The following week started off slowly. Hermione was busy assisting with the rebuilding of Hogwarts most days, so she only saw her surly ex-Professor at mealtimes. There was little to no chance of private conversation around the dining table, especially as he always seemed to be seated as far away from her as possible, and disappeared back to his room as soon as the meal was over. At first she thought she was being paranoid and that he was avoiding her. She quickly took herself to task and told herself not to be ridiculous. He sat with Minerva and the other Hogwarts staff, as he had done for every meal since arriving in the house. It was nothing to do with her.

Still, she felt a pang of regret that she didn't get to talk to him. She knew it was silly but she would have liked a little reassurance that he wasn't going to change his mind before the upcoming ball, scheduled for Friday night. This one was being run by the ministry itself at the Minister's residence, in aid of the War Orphan's Fund. There was to be a short speech by Harry after the dinner, followed by an auction to raise funds and then dancing. It all sounded like a lot of fun… if you hadn't been to five hundred similar events in the previous few weeks. As it was, Hermione was just grateful she didn't have to speak and that the auction would eat into the time spent in the meat-market that was the dance floor. She would be expected to bid on some of the auction lots, but given how few galleons were in her Gringott's vault she didn't have any concerns at all that she might win.

Friday evening found her standing in front of her closet in her knickers and a frown. She had neither the money nor the inclination for many evening dresses. Usually she grabbed one at random out of her wardrobe before an event and transfigured a detail like the colour or the neckline to make them look slightly different. Trying to decide what would be appropriate to wear whilst partnered with Professor Snape though was making her head ache. 'It really shouldn't be that difficult,' she thought, 'It's not as if I don't know what he will be wearing - black robes with a hint of darkest green in the lining. Same as he does for every one of these events.' She didn't want to go down the house colour route, so that meant red, gold, silver and green were all out straight away. Black would make the two of them look funereal. Blue would be a good choice - a safe choice. But she'd worn blue to the last couple of events for precisely that reason.

She pulled out her favourite dress and held it up to her in front of the mirror. It was elegant rather than showy - full length, with long fitted sleeves and a modest neckline ensured she wasn't showing an inappropriate amount of flesh. It complemented her slim figure though, with its fitted bodice and skirt made from layers of feather-light silk chiffon. Secretly she always felt a bit of a princess when she wore it, especially when dancing where the skirt would swirl out behind her in a very satisfying way. It was nice, after all, to look like a girl occasionally, even for someone who lived happily in jeans the rest of the time. She smiled absently as she swished it around her body in front of the mirror, 'If I only get to be escorted by the Professor once then I should make the most of it and at the very least wear something I'll enjoy dancing in whilst I have a partner worthy of it,' she thought wryly.

Turning her attention back to the colour conundrum she bit her lip as she debated internally. The dress was currently pale blue. Flicking her wand impatiently she tried out various colours in quick succession. From the safe - midnight blue - through to an outlandish neon pink. Giggling at the thought of his expression if she turned up in such a shade she quickly flicked again and changed it to a smoky grey.

Hermione was surprised when she held the dress up again to see how flattering the grey was against her skin tone. A few adjustments to make it more dramatic and she had a dress she thought would look rather lovely. It was now palest grey at the neckline, darkening down her body to a dark arsenic-grey around her toes. She added a black lace band around her waist, and knew it was as good as she was going to get. She could transfigure her shoes and bag to match the colour of the skirt perfectly, so she was all set.

Once dressed Hermione stood in front of the mirror again and examined her reflection critically. She'd pinned her curls in a loose knot at the nape of her neck, allowing tendrils to fall around her face. Make up wasn't really her forte, so a little blush, mascara and lip gloss was all she wore. The stress and lack of food which defined the year had left Hermione with a body lacking in curves. The dress however managed to skim over certain areas, and the full skirt added much needed shape. 'It will have to do,' she twisted in front of the mirror again, examining herself from the side, 'I look presentable, and it's not as if he hasn't seen me dressed for these events a hundred times before.'

She pulled her cloak on over her dress as she ran lightly down the stairs. As had become their habit, anyone attending from the house would meet in the library so they could all floo together to the event. It was quarter to the hour, so Hermione knew she would probably be the first one ready. Sure enough, the room was empty.

