The Seduction Game

Disclaimer: All of the Harry Potter characters and the Harry Potter universe belongs to J.K. Rowling/Warnerbros. I am making no money.

Right, another chapter... :)
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CHAPTER SIX: STEALING TACTICS

The following day passed without much difficulties. Hermione had no uncomfortable encounters or confrontations of any kind, and she could focus on the lectures she was hearing - even one held by Neville Longbottom about new discoveries and theories in European Herbology.

The first upcoming Saturday evening there was to be a ball, one each for every Department. Having neither Harry nor Ron here to escort her, Hermione felt a bit unwilling to go - but learning that Ginny was to go without a date as well, she decided to go single with the Weasley daughter, and have a bit of fun.

And a dance, perhaps, as Lucius had encouraged her too only a few days ago. Hermione liked the thought of getting to dance again with Lucius - she had very much enjoyed it. However, the same matter was still troubling her: Snape. His warning had indeed made an impression on her, and she couldn’t get it out of her head. The very thought of the greasy git having been so close to her made her shiver, but all the same... No, she wasn’t quite sure what was going on.

However, the thoughts of both Lucius and Snape had left her mind as she and Ginny on the Friday afternoon were having the time of their lives transfiguring their dresses for the ball the following evening.

“I wish my hair wasn’t red,” complained Ginny. “It doesn’t match with any bloody colour.”

“That’s not true,” said Hermione, transfiguring a beautiful, simple white dress and presenting it to Ginny. “Red and white is beautiful.”

“That’s a lovely dress,” said Ginny enthusiastically. “You’ve got a talent for this, Hermione - you should become a tailor.”

“I don’t think so,” said Hermione, settling on a dark green gown. “Really decent quality dresses can’t just be transfigured. I don’t think I could bear spending my time with fabrics and needles. I prefer cauldrons.”

“I know you do,” said Ginny. “For being one who loathed Snape beyond reason you seem to end up just like him.”

“What?” said Hermione indignant. “Last time I checked I wasn’t a Death Eater.”

“Nor is he, not any more. I’m just talking about the Potions stuff.”

“Yes, well - we do have that in common,” admitted Hermione. “But nothing more though. I’d hate to have myself compared to that disgusting old bat.”

Did she mean that? Hermione shook her head slightly. She suddenly felt wrong about calling him an old bat - she’d never felt guilty for doing that before. What was wrong with her, exactly? Suddenly she had a guilty conscience over Severus Snape? Honestly.

“So,” said Ginny, putting a finishing touch to her dress, “d’you think we’ll find some charming, young wizards out there tomorrow?”

“I doubt it,” said Hermione.

“Of course,” smiled Ginny, “you’ve already settled on that Malfoy man.”

Hermione looked up, taken by surprise. “What?” she said shocked.

“Oh, come on,” said Ginny. “We’ve all noticed the attention he pays you. I just hope you have enough brains to keep clear of him, that’s all.”

“Of course I do,” said Hermione, “I have no particular feelings for Lucius Malfoy. He’s just become a friend of mine, and I think I’m one of his few. Because people don’t believe him.”

“Well, it’s rather suspicious, isn’t it,” said Ginny, “that he supposedly was under the Imperius Curse all that time? If that story should make sense then he should have been under it for almost twenty years, Hermione! Even while Voldemort was away, because he was still the bastard he’d always been in those days. And we know out of experience that after much abuse from the Imperius people learn to fight it.”

Hermione nodded slowly. Yes, that did make sense... Lucius had to have been under the Imperius for all those years, because his act in the years of Voldemort’s absence had been horrible, too. And she remember Bart Crouch, who’d learned to fight the Imperius and ran away...

Had she really fallen for his lie? Or could it be true?

“Well, never mind that now,” said Ginny, once she saw Hermione’s concerned look. “I’m sure it’s all right, you know how to look after yourself. Come on, lets go get some supper.”

* * *

She was uncertain of him, he knew it. Damn Severus, it was all his fault. Hermione had avoided him all day, Lucius had noticed. She’d even looked worriedly at him, as though discovering some new threat within him she hadn’t seen before.

Severus was of course enjoying it like never before - he seemed to think he’d won. As they were sitting in the lounge having a drink, Severus had a slight smile upon his face that just wouldn’t vanish.

“In a good mood, are you?” said Lucius coldly.

“Not particularly,” lied Severus, the smirk more obvious than ever.

“You think you have won, don’t you?”

“Won what? I never agreed to your little bet. You are playing a game of your own, which I just happened to get in the way of, I think.”

Lucius looked at him with utter disgust. The man was so arrogant now, there was a certainty to him that Lucius didn’t like at all. He leaned in closer to avoid unwelcomed ears to listen in as he said: “I don’t know what you did to her, Severus, but I will find out.”

“I convinced her,” said Severus simply. “Well, not even that, actually, so we can only assume she saw the truth for herself. She seems to have had enough of you, though. I am sorry, old friend,” he added in mock sympathy.

“You haven’t won,” said Lucius simply. “This is merely a step back, but I’ll handle it. And I’ll figure out what you did - maybe it’s a method I can turn to my own benefit.”

