AN: Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Here went everything.
Hermione placed Melonie's strand of hair her into the vial of Polyjuice potion. It hissed before taking on a bright pink hue. After staring at it for a few seconds, she steeled herself for what was to come. With one gulp, she devoured the potion.
For a moment, her appearance was unchanged. Then, she grew four inches as her breasts gained a cup size. Her hair straightened as her feet gained arches.
She rushed over the mirror. Blue eyes examined her new body. She twirled a strand of long blond hair around her finger. With a smile, Hermione pulled up her dress sleeve.
The Mudblood scar was no more.
Her eyes watered as she stared at her arm. For once, she didn't need to worry about covering up that horrid reminder of the war. She was free from her past, free to be the person she was at the moment, free to be who she wanted to be in the future.
She turned to her closet with glistening eyes. For the first time in years, she could wear a sleeveless dress. She wouldn't need to pray a restaurant had the AC blasting to have a comfortable dining experience. Her arm was pristine, pure, untouched.
Finally, she was beautiful.
With a lightness in her step, she ran over to the closet and took out a white dress with a rose running along the right side. Her mother had given it to her in order to make her feel better about her arm. Although Hermione had given up on wearing it, she didn't have the heart to throw it away. Granted, it would need a few modifications to fit her new body, but she was confident wearing it.
For the first time in years, Hermione was who she wanted to be.
Here went everything.
Severus placed Ricardo's strand of hair into the vial of Polyjuice potion. It hissed before taking on an ocean green hue. After staring at it for a few seconds, he steeled himself for what was to come. With one gulp, he devoured the potion.
For a moment, his appearance was unchanged. Then, he shrunk by four inches as his skin darkened. His hair shortened as his teeth straightened.
He rushed over to the mirror. Light brown eyes examined his new body. With cautious optimism, Severus pulled up his shirt sleeve.
The dark mark was no more.
A smile with gleaming white teeth crept across his face. For once, he didn't to worry about hiding that horrid reminder of his poor life choices. He was free from his past, free to be the person he was at the moment, free to be who he wanted to be in the future.
Finally, he was handsome.
He turned to his closet and scratched his chin. For once, he could wear whatever he wanted. Granted, a place such as Sinatra demanded a muggle business suit. Still, it could be gray, not black. If his sleeve rolled up, there was no fear of hoping that his partner believed his dark mark was a tattoo. Granted, his business suit needed a few modifications to fit his new body, but it could be worn without fear.
For the first time in years, Severus was who he wanted to be.
Hermione stepped inside the building, noting that sleeveless dresses offered little protection against blasting AC. For the first time in years, goosebumps, not sweat, raced up her arms. Despite her shivers, she couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement course through her. Tonight, she was someone who had never been in a war, someone who had never seen Britain, someone who had never needed to hide her past.
"Excuse me?"
Hermione turned to the man in a gray suit. He was only two inches taller than her. His teeth were whiter than any she'd ever seen, and there wasn't a strand of hair out of place. What attracted her attention most was the aroma of his cologne. She didn't know what cologne he used, but the mix of herbs and mint was familiar, comforting, and intoxicating.
He cleared his throat. "Are you waiting for someone?"
"Yes," she coughed. "I don't know if you are familiar with the Malfoys, but they told me I would meet someone sent by them here."
"I am quite familiar with them," he tugged at his coat sleeves. "I'm here to meet one of their business associates."
"Do you happen to know their name?" She bit her lip.
"Do you know?" He twisted his foot.
"No," she admitted. "Ginny didn't tell me what their name would be."
"Do you know anything else about them?" He asked, "their appearance, their relationship to the Malfoys, anything of the sort?"
"No," Hermione answered. "All I know is that they are supposed to be associated with a company which operated out of East Asia."
There was a flash of amusement in this man's eyes, one she had seen before, though she could not place it.
"I fear we've been duped," he continued. "For I too am looking for someone who is associated with a Malfoy business associate from East Asia. I'm supposed to meet his assistant, who is a woman."
"Oh you are," Hermione shook her head. Of course Ginny would lead her to believe a blind date was a business venture. How else could she get her out of the house?
"Excuse me," the hostess began. "Do you two have a reservation?"
"I believe we do," he turned to Hermione, "assuming you care to dine with me."
"I would love to dine with you. After all, it would be a shame to dress up with nowhere to go," Hermione answered.
He flashed his teeth. "I couldn't agree more."
The hostess cleared her throat. "Okay, Mister…"
"You may call me Steven Turpin," he extended his hand.
"And you may call me Helen Belle." She took his hand and shook it.
"I am thrilled to meet you," his grasp was firm yet not overpowering. Somehow the touch was familiar, though where she'd felt it was unsure.
