The Seduction of Severus Snape

Chapter 2: Foot Fetish

* ~ September 15 ~ *

Well, slow going on the SSS front... No one's thought of another suitable task (which I am secretly thankful for) and potions class was a bore. We brewed a form of transfiguration potion and I handed my anti-smelling essay in without incident ("accidentally" slipping in a few sentences that vaguely suggested that Professor Snape is sexy.) Plus, my prefect duties have been keeping me busy... Thank God it isn't one of those damn snots I room with, though. And at least I have Ginny to count on; she's Head Girl this year.

However, all was not lost; there was a new challenge on the bulletin board in the common room today, so that made me happy. Allow me to explain: the Ravenclaws, long ago (probably not that long) found that they needed some extracurricular activity to keep them regular... Something stimulating. No, not sex. So, a secret society of writers was formed; writers who write under assumed names. Fairly frequently, there is a writing challenge posted on the bulletin board, though writers are not restricted to such challenges. The members are also not restricted to Ravenclaw house. See how generous we are? Anyway, I'm a member, and I'm proud to say that my writing has become fairly popular... It's mostly romance... Between two males... Teehee. I first became a popular writer when I started to write a series of stories about Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy... As a couple. Heh. This new challenge was simply, "a good use for the Whomping Willow." Hmm. Difficult, yes, but manageable. So, anyway, on to present events.

Yesterday, I received a letter from my father. Let us take a moment to consider my father. Messy, sandy hair, hazel eyes with a manic glint, and a perpetual gigantic grin. Alright, not perpetual, but definitely gigantic. His chief interests are origami and birds... Especially fwoopers. As a matter of fact, he has a yellow pet fwooper named Sweetheart. And he's... Well, he's a nutter. That's what everyone calls him... Nutty Nathanyel Page. Nat the Nutter. Tano the Twit. That barmy git who got me splinched... There's a whole range of names. He works at the Ministry of Magic as an unspeakable. I think even if he did say anything about his job, Mum and I wouldn't believe him. I suppose that's part of why they wanted him for that post.

Anyway, he sent me a letter. The significance of this is that there's something off about it... He's never written a letter quite like it before. I think what makes me the most suspicious is this excerpt: "Miriam-" that's my mother- "won't let me out of the house. I asked Arthur if he could call in a favor from his friend working in the floo network, so now I can sneak out through the fireplace every morning. Or apparate. But, you know how these things go- what with my apparating license being revoked and all. I insist and insist that I'm perfectly fine, but your mother just says that if I were normal, I'd get a real job. Not to undermine her or anything, but it's rather difficult to live with a raging harpy. Well, I hear her coming in now, so I'll have to cut this short. Have a good time at school- and try to keep out of trouble, eh?"

Wow, something tells me that there might be trouble at home. Oh, well. My parents always have little squabbles like that and I'm sure they'll work it out in due time. I'm sort of wondering what's going on, though. Hmm... Something to mull over.

In the meantime, I can try to avoid the next task of the SSS. Luna's been looking particularly distant the past couple of days, and I think she might be getting an idea. Speaking of tasks, I've got writers' block with the second love letter. I should ask Luna and Ginny to give me some help with it. Or maybe Dad. Haha, just kidding. I could draw inspiration from 80s monster ballads. Better than asking my father, at least... Imagine what he'd say if he knew about this! Probably something like, "Oh, really? Well, that's great, then! All you need to do is serenade him with the haunting song of the fwooper..." Or something like that.

Maybe I could write to my uncle (mother's side) for advice. Uncle Kristo, what with being a lecherous, alcoholic, bee-keeping priest, would know just what to put into a love letter. On second thought, a lot of it would probably be far too dirty to keep in the letter. I'd probably end up omitting everything except for "you" and "the." He sets such a good example, especially as my godfather. Can you sense my sarcasm? Anyway... So, Luna and Ginny then. I'll ask them at lunch today.

