Harry and Ron looked up as Ginny and Hermione ran into the Great
Hall. Breakfast was over in three minutes, and they were finally showing.
Ron squinted at Hermione, a noticeable line down her face.
"Hermione....can I ask just what that is?" He pointed to the line. Hermione's hand fluttered up to feel the large crease on her skin. She frowned.
"I fell asleep on a book. Sorry guys, but we really don't have any time to talk, food's a waitin'!" The two girls began to pile food on their plate and bolt their food. Harry gave them a funny look. Ginny blushed as he eyed her still-wet hair. He seemed to be looking at her admiringly.
"You look nice today, Ginny." Harry spoke, thinking she needed the compliment. Her clothes were practically thrown on, her blouse was wrinkled and her robes were buttoned oddly. He moved around the table, and Ginny's eyes followed him until he stopped behind her. "Go ahead and eat, and let me fix your buttons." Ginny glanced down as two hands came from around her back and started working at her collar. She seemed to realize that she wasn't moving, and all of a sudden she shoved in another bite. Ron watched her turn as red as her hair and laughed to himself. Hermione chanced a look at the Head Table to see Severus raising an eyebrow at her. He wasn't the only one looked to her table, however. Professor McGonagall gave a heavy frown at the two girls. Hermione looked away quickly, avoiding her Head of House's eyes.
*******************************************
A week later, the Valentine's Day dance was drawing nearer by the minute. By now the whole school knew about it, and there was talk of it everywhere. Hermione was putting the finishing touches on her fireplace. Planning on surprising Severus on the day of the dance, she often snuck out of his bed while he was sleeping and worked on his fireplace in the quiet of the night. They had been spending only a few nights together so as not to arouse suspicion, and Hermione was getting anxious for when she could come and go to his rooms as she pleased. In their last trip to Hogsmeade, Hermione had helped Ginny pick out a new dress robe with the money she had been saving, and she had planned her entire look. Hermione had been collecting flowers for the past few days, which she kept fresh with a simple spell. She was practicing doing her hair with the flowers when a knock came at her window. A black eagle was hovering outside the window, a very large package in its claws. Hermione jumped up when it dawned on her who the eagle belonged to, and opened the window excitedly.
The eagle flew in dramatically and put the package in Hermione's hands before nipping her affectionately. It buried its beak in Hermione's pocket and withdrew one of the treats Hermione always kept for it. It flapped about nobley as the two girls looked at each other. Hermione smiled, and Ginny looked a bit confused.
"Is that Professor Snape's bird?" She asked hopefully. Hermione nodded, and began to undo the string on the package. A gasp was let out as she saw a silvery violet color creeping through the paper. Standing, she held up a long dress. The fabric looked liquid, and the light flowed off it magically. Hermione turned it over in her hands. Long bell sleeves flowed past the corset top, with silken ribbons traveling down the front and lacing down the back. The skirt of the dress poofed with liquid crinoline, and it looked exactly the right size. Ginny stared, speechless. Hermione ran her hands over the fabric. It was cool to the touch, and felt weightless.
"Go on then, Hermione, put it on!!" Ginny breathed. She had found her voice, and was talking happily. "It's good you didn't buy another dress. Did you know he was going to get you one?" Hermione shook her head. "Put it on!!! I want to see, Hermione. It's so beautiful, your favorite color."
The Head Girl raced to take off her clothes. She could hardly contain herself, and with shaking hands she slipped the dress over her head.
A feeling of liquid cool washed over her, and Hermione looked down to see the dress shrinking, pulling in around her waist to fit to her like a glove, yet still feel miraculously loose. Hermione laced the ribbons at the front of the corset and turned so Ginny could help her with the back. She spun in her mirror, noticing how the dress flowed with her every move. The skirt lifted in the air as she moved, and she spun around faster and faster, watching it puff out. A hoot rang out from next to Ginny, bringing Hermione out of a sort of daze.
"Okay Gwydion, hold on. Let me write something for you to take back." She ran to get parchment and a pen. Ginny looked at her. "What am I going to say?"
"Err..." Ginny started. "That it's the most beautiful dress you've ever seen! And that it fits you great, and it's your favorite color. Oh, and that it's really thoughtful and ask how he knew you didn't have a dress to the dance. And that it's perfect and you love it, and him, and." she had to stop for a breath and Hermione laughed. Gwydion walked across her bed impatiently.
