Disclaimer: It's not mine!
A/N: Hey y'all! Well, I think this is coming to an end. Only a chapter or two more I'm thinking, and no sequel, so please don't ask. I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter, even with the break-up. Again, I remind you that no matter what happens in this chapter (which none of you are gonna like I'm guessing lol), Severus and Hermione will end up together. So read and enjoy the fact that I'm nice enough not to keep you all in suspense as to what's going to happen. Now with that said, onto the next chappie.
Playing Pretend
Chapter Twenty Six: A Proposal Anyone?
"Please, please be home," Hermione sobbed as she pounded on the door in front of her.
"Coming!" A voice yelled from inside. The door opened, light shining on her pitiful form. "Hermione?"
"Oh Percy," she cried, throwing herself at him.
"Mione?" He instantly tucked one arm behind her back, and the other under her knees, picking her up and gathering her to him in one fluid motion as he brought her inside his spacious flat. He sat down on the couch and held her tight as she cried into his shoulder, her petite frame trembling from the force of her cries. "What's wrong love?"
"He doesn't love me, he says he can't," she whispered once she had calmed down, though there was still the occasional shuddering breath.
"Who?" Percy asked, his voice barely containing his anger. He forced himself to keep his temper in check. He was still deeply in love with Hermione, and fiercely protective of her.
"Severus, but it doesn't matter," she simply held on tighter, not wanting him to take any rash action. She then went on to explain everything that had happened over the past few weeks. "And he said that he couldn't, and that he wouldn't, and then he told me to get out and not come back."
"I'm sorry Hermione that he can't see how truly special you are," Percy said softly, his hand rubbing her back comfortingly.
"I'm not special," she scoffed. "If I was, then he would've wanted to make an effort and try for Merlin's sake!"
"You are special. You were so incredibly special to me. You still are," he used a finger to turn her head to look him in the eye. "And I know it isn't any consolation, but maybe it's just as well."
"What?" She stared at him in confusion. "How is it just as well that he told me he won't love me?"
"So you won't spend your life hoping for something that isn't tangible. I know it hurts. Believe me, I probably understand better than anyone exactly how you're feeling right about now. But remember, it doesn't do any good to dwell on dreams and forget to live. I don't want that for you love."
"But I don't know how. I feel like for these past few weeks he's been my life, as crazy as that might sound since we were hardly a couple," Hermione said, slightly exasperated with herself. "Besides, I don't even know if I could trust enough to fall in love, or fall in like, with anyone again. So who on earth is going to want to put up with me now?
"Let me show you something," Percy said after a long minute of silence spent debating with himself. He shifted her off his lap and onto the couch before standing up and disappearing down the hall. He came back a few moments later and sat down next to her. "I had bought this a few days before that Hogsmede weekend we broke-up. I was, funnily enough, planning on giving it to you tonight."
He held out his hand to reveal a small velvet box. Hermione gasped as he opened it to reveal a stunning engagement ring. A delicate platinum band, with what looked to be a four carat, marquise cut, diamond solitaire. She looked from the ring to him, and back again.
"You…you were…going to…propose?" She managed to get out, still in awe of what was sure to be an extremely expensive ring.
"I was planning on surprising you at the ball tonight, and proposing then," he admitted, handing the box over to her. "The offer's still open, if you want."
"What!" Hermione stared at him, completely shocked by the nonchalance of that last part.
"That was a pretty pathetic proposal, wasn't it?" He gave a half smile, trying to lighten things up, but it didn't quite work. "Sorry. But I'm serious. I'm all too aware that you love him, but I still love you, very much so. I know I probably could never completely have your heart; just as well as I know that there would always be a part that belongs to him. But I love you Mione. I can provide for us for the rest of our lives. I would protect you, honor you, cherish you, and above all, give you all my love. I think I could make you happy too, if you just give me that chance. Maybe it wouldn't be a marriage of true love, but I think there's a part of you that still cares about me, and we'd have a marriage of friendship. I think there're a lot of marriages that aren't even based on that."
