Disclaimer: It's not mine, blah blah blah.
A/N: Hey y'all, thanks for the reviews. Okay…to address reviews saying Sev was OOC in his little "cat chat" at the end; as usual, I agree with you, but here's my reasoning. I wanted to clarify what he's feeling and struggling with internally. So I had him talk through it with Itzal, who again, was a means to an end. Secondly, he's alone in his quarters, and if you can't be open and honestly with yourself, than you won't be with anyone. And lastly, I figure if he reasons through what he's feeling and all, it's only going to confirm his opinion that he can't act on anything that he's feeling. Sound good to everyone? Hope so. Oh, and one or two people commented that they didn't think the cat would do that, but I say Itzal's a very smart cat, so there. Lol. And a special shout-out to KellyRoxton for the awesome idea in the review- I'll be using that sometime! Anyways, onto the chapter!
Playing Pretend
Chapter Twenty One: Behind the Slytherin Façade
"Hermione?" He called out as he entered her quarters that evening, stopping just within the doorway in case she was bathing or changing. She hadn't been at lunch, nor had she showed up at two o'clock to do some preliminary potions work on the basic wolfsbane. So after waiting twenty minutes, he went in search of her, her quarters being his first stop.
However, not hearing anything, he ventured further into her quarters, for some reason feeling hesitant. She had entered his quarters often during the summer, though he had never reciprocated. He knew there was probably some un-official rule he had breached when he first entered them, but he couldn't say he really cared. Their whole relationship over the summer had caused him to rather ignore the student/teacher protocol and replace it with friend/friend rules.
Staying quiet and cautious, he slowly peered into her bedroom, though Itzal had no hesitation in bounding into the room and up onto the bed where he snuggled against his sister. Severus felt a ghost of a smile as he saw that she was sleeping. There was something just so innocent and beautiful about watching a person sleep. As he moved closer, he felt concern tug on his heartstrings as he noticed the faint trail of dried tears on her cheeks.
"What do you need Professor?" her voice was quiet, and her sudden reversion to formality confused him.
"I simply wanted to see that you were well," his tone was equally quiet. "You didn't show up for work."
"Oh, is it already that time?" Hermione sat up slowly, looking to the magical clock on her bedside table. "I'm sorry sir. I laid down for a nap this afternoon, and meant only to sleep for an hour. I guess I was more tired than I realised."
"Is something wrong?" He asked slowly, not very good at comforting girls in distress. Heavens knows that's why the seventh year Slytherin females always made sure that the younger came to them.
"Of course not, why ever would you ask that?" She replied, sarcasm laced through her words, surprising him with the degree of bitterness he heard. So not quite sure how to respond, he resorted to his old stand-by; sarcasm and belittling insults.
"You mean beside the fact you look atrocious?" He sneered elegantly. "The tear marks gave you away I'm afraid."
"Oh don't you start too," she glared at him.
"Start what?" He glared back, and was alarmed to see her eyes fill with tears.
"Being angry with me!" She let out a little sob. "I've already upset Percy by breaking up with him, and now you're angry at me too!"
"Foolish girl!" he grabbed her chin roughly and forced her to look him in the eyes. "If I were angry, you'd see it. I am not angry at you. Concerned yes, but not angry. And I highly doubt that Mr. Weasley is angry. I'm sure he's merely upset, as would any gentlemen who had the misfortune to lose the one they loved."
"Damn I hate when you're right," she grumbled as he let go of her chin. Her tears however didn't stop, though they did appear to slow.
"You should talk to someone," he advised. "One of your friends perhaps."
"Oh yeah, that'd go over real well," she snapped. "Hey Ginny, I just dumped your brother and broke his heart, can you come gossip and eat chocolate with me?"
"Well may I suggest Pansy, Millicent, or Daphne? They're rather used to dealing with this sort of thing. They look after the girls in my house, and have proved to be quite adept."
"Why not," Hermione scoffed slightly. "Hell, I've already talked with Blaise and Draco, so what's the harm."
