A Turn for the Better

Chapter 39 ~ Arriving at the Ball

The Great Hall was decorated in a very understated manner this year, although Albus still insisted on releasing the little golden cherubs he used on every occasion. The tiny angels flitted about, sparkling when the light hit them.

Snape referred to them as "bloody mosquitoes."

Round tables of various sizes covered in white tablecloths with floral centerpieces were arranged strategically, leaving room in the center of the hall for dancing. White candles floated overhead, lending the room a warm glow.

Food and libations were arranged on long tables where guests and graduates could serve themselves buffet-style. House elves maintained the tables, sitting underneath them so as not to be obtrusive. For the first time, students, or graduates rather, wouldn't have to spike the punch. Beer, wine and Firewhiskey were readily available to them now. However, having their parents present would serve as a good deterrent to over-imbibing.

Since the graduates were basically the Age of Consent, there were no chaperones this time, but students and their parents or guardians sat together, grouped according to who was escorting who.

Arthur and Molly Weasley were sitting with the Potters and the Browns, since Harry was escorting Ginny and Ron was with Lavender. At another table, Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa were sitting with the Parkinsons, Lucius looking rather bored as Pansy's father tried to interest him in investing in his broom design business.

The Grangers sat alone since Hermione was supposed to be going stag, but there were four chairs at the table, so Snape and Hermione would be joining them.

The two dentists each had a small plate of appetizers in front of them, as well as glasses of a pale orange drink that seemed quite popular.

"I think it was very nice of Professor Snape to offer to escort Hermione to the ball tonight," Jean Granger said to her husband as they sat at a table on the edge of the dance floor. John was irritably waving his hand at a tiny golden cherub that seemed to have taken a liking to him. "And it was nice of you to agree."

John batted the pesky little angel away from him, then frowned at his wife.

"I didn't agree . . . you did, Jean. I didn't have a chance to say anything," he grumbled. "He offered and you just blurted out 'That would be wonderful!'"

"Well, it's better than Hermione coming alone," Jean replied with a smile. "He looks daunting John, but he has a very protective aura about him. He seems very trustworthy. Besides, he's going to be working very closely with her."

John snorted.

"An 'aura' eh? Trustworthy? Right," he said, taking a sip of pumpkin juice and making a face. "What is this stuff? Liquid squash with sugar?"

Jean looked a little worried, ignoring her husband's complaint.

"I hope Hermione doesn't feel embarrassed that he asks to accompany her," she said. "She might think he just feels sorry for her . . . and then, there's the other students . . ."

"Well, she can always say no," John replied, heartened by the possibility.

Snape seemed to be an all right chap, but still . . . despite her age, Hermione was his little girl and would always be.

"I don't think she will," Jean replied, "she's a very polite young woman. We'll just have to wait and see."

Several tables over, James and Lily Potter sat watching the graduates file in, James in black dress robes and Lily in a dark green ball gown that offset her eyes. Molly was wearing a gold gown, with a matching shawl, and a tiara. She was tasting tidbits of food and making comments about it.

"These wings are a bit dry, Arthur," she said as she placed a glazed chicken wing back on the plate. "I'm not saying the house elves aren't good cooks, but the food could be better."

Arthur nodded in agreement, although he though the food was fine.

Lily smiled at Molly, having an idea.

"Molly, you're such a wonderful cook . . . maybe you could cater a couple of the balls next year. I bet Albus would be all for it," she suggested.

Molly's eyes lit up.

"That's a wonderful idea, Lily. I could earn a few galleons at that," she responded. "Doesn't that sound wonderful, Arthur?"

"Yes, dear. It's a wonderful idea," he agreed smiling at her.

James had his eyes locked on the double doors, watching for Harry and Ginny. He declined to sign any autographs this time, learning from his mistake at the Christmas Ball. Tonight he was an ordinary father celebrating his son's graduation. And he really was proud of Harry. He received good marks . . . not exceptional, but still quite good. He also received an award for his Quidditch skills. At home, Harry had a number of inquiry letters from teams interested in recruiting him for the minors. It seemed James Potter's firstborn son would be following in his footsteps after all, despite their differences.


"Oh, there's Ron!" Molly exclaimed as Ron entered the Great Hall with Lavender, and headed straight for the buffet. He was wearing black dress robes. They were a little worn from being passed down, but he looked presentable enough.

"Don't they look nice!" Molly said, craning her neck as Ron released a scowling Lavender, grabbed a plate and started piling food on. Lavender watched with her hands on her hips for several moments before she snatched the plate out of Ron's hand and started putting the food back as Ron protested.

"Lavender, it's my last meal at Hogwarts," the redhead said, his eyes a bit watery as Lavender put the food back. "Have a heart."

"It's your heart I'm worried about Ron. Every artery you have is going to be clogged with fat if you keep eating like this," she replied, retrieving a clean plate and picking out a few carrot sticks to start with.

"It's not going to happen overnight, Lavender," Ron argued.

Lavender dropped a piece of broccoli on his plate and said softly, "Ron, if you keep this up, that won't be the only thing that won't be happening overnight."

Ron's mouth snapped shut for a moment. Lavender had promised him a shag tonight, with all the trimmings if he behaved himself, even buggering. He loved buggering Lavender . . . good and hard.

"How about some vegetable dip to go with those carrot sticks?" he asked as Lavender gave him a self-satisfied little smirk and focused on selecting his food.

Ron's eyes went a bit dark as he watched her. Lavender might feel as if she'd won a victory, but she hadn't won the war. She'd see who'd be smirking later when she was ass up, head down.

Ron could be a vindictive bugger in more ways than one. There'd be some howling tonight, and the only moon involved would be Lavender's.

