(A/N: Sorry for the ridiculously long wait. I will try to be quicker than that next time.)
"Well, Severus," said Lucius Malfoy in his customary drawl. "I must admit that I don't understand why you insist on dressing so resplendently for this trite ball, but it is very agreeable."
Severus looked himself over. Yes, he agreed with Lucius's assessment. His dress robes, made completely out of black velvet, were among his family's finest. They fashionably hugged his chest and hips, while flaring out a little near the feet. They were unadorned, but the fabric was exquisite and the sheer simplicity of the style made them all the more imposing. Precisely the effect he wished to achieve.
"I can't be outdone by Potter, can I?" said Snape absently, adjusting his sash. They both were standing in the boy's dormitories and were preparing for the fifth year Yule Ball.
Lucius smirked. "Dear me, absolutely not. Especially when he's pining away after that mudblood."
Anger stirred in Snape's bowels but he suppressed it. Instead, he spoke in a stiff and formal voice. "Where did you acquire those robes, Lucifer?"
Every student in Slytherin house called Lucius 'Lucifer'. It was sort of an insider joke, or, more likely, a subtle show of respect. The elder Malfoy had already begun teaching his son Unforgivables, and, supposedly, Lucius proved to be exceptional at the Cruciatus Curse. He openly bragged about torturing a family of muggles to madness, and that, combined with his proficiency at the before mentioned curse, led to the creation of his nickname. Additionally, he was held very highly in the Dark Lord's favor.
"They were woven by hand by our elves," said Lucius offhandedly. "For just this occasion. Narcissa will be most pleased."
Under most circumstances, Lucius's arrogance would be insufferable, but this time, Severus found it to be tolerable. He had the ball to look forward to, after all. "Yes, most pleased."
"I just hope this ball ends quickly," said Lucius vaguely. "I can't stand these school events. Encourages too much intermixing between the classes. It wouldn't be so bad if we didn't have to share the floor with mudbloods and mugglelovers."
Severus did not respond.
"Anyway," continued Lucius. "Where's Rodolphus?"
"Perhaps he's already in the Great Hall with Bella," said Snape. He was beginning to tire of this conversation. Speaking with Lucius was never enjoyable, but this one was starting to test his patience.
Lucius shot a furtive glance at Snape and lowered his voice, as if afraid to be overheard. "You know, I heard he earned the Dark Mark."
Snape raised his eyebrows. "You aren't serious."
"I am," said Lucius with a knowing smirk.
"Lucifer," called a voice from the common room. Narcissa.
Lucius sent Snape one last glance. "I'll see you in the Great Hall, then, Severus," he said, then added, "If you need help with Potter, just come to me. We'll deal with him together." He winked and then swaggered out of the dormitories, leaving Snape behind him.
"Tonight," Snape said to himself, looking over himself once more. "Tonight I will ask her, regardless of Potter," and, for good measure, he added, "I swear it."
***
The Great Hall proved to be nothing exception. Snape studied with a hint of disdain the icicles and frozen baubles that hung along the walls, with a lone Christmas tree standing in the corner, decked with glittering dust and small globes that shared the colors of all four houses. A band that Severus did not know (or care to know) was playing on stage, currently blaring some annoyingly inane rhythm. Essentially, to Snape, it looked cheesy.
The double doors were open to the outside, and cold gusts of wind were blowing in, sending bits of snow inside. A few of the more daring couples bundled up in cloaks and wandered through them to the outside, where they would meander about on the grounds. Mostly, however, everyone stayed indoors.
Snape hovered by the punch bowl, not really caring about his surroundings, his eyes focused on Lily Evans as she spoke with what's-her-name. No date.
I bet Potter's fuming, Snape mused.
And, sure enough, standing in the corner with the rest of the Marauders, was James, his eyes straying to Lily nearly every second, as if to make sure she did not disappear. He, of course, was the first to ask her for a date, but she refused him. More than anything else, Snape was glad that it was not just Slytherins who thought James Potter had a big head.
Lucius and the rest of the Slytherins were dancing in their own corner of the Great Hall, away from the rest of the student body, intent on separating themselves from the 'mugglelovers' and 'mudbloods'. Snape's eyes drifted onto Nott's forearm, and he wondered absently if Lucius was correct when he said that Nott had received the Dark Mark. There could only be one reason for the Dark Mark being given prematurely. Nott was having second-thoughts.
Granted, Severus had his doubts too, but then again, who didn't? Except for maybe Lucius, no one was truly eager to accept the Mark on their arm, but, when it was finally burned onto the skin, it was irreversible. After that final, unalterable act, it was almost impossible to turn away from the Dark Lord. Where else was there to go? Not only did the Dark Mark connect the victim directly with the Dark Lord, but it set the wizard upon a path that did not branch.
Severus could only imagine what his father would say if he could hear his thoughts.
You're no son of mine! he would probably shout.
Snape finished the drink in his hand, downing it in one gulp, sincerely hoping that no one spiked it like last year. The Marauders were infamous for pulling one of their juvenile pranks during school events. Warily, Snape looked once more at Potter, who still stood in a far corner, watching Lily longingly. Then Black told some childish joke, and Potter's face broke out with one of his vapid grins.
