Entranced By A Prince

"Nokomis look," Alexxi exclaimed pointing at the notice board in the Slytherin common room a week later, there's a new message up. Maybe it's announcing the first Hogsmeade visit of the year."



"Maybe," Nokomis answered with a yawn. She just couldn't understand how someone could get that excited at 7am on a Saturday morning. "So when is it planned for?" Nokomis asked her, settling herself on the couch.



"Bloody Hell!" Alexxi exclaimed reading the notice. "It's not a Hogsmeade visit at all. It's a Yule Ball! Listen to this, 'On December 21st, Hogwarts will play host to a Yule Ball for all student couples in year four and above. Please see your head of house for more details and to sign up to attend.' I can't wait for this," Alexxi said as she turned to join Nokomis on the couch.



Nokomis sat and thought about the ball for a moment. She really would like to go, but the hard part would be convincing Severus to escort her. "Do you think you could hint to Ian that I would like it if Severus asked me to go?" she asked Alexxi, turning to face her.



"Sure," Alexxi answered smiling. "You know, at first I thought you were crazy for showing interest in him, but the more I see you two together, the more it makes sence." Alexxi let out a snigger as she continued, "I mean you are both major pains sometimes."



"Who's a pain?" Ian asked as he and Severus came down from the boys dorms.



"Boys who ask young ladies to get up early to join them for breakfast and then show up late," Nokomis answered with a slight smile. She remained seated on the couch with her arms crossed and gave a playful glare to the two men. Severus smirked at her and helped her to her feet.



"Ready then?" Ian asked as Alexxi got up also. "I know I could go for some breakfast right about now."



"Sure Ian," Alexxi answered. "I just want to show you something first. Why don't you and Severus go on without us and we'll catch up," she said, turning her attention to Nokomis with a sly smile. Severus led Nokomis out of the room and paused in the hallway.



"Should we wait here for them?" he asked her, "or do you think we should head up to breakfast?"



"Let's just go," Nokomis answered. "They'll catch up eventually." She started down the hallway towards the stairs that lead up to the first floor. She absent mindedly ran her hand through her hair and realized she forgot to brush it out that morning. 'Bloody hell,' she thought to herself. 'Not that he'd notice it though.'



"You're awfully quiet this morning," Severus said to her as he reached for her hand. "Is anything wrong?"



"Just really tired," Nokomis answered, slowing her pace a bit. "I'm not really used to getting up so early on a weekend."



Severus paused and pulled her gently to face him. "I'm sorry Nokomis," he said as he put his arms around her. "I'm still not used to thinking about other people's feelings, but I'll work at that."



Nokomis felt a tear escape her eye as she looked up at him. "I'm not angry at you," she told him with a smile. "If I were, I wouldn't have bothered getting up at all." Severus smiled back at her and started towards the stairs. Nokomis kept beside him, and they continued to the Great Hall in silence.



Shortly after arriving and sitting down, Alexxi and Ian came in and joined them. "So Ian," Severus began as Ian sat down across from him, "what was so fascinating that it couldn't wait?"



"Just an announcement on the boardin the common room," Ian replied, filling his plate with eggs and toast.



"Must be a Hogsmeade visit," Severus said as he re-filled his glass with pumpkin juice. "Care to join me Nokomis?" he asked as he filled her glass as well.



"Sure," Nokomis answered him. "I wasn't planning on going since, well, you know, I've been there so often, but it might be fun with someone to shop with." She looked over at him and smiled as he placed his hand on hers.



"My my," a voice said, causing Nokomis to look up from her plate, "we are up awfully early for a weekend."



"Good morning Professor," Nokomis said to Professor Dumbledore as he stood by their table. "Just wanted a peaceful breakfast." She smiled and reached for an apple, never letting go of Severus' hand.



"Well, I shall leave you to enjoy it. Have a pleasant day, Miss Lennyn, Mr. Snape," he said, a twinkle of understanding in his eyes.



"What was that about?" Severus asked as soon as Dumbledore was out of earshot.



"Who knows?" Alexxi answered with a shrug. "At least he acknowledged you," she said, sounding a bit hurt.



Ian put his arm around her and squeezed. "I'll always love ya Alexxi," he said between bites of his breakfast. "Are you going to finish that?"



"No, you can have it," Alexxi told him, pushing her plate over. "Noko, I need to talk with you in private, hope you don't mind Severus."



"Not at all," he said softly. "I need to talk to you also Nokomis," he said as she got up, "so please come find me when you are done."