* ~ September 16 ~ *

Alright, so I've got the love letter written and sealed. It's got the same feel as the last one, except with different content. You know, writing about how I can't stop thinking about him, I wish I could be with him, blah, blah. Put the usual spells on it and all. Got up early this morning, gave it to a really nondescript school owl, then got dressed and went down for breakfast.

When the owl post came that day, I snapped my head up (as inconspicuously as possible) and eyed Professor Snape, waiting for the school owl to reach him. After a few moments of anxiously waiting, I watched the owl drop the letter before him and flutter away in a very business-like manner, not even pausing to take some of his food. He looked passively down at the letter for a few moments, then picked it up and opened it. He read it without reaction, then folded it up and slipped it back into the envelope, placing it in his pocket. He was probably hoping that testing that one would yield some clues to the identity of his secret admirer.

"I've got an idea," Luna muttered to me airily, yanking my attention away from Professor Snape. "For the next task." Oh no.

She told me on the way out to Care of Magical Creatures. My next task is to find Professor Snape in the hallway during passing time and ask him for help with my potions homework. While making suggestive facial gestures. In front of a crowd. A bit less forward than the other tasks, but this one had the largest audience yet. Still, it couldn't be too bad. With luck, Professor Snape might just ignore anything on my face that moved in a less than proper way. I actually have a list of requirements that she gave me. Apparently, she'd been talking to Ginny and Colin about it. I have to wiggle my eyebrows, wink, and lick my lips. I am not limited to the requirements and may expand upon them. In what way, I have no idea. Well, the bell to end History of Magic will be ringing soon, so I guess that'll be my opportunity. Argh.

~ * ~ * ~

I succeeded. It was hilarious. But also embarrassing. I was on my way to Defense Against the Dark Arts, and, just my luck, when I thought I was going to escape (I could actually see the classroom a few doors down) Professor Snape came prowling down the corridor. And there was a large crowd present. I decided that the quicker I did the task, the sooner it would be over, and immediately called out to him. "Professor! Professor Snape!" He paused momentarily, raising an eyebrow at me as I rushed up to him, suppressing an embarrassed blush as best I could.

"Miss Page?" he enquired, looking like he wanted to swat me out of the way.

"Professor, I..." I hadn't really thought of the wording before, so I made it up as I went along. "I've been having a bit of... trouble with my potions assignment." I emphasized the last sentence with my eyebrows, completing the first requirement. And trying not to go completely red as I noticed Professor Lupin leaning on the door frame to the DADA classroom, eyeing us with mild interest. Damn. Sexy, sexy Professor Lupin was going to see this...

"Oh? That's too bad." Professor Snape sounded completely sarcastic.

"Yes," I said quickly as I noticed him getting ready to walk away. "I was wondering if you'd ah... Give me a little extra help." I licked my lips (I tried to do it subtly) and tried not to look at any of the sniggering students surrounding the scene. Professor Snape raised an eyebrow (sexy) and clasped his hands behind his back, looking irritated and condescending.

"I'm afraid I've got a full schedule, Miss Page," he growled, sneering.

"I think I really would benefit from it," I persisted, winking. I think he almost looked put off at that.

"Miss Page, is there something wrong with your eye?" he asked dangerously.

"Nothing at all," I answered innocently. His lip curled as he started to put forth a scathing remark, but then the discussion was interrupted.

"Ah, Severus!" Professor Lupin clapped him on the shoulder, which seemed to agitate him even more. "I see you're speaking to Nadia about some help with potions homework. You know, if you're too busy, I'm sure you could talk to Albus and have him clear up your schedule a bit, don't you agree?" He growled dangerously.

"Indeed. See me in my office after classes, Miss Page." And then he swept off, looking absolutely murderous. I could have laughed out loud. Not only had Professor Lupin saved my bum, but he had also helped me get some time alone with the luscious Professor Snape.

