Fanfiction based in the world of Harry Potter, created by JKR. Her characters are hers. Original characters are mine. Please see first chapter for full disclaimers and description.

The first kiss!! Enjoy. Please review, even if you don't like it.

Chapter 11: The Malfoy's Summer Fete

Molly Weasley helped her shop for her dress and accessories. In the end she felt more than a little like Cinderella at the ball! Her dress was a spaghetti-strapped ivory confection in shimmering silk. At first she had balked at the color—her own rather drab coloring had always led her to choose more bold and vivid colors. She always found white to make her look more monotone even than usual. But the ivory, with its iridescent reflection of the lights, looked ephemeral, and Molly had insisted it was 'THE ONE' at once.

The bodice was lightly beaded, but not too extravagant or flashy, fitting snug to her bust and torso like a second skin, the thin shoulder straps more for show than for function. It dipped very low in the back, almost to her waist, and scooped gently in the front, but neither was especially immodest. It clung tightly to her body until it gathered low at her hips and flared into the skirt. The skirt was long and full, but completely unadorned. It was simply a drape of elegant ivory silk that shimmered a thousand hues with each movement she made.

For her hair, she had found mother of pearl combs that matched the iridescence of the dress. The skimpy nature of the upper portion of the dress left her feeling exposed. She wouldn't agree to wear her hair completely up and off her neck, in spite of all Molly's insistence that it was more mature and elegant. Instead, she pulled it back off of her face and away from her ears with the combs, and curled the rest into the loose, flowing ringlets that suited her so well. Her hair easily covered the bareness of her back, though she found it an interesting, sensual feeling to have it brushing continually against her bare skin.

She still wore no jewelry. She had none that would be appropriate, and wasn't willing to splurge on such an expensive item for the sake of the Malfoys and their associates! She wore a tad more makeup than usual, even going so far as to use a hint of eye shadow, though still very tasteful and subdued. She looked very critically at herself in the mirror, and though she saw many things she wished she could change about her overall appearance, overall she was happy with the effect.

At three forty-five, Severus knocked on her door.

"Come in," she said nervously, wishing at the last moment that she had bought a shawl to hide beneath!

He entered and stopped short, staring at her expressionlessly. Wordlessly, he made a turning motion in the air with his finger to indicate she should turn around, which she did, in equal silence. She found herself blushing brilliantly at his intense scrutiny.

"Do glass slippers complete the ensemble?" he asked, dryly. Plainly her feeling of being captured in a fairytale was not lost on him!

She grinned playfully and pulled up the skirt enough to reveal a soft, low-heeled shoe, almost a slipper, in the same shade of ivory silk. "If you are going to make me dance all night, my feet need to be comfortable, don't you think?"

"Indeed. You are missing something, however."

She laughed nervously and said, "Yes, I know—the rest of my dress! I've never worn anything like this before. I feel half naked." She wrapped her arms around herself, gesturing with embarrassment at the bareness of arms, shoulders and back in the dress.

He shook his head, looking at her with an unreadable expression in his black eyes. "There is nothing wrong with the dress. It is quite suitable. You will be more modestly dressed than anyone else there. You are missing this."

He waved his wand and a necklace appeared in his hand. He instantly stepped behind her and fastened it. She was unable to suppress a shiver of awareness that passed through her as his hands brushed against the sensitive nape of her neck in the process. The increasingly familiar sense of primitive male pride washed through him as he noted it, smiling to himself. It was an odd thing to have her react so visibly to his slightest touch... and it made him briefly curious to know what other reactions his touch could elicit! That was not a thought process to explore now, however!

The necklace was a very large, tear-drop-shaped opal set on an exquisitely fine golden chain. It exactly suited the dress and the warm honey-brown tone of her skin where it nestled just above the gentle cleavage of her breasts. The fine chain glittered gently next to the iridescence of the thin spaghetti straps on her shoulders. The opal, which was larger than her thumb, exactly mirrored the ephemeral swirling of colors in the dress. It could not have been more suiting to the ensemble if it had been creates specifically for Rowena in that gown.

She looked up at him, astonished. "Did Molly Weasley tell you what I bought?"