"I don't think he'll wait for all that!" She smiled and pointed to the majestic bird. "How about, 'Dear Severus, the dress is the most beautiful and thoughtful gift I've ever received. It's perfect. I cannot even begin to describe my thanks.' No, scratch that." She moved her quill back and forward over the spot. " 'Thank you.'" Tying the paper to the eagle, she opened the window for it to exit, and shut it after he flew away. Turning back to Ginny, she jumped up and down. "I think I've had more excitement this year than I've had my whole life! Come here, Ginny, feel it; it's like water. It feels cool!"
The younger girl joined Hermione in front of her mirror, and ran a hand down her sleeve.
"Wow." She gasped. "Wait till Harry and Ron see you in this!"
Hermione frowned then. "Ginny.what am I going to do about Ron? I know he likes me, and I'm afraid that if I wear this his eyes may just about pop out of his head." Hermione made a motion to illustrate, and Ginny laughed.
"He knows you have a boyfriend, 'Mione, even if he isn't happy about it. Besides, I'm already working on setting him up with Lavender. Maybe he'll be too busy trying to put the moves on her that he won't even notice you!" Ginny smiled. Hermione started to take the dress off.
"I hope you're right, Ginny. I wouldn't want to hurt him." She unlaced herself, and Ginny went to work on the back.
"He'll get over it."
*************************************
The next day was Saturday, and Hermione had a chance to see Severus. She was ecstatic. She couldn't wait to tell him that she had connected their fireplaces, but managed, somehow, to contain herself. It was going to be a surprise for the dance. Hermione had planned on telling Severus that she would meet him in his rooms at a certain time, and then just happen to show up by Floo. She was running through her dramatic appearance, his startled reaction, and amazement.
Severus looked up from his seat on the couch to see a laughing Hermione entering his chambers. Quickly he put down his book and went to her, giving her a deep kiss.
"What's so funny?" he eyed her a little suspiciously. Hermione smiled.
"Oh, you'll find out soon enough." Snape narrowed his eyes at her and gave her a worried look before breaking into a smile. He pulled her into his arms. "I want to thank you again for the dress."
Snape sighed. Hadn't the thousand times she'd previously thanked him been enough? He rolled his eyes, not used to anyone thanking him. "You're welcome." He answered for the thousand and first time. "What do you want to do tonight?" And so began their normal conversation, but Hermione was in an adventurous mood.
"I want to look around...every time I go to thoroughly explore your books I end up getting somehow distracted!" She motioned to the rooms. Snape shrugged.
"There isn't much more, but go ahead." Hermione walked around. She didn't think she'd ever be able to learn all the names of all the books on her lover's shelves. He had such a varied collection, one that had both surprised and impressed her on her first visit into his rooms. Muggle authors like Alice Hoffman, Daphne DuMaurier and Shakespeare laid next to the works of Nicholas Flammel and Miranda Goshawk. Hermione perused the books yet again before turning to his bedroom.
"Do you mind if I go through your closet?" She asked, a girlish cheer coming over her face. "Oh, I'd love to pick out your clothes, and then you can put them on, and I can do you hair. You know, if you really wanted, I could put it in little ickle braids all over." She chortled. Snape frowned.
"Go ahead and amuse yourself, it's through that door. But you are NOT touching my hair." Hermione gave him a quick squeeze on his hand and pulled him to his closet. She began to pull through the hangers...seeing black. Black, black, and for a change of pace, black. Hermione groaned. She was looking through his socks, when she found a nice clean white pair, although they looked as if they'd never been worn. 'Well, that's random.' She thought.
"So...you think Harry's going to ask Ginny to the dance?" Hermione had been talking about her friends to Severus, and he would always listen, even if he did cringe when she mentioned Harry's name. That was one of the things Hermione loved about him, how she could tell him anything and he would never judge her or criticize her. Earlier she had told him about Ginny and Harry, and Ginny's unwavering yet failed attempts to get Harry to notice her.
"No. Potter's got his head too far up..." he stopped when Hermione spun her head around to give him his very own patented death glare. He looked flustered, and Hermione smiled. Only she could do that to him. It had taken him quite a while to lay his emotions out for her, but he had done it. They had an honest relationship, and they each knew if the other was hiding something. He hadn't even gotten mad when Hermione had explained to him that Ginny knew about them. Rather, he was impressed in the girl's intelligence and loyalty to his Hermione. He changed his words. "No, I doubt he'll even notice her."