"Yeah," she said softly, thinking about Millicent, Blaise, and Daphne, and the other purebloods, and how their marriages were often arranged, and even more often, loveless. "Percy, this is all too soon. I…I'm emotionally overwhelmed at the moment. I need to think, and take time to figure things out."
"I know, and I'm sorry I sprung that on you," he apologised, standing up. "Come on, we need to get you back to Hogwarts. They'll be missing you soon."
"Thanks," Hermione whispered, then took his arm as he apparated them to the edge of the grounds.
"Just…think about what I said, please?" He asked gently, handing her the ring box.
"Percy, I…all right," she nodded, and slipped the box into her gown pocket. "Good night, and thank you."
"Take care," he smiled slightly before disapparating away.
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The next month flew by, yet dragged horribly at the same time for Hermione. She hadn't quite gotten up that famous Gryffindor courage to go see Severus. Neither had she gotten up the courage to talk, or even write, to Percy again. She hadn't even known how or why she managed to apparate to his flat, but she supposed there was just that instinctual knowledge that he would listen and take care of her. And most importantly at that moment, the unconditional love he had for her.
A few days before winter break however, she knew she needed to go speak with Severus. So after gathering her courage, she went through the lab and knocked on his door, entering at his permission.
"We need to talk," she stated, not quite looking at him where he was sitting in a chair reading in front of the fire. Instead, she chose to face the numerous books on the shelves across the room from him.
"All right," he raised an eyebrow, a slight sneer of contempt on his face. Hermione knew him well enough that it was only to try and hide his true feelings.
"Percy's proposed…and I've decided to accept."
"But you don't love him," he said softly after several minutes of stunned silence.
"And you don't love me!" She yelled at him, whirling about to face him, chest heaving with the emotion coursing through her.
He didn't deny that. He didn't make any acknowledgement of her accusation at all, other than to close his book and take a sip of brandy.
"I have a chance here Severus, and I'm going to take it," she said, sounding much older than her eighteen years. "He loves me. And yes, maybe I don't love him how he deserves to be loved, or as much as I love you, but I do love him. And I know I can be happy with him. And you know what, maybe someday I'll be able to truly love him as he deserves. But even if I can't, that's okay with him; he's still willing to have me. I'm not going to let that pass me by. I'm not going to let myself end up like you."
Severus still said nothing, though he winced slightly at her brutally honest statements.
"I think it's best if I formally end my apprenticeship," she said softly, walking over and setting his seal of mastery next to him, along with the robes he had given her. "Good-bye Severus."
She turned around and quietly left the room without a second glance, effectively closing him out of her life. Severus listened as the door closed with an odd note of finality, and it was only then that he allowed himself to succumb to his grief. Letting his head fall into his hands, he couldn't stop the tears that slowly trailed down his cheeks. He had truly lost the one thing he had held close. And it was his own damn fault.
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"Happy Christmas children!" Molly greeted enthusiastically as the children piled through the door, Remus right behind them.
"I'm going to go find Percy," Hermione announced as she magicked her trunk to follow behind her.
"All right dear, but do come back down, and bring him with you. Supper's almost ready," Molly called after her as she trudged up the stairs, Phaedra and Itzal following behind her. Since her fight with Severus, Itzal had been staying close to Phaedra, and thus Hermione. A part of her felt bad that his cat was ignoring him, but a larger part of her just didn't care, and wanted him to hurt just as much as she had been hurt that night.
Hermione wanted to find Percy for two reasons; one, to let him know her answer, and two, because everyone expected it of her. Ron, Harry, and Ginny were the only ones who had found out about the break-up, though they had never known the reasons why. She had simply said it was because she wanted to focus on her studies, not to mention she had all the head girl duties to worry about. After Halloween though, she fibbed slightly and said she and Percy were back together, though they were simply going to communicate through owls, as Hermione was simply too busy with her apprenticeship to go to Hogsmede. And they had believed her, something she was thankful for. It would make the news of the engagement not so surprising. And Bill, Charlie, Fred, and George didn't keep in close contact with Percy, so they hadn't found out either.
