Outside the Fire

Disclaimer: All characters belong to JKR. Sob!

A/N: Just to clarify one point about the Whispers challenge. Delphyne set a few challenges on her site, and I picked out this one, giving it my own personal twist. That's not to say I'll be using every idea in the challenge, though. Just so you all know.

Ron and Harry are the ones trying to conspire to set Snape and Hermione up. - Harry is with someone (preferably DRACO MALFOY *hinthinthinthint*), and Ron is with someone --- I don't know, the squid? Think of something. Hermione is without someone, and she doesn't seem inclined to want anyone. These two nosey best friends take it upon themselves to search the entire school for the best possible HERMIONE-MATE! When they settle on, probably at the suggestion of one of their mates (Dracoooooo.. *nudge nudge*) that the Head of Slytherin is a perfect candidate. Not to mention it'd be damn funny to see Snape blushing over Hermione's kisses. In other words, Hermione and Snape have no clue WHAT they are getting themselves into. Nosey Gryffindors (and a BLONDE Slytherin..?*pokes with a ladle*) are the ones to set these two up on a blind date. Or SOMETHING. This could be very funny, and we all know that humour is good. Angst is fine and dandy, but humour is universal.

Outside the Fire

Chapter 4 - Harry's Plan, Hermione's Dreams

Draco stared at Harry, stunned into silence for once. He opened his mouth, and then closed it again. Opened. Closed. Got up and paced the room, and then sat down again, facing the dark haired Gryffindor.
"Are you nuts?"
"No."
"That's Dark magic."
"Actually, it's not."
"I don't give a shit whether it is or not, Harry. We could get in serious trouble!"
"Look, I'm not going to delve into their deepest, darkest secrets. You can't read someone's mind, you know. Snape explained it to me in fifth year."
"I know what Legilimency is, Harry."
"So do I, Draco." Harry's eyes were haunted and Draco immediately wrapped him in his arms.
"Snape is too well versed in Occlumency for it to work on him, Harry."
"I know. I was just thinking about Hermione." Harry cuddled closer, "I just thought I could influence her dreams a little."
"How?"
"I don't know, seeing as how I've never been with a girl to know what sex with one is like."
"Just like with a man, except wetter."
"You know?"
"Blaise told me." Draco ducked his head, a flush spreading across his pale cheeks. "Anyway, how on earth are you going to get Hermione to dream about Snape?"
"That's the trick..." and Harry proceeded to tell Draco his plan.
"So how are you going to handle Snape?"
"I thought I'd leave him to you, seeing as you're his favourite pupil."
"So you get the easy job, huh?"
"I know how you like a challenge, Draco."
"At least you admit it's going to be difficult."
"You can do it, Draco. I have every faith in you."
"It's not going to be a five minute job, Harry."
"I know that."
"It may even take a few months. Are you prepared to carry on for that long?"
"Yes. Just think of the entertainment value we'll get out of this." Harry knew how to push Draco's buttons.
"But Hermione may never speak to you again when she finds out."
"Who's going to tell her? You? Ron? I certainly won't."
"Are you sure you're a Gryffindor?"
"Did I ever tell you the Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin?"
"No. I'm not surprised though." Draco ran his hands down Harry's back, "You're devious enough to be one."
"Wow, you gave me a compliment." Harry grinned.
"Don't get used to it." Draco sniffed. "I'll have to tell the others, and you'll have to tell Ron."
"Deal. Do you think they'll help?"
"It's been pretty boring around here lately. This should liven things up a bit."
Draco brought his attention back to his boyfriend. "Did you lock that door for a reason?"
"I always do things for a reason." Harry unfastened Draco's robe and pushed it off his shoulders.
"I like a man who has a purpose in life." The blond returned the favour.
"Especially if that purpose is you."
"So call me selfish." Draco shrugged and tugged at Harry's t-shirt.

