The Power of Kisses

Thank you for all of the reviews!!!! Just a reminder that the challenge was based on ‘Sabrina,’ so my story is based on the challenge – the seduction, which is coming soon! *winks*

Karen Elizabeth: WooHoo! My first review, thank you. I have never seen the movie Sabrina, so I do not know how my story compares the real Sabrina.
Arcee: I am glad!
Jo: Yes! It will be HG/SS! Thanks for the sir name vs. surname. Homonyms and homophones! The same but different! *smi Che Cherry 7-Up: How delicious! You will read about Diet Mountain Dew Code Red!
Piggie: Yes, more is coming!
Andrian: You will never believe what happened! I was getting ready to take the tenth step when suddenly my foot sunk right in it! It was one of those damned trick steps Harry came upon in book four. Well, I was pulling and tugging and finally my foot came loose, but I went toppling backwards and rolled head over feet all the way to the bottom! Now I am stuck here on step one, in a precarious position, but it is giving me plenty of ideas! OUCH! Damn that lightening was close! *winks*
Jessicat1982: Thank you and the chapters will be posted regularly!
Red Writing Hood: Thank you and I am anxiously waiting for your update!
Lori: I am glad you find my stories hilarious! Sometimes I wonder about my own humor but it is comforting to know that you appreciate it.
Hpfreak18: Here it is!
Humaira: Thank you!
Pearle: Thank you and Snape may seem OOC in this one, but there will be an explanation later.

I usually do not acknowledge my reviews in my stories, but I was so touched to have received 13 reviews in the first chapter alone that I had to. A lot of you already know that I have emailed a response to your review in the past and t app appreciate all you have to say. Thank you to all of you!

Hugs,
Corazon





Chapter 2

An hour later, someone knocked at her door.

Opening it, she saw it was Mortimer. “Oh, hello,” she said dryly, allowing him to enter.

“Sweetheart! Here you are! I have been waiting at the train for you, but there was nobody there. I was afraid there was an accident!” he grabbed her and embraced her. “But it’s okay. Here you are, safe and sound.”

“Sweetheart,” she said through clinched teeth, trying to get out of his embrace. “My train came in two hours ago.”

“What? I thought you said two o’clock. My mistake. Oh well, at least we have the rest of the afternoon to be together!” He grabbed her and claimed her mouth in a bruising kiss. As expected, she melted in his arms. Soon their clothes were stripped and he had her in the bed, violating her in the only position they had ever done it in, with him on top.

After about ten minutes, Hermione closed her eyes, knowing he was getting ready to climax. She had witnessed this once and to her astonishment, his eyes bulged right out of his head. She vowed never to see that happen again. He breathlessly rolled off of her. “Gods Hermione, you are incredible.” She lay in his arms, basking in the after glow of sex, thinking this was as good as it gets and then she cringed at Mortimer’s second flaw – lousy sex.

“How was it for you love?” he asked.

“Well, it was good,” she said hesitantly, thinking it was supposed to be better, right. He had been her first and only one, so she assumed it could be better. After all, she could give herself an orgasm, but she didn’t quite know how to tell him. She’s tried to show him how to touch her on several occasions, but he would just smile and say, ‘trust me love, I know what I am doing.’ She would shrug, lay back and let him go at it, knowing it would be over within minutes. ‘Okay,’ she admitted to herself, ‘the sex sucked.’

She would roll over and look into his deep blue eyes and get lost, forgetting about the lousy sex. She was just thankful he was with her.

~*~*~*~*

Later at dinner, Hermione and Mortimer walked into the Great Hall to be greeted by the staff. He immediately took his seat, allowing her to walk along the High Table and seat herself, but, as always, Severus stood up and was pulling out her chair. Like a perfect gentleman, he helped her with her chair before sitting back down. Remus Lupin, assistant to Dumbledore, had been noticing this, giving Severus a suspicious look. Severus glared back at him and returned his attention to Hermione.

“Hermione, I must thank you for the collection of rare potion ingredients you gave me for Christmas,” he said, pouring her a cup of hot tea and adding milk to it.

“You’re welcomed Severus,” she replied, placing his dessert closer to him, since he always took a bite of it first before starting in with the main course. “Thank you for the reference guides. They will be essential for my upcoming position.”

