OK everyone…here's the next chapter. This is probably the main turning point of my story!!! It pretty long so I should hear no complaints about the length of this chapter. ;) I really hope you all like this cause I have been working very hard on this for the past few weeks. Please lemme know what you think!!!!
*But never is a promise and you can't afford to lie*
Chapter Twenty
It was evening and Alex knew that she was due to be at the Great Hall soon for the Yule Ball. She stood in front of her mirror, studying her reflection with a critical eye. The dress robe that Lia had picked out was a pale blue dress robe that had a sort of silver shimmer in it. They found among racks of robes at Gladrags' Wizard Wear. Alex couldn't help but agree with her friend that the dress robe was absolutely gorgeous. It fit her figure perfectly and also brought out her gray eyes, making them look almost blue.
Alex had chosen to wear her hair twisted up in a mass of soft curls with a few strands down, framing her face. Professor Sprout had supplied a handful of vanilla flowers from the greenhouse, which Alex entwined into the mass of curls on her head. The light fragrance also served as her perfume for that evening.
Would this due? Was this enough to sweep Severus Snape off his feet? Or would he even notice her amongst the crowd of students and teachers? He would have to notice. If she didn't make him, Alex was sure that Lia would put her hand in it. But could she pull this off? Did he really feel as strongly for her as she hoped? Or was she imagining things? Alex frowned into the mirror as she fingered the crystal pendant that hung around her neck.
No, she was just being stupid. He didn't see her like that. Lia was probably reading too much into it. They really weren't even friends though, were they? Yeah okay so they have had some actual pleasant conversations and also exchanged Christmas presents. But Alex was sure that he probably bought gifts for most of the staff anyway. Probably some Hogwarts rule or something. The entire staff had to buy each other presents, or something of the like. Or maybe the necklace was just something he had laying around and since she had gotten him something, Snape felt guilty and gave her the necklace.
That was it! It had to be. Why else would he get her a present? And when did he have time to even go out and buy her something. As far as she knew they were just business colleagues and nothing more. Alex couldn't even imagine why she even began to believe that someone like him would even look twice at her. He was sophisticated and high-class. And here she was, just a plain and rash girl…really almost a child compared to him. If she could picture Snape with anyone, it would be someone rich and elegant. More then she could ever hope to be.
Oh how glad she was that she finally came to her senses before it was too late. Alex could just picture the look on Snape's face as she poured out her feelings to him. He would laugh right in her face. No, she would not subject herself to that humiliation. Nope, she would just stay up in her room and pray that everyone forgot about her and she would be safe. Safe from her feelings and future humiliation
Snape walked swiftly through the halls, his green dress robe billowing out behind him. The Yule Ball had been in progress for some time, when Lia and Professor Dumbledore came up to him. It seemed that Alex had not yet shown up and many people were worried that something could have happened to her. Or, at least, that's what the two of them told him. Snape knew that there was more to it then that. They were up to something, and that was never good. But Snape wasn't worried. Not about Alex! The silly girl probably lost track of time or fell asleep since she had been up so bloody early. Nope, Severus Snape was not worried about her one bit.
Why would he worry anyway? It wasn't like he actually cared about Alex. The girl was audacious and troublesome. She wasn't any better then the bunch of dunderheads that he was forced to teach day in and day out. But if he really felt this way, why did he find himself quickening his pace to her quarters?
The rush of thoughts had just finally started to slow down in Alex's head, when a loud and impatient knock came at the door. Curious on who it could possibly be, Alex opened the door, revealing a rather stern looking Snape behind it. She froze at the sight of him. What the hell was he doing here?
"Well I see nothing horrible has befallen on you, as some were lead to believe. So then may I inquire why you are extremely late to the function downstairs?" Snape asked, looking down his nose at her.
"Umm…well…I…" Alex stumbled. What was she supposed to say? That she was scared of what she may say to him so she decided to hide in her room instead? Like he would buy that one, no matter how truthful it was. Snape folded his arms across his chest, as he waited for Alex's answer.
"I guess I was running later then I had thought." Alex sighed, knowing that now she would have to go through with it. There was no way that Lia was going to let her back out now. Damn her!
