Of Slytherin Descent (Snape/reader)

Ch. 9: Beneath my Crooked Nose(2)

It was announced that the Yule Ball would be a masquerade this year, which I was a little weary of because the whole mask thing seems a little overboard in my eyes, but I decide that I'll take one in case.
I never really knew if people were actually going to dress for the theme, and I definitely didn't want to be the odd one out.
Minnie informed me and Irma that she'd already went shopping for her dress robes, but she wished us luck and was overjoyed to see what we'd get.
Irma and I went in a pop-up dress robe shop in Hogsmeade, looking around at various gowns. The variety seemed to keep going, it was obvious that the shops all had extension charms to allow them to be larger on the inside, but still small enough to fit in Diagon Alley.
The store was mostly vacant except for a couple of students getting some last-minute alterations to their gowns and suits. Due to it being so close to the Yule Ball, many students and staff had already gotten their dress robes.
The black gowns caught my attention immediately and the shop owner gave me a knowing smile.

"Can't go wrong with the classics," the shop owner says, leaning forward on the counter with interest. He seemed to be a middle-aged man with shoulder length auburn hair, dressed in fine silks and velvets. The man obviously had style for the ages, so I was flattered that he acknowledged my taste.

"Do you have any recommendations?"

"Follow me," he said with enthusiasm. Something told me he had an idea of what we'd like.

He took the two of us to the back of the store, where a large number of elegant black dresses were fresh on the racks.

"It seems the younger generations are inspired by color, but I've always had a special spot for the classier and darker shades," he says with a smirk,"Pardon me, my name is Ravier, Ravier Midu."

He extended his hand and I shook it.

"I'm Y\L\N." I almost began to introduce Irma, but as I looked between the two, it became obvious that they were already acquainted.

"Hm...," he paused for a moment, rubbing his fingers thoughtfully over his collar,"you're the new Professor?"

I confirmed his suspicions with a nod and a smile as we continues making small talk. Within a few moments, Irma let out a enthusiastic (and perhaps dramatic) gasp.
When I looked over, I saw her pointing to a row of gothic style dresses. She looked as if she was told she's get a year's worth of free butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks.

Ravier gave her a small smirk,"I see you found my little collection, some of my favorites. I'll leave you two to it then!"

He walked off with a playful wink and a wave, leaving us to try on gowns.
Irma chose a Vintage Victorian Gothic style dress with long sleeves that got bigger at the ends. It was almost like a ball gown, but slightly smaller, with a corset-like waist.
I decided on a similar dress, but it was more modern. It was a mermaid, gothic style dress that had off-shoulder sleeves and an open back.(Morticia Adams style). I told Irma that the dress I'd picked may be seen as....scandalous, but  at my doubts, she insisted that it looked bewitching.

"Seems we both have a gothic sense of style," she says with a devilish grin, poking me playfully.

I give her a modest chuckle,"Oh, the more we have in common it would seem. Hogwarts has a new thing coming with the both of us."

The two of us go our separate ways when we make it back to the castle. The fog covered the ground and the tops of towers were now only dimly lit by the horizon due to it being late evening.
I hurriedly made my way to my private quarters to hang my new dress up. I truly couldn't wait to wear it to the ball, I felt confident in it, I felt like some sort of royalty. I couldn't contain my smile as I walked, and when I went to open the door, Snape opened his, appearing to be leaving.
He gave me an odd, but curious look at my joyous demeanor, but I didn't acknowledge his reaction,

"Someone's in a particularly good mood," he said, regarding me dryly. He wore his signature glower as he looked down at me. (Him being a few inches taller). Only then did he look down at my shopping bag.

"Seems you could learn a thing or two from me then," I say with a mischievous smirk. It takes everything in me not to laugh at his face when I say that.

I don't bother waiting for his response as I go inside, rushing to my bedroom. I lay out the dress and admire it, imagining what the Yule Ball will really be like.
I imagine dancing under the glowing lights and the glowing ceiling that will be charmed to look like the night sky.
However, I realize now that I don't really have a date....I frown slightly at the thought. I'm not really acquainted with the other Professors quite yet, and Minnie and Irma have dates. Minnie is going with Albus, and Irma is going with Flitwick. It wasn't Irma's first choice, but the two are good friends, so naturally she obliged. Flitwick wasn't a bad guy, but he was very opinionated and very convinced that he always had the upper views. Nevertheless, he was very knowledgeable, and this was a trait that him and Irma both shared.
I still had a problem at hand though...

Who was I going to go with?

I thought for a moment as a smirk crept across my features, I had an evil idea, and the masquerade theme would work in to my devilish plan perfectly. Well....the mask would cover half my face, but I'd have to transfigure some of my features, like my hair and eye color. But other than that, I'd be able to hide my identity pretty easily, and maybe I'd even be able to get some answers.

A little fun never hurt anyone after all....