Hermione sighed. He was probably right, although she was planning to make Ginny so beautiful that he would be an idiot if he couldn't see her. And yet, she was still worried. Turning back to his closet she almost choked. A pair of black leather pants was hiding under an old Slytherin robe. An idea popped into her mind, and a very big, evil grin appeared on her face.
"Would you go as far as to bet on it?" She pondered. Snape looked at her.
"Yes, I would. There's no way in hell."
"Alright." Hermione replied, standing up. "Then it's a bet. What do you want if you win?"
Snape looked around his room, thinking. What did he want? 'It has to be something good, something she won't expect. Something that isn't easy.'
"If I win, I want you to promise never to help Neville Longbottom in my class again." Hermione's smile dropped. "He's got to learn on his own sometime, Hermione. And it's his last year...he has gotten a little better." Snape cringed. He had just complimented Neville Longbottom. He made a face as if he'd just smelled something foul. Hermione brightened.
"Fine." She reached back into the closet. "And now we both know that students and teachers are allowed to wear whatever they want at this dance, as long as it's appropriate. If I win..." She dug out the pants. "You wear these." A grin the size of Montana was seen as Snape fumbled for words. His eyes were wide in amazement.
"I er, I didn't think I still had those. Damn, why did I keep them, haven't been in style since I bought them! They probably don't even fit right anymore." He looked down at her hopefully. Hermione shook her head.
"You done yet?"
Snape nodded reluctantly. "Fine, it's a deal." And they sealed it with a kiss.
***************************************
Before either of them realized it, Hermione and Ginny were sitting on the bleachers on the morning of the dance. They had been given the whole day off, and Harry and Ron were enjoying it by practicing on the quidditch pitch. Ron had finally made it on the team in his last year, though try as he might, he wasn't the all-star Harry was. So there they were, Harry attempting the show Ron the Wronski Feint, which he had perfected some time ago.
The two girls talked excitedly of the evening before them. Ginny was ecstatic. Hermione had talked to Ron, and together they had gotten Harry to ask Ginny to the dance. Hermione smiled, thinking of the outfit she had picked out for Severus to wear.
"Just you wait until tonight, Ginny. You're going to be shocked." Hermione had already told her about the bet. Ginny grinned.
"Snape in leather pants. Somehow it just fits! I bet everyone's going to be shocked!! Can you just see their faces?!" She laughed, a full and rich sound that warmed Hermione despite the chilly air.
"Indeed I can." She rubbed her hands together, and blew on them. Her breath froze in a white cloud in front of her face and Hermione frowned, looking at the two figures darting around the field. "Come on, Ginny, it's cold. Let's go in, we have lots to do!"
They waved to the boys on broomsticks, and the two flew over to them. Hermione and Ginny bid them goodbye, and set off for the castle, a slight skip in their steps.
*************************************************
In Hermione's room Ginny sat, curlers in her hair. Hermione was arranging flowers across her bed, braiding their stems around wire with her wand, making a crown for the redhead. Hermione had an array of tools set across her dresser. Eyeshadows, blushes, lipsticks and glitter lined the entire top, and she was carefully choosing which shade would exactly match Ginny's pale blue gown.
Hermione stood, wearing only a slip and bra. They had two hours until the dance, and she didn't want to risk getting anything on her dress. Her own hair was braided and pinned atop her head. Gently she took out the curlers in Ginny's hair and worked in the flowers, small white ones that were still magically fresh. Bobby pins in her mouth, she pulled her fingers through Ginny's curls and pinned them away from her eyes. Hermione had a muggle boombox on in the background, and the two girls sang to the hit 'Girls just wanna have fun' as Hermione danced around Ginny. She retreated into her bathroom to find a can of hairspray that was infused with thousands of silver sparkles, and popped her head out to give an evil grin at Ginny.
