"Granger get down here and put on that dress and shoes I bought"
Hermione had just about dosed off reading and roused with a jolt at the sound of his voice, but she didn't know what he had said.
They hadn't spoken in days, it seemed really odd to have him bellowing out of the blue, so she got up and went to the door. "What did you say?"
"I said put on the dress and shoes I bought and get down here … now!"
"Why"
"Why SIR, I believe is an appropriate response and you don't need to know just do it"
Hermione was too tired to argue. She put on her dress and sneakers. It looked awful but she thought 'let him deal with that.'
She came down the stairs cautiously, stopping abruptly on the bottom step; she and Snape were nose to nose. If it were possible for someone to look passive and calculating at the same time, that was the look Snape gave Hermione as he let her pass.
"Turn around girl" Not caring Hermione turned; she knew he wouldn't like the way she looked.
When she came around his wand was pointing at her, she froze.
"Vesto" The magic swirled and swirled around Hermione she felt naked, then not. It stopped.
She looked down. Her cleavage, that's all she saw at first, then black. She looked to the side at an old mirror. She inhaled sharply as if she'd was seeing an apparition. Before her was a woman in a black lace dress. Empire style with fitted back and sides that gathered up just below her breastbone, it was very flattering.
'Are those MY breasts?' she thought. 'I look like I'll pop out with my next breath.' She turned unconsciously as only a girl in a beautiful dress could. Forgetting the oddity and instead grasping for details like the way the cap sleeves made the neckline even prettier, she adjusted herself. Then her hand came down to her hip touching the lace, 'its so soft, so smooth, so…(she exhaled) SEE THROUGH!'
She was nude … but she didn't feel nude, she felt around and realized she had on a body stocking that went to her ankles. She looked down through the dress and back at the mirror. Visually she WAS naked with the details hidden. Then she noticed the shoes, also with black lace overlay. They were comfortable, like sneakers, but with a slight heel.
"Why?" she said looking at him completely gob smacked.
"I have finished my project. There is a celebration ball at the Malfoy estate tonight, and then … a trip to Paris" he looked pointedly at her." you must attend."
"But I look naked!"
Snape pulled down the sleeves of his long coat and said absently, "It is what my mudblood would wear."
Hermione flinched he hadn't called her that in what seemed weeks. She turned away from him to the mirror, willing herself not to cry. Hermione put her hand to her hair; it looked awful, if she could just spell it.
"Granger," she turned towards him and his wand, he flicked it. A pleasant buzzing engulfed her head, and then a second later she heard "Glamour Natural." Her face now buzzed and tickled, again the feelings stopped abruptly.
She turned and looked in the mirror. Her hair was in a flattering up do in front with chestnut curls trailing down her back, and she had a subtle make up on her face that gave her a natural glow.
She looked at him, he was expressionless; he clasped a small handkerchief with a 'S' on it, between his fingers. " Take it, it's a port key, you have an invisible pocket." Hermione didn't move. "Listen Granger I am playing a game tonight, and there is one side, mine; play with me and it will mean freedom for both of us, don't play and it will be our deaths. Take It!" he jerked his fingers at her.
Without looking at her hand, but instead staring into black eyes, she took the well-folded square. As their fingers brushed, she dropped her gaze, and ran her hand down the side of her dress finding the pocket.
Holding out his arm, Snape said impatiently, "Come we are late." Hermione walked toward him and then she saw him frown, she stopped, and stepped back. Snape reached out quickly, holding her by the forearm. He then turned to the bookshelf next to him, and looked at the two nick-knacks with magic swirling around them. They suddenly disappeared leaving two beautiful crystal and onyx drop earrings. He picked them up and handed them to her. Taking the jewelry, she examined them swiftly, and bent her head from side to side, as she put them in her ears. She finished and looked at him straight on, he nodded and they apparated directly into a great foyer.
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Hermione thought suddenly, ' I should have gloves'. She said it aloud, "I should have gloves!"
"Walk that way," Snape said practically pushing her.
"Yes sir," Hermione stumbled slightly as she obeyed. 'Apparently HIS mudblood didn't wear gloves,' she thought. 'Or much of anything,' she mumbled in her head.