~~@~~

Harry approached Ron cautiously about his plan, as Ron was a lot bigger than he was.
"Fancy a game of chess, Ron?"
"Still got those masochistic tendencies then?" but Ron set the board up anyway.
"Ever played Draco, Ron?"
"Not yet, why?"
"He's quite good."
"Beats you too, eh?"
"You don't need to be a good player to beat me at this." Harry waved his hand at his cringing chessmen. Ron's pieces were rubbing their hands together in glee.
"I don't know why you bother, Harry. You're crap at it."
"Just tell it to me straight, Ron, no need to be gentle."
"Check." Ron grinned, "Now tell me what it is you wanted."
"How did..?"
"Harry, mate, we've been friends since first year. I think I know you by now."
"Yeah." Harry stared down at the remains of his chessmen that were staring pitifully back. "I forfeit. Fancy a walk?"
"Sure." Ron grabbed his scarf. The weather had turned chilly and there was now a frost usually in the morning. They made their way to the Quidditch pitch and found the Hufflepuff team practicing. They turned their backs on them to indicate they weren't spying, and conjured up a small flame to keep themselves warm.
"Well?" Ron waited.
"You know at breakfast after our last match?"
"Yes." A glazed look passed over Ron's face at the thought of Millie.
"Ron!"
"What? Oh, sorry. Carry on."
"I've been thinking about Hermione."
"Again? I thought we'd decided against that idea."
"Nothing was ever agreed. And I still say we should go ahead."
"You have someone in mind?" Ron hadn't really given much thought to it.
"Yes, but you may not like it."
"It's not Fred or George, is it?"
"No! Someone a bit older."
"Not Bill or Charlie."
"No, none of your brothers."
"Thank Merlin for that. She's nearly a sister to me, but I wouldn't want her to be a real sister, if you know what I mean. It would be too weird."
"Someone a bit older."
"Not...Dumbledore.." Ron looked aghast at Harry who looked back.
"Eewww!" They both shuddered.
"So, older than Bill, but younger than Dumbledore. We don't know that many, apart from Moody, Shacklebolt, but he's married, Snape and Lupin." Ron frowned, "You're not suggesting that Lupin.."
"Not him." Harry shook his head.
"That means..No, tell me you're not serious!"
"Draco agrees with me."
"Only because you're shagging him, and everyone knows his dick rules over his brain."
"Hey, I resent that!"
"She hates him, he hates her."
"Déjà vu."
"Pardon?"
"I've had this conversation already."
"With Draco?"
"Yes."
"Well, you can't persuade me like you did him." Ron snorted.
"No, but Millie can." Harry's smile was sly.
"Below the belt, Harry!"
"I know."
"Okay, let's look at this from a rational point of view." Ron paced up and down between the seats, "One, they hate each other, two, he's a teacher, three, he's a git, four, she's a stickler for rules, five, he barely tolerates her, six, he's a greasy git, seven, she's a virgin, eight, she's a bookworm, nine, he'd spot a plan a mile away, ten, she's cute when she's angry, eleven, she gets angry after Potions, twelve, he's even more of a git after Potions, oh, sod it, they're perfect for each other."
"I knew I could count on you."
"So how do we do it?"
"Draco's g tog to work on Snape, while we work on 'Mione."
"How?"
"Remember when.." Harry leant forward and pulled Ron down beside him and spoke in a low voice.

The Hufflepuff team's practice finished and the captain looked over to where one dark and one red head were sitting over in the Gryffindor stand. He wondered idly what they were talking about, and promised himself he'd make sure in future that their practice sessions were off-limits to non-Hufflepuffs.

~~@~~

Ron lay on a sofa he'd transfigured in an abandoned classroom in the third floor corridor, his head in Millie's lap, eyes closed, as she ran gentle fingers through his fringe.
"Do you think it's a good idea, Mill?"
"If it works, yes. If not, we're buggered."
"We could get in serious trouble."
"They won't know it's us. If Draco and Harry get it right, they'll think it's their own idea."
"She does need someone."
"Sounds like you're still trying to convince yourself."
"I am, a bit. If Snape wasn't so..so.."
"Greasy? I thought Draco explained about that."
"I know, but how in Merlin's name is 'Mione ever going to see him clean?"
"I think I have an idea..."

