I do not claim ownership to any of J.K. Rowling's characters, and I'm not making any money from this. It's simply for a larf. Please R&R. Thanx. ~ZiMsta~
THE DANCE
"How old is she?" a woman's voice brought Genevieve back to consciousness. She didn't move, or open her eyes. She just listened. "She is only nineteen" She heard Snape's voice. "Nineteen? Don't you think she's a bit young for this?" the woman's voice asked. "Do not let her age fool you, Selena. She has a fire beneath her that will not easily be extinguished." Snape reassured the woman. Genevieve decided to make her presence known, sitting up so suddenly that the woman screamed.
"Who in the hell do you think you are!?" Genevieve yelled at Snape, observing her surroundings at the same time. She seemed to be in some sort of quaint cottage, or cabin. "Forgive me for what I had to do, Miss Hemlock. But our present location had to remain in the utmost secrecy." Snape explained, standing from the chair he had been sitting in. "Well, Christ! Haven't you ever heard of a blindfold? You shouldn't do things like that to me!" Genevieve growled.
"Genevieve, don't blame Severus for what happened. I asked him to do it. He, and only a select few others alone, know where my home is." The woman, Selena, clarified. Genevieve took her in. She was beautiful. She had black, shimmering hair that reached her elbows. She was tall and thin, with voluptuous breasts. Her skin was a soft olive shade, and her eyes were a mixture of dark brown and bright green. Genevieve basically looked like a wretch in comparison. "Are you hungry?" Selena asked, walking out of the room. "Just as long as I am fed proper food, and not some potion." Genevieve said, giving Snape a nasty look. She was taken aback when Snape actually smiled at her. "I assure you that I will warn you prior to giving you another potion." He turned and followed Selena out of sight, to what Genevieve assumed was the kitchen. Genevieve fell back into her pillows, crossing her arms and pouting.
Who in the name of Merlin was this Selena, woman? And why was Snape suddenly so jolly? Had she given him that look at Hogwarts, he would have had her head on a silver platter. And there should be a law against being so beautiful. Selena was like a living goddess. She was likely the cause of Snape's severe 180° in attitude. What was Selena to him? A best friend? A lover? Genevieve was jealous, and she wasn't sure what she was jealous of. Selena's radiant beauty, or her ability to capture Snape's attention in such a way. Perhaps it was both.
She ate her breakfast in silence, watching closely as Selena and Snape conversed by the fire. They sat close to one another, smiling and laughing. She had never seen Snape laugh this way before. It made her angry. What was so special about this woman, aside from her obvious beauty? How could she reach that level of Snape's personality that was so well hidden from others? It infuriated Genevieve as she ripped apart her toast, cramming bits of it into her mouth.
"Genevieve, would you like to come out to the garden with me?" Selena asked, standing up. Genevieve swallowed her toast quickly, looking at her. "Alright." She answered simply. Selena took her plate, smiling. "Follow me." She said, and Genevieve stood up, following Selena while completely avoiding eye contact with Snape. She was afraid of what her eyes might reveal if they were to meet his. She followed Selena through the kitchen and out the back door. Her eyes were greeted by a luscious, thick green forest, and a garden full of vibrantly coloured flowers. It was the most beautiful garden she had ever seen, suiting its owner well. She almost forgot why she was angry.
"I was a great fan of your father's, Genevieve. I was sorry to hear about his death." Selena said, bringing a bundle of cherry blossoms to her nose. "Thanks." Genevieve said, trying not to let the anger that she was feeling register in her voice. "How long have you known Professor Snape?" She suddenly blurted. Selena looked at her, smiling enough to show her perfect white teeth. "I've know Severus all of my life." She said simply. Genevieve shifted on her feet, feeling nervous.
"What is it you want to ask me?" Selena inquired, walking up to her. Genevieve didn't really know what to say, or how to put it. "Wellyou and the Professorare youin love?" Genevieve stumbled, her face blushing. Selena sort of laughed. "Well, of course we are in love. Severus is my brother." Genevieve let out her pent up breath with a heavy sigh. "Your brother. Of course." She said, smiling. Selena laughed again. "Yes, of course. What did you think?" she asked. Genevieve shook her head. "Nothing, nothing. I was just jumping to conclusions." She admitted.
