George and I walked into the Great Hall arm in arm and made our way straight for the dance floor. We wasted no time in showing everyone a thing or too.

Given the way in which we were, it was impossible for George and I to dance like normal people would. No, George and I danced with style, with grace, with passion and with boundless energy. Basically we danced how your Dad would after having a few too many fire whiskeys. Yes we looked liked two idiots, our arms and legs swung about frantically but we didn't care, we were having the time of our life and that was all that mattered.

The fun only increased when Fred and Angelina joined us. Instead of two of us dancing aroung like idiots there were now four and none of us perturbed by the strange looks or fits of giggles from everyone watching. In fact we had fuelled the start of something as people joined in, students and teachers alike now boogied the night away in the same manner as George and I.

I soon spotted Flitwick across the room and so grabbing the first opportunity available I danced my way over to him. It was one teacher down and only two more to go.

"So any ideas Anna how your going to get Snape dancing with you?" asked George as the two of us sat down for a little rest.

"Yeah plenty just none of em any good. Why did I ever agree to this George?"

George giggled, his arm resing lightly over my shoulders "Because my dear Annakins you're not some boring old stick in the mud, you like fun and adventure with the odd impossible challenge thrown in for good measure, just like Fred and me, always up for anything, we can't help it, it's in our blood...But then again, if you can't handle it you can always forfeit."

"Never." I said indignantly " Never will I forfeit George Weasley, never...ever. I will try everything I can to get him on that dance floor, even if it kills me. Forfeit indeed...pfffht, really."

"Then go get em tiger."

"Yeah, don't worry I will."

And so I left George's side on a mission to get one Severus Snape to dance with me. And try I did, in fact I had never tried so hard at anything before in my life as I did to get Snape on that dance floor, but each time I failed miserably.

I tried everything from dancing by him to slipping a little something in a drink I so kindly offered him, he simply glared at me for a second before completely ignoring me. I even got that desperate I tried putting a spell on him, and it may have worked too if he hadn't of moved, anyway it missed him and hit some poor Hufflepuff girl instead, which turned out to be a blessing really because I kind of got the incantation slightly wrong and ended up giving Imelda (the girl in question), the worst and most excessive amount of facial hair I have ever seen! Needless to say I made myself scarce for a while.

But time was getting on and all my ideas had finally dried up except one, my last hope. If this didn't work I was done and would sadly give up and do the horrid little forfeit Fred and George had concocted.

I had been watching Snape closely for the past five minutes, he had been walking around the room being his usual happy friendly self when he finally settled on the far side of the room, but as luck would have it Dumbledore joined him and the two chatted away ideally. I knew it was now or never and with Dumbledore there it may just make it easier.

I turned to Fred and George who were talking to Harry and Ron and motioned them over "Ok guys I'm going in, now this is my last attempt if this don't work, I give up."

Ron smiled widely "I can't wait to see this."

"Don't get to excited Ron," said Fred "this is how many times now Anna?"

"A few. But its not over yet Fred, like I said if this doesn't work then I'll give up but not until."

"You do know Anna, that if you manage to do this, Snape will never forgive you and he'll probably make the rest of your school life a living hell." Said Harry

"Gee thanks for that Harry."

"No problem, I mean that's what friends are for after all."

"He makes your life hell anyway Anna." said George "Now come on chop, chop, other wise you know what you've got to do."

"Oh yeah," said Ron with a frown "so what do you have to do if you don't get Snape on that dance floor?"

"Nothing," I said quickly glaring at the twins "if it comes to it then you'll see when I do it, if not t-then I'll tell you tomorrow...now wish me luck cause I'm gonna need it." And so I began to slowly make my way toward Snape.

Nervously I scanned the room and spotted a smug looking Malfoy propped up against the wall watching curiously as I got closer to Snape. His date, the ever lovely Pansy Parkinson, stood next to him looking more and more agitated with every passing minute. Maybe a second date for those two was now definitely out of the question and they'd never get it together, which would really be a shame because now we would probably be deprived of Malfoy/Parkinson offspring polluting our lovely little world, and really that was something to be devastated about.

Giving myself a small tug back to reality, I cleared my thoughts away from Malfoy and Parkinson and once again concentrated on Snape and what I was about to do.

Now my little plan really was the lamest I had come up with, but really what did I have to lose? I was going for the good old trip and fall, yep, pathetic I know!

I got closer and closer, then mentally calculated the distance in which I would accidentally fall, and lets just say that was about now. Clumsily I stumbled over my right leg then lunged forward straight into the loving, open arms of Snape.

I let out small scream for effect and grabbed hold of his arms tightly, which surprisingly were quite firm and muscular and for a split second I couldn't help be rather impressed by what I could feel under those black robes of his. I soon changed my mind however when I looked up and saw two hateful eyes looking down that long hooked nose of his, no, then I was almost sick and couldn't believe I could even think of something so disturbing. I would seriously need to give myself a talking to later.

"Oh my goodness" I said trying to look flustered "How so very, very clumsy of me Sir."

Snape merely sneered back with loathing.

