A/N: Enjoy!!
E/N: I hope you enjoy this, it is one of the longer chapters! ♥ Madame Anjali
The Family for the Dragon
Chapter 14: The Fog Disappears
By: Madame Moony
Too soon for everyone, it was the day of the ball. Hermione woke up late and decided to take a long bath. After her bubble bath, she quickly wrote a note telling Severus and Draco that she was with Katrina.
"Hey Hermione! Come in" said Katrina as she ushered Hermione into her rooms.
"So, Katrina what do you wanna do until we have to get ready for the ball?" asked Hermione.
"I don't know how about we play Wizard Monopoly?" asked Katrina. While Hermione was off enjoying herself in Katrina's room, Severus sat brooding in his room. He didn't know what had possessed Albus to make him go with Katrina and that joke about a gift!
"For heaven's sakes, doesn't the man know that now he had to go shopping?" murmured Severus to himself. He knew that if he forgot to get Katrina something, one it would cause his mother to roll in her grave, two he would look like some school child!! Draco, in his room, was thinking around the same line of thought. Deciding that there was no way to get out of it; Draco walked out of his rooms to ask Severus to take him shopping, and walked straight into Severus.
"Ow!" said Draco as he slammed into Severus.
"I need to go shopping for a gift for my escort, I suppose you need to also?" said Severus.
"Yeah, I was coming to ask you that."
"Come on, then," said Severus briskly. A half an hour later, they were looking in a Miscellaneous Stuff store.
"Did you find anything yet?" asked Severus.
"No" sighed Draco. His eyes glanced over a couple of ratty tatty necklaces when he saw the perfect gift. It was necklace made of simple silver. Its pendant was an emerald dragon. Draco knew that Hermione would love the gift. Plus anyone who thought a little could see that she got the gift from him. (Draco, Dragon, yeah, yeah I know totally overused, but whatever!!!)
"I found it!" said Draco holding it up to Severus. Severus nodded his head in agreement.
"That is definitely a Slytherin gift," said Severus slyly.
"I know," smirked Draco. Severus smirked back and continued his search. His eyes drifted around the small shop, hen he saw a necklace that immediately reminded him of Katrina. A thin silver braided chain with a red ruby/diamond pendant of a Pegasus on it.
Picking it up, Draco and Severus paid for their purchases and left. In a room in Hogwarts, two ladies slowly got ready as it came close to four.
"Katrina, what do you think?" asked Hermione stepping out of the bathroom. She looked stunning in her new dress.
"Great! All we have to do is your hair, now what style do you think it should be?" asked Katrina.
"I don't know," replied Hermione.
"How about curls?" asked Katrina, flicking her wand.
Hermione stared at her reflection in the mirror.
"No, I liked it better plain," said Hermione.
"I agree, how about this?" asked Katrina, making Hermione's hair become plain, simple, but beautiful. It lay in her natural straight form with slight curls at the bottom.
"Perfect!" said Hermione shooing Katrina into the bathroom to get dressed. Katrina got dressed looking amazing in her dress. She started playing with hair styles as she looked in the mirror.
"Oh Katrina, that is perfect!" said Hermione when Katrina's hair was done up beautifully.
"Yeah, now for the makeup spell," said Katrina waving her wand and adding the finishing touches.
"I need to learn that spell!" said Hermione admiring her make up.
"Are we ready? C'mon (come on) girl, let's go stun some Slytherins!" said Katrina as she and Hermione walked out of the room. Draco and Severus waited nervously even though neither of them showed it.
Albus, Minerva, Edward, and Marthie soon joined them as they waited for Hermione and Katrina to arrive. Severus watched as slowly the door of the Great Hall tweaked open. Hermione walked in slowly looking like the beauty that she was. Severus heard Draco's sudden intake of breath, but soon forget about that. In his eyes, a goddess walked in after Hermione, laughing and smiling. Her hazel eyes full of mirth and happiness. Slowly as if impelled, Draco and Severus walked towards Mione and Katrina.
