My relationship with Snape changed after that day.

We had to remain proper, which in Dumbledore's mind meant that we couldn't even kiss, and we weren't allowed to be in a room alone together. I also wasn't allowed to be his apprentice anymore, so he just gave me advanced assignments in the normal class.

Dumbledore locked the potions classroom every night, so I started sleeping in the common room. He couldn't lock that room.

Sometimes Snape's hand would linger on my back during potions class where no one could see it. I would shiver in delight and wish the semester would just end already.

The only time we had to ourselves was in our dreams.

The dreams were mostly us making out and then lying in each other's arms. I enjoyed the making out part more.

I had to catch myself if I stared at him for too long during class. Dumbledore had a spy crystal ball in the room. Jerk.

I stole glances at his hands, his lips and even though his robes covered it, the general area of his butt. And when my imagination failed me, I would sigh and wish for the day when he would come out of my dreams and into my arms. --Oklahoma rules!--

Snape got special permission to take me to the spring dance. McGonagall supervised us, so Dumbledore didn't get pissy again.

I wore a 1920's style empire dress, which I thought Snape would appreciate. The dark maroon colour matched his black robes very well.

I still had yet to see him dressed in something different than those black robes.

Every other girl wore short shiny dresses that went with the 90's style. Mine stuck out as I walked into the great hall.

Snape stood with the teachers, waiting for them to stop lecturing him on the rules for tonight. I saw him roll his eyes.

I walked closer and he noticed me.

"Miss Marion." He bowed, so I curtsied. He put his arm out for me to take, which I did, and he led me to the dance floor.

No one else was dancing, but the music was a slow waltz and I didn't expect that anyone knew how to waltz. Not even I knew.

Snape did, apparently, and we floated around the dance floor, a blur of maroon and black. He was easy to follow, so I didn't step on his feet. I was glad for that, since the whole school was watching us.

Word had spread about us. The five boys who were expelled had big mouths.

I didn't care so much, but it did make it frustrating when Dumbledore got a report from someone about us doing something that we didn't actually do. Usually it was a note left for him on my desk. A silent stroll on one of the bridges. Some people had no imaginations.

A few couples joined us, but they were all teachers.

"Slowly, Miss Marion, so that no one can see you, reach into my breast pocket," Snape said in a whisper.

I slid my hand down from his shoulder and slipped my gloved fingers into his pocket.

I pulled out a silver ring.

I curled my fingers around it and put my hand back on his shoulder. I felt his hand grip my waist tighter. It was very difficult to think straight.

"That ring belonged to my mother. She was a wizard and my father was a muggle." Snape wasn't looking at me. "I would ask you the question that accompanies such a ring, but if anyone hears it, we'll get in trouble."

I giggled. "Then I'll just say yes to the unsaid question."

He looked at me then. "I love you, Ellen."

My knees buckled slightly. "As I love you, Severus." I tickled his ear with my thumb. He smiled and I almost fell over.

"A little faint, Miss Marion?"

I smiled. "Yes, and it's all your fault."

He chuckled and twirled me around.

I chewed on my lip for a minute before Snape noticed.

"Miss Marion, is there something on your mind?"

"I'm just…I mean we haven't known each other for very long. Why did you propose so quickly?"

Snape rubbed my back with his hand.

"To lay claim to what is mine. I am not the only one who admires you, and you belong to me. And only me." His face looked like he wanted to make love to me then and there. I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. He actually wanted to claim me and I didn't mind one bit.

The dance changed a few times, but no one else started dancing.

"Geez, this party's a drag," I said with a smile. "You'd think everyone took a sleeping draft before they came."

"Am I boring you, Miss Marion?" He actually looked concerned.

"Of course not, Professor. I was just feeling sorry for everyone else here." I looked at the students. A few of them yawned.

"What can we do to liven up the party?"

I smiled. "We could pull Dumbledore's pants down."

"He doesn't wear pants."

"Okay, how about I transfigure his robes into a speedo again."

Snape laughed so loud, it echoed off the ceiling. I joined in until Dumbledore waltzed over to us with McGonagall.

"What's so funny?" Dumbledore's face was red with frustration. Probably sexual frustration. Hee hee.

"Oh, nothing, Albus. We were just thinking of something to liven this party up a bit."

Dumbledore rolled his eyes and danced away from us.

I pulled out my wand and with a few words, shot up sparks with it. They exploded up in the ceiling, disrupting the fake sky.

The sparks came back down and sought out some of the boys standing around. I smiled as the sparks hit the boys in the butt, causing them to collide with the girls they came with.

Snape got his wand out and whipped it towards the musicians. He transfigured one of the music stands into a stereo and some empty chairs into speakers.

Rock music filled the hall. I smiled at Snape and waved my wand again, turning the lights off and transfiguring all of the wall sconces into disco balls.

Dumbledore ran to us. "What is the meaning of this?"

Snape rolled his eyes. "Oh, lighten up, Albus. Learn to have a little fun."

And fun was what we all had that night.

Everyone except Dumbledore, that is.