As always edited by the lovely Carrie. Any information regarding Diagon Alley was kindly given by The Harry Potter Lexicon, I take no credit for it.
20. [ The Robe Disaster ]
It was a while after Severus had left Dumbledore's office when Bloodwen made the picture of the old wizard disappear in her enchanted mirror and turned around to her partner in this matter. Again she wished in death Slytherin would have been able to overcome his short comings which were that he generally sulked whenever things didn't go his way and a tendency to brood over things that were right at this moment unchangeable. Now and then he mumbled a curse or an angry insult at the muggleborn girl who he thought was to blame for everything that hadn't worked in the last millennium for him which was quite a bit exaggerated.
Bloodwen tried to understand what Dumbledore's tactic was. And she was sure that he had one, probably a very good one because in all truth he had an advantage in this. He lived in this time whereas Bloodwen and Salazar had trouble understanding changes in society that had taken place over the centuries. Purebloods it seemed were not valued as much as back then and the number of wizards and witches that could be counted into this group had so diminished and obviously a lot of people were half bloods or less. In some way Bloodwen began to understand the point of view of the other founders who had possibly foreseen this development. Doubts had began to creep into her world view in the last days, doubts that maybe the world Slytherin wanted was not possible today without killing three quarters of its habitants.
A thousand years ago purebloods were the majority and very little value was placed on half bloods that comprised a tenth of the population. Muggleborns were almost unheard of, maybe one or two every year in Hogwarts. It had been another time altogether and Bloodwen had never been someone to overlook crucial facts. But it was true nevertheless that she had challenged Dumbledore and now they had to fight this battle on the conditions set so many years ago. Maybe it had been a mistake to not reconsider the prophecy, because it was more than cryptic about what exactly it contained if she was honest about it. Maybe there were a thousand ways to interpret it; maybe she was all wrong about its meaning.
Shaking her head she pursued her lips in an attempt to decide her next move. Quite frankly the primoris spell had been an excellent decision even with all the risk and dangers it included. Now Severus and his bride were closer than ever, the bond seemed almost as strong as it would ever get and right now her next attack had to be drastic or she would lose altogether. But what could she do to destroy their bond, what could rip Severus and Hermione apart? And most importantly, now that she was almost sure that she couldn't do it alone, which person could help her to commit the deed? A look at the dark-haired man on his throne was enough to count him out. He was no help at all even if it was his war she was waging. It began to grate on her nerves, his unwillingness to change the situation instead of only decrying it. Maybe she would have to see which pureblood was powerful enough to help her?
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A tense silence hung over the Gryffindor Common Room as Hermione met Harry there for lunch the Sunday. Everybody else was in the great hall eating and Hermione had decided that would be the best time to confront Harry with his knowledge about her growing relationship with Severus. He sat in the same overstuffed chair next to the always flickering fire with a chessboard in front of him which had been clearly played already.
When she sat in the opposite chair she folded her hands in her lap. His eyes had never been that cold, never been that lifeless as when he bored them into hers in this moment. To hold off the talk a bit she pointed at the chess board.
"Did you play?" she inquired.
He nodded.
"With whom?" she asked trying to sound friendly.
"Ron, of course."
"Who won?"
"Ron, he always beats me." He grunted.
A light bitterness in his voice made her grin internally. So this still bugged him. Maybe she could play that to her advantage. But she had to tread carefully here.
"Harry, have you thought that maybe he could teach you instead of using your lack of knowledge." She kept her voice impartial as if she was discussing the next days class schedule.
He frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
She sighed. "Oh you know I like Ron but he quite enjoys winning every time. Instead of using you to show off to the girls he should teach you some moves, shouldn't he?"
Harry's eyes widened now filled with slowly dawning understanding.
"So you mean he wants to impress girls?" Harry inhaled. "But which one?"
Hermione kept her face neutral. "Oh I don't know. Maybe Parvati?"
Harry looked up and frowned. "But I told him that maybe I was…" He stopped abruptly obviously not wanting to elaborate further. Instead he frowned harder furrowing his brows and then his eyes caught the young witch's. "Mione you're smart, could you teach me some chess?"
Hermione sighed again. "I would love to Harry but I am afraid I am not much better than you especially in wizard's chess. I would be no real help." She managed to keep the grin off her face as she watched his face change as the light bulb lit there.
