(Ok, here is chapter 18! I am soo happy that you all review. I took some of you guys' advice, kind of. I'll say that er, there is a big twisty suprisey thing in this chapter. I'm not sure if I'm that sure of this chapter.. Well read, enjoy, and tell me if it's any good. Thanks again for all of the reviews!)

Just as The clock began to chime, Harry looked as though an idea struck him.

" Dark," he started. " You knw, if Snape comes he's going to be really mad."

Dark looked at Harry. " Yeah... but he's always mad at me..." She said. Harry didn't seem to take that as comforting. " Fine, go on and ditch me. I'll be fine." she gave in, rolling her eyes. Harry gave an apologetic look and hopped off of the loft.

Just then, the door to the room opened. Harry, invisible, snuck past no other than Severus Snape, who's onyx eyes were scanning the cavernous room. " Ah, " He said quietly,
" I thought that this would probably be the case...." With a wave of the wand, the loft seemed to dissapear, causing Dark to fall on her ass. She looked up into Snapes hard stare.

" Miss Smith, how unexpected." he said with much sarcasm. Dark noted that he sounded a little put out.... She figured the poor guy hadn't gotten any for a while....

" I must admit, you almost had me there on that little trick..." He said. " But of course, what else could have been expected?"

Dark stood up slowly, she realised that she still had a hand on her sore bottom, and quickly removed it. She still kept eye contact, her stomach felt like it was doing flips.

Professor Snape continued speaking. " but of course, who would want to meet up with a 'slimy git' like myself?" He asked icily. He took a step forward that this would either make her feel worse about her actions than she looked, either that or get a answer out more quickly.

Dark muttered something that was bartely audible.

" What was that, Miss Smith?" He asked, taking another step. He didn't realize that this intimidation attempt wasn't working exactly the way he thought it was.

" I don't think that you're a greasy git, Sir." Her voice was not much louder than before, but just loud enough that Severus could hear it.

" Oh? " He raised an eyebrow, wondering where this was going. " Is that true, Miss Smith." He used the same voice as usual. He couldn't help but wonder if she had meant what she said.

" No, sir, I don't. In fact I think you're quite--" Dark cut herself off realizing what she was saying. She felt a blush spread across her cheeks. Then she realized how close Snape had gotten. Her palms began to sweat and she caught her self stop breathing for a second. She stood there looking up at him, flustered and slightly dizzy.

" Well then, Miss Smith, are you going to finish that sentence, or are you going to keep gaping at me like a fish out of water?" His features grew softer, including his voice, but he still had his air of sternness about him.

" I'm not gaping.... I was just... er..." Dark was at a loss for words. She had noticed that she was practically backed into a corner. She wondered what Professor Snape was thinking.He was looking at her, but she had the feeling that he was looking straight into her mind. She faintly remembered a quote about eyes being portals to one's soul, or something like that.

Severus was staring straight into Dakota's eyes. There was some emotion in them that he couldn't quite figure out. Was she about to say what he thought she was going to say. He knew that her words had truth to them. It didn't take legimency to see that. He had never realy looked at the girl before. She had grown a lot since she first came to the school. It was shocking to think that this was the tiny, scared looking first year standing somewhat hidden in the crowd, waiting to be sorted. Now she was a young lady about to leave for good. Althought she was still short, she had gotten a lot taller since she arrived. They all do.

Her short balck hair framed her face, which was colored with a pink blush from embarassment. Her violet eyes were shiny, like amethysts. She had never been the prettiest of her classmates, but she was alluring when you took the time to notice her.

Severus mentally started. Was this really what he was thinking?! Admiring the annoying twit's beauty? And for what? She would never return any feelings. He was the cold hated Professor that lived in the dark and dank dungeons. To many students, an overgrown bat, or bird of prey. Little did he know how wrong he was.

Time seemed to have stopped. What was the man thinking? Dark had not removed eye contact. She felt a mix of feelings, and didn't know to explain it. She had to say something, the silence was strarting to get to her... not to mention she was bad at the whole eye contact thing.

" Professor, I..." She didn't know what to say. Words were not neccesary, because Severus had lowered his lips onto Dark's. Dark responded, allowing the kiss to deepen.

Dark wondered if this was actually happening. She had developed such a crush on the potions master in the past few months, but since she was making a habit of ruining his day, she thought it would just be a hopeless fancy... Although this kiss could mean nothing after all.

"Funny.." Dark thought, ad she wrapped her arms around Severus's neck. She had dated so many boys, and she never thought that she would ever find a good kisser. Maybe bad kissing was just a Gryffindor thing...or maybe she just dated losers.

The reality of the situation had finally sunken into Severus's mind. He was kissing a student. An annoying one at that. And the terrifying thing about it was that he alomst felt he was enjoying it. She was, of course and adult now, but still. Dakota Smith?? When the two broke off the kiss they stared into each others eyes. Had she enjoyed the kiss as well? It seemed that way.

" Well I guess that means it's the end of your little tricks, Dakota?" He asked in a smooth voice. Was that a smile on his face?

"I don't think so." She answered with a smirk. So that was the game.

" Fine by me Dakota, but don't expect me to go easy on you. If you can make my life miserable, I can extract my revenge." He purred in Dark's ear.

Dark was about to snap at him for calling her Dakota, when she found that she didn't mind it. But only he could call her that. It only sounded good when he said it. When she told him this he laughed. This made Dark almost melt.

" Not get yourself back to Gryffindor tower, Smith, or I'll take points." He said, turning towards the door.

"Hey!" She called after him. Severus turned around. "Aren't you going to say goodnight?" She pretended to be offended. Severus strode over to her and cupped her cheek with his hand. He placed a swift kiss on her lips and was gone. Dark practically skipped the way back too her dorm.

Thus started the very odd and possibly love-hate relationship between Dakota Smith, and Severus Snape...I think!

(oooo! What happened?! what do you think was it the right thing for me to do? Did I get all sappy? Is it obvious that I such at writing? Or........was it good? I think I kinda got OOC on this one. You know what to do now!)