Chapter 12

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Thanks go to my betas, ladyinthecloak and Charmed_Nay. I appreciate the read through, mates.

Also, for those who don't know, this story won first place for chaptered stories in the last Potter Place Prompt Challenge. I appreciate the votes and want to say thanks for that, mates.

---

Hermione gazed at the hundreds of books on the shelves before her. His sitting room, while grimy and neglected, had walls of shelves, which made it appealing to her. "Are all these Wizarding books?" she asked.

"Not all." He walked to the far corner and perused a shelf, fingers trailing over books' spines delicately. "Ah, here we are." He nodded towards the shelf. "All books about the Dream Stone and its magic."

She strode forward and glanced at the titles, also reaching out to touch them. "I would like to read them indeed."

"What's mine is yours," he said quietly, causing her to face him sharply. "Just as the stone is now yours. My gift to you."

"Why? Why would you give me this?" She held the Dream Stone out. "Why do you not keep it?"

Severus strode away from her and sat down on the threadbare couch. When he spoke, his voice sounded a little choked. "You're the only family I have."

Feeling empowered by this statement, she followed him and chose the chair across from him, facing him squarely. "Your father, where is he?"

"Dead."

"No other family?"

"None."

"But this is your family heirloom." She placed the green gem on the rickety table between them. "I couldn't take this, Severus."

"You're my wife, and one day you will pass it on to our firstborn when you feel he or she is fit to have it," he said matter-of-factly.

Hermione sat back so fast, a cloud of dust emerged from her chair. She nearly felt as if he'd slapped her. "Firstborn? What?"

"I thought that..."

"Why do you think I'd want children? We're not even in love! I wouldn't bring children into something like this!" Her voice steadily rose. "I don't even know if I'm going to stay here, much less plan a family with a man who...someone I don't know if I even trust fully!"

"What do you mean you don't know if you're going to stay here? You have no choice!" His voice rose to meet hers, and his eyes pierced hers angrily.

Shrilly, she said, "Look at this place! It's filthy!"

"Pardon me, dear, but I've been fucking dead for more than a year now."

"I know that," she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest in annoyance. "But what about before? Have you no pride in your house?"

"My home was Hogwarts for most of my life!"

"But you still came here! What would your mother say?"

"How dare you speak about my mother!" he yelled, standing up in anger. "You know nothing of the kind of life I had here with my parents, no idea what I went through! The less I saw of this place, the better!"

"Well, perhaps you should tell me then. Or shall I chalk this up to yet another thing you want to keep from me?"

"You daft girl, I'm trying to tell you what you want to know!"

"No, you aren't, Severus. You're trying to get my mind off the questions I want to ask you by giving me this Dream Stone and throwing knowledge in my face. To make things worse, you're planning my future for me, even so far as to dictate that I'll have children!"

"Did you never plan to have them?"

"I did, but not..."

"Not with me." He sneered hatefully. "With Weasley then."

"I didn't even plan it with him. We were taking one day at a time, but at some point, I suppose..."

"So why wouldn't I suppose the same thing? That at some point you and I might have a child?"

Hermione uncrossed her arms and stood up, walking to the window and looking behind the thick, dust-covered curtain. "How can you even see out of this window?"

"Answer my question."

"My future with Ron doesn't compare to this. You can't use that in the same perspective. Ron and I chose each other mutually. We have feelings for each other."

"I chose you, too."

"Oh, right, how could I not forget about that! And you love someone else!"

"You chose to be with me. While there may be no feelings..."

"What would you do if I left?" she asked suddenly, turning to face him. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, and she was just as surprised with herself as he seemed to be.

He ran his fingers through his hair. "You cannot. You know that."

"Oh? You would force me to stay?"

"I would ask that you do, else we might undo all that we've done so far."

"Bollocks! You're back from the Otherworld. We've breached it. What could possibly happen?"

"Our bonding... you feel it the same as I. We can never be with another. Did you not know that?"

"Of course I know it! But it doesn't dictate where I have to live, so I want to know, Severus Snape, what would you do? Poison me like your mate, Lucius? Imperius me?"

He walked to the archway that led into the small entrance hall of his home and waved his hand towards the front door, opening it wordlessly. "Leave if you'd like. I will not force you to stay."

Heart pounding, Hermione moved towards the opened door, gazing out into the silent, rundown neighborhood. He would let her go and not force her to remain in his depressing home. Her heart clenched. She didn't want to leave him alone in such a place. He was hers, wasn't he? A possessive feeling swept through her body. Was it the bond forcing her to care about how he lived his life? She doubted it. There was something there, some spark...even without their bond. For better or for worse, he was her husband.

