The Serpant and the Raven

Snape was not enjoying himself at the ball he had been forced to attend at the Ministry of Magic. He had no idea why he had allowed his collegues to convince him to come, but he wished very dearly he hadn't. He stood against the wall, a glass of wine in his hand that he had no interest in drinking, and hoped it would end soon. He almost groaned when he saw Albus Dumbledore coming toward him, no doubt to tell him he should dance with one of the young ladies present. "Severus!" Albus joyfully put a hand on the younger man's arm. "There is someone here I want you to meet. She is a truly delightful woman." He turned to the crowd near the wall. "Raven! Over here." With obvious reluctance, a young woman in a dark blue gown pushed herself off the wall she'd been leaning on and came over. "Raven, this is Severus Snape, the Potions Master at my school."

The woman looked at Severus, no emotion on her face. "Raven. Raven Roth."

Severus shook her hand as he looked her over. She was very unusual looking, with her pale grey skin, violet hair and eyes, and the red gem on her forehead. He supposed she was pretty enough, but he didn't see why Albus had wanted to introduce her. "Raven's mother was a dear friend of mine, and I hate to see the two of you not enjoying yourselves. The two of you should be dancing!" He gently pushed th two wallflowers toward the dance floor.

Raven looked at Severus. "He won't leave us alone until we do." She offered her hand. "One dance won't kill me. You?"

Severus considered it a moment before taking her hand. "I suppose it is unavoidable." He led his new dance partner to the floor and put his hand on the young woman's thin waist.

As they danced, Raven looked up at the taller man. "So, you're a Potions Master? I understand it's a very complex branch of magic. I never had the opportunity to study it, but it seems quite facinating."

Severus smirked. "It is excedingly complicated, and requires great precision and focus. Many potions leave little to no margin for error. It is a very difficult branch of magic, and few can master it."

"Impressive."

Severus looked at her, considering her emotionless demeanor. "Are you always so... cold?"

She regarded him. "It is both choice, and necessity. I have reasons for being the way I am. We all do." She shrugged. "We all have our secrets, our demons. I respect yours, so you respect mine."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Very well. Tell me something else about yourself then."

She thought a moment. "I love to read, I hate noise, and the only reason I'm here is because Albus made me."

Severus smirked. "My fellow professors talked me into it. Something about me needing to get out more."

"Albus said the same thing. He also said there was someone he wanted me to meet. Can you say conspiracy?"

They both shot a glare at where Dumbledore was beaming at them. "He does tend to meddle."

"He's always been like that. My mother told me that he was always trying to set her up. Kinda like he's trying to do to us." She smirked slightly. "I suppose old habits die hard."

"Obviously."

Over the course of the night, Severus enjoyed speaking to Raven, though they refused to let Dumbledore make them dnace again. They talked about books they'd read, times they'd been annoyed with their peers, and potions. At the end of the night, they assumed they were saying good bye forever, never imagining they'd see each other again. Little did they know, each had a part to play in the other's future.

(AN: Please forgive any OOC's, and if you have any flames, please make it constructive.)