Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Hermione stood looking in the mirror at her costume. She had decided to be a fairy for the dance. She wore a long, form-fitting silver dress that went down to the floor. It had sleeves that clung to her arms and fell just above her elbows. The dress shimmered in the light and appeared to be made up of a million colors. Her hair was left down, and it flowed around her in soft curls.

Hermione paused and looked at the book that was open on her dresser. It was the one she had purchased in Hogsmeade several weeks ago: Lost and Forgotten Spells. The book lay open to the hair color spell. She stared into the mirror and wondered which color would be the best for her. She decided on a platinum blonde that almost appeared white, it was so bleached. She chanted the specific spell for that color, Cambio huerita, and waved her wand over her head. Immediately her light brown curls turned the platinum color.

Hermione took a wreath made of small purple roses and placed it on top of her head, crowning her new golden locks and adding color to the ensemble. Her face had some glimmering purple eye shadow and glimmering blush on it so she literally sparkled. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. It had taken her a bit of time to get the look perfect, but she was happy with the result. The whole outfit was topped off with a pair of wings that were soft and lacy. They covered her back, extending out to her shoulders. The wings fell flush against her and shimmered with the light. The whole look was rather spectacular, she had to admit. She truly felt beautiful. Touching up her light purple lipstick one last time, she turned and headed for the door.

She entered the Great Hall and looked around. Enchanted paper bats flew high above the guests' heads. There were jack-o-lanterns on a table in the corner, singing spooky songs. Hermione grinned at them. Tables lined the edge of the hall, each bedecked with a black table cloth and a small candelabra of black candles in the center. The dance floor had been decorated with a black cat motif. The painted cats were scattered all about the floor. They all had hunched backs, and they hissed when they were stepped on. Hermione carefully crossed the floor without stepping on them. She had to admit, the Hall looked great.

It seemed that every eye was on her as she entered. She smiled to herself and made her way to the other teachers, who were crowding around the drinks table. There would be no spiking of the punch this year.

Albus turned to her and said, "Hermione, you look completely ravishing tonight!"

Minerva McGonagall, who was standing next to him and attired like a black cat, added her compliments.

"Thank you, Minerva. Very creative costume you have there," she said jokingly, thinking of Minerva's Animagus form. Minerva smiled thinly at her.

"Albus, what are you supposed to be?"

"I am a lemon drop."

Hermione glanced at his costume again. Sure enough the man had dressed up as a lemon drop. He wore a bright yellow robe that went straight to the floor and gathered together at the bottom. Yellow patent leather shoes with yellow socks adorned his feet, and he had a little yellow cap on his head to finish off the 'costume.'

"Very amusing, Albus," Hermione said in between giggles. Getting serious, she lowered her voice so only he could hear her.

"I wanted to apologize for my outburst in your office a couple of weeks ago. You had every right to fire me on the spot. I thank you for not doing so. I was disrespectful, and I really didn't mean any of it."

Albus placed his hand on her shoulder. "It is fine, Hermione; I understood you were upset and didn't take anything you said to heart, especially the part about hunting me down and killing me."

Hermione felt her cheeks turn red.

"I'll probably be dead by then anyway," he joked and regarded her over his glasses.

She chuckled as he handed her a glass of punch. She slowly sipped it and glanced around the room. Her eyes fell on the young man entering the Hall, and she nearly dropped her drink. Severus was coming through the door, and he was simply gorgeous. His hair was slicked back and tied behind his neck. He wore a white dress shirt with a red cummerbund and bow tie. Black form fitting pants finished the outfit. He had a long black cape over the entire ensemble, and...she couldn't believe it...it billowed behind him as he walked. He caught sight of her and his eyes lit up. He changed direction so he could meet up with her.

He came up to her and smiled, showing some pointy teeth. Hermione laughed into her glass, making Severus frown.

"You don't like my outfit?"

Hermione giggled and pulled him away from everyone else so she could tell him what was so funny. She turned to him and laughed again.

"Umm," she said eloquently. "You see... umm"

"Spit it out, woman!"

"No, I shouldn't say. Really, it's nothing. You look fine."

"Hermione!"

She opened her mouth and closed it again. She started chuckling again, unable to control herself. Severus began to growl at her. She finally got up the courage to say it.

"Your future students think you're a vampire and call you the bat of the dungeons," she said rather quickly.

Severus looked at her in horror. Then he got a huge grin on his face, showing off his pointy teeth once again. "I can see where that would be an advantage."

Hermione just shook her head. "Severus, you look amazing, really. I just couldn't help but think of that whole bat of the dungeons thing. I swear I've never seen you dressed as a vampire before, and I'm sure that's the reason."

"What do I usually come as when I go to these things?"

"You don't usually attend, and when you do, you come as yourself. Spooky, huh?" her voice lowered and she arched an eyebrow at him.

He frowned at her. "Am I to be the butt of your jokes all night?" he asked in a whiny voice.

Hermione became very serious. "No, Severus, I will only tease you once an hour."

