Disclaimer: They're not mine, blah-blah-blah.

A/N: Well, we're back at Hogwarts finally. A long time in coming I suppose, but if you read TTSR than you know I like to do things deliberately…deliberately slow and drawn out…Mwa ha ha! Okay, enough creepy, evil, Slytherin-like cackling. And yes, I think this chapter will be a favorite for many of you. No Percy, lots of Snape/Slytherin, and of course the always interesting Draco Malfoy. We'll see how Hermione deals with him and the Slytherins in general. Now, on to the good stuff!

Playing Pretend

Chapter Eighteen: Lion in the Snake's Den

"Welcome back students, staff, ghosts, and friends," Professor Dumbledore stood, getting everyone's attention. "Before we partake in the undoubtedly wonderful welcome feast, I believe we have some new students to be sorted first."

At his words, everyone's attention turned to the main doors where Professor McGonagall was leading in a group of tiny-looking first years. Looking over them Hermione felt a tingle of nostalgia wash over her as she remembered her first year. Looking over her fellow classmates sitting down below, she reminisced about her previous six years, and became caught up in memories. She only caught the end of the sorting as Zephyr, Akhnaton became a Ravenclaw, when Phaedra and Itzal jumped into her lap.

"Wonderful, wonderful. Now, for a few start of term notices as always," Professor Dumbledore smiled kindly as he looked over the student body. "First of all, the forbidden forest is exactly as its name suggests; forbidden. Secondly, please welcome back Professor Lupin, who has kindly agreed to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts again."

He paused as Lupin took a moment to stand and wave, while cheers sprang up for him, especially from Gryffindor table. Smiling indulgently, he allowed it to continue for a few more moments before raising his hands for silence once more.

"Yes, thank you. Also, Professor Snape has taken on an apprentice this year, so Miss Hermione Granger will be training as a Potions Mistress, as well as serving as Slytherin Head of House ad litem and head girl," Albus paused while Severus subtly nudged Hermione to stand, which she did after passing him the kittens. "And Blaise Zabini will be this year's Head Boy. Now with that being said, tuck in!"

"So what's it look like?" Hermione asked Severus quietly as she began helping herself to the various food dishes, Phaedra reaching a paw up every now and then to scoop up a bit of something to try.

"Well, understandably, your friends looked shocked about the ad litem bit, but I suppose you forgot to mention that to them?"

"Only because you forgot to mention it to me," she retorted with a glare of annoyance.

"So I did," he smirked. "The Ravenclaws for the most part seem indifferent, though a few are glaring at you, no doubt because I've taken you as an apprentice- the first I've had. The Hufflepuffs seem scared for you, as if I'll try to corrupt you-"

"Well won't you?"

"Hopefully I already have," he smirked back at her.

"And?"

"And what?"

"And the Slytherins? What do their reactions seem to be like?" Hermione asked, not quite successful at keeping a tremor of anxiety out of her voice.

"First of all, never show any weakness around them. They will pounce on it and tear you down. Always show cool and calm indifference, or superiority towards them. That is the only way to command their respect. Yes, respect, even though you're a muggleborn. Right now they're curious, and re-evaluating their opinion of you, if only a bit. They're most likely thinking that there must be something extraordinary about you if I've chosen you as my apprentice. So when you lead them down to their common room-"

"Me? Why me?"

"Because you need to learn to deal with them in my absence, should I have other obligations, such as tonight. I have a detention to serve," he said pointedly. "And besides, they also need a chance to test you, so to speak. Don't back down, don't show fear, and keep the upper hand. Don't worry, I have the utmost faith that you will handle them competently."

"Thanks," she gave him a smile, squeezing him hand quickly under the table before turning back to finish her supper.

"All right, go ahead and lead them down to the common room," Severus nudged her as the other houses prefects began to lead their houses out. "First year girls will be the first doors on the right, and first year boys will be the first on the left. The password is Basilisk Egg."

"I can do this," she reassured herself.

"Yes you can, now go," he stood up and helped pull her chair out as she stood, inconspicuously squeezing her hand in support before stalking out of the great hall with Itzal on his shoulder, scaring the last of the Hufflepuffs who were filing out of the room.

