Always

Chapter 4: Hogsmeade

The next morning, Beth was excited. She felt like they were starting to become stronger acquaintances now. She woke up to her 9 am alarm and she skipped to her closet. What to wear for this marvelous day? She looked outside and she could tell it was very warm, considering it was still August. She looked around and found a yellow and white polka-dotted dress that was very vintage-inspired, having no sleeves and it came with a white thin belt. She put it upon her and twirled around cutely. She found white heels to match and she took the time to do her hair in a braided bun. That alone took 30 minutes and she looked at the time. "9:30 am, I still have time." She said to herself as she did her makeup and she put small pearl earrings into her small ears. She then started to wonder what Snape would wear. Surely not his robes right? Then again, this is Professor Snape we are talking about here. She got up and she grabbed her small beige purse with money and she locked the door and walked down the hall to the outside. She then heard footsteps and she got her wand ready and pointed it towards an opening door. Minerva walked out of it and she put her wand down.

"Oh Headmistress! I was startled! So sorry!" Beth said embarrassed. "Don't be sorry, Beth. I'm just putting up a few protective shields around the school." She smiled softly before her mouth frowned and she looked Beth over. "Wherever are you going dressed so....lovely?" She asked her, a bit confused. Beth smiled widely as she twirled for her. "I am going to Hogsmeade with Severus. Just to......hang out." She said as the Headmistress widened her eyes. "You......you asked him? Did he say yes? I do not know what I am more puzzled of, that you asked Severus Snape to Hogsmeade or the fact that he said yes to going with you!" She said shaking her head. "I know right?! It's totally nuts! I am so excited!" She said as she looked at the time on her silver watch. "Oh! I must go! I will tell you everything later Minerva I promise!" She said waving as she took off running and Minerva chuckled deeply. "That woman was a perfect choice." She said to herself as she gently walked the other way with her wand at the ready.

Beth found Snape outside by the river. She was shocked by what he was wearing. He wore a long thin black coat and a white fancy shirt underneath. He wore his signature shoes laced up and he rose his head up facing away from her. "I see you have arrived." He spoke as Beth smiled. "I see you are out of your robes. I am shocked, to say the least." She replied to his comment as he turned around. His eyes widened a lot bigger this time. He really wanted to say something but kept his mouth shut. "Shall we depart?" He asked slowly as she walked over and held his arm. "Yes. Let's." She spoke as he used his wand to apparate them to Hogsmeade.

She opened her eyes seeing that they were in the center of the village. She let go of his arm and walked beside him. "Anything you want to do specifically?" She asked him. "I do need more Salamander's Blood, but that is all." He spoke as she pointed to the potion ingredients store. "Then let us find some blood." She smiled as he nodded and walked with her. He could not help but admire her dress. Lily used to wear dresses when they were students. He held his head annoyed as he hissed and she looked at him. "Are you alright?" She asked. "Fine, do not be so concerned about me." He said firmly and she nodded quietly going into the store. It seemed that she was starting to understand the pattern: when he was upset, and confronted, he would push away. What WAS he pushing away though?

She entered the store and saw many wizards and witches in there. She was not a witch but she was enjoying seeing them walk around and buying stuff for their personal use. She saw Snape walk carefully to a shelf. He looked around as Beth gently left the store and she went shopping for some new dresses. It was only next door and she knew that he didn't really care about her that much so she wanted to shop and drop.

She hummed to herself as she saw all of the cute dresses. She gently touched them as she was looking at the prices. They were affordable but then something caught her eye. She backed up slowly and saw a long red dress that was off the shoulder. It was a formal and extravagant dress, and she walked around it loving it. She admired it and loved it. She must have been staring at it for a while as the woman who worked there smiled at her. "I see you are very interested in our latest design." She spoke as Beth nodded but widened her eyes. "Wait.....you all designed these dresses? That is incredible! They are so chic and so stylish!" Beth smiled. "Thank you. My sister and I have been in business for 6 years. We enjoy making dresses both casual and formal for the students and professors alike. We are most popular during the Yule Ball because that is a time where professors and female students try on their Yule Ball dresses." She smiled as Beth smiled. "I take it that the Yule Ball is very important." She said. "Yes absolutely. Would you like to know the price of the red dress?" She asked. Beth nodded happily. "Yes that would be great." She said softly. The woman then revealed the price to the professor. Beth gasped at the price as it was too much for her.