UNDER YOUR GAZE
The big night had finally arrived. Ginny looked over herself once more in the full length mirror. If this was the wizarding world the enchanted mirror would tell her to stop fretting. Unfortunately there were no talking mirrors, you had to rely on your eyes and once more muggle and wizard fashion were totally different. Ginny had three different outfits set out on the bed, but none of them seemed to be just right. She finally decided on a black halter neck dress, that wasn't low cut, and was long but clung to her curves. This was adorned with low black heels and a fashionable black shawl, or so the lady at the counter had said. She wore a thin silver necklace with a matching bracelet. Her hair was tide into a bun with wisps falling down giving the impression it was an everyday natural occurrence, when in reality it had taken an impeccable amount of time. She wore the minimalist amount of make-up just enough to cover the dusting of freckles on her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Next was black mascara to lengthen and darken her eyelashes, but no eyeliner as this made her eyes look smaller. This wasn't the only reason however, she had a bad experience with the pencil slipping and poking her in the eye, not the look she was going for. Her mouth was lightly covered with a pink lip gloss with shine that was supposedly meant to last for twelve hours.
She grabbed her clutch which had her wand and other necessities and was out the door, once again locking it in the process to the awaiting limo, this was the privilege of having money. Ginny thought it was about time she learned how to drive. The Chauffeur opened her door and she gingerly stepped in. It felt weird being in such a a spacious place all by herself. Her surrounding neighbours didn't batter an eyelid, they were use to these kind of events happening on a regular basis. It was a wealthy neighbourhood after all. The limo drove off at a nice steady pace, it was forty five minutes before they arrived at their destination. The Chauffeur really didn't say anything much, no matter what Ginny tried, eventually she gave up. She really needed to make new friends but these type of events weren't really friend material. As they pulled up to the venue Ginny still couldn't get over the breathtaking view. Bright lights, a marvels staircase with stone railings, ushers and waiters and lots of rich people, most if not all were couples. As Ginny stepped out of the limo, she suddenly felt very out of place, she was starting to hyperventilate, she tried to calm herself down, hoping against hope no-one was looking at her. Unfortunately this wasn't the case, almost everyone turned to look at this misfortunate soul who had come alone, which only made Ginny feel worse.
"Ginevra dear, so good to see you! After everything you've been through." Everyone's attention went back to focusing on themselves. "Ignore them dear, they're just vultures." It was an elderly woman, not as old as professor Mcgonagall as Ginny had discovered mortality rates were also different in the muggle world. Her white hair curled, her make-up exceptionally overdone, trying and failing to look forty years younger. Her blush was much too deep a colour for her complexion. The elderly woman was dressed lavishly in a lilac gown but her jewellery was over done. Her necklace was large white pearls. Rings on all her fingers, and all exceptionally large. Her wrinkled hand grasped Ginny's firmly in greeting. Despite herself Ginny smiled and the elderly woman smiled back, wrinkles showing around her green eyes. "It's good to see you as well. How are you Mrs Sebastian?" Mrs Sebastian was patting Ginny's hand, like she would a dog or a cat.
"Fine, fine dear can't complain. We should head in, heard this perfumer was exceptionally good looking." Ginny chuckled, Mrs Sebastian had an eye out for a new husband. a younger model, her previous husband had died of old age and this time round she wanted to be the first to go, she had often shared her courage and comfort and provided a Grandmotherly figure to both Harry and Ginny. Ginny then linked arms with Mrs Sebastian as they proceeded up the steps. Once inside Ginny was again in awe, crystal chandlers hung down every fourth or so tile, the tapestry work beautiful, the red carpet walls a little tacky for Ginny's taste but she wouldn't complain they were Griffindor colours after all, and a table was set up just outside the main room for registering everyone. Unfortunately Mrs Sebastian and Ginny were separated. Ginny was told to go right whilst Mrs Sebastian to go left to find their tables. Once inside the main room it was just as stunning it looked like something out of a movie, more red carpeting walls, crystal chandlers, and a stage at the very front. Tables adorned with fine white silk, the chairs done up the same way with green bows to offset everything else, glasses of champagne on each table as well as elegant finger foods. Ginny looked for her table and once again felt very alone, there was absolutely no-one there whilst she looked around to see other tables filling up very quickly, they were all noisy with chatter. Ginny took her seat and took a sip of the champagne in front of her. When someone stopped next to her.