"I'll be just a moment then," he eyed her cautiously, not sure how to act around her at the moment. He was used to her being the calm and rational one. Backing out of the room, he quickly entered the Slytherin common room, nodding to the students who cheerfully greeted him. Walking over to the corridor that the girl's dorms branched off of, he touched the head of the snake statue that stood to the right of the corridor. Having secured a safe passage down the hall, as it would turn into a form of quicksand at a boy's entrance, he quickly strode to the end of the corridor, knocking on the door. Pansy opened after a moment, a look of surprise on her face.
"Good evening Professor," she greeted with a slight curtsy as she opened the door to admit him.
"Miss Parkinson," he bent slightly from the waist. Slytherins still tended to follow a rather strict code of formality when in one another's presence. "If I may speak with you and Miss Bulstrode and Miss Greengrass for a moment?"
"Of course, sir," she stepped back, allowing him to enter their spacious dorm room. Closing the door, he turned to face the three young women who currently held the honor of being three of the future most powerful and influential females in pureblooded society.
"I have need of your assistance," he began. "Miss Granger has apparently-"
"Broken up with Percy," Daphne interrupted. "Begging your pardon, sir."
"We understand the situation sir, and we'll go to her immediately, if you'll let us in," Pansy assured him as Daphne and Millicent each grabbed a small bag from under their bedside table.
"Good," he nodded his approval, and turning around, preceded them out of the common room, and after giving the portrait the password, stepped back to allow them to enter. Hoping they would be able to do something, he left for his quarters where a new potions article and some good mead awaited him.
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"Well now, this won't do," Pansy said softly as the three entered Hermione's bedroom.
"What won't?"
"You being so upset," Millicent, perching herself near the foot of the bed as Pansy wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulder, and Daphne flopped on her stomach across the middle of the bed.
"I just feel so bad though," Hermione stressed. "I hate to upset people."
"Well, why did you break up with him then?" Daphne asked. "According to the rumor mill, you loved him."
"I did…er, I still do, but…"
"But what?" Pansy prompted, rubbing her hand comfortingly over Hermione's back.
"But I think I might be falling for someone else," she replied quietly.
"Well see, there you are," Millicent smiled at her.
"There I am what?" Hermione looked confused.
"You didn't upset Percy as much as you're thinking you did," Daphne stated airily. "Does he know why you broke up with him?"
"Yes."
"Well then, think about it," Pansy began logically. "Even though he loves you, he would never know if you'd have regrets about being with him. If you had never at least listened to your heart and given it a try, right? I'm sure he's placing his hope on that saying if you let someone you love go, and they come back, they're yours. If they don't, then they never were."
"You think?" Hermione brightened up at the idea that maybe she hadn't upset him as much as she had thought.
"On occasion," Pansy replied, giggling slightly.
"Glad to hear it, I was beginning to think that brain of yours would just rot from the lack-of-use," Millicent teased.
"You know, every minute I spend with you guys," Hermione said, referring to Slytherins. "I am just amazed by how different you are compared to our perceptions of you."
"We know," Millicent gave a sad sigh. "Everyone only remembers that all the dark wizards and witches have come from Slytherin, but they never stop to think about all the talented and good wizards and witches that have emerged from our house. Professors Snape for example. He's a brilliant potion's master, as you know. And there are countless others who turned out perfectly respectable."
"Not to mention the fact that everyone is made up of various characteristics from all the houses," Daphne added. "The Weasley Twins for example. They have some of the purest blood around, not to mention their deviousness and stealth when playing pranks."
"And even your Percy," Pansy added with a slight smirk. "With his ambition, he could have fit rather nicely into Slytherin. Don't you see, we're really not that different from any of you all."
"Then why don't you act like it?" Hermione asked, confused at why they would hide it.
"Think of it from our point of view," Millicent explained. "Everyone already expects us to act a certain way, so it's usually easier to just go ahead and do so. If we act the way we're expected, no one cares to keep an eye on us. Now if we suddenly start acting nice and friendly, everyone starts to become suspicious that we're up to something."
"But what about with Umbridge, and all that fiasco?"
"Again, another benefit for us," Pansy took over. "By pretending that we supported her and agreed with her principals and practices, she didn't bother to watch us. We had free reign to do as we pleased; form clubs, keep our quidditch teams, hold parties, and so on. Because you all fought her tooth and nail, which we did agree with, don't be mistaken, she clamped down on you. Harry and the twins lost their places on the quidditch teams, and just overall your lot were given more detentions than was customary."