"Likewise," she blushed as she released his hand.
"Okay, right this way," the hostess gestured for them to follow her.
Hermione walked past the groups of people chatting about their lives, all dressed in their best tuxedos and cocktail dresses. Many held tumblers of liquor and Champagne in their hands, their food more expensive than anything Hermione could ever hope to afford.
"Here's your table," the hostess gestured for them to sit. "Your waiter will be with you shortly."
"Thank you," Steven, rushed over and pulled out the chair for Hermione. After she sat, he pushed her seat to the table.
"Thank you," Hermione's blush returned. It had been years since anyone had been a gentleman towards her. Sure, Severus was polite, but he never went out of his way to romance her, not like this. She could get used to this treatment, very used to it indeed.
"The pleasure is all mine," he took his seat across from her.
Hermione glanced up at the glittering glass chandelier Then, her eyes fell on a large photograph of Frank Sinatra folding his arms, looking into the lobby with a mischievous expression. Everything from the ornate, cream walls to the silk red tablecloths screamed money, more money than Hermione would ever posses.
"I, I should warn you," Hermione's eyes fell onto the ground. "I don't know if I can afford anything on this menu."
"I can't either."
Her eyes widened as she returned her attention to him.
"Which is why I am happy to report that Draco gave me the Malfoy credit card," he reached into his pocket and pulled out his black, cracked leather wallet, one she swore she'd seen before. Before she could dwell on who its owner could be, he pulled out a golden credit card with the name "Draco Malfoy."
"I suppose we should thank Draco and Ginny for this little meeting then," she answered.
"I suppose we should."
"Good evening. My name is Walter," a man in a waiter's uniform began filling their crystal glasses with water. "Can I start you off with a drink this evening?"
Hermione glanced at the menu. For years she'd wanted a high end bourbon. Ginny hated the whiskey, so she never served it at her parties. Severus once told her that Lucius always poured him a glass when he visited. Sill, she would never set foot in Malfoy Manor, and Lucius refused to visit Vegas, claiming the dry air gave him split ends. Thus, this was her one chance to have something exquisite.
"I'll have a double shot of Hakushu 12 Year," she answered.
"Okay," Walter wrote down the order and turned to Steven. "And you, Sir?"
"I'll have a Raspberry Limoncello Drop," Steven answered.
"Excellent choice," the waiter wrote down their requests. "I'll come by with those drinks shortly."
"Thank you," Hermione answered.
"Yes, thank you," Steven replied.
Once the waiter left, Hermione folded her hands. "So Steven, if you are not a business associate of an East Asian conglomerate, what do you do?"
He moistened his lips before answering, "I know the Malfoys through their education charities. I am a teacher in their education program here in Las Vegas who helps determine how best to allocate funds."
"I didn't know they had charity organizations here."
"Indeed they do," he answered. "Ginevra and Draco used to visit here quite often. They fell in love with the city, and began funding programs to aid in lower class Wizarding children receiving an education. I work as a Defense Against Dark Arts teacher at Frank Benson High school as well as a consultant for them."
"That sounds exciting."
"It pays the bills anyway."
"You don't sound enthused about your position."
"It has its good and bad days. Overall though," his expression lightened, "I am quite pleased with how my life is going."
"I am glad to hear it," she answered.
"How do you know the Malfoys?"
"Oh well," she bit her lip as her mind raced for some sort of story. Once one emerged, she began, "I work as a secretary at one of their Las Vegas headquarters. We oversee their Vegas holdings and ensure they are turning a profit. We also help the Malfoys book their hotel rooms and make sure they have an amazing Vegas experience each time they come here."
"That sounds exciting." There was a spark of genuine interest in his eyes, one up to this point she had only seen Severus give her.
"Yes, Ginny appreciates my work, but I didn't know she appreciated it enough to give me such a fancy dinner with a handsome stranger."
"You think I'm handsome?" He pointed to himself.
"Of course I do," Hermione chuckled.
He blinked.
"Why are you looking at me like nobody's ever called you handsome?"
"Because," he let out a nervous laugh. "I don't know. I suppose I'm not used to hearing it, especially not on a first date."
"Oh, you don't think I'm being too forward?" She glanced downwards
"Not at all," he relaxed. "I appreciate an honest woman."
"I try to be honest." She met his eyes squirming under the pressure of her growing deception.
"I try to be honest too," the spark in his eyes died.
"I honestly had no idea Ginny and I were close enough that she would set me up on a date with someone like you."
"I did not know we were that close either," Steven answered. "You must do quite an impressive job to warrant such special treatment."
"I could say the same of you."
