Disclaimer: You all ought to know this by now, so say it with me…This doesn't belong to me, I just enjoy ruing their lives.

A/N: Hey everyone, thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you liked last chapter. I think it was pretty good, but hey, I write them, so I'm biased lol. Also, I think one or two people might've mentioned that Severus and Hermione are becoming friends awfully fast. I don't really think so, if you think about it. He needs a friend, someone to cheer him up, and he kinda needed someone pretty badly. Enter Hermione. If you've ever been in a situation where, for even just a second, you feel completely alone, then you'll understand how the first friend who comes along becomes an even closer friend. They've got a bond, and rather than try to break it, Severus is going to fight to keep it because even he can recognise how special it is. Sound plausible? Good. Now, for those reviewers who were annoyed with me last chapter for leaving it where I did, this is for you!

A/N 2: Hey again! Quick shameless plug here for some self-promotion. I wrote a one-shot, ficlet called "It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing". It's got HG/SS and HG/PW elements, and I think it's pretty good, so if anyone wants to (hint hint) go read and review (hint hint again), it'd be appreciated! Now onto the story.

Playing Pretend

Chapter Eight: Why Can't I Sleep When it Rains?

"Severus?" Her voice was expected, but startled him slightly none-the-less. "Are you all right?"

He didn't answer. He didn't see why he should as it was obvious that he had been upset by the meeting. She would speak up again in a minute regardless, so he waited.

"Severus, please come back inside? It's late, you should get some rest, or try to anyways. Not to mention it's starting to rain."

"I won't be able to sleep."

"Why not?" Her voice was quiet and hesitant, as though she were afraid to upset him further. He turned slightly, not quite looking at her as he answered her question with a bit of poetry.

"Why can't I sleep when it rains?

Is it because it's too much like tears

Falling off the cheeks of children?

Or is it the sound on the roof

Like a whip piercing the silence.

Why can't I sleep when it rains?

Is it because of the broken hearts

Crying out to lovers gone?

Or is it the façades hiding

The drowning spirit within me?

Why can't I sleep when it rains?

Is it because of the voices

Blaming me for every wrong?

Or is it because of the sadness

That fills my tired soul

Why can't I sleep when it rains?

Is it because of the thoughts

That plague my mind at night

Or is it because of the guilt I feel

That I could be happy when so many aren't?

Why can't I sleep when it rains?"

"Oh Severus," she whispered sadly, her hand reaching out a minute as if to touch his arm, but at the last second she pulled back. Their friendship was still very new, and while she had touched him before, she wasn't sure if she'd be overstepping any boundaries in this situation.

"You're crying," he stated matter-of-factly as he looked over at her. The rain that was falling heavier was mixing with the tears on her cheeks.

"Am I?" She absently reached a hand up to her cheek, not having noticed. "I guess it's because you are."

"I don't cry," he scowled at her, although he knew she wouldn't lie. Bloody Gryffindor trait.

"Then it's the rain," she stepped forward, placing her hands on the sides of his face as her thumbs gently wiped at the droplets trailing down his skin. "Please, come back inside. You'll get sick if you stay out here much longer. And Albus, Molly, Remus, and the others are worried about you."

"They're just worried about losing their potions master," he replied bitterly, glancing over at the large window that looked out over the backyard. He could see Albus, Molly, Arthur, and the children watching, and he knew that he was wrong. He also knew that he should worry about what he and Hermione looked like just then. Him standing there, one of his students with her hands on his face. For some reason though, he couldn't bring himself to care.

"Damn it, you know that's not true," she bristled at his comment, moving her hands to gently squeeze his arms. "Albus may not have voiced it the best way, but you know he said those things only because he cares about you."

"Maybe," he said non-committally, a cough wracking his body. It seems the cold rain was bothering him. Hermione was fine though, thanks to her water-repelling charmed cloak.

"Please Severus," she pleaded once more, taking his hands in hers. "Come inside. If not for them, then for me."

His eyes bore into hers, piercing their depths as he searched for…something. A streak of lightning flashed across the sky, and thunder sounded ominously above their heads. The light rain that had been falling had stopped, but he knew it was for but a moment. They stood like that for what seemed to be an eternity, but was in actuality only a few seconds. He found what he was searching for; honesty and friendship. And something else, though he couldn't quite identify what it was. Satisfied that she wasn't just saying that to simply get him inside, but because she truly meant it, he nodded slowly and allowed her to grasp his hand and lead him back to the house and it's concerned occupants.

"Severus, my boy," Albus began, but was cut off.

"No," Hermione held her free hand up, effectively quieting him, shocking everyone in the room. "He needs to get some dry clothes on, and then a good night's sleep. You can speak to him in the morning."

And without another word, she led Severus out of the kitchen and through the hall to his room. She went into his bathroom and turned on the shower before shoving him in there with instructions to get in immediately. Silently he shrugged off his wet clothes and placed them in the sink before stepping in.

"I'm leaving some dry clothes on the towel rack for you, and I'm going to take your wet things and get them dried for you," Hermione called through the crack in the door after knocking.

