Chapter 16: Power of Love, Part 2

Disclaimer: All things Harry Potter belong to JKR.

A/N: Many thanks to my awesome beta, Southern_Witch_69!

Part Two

George watched his brother brooding for the better part of the day and decided to have another talk with him. "What's up, little brother?"

"What do you mean? Nothing," Ron told him defensively.

"Ron, you've been moping around here ever since you got back from Ireland. Why is that? You would think that camping alone with your wife in such beautiful surroundings would put you in a better mood."

Ron shrugged. "We weren't alone, and besides, she won't be my wife much longer."

"Why do you say that every single time your wife is mentioned?" George asked, irritated. "Who are you reminding? Me or yourself?"

"Nobody! I was just saying, that's all!"

"You're a fool. I hope you realize that. A complete and utter fool."

Ron's face reddened. George didn't know if it was from embarrassment or anger and didn't much care. "You have an incredible woman who, for some unknown reason, loves you. And what do you do? Continuously remind her and anyone else who mentions her that you're ending things as soon as you can when what you should be doing is thanking your lucky stars she even wants you to begin with!"

"It'll just make things easier in the long run for everyone to realize that this isn't forever."

"Why do you say that? If she loves you, and you obviously have strong feelings for her, then why does it have to end?"

Ron shrugged, trying to act nonchalant, but his brother saw right through him. "Because it will. With me, it always does, right?"

"Ooohhh," George said in an exaggerated drawl, "I didn't know that we were having a pity party. Hold on, let me get my party hat!"

"Shut it, you! I've had enough advice, thanks!"

"Who else is trying to talk some sense into you?"

"Um... I went to visit Hermione," Ron admitted.

"I see. What did she have to say?"

"That she did love me...blah, blah, blah...but it wasn't the kind of love to last a lifetime and all that rot. Said that she hopes we can be friends again one day."

George nodded encouragingly. "There you go. Same thing I've been telling you! I know you won't get over her overnight, but that should at least alleviate any guilt you may have been feeling for falling for Luna," he told Ron pointedly.

Ron growled. "You don't get it! Nobody seems to get it! Don't you understand? Hermione loved me once, George. Enough to accept a marriage proposal. Then just like that," he snapped his fingers, "she decides that it's just not enough to last forever.

"And the thing is, I had no idea. I was happy with her. I would've married her never knowing she felt that way. How do I know that after time passes, Luna won't fall out of love with me, too?"

"Ron," George said gently, "there aren't any guarantees in love or life. But I've always known that Hermione didn't love you with a lasting kind of love. And if you're honest with yourself, you'll admit you didn't love her like that either.

"The two of you had become comfortable with each other and, dare I say, a habit. She was easy to be around because you knew her so well, but where was the passion? Where was the spark? You and Hermione acted no differently than you and Ginny half the time."

"So, you really think things are different with Luna?" Ron asked hopefully.

"Sure, don't you? Can't you feel the difference?"

Ron stood suddenly, almost overturning his chair. "I need to go. I've some things I need to take care of before Luna comes home. Will you be okay here if I take off early?"

George looked around the shop that only held three customers. "Oh, I think I can handle it. Just one last piece of advice, then I'm done. Follow your heart, little brother. Follow your heart."

***

Ron looked nervously at the table he'd set, trying to remember if it looked the same way as when Luna used to set it for him. He ran a mental checklist. Candles? Check. Flowers? Check. Plates and silverware? Check. But still... it seemed as if something was missing. He gazed a little longer and then slapped his forehead with his hand.

"Bloody hell! I forgot to put the table cloth on the table." He turned to the Howler that still kept residence on his mantel, refusing to burn itself out. "You should have said something," he told it as if it could answer him. Instead, it shimmied further down the mantel.

Before he could rectify his mistake, he heard his wife coming through the door. She looked tired and pale, and Ron mentally cursed himself because he knew that was mainly his fault.

She'd been working later and later, and he knew it was to avoid him. Ever since they'd made love in Ireland, she'd withdrawn from him completely. After thinking on it for endless hours, he came to the realization that he'd somehow hurt her terribly. If only he knew exactly what had bothered her, he could try to start fixing it!

She had loved him and had no qualms about letting him know, and he supposed that it did seem as if he'd used her and manipulated her feelings for him there. If that were the case, he truly hadn't meant to. It was just at that moment, he couldn't remember wanting another woman more. Even... Hermione. Certainly never Lavender. His wife seemed to stir feelings in him he never knew he'd had.

His musings were interrupted by a soft, "Ron? What's going on here? Please tell me we're not expecting company!" she said wearily.

