Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any other characters. Never have, never will.
A/N: Ok ok I'm adding lot's more after this chapter so don't think I abandoned my fic, I've just been busy, I know it's after Valentine's Day but I just couldn't finish it in a week. Thanks everyone for being so patient, I'll have the next chapter ready to go in a few days. It won't be forever like last time.
They both landed with a cat like elegance in what appeared to be some sort of dungeon. Everything was familiar and Hermione knew right away where she was, apparently Harry did too because the second that they arrived she heard him groan. Severus Snape stepped out of his office and walked toward the two. He wore an evil sort of grin that more than likely meant they were in for a long (and probably hard) task.
"Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter, what a surprise." Snape chuckled evilly as he gestured for them to follow him to the front of the classroom.
"I will begin with telling the both of you what is to come. This task is by no means easy and so far only one couple has passed," Snape paused.
"I'm going to guess Malfoy," whispered Harry to Hermione.
Hermione did her best not to smile.
"As I was saying," Snape glared at Harry with cold eyes, "Your task will be to brew a love potion, it won't be one of those lesser potent ones that Sprout was making, it will; if mixed correctly, be a true love potion. The potion will not be the simple kind that can't be overcome by simple thought."
Hermione couldn't help but notice that Snape looked directly at her.
"Now we shall begin…but first I will need a strand of hair from each of you."
Hermione easily pulled out a strand from her locks, Harry did the same.
There's got to be catch. Potion mixing is simple; I can understand why Neville wouldn't pass but for everyone besides one couple not to pass seems suspicious.
"This should be easy Hermione, you know a lot about potion mixing and I can help stir, it will be impossible for us not to pass!" Harry said reassuringly.
"Mr. Potter, I'll need you over here," Snape said icily. Snape then drew out a Cauldron from out of no where and began showing Harry what ingredients where needed and how they needed to be prepared.
Hermione's fears where confirmed. They wouldn't be working together which meant one of them would probably get the potion wrong, that is if Snape was going to see how the potions turned out. There is no way Harry can make a love potion let alone directions from Snape. She had done research during the winter break and had stumbled upon an article about love potions and brewing them seemed extremely difficult. Harry could barely concoct a simple potion in class without her whispering some of the answers.
Snape glided over to Hermione and sat her down next to a cauldron which was opposite of the side of the room where Harry was. Maybe she could use some sort of sign language to show Harry what to do. Hermione looked toward Harry.
Hmmm. Harry seems to be doing alright. Maybe I was wrong to think that he wasn't capable …
She took it Harry knew what he was doing and began figuring out what ingredients went where and when to add them. When her fears subsided she continued brewing her own potion. Alas she was down to adding one more ingredient and that was a splintered sphinx hair. When she was done she looked over at Harry. He seemed to be almost finished as well. She watched as he poured the potion into a clear vial. Hermione did the same. She looked at the finished product. It was a bright yet dark pink. It was beautiful and she wanted to hold it forever. Snape finally walked over and grabbed her potion and sat it down on his desk. He did the same with Harry's.
"Now that you two are done you may come take a seat in front of my desk," said Snape.
Hermione sat down next to Harry who had curiously made his way toward Snape.
"So Harry did you have any trouble?" Hermione asked as Snape busied himself with the potions.
"Not really, it was pretty simple once I added the Sparrow feathers-"
"Harry you weren't supposed to add those in that condition, you were supposed to chop the tips off and sprinkle them into the potion," Hermione said alarmed.
Harry was silent and then said, "I'm sure it will be alright Hermione." He gave her a weak smile which made Hermione forget why she was even mad at him in the first place.
"Now Potter you will have to drink the potion that Ms. Granger brewed and Ms. Granger will have to do likewise with your potion, understand? Good, here are the potions; I added a hair from each of you to them that way the potion won't make you fall in love with the wall or some other object. This potion task would be to easy of course unless I made a certain rule come into affect. No touching is allowed. If you hold hands or even touch the hem of one's robe then the two of you will be disqualified. With that you may begin."
Hermione grabbed her potion and gulped it down. Her eyes shifted to Harry and he did the same.
The moment the potion touched her lips she wanted spit it out, it tasted like some muggle medicine. It even looked like some muggle medicine with that false sweet taste.
The potion made her stomach do flips. For the first time her mind vegged out and she didn't want to think, she didn't want to contemplate anything. She didn't want to look at Harry. She knew what love potions where capable of. She knew that Professor Sprout's potion made her feel different. She had to see if Harry was alright. She peeked over at Harry. She was surprised when he wasn't in his chair. She looked down at the ground, he was on the floor; his hands clutching his head.
She reached down to comfort him, her body was moving but her brain wasn't. She wanted to stop. She couldn't, she kneeled down, she was inches from Harry's body.
I can fight this, I can't fight this, I can-
She felt her face contort with pain. It hurt to overpower her body with her mind. She was successfully crawling away from Harry. She didn't know how long this potion was going to last but hopefully it would start wearing off soon. At that moment she didn't care about winning some stupid valentine contest. She wanted to be with Harry. She looked up at Snape who seemed amused by their actions.
All the muscles in her body ached to move closer to the body that was only a few feet away from her. She kept her mind focused. If it went out of focus, she was sure she would loose control. She could possible stay like this till the potion wore off but Harry couldn't. He was already turning around on the ground to face her. She stared back. His eyes were a bright emerald green, which suddenly made her want him more.
She despised the tasks and hated Snape twice as much. She had to move away. If only she could muster enough strength to stand up and run as far as she could away from Harry. But did she want to run away. What was she saying, this potion was getting to her head.
"Five minutes," coughed Snape. He looked even more amused than before. He knew that they would probably not pass.
Hermione gathered all that was left of her own strength and stood up. She would now attempt to go somewhere, anywhere far away from the power of the potion.
As she stood up, Hermione tilted her head down to see Harry. He looked up at her with those eyes, she could tell he was in pain. She wanted to be down there with him. Her emotions were on maximum overdrive. She didn't know what to think now. She couldn't cope. Tears streamed down her face and if she would have looked toward Snape she would have a seen a twitch of concern.
She wasn't in control anymore and she kneeled down To Harry. He started to get up too. She had no idea what was going to happen. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. They stared deep into each others eyes for what seemed like forever until Snape interrupted their gaze.
"That's enough, times up. You both passed, congratulations, now if you please, get out of my classroom, more students should be on their way any moment," Snape said without looking at the two. Hermione noticed that something was troubling Snape but she didn't have enough brainpower right now to figure it out.
She looked at Harry and smiled. He smiled back. The potion hadn't quiet worn off yet. Hermione now let her brain shut down and the potion take over. She leaned in toward Harry. Harry lifted her chin and then they kissed. It wasn't the same kiss they had shared when the dementors were around. It was warm and it felt right. Maybe that was just the potion talking but she felt like she was in heaven.
They were soon interrupted again by Snape coughing more loudly this time. He motioned them toward a jar of pickled newt's eyes. Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and they both took the jar. Nothing could stop them from winning now. Nothing, at least that's what she thought at the moment. The next task would be of course, filled with surprises, putting their new love to the test.
A/N: Not quiet a cliffy but I really wanted to finish the chapter and I really got into it. I'm working on the next chapter right now so don't worry it will be out within a few dyas. Please review! Thankx ^-^
