Chapter 28
The Epiphany of Snape
The snow was falling and Hogwarts was preparing for a grand holiday. This Christmas Bella and Lizzie would be staying at school. There was to be a Yule Ball and they decided to attend, and since they had permission to Apparate to London for New Years Eve, they felt it would be no great loss to miss the Black family party. Now it was time to think about dates and what to wear. Dress robes were expected so Bella would have to save her usual sexy attire for New Years and as for dates, the pickings were a bit slim. Lizzie didn't want a date if it couldn't be Antonin but Bella told her she had to have an escort or she would look like a loser.
"Look Liz, I know that the choices are limited, but we must enter the hall on the arms of acceptable boys, you can always ignore them once the ball gets under way"
Lizzie shot her a very grumpy look "Well, who are you going with?"
Bella grimaced "I don't know, like I said choices are limited" her face broke into a dirty grin "Wish I could ask Professor Atticus, I would love to dance with him holding me in those strong arms" Bella sighed at the thought of her head of house, a tall, long haired blond god with a powerful build and gorgeous deep blue eyes.
"I don't think you can go with a teacher, but how about Remus?"
Bella looked around to see if anyone overheard "SHHH! That has to stay a secret, plus he is only a fourth year, I have to go with someone from my own year"
Lizzie sighed "Oh well, looks like we had better hit up the Quidditch team before they all get taken"
Bella nodded in agreement and by dinner that night Lizzie was hooked up with Ryan O' Dowd, Slytherin Seeker and Bella was going with Riven McMordres, the Slytherin Keeper, the same boy she and Brytel Glower had once fought over.
"Riven? God he is just such a pompous prat, Bella" Lizzie was shaking her head as she picked at her treacle tart.
"I know, but he is good looking enough to appear on my arm and then I will just ignore him the rest of the night"
Bella glanced over at Remus who was talking to a fourth year Ravenclaw girl, she wondered if he was asking her to the ball. A pang of jealousy seared through her, why would he want to go with a Ravenclaw anyway, all brains and no fun. She pushed her plate away and told Lizzie she would see her back in the common room.
As she headed down to the dungeons, someone called out her name; it was Severus Snape.
"Bella, do you have a second?"
She stopped and gave him a quirky little smile "Sevy! What's up?"
He frowned when she called him Sevy and wisely squelched the urge to call her Trixie.
"Um I was wondering if you had a date for the ball yet?" his pale cheeks had patches of pink.
Bella's quirky smile spread into a full-blown grin of delight "Are you asking me out Sevy?"
His face had gone from pink to a serious shade of red now "If you don't already have a date, I am"
She wanted to laugh at him but at the same time she had to admire his courage, not many men have the nerve to ask her out, let alone a fourth year boy.
She decided not to be too mean. "Oh, I'm afraid I am already going with Riven"
Severus nodded his head "I figured you would have a date pretty quick, sorry I bothered you. Bye" and he hurried away in the opposite direction.
She smiled at his retreating figure, Sevy was a strange boy but Bella liked him for some reason, too bad he wasn't a seventh year. She would have considered throwing over Riven and going with him instead.
The evening of the ball had finally arrived and the students were all gathered in the entrance hall waiting for the doors to open and the dinner to begin. Bella was in fine red silk robes embellished with silver embroidery and Riven was wearing black robes with red embroidery, they made a very handsome couple. Lizzie was looking at her date's hair with disappointment, he had not made as much effort to look nice as she would have liked. Minutes later the doors opened and the couples made their way to the tables for dinner. As they enjoyed a fine feast, Bella looked around and checked out who was with whom. Sirius was with a very pretty Gryffindor sixth year girl and he looked like his usual gorgeous but arrogant self. James was chatting with a rather plain Hufflepuff fourth year and Peter, to no ones surprise, didn't have a date. Her gaze landed on Remus and he was indeed with the Ravenclaw girl she had seen him talking to. She was rather studious looking with glasses, her hair in a tight bun and robes of navy blue. She seemed to be a bit bored and annoyed at having to sit with his friends. Bella felt her pain on that point.
