—————S—————

Severus wanted to be anywhere else. The Slug Club Christmas Dinner was boring, but more importantly, exclusive. Slughorn had pulled Severus toward him and tugged him along to show him off as a very promising potions student.

"Can't tell you why, though. Hush, hush," he'd say in that sickening jolly way that just elevated him to new levels of sheer pompousness.

Lily was in her element, socializing with witches of high standing and speaking with them as much as she could before her eyes glazed over in that way that always indicated the subject matter no longer interested her. Gifted as Lily was, natural with magic though she may be, she was not an academic.

Not wanting to hinder his friend, Severus stayed to the sidelines where he could observe.

"Severus," Lucius greeted him, and he turned from watching Slughorn dribble food down his front. Lucius' smile was genuine and his handshake friendly.

"Lucius," Severus greeted with a tilt of his head. "Narcissa couldn't accompany you this evening?"

A quiet sadness bled into Lucius' eyes. "No. Narcissa, I'm afraid, is under the weather."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Severus said honestly, suspecting the truth. A part of him wanted to tell Lucius of his fertility potion modifications, but he tamped it down before he could make an arse of himself.

"And you? Your Hermione is not with you this evening?" Lucius asked, eyes darting around the room and momentarily lingering on someone. By the slight curl of Lucius' lip, Severus suspected it was Lily.

"Hermione wasn't considered special enough by our Head of House. She was unable to accept an invitation to accompany me due to a previous engagement."

Occlumency lessons, as it were. Moody wanted to help her build better walls to get her to Severus' level. And since she didn't earn an invitation from Slughorn himself, they'd all thought this would be the best night to go ahead with the lesson.

"I suppose it can't be helped. You must be counting down the minutes until you can get back to her."

"As you are with Narcissa?" Severus quipped, and Lucius chuckled. "Unfortunately, Hermione is not a Slytherin. I won't see her until tomorrow."

"Not a Slytherin?" Lucius seemed genuinely perplexed by this.

"Unfortunately, she is a Gryffindor."

"Is she?" Lucius frowned. "Is that why she was taken in by McGonagall?"

"No. I believe that the familial assignment came before the sorting," he lied smoothly. He knew it was very, very likely the other way around.

"I see," Lucius sneered. "She was quite a pleasure to meet in Diagon Alley, I was hoping to do so again."

"Perhaps you will," Severus replied. "There will be more of these insipid dinners, I'm sure. She won't be busy through them all."

"Too true," Lucius agreed. He then groaned, his shoulders dropping slightly. "I'm sorry, Severus. I must cut one of the most pleasant aspects of this evening short. I am being waved over by the bumbling fool."

"Good evening, Lucius," Severus said with a slight bow.

Lucius returned it. "And you, Severus."

He watched Lucius approach Slughorn, snickering as the aristocrat cringed when Slughorn put an arm around him.

Severus scanned the room again, catching sight of Lily with another group of female students. She flipped her hair and laughed with her whole body, looking as if she were genuinely enjoying herself. He was glad to see how thrilled she was to be a part of this. He moved along the wall, creeping closer to the door, hoping to get away undetected.

He stopped when he realized that Black and Potter were near the door, groaning because his escape was thwarted. He slowed his movements, willing himself to blend in with the crowd as he crept closer. Maybe he could dart out with someone else, he just needed to stay out of sight of the bloody Marauders. Just because they had kept to themselves since Hermione's little speech in DADA didn't mean they were going to continue to do so.

"There are other girls, mate," Black was saying.

"No. It's Lily or no one," Potter insisted. "Moony will ask Granger, and when she says yes, Lily will want to stay close to her friend. If she doesn't go with me directly, I at least want to be able to be there for her every whim."

"Prongs," Black sighed. "Listen, mate. Remus may ask Granger, but there's no knowing she'll say yes."

"Why wouldn't she? She likes him, she can't be so vain that she would be bothered by the scars. She hangs around Snivellus, for Merlin's sake."

