Hermione stiffened in Draco's arms. "I don't know what you mean." Draco smirked and continued to spin her round. "Horrifying...your a bit old for a school girl crush. He's defiantly to old for you, mind you he's scrubbed up well tonight, I don't think I've ever seen him with his hair tied back. Anyway to my memory he's always been meticulous in showing his dislike of you, and yet my Godfather is now staring at me like he would like to use an unforgivable."
Hermione was trying to concentrate on her steps, dancing was not her forte, although surprisingly Draco was a good partner, and a good dancer can lead his lady with relative ease despite any lack of skill, even so she stumbled slightly when Draco mentioned his godfather's fixation on her.
"Professor Snape is not looking at me... or you, he is strictly professional at all times." She said primly while recovering her step.
"who's the rose off?"He asked smugly.
"I don't know." she snapped.
Draco laughed "well this is unexpected, very entertaining"
"oh shut up." she snapped.
"no need to be rude." he rebuked
The dance came to an end and a new song began.
"May I cut in?" Draco looked up to see Bill Weasley tapping his shoulder.
"With pleasure." He replied in a tone that was clearly contradictory.
Draco walked off towards the edge of the room. As Hermione clasped hands with Bill, she watched Draco walk towards professor Snape and felt a jolt of panic. "You seem distracted Hermione, are you ok?" Bill queried.
"I'm a little dizzy from the last dance. Why are you not dancing with Fleur?" She diverted him skilfully away from questions pertaining herself.
"She's with child, and unfortunately she feels a little unwell." he replied.
Hermione smiled at the very old fashioned expression coming from such a young and relatively trendy wizard. "That's wonderful Bill congratulations, I'm sorry she's suffering tonight though."
Bill nodded dismissively "As nice as it is to be dancing with a heroine, I have ulterior motives."
"I figured as much, you've trod on my toe twice." Hermione giggled.
Bill scowled briefly only to adjust his features very quickly. He smiled down at Hermione, "Your not the best dancer either, admittedly Malfoy Jnr displayed you most fetchingly. What are you doing with the little worm? he's a traitor." His voice flipped from teasing to chastising effortlessly.
"Did you mean traitor or did you mean Death Eater? Yes he's a traitor, but only to the Death Eaters he's changed he's like a different person."
The young girl defended her new friend confused by Bills attitude.
"I meant Death Eater, he tried to kill you kids many times over! How do you forgive that? People don't change, they just get better at hiding who they really are."
"I don't agree... I think we need to talk about something else before we fall out."
Bill sighed " Yes maybe so, I need to talk about a security matter. You know that Dumbledore's portrait requested extra security at his tomb ?"
Hermione nodded, happy to change the topic. "I understand that both yourself and professor Snape added extra curses." He continued.
"I did, but I was unaware that the professor had done so. Why is this of interested to you Bill? "
"It's of interest because he has also asked me to add an extra security measure. I will be needing your assistance to place it. Why do you think he's so paranoid?" At this point he spun Hermione round inexpertly, causing his young partner to stumble against him slightly.
"Sorry" he laughed
"No worries, there is something going on, and the ministry have been kept in the dark, Ive been attacked by Death Eaters this year."
"No... That's dreadful why didn't you tell the ministry?"
"I don't trust them? Do you?"
"Yet you trust Draco Malfoy? Your a contradiction in terms ." He huffed.
"Do you trust the ministry?" She asked searchingly.
He hesitated "No ... I think you may be right to keep it away from them.I'm sorry If I'm being a little over bearing. My family owe you such a lot we are all concerned about you. We just want you to be careful, it worries me to see you dressed in green, stunningly I might add, flirting with the enemy."
"Green, I thought you were a Gryffindor like the rest of the Weasley clan?"
"I am...what do you mean?"
"Oh... of course, sorry Bill, did Fleur tell you that my dress is Veela made? You know I'm not dressed in Green, I'm dressed in all colours."
"Yes...yes she did" he said hurriedly "But I assumed you would do it so your date would see Green" he corrected himself.
"Maybe I just wanted to please a lot of people."
"You can't make everyone happy."
"Evidently... I seem to have caused you some upset tonight."
"Again I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come over like that."
"Never mind, the song is ending shall we give our bruised toes a rest and decide when we are upgrading the protection on the tomb.?"
Bill sighed in relief, nodded and led her away from the floor.
In the corner of the room Draco was interrogating a very unyielding Professor.