"Bella, did you hear me?" Riven had been regaling them with his triumphs on the Quidditch field.
"Yes, I heard you, an amazing save that won the game, blah, blah, blah" She waved her hand at him dismissively as she continued to scan the hall. She was looking for Sevy and soon found him sitting glumly with Regulus, neither one of them had escorts. He saw her looking at him and she gave him a sympathetic smile, she decided to ask him to dance later, if Riven would ever stop bothering her.
"Bella, honestly, you are a terrible dinner companion, you haven't heard a word I've said," he complained huffily.
"Fine!" she tossed her napkin on the table "I'm going to have dessert with someone who can talk about something other than themselves!" and she got up and went over to Severus's table, leaving Riven speechless for the first time since the evening started. "Make room, I'm finishing my dessert with you, Sevy" she squeezed a chair in between him and Regulus and sat down and dished some bread pudding onto a plate.
"Regie, where's your date, you're a Black for gods sake, there's no excuse for you not having an escort" she berated him as she nibbled her pudding.
"I'm playing the field tonight, love, don't want to be tied to just one bird for the whole ball," he proclaimed with a wink at Severus.
Severus was too stunned to even notice Regulus, he was torn between wanting to sink into the floor and disappear or shout out to the whole hall that one of the best looking girls in the school was dumping her date to come have dessert with him. He glanced over at Riven, he looked furious. Severus was very glad he had his wand in his robes. As dinner wrapped up, the hall was transformed into a grand ballroom with a live band. Slowly couples began to make their way out onto the dance floor. Riven came over and grabbed Bella's hand aggressively "You're my date, so you better dance with me"
She snatched her hand back, he had made a fatal error by thinking he could order her about.
"No, I promised Severus that he would have this dance and he promised to not mention Quidditch once the whole time" And she took Severus's hand and pulled him, with much effort, to the dance floor.
"Bella, I don't dance!" he hissed as he tried to escape her grasp, but she would not let him go.
"Oh yes you do, now come on, hand on my waist"
He decided he definitely wanted to sink into the floor now as she put her arm around his neck.
"I don't bite, Sevy. Well, that's not exactly true, but I promise to behave to the best of my ability"
When Severus said he didn't dance it wasn't because he didn't know how, he had had lessons, he just hated to be in the spotlight, hated people looking at him. And people were looking all right, everyone always looked at Bellatrix Black. She pressed her cheek to his and whispered, her warm breath caressing his earlobe.
"You are a very good dancer for someone who says he can't dance"
"I didn't say I can't, I said I don't" he whispered back.
She pulled back and saw just a hint of a smug smile playing on his thin lips. She leaned back in and closed her eyes as the song played on. Severus saw Riven watching them as he danced with an awe-struck fifth year Slytherin girl, Snape flashed him a victorious smile and pulled Bella closer. He knew Riven would make a point of hexing him at the first opportune moment. Let him try, Severus thought, another pretty boy who thinks talent on the Quidditch field makes them better than everyone else. He knew who would come out the better in a duel with wands. With Bellatrix in his arms he felt like he could do anything, it was like her confidence was contagious. The song ended and everyone clapped politely for the band and they started playing a song with a more upbeat tempo. Bella and Severus pulled apart slowly; Severus was not ready to give her up just yet.
"Can I get you a drink?"
Bella fanned herself with her hand "Yes, please, it seems quite hot in here"
He left and was back in a flash with two butter beers. Bella took a drink.
"Sevy, would you mind escorting me outside, I feel a bit light-headed, some fresh air would be lovely"
He held out his arm and she let him lead her outside. The front lawn had been turned into a beautiful winter garden with snow-covered trees that glowed with fairy lights, grand illuminated ice sculptures and a winding path that shimmered with opalescent, no-melt snowflakes. Along the way were small silver cauldrons with fires to warm the hands just in case one was walking without having ones hand in that of another's. They walked down the path in an awkward silence, it was a very romantic atmosphere and Bella could tell Severus felt out of his element.
