Chapter 40: Valentine's Mask
Severus and Hermione decided to name the potion "The Winter's Tale Tonic" as that was the story they each had a name from. Severus had taken a while to get over naming it "Snape's Magical Serum" and Hermione had liked "The Snape-Granger Solution" but they had decided a Shakespearian name would be fitting.
"It's a long name but I guess it makes no real difference what we name it," Severus said as they finished another two batches of the potion. Severus was thinking on how fitting the name Hermione was for his partner. In 'The Winter's Tale' Hermione was 'dead' for 16 years before she came back to life. It is much the same for being under the fidelius charm. She was 17 now and she wasn't quite out of hiding, but he could tell it would be soon. It would be like the royal family came back to life after their long absence.
"Did you hear that the King and Queen are visiting soon?" Hermione asked him, which surprised him on how close to his thoughts her comment was.
"I had heard they were going to visit Albus but not that they were coming to Hogwarts." He told her wondering why he wasn't informed.
"I overheard Albus talking to Minerva about setting up a guest suite for them," she said with a sly smile. "I was wondering if you had heard anything else."
"Not yet, but I'm sure Albus will tell us all at the next staff meeting. He seems to love springing things on us in those." Severus said trying not to smile at her technique of learning information.
"The King and Queen will be visiting over Valentine's day so we want to make sure the castle looks extra special. It's been a very long time since they have been anywhere so magical and we want it to be a grand homecoming. They will attend the Mask ball as well." Albus said with the mad twinkle in his eye.
"Will they be introduced to the students?" Minerva asked him.
"Not necessarily," Albus told them. "It is not a secret that they have come out of hiding but their location is still unknown and it would be better to keep it that way. They will dine at the staff table or in their suite while they are here. We will tell the students the truth only if necessary. They are here to meet the Order and see what they can do to help with the war efforts."
"Valentine's is on Saturday so there should be no need to shorten classes to get ready for the dance," Hermione told them when they asked on the progress. "The prefects and Draco and I will take care of the decorations Saturday after breakfast. We would prefer if we could have lunch delivered to the common rooms so not to disturb the decorations before the dance begins."
"That will be fine," Albus said still twinkling. "I see you finalized the ideas for the dance contest as well as a contest for the best dressed witch and wizard. Masks will be removed at Midnight which is the close of the dance."
"Are you sure this potion of yours will work?" Ginny asked staring skeptically at the bottle Hermione had just finished designing. "I mean I don't want to end up with permanently green hair or anything!"
"Ginny Weasley, would I ever do something like that to you? I am not your twin brothers, of course it will work!" Hermione said pretending to be insulted by her friend's lack of trust.
"I'll try it first if you don't want to," Gabrielle said taking the bottle from Ginny. "I've always wanted to have normal hair for a day! Silver may be pretty but you always stand out in a crowd." She hurried into Hermione's shower to try the shampoo. When she came back out she had light brown hair and a big smile on her face. "This stuff is brilliant! It was so easy to use and my hair feels completely natural."
"My turn!" Ginny said excitedly as she grabbed the bottle and hurried into the bathroom. She took a while to determine what color hair to come out with but finally decided on blonde. "What do you think?" She asked as she showed off her golden blonde hair.
"I like it," Hermione said with a smile. "My turn now, I want to be a red head!" She laughed as she came out. She had used both her sleek and smooth potion as well as the coloring potion so she had straight red hair.
"You look totally different!" Gabrielle said with wide eyes. "I would have never guessed you were the same person if I didn't know better!"
"This stuff is great! The boys are not going to have any idea what hit them at the dance," Ginny said with an evil laugh. "It will be so much fun to see them trying to find the right girl!"
"Oh, we should take bets on who will find their date and who won't," Gabrielle suggested. "I'm guessing that Harry will be able to find Ginny but the rest of them will have a very difficult time. I think Draco will be able to find me by midnight though."