"No."

"Then how did you know what would match?"

"I didn't. I waited to see what you were wearing. I have quite the collection. Something was sure to be suitable," he said in bored tones.

She cast him a look of confusion that slowly changed to dawning comprehension. He nodded and answered before she could ask, "Yes, it was my mother's. Shall we go?"

He offered her his arm, but she was looking at him in astonishment, shaking her head, "Oh, Severus, I can't. I can't wear your mother's necklace."

"Don't be ridiculous. It was hers long before she married my father. I doubt he ever gave her anything. She is dead. It's mine now to do with as I see fit. I desire you to wear it. Now, we go."

He took her elbow and guided her gently but forcefully out the door.

She had expected to see a Hogwarts carriage to take them. Instead there was a huge, ornate carriage in blue and gold, a family crest of an eagle in flight in the background of a large letter "A". She looked at him curiously and he smiled rather evilly. "My mother's as well. Aryssain. It tweaks my comrades terribly that I refuse to use the Snape coach and crest."

She smiled and stepped into the lush velvet interior, where he sat next to her rather than across from her, and they were off. The Thestrals seemed already to know the way. He gave her a small phial and insisted she drink it in the carriage. It was vile, but he said it would be an effective antidote that would last the night through. He then encouraged her to use her "shocking flesh" spell as he called it, if she should need it. Encouragement she did not need.

"Come to me, wherever I am in the room, whenever you like. Take my arm without invitation as though it were the most natural thing in the world. The more who see you do such, the better. Not only do I not dance at these functions; I do not allow anyone to touch me--ever. It will send more statement than any other actions could do, that I am performing my 'duties' as ordered. And do not forget what I said about the midnight dance, no matter what."

She nodded at his instructions and began to force herself into complete mental discipline and control. This was not the time to give way to flights of fancy about the charismatic man next to her.

He was indeed in black. These dress robes were of fine silk, even better tailored to him than the last. The usual billowing cape was a lighter silk as well, much thinner than the usual armor of heavy material he generally wore from head to toe. What a contrast they made in their silks, black and white, yin and yang.

The carriage landed and an elegant porter opened the door and handed her out. She took Severus's arm when he alighted, and walked sedately in at his side. Unusual circumstances not withstanding, she felt incredibly contented for the moment to be accompanied by him to such an elegant event. His cat-like grace was more pronounced as he, too, put on his usual facade more firmly.

The Malfoy's "Manor" was really a huge mansion, the ground floor of which was taken over nearly entirely by a grand ballroom, surrounded by French doors thrown open on all sides to admit the breeze and allow glimpses of a grand, formal garden outside.

The women present were dressed, as Severus had said, as though trying to reveal as much as propriety would allow. Skin-tight dresses in garishly bright colors, with thigh-high slits, deep plunging necklines and backs, long, gaudy, brightly-painted nails, and thick, heavy makeup abounded. Many of the women wore full-length arm gloves to compensate for the lack of dress, leaving Rowena to suspect that they were Death Eaters.

They were greeted with the false warmth and friendliness of the Malfoys, though Lucius did not attempt to kiss Rowena's hand as he had been doing with the other female guests. "You are looking particularly radiant, tonight, Rowena. Will Severus be keeping you all to himself, or will he allow you to dance with others?"

"She is free to do as she wishes, Lucius, as well you know," Severus answered in bored tones before Rowena could respond.

"Ah, then if that is the case, do let me request to be honored with a dance during the course of the evening. I open the dancing with my beloved Narcissa, of course. But at some point, you must allow me?"

Rowena just managed a polite nod, which seemed enough for him, and then he turned to the next guests entering.

Severus guided her as they wandered the room, exchanging cool greetings and introducing her to others as "Professor Lupin". When Lucius and Narcissa moved to the center of the dance floor, however, he dropped her arm and moved to a corner table. As though on cue, one of the men he had introduced her to earlier stepped over and asked her to dance.

After the Malfoys had danced quite gracefully, alone for several minutes, some silent signal was given that allowed others to join them, and her partner lead her to the dance floor. She wouldn't allow him to hold her bodily against him, as many of the other couples were doing. Instead she stood as far from him as possible with her hand on his shoulder, his on her hip, and their other hands clasped in the air in standard "Waltz" position one is first taught in primary school as a child.

