Caught Red Handed

A/N: Much thanks to my betas: Gemma & Kat

Also many thanks to those that have read & reviewed

I am so horribly sorry that it took this long to get the chapter posted. I had it all done by Monday, but one of my betas had things going on in her life so she just couldn't get to it till today. Still, I hope everyone enjoys it, and remember to leave reviews. Consider them a nice b-day gift to me since it's my birthday today :o)

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling

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“Professor!?” Ron exclaimed as George and Fred stood fixed to the ground with their jaws on the floor.

Shite, Severus thought. Untangling his hands from Hermione’s bushy hair, he tried to look as dignified as one could when caught snogging a former student.

To her credit, Hermione shot the trio a look that was a mix of being peeved at being interrupted and sheepish at being caught. Straightening her robes, she fixed the three redheads with a look and calmly greeted them.

“Hello, Ron, Fred, George, poor timing as usual.”

“Mr. Weasley,” Severus intoned as he leveled a look at all three Weasleys, “if you could please help your brothers close their mouths before anything flies in, that would be most productive.”

“Well, that was something I never thought I’d see.” Fred said, turning to George as he recovered.

“That was something I never wanted to see,” George replied, making a face. “But, it does prove that the potion works.”

“Indeed it does, mate,” Fred replied brightly. “Though I do think more research is in order before we sell it at the shop.”

“Oh, of course.”

“Will you two stop nattering on like two deranged loons?” Severus bellowed.

“Now, Professor, there is no cause to be nasty,” George said with a false pout before turning once again to his twin. “You’d think he would be in better sprits after just having a bit of a snog.”

“Maybe he didn’t like it,” Fred suggested.

“He did too bloody well like it,” Hermione insisted sharply. “And I could have finally gotten to shag him, if you dung-for-brains hadn’t barged in,” she finished in a huff, crossing her arms.

Ron took a decidedly green tinge at the mental picture of Hermione and Snape shagging. Both Fred and George looked at one another slightly aghast as Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Perhaps we shouldn’t have put the additional lust part in,” George suggested undeterred.

“Perhaps, though we did want Ron and Hermione back together.”

“Oh, no doubt about that, but--” George was cut off by an enraged Hermione.

“What do you mean, 'we did want Ron and Hermione back together'?!”

“Um, well, you see,” George began to fumble as both he and Fred started sliding back toward the doorway.

Hermione drew her wand, pointing it at the now-terrified twins. With a muttered spell, a small group of group of bright yellow canaries began to fly around Hermione as if awaiting her command.

“Not this again!” shouted Ron, diving behind Severus’s desk for protection.

“Miss Granger, though it would give me much pleasure to watch these two excuses for wizards fall prey to your anger, perhaps it would be better to do something that would have a more lasting effect,” Severus said calmly. Hermione turned to look at Severus, her lips pursing together.

“What would you suggest?” Severus’s lips turned into something resembling a smile.

“Oh, I believe using a love potion with intent to manipulate a wizard or witch is at least a misdemeanor, if not a felony, according to Ministry law. I would be especially curious as to what would happen to their precious shop if this was brought before them. Beyond that, I could only imagine what their mother might want to say about this. Especially when faced with the idea of two of her sons in Azkaban.”

“Oh, indeed, I hadn’t thought about that, Severus.” Hermione smiled.

“But we could lose our shop!” a terror-stricken Fred exclaimed.

“And we didn’t mean any real harm,” pleaded George.

“Didn’t mean any harm? What exactly did you expect would happen to Miss Granger once she drank that potion?” Severus demanded, his eyebrow quirking upwards as the twins began to look at one another guiltily.

Finally Ron broke the silence as he poked his head up.

“Is it safe to come out?” Hermione sighed.

“Yes, Ronald, it’s safe to come out. I’m not particularly angry at you, as long as you didn’t have anything to do with this.” Ron held up his hands.

“I swear, 'Mione, I would never do something like that. I admit I’m not happy about us breaking up, but I wouldn’t force you to love me either.”

“I do believe, Mr. Weasley, that’s the first intelligent thing I’ve heard you say all day,” Severus remarked. “As for you two,” he said turning to face Fred and George, “I believe a trip to the Ministry will sort things out. After, of course, you help me brew an antidote for Miss Granger.”

“But, Professor,” Fred began to sputter.

“No excuses, Mr. Weasley. Both of you knew what you were doing was wrong on some degree, and you must face the consequences of your actions.”

“'Mione, Hermione, please, believe us; we didn’t mean any harm,” George pleaded.

“You know,” Hermione said, putting a finger to chin, thinking, “I do have an idea for an alternative.”

“We’ll do anything,” Fred and George echoed one another.

“Make me a partner at the shop.” Hermione looked at the newly stunned twins and continued in a more serious tone. “I would be a silent partner. I don’t want my name included in the name of the store or any of that nonsense. I don’t even particularly care about the money. However, I would have the ultimate say in whether or not something is put into the shop for others to purchase. And I would have complete access to your notes for any of the products that you make. I don’t care that I’m in love with Severus. I don’t regret what happened before you three idiots barged in. But what if you put this potion in the store? What then? Neither of you two thought what could have happened, and that is dangerous. Voldemort may be dead, but that doesn’t mean there still aren’t unsavory characters out there.”

As Hermione finished her small lecture, Severus looked at the twins as they processed what she said.

“I believe Miss Granger gave both of you quite a bit to think about. Perhaps we should get to work on the antidote before you give her your decision.” Hermione turned to look at Severus questioningly.

“But, Severus, I don’t need to be cured.”

“Miss Granger, we have gone over this before. You are under the effects of Mr. and Mr. Weasley’s potion. And while I’m sure there is a time limit on it, I think it is in your best interest if we found an antidote now instead of just waiting out the allotted time period.”

Hermione pouted as she moved to sit near Severus’s desk again.

“Fine,” she said sullenly before flicking her wand to disperse the canaries that had been fluttering near the twins. Severus rolled his eyes at her attitude.

“Mr. Weasley,” he said to Ron, “I think for now you are no longer needed. Please inform the Headmaster of the current situation, and then you are free to go.”

“Yes, Professor.” Ron disappeared out of the office, looking slightly relieved to be removed from the office that held not only a tired and slightly annoyed Snape but also a sullen Hermione.

“Right, then. Let’s get back to work,” Severus said, turning to face Fred and George.