Disclaimer: It's not mine, I just enjoy messing with their lives.
A/N: Hey y'all, glad you liked the last chapter! It was fun to write, for me at least. I could just see our know-it-all Hermione freaking out a little over Percy's sudden burst of emotion. Not that he's a creepy, Hermione-obsessed, stalker, of course, but if anyone's ever been in a situation where you just feel overwhelmed; well that's how Hermione felt at Percy's declaration. And remember; Percy's liked her for a while, so he's had time to get used to his feelings. Hermione's only found herself thinking about her feelings towards Percy for a few days really. So that's my explanation for her behaviour last chapter. And I had fun writing Severus. Anyone else who writes Severus can agree I'm sure, because he's a challenge to write. I don't think I did too bad a job of having him be emotional, yet in-character at the same time, did I? Anywho, on to the next chapter!
Playing Pretend
Chapter Seven: Resolutions and Revelations
"Hello, anyone home?" Percy called, flooing in several hours later after dinner ended.
"Hey," Hermione answered quietly. She was sitting on the couch, reading a book. Waiting for him.
"Hey," he replied back. "About earlier-"
"I'm sorry I ran off, but I was a little overwhelmed," Hermione gave a small smile. "But I went and talked with Severus, and he helped me…clear my head, I guess."
"Severus? Since when do you call Professor Snape by him given name?"
"Since I told him to call me by mine since I'll be his apprentice. But like I said, he helped me figure out a lot about…us…and I think we need to talk some more."
"Yeah, I kinda figured that," Percy said sheepishly, sitting down on the couch next to her. "First, let me say that I never meant to say what I did earlier. I did mean it, but I hadn't planned on rushing the relationship like that. I was just so disgusted by the fact that you couldn't see how beautiful you are, that I wanted to reassure you."
"I know that now," Hermione took her hand in his. "I do like you Percy, but I'll be honest with you. It's way to early for me to be thinking about love, or a long-term relationship. Right now, I know I like spending time with you, and I know that I do care about you as a friend. I want to stay with you and see where this goes."
"Me too, thanks for the second chance," Percy leaned in and kissed her.
"Aw, look at the love-birds," Fred and George squealed in high-pitched voices.
"Aw, look at the love-birds," Hermione imitated their squealing.
"Where?" Fred and George looked around.
"Animus transformus," Percy quickly whipped out his wand and transfigured Fred and George's bodies into those of an overly large love-bird
"Nice wrist movement," Hermione complimented in between laughs as Fred and George tried to move without falling down.
They kept hitting their tails against things and knocking things off. It didn't help that they moved their 'hands' forgetting that they were actually wings, and that of course caused large gusts of air to blow through the room, stirring up papers and things, and their wings knocked over even more things.
"Mione! Change us back!" Fred cried.
"I can't, I'm not old enough, sorry Fred," Hermione apologised, not looking the least bit apologetic.
"Percy, change us back. We're sorry, you're the best brother, we'll never prank you ever again!" George promised.
"Hey, don't make a promise you won't be able to keep," Percy snickered.
"WHAT IS GOING ON!" Molly screamed at seeing her twins as birds.
"Fred and George messed up a prank," Percy supplied an excuse.
"No we didn't! He did this!" The twins exclaimed, gesturing towards Percy with their wings, knocking a portrait off the wall who yelled in indignation.
"Fred, George," Hermione stood up, hands on her hips. "I've been with Percy this entire time, and he hasn't done anything. Molly, don't believe them. Percy and I were down here talking when they just flapped on in making a ruckus."
"Mum! You can't believer her over us, can you?" George looked at his mother in shock.
"I can't believe you two would interrupt your brother and his girlfriend, and then try to blame this on him!" Molly quickly pulled out her wand and transfigured them back and grabbed each by an ear. "I swear, you two are incorrigible…"
"Very Slytherin like, I must commend you Hermione," Severus clapped his hands slowly as he stepped into the room, his dinner tray floating in front of him.
"Thank you Severus, I did learn from the best," she laughed lightly.
"And who would that be?" He rose an eyebrow in question.
"Malfoy of course," said Hermione as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "After watching him lie all those times to you to get out of trouble? I should hope I learned a thing or two."
"I'd be surprised if you didn't, being such a know-it-all," he gave a smirk, and continued on to the kitchen, before Hermione could make a remark back.
"Should I be afraid?" Percy stared at her.
"Of course not silly," she slapped his arm playfully. "I'm just being a friend to him. We like to exchange witty remarks every now and then."
"Is there some reason you don't do that with anyone else, like Harry or Ron?" Percy asked, curious. "Or some reason why he doesn't do that with Dad or one of the other order members?"
