AN/- I would like this space to thank Savannah Rose, Fleur Suoh & MilliePrue-Bellatrix Lestrange for taking the time to review. I really appreciate it.
Chapter 15
The day every girl was waiting for finally arrived, hopefully everything would be perfect tonight, they would dance, eat, kiss their partners under the mistletoe and the night would be perfect, just perfectly romantic with a ball that every girl dreams of going to with a boy who is as lovely and charming as a prince.
All the girls from every school were busy preparing for the ball in the night, while the boys relaxed and lazed around the common rooms, not really bothering a bit about the ball, thinking the best bit would be when the rock band that was invited for the entertainment of the younger crowd would play their brain damaging songs, but no one could deny the fact that the Weird Sisters were the best wizard rock band ever, but Audrey had other thoughts, she preferred muggles when it came to music her friends did not understand her preference but they did not question it, they knew there was no winning an argument with her on the other side defending her opinion without a doubt in her mind, she was too strong willed to lose.
Hermione pulled out a grey dress from her trunk which was half empty most of the contents strewn on her bed as she showed the dress to Audrey, who shook her head in dismal and Hermione threw that with her pile of clothes. She pulled out a red dress and showed it Audrey.
"I like it-but it's too formal—it looks like something you'd wear to a wedding not a ball," said Audrey examining the dress closely as Hermione agreed.
"What about this one?" Hermione asked holding up a beautiful lilac dress as Audrey nodded slightly and asked Hermione to try it on.
"Lovely," commented Audrey as Hermione twirled in her dress and one foot heels, almost tripping over because of them.
"Show me what you've got," said Hermione cheerfully as she changed back into her sweater and pyjamas.
"It's nothing great," said Audrey a small blush on her face.
"Oh! Go on—please!" said Hermione as Audrey grinned and pulled out the black dress that she had bought with her great Aunt that day in Le Blanc street.
"It looks wonderful," said Hermione sounding a little distant, she thought the dress was too plain, it was plain black body hugging dress that went with a brown belt and black pumps. Hermione looked at Audrey, truth was she did look quite lovely in formal clothes, because the minute Audrey put on the dress she became someone else, her hair flowing down to her shoulders as her pumps provided her with the height she needed to look gorgeous. Hermione looked at her for a good minute as Audrey blushed deep red.
"It's ugly isn't it?" she asked quickly as she worriedly took of the belt.
"No, you just look so different—you looked so-delicate!" said Hermione as she smiled at her friend who smiled back at her and pulled her hair into a pony.
"Delicate—yea sure," scoffed Audrey as she took of her pumps and quickly replaced them with her muggle all-star shoes.
It was around seven in the night when the boys finally returned to their dormitories to get dressed, Neville already in his robes stood in the common room waiting for Ginny as he practised his dance moves in the corner accidently almost burning his new shoes in the fireplace.
Harry straightened his black bow tie as he looked at himself in the mirror, almost everyone had left but Ron, who was still in the bathroom since the past hour, when he walked out Harry wanted to laugh but controlled his whole body from shaking in fits of laughter. Ron was wearing the ghastly robes that his mother had sent him, definite hand me downs because the sleeves of the frilly coat where too short for Ron's long arms. Ron combed his hair and then looked at himself in the mirror as Harry reflection shared the mirror with his.
"Look at me Harry—why the bloody hell would Lavender want to even look at me?" said Ron trying to pull of the frill from the coat.
"Murder me Harry," added Ron as Harry put on his black coat and pulled Ron out of the dormitory with him and towards the great hall where they were going to meet their partners or dates if one could call them that.
"Leave it alone," complained Harry as Ron's hand went to the frills on his coat once again as Lavender approached him and her eyes went wide in horror and she gulped taking him in.
"Hello boys," she said putting on a smile to make the best of what she had got for declining Seamus who was taking Madison Dawn from Hufflepuff.
"Ah—Mr. Potter—I'm glad you are here—where is your partner—I hope you are ready for the champion's dance?" said McGonagall walking up to the group as Harry looked at her like she was drunk.
