"Hey Draco. Can I talk to ya?" Harry asked on his way to breakfast the
following morning.
"Sure Potty. Oh, Jessica, this is Harry." Draco said, turning to the girl at his side. "Potty? Jessica."
Jessica and Harry shook hands as Harry looked back to Draco. "Jessica, will you excuse me a moment?" Draco said to her. She nodded, and made her way into the Great Hall. Draco's eyes never left her as he said to Harry, "This better be good."
"Well, I was just wondering how that song for me is coming." Harry said, smirking. Draco's eyes left Jessica, and looked back at the boy wonder in confusion. "Huh?"
"You do remember the bet we made back near Halloween, don't you. We have witnesses."
"Shit! I forgot all about that!" Draco said.
"Well, ignorance is not bliss." Harry replied. "And I want to proof read it before you go up there."
"Well, I won't be singing a song for you, Harry." Draco said. "Just a momentary lapse. I'm sure to not have any problems considering the amount of time the two of them spend together."
"That doesn't mean anything if you don't do anything to give them a 'push' in that direction." Harry pointed out.
"I'm getting to it. Just remember what you've got to do. I'm sure to enjoy it." Draco said, turning to go to the table beside Jessica.
~@~
Hermione missed breakfast again, Snape noted as he entered the Great Hall. Even though he had promised himself that he would not return to the Great Hall unless he needed to during the holidays, he wished to speak with Hermione. He cursed himself for what he allowed to happen the night before. 'I should have had more control!' He berated himself.
Thinking back on it, the only thing that he could really remember, or rather, the only thing that he focused on, was the feeling of her hand reaching up his arm towards his face. He could sense that it was simply innocent curiosity in exploring the possibilities of the potion. But that didn't stop his 'friend' from wanting to stand up at her attentions. He guessed that either she was too preoccupied with what she was doing to notice what she was doing to him, or the potion dose she took wasn't strong enough to convey his feelings at the time.
Somewhere in his musings, Potter had made a movement that caught his eye. Turning to face the boy, he was almost shocked to see that he had been winked at. He turned back to his breakfast, mentally shaking himself. 'Should check for side effects of the potion.' He thought to himself. He went back to his breakfast, still trying to figure out how he lost control. The only thought he had as her hand traveled up her arm was how much he wanted to kiss her. Even if he really wasn't with her. Than it just happened. He didn't even realize it until he could feel a slight shock from her. He made his excuses, thanking whoever it was above them that the potion on her end decided to quit soon after.
Another movement to his side, and Snape turned his head again, only to once more be winked at. 'What is Potter up to this morning?' He thought, remembering that Hermione would help him later with whatever the two of them were up to. He ignored it for now. Potter would get his. Again, his thoughts returned to the night before. His potion had worn off a few minutes after hers had, and he felt that she suddenly felt. . .well, he wasn't quite sure what. Not knowing how she would react to him when she saw him, he decided that waiting until after dinner to meet her would not do if he could avoid it.
As much as he did not want to do so, he turned to Harry and asked, "Where is Miss Granger this morning, Potter?"
Harry looked over at him. "She always skips breakfast during the break to sleep in a bit." Harry said. "Why do you ask?"
"Not that it is any of your business, but I wished to speak with her on an important matter. If you see her today, tell her so." Snape replied, grabbing his coffee, and heading back towards his office.
~@~
Draco pulled Jessica over to the 'game room' after breakfast. After the tour, and the introductions to various staff and students, she suggested that they sit and have a discussion to get to know one another. After all, they were housemates.
"So Jessica, tell me about what your old school was like." Draco said, sitting down in one of the cushy chairs in front of the fire. Jessica sat down, and Draco's eyes wandered down to her legs as she crossed them and made herself more comfortable in her chair, hot chocolate in hand.
"Well, it was pretty much one of the best schools academically, only I thought that I would enjoy Hogwarts much better. The student body was so small, and everyone was pretty much from around the area." She replied. "And you wouldn't believe how snooty the whole bunch of them were. I wasn't very popular after telling Craven Moorehed's daughter that her proctologist called and said her head had been found."
Draco spit out the hot chocolate that he had just been sipping, and started to cough. "Moorehed? You're talking about Ivant Moorehed, aren't you?" He asked, after calming down.
Jessica looked over at him. "Yes." If this was going to be a big deal to him, than he could. . .
"Would you marry me?" Draco said.
