Ensnaring The Senses

A/N: Thanks to all the fab reviewers!! And, no Cissa won't be moved from Slytherin =P The evil "Heathcliff" moments are about to end... I will update this soon I promise =)
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“Mummy?” Cissa asked as she sipped her pumpkin juice and took a bite of her cookie. She watched as Hermione paced the infirmary, arranging bed sheets and adjusting the curtains needlessly. Mum usually only acted like this when Harry or Ron were on a dangerous Auror assignment. It was time for her to create one of her distractions, worried Mum was over-protective Mum. She wanted to be Slytherin like her Dad and brother had been, she'd even begged the Hat to do it. Uncle Remus going to Gran Minnie was going to ruin all her plans. Plus, her mum had been hoping Gryffindor, like most of the family had been in. But Draco had said Slytherin was better, and what her big brother liked, she did.

“Yes, Cissa?” Hermione sighed as she sat down in a chair by her daughter. Dungeons bat, indeed! More like drama draught queen. She smiled at Cissa as she thought that. She was a perfect melding of her and Severus, and not just in looks. Cissa would have to be told and soon, she was too smart not to figure it out on her own.

“Why don't Uncle Harry and Uncle Ron like the Dungeons Bat?”Cissa asked innocently and watched as her mum choked on her pumpkin juice, almost spewing it down her shirt. I'm gonna hex those two! Hermione thought and she cleaned herself up.

“His name is Professor Snape, and he's not really a bat. It's just the effect his robes have as he walks the halls.” Hermione said softly. “He's the Head of Slytherin and the most skilled Potions Master I have ever met. He also was our Professor for six of our seven years here at Hogwarts. Professor Snape wasn't the most friendly of persons, but he challenged us to do our best as students.”

“He's mean?” Cissa's eyes widened at the thought. She had heard the Hat say she was to be Slytherin but wasn't sure if she wanted to be if Professor Snape was mean. The only reason she had been frightened was because she thought he was going to hit her beloved Uncle Remus. Now her house mates were going to think she was a crybaby.

“Well, em...” Hermione didn't know what to say. As a teacher Severus had often been mean and cruel, favoring his house's students over the others. But his teaching methods had worked, most of the student that had passed through his NEWT level classes had gone on to be successful productive members of the Wizardry world.

“Kitten!” Draco said from the doorway, saving Hermione from answering.

“Draco!” Cissa jumped from her chair and into her older brother's arms.

“I hear from Remus you've been having an interesting evening.” Draco said to Hermione over the child's head.

Cissa walked off to where Hermione had her private apartment with a mumbled “Be right back!”

“Seems Harry and Ron told Cissa more about the Dungeons Bat then they admitted to.” Hermione told him.

“Well, Sev wasn't out to be loved back then, he was out to teach us correctly by any means. If that meant making a pansy or two cry, so be it.” Draco smirked at her.

“I'll admit we actually left Potions class without killing ourselves, though Neville came close to it too many times to count.” Hermione nodded, remembering how exacting Severus had been in cutting, crushing and adding ingredients.

“Least he's playing with plants now. Herbology professor suits him.” Both laughed at memories past.

“How's Ginger?” Hermione asked as she went back to her nervous pacing. Draco hadn't seen her like this since she'd found out she was pregnant and afraid to tell everyone. They'd all been a little blind, thinking her depression was just in missing him, not really needing him. He'd been kicking himself for twelve years after promising to keep his mouth shut about Cissa. Every time he and his Dad had met up on Order business had made him want to shake the nobleness out of Severus, but he couldn't. Now, the time had come, and the old wizard had better come through. Though he had enjoyed playing a daddy type big brother to Cissa, it hadn't been the same for the young witch.

“Ginger's fabulous, and about to get that ring she's been hinting at for three years.” Draco winked at Hermione.

“About time, you dunderhead.” Hermione grinned. “She's a keeper.” Draco had been dating Ginger Wallace for the past six years now. She was a famous Quidditch star and eagerly sought after by many young wizards, but only had eyes for the blond haired Slytherin. Draco had been struggling for years on asking her because of the lack of children problem caused by his War injuries. Even though Ginger continually argued they could adopt, Draco had held off because of the Pureblood stigma impotence created.

“Yeah, the Cannon's Quidditch keeper and mine.” He growled at her possessively as the vision of his red-headed lover popped in his head. “Which is what brings me here. Any advice in how to say,” He breathed deeply in, “Marry me?”

The door slammed to the infirmary, shaking the windows in their panes.

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Severus finally closed the photo album after staring at the pictures for what seemed like an hour. Even with it closed, the picture of Draco rubbing a very pregnant Hermione's belly was imprinted in his mind. He admitted to himself he was jealous. His own fault for missing all his child's first, but still jealous none the less.

He was a git.

Severus stood up and kicked the broken pieces of the wooden box into the fire, and watched as it was consumed by the fire. He folded the letter back up and placed it in a drawer in his desk. A smirk of determination plastered on his face.

He was over his self-pity party.

Severus pulled open his wardrobe as he shucked off his school robes, letting them drop to the floor and he pushed hangers around till he found a simple black jumper and black jeans. He hoped a more relaxed looking Severus Snape would be appealing to the two witches.

He had a lot of mistakes to right.

Severus combed back his black hair and tied it back, making a face at the silver that lined it. For the first time in years he wasn't being noble or self-sacrificing. He was plotting out his offensive on how to reclaim what he threw away stupidly twelve years ago.

He was a wizard on a mission.

Severus disillusioned himself and strode down the hallway towards the infirmary. He passed a group of seventh year Gryffindors breaking curfew and ignored them. They should count themselves lucky, it's been a long thirteen years since Severus Snape had handed out a detention or taken points. But,

He wasn't out for House points tonight.

With footsteps light as a cat's, Severus entered the open door of the infirmary to hear...

“Marry me?”

Severus turned and slammed the door shut.
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I have removed my a/n response to arianna. In the cold light of day, seems as bad as her review. Sorry I was such a bitch. Thanks for those that responded in my defense, I heart you all. Her review is left for those that want to see it.
This story is written out of my deep obesession of the Dungeons Bat. The dreams of the faceless woman has always been Hermione. At first he was afraid to admit to himself, even in a dream of what he wanted most. Then when his dream was fulfilled, he couldn't escape the reality of his desires. The dream for him has changed, he now knows and because of what he decided it ends when he dream reaches for her. He needs to physically reach out for the dream to go on.
As for little Cissa... she is quite a slytherin, isn't she?