Chapter 10: The Yule Ball

Severus had only just gotten out of the Hospital Wing when an announcement rocked the school: there was to be a ball, on Christmas Eve night, and every student fifth year or older was invited to attend.

But that wasn't the worst part – the Triwizard Champions were expected to lead off the first dance…. Yet Severus didn't know the first thing about ballroom dancing.

As other people had the same reservations (and there were many), McGonagall tried to proactively assuage these fears by conducting an informal ballroom dancing class during free period once a week. The course was completely optional, but not even the dangling of extra credit marks compelled many students of any school into attending.

Though he was a Champion, Severus would have been more than comfortable in not showing up at all, except that Lily and Mary both dragged him there. The only thing that seemed to make the first session worth it was that the Marauders were in attendance…. and for a demonstration, McGonagall picked Black.

"Now: place your right hand on my waist."

"What?" Sirius gawped, horrified, at McGonagall's instruction. From near the back, someone wolf-whistled – probably Potter.

"My waist, Mr. Black." The professor and the class cut-up thus began a truly cringe-worthy waltz.

Severus was torn between looking away from his hated enemy's humiliation and at the same time being unable to. His roving eyes finally landed on Remus Lupin. For someone who always appeared solemn and certainly almost never gave away mirth easily on his face, it was nonetheless obvious that Remus was terribly amused by Sirius's mortification.

To the point that Severus saw him clandestinely flag down Potter and Pettigrew, hissing something to them. "Oi! You're never gonna let him forget this, are you?"

"Never!" His friends both chorused, eyes twinkling.

The session ended with most of the attendees staggering out of the room, shell-shocked into embarrassment by what they had just witnessed. Arms linked with Lily and Mary, Severus could feel someone's eyes boring into the back of his head; he knew without even having to chance a glance that it was Potter. Severus tried not to pay it any mind, for he already had a migraine enough as it was from what McGonagall had left them with: not only were they all expected to learn how to ballroom dance competently, they were also expected to find a date. And for the Champions, there was no question: they would have to arrive with someone on their arm.

"We simply must practice together, Sev!" Lily squealed. "Perhaps we could find some time during meals?"

"Great," Severus sported a really strained grin. "Can't wait."

As they headed for their fifth period, Severus noticed how James Potter was trying to catch up with them, eyes lingering on Lily, but the crowd of students streaming in every direction held him back. Severus felt his heart race. He had a feeling he knew what James wanted to say to Lily… and glancing down at his beautiful best friend, babbling away with Mary about everything and nothing, Severus decided – he was going to ask Lily to the Yule Ball first. He had to, before Potter did.

It was a quiet night in the Gryffindor Common Room. Sirius and James were over by one window, playing a game of wizard's chess. Mary MacDonald was in an easy chair by the roaring fireplace, a book open in her lap. Running her fingers through the strands of her long, chestnut hair, she found herself speaking aloud the words on the page, enthralled even though she had read this passage probably a thousand times.

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind…."

"…. And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind." Another voice echoed the conclusion of the stanza along with her, and she glanced up in surprise, to find Remus Lupin occupying the other easy chair. There were dark circles under his eyes, which made him look… haunted somehow, which only seemed to add to the aura of solemnity that surrounded him.

Mary flushed rouge. She had always admired Remus's maturity – he was a damn sight nicer than his friends anyway, and someone had to keep them in line, even if not consistently. "You know Shakespeare?"

Remus shrugged, turning his head to look at her. "I had a pretty expensive primary education. Father always expected me to be well rounded when it came to Muggle culture. I suppose that's why Muggle Studies is almost…. enjoyable to me. It comes easy."

Mary set her book down, watching him in near fascination. A tiny part of her lifted, along with an enthusiastic, if also shy smile, that someone else could be so bookish and well-read as her. "Actually, Romeo and Juliet is my favorite play," she confessed.

"Why am I not surprised?"

Mary's mouth fell open, and she let out a disbelieving, slightly offended laugh. "I'm sorry?" she cocked one eyebrow.

"All that romance and pining….." Remus shuddered. "Not my thing."

Mary couldn't help it. She giggled. Quietly, she studied this man before her – intelligent, soft-spoken, mature. She had first noticed him on the train ride back at the end of last term, and now….

Taking a deep breath, Mary closed her eyes and leapt.

"Would you like to go to the Yule Ball with me?"

Remus's eyes went huge in the firelight. Behind them, a stunned Sirius ended up moving his knight into the completely wrong space, allowing James' King to decapitate him.

"Checkmate," James spoke automatically yet absently, his voice seeming to float somewhere outside of his body over how he too was left discombobulated.

Struck dumb for a moment, Remus finally cleared his throat. "It would be an honor, Ms. MacDonald."

Mary gulped, her voice whispering. "You can call me Mary."

Remus beamed. "As you wish…. Mary."