~~@~~

"Is everything ready?" Draco hissed at Harry the following Saturday. Harry nodded. His idea would take weeks to come to fruition, as he'd first have to get through Hermione's steel trap of a mind. His first foray would take place tonight and he expected to be exhausted. Draco had insisted on Harry practicing on him, and he'd restricted himself to delving no earlier than the time they'd got together. Seeing himself from Draco's point of view was an illuminating experience, and reliving some of their more passionate encounters made him shower Draco with affection. Now all he had to do was find out what kind of man Hermione was attracted to.

Ignoring the twinge of guilt he felt, Harry sank down in the corner of her bedroom, covered by the invisibility cloak. Ginny had showed him before how to bypass the trick stairs to the girls' rooms, so he was ready when she came to bed. He closed his eyes when she started taking her clothes off, but couldn't resist a peek from under his lashes when he heard the zip of her skirt being pulled down.

His jaw fell open in shock. Hermione was hiding a fantastic body under all those clothes she wore. High cut white satin knickers made her legs look longer and her waist was tiny, giving her the impression of having larger breasts than she actually possessed. What she did have was displayed in a matching plunge bra, and Harry hastily shut his eyes again as she reached behind her to unfasten it at the back.

He opened them again when he heard the whisper of material against skin; he never would have thought Hermione wore satin to bed. He'd assumed she was a cotton and flannel girl. Harry waited patiently as she pulled Hogwarts, A History from under her pillow and read for a while, and then waited with baited breath as Crookshanks jumped down from her bed and started towards where he was hi. Pl. Pleading silently with whatever gods existed that the sensitive animal wouldn't detect him, he breathed a sigh of relief when the part Kneazle jumped onto an armchair and started purring.

When Hermione's even breathing indicated that she had fallen asleep, Harry silently drew his wand and wordlessly cast a silencing charm over the room. He waited as she stirred slightly, but didn't wake up. Preparing himself, he cast the spell.
"Legilimens!" It was strange, sorting through her mind. It was like a room full of doors, and so clean and uncluttered. Then he was through, and in Rome, of all places. She was sitting at one of those pavement cafes, one where people sat and watched the world go by. Harry wouldn't know, he'd never been anywhere but Hogwarts and Little Whinging, but planned to rectify that when he and Draco graduated. He wanted to see the world, and he planned to see it all with his lover.

Harry focused again on the scene he'd pulled from Hermione's memory. It was the evening when the city started to come alive. Tourists and locals alike had the same idea, and were mingling together. Stylish youngsters zipped around on motorbikes and he felt a wave of envy at their carefree attitudes. A low, black car pulled up and stopped beside the kerb. A pretty woman emerged from the interior, chattering and laughing as she slammed the door, blocking the view of the driver who shut his door with considerable less force.

A group of babbling tourists passed in front of Hermione, who was discreetly craning her neck to see where the couple had gone. As they passed, all she could see was the rear view of the driver as he followed his companion into the restaurant opposite. He was tall and dark, from what she could see, and he wore black. Her eyes lingered on his long legs and tight backside appreciatively, making Harry rather hot himself, as he was reminded of Draco's style of dressing.

Okay, Hermione liked tall men. Check. Snape was tall, so that was one point in his favour. He delved again, and found himself on a beach, surrounded by tanned bodies. Her eyes, shielded by dark glasses, scanned over the crowd. The brevity of some of the bathing suits made her modest bikini seem almost Victorian in comparison, and that was just the men! Another tall, dark man walking along the shoreline caught her eye, his loose stride and erect stance drawing her attention to him. His longish hair was slicked back with water and he was older than she had first thought. He looked really good for someone in his forties.

