Chapter 1: A Wager is Made
"Watch it Mudblood," Pansy spat rudely, shoving Hermione harshly with her pointed elbow to her side. Hermione in the middle of a novel hadn't even seen the upcoming confrontation until it elbowed her quite roughly in the ribs and knocked her to the ground. Hermione gingerly grasped for the novel that had toppled to the ground, trying to ignore the dark giggle from above.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Hermione said rubbing her ribs gingerly, looking up at the Slytherin girl with pure, unadulterated disdain. Gods she was a mad cow, that one. Pig faced too. Hermione stood shakily, grasping her book to her chest and glaring at the girl.
"Shouldn't you be studying Pansy? Gods knows your N.E.W.T. scores could use the extra help."
Pansy took a menacing step forward and Hermione felt her pulse spike. She slipped her hand down to her side, ready to grasp her wand should the need arise. But Pansy had stopped, her countenance suddenly demure.
"Ten points from Gryffindor, Miss Granger. For your cheek."
Pansy smiled innocently over Hermione's shoulder as the girl froze at the sound. Severus Snape, D.A.D.A. teacher and personal nightmare stood behind her, having just come out of the Library. Just her luck that he'd been witness to Hermione's outburst. Hermione looked to Pansy in mute shock as the Slytherin girl gave her a surreptitious smirk.
Hermione hated Pansy, this wasn't shocking. Lots of people hated Pansy. It was almost natural that she and Hermione should hate each other. They were at opposite sides of the spectrum, Pansy a rough and rude girl of darkness while Hermione was a bright and reserved girl of light. The only thing they had in common? Perhaps their dark hair color.
Now, Hermione didn't dislike Pansy just because she was Slytherin, and not only because she had all her schooling paid for, but because she was able to be under the constant attention of one Severus Snape .
I'm a fool.
Yes. She had a crush on Severus Snape. And the knowledge of that haunted her on a regular basis. She tried to logic it as what young schoolgirl didn't have a slight fancy for a professor? Especially at the age of seventeen when hormones raced, the spring of adulthood stood in the very near future, and any virgin, boy or girl wanted a taste of what was so often reveled in common rooms or in hushed whispers in the Library. Besides, he was a double agent, a man who fearlessly sought to protect she and her friends when she knew he despised them.
Now he was waltzing up beside her, looking utterly disenchanted at the moment and Hermione tried to regulate her breathing. It wasn't that hard to cover up. She'd had plenty of practice as the whole ridiculous crush thing had begun in the late June air of her fifth year when she'd learned the truth of his double agency. Now in her sixth year she tried to ignore the internal tremble she felt whenever he passed her by.
The thing was, it was hard to conceal the emotions he stirred within her. Because as much as she fancied him, she was certain of three things.
1.) He was a miserable bastard.
2.) His open despisal of anything non-Slytherin infuriated her.
3.) Although she fancied him very much, she was also absolutely terrified of him
She supposed it made sense. Love, Hate, Fear; all extremes in passion, all took much energy and so forth. So perhaps it was natural for Hermione to lust after him hate him and fear him all at the same time. She was mostly angry at how he made her feel constantly she was doing something completely idiotic and he would catch her. Or worse, when he ignored her in classes for favor of calling on his Slytherin lot.
Overgrown bat.
See, there she went again. She wanted him desperately and yet at the same time she wanted to slap that smirk off her face. He stood looking down at her right then with that infamous smirk once more and she trembled nervously.
"Anything to say for yourself?"
Hermione went flushed a slight pink from anger of flushed embarrassment? It was hard to tell yet she met his eyes, locking his gaze with her own. Millicent had walked up and joined Pansy, waiting patiently a few yards away, looking from their house leader to the furious Gryffindor in front of him.
Snape waited for Hermione's reply patiently, like a young child waiting for a chocolate. The anticipation was all part of the fun he supposed.
Hermione Granger was a personal favorite torment for him. She had been the bane of his existence since her first year, and her sixth was no different. Gads, the questions and the hand raising! it was maddening. When these odd occasions for punishment did arise, when he found her doing something out of her character he was quick to snap up his opportunity. She was so meek at times it was almost laughable.
Her obvious intelligence wasn't the only thing that infuriated him about her, it was those two she was always with. It was the-boy-who-lived and his usually peaked accomplice the Weasel.
Speak of the devil, he thought bitterly as their voices came yammering down the hallway and breaking the delightful tension and staring between he and a very flustered young Gryffindor. She looked to the two of them, a grimace on her face as they walked slowly past, trying to hear what was going on.
"Move on," he hissed darkly, "or Filch'll have his hands full for the next year."
This was all boy wonder and his sidekick needed to hear, because after a solemn sorry look to their comrade they made a beeline down the hall for the common room, the destination Hermione had been trying to reach when accosted by Pansy.
"I'm sorry Professor," Hermione murmured gently to the floor before glancing up to meet his eyes once more. Gods his eyes were dark. She couldn't bear to look at them any longer and so her eyes dropped to the floor. Snape seemed satisfied with this, and was about to walk on when Pansy spoke.
"Sir. Hermione called me a pig-face before you got here."
Hermione's eyes darted over to Pansy as her face screwed up into an angry scowl,
"You know that's not true!" she challenged, aghast that Pansy would lie so blatantly. "You're a liar!"
Pansy strode over to her and in one sudden movement she was in front of her with Snape watching carefully from a few steps back, surveying the scene with interest. Pansy's eyes narrowed as she leaned in, wanting some privacy Hermione supposed from the small crowd .
"You better not be calling me a liar Mudblood," Pansy growled angrily, "because you won't even live to regret it"
Her hand raised then and was about to register itself across Hermione's cheek when Snape grasped her wrist, pulling her back. Hermione felt relief well up in her, and she wanted to thank him before he spoke once more.