"Should I be scared?" Ginny asked, smiling as Hermione began to put the finishing touches on her hair. They coughed as the chemical smell formed a cloud around them, and Hermione opened a window. She laughed, and Ginny got up from the chair in front of the mirror and motioned for Hermione to take her seat. And so they swapped places, Ginny taking the small braids out of Hermione's locks. Soon Hermione's face was surrounded in layer upon layer of voluminous crimps, and Ginny's skilled fingers twisted strands from the sides of her hair back into spiral shaped bun, leaving the rest to dangle on Hermione's shoulders. She added the same silver glitter spray, and then commenced the makeup process. Hermione sat as Ginny brushed on a light cream foundation, the palest of pales to match Hermione's flawless skin. She dragged a thick black line over her eyelids, and when Hermione opened them her eyes seemed to pop. A silvery shadow highlighted her brow bone, and Ginny colored her lips in a dark raspberry before dusting a light rouge on her cheeks.
Ginny's makeup was slightly more elaborate. Hermione used blue liner to draw scrolls from the outer edges of her eyes back in Egyptian like designs towards her hairline. A peach blush complimented her pale blue eyes and glossy lips. Hermione dusted a sheer glitter over her eyelids, and light danced off of her eyes in every way she moved.
The room was filled with the sweet smells of fruits and spices as perfume was sprayed meticulously over pressure points. Hermione dabbed some on the insides of her wrists before letting some drip down the carved valley between her breasts. Ginny raised an eyebrow at her, and Hermione blushed. She handed the bottle to Ginny.
"Well go on, you never know if you're going to want it there later, do you?" she laughed, and Ginny turned crimson before mimicking Hermione's actions. "You never know, Ginny, Harry might pick tonight to finally open up his eyes and realize that you're not just his best friend's little sister!" It was a doubtful prospect, but Ginny was grateful in that Hermione had hope.
Half and hour later dresses were fluttered over heads, ribbons were being laced, stockings pulled tight. Shoes were being pulled on, with long, slender heels and open fronts. Hermione pulled hers over her vigilantly painted toes. They were silver, with the tiniest stripe of an emerald green along the tip. You would only be able to notice the contrasting colors if you paid close attention, and Hermione was sure that someone would indeed notice. It was the same someone she was going to meet in less than ten minutes. Over the past weeks Harry and Ron had let up on trying to figure out who Hermione's boyfriend actually was. They had had many angry glances from Ginny, and Hermione had been unrelenting in her refusal to give them any hints. When asked if they would share a dance Hermione had simply shrugged. It was hard for her not to be able to be openly escorted to the dance, and she had felt badly when she had turned down Neville and Seamus, but she explained to them that she was hoping on seeing someone else there, although she did promise them dances. For if she was able to dance with Severus, it would do her good to dance with as many boys as possible, and not to draw too much attention to the two of them. Snape had told her that he wasn't sure of whether the professors would join in, but if they did, he promised her he would devise a way to make it over to her.
Hermione grinned. Even if they couldn't share their love in front of everyone, they could dance the night away in front of Severus' fire. The scene flashed in front of Hermione's mind, and she brushed her hands across her dress in a hurry. It was time to meet him. Giving a final look in the mirror, Hermione saw herself standing next to Ginny. They were almost the same height in their heels, with Ginny's being taller than Hermione's. Ginny's flower crown looked resplendent on her, and the younger girl gave off a sort of glow that could only be matched by Hermione's. And glow Hermione did. Her dress shimmered and shone in the light, seemingly liquid as she moved. Her breasts were lifted from the corset top and peaked out from over the top suggestively. She looked like she could be set in another time period, one of tiny waists and men in topcoats and chimney hats. Hermione smiled, then cast her eyes to Ginny. The younger girl was admiring herself with an amazed glint in her eyes. Her rosy cheeks beamed and her lips shined. Hermione took her hand and they gave pretend kisses to their cheeks, not wanting to mess up their lipstick.
"Hate to run, Ginny, but...." She started. Ginny gave a sigh in mock exasperation.
"I know, I know...you have someone waiting for you!" She smiled, and they hugged very carefully. "Thanks for making me beautiful Hermione."
"Ginny, you've always been beautiful, I just helped." She got out her wand and cast a spell over herself. Ginny cocked her head.
"What's that for?"
"It's so I don't get all dirty and messed up during the trip by Floo. I'd hate to have all this preparation go to waste! Thank you, Ginny." And with that she picked up her jar of Floo powder. She threw the powder onto her fireplace, and spoke. "Severus' rooms." Ginny watched as Hermione stepped forward, and disappeared into the cackling flames. Turning, she locked the Head Girl's room, and headed to meet Harry and Ron.