"Thank you for everything," stuttered out Draco staring at the lovely angel before him. He held out a box with the necklace in it.
"Wow! Draco, thank you! This matches my dress perfectly," said Hermione kissing shocked Draco on the cheek. She put the necklace on and Draco had to agree, it was perfect with her dress. While her side, Severus managed to almost make a fool of himself.
"Thank you," whispered Severus holding out the necklace.
"Put it on me, won't you?" asked Katrina smiling up at Severus.
"You are an angel," said Severus, before blushing and saying, "I mean you look like an angel."
"I must return the compliment, you look great," said Katrina.
"Thank you, but-"
"Now that we are all here, shall we?" asked Albus before walking off with Minerva. Shrugging, the couples followed in silence.
"We shall apparate to the ball, those of us who can. Hermione, Draco, here is a portkey. To activate it, you must both say Amor at the same time," said Albus before popping away with Minerva. Slowly the rest of the couples popped away.
"Shall we?" asked Draco his wit and manners finally returning to him.
"I guess."
"Amor!"
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After a moment of dizziness from the not so wonderful feeling of traveling by portkey, Hermione gazed at the magnificent room around her. If she thought that the Hogwarts balls were elegant, then this surpassed anything she knew of. The room was at least three times the size of the Great Hall and had three long tables in the middle. The walls were made of stone just like Hogwarts and were swathed in ropes of gold sheet braided with silver sheet. The soft candlelight as well as the candles on the tables just added to the wonderful romantic feeling. The china was gold with silver silverware. Even the napkins were gold painted napkins. She saw a beautiful lady and a handsome man approach Albus.
"Hello Headmaster Dumbledore, how do you do?" asked the lady in soft tilting voice.
"Hello, Lady Contour, Duke Contour. This is my Hogwarts delegation," said Albus gesturing to the rest of them.
"Hello," said Lady Contour politely.
"Hello, I am Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts," said Severus kissing the Lady's hand.
Katrina smiled at her and introduced herself.
"I am Katrina Louver, Hogwarts' Arthimancy Master."
"I am Remus Lupin, Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."
"Remus!" called a women rushing to Remus hugging him and kissing him on the cheek. She had black hair and black eyes while she wore a beautiful black dress.
"Ara! How good to see you!" exclaimed Remus, his face lighting up at the sight of his old friend.
"Now Remus, what have you been doing for the past years?" asked Arabella.
"Excuse me," excused Remus as he walked off happily.
"I am Draco Malfoy, Part of Hogwarts' Student Delegation," said Draco doing a half bow while kissing Lady Contour's hand and shaking the Duke's hand.
"I am Hermione Granger, the other half of Hogwarts' Student Delegation," said Hermione dropping into a pretty curtsy. She was thankful her parents insisted on placing in a finishing class for young ladies the summer before.
"Delighted."
"Charmed," answered the Duke smiling.
"I am Professor Minerva McGonagall of Transfiguration," and so the introductions continued until it was time for dinner.
"This way, please," said Lady Contour showing them their seats. Hermione was seated next to Severus who was seated across Albus and Minerva. On Hermione's other side was Draco who was seated across Remus with Arabella on his side. Katrina was Severus's other side. Next to Minerva were Edward and Marthie.
(Draco - Hermione - Severus - Katrina - Unknown - Unknown
Remus - Arabella - Albus - Minerva - Edward - Marthie)
Dinner started with a wonderful appetizer of soup as conversation also started.
"Hello, I am the Potions Master of Lithelie (another school). And you would be?" asked a man on the other side of Remus.
"I am Remus Lupin, Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor of Hogwarts" said Remus pleasantly.
"Oh! I heard about you....aren't you a-" started the man.
"Yes, I am a werewolf," sighed Remus, his eyes showing how much it hurt him to say that.
"Oh! Hello, who are you?" said the man rudely turning away from Remus. Remus looked a little shocked, but also as if he was used to this type of behavior. Hermione who had heard the whole exchange smiled nicely at him while Arabella squeezed his hand under the table.