Undeterred, Hermione picked a book at random off the shelves and curled up in the same battered old armchair that her Professor had been in when they had last spoken. The sun was low in the sky but there was enough light still to read by, and she had a pleasant ten minutes of peace before Harry, Ron and Professor McGonagall all arrived together. As this was such an important event, Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister of Magic had persuaded Minerva that all the key Order members needed to be in attendance.

"Hey Hermione," Harry called as he entered the room, "Bit last minute, I know, but can you have a quick look at my speech?"

She rolled her eyes and put down her book. "Honestly, is there ever going to be a time you don't need me to look over your homework Harry?" She grumbled as she reached for the cards he held out. Skimming them quickly, she grabbed a muggle biro from her bag which she used to amend his notes. Waving him over, she held them up for him to see her corrections.

"See here, I've just changed the order of these points around so you get the most impact at the end of the list."

"Oh, ok. That makes sense." Harry grinned.

"And at the end here," Hermione pulled out one of the last cards, "See if you can repeat the bit about how the Wizarding world needs to change and adapt in order to survive, and how supporting these orphans, no matter who their families were, is a good start. If you can bear to talk about your own childhood a bit you'll get the sympathy vote and they will be clamouring to spend their galleons in the auction."

"Jeez Hermione," Ron interjected, having heard her, "You are worse than Kingsley these days. Where did you learn to manipulate like that?"

Hermione wasn't sure whether he meant it as a criticism or a compliment. Figuring that she had a long night ahead so she might as well start in a good mood, she took it as praise. "Thanks Ron. It's not difficult you know if you just listen to what's going on around us. Anyway, it's for a good cause. The more money these people cough up, the better chance the kids have of having a decent childhood."

"Yeah, I know," Ron grumbled as Harry continued to read through his cards, muttering in places as he practiced key phrases. They had all become adept at public speaking since the end of the war and had stock speeches they rolled out for each event, with a few minor adjustments according to the audience… 'kind of like me and my transfigured dresses,' Hermione thought with amusement.

Severus Snape entered the library in a swirl of robes just as the clock struck the hour. Hermione saw him as he came through the door and her stomach swooped most alarmingly. He looked as dark and powerful as always, resplendent in his velvet and silk dress robes. It was a real treat to think he would be escorting her that evening - for once she was almost looking forward to the night ahead. She was just about to stand and greet him when Professor McGonagall interrupted.

"Ah, excellent timing Severus," said Minerva as she headed towards the fireplace, Harry shoving his cards into his pocket as he stood. "Come on now, we don't want to be late." Snape merely nodded in greeting to Minerva before ushering the others through the floo in front of him. In moments they were all standing in the main foyer of the Minister's residence before being guided away from the floo and towards the ballroom by a helpful ministry employee.

Hermione wanted to hold back and speak to the Professor before entering the large ballroom, but Harry and Ron had taken up positions on either side of her and were chattering away about when the rest of the Weasleys were going to get there, and what Kingsley had told Ron was going to be on the menu for dinner. With a helpless glance behind her at the smirking man she was swept away into the crowd by the boys.

On his part, Severus was secretly glad of the momentary reprieve from escorting duties. He couldn't help but notice how lovely Miss Granger looked that evening. Usually the women all blended into a sea of frothy dresses and frivolous accessories and jewels. She looked different that evening though, and stood out from the crowd. Severus wasn't sure whether it was her dress, unusual in it's grey tones; or if it was his own reaction to her because he knew he'd be dancing with her later.

He was surprised to discover that despite his internally voiced protests he really didn't mind the thought of spending the evening in the company of a pretty young woman at all. Especially as it was Miss Granger, who could be relied on for an intelligent conversation whilst turning round the floor rather than small-talk about the weather, albeit one peppered with an overabundance of questions. However, no matter how resigned he was to fulfilling his part of the deal, he had no desire to announce it to all and sundry by entering with her on his arm. Instead he broke no protest when she was carried through by Potter and Weasley, and offered his arm to Minerva. She took it gracefully and they sailed into the room together.

