91 91) The Yule Ball - 1

Severus adjusted his black three piece tailored suit as he looked at himself in the mirror for the final time. He had to admit, he looked rather dashing. The suit fit him perfectly, accentuating his figure and pale complexion.

He ran a hand through his short black hair, perfectly done for the occasion. He felt a pang of nostalgia as he remembered the last time he had worn a suit like this. It was for his graduation ceremony, back in his original timeline.

"Wow, Prince, you look amazing!" Mulciber exclaimed, breaking Severus out of his reverie. He looked around and saw his other Housemates looking at him with jealous and admirable looks. Mulciber couldn't contain his curiousity any more. "Where did you get it?"

Severus turned to face his dorm mates, who were also getting ready for the Yule Ball. They were all wearing their best robes, but none of them could compare to his suit. But then again, there were certain differences bound to be. Afterall different time have different fashions. The formal fashion now was way different from that after 2000s.

He had decided to exploit that chance. He had ordered fabric and asked a muggle tailor in London, to sew it properly. He had explained that tailor perfectly and the man had delivered. Even the tailor had been surprised as it was first time, he was sewing something like this. But he could tell, that he enjoyed it quite. Afterall people didn't like the type of fitting clothes now which he had opted.

"If you had told me earlier, I could have given you the tailor's name," Severus offered with a smirk. "But I doubt you would have liked it. He's a muggle, after all."

"A muggle?" Rosier echoed. He took a double look at the suit with a look of confusion. "You're kidding, right? You actually went to a muggle shop. Muggles don't wear these type of suits." Rosier commented with a frown.

"They don't, but I like it this way. Besides people would start to copy the style now, once they see me." Severus replied with a calm face as he looked at the mirror which was showing his entire body.

Rosier laughed. He could imagine that. People would actually try to copy it. Who was he kidding? He himself was going to get one designed like it.

"This is the first time I've seen a suit like this. It's very elegant and comfortable. And it's black. Wonder what a blue one would like?" Avery commented with a thoughtful frown.

"Come on, Prince, stop admiring yourself and let's go," Avery said, impatiently. "We don't want to be late for the ball. It's bad enough that they've called our parents for this stupid affair. As if we need their approval or supervision."

"You're only upset since you won't be snuggling into a broom closet with that Beauxbatons girl, because of your parents' presence," Wilkes added as he looked around the room. The boys were finally ready and it was time they go out to the ball.

Severus nodded, agreeing with Avery. He hated the idea of having his parents at the ball. His mother would be having a fuss seeing him dancing with four different girls. He couldn't say that she was worrying for naught. Afterall the media would have a field day when they will hear of a polygamous marriage. That too of the Hogwarts champion. There were polygamous marriages occasionally in the wizarding world. Some countries had many such couples like this. It wasn't illegal, but it was generally frowned upon.

They all walked out of the dormitory, and headed towards the quidditch pitch before they all went to different sides. They all needed to fetch their dates for the ball. None of the boys had got their dates from inside their house. Noone except Severus. Even then, he needed to fetch Francesca. She was going to open the ball with him.

Severus walked towards Slughorn's office, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness inside him. It was a little strange though. He was confident in himself in many situations. But the moment, he was in presence of a girl and at an occasion like this. The nerves seemed to somehow affect him. Maybe it was normal. Afterall this was a big event for everyone. He was about to meet his date for the Yule Ball. He had danced with her before during the party last time. But this time was different. She was going to be with him at the Yule Ball.

He reached the door of Slughorn's office, and knocked softly. He knew Slughorn was the only one who knew that Francesca was his date, as he had helped him arrange the Floo connection. He had to tell him about it afterall, if he wanted to use that floo.

"Come in, come in, my boy!" he said, cheerfully through inside. Severus rolled his eyes in exasparation. Slughorn was in a full mood today. Afterall, the man lived for days like these.

Severus entered inside and saw Slughorn completely ready. The portly man was fully ready and was applying last second touches to himself in the mirror.

"Good Merlin! You look handsome, Severus." Slughorn praised as he looked at the perfectly fitting suit of Severus. The man's eyes were surveying every inch of the suit.

"Thank you, Professor." Severus replied with a smile. He actually liked the compliment. It was hard to get a compliment without asking for it, unless you were a girl.

"Now my boy. I have to leave. You will have to close the door. Charm it, when you leave." Slughorn said hurriedly as he looked at the clock on the wall once again. He patted Severus on the shoulder before swiftly making his way through the halls.

Severus looked amusedly at the parting figure of Slughorn. The man was mumbling about apparition and Albus under his breath. It seemed he was cursing Dumbledore for not allowing apparition for the teachers.

The floo finally roared after a minute. The green flames burst to life as she came. Severus took a look as she emerged out of the floo regally.

She wore a stunning gown of dark navy blue. It honestly looked amazing on her. Her eyes landed on him, and her face turned to one of wonder and awe.

She commented romantically, as she walked towards him. "Severus, you look so adorable and handsome," she said softly with an amazed expression. "You're like the coolest man I've ever seen." She complimented with a genuine smile.

Severus smiled cockily as he gently captured her lips in a kiss. In his head, he knew that it was true. The fashion of different era was bound to make him stand out. People didn't wear streamlined and perfectly tailored clothes commonly yet.

