Venus Rising (Snape/Student Story)

Chapter 10

A few weeks later
Jasper and I were okay. He had apologized after the First Task for how he acted, and I forgave him.
I went to all my classes, and enjoyed the company of the students.
There was a strange tension in the air everytime Professor Snape asked me a question, or looked at me in Potions class. I could tell the other students didn't notice it, but I did.
I shook it off though, as anticipation and excitement for the Yule Ball tonight surged throughout the castle.

I had gotten a couple gifts, considering it was also Christmas. Natalie had bought me a beautiful pair of heels, which surprised me, considering we hadn't been friends for that long. Nevertheless, I was thankful. My Dad had sent me some of my favorite Muggle chocolates, which I ate half of right away.
The next gift was from Jasper. It was a necklace, which had our initials engraved on it, intertwined in an infinity sign. I smiled to myself, happy we had got over our little disagreement. I could see myself marrying him..I clasped the necklace around my neck, so it was laying with my dove necklace.
I gripped another gift in my hands, still not having unwrapped it.
I didn't know who it was from, because there was no card attached to the outside. I took in a breath, and pulled the gift wrap off. I gasped lightly.
It was an original copy of 'The Crucible'. I could tell because the pages were gently worn...it was preserved perfectly. I opened the cover, and I gasped again.
Arthur Miller's signature.
This was a signed, original copy of one of my favorite plays/novels.
I couldn't even think. Who would send me something this intimate???
I searched the book for any indication of the sender. I shook it gently, and a small piece of paper fell out from between the pages.
I picked it up, and examined it.
There were two words written on it in messy, yet elegant script.
'Happy Reading.'
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
I was broken out of my train of thoughts by Natalie.
"Venus, we should start getting ready. The Ball starts in a couple hours."
I smiled, nodding. "Let's do it."
*******
I pat down my dress as I looked at myself in the mirror. The green of my dress brought out my eyes. My makeup was a blend of silvers, to match the silver of the dress, and the silver of my four inch heels. My lips were coated in clear lipgloss. My hair was in a low chignon, with curled pieces falling around my face for structure. My dove necklace and the necklace from Jasper was shining around my neck.
I walked out of my room, and down the stairs to find Natalie waiting for me.
She smiled. "Oh my gosh, Venus! You look beautiful!"
I laughed. "So do you! I love your dress."
Hers was red and curve-hugging, but simple in the classiest of ways. Her hair was up in a bun, her bangs framing her face perfectly.
We walked together out of the common room and down the corridors, until we reached the stairs. We lifted our skirts lightly, making sure not to trip down the stairs. I would be the one to do so.
At the bottom, Jasper was waiting for me, a huge smile on his face. His eyes lit up as he stared at me in wonder.
"Wow, V." He whispered, seemingly mesmerized.
I smirked, kissed him lightly on the lips.
"Let's go in." I whispered against his lips.
We entered the Great Hall, and made our way to the sides, to await the entrance of the Tournament champions, and their dates.
When they entered, everyone cheered, and they started the dancing on the floor.
After a couple minutes, Jasper grabbed my hand, and led me on to the dance floor. His hands wrapped gently around my waist, mine on his shoulder, our other hands intertwined. We started to glide around the floor, and I couldn't keep the grin off my face.
"You're wearing the necklace." Jasper commented, smiling down at me.
"It's beautiful. Thank you."
I stared into his ice blue eyes, and I felt overwhelmed by emotions.
"I love you, Jasper." I whispered.
The genuine emotion in his eyes made my breath catch.
"I love you endlessly, Venus Hastings." He said.
I kissed him again, not caring who was watching.

A bit later
"Seriously Natalie, you look so beautiful!" I commented, as I stood off to the side, chatting with Natalie and a couple other girls from Potions class.
I was starting to feel tipsy, the result being from secret spiked punch that was being passed around between the sixth years. I was enjoying myself immensely.
I looked around, noticing that Jasper had disappeared. I told Natalie I would be back, and I searched around the hall. I couldn't find my boyfriend.
I eventually made my way outside, shivering against the winter air. I would surely catch a cold, but that was the last thing on my mind.
Finding Jasper was.
As I noticed, Professor Snape was going from carriage to carriage, breaking up shenanigans.
I chuckled inside my mind.
Until what I saw next made me stop dead in my tracks.
A burst of light, and the carriage in my line of vision slammed open, and two people scurried out, disheveled, as Professor Snape admonished them for their rule-breaking.
"Jasper?!" I exclaimed, my voice cracking on the end.
I didn't mean to make my presence known, but I couldn't stop myself.
All three people turned around, and the shocked look in my boyfriend's eyes would have been almost comical if I hadn't been so angry.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from Jasper's, who in return cast his eyes to the ground.
The blonde girl I didn't recognize glanced at me, and then at the ground.
I felt the tears filling my eyes. I ripped Jasper's gift from my neck, and threw it at his feet.
Embarrassed and heartbroken, I fled the yard.
******