“Oh,” responded Severus, who was doing a poor job at acting surprised, “And what position might that be?”

“I’m not yet sure. I have applied for several positions and should be hearing back from them soon.” Severus had a grin on his face equivalent to the one the Grinch wore when he stole Christmas.

Remus continued to watch the two. He couldn’t help but notice how in sync they were with each other. Severus adding milk to her tea and she arranged his food in the order he preferred to eat. She made sure he had two desserts when they served peach crisp and he always made sure she had the bigger piece of chocolate cake. ‘Something wasn’t right,’ thought Remus, ‘or,’ he hesitated, ‘something was too right.’

After dinner, Remus approached Severus and sternly requested his assistance on a pressing matter. They went to Remus’ office. Severus sat down as Remus closed the door.

“Okay Severus, what is going on between you and Hermione Granger?”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Come on Severus. Since the day she showed up to be your apprentice, you have treated her with a new found respect that no one thought you were capable of.”

“Your Albus’ lapdog, you figure it out,” snapped Severus. Remus sat back in his chair and eyed the Potions Master.

“You know that Mortimer is leaving at the end of this school term, leaving the DADA position open.”

Severus’ lip slightly curled as he raised his eyebrow. Remus continued, “You cut a deal with Albus.”

“Very good Remus. Figure out the rest of it.”

“If Mortimer leaves, you get the DADA position and Hermione is offered the Potions position. That is why you have been so considerate and have taken the time to see that she is well trained since she is taking over your position.”

“Excellent. Now I know why Albus keeps you around,” sneered Severus.

“You are a cruel man Severus.”

“I take great pride in that statement,” he sneered before leaving.

~*~*~*~*~

A few weeks later, Severus and Hermione were working late in the lab and missed dinner.

“Hermione, I ordered dinner for us. They had roast beef, but I put in a special order of roast chicken for you along with a Diet Mountain Dew Code Red.”

“Thank you Severus.” They had worked so closely together that they knew each other’s preferences.

“I still cannot understand how it is you only eat fish and chicken, but continue to drink that beverage full of chemicals.”

“Think of it as an acquired taste,” she smiled at him.

When the food arrived, they ate in silence, each enjoying their food and the break. They had been working on quite a few new potions that required around the clock supervision, so both were exhausted.

Later, Severus noticed it was close to midnight. “Hermione, why don’t you call it a night?”

“We still have work to do.”

“I know you like to shower before bed. Go, take your shower and get some rest. You can relieve me in a few hours.”

“Okay, then you can get some rest before taking your shower in the morning with your bar of soap.” He glared at her. “I still say Severus, if you were to use shampoo on your hair, it would look much better.”

“Hermione, the day I care about what my hair looks like is the day I am trying to impress someone.”

“In other words, never.”

“Exactly.”

It was uncanny how they had learned so much about each other and not even realized it, yet both claimed to still loathe each other.

~*~*~*~*~*~

At the end of May, it was officially announced that Mortimer would be leaving Hogwarts at the end of the school term to work for the Ministry of Magic in Paris, France. Severus Snape was named as his replacement and Hermione Granger was named the new Professor of Potions. All was well at Hogwarts until Remus requested another meeting with Severus.

Severus entered the office to find not only Remus waiting for him, but Albus too.

“Hello Severus,” said Albus, “Please, have a seat.” Severus cringed, knowing something was wrong. “Severus, I know that you have been waiting a long time for the DADA position and let me be the first to tell you, you have always been the top candidate for the job. You and I both know why you have remained the Professor of Potions.”

“Yes sir,” he said, not wanting to go into detail with Remus present. Albus had always feared that by putting Severus as the DADA professor would be too tempting for him while working with the dark arts and portraying a Death Eater. The dark arts were very powerful and it may have seduced him back to the dark side with Voldemort. Now that Voldemort had been defeated, with the help of Severus, Albus had the up most confidence in him to properly teach DADA to the students without Severus scrutinizing himself.

“Well, I have heard some rumors that you need to be made aware of. You know that Mortimer is leaving to France and I believe that Miss Granger is going with him.”

“What does this have to do with me?” asked Severus.

