Chapter Seven:

"Miss Granger, if Mr. Longbottom cannot properly brew a Forgetfulness Potion by now, there is no hope for him. I suggest you stop wasting your time." Snape hissed as they re-entered the classroom.

Chloe sauntered across the room and took her seat next to Draco, who was pointedly ignoring her. Chloe shrugged this off and propped her feet up on the table, watching Snape as he stalked around the room. When he was far enough away, Draco propped his feet up next to hers and whispered his attack.

"Did he finish with you that quickly, Tanner?"

"Pardon?"

"Your little 'conversation' in his office, it was awful quick…"

The way Draco said 'conversation' left Chloe with no doubts on his real intention of the word, but before she could retaliate, Snape was in front of their desk. He pushed Draco's feet off of the table, and stared at her leg for a moment. He glanced up into her face with a mischievous expression.

Oh, Merlin what is he going to do?

Snape's eyes traveled slowly from her face back down to her leg. He acted for a moment like he would shove her feet away like he had done Draco's, but instead he casually ran his hand up her thigh.

"Proper etiquette, Mr. Malfoy. Feet do not belong on the tables." with that biting comment, he left them.

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Chloe burst into Severus' office after dinner that night. She pushed open his heavy oak door and settled herself comfortably against the foot of his bed. Chloe sat and waited for a few minutes, finally dozing off and slumping down further onto the floor.

Snape turned off the water tap. He pushed his dripping hair out of his face and reached for a towel. He wrapped the towel around his waist before stepping out of the shower. Severus walked through the hall and into his room, finding himself staring at the small, crumpled figure stationed at the foot of his bed. He cleared his throat, hoping to alert the figure of his presence, but to no avail. Severus slammed his bedroom door.

Chloe woke with a start and found her self face-to-knee with Severus. Her eyes slowly traveled up his toweled and dripping body, finally coming to a rest at his face. He stared back, clearly waiting for an explanation.

"Miss Tanner?"

"Chloe, my name is Chloe. You weren't in your office so I decided to wait in here." Chloe muttered weakly, willing herself not to stare.

Towels should be outlawed. No, seeing him without the towel would be worse. Self-control level is almost non-existent as it is. Ugh!

"Well, as you can see I am currently occupied, if you would be so kind as to step outside…"

Chloe didn't need to be told twice. She got up and darted from the room. Chloe then waited outside the door until Severus called for her to enter again. She quietly took her seat at the foot of his bed, still not looking at him, and started.

"You were brilliant today." She muttered.

"Excuse me?"

"That thing you did, with my leg…Draco's eyes were in danger of popping out of their sockets." Chloe looked up at him.

"Yes, I noticed him staring avidly at you. Thought I'd teach him a lesson." Snape said offhandedly.

"a lesson in what?"

"Romancing a woman." Snape remarked dryly.

"Oh, yes. Because women love to be groped in public." Chloe snorted.

"It always works for me."

"One time, then?"

"I'll have you know--" Snape started, before seeing her impish smile, "You were teasing me again, weren't you?"

"Yes."

"It does work." Snape said defiantly.

"I know."

"How do you know, Miss Tanner?" Snape said, trying to sound disapproving.

Here goes nothing.

"I did attend school with hormonal teenage boys once, you know." Chloe reminded him.

Take the bait, Sev.

"Ah, yes. They have the seduction abilities of a tomcat in heat." Snape deadpanned.

This is too easy.

"Well, at least you have something in common with your students." Chloe said mock innocently.

"I happen to have better… abilities… than my students, Miss Tanner."

You set yourself up for this one, Snape:

"Prove it."