Chapter fifteen:
Two Hearts
Hours went by and it was time for dinner. Of course, Victoria was a little insulted by being turned down for the Yule ball by Snape but she had also came to the conclusion that the ball had to have staff chaperoning. There had been a spark of jealousy that had danced in Victoria's mind since she found out about the importance of her sister in Snape's life, figuring that she may never be able to top her sister or be second best in Snape's mind. Nonetheless, Victoria had composed herself before leaving her classroom and walked into the great hall for dinner. Dinner that evening was in silence at the professors table as Victoria just sat there and ate without looking in either direction. Harry had looked up to spot his aunt at the table behind the podium, wondering why she wasn't smiling but had figured she was having an off day. Snape glanced over at Victoria, noticing her attention was solely on her plate before looking away. This had reminded him of a similar situation with Lily when he had called her a mudblood and tried his best to apologize.
Once dinner finished, Victoria had gotten up from the table and made we way to her classroom but before she would reach the door of her classroom, she was approached by none other than Snape. "Victoria...may we speak...for a moment?" Snape asked politely. Victoria took her hand off the doorknob and turned to face the potions master. "Of course. What would you like to talk about?" Victoria asked curiously. There was mere footsteps along the Halls of a few students passing by and as soon as they left, Snape turned to Victoria again to begin speaking. "Earlier, I was merely expressing my job duty during the event. However, it was not my intention to make you think I was declining your offer." Snape expressed apologetically. Victoria listened to his words and felt foolish for her actions but now she had gotten more of a clarification of his reasons. "Thank you for clarifying, Severus. I do owe an apology on my part for overreacting. I apologize." Victoria replied. Of course she needed to apologize for the reaction she gave but feeling as she did about her sister in his life still remained a little doubt in her mind and that she would still dress up for the Yule ball.
Snape was a little relieved that she had accepted his apology, being able to have the chance to apologize unlike the chance Lily had never given him and even apologizing herself. "No...problem." Snape replied hesitantly before departing to the dungeons, meanwhile Victoria opened the door to her classroom and closed it, heading to her living quarters. Victoria knew she had to find a dress for the Yule ball before Christmas Eve and when she does shop for the dress, it would be stunning, in hopes to grab none other than Snape's attention. The weekend passed by, having it be the begging of December and Victoria had taken the two days to correct papers once again and a new topic for an essay. Once classes begun for her fifth year students, Victoria had written on the black board the subject of the essay she would be issuing for all classes:
'History of the Triwizard tournament
- Specifically the tasks and Yule ball
- What do you think it would look like?
- Are you going to the Yule ball this year? If so, what will you wear? If not, would you have liked to attend?
- 3 foot long minimum
Due:
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th years: December 15th
1st, 2nd, 7th years: December 16th '
"Today, we will be wrapping up part one of the Giant wars and will resume part two of Giant wars after the holidays. The next few weeks, we will be learning about the history of the Triwizard tournament. That included the Yule ball and the tasks. I have asked Mr. Crouch from the ministry on which book he would recommend for us to read about it from and had supplied us with the books to use. Each class will get their own copy." Victoria instructed, passing out the hard copy of the book 'Becoming a Triwzard Champion, by: Ludo Bagman' onto each students desk. "Turn to page two please and follow along. The Triwizard Tournament was established approximately seven-hundred years ago as a friendly competition between three schools - Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Beauxbatons Academy and Durmstrang Institute. Among these three schools, one school would play host to the tournament..." Victoria read out loud, leaning her lower back against her desk at the front of the class. It continued with reading and then question and answering for sugar quills before class ended. "Don't forget the essay information is on the board, 3 foot minimum, due on the fifteenth." Victoria explained as the students packed up. Victoria continued this for the rest of the week with her other classes to take it easy right before the Yule ball and the holidays.