She could just see from the corner of her eye that the figure was dressed all in black. Black slacks, black collared long sleeve shirt and black vest. "Why Mrs Pot.." The voice got no further as Ginny groaned and stood plastering on a fake smile. "Hello Mr Snape what brings you..." She stopped short when she looked at him. His long hair was now placed in a plait. She looked him over. 'He cleans up well.' She thought and mentally slapped herself. This was the git, she was thinking about. "May I sit?" He questioned. Ginny sat back down before gesturing to the chair next to hers.
"Of course." After all it was better than sitting alone.
"So what brings you here?" She questioned gingerly sipping her champagne. He chuckled a deep guttural sound, which suited him and Ginny found herself wanting to hear more of it, it had her body tingling in the most glorious way. "I could ask you the same thing." His deep voice sparkling with something a keen to mischief. However before Ginny could respond, a balding man tapped on the microphone on the stage. "Ladies and Gentlemen could I have your attention please." The general chatter ceased and all eyes were on the balding man. "Thank-you one and all for coming. We haven't had such a turn out since, the new fragrance Poison Ivy was introduced in '94. Ginny cringed she would never wear something called Poison Ivy. Severus for his part shook his head, in his head all he was thinking was 'Dunderheads must have come up with that name, and people actually bought this stuff? You want to wear a fragrance named after a plant that makes you itch and give you a rash? People really are insane.' He tuned in to hear the last parts of the speech.
"I would very much like to introduce you to our new perfumer but alas his modesty has outshone and won this round, we will surely get him on this stage but for now he will be known only as H.B.P." Ginny suddenly turned to Severus her mouth wide in shock, before quickly closing it. "You!" She whispered. He responded in kind with "Indeed." He whispered back in a nonchalant way. The balding man apparently still had a few more lines before he made his exit.
"Please enjoy tonight's festivities and don't forget that thirty percent of a H.B.P purchase goes to charity." The man bowed and left the stage, whilst everyone was clapping, Ginny snickered pretending to cover it with a cough. "May I ask what amuses you so?" Severus inquired, raising his eyebrow. Ginny knew he was more than a well versed Legilimens and could get the information, but he choose to be a gentleman, except she wasn't a lady in the conventional sense of the word. "I'm sorry it's so weird seeing you as a perfumer after you've taught for so many years, and giving thirty percent to charity! I never thought I would live to see the day." She quickly clasped her hands over her mouth. Foot in mouth syndrome certainly ran in the family.
" I'm so..."She never got any further.
"Don't!" He said coldly dismissing it with a wave of his hand. "Come now Ginevra I've known you for most of your teen life. Surely we can both be adults and be on first name basis. As for the charity thing I'm not as heartless as most would think." He said quietly, looking into his champagne as if it would eliminate all his troubles. "It's Ginny and I know you aren't heartless. Contrary to popular belief I do use my brain. I know of your help with Remus' problem." She wouldn't need to elaborate, especially here and now. "I also know of you working for us as a ..." She looked around to make sure no-one was listening or watching, everyone was in the midst of conversation, waiting on more delicate finger food and the next act to begin. "Double agent, I can't imagine how hard it must have been." Severus slammed the glass down hard enough on the table to break, scaring Ginny in the process. "Then don't! Don't presume to know anything. You know nothing, have absolutely no idea!" He was seething, clenching his teeth in sheer frustration. Ginny slapped her hands down in return forcing herself to stand in the process. "I know more than you think! Who do you think Tom first used? I did awful things, things that still have me waking at all hours! Then with the Carrows, you have told them to do things thinking you were lenient, there are things that no-one knows, not Harry, my brothers or you Severus. Now if you'll excuse me, I've made a complete fool of myself in front of everyone, and I've had enough for the night." She grabbed her purse and was gone from sight.
The chatter had instantly ceased when Severus had slammed the glass down, but once Ginny walked away it began again, probably gossiping in hushed and whispered tones about what happened. Severus sat back down stunned, chugging down the rest of his champagne, snapping his fingers at a waiter carrying a tray of champagne glasses. Severus took two glasses off the tray and glared at anyone who stared in his direction, for the most part the majority of people went on as if he didn't exist and that suited him just fine.