"Did you see my mother?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"And what?"
"And where the hell is she? What's she doing? Does she know she's driving my father insane with worry? Are you sure it was her?" Draco reeled of his questions like a machine gun.
"She didn't inform me of her whereabouts, intentions or feelings and I am never wrong, you impertinent young whelp."
"Please... Your my Godfather you're supposed to give a semblance of a crap about me."
"Language Mr Malfoy."
"Do you even know how old I am? I can curse a lot better than that!"
"I'm sure you talent knows no bounds in that direction, but if your attitude offends me, I think that as your Godfather it is my privilege to correct you, is it not?"
"Merlin! your so officious, do you ever take time off to remove the giant wand from your ass?"
Immediately a wand jabbed against Draco's jaw, the movement so fast Draco didn't see it coming. Snape whispered in His ear menacingly, "Occasionally I find time too."
Draco winced "Please." He said again in a lowered tone.
Snape removed the wand. "Outside!" He strode away to exit the great hall.
Draco rubbed his neck and hurriedly followed him. Noting as he did so the mask Snape held tightly in his left hand.
Outside in the corridor Snape told Draco all about the encounter with Narcissa.
"No you must be wrong, I'd know, I would! she's my mother, how could I not know if she was a kitsune?"
Snape looked at the boy who was dangerously close to tears and placed what he hoped was a fatherly hand on Draco's shoulder.
"I agree with you, Something is wrong, something doesn't feel right. But I can only tell you what I saw, don't give up on your mother, she risked her life, and my life I might add, to save your soul from the dark lord. I too find it hard to believe she would abandon you now. This is all I have at the moment I will find the truth for you, I promise. I need you to make me a promise too."
"What?" Draco asked in surprise.
"Something is going to happen something big, the war is not over, and it's going to be even harder to know who to trust, I want to trust you Draco, but you have let me down before, also you have never trusted me. Do you now?"
"Yes sir."
"Promise me you will do all you can to protect Potter,Weasley and Hermione."
"Hermione sir?" Draco raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Yes... that's what I said, Granger."
Draco decided not contradict him. "Why will they need it?"
"They just will. Help Protect them and I will assist you with your own concerns."
"Do you want me to make an unbreakable?" Draco asked.
Snape regarded the young man for a moment. "I think not, I will trust you."
"Thank you sir."
Snape took two coins from his pocket. If you need assistance just ask the coin to contact me and you can use it as a port key to my location, this will also work if I call you, the coin will grow hot."
Draco pocketed the coin with a nod of thanks.
Snape turned to re-enter the Great Hall.
"Sir?"
Snape paused and turned enquiringly.
"May I have my dates mask back?"
"Your date?" Snape's face clouded over for a second."You mean Grangers...yes...here, take it, tell her to be more careful with her possessions." He hurriedly pushed the mask into Draco's out stretched hand.
"I certainly will sir." Draco replied with a glint in his eye, The professor found it most disconcerting.
Back in the hall Hermione had concluded her talk with Bill and had arranged to meet him at the tomb before they left for the evening.
Harry then claimed a dance from her. Apparently he was escaping Cho whilst Ginny was dancing with Neville. "Something is wrong with that girl tonight, she seems to have two fixations and neither of them are Ron. Look at him over there with Percy, how come he always looks like a wet towel at every party?"
Hermione looked over with Concern, at the clearly miserable Ron . " Poor Ron! I wonder if Percy is boring him with ministry reports again. The problem is; he always asks the wrong person to partner him. I am a little surprised though, I thought they were getting serious. What's Cho playing at? She's dancing with Bill now, look!" She gestured with her head for Harry to see for himself.
"Maybe they had a tiff, but she keeps asking me about you and Draco, she doesn't like it apparently."He commented.
"Well of all the cheek! what's it got to do with her anyway?"
"I don't know, but she keeps flirting with me too! Asking if she can try my cloak on, telling me she loves my outfit, Ginny's going to kill her."
"Very odd, oh...look Ron's cutting in. Good for him, showing some gumption. She seems pleased. That's cheered him up. Maybe we are reading to much into it."
"Maybe, look...Snape and Malfoy have been out together, it's like old times...plotting, maybe we should flip my cloak around and follow them under it."
Hermione smacked his shoulder. "Don't be paranoid, concentrate on the dance, I love this song"
Harry grinned and held onto his friend tighter and swayed to the refrains of the music, reminded of a time past, when in a moment of sadness they danced alone in their tent.
