****ALSO....To see the dress Im talking about in the story when you
read.....goto http://a1008.g.akamaitech.net/7/1008/806/e3451e47d64cc6/images.theknot.com/stpucchi/9169l.jpg
Thats the exact dress Im talking about and all credit goes to St Pucchi...its
absolutely gorgeous...and I know its a weding dress, but it doesnt look
exactly like one...plus I dont care....its exactly what i had in mind....****
Ch 8 All I Want For Christmas
The next morning Aurelia awoke feeling refreshed. She smiled at the
memories of yesterday. Snape had been a real person with
her. After a very short bath, she quickly dressed in a long white
dress with long sleeves with fur on the edges and fur around the collar
and the hem of the dress. She decided to leave her hair
down and used a small spell to give it a bit more volume.
"Facio bellus!" she exclaimed and her face was instantly made up. She
pulled on her matching white boots and checked herself
one last time in the mirror before gathering her purse and heading
out the door.
The students were all chattering with excitement. They couldnt wait
to buy their Christmas presents. Then, Professor McGonagall made
an announcement.
"Students please remember to sign up if you will be staying through
the holidays after next week. Also, make sure you all stay
together today in groups of 3 or more and don't cause any trouble.
When we arrive in Hogsmeade you will be allowed to go your separate ways,
but do NOT leave Hogsmeade at ANY time. We will all meet back at the Three
Broomsticks at 5:00 sharp to return to Hogwarts."
She then turned to Snape to talk to him.
"Severus, can we trust them to ride on broomstick to Hogmeade?"
"I think so. We just need to make sure Ms Granger and Mr Longbottom
get paired up with one of their peers so they wont fall off their brooms."
"Good idea."she smiled.
She looked lost in thought for a moment and then suddenly brightened.
"How about I have Neville ride with me and Hermione ride with Mr Potter.
I dont trust Mr Longbottom with anyone else except a VERY expierienced
rider and Im sure Mr Potter can take care of Ms Granger."
"Very well. Make sure you let them know."
She nodded and walked off.
Snape turned to look up the hill towards Hogwarts when he saw Aurelia
coming down the snow looking very striking. Her dress blended in to the
hill and her wonderful black hair was set off against the white. As she
got closer he moved to meet her.
"Good morning Aurelia."
"Good Morning Professor Snape."she said with a smile.
"Well, did you bring your Christmas list?"
"Of course, and did you?"
"Well mine is relatively short so I have it tucked safely away inside
my head."
She giggled.
"Well then, are we ready to go?"
He nodded but suddenly he stopped.
"Where's your broom?"
She stopped and sighed, slapping her hand to her forehead.
"I knew I would forget something!"
Amused with her frustrated look he chuckled a little.
"Dont laugh at me mister!"
She picked up some snow and chunked it at him.
He dodged it and picked up some snow of his own and threw it at her.
It landed right on her head. The snow fell and cascaded through her hair.
He chuckled some more and moved to brush the snow out, but she surprised
him with a ball right on top of his head as well. He shook his head and
the snow fell out. He turned to give a slight sneer at the laughing students.
When he turned back to Aurelia he found her gazing at him. She then moved
to brush some left over snow from his hair.
"That will teach you then."she said smartly before winking.
He felt a shiver go through him and it wasnt from the snow that dripped
into his robes.
He shook himself back to reality quickly.
"Right, well then you can ride with me on my broom."
"Alright everyone, brooms up!"said McGonagall.
All of the students then proceeded to mount their brooms.
"Stay together and follow Professors Snape and Broomsworth and myself.
No horseplaying now, or we'll turn right back around. That goes for you
too Mr Malfoy."
Draco gave her a sneaky glare before looking away.
Then the group began to fly.
Aurelia positioned herself behind Snape on his broom, wrapping her
arms around his waist.
"Ready?"he whispered.
She nodded and he began to rise like the rest of the group.
The journey wasnt a long one, but it wasnt a quick flight either. Aurelia nestled her head against Snape's back and smiled to herself. Despite his cold appearance, he was of course very warm and she found she liked the feeling of his warmth against her.
