The Yule Ball is finally here, and I'm so sorry for the LONG wait, my computer has issues LOL. Thank you to all those who have reviewed my story and to Laura, "If you thought the last chapter was great, then you'll love this one." One small thing, this chapter is VERY LONG, but reads fast. Don't let it deter you from reading it. I took a concept from the film "A Beautiful Mind" (don't worry it has nothing to do with math) and I'm giving credit to Ron Howard for the idea.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters…blah…blah…except Selene.
Italics, like you need to be told again, are characters inner thoughts.
Selene slept sweetly that night, the barrette sitting on the nightstand beside her bed. And awoke Christmas morning to freshly fallen snow on her windowsill and a gentle tapping at the window; it was her owl, Artemis, straining under the immense weight of a box attached to her leg. Selene hurried to the window, opened it, and removed the box from her, as Artemis flew wobbly to her bed and crash-landed. Poor thing, she thought, shaking her head. The package was from her mother and it contained several cakes, a beautiful comb, several Muggle novels by her favorite authors, and new dragon hide boots (just what she needed). Selene inwardly thanked her mother and hoped that the package she had sent made it there in time. Artemis, now rested, was eager to return to the Owlery, so Selene opened the window and she flew away with a gentle hoot. She was opening the stack of presents from students (mostly candy), when she heard another tapping at her window. Artemis is back again, for what now?, she thought as she walked to the window. But she soon realized it was not Artemis, but another owl. She knew it was a Short-Ear Owl by its coloration and face shape, but she didn't know for the life of her who it belonged to. She opened the window and the owl flew in, dropped the package on her bed, and stood in front of it, waiting for something. She stared at the owl, and decided he must be waiting for a thank you. She reached out her hand, he nipped it gently, and satisfied, flew back out the window.
Selene eyed the package warily, shrugged her shoulders, and plopped down on her bed to open it. She undid the gold ribbon and pulled apart the wrapping to find a black cloak inside. She picked up the cloak and it immediately changed color under her fingers. Shocked, she dropped it and stood up from her bed, the cloak retuning to its original black color. Is this what I think it is?, she eyed the cloak closely. She decided it must be and picked it up, a piece of parchment falling from within the folds to land on the floor. The cloak turned a deep green and shimmered as if a thousand stars sparkled within its fabric. Stooping to pick up the parchment, she began to read:
Selene
Happy Christmas.
Severus
Selene smiled broadly and then she realized something, I got him the same thing. Leaving the cloak on her bed and spelling herself dressed she rushed from her chambers and headed straight to Severus'. Reaching his door, quite out of breath, she smoothed her robes out and took a deep breath before knocking. "Enter!" a sharp voice said from somewhere behind the door. She pushed open the door and peeked her head inside. Severus turned to see who it was and his face changed from its usual sternness to a gentle smile.
"Good morning Selene." As Severus spoke she covertly looked over his room, attempting to find the present she sent him and have him not notice she was looking. She succeeded at the first, spotting it on the chair by the fire, and failed at the second.
"Selene, are you looking for something?" he asked her quizzically, her eyes now wide and fixed on him.
"No, Severus. I'm not looking for anything. Nothing at all. Not one single thing." she said quickly, and inwardly she cursed herself for that. Now he knows I AM looking for something, she thought, her hands fidgeting behind her back.
"I think you are looking for something, you simply do not wish to say so." he smiled as he said this, walking toward her, fastening the button on the cuff of his sleeve.
"What makes you thing that, Severus?" she asked him with a shaky voice. If he didn't know before, I just gave it away right then, she thought inwardly.
"Three things actually. Firstly, you're fidgeting. Secondly, the tremor in your voice. And lastly, the fact that you cannot look me in the eyes and you keep looking over at the fireplace." he stated to her in his 'Mr. Know-It-All Professor' voice, but a smile played at the corner of his lips.