"Good afternoon, Nadia," he greeted amiably, giving me a smile. I could have orgasmed. Professor Lupin is a sexy beast, second only to Professor Snape. Seeing them in the same room is like being bombarded with pure sex. Mmm, nice images of them doing naughty things to each other... Anyway, back to the story.

"Hello, Professor," I returned.

"Well, you'd better get inside before the bell rings," he warned cheerfully, indicating the doorway to the classroom.

"Right. Thanks." You hot thing. The fact that he's a werewolf just somehow makes him even more attractive to me... It's a bit strange, actually. DADA went well, all things considered. Discussion on defending against foreign substances and other outside penetration... Heehee. And I was left with the strange urge to watch "Teen Wolf."

So... Blah, blah, boring day... I told the members of the SSS what had happened while we lounging by the lake during lunch, they all thought it was grand, and Ginny gave me yet another task to complete. "Make an extra effort to touch him," she told me. I asked her to specify, in a very irritable manner. "You know," she said, "brush your hand against his, lean across him, touch his knee... Things like that. He'll go absolutely mad!" She giggled.

"Yes, and then I'll end up as ingredients in our next potions assignment." I was seriously considering the consequences of further invoking the potions master's rage.

"It's mandatory," Ginny insisted.

"I don't know," Colin interrupted, looked apprehensive. "Are you sure she should... Er... Touch Snape like that?"

"You're just jealous," Ginny replied curtly. Colin turned a rather deep shade of red and bit his lip, sitting in sheepish silence.

"It's settled," Luna commented airily, staring up at the sky. "Today." I groaned and put my head in my hands.

"Wonderful." After a few more minutes, Ginny checked her watch and ran off for a date with... I don't know, someone. I wasn't really listening. The Gryffindors had the afternoon free of classes, apparently. I was looking up at the clouds, which Luna claimed looked like some creatures that no one else believed still existed. Eventually, she left, too, claiming the need to catch up on some homework before our next class. I sighed and continued to look up at the clouds... Was that a fwooper?

"Er..." I turned to Colin, who seemed to want to say something, but was unable to find any words to express himself. "So..."

"Yeah, you said it." Silence. "...So?"

"Um... So... Nadia... You... Er... I... Like your... Uh... Hair." I stared at him for a few moments, trying to decide whether or not he was a complete idiot. The verdict landed on not, but it was a close call.

"...Thanks."

"...Yeah." This guy needs to learn how to overcome his intimacy issues.

"Anything else on your mind besides my hair?"

"..."

"Apparently not." Alright, so I was being a bit mean... But I was just kidding. "I'm just joking, you know." See, I even told him so.

"Yeah... Heh..."

"So... You've got some nice hair, too." He blushed a bit.

"Thanks." And then more silence. I thought that if the conversation wasn't going to lead anywhere interesting, then I might as well go and get my books for class.

"I should get going... I've got a class to get to, so..."

"Yeah... Um..."

"See you around." I got up and walked away. I could tell he was watching me. Well, Colin, if you want a date, then you'll just have to work for it. I haven't got time for a conversation consisting entirely of "er" and "um." He's a Gryffindor; so he should get some courage and just friggin fraggin ask me.

That afternoon, as the bell rang to signal the end of my last class, I could feel butterflies jumping around in my stomach... Well... Butterflies don't jump, but you get the idea. So, I went down to the dungeons, which was an uneventful walk, and knocked on the door to Professor Snape's office. "Enter!" He really needs to work on a new greeting phrase. Anyway, I walked inside, closed the door behind me, and approached his desk. He glared at me as if I were a particularly rank mountain troll. "Miss Page," he growled.

"Yes, Professor?" I stood hopefully before him.

"Where is your homework?" He sounded like he wanted to kill himself. I, in the meantime, was torn between happiness at the situation and dread at the task ahead. I sat down in the chair before his desk and pulled my half-finished potions assignment from my bag, handing it over. There actually was something I was having trouble with, but I usually asked Luna about homework, or tried to look it up, instead of consulting the teacher. I held the homework out to him and he snatched it from my hand, looking it over. "I see no problem," he snapped irritably after a few moments.

