Chapter 32

Before Severus could even press a kiss against Hermione's forehead, Harry was coming through with Poppy. She looked alarmed and confused.

Severus pulled away from Hermione and ushered Poppy up the stairs, trying to explain his thoughts about what he was seeing in Arthur's condition.

Harry stood on the side, his face stricken with pain.

Hermione went to him. "Go to St. Mungo's, Harry, and get Miriam Strout. We will talk when you come back."

Harry nodded and exchanged a frightened look with Ginny. He grabbed at the Floo powder and was gone.

Ginny was standing with one of the babies clutched in her arms. "I don't understand what's happening."

Hermione said, "Severus suspects your parents are under some sort of dark magic curse...a slow, degenerating one. Ginny, you need to contact your brothers and sisters-in-law and have them come and pick up their kids. I have a feeling we will all end up at St. Mungo's before the hour is out."

Ginny turned away, still in shock, but she wrote a note, magically duplicated it, and sent them through the Floo to her family.

Soon the Floo was a flurry of activity as George's wife came through to pick up their three little ones. George came minutes later to hover there.

Percy arrived with his wife and gathered their brood. Bill and Fleur arrived via Portkey from France. Fleur took their two babies home because they knew it would make it less confusing. The other wives and children followed.

Hermione's back was to the Floo when there was another arrival. She turned to find herself face-to-face with Ron. He stared at her open mouthed and was about to speak when Harry returned with Healer Strout. He was shoved into the back of the crowd, and Hermione followed Harry and Healer Strout up the stairs. She could not face talking to him in this emotionally charged situation.

Hermione watched from the door as Severus explained the things he had observed. Poppy was helping a bewildered-looking Molly into the bed next to Arthur. She was telling Miriam Strout what her initial diagnostic spells had found and watched as the healer performed a more advanced spell, tweaking it as Poppy recounted her results. The healer gave her instructions, and she took a container of water Severus brought from the bathroom. He formed a sheet of water over Molly with it as the healer formed one over Arthur. The sheet of water shimmered as it hung in the air, then floated down and was pushed into their bodies for them to absorb.

"This is a temporary fix," Healer Strout explained. "We will need you both to come to St. Mungo's so we can study the affects of the curse."

Molly complained, "I can't go to a hospital. Who will take care of all the children?"

Harry said, "Ginny will do it, if necessary. Molly, you must have them take care of you. I'm sorry I didn't see it. I should have caught this."

Severus stepped to his side. "I misspoke earlier, Harry. You would not have seen it. It was a tickle in my old spy radar, for want of a better explanation...my sixth sense. The curse is slow acting; to someone who sees the victims everyday, it might just appear as normal aging. You might not have heard him complain about unusual dehydration. Because they're Purebloods, they should not have aged this much in 15 years. Those of you used to Muggle aging wouldn't notice. Since I haven't seen them every day, the fact that they look 40 years older in 15 years hit me hard."

Harry, grateful for Severus' explanation, left the room to find Ginny and reassure her. He nearly bumped into Ron coming up the stairs.

"You're here, huh," Harry said.

"Of course I am. They are my parents. What's happening?"

"They are ill from a dark curse. Ron, stay out of their way, and do not talk to Hermione. You were a right git to not stay to talk to her after her kidnapping"

"She's with him now. I can't fathom that, and I couldn't talk to her," he said defensively.

"You made your choices years ago, and Hermione deserves to be happy. Severus has changed; he really loves her. She wants her friend back; we both do. Stop running away and support your family." Harry stepped past him and walked away.

"Severus, is it?" Ron said bitterly to Harry's back.

"Grow up, Ron, or go back to where you came from," Harry shot back.

Ron glared after him and crept toward the door to his parents' room.

He saw Hermione standing at the edge of the threshold, and then Severus Snape stepped into view and took her in his arms. They looked into each other's eyes, and Ron was stunned by the depth of the love that was exchanged between them by just a look.

He cleared his throat. Severus glanced up at him, and his eyes hardened.

Ron held his hands out in a nonthreatening way and said, "Professor Snape, Hermione. So... sorry to intrude. I need to know about my parents."

