To Win His Heart - Chapter Two

The next afternoon, we were all sitting together in the Common Room, doing homework. Ginny, Lavender, Pavarti, and I were in a corner by the fire again. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were at a table, but it didn't look like they were doing homework. Harry and Ron kept talking low to Hermione, who wasn't talking. Finally, she started talking. She talked for a few minutes. Harry's face kept getting darker and darker. In a few minutes, he stood in a towering rage. He strode over to me. He grabbed my shoulders and started shaking me, yelling. I wasn't exactly sure all that he said, but apparently, Hermione had told him (no doubt thinking that he would understand) about my having a crush on Snape. But instead of understanding, he was throwing a  fit.

         “It's my life!” I shouted, forcing his hands from my shoulders. “I can do whatever I please, and I do not care if you approve or not. Hate to break it to you, but you are not god of the universe!”

         “Stupid girl!” he yelled back. “You don't get it! This just isn't about me! You're betraying all the Gryffindors!” With that he picked up my potions book and tossed it into the fire.

         “Harry!” Hermione shrieked as he picked up my transfiguration essay as well, about to throw that in the fire too. She, Ginny, and Lavender all grabbed him and forced him from the fire as Pavarti snatched my essay from his hands. “Now, Harry, I'm going to have to take ten points from Gryffindor for being such a jerk and for the fact that you just destroyed her potions book -” I didn't hear the rest of the lecture. Instead, I ran from the Common Room, down eight flights of stairs and found myself, once again, outside of the kitchens.

         I went in, tears streaming from my face. Not only was I hurt by what Harry (who I had thought was my friend) had said, but I was also crying because I now didn't have a potions book, and I couldn't afford a new one. My family had always been poor, but as it was just my dad and I now, and we had even less money. Dobby came rushing over when he saw me. He led me to a table and set a treacle tart in front of me. I ate it half-heartedly.

         “Will Miss Becka please tell Dobby what is bothering her?” Dobby asked. I looked up at him.

         “It's nothing, Dobby. Really.” I said quietly.

         “But Miss Ginny is saying that Miss Becka needs to talk when she is upset.” Dobby said, sitting on the bench next to me. I sighed.

         “Yah. You're right. Harry threw my potions book into the fire.” I told him without preamble. He looked very taken aback.

         “Harry Potter threw your book into the fire?” he asked incredulously. I nodded. “But Dobby is not understanding why.” he said.

         “Well.” I said slowly. “It's kinda about Professor Snape.” And that is how Ginny found my fifteen minutes later, bawling and pouring my heart out to a half-pint house elf. She looked quite surprised, but waited for me to finish.

         “Well, thank you, Dobby.” She said when I finished crying and talking. “But I have to take Becka back now because it's almost time for dinner. C'mon, Beck.” As we walked out of the kitchens, we heard a sharp crack behind us. Ginny didn't falter or stop, but I found myself wondering how weird it was that a house-elf was apparating this close to dinner. I shrugged it off and went back to my dorm room to get ready for dinner.

         Two nights later, all was almost forgotten. Professor Slughorn didn't mind lending me a school book until I found mine (I had told him that I had simply lost my book). I decided against telling him that I had lost it for good since it was now a pile of ashes in the Common Room fire. For, if I told him that, I would have to tell him why. He would then ask why Harry would throw my schoolbooks into the fire. I was not particularly interested in telling Slughorn about my love-life. On the morning of the third day, I woke and got out of bed. I went over to my trunk and found a small parcel on top, wrapped in brown paper and tied with a single piece of string. Curious, I opened it.

         Inside the package was a beautiful, leather-bound copy of the book that Harry had thrown into the fire. I opened it and smelled it's fresh, crisp pages. I loved the smell of books and this one had a distinct smell that was incredibly relaxing. I woke Ginny.

         “Who would have gotten me a new book?” I asked her. She shrugged, just as puzzled as I was. The only one we knew who could afford a book like that was Harry, and I knew for a fact that no owl had come for him and he had not been to Diagon Alley either. Besides, it didn't seem like something that Harry would do, even though he had been responsible for destroying my other one.

