Author's Note: So any of you who're actually keeping up with this story are going to hate me for a while after this chapter. It's a real cliffhanger and I may not update again for a while after this. That's because I've stumbled onto a sort of writer's block...Haha!

Disclaimer: Um...I don't think that my status of not owning any of J.K. Rowling's stuff has changed since the last disclaimer...

Chapter 7: A Good Start to the Yule Ball

It was the day of the Yule Ball. Dumbledore and the rest of the professors sat at the head table that morning at breakfast scheming. All except Professor Snape. He hated these dreaded social events. "Severus, should we have pumpkin juice or cranberry juice?" Dumbledore asked Snape. "Frankly, Albus, I don't care. You know I hate thse things and still you insist I go. Something as ridiculous as what we're to drink matters not to me," Snape replied, very irritated. "Come now, Severus! It's really not all that bad." Snape was having visions of spiked pumpkin jice and students snogging in the hallways. He grunted and went off to his dungeons.

Elza and Hermione ran off together right after breakfast. They needed all day to prepare. After manicures and pedicures came long, hot bubble baths. Elza tried not to chew her French tips as she wondered what to wear. She knew that most any dress would be accepted, so she wanted to be creative. She chose a Renaissance dress. The over dress was dusty rose with golden embroidered flowers that started cascading down the dress at knee-length. The back could be cinched and tied like a corset with a golden cord. The dress was cut low in the Renaissance fashion so that the outerdress' neck hole fell right below her breasts. The chmise she wore under the dress was cream colored. Though the dress was so long, she took no shortcuts in choosing her shoes. She chose golden high heels with straps she could wrap and tie around her ankles.

Hermione chose something more modern. She wore a likeness to the dress that Marilyn Monroe wore in the famous picture with the vent from the Seven Year Itch. She chose to wear candy-apple red shoes with it. She also let her hair fall in loose waves to her shoulders. Both girls went for natural looking makeup that only enhanced the beauty they alread had.

With everything set, they headed out to meet Harry and Ron. Both Harry and Ron were dressed in standard black tuxedos. They figured they would be the safest since they had no idea what Elza and Hermione would wear. Elza danced with Harry. She noticed the way he was looking at her. She blushed and couldn't help but feel flattered. After all, Harry was famous, handsome, nice, and had many devout fan girls. It's too bad I can't feel that way about Harry.

She noticed as she danced with him that the floor seemed to clear around them. People were murmuring about how cute they were. Elza glanced toward Hermione hoping to catch her eye, but she and Ron were in their own world. She felt awkward with Harry seeing her look around the hall as they danced. She knew it was rude, but she didn't know what to say to him and she feared just gazing into his eyes, for she didn't want to give him the wrong idea. She decided to rest her cheeck against his shoulder and hoped that wouldn't be misinterpreted. She glanced around the room and realized she was getting thirsty.

After the dance ended she told Harry she was going to get a drink. Harry could tell his romantic feelings weren't mutual, so he let her go and said, "Thanks for the dance, Elza! It was much less painful than your karate lessons." Elza laughed. As she neared the concessons table, she spotted a tall man with his back to her. He had broad shoulders and his silky, black hair was neatly tied back with gold ribbon. He turned so she could see his profile, and a few tendrils of his hair slipped from it's ribbon.

Oh my gosh! It's Professor Snape! He wore a navy blue swallow tail cape with gold flourishes around the neck and wrists. He also wore a stiff, wing collar linen shirt that had gold cufflinks. She was loving all the gold! Also, he wore a gold, double breasted silk wasitcoat, a white cravat, whit egloves and white trousers. Finishing it all off was a pair of patent leather, buttoned top boots. The effect of the period clothing was enchanting and he wore it well. A quick survey of the room told hr that every other female shared her sentiments.

Snape saw Elza nearing him and the concessions table. He allowed himself to admit that she looked gorgeous in her dress. Just because he thought she was gorgeous didn't mean he had feelings for her. A man could admire a woman's beauty without tying himself down to emotion, couldn't he?

Elza picked up a glass of pumpkin juice. As she took a sip, she glanced back up at the professor. She saw him look away quickly and realized he pobably felt uncomfortable here and didn't want to be stared at. "Good evening, Professor," she said sweetly. "I wouldn't go as far as to say that the evening has been good, Miss Ocean," he replied. "That's because you've not danced, Professor," she teased, dragging him to the dance floor.

Another slow song was playing. "Miss Ocean, I don't -" She put a finger to his lips and cut him off. "Shhh! Just enjoy the fun going on around you." She placed his right hand on her waist and placed her hand lightly on his shoulder. Then she took his left hand and held it out. A waltz came on and she soon found that he was an amazing dancer, albeit unwilling. They were lightly shuffling around the floor, raising on their toes, and turning gracefully. They moved so fluidly together. Though they didn't notice, everyone was standing and marveling at the scene.

The song started to die down and was replaced with a very slow song. "Shall we have another go at the floor?" Elza asked him. "I believe that would be bearable, Miss Ocean," he replied, with a twinkle in his eye. Everyone flooded the floor again and continued dancing. Elza stood on her toes and leaned forward. Her cheek brushed the Professor's. His breath hitched a moment in his throat. "Thank you, Professor," she whispered. She rested her left cheek on his right shoulder and let her hands rest on his strong upper arms. He drew her body closer to his and wrapped his arms around her waist. Her heart was thumping hard and she breathed in agains his neck. As she did so, she smelled mint and chery pipe tobacco.

They both let their eyes flutter closed as they slowly swayed to the music. Both were filled with a pleasant warmth. The song ended and neither of them noticed. They still held eachother with their eyes closed.