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Chapter 9

Hermione studied her reflection in the full length mirror, trying to be analytical rather than emotional. She'd finally settled on a gold and black gown, which had gold lace over the upper chest and down the arms, a black bodice with a gold lace overlay, and a black a-line skirt hemmed with more gold lace and a small train which had been charmed to stop people treading on it. She was beginning to think she'd overdone it, but had been led by Daphne, Ginny and Hannah telling her it was the perfect dress.

Her make up was heavier than she normally wore it, with a winged eyeliner and a light golden brown eyeshadow, and her hair had been styled in an intricate up do held together by both charms and many muggle hair pins. She was already dreading having to take it down and didn't doubt that she'd wake up in the morning with hair pins stuck in her head.

"Are you nearly ready?"

Hermione gave herself one last look over before heading out of bedroom of the two bedroom hotel suite room she was staying in for the night, and met up with Daphne Greengrass.

"Wow 'Mione, you look good." Ron Weasley was stuffing a bread roll into his mouth as he spoke, earning himself a thump from his wife.

Daphne gave her husband a look of exasperation but addressed Hermione. "You could have taught him some manners"

"Believe me, I tried."

"You failed."

She watched as Daphne straightened her husband's robes and placed a gentle kiss on his mouth.

"Remind me, why did I agree to this?" Hermione asked the pair as she stumbled a little on obscenely high black heals she was wearing. While in her new position she did normally have to look smart, she tended to wear shoes she could at least walk in.

But these muggle designer shoes really were very beautiful, and she'd been waiting for an excuse to wear them even if they required an extra strength comfort charm. She was also particularly fond of the Gryffindor red on the bottom of the shoe.

"Because you, like almost everyone else, is unable to say no to Lucius Malfoy."

"I'm meant to be the Minister for Magic," she lamented.

"Oh come on, you wanted the excuse for this party as much as anyone else."

Daphne had a point there, which was why she hadn't objected to Malfoy's late arrangement of this New Years' Ball. At least she'd got her way and moved the event away from Malfoy Manor to the sparsely used ballroom in the Ministry. Malfoy had put up a fight over that one, but she was firm and got her way eventually. She had a feeling that she'd either end up paying for that victory, or Malfoy didn't want to host the event anyway.

She'd decided on renting a room in the wizarding hotel locating next to the Ministry rather than having to navigate apparating or flooing home once she'd had a few glasses of champagne.

The only room she'd been able to get was a suite with two bedrooms, so she'd asked her friends if any of them wanted to stay in the other room, and after a few games of exploding snap to decide which couple got the room, it was Ron who'd won him and Daphne the spare room.

"Shall we?" Ron asked both witches, an arm held out for both of them. Hermione could already see the front page of the Prophet if she went down that route, so she politely declined and followed behind the other couple.

The hotel was connected to the Ministry via a walkway above the muggle road saving them from having to leave, and the three of them headed to the ballroom which was already very busy.

The room itself had been decorated in pale blue, black and silver, and had been completely transformed from the drab room it normally was. Even the floor had been changed into a polished black flecked with silver and blue. The chandelier in the centre of the room was an icy silver, with even the candles glowing silver rather than their normal yellow-gold. She made a mental note to send a thank you present to the team who'd arranged this, as they'd outdone themselves on short notice.

Almost as soon as she entered the room, scores of people came up to her wishing her a Merry Yuletide, and she felt a little overwhelmed until Kingsley Shacklebolt came up beside in her in a display of support and gently coached her over the next hour or so on how to deal with this kind of situation.

"You look like you could do with this," he said handing her a glass of champagne.

"I couldn't agree more." She tried her best not to down the whole glass, but even her sip was probably half of the drink. "Thank you for the save."

"That's okay. This kind of event does take some getting used to, and I am more than happy to share the tricks I had to learn. The thing is you have to remember that you can't have a conversation with everyone, otherwise you'll be here all night. Learn to just acknowledge with a hello, but then spend your time speaking to the ones deemed more important."

"That doesn't seem right," Hermione noted, but she also knew he was correct. She had to remember that she was a politician now so had to play the game.

"Maybe, but it's that way you have to play it."