"Huh?" Jessica stopped mid thought at that, almost spitting out her own drink. Draco started to chuckle.
"My father had tried to set me up with that chick. Five minutes after meeting her, I could easily compare her to static cling!" Draco said. "Dependant on the amount of money the victim had. Although, her father was always good fun."
"Kind of convinces you that she was raised by her mother." Jessica replied.
Draco spoke up. "She was, and trust me when I say that I'm not surprised that that marriage did not work out."
"You met her Mom?" Jessica said. "What's she like?"
"You don't really want to know." Draco replied.
"I asked. Enlighten me." Jessica countered.
"That woman wears so much perfume, it burns your nose hair. I swear, she stunk so much, if she jumped in a bathtub full of water, the water would jump out!"
Jessica started to chuckle. "I avoided the hallway where her locker was in the school. She's just as bad if not worse. No one wanted to stand down wind from her."
"But her mother was also more loyal to Voldemort during the war." Draco said seriously. "She was one of the people taken to Azkaban. Although, since she wasn't an active supporter, she wasn't there very long. It was enough to destroy her social standing. Luckily for Craven, it was after their divorce that the war broke out full force. I've never actually met the man, but I wouldn't subject my worst enemy to that woman."
"Good thing too." Jessica agreed. "That man has to be one of the best people to hang with. He's like one of the group when he came to the school. And he was my father's college dorm mate."
"Your father knows Craven Moorehed?" Draco sputtered. "Your father is Haywood Jablowmee, and he knows. . .and you know. . ." He looked at her wide-eyed. "I think I'm in love!!" He whispered. Jessica chuckled.
"Well, at least I don't have to worry about not fitting in here." Jessica said. "Although, I'm not really looking for a life partner right now."
Draco feigned disappointment. "Well, I guess I'll just have to wait you out." He said. "Did you participate in any sports?"
"I was a beater for our Quidditch team." She said. Again, Draco eyed her. "What?"
"One of our beaters is unhappy with the team, and is asking me to look for a replacement. Would you be interested in trying out?" Draco asked.
Jessica looked back at him, put down her cup, stood up calmly, walked over to his chair, and grabbed either side of his face. "If you're kidding, I will so kill you!" She said.
"I'm not kidding." Draco said, chuckling slightly at this sudden change in demeanor. He was absolutely shocked when Jessica leaned over and kissed his cheek with a very loud SMACK! She than walked back to her chair, and picked up her hot chocolate while sitting down again.
"Awwww. Ferret boy's got a girlfriend!" They heard behind the chairs. Harry walked in with Ginny right behind him.
"What do you want, Potty?" Draco asked.
"Just to torment you, Draco." Harry replied with a grin. "So, nothing new."
"If you're here to inquire about that song again, don't bother." Draco said.
"What song?" Jessica asked.
Draco looked over at her. He didn't think that she'd appreciate what they were doing. She didn't know Professor Snape or Hermione all that well. He decided to just give her the details of the terms of the bet, without the actual bet, hoping that she would not question any further.
Too bad for Draco that she was the curious type.
"Well, I know the terms. I'm more interested in knowing what the bet is." Jessica said.
"I think that's our cue to exit, Ginny." Harry said, leaving the room before Jessica could stop them.
Jessica turned her attention back to Draco. "Well?"
"Okay. But don't freak." Draco said, convinced that she would think the worst, and go to the Headmaster. "Well, the group of us think that Hermione, who you met when I introduced you to Professor Snape earlier, would actually be a good match for Professor Snape." He blurted out. Jessica considered the blonde for a moment.
"And what do you mean by good match?" Jessica asked. Draco mumbled something that she didn't quite catch.
"Excuse me?"
"Involves kinky sex." Draco repeated. Jessica looked taken aback. For a few moments, she didn't move because of the shock. Draco was ready to try and get away before she pulled any more information out of him. She finally spoke before he could.
"I was right. This is going to be a lot more interesting than my old school." She said. Draco looked over at her, surprised that she had a mischievous look in her eye. "How can I help?"
"Wh-wh-what?" Draco sputtered. Jessica giggled.
"Well, I don't know Harry all that well, but I do know that it would be a graduation to remember." She replied. "Anything I could do to help?"
