Tiny Bubbles

Chapter Six

Hermione Plots

"Severus my love! Save me!"

Slytherin's think they are so clever. But Snape should know by now you should not fuck with Hermione Granger, especially a pre-menstrual Hermione Granger. (Ron and Harry learned this lesson a long time ago.)

I could not help to use that opportunity against old Severus; turn about is fair play. After all he would have done the same to me. So I played it for all it was worth. Lockhart almost dropped me when he spun around with his wand drawn. (I want to know the identity of the idiot who actually gave him a wand.) His honor apparently demanded that he defend me against the advances of the nefarious Snape.

Snape was, of course, ready for this and neatly deflected the Rictusempra with a well cast Protego followed immediately by a neat Binding spell. Most impressive!

I, of course had to finish the damsel in distress thing, and properly thank my defender.

"Oh Severus!" I shouted as I ran to him and threw my arms around his waist. Of course I clung to him as if I were a leech. Of course he was trying to shove me away. Oh well, in for a penny in for a pound,

"My hero! Oh my love!" I sighed as I laced my arms around his neck, pulled his face closer to mine and kissed his lips. His lips were actually quite nice, not too hard, not too soft, just right. And oh my goodness, he actually responded. For about a half a second. Just enough time to make my knees go weak.

I don't know if it was the sudden realization that the Head Girl was actually kissing him, or perhaps it was Ron's rather loud Eww that led to his next action.

"Miss Granger," he growled, breaking off the kiss and looking quite angry. "Unhand me!"

Damn Ron and his poor sense of timing! (Whoa there Hermione! What in the name of all that is holy are you thinking?)

I let him go, and glanced about the Great Hall. Malfoy was laughing so hard that he was actually crying. Dumbledore's laughter was ringing through out the Hall. Poor Harry looked as if he were about to faint and Ron had turned an interesting shade of green.

I didn't dare look at Severus, but I sensed his abrupt departure. Harry told me later that he was walking as fast as one could without it being a run. Poor Severus! He really had it coming though.

Poor Gilderoy, was taken away looking thoroughly confused. I imagine he is back at St. Mungos practicing his joined up writing. Dear Gods I hope he does not send me any love letters. Gilderoy was a git but I cannot help but feel sorry for him now. Yes, yes I know, he tried to Oblivate Harry and Ron but that does not mean Snape should use him so badly.

The Bastard!

For the past couple of weeks, the great bat has been on a rampage, and if it weren't for our dear Headmaster all of the houses points would be in the negative. Including Slytherin. But Dumbledore, bless his heart, is taking detentions and point removal, on appeal. So now Snape has resorted to sneaking up and scowling at people in the corridors. Except for me. He totally ignores me. Not that I blame him of course. I imagine that at some point he got tired of students and faculty asking when the wedding would be.

Or maybe he is merely bidding his time.

Which of course means I must make a preemptive strike.

But what to do? He is hypervigilant now, I'm sure. I am. I check under my bed and in the cupboards before I turn in for the night. Some times I wonder if I should just surrender and declare him the victor by default-but that would be very un-Griffindorish of me.

I mean, what was I thinking? He's a fucking ex-Death Eater for crying out loud! Sure, the bubble wrap was brilliant and all. Mr. Snookims was merely retaliation for the damn leprechaun incident. It was not my intention that the cute little puppy follow his master everywhere whilst playfully nipping at his ankles. I certainly wasn't one of those students who failed to take Snape seriously when caught out after curfew. (But really, I can see their point. It's hard to be frightened of the man when he's got that adorable little puppy frolicking with the hem of his robes. Besides, you should see Severus' face when he is holding Mr. Snookims! He actually looks.. nicer.)

So, here I am, in a war that I started.

I have to admit that even though the hypervigilance is tiring, I am having a good time. I suspect that Severus is too. There has been too little laughter these last few years, and I am certain that Severus hasn't laughed in a very long time. I've never seen him smile, even when Voldemort fell. Everyone was smiling but him; he looked just the same as ever.

So, it's my duty as a good Griffindor to make a pre-emptive strike. The honor of my House depends on it. I mean, after all if I can get Severus to smile or even laugh? Wow. I've always wanted to see what Hell looked like when it was frozen over.

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It's amazing how a few well-placed directions from the Head Girl at the weekly Prefects meeting can yield such great results. That and a well-placed bribe to Malfoy. He can be quite tolerable once his palm is greased. Even he agreed that my idea is rather brilliant and I must say that everyone is quite excited to have the opportunity to participate in what they think is my next salvo in this war. Yes, that's right dear reader. I did say think.

I have decided that due to a certain Potion master's hyper-vigilance, I must provide a distraction. It can't be too lame, it must be believable. It must distract him, make him think that the retaliation is complete. After all if he is busy planning his next move against me then he will be too distracted to notice the real retaliation until it was too late.

I don't think he will criticize my potion making skills after this. He will be too busy fending off the advances of a certain custodian. Tee hee.

But first, there is the Halloween Ball to get through. I think that Hogwarts will be witness to a first in the costume department. I hope that Severus appreciates the gesture.