"And if I stay?" she asked.

"What do you want of me?"

She turned to face him, heart beating wildly, sweat beading at her hairline. Her words came out in a rush. "Everything...starting with the truth."

The door behind her closed with a click, and then he held his hand out to her. "Come. I will answer anything you ask. You have my word."

She took his proffered hand and allowed him to lead her into their sitting room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Oi! Break it up!" Ginny screamed while Mrs. Weasley began flicking her wand to jolt Harry and Ron apart with small shocks, to no avail.

"Boys!" Mr. Weasley shouted. "Calm down!"

"Ron," Bill said, starting forward. "Harry!"

George simply laughed.

Ginny positioned herself between the two, not noticing the mud on her robes and not worrying about being struck. "You shouldn't be fighting, Ron, Harry. Stop it!"

Another woman reached out to place her hands on Ron's shoulders, but his elbow knocked her back onto her arse as he tried to hit Harry. She landed with a loud thud and a moan near Fleur's feet.

"Jeri!" Ron said at once, untangling himself from Ginny's and Harry's limbs. "All right? Here, let me help you up."

She smiled, smoothed down her ruffled hair, and let him help her up. Harry curled his lip at the way Ron held her close and tried to dust her off, and he was unable to keep quiet about it.

"So, this is Hermione's replacement then, is it?"

"Don't talk about her that way, mate," Ron warned.

"What do you expect? You want me to be happy about this? Do you know what you've done to Hermione these past few weeks? All that rubbish about needing time and then not a word. She's beside herself, you wanker! I never thought you'd do this shite to her again." He nodded to Ron's wife. "And then you go and get married? What about how she feels?"

"She made it pretty clear about how she felt before I left home, and in her letters, she didn't..." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. I'm with Jeri now, and that's all there is to it."

Harry got up when Ginny nudged him and didn't bother trying to tidy his robes. He turned away. "See you lot later," he called over his shoulder.

"Harry Potter!" Mrs. Weasley called. "We're going to have a family meeting, and you are part of this family. Inside," she said loudly, looking around, "all of you."

He stopped and looked at Ginny, who nodded, eyes widening pleadingly. "Fine," he muttered, only to have Bill clap him on the back.

"We'll get to the bottom of this," he said softly. "Far as I'm concerned, I'm with you, mate. Not sure what's got into my little brother."

At this, Harry paused for a moment. "Bill, you just might be onto something."

Inside, all the Weasleys sat around the kitchen table, but Harry refused, standing behind Ginny instead. He didn't spare Ron's wife another glance, wanting to hate her for taking away his other best friend's lover.

"Go on, Ron," Mrs. Weasley urged, wringing her hands nervously in front of her.

"As I was saying before Harry and Ginny came," he began, looking at Harry in the eyes, "when I met Jeri, I thought she was great, and then over the first few days, we became close."

"Love at first sight for me," the woman said softly.

Harry still didn't look at her. He addressed Ron, however, saying, "I thought you loved Hermione!"

"I do love her!" Ron said hotly before widening his eyes and shaking his head in confusion. "I always will, but she and I... it'll never be like what Jeri and I have found. I can't get her out of my mind. All I want to do is be with her when we're apart, even if she's only down the hall from me."

"I love him," Jeri said in perfect English, directing this at Harry, hoping he'd look at her.

It was then that he spared her a glance. "Yeah? What about his girlfriend who's loved him for years? Didn't mind wrecking that, eh?"

She shrugged. "He said they were having problems, that they were separating. Why should I not seek happiness? Why should he not if he had none?"

"He WAS happy." Harry stepped forward, nearly reaching over the table for Ron, but he stopped. "She saw pictures of you two cozying up. Lucius Malfoy had someone find you because she was beside herself with worry. You could have answered her letters... my letters! What kind of prick have you turned out to be? A couple of shags and you lose your senses?"

Ron jumped up and made to run around the table to pounce on him, but Bill and George both stood to stop him. "Calm down," Bill said.

"Look how he's talking about my wife! Would you not do the same if he said that about Fleur?"

"I wouldn't be in this situation, Ron."

Ron stopped struggling and faced Harry. "Lucius Malfoy, you say? What's he got to do with this?"

Harry felt his cheeks heat as the entire family looked at him curiously. He'd said too much. "She's decided to work with him on a project. I don't know much about it, but if he noticed how out of sorts she was, then that should tell you how bad off she was! Imagine a day that Lucius Effing Malfoy would care about Hermione more than her own... whatever the hell you are!"