Smoothing her hands over the front of her robe, she steeled herself and walked down to the end of the Slytherin table, the occupants of which were watching her carefully. She stood there for a moment, looking up the length of the table, and then down the other side, steadily meeting each student's gaze. Some were indifferent, some were suspicious, and some were disgusted.

"If you'll follow me, I'll lead you to your common room now," Hermione projected her voice to carry to the students at the end of the table.

Without waiting for any questions, and without further comment, she turned around and began a steady walk out of the great hall, Phaedra following her. She didn't bother to look back, instead trusting that they would follow her down to the dungeons. She was right. As she walked away, she heard the scraping of the wood benches on the stone floor. She smiled to herself. They may not like her position of authority over them, but at least they were acknowledging it. A hint of a smile on her face, she continued the trek to the Slytherin common room, then turned around to wait for the group to re-gather around her.

"For those of you that are first years, welcome to Hogwarts, and the noble House of Slytherin," Hermione greeted, for even though she didn't like them, it didn't change the fact that the house still was worthy of the title noble, as were all the houses. "This will be your family for the next seven years, and the place where a good deal of your time will be spent. Your password, which is subject to be changed monthly by your prefects, is how you will enter the common room. Commit it to memory, do not write it down, and do not share it with a classmate from another house. Your password is Basilisk Egg."

Hermione stood back as the panel of wall slid back, and allowed the other students to precede her into the common room. Following them in, she fought a smile at the look of wonder on some of the first year's faces, and the look of relief on some of the older ones.

"First year girls, your dorm is the first door to the right," Hermione pointed out the hall way. "Boys, yours is the first to the left. Now before I leave, I'm sure some of you older students have questions for me, and I'll be happy to answer them."

"How many times have you shagged the-boy-who-lived?" A voice called out crudely.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Hermione replied calmly as some of them laughed at her answer. Severus had warned they would be crass, but she was simply going to have to stay strong.

"Why did Snape pick you as his apprentice and not a Slytherin?" A younger girl asked.

"Because I'm the most highly qualified and have the highest grades at Hogwarts."

This carried on for a while, the students shouting out questions. Some were crude and degrading in nature, but Hermione was surprised by how many were actually serious. She answered them all, most as honestly as she could, though some of the crude ones she simply ignored or gave a look that said she wasn't going to dignify the question with a response. After nearly an hour, Hermione could see some of the younger ones getting rather sleepy. She was feeling rather tired herself, but it was worth it. The fact that she had been willing to answer all of their questions had earned her a great deal of respect. And the fact that she had been respectful to them, and not at all condescending, also helped to go a long way with the younger ones. The older ones seemed to be impressed by her strong demeanor, and unwavering calm.

"I think that's enough questions for tonight," Hermione announced after yet another question. "If you need any more pertinent questions answered, or need advice, or simply to talk, my quarters are down the hall behind the portrait of the Ukrainian Ironbelly. Have a pleasant evening."

"Hey Granger," Draco's voice carried above the noisily departing students, and she waited until they had left before moving closer to him. He was seated in one of the chairs by the fireplace, along with Blaise, Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Millicent.

"What Malfoy?" She asked cautiously. He and his group had remained silent during the questioning period.

"Sit down for Merlin's sake," he rolled his eyes. "We're not going to hurt you seeing as you're under Snape's protection."

"Who says I'm under his protection?"

"You're under his tutorage, that's the same thing," he retorted as she took a seat, albeit a bit hesitantly.

"All right, what do you want?"

"Simply to ask you a few questions," Draco replied airily. "One question from us each, than you can leave."

"Fine, but I reserve the right to not answer something, and anything said does not leave this room," she demanded.

"So it shall be," the group around her intoned together, and there was a brief glow before everything returned to normal.

"There, you have our promise, satisfied?" Pansy sneered, then went straight into asking a question. "Now, are you really engaged to Assistant Minister of Magic Percy Weasley?"

"No I'm not engaged. We're dating, and he's given me a promise ring, but that's it."

"Why do you and Snape both have kittens?" Crabbe asked.

"I have one because I bought it to replace my old one, her name is Phaedra," Hermione pet her kitten who was sitting at her feet. "She and her brother, Itzal, were runts, and I couldn't bear to separate them, so I gave Itzal to Severus."