That was interesting, Harry thought to himself as he sneaked out of her room and back to his own. Subconsciously, she liked tall, dark, older men, although she had been checking out the younger ones too. And they'd been checking her back. If what she looked like in a bikini were anything like she did in her underwear, she'd have had them after her in a stampede. Shame her parents had been sitting three feet away at the time..

He undressed quickly and slid into bed, wondering how he was going to use the information gathered from tonight's foray into her mind. He'd need to wait a few days; perhaps the night before their next Potions lesson, so it was fresh in her mind. Harry yawned tiredly, and his last thought was about telling the others, pleased that it was Sunday tomorrow and he could have a lie in to recover. He wasn't sure how he was going feel on Friday morning, though. Perhaps Draco would take up the slack in Potions for him.

~~@~~

The three Gryffindors and three Slytherins had agreed between them that Draco and Harry would be the go-between; it would only arouse Hermione's suspicions if they were all seen with their heads together. Millie explained her plan to Ron, who then relayed the information to Harry and Ginny, who agreed that it might just work, providing they got the timing spot on. It was unfortunate that Neville would get the blame and Gryffindor would lose about fifty points, but they were sure Hermione would be able to make up the points in Charms and Transfiguration. She always did.

Draco had nodded approvingly at Millie, realising now why she'd been sorted into Slytherin instead of Ravenclaw. It was a masterful piece of planning, and he personally thought she was wasted on Weasley, even though the fine-tuning of the plan had come from him.

Hermione, fortunately, was completely oblivious to their scheming, and had no idea that Harry had been tiptoeing through her subconscious. She put her slightly restless night down to the increased stress of her study workload, and carried on as normal; breakfast, homework, lunch, hospital wing. A normal Sunday for her. Her duties as Head Girl meant morning meetings Monday to Friday with Draco, as Head Boy, and the Heads of Houses, so she was relieved she could relax somewhat on a weekend.

It was at the morning meetings that any detentions were discussed and the rota for patrol duty was sorted out, ready for the Head Boy and Girl to relay back to the Prefects meeting afterwards. It should only have taken about half an hour, but there was always something Professor Snape objected to that caused it to drag on. Draco usually rolled his eyes in a blatant show of disrespect until she nudged him, causing her to earn a glare from said Professor.

As Hermione made her way across the castle the hospital wing, she mentally ran over her schedule for the next few weeks leading up to Christmas. She planned on going home for just a few days, as she wanted to get some extra research done for Poppy. This wouldn't be her last Christmas at Hogwarts, should Poppy offer her the apprenticeship, and she looked forward to the challenge. And it would be a challenge, she thought, if she could just get Snape to acknowledge her...

A small smile crossed her face; she enjoyed challenges, ever since first year and he'd set that logic puzzle for protecting the stone. She knew he'd been surprised when Harry, Ron and even Neville had signed up for Potions NEWTS, as Neville had barely scraped through his OWLS. She'd just have to try harder to persuade him she was worthy of civil conversation, although how she was going to contain her temper when he acted like an utter prick she'd never know.

Deep breath, Hermione, it wouldn't do to hyperventilate in the corridors over someone who hardly ever saw the light of day. Oh no, speak of the devil... there he was, flapping towards her like an overgrown bat. Hermione kept her eyes straight ahead and chin up, effectively ignoring him, speeding up slightly so as to pass him all the more quickly. If she avoided eye contact with him, he wouldn't see her, right? Her mouth kicked in before her brain engaged...
"Good afternoon, Professor." what on earth possessed her to speak to him? Severus slowed his steps. Did someone just speak to him? Oh, Miss Granger.
"Good afternoon, Miss Granger." good manners prompted him to answer her, but he was not going to make eye contact with her. Impertinent chit.