After an all to brief catch up with Harry and Ginny, Kingsley led her towards a throng of wizards and introduced her to all of them. She'd heard of most of their names before, and had met a few, but smiled politely, said hello and exchanged pleasantries. She spoke cordially with the group of wizards for a few minutes, discussing business deals, problems with the goblins in Gringotts, and the recent election of the muggle Prime Minister.

"You know Miss Granger," Shadrack Parkinson started, placing a hand on her upper arm. She tried to move slightly away, but he gripped on to her to stop her from moving. "It has been said amongst the wizarding elite, that it is quite abhorrent to have an unmarried Minister for Magic."

"Kingsley wasn't married," Hermione pointed out, pleased that the man in question was standing next to her. And he'd remained unmarried through his twenty year term as Minister.

Shadrack Parkinson, she understood, was a cousin of Pansy Parkinson, the Slytherin girl from her year group at Hogwarts. The man was probably in his mid forties, but looked at least ten or twenty years older thanks to his sallow complexion and portly waistline.

"Kingsley is a wizard," he stated.

"And that is different how?" Hermione asked, an edge to her voice.

"Well that is just obvious."

"Because I am a witch?" She asked as she removed his hand from her arm. "I'm not sure I like that double standard. As I said when I was elected, I plan on bringing wizarding society firmly into the twentieth century, if not the twenty-first."

He frowned at her. "You would still do well to have a husband. You may have been elected without one, but it is expected that you marry as soon as possible." He gave her a smug yet creepy smile. "I'll tell you what, I will take you out for dinner on Friday. It will be somewhere public, so it is known that you are considering marriage. Do have your secretary owl mine to set it up."

Hermione looked up at the man and had to work hard at not allowing her jaw to drop open at the wizard's audacity. The wizard not only had no charm whatsoever, but had the arrogant look to his eye that made her skin crawl.

"I'll pass, thank you. Excuse me gentlemen."

She heard Parkinson starting to protest, and was thankful when Kingsley stopped him from following her. She'd actually rather date Malfoy than go anywhere with that fool. And as if he somehow knew she was thinking of him, Lucius Malfoy sidled up to her.

"Miss Granger, you look quite spectacular."

He'd placed a hand gently under her elbow and led her further away from Parkinson towards the dance floor, which was already fairly full. Malfoy was dressed in immaculately tailored midnight blue robes, and didn't have a hair out of place.

He dropped his hand once they were at the edge of the dance floor. "You handled him well."

"I can assure you that I do not need your validation."

"I am quite sure that you do not," he said with a smirk. "You have never been one to hold back on telling someone off. Why, I distinctly remember you telling me off on our very first meeting." She remembered that day in Flourish and Blotts well.

Malfoy continued. "Still, do be careful with oafs like Parkinson. The man has a very high opinion of himself, albeit exceedingly unwarranted." She was tempted to say that he did too, but managed to hold her tongue. "However, if he bothers you again it may be worth knowing that he has a muggle gambling habit. The rumour I heard was that he had already lost over two thousand galleons betting on 'football.' Whatever the Merlin that is."

She had a feeling that she likely owed Lucius for that information, although she hoped she wouldn't have to use it. However in this circumstance Malfoy seemed the lesser of the two evils. At least she knew what to expect from the blond wizard.

She looked over the couples dancing on the floor and felt more relaxed. There was a general good mood amongst the party goers and she actually felt happy to be there, even if she was standing next to Malfoy.

That was until her eyes landed on Severus Snape, who was dressed head to toe in black, as was custom with the man. But this time he was wearing a tailored suit, but with a black shirt and tie. He had well cut lightweight black robes over the top of the suit completing his look.

The wizard was standing on the edge of the dance floor by the ornate bar, but had a countenance about him that said in no way was he going to dance. He was holding a glass of firewhisky with his left hand, while gesticulating animatedly to a very attractive younger brunette witch.

The witch in question was wearing a v-neck dark green satin ballgown, which must have been at least four feet wide where it met the floor. Her hair was long, luxurious and shiny and held perfect curls, and she was wearing the most beautiful emerald and diamond necklace with matching bracelet and hairpin.

She was also taking to Snape in an equally enthusiastic manner.

She couldn't help the sinking feeling in her belly at seeing the man again, particularly considering his company. He actually looked genuinely happy for the first time, and although she wanted to feel happy for him, she couldn't help the jealousy gnawing inside her.

