Clarissa Snape [incomplete]

three

—Dance Lessons and Essays—

We arrived in Hogsmeade later that day and I immediately dragged Draco to Honeydukes.

"Do we have to?" he whined.

"Yes. I want a couple Sugar Quills," I said pulling harder on his arm but he kept his feet planted to the ground. I glared at him and he huffed, annoyed, but followed.

After Honeydukes, we found the Three Brooksticks and ordered some Butterbeer.

"This stuff is so good," I sighed, taking a sip. Draco just shrugged.

"Why are you so anti today?" I asked him. He merely shrugged, again, and I narrowed my eyes at him, searching his face for any sign of emotion.

I dispelled the evil thoughts that ran through my mind. I would not use a curse to get an answer. I would simply wait for him to become comfortable with sharing his problems.

"Did your father do something?" I asked like the nosy prat I am.

"No," he said.

"Draco," I sighed, "You can't let him push you around like that—"

"I said it's nothing!" he shouted, standing and walked to the restrooms.

I frowned. So much for a fun day.

I chugged the rest of my Butterbeer and left the pub.

I then walked around by myself for a while before I found my father having a conversation with Professor McGonagall outside of Honeydukes. I shivered, as it was very cold, and ran up to him.

I stood there with my teeth chattering before I hugged him for warmth. He seemed not to care and wrapped his arms, that were covered by his cloak, around me. I saw muggle girl around ten hug her father from the cold once and so why couldn't I? We just stood there as he conversed about lesson plans and quidditch.

Soon enough I got bored and closed my eyes.

After a while, I lost track of time. Then, my dad tapped my on the shoulder, making me jump a little.

I hummed in response.

"Are you asleep?" he mused.

I nodded and Professor McGonagall laughed quietly.

"I thought you were going to 'hang' with Mr. Malfoy," he said. I could sense him raising his eyebrows.

I shrugged, "You're cooler and warmer..."

He chuckled and rubbed my back once and pulled away from me.

"As much fun that hugging you is, we'll be leaving soon. Why don't you go grab two coffees from Madam Puddifoot's and we'll gather up all the students?" he suggested. I nodded and he looked to Professor McGonagall.

"Oh, yes," she gushed, her eyes glittering with admiration. "Hurry back dear."

"My, my Severus. I never thought you could be such a loving person," she said as I walked away.

He gave her a small but harmless glare and said sarcastically, "Thanks."

—

Transfiguration on Monday was hell. Professor McGonagall forced us to learn to dance for the Yule Ball and I guarantee you that I am the worst dancer there is. The worst. Don't argue with me.

Dad was supposed to teach us because he was our head of house but I assumed he refused and so Professor McGonagall was forced to.

Thankfully, I was partnered with Draco who was a great dancer. To bad he wouldn't be able to dance due to the pain I inflicted on his feet.

"Miss Snape, you acquired your father's dancing skills," McGonagall commented with a small laugh.

Thanks Dad.

"Sorry...Sorry...Sorry," I mumbled as Draco whisked me around whilst I stepped on his toes. He just smiled and giggled down at me, my actions not seeming to effect him.

"I have a question," he said. I raised an eyebrow and stared down at out feet, hoping I'd be able to control mine better.

He tilted up my head with two slender fingers under my chin.

"Just follow my lead."

My cheeks tinted pink and I asked, "What is your question?"

"Will you go to the dance with me?"

"A-as friends?" I asked, hoping that was his intention. I didn't like Draco in more than a friendly way.

He hesitated, "Yeah."

"I would love to," I smiled and realized I hadn't stepped on Draco's feet.

"See. You were distracted and weren't thinking about your awful dancing."

"Guess you'll have to distract me at the dance too then."

He winked.

—

"Draco asked you?" father asked as I searched his room for parchment.

"Ya, we're going as friends," I said, putting the emphasis on 'friends.'

"You sure? You guys seem pretty close," he pushed. I rolled my eyes.

"I think of is as friends. Does that help float your goat?"

"Yes."

"My god, where on earth do you keep your parchment?!" I shouted, throwing my hands in the air.

"The drawer at my desk," he said, moving around his room, organizing potions and ingredients.

"Thanks."

"What do you need it for?" he asked, furrowing his brow in disapproval at the messy cabinet that the students used.

"A charms essay We're learning to summon objects this year."

"Mhm."

"Are you listening?"

"Yup."

"What ingredients are in the Wolfsbane potion?"

"Very nice dear."

I rolled my eyes for about the fifth time that day and sat at his desk, using his old, raged quill and started my essay.

Halfway through, a thought submerged in my head.

"When is the Yule Ball?" I asked.

"Christmas Day," he responded.

"That's fifteen days from your birthday!" I acknowlaged.

His head snapped up towards me, "So?"

"Nothing."

He narrowed his eyes at me. "I am good at Legilimency."

"And I'm good at Occlumency," I shot back, also narrowing my eyes.

"Touché."

"Don't worry. It won't be bad."

"I'm not so sure."

It is short, badly written, and basically a filler chapter. It gets better. I promise. You just gotta get through part one.