He followed her eyes to where she was looking and noticed she was staring at the unopened present on the chair. "Ah, I see. You are wondering why I have not opened your present yet. Thank you for reminding of that." he said as he walked over to the chair, and picked up the present. Great here we go, she cringed as she walked toward him. She watched in trepidation as he undid the ribbon binding the package and took out its contents. The cloak turned blue the second his fingers touched the delicate fabric and he turned to look at Selene.
"This looks oddly familiar. Now where have I seen this before?" tapping his finger on his chin. "Ah, yes. This is the exact gift I purchased for someone else. And it seems as though that person has done the same for me." he said smiling as he turned to look at her. And all Selene could do was smile and hope he liked it.
As if reading her thoughts, Severus added, "I wanted one for myself, but I only had enough Galleons with me to purchase one. I had hoped that someone would by it for me, and lo, it happens. And as they say 'Great minds think alike'. But my main concern is this, does the striking woman I purchased the cloak for like it?" Severus stepped close to her and looked into Selene's eyes.
"She does. So very much." she replied, beaming up at him. The look in his eyes told her he wanted to kiss her badly, but she looked away, his gaze far too intense for her already weak knees.
"I am most pleased." he whispered as he placed a hand on her cheek. Selene sighed and closed her eyes, relishing in the warmth of his fingers on her cheek. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, he was still staring intently at her. He moved in to kiss her, but a loud noise in the hall broke the magic of the moment. Severus walked to the door and stepped into the hallway, Selene followed after him and saw Draco Malfoy accosting a Gyrffindor first year.
"Mr. Malfoy, unhand him at once!" he barked. Malfoy reluctantly let the boy go, and as soon as the boy's feet hit the floor he was off running. "Explain yourself at once." And at that, Malfoy went on and on attempting to explain himself but to no avail.
"50 points from Slytherin. Now get out of my sight!" he snapped and turned to walk back in his chambers.
But Selene was standing there watching him, a grin on her face and her arms crossed.
"What, no detention, Severus?" she said to him, shaking her head.
"It is Christmas after all, I must show some kindness. At least let him think he is getting off easy. But mark my words, when he returns from holiday, he will have detention."
Selene laughed, "Now that's the Severus I know."
"On a lighter note, about tonight. I would like for you to meet me at the Great Hall doors at 7:45 and be prepared for a wonderful evening." he smiled as he strode past her into his room.
"See you then." And she walked back to her chamber.
The rest of the day passed by quickly, a haze of wizard chess games with students and flying with Harry and Ron. Dusk had fallen as she made her way to her chambers to ready herself for the Ball. She found her dress laid out on her bed and her shoes beneath it. Merlin bless those house elves, as she slipped out of her robes and stepped into the bathroom for a short bath. While drying her hair in a towel, she thought of the kiss that nearly happened. She had dreamt about kissing him, how his lips would feel on hers, and she had also dreamt about *other* things, things only she and her journal knew about. Using a spell she dried the rest of hair and picked the dress up from the bed, stepping into it. Fastening the eyes in the back and zipping the zipper on the lower back portion of the dress, she admired herself in the mirror. "Stunning, my dear." the mirror said to her.
The dress accentuated the best, from her tall frame and broad shoulders to her thin waist and long, shapely legs. The gown was off the shoulder and emerald green with matching satin trim. It was not tight but it hugged her body in all the right places and grazed the floor slightly in its length. The reverse side was a web of straps that criss crossed her back, exposing her delicate sun-kissed skin. She stepped into her strappy black high heels, and picked up the barrette from her nightstand. She opened the clasp and placed it in her hair, but before she could fix her hair the way she wanted it, the barrette had done her hair for her, sweeping it into a graceful up-do. Making a mental note to thank Severus at length for the barrette, she grabbed her emerald lace shawl and walked to the Great Hall. 7:40, she thought, good I'm early. She saw numerous students trying to find their dates within the massive crowd of people, calling across the room and waving to get others attention.
