Disclaimer: It's not mine, I just enjoy messing with their lives. All characters belong to J. K. Rowling and Co. blah, blah, blah.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Sorry everyone for the late up-date, but thanks for being understanding. I was able to go home this weekend for once, and I spent time with my family and friends. Also, I had to study for three tests I had this past week (special education, biology, and sociology), and had several papers due in Art, Intro to Education, and English, so that's why it's late. Now onto what you've been so graciously waiting for, the chappie!

Playing Pretend

Chapter Twelve: A Duet Well Played

"I need a cup of coffee, do you want any?" Severus leaned in and asked her quietly after walking over to her.

"Sure, you know how I take it," she gave a slight shiver as his warm breath caressed her ear.

"Are you cold?" his questioning gaze quickly changed to one of concern. He quickly took the black sweater he had grabbed earlier in the evening and slid it over her shoulders.

"Thanks Severus," she gave him a small smile as he nodded and stood to go get their coffee.

After dinner and dessert, everyone had pretty much spread out around the backyard once more. A small wooden dance floor had been transfigured, and Lee was currently playing D.J. while the twins attempted to break-dance. That's where Hermione had been with the younger people in the group. The adults, including Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore, were seated under a large tree near the other side of the yard, away from the music, talking quietly. That was where Severus had been before he had passed her on his way to get his coffee. Tonks, Charlie, Bill, and their friends had claimed the back corner of the yard, and were playing card games.

"Okay, what is up with you calling him that?" Dean questioned as the group watched the exchange between them.

"Didn't Ron and Harry tell you already?" Hermione looked over at him, her head wrinkled slightly in exasperation.

"Well yeah, about the apprenticeship and all," Seamus spoke up now. "But why do you have to call him by his name?"

"Because we're friends, not to mention it's a lot easier than saying 'professor Snape' every time I need to call out to him."

"But he's our professor!" Justin exclaimed.

"Our potions professor," Neville gulped audibly.

"And that means that I can't be nice to him, or be his friend?" Hermione looked around at them, her lips pursed, annoyed at their childishness.

"Of course, because they're afraid that I'll corrupt you," Severus interjected silkily, handing Hermione her mug of coffee, two sugars, one cream. "And rightfully so."

"Well it's about time someone did," Fred yelled out.

"Yeah! Mione's too prim and proper!" George conceded.

"Trust me, she's anything but," Percy sat down behind her and pulled her onto his lap, sending the twins a suggestive grin.

"Oh Merlin, I really didn't want to know that!" Ron looked nauseous, and the twins looked properly grossed out also.

"Oh you guys," Hermione laughed. "Percy's teasing you! Honestly, you're too gullible."

"Still, whether he's joking or not, you're like a sister, and the unwanted images that brought up practically scars me for life," Harry agreed with the guys.

"You'll live Harry," Hermione laughed, before tilting her head to the side, listening a moment. "Oh, I love this song, come dance with me Percy!"

"Anything for you love," he said getting up, and then helping her up.

"Ah, young love," Albus gave a happy sigh as he watched Hermione pull Percy onto the dance floor and begin dancing to the slow jazzy tune starting.

"Don't they make a handsome couple?" Molly looked at them adoringly, and everyone could almost see the weddings plans sprouting in her mind.

"Quite. Miss Granger has become a lovely young woman, wouldn't you agree Severus?" Minerva smiled, and Snape tilted his head slightly, in what could barely be considered a nod, not particularly liking the direction the conversation was heading.

"Come now Severus, you must have a stronger opinion then that? After all, you did take her on as an apprentice," Remus questioned him further.

"How does the fact that I took her on as an apprentice have any relevance to my opinions on her appearance?" He drawled, turning his head to look at Remus, one eyebrow raised in question.

"It doesn't, but we're curious," Albus smiled at him. "Do share your thoughts with an old man."

"Molly has heard my opinion before, that she has indeed become a lovely young woman," he rolled his eyes. "Now are you satisfied?"

"Quite," Albus' eyes twinkled as he looked over at Severus once again. "Now, I'm in the mood for some music."

"No," Severus' reply was emphatic. "I refuse to play!"

"Oh come now my boy, it'll be splendid!" Albus clapped his hands together, ignoring Severus' protests, and magnified his voice, preparing to speak, and motioned to Lee.

"Sorry everyone," Lee apologised as he stopped the music. Other's had joined Percy and Hermione dancing, and were having fun. "The Headmaster wants to say something."

"Dancing will continue shortly," his voice carried out over the yard. "However, I have asked Professor Snape to play a piece or two for us on his cello, and he has graciously agreed."

"Curse you Albus," he muttered as he slowly rose from his chair and moved to the dance floor where a chair and his cello had appeared.

Sitting down, he gave a sigh of annoyance, but took hold of the cello and got into position. Everyone's attention was captured from the first soft note that Severus played. It was a slow, sad, piece, and was utterly captivating. As he was playing, Hermione went over to Albus and whispered something in his ear to which he smiled and nodded. A moment later, a piano appeared next to Severus, and Hermione went over and seated herself gracefully, placing her hands on the keys. At the first pause Severus came too, Hermione joined in, accompanying him. Soon though, they began trading the melodic and harmonic roles back and forth, creating a haunting feel to the piece. Everyone sat quietly as the piece rose and fell, went from harsh, demanding notes, to soft, gentle ones, from melodic stanzas, to minor ones. As the last notes carried over the yard, there was nothing but silence before everyone burst out applauding, cheering, and whistling. The twins, being very over-dramatic, conjured up roses, and threw them onto the dance floor at Severus and Hermione's feet.

