-SEDUCTION BY THE BOOK

CHAPTER 5: The Magical Art of Seduction

By PITON

"Ok, tell me again which part of the book did you choose to inspire your seduction attempt?" Ginny said as she turned the pages, reading the highlighted parts.

"The one where she falls off the horse," Hermione said turning the pages herself. "There, chapter eight."

"Well, then that's what we want to avoid. Pretending to be hurt and stealing kisses doesn't work with Snape," said Ginny reaching for her backpack and turning it upside down to empty it. About a dozen books fell all over Hermione's bed.

Hermione looked at the paperback romance books with colorful pictures and disturbing tittles and it made her skin crawl. But there were also two different ones that caught her attention

"What are those?" she pointed at a couple of leather covered books with some kind of inscription she couldn't make.

Ginny smiled dangerously and said, "Let's just say these are the techniques." She placed her hands on the strange books and then pointing at the paperbacks she added, "And those are the situations."

"Why is it that I don't like the sound of that?" Hermione asked sinking to her bed and reaching for the books. Upon close inspection she recognized the inscription as Hindi. The whole book was in Hindi, so she got her wand and did a quick translation charm. The tittle read, "The Magical Art of Seduction."

"I got that from a Slytherin in my potion's class, she says it's been used by the women in her family for generations," said Ginny.

"You didn't tell her why you wanted it, did you?"

"Do you think I'm stupid? I told her it was for me, " Ginny explained. "We are always exchanging books anyway and she's Ok... for a Slytherin."

"Only you could be able to make friends with every student in the school!" Hermione shook her head while going through the book.

"Well, not all Slytherins are bad you know?" Ginny added and then continued, "But enough with talking, I believe you have a lot of reading to do. Think of it as an essay, you'll do your little research and combine all the important information."

"I somehow think a school essay is a lot easier..."

"Nonsense, I know you can pull it off." Ginny got up and headed to the door. "I have a class now, so I'll see you at dinner."

Hermione nodded and as Ginny left, she looked at the other black leather covered book and it read "Kama Sutra."

She gasped shaking her head. "Has Ginny gone absolutely mad? I'm supposed to make him kiss me not..." She paused looking at the pictures inside the book, tilting her head and frowning. "... not THAT!"

She closed the book and gathered some parchment and a quill. She was going to spend the rest of the afternoon in the library doing this so called 'essay'.

While piling the books and putting them inside her own backpack, she heard a little 'pop'. It could almost go unnoticed, but she had great hearing and it sounded to her like the noise Dobby makes every time he disappears.

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Hermione sighed, "This is useless! I doubt Professor Snape will go for any of that."

She read all the information she had written so far.

First Step: Scent

The first rule of seducing is scent. That is a great way to attract one's attention, without exposing yourself. Our sense of smell is primal. The nerve endings of the nose are barely separated from the limbic system of the brain, the 'old brain' that serves as the center of our basic instincts -- including sexual desire.

Draw yourself a bath with 8 to 10 drops of essential oils : Jasmine, ylang ylang, sage and neroli. Repeat the words 'Amplecti Adamo', at every drop. The first touch of fragrance will ignite the passion on the object of your affection.

Men love the smell of just-washed-hair. Find out his favorite scent and add to your hair concoction. Wash it thoroughly and apply a hot drying spell (The heat intensifies the scent).

Second Step: Attire

What you wear is what you are, what you think and what you want. The color you choose to wear will dictate your intentions. Red is the color of passion and it holds a magical quality that summons the seductive forces of nature.

Third Step: Facial expressions

Your mouth - Always look like you're ready to pucker. Keep your lips and mouth relaxed and your lips smooth and moist. Practice by relaxing the muscles of your mouth, parting your lips, creating a sexy pout...

"This is ridiculous! I won't pout for Snape!" She banged her hand on the table and the noise made a loud echo throughout the library. She heard Madam Pince clear her throat reproachfully and decided to get going, it was dinner time anyway.

Upon arriving at the Great Hall, Hermione saw Ginny waving to her and she hurried to sit next to girl. Harry and Ron looked at them suspiciously. The two girls had to wait until Seamus and Dean joined them on a heated discussion of Quidditch, to be able to talk about their plan without being eavesdropped.

"I still don't see how we can do this! Besides I'm going to have to wake up an hour earlier every morning if I try to follow this bath ritual thing," Hermione complained.

"This is the price of winning a competition." Ginny motioned her head to where Lavender and Parvati were sitting. "And you want to win this don't you?"

"Yes, but there are things like his favorite scent, how am I going to find that out?" she whispered.

"We'll have to find out what cologne he uses... I'll think of a way. And is there anything else you found out?" Ginny asked.

"Apparently I have to wear red, which I have no idea how, because not only we wear uniforms, but I don't own anything red," Hermione replied.

"Well, for that I have a solution. Red clothing, I have lots of it," the red haired girl said and Hermione thought of how odd a Weasley must look wearing red.

Ginny continued, "And I know just the way you can wear them, but you're going to have to get yourself into detention again."

"Oh no, I can't do that Ginny, it's going to look terrible on my record, besides I don't want to lose any more house points," Hermione argued back.

"Well, then maybe Lavender and Parvati were right after all..."

Hermione glared at her. "That was low, Ginny."

"That's competition. Either you got what it takes for the challenge or you don't," Ginny replied coldly.

Hermione glanced at the head table and was startled to see Snape looking back at her. She felt a shiver and looked away. She slowly nodded and said, "Ok, let's go for it."

Ginny smiled triumphantly and started telling Hermione what she would have to do. After they finished dinner, Ginny kept gazing at the head table to see when Professor Snape would leave. The moment he stood up, she and Hermione left the Great Hall and ran to the stairs that led to the dungeon.

They successfully got there before him and waited. The moment they heard his quick steps approaching, Hermione positioned herself in a way that when Snape turned the corner to go down the steps, he would run right into her.

Just as they expected, he did. Hermione collapsed against his chest and he instinctively held onto her so she wouldn't fall back down the stairs. When he noticed it was her and tried to pull away, she clutched to the edges of his robes and smelled him loudly and deeply.

Snape wasn't prepared for that and he was rendered speechless for a few seconds. Blinking in a confused, but mad nonetheless, expression he asked, "What did you just do?"

She looked at him, feeling her courage leave her and Ginny pushed her slightly. "I-I smelled you, Sir."

"You... Why?" he asked frowning.

"Because I wanted to know if you smell as sexy as you look Sir," she said in a small voice.

Ginny looked away, trying to hide the smile that was creeping in her lips.

Snape's face turned stony and cold and with his lips thinned, he said in that menacing voice that gave Hermione goose bumps, "Detention, tomorrow at 8am, Miss Granger. How's that to start your Saturday?" With that he walked around her and climbed down the stairs, with his robes swishing after him.

They ran up to the Gryffindor tower and when they were far enough, they started laughing. "Oh that was priceless," Ginny said holding her side, hurt from so much laughter.

"He looked furious, I think he wants to kill me," Hermione replied.

"Nah, he was more surprised than angry," Ginny said as they reached Hermione's door. "So what does he smell like?"

"Sandalwood."

"Well, there you have it, you got his favorite scent and a detention. I am a genius," she added smug.

"You are crazy, that's what you are."

They both entered Hermione's room to discuss their plan for the next Detention.

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A/N: We want to thank jojo, fan-rei, Jade Dagger, angelusdream, Chainmailgrl,

charmed piper, Dragonsdaughter1, Captain Kirk, Willy for the great reviews ;-)