"Well, now that you mention it." Draco said, going back over to her. 'Now I know why she was sorted into Slytherin.' He thought
~@~
Before lunchtime, Harry had caught up with Hermione and gave her the message from Snape. Thinking she would rather get this over with sooner rather than later, she went almost immediately, though still slightly hesitant. 'The sooner we get this awkwardness past us, the better.' She thought.
Approaching the door to his office, her resolve to get this over with slowly dwindled. She was getting more and more anxious by the moment. Arriving at the door, she considered bolting for it. She didn't really understand what happened the night before, but she also couldn't understand her feelings after the potion wore off. How could the room feel emptier? She had already admitted to herself that she had a 'thing' for the potions master. Was it deeper than she initially thought it was?
Gathering the remaining of her quickly dissolving resolve, she raised her hand and knocked before she could change her mind. It was a few moments later that she heard Snape call out, "Enter."
She took a calming breath before grabbing the door handle, and opening the door. "You wished to speak with me, sir?"
Snape looked up from the parchment he was working with. "Yes. I did. I'm relieved to see that Potter can sometimes follow instructions." He said, getting up from his desk and motioning towards the chairs in front of the fire. "There are a couple of things that I wished to speak with you about."
Taking her regular seat, she accepted his offer of tea before they began 'The Talk'.
Severus used the time it took to prepare the tea to gather his thoughts for the umpteenth time that day as to how he would begin this conversation. Handing her a cup, he decided to come right out and say it. "Miss Granger," He started, looking her in the eye before turning away with a very light blush. "I wish to apologize for what occurred last night during our conversation. That was completely out of line." He said quickly.
Hermione looked at her tea, trying to think of something that could help this situation. She did not like to see him agitated. It made it harder to work with him, and it would be more difficult in trying to reduce the disappointment when she thought that he regretted what happened. She looked back up at him. "I don't blame you, sir. Sometimes, it's hard to control one's thoughts. Just thinking back to the first potions accident." She replied.
Was that disappointment he saw flash in her eyes? It was there for only a fraction of a second, but yes, he recognized it. 'It's better this way.' He tried to convince himself. He wanted to get away from this subject.
"Did you know that Potter was winking at me this morning?" Severus asked. Hermione's head snapped up, shocked that he would change the subject so quickly, and shocked that Harry would actually go through with that part of their plans.
"He said he was going to do it, but I didn't think he would actually do it." She replied, smiling slightly at the thought.
"What's so funny, Hermione?" He asked.
"Hmmm? Oh. I was thinking about what Harry's reaction would be if you winked back." She said, than burst out into laughter before she could contain it. She calmed quickly, but was still fighting giggles when she looked back at him. He had a look on his face that she could not recognize. "What?" She asked.
A smirk appeared on his face. "Now that you've voiced that thought, I must admit that I am curious myself." He said. "What else did you hear them plan?"
And the plotting between two of Hogwarts greatest minds began.
~@~
It seemed that the next few days, the two Gryffindors had made a schedule of when they would do things to Snape. All day, Harry continued to wink at the potions master whenever he caught his eye. By dinner, Snape was, indeed, winking back. The first time he did it, Harry couldn't believe it. It was as they were passing each other in the hallways; Snape on his way to the library, and Harry on his way outside to defend the Gryffindor honor in a snowball fight against Jessica and Draco.
It was just in passing, so Harry wasn't completely sure it happened at all. At dinner, Snape walked in with Hermione. They took their seats, and turned their attentions to the food. Harry made a movement that attracted Snape's attention again, and winked when their eyes met. But this time, Snape did not look away. Instead, he regarded the boy a moment before winking back, and turning to his food once again.
Harry became afraid to do it again.
The following day, Snape was once again at breakfast (at Hermione's urging if they wanted to go through with their plan). Before he entered the Great Hall, Ron approached him, apologizing for what they had said earlier about his first year speech. Leaning over, Ron than hugged him, seriously thinking that Snape would either do nothing in shock, or he would push the Gryffindor away. Instead, Snape's arms came around him. For an added bonus, he whispered in Ron's ear, "You are forgiven." Before turning on his heel, and heading for the table.
Ron did not follow.
When Snape got to the table, he noticed that Harry had something in his possession. Ignoring it until the end of breakfast, he spoke with Professor Dumbledore, who asked what happened with Mr Weasley. Snape merely shrugged his shoulders. When he got up, coffee in hand, to go to his office, he noticed that the thing that Harry was holding was a voodoo doll that looked like the boy wonder. He stopped beside him, and leaned down to take a closer look. Confirming that it was a Harry Potter doll with pins sticking in it, he pointed at the crotch of the doll and muttered, "That's where I usually stick them." Before turning out of the hall. Nobody else noticed anything except for the pale shade that Harry than turned.
