Hello, this is a long chapter. I'm sorry but my beta is very busy, she's going to get it done next week, so if you want to read it later that's fine because it will be better when she's finished with it. However if you are impatient like me, or you have had to much wine,like me! Read. Apologies anyway, this chapter is abit self indulgent, also very wordy. Murder and action in following chapters. Again sorry this is slow, I enjoyed it! Sorry if you hate it. Comments are nice. But you might want to wait for the beta version before I'm flamed
Professor Snape sat in his office, his favourite whiskey glass nestling in his palm, he swirled the liquid around the crystal, releasing the velvety scent. The habit had become so frequent, the glass, almost felt like an extension of his own hand. Poetic and Byronic, but on reflection, not good. 'Have I escaped one servitude for another form of slavery? Could I take it or leave it?Or is the demon drink my new master?' Questions he didn't want to answer, possibly ones he couldn't. " Sobering thoughts indeed " He said aloud, replacing his glass on the table. The professor leaned back on his chair, lounging with a casual grace, that was surprising in the normally formal man. His black eyes watched the fire jump and crackle, the colours starting to reflect and to absorb into the darkness. The low light and the warmth of the glow filled him, and his eyes began to close. Suddenly a loud cracking noise filled the room. Snape immediately sat bolt upright, jolted out of his near slumber. The cause of the noise, was immediately apparent in the form, of an elderly house elf.
"Kreacher! Since when has it become acceptable practice, to appear uninvited, In my office?"
"My apologies sir, I mistook your command. I thought I was to return when I had fulfilled my mission."
Kreacher's voice quivered as his eyes roamed the office for something suitable to beat himself with. His eyes lit up and his arms flew out to grab Snape's decanter. "I will punish myself, stupid Kreacher always in the wrong!"
Snape reached out with lightening speed to grab the Elf's boney little wrist, before his precious decanter got sacrificed He stared at the trembling elf, a scathing retort ready to fly from his tight lips.
Kreachers tired old eyes were averted in fear, as he awaited his punishment.
Snape sighed, and pity filled him, and for the first time in many years he could act on it.
"Punishment will not be necessary ... my friend." He winced slightly at the unfamiliar phrase.
"F... F...friend?" Stuttered the shocked house elf still cringing under Snape's tight grip."
Seeing that his decanter had been forgotten, Snape released his hold. "Yes kreacher why not? We both put our trust in the wrong people, we have both been used. So comradeship is surely acceptable. I will not now, or ever ask you to punish yourself in such barbaric methods. "
"With respect Sir... are you drunk?" Questioned the elf who was once again eyeing the decanter nervously."
Snape followed his gaze, huffing in annoyance, as he too rested his eyes on the crystal.
"Why would you ask that?"
"Because you are drinking Sir, and... Why would you ever want to be friends... With me?"
Snape closed his eyes for a moment almost as if in pain.'I should of told him to iron his ears' he thought grimly. The wizard then started to talk himself out of the mess his moment of compassion had left him in.
"I'm tired Kreacher, I'm also losing patience... I have, had a drink, I'm certainly not intoxicated. Clearly the concept of freedom and comradeship is too much for you. I will make it simple, suffice it to say, you have no need to call me Sir. However, that doesn't mean you can appear in my office uninvited. In future, knock at my door,and if its convenient, you will be welcome. Now ...just tell me what you wanted, and let's forget this frankly disturbing conversation."
Kreacher was looking up at Snape, like he was a dog that could bite at any moment.
He rang his hands together in a nervous gesture.
"I'm sorry Sir..."began Kreacher. Snape sighed. "I just wanted to tell you, I have left the gifts for my masters friend where she will find them. I left them in her Study."
He bowed slightly and started to back away towards the door.
Snape was startled for a moment, he'd forgotten the job he gave Kreacher. The poor elf obviously had good reason to think him intoxicated having made such a foolish decision, and then to forget about it! Pure, base, idiocy.
"Alright Kreacher, thank you. You can go now." Kreacher bowed and left the room.
Snape sat down once again, thoroughly awake and completely annoyed with himself.
'Like a bloody teenager, What was I thinking? ' Severus Snape had asked himself many questions that evening, he didn't like the answers to any of them. He hoped Hermione would see the gift as a thank you and no more, because of-course that was all it was, then he remembered the rose. He groaned softly, resting his forehead against his finger tips, covering his eyes with his palm.
