The more he thought about it, the more he became convinced that there was no way around it. If there arose a situation at this party where he needed to intervene, then he could not afford to have Hermione mistrust him even for a second. He would have to tell her what he planned and simply hope that she took it in the spirit of a friend watching out for her, rather than her sleazy ex-teacher playing voyeur.

He treated himself to a scornful snort. No woman had ever believed him capable of good intentions. Why would one start now?

---

Severus watched from the corner as Hermione and Krum danced to the music, their enjoyment obvious. This was how a beautiful nineteen-year-old should be spending her Saturday nights.

A little voice hinted that in different circumstances he could have danced with her just as easily and less oafishly. He chided himself for the fantasy. Yes, the music did bear comparison with some of the bands he'd seen at various London venues in the years he was studying for his Masters, but those days were long gone. They'd ended abruptly, at twenty-one, the instant he was appointed as Hogwarts' Potions Master.

---

Severus scanned the room for signs of danger as the night progressed, but his worries seemed unfounded. The evening was winding down and, while the couple's exit presented another potential point of ambush, Severus judged the worst of the danger to have passed.

Hermione and Krum had both had little to drink, and even though to a casual observer the girl might have appeared to be oblivious to everything other than her partner, Severus knew she was intensely aware of her surroundings. He'd felt her assessing him. He had trained her well. Now, it was time to let her go.

---

Hermione fell into bed with a feeling of relief. The night had been fun, but she'd felt as if there was an invisible miniature Moody on her shoulder all night parroting the phrase, "constant vigilance".

Viktor sat down on the edge of the bed, leaning over to stroke her cheek with his index finger. "You can relax now."

Hermione's gaze skimmed the muscles framed by his open shirt before settling on his darkly demonstrative eyes. "Mmm-hmm, and I know just how to do that." She reached up, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pulled him down to her.

---

On Monday, Hermione followed her normal hug of greeting with a peck on Severus's cheek. She stepped back and seemed to look him up and down before closing the gap enough to accompany her first word with a swift poke into Severus's ribs. "You should have told me you were going to sneak into the party."

"And have you accuse me of spying on you? Far better to present you with a fait accompli."

The triumphal quality of Hermione's grin told him that she'd been fishing and he'd just fallen for her trap.

"So what did you do with Ketteridge?"

---

"Half a flask of Firewhisky mixed with Sleeping Draught and an Obliviate. I left him locked in one of the toilet stalls and put an 'Out of Order' sign on the door. Why? Did you have other plans for him?"

"Only if he tried anything." She tilted her head slightly as if considering whether to continue. "If it wouldn't have looked suspicious, I would have asked you to dance." Her eyes sparkled with amusement at the idea of forcing curmudgeonly Severus Snape onto the dance floor.

Severus smirked in return. "If it wouldn't have looked suspicious, I would have accepted."

---

"What if I asked you now?" Hermione couldn't stop the words from tumbling out.

Silence stretched out between them, second on second on second, until Severus gathered his resolve. "I'd tell you that you've neglected your studies for two days already and that a start needs to be made on the next batch of Wolfsbane."

Hermione's smile became rueful but she wasn't yet ready to change the subject. "Why? The party—"

"You deserved to have some enjoyment, but not at the expense of your safety."

"Next time?"

"Assuming you remember your training equally well... my presence would be superfluous."

---

"You mean you think I could manage to escape a Death Eater attack?"

Severus sniffed. "If such an attack were planned I would hope to be aware of it and, no."

Hermione scowled defiantly and, in Severus's opinion, endearingly up at him in response to what she saw as an insult to her capabilities.

"Your skills have improved beyond measure, but a well-planned ambush is difficult to overcome. However, you seem amply prepared to deal with attacks of opportunity. Therefore, I do not intend to waste my time attending your every public engagement. You know to call if I'm needed."

---

Severus waited until both their potions were simmering gently to probe as to Sunday's events. "What did Moody make of the boy?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You're showing your age. Harry and Ron might be boys. I'm not entirely sure Viktor ever was. And... he was just... Moody."

Severus shot her a death-glare. "In what way?"

"He interrogated him for ages until Mr Weasley told him about the Unbreakable Vow."

"And then?"

"Then he said he'd do it... if Viktor learned how to talk properly. He said if he could manage Latin incantations, he could damn well speak Merlin's English."

---

Severus smirked. He agreed with Moody, for once. "And Percy? Did he make an appearance?"

"Him and the bride to be." Hermione grimaced.

"And?"

"Percy seemed pretty much like always..." she admitted uncomfortably, "only I can't trust him any more."

"Miss Clearwater?"

Hermione sighed. "Either she's too good to be true or I'm just bitter because I still don't even rate a Christmas jumper and Molly was treating her like the Queen of Sheba."

"I thought you had better taste and I know you can remember your name without your initials emblazoned on your chest."

"It still hurts," Hermione whispered.