The next few weeks seemed to go in slow motion. Eleanor barely had time to think with all of the studying for her N.E.W.Ts and talk of the ball. The halls buzzed with talk of dresses and hairstyles and dates. Eleanor, Lily, and Ally sat in the library, leafing through their textbooks and not really reading at all. With the ball a day away, the librarian had long given up on silencing the students and instead sat, frazzled, behind her desk.
"I think I'm going to wear my hair up…" Lily stated simply, staring out into space. "Maybe a few curls coming down."
Ally laughed. "That sounds cute. I was thinking the same thing, you rotten little idea stealer."
Eleanor looked up as someone beside her tapped her on the shoulder and cleared their throat. She gave a horrible attempt at a smile as she found herself looking up at Severus Snape. He kept the same cold expression he always had, his hair hanging down to his chin in greasy pieces. She just stared at him for a moment, wondering what he could possibly have wanted. Had she borrowed a book of his and forgotten to give it back?
"Hello, Severus…"
He lowered his head for a second as acknowledgement, then looked across the room. "A moment please?"
She hesitated before standing. "I'll be back, guys."
She proceeded to follow Severus through a maze of bookshelves, his head snapping in every direction to make sure no one was around. He brought her all the way into the back rows of books that no one ever bothered to look at. She slowed to a stop, it finally occurring to her that he might attack her or hex her.
"Severus, what is this about?"
He turned around, looking at her. "Is it true…?"
Her heart sped up. "Is what true?" Surely he couldn't know.
His eyes softened slightly and he took a step toward her. "That you and that… that dreadful boy are no longer… together?"
She frowned but was glad he didn't know anymore than that. "Yes, it's true."
"Oh." He looked down, gripping his robes in his fists.
She waited a moment, but he said nothing else.
"Is that all you wanted to know, Severus?"
She heard a harsh whisper from somewhere behind the bookcase next to them and Severus grew even more uncomfortable. He looked downright nervous. He looked around at the floor, not daring to meet her eyes.
"No…no, it isn't."
She couldn't help but smile, her eyes railing over to the bookcase. She saw, staring back at her, a pair of green eyes and flowing brown hair. They widened slightly, shocked at being caught, and disappeared.
"Than what else did you want?" She asked, holding back a laugh.
"I just wanted to know… if you would go to the ball with me tomorrow."
She thought a moment, not knowing if she was really surprised by this. And what would it mean, going with him? The Gryffindors would all despise her and Remus… he would be pissed.
"Sure." She nodded. "I'd love to."
His eyes widened slightly and he stared at her a moment like that wasn't the answer he expected. It wasn't the answer she had expected either.
"Why not?" She shrugged.
After a moment, he cleared his throat in attempt to regain his composure. "Right… well, then. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, tomorrow." Eleanor made her way back to the table.
She sat down across from Ally and Lily who stared at her expectantly, on the edge of their seats. She thought about it for a moment, rolling it around in her head. Did this really just happen? Had she really said yes? Looking annoyed, like she didn't think she should really have to ask, Ally spoke up.
"So, what was that all about?"
Eleanor looked up at them finally. "Severus just asked me to the ball."
They both looked at her for a moment before breaking out into quiet laughter.
"Are you serious?" Ally covered her mouth.
"I can't believe he… did he really think you'd-" Lily started, amazed.
When Eleanor didn't respond, they both grew serious. Then Ally's face fell.
"Oh, don't tell me you-"
But she couldn't even finish her sentence.
"I didn't want to hurt his feelings and I didn't have a date anyway."
"OH, IN THE NAME OF MERLIN!" Ally hollered, getting to her feet.
The librarian rushed over, her face bright red. "Out, now! You girls are much too loud. OUT!"
The girls got up quickly, shuffling out of the room. The librarian slammed the door behind them and the three girls stood in the hallway for a moment, not knowing what to say to each other. Ally rolled her eyes and headed toward the Great Hall for lunch. Lily and Eleanor trailed behind her quietly. They made it to their table and sat down opposite James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus. None of the girls said anything and the boys just looked at them, confused.
"Well, hello, ladies." Sirius smiled. "How's your day going?"
"Just peachy." Ally hissed.
James gave a pained expression, not knowing if he should ask. "What… happened?"
Ally put on a fake grin, looking over at Eleanor. "Oh, why don't you tell him, Nell?"
Eleanor clenched her fists, fighting the urge to punch her. She brought her eyes up to meet Sirius's and spoke through a painted smile. "Severus Snape of Slytherin… surely you've heard of him?"