The attendees were clutching glasses of elf-made champagne and making small talk in the crowded room as they waited for the dinner to begin. He scanned the crowds for familiar faces and nodded at the other Order members he saw. To his surprise, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were also in attendance, standing quietly against one wall, both looking much more subdued than usual. He inclined his head to Lucius who responded in kind. It was the first time he had seen Malfoy in public since his much publicised trial and subsequent acquittal. Severus had mixed feelings about the pair. They had been friends for a very long time so he was glad he had escaped Azkaban, but he was well aware how deeply entrenched some of Lucius' views really were. But ever the politician, his public persona changed according to the order of the day. The pure-blood supremacy party had lost spectacularly so it was in Lucius' best interests to become a reformed character, on the surface at least.

However, this wasn't the night to discuss such things. No doubt he would be invited to Malfoy Manor soon enough for dinner, and could sound Lucius out when the brandy and cigars came out at the end of the evening. No, tonight was for doing his duty and promoting the cause of the War Orphans, and then doing a wholly different duty and protecting Miss Granger from the masses.

oOo

Dinner was as tedious as they had all expected. The ministry had spread out the 'war heroes' across several tables of the great and good of Wizarding society. Hermione found herself on a table with several senior Ministry Heads of Department and their partners, and resigned herself to an evening of smiling politely whilst answering the same inane questions everyone always seemed to want to ask her.

For some reason the epic year long trek to find the missing parts of Voldemort's soul appealed to middle aged men and women alike and they were always desperately keen to hear more about it. Once, at one of the earliest events, Hermione had made the mistake of telling the truth about how truly despicably horrid it was to live in a tent for a year with two boys, no food and very little hope of surviving let alone completing their impossible task. The shocked silence that surrounded her after her outburst had ensured that she never did it again. These days she kept the answers as neutral as she was able to, allowing them all to go away with their fantasies of adventures still intact.

She was amused to note that Professor Snape had been put on a table of mastercraftmen from all the major guilds and was actually joining in the conversation for a change. Kingsley had clearly set the seating plan to make sure his most volatile 'hero' wasn't liable to hex his dining companions. She wished wistfully that she was on that table too… she was sure the discussions were infinitely more interesting than on hers, which had morphed from intrusive questions for her on the war and now appeared to be focused on house prices in the wizarding communities and how hard it was to get good tutors these days for their primary-aged children. Stifling a yawn she did her duty and tried to look attentive, smiling and nodding at appropriate intervals.

Eventually the dinner ended. Harry's speech went down well and she smiled brightly as she caught his eye when he left the small platform he'd been speaking from. Her changes had worked and he'd done well. Then came the auction and Hermione, ever the team player, made her bids and looked disappointed as she was outbid for each and every item. She was pleased to see that all the lots were going for vastly inflated prices as the Wizarding Great and Good dug deep to help the orphans.

Finally, finally, the last bid was made and applause rang out as the auction ended and the total donations made were announced. There was another flurry of handshakes and comments on how nice it had been to meet her from her table before the attendees stood and made their way to the dance floor enmass.

oOo

Severus had bore the dinner with relatively good grace. He'd been seated next to a Master Herbologist that he had met before and they spent the main course embroiled in a fascinating discussion on the benefits and detriments of using magic in the growing of key potions ingredients. Severus made a mental note of several points made to relay back to Sprout for when her greenhouses were repaired.

The auction was tedious but he had no intention of bidding so instead he used the time to subtly review the room. The attendees were mostly of the older generation - those with the largest Gringott's vaults. Although there were a fair few descendants filling up the tables too, he noted. Still, the golden trio were the youngest by far, and Miss Granger the most attractive of the unmarried women. 'No wonder she needs an escort,' he thought with a scowl on his face, having seen how many lecherous looks had already been thrown her way. He was surprised to discover he was feeling almost possessive of the young witch despite having no claim to her other than residing in the same house for the summer.

Once the band began to play the opening dance he slipped around the room to where she was standing, coming up behind her. He saw with no little amusement that she had four men in front of her already, all vying for her attention in an attempt to procure a dance. She was doing her best to dissuade them when he came closer.

"-Well, that's very kind of you, but I really must say no," she was saying as he placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and gave him a big toothy grin before turning to face the men again, smile still in place.

"I believe that Miss Granger has declined your company this evening, gentlemen?" He purred, his hand remaining on her shoulder possessively.

The prospective suitors looked at Hermione, then up to the dark and brooding Ex-Death Eater and War Hero, and as one decided that the delectable Miss Granger wasn't worth the risk of a hex from him. Time to bow out gracefully and find less dangerous partners.

