Months had passed after the reunion between Ivory, Severus, and Anah.
During that time Ivory was able to hold a steady relationship with both of her parents. But, she had to admit. Her relationship with Severus was wholesome and a bit closer. He filled in the voids she had. She found herself spending more time with him than ever.
Of course, this was noticed by some of the students who had him as a teacher.
Severus played his role as a father well for Ivory. Besides Anah, Ivory was his number one girl. He truly adored her.
Since she was 12, he had to admit. He did miss out on the precious parts of her life, but she was still a child. And had a long journey ahead.
He tender to her more than Anah.
But, there was nothing wrong with a Father wanting to spend time with his child.
Not only did Ivory's relationship with her parents improve, but she also grew close to Catalina Malfoy and Harry Potter.
Doing this not only helped with her social life but also helped her fit right in.
While Severus and Ivory were going about their lives, Anah on the other hand was worried for Harry.
His name had ended up in the Goblet of Fire which caused so much mishap.
Anah promised the boy she would be there for him every step of the way.
And she was.
It was the month of December. The first task had just passed a while back and now there was a ball to be held.
But just not any ball.
The Yule Ball.
Professor McGonagall had invited Anah to bring her class so that the two would break the news down to the students. And she happily accepted.
The class was still in session. Anah paced around the room while she watched her students work in peace. She eyed the woman on the other side of the room.
Maykaylah, her younger sister. Since Ivory didn't need her anymore, She winded up with her eldest sister. Assisting her with her classes.
'Is class over yet?...'
May's loud voice sprung in Anah's head.
She turned her head away from her sister ignoring her minor comment.
'The bell will ring soon.'
Not too many minutes later it did.
The class left soon after leaving the two sisters behind.
"That was the last class right?" May added while Anah shuffled along the room tidying up and moving the desks around.
"For the day, but, don't forget. Minerva asked me to assist her with the whole Yule ball class.. You could tag along if you want.."
May grinned.
"Who else will be there?"
The eldest sister turned to now face Maykaylah.
"It's just us. The house of Gryffindor and My house, Ravenclaws. At least that's what I was told."
"Hm, So Ivory will be there?"
Anah shook her head pacing over to her desk to clean up.
"No, The ball is only for 4th year's. Unless someone asked her, I'm not sure."
A comfortable silence fell between the two after the conversation ended.
May agreed to meet Anah back at Her class after the two had change clothes.
Anah made her way down to the dungeons as she passed along the Slytherin common room.
Once she arrived at her shared quarters she hurried to enter the room avoiding any wandering eyes.
As she stepped in, she noticed Severus standing in front of her magical mirror.
"Love? What are you doing here?" She questioned walking past the man who remained in front of the bewitched mirror.
"Changing. But, this mirror had gotten my attention." He spoke softly. His eyes flashed over to Anah while she changed in front of him.
"Well.." She responded pulling her blouse over her head, leaving herself in her bra.
"What do you see?"
Severus' eye's landed back on the mirror. He saw himself of course. But his appearance was different. He hand on one of his navy blue dress robes. He only wore this attire for formal events.
"I'm assuming what I will wear for the Ball."
Anah quickly hurried to change into something more comfortable, after all, she would spend the rest of the day teachings kids to dance.
She paced over to the broad man as she peaked her head out from behind him to see what he had spoken.
"My my Mr. Snape. Don't you look fancy?" She snickered causing him to smirk at her remark.
"If you say so."
He turned to now face Anah who only gazed up at him in return.
"Speaking of the Yule ball.." He uttered smoothly now resting both of his hands on her waist.
"Would you like to.. accompany me?"
A large smile settled on her lips. She raised her arms to wrap them around his neck soon after.
"It would be a honor."
"Good.." He murmured now pressing his forehead against hers.
"May I ask, why did you change again?"
She remained in her same position.
"Minerva invited My house and I to-"
"Help prepare the students for the dance? She's asked me as well. Even though I clearly told her no. She disregarded my answer."
Anah chuckled at Severus' comment.
"You can never say no to McGonagall, You know this."
He shook his head in agreement. She was right.
The two eventually left to head back to her class. They were immediately greeted by McGonagall, Maykaylah, The house of Gryffindor, The house of Ravenclaw, and the House of Slytherin.