         “Why not go down to the kitchens after breakfast before potions?” she suggested.

         “Why would I go to the kitchens?” I asked her. She sighed impatiently.

         “Because the house-elves are all there. The house-elves know everything. Besides, one of them probably delivered it.” She explained. Her idea was a sound one, so, right after breakfast I ran down to the kitchens.

         “Dobby!” I called. He came over smiling.

         “Miss Becka is not crying today!” He exclaimed joyfully. I laughed.

         “Yes, that's true, I'm not. And I don't want any food, I just ate.” I told him.

         “Then why is you here?” he asked.

         “Because, Dobby, someone got me a new book and I want to know who. I figured one of you would know. You know who, don't you?” I asked him. He grinned and nodded.

         “Well, who?” I asked impatiently.

         “Oh. Dobby is not saying. Dobby must not say. The person who gave yous the book made Dobby swear not to say anything. So, I is not saying anything!” he said, and to exemplify his point, he clamped both of his hands over his mouth. I rolled my eyes.

         “Fine. Well, since you know, you can tell whoever it was that I said thank you very much.” I told him.

         “Dobby will, Dobby will.” He called as I walked out.


                             **********************************

         The next few days went by quickly. Saturday was the 10th of February and was a Hogsmeade weekend. Ginny woke me up early.

         “C'mon, we have to get going!” she said, shaking me awake and disappeared into the Common Room.

         “Why so early?” I grumbled sleepily when I joined her a few minutes later.

         “We want to get to the dress shop early so that we can get there before the rush of girls come.” she said.

         “Get to the dress shop? What the heck are we doing at a dress shop?” I demanded.

         “Where have you been the past month?” She asked incredulously. I raised both my eyebrows. “Right. Don't answer that.” She sighed. “In three days we are having the annual Valentines Day ball. We only have half-day that day so we can all get ready. It is always sooo romantic! But, we need to get dresses. I've been saving all year to be able to get one” She finished. I stared glumly at the floor.

         “What?” she asked me. I didn't meet her eyes as I said:

         “I can't. I can't afford a new dress. I can't even afford an old one.” I said quietly.

         “Oh.” she said, apparently at a loss for words. Just then, Harry, who had been in a corner, walked over.

         “I - I couldn't help but hearing you two talking.” he said with an awkward smile. “But, uh, Becka, here.” he gave me a handful of coins. I stared at him blankly. He shrugged.

         “Take it as a token of apology for my destroying your book and getting so mad at you. You're right, it is your life and I have no right to but in. So, get a new dress for the ball. No, no arguing. You're not allowed to argue. I may not be god of the universe, but I am a very, very stubborn and very apologetic friend. So, don't say anything or I'll hex you.” he said with a smile, closed my hand over the coins, and turned to leave with Ron and Hermione. Hermione looked incredibly pleased. I grinned.

         “Harry!” I called after him. He turned and I ran up to him.

         “Yah?” he asked. I gave him a big hug.

         “Thanks. I've never had a new dress before. This will be amazing. Thank you so much.” I said. He chuckled.

         “Your welcome. Now, if I were you, I'd hurry along before Ginny gets mad. See ya around.”

                                                 ********************

         I never knew it could take an entire morning to just get a dress, never mind the rest of our outfits, for the ball. We spent forever in the dress shop. I believe I tried on 17 dresses before I finally found the ONE. It was gorgeous. It was a strapless, floor-length, sleek, silk, emerald green ball gown. The minute I had it over my head, I knew it was the one I wanted. Ginny already had her gown. It was a rich blue gown. The straps sort of fell of the shoulders and it was slightly flounced. It looked amazing on her. That took all morning. Then, we headed to the Three Broomsticks for lunch with Pavarti and Lavender. They already had their outfits for the ball. So, they went off again as we went on a search for shoes and jewelry. I used Harry's money to very good use and had more jewelry than I could wear in one night, but I was so very happy.

         Valentines Day dawned with an air of expectation. I sat at the breakfast table with my friends again. All four of us had already received several valentines. When there was a silence, Ginny turned to me.