"What dance?" he asked as McGonagall looked at him in disbelief.
"Oh! Dear did I not tell you about this-it is a tradition of the Yule ball that the three champions in these cases five dance to the first dance of the ball," finished McGonagall as her hand softly rested on his shoulder as Harry sighed.
"Well—now you know Potter—now move along—Weasley—I—quite exotic robes Mr. Weasley-very traditional," said McGonagall trying to find the right words as she flipped the frills, Ron sulked while Lavender waved to some Durmstrang who smiled at her devilishly.
"Oh! My god is that Hermione Granger—there with Victor Krum?" shouted Lavender suprised and shocked as Ron and Harry turned to look where she was looking, Victor Krum was offering Hermione his arm as she slipped hers into his, she smiled at Harry who grinned back at her telling her she looked mind blowing but she did not see what Ron's face had contorted into, a wave of jealously capturing him, seemed like he could have a seizure any minute.
"Come on Ron, I don't want to miss this," shouted Lavender pulling Ron by his hand as he grumpily stood in the crowd in the hall which waited for the champions to arrive.
"Hi—looking for someone?" asked Audrey as Harry looked at the staircase anxiously but she startled him from the back.
"I think I found her," he whispered, offering her his arm she took it and they entered the hall with the rest of the champions. The music started as Harry looked around a little confused as Audrey giggled at him.
"Put your hand on my waist," she said as he nodded and followed her instruction, he stepped on her feet several times, but he was pleased when the first song was over that he did not have to dance anymore, he being socially awkward did not help him fit in anyways. Audrey sat down at the head table next to Hermione and Krum, the champions and their partners would be dinning with the staff tonight. Harry returned his two glasses of dragonberry juice in his hands. He handed one glass to Audrey and gulped down one himself as his eyes scanned the hall for Ron, who he saw dancing boredly with Lavender, but it was obvious that Ron was a way better dancer than him.
"I guess—you won't be able to see the Weird Sisters live anyways," said Hermione continuing some conversation that she had been having with Audrey as Krum spoke to Harry.
"Why not?" harry asked confused.
"No, No—ve vil be able to see it but—after the teachers ball—it is impolite to walk away for the champions—that is vot our headmaster has instructed us—I'll believe it applies to all the champions," said Krum smiling as Audrey gulped, his face was amusing when he spoke but it would be insulting and rude to laugh at him, let alone she might just embarrass herself by spitting the juice on her new dress.
The ball went on as people now settled down for dinner, most of the head table was full of the teachers and important dignitaries, the minister of magic for Britain, France and Russia had come down and where sitting next to each other, while the champions sat next to each other, Audrey sat in between Hermione and Harry as her glass goblets were magically filled with water and Dragonberry juice, Audrey noticed her mother sitting next to Jean who was smirking something into her ears as Sirius who was sitting on the other side of her was talking to Remus who laughed lightly at what he said. But the oddest bit of this was she noticed Snape talking to Malfoy's father, who was also one of the governors of the school, but Snape seemed more interested in what was going on with Jean and her mother. He caught her looking at him as she looked away instantly a blush on both their cheeks at the embarrassment on being caught looking at people they shouldn't be.
"You alight?" Harry asked her a little worried as she shook her head smiling politely as he smiled back and cut his portion of shepherd's pie.
"Can I ask you something about Sirius?" she asked curiously as Harry nodded.
"Why does he hate Snape so much?" she inquired slowly, she knew that if she found out why Sirius hated Snape, maybe it would be the same reason why her mother hated the man.
"Well—all Sirius has ever told me about this is that Snape was there classmate—classic Slytherine—you know big headed git poking his nose in other people's business—Dumbledore told me once that my father saved his life—but I don't think he cares about that—he's a bloody git—besides isn't it pathetic enough that he hates me because he had a tiff between him and my father," finished Harry a little loathingly, they could hear Krum telling Hermione about something.
