Disclaimer: It's not mine, y'know the rest.

A/N: Thanks so much everyone for your response to my "poll" last chappie. Seems the general consensus is that while some of the PW/HG is cute, everyone wants it to ultimately end up SS/HG. And don't worry, Ginny WILL NOT end up with Severus. Anyways, thanks again for the input, I'll definitely keep it in mind when the end gets closer. Also, Tonks is in this chapter a bit. I see her as being kinda of a contradiction in some ways; she's the fun loving, auror who can act like a kid sometimes, but she's also got some life wisdom, from being older, and from all the things she's seen as an auror. That's how I see her anyways, and that's my explanation for last chapter, and this chapter, in regards to her actions/words. One more thing, there's a part a few paragraphs down where I describe some clothes, so if you don't like that, then skip it, although they're not that long. Now onto what you really want, the story!

Playing Pretend

Chapter Ten:

The talk with Tonks had helped. Hermione had surprised herself that she was so open with the woman, but she had needed to talk with someone who would understand, and Tonks happened to be there. And her advice made sense. Hermione didn't know why she hadn't thought of it herself. Probably because, as Severus once said, she tended to get flustered with her emotions and forget what was logical. Right then and there though, Hermione made a promise to fully commit herself to Percy. She would, of course, continue being friends with Severus, but she wouldn't allow herself to think of him any other way than that.

"What's got you looking so serious Mione?" Ron's question startled her slightly. She looked up to see Harry and Ron standing in front of her.

"Your brother," she said teasingly, knowing he hated to think of them together like that. His reply surprised her though.

"I'm glad," he said sitting down. "I know I'm always groaning about it, but I'm glad he makes you happy."

"Me too," Harry agreed. "He's good for you. And I think you're good for him too."

"Yeah, now we don't have to listen to him talk about work anymore!" Ron laughed.

"Not to sound completely unappreciative of how sweet you two are being, but what brought on this sentimentality?" She asked, looking back and forth between them.

"Nothing really," Harry shrugged. "We just kinda realised we haven't seen you too much recently. We've been playing a lot of quidditch with Ginny and the twins, or Bill and Charlie."

"And we miss you," Ron's ears reddened slightly. "So we thought we'd get all dressed up, and all of us would go out to dinner and then dancing or whatever it is you girls like to do. "

"If you want to, that is," Harry interjected, not knowing whether or not she'd like that idea. "I mean, Ron and I wanted to take you out alone, but Molly was quick to shoot that idea down. She only agreed if we promised to have a large group of us go, with some adults. So Tonks, Charlie, Bill, Percy, the twins, Ginny, and Luna will also be coming along. But Ron and I are gonna be your escorts."

"Oh that sounds fun!" Hermione clapped her hands. "I've been cooped up too long, so that sounds like a great idea, when are we going to leave?"

"We were planning to go in about an hour or so, is that all right?" Ron asked.

"Perfect," she said jumping up, giving each boy a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you two in about an hour. I've got to get ready."

"Make sure to wear clothes!" Ron called after her, but she only fluttered her fingers in response, and Ron groaned, only imagining what she would wear to annoy him.

She left the library, intent on heading to her room to get ready, but was intercepted by Ginny. She was dragged into Tonks' room where Ginny had decided the girls were going to get ready together. So with Ginny playing fashion consultant, they rummaged through their closets or transfigured things if something wasn't 'perfect' in Ginny's opinion. Tonks had several outfits that would work, sometimes needing them when undercover. The outfit Ginny picked for her consisted of a black mini-skirt. The top was a midriff baring, corset-style top, with lace straps, also in black. Black opened toed heels completed the ensemble. Tonks changed her hair to be short, spiky, and black to match the outfit, along with her eyes.

Luna was next, and she picked a much more demure outfit for going out when compared to Tonks, but wild wasn't really her style. She went with a pair of light blue capris, and a white, lacy, spaghetti strap shirt, and white platforms.

Ginny got herself dressed quickly, also in a fairly demure outfit, knowing her brothers would freak at anything else. She wore snug denim jeans paired with a sparkly gold halter-top. Matching gold strappy stilettos were her choice of shoe, complete with comfort-charm on them, courtesy of Tonks.

