Chapter Text
Hermione Granger was in utter disbelief by how stupid men could be. Correction. How ignorant old ministry officials could be when it came to hassling and being obnoxious to women.
It was one of the ministry’s new charity balls. Where the elite and wealthy bid on complete nonsense all in the name of a good cause. This one is in the name of St. Mungo's to help supply the long term patients that suffered during the war. Even though the war finished five years ago, it still left damage in its wake. After the war had ended, Hermione returned to Hogwarts to complete her NEWTs. Graduating with some of the highest scores Hogwarts had ever seen, she was offered many job offers. She declined all of them and decided to pursue her love of academics, specifically arithmancy. She ended up developing a matrix that helped in the development of new charms. Famously, she developed a charm that could reverse the lasting effects of the cruciatus curse on the cortex in the brain. Unfortunately it couldn’t bring back one’s memories but it did allow for the retention of new ones. She made quick work on using it on the Longbottom's with much success. Ever since then she has worked some free lance in the ministry’s developmental department but for the most part has been working independently. Nonetheless her contributions to St. Mungo had made it essential for her appearance at this charity. Even if she could she wouldn’t be able to avoid this function, what with her celebrity status as one of the golden trio. The other two-thirds were also present, currently off amongst the masses themselves. It was such a shame too, the floo networks were less than 100 feet from her current position. The function was being held at the atrium. The fountain was charmed to change to various hues. The room was alight from the reflective windows that surrounded the entrance to the ministry.
Hermione’s hair remained down in curls that cascaded across her shoulders and down her back. She wore a spaghetti strap, v-neck red dress that slowly faded to black as the fabric reached the ground. Her bodice was fitted perfectly to her waist as the bottom lightly cascaded down to the floor around her. Her dress had a slit up her thigh that showed some skin but was not scandalous in design. She looked beautiful in her formal attire. In a simple elegance that men were drawn to. And of course with her being dateless unlike her friends, it drew out all of the elderly men who she was currently stuck talking to. At first they were discussing other modifications to what she refers as to her Regenerate spell. Now she is not even following the conversation. She has tried to find an excuse to leave several times however, these three men just were not seeming to get the hint.
She just stood there with an impassive face as she brought her champagne glass to her lips and wished that the drink would be stronger if she were to make it through the night. Just as she began to contemplate a public display of knocking these men unconscious, a shadow descended over them as a presence stepped up behind her.
The men that were talking to her stopped their speech in apprehension of the newcomer.
“I do not believe that Mrs. Granger wishes to be bored on the proper application of the Djingo project gentleman,” came the deep voice of one Severus Snape. At his sudden exclamation Hermione turned to look at him. He was dressed in his signature black and looked as intimidating as ever. His height looming over her. A familiar scowl present on the edges of his mouth. Nonetheless, he looked sharp despite his rough edges.
“And her politeness prevents her from reminding you that dancing is an expectation at this function that you all seem to have neglect. Nonetheless, I am willing to remedy this situation. If you may, Miss. Granger.” Snape continued without interruption and ended with his hand outstretched to her.
Hermione quickly realized what he was asking and took his hand. Taking the opportunity to escape her unwelcomed company. He then proceeded to guide her to the center of the room where various individuals were dancing with their partners. With her hand remaining in his hand he pulled her close, her covered breasts slightly touching his chest. They were so close they could feel the rise and fall of each other's chests against their own as they both breathed. He placed his other hand on her waist as she put her hand on his shoulder. Holding her firm against him in a way that was neither uncomfortable or unwanted. Despite his height he had no difficulty maintaining eye contact with her as they began to waltz.
“I am surprised to see you here. This isn’t the type of function where your presence is normally detected,” Hermione said, locking eyes with her partner as he took the lead. Her dress trailing behind her as she moved across the floor.
“Indeed, however, the Headmaster can be quite persuasive,” Severus replied in an impassive tone. His eyes were guarded but not in their usual coldness. His expression was neutral as he was in close proximity with Hermione.
“And your reason for dancing with me?” Hermione inquired.
“Again the Headmaster, who is quite preoccupied with Minerva while your discomfort became quite apparent,” He replied coolly.
“And yet you were the one to ask me to dance and not any other,” Hermione asked with a raised head.
“Then they were a fool to waste such an opportunity,” Severus said with an arch of a brow. Hermione felt the air shift around her as Severus turned the pair in another direction.
“How so?” Hermione asked puzzled.
“Well rumor has it you are quite sought after in the experimental department.” Severus said in more of a statement rather than a question.
