Disclaimer: All Harry Potter people, places, and things, (all Harry Potter nouns) belong to J. K. Rowlings. Desiree Snape and Eleanora Snape are mine. "When a Man Loves a Woman" is by Percy Sledge.
Chapter 10: Dancing on air.
Harry followed Nora, keeping her black ponytail in sight. She speed-walked all the way to the library. Knowing that no one would be there accept for the librarian, she slipped in and headed toward the far corner of the library. When she reached a spot where she was out of earshot, she allowed herself to sink down onto the floor and she buried her face in her knees.
She glanced up when she realized she was not alone. Harry crouched down to her level. He reached out to her, but she pulled away and stood. He followed her as she stormed off until she turned around and faced him.
"I don't want to talk to you, in case you haven't noticed! You obviously can't see what's been right in front of you and you'd rather take the popular girl. Fine! Just leave me alone!" she yelled, abruptly hearing a sharp "Shh!" from Madame Pince, the librarian.
Shaking his head, Harry looked into her eyes and saw how hurt she was. "Nora, you misunderstood. Ron thought that I wanted to go with her and you left before I could tell him that he had it wrong. Why would I take the girl everyone else wants to take when I could take the girl who decides for herself whom she wants to spend time with?"
Nora stared at him with confusion, wanting to believe him, but too afraid to hope. "But she's so much better than-"
He stepped closer and cut her off by placing his thumb over her mouth. Then he dropped his hand and continued. "No she's not. Nora, Ron and Mione are my best friends. Ginny is like another sister to me. You are not like anyone I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I like spending time with you. I like watching you undermine Malfoy. And you point out to me things that I should have noticed. With your permission, I'd like to take you to the Yule Ball."
At first she was not certain what to do. Then she threw her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Thank you. You will never realize how happy you've made me."
Before he let her go, be brushed his lips lightly with hers and watched a rosy blush appear on her cheeks. "I think I have an idea."
The evening of the Yule Ball had finally arrived and Harry was walking through the corridor when he spotted Ginny, Neville, Ron, and Ron's date for the evening, Luna Lovegood. Hermione had gone ahead with her date, Viktor Krum. He caught up to them and Ron raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you missing something, mate?"
Harry shrugged. "What do you mean?"
Ron rolled his eyes. "Where's your date?"
He laughed. "I knew that was what you meant. I'm picking her up at her mother's rooms because that's where her dress was. I was on my way there when I ran into all of you."
Harry stopped walking when he came to the door. The others paused and decided to wait with him. Harry knocked on the door and Desiree answered it. "Hi, are you here to pick up Nora?"
He nodded. "Yes, Ms. Desiree."
"Nora, your friends are here," she called back behind her.
Nora emerged wearing a vibrant ice-blue dress that matched her eyes. It had a zipped up corset top with spaghetti straps and a long flowing skirt. The students and staff were given the option of wearing dress robes or muggle clothes. Her long black hair was free from its ponytail and the ends had been curled in loose ringlets. She waved goodbye to her mother and walked over to Harry. She smiled at his ill-concealed surprise.
"And I thought only Americans stared with their mouths open," she teased.
He recovered slightly. "You look… beautiful this evening," he said as he offered her his arm.
Ron elbowed Harry who was still staring at Nora. "He means that you look bloody gorgeous."
Nora giggled. "Thank you. You gentlemen look handsome yourselves," she added as they continued walking toward the Great Hall.
Desiree left her rooms, heading toward the main gate for an evening out. She stopped walking when she spotted Minerva. The professor glanced over as Desiree approached her. The younger woman wore her hair in attractive ringlets resembling the swirls on the skirt of her holly berry-red evening gown. The top was sleeveless and laced in the back.
"You look lovely tonight. Where might you be off to?" Minerva inquired with a smile.
Desiree blushed slightly. "I helped set up, so I won't be attending the Yule Ball. I have a dinner date with Remus."
"I'm happy for you. If he forgets to tell you how lovely you look tonight, you ought to magically put mistletoe everywhere so he realizes eventually," Minerva suggested mischievously.
The younger woman laughed. "Why Professor McGonagall, that almost sound sneaky. Before I forget, I think that Severus is going to the ball. It might be a good idea if you two have tea in his rooms afterward."