"Come in!" Percy's voice called through the door as she knocked, having already put her trunk in the room she would share with Ginny.
"Hey," she greeted with a smile. Seeing him sitting at the desk, working on some thing or another, his hair completely mussed, and a grin on his face, she could easily remember why she had loved him. She still did, but it was nowhere near the magnitude of what she had felt with Severus. She immediately pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind.
"Happy Christmas love," he stood up and came over, his eyes searching hers for permission. When she nodded, he took her in his arms and kissed her forehead before simply holding her close, enjoying the feel of her back in his arms. "Did you think about what I'd asked you on Halloween?" He didn't want to ruin the moment, but he couldn't help but ask.
"If you're still sure you know what you're getting into, then yes, I'll marry you Percy," she nodded, a small smile breaking out across her face.
"I love you," was all he said, picking her up so her feet were off the ground. He buried his face against her shoulder, enjoying the feeling of her clinging on to him just as tightly.
"I love you too Percy," she smiled happily. She had missed the feeling of comfort and ease that surrounded their relationship. "Put it on me?"
"I would love to," he said taking the ring box from her. He pulled out the ring and slid it on her ring finger, kissing her gently. "You don't know how happy you've made me."
"Probably not as happy as Molly will be when we tell her the news," Hermione giggled a bit at that. She was doing the right thing; she deserved to be happy. Percy had been right when he had said that it didn't do to dwell on dreams and forget to live. "Supper should be ready about now by the way."
"May I tell everyone?" He asked as he interlaced his fingers through hers and began pulling her downstairs.
"I suppose," she rolled her eyes playfully at his excitement, though she had to admit she was feeling excited also. It was hard not to, as his was so catching.
"Oh there you two are," Molly said as they entered the kitchen to see everyone gathered around the table waiting for them. "I was just about to call for you again."
"Percy was just giving his girlfriend a thorough holiday snog Mum," Fred teased. "Weren't ya Perce?"
"Of course not," Percy just shook his head, though the grin on his face gave them away.
"Liar," Bill laughed.
"Okay, so maybe we were, something wrong with that?"
"Nope, it's just so cute!" George gave a girly squeal.
"That's enough George," Molly scolded. "Now sit down you two, before it gets cold."
"Sorry Mrs. Weasley," Hermione blushed, sitting down, making sure to keep her left hand hidden till Percy announced it.
"Hey Charlie, I've got a favor to ask you," Percy called down the table once Arthur had finished saying grace.
"Sure bro, what is it?" Charlie looked up.
"Would you mind standing by me as my best man?" His question was casually asked, though the grin on his face gave away his excitement.
"Best man?" Charlie looked between Hermione and Percy, as did everyone else, looking for some sign that this wasn't yet another joke from them.
"He finally convinced me I couldn't find anyone better," Hermione blushed as she displayed her ring for everyone to see. They sat there staring in shock.
"MY BABY'S GETTING MARRIED!" Molly finally came to her senses with a deafening squeal, and rushed over to crush them in a hug.
That broke the spell that had seemed to settle over everyone, and soon there was a flurry of hugs, kisses, and congratulations. When they finally did sit down again, everything had to be re-heated as it had gone cold in all the excitement.
"I can't believe you're going to be my sister!" Ginny said excitedly, clapping her hands.
"I can't believe I once fancied you," Ron looked slightly squicked out at that, while of course everyone else laughed.
"Well congratulations again," Harry smiled, leaning over and kissing Hermione on the cheek. "You're one lucky wizard Percy. Take care of her."
"Harry," Hermione rolled her eyes. "No need to play the protective brother."
"Yeah, especially since you're getting all us as brothers-in-law," Fred pointed out.
"Oh no, I didn't think of that," Hermione pretended to look afraid. "Is it too late for me to refuse Percy?"
