Author's note:

This chapter contains the Slytherins' dance lesson which I have been really excited to write! I hope you enjoy!

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Year 4 Part 3 (chapter 19)

Word count: 1.7k

Warning: Dragons and fire

Everyone is gathered at the Quidditch Stadium. Today is the four champions' first task.

"Your attention, please" the Headmaster says as he steps into the middle of the pitch.

"Today is a great day for all of us" he announces just as roaring can be heard which makes everyone gasp.

Severus raises an eyebrow. They have to fight dragons? He wonders if today will be the day where the Boy Who Lived will become the Boy Who Died.

"Each of the three tasks involves very considerable danger. Please keep your seats at all times - this will minimise any risks you may be exposed to. I'm sure we all wish for our limbs to still be intact" Albus says, giving a serious look.

He then leaves with Fudge, Argus, Maxime and Igor to tell the champions their task.

As they do so, one of the dragons is being directed inside the pitch. As well as a golden egg.

Severus immediately understands the task - they have to steal the egg from the dragon.

A moment later, the sound of a canon can be heard. Everybody immediately starts to cheer. Cedric Diggory is the first to do the task. He succeeds. So do Victor Krum and Fleur Delacour.

Lastly, it's Potter's turn. It's a shaky start for the boy as he hides behind a rock while the dragon tries to breathe fire at him.

"Accio Firebolt!" he loudly exclaims. It takes a while before the broom finally arrives.

He runs and jumps onto his broom, avoiding the fire in time. The dragon somehow gets released from its chains as it chases after Potter.

As the boy is escaping from the creature, they get very close to the tribune where the teachers are. When they pass them, they almost hit everyone.

Minerva accidentally falls and lands hard on Severus who groans.

Once Potter and the dragon are out of sight, they dare to get up from the ground.

As Severus does so, he can't help but smirk when he sees Rita Skeeter, the obnoxious and nosy journalist. Her glasses are broken, sitting crooked across her nose. She definitely deserved that.

"Severus, I apologise. Are you hurt?"Minerva asks in a worried tone.

Severus huffs. "I am fine, Minerva. You aren't that heavy" he states.

Once Severus sits down on his seat, he notices Y/L/N looking at him from the Slytherin tribune, worried. He signals to her with his head that he is fine. The girl smiles at that.

As it's been a while since they last saw Potter, people are getting worried. Is the boy dead?

Out of the blue, the Gryffindor returns and grabs the golden egg. He succeeded in the task as well. Everybody claps at that.

Now that the first task is over, people decide to celebrate that as well as congratulate the champions.

Severus decides to walk around the Black Lake to get some fresh air and to get away from the loud, celebrating students.

Once he reaches the lake, he spots Y/L/N under the same tree he once found her sitting under in her second year. Like last time, she's reading a book - only this time it's Herbology.

He slowly approaches the girl. "Hello, Y/L/N. This is the second time I have found you under this exact tree" he tells her.

The girl looks up from her book as she shyly smiles. "Hello, professor. Well, I do like sitting here. It's in fact my favourite spot" she admits.

He hums at that. "I see... Mind if I sit down?" he asks.

Shaking her head, she scoots over to make room for him. He sits down next to her, though making sure there is some distance between them.

Feeling a bit awkward, he clears his throat. "So... Potter succeeded in his task, huh?" he says, starting a conversation.

Y/L/N nods. "Yeah, he did. I honestly found it quite impressive" she confesses.

Severus raises an eyebrow. She's probably the only Slytherin who would ever say something like that about a Gryffindor.

"Is that so? Do you believe that he put his own name in the Goblet of Fire?" he questions, curious to hear what she thinks.

The girl shakes her head. "I was quite surprised when it was revealed that he was the fourth champion, but no, I don't believe he did so. I have a feeling somebody did it for him - somebody who wishes him dead. I think he's in danger, sir" she slowly says.

Severus nods at that. He too has had a feeling that this might be the case.

"I agree, Y/L/N. I just cannot think of who could have done it" he tells her.

He has been speculating about this - he's sure it's a Death Eater, but who could it be? He doesn't think it's Igor, but he seems to be the only one with a motive.

