I apologize to everyone for the "Thanksgiving" fiasco. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Also, if you had not noticed in my previous chapter, Chapter 19, I replaced it so that "Thanksgiving" is now replaced with the word "autumn". Anyone please let me know if this, or anything else, is wrong too! I'm sorry, but I don't reside in the UK, so I'm not very aware of these things. Please try to forgive me for all of my mistakes. Thank you.
The night of the autumn staff party, during dinner, Hermione devoured her food hungrily, filling her empty stomach. After she had finished her meal, she keenly gulped down her tall glass of pumpkin juice.
"Leave room," Severus muttered from beside her.
Startled, she looked at him, confused. "Excuse me?" she asked.
"You can be sure that Firewhiskey will be abundantly provided by the Headmaster," he answered.
"Generally, Hagrid is the one to become the most tipsy out of all of us."
"And you?" Hermione asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just because you discovered me drunk once does not mean that I am a hopeless alcoholic. One glass is what I limit myself to on these occasions, no matter how irritating Hooch's drunken antics become."
Hermione let out a bark of laughter and peered down the table at the Flying Instructor, who was apparently laughing with Neville at a joke that he had made.
She looks quite lovely this evening, Severus thought as he watched her.
Hermione had taken special care when fixing her hair, securing it in a low bun at the nape of her neck and pulling out several tendrils that framed her face. She had also selected her smartest outfit for the occasion. Carefully, she had chosen a black, panel-waist skirt that fell to her knees and swung gracefully around her when she walked or turned, and then a pink, cowlneck-sweater on top. She slipped small black heels onto her feet just before departing her chambers for dinner; they were leather mules with a strap that crossed over the top of her foot, with an elegant velvet bow placed on top.
When she turned back to Severus, she caught him watching her. He looked away quickly as Hermione grinned at the hint of color creeping into his pale cheeks. She touched his arm gently, though when she did, he flinched slightly and looked down up and down the table, as if making certain that no one had noticed this. Hermione frowned, but did not move her hand away. Instead, she surveyed him and took in his dark appearance.
He really is handsome, in his own way, she thought to herself, smiling.
"Would you please abstain from staring at me the way you are?" he said suddenly, not even speaking directly at her.
Hermione blushed and looked down at her empty plate. Bits of food that she had missed from before still clung to it, but her stomach was filled and she felt wholly satisfied. Eventually, the students began to head back to their dormitories after they had finished their meals, and Hermione watched them go anxiously.
"What exactly takes place at Dumbledore's autumn staff parties?" Hermione asked Severus.
"He clears away a couple of tables and plays bad music so that if we wish to, we may dance. And that isn't meant to plant ideas in your head, Hermione," he added after a short pause, causing her cheeks to flush a deeper red. He went on, "Also, as I mentioned earlier, Albus provides alcohol for us all to consume. Of course, he would never allow anyone to go too far, but… Honestly, you would think that the man had learned his lesson by now."
"Does Albus drink as well?" Hermione asked him after a moment.
"No, never. Minerva does, although usually never anymore than me, and instead of drinking the Firewhiskey, she conjures her own small glass of wine."
"That is good to hear," Hermione said, somewhat relieved.
She glanced at the clock on the wall, which read that it was just six minutes until 7:30. Now, there remained only a few students that were still picking at their meals, engaging in pointless conversations with their friends. Hermione could see that they were growing bored, and finally, after what seemed like hours, the last four students ambled out the door, shutting it behind them. After several moments, Dumbledore stood up behind the High Table and, with a flick of his wand, banished the two center tables to the perimeter of the Great Hall. Then, again with a casual flick of his wand, music began to play softly throughout the Hall and shimmering decorations were erected all around the room. Finally, on one of the lower House tables, glasses and a pitcher of Firewhiskey appeared. Chairs were immediately slid back from the table, screeching loudly, as the staff rose and made their way down to the Firewhiskey. They each poured themselves a generous glassful, and Hermione noticed that the pitcher had apparently been charmed to instantly fill itself back up again once it had been emptied. While many of the adults returned to their seats at the High Table, quite a few hung back, lingering about the table with their drinks. Hermione peered down the table and chuckled when she caught sight of McGonagall; she was sipping her glass of wine with a severe expression on her face.
"Quite frightening at how predictable we all are, isn't it?" Severus said.
Hermione merely smiled at him, and then stood up. She took his hand in hers and pulled him reluctantly to his feet. He scowled as she guided him onto the dance floor. He was nearly about to voice his refusal to dance again with her, but remained silent when she did not stop, but continued to lead him toward the wall. Toward…who else? Remus Lupin.
Hermione stood beside Remus and allowed Severus to position himself on Lupin's other side.
Remus looked to the pair and asked, "How are you both this evening?"
Severus did not respond, but Hermione grinned and answered, "Brilliant. These parties are not so terribly dreadful after all."
"Did Severus manage to convince you of that before you arrived?" Remus asked, nudging Severus in the ribs gently with his elbow.
Severus sneered and crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the wall and surveying his colleagues. He rolled his eyes as he observed that it seemed as if Hagrid was already slurring his words.
"Enjoying yourself, as well, Severus?" Remus asked.
"I am virtually trapped in a room occupied by my blissful colleagues who will soon be too smashed to even stumble back to their quarters without assistance from the more sober individuals among us. I am bloody brilliant, Lupin," he replied derisively, glancing around the room once more.
"Not everyone drinks. Albus remains entirely sober and Minerva nearly as much so. I do not drink at all."
"Perhaps, but nevertheless, look around yourself at these bumbling idiots. Not one of them is even remotely sober."
