Two Left Feet

Two Left Feet

A/N: I’m trying hard to upload the chapters on schedule, so I want to thank those that take the time to give me some feedback and even include their own personal experiences with dance classes and the creepy feelings they had when dancing with new and different people. Anyways, thank you and now we continue with the story.

Edited by Danyealle

Posted on February 24, 2010

Chapter 8

“Suspicion”

It was terribly odd to be in Snape’s class after Harry so foolishly tried to coerce him into a snog. Every time the man would pass by him, Harry found his whole self tensing to the point of being petrified as the sweeping air from Snape’s long strides rushed up against him. At one point, he was trying to understand the lesson through Hermione explanation and he was listening well and comprehending until he saw black robes gliding over the floor from his peripheral vision. Hermione’s voice was magically muted and her gestures paused until Snape’s presence journeyed elsewhere. Then it was as if life resumed.

Whenever the man spoke, he tried not to look at him, lest the wizard actually glance his way. When Snape had his back to the class, this was when he especially took to drinking in Snape’s back form. His back’s length was exaggerated by the sleek, black robes, but deliciously captured through the fabric whenever he removed his outer robe. Harry’s exhaled softly before closing his eyes. He should instantly obstruct such frivolous thoughts until he knew he had indeed caught the snitch.

The following week’s dance class, Harry was still recovering from the embarrassment associated with his futile attempt to snog Snape so he plopped onto his bed and ignored his dorm mates when they asked if he was going. When they finally gave up and left, Harry rolled over and thought it would be best to just shut everything from his mind and sleep a few more hours that night.

If he dreamt that night, he couldn’t remember it, though he did try as he crawled to the Gryffindor table for breakfast. “Didn’t you sleep enough last night?” asked Ron as he dug into his fried potatoes.

“I slept too much,” Harry responded groggily.

While Hermione was reading from a textbook, Harry snatched up her issue of The Daily Prophet and frowned.

“Hogwarts students put their best foot forwards… what’s this about? Our dancing class?”

“Of course the Prophet would find out. I just don’t understand why they are reporting on this. It isn’t like other schools don’t offer dance classes.”

“Yeah, but blimey, Hermione, no other school has Harry Potter.”

The newspaper fell from Harry’s open hand and he slammed his fist on the table, catching the eyes of several other students. “When did McGonagall announce an end of the semester winter fiasco?”

“Last night, but you weren’t there,” Ron said casually while mixing up his potatoes.

“It will be a semiformal event that’ll take place the night before departure. Only sixth and seventh years can attend. It isn’t meant to be that grand. I guess the Prophet is hoping that it’ll be some big event for you, Harry, and they want to announce it to the world.”

“That’s terrible! And I’m not even a brilliant dance! Don’t you know my nickname? I sometimes forget I have a right foot.”

“Your nickname?” asked Ron curiously as his fork froze just before reaching his mouth.

“Snape calls me ‘two left feet’.”

“Since when has he called you that?”

“Since he first saw me dance. And I haven’t improved that much, because every time I think I have something figured out, we begin a completely new dance.”

“Anyways, McGonagall said we don’t have to come in couples, but there will be a photographer if anyone wants a group or couple photos.”

“Brilliant. More publicity. And I suppose they want to know who I’ll be taking to the dance?”
Ron nodded vigorously. “Better watch your back or they’ll catch you and make you announce your date.”
Harry pushed away his plate suddenly not feeling very hungry.

“Are you going to ask Ginny?” asked Hermione.

He shrugged then turned to the comic section of the article. “I don’t want it to be a huge thing if it isn’t supposed to be. Maybe we can just all go together in a group?”

Ron nodded. “Yeah. Sounds like a plan.”

“Well, let Ginny know as soon as you can. You know, being her boyfriend and all, I think she is expecting you to ask her out.”

This was the part in which Harry was supposed to groan, but because Ginny and Hermione were close, and she was Ron’s younger sister, he hesitated then swallowed it. He didn’t want to go as her date. He didn’t even want Ginny in their group because he knew that she would turn the entire event into a couple’s night in which Harry would be doomed to spend the evening with just her. However, maybe he could turn it into a social party by refusing to run off without his friends. Perhaps he could even bring in Luna and Percy. It should be fun that way. Then they could dance in a large group and if he was feeling cranky, then someone was bound to sit the dances out. He smiled then nodded to himself. When he saw Ginny approaching the table, he was quicker on his feet than ever before and out the Great Hall with no destination in mind.

