A New Beginning (DH -COMPLIANT)

Chapter 64 ~ The Ball Ends

The song ended and a winded Hermione walked back over to the table and Severus, who arched an eyebrow at the panting witch. He had retrieved a glass of punch for her and it was waiting in front of her seat. The wizard rose and pulled her chair out, and Hermione plopped down in it, picking up her punch with one hand and fanning herself with the other.

“Well, you can ‘roll your tootsie’ with the best of them I see,” the wizard purred at her, “That was quite a performance.”

Hermione looked at him.

”So I take it you approve of my dancing?” she asked the wizard, her punch poised before her.

Snape gave her a small smirk.

”I’d approve of it more in private,” he responded, causing Hermione to blush. Then she took a sip of her punch. She coughed and looked down into it.

”This isn’t just punch,” she said, gasping.

”No. I imagine it isn’t. That little spectacle caused enough distraction for Mr. Thomas to do the dirty deed. I might have been more vigilant if you and your tootsie had remained seated,” he said.

”But, but we should remove the bowl,” Hermione declared.

Snape shook his head and pointed at the table where the staff were liberally pouring cups of punch and toasting each other.

”It’s a bit of an unwritten law here that if the students manage to spike the punch, it stays spiked, though the staff tries to drink the majority of it. But now, it’s time to go to work. All the bouncing around combined with the punch is the equivalent of a room-wide lust potion,” the wizard said, rising, “Randy students will abound in a few minutes. We’ll only be able to postpone the inevitable, however. There will be shagging, you can count on it.”

He pulled out Hermione’s chair and the couple spent the rest of the evening pulling students out of dark corners, from under tables and apart on the dance floor when they got a bit too close as in shagging while standing up with their clothes on.

The staff was little help. Wumblewort’s hat was on crooked and he was red-faced with laughter as he sat at the dais listening to something his Transfiguration teacher was telling him. It was easy to see he was a bit lit.

Rod and Rose had quite a few more dances, Rod back in his dress robes now. Rose had to give the wizard up several times to witches who kept cutting in. She was kept pretty busy too, but wasn’t as fun to dance with for the wizards because it was so obvious she was keeping an eye on Rod, who at one time had three witches dancing around him, shaking their galleon-makers.

Rose stormed over and pulled him out of the midst of the little hussies, leaving her partner standing alone on the floor before he picked up one of the witches that had been dancing with Rod.

“Thanks,” he said as the witch scowled at him. He looked a little confused.

“Are you mad?” he asked Rose.

”Furious,” she replied as they danced.

”I’m sorry,” he said apologetically.

Rose looked at him and lost her scowl. It wasn’t Rod’s fault.

”Oh, it’s not your fault, Rod. It’s just that not one of those girls liked you before, and now they’re throwing themselves at you. And you’re not used to that,” she said to him.

That was an understatement.

“No, I’m not,” Rod admitted, “But I guess I’ll get used to it.”

Now Rose scowled at him again.

”Yeah, I bet you will,” she said, then fell silent.

Rod looked at the stony expression on Rose’s face, wondering what he’d said to make her get so mad. He didn’t have a clue she was jealous. Why would he think she’d be jealous of him? Rose was very attractive and could probably go out with any wizard she wanted.

Slowly, the students were leaving the dance, some couples parting separately, planning on meeting someplace clandestine afterwards. Hermione watched them departing, frowning as the staff continued partying.

”Aren’t they going to escort them back to their houses?” she asked Severus, who shook his head.

”No. And we are only here to chaperone the ball itself, not patrol the halls of Hogwarts looking for rutting students. Those witches who have the presence of mind to return unsullied to their rooms will make it there . . . the others . . . well they will make it there too, eventually,” the wizard said, looking down at the witch and wishing he himself were in that situation.

”That’s awful,” Hermione breathed, looking for Rose.

”That’s a rite of passage, Hermione. It’s been going on since this school was erected centuries ago,” Snape responded.

Finally Rose and Rod left the dance floor, Rod retrieving Rose’s shawl and draping it over her shoulders.

