End of an Era

by redfrog

COMPLETE: This is a continuation of Unlikely Alliances: It's set the summer before and durring their 7th year. Quidditch, Romance, Fun, Order things and finally the last battle and graduation. Lots of fun and a few different ships.

41. Dancing

Author's Note: Things are hectic in my life right now. I just found out that my husband and I are expecting a baby. So my body is going through lots of changes and I have been too tired after work to write much. I will try to keep updating once a week but there are a lot of things you have to do to get ready for a baby! I hope you enjoy this chapter. It is a lot of internal thoughts that I believe needed to be addressed. Thanks for all your great reviews! Redfrog

Chapter 41: Dancing

Hermione was swept up into the arms of her Phantom. She was enjoying the dance but was hoping he would speak to her again. She happily noted how perfectly she fit in his arms and how easily they danced; it was as if they were meant for each other. "I like your mask," she told him trying to break the ice. "The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite musicals."

"I enjoyed it as well yet my favorite is Jeckll and Hyde," Severus told her with a smile as he realized she had not figured out who he was. "I enjoyed the music more."

"Yes, I very much enjoy the music from Jeckll and Hyde. I used to have the soundtrack even," She said remembering that everything in her house was lost. "I believe my favorite musical at the moment is Rent, although I usually prefer the classics."

"I have not seen Rent yet, perhaps I will be able to this summer. I plan on seeing Les Miserables again this summer as well as a few others." He told her surprised they had never had this conversation before. He rarely admitted his love of muggle theatre to anyone and even less his passion for musical theatre. The performances were so riveting that he wished there was a wizarding equivalent.

"You look very dashing in the Phantom mask," she told him after they had been silent for a while. "It goes well with your robes."

"Thank you," He said stunned at the compliment. "And I must say that you look absolutely breathtaking this evening. Although I think I prefer your natural hair color, the black hair and outfit really suit you and then you match me as well."

"So you know who I am then?" She asked with a smile.

"Yes, my dearest Hermione I know who you are," he said making sure to almost purr her name. He was rewarded when he noticed a small shiver run over her from his tome.

"Well then my Phantom, I shall have to work twice as hard to find out your identity so we may then know each other," she said with a smile as she concentrated on his features and build. The song ended before she had figured his identity. "Will you keep dancing with me?" She asked shyly, "Unless you have a date to get back to of course."

"It would be my honor to continue dancing with you," he said as he pulled her closer to him in a tighter embrace. "I will dance with you all night if you permit me."

She sent him a radiant smile, "Then please be my partner for the dance contest." He agreed and they danced in silence for a while just enjoying the moment spent together.

Hermione was eliminating every boy in the school as she went through her mental list of who her Phantom could be. He seemed so familiar yet she knew none of the boys would be as graceful on their feet. It was as if he was older… She smiled as she realized she had not even thought that she could be dancing with one of the staff. As she looked up into his eyes she scolded herself for not recognizing Severus' eyes earlier. Everything pointed to her Phantom being Severus but she had overlooked it all!

"Thank you for the book, it was the best Valentine I received," she told him with a smile and watched him smirk as he realized she had finally figured out who he was.

"And I must thank you for the dark cordial chocolates. It has been a very long time since I have received a valentine that was not a prank of some sort," he told her with a sad smile.

"I hope you like the chocolates, they seemed something that you would enjoy," she told him with a smile. She hadn't wanted to send him chocolate frogs like she did the boys so when she saw them in Honeydukes she knew they were perfect for him.

"They are perfect," he told her with a smile. "I already had 2 of them and they are mouth watering." He had been both shocked and overjoyed when he saw her valentine and gift that morning. He hadn't expected even a card. When he opened the chocolates he was impressed with her tastes. He had specific tastes in sweets and she had found something he just couldn't resist. The fact that she had thought of him on Valentine's Day made him happy and filled him with hope that someday she may love him back.

Hermione was musing on how content she felt in Severus' arms. She knew that she respected him and that he was her best friend, but she had refused to look beyond that. After the erotic dream she had about him at the start of term she had started looking at him differently. She didn't want to admit it to herself but she was falling for him. She knew it was an impossible situation. He would never think of her in that way. He was her professor and the only non student-teacher relationship they would have is potions partners or friends. He would never think of her in that way. He was her professor and the only non student-teacher relationship they would have is potions partners or friends. He was too honorable to even think that way. Hermione thought he was just too much above her station to even realize that there could be something more than just friendship between them.