"Yes," he laughed, kissing her temple. "Sorry, you're stuck with me."
"Damn," she shook her head in mock-annoyance. "Oops, sorry Mrs. Weasley."
"That's all right dear," Molly beamed at her future daughter-in-law. "And that's Mum you'll be calling me now, you hear?"
"Yes Mum," Hermione said obligingly. Molly burst into tears and another round of 'my baby is getting married' squeals before she finally composed herself enough to finally begin eating supper.
"Now, about your wedding," Molly's eyes began to gleam with visions of the wedding details.
"Not till I'm done with school," Hermione said firmly, knowing she would need to keep this in hand. "I think next December will suit me just fine."
"Sounds perfect to me love," Percy agreed, then turned to his mum. "No talking about wedding plans till June Mum, and no arguing."
"Of course dears, whatever you say," Molly was quick to reassure them, not wanting to do a thing to jeopardize the wedding.
"Thank you. But two things before we stop the wedding talk," Hermione looked down to where Ginny was. "Ginny, you'll be my maid of honor?"
"Was there ever a doubt?" Ginny laughed. "I'd love to."
"Good. And Harry," Hermione's voice grew somewhat sad. "Since my parents can't, would you…would you walk me down the aisle?"
"I'd be honored…sis," he got up and came over and pulled her into a hug.
"Well I'm glad that's all settled," Molly smiled through her tears, touched by the scene that had just taken place. "Now, eat everyone, before it gets cold!"
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The rest of their Christmas break passed uneventfully, except for the occasional bangs, booms, and whistles from the twin's room. But that was fairly standard. Hermione spent most of her time around Percy, and adjusting herself to the idea that Severus no longer was in the picture, and that she was going to marry Percy. She was happy, and almost surprised by that fact. She just couldn't believe how easy it had been to fall back into their old habits around one another. It was predictable and comfortable, and while it might be a bit boring at times, she found it was nice to have that constant. She couldn't help but keep thinking of a fragment of a song…if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with. How true that seemed to be for her…but she would do her best by Percy.
Back at school, it didn't take long for the news of her engagement to be spread around, thanks to Parvati and Lavender's extensive gossip network. Within the first twenty minutes of dinner, she was soon being bombarded with hugs and congratulations from everyone. Even some of the Slytherins were coming over to congratulate her and join the throng of students asking questions about her plans. Hermione did notice that Draco, Blaise, Pansy, Millicent, and Daphne slipped out of the great hall not long after the news of her engagement spread throughout the hall. She made a mental note to go speak with them once she had finished dinner.
Feigning exhaustion from the excitement of the past few days, Hermione was able to leave not long after dessert appeared on the tables. Making her way down to the dungeons, she gave the password to the Slytherin common room and walked in to see the five of them seated around the fireplace, no others in sight. As the door closed behind her, Draco lifted his wand and muttered a silencing spell, and a locking charm, preventing anyone else from entering or disturbing them. He then uttered another spell that Hermione hadn't heard before.
"What's that do?" She asked him, moving to sit down in the open chair.
"Puts a message on the wall telling them to make themselves scarce for a while till we're finished," he replied evenly, though there was something she couldn't identify in his tone.
"You're upset about my engagement," she said, after a moment's thought.
"Not if it's what you want," Pansy said gently, hoping to prevent any arguments.
"But what about Severus, Hermione?" Blaise asked. "He's changed, for the better, because of you. He's happy for once, and I know I speak for all of us here when I say we don't want him to lose that."
"He's the one who pushed me away," she whispered, not meeting his eyes. "He told me he won't open his heart to me. That I simply fill a void in his heart."
"Well of course he said he won't!" Daphne exclaimed. "You scare the hell out of him, simply because you make him feel, and he doesn't quite know what to do with those feelings again. Think about it, the last time he gave in to those feelings, his heart was torn to pieces by that whore."
"You know about Bellatrix?"
