Lesson Four ? Invitation to the Dance

Dances with Witches by Pearle

Summary: Severus Snape loses a magical bet. The consequences? The Tango! My answer to the codpiece challenge on Wiktt. HG/SS

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc. of the Harry Potter series are not mine they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

~~~~~ Dances with Witches ~~~~~

Chapter 7 : Lesson Four – Invitation to the Dance

Sunday night found Severus sitting in front of his fire reading. A glass of brandy sat on the side reflecting the firelight in the amber liquid. A knock sounded at his door. Without looking up Severus called out, "Go away. I do not wish to be disturbed."

A second knock echoed through his chambers. Severus looked towards the archway housing his door as he drew his wand from an inner pocket of his open vest. He aimed his wand at the door, casting a silencing charm over the ornately carved wood. He returned his attention to the book held loosely in left hand. Severus sighed deeply as he felt his wards being taken down. A slight breeze swept into the room as the door opened on its hinges. Severus sipped his drink, ignoring the presence that entered his quarters.

"Good evening, my boy. I did not get a chance to thank you for the delicious snack you brought back for me last night." Albus Dumbledore, the most powerful wizard in all the wizarding world stood in front of him smiling. "You don't mind if I rest my weary bones, do you?" Without waiting for confirmation, Albus sunk into the chair across from Severus.

"Yes, I do mind. Go away, old man, before I am forced to hex you. It is bad enough I must put up with being in the same castle as you. I believe these are my private chambers. GO." Severus continued to look at the book in his hand and not the wizard in front of him.

"Tsk, tsk. Perhaps if you were to change your diet it would help to improve your mood? Tell me, do you feel less irritable after you eat?" Albus had conjured a full silver tea service and was helping himself to a cuppa.

Exasperated, Severus threw the book down on the end table and glared at the Headmaster. "What is it you want now, Albus?"

"I don't want anything. I merely wanted to thank you for your thoughtfulness in bringing me back the pizza last night." The twinkle in Albus's eye matched the twinkle in Vanessa's eyes the night before. On his return from the dance exposition Severus had summoned a house elf and instructed it to give the Headmaster the package he was holding. He had assumed that would be the last of dealing with the pizza.

"You know very well Mrs. Prittchard sent you that pizza. It was not my idea. What did you have to gain by not telling me who would be there last night? And what in the bloody hell do you mean altering the terms of the consequences?" Severus had worked himself up into a justifiable anger by this time.

"Calm down, Severus. I thought meeting Vanessa on your own would be a better idea. How was the dancing? Did you enjoy the pizza?" Albus calmly sipped his tea.

Severus shook his head wearily. "Go away, Albus. I have one week of quiet before I am forced to teach the art of potion making to cretins without so much as two brain cells to rub together."

"I have always liked your first year speech, Severus. I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. Very nice use of imagery. I would imagine it captures the students' attention. You still haven't told me how last evening went."

Vanessa had flooded Albus earlier that afternoon with details of the previous evening, including her speculation as to Severus's reactions to a certain young witch. Albus was sure the Potions Master would stay true to form and refuse to talk about last night.

He felt Severus needed to join those around him and not lock himself away from the world, to dwell alone in his dungeons. Some days it infuriated Albus to know that Severus would not allow himself to be absolved of his past. That he would steadfastly refuse to acknowledge he could actually enjoy living now that the Dark Lord had finally been vanquished. Severus was a young man in terms of the wizarding world.

Regardless of his past reputation, which Severus was always so quick to bring up, the man had spent the last twenty years fighting to save the very world he refused to live in. Albus was determined to make Severus forgive himself if it was the last thing he ever did. And a determined Albus Dumbledore was a formidable force.

Black eyes bore into the ancient wizard. Severus took a deep breath and leaned forward. His tone was snide. An overly large grin was plastered on his face as he said in a falsetto voice, "The pizza was marvelous. Vanessa was just fascinating. And I do so love dancing." Severus's sneer and voice returned too normal. Looking at Albus he asked, " Now will you leave me alone?"

Albus laughed as Severus slumped back in his chair. "Are you channeling Gilderoy Lockhart now? Maybe I should go get Sybill and you two can read tea leaves together?"

