HEY GUYS! Sorry the update is later than normal! I actually had to go to work today. Imagine that. Lol. I know you guys hate cliffhangers so I am going to apologize in advance and remind you in the kind way that I know how… that tomorrow there will be another update. I hear all you guys telling me how this story gets you through your day and I am honored to have that much effect in your life! Thank you for reviewing and thank you for caring! HAPPY 400 REVIEWS EVERYONE!
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Snape came to the top of the landing in the Entrance Hall and walked down the steps to join all of the other guests. There were two extremely large Christmas trees on either side of the staircase that extended to the vaulted ceilings. Garlands and ribbons, along with draperies and tinsel were scattered around the room, decorating the space in grandeur, just as it always was every year. In the middle of the room was a long table, similar to one of the house tables in the Great Hall. It was set for fifty and dinner had not yet been served. Everyone was still making conversation while the ghosts of Hogwarts were singing Christmas hymns and carols.
"Severus!" Horace Slughorn happily welcomed him into his conversation with Madame Maxime and Aberforth Dumbledore, "Severus was one of my very best students… always had a knack for Potions…"
Snape looked around, scanning for Hermione… in case for some reason, he missed her or she had gone another way through the dungeons…
"…but Lily Potter was my best student… always the little cunning spitfire…" Snape walked away from the three and made his rounds through the hall, searching for his apprentice. He spotted Cho and Oliver Wood having a placid conversation with his parents and decided not to interrupt their evening with more enquiries of Hermione's whereabouts.
"Severus!" McGonagall called to him, there was something different about her, she knew something… he walked towards her with his infamous smirk and she pulled him close, whispering in his ear, "We need to talk."
His heart sank, "Now?" he asked.
She shook her head, "Tomorrow morning, my office. I will let you have the night… but…" she looked at him in concern, "We need to discuss Miss Granger's future."
He nodded, solemnly, and left her side. Snape walked towards a corner of the room and just watched as everyone was so cheerful and happy… and there he was, just waiting for the morning to come to take another piece of his heart. He was getting too old for love. Why couldn't he just have died from Nagini's attack? Hermione would have never grown her affection for him… and he would have never had to learn to love… again.
Hermione checked herself in her mirror after slipping on the dress she had bought earlier. She never knew she could look the way she did. She gulped before exiting her room and slowly… very slowly… made her way out of the painting entrance and down the corridor to the party. Hermione could not believe how nervous she was. Would Snape like the way she was dressed? Would he talk to her? Would he dance with her in his arms all night? She heard music streaming down the hallway as well as laughter and happy chatter. Once she caught sight of the grand staircase, she froze. She had forgotten that she had to walk all the way down to get to the party… alone. She shouldn't have been in the dress she was in… it called too much attention… she had never worn anything so… seductive.
Snape leaned on the wall and closed his eyes, why was his life destined to end in misery? He quickly opened them once more when all music and laughter stopped, they must be starting dinner, he thought. He looked around to see everyone staring… staring at the figure coming down the staircase.
Hermione…
He stood up straight and watched the most stunning witch he had ever seen gracefully waltz down the stairs in a black dress that had instantly turned her from a schoolgirl to a woman in one swift blow. The dress had thick straps that connected to the ribbon tied underneath her bust… creating an empire waistline while the small bodice was made up of black lace in a sweet heart top. The length of the dress was sprawled out around her, trailing down the stairs behind her in a sheer black, crinkled fabric, almost translucent material. One could see her silhouetted body and nude legs through the fabric. She was stunning and everyone watched her float down the staircase with wonder. There were a few gasps and sighs in the crowd but Snape ignored them as he saw Hermione's eyes wandering through the guests, searching for someone… he knew she was searching for him.
He took a few steps towards her and as soon as he did, all eyes turned to him… he ignored them and walked up to his apprentice and bowed slightly to her, trying to keep his cool and offered her his arm with an unreadable expression on his face. Hermione just stared up at him, mesmerized, when a clinking of a goblet turned the crowd's attention to Professor McGonagall,
"Dinner is served!" she announced happily and, just like on the first day of term, food appeared on the table magically and everyone bustled over to find a seat.
