Notes at bottom, enjoy!
Disclaimer — J.K. Rowling is the second richest woman in England (actual fact, go check it out) and I am a lowly American college student. Which one of us do you think owns Harry Potter? All I have are my two-bit ideas and odd witting technique. Cheers!
Chapter One: The Night Out
The night out had been Hermione's idea. Her cousin had taken her dancing earlier that summer and she'd had so much fun that she thought it would be the perfect way to end the vacation she, Harry, Ron and incidentally Draco(FOOTNOTE) had spent at Grimmauld Place with Sirius, Remus, and a very grumpy Snape.
She, Harry, Ron, and Draco had spent the last month lounging around relaxing. Hermione had spent her time reading all the books she never got the time to read while at school, and the boys amused themselves with Muggle video games and Quidditch.
Through the last few weeks before school Hermione and the boys had had so much fun together that she wanted to treat them to a wild night of dancing and fun at one of the many wizard friendly clubs in the area. Ron, not being the biggest dancer ever hadn't been too fond of the idea, but Hermione had assured him that the club had plenty of cheap drinks and comfy seats for all the non-dancing types.
They almost hadn't gone once the boys had seen what Hermione was wearing. She knew it'd be risky to try and get away with, but the extremely revealing butterfly top had been collecting dust in the back of her closet for over a year and tonight felt like the perfect opportunity to wear it. One she might never get again.
Sirius, as she'd expected, hadn't been keen to accept this as a reasonable justification for the minimal covering, but Remus reminded him of the "old days" and Sirius shut right up before Lupin could divulge any long forgotten secrets.
Harry, Ron, and Draco seem surprised and all together shocked to discover that their normally "girl-next-door" friend, had grow into a slender, curvaceous woman over the previous year. Indeed, none of the three could seem to keep their bulging eyes off her smoothly rounded hips or her pale, sleek shoulders. Or perhaps it was how the sequins on her long, flowing skit sparkled in the kitchen light. It might also have been how her skin shimmered and glowed from all the glitter gel she'd slathered over her entire body.
Whatever the reason, she'd had to threaten all three of them with unforgivable curses to get them to stop staring at her. Something which made Sirius and Remus chuckle quietly, until she shot them the same death ray eyes she'd given Harry, Ron and Draco, which shut the two older men up right quick.
Snape had remained silent through all the debates over Hermione's attire, but she did catch him watching her as she spun and twirled to show off her ensemble. She'd had to look away to keep from blushing at his gaze.
Through all the years that Snape had been her potions professor, Hermione couldn't help but harbor a small crush on him for his sheer brilliance, regardless of how mean he was to her and her friends. For the past six years she had admired the man's intellect from afar, but this past month they'd spent together in Grimmauld Place, she had begun to notice how undeniably attractive he was as well.
He still wore the same clothes that he did when at school, but his demeanor was different. He read leisurely and seemed more relaxed than he did during their time at Hogwarts. His attitude towards others seemed to have imposed as well, though it took a keen eye (and ear) to notice it. Once, during a midnight excursion to the kitchen, she had heard Sirius and Remus laughing and telling dirty jokes in the kitchen. She'd had half a mind to walk in and scold them before getting herself a drink and a snack, when she heard something that stopped her in her tracks. It was the silken voice of Severus Snape, telling a dirty joke! She hadn't believed her ears until the other two men laughed uproariously. She'd slunk back to her bed empty handed, still not entirely sure what was happening to the normally reserved and grouchy man.
Regardless of the change however, Hermione had decided that it was for the better and she would enjoy it, however long it lasted. The problem with this, though was that day after day in his presence she couldn't help but notice his tall, strong, slender build, or how his black hair shone brightly in the starlight that poured into the library through huge, antique windows. She couldn't ignore the flip-flopping in her stomach every time he asked her to pass the salt, nor could she forget how her skin tingled and her head felt light every time they bumped knees or his strong, rough hands brushed against hers.
She'd even found him reading quietly in the library one day when she'd been searching for a quiet place to loose herself to one of her favorites, Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell. When she plopped herself down in one of the extremely comfortable over stuffed chairs she noticed with surprise that Snape was reading the same book. She'd said nothing, but thought she saw his eyes flick up once to see what she was reading than flick quickly back to his own book. For a split second Hermione was sure she'd seen an approving smile dance across his normally stoic and ever handsome features.