"No, we're not. I just... I dunno. I wanted to do something nice for you."

"Why?"

He winced. His wife found it difficult to believe that he'd wanted to do something nice for her just for the hell of it. What an arse he'd been. His gaze quickly darted to her chest to see if she had his locket on, and he discovered she still wasn't wearing it. He cleared his throat and quickly said, "No reason. I just felt like doing something for you, okay?"

He watched as Luna took in the table and slowly lifted her haunted eyes to his. "Ron, don't do this. It's not necessary. We've only got a few more months to go, and then you can be well rid of me. Don't try to soften the blow."

"I'm not! That's not what this is! Luna, can we talk?"

Luna began to fidget, something her husband had never noticed her doing before, and told him, "Not tonight. I have to finish this research, and then I'm for bed. It's been a tiresome day."

"You need to eat. You're losing weight. And though I agree that you do need a good night's sleep, staying up for thirty more minutes won't hurt. I have some things I'd like to say to you."

Luna started backing away towards the loo as if she didn't want to hear what he had to say, and Ron admitted she likely didn't because she thought he was going to hurt her again. He roughly dragged his hand through his hair. "Please, Luna?"

Luna sighed, seemingly defeated, and went to sit at the table. She began to pile her plate with food, hardly noticing what she was even getting. "Well? Aren't you going to join me?" she asked irritably as if she just wanted to get this ordeal over with. "I thought you said that you wanted to talk to me? Well... talk!"

Ron sighed. This wasn't going to be as easy as he'd thought it would be. "I hardly know where to begin," he admitted as he watched her playing with the food on her plate.

"I've told you already you don't have to let me down easily. When our year is up, I'll go." She motioned towards the food on the table. "All of this was truly unnecessary."

"What would you say if I told you that I don't want you to leave when our year is up?"

Luna eyed her husband skeptically. "I suppose I would ask you what's changed. I know that you don't love me, and even more, you're still in love with Hermione Snape."

He winced involuntarily when Luna used Snape in connection with Hermione, but told her, "One of the things I wanted to talk to you about was that I went to see Hermione, and we had a long talk about things. Luna, I do still care for her, I imagine I always will, but I'm no longer in love with her."

"I find that very hard to believe, Ron."

"I know it seems sudden, but really, I've been doubting my feelings for her since..." His face turned a deep shade of scarlet, but he forced himself to continue, saying, "Since Ireland."

Luna shook her head. "You can't equate having sex with love. I think you're confused about things because of that."

"You're wrong! I'm not! It wasn't merely sex, Luna! We made love, or I did, at least."

"So you're saying that you love me now?" she asked disbelievingly.

"Well, I'm not sure if it's love that I'm feeling, but I care for you very deeply and..."

"Just like you care for Hermione?"

"No! As my feelings for her are fading, my feelings for you are becoming deeper. I just needed to officially end things with her. It was just feeling like she and I had unfinished business, you know? I had to end with her so that I could begin with you... er... if you still want me, that is. I dunno." He stood, pacing and running a frustrated hand through his hair again. "I don't think I'm making much sense."

Luna slightly smiled. "No, I think I am starting to understand what you're trying to say."

"You do?" he asked her, surprised.

"Yes. The main thing is: you want to give our marriage a real chance?"

"Yes, I do. Do you still want me, Luna?"

"I love you. Of course I still want you."

"That's terrific!" He went to her to take her into his arms, but she laid a hand on his chest to hold him off.

"Not so fast. It's not that easy. You hurt me terribly, you know. I have to be sure this time. I won't give you my heart on a platter to be broken again."

Ron immediately sobered. "I'm so sorry I hurt you. I know that I've been a complete arse, but I promise I'll try harder if you'll just give me another chance."

"Well, this situation is not entirely your fault. I do understand how your life was completely turned upside-down. In other words, I know what it's like to be hurt and disillusioned by the one that you love. Only, in your case, it was also by someone that you trusted. I do get that. It's just... I'm tired of being punished because Hermione didn't love you enough and I loved you too much."

Ron walked to his wife and gently took her into his arms. Resting his chin on the top of her head, he told her, "I'm tired of punishing myself by refusing someone that I already care for and could possibly be in love with. I'm stubborn and prideful, and as you know, I sulk and brood. But I really don't want to lose you, love. Will you take another chance on me?"

When she didn't answer, Ron placed his hand under her chin and wiped the tears falling from her eyes with his other one. "Luna?"

"I will agree to take things slowly. I have to guard my heart this time. But, I agree to stay here with you and see where this takes us."

Ron gently kissed her. "That's more than I deserve. Thank you."

