Just One Dance

Disclaimer: All rights belong to JK Rowling.

Author's Note:

I would like to point out that "Quite Enchanting" has developed from a fluffy little plot bunny that came to my rescue and ran away with me while I was working on a darker story.

So, dear reader, please lean back and enjoy this little (fairy) tale like a cup of hot chocolate, since it has the same intention, to warm the soul and make you smile.

My gratitude belongs to my beta Jadey and to AnnieTalbot for lending this little tale a picky eye and her marvelous flow skills. Thank you, ladies! I would be lost without you :-)

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There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning...

The war had taken its toll. The Potions master’s eyes wandered across the Great Hall. At each glamorously decorated table, in every House, a familiar face was missing. Death had been blind in its judgement; like the Dementors, it did not possess the ability to distinguish between good and evil.

Severus Snape frowned and was not pulled from his dark thoughts until the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore, rose and cleared his throat to deliver the opening speech of this year’s graduation ball. The Head of Slytherin watched his true and only master carefully from the corner of his eye.

When did you get so old, my friend?

Since Potter had finally defeated the Dark Lord and the Aurors were hunting down the last Death Eaters, the desperate tension of war had slowly started to drain away from Albus Dumbledore. But it seemed to Severus as if the tension was taking a large amount of the headmaster’s vitality away with it.

"... and so I see the final year graduate with intense joy. Today you will leave Hogwarts not only to find your own place in the wizarding world as adults; you will have the chance to start your life as adults in a world without the threat of Voldemort's return looming over it. Take this chance; I know you will. And now, let the celebrations begin."

Thundering applause arose as the headmaster spoke his final words. Observant as always, Severus caught sight of Minerva McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey dabbing their wet eyes. Yes, it was even special to him to see this year leave, to see his godson graduate from Hogwarts.

While the applause was continuing, the Head of Slytherin spotted Draco Malfoy walk across the dance floor of the Great Hall towards Hogwarts’ Head Girl, Hermione Granger. She was standing once again beside Weasley and Potter, but the Boy-Who-Survived was completely absorbed in smiling at the young Weasley girl next to him. Draco bowed slightly before leading Granger to the dance floor. It was traditional that the Head Girl and Head Boy preformed the opening dance at the graduation ball, and it filled Severus with pride and happiness, seeing that both of them had survived the war unscathed. It had somehow become his entirely private assignment to see to that in these last months.

When the musicians started to play, under the animated supervision of Filius Flitwick as always, Minerva McGonagall stepped up next to him and nudged him softly.

"Ready for your greatest challenge, Severus?" she murmured conspiratorially, causing the wizard to roll his eyes in return.

"I can still not believe that I agreed to this nonsense," he complained quietly.

“Oh dear, it won’t hurt you to dance a little bit."

Severus snorted soundly. Minerva was an enthusiastic dancer, even though nobody would have expected that at first sight. But he himself didn’t share her enthusiasm. In fact, he had always refused to dance at school celebrations, although a dancing class had certainly been part of his Slytherin education. He was not the person to participate voluntarily in such ridiculous exhibits.

This whole madness had been entirely Albus’ idea. His mentor had been besotted by the thought that since the two Head Students were from formerly opposing Houses, it would be a wonderful symbol of unity if, after the war, Draco and Granger each asked the other Head of House to dance.

That old sentimental fool, Severus thought fondly. Certainly the Potions master had protested, but Albus had insisted on it. As always.

Through the curtains of his raven hair, Severus observed Draco and Granger float across the dance floor. His godson did his utmost to give the watching student body an outstanding performance.

Excellent, show these dunderheads what the good old Slytherin House tradition includes.

Granger was smiling at the young Slytherin while he whirled her around. She was quite enchanting when she smiled, captivating everyone around her. It was something that Severus had witnessed many times during Order meetings or at the joint dinners at Grimmauld Place, although he hadn’t been able to really appreciate it with the threat of the Dark Lord looming over them all.

Standing at the edge of the dance floor, waiting for the dance to end, Severus took his opportunity to regard the young woman more closely. She had grown up in body and features, although quite before her time. It was something that war did to children, and he had seen it far too often. Her formerly bushy hair was loosely pinned to the back of her head, soft curls framing her face. Granger was no classic beauty, by any means. She was too small, her figure too slightly curved and her features too plain, but there was something very special about this young woman, Snape had to admit. Her spirited eyes and that enchanting smile gave her a certain underlying beauty that outshone the girls next to her.

"Has my precious girl caught your eye, Severus?" the amused whisper of his Transfiguration colleague asked next to his ear.

"You should really spend less time with Trelawney if you are already starting to believe you have the second sight, Minerva," the Potions master sneered under his breath. But he was solely rewarded with deep Scottish laughter and a friendly clap on the back.

“You don’t say, Severus, you don’t say.”

Minerva’s laughter died down as the music did; other couples joined the dance floor while he could see his godson and Granger moving towards them. Severus straightened himself unconsciously while his colleague was still wiping away her tears of mirth.

“Professor McGonagall, Uncle. Good evening,” Draco greeted them, before performing another slight bow and asking his former Transfiguration teacher to dance, leaving his Head of House finally alone with Hermione Granger.

Damn you, Albus!

He regarded the witch intently as she drew closer to him. Her cheeks were slightly coloured from the dance, but her dark lilac dress still accentuated the elegant paleness of her skin. If Granger felt any nervousness at having to dance with the feared Potions master of Hogwarts, she was not showing it.

How Gryffindor, Miss Granger.

“Good evening, Professor Snape,” she addressed him politely, a smile caressing the corners of her mouth.

“Good evening to you, too, Miss Granger.” He met her eyes, taking a slight bow as Draco had done before.

She answered that ancient fashion with a slight curtsey of her own, raising her glance to him.

"May I have this dance, Professor?" she asked, a sincere kindness in her voice.

"With pleasure, Miss Granger," he replied, his voice lacking its usual mocking tone.

To his own surprise, he had really meant what he had said to his former student. Still astonished by his own words, Severus offered her his hand.

"Shall we?"