Chapter Eight: Halloween

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Chapter Eight: Halloween

"Harmony, what have you planned for your Halloween Ball costume? I'm going as an elf. Er... why are you giggling? Elves aren't funny; they are tall and ethereal and blonde, like me."

"Sorry, Lee. I just had a completely different image in my head. Yes, you'll make a fine elf. I hear Cathy found a great fairy outfit complete with wings, and Phil is going as a werewolf."

"Phil? The captain of the First Fifteen? When were you talking to him? He's so gorgeous. Tall, dark, all those muscles in all the right places."

"I thought you fancied Mr Sneyd?"

"I do. But Phil is actually attainable. I may have a rich and varied fantasy life, but I'm not completely stupid, you know. Teachers don't date students. They would get into far too much trouble. So he'll just have to fancy me from afar. Stop laughing. I'm quite serious! So, what are you wearing?"

"I'm still trying to figure out why they are celebrating Halloween in Scotland. I suppose Mrs Nelson thought of it. She's from California, and it's a big thing over in America. Anyway, I thought I'd find some witch's robes and a wand. Shouldn't be too hard to conjure up a costume."

"Haha. Very funny. Look, there's Amelia. Let's ask her what she has planned."

"Planned for what?"

"The Halloween Ball. Had any ideas for a costume?"

"My mum's sending me a pirate's wench costume she used for a party last year. It'll make the most of my best assets."

"You always make the most of those assets, especially when Mr Sneyd is around, Amelia."

"Well, if you've got 'em, flaunt 'em, I always say. Isn't that right, Harmony?"

"If you must. He looks like the breast type."

"What makes you say that?"

"Oh, just a feeling."

"I wonder what he will be wearing. Teachers have to dress up too."

"Oh, stop drooling, Amelia. What, do you think he will dress as a pirate and come and sweep you away?"

"A girl can hope..."

***

"Oh, my. Would you look at that!"

"What? What is it, Cathy?"

"Mr Sneyd. Look at him. What's so funny, Harmony?"

"Oh... nothing... Just, Seth as a vampire... Oh, give me a minute."

"Seth? Is there something you aren't telling us, Harmony?"

"Pardon?"

"You called Mr Sneyd 'Seth'. I've noticed you often talk to him after class. What's going on?"

"Er... nothing, Amelia. Nothing at all. Just a slip of the tongue."

"Sure. We'll be watching you, won't we, girls? If any of us are making headway with Seth, we expect all the details. Ooh, don't those robes swirl beautifully. Watch out, here he comes. Act natural!"

"Good evening, ladies. You are all looking enchanting tonight."

"Thank you, Mr Sneyd. Your costume is amazing. Where did you find the frock coat? It fits so well!"

"Oh, it was just something I rustled up. Harmony, would you do me the honour of this dance?"

"Um... Sure, Mr Sneyd. Why not?"

...

"See. I told you something was going on. Look at them, chatting away as if they've known each other for years. And he's holding her way too close."

"Don't be such a jealous cow, Amelia. I think it's sweet."

"He's a teacher, Cathy!"

"So? Would that stop you if you were in her place?"

"Mmmm. No. I suppose not. But she's always saying she can't see why we all fancy him."

"Hey, look who's dancing with Harmony!"

"We noticed, Lee. He came and asked her while you were off getting the drinks."

"Wow! They're dancing awfully close, and he can't seem to keep his eyes off her breasts."

"He's a man, Lee, and that dress is rather low cut. Of course he's making the most of it. Lucky tart."

"You just wish it was you, Amelia."

"Do I ever!"

...

"What are you playing at, Snape?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Wearing your Hogwarts robes out in the open like this. Do you want us to be discovered?"

"Oh. Calm down, Granger. If there were any ex-Hogwarts pupils here as students or staff, I would have recognised them, or they would already have recognised me. Besides, you can hardly talk. I doubt you found those robes in a Muggle dress-up shop. And you have your wand out on full display, not to mention everything else. Have you no shame, Granger?"

"You don't seem to mind, judging by the amount of time your eyes are focussing on my cleavage and not my face, Snape."

"I didn't say I minded the view, I just object to every other male in this damned hall sharing it."

"Seth, darling, don't tell me you're jealous?"

"Just thinking of your reputation, Harmony dear. After all, it's nothing I haven't already seen, is it?"

"Yes, well, I was bored that day. And you were being a right grumpy bastard."

"So you thought you'd give the old git a show? Mature, Granger, really mature."

"You didn't seem to be objecting later that night when you were locked in your room with a Silencing Charm on the door."

"I'm a man, Granger. I have normal male responses. Or did you think I had ice in my veins?"

"I wouldn't have been surprised."

...