Snape found he liked the feel of her against him as well. When she tightened her hold around him a little he felt very comfortable and a warm feeling tingled through his body. He felt he could stay like that forever.
But today wouldnt be forever. Soon the journey was completed and they
touched down in Hogsmeade.
Aurelia reluctantly let go of Snape while getting off the broom. Snape
turned to the students to give them a final lecture.
"Again, stay together, stay safe. Meet at the Three Broomstricks as
Professor McGonagall previously stated. If you run into any trouble, just
look for us or have someone find us. Alright, you may go."
The students breathed a sigh of relief and ran off together towards
the many shops.
Aurelia gathered up their brooms and placed them against the wall, muttering
a concealment charm to hide them from view.
She turned back to Snape and smiled.
"Well, Professor are you ready to do a little shopping?"
"It is a must I suppose."
She smiled again as he held out his arm to her and she laced her arm
through his.
"Being a Gentleman today Professor?"
"It's only proper to escort a lady isnt it?"
It was never fair to answer a question with a question but she took
his compliment gratefully.
They went in to many stores and shopped, Aurelia doing most of the shopping. She did have a rather long list of gifts to buy. She was the type of person who bought a gift for anyone of importance to her. So she had to get all of the teachers something and something for her few favorite students. The one gift she hadnt bought was Snape's.
Snape, having a relativly short list, was finished after the first hour of shopping, with the exception of his gift for Aurelia. He still didnt know what to get her.
Soon ,they passed a Dress and Robes shop and Aurelia pulled Snape inside.
They separated here, Snape looking at robes and Aurelia at gowns. He purchased a set of dress robes that resembled his attire at the Halloween dance. It was black Velvet with Silver moons and stars on it.
Aurelia on the other hand had many gowns over her arm to try on.
"Snape, will you help me pick one?"
He looked almost shocked that she had asked and even wanted his opinion.
"Alright."
She held in her giggles.
She paraded many styles in front of him. Some of them were very daring
and very sexy and others were just plain silly. But none of them seemed
right.
"Oh well. I'm sure I have something I can wear back at the school.
No big deal."she said with an evident frown.
"They were all lovely Aurelia, but none of them sang, if you know what
i mean. It wasnt you at all."
She smiled faintly at him.
"Thank you. Well I better go change."
Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he saw the most beautiful dress. It was extremely beautiful. It was on the mannequin in the window. While Aurelia changed into her robes again he got up and inspected it. It was gorgeous. It was a very long ball gown that was a platinum silver color. It was etched in beads and was made of pure silk. It had spagetti straps and was fit for an Empress. It looked as though it could be a wedding dress, but that didnt matter. It even had a very pretty matching choker of silk ribbon with a rose in the middle around the mannequins neck. It would be perfect for her, he was sure. He looked at the price tag and nearly fell over. When he heard Aurelia coming back from the dressing room he quickly strode over to his chair just before she came out.
"Well, that was fun at least, right?"
He nodded.
"Right. Would you like to eat something Aurelia?"
"I'd love to."
"I do believe you called this a date so I am required to ask, what
would you like to eat?"
She smiled at him.
"Well, as long as its good. Im not overly hungry so nothing really
heavy I suppose."
"Alright, to the three broomsticks then."he said with a faint smile
as he opened the shop door for her.
As they left he looked back at the dress before returning his attention
to Aurelia.
Over their butterbeers, having finished their dinner, they discussed
the passing day and the upcoming week.
Suddenly Aurelia remembered her gift for Snape.
"Snape..."
He looked up at her.
"Um....what do you want for Christmas?"
He looked at her with astonishment. It had been a long time since anyone
cared to ask him that.
"Oh, you dont have to get me anything...."he tried to get off the hook.
"Of course I dont, but I'm going to so out with it."
He looked puzzled for a moment and then began to speak softly.
"I dont know. I havent really ever had to give it much thought. How
about it let you know later?"
She realized he wasnt agreeing but he was disagreeing either so she
accepted his terms.
"Alright."
They slipped into a compfrotable silence then. Snape looked up at her
face and saw her eyes suddenly flash a silery color, like they did that
day in his room. He assumed she was angry because thats what she had been
before when it happened.
