Hi everyone! Thank you all for reading this story and I welcome the new followers for this story and those who put it in their favorites :)

Sorry if this chapter is late, started university in September and had a lot of fitting in to do and all.

As usual, I don't own Harry Potter, only the OCs. I hope you will enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing it.

27. The ball.

"No, no, no. I can't find anything here, let's just go. Sorry mate."

Severus sighed; David had been looking for the past hour for a gift without any luck. The left the store and walked through the streets of Hogsmead, covered in a thin layer of December snow. Many students were out, looking for the perfect robes or any accessory that would compliment their outfit. While passing the shops, Severus told David he was going to search for dress robes. He had one particular store in mind, Gladrags. For sure Severus could find what he needed in there. Upon entering the building, he saw Eva and Mariana paying for their dresses.

"Oh, hi Sev, still looking for your robes?" asked Eva as she gave the man the galleons for her dress and paused at the store's door to talk to Severus before leaving.

"Yes, I am." He replied

"Great, Mister McKendrick has got a lot of good advice, don't hesitate to ask." She said.

Severus nodded and she left with her friend out of the store and towards what looked like the Three Broomsticks Inn. He wasn't surprised, Eva loved a good pint of butterbeer during the winter days, especially after a day of shopping. A few minutes later, David entered Gladrags holding a small gift bag. Looks like he found something after all, thought Severus. One less thing the Ravenclaw would complain about.

He browsed through the store, observing the clothes. He saw many odd socks; a few had writing on them such as 'eat my socks' or 'too good for your feet', others plain colors and the Hogwarts crest on them. There were hats there too, David found them amusing, and tried on a bowler hat.

"Hey Severus, look at me. Should I get it? I'm like a fancy pureblood or something."

"Yes, David, if the ball took place during Victoria's reign, the hat would be the perfect for the occasion." He replied.

David rolled his eyes and settled the hat back on its stand. He joined Severus to find the robes.

"Excuse me, but do you need any help?"

They turned to see Mister McKendrick in front of them. The man seemed friendly; he was middle-aged, quite tall with short brown hair.

"Um, yes. We are attending this gathering at school and…" started Severus before being interrupted by the man.

"Oh the Christmas ball? Those young ladies that were in here earlier are going to one, is it the same?" McKendrick said.

"Yes, it is the same event." David spoke up, "We are attending the ball with them."

"Lovely, now do you have a certain preference?" he said.

"Black colored robes, please." Answered Severus

"Is it possible to not have any lace please." added David. Severus looked at him, raising a brow. "What, I can assure you it is very unpleasant to walk around with lace on your collar and sleeves."

"Of course the last thing any young man wants is to look like their great-aunt Tessie or something." Smiled McKendrick "Now let's see what I have for you." He went through the numerous robes, pulling out a full black one.

"Very nice design this one, right here a dark red bow tie instead of the usual black or white one. If you prefer green we have that as well, along with many other choices."

"It is very nice Mister McKendrick." said Severus.

"I agree with you mate. " Added David looking down at the robes "I like the dark red bow tie, changes a bit. Oh Severus, we should take the different colored ones, you dark green and me red. We could be like brothers."

'Oh Merlin please help me' he thought, David was over excited about the event, but Severus had come to see him over the past months as an unlikely friend. He was a bit strange and crazy at times, but it was a good change compared to the Slytherins. He approached the robes and examined them. They were nice, very nice.

"How much are these robes sir?" he asked

"Ten galleons, but they are the finest in the store."

Severus and David exchanged looks, he didn't know how much he had, but his facial expression told him it wasn't enough.

"Is it possible to purchase separate parts of the robe?"

"Separate parts? Oh of course not a problem. You need trousers? Bow ties? Cloak?"

Severus spoke up, " I would like a dark green bow tie, a white shirt please and a black jacket."

"Oh course, would you like our special socks to go with it? Store specialty, of course, these black ones glow in the dark."

"No thank you, perhaps another time." Replied Severus as he went to pay for the clothes.

"Alright young sir. That will be one galleon for the bow tie and thirty sickles for the shirt and black jacket please."

Severus nodded and gave the man his money. He then waited for David to make his decision. After a few more minutes, he settled for a dark red bow tie, a dark blue jacket and trousers. The rest of the look would be completed with clothes and shoes his mother sent him. Severus was glad she sent him the shoes for his attire; the last thing he wanted was to buy a pair of shoes that would cost him his entire budget.

They left the store and walked down the streets of Hogsmead. The stores were all lit up with decorations reflecting the approaching Christmas holidays. Severus thought of how he was going to spend his holidays this year. He had told his mother he wanted to stay at the castle. He was sure this year, Eva would go home for Christmas and be with her family. He followed David in the Three Broomsticks Inn, where they sat together in front of the fireplace in order to warm up from the cold air outside.