"Detention," Snape said flatly before looking to an ashen Hermione, and then suddenly his eyes darted to Pansy, now standing with arms crossed. "Both of you."
Pansy's eyes widened, obviously expecting the preferential treatment she believed she so deserved. "But Professo-"
"Enough," Snape said darkly, "I haven't time for inadequate excuses. I have much more pressing matters at hand."
He looked to Hermione who looked utterly shattered. Served her right. Always parading around like she was some brilliant gift from above.
"Seven o'clock. Potions classroom."
"Potions classroom?" Hermione blurted out, as Snape's black eyes darted over to her, she blanched and immediately wished she hadn't said a word. Snape peered at her dangerously quiet for a moment.
"Yes, Potions classroom."
Hermione nodded, and noticed he was waiting for some kind of explanation of her strange need to blurt out the first thing that came to her mind. His eyebrow was raised as he awaited her reasoning.
"Oh, well, I just assumed we'd be stationed with Filch is all," Hermione stammered, trailing off and not meeting his eye.
Finally after a disgruntled, "Well, if no one else has any more brilliant observations pertaining to placement, I'll see you sharply at seven."
He strode off then, muttering about silly little girls and babysitting. Pansy sighed looking after him with a wistful llook. Millicent, obviously disregarding Hermione as a person, turned her friend.
"Still pining after him I assume?" Millicent said giggling as Pansy shot her a dark look. She shrugged, looking after his diminishing and then vanished frame as she leaned against the wall, fanning herself dramatically.
"That voice! Can you blame me?" she offered breathily as she and Millicent giggled amongst themselves. They didn't pay any attention to the fact that Hermione was still there which was worse than if they had.
Ignoring her like this was just another way of saying, you dont really matter enough to even get angry at, you're just that pathetic. But the news that Pansy liked Snape? She couldn't help but feel shock.
"You fancy Snape?" Hermione admonished outlandishly, again wanting to slap herself as the Slytherin girls glanced over at her with withering stares.
Why oh why do I speak in the first place?
Pansy shot her a dark look, "obviously I fancy him, you twit."
Hermione nodded, embarrassed and angry for letting her curiosity get the better of her. She was also feeling remarkably jealous. She was blushing like mad now, it felt like her cheeks were on fire and she wanted desperately to stop it, they mustn't ever-
"Ohhhh," Millicent said, nudging Pansy in the side playfully, "I think a certain little Gryffindor is all hot and bothered over a certain Professor herself."
Hermione paled then, looking at the bemused lot of Slytherin tarts. "Ridiculous! Of course I don't!"
Pansy and the girl strode over to a book-toting Hermione, whose boiling anger had given way to sudden distress. Were they going to beat her for fancying him? Pansy certainly wasn't above it. No Slytherin was.
"I think you do," Pansy said, and Hermione waited for the first swing to strike her face, and damage all the work her dentist parents had put into her teeth but instead Pansy continued. "And why shouldn't you?"
"But I don-"
"Cut it out Granger, I can tell just by your red face."
"Betrayed by my own body," Hermione thought miserably, she was going to buy a book on how to control ones blushing when talking to certain girls about crushes on teachers. Pansy and the Millicent snickered darkly, looking at the obviously distressed princess of Gryffindor.
"But if in the foolish recesses of your mind, you think you have any chance with him," Pansy offered with a warning sneer, "I suggest you give up right now."
Was that a challenge?
"What makes you say that?"
Pansy and the other girl chuckled, and making sure they were completely alone in the hallway before she continued.
"Granger, you've got the seduction talents of a dead ferret and he hates you. All you Gryffindors. There's no way in hell he'd ever voluntarily be in the same room with you, let alone get you in the sack."
Hermione's lip quivered with fury at that rude, little, cow.
"And you think you could get him to go to bed with you? A student?"
"Definitely," Pansy smirked devilishly, "Compared to you I am the goddess of everything Slytherin. I see Snape all the time, and plus, I'm not some wayward little virgin mudblood Gryffindor whose probably never even seen a grown man naked."
Hermione's cheeks flushed at this and the Slytherin girls cackled evilly. Pansy was correct; she most certainly did not have even half the experience Pansy did. She devoted her free time to reading, opting for fact and reliance rather than silly little emotions like lust and on the odd occasion she overheard, love.
"But Professor Snape," Hermione sputtered, "he's not an easy man to, for lack of better words, conquer. He wouldn't let a student touch him, let alone bed him."
Pansy smirked, "I know a lot more about the male species than you do Granger. And I also know our beloved Potions Master has not been getting any any for a long time."
Hermione shuffled a bit embarrassed, this was Snape after all they were talking about. Hermione couldn't honestly see him kissing or having sex with anyone, let alone a student. Even in her wildest dreams he was reticent, controlled and distant.
"The tides are also changing," Pansy whispered eagerly taking in the girl's blanching face. Hermione knew exactly what she was referring to; Voldemort. But she had to school her features and not let the Slytherin girl's know she knew of anything. She had to keep the conversation on their Professor.
"That doesn't prove anything," Hermione said resignedly, finally sighing in fatigue. "Besides, its stupid to argue about this in the first place. Especially about something we couldn't possible prove."
Her latest remark hung in the air, as Pansy glanced back to her classmate before looking back to Hermione as she smirked triumphantly.
"Or could we?"
"Pardon?"
"I bet I could bed Snape before you could," Pansy's eyes flashed, as Hermione looked to her in disbelief.
"You're joking."
The Slytherin girls rolled their eyes, and Hermione knew they were thinking she was hopeless.