Hmph. Probably on her way to the htal tal wing, he thought. Poppy and Albus had made it clear that they were going to offer her an Apprenticeship at the end of the school year, and that he would be expected to work with her. He was keeping his resignation letter until the last possible minute, and that knowledge was enough to keep him going for the rest of the year. Let the old coot try and persuade him to stay as he was walking out the door with half the potions stores (that rightly belonged to him) in his pockets. A self-satisfied smile caused his mouth to turn up slightly and his eyes sparkled with malicious amusement.

Hermione frowned slightly as she caught his change of expression as he passed her. Was that a smile on his face? She glanced down at herself and rubbed absently at her cheek. Did she have dinner down the front of her robes? A grimy face, perhaps? She picked up her pace, heels clicking, and darted into the nearest bathroom to check her appearance. Nope, no smudges or food stains. What made him smile then? Or was he just going to start playing mind games with her? Well, if that was the way he wanted to play, far be it for her to stop him. She'd just make sure he'd have something to play with...

~~@~~

"So have you decided what she'll be dreaming about?" Draco lay on his bed, leaning up on one elbow over Harry as he snoozed lightly.
"No. Do I start off slow? Just give her a hint of something, or do I go straight for the full wet dream?" Harry opened one eye.
"Oh, let's go for the erotic dream, shall we? I'd like to see her face at the morning meeting after that."
"Okay, not that I know what she'd find arousing. Romance, do you think?"
"No, she's a bossy bitch. Go for the dominatrix scenario."
"What, leather and handcuffs?" Harry opened the other eye.
"Why not?" Draco's silver eyes gleamed.
"Are you sure that's not something you want to experience yourself?"
"If it was, you'd be the one in handcuffs."
"Hmm, sounds interesting."
"Always knew you were kinky underneath that Gryffindor badge."
"I wouldn't call it that, Draco, but I'm always open to suggestions."
"How about you lose the next match then?"
"Suggestions, not suicide." Harry grinned.
"Our Sev told me not to let you distract me."
"Since when did he become our Sev?"
"Seeing as I've known him since I was a baby, and you and I are a couple, that makes him your honorary Uncle."
"I'd love to see his face if I ever called him that!"
"I dare you to at the Leaving Feast."
"You do want to have sex for the next hundred years, don't you?"
"Of course."
"Then don't dare me to do something that's likely to get my bollocks hexed off."
"He wouldn't hex you, love."
"No? I like my bits too much to wager with them, thank you very much."
"I'm rather fond of them, myself."
"Thought you were."
"Well bring them over here then."

~~@~~

"Any idea what Harry's got planned next?" Ron skimmed another stone over the surface of the still lake. Blaise copied his movement and ducked as the squid threw the stone back.
"Bloody squid. No, he and Draco are keeping it a secret. The less we know, the less we'll get in trouble, apparently."
"Ah, the need to know basis." Ron nodded.
"Yes." Blaise kicked at a stone. "Ron?"
"What?"
"You're not bothered that I'm seeing Ginny?"
"Ginny sees whoever she wants to see." Ron shrugged, "I don't have any control over her."
"Doesn't that bother you?"
"With six brothers, Ginny knows how to take care of herself. If she's picked you, then think yourself very lucky."
"Do you have this conversation with all her boyfriends?"
"No, only the ones I think she might have a problem with."
"I'm surprised she's had so many then."
"Watch it, Zabini." Ron shot a look at him and Blaise raised his hands in surrender.
"Look, I'm just not comfortable with the fact that I'm just one in a long line, that's all."
"Speaks the man who's had half the school. Talk about double standards." Ron shook his head disgustedly.
"How would you feel if Millie had had as many boyfriends as Ginny?"
"I'd think myself very lucky, and then make sure I was last one she ever had." Ron looked at him hard, "But we're not talking about me and Millie, are we? If you're after Ginny because she's the only one you haven't had, you're with her for the wrong reasons. Ginny doesn't sleep around, and I'm warning you now; you play with her, hurt her or make her cry, there won't be a safe hiding place for you."
"From you?"
"Three words, Zabini. Fred and George."
"Understood."
"But I somehow don't think you're going to be a problem for her. In fact, I'd say she's got you exactly where you want to be." Ron looked at him speculatively. Blaise raised a dark eyebrow at him, "Can I help it if I like a dominant woman?"
"Don't we all?" Ron winked at him slightly, and smiled when Millie and Ginny came into view.

