Title: The Point Of All Emotions
Author: ThePhantomsRedRose
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the Phantom of the Opera.
Summary: AU, 7thYear. The war looms in everyone's thoughts. To take their mind away they begin work on a Musical. Strong partnerships are established, but are they strong enough to win the war.
Authors Note: Updates will become less frequent in order to accommodate a larger chapter size. I would love to thank everyone for their marvelous reviews! They are so kind. Thank you for taking the time to post them.

The Point of Romance

Hermione got home late that night from the dungeon abode. They had discussed many things, including the approaching ball. They decided to be formal at the dance. Later that night they would go back to Severus's quarters. She had the weekend off to go to Hogsmade as one of her Head Girl privileges. The next day she was just about to go dress shopping in the city when Leo showed up.

"Hermione," he called grabbing her arm.

"Oh, hi Leo, she said taking back her hand.

"Whom are you going to the ball with?" he asked curiously.

"Professor Snape," She said flatly, masking her true feelings.

"What! They paired students with teachers! That's unethical and just plain wrong," He said before being silenced by Hermione

"Leo, its fine. It does not concern me much; Professor Snape is a gentleman. I suppose it will help with our acting if we get to know one another," She matter-of-factly said. "Who are you going with?" She asked simply out of courtesy.

"Samantha Young, do you know her?" He asked with disappointment.

"Yes, I know her. She is a fourth year Gryffindor," Hermione remarked inquisitively

"Oh, really. That stinks, I was hoping she would be older. Than again, at least I didn't get paired with Professor Snape," He teased, making Hermione bite her tongue.

"So, are you going dress shopping today Ms. Head Girl?" Leo asked.

"Yes, I am Mr. Head Boy. Are you going tux shopping today as well?" Hermione asked.

"Yes I am, would you like to accompany me?" he asked offering his hand.

"Hermione looked skeptically at the castle. " Sure, I suppose it could not hurt," She responded hesitantly.

They walked into Hogsmade arm in arm, much to Hermione's discomfort. She would shift in attempt to pull her arm away, but it was to no avail. They soon were upon Vestito da Sera. Leo opened the door for her and a chocolate poodle came running out at them.

"Hi Hermia!" Hermione said while stroking the dog's back. " Madame Victoria?" Hermione called to the back of the store.

"Hermione dear, back to see me again so soon?" Madame Victoria asked while giving her a hug. "It seems only yesterday that you were in here buying robes for that Yule Ball with that quidditch player. Dumbledore has told me all about this upcoming ball. He has nicknamed it 'the soul mates ball'. Is this fine young man your soul mate? Twice now he has come in here looking for a special occasions gown with you." She asked while giving Leo appraising glances.

"Madame Victoria, this is Leo Adler, and no he is not my 'soul mate'," She said introducing the two.

"Well if this man is not your soul mate than who is?" Victoria asked curiously.

"Severus Snape," Hermione replied.

"Oh! Well then you won't be needing to buy a gown now will you?" Victoria asked teasing her.

"Why wouldn't I need to buy a gown?" Hermione asked with no clue as to what was going on.

"Never you mind, just don't buy a gown, alright?" Victoria said while fitting Leo.

They were able to find a very nice black suit coat for Leo in about half an hour. Hermione was sorting through racks upon racks of collared shirts when she found a stunning blue one. She had Leo try it on and was shocked at how good it looked. "Hermione you have good taste," Madame Victoria said.

"Thank you Madame," Hermione said as she pulled out a pair of black dress pants with silver embroidery climbing up the sides. Leo nodded, studding his new look in the full-length mirror.

"You know if you like the stitches in those pants I can add them to the cuffs and collar of the shirt for you with liquid silver," she said to Leo.

"Do you know what Samantha wants to wear Leo?" Hermione asked while holding out a silver tie for him to try on.

"No, I haven't even meet the girl yet. How am I supposed to know?" He asked

"You sound like Harry," Hermione commented.

"What's it like, you know being Harry Potter's best friend?" He asked.

"First of all I am not Harry's best friend, That would be Ronald. I am more of the walking dictionary and strategist. Well, it's tasking, but not in a bad way. I'm certainly kept busy," she responded. "Just a moment, I should," she began while drawing her wand. "Expecto Patronum!" she cast as her otter came rollicking out of her wand.