“You are the best Potions Master Hogwarts has ever seen. We have a record number of O’s and A’sOwlsOwls and a record number of high level N.E.W.T.s. Not just anyone can replace you Severus, only the best. I only offered the Potions position to Hermione because she is the only qualified candidate for the job, seeing as you are the one who trained her. If she is not here to teach potions, you will be the Potions Professor next year and I will need to hire someone else for the DADA position.”

“WHAT?!” stood up and yelled Severus. “THAT BUSHY HAIRED, BUCKED TOOTHED, LITTLE KNOW IT ALL IS GOING TO RUN OFF WITH FROGMAN AND FUCK UP MY LIFE! THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!”

“Severus, calm down,” said Albus calmly.

“Don’t tell me what to do old man. I have been at your beck and call for years and it ends now! I will turn in my resignation as soon as I can write it up!” and he stormed out of the office.

Remus looked at Albus and asked, “Are you going to let him resign?”

“He won’t resign.”

“How can you be sure?”

“He has threatened to resign every year for 18 years and it hasn’t happened yet.” Remus still looked worried. “You can go speak to him if you wish.”

Remus sighed. As much as he disliked walking into a death trap, he felt obligated to speaking with him.

Knocking on the dungeon doors, Remus cringed when Severus yelled, “Leave me the hell alone!” Remus still entered.

“Severus, I can understand how you must feel and I can only say that I am sor - ”

“I don’t want to hear it!” he yelled, pouring himself a glass of whiskey.

“What are you going to do?”

“I need to get her to change her mind!” he snapped, slamming the whiskey. “I don’t care if she runs off with Hagrid, as long as she doesn’t run off with my teaching position!” He filled two glasses this time and handed one to Remus.

“You need to get her to change her mind about leaving with Frogman,” said Remus, who drank his whiskey. Remus loathed Mortimer. There was something about him that wasn’t quite right.

“Why du cau care all of a sudden?”

“Because Frogman is sleeping with every stray female with in ten miles of Hogwarts, minus the students. Hermione deserves better,” said Remus, handing his glass to Severus for a refill.

“How am I supposed to get her to change her mind about Frogman?” He slammed the whiskey and filled both glasses again. “When she is not brewing potions, she is spending every waking minute with him. Nobody exists when he is around.” He slammed the whiskey and slumped in his worn leather chair. “I mean really,” the whisky was starting to take effect and his words were slowly slurring together, “the only way to get her attention would be to – to - ”

“To what Severus, seduce her?” asked Remus, who was feeling the effects of the alcohol. The grin of the Grinch returned on Severus’ face. “Damn it Severus! Why do you always drink this magically induced whiskey?”

“Because it gets me drunk fast without having to wait. Now what did you say about Hermione?”

“You need to seduce her,” he slurred.

Severus choked on his drink. “No Remus, you are going to seduce her.”

“What?! I don’t think so. She is Harry’s best friend and I am Harry’s guardian. Well, I know Harry’s of age, but still, I still see myself as a father figure to Harry. I can’t seduce Hermione. She is like a – a daughter to me.”

“Oh grow up Lupin!”

“Then you seduce her Severus.”

“I’m not touching her!”

“Why? Are you afraid you can’t compete with Frogman?”

“That was a low blow Wolfman!” hissed Severus. “I can doing anything that frogspawn can do and better.” He poured another whiskey and slammed it.

“You haven’t seen the Hermione Granger the rest of us have been looking at this past school year,” Remus smiled. Severus glared at him, drin his his whiskey. “She is no longer a bushy haired know it all, but an incredibly beautiful young lady.”

“If she is so beautiful, why the hell would she want me?”

“All you need to do is wash your hair and capture her with you charming personality.”

“Fuck you.”

Remus laughed, filling up his glass again. “How bad do you want the DADA position Severus?”

“Bad enough to seduce a Know It All.”

“Well Severus, I hope you remember what to do with a girl,” sneered Remus.

“It’ll come back to me,” slurred Severus before passing out.

~*~*~*~*~


The next day Severus woke up with a hang over from hell. He staggered to his cabinet and downed a bottle of hangover relief potion, instantly feeling its effects. He then undressed and got in the shower. Taking his bar of soap, he lathered up his body and decided to wash his hair with the soap when he remembered what Hermione said about using shampoo.

