Chapter Eighteen

The Ministry Ball

Having arrived early with the Weasleys, Ron, Hermione, and Harry stood near the punch bowl. From there they had a good view of both the guests on the floor as well as those entering the room.

"There's Dumbledore, going over to talk to Dad. I guess that means the other professors will be arriving soon," Ron said, moving over to see the open doorway better. Then he made a face. "And here comes Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Crabbe."

"However did they get invited?" Hermione asked.

"Didn't you know? Malfoy is nominated for Ministry of Magic against Mr. Weasley," Harry sighed.

"You're joking!" Hermione said. "Don't they know…" Ron asked her to quiet down. "Don't they know he's a you-know-what?"

"They don't have the proof yet. Sirius says Goyle isn't talking," Harry said.

"Speaking of which, there he is now, Harry!" Ron said.

"Where?"

The three of them walked over to the Weasley table where Dumbledore and Sirius were chatting with Ron's father.

"If it actually stays civil in here tonight, it'll be more than I'd expect," Sirius was saying as they walked up.

"They wouldn't dare try anything with so many of their worst enemies around them," Dumbledore said. "All will be well as long as everyone stays alert. Good evening Harry, Ron, and Hermione."

"Harry!" Sirius smiled, hugging him. "Happy Christmas, you three!"

"Congratulations on winning your appeal," Hermione said to Sirius, shaking his hand.

"Thank you, Hermione. It feels good to be legally free for a change," Sirius replied.

"It took some doing, but once we had all those witnesses seeing Pettigrew at the prison break, there wasn't much question left," Arthur nodded.

"So even old Snape decided to show up, tonight, eh? Even wearing his funeral best," Sirius commented as the professor came in.

"Sirius, I thought you said you were going to try to be civil," Dumbledore tsked.

"I won't start it if he doesn't," Sirius promised.

"Ron, Hermione, and I found a good place to watch the door from," Harry suggested.

"Waiting for someone in particular I can keep an eye out for, Sirius?" asked Arthur.

"Not at all, just plotting with the kids," Sirius winked. "Lead on, Harry!"

Dumbledore chuckled, shaking his head at them as they went to the other side of the room. Severus Snape walked over, sending icy looks over towards the refreshment table.

"Good evening, Professor Dumbledore, Mr. Weasley," he greeted solemnly. "Happy Christmas."

"Hello, Severus. Where is Jennifer?" Dumbledore asked innocently.

"I believe Professor McGonagall was planning to escort her here. I'm sure they'll be arriving soon," Severus said, checking his new watch.

"I hope she doesn't mind all the fuss everyone's making. Actually, Ludo's a whole cheering section on his own," Arthur said, nodding across the room to where Ludo was talking to another ex-Quidditch player.

"Oh, I'm quite sure she minds," chuckled Dumbledore. Severus nodded to them and then walked over to Malfoy.

"Is it just me or is he in an even worse mood than normal?" Arthur asked.

"How can you tell?" Dumbledore asked jokingly.

Across the room, Ron was doing a play-by-play of everyone entering.

"Over there is Thurspire, he's a deputy minister for Animagi, but from what Dad said, they're moving him. He and his new boss don't get on," Ron explained. "And there's my brother Percy and his girlfriend Penelope. She just got hired at the Ministry too."

"Looks like Snape's found some old friends," Harry commented, watching as Snape made his way across the room to where Malfoy and Crabbe were standing.

"Yes, and did you notice? He even washed his hair for the occasion," Sirius smirked. "Guess the shampoo I sent him paid off. That's what he gets for buying me a flea collar."

"Actually, Snape's not been letting himself go much at all this year," Ron said. "Dunno what's come over him. Maybe someone switched Snapes on us and we didn't know it."

"I think Professor Craw would have caught something like that," Hermione said, "From what I've read, she must be a Truth Seeker."

"I think you'd better keep that information to yourself, young lady," Sirius warned. "This isn't the time or the place for snooping. Let's just have fun, okay?"