"Ok," she answered, before following Alexxi outside. "So, did you really need to talk to me or was that a ploy to have Ian tell Severus about the ball?" she asked when they arrived by the lake.



"A little of both actually," Alexxi stated as she sat down by the tree.



"About what?" Nokomis asked looking out over the lake.



"Well, I need your help in brewing a potion," she said quietly. "You know it's not my best subject and this potion is pretty difficult and important that it's done right." She kept looking back over towards the school nervously to make sure no one had followed them.



"Of course I'll help you," Nokomis said with a smile. "What type of potion is it? Maybe I can get Severus to help, he's even better than I am."



"No!" Alexxi said suddenly, her eyes fearful. "You can't tell anyone, this is just between us, understand?"



"We won't get in trouble for this will we?" Nokomis asked her friend nervously. "Are the ingredients easy to come by?"



"Everything that's needed is available in the standard student potion ingredients," Alexxi said. "Promise me you won't tell anyone what we are making," she pleaded, tears starting to form in her bright green eyes.



"I promise," Nokomis said, taking her friend's hand. "Now tell me what we are making, you are starting to scare me."



"Well, there is a potion that you can take after...well...," she lowered her voice, "having sex and you won't become pregnant. I need you to help me make that because Ian and I want to..."



"I understand," Nokomis interrupted, not needing to hear the rest. "I'll help you out with that, it won't be a problem."



"Oh thanks Noko!" Alexxi said smiling. "If there is anything I can do for you, just name it."



"You already have," Nokomis said, glancing up towards the castle. "Look here come the guys. Now I owe Severus a private chat. We'll meet in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom tonight to start the potion. Make sure you bring the instructions and everything we'll need." She got up and walked over to Severus. "Well, shall we have that little talk now?" she asked him.



Severus took her hand and led her away from Ian and Alexxi. "Nokomis," he began when they were far enough away not to be overheard, "this past week has been full of new thoughts and experiences for me. At first, I wasn't sure what to think or what to do. Sometimes, to be honest, I still don't. I've felt emotions I never knew existed, but I'm grateful for the opportunity. I just have one question." He paused and looked down, his hair hanging in his eyes.



"Go on Severus," Nokomis said gently, brushing his hair away from his face.



"I want to know why. Why me of all the guys in the school?" he asked looking at her, confusion in his dark eyes.



"Why not you?" she questioned him. "Do you really think that poorly of yourself? You have many admirable qualities Severus. Besides, I see parts of myself in you." She looked up at him and gave him a smile.



"What parts are those?" he asked taking her hands in his own.



"Your thirst for knowledge, the way you help Ian when you don't have to. You give of yourself when you don't need to. It's admirable." She put his hands around her waist and drew closer to him.



Severus looked down and into her eyes. A simple spell showed him her words were true and he bent his head and kissed her gently.



"Merlin's beard!" a voice rang out, "Snivellus is snogging someone!"



Severus looked up and saw James Potter sauntering over with a girl on his arm. "Can't you see I'm busy Potter?" he said angrily, still holding Nokomis' hands.



Amethyst Rhodes looked over at her fellow Slytherins in disgust. "Of all the boys in Hogwarts to snog, you pick him? The greasy git?" She flipped her long blonde hair back and looked at her cooly.



"Look who's talking," Nokomis spat back. "A Gryffindork? I would think you would have better taste than that."



"We all don't have taste for shit Nokomis," Amethyst said, wrapping her arms around James' waist. "Unlike you, I like my men pure." James stood there, smiling as the two girls argued.



Nokomis turned her attention back to Severus and ran her fingers through his hair. Severus forgot about their audience and kissed Nokomis passionately.



"Let's go find somewhere else to go," Amethyst said to James with a look of disgust. "I'm going to lose my breakfast if I have to witness any more of this."



James put his arm around her shoulders and started walking away. "You're right," he said to her. "It's disturbing watching them share his grease."



Suddenly James and Amethyst were on the ground, unable to move. "I see we haven't mastered non-verbal spells," Severus said as he stood over them as they struggled. "And Potter, the grease remarks have grown quite stale. Perhaps you could think of something more clever the next time we meet. Now if you will excuse me, I have more important matters that need attended to." Severus held out his hand to Nokomis and she gladly took it. "Oh Nokomis, I've been meaning to ask you something," he said still standing over James.



"What's that Severus?" Nokomis asked him, looking up into his eyes.



"Would you care to go to the Yule Ball with me?" he asked her, looking down at Potter struggling against the full body bind.



"I'd love to," she answered beaming. Severus gazed into her eyes and kissed her deeply. He then put his hand around her waist and led her back to the castle.