"Hermione…" she heard a smooth voice call to her, she looked around to find a familiar centaur walking towards her.
"Firenze!" she smiled brightly.
He examined her thoroughly and bowed to her, "You look absolutely beautiful, my dear. The most stunning witch I have ever laid my eyes on." He kissed her hand and saw the ring, he frowned somewhat but politely remained indifferent, "Congratulations on your engagement to Mr. Weasley."
Hermione had never been given the title… beautiful. She always seemed to be stuck with cute or adorable. Snape pulled out a chair for her and sat next to her once she, herself, was seated. Hermione blushed… did she really look that amazing? Snape had not said a word to her about her appearance… not that she was really expecting him to, he was used to insults, never compliments. It must have been somewhat awkward for him to be escorting his student… the insufferable know-it-all. He actually had not spoken one word to her yet. He looked extremely nervous and she had never seen him appear so anxious before in all her years of knowing the man.
"Is it true, Miss Granger?" she heard her name and turned away from Snape to look for the voice that called her.
"Is what true?" Hermione asked Wilkie Twycross, the official Apparition instructor for the Ministry and school.
"Your engagement to Ronald Weasley?" he supplied, his usual colorless face grew a tinge of red.
Hermione sighed, realizing that she would probably be the talk of the evening, "Oh… yes, it is."
There were contented sighs and congratulations and Kingsley spoke up next, "I propose a toast to Miss Hermione Granger, for good luck and well wishes in her upcoming marriage this following year!" he smiled and tipped his goblet towards her. She quickly picked up her own and toasted with the others… not missing the one glass not raised… Snape's.
Do I dare hope? She thought as she set her glass back down. Hermione gave him a small smile to which she could not get a return response from. She wondered what was going through his head at that moment… Hermione slipped her hand under the table and found Snape's and she squeezed it softly in comfort, finally receiving a surprised look from the Professor. As she went to let go, she felt her hand tightly grasped within his and she blushed when she felt his fingers lace with her own. He was touching her! Hermione's heart started racing and she could hardly even think about food… all she could reflect on was the man sitting next to her…
Trying to not look so obviously embarrassed and shy about the hidden touch of affection underneath the table, Hermione looked around her to see everyone who had attended. Aberforth Dumbledore was there with Professor McGonagall; Hermione was shocked and wondered if anything was going on between the two… she followed the heads down the row to see two large guests; Hagrid and Olympe Maxime. So she had decided to come for him; Hermione was happy for the two as she watched them exchange shy, flirtatious glances at each other.
Of course, all of the Hogwarts staff was there: Professor Flitwick sat in between Madame Pomfrey and Professor Vector. There was an unfamiliar looking man next to the Arithmancy teacher and Hermione had to assume that he probably was Septima Vector's date for the evening. Hermione had to smile when she saw Professor Trelawney and Firenze in a light argument… most likely about Divination. She leaned forward to see the other teachers lined up next to her and saw Professor Sinistra, the Astronomy teacher, and Professor Grubbly-Plank, the substitute for Care of Magical Creatures, chatting happily. Madame Hooch and Professor Sprout, along with Emmaline Vance and Dedalus Diggle, Hermione recognized the pair from the Order, in a deep discussion with the Minister of Magic, Kinglsey Shacklebolt.
"I hope you are looking sharp, Severus. That was a nasty rumor in the Daily Prophet the other day…" Professor Slughorn addressed the Potions Master with an awkward smile and raised eyebrow, his well-known expression.
Hermione watched as Professor Snape swallowed a drink of wine before nodding and answering, "Quite the story…" he mumbled, loosening his grip on Hermione but she squeezed his hand back, not letting him go.
He quickly glanced down at Hermione on his right with a raised eyebrow but turned his gaze back to the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, "How did your Christmas party with your students turn out? I pray no more students have tried to crash the event." He referred lightly to Draco who had snuck in and had gotten caught by Filch a few years back.