Luna was beginning to feel awkward, so she stepped out of her husband's arms and went to sit at the table to finish eating. "Come join me," she told Ron. "This is actually pretty good."

"I found the recipe in the box you keep there on the counter. Can I ask you something?"

"It depends on what you want to know," she answered.

"Would you tell me why you won't wear the locket I gave you for Christmas? If you don't like it, we can exchange it for something else," he added quickly.

Luna grinned and pointed her wand at her neck. "Finite Incantatem," she said, and Ron watched as his white gold heart-shaped locket came into view.

"You're wearing it?" he asked, surprised.

"Of course I am. After all, you gave it to me. And it's really rather lovely." She opened it to show him that she had his picture inside.

He smiled. "I'm going to make up the past few months to you, Luna. I promise."

Luna laid her hand over his. "Let's just take things slowly and go from there."

"Right," he agreed. "And after dinner, it's a warm bath and off to bed for you."

When she raised an eyebrow at him, he quickly clarified, "To sleep! Just to sleep! Unless..."

"Unless?"

"You'll let me hold you. Just hold you...nothing more. I mean, if you wanted, I would give you more, naturally, anything you wanted, but all I'm technically asking for is to hold you."

"Ron! Stop rambling! I would like to sleep in your arms," she said dreamily. "But sleep only!"

"Right," he said again. "No problem." Ron knew he would suffer that night, not being able to do more than hold her, but he also knew that she was worth the wait.

~*~

Hermione sat at her desk, tiredly going over all the forms she had to fill out and submit. Ever since she'd heard from Harry that Cho was safe and being examined at St. Mungo's, she'd decided that she really needed to get these pesky little forms taken care of.

Severus had agreed to supply St. Mungo's with the Wolfsbane Potion so that they could administer it to all that came in asking for it at the lowest price possible. His fee would depend upon the number of people...or werewolves, rather...that he had to brew the potion for, but he was really only making a small profit. Most of his asking price covered his supplies only, and Hermione knew that he was doing this for her.

He'd decided to teach her to brew it that weekend, however, and she couldn't blame him. With them both working on it, it would cut the brewing time in half. She looked up to watch him grading papers with a scowl on his face and smiled. That was her Severus.

Her admiration of her husband was interrupted by a soft, "hoot, hoot," so she rose to let the owl in. She started to take the letter, assuming that it was from Harry with an update, and was surprised that the owl flew directly to Severus.

"Who's that from? Harry?"

"No, Narcissa, confirming our dinner plans for tomorrow evening."

"Dinner plans? What dinner plans?"

Severus looked up from the letter and stared at his wife. "She asked us to dinner and I've accepted. Is that a problem? Had you already made other plans for us?"

Hermione folded her arms across her chest, aggravated. "Well, you'll just have to send our apologies. I've not made any other plans, but I don't want to go."

"Hermione," Severus said patiently, "this is the Malfoys' proffered olive branch for the way they treated you at the wedding reception. To refuse it would be like a slap in the face."

"I have no problem with that. I've slapped one in the face before."

"I don't understand you! These are my friends! I want you to learn to, if not like one another, then at least try to get along."

Hermione walked to her husband's desk. She placed both hands on it and leaned forward. "Tell me, Severus. Has any of your friends ever told you about what happened when Harry, Ron, and I were captured and taken to their home?"

"No. I was only told that they'd held you there once, but I was not given any details."

"Let me enlighten you then. Harry and Ron were taken to a different place from me, which I learned later were the dungeons, where they'd found Luna, that goblin, Dean, and Mr. Olivander. While I was alone, Bellatrix Lestrange took great delight in holding me under the Cruciatus Curse until the boys got me out of there.

"Do you know what your friends did during that time? Nothing! They let that woman torture me! Lucius couldn't wait to contact that monster to let him know they had us!"

Severus sighed and rubbed his temples. "You've got to understand the amount of pressure and the difficult circumstances that they were in, Hermione. There was a war going on. In times such as those, people do what they have to in order to save their own."

"So you're saying you condone their actions! Or lack there of rather?"

"I'm saying that if I had a choice of cursing someone or possibly saving your life, I'd curse someone! Their lives were at stake!"

"Because of the choices they made! They chose to follow Voldemort!"

Severus winced when she'd said 'Voldemort' but didn't correct her. "As did I. Think for a moment. What if someone evil and extremely powerful told you that they'd kill you unless you performed certain tasks? Or better yet, that they'd torture or kill your child?"

"That's entirely different! The Lestranges didn't have any children! Besides, you're not like them. "

"No, they didn't, but the Malfoys do have a son. And, trust me, my dear, at one time I was very much like them. Never forget that."

