Trading Places

TITLE: Trg Spg Spaces 14

RATING: R (slash warning m/m)

PAIRING: HG/SS, HP/DM, HP/HG (friendship), RW/HG/HP (friendship)

A/N: We will be updating every two weeks, possibly with more than one installment,
depending on fate and life. Any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

SUMMARY: What do you call a cross between a Gryffindor and a Slytherin? A prefect!
Don't worry, it's not "what would happen if he had been sorted into . . ." Dumbledore
works in mysterious ways as Voldemort grows in power and daring. Other than that?
Shippyness, Snogging, Shagging, Snippy and Snarky! Trust me, it'll all make sense in a
little while.

GRATUITIES (according to Snarky):


Snape=s Apprentice B Thanks so much! We adore our evil book. We also adore people
who leave us long reviews telling us what they like, complete with quotes! Um, that
would be you. Incase you were confused.


Rowena B Thank you for the multiple reviews! We really appreciate the time and the
effort that takes. There is more H/D goodness in this section. We=re so pleased that
you find it funny. It gives us a giggle too.


MeemoB We=re glad you=re on the H/D train. Snippy has a ticket to ride too. And
we=re glad S/HG didn=t repulse you either! LOL! I=m aware of the squick factor
when it comes to this couple so I=m layin= the ground work. Thanks for the heads up
on the typos and the mistakes. However, we have a whimsical approach to grammar
and we=re sticking to it. :) We don=t have a beta.


L.M.B Your wish is my command.


GrrbabyB Hope your exams went well. We want a progress report! :) So, you=re
feeling the chemistry. *bounces* That=s great. Sniand and Snarky, converting the
world to our respective ships. Bwahaahaa


Kate B We=re evil with the cliffhangers but here=s another heapin= helpin= of the
tension. :) Sadly, no consummation in this chapter.


MenecarkawanB Draco=s having trouble bustin= out everywhere.


KeledryB We=re all caught up here. Glad you are enjoying the story!


Bre- Anything but Sheldon! No!! So sorry for the short stop but it would have been
forty pages long if we=d finished! :) Our chapters keep getting longer.


LonelySlytherinB I have no idea how we got that many reviews. :) But we will look
your story up. I=m always on the look out for great HP fic. The entertainment is here. .
.


Lucied B We=ve corrected our mistake and so glad you enjoy Snape.


Cassandra B Little did we know when we created our creature characters that they
would be so popular. Thanks!


Venus AeternusB Glad you are warming to SS/HG. Thank you for the high praise and
the multiple reviews. We=re still grinning over that. Also, thank you for reviewing
Bounty Hunter. Snippy was ecstatic.


Vampire Goddess B Akasha? No, she was a queen. Love the nic. Thanks! We thought
that summed up Draco.


MidnightKissesB Here you are!


DiosaB We giggled through the whole Gryffindor CR scene. We wanted Malfoy to be
outrageous as he could. And we knew he=d be pissed off. We=re glad Dr. Troy is
growing on you. He=s goto bto be playing Cupid for HG/SS. Look for more H/D
shippyness.


LynnTownsend B Oh no, the library! W/ the librarians and the shushing looks. We=re
still pleased that you laughed but hope you didn=t get a library fine. We love humor
fans.


LenaLovely B That was too funny. We may steal that for a future part. :) Snippy and
Snarky would totally do that. Glad you=re still enjoying the fic. Thanks!


S Wing B Thanks!


Madam PyroB Hi there! Thank you so much. Troy is rapidly becoming a favorite of
ours. He= s so much fun to write. Glad you like his snarkiness. And the double
entendre. :) We couldn=t resist! Look forward to more Lucius baiting. We hope your
exam went well! *shudders at the thought of doing math*


Nani Shiro B Thanks for reading.


Lottalita B Thank you! We love H/D and we=re pleased you do too. I=m happy that
SS/HG doesn=t squick you.


CjazzB Fro? Fro yo? Good stuff. Especially strawberry on a waffle cone. Bubbles?
We=re the Princesses of Slytherin we can=t have f*ckin= bubbles. Bwahaaahaa! Sorry,
we were channeling Ozzy. Thanks for reading and we=re happy that we=ve been able
to keep your attention.


Snapegirl B Well, we only made you wait one week but probably two for the next one. :(
Look for more cheeky Draco and Snape in this chapter. But not Draco/Snape b/c. .
.ewww.


Lunadeath B Thanks for reading and reviewing. Ooh. . .MoonDeath. I like it. You=re
about to find out.


Lady Kel B that=s quite a compliment. We are most humbly grateful. And you only
had to wait one week - lucky you.


Bad-ass-Cinderella B jealous Snape is fun to write, and DM/HP is always a riot and a
half. As for adopting the snakes, they want to know how much candy you have on
hand on a random Tuesday . . .


Natzlin B liked that part myself.


Sorceress aka called deathB Grand? I like the sound of that. Of course, you are
welcome to be grand as well.


Amythest B promise duly kept, a week early even.


The man eating dust bunny B don=t worry, nothing is ever as it seems with Harry and
Draco. And the entertainment . . . well, it=s not that innocent.


