The Conference

He made his way to an empty table near the back of the ballroom and admired the decorations. Each year the conference ball had a different theme. This year's them was "Romance and Roses", so roses filled a vase on every table and were accompanied by like hued streamers and tablecloths. Pictures of famous wizarding couple were suspended from the ceiling. The duos in the pictures danced, embraced, or spoke words of love to eachother. They looked so happy. That was the kind of joy he wanted, the kind of happiness his heart longed for. If he was lucky, tonight he would have his chance to feel that joy instead of just thinking about it. The Witch he wanted to share that with was Hermione Granger.

The blonde wizard who had asked the somewhat loaded question after Hermione's lecture approached him and extended his hand, "Good evening, Professor. I'm Matthew Elliot. My father Tristan graduated from Slytherin house with you. He wouldn't let me leave Paris without promising to give you his regards."

Severus looked the young man over and politely replied, "Oh yes, Tristan. He was quite a quidditch player if I remember correctly. I was disappointed not to see you in my house when it was your time."

"You can blame that on my mother." the young wizard replied, "She's just smitten with Paris and wouldn't give father any peace until he moved us there."

Severus pulled out a chair beside him. "Please, sit down. I could use some company so that I don't fall asleep during this blasted affair."

After ordering a firewhiskey from a passing waiter, Matthew sat down beside him and looked around, "I love balls. They're the perfect opportunity to get drunk and have a go at a beautiful Witch."

Severus didn't much care for the reference to sex as a romp, but he remained polite, "Well, you certainly are dressed for romance. I'm sure you'll find a suitable companion for your romp, as you call it."

Then, he saw her. She walked in with her enterage from the other entrance across the room. His heart leaped within his chest. She was breathtaking! Her auburn hair was up and framed her delicate face in perfect ringlets. Her form-fitting dress was rose colored, and she wore heels to match. In all his life he had never seen anything so lovely.

"Would you look at that!" Matthew exlaimed and made a gesture towards Hermione, "Miss Sex Ed in all her glory!"

All Severus could manage to say was, "She is stunning."

"There's no way I'm gonna pass up a hot piece like her. I don't care if she is a mudblood. Tonight, I'm going to teach her a few tricks of my own!" Matthew said excitedly as he took the firewhiskey from the waiter who had returned with it.

Severus sneered at him. "I don't think that's going to happen, Mr. Elliot."

"And why not?" he gasped, "I'm young, good looking and filthy rich. What's not to like?"

"I don't believe you're her type, Mr. Elliot." Severus replied slowly as he fought to control the anger welling up inside him. "She seems awfully intellectual to me."

"I don't care how smart she is. I just want to fuck her." the young wizard stated arrogantly, "I bet you I'll do it too."

Severus shook his head and laughed softly, "I'm telling you. It's not going to happen."

"You think I can't get her?" he asked with a disgusted look on his face, "Let me tell you, I've had models, ballerinas, some of the most beautful women in Paris. Trust me, by the end of the night Little Miss Sexpert is gonna be all mine."

"I wouldn't bet on it if I were you." Severus chuckled.

Matthew leaned over to Severus and whispered, "Look at her. She's looking at me and playing with her hair. That means she's horny. Twenty galleons says she'll dance with me. Another fifty says I'll take her back to my room and fuck her."

As Hermione and her companions took a table across the room from them, a wicked grin suddenly came over Severus' face. "I think I'll take you up on that bet, Mr. Elliot. It should prove quite entertaining." Severus wasn't about to tell the young man that those beautiful amber eyes were looking at him instead. He would have to learn the hard way.

The young wizard stood up and patted Severus on the back. "Watch and learn, old man." He then made a beeline for Hermione's table. Severus leaned back and smirked smugly as he watched the young wizard introduce himself to Hermione. A waiter brought him a bottle of beer and he opened it eagerly. This was going to be fun.

His smirk turned into a fit of laughter when he saw Hermione firmly shake her head no. The blonde wizard did his best to talk her into it, but she turned him down cold. Finally, he gave up and came back over to the table.

As he sat down, he shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe it!
She turned me down, even after I told her who I was."

"I tried to tell you you weren't her type, Mr. Elliot." Severus laughed, "You should have listened to me."

Suddenly the young wizard looked at Severus curiously, "Hang on. How were you so sure she wouldn't dance with me?"

Through his laughter, Severus replied, "Because, Mr. Elliot, she's the brightest Witch I've ever taught. Unless you have a near genius IQ, don't even bother."

"You know her!" the wizard gasped, "Why didn't you tell me? It would've saved me the embarrassment."

Severus stopped laughing and held his hand out. "I believe you owe me seventy galleons, Mr. Elliot, and if I ever catch you trying to use one of my former pupils again, I'll teach you the meaning of the word Cruxio."

The blonde wizard stood up and threw seventy galleons down on the table in front of him. "My father was right about you. You ARE a bastard!"

"Good evening to you too, Mr. Elliot." Severus replied then took the galleons as the young wizard stormed off to lick his wounds.

After putting the galleons in one of the pockets in his dress robes, Severus slowly made his way to Hermione. He bowed politely and extended his hand, "Would you honor me with a dance, Miss Granger?"

Hermione took his hand and stood up. "I'd love to, Professor."

When they reached the dance floor, he took her waist and began to dance slowly with her.

She glanced over at the now empty table where Severus had been sitting with the blone wizard and eyed him suspiciously, "What was that all about?"

"Oh nothing really." Severus smirked, "Young Mr. Elliot bet me seventy galleons that he could not only get you to dance with him, but he could also get you into bed tonight."

Anger flashed in Hermione's eyes. "How dare him! Just because I enjoy sex, that doesn't mean I go around shagging every wizard who asks me. What a pig!"

"I told him it wouldn't work, ofcourse. I just left out the fact that I used to teach you and therefore knew you'd definitely not be interested." Severus replied non chalauntly.

Hermione's angry turned into a grin. "And what would you have done if I had said yes to him, Professor?"

He thought for a moment then replied, "I would have been forced to reveal his plan right in front of you, Miss Granger, then give him, a hexing he wouldn't soon forget. Before he left, I told him how I knew you and warned him to never attempt such a thing on one of my former students again."

Hermione shook her head then looked up at him. "My hero."

He smiled down at her and replied, "Well, my armor may be a bit tarnished, but I think I did alright."

She stood up on her toes and gave him a gently kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, Professor."