“Could your inquiry be for personal reasons?”
“Possibly. If you could be of use.” Severus stated without offence. “Otherwise you would just be wasting my time. But I am curious if your reputation precedes you. If so then any male just wasted an opportunity to hold your attention this evening.
“Yet you seem to be holding mine quite well,” Hermione said as she was swept into another direction across the floor. For a man not notably comfortable in human company he held no stiffness as he guided her and held her closely.
Across the floor Ginny Weasley was making her way to her fiancé, Harry Potter who had escaped the onslaught of people and was having some refreshments. Her dress was haltered at the top with a light purple mesh covering a silver bodice, with flowers decaling the gown and ornating her hair. She was distracted by the couple dancing across the room. Hermione was dancing with Snape. Reclusive bat of the dungeons and her best friend were together. In quite a close proximity. They were staring intently at one another even when one spoke. They moved in sync with one another as they swirled around the dance floor without hesitation. Ginny just couldn’t seem to take her eyes off of them. She wasn’t the only person. Others were staring and even a few were whispering to those closest to them. And she didn’t blame them. It was an odd sight to behold. It was well known that Snape didn’t attend functions like this. He wasn’t a fan of socializing and being in the public. And to see him dancing as well with Hermione of all people was quite peculiar.
“Is that Hermione dancing with Snape?” Ginny asked confused as she spoke to Harry. She was unsure if the punch was stronger then she realized and she was seeing things.
“It seems so,” Harry replied. He didn’t seem overly concerned over his best female friend dancing with their previous professor. However, after the war ended and Snape’s role was revealed he seemed to have developed a sense of respect for him. He was even deemed a war hero. That didn’t change the fact that he was still a git though.
“Didn’t you say he was out of the country?” Ginny asked, still unsure of what was happening.
“Last I heard from the Minister. But clearly he is back.” Harry replied.
“Indeed. But that doesn't explain why he is dancing with Hermione.”
“Who knows. But they do seem rather engaged with one another don’t they,” Harry pointed out.
“Yes they do,” Ginny said looking at the pair quite pensively. Causing Harry to look at her suspiciously before giving a sudden laugh.
“Come off it Gin it’s just a dance not a marriage proposal,” Harry said dismissively as he removed his glasses to clean them. To ensure he could see properly.
Across the room Hermione and Severus continued to dance. Severus led her in direct movements. The music guiding them I was made for loving you, Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through, Every bone screaming, I don't know what we should do, All I know is, darling, I was made for loving you. After the music ended, Severus took a step back and released his grasp. He slightly bowed his head then quickly stalked out of the room. Hermione was left standing in the middle of the dance floor as couples twirled around her. She decided to make her way off to the side before another man could hassle her for a dance. When she made it off to the side she was ambushed by none other than Ginny Weasley.
“What were you doing with Snape?” Ginny asked suspiciously, as she meddled with her best friend.
“He was just rescuing me from some persistent members of the Wizengamot,” Hermione said.
“Well it looked like some intense eye fucking from where I was standing. Or where anyone was standing for that matter,” Ginny stated very bluntly causing Hermione to shake her head in disagreement with a weary look in her eyes.
“We weren't eye…”
“Well you two seemed quite engaged with one another,” Ginny continued.
“We were talking about work.”
“And that eye contact?” Ginny asked, with a raised brow as she continued to draw her own conclusions.
“He’s a legilimens. It can’t be helped. His eyes have developed to be narrow and focused for years now. Even though he wasn’t trying to navigate my mind, his eyes have been accumed to it. Plus he has been an Occulemns for like 20 years now. His shields also block out his emotions which prevent his eyes from dilating. So it makes his eyes seem more reflective and adds to the intensity by maybe 13% or is it 33%,” Hermione explained while musing herself.
“Okay enough with the class lesson.”
“Ginny,” Hermione sighed in exasperation. “He danced with me because Dumbledore was occupied with McGonagall and if he danced at least once he was able to leave. You are reading too much into this. He was simply using me as an escape route. Plus he wanted to know if my work could be of any use to his.”
“Your right, as usual,” Ginny signed dejectedly. Then she started to laugh “Plus imagine how ridiculous the thought of you and Snape together is.”
“Completely ridiculous,” Hermione said with a small smile. While the light in her eyes diminished as she thought about that statement.