"I know." He replied smugly as they seperated. "You're one of the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." Severus continued as he looked at her.

"One of the?" Francesca questioned with a smirk.

"Yeah. I have four of my girls. I can't play favourites beloved." Severus replied as he let out a teasing smirk.

Francesca rolled her eyes as a hint of a grin broke out on her face. She looked at her fiance and couldn't help but be amused. He really was taking it seriously.

"So you're ready to announce the greatest scandal of this Wizarding Century?" Francesca asked mirthly with a smirk.

_____________________________

"Come on, Severus, don't be nervous. You'll do fine." Francesca Zabini said, squeezing his arm as they walked to the entrance of the Quidditch pitch together. They got quite many stares from the various students who were rushing towards the Quidditch pitch. Some were with their dates and some were alone.

Severus looked at her and forced a smile. He appreciated her support, but he couldn't help feeling anxious. He hated being the center of attention, especially in front of a crowd of strangers. Perhaps the introvert self of him, never escaped him.

He was more worried about the whisperings which were going to happen in the ball today. The Dark Lord had ordered in his letter that it was the best time to announce his marriages to the world today. He had already told the same to both Orion and Cygnus Black. It was going to be one hell of an affair today.

They reached the entrance and saw the other two champions waiting there with their dates. Severus recognized them from the opening ceremony and the first task. The girls had always been close to the champions on the meals and the classes.

"Hello, Mr Prince. You look very handsome tonight." Alexander Schmidt complemented with a smile as he extended his hand to him for a greeting. He was the Durmstrang champion, and he had a strong German accent while he spoke English.

Severus looked at the boy wearing a black robe and a red tie. The robes looked good on him but they were not completely streamlined like the one he wore.

"Thank you, Alexander. You look very smart yourself. And please call me Severus. You too Gabriel. Afterall we all are equals." Severus said, shaking his hand.

"Sure, Severus. This is my date, Anna. She is from the Netherlands." Alexander said, introducing the girl next to him. She was a pretty brunette with brown eyes and a red dress. Her gaze was quite lively as she bowed courteously to him.

"Hallo mevrouw Anna. Aangenaam u te ontmoeten. (Hello, Anna. It's a pleasure to meet you)." Severus said, in perfect Dutch. "Je ziet er prachtig uit vanavond. Ik vind je jurk leuk. Het past bij uw ogen. (You look lovely tonight. I like your dress. It matches your eyes)."

Anna blushed and thanked him, in Dutch. She looked surprised and taken aback when he spoke in perfect dutch.

Even Alexander looked surprised, as well as Gabriel.

"I believe this is my chance to introduce my date. She is Sophie. She is from France." Gabriel said with a smile. His voice was thick with french accent. But he didn't butchered it heavily. There was very light traces there. He smiled while introducing the girl next to him. The girl next to him was a blonde beauty with green eyes and a blue stunning dress to match that beauty.

"Bonjour, Sophie. Enchanté de faire votre connaissance. (Hello Sophie. Nice to meet you)." Severus said with a smile in perfect French. "Vous êtes très belle ce soir. J'aime votre robe. Elle va bien avec vos yeux. (You look very beautiful tonight. I like your dress. It goes well with your eyes)."

Sophie smiled and thanked him immediately back in French. She looked surprised and impressed by his language skills. His french wasn't perfect with the pronounciation, but he got the basics clear.

"Should I feel angry that you've not introduced me yet?" Francesca said teasingly with a frown.

The other four were amused by the words of Francesca. Their eyes went to the the two of them.

"Ladies, gentlemen. Meet my beloved fiance, Francesca Zabini." Severus introduced with a charming smile as he looked mirthly at the girl with him.

"Fiance?" Anna asked surprised as she looked at the two of them. "Are you already engaged?" She asked curiously. The papers didn't told anything about this. They had read all about him and no paper told about any ladies in his life.

"No, it's an old contract in between our family. But we are going to get engaged and married in the summer. Which by the way you are invited already from the moment." Francesca replied as she looked at the two pairs infront of them.

"Contract?" Sophie commented with a frown. Her face held distaste at the word. "I hate them. You both are happy right?" She asked worriedly as she looked at the two of them.

"Ofcourse. We worked on our differences. Besides I got the chance with this beauty. She's a perfect baddie." Severus replied with a reassuring smile. They both smiled reassuringly at the worried girl.

"We have contracts in France too. However my family don't like it. The believe we should make our choices and live with it." Gabriel added with a smile, feeling relieved after hearing and thinking about it. He didn't think, he could live without Sophie and marry another girl.

"I do feel the same. One must owe for his decisions afterall." Severus agreed with a smile.

They were interrupted by the arrival of Professor McGonagall, who looked completely stressed with the duties and responsibilities on her. She was wearing a tartan dress. However her hat wasn't there. The stern expression on her face was constant though.

"Good evening, champions. I'm glad to see you're all ready." She said, in a clipped voice. "You'll be opening the ball in two minutes sharp, be ready!" She ordered to the three pairs. She was a little surprised by the appearance of Francesca Zabini with Severus Prince.

Everyone nodded and Mcgonagall finally commented.

"It's a surprise to see you here Miss Zabini. I'm glad to see you again. You look gorgeous dear." She praised to the girl with a smile.

"Thank you Professor Mcgonagall." Francesca replied with a smile.