That's when Selene saw him, by the wall on the other side of the crowd, his back to her. She circled around the crowd, boys gawking open-mouthed, their dates hitting them on the arm. He turned as if he felt someone staring at him, and he saw her. A vision of beauty, like no other woman he had ever seen. All Severus could do was stare, he knew that it was impolite to do so, but he could not tear his eyes from her, drinking in every inch of her from her big brown eyes and their long lashes to her smooth, fragile skin and petite waist. The fact that the dress was long left Severus to wonder at the shape of her legs and then a wicked thought surfaced how might they feel wrapped around his naked flesh. Think with your mind and not your crotch, as he blinked to push the thought from his mind.
Selene found herself staring as well, for she was meet with an equally captivating image. He stood before her all in black, but for once the ensemble was not intimidating, rather, it was romantic in a sense. The shirt clung to his chest and shoulders and his slacks formed to his long legs, exposing the fact that he had an athletic body, one she had never seen, since his robes usually hid everything from view. Wrapped around his shoulders was a heavy wool cloak, fastened in the front with a silver snake clasp. "Good evening Severus." she managed to croak out. Standing very straight and bowing to her, he replied, "Good evening Selene."
Professor McGonagall entered the corridor at that moment, opening the doors to the Great Hall and inviting the teachers to enter first. Severus offered Selene his hand, and she took it, reveling in the warm strength and tenderness she felt from his fingers. He led her through the doors and the sight she saw took her breath away. No expense was spared, as the Hall was brimming with decorations of all sorts. Holly and ivy hung from the walls like live tapestries and heavily decorated Christmas trees touched the ceiling, their branches seemed to be afire with bright white light. She felt something feather light on her shoulder and looked up to find it was snowing softly, the snow was enchanted to melt before it hit the floor, saving the wizards major clean up time. He steered her to a table by the roaring fireplace, and pulling out a chair, he offered her the seat closest to the fire. The table sat only two and Severus sat across the small round table, facing her. The table centerpiece consisted of a lantern with an ever-burning candle inside, the flame flickering in a kaleidoscope of colors. A snow globe sat next to the lantern, a spell placed on the objects inside, a never-ending scene of snowball fights and horse-drawn sleigh rides through the snow. And around both objects, a wreath of pine boughs and pine cones. They waited as the children filed into the hall taking their seats at tables, each one seating 10. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall followed after the children, the doors closing behind them. Dumbledore was dressed as Father Christmas, much to the delight of the children and the humor of the staff. Severus rolled his eyes, but Selene could tell he was trying very hard not to smile.
Buffet tables ran the length of both walls and its golden platters lay empty waiting for delicious food to be placed upon them. Once everyone was seated and the room went quiet, Dumbledore stood and spoke, "Happy Christmas everyone! And welcome to this year's Yule Ball. The evening will begin with dining and social conversation. It will then continue with dancing till midnight. Now without further a due, let the feast begin!" With that he clapped his hands, and food filled the buffet tables. Teachers and students alike went to get their food and returned to their tables to enjoy food and conversation. Severus and Selene talked over glasses of wine and plates of turkey and potatoes. For her, the world floated away as she listened to his words and the form of his lips as he spoke. Little did she know he hung on her every word, allowing her voice to flow over him like silk. Dinner was soon over and the dancing was about to begin. Dumbledore asked everyone to stand up and move to the sides of the room. The dinner tables vanished and a dance floor appeared in its place, the buffet tables shrinking enough to hold containers of butterbeer and cups and he placed them at the corners by the Christmas trees.
Out of the corner of Selene's eye, she saw that Severus looked very nervous, as he stood extremely straight and stared straight ahead.
"Severus, are you alright?" she asked as she leaned to him.
"Oh. I'm fine, Selene." he replied swallowing hard.
"You know, you're a better wizard than you are a liar." she said, suppressing a giggle.
He turned to face her and said, "Very funny." Selene just smiled, and he closed his eyes and shook his head. A waltz began to play, and she turned to him in expectation. He pretended not to notice as students and teachers took the floor and began dancing.
Taking matters into her own hands, she asked, "Severus, would you care to dance?"
His brow furrowed, and he said, "Am I not supposed to ask you to dance?"
