A.N Sorry it took so long for me to update. I do promise that the next chapter will be here soon. Oh and Severus says you must buy the new album by Gwen Steffani or else! What can I say the man has taste ;)!!!

The decorations in the Great Hall were the best Hogwarts had ever had. Hagrid's usual giant pumpkins lined the walls, as bats and streamers swam across the enchanted ceiling. Butterbeer flowed freely from a grinning skull on a refreshment table not far from the stage. Opposite the band, a haunted house, like the ones in a Muggle fairground, had been set up. While most of the students had congregated on the temporary dance floor Dumbledore had created, the seventh year Gryffindors had taken sets around the edge of the Hall. They were having an unusual conversation centred on muggle magicians.

"So the magician sawed this girl in half but she didn't die. She was still smiling away and moving around in the box," said Ron. "Then he just put her back together, how cool is that?"

"How?" asked Neville in amazement.

"No idea," shrugged Ron as he turned to Harry, Hermione and Dean who were all laughing at the purebloods bewilderment. "What?"

"Nothing really," replied Harry. "It's just odd. It's usually me asking you to explain about some wizard thing that is perfectly normal and boring to you."

"It makes a change to hear you talking about something as simple as magicians as though it were more amazing than anything you have learnt here during the past six years," giggled Hermione.

"Well I still wouldn't try it. Sounds like an awful lot of pain to me." Seamus blushed as the others burst out laughing again.

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Robes swirling slightly, he made his way to the chattering group in one corner of the Great Hall. None of them seemed to notice him as he hovered silently over them for a moment.

"Trick or treat," he sneered.

Immediately the conversation stopped as they turned to look at him. Ron opened his mouth to say something but before he could earn his month of detentions, Hermione kicked him hard on his right leg.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" he asked in his most dangerous voice.

"Treat," Hermione smacked herself mentally. 'What a stupid thing to blurt out in front of him of all people.'

"Pardon, Miss Granger?" he asked, looking at her as though daring her to repeat her answer.

"I said treat," she replied, returning his challenging expression.

His eyes flashed as he placed a hand on her upper arm and pulled her to her feet.

"50 points from Gryffindor and ..."

"Now, now Sev you did ask," Modesty admonished as she glided into Hermione's now empty chair.

Severus glowered.

Modesty rolled her eyes, "Always the same. After you get what you want you don't want it, grow up Sev."

"She has a point."

Hermione peered around Severuss shoulder into a pair of twinkling blue eyes, almost hidden behind his long black wig.

"Nice costume Headmaster but might I ask what in the world is so terrifying about a great bullying idiot like Black," came Severus' cold retort.

Hermione saw Harry stiffen in his seat visibly.

"Nothing but when you get to my age you will find there is very little in this world to be frightened of. I merely thought it would amuse you." As he gazed around the group Hermione could have sworn that he had winked at her. "Might I suggest a dance, I personally can think of no better treat."

It was no surprise that the Headmaster's suggestion was rewarded with a traditional glower from the Potions Master. However all were at a complete loss for word when he did in fact lead Hermione onto the dance floor.

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'What an Earth is he doing?' The real Severus watched as his brother led Hermione onto the dance floor. 'Bloody Dumbledore! I know they were all up to something.'

At first he suspected that it had something to do with Samuel's insane idea that he had a thing for Hermione but surely Dumbledore wouldn't ever support any sort of relationship between himself and Hermione. No it must be something else. One of Dumbledores 'amusing' jokes.

'After all I'm really not interested in the Potter brats little side-kick,' he thought. 'Even if I was it's not like she'd ever feel the same way. But it doesn't matter because I don't like her! I really could not care less!

His train of thought paused for a moment as he watched Hermione laugh at something his brother had said.

'Oh Merlin he made her laugh! She actually laughed at something she thinks I said! What did I say?'

'You didn't say anything. Samuel did, she laughed at him because it's him she likes not you,' as soon as he thought this jealousy flared suddenly inside of him and his hand clenched tighter over the glass he was drinking out of.

'But she thinks it's me,' he thought defiantly.

'So? What are you going to do about it? I thought you didn't care?' he asked himself.

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'Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! Why did I have to go and open my big mouth?' she thought frantically. 'I'm dancing with Professor Snape! He's actually really good. People are looking at us. So what, they're only jealous. Yeah right and I'm not deluded. Oh no what if he's using occulamency? He'll know everything I'm thinking.'

"Hermione I'd feel much better if you tried to look slightly less terrified at least while Professor McGonagall is giving me a look that clearly says one false move and you die."

Her Transfiguration Professor whose steely glare turned to an overly cheerful smile when she saw Hermione glance over at her.

Hermione tried to calm herself down and think about anything but her dance partner. It proved to be an impossible task as thoughts such as 'did he just call me Hermione?' entered her mind.

'I wonder how people would react if I just started kissing him ...'

'Dumbledore winked at me?'

'... or if I pinched his bum?'

'I wonder if he has boxers with snakes on them?' at this last thought she tried to resist the urge to giggle but failed miserable.

"May I ask what is so funny?"

'Oh no, what do I do now? If I don't answer he'll know anyway. Just don't look at his eyes.'

"Well I ... just erm ... nothing," stammered Hermione looking around the Hall.

Severus surveyed her through his dark eyes. "How did you know about my boxers?"

Hermiones head short round, looking horrified at her Professor. 'Fuckity, fuck, fuck.'

"How dare you ... I mean what? I wasn't thinking about ... you wear boxers with snakes on them?'

"A joke. Even you must be familiar with them," he smirked.

"Did you see everything I've been thinking?" she asked, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"I believe I saw enough," he replied.

Hermione gulped. "Enough for what?"

Suddenly the song ended and he immediately let go of her. "Good evening Miss Granger," he said, giving her another smirk that she didn't trust one bit.

He disappeared behind a crowd of students, who had begun dancing again as soon as the music started, leaving a very stunned Hermione alone on the dance floor.

A.N What is Samuel up to? Why did Dumbledore wink? What is Severus going to do next? Does the Potions Master really wear boxers with snakes on them? I'll let you know soon!