A/N: yea! Thanks for the wonderful reviews guys! I have been most amused by some of the more 'unusual' suggestions for the test. Well here is the third anniversary party of Voldemort's defeat, trust me, things don't stand still anymore. The nitro has now been lit!
Save the last dance (37)
The week following the graduation ceremony flew by in the blink of an eye. Hermione had wanted to have a little time to savor her last week as a single woman, but preparations for the party prevented her from savoring much other than sleep and the time she could spend with Severus. She wanted to ask him who he had petitioned, but she could not. She knows that if he choose to tell her than he would have. She would not intrude onto his private domain; it was not her information to know. Unsure of how to deal with the subject, they continued as if the Marriage Law had not occurred, purposely avoiding the topic in favor of others. They spent the week as they had in the summer, beginning to brew early and working late, having a good meal and good conversation to end off the day.
The day before the party when they ended and Severus was leading her back up to his office, she gave one final look behind her as the door to his lab closed. It would be the final time she left the lab a free woman. Next time she would have to endure questions she knew would arise from her new husband. What happened down in the lab? Why did things take so long? Why did she enjoy going to the lab with Severus? With a slight shudder she leaned closer to Severus. She didn't want the dark hallway to end. She wanted to spend her time beside Severus, but she knew that he would likely not feel the same. She knew things would be very different if she brought such an idea up, and odds were they would not be in her favor. She would have to be content that she could help him in the lab and learn from him what she could.
Severus had felt her shudder as they passed through the hallway and had seen her longingly looking behind them at the lab as he closed the door. He did not think she knew he had seen, but he had and he understood what she had not said. Leaving the lab was one more step towards her marriage to someone unknown to him and seemingly her as well, and his loosing even the chance that he would ever become confident enough to suggest that they become something more. with that weighing heavily on his heart he bid her goodnight at his office door and lingered, watching her as she made her way down the hall away from him.
McGonagall had made it quite clear he was to attend the Anniversary party as he had the year before. So when it was time the next day he made his way to the Great Hall to reluctantly join the festivities. He had also wore his Order of Merlin medal on his regular robes, knowing full well if he didn't he would regret it. It was the first time he had taken the medal out to look at since he had gotten it. He knew that even if there were those at the party that gave him a hard time about the medal, he would wear it, even if it only pleased Hermione. She had worked too hard to make sure he got the medal, that to leave it in his room would be an insult to her. Once in the Great Hall he made his way to the darkest corner that he could find.
Hermione had spent the afternoon deciding what she was going to wear. She wanted something that would not make her look, or at least feel, like some piece of meat that the men were trying to get a hold of. Finally settling on a soft mango color she adorned herself with the same jewelry as the year before and let her hair fall down her back, the front spelled back to stay out of her eyes. Her dress was a loose fitting number with a halter top and flared at her hips to end half way down her shins.
She did not want to go to the party, it would mean she would have to dance with every suitor vying for her hand, and she wanted none of them. But there was little else she could do. She could not feign illness, though she had confiscated enough of the Weasley twin's oddities to provide her with everything from constipation to nosebleeds and puking, nor could she run. Though running was very high on her list of immediate desires, perhaps more reminiscent of a rabbit bolting for the nearest warren than anything. With a deep sigh she looked at her reflection in the mirror and tried not to frown. She would have to put on a happy face, she would be marrying one of the men she would dance with tonight in three days time wither, she liked it or not.
"All right Hermione." She coached herself in the mirror, standing up straight and taking a deep breath. "You can do this. Go enjoy your last party as a free and single woman." Then she walked determinedly out of her rooms and out to meet the people in the Great Hall.
From Severus' vantage point he could see as everyone entered the room. As he surveyed those in attendance it came immediately to his notice that there were people at the party that had not been previously. Young Draco was flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, as always. Victor Krum stood talking to Oliver Wood while the pair were surrounded by a few twittering girls and he saw Marcus Flint near the punch bowl. He was not quite sure but the presence of these new additions was rather unsettling to him, though he did not know why.
His contemplation was cut short when he spied Hermione enter the Great Hall. His breathe caught in his throat and he had to take a moment to collect his thoughts. She was in a peach/mango colored dress that hinted at her womanly curves and made her skin glow. Her amber colored hair fell soft across her back and he could see her Order of Merlin sparkle from her left shoulder. He wanted very much to tell her she was the most beautiful woman in the room, but he could not bring himself to put his heart out for her to see so clearly. He had already felt the ding of unrelented love once, he would not let another render his heart as had Lily's marriage to James. He watched as she surveyed the room and her eyes settled on the knot of red headed Weasleys. As she made her way to them she was lost in the crowd and he did not see her again for some time.