         “So. Are you going to do it?” she asked.

         “Do what?” I asked, thoroughly confused. The other girls rolled their eyes.

         “Give him a valentine, you dip!” Lavender exclaimed. I flushed.

         “No. No, no way. Not doing it girls. I will not be humiliated. I refuse to give him a valentine.” I protested, shaking my head.

         “What? C'mon, you have to do it, Becka!” Pavarti exclaimed.

         “No!” I returned forcefully. “What part of 'no' do you three not get?” I asked.

         “Just the first two letters.” Ginny said cheekily. I rolled my eyes and glared at her.
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         “He probably never gets any valentines.” Pavarti said, almost wistfully.

         “But, but he's a teacher!” I exclaimed.

         “That doesn't matter.” Ginny said, “Professor Lockheart was our teacher in first year and he got over forty valentines.”

         “Oh.” I said simply.

         “Besides, you don't have to let him know it's you. Don't sign it and give it to one of the house-elves to give it to him.” Lavender suggested. I thought for a moment.
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         “All right, fine. I'll do it.” I said heavily, resigned to my fate. They would not let me alone until I sent him a valentine and I knew it. I took a piece of parchment and a quill from my bag. I thought for a moment, and then wrote it:


                             Roses are Red,
                             Violets are Blue,
                             I know this is lame,
                             And so do you.

                             Grass is green,
                             Leaves are brown,
                             Since the moment I met you,
                             You've turned my life around.

                             Roses could be red,
                             And violets might be blue,
                             Whatever the case,
                             I love you.

         I finished it. Ginny took it from my hands and read it. She laughed and handed it to the other girls. They all loved it, so I had no choice but to head back to the kitchens after breakfast. I met Winky there. I didn't exactly trust Dobby to keep a secret, so I got Winky instead.

         “Please give this to Professor Snape, Winky, but do not, under any circumstances, tell him that it was me who sent it. Got it?” I asked. She nodded and dissapparated with a crack. I climbed back to the Great Hall and the girls and I set off for our first class – potions. I was incredibly glad that we weren't having Defense Against the Dark Arts today. I didn't think I could face Professor Snape after writing him that incredibly stupid valentine.

                                       ***************************

         Pavarti and Lavender came to our dorm to get ready for the ball. It took us well over two hours to get ready. The girls had to help me a lot. I couldn't even get into a pair of nylons without tumbling over. I even had to have Ginny help me get my shoes on. They were black sandals with straps that came up over my ankles. No matter how I tried, I couldn't get the straps to do what I wanted. I eventually just had to sit on my bed while Ginny worked with one and Lavender worked with the other one. However, we were eventually all ready.

         “You are going to ask him to dance, aren't you, Becka?” Lavender asked. I blushed. The thought had crossed my mind, but I had no real intention to follow it through.

         “Um. No.” I returned.

         “What!” Pavarti demanded. “Becka, you have to! When will you ever have this chance again, huh? Won't you want to look back on this night ten years from now and be able to say that you had the guts to ask him to dance?” she asked. I shrugged. She was right, but I wasn't going to say so.

         “Becka,” Ginny said, eyes flashing dangerously, “You have to. If you don't, I will,” she thought for a moment, “I will make an announcement in the middle of the ball and tell the entire school that you are in love with him.” I raised my left eyebrow.

         “What's the difference?” I asked, sulkily. The girls, however, looked so distraught that I nodded slightly. “All right, fine. I'll try it, okay?” They nodded, satisfied.

         “Sorry to leave you, Becka, but, well, we all have dates for the ball. Sorry.” Ginny said, a few minutes later.

         “Don't worry about it. It's fine. I'm just gonna finish and then head down to the Great Hall. Go on without me. I'm fine. Really.” I added, for the other girls were also looking bad.

         “All right. See you in a bit.” Pavarti said and the three of them left. After a little more fussing, I looked at myself in the mirror for the first time that night. I was shocked to see the girl looking back at me. I was, well, gorgeous. My hair had been done up in an elaborate up-do with strands falling artistically from it and down my face. Ginny had helped me with my makeup. All that combined with the gorgeous dress I was wearing, I didn't know that I could look that good. Nervously, I made my way to the already crowded Great Hall.