"We'd be expelled!"
Pansy shook her head, "You think Snape would ever tell anyone he bedded a student? Are you mad?"
"But what if he refused outright? We'd surely be expelled then!"
Pansy gave Hermione the most supercilious sneer she had ever seen.
"I don't plan on being refused," she said with a merry laugh, "though I can't say the same for you."
Hermione's pulse quickened at the slight. She knew that the Gryffindor part of her would never back down without a fight. But was it enough to put her entire future at risk? Voldemort was still out there, Harry still needed her help. So why was she even considering it?
"It's all about house pride," Millicent suddenly said very dramatically pressing her hand over her heart. "Gryffindor versus Slytherin."
Hermione's heart began to pound, it was all about house pride. She was not about to let Gryffindor down, especially in something this stupid. Besides, like Snape would even fall victim to their charms no matter how experienced Pansy was, Snape was not an easy conquest
She came to the realization that neither of them would be able to bed the Professor. But if she said she'd compete, at least she' look like she had some conviction and bravery. She was Gryffindor after all. Perfect. Her pride and her virginity would remain intact. Although if she was honest, she could do away with the latter.
"Fine," Hermione said loudly, causing them to look at her in disbelief. Was frigid Hermione Granger accepting their lurid deal? was, willingly!. Hermione felt her breath go shaky.
"But we need to have a contract."
The other girls groaned irritably before waiting for Hermione to continue. Of course the girl had rules about this. How unsurprising. The only thing not shocking was that she wasn't writing up a bloody contact for them to sign at this very second.
"I'll write it up," Hermione insisted, "and if I win, there will be no more of this Mudblood nonsense. And if you win, I shall do your charms homework for the rest of term."
Pansy contemplated the terms for a quick moment, knowing that charms were her weakest subject and Granger knew it. She decided internally before giving a resolute nod.
"Is that a deal then Granger?"
There was a challenge in her tone, one that if Hermione backed down from she would have no pride at all. And so, in a deep breath of Gryffindor bravery she nodded and spoke aloud.
"Deal," Hermione said stiffly, a little nervous now as she prepared to walk off. But suddenly with a small smirk that was all too Slytherin she added;
"I may just surprise you."
Chapter 2: All's Fair in Love and War
Hermione walked wobbly back to her common room, her eyes wide as she contemplated her next move. What could she do? Her heart was pounding madly in her chest. She passed the cheerful classmates with a stricken nod.
What have I done?
Collapsing into a large red chaise that looked into the glowing hearth of the fire, she closed her eyes and attempted to slow the beat of her heart and the raggedness of her breathing.
Of all the stupid things I've done in the past, this has to top them all. Bedding a PROFESSOR no less! A Death Eater! A man whose had tons of women! A man who was much older, experienced and, if she was honest not completely trustworthy.
She wondered why she felt anything for him at all, beyond the fear and anger towards him, she could not deny that she found him darkly sexy. That sumptuous voice, those graceful hands, that piercing mind. That brilliant mind of his was the absolute turn on, he knew everything. Not limited to just Potions as far as she could tell from his D.A.D.A. class. And with his voice she could listen to him ramble off instructions for days...
The common room was quite empty, save for some boys that mingled around Lavender as she batted her eyelashes at them. Hermione looked to her in envy. Lavender; now there was a girl who knew everything about prettying up to boys. But Snape was a grown man and not one to be won over with batting of eyelashes, and giggling at stupid jokes.
"Stop it!" Lavendar said giggling again, pushing Seamus from her as he was crowding her quite obviously. Seamus turned red but still stayed around with her and the other boys who were obviously vying for her attention. Hermione was secretly thankful she wouldn't have to put up with Ron mooning after her anymore.
Hermione sighed, and with a short accio parchment a long white scroll flew into her open hand. She suspected that Pansy and her lot were already up to something horrible and here she was all alone with no help at all. She began writing at a mad pace, hoping it was going to end up legible. She decided that when going up against the Slytherin team she better be prepared, she just needed some good old Gryffindor rules.
Rule 1: No outside assistance.
Rule 2: No defacing the opponent to make the other seem more lust worthy
Rule 3: No Love, lust, admiration etc...potions of ANY kind.
Rule 4: Glamour charms are not to be used at all.
Rule 5: proof of bedding the object in question is required; a small token from his rooms.
There. That seemed to cover everything, without making her out to be a prude. She placed the letter in a nearby owl's beak and whispered Pansy's name. It took off with a whoosh of its wings and Hermione looked after it wistfully.
How simple it would be just to fly away from life's problems. Like this one; she knew there was no way that she was going to win Snape's affection, much less his lust. But she had to give it a try, to at least give the appearance of trying.
She sighed heavily, and walked to her room. She knew she had until after supper to get ready, but the rapid beating of her heart would not stop. She went into her trunk at the end of her bed, digging around until her eyes lit up.
She pulled a white shirt bought for her fifth year. She smirked and flinging her other shirt off, pulled this one on. A little snug in the chest – perfect! That was precisely what she had been planning for.
She stood to the side, looking into the long mirror and blushing a bit. She looked quite heavily endowed now; not that she was flat chested to begin with. But this definitely gave the impression of a chest worth taking a second glance at.
Good tactics. She thought to herself, unbuttoning the first two buttons on her tight blouse. If you want to beat a Slytherin, you have to think like a Slytherin
* * *
On the other side of the school, Pansy and Millicent were standing in the Slytherin common room, laughing and trying to come up with a brilliant plan to defeat the 'oh so intimidating goddess of shagging, Hermione Granger'.