"You're different!" she insisted. "I can't see you torturing or even allowing someone else to torture someone just to save yourself." She laughed bitterly. "I remember Harry telling me that you gave Ginny and Neville detention with Hagrid while you were the headmaster. So don't tell me that you're anything like them! Honestly!"

"No, not to save myself; I'll concede that. However, to save you or any child of ours? Most certainly. I'd do anything in my power to keep either of you from harm."

Hermione let out a deep breath, a warm feeling coming over her when he'd mentioned them having a child, even if it was hypothetical. "You really want to go? What if they treat me as they did before? You wouldn't abandon me this time, would you?"

"They won't. And I promise not to leave your side the entire night. We only have to go this once and that should suffice. What say you?"

"Okay... for you. But I'm telling you now, if Draco Malfoy or his little wife treat me as they did at their reception, I won't be held responsible for my actions. I can only take so much from him."

Severus chuckled. "All right, it's a deal." He rose from his chair and took her into his arms and kissed her. "Let's go seal it in a more enjoyable way."

"What do you have in mind?" she teased.

"Seeing if I can make you have three orgasms," he whispered suggestively in her ear.

"Now that's an offer I can't refuse," she said playfully as they hurried to their bedroom.

***

Hours later while Severus slept contentedly with his wife in his arms, he was suddenly awoken by her thrashing about. "What in the world?"

She was frantically moving her head from side to side, sweat rolling down the side of her face. "NO! No, no, no! Stop! Ahh!"

"Hermione! Hermione, wake up!" Severus said as he gently shook her.

She was crying in earnest now, screaming out in pain. Severus' chest tightened as he watched her, feeling helpless to alleviate her pain. He bent his head and kissed her lips gently, coaxing her to slowly awaken. "That's it, love. Come on, wake up now."

"S-Severus? What is it? Where am I?"

"Ssh, you're okay now. It was just a bad dream."

Hermione wiped her tear-stained cheeks with the back of her hands. "It must've been all that talk about Bellatrix, reminding me. It brought everything back."

"That's it. We're not going. I'll make my excuses to Narcissa."

"You'll do no such thing. I think you were right. These are your friends, and one night in their home won't kill me. It's not like I'll be cursed again."

"No, you wouldn't be. You can count on that. But still, if it affects you this deeply, perhaps we should meet them somewhere instead."

"Are you kidding me? Take away Narcissa Malfoy's chance to show off to me? She'd never forgive you. Besides, I'm made of stronger stuff than that. I'll be fine. I'm just a bit shaken from my nightmare, but I'm okay now. Sleepy, but okay."

"Come here," he said, and she settled back into his arms. "Rest now." As she drifted off, Severus wished he'd never accepted that blasted invitation. As it was, they'd just have to go there and leave as soon as they possibly could. He didn't want Hermione to suffer unnecessarily.

The next evening, Hermione stood in front of the mirror where she'd been the past thirty minutes. "Stop that," he snapped irritably. "You look absolutely fine!"

Hermione glanced down at the navy robes she'd rushed out to buy earlier that day against her husband's wishes. "You better believe that the Malfoy women will be thoroughly dressed up. I want to look the best that I can."

"You look lovely, Hermione, and if we don't leave now, we'll be late."

Taking a deep breath for courage, Hermione said, "Okay. I'm ready."

After they'd arrived and were seated around the table, Hermione began to relax. So far, everyone had seemed cordial to her. She had noticed Pansy and Narcissa exchange knowing glances every so often, but had decided to ignore it. She had no idea what they were on about, but she felt confident as long as Severus was with her.

Suddenly, their dinner was interrupted by a loud but familiar voice. "Cissy?"

"Oh, Madeleine! What a pleasant surprise!" Narcissa exclaimed as if she'd had no idea her friend would be there.

Madeleine looked uncertain. "Oh, um, sorry to interrupt your dinner party. Don't you remember? I told you that I might stop in and visit you this weekend?"

"Oh, was that this weekend? I don't know where my mind is! But it's quite all right, isn't it, everyone?" Narcissa looked at everyone around the table. "We've just barely started really. Have a seat and join us. Severus? Move down a bit so that Madeleine can sit."

Severus sat still for so long looking at Narcissa that everyone in the room was becoming uncomfortable. Finally, Madeleine broke the silence.

"Well, I've brought someone with me. That isn't a problem, is it?"

"No, of course not," Lucius said, cutting off his wife before she could object. He'd had no idea that she'd been expecting her friend that weekend. Little minx.

