Friday's classes had Severus in a foul mood. He knew he should've made Draco teach the Waltz in lieu of himself. Now, he was handing out detentions left and right for the distractibility that was running rampant throughout his potions lectures. Of course, he'd deduct points from the other Houses, he just actively tried to avoid that with Slytherin.

Severus had reluctantly gone to the Great Hall for dinner, at the not-too-subtle request of the headmaster. Of course, Albus thought he was being antisocial to the guests; Severus Snape was the textbook definition of antisocial. Still, he strode through the halls in a black blur of billowing robes as he took his seat beside Minerva. He was surprised to see Olivia had returned to sit at his left again.

"Miss Wright," he greeted with a slight nod towards the witch.

"Severus! How nice to see you!". She seemed genuine. Severus couldn't help but wonder when she started sitting over here again. They fell into easy conversation as they tucked into their meals. Olivia was dying to prod him for details about her new information.

"So, Severus...I uhm... I heard you dance well. Perhaps you could show me sometime?" She grinned innocently but Severus could see the twinkle of cheekiness in her eye. He shot a look at Minerva, glaring at her.

"Oh, Severus. Don't look at me like that! It's all over the bloody school. The Slytherin girls were foaming at the mouth, dying to talk about it".

"Not bloody likely," Severus grumbled towards Olivia as he stabbed another piece of meat with his fork. She looked crestfallen.

"What? You're not going to the Ball?" She left the rest unsaid: I want to dance with you all night, feel your strong arms holding me while you dominate and control me on the dance floor before continuing into your chambers. She'd been dying to take a look inside his bedroom, he didn't allow it on his last tour.

What would the inside of Severus Snape's bedroom look like? Black satin sheets? Some sort of delicious torture chamber complete with toys? Filled to the brim with potion ingredients and books? She had fantasized about being with him since she first laid eyes on him. She had hoped she could treat the Yule Ball like her Prom night; except... successful.

Olivia had gone with one of her cousins to their American Muggle Prom as a guest. That was a benefit, she supposed, of visiting her American family once or twice a year - she got to experience the life of an average, Muggle American. Her Prom was a complete disaster. She felt beautiful in her dress, but her date was so extremely virginal that he wouldn't even dance with her, let alone grope her in the middle of the dance floor. Naturally, that left getting a hotel room out of the question. She hadn't lost her virginity until much later. She wasn't overly experienced in sex, but she knew what she liked and didn't like. And she was pretty sure Severus would be something she really liked.

"I do not usually participate in such... frivolities, Miss Wright," he rebuked.

"Severus, my dear boy. Perhaps you have forgotten? All staff must attend. We are trying, after all, to at least put on the illusion of unity amongst schools," Minerva scolded.

"As nosey as ever, Minerva. Yes, I will be attending out of demand. I won't, however, be dancing. I have volunteered to supervise the exterior of the castle to ensure there will be no salacious students hiding in the bushes or carriages".

Ah yes, Severus Snape: Captain of the Anti-Fondling Brigade. Olivia felt her panties become wetter by the minute as her head filled with fantasies of the Great Severus Snape catching her with her hands in her panties, going to town.

"How disappointing Severus...I was really looking forward to seeing you loosen up. I guess I'll have to find other ways of entertaining myself". Olivia pressed her knee to Severus' thighs as she spoke, slowly raising her leg and lowering it to caress his wool-clad thigh against her own bare one. She smirked, clearly satisfied she got her point across.

Severus was now 110% sure she was teasing him at this point. The flirting as she danced around her cauldron was one thing. Even her rubbing her leg against his could be written off as an accident. But no one... no one... ate asparagus that way. The naughty little witch was testing him, trying to break down his walls. The question was, how much longer until she was successful? A man and his cock could only take so much, after all.

XOX

Following dinner, Olivia slowly made her way out of the Great Hall, discussing the Ball with Minerva like a bunch of teenagers. Severus rolled his eyes as he silently walked behind them. Unfortunately, this meant he was witness to the conversation between Olivia and Ivan. The Bulgarian had grabbed her hand, kissing her knuckles and asked her to be his date for the evening. Minerva snapped her head back to the fuming Potions Master, her own face a mask of ire. Told you, her glare seemed to convey.

Severus struggled to hear the conversation but was unable to miss the flush that rose from her chest and stained her cheeks. He turned on his heel and disappeared before he could hear her politely decline.

XOX

Minerva raised an eyebrow at Olivia after Ivan had left. "Why did you do that? I thought you wanted to go to the Ball?" She questioned.

"I do. Just... not with him. I think it would be best to leave my dance card unchecked, save for a certain name, which I doubt would ever come calling," she rolled her eyes in amused sadness.

