-SEDUCTION BY THE BOOK

By: PITON.

CHAPTER 7: Oh, The power of firewhiskey

Hermione only stopped running when she found herself in front of the lake. She had no idea why or how she got there. She didn't care either. Her mind was spinning in complete and utter confusion. She had kissed a Professor...

But wasn't it what she was working so hard for? She couldn't understand why she was feeling this way, she never thought how much she wanted to do that until she did it! She kept telling herself that it was all for the sake of the challenge, to prove she was a true Gryffindor who didn't back out at anything. But when he started touching her like that, it was like he opened a door to something that was hidden deep within her, and now that it was out, she couldn't control it anymore.

Yes he knew about everything and he was trying to teach her a lesson, but he didn't seem to pull away when she kissed him... could he be feeling something for her? She shook her head at the image of Professor Snape coming to her mind. No, not Snape the bastard, the greasy git who hated all Gryffindors and loathed her beyond reason. He couldn't possibly want her.

She closed her eyes and let the light breeze grace her face, making her tears chill on her cheeks. After what seemed like hours, she decided to go back to the castle. With a long sigh she turned and headed back to her room. She was going to immerse herself in her homework, after all, she needed to distract her mind from all that mess. Gods, what would she do about Lavender and Pavarti? This wasn't a joke anymore, there were real feelings involved and now that he knew everything, she couldn't go on with the charade.

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On her way she wasn't aware of Lavender and Parvati watching her from the common room window. Both girls were laughing and shaking their heads. "I knew she wasn't going to get Snape to like her, let alone kiss her," said Lavender.

"Well considering that's the best she could do to her looks, she won't be able to seduce anybody. Not even a greasy bat like Snape," Parvati replied.

"She's just ... I don't know... too mousy. I don't think that she can look any better than that, no magic in the world is that strong!" Lavender shot back and both girls started laughing hysterically, also not noticing the outline of an elf in the corner of the room.

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Snape poured his third glass of firewhiskey and drank it in big gulps. He heard the familiar pop and turned to see Twanny eagerly looking at him.

"Hello Twanny, let me guess, Miss Granger is in her bedroom bursting into tears while Miss Weasley gently comforts her?" he said in an uncharacteristic slurred speech.

"No sir, Twanny can't find Miss Fizzy in her bedroom, but Twanny is knowing what Miss Painted face and Miss Twin are saying about her," the elf said staring with big eyes.

Snape looked more interested despite his light head and sat heavily on his favorite chair. "Alright, Twanny, enlighten me."

"Miss Painted face is laughing at Miss Fizzy, says she can't make Master Snape to like her or kiss her. She say Miss Fizzy is too..." the elf screwed up her face trying to remember. "Um... too mousy! And no magic in the world can make Miss Fizzy look good."

Snape looked as if thinking fast and then noticed the elf wanted to say more. The elf looked a little uneasy but added, "Miss Twin says not even a greasy bat like Master Snape is liking Miss Fizzy."

Snape's eyes narrowed as he thinned his lips. He knew that the students called him names like that, but it was still shocking to listen to it, especially the way these two chits were talking. It surprised him to find himself extremely angry at the way they were talking about Miss Granger. He knew it wasn't true and it was a shame that her confidence could be hurt like that. He happened to think she had developed into a beautiful girl... no, she was almost eighteen, she was a young woman. She was brilliant and had the most beautiful brown eyes....

What was he thinking? She was his student... it was probably the liquor speaking. He wasn't thinking straight. He realized he was pacing and the elf was still there looking at him expectantly.

"Did you say you heard Miss Weasley talking about revenge that day?"

"Yes, sir, Twanny hear Miss Red say she is planing revenge on Miss Painted face and Miss Twin," the elf replied.

He nodded slowly, still lost in thought. Then turning back to Twanny , he said, "Is that all Twanny?"

"Yes Master Snape sir."

"Thank you, you're dismissed." He went back to his chair and drank the rest of the liquor as fast as one drinks water. He could feel his eyes getting heavy while he still had that idea lingering in his mind.

