Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I only own the plot.

A/N: Merry Christmas everyone! This chapter is a bit longer than most in this series. My present to you! Hopefully it will brighten your holidays!

Flabbergasted

Part 9: Mistletoe

Severus grumbled to himself. Didn't the kids know there was a curfew for a reason? He stormed down the corridor, ready to throw the next pair of randy teenagers into the snow outside. He also kept an eye out for any trickery that could be happening.

Every year during the Christmas break some persnickety little snot that lived to get on his nerves would stay at the school instead of going home to pester his own parents. The troublemaker would then decide to prank the Potions Master to no end, thinking that it would be amusing, and that the punishment would be lighter since classes had ended for the year.

'Far from it,' Severus thought to himself, allowing an evil smirk to slide across his face. He always caught the student by the time the break was over with, and had the irritating child scrubbing cauldrons while his other friends cheerily welcomed the rest of the rambunctious group back from the train.

Severus scowled as he thought back on some of the pranks. One bold Seventh Year managed to cast a jelly-legs jinx on him one year. He imagined the boy was still having nightmares of him.

The Potions Master was too caught up in his reminiscing to notice the subtle hint of green that overhung his path. He was warned of it too late, as he found he could go no further down the corridor. His scowl growing deeper, he glanced around for the cause, and soon noticed the innocent-looking piece of mistletoe hanging from above. 'Innocent, my arse,' He thought to himself.

He knew nothing good would come of the Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes Christmas Collection. Of course cursed mistletoe would be just the thing for the grumpy Potions Master. He'd heard the kids joke about how a snog (or more) might cure him of his acid personality, at least for a while.

Studying the mistletoe and casting a few jinxes at it turned out to be more a hindrance than a help. Severus soon found himself with a long black beard and Santa hat, the mistletoe untouched. He had to admit, if only to himself, that the Weasley twins were quite clever. He knew without trying, that the Santa hat would not come off for a long while, and that he might be stuck in the corridor for longer.

He heard a soft chuckle, and turned sharply to his left, ready to rebuke and insult the insufferable child to pieces, only to find it was not a child, but the newest addition to the Hogwarts staff.

"Miss Granger," He drawled, regaining his composure, "So nice to see that I could amuse you this holiday season." He bowed mockingly.

"It was not I looking for amusement in this corridor, but it has found me. How many points have you taken from Gryffindor alone this evening?" The young woman had the nerve to rejoin boldly.

Severus brushed some invisible lint from his robe, and treated her with a smirk. "Forty, so far, but I'm hoping that number will at least double by the end of the night." To this, the woman shook her head, but a faint smile could be seen.

"I suppose you don't believe in generosity during the holiday season, Professor Snape?" To this, the man's smirk became more pronounced.

"I am always willing to be generous during the holiday season, Professor Granger. This time last month I would have only deducted twenty points so far." This brought a huff from the other teacher, and whether it was a laugh or scoff, neither knew.

He saw that she was examining his hat and beard with interest. "You seem to have gotten into quite a predicament. Is there any way I can help?"

Gob smacked, but trying not to show it, Severus observed her innocent stare. This woman really was a true-blooded Gryffindor. Teasing the Potions Master was definitely not on just anyone's 'To Do' list. He answered her anyway, determined that he should not appear weak or daunted at the fact that he was stuck under mistletoe.

"Those blasted Weasley twins are still making mischief around here, and they left ages ago. I'll make sure to send my…regards to them personally."

Professor Granger chuckled again. "Those two were probably making mischief in their mother's belly. I have no idea how she kept track of them before they blew up the house or something, growing up. Molly is the true definition of Wonder Woman. I don't know how much you'll get out of visiting them, other than a bit more humiliation. They have gotten quite good at their products."

She examined the mistletoe closely. "I remember them telling me when I last visited about this product. Its name is Intractable Mistletoe, as it won't let you go until you've had a proper kiss. If you try to jinx it, or the like, it will add to your appearance, and you will have to be kissed for every jinx laid on the plant. I see that you will need at least three, and I will be willing to give them, if, and only if, you rescind the points you've taken from my House and promise not to take anymore until tomorrow night, when Christmas is over."

Severus stared at her for a few seconds. The woman was willing to kiss him three times? Just to take a measly bit of points back that would most likely be won again within the next week or so? He discretely gave her a once over. Definitely not bad on the eyes. In fact, he could almost say Christmas had come early. Not that he had delighted in imagining her kisses or even thinking of receiving them, before now. Absolutely not...

"Deal," He said, before she could have second thoughts. "Though I won't give the points back until you've fulfilled your part of the bargain and have me freed of this insufferable plant."

She gave her hand to shake on it, but he had other things in mind. He grasped the proffered hand and pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Now, how about that proper kiss, Professor Granger," He drawled, enjoying her surprised expression. He bent low, so that there was a minimal space between their lips, waiting for her to engage them. She did so, her arms snaking up and around his neck, as her lips molded to his.

She was tentative at first, and he didn't grudge her it. He felt a bit out of sorts, himself. Never had he felt such a jolt of feeling from a single touch. It was empowering and weakening at the same time, and he supposed that he had found his Achilles' heel.

Then her lips started moving.

Severus Snape did not shudder. Neither did he clutch at anyone. He also didn't…moan.

All three notions were proven faulty within the subsequent minutes.

They finally broke away to gasp, and both noticed that his three foot long beard was gone.

"One down, two to go." Severus eyed the woman as she said this, noting the eager gleam in her eyes. He gulped. She smirked at him before tugging him down for another taste of what he could truly label paradise. He actually felt his toes curl this time, not that he would ever tell anyone.

They broke away minutes later, gasping once again, and Severus was almost reluctant for the final kiss which would end her side of the bargain. Almost as reluctant as he was impatient for it. Professor Granger pulled off the Santa hat, that was, by then, quite askew on his head, and tossed it somewhere behind her. It seemed that her gaze had gone from eager to predatory, and he gulped once again.

Was he about to be taken advantage of? Most likely. Did he want to be taken advantage of? Most definitely!

She stole his breath as she stole his ability to think about anything other than her lips, her hands, her, her, her. Never had he been so fully overwhelmed, and willingly so.

They finally parted from their third and final kiss, and a bittersweet feeling almost beset him. Would he ever get to experience such bliss again?

He separated himself from her, and straightened his robes, unconsciously shrugging on the Potions Master persona once again. "I suppose you have earned forty points back to Gryffindor, Professor Granger," He acknowledged stiffly. She smiled at him.

"I think it might be more proper for you to address me as Hermione from now on, Severus." She closed the gap between them for one last brief kiss before turning down the corridor to resume her duties. Severus felt he couldn't move for several seconds as he processed what had just gone on. A slow smile began to bloom on his face as hope fluttered in his heart. Maybe there was a chance…

The usually grumpy Potions Master chuckled a bit to himself as he glanced out a nearby window to the falling snow. This just might be a pleasant Christmas after all.

A/N: I hope you all liked it! I know I did! Merry Christmas, and make sure to review!

Next Chapter: Pudding