"No, Hogwarts is like summer for us—it is very cold in the parts vhere Durmstrang is situated-" stated Krum.
"Our campus is huge—the quidditch pitch thrice the size of yours and sometimes it's too easy to get lost in the castle," finished Krum excitedly.
"Now—Victor we mustn't tell our young—friend—everything about our castle—you know the policy," said Karkaroff looking slightly worried as his grand white robes made him look odd but the next speaker had bright blue robes with twinkling stars stitched to them these robes which stood out so vividly that one couldn't help but look into his twinkling blue eyes.
"Hogwarts has its own traps you know Igor-once I was looking for a bathroom with a full bladder, when I suddenly spotted a room and when I went in—to my delight I found the room full of chamber pots that I did not existed at all," explained Dumbledore with glee as McGonagall who was sitting next to him slumped and closed her eyes shut quickly as Karkaroff threw a worried glance at Dumbledore like he had lost his marbles. Audrey laughed and so did Harry, some people put their spoons full of food down and tried to clear their heads but before Dumbledore could continue with his story Audrey heard her Great aunt stop him, she saw her leg lick his hard from below the table as he flinched a little.
"Bloody hell-What?" he groaned acting like he was straightening his dark blue socks with silver moons.
"Must you always tell this atrocious story," hissed Minerva looking at him distastefully.
"I think it works as a perfect ice breaker my dear," said Dumbledore as Minerva shook her head and Albus looked at Audrey and chuckled as she gave him a bright smile that showed of her perfect set of white teeth.
An hour and a half into dinner most of the hall had cleared into the tent set outside where the weird sisters were performing, there first song the very famous 'dance like a hippogriff.'
Severus did not wish to dance but the stupid ritual called for it, truth was he hadn't asked anyone to the ball in the first place, his ego thought he was perfectly lonely and it suited his demeanour, let's be practical no one would want to go out with a foul git like him, he was cold, rude, sharp and greasy all the things woman preferred not to find in a man. Besides his argument was that woman were nothing but distractions, they needed devoted attention all through the day, they would want to be complimented however ugly they were and they certainly did not want to have a man beat them in a healthy conversation, also he could not handle tears, when woman cried they were casting spells without wands and forcing the man to succumb to her wishes, Severus was not one of those men and therefore he preferred to stay aloof from the other kind as many called women.
Lucius and Narcissa were dancing quite fondly, cheek to cheek and so were Dumbledore and McGonagall, Hagrid had puckered courage and asked Maxine for a dance who had blushed but obliged to his request finally, even Filch was dancing with madam Pince the librarian while Mrs. Norris was purring next to his feet, Mad eye Moody was happily twirling Madam Pomfrey his feet working delightfully to his advantage for once and then there were Jean and Rachel dancing like they were in love, dancing like they were meant to be, like- Severus glared into the crowd of dancing champions looked at him pitifully as he sat at the table thinking to himself, thankfully Black was dancing with the young Durmstrang teacher who was definitely a little high on all the wine she had guzzled down like she had never had any before.
"Why is he not dancing—isn't it tradition?" asked Audrey looking at Snape as he sighed and looked at his feet, she felt extremely bad for him.
"Who cares about Snape anyways?" said Harry looking at Snape and then looking away quickly.
"He seems so sad and lonely—maybe that's why he's so bitter," said Audrey as Hermione shrugged while Harry shook his head. Someone walked up to Snape though, she was a blonde woman and she looked a little drunk
"Why are you not dancing Severus?" asked Charity Burbage softly as she held a glass of fire whiskey in her hand.
"Because, Ms. Burbage—I—don't wish to part take in silly balls," said Severus as she looked at him a small smile on her lips, she was obviously very drunk.
"Why not?—dance with me," she exclaimed pushing her hand into his, as Snape's expression went cold, he did not like the feeling that was overpowering him to go forward with this, lust was a bad sign, it had always been and was yet overwhelming—but he had to keep himself in check, keep his adrenaline down to think clearly, she was his colleague he could not possibly take it anywhere but there.
