Disclaimer: I do not own the song being used or the characters. I do not make profit out of any of this.
Albus Dumbledore rose to his feet. The students continued to munch on their dinner as the Headmaster smiled at them.
"Valentine's Day will soon be upon us."He imparted."Since we did not have the pleasure of a Halloween dance, we will instead have a Valentine's Day Masquerade!"
The students cheered. Severus glared stiffly at the crowd. Lilith and Sybil turned in his direction.
The Headmaster waited for his students to quiet down."I encourage you all to dress for the occasion. Wizards can come up with the most fanciful of costumes."
From a distance Ember saw Harry hugging Hermione around the neck. Apparently the little seventh year group would all get similar colored costumes. She smiled.
Severus leaned over to mutter in Ember's ear."Please tell me you will be my date to this ridiculous dance."
"I'll be honored." Ember smirked in humor.
Professor Trelawney clattered to Severus's side. She grabbed his hand and began to twirl her fingers over his palm. Severus looked a bit concerned.
"I see a brown-haired woman in your future."Sybil declared. "The dance you will dance will reveal many things, on the evening of St. Valentine."
Severus withdrew his hand and folded it into his robes, kind of terrified."Sybil, how can you possibly say that from looking at my hand?"
Ember burst into laughter. She couldn't help it. The scene was just amazing. As Sybil left to attend her first class of the day, Severus turned to his lover.
"What are you laughing at?"He said visibly irritated. Ember's eyes were glittering.
"Nothing. Nothing, Sev."Ember used every inch of strength she had not to laugh.
.
Lavender, Ginny, Luna and Hermione were in the Room of Requirement when Ember came through.
"Hello girls! You asked to see me?"
"Yes, Miss! We need your help with our costumes! You have a very good taste in clothing so perhaps you could give us some tips?"Lavender said.
"Of course what characters will you dress as?"
"Well…me and Harry will be Alice and Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland!" Hermione said.
"Me and Ron will be little red riding hood and the bad wolf!" Lavender said excitingly, showing her a picture of their costumes to be.
"Draco and I will be Belle and the Beast. After the transformation obviously." Ginny said. Several jaws dropped.
"You're going with Mafloy?!" Miss's Brown jaw had dropped to the floor.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Luna asked.
"I hadn't thought it was important…"Ginny said apologetically to her girl friends.
"Ok…And what about you miss Lovegood?"
"Oh! Me and Neville will be Christine Daae and the Phantom. From the Phantom of the Opera!"
"Amazing! Now let me take a look at your costumes. But you won't tell anyone I help you correct?"
The girls nodded.
"Ok…So the boys will work their costumes out. No need to worry about that. Hermione you will put a white apron around your blue dress and a head-band with a white bow to match the theme. You have to make your dress a bit frilly and maybe short? That's up to you."
"Thanks Miss!"
"Miss Brown… I don't believe I can help much with your case but you can change the color of the apron to black. After all it'll be Valentine's Day and the dress code usually is red and black."
"Yes Ma'am!" Lavender said saluting her like a soldier. The girls laughed.
"For you Miss Weasley you can put golden accents on your yellow dress- So that it can glimmer a bit."
The red-headed girl smiled widely. "Will do Miss!"
When she turned to Luna the girl just nodded."I'm fine Miss. My dress has already been made."
"So what are you going to wear professor?"
"I'm sure I'll find something Miss Granger. Thank you for your interest. Now if you excuse me I have some essays to correct." She got up and made her way to the door.
"Will Professor Snape be escorting you to the dance?" Ember stopped dead on her tracks.
"Yes, Miss Weasley." She gave a dashing smile to the four girls and left the room. As she closed the door she heard the girls giggle.
They were busted for good now…
.
Several floors below, Severus Snape stalked the halls, prowling for miscreants. He had already taken five points from his own house. To his dismay, he didn't turn the corner to find a trouble-making student, but a trouble-making professor.
Lilith stood before him; smiling seductively.
"I was just coming to find you." She said.
Severus gave her a cold look."Then it's a pity I'm busy." He swept past her.
"Where are you heading?" She asked as she sauntered beside him.
"Away from here."
"I would be happy to walk with you, Severus."