As they backed away Severus moved to face her. Formally, he held out his hand for hers. When she placed it in his, he bowed and brushed his lips across her knuckles. "I believe you require a dancing partner?" He queried, his voice as smooth as silk.

She smiled again and nodded, "Thank you, that would be most kind," she managed, although he could tell she was only just refraining from giggling.

He clasped the hand he'd just kissed and led her onto the dance floor, where the band were playing a waltz. They swiftly got into position and joined the masses swirling around the floor.

It took several seconds before he felt her shoulders stop shaking from the suppressed laughter.

"Feeling better, Miss Granger?" He asked acerbically whilst leading her around the floor, their steps light and perfectly coordinated. It really was so much more pleasant to dance with someone who was proficient enough to follow his lead.

She looked up at him - the first time she'd managed to make eye contact since he'd rescued her - and smiled again, her eyes dancing with mirth, "Oh yes Sir, much better! That was brilliant! If I'd known how quickly you could get rid of those pests I'd have suggested we did this some weeks ago."

"Hmmm."

"Did you see David's face?" She sniggered at the memory.

"David? Young Mr Oldridge, you mean? Ah well, as I recall he managed to rack up an impressive number of detentions with me during his school years thanks to his inability to concentrate on the cauldron in front of him when members of the opposite sex were in the same room."

She laughed again, and squeezed his shoulder with the hand resting there, "That does sound like David… He's one of the more persistent of my dance partners and I've done everything I can think of to dissuade him."

"Oh?" Despite himself, Severus was interested.

"Well, I guess I've erred away from direct confrontation and creative hexing and just tried to avoid him, but really he should have taken a hint by now. If I've been to busy for dinner at any point in the last 6 weeks when he's asked, I'm clearly not interested. Besides," she shuddered, "He smells weird and has sweaty hands."

"A heinous crime indeed." Severus allowed himself a tiny smirk.

They lapsed into silence as they turned around the room another couple of times before the song ended. As he moved to escort her back to her chair she tightened her hold on him slightly.

"Another dance, Professor? I do believe if you were to turn around you would see that the sharks are circling. They don't appear to have got the message that I'm not available this evening."

Rather than answer he pulled her back into his arms. He let out an exaggeratedly put-upon sigh, but he didn't mind too much. After all, it was most amusing to watch the expressions of envy on the other men's faces when they saw her smiling up at him and dancing in his arms. 'Just think how pissed they would be if they knew she will be in my bed this time tomorrow.' He smiled sadistically, looking forward to it already.

oOo

It was a tired and slightly disheveled group that finally made it back to Grimmauld Place in the early hours of the morning. Hermione yawned and sat in one of the library chairs to take off her shoes as the others made their way through the floo, her cheeks still flushed from the evening's activities.

"Tea?" She enquired tiredly, sticking her legs out and wriggling her toes.

"Merlin yes!" Harry exclaimed, "I'm parched. I'll stick the kettle on." He ambled out of the room and down the stairs to the basement kitchen, closely followed by Ron in search of the biscuit tin.

"I think I'll decline Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall, "My bed is calling me. I have another site meeting tomorrow at the school and it's already later than I thought." With that she bid them goodnight and left the library.

Hermione stood and stretched with another jaw cracking yawn before walking out. She stopped in the doorway to look back at her professor and dance partner, who was yet to comment. She arched an eyebrow in a deliberate imitation of him. "Coming Sir?"

"I suppose so, Miss Granger. It is, after all, tradition for us to be found in the kitchen drinking tea after these things."

She laughed and he marvelled at how often she did that, and with him too. She had appeared to enjoy the evening immensely, spending most of it on the dance floor. Between himself, Harry, Ron and the senior Order members like Kingsley, she was never without a partner and never had to deal with her 'fans'. The only times she stopped dancing were to sit with him on the side and share the gossip she'd heard as she'd spun around the floor, despite his token pleas that he had no wish to hear such things.

He allowed himself a moment of smugness that it was his intervention that had allowed her to spend the time as she had wanted to. It had clearly been appreciated.

oOo

Hermione hummed absently as she wandered around the kitchen collecting the tea cups, the milk and the sugar and placing them all on the table while Harry dealt with the teapot. Merlin, she'd had such a good time that night! Everything had been just right, from her pretty dress and shoe choice to the music the band played all night. Knowing she didn't have to dance with anyone she didn't want to had been a massive relief - it had felt like a weight lifting from her shoulders as soon as the auction ended and her 'duty' was done. No requirement to smile while avoiding being felt up by some letch, no need to cast yet another soothing charm on her bruised toes after another hapless suitor. Instead she had danced with her Professor, Harry and Ron. Even Kingsley had taken her for a turn around the floor, making her laugh in sheer delight when he spun her out flamboyantly before bringing her back close to him.