The orchestra played well, and her partner danced well, but she couldn't help feeling the frequent questioning glances cast her way, and the leering looks of more than one male guest.

She was passed, seemingly as one might pass a dish of food around a large table, from one partner to the next endlessly. None had intelligent conversation to offer, nor even pointed questions to evade. It seemed they were robots, all here to dance to the whim of the Malfoys.

She endured what seemed to be never-ending hours of this repetitive dancing. Whenever she looked for him, she always found Severus standing among others, but his eyes were always upon her. It never failed to cause her face to heat when she saw him looking at her in that inscrutable way!

Occasionally she would take a break and stand silently next to Severus, her hand through his arm as he had instructed. But mostly she danced, never with the same partner twice. At last, truly fatigued, she gently declined the next request and set off in search of Severus.

He was standing, leaning against a tall pillar where he had been watching her. She felt her face flush and recognized the ever so slight sardonic lift of his brow. He was, as he had told her, being aggressively "courted" by fathers and their "eligible" daughters.

He was currently in the company of two middle-aged gentlemen who were likewise accompanied by two much younger women who were smiling and simpering at Severus like the evil stepsisters at Cinderella's ball. She chided herself internally for the silly comparison, but it seemed apt.

Wordlessly she stepped up next to him from behind the pillar and looped her hand gently through his arm. He did not look at her or alter his conversation with the men in front of him. One might have believed he didn't even notice her presence. This was no different than the several other times she had approached him in this way so far this evening.

However, his other hand crossed over to lie gently against her fingers, a gesture she had not expected at all. The incredulous and angry glares of the two girls were enough to tell her that this had all the effect he had wished. In short order, all four left on lame excuses of having other people to talk to.

He looked down at her then, and allowed her to see a brief moment of wry humor in his gaze before he closed himself off again. "Do you dance with an invisible partner as well as your visible one, Professor Lupin? I dare say you could fit an entire additional human being in the space you seem intent to leave between yourself and your dance companions. You are adding to your reputation of frigidity."

She scoffed. "They stand plenty close enough, thank you very much. And their wandering hands are about to win them the experience of my Navitas Texi."

He coughed, which might have been covering a small laugh, and then looked at her contemplatively.

"Come then, Rowena. Let us show them how it's done," and he made as to move to the dance floor, but she held him back.

"Severus—you don't dance."

"It's not because I can't, I assure you. Your behavior tonight, combined with mine, has given rise to the general assumption that we are lovers, if not engaged. I've decided that the convenience of getting the matrimonial dragons off my back will far outweigh any risks involved in dancing with you."

"I'm so glad I can be of service," she said sarcastically, but followed him to the dance floor with a smile.

"Indeed." He replied, dryly.

But then all conversation was over. He turned to her, and she was already trembling in anticipation. He placed a strong hand on her waist and turned her to face him, his eyes boring into hers. She did not hold him at arm's distance! He pulled her into his arms, and she went to him fully, almost melting against him instantly. Their bodies brushed gently together in time with the music and the rhythmic steps of the dance, and she was lost in sensation and pleasure. The warmth of his body against hers was delicious; an all-encompassing sense of security enveloped her as his arms held her.

Severus danced as he did everything else, with the perfect dichotomy that was his very essence: the easy, unconscious grace that was so much a part of him, and yet the total intensity of attention that he gave to everything he did.

The thin silk of her dress, and of his robes, made her feel as though there might as well be nothing between them. It was an amazingly sensual feeling to have the opposite silks, ebony and ivory, sliding between them back and forth as they moved rhythmically. Every movement was sensual, seductive. The friction was electrifying.

He pulled her closer to him, holding her tighter still, and slid his hand up from her waist to the center of her back, under her hair, so that it was full against the bare skin of her back. The feel of his hand on her flesh seared her, and she almost gasped from the sheer intensity of the sensation. Her heart raced and her breathing became erratic, nearly panting.

