we were outside in corridor, I sighed and finally answered to her.

"You want some hint? Fine, here it is, he is not a student. Happy?"

"Oh, you're kidding me, right?" Ginny gasped in shock. "Did you asked a teacher? Or someone else?"

"You'll see it soon. And thanks for help with dress and hair."

"No problem," Ginny revealed her head, making it visible. It was kind of weird to see her head seemingly hanging in the air. "Trust me, your partner will be speechless when he will see you. I can bet you on five galleons."

I almost laughed. Snape and speechless? Hardly possible. Ginny would never bet me on it if she knew with whom I was going to the ball.

"I'll give you ten galleons if your predictment will turn out to be correct. Now go before Snape catch you here. I don't think any of us need to spoil our mood before the ball."

Ginny made a wry face. "True, Snape could put us both in detention even in Christmas eve." She glanced at her watch and startled. "Gee, sorry, Bella, I'll better go get ready myself. I don't want Neville to wait for me too long. He asked me right after McGonnagall announced about the ball. Since I'm a third year student, it was my only chance to go, however..."

"You would rather go with Harry," I finished.

Sometimes I felt I could smack that boy straight at head. How could he be so blind, drooling after Cho, when there was a nice, loving girl right in front of his eyes. Boys could be so thick-headed.

Ginny nodded sadly, then pulled the Cloak over her head and vanished. When her steps departed, I returned in dormitory, thinking about how to solve her problem after the ball. Right now I had to worry about something more important. Snape did not give me at least a hint about how exactly he was going to help me with dancing problem.

I stood before the mirror and ensured myself I look quite acceptable. When I turned around, I suddenly spotted a box on my bed which I was ready to swear was not there before. I carefully lifted the lid and found inside a pair of beautiful, white velvet velvet shoes. At my touch they changed colour, turning green with silver adornment.

There was a note attached which I took out to read. At sight of familiar handwriting I could not help but smile.

Miss Swan,

These shoes are enchanted with a particular spell that would help You to dance even the most difficult steps. I expect You to wear them tonight. Also, the spell is permanent and shoes' colour changes itself according to what You wear, so You can use them in the future as well. Consider this as a Christmas gift.

Professor Severus Snape

I stared at note, then back at shoes, my mind whirling in confusion. This was the most nicest gift I ever received. The fact it came from Severus Snape made it more priceless and dear to me.

I took the shoes and admired them for a moment, then put them on, replacing the silver flat ones I was planning to wear at first. The new ones fit perfectly as if made especially for me. Or maybe so they were. One would never know when it comes about Snape. The colour perfectly matched with my dress and jewelries, the heels were not too high, just the way I liked. I had to restrain myself from squealing like a child from joy.

The remaining minutes passed fast, and soon I left the dormitory, crossed the common room, earning many looks of appraisal from the younger students, and walked out, heading to the Entrance Hall. Turning around the corner, I spotted Snape who came out of room, hidden with nasty looking wizard's portrait – presumably there were his private quarters. The Potions Master, as always, was dressed in black, however instead of his usual long robe and frock-coat Snape wore something resembling tailcoat. He looked more formal than usually, yet his stance was intimidating as always.

I waited until Snape closed the portrait and turned to walk towards the Great Hall, then quickly caught up with him and cleared my throat to get his attention.

Snape turned and froze.

I could not help but chuckle. Obviously unbelievable – Ginny was right. I made Severus Snape speechless. He was desperately searching for words, but for once not a mere sound came across his lips, while his black eyes traveled across my body from head to toes. His eyebrows slightly raised, and finally a small smile appeared on his lips.

"I believe I just lost ten galleons on bet," I sighed in mocked remorse.

Snape's face immediately hardened. "Come again? Are you saying that this invitation to be your partner in ball was only to win some stupid bet?"

"NO!" I exclaimed in horror, then took a deep breath and explained. "You see, sir, Ginny claimed that my appearance like this," I slowly turned around, demonstrating my dress, "would make my partner speechless. I thought she was wrong, so we made a bet."

Snape glanced at me suspiciously, but after my words he calmed. Gee, what is wrong with him? Did he actually thought I could make a bet about being able or not to invite him to the ball? One thing was certain – Snape was extremely paranoid person.

"Did you told anyone – "

"– that I will go with you, sir? No, I didn't."

"Why?" Snape's face was unreadable. If I didn't know him, I'd say he was sligthly offended. His further words proved me right. "Are you ashamed of me as your partner?"

"No, I'm mostly honoured. I kept it in secret because I kinda like to put people in shock," I chuckled. "Can you imagine Harry's face when he will see us together?"

"I was under impression that Potter is your friend, Miss Swan," Snape elegantly offered me his arm as we walked together toward the stone stairwell which led from the dungeons to the Entrance hall.

"True, but it doesn't mean we're not teasing each other once in a while. After the First task he and Ron called me the Dragon Rider."

"And now what? Aren't you afraid that they might call you the Queen of Dungeons Bats," Snape smirked.

I almost stumbled across my feet. Who would know that Severus Snape actually had a sense of humour.

"By the way, the dungeons are fine, and bats too," I casually shrugged.

Snape's mouth corners twitched almost invisibly, though his features remained calm. When we reached the Entrance Hall, I had prepared for the people reaction upon our appearance, still I barely stiffened laughter when some people's jaws dropped open, seeing me walking by Snape's side.

The look on Harry's face was priceless. As we came closer, he backed away until his back nearly collided with the wall. Both Parvati and Hermione (whose partner to the ball was no one else but Viktor Krum) only gaped at us, but I could swear there was a smug know-it-all look at Hermione's face as if she had suspected it all along. Then again, knowing her, I would not be surprised if she actually did.

Professor McGonagall came to us, announcing that we must dance first to open the Yule Ball – it was a tradition. Snape pulled me behind the rest of pairs to enter the hall as the last ones. While we waited, I felt that my anxiety was slowly coming back. Snape noticed it, too, because he reached with his right hand to gently rub my fingers to ease my iron grip onto his left arm.

"Relax, Miss Swan, you faced the dragon a month ago. Surely you can handle such simple task as dancing," he murmured.

"Speaking honestly, I'd rather choose dragon right now," I whispered back. "I really hate dancing!"

Snape grinned, still covering my hand with his, providing soothing warmth. I took a deep breath, when the door before us finally opened, revealing the aisle with the students of all three schools lined in both sides. They bursted into applause at the sight of four pairs, waiting on the other side.

"Ready?" Snape quietly asked, when the first pair (Fleur with some guy I did not recognized) began to move forward.

"Not at all. Let's go," I straightened my shoulders and flashed a smile at him.

Time to face the music. Both in figurative and literate meaning. Though I did not told Snape one thing – as long as he was at my side, I could deal with everything, even if it was such terrible thing as dancing.