"Neither of us likes to engage in an intellectual battle with an unarmed man," Hermione laughed. "No, I'm just teasing. I guess we just understand each other is all. I've come to learn a bit about him, and I think he needs a friend, so I'm going to be one."
"Whether he likes it or not."
"Yes, whether he likes it or not, although I think he's warming up to the idea," Hermione fought another laugh. "Oh, I have to go help Severus start on some potions."
"All right, I'll see you later then?" Percy stood up, pulling her up also.
"Well we do live in the same house, so I'd assume so," said Hermione sarcastically as she accepted Percy's hug.
"Very funny," Percy chuckled, and then watched her walk out of the room to begin her potions apprenticeship.
OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO
"We're making Pepper-up?" Hermione looked at him, an annoyed look on her face.
"No, we're improving on it," Severus replied.
"Why?"
"Because of the steam coming out of your ears for hours side effect. Madam Pomphrey says students hate the ridicule that brings, and many children won't come to her when they have a cold until it evolves into something worse, and even then, they all but refuse the potion," Severus explained calmly. "Not to mention they despise the taste of it."
"Fine, although I still say there're more productive things we could be working on," Hermione said resignedly. "Like a better alternative to wolfsbane."
"Well, that can be one of our projects during the school year."
"Really!"
"Yes, now start assembling the potions ingredients, if you please," he ordered.
They worked in silence with one another; it was comfortable though, not awkward. They also were very fine-tuned with one another's habits, although theoretically they shouldn't have been, having never worked together before. But watching them was like watching a complicated, patterned dance. When Hermione was about to ask for an ingredient, Severus was already handing it to her. Or when Severus was about to need to add the next item, she would be ready to pour it in at the precise moment necessary. It was rather interesting that they were so in tune with one another, at least to their observer, Albus Dumbledore.
"You work beautifully together," he interrupted them, just as they finished adding the last ingredient and turned it down to simmer.
"Headmaster!" Hermione whirled about, startled.
"Albus, how many times must I tell you to knock before entering?" Severus glared.
"At least once more, my boy!" Albus replied cheerfully, walking over and looking into the cauldron. "I daresay Poppy will be pleased."
"If it works," Severus interjected. "We have yet to test it."
"Well, with two of Hogwarts brightest potions makers, I'm sure it is appropriately superb."
"What do you want Albus?" Severus snapped, knowing the compliment was a way to butter him up.
"Severus, don't be rude!" Hermione elbowed him in the side. She blushed a moment later, remembering she was in front of the Headmaster, and began to stammer an apology to him. "Headmaster, I'm sor-"
"That's quite all right my dear," he smiled kindly at her, his eyes twinkling. "As it is the summer, and as you are going to be working with Severus, I'd not expect the usual formality."
"And whether or not you expect it, I'm sure she'd do so anyways," Severus smirked at her. "Gryffindor stubbornness and disregard for the rules."
"Oh like you're any better," she rolled her eyes at him.
"Obviously, as I am a Slytherin. I'm glad you've realised that," he smirked again, and turned to Albus, effectively cutting off her reply. "Now what is it that you needed Albus?"
"I was simply stopping in to have an impromptu meeting with everyone here," he replied. "About some recent deatheater activity updates. However, I need you and Miss Granger to join the rest of us downstairs, if you don't mind."
"Of course Headmaster," Hermione answered quickly, seeing Severus about to protest. "Just let us finish up here."
"I don't want to," Severus all but whined as Albus left the room. "He'll remind me that I'm stuck in this bloody house for the entirety of the summer."
"Oh do grow up Severus," Hermione began pulling out phials to bottle the potion in. "You don't know specifically what he's going to tell us. Don't be such a pessimist."
"Why not? You're enough of an optimist for the both of us."
"Someone has to be," she said, linking her arm through his and pulling him out of the room. "Come on now, we can't keep them waiting."
Hermione laughed as Severus grimaced, and dragged him downstairs. When they entered the kitchen where everyone was gathering, Severus couldn't help but smirk at the look on most everyone's faces. Hermione was also fighting back a smile. Ron, Harry, Fred, and George were staring at her as if she had three heads, and Ron almost looked green at seeing her walk in on the greasy potions master's arm. Their eyes widened ever more, if that were possible, when he pulled out a chair for her, next to Percy.
"Thanks," she gave him a quick smile, and he nodded in reply as he leaned against the wall behind her chair.
"All right, thank you for coming everyone," Albus began.
"Like we had a choice?" Severus gave a resentful snort.
"As you know, there are still a fair number of deatheaters who escaped capture," Albus stated, ignoring Severus. "I am happy to say that Tonks and Kingsley apprehend Nott and Avery hiding out near Mr. Longbottom's home in Blackpool a few hours ago. They would be here to tell you themselves, but they are currently continuing to interrogate Nott and Avery about the location of other deatheaters."