"You are starting to get on my nerves, old man. What do you want?" Severus glared at the Headmaster.

Albus's voice took on an unusually serious tone, "Despite what you say, you spend far too much time alone down here, Severus. It is time you allow yourself to live a little. The war is truly over. Forgive yourself and join the living. Get out. Meet people."

The Potion Master's voice was bitter, "And do what, Albus? Destroying the Dark Lord cannot possibly make up for my deception, for the lives I have taken. It is a very shadowy line between light and dark. One I seem to have crossed far too many times. Too many were lost in the name of both sides. Too many to count that I had a hand in." He sat back and took a deep breath, eyeing the Headmaster. " For some unknown reason you have always had an unshakeable faith in me. Minerva and I have decided your poor judgment is probably due to an over abundance of sugar. I am fine right where I am, thank you."

Severus picked his book up again. He looked at Albus over the top of the pages, a smirk on his face. "There is something you can do for me if you really care as much as you say you do."

Albus laughed out loud. "Sorry, Severus. A bet is a bet. I would hate to deny you Miss Granger's company. Or deny Hermione yours."

Severus's face darkened. "How can you be so sure that was my request?"

Albus overlooked his comment. "I will leave you to your book. Think about what I said. And do try to enjoy your life a little." Albus smiled at him as he rose from his seat.

"I plan to do just that, Headmaster, just as soon as you leave." Severus had returned to his book, totally ignoring Albus.

"Severus."

The Potions Master looked up. Albus was staring intently at him. "Albus?"

"I worry about you, Severus. I am no longer a young man but I do remember being young once myself. Voldemort is finally gone. Stop being a martyr. You do know to the wizarding world you are a hero. Start acting the part and stop feeling sorry for yourself."

"I am fine, Albus." This was not a new discussion. Severus knew Albus cared. He was one of the few people he called friend but he was not in the mood for yet another discussion on ways to change his life. "Goodnight, Headmaster."

Albus studied the man in front of him. With a slight nod he said, "Tell Miss Granger I send my best."

The bright twinkle in his eye should have been a clue to Severus that the Headmaster had something in mind. As Albus walked to the archway, he called over his shoulder, "Give her a hug hello for me." And with that comment he was gone.

Severus looked at the doorway, shaking his head. The more things change, the more they stay the same. He returned to his book.

.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.

Thursday night Severus Apparated according to the directions Hermione had given him. He found himself standing in the small vestibule of an old building. Through a doorway on his right he noticed a set of stairs. Obviously the flats had been warded against apparating. She had said she lived in 2West. Severus trudged up the stairs. He stopped on the landing and looked at the door to his left. A worn and nicked silver plate inscribed with 2W was affixed to the door. Voices could be heard from within. She had mentioned a study group that met at her flat. He tentatively knocked on the door. He would have to see if she was hooked into the floo network or maybe setting up a portkey for the next lesson.

Severus stood uncomfortably in the hallway waiting for Hermione to answer the door. The door opened as two young women walked out of the flat and into Severus. He glared at them as they mumbled sorry. One witch tripped in her haste to get away from him.

Two young men, another female, and Hermione were still sitting on the floor gathered around a low coffee table covered with papers. They were in the process of packing away their belongings. Severus stood inside the doorway, unsure of what to do and getting more annoyed by the minute. It did not matter that he was almost fifteen minutes early for his lesson. What mattered was that he felt rather foolish standing there waiting for the Granger chit as if he were an errant student. And an annoyed Severus tended to be a snappish, acrimonious Severus.

Hermione looked up and smiled brightly. "Professor Snape, you're early sir. Perhaps you could answer a question for us?"

Severus tone was cutting, "I do not believe it is my function in life to act as your personal reference library, Miss Granger." Snappish and obnoxious, Severus was about to learn what Ron and Harry already knew, an annoyed and angry Hermione was not someone you wanted to cross. Harry had once said he would gladly face Voldemort all over again than face Hermione when she was angry. Severus was about to find out how true that statement might be.