After class once the papers were due December 15th for the fourth years, Harry walked up to Victoria's desk to personally hand in his essay. "Essays will be graded over the holidays everyone." Victoria stated as students turned them into the pile at the front desk before leaving, Harry remained by her desk as she gathered the essays. "Hello Harry." Victoria greeted, walking back up to her desk and sat the papers into a pile. Harry placed his essay on top of the pile and smiled warmly at his aunt and professor. "Hello. I was wondering if you wanted to help me get my dressrobes for the ball this week?" Harry asked. Victoria paused for a moment, had nearly forgotten to shop for a dress herself, so this was a good opportunity to do so. "I nearly forgot about the dressrobes. Of course, I need to get myself a dress as well." Victoria pointed out. Harry gleamed at the idea of shopping with his aunt, figuring it would be nearly the same as Draco had shopped for clothes with his mother, Narcissa. "Brilliant. Can't wait." Harry replied before leaving the classroom. Victoria smiled about how happy her nephew was to shop with her because she figured teenagers never liked to clothes shop with their parents - or guardian in this case.
That weekend, Victoria and Harry headed out to Hogsmeade in order to apparate to Diagon alley then stopped for a sweet treat at Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlour before heading out to shop, which was approved by Dumbledore in order to gather their dress clothes for the Yule ball. Once they were finished, they headed to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions to look at dress robes and possibly a dress for Victoria, she had hoped they didn't have to venture out to London to get the dress. "How may I help you?" the shop employee asked. Harry looked from the employee to his aunt. "Pick whichever you like, Harry." Victoria insisted. Harry turned back to the employee with brief smile on his face. "I'm needing dressrobes for the Yule ball coming up..." Harry explained to the employee, who had over heard his name. "Harry? As in Harry Potter? I heard you're a champion this year...would love to help you." the employee exclaimed before walking off with Harry towards the dressrobes section. Victoria had her own money and Harry had his own as well to spend. While Harry was picking out his dressrobes, Victoria went to look around at the dresses that they had there, though most seemed fit for younger ladies - Victoria had to take a trip to London for her dress. After a half hour, Harry had found the perfect fit of dressrobes for the Yule ball, getting an all black dressrobe with a white inner shirt and bow tie. "They look lovely, Harry. Are you ready?" Victoria asked. Harry had just paid for the robes and nodded. "Yes, aunt Tori." Harry replied, grabbing the bag with his dressrobe, "Did you find anything?" he added.
Victoria sighed before parting her lips in reply. "Not exactly. The dresses here are meant for girls around your age group. I may have to visit London to get myself a dress. You can come along if you want to, but don't have to." Victoria explained as they left the shop. Walking further through Diagon alley, Harry thought it over and decided to return to Hogwarts, which Victoria wasn't surprised, boys usually aren't much into dress shopping. They apparated back to Hogsmeade then walked up to the castle. "Have you found a date, Harry?" Victoria asked curiously as they walked. Harry shrugged. "Not exactly. I suppose...I'll have to take you." Harry joked, forming a smug on his face. Victoria laughed softly before parting her lips in reply. "I don't think so, Harry. Very unethical...and quite odd to take your professor and aunt wouldn't it?" Victoria stated with an amused smile. Harry kept a smirk on his face as they began edging closer to the castle in the snowy pathway. "Yes, definitely. I was just kidding. I'll find someone to go with...someone cool." Harry explained. Victoria had then went to London after guiding her nephew back to the castle. Walking the London streets, Victoria had dug out her muggle money and went into a formal dress shop there called 'Mirror, Mirror' to look for a dress. Looking through the dresses, Victoria came across an off the shoulder,emerald green dress with emerald green embroidery.
When Victoria set her eyes on that dress, she Immediately took it to the dressing room and tried it on - it fit perfectly. After changing her clothes, she looked at the shoes, picking out a pair of shimmery, silver, peep-toe, platform heels and bought them with the dress before heading back to Hogwarts. The next few days had been stressful for the make students that were attending the Yule ball because they had to find themselves dates. Watching the continuous awkward asking and watching Ron run away from after asking Fleur Delacour to go with him in a scream was a little amusing to Victoria but seemed bothering to Snape. The days seemed to pass by quickly and it was now Christmas Eve day. Some students exchanged Christmas gifts during morning breakfast meanwhile Victoria wanted to gift something to Snape again this year, she figured he had enough potion supplies to last a lifetime right now, from what she had witnessed back at his home and in his office, not to mention wherever his ingredient closet was located within the castle. As the day progressed to the evening, the great hall had begun being transitioned into a winter wonderland with icicles that hung from the edge of pillars and snowy Christmas tree to the glossy ice blue floor under the eight large, round tables and open dance floor.