As the music changed, she felt Malfoy tug at her arm and practically push her onto the dance floor. Once there he held out his arms in the proper position, and without causing a stir, she had no option but to reluctantly accept.

The wizard could certainly dance, which was a good job as Hermione was passable at best. She was okay dancing if she knew the steps beforehand, but the wasn't well-versed enough to be able to follow a lead.

"Everything okay, Minister," Malfoy asked. If she'd have been able to see his face, she was sure he'd have a smirk plastered on it.

"Fine, thank you."

"Have you seen Severus since the summer?"

She was sure he knew the answer to that question. "No, I haven't."

"That's a shame. He's doing quite well."

"Good for him."

"Now, now Miss Granger, do be nice." She paused ever-so-slightly as his words almost recalled the words he spoke to Draco when she was just twelve years old, causing Malfoy to have to drag her along. "And do try to keep up, I didn't charm my shoes against clumsy witches stepping on them. And they are very expensive."

She bristled further, but his grip didn't let up coercing her to continue dancing with him. After they'd danced a further three dances, luckily all in silence, he finally led her off the dance floor and towards the bar.

Right next to where Severus Snape was standing. She tried to back up, but Malfoy was standing right behind her.

"Minister," Snape greeted her with a bow of his head.

"Professor Snape, it's good to see you again." She was pleased that her voice sounded so normal.

"I am no longer teaching, Miss Granger. Severus is quite fine."

"Of course," she said a little awkwardly.

"Have you met Anya Ollivander?" Severus asked her, gesturing to the gorgeous brunette.

The name was familiar, and she realised this witch was the current Potions Mistress at Hogwarts, and Head of Slytherin. No wonder her and Snape would get on well.

"Nice to meet you Professor," she said with a smile, holding her hand out.

"And you, Minister," she said shaking Hermione's hand. "I've heard a lot about you." She noticed that Anya's eyes flicked up from hers to the wizard standing behind her. "And are you going to dance with me, Mr Malfoy?"

"I suppose I should."

Malfoy moved from behind Hermione next to Anya and took her left hand in his right, kissing the enormous diamond ring which was housed on her ring finger. He then pulled the witch closer to him and placed a brief yet deep kiss on her mouth, his hand going to her lower back pulling her to him, while her hands rested on his upper chest.

"Miss Granger," Malfoy noted when he'd come up for air, but keeping his eyes locked with Anya's. "Can I introduce my fiancée."

Hermione couldn't help the look of shock on her face, and heard Snape laugh at her side. "Congratulations," she said to the couple. Professor Ollivander looked genuinely happy, and surprisingly so did Malfoy. "I hadn't heard you were engaged."

Malfoy pulled his witch closer into his side. "I only asked her over Yule."

"Yes," a different voice said from behind her, "he couldn't possibly not be the centre of attention."

Draco had joined them, Astoria at his side. Both of them looked happy and relaxed as well, with Draco standing behind his wife, a hand resting gently on her belly.

"I hear congratulations are in order. When are you due?

"Mid-June," Astoria answered.

"Boy or girl?" Hermione asked, knowing that while it was too early to tell in a muggle pregnancy, with a magical one you could tell within the first few weeks.

"We're going to keep the sex of the baby a surprise." She noticed Malfoy Senior give an exasperated look.

She had a surprisingly easy conversation with both Malfoy couples, although Snape for the most part remained out of the conversation, only speaking when asked a direct question by Lucius Malfoy. But Hermione couldn't help but be supremely aware of him. The wizard had never been one for fidgeting, but he seemed to be shifting his weight uncomfortably during their conversation.

At a brief lull in the music, both Malfoys decided they were going to dance, and pulled their partners onto the dance floor, leaving her stood alone with Snape.

"How are you?" She asked awkwardly after a few moments.

"I am well. Yourself?"

"I'm good, thanks."

Severus took two glasses of champagne off the tray a waiter offered them, and handed one to Hermione.

"Thank you. I feel like I have spent all the time talking or dancing this evening. I am quite parched."

"The life of The Minister for Magic," he noted sardonically.

"You know, when I first heard of the job and decided I wanted it at the age of eleven, I had no idea how much schmoozing it involved."

"Gryffindor," Snape simply said.