"Hermione....can I ask just what that is?" He pointed to the line. Hermione's hand fluttered up to feel the large crease on her skin. She frowned.
"I fell asleep on a book. Sorry guys, but we really don't have any time to talk, food's a waitin'!" The two girls began to pile food on their plate and bolt their food. Harry gave them a funny look. Ginny blushed as he eyed her still-wet hair. He seemed to be looking at her admiringly.
"You look nice today, Ginny." Harry spoke, thinking she needed the compliment. Her clothes were practically thrown on, her blouse was wrinkled and her robes were buttoned oddly. He moved around the table, and Ginny's eyes followed him until he stopped behind her. "Go ahead and eat, and let me fix your buttons." Ginny glanced down as two hands came from around her back and started working at her collar. She seemed to realize that she wasn't moving, and all of a sudden she shoved in another bite. Ron watched her turn as red as her hair and laughed to himself. Hermione chanced a look at the Head Table to see Severus raising an eyebrow at her. He wasn't the only one looked to her table, however. Professor McGonagall gave a heavy frown at the two girls. Hermione looked away quickly, avoiding her Head of House's eyes.
*******************************************
A week later, the Valentine's Day dance was drawing nearer by the minute. By now the whole school knew about it, and there was talk of it everywhere. Hermione was putting the finishing touches on her fireplace. Planning on surprising Severus on the day of the dance, she often snuck out of his bed while he was sleeping and worked on his fireplace in the quiet of the night. They had been spending only a few nights together so as not to arouse suspicion, and Hermione was getting anxious for when she could come and go to his rooms as she pleased. In their last trip to Hogsmeade, Hermione had helped Ginny pick out a new dress robe with the money she had been saving, and she had planned her entire look. Hermione had been collecting flowers for the past few days, which she kept fresh with a simple spell. She was practicing doing her hair with the flowers when a knock came at her window. A black eagle was hovering outside the window, a very large package in its claws. Hermione jumped up when it dawned on her who the eagle belonged to, and opened the window excitedly.
The eagle flew in dramatically and put the package in Hermione's hands before nipping her affectionately. It buried its beak in Hermione's pocket and withdrew one of the treats Hermione always kept for it. It flapped about nobley as the two girls looked at each other. Hermione smiled, and Ginny looked a bit confused.
"Is that Professor Snape's bird?" She asked hopefully. Hermione nodded, and began to undo the string on the package. A gasp was let out as she saw a silvery violet color creeping through the paper. Standing, she held up a long dress. The fabric looked liquid, and the light flowed off it magically. Hermione turned it over in her hands. Long bell sleeves flowed past the corset top, with silken ribbons traveling down the front and lacing down the back. The skirt of the dress poofed with liquid crinoline, and it looked exactly the right size. Ginny stared, speechless. Hermione ran her hands over the fabric. It was cool to the touch, and felt weightless.
"Go on then, Hermione, put it on!!" Ginny breathed. She had found her voice, and was talking happily. "It's good you didn't buy another dress. Did you know he was going to get you one?" Hermione shook her head. "Put it on!!! I want to see, Hermione. It's so beautiful, your favorite color."
The Head Girl raced to take off her clothes. She could hardly contain herself, and with shaking hands she slipped the dress over her head.
A feeling of liquid cool washed over her, and Hermione looked down to see the dress shrinking, pulling in around her waist to fit to her like a glove, yet still feel miraculously loose. Hermione laced the ribbons at the front of the corset and turned so Ginny could help her with the back. She spun in her mirror, noticing how the dress flowed with her every move. The skirt lifted in the air as she moved, and she spun around faster and faster, watching it puff out. A hoot rang out from next to Ginny, bringing Hermione out of a sort of daze.
"Okay Gwydion, hold on. Let me write something for you to take back." She ran to get parchment and a pen. Ginny looked at her. "What am I going to say?"
"Err..." Ginny started. "That it's the most beautiful dress you've ever seen! And that it fits you great, and it's your favorite color. Oh, and that it's really thoughtful and ask how he knew you didn't have a dress to the dance. And that it's perfect and you love it, and him, and." she had to stop for a breath and Hermione laughed. Gwydion walked across her bed impatiently.