There was a small tap on the glass that broke the huddled group's attention, an owl stood perched outside, looking frightened. This was Slytherin territory. Pansy smirked and bringing the owl inside took the scroll from its leg. It pushed away from her and darted out the window. Pansy, still laughing opened the first small piece of parchment with her name on it.
Pansy,
I've included rules as follows. Hope you enjoy them. If any of the rules are broken, the opposing party will be marked.
Hermione
Pansy dejectedly rolled open the scroll and let out a groan. Millicent rushed over to see what was the matter.
'Rules for the Shagging Competition' greeted them in a golden glare, and Pansy and he minion's suppressed an urge to tear it up. They passed a wand over it, and saw that Hermione had created quite the wallop of spells to cover, and keep the deal fair and pertaining to her set rules.
"She has to have rules for everything," Pansy commented dryly, her attention on the small scroll as she read it with Millicent and Blaise doing the same over her shoulder.
"Sounds fair enough," said Millicent diplomatically. Pansy shrugged.
"I suppose," she said dejectedly. "But no outside assistance? No friends helping friends?"
Millicent hgav her friend a dark look.
"We're Slytherin's Pansy, we'll think of something."
***
Hermione made her way down the hall to the Great Hall for dinner with Ron at her side. Her stomach was whirring and her mind as well.
She made a note, NOT to look at Snape during dinner, as that would only be sure to turn him off. She imagined that last thing he would want, was a moony schoolgirl staring at him as he tried to eat his meal. Plus she already had the obvious disadvantage of being Gryffindor and best friend to Harry Potter.
No matter. It's about house pride. And I refuse to let down Gryffindor.
"What are you thinking about 'Mione?" Ron said nudging her, she broke off from her thoughts and looked to Ron with a faint smile on her face.
"Nothing much Ron," she said looking to him with a soft smirk now, "Just you know, thinking."
Ron nodded, and sat next to her in the Hall, looking at the food laid out in front of him. He quickly gobbled it down, not noticing Hermione looking to the Slytherin table.
They had each signed and delivered back the scroll she had currently locked up in he in herr trunk chambers, and she couldn 't help but have the sneaking suspicious that something was truly amiss as the girl's shot smug looks to her over their suppers.
Against her own internal admonitions, she casually lifted her eyes to search out the frame of their victim, Professor Snape. But, to her immediate shock she saw that he was looking at her. He raised a dark eyebrow at her suddenly wide eyes.
Her eyes dropped as her cheeks flushed, she willed them to stop. What was he doing looking at her?
"You alright 'Mione?" Harry asked from across the table, "you look slightly pink. Are you sick?"
"Fine Harry," Hermione grumbled, drinking her pumpkin juice in one swig, "Just fine."
He couldn't have been looking at me. I'll just see...
She lifted her eyes to see his and saw to her slight disgruntlement, that he was most certainly not looking at her, he was looking at Pansy.
Hermione now crestfallen looked to Pansy who herself was giving Snape such looks of her obvious intentions that she was surprised that Snape didn't take her down to his chambers right then.
Hermione saw that he gave Pansy a sort of confused look, and then continued surveying the tables...when Hermione saw that gaze of his drift over to her table, she had already engrossed herself in a sudden and unexpected conversation with Ron and Harry about Quidditch.
When Ron and Harry were done relaying some stupid scores Hermione felt it was safe to leave. She was going to blow everything if she stayed. If Snape looked at her again she was going to turn beet red. She realized that she was Hermione Granger; a girl who researched and planned before going into action. That's what she needed to do.
I need to make a real plan.
With that resolute thought in her mind, she stood up quickly preparing to go to the Library and ran smack into the figure of the infamous Severus Snape who was passing at that exact moment and happened to be carrying a glass of what Hermione assumed to be elf-made wine.
"Oof!"
She gave a small groan as she felt his rather strong and warm form as he held her shoulders a moment, the front of his shirt sopping wet. She looked to his eyes a moment, hoping they conveyed her sincere apology. Which the evidently did not as he then pushed her from him, sneering.
"Watch where you're going Granger. Ten points."
He turned giving her one last glare and made his way to the door, where Hermione's heart sank as Pansy strolled into view. Smiling prettily from under her thick eyelashes and gazing adoringly up at Snape as he approached.
Pansy was holding a small washcloth out to the Professor. She smiled sweetly at him as he looked to her warily, Hermione couldn't hear what they were saying, but she witnessed as Snape took the cloth from Pansy, and heading out the door dabbed at his shirt.
"All is fair in love and war Granger," Pansy whispered to a furious Hermione as Pansy passed her heading back to her Slytherin table, "you best get used to it."
Chapter 3: A Tall Dark Git of a Problem
Hermione was fuming by the time she had run back to her chambers. The utter gall of that girl.
Hermione's dark mood only deepened when she came to the obvious conclusion, that in the most likely scenario, Snape would indeed pick Pansy over her in a heartbeat.
And why shouldn't he? He was Slytherin as was she. Both evidently cunning minds and Pansy always seemed to be at the right place at the right time. Like for example dinner, Pansy had so brilliantly acted fast giving him that damned cloth.
Think! You're not going to win if you're so passive and compliant. Think! You're known for your brilliance. Stop being a baby!
But, her bad mood was soon lifted as she recalled what had passed between her and Snape in the Great Hall earlier this evening. His firm body against her own as he glared down at her. She felt her skin crawl in an electric fashion, sending her most sensitive area's on high alert it would seem.
She could practically feel his chest through those layers of clothing, if she hadn't been in such a state of shock perhaps she would have used it to her advantage. Surreptitiously given him a squeeze or something.
But no, she had done what she always did when she was around him. He had gone rigid and been pushed from him. Pansy was surely going to win and fast if Hermione didn't think of something.