Sirius eyed her curiously. "Yeah…"
Eleanor clapped her hands together, fluttering her eyelashes and speaking in an over dramatized voice. "Well, I think he's quite swell and when he approached me in the library this morning and asked me to the ball, it was as if all of my dreams came true and I just had to say yes."
"Wait! What?!"
Eleanor got serious, glaring across at him. "I said yes! I'm going to the ball with Severus."
"I… I can't believe…SNIVELLUS?!" Sirius looked like he would be sick.
"Oh, would you stop calling him that? What did he ever do to you?" Eleanor threw a roll at him.
Remus looked down, closing his eyes tightly. While he had been waiting for Eleanor to decide whether or not she could be with him, he lost her. To Snape, none the less.
"What did he ever-?! What… what did he have to do? He's Snivellus!"
Eleanor stood up quickly, slamming her hands on the table. "Grow up, Sirius! Life isn't all about being popular and handsome and picking on people because they're not in your little group of friends or because you don't like their clothes!"
Sirius stared at her, a little embarrassed as everyone in the room stared at him. Eleanor seemed to think this was enough and turned on her heel, leaving the Hall. Sirius looked over at Ally and Lily.
"But seriously… Snivellus?"
Both girls nodded with sickened expressions.
"Hey, Snivelly!" Sirius said with a mock kindness, clamping a hand down on Severus's shoulder.
Severus looked up from his lunch before him quickly, his eyes widening. James came up to his other side and took hold of his arm. The two boys pulled him up from his seat and tugged him toward the door. Once they were out on the grounds, Sirius threw him down into the fresh snow, brushing a hand back through his hair. Confused, Severus rolled over onto his back to look up at them. James and Sirius circled him. By now, several students had gathered at the doorway to watch. James pointed down at him menacingly.
"You've got no business with Eleanor, Snivellus."
"And I'm appalled-" Sirius continued. "That you would even dream of asking her to the dance."
Severus glared up at them, pushing himself to his feet. Before he could get up, James pointed his wand at him and muttered something. Red sparks shot out and Snape was knocked backward at least three feet. Frustrated, he reached into his robes for his wand. He rolled onto his back quickly and pointed it at James. Instantly, blue sparks shot from the tip and connected with James's face, cutting him. He cried out, putting his free hand over the cut, his other hand raising his wand high. But before he had the chance to say anything, his wand was sent flying out of his hand. An enraged Eleanor shoved past them, offering a hand to help Severus to his feet. Severus ignored it, standing up and raising his wand at Sirius.
"Don't you dare!" Eleanor reached over and grabbed it from him. She then turned it on Sirius, glaring at him.
She took a few steps toward him, her breathing heavy and her eyes livid. Sirius glared right back at her.
"Go away, Nell… we're just protecting-"
"Protecting me?" She yelled, throwing Severus's wand to the side. "I don't need you to protect me, Sirius! You're not my brother! You're not my boyfriend! I'm not even sure you're really my friend!"
Sirius's face fell, but that didn't make him give up on justification. "You know what he's like, Nell. Snivellus is a foul, disgusting…loathsome little git! Whatever he wants with you, it isn't good!"
Eleanor lowered her voice. "You are pathetic." She shook her head, looking him over in disgust. "Leave him alone… if I ever see you bothering him again, I'll-"
"You'll what?" Sirius smirked. Sirius knew he was better at magic and quicker in a duel.
Eleanor's blood boiled. She looked at him long and hard for a second. And before she knew what she was doing, she'd slapped him so hard she left a red welt. He stared at her with pursed lips. Her eyes widened slightly, surprised that she had done it. The crowd behind them had erupted in stifled laughter.
"You're a damned fool, Sirius Black." She turned and looked at James, who stared at her in disbelief. "So are you."
She looked over her shoulder, seeing that Severus had already collected his wand and made an exit. Giving one last poisonous glare at Sirius and James, she headed back inside. She found Severus down by the dungeons, sitting on a stair. She stood at the top, looking down at him.
"Are you alright?"
He stood up and wheeled around, his face still red with embarrassment. "I'm fine! I didn't need your help!"
"I know…but I needed to teach them a lesson. I'm sorry." She looked down.
He just stared at her for a long moment, clenching his fists at his sides.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Severus."
Eleanor turned on her heel, feeling the sudden urge to cry. She couldn't believe she'd just turned on her friends… for Severus Snape. Sirius would never forgive her for that. On her way back up to the Gryffindor common room, she passed Lily, James, Sirius, and Ally in the hall. All of them just watched her quietly. She could almost feel the hatred coming from them. She went into her dorm and grabbed a few things, setting back out again.