"If it wasn't for you Sir who knows what might have happened just then, I mean, I could have seriously hurt myself. "

Snape said nothing, he didn't need to, one look said it all and unsurprisingly that was "What a pity you didn't" or somewhere along those lines but I was guessing I wasn't too far off the mark.

Straightening up I gave him a toothy smile. "You really are my hero now Sir. How can I ever repay you?"

Snape opened his mouth to speak but I jumped in before the words had chance to leave his lips.

"Yes." I shouted with excitement. "Yes, yes of course I will Professor Snape Sir, I never thought you'd ask. You know all the Gryffindor girls are going to be sooo jealous when they see us dancing together, I can't wait to rub it in."

Snape frowned and glanced at Dumbledore uncomfortably who simply smiled in his usual manner.

"Oh I am Sorry Professor Dumbledore Sir." I said "I hope you don't think I'm being rude, but Professor Snape so kindly asked me to dance and well after all, he did just save me from a serious injury and he is my favourite teacher so really, how could I refuse? But as you Sir are my second favourite, I promise I'll save the next dance just for you. Deal? I mean I can't go leaving you out now can I?"

Dumbledores blue eyes twinkled "I should hope not Miss De'lore I am your second favourite teacher after all. I shall look forward to it, but after you have dance with Professor Snape first of course."

Snapes features hardened even more "Professor Dumbledore I..."

Dumbledore held up a hand "Now, now Severus, it is quite alright, there is no need to think yourself rude for cutting short our little conversation, it can wait. You have offered Miss De'lore a dance and that my dear friend would not be fair if you were to go back on your word. Now off you go and enjoy."

Not waiting a split second for Snape to protest I grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him with all the strength I could muster onto the dance floor, but not before I gave Dumbledore a quick smile to say thanks. He nodded with a wink, leaving me with the question did he know what I was up to the whole time? Knowing Dumbledore the answer was yes.

After finally getting Snape on the dance floor I knew by the look on his face that I would be in serious trouble from now on, but for now I honestly didn't care.

Snape stood ridged as I once again resumed the silly little dancing that George and I had started. And can you believe that on three occasions he tried to make a run for it, each time I grabbed hold of him and pulled him back towards me. I knew if it wasn't for Dumbledore stood watching us, Snape would have put up one hell of a fight and probably hexed me by now. Anyway just to be on the safe side and to stop him from escaping yet again I decided I would keep a firm hold of him and tightly held onto his forearms and began swinging them around like a maniac.

I swear I heard him mutter under his breath "You just wait De'lore, just you wait."

As the song came to an end I let go of him and said "Thanks Sir that was great. You really Know how to move, ever thought about giving lessons?"

His sneer got bigger and his black eyes narrowed into two deadly slits.

Ok, it was time to quit while I was ahead and the best thing to do was get the hell out of there before he killed me.

"Well then." I said feeling a tad nervous. "If um, if you would excuse me, Professor Dumbledore awaits." And with that I was outta there.

"Ahh, Miss De'lore" he said with a hint of amusement "Have fun?"

"Oh yes Sir couldn't you tell? Honestly Sir, it was like dancing with a corps, frozen solid he was."

He chuckled "Not exactly the dancing type is Professor Snape?"

"You're telling me...anyway I do believe I have saved the best for last, shall we Professor?"

He held out his arm "We shall indeed Miss De'lore, we can't have you losing you little bet now can we? Not after all the hard work you put into it."

I felt my eyes widen slightly but tried hard to look completely innocent but there was really no point, Dumbledore was far from stupid and so I smiled cheekily, took his arm and off we trotted towards the dance floor "Ok professor Dumbledore Sir lets show em how its done."

XXXXX

"Easy there Anna, you haven't won yet still one more to go remember," said Fred after my little gloat.

"I don't think it will be a problem Fred, the hardest part is done but Merlin knows what my life is going to be like from now on, hell know doubt."

"I'm sure you can handle it Anna," said George "I have to admit it was quite impressive though."

"Why thank you George I'm rather impressed with it myself."

"You're welcome, now if you will excuse me I promised Sadie Lovett a dance."

"What? Sadie Lovett, b-but you're my date."

"Relax my little Annakins, you are going to be busy dancing with who ever it is you choose, and besides I over heard her tell Samantha Ward that she was going to turn you into a cockroach, I managed to talk her out of it on the condition I dance with her a few times and show her a little attention."

"Why that little cow I knew she was trouble. All sweet and innocent on the outside but scratch away at the surface and there lays nothing more than an evil little swine. Turn me into a cockroach, oh she is so going to regret even thinking that" I could feel my temper rising. A cockroach! A cockroach indeed. Oh I'd give her cockroach alright. I stepped forward raring to go find the little madam, but two strapping arms wrapped around me

"Wow, wow, wow, oh no you don't." George said pulling me back.

"George let me go, let me find the little cow."

"Not here Anna and not now" I started to relax a little at his words and looked at him, raising his eyes he gave me a cheeky smile.

"Soon?" I asked with a pout, he nodded "You promise?"