"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley admonished.

"Son, please, have a seat," Mr. Weasley said to Harry before looking at Ron. "You, too."

Both sat grudgingly, but it was Ron who spoke. This time his words were directed to his teary-eyed mother. "I'm sorry, Mum, but I fell in love with her so fast. I just... I couldn't leave France without her. This is the only way she'd leave...if I made it official, and I had to come back, what with taking over with George now and my family here."

"I love Hermione like a daughter, Ronald," his mother began. "And I always had a feeling that one day it would be official. What with the way things have been progressing lately, I was sure of it. This," she pointed between the two, "is very sudden." She gave a long sigh. "But if it's what you both want, and if you're both genuinely happy, mind, then I can do nothing but accept it."

"Thank you, Mother Weasley," Jeri said promptly. "I promise to love him all of my days."

At this, Mrs. Weasley's smile widened, and she opened her arms to the woman, accepting her into the fold.

"Ridiculous," Harry muttered.

"Eet ees not ridiculous, 'Arry," Fleur said suddenly. "She ees French and will be a good wife."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Ginny asked, exploding at her sister-in-law. "So should everyone else run out and find someone French? Maybe you'd like little Gabrielle to become Harry's wife then? Or were you planning on getting one of your mates to come over and do that job? How dare you! After the nice things Hermione said about you when NONE of us liked you!"

"Zat ees not what I meant!" Fleur snapped back.

"You could have fooled me!"

Harry had to place a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. "She's right." He looked around. "You're all thinking about Ron and this woman, but not Hermione."

"What would you have us do, mate?" George asked. "We can't hold a wand to him, can we? It's done now, and life's too short to hold grudges. Look at what happened to Fred. Look at all the time he missed out on with Percy because of a grudge and difference of opinions?" He stood and made for the doorway. "We can all work this out together...even Hermione. I'll be at my shop if anyone wants to talk, but I'll not be a part of this shite."

The door banged shut after he left, leaving an awkward silence in the room. Everyone gazed at each other. When Harry stood again and pointed his wand at Ron, the women gasped in unison.

"Harry!" Ron said. "What are you doing?"

"Finite Incantatem!

The jet of light hit Ron squarely in the chest, nearly causing him to flip backwards in surprise. "Eh? What's this?" he said, gazing at everyone. "Hexing me now! I... Bloody hell."

"You were under a spell," Harry said. "Someone Imperiused you into... into not thinking straight, into wanting her."

"And I'll bet," Ginny added, "someone's done the same to her."

Jeri, who'd wrapped her arms around Ron and continually asked if he was hurt, yelped as Ginny hit her with the same spell. "'Ow dare you!" she said, her French accent finally emerging with her emotions. "Mon dieu!"

"She's not under a spell, Harry," Bill said, stating the obvious.

"What ees 'e saying, Ronald? Ees zat true?" she asked tearfully. Fleur placed a hand on the woman's shoulder compassionately, but she removed it and stepped away when the woman began to sob.

Ron blinked a few times and turned to face her, pulling her against him and allowing her to cry against his chest. He looked at the others helplessly for a moment before murmuring that all would be well and placing a kiss atop her head.

"What do you remember?" Mr. Weasley asked. "How much of this... relationship has been real?"

"Were you married because of a curse?" Mrs. Weasley asked. "But you seemed so..."

"I don't want you to leave me," Jeri cried pitifully. "I love you."

"I won't," Ron said firmly, surprising everyone...apparently even himself.

"No?"

"No, we'll work something out."

"Have you gone mad, Ron? What about Hermione?" Harry asked hotly. "Someone's done this to you, you git!"

"Who? Why would someone want me with someone else?" Ron asked. "What the hell's been going on round here?"

"Shite," Ginny said. "I think... I think we've been had, Harry."

"Malfoy," Harry said grimly. "I should have known."

"Excuse me, but we're here as well," Bill said. "What's happening?"

"I... can't say much," Harry said. "It's Hermione's business to tell."

"But Hermione is missing," Ginny hissed. "We have to do something. Malfoy obviously lied. Draco isn't a nutter after all. How else would his father have had those pictures of Ron if it wasn't him what's done this?"

"Done what?" Mrs. and Mr. Weasley asked at the same time.

"The project she was working on... to bring Snape back to life."

"Snape?" nearly everyone said.

"It's mental."

