Details are in chapter 01. Thanks to my betas, Maria, Sari Ling, Lori and Susan.
author's note: sorry for taking so long to update. There were some problems with this chapter that my betas found, which took very long to get right. Thankfully all is now sorted out, so here it is! Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I'm glad you like my story so much. Happy reading!
Chapter 05:"Oh no!" Hermione groaned as she examined herself for the umpteenth time that hour. It was the day of the Yule Ball – an event that Dumbledore had reinstated after the success of the Ball during the Triwizard Tournament. She had spent the last hour trying to pick an outfit, but without success. She was just about to put on yet another dress when there was a knock on the door. Dropping the dress, she walked to the door and opened it. "Oh, hi Ginny, come in."
"Thanks," Ginny said, stepping inside. "Whoa, Hermione, what happened here?"
"Bad case of pre-Ball stress," Hermione said as she closed the door. As she looked at her room, she couldn't help but cringe. Her usually so-neat-room looked like there had been a hurricane inside it. All her clothes were spread over the entire room. She hadn't noticed it before, but now that she took a better look, she saw that one of her dresses was actually dangling on one of the corners of her full-view mirror. As if the mirror sensed she was looking at it, it said:
"Tut, tut, you're making quite a mess of me, dear. That's not like you at all."
"Sorry," Hermione muttered as she moved to take off the dress.
"Its quite all right, dear," the mirror answered pleasantly.
"I really don't know what to wear," she told Ginny. "Everything is too black, too old-fashioned or too boring."
"Say no more," Ginny grinned. You are in desperate need of my help. Well, don't worry, you've just got yourself an advice session with me, free of charge." Ginny's smile looked uncannily like the one Professor Lockhart always used to show. She looked around for a few moments and then summoned a pine-green wool dress. "Put it on," she demanded.
Hermione wrinkled her nose in disgust. "That old thing? It's horrible!"
"I will be the judge of that," Ginny sniffed. "On with it."
Sighing, Hermione put on the dress.
"Okay, now turn. Slowly," Ginny demanded.
Hermione did as she said while Ginny submitted her to a close scrutiny.
"It's a great colour for you," she said, "but I can see why you wouldn't want to wear it to the Ball. It's too heavy and it makes you look fat. Don't worry though," she added hastily as Hermione's face fell. "I know just the solution."
"You do?" Hermione asked doubtfully.
"Yes, I do." Ginny said decidedly, taking her wand out. "Take the dress off and put it on the bed. Great, now step back."
As Hermione stepped back, Ginny waved her wand and said some incantations that Hermione didn't recognize. The next moment the rough wool of the dress seemed to smooth into something silky looking. Before Hermione could comment, Ginny said another spell that made the dress shorter.
"Okay, put it back on now," she demanded. As Hermione slid into the dress – 'putting it on' was not something you did with a dress like that – she couldn't help asking: "Where did you learn all that?"
Ginny smiled. "My mum taught me a few useful spells," she said. "How do you think I got so many different tops?"
Hermione shrugged. "I didn't really think about it much," she admitted. " I suppose I just figured that you probably borrowed some stuff from the girls in your dormitory."
"Well, now you know better."
"I most certainly do. Er, Ginny, isn't this a bit...naked? For a Christmas Ball that is."
Ginny frowned. "Perhaps you are right."
She cast a spell to make the dress a little longer. Then she cast another spell to make the dress sparkle.
"Wow, that's fantastic!" Hermione exclaimed as she looked in the mirror. "It's like you've put real stars in the fabric!"
Ginny couldn't suppress a smile at the compliment. "You're most welcome. Now, sit down over here and let me work on your hair and make-up."
"Make-up? I can do that myself. Just a hint of blusher and lipstick should suffice, I'm sure," Hermione protested.
"Sit," Ginny demanded, and Hermione obediently sat down, waiting with renewed horror for what was to come. When Ginny twirled her wand and said some incantations she cringed inwardly. She felt her hair move a bit, but she couldn't see the result, since she wasn't sitting in front of the mirror.
