It Starts With A Dance

disclaimer: nope, don't own Harry Potter, don't make any money off of the series, and even if I did, would I tell you?

Chapter 13: A Morning Missive


Hermione woke up with a strange weight on her hip and an even stranger lightness in her chest. Opening first one eye and then the other, she took in a black pillow rising up in front of her, and a dark wooden post beyond that. She squeezed her eyes closed and took a breath before opening her eyes again, mentally crossing her fingers. When she opened her eyes again, she had to smile as she turned her head. Severus was asleep next to her, his eyes closed and his breathing light. His arm was slung over her chest, cupping her breast while his leg trapped hers. The covers were strewn about, and Hermione had nothing but a sheet to cover her. The sheet was slung low over his hips, and she could see the scars tracing around to his back. Stroking over the ridge, Hermione took in the sight of the dangerous potions master asleep, dead to the world and peaceful.


An insistent tapping at the lone window drew her attention. Hermione grasped the sheet and yanked, causing Severus to stir slightly, but not full wake. She smiled at his nakedness as she drew the sheet around her like a toga. She made her way to the window and reached up to open it. A stark white owl drifted in, extending a foot carrying a large parchment. Hermione took it and thanked the owl, turning around to find an owl treat when she heard the large bird flutter its wings and leave.


"Well, wasn't that rude?" Hermione mused as she broke the wax seal on the parchment, then set on the wards. Obviously it was meant for her to open only. "I guess it didn't need a reply."


She was quiet as her eyes scanned the letter. By the end, her eyes were wide and her breathing harsh. She shot a look over to Severus, who was still asleep, on his back, large hand over his stomach. Suddenly the sight infuriated her ~ why the hell was he still asleep?!


"Severus! Get up, we've an owl from the Ministry," Hermione said, loudly enough that the potions master bolted straight up in the bed, eyes flashing; she could feel the wandless shields locking into place.


"Hermione?" Severus asked stupidly, staring at sheet-garbed form. "Why are you wearing my sheet?"


"An owl was waiting for me when I woke. You should probably read this," Hermione said, thrusting the parchment at her lover.


Severus scanned the missive as he scowled, passing the letter back to her. He looked at Hermione thoughtfully for a moment before he spoke.


"You know, we can refuse to attend this, Hermione. The issue is out of your hands, anyway," Severus said, getting off the bed and rummaging through a drawer for some clothing. Coming up with a soft knit shirt and trousers, he pulled them on while Hermione chewed her lip. "If you do choose to attend, you will be under great scrutiny, which they will use against your. . . friend."


Hermione looked down at the summons one last time before she transfigured the sheet she was wearing. Satisfied with the long, plain black dress, Hermione scraped her hair back from her face and headed for the door.


Severus gaped at her as she trotted out the door.


"You're going to Oliver Wood's trial dressed like that?" He always thought she was beautiful, but the Ministry was no pla~


"Of course not. But then again, would have preferred I walk back to my quarters wearing nothing but one of your sheets?"


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Severus had spoken with Minerva while Hermione went to her quarters to change. And he was ready to throttle the old woman.


"Minerva, Hermione and I are heading to the Ministry for Oliver Wood's trial. I don't assume we'll be back before the end of the day," Severus said, pacing the office while MacGonagall watched him with a bemused look on her face. "And I fear that I will be unable to plan the Ball. Between classes and the trial, as well as Hermione's. . . admirer, well, I'm sure you understand," Severus purred.


"Very well. I'll plan it myself, then. Off with you," the old woman said, and a very familiar twinkle winked at him from her eyes.


"Miserable old wench," Severus hissed as he left the room.


"Make sure you use your time. . . wisely. Wouldn't want your lady friend to outpace you too early, would you?"


Severus didn't answer that; he knew he'd say something too snarky, even for an old friend. Instead, he turned on his heel and headed for Hermione's quarters.


Minerva had to laugh at Severus's predicament. She knew she was pushing things, but Severus and Hermione were so stubborn she'd probably have to use dynamite by the end.


5 5 5 5 5 5 5


Hermione was waiting for Severus in her rooms, rehearsing what she would say to the Wizengamot. Tell them Oliver was innocent, that he was being used, that he hadn't really hurt her. Get them to drop the charges, or at least to lessen them; perhaps he would just be put under house arrest for a bit instead of being sent to Azkaban. And she was annoyed at Severus for what he'd said. Of course she knew that she had to look the part when she stood before the Wizengamot. What a git, she thought.


