Chapter 2
“What if he laughs at me?”
Knock knock.
“What if she laughs at me?”
“Enter”.
Building up all of her courage Hermione Granger let herself in to her potions classroom and clicked the door shut behind her ready for her first dancing lesson.
Looking up she saw Professor Snape sat hunched at his desk, with hair shrouding his eyes as his quill darted rapidly over a poor unsuspecting students essay.
Taking this aversion as an invitation she approached him slowly finding that with every step she took a desk and chair glided angelically to the side of the classroom and neatly packed itself out of the way.
Shocked at this breathtaking display of magic she stopped her progression after only 10 steps or so to watch.
“Come Miss Granger, if you are overwhelmed by the elegant motions of my furniture it would appear we have a lot of work to do”.
Startled, Hermione looked up to see Severus Snape sat at his desk and looking directly at her without his usual disdain.
“Er, right, sorry Sir” she muttered quickly walking to his desk and plopping herself down into the chair in front of him before quickly adding “I just thought it was very impressive magic” so quietly she likely was talking to herself and was therefore surprised when he responded without sarcasm.
“Thank you Miss Granger”.
A silence fell as they looked at each other for a moment before Hermione could not help literally burst with questions.
“Did McGonagall make you do this?
Why on earth would you agree?
Where did you learn to dance?
Why did you learn to dance?
Do you really hate m-?”
Stopping at the raised hand of Severus Snape she realised in her typical Gryffindor brashness she had just shown her fears and misgivings to a Slytherin who would surely take advantage of her. Hanging her head low she fought off the tears forming in her eyes.
Quietly and almost as though he was nervous Severus Snape spoke.
“Professor McGonagall asked me to help you and I accepted, no I was not coerced into this; I agreed because I mirror her sentiments and beliefs, I took dancing lessons in a community centre in Cokeworth and I learnt to dance because it allowed me to get out of the house and away from my abusive father for 2 hours, twice a week and no Miss Granger, I do not hate you. I find you intellectually stimulating, arrogant within a classroom, kind towards your friends and level headed.
Although” he added with a chuckle “I did very much enjoy having to reset Mr Malfoy’s nose after hearing you had broken it like a “muggle brute”. Anything else?”.
Hermione sat stock still on her chair and despite the revelations presented to her over the last few minutes could only hear her potions professors laugh as though on repeat.
“Err, no Sir”.
“Good, shall we begin?”.
Standing abruptly to her feet Hermione was met with a raised eyebrow and a pointed finger indicating she should return to her seat.
Once seated she was once again surprised to find Snape meeting her eyes and with a little smirk clearly spoke the word “Dot”.
POP.
A small, young house elf appeared and was immediately taken by the newcomer.
“Oh Sir! You brings me to such a pretty Miss-”
“Dot” Snape snarled.
“Oh shushies Master Severus you nevers let me meet anybody and now I make friends with Missy Hermione!”
“How did you know my-”
“Oh shushies, all of the castle elves speak of you Missy Hermione because you is trying to set them all free!
My Master will teach you how to dance because I see him sometimes in the bathroom dancing and he is very good and when you is done with that I will teach you why us want a master AND” she said her voice rising shrilly to prevent Hermione’s interruption “why we is safer with them. OK?”
“What is happening?” Hermione questioned to herself quietly.
“Good!” the elf shrieked with delight clearing taking Hermione’s confusion as acceptance, “I is bringing you a tea service now. Would master like his favourite salted caramel chocolate cake too?”
Blushing slightly and rolling his eyes at the audacity of his most beloved elf Severus responded with a quiet “perhaps later Dotty, for now Miss Granger and I shall require a pot of tea and a couple of those pistachio biscuits I know you enjoy making”.
“Yes favourite Sir!” The house elf replied and with a pop she was gone and a tray materialised on the desk between them moments later.
“Miss Granger, for someone as loquacious as yourself it is rather disconcerting to see you so quiet and I have kept company with the Dark Lord on previous occasions”.
Noting her continued silence he added “Tea Miss Granger?” .
Nodding her head slowly Hermione once more muttered to herself “what is happening” before accepting the tea and the new reality she found herself in.