Slughorn laughed, wholeheartedly, "No…no… everything went quite well, actually."
"Professor?" Hermione spoke up, addressing Slughorn.
He smiled at her, "Yes Miss Granger?"
"I recently heard that you used to be the Head of Slytherin when you taught Professor Snape… I had no idea… you seem so sweet and so… not like a Slytherin." She laughed.
"Oh take care love, not all Slytherins are bad." He smiled and took a large swig of his wine.
Snape looked over at her and furrowed his brows, silently rolling his eyes before Hermione continued, "Yes I know, but your disposition is so fun and considerate of the students…"
Slughorn broke out laughing a little louder, getting a little tipsy from the alcohol, "My dear girl, are you trying to send a message to our dear Professor Snape?"
Hermione blushed as Snape glared at her, "So is that what you really think of me, Miss Granger?"
She looked up apologetically, "No, sir… I didn't mean to suggest anything… I was just truly surprised to hear that Professor Slughorn was really a Slytherin!" she bit her lip and brought his hand to her lap where she gently held it in both of her own.
He raised an eyebrow before changing the topic, "What are you currently teaching in your classes, Horace?"
Hermione was quite embarrassed but was relieved to find that he wasn't upset with her for her mixed up words… and he was still holding her hand. She looked down in her lap to see that her two hands were tiny compared to his large one. His long fingers were elegantly snaked through hers and she admired and tried to etch the memory into her mind of their hands being held together.
"Are you staying for your apprenticeship, Hermione?" Aberforth called to her, quieting down most of the guests at the table. Snape instantly turned to her; interested in her response… they had never discussed it yet.
"Well… I don't think so…" Hermione bowed her head, her cheeks turning red.
She turned her gaze quickly to see Snape appearing as if he had received the Dementor's Kiss. He was more pale than usual and he looked like the life had been sucked out of him. His hand went limp and he turned away from her, trying to pull it out of her grasp. Hermione wouldn't let him go. She heard disappointed moans at the table from all the staff; Hermione had always been all of the teacher's favorites, and McGonagall tried to quiet them down,
"It is Miss Granger's choice… she is going to live a happy life with her new fiancé, we should be happy for her." She was slightly frowning towards everyone.
Hagrid looked distraught, "I can't let ye! Yer one o' us now, 'Ermione!" Hagrid stood up, bumping the table away from him with his gut.
Hermione bowed her head down guiltily as she heard other teachers agreeing with him, "Miss Granger, you can't really be thinking about leaving… Severus speaks so highly of you and how quickly you are learning-" Professor Babbling pouted, she taught one of Hermione's favorite subject: Ancient Runes.
More complaints were heard from around the table, "Doesn't Ron know how much you love it here?" Oliver asked, even he was concerned for her.
Hermione looked up and smiled sadly, but before she could say anything, she heard Professor Snape's deep voice over the crowd, sounding quite annoyed, "Whatever Miss Granger decides, it is her decision."
She looked over at him; he still had his unreadable expression plastered on his face. McGonagall stood up, "Severus is right. We need to support her, not make her feel guilty. Hogwarts is no place for raising a family and Miss Granger is making the right decision with the future she wants to lead. Why can't we give her a warm Christmas?"
Hagrid was still standing up, "It's not right… It's not right that she 'as ter leave cause o' her engagement," he looked over to Hermione with a sad frown, "Can't ye finish out the year at least?"
She bowed her head and felt a sympathetic hand rubbing her back. Hermione darted up to see who it was sitting next to her and found the mother of Oliver, Mrs. Wood, smiling compassionately down at her, "Don't worry love, you decide what will make you happy. Don't let us influence you."
After quite a long period of silence at the table, music started to play from levitating instruments which broke the ice and Hermione was extremely relieved to hear conversations starting again. Some of the ghosts were wandering around and Hermione saw Nearly Headless Nick floating straight towards her,
"You're looking quite debonair this evening, Miss Granger. I would ask you to dance but seeing my condition as it is…" he motioned towards his translucent body, "It would seem I am unable to fulfill my request at the present time."