Not that it stopped her from staring lamely first into her wardrobe and then into her mirror. She changed three times before she settled on a knee-length chocolate brown skirt, camel-coloured cashmere sweater, and low heels. She deftly plaited her hair to keep it out of her face. She swept light makeup over her face and fastened small silver studs in her ears.


"Simplicity is best," she said to herself, deciding against any more jewelry for the day. It hurt, considering that she had a few pieces she wore daily. She turned around to see Severus watching her.


He was resplendent in all his Slytherin glory, fit black trousers and frock coat over a crisp, shiny black shirt. New ~ those must be new ~ robes hung over his arm. The frock coat was buttoned almost to the top, leaving only a bit of the black shirt to her view, but even that wasn't buttoned all the way yet ~ and she was getting a nice glimpse of the pale column of his neck. Having never been mesmerized by neck before, Hermione blushed and turned away.


How silly am I? Blushing because my lover is showing neck? Hermione thought, trying not to giggle at the idea. She smiled and approached Severus carefully, trying to exude confidence, even though she was nervous about going to the Ministry. At least he hasn't said anything snarky yet.


"Are you quite ready, my dear? And please, no vampiric antics while we are at the Ministry. Wouldn't want them to lock you up as well. But if you are so inclined, perhaps later. . . " Severus trailed off, smirking at Hermione's blush. "Afraid you might like it?"


"Hush up!" Hermione hissed at him, grabbing his arm and dragging him out of her quarters and into the hall, locking up with a charm behind her. "How exactly are you planning on us getting to the Ministry, by the way?"


Severus pulled something from his pocket and tapped it with his wand, whispering 'Engorgio'. A broom expanded in his hand, and Hermione paled. She looked from the wand to Severus's smiling eyes.


"In case you missed the whole thing with Oliver, I really don't fly," Hermione said, a sickly green pallor taking her over.


"in case you missed the fact that only produced one broom, I will be doing the flying. You are going to be a passenger, and I will keep you safe over the trip," Severus said, letting the broomtips rest on the floor as he leaned on the haft. "you can even close your eyes the entire trip. Minerva doesn't want us to apparate from here when we can manage it, and even if she wasn't so inclined, we can't apparate into the Ministry without strict invitation."


"But we were invited, Severus," Hermione said, still staring at the broom.


"To the Ministry, but not to apparate into it. Believe me, there is quite a difference, and the last thing we or Oliver needs is for us to be charged with invading the Ministry."


"You can't be serious."


"Do you want to run the risk that this is a joke?" Severus quirked an eyebrow and Hermione sighed. She shook her head and took the arm he offered, casting a last glance around the corridor.


"Where are all the students? It is eerily quiet," she remarked, looking around.


"Guilty conscience? I'd say they're in class. Must have seemed busier when you lot were sneaking around during your stay at school, afraid anyone and everyone would turn you in for skiving off when you were supposed to be in class," Severus said, relishing her newest blush.


"Very funny. Can we go now? I want to be on and off that broom as quickly as possible. And I doubt they'll let us in once the trial starts, let alone hold it off until we arrive," Hermione said, as he led her down the hall and towards the nearest exit. Once outside, Severus shook Hermione off his arm so he could hold the broom steady, and she stuck her tongue out at him.


"Can you be childish later, Hermione? I'm trying to make sure we get to the Ministry in time," Severus smirked.


Hermione continued to stick her tongue out at him until he mounted the broom and plucked her off the ground, settling her before him on the broom and locking an arm around her waist. She shrieked as he kicked off, rising above the grounds and heading for the Ministry. She only dared open her eyes when she had turned around to see his face, and it surprised her; he was actually enjoying himself while doing something relatively normal.


Severus's hair was flying away from them in the wind, whipping around his face. A huge, wolfish smile was on his face, and Hermione marveled at the idea that the Slytherin seemed to love flying so much. It wasn't something she would have expected, to say the least.


She snuggled against his chest, turning her face so it was protected from the chill wind by his bulk, and sighed. He was constantly surprising her, and she was sure that at some point, he would do something so surprising that she would have a heart attack.


And then he'll be angry about that, too. 'Can't I even surprise you without you making it into a huge show?' I can hear him now, Hermione giggled at the thought, and Severus looked down for a moment to quirk an eyebrow at her. She smiled sweetly and closed her eyes, daydreaming about them being together for a long, long time.


The day dream ended when they arrived outside the Ministry.