"How do you really feel about taking things slow? You've been talking around it since you got here," Healer Faith said, a ghost of a smile on her face.
Ginny sat back in the big, comfortable chair and pursed her lips.
"Can't we talk about my foul mouth instead? I cursed up a storm at the Quidditch game last week – I made the Beaters on my team blush like school girls," she said, referring to the Apprentice's recreational Quidditch team – the Hospital Hellions. The Beaters in question were two Fourth Year Apprentices, Paul and Jacques, who normally could cut up with the best of them. But when Ginny called the referee "Pussy footed, dickless virgin" after a bad call, they turned as red as the ref did before she was escorted off the field.
Severus had been on the side of the pitch waiting for her, laughing his head off.
"My little hellion," he'd whispered in her ear as he gave her the Butterbeer he had waiting for her.
"No, Ginny. For a change I don't want to talk about your mouth. You are going to have to work that out on your own. How are things going with Severus?"
"Slow," she said. "Very, very slow."
"Is that a bad thing?" Faith asked.
Ginny put her head in her hands and thought about that question. It wasn't a bad thing, in fact she liked that Severus was a little old-fashioned and believed in courting her. It was nice, even if it was frustrating. Some nights when they were together she wanted to rip open his pants and just –
"Ginny, are you okay? You're as red as your hair. Let me get you a glass of water." Faith summoned a glass and filled it from the pitcher of ice water on her desk.
"Thanks," Ginny murmured, a little embarrassed at her physical reaction to her thoughts. She took a big gulp of the cold liquid. "It's not a bad thing, Faith. In fact, it makes me feel … I don't know, treasured? At least respected, since he's is taking so much time to get to really get to know me before we jump ahead. I've only been with Dean and Harry, and the physical relationship was immediate with Dean and was really the whole point of it. And as sweet as Harry was, he was useless in that department. As much as I want Severus, I think the reality is that I'm a little nervous too. It's only been me and my hand for a while, and the lady downstairs has been lonely for something with a little more girth."
"Ginny Weasley, behave," Faith said, shocked.
"Am I not allowed to talk about such things, even here?" Ginny asked. It was the first time the Healer had ever been shown that she was shocked about something she said.
"No," Faith said, admonished. "Of course you can talk about or say anything you want here. I never know what is going to come out of your mouth, and even though I've been your Healer for a while, you still manage to shock me sometimes. Not all woman are as frank about themselves as you are, when you are in the mood. You just caught me off guard."
"I thought you'd be used to it by now," Ginny said, laughing.
"I don't think anyone could ever get completely used to you, my dear – and I mean that as a highest compliment," Faith said.
"Thank you," Ginny said.
"So," Faith said. "Treasured, respected … those sound like very good feelings to have."
"I think they are," Ginny said, smiling happily. "I think they definitely are."
"Will you go to the Victory Ball with me?" Severus blurted out over tea in the middle of April.
Ginny smirked before she replied, "I thought it was a given."
He took her hand in his and squeezed it firmly. "I just wanted to make sure your mother hadn't saddled you into going with some hopeless lackey from your father's department in the Ministry."
"She tried, believe me, but I told her I already had a date," she snorted. His expression was unreadable, which worried her. "Is that okay? I know we are taking things slow, but I thought it was time my mother knew I was off the market."
"No, it's … time," he said, giving her one of his enigmatic half-smiles that stilled her heart a little.
He leaned forward, and for a minute Ginny held her breath with the thought that he might finally kiss her, here in her office where this all began, and where she …
Where she became ultimately disappointed when he kissed her cheek.
"Slow," she said, trying not to sound too put out, especially when the skin on her cheek (and other places) was tingling very nicely indeed from the brief contact.
"Slow," he repeated, as he always did. "But think about how wonderful it will be when things pick up, after all the anticipation," he whispered in her ear.
Ginny's flush must have mimicked the one of Neville's face last year when he admitted he thought his willy had an actual bone it in, because Severus chuckled darkly as he gave her a hastily summoned glass of iced water.
"Have you picked out a dress?" he asked.