Albus got everyone's attention and told them that they would be beginning the dance competition in a few minutes and encouraged everyone to find a partner. Hermione and Severus made their way back out to the dance floor, much to the disappointment of a half dozen boys who had asked her to be their partner. She was happy to note that all her guy friends had found their dates. Ron of course had taken the longest to find Susan and he kept getting sidetracked by any red heads.

"If you and your partner glow pink then please leave the dance floor as you have been eliminated. The glow will stop once you leave the floor." He told them with a twinkle. "The contest will last until 11 pm at which time we will award our winning couple. Just a reminder that the un-masking is at midnight. I hope everyone has a wonderful time."

"The dance seems to be a success," Minerva said to Albus as they started watching the dancers. "The girls really out did themselves with their gown and masks."

"I believe Miss Granger had a hand in the hair coloring of all her friends' hair," Albus told her with a wink. "She is very talented at potions. If this is what she can come up with on a whim and we know what she is capable of when she researches, I imagine she will be the most successful potions student we have ever had."

"I just find it amusing that Severus always used to think she just memorized the textbook and that's why she was so good. As soon as he found out that she wanted to pursue a potions career he changed his tune." Minerva chuckled. "Those two make a great team, they are both brilliant. She is the first person I think that has totally understood him. If it wasn't for her friendship he may have never come out of his shell."

"He still has some more to go on that front," Albus said, his eyes twinkling madly. "He is still afraid to go after what he wants. If we can bring this war to a successful conclusion anytime soon I believe we may finally see the Severus we have always thought he could be."

"Are you meddling again old man?" Minerva asked narrowing her eyes.

"No my dear there is no need to meddle just yet. He is doing just fine on his own foe now. I think he will come around on his own once Tom's threat is behind us."

"Hermione looks happy," Harry commented to Ginny as they danced. "She looks like she is actually having fun."

"I think she just found a partner that makes her feel that way," Ginny said thoughtfully. "I have never seen her so comfortable with a guy before. Even with Snake she was nervous. Whoever he is he is good for her."

"Just like I'm good for you?" Harry asked her with a sweet smile. 'I love you so much Gin.' He added in his mind.

'I love you too,' she thought. "I am having a wonderful time. It's nice we have this extra chance to just kick back and relax. All the planning and training and classes can really take a lot out of a person."

"I wonder why the King and Queen haven't shown up yet. Hermione told us they would be here," Harry questioned.

"They are near the head table helping Albus and Minerva judge the competition," She said with a smile. "They are wearing masks like everyone else and no crowns. I don't think they want to make too much of a public appearance yet. We are going to use them for bait after all; we don't want Voldemort attacking before we are ready."

"True," Harry said thoughtfully. "But I believe we are as ready as we will ever be."

"Yes but we need to work out all the battle details. Who is positioned where and find out who else is going to join us in the fight. My dad had been determining how many people he can send from the ministry without raising suspicions." She told him.

"Ron was saying that we should just have the order here to begin with and send Fawks to the ministry where the rest are waiting when they show up. It would then look like we called them instead of it being a set up." Harry said.

"Good idea, Ron will have to mention it at the next meeting."

Ron and Susan were sitting at a table watching the remaining dancers. Since Ron was such a clumsy dancer they were one of the first couples to be eliminated. "Who do you think Hermione is dancing with?" He asked her.

"I don't recognize him but they do seem to know each other. She wouldn't be that comfortable with just anyone. He has to be at least a 6th year since he is so tall. I guess we'll have to wait until midnight to find out." She told him with a smile.

"Have you heard from your mother again?" Ron asked nervously. When they had informed her mother they were engaged she had started yelling at Susan that she would never be good enough to wed into such a family. Her father had given his blessing but her mother was saying she wouldn't let her daughter marry above her class.

"She is still a bitch," Susan said sadly. "I don't think we'll be getting any financial support for the wedding since she still doesn't approve."

"Why is she so set against us?" Ron asked shaking his head. "Until a year ago we were one of the lowest pureblood families. I didn't think our status had changed all that much."

"She would never approve of anyone I loved," Susan told him. "She thinks love is for fools and that all marriages should be arranged. She had me betrothed to a Slytherin family's boy when I was little but he died before we got to school. His father beat him regularly and he fell down the stairs and broke his neck."

"What happened to the parents?" Ron asked appalled.

"The wife killed herself out of grief and the husband was a death eater. Waldon McNair was his name; he worked in the Regulation of Magical Creatures department. He's in Azkaban now after the attack on Hogsmead." She told him.

