The Beauty and the Beast Effect

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING; I MERELY ENTERTAIN MYSELF IN J.K. ROWLING'S WORLD.

Summary: The story's about what happens when Hermione unknowingly ends up taking care of Snape when he somehow turns into a cat. RW/HG but eventually RW/OC and HG/SS (Not as bad as you may think. I really am not in favor of a forty year old guy loving an eighteen year old. Why then am I writing about just that? Just read it already!) HP/GW (not much of HP/GW.)

A/N: This story was inspired by three things.First and foremost my fluffy white kitten, Ally, deserves credit. My second thank you goes to user Seom for writing the story "Kitten". My third thank you goes to user Passing Time who is in the process of writing "Familiars". She was inspired by Seom too and mentioned that. Because of her I found "Kitten".

Anyway, this story takes place after DH when they all go back to school. Snape didn't die (neither did Lupin, and that's important because then Harry didn't have to watch over Teddy).

Please review. This is my first ever fanfic. I would like praise as well as constructive criticism. My first few chapters really suck, but I love my later ones. Please continue to read even if the first one stinks.

Chapter One

Lost and Found

"The nerve of some people!" Hermione groaned, "I can't believe that he is so … oh he is so…"

"Calm down Hermione," Harry said, trying to keep up with his storming friend.

"All he did was …" Ron attempted to add.

"All he did was humiliate me in front of everyone including Dean," She reddened before continuing, "How could someone be so, ignorant?"

"Hermione, we're talking about Snape here. Would you expect anything else?" Ron snorted.

"Yeah, since when hasn't Snape done stuff to embarrass you?" Harry commented encouragingly.

"I guess you're right. I suppose I just haven't cared before now," Hermione sighed and was too wrapped in her thoughts to notice the nudge Harry had given Ron before walking off to talk to Luna.

"So why the sudden nervousness around Dean?" Ron asked in what was supposed to be a casual tone.

Hermione blushed as she said evasively, "Oh I don't know, I just think he's nice."

"I see," Ron mumbled dejectedly, "Well I think ah, Luna is looking for me."

"She would already have found you if she really had been looking for you," she said, nodding in Harry and Luna's direction, "So what did you mean?"

"Well I, but… I thought you…" He trailed off in embarrassment.

"Hah, you were trying to make me jealous," Hermione laughed to hide her true thoughts.

Apparently Ginny was right that the first step was to make him jealous. It did seem to work. Hermione was surprised that Ron and Harry had fallen for her little trick. It was so easy to make them think she liked Dean. Ron was falling for it!

"Umm… you see…" Ron stuttered,

"Ye-es?" she said splitting the word into two syllables

"Well, it bloody well didn't work did it?" he yelled, "You can't even give me the time of day. It all goes to Dean!"

"Oh Ron! You're brilliant!" Hermione threw her arms around him in relief.

Something inside her told her that this wasn't quite what Ginny would have suggested, but hey it was working for her. Ron was startled by Hermione's abrupt show of affection, but he welcomed it anyways. He turned his head and kissed her mouth lightly.

Harry who had witnessed the whole exchange muttered to Luna, "Wow that was quick."

"Well not really considering that a few months ago, they were kissing like it was the end of the world because it could've been," Luna spoke in her dreamy way.

"I guess…" Harry said slightly doubtful but he was happy for his friends anyway.

"What's with them?" Ginny walked up and asked, "Last I knew they were mad at each. But now…" she shook her head.

"Ah, that's just a lover's quarrel," Harry smiled and put his arm around her waist, "We've had our fair share too you know."

"Yeah well we love each other; we're allowed to have such huge mood swings."

"Apparently they love each other just as much," he noted.

"Whatever," Ginny grunted happily as Harry leaned in to kiss her.

888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

"Ron?" Hermione whispered peering into the darkness.

She saw no one. It would seem that she was alone in the Gryffindor common room. Yet she could have sworn she had heard something though, and she had the oddest feeling that someone or something was watching her. She scoured the shadows once more before continuing on her way. She was in need of some potions ingredients for amortentia. Not that she, Hermione Granger would ever need a love potion. No she had different uses for it.

Hermione continued to make her way to the dungeons, saying a silent prayer that Professor Snape was not awake. The consequences if he caught her… well she shuddered at the thought.

Upon reaching the dungeon entrance, Hermione once again felt like she was not alone. She turned muttering a quick "Lumos," under her breath. The light from her wand fell on a ball of ginger fur. Thank goodness it was only Crookshanks.

"Bad Kitty!" Hermione scolded, "Go back to bed!"

"Meow?" Crookshanks replied gleefully.

"Dang it Crooky," She grimaced, "Just keep quiet for me okay?"

"Mrow," the orange tom purred.

"Great," Hermione muttered darkly.

Little did she know that Crookshanks had something on his mind. He knew of every fellow cat the walked the halls of this school. He even checked up on the cats that came in new each year. But lately he had been sensing a new feline presence around. It didn't' smell like an animagus or a student's familiar. It almost smelled like a teacher…but that was impossible.

888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

"There that should do it," Hermione talked softly to herself while grabbing the last of the needed ingredients.

She was turning to go when Crookshanks let out a soft mew.

"Crooky what's up?" She turned to find not just Crookshanks's glowing amber eyes, but another piercing green pair of eyes shimmered in the darkness, "It looks to skinny and ill to belong to anyone. Come on Crookshanks bring it out, we'll take care of him at least until he's no longer sick.

Crookshanks carefully guided his new discovery towards Furless Mistress. This was strange, his sense had been right. The thin tom-cat was a teacher. None other than Professor Severus Snape.

88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

A/N confusing first chapter I know. I'm so sorry; don't kill me. I swear I'll try to do better. Please stick with me. The first chapter really sucks, but I have some fun things planned.

Also, I have quite a few chapters already written, so unless I'm on vacation I should be pretty faithful. I'll post for sure every other day, sometimes everyday, and occasionally, if requested, I'll post two in one day. I will try to let you know when I'm going on vacation's so that you won't have to check all the time.