Severus stepped in front of Hermione. "Madam Pomfrey and Healer Strout are making a diagnosis, Mr. Weasley. It is best not to disturb them; they will be down to give their results to the family."

Ron nodded and turned away.

"Mr. Weasley, I'm not sure if you are aware or not that Hermione is my wife. I expect you to treat her as such."

Ron tuned back, and his face paled, "Wife? No...sir. I didn't realize that."

Hermione stepped around and laced her fingers with Severus'.

"Yes." She raised her ring hand and waggled her fingers at him.

"Con...gratulations," he stammered and then turned and left.

Hermione stared after him. Her heart ached that he was such an ass. She felt Severus squeeze her hand.

"Thank you for not strangling him," she said, smiling.

"I don't hate him, Hermione. He really helped a lot when we needed it. I do hate that he hurt you. If he can talk to you like the friend you wish him to be, then he is welcome in our life...like Harry. If he hurts you again, I will not be so forgiving."

Hermione nodded. "Let's go wait with the rest of them." She pulled on his hand, and he glanced back into the room, watching the colors of the diagnostic spells for a moment. Then he allowed her to lead him away.

As they came down the stairs, the murmur of voices stopped and everyone turned to them expectantly. Severus repeated what he'd told Ron and they all stood waiting, quietly.

Poppy called downstairs, "Severus, Healer Strout needs your help in Apparating Arthur to St. Mungo's. She will explain what we have decided."

Severus nodded and placed a quick kiss on Hermione lips. "Follow me," he said as he ran up the stairs.

Poppy turned to the Weasleys and took a deep breath. "Healer Strout and I feel that your parents are under a dark curse. It may have been placed on them at anytime before or during the final battle. It is a dehydrating curse that ages the body about two and a half times the normal rate for full wizards. If Severus hadn't seen this, we have little doubt this might have taken their lives by the end of the year. For now, by keeping them well hydrated by magical means, we can stall the effects of the curse, but we will need to find out what the curse is and reverse it. It will continue to degrade their condition if it's not stopped."

"Healer Strout and Severus have taken your parents to St. Mungo's. We will put them in a room together. You may come and see them...but just a few of you at a time. Give her a couple hours to settle them in. One of you needs to go and help fill out the paperwork."

Bill volunteered and left immediately.

Harry and Ginny went to check on their own children and to find a babysitter. Everyone else seemed to be in his or her own little world.

Hermione prepared to leave the house to Apparate to St. Mungo's. The fact that Severus was so far from her made her nervous. Was it an after effect of the spell that kept them together so long, or just her need to be with him? She did not know.

Ron grabbed her arm as she was heading out to Apparate. "How can you be with him!" he hissed in her ear. "He killed Dumbledore. He must have you and Harry under a spell. I cannot stand the idea of him touching you."

"Ron, get your hands off me." She nearly slapped him.

Ron released her and stepped back. "How could you marry him?"

"He asked me!" She saw him step back as if he'd been slapped. "He's here with me, and he loves me. Are those reasons enough? Mostly it's because I love him with all my heart."

"I love you, Hermione. I always have," Ron said.

"Yes, Ron, you love me. But we are friends, and that's all it ever was. We were like brother and sister all our lives until puberty. It was confusing, and we may have at one time wanted more, but it didn't work. Other women turned your head too easily. Be my friend again, Ron. Find a way to let the past go. Be happy for Severus and me. I would like you at our bonding."

"I thought he said you were married?" he asked confused.

"It was a Muggle marriage. We're planning the bonding soon," she informed him.

He came close. "Then you can get out of it. I will take care of you. He's just the greasy old git, Hermione."

This time she did slap him. "He is my husband, Ron, and I love him more than my life. If you can not respect that, then stay away from me." She walked out the door and was gone with a loud crack.

Ron stood there with his hand pressed to his face and his mouth open.

Harry, who'd caught the end of the conversation, came up to him. "If Severus finds out you touched her, he might be tempted to send you to the brain injury ward at St. Mungo's. Get your head on straight. You lost Hermione many years ago. It's time you let that go and give her the respect she deserves...and the same goes for her decisions regarding Severus. He is a good man. He always was, Ron. I told you that years ago."