"Well, I don't see you asking me."
"I was about to." he replied.
"Then ask me." as she crossed her arms in mock frustration, but not being able to hold it, she laughed.
He cleared his throat, and offering her his hand, asked softly, "May I have this dance?" She took his hand and smiled. He led her out on to the dance floor and placing a hand at her waist and taking her other hand in his, they began to dance. His hand was warm to the cool bare skin at her back, and she could not help but notice what a wonderful dancer he was, twirling her around the dance floor, their eyes locked together. Her skin is like satin beneath my fingers, like nothing I have ever felt, he thought as his fingers involuntarily moved against her flesh. She closed her eyes at this, leaning against him, silently asking him to touch her like that again. I think she felt that, but I could be wrong, he mused as he moved his hand again, deliberately this time, in a circular pattern, feeling more of her skin beneath his hand. She drew in a breath sharply, and this time he knew that she had felt it. Inwardly he smiled, but decided against doing it again, rather he wanted to enjoy this dance, this closeness, with her.
The night wore on and she danced with the three winners in turn, Fred Weasley wanted to dance to a fast song since he couldn't slow dance or so he said. Marcus Flint requested a slow dance and his hands kept going places where they should not have been, so Selene decided to put a stop to it and she stepped on his foot, claiming it was an accident. As she finished the dance with him, she looked over and found Severus trying his best not to laugh out loud at what she had done to Marcus. But the slow dance with Harry reminded her of the time she had danced with James so many years ago. She could tell he was very nervous, but hid the fact that she knew very well. When the dance was over, she thanked him and walked over to Severus. The play list hung magically in the air, and she saw that another slow song would be playing soon. I hope he asks me to dance again, I just hope I don't faint when he touches my skin like I almost did before, she prayed as she stood by him.
The dance started before long and he took her out onto the dance floor again, only this time their bodies touched more than before. She relished in the feel of his body against her, and an image of them in a passionate embrace flashed across her mind. She blinked her eyes, in an effort to clear her mind, but with no luck. It only worsened, for the image now moved, like a film in her mind. He was kissing her neck, his hands caressing her body. Her hand was tangled in his hair, while the other fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. This is becoming too much, she thought as she closed her eyes and thought about something completely non-sexual, like flying. It helped her get through the rest of the dance, and everyone clapped as the enchanted instruments finished.
Severus leaned in close to her and asked, "Would you like to see the gardens and their decorations?"
"I would love to." She replied, taking his offered arm and exiting through the great double doors to the outside gardens. The night air was cool against her fire-warmed shoulders and she had forgotten to grab her shawl on the way out of the Great Hall. Selene rubbed her hands together and tucked her arms closer to her body in an effort to warm herself, but she found it only brought goosebumps to her flesh.
"You are cold. Here," as he unclasped his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders, "have my cloak. I would hate to see you fall ill." She pulled it close around her, inhaling his scent as it drifted up to her nose. He smells of old parchment, incense (I believe its Sandlewood), and a smell I can't place, she mused as she inhaled the scent with closed eyes. As they walked along the path, she noticed that the outside was decorated just as opulently as the inside. Fountains bubbled under colored lights, the water flowing in rainbow hues. Fireflies sat on the branches of the Christmas trees and bushes, bathing the air around them in twinkling yellow light. The sky was clear of clouds, offering an unobstructed view of the stars above.
Severus reached out and clasped her hand in his, his eyes wide at the icy feel of her hand. "Your hand is bitterly cold. Allow me to warm your hands for you." he commented as he stopped and turned her to face him. Taking her hands in his, words incoherent as he held them close to his lips and a rush of wondrous warmth flooded across the skin of her hands. She smiled up into his eyes, a silent thank you. They continued along the path, speaking of the Ball and their nervous preparations for it, their insecurities about themselves spilled out in conversation, without either realizing it. Students began to empty from the doors of the castle walking along to pathways and finding seats to talk and cuddle. The path came to a turn that lead them away from the sound of students' voices and back into the silence that once encompassed them. It was not as bright as the previous section of path was, but the walkway was just as beautiful as before. The pathway, a mirror of the sky above, a million tiny jewels of white light on a midnight blanket sky.