Desiree dashed away quickly, leaving Minerva confused. She shrugged and resumed her walk to the Great Hall to join the rest of the staff as a chaperone. The Great Hall had been elaborately decorated for the occasion. Mistletoe hung in the doorways, holly sprigs and chestnuts hung on the walls. A band of self-playing instruments had been hired to play a wide range of Christmas carols. The students had already begun dancing as she entered and made her way to the staff's snack table for a cup of spice cider.
As she took a drink, a voice whispered in her ear. "I was expecting you to show up in sensible red tartan. The emerald-green you're wearing sets off your eyes. You look exquisite."
She turned to see Severus. It had been quite a while since anyone had complimented her like that. She had chosen to wear emerald-green dress robes for the occasion. The neck was low enough to expose her collar bone, but tasteful and she had chosen to wear an antique gold pendant on a gold chain. Her graying ebony hair was in a French roll instead of the usual bun at the top of her head.
His dress robes were simple, but as she smiled at him, she noticed that they were not black. They were a dark forest-green. "Thank you," she mentioned. "You look handsome this evening as well."
He kissed her neck softly and then his lips met hers for a tender kiss. "I thought you were supposed to reserve that for mistletoe," she commented with a wry smile.
"You know very well what a scoundrel I am when no one is looking, and everyone else is far to busy engaging in the festivities to pay attention to two boring professors," he told her with a smug grin.
She looked over her shoulder and noticed that he was right. Then she kissed him warmly. "I was not even certain if you were coming or not. Desiree said you might attend."
"I had to come to see you of course, and I had to keep an eye on Potter. He took my cousin, Nora, and I have to make certain that no funny business transpires," he admitted.
She laughed and swatted his arm lightly. "Nora has been doing quite well lately. She is almost ready to become a registered animagus. I don't think you ought to worry about those two. I would be more concerned if she were here with Mr. Malfoy."
He snorted. "I suppose you're right." As the song changed, he turned back to her and put out his hand. "Milady, they are playing a particularly good rendition of 'Green Sleeves.' I was wondering if I may have this dance."
She gladly took his hand. "Of course, kind sir."
They began dancing off to the side where they were not too noticeable. He placed one hand at her waist and took her other hand in his as she rested a hand around his neck. He led her in a tasteful waltz and soon she was smiling as they spun from time to time. Then she glanced down at her feet and realized that they were not on the ground.
She looked at him pensively. "Severus, we're floating. How is this happening?"
He glanced down and thought for a moment. "I should have been paying more attention. I think our floating has more to do with where we were standing when we began than anything. A few spots around the room are probably designed to float dancing couples throughout the evening."
By the time they came down, he had wrapped both arms around her waist and she had placed her arms around his shoulders. When their feet touched the ground, he kissed her lightly, certain that no one had been paying any attention to them because the entire incident had taken place off to the side.
On the other side of the room, Nora and Harry were drinking fruit punch at the students' refreshments table when Draco approached. His date Pansy Parkinson had left him for a moment to speak to a few friends. "Well, it seems that even you managed to get a date, Potter. Honestly, Miss Snape, if only I had an indication how truly spectacular you could look, I'd have chosen you myself."
Nora ignored Draco and locked her arm with Harry's. "Why don't we join in on the next dance? It's getting a little too slimy over here."
Harry understood and the two left Draco standing at the table as Pansy returned to collect him. When they were out of his earshot, Harry turned to her. "You know what an annoying git Malfoy is. I hope he didn't bother you too much."
At that moment, Nora looked up and smirked. "Harry, look where we're standing."
He glanced up and smiled. "It would seem that we found another sprig of mistletoe." He hesitated, unsure if she wanted him to kiss her. He leaned close to her and paused. "May I kiss you?"
"It's sweet that you asked. Yes," she responded. He closed the distance between them and she put a hand on his shoulder as they kissed gently. They quickly pulled apart, thankful that no one noticed. Even Minerva and Severus had stopped watching them.
They danced for a while, but suddenly and without warning Harry took Nora by the hand and led her to a concealing corner. "What is it?" she asked, reading his mind slightly.
There's a reporter here that I'm trying to avoid. Her name is Rita Skeeter and she keeps writing stories that are untrue. I'm going to join Ron and be right back. If she talks to you, don't tell her anything useful and don't give her your real name, he told her mentally before walking off.