"Oh look, there's Hagrid and Madame Maxime! Good thing the ceilings are nice and high." Ron pointed out.

"Of course they are, there's a dance ceiling in here. Didn't you notice?" Hermione said.

Ron looked up to see the polished wooden panels. Harry looked up too.

"Dancing on the ceiling?" Harry asked.

"Sure, it's fun," Sirius winked. "I'll teach you guys how, promise." He was still looking towards the door, and then suddenly he stood up.

"Woah…." Ron said. "Who's the dish with Professor McGonagall?"

"I think it's Professor Craw," Harry said, cleaning his glasses and putting them back on.

"Boys," Hermione said and rolled her eyes.

"Are we still on for the wager?" Sirius asked them, his eyes not leaving the two women.

"I'm in," said Harry.

"Me too," said Ron, "You're covered."

"What wager?" Hermione asked in annoyance, having a feeling she wouldn't approve.

"Ok then, I'm on," Sirius said walking across the room. Hermione, wanting to know what was going on, followed him.

"I don't see how you think he won't get the first dance," Harry said, "You're losing this one."

"Because she's already told him that she wouldn't go with him three times, and only one of those times was he still a fugitive," Ron pointed out.

"That's just because she doesn't know him. That's why she's got to dance with him."

" I still think she was joking about that dance comment. And even if I do lose the first dance thing, there is no way he's going to be able to keep her the majority of the evening. She's the guest of honor. She'll probably have to dance with just about everyone," Ron said. "Every bachelor in the place is likely to try and chat her up tonight."

"Well if you lose your Christmas money because he does escort her back to the castle, don't blame me," Harry said.

"You still never answered me about the big bet." Ron added, "You were going to think about it."

"Ron, I'm not going to take the rest of your money like that," Harry sighed.

"It'd be ages before we knew for sure anyhow. Aw, looks like they're going to be showing her around the room first. We're going to have to wait," Ron sighed.

"In that case, let's head on back to the table. Bring some drinks with you…" Harry suggested.

As Ron turned around, he backed into Snape, who had come up to the table along with Mr. Crabbe and Mr. Malfoy. Snape gave both the students an icy look as if he knew they were up to no good (a look they had last seen when he had caught someone in class putting something in another student's potion.) Harry grabbed Ron's arm, backing up with him.

"Come on, Ron." They turned around and started heading back to the Weasley table.

"Whatever we do, we don't drink the punch," Ron suggested, watching as the three men standing there reached over to get a drink.

"Don't worry about it. Just relax and try to have a good time," Minerva advised as they Apparated into the entryway.

"My nerves are already shot, Minerva, and we haven't even gone in yet," Jennifer whispered to her, pulling her mirror out from her sash and looking in it. She was nervous, definitely, and beyond that she was hoping that her slippers held up. As much as she wanted to dance with a few people, she also didn't want to make a fool of herself. She grimaced at her expression in the mirror.

"My dear girl, you've faced an army of Dementors, what have you got to fear from politicians? I'm sure they'll all be on their best behavior," Minerva said mischievously.

As they went in, attention swiftly turned to them, and Jennifer tried her best to ignore it. She glanced around for familiar faces. To her right she noticed Harry cleaning his glasses beside Ron, who was gawking at her. Hermione did her best to ignore them, waving at her. Behind them, Sirius nodded and smiled at her.

"Ah there's Dumbledore over there," Minerva said. She walked over to the table and Jennifer quickly followed behind her. The Headmaster was sitting at the Weasley table, an obvious indication who it was that Hogwarts supported for the Ministry. As they approached he stood up to greet them.

"Minerva, breathtaking as always, and such an exquisite dress. Jennifer, you are a vision of loveliness, and such a beautiful gown. I do believe it makes you look taller." Dumbledore winked at Jennifer.

"It was a present from Minerva," Jennifer smiled.

"Ah, I should have guessed. Very well done, Minerva. It brings out the color in your eyes, my dear," he smiled.