"Well, Professor, I wrote down what I knew already, but then I got stuck, you see..."

"I am afraid I don't quite see, Miss Page." He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Well..." I dug in my bag and pulled out the three thick potions volumes I was using as references and dropped them on his desk. "Professor, do you mind if I just...?" As I spoke, I stood up and moved around the desk, standing next to him and in the process hooking my foot around the leg of the chair and sliding it around with me. I sat down next to him and pulled the books towards me. "There." He glared at me as I flipped the books opened to the text I'd highlighted and explained my long, boring problem, which I won't describe here because... It's... Long and boring. As I did so, I "accidentally" brushed my elbow against his arm, and touched his leg with mine. He remained silent the whole time, scowling at me as if he wished I'd simply drop dead on the spot.

"Hold on," he suddenly interrupted me halfway through my explanation of an inner-debate I'd been having about wormwood infusions. "How did you come to that conclusion?" Orgasm.

"Well, I'm not sure about it, because- I mean, there's so many holes in the theory, so many ways to get around it, but with more evidence to solidify it, I'm sure it could be applied... The idea actually came from... Er... My father." He only raised an eyebrow, resting his elbows on his desk.

"Your father?"

"Yes," I replied, seeing the perfect opportunity for physical contact. "He's rather interested in potions, actually, but he hardly ever tells anyone what he's up to-" as I spoke I discreetly slid my arms towards his and brushed up against him- "and even when he does speak up, you can't even understand half of what he's saying."

"Complicated wording?" Professor Snape enquired, still sounding gruff and irritated as he pulled his arm away from mine.

"I suppose you could call it that." Something strange happened then, but only for a moment; first, he looked as though he might scream, then, he looked almost neutral, which I suppose is his version of smiling. However, the whole thing was only a split second, and difficult to actually make sense of.

"...I see. Continue." So I continued. And as I continued, I placed a convenient hand on his arm or over his hand, brushed an arm or a leg against him; and each time he moved his chair further away from me.

Eventually, I had to write a few things down. That's when disaster stuck. I leaned over to grab a quill, resting my hand against his thigh... So firm... Mmm... And a lot higher than I'd planned, but I didn't mind. Was that a muscle twitching? He did, though. As I returned to my seat, I noticed that his eyes were glittering with malice as he glared at me, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Detention, Miss Page," he snarled.

"Professor," I protested, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize-"

"Silence. You will either move your seat to the other side of my desk, or you will leave my office. Now." He looked like he wanted me to do the latter.

So, I moved my seat, trying not to seem too disappointed, while he muttered something about labor laws and things that were not part of his job... Hmm, wonder what he was talking about?

I leaned over my work, stretching out my legs, though it was difficult, what with Professor Snape's long, slender legs taking up so much room. That's when I got a brilliant idea: footsie. The perfect continuation of my task. It would have to be done carefully, slowly, and at a point when I'd be prepared to be kicked out. So, I'd wait.

Fifteen minutes later, I was ready. Cautiously, I moved my leg forward, trying to look as if I was giving my utmost concentration to my work. When I felt the fabric of his robes brush against my leg, I made my move. I slipped my foot out of my shoe and pressed my heel to the back of his calf, my leg wrapping around his so that their sides touched. Then, I slid my leg up along his, glancing up to see his reaction.

There was a large blot of ink on the parchment he'd been writing on, and his quill lay next to it, discarded and quivering in its place. His face looked as if it was struggling between blanching and blushing, the red creeping out from his hairline indicating which was winning over. His lips were pressed so tightly together that his mouth was merely a thin line dashed across his face, and his eyes were narrowed and glittering, as if trying to strike me dead with their furious glare.