Jeminia auburn B updated! Stop glaring!


Mad About Harry B I know, Oliver is so cute, it=s hard to lose him to the other side, but
what can we say? A man that cute that dresses that well . . .and btw, we have to know,
which kiss was so hot? Please tell us?


Dark opal dragon B this is your wake up call! We have updated.


Vmorticia B Draco=s sexuality will be clarified in this chapter. Don=t worry. Be happy.


Chaos rose B thanks for your insightful review, always appreciated from you.


*~*Shameless self-promotion*~* Snippy has a new story. It=s a fairly dark fic, though it
will get lighter. It=s called Bounty Hunter, it=s D/H, Hr/SS, and it would mean a lot if
you guys would check it out and tell us what you think.


And on with the story. . . .

***************************************************************************************************

The dance floor was becoming more crowded, there were scores of Death Eaters
covered by bejeweled masks. Hermione just saw flashes of them as she peered over
Draco=s shoulders. Large torches had been fired to light the dance floor as well as
stave off the slight chill in the air. Hermione noted that the music had become a little
darker with a deeper beat. She and Draco still continued to dance. Severus was having
a in depth conversation with Lucius Malfoy.

"You=re a good dancer," Hermione complimented him. She was telling the
truth, he was light on his feet.

"You aren't as bad as I would have thought," Draco replied.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "And now I know why you don't date girls."

"Oh, but I have. Girls and guys. I suppose its all the same," Draco sounded
blasé.

"I could point out one or two differences," She said wryly.

A smile ghosted over his lips. "That's wrapping. I meant that, aside from the
naughty bits," He gave her a mock leer. "They're all the same. Interchangeable."

"Harry's not." Hermione waited for a reaction.

"You think you know him so well?"

"I've been one of his best friends for about seven years," Hermione said smugly.
"I might know a thing or two about him."

"As much I'd like to debate you on the finer points of the infamous. . .excuse me.
. .famous Harry Potter, we should attend to other matters."

"Such as?"

Draco pulled her closer, slipping his arm around her waist and pressing her
against his chest. "Our sordid little relationship."

Hermione fought the urge to push him away or slap him across his smug face.
"Fake relationship. Back off, Malfoy, or I'll flippendo you into the punch bowl."

AWhy? This is the perfect venue. The Slytherins need their own floor show.@
Draco insisted as he twirled her around to get a better view. He sought out Potter and
saw him clutching his champagne glass, an inscrutable expression on his face.

"Everyone here thinks I'm involved with Severus," She said through gritted
teeth. There was something wild in his eyes tonight and she shivered involuntarily.

Draco bent over and whispered in her ear, "Death Eaters are a generous lot,
Hermione. We all share."

Hermione turned her face until they were nose to nose and she chose her words
very carefully. "I don't think its me you want to kiss."

Draco recoiled, putting a safe distance between their bodies. "Well, if you don=t
want to play. . ."

"May I cut in?" Draco's 'date' appeared at her shoulder.

"Never pass up a chance to rescue a damsel in distress, eh, Hero?" Draco spared
them both a contemptuous glance before he boformformally and quit the dance floor.

Hermione glared daggers at Draco's back as he disappeared into the crowd.
Then, she turned her ire on her dance partner. "You think you're so sneaky, don't
you?"

"How did you. . .what are you talking about?" The voice lowered and took on a
raspy quality.

"I'm saying that the gig is up, Clark. I can see right through your glasses and I
know you're Superman."

Harry's shoulders slumped. He'd planned on teasing her a bit. His voice moved
to its normal octave. "You've been reading my comic books again."

"Have you lost your mind? Go home before you get yourself killed!"

"I can't go home," Harry grinned. "I'm Malfoy's date."

"And that's another thing, what were doing making out with Malfoy in front of
Death Eaters and country?"

"Me?! You! Why were you, you know. . ." He clutched her in what she assumed
was his lecherous old man act. "With Snape? How much alcohol have you had?"

"None," She lied.

"Spell?"

"No."

"Polyjuice potion?" Harry asked hopefully.

"No, I'm," She leaned in closer and confided "spying on the Death Eaters." She
leaned back and looked 'inconspicious.' Two or three people next to them glanced at
them curiously but hadn't overheard their conversation.

"You have had *some* champagne, haven=t you?"

"Little bit."

"I'll leave if you leave," Harry promised.

"I can't. I have to blend in, get some information, that sort of thing."

"Great. It's settled. We're both staying."

"You and Malfoy, huh?" Hermione smiled wickedly. "Didn't know you had a
thing for bad boys."

"He was my ticket into this place. Don't read too much into it."

"Uh oh, Severus is coming and he doesn't look happy."

Harry went on the offensive because she brought up Draco. "Oh, its Severus,
huh? Before you know you'll be calling him Sever and then it'll be Sev. Pretty soon
you'll just call him 'S' and you'll sound like the snakes."

"Shhh!"

"Hermione," Severus said as he joined them. He eyed her companion. "You are
a very stupid boy."

"Dammit," Harry said crossly. "You knew it was me?"

"Go home at once," Severus ordered.