Hermione went to the group of Weasleys with a hint of trepidation. She did not want to meet Ron immediately. She knew he would endeavor not to leave her side once he believed he had gained it. Thankfully for her he had not come from his chambers yet and she was able to steal away Harry for a moment. During their conversation he promised that he would rescue her from any disastrous dances with her suitors. Ginny was understanding and was willing to part with her fiancé when needed for the night. They had made it official the second day of the Marriage law.
Endeavoring to stay on the move, and as such harder to pin down she floated around the room, purposefully avoiding the areas where she could see any of those who were there for her hand. Spying Severus glowering in the corner she suddenly decided that she would risk injury. She decided that even if things were to change in a less than ideal manner, at least it would be no worse than never knowing at all, she hoped.
The next time that he saw Hermione it was directly before the speeches began. She had come to stand beside him as she had the year before. "Good evening Severus." She said kindly. "I see that you have warn your medal. I believe it suites you."
"I still have my miss giving's about what deeds warranted such a prize, but since it was by no little effort it was gained, I decided I should be wear it." He told her carefully. She smiled at this, planting a little seed of warmth in his heart. She seemed to stand reluctantly for a moment, appearing to be on the verge of saying something, but unsure of how she should or could say it. "What is your question?" He asked after a moment of watching her fret, though he believed she did not know she was so transparent with her distress.
"Well, I would like to speak with you again after the party, or at least in a few hours. This year I cannot escape as quickly as in years past. I must dance with those who are trying for my hand. I really don't want to, but I have little choice as I said I would allow them each one dance. I don't know how long it will take, so I cannot ask you to stay at the party, where I know you are uncomfortable. I am as well, but it seems that it is for different reasons." She told him.
"I see." He said.
"I would normally ask to speak with you tomorrow, but seeing as it will be too late, I cannot wait. This is a discussion that must be had tonight." She was wringing her hands tightly and her eyes were down cast, feeling very venerable.
"Very well." He said after a moment of contemplation. "I shall stay at the party until you have done what you must. But only on the condition that we speak in my chambers this time. I shall need the comforting sanctuary of my own chambers after enduring such a trying experience."
Hermione stood dumbfounded for nearly a full minute gazing at him. She had never expected him to willingly stay at the party for as long as she needed to take to fulfill her obligations. "Thank you." She stammered after an exceedingly long pause. "I don't know how to thank you enough."
He was relieved of the obligation of replying by the lights dimming and the lights brightening on the stage at the far end of the room, announcing the speeches were about to begin. Just as the year before the roll of those who had received the Order of Merlin awards was called, but unlike the year before, his name was also called. There was shocked silence with scattered applause after his name was called. He continued to glower and inclined his head briefly.
Once the speeches were over he saw Hermione visibly stiffen and her eyes go wide in terror, looking for all the world like an animal ready to bolt. His eyes instinctively swept the room and he saw all of the men he had noticed before coming in their direction. He watched as Neville came to her side before the others and asked her rather haltingly if she would like to dance. He was astonished to see that with a sigh she agreed and he lead her out to the dance floor.
Severus had not asked Hermione about what was going on now that she was going to be forced to marry. All he knew about what was going on was what she had told him the night he had given her the sleeping Potion. He knew that she was or already had finished planning her wedding, but still lacked a groom. It seemed strange to him, but as it usually fell to the women to make such preparations he did not question it too much. He was quite certain though, that her wedding was going to occur very soon.
He watched as first Neville, then Ron danced with Hermione. When Victor Krum turned up beside her asking to dance he saw there was a terrible flash of resentment between the two men, but Ron stepped reluctantly aside as Victor took her hand. He watched as she floated across the dance floor with Victor. It was obvious they would make a lovely couple, where as the other two seemed bent on squishing her toes. As he watched her change off to dance with Wood, who had bowed low, his musings were broken into by a voice. He had been watching her plastered on smile come close to wavering several times and marveled at how she could seem pleasant, but he could see in her eyes she was terribly upset.