For the remainder of that week, Harry did everything to avoid Ginny and that ridiculous, not so subtle hint that she wanted to be asked out to the dance. However, Ginny was determined. While Harry was throwing snowballs with Percy, Ron, and a few other mates, Percy nudged him and pointed to the gates. There was Ginny in a hand-me-down snow coat and boots slowly treading through the snow towards them.
Harry threw his last snow ball and then pretended to go catch it somewhere in the woods never returning. At dinner time, Harry thought tonight would be a brilliant night to sit with Luna at the Ravenclaw table and eat while enjoying a nice chat. Ginny never even saw him.

Later, when everyone was retiring to their dorms, Harry decided that was nothing like a bath to relieve him of all his worries.

By the next day, however, his plans were wearing down and he could only think of so many things to dodge Ginny. Now he had Defense Against the Dark Arts and Ginny always sat by him. He intended to show up later than usual, hoping that the last seats would be far from her and maybe towards the front. It was not his lucky day, because the only seats available when he wandered in just seconds before time, were by Ginny, or by Neville’s Slytherin equivalent. Harry pursed his lips and decided that either way, he was doomed. He reluctantly took the seat by Ginny because he did not want to lose half his face by a wayward curse. “Harry,” she smiled, “How are you? I’ve noticed you’ve been busy.”

Harry nodded as he pulled out his textbook and wand. He flipped through several pages and then began practicing the wand maneuver techniques required to perfect a certain spell.

“Anyways, are you leaving the weekend before the departure?”

“I don’t know. I kind of miss my oversized cousin. I’m curious to see if his fat arse has outgrown the house.”
Ginny leaned forwards, “There’s no hurry, right? I mean you have the whole break to take his measurements.”

“Yeah, but I want an early start.” Harry stood up just as Professor Snape entered the room and assumed his position by another student.

“Today we will continue counter spells. Carry on,” the professor said as the desks and chairs vanished from the room.

As Harry dueled with another student, Ginny stood next to him, trying to duel Hermione. In between hexes, Ginny would say, “You heard about the dance, right? I know it isn’t really supposed to be big, but I thought it would be nice…”

“I already told Ron, Hermione, and Luna that we’d go as a group.”
Ginny gasped and looked as if someone had poured cold water over her. “And you didn’t have the decency to ask me....”

“I wasn't sure if Hermione or Ron had already told you.”

“Yes. But I’m your girlfriend! It’s different!”

“Yes. But they’re my best friends.”

“Am I not your friend too? Or am I just a girl that’s there for your convenience?” Ginny had muttered that more loudly than she realised and Snape looked up from his desk.

“That’s not what I meant, Gin. It’s just that I don’t want to make this into a couple’s night.”

Ginny was ready with a retort but then her eyes widened and her lips shut. Harry was rather satisfied with her silence until close to his ear, a soft voice whispered with an agitated tone, “Either you control both yourself and your girlfriend or you leave my classroom.”

Harry felt his nerve explode in his head. It ruptured with such irritation that it channeled into his magic and blew his opponent into the opposite wall. “Good work, Potter.” Snape touched Harry’s shoulder then left.
Harry stared at the Slytherin boy as he fell from the wall, leaving behind his impression. Harry then smiled and nodded contently to himself.

For the remainder of class, and to Harry’s joy, Ginny left him alone then followed Hermione to duel at the other end of the line. Harry felt relief seep out through his pores and thought that for the rest of class, he would be all right. And he cherished that idea until the doors opened and in stepped Healer Quinn and Alexander. Harry was just about to channel a curse when he was Alexander extend a smile his way. “Class dismissed,” Snape suddenly said as he stepped around his desk to greet his visitors. Harry wanted to linger but as soon as Snape noticed, he excused himself and went towards Harry. “This is for the better,” he said as he urged Harry towards the door. “I do not have time for you.”

Harry Potter Harry Potter Harry Potter

“It’s all over the papers,” Ginny placed the Daily Prophet onto Harry’s curled fist. “They want to know who you are taking to the dance.”

“Maybe I should write to the press and tell them to shove it up their arse!”

“Yeah, and have them publish that too? A threat from the Harry Potter will be too scandalous for them to tuck into their drawers.”