         I stood in the doorway, stunned. Everything was amazing. The Hall had been decorated so elegantly. The house-elves really out-did themselves. Everywhere I looked, I saw silver, crystal, and other elegant things. And then, of course, were my fellow students. Everyone really got decked-out, I almost didn't recognize everyone.

         The heads of the houses started the first dance, a simple waltz. Professor Sprout and Professor Flitwick made an odd pair as they waltzed – Professor Flitwick had put a levitating charm on himself, so that he was eye-level with Professor Sprout. Then, I looked over and saw Professor McGonagall waltzing with none other than Professor Snape, who did not look pleased. In fact, he looked more grumpy than usual, despite the definite air of the festivities. I was surprised to see, however, that he was not dressed in his ill-fitting black robes; but he was dressed in deep, red-violet robes that fit his wiry frame very well. I surprised myself by blushing while I watched him dance, more graceful than a cat, or a snake, for that matter; despite the fact that he looked like he wished he could be anywhere other than right there, dancing with Professor McGonagall.

         They danced once around the room. When Professors McGonagall and Snape passed by where I was standing, he glanced at me. Something flickered in his eyes, although his expression remained fixed in the same stone mask. Then, a flash of amusement lit his face; and I realized that I was still blushing. But, then they turned away again. I hoped that I had shocked him by turning up looking so pretty as much as he had shocked me in dressing in something that actually fit and looked nice on him.

          Soon, the floor began to fill with students. I found myself waltzing with Seamus Finnegan. After every dance, I moved a little bit closer to Professor Snape, hoping to eventually find the courage to ask him to dance. I danced every single dance. It wasn't my fault either, everyone just kept asking me. I didn't know that that many guys actually found me attractive. But, there it was. After more than an hour, I finally found myself standing next to Severus Snape.

         He didn't look at me as he said, his voice expressionless: “I do not tango, Miss Becka.” For that was what the next dance was. I did not look at him as I returned in the same monotone:

         “That's a lucky thing, for neither do I, Professor Snape.” He finally turned to look at me, the corners of his mouth twitching.

         “I was lying. And – and, by the way, it's Severus. Please.” He said simply. Something stirred in me at that statement. Maybe it was just the way that he had said please. I suddenly felt an immense pity for him. Everyone, it seemed, hated him; but no one ever took the time to get to know him. I then smiled. 

         “I was lying too.” I told him.  “But if you don't want to dance with me, just say so.” I said quickly, not wanting to guilt him into dancing with me.

         “And if I do want to dance with you, I should... not say so?” he asked.

         “No, no, you should say so then, too.” I returned shakily. My heart was pounding, was I actually going to tango with him? He offered me his arm.

         “Then, I would like the pleasure of a dance with you, Becka.” He said quietly. My heart fluttered as I realized that he had just called me 'Becka', without the 'miss' that always accompanied it.

         “The pleasure would be mine.” I said quietly. And then, it happened. He did it. He actually smiled. I was right, he was incredibly handsome when he smiled. He led me to the floor. Couples stopped dancing to gawp at us as we walked by. He led me to the very center of the floor. I blushed as I realized that the floor was emptying. Then, he wound his arm tightly around my waist and took my other hand. Then, he led me into the first steps of the tango. I had never actually danced the tango before. I knew how to do it, but it was another story being on the floor with someone I actually liked and dancing it. My breath caught as I realized how incredibly close we were. I made myself concentrate on the dance and not pull away, as I was tempted to. We were silent for a few moments while we danced.

         “I would like to thank you, Becka, for the valentine that you sent to me this morning.” he said, very quietly. I blushed.

         “Winky was not supposed to tell you it was from me.” I returned. He smiled, again. For not being a regular habit, he was smiling incredibly often all of a sudden.