"Maybe somebody you know could help me…" He sounded hopeful.
"Who?" asked Hermione puzzled, inwardly satisfied that things were playing out the way she wanted them to.
Harry gulped heavily and looked down at her clasped hands and the silver shimmering white bracelets around her wrists, he couldn't help but notice the glow.
"You know Mione, I don't think it is my business what Snape and you do when you don't appear at meals. I mean, I think you are married and all, and Dumbledore agrees, so I shouldn't, you know… try to interfere, if that's what you really want." He looked up and sighed. "Do you think Professor Snape could help me?"
Hermione slowly nodded. "Maybe, but I would have to convince him and that will not be easy, he busy enough already."
Harry got up and knelt down next to her boring his eyes into hers. "You know Hermione, I could try to keep Ron off your back for a while. And I would even try to spread word that Snape is not so bad after all. But please, Mione, I need to learn to play chess or soon Ron…-" He interrupted himself and simply looked at her pleadingly hoping for some sort of deal.
Hermione considered that for a second and then got up.
"Okay. I will talk with Severus. I will tell you Monday if and when he will start your lessons."
Harry nodded gladly and hugged his friend quickly. "Thanks Hermione."
"You are welcome." She tried to suppress her giggle and had to bite her tongue to manage. Men were so transparent at times.
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Staff meetings were generally a boring event and Minerva tried with all her force to keep her eyes open as Binns droned on and on about Draco Malfoy's disruptive behavior which had turned from simply being annoying to downright dangerous. Usually Severus defended his Slytherins but today he seemed miles away as he sat in his chair the tea untouched and his eyes never wavering from the Headmaster.
Either he is bored or his mind is someplace else, he isn't even listening, she wondered trying to understand where the sudden tension between him and the Headmaster seemed to come from. Their greeting had been awkward and from Severus' side, cold and a little bit hostile. Albus now gazed into the potions Master's direction with a concerned look, whereas Severus continued to stare back ignoring the whole meeting altogether.
Suddenly Binns obviously realized that the Slytherin wasn't listening and frowned.
"Don't you want to defend your brat like always Severus?" he implied with a nasty sneer that almost matched the Potions Master's.
After a second Snape turned his gaze into the ghost's direction.
"He is not my brat. That would be Lucius Malfoy's brat and the last time I heard of him, he was reported dead." He tossed off the statement coldly and returned his unemotional gaze back to the Headmaster.
Minerva inhaled deeply. "Malfoy dead? When had that happened?" And why hadn't Severus told her or Albus about this because judging from the surprised look in the Headmaster's eyes he hadn't known about this any more than other members of the Order.
Dumbledore raised his hand and nodded in Binns' direction. "I promise I will discuss this matter with Mr. Malfoy's head of house but now I think it would be best if we returned to the last preparations for our ball tonight."
Slowly the teachers got up and made their way to the exit when the headmaster's voice could be heard.
"Severus, if could stay for a minute please!" his voice sharper with the Slytherin than Minerva had ever heard.
A nod in her direction told her to stay as well and she watched Remus sit down in one of the arm chairs with a concerned frown in his face. After the teachers had left, Albus looked at Snape who was still seated at the big table.
"When did Lucius die?"
Severus shrugged his shoulders and then looked up. "Bellatrix mentioned it last time I saw her. I haven't had any opportunity to find out how or why he died."
Dumbledore nodded obviously lost in thoughts for a second. Minerva inquired after a moment, "Why haven't you told us right after you came back?"
"I forgot." Responded Severus with no hesitation or emotion.
When Minerva wanted to argue Dumbledore cleared his voice. "This can happen to all of us at times." He said looking right at the Potion's Master.
Severus got up this moment and walked to the door. "I can leave now, Headmaster?"
"Of course." The headmaster sighed softly when the door closed behind Snape and sank down in his chair.
"I don't think that was the reason." Minerva pointed out as she sat down next to the werewolf.
Albus smiled. "Me neither."
At a raise of her brow he chuckled.
"A mention of that fact would have made any protection unnecessary. Hermione could have returned to the tower and would have been perfectly safe there with Lucius dead."
Remus nodded as a grin began to form on his face. "And for some reason Severus objected that idea."
"He loves her?" Minerva asked, raising her eyebrows and wondered why she had never seen it.
