By Lady Snape
disclaimer: AS ALWAYS NONE OF THE CHARACTERS FROM THE HARRY POTTER SERIES BELONG TO ME THEY BELONG TO JK ROWLING
Thanking the Headmaster, Sirius and Hermione put their plan in action, leaving the Hall together by way of the gardens.
Just as Hermione and Black passed through the doors to the gardens, Hermione turned slightly, peering over her shoulder, catching the tell tale shadow of the potions master's form. A self satisfied grin crept across her face as she turned into Sirius and moving just a tad closer. "Serves him right." She thought.
Weaving through the rose bushes, Sirius tried to ignore the impact of Hermione's presence was having on him. Seeing her in the moonlight, Sirius saw for the first time that she was no longer just a kid. Hermione had grown into a beautiful woman. With each step he noticed the graceful line of her neck, the curve of her shoulder and the fall of tendrils of mocha colored hair down her back. The night air carried her scent to his oversensitive nostrils, a delicious scent it was too, reminiscent of raspberries. Sirius shook his head to clear it from the onslaught of images that were entering his mind. Turning to Hermione as he began to speak, "Hermione, where do you want to go with this? What is it exactly you want me to 'do' to 'get' to Snape?"
Hermione had been looking down towards the ground, so that her face was hidden by the shadow of her hair as it fell forward in such a way that Sirius did not see the slow feral grin spread across her face. "Whatever it takes, Sirius...anything and everything that it takes."
At her proclamation Sirius stopped and pulled her to face him, "What exactly is that?...Hermione?" Looking in her face he could see the determination clearly in her eyes and was stunned by the fierceness of it all, making him wonder if just maybe Snape had cast some spell on the girl. "Hermione, did he DO anything to you?"
"NO!!" She scoffed as she rolled her eyes, "Is it so hard to believe that I purely just want to get to KNOW him a little better?" Hermione grinned mischievously as she arched an eyebrow in Sirius' direction with a tilt of her head. Linking her arm in his, she pulled him towards Gryffindor tower. "Come on, don't worry you won't have to do anything that would deprive me of my virtue, just make it seem as if you did" Hermione laughed at the unsure look on Sirius' face as they made their way to Gryffindor tower.
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The next morning found the Gryffindor trio half sedated in History of Magic, yet again, with the Slytherins. Hermione was pondering what tact to take next when she felt a wad of paper pop her in the back of her head. Whipping around she came face to face with Draco Malfoy, who sat smirking at her and pointed to the ball of paper that hit her. Glancing down, Hermione leaned over and picked up the scrunched up piece of parchment and slowly unfurled it, revealing a short message.
Granger,
Meet me in the Library at lunch.
D.M.
Slightly frowning, Hermione scribbled her assent before balling up the piece of parchment and tossing it over her shoulder at Malfoy. 'I wonder what he wants?' thought Hermione, shrugging her shoulders she left it at that, figuring she will find out soon enough. Besides she had more pressing matters to attend, specifically a certain Potions professor to ensnare. Plotting away, Hermione tuned out the droning of Professor Binns lecture of the rise and fall of Grindelwald. Soon the bell rang and the clamber of her classmates alerted her to the end of class. Rising with the rest, Hermione followed Harry and Ron to the Great Hall for a quick lunch before she had to meet Malfoy in the library.
After entering the Great Hall, Hermione glanced up at the Head Table and noted that both Severus and Sirius were already seated with a vacant chair between them. With a slight grin, she made a bee-line for the empty seat, deciding to take advantage of her Head Girl privileges. With a respectful nod in Severus' direction, she turned to Sirius giving him a blazing smile as she took her seat. "Hello, Professors, I thought I might join you today if its all right, Sirius?"
"It would be a pleasure, Miss Granger" Sirius replied with a slight smile adding, "Don't you think so Snape?" which garnered him a snort from Snape in return.
Hermione leaned into Sirius, allowing her feet to drift towards Severus just enough to make contact. "Professor Black," drawled Hermione, "thank you for escorting me back to my rooms last night, I really had a wonderful time. I hadn't realized how such a wonderful dancer you truly are." As she said this she notice the slight stiffening of Severus as she let her foot slide up his ankle just before he pulled away. At that she decided to twist the proverbial knife, "Umm, Professor Black, I was wondering if perhaps you could give me extra 'lessons' in Defense Against the Dark Arts, you never know when you might be caught unawares in a 'dark' area and need a little something extra." A sudden movement caught her attention and most at the table as well, as Professor Snape stood abruptly from the table and left through the faculty entrance.