"I have, actually," she said once she regained her composure. "It's green."
"My favorite color on you."
She nodded, feeling shy when she said, "I bought it with you in mind."
"When I take it off of you, I'll remember that," he murmured sensually as he brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead.
Ginny tried very hard not to squeak when she took a breath, but found it impossible when his eyes were burning like two pieces of hot coals in a fire.
"You have plans for that night?" she gasped.
"For us I do," he said, running his fingers over the palm of her hand. "Mostly they involve showing you just how nice 'slow' can be." His voice lowered to a velvet resonance that she felt deep within her core.
"Oh gods," she whispered, trying to comprehend how just his voice and words were about to make her come without any physical contact.
He kissed her other cheek, the contact as brief and fleeting as dream.
"And we'll have the whole weekend to take things 'slow', over and over again," he said, letting his fingers drift over her cheeks to her neck, just cresting over her breasts before rising back to her face.
"You're shameless," she whispered.
"Yes, I am," he whispered back, letting his lips barely graze her neck before he pulled away and settled back into the chair next to desk.
"I'll never be able to get any fucking work done today after that," she said, trying to catch her breath as he took his cup back into his hand.
"Good," he said, grinning.
"Prick."
Despite the wards on her door, his laughter could be heard well to the second floor of the hospital.
The Victory Ball was held every year on May 2, the anniversary of the final Battle that took place on the grounds of Hogwarts. This year would be extra special indeed, as it was the fifth anniversary of Lord Voldemort's defeat, and would mark the first year that newly rebuilt school would officially re-open. In fact, this year it would even be held at the castle, to commemorate the upcoming event.
Severus appeared to escort her to the event at five thirty. She'd taken half a day off from St. Mungo's to prepare herself, and she couldn't help but be pleased with the results.
A small chunk on her carefully built savings was spent to purchase formal dress robes that she was sure would drive him to distraction. They were green, as she'd told him, but not the emerald green of the Slytherin house. They were a deep, forest green that reminded of the leaves on the trees in the Forbidden Forest when she's spent detentions there with Hagrid her Sixth Year.
Made of damask silk, they were so low cut that they were almost indecent by Wizard standards, with a bodice that just barely skimmed over the tops of her nipples. Even Madam Malkin blanched when she saw them on her, but sold them to her just the same, along with a special low cut lace chemise to wear underneath it as a bra was completely out of the question. With her hair spilling down her back in ribbons of curls that had taken her hours to charm into place and wearing a pair of black velvet gloves that reached up past her elbows, she felt like a queen when she opened the door to receive him.
Severus's face went completely slack as he took his time looking over her appearance – most of his attentions going to the examination of the full swell of her bosoms.
"See something you like?" she asked, though she was trying very hard not to drool over him as well. In his black dress robes, she thought him to be the most handsome man on the face of the earth.
"I see a lot of things I like," he said, shifting uncomfortably as he brought his eyes back to her face with a little reluctance. His eyes grazed over her bare neck before he grinned and said, "I do have a little something for you, in lieu of flowers." From the pocket of his robes, he withdrew a long black velvet box. "Close your eyes," he whispered.
She complied nervously, feeling his hands just graze her neck, bringing gooseflesh to every surface he barely touched. As she felt heavy, cold metal meet her skin, she shivered.
He guided her to the mirror by the door. "Open them," he whispered in her ear, his breath very warm against her skin.
On her neck was an exquisite necklace. Silver serpents entwined themselves together, almost seductively, to make a braided chain of metal that met in an 'S' just above her cleavage. He was branding her as his, she knew it when she saw the expression in his eyes as they gazed at each other in the mirror.
She never thought she'd want to be claimed by a Slytherin, but in that moment she realized just how overrated lions really were.
"I love it," she said softly, touching the slowly warming metal with her gloved hands. He placed one of his bare hands over hers, moving it down from the necklace to her breast, using her hand to squeeze the soft flesh. She moaned as though his own hands were finally touching her as she so craved, and flushed deeply when they watched her breasts almost pop out of the low, tight bodice.
