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Chapter 21

"Miss Dagworth. Miss Dagworth!" Hermione heard but didn't recognize her alias being summoned as she strode out of the library with her face buried in a book. "Miss Dagworth," she heard again and finally realized someone wanted her. Turning on her heel towards the voice, she came face to face with a flushed Professor McGonagall.

"I'm so sorry Professor, I didn't notice you calling for me." She said at once.

"That's quite alright, my dear. How has your year been so far? It has been awhile since we have gotten a chance to chat."

"Oh, it's going as well as can be expected."

"I noticed you didn't attend the first task of the Tournament," she said as she led Hermione into an unused classroom and cast a silencing charm. "It was spectacular and terrifying at the same time."

"I apologize for not attending, Minerva," she said feeling much more comfortable talking to the elder witch in private. "I know the staff was required to attend, but seeing it once was enough for one lifetime."

"I understand completely," she replied before adding, "I've also noticed you spending quite some time in the library. Is there something in particular you're studying or just enjoying the ambiance?"

"You know how I love the ambiance of the Hogwarts Library." Hermione grinned before telling her all about her current unicorn interest. "Is there something specific you wanted, Professor?" she asked when the unicorn discussion died down.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am wondering if you and Severus might be able to chaperone the Yule Ball."

"You know he won't like that very much," she replied as she remembered dancing the night away with Viktor Krum. "However, I would be delighted to attend."

"Thank you very much, and do try to get him to come as well," Minerva said before the stepped out of the classroom into the bustling corridor.

After supper that evening, Hermione was lying on the sofa with her head in Severus's lap as they read together. The History of Lycanthropy was her chosen tome. "I wonder what life would be like as a werewolf," she mentioned to him earlier. All he said in reply was "bad." She couldn't stop thinking about the dream version of herself.

"Severus," she said wanting to steer her thoughts in a different direction.

"Yes?" he asked without looking away from his book.

"Minerva would like the both of us to chaperone the Yule Ball. I already told her that I would, and I would really appreciate it if you join me."

"No," was his simple reply as he turned a page.

"Why not? It'll be fun." She said as she sat up.

"It would be a headache," he said with an irritated look at her as he closed the book and set it on the small end table. "I do not wish to spend the evening watching hormonal teenagers grind on each other. Not to mention Karkaroff will be there and I've been trying my damnedest to stay as far away from him as possible."

"Oh, come on now," she said stretching to kiss his lips. "I'll make it worth your while if you go. You know you can't resist me," she added with a flirtatious air.

The corner of his mouth twitched in a small smirk as he replied, "Let me consider it for a few days. Right now, I'm ready for bed. Come, witch." He rose and made his way into the bedroom with Hermione in his wake.

Hermione stood in front of the mirror and stared at herself. She was wearing a shimmery silver evening gown. Her hear fell on her shoulders in ringlets.

"Beautiful." Spinning around towards the voice, she stepped back when she saw him. He looked more handsome than ever. He was wearing dress robes, barely indistinguishable from his usual garb, with only slight differences. The many buttons were silver with tiny snakes engraved upon them. The material was softer than his usual wool robes as well.

"You're coming to the Ball?"

"I cannot allow my lady to go alone," he replied as he walked into the room. Sliding his hands around her waist, he slowly spun her until they both faced the mirror. A moment later his fingers were upon her collarbone as he clasped a chain around her neck. Hanging from it was a stunning heart-shaped emerald pendant. "Now, you are perfect."

"Severus, it's beautiful," she gasped as she touched the stone. "Thank you."

"It looks lovely on you. It belonged to my mother. Now it is yours. Happy Christmas," he finished tilting his head to lay a chaste kiss upon her cheek. "Come," he continued as he held out his arm for her to take hold of as he led her up through the castle.

"The Hall is just as beautiful as I remember it," she gushed when they entered. The many Christmas trees and decorations made for a very magical sight.

Severus led her through the throng of staff and students until they reached the table in the farthest corner.

"Isn't there somewhere else we could sit?" She whispered in his ear when she saw Professors Burbage, Sinistra, and Trelawney at the table, not wanting a repeat of The Three Broomsticks all those months ago.

"They're amusing," he replied. "They will make the evening at least somewhat worthwhile… besides your beauty," he added giving her a slight smirk.

