InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← �"

Albus Dumbledore (dumbledore_or) wrote in great_hall_or,
@ 2008-02-14 20:02:00

Current mood:

surprisingly agile

Valentine's Day Ball
Once the last of the food had been cleared away, the smaller tables were levitated to one side of the Great Hall, leaving room for a dais and the entertainment for the evening. The chamber orchestra struck up with a lively waltz, to kick off the dancing. Albus immediately thought that classical music might have been a mistake.

None of the students seemed to be gravitating toward the dance floor, although he couldn't be certain if it was because they weren't in the mood, or they did not know how to waltz. He very much doubted any of them were waiting for the proper etiquette of allowing the host and hostess to open the ball.

Then again ... "Minerva, may I have this dance?" he asked, smiling, as he stood and extended his hand to his deputy headmistress.

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

(Post a new comment)

	mcgonagall_or 2008-02-15 04:21 am UTC (link)
	Minerva's eyes widened at being asked to dance. It wasn't that she objected, necessarily, but she wasn't the person most people would immediately think of when it came to taking a turn around the dance floor. Putting her left hand to her chest, she smiled and placed her right in Albus', getting to her feet. "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. I would love to dance." (Reply to this)

severus_or
2008-02-21 12:31 am UTC (link)

When he saw Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall move into the centre of the hall, Severus cast a quick glance around the hall to locate any other members of the staff, but especially Slughorn. Not seeing any of them, he took full advantage of the opportunity to lean closer to Sappho across their table and steal a quick kiss. "Are you having a good time, my dear?" he asked then, taking her hand in both of his. He certainly was, but he felt compelled to ask in light of the couples drifting, two by two, onto the floor. Was Sappho secretly wishing he might ask her to dance? It might actually be worth it -- to make a fool of himself by attempting to dance -- if it made her happy.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	sappho_or 2008-02-21 01:11 am UTC (link)
	"Yes, very much so. One of the best nights of my life!" she said. Sappho put her other hand to his cheek and caressed him with her thumb. "Are you having a good time?" She knew this wasn't exactly his thing. It wasn't really hers, either. This was more of a way to publicly announce their status as a couple. That, and annoy certain Gryffindors. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

severus_or
2008-02-21 01:27 am UTC (link)

"Indeed," Severus whispered, smirking, and he turned his head slightly in order to kiss Sappho's palm. "I simply wanted to make certain you weren't secretly hoping that I might ask you to dance." Frowning slightly, he wondered if the time might be right to present her with her gift. It was still early yet, and another idea occurred to him. He hadn't had the money to get her flowers (his dress robes had taken the entire thirty Galleons she'd lent him), but there were flowers on their table. Unfortunately, they were entirely the wrong palette. "Of course, just like Madam Puddifoot's, the décor here leaves a bit to be desired," he purred, smirking again as he pulled his wand. Severus proceeded to charm the red rose to black, the pink rose to green, and the white rose to silver. "That's better."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sappho_or 2008-02-21 01:54 am UTC (link)
	"No, no, dancing isn't really my niche. Besides, I might end breaking your toes when I step on them. My movements are far from graceful." Sappho took a sip of punch when Severus let go of her hand. She gasped and applauded at his charming the flowers to look more Slytherin. "Ooh, much better! You never fail to impress me," she trilled. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	severus_or 2008-02-21 02:29 am UTC (link)
	Though he was tempted to say, "You never fail to make me want to impress you," Severus managed to hold his tongue. Something told him he ought not to admit that. Still, it was true, all the same, but her gasp and applause were more than enough praise and reward. "I'm glad you like them," he said, finally, grinning. "Only the best will do for my girlfriend." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sappho_or 2008-02-21 03:51 am UTC (link)
	She covered her mouth to giggle and blush. "Well, you are the best boyfriend I could possibly have. I adore everything you do. You're just incredible." Sappho fluttered her eyelashes whilst chewing her bottom lip. "I only hope I'm able to give you the best, too. Yet I fear I'm woefully inadequate." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

severus_or
2008-02-22 06:46 pm UTC (link)

Severus shook his head with a soft sigh. "You are anything but." He feared Sappho might have thought he was growing impatient with her self-deprecation, but nothing could be further from the truth. Rather, he was attempting to screw up his courage to present her with the poem he'd written. The thought had first occurred to him when she said something about being a consolation prize, but he really didn't think of her that way, and he hoped this might prove it. Of course, he'd never shown anyone else his poetry (mostly because he'd burnt the majority of it), and the prospect of doing so petrified him.