"I—cannot possibly—I apologize—I am an appalling dancer," he said shaking her hand away.
"Don't worry I'll let you stamp my feet once in a while," she said as they were finally on the dance floor.
"Look! Snape's dancing with the muggle studies professor," said Hermione softly as everyone's eyes went to the couple.
"I think Burbage has something for Snape," claimed Hermione giggling as Audrey grinned at her.
"I think she's too drunk to know what she's doing," said Harry stating the truth as the girls glared at him.
"Point taken," said Krum high fiving Harry as Fleur and Roger Davis were now snogging behind the table.
Severus had waltzed for a minute with the woman before she closed the gap between them, his body reacting to the effect in a very adverse way, a way that he had not felt on a long time, a way he did not want to feel in such an awkward moment. He could feel her breath on his ears, she smelt delicious, wine and fire whiskey mixed with Merlin knew some awfully delicious strawberry flavoured dish.
"I want you Severus—I always have," she said seductively into his ear as he gulped, his body stiffening as professor Flitwick announced something.
"This is becoming very enjoyable—and therefore I wish for the champions to join us in a little traditional game that we are meant to play during the Yule balls-itis a little like the waltz but not exactly," announced Filius Filtwick.
"This game is simple—everyone has a partner—now the ladies will circulate clockwise while the gentlemen will stay in the same place, so one will get a chance to dance with everyone—when my friend Luther here says switch the women will switch their partner, shall we begin then?" finished Flitwick as the hall announced their approval as the champions joined in the fun even Fleur and Roger stopped snogging and joined.
"Switch," announced Luther merrily as the women groaned but swiftly moved to their respective other partners. Severus was thankful that Burbage was now Lupin's problem and not his, he wasn't pleased about the fact that he was stuck playing this ridiculous game and the worst bit was his next partner was Narcissa.
A few lines into the song, did Luther announce the switch where Severus got Hooch, and seven switches and seven women later he began enjoying himself a small smile was present on his face and at the next switch his partner was young Adams, she smiled at him politely. The music began as she spoke to him politely.
"I don't really like dancing-" she said looking at him for an answer.
"Yes, it is rather tedious would you say," he added to her talk as she shook her head, as they swirled in the spot she noticed her mother staring quite intently at them from her dancing with Sirius who was having too much fun, quite high himself.
"Professor Snape-may I ask you something?" she began as Severus looked at her intently and agreed to her request, it was Christmas Eve.
"Not to offend you or anything but out of curiosity I was wondering why does my aunt despise you?" she asked, she noticed his brows furrow.
"Why do you not ask your aunt this?" he asked back, or better yet Lupin or Black, he thought.
"Because she wouldn't tell me—she doesn't tell me anything and she wouldn't let Remus either," finished Audrey in an obvious way.
"Why so?" he asked trying to change the subject and he succeeded for the time being.
"I don't know—some codswallop about protecting me or some such," scoffed Audrey rolling her eyes at the thought of her mother as she heard Snape chuckle to himself.
"I see—then do you not think that it would be wrong for me to disclose information that may harm you in any way?" said Severus matter of factly as Audrey slumped.
"I suppose—but I thought you were a reliable source—you wouldn't lie to me," she said in an obvious way.
"And why would I not lie to you miss Adams," he asked, this conversation was the first one of the night that he was enjoying.
"Because you hardly know me," she replied frowning as she thought of an answer.
"That gives me even more liberty to lie to you, now does it not?" he finished winning her argument as she looked up at him his eyebrows were far away on his forehead while his eyes were into hers, she had never lost an argument to anyone before, this man was something else, he was the father of back answers and witty replies, she felt pleased to know him.
"I don't remember the last time someone won an argument against me," she exclaimed as Luther announced switch.
"Well—Ms. Adams welcome to change," he said as he twirled her for the last time on his finger and let her pass onto Lupin who had heard the whole conversation, but before she walked to her godfather she said something to him that kept the faintest smile plastered on his face for the rest of the night.