There was a gleam in his eyes which warmed her there was that playful half smirk he gave her, one which was driving her wild. This man was more intoxicating than any Pina colada Severus had ever made. She could get used to Steven Turpin, more used to him than she thought possible.
"I do not know if I would call myself a good or kind teacher," he continued. "But I am effective in the classroom. People leave my class knowing Defense Against the Dark the end, that is all that matters."
"If you are as much of a gentleman around others as you are around me, then I imagine your students enjoy having you very much," she answered.
"I would like to think a few tolerate my presence anyway."
"I'm growing to enjoy your presence anyway."
He leaned forward. "I could say the same about you."
"Here are your drinks," the waiter returned and set the drinks on the table. "Have you two decided what you want to order?"
For the first time all night, Hermione held up her food menu. She bit her lip once more. "I'm not sure what to get. This all looks so good."
"Indeed it does," Steven held up his menu.
"If you two need another couple of minutes, I can come back."
"I am ready to order when she is," Steven gestured towards her.
She lowered her menu. "I am torn between the agnolotti ricotta and the capesante."
"I prefer the agnolotti ricotta myself, but I'm not much of a fish person."
"Okay, I will have an agnolotti ricotta," Hermione replied.
"I will have a Risotto al Nero di Seppia," Steven answered.
"Excellent," he took the menus. "I'll get those orders right in for you."
Hermione barely noticed the waiter leaving. Instead, she kept her eyes on Steven, who raised his glass. "To us and the Malfoys' interference."
"To us and the Malfoys' interference," Hermione raised her glass and clinked it against his, wondering why that kind of toast was familiar as well.
They took a sip of their drinks. Hermione's eyes grew. "This is amazing. I can see why Lucius loves his high end bourbon so much."
"I am glad you enjoy it," Steven replied. "A beautiful woman such as you deserves a nice night out."
She folded her hands. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?"
"Hardly," he chuckled. "I simply want to give you an evening you'll never forget."
"I will never forget this evening."
"Neither will I," Steven picked up his glass. "Neither will I."
Severus was glad that as an adolescent, he had read a few etiquette books. The initial goal was not to feel out of place at a Malfoy Ball or at other pureblood events. While he still felt out of place amongst purebloods, he at least knew how to behave like a gentleman.
There hadn't been many situations where he could use his etiquette skills to charm a woman. Until tonight, Hermione had been the only woman who'd given him anything resembling true affection, and she preferred playing poker to being around a gentleman. The woman he was dining with was different. Helen deserved only the best after being set up on a date when she believed she was going to a business meeting.
Everything about Helen was intoxicating, from the way she bit her lip to her perfume which smelled of book parchments and citrus. Something was so familiar about her, a familiarity that relaxed him and warmed his muscles. Where this familiarity originated was a mystery. Perhaps he'd seen and smelled the aroma of her perfume her in a dream. Once this woman became reality, he couldn't help but want to know everything about her.
"This has been a lovely meal," Helen put her napkin on her plate. "I enjoyed every moment of it."
"Yes, it was lovely spending an evening with you," Severus answered.
She gulped, "We should do it again sometime."
Severus' eyes widened. Nobody had ever asked him on a second date. Hell, nobody had ever asked him on a first date. Every other woman only wanted him for one night, a fact that was made clear going into the arrangement. Only Hermione wanted to spend her evenings with him, and even that was nothing more than a platonic friendship.
Being someone else was proving to be beneficial indeed.
"Steven?"
"I apologize," he straightened his posture. "I am not used to having second dates."
"Somehow I doubt that. No man as charming as you could be lacking in women fawning over him."
"I wouldn't say women are fawning over me, but I suppose I have had my share of second dates," he gave her a sly smile. While Severus Snape couldn't woo a woman to save his life, Steven Turpin was capable of pleasing a woman. Yes, he could get used to this.
"So, do you uh, want to owl me?" She fidgeted.
"I would like that very much," he found a napkin and a spoon. After glancing around to ensure nobody was watching, he transfigured the spoon and napkin into a pen and parchment. Then, he licked his lips, considering his next move. If he gave her his true address, she may try to visit him. His ruse would be discovered if she saw his true appearance. The same issue was present if he gave her the address to the store. There was one address which would protect his identity.
With confidence, he wrote down Ricardo's address. He would know what to do once he received her letter.
She stared at the handwriting, an eyebrow raised.
"Is there an issue?" He glanced up.
"No," her eyes met his again. "None at all."
He shrugged and tore the bottom off the parchment before handing it to Helen, along with the pen.
"Thank you," she wrote down her address.
After handing the town parchments to each other, he gave her the relaxed smile he reserved only for Hermione.
It was great to be appreciated for being someone other than himself.