HP: Let professors walk towards the light

After the banquet, the dance party officially began. Looking at a group of people dancing around the dance floor, I thought that I was not needed here. Karkaroff was dancing enthusiastically on the dance floor, and he no longer had the uneasy state he had in the past few days because of the Dark Mark.

I left the hall through the side door. It was such a good opportunity. Considering that Slytherin still seemed to be a little short of points this school year, should I take a walk in the garden?

When I was passing the corridor, I saw a person coming in from outside. The light was not very bright so I couldn't see him clearly at first. Just when I was about to ignore him and leave, the person called me.

"Professor Snape?"

It was Hermalena. I stopped, turned around, and watched her slowly approach.

Tonight is a rare grand party at Hogwarts. Hermalena has changed out of her black satin robe and put on a green satin halter dress. She has her hair tied up behind her head, which makes her look more mature. She walks slowly, holding the hem of her skirt with one hand.

"It was so dark that I almost didn't notice you. Are you planning to go back?" She stood in front of me, and I could see that she had light makeup on her face and a hint of red on her lips. She was elegant, graceful, and dignified, just like a Slytherin gem.

"It's too stuffy inside, so I just came out for a walk. Why are you coming from this direction?" This is the direction of the central courtyard and the library.

"I was in the library for a while," she replied.

I nodded, and there was a hint of silence in the atmosphere.

"you……"

"or……"

We spoke at the same time, and Hermalena smiled and motioned for me to speak first.

"Why are you going to the library at this time? The dance has just started. Have you eaten?"

"I wrote a letter and had a simple dinner. I was thinking, if you feel bored, why don't we go to the astronomy tower to admire the moon and relax?" She moved aside to make room.

I looked outside. There was no way to enjoy the moon. The weather tonight was just average. But we were just going to take a stroll anyway, so I accepted Hermalena's invitation and we headed towards the top of the astronomical tower.

Looking at her dress, it was beautiful, but the winter weather was not to be underestimated. I took out my magic wand and conjured a white fur shawl to match her shoulders, and then cast a warming spell.

She looked at me deeply, tightened her shawl, smiled and said thank you.

At the top of the astronomical tower, there was a cool breeze. The moon was hidden by dark clouds, with only a faint light barely shining through. There was really no beauty at all.

"It seems that Miss Talros will not be able to enjoy the beautiful moon tonight."

I shifted my gaze from the sky and looked towards the auditorium, which was brightly lit and bustling. In contrast, there was not much light on the astronomy tower, and there were only two bored people looking at this boring scene.

Hermalena walked to the edge and placed her hands on the fence.

"It is enough to invite the respected Professor Snape to spend this time with me."

Her skirt was blown up by the wind, and even though her hair was messy, she was enjoying the cool breeze and had a very relaxed smile on her face.

I just looked at her standing aside, and seemed to be infected by her ease. I withdrew my thoughts and no longer paid attention to the excitement on the other side, and no longer thought about the mark on my arm. I walked to her side and looked into the distance, perhaps trying to find something different in this dark night, or perhaps just in a daze.

We didn't speak, but the atmosphere wasn't as tense as before. It was probably like the red cotton that was crumpled and torn apart in the sky at sunset.

Hermalena stood up, and I looked at her as she moved. It seemed that she was a little... nervous?

"professor."

"What do you want to say?" I took two steps closer.

She took a deep breath and said, "I wonder... if I can have the honor today... to invite you as your proud student... to dance with you?"

She looked straight at me, she squeezed her palms, she turned her head away.

I froze for a moment.

It is still the wind, blowing between us and blowing somewhere else.

"of course."

I took a half step back and stretched out my right hand.

I know that perhaps this will become the most special experience in my life.

Hermalena's left hand rested lightly on my right shoulder, and I gently held her waist. We slowly moved and turned to the beat of the music in our ears, moving forward or backward. It was a perfect dance, and our movements were coordinated so well.

In my arms is her, Hermalena, her eyes are grey, I can even see my own reflection through her eyes. In my breath, there is a faint fragrance from her body, or perhaps it should be...

I became aware of my own wandering thoughts, and as the last note fell, I let go of Hermalena's hand.

The moonlight blew away the thick clouds and hit Hermalena's body, just like the sun hitting a snowy mountain.

"It seems that my wish has come true tonight." She looked at the half moon above her head.

"It's getting late. Although the moon on the top of the tower is beautiful, if we stay there for too long, I'm afraid we will have to go see Madam Pomfrey tomorrow. Let's go."

"Yeah." I nodded.

I followed Hermalena. Although the dance had not yet stopped, Hermalena said she wanted to go back and rest, so I took her back to the Slytherin common room.

"Thank you for this evening."

At the lounge door, she turned around.

"Goodnight, Severus."

"You should call me professor." I waved her back.

She took off the shawl from her shoulders and handed it back to me.

"It's just a shawl. Since it matches you, I'll give it to you. I don't have any use for it."

After saying that, I closed the stone door of the lounge and walked towards the office.

Late at night, I lay in bed and couldn't fall asleep for a long time. As a man in his thirties or forties, I have been in the social scene for a long time. This is not the first time I have invited a lady to dance, but the scene of tonight frequently appeared in my mind, the image of Hermalena smiling in her dress, the image of her skirt flying as she spun around to the rhythm...

[“Severus, I need you…”]

I'm sorry, Hermalena.

After it's over, when everything is over, I think I will give you an answer, definitely.

?

The Triwizard Tournament finals have arrived.

During this period, we still haven't found the murderer who threw Potter's name in. Dumbledore couldn't blatantly violate the rules of the Triwizard Tournament, so he could only be more cautious in guarding.

The Triwizard Cup was guarded in turns to prevent anyone from tampering with it. Moody placed it in the center of the maze, and no one else would touch it.

The keys to Hermalena's port are also hung on the warriors.

At Dumbledore's command, the four warriors entered the maze one by one. The students were waiting for the result of the competition, and we were waiting for the long-planned conspiracy.