Madame Victoria and Leo stood flabbergasted. "My dear Hermione! I didn't know you were that powerful, I can't even do that!" Madame Victoria cried.

"How did you learn to do that, I haven't encountered it in any of my classes," Leo asked Hermione.

"I learned from Harry in my fifth year," Hermione said making it sound easy as the otter came back into the store. The otter spoke in a murmur to Hermione. "Constance here has informed me that Ms. Young is planing on wearing blue and silver to the ball if that is satisfactory with Leo," Hermione said.

"Well then I guess this is the tuxedo then Madame Victoria," he said going back into the dressing room, emerging in his Hogwarts robe. The clothes began to fold themselves as the hovered over to the cash register.

"That will be 55 galleons, 10 sickles and 27 knuts," Madame Victoria said as she waved her wand over the price tag.

" Wow that's a hefty fee for a tux," Leo said as he paid her.

They left the store and went back up the hill to Hogwarts.

"I'll see you soon," Leo said to Hermione as they parted at the Entrance Hall. He went east to the Ravenclaw tower and She went into the Great Hall, which was full of people eating their lunch. Even though there was a seat available at Gryffindor tower, she continued walking for the auditorium staircase.

Once inside Severus's quarters she heard sounds coming from the kitchen. "Severus?" Hermione yelled over the sounds of frying.

"Mia! Where have you been all day, my little lioness?" He asked stepping out of the kitchen, Potholders on his hand apron splotched.

"What are you making, it smells great!" Hermione said while walking into the kitchens. She saw a pile of golden grilled cheese sandwiches, a pot of steaming tomato soup, and a bowl of Caesar salad. She walked up to Severus giving him a quick kiss.

"I have a surprise for you Mia, but first let us eat some lunch," He said pulling out a chair for her. They sat in silence, simply enjoying each other's presence.

"Mmmm, I haven't had grilled cheese in forever! Lunch was great Severus," Hermione said while going into the kitchen to do the dishes.

"Hermione could you come in here please?" Severus called from the sitting room.

"Just a minute, I am almost done with the dishes!" Hermione called back.

"Hermione you don't have to do the dishes! You are my guest, I'll take care of them later," he called impatiently.

"Alright," She said while turning off the water from the faucet. Severus heard footsteps approaching him.

"Wait, hold on!" He said while walking to her with a blindfold. "Put this on for a second Mia," He said, stepping behind her to tie it. He led her into the sitting room with a gentle hand on her back. He parted from her, stepping to the middle of the room. "You can take the blindfold off now Mia," He said as she began to fumble with the tie of the cloth. He stepped over to help her.

"Oh My God!" Hermione said beginning to cry as she stepped forward to examine her present. "I suppose this is why Madame Victoria told me not to get a dress!" She said while hugging Severus. Picked up the dress off of the mannequin and began to swirl around. The dress was gold Silk. It was thin at the top and then it only flared out a little at the hips. On the bottom, red-burgundy lines swirled up the top to the waist area. The bodice was strapless. The cut was modest but dipped down just a little.

"Oh Severus, It's so gorgeous!" She said kissing him. "Wait there's more," he said. With a flick of his wand, there was another mannequin. There was a dashing, red-burgundy tailcoat. The collar was black velvet and there were black gloves and boots to match. There was gold embroidery of a dragon curling along the sleeves.

"Wow, I am shocked at the… um color scheme of these beautiful garments! They're rather Gryffindor, aren't they?" She asked still admiring the dress.

"I thought of that, but I wanted to pay some homage to your Animagus form. Since your flame is such a vivid red, I wanted to wear red. I knew you would look stunning in gold, which is giving a nod to your new found heritage," He explained

"That is so romantic Severus!" She cried charging into him for a ferocious hug. Instead he picked her up, twirled her around, and placed her on the couch to begin kissing her. Their hair was askew, both of them cuddling, watching the fireplace, but enjoying the warmth of each other. In a great moment of silence, a sound was heard from the back of the apartment but Hermione and Severus took no notice. Standing there watching the couple kiss was a very angry Minerva McGonagall.