I merely leaned my face against my hand, pretending that I was doing nothing out of the ordinary as I scanned over the document before me. As I did so, I eased my leg down his and slipped my foot up his robes... Which felt very nice. Until he jumped out of his seat, his chair skidding back and causing a racket as he slammed his hands on his desk. Apparently, he'd finally found his voice, and he looked pissed off to the extreme.

"FIFTY POINTS FROM RAVENCLAW!" he roared, a vein throbbing noticeably in his temple. "DETENTION FOR A WEEK!" I think he was actually spitting with rage. "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" I lingered a few moments to slip my shoe back on and gather my things. "NOW!!" I jumped a bit, startled by his... Scariness... Then grabbed everything in a messy, uneven, unsteady pile and rushed out of the room, supplies flying from my arms and falling to the ground. I didn't stop to pick them up.

When I reached the second floor, panting and sweating a little, I stopped to catch my breath, dropping my things and leaning against the wall. I thought that the experience would be harrowing, that I'd want to stop with the SSS right away, that I'd hate this whole thing even more... But I was wrong. It took me a long time, actually, to catch my breath, because as I reflected over the whole day, I started laughing. And I couldn't stop. As a few people walked through the corridor and passed me by, they gave me strange looks, but I simply couldn't help it. I laughed until I couldn't breath, and I kept laughing in quiet, wheezing, sporadic bursts.

"Hey... Are you alright, Nadia?" I looked up to see Colin surveying me with mild concern, slipping a book and a few parchments into his bag.

"Oh... I'm fine," I replied, managing to finally catch my breath. "It's just... It was so funny!" I chuckled a bit more.

"You mean the task?" Colin shifted his weight a bit, shuffling his feet and looking uncomfortable.

"Yes, the task." I sighed heavily. "It was the best yet. God, that man had wonderful thighs..." Colin's frown was a sign that I probably shouldn't continue on that tangent. So, I explained to him what happened, every juicy detail. Colin looked ready to vomit.

"Eurgh... You played footsie with Snape?" He stuck his tongue out, as if a bad taste had suddenly entered his mouth. "Blech!"

"It was rather fun," I pointed out. Colin tinged a little pink, wrinkling his nose as he focused particularly hard on a crack in the wall.

"Yeah, well... Hmph."

"Jealous?" I enquired.

"No." It wasn't very believable. There were a few moments of silence before I spoke again.

"So, what are you doing here, anyway?" He blinked a bit, as if remembering something he hadn't meant to forget.

"Oh! Sorry! I was going to go down to the dungeons to see if you were done with Snape, because Ginny and Luna want to have another SSS meeting, down in the kitchens. Luna has a craving for bananas and pork, you see." I made no comment on Luna's strange craving. There was no need for it.

So, we headed down to the kitchens, once again immersed in silence. A few gossip mongrels whispered to each other as we passed their paintings, but that was pretty much the only noise aside from clapping of our footsteps and the swishing of our robes. However, Colin eventually broke the silence as we approached the grand staircase. "So..." he muttered uncomfortably, shoving his hands in his pockets. "...Er... Could I... erm... Ask you something?" I shrugged.

"Sure." It took him a few more seconds to work out his question.

"So... You... Er... Fancy Snape, right?"

"Right," I answered slowly.

"Um... A lot? Or... Er... Just a little?" I shrugged again.

"It depends on your definition of 'a lot.'"

"Like... I dunno... So much that you... Er... Can't imagine fancying... Anyone else?"

"Dunno," I replied vaguely. "Guess it depends on whether the right guy comes along." We were approaching the painting of the fruit that led to the kitchens, which meant that Colin would probably have to cut this short.

"Oh... Er... Alright." I waited for something more. Nothing came. Fuck you, Colin.

"Oh, hey!" Ginny blinked in surprise as she emerged from behind the painting, looking back and forth between us. "...Are you two busy?"

"No," Colin answered quickly, his neck turning red.

"Alright." She gave us one more suspicious look. "Come on in, then." We followed her inside, and were immediately subjected to a barrage of house elves. I asked for some chocolate pudding, then followed Ginny over to one of the tables near the back, where Luna was eating some pork chops and banana. Once we were settled, the conference began.