"Oh. I see. Severus is a rather strange man, Genevieve. But he is a kind man, though he may not show it. And I can tell that he sees something in you worth fighting for. He needs someone like you, Genevieve. He has been hurt throughout his life. And I believe that you will be the one to heal him." Selena explained, handing her a deep purple flower. She took a moment to let what Selena had said sink in. "Me? I just can't see that. Snape can barely say a kind word to me without cringing." She said, smelling the flower. "Well, I'll admit that he's not really one for opening up to people. But you have to give it time. And there is one thing that you must absolutely, unquestionably be certain of, Genevieve." Selena gave her a very penetrating look.
"Do you love him?" Selena asked the question of all questions. Genevieve did not hesitate, whatsoever. "Yes. I do love him." She revealed. She held no giddy smiles, or girly giggles. Just the strait forward answer. She had known for a while that she was in love with him, but never had the courage to admit it. Even to herself.
"Then that is all you need. But do not force that on Severus. He will come to recognize it in his own time. Be patient." Selena took Genevieve's arm in hers. "Come. We have a ball to prepare for." She said with a smile. "What ball?" Genevieve asked. "You'll see. And you can borrow one of my dresses. I have one that will look perfect on you." Selena grinned at her, leading them both back into the house. Snape was still sitting by the fire, gazing into it.
"Severus, we are going upstairs to prepare for the ball. You will be going as well, so get ready." Selena ordered. He stood up, that disapproving look returning to his face. "I don't believe it would be prudent to go parading about at a ball, when there are more serious matters to be taken care of. I do not see why I have to go." He said like he was a young boy complaining to his mother. "It's quite simple. To socialize, and dance." Selena said cheerfully. "I do not dance, Selena. And there is no one worth socializing with. It is a waste of time." He grunted. "Oh, dear Severus, you will go and you will enjoy yourself!" Selena demanded with a laugh. With that, she and Genevieve went up a set of stairs, and eventually into Selena's room.
"Sit here on the bed." Selena told her, heading over to a wardrobe. Genevieve obeyed, watching Selena happily. She was relieved to know that Selena and Severus were brother and sister, not lovers. She had never felt jealousy like that before, and she did not care to feel it again. "Ah! Here it is." Selena grabbed Genevieve's attention, holding out a long, beautiful emerald green dress. It seemed very familiar to Genevieve, and she wasn't sure why.
****
By the time they had finished sculpting, primping, and decorating, Genevieve looked just as beautiful as Selena. The emerald green dress fit her perfectly, elongating her neck and bringing out her curves in all the right places. Selena had certainly done a number on her hair, as well. Granted, she had used her wand, but she was like an artist at work. Her hair was curled and piled in a bun at the back of her head, ringlets falling around her neck and face. Selena had even added small black roses and enchanted sparkles that danced even without light. Genevieve looked absolutely radiant.
"I've told Severus to go ahead of us. He still isn't very thrilled about the whole idea." Selena said, coming back into the room. Genevieve slipped on her cloak, unable to keep the smile from her face. "Genevieve, you look amazing. There is no way my brother is going to able to give you anything but compliments tonight." Selena smiled, putting on her cloak as well. "Shall we?" They both stood in the middle of the room, side by side, and disapperated.
Genevieve was surprised to see where they ended up. She had expected to apperate into a grand ballroom, but instead she found herself in the middle of a forest, surrounded by seemingly hundreds of dancing witches and wizards. "Come on. Let's go find Severus." Selena said, taking Genevieve's arm and leading her into the sea of dancers. You never would have guessed that Voldemort had risen to power again. Every face she saw held a smile, and the music was cheerful, accompanied by laughter. She kept her eyes out for Snape, very nervous about what his reaction would be toward her. All she wanted was a word of kindness or maybe even a smile. She wasn't going to get her hopes up, however, because this was Snape she was talking about. That was like expecting Voldemort to buy everyone a pony.