         “She didn't, nor did anyone else. But, you seem to forget that I correct your essays several times a week. If I cannot recognize your handwriting by now, then, well, I cannot say that I am a good teacher.” he said, still very quietly. I blushed.

         “Well, your welcome.” I said.

         “You know,” he continued. I was shocked at his sudden talkativeness. “You should never go to the kitchens if you want to keep something secret.”

         “What do you mean?” I asked him, and he dipped me low.

         “I mean,” he said, once we straightened again, “That I happen to know quite a bit about your life. I know that, despite your protests,  Miss Ginny Weasley finds it doubtful that I have a heart. I also know that Potter threw your potions book in the fire.”

         “It was you!” I said suddenly. “You're the one who got me the new book, aren't you?” I demanded. He chuckled. It was odd, I didn't really hear his laugh, but I felt it. It was a  rumble in his chest, and a breath against my face.

         “Yes. It was. And Dobby conveyed your thanks already, so you do not have to thank me again.” He said.

         “But – but how do you know all that?” I asked.

         “When Dobby first apparated into my office, he didn't just tell me that you were eating a cookie. He told me everything. He told me the reason why you were there, and word-for-word your conversation with Miss Weasley. That elf has quite a good memory. I made him promise to come to me if you ever came back again to the kitchens for comfort. He has been true to his word. He told me about Potter throwing your book in the fire. He told me,” he then dropped off, and, I was absolutely shocked to see, he actually started to blush. “Well, let's just say, he's told me everything you've ever said to him.”

         I blushed too as I realized what he was saying. Dobby told him that I was in love with him. He knew that, but yet he was here dancing the tango with me. I could only hope that that meant he liked me too, if only just a little bit. We were silent for the rest of the dance – caught up in the strong Latino rhythm. I was having fun. I took a look at his face. All the years seemed to wiped away. He looked like he was in his early twenties, which was probably very close to his age. He was smiling. He looked like he actually was having fun and enjoying himself. He tossed his head to the strong, romantic, Latino rhythm and his black hair flew out behind him as he did so. I laughed, and he smiled in return. Then he dipped me once more as the song ended with a cymbal crash. He spun me under his arm and bowed low over my hand.

         “Thank you, Becka, for the dance.” he told me quietly, “It was... a pleasure.” I smiled.

         “The pleasure is mine. Severus.” I returned. It didn't feel as odd as I thought it would, calling him Severus. Something flickered in his ice blue eyes. His face changed subtly, and I saw something that I never saw before – he was lonely. Very lonely. Before I realized it, he leaned forward and whispered:

         “Congratulations, Becka. Your quest is complete. You have officially won my heart.” I flushed scarlet. But, he wasn't finished. He stooped and planted a soft, gentle kiss on my cheek. Then, he turned, and strode from the empty dance floor. Empty of everyone but me, still staring after him in shock. Then, I too turned and left the floor. Students filled the floor again so, whispering to each other. Ginny, Lavender, Hermione, and Pavarti pounced as soon as I made my way over.

         “Oh my gosh!” Lavender squealed. “I cannot believe it!”

         “He – he kissed you!” Ginny said, awed. I shook my head, still trying to clear the buzzing from it.

         “I know. But, you might have to tell me a few more times before I actually believe it.” I said, still awed. The girls went off to dance again. But, I stayed still. Neither he nor I danced again that night.

                                       ***********************

         I put the incident at the back of my mind, and there it stayed, until one day in the middle of the summer. Errol, the Weasley's owl, showed up in my room. He was carrying an envelope. I read the letter inside, barely realizing that something that had been enclosed inside the envelope dropped to the floor. It was a short letter from Ginny:

                   Dear Becka,
                             Cannot wait to see you again. I forgot to tell you I took this. I thought you might                              want it, for memory sake. See you again soon,
                                       Ginny.

         I looked down at the paper that had fallen out of the envelope. I turned it over and blushed in the privacy of my empty room. It was a moving photograph of a handsome, black-haired man leaning over and kissing a beautiful girl on the cheek. She was wearing an emerald green gown and a dazzling smile. She, I realized with a start, was me.



                                       The
                                           End