"Happy Christmas, you two!" Charity exclaimed. "Doesn't the Great Hall look absolutely beautiful? It took Professors Flitwick and Hagrid days…"

"Why have you not come to visit with us, yet?" Aurora interrupted her friend. "Spending too much time in those draughty dungeons is bad for the skin."

"Yes, very bad for the skin… especially the skin of a Taurus," Sybil added in her usual far-away tone.

"I apologize," Hermione replied with a chuckle, trying not to roll her eyes at the Divination Professor. "We've had a lot of work to do this year. All the extra students put a strain on the course load. And I've been spending quite a bit of time in the library too, not all is spent in the dungeon," she added.

"I know what you mean. Durmstrang doesn't have a Muggle Studies course, so many of them are taking my class," said Charity.

"You have to come visit with us sometime, Fred," Aurora began. "Every Saturday night we get together in Sybil's rooms."

"Yes, you must come!" Charity added. "Drinks and card games… we have such a good time."

Hermione didn't think spending every Saturday with Sybil telling her how her life is doomed would be much of a good time. "I'll consider it," she replied, knowing it was unlikely.

"What a lovely necklace!" Charity exclaimed catching sight of the pendant.

"Thank you, it was a Christmas gift."

"From Severus, no doubt," Aurora said with a grin, causing Sybil to glare at Hermione.

"Yes," she replied looking up at him with adoration. He slipped his arm around her shoulders, showing the three witches that they were officially together.

"So lovely," Aurora said smiling at the couple. "Aren't they Sybil?" she added as she elbowed her friend in the side.

"Yes," she replied slowly. "However, I see much misfortune in their future. My inner eye sees turmoil and betrayal, even death."

"Don't pay her any attention," Charity said with a laugh. "She's barmy."

Not wanting to say anything rude, Hermione grinned and held her tongue.

Dinner was soon served and afterwards, the dancing began. The champions and their dates first, and then the rest of the attendees were allowed to join in.

"Would you like to dance?" Severus asked her before the third song played.

"You dance?" she asked raising an eyebrow. He was full of surprises that night.

"Not well, but I will look like a fool for you, any day."

"Even in front of your students?" She asked grinning at him.

"No one is paying any attention to us," he replied as he took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. The band began playing a familiar tune.

"Severus, this is Rachmaninoff," Hermione said remembering the fight that arose from her playing of the song.

"It is. I requested that the band play it."

She couldn't believe that he could be such a charming and sentimental man. "Thank you," she said as she wrapped her arms around him and laid her head upon his chest. They swayed to the rhythm of her favorite composition, and to her there was no one else in the entire castle but the two of them. The emotion she felt for Severus was almost unbearable. Never could she have imagined having such a person in her life, let alone this person. He was everything she never knew she wanted. He was perfection.

When the song ended, Severus discretely led her out of the hall and into an alcove. As soon as they were out of sight of prying eyes, Hermione pressed her lips to his and held him as close to her as she could.

"Hermione," he whispered breaking her kiss. "I want you, right here right now."

"Mmmm," she replied as she pushed herself harder into him and began laying kisses on his neck.

"I'm going to rip this dress off you," he groaned as he slid a hand up her leg.

Her breath caught as he brushed her soaked knickers. Groaning into her mouth as he kissed her, he pushed them aside and slid a long finger deep inside her.

"Severus." Hermione broke the kiss. "We should go find somewhere else to do this. There's too many students around. We'll be seen."

"I'll be quick, and then we'll go find somewhere else," he replied as he began pumping his finger in and out of her slickness faster and faster.

"Uhhhh." She moaned aloud, unable to control herself. He moved his mouth back to hers to stifle anymore noise. Rocking her hips against his hand and thrusting her tongue into his mouth she soon began shaking as her climax overtook her body.

"Shhh, shhh." He tried to calm her down as he resituated both of their clothing. "I think I'm good to wait until our chaperoning duties are complete. Are you?"

Taking a few more deep breaths, Hermione agreed. She didn't want to wait, but knew they should. The quick tension release would be enough to hold her over, but what about him? "Are you okay? Do you need a quick tension release?"

"I'm fine, but you owe me one later," he smirked as he led her out of the alcove.

"Severus," a gruff voice called as they passed through the doors of the Hall. Turning her head, she saw Igor Karkaroff looking disgruntled. "Can we speak in private?"

"Of course," he replied to the frazzled man. "Miss Dagworth, I shall return shortly," he said to Hermione before she was accosted by an exuberant Headmaster demanding a dance.

