Chapter 4. Ego, Part II and Caritas

Snape was not enjoying himself that evening.

He would rather be called to have a few more raids with Voldemort's Death Eaters and a Crucio or two in the process when compared to the torture he was facing.

Everything was pink. The candles floating above the Great Hall were charmed pink, the benches and tables rearranged by the walls were pink – even the bloody walls were pink!

And where there wasn't pink, there was red. Most of the guests wore in dress robes of different shades of the insulting color. It seemed that the witches and wizards had the same aversion to pink as Severus; except for Draco Malfoy, who sneered at the rest of the guests as he strutted about in raspberry-colored robes.

Snape couldn't help but have an inkling of pride for his godson when he came out of the cauldron soon after Voldemort's death. After so many oppressive years under the roof of his now deceased father, Draco lived a fulfilling life, enjoying his inheritance and dating as many gay wizards as he could find.

He conversed with Draco for some time, learning of the latest single wizards (whom Draco expressed extreme interest in), latest single witches (whom Snape dismissed with a grunt), and latest fashion trends for high-end wizarding society. Snape nodded in approval; he had been looking for a suitable new pair of dragon-hide boots for some time, and a few of the black low-heeled variety that Draco had described appealed to him.

When Draco had left him to investigate a "catch" on the other end of the hall, Snape returned to his sarcastic inner commentary on the Ball.

While sipping on a glass of red punch served by a house-elf clad in a red pillowcase, Snape scowled at its overly sweet flavor. He looked at the enchanted ceiling for some means of escape, but only saw a night sky twinkling with red and pink stars.

If only he had someone to converse intelligently with. Since he was forced to remain at the party, most of his colleagues were patrolling the halls for troublesome students. Snape found it amusing that his solitary work in catching delinquents required a small troop of professors.

Yet there was a chance he could find someone up to no good. With that idea, Snape scanned the ballroom – there had to be a wayward student to deduct house points from.

Instead, Snape found his eyes locked upon those of a gorgeous witch in blue robes, who had just entered the Great Hall with a redheaded witch.

His lips thinned when he realised who he was staring at, but his eyes kept their hold on her.

~*~

"That was a great way to start the evening," Hermione muttered into Ginny's ear.

"So he's interested in you. It's been many years since you've been in the Potions classroom." Hermione frowned at Ginny. It looked like he wanted to kill me or ravage- oh.

While Hermione stood in the whirlpool of people, she felt herself being guided through the crowd. Ginny had dragged Hermione out of her confused thoughts and into the smiling faces of Harry and Luna. Although Harry's face does look a bit strained, Hermione admitted to herself.

Before hellos could be exchanged, Luna said in a dreamy voice: "We're getting married."

In the following minutes, Hermione and Ginny were regaled with the tale of Harry and Luna's proposal, which involved a kneeling Luna, a hooting Hedwig, and a mishap which included a poorly-timed visit by Luna's father via Floo and the ring bouncing into the fireplace.

Ron and Lavender appeared at the end of the engagement story, and the account had to be repeated again by the enjoyment of all and at the expense of Harry's embarrassment. After another showing of Luna's ring, Lavender revealed the news that she was pregnant for the fourth time.

"Merlin knows how we'll be able to manage this brood...I'm grateful that Molly can withstand the occasional babysitting. And can you believe that this here will be twins?" Lavender said whilst Ron laid a proud hand on his wife's stomach.

"I hope they don't come out like those two," Ginny said with a glance at the entrance. The twins had arrived, and no one could tell them that they hadn't dressed for the occasion. They wore scarlet Muggle tuxedoes, pink ruffled dress shirts, and pink ties with a pattern of candy conversation hearts.

"Don't you look like something," said Hermione as the hearts on Fred's tie sang, "Be mine, Valentine. I want to make your heart shine."

"You look like idiots," Ginny said.

"Why thank you, dear sister...fair Hermione," said George, handing a red rose to the woman in blue.

"I believe we're at the party," Fred said in a low voice. "Let's go."

Hermione stared at their retreating figures and barely noticed as her friends began to leave the circle formed. The first to go were Ron and Lavender, eager to share their news with the rest of the wizarding community. Ginny left soon after, one arm linked with Neville Longbottom. When Hermione realised the thinning group turned into an unbalanced trio, she urged Luna and Harry to find a secluded niche of their own as stated in the invitation.

When she was alone, Hermione found a vacant chair and nursed a drink offered to her by a house-elf.

Here we go again, Hermione thought as she downed the contents of the glass in a single gulp.

~*~

Snape saw the Weasley twins split to opposite ends of the Great Hall and knew that they were up to something.

Fred was conversing at the far wall with Minerva and Scrimgeour while George walked toward an uncomfortable Miss Granger. Most likely to ask her to dance, the sod.

Hermione kept shaking her head in a definite 'no,' but Weasley continued to talk to her. Snape decided to use the situation for his amusement and strode in the direction of the couple. He stopped his movements, however, when Minerva's voice, heightened by a Sonorus, boomed throughout the room.

"Good evening, witches and wizards. Welcome to the Valentine's Day Ball, hosted by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in cooperation with the Ministry of Magic." Minerva paused and let Minister Scrimgeour stand, her hand gripping his.

"As you know, Fred and George Weasley, former Hogwarts students, were invited and are in attendance at the ball tonight. Please give your undivided attention to Fred Weasley," Minerva indicated a bright red platform in the middle of the hall, "who has a speech for us in spirit of the festivities."

When the applause had subsided, Fred spoke. "Hullo all. Tonight, George and I bring you a delight, courtesy of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.

"If you look above your heads, you will see a floating heart above each of you." The crowd looked up to view their individual pink and red foil hearts. Snape scowled at what appeared to be a foil-wrapped bat flapping its wings above his head.

"Each of the hearts is a chocolate filled with the strongest love potion...haha, only kidding," amended Fred. He eased the nervous faces of most of the guests, save for a once-hopeful group of fifth years.

"In fact, there are only chocolates and nothing more, though you may find a surprise in one of them. You won't be able to keep your eyes off of it! And to top it all off, this has been be pre-approved by Minister Scrimgeour." With a flourish, Fred pulled out a parchment with the Ministry's seal stamped on the bottom of it. Scrimgeour's face went pale, but Minerva maintained a giddy smile on her face as her hand and arm were entwined with the Minister.

Snape's eyes widened in response to the display. Who is that woman, and what has she done with Minerva? Snape wondered with alarm.

~*~

Hermione watched Fred with mild amusement and Professor McGonagall with a stronger sense of alarm. What in Merlin's name has gotten into the woman? she asked herself as the Transfiguration Mistress ran a finger along Minister Scrimgeour's arm.

A sparkle in the air caught Hermione's eye, and she realized that the little red heart was lowering itself into her hand. Her fingers closed around the chocolate when Professor Snape approached her.

"I would strongly suggest that you wouldn't consume that, Miss Granger. Only Loki and his minions would know what sorcery is hidden in those chocolates," Snape said while sneering at George.

Hermione had every intention of telling Snape where to put his words when she saw Snape's bat-chocolate hovering a few inches away from his ear. She smirked and replied, "You're only sore that your chocolate is a reflection of your true character." With that said, Hermione unwrapped her little heart and popped the chocolate into her mouth.

With the last melted bit of chocolate sliding down her throat, Hermione's smirk turned into a full-blown smile as she felt nothing happening to her. She met Snape's dark eyes and laughed. "See? Nothing wrong with them."

"Everything is fine. Right George?" Hermione turned to face the redhead, but only found her eyes still focused on Snape.

He was the only thing she could lay her eyes on.