I could give you a lot of fancy terms and excuses for not updating in over a year; but I am not going to. My reason for not finishing this story rests in one word: life. Sorry it interceded in the way of my loyal readers' happiness. I have revamped t he rest of the plot to the story from the original version so there will be a little bit more of a spark.

Happy readings,

WEBBY

Oh, and special thoughts go out to Maggie Smith who is battling breast cancer. Without her McGonagall would just be an old spinster.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Oh, Merlin! No….no….no….no this was not happening. Her entire body was frozen and her eyes shaking with confusion. The roar from the stadium was deafening but not even the sounds of victory could drown out her disappointment. Gryffindor had lost to Slytherin; 150-250 to the serpent house. The staff behind her were murmuring pleasantly but beside her Minerva was beside herself.

"This is outrageous! Absolutely humiliating. How shall I look Severus in the face for the next few weeks?"

Starring down at her hands she said aloud, "How will I?" The bet that Severus and her had made in Rosmerta's was currently weighing heavily down on her mind. Kate didn't mind patrolling the outside grounds but it was the other half. The other stupid half…that she herself had insisted on. She was such an idiot!

She had to ask Severus Snape to dance at the Christmas Ball. That thought in itself made her uneasy. Minerva brought her out from her thoughts.

"Come dearie let us warm up with a cup of hot chocolate." Kate stood and turned to start walking up the steps when she saw Snape arrogantly standing next to the stairs. His arms were folded across his chest and his head was tipped in such as a way as knowing he had accomplished his goal. There was absolutely no way she was going to give him the satisfaction.

As she passed her eyes connected with his and confidently she said, "Lucky catch." His eyebrow raised and out of the corner of his mouth he murmured, "I hear there is going to be a tango this year." Kate tripped slightly but caught herself quickly and composed her posture. He chuckled and as quickly as she could carry she caught up with Minerva.

"Kate…you alright? You look a little pale." The older woman was looking at Kate sideways with a concerned raised eyebrow.

"No, I'm n-n-not alright." She shook her head quickly because she found herself stuttering.

"What's wrong?"



"I have done something very very stupid…and I do not think I can live with the humiliation." Kate saw Minerva's twitch upward.

"Is this about the arrangement between you and Severus?" Kate cringed.

"Please don't use that phrasing…it sounds like we're having an affair or something awful like that. Wait….how do you know about it?"

Minerva smile was out all the way now. "I overheard you two talking at Rosmerta's."

Kate rolled her eyes.

"Just think…you have two weeks to find a knock-out dress." Minerva said nonchalantly. Kate gasped.

"Minerva I want to avoid him….not seduce him!"

"Well because you are the way you are I know you will stick to your word. And trust me Kate…I would not encourage any woman to seduce him, but if you must ask him to dance. Why not have a little fun with it?" Both women laughed slightly and continued on to the castle. Kate's wheels in her head were turning; yeah, why not have a little fun with dear old Professor Snape. To beat him at his own game.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX