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Chapter Twenty One

Holly entered the Great Hall the next morning, wearing her usual sweater and some jeans. She put a regular bra on, deciding not to wear that stupid muggle sports bra to cover up her chest anymore. Her hair was down, and she was wearing her usual winter boots. Her bruises were still there, the pink blotches and streaks were long gone. The sweater and jeans rubbed up against the marks, and it…comforted her in a strange way.

The room went completely silent. She did her best not to pay attention to the students as she passed, but she couldn't help but notice how some of the staff looked at her.

Dumbledore was smiling, almost proud looking, while Tonks was grinning as she continued to eat her breakfast. Hagrid looked a bit confused, but most of the other staff didn't look very shocked. Holly settled into her usual seat in between Hagrid and Snape. Hagrid just smiled at Holly, looking rather unsure.

"Good mornin'."

"Morning Hagrid." Holly glanced towards Snape, who looked to be nursing his first cup of tea, still. "Good morning sir."

Snape glanced her way, and gave her a slight nod. It was as though nothing had happened the previous night. She looked away, suddenly thinking of what she had done the previous evening, trying to keep her blush away.

"I can't believe it-" "I know, it's so...weird!" "Yeah, imagine, the Boy Who Lived in a dress!"

Holly's steps quickened. Gossip was still coming on strong at the school, especially since the papers had finally gotten wind of the story. There were rumors and speculation, but no one quite knew the truth.

Holly had spoken to Hermione about perhaps formalizing the study she'd done on Holly during the entire process- perhaps getting it published. Hermione thought it was a terribly good idea, after a long discussion.

After all, there could be others out there that were like Holly. Hermione theorized that some of the techniques they used during the process could help witches. She said she would have to research more.

Holly tried to act as normally as possible. There were a few good things out of this- no more giggling girls were following her. No more questions about who she was going to go to the Ball with. And she could wear pretty much anything. She did not wear a dress, yet, outside of her rooms. Wearing girl's pants and blouses weren't quite the same as wearing an so overtly feminine dress.

She hexed Ron, of course, when no one was paying attention. He wouldn't be able to get it up for a month, at least. Serves him right. And Ron would never go to Madam Pomfrey about it, or ask anyone else for help- so she would never get caught.

She knew it was a paltry punishment in comparison to what he deserved, but she didn't want to waste her time on him. Hopefully he'd get it and leave her alone.

She was in the staff room one evening, grading some work for Tonks. Tonks was in the hospital wing, for a check up with Madam Pomfrey. Her pregnancy was coming along nicely- they had just found out that she was going to have a boy.

Remus had to be assured that the little boy didn't inherit any of his wolfish traits- it was easy to check. Still, it was a scandal that Tonks was having his child. Technically, they weren't married in the wizarding world, only in the muggle one. Registered werewolves couldn't get married- which is why Tonks still had her maiden name. What would she be called now, 'Lupin'? No, Tonks wouldn't be Tonks without that last name of hers.

The staff was busy with their preparations for the winter break. Some, but not many, students were leaving for the holidays. Most of the students were staying behind for the ball. Holly would have to make an appearance- she really didn't want to.

So she was sitting in the staff room, grading some papers. McGonagall and Hooch were talking about the school brooms, and Flitwick was reading from a book almost bigger than he was. Holly set aside another paper, adding it to the stack of finished scrolls.

The Headmaster and Snape came in, the Headmaster smiling widely, and Snape was frowning.

"Good evening, everyone."

"Good evening Albus!" Flitwick chirped, while the two women greeted them as well.

"Hullo Headmaster." Holly said with a smile. Unbidden, her eyes went to Snape. "Hullo sir."

Snape looked away from her, looking rather uncomfortable for some reason. Holly frowned slightly. They hadn't talked much since that night, not nearly as much as she wanted to. She knew that he was avoiding her.

"Severus and I were going to go get a drink at the Three Broomsticks. Anyone want to join us?"

Hooch and McGonagall were already standing before he finished the sentence, summoning their cloaks. Flitwick set his book aside with a wide grin. Holly glanced down at the paperwork.

"Well...I have some grading to finish. Sorry."

"Now, now Holly, we only live once." The Headmaster flicked his wand, making everything vanish. "You can always grade them later. I sent them to your rooms. You haven't gotten to go out with us properly yet, have you?"

Holly blushed, looking away. It felt awkward, sometimes, spending time with the staff. They were still her teachers, after all.

"Oh...alright." She flicked her own wand, summoning her jacket. "Thanks for inviting me, Headmaster."

She followed the group down the corridor, and caught her jacket as it zoomed into her hands. She pulled it on.

"You really should call me Albus." The man said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Holly sighed, but grinned. They made their way out of the castle, and walked towards Hogsmeade.

The snow was piled up on the grounds, gleaming in the moonlight. The snow was falling, but not quickly. Holly trudged behind the others, staring at Snape's back as he walked up ahead. The Headmaster extended his elbow to her. "So, how are you doing, young lady?"

Holly blushed, and accepted his arm. "I'm fine. I'm looking forward to the winter break."

"Ah, and the ball?" The old man's eyes twinkled.

"It'll be nice- I'm looking forward to the decorations. I know Hermione's got a really nice dress to wear."

"I suppose you've got your dress already picked out?"

Holly gave a slight shrug, heart beating just a bit quicker. "I've got things. I'm sure I'll figure something out."

The Headmaster shivered slightly as the wind picked up. "I wish we could have flooed to Rosmerta's, but it seems that her floo connection was broken just the other day. They've been doing repairs on some of the networks. I'm sure it'll be just fine tomorrow."

Holly smiled, and the Headmaster returned it. "You look happy."

"I...am. I guess." Holly murmured. What with Severus avoiding her, she wasn't super happy, but she was… better, now that she didn't have to hide who she was anymore.

"I'm glad. You deserve every bit of happiness." He motioned to Snape, who was walking alone up ahead of them, cloak blowing in the wind. "Some won't accept whatever happiness is offered to them. Sometimes they don't think it deserved."

Holly frowned. "Everyone deserves to be happy- at least once in their lives."

The group went into Hogsmeade, and made their way to the Three Broomsticks. Hooch and McGonagall were laughing about something, while Flitwick was using his wand to clean the snow off of his body. They went into the pub, and got a corner booth. The pub was fairly empty.

Madam Rosmerta sashayed over, kissing Albus on the cheek. "Albus, it's been far too long. I'd wondered when you were going to visit!"

"Madam, you are just too much. I'll have a Honey Meade." The old man said, eyes twinkling brightly.

"Firewhiskey." McGonagall said, while Flitwick and Hooch ordered Gillywaters.

"The usual, Madam." Snape said, and glanced at Holly. Madam Rosmerta did a double take as she noticed Holly, but didn't say anything.

"Um...I'll just have a butterbeer."

Hooch chuckled. "Now really, Holly, surely you can do better than that. You're of age!"

"One would think you're encouraging one of our students to drink, Yolanda." Dumbledore said, eyes twinkling brighter. "Give the young lady a special."

"Oh, good choice." The woman went off to get their drinks, and everyone settled into their seats. Holly sat in between the Headmaster and Snape, letting conversation flow over her.

"So, Severus, I heard from Aurora that you're escorting her to the ball?" Hooch asked with a grin. Holly stiffened in her seat, and Snape looked rather uncomfortable.

"Well, she asked- her brother is out of the country at the moment."

"That excuse again? She has a soft spot for you, Severus." Minerva said with a wink. "You are, after all the two youngest of the staff, it only makes sense-"

"Well, technically Holly is the youngest, even if she is just an assistant." The Headmaster cut in, putting a hand on Holly's shoulder. Holly tried to keep from flinching, tried to keep from breaking down right there. Snape and Sinastra? Were they really going to the ball together?

"Holly, are you alright?" McGonagall asked.

Holly looked down at her lap. "I'm fine."

"So, are you going to the ball with anyone? I'm sure you've gotten a lot of offers." Hooch asked, trying to cheer her up. Instead, it just made her feel worse.

"No. No one's asked me. Not since…" Holly said flatly. "I...I should really get going. I have so much to do." She stood, grabbing her jacket.

"What do you mean, no one's asked you?" Hooch asked brusquely, accepting the drink from Rosmerta as the woman came with their drinks.

"No one's asked me. No girls want to go out with a girl, and none of the boys want to go with a girl that used to be a boy. That's what I mean." She said, pulling her jacket on. "They all look at me like I'm some kind of-"

"Honey, I think you should wait on leaving. The snow is fallin' kind of fast out there." Rosmerta said with a sad smile, handing her the drink. "Just wait a bit for it to slow down- here, have your drink." She handed the drink over to Holly. Holly stared at it, and sighed.

But the snow did not slow down. In fact, it was picking up. She smiled and laughed, trying to keep the mood up, but her thoughts were clearly centered on the ball. She felt...alone. Severus was quiet, drinking his drink in silence, avoiding her gaze. She hated it. What she would give to just go back to the way things were- when they didn't have trouble talking to each other about mundane things.

"Well, Headmaster, I couldn't let you leave with the snow like it is. Warming charms only do so much. I've got some rooms upstairs I'll let you use, free of charge."

"Thank you madam, that is very generous of you." The Headmaster said.

"You buy enough drinks from me each term, I say it's a fair trade." The woman winked. "I've got three rooms available, I hope you don't mind bunking up?" She asked, leading them up the stairs.

The Headmaster grinned. "I wouldn't mind sharing with Filius- do you mind?" Flitwick shook his head.

Hooch yawned. "Minerva, you don't mind sharin' with me, do you?"

"Of course not, Yolanda. We've still got to talk some more about those brooms the Slytherins are using."

Snape and Holly looked at each other with trepidation, while Rosmerta and the Headmaster shared a sly Look. Everyone started for their rooms.

"Good night, children. I'm sure we'll be able to get back to the school first thing in the morning- hopefully the floo will be connected again." The Headmaster bid them a good night and went to the room he and Flitwick were sharing.

Holly and Severus stood awkwardly in the narrow hallway with Madam Rosmerta. "Call me if either of you need anything, okay?" She winked at them, and headed back downstairs, whistling.

Holly couldn't meet the man in the eye as Snape opened the door. They froze as they saw the bed. It was a small room, with a dresser and a desk, barely enough floor to move around in.

"You can take the bed-" "You can have the bed-" They said immediately, and then shut up. Holly went to the window, and look outside.

Indeed, the snow was falling fast- there was no way she could make it to the school without getting stranded.

"I hope you're not thinking about going out there." Snape murmured suddenly, making her jump and whirl around. He'd closed the door, and the room was nearly pitch black- the only light coming from the window.

"Oh...no. That would be rather silly of me. I wouldn't want to get stuck out there." Holly murmured. She felt rather warm right at the moment. She could feel his eyes on her. She shifted on her feet, making the wood creak under her slightly.

"Right, well, let me see if I can transfigure this." She heard the man say. His wandlight glowed softly as he attempted to transfigure the bed.

"Seems like they're spelled against charms and transfigurations. Hmph."

Holly took off her jacket, hooking it over the bedpost. She felt rather nervous. His wandlight went out, and she could hear the floorboards creak under his boots. Where was he standing? She couldn't quite see- she squeaked as she bumped into him. His hands went to her hips.

"I'll go back downstairs. It's not as though I haven't missed a night of sleep before." He said quietly. He was standing inches away from her, and his hands hadn't moved from her hips yet. His fingers were spread, as though he wanted to touch as much of her as possible.

"No...no, you don't need to do that." Holly said, just as quietly. "We...could share?"

There was a silent pause, and Holly felt her heart beat faster. "It's...not that big of a deal." She murmured. "You'll stay on your side, and I'll stay on mine. Anyways, you're with Sinastra. It's not like you'll do anything."

"I'm not with Aurora. She's just a friend." He let go of her, backing off.

"That's not what it sounded like." Holly said before she could help herself. She heard him sit on the bed- it creaked a bit. She heard some rustling, and his boots dropping to the floor. She swallowed thickly- he was getting undressed, right in front of her!

Her trembling hand went out, but before it could make contact, she snatched it back. She turned away, crossing her arms over her stomach. She bit her lip. She was going to have to get undressed too. Her clothes would be terribly wrinkled, but…maybe she could just stick to her shirt? She glanced in Snape's direction.

