Chapter 10 The Big Night

When the big night arrived, Hermione found herself standing outside Snape’s suite at the appointed hour. She drew a deep breath, gathered her courage and knocked. The door flung open, as if Snape had been waiting on the other side. Snape took in Hermione’s appearance from head to toe. She felt oddly self-conscious under his scrutiny and stuck out her chin as if daring him to find fault.

“Right on time, Ms Granger,” greeted Snape as he opened the door wide to admit her.

As Hermione entered the room, she noticed that Snape was dressed in a Muggle tuxedo. It was the first time she had seen him without any vestige of his wizarding wardrobe. Due to the unusual environment that Disney provided, his wizarding robes had not looked amiss during their previous encounters. While swirling black robes were part of the Snape mystique, Hermione found that the black tuxedo also suited Snape in a different way. There was still something about his appearance; that wiry physique, those penetrating eyes, and the way he held himself, spoke of danger. The tuxedo enhanced the total package, in a 007 manner, just as much as the wizarding robes did.

“Is something amiss, Hermione?” questioned Snape. The question made Hermione realize she was staring at him.

“No, Severus.” Hermione had told herself sternly that she was going to say Severus as often as possible, until it no longer felt as though his name became bottled up in her throat as she tried to get it out. “I’ve just never seen you without your wizarding robes. The tuxedo suits you.” She hurried to get out this last statement in order to prevent Snape from thinking she found his appearance wanting.

With an odd expression on his face, as if he didn’t know what to make of her words, he replied, “Thank you. You look very nice as well. You should have no trouble blending in tonight.” His own words sounded as if he was unused to complimenting another on their appearance. Hermione realized it was doubtful he’d ever had much practice at that sort of thing.

With these pleasantries exchanged, Snape turned to the business at hand with a sense of relief. Hermione took a seat at a small dining table, where Snape had laid out a set of blueprints.

“These are the plans for Disney’s Corporate Headquarters here at Buena Vista. Once we arrive I expect we will be under a bit of scrutiny. I will introduce you, and we will join those assembled for the presentation. After dinner should be the easiest time for me to slip away. After studying these plans, I have decided on a route to Michael Eisner’s office that should keep me from encountering anyone. I don’t feel that it would be wise to attempt to Apparate in. I have no idea of what type of defences they may have to protect against magical intrusion.”

“Your job will be to keep any interested parties from getting suspicious about my absence. If you determine that anyone might come looking for me, I have Charmed this Disney coin as a way for you to reach me.”

Snape handed Hermione a gold Disney coin roughly the size of a Galleon. This coin was embossed with the head of Mickey Mouse and used commonly around the parks for tourist currency.

“I have a similar coin in my pocket. If you decide I need to leave any sensitive area where I may be located, simply hold the coin and think of me. My coin will heat up and warn me of the potential situation. I believe you have used something of this fashion in the past,” said Snape with a typical smirk.

Hermione coloured slightly, knowing that he was referring to her Protean Charmed Galleons, which had been used by Dumbledore’s Army. She wished that she had trusted Snape back then. Things could have turned out so differently for so many people. Lives may have been saved, injuries avoided. Well, that was water under the bridge now.

“Once I have acquired what I need, I will rejoin you. We can continue to play whatever social role is required, but I promise you, Hermione, I will not abuse your generosity any longer than necessary. We will leave as soon as we are able to,” Snape finished.

“Don’t worry on my account, Severus. I am happy to help. I’m finding it enjoyable to be back in clandestine operation for a time. I’m afraid Ministry business can be dreadfully boring, and a girl can’t help but enjoy dressing up like this for a change,” Hermione replied with a smile.

Snape stared at Hermione for a few moments as if not believing what he had heard. Then he regained his composure as he stood up from their meeting space. “Yes, regarding your attire, I believe I promised to provide the jewellery.”

Snape left the room, returning shortly with several boxes in hand. Upon their opening, Hermione found herself gazing at the most beautiful set of emeralds she could imagine. The necklace consisted of an exquisite emerald teardrop, hanging from an intricate gold chain, wrought with diamonds and smaller emeralds. Matching teardrop emerald earrings set off the necklace. Finally, an emerald-cut emerald and diamond ring completed the set. Hermione gasped. She had rarely seen gems of this nature outside a museum, let alone worn something of such value.

Not knowing quite how, she found herself facing a mirror while Snape fastened the necklace around her throat. “It suits you,” Snape exclaimed in a low voice that sent shivers down her spine. He handed her the earrings and ring to put on, mumbling something to the effect that she needed to put them on herself as he turned away.

Truly feeling like Cinderella, she exclaimed, “Wherever did these come from?”

Snape turned back to face her and Hermione was rewarded with a most mischievous expressions, as Snape uttered “Malfoy.”

“Malfoy!” exclaimed Hermione. “This jewellery belongs to Lucius Malfoy! Does he know whom you borrowed it for?”

“Indeed,” Snape replied. “I think you would find Lucius much changed these days. He is quite aware of his good fortune in avoiding Azkaban. Although I doubt he will ever be able to reclaim his standing in society. Voldemort’s final demise caused a significant change in many of his attitudes, and the man owes me innumerable debts. He seemed almost eager for the chance to loan you those gems.”

“Well, I hope he doesn’t expect any favours in return from me,” Hermione exclaimed in a rather heated fashion.

“You have nothing to fear, Hermione. Lucius understands that the favour was mine alone. It carries no debt for you,” Snape assured her.

Once everything was sorted out and Snape was certain that Hermione had no questions about the evening, he called down to the valet for a hired car.

“There has really been no reason for me to have my own vehicle here, but we need a driver tonight,” he told her as they approached a black Cadillac. A uniformed driver got out as they approached to hold the back door open for them. Once inside the car, Snape gave the driver directions.

“No matter what the purpose of our evening is, Severus, I admit that I do in fact feel like Cinderella tonight,” Hermione spoke in an almost whisper. “And don’t sell yourself short, Severus. You make a very fine Prince Charming.”

Snape stared again at Hermione as if he couldn’t believe his own ears. Then, sensing their driver peering at the odd couple in the rear view mirror, he turned one of his most withering glares ever on the unfortunate man.