On the other hand, if nothing else, this small act of daring on his part might encourage Sappho to show him some more of her drawings. She had said she would, of course, but she it seemed more out of resignation than because she actually wanted to. And she hadn't yet, either, but he hoped to put her at ease by ... well, making himself vulnerable to her criticism first. Clearing his throat, he reached into the pocket of his robes and withdrew the parchment. "I, ah, have something for you," he said, in barely more than a whisper, as he slid the still-folded parchment across the table.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sappho_or
2008-02-23 01:04 am UTC (link)

Her eyes lit up. She'd never been given a present by someone her own age. Was it a present? It could be a note or an invitation... Sappho opened the parchment to take a look. It was a poem, which made her smile before she even started to read it.

Second Best

I know you think you're second best,
My heart prefers another,
But if you were to desert me,
I never would recover.

You may think you're second best,
That I have somehow settled,
But you have always proved your worth
When I would test your mettle.

I know you think you're second best,
Doomed to second fiddle,
But you're the best by far I've known
When I deserve so little.

Sometimes you don't know how much pain
You've felt until it's gone,
And when it comes to healing me,
You are the only one.

So though you think you're second best,
I simply have to say,
From second one you were the best,
And that's the only way.

"Oh, Severus!" she gasped. Tears began running down her face.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

severus_or
2008-02-23 01:55 am UTC (link)

He started to explain that by the last stanza, he meant that from the very first second, she was the best, and that is the only way the phrase 'second best' could possibly apply to her, except that wouldn't quite work with the meter he'd previously established. When Sappho gasped his name and began to cry, however, the words died in his throat. "I'm ... ah ... not used to writing poetry in English," he whispered feebly, shrugging. "I hope you can overlook the tortured rhymes and bad meter. I'm not the best poet in the world." He shrugged and stopped then when he realised he was starting to babble. She obviously liked the poem, so he shouldn't apologise for having written it -- or at least for not having re-written it a few more times.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sappho_or
2008-02-23 01:57 am UTC (link)

Sappho shook her head. "Oh, no. It's absolutely beautiful! That's why I'm crying," she lilted. "I guess I haven't told you this yet, but poetry is a passion of mine -- I fancy myself a poet. This is very well written. And very meaningful. That's the most important part of writing poetry." She set the parchment down, took his hand, and kissed it. Her face was still sopping. "Thank you, my Prince. This is the best gift I've ever received."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

severus_or
2008-02-23 02:15 am UTC (link)

"Well, it's no bottle of shampoo," Severus quipped, smirking, as he squeezed Sappho's hand, "but I was hoping you'd like it." He started to ask if she'd brought the handkerchief he'd given her, but then he changed his mind and pulled another one from his pocket. After shaking it out, he gathered the material as well as he could, one-handed, and held it up to wipe her face. "I also hope, after reading that, you will understand that you are no consolation prize. You are the best gift I could have ever received, and I thank my lucky stars for you every day."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sappho_or 2008-02-23 02:48 am UTC (link)
	"Thank you. That means the world to me," she whispered. Sappho scooted closer to him so she could cuddle up to his side. She contemplated telling Severus she loved him, but she still wasn't sure how he would react to that. He had only brought up the word for the first time two days ago, in reference to Evans. The memory stung. She sighed, wondering what to do. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

severus_or
2008-02-23 03:02 am UTC (link)

"I'm glad." Severus moved closer as well and put his arm 'round Sappho's shoulders. She looked a touch sad, and when she sighed, he bent his head to peck her brow. "Is something the matter, my dear?" he whispered, leaning closer to her ear. Suddenly he wondered if she hadn't been humouring him about his pathetic attempt at writing a poem, or if she was no longer having a good time. Did she want to dance? Or go for a walk? Was she simply tired of being with him? He couldn't help frowning as he awaited her answer.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sappho_or
2008-02-23 09:51 am UTC (link)

She sighed again, shrugging. "I was just remembering what you told me Tuesday night -- not that I'm mad at you. It's just that the memory is painful for me. Your poem has made me feel vastly better about it, but I'm wondering how long it will take your heart to heal. Will it ever heal?" Sappho laid her head on his chest. "I care so deeply for you, but I'm afraid of rushing you. And if I attempted to express just how much your poem has touched me, you probably would feel rushed."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

severus_or
2008-02-24 02:22 am UTC (link)

"It will -- my heart will heal," Severus insisted, wrapping his other arm around Sappho now and giving her a squeeze. "I can assure you of that. It's already on the mend. That's part of what I was trying to say with that poem -- though in an awkward and heavy-handed way, apparently." He sighed, bending his head to peck her forehead again. Though at first, he wasn't quite certain he understood what she meant by saying he'd feel rushed if she attempted to express just how much his poem had touched her, soon enough it dawned on him: Sappho was in love with him.