"I'm afraid I can't say the same, Mrs. Davis."
The woman scowled. She was exposed. The Potions Master's long legs strode much faster than Lilith could in her high heels. Severus had to turn to the left and had to get past Lilith- she blocked him.
"I would also be very happy if you would escort me to the dance this Saturday." She purred as her hands slithered up his chest and around his neck.
The dark professor looked down his nose at her, coldly."Lately, I've been trying to make it a point to stay away from Death Eaters."
"Oh, Severus." She sighed and pressed her body closer."I was forced to do so-don't think of me like the others."
He laid her head on his chest. Severus didn't unclasp his hands from behind his back.
"It's so lonely-everyone here ostracizes me. If I had known I would have to become a Death Eater to marry Jonas, I would have run far, far away from him!"
Beautiful honey eyes sparkled with tears."Won't you take pity on me, Severus? Won't you help me?"
It was obvious the woman had never heard of Occlumency. Thoughts of money and bounty and seducing him were flashing in her mind.
The ex-Death Eater detached the insipid woman from his person. He smirked, handsomely evil."You're talking to the best liar the wizarding world has ever seen, Mrs. Davis. Do not try to lie to me and expect to fool me."
Acting as if her skin was toxic, Severus released her. Lilith smirked as she sauntered away. Her hips swayed. "I'm going to win you. No matter what and who…"
.
"So um…Do you think she will like it?"
"Certainly."
"Do you think she will say yes?"
"My dear boy Severus, no need to be so tense."
"How can I not be?" Severus collapsed at the chair."I'm about to ask her if she want to marry me…"
"Well you won't ask her today."Minerva pointed out.
"You will ask her on Saturday." Albus said, popping a lemon drop in his mouth.
"But…But what if she says no?"
"Believe me, Severus, she'll say yes. I know Ember. She won't turn you down." Minerva said sitting opposite of the black haired man who looked at her in disbelief.
"Now there's one more thing…You need to inform Harry."Severus's jaw dropped at the Headmaster's words.
"No."
"No?"Minerva repeated in shock."Severus, he is the only male left in the family! He has the right to know!"
"Fine…"
"And where exactly are you planning to ask her?"
"In the astronomy tower…"Severus mumbled. Talking about it made him feel like a teenager in front of the two of them all over again.
"Ah…"Dumbledore clapped his hands."Would you like me to set the scenery my boy? Make it more romantic?"
Severus rose at his feet."What? No of course not! She doesn't like me being romantic! I will make a fool of myself…"
Minerva sighed."Stupid Slytherin Pride…"She mumbled. She looked at the younger man straight in the eye."Young man…You are about to ask a woman to spend the rest of her life with you. This is important to her. You have to do your best. Failure is not tolerated in this case." Minerva snapped.
"Failure wasn't tolerated when I was a spy; yet here I am!" He snapped back. He sighed audibly."I'm sorry Minerva…I just…I'm too nervous! I can't do it!"He sat on the chair again.
"You can."Dumbledore said."And you will. After all you have already bought a ring." Dumbledore pointed in Severus's inner pocket. "You are past the point of no return." Severus looked up. A confused look upon his face. Why did that sound familiar?
He frowned at himself. Dumbledore was smiling. When he finally understood Dumbledore's words he made eye contact."You can't be serious." He ran his hand through his oily hair. "I don't know how to-"
"Eileen did." Dumbledore interrupted. "And if I remember correctly she taught you too."
"This is absurd."
"No, it is a wonderful way to show your emotions."
"With every student and teacher as viewers!" He looked at the ceiling in irritation. "I don't even know if she knows how to dance a tango!" He finally said. Minerva's eyes widened. She finally understood the riddles the two men were talking.
"Usually the man makes the moves…"Minerva dared to speak."And Albus is right. If you don't want to do any romanticisms you can do that."
"I'll speak to Filius about the song. In the meantime do speak to Harry, Severus. He needs to know." Dumbledore said firmly.
.
Merlin help me…Severus thought to himself. It was time to inform, youngster Potter about his little plans.
"Mister Potter. A word." He said as the rest of the class exited the room. The Gryffindor red-headed Weasley gave Harry a pat on the back. The Slytherins smirked.
