Book 4: Chapter 3

Baby Steps

By the start of December Alethea had been forced to dodge Reichart several more times. He was either completely oblivious to her disinterest or arrogant enough not to care. She sat with the rest of the teachers in the staffroom where they were discussing the upcoming Yule Ball.

"I am more than happy," Minerva said, "to take responsibility for dance lessons yet again."

"That's very generous of you Minerva," smiled Dumbledore. "We only have a few more things left to delegate then we can finish this meeting early."

Alethea stole a quick glance at Severus who looked more disinterested than he usually did during staff meetings. He caught Alethea looking at him but did not look away; instead he raised an eyebrow at her. She quickly looked back at Dumbledore.

The meeting didn't last much longer and as all the other staff left the room, Severus stayed in his seat and opened up the latest edition of the Daily Prophet. Alethea wandered casually over to him.

"So, are you going to go to the ball?"

He replied with a grunt and a roll of his eyes.

"If you go then I might consider dancing with you."

Severus looked up from the paper and frowned.

"I'll even walk in with you," she continued.

"Why are you saying this?" Severus put the paper down onto his lap and eyed her curiously.

"I realised I can't write you out of my life completely," she said. "I couldn't even if I wanted to. So why can't we just try to still get along?"

"Are you asking me to be your date to the Yule Ball?" he said finally, a grin curling his lips.

"I guess I am."

Severus looked at her and his eyes softened.

"I will only dance with you," he grinned, "if you give me a kiss."

Alethea felt herself blush. "It sounds like a deal," she smiled back at him.

She started backing away until she crashed into the door behind her with a thud. She opened it and disappeared through, leaving Severus to grin at the empty doorway.

The weeks until the students left for Christmas holidays seemed to fly by. Severus and Alethea had not spent any decent amount of time together but did seem to be enjoying small and tentative flirtatious moments with each other once again.

Much of the numbness that had engulfed Alethea's heart since the previous year had now gone and she felt herself once again warmed by just being around Severus. Alethea had even allowed herself to start fantasising about getting back together, but for the moment she was more than happy for them to move slowly. If this was going to be a second chance then she wanted to make sure that all of their old issues were resolved.

By the time the holidays started it was evident why so many more students had remained at school than usual; they were talking non-stop about the Yule Ball. It made the staff happy to finally have something good at Hogwarts for them to be excited about rather than the doom and gloom that had surrounded the school over the previous few years.

On Christmas morning Alethea went to see Severus in his quarters.

"This is an unexpected visit," Severus said opening his door to Alethea who entered carrying a brown paper parcel.

"It is Christmas after all," she smiled. "And I came across something I thought you would like."

She handed the parcel to him and Severus sat down on the sofa examining it. He looked over at Alethea who smiled at him. He gently unwrapped the paper to find an old book. He ran a finger down the spine then read the title on the front aloud.

"The History of Magic in Britain 1100 to 1600. " He looked up. "This is not even in print any more, how did you find it?"

"Not only is it not in print anymore but this happens to be a first edition," Alethea beamed. "Printed in 1788."

"This… I am a little…"

"Speechless?"

"Overwhelmed," he nodded and placed the old book down onto the sofa and stood up.

He moved closer to Alethea and looked like he was about to hug her before stopping himself, holding out his hand instead. Alethea grinned and reached to meet it. Severus held onto her hand gently and for several moments they stood looking into each others eyes before he let go and took several steps back.

"Do you think," he asked with a frown, "that we could ever be the way we were before?"

"I do… or at least I hope so," Alethea winked then left his office.

Later that day the staff and all remaining students gathered in the Great Hall for Christmas lunch. It seemed strange to have so many students at school during the Christmas break. Lunch was a big feast that had Alethea wondering how anyone was supposed to have room for dinner that night let alone be able to dance with stomachs over-full with the extravagant food. After the meal Alethea left the castle and headed across the grounds, apparating once she passed through the front gates. She appeared in Hogsmead just outside the Three Broomsticks and went inside. There were only a small handful of customers inside, sitting in darkened corners, their drinks pulled close. Alethea ordered a firewhisky and found a seat by one of the windows. After only a few sips Alethea felt a large hand grip her shoulder.

"Please Reichart, you have to leave me alone. I'm not interested."

The hand left her shoulder but when Althea turned around it was not Reichart she saw behind her but Severus.

"Sev, I'm sorry…I just… Reichart…"

"Won't take no for an answer?" he said grinning and sat down at the table with her.

She sighed and took another sip of her drink. "What brings you here?"

"It is Christmas and there are far too many happy children running around the castle. It is all a bit disgusting."

"That's my Severus."

He smiled at her then headed over to the bar returning with a drink for each of them.

"Cheers," Severus toasted and they drank.

Alethea finished both her drinks before Severus had downed one.

"Thirsty?" He looked at her past a raised eyebrow.

"It's been a while."

"Yes it has," Severus smirked.

He stood and returned to the bar, coming back and handing her another drink. "I hate to see a grown woman go without for too long."

After a few more drinks Alethea felt pleasantly tipsy. The firewhisky had warmed her inside and out and her head was spinning pleasantly. She hadn't felt better in a long time. Severus, who managed to catch up with her in drinks consumed, didn't appear to be effected by the alcohol at all.

"I did not realise it was getting so late," he said looking out the window at the setting sun. "We should be getting back to school."

They stood and Severus took hold of Alethea's arm to help guide her out through the bar. Once outside Alethea grabbed hold of Severus' cloak and pulled him down the alleyway. They stood so close to one another, Severus could feel her warm breath on his neck.