But , before he could ask her what was wrong she spoke.
" We wont be able to fly back top Hogwarts tonight."she stated.
"Why not?"he inquired.
"A storm is coming."her eyes flashed again.
"Is that why your eyes flash that silvery color?"
She nodded.
"Any time a storm is near my eyes do that and I sense it. Most of the
time I mask the reaction so no one can see it, but since you already know
I dont try to mask it around you."
"can you push the storm back or stop it in any way?"
She sighed.
"No. When I was younger I never mastered full control over the weather.
My private tutor and mentor tried and tried but I failed in the end. He
said that I had to want control for the right reasons. So, my reason was
to show my parents that I was worth something and was the daughter they
always wanted. I thought it was right, but I was wrong. When I went through
the ritual, the weather never let me control it. I chanted the words and
cast the spell, but nothing ever happend. So, here I am, a half weather
witch. I still havent found the right reason to let the elements trust
me. Sometimes I can make things happend but not because I ask them to."
"Like when It started raining outside the club."
SHe nodded.
"Or the lightning bolt outside the Halloween dance. But I cant make
those things happen by saying I want them to."
"Well, I better tell Minerva. I'll be right back then."
"Ok."
She watched him leave and walk to McGonagall's table.
She saw her nod in agreement with him and saw her get up and leave.
She looked away as he caught her watching him while walking back to
the table again.
"Well, Minvera is going to send an owl to Dumbledore and then book
us some rooms here for tonight."
"Im sure the students will love that. Think of the mischeif they'll
try to create."
"Thats why we're going to confiscate their wands until tomorrow."
"Good idea."
"Thank you, I thought of it myself."
She laughed and suddenly he did too. She looked at him and they both
stopped laughing instantly. He just simply looked back at her, lost in
her gaze. He fought the urge to touch her face so he settled on placing
his hand on top of hers.
She felt little sparks fly up her arm and had to fight a shiver.
He suddenly remembered where they were and broke the spell.
"Well, I need to get a few things I forgot. I'll check in before you
go to sleep hopefully. If not, good night Professor Broomsworth."
"Good night to you too."
He then excused himself and left leaving a very confused Aurelia.
Hermione giggled.
"That is just so cute. Dont you think so Ron?"
"Ewww....no! Snape, being cute? I cant believe Im seeing it."
"Well Ron, I dont know. Maybe I can. He seems to be genuine, though
I think he himself feels a bit odd about it. He gets nervous around her
when things get a little mushy and its a little cute."
"Thank you Harry. At least Im not the only one then."said Hermoine.
"Hey, alright! So its cute, but again I dont have to like it. "
Hermoine sighed and played with her tousled mane she called her hair.
*If I could have a love like that*she thought dreamily not noticing
Ron's gaze.
Not to Aurelia's surprise, Snape did not check in with her before she
went to bed. She found herself exhausted after that long day.
She helped Minerva settle the students in before retiring to her own
room to muse of the transpirings of that evening.
They had locked souls for a moment. She was sure of it. But, why did
it make him so nervous? She knew he had already bought everything he needed
so his excuse for leaving was a poor one. She knew she was attracted to
him and she almost knew he felt the same of her. He was so mysterious and
so complex. Thats what attracted her to him all the more. She figured that
things would sort themselves out, at least she hoped they would. She smiled
at the thought of the yule ball but then fell into a frown at the remembrance
of her dress situation.
*oh well.....nothing fancy this year I guess.*
Tired of thinking of anything at all, she removed her dress and slipped
under the covers.
Snape left the Three Broomsticks with a new mission. He decided that
for once in his life, he was going to follow his heart. When they had locked
gazes earlier he was sure then. So, before he knew it he found himself
in the dress and robes store again.
"Excuse me Ms.?"
A short woman turned around from behind the counter.
"Yes? Oh hello again! What can I do for you?"
He looked over at the dress and back at the clerk.
"If I buy something can you have it sent somewhere special for me?"
"Why sure! Anywhere you need it to go!"
"May I enclose a card with it as well?"
"Of course you may!"
"Excellant."
