Introductions

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"Professor Snape I...I'm sorry to have interrupted you." A young woman said with a blush to match a ripe tomato. Her blush was with good reason; Snape was lying almost completely naked on top of his desk.

Snape thanked Merlin that he had decided to leave his boxer shorts on, not that they were much help being as sheer and tight as cling-wrap, only these were tinted a dark green. He sat up and stared at her, unsure of what to say let alone to do and she made no other moves either. Finally deciding that he'd better explain himself, he replied, "That's quite alright miss...?"

She hesitated a moment then answered shyly, "I am Rhea Evans. I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts." She said with a hint of questioning in her voice. She was surprised that in all this time he had not even taken the time to learn her name.

"Well it is nice to meet you Miss Evans." He said rising from the table and heading towards her. He held out his hand for her to shake and she couldn't help but laugh. There he was, barely wearing a thing and he seemed completely nonchalant. She looked him over and shook his hand strongly and with confidence, as she had always been taught.

"Please join me for tea. It will give me a chance to explain myself." He said. Merlin, he thought, has it been that long since I flirted with a woman?

"I don't see why not and to be honest, I'm rather curious as to this explanation you're offering." She said smiling.

"Wait one moment." He said and dashed into what appeared to be an office. He returned wearing his black billowing robes that had become his trademark.

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"They're not sure what Hermione's wearing either. If you ask me Ron, I'd say this is the best you're going to get this late."

"Well, come on then, which one do think?" Ron said. Harry could tell that he was hiding his apprehension. Next he'd be raving with all sorts of jokes, as was his style. Harry just hoped he didn't try anything like that at the dance, he doubted if Hermione would enjoy it very much.

"Well the knights pretty great, but I like the pirate."

"Do you think Hermione would like it? I mean pirates were bad and you know...broke rules and that, didn't they?" Ron said worriedly. Harry smiled at his friend.

"I don't think you should worry about that Ron." He said and chuckled a bit.

"I don't think I could go out like that." Hermione said to Ginny as they ate lunch.

"Why not? You look great in it!" Ginny said exasperatingly.

"I'm not wearing an animal suit Ginny, I've had all the experience I could possibly want being one."

Ginny could see that Hermione was not going to budge and therefore replied, "Well then, what are you going to wear?"

"What did you think of the dress?" She said as casually as possible.

"Right! I forgot about that. It was smashing. Though, I'm surprised you're not uncomfortable wearing it if you don't want to wear the others."

"Why?"

"Well...it's very...breasty. Not that that's a bad thing." Ginny said smiling. "Ron will have to fight off all the other males there." She said and winked.

"Ginny! It wasn't too much was it? I don't want to look -"

"You looked great, I promise. It's just too bad we couldn't match you two." Ginny said.

"What are you and Harry going as again?"

"Salton and genie."

"Oh right. Where'd you come up with that?"

"It was actually Harry's idea."

They continued chatting lightly about the dance and other things until they decided it was time to head to their classes. Hermione hadn't seen Ron in quite a while; she suspected that he was too nervous to be around her just yet. She felt horrid over it but she was glad that she didn't have to face him.

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"Yes father, I understand."

"Good. Now I'll back to check that things are going well in one month. Don't let me down Draco, don't let our Lord down." Lucius said as he headed towards the door.

Draco looked up at his father and thought to himself, Even if I wanted to, I couldn't.

"Say hello to mother for me father." He said quickly.

Lucius nodded and closed the door behind him as he stepped out of Draco's Head-Boy quarters. He was still surprised that Dumbledore hadn't made Potter Head-Boy, but then Dumbledore always was crazy.

Draco collapsed onto his bed and breathed a sigh of relief. He always hated visits from his father. They were always too serious and he had to make sure that everything he said and did was acceptable. Not that it was any better spending time with his mother. She tried too hard to love him and there always seemed to be something in her eyes that Draco couldn't quite place. None-the-less, Draco had business to take care of. He knew that he had some planning to do.

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"So Miss Evans, what brought you down here in the first place?" Snape said cocking his head to the side questioningly.

They each had a cup in their hand and after taking a small sip from her glass Rhea replied, "I was wondering if I could borrow a few things for a potion that I need."

"Well I'd be happy to make it for you. What is it?"

Her face turned to stone as she replied; "I'd rather not discuss it if it's all the same."

Seeing that he'd hit sensitive area Snape changed the subject, though he made a mental note to look into it later. "Well I guess I better tell you what on earth I was doing." Snape said smiling. "I don't know if you've ever heard of Occlumency," he said. She nodded and he continued. "Well I have a bit of knack for it and it helps if I'm completely comfortable and relaxed when I exercise my mind. Also, I find it helps to be in a familiar but not personal place. I was only practicing exercises in order to strengthen my mind. You look as if you don't believe a single word I'm saying."

"Oh I...I believe you..." She said, burying her smile in her cup.

Snape shook his head and replied, "Alright you caught me! Just promise me that you won't tell anyone." He said winking at her. He started laughing at his own joke and she laughed right along with him. She could not believe that the menacing and gloomy man she had seen storming through the school was this light-hearted man sitting in front of her.

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"You look amazing Hermione!" Harry exclaimed. He then noticed a very disgruntled Ginny standing next her and added even more enthusiastically, "WOW! Ginny! You look stunning!"

Ron shook his and smiled at Hermione. She truly did look amazing. "Hermione...You look beautiful." He said sincerely.

"Thanks Ron. You look great too. I love your costume." Harry nudged him when she said that.

"Well, shall we head to the Great Hall?" Ginny said. "I want to get dancing. I can't wait to see what Lavender's wearing."

They headed out of the Gryffindor common room and down the corridors towards the Great Hall.