"So dear old Lucius, Bella and Rudolphus are still out there?" Moody commented dryly.
"Yes, and they are organising their revenge. This applies most directly to you Severus," said Albus, turning to look at him.
"Oh joy," Severus said sarcastically. "Tell me, how are they planning to kill me now?"
"They're not, at least not until they torture you for quite some time to obtain information about the Order's whereabouts first," Albus began, and then grew somber as he continued. "I am afraid that I must once again remind you to not leave Grimmauld place, or its surrounding property. We can not jeopardise the Order's location or plans."
"Of course, always for the Order," Severus snarled, and pushing off the wall, stormed out into the backyard.
"Well someone has his knickers in a twist," Mundungus commented, and a few of the others chuckled, agreeing. Hermione blew up, angry at what had just happened.
"How dare you!" She stood up so fast her chair knocked over, pointing a finger at Mundungus.
"How dare I what girl?" Mundungus' voice took on a steely tone at the unknown accusation from the girl in front of him.
"How dare you speak about him like that!" Hermione said in a quiet voice, filled with malice. "You say he's upset. Of course he's upset! He has done so much for the Order as a spy, and what thanks does he get? House arrest and insulting barbs! And you Headmaster," Hermione turned to look at him, more saddened then angry. "I'm sorry, but you had no right to speak to him like that either. Severus knows, better than any of us, the importance of keeping information from the enemy. Especially since he used to spy on them. If he were to be caught, he would kill himself before he allowed the Order's security to be compromised!"
"She's right," Luna said airily a moment later after Hermione followed Severus outside after her outburst, leaving a silent room behind.
"Of course she is, she's not the smartest witch at Hogwarts for nothing," Ron tried to lighten up the tenseness, but it was futile.
"Well she didn't have to yell," Mundungus whined, and promptly received a slap upside the head from Molly, along with glares from the rest of the occupants.
"I think," Albus said slowly, "That we have had enough for now. I think it best if we retire, and reflect upon what just happened."
There was a murmur of agreement, and those who weren't staying in the house gathered their things up to floo or disapparate home. The mood was rather somber as everyone was feeling rather chastised, like a small child who'd just received a scolding. They hadn't considered all that Snape had done; all the work he did as a spy, the lengths he went to protecting the Order's classified information, the difficulties he had keeping his memories and emotions closely guarded.
But Hermione had, they now knew. In the little time she had spent with him, she had confirmed all the suppositions she had about his work for the Order. Most of it had been guess work she learned from observations at school. The rest had been things she picked up on at Order meetings and from interactions with Severus.
Out back, she stood at the bottom of the steps, watching him. He was standing down by the edge of the small pond in the backyard. She could tell, even in the dim moonlight, that he had been affected by what Albus had said. His usually erect and proud form was now slumped and poignant looking. His arms and hands hung limply at his sides, and his head was tilted slightly back, as if looking for something. His depressed stance made Hermione remember a bit of that conversation he'd had with Albus that one night.
"You're not fine Severus. You're deteriorating, and anyone can see it!" Albus' voice was full of concern and a hint of anger. "I'm sorry Severus, but I'm worried about you."
"Whatever for?" Severus spat harshly. "I was only needed for my knowledge of Voldemort's plans, and now that's not an option anymore. I'm not good for anything."
"True you're not needed for knowledge about Voldemort, but that's a blessing, and a relief to me that you're not endangering yourself anymore. And you're the greatest Potion's Master in the United Kingdom, not to mention a wonderful potion's professor."
"Not that it matters," Severus sneered. "The students all hate me. And you only hired me to keep me close by so I could spy for you."
"That's not true and you damn well know it! You are like the son I never had, and I want you to be happy. If you would only grasp life and try to live!"
"I don't have anything to live for anymore, if I ever did," Severus said after a moment.
Remembering that almost brought a tear to her eye. How could things have gotten so bad, she wondered. She was beginning to learn more about him and his past, and her desire to help him and befriend him was even greater now. As she continued to just stand there, looking at him, the chorus of a song floated through her mind, and she almost laughed at how perfectly it fit.
"How do you get that lonely, how do you hurt that bad?
To make you make the call, that havin' no life at all,
Is better than the life that you had?
How do you feel so empty, you want to let it all go?
How do you get that lonely…and nobody know?"
A/N: Okay, there it is. Kinda sad at the end, so sorry for that. Funny parts with HG/PW and the twins, and between SS/HG in the lab. Song lyrics are "How do you get that lonely" by Blaine Larson. Very pretty song, for all that it's so sad. I think it just kinda fit perfectly at the end there. Hope you like it, all sadness aside. As always, review if you want, it's cool if you don't.