As she walked through the entrance of the brilliant ballroom she made a small gasp, it was breath taking. They had walked through one of two sets of doors leading from the foyer to the ballroom. In length, it was about the size of the basketball courts she had seen on TV. Gold, silver and white of every texture and form engulfed the room giving it a decidedly baroque feel. Then she lifted her gaze to see no less than eight huge crystal chandeliers.
On Hermione's far right was a dais with a grand center chair, 'a thrown'. To her left the room opened to a large expansive half circle with five sets of doors leading out to what she could only imagine was a garden.
Hermione was jolted from the splendor and into movement. She could feel Snape behind her but he wasn't touching her. She felt exposed, as it seemed every eye was on her, she wanted to run; backing up she bumped into him.
"Granger I said walk," he hissed in her ear.
Just then, Malfoy Sr. came up to them, kissed Hermione's hand and stepped back looking through the dress. "Truly beautiful Severus, she could almost pass as a pureblood… almost."
"Thank you Lucius. I was pleased that she cleaned up so well." Snape replied looking bored and distracted.
"Well 'brother', you wouldn't mind later if I," Malfoy paused emphasizing the next words ever so slightly, " show her around the house?"
Snape infinitesimally closed the distance between himself and Hermione. Hermione felt it, but was still scared what Snape would say.
"Lucius," he said silkily, "I am sorry, but due to the formalities of this evening, I think it would be proper to keep the mudblood close." Snape said this nodding his head to Lucius in a knowing way.
"Hmmm, yes of course it is an important night for you, but surely Severus I could at least have a dance?" Malfoy said differentially.
"Of course." Snape made a slight bow to Malfoy, "if you'll excuse me, I need to make the rounds." Looking at Hermione, he said briskly, "Come."
Severus was making his way quickly through the crowd; different Death Eaters leered at Hermione and gave obscene words of congratulations to Snape as he passed. She was loosing Snape in the crowd, which frightened her. Grasping for him, her fingers caught the cuff of his sleeve and tenaciously crawled down from there into his hand. When they were palm to palm, he swiftly closed his hand around hers. Peace passed through Hermione like a drug. Snape pulled her along and she kept her eyes on his back. Then they stopped abruptly, making Hermione practically run into him.
"Severus," a tall man with a balding head was in front of them.
"Avery, Azkaban has seemed to agree with you," Snape said with a neutral tone.
Avery glared at Snape for his backhanded manner, and then turned. "What do we have here?" the man pulled Hermione forward. Snape was close enough to feel her tremble as she past.
"She' s beautiful Severus, A fine whore." Hermione shivered with fear and anger at the description. Avery tilted Hermione's chin, for a second she thought he was going to inspect her teeth like some horse, but instead, he began trailing his finger down her throat toward her cleavage.
Suddenly a force pulled her back from Avery's touch and Snape's arm was roughly around her waste.
"Surely, Avery your mudblood is satisfying." Snape looked over the Death Easters shoulder.
Avery looked over at the red head behind him; she seemed unfazed by the attention or Avery's actions toward another female. Hermione noted that even though she was overly made-up she was pretty. Her dress was unfortunately, clingy and cheap looking. Hermione seeing this suddenly looked around. Many women looked this way, and few women who looked more like her, but in less revealing clothing. She could tell that the latter were with their husbands, concluding that the others must be 'mudbloods' like her. She then felt strange in her dress; she was neither wife nor 'whore' as Avery had so delicately put it. In that moment, the words Snape spoke came back to her. 'This is what MY mudblood would wear.' She looked sideways at the man beside her, and then abruptly snapped back into the conversation.
"Severus this is a brother's privilege." said Avery leering at Hermione.
"Maybe so Avery, but it is my privilege to decline." Snape stared at him and only Hermione felt his hand grip her waist tighter, and pressing the heel of his hand into her back, they began to walk past.
"Possessive of a mudblood? Watch yourself Severus you're showing your half-blood roots."
Snape spun around so fast he released Hermione into what would have been a dancing type of spin, but she caught herself.
"Avery, I have a long memory. Watch your back." He hissed. Then he swung around roughly grabbed Hermione's upper arm and made his way through the crowd.
