Chapter 9

Argus Filch had never had such a good time as he had the last two weeks leading up to Christmas. The annoying little know-it-all witch had served her first couple of weeks detentions with her teachers, but the rest had been his and he certainly wasn't going to go easy on her, unlike some of her teachers. Well, all of them but Snape. Seemed most of them were rather amused at the situation; McGonagall had even given the girl tea, tea for heaven's sake! Unfortunately it was all over; Christmas, bloody, nasty holiday that it was, had rolled around again and Granger's detentions were over as of tonight. Bloody unfair really, he was just getting used to getting to pick on her every night. "Awful little witch will think twice about crossing Professor Snape again, eh Missus Norris?"

Filch walked chuckling into his office, and stopped short at his desk. There on top was a present. He cautiously reached a hand out toward it, then quickly pulled of the bow and jumped cringing to the side, ready to run if anything looked even remotely like blowing up. After a moment he uncovered his eyes, and there they were. Filch grabbed a handful of what looked like strawberry-flavored Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. They were actually vomit-flavored, but Hermione was very good with color-changing charms.

Of course, he didn't know that…Yet.

Any other day Hermione would have been more careful. Any other day she would have been suspicious. Really though, who pulled a downright mean trick on Christmas Day? 'Severus blood-sucking Snape, that's who,' thought Hermione grimly as she looked in the mirror. 'Can't play a nice little prank like mine, can he? NNNoooooo. He has to do this!'

Flashback

"Professor?"

She hadn't been looking for him, but really, what student expects their professor to be in the library on Christmas morning? She wouldn't be here herself if she didn't have to research an antidote to the prank Fred and George had sent Ron this morning. She and Harry had been wise enough not to open theirs, but Ron…well, Ron was already quite tired of having elephant ears.

Snape looked up from the book he was reading. "What is it, Miss Granger?" Then his face darkened, "What exactly are you doing here on Christmas morning? Did you forget to give your friend the library a gift? Or perhaps it forgot to give you yours. In that case, I'd forget it, libraries can have terrible memories you know."

'Well isn't someone in a bad mood. Am I surprised? Hmm…no.' "I just came to see if I could find a counter-spell to one of the Weasley's pranks. I was surprised to see you here, though." She lifted an eyebrow at him, obviously curious.

Snape smirked. "Which prank? They have hundreds, or dare I say thousands? Striped teeth perhaps? Or maybe more of their infernal canary creams ?"

'Snape wants to…chat? Whoa! Slow down, rewind, and get a psychologist in the building. One of the occupants in the library must have gone crazy. Actually, I am feeling slightly dizzy…'

"Um…well, actually it was, uh, elephant ears sir." Snape blinked and stared at her. "That is, they charmed their present to curse the opener with elephant ears."

Snape continued to stare at her. What was wrong with him? "Sir?" He abruptly snapped out of whatever trance he'd been in.

"Well, you're in luck Miss Granger. The charm happens to be in this book, 143 Humiliating Curses." He flipped a few pages back. "I actually was considering it for you, but decided against it." He gave her a slight smirk that would have been his equivalent of a smile.

Hermione was staring at him. He was joking with her. She was crazy.

"Miss Granger? If you actually want the counter-spell, I suggest you actually look at the book. Hmm?" He was almost grinning at her now. He kept looking at her in a strange way. "Oh for Merlin's sake! Fine! I'll read it for you. The spell you're looking for is Aures Naturalis. Now get out of here and go disturb someone else's peace." With that he turned back to where he had been and began reading once more.

"Uh, thank you sir." She still didn't walk away. Dare she ask? … "Uh, sir?"

"What is it, Granger?" Snape snapped, obviously annoyed at being interrupted once more.

"Um, why did you decide not to give me elephant ears? Just curious of course," she added quickly.

Snape smirked. "Simple, Miss Granger. With your mess of hair, no one would ever have seen them."

Hermione gasped in indignation, swung around and marched out of the library…for a moment. Snape had watched her go with satisfaction before turning back to his book, and he didn't see her sneak quietly back in a couple of moments later.

'Oh, you have picked the wrong fight this time!' She cautiously picked a spot behind one of the shelves where she could see him, but he couldn't see her. Aiming carefully, she muttered one of the advanced color-changing spells Professor Flitwick had taught her. She had never used it on anything alive before but…it worked. Good.

A satisfied Hermione Granger snuck back out of the library, and walked confidently to Gryffindor tower. If it hadn't been Christmas there would have been students everywhere, but almost everyone was at home with their families. She didn't see anyone all the way back. When she climbed up the stairs to the boy's dorm she saw Harry and Ron's faces. "Hey guys," she said, smiling. "I've got the answer Ron." They just kept staring at her. "Guys?"

Both glanced at each other, then back to Hermione, and swallowed. "Uh, Mione, did you see Snape anywhere?" Harry asked nervously.

Her brow furrowed in confusion, she replied, "Well, yeah actually. He was in the library. He helped me find the counter-curse. He kept looking at me really funny to. Like he was trying not to smile. What's going on you guys?" She asked, suddenly angry.

The boys glanced at each other again. "Um, well," Ron stuttered, "J-just, uh, turn around and, uh, l-look at the mirror."

Hermione spun around and stopped in horror. Her face was in the mirror…but her hair was gone. She was bald.

End Flashback

He would pay. He would so pay! She snickered suddenly, causing Harry and Ron to look at each other apprehensively. 'I wonder if my dear friend has discovered his new style yet.' "Don't worry guys, I'll get the counter-curse. It's got to be in the library."

"Do you want any help looking?" asked Harry.

"Are you sure you wouldn't mind?"

"Well, as long as you don't make us skip out on the food." Harry joked.

"It's a deal. I really appreciate it you guys."

"What are friends for?" said Ron. "Uh, Mione?"

"Yeah, Ron?"

"You really aren't going to make us skip dinner, right?"

Severus Snape practically fled back to his dungeon when he was certain Miss Granger would be back in Gryffindor tower, making sure he kept his book with him. He didn't want her to be able to find it. He rushed into his room, sealed the door…and howled with laughter. She didn't have a clue! The poor, innocent little fool had no clue! She had looked hilarious!

When she had come into the library, at first he had been put out, but then realized he could use the situation to his advantage. He had chatted with her a little, putting her off her guard. One thing he knew about Granger: however much she may claim to hate her hair, she was actually quite proud of it. It was different, and made her stand out. She was vain about her hair, no doubt. He had just found the perfect little curse, and nothing was easier than to zap her quietly from under his book while she babbled about the Weasley boy's predicament.

Still chuckling, he made his way to the bedroom where his personal library was kept. As he entered, the mirror on his wall started wheezing. He hated wizard mirrors. They make to much noise. He turned to glare it into silence…and froze.

He hated her. She was the most brazen, impudent, irresponsible, disrespectful, insolent little…little…female that he had ever met! Brat! Beast! Wench! Hate was not a strong enough word. He abhorred her.

His hair was hot pink.