"As sad as that is, I'm glad it happened. You would not have been safe in that family. Besides, I would be lonely and depressed without you," he told her before they started a heavy snogg.

"This will be the last song of the completion," Ablus announced. "It's called 'Love Has Come of Age' and is from a muggle musical Jeckll & Hyde. Enjoy!" He sent a wink at Hermione and Severus who were shocked that he knew they both liked that musical.

"I guess that answers the question of if he really knows everything," Hermione grumbled. She then smiled as Severus pulled her closer to prepare for the start of the song. It had an interesting melody that would not be that easy to dance to. "This is one of my favorite songs," she told him. "I love the idea of the lyrics."

Severus smiled as she held him closely and was not repulsed by the idea of the song. He was even happier when she started to sing along. He quietly joined in with the male parts and was rewarded with a big smile from her. The song was about two people who had never known love until the night they met each other. Hermione made him feel that way and with her singing to him he could pretend that she felt the same for him.

Hermione was in heaven. Severus' voice gave her chills and made her heart race. Being pulled close against his body made all the sensations in her body more pronounced. As she reflected on the words of the song she realized she meant everything she was singing. Sometime over the past year of research she had fallen in love with him. She knew it was folly and that it was one sided but hearing him sing along with the song made her believe, if even for a moment, that he could love her in return.

Severus noted that Hermione had tears glistening in her eyes as the song came to an end. The two were so focused on the music and dancing together that they never even noticed that they were the last two people left in the competition. Hermione was locked in his black eyes; she never wanted the song to end even as she was singing the last bars. She couldn't believe that she had been so dense as to not notice that she was in love with him. Severus had never seen her look at him in that way before. He could almost see her emotions. She was so open with him at that moment that he couldn't let it end so plainly.

He bent his head down and kissed her cheek softly. He had promised himself that he would never initiate a real kiss between them since he was still her professor. Hermione smiled at his kindly gesture and decided that she wanted more. Sje bought her lips to his and they both reveled in the feeling of their lips touching for a moment before they were pulled back to reality by the cheers of the other students.

They looked around and saw that they were the last couple dancing and that everyone was watching them, including the staff. Albus was clapping though so at least they weren't in trouble.

"Congratulations to our dance competition winners." Albus said with a smile, he knew that song would get to them. "Thank you everyone for participating in our competition. The dance floor is open to everyone once again. We will have the unmasking in an hour."

Severus and Hermione quickly made their way to the corner of the room. "I apologize for the kiss; I got carried away with the music. You don't think Albus will be mad do you?" She asked him fearfully. "I forgot that we were in the middle of the great hall. It was as if we were the only two around and …"

"It's alright Hermione," he told her with a smile. "Thank you for an enjoyable evening. I must say that this is the first formal function I have been to that I didn't feel like hexing anyone."

"Thank you for being my partner, I had a lovely time as well," She told him with a smile. She so wanted to kiss him again.

"I need to go before the unmasking. I would not do to have the students realize who you were dancing with. Those are some rumors best left for after you graduate." He told her with a smile. He always seemed to be smiling around her.

"Good night Severus," she told him before giving into her urge and pressing her lips to his again. She was elated when he didn't pull away and kissed her back.

Severus was shocked to feel her lips against his again. He was certain she was still high on the music so he took advantage and kissed her back. He dreamt of kissing her like this every night and he couldn't pass up the chance. "Good night," he said and hurried out of the hall before he confessed his love and ruined everything. Her lips were intoxicating and he knew that one more kiss from her would have had him reciting sonnets and declaring his intentions and feelings towards her. He could not afford for that to happen when he knew she didn't feel the same. He was a Slytherin, they don't put their hearts out on their sleeves, they bide their time and wait for the perfect moment to confess their affections. He knew that he would be waiting a very long time.

Hermione made her way over to her friends who all congratulated her on winning the competition. "Where is your mystery man?" Gabrielle asked her. "I figured after that show that you two would be a couple."

"We just got carried away in the music is all," Hermione told them. "He disappeared on me. I don't think he wants anyone to know who he is."

"You have a thing for tall mysterious men don't you?" Susan asked her. "I mean there was that guy at the club and now the one you were dancing with."

"Yeah, maybe they are the same person," Dennis said with a laugh, but those who knew who Snake was really were curious if that was an accurate guess. Ginny eyed her friend and how she smiled at the thought.

