Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and characters.

A/N: this chap and next chap are crucial, addictive, and significant to every hp chap i've ever written. Have fun reading it and I hope you all enjoy it just as much as I do. The next one, I promise, will be just as addicting.

Chapter 23: Dipping and Elegance

The day before Christmas Eve. Students all over the school were preparing to leave for vacation. The Yule Ball would normally take place when vacation ended, but instead it had been moved to tonight. Currently, I was sitting next to Severus, watching very closely at the quiddich game in front of us. Hermione actually arrived early enough to sit one seat below me, giving me the chance to speak to her whenever I wanted. The only problem was that I was not in a talkative mood.

Hufflepuff versus Gryffindor, Hufflepuff in the lead by one point. The Hufflepuff team obtained some new players this year. Players that had enough smarts to trick the Gryffindors multiple times. I'm sure if Harry were here he would have a fit.

The game was almost over, for the snitch had been spotted and the seekers were chasing it like madmen. As expected, the Gryffindor seeker caught it only after the Hufflepuff seeker was hit with a bludger, thus ending the game. I had made it! Sucess of not talking to Snape and not screwing anything up. I made a plan this morning not to talk to Snape until tonight at the ball. That way we wouldn't fight during the day and have a horrible evening. Unless of course he made it a horrible night.

"So what dress are you wearing tonight?" Hermione asked me while we walked through the halls.

"We're allowed to wear a dress?" my confused self added, "I thought we had to wear teachers' robes at dances."

Hermione shook her head and grinned, "No, Dumbledore is letting us dress up for the Yule Ball and the Prom when the time comes. I've already chose to wear a long silver dress with tulle on the bottom. It's really pretty. My Mom let me take it with me this year. It was her prom dress long ago. It's not too dressy for a ball."

"Nothing is too dressy for a ball.. It's a ball. Maybe I'll wear something like you. I have dresses I never wear. I'll go look in a minute or two." We neared the corner to the Grand Staircase. I waved to Mione and walked the opposite way towards the dungeons.

Finally in my room, I looked in my huge trunk for some possible dresses to wear for the ball. There were a few I had already worn last year and the year before, so I looked some more for any that I hadn't even touched. I found a white dress with a corsette top. I never realized I had it, so there was a good chance I hadn't ever worn it. I wasn't really into white clothing, especially not for a formal party, but I felt anarchistic towards myself and my rules, so I wore it after all.

I stepped out of my room and into the bowls of the dungeons. The halls were always chilly, but for some reason they didn't feel too bad. I walked the long and lonely way to the Great Hall, happily discovering Hermione and Draco standing outside of the door, hopefully waiting for me.

"Hey guys!" I shouted as they smiled at me.

"This sucks," Draco bluntly stated, "Mione and I have to open the doors for everyone. It's common courtesy. Personally, I'd like to smack Lockhart in the head for asking us to do it."

I faked a laugh, "Heh. Yeah well good luck. When are you guys going to be in?"

"About fifteen minutes." Mione frowned with her answer.

Opening the Great Hall doors, I smiled and went on. Upon entering the hall, I was surprised to see most of the students already dancing. Unsurprisingly, I spotted Snape standing near a wall which overlooked the middle of the dance floor. He was scowling as usual. With my best foot forward, I walked towards him and prepared for a night of nothing.

"Good evening, Maranda." Snape spoke my name.. I still had to get used to hearing it and addressing him with his first name right back.

"Erm.." My stomach lurched, "Hello, Severus." Already my body felt like combusting.

The conversation died. It hit a dead end. Kicked the bucket. Pushed up the posies.

Ten minutes went by with no words or friends to save me. Everyone was busy except for Snape and I. He just stood intimidatingly next to me as I drowned in boredom. Listening to the orchestrated music was fantastic, but not being able to dance was tormenting. Not being able to calm down was tormenting. It was time to get a drink.

"Severus," I caught the Snake's attention, "Do you want something to drink? I'm going to grab some punch."

His subtle smile sent shivers down my spine, "Yes, thank you, I would love some punch."

Approaching the refreshment mini-bar, I realized Gwen was in charge of drink and Ron in charge of food. I had to wait in a line of three people before actually asking for the fruit punch.

"Yeah, Gwen, give me something hard. Vodka sounds nice." I joked, making Gwen laugh a bit.

She took out a goblet and asked, "No vodka. How about rum?"

"Alright, two glasses of rum. I'm taking one for the gentleman in black way over yonder."

"Snape?" She was no longer joking, "You're getting some punch for Snape? Is he too lazy to get off of his stupid ass and get it himself?"

A small grin appeared as I stated, "He's standing, not sitting."

"Oh," She began to pour the punch into two goblets, "Well then he's too lazy to move his stupid feet to the refreshment stand."

Ron heard our conversation and teased, "He just wanted to see Maranda swing those hips of hers all the way across the hall."

The death glare gave Ron a hint to shut his trap. I took the two drinks, thanked Gwen, and walked back to Snape, who showed no gratitude.

As I downed my drink, my eyes wandered over to the Great Hall doors. In came Draco and Hermione, who were met by Gilderoy. It appeared as if he were lecturing them, or giving them more orders. Draco and Mione walked through the dancing croud to the other end of the hall and stood with Professor McGonagal. Snape noticed my wandering eyes and tapped me on the shoulder.

"Are you uncomfortable, Maranda?" Snape asked innocently.