Hermione stood up, glaring at the man. The others were moving as fast as they could to get out of the way. They had been students at Hogwarts and lived in fear of the Potions Master. They did not even think to ask what he was doing there. The air around Hermione seemed to crackle. With her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face, Hermione faced Severus. "Would it really kill you to be human for once in your life? No, you always have to snap at a person. Whatever is your problem? I ask a simple question and you in your infinite wisdom decide it would be better to belittle me than answer a question. I think you might even have known the answer considering this a study group for my advanced potions class. Then again, maybe you wouldn't know the answer."

Severus was speechless, rooted to the spot.

Crookshanks had walked into the room. The half Kneazle stopped a few meters away from Severus and nonchalantly started to clean his front paw. He padded over to where Severus stood and started to rub his already squashed face against his legs. A trail of orange cat hair appeared on the black twill of Severus's pant leg.

"Bye, Hermione"

"See you tomorrow."

"Bye." The students beat a hasty retreat, stepping as far away from Snape as they could.

Severus looked down at the cat. The cat ignored Severus' glare and continued to shed hair on the black cloth winding his way around the man's legs. "What in the bloody hell is that thing? I suggest you remove it before I use it in a potion."

Hermione quickly grabbed her cat. "Don't you dare harm my cat or Hogwarts will find itself short one Potions Master when classes start next week!" Oh my gods. What was she thinking? Had she really just threatened one of the most powerful wizards in existence, not to mention telling him off for not answering a question for her? Crooks shifted in her arms and jumped lightly to the floor, ignoring the two humans staring at each other.

Severus looked at the young witch. He had heard she had quite a temper but had never been on the receiving end of it before. There was that time she slapped Malfoy. That alone took more courage than most grown men possessed considering Lucius was his father and well known for acting on his son's behalf. Despite himself, Severus was impressed. No one ever argued with him except Albus.

The two stood eyeing each other waiting for the other one to make the first more. Finally Severus asked, "What was the question?"

"What?"

"Has your hearing gone bad too? What was the question your group wanted to ask me?" The half smile on his face took some of the sting out of his words.

"Oh. That question." That was it? She thought he would have hexed her by now. Of course she was no longer a student and he still needed her to teach him the rest of the Tango.

Severus had crossed over to the sofa and sat down, all the while watching the thoughts openly playing across Hermione's face. "My, my. Such Slytherin thoughts for a Gryffindor, Miss Granger," he said smugly.

"Oh come off it with the House prejudices, Professor." He was impossible but she grinned at him nonetheless. "We had a question about the properties and ingredients of the Wolfsbane Potion. You are one of the few Potion Masters in Europe that can brew it properly." Regardless of what she felt, she would give the man his due. He was gifted and stood heads above the rest in his chosen profession. He excelled in several others as well.

"The question?"

"Yes. Well," Hermione moved to sit on the floor in front of the table and started to leaf through papers as she talked. Her anger was forgotten as she started to expound on her theory. "I know two drops per liter of aconite is used to make the potion but what if you substituted belladonna instead at an earlier stage in the brewing process? It could be strained and treated to alter its poisonous effect in much the same manner as the aconite is. Belladonna combines much more readily with hellebore in its raw state. The hellebore could have more of a calming affect on the subject."

Severus stared at her. He had always known she was brilliant even if he did not personally acknowledge that fact to her face but this surpassed even that estimation. The idea was so simple as to be overlooked, yet full of endless possibilities. "They are teaching the Wolfsbane Potion in your class?"

Hermione blushed. "We touched on it. The idea of changing the aconite and adding hellebore is my idea. Muggle medicine teaches students how to alter drugs based on the properties of the ingredients to reach a specific end result. The same theory could be applied to potions. It would result in a wider range of potions to treat more specific problems." Hermione sat back on her heels and looked at Severus.

"I do not believe that approach to the potion has ever been taken before. What would you estimate the result of such an alteration would be if you substituted corkbulb root for the hellebore?" Severus watched Hermione's eyes dance and listened as she spoke with a passion for her subject.

They debated the properties of ingredients for the Wolfsbane potion for the next hour. Sometime during that hour Severus had taken his black coat off and thrown it over the arm of the sofa. He had absentmindedly rolled the cuffs up on the charcoal grey dress shirt he was wearing as he analyzed her theories. During the last hour a tea service had appeared on the coffee table. Severus topped off his cup as he listened to Hermione.