"Great. Let me go and get him. He's waiting in the study because I wasn't sure if it was still okay for us to drop by."

"You're always welcome here," Lucius assured.

Once she left the room, Severus demanded, "What's the meaning of this, Cissy?"

"Whatever do you mean?" she asked innocently.

"You know damned well what I mean!"

"Here now, Severus. That'll do. I've warned you once before about bellowing at my wife!"

"Then tell your meddlesome wife to stay out of my affairs! This is uncalled for!"

Hermione placed a hand on Severus' arm, and he immediately calmed. "Severus, don't. Please. It's fine."

"It most certainly is not fine. She..."

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet William," Madeleine said proudly, and Hermione beamed at the couple.

"William?" Narcissa asked, chagrined. "Why, you never said a word!"

"Because I wanted to surprise you." Madeleine held out her ring finger. "We're engaged!"

"You've become engaged since the wedding?" Draco asked incredulously.

"Well, we've been seeing one another off and on for a year, but nothing ever got serious between us until I came and spent the weekend here. He realized then that he couldn't live without me, and we made if official!" she told them, bursting with happiness.

"How wonderfully romantic!" Hermione said.

"Oh, it was," William agreed. "I swept my Maddy off her feet, I did!"

"Well, have a seat," Pansy said, and everyone made room while the house-elf brought out extra plates.

Hermione and Madeleine soon became engaged in a conversation about Charms while William enjoyed a conversation with Draco about Quidditch.

Severus smirked at Narcissa. "Don't pout, Cissy," he told her. "It's very unbecoming."

"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," she huffed.

"Oh, but you do, and so do I. You might as well give it up," Severus told her in hushed tones. "Hermione is here to stay."

Lucius studied Severus for a moment and then looked about the table to make sure everyone else was otherwise engaged. "But, Severus, Cissy and I thought that you were looking forward for this marriage to end."

"How could you after my last visit here?"

"Well, we understood that while you were married you were going to remain devoted, but what about when your year is up? Won't she be leaving and going back to her own place? Won't the marriage be dissolved?"

"Absolutely not!" Severus yelled, causing everyone at the table to stop talking and look at him.

"Severus?" Hermione asked questioningly. "All right?"

"I will be once I straighten this one thing out, love." He turned to his hosts and looked them both in the eyes, and then looked at Draco and Pansy in turn. "I would like a word in the study, if you wouldn't mind." Turning to his wife, he said, "Hermione, I'll be right back. Will you be all right?"

"Yes," she told him, confused. "Will you?"

"Yes. I won't be long." He nodded towards the other two guests and followed the Malfoys to the study.

Once they were in the study, Severus told them, "Hermione and I are married, and once our year is up, we shall remain married. If this is something that you can't handle or get used to, inform me now. I would hate to dissolve our friendship, but I cannot allow this type of behavior towards my wife any longer."

"You mean to say that you would choose her over us?" Lucius asked, shocked.

"Absolutely. She is my wife. Would you choose me over Cissy?"

"Well, that's not a good comparison, Severus!" Draco said. "My parents...and Pans and I, for that matter...are in love. Can you claim the same?"

"What I claim regarding my wife is not your business. You only need to know that we'll be remaining married. Now, can you deal with that and behave accordingly?"

"If that's what you wish," Narcissa said.

"It's what I wish," Severus assured. "Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to gather my wife and take her home. Perhaps next time we dine together, we can meet in a restaurant?"

"As you please," Narcissa said, saddened that he was leaving. "You don't really have to go now, do you?"

"Yes, I think we've all had enough tonight." Turning to Lucius, he said, "I expect our lunch later this week is still on?"

"Certainly," he said. "I'm looking forward to it.

Severus nodded. "Until then."

***

After he and Hermione left and the other guests were seen to, Lucius lay sated in his wife's arms. "Well, we never would've chosen her for Severus, but he truly seems to care for the little Mudblood."

"Yes, he does. Just like that other one. What was her name? Tulip?"

"Lily," he told her. "Yes, like Lily, but... more. He never chose her over his friends. He did join with us after all."

"True." Narcissa sighed. "I suppose I shall have to make some sort of effort with the girl."

Lucius chuckled, rolling on top of his wife. "I think you'll survive it."

Her eyes widened when she felt his arousal on her belly. "Again?" He nodded. "True, I may survive her, but I'm not sure I'll survive you!" she teased as he slipped inside of her.

"You've done a bang up job of it so far, my dearest," he told her as he rocked them both to bliss.

A/N: Well, this fic is wrapping up, I say. One more chapter to go, which I hope to have sent to my beta by the weekend!