Kidnap and Rescue

A/N: hey there…I won't talk much now, but thanx to my beta Sausage Pie who was also the first reviewer…now go on w/the story!

Chapter I: The Project

It was a bright afternoon at the school. Even if it was the last Friday before the long awaited Christmas break, the sun shone and poured through the windows as three 6th years ran through the halls yelling at each other.

"See Ron? I told you we'd be late," yelled the girl, holding a bunch of books.

"Don't even think about lecturing me Herm…" The boy in question yelled back.

"You wish it was her, coz it'll be Snape…" A third boy yelled. It was Harry

"Oh god…points less" the girl murmured as Harry glanced at his watch.

"Look it's just a minute we're late so I don't think he'll notice and…" he yelled, then stopped suddenly to say "Hello Professor Snape How have you been?"

Their professor was standing at the door, hair as greasy as always.

"Get in…20 points from Gryffindor" he said harshly

"Great!" said Ron under his breath

"And 10 more for cursing under your breath"

"I wasn't cursing!" he started arguing, but Hermione took hold of him by his arm and tugged him to their seat.

It was the last class of the day, and it had to be with the Slytherins, and worst, seeing Snape's ugly face and greasy hair. As the wonderful trio sat at the back of the dungeon they were in, Professor Snape started writing something at the board.

"Potions Project? That sounds obvious, perhaps he wants us to write a parchment or something." Muttered Hermione, more to herself that her friends.

Along with her, most of the students seemed curious with what, this time, Snape's project would be.

"This project…" he started after he had finished writing, but had to clear his throat to quiet the murmurs circling around his dungeon. "…has two purposes: for you to make 'inter-house relationships', as Professor McGonagall's special request, and for you not to lose the 'touch' over the break."

Some groans were heard, but immediately stopped when Snape continued

"The project consist in making a potion, any of your like, that is found at the restricted section, since I won't accept potions you've already been taught to brew"

"That sounds very easy, I even know which will be my potion!" murmured an animated Hermione, more to herself than to the class, but she was heard by Snape.

"Easy you say Miss Granger? Let me tell you the potions you'll be brewing will not be simple, I'm afraid to say most of them are used to dark purposes. But if you think yourself so smart…I think you'll be intelligent enough to manage with relationships as well"

"What's his point?" murmured Ron

"I dunno, perhaps he'll put her with some unbearable git…" Harry murmured back.

"Oh! So you two also think of yourselves too intelligent for this project I've announced! You'll run the same luck as her…"

At this, the trio crossed confused looks, thinking on what on earth could Snape have meant with that. Of course, it was something bad, but HOW bad.

"Professor!" a voice said. It was Malfoy who had just raised his hand "we'll have to do this on our own or it'll be in groups?" he drawled, an expression of infinite boredom plastered in his pale face.

"Good question Mr. Malfoy, 5 points to Slytherin. Indeed the project will be in groups, in pairs to be more accurate. And THIS" he said, praising Malfoy and then showing everyone a piece of parchment with something scribbled on it "are the pairings you'll be working with"

The professor waited for his words to make the expected effect on the crowd. And it did. Hushed voices were heard all around the dungeon.

"But we'll have to make some changes on it: Let me see…" he said looking over the yellow parchment before his eyes. "Patil and Zabini, go to the library to start looking for your potion, you must come back and show which it will be." He commanded, shoving the couple outside before continuing.

"Brown and Goyle" he said carelessly "Weasley and…" he said, his beady eyes shining "Bulstrode…and then Potter and Parkinson"

Harry and Ron, both with disgusted looks in their faces, muttered something like 'see you later' to Hermione before leaving.

'So this was what he meant by 'bad luck'' thought Hermione, after two more pairs were dismissed. She snapped out of the world of thoughts by Snape's voice saying her name. He didn't say the name of her partner yet, as if he was tasting the words that were about to come out.

"Miss Granger, you'll work with Mr. Malfoy" he finally finished, making color drown form her face. She was going to work with Malfoy. And asking for a replacement wouldn't work. She'll just have to grin and bear it.

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D/C: as always, I don't own a thing. I just like to screw with Draco

A/N: okay, I had to put Snape in there even if I personally loathe him to death. And now I'm having very good plans for Draco, and Ron as well (I don't like him much but in this ficcy we'll give him a very important role in the books he'd be crying for).

Now, I really beg you to review!! Please! If you do, I'll put your name in the thank you note by the end of the chapter!! I'm desperate, and proud of it.

Now, be nice and review.