"I bet Ron will be so confused that he gives up and just stays by the food table," Hermione said and they laughed knowing that was most likely what Ron would do. "I might get a break from dancing with all the Slytherins since they won't know who I am. I might actually only have to dance with someone I want to."
"I wonder how many valentines you'll get." Ginny asked her with a giggle. "I overheard Hufflepuff 5th year twin boys arguing over who got to use their owl first to send you their valentine."
"That's nothing," Gabrielle said with a wicked smirk. "There is a betting pool in Slytherin house that is up to 100 galleons on which Slytherin she will kiss by the end of the year!"
"What makes them so sure I'll be kissing any Slytherins?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It doesn't matter," Gabrielle told them. "If you don't go out with a Slytherin or kiss one by the end of the year they are taking the money and having a portrait of you commissioned to hang in the library." She was giggling with Ginny by the time she finished.
"So is that why I am so popular in your house, just so they can win the bet?" Hermione asked felling a little let down that they were only after her for money but not really surprised since they were Slytherins after all.
"No, the bet just started after Christmas," Gabrielle told her. "They started it after a minor duel broke out between two of the 4th years over which one you liked more. I guess they are both on your squad and you praised both of them and they were arguing about it. The bet was Draco's idea to keep the peace. It's a Slytherin tactic and seemed to settle most of the disputes."
"Do you know what's funny Hermione," Ginny asked still giggling. "I think you may have a larger following here than Harry does!" They all started laughing again at that.
"Well let's just hope I don't get any singing valentines this year," Hermione said with a smirk at Ginny who blushed remembering the valentine she had sent Harry in her 1st year.
The morning of Valentine's Day Hermione woke up to find her bed surrounded in flowers and heaps of cards. She smiled as she noticed that a few of the flower bouquets were fire and ice roses. She had never felt so girly or popular before. "Draco! Come help me please," she yelled out realizing that she had no room to move out of her bed and that her wand was buried under it all.
"Well aren't you just Miss Popularity," Draco said with a smirk from the doorway. "And here I thought my pile of cards was big." He conjured a few red sacks and started stuffing the valentines in them until he had cleared a path to her bed. She then helped him stuff the rest of the cards in the other bag before they worked on arranging the flowers.
"I have never had this much stuff to sort through in one go before," she said with a lopsided grin. "Let's take it all into the common room. I'll call the girls and they can help me sort it all out!"
"Those are festive pajamas you have there," Draco said with a wink as he noticed she was wearing a red satin gown with white hearts on it.
"Thank you, my mum sent me them last week for Valentines," Hermione said with a smile and pulled on the matching robe. They dumped all her things into the common room and before she even had time to call them the other girls all showed up to see what they Slytherins sent her.
"I can't believe you got all of this stuff," Hannah said as they divided the cards into piles to look through. She giggled as she pulled out a pink stuffed teddy bear with red and white hearts on it. "I don't think they know you very well if they think teddy bears are the way to your heart."
"This bouquet is from Sly," Gabrielle told her pointing to one of the larger bouquets of roses. There were two dozen fire and ice roses.
"At least he knows my favorites," Hermione said with a grin.
"He quoted Shakespeare in his card as well," Gabrielle told her handing her the card. "It's Sonnet 116 though which doesn't show much creativity. But it's better than some of these other cards."
At the end of their sorting she had gotten 107 Valentines, 16 bouquets of flowers, 17 boxes of chocolates and 8 stuffed animals. "Thanks for your help," Hermione told her friends as they placed the flowers around the common room except for the roses from Charlie (3 dozen fire and ice roses) she placed beside her bed since they were pretty and her favorite. "Let's go down to breakfast, all this work has me hungry!"
"Thank you for the Valentines," The girls said to the guys in their group before eating. Hermione was shocked again when the post came and at least 10 different owls dropped things for her.
"More stuff Hermione?" Ginny asked in awe as Hermione got more valentines. Harry and her helped her collect everything and removed the two packages she received for her so the owls didn't have to wait.