She spent the longest on Hermione, wanting to really shock her brothers and Harry when they saw her, not dressed like her usual conservative self. Hermione ended up wearing dark green pants that laced up the sides, revealing creamy expanses of skin between the lacings. Her shirt was a matching green halter-top that left all of her flat abs and stomach showing. Like Ginny, she also wore strappy stilettos, though hers were black.

"All right, looks good," Ginny gave her approval. "Now let's go get the boys."

They made their way downstairs to greet the guys, all of whom were properly awed by the girl's appearances. They were all dressed very similarly, in varying coloured jeans, white or black wife beaters, and button-up shirts over top of them. They all look very handsome, and Hermione knew there would be no lack of girls willing to dance.

"Oh!" Hermione exclaimed as they were preparing to floo into muggle London.

"What?" Harry turned to her.

"I'm supposed to be working on a potion with Professor Snape tonight," Hermione explained. "And I forgot to tell him I can't."

"Have fun Hermione," his voice came from behind her, slightly strained sounding.

"Thanks Severus," she walked over to him, lowering her voice. "Are you okay?"

"Fine, now go join your friends before they think I'm corrupting you further," he snapped, hoping she wouldn't touch him. The reason he sounded strained was because of the effect her clothing, or lack-there-of, was having on his senses.

"All right," she rolled her eyes, then put her arms around his neck giving him a hug. "When I get back, I'll stop in and say goodnight, all right?"

"If you must," he replied, tensing up.

"Come on Mione, before Ron has an apoplexy," Harry laughed, although he too was feeling a little nauseous at how comfortable she was around him.

"See you later," she gave Severus a quick wave before linking arms with Harry and Ron and flooing to the leaky cauldron.

They all stumbled out of the fireplace and brushed the soot off themselves before heading out into the cool night air. Hermione was once again immediately sandwiched between Harry and Ron as they began the short walk of a few blocks to Club Illusions, just around the corner. The boys grouped their money, not allowing any of the girls to pay, and after hands were stamped for those under 21, they headed inside. The pulsing music and bright lights overwhelmed their senses at first, but they soon adapted and made their way to a table.

The night passed in a blur of dancing and laughing. Hermione had a blast, and made sure to tell Harry and Ron that several times during the course of the evening. All the girls danced with all of the guys several times each. However, it didn't escape anyone's attention that Bill and Tonks danced closer than normal, or that they kept flirting with each other and looking at each other. Definitely some mutual attraction between those two.

"Hermione, may I have this dance?" Bill came over and asked her as a slow song came on.

"Of course!" She took his hand and let him pull her onto the dance floor.

"Having fun?" He asked, resting his hands lightly on her waist as she looped hers around his neck.

"Yeah, I needed a break," she nodded, before getting a mischievous grin on her face.

"I don't like that smile."

"Good, cause I do. Now, what's going on with you and Tonks?"

"Nothing."

"Exactly. Nothing, that's the problem. You two have some major sparks flying between yourselves. Ask her out," Hermione urged. "Are you a Gryffindor or not?"

"But she's older than me, and I don't think she really likes me. It's only because we're the two oldest here," Bill's nerves began to speak for him.

"Well once you ask her, you'll find out then, won't you?" Hermione said pointedly as the song ended, and pulled him back to their table.

"Care to dance Tonks?" Bill asked as another song came on.

"Love to!" she said in a sing-song voice, and as she stood up, Hermione took her seat between Percy and Ron.

"Oh I am good," Hermione said to herself as she watched Bill lean in towards Tonks, lips moving. A moment later, Tonks threw her arms around his neck in an exuberant hug before pulling back and kissing him within an inch of his life.

"Bill and Tonks?" Percy questioned, having also watched the scene.

"Yeah, he said he liked her, so I told him to ask her out," she leaned against him, and he set his arm around her shoulders as he scooted his chair closer to hers.

"That's my brilliant girlfriend who I love so much," Percy gave a small laugh.

"I'm not just brilliant, according to Ron I'm bloody brilliant," Hermione laughed, leaning in closer.