This would be a good opportunity to…seduce him or something. She shook her head. He'd see right through that, and she wasn't sure if he would even be attracted to her- well, she was going to get undressed. It wasn't like he would be able to see her anyways.

She kicked off her shoes, and pulled off her cloak. She brought her hands up to unbutton her blouse. She could hear him turning down the blankets behind her, and get into the bed. Her heart hammered in her chest. What was he wearing now? What was he not wearing? She doubted he stripped completely, but if there was a bit of skin showing…she shook her head.

She took off her blouse, and started working on her pants. She took a deep, shaky breath as they dropped to the floor, leaving her in just her bra and knickers. She shivered- it was really cold. She walked over to the bed slowly, trying to keep calm. She kept an arm wrapped across her chest, the other arm connecting with the bedpost. She felt her way around the edge of the bed, and got in quickly, sliding in under the blankets.

She felt a little warmer, curling up into a ball to take the least amount of space possible. Snape was very still, she could barely hear him breathing. But she could feel his warmth. "Good night." She whispered.

He didn't answer. She frowned, turning slightly. Surely he wasn't asleep already. She turned back into her pillow, feeling...out of sorts. She laid there, unable to sleep. Was he down to his skivvies as well? What did they look like? Why didn't he answer her? Why- her thoughts and body froze as she felt him shift next to her, probably turning on his side.

She bit her lip, trying to keep from breathing too loud. The bed creaked slightly- while old, it was still comfortable. His warmth behind her only got hotter. Was he moving closer? She hoped so. She closed her eyes, letting out her breath slowly. Her muscles slowly relaxed the longer they were still. Nothing would happen. Why was that so disappointing?

Severus laid next to Holly, being as still as possible. He could see the barest outline of her silhouette. He had watched her earlier- she may not have realized that the light from the window had allowed him to see her undressing.

He could tell that she was slowly relaxing now- maybe she was asleep? Her breathing pattern had changed.

Part of him just wanted to get dressed, leave, and stay downstairs all night. It was clear what the Headmaster and Rosmerta were up to. She was so young. But she was…unhappy, he could see that easily. She wanted him. She wouldn't fight him.

He could feel the warmth from her body, inches away from his. He wanted to pull her close, and…hold her. He was never one for cuddling in his previous relationships, but he ached to touch her, even just a little. He inched forward.

An hour must have passed- Holly was almost on the verge of dropping off when she heard the bed creak again, and the warmth come closer. She held herself very still, trying to pretend to be sleeping as he pressed himself against her back, wrapping an arm around her waist slowly. His skin was bare against her back- she thought he might have been wearing his trousers. His hand was hot, where it rested on her stomach, and she tried her best to keep still as lips brushed against the back of her neck.

She closed her eyes, trying to relax her face.

She turned her head slowly, very slowly, resting it against his chest, giving him more access to her neck. Snape shifted against her, adjusting his hold gently, as though he didn't want to wake her. She could feel him breathing against her neck. She swallowed, trying not to shiver.

She wasn't cold. Definitely not. She was rather warm, actually.

She relaxed into his embrace a bit more- she felt him stiffen a bit as she slowly brought up her arm to rest over his. She smiled to herself, weaving their fingers together. This felt...nice. Was he asleep? For some reason, she didn't think so.

"Holly...are you awake?" He whispered, his voice sounding a bit rough.

She nodded slightly- she was sure he could feel it.

"It's okay." She murmured quietly, squeezing his arm tighter around her.

He let out this great big sigh, and buried his face into her hair. "Go to sleep. We have to be up early tomorrow."

A smile spread on her face before she could help it. "Yes sir."

His breathing hitched for a second- "You're sharing a bed with me- I think we're past the point that..."

"Are you asking me to call you by your first name?" Holly said, unable to keep the hope out of her voice.

"...For now." He answered cryptically. "Only when we're alone. Understand?"

"Yes sir. I mean, Severus." He held her tighter to him, and she felt so happy that her heart would burst.

x

Severus held the girl in his arms tightly, and allowed himself a small smile. He was far from tired, and it was unlikely he would be getting any sleep tonight. But that was alright, as long as she was in his arms.

So...what did you think? :D

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