"I think so even though he would rather bite his tongue off than to admit it. But we can simply accept knowledge of these circumstances and ignore the fact that he didn't tell us till now." Albus stated with the typical twinkle in his eyes.
Remus got up with a pleasant sigh and stretched, smiling. "I have to help Pamona with the decoration of the hall. Do you need me for anything else, headmaster?"
The old wizard shook his head and watched him leave.
"What has happened between you and Severus?" Minerva inquired instantly when the door closed behind the DADA teacher.
Albus sighed and leaned back. "We had an intense argument yesterday about the last spell I used concerning this prophecy matter." At her impatient face he elaborated quietly. "A primoris spell, primoris amplector ardour to be exact." Before she could gasp out another word he raised his hand. "Minerva, I know of your opinion in this matter but I have to keep the ultimate goal in sight, which is the fate of the wizarding world as you very well know. I won't discuss my choices with you, maybe later after I have dealt with some Ministry business." He got up and passing her he smiled gently. "I know you are angry right now but please try to understand me in this: I have no choice. I have to do what's right even if that means endangering these two."
When he left Minerva shook her head trying to deny that he was right, but deep inside she knew he was. They simply couldn't afford to lose in this. Not with what was at stake.
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Late afternoon found Hermione standing in her bedroom next to her wardrobe realizing that she had no idea what a Head of House's wife had to wear on an occasion like this. Of course she had a pair of dress robes, but at lunch the Headmaster announced that the dress code was formal and she had a sinking feeling that her dress robe would not be suitable. Staring into the huge mirror she had summoned she tried to shake off the unsettling feeling that she would horribly embarrass Severus tonight.
She looked at Crookshanks snoozing on the bed, he had one eye cocked on his mistress. "Crookshanks, I wish you could give me some advice here instead of only sleeping!"
Sighing she stepped to her wardrobe frantically shuffling through the many school robes and her private clothes she wore in her free time, but those were mostly muggle jeans and jumpers. Angrily she pulled some out and flung them over her back with a desperate howl of frustration and anger.
"What have I done now?" her husband exclaimed and when she turned around one jumper hung over his left shoulder while he stood in the doorway looking concerned and perplexed at all the strewn clothing.
Hermione shrugged her shoulders and for some reason she was angry with him because he appeared completely relaxed about the ball while she was at her wit's end.
Carefully he placed the red jumper on her bed next to the now again sleeping Crookshanks and stepped next to his wife who was staring with worry into the wardrobe again, her hand against her mouth.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" he inquired trying to figure out why Hermione was apparently so upset.
Her dark eyes sparkling with anger for a moment, she turned around pointing her finger at him.
"You know, it's all your fault that I'm in this mess!" she exclaimed accusingly taking one menacing step closer to him which he had to admit was quite intimidating even for a person so small.
He settled for trying to appear reasonable in an attempt to calm his wife's anger.
"Pray tell, what is it exactly that I have done?" he murmured while gently kneading her right shoulder with his strong fingers, she could see his bracelet shining and felt his concern.
Hermione began to relax under his ministrations and sighed, all her anger leaving her.
"I'm sorry, nothing, but this ball is driving me crazy…" she sighed softly leaning against his firm body inhaling his scent, and rewarding him with a hug for putting up with her.
He chuckled and brushed her hair gently. "Why is that? You don't have to worry about a date unlike some of your friends."
She looked up into his warm dark eyes smiling tentatively. "No I haven't. But I have to worry about my clothes more than anybody else."
He leaned his head to the side looking honestly puzzled.
She sighed again moving away from his warmth and nearer to her offending wardrobe again. "The only thing I have is a dress robe from my forth year which is so not suitable for a head of house's wife and I already wore it at the Yule Ball that same year, and I'm sure I've outgrown it since its been two years." She spun around and pointed at the blue garment. "I want to make you proud and all I have is this!" she looked worried and a bit sad.
Slowly Severus began to understand what the problem was and relaxed immensely. This was something they could take care of quite easily and it might even be an opportunity to show her some more of his life and the people in it outside of Hogwarts.
"Well, I see what you are talking about." He took the dress robe out of her hand and gently placed it back in her wardrobe. "Well then, since it appears you may have outgrown this robe, I would suggest we find you something to your liking."
Now it was Hermione turn to look bewildered. "Where?" she uttered.
Severus took her hand and gently pulled her to the door leading to the living room.