"I think that potion is defective, unless used with the charm. Using the Montolous Potion is much better then either" said Severus arguing with Albus and the other person that was sitting next to Katrina. And so the conversation continued as masters of every single subject debated and argued about current discoveries and much more. The food was delicious and sooner then anticipated desserts arrived. The tables were dotted with ice creams, cakes, pies, soufflés, and many exotic dishes. Soon after everyone had eaten, Remus excused himself and rushed outside. Arabella watched him go before also excusing herself and striding after him.
"Remus! Remus!" called Arabella trying to walk as fast as possible in her heels.
"Oh Ara, it's just you," said Remus as they walked among the beautiful famous rose and tulip gardens of the Contours.
"And, what is that supposed to mean?" asked Ara frowning jokingly.
"Nothing," sighed Remus. Arabella stopped and looked Remus in the eyes. After a moment of staring into each other's eyes, Arabella reached up and brushed a kiss on Remus' lips. Remus continued the kiss, before as if realizing what he was doing broke away.
"Ara! You can't...we can't do this! I am werewolf remember?" said Remus turning away and looking at the setting sun.
"So? Do you think I care? I care about you, Remus Lupin, and I always have! Ever since the moment I set eyes on you in the train going to Hogwarts! Please, Remus? I think I might love you," said Arabella almost whispering the last part her eyes full of hope and love. After one glance in those eyes, Remus sighed and pulled Arabella close. Albus and Minerva watched from far away as Remus and Arabella created a beautiful picture with the setting sun and gardens in the background.
"They look beautiful together, don't they?" whispered Minerva wrapping her arms around Albus.
"Yes, they do. Shall we go back inside, my dear?" asked Albus pulling Minerva close.
"Yes, let's go see what the rest of our lovely couples are doing," replied Minerva and they walked back inside. Everyone inside either stood around in little groups as a few brave couples danced to the soft music playing. Walking to the area where their group was, Albus and Minerva smiled happily.
"Hello, now why haven't you young ones started dancing yet?" asked Albus motioning to Draco, Hermione, Katrina, and Severus.
"Are you insinuating that I am not young?" joked Marthie.
"No, n-" started Albus, but Minerva cut him off.
"I will show you how young we are! Come along, Albus, we are going to dance!"
"Come Edward, let us dance!" said Marthie and the two couples drifted away into the middle of the room.
Draco and Hermione chuckled as they watched their Professors dance.
"Now I believe that I agree with Albus on that point. Draco, don't you know it is polite to dance with your date?" said Katrina her eyes twinkling.
"Of course, excuse me. Shall we dance, milady?" asked Draco formally.
Hermione laughed and replied, "Of course my good sir" and they walked off into the dance floor. As they started dancing the song changed into Titanic by Celine Dion. Draco put his hands around Hermione's waists and they started slow dancing. Hermione realized that she had never felt so safe and protected with anyone until now in Draco's arms. Sighing a little sigh, she laid her head on Draco and closed her eyes. Draco meanwhile had also been thinking about his weird feelings. He knew that he had never been with anyone who had danced better then Hermione. When she sighed and laid her head on him, he realized that it was more then dancing. He felt so right with her in his arms. On the other side of the room, Katrina and Severus talked.
"I think that Arthimancy is just another way like Divination that pretends to predict the future. At least Arthimancy tries to do it in a logical way," said Severus.
"Arthimancy does not just predict the future, but it also clears up the past and shows patterns in history. By using numbers, Arthimancy shows each and every possible past and future. It is obviously better then Divination which is just guessing," said Katrina.
"Oh! Excuse me, but are you the potions master of Hogwarts?" asked a man cutting in.
"Yes, that would be me," replied Severus curtly.
"I read your paper and realized a couple of mistakes in it," said the man as Severus bristled at the thought that *his* paper had mistakes in it.
"If you would excuse me, Katrina?" asked Severus and walked away with the man arguing furiously.
"Will you spare an old man a dance?" asked Albus turning up with Minerva.