"So, what is it, this time?" I asked, leaning my face in my hand as I dug into my pudding.

"First," Ginny replied, "tell us what happened with Snape." So, I relayed my story once again, and left Ginny laughing hysterically, while Luna continued to eat, apparently oblivious, and Colin merely looked sour. "Aright," Ginny gasped, after finally calming down. "Colin, show us what you got." Blushing slightly, Colin drew his book and papers from his bag, showing us the book. It was called '1001 Ways to Get Your Guy.' Ginny and I let out snorts of laughter, while Luna went on with her meal.

"Hilarious," I commented, taking the book from him and flipping through it.

"I wrote down some helpful pages-" he indicated the papers- "and highlighted a few passages." Ginny clapped her hands together, smiling.

"And have you found anything helpful?" Colin nodded.

"Oh, lots of things. But, since we're in the kitchens, I thought we might start off with 'Chapter 3: The Way to a Man's Heart is Through His Stomach.'" I snorted.

"Yeah, right. How old fashioned." Ginny grinned.

"I don't know. It works with the men in my family." She let out a little laugh. "Anyway, that's perfect! Cook him something... But what?"

"Cookies?" Colin suggested.

"...Maybe..."

"Heart-shaped," Luna suddenly cut in. "With pink sprinkles." I was appalled.

"No," I protested. "Not pink."

"How about chocolate chip, then?" Ginny asked.

"Heart-shaped chocolate chip," Luna added.

"Right."

"Could I have one?" Colin asked. Eye rolling ensued. "I think we should charm them," he said pensively, almost as an afterthought.

"Oh, God, no..." I covered my face with my hands, but soon looked up to better see what was happening at the table. I promised myself I'd have fun with it, anyway, and there was really no way I could change their minds.

"A singing charm?" Ginny asked.

"Nah," Colin replied. "How about a charm that turns him into something? Like the Weasleys' Canary Creams."

"No!" Ginny replied. "We're aiming for love, here, not..." She searched for a word to describe what she meant. "...Fred and George."

"What about a love charm?" Luna suggested. We were all intrigued by this.

"A love charm?" Ginny asked.

"What kind of love charm?" I butted in.

"Ew, are you serious?" Colin groaned. We ignored him.

"Maybe there's one in the book," Luna said in that vague way she has. We immediately turned to the book and flipped to the cooking section for charmed foods, where we were referred to "Chapter 8: Magical Means." There actually was a very good charm in there.

"Look at this!" Ginny exclaimed, pointing to the charm she'd spotted. "The Rose-Colored Glasses Charm..."

"How unoriginal," I commented.

"Sh. Let's see... This charm can be cast on food, so that's good... And... Hmm... It makes the subject of the charm see the caster in a more favorable light." She grinned at me and waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Hey," I replied, "I'm all for it."

"I don't know," Colin muttered, looking a bit worried. "I mean, casting magic on a teacher is pretty serious business... And... Well, who knows what Snape will do with that charm on him? What if it makes him... I dunno... Fancy Nadia?" There was a short period of silence before Colin was bombarded with laughter.

"Oh, get serious, Colin," I replied, pushing him a bit. "As if Professor Snape would ever fancy anyone, let alone me!" Colin blushed a little, smiling sheepishly, then finally joined us in our laughter.

We decided to bake the cookies over the weekend, since that would give us plenty of time to get the recipe right, and then to sneak into the potions classroom and leave them for Professor Snape before breakfast on Monday. Luna and I had potions again, first thing, so it would be a perfect opportunity for us to see how it worked.

"Next task, though," Ginny said, smiling, as we parted, "Colin and I get to watch, too."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

There's chapter 2. BAM! Next chapter: The execution of Operation: Cookie and speed freak Snape. I won't ruin too much of the surprise for you, though.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed so far! It really helped me along.