Kindly Take Your Leave...

Chapter 10 -- Kindly Take Your Leave...

Hermione walked as briskly as she could down the halls, clutching a note in her hand tightly and hoping desperately that nobody would notice that she was late. She had been sent a last minute note by McGonagall to a meeting with the head boy and heads of house. She wasn't quite sure what it was about, but it seemed important nonetheless.

She uttered a quick 'acid pop' to the gargoyle guarding the headmaster's office and bolted up the staircase. She took a moment to compose herself and opened the door calmly, watching as everyone present turned to look at her with the exception of Snape. 'Sorry I'm a little late,' she mumbled, taking her seat.

'Well, now that everyone is present, we may begin our meeting,' Albus said cheerily, instantly quelling Hermione's first fear that it was something horrific.

Anthony Goldstein flashed a quick smile and a wink before looking at Dumbledore to listen to what the old man had to say. Hermione simply smiled nervously and did the same, listening to all of the castle updates before Dumbledore announced the main topic and reason for this meeting.

'Now, I am sure that you are all aware that Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and that is merely a week away?' he asked to all present.

There was a murmur of assent and a few nods, and the headmaster continued. 'This year, I have decided that instead of just the regular feast we shall transform it into a fully-fledged ball,' he said softly.

He saw two heads turn at him sharply and their mouths open to argue. He held up a hand to halt Hermione and Severus as they were about to start their tirades. 'And it is mostly due to the Yule ball that was promised but had to be cancelled. Students are expecting a ball, and I am merely delivering,' he finished with a smile.

Hermione huffed softly and sat further back in her chair, folding her arms across her chest and staring at the carpet. Snape, who was standing now by the fireplace, had settled for simply glaring at the headmaster down his hooked nose.

Albus took a deep breath to continue. 'I called you all here to help in the preparation for the ball, namely Mr. Goldstein and Miss Granger, and to remind you that you will all be expected to attend and partake in the evening.'

Fabulous! Hermione looked up then. 'Does that mean, Professor, that you expect Anthony and me to organize this in one week?'

Albus nodded. 'I am confident in your ability and think that the task should not be too hard for the two of you.'

Hermione ignored the compliment in that and pressed on. 'Headmaster, not to be rude or anything, but why do we have to have a ball? I think that a feast would be sufficient,' she stated firmly.

'I think it's a wonderful idea, Miss Granger, and it's about time this school had a ball,' Minerva McGonagall intoned, with professors Sprout and Flitwick nodding in agreement. 'Don't you, Severus?' she teased.

Snape sneered and growled a low response. 'Only a brainless twit would be so interested in such a pointless event,' he snapped before grabbing Floo powder and swirling into the Floo network and out of sight.

'Mr. Goldstein? You haven't said a word this whole meeting. What is your opinion?' Dumbledore asked kindly.

Anthony took a deep breath and looked at Hermione apologetically. 'I don't mind the idea, and it would certainly get all of the girls off my back who is asking when a ball will be held.'

'So the issue is resolved. We shall have the ball in one week. You are all dismissed and I shall announce it at dinner.'

o:0:0:0:o

Severus spent the rest of the week snapping at students, forcing his dark nature onto them, and dishing out detentions with Filch left, right, and centre for the most mediocre things like coughing in class or raising their hands, to walking a little too fast in the school corridors.

Hermione had noticed Snape's worsening mood throughout the week and couldn't blame him either. She was being made to organize the event as well as attend it and had been spending the better part of her spare time planning during the time which she would normally be doing productive study.

Finally, the day of the ball came, and she was required to take her afternoon classes off to decorate and set up the Great Hall with the head boy at her side.

Anthony had been surprisingly good company over the past few days and was continually helpful and easy to get along with. He had been a good remedy for her ill-feelings towards the headmaster and the event, always smiling and encouraging her. She was surprised that he had a familiar cheeky smile that she could not quite place until she thought back to her Christmas.

It had been that long since she had seen Snape smile. Even almost two months after the break, she was still finding that her feelings for him had not changed at all and had just intensified at the fact that she could not have him.

Anthony and Hermione set the Great Hall up pretty quickly and sealed it off, leaving three hours until the feast and ball would begin. She was about to leave when he stopped her, taking her hand in his lightly and smiling.

'Hermione, I was wondering, if you didn't have a date for the ball, maybe you'd like to go with me?' he asked nervously.

Hermione looked surprised. 'Of course I'll go with you,' she said with her first genuine smile that week. She felt happier now that she would not be going alone. 'I had better go get ready though.'

'There's another three hours yet,' he replied with a laugh.

'I know, but I have to go see a friend first,' she explained, not mentioning that Snape was the particular person this time.

He nodded and waved as she left and headed towards the dungeons. She stopped outside of Snape's office, unsure why she felt the sudden urge to see him that afternoon, but going ahead nonetheless. She knocked softly on the door and heard a sharp 'enter'. She opened the door and stepped through.

'Miss Granger. To what do I owe this... visit?' he snarled cantankerously.

Hermione merely smiled back. 'Professor, is something bothering you?'

'Yes, you stupid girl!' he thought angrily. 'The one woman I want, I can not have!’ He looked up from the essays he was grading on his desk and frowned at her. 'I don't see how that is any of your business,' he said in a low voice.

'Well, I am just a little concerned. You have been... moody of late...' she started saying, comparing him now to the Snape she had spent Christmas with.

'I do not see how that should concern the head girl, who should have other, far more important matters on her mind. However, your concern is touching,' he drawled somewhat sarcastically. 'Now if that is all, kindly take your leave...'

Hermione left without another word, leaving Snape alone to ponder what she had just said to him. She couldn't possibly mean what he thought she meant? That she actually cared about him? It was improper, to say the very least, but some traitorous part of him liked the fact that Hermione might have feelings for him.

She had been sad the day he had told her to leave his sight when they had first returned from Spinner's End. She was sad then, when he had curtly told her to leave the room, but she did seem to be taking his snappy defense rather well.

He finished off marking the essays pretty smartly and left his office for his private quarters. He had to attend the stupid ball. He had to dance with the other insufferable female professors. And the worst part was that he had to spend the entire evening watching Hermione dance in the arms of other males.

He pulled out some crisp black dress robes and left for his bathroom to take a long, hot, and soothing shower. His muscles ached and head throbbed from the day's classes.

It was going to be a very long night...

A.N. Sorry I had to leave it off there... I will be writing the Valentine's Ball in the next chapter. Please! R&R!