Draco tapped Professor Snape on the shoulder. "I want him to stay."

"Let's move this off the dance floor. Shall we?" Severus took Hermione's arm
and lead the group into the corner of the room.

"Oh, yeah, we don't look suspicious or anything. We're just having a little bit of
a meeting," Hermione muttered but no one was paying her any attention.

"I thought you had better sense, Draco, than to pull a stunt like this. Do you
have any idea - "

"I already have a disapproving father figure, thank you." Draco cut him off. He
raised one eyebrow, regarding Snape with icy, aristocratic disdain reminiscent of his
father. "And I shouldn't have to remind you whose house you're in now. You might
want to watch your tone, Professor." He turned to Harry, both his tone and face
lightening. "Do you want to hear the speech or see how the other half lives, Hero?" Harry was torn for a second. He was used to opposing Malfoy every chance he
got, but the opportunity to blatantly disobey Snape's wishes when he couldn't do a
thing about it was too tempting. He smiled in answer and the two young men quickly
rejoined the party.

Severus heaved a disgusted sigh and rested weary eyes on Hermione.

Hermione patted his hand. "If it helps, I thought you were very intimidating."
She winced as feedback from a microphone echoed through the room.

Lucius Malfoy was situated in front of the orchestra instruments. He sauntered
to the center of the room and played the part of the gracious host to the hilt as he spoke
into the microphone. "I hope you are all enjoying yourselves." There was applause
from the audience. "So good to hear," Malfoy bowed with faux modesty. "We have a
lot to celebrate this year. Ao ado add to the festivities, I've arranged for some unique
entertainment."

Harry shot a glance at Draco who was standing next to him with clenched fists.
He had a feeling that whatever Lucius had in store would not be a good thing.

Across the room, Hermione asked her fellow spy, "Entertainment?"

Severus was stoic. "Lucius loves his amusements."

Hermione knew that this probably wasn't going to be a movie. She gulped and
focused on the cold blond man once more.

"Are all of you familiar with Muggle fox hunts?" There were several nods. They
might be Wizards but they were also English.

"They're going to hunt and kill a poor defenseless fox?" Hermione demanded.

Severus didn't spare her a glance. "A fox? No, that's not what they're going to
hunt."

The color drained from Hermione's face.

Draco's hands slid up his arms of their own accord, he wasn't sure if it was to
ward off the sudden dip in temperature or to keep them from striking out. Harry's
hand reached without thought and settled on the other boy's shoulder. "What's
wrong?"

Draco accepted the comfort. "What isn't?"


********

"I wish the Death Eaters *would* come here!" The book made a menacing face,
but it was disrupted by the snakes each clapping a tail over it=s mouth.

"Shut up! What'ssss wrong with you!" Snippy hissed.

"Yeah, you might as well say, 'At least it can't get any worse' or 'I'm sure we're
perfectly safe'. Why don't you send the Death Eaters an engraved invitation?" Snarky
poked Sheldon for emphasis..

"But *I* can defeat them! I have spells." The book spoke slowly, so they'd
understand. "Bad, evil spells. I could take the Dark Lord out - check out page 117!"

The snakes shook their heads. He was cramping their snakey style. There was a
reason why they were a twosome. Snippy and Snarky were only keeping Sheldon
around to distract the Death Eaters while the snakes made a quick getaway. Well, that
and he was a convenient target for their rapier-like wit.

"Whatever." Snippy sighed. "Right now we have an evil mission." Sheldon
perked up. "There is a room to be messed up and candy to find."

They carefully slunk around the corridors to the Slytherin dorms. They passed
the occasional Auror and the snakes hissed at them and then laughed when they
reacted. They slithered into the common room and the snakes heaved a sigh of relief.

Snippy and Snarky slid into Harry's room. Sheldon was right behind them. He
was making comments on how pretty the 'evil' wallpaper was and how nice the 'evil'
paintings went with the decor. Snippy leapt onto the bed. "Ssso, what do you think,
Snarky? Cereal in the sheets? Peanut butter on the pillow?" He whipped his tail back
and forth. "The old snake in the bed?"

Snarky was sullen as he stood on the floor. "Have you got the feeling that
Harry's holding out on us? I mean, we only found five chocolate frogs during our
candy inspection last week."

Snippy moved to the edge of the mattress. "Growing boys need their candy."
He agreed. "Hey. . .do you think he's been hiding it?"

Snarky perked up. "He's really becoming a Ssslytherin. Too bad we know all
the hidey holes in this place." They snickered.

"If I know Harry . . .try under the bed." Snippy hung his head over, peering
below.

Snarky moved slowly over the floor boards, flickering his tongue at the cracks.
"Yesss . . .here it is!" He tried to pry up the board with his tail. "No good. Won't
budge."

"Oh, Shel~don!" Snippy called. "A little assistance, please."

"I don't think so. I am the Mascot of Evil!" The Book stated, crossings its arms
over its cover. Gilderoy's picture frowned and shook his head. "Not a common candy
thief."

"There is nothing common about the thievery of candy." Snarky announced,
glaring at the Book.