Hermione had been quite surprised when Snape had insisted on coming with them to the club. She'd never thought him to be much of a dancer, but he was quick to justify his coming by saying that someone needed to be there to "remain sober and take note of everyone's indiscretions" in case the information should "prove useful later."
Harry and Draco had paled at his and Ron had very nearly fainted and begged Hermione not to make him go, but her insistence won him over.
"After all," She said, "So long as you boys remain sober and on your best behavior, Snape won't have any dirt on you anyway!"
None of them appear very comforted by this, but they went along with Hermione regardless.
Once they'd reached the dance club Hermione led them to a table off in one corner and soon after a waitress came to take their order.
"I'll just have some water please," said Hermione, who had never quite acquired a taste for alcohol and preferred to remain in her own mind instead of floating off somewhere in the ether, only to come crashing back down the following morning with a splitting headache and a lot of nasty looks from friends and neighbors.
"Me too!" Chimed in Remus who had never been a very big drinker himself.
"Well, I suppose I'll have to drink up plenty for both of you than," said Sirius. "I'll have whatever local brew you've got behind the bar and a double shot of firewhisky."
"And for you?" The waitress inquired, turning to Harry, Ron, and Draco.
"Erm. . . um. . ." Stammered Ron, completely put off at having to order a drink.
"Oh Merlin, get these boys some shots of firewhisky on the double and keep 'em coming!" Sirius said, laughing at the shock and embarrassment plastered across Ron's face, as well as Harry's. Draco meanwhile seemed only slightly amused and kept his smirking mouth shut.
"And you?" The waitress said, finally rounding on Severus.
"Water, thank you." He answered simply.
Hermione smiled, just one more thing to love about the guy, she mused to herself. Blindingly intelligent, ravishingly handsome, excellent taste in books, and he doesn't drink!
A pulsing beat brought her out of her thoughts as she realized that the DJ had started played one of her favorites songs, Listen To Your Heart by DHT. She squealed with delight and jumped up from the table.
"Where are you going?!" Harry and Ron asked in unison sounding just like an abandoned puppy looks.
"Well we're at a dance club, so I'm going to go dance!" She answered as she twirled off under the enchanted, colored strobe lights.
Hermione had always loved to dance, but for years had been too shy to do so outside of her locked bedroom. The last year or so though she'd begun to realize that if she didn't step out and take a chance every now and than, she might very well die an old maid with fifty cats, never having lived at all.
That thought frightened her so much that she decided that this, her last year at Hogwarts before graduation, was her chance to break out of her shell and be the woman she always truly wanted to be. She was sick and tired of being boring old know-it-all Hermione Granger, she wanted to be care free, happy, playful, and even sexy. She wanted to wear make up and jewelry, flip her hair and giggle with Ginny and Luna openly, and even show up late to classes, frazzled and mis-dressed. Well, maybe not that last bit, she was still herself after all.
Hermione allowed the rhythm and beat of the music to overtake her as she swished and moved in time with the rhythmic lights. When the song changed she stayed there, dancing by herself amid the throng of other dancers. She didn't care how she looked, or who might be looking. Here, in the music, she was free from everything and everyone. For five more songs she danced alone until she felt someone wrap their arms around her and turned around to see who it was. To her surprise she found Draco smirking at her.
"Mind if I join you?" He asked.
Hermione stared at him blankly for a moment before eventually finding her tongue. "Um, alright." She said, still very much confused.
"Look 'Mione," Draco said, as he fell into step beside her as she slowly began to dance again. "We've had a really fun time this past month, right?"
She nodded, still confused but getting back into the groove of the music.
"And we can't really be friends once we're back at school," Draco continued. "So I just thought, why not enjoy the night?"
"Did, you just call me ''Mione?'" She asked, but spoke again before he could retort, "You're not half bad either Draco. So yes, let's enjoy this night."
Draco smiled and grabbed her hand and spun her around. Hermione saw through the crowed her table of men, young and old, all scowling at the Slytherin head boy and infamous prat dancing with the goody-goody head girl of Gryffindor. All save for Severus, who had his back to the two.