"Well? What do I look like?"
"Well, you'll definitely out-stun anyone, especially Lavender and Parvati," Ginny said with a nasty grin.
"How do you mean? What did you...?" Hermione looked panicky.
"I didn't do anything, but that new Professor Snape did. Lav and Pav had apparently asked our beloved Potions Master to cast a Glamour Charm on them. Well, Snape of course graciously told them that they were looking for his brother...At the same time docking Gryffindor a lot of points."
Hermione looked annoyed. "Well, that wasn't very smart of them. Besides, how could they have gone to the wrong Professor Snape? Anyone can see that the eyebrows of the Potions Master are at least one millimetre thicker than those of his brother. And his eyes are a real coal-black, whereas our not-so-dear Charms Teacher's eyes are more a weak coffee-colour."
Ginny had difficulty suppressing a smile. "Right," she said. "Well, you know what he did to Pansy, so I'm sure I don't need to tell you what Lav and Pav look like now."
"Oh no," Hermione said in mock horror.
"Oh yes," Ginny replied, "and the spell hasn't worn out yet. By the looks of it, that won't happen for another couple of weeks."
Ginny moved to work on Hermione's face and accio'd her beauty case to the room. Thankfully, Hermione had the presence of mind to open the door, because the case that came flying towards and through her doorway way looked more like a large tool kit than a beauty case.
"Ginny, what is all this?" she asked with wide eyes.
"Just a few bits of make up and some other handy things," Ginny replied. "Come over here again, 'Mione, and let me work my magic."
Hermione sat down again and was subjected to an hour-long make-up session by Ginny. When she was finally allowed to look in the mirror, she couldn't deny that Ginny could have been a pro. Her hair was still a bit bushy, but it seemed to sparkle with the same stars that were in her dress. Her eyebrows were elegant, her cheeks were rosy but stylish, and her brown eyes looked beautiful, surrounded by silvery eye shadow and a hint of eyeliner. Her eyelashes looked very long and thick, which made them even more beautiful, but what stunned Hermione the most, was her lips. Ginny had put on a slightly brown, sparkly lipstick that not only made her lips stand out, but also gave them a sexy, grown up look. As she examined herself in the mirror, she was sure that after tonight, no one would see her as a girl any more.
"You're looking nice," the mirror commented happily. "You should wear that more often."
"What do you think, Ginny? Is this good enough to let all those boys regret not asking me to the Ball?" she asked.
Ginny nodded and shrunk her beauty case. Then she walked to Hermione and hugged her. "Trust me," she whispered, "Severus will love it." With that, she was out of the door, leaving a stunned Hermione gaping after her.
Severus was bored. Very bored. He was also very angry. As he stood in the Great Hall, looking at the Headmaster and all the staff and students who were having fun, he scowled. Damn Dumbledore. I don't know why he has to insist that I show up. He knows I hate this sort of thing. Halloween is bad enough as it is. But what extra occasion will we be celebrating next year? Are we to have an Easter Ball as well? And an Oh-it's-Tuesday-and-the-students-should-have-some-fun-after-a-long-day-of-school-because-otherwise-they-won't-have-anything-fun-till-the-next-Ball Ball?
"Well, well, brother," he heard an all too familiar voice say. He turned around. "Good evening Sylvester," he said. "Happy Christmas." The words seemed to be stuck in his throat, but somehow they still came out. Severus wondered if that was what Pavlov had called a conditioned response: put him in a room with his brother and a Christmas tree and sooner or later, that line would come out, no matter how hard he tried to fight it.
"Yes, Happy Christmas to you too," Sylvester said happily. "Nice outfit, I must say. And the snakes too, very...Slytherin."
"Thanks," Severus said, grinding his teeth.
"Have you thought about our...talk about Miss Granger again? I know it's been a while, but I thought I'd..."
"Ah, Headmaster, good evening and Happy Christmas," Severus said as he saw Professor Dumbledore walk towards them.