"How many did you get this morning?" Harry asked Hermione as he noticed her quickly rip through the cards.
"107 cards plus 16 bouquets of flowers, 17 boxes of chocolates and 8 stuffed animals." She replied as she read through the cards. There were 8 new valentines. She then moved on to the smaller of the two packages. The card was from Oliver Wood telling her that he still wishes she will give him another chance. She opened the box to see a crystal figurine of the Gryffindor mascot. It roamed around in her palm before settling down for a nap.
"That's beautiful Hermione," Lavender gushed from across the table. "Who sent you that?"
"Oliver Wood," Hermione told her. "He is still begging me to go back out with him. But this is nothing compared to the stash of things I got this morning. My current total is up to 116 valentines and 42 of them also had a gift with them." She loved the look on the other girl's face as she realized that Hermione was way more popular than she could ever hope to be.
"What's in the other package?" Pavarti asked her eager to see what other goodies their housemate would receive.
Hermione opened the package to find a black leather bound book with a card sitting on top blocking the tile. The card was simple it said, "Hermione, I thought this would be preferable to the other favors you would be receiving today. Have an enjoyable Saint Valentine's Day, SS." When she looked closer at the book she saw it was a copy of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale. She grinned and sent a thankful look up towards the head table.
"So what is it?" Harry asked wondering what would make her so happy.
"It's a copy of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale," She told them still smiling. "It's the play I was named from."
Ginny knew then exactly who the gift was from and realized that he did know her better than anyone. He got her a book and it was even romantic in a way that flowers and candy never would be to Hermione. "So who's it from?" Ron asked curious who would know enough to send that.
"It's from Snake," She told them so that only her friends would know who it was. "He said he thought it would be preferable to the other favors I would receive."
"Is this that mystery guy you were dancing with at your birthday party?" Lavender asked she was always one for gossip.
"Yes, he is one of my good friends," Hermione told her. "Now I'm going to hurry up to my room and put this stuff away so we can decorate for the dance."
For the dance Hermione decided to wear a black ball gown. It had a halter neckline with silver sparkle details. The dress was floor length with a full skirt of black mate satin. She used her potions and had jet black hair that was sleek and straight. Her straightened hair hung down to almost her butt and looked beautiful. She had pieces of it pulled back away from her face and held with pins with crystal accents. Her mask was beautiful. If was black with small feathers around it. The feathers had crystal accents as well and it looked like she held the cosmos around her head. She had pale pink lips and the bottom half of her face and neck and shoulders shimmered in glitter. Everything together with the dress made her look like the Princess of the Universe. She was very pleased with the results and was sure not very many boys would recognize her.
Ginny was in a deep purple gown. As much as she knew the color gave her away she couldn't help but wear it she loved it so much. It also had a halter neckline with purple sequins on the bodice. The skirt was full and split down the center to show the under layer. Her mask was made of purple sequins with a feather on one side. Ginny had light brown hair in soft ringlets.
Gabrielle was wearing what she considered a Cinderella dress. It was a light blue puffy dress with lots of details. She had changed her hair to blonde and had it in an up do. Her mask was silvery blue and beautifully detailed. She was very excited about finding out if Draco could find her or not.
Susan was wearing an ocean blue and white dress with a blue feather mask while Hannah's dress was similar only pink and white with a pink feather mask. Luna was wearing an orange dress that was very pretty with a gold mask. Susan had light brown hair, Hannah had blonde and Luna had red hair.
Hermione walked slowly into the hall smiling at all the decorations and at everyone's elaborate masks and formal wear. The boys were fairly easy to recognize as many were wearing the same dress robes as the last dance and their hair all looked the same. It was easy to see they were all confused as to who the girls were until the rumor that they had all changed their hair colors got around. As she finally entered the hall she was amazed to see that many of the boys were staring at her. She walked gracefully to a table halfway into the hall where she recognized Harry looking around for Ginny.