"Well I am flattered just the same, Sir Nicholas." Hermione smiled at him, glad to not be discussing her future.
"And who is your lucky date tonight?" he asked, hands folded while walking through the dining table.
Hermione went pale but Snape came to the rescue, "Seeing as Mr. Weasley was unable to attend, I offered to escort her for the night."
"Well, well, well…" Hermione heard another voice behind her, it was the Bloody Baron, "Don't you two make a smart match." He howled in laughter.
Hermione blushed and came to her teacher's defence, "He was kind enough to extend the invitation."
Snape rolled his eyes before swatting at the Baron's ghostly form to get away which made the ghost extremely offended, "Well I never!" he pouted and floated away.
Nearly Headless Nick laughed, "Oh don't worry about him, Severus," he bent down to whisper to them, "He is just bitter that Helena Ravenclaw wouldn't come to the party with him."
She knew he was referring the Grey Lady, the Ravenclaw house Ghost, "Well… given the circumstances…" she mused.
Slughorn chuckled, "How many years has he been asking her now?"
"Hmm…" the Gryffindor Ghost thought about it, "I would say around a thousand, poor fellow."
Snape growled, "You think he would learn to take a hint."
Hermione started laughing at the small joke and took a bite out of her small slice of ham, "So, Professor Slughorn," she addressed the man sitting opposite her,
"Oh please Miss Granger, its Horace." He waved his hand at her, "We have been friends long enough to direct each other as equals."
She smiled, "Horace," the name sounded so foreign on her tongue, "How was Professor Snape when he was in school? Was he still as grumpy as he is now?"
Laughing, Slughorn took a bite from his plate, "Well I daresay he wasn't the happiest fellow."
"'Ermione?" she heard Hagrid behind her and turned, slightly, not wanting to break the contact between her and Snape,
"Yes?"
He held out his hand, "May I 'ave the firs' dance?"
She instantly felt Snape's hand retreat from her own, "Oh…" she turned back to her Potion's Master frowning but pushed herself out of her chair, "Of course," she said as she let Hagrid lead her out to the dance floor.
Snape watched her glide out onto the very limited floor space, joining Aberforth and McGonagall as well as Oliver Wood's parents. He was quite amused at the size difference between Hermione and the large man and was interested to see how they would work out the dance. Hagrid awkwardly placed his hand on Hermione's upper back, having to literally bend over to reach her and grabbed her free hand to lead her through the music. It was very humorous and he could honestly say he was close to actually laughing but held his composure as Slughorn commented,
"How sweet… Miss Granger is quite the witch, is she not, Severus?"
Snape turned back to the old wizard happily watching the odd pair waddle around, "She is too kind for her own good." He mumbled out.
Filius Flitwick walked over to the two men and took Hermione's seat, "Merry Christmas, Severus, Horace. How has your holiday been thus far?"
The two started a conversation with the half-goblin. Hermione glanced back at the table, hoping to catch a passing glance from Snape but saw that he was not even paying attention to her. She bowed her head down, was he even impressed with her appearance? He had hardly commented on anything other than the small conversations she had with Slughorn. Did he even care about her? He seemed to be his old self again… but then why had he held her hand? Hermione chided herself; he had to have felt something for her if he let her actually hold his hand for the whole dinner.
After uncomfortably swaying in place with a delighted Hagrid, commenting on how grown up she looked all the while, the music finally ended and those who were dancing, quite a few more had joined the three couples, had clapped in appreciation for the entertainment provided. Hermione glanced over to find Snape still quite engrossed in his conversation and was now on his feet, talking to Professor Flitwick and Firenze.
"Thank you Hagrid, you are a wonderful dancer." She smiled back up at her large friend.
He blushed and messed with his large tie, "I 'aven't danced since the Yule Ball… I'm a lil' nervous ter ask Olympe…"
"You will do great." Hermione patted his arm, "Stop playing with your tie or you will wrinkle it up!" she laughed and pulled it out of his grasp and smoothed it.