"Nice playing Hermione," Severus murmured to her as he held her hand while she took her curtsy and he his bow.

"You too Sev," she murmured back.

"I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised though, one with your intelligence must have also been a musical prodigy," he said silkily, sitting back down.

"And you have hands and fingers made for the cello," she replied, before launching into another piece at the request of their 'audience' in the yard.

They played two more duets together, and then a solo each before feigning tiredness at playing. Waving his hand, Albus vanquished the instruments to where they had come from. Lee started back up the music, and just about everyone headed to the dance floor, so that it no longer proved to be large enough. Charlie whipped out his wand and promptly had it stretch several more feet in each direction to accommodate everyone.

"Miss Granger, would you be so kind as to dance with an old fool?" Albus turned to Hermione.

"I'd be delighted Headmaster," she said with a laugh, taking his hand and letting him lead her to the floor.

"I want to say thank you Miss Granger," he smiled kindly at her.

"Please Headmaster, call me Hermione," she smiled back. "And what for? I haven't done anything."

"On the contrary," his eyes twinkled. "You've given an old man hope by helping someone who I thought was almost beyond help. Just look at him; you've changed him."

Hermione knew who he was talking about, without Headmaster Dumbledore even having to say his name. As they danced, she looked over at Severus. He was sitting with Professor McGonagall, apparently listening to whatever she was talking about. Every now and then she could see the corners of his lips twitch in the beginnings of a smile. She could also see him talking back to Professor McGonagall, leaning in to better converse. In the past, he never would have done that. Not that he didn't like Minerva, but he kept himself closed off from those who would help him. Until her, that is. And she had to fight to get him to talk and somewhat open up to her.

"Now, I promised a dance to another lovely young woman," Albus smiled at her as the song ended, and shot a glance towards Severus. "And if I'm not mistaken, I see another who has yet to dance."

"Thank you Headmaster," Hermione stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on the old man's wrinkled cheek.

"Call me Albus, my dear, as long as we're not in school or public," he pulled her hand through his arm as they left the dance floor and walked over to Severus and Minerva. "May I have the honor of the next dance Minerva?"

"Of course Albus," she shook her head at his fanciful way of asking, but took his hand. Hermione and Severus watched them go.

"You haven't taken a spin around yet," Hermione commented to him, holding her hand out.

"No, I haven't," he replied, looking at her hand as if it were some foreign muggle object.

"Severus, come dance with me," she rolled her eyes, fighting a smile. "And I'm not taking no for an answer. Besides, you're obligated as my potions teacher."

"Well, when you put it that way," he drawled, but gracefully rose and took her hand.

"See, this isn't so bad," she teased a smile out of him as she placed a hand on his shoulder and he gently rested his hand on her back.

"If you can ignore the fact that your friends are staring at us and the males all look as if they would like to burn my hands off," he teased back, his tone dry.

"Oh they're just continuing to be surprised with the fact that you're actually human and not the vampiric bastard they've always thought you to be," she gave him her sweetest smile as she said this.

"I suppose," he lifted an eyebrow.

They finished out the dance in silence, Severus somewhat uncomfortable with the continuous stares. He was glad to go back to his seat, and relinquish Hermione to Percy for some upbeat song by the Weird Sisters. He found himself inexplicably drawn to watching her graceful movements as she danced. So caught up in watching her, he didn't notice that he was no longer sitting alone. His eyes flickered over at the sound of the chair creaking next to him.

"Miss Weasley," he greeted, a hint of bewilderment flickering in his eyes at her appearance by him.

"Professor," she nodded, giving him a small smile. "You can call me Ginny you know, I mean, if you want to."

"I suppose," he conceded. After all, the girl was one of Hermione's best friends, and Hermione would want him to be courteous towards her.

"You like her, don't you," Ginny said after a long moment of silence, more of a statement than a question. She had been dancing with Charlie, and couldn't help but notice that Snape kept watching her.

"Who?" He tensed, and Ginny grinned, knowing she was right.

"You know who Professor," she said lazily. "You're protective of her, and you can't take your eyes off her. I don't think you even realize you're doing it half the time."

"Doing what?" He continued to feign ignorance.

"Watching Hermione you git!" she retorted before she could stop herself. "Gods, I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean that!"

"It's all right Miss Weasley-" he started.

"Ginny."

"Fine, Ginny," he gave a slight chuckle, which turned into a laugh at the look of shock on her face. "I admire someone who's brave enough to insult me to my face."

"Okay," she looked slightly afraid of him, but continued speaking. "And you know you have been."

"She's my apprentice, it's my duty to watch out for her."

"Well she's my friend, and Harry and Ron's, but you don't see us staring at her all evening, do you?" She pressed on. "Whether or not you're prepared to admit it sir, you like her. I've seen my brothers crushing on girls enough to know what the signs are. Not to mention you're so obvious about it."

"Hey Ginny, come on!" Seamus yelled as a popular song came on that all the younger kids crowded onto the floor for.

"Just think about what I said Professor," Ginny lightly touched his shoulder as she stood up, before running over to join Seamus and her friends and family, leaving a contemplative man behind.

A/N: Okay, we're stepping things up a notch. Ginny's becoming more important, as you've just seen; playing the part of Severus' subconscious in a sense. Also, the whole instrument part; Hermione being so smart, I can easily see her parents getting her lessons in piano, and Severus having large hands and long fingers automatically made me think he'd be a natural at the cello. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed it, especially since I took so long to get it out. Next chapter will be up Sunday (May 1) assuming school doesn't spring any surprises on me.