“You wouldn’t have it in you,” said Severus quietly.

“Oh, wouldn’t I?” said Lucius, suddenly a lot more interested. “I believe you’ll claim it’s another one of those emotions I do not possess, won’t you? Do not worry, Severus, I am a great actor. Do you wish me to demonstrate?”

It was obvious, Severus did not want that. He looked slightly concerned.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” grinned Lucius and rose from his chair. Hurrying across the room he caught sight of Hermione in her usual plain robes leaving the lounge. He hurried after her and caught up with her again in the rooms’ corridor.

“Hermione,” he said, gently touching her shoulder and turning her. She seemed sceptical to see him. “May I have a word?”

“C - certainly,” she said reluctantly. Yes, there was definitely something going on.

“I got worried,” said Lucius simply, “because you don’t seem yourself today. I fear whatever happened between you and Severus last night might have something to do with it?”

Hermione hesitated. Then, at last, she replied: “Yes, I suppose it did.”

“Would you care to tell me what it was?” asked Lucius. “Did it bother you?”

“Now when I think of it, no,” said Hermione simply. “I know what he was trying to say. It’s just... I got a bit confused.”

Lucius knew what had happened. Severus had in some way or another made Hermione look at him a second time, as something more than a former Professor. He’d stirred something in her, and now Lucius wasn’t the only one she would consider getting to know better. This was what Lucius had feared - that Severus would dare to speak up. But how had he done it? Merlin knew he wasn’t the seducing, charming type.

“What did he do, exactly?” asked Lucius gently. “If you would please tell me.”

She seemed to be really thinking it over. Hopefully, Lucius’s pretend gentleness was his advantage, as was his seduction skills.

Finally, she spoke: “I guess so... Though it’s not something I’m proud to tell.”

“No worries, Hermione, it was he who did something, not you,” said Lucius gently. “Do tell me, now.”

“Well... Last night, as you know, just before I met you he rather startled me. I was in the corridor, and he was suddenly right behind me. I was so shocked, I automatically backed up against the wall, and he sort of - followed. It - it was so strange, I’d never seen him at like that before...” She seemed to become more bewildered, Lucius had to calm her down.

“Don’t worry, it’s all right,” he smiled. “Just tell me?”

“Right, sorry,” she smiled. “He - don’t ask me why - placed one hand on each side of me on the wall, and continuously he spoke, and I... I guess it confused.”

That was it, thought Lucius. Who would have believed this little, naïve girl’s inner fantasies were about such acts? Lucius had seen it many times before, in his days as a Death Eater he’d met many victims who’d suddenly seemed to enjoy the abuse... He didn’t think Hermione would enjoy abuse, but she was certainly fascinated by the power and dominance Severus had shown her. Hell, Lucius could do that, ten times better.

“I see,” smiled Lucius. “There’s nothing to worry about, Hermione. I think Severus had a rough night. He’s not usually like that, as you may know.”

“Yes, I’ve never seen him like that before - ” she stuttered. “It was so weird.”

“Some of his dark part caught up with him momentarily, I think,” explained Luicus. “That sort of thing could happen to the best of us.” He caught her eyes then, smiling and as though telling her in silence it could easily happen to him too, and it would, for her. She seemed to take the hint, because her eyes widened slightly.

“Thank you for clearing a few things up for me, Lucius,” she smiled. “I’ll stop worrying about it then. Thank you. I’ll be off to my room now, it’s been a long day...”

“Will I see you at the ball tomorrow evening?” he asked, before she got the chance to leave him.

“Yes, I will be there,” smiled Hermione, then left.

Yes, thought Lucius. He knew what to do. He’d found Severus’s brilliant tactic, and he would take it for his own. Hermione was practically naked in his bed already...

* * *

She had a hard time sleeping. What had Lucius tried to imply? His kindness had once again inflicted upon her, and her worries from the talk with Ginny were practically gone. And yet...

Hermione had a sneaking suspicion that Lucius wouldn’t maintain the kind face forever. He seemed, for some reason, to think that the way Severus had startled her had been one he’d be more than willing to practice himself - as though he thought she’d liked it. She hadn’t, not really - it was what he’d said that had affected her, and seeing Snape like that. His face so close, she just couldn’t get that picture out of her head... Why, she had no idea.

As she fell asleep, his face was even more difficult to get rid of: She dreamed about him. Snape was so vivid in her dream, and he was in her bed. Sound asleep, with her in his arms, and she was so happy, so safe and pleased...

As Hermione awoke the next morning, she had to search the bed to make sure he really wasn’t there. She hadn’t had a lifelike dream like that for so long, it had felt so real, yet - why on earth would she dream about Snape in her bed? It was disgusting. He was Snape, the Potions Master and twice her age!

“Honestly,” she said sensibly to herself as she got dressed for breakfast. “You’re being stupid. Snape, for Merlin’s sake!”

Yes, Snape. But why?

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Right, reviews? :) And I promise some real nasty action in the next chapter, so wait and see...!