After the song ended a slower one began and Hermione and Draco danced their way back over to the table. Hermione greedily drained her glass of water and flopped back down into her seat between Remus and Harry.
"Having fun?" Ron said, coldly.
"Yup!" Hermione answered gleefully, completely ignoring the reproachful tone in Ron's voice.
"I might just have to tie you down young lady." Remus joked.
"Yeah, you're going to get yourself in trouble if you keep shaking those hips of yours around like that!" Sirius added taking a swig of his beer.
Hermione laughed at the over protective men who'd come to be like brothers to her. After resting long enough to down a second glass of water, Hermione was once again drawn out to the dance flood by another of her favorites, a new Nickleback song. Sirius and Draco both joined her, but were soon pulled off into the crowd by other woman dancing alone.
Harry and Ron were also approached by two girls looking for people to dance with. Harry immediately said yes, but only after Ron realized that if he didn't say yes he would be stuck at the table alone with Snape (Remus having deserted him temporarily) did he accept the hand of the rather attractive girl.
Hermione lost track of them all, loosing herself to the music once again. This was better than any drug Muggle or Wizard could concoct. This was better than any amount of alcohol man could ferment. This was better than sex, or so she'd experienced thus far. Sure, there had been boys, two to be precise, but they were young and knew little of how to treat or please a woman.
Suddenly Hermione felt a different set of hands snaking their way around her waist and when she turned to see who it was this time she found not one of her friends, but a tall stranger leering at her.
"Excuse me," She said, trying to break free of his grasp, but once she managed to turn around she found two more strange men closing in on her.
She turned back to the first man, panic quickly rising in her head as her heart began to race. She couldn't see Sirius or Harry or even Draco or Ron, no one would be able to hear her if she called out, she was too close to the speakers.
Silently, she screamed for help with her mind to whoever might be listening and prayed that someone would have heard. She tried to grab her wand by her arms were quickly retrained by the two cronies behind her.
"Now, now, that wouldn't be very polite. We haven't even been introduced," Said the stranger. "I'm Drake, and these are Bill and Keith." His two lackeys nodded one after the other.
"Well," Hermione stuttered, trying to by herself some time to think of what to do. "Isn't this charming! All the same to you three, I think I'll be going now," She said as she once again tried to break free, only to find that the men had a firm grip on her.
"Come on now pet!" Said one of the men holding her wrists.
"We won't hurt ye!" Added the other.
"Much!" Said the first now closing in on Hermione.
She was about to scream when there was a flash of light and she saw Severus holding his wand to the throat of the advancing stranger.
The other two quickly released her and attempted to go help their companion. Bad move, though Hermione as she reached for her own wand and quickly cast a new spell she'd thought up with the help of the Weasley twins Fred and George. With one swift flick the two were paralyzed from the neck down.
Hermione ran around behind Severus who extended his other arm to catch her and hold her close as he began to speak to the men who had attempted to assault her.
"You three," He said "Should consider yourselves lucky I'm in a giving mood tonight, and that this woman has the kind heart she does, otherwise I'd wager you'd never be able to stick a woman again weather she was willing or not." With that he flicked his wand and the three flew backwards into the stage collapsing into a pile on the floor, only to be swallowed up by the dancers closing in around them.
Hermione tried to stammer out a thank you but Severus stopped her. "I only stepped in because you nearly knocked me over with that scream of yours, and you sounded out of your mind with fright. In any other situation I'd have left you to defend yourself, something you should really learn to do if you intend to make a habit of dancing in 'clothing' like that on a regular basis."
"Well, thanks anyway." Hermione said, blushing choosing to ignore the traces of coldness in Snape's voice, because she could tell from the undertone that he was relived she was alright.
A new song had started. A remix of some Danish pop song.
"Hey," She said, not allowing herself to think as he lead her back to their now abandoned table. "Would you like to dance with me?"
Snape looked utterly taken aback for a moment. He opened his mouth, Hermione guessed to turn her down, but before he could get any words out she'd grabbed him and pulled him into a quiet corner of the dance floor, completely obscured from view by one of the massive pounding speakers.
At first Severus was embarrassed and attempted to get away from Hermione's grasp, but she looked up into his incredibly dark eyes and all objections he may have had melted away as he pulled her into his arms.