"Let me guess, the Astronomy professor thought of this one." she commented as she marveled at the sight before her.
"Yes. He fancies himself quite the romantic." Severus replied with a low chuckle. Hmm that gives me a 'romantic' idea, he mused.
"Pick a shape." he whispered to Selene as he stopped their walk.
"What?" she questioned, not quite understanding why they had stopped or what he was asking.
"Pick a shape. An animal – anything." he replied, smiling down at her and the still puzzled expression on her face.
"Oh. Ok. Umm, a tiger." Selene said, still a little unsure.
At that Severus held his hand over the ground, pointing to specific ones in what seemed to be a pattern. The chosen ones shown brighter than the rest, and they began to move, under the muttered direction of their conductor. The stars came to a stop in the pattern of a…tiger, just like she had asked. The tiger blinked its large, bright eyes at her as he stretched and lay down, his tail twitching all the while.
"Severus, that was amazing." Selene stood wide eyed, amazed at what he had just done.
It worked, he thought as a romantic rush went through him, she liked it.
"Do it again." she exclaimed, trying her best not to seem like a child.
He chuckled low in his throat, and replied "Alright, what would you like?"
"A dragon."
Again his hand moved over the ground, causing certain stars to brighten under his direction. The moved soundlessly into position to the cadence of Severus' unintelligible voice, forming a dragon, who wings flapped in large, rhythmic arcs. He landed on an invisible ground, curling his tail and wings against his body, and closing its great, brilliant eyes in sleep.
Selene was awe struck, even though she knew that Severus was capable of wandless magic, she was still astounded by what he had done. A thought surfaced in her head, to which she told herself 'no way'. But the thought would not leave her mind, and she said to herself, its worth a try, no matter how corny it may seem.
She turned to him and asked, "Could you do that again? This time," as she pointed skyward, "up there."
"I believe I could. What would you like me to do?" he asked her, his eyes staring intently at her.
A mischievous smile crossed her lips, and she stood on tippy-toe to whisper her request in his ear. Severus shuddered at the sound of her whispered voice as it caressed his ear, willing to give her the world if he could. He looked at her, in surprise, but more so in blissful happiness, at her request. He smiled broadly and then, turning his eyes heaven ward, he reached up and moved the stars into their position, the bright requested shape standing out amongst the other stars. He turned to face her and they both grinned at each other.
"Its tradition." she commented lowly, pointing skyward.
"I am familiar with the tradition." he replied, a knowing smile evident on his face.
Before she could say anything else and before he thought twice, his hand reached up and cupped her face. The tension between them was palpable, as he lowered his lips to hers in what began as a gentle kiss. His lips were warm against hers, soft yet unyielding. Moving his hand from her face to run through her hair and come to a rest on the nape of her neck, drawing her deeper into the kiss. He snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her body against his, taking pleasure in the feeling of her lithe frame against him. Her mind reeled at the feel of his firm form pressed against her, her arm winding its way around his neck as her hand traveled through the silky softness of his hair. Taking her bottom lip between his lips, gently sucking on it, then darting his tongue out to run across it. She sighed as she leaned into him, taking the opportunity to taste his tongue. He tasted of wine, as their tongues danced in a intimate waltz. Both were breathless when the kiss was reluctantly broken and all both could do was stare into the other's eyes, a silent communication between two souls. The kiss that had haunted their dreams and their quiet thoughts for long months had finally happened, and it was everything both had wished for. But a need had been created, yet neither knew other the others want for more. The light of the fireflies began to fade, signaling the end of the Ball. Severus and Selene walked hand in hand back to the castle as the image of the mistletoe faded in the night sky.
Ooo the first kiss!! Again I apologize for taking so long to post this chapter, my computer is anal. I will be posting a new chapter sooner than I did this one, so stay tuned. Please R & R, thanks!!