Victoria was in her living quarters, getting ready in her emerald green dress, silver pumps shoes and emerald green drop earrings. She knew that her dress was stunning and had hoped to grasp the attention of one particular potions master. Once she was dressed in her new dress and shoes, she did her hair, putting it in a low, updo braided bun with some loose strands of ginger hair elegantly and lightly touching her shoulders. Leaving her living quarters and exiting the classroom, Victoria walked down the corridor towards the great hall to begin chaperoning the Yule ball. When she got to the front of the great hall, she spotted many students dressed up and mingling with their classmates and dates, including those from the visiting schools. Victoria made her way passed the students and entered the great hall to spot the winter wonderland set up and a band setting up their instruments on the stage. "You look beautiful, Victoria!" Flitwick stated from beside her when he approached. Victoria turned her attention down to Flitwick and smiled gently. "Thank you, Filius. You look sharp yourself. This set up looks amazing." Victoria replied, gawking at the decor of the hall. "Indeed!" Flitwick exclaimed cheerfully before walking off to greet others.
Victoria walked out of the great hall and spotted her nephew all dressed up in the new dressrobes that they shopped for not long ago, next to his friend Ron Weasley, looking at Cho Chang in her white, shimmery dress. "You look dashing, Harry." Victoria complimented. She felt bad for Ron having to wear the old dressrobes his parents had sent him, but she remained quiet on the situation. Harry turned his focus off of Cho and onto his aunt. "Oh, thank you, professor. You look nice, aunt Tori." Harry replied, surprised in the change of lots of his aunt for this occasion. Ron finally noticed Victoria standing there with his friend and surprised as well. "Erm, you look quite... different, professor. Yeah, but in a good way." Ron stuttered. Victoria was pleased to hear that she looked nice for the ball but one man in particular had spotted Victoria talking to Harry and Ron from afar that had just joined outside of the great hall, dressed in his usual all black, buttoned up robes - Severus Snape.
Snape was taken back at the sight of her dressed up elegantly in her off the shoulder emerald green dress and her ginger hair up for this occasion instead of down like always. Snape stood there watching in surprise as he began to slowly fall for the ginger haired professor. Soon, McGonagall interrupted Victoria, Harry and Ron to speak with Harry about the dance of the champions and Victoria entered the great hall once again. Snape then marched passed the students and entered the great hall along with other staff and some students to find Victoria standing by herself, gawking once again at the decor of the Yule ball in the great hall. "The decorations are quite beautiful aren't they?" Snape stated a few steps from behind Victoria, causing her to turn around with the sound of his voice. "Yes, it's very beautiful. It's like a winter wonderland." Victoria replied, placing a crooked smile onto her lips. Snape kept his dark gaze onto Victoria in her emerald green dress and attempted to compose himself. "Intriguing, I must admit, however, you look quite exquisite tonight." Snape complimented, his expression remaining flat. Victoria was surprised to hear him practically call her beautiful but she liked it. "Thank you, Severus. You look dashing as always." Victoria replied with a gentle smile. Snape gave a quick, faint smile before dropping it and departing from Victoria to step over to talk with Dumbledore while doing his best to ignore Igor Karkaroff.
Victoria turned away to smile like a school girl that had her crush finally notice her before Dumbledore raised his voice to announce the ball beginning. "The yule ball is about to begin. Our champions are waiting outside the doors, now stand off to the side and let the aisle remain empty." Dumbledore announced. The students and staff moved off to the side, staff standing in the front just near the dancefloor. Then the doors flew open with the champions with their dates as the symphonic music played by Flitwick. First was Fleur Delacour with her date, then Viktor Krum with Hermione Granger, then Cedric Diggory with Cho Chang and lastly, Harry Potter with Parvati Patil. Harry seemed nervous and looked straight until getting to the dancefloor with Parvati before looking at his aunt Victoria for a moment, which Victoria gave a reassuring smile then Parvati grabbed his attention once again. The music played once again symphonic and the champions with their dates began dancing for a minute or two before the rest of the guests were allowed to join the dancefloor. Victoria scanned the room as the band began to play, in search of Snape, wanting to offer a dance but by the time she spotted him, he had slipped out the great hall to check the corridor, forming a disappointed look on her face.