Sirius suppressed a grin at Hermione's bold move as he watched Snape leave the Hall. Turning to Hermione he winked as he continued with his lunch. Quite the little vixen, Hermione allowed a mysterious smile appear as she nodded in agreement to Sirius. Gingerly picking over her meal, Hermione made idle chit chat with Sirius to continue the illusion of their budding romance when she belatedly remembered her previous engagement in the library with Draco. Hastily she made her good-byes with a promise to meet later that night, just loud enough to be overheard by other faculty members, retreating in the direction of the library.
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Draco Malfoy had been waiting patiently for the mud..., 'No,' thought Draco, 'for Granger,' to arrive. After the fall of the Dark Lord, Malfoy had little reason to continue the front of an elitist preferring to make alliances that better suited his goals. 'His goals...funny that...one goal in particular...a Miss Virginia Weasley.' He mused as he remembered the dance. Draco couldn't get the image of Ginny out of his mind. Consequently, he decided that to get to know her better he had to get around her big lug of a brother. Hermione Granger was his ticket to paradise, besides he could 'help' her with her little 'crush' on his House's Head, if only she would keep her appointment.
Beginning to feel left out hang, Draco had begun to collect his things in order to grab a quick bite to eat before afternoon classes, when Hermione breathlessly slammed into the library.
Hermione settled her things in a chair as she put a hand up, signaling Draco to wait as she caught her breath and proceeded to sit down across from him. Closing her eyes, she inhaled slowly and exhaled before opening them again with a simultaneous arch of her brow indicating that Draco could begin.
Taking his cue from her, he stating his goal simply, "I want Ginn...I mean...I want to get to know Ginny Weasley better and I would like your help."
Hermione wasn't too surprised by this considering the display of dancing the two had put on at the dance contest, which in turn reminded her of her display with Severus. Mentally shelving that thought, she pondered what kind of help did Malfoy want and expect. 'Well lets just find out shall we, Granger?' Just tilting her head slightly, indicating for Malfoy to go on, Hermione sat motionless as she watched Malfoy begin to fidget before he gathered his wits about him and plunged right in.
"Well Granger, it's like this, I want Ginny," at this Malfoy blushed, "and you want Snape...I don't buy the Black thing for a minute...so what I propose is to offer assistance in that endeavor for the same in mine." Here he paused for effect...gauging Granger's response without much luck, as he stared into her unchanging face.
Pressing her lips together Hermione gave Draco a contemplative look, "Well Malfoy, what is it you want me to do exactly and furthermore...what are you offering to do precisely concerning Snape and myself?"
"I just want you to convince or if necessary distract Weasle...err...Ron" Draco uttered her friend's name as though it pained him as he continued, "so that I could get closer to Ginny. Mind you, it would have to be long enough for me, I mean Ginny and I to form some sort of relationship that even her big bad brother couldn't interfere with." Taking a breath, Draco continued, "In return, I will do what ever I can to ensure that Professor Snape hears of or is in a position to witness whatever debauchery you have planned with Professor Black. I could even drop some subtle hints...the way only a Slytherin knows how." With a flourish, Malfoy finished his proposal allowing a sinister grin to spread across his face.
"Well, Malfoy, I think I will consider your proposal...if I think you are worthy of Ginny, then we will have a deal. You will have to prove your worth...Malfoy...before I agree." Hermione examined her nails, trying to exude the air of calm and collected, when actually she was jumping for joy inside. 'Yes!!' she thought, 'Another to aid me in my quest.'
"Exactly how do I do that, Granger?" Draco sneered unintentionally, finding that old habits are hard to give up.
"Simple my sweet dear Draco," Hermione replied smiling sweetly, "Lose the next Quidditch match...ah...ah...Draco, if you lose, then I will know that you will do anything for this agreement to work and that Ginny means more to you than Quidditch"
"But the House cup, Slytherin has a chance, if I lose then we would forfeit our claim to it." Sputtered a now flustered Draco.
"Precisely," she hissed back at him, "now will it be Ginny or the Cup?"
Draco was speechless, he hadn't expected this turn of events, but he really liked Ginny...or so he thought. 'Oh bugger it all,' Draco fumed, "Deal!" he nearly shouted, watching as Hermione stood to collect her things.
Turning back towards him, she flashed him a wide smile-bearing her perfect white teeth-before extending her hand to seal the deal.
A/N: Very sorry for such a delay...writers block truly is a pain. Here the title is a inspired by the move "The Godfather". Thank you for all those who have been patiently waiting and for everyone who has reviewed. Enjoy.