There was a murmur around Hermione. She looked up and saw the regal entrance of Voldamort. The crowd moved slowly towards the dais where the dark wizard stood before them. A gradual quiet enveloped the hall. He was in a beautiful purple robe that pooled gracefully on the floor, but as the eye moved upward it became increasingly hideous as the ugly serpentine head came into view.
Voldemort pointed his wand at his throat, "We are celebrating one of our own tonight. Severus, come to me." Snape walked up the steps, and turned towards the crowd. "Severus has made a weapon that will win us the war!"
The Death Eaters all yelled in victory. Severus smiled thin lipped.
Hermione flinched at this declaration, but was still to all that could observe her. 'How could he,' she thought furiously, and then as quickly as it came she remembered … Paris, 'He said Paris.' Maybe things were not as they seemed. 'We are playing a game tonight and there is only one side, MINE'. The words vibrated in her head and chest. She absently let her hand drift over her pocket that contained the portkey.
The music started, and Severus turned and sat down next to the Dark Lord, and put a muffliato spell about them for privacy, while sweeping the crowd quickly for Hermione. He thought she looked lost, but then Malfoy asked her to dance. Malfoy nodded and Snape nodded back.
Hermione was nervous as they started to dance, but Malfoy was proficient which lessened her anxiety.
"Miss Granger, you are very good, but I am sure that dancing is not your only talent." Malfoy pulled her closer. Hermione thought he smelled good, but also somehow repulsive.
Avery was seething. Snape's threat and dismissal had sent him over the edge. Jealousy swirled around him as he watched Snape and the Dark Lord deep in conspiratorial conversation, their heads towards each other. He watched closely as Snape enlarge something in his hand; it was a box. Placing it on the floor, Snape put on some dragon hide gloves, and picked up, out of the box, a small round tin. He opened it gingerly showing the Dark Lord a small, circle of cloth. Snape mimicked putting it on his hand. Voldemort clapped his hands in delight.
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"Severus you have gone beyond my expectations," Voldemort said looking at the tin closely, but not touching it.
" Thank you my Lord." with that Snape stole a look, Hermione was still dancing with Malfoy. She didn't look pleased, but he knew Lucius would not cross him. He turned his attention quickly back to the Dark Lord who was staring at him. " You are taken with her," for the first time Snape did not respond quickly in agreement.
"Don't concern yourself, she is a very beautiful dalliance." A moment passed. "She is JUST a dalliance, is she not Severus?" The Dark Lord looked at him pointedly.
Snape who had been looking again at Hermione as the Dark Lord spoke, turned quickly putting on a lustful smirk, "Of course my Lord".
"Good boy, now explain how we transport this again." They both leaned forward intently.
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Avery saw his chance, Snape was distracted, he would get even and get some mudblood ass as well.
"May I cut in, brother?"
Hermione looked up, it was that man, Avery. She looked to Severus, but he was in a deep conversation with Voldemort. She then looked to Lucius hoping he'd refuse, but he did not, instead he backed away politely handing Hermione off to Avery.
She looked to Severus, he wasn't looking. Avery grabbed her tightly to him and began to dance, turning her while quickly sliding his hand down her back grabbing her. "I am sure Snape hasn't showed you the FULL delights of being a Death Eater's whore." Hermione stiffened further as Avery groped her and pulled her in saying, "I'm sure not all your virgin delights have been explored" His hand moved more center. She wanted to scream and threaten him, but she remembered that Snape said they both had to play the game.
She looked over at Severus she wanted him to see. She stared at him as much as she could while Avery turned her on the floor. The man loosened his grip as he watched her eyes travel to the dais.
Trying to distract herself from the awful man, Hermione watched the house elves with the h'orduerves, in spite of the circumstances she found herself quite hungry.
One of the elves was on the dais and had presented a distracted Voldemort and Snape with canopies. Snape had picked up a small wrap absently, Voldemort a tart of some type. Just then, she felt a brush at her leg as another house elf passed them. It was now a slow dance and Avery was pressing his whole self against her; they were almost at full stop. Consequently when the elf passed she looked down; there were several canopies, which all looked quite delicious. Hermione scanned the tray and noticed the wrap Snape had picked, to her horror it had tiny shrimp hanging from its over-stuffed ends. She quickly looked up; Snape was bringing the wrap to his mouth still listening intently to the Dark Lord. She panicked. They were close, if she could just get to him. She pushed herself with all her might from Avery, and got away, but he grabbed her arm. Feeling that she was beginning to boomerang backward, she spun around and stepped into Avery's instep, he yelped and released her.
