True Love Ways

8 Yule Surprises

Christmas was a wonderful time at Hogwarts. The Ladies and staff of The Beaux Batons Academy arrived just before lunch and many old and some new acquaintances were instantly made. The pupils who were staying at the castle for the festivities made their French visitors more than welcome and soon all were enjoying a sumptuous feast in the Great Hall. After lunch some pupils and staff made trips into Hogsmeade to finish off last minute shopping, Others stayed behind to walk around the lake or join in with one of the impromptu Quidditch matches that were being noisily fought out. The sound of laughter rang out around the castle.

Towards the latter part of the afternoon everyone started returning to their dormitories, common rooms and chambers where they began, rather excitedly, getting ready for the evening's 'Yule Ball'. The romantic notion of the ball made the 5th year girls especially giddy.

Hermione, who was doing her castle rounds, at this time smiled at their excitement. She was invited into Gryffndor's common room where she concluded that every girl looked beautiful and every wizard looked incredibly handsome. She desperately wanted them all to have a good time and to make wonderful memories of their evening for many years to come. With a sigh her thoughts turned to these evenings when she was a Hogwarts pupil, when along with Harry and Ron, she'd dance the night away. Lost in her thoughts she didn't notice the wizard who stepped out in front of her. He grabbed her arms as she walked into him.

"C...Charles" she stammered, realising who it was who held her "I didn't see you there!"

"You were clearly away with zee faeries" he grinned back at her. " 'Ow are you 'Ermione? You are looking as beautiful as ever!" Hermione sighed and extricated herself from his grasp. He always was a smooth talker.

"I'm fine thank you Charles" she replied looking at him directly "I'm just off to get ready for the ball - I expect I'll see you there?" And she turned to walk away

"Oh oui, ma cherie" he smirked at her departing figure "I expect you to give me at least one dance..?"

Hermione offered no response. She hurried to her chambers to get ready. She knew he would be there but his presence had unnerved her a little. This Christmas - her and Severus' first together as a couple - was meant to be perfect, and him being here was an annoyance.

At 7.30pm Hermione looked at herself in the mirror. Her mint green dress was of the sheerest material and floated around her as she moved. It had taken her weeks of trawling shop after shop to choose the right one. It was elegant and traditional and the Empire Line style was perfect for her figure. With her hair in a sophisticated French pleat with strands curled and falling at the sides, and just enough makeup to highlight her natural beauty she looked, quite simply, breathtaking.

Severus was waiting on her arrival. They had to arrive separately - as was Hogwarts tradition -
and he paced nervously in the entrance to the Great Hall. Minerva put a steadying arm on his. "She'll be here in a minute Severus, dear. Do calm down." Severus scowled at her but then the sight that caught his eye at the top of the stairs stopped him dead in his tracks. His mouth dropped. "See" she said reaching up and pecking him on the cheek "go and meet your witch." Severus nodded, his eyes not leaving Hermione's for one second. He could hardly breathe. She was always beautiful to him but just now, standing on the top of the stairs she was absolutely stunning and he'd never ever seen her look so wonderful. He put out his hand to her, and she walked gracefully down towards him. At the bottom of the stair, despite the growing audience which was now looking on in both awe and wonder, Severus pulled his witch in to his body and enveloped her in his arms. His lips met hers. The audience gave a small round of applause and moved away, once more engrossed in their own conversations.