"Damn!" He exclaimed softly. 'Maybe she will think the rose came from someone else ... I didn't leave a note... Hell, coupled with the poetry book I didn't need to, it was obvious, you idiot! A few whiskeys, a moment of self indulgence, equalling to the third most stupid thing I've ever done.' He berated himself, cringing at the thought of explaining the gifts to anyone, let alone Hermione.
He knew everyone would be getting ready for the ball now. Possibly in the excitement, she wouldn't notice the gift, maybe during the feast he could get Kreacher to bring them back. 'I am a coward' he thought glumly.
He had a few hours before the feast, people were only just arriving at the castle. His head ached, Snape turned his attention to the fire and magically enhanced it trying to drift off to sleep once more. He did succeed and for an hour he slept off his headache and his problems.
"Severus... Severus, wake up" The Scottish voice was low and insistent. A cool and calm hand swept over his face pushing his long black hair out of his eyes. The slumbering professor jolted slightly and opened his eyes slowly. The headmistress was leaning over him, trying to rouse him gently. "Good evening Severus, have you slept it off?" she asked primly, glancing at his near empty decanter.
Snape struggled to sit up properly.
"You must be very tired, or very hung over, I don't think I have ever caught you unawares before, you've always remind me of poor Mad eye, with his 'constant vigilance' but your guard was well and truly down there wasn't it, dear? It's a good job I mean you no harm." She finished smugly, waiting for his explosion.
Snape stood up carefully, pushing professor McGonagall to one side. He straightened his clothes and adjusted his cuffs.
"Yes you do Minerva, you never visit me without trying to inflict harm. You are the second person to enter my office with out permission and accuse me of drinking to much. Do I still have human rights? Am I not allowed to be at peace and relax , maybe... perish the thought ... sleep? I think I've earned it Now the dark lord is no more. Pardon me if I'm wrong, I thought peace was what we fought for!"
Severus Snape waited calmly for the headmistress' response.
"It was indeed what we fought for, although I fear you will not find your own personal peace in the bottom of that decanter, please for your sanity stop looking in the bottle for the things your missing. I'm sorry you feel I have infringed on your privacy, Unfortunately it has been brought to my attention, by a certain deranged portrait, that I care about you, as a colleague and as a friend. After much heated protestation, It's been made clear to me that the old dingbat may be correct. I don't want to watch you go down this path, we could be friends Severus, but don't worry, I understand if you can't accept that, however you need to understand, that I will never stop trying to be a friend."
The intimidating witch looked Snape straight in the eye, The wizard before her calmly returned the eye contact.
Although inside he suddenly realised how Kreacher had felt only an hour or so ago, when he had offered friendship; Unworthy and confused, but unlike the Elf he'd be damned if he would show it.
"Minerva, friends don't spy, true friends respect privacy." He said quietly
"You were a spy, but you did it for a friendship, you did it or Lilly..."
At this Snape interrupted with a shake of his head. "Don't! please, I don't want to continue this conversation... Please respect me... Just this once, your talking nonsense anyway, so ...just be quiet."
"Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense, and to have her nonsense respected." Replied McGonagall in the hope of engaging Snape in their usual game and hopefully lightening the mood.
Snape smiled thinly and decided to play, "There is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature. I think we have established we read the same books, lets just keep our conversation there. I do thank you Minerva, I know you mean well. Please knock next time you visit or send a message. Again that's the second time I've said that today, it's getting old."
McGonagall raised her eye brow, "Two friends in one day? Your on a roll my dear."
"Friends don't spy, remember ?" Came the low growl.
"I remember, but I also recall banging very loudly on your door a few moments ago, without getting a response from you. You are always quick to respond, so I was worried, friends worry, hence the intrusion into your private world of solitude and whiskey."
"My patience... Wearing thin." His smile had now disappeared in irritation.
"Yes... Yes, I'm sure it is, so is mine. Why in Merlins name are you not ready for the ball?"
"My god woman, have you lost your memory? Did we or did we not have this very argument only a few days ago?"
"Yes Severus we did, and if my memory serves me correctly I won it!"
"Your memory is defective. I did not agree."
Minerva made her way to the door, smiling slightly. "Yes-you-did! you did not agree to dress up, thats fine by me. You have thirty minutes Severus, you can miss the gathering in the entrance hall, but you will be there for the for the feast, and the dance! Have a shower, you smell like a distillery, gargle something minty , drink some coffee."