It wasn't long before Draco had reclaimed his partner to ply her with champagne at a small table for two.
"Ok ...I want a dance with that Greengrass girl, sort it for me."
"What's in it for me?"
"I think I can get you a dance with a snarky potions master."
"No! forget it, horrendous ...why would I want that."
"Alright what do you want?"
"Nothing."
"Great get me a dance."
Hermione looked over to where Astoria was dancing and groaned.
"I'm going to have to sacrifice my self, she's dancing with McCormack! Erghh, come on then." She dragged Draco to the dance floor and they spun around delicately, she stopped dancing right by Astoria, who seemed a little unhappy with her own dance partner. Hermione tapped McCormack on the arm, "Hello, how wonderful to see you again. McCormack looked up in surprise and barely repressed delight. "I'm sorry may I cut in?" Hermione asked Astoria with an apologetic smile.
"Oh ...yes that's fine." She said uncertainly as McCormack swept off with Hermione.
"Well that was rude, we have both been abandoned, may I have this dance?" Draco asked the young girl.
" I confess to be relieved, I wasn't enjoying the dance, does Miss Granger really want to dance with him?"
Draco pulled her towards him in a waltz position, smiled and said; "I will be very surprised if she doesn't sprain her ankle in the next five seconds."
Sure enough Hermione could be seen hobbling off to the side with McCormack and Ron holding each arm.
"See. " laughed Draco.
"She's very pretty, is she your girlfriend?"
"No, we are just friends, although it may appear more, I'm just trying to help her trap a wizard through jealousy."
"Oh, I hope it works for her." She replied sincerely.
"you wouldn't if you knew which wizard." he replied grimly.
Hermione managed to get rid of McCormack with Ron's assistance and was left talking to Cho.
"Ron says you have an unusual necklace from the orient. Are you wearing it?"
Hermione was surprised that Ron would mention it to Cho, but she pulled at the necklace chain to show her anyway. The chain was just visible on her neck but the pearl like stone was hidden, nestled in her chest.
When the pearl appeared above her dress it immediately emitted a glow. "Wow it's never done that before."
Hermione said in awe as she reached behind her neck to remove it.
"No don't take it off!" Cho's voice was urgent and insistent.
"Why ever not?"
"It's clearly a protection stone meant to be worn all the time, it looks like one I've read about recently, They glow as warnings... If its the same pearl."
"I don't know why I need protection now, but I will leave it on." Hermione slipped it back down the dress leaving the chain visible.
Cho smiled in relief and continued,
"Good, so ... Draco, is it serious?"
"Harry said you asked him that, no it's nothing we are friends that's all."
After Ron returned to claim Cho, and with Draco very much engaged, she thought maybe her dancing was at an end for the evening. To her surprise she had endless offers of partners, she had to avoid McCormack's accusing glare more than once on the dance floor. She danced with Fred, Charlie, Neville and Mr Weasley. She went on to dance with professors Slughorn and Flitwick, the latter not without some difficulty. The new minister for magic also gave her a twirl.
Soon she was once again back with Draco. "So how did it go?" She asked
"Very well, she's a little young but I will keep in touch I think." He replied smugly.
"No kissing tonight then?" Hermione teased.
"Are you offering?"
"A few more drinks, I might think about it." She laughed.
Draco abandoned her instantly, to appear suddenly ,with drinks in hand.
"Your incorrigible." She took the drink from him.
"Stop encouraging me then." He smiled taking a sip of his wine.
"He's still watching you, he's been prowling the edges of the dance floor for the past hour. Why don't you kiss me, see if I'm right."
"Stop teasing me. I'm mildly interested in him ok, I can't think why. He is defiantly not watching me, he views me as a child an annoying one at that."
"He did, but your all grown up, and thats never been more evident as it is tonight, I think you annoy him in very different ways now, I don't think he's even aware of it himself."
"Because there is nothing to be aware of!"
"Prove it let me kiss you."
"Fine, I can think of England!"
"You cheeky witch!" At this Draco took the glass from Hermione's hand and placed it on the table. He reached forward and laid his hand on the small of her back and drew her towards him before she had time to react. He inclined his head and placed his smooth mouth on her's, capturing her upper lip gently between his.
Hermione drew back pushing Draco firmly away.