"Yes, but that's my point. She seems fond of him." When Potter scoffed, Black added, "More so than Evans was. And man, it pains me to say it, but I think Moony actually likes that Slytherin greaseball, too. I don't think he'd stay around Kitten if he couldn't stand the company she keeps. Even Peter is worried we lost him somehow."

"No," Potter said firmly. "No, Snivellus won't be there, I know it. Moony will ask, Granger will say yes. You already have McKinnon in the bag, and Wormtail said Diggory was going with him, so once Granger gets her head out her arse and accepts Remus, it will be a perfect match."

Severus was openly gaping at them, though they didn't notice him. Was that how Potter saw the women of Hogwarts? How he saw Hermione, Lily, and her friends? Accessories? He shook his head, finding it increasingly hard to believe that Potter was from a respected pure-blood line.

"Just ... try not to get your hopes too high, all right?" Black tried to warn him, but Potter just chuckled.

The door opened, ushering in a new crowd of people Severus didn't want to be bothered with, regardless of who they were, and took the opportunity to slip out.

He was near the Slytherin common room when he heard a whistle. He turned around, watching a group of fourth years heading toward him. Regulus Black was the one who'd caught his attention.

"Hey, Sev," Regulus said with a cheeky grin. "Your bird was down this way earlier."

Severus frowned. "Hermione?"

"That's the one. Was curious if you'd left the Slug Club early and come back this way. I told her no, but she left me this to give to you," he said as he handed Severus a folded bit of parchment. "Quite the witch. The enchantments on it, well,"–he gestured to one of the fourth years with blue fingertips—"let's say that whatever she had to say is certainly staying with you."

"Thank you, Regulus," Severus said, clutching the letter tightly. "I'll pass your compliments on to Hermione when I see her."

Regulus nodded and the entire group continued down the corridor.

Severus entered the common room as swiftly as he could without looking like he was rushing. No one paid him any mind, which was typical, and he made it to his dormitory uninterrupted. Once inside, he found himself alone and flopped onto his bed. He ran his thumb over the seal, wondering how to break the enchantment.

"' What's in a name? ' Blimey, Hermione. Shakespeare?" he sighed. "Severus. Snape. Severus Tobias Snape." Nothing. At least his fingers didn't turn blue with the failed attempts, meaning the numpty had just tried to open the blasted thing. "Hermione, Granger, McGonagall. H. I don't bloody know! Ziggy!"

The seal popped open. He let out a mirthless laugh before he unfolded the letter.

Severus,

A letter would suggest that I'm unable to survive an evening without you. However, I'm not sure if I'll be able to catch you this evening and I would rather give you this information sooner rather than later, as we'll leave the school soon for the holidays. I know you're planning to stay at school. So am I, but I plan to leave with Minerva for the McGonagall family dinner on Christmas Eve. You're invited, and not just by Bob and Delia, but by Nan McGonagall.

You don't have to come. You are and have been spending so much time with me, and by extension the family that took me in. However, if you're at all indifferent to the notion, I would very much like to have you there. We all would, but I would especially.

Yours,

H.

Severus set down the letter, feeling uneasy. He hadn't spent a holiday away from Hogwarts ... ever. The Evans had never invited him into their home. They were always happy to help by taking him to the train station or Diagon Alley, but aside from that, they never bothered.

He liked the McGonagalls. He loved Hermione. He didn't really see a downside to this.

Except in the back of his mind, he feared what would happen at the Yule Ball. What if he'd completely misread Hermione's acceptance? She may be physically affectionate, but that did not equate a reciprocation of feelings. So, what if when the evening came, Hermione was surprised by ...

"You're being an idiot," he chided himself.

So instead of dwelling on what may or may not happen, he re-read her letter and decided long before he put it down that he would go regardless of what happened at the ball.

—————H—————

Hermione looked at herself in the mirror one more time, nervously shaking her hands as if it would somehow make them less clammy.

She was perfect. Her dress fit and flowed, and her sensible black flats would let her dance all night. Or flee, if needed. And she certainly didn't need to pretend she was taller than she was.

