Mousetrap
By Clay
Chapter Four: The Spoken Word
PAIRINGS: Mainly Harry/Draco and Ron/Hermione, but there are some other random pairings thrown in for fun
RATING/WARNINGS: PG/slight spoilers for all
SUMMARY: (which I forgot for the first chapter ^_^;;) An incident in potions causes Hermione to begin acting strangely. Soon everyone in Harry's world is affected... and he's next. We've got Hermione skipping class, Snape skinny dipping, and much, much more. (romance/humor)


"Harry. Harry! Wake up!"

Saturday morning found Neville leaning over Harry, large brown eyes dancing with excitement. Harry peered up at him and groaned, "Lemme alone. I'm tired."

"Where were you last night, mate?" Ron asked from the next bed. "I didn't get to bed until after midnight, and you still weren't back."

Harry smiled into his pillow. "Flying."

"Who cares?" Neville practically screamed, "Harry, I found it!"

But Harry was dutifully ignoring him, desperate for five more minutes of sleep.

"Found what?" Ron asked, climbing out of bed.

Neville grinned from ear to ear. "I know what I did wrong."

"You did something wrong?" Ron was only half listening, head currently buried in his trunk and flinging sweaters every which way.

"With my potion! I looked in up in the library and I found out what I did wrong." It was painfully clear that neither boy was paying attention, but Neville rushed on, too proud and excited to care. "First, I put in too many amber chips, and then I added the cyclamen too soon… which must have done something… So now that I know what was in it and how it's affecting people, I should be able to figure out what potion Hermione took!"

"That's cool," Ron mumbled, attention on the red button down in his hands. "Hey, Harry? Do you think I should wear this on my date?"

"Date?" Neville blinked.

"Duh." Ron rolled his eyes, "Today's the first Hogsmead trip of the year. I was thinking of taking Hermione to Mademoiselle Mona's Mellifluous Malts and then to a play."

"Oh, that's right!" Harry bolted upright and smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand. "I was supposed to meet Draco at The Three Broomsticks at noon! What time is it?"

"Draco Malfoy?" Neville squeaked.

"Malfoy!" Ron gaped and then a sly smile flitted across his lips. "So that's who you were with last night."

Harry blushed, smiling as well. "I have to admit, he's a damn fine kisser." "This is great!" Ron pushed past Neville to plop down on the bed beside Harry. "Let's have a double date!"

"Really?" Harry looked skeptical. "I mean, you're okay with this?"

"Yeah! Well… sure, he's an insufferable git…"

"And you hate him," Harry reminded him.

Ron nodded, "And he hates me… and Hermione, and muggles… and muggle borns…"

"And Hagrid."

"Not to mention that he's the son of a Death Eater!" Neville shrieked.

"Yeah…" Ron shrugged and beamed at Harry, "but if you like him, then he can't be all that bad."

Harry was quiet for a moment. He stared at his lap, twisting the sheets, a slight smile on his lips. "Thanks, Ron." He looked up, "That means a lot to me."

"What is wrong with you two!?" Neville screamed, "This is Malfoy!"

Harry shot him a hurt look, "Neville, calm down."

"Yeah, mate." Ron shook his head, "Don't you believe in second chances?"

"But… Malfoy."

Harry nodded. "Yeah? And?"

"Oh!" Ron was suddenly all smiles again, "You going to Hogsmead, Neville?"

"No. I was going to work on my essay."

Ron made a face, "Booooooring! Come on, Harry. Let's get dressed."



At precisely three past twelve Harry stepped through the door of the Three Broomsticks flanked by both Ron and Hermione.

"I still can't believe you two are all right with this," he said, scanning the crowd.

"Of course we are!" Hermione grinned, "You know we just want you to be happy. And besides, with Malfoy—"

"Draco." Harry corrected her.

Hermione laughed, "With Draco as our friend, soon we'll have all of Slytherin on the side of light."

"Ah, my naive, hopeful Hermione." Ron smiled, pulling her into a fierce hug, "one snake at a time, Love."

"Speaking of which…" Harry frowned, "I don't see him. Let's go up to the bar and—"

"Get down, idiot!"

"Draco?" Harry spun around to find the boy crouched down behind him, eyes on the bar.

"Good. He didn't see you. Follow me."

After many confused looks between the trio, they all gave mental shrugs and hurried after Draco to a table in the far corner. He gave Ron and Hermione a cursory nod and then turned to Harry, "What are Weasel and the mudblood doing here?"

Harry frowned. "They're my friends and they have names. And," he added, jabbing one finger into Draco's chest. You're going to try and like them, too, if you want to be with me."

Draco groaned and rolled his eyes, "Fine. It'll try, but I'm not making any promises."

"Deal." Harry grinned, pulling Draco forward for a chaste kiss.

"I hate to admit it, but they're kind of cute." Ron said.

"Yeah, but Mal—Draco, what's with all the secrecy?" Hermione leaned forward, intense brown eyes locked with silver.

Draco smiled, "Well, Granger—"

Harry elbowed him.

"I mean Hermione." His lips seemed to have trouble forming the word. "Take a look at who's seated at the bar."