"There he is." Selena said, pointing toward the edge of the trees. Genevieve saw him, standing by himself and looking very perturbed about his present surroundings. "My poor brother. Incredibly intelligent man, but couldn't even give you the definition of 'fun' or 'enjoyment'. We have just the thing to cheer him up, though, don't we?" Selena said with a childlike playfulness. They moved toward Snape, who hadn't noticed them until they were right in front of him.
"It's about time." He snapped, looking at Selena. Genevieve held her breath, waiting for him to notice her. He did, looking at her face briefly, then looking back at Selena. "I don't understand why I have to be here. We are wasting valuable time." He complained. Genevieve's heart fell right to her feet. He didn't even notice her dress, or her hair. He looked at her like she was just another of the multitude of dunderheads he had to deal with daily. It took a tremendous amount of effort to hold back the tears that were threatening her eyes.
"Severus, you will soon find the time more worthy than you think. And where are your manners? Aren't you going to compliment Genevieve?" Selena asked, but Genevieve was already walking away. How could she be so foolish to think that Snape would actually care how she looked? Beautiful dresses and styled hair weren't going to get his attention. She could probably dance naked in front of him and he wouldn't even flinch.
She wanted to get away from all of this. She wanted to be where she was six months ago. At home with her father, playing music and talking. Going to the park with a boyfriend that loved her. Studying for her N.E.W.T.S. outside under the clear blue sky. Not here. Not now. Without her mother, without Voldemort, and certainly without Snape.
****
Genevieve was asked to dance by at least a dozen men, and though her heart wasn't really in it, she accepted their requests with a smile. At least they found her attractive. She tried not to think of Snape, and hadn't seen him since their last encounter. Had she seen him, she would probably burst into tears, making a complete fool of herself. Or, she would have screamed at him at the top of her voice, telling him what an insensitive bastard he was being. Also causing her to look like a dolt.
She decided to rest for a while at the edge of the forest, watching the others dance rather than participating herself. She noticed Selena dancing with a rather handsome fellow, and looking quite happy about it at that. Genevieve sighed, just about to take a drink of her Nettle Wine, when someone grabbed her arm, pulling her into the forest. She tried to scream, but a hand quickly silenced her mouth. The person wrapped their arm around her waist, holding her close. She let out a slight whimper as she felt their breath against her cheek.
"You look ravishingly exquisite this evening, Miss Hemlock." Genevieve's body melted in Snape's arm as his silky voice touched her ear. He removed his hand from her mouth, and allowed her to turn around. She had a difficult time doing it, though. She felt as if someone had put the jelly legs curse on her. She looked up at Snape, and he was giving her a very intense gaze. "Thank you." She said quietly, her voice obviously thrown off as well. Snape took one of her hands, placing it on his shoulder, then took her other hand. He laced his fingers through hers, then placed his other hand on her waist. "Dance with me." He said, looking her strait in the eyes. She cautiously obeyed.
They began to waltz, swaying to the music that filtered through to them from the main ball. For someone who said they didn't dance, Snape was doing a very good job. He was very relaxed, pulling her gently along into the thickening forest. She frequently had the urge to pinch herself. Surely this had to be a dream.
"Did Selena put you up to this?" She asked, hoping that his answer would be no. "Miss Hemlock, no one 'puts me up' to anything. You should know that." He said, never taking his eyes from hers. She couldn't help but smile. He didn't think that she was a dunderhead, and she knew that now. "Genevieve" Snape got her attention, calling her by her first name for the first time. "Ordinarily, I would not give a damn, as I have said. But I need to know" He seemed to be having a hard time stringing his words together, but Genevieve read between the lines.
"I like you, sir. You are mean to me an more often than not, thoroughly uncaring. But you have been kind to me during some of my darkest hours. And for that reason" Genevieve was having a terrible time spitting the phrase out. She wanted to say it so badly, because she knew that it was the truth. But her mind was interrupted when Snape pulled away from her, letting out a strange noise. "What's wrong?" Genevieve asked with concern. Snape grabbed his left forearm, just as he had done in the mirror of Erised, groaning with pain. "Severus" Genevieve called to him desperately. "Find Selena. Both of you must leavenow." He gasped. Without another word, he disapperated, leaving her alone in the darkness. She stood still only for a moment, then ran back to the swarm of dancers.