Ron just glared at him. "I will never accept him as her husband."

Harry turned away. "Then we have both lost our best friend."

"Harry! You're going to choose his side?" Ron said with astonishment.

Harry turned back. "There is no choice for me, Ron, and you're making the choice for all of us. Let go of your hate and be here for Hermione and me, or we all lose."

*****

Hermione landed close to the door of St. Mungo's and used her wand to gain entrance; no one on the street would really notice the hospital unless they were magical.

She went to the receptionist desk and asked about the location of the Weasleys and Severus Snape, and she was directed to the fourth floor...the magical curses ward.

She found Severus outside one of the ward rooms. He came and took her in his arms and held her close, and she was surprised to find he was trembling.

"Severus, tell me what happening."

"The dark magic signatures are Voldemort's. It literally makes my skin crawl. The area where the tattoo on my arm was itches. It must be residual dark magic. Will I ever get him out of my life?"

Hermione held him close. "It's a good thing you can recognize it, Severus. You may well have saved their lives. I knew they seemed to be getting older. But I knew the war affected them because of losing Fred, George's disfigurement, and Bill's horrible scars." She gave a hollow laugh. "And they watch a lot of children. It takes a lot of energy."

"No one would have picked this up, Hermione. Even the healers are having a hard time with a plan of treatment. Hydration is imperative. They may have to be immersed. Their bodies now seem to need fluids constantly, and the curse is progressing rapidly...like once detected, it accelerates."

"You are a genius at potions, Severus. You can help the healers. Scorpius is also a genius at potions; ask him to help. Bring him in on this. He has an uncanny ability to see potions completed just by looking at the ingredients."

Severus pressed his forehead against hers wearily. "You're right. I can help, and it would be good for the boy. We will include Albus, too."

Severus took hold of her arms, and she winced. "What's wrong?" he asked. He pulled her sleeve up and saw the bruises. His eyes flashed dangerously. "Where did those come from, Hermione?"

For the first time, she was scared of him. "Please, Severus. It's nothing. I've dealt with it."

"Hermione, who did this?" he demanded.

"Ron grabbed me," she said. "I slapped him. He won't do it again," she promised.

"You're damn right he won't do it again. I told him not to touch you." He turned to go back to the Weasley house.

Hermione grabbed at him. "Please, Severus, he's just scared for his parents and wasn't thinking."

"Hermione, I will not allow him to hurt you," he reiterated.

"Please, for me, let it go. Once this is over, we never have to see him again," she said.

Severus saw her fear, and that in itself made him furious...that she would try to protect the git. Severus had never liked Ron, but now he felt a healthy hate for him.

He took a deep breath and pulled her close. "I will do what you say for now, but if he touches you again, I will not hesitate to pound him into the ground."

"Fair enough," she said with a sigh. "I will help you." She grinned at him.

Severus pulled her closer but stared over her head with a tight, dangerous expression on his face.

****

The Weasleys started to arrive at the hospital once their children had caretakers. Soon the waiting room was full of Weasleys and by association Potters.

Severus stared at Ron with such dislike that Ron finally got up and went down the hall to wait.

Finally Healer Strout came from the room and headed for the waiting room. Ron followed her.

The group stopped talking to give her their attention.

Healer Strout said, "Your parents are doing well. Treatment has helped them immensely. We have had to submerse them in water for now, and their bodies are drawing water through the skin at an alarming rate. It's a very odd curse. It's a good thing you alerted us when you did, Severus. Our very best potion master will work overtime to help solve this problem. Severus, we would value your help at this time. You are more familiar with some of more dangerous curses and potions."

"I would be happy to help. My wife, who is the current Potions master at Hogwarts, will work with me. I have several gifted students. One is a natural. He seems to know and see what potions do before they are created and what is needed."

The healer looked at him like he was a little mad, but she smiled. "Whatever you think best. We would welcome any help we can get. I will have tissue and blood samples for you as soon as possible."

Severus said, "Thank you. We will work at Hogwarts. I have my private lab there and can work around the clock if necessary. I would appreciate you sending me any promising potions by owl, and then we can collaborate."