"But the sliced caterpillars used in the calming draught are not as strong. I highly doubt they would have the same effect on a transforming werewolf." Hermione giggled as she reached for her tea.

Severus arched an eyebrow in question. "Yes?"

"Well, I was just thinking how calming chocolate can be in large doses. Why not add chocolate and see what happens?"

"I do not think I want to be present when you test that particular theory."

A Muggle cuckoo clock on the wall startled the two as it chimed the hour. "Oh my gods, it's eight o'clock. We should have started your lesson an hour ago. I'm sorry, Professor. I got carried away with my theory. It's not every day I get to discuss Potions with someone as knowledgeable as you. I'll just change quickly and we can get started." Hermione was flustered as she waved her wand. The tea service rose in the air and headed for the kitchen. Another wave and her papers shifted back and forth, organizing themselves before landing neatly in her binder.

Severus looked at the witch. He was loath to admit it, but he had enjoyed the lively discussion. He rarely got the chance to debate anyone as interested or educated on the subject of Potions. The past hour had flown by without either of them noticing it. He thought Hermione could probably qualify as a Potions Master today with the knowledge she possessed. She was certainly more knowledgeable than a few of the Masters he'd had the misfortune to come across. "Miss Granger, stop and take a breath. We can start the dance lesson in a minute. Do you have an early class tomorrow? We can skip a week if that would be easier. We still have time before Halloween to finish the lessons."

Hermione flashed him a warm smile. She chuckled as she said, "I'm fine, Professor. My classes are not that early tomorrow. Thank you for listening to me. I'll change quickly."

Severus nodded as he watched her disappear into the other room. She had been wearing a pair of denim shorts and a print blouse. He had noticed her attire when he entered the flat. The outfit, down to her bare feet, did little to hide her figure. He had become so embroiled in the debate that he had forgotten until now how good she had looked. Maybe Albus was right. Maybe he did need to get out more. She's an ex-student ran through his mind again. It seemed to be his mantra every time he thought of her lately. Severus shook his head to clear his thoughts. He stood up and moved around the room to stretch his legs.

A basket in the corner, next to an over stuffed chair caught his eye. Papers covered the top of the basket. A small black triangle of fabric was sticking out from under the papers. Severus pulled the fabric out from under as Hermione walked back into the room wearing a black leotard, a dance skirt, and heels. He held the scrape of fabric gingerly between his fingers as he examined it. "Have you decided to make our costumes? This is not a codpiece, Miss Granger. The design was supposed to be a snake, not a rose. And I dare say it is much too small." Severus smirked at her obvious discomfort.

Hermione blushed a deep shade of red. She grabbed the swatch from his hand and shoved it into the basket. A quick flick of her wrist and the basket was on its way to her bedroom. "No, Professor. That is not a codpiece. I will have some suggestions for our costumes next week. Shall we start the dance lesson?"

Severus did not move. "Is that an eye patch for another costume? Why the rose?"

Hermione covered her eyes with her hand. "That is not a part of any costume. Can we get on with the dance lesson?"

"If it is not a part of a costume, what is it?" He stood with his arms crossed, looking questioningly at her.

"Professor, can we dance? What does it matter what it is?" Hermione stepped forward. Her perfume wafted up and tickled Severus's sensitive nose.

His voice was low, seductive, "Miss Granger, the object in question seems to have a decided effect upon you. It appears to be nothing more than two triangle of fabric with a bit of string between them. I dare say a dark spell could not have upset you more. I would like to know what it is that seems to be disturbing you so."

Hermione decided he was enjoying her discomfort way too much. "That piece of fabric, Professor, is a thong if you must know." Could she be any more mortified?

Severus looked puzzled. "A thong? What is its purpose?"

Hermione looked at him. He couldn't be serious could he? "You don't know what a thong is?"

"If I knew, do you think I would have asked you?" He was back to being annoyed.

Hermione laughed. "It's underwear, Professor. Sort of abbreviated knickers." It seemed it was his turn to blush tonight. She laughed harder as a pink tint colored his cheeks.