Thankfully Anah's classroom was big enough for everyone to fit inside.
Once everyone was inside and the session started afterward.
Anah was able to see quite a few students. Harry, Ron, and Hermionie of course. And even Ivory.
The brown-headed woman stood at the front of her room as she watched McGonagall pace around the room addressing all of the students.
"The Yule Ball is approaching – a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament and an opportunity for us to socialize with our foreign guests. Now, the ball will be open only to fourth-years and above. Although you may invite a younger student if you wish." Mumbles spread throughout the room.
Ivory made mere eye contact with Cataline who sat across the room. There was a small grin formed on the girl's face. So that meant the girls had the opportunity to go to the ball. Unless a fourth year or someone older asked either of them.
"Now. Dress robes will be worn," Professor McGonagall continued, "and the ball will start at eight o'clock on Christmas Day, finishing at midnight, in the Great Hall. Now then –' McGonagall glanced around the class giving every student a look. 'The Yule Ball is of course a chance for us all to... let our hair down," she stated.
"But. This does not give anyone a reason to act out." She continued "We will be relaxing the standards of behavior we expect from our Hogwarts students. I will be severely displeased if a Gryffindor student embarrasses the school in any way. This also goes for any other houses.
Silence settled as The professor finished talking.
"Thank you very much for that lecture Professor," Anah spoke now taking over for her. Anah was front and center in front of the students as she paced around.
"Today, we will show you the proper way on how to waltz." Her words were smooth. As usual, the room grew loud due to the constant mumbling amongst the kids.
"Here's how things will go. I will show you the dance first, then I want everyone to find a partner to practice afterward. Understood?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Most of the students responded.
"Now, I will need a volunteer." Anah gazed across the room to see many of the young men turning their heads away to meet her gaze.
There were a lot of students here after all.
"No one?" She mumbled before a grin formed on her face. Her back was turned against the Slytherins while she faced the Ravenclaws.
"Hm, Alright then. Draco Malfoy. Front and center."
The boy nearly fainted. His face remained firm as he pushed pasts his peers going to stand before Anah.
She turned to him with her hands settled on her hips.
"You won't mind if I used you as an example do you?"
"No Professor." He lied.
Her smile widened. "Perfect."
With a swift move, Anah was standing in front of Draco. She of course was a few inches taller than him, Thanks to her heels.
"Now, I want you to put your right hand on my waist." Her task was simple.
Draco glanced up at Anah hesitantly placing his hand on her waist. In all honestly, It wasn't as bad as he thought. Anah took lead as she started to prance around with the teenager.
Her smile remained on her face as they danced around the room.
"Not bad love. Look's like you already know how to dance?"
He shook his head.
"I took classes a while back." He responded as the teacher came to a complete stop.
"Brava."
She pulled away from him now resting her arm on his shoulder.
"Now, I want everyone, and I mean everyone to pair up with someone and practice the dance." She shifted away from the boy as the students then paced towards the center of the room. Anah removed herself from the center of the room as she paced back to the teachers.
The music soon began as the student's started to dance around in unison.
"That went well," Anah murmured as her sister shrugged at her.
"Well? Anah, the poor boy looked like he was suffering."
Anahstacia merely rollered her eyes hitting her sister in the process.
"Why don't you go out there and do it?"
May flinched at Anah's actions.
"Moi? Tu es fou?" (Me? You're Insane.)
"I sure am.."
--
The session moved on quicker than usual. The students left with one thing on their minds. Everyone needed to find a date for the ball. Since Ivory was considered a second-year she wasn't allowed to go. Unless someone who was a fourth-year or higher asked her.
It didn't bother her even if she didn't go. Somethings aren't meant to happen. After the whole dance class had happened Catalina invited Ivory to join her at the Library.
It was becoming commonplace for the two of them to hang out.
The young girl entered the Libary doing her best not to let her eyes wander. "Over here, Ivory!' Cat called getting her attention.
When she turned her head she couldn't help but see the people who had surrounded Cat.
There stood Draco, Crab, Goyle, Pansy, and Blaise.
"Ivory, I don't think I've introduced you to my brother," Cat said while Ivory shook her head.
"No, not at all."