"They went a bit overboard out here didn't they?" Bella said as she looked around.
"I was just thinking the same thing, seems a bit ridiculous for a school dance, overly romantic if you ask me" he then added quickly "Unless you are into that kind of stuff, then I suppose it's okay"
Bella smiled at his attempt to agree with her opinion no matter which way it went "I like romance but I don't need all of this superficial crap, romance for me can be just the moonlight and a stolen kiss"
Severus looked up at the cloudless sky and wondered if that was some kind of invitation, but he didn't have long to ponder it.
"There you are you stupid slut, I have been looking all over for you!" It was Riven and his attitude was worse than ever, he gave Severus a condescending glare "Look grease ball, get lost, Bella and I have some things to take care of"
It was like magic in stereo as both Bella and Snape pulled their wands and shouted "Stupefy!"
Riven was thrown backwards into a clump of bushes sending fairies fleeing in all directions. Bella and Severus looked at each other in surprise and at the same time said "Nice work" They broke out into a fit of laughter, and then Severus looked worried.
"You know, we are going to be in a lot of trouble for this, I'm not even supposed to know that spell yet"
Bella shook her head "Not if old Riven can't remember what happened to him. Watch and learn, Sevy"
She walked up to Riven's still figure and pointed her wand at his head, Severus watched in devilish anticipation.
"Obliviate"
Bella twirled her wand between her fingers before she lifted the hem of her robes and put it back in the top of her stocking.
"And that's how we hex someone and get away with it, love"
She beamed at his astonished expression.
"Where did you learn that spell, in advanced dark arts?" he asked with curious excitement.
Bella took his arm again and they began to continue their stroll down the path.
"Lets just say that I have had some extra lessons outside of Hogwarts"
He stopped and turned to face her "Can you teach me?"
She contemplated him for a moment, he was young but she knew he was smart and talented and for some reason she felt a connection with him. She looked at his wan complexion, hooked nose and lank black hair, he was not really good looking in any conventional sense of the word but she felt like he could be an equal to her. He was wicked, just like her.
"Yes, I think I can show you a few things before the end of term"
He nodded "I'm quite good at potions if you need any help and I have access to some very err... hard to get ingredients"
Bella laughed, "I bet you and Regulus get along great"
"Regulus and I do see eye to eye on many topics, including what an arrogant ass his brother is"
Bella stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek "Severus, you are alright in my book, lets go back inside, I want one more dance"
They returned to the hall and, as they waited for another slow song, a skinny but not entirely ugly third year Slytherin girl came up to Severus and shyly asked him to dance. At first he thought she was joking until Bella nudged him with her elbow.
"Go on, we can dance later"
The girl practically yanked his arm out of the socket she was so enthusiastic to get him on the floor.
"Looks like you lost both of your dates"
Bella turned and smiled at Remus. "So where is your date?"
He tilted his head towards a table of chatting Ravenclaw girls, his date had her back to the dance floor.
"She's not really the dancing, socializing type I guess" He shrugged.
Bella sighed "I'm bored, want to help me get a rise out of Sirius?"
"Bella, he's my friend, why would I do that?"
She licked her lips slowly "So, you don't want to dance with me?"
Remus smiled and shook his head "You just want to stir up trouble, but what the bloody hell, this night has been a total bore, might as well have a little fun" he took her hand "Let's dance"
Remus put his arms around her waist and she put hers around his neck and they swayed slowly to the music. Snape was the better dancer but Lupin was definitely more handsome, Bella could not resist running her fingers through his hair as he held her close.
"I wish I could kiss you," he murmured quietly.
They were interrupted before she had a chance to respond.
"Mind if I cut in?" Sirius was looking daggers at his cousin.
"Oh, Sirius, I had no idea you felt that way about me, mate" Remus joked.
"I need a word with Bella, now"
"It's okay Lupin" she wangled her finger at Sirius "I'll dance with you just as long as you don't try to grope my ass"
Bella let go of Remus and put her arms around Sirius's neck, he put one hand on her waist and with the other he grabbed her hair and talked into her ear.