"There's Harry and Ginny," Lily said with a smile as they entered the Great Hall, along with Draco and Pansy. Ginny was dressed in a simple but elegant green gown, with thin straps and a slit up the side. Tiny florets decorated the seams. Her red hair was out, slightly curled and she looked lovely on Harry's arm. Both Harry and Draco wore Slytherin green dress robes trimmed with silver.

"Over here, Ginny!" Molly called waving her arms.

Ginny looked around, then saw her and smiled. Harry smiled as well. Whenever the Weasleys were around, he was on his best behavior. They walked over and Ginny gave her mother and father a kiss. Harry kissed his mum and greeted his father, then the Browns, who nodded politely. They were a very quiet, but friendly couple.

"You both look so nice together," Molly said, smiling at them as Harry pulled out Ginny's chair, which was next to Arthur. He slid it back in when she sat down.

"Would you like some punch, Ginny?" he asked her politely as Lily smiled at his gallantry.

"Yes, thank you, Harry," Ginny replied.

Harry looked at his mum, who was smiling at him openly, very pleased.

"Can I bring you something too, mum?" he asked her, giving her a slight smile back because it was so obvious she was pleased with him. Despite their difficulties, deep down every boy loves his mum. Harry was no different when it came down to it. Besides, he had been very moved when his mum hugged him, crying buckets when he graduated.

"Oh, stop crying, mum," he murmured as she cried into his shoulder after the ceremony.

"I'm just so proud of you, Harry," Lily gulped, caressing his hair like he was a little boy. When she finally released him, his father shook his hand firmly.

"Congratulations, son. It's been a long road, and I was a little worried about you . . . but . . . you did fine. Just fine. I'm proud of you, too," James told his son. "Very proud."

It had been a nice moment for their family, and a hopeful one. Maybe they could work on mending the broken bridges now. This was a start.

Lily smiled at her son.

"Oh, no, Harry. I don't want anything to drink, but thank you for asking," she replied. Harry then checked with Molly and Lavender's mother, both of whom declined.

He left to get Ginny's punch.

"Such a polite young man," Mrs. Brown said softly. "You've raised him well."

Lily flushed with pleasure as James gave her a small smile.

"Thank you," he said

They made small talk, and Ron and Lavender joined them.

Neville and Luna were sitting with their parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom and Luna's dad, Xenophilius Lovegood, who was dressed in bright yellow dress robes. They were chatting animatedly, Xenophilius regaling them with tales of searching for the Crumple-Horned Snorkack in different areas of the world, from the Himalayas to the shores around the Dead Sea. He was quite an interesting man.

"After all that climbing, all we ran into was a tribe of Yetis," Xenophilius complained to his companions. "It was quite disappointing."

"It must have been," Alice agreed, fascinated.

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Hermione and Professor Snape had caused quite a stir among the other graduates as they descended the shifting stairwells arm in arm. Everyone was staring at them and whispering. Hermione held her chin high as she walked with the wizard, determined not to be embarrassed.

"I hope you don't find our being scrutinized embarrassing, Hermione," he said to her softly as couples parted before them with wide eyes.

"No, I don't, Professor," she replied, thinking there was going to be a lot more scrutiny once their relationship got started. "Why would I be embarrassed to be going to the ball with a wizard as brilliant as you?"

Snape looked at her soberly.

"Yes, but I am a far cry from a handsome, dashing young wizard," he replied softly. "I understand every young witch wants to be seen with someone . . . attractive. Your peers might . . ."

"You are attractive to me," Hermione said firmly, cutting him off, her brown eyes meeting his. "My 'peers' can go sod off!"

However, Snape's "peer" comment made Hermione think of something else. Someone else . . .

She stalled on the first floor landing, the other couples walking around them and looking back curiously as they descended the stairs to the Entrance Hall.

"What is it, Hermione?" Snape asked her, noticing she had gone pale.

"My . . . my father. He's not going to like this at all. He wanted to meet you . . . and . . . oh, he's going to have a bugbear if I walk into the ball arm and arm with you. He's going to automatically assume you're . . ."

"He did meet me. This afternoon, both he and your mother," Snape told her. "I gave them a tour of my lab and your quarters . . . "

Hermione's eyes went round.

"My quarters? I have quarters? But . . . but I thought I was going to stay with you . . ." she said, disappointment in her voice.

Snape gave her a slight smile and patted her hand.

"Technically, you will be staying with me. Your quarters are right off my study," the wizard replied. "The Headmaster kindly adjusted the castle's building design, and I supplied everything else. You are entitled to some privacy, Hermione. You also have a private study and a lab of your own, although you will mostly be working in my lab the first two years."

"My . . . my own lab?" Hermione squealed, causing even more couples to look up at them on the landing.

"Sssh, witch. We're drawing enough attention as it is, but yes, you have your own lab. Now, let us go. We can discuss this at a later time," Snape said to her gently.

Hermione let the Potions master lead her down the stairs and toward the Great Hall as if she were in a dream. When they reached the ground floor, Hermione suddenly stalled again.

"My father . . ." she said tremulously.

"Don't worry about your father, Hermione," Snape told her. "Everything will be fine. All I ask is that you trust me."

Hermione looked up into the Potions master's face and all her fears seemed to drain away as she met his dark eyes. He'd never let anything or anyone hurt her . . . she could feel that certainty deep inside.

Hermione drew in a steadying breath, then said firmly, "I do trust you, Professor, and I'm ready to face my father and anyone else. Let's go."

"Ah, once again that oft questionable Gryffindor bravado rises to the fore," he said softly as they passed through a slew of whispering graduates. Snape stopped and pulled open one of the Great Hall's double doors.

He paused, looking down at Hermione with clear approval.

"I have to admit, in some cases, it can be an asset."

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A/N: Thanks for reading.