She finally was free to join Snape once more and she strode over quickly, wanting to spend as much time with him as the party allowed. Once she reached the Professors, she smiled as they bowed to her. She stepped closer to Snape and folded her hands in front of her,
"Miss Granger, my, my, how you have grown." Flitwick smiled up at her from his seat.
She smiled, and gave a slight curtsy, "Thank you." She blushed.
Firenze gave her a smile before Hermione felt a slight tap on her shoulder, and she turned around, taking a deep breath, putting on a fake smile… who is it now?
"Miss Granger," Professor Slughorn smiled with his infamous grin, "May I steal a dance?"
Hermione sighed in disappointment as she glanced at Snape who still seemed quite content with where he was, she looked back at him and smiled half-heartedly, "I would love to."
She was once again led out onto the now extremely crowded dance floor to a more cheerful Christmas song that she recognized from a muggle radio station her parents used to listen to but couldn't quite remember the name of the tune. Slughorn spun her a few times and she kept in time to the beat, enjoying herself a bit more from the awkward waddle she had shared with Hagrid. She had to admit that the old Professor was quite the dancer and had not lost his touch with age but she would have much rather had been dancing with the man in black still deeply conversing with fellow colleagues.
Aberforth Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall were still dancing but as they neared her and Slughorn, Aberforth tapped Hermione on the shoulder,
"I must steal you from Horace before the night is over." He gave a small smile before waltzing away with the Headmistress. While Hermione was flattered by all of the attention, even if it was all from old men, she just wanted to be with Snape!
It was her one night to feel like the muggle fairytale princess Cinderella; she was the belle of the ball and the handsome prince would dance the night away with her… although in her case, she smiled foolishly, she would be dancing with the Half-blood Prince.
The music ended once more and Hermione made a mad dash towards Snape again when she heard someone calling her. Hermione sighed helplessly, she turned around,
Aberforth was spreading his arms for her and smiling grandly, looking very much like his brother, Albus,
"Dance with me?" he grinned.
She sauntered over to him and took both of his hands before the music began again, this time it was a rather slow, haunting melody that she had not heard before but decided it was quite beautiful. The man before her slowly waltzed her through the room, "Hermione," he said in a more serious tone and she looked up at him, waiting for him to continue, "You cannot fool me. I know there is something between you and Professor Snape."
Hermione blushed, "I have no idea what you are talking about, Sir."
"Don't waste your time trying to convince me otherwise," he sighed, annoyed at her playing the innocent, "I am not averse to the relationship and I am quite concerned that you are making a grave mistake with Mr. Weasley. Both Firenze and I can see through your façade."
"Firenze?" Hermione groaned, no wonder he had given her those odd looks…
"I must ask you why you agreed to this marriage…"
Hermione blew a hair out of her face and bit her lip, "If I didn't, the Daily Prophet would have made a fool out of Professor Snape… he doesn't deserve to be ridiculed for something that was not his fault… he deserves to be recognized as a hero not a disreputable, unfit teacher."
Aberforth nodded, "Perhaps… but why did you not go to Kingsley Shacklebolt, he does have a soft spot for you."
She shook her head, "He can't decide the outcome of the hearing that Professor Snape got called to, the whole counsel has to agree to the final decision of whether to keep him teaching or not. And with me getting married, it frees him from such a trial."
He frowned, "Oh Hermione… Hermione…"
"What would you have done?" she asked him, curious as to why he cared so much.
"I wouldn't have sacrificed myself to make the both of you unhappy and cheating a great boy with a false love."
She bit her lip guiltily, "If Professor Snape can live a peaceful and happy life, then that is all that matters."
"Oh that is absolute rubbish!" He snapped as the song ended and Professor McGonagall walked up to him.
"You wouldn't mind if I stole him away from you, would you Miss Granger?"
Hermione smiled, "He is all yours, Professor."
Aberforth frowned at the young witch, "You and I will talk later."