"Are you ready?
Move your body like a hairy troll
Learning to rock and roll
Spin around like a crazy elf
Dancing by himself
Boogie down like a unicorn
No stopping till the break of dawn
Put your hands up in the air
Like an ogre who just don 't care
Can you dance like a Hippogriff? Na na na na na na na na na..." the band played.
Victoria walked through the great hall, keeping an eye out on everyone and spotted her nephew with Ron, sitting at a table looking bored. Walking away from the dancing crowd that was enjoying the band play, Victoria found herself passing by a couple of students from Durmstrang. One of the guys walked over to her, causing Victoria to stop in her tracks. "Mind having dance with me?" the Bulgarian asked, holding out his hand. Victoria knew it wasn't ethical to be a students date nonetheless dance with them but technically, they aren't her students, just visitors to the school. "I'm a professor at this school." Victoria pointed out. The Bulgarian boy laughed lightly with his Bulgarian peer. "That doesn't matter. I'm not student at this school and I'm already eighteen. Besides, it's just dance." the Bulgarian explained in broken English. Victoria figured he had a point and though she was chaperoning, she needed to have some fun at the ball as well. "Okay, just one dance. No funny business." Victoria stated. The Bulgarian laughed at her words before taking her hand and directed her to the dancefloor. "My name is Dragomir." the Bulgarian introduced before they started dancing. "Victoria." Victoria briefly introduced right back.
In the midst of the innocent dancing, Snape had entered the great hall again to monitor the students when his eyes laid on Victoria dancing with the Bulgarian student. Snape had a tinge of jealously that fell over him spotting the two, though he clearly knew that it was platonic between Victoria and the visiting student. Once the song ended, Victoria had split from the Bulgarian student and merely spotted Snape just leave the great hall once again. Victoria hoped it wasn't because she was dancing with a student but it wasn't anything but a dance anyway. Snape had been checking on the carriages outside in the snowy courtyard, catching a few students making out inside the carriages, unknown to Harry lurking about, wondering why his aunt looked disappointed at the ball that night. Igor Karkaroff kept on Snape's nerves as Snape checked the carriages, trying to figure something out about Snape but he diverted it with content and calmness. "I see no reason to discuss it, Igor." Snape sneered before dashing off to a carriage occupied. "Ten points from Hufflepuff and that goes well for Ravenclaw too." Snape busted the two before shutting the carriage door. "It's a sign, Severus. Just like the ginger haired professor, Potter's relative, you've been talking to quite often...very sly, we both know it is." Igor refuted.
Snape walked passed him to the next carriage, getting bothered. "I have no idea what you're talking about." Snape stated, literally not intending anything to do with Harry as Igor was making it out to be. "You don't fool me, Severus!" Igor stated, pointing his wand at Snape as Snape had his back against the carriage. "You are scared." Igor added. Snape stared down Igor for a moment before standing up straight. "I have nothing to be scared of, Igor. Can you say the same?" Snape refuted. Igor stepped back before deciding to leave in intimidation. Snape then left the courtyard where the carriages remained and marched up the corridor to the great hall as students began leaving for the night to depart to bed. Victoria remained in the great hall to help pick up after the ball, turning the music player off and picking up in silence. McGonagall had been helping with clean up, leaving the great hall when Snape approached the doors. "We are just cleaning up before turning in for the night, Severus." McGonagall explained Snape furrowed his eyebrows for a moment. "We?" Snape questioned. McGonagall looked at the doors of the great hall before back at Snape. "Victoria and I." McGonagall clarified, holding a few center pieces.
Snape paused for a moment before parting his lips to speak. "Go on to bed, I'll handle the rest, Minerva." Snape pointed out. Snape had an idea up his sleeve to be alone with Victoria. "Thank you, Severus." McGonagall replied before leaving down the corridor. Snape composed himself before entering the great hall, stepping inside and having the doors close lightly as he spotted Victoria clearing the tables and setting them aside. With a flick of his wand, Snape clicked on the music player that was attached to the speakers and put on a record of a certain song called "Right Here Waiting" by Richard Marx, a popular muggle romantic singer.
'Oceans apart day after day
And I slowly go insane
I hear your voice on the line
But it doesn't stop the pain...'