"I do not have all night. Can we start the lesson now please?" Severus was mortified. Knickers? Her knickers? She wore that scrap of fabric? Images of Hermione in nothing but "The Thong" as his mind had now catalogued it tried to over take his thoughts. When had she become Hermione to him? Well, the image of her in just those knickers ruled out calling her Miss Granger. He pushed the image away. There would be time to think of that later. The last thing he needed was for his traitorous body to respond to that image while he held Hermione in his arms and inhaled her scent. Perhaps he could hex the offending bits, bully his body into behaving. He wasn't going to be using them anytime in the near future anyway as far as he could see.

"Professor?" Hermione was standing in front of him. The song they had danced to before was softly playing. "Let's start with a review. Remember to dance on the balls of your feet."

Severus stepped forward and took Hermione into his arms. She's an ex-student, she's an ex-student and the Gryffindor know-it-all ran through his mind. He was losing the battle with his thoughts. He moved forward onto the balls of his feet and felt her body shift against his. Severus groaned silently to himself. He could feel her breasts pressed against his chest. The image of Hermione in The Thong rose in his mind. Not keeping his mind on his dancing, Severus tangled his legs with Hermione's, bringing them both crashing to the floor.

"Hermione!"

"Professor, are you all right?" Did he just call her by her first name? She had landed almost on top of him. They were eye to eye, just a few centimeters apart. Hermione quickly scramble back onto the floor and stood up. Crookshanks had wandered over to see what the commotion was about. He scooted away as Severus got to his feet.

Severus was dusting off his clothes, stalling for time. Merlin, did he call her Hermione? "Yes. I am fine, Miss Granger? Are you damaged in any way?"

Hermione smiled. "No. I do not believe I am damaged, Professor. Shall we try again? Let's try everything but the sacada. You need to keep your mind on the dance, sir." Hermione ignored his glare. A wave of her hand and the music started again. Severus had stepped on her both her feet and kicked her trying to do the sacada last time.

Severus concentrated this time and they moved through the steps with few errors. He was just starting to relax when the tempo changed.

"Let's try the faster beat. Shall we?" He had been practicing and even though the beat was faster he fared better than the last time he had tried to dance at the upbeat tempo. There were still some problems, but they were progressing. "Do you remember seeing the Tango preformed during the expo? Did you notice how the sacada was danced?"

"I was able to follow the first few steps and then the dance changed. Is that a more advanced form of the Tango?"

"The Tango does not have a set formula. It should mold to the music and change with each song, with each new partner. The steps I am teaching you are the building blocks of the dance. They can be put together in an endless number of ways. To truly dance the Tango you should never memorize patterns or steps. Everything must be improvised, like life you take it one step at a time, one beat at a time. I think for our purposes we will continue to use the same song and follow a set list of steps." She smiled mischievously at him. "I am correct in assuming you are not planning to continue your dance lessons once the required lessons are over?"

Severus chuckled darkly. "Didn't Prittchard tell you? The discount he was offering was too great to turn down. I have signed up for thirty-six months of lessons, all with you."

Hermione threw her head back and laughed. "That will happen about the time the Chudley Cannons recruit me as their new seeker."

Severus looked at her. "Not an option?"

"I don't fly, Professor."

"The infallible, Miss Granger, does not fly?" Severus vaguely remembered something about her inability to fly well when she was a student. "All witches fly."

"Yes, and we all have warts on our noses and are uglier than sin. Lovely stereotype, Professor. What are you doing?"

Severus was examining her nose. "Looking for warts."

"Thanks a lot. Can we get back to dancing? Let's try the sacada, step by step. Slowly." It took four tries before he got the timing right and was no longer in danger of stepping on her foot. It was another four tries before he could match the beat of the slower music. They worked on integrating the move with the steps Severus already knew.

"It's almost 10 o'clock, so before we end I want to show you one more step. It will add a bit of flair to the dance."

Severus groaned. He still had not mastered the steps he knew now. She was obviously making him pay for his seven years as her professor.

Hermione chuckled. "It's not that bad. Watch. This is called El Circulo or the circle. It is a simple pattern made up of the two-step we have been working on. The only difference is you always pivot to your left at the end of each step so that you circle back to the beginning of the pattern. Circles can help you move if you are hemmed in on a dance floor. They also add a different feel to the dance."