"Of course, and you are not old!" said Katrina as she waltzed away with Albus. Minerva waited for Severus to finish his argument before demanding her usual dance with the man. As Severus obliged her, Katrina passed through many hands. As Katrina danced with Edward, Hermione turned to Draco.
"When Katrina and Prof. Flitwick come over here, let's change partners." said Hermione to Draco.
"What? I am not good enough anymore?" joked Draco.
"No, you silly!! After a while, pass her off to Severus when Minerva comes over. Make sure whatever happens, Severus and Katrina dance together!" said Hermione. Draco nodded, ever since he had returned to normal he could see the chemistry between Severus and Katrina. As per plan, they switched and Draco danced off with Katrina.
"How are you, Draco?" asked Katrina kindly.
"I am coping, thank you," said Draco politely.
"How is your date?" asked Katrina sneakily.
"Hermione is fine...." replied Draco before he realized he had been tricked.
"So when will we get the news?" teased Katrina.
"What news?" asked Draco innocently.
"The news of your wedding, of course!" said Katrina laughing.
"Katrina!! We are just friends!!!!" half-yelled Draco.
"Sure...sure! Just wait two weeks, I will bet anything on it. How about we bet one favor on it?" said Katrina.
"Okay. Hello Aunty Minerva, Severus." said Draco slyly winking at Minerva while sneakily gesturing to Katrina and Severus.
"Hello, Draco. If you don't mind Severus, I want to dance with Draco now. I haven't talked to him since a couple of days." said Minerva switching with Draco.
Severus walked over to Katrina and they started dancing. Draco and Minerva after a second walked off to the sidelines. As if on cue, the music changed to A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton. Draco and Minerva joined Albus, Hermione, Remus and Arabella as they watched the couple dance to the beautiful touching song. Unknowingly, Draco took Hermione's hand while Remus held Arabella close.
Making my way downtown
Walking Fast
Faces passed
And I am home bound
Severus and Katrina started slow dancing, looking into each other's eyes.
"She has beautiful eyes. I could stay there forever," thought Severus
Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making my way
Through the crowd
"How did I live without holding him? I am in heaven," thought Katrina as they swayed to the music.
And I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder
If I could fall
Into the Sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by?
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
Tonight
"I think I would walk a thousand miles for him," thought Katrina.
"I would do anything for her, anything," pondered Severus.
It's always times like this
When I think of you
And I wonder
If you ever
Think of me
'Cause everything's so wrong
And I don' belong
Living in your
Precious memories
"Yeah, this song is so right. I don't belong living in my memories of him, I belong with him," philosophized Katrina. Severus smiled down at the beautiful lady in his arms.
'Cause I need you
'And I miss you
And now I wonder
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by?
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
Tonight
And I, I
Don't want to let you know
I, I
Drown in your memory
I, I
Don't want to let this go
I, I
Don't....
Making my way downtown
Walking Fast
Faces passed
And I am home bound
Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making my way
Through the crowd
"I won't let go! I have been such a stubborn fool. How could I refuse her?" thought Severus berating himself.
And I still need you
And I still miss you
And I wonder
If I could fall
Into the Sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by?
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
Tonight
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think that time
Would pass me by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
If I could
Just hold you
Tonight
"Oh Severus," thought Katrina laying her head on Severus. Severus looked down at her; he thought that he might have heard her say something.
"Oh Katrina," thought Severus back gazing at his love. Katrina looked up into his eyes; he knew that she had heard him, even though he had just thought it.
"I love you," thought Severus gazing into Katrina's eyes.
Katrina heard his soft declaration in her mind, and thought back, "I have loved you, I love you, and I will always love you!"
Standing in the midst of dancers, Severus and Katrina truly became soul mates. Far, far away, in Heaven, two angels looked down upon the happy couple.
"Oh Ed, they have found each other!" whispered Rowena to the man next to her.
"Yes, my love. Just like we found each other. The King of the Cosmos and the Queen of the Mystics are together once again."
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A/N: I have nothing to say....just....don't kill me!!!! Oh yeah for all those Indians out there, think Hindi Movie!! (Ex. Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Ghum, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, etc)
~Madame Moony