"It is a complicated process, with a long, distinguished hisssstory." Snippy
declared. "A history established by us!"

"A history?" The Book scoffed. "You'll have to do better than that to impress the
Blackest Magic. Ever."

"We stole candy from Tom Riddle." Snarky bragged. He thought back. "He was
always a little creepy. Kept to himself."

"Always sssskulking about in dark corners . . ."

"Muttering to himself . . ."

"Rubbing his hands together." Snippy finished.

"The cackling alone. . ."

"So what?" Sheldon wasn't impressed.

"We heisted chocolate off of Salazar Slytherin." Snarky offered. "Used to eat it
and plant the wrappers on Godric Gryffindor."

"Until they had that big falling out . . ."

"They used to be so much fun to set up." Snarky added sadly. "Big fights. Lots
of arguing. Zap! Zap! Zap!"

"Mmm. . .hexes aplenty." Snippy nodded. "Good times."

"And, best of all, unprotected candy."

"You're lying. You haven't been around that long." The Book pouted.

"Oh no? Do you know what kind of snakes we are?" Hissed Snippy, angry now.

"No," The book said, offended. "You have me confused with another volume.
When Magical Creatures. . ." He did an athletic jump forward, making his hands into
claws. "Attack!" He thought for a moment. "Used to be on a shelf with one of those.
Guy named Steve. He used to jump on me and say, 'you're all right, you're all right lil'
fella." The book frowned. "And when I told him not to do it anymore, he'd say, "By
crikey, you're a grumpy one!"

Snippy looked puzzled. "Are you trying to say Steve and you - "

"We're Parsel snakes." Snarky informed him, ignoring the bizarre, bookish,
homoerotic subtext. "Our line was adopted by Salazar himself. We're pureblood
snakes, never mix with other breeds."

"Parsel? Like Parselmouth? Parseltongue?" The book questioned, intrigued.

"That'sss right." Snippy smirked. "But that's a whole other story."

**********

They were standing in the middle of a field lit by torches stuck in the ground.
Harry could see Malfoy Manor in the distance. He could see a hazy glow surrounding
them, no doubt a charm to hide them from anyone who might be unfortunate enough to
stumble upon them.

Malfoy stood in the center of the group, ever the showman. "Ladies and
Gentlemen, before we begin, allow me to direct your attention to our choice of mounts
for the evening." He gestured to a dozen black mares with white manes, their coloring
obviously achieved by magical means. The crowd murmured their approval. "And our
prey for the evening." Two large boxes, covered by a black satin cloth appeared next to
him. With a flourish, he whipped the cloths off, revealing two large animal cages. In
one was an eleven year old boy, in the other his twelve year old sister. Their clothes
and faces were clean. Their eyes were red from crying. The boy was shaking in fright.
"These two Squibs will be given a five minute head start. Then a bugle will sound, and
we will release my hunting dogs." Lucius gestured to two large mastiffs who were
pawing the ground and baying at the sound of prey. Their leashes were held by four
house-elves who barely kept them in check. "Don't worry. They've been trained not
too bite too hard, just hold the prey in place. As soon as they are released you are free
to start the hunting party."

There was applause and little cries of delight as the interested 'hunters' perused
the horses and patted the dogs heads. The girl inside the cage stared daggers at Lucius
while her brother broke into tears. He turned his attention back to the cages, looking
the girl over while she glared back at him. "You're older than I thought."

"This isn't right! Let him go - I'll stay."

"Are you trying to order me around, little Squib?" Malfoy peered down at her.
"How amusing. Thought you figured out last night that it wouldn't do you any good."

"He has a bad leg. He can't run." She said. "Where's the fun in chasing
something you know you'll catch?"

"Why, in listening to him scream when we do." He laughed and walked over to
the horses.

Hermione mentally assessed the crowd over, rapidly calculating the odds in her
mind. She could take out the two by the cages. Harry could steal a horse or two . .
.hmmm . . . no, they were probably enchanted not to leave the Malfoy Estate. She
gripped Severus' arm. "Where should we start?"

"You don't actually want to participate, do you?" Severus was taken aback.

"You mean you're not going to try to stop them?" She gasped.

"We can't," he said firmly. "Unless you want to be added to the mix."

"How can you just stand there and do nothing?" Hermione demanded.

"Quite an improvement from what I used to do at these gatherings," he said
quietly.

"I have to - "

"No the only thing you *have* to do is get a hold of yourself. Remember where
you are and what's at stake, Hermione."

Hermione met his eyes, her vision was blurry from unshed tears. She nodded
reluctantly and then removed her arm from his, standing rigidly at his side.

The 'hunting party' was mounted, lined up and ready to go. Lucius trotted in
front of them on his own horse, ignoring his wife while she kissed her boyfriend for
good luck in the hunt. "Now, don't forget the first back with a Squib receives a prize!"

"What, another portkey to Knockturn alley?" Mocked a voice in the back.

"Or season quidditch tickets? If they ever play the World Cup again?" Another
snickered.

"Oh, I have something *really* special." Lucius smirked. He pulled a small silver
box from his pocket. It was wrapped with green ribbon. "This, ladies and gentlemen, is
a portkey."