"Hello Severus." He heard Lupin say from beside him. He did not look at him and continued to watch Hermione gracefully float across the dance floor.
"Good evening." He replied. "Everything went well with you last week I presume."
"Yes, everything went as well as can be expected, thanks to you. I really must renew my thanks." Lupin said.
"Precautions cannot be taken lightly." Severus replied. "All of my Potions are of the highest quality possible with the ingredients I am able to acquire. To do anything else would defeat the purpose of being a Master."
"Well spoken." Lupin said. "I was both surprised and glad to hear that you received an Order of Merlin. I believe you deserve it. You have certainly endured enough as a spy to earn one." Severus gave a noncommittal grunt to this, not trusting himself to speak. Lupin was quiet for a time and watched Severus watch Hermione. "She really is quite beautiful." He commented offhandedly.
"Who?" Severus grunted, sounding uninterested, but he was anything but.
"Hermione." Lupin said. "I know that I would have petitioned for her hand if Tonks and I had been unable to be bound. Tonks works at the Ministry." Lupin said, answering Severus' unasked question. "When she caught wind of what was going to be in the Marriage Law she came and told me. We discussed it and we signed our contract the day before the law was passed. We were one of a few of the lucky ones."
"There are very few that will be lucky now." Severus growled. "But I doubt she would have accepted your hand. You are old enough to be her father."
"Well I still would have offered. I know there are very few Purebloods that were not somehow attached to the Death Eaters. She is vulnerable in the fact that she is so closely connected to Potter. Many hold resentment against her as well as she was one of us that cast the killing curse to finish Him off. I would have offered her a relatively safe alternative to bedding a loyal Death Eater." Lupin told him. "I fear what might happen if she marries a man with strong ties that are not as fallow as they would like them to appear."
"She is a strong soul." Severus told him, though he knew with a bit of dread in his stomach, Lupin was right.
"A strong soul can still be overcome or broken." Lupin said. "I am sure that you have seen that first hand."
"Far too many times." He mumbled begrudgingly.
"I have heard that she is doing something interesting to pick a husband though." Lupin said. "Neville came to me for dance lessons a week ago. Why me, I'm unsure, but he did. He says that there is a test of charm that he must pass if he is to have a chance for her hand. Perhaps she has something up her sleeve. I have found that there is more to her than what is on the surface. Perhaps she will make out better than I fear."
"Perhaps." He said ever so carefully.
"Well, I must be going, I promised Tonks I would dance the next song with her, I must go find her. I wish you the best of luck with whomever you have petitioned. I hope you get a good woman, you deserve it." Lupin told him, disappearing into the crowd.
Severus watched now as Crabbe nearly fell over as he tried very unsuccessfully to dance. She had danced with Goyle as he had talked with Lupin. He had not been good either, but at least he didn't almost flatten her. He watched rather begrudgingly as Hermione gave the first real smile on the dance floor to Potter as he came to rescue her from the blundering clutches of Crabbe. He watched as she relaxed and leaned against his chest and envy blossomed in his again. When the song was finished, he watched as Potter handed her over to the clutches of Marcus Flint. He tried to dance with her, but it was more of an exercise in pain as he repeatedly mashed her toes beneath his feet and smiled menacingly at her while he did so.
He could see the relief on her face when the song ended, though it was short lived as he watched her take the hand of Draco. His young godson thought too highly of himself, Severus thought. He may be one of the better dancers, but it did not give him the right to leer at her in such a grotesque manner. Although he did have to give Draco enough credit not to mash her feet into oblivion, he had obviously picked up a desire for flare from his father.
As the song was ending and the band getting ready to begin another he finally had had enough of Draco and his smirks. He could see that Hermione wanted nothing but to melt into the floor and escape while Draco was still holding onto her quite determinedly. Potter was on the other end of the dance floor holding Ginny tightly and it was obvious to Severus that Potter would not be coming to the rescue this time. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. He knew that he would have to do something. She had been a friend to him, now it was his time to return the favor, no matter what it did to his pride. He was flushing his pride down the toilet anyways by allowing the Ministry to pick his wife; he might as well start towards the edge of humiliation when it was his choice.
Steeling himself he stalked his way onto the dance floor where Hermione was trying to stiffly avoid dancing with Draco who was insisting that she dance with him again. With a scowl he walked up behind Hermione.
