Eight:
"Miss Granger." Severus nodded to her as she sat down next to him for breakfast two weeks later.
"Professor Granger, Severus. Or Hermione." Hermione grabbed two muffins and Severus handed her the butter dish.
"Hermione, then. I will pick you up at seven?" Severus handed her a cup of coffee and she placed one buttered muffin on his plate.
"Seven will be fine." Hermione agreed.
She reached across the table for the cream, pretending not to notice the eyes of the entire staff table on her. She and Severus continued eating as if nothing was amiss, much to the annoyance of the rest of the staff.
~*~
At seven o'clock that night, Hermione stood in front of her full-length mirror assessing her appearance one more time. Sandy sat on the bed behind her, nodding with approval.
Hermione wore a silky black dress reaching her knees. A long slit in the fabric trailed up her right leg. Short and strapped heels encased her feet, and thin straps graced her shoulders. Hermione's hair was tamed into long curls that flowed gracefully down her back. The candlelight in the dark room flickered across the tresses, illuminating the golden streaks that many hours of outdoor training had left.
Sandy reached for her robe, the finishing touch. She swung it around her trainer's neck and fastened it quickly. Sandy flashed her a mischievous smile as she backed away to take in the effect. The crushed black velvet material swished around Hermione's ankles just as a sharp knock sounded through the room.
Sandy ran and let Severus Snape in and he crossed the room to Hermione and offered his arm. He was dressed in black robes, but the fit was much tighter than his normal frock coat, and the material held a slight shimmer in the dimming candlelight. His dress robes showed off his broad shoulders and lean waist. Hermione rested her hand softly on his proffered arm and they left.
Hermione and Severus entered the Great Hall arm in arm, gathering many blatant stares and ill-concealed whispers. They made their way to the large table that had been set aside for the staff. Their colleagues exchanged glances, but none dared speak.
Albus rose and gave a welcome speech, complete with the usual oddness and customary twinkle. Hermione felt herself relax at the sound of his warmly comforting tones filling the Hall. Albus sat, and with a clap of his hands the food appeared on the sparkling golden plates.
All too soon, the food had been magically cleared and the tables moved to create a large dance floor. Severus offered her his arm and led her to the middle of the large mass of people. Hermione was nervous. She had never seen him dance. She wasn't worried; her mother had forced her to endure two summers of dance classes. However, she had never encountered a man who could actually waltz without crushing her feet.
When Severus placed one hand gently on her waist and took hers in the other, she was pleasantly surprised. He moved with ease and confidence. She allowed herself to be steered around the dance floor and looked around at the twirling couples.
Severus pulled her closer as the song changed, and Hermione's head rested on his chest of it's own accord. Before long, Severus had bent down to whisper in her ear:
"You have captured the attention of every straight man in the room with that dress."
Hermione felt shivers run up her spine at the feel of his words on her neck. He pulled her closer again, and as the last notes of the song filled the Hall, he led her out to the gardens.
"We are supposed to chaperone." he muttered as he blasted a rosebush and took twenty points from Gryffindor.
"Of course."
The two walked in comfortable silence for the next half hour, with Severus occasionally blasting a rosebush to shreds and taking House Points. Hermione estimated two hundred points had already been lost when they finally re-entered the Hall.
Albus had just given his goodnights, and the children were filing out of the Hall and off to bed. Hermione and Severus helped return the Great Hall to its original splendor before leaving.
Hermione was mildly surprised when Severus walked her to her rooms, but not nearly as surprised as when his lips softly captured hers. She was momentarily shocked, but responded to his soft movements. The kiss ended just as quickly as it had begun, but Hermione's body felt as if electricity was flowing through her veins.
"Goodnight, Hermione." he said softly, as if uncertain.
"Goodnight, Severus." Hermione stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek, and then turned to enter her room. She was grinning like the Cheshire cat.