"Of course we do, she's my aunt, not to mention it was a huge scandal," Draco brushed off the question.
"Back to my point," Daphne continued. "His heart was torn to pieces. Then you come along and start breaking down those walls of his. He starts to care for you, and slowly begins to trust you and let you in. Then what do you do? At the first signs of trouble you run away! First that one time, and now this! And to make matters worse, you're now engaged to another man! How is he supposed to feel? Happy for you? No, he feels like he really doesn't deserve love because every time he's tried to give his heart, it's been cruelly thrown back in his face."
"It's his own fault!" Hermione snapped, standing up. "I tried, okay? I tried. And he's the one who didn't want to try and make this work. He says he won't love me, and I deserve better than that. Percy's a good man, and I care about him. So excuse me for wanting to be happy, and being with someone who can do that!"
The five Slytherins watched in some surprise as she glared at them before stalking from the room, quickly ending the charms and spells Draco had set up. Looking at each other, they had the same thought, "Snape had gotten himself into a mess this time."
Meanwhile, as soon as Hermione had left the great hall, Severus had left the great hall and made his way onto the grounds. Summoning his broom, he quickly mounted it and began flying around the pitch, doing steep dives, rolls, and all number of other dangerous moves. Flying had always been therapeutic for him, and he needed it more than ever. Taking a deep breath, he flew high above the stands, before shooting nearly straight down, only to pull up a few feet from the ground, his boots just skimming over the blades of grass.
"While I'm sure you've excellent control of your broom, I really wish you'd do something a little less risky," Ginny's voice interrupted his self-berating thoughts.
"Whatever for?" He sneered at her as she walked over and mounted her own broom, flying next to him. "It's not as if anyone would give a damn."
"You're right," she shrugged. "No one would give a damn. You'd just hurt the Headmaster, and Professor McGonagall, and my parents, and a number of others. Not to mention Hermione would be too."
"No she wouldn't, she's marrying your brother. Thought you'd be happy about that, and taking her side."
"I would be happy about that if she was," Ginny snapped at him. "I'd love to have her as a sister, but I don't think it's meant to be. And I'm not taking her side, I'm taking yours, even though you're being a complete arse Severus!"
"Ten points from Gryffindor," he scowled at her. "And don't call me Severus."
"Oh go ahead and take all 278 of them for all I care, Severus! I'll keep calling you names if it'll get the point across. I'm on your side because you love her, so don't even try to deny it. And she loves you. But both of you are entirely too stubborn and proud for your own good! Why can't you get over your pride and simply tell her how you feel?"
"Did you ever think there's more to it than just getting over my pride?"
"No. It's all you. Bellatrix is no excuse. Yes Hermione may remind you of her, but in your heart and mind you know she's not. Everything you're feeling is for Hermione. Not Bella. So I repeat, it's only your stubborn pride holding you back, cause you don't want to admit I'm right. So I'll say it one more time; get over your stubborn pride and go apologise for being a complete arse."
And with that last statement, Ginny flew off of the pitch and up to the castle doors. He stared after her, cursing her under his breath, for the sole fact that she was right. He was entirely too stubborn to go and make the first move and apologise. Shaking his head, he continued to fly about, knowing she had given him a lot of good points to think about.
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A/N: Well, there's that chapter. Hope y'all like it, though I know no one's gonna like the whole Percy/Hermione bit, but you'll get over it, cause everything will be resolved in the next chapter. Yes, the next chapter is also the last one. How sad. Oh, and this is kinda random, but is anyone a Snape/Ginny shipper? Cause I'll tell you, y'all have no idea how tempting it was to just turn this last part into the beginnings of a Ginny/Snape fic. Percy could marry Hermione and live happily ever after, while Ginny could help Severus get over his grief and get involved with him. I tell you, my fingers are itching to write something now. So in the future you may see a story that kinda has an alternate ending of this fic, and starts on Ginny and Severus as a couple. But that's randomness, so for now, just review, cause it'll get my arse in gear to write the conclusion faster!