Curiosity more than a little peaked, Harry turned as well. There was a goblin, a couple of witches, and--

"Snape?" Harry asked. "So? We're not doing anything wrong."

Draco quirked an eyebrow. "Remember what I told you last night?"

But all Harry could remember was a hot kiss and soft skin like porcelain. He shook his head.

Draco rolled his eyes, "Look who he's with."

Harry turned back to the bar. There was a slight blond girl to Snape's right, but he couldn't quite make out whom. She was laughing at something the professor had said.

"Pansy Parkinson?" Hermione shrugged. "So?"

"Just watch."

At that moment, Pansy was creeping up Snape's side, one hand toying with the front of his robes. Snape spoke and she laughed again… and then kissed him. Both arms slid around Snape's neck and he pulled her close in response.

"Oh my God." Hermione gasped.

Ron spun away, "My eyes! My eyes!"

"Oh…" Harry chuckled. "Wow."

"I can't believe this!" Hermione was shaking her head, eyes still locked on Snape and Pansy. "Not only is she a minor, but his student as well! They are breaking so many laws. And in public, no less. This is going to get back to Dumbledore by tonight."

"Well you're not going to tell him."

Hermione turned to meet Draco's glare. "Of course I will."

Draco's face darkened, but Harry quickly interceded. "Please don't."

"Harry!"

"Snape is Draco's favorite teacher. If you want to be his friend, then you can't say anything."

"But—"

"No."

"But, mate, it's Snape!" Ron grimaced, "Screw Malfoy; let's get him."

"What did you say, Weasel?" Draco was on his feet, wand out.

Harry groaned and buried his head in his hands.

"What's wrong, Malfoy? Are you deaf or just stupid?" Ron had his wand out as well.

Hermione sighed, her gaze passing from Ron to Draco and back again. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Harry," she turned to him, reaching one arm across the table to pat his shoulder, "I'm going to take Ron and get out of here. We'll see you back at school."

She climbed to her feet and pushed Ron back, placing herself in the line of fire while effectively cutting off Draco's tirade of curses. "Draco, it was nice seeing you, but Ron and I have to be on our way. Don't worry, we won't tell anyone about Professor Snape."

"We won't?"

"No, Ron. Now let's go."

"But 'Mione…"

Harry watched as she dragged the reluctant Ron out the door and then looked up at Draco. "Sorry about that."

Eyes still on the exit, Draco shrugged. "Should have expected it."

Harry nodded. "Give it time."



Meanwhile, Neville was growing more and more despaired, buried behind three enormous stacks of books in the back of the library.

"Nothing." Neville slumped back in his chair and slammed 'Brewing Beauty' by Elvira Norton shut. He'd lost count of how many tomes he'd searched with no luck. Not one listed anything even vaguely resembling the potion he had concocted.

"Having trouble?"

Neville looked up , startled, and smiled. "Oh, hello Professor Lupin." He dropped his eyes back to the twenty something books laid before him. "Yeah, I am."

"Anything I could help with?" He pulled out a chair and the paused, throwing Neville a questioning look.

"Hm? Oh, yeah. Sit down. I'm doing a paper for Professor Snape. I messed up a potion and I need to figure out what I really made. I can't find it anywhere."

Lupin nodded, resting his chin on steepled fingers. "I wasn't the greatest in Potions, but maybe I can help. What have you found out so far?"

Neville pulled out his notes and then paused. "I can't." He raised miserable eyes to meet Lupin's curious gaze. "Professor Snape said I had to do it alone."

Lupin chuckled, "Well, what Snivillus doesn't know can't hurt us."

Neville couldn't help but laugh at that. He peered down at his notes, feeling the first stirring of hope since that morning. "Well, it's been making everyone act weird. Hermione's been—"

"Wait." Lupin held up a hand, "People actually took this potion?"

"Um… well, Professor Snape made Hermione take it, and—"

"Does Dumbledore know?"

Neville thought a moment. "I don't think so."

Lupin frowned. "I don't like the sound of this. Please, continue."

"Okay… well, Hermione's been skipping class. Ron, too. Um… Malfoy, I mean Draco Malfoy is being nice to Harry and he even kissed him. And then Harry started acting weird, too. He got really lazy and careless… I mean, he stopped caring."

"Hmph." Lupin scratched his chin. "Hermione skipping class and Malfoy kissing Harry? I see what you mean. Do you know what was in this potion?"

Neville beamed with pride. "Yeah. I figured it out last night. There was too much amber and cyclamen."

"Okay… amber is used for confidence."

"And peace," Neville added. "That's why it was in the serenity potion… at least it was supposed to be a serenity potion. Professor Snape said it's used to aid in meditation."

"Yes, I know it." Lupin replied. He settled back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, long legs propped up on the table's edge. "What was the other ingredient?"

"Cyclamen."

"Cyclamen… I'm not familiar with it."

Neville scanned the parchment before him. "Cyclamen is used for happiness, lust, and to draw love and truth."