Just as he had warned, a reporter approached. With her tight curls kept close to her head, her cat-eye jeweled glasses, and long apple-red nails, she reminded Nora of a picture of her great-grandmother taken in the fifties. "Miss, oh miss, I want to ask you what you think of Harry Potter's scandalous break up with Hermione Granger. I'm Rita Skeeter by the way," the woman squawked.
Nora raises an eyebrow and gave the woman a look resembling the type Minerva reserved for students speaking out of turn. "Harry Potter was never seeing Hermione Granger. You should get your facts straight before you go questioning people."
Skeeter nearly dropped her jaw, but then quickly resumed her mannered appearance. "Aren't you a sassy one? Tell me, what's your name? I need to quote my sources."
Thinking for a moment, Nora decided to give a name that would ensure confusion if the name were to be published in a story. "I'm Shirley Temple," she told her before walking away. As she sought Harry out, Nora wondered how her mother was enjoying the evening.
After Desiree had left the grounds, she had apparated to Hogsmeade to wait in front of the Leaky Cauldron as Remus had instructed her to. She paced in front of the establishment for a minute when she noticed someone walking up wearing a distinguished black tuxedo. Her breath caught in her throat as she reached out to touch his face. He kissed her lips politely and smiled broadly.
"Desiree, you look so absolutely lovely tonight. Come on, I am taking you to one of my favourite restaurants in London," he told her, offering her his arm.
She took his arm and they walked to his car. As the car started, Desiree gasped in surprise when it took flight. Remus chuckled and they exchanged smiles. The car landed in front of a Chinese restaurant. Desiree fell in love with the quaint little restaurant at first glance. The furniture was made of a dark reddish wood with white seat cushions. The walls were decorated with scenic pictures painted on wooden panels.
The host greeted them as they entered. "Ah, Mr. Lupin, it is so nice to have you back. And I see you have brought a pretty lady with you this evening. Would you like a table by the window or one by the corner?"
"We would prefer the corner," Remus stated.
Once they were seated, Desiree spoke. "I think it's cute that they know you here. I'm so glad you brought me to a Chinese restaurant. Here I know what to order. I was afraid we were heading to a French restaurant and I would have been completely confused on what to eat."
He kissed her hand. "You are welcome. I thought you might enjoy this place. Order whatever you want."
When the waiter returned they had both ordered Peking Duck with hot and sour soup on the side. As they waited for their food he kept watching her. "What have you been doing this year?"
She loved looking into his eyes and seeing his affection for her. "This year I've assisted in Herbology, Ancient Runes, and Care of Magical Creatures. Looking at the classes from last year and this year, if I could teach a class, I'd prefer to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts or Ancient Runes. If everything works out, I'll be teaching something next year," she told him, smiling brightly. "How about you?"
He took her hand in his and caressed it. "I've been here and there. The way people have been feeling about werewolves lately, I'm fortunate to have a job. I wish I could tell you more about it, but it would be too dangerous. How has Nora been getting along?"
"She's doing wonderfully. Her grades are excellent and Minerva's teaching her to be an animagus. She's growing up so fast. Tonight Harry Potter took her to the Yule Ball. I'm so glad you asked me out to dinner instead of wanting to escort me to the dance. I'm a terrible dancer. With all that waltzing I'd never fit in. The only thing I can dance is the Tango," she admitted.
He chuckled. "That's a more complicated dance than a waltz. I'm certain you could learn to waltz if you wanted to. What would you dance at your wedding if you chose to marry?"
She thought for a moment. "My husband and I would share the Tango and then everyone else could do whatever they wanted."
He leaned over the table and kissed her cheek. "I love your sense of humor. You will always be my favourite person."
As he resumed his seat their food arrived. They ate in companionable silence for a while until he cleared his throat. "Pinot Noir usually accompanies duck. It's a light red wine and I was wondering if you would like me to order a bottle."
She blushed and he raised an eyebrow. "Actually I don't hold my liquor nearly as well as Severus. I think ordering a small glass for me would be fine."
He nodded with understanding and soon they each had a small glass. Noticing that he had raised his glass, she did the same and waited for his toast. "To you, my dear Desiree, I thank you for your wonderful company this evening and I hope that you will accept my company in a more permanent arrangement."
She raised an eyebrow as the rims of their glasses kissed and they drank a bit of wine. "You're up to something, aren't you?" she asked with a smile.