"You've already teased me twice, so I better not hear anything for another two hours." He narrowed his eyes at her threateningly.

She laughed at him.

"You mean to tell me I'm not intimidating at all in this getup?"

She looked him up and down officially, secretly admiring every inch of him. "I can't say that you are," she said blandly.

"That's three. You're nearing your limit, woman." He pointed his finger in her face. "There will be severe repercussions if your teasing goes past those three comments this evening."

She saluted him. "Yes, sir."

The band began to play, and the dance floor was soon populated with gyrating teens. Severus extended his hand to her.

"Would you care to dance?" he asked.

"I'd love to," she gushed. She put her glass down and followed Severus out onto the dance floor. They gyrated with everyone else to the lively beat. Hermione glanced around and noticed a few teachers other than her dancing to the fast beat. Mallory was dancing nearby. She was dressed as a princess. Her pink, flowing gown swirled around her as she danced with a seventh-year Hufflepuff. A silver tiara graced the black curls atop her head. She looked over at Hermione and Severus and got a huge grin on her face. She winked at Hermione and brought her attention back to the student she was dancing with. Hermione rolled her eyes and finally looked back at Severus. She noticed his eyes were locked onto her. She smiled at him and continued to dance.

She noticed James Potter and Lily Evans in a tight embrace. They were dressed as a Healer and Mediwitch. Even with the fast beat of the dance, they were still glued to each other. It seemed that whatever annoyance Lily had felt towards James had disappeared. Hermione really couldn't understand Lily. She had broken up a friendship with Severus over a simple word, yet she still kept going out with James, even when he had evidently lied to her. Oh well, there was nothing she could do about it, and, after all, it wasn't her relationship.

Hermione turned her attention from them to some of the others on the dance floor. She noticed two of her seventh-year students dancing with Marauders. Remus Lupin, dressed as King Arthur, was dancing with a Ravenclaw gypsy, Debra Garron. Her costume made Hermione think of the Disney movie Esmeralda. Of course, that movie hadn't been created yet, and even if it had, few in this room would be aware of it.

Sirius Black, who was decked out as a hippie, his outfit splattered with purple paisleys and a giant peace sign necklace hanging around his neck, was dancing with Nat Kensington. She had lengthened her dark blonde hair considerably, and it went down to her waist. Every time she moved, her hair would swing around her. She had a lime green headband around her head which matched with the swirls in the pattern of her outfit. Hermione chuckled at her. Nat was totally getting into character by forming v's with her fingers and waving them past her eyes as she danced.

Sirius was smiling wickedly at the young lady. Hermione had seen him following Miss Kensington around lately. He must have a crush on her. She hoped he would be a gentleman this evening as she watched him get closer and closer to Nat, putting his arms on her waist as they danced to the beat. Hermione rolled her eyes at his attempt at being a ladies' man. She turned her attention back to Severus. She hadn't noticed that he had been staring at her the entire time, watching her take in the other dancers.

The song ended after a minute or two, and a slow song began to play. She turned to leave the dance floor but was surprised to feel Severus grasp her and pull her close. Soon they were arm in arm, swaying to the music. Hermione caught her breath as she felt him so close. Her heart began to race within her. She looked up at Severus. He was looking directly into her eyes. Their gazes locked and he didn't look away. She stared into his deep pools of black as they looked at her and through her. She felt utterly exposed. Hermione felt electricity shooting between the two of them.

She noticed Severus' head getting closer and closer to hers. He was going to kiss her; she knew it and welcomed it. Why was he taking so long to reach her lips? She thought she would help him along by yanking his head down, but that would be unladylike. Who really cared if it was unladylike? She took her hand and placed it on the back of his neck, getting ready to pull him towards her.

Suddenly the mood was completely shattered by a tapping on their shoulders. Both of their heads snapped around and stared at Lucius Malfoy, who was dressed as Robin Hood and was smiling at them like the Cheshire cat.

"I believe you promised me a dance. May I cut in?" he asked sultrily.

They both looked at him crossly, but Hermione took his hand and began to dance with him. Severus stared after them and headed toward the sidelines. He watched them for a few minutes. Finally, he scowled. Turning quickly, he left the dance.

Hermione twirled with Lucius and caught a glimpse of a bat glaring at her. She finally realized it was Narcissa.

"Lucius, why is Narcissa looking at me as if she is about to hex me into the wall?"

He shrugged innocently and then said, "It may be because I haven't danced with her yet."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Lucius, you go dance with your girlfriend this instant!"

"I will, when our dance is over. I wanted to dance with the most beautiful woman here before turning my attention to Narcissa."

Hermione looked taken aback. "Thank you, I think," she said hesitantly. "You still should pay more attention to your date, Mr. Malfoy."

"She will have my attention for the rest of the night," he stated blandly.

Hermione looked crossly at Lucius.

"Please lighten up, Professor Granger, after all, you did promise me a dance."

Hermione raised her eyebrows at him. "I did not promise it, Mr. Malfoy, at the cost of your relationship to Miss Black."