"Well since it appears that you are now ready, may we proceed to the Great Hall before the Headmaster decides to send out yet another search party?" he asked, rather arrogantly.
"They sent you as my search party?" Alex asked, trying not too laugh. "Are you sure they weren't just trying to get rid of you for awhile?"
"And why would you think that?" Snape asked, moving slightly to allow Alex to exit the room.
"Oh I don't know. Maybe to prevent you from taking house points away for awhile." Alex teased, letting the portrait swing close behind her.
"As a matter of fact, I have yet to take away any house points today." He replied shortly.
"Oh, is that your Christmas present to the students?" Alex laughed as they began walking down to the Great Hall.
"No it is not. My present was assigning them extra homework over the holidays." He smirked. Alex rolled her eyes at him. He would be the one to do something like that.
"You're hopeless."
"Pardon?" he asked looking over at her.
"Never mind." Alex grinned. They had arrived at the Great Hall and the room was decorated beautifully. Garlands of mistletoe and ivy were draped from the enchanted ceiling and everything seemed to be covered in a glittering silver-white frost. The giant Christmas tree stood in the corner lavishly decorated. The House tables had been replaced by smaller ones, spread around the edge of the dance floor.
"Wow! It's beautiful." Alex gushed out. Snape just shrugged and lead her farther into the room. Most of the students and staff were already out on the dance floor dancing to an upbeat song played by the band, which Alex didn't recognize.
"Ah Severus! I see you have found her." Dumbledore smiled as he approached along with Lia.
"Yes Headmaster. It seems that she had only lost track of time." Snape replied curtly. Lia shot Alex a look of disbelief. She knew that Alex had started to chicken out. Like Lia would actually let that happen.
"Let's get something to drink." Lia said pulling Alex away from Dumbledore and Snape. They headed over to a table against the far wall where some cider was set out. "So you started to get cold feet, didn't you?"
"I don't think I can go through with this." Alex sighed, as she poured herself a glass of the cider.
"What do you mean, you can't?" Lia asked with raised eyebrows. Was Alex really going to throw their whole plan down the drain?
"Can't, as in won't. I am not about to make a fool out of myself! I don't think I could handle him laughing at me."
"Severus is not going to laugh at you." Lia smiled encouragingly.
"Yeah and so you say now." Alex sighed, rolling her eyes. She tugged gently at the crystal around her neck, as she tried to decide what to do. Lia's eyes fell upon the necklace.
"Where did you get that?" she asked quizzically. The crystal glinted off the candlelight in the room, surprising Lia that she didn't notice it sooner.
"This? Oh, it was my Christmas present from Severus. It's pretty, isn't it?" Alex said smiling slightly.
"Yes, it is." Lia said rather distractedly as she sought out Snape though the crowd. It was obvious that he hadn't told Alex everything about that necklace, but Lia did not feel that it was her place to tell. But this definitely showed that Severus Snape, with the cold heart and all, had fallen head over heels for Alexandra Harper. Now all they needed was to tell each other, and everything would be good, right?
"Alex! There you are. We were wondering what happened to you." Fiona smiled as her and Remus came through the crowd.
"Sorry. I lost track of time." Alex replied. Neither Remus or Fiona knew about Alex's feeling for Snape, or the plan that was in effect that night.
"So did they really send Snivellus to find you?" Fiona asked with a laugh. Both Lia and Remus frowned at her for using the childhood nickname.
"Who?" Alex asked bur had a pretty good clue who she was talking about.
"She means Severus. Fiona, I thought we decided that we weren't going to call him that anymore. We're all on the same side now." Remus sighed as he poured himself a glass of the cider.
"Yeah but he deserved it. You saw how he treated me at the meeting the other night!" Fiona argued. Alex didn't know what meeting Fiona was talking about, but was sure it was nothing concerning her. And Alex liked Fiona, she really did. But sometimes she just plain got on Alex's nerves, like at this moment.
"However I have treated you was well earned, Fiona." Snape said, appearing next to Alex. Fiona's eyes narrowed at him but before she had a chance to make a remark Lia cut in.
"Please. It's Christmas. Can we all just get along for the rest of tonight?" Everyone gave a slight nod in agreement and Alex felt much more at ease.