She smiled softly at him, before turning her head to see a dazzling grin lighting up her best friend, Lily's face from where she was frozen on the landing. She had obviously overheard everything.

By the window, James seemed to straighten in his seat at that moment, mussing with his hair.

"All right, Evans?"

"Yup," Lily didn't even turn her head in James's direction as she walked to the portrait hole.

"Hey, where you going?"

"I've gotta go out for my prefect rounds."

"Can you hold on for a moment? I need to tell you something…"

"Look, James, I'm sorry, but I really need to go. Can we talk about it later? Wait up for me, if you're of the mind to."

Before James could answer, Lily flashed him a small smile and disappeared out the portrait hole.

She met Severus down in the Entrance Hall, so they could go on patrol. Dimly lit by torches, strolling along the silent corridors, Lily felt at peace with her best mate by her side.

"Mary asked Remus Lupin to the Ball right before I left. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Sure," Severus shrugged, not sure what to make of it. "Let's just hope he'll be able to show up. You know how he has to leave once a month to…. to see his mother."

"I'm sure Remus wouldn't miss Christmas at the castle," Lily looped her arm through Severus's as they meandered past the library. "I happen to think he and Mary would suit each other…"

"Oh, don't start posing them for matchmaking now!" Severus bemoaned, clapping his free hand over his ears. Lily laughed gaily. Coming to rest just before a landing of the Grand Staircase, Lily turned and smiled softly.

"All quiet, nothing to report?"

"I'd say so," Severus smirked.

"This is me, then."

Severus felt his heart hammering in his chest. It was now or never – hell, he might already be too late. But it was worth a try.

"Lily!"

She turned back, deep green eyes blinking. "Yes?"

Severus cleared his throat. "Would you like to go to the Ball with me?"

It was a wonder he didn't trip on any of the words. Lily's eyes went wide, and her mouth dropped open, surprised, but even maybe a little…. pleased. The Hogwarts Triwizard Champion, her Prefect partner, her best friend…. Severus… was asking her to the Ball?

"Oh…." she managed to get out. In the next instant, Severus's face fell.

"Someone else has asked you, haven't they?"

"No, no, that's not it at all!" Lily smiled weakly, taking a deep breath of her own. "Yes."

Severus blinked, certain he had misheard. "I'm sorry?"

"Yes, Severus Snape, I would love to go to the Ball with you!"

Severus's smile was the brightest she had ever known from him. "Bloody brilliant!"

Chuckling awkwardly, the pair hugged. "See you tomorrow at breakfast?"

"Plan on it," Lily winked.

When Lily arrived back at the Gryffindor Common Room after nearly floating the rest of the way there, she was surprised to find James Potter waiting up for her. Soon as he saw her, he dashed up to her.

"There's something I need to ask you!"

"OK…." Lily eyed him.

"Fancy going to the Yule Ball with me?"

Uh-oh. Lily's heart sank as she observed James gazing at her quite shyly. She bit her lip.

"Oh, um….. well, James, you see….. Severus already asked me, and I…. I said I would go with him."

James' face fell, his expression roiling. Still, he managed to mumble out. "Oh. OK. Fine. Great."

Lily regarded him sympathetically. "I'm sorry."

James nodded, then fled up to the boys' dormitory.

"How'd it go?" Sirius sat up in his four-poster. James flopped onto his own mattress, brooding darkly.

"She's going with Snivellus Snape. He already asked her."

Sirius's teeth gnashed. "That…. bugger!"

James nodded, his eyes narrowing into slits. Champion or not, someday he'd find a way to make Severus pay. And, he vowed…. he wouldn't be outdueled again.

On Christmas Eve night, Severus was on the Grand Staircase with the other Champions when an angel deigned to visit him.

Turning back, his heart stilled and his throat went dry when he saw Lily descending the stairs in a sparkling emerald green dress that matched the shade of her eyes perfectly. By her side was Mary MacDonald, in a royal blue dress and with her hair up in plaits.

Severus floated towards Lily, positively breathless. "You look…. resplendent."

The upturn in Lily's lips was somewhere between a smile and a smirk. "You look quite strapping yourself, mister."

Severus cleared his throat. "Shall we?"

Lily nodded, her grin only broadening. "We shall." As they prepared to take their place in line to enter the Great Hall, Mary suddenly looked flustered; turning, they saw Remus Lupin gliding towards them in a tailored suit, transfixed by the adorable Irish girl before him. He swept forward into a gallant bow.

"Madame."

Mary blushed scarlet and answered with a dainty little curtsey before Remus took her arm. As they floated away, Lily gave her best girlfriend an encouraging smile and thumbs-up.

The Champions and their dates led off onto the dance floor, Severus taking Lily's waist. He thought he heard her breath hitch in the moment before Professor Flitwick struck up the orchestra, but he couldn't be sure.