Since Aurelia had been early to bed, she wasnt surprised when she was
early to rise. She dressed into her clothes from the day before, not having
any others to change into. She leisurely got ready and put her hair up
into an elegant bun. She used her makeup spell from the day before and
slipped out of her room.
She was surprised to find Professor Snape awake already as well.
"Good morning Professor."
"Same to you. I trust you slept well?"
"Yes, the storm was a little loud at one point but other than that
it was fine."
She sat next to him at the table.
"And you?"
"Oh I was alright. I dont really sleep all that much anyway."
"And why not?"
"Nightmares."he replied without thinking first.
Quickly he tried to cover it up.
"Well, I mean...you know....not really nightmare nightmares..."
She put a hand on his arm.
"Its ok. After some of the things you've seen I guess it would be hard
with those images running around your subconsious."
He sighed and nodded.
"Well, how about some Hot Chocolate before we have to round up the
students and head back?"
Before he could reply she had gotten up to order. She soon came back
with two steaming mugs of cocoa.
"Thank you."
"You're quite welcome."
They drank in silence, each stealing a glance at the other from time
to time. Suddenly they began to hear footsteps coming their way.
"Well, here we go then."she whispered to him.
The students were following Professor McGonagall.
Soon she stopped and turned.
"Now I know that you're all still tired and hungry and it is very early,
but I want to get you all back to Hogwarts before the breakfast feast.
After that you will be allowed to go back to your rooms and rest. For now,
everyone get some hot cocoa to help you wake up and be alert for the ride
back."
After the hot chocolate was downed they all went back to where they
landed.
Aurelia spoke her concealment reversal spell and the brooms appeared
again. The students each took to their respective brooms. McGonagall gave
instructions to follow and soon the students were hovering in the air.
Aurelia climbed onto the back of Snape's broom and soon they were off
again.
After the long ride and the welcomed breakfast, the students and Professors went back to their rooms to empty their pouches. Now the pouches fit inside their pockets, but they were all magicked to hold as much as needed. Hermione dumped her pouch on her bed. She had bought a few books plus some candy for Ron and harry and a few other things. She immediatley began to read her new book, Advanced History of Magical Beings and Animals.
When Aurelia walked back to her room, she took her puch from her pruse and did the same before dropping herself into a bath.
The next week flew by almost too quickly. The ball was Saturday and
everyone began to get jittery. Aurelia and Snape had spent many evenings
talking in the Slytherin common room before bed. Nothing seemed out of
the ordunary to Aurelia. Except that he seemed to look at her more intently
than before. On Friday night she asked him about his Christmas gift again.
"So have you decided what you want for Christmas yet? Time is growing
short."
He smiled with a mischeivios grin.
"Ah, I didnt think you would forget about that. I promise you will
have your answer tomorrow morning."
"Alright then. Well, Im off to bed. Good night."
"Good night."
She then padded off to her room.
Snape only watched her leave with a huge smile on his face.
The next morning, Aurelia was awoken by a knock on her door.
She quickly rubbed the sleep form her eyes and pulled her robe around
her.
When she opened the door several house elfs were carrying a very large
box. They brought the box in and placed it on her bed.
"Where did this come from?"she asked.
"We's dont know cept that its was sent here from the big town."
"Thank you then."
They nodded to her and left closing the door behind them. She then
walked to her bed at stared at the box. She saw a card was attached and
took it out carefully and read it.
Dear Aurelia,
I've pondered on a gift for you and this is what I decided upon. I know its a little early, but I think it serves its purpose better now. I hope it is to your liking. Also, I've decided what I would like for Chirstmas.
You.
-S.S.
Aurelia felt her insides warm with anticipation. What could he have
gotten her? And he wanted her. Her assumptions had proved right. Very timidly
she opened the box. She then carefully pulled back the tissue paper and
gasped.
It was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. She felt like crying.
He had went through all of this for her.
She picked up the rose choker and placed it against her neck and looked
in the mirror.
*I have to wear my hair up...and wear silver makeup, and I have to
find silver shoes..and*
She was so excited. It would take her all day, but she was going to
be perfect. Perfect for him. Tonight she would tell him thank you and that
she wanted to be with him too.
TBC.....
