A waltz, dear
"But Severus, it isn't so bad! You're already usually so gracious in your - well, not when you snort like this - but your Slytherins adore you. They won't tell anything!"
Severus frowned.
"I don't think I signed anything in my teaching contract which obliges me to dance in front of my students, let alone teach them how to dance. This is out of the question."
Albus, who was sitting on the armchair opposite his, looked disappointed.
"But my boy! I'm sure you would have done a fantastic job. I cannot ask a non-Slytherin to teach your house how to dance, you know they won't listen."
Severus rolled his eyes.
"With all due respect, this is your problem, Albus, not mine."
Minerva poured the Potions Master another glass of firewhiskey, glancing at the headmaster.
"In case you are thinking it, I am not teaching the Slytherins how to dance either, Albus. They won't listen, you just said it yourself."
The older man shifted position. "But who, then? You know perfectly well that none of the other Heads will accept. I really do not have the budget to hire a dance professor."
"That's a pity", Severus smirked, casually sipping his alcohol.
"You are heartless, my boy. You wouldn't even do it for me? I can give you a hand if you want."
"Are you crazy? I'd rather teach Divination."
Minerva watched as her younger colleague's glass slowly emptied - she wondered if she could perhaps obtain something from Severus, who was now rather relaxed.
"Well, it seems we are at an impasse, then," Albus sighed. "Your students will be the only ones not to know how to dance, you realize that, dear boy."
"Are you trying to wring the heartstrings of me, headmaster? Their dancing skills are not being marked. Therefore I do not care about them in the slightest. Plus, most of them come from good families. They will know how to dance."
"But the school's reputation is at stake!"
"Of course it isn't, Minerva", Severus replied, turning to his other colleague. "You are taking it too personally."
Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really. And aren't you taking those dancing lessons too personally as well, may I ask?"
"I think he does", Albus whispered, indulging himself with yet another mouthful of strange-looking yellow sweets. Something lemony, of course.
"It's not about dancing. It's about preserving my reputation in front of my own stud-"
But without a warning, Minerva rose and caught Severus' left arm, forcing him to get up. He swayed a little, startled.
"What are you-" he began.
"If it isn't about dancing, then you will show us your skills here, in the intimacy of the staff room", Minerva told him maliciously, still firmly gripping his arm. Severus blushed slightly.
"Certainly not!"
"Come now Severus", Albus told him, staring amusingly at his two colleagues, "none of your students can see you here. So what is the issue?"
The younger man swallowed with some difficulty, glaring at his now smirking colleagues.
"Fine", he said. "Also, I hate you."
Minerva laughed. "I don't believe you. Now, it's simple, see. Put your hands on my hips."
Severus' blushing cheeks turned dark red.
"I-"
"Come on! Yes, like this. Right. You see, we have to face each other perfectly. Yes. And then, usually, you're the one to begin."
As Severus awkwardly looked at her, Albus waved his wand and the staff room's gramophone started to play a waltz.
"Step your left foot forward. Yes. You must land softly to give the step a light, airy feel... Do not look at me like this! Bend your left leg now."
Severus followed her instructions, remembering them as he took his first steps. In fact, it wasn't the first time someone was teaching him the waltz. Lucius had done it too, many years ago, to introduce him to notable pure-bloods at one of his ridiculous balls.
"Step your right foot forward - yes! Do you know how to dance it already, Severus?" Minerva asked, surprised to see he was anticipating the movements already.
"Then move your left foot to meet your right foot", he told her, smirking in return. "I'm not exactly what you call a beginner, Minerva."
He stepped back with his right foot as she graciously followed his movement.
"Then why do you let me do all the work!"
As they waltzed around the room, looking more interested in each other's feet than the dance itself, Albus caught Minerva's gaze. She winked. Well, this was new. Now he was the only one who did not know how to dance among the staff, yet he was determined to ask Minerva to dance at the Yule Ball. He got up as they finished.
Slowly, he approached Severus, careful to make sure Minerva would not hear him.
"Would you teach me later? I want to impress Minerva at the ball."
Severus shook his head, glancing at Minerva who was pouring herself a cup of coffee. "How old are you, headmaster? Sixteen?" he said quietly, smirking.
Albus looked hurt. "You're never too old to impress a woman, Severus! Besides, I'm the headmaster of this school. I cannot make a fool out of myself at the ball - please, my boy?"
Severus sighed and sat back. "Fine", he whispered, "but I want an increase in my salary."
Albus laughed.
"I am going to tell Aurora how well you can dance, Severus", Minerva said casually, peering over the gramophone and blowing dust from its surface. "She will be glad to know. You know she likes you very much."
Severus looked mortified.
"What! You cannot do that, Minerva. You know if she finds out she is going to ask me to dance with her. In front of the whole school!"
The transfiguration teacher hid her smile, busying herself with the content of her coffee mug.
"Well, looks like you will have to choose between dancing in front of three different schools or in front of your Slytherins..."
If looks could kill, Minerva would have died on the spot. Severus abruptly pushed his own glass away. "I hate you."
"Ah, this time I'm perhaps inclined to believe you now. So, what do you say?"
He stood up. "Very well! But do not expect you will get away with this!"
He heard a chuckle escape Albus and turned towards him.
"And you, old man, do not dare to laugh! I should have known better than trusting the both of you."
But the headmaster could not hold it any longer, and burst out laughing - along with Minerva. "I - I'm not laughing at you- my boy - it's just - your face -"
Severus once again threw himself into his chair, defeated.
Oh, he would get his revenge.