The sound of breaking glass made her look up over his shoulder to see Severus Snape gazing at her with a dazed expression across his face it was just a fleeting moment, as he immediately looked away and began repairing the glass he had broken.
"Was that the sound of my Godfather dropping his wine goblet in shock that his Gryffindor princess just kissed his Godson?" Asked Draco innocently.
"You kissed me! It was a coincidence he dropped the glass. Lots of people saw you, look at Ron and Harry, they seem ready to throw glasses." Hermione replied indignantly.
"What ever! I'm off for some air, you joining me?"
"If that's I'm off to pollute some air with a disgusting little death stick your on your own."
"Fair enough, see you in five."
Draco strode off to get his nicotine fix while Hermione avoided the looks of her friends.
At the same time Bill and Fleur also left the hall together.
"Did she agree?" Asked Fleur, as soon as they were outside in the frosty night.
"Child's play she's as gullible as we thought, you go and update Rabastan, I will make your excuses, don't be long, use the floo in the Mudblood's rooms."
Bill went back to the entrance hall, as did Fleur but she made for the stairs with manly strides.
Neither of them saw Draco outside in the shadows.
Professor Snape placed his repaired glass on one of the small tables and debated ordering a fire whiskey, the militant gaze of Mcgonigall changed his mind. Sighing he decided to get some fresh air, look for Draco and curse him.
'Maybe just the fresh air would be wise' he thought.
Walking towards the door he came face to face with Bill Weasley re-entering the room.
"You've got some nerve Severus." Bill snarled, never had he looked more wolf like.
"I beg your pardon." Snape responded , he was puzzled by Bill's vehemence, they had previously got along fairly well.
As they eyed each other up, in the manor of two people squaring for a fight, George wandered over. "Hey Bill, where's Fleur gone?"
"She's feeling a bit rough mate, she's gone to the ladies." He answered not taking his eyes away from Snape's. "Do you see my brothers ear? Have you looked at the portrait of the man you killed? How can you live with yourself? Your a coward and a traitor. Everybody here is wondering why you have shown your filthy face at a heroes ball."
George tried to Interceded, clearly he was confused by his brothers attitude."Thats not true sir, no one is thinking that... Bill! ...What's wrong with you, you of all people know it was all necessary, and by Dumbledore's design, leave the professor alone."
Before the professor could retaliate of his own accord Hermione appeared by his side. "Is Fleur sick Bill? I'm sorry, you probably need to go early, let me know when your ready for me help you with our commission."
"I'm just talking to Severus at the moment, I will find you before I leave." His voice showed his irritation, Bill's eyes remained focused, full of hatred of the man before him.
Hermione muttered an incantation changing the pop music playing on the juke box to something else entirely.
"I'm so sorry it's most rude of me to interrupt, but I have danced with all the professors now with one exception, I would hate anyone to think I missed him out for any horrid reason, so as the music playing is clearly designed for professor Snape, I thought I would just ask; will you dance professor?" She gushed happily, as if oblivious to the fracas Bill was trying to create.
Severus Snape hesitated with his inner struggle, he was fighting a desire of wanting to hit Bill, curse Bill maybe run away to his rooms, or to simply take Hermione's outstretched hand.
"Yes, Dance professor, I will talk to my brother, thank you for not creating a scene, I don't know what's bitten him. George interjected hopefully.
"I do, his name's Greyback." Snape spat.
Hermione grabbed his sleeve and pulled him forward "leave it." She hissed.
George likewise pulled BIll away muttering at him angrily.
Once Hermione had dragged Snape toward the Dance floor.,He spoke;
"I'm not dancing, I can't dance, although I appreciate the diversion,the headmistress would have disliked a scene." Snape made to shake her hand off his sleeve.
"You will dance, I have it on good authority that you can. If you don't dance with me, I will make a scene." Hermione held out her hand in the required position."Come on sir, The music of the night! it's your perfect song, this is the first time all night I've had to beg someone to dance with me."
Slowly as if beaten Snape caught her hand in his. Although three more dancers could have stood In between them. "I'm not surprised you've never had to beg for a partner, I am intrigued by your preference for Draco Malfoy."
"Was there a compliment hidden in that sentance? Are you really suprised? Draco's my plus one, it would be rude not too spend most of my time with the one I invited."
"Certainly rude not to exchange saliva with him." Snape's voice held more than a trace of bitterness.
