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Chapter 25: Mistletoe Mishaps

Tears stung at my face. I had cried for about an hour before realizing it was time for the Christmas party. I washed my face, changed into a red skirt and peasant top, and left for the teachers' lounge. This night would be very long.

"Maranda!" Gwen greeted me as I entered the lounge.

A smile was produced on my face, "Hi guys." The whole group was sitting together, on the two couches we used before.

The lounge was decorated with reds, whites, and greens, reminding me of the Italian flag. There was classical music playing on a small stereo, which game the room some flare. Everything in the room was perfect, until I saw him...Snape..He was chatting with Luscius.

"My dad's here," Draco suddenly blurted. "He's going to tell Gilderoy off for me."

Ron stated, "Yeah because you're so special like that."

"Snape kissed me." I mumbled.

Hermione heard me... Draco heard me...

I repeated myself a little louder, "Snape kissed me."

Ron heard me, Draco heard me, Mione heard me, and Gwen heard me.

"I'm going to have a heart attack," Blurbed Ron.

In my best calm voice, I explained everything from the ball's balcony to this afternoons' attack. I included all of the details, including the words we exchanged. I knew Snape knew I was talking about it, which made me expand even more upon it. I stated how good it felt to punch him in the stomach.. But in all honesty with myself, it wasn't that fun.

"Punch him again!" Ron stated, "He deserves it.. Lousy git."

Hermione warned, "Watch it, Ron, he's close enough to hear us now."

She was right. Snape was leaning against a wall no farther than three feet from us. Oh well, didn't stop me.

I said loud and clear, "He's a pompous jerk."

Luscius was making his way over to us, but turned and started to interrogate Lockhart. Dumbledore entered the lounge, along with McGonagal and many other teachers. The room wasn't cramped surprisingly.

"You still love him?" Gwen murmured to me.

I stared at my feet and nodded. It was true. No matter how hard I tried to hide it, I could not shake the feeling of love that I felt for Snape. How ironic that the one I fall in love with completely hates me. It's not a nice feeling. Especially when he rubs it in by kissing me for entertainment and reasons to be mean. I had so many ideas to get revenge. The right words would scar him for life as he did to me.

"Attention all!" Dumbledore silenced the room, "I would like to say Happy holidays to everyone, and welcome to our annual Christmas party. As you know, or don't know, we always start things off by picking names from a hat. We then have to partner up with the person we picked and play any games with them tonight. Usually we have a number of games, but tonight it's down to two or three. but before we start with any games, we will have refreshments and food in the back of the room. When you are ready, come pick a name from the hat. Beware, if you try to cheat, this hat will know. Cheaters are not welcome here. Now, let our party begin!"

Hermione looked at me, "I know you are thinking you will get stuck with him, but remember not to worry. If you do get paired with him, just try not to pay attention. Lose everything on purpose."

"Oh yeah," Draco sarcastically said, "because that is just the best way to do things."

One by one, people either went to get food or went to pick a name. I wouldn't want to be stuck picking last, so I walked over there with my friends. Draco was paired with Professor Flitwick, Ron was with Gwen, and I was next. I reached my hand into the white hat and scrambled around until I found a paper that had no bad vibes. I took my hand out and waited until Hermione picked to open it.

"We'll open it at the same time," She said, "to make you feel better." We sat back in our seats and opened the parchment.

Gilderoy Lockhart. Thank you God. For once, you do not spite me.

Hermione sighed and showed me her paper. Severus Snape.

"Dear Lord, I'm sorry.." I was relieved but sympathetic simutaneously.

She forced a laugh, "Hah. It's okay. I'll hold back comments to him. At least Lockhart doesn't hate you. You get along fine with him."

"Maranda!" Speak of the devil, Lockhart found me, "I went to pick a name and the hat spit out yours. I guess if you pick first then we have no choice, do we? But, I'm glad I could be your partner."

Jumping out of her seat, Mione stood up straight as Snape approached us. "Hello, Sir," She greeted. Snape looked at me... My world went dark.

"Granger," Snape's focus left me, "I'm paired with you, I see. Let's grab a seat, shall we?"

With Gwen and Ron at the other side of the room, and Draco talking with Flitwick somewhere else, there was only room for Snape and Mione to sit across from Lockhart and I. I slouched in my seat, ready to die. Mione shot a sympathetic glance at me. This seemed to be the night of sympathy.

Dumbledore announced that our first game would be sharades. He said that the team who reached ten points first won. Madame Hooch and Hagrid were first. I hadn't even noticed he was at the party, believe it or not. I had been too involved in dying to pay attention. Besides, he had most likely been talking with everyone, for Hermione and Ron and the others would have said hello too. Unless they had before I entered the room. Either way, the game began. Each team began shouting out guesses as Madame Hooch acted something out. I didn't care what it was at this point. My attention was on Snape, who was giving me a death glare.

Instead of talking, I just used my eyes to talk. With Snape still glaring at me, I copied him and did it right back. He clenched his fists, and I did too.

Draco guessed that Madame Hooch was pretending to be a pirate, and they were right. It was draco's turn now. I broke my glare with Snape and turned to watch Draco. He smirked at me before starting. He got on the floor, hands by his side, and he began to squirm. Someone shouted fish, while others shouted plants and other random things.