"So, my dear," Albus began as he waltzed her around the dance floor. "How have you been?"

"Just wonderful, sir," she replied.

"That's good to hear. You really need to come out of that dungeon more often. It's bad for the skin."

"Been talking to Aurora, have you?" she replied with a laugh to which he just smiled knowingly. "It's just that I don't feel like I belong here. I don't want to get in the way of the professors and students, nor do I want to get too close to my younger self or my friends. I don't know what I'd do if anyone would recognize me. Spending as much time as I do in the library is risky enough." She rambled.

He nodded. "How has your research been coming along?"

"Research?" Research on what? "Oh, my research," she said as it dawned on her that he was referring to the time-turner research. "I haven't been spending much time on it. I've realized that I'm needed here, and I don't want to leave anytime soon."

"Can that desire to stay be attributed to a certain broody young man?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"He's absolutely wonderful," she replied. "I don't want to leave him. I can't leave him until I can figure out a way to save him," she added in a whisper.

When the song was over and their dance ended, Albus led her over to the table that he shared with Minerva.

"Miss Dagworth, you look stunning," Minerva said as she rose to envelop Hermione in a hug.

"As do you, Professor," Hermione replied.

"Sit down and have a cup of tea."

Hermione sat and immediately a teacup appeared before her.

"I was just thinking," Albus began as he sat next to Hermione and took his own teacup in hand. "That we should find a job for our young potion's apprentice if she is going to be staying with us much longer."

"Oh, Professors, you don't need to do that. I'm fine where I am. Severus assigns so much work that he needs my help to mark the essay and stock the infirmary." Hermione spoke as her eyes rose towards the doorway where she noticed Severus striding back into the Hall. He looked livid. His eyes were darting all around until he caught sight of Moody and glared at him.

"Professor McGonagall, would you care to dance?" Albus asked when he noticed Severus's demeanor.

"How did it go?" Hermione asked as he sat in the seat that Minerva just vacated.

"He's worried," he replied after casting a quick Muffliato charm. "He knows that the Dark Lord will return soon. He's going to flee."

"He won't last long when he does. Are you considering fleeing as well?" She knew he would never, but felt she should ask.

"No, and I told him as much. I will never leave Hogwarts… not while I have a job to do. Not to mention, my leaving would put you in danger."

Hermione smiled at him as she started rubbing his thigh underneath the table. She was about to ask for another dance when Aurora plopped down beside her, giggling.

"Are you having fun, Fred?" She asked. "The three of us have been indulging in a bit of Sybil's sherry stock." At that moment, Charity clambered into another seat at the table, and next to her, Sybil gracefully fell into another.

"Would you care for a drink?" asked Charity handing Hermione the bottle.

"No thanks," she declined with a chuckle.

"My dear, you do have an unfortunate future." Sybil said dreamily as she swayed back and forth with Hermione's teacup in her hands. She was studying the goop of leaves at the bottom.

"What is it you see, exactly?" Charity asked, looking over into the cup.

"What I said earlier. It's plain as day… great turmoil," Sybil said.

"That will be my future if any students find your sherry," Severus said butting into the conversation. "Hours upon hours of supervising detentions. I would advise you to either put it away or take it someplace else."

"Oh, Severus you're such a party-pooper," Charity said.

"As a matter of fact, I am…"

"Haha, party-pooper," Aurora repeated as she swayed, clapping her hands.

"And it's time for me to retire," Severus continued giving Aurora an unamused glare. "Fred, come down when you're done with these dunderheads. I'll wait up for you." Deciding to stay a little longer, Hermione watched his robes billow around him as he strode out of the Hall.

"However do you put up with him?" Aurora asked.

"He's not as bad as he seems," she replied with a blushing grin.

"Can't say he isn't attractive, in a dark and mysterious sort of way," Charity said. "How is he in bed?"

"You cannot ask such a thing!" Sybil said looking aghast.

"I think I should refrain from answering that question," Hermione replied to Charity. "He is also very intelligent and caring… surprising for sure," she added turning her attention to Aurora.

"Better not leave him long, don't want anyone else scooping him up," Charity said pushing Hermione out of her chair. "Go after him!"

Hermione laughed as she left the Hall and made her way to the dungeons. Those three witches were very different from what she remembered as a student. She had no idea anyone actually liked Professor Trelawney enough to spend as much time with her as Aurora and Charity do. It was refreshing to know that her Professors had lives outside of teaching.