"Told you." Came the first voice.

"Not just any portkey." Lucius asserted. "Can you guess what makes this
sp
special?"

"Where does it take you to?" A woman asked.

"Nowhere. This portkey has already been used once and cannot be used again."

"By who?" Some one else demanded.

"Why, by the famous Mr. Harry Potter. During the Triwizard Tournament."
Lucius crowed. "For a one-on-one meeting with the Dark Lord himself. Well, one-on-one since he got rid of that Hufflepuff whelp." They all shared a smile.

Draco glanced at Harry. The dark haired young man was staring straight at his
father, expressionless. But the hands clasped behind his back were white knuckled. His
jaw was clenched and his eyes looked as if they were boring holes into Malfoy. "You
alright, Hero?"

"Just enjoying how the other half lives." Harry replied tightly. Draco was about
to respond when the cages were opened and the children scurried off into the trees, the
dogs barking loudly as they waited to chase them.

************

Ron settled down into a chair by the fire, wearily rubbing his eyes and sighed.

"I wish I could wipe that image off my eyes, too." The small griffin was
perched on the arm of his chair, looking up at him.

"Griff!" Ron pulled him onto his lap.

"Hello, Ron." Griff-Gruff leaned into him and permitted him to scratch his ears.
"What the hell is going on?" Ron asked, bewildered by the many changes.

"It's a long story. But believe me, no one has suffered, the way I've suffered.

I've been trapped with that dunderhead Malfoy and Prissy, excuse me, Pansy Parkinson
for two weeks."

"Yikes! I'm sorry, Griff."

"Thank you, Griff-Gruff sniffed as he leapt onto the armrest again. "It's like
living in a monkey house."

"Yeah, and Draco's the big baboon."

"Or buffoon."

They both exchanged cheeky, superior grins worthy of Godric Gryffindor
himself.

"I don't know how, but it must be Malfoy's fault," Ron said morosely.

"Most likely, " Griff-Gruff agreed. "He has a tendency to screw things up.
Cn't n't even get my cream the right temperature."

"Everyone knows you like it just this side of body temperature."

The griffin nodded, proud of his student. "Not everyone is as bright as my
Gryffindors."

"I can't believe he . . .and Hermione . . ."

"She used to be such a nice girl, " Griff-Gruff lamented. "That's what you get
when youociaociate with Slytherins." He looked left and then right before he leaned in.
"And I heard that she was very familiar with a certain professor as well."

Ron was afraid he knew the answer to this. "Flitwick?" He asked hopefully.

"No."

"Dumbledore?"

"He's old enough to be her ancestor. No."

"Uh, Slub
"N
"No, this is much worse."

"Trelawney?"

"Be realistic. No, she is, and I have this on bad authority, having an immoral
liaison Sev Severus Snape."

"Gyugah!"

**********

Hermione could hear the deep baying off the hounds as they chased their
terrorized prey. She could also hear the pounding of the horses hooves as they were
driven on by their riders. Their laughing was punctuated by the pitiful calls of the
young boy as he searched for his sister. Hermione was having difficulty standing.
Tears were openly running down her face and she swiped them from her cheeks with
the backs of her hands.

Severus had seen far worse amusements than this. He was actually relieved that
it hadn't been something more monstrous. He had offered his handkerc to to
Hermione but she had angrily batted at his hand and it had landed on the cold ground.
Luckily, the other spectators were too busy nattering on to one another and speculating
about the outcome of the hunt to notice Hermione's reaction.

Across the field, Draco affected a yawn. "I'm bored with this," he announced.
"Seen enough, Hero?"

A muscle worked in Harry's jaw and his attention was on the dark mass of trees
ahead of them. "Not yet."

He forcibly turned Harry's head until he was looking at him once more. "You're
honestly telling me that--"

"I want to see who wins." With that, he turned his attention back to the woods.

A rider broke through the tree line with the boy over his saddle. His
companions gave a triumphant cheer at his return and he waived to the crowd. He
sidled up next to Draco and Harry and shoved the boy off of the horse. He landed on
the grass with a sickening thud. The child screamed as his leg twisted underneath him.
His arms were covered in vicious dog bites and his nose was bloody.

Draco couldn't look away the the boy. He was still alive, but just barely. His
blue eyes fastened on Draco, beseeching some sort of assistance. Unfortunately, he had
none to give. He closed his eyes, unable to bare the weight of the boy's despair.

Harry offered the 'winner' his hand. "Congratulations." The man briefly shook
his hand and trotted away to rejoin his cronies. Harry's face was devoid of any
emotion whatsoever.

It chilled Draco to his proverbial bones.

"Well, I've had enough debauchery for one evening." He turned on his heel and
sought out Professor Snape's lanky form in the crowd. Harry reluctantly followed him.

Just then, Lucius and his mount cantered to a halt in front of Severus. The girl
was face down across his lap, his hand rested on her thigh. Her skirt was ripped and
their was blood on legslegs. Unlike her brother, her jaw was firm and her eyes were
only filled with hatred. Lucius slid her down his body aeposeposited her on the
ground. The elder Malfoy dismounted and slapped his horse on the flank, causing her
to gallop away.

