an awfully big adventure...

“Oh no.” Hermione was saying to herself as she walked to her next class, Defense against the Dark Arts.

“Oh no oh no oh no.”

She had witnessed the conversation between Snape and Black minutes prior, and her mind now raced as she considered what she would have to do.

She had already requested to see him after class today…so around 5 she could have been alone with him. That was supposed to be the time she was planning on either getting Ron to create a diversion and allow her ample time to steal from Snape’s storage or if it got really bad, she was going to confess the whole thing to Snape and pray that she wouldn’t get expelled.

But now Black would be going to see Snape later. How odd, Snape had looked positively elated at the prospect of them alone, as plain as Hermione had seen that morning. Did Snape perhaps like Black? Is that why he never married?

‘Perhaps I should just leave well enough alone. Let Snape and Black be happy together…’

This almost made sense until Hermione thought it through, ‘But Black may not really be gay…and for that matter I don’t know for certain Snape is…forcing Black to like Snape would be cruel…’

She wondered aimlessly why she was feeling sick as she imagined them together; she’d never get to be alone with Snape and…

Wait wait. No. She meant that perhaps Snape would start shirking his responsibilities as a good yet stern teacher, and go all wimpy and non-caring about his craft. She certainly didn’t mean she felt any crush-like feelings toward him. That would be stupid. Her like Snape?

“Like that would ever happen.” Hermione said almost laughing aloud to herself, rolling her eyes. “Besides I like Black. I’m doing all this for Black.”

Now, she would have to come up with some other plan of action for tonight. And as bright as she was, Hermione was having a hard time trying to make up more lies. She ducked into her classroom, still contemplating what to do tonight.

Black on the polar opposite was almost skipping to his Defense Class, his smile wide on his handsome face. He hummed a little tune to himself, as the door swung open.

“Good morning class.” He said cheerily, he glanced at Hermione and she smiled to him excitedly…she decided that she might as well try to soak up as much of his good demeanor and handsome face.

“Good morning Professor Black.” rang the class out boredly.

Hermione sat straight up in her seat, trying to catch his eye…which she eventually did. But instead of shining his smile on her, his face immediately fell and he forced a small smile onto thin lips.

She felt her own smile falter as he turned from her and began to teach the class about Gruebarian charms that would render its victims void of all muscular functions.

Hermione dutifully took notes and shot angry looks at Harry and Ron across the room when she spotted that they were playing paper football in their seat near the back. They shrugged, grinned and went on playing and Hermione felt her heart sink.

Should she tell Harry all that was happening? Would he hate her for it? Trying to trick his godfather into lustful thinking for a student? And for it being permanent? She needed to make the antidote for the potion she had concocted, maybe Ron could…

Suddenly her eyes went alight and she felt herself grin madly and almost jump out of her seat. Yes, Ron would be a perfect help. The only problem was convincing him…

_______________________________________________________________


“No No NO NO NO!” Ron said exasperatedly, “ I REFUSE HERMIONE!”

Hermione and Ron were sitting in Hermione’s private chambers as Head Girl, and listening intently as she spoke.

It was almost four o’clock and Hermione stood beside her bed, watching Ron fumble and shift around in his seat, she narrowed her eyes on him as Snape had done so many times before.

“You have to help me Ron.” She said hollowly, “I need your help.”

Ron felt his chest swell with pride at this one. But, still what she was asking him to do was ludicrous. Ron felt Hermione’ and his gaze lock as he saw her eyes deaden and then fill with tears. He sighed heavily.

“Fine. Explain the plan to me again.”

Hermione sat down, her chest heaving as she began to breathe normally again, a smile began on her weary face.

“Thank you Ron.”

He nodded and waved his hand as if it were nothing. Hermione went on, her eyes slipping back and forth as she seemed to read a piece of parchment in her head.

“I spray you with the same spray I did Black. You fall in lust with me, and then I go to Snape and tell him that I cast the spell on YOU, and that now you’re in lust with me and I need an anecdote.”