Ginny was in the ladies lavatories trying to clean up the mess that was her face, she looked like Courtney Love on a good day, she had that tele contraption to thank for that. Her mascara ran down her face giving her panda eyes. She washed her face carefully trying not to wreck the hours of work, she had crafted for that night. The water also helped wash away the tears, and the redness of her eyes. The door to the ladies swung open suddenly. "Ginny dear! Oh goodness gracious are you alright?" Mrs Sebastian was hugging Ginny the holding her at arms length, making sure she was uninjured. Ginny smiled softly willing herself to shed no more tears. "I'm fine Mrs Sebastian really." Mrs Sebastian didn't look convinced but wasn't going to push the subject.
"Well if you're sure. Who was that horrid man anyway? He's old enough to be your Father, gracious it wasn't your Father was it? No I don't see any resemblance but then again..." Mrs Sebastian did have a tendency to ramble.
"Just an old acquaintance. He tutored me as a teenager and he really isn't that old." Why she was defending his age, she had no idea, which lead to more questions that she knew she had no answers for at present. "Heavens it looked like he was trying to chat you up! He certainly is no looker like Colin Firth." Ginny was tempted to say Colin who? But that would raise suspicion and questions and she had, had a gut full already. She let Mrs Sebastian drone on. She was stuck on the no looker part of the conversation. Sure Severus wasn't handsome in the conventional sense, but he did have certain qualities and charms about him, that made him endearing. Wait! Did she just think that about the bat of the dungeons? She clearly needed another drink, he would hopefully be gone from her table. "Really Mrs Sebastian I'm fine. Just seeing him again brought up memories. I just need a minute to compose myself." Mrs Sebastian nodded her head in sympathy, then turned to check her own reflection. "I understand dear. Well better get back out there to the vultures." She gave a little chuckles and walked out the door. Ginny did compose herself before stepping foot out the door.
Severus for all intense purposes was getting smashed. He pondered to himself was smashed the right word? He shrugged his shoulders and efficiently downed his sixth champagne glass. Of course some of the waiters had tried to slow him down, only to take one look and quickly turn the other way. Severus was just about to down his seventh when it was plucked from his hands. He growled he was about to give this person a piece of his mind, when he heard her soft chuckle.
"Now, now Severus I think you've had enough to drink." He sat their sulking, if he was himself i.e. sober he would probably tell her he was a grown man that could and would look after himself. The fact remained though Severus was drunk, so drunk that he started to see double vision. He wished he had a hang over potion right about now because tomorrow morning, it was going to be ugly. He also vowed never to drink again. Ginny seemed to be voicing his opinions out loud.
"We can't drown our sorrows in this stuff, believe me I tried." She whispered quietly. This of course was when she had lost her husband, she wanted to forget, make and the suffering go away, but it didn't work, it made her feel more depressed, she resolved never to have anything heavier than a couple of sips of wine or champagne every now and then. "Are you even listening Severus?" Oh Merlin, the hangover had already started, he had to get out of here and into his bed.
"Of course I'm listening woman, and not so loud!" He hissed, he stumbled from his seat and Ginny took him by the arm.
"What are you doing?" He demanded, trying to yank his arm free to no avail.
"Helping you not cause a scene Severus, now hold on tight and keep your mouth shut." He muttered something under his breath, Ginny rolled her eyes and walked him out to the entrance.
For his part Severus tried to walk straight, and was doing a fine job. His self hatred raged in his boiling blood. "Not like him, never like him." He kept repeating as he swayed. Ginny didn't comment. "Severus how did you get here?" She questioned hoping he had hailed a taxi or the company brought him here.
"Walked. Thank-you Mrs..P." He hiccuped before he could finish. "Thank-you Ginny." He sighed in defeat, stumbling down one stair after another. He then somehow fumbled and missed two steps, he tried to catch himself but the alcohol was slowing everything down, his left ankle suddenly gave way, causing it to go inwards, pushing Severus forward his hands found the stone railing, unfortunately not before his head did.
Authors Notes: Okay people, muggles and wizards alike we are getting there. Ginny and Severus will start getting a little closer next chapter. Hopefully this chapter is longer than the rest. I'm also looking for a beta so if you would like the position PM. Til next time.