Obviously, if she'd fancied him since first year, her feelings for him had to be strong -- likely every bit as strong as his feelings for Lily had been. And the idea was a bit daunting, granted, but not nearly as troubling as she seemed to think it would be. On the other hand, he didn't want her to say those words to him until he could well and truly say it back. Not until he could say it and mean it. Giving her another squeeze, Severus cleared his throat. "It's all right, Sappho. You don't have to tell me. I already know. I could see it in your eyes ... and rushed is the last thing I feel."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

sappho_or
2008-02-24 06:26 pm UTC (link)

Sappho squeezed him back. As she looked up at him, her eyes were still glistening. "No, it wasn't awkward or heavy-handed at all. It was beautiful! It makes all the other poetry I read throughout my life seem dull and insignificant -- and I've read a lot." Her tone was soft and gentle, yet very serious. "I do want to tell you how I feel, but if you say you don't need to hear it or that you don't want to hear it, I'll hold my tongue. I only want to express how you make me feel -- and hopefully strengthen your heart in the process." She moved her head back to his chest in order to listen to his heart beating. "I'll do whatever you say to do," she murmured.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

severus_or
2008-02-27 03:33 am UTC (link)

Severus frowned, only slightly, though he never took his eyes off hers. "You'll probably think this is terribly selfish of me, Sappho, but I want to be the one to say it first. I know you've waited a long time to tell me how you feel -- obviously -- and I realise this is no small request. But I want you to trust me when I say that I do know how you feel. And, as I said before, I don't feel rushed, but you've already strengthened my heart more than you can possibly imagine." He started to add that there were better things she could do with her tongue than hold it, but that might spoil the tender moment. Instead, he allowed himself a small smirk before bending his head to kiss her.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sappho_or 2008-02-27 05:45 am UTC (link)
	She kissed him back, whimpering into his mouth. Once they stopped, she pressed her forehead to his. Sappho gazed into his eyes and held each of his hands in hers. "You wouldn't feel rushed even if I asked how long of a wait you think it will be?" she whispered. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	severus_or 2008-02-27 05:53 am UTC (link)
	"No," Severus said, shaking his head so that his nose brushed against hers. "But I can assure you that I won't make you wait a second longer than absolutely necessary." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sappho_or 2008-02-27 06:06 am UTC (link)
	"Thank you," she breathed. "I'm glad you know. I was afraid knowing would put you off me. It's quite a relief to find out it hasn't." Sappho laid her head on his shoulder and held him closer. "I'm sorry I didn't say so earlier, but I'm lucky to have you, as well." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

severus_or
2008-02-27 06:22 am UTC (link)

"It's all right, Sappho," he answered, squeezing her about the waist. "You don't have to apologise. After all, you were rather preoccupied. But knowing you care about me would never put me off you. Did somebody tell you it might?" He wondered, actually, since Sappho had previously mentioned to him that she didn't know much about dating etiquette. Not that he gave a damn about it much, either, but he didn't want her to worry about saying or doing something simply because she'd been told it wasn't 'proper.'

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sappho_or 2008-02-27 06:34 am UTC (link)
	"Yes. A Slytherin girl I spoke with told me boys get scared off if you tell them too soon," she said. Sappho nuzzled his neck and gave a relaxed sigh. "It was after our first date, but before we went to Hogsmeade. I'd been worried about telling you ever since." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	severus_or 2008-02-27 06:41 am UTC (link)
	Severus smirked. "Well, since you haven't actually told me, then, you have nothing to worry about, do you? It's certainly not your fault that I was clever enough to work it out, all on my own. Though I hope you know that next time, you can simply ask me, instead of worrying?" He raised his eyebrows expectantly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	sappho_or 2008-02-27 06:48 am UTC (link)
	She pecked the end of his nose. "I promise I will ask," Sappho trilled. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	severus_or 2008-02-27 06:51 am UTC (link)
	"Good girl," Severus whispered before kissing her again. (Reply to this) (Parent)