Disclaimer: I only own Katya, the plot, and the clothes on my back.

~ You Know You Want To ~

"Come in," Dumbledore's voice answered to Severus's knock.

"Professor, I must speak with you concerning the Diggorys' party," he began as he walked across the room.

Dumbledore remained silent so Severus continued, "I was just thinking that we couldn't very well leave the students here all on their own. So I wanted to volunteer to stay here."

Dumbledore gave a sigh, "Severus, I thank you for your willingness to miss out on the party, but it's been taken care of. Poppy decided it wouldn't be wise to leave the hospital wing unattended and Madame Pince decided to stay in order to keep kids out of the Restricted Area. On top of that we have Professor Flitwick whose wife can't make it and he obviously can't find another date. Professor Trelawney volunteered and I let her because there's no telling what she might say in front of the Diggorys. Not to mention our very responsible head boy, head girl, and prefects."

"Do you really think four teachers, Mr. Malfoy, and Miss Granger is enough?"

"Yes Severus, so don't worry. You don't have to miss out on yet another party. In fact, I won't let you."

Severus nodded his head in defeat. So much for that plan, he thought as he got up and walked towards the door.

"Oh, Severus,"Dumbledore called after him. Severus turned around. "I understand that Professor Poiston does not have a date yet," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

Severus shook his head as he left the round office and descended down the moving staircase. Maybe Dumbledore had a point though. Maybe Professor Poiston would go with him. After all, she had said she wanted to be friends. Snape smirked to himself as he stepped off the stairs and out into the corridor. He needed to find Katya.

* * *

Katya was just heading towards the kitchens for a snack when Snape found her.

"Katya!" he called. He was amazed at how easily her name rolled off it's tongue. It really is a beautiful name, he thought.

She turned around, "It's Professor Poiston if you don't mind."

Severus rolled his eyes, "You were the one who said you wanted to be friends. Don't friends call each other by their first names?"

Now it was Katya's turn to roll her eyes, "Yes they do. So, what do want?"

"I need to talk to you," he said suddenly feeling very nervous.

"Very well, then you may accompany me to the kitchens for a snack."

Snape raised an eyebrow, "As I understand it we aren't supposed to go to the kitchens."

"Nonsense! I go there all the time. And if I don't get some food in me I'll positively perish!"

"Yes, but you could risk your job and . . ."

"Severus," she interrupted. He felt a surge of joy when she said his name. "Newsflash! Dumbledore doesn't care. In fact, he's the one who showed me where they are."

"Oh," Snape said as he began to follow her down a flight of stairs.

"Well? Didn't you have something to talk to me about?" she asked after they had walked in silence for a few minutes.

"Yes, um, Katya?" But he was interrupted by the Dream Team. He and Katya had just arrived at the picture of the fruit bowl and just as she had gone to tickle the pear, the painting had opened to reveal Harry, Ron, and Hermione leaving the kitchens with their arms full of goodies.

"Pro - professor Snape!" they cried in unison, "Professor Poiston!"

Severus was about to tear into them and possibly give them detention when he felt a hand on his arm. It was Katya. "Professor Dumbledore doesn't care, remember?" she whispered as if she had read his thoughts. Then, turning to the dream team, she said, "Harry, Ron, Hermione. How are you all?"

"Great, thanks," Harry replied. His voice was shaky and he eyed the two professors nervously.

"That's good," Snape said, trying to be cordial. But at the moment he was all too aware of the hand still resting on his arm.

"Well, we'd best be heading back to the common room," Hermione said quickly, looking uncomfortable. Her two companions nodded and they hurriedly walked away.

Katya took her hand off of Severus's arm, much to his chagrin. She was about to ask him what he had wanted to say when they were once again interrupted. This time by the house elves .

"Professor Poiston!" the cried, "and Professor Snape! You wants food? We gets it for you. What you want?" They brought out all kinds of food for the two to pick from. Snape watched as Katya took several things, joking with the house elves as she did. Realizing Severus wasn't taking anything, Katya said, "Come on Sev! Loosen up! Take something, you know you want to."

Snape smiled (yes, he actually smiled!). Spotting an elf carrying eclairs he quickly approached it. The elf, seeing him come at such a speed, cried, "Oh please, professor! Don't hurts DinDin!"

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just wanted some eclairs, they look delicious."

The elf smiled, "They is, sir! DinDin made them from his own special recipe! Here takes some more!"

Finally satisfied that that they had all the food they wanted, Katya and Severus left the kitchen. Realizing that he needed to ask her now before they had anymore interruptions Severus nervously cleared his throat.

"Um, Katya?"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering, well, that thing at the Diggorys', well, I heard you didn't have anyone to go with and I don't either so, well, I was wondering if you, maybe, wanted to go together." What was happening to him? He couldn't even speak a coherent sentence!

Katya stopped, "Sev, are you asking me out on a date?"

"Well, yes, if you want to. I mean, if you don't I understand. . ."

"Hmmm, I don't know . . ."

Severus was overcome with disappointment, more than he had expected at the prospect of being rejected. But it wasn't just being rejected that hurt, it was being rejected by her. Looking up, though, he saw her smiling face and realized she was teasing.

"Oh come on," he said, "You know you want to."

"You're right," she said, "I do want to go with you and I will!"

Severus couldn't help but smile (woohoo twice in one hour!). She had said yes!

A/N: Wow! Another chapter! Hope you don't mind the little comments I stuck in there. If you did let me know and I'll try not to do it anymore.