Snape noticed them.

”Your daughter is leaving,” he told Hermione, who looked over at Rose and Rod.

“I believe Rose will make it back to Gryffindor tower without being ‘Slytherinized.’ Rod is not at that point yet. He’s still working on his social skills,” the dark wizard said to the witch.

Hermione fought the urge to go over and say goodbye. She’d see Rose soon since they were leaving for the Burrow tomorrow. It was decided they would spend the first week there and the second with her at the worksite. They would all get together on Christmas day.

“Severus, what are you going to do for Christmas?” she asked the wizard suddenly.

“Nothing in particular. Christmas has no special meaning for me,” Snape responded, “I’ve spent it alone for two decades and before that, I spent it in the dungeons, usually with Vivaldi and a bottle of Firewhiskey.”

“Maybe you can come to the Burrow with me,” Hermione suggested, but the way the wizard looked at her killed that idea dead. Snape didn’t say it, but he didn’t believe he would be too welcomed by her deceased husband’s family. It would be in bad taste as well.

“No, not a good idea,” she said, “But I have to be there. It’s Christmas.”

”I understand completely,” the wizard said, “You can’t break tradition, Hermione, nor would I want you to.”

The couple fell silent as they made a few more rounds of the Great Hall. Most of the students were gone and the staff was packing it in as well. Finally, the last students departed.

Snape had a time getting a rather inebriated Wumblewort to tell him where their cloaks were, but finally they were located and he and Hermione were able to depart the castle. It was quite cold. When they first arrived, it wasn’t quite so cold and they walked across the grounds. Hermione shivered and Snape pulled her close to his body.

”Hold on to me,” he said softly, then disapparated.

He and a startled Hermione appeared in front of the worksite.

”You disapparated,” Hermione said, amazed, “On the Hogwarts grounds. No one is supposed to be able to do that!”

”I and Albus were the only two who could. I had to be able to apparate because there were times I was so badly injured by the Dark Lord I could have died at the gates,” he said to the witch, his dark eyes washing over her. “I had an enjoyable night.”

”So did I,” Hermione said softly, “Would you like to come in and warm yourself for a moment.”

Snape looked at her intensely.

”I don’t believe that wise, Hermione, unless you are ready to have me stay,” he said honestly, “The combination of you in that delicious gown and my desire for you is one that nearly guarantees I would not be leaving your presence until morning. Are you ready for that, witch?”

The hunger in the wizard’s eyes was both exciting and frightening as he waited for her answer. A part of her wanted to let him come in, but a tiny part was still afraid.

”It’s all right,” Snape said softly at her hesitance, “Your hesitance speaks louder than your words ever could. I don’t want to pressure you, Hermione, I want you to accept me of your own accord, because you feel a need to be closer to me, not because I seduce you, tempting as that thought is. I am willing to wait if I must. And it appears that I must.”

”I’m sorry, Severus,” Hermione said, her voice low.

”Don’t be. I believe I’ve waited all my life for a witch like you. I can wait a little longer, although I hope not too much longer,” he said, drawing her into his arms and kissing her gently, warming her cold lips.

When he pulled away, Hermione looked up at him, a hesitant question in her eyes.

“What is it, witch?” he asked her, still holding her in his arms.

”Are . . . are you always so gentle, Severus?” she asked him.

The wizard quirked an eyebrow at her for a moment, not quite understanding what she meant. Then he saw the underlying anxiousness in her eyes and immediately knew everything.

“I’m not a monster, Hermione,” he said softly, “I’m a man like any other man and willing to be what you need me to be in every way possible.”

He kissed her again, still gentle, hoping to reassure the witch. Then he let her go.

”It’s best you go in,” he said to her.

”All right. Good night, Severus. I had a wonderful time,” she said to him.

”As did I. Good night Hermione Weasley,” he said as the door suddenly opened.

Hermione slowly walked inside, the female voice announcing her. She looked back over her shoulder at the pale wizard standing in the doorway, his dark eyes resting on her, then the door closed.