I shouted, "You're a snake!"

Draco grinned, "Yes!" It was my turn.

Lockhart said, "Good job."

With Draco now out of the spot where the game was being played, I stood there thinking of what to do. And then it hit me. I would get revenge. I would do this.. Taking my hair out of its ponytail, I let it fly free. I placed some strands in my face and stood up straight. I scowled as best as I could and made sure to glare at everyone. There were suggestions that I was a ghost, some said I was the devil. There was a small black blanket on a chair next to me, so I took it and swung it around my shoulders. I took my wand from my pocket and waved it around, still scowling. I glared at Snape and he was surely insulted...Well, I hoped so.

Finally, Hermione yelled, "You're Professor Snape!" I knew she would get it.

Placing my wand back in my pocket, I stayed in the Snape-mocking-mood and stated, "Five points from Gryffindor for being right." Hermione hid a fit of giggles, but I could still see Snape was pissed off. I sat back in my seat after putting the black blanket back.

The game ended with Hagrid and Madame Hooch winning. We all applauded, and went on to play wizard chess with our partners. I won twice out of four times before Dumbledore announced that we could pretty much do whatever we wanted. I got up and walked over to get some juice. On the way back to my seat, Snape stopped me.

"That wasn't very nice, you know." He scolded me.

I rudly gulped my drink before throwing the cup in the trash next to me.

"You two," Lockhart pointed out, "are under the mistletoe."

Why would Lockhart, of all people, point that out to Snape and I? Sure enough, above our heads was a bundle of mistletoe. God spited me after all.

My mouth went dry as more people gathered around us. McGonagal was surprised, but she declared, "The first kiss of the night! I didn't even realize misteltoe was hanging. You two have to kiss or that will jinx your holiday season."

"I'm already jinxed," I stated while looking straight into Snape's deceiving eyes.

"If we must," He said sourly, "We must. Of course, you'll probably prefer punching me in the stomach, won't you?"

That was the last straw! I hastened to plant a small kiss on Snape's cheek. "There, done, over with."

Luscius spoke up, "That was not a kiss."

"Oh?" Snape chimed, "Let's see how a real one is done if you know so much, Luscius."

He did not just set me up for this..

Draco seemed more shocked than electric eels having a hoe down. Luscius slowly came over to me, bending down slightly to reach my height. He whispered, "I'm sorry, dear." His lips pressed onto mine for a moment, then pulled away. Snape was heated. I don't know why. Maybe because Luscius was man enough to accept a challenge.

"That enough, Severus?" asked Luscius as he disappeared into the crowd again.

Snape left my sight, and the crowd dispersed. Hermione came up to me and softly smiled. She and I went back to our seats. Snape and Lockhart were still sitting there, along with my friends. And unfortunately, there was barely any room left. Without thinking, I sat directly across from Snape, and Hermione next to me. This night was horrible.

Out of the blue, Ron questioned me, "Maranda, how's that journal coming along? I know you told us that we could read it soon."

I could tell Ron wanted this to be helpful to me, so I played along. "Oh, it's fine. My story has its downpoints, but new research is letting me have some twists and turns in it. I just don't know where I left it though. Someone said they saw Peeves take it, someone else said they had seen it in the Potions room." I turned my head to meet Snape's eyes, "Have you seen it, Severus?"

"I think I might have it. Is it a normal notebook, or does it have designs on it?" He was playing too, that jerkhole.

"It is just a normal notebook," I added, "but I tend to draw in it sometimes. And write poetry."

He smirked for a split second and finally stated, "Alright, I think I do have it. Why don't you come to my room after the party and get it?"

Ron sideglanced at me and said, "She would, but she's busy later. We're hanging out."

"Umm.." For some reason retrieving my journal wasn't a bad idea, "Don't worry, Ron, I need to get that notebook. Severus, I'll be in your room after the party to get my journal."

After that was said, I walked across the room and talked to Hagrid about random things. He kept asking me if something was wrong, and after all, I pulled him aside and confessed everything. He was sorry, and told me to kick Snape where it hurt. Obviously punching was enough, so kicking was out of the question.

Within an hour, all I did was talk to my friends, some professors, and Hagrid. Eventually, it was time to leave. Hermione gave me a hug and wished me good luck. I knew what Snape was doing. He was going to act like nothing happened. Or maybe not...

As I entered his room, he handed me my journal and said, "Don't ever mock me again. For your information, I was lying about the reason why I kissed you. Apparently you cannot point out liars like you might think. And don't guess for a second that I read more than that poem. Peeves had heard you telling Hermione one time about how you felt about love. I've known for a long time now. Happy Holidays, Maranda."

"That's it?" I questioned, but Snape had left me alone. I left the Potions room and went into mine.

My bed was comfortable, so I lied down again without changing out of my clothes. I wrote everything in my journal, and added that I was disappointed with the outcome of going into Snape's room after the party. There wasn't even a good fight or anything. Just gave me my journal and ended everything.

Vacation was this week, and if I didn't want to, I wouldn't see Snape until New Year's Eve. Tomorrow I would be with my friends all day long, opening presents and laughing over nothing. Tonight, I would be sulking and trying to figure things out. I could still feel Sev's lips crushed onto mine, and I would soon fall asleep with that one thought engraved in my mind.