It had been perfect.

The Professor had been exceptionally tolerant, she thought as she twirled slowly between the cupboards lost in thought, given how often she had approached him to keep her company. He was a good dance partner - not showy like Minister Shacklebolt but infinitely more proficient than either Harry or Ron, both of whose dancing style bore a striking resemblance to a Norwegian Ridgeback trying to do a tango. Professor Snape was nothing but correct in his hold. He didn't pull her too close, but nor did he leave her feeling lost and unprotected. Instead he led her competently around the dance floor, no matter what the band were playing. He'd even allowed her to sit with him when she stopped for a drink and a rest and had deigned to make smalltalk with her.

Just as she sat down at the scrubbed wooden table with the boys he arrived. He looked in two minds as to whether to sit or not. 'Too many Gryffindors?' Hermione thought with a smirk, 'Or maybe it's the thought of having to talk to all three of the golden trio without having house point removal available as a last resort?' Out loud she merely said "Shall I pour, Sir?" and pushed the empty chair opposite her away from the table with her foot so he could sit down.

He folded himself into the chair and nodded when she raised an eyebrow in query at him. 'Must stop using the Professor's mannerisms on him. It's very poor form,' she thought with a giggle. Tea poured, they all sat in silence for a few blessed minutes, punctuated only by the occasional chink of a teacup being lowered and by Ron's crunching as he devoured half a tin of biscuits.

Snape found himself watching the Weasley boy with some fascination. "Did you not eat the meal provided Mr Weasley?" he asked finally.

Ron attempted to answer then realised he had a mouth full of biscuit crumbs. Taking a mouthful of tea, he swallowed before explaining, "Yeah but that was hours ago, and all that dancing was hard work."

"Indeed."

Silence again, this time awkward.

Eventually Harry excused himself, yawning. Ron followed quickly afterwards, leaving Hermione and the Professor alone in the kitchen.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"For what, Miss Granger?"

"For being such a good sport and allowing me to have a lovely evening. I really appreciate you partnering with me - I know you would have preferred to sit in a dark corner with a book like you usually do, Sir."

Severus felt unaccountably warm. "It was nothing, Miss Granger," he dismissed. "Besides, as I recall, I will be compensated amply for my time tomorrow. Well," looking at his watch, "later today, actually."

She grinned up at him again. "Ah yes, the bed warming. I'm rostered to assist in the Hogwarts library all day tomorrow and I doubt I'll get back much before dinner. I know we haven't agreed a time yet… would it be ok if we made it an hour after dinner? That would give me time to freshen up before we… start." She blushed prettily, suddenly feeling tongue-tied at the thought of making arrangements to have sex with her Potions Professor.

"That would be acceptable. You know which room is mine? Top floor, first door on the left."

"And on that note… I should really go find my own bed before it gets any later." She rose from the table and padded around to his side, her shoes in one hand. Leaning down she kissed him on the cheek before going to leave. He wasn't having that though - if she wanted a goodnight kiss he would give her one, and not just a peck on the cheek.

"Come here Miss Granger," he growled. She squeaked endearingly before taking a step back into his space. He pulled her head down and kissed her thoroughly, allowing a little of the anticipation he had for the following evening to bleed into the kiss. He was gratified to discover that she responded enthusiastically, only pulling back when she could feel yet another yawn coming on.

"Oh, sorry, I can't help it," Covering her mouth she yawned hugely then giggled at his expression. "Sorry Sir! It's so late… I really must go. Goodnight!" And with that she ran away.

He allowed himself a small smile at the sound of her giggles as she climbed the stairs. He didn't know how they were going to be in bed, but the signs were very positive. All in all, he couldn't help but feel he'd done rather well out of this deal.

A/N - I know you are all waiting for the smut, and I promise next chapter will be suitably lemony… and maybe there will be some questions from Harry and Ron about her frequent dancing partner. They aren't as clueless as they like to pretend!