"Well, Draco. This is Ivory Van-"
"I know who she is Cat." He narrowed his eyes at his little sister until he looked at Ivory.
"I'm Draco." His expression was cold.
"This is Crab, Goyle, Pansy, and Blaise." The four didn't move. But only responded in head gestures.
"Um, Pleasure."
Cat then moved over to Ivory placing her arm around her neck.
"You won't believe what I did."
Worry phased throughout Ivory's face.
"Oh no, What did you do Cat?" Cat grinned while she turned Ivory to face her bothers friends.
"I got our dates to the ball!" Ivory stood there puzzled. "Oh, wow? With who?"
Draco smirked turning his body towards her.
"With me."
Oh, this was overwhelming. How was she going to tell her parents?
"Great, Um, Thanks?" Ivory spoke awkwardly which caused the group behind her to laugh.
"She doesn't sound excited Draco," Pansy announced. Draco only gave her his usual look.
"Are you jealous because I didn't ask you?
Pansy shrugged as she crossed her arms.
"No."
"Then don't bud in." Draco's attention was now on Ivory who only returned the look.
"Catalina will tell you everything else you need to know."
He spoke now rushing his gang to follow him.
"Until then Vaneraries.."
There stood Cat and Ivory.
"So? What do you think?.." Cat asked with her usual gleaming face.
"I-I don't know what to say Cat... I mean.. are you okay with me going with your bother?.."
The blonde headed girl shook her head.
"Not at all Ivory. After all, I was the one who planned it all out. Now relax! It'll be fine!"
Many thoughts were brewing in Ivory's head. It wasn't the fact that she didn't like Draco. It was only what her parents were going to say.
The day moved on as usual. And let's just say a lot of things took place. It was not Evening and Dinner was being served in the Great Hall.
Anah, Severus, and Ivory rarely attended since the family decided on gathering during dinner to spend time with each other. Of course, everything occurred in Severus's office with his approval.
The three were mingling amongst themselves as they ate.
"So Ivory, where did you go after the dance session?" Anah questioned while she held her bowl of food. She was leaning against Severus' desk who only looked at her in annoyance.
"Oh um, to the Library.. I met with.. Catalina..."
Her comment caused Severus to looked away from Anah.
"Malfoy?" He noted. Ivory shook her head hosting onto the fork that was in her hand.
Anah paused in her tracks, while she cocked a brow.
"Oh, I didn't know you were friends with her love. Is she nice?"
Ivory shook her head as she took a few more bites from her food.
"She is. She's so nice.. She's gotten me a date for the ball."
Severus nearly choked at her last words.
Anah ignored his dramatic gestures before setting down the bowl that was in her hands.
"Oh really? With who?.."
Oh great. Ivory's anxiety shot up as she turned away from her parents.
"Um.. well.. He's a fourth year.. And um.. He's popular.."
Severus glared at the poor girl highly curious about the boy she was hiding.
"Who. Is. It." He faced throughout his words.
"It's Draco. Cat set me up with her brother."
The two adults turned to look at each other.
"Oh.." Anah turned back to glance at Ivory.
"Love, I don't think it's best-"
"You're not going with him Ivory. That's final.." Severus' word was final.
"B-But I really want to go! Is it because he's a Malfoy?
Anah spoke bluntly.
"Yes."
Severus on the other hand disagreed.
"No, It's not because of that Ivory. The boy does whatever he pleases. Your mother and I do not wish for you to get caught up in his.. shenanigans."
The young girl sat there highly upset. So they were basically telling her no. She couldn't go because of her date.
"Alright. That's fine," she mumbled to herself as she stood up from the desk she was sitting in. Both parents watched as she hurried to leave.
"I'm pretty tired. Goodnight Mom, Dad. I'll see you both tomorrow. Love you.."
The door quickly slammed behind her.
Anah sighed as she then turned to the focused Severus.
"She's upset, I know she is." Anah brought her hand up to rub against her face.
"She'll live.." He remarked. With a flick of his wrist, he waved his wand to recede the used dishes away.
"It's not that. I don't want her to think we're holding her back.."
Severus sighed while he moves from behind his desk. He grabbed his lover's hand pulling her into a tight embrace.
"We aren't my love. She will get over it.. eventually."
"Let's hope so."