She looked to the small shirt she was still wearing, and in a manner of sudden inspiration smoothed her hair the best she could (which wasn't much if she was honest). She licked her lips in front of the mirror moments later, practicing how she should do it in front of him. Him. Dread invaded her.
Her watch read 6:46 then, and with a forced smile on her trembling lips.
No point in being late.
***
"Hello Granger," Pansy said as Hermione rounded the corner and walked in front of Snape's door where Pansy was waiting eagerly. "I didn't think you'd show up."
"You look different," Hermione blurted as Pansy chuckled darkly, giving Hermione a supercilious look from under heavily made up eyes.
"I did my hair."
"It's part of the rules, glamour charms aren't to be used," Hermione was outraged, Pansy was already going against the rules! But if that was the case, then why wasn't she-
Pansy sighed, "I know that genius, I happen to be quite gifted with updos."
"Oh," was Hermione's first and jealous response. Pansy was known as pig-faced, that was true but right now she looked really decent. Hermione was actually jealous for a flicker of a moment as she imagined Snape's response.
Why Miss Parkinson...you look quite lovely this evening...
No, that wasn't really Snape's style at all.
Suddenly Pansy let out a small squeak of a giggle as Hermione looked to her inquiring.
"Nice shirt." she said between giggles, looking pointedly to Hermione's cleavage "How ever did you become a Gryffindor?"
Hermione blushed and shrugged, on her own Pansy wasn't half as intimidating. She had undone her robe a bit, to show a flash of her chest. "I just wanted to even the stakes I suppose."
Pansy smirked, shaking her head "You're going to need a lot more than that."
Hermione frowned...there was the old Pansy back, she was about to retort back when the door to Snape's chambers suddenly flew open.
"I said seven o'clock you giggling dunderheads." he said irritably, looking to his pocket watch, "It is now seven oh one. I haven't all night."
Hermione and Pansy uttered their respective, "sorry" and followed him into the classroom, Pansy rather close to him. Hermione thought she saw Snape's gaze linger over Pansy's new look a moment longer than expected. Damn.
Suddenly, Hermione forged ahead, feigning a trip over a stray pebble and grasped onto the surprisingly muscular arm of Professor Snape for support. She knew it was a rather obvious attempt, but she'd panicked.
Gods I'm pathetic.
He waited until she had steadied herself before pulling hastily away, commenting on what a silly little girl she was.
Pansy instantly berated herself for not being more on the ball. Hermione had already made physical contact with the enigmatic Professor. Snape was already moving faster to the front of the room, giving Hermione one last puzzled look.
Score one for Gryffindor.
Hermione shot a superior look to Pansy as the other girl sneered. That'll show those Slytherins Hermione thought proudly. And she hadn't even been that nervous; well, okay that was a lie. She had half expected Snape to drop her on the floor. Which he hadn't! Progress!
Snape turned to them and pointed to two separate tables across the room, and set them to work, standing at the front by his desk at the large chalkboard.
" Considering Slughorn is your current Potions professor I can only imagine the lack of education you're both receiving. In that vein, I shall write up a potion on the board. You are to complete it, bottle it, label it and put it on my desk. Secondly, you are to write a short but concise essay on the properties of a blasmak. Any questions? Good."
He wrote the potion up hurriedly on the board, and Hermione immediately got to work, looking to the board and back at her supplies as Snape sat in his desk, quill poised as he marked prior assignments.
For a moment all that could be heard was Hermione's clinking of tubes, and Snape's quill scratching on parchment. Hermione well imagined he was giving big fat F's to everyone.
Miserable git.
Pansy's sudden gasp broke their attention as she conveniently upset a small bottle of roots, and they scattered under her desk sounding like beads on a marble floor.
She gave a ditzy shrug to no one in particular and dramatically turned her back to a confused Snape, and with her bottom delicately placed in the air, she bent over and collected the roots.
Hermione saw the flicker of uncertainty pass over Snape as he gazed at Pansy. Hermione could've sworn she heard him breathe a little deeper than normal.
Perhaps it was true. Perhaps Snape hadn't gotten any in a long time. For some reason, unbidden an image of Snape holding a large piece of cardboard in front of himself, with the words: "Will do potions for sex" written on it came into the forefront of her mind.
Hermione tried to keep in the laughter that threatened to spill from her, but couldn't. Between Pansy's dramatic display and her image of Snape begging for sex she was in hysterics and soon her laughter rang through the air, breaking Snape from his trance.
"What is so amusing Granger?" he hissed, evidently angered at the intrusion on his libido. Hermione's laugh died in her throat as his dark eyes cut into her.
Nothing sir, I was just picturing you begging for sex and then of course there's Pansy's gratuitous butt waving, but other than that…
"Nothing sir."
He frowned deeply and she flushed as she went back to her work, scribbling and pouring while Snape's quill found its way back onto his parchment.
It was then that Hermione realized that Pansy wasn't really moving much, more looking to the board and then looking distressed to the ingredients before her. She let out a very loud sigh.
"Is there a problem, Miss Parkinson?" Snape asked, a kink in his dark eyebrow as he surveyed her helplessness. She nodded emphatically, out of the corner of her eyes she saw Hermione looking to her in disbelief.
"There is actually, Professor." she said sickeningly sweet, "I can't seem to get this one part in the potion right."
Well, Snape was known for his Slytherin favoritism, and this was no different. He softly sighed, rose and walked over to where Pansy was squirming in delight. Perfect.
Hermione knew exactly what Pansy was doing. She felt her cheeks burn with anger; why did she always have to flaunt her own brilliance? Pansy was making so much progress it was mind boggling. Hermione decided resolutely, Snape was a man who wanted a forward girl one to be direct - someone like Pansy.