"I don't know what you are up to, but do not involve Remus, I swear I will make your life a miserable hell if you don't leave him alone"
Bella had a fake smile plastered on her face as she replied, "Remus doesn't need you to tell him what to do, so stop being such a self-righteous git"
People had stopped dancing and were beginning to watch the adversarial couple.
"And if you don't let go of my hair, you will be the one in hell"
He gave her hair an extra hard pull and then, a moment later, he was crumpled over, moaning in agony. Bella had planted her knee right in his groin.
"I warned you, but as usual, you never listen to anyone" Bella spat out with deep-seated loathing as she smoothed her disheveled hair.
She waltzed out of the hall leaving a murmuring crowd in her wake. She hoped that the New Years party in London was better than this, if not, then the whole holiday would have been a huge waste. She returned to the common room and was just getting ready to go to bed when someone called out her name.
"Bella, are you alright?"
It was Severus; he had followed her out of the hall.
She tried to smile but it was a half-hearted attempt "Yeah, I'm fine, just disappointed, I should have gone home for Christmas"
Severus hesitated then spoke "Um..if you like, I have some rum up in my trunk, want me to bring it down? No one will be back for awhile"
"You have booze hidden in your dorm?" she exclaimed in astonishment "Wow, I had no idea you were such a deviant. I would love a drink"
He returned to the common room a couple of minutes later with a full fifth of rum.
Bella took a sip "Is this the work of Regulus?"
Snape nodded and she smiled "He does have talent, I'll give him that"
They sat on a sofa in front of the fire, passing the bottle back and forth, talking about the dance, classes and professors. Finally, he got up nerve to ask her what he had been thinking all night.
"Bella, why are you even talking to me? I'm a nobody at this school"
Bella looked into his black, penetrating eyes, they were definitely his best feature.
"Sevy, I have a feeling about you, like that you are a way more powerful wizard than you realize, and boys eventually grow into men and I like powerful men"
Severus studied her face for any sign that she was anything but serious; he saw none.
"Even if they are not are not handsome or rich?"
Bella took a deep swig from the bottle "Handsome men are not always clever, neither are rich ones, and believe it or not, most of the time I like a bloke that can debate the qualities of proper hexing over one that just looks good. Mind you, it's nice to shag a handsome man, but if he can't do that properly either, he's just a waste of my time"
At that moment his whole perspective on women changed. He had always assumed that good looks were necessary to get a girl and he was painfully aware that he would never really have that, but power was achievable. He was already well on his way to being a skilled wizard, he had abilities that eluded most of the handsome boys at Hogwarts. And Bella had ditched her handsome date to be with him, power was the key to keeping a girl like her interested. He wanted to kiss her with every fiber of his being but even with the rum, he was not yet that brave. Bella smiled at him.
"You are surprised, aren't you, that I would choose power over looks or money. I think you would be surprised if you met the man that I have been having an affair with since I was fifteen. He is wealthy but not particularly handsome and he is much older, but his scope of power is amazing. He has taught me more than I could have ever hoped to learn here"
He was glad that he had not tried to kiss her; he had no idea that she had an older boyfriend, though he was not really surprised. Still, he was not willing to give up completely, he wanted to learn from her and that was a way to have her in his life in some capacity.
"Teach me what he has taught you, Bella, I want that power, I want to be feared like you"
Bella's mind was turning, he was only fourteen but he had the makings of a Death Eater, he was a worthy recruit, there was the future to be thinking of.
"I think I can give you some private lessons, Sevy. Talk to me after the holiday and we can work something out"
Eventually a few more students made their way back to the common room and they ended up sharing the rum. Bella decided around 2:00 to go to bed and she leaned over and kissed Severus quickly on the lips "I'm off to bed, see you later"
He watched her until she rounded the curve of the stairs and was out of sight, he had a feeling that tonight had been a major turning point in his life.
