BLOOD OF THE MOTHER by BertaS Nov 2005

Chapter 27

Description: We find out what happens at the Daughters of the Goblin Wars Fall Cotillion

Disclaimer: If they were mine, I'd live in Kendlewood Castle.

I am Not Prince Charming

The two men sat on the couch in their slightly crumpled finery staring into the fire. Exhaustion was evident in their postures and they were so quiet that one would have to look closely to tell that they were not asleep.

One finally commented, "I can't figure out why they seemed so interested in me."

The other snorted, "You are now one of the most eligible bachelors in Brittan, probably in Europe."

"I didn't notice them dragging you off to meet the old dragons."

"No I guess not, I just had to dance with every witch in the room under the age of 25."

"I think I could have handled that. I really think I would rather have a 'polite' conversation with the Dark Lord, than ever have to do that again.

"Umm, to bad I already killed him then."

"I still don't understand why they suddenly think I am acceptable though. I am not Prince Charming you know."

"You're no longer a snarky bastard Sev, and you look great in that outfit, of course they are interested

Severus Snape smoothed his Slytherin green and silver silk robes; he had not worn this much color since he was little. The style was a bit different for him as well, with a sort of oriental flavor to them. They still had the close fitting jacket but with silver embroidery, open collar and no sleeves. The only thing he had on his arms was the light over robe cut in a similar style as his teaching robes, these were an almost transparent new leaf green.

While getting ready he had suddenly realized that his arms were going to be on display for all to see and almost refused to leave the house. It had taken him seeing Harry in his completely sleeveless outfit to convince him that it was okay to show his arms, which were quite muscular from lifting cauldrons and long stints of stirring potions.

Harry knew that he was in excellent physical shape but had complained that Sev made him look like a wimp. Sev had looked at his arms as he flexed the muscle with a bit of shock having never thought about it.

When they had arrived at Kendlewood Castle they were both in awe, it was nearly as big as Hogwarts, Harry thought it looked like the fairytale castles in the books he had read in primary school with the white towers full of flying pennants and flags. They had been greeted by Neville and his Gran and directed to the lounge for appetizers and drinks.

They caused at quite a stir, not many men were confidant enough to display their muscles the way Harry and Severus were. Harry was wearing charcoal slacks and jerkin with a sleeveless open robe that was just a matter of several length of a silvery silk fastened at the sides and shoulders. It was as close to jeans and a tee shirt as he could get in the wizarding world.

It was not long until they were called to diner, there were about two dozen of the round tables holding twelve people each. When they were seated they found themselves at Neville's table along with Luna, Susan Bones, Blaise Zabini, Daphne Greengrass and five other people. Sev realized that all the people at this table were either still in school or had graduated in the last two years.

Luna wound up between Sev and Neville and seemed oblivious to the tension between them, talking to both of them and practically forcing them to talk to each other. Neville was taking his duties as host seriously though and really trying to involve the whole table in the conversation, which seemed to flow quite well and cover a multitude of topics. Toward the end of the meal while they were discussing Herbology and potions ingredients. Neville had made a statement and Sev had questioned quietly, "Mr. Longbottom, your knowledge of ingredients astounds me, I have to wonder, why you struggle so in my class?"

Neville looked embarrassed, shrugged and mumbled something that had sounded like "m scared a you."

Severus caught a fleeting image of the boggart from several of those at the table, "I do apologize for that. Perhaps it is something we can remedy this year." He smiled slightly looking around the table catching that image again, "You should all learn to shield your thoughts better, I would not be caught dead in brown shoes with a red hand bag." He had said it in such a bland way, totally ignoring the hat that they all thought was the truly funny thing about the outfit. He had picked up his glass of wine and sipped so absently that it took a few moments before the entire table had exploded in laughter, drawing attention from other tables, who were quick to catch on that Professor Snape was not the same person he had been before the fall of the Dark Lord.

After that the dancing had started and all the young women that danced with the Potions Master had wanted to introduce him to her family's matriarch. He had been hard pressed to stick to what he had accepted as his new rules. What he had managed to do, with out even realizing it, was to treated each girl as though she were someone truly special, which in turn prompted them to do the same. The fact that he was a graceful dancer, tall, muscular and mysterious helped as well. As did the fact that he was considered a war hero.

The problem that Harry was having was that most of the girls just wanted to be able to say that they had danced with the Boy-Who-Lived-Again. And he really was not that good of a dancer having only had a few hasty lessons from Hermione just before the dance at school in fourth year. Luna, Susan and a few others from school, were the only ones that didn't seem to mind that Harry, was just Harry.

At one point during one of those dances where you change partners every few moments, Harry had found himself with Pansy Parkinson in his arms, she had scowled and he had grinned, because he knew that there was nothing she could do with out causing a scene. Toward the end of the evening, at the refreshment table, Draco Malfoy had confronted Harry.

"Having a good time, Potter?" he had sneered as he looked over the girls around them.

Harry had grinned, "Yeah, I doubt I'll be able to walk in the morning but, I guess it's been a good party. How about you, are you having fun?"

Draco snorted, "Are you drunk, or something?"

Harry laughed, "No, I've just had my toes mashed by nearly every girl here."

Draco was actually trying to smother a laugh when his mother and Severus had appeared next to him. Draco had looked at them and said, "Good Merlin, you don't think either of us is stupid enough to cause a scene with the dowagers over there watching?" he discreetly motioned toward the older women near by with Mrs. Longbottom. "Why don't the two of you go dance or something?"

Sev had raised his eyebrow and looked at Narcissa, who laughed, "Are you sure you're up for this Sev." He simply held out his hand and led her onto the floor.

Harry and Draco and both stood open mouthed as they watched them tango. There were very few people in the room that did not feel that they had just witnessed the Potions Master and Mrs. Malfoy having sex with their clothes on and standing up on the dance floor.

A/N If you have 24 tables with 12 people each that's 288 people on the guest list. Just in case you don't have your calculator handy. I'm not sure what Sev and Cissa think they are doing, but I couldn't stop them from dancing the tango.

I am saying the Cotillion was on 20, August so we have several days till school starts I think Sev needs to do some lesson plans and will need to be at the school for staff meetings and such a few days early. They were also invited to the Tonks's for dinner I don't know if we are going or not.

Thanks to those who review. Oh, I got a flame, I can toast a marshmallow now.