She rolled her eyes. "I suspect that is your answer to a lot of things."

"You'd be right there."

Out of nowhere, everyone started a countdown from ten. It was clearly only seconds away from heading into the new year. The new decade, in fact. She looked up at Snape to see a somewhat intense look on his face. As everyone started cheering, he leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.

"Happy New Year, Miss Granger."

Hermione leaned up and returned the kiss to his cheek. "Happy New Year to you too."

Severus leaned down to speak in her ear, as the volume of the music and been turned up. "Do you want to go somewhere a bit quieter? I can barely hear you."

Hermione nodded and followed him out of the ballroom and onto the deserted balcony. Although there were warming charms, there was still a pleasant chill to the air which felt good against her overheated skin. Although alone, she set a muffliato to stop their conversation being overheard. Severus went one step further, disillusioning the two of them from prying eyes.

"I do truly hope this year works out better for you than previous ones."

"It would be hard not to," he said leaning against the wall and taking a deep lungful of air. "I don't recall a new year before when I didn't feel some kind of dread for the coming year, even when I was a child. This feeling now is quite foreign."

"I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like to do what you did."

"And for that I am pleased. I wouldn't wish the life I've had on anyone."

She finished the remainder of her drink and placed it on a table. "The world is at your feet. You no longer have anyone else to answer to."

"I know. That takes still takes some adjusting to."

They were both silent for a moment in quiet contemplation.

"I'd like to apologise to you for the way I behaved the last time I saw you." He was giving her a sincere yet intense look.

"I do understand," Hermione said graciously. She had, after all, spent a lot of time thinking about their last encounter. She did understand that he had some serious baggage, and it can't have been easy coming to terms with both surviving a war he didn't expect to and ending up twenty one years into the future within the space of a few weeks.

"You shouldn't have to. I was cruel towards you. I do think that maybe the timing wasn't great, but I still should not have been so dismissive of you."

Hermione studied him for a moment. "And if you had the time again, would have slept with me?"

He didn't meet her gaze, and she knew the answer, but waited for him to put it into words.

"I wasn't fair to you, Miss Granger … Hermione. I was in no mental state to sleep with anyone back then. I barely had a hold of myself, I was in no position to start any kind of relationship with anyone, even one that was just sexual. Still, I was unfair to you, and for that I am sorry."

She had a feeling those words were not commonly used by Severus Snape.

"I accept your apology," she told him sincerely. Although she had been quite upset by his actions at the time, the more she had thought about it the more she too had realised the timing was not right. "And what of now?" She asked boldly.

"Now?"

"Is the timing right now?"

Severus' eyes turned molten as he looked at her. "I certainly think it could be."

She swallowed thickly and stepped in closer to him, placing her hands on his robes. "I have spent way too much time thinking about you since August." She huffed a laugh to herself. "It's weird though. It's strange trying to reconcile the different yous. The Professor, the dead war hero," he scoffed at that, "and the man I keep on thinking about. It's taken me some time as well."

He leaned down and gently placed his lips to her, kissing her gently and leaving her wanting more.

"Rumour has it you have a room at the hotel."

She frowned at him. "I have no idea how you know that."

"Lucius," was his answer. She should have known. "He took great pleasure in telling me."

"And I suppose me seeing you talking to his gorgeous fiancée was thanks to him as well?"

"Of course. Lucius is nothing if not manipulative."

"That seems to be suggesting that he likes the idea of the two of us together." Hermione had to admit to being a little surprised by that. He'd seemed protective over his old friend, and she'd never had the impression that he liked her.

"I'm sure Lucius has some master plan that involves it benefitting him."

"I'm sure," she repeated.

"So … how do you want to do this. I'm assuming we don't want this over the front pages of the Prophet."

She smiled at him. "Being Minister for Magic has its perks. Are you happy with side-along?"

He nodded his assent to her and she apparated them directly into the living area of her hotel room, then took his hand and led him into the bedroom. He placed his hands on her waist and pulled her into him, taking her mouth in another scorching kiss.

"You know, you really do look quite beautiful tonight."

"Thank you. You look very dashing yourself. Very Dread Pirate Roberts. I should get you out of those robes though."

"As you wish."

She smiled at his knowledge of muggle culture and pushed his robes onto the floor, before moving to his suit jacket, tie and shirt.