"No." Snape looked at her with mutinous eyes.
"You look eleven again, I'm almost tempted to take away house points. However I can resort to blackmail, you were very sweet when you were sleep talking."
Snape scowled feeling his authority slipping away under the ministrations of his own former teacher.
"Pull yourself together Severus, and get a move on."
Then like a mother after chastising a child, she flounced out of the room in full confidence that Severus would do as he was told.
The last few guests dribbled in, the moment had arrived. Eight o'clock heralded the opening of the doors to the great hall.
Gasps and sighs filled the air as wizards and witches took in the beauty of the Grandiose centre of hogwarts with it's endlessly vaulted ceiling, it reflected a night of icy starlight. Candles floated midway adding warmth to the vision.
The usual dining furniture had been transfigured. Small mahogany cocktail tables now scattered around the sides of the room, each one with a silver wine cooler, and a crystal globe, enchanted fire glowed from the midst of the decoration. Ice sculptures graced the sides of the hall, twisted icy trees their branches draping high over head, tiny gold apples glistened from the ends of the silver branches. Under the trees, Carved out of the frigid ice, Tall elegant figurines, depicting dancing women, sharp, austere, yet intoxicatingly beautiful.
Silver trays, laden with crystal wine goblets, hovered towards the guests as they flowed through the door. Attention was then drawn to the Corner of the room, an orchestral ensemble was magically playing Tchaikovsky, The Sleeping beauty waltz. Musician less violins and violas, were suspended at neck height, whilst the bows, unheld, stroked across the strings. Cellos without cellists, spun dramatically, the low reverberating sound deliciously filling the hall. Most fascinating was the baton, charmed by Proffesor flitwick; it was emphatically conducting the phantom orchestra, suspended in mid air, making artistic sweeping movements, as if by an invisible hand.
People soon grouped around the tables, pouring out wine taken from from the ice buckets. The swish and sway of crepe's and silks, accompanied by the chink of glasses, the pops of corks, and of course the tinkling sound of wine splashing onto fine crystal, sounds that seemed rhythmically in tune to the music.
Harry and Draco led their dates to a table, and poured them wine. Hermione smiled gratefully at Draco as she took the glass from his out stretched hand. Turning round to survey the room, she was pleased to notice Molly, Arthur and Percy Weasley. She spotted them easily all three were badly disguised, Molly having just a fur trimmed hooded cloak and a small hand held mask. Hermione wasn't even sure what Arthur was trying to be, but he was at least wearing a small black mask, whereas Percy hadn't bothered at all and wore his usual dress robes with a complimentary supercilious expression on his face. Two other wizards stood with this family, Hermione immediately recognised one, as she had suggested the outfit, George was Punchinello, the colourful hunchback outfit with his old beater club was very affective, and coupled with the mask with it's massive nose, very funny and very George. Hermione wondered sadly what Fred would have come dressed as had he still been alive.
Charlie she guessed, due to his red hair, he was dressed as a highway man and very dashing he was too. She waived towards them mouthing that she would come over in a minute.
They returned the smiles and Molly Weasley waved. They were putting on a brave face.
It was strange to see the Great hall full of adults with not a child insight. Although a few war heroes invited were Mid teens, because of this Hermione detected a charm on the wine, it would not pour for anyone under eighteen. 'Pure Genius' she thought.
Many of the Professors were all ready mingling in the crowd, The headmistress however was a slightly late arrival, her robes seemed very similar to her normal ones, but she did wear a cat mask that looked very nice on her.
When the orchestra finished playing, and all the guests were in the hall Professor McGonigall walked over to the familiar lectern to begin her welcome address.
"Hogwarts welcomes you all this evening, to thank you, for everything you have done, for everything you have sacrificed ..." at this pause, silence shrouded the room, heads bowed in contemplation, the giggles and whispers turned of like a tap with only unshed tears threatening to drip. "for all who are here, be courageous! Enjoy the life you have fought for. Let the lives of those lost not be in vain, they fought so their friends and family's could be safe and happy. Allow our departed comrades to be victorious. Show their memories it was worth it. So Many are struggling over the guilt of survival, Some are unable to join us today, the sorrow to great for them to bare. A few have been cajoled or encouraged to this party by well meaning friends. I urge you to keep meaning well, to keep building friendships, to look out for those hurting, to take care of those made fragile. In unity we have strength, Continue to fight for happiness. But for Tonight ... eat, drink, dance, and please laugh because it really is the best medicine, for one friend in particular, it's what he would have wished to hear. There will be no more speeches tonight, no more needs to be said. So In the time honoured tradition, and in the words of my very dear friend, let the feast commence." Professor McGonagall's eyes hazed over as she fought her own emotions, she turned to Dumbledores portrait, glad of her decision to reposition it for the evening, she smiled through the mist.