Ron nodded as Hermione continued, “So Snape will hopefully just give me detention, and then he’ll whip up a potion to fix all of this. I give some to you, and when no one’s looking, I’ll give it to Black.”

Ron nodded, “Well, that’s a good plan Hermione. But what about the supplies you stole. He’ll know it was you that took them.”

Hermione nodded, she had thought of this already, “I’ll just say I bought them in Hogsmeade. He’ll be more angry that I did some stupid potion rather than his stupid storage.”

Ron shrugged, “I suppose. This is your plan, I’m just going along with it. But, aren’t you sure you wouldn’t want to try something else? Try to do it yourself?”

Hermione shook her head, “It’s too complex a potion for even me, Ron.” She said this flinching as she hated to admit anything was too much for her.

“You understand this is merely for scientific purposes. And if I say mean things or do anything to hurt you, it’s for this specific reason? And that you must NEVER speak of this to anyone?”

Ron nodded emphatically, “I understand Hermione.” He said gently, “I don’t want you to get expelled.”

Hermione nodded as a stray tear fell down her cheek, Ron went to brush it away but she rubbed below her eye harshly, forcing a smile and a short laugh.

“I’m just so scared, Ron.” Ron nodded as she continued. “I wish I hadn’t done something so stupid in the first place.”

Ron nodded, and then took a ragged breath. “Well, let’s get this over with.”

Hermione nodded and pulled the vial from her pocket. Ron gulped nervously and looked to Hermione, she smiled a weak and thankful smile and pressed the nozzle down.

Ron’s eyes squeezed shut and he felt a tingling almost warm wave fall over him, he smiled dreamily as he opened his eyes slowly.

Hermione’s dark eyes looked worriedly to him he saw first, and then she saw his blue eyes twinkle. He smiled wistfully. He saw her lips so tantalizing, her lashes framing her dancing eyes and her hair falling in loose waves around her face.

“You look stunning.”

Hermione on instinct was about to say something like; ‘But Ron, I’m just wearing school clothes.’ But remembered the reason he was here.

She stood as did he, “Ready Ron?” she said nervously as Ron kept a distinct gaze on her, and nodded. She walked a bit ahead of him as he trailed beside her, trying to hold her hand.

“Ron. Please. Remember the plan.”
_______________________________________________________________

They stood outside of Snape’s chambers moments later, shivering already, as it was cold and…well come on, it’s Snape.

Hermione raised her hand, and took a deep breath but before she could knock the door swung open. Snape’s eyes beadily looked to her as she forced a small grin.

“You’re late.”

Hermione was about to disagree, but remembered she was here to implore him for his assistance. She nodded and was about to walk in when Snape held up a hand and raised a questioning eyebrow.

“What is…he…doing here?” Snape asked looking to Ron as a bug. Ron didn’t notice, he was too busy gazing at Hermione.

“Oh, he’s the reason I need to speak with you.” Hermione said looking around, to be sure they were alone. “May we come in, to speak in private?”

Snape sighed wearily and then reluctantly stepped aside, Ron went in first, looking for Hermione to follow, but Snape had dragged her aside as he shut the door. His fingers dug into her soft arm, and she immediately tried to pull away…to no avail.

“I don’t know what this is, Granger.” He hissed dangerously and Hermione felt her gaze lower onto his lips before he shook her arm and she felt her eyes lock with his. “If I find this to be a prank of any-”

“No sir.” she shot in before he could finish, “I’m here because I desperately need your help.”

“Five points from Gryffindor for interrupting.” Snape spat as he let go of her arm. He looked down at her from his height, his arms crossed over his chest. “You better not be pulling anything Granger, because I guarantee you will regret it.”

Ron was looking at Hermione strangely and Snape glared at him. “First of all. You leave.” He said pointing to the large door, Ron looked to a nodding Hermione and obliged silently.

“Follow me.” Snape snapped as the door shut, whipping around with his cloaks falling behind him, and made his way to the front of the class. “Don’t touch anything.”

He sat at his desk ordering them to stand in front of his desk, “Well. Why the waste of my valuable time?”

Hermione bit her lip before speaking, as she wanted so desperately to tell him off. But no. That would not do at all.