But that could only mean one thing - if Igor does indeed wish for Potter to die, it must be a sign that the Dark Lord will return very soon.

Y/L/N suddenly rises from the ground. "I should probably leave now, I do have Transfiguration soon. See you tomorrow, sir" she says as she gives a small wave.

Severus nods at her as he watches her leave. A moment later, he decides to leave as well and heads towards his private chambers to read a book. Well, another book that he has already read at least a dozen times...

He really needs to get his hands on a new book.

--

Two weeks later, Severus sighs. Great, he has to teach his Slytherins how to dance. It's required for the Head of Houses to ensure that the students know how to dance properly for the upcoming Yule Ball.

Severus tried to avoid this, all the Purebloods already know how to dance anyway. Their parents have made sure of that.

But alas, Albus did not approve of his excuse.

"Not all of them know how to dance, Severus" the Headmaster said.

Speaking of the Yule Ball, the students just recently got the information about the party. They are all busy with finding a partner for the Ball...

Scowling at that thought, Severus enters the room. They are using one of the unoccupied classrooms to have the dance lesson. Severus dramatically enters the room, not even bothering to close the door behind him. A flick of his hand does the work.

He faces the Slytherin students. They are all gathered on the chairs in front of him.

After a moment of silence, he decides to get this over with.

"As you all know, the Yule Ball is coming in less than two weeks. I have got the displeasure of teaching you how to dance. Now, I know that most of you already know how to do this, but the Headmaster insisted that I still teach you. Before we begin, I will need a volunteer" he says as he looks at them.

It doesn't even take him two seconds to find one.

"Ms. Y/L/N, if you will?" he asks, though rhetorically.

The girl blushes a bright red colour. Severus frowns at that. Great, the girl is embarrassed to demonstrate with him.

Draco smirks as he nudges his friend with his elbow. That seems to take Y/L/N back to reality as she slowly nods before standing up. She shyly approaches the Potions Master.

He clears his throat. "You will put a hand on my shoulder. And I will put a hand on your waist" he states.

He then does so as he slowly and gently puts his right hand on her waist. The girl blushes once more before doing as he says.

The others start to laugh which makes their Head of House glare at them.

"Silence!" he demands. They all immediately go quiet.

With a flick of his hand, the music starts.

"Now, you will watch the demonstration. We will only show it once, so pay attention" he warns.

With his right hand on her waist and her left one on his shoulder, Severus gently grabs her right hand in his left as they start to dance.

They slowly do each step, making sure that the others can keep up.

As she seems quite nervous, Severus gently squeezes her hand while nobody notices.

Well, except for one boy who's still smirking.

"It's okay, Y/L/N. It will be over soon" he assures her.

The girl lets out a breath. "I know, sir" she says, giving him a sad look.

He's rather confused as she almost sounds disappointed. He must have misunderstood her tone.

A few minutes later, the demonstration is finally over.

"That's it for today. If you did not pay attention, it will be your own problem. Do make us Slytherins proud by showing everyone that you know how to do the steps correctly. Dismissed" their Head of House states.

All the Slytherins rise from their chairs and leave the room.

As Y/L/N hasn't moved an inch since they stopped the demonstration, Severus gives her a look that one would describe as concerned.

"I apologise if I made you uncomfortable, Y/L/N. It was never my intention to do so" he apologises, hoping he didn't ruin anything. He would hate it if she wouldn't want to be near him anymore, all because of the Headmaster's orders.

Blinking a few times, the girl seems to come back to reality. As she registers his words, she shyly smiles at him.

"There's no need to apologise, sir. I wasn't uncomfortable" she assures him. She sounds quite sure with her statement.

Severus decides to nod. "Very well, if you are sure about that. I'll see you in Potions class" he says.

She gives him a sincere smile. "You will. See you, professor" she says before leaving.

Once she has left, Severus can't help but worry that he has ruined their friendship - he does enjoy her company and wouldn't want to make her uncomfortable in his presence.

Perhaps he should have chosen someone else to demonstrate with, but there really wasn't anyone else he would rather have done it with.

He has no idea if the girl would ever consider her Head of House as a friend, but he definitely considers her as one.