"Severus do you want anything to drink, it's on me." Smiled David

"David, that's very nice of you but…"

"Oh come on Severus. Let me pay you a butterbeer, I don't care how much you insist I will do it anyway." He said as he got up and went to the counter to order their drinks.

He returned a few minutes later with the butterbeer, placing them both in front of Severus and himself.

"Well, Severus any plans for the holidays?"

"Can't think of any at the moment."

"Very well, then when are you doing to tell Eva you fancy her?"

The last sentence caused Severus to choke on his drink.

"I don't know what you are referring to."

David smirked "Yeah, right. Severus what I just saw, confirms what I thought. You fancy Eva. I can tell by the way you just reacted, and how you are around her."

Severus could feel his face burning up. "No, I don't. The butterbeer is very strong today, did they put firewhisky in it by any chance?"

"Oh please, no need to be ashamed you know. Don't worry, I won't say a word. Cross my heart and hope to get avada kedavraded."

Severus rolled his eyes, "Much appreciated." Then started his butterbeer.

"Anyway, I hope we will both have a nice evening during the ball, and that nothing bad will happen."

"I'll drink to that." Replied Severus with a small smile on his face.

"Cheers mate." Said David slightly raising his glass, waiting for Severus to do the same.

Severus raised his glass to David's toast "Cheers."

After their drink, Severus made a quick stop in one of the stores and soon after the pair returned to castle. Severus went straight to the Slytherin dungeons and into the dorms, ignoring the looks from Avery and Rosier. He removed his new purchases from the bags, and along with his older robes put together the outfit for the ball.

The ball arrived two weeks later. It was held in the Great Hall from seven to midnight in order for the student to make the best of it, or so the staff said anyway. Severus was feeling a bit stressed that morning, thinking Eva would have second thoughts and would accept Sirius Black's offer or something of the sorts. The day went by normally as if it were any other day, however the class's ended earlier to provide time for preparations.

Once dressed and ready, Severus took a deep breath and headed down to the common room.

"Why Snape! Don't you look dashing!" Said Regulus.

Severus rolled his eyes and discreetly put a small package in his pockets without any of his Slytherin mates noticing.

"I will agree with Black on this Snape." Added Avery. Severus didn't say anything to Avery, he could sense a form of arse kissing coming from him. He had been that way ever since he told Mulciber he would consider joining the Death Eaters.

They walked through the corridors and met up with their dates, except for Severus. Eva had told him her, Mariana and Grace would meet at the stairs in front of the Great Hall. When Rosier, Mulciber and the others went inside Severus waited.

Soon, David and Grace's partner a young man from Hufflepuff arrived.

"Hey Severus! Bow tie brothers!" cried out David showing the bow tie to Severus.

"David, please not now." He said.

Soon after, their dates arrived, Mariana in a purple dress and Grace in a white one. David stopped his talking and went straight to Mariana as did Grace's date. They went inside the Hall, leaving Severus and Eva, who had walked down the stairs and was now standing in front of him.

Severus froze when he saw her. Her hair was up and curled, cascading down her neck and on the sides of her face, ending under her shoulders. She was dressed in a simple but elegant mint green dress.

"Hi Sev. You look very handsome." She said.

Severus started to blush "Oh yes, thank you, you too. Not handsome, I mean beautiful."

Eva smiled at his awkwardness. "Thank you."

Before going inside the hall, Severus removed the small box from his robes.

"What is this?"

"A gift, come on Eva you are a Ravenclaw. You should know this."

She raised a brow and took his gift. Opening it, she found a silver fox necklace, the form of her patronus.

"Sev, I love it, thank you." She put the necklace on immediately and kissed Severus's cheek.

She took his hand and they made their way inside the Great Hall. Severus barely recognized the Hall, white and ice blue dominated the room. A snowy tree stood where the professors would usually dine; tables were disposed near the entrance. A stage was set up for a band the school was able to find, and for the school's orchestra that was to do the opening. Flitwick had insisted on it. Eva held on to his hand and was amazed at the sight.

"It's beautiful, look the ceiling has been enchanted to make it look like snow is falling. This is truly amazing."

"Yes, it is."

They approached the dance floor and waited for the headmaster to make his speech.

"Welcome all of you to Hogwarts's Christmas ball. I hope you will all enjoy your evening and, now let the ball begin." He finished. The music started, the head boys and girls with their dates opened the ball.

"I'm glad I'm not head girl." Stated Eva, as they watched Mariana drag David to the center of the room.