"He's dead!"

Harry jumped up. "I don't have time to explain. First, I need to go to the Grangers' house to see if she's there."

"I'm coming," Ron said, disentangling himself from his wife's grasp.

"No, thanks," Harry said coolly. "You've got other things to be getting on with, haven't you?"

"Ronald?" Jeri asked, reaching for him.

"Mum," Ron said, "I've got to help find Hermione. I have to explain this to her."

"Jeri will be fine here. I'll put her up in your room."

"Thanks."

Bill strode forward. "I'll help."

"The less involved, the better. We'll be back as soon as we know more," Harry said.

"Well, Ginny, stay and see after your brother's wife at least," Mrs. Weasley said worriedly. "I don't like the idea..."

"Why don't you and Fleur handle her since you're both so accepting? I'm going with Harry to find Hermione."

"I'll be back, Jeri. We'll talk about all this, all right?" He gave her a small, awkward embrace. "Don't cry."

The woman nodded and wiped her eyes, making Harry feel...for the first time...sorry for her. She was just as much a victim in everything as anyone else. Who was he to hate someone for trying to find a person to share her life with?

"How long has she been working with Lucius Malfoy?" Mr. Weasley demanded. "Why did I not know about this?"

"Since right before Ron left. She took a vow and couldn't say much."

"But she could tell you, is that it?" Ron asked angrily.

"Couldn't tell me much."

"And you couldn't tell me?" he asked, striding forward purposely. Before Harry realized what Ron intended to do, a large fist hit him directly in the face, crunching his nose and spurting blood down his chin.

"Ron!" Ginny yelled, pushing him back and turning to face Harry.

"That's for lying to me! And for all the shite you've given me today," Ron said, voice low and menacing. "We'll finish this conversation later," he added. "Right now, Hermione might need us."

"He's right," Harry said, mentally pushing away his pain and wiping his face.

"Let me," Ginny said, flicking her wand.

"To the Grangers."

Minutes later, the three of them had left behind the puzzled Weasleys and had Apparated into the Grangers' backyard. Briskly walking to the door, they waited for someone to answer their knock.

Jane Granger opened the door moments later. "Oh, what a surprise!" she said with a warm smile. Calling over her shoulder, she said, "It's the kids."

"May we come in?" Ginny asked politely.

"Of course you can." Her smile faltered. "Ron, what are you doing here? I thought you and Hermione were having problems."

"I need to talk to her," he said promptly.

"Well, she isn't here," her mother replied.

"Not here, what?" Harry asked, moving into the house to look around for himself.

"Haven't seen her since before John was released from the hospital." She flashed narrowed eyes in Ron's direction before gesturing them into the living area. "I'll fetch some tea. John can tell you. It's all very odd if you ask me."

"Hello, Mr. Granger," Harry greeted, moving to kneel in front of the couch where the man rested. "You've not heard from Hermione then?"

"No, not since I told her what I remembered from my accident."

"And what's that?" Ginny asked, moving to stand behind Harry and pulling an uncomfortable Ron with her.

"I told her that it was no lady who walked out in front of my car that day, causing me to swerve and wreck. It was the arrogant fellow with the long, blond hair I saw. You remember, the bloke who fought with your father, Ron and Ginny, at that bookstore years back? Carries a cane with a snakehead on the tip?"

"Shite," Harry said, turning to look at Ginny knowingly.

"And you told Hermione this?" Ron asked. "Did she say where she was off to?"

"No, said she trusted the fellow and was going to talk to him, see what he was about. We didn't want her to go, but you know how headstrong our girl is." His expression became frightened. "You say you haven't seen her? You don't think something's gone wrong?"

"That's what we're going to find out."

"We'll let you know something straightaway," Ginny added, already sprinting for the door behind Harry.

"Leaving?" Jane asked. "But I've got tea."

"Some other time," Ron said as they ran by.

"I'm going to kill Lucius Malfoy," Harry said. "Lying bastard."

"Him and his wife, both liars I'd wager."

"You're probably right, Gin."

"So it's to Malfoy Manor then?" Ron asked.

"Yeah."

"Hate that place."

"Me too."

"Harry," Ron said slowly. "You don't suppose anything bad's happened to Hermione, do you?"

"I hope not."

"What's all this Snape rubbish?"

Ginny looked at Harry and took his hand. "Ron's got a right to know...before we go there, so he knows what we're up against."

"Yeah," Ron said nastily, "and no fucking lies this time."

