Habeas Corpus

Chapter 1 – The Masquerade

Having left Dumbledore’s office, Severus and Hermione walked in silence, carrying written instructions from Albus. Never had they imagined upon their arrival to Hogwarts that Albus would make such a proposal. In fact, it wasn’t a proposal, it was an order. They ranted for long minutes about how insufferable this whole idea was, but Albus Dumbledore would not change his mind. They were to infiltrate the Muggle world and try to save it. As they reached the main hall, Snape stopped, and looking at Hermione intently, said:

“I believe I shall leave you here. Albus wants me to go to Poppy for the make-over.” He left abruptly and she watched him walk away. He turned back and called: “Just don’t think I’m likin!” F!” From his tone, it sou alm almost like a joke. Sighing, she hurried to her newly assigned temporary quarters. Snape was supposed to apparate into his new villa, tomorrow morning early. It was in fact a manor house, some 50 minutes\' ride from London. Hermione, on the other hand, was supposed to take the Hogwarts Express and arrive in London, this evening. She was to occupy a cosy, one-bedroom flat in Nottinll. ll. As Albus had explained to her, she was a middle class girl who gets to meet Severus Snape a.k.a. George Herrensford at a masquerade which was scheduled for the following night.
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Next evening, the masquerade

Hermione arrived at the maraderade at exactly nine fifteen that evening. Dumbledore told her that Snape would be there fifteen minutes earlier. As she entered, she scanned the ballroom looking for Snape. He was nowhere to be seen. It was even more difficult to spot him with everyone wearing masks and costumes. She thought her costume was a bit daring. She was wearing a filmy, green gown that reminded of a Greek goddess statue. The dress fastened at Hermione’s left shoulder with a jade broach, leaving her other smooth and tanned shoulder sensually bare. The folds of the dress clung to her torso emphasising her full breasts and narrow waist and gracefully touched the tips of her shoes. Her hair was fastened in a tight knot at the back and there was a delicate make-up on her face. Her lips were curled in a slight smile.

Hermione moved around the room looking for Snape but she couldn’t spot him. It felt awkward to be alone at a party where she didn’t know a single soul. It seemedpe wpe wasn’t present. The guests were invited to dinner and she found herself seated next to two men whose names meant nothing to her. They engaged her in a pleasant small talk. By the end of the dinner, her left-hand neighbour, Mark, asked her for the first dance of the evening. Hermione was suddenly glad, her parents forced her to take dance classes during summers. She knew she could gracefully sail through any dance. They danced three dances together before Mark took her to the bar. They were sipping red wine when Mark asked for another dance. However, before she could answer, a deep voice that seemed to leap out of the shadows behind them said: “Unfortunately, Sir, Miss Rhys has promised this waltz to me.”

Hermione turned in astonishment as a black-cloaked form of a man emerged from the darkness. He wore a mask and a mocking smile but extended his hand towards her. She excused herself from Mark and walked away with the stranger. For a split of a second, she thought it was Snape but as soon as they found themselves in the middle of the fully lit ballroom, she decided it could not have been Snape. His face, in that part which wasn’t covered by the mask, had a healthy golden tan which he probably did not acquire in London. He was about Snape’s height but not his complexion. And she felt safe as he led her on that dance floor.

“Did I really promise you a waltz tonight?” she asked

“No.” Answered he boldly and his blunt answer made her laugh.

“Who are you then?’

“A friend.” A grin swept through his face.

“I doubt it, an acquaintance at best.” Replied she.

“We shall remedy it then” stated he rather matter-of-factly but there was something in his voice that made her shiver. He looked as if he was considering kissing her.

“I’m afraid, I’m not interested.” She ventured boldly.

“That is of little consequence.” At that very moment, all she wanted was to perform a Petrificus Totalus on him. He was behaving like a spoilt brat, a very arrogant, spoilt brat.

The last strains of the wadieddied and Hermione was no closer to discovering who the man was than she was at the beginning. He released her hand and whispered hoarsely to her ear: “We shall meet soon, Miss Rhys.” then left.
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Hermione went home furious; not only did Snape not show up but she was stalked by a stranger. She began to think that he was a Death-Eater in disguise. This very thought sent creeps thought her spine. The first thing she did upon her arrival home was to send an owl to Dumbledore reporting on what happened and that Snape did not show up. A hot bath relaxed her and before long, she was lying in bed imagining how it would feel if the stranger’s lips opened over hers, slanting back and forn a n a fierce, wildly arousing kiss. She could almost feel the waves of heat such a kiss would send though her body.

Meanwhile in a large house built of mellow brick in a style of an English manor, Severus Snape untied the ribbons os mas mask and smiled at his own reflection in the mirror. Albus was right, he liked what he saw there and Poppy did a good job with his make-over. The evening was more than pleasant. He noticed Hermione the moment she entered. She was wearing a long green dress, the colour of which intensified the golden-red colour of her hair. She looked slim and sexy in that dress. He watched her the whole evening, first as she moved around the rooms in search of him, then at the table at dinner and finally as she danced with the blond, blue-eyed man. Finally, as she was in his own arms, during their waltz, when she so desperately wanted to find out who he was. Sliding in between the covers of his bed, Severus felt the intimate, rising pressure as he imagined his hands possessively stroking her back and breasts, soothing fears and sliding his lips down her neck, sending shivers of delight up her spine.