Severus smiled and watched the dancers. He saw Lily and James dancing together. She seemed happy with him, giggling as he held her close. It was no secret they were now the school couple. Severus could perfectly see why. Lily was a popular girl and James was the Quiddich chaser and captain with a number of fans. He couldn't deny the fact Lily had changed the young Gryffindor, James stopped hexing other students for fun. He would still be hexing him when Eva or Lily were not around, but Severus never missed a chance to hex him back, often shocking the Gryffindor.

He then shifted his attention to Eva; she was smiling and waving at her dancing friends. Severus could see how she changed him, just as Lily did James. Eva kept him from succumbing to the darkness and from joining the Death Eaters. However, he knew he would have to tell her soon about what he said to Mulciber.

Eva would want him to go to Dumbledore straight away, he was sure of this. She told him of things she overheard from Lupin and Lily talking. A secret society created in to fight against the Dark Lord and his followers, something she had started to take an interest in.

Severus snapped out of his thinking when Eva dragged him to the center of the room to dance. They started a simple ballroom dance, nothing surprising coming from Flitwick. He could feel eyes on him, he turned Eva so he could see behind her, and he was pleased. The priceless expression of one Sirius Black would be forever engraved in his memory.

"What are you looking at?"

"Black doing a cod fish impression."

Eva laughed, "I bet it's a good one. He will always be like that. He should spend more time staring at Marlene than pretending to be a fish."

When the song ended, a band came up on stage and started to play. Severus didn't know them, at all, but it didn't seem to matter. The music got louder with the guitars, drums and cries from the crowd. He never thought it could happen, but Severus was having a good time. He twirled Eva, who had a big smile on her face. She caused him to laugh a few times when she cried out the song lyrics with the other students. After almost an hour in a half of non-stop dancing, he and Eva left the dance floor to sit at a nearby table.

"Oh my poor feet, I think we need to rest a bit before going back in there."

"I agree it is exhausting." He added. "And, it does feel good to sit down."

"Yes, it does, I need to get something to drink." Eva started to get up, but Severus beat her to it, he started to walk towards the refreshments. "What are you doing?"

He stopped in his tracks, and turned around "Going to get us some drinks. Your feet must rest if they hurt as much as you claim they do."

Severus went up to the table and found some punch for the both of them. He had just finished filling up the second glass, when James and Sirius showed up behind him. He was expecting them to prank him or do something of the sort.

"Hello Snape, getting drinks I see." Started James.

"Don't you have good observation skills Potter."

"Oh Snape, don't start something right here."

He turned around to face them, carefully setting both glasses on the table before anything could happen.

"What am I starting Black, please elaborate for me. While you think of a well formulated answer to submit, I will be on my way."

He picked up the drinks and left the two Gryffindors standing there with puzzled expressions. Severus sat back at the table and gave Eva her drink.

"Oh that feels better. I saw Potter and Black over there, are they going crazy with the punch?"

"I doubt it, Black is already deranged as it is." he replied.

"I wouldn't say that. From what I've heard, he one heavy case when it comes to drinks, whether they be alcoholic or not. The sugar gets to his head if it's not the alcohol."

"Then we will have front row seats to his downfall." Stated Severus.

Eva laughed and held up her glass, "I could not agree more with that statement. Now let's finish these drinks and go back out there."

They did what Eva said. Once the last drop was finished, the pair went back to the dance floor. For a few dances, they switched partners much to Severus's dislike. There came a dance where the switch occurred with Lily and James. Eva took the Gryffindor's hand, and started the dance with him, while he and Lily awkwardly stood aside stating their feet needed to rest.

Lily broke the silence between them first "They dance rather well."

"Yes, they do." He replied coldly.

"Evangeline is very graceful. You can tell she has been doing it for some time."

Severus nodded "Yes, it is an important quality to have in her family."

The song ended and Lily went straight to her boyfriend. Eva returned back to Severus.

"How was dancing with Potter?"

"You're better than him. I just hope if he has a son one day, that he dances better than him." She stated.

Severus smiled "Glad to know I am better than Potter at this."

"You are better than Potter at many things Severus." She told him, then pointed out to a person in the crowed. "Look at Lockhart trying to show off over there. Merlin is he a real pain. I am afraid he will never stop. What's next, a book called 'Wonderful me'? It scares me that it might actually happen seeing the kind of person he is."

"Lockhart is a big talker Eva. More speaking than action is his motto, that plus acting. Merlin knows how much he overreacts for certain things."

"Oh yes, one scratch and he thinks Death is upon him!" she added with a laugh at the end of her sentence.

The music changed and the next song started with the soft song of a cello and the vocals of the lead singer. Severus offered his arm for Eva to take. She accepted and they went to the dance floor. They stared to waltz to the song. Severus was careful not to step on her feet during the duration of the song. He was sure the last thing she wanted was to be stepped on once more.