"Thank you Albus" she whispered.
Dumbledore's own eyes appeared moist like fresh paint. Proving that portraits could indeed cry, he began to clap and the sound filled the room as everyone began to applaud.
Hermione trembled as did Ginny, full of emotion and memory's. Harry looked dazed as he thought about all the things they'd been through. Draco dug him in the ribs nodding towards Ginny. Harry cursed himself that it was Draco who had noticed Ginny's need of comfort, yet as he folded his arms around his girlfriend he looked over her shoulder and gave a grateful nod of thanks.
Hermione was gazing at the Weasley's, who like many family's were hugging and kissing each other and her heart went out to them, she saw to her relief that Ron and Cho had arrived, Cho was stood awkwardly, watching Ron embrace George.
Fleur and Bill had also arrived, they were removed somewhat from the family, appearing to take their comfort from each other. Hermione thought Fleur must be very emotional, as her usual breathtaking radiance seemed missing. Straightening herself she turned back to Draco whom she noticed had placed his hand on her shoulder, his masked face bent close to her ear, he whispered words she never imagined would come from him, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry I was one of those that would happily have caused you pain, I wish I had no guilt, I wish I'd been a hero, not a villain, then I could offer you real comfort."
His comical nose pushed at her cheek Making her smile through her tears.
"You do offer comfort Draco, your the prodigal son... the one that is rejoiced over, because you were lost and now your found. There's darkness in all of us Draco,just some keep the light on all the time, so you only glimpse slight shadows. I'm glad you Had the chance to turn on your light, don't let the shadows haunt you. You can be a hero now."
It was at this point that Draco was very glad to have his mask on, he felt his manly reputation would defiantly be lost with out it, he coughed slightly, "Ok witch, point out this useless pretty boy your after so I can prove I'm a better catch."
Hermione smiled at how far off the mark he was, and wondered if the professor that unnervingly filled her thoughts, was also one of the ones mentioned, who couldn't come to the party, as he was nowhere to be seen.
"I can assure you that Draco Malfoy is the best looking man of my acquaintance." she said with a twinkle in her eye.
"I know... But it's always nice to have it reaffirmed." his usual casual arrogance slipped back into place.
They both giggled and it appeared to be infectious. It was as if a spell had been broken, a ripple of laughter rolled around the room , the chattering bubbled forth once again, having now acknowledged their departed friends, the guests seemed ready and determined to enjoy the party.
The orchestra struck up another refrain, this time it was the carnival of the animals, the music of the aquarium. Warmth one again flooded the room. Aperitifs and Hors d'oeuvre's began to appear on the little tables and on floating trays, people began to relax and enjoy. Hermione wandered over to Molly and Arthur and chatted for a while.
Cho surprised Hermione by giving her a massive hug, Ron was taken back too by Cho's apparent desire to be friendly with the girl she always seemed to dislike, she slipped her arm through Hermione's then squeezed gently and whispered in her ear."Your so beautiful, I would say the most beautiful girl here . Your dress is amazing, how it keeps changing colour, very unique."
Hermione felt very uncomfortable being flamboyantly praised by this unfamiliar clingy Cho, so she very quickly, but politely, removed herself from her proximity. She used Professor Slughorn as her excuse, he was conveniently trying to get her attention anyway. He was always looking out for members of his old slug club. From the corner of her eye she saw Draco still with Harry, he was nervously looking around the room. When he felt Hermione look over, he immediately emboldened his stance and swaggered over to her, so they could greet professor Slughorn together.
"Hello sir." they said in unison "My my, the best witch in your year... And might I add... the most attractive." Hermione cringed a little as he kissed her hand. "How are you sir?" asked Draco removing her hand from Slughorn's grasp and holding it by his side uncompromisingly. "I'm very well err..."
"Malfoy sir." sighed Draco.