"If you must," he replied caustically, but she knew him well enough to hear the underlying tones of gratitude.

"I'm going to go get you some tea from the kitchen, and you had better be in bed by the time I get back."

"And if I'm not?"

"Then I'm having the Headmaster call Madam Pomphrey to take care of you," she threatened, and she could picture him grimacing in her mind as she closed his bathroom door and left for the kitchen.

"Miss Granger," Albus looked up as she entered the crowded kitchen. Along with the Headmaster, the Weasleys, Harry, Luna, and Remus were all still there.

"If you're about to apologise Headmaster, then please don't," Hermione gave him a small smile. "Severus and I both know that you didn't mean anything by what you said. And I'm the one who should be apologising to you. I acted out of anger, and spoke before I thought."

"And I am very glad you did," he smiled sadly. "I thought I was looking out for Severus when I imposed those restrictions, trying to keep him safe. Instead, I hurt him myself."

"No Headmaster, he was hurting long before the restrictions, and he knows you were only protecting him," Hermione stated firmly. "Mrs. Weasley, would you mind making up some tea? Severus caught a cold, and he's going to need something warm."

"Of course," Molly went over to the stove and put a kettle of water on to heat. "Where is he now?"

"In his rooms, taking a shower," Hermione gave a tired sigh as she sat down. "And he's to be in bed by the time I come back."

"You all right love?" Percy moved to stand behind her chair, massaging her neck and shoulders lightly.

"I'm just tired, really," she insisted. "I'm more worried about Severus."

"Okay, I'm really squicked out about that," Ron shuddered, interrupting the conversation. "Since when have you two become such great friends? And why do you have to call him by his name?"

"Because it's better than calling him a git all the time," she looked pointedly at him. "And since the beginning of the summer almost, I guess. He needs friends, or at least that's what a little birdie said."

"Huh?" Ron just stared at her.

"Never you mind, it's just an expression."

"Not a very good one. And why do you want to be his friend?"

"Because he needs one," she stated simply, and saw Albus smile out of the corner of her eye. "And honestly, if I'm going to be his apprentice, it isn't logical for me to be arguing with him all the time, now is it? Not to mention that he's really not that bad once you get to know him. He's actually somewhat pleasant to work with, and he has a wicked sense of humour underneath all his sarcasm."

"You know, if I didn't know better Mione, I'd wonder if you fancied him," Harry teased. "But we know your affections lie with Percy."

"Of course, I wouldn't let him escape me just yet," Hermione laughed, and turned her face towards Percy for a kiss, and he quickly obliged. His brothers all 'oohed' and gave some good-natured cat-calls.

"Here dear, tea's done," Molly handed a mug to Hermione.

"And just when I was getting comfortable," she gave a groan. "I shouldn't have sat down."

"Would you like me to take it to him Mione?" Ginny volunteered.

"I don't know that he'd welcome anyone else in his quarters," Hermione said hesitantly, but she didn't make any move to get up.

"Well I won't take long, and besides," Ginny gave a cheeky grin, "Weren't you the one who said he needs friends?"

"All right," Hermione acquiesced. "Tell him he needs to finish that tea, take a dose of pepper-up, and not get out of bed till seven tomorrow."

"I'll be sure to pass the message along," Ginny laughed, as did the rest of the family at her bossiness.

Ginny winked at Hermione as she grabbed the cup of tea. Leaving the kitchen, she walked down the hall towards her professor's rooms, and knocked on the door before opening it and going in without waiting for his response.

"Hello Professor," she gave him a bright smile.

"Where's Hermione?" He sat up and pushed a pillow behind his back.

"She's feeling kinda worn down," Ginny stood near the edge of the bed and held out the cup. "So I offered to bring it to you."

"Hrmph," he snorted, but grudgingly took the cup and began to sip.

"She wanted me to tell you to finish the tea, take a dose of pepper-up, and to not get out of bed till seven."

"Fine," he sneered, really feeling too tired to argue. "But tell her she must do the same. I will not tolerate her trying to avoid her apprenticeship by becoming ill."

"All right Professor," Ginny held back a laugh. His attitude wasn't nearly as intimidating when he was in bed, under the covers, and fighting the sniffles. "Anything else?"

"Tell her thank you," he replied, holding the now empty cup out to her.

"Sure thing," she took it, and began moving towards the door, calling over her shoulder, "Good night professor."

He didn't reply, and when she looked back, she smiled at seeing him asleep. Quietly closing the door, she made her way back to the kitchen and was immediately shushed when she entered the room.

"What?" she mouthed to Ron.

"Hermione," he laughed soundlessly, pointing at her.

She was leaning against Percy who was stroking her hair gently. She was sound asleep, just like Severus was. Ginny couldn't help but smile, thinking how similar Hermione and Snape were, and they didn't even realise it.

A/N: Okay, that's it for now. A little short, but I've had midterms, so I didn't have time to write as much between studying. Lots of Hermione/Severus goodness, not so much Percy/Hermione. There will be more of that next chapter (I think, I haven't decided), so prepare for that. Hope you liked it, so review if you want, it's cool if ya don't.