"I enjoyed this afternoon with you," she breathed, her heart beat quickening. "It made me realise just how much I've missed you."

Severus brushed hair away from Alethea's face and she leant into the palm of his hand. He ran his thumb along her lips. Alethea pushed herself closer; she could feel him hardening against her. She pressed her body firmly against his, their lips drawing closer. A loud crash beside them echoed through the alley as a cat knocked bin lids flying. Both Severus and Alethea jumped then looked at each other and started laughing.

"Maybe we should take it as a sign," Alethea said resting her head against Severus' chest.

He took hold of her hand and apparated the two of them back to the entrance gates at Hogwarts.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred and George were outside throwing snowballs at each other when Severus and Alethea walked past. The kids quickly ducked behind the nearby trees to hide. Severus held onto Alethea who appeared to be having some difficulty negotiating through the snow. They were too deep in conversation to notice the group hiding in the trees nearby.

"Don't forget you owe me a dance tonight," Alethea smiled.

"And you owe me a kiss."

Severus stopped walking, for an instant he thought he had heard a muffled cough coming from the tree beside him. He shrugged it off and they continued walking.

Alethea ducked back to her room quickly and changed from her usual black robes into a dark green one, then headed back to help set up the Great Hall for the dance. By the time the students began arriving they were greeted with an extravagantly decorated Great Hall. As they walked through to the Great Hall arm in arm with their dates, Alethea smiled at some of the odd pairings of students.

Everyone made their way to their tables for the Christmas feast, nervous and excited about the Yule Ball that would follow dinner.

Alethea sat at the Head Table with her head in her hands. The alcohol had mixed with her already stuffed stomach from lunch and the last thing she wanted to do now was eat any more. From several seats down she saw Severus had a large grin on his lips as he shovelled large forkfuls of food into his mouth.

"Aren't you hungry dear?" Sprout asked beside her.

"I had a little too much at lunch," Alethea smiled rubbing her stomach for emphasis.

Sprout placed a menu in front of her. "Go on, it's only Christmas once a year and how often do we get a menu at Hogwarts? Little joys where you can get them, am I right?"

Alethea took the parchment from her. "Thanks."

From Sprout other side Minerva leaned over. "I think it might have less to do with what you've eaten and more with what you've been drinking."

Alethea pretended to looked shocked but Minerva continued. "You should know by now that there's nothing at this school that can be hidden from me."

Minerva and Sprout both looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"Little joys where you can get them," she smiled and the two older women beside her laughed.

Reichart leant over her to reach for her empty goblet, filling it up with wine.

"I am hopink dat you vil save a dance for me tonight."

"Alain," she took her goblet back and downed the contents in one mouthful. "I'm not dancing with you, not tonight. Nor will I be sharing a bottle of wine with you in my room."

Reichart grinned and as if reading his mind, Alethea whispered. "I only dance with one man and it isn't you."

Once everyone had finished their meal and the floor was cleared of all the empty plates, music started the students tentatively began dancing. Alethea stood beside Minerva watching them.

"It must have been a heck of a job teaching this lot," she nodded towards the students dancing awkwardly on the floor.

"There have been worse," she sighed.

Across the room from them Severus was standing alone by the entrance. Alethea winked at him and the scowl on his face softened. One of Durmstrang's other teachers, Karkaroff, was beside him trying to pull at his sleeve but Severus pushed him off. When Karkaroff persisted, he left through the doors, Karkaroff in pursuit.

Alethea noticed that Severus still had not returned after a long while so she went to look for him. She finally found him outside, Karkaroff still with him. Severus brushed him aside and stepped up to Alethea.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

"It is nothing to be concerned about," he replied leading her back into the hall.

Alethea turned to look up at him. "Do you still want to dance?"

"A deal's a deal," he shrugged.

Severus took one of her hands and placed his other around her waist. He led her into the crowd and they began dancing. Alethea noticed that Severus was uncomfortable; his body remained very stiff as they danced and his attention was not on her but on everyone else in the room. Many of the dancers were looking in their direction with questioning frowns on their faces; some of the students had even stopped dancing and were looking on in shock. Dumbledore watched with a smile on his face and a glint in his eyes but Severus just frowned back at them all.

"Are you uncomfortable?" Alethea asked.

"Not with you," he answered. "But I am used to people looking at me with fear not with… what are they looking at me with?"

"I'm sure its just curiosity."

Alethea rested her head on Severus' warm chest. She could feel his heart beating fast against it. Alethea didn't care what anyone thought, she was finally back in the arms of the man she loved and it felt just wonderful.

At midnight the ball came to an end, much to the dismay of the students as they were ushered off to bed. Severus led a large group away while Alethea stayed to help some of the other teachers clear away the hall and prepare it for breakfast the next day. Severus returned just as they had finished with the clearing up.

"I will walk you to your room if you wish," he said to Alethea.

"I'd like that very much."

She held out her arm and after hesitating with a quick scan of the room, Severus hooked his own arm through hers and led her out of the hall.

"I had fun tonight," Alethea said on their way to her quarters. "I'm glad we had that dance."

Once they were at Alethea's door, she opened it and stepped inside.

"Do you want to come in?" she asked. "I believe I still owe you a kiss."

Severus stepped into the room and took Alethea's face in his hands. He leant down and planted a soft kiss on her lips before pulling away again. He smiled at Alethea who still had her eyes closed. He then turned and walked down the corridor without a word. Alethea opened her eyes and watched him leave. She sighed and leaned against the doorframe, smiling broadly and raised her hand to her chest.