Percy gave a wide smile at her action. The first time he had said 'I love you' had been horrendous. Over the past couple of days, he hadn't dared to say it, not wanting a repeat of that day's episodes. However, he couldn't help but slip in things like "that's the girl I love" and "I love your smile" or any other noun. Hermione wasn't bothered by these indirect references to his affections for her. In fact, she rather liked them. First of all, his declarations made her feel like a beautiful woman, something she generally didn't feel like around all the girls from school. Secondly, they always gave her tingly, happy feelings, and further confirmed her thoughts that she was falling for him.

"All right guys," Charlie came over to them. "It's half past one, so we need to go. Mum said to be home by two a.m. sharp."

"One last dance," Hermione insisted as a slow song came on, and pulled Percy onto the dance floor.

"I feel so honored," Percy teased. "You save me the last dance."

"Well as my boyfriend, I think it's only fair that you get it when I've hardly danced with you period tonight," she smiled apologetically.

"It's no problem. They're your best friends, and I'd hardly expect you to not talk or hang out with them. Although I have to admit I do get a little jealous."

"Well you have no reason to be," Hermione took a deep breath. "Because I love you."

"I love you too," he replied automatically, then his mind registered what she had just said. "You what?"

"I love you," she said, much more shyly this time.

"Thank you," he whispered, and leaned down, capturing her lips in a searing kiss, before pulling back and just holding her tightly to him as the song finished up.

As the next one came on, the group gathered their things up and headed back to the leaky cauldron. They walked inside, and with a quick good-night to the ever-present Tom, flooed back to Grimmauld Place. Once in the living room, they had a huge group hug and exchanged pleasantries before heading off, most to bed. Although Tonks and Bill headed for the kitchen, presumably to talk some more about their new-found relationship. Hermione, intent on keeping her promised, gave Percy a quick hug and kiss goodnight, and made her way to Severus' rooms to say goodnight.

"Severus?" Hermione knocked on the door.

"Hermione," he nodded, pulling open the door, letting her come in. "I trust you had a good time?"

"Oh yes!" She exclaimed happily, falling onto one of the chairs. "It was so much fun. I really needed a break, and the chance to get out of the house."

"Yes, I can relate."

"Oh Severus, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to tease," Hermione sat up quickly, remembering that he wasn't allowed to leave.

"Hermione, it isn't a problem," he rolled his eyes at her antics.

"Well, I'm still sorry. And you know what?" She said, standing up and walking over to him.

"What?" he replied dryly, looking down at her.

"You don't get enough hugs," she smirked, right before throwing her arms around his neck in a hug. "Because you don't know how to give one back."

"Hermione…" he said, the irritation creeping into his voice.

"Severus…" she mocked him, still not letting go. "I won't let go till you hug be back properly."

"I see no sense in hugging a person."

"There's plenty of sense. Body heat, comfort, affection, any number of reasons."

"Death by asphyxiation?" He muttered as her arms tightened in response to his tugging on them.

"I guess you'll find out, won't you?" Hermione giggled. "Unless you hug me back."

"You are in sufferable," he snarled, but lifted his arms and slowly encircled her back and waist, squeezing gently for a moment before releasing.

"See, that wasn't so hard," she released her arms and stepped back. "Good night sir."

"Good night," he replied, and closed the door behind her as she left.

He wasn't used to physical contact, especially such full-on bodily contact. At least, not for some years. Yes when he was a child, his mother occasionally would pat his head or some such gesture. It wasn't until he was in school that he began to acquaint himself with such gestures. As he grew into his long, lithe frame, he became increasingly aware of his affect on women. And he used that for all he could, engaging in a number of physical trysts with a sizable amount of willing women. And then Bellatrix came along. After her, he came to hate being touched, because everything reminded him of her. However, he suspected he would have to reacquaint himself with being touched, as Hermione was sure to keep at it.

A/N: Okay, that's it. Not so long, and I'm sorry for that, but it's got some fun parts. A little bit of Harry and Ron, because they're her friends. A cute Tonks/Bill part, because I wanted it, along with a cute little Percy/Hermione part. Also, a little bit of Severus and Hermione, although not nearly as much as some of you would like. We're going to pick things up a bit in the next couple of chapters. I want to move things back to school and all. A little preview of what's to come: a summer back-to-school bar-b-que. As always, review if you life, but as long as you enjoyed the story, I'm happy!