"There is only one place really" he grinned smugly grabbing his black cloak and her red one.
Hermione inhaled. "Diagon Alley?"
"Exactly."
The moment the two re-materialized Hermione was almost deafened by the noise around her until Severus pulled her into The Leaky Cauldron and when the door closed behind them peaceful silence engulfed them. At this time of the day the main room was almost completely empty but two wizards who sat at a table in a far way corner and played some kind of card game. They paid them no attention when they moved to the bar where a man Hermione recognized as the owner stood and cleaned some glasses. When he heard them approaching he flashed them a toothless smile and placed two glasses on the wooden bar filling them with some kind of dark blue liquid.
"Professor Severus Snape, my dear friend! It is an honor to welcome you here, on Halloween of all days! Please have a seat and drink something- It's on the house of course!"
Hermione felt slightly uneasy when the two wizards stopped their soft mumbling and gazed into their direction when the bald owner mentioned Severus' name. Sensing her discomfort, her husband waved his hand in a leisurely gesture and gently pulled Hermione closer to his body, shielding her from the strangers.
"No thank you Tom, but I am afraid we have no time for that today, some other time, I promise" he said evenly without taking his eyes off the two wizards in the corner who stared back down at their cards immediately.
Tom understood but shook his head disappointed, "That's a pity, it's been a while Professor since I last saw you here." He gazed at Hermione and smiled at her. "And you have lovely company. May I inquire who she is?"
Severus stepped closer to the bar and lowered his voice, which had a warm tone to it. "She is my wife, Tom. And now excuse us, we have business to do which can't be delayed any more. Good day to you old friend." With that he turned around with her next to him and stepped through the backdoor into the small yard where the entrance to Diagon Alley was. Pulling his wand he pointed the bricks and the wall moved to the side revealing the bustling street cluttered with all sorts of wizarding shops. To Hermione's relief the street wasn't as packed as right before the school year started and when she stepped past the first shops she relaxed for the first time since they had entered the inn.
When they passed Eeylops Owl Emporium Hermione realized for the first time that she didn't have any money- neither with her nor at Gringott's. Her parents always changed the money they needed to buy her school supplies every time they were here and the few galleons she had where in her room in Hogwarts.
When she slowed down Severus frowned. "What's wrong?" he requested impatiently.
"I don't have any money with me." Hermione sighed.
He shrugged his shoulders. "Me neither. We need to go to Gringott's first anyhow." When he wanted to continue she pulled his sleeve. He sighed and stopped again. "What else?"
Blushing for some reason Hermione stared into his face with a pained expression. "I don't have any money there either" she muttered trying to not break out into tears with shame.
"Of course you have" Severus uttered with certainty. She frowned at him in return.
"No, I haven't. I would know if I had any money at Gringott's, I don't even have an account there" she insisted with just as much certainty.
Her husband shrugged. "Maybe you don't have an account but I have one." He continued down the street with his usual long strides and she hurried to catch up to him.
"But this is my robe and I want to pay for it!" she persisted angrily.
He turned his head to the side and scowled slightly. "It doesn't matter if it is your money or mine since we are married Hermione." Before she could say another word he interrupted her with a sly knowing grin. "I have to say I am surprised that you haven't read up on the subject of wizarding marriages and their legal consequences. But I will enlighten you my dear: Since you are my wife now and we didn't have a contract before the marriage that stated otherwise all the money I possessed belongs to you now as well."
She stared at him and almost tripped when she missed a step. His firm grip held her uptight and she blushed again.
"Thanks" she mumbled and the rest of the way was made in silence. All the while she considered what he had just said, that now everything he owned belonged to her as well which filled her with unease for some reason. Maybe because she had never wanted any of his money. But the truth was it annoyed her he was right that she had really never read up on any legal consequences of this marriage and she intended to do so when she returned to Hogwarts before she would change for the ball.
After they had passed Madame Malkin's robes for all occasions they stood in front of the large building that was Gringott's Wizarding Bank made entirely out of pure white marble and as always made a grand impression from the outside. Hermione had only been there once, in her second year, after that Arthur Weasley had been involved with changing the Granger's money along with getting some money for his family. In the back of her mind Hermione knew she had to talk with her parents soon about the fact that she was married to one of her teachers, but for obvious reasons she had no intention to do that before Christmas when she had to either visit them, or if in case she stayed at Hogwarts and had to explain to them why she would do that.