They did not speak. Indeed, she felt herself without the power of speech at that moment, lost as she was in the magic of his embrace. He stared deeply into her eyes as they danced, though he kept his emotions firmly concealed. She was not so successful. The shocking feeling of newly discovered, newly ignited desire was more than she could quickly or easily suppress. Her body felt wholly different, and a heavy tightening sensation shuddered through her core, as a deep longing for some unknown thing filled her. Her face was flushed and her lips ever so slightly parted as she stared at him with undisguised admiration and desire.

The waltz was winding to an end when at last he spoke. Very quietly, and without betraying a hint of emotion on his face, he said, "You will need to secure your emotions, Rowena. Though I doubt anyone will refer to you as "frigid" anymore tonight. Or accost me to marry their daughters for that matter."

She blushed deeply and lowered her eyes from his face, forcing her emotions and her body under more rigid control. By the time the dance was completed, she was able to step away from him with tolerable calmness, though he kept her hand in his arm and took her to the buffet table. Still breathless and flushed, she avoided looking at anyone for the present, her mind awhirl in emotions.

She had been completely unaware of the astonished, curious looks they had attracted from the other guests as they danced. He was not. She could hardly understand what a wholly unique and remarkable thing it was for Severus Snape to so much as look at a woman at these events, let alone dance with one. And their contrasting clothing, the grace of their movements, and the obvious infatuation of her at least, made them quite the topic of interested murmurs around the room. At the very least it would be known (in the circles where it needed to be known) that Severus was definitely working on the scientist!

He was disgusted anew that she should be so tainted with such disrespect and revolting assumptions. He suppressed the emotions—she had insisted on participation, after all. Still, he would have wished otherwise. Severus was not a man to dwell on emotions, however. He directed her silently toward the tables.

There was no sit-down dinner, but rather a constant grazing of a wide variety of expensive finger-foods. A few small tables and chairs were set near the buffet for the convenience of the diners.

They collected wine and plates, though she did not choose much, her appetite being absent in nerves and emotions. They had just sat down when Lucius and Narcissa descended upon them like circling birds of prey.

"Well, well, well... That was quite an entertaining display. I see now why you have never graced our dance floor before, Severus. You were waiting for just the right partner," said Lucius with polished humor.

Severus made no answer, merely looked at him coolly, while Rowena sat in embarrassed silence.

"Wasn't that absolutely darling, my beloved?" Narcissa asked, addressing her husband with no more warmth or affection than she addressed anyone else, though throwing around endearments like candy. "Rowena, you are such a lucky thing. Severus is such a catch! You will be thoroughly despised by dozens of young ladies here, I assure you. When is the happy event?"

"Really, Narcissa. Just because I danced with her does not immediately oblige me to marry her. Don't be absurd. It would be quite uncouth of me to bring her as my guest and then not dance with her, would it not? Surely you don't think me so wholly without refinement as that?" Severus asked her dryly.

She gave a high, false laugh and then answered, "Of course not, Severus, darling. But when have you ever brought a guest to our parties? And then to see the two of you together like that... why, you nearly set our dance floor on fire! I'm sorry if I jumped to conclusions...Oh, my, perhaps you haven't asked her yet and I've just spoiled your surprise?"

Lucius rolled his eyes and addressed Rowena, "Please excuse my beloved wife. She wishes all her friends to be as happily married as we are, you see, and imagines more than she ought in the simplest of gestures. I hope you are enjoying our Fete. I will claim my dance with you shortly. Unless you would care to share the midnight dance with me?"

Rowena opened her mouth to reply when Severus broke in, "She most certainly will not."

Lucius bowed to his friend with a knowing smile, "I see. Of course. Well, a different dance then." And he escorted a laughing Narcissa away from their table.

Rowena managed to make it through the rest of the evening with no great occurrences. She did dance once with Lucius, who was the perfect and proper gentleman, not even attempting to hold her closely or improperly, and who danced with almost equal grace as Severus. Perhaps a more honest, less biased person would admit that he danced more gracefully, but one cannot expect Rowena to think so!