"What don't you understand?" he said stiffly, standing across the table from her. Pansy licked her lips slowly as he shuffled looking at her table.
"It would be better if I showed you from this side," she said motioning beside her. Hermione sighed heavily, honestly it was getting pathetic.
Snape must have caught wind of her sigh because he looked to her, laboring over her potion as Pansy stood before him, looking helpless. He had the distinct feeling he was being toyed with.
"I can understand perfectly from where I'm currently standing, Miss Parkinson." he said flatly, looking to her with his dark, tunnel-like eyes.
Pansy flushed nodding, "I just thought...well, anyway, I think I can get on all right. I was just reading the instructions wrong. Thanks anyway."
Hermione had long ignored the interaction between Pansy and Snape and was currently bringing her potion to a simmer. She heard his voice as he spoke with Pansy, and her mind started to wander.
She imagined them alone in his classroom, candles all around and Snape coming up behind her, kissing her neck softly, his arms wrapped around her middle as she grasped the back of his neck in a passionate kiss.
She could practically feel his fingers dancing along her skin, playing about with her nipples and kissing her deeply, his tongue sliding in and tasting her. She shivered at this image.
"Are you cold?"
Hermione nearly jumped as she realized the real life Snape was standing directly behind her. She thought she could feel his robes brushing her bare calves. Her heart stopped a moment.
"No sir," she said, not able to turn and meet his eyes.
Pansy looked over to Snape, looking to the back of Hermione's head and she instantly kicked herself for acting so forward. Perhaps Snape was a man who wanted a meek, timid woman like Hermione.
Hermione heard Snape breathing shallowly behind her a moment and then uttering a low, "carry on then," he was gone.
And so was her chance.
By the end of their detention, Hermione's hand was cramped as was Pansy's, and all prior thoughts about seducing Snape were replaced by comforting images of beds and sleeping.
Pansy dragged herself up to the front of Snape's classroom and handed him her paper. He nodded, taking it from her and watching her stroll off. He looked over to Hermione on the other side of the vast and dimly lit room.
"Time's up Granger."
Hermione could only nod, frustrated as she finished her last paragraph and made her way to the front with her tube and messy parchment. She felt nervous just walking up to see him as he was staring at her at the moment, just like at dinner.
"Here you are sir."
She handed her paper to him, leaning forward a bit as he was leaning back, not looking at him.
My he smells good. Must be all those potions he works on.
When her dark eyes finally looked to him, to her surprise he was staring directly at her quite overly exposed chest. She breathed heavily as a look of subtle arousal set about his features.
She stood straight then, looking to his gaze that was now set on her eyes, looking neutral. She didn't speak, but as usual Snape did.
"Is there a problem, Miss Granger?"
Hermione shook her head no, and turning ran from the classroom. Only there was a problem. A big one.
A tall, dark git of a problem.
Chapter 4: Aroused by Fury
Hermione's heart was still pounding when she reached the door to her room. The door swung open and she raced inside, her hands shaking with nervous worry as she collapsed into her bed. The rest of the girls were asleep, thank goodness. Otherwise they would have seen the frantic mess that she was.
What had just transpired between she and the Professor? Surely Professor's weren't to look at their students quite like that? Or was she imagining it?
Students aren't to dress like you are now said her conscience and she had to agree. She had just been so taken aback. Snape was a grown man after all, and she hadn't much experience with men...any really.
She looked to her reflection in the mirror that stood near the back of her room. She sighed; ripping the scrap of material she called a shirt, and quickly climbed into her pajamas.
She should ease up on Snape's reaction though. He was a man after all and men liked women's breasts. It was only natural. Biological even. She nodded as she lay on her bed, under the comforting blankets and stared up at her ceiling.
She couldn't help but shake the feeling that there was something quite dark and sinister about Professor Snape, something that not many saw. That look on his face moments earlier had been dark desire; something Hermione suddenly didn't know if she could go through with.
No.
She gritted her teeth, even if she was blindly afraid of Snape, she wasn't going to lose this bet no matter what. She rolled over on her bed, desperately trying to sleep. She'd need her energy for tomorrow.
For tomorrow was plan B.
Pansy woke the next morning with a frown. She had disregarded all help from Millicent and Blaise, telling them she didn't want to lose.
They tried to give her tips, but she ignored them all, telling them she was going to win this bet fair and square. That way Hermione wouldn't be able to say she cheated.
Her mind suddenly flitted to the other evening, she remembered Snape's tall frame from last night, almost towering over her. She remembered those lips of his, pursed in thought.
She had wanted to kiss him desperately. She didn't care that he was acrimonious, she found him so very desirable, his mean facade only tantalizing her more.
But she also remembered the look Snape had been giving Hermione as she turned from him, looking bashfully down at her cauldron. Pansy frowned a moment and then resumed her prepping.
She put her dark hair into a long braid, and slipped on her glasses she usually only reserved for reading. She opted for no makeup, but just a little gloss for her lips.
She put on her longest robe, and looked to herself in the mirror. Excellent. If Snape wanted a meek little wisp of a girl, he was going to get it.
"Wow...what's with Hermione?" Harry asked, nudging Ron as they looked to the figure strolling towards them. It was Hermione, hair brushed and in loose curls around her face, walking in a way they hadn't seen before. She looked so confident.
"I don't know. She's..." Ron was at a loss for words, Hermione was suddenly commanding attention from all the tables, tossing her hair airily and smiling to all the attention.
More attention was drawn as another figure entered the hall. Pansy Parkinson, looking so out of character it took several moments for people to recognize her.
"Is that Pansy?" Harry said, his mouth gaping. "But she looks like...Hermione."