Severus rolled his eyes. He wasn't going to bite off Potter's head chew it up and spit it out! He just wanted to talk about Ember.
"Sir?"Harry said as the last student closed the door behind them.
Severus didn't reply. He just took out a little, tiny box and placed it on the desk in front of Harry.
The young boy took the box and opened it only to see a ring with a white diamond in the centre looking at him.
"Oh, you gotta be fu-…kidding me…"Harry corrected himself."And you are asking my permission?"It was known that they didn't like each other. The man nodded.
"Professor Dumbledore insisted."Severus said coldly.
Harry smirked."Sir, even if I were to say no…you wouldn't care one bit." Harry folded his arms.
"For once Potter, you are correct."
Harry didn't reply to the snarky remark. He just extended his hand. "Well then sir. I believe congratulations are in order."
Severus was taken aback from the boy's words but took the hand anyways.
"Welcome to the Potter family!"Harry said sarcastically. "And please take good care of my aunt. Because if you don't I swear I'll kill you." Harry continued coldly.
"Threatening me, are we Potter?"
"Be damn sure sir. Saturday?" The boy said, with his hand on the door handle.
"Yes, Saturday evening."
The boy nodded and closed the door.
Two days to go…
.
Three knocks disrupted Severus's from his thoughts in his office. Who would be this hour?
"Sir, may I come in?"
"Yes, Draco. What is it?"
"It's Professor Alejandro, sir. He…He…"
"He?"
"He's a Death Eater, Severus, sir."
"How?" Severus was taken aback from the child's information.
"He came yesterday at midnight with some new members."Draco huffed."Sir…He's after Professor Potter. He wants her."
Severus's pale face went even paler."Not if I can help it."He mumbled, anger evident in his voice. "Thank you Draco. Inform the other members if you please."
The boy nodded and exited the room.
"He's dead if he lays a hand on her…"Severus clenched his fists.
.
Every student wore different costumes. Even some big groups wore costumes from the same fairy tale. Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini were dressed as devil and angel. Another couple was dressed as Lumiere and Fifi from Beauty and the beast, and so on.
Most of the teachers weren't dressed something in particular. For example the only change in Minerva's clothing was two cat ears that were attached to her pointy hat.
The big change was Severus. He managed to take a peek of Ember's dress and he decided to match with her, since they were going together. Since the color scheme was pretty much the same he didn't care. Several girls pointed his direction, giggling and blushing.
The Spanish Professor was surrounded by a crowd of third year girls. The man was dressed as a king. Henry the eighth in a significantly more lighter version. It suited him perfectly considering his liking to multiple girls and way younger than him.
Lilith wore a maxi red velvet dress with some parts showing too much skin. She had attached some fangs on her teeth. The Blood sucking Vampire really suited her. Not because she looked way too sexy, but because she was sucking blood from her victims. Some second and fifth years were surrounding her.
"Do you think she won't come?" Severus whispered in Minerva's ear. Being nervous was an understatement. He was terrified.
Minerva didn't answer. Her eyes were fixed on the woman that now was going down the stairs. When Severus turned to look the way the elderly woman was staring at; he narrowed his eyes.
He felt like his heart was going to explode out of his chest. He was sure he was blushing at this point. His ears were ringing and lungs forgot to breath. If it wasn't for Minerva's hand on his shoulder he would've never returned to reality.
She was wearing a ball gown, with a black sequin lace off shoulder top and a velvet long dark red bottom. She had a single emerald shining around her neck and emerald eardrops for earrings. Her hair had their usual curls with two very minimalistic braids that went around her hair like a halo.
She was a true angel.
Behind Severus, Lilith was fuming with jealousy and Alejandro was eyeing her figure, drinking in every inch of her body.
It took several deep breaths for Severus to calm down. Students and teachers were glancing at the beauty before them.
"Hey, prince charming." Ember said sitting next to him. "How did you know how I was going to dress?"
"I-I…Had a hunch."He smirked. Severus was completely out of his depths. He wore a Royal Retro costume. In other words he was Prince Charming but in black edition. His suit had a red collar and golden accents here and there. His hand cuffs were also red and there was a decorative red strip that went from the top of his left shoulder all the way to his right part of his waist.