Snape stood there for a moment, then disapparated.

Hermione took about three steps, then turned and rushed back to the foyer. The door opened and she ran out into the night.

But Severus was gone.

***************************************

Rod slowly walked Rose to Gryffindor tower. Both of them were rather silent. Then Rod heard someone call his name. It was Winston. Sharon was with him and looked thoroughly dazed and snogged.

“Rodman, listen,” Winston said to him, “Be careful. Roland is going to try and get you tonight. Hex the hell out of him.”

”What?” Rose said, “Roland’s going to what?”

Rod looked thoughtful.

”So that’s what he meant when he said he’d see me after the dance,” Rod said.

Rose looked at him with wide eyes.

”Rod, I can walk the rest of the way to Gryffindor house myself. Roland’s probably waiting up there for you to bring me,” she said to the wizard.

Rod shook his head.

”No. You’re not walking back yourself. What kind of date would I be if I did that?” he asked her.

”One without bruises the next morning,” Rose replied, her eyes full of concern. “Roland’s only doing this because of me. You never did anything to him. He’s just jealous. I don’t want you to get hurt. Just go back to Slytherin house. I had a great time, I really did.”

Rod shook his head again.

”If I avoid him tonight, I’ll be avoiding him for the rest of the year, Rose. I’m not going to run away from this. I have to face him,” the blonde wizard said.

”I say blast him, even if he doesn’t have his wand out. You’re a Slytherin, Rod. It’s expected of you,” Winston encouraged him.

“I’ll figure it out, Winston,” Rod said, “Thanks for telling me.”

Rod turned to walk away and found Rose stalled.

She looked at Winston with her eyes narrowed.

”How did you know, Winston? How did you know Roland was going to go for Rod after the dance?” she asked the black wizard who at least had the grace to look uncomfortable.

”James arranged it, sort of,” Winston said as Rod turned to look at him, his face sober.

“What do you mean ‘James arranged it?’” Rose demanded, outraged.

Winston sighed.

”When Rod agreed to dance with us, James had a word with Roland and made him promise not to do anything to Rod until the dance was over, because he was part of the routine,” Winston said.

”What? That’s horrible!” Rose said, “And you didn’t say anything?”

Winston looked at Rod, who was expressionless.

”Listen. I wanted to say something, to tell Rod immediately but James said not to,” Winston said.

”Why? Why wouldn’t he tell Rod?” Rose demanded, her hands balled into fists. She was shaking with rage. How could her cousin do this?

Winston sighed.

”He said that it would ruin Rod’s night. That he might not be able to enjoy himself if he were worried about fighting Roland afterwards,” the wizard said, “And I really think James was right. I did tell him though, Rose. That has to count for something.”

He looked at Rod.

”I’m sorry Rodman. I really am,” he said apologetically, “But it made sense at the time.”

Rod looked at Winston.

”Kind of Slytherinish,” he said, giving the wizard a small grin.

Rose spun on Rod.

”That’s all you have to say? These two idiots knew that Roland was waiting to beat your head in and all you say is that it was ‘Slytherinish?’”

Rod shrugged.

”It is,” he said shortly, then “Thanks for telling me, Winston. I’ll handle it. Come on, Rose.”

“No. I won’t go with you,” she said, hanging back and withdrawing her arm from his.

Rod looked at her.

”Well, I’ll just have to walk up there alone, then,” he responded and started down the corridor.

Rose looked after him, then at Winston.

”I think you’re both horrible,” she spat at him, then hurried after Rod.

Winston shook his head, then looked at Sharon, who had listened to everything.

“Do you think I’m horrible?” he asked her.

Sharon studied him.

”No. I think you’re wonderful,” she replied.

Winston smiled and gave her a small kiss.

”How wonderful?” he asked her in a low voice.

”Come on. I’ll show you,” she said, taking his arm. The couple walked in the opposite direction Rose and Rod took, looking for someplace quiet and clandestine.

Someplace Sharon could show Winston just how wonderful she thought he was.