It was almost true. While Hermione didn't have glasses and her hair was normally unruly, Pansy had managed to adopt Hermione's former scurrying steps and the book in the crook of her arm only added.
"It's like they've switched personalities," Ron said looking to Harry oddly and stopping as Hermione sat next to them.
"Good morning," she said airily, looking to her breakfast. "Ohhh..I can't possibly eat all this."
Harry shot her a bizarre look.
"You always do."
Hermione sighed heavily, her eyebrows furrowed. "Not anymore. I'm on a diet."
Harry and Ron exchanged glances as Hermione nibbled on a piece of dry toast and downed her water.
Breakfast was a solemn event, Snape wasn't there. Pansy and Hermione passed curious glances to one another a moment before being dragged into conversations by their friends.
"You've been acting weird Hermione," Ron said frowning over his breakfast. "You seem… Different."
Hermione smirked. Perfect. She herself had decided this morning that Snape wanted a commanding woman, one self-assured like Pansy, and she was willing to oblige. This was after all for Gryffindor. Suddenly Seamus' voice broke out beside her.
"Hey Hermione," he said grinning, "you sure look nice."
Well, I might as well get some practice in.
Hermione tossed her hair dramatically over her shoulder and looked to a now grinning Seamus.
"You really think so Seamus?" she asked giggling foolishly.
"Hermione," Ron said suddenly breaking the moment, between bites of his meal, "Can you help me with my Potions homework?"
Hermione's eyes lit up and she was about to say an exuberant 'Sure Ron, when?' but her plan! She quickly cleared her throat, looking sort of crestfallen and shook her head.
"I'm really quite busy Ron. Sorry."
She turned her attention back to Seamus, but he had already gotten up and left for classes. She sighed and took a big forkful of bacon.
"I thought you were on a diet," Ron said with a frown.
"Shut up."
Snape was walking down the hall, looking angrily at everyone who passed him. He had slept in and missed breakfast and in turn was quite miserable.
Some stupid boy had given his defense partner a cauliflower ear – a true cauliflower at that! Luckily Snape had easily remedied it.
The little prat was lucky hadn't been expelled. Snape had given him detention with Filch, knowing he wouldn't be able to stand another idiotic moment with him.
By the time the early evening rolled around he was snarky and taking points off everyone. So he finally sat in his office, drinking in the silence. He didn't feel like going to dinner. All that noise, and those children. He wondered why he had to eat there at all, certainly didn't seem worth it.
Especially as of late, with those two girls in detention last night. What had they been playing at? Snape shook his head free of thoughts of students and responsibilities and instead enjoyed a small glass of elf-made wine.
Hermione was walking down the hall, her heart pounding furiously as she considered her future moves in the bet. Should she tell Snape her feelings for him? Hopefully that would win him over.
Ha! The very thought made her want to vomit.
She had a sneaking suspicion that Professor Snape would be more likely to jump off a building that listen to some little twit confess her feelings for him. He probably dealt with it all the time. School girl crushes were surely not lost on him after over a decade of teaching.
Besides, she already had a new persona: Hermione Granger, wanton sex goddess. Well, she just had to get the sex thing over with and she'd be true to her name.
Hopefully.
She was currently thinking of something she could say to Snape when she reached his office.
I can say I lost my wand and…. No, that's a stupid idea.
He'd get angry for her disrupting him and tell her to bugger off and find McGonogall.
Hmmmm.. perhaps she needed to make her intentions obvious.
Professor Snape, is that a mirror in your pocket? Because I can see myself in your pants!
She fell into a fit of giggles as she imaged his face at that line.
She was still thinking of a reason to talk to him when she strolled by his doors tentatively, and heard his familiar low growl sounding off, "Dammit."
She felt her heart catch in her throat, and against all her better reason she became immediately aroused. Why? Why was his fierce anger such a turn on? Why was she so drawn to his outbursts of fury?
Well, Hermione was about to find out because she had just pushed open his classroom door and crept inside.
Chapter 5: Quite Unexpected
She knew he didn't see her enter because he was still sitting at his desk with his eyes fixed on the essay in front of him. The charms that kept his door locked had been forgotten for this evening.
He looked so broad shouldered as she watched him, his eyes piercing into the essay that was likely giving him grief. She noticed it was late and he was here marking papers? When did he find time?
She looked to him a moment not only as a conquest, but as a man. A double agent, a teacher, a terribly brave individual. Also a terribly dark individual she couldn't help but add. But still, a thrill of respect intermingled with desire flushed through her.
She decided to tell him she was there and uttered a small, "Professor?"
He looked startled, his back going straight and his hands hand clenching on his large desk as he looked to her fiercely.
"What are you doing in here?" he hissed scathingly. Hermione shuddered, feeling the apex of her thighs growing wet. She was ashamed at that being her reaction when he was furious. Her libido was off the hook, but her reason told her to run.
"I was just passing to...go to the Library and I heard you muttering in here. I was checking to see if you were alright."
Snape's dark eyes narrowed on her, his arms crossing over his chest protectively.
"This is quite a detour from the Library, Miss Granger."
Hermione offered a small shrug, trying to appeal to him as Pansy had. Ditzy. Snape wasn't looking too impressed though and Hermione abandoned all earlier ideas of acting forward and idiotic.
"Would you like some help grading those papers?"
Snape stiffened as his eyes narrowed on her frame suspiciously. What was she doing here? And now offering to help grade papers?
"Any chance to show off that know-it-all intellect Granger? Hoping for some more house points?"
"No sir," Hermione answered primly. "I just thought you might want some help."
She was standing a few feet from him, looking to him with passionate intensity. She wanted to smack his smug face and yet she desired nothing more than for his mouth to take hers right there.