"Happy Christmas to you too, Severus. I'm glad to see you've finally decided to get into the spirit of Christmas a little," Dumbledore beamed. "I was wondering, could you follow me for a second?"
Happy for the chance to get away from Sylvester, Severus nodded. "Yes, of course. Excuse us Sylvester."
As they walked toward the other side of the Hall, Severus asked. "What is so important that it can't wait till tomorrow?"
Professor Dumbledore turned and smiled. "Nothing," he said, but I thought you wouldn't want to stay in contact with Sylvester too long. I know the two of you don't get along at all, and even though I am generally of the opinion that Christmas is a time for families to be together, I also think that in some cases, it is better to be alone. Now, I hope you'll excuse me, but the band will start playing any minute, and I will have to tell them something before they do."
"Of course," Severus said. "Thank you."
He saw that Dumbledore had thoughtfully dropped him off near the drinks table, so he got himself a glass of pumpkin juice. Pity they don't serve anything stronger he thought as he let his eyes wander over the crowd. Everyone seemed to be there already, but still he felt he was waiting for something.
The moment the next person stepped into the Hall he knew what he had been waiting for. Hermione Granger had stepped into the room. Was it just him, or did everyone stop and stare? Great galloping gargantuans! he thought. Granger looks gorgeous! He immediately repressed that thought, but his need to stare couldn't be so easily suppressed. He had never noticed how Hermione had grown over the years. Of course, he had seen her get older, but with those school robes one never really noticed that more had changed than just the number of years. She had filled out in all the right places and even her hair seemed to look less...annoying. He watched her look round the Hall, her eyes finally coming to rest on him. He thought he could feel his heart thump in his throat when she smiled at him. Her mouth formed into a silky smooth arc, too sexy to be allowed. He swallowed heavily and nodded back sharply. At this, her smile widened and he saw her white and even teeth. The next moment, Ron had stepped up to her and the moment was lost. Severus wasn't sure, but he thought he saw Hermione frown for a moment. Then, Ron took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
"Shall we sit over there?" Ron asked Hermione after their dance. He pointed at one of the tables on one side of the room. "Sure," Hermione nodded and together they walked over. Hermione sat down, but Ron kept standing.
"Would you like a glass of pumpkin juice or something?" he asked.
"Yeah, thanks," Hermione said. Ron disappeared in the crowd and Hermione squeezed her eyes shut. Damn, she thought. Please don't let Ron be in love with me. She was fairly sure that was the case, though, so she waited for him apprehensively. She would have to say something to him sooner rather than later. It wouldn't be fair to lead him on. Lost in thought, she drew circles on the tablecloth with her fingernails.
Earlier that evening, she had decided with Ginny what she would wear. A little later she and Ginny decided to go downstairs together, a bit later than everyone else, to make a grande entrée, not thinking then how grand her entrance would be. When she saw everyone look at her she just mentally applauded Ginny. But then she had seen Snape and he was staring at her too. For a moment she had lost her breath, but then she had smiled at him. She wasn't sure why, but she felt that she needed to acknowledge his stare. When he had nodded, she had smiled more widely, felling all warm and fuzzy inside because of one little nod she had received. Perhaps Ginny was right after all?
Her train of thought was interrupted when the Potions Master politely cleared his throat.
"Oh, hello Professor Snape," she said, suddenly warm again. "I was lost in thought for a moment, so I didn't..."
"That's quite alright," he told her, not quite happy, but also not quite mean. "I understand you'd be more likely to think of Mr. Weasley than to look at who is coming to your table to ask for a dance."
"If you really understand that, then please explain it to me, sir, for I do not understand it at all."
"Well, I'm sure that Mr. Weasley has a lot more to offer than a dance."
"I'm sure he has, but I'd rather have him bestow all that upon someone else. I was in fact thinking of Ron, but not in the sense you were thinking of. I was merely hoping that he wouldn't have the misfortune of falling in love with me, and I was just making up my mind to tell him so when he would return."
"Is that so?" Severus asked, arching one eyebrow.