Arthur and Molly came over, and Jennifer was quickly introduced to her. Arthur's wife smiled at her happily.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I've been hearing good things about you from my husband and my children," Molly said. She reminded Jennifer of her mother, somehow, but not as sad all the time.

"They are some of my best students, when they're not livening up the class," Jennifer grinned, waving to Ginny who was sitting at the table.

"No George and Fred this evening?" Minerva inquired.

"No, off visiting their brother Bill for the holidays," Arthur said. Jennifer knew from his expression that that had been planned just to excuse them from the ball. The last thing they needed were any comical accidents. The circle widened to make room for Sirius Black, who bowed and kissed Minerva's hand and then Jennifer's.

"How are you this evening, Sirius? Well, I trust?" Minerva inquired.

"I have never been so surrounded by beauty," he smiled at Jennifer, Minerva, and Molly. Hermione walked up behind him, waving again.

"Hello, Hermione, you look radiant this evening," Minerva smiled.

"Thank you, Professor. You and Professor Craw look lovely as well," she replied.

Just then, Ludo Bagman came into the center of the gathering, beaming with happiness, standing directly in front Jennifer.

"Ah, at last, you are here! Welcome, our defender from the Dementors!" Ludo declared.

"Uh…."

"Ludo, can't it wait? She's only just arrived," Arthur protested.

"Well, the sooner her duty is done, the sooner she can relax," he insisted, patting her hand.

"Perhaps after the first dance?" Sirius suggested, smiling at Jennifer.

"No, no, everyone will be too busy having fun then. Come, my dear!"

Jennifer found herself towed around on his arm, not feeling too enthusiastic about the display. Ludo himself was a very likable man, but he didn't seem too picky about who he called a friend. It did, however, give her a chance to look at the guests and the opportunity to make distinctions on who was supporting whom. Politics seemed to be on the front of just about everyone's mind.

"And this at last is Lucius Malfoy, our other candidate, as it were," Ludo said cheerfully.

"Yes, I've had the pleasure of meeting him at the school," Jennifer smiled warmly, curtsying. Malfoy's smile was anything but warm, yet he bowed graciously, dressed in the finest available robes as always and sporting several expensive rings for the occasion.

"An honor to see you again, Professor Craw," he said, kissing her hand. "When we first met I could hardly have imagined that so dedicated a teacher would have been quite so delicate in nature." Jennifer barely kept her temper in check after looking at the intended insult in his face. Had Severus not stepped up behind Malfoy, she might not have kept her cool.

"Yes, and I could hardly have imagined you being quite so political," Jennifer smiled at him tolerantly. "But then again, you're a man of great wealth, and I suppose one can buy just about anything these days."

Ludo's eyes went wide with surprise, and Severus was giving her a "you shouldn't have said that" look, but before Malfoy had a chance to respond, Sirius came up behind them.

"That is everyone, isn't it, Mr. Bagman? Because you see, Jennifer promised me the first dance, and everyone seems to be getting quite restless… for things to start, that is," he said quickly taking Jennifer's hand who stared at him in surprise.

"Right then," Ludo answered with the same rapid response, nodding to the musicians.

"Ah, you're wearing my necklace. I hoped that you would be," Sirius said, bowing to Bagman and Malfoy. He nodded to Severus with a mocking grin and then led her out to the floor. "It looks quite lovely with that dress."

"So that was you? Why didn't you leave a note?" she asked.

"I was afraid you might not accept it," Sirius admitted. "But I saw it and immediately remembered how you looked that night as you came out of the forest with all of those Unicorns around you, so I thought I would give you a memento."

"Like anyone will let me forget what happened," Jennifer laughed. "But thank you. I couldn't have done it without you, running back to warn us as you did."

"Anything to protect Harry and Hogwarts," he smiled.

Jennifer decided she really liked the man, so full of life and charm when he could have been so bitter after what he'd been through, burying the darkness deep within. In a way, he reminded her of herself. He put his arm around her, and then chuckled as they entered into a waltz.