"What is it with you and buttons?" She asked him. "Do you at least know a spell that undoes them?"

"I do. But then where would the fun be in you stripping my clothes off."

She huffed in annoyance but kept on with her task, which wasn't made easy by his lips kissing her neck softly. When she had removed his shirt, he took over and walked around her to the back of the dress where the zip was located. He slowly undid the zip, running his fingers along her bare skin as he did. He softly pushed the dress off her shoulders, and turned her around to face him as he pulled the dress off her.

Once removed, she stepped out of the puddle of dress, and he picked it up, sending it with a flick of his wand to the hanger she'd left on the outside of the wardrobe. He took a moment to hang up his own clothes before turning his attention back to her, his eyes clearly appreciating what he saw as he slowly ran his eyes down her body.

When he got to her feet, he whistled. "Those shoes are quite beautiful. I have no idea how you can walk in them."

She laughed. "Nor can I, to be honest. I prefer something a little more sensible."

Severus bent down and place a hand on one of the shoes as she lifted her foot out, then repeating the action her other foot. As he stood, he ran his hands up her body, palming her bare breasts and leaning in to kiss her deeply. While kissing him, her fingers went between them to the buttons on his trousers, impatiently unbuttoning them and shoving them off his hips. He smirked and bent down to take his shoes off before stepping out of the trousers. As soon as he was standing again, her fingers went to the waistband on his boxers shorts, and she ran her fingers around the top.

"Are you enjoying teasing me, witch?" He asked her, before kissing her gently down her neck.

"Yes."

In revenge, he picked her up over his shoulder and carried her to the bed, throwing her unceremoniously onto the middle. He removed his shorts and climbed up the bed, moving his fingers to her knickers and dragging them slowly down her legs.

"You are so beautiful," he said into her mouth. "I want more."

He rolled onto his back and pulled her on top of him, her knees straddling his hips and moaning at the sensation. One of his hands moved to her right breast, his thumb running over her tight nipple, while with the other hand he ran his thumb lightly over her clit, causing her to squirm on his lap, feeling his hardness between her legs.

"Witch, you are driving me crazy."

"The feeling is mutual," she moaned.

She leaned down to take his mouth again and came hard when he slipped two fingers inside her curling them to rub her g-spot.

"Please Severus."

He held his cock at her entrance as she slowly sank back onto him, her eyes rolling back into her head with pleasure. When she was able to open her eyes, she looked down to see an intense look on Severus' face, his eyes locked hard with hers.

"Please move," he groaned, and she placed her hands on his shoulders as she slowly began to rock back and forward on his cock. "Fuck," he groaned, moving his hands to lift her hips in an attempt to speed her along.

She leaned down to capture his mouth again and followed his lead, moving her hips to the pace he was setting as he pumped into her.

She was in heaven. She was certain that sex had never felt quite this good before. When his thumb went again to her clit she exploded and took him over with her. She collapsed against his chest as she had aftershocks following her orgasm.

"Wow," she muttered into his chest.

"The feeling is mutual."

"Will you stay," she asked still into his chest, not sure she wanted to meet his eyes in case the answer was no.

"Yes."

She smiled and placed a kiss on his chest before lifting her head up. "I do, however, need to pee and remove the eleventy billion pins in my hair. I might be some time! I dread to think what it will look like when I come back, so please don't run away."

He gave a small laugh and as she rolled off him, groaning as he slipped out of her. "I am hardly one to talk about hair."

She got up and walked over to the bathroom, practically able to feel his eyes on her as she walked. After relieving herself she set upon undoing the charm in her hair and methodically removing the bobby pins.

Severus walked up to the open bathroom door and watched her for a moment. "Drink?" He asked. "I saw a cellarette in the other room."

"Yes please," she told him. "I'd like a glass of wine."

He gave her a mock bow before walking out of her room. She'd removed two more pins before hearing a scream and several shouts.

"What the fuck!"

"Get out!"

"Snape?"

She had the wherewithal to put on a robe, and grab a spare one for Snape as she ran out of the bathroom, suddenly realised with horror what had just happened.

On entering the room she saw a bright red faced Ron Weasley brandishing his wand at a naked and angry Severus Snape. Daphne, however, just looked amused.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" Ron screamed at her. "And why is he naked?"

…

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