She also was forced to use her Navitas Texi spell once, when Warrington, of all people, showed up and attempted to insist on dancing with her. Not only was she not in any way derided for this, but also Warrington was bodily removed from the building with many apologies to her from Lucius. Severus avoided the entire scene, though when she next looked at him, his rage was obvious to her at least, even from a distance. When he could next speak to her without being overheard, he inquired minutely into the incident, making certain she was all right.

At last, the "midnight dance" was announced. She had no idea why this was such an event, but she had turned down at least half a dozen requests for this, in addition to Lucius's. She had expected to be sitting it out entirely, and thereby be able to observe its significance. That was not to be. As she was looking for a vacant seat to rest and perhaps have something to drink, Severus came behind her and gently took her arm.

"My apologies, Rowena," he said, but his silky tones did not sound the least contrite, "my gesture earlier of dancing with you may have been ill judged after all. I'm afraid it makes it completely impossible for you to sit out this dance. May I?"

She nodded mutely and looked away from his intense gaze in an attempt to school her thoughts and emotions before the assault on her senses began. Unsuccessfully, of course.

From the moment he pulled her into his arms again, her body became heated in an instantaneous response to his touch.

She had thought to avoid his eyes this time, while she danced with him, but this left her more aware of his body, as her line of vision was filled with his chest and shoulders. He was tightly buttoned up to the throat—a plethora of buttons that made her long to touch them and undo them—a thought that shocked her as it flitted through her mind! This severe mode of dress was his wont, but a few black hairs peeked out over the top of his collar, and she could see his pulse in his neck. She was aware of the warm, spicy scent of him as their bodies moved together, and her own body and emotions were again in chaos, her breathing again ragged, her heart pounding loudly in her ears.

At a few seconds before midnight, the music stopped abruptly, as did all the dancers, as though on cue. She looked up at Severus in curious surprise, and attempted to step back a bit, though he tightened his arm and held her close.

She met his eyes, and now his were not black and impassive, but dark and stormy with emotion, his brow furrowed. "Rowena, I did not intend this... not like this."

She still didn't understand, and her lips were slightly parted to ask what he meant, when Narcissa called out in her clear, high voice, "Twelve strokes of the clock everyone!" and the large grandfather clock in the hall began to chime loudly. She was only vaguely aware of the couples in her peripheral vision kissing each other when Severus tilted her chin up with his hand and kissed her gently.

It was the merest brushing of lips together, yet she felt her heart explode in wild rhythm. She leaned forward to be closer to him, her body screaming for the contact. He tightened his hold on her ever so slightly, and pressed his lips against hers more firmly. He didn't make any attempt to deepen the kiss, but simply held her close.

She could feel a slight tremble in his body against hers, as thought he was restraining himself with great difficulty. She wrapped her arms gently around him, but with her own brand of rigid self-control, prevented herself from winding her fingers through his hair.

At last the sounding of the clock was over, and they parted. She, reluctantly, he, with the air of one who had been burned. The party seemed to be over, and the guests began to take their leave.

He judiciously avoided the que waiting to say goodnight to the Malfoys and instead steered her immediately to the door. He handed her silently into the carriage, and sat across from her rather than next to her. Her emotions were in a terrible state! He had awakened feelings within her that she hadn't even known existed, and now he was plainly trying to distance himself from her as quickly as possible!

She couldn't stand the silence, and asked tremulously, "Why would Lucius ask me for that dance when he's married? Wouldn't Narcissa be upset? Wouldn't there be a big scandal?"

Severus snorted, looking out the window, avoiding looking at her as he had since the kiss. "Their love, Rowena, is perfectly imaginary. She keeps all the social niceties, and matches him in coloring so that she looks nice on his arm. He is rich and has the Malfoy name. He 'shags' whomever he wishes, as does she. I doubt not that they were 'snogging' separate partners tonight. Though I confess, I was rather too occupied to notice," he finished dryly.

She blushed and looked away. Apparently he was sorry he kissed her, which upset her greatly, as she hand enjoyed it. Still, she wasn't going to venture any nearer the subject, and instead looked out her own window until they arrived at Hogwarts.

He then walked her to her quarters, entered with her, and sealed the door, as had become nearly standard with him lately.

She started towards the kitchenette to make tea as had become her habit as well, when he reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her to him and looking deeply into her eyes again.