It was the night before Christmas, and all through the. . .oops. Wrong story.
It was Christmas Eve that found Snape walking towards the library again when Harry jumped out of a corner behind him, and screamed, "BOO!" Snape watched as the boy turned and walked away, saying to Ron, "Got him good!" Ron began to laugh, and walked away alongside Harry. Snape continued to the library, shaking his head.
After he had retrieved the references that they would need, Snape made his way back to the office where Hermione was keeping an eye on one of their experiments. He could hear voices as he entered one of the corridors, and hid around a corner to keep an eye out. Seemed that Ron and Harry were making another trip around the hallways. When they were a few feet away, he snuck up behind them. "BOO!"
Both boys jumped at the sound, turning and seeing Snape walk away. The Headmaster had just rounded the corner to see what the noise was. Snape walked to him, "Got them good." He muttered before walking away. Harry and Ron looked at his retreating back, wide eyed, and jaws dropped. The Headmaster just started to chuckle, and went back to his own office.
~@~
Arriving back at his office, the Headmaster was now convinced that Severus needed someone like Hermione. It didn't matter that she was still a student. They were made for each other. He'd noticed the changes that Severus had undergone since they had started to work together. He'd never seen the potions master at so many breakfasts in many years. He had thought of doing something earlier, but thought that he shouldn't considering Severus' views on the tradition. But he just couldn't resist it now. Especially after their encounter at the beginning of the holidays with the potion.
Which reminded him. He wanted a bit of that potion. There was a certain divination teacher that it would be fun with. (Well, why else does he keep her there?!?)
He fished around in his desk, looking for the all-important prop for his plan. When he found it, he put a charm on it, and set it loose within the castle, allowing it to use the floos.
~@~
The disappointment that Hermione had felt when it seemed that Snape had regretted what happened had slowly disappeared throughout the holidays. At least she could still work with him. And it appeared that there was none of the awkwardness. Although, she couldn't help but think about what could have happened if things had gone differently. 'Stop that!' She chided herself. No sense in getting caught up in the 'could haves'.
Severus, however, was not only getting caught up, he was getting tangled. Their time working together was still as productive as ever, but he could not help but sneak a peak at Hermione every now and again. Brilliant mind with a sharp wit, creative and playful, considering the ideas they had come up with in regards to Potter and Weasley. He was able to control himself in her presence, but found it was getting more and more difficult.
Concentrating once again on their research, despite the fact that it was Christmas Eve, they were interrupted in their musings and their reading by a flash of the floo. Whatever came through it, it was small and fast. Both jumped out of their seats, wands in hands (an unfortunate side effect of just coming out of a recent war), looking for whatever it was. Finally, Severus spotted it, and almost groaned out loud.
Floating above Hermione's head, unbeknownst to her, was a sprig of mistletoe. Hermione caught his eye, and followed the path above her. Wide eyed, she looked back at him.
A/N:
CLIFFHANGER!!! HA HA HA!!
Oh. Happy Valentine's day to all those that celebrate it.
Plastic: I haven't seen Goldmember yet. I want to though. Probably rent it during the break week. I've always loved mini me!
Vicsend: Glad you like cliffhangers. Although, I don't know how many would agree with you on that. I did a cliffhanger in another story once, and got yelled at for it.
No need to know: BAAAAAAA! *Translation: Sheep Strike! Demands include at minimum, a brief appearance in the remaining chapters. DEATH TO AUTHOR!!* Sorry, I'm studying this stuff in school, and it's really starting to get to me!
Warlady: Ahhh. The possibilities! I'm starting to want this potion for myself.
Zoe: Thank you. Kind of funny that English was one of my worst subjects.
MadAboutHarry: Hee hee hee. Cliffhanger!
Atalaya: The list! I was thinking of adding the scattering rose petals, than Snape turns them into biting rose petals and attacks Gryffindor tower. But I liked him hugging Ron back instead.
Vermore: Dumbledore gets involved some more. I wonder if he'll ask Snape for the potion. Maybe explore more of his perverted tendancies in another story *POSSIBLE PLOT BUNNY*
FoxyChic4u: Betcha didn't expect the marriage proposal.