When they ascended the large marble stairs she looked back to the street where she could see the entrance to Knockturn Alley, a spooky place where dark arts supplies were sold and questionable dealings occurred. A large set of bronze doors opened when they stepped on the last stair and a tiny goblin in a blue uniform nodded into their direction without saying one word.
Inside another set of silver doors engraved with scriptures awaited them this time and two goblins looked up when they approached. They nodded as well and opened the doors and they entered the large main hall with all the counters and once again Hermione was struck with awe at the sheer size of this building. Without taking another look at their surroundings Severus stepped to one of the counters where an extremely ugly goblin sat weighing out gold nuggets.
He looked up when he heard them and his eyes widened for a second when they rested on the dark-haired potions Master.
"Severus Snape? Haven't seen you here in ages?" he snarled and his view passed Hermione for a second. "I see you have brought your young wife with you? Congratulations!"
Severus nodded impatiently. "I want to take some money from my vault" he coolly explained and the tiny goblin took his key, nodded and pointed to a little door near the counter. "You know the way Sir."
Another goblin accompanied them through the door towards the labyrinth that lies beneath the bank. Once inside the cart, they moved down a passage with so much speed that Hermione gripped her husband's arm with both hands and clung next to him for fear she would fall out of the pitching and rolling cart. They came to a halt in front of a vault which looked bigger than most of the other vaults Hermione had seen so far and in the golden door the number 444 was engraved. Without another word the goblin opened the door with a key and muttering a spell quietly after which the door shone orange for a second.
"Please step inside and take your money Sir!" he muttered and stepped back when the door opened and revealed a large dark room filled with shelves. Severus stepped inside and uttered a short "Lumos!" to light his wand and motioned her into the chamber.
Hermione looked around in wonder and gasped at what she saw: Beside all the money she saw in the back of the chamber most of the shelves where filled with all kinds of antiquities including a large amount of old dusty books, paintings, statues, several big chests filled to the brink and beyond with jewels, necklaces and gold goblets that made her eyes water. Many items had snakes engraved or contained beautiful green emeralds giving proof to the fact that the Snape family had been in Slytherin for ages. She stepped nearer to a small wooden case chest and carefully opened it looking inside. It contained a beautiful silver tiara with emeralds and diamonds and for a moment she was speechless with awe again.
Severus cleared his throat behind her and she spun around dropping the case. "Oh Severus! I am sorry, I shouldn't have touched anything!"
He bent down and took the tiara in his hands which had fallen out of the case. Carefully he placed it on Hermione's curls and smiled slightly.
"I have said it before Hermione, this here is as much your property as it is mine. I simply stored all the items I had no use for yet have a certain value. You can take whatever you want and I rather like the look of this tiara on you."
Hermione blushed for the third time today and took the tiara off her head. Simply nodding she placed it in the case he was holding and left the vault.
After they had left the bank they headed back into the direction of Flourish & Blotts and stepped into Madame Malkin's shop where instantly a cloud of perfume surrounded them as the squat witch greeted them with a wide smile.
"Ah Professor Snape, what a pleasure to have you here. You need any school robes or dress robes, we have it all here. Just have a look around!"
Severus smiled thinly. "I am afraid I am not the one in need for a dress robe today, Madame Malkin. May I introduce to you my wife, Hermione Snape.!" he said gently stepping back allowing the witch to see Hermione. Her eyes lit up with joy and she shook the girl's hands in an excited manner.
"Oh, what a pleasure Madame Snape! I am so pleased to hear that the honorable Professor Snape has finally found a suitable partner and then somebody as charming as you! Oh we will find the most lovely robe for you my dear, don't worry at all!" With that she pulled the girl into a back room and Severus followed reluctantly.
"What is the occasion?" the witch inquired already looking around the large room with hundreds of robes in all kinds of colours.
"It's a Halloween Ball, Madame Malkin." Hermione uttered quietly.
The witch instantly moved to a bright fluorescent pink robe with a riot of ruffles and extended it to the girl. "What about this one? It's the colour of the season, everybody wears pink right now!" she exclaimed.
Before Hermione could utter a word Severus cleared his throat and motioned to the door. "I am sure the two of you will manage without me, I have some books to purchase at the bookstore. We'll meet there when you are done, Hermione!" and with that he was gone leaving a flustered Hermione to her fate. Men!