They were the embodiment of Cinderella and Prince charming in black and red.
"Finally you're wearing something that actually looks much better than your teaching robes." Ember commented.
"I don't look good in my teaching robes?"
"I didn't say that…I said that you look handsome in everything that you wear. But this suits you better."Ember winked at him.
Dumbledore stood in front of the stage and magically amplified his low-gravelling voice. The man was getting worse and worse each day."Let the Introductory Waltz begin!"
.
After several dances the music lost its fast pace and was replaced by a slow waltz.
Couples filled the floor as the first chords trilled. Kevin Alejandro left from the fan girls that had gathered around him and made his way towards Ember.
He offered a hand. "Care to dance Professor?"
"I…"Ember hesitated for a bit."Of course Professor." She politely accepted and let the man lead her to the dance floor. She didn't want to be rude if she said no.
Severus fumed and clenched his fists. "I will beat him up." He said in anger. Minerva grabbed his arm.
"No Severus."
"Minerva, he's a Death Eater! You can't expect-"
"It's just a dance."She placed a hand on her chest."You know what you have to do. Your part is up next."
Severus gulped.
"Relax, Severus, everything is going to be fine."
Meanwhile Hermione's little blue dress twirled around as she and Mad Hatter Harry glided through the crowd, occasionally glaring at the two professors dancing. Ron and Lavender looked deep into each other's eyes, slowly spinning. Neville grinned shyly at the Hufflepuff girl in his arms.
The music started to fade until it was completely lost. Then Professor Flitwick took the microphone.
"Now let's play a song that some of you know, and others don't. This was specially asked from the Headmaster himself. Enjoy!"
You have come here
In pursuit of your deepest urge
In pursuit of that wish which till now has been silent
Silent
"Oh I know this!" Ember said dreamily. "Used to play it on the piano."
Some brave students dared to compete with the tune of the song and failed miserably. So instead they spinned slowly around one another.
"Poor them, they don't even know how to dance…"Ember pitied the students. Severus grinned and extended a hand.
"How about showing them how to actually dance?" He said with a grin on his lips.
She let him lead her on the floor.
I have brought you
That our passions may fuse and merge
In your mind you've already succumbed to me
Dropped all defenses
Completely succumbed to me
Now you are here with me
No second thoughts, you've decided
Decided
"Severus, everyone's looking at us…"
"Then let them looking."
He took her waist and she let out a whisper of a gasp. Probably the corset was too tight. He placed the other hand on her chin and made her look at him.
"Just focus on me, alright?" She nodded.
The music started to speed up. Jaws dropped to the floor as Ember and Severus started spinning around each other flirting across the dance floor.
Past the point of no return
No backward glances
Our games of make-believe are at an end
They kept flirting with each other as Severus made Ember lean to the back allowing him to brush his face across her neck.
Past all though of 'if' or 'when'
No use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend
Ember put one leg around his hip and let him to lead her a bit further.
Minerva leaned on Dumbledore's ear. "Now I know why they call it the 3 minute romance. Just look at them!"
What raging fire shall flood the soul?
What rich desire unlocks its door?
What sweet seduction lies before us?
Past the point of no return
The final threshold
What warm unspoken secrets will we learn?
Beyond the point of no return
Sybil and Lilith stormed out the room; they couldn't handle so much love between the two dancers. It was now clear to whole room that something was up with these two professors.
Past the point of no return
No going back now
Our passion-play has now, at last, begun
Every single pair of eyes had been captivated by the alluring sight of them two dancing. Pleasurable and mysterious the tango was.
They were wildly expressing thoughts and feelings for the other.
He made her spin and then dragged her closer to him. They both had never experienced such tension.
Past all thought of right or wrong
One final question
How long should we two wait, before we're one?
When will the blood begin to race?
The sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames, at last, consume us?
When the two singers synchronized their voices the stage got on fire. Spins, tension, love, all exploded into a big mass and radiated across the room.
Past the point of no return
The final threshold
The bridge is crossed
So stand and watch it burn
We've passed the point of no return
The candles went out; applause and whistles filled the dark, now, room.
"Meet me at the Astronomy tower." Severus whispered in her ear as they reached the rest of the professors. Severus disappeared through the mass of students, applauding him. A wide smile appeared in her face.