"Yes it is. Now, if I remember it correctly, you said that you moved this way in order to ask me for a dance. I would be most happy to dance with you, but I hope you weren't thinking of dancing like the rest of the crowd?" She nodded at the people on the dance floor who were doing the boogie as if it was their last chance to do so.
Severus smirked. "No indeed," he said. "I was hoping to entice you to a quick-step or something similar. I'm afraid I'm not the type to boogie."
"Thank goodness," Hermione said as she took his now outstretched hand and let him lead her to the dance floor.
"Oh, great," Severus groaned as they got ready to dance. "Change of music."
Hermione smiled. "Don't worry. I'm sure you didn't do this on purpose, like other people might. So, shall we dance or shall we sit down again?"
"Dance," Severus decided, not willing to let Hermione go so soon. As he placed a hand on her shoulder blade and took her hand in the other one, they started to dance to the slow, sultry beat of the new song.
"That's a nice outfit you are wearing, Professor," Hermione said after some moments of awkward silence. "I see you've managed to mix style and chauvinism perfectly."
Severus twisted the corners of his mouth up and replied. "That's more than I can say of you. You look stunning in this dress, but it is hardly chauvinistic."
Hermione raised her eyebrows in question. "Why is that?"
"Green and silver all the way. A Gryffindor dressing in Slytherin colours. What is the world coming to?" Severus teased.
"I have Ginny to thank for that," Hermione said, suddenly understanding the redhead's comment from earlier that day. "She helped me with...preparing for tonight. I think she had a hidden agenda. Oh no..."
"What?" Severus asked, suddenly concerned.
"Syl..." She didn't have time to say more, because at that moment he felt someone tap his shoulder.
"Hello big brother, did you miss me?" Sylvester said in a false air of jolliness.
"No, not at all," Severus replied, turning back to Hermione.
"Not so fast brother," Sylvester stepped in. "You can't monopolize our lovely Head Girl all night. I think it's my turn now." With that, Hermione was swept away by Sylvester.
The moment they were out of Severus's range of hearing, Sylvester turned his cold eyes to her and said: "Miss Granger, we need to talk. Or rather, I will do the talking and you will listen. Now I know you are a Muggle-born and therefore ignorant of certain matters in the wizarding world, but let me enlighten you. In our world, there are certain families who have over the centuries gained a lot of respect. The Snapes are considered to be one of those families and because of that, we have very high values for ourselves. For centuries the Snapes have been the cream of the crop of wizards, simply because inferiority is not accepted." Hermione saw the gleam in his eye, and suspected that this was the speech Snape Sr. had used to brainwash his kids. She was sure Muggle-borns were about to be named some time soon; she soon found out how right she was, for Sylvester continued: "There are no Snape squibs, and none of the Snapes have ever married Muggle-borns."
Here, Hermione opened her mouth to interfere, but Sylvester saw it and snapped: "I will not be interrupted, so don't speak unless I specifically ask you to do so. Now, as I was saying, this has been the situation for centuries, and you will not be the one to change that. I don't know what idle hopes you been entertaining, but it will not be so. You will never marry my brother, no matter how hard you try to ensnare him."
"May I speak?" Hermione asked quietly. It cost her a lot of will power, but she wasn't going to show him how angry she was. It was just what he wanted and she would not lower herself to that.
"You may," Sylvester conceded.
"Did your brother ever mention that he wanted to marry me?" Hermione asked, already knowing that it had not been so. Still, his answer seemed to cause a sharp stab of pain for a moment.
"No, he did not say anything of the kind."
"Then why do you take the trouble of warning me? I do not think I am ensnaring anyone, least of all your brother, but for a moment there you made me think that he had expressed a desire to marry me. Now, that isn't the case, so your depriving me of a dance with your brother just to tell me that I shouldn't think of marrying him seems rather pointless. Even besides that, I have no plans of getting married any time soon, not to your brother nor to anyone else. Let me assure you however, that if I were to choose a partner, it would not be of your concern whom I chose. Don't worry, though, since your brother doesn't want to marry me, and at present I don't want to marry him, he is quite safe." She had said this as calmly as she could, but inside, her mind was reeling.