"Sure Potty. Oh, Jessica, this is Harry." Draco said, turning to the girl at his side. "Potty? Jessica."
Jessica and Harry shook hands as Harry looked back to Draco. "Jessica, will you excuse me a moment?" Draco said to her. She nodded, and made her way into the Great Hall. Draco's eyes never left her as he said to Harry, "This better be good."
"Well, I was just wondering how that song for me is coming." Harry said, smirking. Draco's eyes left Jessica, and looked back at the boy wonder in confusion. "Huh?"
"You do remember the bet we made back near Halloween, don't you. We have witnesses."
"Shit! I forgot all about that!" Draco said.
"Well, ignorance is not bliss." Harry replied. "And I want to proof read it before you go up there."
"Well, I won't be singing a song for you, Harry." Draco said. "Just a momentary lapse. I'm sure to not have any problems considering the amount of time the two of them spend together."
"That doesn't mean anything if you don't do anything to give them a 'push' in that direction." Harry pointed out.
"I'm getting to it. Just remember what you've got to do. I'm sure to enjoy it." Draco said, turning to go to the table beside Jessica.
~@~
Hermione missed breakfast again, Snape noted as he entered the Great Hall. Even though he had promised himself that he would not return to the Great Hall unless he needed to during the holidays, he wished to speak with Hermione. He cursed himself for what he allowed to happen the night before. 'I should have had more control!' He berated himself.
Thinking back on it, the only thing that he could really remember, or rather, the only thing that he focused on, was the feeling of her hand reaching up his arm towards his face. He could sense that it was simply innocent curiosity in exploring the possibilities of the potion. But that didn't stop his 'friend' from wanting to stand up at her attentions. He guessed that either she was too preoccupied with what she was doing to notice what she was doing to him, or the potion dose she took wasn't strong enough to convey his feelings at the time.
Somewhere in his musings, Potter had made a movement that caught his eye. Turning to face the boy, he was almost shocked to see that he had been winked at. He turned back to his breakfast, mentally shaking himself. 'Should check for side effects of the potion.' He thought to himself. He went back to his breakfast, still trying to figure out how he lost control. The only thought he had as her hand traveled up her arm was how much he wanted to kiss her. Even if he really wasn't with her. Than it just happened. He didn't even realize it until he could feel a slight shock from her. He made his excuses, thanking whoever it was above them that the potion on her end decided to quit soon after.
Another movement to his side, and Snape turned his head again, only to once more be winked at. 'What is Potter up to this morning?' He thought, remembering that Hermione would help him later with whatever the two of them were up to. He ignored it for now. Potter would get his. Again, his thoughts returned to the night before. His potion had worn off a few minutes after hers had, and he felt that she suddenly felt. . .well, he wasn't quite sure what. Not knowing how she would react to him when she saw him, he decided that waiting until after dinner to meet her would not do if he could avoid it.
As much as he did not want to do so, he turned to Harry and asked, "Where is Miss Granger this morning, Potter?"
Harry looked over at him. "She always skips breakfast during the break to sleep in a bit." Harry said. "Why do you ask?"
"Not that it is any of your business, but I wished to speak with her on an important matter. If you see her today, tell her so." Snape replied, grabbing his coffee, and heading back towards his office.
~@~
Draco pulled Jessica over to the 'game room' after breakfast. After the tour, and the introductions to various staff and students, she suggested that they sit and have a discussion to get to know one another. After all, they were housemates.
"So Jessica, tell me about what your old school was like." Draco said, sitting down in one of the cushy chairs in front of the fire. Jessica sat down, and Draco's eyes wandered down to her legs as she crossed them and made herself more comfortable in her chair, hot chocolate in hand.
"Well, it was pretty much one of the best schools academically, only I thought that I would enjoy Hogwarts much better. The student body was so small, and everyone was pretty much from around the area." She replied. "And you wouldn't believe how snooty the whole bunch of them were. I wasn't very popular after telling Craven Moorehed's daughter that her proctologist called and said her head had been found."
Draco spit out the hot chocolate that he had just been sipping, and started to cough. "Moorehed? You're talking about Ivant Moorehed, aren't you?" He asked, after calming down.
Jessica looked over at him. "Yes." If this was going to be a big deal to him, than he could. . .
"Would you marry me?" Draco said.