His voice was deep and soft when he spoke. "I do not need to ask you, Rowena, what part of tonight was a ruse. Your body and your beautiful eyes displayed the truth for anyone with eyes to see. I do not wish you to think I regret what happened—remember I never, ever do anything I do not wish to do.

"I only regret that the first time I kissed you, the first time I kissed any woman, would be in a room full of people; the worst kind of people at that."

He had brought his hand up to her face as he spoke, caressing her, and then allowed his thumb to softly run along her lower lip, staring intently at her full, bow-shaped mouth.

"I would like to do the thing properly..." he said, his voice now barely more than a husky whisper that sent a thrill of excitement through her.

Slowly, almost shyly, as though he wanted to give her plenty of time to back away, he brought his lips to hers again. She did not back away, but leaned into the kiss, wrapping her arms around him, allowing her fingers freedom to play in his hair.

His lips were like satin. He kissed her with the trepidation of inexperience, yet the emotion behind the kiss would not be denied. This time, she gently parted her lips to taste his kiss fully. He met her timid exploration with his own tongue, and her world reeled. The hot taste of him as he stroked her tongue with his own, exploring her mouth was enthralling. Never had she imagined a kiss could feel so intimate!

His arms were around her, one hand in her hair and the other caressing the bare skin of her back, leaving hot trails of tingling flesh in its wake. Her body ignited to his touch at once, and she was aware of the tight ache of her hardened nipples where they pressed against his chest.

His mouth was hot and sweet, and her body responded to him primitively. She held him tightly, feeling as though somehow every fiber of her body was screaming to be close to him, to be part of him. A molten, honeyed fire that had already been newly awakened by him this night was now burning higher. A strange, tingling, tightening sensation filled her lower body, making her instinctively, brazenly press herself tightly against him.

She had been kissed before. Some of her more pleasant dates had been awarded a few kisses. Yet those men might have been blocks of stone for all the emotion they inspired within her. They were nothing at all in comparison to the sweet bliss and passionate fire that was Severus's kiss.

At last he pulled away from her, though he still held her close, his arms around her waist. She whimpered slightly in longing when he pulled away, her eyes heavy lidded and stormy with newly awakened desire. Her arms continued to cling to him, her hand entwined in his ebony hair. Bringing up a hand to brush a stray tendril of hair away from her face, he gave a slight smile.

"This is not something to be rushed, no matter what biology may say otherwise. I have rarely followed any external ideas on what is right and proper in anything in my life, Rowena. But this... whatever this becomes for us... needs time and respect. I intend to give it both."

She nodded, in reluctant agreement, still looking silently up at him, her lips pink and dewy from his kiss. He smiled again, more warmly and genuinely than she had ever seen, and her heart nearly stopped. Merlin's Beard! When he smiled like that—she had always found him attractive, even beautiful in his own very rugged way. But when he smiled, he was truly handsome. But it was more than that. His smile struck that chord deep inside her, that part of her soul that had always been drawn to him.

In that instant of his brief smile, she knew with blinding clarity that she would never be free of this man. Whether or not they ever came to anything like love, there would never be another man for her. Her soul had known it since the first time she had seen him. But now she recognized it rationally as well.

He kissed her again, a deep, tasting kiss that was none the less brief, and then said, "To that effect, I need to leave now, lest the look in your eyes or the demands of my own body sway my resolve."

Indeed, she could feel the pounding of his heart against her chest and the raggedness of his breathing matched her own. Still, she felt like a starving person given their first taste of ambrosia. How would she ever get enough of his kisses now that she had tasted them?

She blushed again and looked away. "I had a lovely evening, Severus. In spite of the circumstances."

"Surprisingly enough, I almost enjoyed myself as well," he said dryly.

She reached up to remove the necklace when he grabbed one of her hands in his.

"Keep it, Rowena. A gift. I insist."

He could tell she intended to protest, and so silenced her with a kiss, deeper and more lingering than he had intended, pulling her tightly against him again, his own body no less awash in desire than hers. He stepped away abruptly, leaving her breathless, kissed her hand instead, and quickly left the room.