"All right. Let's see." Lupin began to count on his fingers, "Confidence, peace, happiness, lust, love, and truth… hm…" He tilted his head, mulling over the list, and then smiled. "Sounds like they're drunk."

"What?" Neville smiled, his confusion evident.

"Think about it. Alcohol causes one to become bold, filled with a false confidence. It also numbs the senses, bringing about a sense of tranquility… a sort of peaceful happiness. Also, because of the loss of inhibitions, one is more likely to act on feelings of lust and speak freely, i.e. tell the truth."

Neville grimaced. "So I made a drunk potion?"

Lupin laughed. "Not quite, but close. I think I know where to find this potion as well. Let me get the book; it should be in the restricted section."

Neville smiled as he watched Lupin go. If the Professor was right, then he'd not only know what was wrong with Harry and the rest, but he'd be finished with his essay by this afternoon and have the rest of the weekend to relax. Maybe even stop in at Hogsmead.

"Oh, Neville…"

He was jerked from his reverie when a strong hand landed on his shoulder.

"Oh, Seamus, hi."

"How are you doing, mate?" Seamus plopped down next to him and leaned forward, a sly grin on his lips.

Neville smiled back. "I'm great. I think I'm about done with my essay—"

"That's great. You busy?"

"Um, yeah. I just told you—"

"Up for a game of Exploding Snap?" Seamus tilted his head down, gazing demurely at Neville through his lashes, "Maybe strip Exploding Snap?"

"Um…" Neville inched his hair back, "Seamus, why aren't you in Hogsmead?"

"Because you're not there."

Neville gulped and turned away, searching desperately for Lupin. Seamus laid a palm on his check, turning his head so their eyes met.

"You don't look happy to see me."

"Seamus," Neville pulled back, "you're acting kind of strange…" He thought back over the last twenty-four hours and came to an abrupt halt at "Did anything happen with Hermione yesterday?"

"Let's not talk about her."

"Please, Seamus."

"Oh, all right." Seamus sat up straight, plainly disgruntled. "I got naked for her, but nothing happened."

"She didn't… kiss you, did she?"

Seamus looked away. "Well, just once. A present for me being so cooperative." He swung back to stare earnestly into Neville's eyes and grasped his hands. "But it meant nothing. She means nothing to me, really!"

Neville shot to his feet, nearly tripping over his chair. "Professor! Professor Lupin?"

"No need to bring him into this."

Neville suddenly found himself caught in the cage of Seamus' arms. "This is between you and me." Seamus was far too close for comfort, chest pressed up against his, breath tickling his lips.

"Oh dear." Neville squeaked right before Seamus kissed him.



Lupin rounded the corner and stopped dead in his tracks. A laugh caught in his throat as he choked out, "Should I leave you two alone?"

With a burst of adrenaline, Neville shoved Seamus away, dancing past him to hide behind Lupin. "No! Stay! Please…."

Seamus pouted. "But Neville…"

Neville squeaked and hid further behind Lupin.

The teacher was laughing as he said, "Mister Longbottom has to finish his essay now. He can play later."

"No I can't!"

But Seamus was already leaving. He mouthed the word "tonight" to Neville before blowing him a kiss. Once he was safely out of earshot, Neville sprung out from behind Lupin, scrubbing his lips with his sleeve. "Gah! Now I'm infected, too!"

"Infected?"

"Neville nodded, wiping down his tongue before replying, "Yeah. That's how Harry put it. If someone who's affected kisses you, then you get infected, too."

"Then we better get working on the antidote soon."

Neville nearly screamed. "Then you found it!?"

Lupin smiled, holding up a tome entitled 'Legal Love Potions.' "Yup. It's a loss of inhibitions potion nicknamed Mousetrap because it uses your desires against you. The potion is gone from your bloodstream in twenty-four hours unless activated again. It passes from person to person through fluids, which is why you become infected when someone kisses you. If already infected, kissing someone not only infects them, but also passes the "virus" back to you, resetting the twenty-four hour period. Unfortunately, once affected, it's hard to keep your lips to yourself, so you're trapped."

Neville nodded enthusiastically. "That's it! Let's make the antidote!"

Lupin laughed. "Let's? As in you and me? I hate to tell you this, Neville, but I'm almost as bad at potions as you are. We'll have to get Professor Snape to make it."

Neville's face dropped. "Oh, dear."

"What's wrong?"

Neville sighed, worrying his lower lip as a wave of exhaustion hit him. He shook his head in an attempt to clear it and sat down in Seamus' vacated chair. "Um… Professor Snape is infected."

Lupin bit back a groan. "Oh dear indeed."

TBC….



Author's notes:

I'll start by saying that no, Hermione isn't going to flunk anything and not care about it. I was planning on doing something similar to that, but once the story was written, it ended up only going until Monday morning, and therefore, there are no more classes. Sorry. ^_^

Also, the word "retort" reminds me of Ninja turtles because it was on that show that I first heard the word. I think Rocksteady said it.

And I know there was something that actually pertained to this chapter that I wanted to say… let me see… I suppose I'm just wondering what people think of Ron and Hermione's reactions to Harry dating Draco.


12/14/03