Her hair was far from straight, but it was now in perfect silky curls that tumbled down her back. The sides were pinned up, held in place by emerald and gold hair clips that resembled holly. Her earrings from her birthday paired well with the simple chain and emerald drop pendant Delia had acquired for her. Her makeup was subtle, nearly non-existent. She looked exactly how she always hoped she would for her first formal event with a distinguished gentleman.

And she wanted to vomit.

"You look utterly flawless, Hermione," Marlene reassured, coming up behind her and giving her shoulders a squeeze.

"Do I?" she asked, chewing her painted lips. There was no taste of lipstick, a simple charm allowed the color to stay on without smudging. "I wonder if flawless was the right angle."

Marlene frowned at Hermione's reflection. "You aren't going with Remus, are you?"

"What would give you that impression?" she asked Marlene through the mirror.

She shrugged, her towel wobbling enough she had to let go of Hermione to steady it. "Lily said. I thought it was weird because Remus certainly wasn't acting like he was going to be there on a date, and Sirius kept asking if I would mind dancing with him so he wouldn't feel left out."

"Well, I'm not going with Remus."

"Then, if you're this anxious over who I think you are, you have nothing to worry about. If anything, he should be seriously concerned that he's out of his league, because he is."

Hermione gave her a grin; she figured it was meant to be some strange sort of compliment.

"Right," she said. "Well, I'm off. Have fun."

"What, really?" Marlene asked. "Lily hasn't even finished her bath, and you're heading out?"

"I told him I'd meet him at seven," she said over her shoulder as she headed for the door. Marlene snorted and rolled her eyes, turning to her bed where she had everything laid out, calling something to Alice, who was still in their bathroom.

Hermione forced herself to regulate her breathing as she half-ran, half-skipped down the stairs. She caught a glimpse of the boys near the window: James and Sirius in their modern dress robes, Peter and Frank in something a bit more old-fashioned, Remus with something in-between. She had to admit, if she were going with him, he'd have made for a dashing partner.

She stole through the portrait hole before anyone saw her, making sure to shut it behind her.

"You look lovely!" the Fat Lady complimented, attempting to hide her surprise behind a fan.

"Thank you," Hermione called before heading to the abandoned classroom.

She tried to calm down, to relax, and while she wasn't doing a good job listening to herself, it helped her not notice anything or anyone as she made her way there. She paused outside the door, trying to collect herself, reassuring herself that she was, in fact, perfect.

She opened the door and nearly tripped over her feet at the sight.

Severus looked up at her from where he leaned against the far wall. His hair was pulled back, silky instead of slick, showing off his strong jaw and proud forehead. His robes were immaculate, modern, cut almost like a tailored tuxedo. His shirt was a near-match to the green of her dress. His cravat, a choice she should have expected and was thrilled he made, was dark gray with a gold clip to keep it in place.

His nose did him no favors and he was never what one would call handsome, but, oh, did he take her breath away. Hermione wanted to cry from the joy of being on his arm.

"You look ... different," he said, his eyes taking in her form.

"Well, it's a special occasion," Hermione replied a bit too quickly. "And ... and I wanted you to be proud. Happy. That you, er, chose me. And you are ... so—"

He scoffed, shaking his head as he moved toward her. "You don't need to pay me a false compliment."

"I'm not. Wait, was ... was that what you were doing?"

"No." Severus stiffened, stopping a few feet away from her. "No, I was ... that is to say, I know I'm not much to look at. You ... you're—" He gestured vaguely to her.

They stood awkwardly for a minute until Severus finally straightened and took in a deep breath. "I would like, very much, if we would consider this to be ... more than friends at a school function."

"You mean ...."

"A date. Yes," he said, swallowing as he raised his chin. "If you are agreeable."

"I sort of thought that's what this was already. At least, I was hoping."

Severus's whole body sagged, and he stumbled against a table. "Oh, thank Merlin," he said, and Hermione giggled as a similar relief came over her. He gave her a crooked smile. "Anyone else laughing at me would get hexed."

"I'm not laughing at you," she said as she came to stand directly in front of him. She took his hand and held his fingers against her palm. "It's just ... for two people who claim to be extremely intelligent and perceptive, we're quite oblivious sometimes."

"Indeed," he agreed, clasping her hand in his, his thumb stroking her knuckles.