"Ahh Yes...yes indeed, Mr Malfoy..." he turned back to Hermione "Things are nearly back to normal, it's really wonderful to see and hear news from all my old friends and pupils, I've even got myself tickets for the Holy Head Harpies again from the lovley Gwenog Jones." he took a self satisfied sip of his wine, then continued "How enchanting you look in my house colours my dear, I never thought to see you sport them. I fear it's not for my benefit... But Mr err..." he broke off again squinting at Draco.
"Malfoy sir." Draco supplied again with barely suppressed irritation.
"Quite." murmured The old professor turning once again to Hermione. "Is that so Miss Granger? are you trying to Impress a former member of my house, give me a twirl my dear, let me see the full effect."
Hermione tried to oblige but was restricted, Draco refused to let go of her hand, so he raised her arm and twirled her in a dance move instead.
"Enchanting quite enchanting" gushed the professor. Hermione was quite pink with embarrassment now, but she thanked him and urged Draco to lead her back to Harry.
Many people watched Hermione with the Scaramouche, and those who didn't know, wondered who was spinning her round so prettily.
Cho was also watching,with an undefinable expression on her face."Who's Hermione with Ron?" She asked grasping at his arm. "Draco Malfoy, the ferrety arse."He replied. "What's she doing with a death eater, that's so irresponsible and very stupid!" Cho asked furiously.
"Well he's technically a reformed death eater, forgive and forget they say. Why do you care Cho?" Ron queried grumpily.
"I don't like to see anyone flirt with danger Ron" She replied.
"Maybe I should stop talking to you then." he laughed "Maybe you should" Cho responded Playfully, as they walked towards Luna to say hello.
"for Merlins sake Draco let go of me." hissed Hermione in exasperation."I'm only protecting you from the Slug." he grimaced. "I don't need protecting silly. Old sluggys harmless, very charming actualy."
"Well at least he proves Po..Harry's colour blind! Red indeed, the fuss Slughorn just made because you are all in green."
"Neville!" Hermione shouted as her friend came past. "Hi Hermione, care for a dance later?" "That will be lovley if Luna can spare you." Neville blushed slightly."Hey Nev, what colour is my dress?" Neville looked confused at the question. "What?" "it's not a trick Neville." she laughed. "Oh yeah well Red isn't it?" Hermione nodded "Thanks Nev." "Oh ok, must get back to Luna, catch you later for the dance."
At this point, Draco spotted Padma Patil walking past and called for her attention. "Hi , its Padma isn't it?"
"I might be, I might not. How could you know? My mask completely covers my face!" Padma was a little indignant.
"Your wearing a sarong! it could only be you or your sister, am I wrong?""No as it happens your not, who are you? I recognise your voice."
"I will leave you to guess, Padma can you tell me what colour Hermione's dress is?"
"Is this some stupid game? It's blue!"
She sniffed and stalked off not thinking highly of the Mystery buccaneer.
Draco rounded on Hermione "What the hell Granger?"
"Ok ... it's veela made, it's colour matches itself with the Hogwarts house that a witch or wizard is affiliated with, Or if not a Hogwarts student the colour that most attracts the person looking." as she explained, Hermione thought about Cho, why did she think it changed colours? Surely she should have seen blue?" her train of thought was broken when Draco asked her another question.
"So I assume you see red when you look at your own dress?" Draco looked disappointed for a moment.
"The strange thing is Draco, that is exactly what I thought I would see when I ordered it. I actually see green. Weird a?"
"You are ... very, but it works for you."
Draco answered seriously.
"Give over will you. Let's look for a girl friend for you. She looks nice over there..." Draco turned in the direction she pointed and they squabbled happily.
A gigantic banquet table soon appeared in the middle of the room, high backed chairs surrounded it.
Little place cards indicated where people were to sit. When everyone was seated, Hermione noticed an empty chair near the head mistresses's seat, it seemed the empty spot had caught McGonigall's attention too, she was looking at the chair and angrily muttering to herself.
'it's professor Snape's ' Hermione thought shrugging off her feeling of disappointment. She turned her attention to the feast. As with previous balls a menu was in front of each person, everyone spoke aloud the dish they required, it then appeared in front of them. The food as usual was sublime.
Harry and Ginny were listening out for fleur's usual 'eet eez too eavy, all zis ogwart's food' But to their surprise she was happily wolfing it down. "Married life's turned her into a pig!" Ginny whispered to Harry "I hope she gets really fat." she finished gleefully
"I like Fleur, your too harsh, although she doesn't look as devastating as usual." As soon as he said the words he regretted it. "I think devastating may have been the wrong word, Ugly ... that's better." he corrected quickly.