"Huh?" Jessica stopped mid thought at that, almost spitting out her own drink. Draco started to chuckle.
"My father had tried to set me up with that chick. Five minutes after meeting her, I could easily compare her to static cling!" Draco said. "Dependant on the amount of money the victim had. Although, her father was always good fun."
"Kind of convinces you that she was raised by her mother." Jessica replied.
Draco spoke up. "She was, and trust me when I say that I'm not surprised that that marriage did not work out."
"You met her Mom?" Jessica said. "What's she like?"
"You don't really want to know." Draco replied.
"I asked. Enlighten me." Jessica countered.
"That woman wears so much perfume, it burns your nose hair. I swear, she stunk so much, if she jumped in a bathtub full of water, the water would jump out!"
Jessica started to chuckle. "I avoided the hallway where her locker was in the school. She's just as bad if not worse. No one wanted to stand down wind from her."
"But her mother was also more loyal to Voldemort during the war." Draco said seriously. "She was one of the people taken to Azkaban. Although, since she wasn't an active supporter, she wasn't there very long. It was enough to destroy her social standing. Luckily for Craven, it was after their divorce that the war broke out full force. I've never actually met the man, but I wouldn't subject my worst enemy to that woman."
"Good thing too." Jessica agreed. "That man has to be one of the best people to hang with. He's like one of the group when he came to the school. And he was my father's college dorm mate."
"Your father knows Craven Moorehed?" Draco sputtered. "Your father is Haywood Jablowmee, and he knows. . .and you know. . ." He looked at her wide-eyed. "I think I'm in love!!" He whispered. Jessica chuckled.
"Well, at least I don't have to worry about not fitting in here." Jessica said. "Although, I'm not really looking for a life partner right now."
Draco feigned disappointment. "Well, I guess I'll just have to wait you out." He said. "Did you participate in any sports?"
"I was a beater for our Quidditch team." She said. Again, Draco eyed her. "What?"
"One of our beaters is unhappy with the team, and is asking me to look for a replacement. Would you be interested in trying out?" Draco asked.
Jessica looked back at him, put down her cup, stood up calmly, walked over to his chair, and grabbed either side of his face. "If you're kidding, I will so kill you!" She said.
"I'm not kidding." Draco said, chuckling slightly at this sudden change in demeanor. He was absolutely shocked when Jessica leaned over and kissed his cheek with a very loud SMACK! She than walked back to her chair, and picked up her hot chocolate while sitting down again.
"Awwww. Ferret boy's got a girlfriend!" They heard behind the chairs. Harry walked in with Ginny right behind him.
"What do you want, Potty?" Draco asked.
"Just to torment you, Draco." Harry replied with a grin. "So, nothing new."
"If you're here to inquire about that song again, don't bother." Draco said.
"What song?" Jessica asked.
Draco looked over at her. He didn't think that she'd appreciate what they were doing. She didn't know Professor Snape or Hermione all that well. He decided to just give her the details of the terms of the bet, without the actual bet, hoping that she would not question any further.
Too bad for Draco that she was the curious type.
"Well, I know the terms. I'm more interested in knowing what the bet is." Jessica said.
"I think that's our cue to exit, Ginny." Harry said, leaving the room before Jessica could stop them.
Jessica turned her attention back to Draco. "Well?"
"Okay. But don't freak." Draco said, convinced that she would think the worst, and go to the Headmaster. "Well, the group of us think that Hermione, who you met when I introduced you to Professor Snape earlier, would actually be a good match for Professor Snape." He blurted out. Jessica considered the blonde for a moment.
"And what do you mean by good match?" Jessica asked. Draco mumbled something that she didn't quite catch.
"Excuse me?"
"Involves kinky sex." Draco repeated. Jessica looked taken aback. For a few moments, she didn't move because of the shock. Draco was ready to try and get away before she pulled any more information out of him. She finally spoke before he could.
"I was right. This is going to be a lot more interesting than my old school." She said. Draco looked over at her, surprised that she had a mischievous look in her eye. "How can I help?"
"Wh-wh-what?" Draco sputtered. Jessica giggled.
"Well, I don't know Harry all that well, but I do know that it would be a graduation to remember." She replied. "Anything I could do to help?"
"Well, now that you mention it." Draco said, going back over to her. 'Now I know why she was sorted into Slytherin.' He thought
~@~
Before lunchtime, Harry had caught up with Hermione and gave her the message from Snape. Thinking she would rather get this over with sooner rather than later, she went almost immediately, though still slightly hesitant. 'The sooner we get this awkwardness past us, the better.' She thought.