She spun around and rocked her hips into his. Together they swayed slowly until the song had ended and another began. Severus had stopped moving and Hermione turned to see what was wrong. He was looking at her with the same expression he wore when he was reading one of his favorite parts in one of his favorite books back in the library of Grimmauld Place. He smiled and pulled her hands to his mouth as if to kiss them. But before his lips made contact he was gone, striding quickly back to their table.
Hermione stood there a moment, shocked. Did that really just happened? It couldn't have! It just couldn't have! The—so hot!—greasy git doesn't have feelings! Hermione thought to herself. He . . . he . . . first he saves me, than he dances with me . . . oooh the dancing! She shook the silly thought away. It must have been a fluke, she decided finally. Maybe Snape had stolen some of Ron's shots to save him the embarrassment of not wanting to drink them.
Finally she went back to the table where she found Remus, Sirius, Harry and Ron all panting and guzzling water in place of their liquor.
"Had enough have you?" Hermione asked, masking her confusion and shock under a bright smile.
"Oh, you're one to talk!" Ron wheezed.
"Oh shut up Ron," Harry interjected.
Hermione giggled at her friends and tried not to look at Severus who seemed very interested in whatever book he'd brought with him to pass the time at the club.
She tried not to think about his body pressing against hers, so warm and so comforting. She tried not to think of his hands holding hers, so strong and so rough. She tried and decided that it really was probably that he'd been stealing Ron's shots and that by tomorrow, all of tonight's "indiscretions" would be forgotten, a memory left only for Hermione, the lonely sober one.
Try as she might, she couldn't keep the smile of a secret off her face causing Remus to question her. "And what are you looking so smug about 'Mione?" He asked leaning over towards her.
"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all." She answered, looking directly at Severus, who for a split second looked up into her eyes and blushed.
Later Hermione would tell herself that it had only been a trick of the light and the heated climate inside the club that had caused Severus' cheeks to turn pink. But in her heart, she knew that wasn't true.
FOOTNOTE: Draco had been staying at Grimmauld Place for the entire summer by decision of The Order. They were concerned about Lucius Malfoy and what he might do to his son so they extracted Draco at the beginning of summer and placed him in Sirius' care. At first things were as to be expected: Draco hated Sirius and Grimmauld Place and spent every day pouting in his room. Finally though, he'd decided to try and get along with Sirius and the two now laughed and joked like old pals.
Both she, Ron and Harry were wary of this transformation having had to put up with Draco's teasing, pranks and overall pratishness for six years now, but it was Hermione who warmed to the blond outsider first. Harry and Ron weren't quite fine with him just yet, but they managed to remain civil and at times even friendly. Hermione had even heard the three laughing together on more than on occasion since they'd been there.
Notes from the author
Greetings and salutations! This is just a quick note to explain some things about this fic, as well as the faux canon used in it.
First and foremost, I am not a writer, so if you're expecting high quality, go somewhere else. I do only my best and I make no claims that my best is anywhere near professional quality literature. Also, if you have any constructive critique (something along the lines of "I like where this is going, but X and Y are a bit confusing. Perhaps you could clarify. . ." etc. NOT "This sucks, get a life") I welcome it. I MORE then welcome it, I BEG for it. Nothing thrills me more then hearing how I can improve, and how I'm doing.
Now that that's out of the way, let's go over the canon I'm completely making up here. I really freaking hated OOTP, HBP, and DH, so I've ignored them, to a point. Dumbledore is still dead tear, but it's for a good reason in the end. For now let's just assume that someone other then Snape killed him, maybe a Malfoy, it doesn't really matter, he's gone. Everyone else who was supposed to have died, has obviously not. Harry and the gang had it out with Lord Spooky-Pants (who is dead and gone, along with the more unsavory of his followers) somewhere between forth year and now, but I won't EVER get into that, so don't ask. Also, Umbridge has existed, and was carried off and hopefully molested by pissed off centaurs, never to be see, again, we hope.
Basically, the war is over and everything is happy hunky-dory and the golden trio is off on their seventh and final year at Hogwarts. Oh, and I'm not sure what I did with Draco's parents. I think for now we'll just say that they are not pleased with the outcome of the war, and you probably won't be seeing them AT ALL in this fic.