"You're so light on your feet, m'dear," Sirius teased. She laughed, the slippers quickly finding a comfortable height three inches off the floor. "I say, it doesn't really give a man a sporting chance, though," he added, spinning her around a bit.

"Oh, no, don't tell me they told you about that!" Jennifer groaned. One wrong comment in class, she learned, had a way of coming back to haunt her.

"They tell me everything, except for what I really wanted to know. Why wouldn't you agree to come with me tonight?" Sirius asked.

Jennifer's mind raced to think of a suitable reply. He was good looking and charming, and definitely someone she could see herself becoming close friends with. But she knew it wouldn't have been right to accept, her heart would not have been in it.

"It's just that I already made plans to go with Minerva…" Jennifer explained hesitantly.

"She would have understood," he said. "Besides, I wanted to get to get to know you, and find out how come…" Sirius paused as someone tapped him on the shoulder.

"Time's up, Sirius," Severus informed him coldly. "I'd like to cut in, if you don't mind."

Jennifer looked at them in surprise as the two of them stood there in an apparent challenge; an old one, it seemed. Sirius' face seemed to indicate something like this had happened once before, and it was bringing back old memories.

"Up to Jennifer, of course," Sirius said at last, looking at her thoughtfully. Severus already had his hand out, and Jennifer put her hand in his, nodding with a nervous grin. Sirius then smiled and bowed graciously out of the way, watching them closely from a distance. But as Severus put his arm around her waist he stopped cold, looking at her accusingly.

"You're cheating," Severus said flatly.

"Huh?"

"You heard me. Feet on the ground," he ordered, looking quite serious. Sheepishly, Jennifer let her feet sink to the floor just as the next dance began.

"Severus, I don't think this is a good idea. I'm not really a very good..."

"No excuses. I wasn't the one to make the rules," he said, pushing her chin up to look at him as he began to lead her across the floor.

Gazing into his eyes, she suddenly stopped worrying about what her feet were doing, startled by what she saw his face. He was thinking of her, and only her at that moment. Surely she couldn't be seeing what she thought she was seeing, she told herself in disbelief. He was just testing her again. Still, there was no use denying what she was feeling when he put an arm around her. With stiff but catlike grace, Severus was a surprisingly good dancer, and Jennifer soon found herself sailing across the floor, forgetting that anything else existed but she and Severus.

Dumbledore had been watching with interest at first, but then the look soon changed to concern. It was heartbreakingly apparent in their faces what was happening, and this was definitely not the time or place with enemies in their midst. He glanced around the room, and saw that several others had noticed… surprise registered on Minerva's face, as well as Sirius' and Arthur's. Dumbledore then searched the crowd worriedly and noticed that Malfoy and his cronies were on the patio, out of view of the dance floor at the moment.

"Harry, do me a favor and go dance with Professor Craw. I believe she needs rescued," Dumbledore suggested.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Minerva began, wondering if she was imagining it.

"Minerva, why don't you go dance with Severus and ask him to meet me in the entryway before anyone else notices," Dumbledore added quickly. Minerva nodded, face suddenly filled with the same concern as she followed Harry onto the dance floor.

It took Harry a couple deep breaths before he bravely stepped up to them, tapping Snape on the shoulder.

"May I cut in?" Harry asked.

Severus was getting ready to turn and say no, but then noticed Minerva trying to get his attention. Reluctantly he moved, and Jennifer found herself dancing with her famous student. A few toes were stepped on here and there, and the intermittent "sorry" soon became so comical that they were laughing and having quite a good go at it.

"I'm afraid I'm just not a very good dancer, Harry. Maybe I should put my shoes back up," she chuckled. Just then, another tap came, and they both looked up to see Lucius Malfoy.

"You will let me cut in, of course," he said. The tone was pleasant, but somehow it sounded more like a threat.