Standing, he removed a black velvet box from his pocket and knelt down in front of her on one knee, taking her left hand in both of his. "I love you, so very much. You have been what has sustained me and you are what I have to look forward to. I can't get my thoughts off you and I don't want to. You are such an extraordinary, wonderful person. I know I cannot offer you much else but myself and my love. I am willing to be a stepfather to Nora as well as a husband to you. Desiree Snape, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
The ring was a gold band with a fiery red ruby in the center surrounded by two diamonds. It was enchanted to fit her hand no matter the ring size. He slid the ring carefully onto her finger and she noticed how the ruby seemed to sparkle as if what she felt on the inside had surfaced. "I love you, Remus, with all my heart. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Yes, I will be your wife," she expressed.
He stood and pulled her into an embrace. Then he trailed kisses down her jaw line and they kissed passionately. They were still preoccupied with each other when the waiter walked by with the bill. "You can pay later, Mr. Lupin," he whispered.
Minerva thought about Desiree's odd remark as she and Severus headed to his rooms for tea after the Yule Ball. As they entered and the lights came on, the two noticed a muggle record player on the table, ready for use. There was a large square envelope with a note on it that read, "Play this as soon as you walk in the door." Out of curiosity Severus complied and he listened with Minerva as the music began to play and Percy Sledge's voice soon filled the room.
"When
a man loves a woman
Can't keep his mind on nothing else
He'd
trade the world for the good thing he's found"
"Desiree said something to me about coming with you for tea," Minerva mentioned.
"I will bet anything that this is her scheme. I wonder what she expects us to do with it," Severus commented.
"If she is bad,
he can't see it
She can do no wrong
Turn his back on his best
friend if he put her down"
The other side of the envelope gave them their answer. It read, "You dance to it." They chuckled and decided to humor Desiree. He took one of her hands in his while she placed one hand on his shoulder and he set his other hand at her waist.
"When a man loves a
woman
He'll spend his very last dime
Tryin' to hold on to what
he needs"
"He'd give up all his comforts
And
sleep out in the rain
If she said that's the way it ought to be"
She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest as he encircled her waist with his arms and held her closely.
"Well,
this man loves you, woman
I gave you everything I have
Tryin'
to hold on to your precious love
Baby, please don't treat me bad"
He moved one hand to her chin and tiled it up toward him.
"When
a man loves a woman
Down deep in his soul
She can bring him
such misery"
As he kissed her soundly, she responded and drew closer to him.
"If
she is playin' him for a fool
He's the last one to know
Lovin'
eyes can never see"
Their kisses became passionate and after a few searing kisses, the dance and the song were both forgotten.
"When a man loves a
woman
He can do her no wrong
He can never hug some other girl"
They somehow managed to move to the couch to continue their snogging.
"Yes, when a man loves a woman
I know
exactly how he feels
'Cause baby, baby, I'm a man"
"When a man loves a woman.…"
At some point sleep came to both of them and they slept on the couch together for the second time. Only this time they had fallen asleep holding each other in a loving embrace.
Minerva woke with a crick in her neck. Before she opened her eyes she wondered why her sheets were wrapped around her like two arms. When she opened her eyes, she realized that they really were two arms. She glanced at the clock and then tried to wake Severus.
"Severus, it's 5:30 in the morning," she said nudging him.
He opened his eyes and raised an eyebrow at seeing her. Then he looked around and remembered the previous evening. "It would appear that we fell asleep on the couch again," he stated dryly.
"Yes, first my couch and then yours. We're beginning to make a bad habit out of this," she added with a wry smile.
He leaned toward her and kissed her warmly. "In all honesty, despite this nagging pain in my back, this is actually one of the more pleasant way's I've had of waking up."
"I suppose I had better return to my own rooms before someone wonders why on earth I'm coming out of your rooms," she remarked.
He chuckled and walked her to the door. "Desiree will never let me hear the end of this one, you know."
"Oh it won't be that bad. She still has to tell us how her dinner date went," she mentioned as she left the room.
Once in the corridor, she realized that it would be easier to walk through the castle in her animagus form. She transformed and scampered over to her rooms smiling with contentment as she remembered the dance and what had transpired afterward. Had anyone seen the cat, the person would have wondered how a cat could be grinning so broadly.
(my thanks to Quill of Minerva and Morgana-Alex for reviewing :D)
