CHAPTER 23

BALL

By now Hermione was tired of all the congratulations she got and wasn't in the least surprised that it was primarily for her choice of a wonderful husband than for her award. She sipped her glass of sparkling apple water, glad to see that the dance had begun saving her from the praises.

"I wish my friends were here," she voiced silently to herself.

Severus, who was standing next to her, talking to a gentleman, heard her and excused himself to turn and speak to his wife.

"What happened? Why aren't they here?"

"I don't know. Last we saw them during Aunt Molly's accident. They haven't visited us nor have they even sent or replied to an owl. I thought they looked out for me."

"Maybe they are afraid of your snarky husband," he said with a smirk, hoping to lighten the mood.

She gave a little laugh, "That is exactly why they should have been here. To know how romantic my husband can be."

He gave a mock frown, "I'm not a romantic. I just wanted to wish my wife and I had to kiss you so that we could unbind our hands."

"Oh! So you kissed me only because you had to and not because you wanted to," she said daring to take a step forward.

"Without doubt," he said hiding his smirk.

His teasing just wanted her to want him even more. If he didn't take it to the next level tonight, then she would. Least bothered about if anyone would hear, she leaned in and whispered seductively, "I want you now…" She smirked to herself when she heard him gulp audibly and continued after backing herself, "…to ask me to a dance," she said as indifferent as possible.

"Huh?"

She raised her eyebrows, hiding her smirk.

"I don't dance."

She pouted, "It's not difficult, Severus. All you have to do is hold me and follow my footsteps."

"What?"

"See, I will show you," and before he could protest further, Severus found himself on the dance floor.

"Ok! Now your right hand encircles my waist and rests on the small of my back…yes…and the left hand, here entangle it in my right hand," she placed her left hand on his shoulders, "Ok! Now follow my footsteps…"

Her frame was etched into his, their breaths intermingling and their heart beating against the other.

"Relax!" she murmured in his ears, "It's easy. Feel it," she brought her hands from his shoulders to entangle them in his hair, massaging them softly. He leaned in to kiss her slow and deep, very much in harmony with the music on the backdrop.

By the end of the song, he had got the hang of it. But, it wasn't easy with all eyes on him. He wanted to escape this madness, but Hermione would not listen. And he obliged because he liked the proximity.

"May have this dance?" asked a very familiar voice and it was directed to Hermione.

"Headmaster? What are you doing here? I mean…I didn't know you would be here," said Hermione excited.

"And miss our favorite student's award function?" asked Minvera, joining her husband.

"And the best romantic scene in ages?" added Albus, with his usual twinkle.

Severus rolled his eyes. They would have known it in the papers the next morning. Even then did they have to be there for live witness?

"So may I have this dance? Or do you need your husband's approval?"

"I don't think he would mind," she laughed taking his hand.

Severus thought he was finally free and hid his scowl when Minvera held out her hand.

"I didn't know that you could dance."

"I don't dance. I just did it for Hermione."

"You are not bad at it."

"Attending the Yule, Halloween, New Year and Graduation parties in Hogwarts against my will and forced to watch them dance finally paid off."

Minvera gave a little laugh and even Snape managed to give a small smile.

"You should give a surprise congratulations party for Hermione at Hogwarts. She will love it. Even the students will be motivated."

"hm…sounds like another headache…"

"Oh Severus! But Hermione will love it."

"hm…" he glanced over his shoulders and saw Hermione still dancing with Albus and in a deep conversation with him.

"I will think about it, Mrs. Dumbledore. But now, can you teach me how they do the 'twirl'?"

Minutes passed and Minvera was on the verge of hexing Severus.

"It's simple. Try once more and if you drop me I swear I will hex you to the next week."

"Ok…ok…you move out like this and come in again and then…ow…why did you stamp my foot?!"

"This is hopeless. You better study it from Hermione."

"Speaking of Hermione, where is she?" he asked the approaching Head Master.

"She excused herself to go to the restroom," he answered calmly and there was something in his voice that said that that was not entirely true.

"Well Minvera. I heard there is a chocolate fountain over there. Do you want to see it?" and with that the meddling Dumbledore couple left Severus alone to handle the witch who was yet to make an appearance.

"Severus!" called a voice behind him.

He cringed. He knew that voice too well for his liking.

"Miss. Skeeter," he said turning to face the incorrigible reporter.

"That was quite a spectacular show. Hermione is quite lucky."

Severus frowned. What was she getting at? Since when did Rita Skeeter become mellow? Whatever it was, he better be alert.

APPARATION POINT in the arena

With a 'pop', Hermione was back in the arena. She looked at the watch. 20 minutes had been sufficient for the preparations she had to do. She walked towards the ball. Severus would be wondering where she was and she had to think of a cover. She still didn't understand why Dumbledore hadn't told her earlier. He had to tell her in the last minute. Old man! Well, at least he told her. Severus hadn't.

BALL

What the hell was Rita Skeeter doing talking to her husband? And why on Merlin's land was he talking back to her?

She was up to no good and Severus, of all people, would know that. Then, why? She asked herself as she neared the couple.

Hermione looked on as the pitiful reporter handed over a glass of juice to Severus. On an impulse, she took two long strides forward and knocked the glass from his hands.