"It's all right, Harry," Jennifer assured him. She was not afraid of Malfoy. Harry nodded, walking quickly back to the Weasley table as they began to dance and leaning over the table to get everyone's attention, looking frantic.

"Someone better go out there! I just got cut in by Lucius Malfoy," he warned the Weasleys. Arthur immediately got up, glancing over across the floor until he spotted them.

"I shall rise to the occasion then," Arthur said, heading into the crowd.

"Never learned to dance properly, my dear? Pity, but then I guess that does come with experience," Lucius smiled at Jennifer, noting the anger in her eyes. "Tell me, how is it that such an unblemished flower came to be so loyal to the likes of Severus Snape but still has the willpower to defy his Master? You know Snape nearly died because of your fleeting moment of triumph and display of purity. Perhaps he should have killed you that first night as I had suggested instead of letting you go."

"This is not the place to discuss such things, sir, and I'd ask you to remember it," Jennifer said defiantly.

"And I'll ask you to remember, child, that you are a servant of a servant, and as such subject to the group's will, including mine, should I ask anything of you. If you have any sense, or any value of your life or your master's, I suggest you try much, much harder to cooperate," he suggested, squeezing her hand painfully.

Arthur tapped on Malfoy's shoulder, who scowled at him in annoyance.

"Sorry, Lucius, you can't expect to keep her all night you know," he said cheerfully, arresting her hand away from his and whisking her away towards the center of the floor.

"Thanks, Arthur, what a vile wretch." Jennifer said with a look of pure relief. Arthur laughed.

"What was he going on about, anyhow?" he asked.

"Oh nothing, Arthur. I think he just hasn't realized that there's people he can't buy yet," Jennifer shook her head.

"Don't worry, we'll try to steer you away from him the rest of the night. No reason you have to get put up with that being the guest of honor," he assured her.

Just then another tap came, and Dumbledore smiled at Arthur, who immediately bowed with a huge grin, and walked away.

"Well, Jennifer, I see you've been around the floor once or twice, but fear not," Dumbledore smiled, taking her arm. "Nobody cuts in on Albus Dumbledore," he winked.

After the dance, Dumbledore led her to the Weasley table to relax as he went over to talk to a few friends of his who had arrived from his order. Minerva soon joined her, smiling as she sat down.

"Have you seen Severus? I need to tell him about something," Jennifer said, glancing around. She was certain that he would want to hear about the exchange between her and Malfoy.

"Dumbledore didn't tell you? He had to send him back to the castle to take care of a security issue," Minerva explained, looking around for her drink.

"Oh," Jennifer said, sounding more disappointed than she had intended to. Minerva watched her a moment, trying to think of something to say when Sirius came over, offering Jennifer one of the cups he had in his hand. "Thank you," she smiled at him, and he cheerfully sat across from them, politely asking them how the evening was going. "All right. Where are the kids?" Jennifer asked.

"Molly and Arthur? They're out dancing," Sirius said, eyes twinkling, "Oh those kids. They're out dancing too. I taught them how to dance on the ceiling. Do you want to try, Jennifer?"

"No way," she chuckled. Minerva and Sirius chuckled as well.

"Minerva?" Sirius asked.

"Oh, no, I don't want to leave Jennifer alone," she protested.

"You go on, Minerva. Actually, I could use a moment by myself after that dance," Jennifer admitted.

"Well, all right then, if you insist," Minerva said, standing up and looking at Jennifer to make sure she was sure.

"Now Jennifer, if you get tired and want to leave early, let me know and I'll escort you back. As a friend," Sirius insisted so emphatically that Jennifer looked up at him in surprise.

"Thank you, I will probably end up taking you up on that," Jennifer smiled, and Sirius nodded reassuringly.

But as the two of them went to dance and Jennifer began to lose herself in her reflection in her punch glass, Ludo Bagman appeared, cheerfully offering to keep her company, sitting down and attempting to keep her entertained with Quidditch stories. She listened politely, chuckling more over his antics to keep her attention and less over the stories itself, and was rather glad when Sirius came to rescue her.