Victoria froze as the music started playing, wondering how it turned on by itself and changed songs from the previous fast paced songs. Turning away from sorting the tables along the wall of the great hall, she found herself suddenly face to face with Snape who had just walked up and held out his hand. "May I have this dance?" Snape asked generously. Victoria was taken back by the offer that Snape was giving as she placed her hand into his. "Yes." Victoria replied Immediately. Snape quivered a crooked smirk onto his face as he placed his free hand onto her waist. Victoria placed her other hand onto his shoulder before Snape closed the gap between them rather forcefully, pulling her in against his buttoned up chest. "I must admit - I'm quite surprised, Severus." Victoria pointed out, forming a pleased smile on her lips. Snape was proud to hear that not only she was surprised but had also accepted his dance. "I didn't want to keep you lingering for too long." Snape teased lightly. Victoria caught his smug quickly after he spoke, causing herself to be humored by his words. "It's never too long to wait, if you care for someone deeply." Victoria confessed. Snape's expression changed to deep adoration for Victoria as he kept his piercing, dark gaze on her before giving her a slow twirl and having her return to him.
'But in the end if I'm with you
I'll take the chance
Oh, can't you see it baby
You've got me going crazy...'
Once Victoria returned to Snape from the twirl, both of her palms laid flat on his buttoned up chest as they locked eyes. This was new for Victoria regarding Snape, the whole two years she was teaching at the school. Was this fondness of another teacher on a romantic level appropriate at school? Perhaps or perhaps not, but at this moment, Victoria didn't care. It still astounded her that her twin sister Lily would pass up Snape for another. In the midst of her thoughts, Snape had leaned in and pressed his lips against hers, interrupting her thoughts with a soft, tender kiss. Victoria kissed back just as softly and became lost in the moment. Snape pulled back slowly after the song had ended and they rested their foreheads against each other. Snape wanted to make it official, but fear of rejection from decades ago with her twin made him hesitant. "I suppose, that it's official now, between us?" Victoria asked, her heart was racing at the fact she just put herself out there and hoped to not have opened herself up to getting hurt. Snape caught her words and was honestly relieved that she had the same thought that he did. "If it's mutual...I would be positive that it is, official." Snape replied forwardly as they leaned back and locked eyes. "Yes, it is mutual. I admit, I have fallen for you, Severus." Victoria stated, her green eyes stared back into his dark eyes. Snape was attempting to compose himself but it was obvious that he was trying to refrain from letting his emotions escape for his reputation. "As have I." Snape confessed.
It was official, Victoria and Snape had begun a romantic relationship though they would remain professional at the school. Snape had walked Victoria back to her living quarters for the night, giving a quick peck goodnight before exiting her classroom. Victoria closed her living quarters door and got lost in her thoughts, very happy about the night she shared with Snape, having the fact that he made her night end on a good note and becoming a couple. Victoria had been crying happy tears when she heard a knock on her door at a little passed midnight. Getting up to open the door, Victoria wiped her eyes and opened the door to see her nephew, Harry. "Harry... everything okay?" Victoria asked, sniffing her nose as she went to compose herself. Harry furrowed his eyebrows at the sight of his aunt with tears in her eyes. "I was just going to say thanks for shopping the other day...forgot to mention it. Why are you crying, aunt Tori? What happened?" Harry replied, becoming skeptical. Victoria sighed as she parted her lips to speak. "No problem, Harry and I'm fine, Professor Snape was just...I think you should get to bed, Harry. It's been a long night." Victoria was tongue tied, she couldn't find the words to explain her happiness but before she could make out her words Harry nodded and left the classroom. Harry was furious, he had thought the reason why his aunt was crying was because Snape had caused it in a negative, cruel way.
Harry couldn't help but think about it the whole night and knew he would question his potions professor about it. The next morning, Harry had left the Gryffindor common room and was heading to the potions classroom to confront Snape when he spotted Snape in his office upon arrival, as Snape was about to head out to the great hall for breakfast. "What did you do to my aunt?" Harry stated in an accusing tone. Snape turned his attention onto Harry, piercing his dark eyes at the Gryffindor, questioning the accusation Harry had spewed at him. It was obvious that Harry had no idea why Victoria was crying but heard his Potions professor's name and that's what it took to accuse Snape of harm.