"Be patient with him, Dear. He'll come around". Minerva rubbed the younger witch's back as they parted ways at the hospital wing.

"Oh, Minnie. I've been patient. The flirting and tension are great. I just... I don't think he'll ever go for it. There's only so much rejection a witch can take. But still... it wouldn't do any good to hurt Ivan. Good night, Minnie," Olivia kissed the Witch in the cheek before retiring for the evening. The Ball was approaching fast and, although she was going stag, she still wanted to look nice. Maybe Minerva would go dress shopping with her.

XOX

Minerva huffed her way through the dungeon, prepared to slam his office door open, but she was surprised to see it cracked open in invitation. She slowly pushed it, the loud "creak" cut through the silent dungeons. She popped her head in, calling out to him. When she heard no answer, she stepped fully inside to see the man hunched over his desk grading.

"I've decided there's no point in warding the door, Minnie, you're just going to slither your way inside anyway. Perhaps you should've been a snake instead of a lion," he quipped.

"No, I'm too brave to be a snake. Us lions speak our heart, instead of slamming up our walls and keeping people out". She crossed her arms over her chest as she looked down at him. Severus felt as if he was a toddler being scolded after getting his hand stuck in the biscuit tin.

"There's no point, Minerva. Go on and bugger off for the night. I'm tired and have no interest in speaking with you".

"She declined; you know? She doesn't want him, she wants you. Stop being hardheaded and go after her". With that, the witch turned around and left. Minerva was going to Avada that man if he did irrefutable damage regarding a relationship with Olivia. He deserved happiness! Why couldn't he just stop being a numpty for once in his godforsaken life?

Olivia had agreed to go back with Minerva to talk about the stubborn man over a cup of tea the next day. They had schemed and plotted the best way to get Severus to "shit or get off the pot" as the French American had stated. Minerva said that jealousy would be the best option. Although Olivia didn't want to lead anyone on, she decided that she would take up the Durmstrang assistant on his offer to escort her to the Ball. Best case scenario, Severus mans up and will finally claim her as his witch. Worst case scenario, she has a lovely evening with an attractive man.

XOX

The witches were getting dressed, giggling and gossiping like a bunch of teenagers in Gryffindor tower. Minerva had gone shopping with Olivia for her dress robes; she wanted to drive Severus mad for Olivia. Having been friends as long as they had been, she picked out just the right outfit.

"You look amazing my dear! There's no way he will be able to keep his hands off you... No wizard will!" Minerva clapped her hands together and let out a hoot of a laugh. Olivia couldn't help but giggle as well. Normally she'd want to wear something a little less...exposing. But she wanted Severus to know what he was missing, and she wanted to look good for Ivan as well.

XOX

Severus Snape donned his dress robes in his chambers in the dungeon. He had already started drinking fire whisky to get proper pissed for the evening. He hated the bloody Ball. Just an excuse for a bunch of horny fucking teenagers to get blown in a carriage or a handy under the table.

Why couldn't the damn witch realize he was too fucked up to have a relationship. He didn't have a heart anymore, didn't know how to love... and she deserved more than a fuck. Not that he wouldn't take immense pleasure from a good fuck with her... he'd been wanking to her every night since that first damnable kiss. But he couldn't take her to a Ball. There would be too many stares and whispers. He didn't like having attention put on him. He was still sulking from having to teach the damn waltz. No. He couldn't take Olivia. Couldn't claim her or dance with her. He'd stand there stoically throughout the evening like a proper wallflower, until it was time to make his rounds. Someone would dance with her... he'd hate the lucky bastard but at least his witch could have a nice evening.

XOX

The entrance hall was packed with students who were milling around waiting for 8 o'clock, when the doors to the Great Hall would be thrown open. Those people who were meeting partners from different Houses were edging through the crowd trying to find one another. The oak front doors opened, and everyone turned to look as the Durmstrang students entered with Professor Karkaroff, Krum was at the front of the party followed closely by Ivan Korshunov. There was an open area of lawn right in front of the castle that had been transformed into a sort of grotto full of hundreds of actual living fairies in the rose bushes that had been conjured there and fluttered over the statues of what seemed to be Father Christmas and his reindeer.