"Do you really think that was Snake?" Harry asked Ginny who nodded her approval. "Do you think she has fallen for him?"

"I don't know, but I am definitely going to find out." Ginny told him with a mischievous look in her eyes.

"I am just curious about why neither of us is grossed out by the idea." Harry asked his soul mate. He could tell that Ginny was almost excited about the idea. "A year ago I would have thought she was crazy for liking him and now it's almost as if I expected it."

"They are good together," Ginny told him with a grin. "Come on, she needs someone who can challenger her intellectually. She is attracted to him and they get along so well."

"It's still something that I never would have imagined," Harry told her. "I don't think that everyone will be alright with it either." He said giving a pointed look at Ron. 'He is our professor and is like 20 years older than us, there are going to be a lot of people who will not approve.' He thought to her.

'I doubt that anything will happen while she is a student,' Ginny told him. 'But if they fall in love then I think everyone should just be happy for them. I can't image that Snape falls in love often.'

'Do you really think that he loves her?' Harry asked with wide eyes. He knew that Severus hadn't allowed himself to be interested in anyone since his mother. "I promise that I'll be happy for them when and if the time comes."

"You are an amazing man Harry Potter," Ginny said before taking his mouth in a consuming kiss that left them both breathless.

"Do you think Hermione knew she was kissing Severus?" Minerva asked still in shock to see her prize pupil kissing one of her colleagues. She looked at Albus and saw him twinkling. "You knew something like this could happen! Is that why you chose that song? I thought you were not meddling!"

"They just need a subtle push in the right direction," Albus told her. "They would be great together. I'm sure you can see how much she's brought him out of his shell."

"They are friends Albus; you shouldn't push something that may never be." Minerva said scolding him. "She is too young to be tied to someone 20 years older than her."

"You worry too much Minerva," Albus told her with a chuckle. "I did nothing but pick a song they both liked. The push was subconscious and would never have worked if there wasn't something there to begin with." Her only response was a glare.

Severus sat down on his couch with Jade wrapped around his shoulders. "She kissed me again," he told his snake. "It was so hard to ignore how much she makes me feel. I can't tell her yet, she is only 17! Besides, she is the princess and I am no one's prince."

"You are being too hard on yourself," Jade hissed at him. "Give yourself a chance."

"She is a student Jade!" Severus said putting his head in his hands. "I shouldn't even think of her the way that I do. I am just a dirty old man who is mooning over a little girl!"

"She is not a little girl any more Severus, besides she is more intelligent than any woman your own age. She is your match, just wait until she is done with school." Jade told him.

"I would never admit my feeling to her while she is my student. If she still we are still in contact after she leaves here, then perhaps I will see if she could ever feel the same." Severus told her, "Although I doubt she ever would."

"You are her best friend and potions partner, she holds you in very high regard already. She is attracted to you; I would imagine she already feels something more for you." Jade told him.

Hermione went to bed that night wondering about her future. She had not planned on falling in love. She didn't even want a boyfriend before university and now she was in love with someone who would most likely never love her back. She still wanted to complete her plans for university but she hated the idea of being away from Severus. She knew that Harry, Ron and Ginny could apparate and visit her any time while she was in school but with Severus and all his duties at Hogwarts she was afraid she would never see him.

"This is so messed up Crooks," She told her cat. "I was supposed to go away to school and then find someone to love. Not fall in love and then go off to school! How could I fall in love with my professor?"

She fell asleep and dreamt of her tall dark stranger. Only this time she finally saw his face. When she woke in the morning she realized why she was so drawn to Severus, he was the man she had dreamed of since she was 9!

Here are the lyrics to "Love Has Come of Age":

I had never touched a hand
That felt as soft as rain until tonight
I had never known a kiss
Could make me feel this way until tonight

But here we are now
Feeling things we've never felt before

I never knew that I could feel such wonder
I never dreamed that love could be like this
Yet in this rapture, I'm swept away
Lost in your eyes
For tonight, love has come of age

I had never dreamed that I
Would lose my heart so soon until tonight
I had never felt my heart
Racing with the moon until tonight

Now and forever
Let me live inside your sweet embrace
I never knew that I could feel such wonder
I never dreamed that love could be like this
Yet in this rapture, I'm swept away
Lost in your eyes
For tonight, love has come of age

If I could make this moment last forever
If only I could make the time stand still
Before the dawn I would find a way
For you and I
For tonight, love has come of age
Tonight, love has come of age