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The New Life	By : lilith395 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 14592 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Harry Potter and I don't earn anything from these stories.

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The Ball

My hands are shaking slightly as I stand just around the corner from the grand staircase I am supposed to descend in a few moments. My back, rigid against the heavy stone wall, is starting to hurt from the tension alone. I detest, truly hate, having to do this, and yet, I will without complaint. That is to say, much complaint.

Across from me, a mere foot or so away, Lucius stood, being his formidable self. Standing only an inch taller than myself, his grey eyes are shining down on my with barely controlled mirth. I scowl back at him.

“One would think, my dear friend,” He says with his usual air of superiority, and yet, a caring and amused smile on his handsome features, “that one would’ve gotten used to playing host after all those times you have stood by my side.”

“Obviously not” I reply dryly, not really meeting his gaze, and I settle on glancing up and down the corridor.

“I notice you have not brought the girl up here to introduce as your partner” Lucius drawls at me, smirking slightly. It’s a good thing I know the man. Had he not been my friend, I would’ve hexed his privates off a long, long time ago.

“She isn’t”

“Yes, well, you did bring her.”

“Hmhm”

“Oh, do leave Severus alone, dear.”

I turn my head only slightly to look at the vision that is Narcissa Malfoy. Though I had already seen her attire for the evening, it still doesn’t fail to take my breath away. She leans over to kiss me lightly on the cheek, and I smile the caring smile which I have always saved for her, and only her. The amusing thing about it is the reaction it draws from Lucius.

Taking a step closer to me, effectively trapping me between him, the wall and his wife, he sneers, and pulls Narcissa away from me and into his embrace.

‘Nothing changes’ he sneers, and both me and his wife laugh, as we always do.

On the side closest to the daunting staircase and the packed parlor beyond, Draco watches us curiously. For years he has tried to figure out what the exchange is about, and he has yet to be successful.

“Father, Mother, Severus,” He says quietly, nodding at each of us in turn, and effectively freeing me from the clutches of his father. “Everyone’s here”

I am waiting to be announced, standing right behind Lucius and Narcissa, my back rigid, my stance almost regal. I have gone through this ordeal so many times I have lost count, and yet, my palms are sweating, my fingers shaking slightly and my mind is overwhelmed with images of me tripping over the edge of my robe, and tumbling head-first into the waiting crowd below. It’s an imagery which has haunted me from the first time I had to come down with the family, back when old Abraxas was still alive, and one of Lucius’ young cousins taunted me. I snort, ignore the stern glance Lucius sends me over his shoulder, and remember the boy’s words clearly. ‘The stupid half-blood’ll probably trip over those horrid robes of his, making a spectacle of all of us’. Joke’s on him though. He’s standing down the stairs in the crowd with the ‘commoners’ and I’m up here, waiting to be announced as family. It’s amazing that, even after all these years, and all the things I have witnessed and experienced, the words of a fourteen-year-old boy still haunt me every time I have to descend these stairs.

“Our gracious hosts, Lord and Lady Malfoy”

The words ring through the silence and my eyes follow my friends as they start their descend. Narcissa on the side of the railing, her high heels click-clacking on the marble, one hand holding her dress enough not to trip on it, yet not enough to even show her ankles. It’s an art she has mastered and I am happy never to have to learn. Her other hand rests in the crook of Lucius’ arm, her smile, relaxed, happy, inviting. Lucius himself seems a little more daunting, a smirk on his face, his white hair pulled back into a ponytail like mine, his black robes the same cut as mine, and even the thread of the embroidered Malfoy crest is the same color as mine. But he wears it so much better than I do. He always has.

A nudge between my ribs pulls my gaze away from the couple and I direct a glare at Draco, who is staring into the crowd of guests below.

“Who invited Granger?” He asks, not taking his eyes off her. “I wouldn’t have thought she would ever set foot in this place again after what Aunt Bellatrix did to her.”

For a moment I regard her, her eyes are following the Malfoy’s down the stairs from the absolute edge of the crowd. Someone bumps into her and she jumps about a foot into the air. She’s jittery and I don’t think I can blame her much. Her eyes are darting all over the place, trying to see everything and everyone at once, and though I wish I could call out to her, I have to wait until the announcer down the stairs calls out my name.

“Master Snape”

Her head shoots up, and I catch her gaze. The entire way down the stairs I hold it, and by the time she disappears behind the sea of heads separating us, she is smiling.

When Draco joins us I lean over slightly to hiss my reply into his ear, “I did”, and I straighten back up to stand in line to be greeted by the guests, who then make their way into the ballroom. For several long moments Draco stares at me, dumbfounded, before he gets jolted from whatever thoughts he might be having by a very sneaky tap against his calve with Lucius’ cane. How the man always knows everything, I have no idea, but he does, and I smirk slightly, probably identical to the one on Lucius’ own face.

Granger is the last of the crowd to pass us, and though Draco merely stares at her, she shoots him a suspicious glance. I have taken a few steps to the side, and watch her turn from Draco, anticipating to see me and coming face to face with Lucius. I have to hand it to her, she performs admirably. Even though all the color drains from her face and a slight malicious glint appears just beneath the kind look in her eyes, she stands tall as she speaks to both him and Narcissa.

“Thank you for allowing me to attend, Lord Malfoy. And may I compliment you on the decorations, Lady Malfoy? The manor looks lovely.”

Narcissa glances over to me, now on the other side of her, as if to ask me if the girl is being serious. I have no idea. Apparently neither does Lucius.

“You are most welcome, Miss Granger” He replies.

“Mistress Granger, actually. I did not work as hard as I did to earn my title just for others to ignore it.” She corrects him, and I am profusely starting to worry. She is still smiling sweetly, and though she might be correct, she is walking the thin line between being an insolent twit and flat out insulting her hosts. I regard her through narrowed eyes, and try to take a step towards her to keep her from crossing said line when I feel Narcissa’s hand on my lower arm, holding me back. One look tells me to stay out of it.

“My apologies, Mistress Granger. Severus here tells me of your accomplishments as a teacher. I believe there are some students who are able to brew some potions correctly?”

By now, Lucius has raised one of his eyebrows, and turned his head ever so slightly, which to others means nothing, but to the three of us standing at his side, it means he’s furious. He doesn’t like to be corrected, nor disrespected, especially not in his own home, and definitely not by a muggleborn. Hermione replies with a small giggle.

“Oh, yes, they truly are making headway, even some Slytherins are by now able to follow simple directions. You are obviously aware how hard that is for some?” She waves her hand a little, as if to say it doesn’t truly matter and she turns to Narcissa.

“I really must congratulate you on how lovely the manor looks.”

“Yes,” Lucius drawls, and I can feel my stomach clench in horror, Narcissa’s hand tightening on my arm. “It does look a great deal different from the last time you were here. Permit me to compliment you on your choice of attire for the evening. Or was it Severus’ choice? He always did have a thing for my dear sister-in-law, and you ever so resemble her.”

I can see Hermione turn scarlet from the corner of my eyes, but I am standing nose-to-nose with Lucius, staring him down. I don’t even remember moving between them. A low growl emits from my throat, and both of my former students take a huge step back.

“Lucius, you will not speak to our guest that way. Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you left your manners in Azkaban.”

All both Lucius and I can do is stare at the retreating back of Narcissa Malfoy-Black, while she ushers Draco and Hermione towards the ballroom.

We glance at each other, smile, and follow them, the sound of Hermione apologizing to Narcissa leading our way.

It’s still amazing how much threat the frail-looking woman can put into one word, and by the way Lucius carries himself walking quietly beside me, it’s a good one.

A/N: thanks for reading, please review!
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The New Life