Healer Strout nodded. "I will do that if you reciprocate."

"Agreed," Severus said. Although it went against his policies to share promising potions, this was a different situation. Competition might get them all working as quickly as possible to save these two people.

Harry pulled away from Ginny and left the room. Hermione tugged on Severus' arm to get his attention. "Can you talk to him? He's really torn up that he didn't detect this."

Severus sighed; this day had started out to be a nice one. He nodded, squeezing her hand.

"Please, stay clear of Ron," he added.

Hermione nodded, not wanting to her once-upon-a-time friend to get injured by Severus' anger. She was dismayed to see how quickly it resurfaced. When this was over, they would need to talk. She turned and saw Ginny was across the room with George. She glanced around to see Ron watching her, and she turned away, ignoring the stare that was burned into her mind. Damn him, he'd always been so stubborn. His jealousy and stubbornness had always been in their way. Damn puberty, anyway, she thought. It had taken their friendship and twisted it. She and Harry had never had that awkwardness about them. They truly had been like brother and sister.

She went to Ginny who clutched at her and cried on her shoulder.

Severus went down the hall until he found a small waiting room. Harry stood looking out the window at the Muggle street below, watching people go by oblivious to the hospital next to them.

Harry glanced up at him. "Sir," he said as he turned away.

"Harry, do not beat yourself up over this. For all I know, you were prevented from seeing the actual decline of your in-laws. It really is only obvious to me that they are ill because I have not seen them in years."

"Auror training is supposed to make me sensitive to Dark Magic," Harry said, dully.

"True," Severus agreed, "but the one true master of Dark Magic is dead. Dark Magic for you is different than myself. I lived a great deal of my life with it in my face...under my skin, if you will. I was in stasis most of the time it faded from your world. Perhaps my sensitivity to it has not faded as yet. Auror work isn't the same anymore. They are petty criminals without the master behind it all."

"That may be true, Severus." He sighed, letting go of some of the guilt. "Do you truly think I would not have seen this?"

"I truly believe that. My sensitivity to Voldemort's kind of magic is fine-tuned. You can't imagine the training I underwent with Dumbledore to perfect it."

"Dumbledore taught you?" He looked at the old potion's master with new regard.

"Yes, you cannot fathom the knowledge he had, Harry."

"Why did he keep me so isolated from the wizarding world? Why did he only teach me a few things when he could have armed me with such knowledge?" Harry's voice was bitter. "My childhood was hell."

"Yes, it was. He considered it 'character building'...at least that's what he said when I ranted at him. I asked the same questions. He felt you did not need vast amounts of knowledge. He felt it would get in the way of the pureness and love you had in your heart. That was what defeated Voldemort: the love in your heart."

Harry nodded. "I do not find the passion for my work as I did when I was younger. It mostly amounts to being away from home more than I care to be. I'm missing too much time with Ginny and the children. Albus sometimes seems a stranger to me."

"He's a fine young man, Harry," Severus informed him.

Harry laughed ruefully. "With a best friend who's a Malfoy."

"Yes, but Scorpius has changed, and he will be a huge asset to this community. Albus could do a lot worse than hang on to his coattails for the ride. Your son is quite gifted, as well, and Scorpius can teach him a lot."

"I will trust you and Hermione with his well being," Harry informed him. "I trust you with my son's life. Do not disappoint me, Severus." His eyes held strength and the fearlessness Severus had always seen in his eyes.

"I accept that trust." He added, "I must get back to the room. Healer Strout promised some samples for me to take back to Hogwarts. Are you okay, now?" he asked.

"Yes, sir. Thank you." Harry followed him out of the room.

Severus turned so quickly that Harry nearly bumped into him. "Harry, keep Ron away from Hermione. I will not be responsible for my actions if he hurts her again."

Harry nodded. "I will do my best; he's a stubborn arse."

Severus smirked grimly. "Better than a dead arse," he muttered.

---

Lisa, well another year is nearly done. Each and every chapter you complete gets us closer to finishing this story. I really appreciate your steadfastness to keep doing all my Beta work. Your a gem. Thank you so much.

Becky and Angela, thank you for pre-reading and for your comments.