Approaching the door to his office, her resolve to get this over with slowly dwindled. She was getting more and more anxious by the moment. Arriving at the door, she considered bolting for it. She didn't really understand what happened the night before, but she also couldn't understand her feelings after the potion wore off. How could the room feel emptier? She had already admitted to herself that she had a 'thing' for the potions master. Was it deeper than she initially thought it was?
Gathering the remaining of her quickly dissolving resolve, she raised her hand and knocked before she could change her mind. It was a few moments later that she heard Snape call out, "Enter."
She took a calming breath before grabbing the door handle, and opening the door. "You wished to speak with me, sir?"
Snape looked up from the parchment he was working with. "Yes. I did. I'm relieved to see that Potter can sometimes follow instructions." He said, getting up from his desk and motioning towards the chairs in front of the fire. "There are a couple of things that I wished to speak with you about."
Taking her regular seat, she accepted his offer of tea before they began 'The Talk'.
Severus used the time it took to prepare the tea to gather his thoughts for the umpteenth time that day as to how he would begin this conversation. Handing her a cup, he decided to come right out and say it. "Miss Granger," He started, looking her in the eye before turning away with a very light blush. "I wish to apologize for what occurred last night during our conversation. That was completely out of line." He said quickly.
Hermione looked at her tea, trying to think of something that could help this situation. She did not like to see him agitated. It made it harder to work with him, and it would be more difficult in trying to reduce the disappointment when she thought that he regretted what happened. She looked back up at him. "I don't blame you, sir. Sometimes, it's hard to control one's thoughts. Just thinking back to the first potions accident." She replied.
Was that disappointment he saw flash in her eyes? It was there for only a fraction of a second, but yes, he recognized it. 'It's better this way.' He tried to convince himself. He wanted to get away from this subject.
"Did you know that Potter was winking at me this morning?" Severus asked. Hermione's head snapped up, shocked that he would change the subject so quickly, and shocked that Harry would actually go through with that part of their plans.
"He said he was going to do it, but I didn't think he would actually do it." She replied, smiling slightly at the thought.
"What's so funny, Hermione?" He asked.
"Hmmm? Oh. I was thinking about what Harry's reaction would be if you winked back." She said, than burst out into laughter before she could contain it. She calmed quickly, but was still fighting giggles when she looked back at him. He had a look on his face that she could not recognize. "What?" She asked.
A smirk appeared on his face. "Now that you've voiced that thought, I must admit that I am curious myself." He said. "What else did you hear them plan?"
And the plotting between two of Hogwarts greatest minds began.
~@~
It seemed that the next few days, the two Gryffindors had made a schedule of when they would do things to Snape. All day, Harry continued to wink at the potions master whenever he caught his eye. By dinner, Snape was, indeed, winking back. The first time he did it, Harry couldn't believe it. It was as they were passing each other in the hallways; Snape on his way to the library, and Harry on his way outside to defend the Gryffindor honor in a snowball fight against Jessica and Draco.
It was just in passing, so Harry wasn't completely sure it happened at all. At dinner, Snape walked in with Hermione. They took their seats, and turned their attentions to the food. Harry made a movement that attracted Snape's attention again, and winked when their eyes met. But this time, Snape did not look away. Instead, he regarded the boy a moment before winking back, and turning to his food once again.
Harry became afraid to do it again.
The following day, Snape was once again at breakfast (at Hermione's urging if they wanted to go through with their plan). Before he entered the Great Hall, Ron approached him, apologizing for what they had said earlier about his first year speech. Leaning over, Ron than hugged him, seriously thinking that Snape would either do nothing in shock, or he would push the Gryffindor away. Instead, Snape's arms came around him. For an added bonus, he whispered in Ron's ear, "You are forgiven." Before turning on his heel, and heading for the table.
Ron did not follow.
When Snape got to the table, he noticed that Harry had something in his possession. Ignoring it until the end of breakfast, he spoke with Professor Dumbledore, who asked what happened with Mr Weasley. Snape merely shrugged his shoulders. When he got up, coffee in hand, to go to his office, he noticed that the thing that Harry was holding was a voodoo doll that looked like the boy wonder. He stopped beside him, and leaned down to take a closer look. Confirming that it was a Harry Potter doll with pins sticking in it, he pointed at the crotch of the doll and muttered, "That's where I usually stick them." Before turning out of the hall. Nobody else noticed anything except for the pale shade that Harry than turned.