"Hey Sev look over there, Dumbledore dancing with McGonagall. He is a very dancer, I never knew our headmaster could dance like that."

"McGonagall also is very good you can tell. Imagine how she must teach her Gryffindors how to dance."

Eva gave him a look, "She would do that. Oh, I bet they never let the volunteer forget it. I know I would."

"Of course you would. The poor soul."

"Oh, shut it, neither would you. I can picture it already. You walking in one morning sitting not too far way from that person, then casually reminding them."

He looked back at her. "That does sound like something I would do."

"Told you."

They continued to dance to a few more songs until they were too tired. Severus led her to a table where they got some food and more drinks.

"This turned out to be a good evening." Started Eva

"Yes, I never really thought I could enjoy such gatherings. I don't really like to dance, or listen to loud pop music."

"Pop music?" she asked.

"Muggle name for a type of music." He explained

"I'm glad you had a nice time here, Severus, and that nothing bad happened tonight. You know, no problems with other students and things like that."

Severus agreed and was equally glad nothing bad occurred that night. They saw some students starting to leave the Great Hall since it was getting late.

"Hey Sev, want to go walk around the castle a bit before bed?"

"That would be perfect, go to a nice calm area before, so we can get our hearing back."

Eva took his hand and left the Great Hall with Severus. They went through the corridors until they heard Filch shouting. Severus grabbed Eva's arm and pinned her by the wall alongside him, a statue in front of them acted as a shield against Filch's eye.

"Arg! Stupid children! Students in the corridors!" he said. Filch was walking holding Sirius's shoulder. The man was covered in a sticky blue substance that Eva recognized as one of Peeves signature tricks.

"I didn't do anything!"

"Oh yes you did! You were behind this!" shouted the caretaker.

"I was not me! It was Peeves! I just got here a minute ago!"

As if on cue, the poltergeist appeared and continued to drop objects on the caretaker.

"Lookey, lookey! Fishy covered in blue sticky glue! Try to catch me Filchy the fishy!"

"Peeves! I will have you!" He cried out, Sirius tried to slip pass him, but Filch stopped him right away. "Not so fast boy, you were in the corridors!"

Eva and Severus waited until Filch and Sirius were out of sight, and Peeves far away from them. Then they started laughing.

"Poor Black, wrong place at the wrong time." Severus said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Yeah, he's in serious trouble." She added.

"Eva you should be ashamed of such a joke. That's his level of play."

Eva didn't listen and still laughed at her poor joke. "Oh Severus, you can't tell me you have not thought about it."

"It has never crossed my mind."

"Liar. Severus, you have thought of it, I know you have."

Severus rolled his eyes. "I would like to see prove it."

Eva now stood in front of him. "Prove it? Come on Severus what are you eight? Just admit it."

"I will not admit because I never thought of it. However, I will say your jokes have gotten very bad over the last few months."

"What they have not! Stop saying that, they are perfectly fine." She said trying to sound offended.

Severus raised a brow. "I think you are losing your touch."

"Me, losing my touch? I don't think so. So I suggest you stop talking or I will glue your tongue with your langlock spell."

"You wouldn't dare."

Eva smirked "Try me."

She had her 'I dare you to do it' look, the same one that pulled him out of the bed in the hotel they were staying in when her parents brought him to Hogwarts last year. Severus could see it in her eyes. Even if the corridor was only lit by the chandeliers above them, he could still see her green emerald eyes. He found himself being drawn to them as if a force was pushing him. Before he knew it, he was leaning towards Eva, and gently kissed her.

He was afraid she would push him away, leave him there in the corridors, along with the statues and chandeliers. He prepared himself for the rejection, but to his surprise, it never happened.

Eva returned his kiss; her lips were soft and tasted like her strawberry lip balm. She moved her hand up to his head and twisted her fingers in his black hair. Severus's heart was ready to burst out of his chest. Their kiss felt like magic.

A few seconds later, he pulled away and Eva did the same. They stared into each other's eyes; Eva had a small smile on her face as she looked at him.

"What?" he asked.

"You stopped talking, guess I didn't need to use your spell after all."

Severus rolled his eyes. "You are something else Eva."

"That I know." She said. Eva grabbed his collar and pulled him in for their second kiss.

~~~~~~~~END OF CHAPTER~~~~~~~~

I hope you all liked the chapter and that is was worth the wait. Don't worry, there will be some action and all in the future chapters, I apologize for any grammar mistakes :S I went over this chapter many times (like a lot) so I might have missed some, if I did very sorry.

Reviews keep this story alive. :)

Until next time *Sees Draco in a distance yelling at Harry, "Let me guess, his father is going to hear about this."*