"You look wonderful," she whispered.

"As do you," he replied in that same hushed tone. "I'm glad you didn't magic away your curls. I'm quite fond of them."

"You frequently call them horrid," she reminded him, not able to speak normally for fear that whatever bubble they were in would burst and take their happiness with it.

"They are. That doesn't make me any less fond of them."

They were so close, and now that she knew, now that they were sure ...

They leaned in, her nose caressing his as his eyes fell shut.

Then they sprang open. "Shit."

"What?" Hermione asked, and just as Severus straightened, the door opened.

Madam Pomfrey leaned against the doorframe, an amused grin on her face. "You two look quite fine, but if you don't get down to the ball instead of lingering up here like a couple of miscreants, I'll alert Professor McGonagall." At their surprise and confusion, she giggled. "I saw Miss Granger pass the wing not long ago, and I've been listening for the door since."

"We're heading down now," Severus said, giving Hermione's hand a light tug. They headed to the door, passing by the matron and heading for the stairs.

"Oh, you two!" she called, and they turned together just in time to be blinded by a camera flash. Madam Pomfrey smiled approvingly. "They may take your photo as you enter, but sometimes it's nice to have a less posed reminder of the night."

Severus rolled his eyes, but he didn't seem bothered in the least.

—————H—————

She entered the Great Hall on his arm, stunned at the sheer beauty of the decorations. She hadn't really noticed them the year before, and perhaps it was the same, but it mattered this time.

There were couples dancing, though not many, and a few of the tables had already been claimed.

"I must confess that, while I've been taught to dance, I've never had a proper partner," Severus said as Hermione noticed a few students do doubletakes in their direction.

"I know how to dance the Muggle waltz, but I've only read about wizard waltzes. I practiced... alone," she admitted, feeling incredibly stupid that she hadn't sought proper practice before now.

"Well, while there aren't too many people here to see us make fools of ourselves," he suggested, leading her to the dance floor.

She discovered quite quickly that he was graceful, much more than she was. It made sense, a voice in the back of her mind reminded her, considering the way he moved once grown. How his hands handled ingredients, how swiftly he moved during patrols. It was quite obviously a natural skill, and while she had moments of feeling awkward or clumsy, his confidence and nimbleness guided her through and masked any blunder.

When the song ended, he led her through into the next, the corner of his mouth rising with each minute. When the second song ended, it was clear the band was going to take a break. She was pleased he didn't seem to want to stop.

"Shall we ... get refreshments?"

"Sounds lovely." She paused, glancing around. "So long as James and Sirius haven't shown up. I heard they planned to spike the punch."

Severus snorted. "They wouldn't be the first to try. I heard a couple of older Slytherins hinting at the same thing. There are supposed to be enchantments to prevent that, but in case there aren't." He reached into the inner pocket of his dress robes. "A drop of this in our drinks and it will neutralize the alcohol."

"I've never heard of such a potion."

"It's Mastery level," he replied with a pleased gleam in his eye.

Hermione just smiled up at him, letting him lead her to the refreshment table while he held her hand in his. He thumbed open the bottle and added a drop of the potion into two glasses.

"And what exactly do you have there?" Moody asked, snatching the bottle from Severus' hands quicker than it seemed possible for him to move. He eyed Severus critically before taking a sniff. "Not much fun, are you?" he asked as he handed the bottle back to Severus.

"Would like my wits about me," Severus replied. "And hers."

"Know any reason why a simple monk fruit punch might take 'em away?"

"I've heard rumors it might. From multiple houses."

"Good to know. Carry on." Moody hobbled a few feet away, keeping a keen eye on the students.

Severus shook his head before he ladled punch into their cups. "We spend more time with that man than any student outside detention, and I still have no idea what to think of him."

"I kind of like him," Hermione said thoughtfully as he handed her a glass. "He's gruff and abrupt, and terrifying sometimes. But I feel like I'm learning from him, truly learning, which is more than I can say about any Defense teacher I've ever had. Even the last one I had before I came here. He was nice enough, practical, by-the-book, but I didn't feel challenged."