A/N: OK, so I apologize in advance, a bit of a cliffie. Ten got far (!) too long, so the good news is eleven is half written and will be posted later tonight. Enjoy! Now imagine your outfits and meet us at the ball.
Chapter Ten
God Bless Ronald Weasley
Severus felt her fingers trembling on his arm. Gods! When he'd bought the gown he'd never envisioned just how lovely she would look. But he wasn't here for that, he reminded himself. Rosmerta had come back into the bar last night with a full account of the ugly confrontation in the street. He was here because she needed him, whether she'd admit it or not.
She whispered, "Professor, you didn't have to..."
"Gentlemen do not come to call unannounced and bring flowers because they have to, Miss Granger. I assure you, the look on Mr. Weasley's face when he sees you tonight will more than make up for it." She gave an honest laugh then and he laid his free hand over hers, "Perhaps it would best if you let me apparate us both."
She looked relieved at that, "Please." She allowed herself to be tucked under his arm and they twisted away.
She stumbled slightly on the landing and he pulled her into him, holding her firmly until she found her feet. "I'm sorry about Rita, sir."
"Severus." He corrected curtly.
An embarrassed smile appeared as she tripped over his name, "S-severus."
"Better." He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and they began to walk up the drive.
"You are forgiven," he said evenly. "Provided you write an essay to the Witch Weekly."
"Thank...Excuse me?" She gulped.
"It will provide an equitable solution. You write the essay. I choose your essay and avoid the grasping harpies that make up Rita's readership"
"But, Sir- Severus, I..." He gave her his best glare and she relented with a nod.
He squeezed her arm, "Good. Now let's get up to the castle. I want to see Weasley swallow his tongue in jealousy."
Minerva and Kingsley were greeting the guests at the door. Minerva's lips pursed, "Severus. Glad to see you could make it."
Hermione released her grip on his arm, and he watched from the corner of his eye as Kingsley grasped both her hands in his, giving her a kiss on the cheek. He gave a slight formal bow to Minerva, "Good evening."
"You and Miss Granger?" The disbelief in her voice almost made him laugh out loud.
Severus let his eyebrow quirk up in reply.
Minerva let her eyes roll, and snapped primly, "Well, I am glad to see you two have reached an accord. I was worried about her finding..."
Hermione tugged her gloves back up then slid her hand back into Severus's arm, "Professor McGonagall! You look wonderful!"
"Miss Granger! How many times have I told you to call me Minerva?" Minerva gave her a cursory hug, "You are absolutely radiant. Just to warn you, Mr. Weasley is already inside. Ignore him and have a wonderful time. That boy didn't know a good thing when he had it."
"Thank you, Professor." She smiled warmly.
Stepping into the Great Hall, the long house tables had been replaced by smaller round party tables. Soft instrumental music played and a few couples danced. A house elf bobbed by with a tray of champagne held over its head.
"Champagne?" Severus grabbed two flutes, offering her one.
She took it with a smile and tapped the edge of her glass to his, "Thank you." Her eyes danced, and she whispered, "So, if I win the essay contest, is this still going to be considered our first date?"
That gave him pause, but he sipped along with her smoothly. "Always with the questions." They worked the room, allowing Hermione to greet her friends, and allowing his presence on her arm to shock them. He could almost hear Potter's teeth rattle as his jaw hit the floor. At least he had the good grace to plaster a smile across his face.
"Harry! Ginny!" Hermione squealed and embraced them.
Severus stood politely aside as the two ladies chattered. The soon to be Mrs. Potter was wearing a deep green gown to nice effect. With Hermione standing beside her, they looked like the most lovely pair of Slytherins. Hermione tugged at her right glove self-consciously. Severus's thoughts were interrupted when Potter poked his hand out, "Professor, good to see you."
Severus hesitated, then shook his hand. "You look well."
Potter shot a glance at the ladies, apparently making sure they were engrossed in conversation before speaking, "Thanks for bringing her. We didn't want her to come alone."
Severus smirked, if they didn't want her to come alone, they should have done something about it. He said smoothly, "The pleasure is mine, I assure you."
Potter leaned in, "Ron's been drinking." He followed Potter's line of sight to find Weasley hanging all over a petite brunette with startling delft blue eyes. "I'll try and keep him out of your hair. He's being a tremendous prat lately."
"I appreciate the sentiment, Mr. Potter, but I can handle Mr. Weasley."
Potter gave a short bark of a laugh, saying, "I'm quite sure you can." Severus let his smirk widen into a half-smile.
His eyes went sharp, seeing a flash of something over Potter's shoulder. "I thought this was an Order affair. What is the Ministry doing here?"
Potter craned his neck around, as subtle as a cat in heat, "They're off-duty security. Everything alright?"