“Professor Snape. I gave Ron a lust potion, and found it’s permanent. I need to make the antidote to reverse it, but I can’t it’s too…” she trailed off, not wanting to say.

“Go on.” Snape said eagerly, a small smirk forming on those lips of his as he leaned forward over his desk, “It’s too…complex for you Miss Granger?”

Hermione nodded, wincing. Snape leaned back casually now, and she noticed how dashing he seemed. So dapper in his cloaks and dark hair…but then he ruined the moment by…well…speaking.

“I don’t know if I should help you Granger.” Snape said devilishly, “Although the thought of you and Weasely outside of class with his hormones raging does make me ill, I don’t have to help you. In fact for a know it all like you, this may be good medicine.”

Hermione felt her knees go weak, Snape continued with that hypnotizing tone of his and she felt compelled to listen. Perhaps there was a light side?
He gazed at her with careful scrutiny; she didn’t seem to notice this until he spoke once more.

“But, I do feel it’s my duty as a teacher her to oblige. Perhaps I will help you Miss Granger.” He said slowly, as Hermione’s heart leapt. He saw her delight and scowled “But first. I want you to admit one thing.”

Hermione stopped a moment, her heart beating. Had he been reading her thoughts? Would he make her admit her seeming crush? She couldn’t tell him. Finally he spoke again.

“I want you to say; ‘I am a moronic know it all Gryffindor who believes she knows everything, but really doesn’t know anything at all. Especially compared to the brilliant Professor Snape.’”

Hermione looked to him incredulously, at his mimic of her own high voice. He smirked again, flicking an eyebrow up and down seductively…not meaning to be seductive of course. He wanted her to say something so trivial? But her pride would be lost along the way.

“Are you serious?” she said quietly, as Snape almost smiled.

“Quite.”

He leaned back, his arms crossed as he waited for her to say the words. Finally, the little know it all would admit the words he had been wanting to hear for the past seven years of personal hell she had put him through. Minutes ticked by, as Snape looked increasingly bored.

“You’re wasting valuable time, Miss Granger.” Snape said crisply, glancing to his pocketwatch. “I’m busy, so if you-”

Hermione spoke softly at first, and rapidly until Snape told her to start again loudly and clearly. Hermione turned red and looked at him with anger clearly shown in her flashing eyes. She lowered them to the floor and began again.

\"I\'m a st-\"

“Ah ah…look at me when you say it.” He interjected perversely smirking and loving every minute she squirmed. She finally drew a long and ragged breath and talked clearly and loud enough to be heard.

“I am a stupid-“

“Moronic.”

“Sorry?”

“It’s moronic. Not stupid.”

Hermione sighed impatiently and continued shooting daggers at the almost smiling Snape.

“I am a moronic know it all Gryffindor who believes she knows everything, but really doesn’t know anything at all.”

“You’re missing something.”

Hermione rolled her eyes and finished, although it pained her to do so. She hated giving compliments, and this one was intellectual vanity at its worst.

“Especially compared to the brilliant Professor Snape.”

Snape’s nodded, and then his smirk was gone. “As well as that, Miss Granger. You will serve a month’s detention and fifty points from Gryffindor will be deducted all for your…adolescent indiscretions.”

Hermione nodded, she had seen those coming. “When will the Potion be ready Professor?”

Snape looked to her with a strange gleam in his eyes.
_________________________________________

Black slipped another mint into his mouth, and smoothing down his unruly dark hair. He had shaved and worn his best cloak.

He looked really quite handsome but seemed oblivious to all the whispering and catcalls coming from around him as he strode to Snape’s dungeon.

Severus hadn’t been at dinner that night along with Hermione. Ron had looked absolutely miserable as he spoke to Harry who looked utterly baffled.

His heart raced as he anticipated his stolen moments with Severus, doing some potion they could do together…the mere thought of Severus all hot and bothered over a potion made Black electric all over.

But a potion he knew about already? How utterly confusing. He didn’t know anything about Potions. He smiled, breathing deeply and swung the door to Snape’s chamber open

…and gasped in horror.