She knew everyone recognized Harry as his hair was impossible to hide. She also knew if she made straight for him and asked him to dance; they would all think she was Ginny. "Would you care to dance?" She asked him in a sultry voice unlike her own. Harry looked at the gorgeous woman asking him to dance and smiled. He could tell it wasn't Ginny but he knew it was one of his friends since she felt familiar.
"That sound's good," he said standing and offering his arm to lead her to the dance floor. It only took a few more seconds until he could feel who she was. His new powers were going to be very helpful this evening. "You look beautiful tonight Hermione," he told her earning him a huge smile from his friend.
"I should have known you could figure it out with all your powers," She said laughing. "Good luck finding Ginny. I'm sure you're going to pair up for the dance contest right?"
"If we must," Harry said with a shake of his head. He then chuckled as he looked around the room at the jealous faces of many of the boys. "You don't seem to ever escape being the center of attention at dances lately. It seems that every eye is on you again tonight." Hermione followed his gaze and saw the looks she was getting and sighed.
"Do you think they all recognize me?" She asked saddened that her new look hadn't confused them.
"No I'm sure your identity is safe. They are just drawn to the most beautiful girl in the room. You look enchanting tonight and will have them eating out of your hands." He spun her out as the song came to an end. "Thank you for the dance, now I have to go find my love." He kissed her hand in a gentlemanly manner and headed off into the crowd of girls to find Ginny.
She didn't even have time to move before she was tapped on the shoulder. Draco was standing behind her asking her to dance. "Good evening fair lady; may I have the honor of this dance?" He asked with a short bow. Hermione tried not to chuckle and accepted his hand.
"Thank you for that dance Mr. Malfoy and good luck finding your girl," Hermione said once the dance was ended. She could see the disappointment in his eyes that she was not Gabrielle.
"The pleasure was all mine," he said also kissing her hand as Harry had done before going off in hopes of finding his date.
She danced with quite a few more boys. She was surprised that quite a few of the younger Slytherins thought she was herself. Their explanations had all been about the same stating that since she was the most beautiful one there she must be Hermione who is the most beautiful girl in the school. She had smiled and told them that they would find out who she was at Midnight.
She was taking a break from dancing and was at the refreshment table getting some punch. "You look lovely tonight my dear," a woman in a very expensive looking mask and gown told her. "You are the belle of the ball."
Hermione took a closer look at the woman and determined that it wasn't any of the teachers. Realizing that the Queen had just complimented her she blushed. "Thank you my lady. You look wonderful tonight as well. I hope you are enjoying the party."
Amelia grinned as her granddaughter recognized her as the Queen. "I am having a very nice time tonight. It has been far too long since I have been to a ball. You did a wonderful job decorating the hall. I hear you are the most popular head girl the school has ever had as well as being top of your class and already tying the highest NEWT scores."
"Thank you my lady. I try my best and I love to learn." She realized she had given herself away by knowing that the King and Queen were present as she was the only student privy to that information.
"Darling, who is this enchanting young lady?" Edward asked as he came up to his wife. He had already determined it was Hermione but he couldn't just tell her that.
"This is Hermione; she is head girl and planned this wonderful party." Amelia said with a smile to her husband.
"Would you grant me a turn on the dance floor Miss Hermione?" He asked her and offered his arm.
"I would be honored my lord," Hermione said with a smile as she took his arm and was escorted to the floor. She was impressed with how well he moved after having been away from high society for so long. "Is it nice to be back sire?" She asked him with a caring smile.
"Yes, it is wonderful not to have to hide my magic any longer." He told her as he spun her expertly around the floor. "It will be even better when I am able to have my entire family with me."
"I can't imagine how hard it has been to hide your true identity so long," she told him. "I am glad you are back though, I hope this gives us the last boost we need to bring down the evil that has plagued us so."