He smirked lazily. He had to admit Miss Weasley had lot of Slytherin in her. Perhaps there was hope for her after all... maybe he could contribute with his own ideas, at least to teach Miss Patil and Miss Brown to think twice before involving him in their little game.

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She reached her dorm and got inside, throwing herself on her bed. After a few minutes, she sat up straight and looked around for her book bag. She gasped at the realization that she had left it in Snape's office. "What now?"

She had homework to do and needed her books. She grimaced and felt like smacking herself for her own stupidity. She had to go back and face him, even though she had no idea how she was going to accomplish that in her present state. She reluctantly got up and left for the dungeon. As she got near, she could feel her stomach turning cold and heavy. 'Get a grip on yourself Hermione!' she thought. 'Where's your Gryffindor courage?'

Somehow those words meant nothing to her at this point.

She knocked at the door, waited for his usual bark and heard nothing instead. She knocked again, hoping he wouldn't snap at her for interrupting him. She didn't think she could take one of his tantrums today.

She waited and still not a sound came from inside. She tentatively turned the handle and the door creaked open. The office was empty, she looked around and thought that maybe she could just grab her bag and leave. He wouldn't even notice.

Walking inside more confidently, she made her way to one of the chairs in front of his desk, where she had left her bag. She quickly retrieved her bag and turned to leave as fast as she could, when she heard a noise like glass breaking. She stopped in her tracks, not moving for a few seconds, then turned slowly to where she thought the sound was coming from. It was the door to his chambers, where he had taken her that day she fell out of the chair. She could see the soft light of candles, but no more sounds were coming from inside the chamber.

Her curiosity got the best of her and she made her way to the door, tiptoeing carefully. Poking her head through the door, she heard the fireplace crackling softly and saw the broken glass beside a big leather chair. His hand was hanging from the chair's arm and the glass must had fallen when he fell asleep. Was he just asleep or drunk? She looked back at the door to her freedom and back inside his chambers. She could simply turn and leave, but... what if he was sick? She couldn't just leave him there in need of assistance... that was plausible, no one could say she was breaking into his private chambers when she was just trying to help. That was it, she was just doing what any sensible person would in her place. She was just making sure he was Ok.

She made her way to his chair, slowly, taking in the decoration of his chambers with curiosity. It was funny to be there again and the first time she didn't have time to look at everything. He seemed to have wonderful taste and it somehow looked exactly like him. Masculine, refined, even sexy... she thought looking at the green and black velvet curtains on his bed chamber. Sexy? Since when she thought he was sexy?

She finally stopped on the side of the chair and saw he was fast asleep, probably because of the alcohol... she wondered why had he drank so much to make him fall asleep. He wasn't the sort of person who slept a lot, especially in the afternoon, she couldn't imagine him as a nap person. She observed his chest rising slowly up and down. She had never seen him so relaxed, his face looked different, softer. His lips were fuller, not pursed in the thin line she usually saw. His eyes had long eyelashes and a lock of his pitch-black hair was covering his face.

She had the urge to to tuck it behind his ear and before she knew it, she was doing it. He stirred slightly at her touch and she she pulled her hand away startled. She let out her breath, relieved that she hadn't awaken him. She knew now that he was Ok and she should leave, but she was somehow rooted to the spot, entranced by him.

She was for the first time looking at him, seeing the details of his face. It was funny how his big nose went perfectly well with the rest of his face and he wouldn't be this handsome otherwise... 'Gods, I'm thinking Snape is handsome now! I don't even know how long I've felt that way,' she thought.

She slowly sat on the floor, near his legs and watched him sleep for the longest time. She bent over and laid her head on his lap. 'Just for a moment,' she thought. He was too deep in sleep to notice her anyway. She felt his wonderful scent fill her nostrils and she smiled closing her eyes.

"After you spent almost half an hour studying my face, I hope you're not planning on sleeping in my lap, Miss Granger," said the silky cold voice.

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A/N: Thanks to Dampilleta, Evil Duckie of the BlackLagoon, charmed piper, Etherea, Atiannala, Anna-Nanna, SilverMoonset, mysticdarkraven, Chainmailgrl, Anastasya, DRUNKEN LANDLORD, Serene Riddle and momsangel for the kind reviews, we're glad you all like the story ;-)