She nodded more solemnly before he hesitantly swept the Headmistress away with another upbeat Christmas tune. Hermione searched the room, trying to spot Snape. He was nowhere to be found.
"Cho!" Hermione grabbed the girl's arm; she was walking past her with Oliver, towards the dance floor,
"Hmm?" She smiled, dreamily.
"Have you seen Professor Snape?" Hermione asked desperately. The night was growing later and she still had not gotten the time with him that she wanted. She almost wished she had kept on her other outfit, then perhaps all the men at the party would have left her alone!
"I saw him talking with Firenze just a moment ago…" she looked around her, not seeing him anywhere, and turned to Oliver, "Did you see him?"
Oliver shook his head, "No, I'm sorry Hermione."
She frowned but nodded, "It's fine." She mumbled.
Before she walked away, Oliver caught her arm, "Save a dance for me, Hermione?"
She gave a fake smile and continued her quest for the Potions Master. Spotting the front door to the Entrance hall that was cracked slightly, Hermione wandered over and peaked through. She saw Firenze in a heated argument with Snape. What were they arguing about? Hermione assumed it was something about what Aberforth had discussed with her. She couldn't hear them with all the noise and music in the background but just watched as they threw each other glares and snarls. Professor Snape, of course, was the winner of the angry staring war.
"Miss Granger,"
Hermione moaned quietly, Not AGAIN! She turned around smiling awkwardly to find the Minister of Magic behind her, "You want to dance?" she guessed.
He gave her a large grin that only he could pull off with his large span of pearly white teeth that would surely impress her parents, "If you would so oblige me."
Will I ever be able to have any time with the man I love? She asked herself, bitterly before being twirled back onto the dance floor by the leader of the Wizarding World. Hermione assumed that the only memory she would be able to keep that she shared that night would be the innocent hand-holding underneath the table. She had given up on trying to find Snape or spending time with him. He obviously was more interested in conversing with others than his date, or at least she thought she was his date… she could have been wrong. She had literally danced with every man in the room except the Potions Master, excluding Firenze… since he technically wasn't quite a man. Hermione even had the privilege to dance with Flitwick… needless to say she understood how Hagrid felt when he had danced with her in the beginning of the evening.
Slughorn had danced with her a few more times, much more tipsy with each dance, and even Oliver Wood and his father each had a go around the floor with her. She was exhausted! Aberforth had, to Hermione's delight, continued dancing with McGonagall for the rest of the night but had shot her a few concerned glances throughout. Hermione could also honestly say that she was extremely happy about one thing that evening and that was that she had successfully avoided dancing with Filch who had nervously followed and fidgeted around her the through the whole party, trying to strike up the nerve to ask her to dance. Finally, after a quarter past midnight, the staff started to dwindle and headed off for the night and house elves had started to arrive for clean up. Snape was nowhere to be found but seeing as she had given up on him hours before, she didn't care. The music was still playing and Hagrid and Madame Maxime, as well as Cho and Oliver, were the only ones left dancing while the other staff members were in quiet, tired conversations.
She sat down at the large table and rested her head down on top of her folded arms, extremely tired. Hermione watched, out of the corner of her eye, as the two couples, oblivious of the time it was, danced away, holding each other fairly close. It was a wonderful thing to see such adoration in their eyes for one another. It was rather refreshing, actually. Filch was still hanging around, not far from Hermione, but she didn't seem to care anymore, she figured she would have to dance with everyone that night, why not finish it off with the squib caretaker?
She shut her eyes and yawned as she let the music take her away and inhaled the fresh cinnamon, pine and… mixed potion ingredients?
She felt a hand on her shoulder, touching her lightly. Hermione shot up; hoping beyond hope for what she thought could be…
"Miss Granger," a deep voice sounded softly, "I do believe you have danced with every wizard in this room excluding myself."
She turned around to the voice.
"If it is not too late, might I have this dance?" Hermione felt her hand being led up and shivers ran through her body when she felt lips grace the back of her hand.
There he was, clothed in all black, looking as handsome as ever, Professor Severus Snape, her Half-Blood Prince.
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