“Then what do you want me to do? Publically announce my date?”

“I’m just saying that if you want them to lay off for a while, then just tell them you’re going with me.”

“But I’m not. I’m going with a group. Besides, if you give them what they want, they’ll twist it into a more outrageous story.”

“Then you’ll ignore them?”

“It’s not like they’re going to corner me and threaten a story out of me. I don’t have one. At least nothing they’ll find interesting.”

“Who will the Golden Boy bestow the honor of accompanying to the dance? Really, this is silly,” Hermione tossed the paper aside. “I want to know if they’ve found the missing Death Eaters, what are happening to those on trial, what about their families and children, and all those missing cases! Why don’t those ever make it on the Prophet?!”

“Hermione, if such truthful stories ever made it onto the Prophet, the newspaper company might be losing its touch,” Ron explained.

“No offense Harry but nothing interesting is going on in your life now. Not since last year.” The way Hermione’s hair puffed when she got frustrated amazed Harry.

“Anyways, to lighten the mood, how about we go to Hogsmeade?” Ron suggested as he stood up from the tables.

Hermione’s hand dropped from her hair, “That sounds lovely! Put us right out there with any stationed reporters. Brilliant Ron. I think this is your best plan yet.” Hermione was clearly irritated.

Ron shrugged it off and began walking towards the door, “It might do us all some good to get some fresh air.”
Harry was behind Ron out the door. Ginny shrugged then motioned for Hermione to come with. Once outside, Harry was pleased to feel the cold winds against his face. He extended his arms and inhaled deeply with a more than satisfied expression. He closed his eyes and smiled as he exhaled. Then he shivered and said, “I love the snow. We should have brought Percy out and had another snowball war. I didn’t see the last one through.”

“Lucky bastard aren’t you? Slughorn caught us in the middle of us building a fort and bored us with a lesson about dignity and fairness in snowball warfare. He was mental. There isn’t such thing in snowball war. What does he know?”

“Apparently enough to bore you.”

“Where did you go anyways?” asked Ron as he side glanced at Harry.

Ginny was catching up and watching Harry intently. “I had a detention with Snape I forgot about,” he said quickly, trying to keep the others from further interrogations in matters pertaining to Snape.

“What did you do?” Ginny asked.

“I talked back to him… it doesn’t matter. I’m over it.”

For the rest of the walk, Harry couldn’t ignore the tug he felt from Ginny but he did his best. He thought that, perhaps, she knew he was spending more time with Snape than ever before. But now, since dance classes between them two were supposedly over, there was nothing for her to stalk him to.

Upon reaching the village, Ron immediately suggested that they go to the Hog’s Head because he was in dire need of a butterbeer. Harry concurred, and since Ginny would go wherever Harry went, Hermione had no choice but to follow through. “But remember, Ron, we need to find something suitable for the dance. I think a nice top and some jeans will suffice.”

“Bloody hell, I don’t want to think about that now. I just want my beer!” Ron slapped his hand on the bar and demanded his beer. The bartender laughed and then told him he’d have all four ready in a second. In the mean time, Harry found a table by the window, which was completely steamed up due to contrasting temperatures. “When was the last time we were here?”

“Not for a long ago,” said Ron as he watched the bartender. “I hope he fills mine to the top.”
Hermione shook her head. “Honestly, Ron, can’t you think of anything other than your stomach?”

“Honestly, Hermione, it’s a matter of priorities.”

“Here you go lads,” said the waitress as he placed the four mugs on the tables. “Can I get you anything else?”

“Just prepare my second beer,” Ron smiled and the waitress left.

Harry sipped his beer staring at the fogged up window. He occasionally felt a hesitant tug at his sleeve, but he had no intention of chatting with Ginny. He didn’t want to go to the dance with her. If anything, he didn’t even want to go period. The only thing making him besides the fact that it was mandatory was the promise of seeing Snape dressed up. Harry’s lips curled upwards and his toes downwards. Snape in shiny shoes and dressy robes made his stomach giggle… or was it the beer? He looked down and drank a few mouths full. Today was going just splendid and he wondered what could possibly ruin his day other than Ginny. He never paid attention to the doors opening and closing, as they regularly did. His mind was elsewhere until suddenly there were flashes and voices and microphones in front of his face. Harry jumped up, spilling the remainder of his beer in the process. He looked over and saw at least ten reporters with quills, notepads, and cameras and all screaming and demanding answers and Ginny, Ron, and Hermione had all suddenly vanished behind the crowd! And they were still pressing forwards.
“Harry, what is your favourite dance?”