"When did you first start you apprenticeship?" Millicent asked after a moment.

"Over the summer at the Order's Headquarters," Hermione answered. The fact that the Order of the Phoenix had re-formed, was no longer a secret, though of course the location still was. "We've been working for several months now."

"Where did get the robe you're wearing?" Goyle reached a finger out, lightly touching the expensive fabric.

"A gift from Severus…Professor Snape," Hermione amended quickly.

"He lets you call him Severus?" Blaise looked at her curiously.

"Yes, it was just too weird to be working together daily for hours and continue to call each other Professor Snape and Miss Granger," she answered than turned to face Draco. "All right, what's your question Malfoy?"

Draco's eyes met hers, and he held her gaze for several moments, almost as if evaluating her for something. What though, she wasn't sure. He held her gaze for another moment before finally speaking quietly. "Does he trust you?"

"I beg your pardon?" Hermione couldn't help but ask, not sure if she had correctly heard him. It wasn't the sort of question she'd expect from him.

"Does he trust you? It's really quite simple Granger, a yes or no question. Does…he…trust…you?"

"In what context?"

"All of them. Potions, personal information, various tasks, whatever," he waved a hand lazily as he clarified his question, though his eyes stayed as serious as ever.

"Yes," she replied simply after a moment.

"And you're sure? You truly believe he trusts you?"

"Yes," Hermione replied again, her answer no less convincing than before. "I do."

"Hmm. Well then, welcome to the noble house of Slytherin," he nodded his head slightly before standing up. "And a pleasant evening to you Hermione."

"You used my name," Hermione stared at him in confusion.

"If Professor Snape trusts you, than I do as well," Draco said evenly.

"Oh. Ten points to Slytherin," she awarded, touched by what he said, though she still wasn't quite sure if he was sincere or not. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. "Good night Draco, Pansy, Blaise, Millicent, Crabbe, Goyle. My offer to talk or whatever is open to you also, even though I know we haven't gotten along in the past."

And with one last look at each of them, she grabbed her cat, stood up, and left the common room, intent on heading to her dorm. Feeling drained all of a sudden, and in need of someone to talk to, she turned abruptly and entered Severus' quarters.

Looking around and poking her head into the different rooms, she soon saw that he wasn't there. Wondering where he was, she suddenly remembered that he had a detention to oversee. Hermione shook her head in disbelief. Who could have possibly gotten a detention on the first day of school; they hadn't even had classes yet! Not wanting to really think about it, she decided to sit down and wait for him. It was a little after ten, and surely it wouldn't last that much longer.

Her mind made up, she pulled a throw off the back of a chair and grabbed a book on healing potions from the shelf. Sitting on the couch, she spread the throw out over her legs, opened the book, and began to read. However, it wasn't long before her eyelids began to grow heavy from the need to sleep. Not able to resist, she closed the book and let her eyes shut, promising herself it would only be for a few minutes, just to rest them.

Nearly an hour later, Severus entered his quarters, and stopped short at the sight before him. Hermione was asleep on his couch. Shaking his head in disbelief, he walked over to her and gently took the book, setting it on the table. Blanket and all, he slowly scooped her up in his arms, and took her through the lab to her quarters. Using magic to levitate the covers, he laid her down and settled the covers back on top of her.

"I love you," she mumbled as he released her. He stopped in shock for a moment, but saw she was asleep, and presumably dreaming about Percy.

"Good night Hermione," he whispered, and closed the door behind him as he left her to pleasant dreams.

OooOooOooO

A/N: Okay, that's it. No Percy! I'm sure all you SS/HG shippers are happy about that. Now, because I know so many of you are annoyed with me for all the Percy parts, I'll give y'all a few up-coming details. It will be HG/SS- permanently. So have no fear. Will there be plenty of Percy in the upcoming story? Yes. He has, and will continue, to play a major role. So hate me for that all you want, but he serves a purpose. Will there be a kiss or at least something romantic coming up between SS/HG? Perhaps :-) And that's all I'm saying for now. Will there be a breakup between PW/HG soon? I'll give you this one- within the next two chapters we should see some separation. Will the separation be permanent? Perhaps. Will there be a ball or some fancy event just cause I love forcing Snape to dress up? Most likely lol. Now, review if you want to find out what happens next chapter!