She knew that no Lilith or Sybil could change his mind now.
"That tango just wrote history."Hilary said. Ember still breathed heavily. The younger woman looked at the yellow eyed professor."Go get your man." She said and Ember nodded and left.
"Where are they going?" Hermione whispered in Harry's ear.
Harry didn't answer. He just kept that grin of his on his lips.
"They are definitely dating!" Lavender said to Ron.
"What? Professor Potter can't date the greasy git. He's too-"
"Handsome? Mysterious?"Lavender interrupted. Ron frowned.
"Babe…are you falling for Snape?"
"No! He's not my type…He's too old for my taste. Plus I'm already covered!"
"Harry tell me where they are going!" Hermione demanded.
"I can't tell you, because I do not know…But I know that in some minutes I'll have another member in the Potter family." Harry winked and before Hermione could say a thing he dragged her to the dance floor.
.
"Sev?" Ember entered the top floor of the tower. Severus was looking at the stars. Some fireflies were flying upon them.
"What do you see?" He said as he dragged her into his embrace.
"Stars, constellations…I was never good in astronomy."
"Neither was I. But I love watching them, especially when there's a full moon."
"Is it because of Lupin? Are you waiting for his howl at night so you can transform into your vampire form?"She teased.
"You know that too? I'm surprised you still love a vampire then." He teased back.
"I find vampirism exciting."
"Exciting? What exciting is there in monsters that suck others blood?"
She shrugged.
"Why do you keep staying with me Ember? I'm not even nice…"He said changing the topic.
"Well…You are different from every other guy I've met. You're kind, mostly sarcastic, funny, honest, an amazing lover, you can freeze hell over with just one glare and I love it, you are misunderstood, apparently an incredible dancer and mysterious. Would you like me to continue?"
He smiled sadly."Fine I'm convinced."
"What's up with you tonight? You've been acting all weird since the ball started. You complimented me every chance you got, you got super jealous when I danced with Alejandro, you danced with me a fiery tango and now I think most of the students if not all know that we have something…And now you doubt yourself. Are you trying to tell me something?" Bright blue eyes pierced through glimmering black ones.
"I've been meaning to tell you since Christmas…"He started somewhat nervous. He clutched the little box inside his pocket. Ember raised an eyebrow. "When the war is over…no…If the war is over….Would you consider the possibility of…"He cleared his throat and took a big breath. Ember was still confused.
This is it…He kneeled and took the box out. Ember let out a gasp and covered her mouth with her hands.
"Ember…You are my brightest star. You make me enjoy life like never before, and I intend to keep it. So…um…Would you do the honor of making me the happiest man on earth?"
Tears started flowing down her cheeks. Severus's heart was pumping to his ears.
"Did I do something wrong? Y-you don't-"He started saying quickly.
"Yes."
Her words were like music to his ears. She launched herself at him. She kept repeating the word again and again as she clutched to him. Severus was shocked. It took him several seconds to realize what she had said before he wrapped his arms around her.
Ember stared at the little white diamond ring on her finger.
"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen…"She whispered, staring into the depths of the ring.
"It doesn't even come close to your beauty." He stroked his finger down her cheek gently.
He watched her flush as she looked up at him, some of the radiance of the ring shinning in her eyes.
"We have a long way to go, don't we?"She said steadily.
"Yes, I suppose we do; but we'll be together."
"Together." She whispered as their lips melt and blended.
A/N: I will be honest when I say…this was one of the hardest chapters I have ever written. I had no idea how to make a dancing scene and second I had no idea how to make the damn proposal. But I guess here it is.
I was originally going for the Roxanne tango but then my TV was open across to me and it had a trailer of the Phantom of the Opera. And I was like "Damn, that's a good idea!"I always thought that Snape has this insecure side inside of him concerning falling in love and stuff as he seemed to be not worth anyone's loving and caring. That's just my opinion I guess…
We are reaching the end…I don't know in how many chapters but I know we are getting there!
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. (hopefully I wrote it ok…)
P.S. I cut some words of the Phantom and from Christine's Daae, cuz they didn't have much music into them, and they weren't much important. (Damn I love this song!)