Harry nodded. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Out with it then."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You there, Bozzy, is it? We need to see the Malfoys right now!" Harry called out to the approaching house-elf.

The little elf popped away without a word.

"I expect he's going to get the blighter now," Ron mumbled.

"Shut it, else they'll know you're under Harry's cloak, Ron," Ginny said, trying not to look at the empty spot Ron's voice had come from.

"Yeah, then our plan'll be ruined. Just stick to what we decided and we'll find Hermione."

To their surprise, the gate opened and allowed them entrance. The trio walked towards the house and found Narcissa Malfoy awaiting them at the manor door.

"Back again, Potter?" she asked. "If you're here to check up on Draco's welfare..."

"That's one thing," Harry said smoothly, "but I'd also like to ask your husband a few things about what Draco said."

"We've told you that he's suffering from a curse. If he doesn't take his potion or remain...really!" she exclaimed as Harry pushed past her to enter her home, Ginny at his heels.

"Won't take long. Promise." He flashed her a smile and held up his hands.

"Oh, all right. Come in." She turned to the house-elf in the foyer. "Prepare tea, Bozzy."

"Bozzy is doing it now."

She closed the door and gestured for them to follow her into the sitting room. "I'm afraid you've just missed my husband. He felt it necessary to take Draco to France. That's where the Healer lives who's been treating Draco." She shook her head. "I'll be right glad when all this is behind us."

Ginny sat down and primly adjusted her muddied robes, causing Harry to smirk at Narcissa's expression as she took in the state of the other woman's robes. "Oh, dear," Ginny said in a fake, high-pitched tone, "let me tidy myself up."

Harry sat next to her as she spelled away the grime on her clothing. "Mrs. Malfoy, I have reason to believe that things are not as they seem. Draco was lucid when he talked to us. I know that to be true. I think that whatever potion your husband ordered you to give him..."

"Don't accuse my husband of anything. I've been with Draco these past few months. I know what he's been going through firsthand. Make no mistake, we love our son."

"I believe that and have seen it with my own eyes," Harry said, sitting back casually. "It's why I'm wondering why you'd let this go on." He noticed that her expression changed to one of regret for a moment. "Do you think it's all right for Draco to be like this?"

"Of course I hate that he's like this, but there's nothing that I can do about it. He'll be cured in time."

"Are you in on it?" Harry asked bluntly.

"Pardon me?"

"Is Lucius doing this with or without your knowledge? The question was quite clear," Ginny piped up.

"Harry Potter, you owe me. Are you forgetting it was I who saved your life that night at Hogwarts? I who lied to the Dark Lord for you?"

"Not because of any sentiments for me. You were trying to get to Draco, which is why I'm shocked you're going along with this, or if not going along with it, why aren't you questioning it more?"

Ginny leaned forward. "Draco deserves better than this."

She sat back as if pushed, but Harry could see that she was becoming nervous. She wrung her hands together and looked away from them. He decided to try a new tactic.

"And why did you lie about Snape?"

"Really! That's absurd."

"Absurd, is it?" he said with a smile. "I found some notes Hermione had at my place. They were trying to bring Snape back, her and your husband."

Narcissa sighed. "Severus is a good man, but I don't expect you'd understand that. Your lot has never appreciated him or what he's capable of."

"I know what he's capable of, thanks," Harry said. "If it weren't for him, things would have turned out differently."

"Well, at least that's one thing we agree on," she purred.

"Tea," Bozzy said, popping into the room with a tray.

"Put it on the table," she said absently. Once he'd done so, she said, "Help yourselves."

"I've learnt my lesson about drinking from a host I'm not quite sure I trust," Harry said. "Why don't you get your own cup and prove to us it's not poisoned."

She shook her head incredulously. "If all you are going to do is insult me and my family, spout bizarre ideas, and who knows what else you've planned, then I think you should leave."

"I want to talk about Hermione."

"Well, I can't tell you anything."

"Can't or won't?" Harry countered.

"Good Lord, Potter," she said, reaching for the nearest cupful of tea. After she took two sips, she said, "I don't appreciate being questioned in my own home."

"I can understand that," Ginny said. "It is rude of him, isn't it?"

"He thinks the world owes him everything for what he's done," Narcissa said and then brought a hand to her lips. "How rude of me."

"'S all right," Harry said, sitting back with a smirk.

"Have you done it?" Ginny asked.

Narcissa looked at her questioningly. "Done what?"

"Oh, I'm talking to my brother."

Ron came into view as he pulled off the cloak. "Yeah," he said, patting his pocket. "Gave her a few drops."

