Halloween came soon to Hogwarts in all the spending glory as it had for years before. Enchanted pumpkins, live bats, dancing skeletons and of course the usual ghosts adorned the Great Hall as the hour for the ball drew near. Elsewhere not everyone was in such a festive mood. Ron and Harry had been refusing to speak to Hermione since she'd told them who she was going too the ball with.

* * * * **

"He's a Snape Hermione!" Ron called out, exasperated.

"He looks just like professor Snape, is that the face you really want to kiss?" Harry sneered.

"I don't need to explain myself to you or anyone else. And for the record you two are being such jerks!" Hermione exploded angrily.

It had been the last time she'd talked to them in three weeks. Neither Harry nor Ron wanted to admit that they had been in the wrong or were being unfair. And Ron didn't feel like rehashing the same behaviour he'd displayed when she'd attended the Yule Ball with Victor Krum three years before. He and Harry had discussed his jealousy over the matter exactly once; afterwards it had never been brought up. Harry remembered how it had driven him mad when his two friends fought. He knew they'd have to swallow their pride and get on with Salazar, if nothing more than to keep Hermione happy, but he'd be damned if he made the first gesture.

***********

Recalling the shouting match with Hermione three weeks ago, Harry waited in exasperation for Ron to stop sulking so they could find their dates and hit the ball. Salazar bumped him on the way our. "Excuse me Harry."

"No problem" the addressed said with a trace of sarcasm.

"Look, you don't like me, I don't care but come on be civil for Hermione's sake." Salazar stated baldly, not hiding the fact that he liked the idea perhaps less than Harry himself did.

"I'll try. No promises." Harry said.

"Fine." Snape said as he stuck his hand out for Harry to shake it.

Reluctantly Harry shook with him before the two went their separate ways. Luckily for them, the two didn't see each other at the ball. Harry had taken Pavarti Patil to the ball; while Ron went with a Ravenclaw girl that Harry wasn't familiar with. Hermione and Salazar were dancing the night away and in their own little world.

"I'm glad you came with me Hermione."

"So am I. I haven't been too one of these in ages." She smiled.

"Oh, couldn't get a date?" He deadpanned.

"Well, it was more like there was nobody I wanted to go with."

"Then I'm doubly honoured m'lady" Salazar said as he bent to kiss her hand like a true gentleman.

As he bent too get back up, he suddenly clutched his arm and tumbled to the ground. "Salazar!" Hermione cried and knelt beside her fallen date.

"I'm fine," he said still cradling his left arm, "I just need to get some fresh air."

As Hermione and Salazar made their way outside, something strange was happening in the Slytherin dungeons……..

Severus had been grading his latest test batch of test papers and mumbling at the ineptness of so many students to remember the difference between the uses of dragon's blood and dragon sinew. As he was underlining question four in red, a great pain ripped through his left arm and localized on his forearm. He rolled up his sleeve, dreading what he would find, but needing too look.

His heart stopped when he finally got the guts too looks. It wasn't only the dark mark on his arm that felt painful. His entire arm looked as if it was fading in and out of focus. This went on for about a minute and when it finally passed he was astounded with what he saw. He bolted for the door with such urgency he failed to even shut the door behind him.

* * * *** * **

"You feeling any better?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah, I don't know what happened. It was odd." Salazar said, absently stroking his arm.

"Do you want to see the nurse?"

"No. I'd rather enjoy this time with you. I'll get it checked out later, I promise." Salazar said reaching for her hand.

"That's nice to hear," she said softly, looking into his eyes. They moved towards each other, lips nearly touching when another wrench went through Salazar. This time it was something much bigger, and much more annoying in his estimation. "Uncle Snape, what do you want?"

"Sorry to bust your little party of two up, but there is an urgent matter that we must address with the Headmaster immediately." Severus said, his face much paler than usual.

It occurred to him that the older Snape could have felt the pain he felt in his arm as well, and if Severus' face was anything to go by, it was serious. "Hermione, I'll see you later. I'm sorry," he said as he leaned in to give her a quick kiss.

The look on Severus' face was incredulous as he watched his boyish self kiss the most intelligent woman he'd ever known. With no time to expand further on that thought, he took off with 'Salazar' in tow. They reached Dumbledor's office and burst in without ceremony.

"Is something wrong Severus?"

Instead of answering, Snape rolled his sleeve up and again bared his arm. "It's gone." He said simply.

TBC