He nodded again "Already a work in progress, Fred and I have it all under control. I told you Anna, we might play the odd prank on you now and again but we would never let anyone else do anything to harm you, so don't worry your pretty little head over it now ok? So go dance, have fun and we'll talk about it tomorrow."

"A-and I can help?"

"Of course, now go."

Still fuming inside, I wanted to find Sadie Lovett and pull out every last strand of her long blond hair and claw at her eye balls. Boy how I hoped Fred and George came up with something really grotesque to do to her, if they didn't then I certainly would.

But the the night was getting on and so decided to do as I was told and went in search of someone to dance with. What a fat lot of good that did me. After approaching at least six different guys of whom all declined, I became disheartened and gave up.

I slumped up against the nearest wall huffily and sighed.

"Nights nearly over De'lore, find anyone to dance with yet?" Came that arrogent drawl I had become familiar with.

"No Malfoy" I snapped without even looking in his direction. "I haven't. But then you probably knew that already."

"And how could I possibly know something like that? I've hardly seen you all night and to be honest why would I even want too?"

"Well let me think, what was it you said earlier? Ah yes that's it, 'one word from me and you'll be lucky to get Longbottom dancing with you' ring any bells Malfoy?"

"I have know idea what you are talking about De'lore. You must be imagining it."

"Oh don't give me that you know exactly what...forget it just do me a favour Malfoy and go away."

"Dance with me De'lore." For a second his blue eyes met with mine.

"What? Are you deaf or just completely stupid? I said go away. And give me one good reason why I would dance with you anyway?"

"Because you want to. And besides it would be a shame to lose your bet after all the effort put into it. How many was it? Ten attempts to get Snape dancing with you?"

"Thirteen actually an I really don't...hold on a minute you said you had hardly seen me all night yet you know roughly how many times I tried it with Snape. That means you've been watchin me Malfoy."

He shrugged idly "I was curious as to whether you could do it or not that's all, I mean who wouldn't be curious? Anyway which do you choose? Lose this bet tonight because of some stupid stubborn streak or, dance with me and for once in your life be a winner."

I looked at him coolly; the stupid prat had me backed into a corner, it was either dance with him and be spared the embarrassment of the task that lay ahead or let all my hard work go to waste by not dancing with him. But having to dance with one of the people I disliked most in the school really was sickening, having to be close to him and touch him made me shudder, but then again it was only for one dance, and why should I lose my bet over one simple dance that would be over in minutes?

"And what about Pansy? Surely she won't be pleased that you're not with her."

"She left twenty minutes ago, a headache. So?"

I bit down on my bottom lip "Ok fine, but on two conditions. One we dance where my friends can't see me and two, keep you hands to yourself buddy otherwise you'll be leaving this dance with a nice shiny black eye. Understand?"

He smirked "Afraid you might like it De'lore? And I thought your so called friends were supposed to see you, isn't that the whole point?"

"Oh shut up and lets get this over with."

He smirked even more and held out his arm, I spied it with contempt, scrunched up my nose in disgust and took it reluctantly. Merlin I couldn't believe what I was doing. I wouldn't have minded so much if it had been Zabini, I mean at least I didn't mind looking at him!

We reached the dance floor and slowly danced in time to the music. It felt strange having his hand on mine and his other one on my hip. I tried my best to block it out of my head, it would all be over with soon.

"You know De'lore" he began grabbing my attention "I hate to admit it but you do scrub up quite nicely, not bad considering."

I rolled my eyes and ignored him.

"What's the matter cat got your tongue for once? I gave you a compliment, the least you could do is show some response."

" I scrub up quite well considering! That's some compliment."

"Not quite the response I was looking for, a simple thank you would have been the correct answer."

"Gee thanks."

"Tell me De'lore, what exactly would you have to do if you lost your bet tonight?"

"You really want to know?" I chuckled "Ok then, at the end of the night I was to stand in the Entrance Hall in a sexy bunny outfit that Fred and George had so kindly supplied for me, telling as many boys as possible "I'll show you mine if you show me yours" then wiggle my fluffy bunny tail at them."

Malfoy's expression stayed as always unreadable "And you actually would have done that?"

"Sure why not? It was a dare after all and I knew what I had to do if I failed before even agreeing to it. Which by the way Malfoy I suppose I should say thanks for saving me the embarrassment."

He smirked "Well its a shame I didn't know that to begin with, that could have been quite interesting."

"Yes I'm sure to a pervert like yourself it would have been fascinating."

He smirked then looked straight into my eyes.

I had never really noticed before but his eyes really were a beautiful shade of blue. It was just shame that they were usually always so cold and full of hate, but tonight they were different, they were soft and kind and seemed to be drawing me in more and more, almost hypnotic and I felt I could be lost in those two pools of blue forever.

Starting to panic I tried my best to snap out of it, which turned out to be rather difficult until I became aware his eyes started to slowly get closer and closer. Blinking repeatedly I desperatly tried to bring myself back to reality and eventually managed it only to find his whole face inches from mine.

Oh my goodness!

I pulled back quickly. "And what the bloody hell do you think you're doing?" I said furious. "I warned you Malfoy."

He simply smirked and arched his left eyebrow perfectly.