She moved as fast as she could, but it seemed like she was running through molasses. She stumbled up the dais and pushed Snape's hand, watching as the wrap hit the Dark Lord's shoulder.
In a second Voldemort and Snape's wands were pointed at her.
She immediately bowed with her head on the floor.
"What is the meaning of this," Voldemort growled.
Snape grabbed her by the hair pulled her up and bending her head back violently. " You stupid witch, what have you done"
Hermione's head bent at such an angle that she could barely breath. Tears were streaming down the sides of her face.
She looked up into Snape's angry face and through a choked windpipe said,
"Shrimp"
"What?" Snape wasn't sure what he had heard.
"Shrimp" She squeezed out again.
Snape looked at her confused and then released her head violently. He looked around the area near where the Dark Lord sat. There was the roll on the floor; he reached and grabbed it, and saw the filling, tiny shrimp. For a moment, he just sat there and looked at it.
"Severus," Voldemort said indignantly, "has she lost her mind, I can't allow this behavior. She must be disciplined."
As if from a distance, Snape said, "I am allergic to shrimp."
"What?"
He looked at the Dark Lord holding out the orduerve and said," I am deathly allergic to shrimp".
For the first time in Snape's memory, the Dark Lord sounded baffled. "Severus, you mean she … "
Snape nodded, now turning toward the crumpled girl at his feet. Hermione's head was touching the floor; she was trembling. Snape pulled her head up in the same rough way and looked at her, searching her eyes for something. Then he said, "Why?"
She looked long into his eyes and answered from the deepest part of her,
" I don't know."
Snape looked at her, it quickly occurred to him that her actions must have been in self-preservation. Then he looked into her mind. He saw Avery groping her. Severus fumed at this, Avery would pay, and he saw himself about to eat the roll. Granger had no thoughts she was all action. It was true, she really didn't know why. He looked at her again. Her kneeling had pulled the dress down so far she was almost exposed.
He released her head roughly, and pointing to the spot beside his left leg said, "Fix your dress, and sit."
She kneeled back enough to gather her dress and pull up the boddess. Then she moved beside Snape's thigh, Hermione was so weary, body, mind and soul, the exhaustion and loneliness were mind numbing, she didn't care anymore. She just didn't care.
As she moved to obey she felt herself brush his thigh, the same peace she had felt before washed over her. She had no thoughts, she was empty, fear was exhausting, but now she felt strangely safe next to this man's leg, and with that feeling that lacked thought she put her head on his lap and closed her eyes.
Snape stiffened and looked down at this girl, no woman. He now owed her a life dept, but she seemed unaware of the fact. Instead, she lay there trustingly.
Almost without thinking, his hand went to her hair and hovered. Then making an unconscious decision, he touched the top of her head letting the weight of his hand come down. The girl nuzzled her head ever so slightly more into his lap. Snape's stomach tightened for the umpteenth time that night, he tried once again to pass it as hunger. He couldn't admit that he had felt this feeling the moment she came down the stairs in the dress and sneakers. He couldn't admit that he had felt it when he handed her the portkey and their fingers brushed, or as he was walking behind her into the ballroom seeing everyone look at her. When her hand crawled into his, he told himself that the tingling was nerves. If he admitted to these things, if he allowed himself to see, he'd fall from the tightrope, and take her with him.
Voldemort watched the young man draw his hand down absentmindedly to the girls head that lay in his lap. 'Fine' he thought, 'even if it's more than a dalliance, I'll look the other way, … as long as he pleases me first.'
So Riddle said, "Severus"
"Yes my Lord?" Snape said as he turned in the direction of the voice."Severus your mudblood…"
"My Lord I must have satisfaction." Avery interrupted summoning a tone that was both angry and sycophantic at the same time. "That mudblood bitch kicked me, one of your most loyal servants. My Lord, she has laughed at you by treating one of yours this way."
Unnoticeably, even to Snape when he heard Avery's attack on the girl, he stopped his hand so it covered her whole head.
