Disclaimer: JKR owns all, I just use her characters for my own personal pleasure. I'm making no
money off the sale of this story. Don't sue me...I'm broke.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed, your thoughts and kind words have pushed me to move
forward with this story. And to those of you who are extremely picky when it comes to grammar,
no one is perfect. I most definitely am not, and while I welcome constructive criticism, I do not
appreciate the bluntness that some supply. If you are going to make suggestions about grammar,
please me more nice about it.
~*~
"This should be illegal." I muttered to myself, as I wiped the cold snow from my face. Colin
Creevy giggled madly at the site , causing me to glare menacingly. A quickly muttered spell and I
had a pile of ready-made snowballs at my feet.
The group didn't know what hit them...
While they were scurrying to and fro to collect snow for more balls, I was muttering charms left
and right to make a whole barrage of them. While they were still packing theirs into balls, I was
chucking them in whatever direction I happened to be facing at the time.
"Hermione!" Justin laughed good-naturedly. "Who knew you had it in you!" Laughing along, I
hurled a rather large snowball his way, but he ducked just in time. However, the person behind
him did not.
Freezing in horror, I stared opened-mouthed at the menacing figure cloaked in black...and white.
"Pro-professor Snape!" I stammered, shuffling my feet in the slush. "I didn't see you there, sir!"
He didn't speak a word, only reached up a black gloved hand to wipe the snow from his eyes.
"Miss Granger." He drawled, wiping more snow from his person. "I'm surprised at you, really."
"I'm so sorry, sir."
"As Head Girl I would have expected more..." he trailed off, flicking snow from his gloves,
"mature behavior from you."
"It's just-"
"Never the less," he cut me off, withdrawing his wand from the hidden folds of his billowing
cloak, "I find some punishment is in order."
I stared in horror at his wand, various hexes running through my head, wondering which one
would be aimed my way -- praying none were Unforgivables.
With a subtle flick and swish of his wand, and carefully muttered words, I was covered in snow.
Dozens of snowballs were being formed before him and hurled my way; though try as I might to
duck out of their way, they always found their target.
After a few minutes, Professor Snape stopped, crossing his arms over his chest and smirking.
Standing still, I glanced about me, noting the barely muffled giggles coming from my classmates.
To everyone's surprise, I burst out laughing.
Frowning, Snape huffed, spun on his feet, and stalked inside. Obviously, he wasn't pleased with
my reaction.
Oh well.
~*~
"Remaining students and staff." Albus Dumbledore addressed the crowed gathered at dinner.
Glancing up at the Head table, I wasn't at all surprised to see that the Headmaster was still
dressed as Santa Clause. "After many discussions with many people, I am pleased to announce
that Hogwarts will be hosting a Winter Masquerade Ball!" Murmurs flowed through the crowed.
Surely there wasn't enough people left to hold such a thing?
"However, since there are so few of us left, I have decided to open the Ball to the residents of
Hogsmede as well!" The murmurs grew in intensity, several 6th and 7th year females excited at
the prospect of meeting older, more refined (and cute!) wizards.
"Since I am in a particularly festive mood, I've decided that attire shall be entirely muggle in
nature!" A load grown of disgust overpowered the excited talk, and I wasn't surprised to note that
the sound came from a certain formidable Potion's master. "The event will take place on New
Years Eve. Now, enjoy your dinner!" He clapped his thin hands and the plates before us filled.
As I ate, I contemplated whether or not I would go.
"Hermione?" Someone inquired from behind me. Turning around, I smiled at Justin.
"Justin?"
"I was just wondering..." he trailed off, wringing his hands nervously, "You see..."
"What is it?" I snapped, a bit agitated.
"Never mind." He muttered, stalking off to his table. Shrugging, I turned back to my food. I ate in
silence, squirming when I felt a pair of eyes on me.
Glancing up at the Head table, I was surprised to see Professor Snape looking at me; though he
turned away quickly when our eyes met.
Strange...
~*~
I apologize for the shortness of this chapter. Future chapters will not be as such.
Katie: Thank you very much! The length of the review doesn't matter to me, but I do enjoy
hearing from my readers! I like to know who is out there, reading my stories.