At the sight of his father, Draco had gone even paler. Ignoring his instincts,
Harry shoved his hand into Draco's and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"They didn't kill them, " Hermione said softly. It was cold comfort at best but it
was something.

"Of course not, my dear, after all -- we're not monsters."

"Is that a fact?" Draco drawled re bre both he and Harry Disapperated.

********

Snarky tossed another chocolate frog into his mouth with his tail. "Harry=s in
for a big surprise whenever he gets back."

Snippy snickered. "We should make magic popcorn and sell tickets."

"Hey, don't I get any candy?" The Book whined. It had taken him nearly half an
hour to get the boards up and the candy out. He had been covered in spider webs and
dust. Then they had spent an hour messing up Harry's room. They had short sheeted
his bed, poured glue in his shoes, and made all of his text books invisible. He was tired
and hungry now.

"No," The snakes answered in unison as if that were obvious.

"Hey! I helped steal that candy!" The Book protested.

"What's your point?" Snippy asked.

"I'm a candy thief so I should get to eat some of the candy."

"You're the Mascot of Evil!" Snarky smirked. "Not a common candy thief."

"Really shouldn't have said that." Snippy advanced on the book. It started back
up under Harry's bed.

"What are you doing?" the Book cried, alarmed.

"Well, it wouldn't do to take Harry's candy and not leave him something in
exchange." Snarky smiled, joining his friend. "Something like a. . .book."

"What . .hey!" The Book fell into the whole left by the missing boards. Quickly
the snakes shoved the boards into place over top of him. "You can't do this to me!"

"And why not?" Snippy asked licking chocolate off one fang.

"It's sneaky! It's underhanded!" The Book yelled. "And I didn't think of it,"
Sheldon sighed with envy. "You two really are evil!"

"Sssanks."

********

Lucius grinned at Severus, showing a row of sharp white teeth. "Aren't you
going to congratulate me?"

"For what?" The Potions Master replied wryly. "Not falling off your horse or
being able to follow a dog?"

"How did you like the hunt?"His question was addressed to Hermione. Her
cheeks were obviously tear-stained. "Oh dear, I see you've dropped your
handkerchief." He 'thoughtfully' picked it up and placed it into her numb hand. "I'm
sorry if we upset you." His tone said otherwise.

"That's not what upset me," Hermione managed.

"No?"

"No. I'm just upset that we wasted our time here, when we might have been
doing something more . . . absorbing." She leanedk agk against Severus. He wrapped
his arms about her waist and she relaxed into the safety of his embrace.

"And boredom brought your tears?" He mocked.

"Lover's qul." l."

"Oh? Did you two have a row?" Lucius smiled. "What a pity."

"It was nothing of any consequence," Severus interjected. "As a matter of fact,
we were about to leave."

"So soon?"

"Need time to make up properly. "Hermione was mentally casting Flippendo.
She took Severus' hand, holding it close to her body. "Shall we?"

Snape nodded and spared Malfoy a glance. "Lovely party." And they vanished.

*********

Draco and Harry stood awkwardly together in front of the staircases leading to
the dorms. They were still holding hands but their thoughts were miles away from
each other. Harry looked at Draco. His face was completely blank. Harry squeezed his
hand. "I had no idea a father could be so . . ."

"What would *you* know about fathers, Hero?" Draco scowled and dropped
Harry's hand like it had burned him. "At least I have one."

"Do you have to be a git all the time, Draco?" Harry crossed his arms over his
chest.

"Oh, it's Draco now is it?"Draco sneered. "A little dance and a snog or two - is
that all it takes to get to you? Sorry, Hero. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not that
easy."

"Oh, really? Then what were you doing with me tonight?" Harry tossed back.

"Making the best of a bad situation. Or did you forget, I didn't invite you."
Draco turned on his heel. "Now, if you will excuse me, *Potter*, I'm going to bed."

"Want some company?" Harry tried to hold the words back, but the mischievous
bent in him would not be denied.

Draco whirled around, his face a little shocked, and a little pleased. Then his
mask of indifference returned. "No."

Harry slowly walked closer, remembering the night in the woods when Draco
had managed to unsettle him. "Sure about that?"

"Certain." Draco took one step back, and ran into the rail of the staircase. "What
are you doing?"

"I just wanted to thank you for taking me along tonight. I had a *compelling*
time." Harry stopped in front of him.

"I don't want your thanks. I didn't want you there." Draco smirked at him. "I
don't want you here, either, Hero."

"Liar." Harry took hold of Draco's jacket lapels. "If you don't want me, walk
away. I won't stop you."

"Dancing with Death Eaters give you some courage, Potter? Make you feel -"

"Shut up, Malfoy."Harry tugged him forward, kissed him hard, then released
him, and walked towards Slytherin, a smirk on his face.


**********

Hermione was shaking as they Apparated into Snape's apartment. There was no
trace of Harry or Draco. She took a great shuddering breath. Severus attempted to
embrace her but she fled from his touch. She wrapped her arms around herself before
she spoke. "Earlier, you said. . .you said this was an improvement on what you used to
do. You meant that you used to participate."