***************************************

”Rod, how can you not be mad at James and Winston? They hid this from you,” the witch said to him.

”James was right. I wouldn’t have had a good time tonight if I knew I was going to have to fight Roland afterwards. I had the best time of my life tonight, thanks to you. It would have been messed up if Roland had ruined that for me,” Rod said to her earnestly.

Rose looked at him.

”You really had a good time?” she asked him softly.

”Yes. Did you?” he asked her.

”This was the best dance I ever went to, and you were the best date I ever had,” she said honestly.

Rod gave her a little embarrassed smile.

”Thanks,” he said, “I wanted to be a good date. I guess I’m good at something else.”

Rose suddenly stopped walking, making Rod stop too. He looked at her.

“I bet you’re good at a lot of things, Rod Dormers,” she said softly, leaning in and kissing him on the mouth.

Rod stiffened as Rose’s warm lips connected with his, and it was like magic pouring over him, almost like a disillusionment spell, but warm, not cold. Her mouth was so soft. Rod felt a sensation like lacewing flies filling his stomach, and a kind of sweetness as Rose pulled away and smiled at him shyly.

”Wow,” Rod said, looking at her. “Just. . . wow, Rose.”

”It’s your good night kiss. I gave it to you early just in case I couldn’t later,” she said to him. “It’s a standard on dates.”

“Oh,” Rod said, taking her arm again and walking back up the hall. He still had that goofy feeling though.

They walked past a suit of armor. Neither witch nor wizard noticed the slight shimmer on the side of it. It was Roland. He had seen Rose kiss the wizard and was furious. She actually liked him. Well, he’d just wait for Odd Rod to come back. Then they’d settle this once and for all.

Rod and Rose made it to the Fat Lady without incident, Rod looking around carefully.

”It seems Winston was wrong about Roland,” he said to Rose, who looked relieved.

”I’m glad. I don’t want you fighting, Rod,” she said to the wizard.

”I don’t want to fight either, but if I have to, I have to,” the wizard said with a shrug.

Both of them fell silent for a moment, Rod straightening his robes a bit.

”I really did have a wonderful time, Rod. I hope you have a good holiday,” she said to the wizard.

”I’ll be fine,” Rod said, “You enjoy your family, all right? I’ll have a present for you when you come back. For you and for Hugo.”

Rose smiled at him.

”You’re so sweet, Rod,” she said, rewarding him with another kiss, this one short and quick. But it still had the same effect on Rod, who smiled at her goofily as she said the password and let herself in.

”Bye Rod,” she said with a grin.

”Bye,” he said, watching as the portrait closed. He turned around, feeling as if he were walking on air as he headed back up the corridor.

”She kissed me twice,” the wizard thought happily, “The first kiss was standard, but the second kiss wasn’t. She kissed me because she wanted to . . . and that has to mean she likes me. Wow. Rose Weasley.”

“I hope Rose gargles when she gets to her room,” a familiar voice growled.

Rod looked up to see Roland blocking the corridor.

“Oh, it’s you,” he said flatly.

Roland scowled.

”Yeah, it’s me, and I’m going to kick your ass, Dormers. You don’t deserve Rose. You’re a loser,” he said to Rod, jealousy making his voice thick.

”You’re just mad because she doesn’t like you, and I can’t blame her. You’re an idiot,” Rod snapped back at him, angry now. “It’s better to be a loser than an idiot. A loser can become a winner, but an idiot is always an idiot.”

“What did you call me?” Roland snarled at him.

”Are you stupid AND deaf?” Rod taunted him, “I said you’re an idiot! Can you spell that? I can. R-O-L-A-N-D. Idiot. Want me to use it in a sentence?”

Roland turned red with rage, smoke actually poofing from his nose as it flared.

What Rod was doing was following Professor Snape’s advice and trying to make Roland so mad he lost control. He was doing a very good job of it.

”I’m going to twist your head off!” Roland hissed, charging at the wizard.

Rod braced himself.

It was on.

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A/N: Thanks for reading. More later. Tired.