"Narcissa can be a jealous cow. She'll get over it as soon as I return to her side. Besides, I wanted to dance with you before all of the other gentlemen swarmed you. You really do look stunning."

Hermione blushed and smiled at him. "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy. I know I give you a hard time, but I do appreciate your compliments."

"Then perhaps I should give you more of them?"

"Don't press your luck, Mr. Malfoy."

He grinned at her. "You don't realize how incredibly fun it is to tease you."

"I have an inkling, as it seems to be one of your favorite pastimes."

"I just like to get a rise out of you, Professor. Can you blame a guy for that?"

She tilted her head and regarded him curiously. "If I had known ignoring you would have stopped you weeks ago, I would have done it."

"But you can't ignore me, Professor Granger. My stunning good looks are impossible to resist."

Hermione burst out laughing, and Lucius pretended to look hurt. "You are far too cocky for your own good, Mr. Malfoy!"

"It's not being cocky if it's the truth," he remarked.

Hermione smiled and shook her head. "Truth or not, perhaps you should let others make that comment about you instead of proclaiming it yourself."

"Perhaps, but where would the fun be in that?"

Hermione could only grin. This young man was truly exasperating at times.

The dance finally finished, but before Hermione had the chance to turn and walk away, she found Lucius' lips on hers in a passionate kiss. She pushed away from him and looked at him incredulously.

"Mr. Malfoy, what do you think you're doing?" she demanded.

"I was just having a little fun, Professor," he said slyly.

Hermione's eyes narrowed at Lucius. "That will be detention tomorrow night Mr. Malfoy, for... for... kissing a teacher!"

With that she stalked off. Lucius shrugged and smiled, setting out to find his true date.

Hermione went back to her place on the side, fuming. She looked for Severus, but he wasn't there. Well, they hadn't agreed to go with one another; he must be mingling. She looked around for him, but she couldn't find him. Mallory wandered over to her with a wide grin on her face.

"It seems like you have all of the boys after you tonight!" she quipped.

"I don't know where Malfoy gets the nerve," Hermione huffed.

"Oh, I wouldn't mind if he decided to kiss me!"

"Mallory! He's got a girlfriend."

"I was just kidding, Hermione. Handsome or not, he's too young for me."

"You can't be much older than I am, Mallory," Hermione stated. They had never spoken of their ages.

"How old are you again, Hermione?"

"I'm twenty-two," Hermione told her.

"I'm forty," Mallory confessed.

Hermione stared at her with wide eyes. She took in her smooth skin and beautiful figure. The woman looked no older than twenty-eight.

"Wow, I would have never guessed!"

"Evidently," Mallory chuckled.

Hermione smiled at her.

"I saw you and Severus looking cozy during that last dance," she remarked.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Please, Mallory, it was just a dance!" She laughed at the absurdity, but she didn't even convince herself about the simplicity of the matter.

"Sure it was, Hermione, and I'm well versed in Muggle literature. He almost kissed you!"

Hermione gazed at her thoughtfully. "Yes, until we were rudely interrupted," she said regretfully. "It's probably for the best that he didn't anyway."

Mallory looked at her in exasperation. "Why do you insist on pushing him away, Hermione? He's obviously crazy about you."

"I've already told you why, Mallory."

"I think you are lying to yourself, Hermione. You wanted him to kiss you just as much as he wanted to, I could see it. Stop teasing him, and either tell him of your feelings or leave him alone."

Hermione stared at Mallory in shock. Her words hit her like a ton of bricks. For the first time, Hermione realized how cruel she was being. She was being so utterly selfish! She had been stringing him along. But she loved him. How could she separate herself from him? She needed to make up her mind about what she wanted. But hadn't she done that already? She didn't want a relationship with him. Of course, if that was the case, Mallory was right; she was taking advantage of him. Hermione looked at Mallory with a grimace.

"Oh, I've been awful, haven't I? What am I going to do?" she asked Mallory.

"You're going to tell him how you feel, of course. The other option is ridiculous and will only make the two of you miserable."

Hermione frowned at her. "I'm not sure if I can do that, Mallory. I'm too much of a coward."

Mallory laughed. "You can stand up to four Death Eaters trying to kill you, but you can't confess a little crush to a young man?"

"It's not that easy." Hermione looked down in embarrassment. "It's not just a crush, either."

"I knew it!" Mallory cried, as she pointed her finger at the younger witch. "You have to tell him Hermione! You'd be foolish not to."

Hermione hesitated again. "I'll think about it." she said.

Mallory was grabbed by Sirius Black. She turned back to Hermione as she was pulled onto the dance floor.

"Just tell him!" she yelled after Hermione.

A/N: Next up: Will Hermione tell Severus of her feelings? And why did he disappear anyway?

Thank you all for reading and reviewing. I really enjoy your comments. Don't be too mad at me for teasing you with an almost kiss. You did get a kiss from Malfoy at least. Ow, don't throw things at me, that hurts!