“Shit!” he yelled, throwing the bar of soap across the bathroom. He sighed, knowing what he had to do to save his DADA position. Looking around the shower, he realized he had no shampoo. Stepping out of the shower, he walked dripping wet and butt naked across the bathroom to get the bar of soap and to summon a house elf.

“Yes sir Master Snape sir! What can Dorky do for you?” said a skinny little house elf.

“I need a bottle of shampoo, now!” he hissed.

“Oh yes sir Master Snape sir! What a wonderful idea!” Dorky turned and disappeared. Severus got back in the shower, continuing to wash his body when Dorky reappeared.

“Here is your shampoo Master Snape sir! Dorky is so excited that he gets to give Master Snape sir his first bottle of shampoo!”

“Get the hell out of here!” yelled Severus.

“Yes sir Master of Clean Hair sir!” and Dorky disappeared quickly.

Severus opened the bottle and took a sniff. The scowl on his face said it all. Strawberry scented shampoo.

~*~*~*~*~

At breakfast, Hermione was sitting in her regular seat next to Severus. She was enjoying a bowl of oatmeal with cream and fresh berries when she smelled Severus’ coffee. She knew he was in a fowl mood because it was the only time he drank coffee.

“Severus,” she said without looking at him, “What is wrong?”

“Nothing,” he snapped. She looked at him for the first time and looked back at her oatmeal and then her head snapped back at him.

“You washed your hair,” she smiled. All he could do was scowl at her, but she raised hand and to his hair and ran her fingers through it. “Amazing. I never knew your hair could be so silky. It’s almost as silky as your voice.” She turned back to her oatmeal and continued eating.

“So, who are you trying to impress?” she asked, looking at him again.

“What?” he asked, not prepared to answer the question.

“Who are you trying to impress?” she pushed away her bowl and turned to face him. He was ready to snap at her, but then he remembered what Remus had said. He truly looked at her for the first time and realized she had matured into a beautiful woman.

“I – um,” he tried to speak.

“It’s okay Severus, you don’t have to tell me. I need to get to the lab anyway. I have to get my ingredients in order before I begin brewing.” She stood up and left as his eyes followed her out of the Great Hall. ‘She is beautiful,’ he thought.

Severus looked at Remus who was laughing. He didn’t think Severus was ever going to wash his hair, but clearly the DADA position meant everything to him.

“Well, what did you tell her?” asked Remus, who took Hermione’s seat.

“Nothing,” hissed Severus who was still drinking his black coffee.

“How are you going to seduce her without telling her anything,” whispered Remus. “I mean really Severus, no offense, but you can’t do it on your good looks alone.”

“CRACK!” Severus had drawn his wand and jinxed Remus so fast the poor guy didn’t realize what had hit him. He was lying on his back with about twenty octopus tentacles growing out of his sides.

“Severus,” said Albus, “You will need to control that temper or else I am – oh my, you washed your hair.” Severus jumped up and stormed out of the Great Hall.

~*~*~*~*~

Sitting in his office, he had just finished grading a pile of essays when Remus walked in.

“What the hell do you want?” growled Snape.

“I am going to help you,” said Remus, who was waving a white towel, calling a truce. Poppy had taken care of his tentacles earlier.

“Why?”

“Well, you will just have to trust me, but in the mean time, I am going to help you seduce her so you can get the DADA position and she will remain here for the Potion’s position.”

Severus eyed the man suspiciously, but finally agreed. “What do I do?”

“You need to compliment her on her appearance, her accomplishments, and especially her beauty.”

“I don’t know how.”

“It’s easy, here.” He handed him a magazine.

“How To Seduce A Woman. Is this a Muggle magazine?” asked Severus.

“Yes, seeing that Hermione is muggle born, this might help with some of her expectations.” Severus shook his head in disbelief. “Start out slow Severus. Just say, Hermione, you look lovely today.”

Severus sat up a little straighter and said through gritted teeth, “Hermione, you look lovely today.”

“No. Don’t say it like you are suffering from the Cruciatus curse!”

He gave Remus a dirty look and tried it again, “Hermione, you look lovely today.”

“Better, but you sound like you have an awful taste in your mouth when saying it.”