"I don't think he'll wait for all that!" She smiled and pointed to the majestic bird. "How about, 'Dear Severus, the dress is the most beautiful and thoughtful gift I've ever received. It's perfect. I cannot even begin to describe my thanks.' No, scratch that." She moved her quill back and forward over the spot. " 'Thank you.'" Tying the paper to the eagle, she opened the window for it to exit, and shut it after he flew away. Turning back to Ginny, she jumped up and down. "I think I've had more excitement this year than I've had my whole life! Come here, Ginny, feel it; it's like water. It feels cool!"
The younger girl joined Hermione in front of her mirror, and ran a hand down her sleeve.
"Wow." She gasped. "Wait till Harry and Ron see you in this!"
Hermione frowned then. "Ginny.what am I going to do about Ron? I know he likes me, and I'm afraid that if I wear this his eyes may just about pop out of his head." Hermione made a motion to illustrate, and Ginny laughed.
"He knows you have a boyfriend, 'Mione, even if he isn't happy about it. Besides, I'm already working on setting him up with Lavender. Maybe he'll be too busy trying to put the moves on her that he won't even notice you!" Ginny smiled. Hermione started to take the dress off.
"I hope you're right, Ginny. I wouldn't want to hurt him." She unlaced herself, and Ginny went to work on the back.
"He'll get over it."
*************************************
The next day was Saturday, and Hermione had a chance to see Severus. She was ecstatic. She couldn't wait to tell him that she had connected their fireplaces, but managed, somehow, to contain herself. It was going to be a surprise for the dance. Hermione had planned on telling Severus that she would meet him in his rooms at a certain time, and then just happen to show up by Floo. She was running through her dramatic appearance, his startled reaction, and amazement.
Severus looked up from his seat on the couch to see a laughing Hermione entering his chambers. Quickly he put down his book and went to her, giving her a deep kiss.
"What's so funny?" he eyed her a little suspiciously. Hermione smiled.
"Oh, you'll find out soon enough." Snape narrowed his eyes at her and gave her a worried look before breaking into a smile. He pulled her into his arms. "I want to thank you again for the dress."
Snape sighed. Hadn't the thousand times she'd previously thanked him been enough? He rolled his eyes, not used to anyone thanking him. "You're welcome." He answered for the thousand and first time. "What do you want to do tonight?" And so began their normal conversation, but Hermione was in an adventurous mood.
"I want to look around...every time I go to thoroughly explore your books I end up getting somehow distracted!" She motioned to the rooms. Snape shrugged.
"There isn't much more, but go ahead." Hermione walked around. She didn't think she'd ever be able to learn all the names of all the books on her lover's shelves. He had such a varied collection, one that had both surprised and impressed her on her first visit into his rooms. Muggle authors like Alice Hoffman, Daphne DuMaurier and Shakespeare laid next to the works of Nicholas Flammel and Miranda Goshawk. Hermione perused the books yet again before turning to his bedroom.
"Do you mind if I go through your closet?" She asked, a girlish cheer coming over her face. "Oh, I'd love to pick out your clothes, and then you can put them on, and I can do you hair. You know, if you really wanted, I could put it in little ickle braids all over." She chortled. Snape frowned.
"Go ahead and amuse yourself, it's through that door. But you are NOT touching my hair." Hermione gave him a quick squeeze on his hand and pulled him to his closet. She began to pull through the hangers...seeing black. Black, black, and for a change of pace, black. Hermione groaned. She was looking through his socks, when she found a nice clean white pair, although they looked as if they'd never been worn. 'Well, that's random.' She thought.
"So...you think Harry's going to ask Ginny to the dance?" Hermione had been talking about her friends to Severus, and he would always listen, even if he did cringe when she mentioned Harry's name. That was one of the things Hermione loved about him, how she could tell him anything and he would never judge her or criticize her. Earlier she had told him about Ginny and Harry, and Ginny's unwavering yet failed attempts to get Harry to notice her.
"No. Potter's got his head too far up..." he stopped when Hermione spun her head around to give him his very own patented death glare. He looked flustered, and Hermione smiled. Only she could do that to him. It had taken him quite a while to lay his emotions out for her, but he had done it. They had an honest relationship, and they each knew if the other was hiding something. He hadn't even gotten mad when Hermione had explained to him that Ginny knew about them. Rather, he was impressed in the girl's intelligence and loyalty to his Hermione. He changed his words. "No, I doubt he'll even notice her."