"Nice words, How romantic you make a kiss sound. It was a very chaste kiss and I pushed him off, as well you know, you were watching. Why were you watching Sir?"Hermione challenged him.
He did not reply. To Hermione's surprise He reached for her and pulled her close, he was surprisingly rhythmic, his movements were in time with the second verse of the song. She felt like her body had simply melted into connection with his, it was perfect, electric. She took a deep breath as she settled her right cheek against his, she smelt the familiar smell of parchment a lingering fragrance of spice, sandalwood maybe. The fingers of her right hand rested against the back of his neck. They breathed out together and in together, There was a moment of weightless anticipation and then they stepped forward into the music.
Close your eyes -
Start a journey through a strange new world
Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before
Close your eyes -
And let music set you free.
Only then can you belong to me
Floating, falling, Sweet Intoxication
Touch me, trust me, savor each Sensation
Let the dream begin, Let your darker side give in
To the Power of the music that I write,
The Power of the Music of the Night!
Hermione did indeed close her eyes, on the brief occasions she opened them she could only see the phantom, unreal, surreal. This was the first dance she had had where not a word was spoken, she felt his fingers graze her back, he was an incredible dancer, it made her feel the need for physical closeness, the joy of moving together in rhythm, the ebb and flow of command and surrender.
But all too soon the song was finished and she was being led back to the side. "Thank you for your timely intervention Miss Granger."
Then he gave a curt little bow and left for the opposite side of the room.
Unfortunately The head mistress was also on the other side of the hall.
"I saw that Severus."
"Saw What?."
"Your dance."
"What of it? She's danced with every wizard here."
"Not like that she hasn't "
"like what?"
"Oh come on Severus, have you never heard the Phrase; The vertical expression of a horizontal desire, that's what I saw in her face."
Snape scoffed "I think not."
"I saw it on your face too, be careful Severus."
Snape was about to deny this and criticise the headmistress for her crass comment deeming it unworthy of her...
It was then that he felt the coin in his pocket grow hot.
"Excuse me Minerva" he said and hurried out of the great hall.
Draco had followed Fleur all the way to the rooms Harry and Hermione shared. He watched her enter, then he waited a few minutes, ear pressed against the door till he heard Fleur say "Twelve Grimmauld Place." He waited a few more moments to make sure she had left for Potter's safe house. Then he entered the study.
Did he dare follow, this was clearly the danger his Godfather was concerned about. Checking around the study he found some of Harry's robes.
He took Harry's clothes and decided to change into them, his own Scaramouch outfit being Heavy and cumbersome for stealth to be a viable option. Harry's clothes fitted him fairly well, they were built on the same skinny lines, but Draco was a good three inches taller; so his cuffs and trouser legs were a little short.
He piled his own clothes into a corner placing his mask on top.
After accomplishing this act, he used a Disillusionment charm on himself giving his body a see through quality, not exactly invisible but close to it.
He placed a silencing charm on his feet took a handful of floo powder and stepped soundlessly into the fire.
"Twelve Grimmuald Place" moments later he was in the kitchen fire place praying that nobody was there,and that nobody had heard his arrival.
Fortune favours the brave, and to Draco's relief the kitchen was empty.
He walked out of the grate and towards the door.
Cautiously he opened the door to the corridor. Remembering the matriarchal portrait he quietly slipped into the empty hallway. Upstairs he could her the muted voices of various people. Creeping up the stairs and hovering by the door to one of the rooms made the voices clearer, Fleur had obviously gone in that particular room.
"The Mudblood is leading us to the tomb, she will open it. As yet we are still unaware of the protection Severus has placed on it." Fleur's voice minus the accent, had a sharp clipped edge to it.
"See that you find out Antonin, failure is not an option" The responding voice was high pitched and maniacal.
A whimper could be heard from the Corner of the room, followed by the sound of some kind of stunning curse."Shut up!"The recognisable growl of Rodulphus reached Draco's ears. He shuddered, he had always hated Rodulphus not as much as Aunty Bella but it was a close call.
Draco realised what a vulnerable position he had placed himself in, he was a traitor and these men would make him pay If they got hold of him.
Still he forced himself to peep through the keyhole, despite the dim light he saw to his shock and horror the bodies of what appeared to be Fleur and Bill slumped in the Corner. He gasped and shrank back to the opposite wall.
Gently he made his way to what appeared to be an empty spare room he sat on the bed and fumbled in his pocket for the coin. "Severus Snape" he whispered holding the coin tightly.