Severus could have broken the glass in his hand without even thinking, but, instead, he carefully set it down, and, throwing caution to the wind, strode determinedly up to Lily. When Potter saw what he was doing, his mouth gaped open in horror. That look alone would have made it worth it to Snape, but he continued with his intent. Lily was simply too lovely for him not to try. And besides, he swore to at least make an attempt.
"May I have this dance, Lily?" Severus asked in his most polite and agreeable voice, bowing very formally. One of his greatest childhood lessons he received was in courtesy, where his father told him that civility was what separated the purebloods from the animals. Of course, Snape disagreed, but that did not keep him from appreciating the knowledge.
Lily turned to him, looking rather surprised, then smiled and said, "Yes you may, Severus." Her friend, what's-her-name, vocalized something like a giggle, but Snape forced himself to ignore her and bridled a snide remark.
Again, Severus was eternally thankful for his childhood training. His dancing was excellent, and that was not just pureblood arrogance speaking. He was exceptional. He twirled her and spun her in an extraordinarily elegant fashion, making her long red hair sweep around in the air. Several nearby couples paused to watch, though from Snape's style, or from the fact that a Slytherin and Gryffindor were dancing together, Severus could not tell.
Air whipped around them as he gracefully guided her across the dance floor, sometimes performing a sporadic move with the music. He had not expected Lily to be able to dance on the spur of the moment like he did, and, for a moment, he was surprised, which is no small feat for Severus Snape.
Out of the corner of his eye, Snape saw Potter in the corner, his face burning with jealousy. Severus allowed himself to inwardly smirk, and looked down at Lily. She was smiling, though it seemed somehow uncertain. Something like fear crept into Snape's chest. Did he foul up on a dance move? Maybe he stepped on her foot without realizing it.
Then, slowly, it turned into despair. Though his composure remained intact, his heart dropped. Lily was enjoying the dancing, but Snape could tell that she was somehow uncomfortable. It was nothing specific or tangible, but Severus could feel it all the same.
At the end of the song, Snape released her and, formally, kissed her hand. "Thank you for the dance."
"You are a wonderful dancer, Severus," said Lily, but Snape could still sense that slight awkwardness in her tone. He suddenly felt like his entire plan was a mistake.
Snape just barely saw Potter's approach before he was already upon them. "Hi Lily," he said, smiling, ignoring Snape. "Would you like to dance?" he asked, offering her his hand. A few bystanders looked curiously at them.
"Actually," she said, the dislike in her voice obvious. "Me and Severus-"
"No," said Snape, his voice sounding withdrawn. He turned to Potter, his black eyes turning into ice. "one dance was sufficient, Lily."
And, before either of them could say anything, he bowed to Lily and walked away, hoping the hurt did not show up on his face. Faintly, he heard Lily reluctantly agree to James's offer, and the music began.
Snape once again hovered by the punch bowl, filling up another glass, swallowing it, then repeating the process. While Potter was no where near as proficient a dancer as Snape was, he could tell that Lily was genuinely, almost irresistibly, enjoying herself. Her eyes were alight and her smile seemed truer. Despite the fact that Lily apparently despised James, there was a connection there that Snape could not breach, and this, more than anything, made him want to return to the dormitories.
"Severus," said a voice next to him. It was Lucius, with Narcissa around his right arm. "Enjoying the ball?"
The tone in Lucius's voice instantly sent Snape to full alert. It was dangerous and threatening, though overtly it was benign. Classic Slytherin speech. "As much as I can," said Snape dryly. He really wanted Lucius to leave. "And you, Lucifer?"
A curious smile twitched at Lucius's lips. "I didn't know you had a taste for mudbloods Severus."
If there was one wrong thing to say to Snape at that moment, Lucius had said it. It took all of Severus's training not to lash out on the arrogant Slytherin. "I take it you enjoy the scenery?"
Lucius blinked. Obviously, this was not the response he was expecting. Almost as quickly as it happened, his mouth changed back into its usual condescending smirk. "It's not as good as some of the parties my father hosts, but it's good if you're looking for some mudbloods. Cheap decorations attract them like flies to honey."
Narcissa gave an unnecessarily loud shriek of laughter.
Snape's eyes had never left Lily and James, who were still dancing rather clumsily across the floor. (due completely to Potter's ineptness) The Marauders had mostly split apart, with Lupin and Black finding a few girls to woo and Pettigrew standing foolishly alone. Not that either Black or Lupin could stay with any one girl for more than two weeks, of course.
Lucius, however, remained oblivious to Severus's gaze. "I was talking to Nott," continued Lucius. "And me and him think Potter is due for a curse. I think we can grab Crabbe and Goyle for some muscle and then ambush him when he's alone with Black and Lupin," He furtively drew his sleek, ebony wand. "Rodolphus and Bella are willing too. Are you ready?"
Severus did not reply, no longer able to trust his own voice.
(A/N: If you don't think Lily would accept Snape's invitation to dance, read the original ' The Wounds that Never Heal'; Snape was sort of Lily's tutor for Potions, so it's not like he was a total stranger to her.
And if you're wondering why Lily agreed to dance with James; she didn't realllllly hate him until…well, I'll be getting to that.
Hopefully the next update will be faster; but remember: reviews feed the fervor.)