He and Lily, along with the other Champion pairs, managed a passable waltz. As he glided across the floor with a radiant Lily in his arms, Severus found himself rather enjoying ballroom dancing. He managed to not step on Lily's feet once, and even became more daring in his moves. He dipped her. At one point, he even lifted Lily off her feet, picking her up and swirling her around. Her surprised and delighted laughter rang like bells in his ears.

On a few occasions as they spun through this candlelit almost-fairyland, Severus and Lily spotted people they knew. Remus and Mary were dancing slowly, Mary's arms looped around Remus's neck, who looked painfully shy and flustered. In the next instant, Severus might see James Potter, dancing with a Gryffindor girl whom he didn't recognize, glaring at him and Lily all the while. Severus tried not to look so smug.

Finally, the night nearly over, Lily asked for a rest, fanning her warm cheeks with her hand. "Hot, isn't it?"

Severus immediately guided her over to a table and even gentlemanly pulled out her chair for her, before dashing over to the punch table to get drinks. A few tables away, he could see Mary in deep conversation with Remus, the other Marauders surrounding them. Peter and Sirius were entranced by some stupid game involving a folded, triangular piece of paper; James was nursing a goblet of punch and sulking.

The last dance was a slow one, and once she was refreshed, Lily agreed to dance with Severus one final time. By the time the last strains of the music faded away on the air, Lily was leaning her head on Severus's chest, a content smile on her face.

Severus and Lily discreetly slipped away to the Grand Staircase, Severus escorting her all the way back to the Fat Lady portrait hole to say goodnight.

"I had a lovely time, Sev," Lily beamed.

Grinning softly, Severus took her palm and kissed it.

"Good-night," Lily whispered.

He watched her as she turned away, only to suddenly pause, freezing for a moment. Severus waited, in case something was wrong.

"Lily….?"

He didn't finish. For at that moment, Lily suddenly spun back around, flung her arms about his neck and pushed her lips against his as she kissed him.

It took all of Severus's willpower not to melt into the kiss too eagerly, though his eyes did close happily and he didn't care if he ever opened them again, while he stole his arms about Lily's slender waist to pull her close to him. He could feel Lily's soft mouth upturn in pleasure against his own, and her tongue even darted out to lick along the seam of his lips, causing him to moan.

At last, after several sunlit days, she released him, her green eyes sparkling and shining.

"Good night," she murmured again, before slipping into the Common Room. Once she was out of sight, Severus turned back from the portrait hole in a daze, grinning like a loon.

He waited until he was nearly down in the dungeons before he allowed himself the most victorious whoop ever uttered.

A short time later, Remus and Mary left the Great Hall and stole into an alcove where they could be alone. When he had asked to speak with her in private, Mary had felt her heart race in anticipation, uncertain what he needed to tell her.

Once they were alone, Remus suddenly took out a cloak and draped it over the both of them. The extra level of privacy precaution was adorable so as to nearly make Mary laugh; it seemed almost something that tiny schoolchildren would do.

Then, Mary felt the fabric between her fingers, and sucked in a breath.

"This is an Invisibility Cloak! Where did you get it?"

"Borrowed it from a friend," Remus explained smoothly. Shyly, he took her hand. "Mary…."

"Y-Yes…..?"

"I…. I wanted to ask…." She tilted her head, waiting expectantly. "I…. was sorry to hear about your capture by Avery and Mulciber. I – I had heard that you had an encounter with a werewolf that night."

Mary nodded, brow creased in bemusement. "I did."

"Were…. were you scared?"

"Of the werewolf?" At Remus's nod, she thought about it for a moment. "There were a lot of things that were scary that night," she admitted. "I was literally frozen with terror and couldn't move. But Avery and Mulciber were acting like such beasts, that when the werewolf intervened…. I don't know, I guess I didn't even have time to be afraid. And then…. then the wolf rescued me. Carried me back to the castle. I… I was surprised by how gentle he was."

Remus nodded, mouth pursed in a thin line.

"You know how werewolves come to be, yes?"

"Of course," Mary nodded. "I…. I wish I knew what that werewolf who saved me was like as a man. I would want to thank him."

"You would?" Remus seemed shocked. "So…. so you wouldn't mind knowing a werewolf?"

"No," Mary shook her head. "And I wouldn't care about…. about their condition."

Something unreadable had come over Remus's face. Mary peered at him. Before she could ask him what was troubling him, however, he suddenly cupped her face in his hands, tilted it back and kissed her deeply.

Mary gasped the moment his lips brushed hers. She felt electricity run up her whole body, and she trembled happily as her eyes fluttered shut and she sank into the embrace, hesitantly kissing him back. A groan bubbled up from deep in her belly. "Hmmmmm….."

She had never been kissed before, and soon, the kiss had deepened so that she and Remus were snogging quite intensely, but still, for a first kiss, it was…. perfect - all the more so because they were concealed, invisible, where no one could see or disturb them.

But as Remus and Mary embraced and kissed, an outside observer might have seen a disembodied ankle, clothed by a high heel, floating in mid-air, as Mary let her foot pop.