"Thank you Harry, I'm aware that she's part veela, so she's not going to be a munter is she? It makes no difference, your not allowed to think she's good looking." Ginny prodded Harry in the chest for emphasis.
"Ouch ... yeah, fine, message received. Although I did say she doesn't look herself today." Harry said while rubbing the sore spot on his chest.
"No she doesn't, anyway I'm fed up of talking about her, lets talk about someone else." Ginny said dismissively.
Watching different people eating their food through an array of masks was proving most entertaining. Those with full masks and extra large noses were particularly hilarious. They had to remove their masks which exposed the identities of some wearing the more extrovert outfits; to much laughter.
Hermione enjoyed her meal and the conversation but continued to glance at the empty chair.
"What do you keep staring over there for?" Malfoy asked.
"Do I ? ... Sorry...what were you saying?"
"That Girl" he pointed "What's her name?"
Hermione looked over, "Astoria Greengrass, she's a little young Draco, I'm not even sure how she got an invite. Wait a minute... I think she won a composition competition writing about the battle. I think attendance to the Hero's ball was the prize." replied Hermione.
The wizard whistled softly and said,
"who cares how she got in...she's hot."
"Merlins beard, give your libido a rest. She looks like a young version of your mum, you must have mummy issues."
The pained look that shot across his now unmasked face, told Hermione that she had badly judged her flippant comment.
"Sorry, I was just teasing, I wasn't thinking. Have you heard anymore about her whereabouts?"
Draco had finished his meal, so he sharply pushed back from the table, snapping his mask back on.
"Are you hiding Draco?your not five."Hermione's voice was low and gentle, even with its slight rebuke.
"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask,and he will tell you the truth." The young man quoted gently.
"Thats a lovely quotation, Oscar Wilde my favourite. Does this mean you want to tell me how you feel? No jokes."Hermione pushed her own plate away and leaned towards her new friend.
"Sure." he shrugged noncommittally.
"What are you scared of?"
Hermione asked quietly.
"I'm scared that this war might not be over! Something feels wrong. I'm scared for my father, I'm frightened of my father. I'm scared of myself, It's Concerning me that right now all I want to do is chain smoke, its making me so uncomfortable just being here, that all I can do to survive this party is to pretend I'm someone else, and make jokes, tease and flirt. I miss my mother, I'm scared she's dead. The very thought of that makes me want to cry, hence the mask is back on; because I'm also scared to look weak. Is that enough honesty for you? At least you have never thought much of me, it's Hardly possible now to think less."
Hermione silently surveyed Draco, gaining nothing from his posture seeing nothing from his masked face. But hearing the breaks in his voice told her plainly that he was on the edge. She was pleased for his sake that everyone around them seemed so engrossed in their own conversations, to overhear theirs.
"Yes your right, I thought you the most spineless bully I have ever met. That was the past, what you just admitted too was really brave. It's a wonderful quality to care about your family, I respect that, I respect you, You are right to fear the future, I think the war is not quite over either, something's happening, Its frightening me too. Your mother is defiantly involved in some way, we will find her Draco...We need to see professor Snape, we need more information about when he thinks he saw Narcissa. If he doesn't turn up to the party we will have to find him. You can talk to him, I irritate him."
"Why am I not surprised? You should tone down the insufferable know it all part of your personality. You irritate me." Draco seemed to have mastered himself once more, glancing around he could see most had finished eating and preparations were starting for the Dance.
"I think I will freshen up, would you get me a glass of wine while I go to the ladies?" Hermione asked
"Yeah ok, don't take to long."
As Draco set off to find drinks the table disappeared and all the guests started to mingle again.
The music became louder and people began to sway with the music.
Hagrid was once again trying to encourage Madame Maxine to dance with him. George was chatting to Angelina. Everywhere Draco looked he could see witches and wizards forging new relationships or cementing old ones. ' How heart warming.' he thought bitterly.
In the meantime, the headmistress had walked off to exit the hall in high dudgeon, She made for the direction of Snape's office. Only to nearly walk in to him in the corridor.
"My apologies Minerva, I assume you were once again making your way to my hole, in order to drag me out? I've saved you the inconvieniance. I missed the feast as I had other matters to attend to. I am now sufficiently clean and sober... To endure this charade." he sneared.