"He'd better be," Sylvester said. "If he were to choose the wrong kind of person, my parents would sever all ties with him and leave him penniless. He would be a disgrace to us Snapes. I'm sure you wouldn't want to be the cause of such misery."
With one last nasty look, Sylvester turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Hermione standing alone on a very crowded dance floor.
For a moment, she just stood there; the next moment she stormed off the dance floor and out of the Great Hall. Severus saw this and followed her. She was out of sight when he finally made it out of the Great Hall himself, but he met the Grey Lady and the Bloody Baron as he was about to turn back.
"Do you know where Hermione Granger is?" Severus asked them.
"I have no idea," the Bloody Baron lied unconvincingly.
"Oh, shoo, don't lie to him!" the Grey Lady scolded gently. She turned to Severus and smiled. "She was on her way to the lake just now."
With a nod of thanks and a glare to the Baron, Snape sped past them and went on his way to the lake.
When he finally found her, she was sitting on a bench, shivering with cold, but not seeming to care. He took off his frock coat and wrapped it around her shoulders, startling her.
"Oh, it's you," she said before turning back. Snape sat down in silence and waited for her to speak. When she remained silent, he frowned. He wasn't good at this sort of thing.
"Er...what did my brother say to you?" he asked.
For a moment, he thought she wasn't going to answer him, but then she said, still staring in the distance: "He told me that no matter what I had in mind, marrying you is out of the question."
Severus nodded. He had expected that to be the case. He had seen Sylvester's eyes glaze over and he had remembered that look from his father, during one of his speeches. "So...what did you reply?"
Hermione smiled. "I told him that I had no intention of marrying you at present and that my choice in partner was not his concern, no matter who I would choose."
"Right." Severus didn't know why, but he felt strangely relieved at that. It wasn't anything Sylvester could see as a threat, but it was enough to send his heart straight into overdrive.
"Professor Snape, please don't think I'm trying to ruin the moment or anything, but I think we should head back. And inside, I will say goodbye to you for this evening. Perhaps it is best if we're not seen dancing together again."
Severus got up and held out his hand. "All right, let's go back," he said. Hermione took his hand and got up. Putting her hand in the crook of his elbow, Snape started walking back to Hogwarts. They walked in companionable silence, until they were close to the front door. Then, Severus said: "I don't see why we shouldn't dance together. You really shouldn't care about Sylvester too much, there's nothing he can do."
"No, but other people may comment."
"They won't comment just because I chose to ask you for a dance and you had no excuse to say no," he joked lamely. Hermione didn't reply, but she thought of Ginny's remark earlier that day. When they had reached the doors to the Great Hall, they stood still. "So, shall we go in?"
Hermione gently shook her head and said: "You go in. I think I need an early night in. Thank you for the talk and the walk."
"Thank you for the dance."
"Good night Professor Snape."
"Good night Miss Granger."
She turned and slowly walked up the stairs, not daring to look back. Had she done that, she would have seen him stare after her; he stood there till she had been long gone. Then, he turned and walked towards his private quarters. He had had enough of the party for one night.
In her bedroom, Hermione stood in front of the mirror. "You've really done it this time," she told herself. "What are you thinking, falling in love with a Professor? You've got to be crazy."
"There, there, don't be so hard on yourself," the mirror said sleepily. "You won't be his student much longer."
"I know," Hermione replied, "but I'm sure he could never love me back. He way out of my league."
"If that's true, then I'm afraid falling in love with him is a rather pointless thing to do," the mirror mumbled, sounding rather annoyed that Hermione would wake her for something like that.
Hermione sadly turned to her bed, and looked at the frock coat. She knew she ought to return it, for it was probably very expensive, but she couldn't. Not now. Instead, she got into bed and put the coat over her as an extra cover. Inhaling the scent of her Potions Master, she smiled at his gallantry and fell asleep.