"Yes, Hermione, I did," Severus admitted. "I was a Death Eater in the fullest
sense of the term. And I was one of the best," He said bitterly. "I won't defend my
actions because I can't. What I did was reprehensible and I should probably be rotting
away in Azkaban right now."

"I don't mean to sound harsh, but why aren't you?"

Severus laughed without humor. "That's a question for Albus. I came to him
one night after a meeting. I was high on dark magic and power and I had blood on my
hands. Literally." Severus sat down heavily, burdened by the weight of his past. "I
confessed everything. From the night I was initiated to the activities I'd been involved
in that very evening. Then, I sat and waited. Waited for him to turn me over to the
Ministry of Magic or ship me off to Azkaban. Do you know what he did?" Hermione
shook her head. "He offered me the Potions Master position."

"He believed in you. Professor Dumbledore knew that you could help defeat
Voldemort. He knew that you had a desire to make amends."

"Perhaps." He didn't look convinced.

"From what I've read, black magic can siphon a person of their will. It makes
horrible things seem reasonable, yet you were able to fight it."

"Yes, I was." Severus was done discussing this. He'd offered enough to explain
his actions but he didn't want to hash through all of it after what she'd seen this night.
"How are y

"I've been better but I'm fine." He looked skeptical. "Really. I've seen some
terrible things these past few years." Severus tilted his head to the side slightly.
"Honestly. I'll be alright."

"I'd like to take you to my Zen Garden all the same." Severus stood up and
reached for her hand.

She placed it in his. "I'm sorry for the way I-- "

"Don't be. You were angry and you have a right to be. I forget what its like to
witness these things and be shocked by them. I should have prepared you for that.
Now, come with me." They walked down the hallway together. Snape hesitated for a
moment, but with a glance at her shivering form, switched hands and put his arm
around her shoulders.

********



"Dating Snape? She couldn't possibly. . .why? Why? WHY? Why would she
do that?" Ron was clearly flabbergasted.

"Well, his breath *has* improved," Griff-Gruff said thoughtfu

"It's Snape, how good could it be?"

The griffin shrugged.

"We have to go at this one Slytherin at a time. I'm going to deal with Malfoy
first." Ron grimaced even as he said the name.

"What do you suggest?"

"We need some sort of bargaining chip. It has to be personal. Humiliating,"

"Tell me, Ron. Read any good books lately?" Griff-Gruff smirked.

"That weren't about Quidditch?"

"Ah, but I have a very *interesting* one. An autobiography if you will, a
personal saga."

"Is it illustrated?" Ron was still confused.

"Not quite. . . that might be a little *inappropriate* for . . . well, anyone." Griff-Gruff looked queasy. "But they're doodles."

"Doodles?" Ron was starting to catch on. "What's it about?"

"It's about a boy. And other boys. And some girls. And certain objects that . . . I
really hope I never come across." Griff-Gruff shook his head. "But you can skip those
parts. . . and those doodles. . .and head straight for a couple of entries about a former
Gryffindor we all know and love."

"Hermione?"

"No, Ron," Griff-Gruff sighed, a paw at his forehead.

********

Hermione awkwardly stood in the center of Snape's Zen garden. She felt
overdressed in all of her finery and sand had seeped into her shoes. "Well, I don=t feel
very relaxed yet,"she said dubiously.

Severus smiled. "For this to work, you need to make yourself more comfortable
first." As he spoke, he stripped off his tuxedo jacket and laid it on a nearby stone.

"Oh, that makes sense." Hermione gingerly removed her shawl and sat down
atop it on an economy-sized polished rock and began to work on her gloves. It was a
lengthy process because she had to tug on each of the fingers and then pull them down.

Severus began to undo his bow tie but he couldn't help but watch her. He tossed
his tie on top of the coat and undid a couple of buttons on his shirt. It felt strangely
intimate somehow, as if they were undressing for bed.

Hermione had carefully folded her gloves and set them down beside her. Then,
she began to remove the pins from her hair. She placed them by the gloves, one by one.
When, she was finished, she shook her hair out, it fell in soft waves around her face.

Hermione slipped off her high-heeled shoes. She flexed her toes and groaned in relief.

Severus chuckled as he leaned down to slip off his own shoes and socks.

"You don't know the agony of high heels."

"Thankfully."

She grinned impishly. "You mean you don't have something to confess?"

"I have many vices, Hermione, but ladies footwear is not one of them."

She blushed a little. "Can you turn around, please? I have to take something
off."

"How comfortable are you intent on being?" Severus asked. The question was
teasing but tinged with nervousness.

"Am I making you *uncomfortable*, professor?" Hermione drawled. She
couldn't resist.

"Not at all," Severus lied. He obligingly turned around, only to be taunted by
the whisper of fabric as it slid against her skin. He closed his eyes and took a
shuddering breath.

"You can look now."

She stood demurely by the rock. He took in her small collection of clothing and
told himself that he wasn't disappointed that she had only removed her stockings.
"Feel better?"

"Much." Hermione wiggled her toes in the sand, enjoying the feel of it beneath
her.