It was the night before Christmas, and all through the. . .oops. Wrong story.
It was Christmas Eve that found Snape walking towards the library again when Harry jumped out of a corner behind him, and screamed, "BOO!" Snape watched as the boy turned and walked away, saying to Ron, "Got him good!" Ron began to laugh, and walked away alongside Harry. Snape continued to the library, shaking his head.
After he had retrieved the references that they would need, Snape made his way back to the office where Hermione was keeping an eye on one of their experiments. He could hear voices as he entered one of the corridors, and hid around a corner to keep an eye out. Seemed that Ron and Harry were making another trip around the hallways. When they were a few feet away, he snuck up behind them. "BOO!"
Both boys jumped at the sound, turning and seeing Snape walk away. The Headmaster had just rounded the corner to see what the noise was. Snape walked to him, "Got them good." He muttered before walking away. Harry and Ron looked at his retreating back, wide eyed, and jaws dropped. The Headmaster just started to chuckle, and went back to his own office.
~@~
Arriving back at his office, the Headmaster was now convinced that Severus needed someone like Hermione. It didn't matter that she was still a student. They were made for each other. He'd noticed the changes that Severus had undergone since they had started to work together. He'd never seen the potions master at so many breakfasts in many years. He had thought of doing something earlier, but thought that he shouldn't considering Severus' views on the tradition. But he just couldn't resist it now. Especially after their encounter at the beginning of the holidays with the potion.
Which reminded him. He wanted a bit of that potion. There was a certain divination teacher that it would be fun with. (Well, why else does he keep her there?!?)
He fished around in his desk, looking for the all-important prop for his plan. When he found it, he put a charm on it, and set it loose within the castle, allowing it to use the floos.
~@~
The disappointment that Hermione had felt when it seemed that Snape had regretted what happened had slowly disappeared throughout the holidays. At least she could still work with him. And it appeared that there was none of the awkwardness. Although, she couldn't help but think about what could have happened if things had gone differently. 'Stop that!' She chided herself. No sense in getting caught up in the 'could haves'.
Severus, however, was not only getting caught up, he was getting tangled. Their time working together was still as productive as ever, but he could not help but sneak a peak at Hermione every now and again. Brilliant mind with a sharp wit, creative and playful, considering the ideas they had come up with in regards to Potter and Weasley. He was able to control himself in her presence, but found it was getting more and more difficult.
Concentrating once again on their research, despite the fact that it was Christmas Eve, they were interrupted in their musings and their reading by a flash of the floo. Whatever came through it, it was small and fast. Both jumped out of their seats, wands in hands (an unfortunate side effect of just coming out of a recent war), looking for whatever it was. Finally, Severus spotted it, and almost groaned out loud.
Floating above Hermione's head, unbeknownst to her, was a sprig of mistletoe. Hermione caught his eye, and followed the path above her. Wide eyed, she looked back at him.
A/N:
CLIFFHANGER!!! HA HA HA!!
Oh. Happy Valentine's day to all those that celebrate it.
Plastic: I haven't seen Goldmember yet. I want to though. Probably rent it during the break week. I've always loved mini me!
Vicsend: Glad you like cliffhangers. Although, I don't know how many would agree with you on that. I did a cliffhanger in another story once, and got yelled at for it.
No need to know: BAAAAAAA! *Translation: Sheep Strike! Demands include at minimum, a brief appearance in the remaining chapters. DEATH TO AUTHOR!!* Sorry, I'm studying this stuff in school, and it's really starting to get to me!
Warlady: Ahhh. The possibilities! I'm starting to want this potion for myself.
Zoe: Thank you. Kind of funny that English was one of my worst subjects.
MadAboutHarry: Hee hee hee. Cliffhanger!
Atalaya: The list! I was thinking of adding the scattering rose petals, than Snape turns them into biting rose petals and attacks Gryffindor tower. But I liked him hugging Ron back instead.
Vermore: Dumbledore gets involved some more. I wonder if he'll ask Snape for the potion. Maybe explore more of his perverted tendancies in another story *POSSIBLE PLOT BUNNY*
FoxyChic4u: Betcha didn't expect the marriage proposal.