"Miss Granger." He spoke much more calmly than he felt. He had forced himself to address her in the tone he used to converse with her over dinner in the lab. "It would seem that it shall fall to my lot to show you how a real wizard dances." He offered out his hand. She had turned her head towards him with a look of astonished relief on her face.
"So, my godfather has an interest in the little mudblood I see." Draco sneered, eyeing the Order of Merlin hanging from Severus' robes. "Go away old man; go find your own spoils of War." Draco began to try to pull Hermione farther towards the dance floor.
"Remember this lesson well, ferret boy." Severus hissed, his wand seeming to materialize in his hand pointing menacingly at Draco's forehead, just between his eyes. Draco's sneer faltered and his face became an ashen grey. Severus could see a flame of fear ignite in his eyes. "I have a fully functioning wand, where you clear clogged toilets by hand at the Ministry. I was also in His service longer than you have been alive. I know spells that could rend you so quickly you would not know what occurred until you were lying on the ground begging for a death that will not come. It is wise to remember who your elders are and respect them child." Severus lowered his wand and it was returned from whence it came. Hermione had drawn back to watch the proceedings in shock as the exchange took place.
Draco's minions returned to his side when he beckoned them with a flick of his head. Draco glared at Severus with hate in his eyes. "Come Crabbe, Goyle, there is little fun to be had at this party tonight. Let us retire so that we will be more rested than any others, we shall use our extra sleep as an advantage in tomorrow's test." He swept past Severus with great airs and out of the Great Hall. Severus watched them go with great anger. He hoped that whatever the test was that they would all fall, miserably.
"Thank you so much Severus." Hermione breathed. He looked back at her and saw a genuine smile of relief spread across her face and pointed in his direction. "I don't know how much longer I could take him trying to manhandle me out onto the dance floor again. He is that last person I ever want to dance with again. Ick!" She was running her hands down her arms as if she were trying to wipe him off of her.
After a moment of silence where Severus was watching her, she turned to him and stepped in front of him. "So," she said, looking at him expectantly and a great big smile on her face. He could see that this was genuine as it was reflected in her eyes as well. "Show me, as you so eloquently put it, how a real wizard dances."
"Yes milady." He said with a bow. "I am a man of my word." He held out his hand and she placed her hand in his. His hand was warm and dry, unlike the cold clammy hands of most of the others she had danced with. She took a large step and stood nearly flush with him, barely a hairsbreadth between her dress and his robes. She placed her other hand on his upper arm. Reaching around he allowed himself to rest his hand along her spine and let it settle in the small of her back. A waltz had begun and he led off, guiding her gracefully across the dance floor, her skirt and his robes billowing around them.
"It is a pleasant surprise to learn you can dance, and so spectacularly too." She commented, smiling up at him. "From the comment you made at the end of year dance it was as if you did not know how."
"It is the only other good thing, besides teaching me to ride, that my father ever taught me. He believed that every well breed wizard should know how to ride well and dance well." He told her a bit reluctantly. "It is rare for me to ever find the need to exhibit either talent my father believed to be so important."
"Well, if those are the marks of a well breed wizard, then I can say that you are the only one I have danced with all evening. You have a grace about you that lends well to the dance floor as well as to riding." She smiled at him, making his heart swell.
"Thank you." He said with a slight smirk.
"You're welcome." She said and leaned in closer so that her head rested on his chest as the song slowed. "I really do think you're a great horseman and dancer as well. If it were for nothing else, my poor toes thank you very much indeed for rescuing them." He gave a slightly amused grunt. She smiled against his chest.
He had been astonished that she actually wanted to dance with him, asking for him to make good on his offer. He had rather expected that she would have wanted to bolt as soon as possible. But as Draco had just left through the same door she would have to, it may have been reasonable for her to stay. He was a man of his word and so when she made it clear that she had not problem dancing with him he complied.
He was surprised by her willingness to stand so close to him and accept his hand upon her back in such an intimate manner. When she laid her head against his chest his heart rate jumped dramatically. She was so beautiful and so accepting, it was all he could do from attempting to kiss her, even if I was just on the top of her head. The song ended and she drew back to look up at him with a thankful smile.
"Thank you for the dance Severus." She told him.
He inclined his head slightly with a shadow of a smirk. "I could not let you leave tonight with the opinion that all Purebloods are bad dancers. There are still a few among us that know how to exhibit a woman's beauty on the dance floor properly." A blush rose in her cheeks as she glanced at the floor.