Snape had ascended from the dungeons leading his Slytherins up to the Great Hall. He was wearing his dress robes, all black of course. He had on form fitting black trousers which accentuated his slim waist and strong thighs before descending down his legs to cover the tops of his boots. He wore a high collared, white button up dress shirt with his signature cuffs that would peek out from beneath his topcoat, displaying his silver and emerald cufflinks. Instead of his frock coat, he wore a black Victorian tailcoat. Beneath it, a black silk vest with a silver chain that led to his pocket watch; not that anyone would see that, however, as he kept every single button done up on his tailcoat. The buttons went from his belt buckle up to his chin; beneath the buttons, the coat hung open in a deep "v" to splay out around his legs, ending just below the knee. He had even put in some styling effort with his hair. He felt utterly ridiculous, but he was raised to be a gentleman and knew it would not be proper to not look his best for such a formal occasion. He was just about to smack Draco for teasing a young Hufflepuff girl when Olivia caught his eye. She was descending the stairs with Minerva, and it was as if time stood still. Every single witch and wizard trained their eyes to her beautiful form. Severus could feel his pulse quicken and his pants tighten.

Yes, he had definitely made a mistake in saying no to this witch.

XOX

Olivia exited Minerva's chambers nervously. She knew once the evening had started, she wouldn't mind the attention, but she was never one for a grand entrance. However, the elder witch had insisted, so there they were, descending the stairs from Gryffindor tower with all eyes on her. As soon as she saw Severus, her nerves were gone, and her inner goddess came out to play.

Game on.

Olivia wore her dark brown hair in a low, braided bun, with tendrils hanging loose to frame her face. Her makeup was natural with some eyeliner and mascara on her smoky eyeshadow to allow her hazel eyes to sparkle. Her dress though... Minerva had gone overboard even suggesting such a salacious gown. The silky skirt was a dark emerald... dare she say Slytherin green? She had a large slit that ran up almost to her hip to allow her full leg to be on display as she walked, allowing the black lace of her stockings to show if her stride was too long. But the pièce de résistance was the black lace bodice. Olivia had found the strapless corset in a sexy lingerie shop in Hogsmeade. The cups of the corset were dark black as to not have any skin show through, the boning created an even slimmer waistline and the sheer lace body of the corset was designed in such a way that it appeared to be decorated with serpents, seductively tangling with the skin that would show through.

Olivia made eye contact with Severus, giving him a flirtatious and bashful grin before averting her eyes to the floor. The stoic, brooding man was standing there, mouth agape, staring at her. She felt so powerful at that moment. What she was about to do pained her as much as it pleased her.

She walked right past the dark wizard, ever so slightly brushing past his arm as she met up with her date. Ivan stood behind Severus, proudly and seductively reaching his hand out to reach Olivia's, bringing the dorsum of her hand to his lips in greeting.

"Krasiv", the Bulgarian whispered in his native tongue before translating it to her, calling her beautiful. Ivan, she had to admit, was quite sexy. He had short, dark brown hair, styled closer to a muggle man than a wizard. He had a playful leer to his expression which made her knees weak. It was nice to feel wanted, after all. He had on his black, tailored dress robes but beneath them he wore a white silk dress shirt and a vest of crushed black velvet, embroidered with elegant silver scrollwork. Complimenting his outfit, he had a long, black walking cane which made him look regal; pure blooded. He was shorter than Severus, but definitely taller than Olivia and by the looks of him, quite strong. She blushed at the gentlemanly gestures he provided her and tried her best to ignore the feeling of Severus' penetrating glare.

XOX

Professor McGonagall called "Champions over here please!" The four champions and their dates gathered around the elder witch as she told them to wait on one side of the doors as she ushered everyone else inside. Fleur Delacour, who was partnered with Roger Davies, stationed themselves nearest the doors; Cedric and Cho stood next to Harry and his date, Parvati. Harry looked away from them so he wouldn't have to start a conversation. Krum brought up the rear with a blushing Hermione Granger on his arm.

The rest of the students and staff had filed into the Great Hall, awaiting the procession of the champions. Once everyone was settled, Minerva told the champions and their partners to get in line in pairs and to follow her. As the champions filed in, there was a mixture of applause and hatred, as most of the young witches were jealous of the Granger girl. The group of champions walked towards a large round table at the top of the Hall where the tournament judges were sitting.

The walls had been covered in sparkling silver frost, with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the starry, black ceiling. The large house tables had been replaced with about a hundred round tables that could fit a dozen people. Dumbledore smiled happily as the champions approached the dance floor to lead everyone in the waltz.

Snape split his time between laughing internally at the Potter boy fucking up his steps and Weasley growling about Granger practically swooning at Krum; with the desire to either get completely black out drunk or picking a fight with that fucker Ivan for flirting with his witch.

Not your witch, he reminded himself. No, Severus Snape blew his chances at that. Well, all things considered, getting pissed seemed to be the best option. He was sitting at the same table as Olivia, of course. Dumbledore and Minerva, Olivia and Ivan, Maxime and Hagrid; Snape and Karkaroff went stag and reluctantly sat together. Due to the size of Maxime and Hagrid, their table sat fewer people than the others.

