For Lexen, who requested a silly Severus/Hermione.
"How on earth did you ever make me agree to this, woman?" Severus growled at her.
Hermione shot him a naughty smile. "I doubt you want me to explain it to you in public, Severus," she practically purred.
Severus simply grumbled, knowing that his conniving minx of a lover was telling the truth. Hermione had somehow managed to convince him to hold a fashion show for the girls of Hogwarts. According to her, if he insisted on announcing a Yule Ball after the year had already started, he also had to make sure that the girls got a chance to buy whichever dress robes or ball gowns they wanted.
That, combined with her extremely convincing argument a few nights ago, was the cause of the sight he was staring at: Madam Malkin and her ensemble of twittering robe and gown designers turning the Great Hall into a giant catwalk. He could practically see the Founders turning in their graves.
"Oh, stop frowning," Hermione's fond voice broke him out of his gloomy thoughts. "Just look at how happy all the girls are! I'm sure you can excuse the 'frivolous use of Hogwarts' infrastructure' for one night if it makes your students happy."
"Hermione, my job is not to keep the students happy by organising fashion shows for them! They come here to study, not to keep in touch with latest fashions in dress robes and ball gowns!"
"You know, the bat of the dungeons routine doesn't work when the person you're talking to knows you inside and out," Hermione said offhandedly, completely ignoring the dark tone in Severus' voice. "Intimidating me worked better before we started sleeping together."
"Hemi-" Severus broke off mid statement and turned to glare at the girl who had run up to the two of them.
"Ummm…" she said, looking at Severus nervously.
"It's okay, Cynthia," Hermione said encouragingly, shooting Severus a dirty look. "You can say whatever you want to."
At the sound of Hermione's voice, Cynthia turned to face her and the nervous look on her face disappeared to be replaced by pure delight.
"Thank you so much for organising this Professor!" she squealed, "I've found the perfect gown for the Ball, and it's all because you thought of this!"
"It was my pleasure," Hermione said with a smile. "When we had a Ball during my time at Hogwarts, we were told before the start of the year so that we could buy our outfits. You girls didn't have that chance, and I really wanted to make it up to you somehow."
'Oh, this was even better than shopping before the start of the year! This way, we can make sure no one is wearing the exact same outfit! Besides, Madam Malkin's brought along a lot of exclusive designs that we're getting first look at!" Cynthia continued to squeal in excitement. "Anyways, I'd better get back to the show. My friends will be wondering where I've disappeared to."
As soon as the girl disappeared into the throng of teenage girls in the Great Hall, Hermione turned to Severus and cancelled the Muffliato charm he had placed around her.
"You're acting childish," she said, clicking her tongue in disapproval.
"Hermione, the last thing I want to listen to is how some hormonal teenager has found the perfect ball gown! I wouldn't even be here in the first place if you hadn't insisted that the Headmaster had to be there to supervise everyone!"
Hermione looked at him and sighed. Before he could ask her what was wrong, she wound her arm around his neck and pulled him down to meet her lips in a passionate kiss.
She wove her fingers through his hair, exploring his mouth thoroughly before releasing him.
"If you stop complaining and chaperone this like you're supposed, I can promise you you'll get a brilliant reward tonight," Hermione told him, throwing him a sinful smile.
On second thought…maybe the fashion show wasn't such a bad idea after all.
For:
The If You Dare Challenge, Prompt 805. The Stage Is Set
Pairing Diversity Bootcamp, Prompt 1. glad rags
The Legendary Gods and Goddesses Competition, Ame no Uzume
Fantastic Beasts Challenge, Romanian Longhorn