Arc 1: Immaterial Bonds
Chapter 6: Stars Above The Sea

When the ball finally started, music could be heard blasting through every edge of the castle. There were streamers and balloons in each corridor and the booths set up earlier were filled with students trying them out for various prizes.

The true amazement was the Great Hall. The signature weather ceiling had been enchanted to display a beautiful snowfall that appeared to hit the floor without piling up. The long tables had been put away and replaced with an array of circular tables decorated with long white clothes and matching chairs. There was still space near the back for the dance floor.

Nothing at the Ministry could ever come close. The only thing the Minister allowed was a small Christmas tree in the lobby for the holidays. Otherwise, it was business as usual.

Walking into the Great Hall gave me a sense of empowerment. Everyone was dressed in their best robes. My worries of not fitting in were washed away in an instant. There was ballroom music playing that gave a whimsical and magical feel to it. Some pairs were already dancing along like they were absorbed into the melody.

To my delight, there was already a group of my colleagues gathered to one side taking a proud look at all the arrangements. Of course, I went over to join them.

"Ah, Cassandra, how lovely for you to join us!" announced Pomona Sprout, pulling me into the circle.

"Indeed. I was rather wondering if you would be attending." McGonagall gently smiled. Serious as ever, she couldn't suppress her relief for a relaxing evening.

But there was one person who was missing. Albeit, it was no surprise that Snape might not have come. Balls didn't seem his thing. A wave of sadness struck me. For a moment, I thought that he may have come for me.

"My, my, you look radiant, Cassandra." Dumbledore admired as he approached. I thanked him in return and he gave a wink knowing he was responsible for it. "Looks like the students are returning to their usual selves. An excellent idea this ball was, Minerva."

"Thank you, Albus, but it could not have been done without the unification of Hogwarts. Despite dark times, it is essential that we come together."

"I'll cheers to that!" Sprout waved her glass in the air.

"Cheers!" Everyone clinked their glasses together in celebration. So this is what family feels like...

A mild nudge pressed against my arm bringing my attention to Dumbledore.

"I recommend you look over there." he whispered in my ear and pointed across the hall.

As cliche as it sounds, time really did feel like it stopped. The moment I turned my head, I saw what Dumbledore was referring to. Across the room stood that increasingly familiar figure that had become prominent in my life. Instead of his usual robes, Snape wore a long dresscoat and matching trousers and shoes with it. His hair was a little curled like he had spent time pampering himself for once. To think he said he prioritised his inner qualities more!

"It would appear to me... that he has been waiting for the right person to join him." Dumbledore egged and gently shoved me forward. I could hear McGonagall and Sprout chuckling as I hesitantly made my way towards Snape. What am I doing...? We spent yesterday together after hating each other since we met and now I'm about to ask him to dance. But I couldn't deny the heat in my face as I observed his attire once more.

As if on cue, curse you Dumbledore, a romantic slow song began to play the moment I got close enough to Snape for him to notice me. He swallowed and reaffirmed his posture.

"I believe that's our call, huh?" I offered my hand to him. "Grant me the honour? That's what they say, I think."

For the first time I'd seen, there was a genuine smile on Snape's face. I couldn't hold my own back if I wanted to. This was a much different man to the one I had previously known. This Snape knew happiness and welcomed it to his heart. Would he be back to his spiteful ways when the ball was over?

He gently grasped my extended arm and wrapped the other around my frame and I put mine on his shoulder. Together, we waltzed onto the dancefloor.

"It's funny. I remember offering my hand when we first met for you to shake it... I never thought when you finally accepted it, it would be for this." I reminisced.

"You certainly were more intolerable back then." he replied, his deep onyx eyes gazing fondly to mine. I couldn't look away.

"Is that your way of saying you've gone soft for me?"

Snape paused as he thought about what I said. My time here flowed through our heads. This was a sign that we could get along despite our conflicting personalities.

"In a manner of speaking."

Heh. He definitely had.

The song had begun to reach its climax and Snape didn't seem to hold any intention of letting go of me. Letting myself flow to the whims of the music, I rested my head against his chest and closed my eyes. I'd never felt so relaxed. So safe. So... free. Every moment has to come to an end eventually but... this was the one I wish would never fade away.

Thank you, Dumbledore. You pushed me to see the person behind a mask of pain when nobody else dared to. There's more to this man if you gave him a chance. The world refused to grant him one. I want to give him that chance.

Once the dance came to its conclusion, Snape and I went and mingled with the other professors and had drinks and food. Trelawney was present but Snape acted as a bit of a human shield between us. Today had been magical, pun unintended.

The clock soon struck midnight. Everyone began to leave the Great Hall and, thankfully, the corridors were already empty as the third years and below had already been sent to bed.

But I didn't feel ready to return to my room. There was too much adrenaline and excitement still inside me that had to be lulled out. Snape was walking alongside me without a sound crossing his lips.