She turned around again and stared at the shocking pink atrocity which reminded her of Parvati's terrible robe for the Yule Ball. "Ehm, I rather settle for something less- ehm colourful. Severus will go in black I assume and I want my robe to complement his."
Madame Malkin smiled and placed the robe back. "How about some pale blue then?"
Hermione decided against pale blue, her muggle sense thought that out of season.
"How about this silver one, it is very chic".
Hermione loved the color, but it completely washed out her complexion and it had an exaggerated collar that reminder her of something from a bad 1950s vintage sci fi movie.
Madam Malkin brought over several robes in shades of red. Hermione thought the colours were all complementary, but the cut of each robe was too ruffley, pouffy, or simply didn't fit.
It took them over two hours to finally locate right one. Hermione tried on the dark green velvet dress robe that draped her perfectly. The colour reminded her of the rich mosses found on the mid summer forest floor. It reminded her of the scent she loved on his robes. The colour highlighted her pale skin tone and brought out the subtle red highlights in her brown hair. A square neckline accented the swell of her collar bones and it was fitted nicely through her torso. The sleeves were three-quarters length and flared into a slight tasteful ruffle cut asymmetrically. The fabric of the floor length robes flared when she swung around to see the back. The removable cape was full cut with generous amounts of fabric, and it had a hood, and all of it was lined in matching green satin. The small silver threaded accents on the edge of the sleeves and around the cape complemented the necklace and the bracelets, which were not hidden and nicely accented by the robes. This was a formal robe designed for a ball, she thought as big smile spread across her lips but the image she saw in the mirror didn't seem quite real to her. Standing up very straight, she felt elegant, an unusual feeling for her. She continued to stare at herself in the mirror as Madam Malkin sat back in satisfied contentment that this was indeed the gown.
When the witch put the robe into a large box she smiled warmly. "I am sure you are going to look lovely tonight. Every inch of you will be a real lady, honestly."
Hermione smiled in return, and then froze. "Oh I have no money right now!"
Madame Malkin smiled even broader. "Oh that's no problem. Not at all. I am going to write a bill and your husband can pay it some other time." After she had done so and assured Hermione that she would send the package via floo powder to the castle right away, the girl left the shop and stepped out into the fresh air inhaling deeply.
In this moment Severus came out of the bookstore's door and smiled shortly when he saw her. He came over and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I was worried, what had taken you so long."
Hermione grinned. "Well, finding the right dress of course. But I have one now and it's being sent to the castle by floo powder."
Severus nodded and together they apparated back to the castle.
Hanging up her cloak, she fetched her dress box from the fireplace in the living room and took it to her room.
When she returned she saw Severus with his hand on his chin, his elbow resting on the top of the arm that crossed his chest, contemplating the ever sneering jack o lantern on the mantle.
"Hermione, did you make this pumpkin?" he inquired with a questioning tone.
"No, it's a Halloween present from Ron". She replied, not certain how he would react.
Severus Snape took out his wand and pointed it at the pumpkin "Adaugeo extrema malus renideo!" Snape stood tall with a snarky smirk admiring is handy work, waving his hand towards the squash. "Clearly Mr. Weasley is quite the amateur when it comes to the finer craft of creating frightening Halloween decorations".
Hermione walked over to Severus and looked at the pumpkin and shrieked, it was now a truly frightening sight as it stared back at them, its sneer had transformed into a spine chilling evil sharp toothed hungry leering smile and it now had blazing evil penetrating eyes, giving her the creeps as it watched her cross the room.
"Severus! Honestly!" punching him lightly in the arm, " you're going scare the house elves!"
Notes:
~ Some spell explanation given by Carrie:
Adaugeo extrema malus renideo (increase outward evil smile)
primoris amplector ardour (primary/first/foremost, to embrace/twine round/love, burning passion)
~ I hope you all get ideas about the prophecy by now and all will be revealed in a short time.
~ The last scene with the pumpkin was written by the very talented Carrie.
[ I know I promised the Ball for this chapter but I got the idea for some little Diagon Alley shopping and I couldn't let it pass. I hope I manage to write the Ball scene till Christmas Eve because I am busy after that. If not please read my answer to the WIKTT Mistletoe Challenge called A Merry Hogwarts Christmas and review if you like. I want to some feedback on this short story if you could find it in your heart to give me a Christmas present. ]