"If you'll excuse me." It was time he kept her close. He grasped Hermione's hand and waited until she looked up at him. He brushed his lips across her gloved knuckles, "Would you care to dance?"
"Oh! Yes, thanks." Ginny wore a shocked face as Hermione handed her a champagne flute with a murmured, "Would you mind, Gin?"
"Uh, sure." She took the glass with numb fingers as Severus led Hermione away. A turn on the dance floor would give him a better view of the crowd.
Hermione looked surprised but pleased, "I didn't know you danced, Severus."
"There is much you don't know about me." He took her right hand in his and ushered her to the floor with his left in the small of her back. She settled comfortably into his arms and looked quite taken aback. "Is there something wrong?"
"No." She gave a breathy laugh, "I just didn't expect... You're a wonderful dancer." He twirled her round the floor, she was light as a feather in his arms. So many eyes were on the young lady he held in his arms, and for once in his life Severus knew what it was like to be the envy of every man in the room.
He bent close to her ear and whispered, "Smile now, here comes Mr. Weasley." He pecked her lightly on the cheek, making sure Weasley saw. The look on Weasley's face was pure murder, but he shifted his gaze in time to catch Hermione's blush. She smiled softly and leaned into him. The world almost fell away. Gods bless Ronald Weasley.
At the end of the song, he felt a tap on his shoulder, "Do you mind, Professor?" He turned to see Longbottom gesturing to dance with Hermione.
"I do mind. Go away." Severus growled, his hand curving more securely into her bared back. Longbottom looked at his shoes, then shuffled off.
"Severus!" Hermione laughed, "That wasn't very nice!"
He smirked, "It has been a long time since I have had a good dancing partner. I make no apologies."
On the next song, he lowered his lips to her ear and whispered, "You shouldn't cover your scars, Hermione. They're a mark of your courage. Wear them with pride."
She stiffened in his arms and wouldn't meet his eyes for a long time after that. When the music ended, they applauded politely, and she allowed him to lead her off the dance floor. "Would you like some air?"
"Please." The smile she gave him now was sad and wistful. She was flushed from dancing and pensive. The crowd probably wasn't doing her much good. He led her out into the garden, settling her on a bench.
She rubbed her right forearm absently and frowned.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken about it."
"No. It's alright." She sighed heavily and tugged down her glove in the fairy light. Her puckered scar was still raised, red and angry. "It was a cursed knife."
He took his fingers and rubbed it over her forearm. He frowned, "I should have killed Bellatrix when I had the chance."
"This one came from Dolohov," She tugged the right strap of her dress slightly off her shoulder. A broad, angry scar disappeared into the bodice of her dress. She held it there only a second before straightening her dress. "You couldn't kill them all."
His eyes were fixed on the clasp she'd just replaced on her right shoulder. "I should have done more."
She laid a hand along his cheek, only then did he look up. She gave a sad smile, "We did what we could, Severus. We did what we had to. We did..." she let her fingers trail down his neck to the edge of his bite scar, "what we thought was best." There was a note of bitterness at the end.
He captured her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, "We are not just the sum of our scars, Hermione."
She swallowed hard then looked up into the night sky. He watched her profile as a wistful smile grew and she whispered, "My father always said the best revenge was living well. I think I finally know what he meant."
Couples crunched by on the gravel walkway. The rose bushes glowed with fairy light and the evening air was heavy with the scent of roses. Her hand was curled gently in his and she made no move to remove it, despite the odd looks they were getting.
"Who was that girl with Ron?" she wondered, searching the night sky.
It was his turn to stiffen, "I have no idea."
She giggled suddenly, tucking her free hand into his left arm and rested her head against his shoulder, "I hope they deserve each other."
"Indeed." He smiled at the stars.
They took a walk through the flowers and returned to their bench. After a moment he asked quietly, "Can I get you anything?"
"Yes, something to drink, if you wouldn't mind." He left her there, smiling to herself and looking up into the stars.
Once inside, he grabbed two flutes of champagne and ran smack into Weasley as he turned to go back to the garden. He raised an eyebrow and waited.
"Just what are you playing at, Snape?" Ron snarled.
He gave Ron's date a plainly disdainful look, "I could ask the same." He tried to brush past Weasley and return to the garden, but Ron grabbed his arm.
"You stay away from her!" His whisper reeked of alcohol.
Severus eyed the hand around his arm dangerously then leaned in and hissed, "Are you spoiling for a fight, Mr. Weasley?"
Ron glared at him, dashing his glass to the floor, and they squared off.
There was a muffled scream from the garden. Severus dropped the glasses and pulled his wand, sprinting for the door. Damn him for letting Weasley distract him!