"Hermione! What are you doing?" he asked, a little surprised.

She ignored him and turned to face the woman, "Miss. Skeeter, what do you think you are doing? Spiking someone's drink is an offence."

"I didn't spike his drink!" she answered, offended.

"Hermione, what are you doing?" he asked, visibly irritated and caught her wrist to pull her back.

"Apologize to Rita this instant," he said in his dangerously low voice, which no one dared to contradict.

Rita? Since when was she Rita?

"Why should I? She spiked your drink."

"And what proof do you have?"

She looked at the spilled juice, dejected. Now, she had no proof.

"I…"

"Apologize now!"

"You believe her more than me?" she asked quietly, a little intimidated by his tone. Thankfully, the people around weren't noticing them.

He closed his eyes for a minute, gritting his teeth.

No.

Finally he opened them and breathed out, "Yes."

Eyes shining with triumph, Skeeter smirked at Hermione, whose eyes sent daggers at her. Then trying to be as calm as possible, she said, "My apologizes, Miss Rita."

Then, without a word to both of them, she spun around and headed to the apparition point.

APPARATION POINT in the arena

She reached the apparition corner and stopped. She knew he would come for her and he did. She turned towards the sound of hurried footsteps.

He came in view and gave a sigh of relief when he saw her still there.

"Listen. She apologized for the news regarding our marriage and tried acting nice. I knew it was a ruse. I'm not that daft. I knew the drink was spiked. I'm a potion master, for Merlin's sake. Do you really think I would have drunk it? I had to act so she didn't headline us tomorrow in…umph…"

His banter was cut short when her soft, warm lips landed on his, pressed against his tightly. Her lips tasted of oranges. He found himself nibbling her lower lip to take in the taste. She moaned, parting her lips and nibbled his upper lip.

"Mione?" he managed to breathe out when they parted for air.

She smiled against his lips, "Merlin! I didn't know you could talk so much."

He searched in her eyes for an explanation.

She smiled, "I heard you. I heard you say, "No" in your mind. Even if I hadn't, I would have known you were doing it for a purpose."

He brought his hand to her cheek, still not believing the trust the lady in front of him had for him.

"Severus! Can we go home? I'm tired," she said placing a hand on his hand.

"Manor or Hogwarts?"

"I will apparate us," she said and for one minute Snape thought he could see Dumbledore's twinkle in her eyes.

SOMEWHERE

This wasn't Granger's Residence.

This wasn't their Manor.

This definitely wasn't the dungeons.

Then, where was this?

He looked to his side and saw the vast expanse of the Forbidden Forest. At least, they were near Hogwarts. Wait! Is this Hogwarts?

"Hermione?"

"Turn around," she whispered from his back.

He did and his breath stopped.

"Mione?"

She stood there smiling, radiating Aphrodite's beauty in the candlelight or moonlight. Which was it?

The floor, which Snape deduced was the terrace of Hogwarts, was filled with rose petals and there were t – candles floating at different lengths and different distances. The stars above, along with a crescent of the moon seem to be adding to the decoration.

"Happy Birthday, Severus!" she said, beaming at the look of surprise on her husband's face. Only then, did he notice the cupcake floating in the middle of the place.

She took both his hands and led him to it.

"Make a wish!"

He shook his head, "I don't need to. It's right here, in front of me."

Brushing off her happy tear, she allowed herself to be safe in his embrace.

"How old are you? 30?"

"Really? Are you mocking me?"

"No."

"I'm 36 as of today."

"You don't look it. Well actually, you looked 40 when we were in school but now I think time reversed your age."

"I bet it was after a charming witch entered my life."

She gave a little laugh.

"You never told me it was your birthday."

"You never asked."

She mock glared at him.

"Ok…ok…I deduce that the old man told you."

"Yes. And even he had to tell me in the last minute. I couldn't even get you a decent gift. All I got you is this small cupcake."

"Are you sure you didn't or can't think of a better gift?" he asked, raising his eyebrows and smiled when he saw her earrings turn red, along with her cheeks.

"Well, I can think of something. Maybe we should go back to our room."

"Maybe we should," he said, before tightening his hold on her waist and apparating them to their room, the birthday cupcake forgotten.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

SNAPE QUARTERS

BEDROOM

Where was her Gryffindor courage when she needed it?

She looked at him nervously. He seemed to be inspecting his nails intently. Chewing her bottom lip, she looked away, thinking of what to do. Before she could move away, he caught her wrist from behind and she was positive her heart would leap out. Gently, his arms wrapped across her chest pulling her towards him. She moaned in approval as he caressed her cheek with his. She shivered when he caught her earlobe between his teeth and nipped her gently, his warm breath tickling her. Her head was tipped back, eyes closed and his arms trailed towards her waist, pulling her even closer. He reluctantly pulled away and turned her around to face him.

"Mione…"

"mm...yes," she whispered the answer to the unasked question.

The smile on his face was priceless as he pulled her and kissed her. He picked her and carried her across the room, placing her gently on his bed. He hesitated but she reached for him and pulled him to her, giving him all the assurance he needed.

They gave in to everything they had been suppressing. They were slow and passionate, exploring each other, becoming familiar. Both of them knew where the night would take them, and there was no denial that that was what they wanted most.

(TO BE CONTINUED)