"Splendid." He picked up two of the wicker rakes and handed one to her. He
demonstrated his technique with the other. "Now, trace a pattern in the sand. I usually
do a series of semi-circles." Severus drew arches in the sand as he spoke. "As you pull
the rake through the sand, imagine all of your tension leaving you." His voice was
soothing, almost hypnotic as he spoke. "Its flowing through your arm and into the
rake. From the rake, it travels to the sand and away from you." He folded his hands
over the top of the rake and watched her. "Now, you try."

Hermione began to trace semi-circles and visualized the tension leaving her. It
was working but she felt disconnected. She needed something more elemental. Real.
She dropped the rake and slid to her knees, the skirt of her dress billowing around her
like a silver cloud. She grasped two handfuls of sand let it trickle from her fingers. It
was soft and warm. She felt as if it were purifying her somehow. She rubbed it
between her hands and down her arms. Hermione let the whole evening ebb away
until she was completely cleansed by the sand. She finally stopped, blowing away the
remnants that clung to her fingers.

"Feel better?"Severus asked softly.

"Much." She gave the same answer from before, only now it was true. "Thank
you, Severus."

"You're welcome. Make use of this room any time you need to."

"I will." Hermione thought he looked rather dashing. He was free of his normal
sarcasm and his clothing was mussed.

He noted her scrutiny. "What?"

Hermione walked over to him, with a wicked gleam in her eye. "The last time I
was here you asked me for a goodnight kiss."

Severus swallowed hard. "I was joking."

"I'm not." She stepped closer and placed her hand on the side of his face..

"We're treading on dangerous ground, Hermione." He sucked in a breath as she
stroked his cheek, reveling in the raspy feel.

"That's what we do best, Severus." She placed her mouth to his.

What was a tender exploration before, became a wild contest of wills. Severus
wasn't sure if he was fighting her or himself. It would be so easy for him to give into
temptation. That had always been his downfall. Hermione wanted to prove something
to him. She knew there was something between them and right now she needed him
like she'd never needed anyone else. She wanted to be taken away from herself.

Severus broke the kiss and gaspe air air. She started to back away from him, but
he dragged her closer, resting his forehead against hers. "It would be wrong,
Hermione."

"I know," She admitted. "But it feels right, doesn't it?"

"Yes," Severus said. "But we can't do this."

Hermione's eyes widened.

"Not tonight. Not-" he broke off. He was about to say 'ever' but she looked so
wounded and she'd already been through so much already this evening. "We=re both
tired right now."

She nodded. "I suppose you're right. The sun will be up soon."

"Right. Breakfast. Classes. Students." His eyes settled on her as though
reminding himself.

Hermione knew what he was doing. She was hurt that he would still place her
in that category. One minute she was his student and the next he was kissing her.
Hypocrite. "Goodnight, *professor*."

She whirled around and grabbed up her discarded clothing, trying not to let
tears fall.

"Hermione, I-"

"Save it." She rushed out of the room, dropping one silk glove in the process.
As she left the sand, the door appeared and she slammed it behind her.

**********

Harry hadn't even bothered to light a lamp or crawl into his bed. He gratefully
collapsed on it and flung his shoes off his feet. He then realized he was still in his tux.
"Accio, wand!"

He transfigured his clothes back, tossed his glasses on the night stand and shut
his eyes, praying that sleep would overtake him soon. In hindsight, it was very bad
idea to go to that party. He was flirting with his dark side in more ways than one and
there was no better symbol for it than carrying on with Draco Malfoy the way he had.
Why were all the interesting ones evil? Other than Wood, of course. Harry rolled over
on his side and shoved the pillow more firmly under his head.

"Oooooo! OOOOO!!" The voice was low and wavering.

"What the hell. . .?" Harry sat straight up in bed.

"I'm the ghost of books past due!"

"Peeves, I swear to Merlin if you don't go away, I'm going to find a spell to
make you solid and kick your ghosty bum."

"I am not Peeves, I am the ghost of books past due. . ."

Harry got up, and padded around the room. The voice was emanating from
somewhere inside. He looked around. "I can't even remember the last time I went to
the library. Maybe you're lost. Hermione's room is down the hall."

The voice became louder. "Do not dare to question me! Now. . .do you have
any candy?"

"Sn "Snippy? Snarky?" Harry frowned. No, it wasn't parseltongue, yet if he
listened closely, he could hear a nearby 'thee, thee, thee . . . .'

"Come closer . . .closer . . ."

"I don't think I want to." Harry leaned down, the voice seemed to be coming
from the floor.

"You are getting closer . . .are you afraid yet?" The voice dropped an octave.
AOoooo . . ."

"Sheldon?" Harry was horrified. Sheldon was trapped in his room. And he had
thought Death Eaters were sadistic. Who would do this to him?

"Harry, I know you're terrified, but I want you to try to get past that and think
very carefully. Do you have a crowbar?" Sheldon asked hopefully.

***Challenge: If you can spot the line from Lonesome Dove, The Series we'll email you
the next update first! Hint. . .the line's from Colonel Clay Mosby and is said by a
mascot.

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