Always

Chapter 15: The Yule Ball (Part 1)

The two days went by quick and before she knew it, it was Friday. The day of her exam, and the night of the Yule Ball. She was so nervous but so excited as well. She woke up that day pretty early because her excitement was so high. She yawned softly as she looked at her clock. "8 am, wow....." She mumbled slightly as she thought about tonight and how amazing it would be. She got up and she looked for her robes. She knew that she needed to stay warm today. The air was crisp, and the castle was even crisper. She found them and she placed warmer clothes underneath and she sat at her dresser and did her hair. She wished Severus was here to do her hair. He always did it so well.....but she still did not know how he was able to do hair so easily. She had to ask. She just had to. She braided her hair into one long braid and she did some makeup in the mirror as fast as she could. She then stood up and smiled grabbed her wand. "Elizabeth Washington, you are ready to seize the day." She said confidently as she locked her room and walked to the Great Hall for breakfast.

She walked through those large doors and was so happy. Nothing could really bring her down at the moment. She walked up to the professors and they seemed to smile at her. "Well, someone is certainly happy," Hooch said as she watched Beth. "Yeah...I guess with the Yule Ball happening tonight, I am just so happy." She said as Minerva was walking in with Severus. He had a potion in hand and she believed it was the potion he promised her the day after the library night of fun. He gave it to her as he saw Beth and he stood a little taller for her as he approached her slowly.

"Good morning." He said to her as he kissed her hand gently and she smiled. "You also." She replied as he smirked. "Your rest was well?" He asked. "It was lovely," Beth answered as he led her to her seat and she sat down in her seat and he sat down next to her, moving his sleeves up on his arms so calmly and smoothly, it seemed like he did this every day. He watched her gently as he said "Your final.....is it this afternoon?" She nodded with a smile. "Yeah....my students are very worried it seems and I want them to do well. I care so much about them, and I...I think of them as my own children. I hug them when they need it, when they're stressed I listen, and when they're happy I celebrate with them. I never thought I would bond so well with them." She sighed as Severus held her hand on her left thigh. "Beth....out of all of us, you care the most about the students. You see the good in everyone, and that is a quality I do not want you to lose. Understood?" He said as she looked into his eyes and nodded softly. "You say the kindest words Severus...." She sighed as she held his hand more and he hummed deeply in the back of his throat. "Only to you my dear.....only to you." He whispered as Minerva stood up and walked to the podium. She was going to say the leader of the House Cup and Beth knew that Slytherin had been in the lead for almost 3 months now. They were destined to win this year.

"This time of year is very stressful for most of you all. Some of you have your O.W.L.S. to complete. Some have regular finals. No matter what you have, I understand greatly that the stress is at large. Do not feel obligated to not speak to your professors about your struggles. I know that most of them will want to make you feel more comfortable." Minerva said softly as she looked back at Severus who glared at her and Beth giggled. Severus would be the last person in this whole school other than Filch to come "talk to" about stress and other problems. "I know that Professor Washington would love to talk to all of you, and she will make you feel a lot better." She said as Beth smiled. "I won't insult you and glare into your soul until your heart stops beating!" Beth shouted as Severus looked at her very slowly. He looked away as she suddenly jumped up and squealed. "Hey!" She said frowning as he deeply smirked and he looked at her from the side. "Watch it." He said with a devious smile, knowing what he just did to her and she hit his arm hard and he said in a low tone "Ouch. That hurt." He rubbed his arm a little as he looked at her and she smirked. "It is now time to announce who is the leader of the House Cup." She said as the students could hardly sit still. She then began the process and Beth was just as excited for the students as the students themselves.