“Do you like ladies in short dresses?”

“How so high heels make you feel?”

“What are your plans for after the party?”

“Who will you be going with to the party?”

Harry thought that anything could help his situation now, even if it meant diverting the group towards another unfortunate individual. He immediately pointed to Ginny, and said, “Her! My girlfriend!”
Half of the group had to have swerved over to Ginny at that moment and Harry was thrilled that maybe he’d have a chance to out run the rest, for they were either both fat and hefty, or wearing high heels. However, just as Harry thought he had a chance, more suddenly started to swarm into the bar like gnats. Harry was definitely panicking now. There was no way he was going to escape. He considered sitting down and answering all their questions when the room filled with a dark matter that was neither gas nor smoke. Harry took that as an imitative to stand and run. He made it just two feet before something that felt like arms encircled him and then he was flying.

He cried out at first, trying to alert the attention of his friends, but he couldn’t see anyone. He could only hear Hermione, Ron, and Ginny along with the reporters crying out for him. He was being kidnapped right above them and none of them could see him. Then, suddenly, everything started to clear and he couldn’t hear anyone anymore. Only the roaring of the wind as it smashed against his face and pounded against his ears. He opened his eyes and saw that he was soaring just feet above the trees. That dark matter was above him, holding him, and at the contact point, it felt like hands. It had to be someone, but who? Then Harry’s heart sped up. The only witches and wizards that could fly without the aid of a broom were the Death Eaters. Harry wanted to struggle, but something about the situation was calming, and in some twisted sense, he felt safe. The hands were warm against his sides and as it began lifting him closer, he could soon feel a warm chest against his back. He then looked forwards and saw that they were heading for Hogwarts… there was currently only one employed ex-Death Eater residing there…. “Professor?” Harry said softly.

“Potter,” the voice whispered.

“It’s really you…,” Harry was flying with Snape, and as he looked up, he saw that they were heading towards one of the tallest towers, the Astronomy Tower. Harry closed his eyes then, just relishing in the rush of the wind and the feeling of being high and soaring. Very soon though, they dove into the tower and Harry was guided to the floor. As soon as his feet touched, the dark clouds surrounding Snape’s body disappeared and the man stood there before Harry, peering down at him. “You should know better than to go out when they are especially seeking you.”

“Did you follow me?”

“I was in the area.”

Harry breathed in deeply. Snape smelled strongly of earth again and Harry’s stomach was hosting a party for butterflies once more. His palms also felt hot and sweaty so he clenched then stretched them. He felt like today was going to be the day he would do something so stupid it would surpass his entire history of stupidity. All eighteen years of it. Then Snape turned around and faced the balcony, where they could see nothing but white and smokes from the chimneys of Hogsmeade. “Are you going to the dance?” asked Harry.

“I am obligated to.”


“Will you be dancing with the students?”

“Do I have a choice?”

Harry stomped on a dark brown leaf by his shoe. “I mean, will you dance with me?”
There was a pregnant silence, then Snape looked over his shoulder at Harry, “If we’re alone,” his voice was soft and his countenance inscrutable.

Harry then dared to take a few step forwards and though, they were small and hesitant, his path towards Snape felt longer than ever. But when he felt a hand at his chest, Harry stopped for only a moment, then pressed on. Snape’s hand all too easily glided over his chest and onto his shoulder where it then brought him forwards until Harry’s forehead touched the crook of Snape’s neck. Snape exhaled softly, looked down at Harry then closed his eyes. “Professor?”

“Hmm?”

“Could we exchange Christmas gifts?”

“Such an act would suggest favouritism and I do not wish to direct such attention towards you.”

“Would it be so bad if it were in secret?”

“Forget it, Potter.”

Mutual silence was sensed at both ends and Harry contented himself with just being close to the man. Soon then would have to part. Soon they would have to descend the stairs. But for now, they could have each other.

A/N: Once again I must express my apologies for not having the teasers. But life has kept me very busy. Anyways, please make my day and tell me about anything! Yes, anything! About this story, about your own personal experiences with dance, about how this update made or did not make your day. Thank you.

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