Heathen (Severus Snape x Reader)

40 - Yule Ball

When I woke the next morning, everything seemed as usual. I woke up earlier than everybody else, so I decided to take my time in getting ready for the day. There was no longer a reason to rush to the Great Hall. I'd only be making the inevitable happen sooner.

I changed my clothes and put my robe on. I put my hair in braids and stuck my hood up, not feeling like talking much today. After I was ready, I headed to the Great Hall. I was still one of the first there, but at least I had an excuse to lay my head down and retreat to my own thoughts. I sat in my normal seat...unfortunately being the only one at the Slytherin's table so far. I huffed dramatically.

I don't know how long I had my head down like that, as what felt like hours later, I heard a loud laugh boom through my eardrums. I rolled my eyes and tried to ignore it, but then came a tap on my shoulder. I groaned and sat up, glaring at them in frustration.

"Y/N!"

"What do you want, Luna? I am not in the mood."

She frowned, making me feel bad. But not bad enough to apologize. If I had to feel like this today, why shouldn't everybody else? Suddenly, she snapped back to a large grin and continued.

"Sorry! I was just thinking...would you like to try our new riddle? Amelia thought of a-"

She paused, looking around herself before frowning again.

"Um...Luna?" I spoke up, feeling concerned for her. I know I said she should feel bad, but...now that she does, it kind of sucks.

"Sorry. Amelia was just here..."

I helped her look around before I spotted my younger sibling at the Ravenclaw table with Draco.

"She is over there. Seems busy. It doesn't matter, what's your riddle?" I sat up, wanting to appear interested to cheer her up a little. I couldn't afford to make the only upbeat student sad at the expense of me.

She perked up a bit and smiled at me, sitting down across from my seat.

"Great! So, the more you take, the more you leave behind."

I thought for a moment, genuinely trying. "Umm...your shadow?"

She giggled at me before shaking her head no. "You have the right idea, though! It's footsteps."

I nodded, giving a small smile before putting my head back down.

"Aw, come on, Y/N! There are so many things to appreciate today."

I groaned and ignored her, hoping she would leave, and I had assumed she did, as I hadn't heard another word from her. Suddenly, a loud voice boomed through the room, making it known Dumbledore was to start his morning speech. I closed my eyes tight, somehow hoping this would block out his voice just enough to not give me a headache.

It failed.

"Good morning. As I had stated before, Yule Ball is soon. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances have caused us to reschedule it."

Students began to groan all around the room, until he yelled again. "For tomorrow!"

My eyes widened as I raised my head up. Everybody was silent now. I hadn't even found a date yet! It wasn't supposed to be for weeks! I smacked my head against the table as I just figured it would be better to disappear rather than go alone.

He snapped his fingers and the table I had my head on was covered by a ceramic plate. I immediately sat up and huffed. He caused me to get hair on my plate. I wasn't going to eat anything off of that. I finally looked around and noticed Luna had not left. She was still across from me. I smiled softly and she grinned back at me before beginning to eat.

I hesitated before I glanced up at the professor's table, he wasn't even looking at me. Not that he would be...but Dumbledore was. He smiled at me and I nodded, pretending that was who I was aimed at in the first place. However, I'm sure he knew otherwise.

After breakfast, I was headed for class. I had potions first today, so it wouldn't be hard to avoid him after dismissal. I chose the seat closest to the door, which, admittedly I found out was a bad idea when he swooshed into the room and the button on his robe whacked me in the head.

"Ow..." I mumbled. He stopped and immediately turned to raise an eyebrow at me. My face turned red in embarrassment as he had never paid attention to the usual comment from students. Which caused them all to look at me...and then him...and then back to me.

I froze for a moment. I panicked and muttered out a quick, "Sorry..." hoping it would leave the students less suspicious. It seemed to have worked, as he helped me out by muttering something and then storming to the front of the room. I let out a breath when everybody's eyes followed him.

Maybe we are too close...? Could Dumbledore be right?

—TS—

I went out to Diagon Alley with Amelia and Luna, we were looking for dresses for the Yule Ball, tomorrow. They both had dates, whereas I, hadn't been asked once. Then again, everybody thought we still had weeks. I guess if I don't plan on going alone, I better step up my game.

I ended up picking a short dress for the day tomorrow, just to pick up looks. Hey, maybe somebody will ask me. I also picked out my outfit for the Yule Ball. (You're free to imagine ANY thing you feel comfortable in. Just make it fancy!)

—TS—

I was now back at the castle and we were settling in for bed. Tomorrow will either be terrible...or fantastic.

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HEYYY everyone! Thank you for reading! We are RAPIDLY approaching the end. I'm thinking two more chapters at the most... 😅

If you have any last minute ideas, do let me know. I have a general plan of how I want it to end (it will be happy, thanks for voting) but am open to any further suggestions!