"Mmm. You dance very well, Snape, but do you realise everyone is looking at us?"

"And so they should. I have the most beautiful woman in the room in my arms. They're just jealous."

"Oh, cut the Seth act out, Snape. It's getting old."

"Do you not think I am capable of complimenting you, Hermione?"

"No."

"Not even when I am dressed as myself?"

"What, you really are a vampire? Ron will be pleased; he had money riding on it. You realise you're going to get us both into trouble?"

"By merely dancing and conversing?"

"Dancing is fine. Staring at my cleavage is a little inappropriate, Mr Sneyd."

"But you have such a delightful cleavage, Granger. Where else is a man to look?"

"A teacher should refrain from ogling his student, Snape. You don't want us to be thrown out of school, do you? I don't imagine our faked records would withstand too close a scrutiny."

"If only I should be so lucky. At least this interminable assignment would be over. Are you sure you haven't sensed any magic in your classmates?"

"Not even a whisper. If it wasn't for the evidence we found in that storeroom, I'd think we were on a wild goose chase. I'm about ready to give up hope."

"We'll give it another two weeks, and if nothing further turns up, I'll notify Kingsley."

"Brilliant. Then at least I can get back to studying for my N.E.W.T.s. I hate to think about how much work I've missed. All those homework assignments I've not turned in. How will I ever catch up?"

"Just stop talking for once and dance, Granger. If I have to be present at this ridiculous function, I am at least going to enjoy myself."

"You're enjoying dancing with me?"

"Er... Yes."

"Not just the ogling?"

"Yes. Are you satisfied, woman?"

"Yes."

...

"You realise you will have to dance with the others now? Don't make that face; you started it."

"If I must. But I expect you to rescue me later if necessary."

"Only if you behave."

"Seth Sneyd will be the epitome of respectability."

"No more ogling."

"Why not?"

"You only get to ogle my cleavage, Seth. The others would take it far too seriously. I know you're just an old pervert at heart."

"Point taken."

"Now, off you go and dance with Amelia. She's starting to pout."

...

"Harmony! What was it like? I bet it was amazing, being held in his arms... You're so lucky. What did you talk about?"

"I'll admit he's a good dancer, Lee, but that's all there is to tell. We just talked about schoolwork and assignments."

"He was looking down your dress the entire time! Didn't you notice?"

"Yes, I did. And I told him off for it."

"Only you would do that, Harmony. The rest of us would just let him look!"

"Well, I'm not the rest of you. Now, where's that drink? All that dancing has made me thirsty."

"Looks like Amelia is having fun, but he's not talking with her like he did with you, Harmony. I think he likes you."

"Rubbish. He just realises I'm not going to drool over him like you lot!"

"We do not drool. Or not that much, anyway."

"If you say so. I'm off to the supper table. Anyone coming?"

***

Hermione

Well, that was more fun than I'd expected. And I definitely did not expect to spend so much time dancing with Snape. Although it was really Seth; he was far too charming to be Severus Snape.

Perhaps the ogling part was Snape.

Yes, definitely Snape.

Pervert.

But I liked it. And I liked it when he told me I was beautiful, even if he was laying it on a bit thick.

And dancing with him. Mmmm. Nice.

I suppose I'd better have a quick shower after all that dancing. Where's my soap?

Ooh. That tingled. What was it? Holy Merlin, magic has been used here and not very long ago. A Drying Charm perhaps. It's definitely a witch we're looking for. And a senior girl, if she's using this bathroom.

There are only ten senior girls in this boarding house. Amelia, Cathy, and Lee haven't returned from the ball yet. Lisa went home last week with glandular fever. Jenny and Maggie had just arrived back when I passed through the common room. That leaves me, Morag, Denise, and Katrina.

I must tell Snape. He can access their records to find out more information.

Damn. It's far too late now. I'll go first thing in the morning before everyone else is up. Even if he's not awake, I can use that emergency key he gave me to get in.

Finally. Progress.

***

Snape

Thank Merlin that's over. All those girls with wandering hands. I never had that problem at Hogwarts.

Of course, Severus Snape is an unappealing, nasty, points-docking ex-Death Eater. Girls and women run a mile from him. Except Granger, and she was the only one tonight who wasn't attempting to check out my assets.

I'm not disappointed. Really. She behaved very well for a half-dressed temptress.

Fuck. Who am I fooling?

Pervert.

At least she seemed to enjoy dancing with me. And didn't really seem to mind me staring at those luscious breasts.

Oh, stop it down there. I'm not getting off on the thought of Granger's tits again!

Where are those essays I had to mark?

***

A/N: This was written for the Severus Big Bang Birthday Bash on LiveJournal. Many thanks to karelia for her beta expertise.