"I see why your house is called cunning," Hermione laughed, thinking that it was a brilliant plan.
"Exactly," Daphne nodded. "Now, back to the matters at hand. As head girl and honorary Slytherin, you simply can not go around looking like that."
"Goodness Daphne, you're right!" Pansy exclaimed. "Even though you've gone through a break-up, you must always put your best foot forward in public."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking Pansy?" Millicent grinned mischievously.
"If it involves a make-over, than yes," Pansy nodded, turning back to Hermione with a predatory gleam in her eye.
"You're not serious," Hermione stared at them, her break-up forgotten for the moment.
"Of course we are," Daphne replied, laughing. "You look a fright after all that crying and Merlin only knows what else, so we must remedy that."
"Don't worry, we won't do very much," Pansy soothed her fears. "The raw material isn't very bad to begin with. We'll just do a couple of facial charms, a few make-up charms, and something with your hair. Maybe thin it out a bit, add a few highlights, add some relaxers and de-frizzers."
"Oh, well that certainly doesn't sound like much," Hermione snapped sarcastically as she was pulled off the bed by Pansy.
"Glad you agree," Millicent grinned. "Now, into the bathroom with those two, and I'll do something to take care of these clothes."
"What's wrong with my clothes!" Hermione yelled out, just before the bathroom door closed in her face.
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"All right, come on out and let us play dress-up with you," Millicent called out teasingly over an hour later. "It's almost supper time."
"Hold your horses, I'm coming," Hermione grumbled, walking out in her bra and underwear, a robe over-top, to see what clothes they had picked for her to wear. As it was a weekend, students could wear normal clothes under their robes instead of the uniform.
"Much better," Millicent evaluated her appearance critically.
Hermione's hair had been thinned out with an anti-frizz charm applied, allowing her hair to still have body, but not be nearly so thick or frizzy if she chose to leave it down instead of in a bun all the time like she usually did. Her eyebrows had been thinned and shaped slightly to highlight her eyes, and her skin appeared much softer and almost glowed. Her make-up would be added once they had decided what she should wear.
"Thanks, now what am I wearing and what did you do to my clothes?" Hermione said in one breath.
"Oh, simply threw them all out," Millicent shrugged. "And replaced it with things that Pansy, Daphne, and I no longer wear. So you now have a wardrobe befitting you."
"And as for what you're wearing," Pansy walked over to the wardrobe. "We'll just do something simple, yet tasteful, with a hint of elegance. It is the weekend afterall, and you did just suffer a break-up, so you don't want to look as if you're trying to hard."
"I think the black skirt," Daphne suggested, pulling out a flowing, knee-length skirt.
"Definitely, with the blue top there," Pansy pointed out a snug, off-the-shoulder, half-sleeve shirt made of the softest cashmere Hermione had ever felt. Hermione grabbed the clothes and quickly went into the bathroom to change into them.
"And black heels with a flirty little bow on them to complete the outfit," Millicent clapped her hands as Hermione rolled her eyes, but went to pull them on.
"Yes, that will do quite nicely," Pansy nodded, more to herself than Hermione.
"Now for your make-up," Daphne walked over, wand out, and began casting charms. "A little mascara and some silver eye-shadow to highlight those eyes, a little powder to keep shine away, and a little bit of gloss to make your lips pout more."
"And with your new, high-quality, black robe to finish it off," Millicent helped Hermione into the robe.
"Hmm, lovely," Pansy smiled as she motioned for Hermione to spin slowly in place. "Now, off to supper."
"Yes, you will sit with us, won't you?" Daphne linked her arm through Hermione's and Millicent's, Pansy on the other side of Hermione.
"Yes, do. The youngers have so wanted to talk with you more," Millicent added. "I think they're all hopelessly enamored with you. The boys especially. They think you have a nice arse."
"What?" Hermione gasped, looking at her in shock.
"Well it's true," Millicent shrugged. "Don't worry though, they'll get over it soon enough. Happens to all of us. We are the three most important women in future society."
"Isn't that a bit presumptuous?"
"No," Daphne answered loftily. "It's true. Since we were old enough to remember, we've been carefully groomed by our parents. How to act, how to speak, how to everything, with the intent that we will marry a pureblood, and continue to uphold the pureblood societal values."
