Remember

CHAPTER 6: Dating By Force







Severus walked through the boy’s dormitory, dressed in his newly purchased dress robes and carrying his shower bag along with his dirty clothes. He tossed the days uniform into a chute near his bed then tucked his shower bag into his trunk. He ignored the curious and astonished stares of his housemates as he tucked his wallet and wand into his pocket.







He still couldn’t believe he was going to the blasted Yule Ball. He never went to the school social functions for any reason unless they were made mandatory. Now he was being forced to go by a cocky little time traveling witch who seemed to make him forget that he didn’t like people. Well, he still didn’t like people, but to his dismay he really liked her.







He didn’t like the way she was always there, whether he wanted her to be or not. He didn’t like the way she stared at his hands in potions class, it made him self conscious. He didn’t like the way she was always touching him, it made him feel things for her that made him wary and uncomfortable.







But he did like that she was intelligent. He liked that she could converse on a wide variety of subjects. He liked that she didn’t judge him because he wasn’t as attractive, as wealthy or as charming as some of the other students. As much as he tried to fight it, he liked her and she seemed to genuinely like him.







Severus didn’t understand why it required a trip through time for him to find a person he could relate to, but he did enjoy it; he wasn’t so lonely with her there. But he knew he couldn’t get used to it…she would leave in the spring.







He left the Slytherin common room, pretending not to hear the shocked whispers as he made his way through the dungeons and up the stairs towards Gryffindor tower. He hesitated outside the door, the portrait of the fat lady scowling at him impatiently.







“I’m here to receive Ms. Granger.” Severus said quietly. The portrait didn’t get a chance to reply before the door to the common room swung open. Lily Evans cocked her head to the side and frowned at Severus.







“What are you doing here?” She asked, letting her gaze peruse his finely clad form. She had never seen him look quite so nice; his robes actually fit him properly.







“I am here to retrieve Hermione.” He said, adjusting the lapels of his dress robes. Lily furrowed her brow and put her hands on her hips.







“That odd little exchange student? You are going to the dance with her?” Lily asked. Severus had never known Lily to be so judgmental; it was clearly the influence of Potter and Black.









“She isn’t odd, Lily, don’t insult her. And yes, I am taking Hermione to the dance.” He said, meeting her gaze.









“Do you think to make me jealous by spending your time with that…girl?” She asked. Severus grew irritated with the way Lily was behaving.







“Lily, my friendship with Hermione has nothing to do with you.” He said.







“Really? You don’t think it odd that all of a sudden you have a girlfriend in Gryffindor? An interesting way to get closer to me, Sev.” She said, rolling her eyes. Severus was appalled at her self absorption.









“You said you didn’t want to be friends anymore, you said I was too dark and the people I hung around with were bad and you didn’t want any part of that. I respected your wishes, Lily; I stayed away and have continued to do so.” He said. “I am here for Hermione because she wanted to go to the dance with me. I spend time with her because she wants to be with me, she likes me. She accepts me for who I am, even the darkness.”







Lily didn’t look convinced but she was deprived of the opportunity to respond when James Potter stepped out and offered Lily his arm.







“What are you doing here?” He asked, staring at Severus in amazement.





Hermione stepped through the door and turned her bright smile in his direction. Severus’s eyes widened and his mouth went slack in astonishment. Her curls were smoothed somewhat and pulled back at her temples with little silver barrettes. Her gown was very old fashioned. It was red velvet, empire waisted with small capped sleeves that narrowed into points over her hands. The skirt split up the front to reveal a silver underskirt and silver slippers on her feet. She looked lovely, like she had stepped out of a painting.









“Oh, Severus, you look so handsome.” She said, smiling softly. He shifted nervously beneath her praise. He had used money he had been saving from summer jobs to purchase a set of traditional dress robes. He hadn’t been saving for any particular reason and only ever bought books with his money anyhow. He had washed his hair and tied it back at his nape with a black ribbon. He looked distinguished, Hermione thought and handsome.









“Tha….thank you, Hermione, you look quite…lovely…yourself.” He croaked, aware of Potter and Lily staring at him.









Hermione had overheard the conversation with Lily and she knew he had to be uncomfortable with them standing around listening and staring at them. She stepped closer to him and he could smell the sweet powdery scent that always seemed to cling to her.







“Shall we go to the dance?” She asked, her caramel eyes sparkling. Severus cleared his throat and offered her his arm. She wrapped her arms around his and squeezed. Severus could tell she was trying to comfort him, to reassure him and he was enchanted by her generosity of spirit.









“Of course.” He said, looking down at the witch clinging to his side. “Lily, James, please excuse us.” He nodded his head in their direction before leading Hermione down the stairs towards the main hall.









“Are you alright?” She asked, still pressed into his side.









“I am fine, Hermione.” He said bracing himself on the banister as she fell against him when the staircase shifted. “Be careful, don’t fall.” He said.









“Aren’t you a thoughtful and protective date?” Hermione teased as the steps connected with the next landing and they continued on their way.







“Not really, you are wrapped around me like Devil’s Snare, if you fall there is a strong likelihood that you will take me with you, thus resulting in myself becoming injured.” He said dryly.









“How incredibly un-chivalrous of you.” Hermione laughed, not offended in the slightest.









“Well, you are making me escort you this evening against my will.” He said as they reached the main floor.









“And I plan on making you dance with me as well….and get your photo taken.” She said, giving his arm a playful squeeze as she leaned into him.









“Why do you keep hugging my arm?” He asked, frowning down at the witch snuggling into his side.







“Because I can. Why, would you rather I hug your neck?” She asked, smiling broadly when he frowned. “Afraid I might ruin your reputation by being affectionate?”







Severus snorted and Hermione smiled even bigger. It wasn’t quite a laugh but it was the closest she was likely to get from him. They caused quite a stir when they entered the hall together. Severus scowling as he looked around at all the stunned, curious faces. Hermione just continued to smile, clinging to his arm like a vine wrapped tight around his bicep.







“What are they bloody well staring at?” Severus grouched as he led her towards a table.









“You, Severus, you look so handsome…”







“Don’t do that, Hermione.” He said softly. “I know what I look like.”









Hermione looked up at him as she squeezed hard on his arm until he met her gaze.





“You don’t know what you look like to me.” She whispered. “And to me, you are beautiful.”







“You are such a strange little witch.” He said shaking his head slowly.









“But you like me anyhow.” She said, smiling sweetly when he grunted in response.





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Albus watched the young couple enter and suddenly it all fell into place for him. This was the reason his future self had sent the witch back. She was sent back for Severus, to teach him how to love and save him from his own darkness.









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A quick thank you for everyone who has read and reviewed so far. I know it took me forever to get this up but life got away from me there for a bit between family, work and my writing. So forgive me please, I plan to make it up to you with regular updates as usual :) I hope you enjoy!