-=I don't own Harry Potter and co. however much I'd like to.=-

AN/ Long Chapter. Cheers. And as always Thank you for R/R-ing.

Cheap Thrills

Up the Ante

*

"Well, Draco?" Hermione dropped down at the Slytherin table.

"I talked to him, he hasn't given me an answer."

"Right, well then," time to pull out the big guns. Returning to her room.

Despite her solitude, she checked to make sure she was alone. Pulling out a hidden drawer, she extracted the Pheromone Enhance. Dabbling it on her pulse points, she tucked it away in a secure pocket. Checking her hair, "hmm?" She subdued it quickly in a French twist, with a flick of her wand. Smirking to herself.

By lunch, the boys followed her like a pack of dogs. She smiled more that day than any two combined. This gracious and cheerful Hermione was noticed by everyone, more so by the Potions Master. His attitude became more belligerent, and hostile toward the male population as the day went on.

Hermione was perturbed by the end of the day, she couldn't get a moment to herself. Oh well. Guess she had to take one for the team. Hermione had insisted on doing rounds alone. Maybe, she'd have a moment to breathe.

The scrapping of Snape's boots alerted her to his presence. She wasn't in the mood for him. If she wanted her farce to be complete, she had to be all innocence and charm to him as well. She waited for him to catch her up.

Plastering a pleasant, smile in place, "fancy seeing you Sir."

"Good evening, Ms. Granger. You relieved Mr. Macmillan this evening?"

"Yes, sir. My hair seems to have drawn a lot of attention. A little quiet time was welcome."

"You have that in spades now, save for myself." Snape slowed.

"Yes, Sir." Hermione slowed to match his pace.

"Hermione?" Snape's questioning inflection was strange.

Ignoring the strangeness, Hermione answered. "Sir?"

"Damn it," he shouted, frightening some nearby students. "Get to your dorms, now. Twenty points each, and if I catch you out again it'll be fifty each." They scurried. Snape rounded on Hermione. "Woman! You're driving me mad!" He backed her into the wall.

In keeping with her plan, Hermione inquired timidly. "Sir?"

Pressing his palm to his forehead. "Hermione Granger, you..." his rage was present and accounted for. "All day, every...MALE in Hogwarts has been following you. What kind of trick is this?" Running his hands through his hair roughly.

"I can only imagine they thought the new look suited me. Sir, are you ok?" Hoping to cast doubt on his mental state.

Snape pulled his wand on Hermione.

Her hair tumbled down harmlessly. Not deigning to raise her voice, she composed herself. "I'm not sure what you mean by it Sir, but it took me some time to find a spell that would do that."

Snape paced to and fro. Stopping he waved his wand at her again. Nothing happened.

"My hair bother you Sir?" She hazarded.

Severus pressed her to the wall, burying his nose in her hair. Hermione touched his chest. She looked up into his face, praying that her lust was not evident. "Sir?"

He didn't answer, only stooped to kiss her with fire. Snaking a hand around her waist, the Slytherin Head of House's flesh erupted as he did so. Hermione touched his smooth jaw lightly, gripping his robes with the other.

When they broke their passionate embrace, Hermione looked at Snape seriously. She implored. "Kiss me again." Trying desperately to keep her cool. "Please." She meant to continue however, Snape walked away. His long strides consumed the hall, leaving Hermione quite alone. Alone.