"I only hope my granddaughter will forgive me when the time comes to tell her the truth," he told her sadly looking in her eyes for a reaction.
"I am sure she will understand why you had to do what you did. You kept her safe in a world full of uncertainty." Hermione told him feeling sad for the man who had given up everything to protect his family.
"Thank you my dear, you have given this old man hope that things will turn out fine," he said kissing her hand as the song ended.
"Thank you for the dance my lord," she said and curtsied politely. She had been studying the proper way to address the royal family and learned that it was proper to curtsy after speaking with the royal family.
"Go ask her to dance," Remus said to Severus who had been watching the girl in black dance with a wide variety of partners. The two men were stationed at a table in the far corner of the hall watching all the youngsters. "It has to be Hermione," Remus reasoned, "No one else even knows the royal family is here let alone the proper way to treat them."
"And if it is another student I'll be damning them to nightmares when they find out they danced with the greasy git of the dungeons." Severus told him with a frown. "Besides she doesn't seem to be lacking partners this evening. I mean even the King danced with her. She is exquisite, why would she ever waste her time on me?"
"Go ask her to dance and find out," Remus told him. "You're going to regret it if you don't. Besides, you're wearing a mask and your hair is tied back, you look nothing like your potions master self. Go sweep her off her feet!" He pushed his friend in the direction of the beauty in the black dress.
"May I have this dance?" Severus asked as he approached her. She was talking with a girl in a purple dress with light brown curly hair.
Hermione looked away from Ginny to see who was asking her to dance now and her heart skipped a beat. The man was tall and dark with black eyes and a smooth voice. He was wearing black dress robes with silver details and a white Phantom of the Opera mask. He was delicious and looking to Ginny she realized the other girl thought it as well. Hermione nodded to him, not trusting her voice and he took her hand, leading her to the center of the dance floor.
Ginny grinned and headed back over to Harry to have him dance with her. She saw the look in Hermione's eye and knew the Phantom was exactly the type of man she would drool over. "Come dance with me, I want to keep an eye on Hermione and her mystery man." Ginny pouted to Harry who laughed and led her to the floor.
"You're telling me you don't know who she is dancing with?" Harry asked her with a smirk. "Just watch how fluidly he moves and how at ease he is with her. Add in the black hair and eyes, there is only one person in the school he could be."
"It's Severus," Ginny realized with a grin. "I should have been able to tell that on my own but he rarely looks so nice."
"They look good together," Harry said in a surprised tone a few moments later. "The way they move so easily and how alike they are. You can barely even tell the difference in age with how mature our Hermione is."
"Does this revelation bother you?" Ginny asked him curiously. She knew that just a few months earlier it would have been enough for him to storm the dance floor and rip them apart. But his relationship with Snape was a lot better now.
"Surprisingly no," Harry revealed. "In fact it makes a lot of sense. Hermione would never be happy with someone our age. We just are not learned enough for her. Besides, he is as smart as she is and they work well together on potions. She even told me that she considers him her best guy friend."
"Do they seem like best friends to you?" Ginny asked trying to feel him out on the subject.
"No, now that you ask they seem like lovers who haven't realized they love each other yet." He said with wide eyes at the thought. "You don't think?"
"I am sure that Hermione has not realized how perfect they are for each other yet." Ginny told him, "She is so concentrated on her research and schooling that love takes a back seat to everything else. I can't tell if he has realized he loves her yet or not."
"Well, we shouldn't interfere," Harry told her resolutely. "They can't be together until she graduates anyway so let it go slowly. That may give Ron some time to realize the same thing. Or at least let us ease him into it."
"I love you Harry Potter," Ginny told him with a smile. "I am very proud of you. I had thought you would have been disgusted by the idea. You have grown up a lot."
"I just realized that nothing stands in the way of love. I want Hermione to be happy and if that means she is with Severus then so be it. She could end up with someone much less worthy of her." Harry told her before claiming her mouth in a searing kiss.