After another 10 minutes of socializing, Hermione decided to get some air and to escape the crowds and endless chatter. She walked to a secluded corner, hidden under an alcove and followed the small hallway to an indoor greenhouse. It was late at night that nobody would be working there. It was used to hold some of the more rare and exotic herbology ingredients. Nobody would bother to come here tonight. Most people don’t know that this section even exists unless their department works with the study of the ingredients or if they just happen to stumble on this hidden gem. Greenery covered the walls in vines and leaves and flora flourished. It was silent which suited her just fine. It gave her a moment of clarity. She found a railing that overlooked a small pond and sighed and she leaned against it. Her head bowed in between her arms as she closed her eyes. Relaxing the tension in her body. Letting the anxiety and stress flow threw her.
“You look absolutely stunning,” came a deep voice behind her. Causing Hermione to lift her head and smile. She slowly stood up and turned around. Coming face to face with Severus Snape. He was so close that if she moved her hand she would have made contact with the sleeve of his robes. She didn’t hear him sneak up behind her. She never did.
He had a smirk on his face as he took in the sight in front of him. Her appearance was simply radiant. She always looked beautiful. But tonight she looked heavenly. It only took a few seconds before Hermione came to her senses and lifted her head up nearly at the same time as his head leaned down so that their lips connected. He reacted almost instantly opening his mouth to taste her. Simply enjoying the feel of each other as their mouths tasted and explored each other. Grabbing hold of her waist to pull her closer to his chest. Time didn’t slow as they kissed. Instead it sped up. It was fast, always moving, hurried and rushed. Heat grew between them as they tried to breathe without disconnecting. They tried to mold themselves into each other. As if they could be closer together then they already were. They held onto each other never wanting to never let go. They moved in a familiar dance. Only this time they led each other.
When the need to breathe became too strong, Hermione pulled away breathing deeply as her hands held unto his shoulders tightly as she struggled both to breathe and stand up right. “2 months has been two long,” she whispered once she regained her composure.
“Dolohov has been taken care of,” Severus stated quietly while he too composed himself. He still held her firmly not wanting to separate so soon after being reunited. “One down, one to go.” Once Dolohov's presence was made aware of, the Minister sent Severus out of the country to handle the situation discreetly. It wasn’t only beneficial for the Auror department for him to disappear. But for Severus and Hermione as well, who Dolohov had a personal vendetta against.
“I didn’t think you would be back so soon,” Hermione said looking up to meet his eyes. Her eyes shone with the unasked question. He indicated in his messages that he wouldn’t be returning for another week or so. However, as luck would have it. Severus was able to quickly and efficiently silence the other man permanently.
“I arrived at Hogwarts this morning to drop some potions off at the infirmary. Of course Dumbledore decided that I was to arrive here this evening instead of returning home. Which seems to have worked out in my favor,” Severus explained.
“You shouldn’t have danced with me,” Hermione said after a moment of clarity. They both knew it was risky to be seen in such a way. Especially since it was so uncharacteristic of him to do so.
“I couldn’t resist,” Severus admitted. He has never had a chance to dance with her, not till now. He wasn’t sure if he would ever get the chance again. “Besides, luckily I was able to make Dumbledore believe he was the one to suggest that I should rescue you.”
“Do you think he knows?” Hermione asked with worry as she gently bit her lip.
“If anything he is planning to set us up himself, otherwise we should be safe,” Severus said reassuringly. He was confident in his words as well as his actions. He wouldn’t have acted as he did if he had any doubt.
“Ginny was asking questions. I was able to deter her. But I don’t think we should risk this kind of thing again. At least not so publicly,” Hermione said decidingly. Even though she enjoyed it in more than words could describe. The logical part of her overridden her heart's desire. Their safety had to come first over their love. At least for now.
“You make it seem like I am your dirty little secret,” Severus said teasingly with a smirk even though he knew just as well as she did what was at stake if their relationship was revealed.
“I’m not ashamed of you Severus. But I can’t deny that I don't enjoy having you all to myself,” Hermione said looking up to him shyly causing him to smirk in enjoyment. But her face became serious again when she said “I just hate having to pretend all of the time.”
“I know,” Severus sighed. He might enjoy living his life as it was the epitome of privacy. He, however, didn't wish for her to hold herself back from those she cared for on his behalf. But she did. And soon she will no longer have any reason to except for her own fears and insecurities. “Once this is over we can reveal ourselves to everyone. We will have nothing to hide. And no one to fear. We will be free,” he said cupping her face in his hands as he stared deeply into her eyes. She nodded in agreement to his silent promise. He gently kissed her forehead and brought her close into his embrace. As he held her in comfort. Seeking his own from her as well.
“Once I’ve killed my father.”