"Hey... I'm going to go to the Astronomy Tower for a bit. I need to get all of this built-up energy out of me." I said, "But you can come too. If you want." I quickly added embarrassed. Astonishingly, he followed.

The very top of the tower was a large, open circular room with stairs needing to be climbed to reach the platform. In the centre was a humungous model of the Earth that took up most of the interior. Opposite the stairs was a small balcony for one to put a telescope and view the entire solar system. It was the main source of light with the moon giving the tower a faint white glow.

Snape and I climbed the stairs and I immediately went and leant against the metal railings of the balcony. The cool breeze flowed through my hair. I took a deep breath in and felt refreshed from the natural air.

"Thank you for tonight. I really quite enjoyed myself." I laughed without turning around. I think my reasoning was that I was too scared to see his reaction.

"It was enjoyable to me as well." he said as he joined me on the balcony. I laughed embarrassingly once more and looked at the horizon beyond. You could see all of the lake and the mountain range that seemed to go on forever. When you looked up, it was a full moon with countless stars in the sky. It would be impossible to see such a sight from the Ministry with the air pollution of the city dirtying the view.

"I used to look at the stars a lot when I was a child. I'd rarely have much free time when I wasn't being forced to study but when I did, it was the night sky that gave me hope." The words kept slipping out of my mouth but I didn't feel worried about it. While Snape didn't give much of an expression, I knew he was listening intently. He was so much different.

"When I looked at those stars, I'd realise that time always keeps going and there's nothing you can do to stop it. I felt that maybe one day, I'd look at the sky and feel that... everything would be better. That I would find comfort and happiness in my life."

Saying those words made me consider that I had grown to be a part of what she wanted; surrounded by those she cared for and those who cared for her. The torment in her life had come to pass and it grew into something beautiful inside of her. Once she learnt to be her real self, so would those around her. Including the one she found dear.

"The sky always looked the same for so long but... looking at it tonight... there's something different."

"What do you see?" he asked calmly.

"It's the same stars as they always have been but I think it's them who are looking at me differently. Instead of seeing a tired, frightened and lifeless girl, they now see a grown woman who has changed so much. She's found her voice. Her emotions. Her home. Her family. And... people to care for."

I covered Snape's hand with my own. It was cold but all the best types of comforting. It was him who I wanted by my side in my most vulnerable moment. He had been the one to cause me to despair and now... he was the one making me feel whole.

"Do you think they'd be proud of me?" I asked jokingly but in my heart, I wanted to know.

"I do." he said without hesitation.

Small teardrops filled my eyes. Is this what it is to cry from happiness?

"Cassandra," he started with a more serious tone. "I should apologise for-"

I rose a finger to his lip.

"Don't. It's in the past and I acted horribly to you too. We both have things to atone for but... let's consider it even. I don't want to waste this time thinking about such things." By that, I don't think my heart would listen to it. It was too busy humming a happy melody.

But that melody couldn't keep on playing for much longer.

"Why are there people up here this time of night!?" a bitter voice called out from below.

Snape and I separated in an instant. He pulled out his wand, cast "Lumos" and the figure that was climbing the stairs was revealed to be the hunched Filch carrying a meagre lantern.

"It's Snape, you fool! Even if we were students, what were you going to do? You exposed yourself before seeing who it was! They would have found somehow to run away!" he snapped at Filch who shrivelled a bit at the criticism. I'm glad to not be on the receiving end of Snape for once.

"Forgive me, Professor Snape, I didn't realise it was you..." and he held his lantern higher to make out my face. "and her."

"We'll be on our way now!" I flustered, grabbed Snape's hand and dragged him down the stairs. There was a horrible feeling pooling in me. Something wasn't right but I had no way of knowing what it was...

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Snape released himself and turned to me with an alarmed expression.

"You need to go back to your room. Now." he demanded and fled towards the Dungeons.

"Wait, what do you-" I called out but he was already out of earshot...

The next day, I was grateful for the lay-in granted from it being the weekend. Had it been a weekday, I'm not sure even a spell would pry me from this bed... No, nothing will get me out of this bed today. Becoming the bed hermit is my new aspiration in life...

That's what I would have liked until the sounds of an owl scratching at the window made it impossible to sleep again. Strange, I never got mail. Father had much more important matters to worry about than my welfare to be sending mail... but there was the stamp of the Ministry on it.

Fear took over my system. There was no reason for him to be writing to me as a good gesture. Something bad must have happened. Bracing for the worst, I opened the letter...

Miss Fudge,

The Minister has been closely reviewing your activities while serving the Ministry at Hogwarts. However, after careful judgement, he has decided that you have been negligent in your duties and wishes your immediate recall. Your aid is no longer necessary. Please return to the Ministry at your earliest opportunity and prepare for a scrutiny inspection when you arrive.

Sincerely,
The Desk of Cornelius Fudge
Minister of Magic

There was nothing that could ever prepare me for this.