His gazed burned into hers more fiercely. "My, my, Ginny. You don't seem to be properly dressed," he said, guiding her hand to the other breast and squeezing again. "What will I do with you?"
"Fuck me, I hope," she said, biting her lip as he chuckled darkly, kissing her ear as he pulled away from her.
"Who is shameless now, my lady? Don't fret. By the end of the night, you will be fully satisfied," he said, taking her hand in his. "As will I."
They Apparated to the main gates and took one of the waiting carriages onto the school grounds.
Ginny gasped when she saw the rebuilt school – it was just as it had been before the Battle, but brighter and possibly even more grand than they had been. The hillside was illuminated with the light of the castle - it looked as though every torch and candle was lit as all the visible windows glowed with a bright light.
"Oh, Severus, it's beautiful," she said happily as they passed over the bridge leading to the entrance.
"Stunning," he said quietly.
She looked over at him and saw he was only looking at her. The lights glowed in his eyes as he took her hand in his and kissed the back of her fingers as the carriage came to an abrupt stop.
"Ginny!" squealed Hermione, who was standing with Oliver Wood at her side.
Ginny grinned as Severus helped her down from the carriage. She walked to Hermione side and accepted a gentle hug.
"Is Professor Snape the mystery man?" Hermione whispered.
Ginny nodded, unable to hide her smile of delight.
"From the look he gave you in the carriage he must be interested now," Hermione said.
Ginny nodded, too giddy for words.
"He's become a good man since the War ended, Ginny. You couldn't do any better," Oliver whispered, having picked up on the conversation.
"Thanks Ol," Ginny said sardonically. "And when did I ask for your opinion?"
"I'm George's best friend and was one of Fred's as well," Oliver said seriously. "I have to look out for the little sis."
"Oh great, another man who thinks he's my big brother," she said, rolling her eyes. She reached a hand out for Severus, and felt relief when she felt his long fingers grasp hers.
"Professor Snape," Hermione said.
"Not anymore, Miss Granger," he said with mock disapproval.
Hermione grinned widely at the couple as Oliver steered her into the open doors.
"Shall we?" Severus asked, holding out her arm to Ginny. She took it, and they walked in the doors, surrounded by the crush of people.
The Great Hall was packed. It was even larger than ever, as more Muggle-borns were anticipated to start attendance now that the Dark Lord had been forever vanquished. There was a dance floor laid out in the middle, just as there had been for the Yule Ball.
"May I fill your dance card?" Severus asked her as he guided her to their table, where Hermione and Oliver were already seated.
"Please," she said, covering a giggle with her hand.
"Ginny!" cried a too familiar voice from the crowd.
Molly Weasley appeared from the mass of people, dressed in black robes as she always did on the day that marked the death of her beloved son.
"Mum," Ginny said, hugging her mother tightly before the older woman stepped back to take in her appearance.
"A little risqué on the choice of robes dear. I can't believe Madam Malkin sold them to you," Molly said, sounding a little horrified.
"Mum, they're fine," Ginny said, trying not to sound like a sullen teenager.
"Well, just be careful. You might want to put a Stasis Charm on those things," Molly said, pointing at her chest.
Ginny flushed and tried not to start a fight. As she counted to ten, she heard her mother speak to Severus.
"How are you, Severus? It's been too long. You'll have to come to dinner soon," Molly told him as she shook his hand.
"I would like that, Molly," he said sincerely. "In fact, I'd like to speak to you and Arthur about –"
"Oh where is that man, he'd like to see you too. Arthur!" Molly cried to the slightly balding redhead about ten people away from her. He looked up and smiled as he saw his wife and youngest daughter.
"Ginny," he said, giving her a quick hug before he looked at her dress disapprovingly. "That dress is a little …"
"Yes, Arthur, I've already given her a talk about it don't worry," Molly said hastily.
Regardless, he frowned greatly before he turned to Severus. "How are you, old friend?" Arthur said as he shook his hand.