Hermione sighed. He was probably right, although she was planning to make Ginny so beautiful that he would be an idiot if he couldn't see her. And yet, she was still worried. Turning back to his closet she almost choked. A pair of black leather pants was hiding under an old Slytherin robe. An idea popped into her mind, and a very big, evil grin appeared on her face.
"Would you go as far as to bet on it?" She pondered. Snape looked at her.
"Yes, I would. There's no way in hell."
"Alright." Hermione replied, standing up. "Then it's a bet. What do you want if you win?"
Snape looked around his room, thinking. What did he want? 'It has to be something good, something she won't expect. Something that isn't easy.'
"If I win, I want you to promise never to help Neville Longbottom in my class again." Hermione's smile dropped. "He's got to learn on his own sometime, Hermione. And it's his last year...he has gotten a little better." Snape cringed. He had just complimented Neville Longbottom. He made a face as if he'd just smelled something foul. Hermione brightened.
"Fine." She reached back into the closet. "And now we both know that students and teachers are allowed to wear whatever they want at this dance, as long as it's appropriate. If I win..." She dug out the pants. "You wear these." A grin the size of Montana was seen as Snape fumbled for words. His eyes were wide in amazement.
"I er, I didn't think I still had those. Damn, why did I keep them, haven't been in style since I bought them! They probably don't even fit right anymore." He looked down at her hopefully. Hermione shook her head.
"You done yet?"
Snape nodded reluctantly. "Fine, it's a deal." And they sealed it with a kiss.
***************************************
Before either of them realized it, Hermione and Ginny were sitting on the bleachers on the morning of the dance. They had been given the whole day off, and Harry and Ron were enjoying it by practicing on the quidditch pitch. Ron had finally made it on the team in his last year, though try as he might, he wasn't the all-star Harry was. So there they were, Harry attempting the show Ron the Wronski Feint, which he had perfected some time ago.
The two girls talked excitedly of the evening before them. Ginny was ecstatic. Hermione had talked to Ron, and together they had gotten Harry to ask Ginny to the dance. Hermione smiled, thinking of the outfit she had picked out for Severus to wear.
"Just you wait until tonight, Ginny. You're going to be shocked." Hermione had already told her about the bet. Ginny grinned.
"Snape in leather pants. Somehow it just fits! I bet everyone's going to be shocked!! Can you just see their faces?!" She laughed, a full and rich sound that warmed Hermione despite the chilly air.
"Indeed I can." She rubbed her hands together, and blew on them. Her breath froze in a white cloud in front of her face and Hermione frowned, looking at the two figures darting around the field. "Come on, Ginny, it's cold. Let's go in, we have lots to do!"
They waved to the boys on broomsticks, and the two flew over to them. Hermione and Ginny bid them goodbye, and set off for the castle, a slight skip in their steps.
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In Hermione's room Ginny sat, curlers in her hair. Hermione was arranging flowers across her bed, braiding their stems around wire with her wand, making a crown for the redhead. Hermione had an array of tools set across her dresser. Eyeshadows, blushes, lipsticks and glitter lined the entire top, and she was carefully choosing which shade would exactly match Ginny's pale blue gown.
Hermione stood, wearing only a slip and bra. They had two hours until the dance, and she didn't want to risk getting anything on her dress. Her own hair was braided and pinned atop her head. Gently she took out the curlers in Ginny's hair and worked in the flowers, small white ones that were still magically fresh. Bobby pins in her mouth, she pulled her fingers through Ginny's curls and pinned them away from her eyes. Hermione had a muggle boombox on in the background, and the two girls sang to the hit 'Girls just wanna have fun' as Hermione danced around Ginny. She retreated into her bathroom to find a can of hairspray that was infused with thousands of silver sparkles, and popped her head out to give an evil grin at Ginny.