"I shall leave you now and let you dance with your next suitor. I will wait where I was before; seek me out when you are ready to leave." He inclined his head again slightly and then turned to leave.
"Wait." She said to him, reaching out her hand and catching his sleeve. "I have no more suitors that I am forced to dance with, Draco was the last one. I have no reason to stay any longer. All I ask for is enough time to say goodnight to my friends. It should only take a moment."
"Very well." Severus said. "I shall wait in the hall." He turned and swept out of the Great Hall to nearly no one's notice. Hermione then turned and went in search of those she needed to bid goodnight.
"So, Snape dances." Harry said when she came beside him. "That is something I never thought I would see. You seemed like you enjoyed dancing with him Monie."
"Yes, I did." She said, throwing caution to the wind. "He has a grace few others have and it seems he knows how to dance very well."
"When you two danced it was exquisite." Ginny told her with awe. "It was as if he had turned into another person on the dance floor. The way he guided the dance and seemed to showcase you was almost like poetry in motion. I have only read about those who can draw every eye to themselves and their partner with such finesse. I would have never guessed such a dark brooding man could dance with such power."
"You are not the only one." She said. "But to speak of dancing is not why I am here. I came to bid you all a good night. I really cannot stay her any longer, I must get some rest. If anyone asks I retired early because I was in need of a headache potion." She told them. "Besides there are a few last minute preparations I must finish before the test tomorrow."
"You are the one giving the test." Harry said. "You don't need to study." He smiled at her. "You work yourself too hard."
"Very funny." She said punching him in the shoulder lightly. "You really should keep your man on a tighter leash Ginny; they can get into trouble if allowed too much slack." Harry tried unsuccessfully to look hurt, while Ginny snickered behind her hand. "As for working too hard I will say I shall not disagree, but it will all be over soon enough. Well, goodnight, I don't want to linger in one spot for too long or else one of my suitors will attempt a second dance and I don't think my feet could take that."
"Be gone then." Ginny said. "I do believe Ron the toe-smasher is headed this way." She waved Hermione towards the door. "I will meet you at the barn at one tomorrow."
"See you then." Hermione said and began to make her way carefully towards the door, avoiding eye contact with anyone and somehow managing to avoid all her want to be husbands. Once in the hallway she looked cautiously around, half expecting to get waylaid by Malfoy and his thugs. She caught sight of Severus leaning against the banister of the great staircase and crossed to stand before him.
"You needn't worry about young Draco or his dimwitted sidekicks." He told her as if he had read her mind. "I have sent Dobby on a mission of sorts. Dobby will make sure young Master Malfoy and his friends get to their chambers tonight, and that they stay there until at least first light; by whatever means he deems necessary." He said this gravely, but there was a slight menace of a smirk on his face. He seemed quite sure that Dobby would not be overly kind about 'whatever means necessary'.
"Thank you." She sighed. "You have saved me from worry yet again tonight, though in all truthfulness I will not feel totally safe until I am behind a well warded door."
"Well then," he said standing straight and offering out his arm. "I suppose we should head for my chambers to talk then. And I am in need of a good stiff drink after all those people." Hermione smiled at him again and took his arm as he led her towards the dungeons.
A/N: *girly squeal!!* Snape Dances!!! *sigh* what a picture… ok I'm back from my little mental holiday, nuts. Well I hope you can all see things are picking up speed now and drawing towards a conclusion. Never fear there will be at least 44 chapters in this story, I'm finishing up 43 tonight, so there is more coming. (a few of you have asked my secret for being able to post so fast, well… *glances around* *whispering* I have chapters written ahead before I even begin to post, that way I know I can finish the story before I get people reading it. I don't like it very much when fics are left abandoned.)
The challenge for those who wish to participate is still open, for specifics refer to the previous 2 chapters. The next chapter is the last time you get to guess. And I must say, what cheeky answers I have gotten from some of you! they are most definitely some of the more amusing reviews I have had. I very well may have to put some sort of honorable mention for those who made me laugh with such off the wall suggestions! For those who haven't read the reviews with guess I would encourage you to do so, they are quite funny.
Thanks to all those who have reviewed. I really love the feed back and what you all think of my fic! I would also like to give a big thanks to my beta and fan fic 'sis' skydancinghobbit for putting up with me and keeping everyone in character. Check her fics out if you get a chance. Until the next posting! Dragons Quill