"Well," Severus said, flicking his eyes at Ginny. "Very well. In fact – "
"That's an odd necklace, Ginny," Molly said, putting on her reading glasses to look at it better. "Are those snakes?"
"Yes," Ginny said. "Actually, Mum, I wanted to tell you –"
"Who did you come with this year, Severus?" Molly asked, looking around the table.
"Well, Molly, I came with – "
"Ginny! Mum! Dad!"
Bill walked up to the table, along with Fleur.
"Hey there, son," Arthur said.
Bill pulled a face when he looked at Ginny. "Not a good choice of dress, sis. I can see … way too much."
"Did I ask for your opinion?" Ginny asked sarcastically.
"Yew'll steel get eet," Fleur said, giggling as she kissed her husbands scarred cheek. "Eee esn't afraid ov yore sass."
"Thanks, Phlegm," Ginny said under her breath. She looked back at Severus when she heard him chuckle little with her words.
"Who are you here with?" Bill asked her, oblivious to Ginny's words about his wife.
"As I've been trying to say, I'm here with – "
"Professor Snape! Ginny!" It was George this time, Angelina in hand.
"Great dress," Angelina said.
Finally.
"Thanks," said Ginny.
"Don't listen to her sis – I can see all your top bits in that thing," George said, pretending to gag.
Ginny walked up and smacked the back of his head. "Git," she said sharply.
"Sir," George said, nodding at Severus as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Just Mr. Snape or Severus, George," he said.
"Sorry, you got me in my bad ear. What was that Professor Snape?" George asked raising his brows jokingly. "Who did you come with?"
Severus sighed heavily. "I came with – "
"Ginny!"
Ginny looked back at Severus, completely annoyed, a look he returned with a shake of his head.
This time, Ron and Lavender walked up to the group, followed closely behind by Charlie and Peter.
"Ginny, can I give you my robes? You'll catch Dragon Pox in that thing," Charlie said, making to remove his black outerwear.
"If one more person says something about my dress I'll hex you," Ginny said, almost at the end of her rope.
"Are those snakes?" Lavender asked, pointing at her necklace.
"They are. In fact, it was given to me by – "
"Snape! Ginny!"
Ginny threw up her hands and looked at Severus, who appeared to be trying to smother a fit of laughter.
Harry and Luna joined the large group along with Percy and Penelope.
"Ohhh, that's a dress to catch a man in," said Luna, eyeing the necklace and casting an inquisitive look at Severus before looking back at Ginny with a smile. "Maybe he's already caught," she said with a wink.
Ginny relaxed and winked back at her old friend, glad that at least one person in the group had a proper set of eyes.
"Don't listen to her Gin," Percy said, looking personally affronted by Ginny's choice of wardrobe. "Do you want to borrow Penelope's shawl, or – "
"Oh, listen to that – music!" Ginny said, relieved to hear the orchestra begin. "Would you like to dance, Severus?"
"I'd be delighted to," he said, taking her hand and leading her to the dance floor.
The music was a lush waltz, and he led her around the floor with ease. Ginny looked around, feeling every eye on them as the music swelled.
"Everyone is watching us," she whispered as he moved his hand to the small of her back.
"Let them," he said, tightening his hand over hers as he continued to sweep her around the floor. With each step, he inched closer to her until their bodies were flush against we each other.
She smiled, enjoying every moment until she heard a low voice that sounded like Charlie growl, "Snape and my sister?"
"Uh-oh," Ginny said, looking at the crowd and seeing Charlie's red face, then Bill's, Percy's, George's, and Ron's. Even Harry looked upset to see the pair on the floor, moving as gracefully as a pair of lovers. Her Dad's face peeked over the top, looking confused, but …
She didn't have a chance to ponder the look on her father's face. Her brothers, along with Harry, were walking in masse to where they were dancing.
"Severus," she said, tapping his shoulder urgently.
He looked over her shoulder and blanched.
"Back door," he said, motioning to the door by the Head Table.
They made a run for it.
A/N: Uh-oh. And yes, since it is done (well, the whole thing is done, just in revisions) you get another one ...