"So have you danced yet, Alex?" Remus asked. "The band this year is actually quite good. Much better then what we have had in the past."
"If Severus here was the one to escort her, then I highly doubt that she has." Fiona stated rather lightly. Well, guess the truce didn't last long, did it?
"And may I ask, what you propose by that?" Snape asked casting her a look of disdain.
"For as long as I have known you, you have never once set foot on the dance floor. We all just assumed that you did not know how to dance." Fiona remarked. Lia shot the girl a patronizing look, hoping that she would leave it be.
"Well then I hate to ruin your assumption but I do indeed know how to dance." He replied. "Although I don't consider the way these students throw about their bodies, as actual dancing." It was also at that moment when Dumbledore has chosen to join in the group's conversation.
"Dancing, eh? You know, I can dance a pretty mean two-step." He said rocking back lightly on his heels. Alex grinned over at him.
"Well then, Headmaster, would you care to join me out on the dance floor?"
"Oh you don't want to dance with an old coot like me." Dumbledore replied with the twinkle in his eye appearing. "But Severus, why don't you dance with this young lady? Consider it as a favor for me." Everyone but Lia seemed to stare at the Headmaster as if he had lost his marbles. Alex found herself looking over at Snape, to see what he was going to do. Unwillingly, he gave Dumbledore a short nod and turned to face Alex.
"Shall we?" he asked politely, holding out his hand. She gave him her hand, and allowed him to lead her out onto the dance floor.
"You don't have to do this, you know." Alex frowned, as they maneuvered their way to a clearing in the middle of the dance floor. Snape did not reply but faced her as a slow song began to play. As he studied her, he found himself to become a bit nervous. Alex moved in closer and he wrapped his right arm about her waist, drawing her in even closer and held her right hand in his left. There was only two other times that Snape could remember, where they had been this close. The first was when he had carried her up to her rooms, after she had fallen asleep in his quarters. And the other was that very morning, when he had helped her with the necklace.
As they started dancing, Snape's footsteps began to falter out of sheer nervousness. Alex smiled up at him and with that smile all his nerves flew away. He easily stepped into the lead position, gliding her around the dance floor and swaying gently to the music. All those dancing lessons that he was forced to undertake as a child, finally paid off.
Alex couldn't help but smile as she danced with him. Oh, she knew that he hadn't wanted to but not it seemed that he was actually enjoying himself. Will wonders never cease? He held her hand in his and Alex couldn't help but feel that they fit perfectly together. She was going to have to tell him, she knew that now. And maybe, just maybe, he would return her feelings.
It was soon later, that the song came to an end. Alex found herself pulling out of his arms and looking up at him.
"I'm going to go and get a bit of fresh air. Did you want to join me?" she asked, brushing a stray hair from her face. Looking down at her, Snape knew that he could not tell her no.
"All right. A walk in the gardens does sound pleasant at the moment." Alex grinned happily and took his arm, allowing him to lead her out the doors.
The garden walkways were lit by fairy lights, casting an unearthly glow throughout the area. They walked in silence for awhile; Alex was trying to build up the courage to tell him how she felt. How exactly do you tell someone you were in love with them, when you didn't even know if he felt the same way?
"Alexandra…" Snape started but was immediately cut off by Alex.
"I'm in love with you!" She immediately covered her mouth with her hand in complete and utter horror. She had not meant it to come out like that. They had come to a stop on the pathway with Snape looking down at her. Alex was afraid to look at him. She was afraid that he was going to burst out in laughter at any moment. But when he didn't, she forced herself to look up at him and instead of a humorous look, she met a stony and unreadable gaze. Snape looked down at her for a moment, trying to judge if she was telling the truth. From what he could see, she was. The girl had fallen in love with him! Him, Severus Snape, evil greasy haired potions master! On the outside, he had on his uncaring façade but inside he felt like jumping for joy but also broken hearted at the same time.
He let out an impatient sigh and looked away for a moment. He hated what he was about to do. Snape was about to let the best thing that could ever happen to him, get away.
"I'm sorry." He said softly then walked away, leaving Alex standing in the middle of the garden, unable to understand what had just happened.
Next Chapter: Saying an early goodbye and Lia confronts Snape about the mess he made.
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