Sarajane: I wouldn't say my work is brilliant. *blush* Thank you for the encouragement though!
money off the sale of this story. Don't sue me...I'm broke.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed, your thoughts and kind words have pushed me to move
forward with this story. And to those of you who are extremely picky when it comes to grammar,
no one is perfect. I most definitely am not, and while I welcome constructive criticism, I do not
appreciate the bluntness that some supply. If you are going to make suggestions about grammar,
please me more nice about it.
~*~
"This should be illegal." I muttered to myself, as I wiped the cold snow from my face. Colin
Creevy giggled madly at the site , causing me to glare menacingly. A quickly muttered spell and I
had a pile of ready-made snowballs at my feet.
The group didn't know what hit them...
While they were scurrying to and fro to collect snow for more balls, I was muttering charms left
and right to make a whole barrage of them. While they were still packing theirs into balls, I was
chucking them in whatever direction I happened to be facing at the time.
"Hermione!" Justin laughed good-naturedly. "Who knew you had it in you!" Laughing along, I
hurled a rather large snowball his way, but he ducked just in time. However, the person behind
him did not.
Freezing in horror, I stared opened-mouthed at the menacing figure cloaked in black...and white.
"Pro-professor Snape!" I stammered, shuffling my feet in the slush. "I didn't see you there, sir!"
He didn't speak a word, only reached up a black gloved hand to wipe the snow from his eyes.
"Miss Granger." He drawled, wiping more snow from his person. "I'm surprised at you, really."
"I'm so sorry, sir."
"As Head Girl I would have expected more..." he trailed off, flicking snow from his gloves,
"mature behavior from you."
"It's just-"
"Never the less," he cut me off, withdrawing his wand from the hidden folds of his billowing
cloak, "I find some punishment is in order."
I stared in horror at his wand, various hexes running through my head, wondering which one
would be aimed my way -- praying none were Unforgivables.
With a subtle flick and swish of his wand, and carefully muttered words, I was covered in snow.
Dozens of snowballs were being formed before him and hurled my way; though try as I might to
duck out of their way, they always found their target.
After a few minutes, Professor Snape stopped, crossing his arms over his chest and smirking.
Standing still, I glanced about me, noting the barely muffled giggles coming from my classmates.
To everyone's surprise, I burst out laughing.
Frowning, Snape huffed, spun on his feet, and stalked inside. Obviously, he wasn't pleased with
my reaction.
Oh well.
~*~
"Remaining students and staff." Albus Dumbledore addressed the crowed gathered at dinner.
Glancing up at the Head table, I wasn't at all surprised to see that the Headmaster was still
dressed as Santa Clause. "After many discussions with many people, I am pleased to announce
that Hogwarts will be hosting a Winter Masquerade Ball!" Murmurs flowed through the crowed.
Surely there wasn't enough people left to hold such a thing?
"However, since there are so few of us left, I have decided to open the Ball to the residents of
Hogsmede as well!" The murmurs grew in intensity, several 6th and 7th year females excited at
the prospect of meeting older, more refined (and cute!) wizards.
"Since I am in a particularly festive mood, I've decided that attire shall be entirely muggle in
nature!" A load grown of disgust overpowered the excited talk, and I wasn't surprised to note that
the sound came from a certain formidable Potion's master. "The event will take place on New
Years Eve. Now, enjoy your dinner!" He clapped his thin hands and the plates before us filled.
As I ate, I contemplated whether or not I would go.
"Hermione?" Someone inquired from behind me. Turning around, I smiled at Justin.
"Justin?"
"I was just wondering..." he trailed off, wringing his hands nervously, "You see..."
"What is it?" I snapped, a bit agitated.
"Never mind." He muttered, stalking off to his table. Shrugging, I turned back to my food. I ate in
silence, squirming when I felt a pair of eyes on me.
Glancing up at the Head table, I was surprised to see Professor Snape looking at me; though he
turned away quickly when our eyes met.
Strange...
~*~
I apologize for the shortness of this chapter. Future chapters will not be as such.
Katie: Thank you very much! The length of the review doesn't matter to me, but I do enjoy
hearing from my readers! I like to know who is out there, reading my stories.
Sarajane: I wouldn't say my work is brilliant. *blush* Thank you for the encouragement though!