XOX

After the opening waltz, the dance floor was opened for all attendees. The music wasn't quite Snape's style, not that he would've danced anyway. He just wanted to sit and get drunk until it was his turn to make rounds outside to stop any "fun" the teens might be having in the carriages.

Severus' table was mostly empty at this point, save for himself and Minnie. He held his glass of wine between his cupped hands, rubbing his thumb over the lip of the goblet, lost in thought. His obsidian eyes were locked on the young, beautiful Miss Wright. He couldn't resist watching her hips grind against the Durmstrang's pelvis. The woman could dance. It was obscene, the movements her body made.

She was practically fucking the guy! Was that for Severus' attention? Did she even remember his shitty existence anymore or was she just warming the lad up for the shag she would most assuredly be giving him later that evening.

His whole body was going stiff, and any poor sod who happened to look towards him immediately pissed themselves at the scowl he had permanently fixed upon his face.

Minerva looked over at her friend, observing his self-hatred, dying to get the ball rolling for Olivia. "She looks absolutely radiant this evening; don't you think Severus?"

"And who might you be referring to Minnie?" He responded coolly.

"Quit your whining Severus. She likes you for some bloody reason, despite your hot head and ability to be a complete arsehole. Man up and ask her to dance!"

Severus removed his gaze from the dance floor, instead focusing on his fingernails that he was now inspecting. He would try to appear indifferent.

"Severus... please," Minerva stated gently.

The man let out a huff of air. Dumbledore approached Severus and informed him it was time to start his patrol. Just as well. He had almost made a fool of himself by going after someone who clearly didn't want him anymore. He wrapped his black cloak around himself before striding out of the castle. Minerva clicked her tongue in disapproval. Severus was going to lose her if he didn't try harder... but come to think of it, where was Olivia anyway? The witch made her way down to the dance floor in search of her friend.

XOX

Olivia had been flirting with Ivan during their dinner and throughout the evening. Simple things that were visual enough for Severus to notice but not enough to make it obvious. Truth be told, she had a hard time understanding Ivan with his thick accent, but he seemed to be a gentleman, and good looking at that.

Ivan had asked her to dance when an upbeat song started playing. She loved dancing and was determined to enjoy herself after having sucked back a few glasses of wine in an attempt to forget the Potions Master. Ivan reached a handout to her and escorted her onto the dance floor.

He initiated their dance with a twirling motion, allowing Olivia's beautiful dress to open like a blooming flower with the lacy tops of her stockings on full display, the gown barely allowed her to keep her full modesty. He clutched her hand to spin her back towards him. Ivan placed his hands on her shoulders, slowly dragging his hands across her torso..., lightly gliding across the underside of her breasts with his left hand, delicately turning her hips so her back was flush against his chest. Using his right hand to press against her tummy to keep her against his strong chest, he allowed his left hand to trail down her side, across her waist and down to feel her bare thigh. He traced his fingers along the lace of her stockings causing a delightful shiver to run over her.

Olivia walked behind him, rubbing her back against his own while she searched the crowd for Severus' eyes. Ivan turned, grabbing her waist once again. She turned her head to the side, elongating her neck to allow the Bulgarian to nip and kiss. She was losing herself to him in front of everyone. She could feel his shaft stiffening beneath the placket of his trousers, and she couldn't help but arch her back, rubbing against his pelvis. Ivan caught her earlobe between two sharp teeth, causing her to gasp sensually.

He leaned down and whispered to her, "You're perfect." His voice immediately brought her back into the present. These weren't the hands she wanted on her, these weren't the lips she wanted on her, and that wasn't the voice she was longing to hear.

Olivia was finishing the dance with him, suddenly distracted and looking for Severus. He seemed indifferent to her, conversing with Minerva and fiddling with his nails. He actually didn't care. After the song ended, she excused herself from Ivan, walking outside. She needed the fresh, cold air to stop the burning tears that were building up and threatening to fall.

Severus Snape truly didn't care about her, she thought. She had dressed up for him and tried to make him jealous... she just wanted him to make a move! A physical move... no more innuendo, no more teasing..., a genuine act to show he wanted her as she wanted him. That wasn't going to happen. Was it?

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she could hear the crunch of snow of someone quickly coming up behind her. She felt a warm hand grab her shoulder, spinning her slightly so he could press her against the cold, outer wall of the castle. He caged her in with his hands as his mouth aggressively found hers, forcing his tongue inside as an attempt to claim her, make her his. She placed her hands against his chest, trying to push him away and get some air. He pushed harder into her, rutting his hardened cock against her thigh. These were the touches and actions she had been craving from Severus. She wanted him to take her, use her, fuck her.

But this wasn't Severus Snape. No, he was outside patrolling. This was a very angry Ivan Korshunov, and he was going to take what she had been hinting at all evening.