Severus looked skeptical. "We both pivot left?"

"No, you pivot left and I follow pivoting to my right. Let's try." The circle went smoother than he thought it would. He kept wanting to move in a straight line, performing the step as he had originally learned it but Hermione kept correcting him until he started to pivot each time. He figured he would forget to go straight the next time they tried the whole dance again and would have to learn the step all over again. "I think that will do it for the night, Professor."

Severus moved to the sofa to retrieve his coat.

"I'm sorry about the delay tonight. I promise next week we will get right to your lesson." They were standing at the door.

"Actually, Miss Granger, your theory on the Wolfsbane Potion may bear looking into. Have any of your professors expressed any interest?" He wanted to try some of her theories himself. He had an idea one of the combinations of ingredients she mentioned might work with a little alteration.

Hermione's face lit up. "Really, Professor? I don't think any of my professors actually brew the Wolfsbane Potion on as regular a basis as you do. None of them are interested in listening to me about any alterations. They are Masters and I am a student."

Severus regarded the woman in front of him. He thought she might be right. They would view her as intelligent but that would be as far as it went. She was Muggle-born, female, and a student. Most likely three strikes against her to their way of thinking. They would find it hard to believe she could ever come up with such a revolutionary concept. While he might be arrogant in his own right, he could appreciate her intelligence for what it was. Severus had never complimented her to her face, but he and Albus had often discussed her intelligence. She was an extremely powerful witch. Couple that with a brilliant mind and you have a most impressive combination in such an unassuming witch. "I believe you may be right about some of the ingredients and their combinations. I think you may have to alter the process for the combinations to work correctly. Perhaps we can continue our discussion next week after the dance lesson?"

"That would be great. Thank you, Professor." Hermione was excited beyond belief. In her enthusiasm, she leaned forward and hugged Severus.

He stood still not knowing what to do, at a total loss as to how he should react. He raised one arm tentatively just as Hermione jumped back. She was horrified when she realized what she had done. "Um. Sorry, sir. I.."

Severus looked pained. He nodded curtly before leaving. "Goodnight, Miss Granger."

Hermione fell back against the closed door after he left. She broke out in a fit of giggles. "What a night," she thought. "It's a shame I no longer keep a diary. First I have to explain my thong to him. Then we fall all over each other and now I hug him. Merlin help me. I don't think I want to know what will happen next!"

Severus stood outside the building looking up at the second floor. He chuckled as he remembered Albus's parting words about hugging Hermione. A crack broke the silence as he Apparated home to Hogwarts.

TBC

A/N: The steps and form of the dance (as well as those that appear in future chapters) are from this web site: Tango tutorial - http://64.70.140.102/ourdance.htm. Challenge rules can be found following chapter one.

The HP Lexicon lists aconite as one of the ingredients in the Wolfsbane Potion. Aconite, also called monkshood and wolfsbane, is an extremely poisonous plant. The name monkshood comes from the shape of the flowers. Essence of Belladonna is part of a student's standard potion-making kit, also poisonous. Hellebore is the only known ingredient definitely used to make the Draught of Peace (OP12), despite its poisonous properties. The ingredients are listed, with their properties, in the Lexicon. I have taken 'artistic' liberties in describing their alterations and the process of making the Wolfsbane Potion. If Professor Snape had bothered to answer any of my owls I might have been able to supply you with the correct facts.

Severus's comment about the 'eye patch' stems from a similar comment my husband made. My husband pulled my teenage daughter's thong out of the laundry basket and asked who's it was. When I told him it was our daughter's he asked, in all seriousness, "Why does she need an eye patch?" When I was able to pick myself up off the floor and stop laughing I informed him it was underwear. He paled before saying, "You've got to be kidding."

"Never memorize patterns or steps. Everything must be improvised, like life you take it one step at a time, one beat at a time." I would like to thank one of my reviewers, Angeline, for the quote and the information on dancing the Tango.

Still to come, another dance lesson, more discussions, and some costume ideas. Enjoy and let me know what you think. As always thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are always welcome.

Regards, Pearle