“Oh gods Remus, can’t I just place her under the Imperius curse?”

“Do you want the DADA position or a life time in Azkaban?”

“Fine,” he sighed, standing up, “Hermione, you look lovely today.”

“Perfect!” beamed Remus.

Suddenly, there was an explosion in the lab. Both Severus and Remus ran into the lab, knowing Hermione was brewing in there. When they walked in, she was standing in the middle of the lab, robes torn with her hair sticking straight out the back of her at a forty five degree angle. She looked like the bride of Frankenstein.

“Hermione, are you okay?” asked Remus.

She stood there feeling her hair and stammered, “I - uh - I”

Remus elbowed Severus who was ready to explode from the mess in his labs. “Say something,” Remus hissed.

“Oh right. Hermione, you look lovely today.” Hermione and Remus both stared at him in disbelief before she ran out of the room crying.

“Good going Romeo,” sneered Lupin.

“You told me to say that!”

“When the situation was right you fool! Not when she looks like the Bride of Frankenstein!” he hissed. Severus scowled at him. “Go to her. Comfort her.”

“How? You figure it out Severus. I can’t do everything for you.” And Remus left the lab.

Severus cautiously entered her rooms to find her lying on her bed, crying.

“Hermione, it will be okay. We’ll fix your hair.” He raised his wand and said a few curses, but to his amazement her hair stayed the same. “Um, Hermione, tell what potion you were brewing.”

Between sobs, she managed to say, “A cement potion for Hagrid.” She looked up at him and saw his expression of hopelessness and she began to cry and wail even louder. It was clear that her hair had been set in this position with the strength of concrete.

“Hermione, I will go do a diagnostic on the potion and brew a counter potion. Just stay here and relax.” She nodded as she buried her face in her pillow. He couldn\'t help but smile as he left.

In the lab, he had discovered that one of her hairs fell into her cauldron, causing the explosion and results with her hair. He quickly brewed a counter potion and took it to her.

Upon approaching her room, he heard voices, hers and Mortimer’s.

“Why won’t you take me with you?” she sobbed.

“Well, love, you see,” Mortimer was trying to find the right words, “I just feel it would be better if I go alone.”

“I can’t believe that you would leave me here just because I had a little potions accident.”

“No, no that’s not it. I just think if it would be better if I looked for a place to live in France first, then you could come and see it later.”

“Then how come you walked into my rooms askie ife if I was ready?”

“Because – well – I was wanting to – uh – know if,” he didn’t know what to say. He had taken one look at Hermione and winced at her appearance. He knew at that second he would not be taking her to France to pick out a house to move to after the school term.

Severus remained in the doorway, knowing if he walked in there and gave her the counter potion, Mortimer would take her to France. He knew he was being selfish and he didn’t care. Returning to his rooms, he decided to read the magazine Remus gave him. He would wait until he knew Mortimer had left the castle.

Two hours past and he went to Hermione’s room. She had fallen asleep. He left the potion by her bed along with a rose and a note. When he left, he purposely slammed the door so she would wake up.

Startled, Hermione opened her eyes and jumped up. Her hair scratched her wooden headboard and tears started forming in her eagaiagain, remembering what had happened. She noticed the potion next to her bed along with the red rose and note.

Picking up the rose, she smelled it and then she picked up the note and read it.

Dear Hermione,

If you look at this rose and close your eyes, you can still see its beauty. When I look at you, I see your beauty.

Love,

Severus

She smiled, smelling the rose again before drinking the potion. Her hair immediately softened and fell around her shoulders. Feeling better, she took off her clothes and went to take a bath.

Opening the door to her bathroom, she was surprised to find a bath had already been drawn for her. She could smell the scent of lavender in the water and the room was lit with a dozen candles. She placed her hand in the water to feel the temperature and was surprise to find the lavender was magically induced to massage her hand. Taking off her bathrobe, she slipped into the water and allowed her body to be massaged.

Severus was well aware that it was a Friday night ritual for her to take a bath and after reading the magazine, he decided to add some magic to the bath they suggested. The magazine also suggested that he go in there and wash her back, but he didn’t wao puo push it. ‘One step at a time,’ he thought, taken aback that he was actually enjoying this.

~*~*~*~*~

TBC