Back in time...

Back in time..., Chapter 5.

Hermione was very excited about the upcoming ball and for once indulged in being a girl. She had picked out a dress, had Lily's mother send over some Muggle make up and even learnt a charm to tame her hair from manic frizz to glossy curls. Her mind however was not only on appearance, after time she started to wonder about her date; does he like me, does he just want to be friends? No! He would never like you, He's just going with you out of pity. When one day her mind had once again begun to drfit towards the thoughts she pushed them firmly out and concentrated on walking with Severus to their favourite corner of the school, it was much too cold to go down to their favourite tree by the lake. She was however unaware that Severus' thoughts were also on his date for the ball; what if she has realised i like her, is she repulsed, did she only agree to go with me so that i wouldn't be upset or was it pity. Severus also firmly pushed these thoughts out of his mind and instead settled for looking down at the beautiful girl walking beside him. She looked up and caught him staring at her, she immediately broke into a magnificent smile, her amber eyes twinkling.

More time passed and finally it was the night of the ball, Hermione started getting ready with the rest of the girls in her dorm and watched them go down to the Great Hall in their glorious dresses. Hermione was going to have to settle for a late entrance as her nervous dilly-dallying was wasting time considerably. Eventually she gathered up her Gryffindor courage and left her dorm to go to the ball. She stopped at the top of the stairs to smooth down her magnificent rose coloured dress. She had spent time picking out the perfect dress and had finally gone for a pink rose coloured full length plain silk strapless dress that clung to her in all the right places with a simple layer of flowing chiffon over the top. Her hair was perfectly smooth and gathered sweetly over one shoulder. On her feet she wore simple peach strappy heels, which she had only just mastered walking in, after tiring nights being taught by the girls. Plucking up her courage she turned and started heading down the stairs.

At a gasp from the girl next to him Severus turned and followed her stare. When he too saw what she was looking at he followed her gasped as well and his ebony eyes grew wide as he fixed them on Hermione, his jaw dropping towards his neatly tied cravat as Hermione self consciously walked towards him.

"What is it? Has my hair come out? Oh don't you like the dress?" she asked all at once, her eyes saddening. Snapping out of his trance Severus quickly blocked her insane idea's.

"No, not at all 'Mione you look... you look beautiful Hermione" He said, a shy smile capturing his face. Her Amber eyes glittered as Severus took her arm and led her into the Hall.

They danced and they mingled and they chatted until the finally tired out and left with the majority of the students to retire for the evening. Deciding to take the long route to thee Gryffindor common room, (Severus of course knew where this was) Severus took Hermione's hand in his nervously and smiled genuinely down at her, she met his gaze and they carried on in content silence nearing the Fat Lady.

Hermione turned to thank Severus and was suprised when he leant down and captured her lips with his, it only took a moment for Hermione's lips to respond in turn and open for him as she reached up and tangled her hands in his hairs pulling him more firmly onto her. Severus deepened the kiss as him arms came up to her back and tightly embraced her.

The click of heels broke them apart and Severus was gone in a shot as Proffesor McGonnagal rounded the corner and Hermione raised her hand to her still smiling lips.