"I don't think you're an appalling dancer."
After Audrey he got to dance with Granger and Severus could not believe that she was so graceful but two twirls and Luther shouted "switch" as Rachel landed into his arms, she was still smiling from dancing with Victor Krum, but her smile faded when his arms caught her around the waist and secured her there, she looked at him and he looked back at her and she discreetly slipped her hand into his as he knew that she just wanted to get it over with, but feeling her hand in his brought back nostalgic feelings, their first dance at their graduation ball, the first time he ever told her he loved her, the first time he kissed her, the first time he nibbled her ear and made her laugh, the first time they made love. Every memory playing out in his head as he danced with her, taking in her wonderful fragrance, she was still beautiful to him and not seeing her for fourteen years had made him even hungrier to take the moment in, to remember her face, to quickly scribble a sketch of them dancing.
She knew he was looking at her intently but she refused to meet his gaze, she refused to be civil and smile, if she had been a whinny Hufflepuff she would maybe have refused to dance with him too, but people would understand why should the beautiful Rachel Adams dance with ghastly looking Severus Snape, why should she even consider him? When she had the most handsome man waiting for her at the other side of the hall who was so much more better then the dungeon bat.
Rachel had a simple theory, if she did not look at him, she would not remember anything, she would not feel anything and she would not cry over anything that night in her room. But the minute his hand rested on her waist, the feeling of familiarity returned to her body, the feeling only he brought within her veins, awakening them from fourteen years of hibernation, however stiff she wanted to be, her body automatically relaxed into his embrace, all she wanted to do was rest her head on his shoulder and wait for him to say soothing words into her ears like he had so many years ago, his breath tickling her neck as he would then kiss it soundlessly and make her feel something only he could create within her, that feeling of love but something different something that tickled in between her legs like he had placed feathers on her body.
Little did she know that just as she had been eyeing her daughter, Audrey's eyes had been stuck on her mother ever since she got into her great uncle's arms for a small dance, she had never seen her mother like that before not even with Jean, with Jean it was as if she was forcing her body to react to his moves, Audrey had noticed she was not blind like the others, she knew something was up, there was something definitely going on between them and she would find out what it was, even if that could result in her being grounded for the rest of her life.
The game came to an end soon but it was way almost midnight and the students would need to return to their dormitories in half an hour or they would miss curfew.
Harry strolled up to Audrey who was speaking to Sirius as he laughed at something she said as she reciprocated with laughter from her side as well. Harry bid Sirius goodnight and asked Audrey to join him in getting Hermione out so that they could find Ron and return to the common room. They found Hermione alright, they found her snogging Krum as they gently pulled away from each other blushing embarrassed as they noticed Harry and Audrey walk up to them a small blush on their cheeks as well for walking in on their friends snogging. Hermione kissed Krum on the cheek and bid him goodnight as he gently pressed her hand and then let her leave with Harry
They found Ron sitting by the empty drinks table his coat in his hands as he grumpily sat with a glass of butterbeer besides him, the lot walked upto them as Audrey spotted Leon and Gabrielle smiling out to her and she excused herself to go speak to them.
Hermione sat down next to Ron and smile as Harry sat down on the other side.
"Hasn't Vicky come to escort you back?" snarled Ron as he looked at Hermione who was taken aback by his sudden rudeness.
"No, the ball's over," said Hermione a little confused as anger rose in her head as well.
"Well—I guess he's going to tell all his friends about how Harry's egg is malfunctioning," shouted Ron as Hermione stood up and glared at him, Harry was looking at the two of them intently.
"How dare you Ronald Weasley—Harry's my best friend what makes you think I would tell Victor anything?" she snarled.
"Well-you went out with the enemy—it's pretty obvious why he asked you out," said Ron matter of factly his jealousy taking the better of him as tears formed in Hermione's eyes, she blinked them away, she was not going to let him make her cry again, so she let anger replace the tears.
"Enemy—Harry went out with Audrey what about that?" she snarled.
"That's different!" he replied.