~~@~~

Hermione checked her appearance again before leaving for the morning meeting. Hair tamed, for once, in a French plait, robes pressed; thank goodness she didn't have to wear ties anymore, white blouse tucked neatly into skirt, nice that seventh years got to wear plain black instead of those pleated tartan monstrosities, and checked again that she didn't have ladders in her tights; Crookshanks was notorious for using her leg as a scratching post. Her hand hovered over her make up case, and she debated whether to use any or not. Snorting softly, she extracted a dark peach lipstick and quickly swiped it over her bottom lip, rubbing it against the top and then blotting with a tissue. There, she looked quite sophisticated today, ready for anything that anyone or Potions Master may throw at her.

Hurrying downstairs, she met Ron in the common room, waiting for her. He whistled appreciatively.
"You look especially nice today, 'Mione. Out to impress anyone special?"
"Can't I make an effort for once?"
"Who is he?"
"I don't have to dress to impress a man, you know." She flounced out of the portrait hole.
"So it's a man, is it?" Ron teased on the way to breakfast. She was punching him on the arm as she entered the great hall, consequently attracting attention from the other Prefects and the top table where most of the teachers were sitting. They watched the pair of Gryffindors make their way over to their seats, and Draco whistled at her improved appearance. She flashed him a grin and curtseyed gracefully before sitting down.
"Miss Granger seems to be in a good mood today." Dumbledore noted to no one in particular.
"Yes, she'd certainly blossoming." Minerva smiled indulgently at her favourite pupil.
"I see..someone.. becoming important to her..." Sybill Trelawney swirled her tea in the bottom of her cup.
"Oh, shut up, Sybill. The room's full of hormonal teenagers. What do you expect?" Severus threw his napkin down beside his plate and picked up his own tea, glaring down at the chattering students.
"Someone..dark.." Sybill carried on, ignoring her colleagues' irritated statement.
"That lets out Weasley then." He muttered.
"He's with Bulstrode now, anyway." Sinistra murmured in an aside to Severus; she had very little time for Sybill either, "As you should know."
"Must be something about Slytherins that attracts Gryffindors." Sprout smirked, thinking about the recent spate of unusual pairings.
"Or Gryffindors that attracts Slytherins." Hooch said slyly. Severus turned to her, eyes narrowed.
"I see nothing about that house that would account for such a phenomenon. It is obviously Slytherin that holds the greater attraction for the lesser houses." He waited for Flitwick and Sprout to protest about the slur on Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. He caught Albus giving him a reproving glare and shrugged. What? It kept him from being bored, at least.

He swung his gaze back down to the four tables, his eyes drawn unwillingly to where Draco was now sitting with Granger and Weasley. Potter hadn't made an appearance yet, no, there he was, just sitting down beside Draco. Could his hair possibly get messier? It was almost as bad as Granger's bushy mane, although that didn't look too bad this morning. He'd noticed her use that hairstyle mainly in potions to keep it out of her cauldron. She did look older somehow, today, and wondered idly what had made her make the extra effort.

Hermione glanced up at the teachers' table suddenly and caught his brooding look. Holding his gaze, she raised an eyebrow slightly, waiting for him to look away. He didn't. Not wanting to back down, she looked back, wondering which of them would break the eye contact. God, he was intense. What went on in that mind of is, she wondered? Her mouth suddenly dry, she flicked the tip of her tongue over her bottom lip, swallowing. A sudden nudge by Draco brought her attention to him and she turned slightly unfocussed eyes on him.

Draco kicked Harry lightly under the table, drawing his eyes to him. A subtle signal made his lover aware of Hermione and they smiled to each other. Perhaps this was going to be easier that they first thought.

TBC