"Avery," said the Dark Lord, "She saved her master's life, my MOST faithful servant, and maybe if you hadn't been possessive of that which was not yours, your 'injury' could have been avoided."
Avery bowed and departed, not able to trust his words.
"Severus, dance with your mudblood you deserve it. Maybe I will dance as well. Where is Bellatrix?"
"Yes my Lord."
Snape looked down at the woman in his lap. He wondered if she was sleeping.
"Granger, time to dance," he whispered. He pulled he hair gently to make her head come up. She looked at him sleepily. "We must dance girl the Dark Lord wants it."
Hermione was unsteady as she made to get up. Severus held out his hand in an impatient manner. She rose.
All attention was on them as they left the dais.
Snape led Hermione to the floor. It was a slow dance and after a couple passes every one joined the two couples. Hermione was still tired, she listened to the song, and it was a song her parents used to play, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
The lyrics moved through her mind. She felt drugged with both peace and safety. She moved towards Snape and put her head on his shoulder. After a few minutes, she felt a cheek rest on the top of her head. "The first time ever I kissed your mouth," the song went on. Hermione moved her head from his shoulder pressing it into his cheek. Severus let her slide underneath until his lips were lightly touching her forehead. She pulled back and looked into his eyes, and he looked down into hers. His face was impassive, but his eyes made something low in her stomach clamp down and her heart began to beat faster.
Severus bent down and whispered touching her ear, she made a noise way back in her throat so soft only he could hear, and she turned her head to give him more access, " We must be off to Paris little one" as if to prolong her feeling he said, "Do you hear me Hermione?" Surprised by his revelation, she rubbed her ear and neck into him as she nodded, unconsciously bending her hips toward him. He pulled her in. She felt the warmth inside her grow, and then he pulled her in closer still. Hermione leaned up, went to say something, and then came down again deciding against it, putting her head on his chest. He reached down lifting her face, "What?" he said softly. She looked away blushing profusely; he pulled her back, "What?" Hermione looked away but stammered. "Will we be going … home after Paris?" She squirmed in his arms and tried to look away.
He leaned down at that moment touching his lips to hers and said, "Yes"
The music had stopped. They kept looking at one another until the last moment.
"Miss Granger!" Snape said irritated, "you have fallen asleep, and I have been trying to wake you. The Dark Lord wants us to dance."
She looked at him. She was confused. She felt her face. There was a wrinkle in her cheek. Had she dreamt it all? Snape looked different, his eyes were not as soft, but yet she could swear there was something new. He moved her up to her feet, " You're a mess Granger," he said impatiently, but his touch contradicted his tone.
He first touched her face at the crease there was a tingle, and then he said, "Glamour Natural."
"Now move!" He practically pushed her down the steps grabbing her roughly into the standard form, and then Hermione realized what song was playing, the same one from her dream. She was shocked, 'What's going on' Her eyes begun to tear, realizing that this was not the man about which she dreamed.
He saw her shake, " Now what's wrong?" She didn't answer. Severus pulled away enough to look at her, she tried to look away but couldn't. She finally looked up tears ready to spill, and run down her cheeks again. Snape said, very put out, "Am I going to have to Glamour you again?" While he was saying this though, his thumb wiped one tear away, and swept the other way with his bent index finger. She gave a half smile at his joke, and he quirked the side of his mouth. Then abruptly the dance was over and they stood looking at each other, both confused.
Snape broke first. " We must go"
He walked to the Dark Lord, " Master, may I have your leave?"
"Yes" he said looking at Hermione, " I suppose you do wish to go."
"Yes my lord"
Snape turned to leave, " Severus you have done well"
" Thank you master." Snape bowed.
Severus turned and without missing a stride grabbed Hermione's hand and went to the foyer.
"Severus" Avery grabbed Snape around the back of the neck, immediately Snape pushed him off. Avery was obviously drunk. " I apologize I was jealous, I am sorry."
"Fine, we will talk later." with that Snape and Hermione apparated out.
Avery stood up straight after they left with an evil smirk. The invisible gloves had worked well; it had not been easy to take one of Snape's tins, but he had his chance just now during their last dance. He hoped whatever it was would kill Snape tonight.
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The next chap is going to put the story into "M". I assure you, it is not for the reasons you think. If you can, look for me there. PLEASE REVIEW!