"How?—besides the point of this tournament is interschool mingling—making new friends—it's not my fault you couldn't make any," said Hermione proving her point as Harry looked at her, she was going to break any minute he knew it.
"Besides, he's too old for you," said Ron finishing his argument as tears fell from Hermione's eyes and fell on her dress.
"If you want to ask me out again—do it before someone else does," she said crying.
"What the bloody hell are you talking about?" Ron asked horrified at her accusation.
"You're the biggest git Ronald Weasley—I don't want to talk to you again," said Hermione as she ran up the stairs and away from the crowd as Ron made a face like he didn't care and Harry rubbed his head with his fingers and walked out to the decorated grounds to get some air.
"Hey—are you alright?" Audrey asked walking up to him, she had heard everything.
"Yea—I'm fine—would you check up on Hermione for me?" Harry asked as she nodded and smiled at him as they sat down on the bench behind the bushes.
They could hear a muffled voice from the back mumbling something and they peered into the bushes to see who it was, they noticed Hagrid standing there with Maxine as he fumbled something making her laugh.
"Odd! What is a water beetle doing here?" asked Audrey picking up the insect from the bush placing it on the ground as Harry shushed her and tired to listen.
"I think you look beautiful tonight Olympe," said Hagrid as Maxine blushed and smiled, while Harry acted like he was going to vomit, while Audrey elbowed him in the ribs.
"Just tonight?" asked Maxine smiling as Hagrid shook his head violently.
"No I meant-!" he began as Maxine closed the gap in between them her lips against Hagrid's as he pulled her closer to him and went full French on her, Maxine seemed to be enjoying it.
Audrey covered her mouth from giggling as they broke apart because of he need of air and they could hear Hagrid excitedly conclud something.
"I knew it—the moment I saw you—I knew it—that you were it—your mum—it was my mum," he said excitedly as Audrey's brows furrowed.
"What's he talking about?" she asked Harry as Harry shrugged.
"What do you mean?" Maxine asked innocently.
"You're a half giant aren't you—just like me—me mum was a giantess, dad a wizard—was it your dad?" asked Hagrid again as Maxine looked astonished and taken aback as she pulled away from him quickly.
"What!-I'm not half giant—that is a ridiculous conclusion—it's just big bones—how dare you—a measly groundskeeper accuse me of such a thing," shouted Maxine angrily as she turned on her heels and stormed into the school leaving Hagrid shaken and upset as his he walked slowly back towards his hut.
"What are you doing Potter!" snarled Snape from behind as he pulled Harry out of the bushes as Audrey came out behind him, Snape looked a little shocked to find that she had been in the bushes with Potter but he covered his emotions with a cold mask as he smirked at Harry.
"Well- well—I see—how this is—you are aware you are not allowed to do things as such—and in the bushes—Potter—let's see that would be—hundred points of-," started Snape as Harry got out of his grip on his collar and stood straighter.
"We—weren't doing anything!" said Harry a dark blush creeping on his cheeks, he was being accused for doing something that he did not have the guts to even of was a Gryffindor.
"Really—and why should I believe you Potter?" snarled Snape as he conveniently ignored Audrey who stood there biting her lower lip worriedly.
"Because you can't prove it," snapped Harry smiling as Snape's eyes glared at him and once again Harry had a feeling that his mind was being read by Snape.
"You'll pay for that Potter-ten points from Gryffindor—for being out of the castle after curfew," snapped Snape as Audrey looked at him confused, she opened her mouth to retaliate it was hardly a few minutes past curfew.
"Right—goodnight Professor—Come on Audrey," said Harry pulling her by her hand with him as they dashed to the common room before they had more points cut off. Snape's eyes following them as they disappeared as they climbed back up towards the Gryffindor tower.
AN/- hey guys-I hope you enjoyed this chapter-also i have been thinking of doing a series of stories with Audrey by that I mean (book 4-Book7) what do you think? Tell me if you think it's a good idea. Also please review, thanks for reading anyways.
Cheerio
~Penny