"Come now, boys," Hermione said, her face as stern as McGonagall's, "calm yourselves. Can't you at least make an attempt at civil conversation between yourselves?"
The men glanced at each other, Severus scowling in both of their directions, though Remus grinned.
"Of course, Hermione," he said. "Now, go and enjoy yourself at the party." He smiled at her and pushed her away gently. She laughed at him and then walked out into the crowd of teachers.
The two men stood side by side in silence, watching their colleagues intently. Remus turned to Severus, about to say something, but stopped when he saw a rare, soft sort of expression on the man's pale face. Severus' eyes were moving slowly, pursuing something. Remus followed his gaze curiously, and with Severus' guiding eyes, surveyed his peers. It took him two full minutes to realize who it was that Severus had been watching, and his jaw nearly dropped when the comprehension dawned, but then he smiled and leaned in toward Severus a bit.
"You know, if you're going to stare at her all night, you might as well at least try and make it look discreet," he said in a low voice.
"Excuse me?" he snapped.
"Oh please, Severus. Don't try and deny it. We've all seen the way you look at her. Even now."
"I have no idea what you are talking about."
"She cares for you too, you know."
Although Severus had been trying to act indifferent toward Remus until now, and despite the fact that he had masked his curiosity well, he could not keep the interest from creeping into his voice as he asked the man beside him, "What do you mean by that, Lupin?"
Remus sighed and looked at Severus, who in turn, looked back into his eyes. "Hermione Granger is a patient woman, Severus; there is no doubting that. But even she will not wait around for you forever."
Severus contemplated Lupin's words just as Hermione began to advance upon them once more. He tensed as she stood close beside him and looked at the two men.
"Did you both find an interesting topic of conversation to discuss?" she asked.
Severus grunted in response, not meeting her eyes, and Remus merely smiled yet again. Hermione furrowed her brow, as it was so unlikely for Remus to be rendered speechless, but she kept quiet as well, glancing at the clock every few minutes
Can it really only be 8:04? she asked herself. Then, exasperatedly, she sighed, and Severus noticed.
He leaned over and whispered in her ear, "You see, it is not only me who detests these events."
She scowled at him, only earning herself his reply, "You should not scowl, Professor Granger."
"And why is that?"
"It does not become you."
"I shall keep that in mind," she replied, nodding, and then resumed in watching the clock intently.
Remus took note of this and turned to the couple. "You know, you needn't remain here against your will. You can both leave, if you like," he told them.
Hermione and Severus glanced at each other and confirmed what they had both been thinking. Hermione turned to Remus and nodded at him, while Severus said briskly as they passed him, "I believe we will be taking our leave now, Lupin."
Remus smiled at them and waved them goodbye. He watched them as they slipped out the door from the Great Hall together, and just before the door had closed, he noticed Hermione slip her hand into Severus'. Still beaming, Remus glanced up to the High Table, where he met a cheery pair of twinkling blue eyes.
Next Tuesday, October 18, I will be moving to a new state, so my computer will be packed up for about three weeks or so, probably. And then, what with unpacking and the traveling… Just thought that I ought to let you know that it may be a month or so before I am able to get Chapter 23 up (Like I said, Chapter 21 should be up about Wednesday or Thursday. I will get Chapter 22 up before my computer is packed.) But I will be writing this story in my notebooks while I am unable to gain access to my computer or the internet, so I will have chapters ready and waiting when I am able to write on my very own computer again. Just thought I should let you all know. Warn you. Lol.
I got the outfit that Hermione wears in here directly from The sweater is Christopher Fischer. The skirt is Versace. The shoes are Fendi.
Thanks to everyone so much for reviewing! I cannot believe that I have already received over 230 reviews!
M-M-X-M-X- The more Hermione/Snape fics, the better! Thank you! (Fabulastic! Hehe. Awesome!)
SwissMiss1- I love your criticisms, because they urge me to push myself to become a better writer and to improve my chapters. Your dislikes/missing/nitpicks, I agree with. The grammar: The "as" should have been removed, I think. The affect/effect thing, I was not sure which one was correct, so I apologize. And yes, I meant "clearly". Whoops. (And all the other grammar things you mentioned: yeah, whoops again.) I don't understand how I missed all these things, but I was tired when I read over Chapter 19 both times, so I suppose that may be the reason. I apologize, but thank you. I will take everything you said into consideration and try to remember it all. Hehe. Thanks!
olivialynlee- The autumn party (hehe) is not meant to be a formal event like the Yule Ball, so she didn't have to wear a gown, but she definitely took care in her appearance, as you read. Thank you so much! I am glad that you appreciated the longer chapter. Like I said before, I am going to make each chapter about this length, more or less. I will try, anyway. Lol. Thanks!
Celebwen Telcontar- Now that I read over it, I see that you are right about the "Okay" thing. I mean, obviously, of course you are! Lol. Sorry about that.
eriksangelofvoice- Don't worry, believe me, there are lots more chapters for this story. Never fear. Lol. Thanks!
MiKaYGiRl- Patience.
Megan- Wait- sorry I forgot to include this in my last mention for you- but where did you find these cool J.K. quotes? I would love to read them!
I think that from now on, I will take up to three or four days to update (not counting during the time when I am moving, as I mentioned before), so that I have the chance to look over my chapters more carefully and catch up on my sleep and schoolwork, all of which I have been regretfully neglecting. Lol. Just to let you know.
Chapter 21 will be up sometime Monday.
Disclaimer- (See Chapter 14)
Remember: Review, Please! Even if you don't like my story, tell me what you dislike about it and I will try to work on it! Thanks!