"It's that important?"
"Not so much to us, but to our parents, yes," Pansy answered. "Not a few hours after we were born we had betrothal contracts arriving for us. Once we graduated, I'll be marrying Draco, Millicent will be marrying Theodore Nott, and Daphne's marrying Blaise."
"And you're not upset about that?" Hermione looked incredulous.
"Well, I supposed it might've been nice to have a chance to date around a bit," Pansy considered the question thoughtfully. "But overall, I suppose not. Though we're lucky you see."
"How so?"
"Well we all rather like who we're betrothed to," Millicent answered. "Others haven't been so lucky. That girl, what's her name, who ended up with Marcus Flint."
"Ashley Baddock, Malcolm's older sister," Daphne supplied.
"Yes, her. Anyways, he beats her. And there's nothing she can do about it, for fear of being disowned by her family and losing everything she has and has ever known."
"That's terrible!" Hermione exclaimed as they entered the great hall.
"Yes I suppose it is," Daphne mused aloud. "Though it can't be helped, so it's best not to worry about it. Besides, I gather that any day now poor old Marcus is going to drink himself to death."
"You don't mean…" Hermione trailed off as she correctly inferred what was meant by that innocuous sounding statement.
"I do, but don't worry, that's not the norm."
"No. Most wives, once they've secured the continuation of the family name, live out the rest of their lives in an entirely different wing of the family manor, if not a separate manor entirely. And of course, with plenty of money and boy toys," Millicent laughed.
"As long as she's discreet, of course," Pansy chimed in as they walked over the Slytherin table.
"Of course," Hermione deadpanned in all seriousness before all four of them burst out giggling. Hermione had been so enthralled with the conversation she didn't even realise they were already at the Slytherin table. She, Pansy, and Millicent all sat down together while Daphne ducked under the table to come up next to Blaise, giving him a quick kiss.
"Well don't you look pretty," Blaise complimented with a smile.
"Yes, I see our lovely ladies of Slytherin have taken you under their wing," Draco nodded in agreement with Blaise.
"Something like that," Hermione shrugged slightly, blushing.
"No shrugging," Pansy poked her in the side. "And sit up straight."
"But you all have been shrugging back in my rooms," Hermione protested.
"Well that was in private company with friends. We're in public now," Millicent informed her. "We have to set a good example for the youngers."
"And besides, slouching and shrugging do absolutely nothing to emphasize how lovely you look in that blouse," Blaise teased. He was enjoying making her blush.
"Oh stop it you," Daphne elbowed him in the ribs.
"My love, you wound me!" Blaise cried dramatically, turning so he was resting his head in her lap, his legs straddling the bench. "I demand a kiss as payment for the grievous harm you have done me."
"I would m'lord, if it were not the impending doom about to befall our humble table," she replied, nodding her head towards the Gryffindor table where a very red-faced Ron was standing and pointing at their table, his words unintelligible.
It was at that moment that Hermione realised how things must look to everyone else. She had walked in arm-in-arm with the three queens of Slytherin, so to speak, and with a new look. And the entire time she had been walking with them, she had been laughing and joking as if they were the best of friends. Then she had sat with them, not even sparing her friends a glance.
"Oh dear," Hermione muttered, looking at them apologetically. "I had better go do damage control."
"We understand," Pansy patted her arm sympathetically. "If you can, come back for dessert. If not, we'll see you in the common room tonight at eight for a little party."
"All right, thanks," she smiled, quickly getting up and walking over to where Ron was still fuming, and waited for the explosion she knew was coming.
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A/N: Okie dokie, that's it for this chapter. Not so much happening time-wise, but lots of conversations. I will say right now that I am a Slytherin, and I believe we have been given a bad rap. Hence all the Slytherin/Hermione interaction. I think it was fun though. Gives more depth into the character, reasons for why they are the way they are, and how they're still normal kids. Oh, the reasons Pansy gives for why they acted as they did around Umbrige- I based those off of another story I read, but I can't remember what it was. So they're not completely mine. As for the whole "formality" aspect…I just threw that in for fun, cause I see Slytherins as having a different code of rules, so to speak, when interacting with their "betters". Anyways, review and let me know what you think if you've got time.