She couldn't understand what she was feeling. It was a crush, pure and simple. A lust for an older, dashing man that really couldn't stand her.
Now he was looking to her strangely, not as formidable as before, but still a puzzling look in the least. She was thankful that she had worn proper clothing now.
"Fine," Snape said bitterly,
Hermione knew how furious he was for her barging in on him. She nodded, closing the door behind her and walking to him. She didn't know what compelled her to offer help, other than she really did feel pity for him at times. The life of a double agent surely had to be stressful.
All her senses seemed to be on end, as she took in every scent around her, her eyes seemed keener, her fingers tingling as she looked to the lust worthy man that invaded her dreams and just as often; her nightmares.
He was really quite broad in the shoulder's she noticed as she stepped closer to him, trying to see the top of his head clearly. He looked down to her darkly, his hooded eyes surveying her.
"Here," he muttered, tossing her a stack of first year essays onto the opposite side of his large desk. "Look for obvious factual errors, I will mark the content later."
With that he placed himself back at his seat, observing detachedly as Hermione slid into the chair across from him and got to work.
Hermione thought she could feel the heat radiating off of him as she began to organize the parchment in front of her. She could feel his gaze on her form and she realized that this was much too nerve wracking.
Hermione took a deep breath, alarm bells going off in her mind as she shakily raised a quill to mark a first year defense essay on gnomes.
C'mon Hermione. Chin up, be calm. This is Professor Snape and he can smell fear. Just help him with his essays and leave, you idiot.
"Well?" Snape said darkly, breaking her encouraging thoughts. She winced at the loudness of it in the quiet office. Her chest was tight, her heart thumping and she prayed he couldn't hear it.
"Sorry," she said, her eyelids fluttering as she tried to remain focused on the paper under her hand. This was becoming so very hard. She felt the sweat starting at the top of her head, and her cheeks were burning.
Snape said nothing in return, instead going back to his own marking. She viewed absently that his spidery handwriting was almost covering the page of the essay. The poor boy was sure to get an earful tomorrow.
"Are you here to assist me or to gape at me, Miss Granger?"
Snape's tone was dismissive and irritated. Hermione quickly darted her eyes back to the parchment in front of her, quickly picking up on several factual errors.
They had been working an hour before Hermione started to relax a bit. She nibbled her lower lip a bit absently, her quill headed for the inkpot, just as Snape's was.
Their eyes were on their work, their attention elsewhere when their hands crashed into one another.
Snape's quill sliced into her thumb absently and Hermione hissed, pulling her hand back and squeezing her thumb tightly.
"Let me see."
Snape's voice broke the silence, holding out one pale hand in wait. Hermione felt her heart begin to hammer and gingerly placed her bleeding hand in his.
"Tergeo."
Hermione watched as the blood began to seep back into the wound, barely noticing for all she could truly focus on was Snape's surprisingly warm hand cradling hers.
When the wound itself began to seal she finally looked up into his face.
"Thank you, Professor."
Snape nodded adroitly, his dark eyes surveying her face. She could tell he wanted to get into her mind and so she closed her eyes tightly, imagining a large door to keep him out.
"Why are you really here Miss Granger?"
His voice was low and silken and Hermione couldn't help but notice that his hand was still holding hers gently. His thumb absently slipping along her knuckles.
"I wanted to help you," she offered in a soft tone. She felt she could barely breathe. "You do so much for others and, well, I suppose I wanted to show you the same courtesy."
She knew it sounded lame out loud but she realized with a dawning observation that it was true. She did want to help him and she did think he deserved it. Harry and Ron may think him a suspicious git, but here as she sat across from him with her hand in his she couldn't help but observe an inner softness.
"I see."
She was about to back away then, to leave and apologize for bothering him on a night he was obviously busy. She idly wondered how she could call of this stupid bet with Pansy as now her feelings had grown a bit more complicated towards her normally surly professor.
All of these things were ringing in her head, as he slowly brought her hand up towards his face and pressed his lips in the center of her palm. It was a slow, languid movement that Hermione for a moment, wasn't quite sure had happened.
All the senses in Hermione began going off, her eyes still open as she watched his dark eyes meet hers. She knew she was staring at him with her eyes large and frightened. And without another word, he'd captured her mouth with his. He pulled her up onto his desk roughly, dragging her limp form towards him and then wrapped around her, kissing her deeply, sucking at her and crushing her lips against his own.
What the holy hell?
Hermione mind screamed as his kiss deepened. Tingles ran all over her as her own arms lay at her side while the forceful Potion's master wrapped his arms around her and kissed her with vigor.
he hates me...he's supposed to hate me...
She hadn't been expecting the tongue that slid between her teeth and played about in her mouth, and she suddenly was thankful she had eaten those peppermints beforehand. He himself tasted of chocolate...dark chocolate.
How fitting...
His grip on her was stronger then, he pressed her to him roughly and she could faintly make out a bulge rubbing against her stomach, and while this excited her, it also scared her to death. She wasn't used to this at all. His hand traveled to her breasts then, cupping them and worrying the nipple through her clothing as she involuntarily flinched. This is now how she had imagined it would be. So rough and commanding and...detached.
This wasn't right.
It was frightening to realize that this man may want her. To know what his mouth felt like on her bare skin. She suddenly stood, backing away from him as he stood. He raised a quizzical eyebrow as she spoke.
"I have to go," Hermione offered in a strangled voice. "I don't want to be caught after curfew."
Before he could say one word in that charming voice of his, Hermione threw open his chamber doors and ran back to her own room as fast as her shaking legs could carry her, leaving Snape standing and looking after her.