"Should I be scared?" Ginny asked, smiling as Hermione began to put the finishing touches on her hair. They coughed as the chemical smell formed a cloud around them, and Hermione opened a window. She laughed, and Ginny got up from the chair in front of the mirror and motioned for Hermione to take her seat. And so they swapped places, Ginny taking the small braids out of Hermione's locks. Soon Hermione's face was surrounded in layer upon layer of voluminous crimps, and Ginny's skilled fingers twisted strands from the sides of her hair back into spiral shaped bun, leaving the rest to dangle on Hermione's shoulders. She added the same silver glitter spray, and then commenced the makeup process. Hermione sat as Ginny brushed on a light cream foundation, the palest of pales to match Hermione's flawless skin. She dragged a thick black line over her eyelids, and when Hermione opened them her eyes seemed to pop. A silvery shadow highlighted her brow bone, and Ginny colored her lips in a dark raspberry before dusting a light rouge on her cheeks.
Ginny's makeup was slightly more elaborate. Hermione used blue liner to draw scrolls from the outer edges of her eyes back in Egyptian like designs towards her hairline. A peach blush complimented her pale blue eyes and glossy lips. Hermione dusted a sheer glitter over her eyelids, and light danced off of her eyes in every way she moved.
The room was filled with the sweet smells of fruits and spices as perfume was sprayed meticulously over pressure points. Hermione dabbed some on the insides of her wrists before letting some drip down the carved valley between her breasts. Ginny raised an eyebrow at her, and Hermione blushed. She handed the bottle to Ginny.
"Well go on, you never know if you're going to want it there later, do you?" she laughed, and Ginny turned crimson before mimicking Hermione's actions. "You never know, Ginny, Harry might pick tonight to finally open up his eyes and realize that you're not just his best friend's little sister!" It was a doubtful prospect, but Ginny was grateful in that Hermione had hope.
Half and hour later dresses were fluttered over heads, ribbons were being laced, stockings pulled tight. Shoes were being pulled on, with long, slender heels and open fronts. Hermione pulled hers over her vigilantly painted toes. They were silver, with the tiniest stripe of an emerald green along the tip. You would only be able to notice the contrasting colors if you paid close attention, and Hermione was sure that someone would indeed notice. It was the same someone she was going to meet in less than ten minutes. Over the past weeks Harry and Ron had let up on trying to figure out who Hermione's boyfriend actually was. They had had many angry glances from Ginny, and Hermione had been unrelenting in her refusal to give them any hints. When asked if they would share a dance Hermione had simply shrugged. It was hard for her not to be able to be openly escorted to the dance, and she had felt badly when she had turned down Neville and Seamus, but she explained to them that she was hoping on seeing someone else there, although she did promise them dances. For if she was able to dance with Severus, it would do her good to dance with as many boys as possible, and not to draw too much attention to the two of them. Snape had told her that he wasn't sure of whether the professors would join in, but if they did, he promised her he would devise a way to make it over to her.
Hermione grinned. Even if they couldn't share their love in front of everyone, they could dance the night away in front of Severus' fire. The scene flashed in front of Hermione's mind, and she brushed her hands across her dress in a hurry. It was time to meet him. Giving a final look in the mirror, Hermione saw herself standing next to Ginny. They were almost the same height in their heels, with Ginny's being taller than Hermione's. Ginny's flower crown looked resplendent on her, and the younger girl gave off a sort of glow that could only be matched by Hermione's. And glow Hermione did. Her dress shimmered and shone in the light, seemingly liquid as she moved. Her breasts were lifted from the corset top and peaked out from over the top suggestively. She looked like she could be set in another time period, one of tiny waists and men in topcoats and chimney hats. Hermione smiled, then cast her eyes to Ginny. The younger girl was admiring herself with an amazed glint in her eyes. Her rosy cheeks beamed and her lips shined. Hermione took her hand and they gave pretend kisses to their cheeks, not wanting to mess up their lipstick.
"Hate to run, Ginny, but...." She started. Ginny gave a sigh in mock exasperation.
"I know, I know...you have someone waiting for you!" She smiled, and they hugged very carefully. "Thanks for making me beautiful Hermione."
"Ginny, you've always been beautiful, I just helped." She got out her wand and cast a spell over herself. Ginny cocked her head.
"What's that for?"
"It's so I don't get all dirty and messed up during the trip by Floo. I'd hate to have all this preparation go to waste! Thank you, Ginny." And with that she picked up her jar of Floo powder. She threw the powder onto her fireplace, and spoke. "Severus' rooms." Ginny watched as Hermione stepped forward, and disappeared into the cackling flames. Turning, she locked the Head Girl's room, and headed to meet Harry and Ron.