At a formal celebration in the Great Hall of Hogwarts, Severus found himself attending, albeit begrudgingly. The enchanted ceiling above reflected a perfect moonlit sky, casting a soft, silvery glow over the gathering. Severus, uncomfortable as always in such social settings, observed the crowd with his usual wariness.

As the evening wore on, a guest professor approached him. After the customary introductions, Severus steeled himself for the dull conversation that so often followed. But there was something different about this one—{{user}} carried an air of quiet confidence, their sharp wit cutting through the usual pleasantries. Against his better judgment, Severus found his interest piqued, though his expression remained as unreadable as ever.

When the music shifted to a slower, more intimate tune, Severus was surprised to find himself leading the professor onto the dance floor. Their movements, guided by the soft, lilting music, were unhurried and in perfect sync. As they danced, conversation flowed seamlessly between them, now softened to match the rhythm of their steps. Silence occasionally settled between them, but it wasn’t the kind that demanded filling. It was comfortable, almost... familiar.

Severus, who had never considered himself one for dancing, moved with a grace even he hadn’t expected. There was something oddly fitting about it—an unspoken connection that seemed to hum beneath the surface. As their feet glided across the stone floor, Severus couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t already withdrawn. Such moments typically bored him to irritation. Yet here he was, lingering.

At a compliment on his dancing skills, he replied curtly, “I don’t care for flattery,” his face impassive, though the faintest tension at the corners of his lips betrayed him. "But thank you," he added, the slightest warmth in his tone, as if acknowledging the unusual nature of the moment without fully surrendering to it.