With you being all intimidating and snake-like, yes. "No, but I do wish I could do something else right now. I'm kind of ...bored. No offense."

"Why don't you visit your friends?"

Quickly, I responded, "They're all busy. I'll be back. I'm going to take a walk around the room. Maybe that will spark up some ideas in my head to cure my boredom."

He actually agreed, "Good thinking. If you aren't back in ten minutes I'll send a search party."

Nodding my head, I slowly pushed through the dancing students to the door in the very back of the hall. I decided fresh air on the balcony wouldn't be a bad decision.

Winter actually held an elegance. On the balcony, snow fell gently onto the ground and bench behind me. The black sky shivered with stars from left to right, scattered perfectly above the clouds. I was a bit cold, but the magic of the night devoured my attention. To come outside was a great choice, for my head felt clear, my stomach stopped feeling odd, and the rest of me was at peace. My feet brought me to the railing at the edge of the balcony, and I rested my arms on it after brushing the snow off. The sky cleared up softly, leaving a few more white puffs to hit the ground before stopping. I inhaled the chilly air, which bit at my lungs playfully.

Behind me, I felt a presence. The velvet voice of Snape surrounded me, "Everytime you come out on this balcony, you are drunk. It has been more than ten minutes, so I sent the search party: me. Are you ok, Maranda?"

"Mmmyeah," I felt weak.

Snape came to the railing and rested his arms like mine. The snow started to fall again, but barely noticeable. He stood there for a minute, staring at the sky. I stared at him.

"Have you ever danced in the snow, Miss Maguire?" His voice was heard, but I was lost in his beauty.

My voice cracked, "Uh.. N- no."

Turning to face me, Snape took my hand and brought me to the middle of the balcony. I could faintly hear the orchestrated music from here. I hadn't noticed this previously. With one smooth movement, Snape placed his hands in waltz position. I did the same. We began to sway from side to side. I stared at the sky, unable to believe I was dancing in winter's elegance with the man I ...loved.

Somehow, the stars forced me to change my gaze from them to Snape's eyes. I never had noticed how gorgeous they were. I stared into his eyes and saw the world. Snape stared back at me, but who knew what he saw?

Suddenly, the world was upside-down. Snape had dipped me. When he pulled me back up, I felt my cheeks burning red with a fire of emberassment and wishes that he would do it again. Instead, he placed his hands on my hips. My hands went over his shoulders. We were crossing dance boundaries between professor and student. I was no longer a student. Why were my thoughts going every which way but right?

"..Sev..." My whisper was heard, but I hadn't meant for it to be. I was trying to make sure I was still alive and not in Heaven.

Swaying side to side, ocassionally turning slowly; This was our 'Dance of the Snowflakes.' The snowfall became slightly heavier and noticeable.

Snape finally replied to the whisper of his name, "You called me Sev. No one has called me that for years."

I was in dreamland. My mouth wouldn't open and I could tell soon I would be in school naked or something terribly moronic like in dreams. Even worse, Snape looked ready to hear something from me.

"Nnnn." Apparently I was being punished by my mouth. I was able to make noise, but no real words.

Suddenly, as if a meteor hit earth, Snape pulled me closer and placed one hand on the back of my head. He left no room for me to realize what he was doing. In a single instant, my lips were touching his. But they couldn't be his. His lips always formed frowns, scowls, deathly negative facial features. Now they felt ...utterly delicious. My stomach held sparks similar to fireworks. I swear snowflakes were exploding around us. He pressed on my lips harder, as if to crush them. I closed my eyes. The stars were watching us, laughing at us, planning to shoot me down with disappointment and make me know that this was a fantasy, not a reality. I would wake up soon, in my bed, and know that Snape, the Snake, was just as hateful towards me as ever. Kissing... Oh gods... His lips, so tender and yet so dominatingly tremendous.

He pulled away, and let go of my head and hips. I was free to run away and pretend it never happened. But I stayed. Stared into his eyes confusingly wondering why.

"Severus.." My voice came back. Surprise surprise. "I...I... Why?"

As if fate was playing with my head, Gilderoy Lockhart stepped onto the balcony. I hated Poptart.

"Severus," He addressed Snake the Oxymoron, "Dumbledore needs to see you for a moment."

"Alright." Snape had nodded his head.

Lockhart left the balcony. I ran. I ran past Snape and the elegant outside. I ran past the dancing students and great Hall doors. I ran to the dungeons. I ran to my room. I slammed my door. Layed on my bed. Looked for my diary/journal/who-the-hell-cared-what-I-called-it.

Gone. My journal was gone. It was missing. Searching high and low, I could not find it anywhere. My written thoughts were no longer with me. Who knew where they were? Not me.

Laying on my bed wasn't relaxing at all. I was nervous beyond belief. My breathing deepened as if I were going to choke soon. Choke on my own deep desires come true and I'll die. Snape kissed me. Kissed my lips! And my journal was missing. This night was the best and worst at the same time. I needed to sleep. To die. Maybe I could go into a coma for awhile and avoid Snape and his delectable lips.

I tried to fall asleep in my ballgown. I decided to be tired and lazy and not change into pajamas. Maybe I will wake up and nothing will have changed between him and I.

Tomorrow will be the first Christmas Eve I spend in bed all day, pondering life's ultimate despise of me.

Good gracious goobleberries, Snape kissed me and I enjoyed it.

...What's a goobleberry?