Redemption II

Chapter 75

oO Christmas Eve Oo

"You look unbelievably handsome." Hermione ran her hands down the front seam of the double-breasted frock coat, her eyes shining with pure happiness.

"You choose well." Severus had to admit that the coat Hermione had bought him for Christmas did have a sort of gothic charm to it. Deep black with silver stitching, it fit him perfectly in all the right places. Warm enough to keep away the winter chill but breathable enough for him to wear indoors. The buttons even had a small little snake in the shape of an S as decoration. He tried to keep the memory of him wearing a similar coat under very different circumstances at bay, choosing instead to ponder what Galia had gifted Hermione. He hadn't yet seen what Galia had chosen for her, but he was quickly becoming more eager to see.

"I fear if I do not wait downstairs we shall not get to the party."

Her hands that been exploring his waist pulled back with a blushing smile. He raised his own to gently run over both sides of her neck pushing back the hair that tumbled down from her complex looking hair design.

Hermione let out a soft sigh her eyes fluttering for just a moment. How could such a stern man have such a gentle touch? She didn't know and she didn't care. She still couldn't believe he had decided to come with her but she wasn't going to take it for granted.

"Alright, but don't try to sneak off to Reglan's, he won't hide you from me."

Severus let out an amused snort before pulling his hands back completely. Hermione watched his retreat with warmth in her eyes before turning towards the bed that held the box Galia had left for her. She pulled off the small decorative ribbon and pulled the lid free. When her eyes took in the dress that laid inside she couldn't suppress the gasp that left her lips.

A beautifully dark red almost black dress laid inside. The modest neckline was adorned with deeply shimmering onyx and garnet stones. When her fingers curled into the fabric she was sure she had never felt anything like it. It moved like water, the colors of the dress shifting from red to black in the light overhead. It was absolutely amazing by any standard.

Hermione stepped back pulling it free to fall like a waterfall down to the floor. The waist was narrowed and equally adorned with small stones down the sides coming to a small V where the skirt flowed out. Hermione pressed it against her chest looking down, it was just long enough to reach the tops of her feet without her having to worry about tripping on it.

Severus paced the sitting room impatiently. He just wanted to escort her safely to the party before finding a dark corner to hide himself in. Galia's warning was gnawing away at the back of his mind making him grind his teeth. He wasn't sure he'd be able to contain himself from just killing the idiot on sight, to hell with any consequences. His mind turned through all the possible ways he could kill the boy when the sound of heels on old wooden steps broke through his dark pensive.

Severus forcibly relaxed his face, moving into the hallway. When he turned his head, however, all his thoughts of homicide quickly deserted him leaving him completely awestruck by the vision of a Goddess come to earth. The stairs of which she descended did not do her justice. He felt his entire body burn as her feet came to the landing a shy nervous smile curling her lightly painted lips.

"How...does it look?" Hermione felt incredibly bashful, though the dress fit her perfectly, she wasn't so sure she was old enough to pull off such a womanly look. Her eyes nervously lifted from the floor to find the man who had captured her heart standing as though he'd been struck dumb. The look of astonishment unhidden on his normally strict face.

Severus barely heard her over the rush of blood through his ears. There were no words in any spoken language that could accurately describe the beauty that stood before him. He took a few slow steps before he was finally able to make an intelligible sound pass his lips, "Breathtaking..."