Minerva, took on his fresh sharp appearance, noted that he had indeed just put on his usual teaching robes , and decided to punish him.
Her wand shot out towards his face.
" Adhaerere phantasma!"
A phantom of the opera mask suddenly adhered to professor Snape's face.
With his dramatic teaching robes he needed no further costume.
"I should just turn round and leave."
He growled. To his credit he didn't even flinch at her attack, neither did he attempt to take the mask off, Due to his knowledge of Minerva's ability with permanent sticking charms, he knew it was futile to even try to remove it.
"You should, but you won't Severus. Your curious to see the wizarding world you helped save, the one you have been hiding from. When I think you have stayed long enough I will remove the mask."
"Stop psycho analysing me, and get back in the hall before our entrance causes a scene." he sniped.
"Your entrance always causes a scene, you can't help yourself." She retorted.
He snarled and strode off to the Great hall. Discreetly he opened the door and slid unobtrusively into the party.
He positioned himself at the far end of the room and swept his eye over the Crowd 'All the usual suspects' he thought.
Then as if alerted, he turned to see Hermione walking over to a wizard who held out a glass of wine to her.
Hermione felt the pull of someone's eyes on her. She looked up uncertainty, to her surprise she met the gaze of the phantom across the room.
He took a sharp intake of breath. 'What was she wearing? She looked... Grown up. Worse she looked alluring. A temptress in green silk, was it backless?' Professor Snape had a sudden urge to take his cloak off and throw it over her. Demanding she put something sensible on.
'My God is that a serpent on her upper arm? What was she thinking?where was Minerva's Gryffindor princess? And who in gods name was that dribbling all over her?why the hell I'm I even asking these infantile questions?' As these thoughts raced around his usually ordered mind, he tried to look away from her, but failed.
Hermione had lowered her gaze, in the hope that Draco hadn't noticed who had caught her attention. Her heart thundered away and she could barely hear what Draco was saying.
"Hermione? What's wrong? Your looking flushed, are you too hot?"
"No I'm fine honestly." she knocked back her wine in one throw, handed the empty glass back to Draco and said "Dance with me!"
"Steady on old girl, what was that Dutch courage?"
"Something like that. Look, Harry's setting up the jukebox with everyone's music requests."
And indeed the classical music that had been played continually, all evening by the magical orchestra, had ceased. A huge magical jukebox was up in its place. As the music started, Hermione let out a little squeal,
"I think it's my request... Yes it is, knock your drink back Draco and give me a twirl."
Draco grinned, put the empty glasses on a passing silver tray and dragged Hermione to the dance floor.
His rough handling caused her to jolt and the mask slipped off her wrist unnoticed. Another dancer kicked it accidentally, it slid across the floor to the feet of Severus Snape.
Long pale fingers reached down and grasped the handle. He groaned when he saw the rose entwined around the stick. He stroked the black petal and swore softly.
He knew it had been pointless to try and steal this back from her room. The chances were that she also knew exactly who sent it.
He had heard Hermione ask the wizard with her to dance. Snape now knew it was Draco beneath the mask. His surprise was only matched by his unreasonable annoyance.'was that why she was wearing green?'
"Are you alright my boy?"
Snape looked up in surprise, he was positioned right under Dumbledores portrait.
"I'm fine Albus."
"Are you sure? Your standing as though your in pain."
"I...I'm out of sorts, nothing insurmountable."
What does the pain feel like?" Dumbledores voice was full of concern as he ignored Snape's denials, while he looked searchingly down at his one time spy.
Snape paused, torn between telling the portrait to shut the hell up and between makeing an admittance. To his own surprise he verbalised his pain. "I ...I feel like I can't breathe... It ... It feels like jealousy."
And with a swish of his cloak he walked away from the portrait before he could hear Dumbledore's reply. Dumbledore stroked his chin gently. "Yes, I rather thought it did." he said quietly.
Draco spun Hermione round with other couples, all doing passing imitations of the venetian waltz.
The refrain of David Bowie singing As the world falls down, coupled with the wine and spinning, was making Hermione feel a-little giddy. She clung on to Draco tightly, trying to shake of the feeling of being watched.
Mid dance Draco turned his head to the side, leaned forward to Hermione's ear and breathed "Why is My godfather fascinating you so much?"