[Chapter 12 - The Ball]

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Waking up the morning of the Yule Ball, Genevive couldn't help but embrace the smile that adorned her face as the sunlight crept in through her window. Still in bed, she sat up a bit, brushing the hair out of her face, thinking of how wonderful tonight would be. Humming, Genevive created a melody, adding some words as she thought about the day ahead,"

"Isn't it lovely, waking up, knowing there's someone waiting for you to come through the door, "

"Amn't I lucky, lying here, waiting to be there in his arms tonight,"

"I've never felt this way, I don't know what to do or what to say, it feels so unreal."

"But when I get down there, he'll see me smiling, all my fears will melt away as the curtain drops,"

"As I walk on down, down the staircase, he'll be there, waiting to take my hand, and keep me safe, "

"Dancing in each other's embrace."

Getting up out of bed, Genevieve grabbed her wand off the side table and with a quick and precise flick, her bed was neatly made. Ah, the wonders of magic.

Since almost everyone would be up getting ready for the grand ball, meals in the great hall were cancelled as the staff decorated it for tonight. Instead, meals were delivered to student and staff quarters, courtesy of the house-elves.

Genevieve sat comfortably in her bay window, teacup in hand, watching nature unfold itself outside her window, birds chirping- the usual outside noises. However, what she wasn't expecting was a letter, delivered by one of the school owls.

Her already bright smile grew wider as she read its contents:

Genevieve, I am truly looking forward to seeing you tonight. Meet me at the bottom of the stairs at 7:45. I picked these for you, hoping they will bring you joy as you have brought me. Until then.

Yours, Severus x

Placing the letter down, she put the wild daisies that were attached into a small vase, then got dressed into a casual jumper, slacks and black pumps.

When she was all ready, Genevive gathered her floo powder, annunciating very carefully, "Hogsmeade Village, " hoping to get the last few items for her evening outfit.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

With a dusting of eyeshadow and a spritz of 7 Scents Season, Genevieve fixed a few stray twists and gave herself one last look over in the mirror. To say she looked stunning was a fable. Genevive adorned a breathtaking gold beaded dress, handed down by her grandmother who wore it at her first Yule Ball.

Accompanying the dress was a pair of blush pink heels, which Genevive added her own touch too: enchanting some delicate flowers to sit along the top and the heel of the shoe. Her hair was pinned up in places, a hand full of dark locks cascading down her back. Dotted around her hair were small, starlike hairpins, each one reflecting the light that bounced off of them.

Keeping in theme, Genevive also wore a pair of dangle gold star earrings, finished off with small teardrop crystals at the ends of each earring. Her makeup was relatively light, just a small amount of eyeshadow sat atop her eyelids, brightening up her cerulean eyes.

Making sure everything was perfect, Genevieve put away all her makeup and other bits and bobs. Leaving her quarters, she had time to think as she walked through the various corridors that connected to the grand staircase. Then, she remembered the melody she created earlier that morning.

"Its looks so lovely, walking down, knowing he'll be there when I reach the end, "

"I feel so lucky, in this dress, it feels like she's up there watching down, sending me loves embrace, "

"I've never felt this way, but I know what I'm to do, and what I'm going to say, it still feels so unreal, "

"But when I get down there, he'll see me smiling, all my fears will melt away as the curtain drops,"

"As I walk on down, down the staircase, he'll be there, waiting to take my hand, and keep me safe, "

"Dancing in each other's embrace."

Once she reached the last set of stairs, Genevieve's confidence faltered, leaving her vulnerable to emotions she'd thought she'd dealt with. Shaking her head at the nonsense that was stopping her from being with the man she had grown quite fond of, Genevieve took a small leap of faith, rounding the corner and gracefully glided down the remaining stairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Severus cursed under his breath, checking his watch to see if he was mistaken.

"Is it a crime for that woman to be early!?" he thought, hanging around the bottom of the staircase with a pink and gold corsage he'd picked out to match her dress.

Other students made their way in, laughing at him to each other, " His date probably ditched him, besides who would want to go with Snape?"

Feeling annoyed and self-conscious, Severus was just about to leave when a speck of gold caught his eye. Turning around, his breath hitched in his lungs, moisture drained from his mouth and lips as Genevive made her way down the staircase.

She looked like a goddess descending from the heavens, her beauty captivating and radiance bright, lighting up the space around her.

Severus didn't truly realise how beautiful she was, his eyes tracing each detail of her face, down as far as the way she held herself, elegant and poised. He didn't even realise she'd made it to the bottom of the staircase, her soft touch snapping him out of his thoughts.

"You clean up nicely Severus, very dapper indeed, " Genevieve commented with a small laugh at the end, holding out her hand so he could attach the corsage, linking arms as they walked towards the great hall.

Severus didn't know how to reply, even Lily was never this kind to him, " you look breathtaking, " he blurted out, not thinking about his words as he said them.

Genevieve, on the other hand, was blushing furiously, trying to cool down before replying, " Thank you, you look very handsome tonight, "

As they waited at the door to enter, Genevieve could feel all the students eyes on her, catching a few of their comments, " she looks like a princess, I never knew how pretty Professor Blackwell was?" This gave her an added boost of confidence as the couple was approached by Professor McGonagall.

"Well, don't you look radiant Genevieve, " she complimented her, getting her spin around so she could get a better look at her dress, " I remember your grandmother wearing that dress, she too looks as beautiful as you do, " Genevieve couldn't help but smile, responding, " Thank you, I thought it would be lovely to bring back her memories tonight, "

Severus noticed her discomfort, not fond of talking about her grandmother just yet, so he strategically brought their attention to the hall.

The walls of the halls had all been covered in sparkling silver frost with hundreds of garlands of mistletoe and ivy crossing the start black ceiling. The house tables had vanished, instead, a large dance floor occupied the floor, with smaller tables scattered around the sides of the hall.

A waltz began to play, Professor Flitwick conducting the orchestra. Genevive hummed along to the song, swaying to the melody.

"Would you like to dance?" Severus asked, offering out his hand as other couples headed out to the dance floor.

"I would be honoured, " Genevive answered back with a bright smile.

Severus led the way to the floor, twirling her around and guiding her hands to rest on his shoulders.

They began to waltz around the hall, both skilled in the art of dance. As Severus spun Genevieve around, his eyes never left hers as they glided through the air.

Afterwards, Severus went to the bar in the corner to get some fire whisky cocktails, as Genevieve sat down at one of the tables. While she was waiting, she watched as the young couples danced, most quite miserably but it's looked like they were having fun.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Towards the end of the night, and a dozen cocktails later, it was safe to say that Genevieve was a bit more spontaneous than usual, with Severus enthralled by her every move.

Stumbling through the deserted corridors, a sudden chill in the air caused Genevive to shiver, her open dress not doing anything to keep out the cold. Severus being the perfect drunken gentleman, took off his jacket and placed it gently over Genevieve's shoulders, which she graciously accepted.

"Thank you for the wonderful night Severus" Genevieve giggled, almost slipping off the step, Severus' tight grip and reflexes holding her balance.

"If the lovely lady says it was wonderful, then I say it was fantastic " he replied, making Genevieve burst out laughing, as they walked down the corridor leading them to the teachers quarters.

Arriving at Genevieve's room, she offered him to come in. She carelessly kicked off her heels, disregarding them by the door, heading to the kitchenette and grabbing a bottle of fire whisky.

"Care for another?" Genevieve offered, holding up the bottle and two shot glasses.

"I suppose, one more won't do any harm, "

Well, one soon turned four. Now the two were dancing around the room like madmen, singing along, quite terribly, to Celestina Warbeck. Above them, a small strand of mistletoe accumulated.

Genevieve was the first to notice the plant once again, " I feel like we've done this before, " she laughed and continued to dance.

In such proximity to each other, the timing seemed just perfect for Severus as he made the first move.

He gently lifted Genevieve's head up, brushing her hair out of the way.

"Severus what are you.."

She was cut off by soft lips. Severus reached up and waved his hand through her hair as he kissed her under the moonlight that illuminated the room, before pulling away.

This was the moment both of them were waiting for, even if they didn't know it yet. Genevieve gave Severus no time to think about his actions, forcing her lips back onto his. The sexual tension in the room grew, their kiss deepening, leaving an empty living room, and room for two in the bedroom.

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OMG was that f*cking long! Holy shit I didn't intend for it to be that long but guess what's happening next chapter? Wink wink ;)

*The_lost_flower*

Genevieve's outfit: If you don't like it, imagine it the way you want.