"Another Weasley! How did you get in here?"

"Borrowed my mate's cloak," he said, pointing to it. "Now, what shall we ask her first?"

"Is Hermione here?"

"No, she's not." Narcissa's eyes widened. "What have you done to me?"

Ron pulled a phial from his pocket. "Veritaserum. Works wonders."

"Get out now. I intend to file a report with the Ministry at once."

Harry shook his head. "Won't do you any good. Is... is Hermione alive?"

"Of course she is."

Relief filled him. She's alive! "Where does Lucius have her hidden? Does he intend to harm her?"

"He hasn't got her hidden away anyplace! And why would he harm her? We need her too much."

"To bring back Snape?" Ginny asked.

"Yes."

Ron guffawed. "So, it's true then? Hermione and Malfoy are trying to bring back Snape... from the dead?"

Narcissa laughed haughtily. "Severus is already back from the Otherworld. They were successful."

"Bloody hell," Ron said in shock. "But how?"

"Spells. Potions. Quite clever, your little friend." She smiled nastily. "However, Lucius is cunning as well, is he not?"

"Where's Hermione?" Harry asked, afraid of the answer.

"She's with Severus of course. At his home."

"And where's that?" Ron asked.

"I cannot say. It's Secret-Kept, see."

"Shite."

Harry stood up. "I have an idea what area it's in. Maybe we'll luck up and see something."

"You'll never find it unless he wants you to." She sipped her tea again, daintily holding out a pinky as she did so.

Ginny joined Harry but decided to ask Narcissa another question. "Why are you letting your husband get away with poisoning Draco? Possibly ruining his mind?"

"Draco will be fine once the spell is lifted. It won't have any lasting effects on his body."

"So you know then?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Yes, I'm his mother. I know everything."

"You know that we saved his arse more than once that night at Hogwarts?" Ron asked. "He owes us life debts."

"What kind of mother would do this to her son?"

"One who knows it's best for him in the long run."

"Why? Why is this best for him?"

"Because Severus is back now. Things are going to change for us all. Draco will come to respect that."

"I think," said a cool voice from behind them, "that you've abused my wife's hospitality enough. I must ask you three to leave at once." Lucius Malfoy had returned home and had his wand pointed in their direction. "Cissy, leave the room, lest you give anything else away."

She nodded, stood, and regally exited like a queen, not looking back at any of them.

"Turned over a new leaf, eh?" Harry said accusingly.

"Smells like the same old rotter to me," Ron said.

"You will leave now, or I will be forced to defend my home. I still have that right, you know," Lucius said.

"The jig is up, Malfoy. We know Snape's alive, and we know you and Hermione did something to bring him back. If you've done nothing wrong, why are you trying so hard to cover it up?"

"It is not my right to announce Severus' return. That decision lies with him alone. I believe he'd like a little time to become reacquainted with living before announcing it to the world and have his person descended upon by every reporter, Auror, and blighter around." He pointed towards the doorway with his wand. "If you please."

"Where's Hermione?"

"I believe my wife has told you that she's with Severus."

"What for? Her work's done, isn't it?" Ginny asked.

Lucius gave them a cold smile. "She's with him because that is where her place is now." He nodded to Ron. "She's moved on just as you have, Weasley."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Before he could answer, Harry pulled his own wand. "That still doesn't excuse you from what you did to her father! We know you were there and caused his accident."

"I say, where did you hear this rubbish?" Lucius asked, looking affronted.

"John Granger told us. You walked in front of his car. Made him swerve and hit that tree."

Lucius laughed and shook his head. "The fool's got it all wrong. I was in his neighborhood indeed. Hermione told me to..."

"Don't use her name!" Ron spat.

"Why ever not? She and I are associates now." He flashed a mocking smile. "And when you were not there for her, Weasley, someone had to be. The poor dear cried herself to sleep more than once. She slept over many times, you know."

At his implication, Ron stepped forward, fists clenched at his side.

"Tsk. Tsk. Going to attack me in my own home? I think not." He aimed his wand at Ron. "How many times must I ask you to leave? This being polite business is certainly getting old quickly, I must say."

"What about her father?" Harry asked, not lowering his wand or moving.

"As I was saying," he began again, "Hermione asked me to wait for her near the pavement on the corner. I did so. The fool didn't watch where he was going, swerved on his own, and hit a tree. If I hadn't been there to cushion his fall with my wand, the berk would have been killed. You should be thanking me for saving his life."

"Why'd you take off then?"

"And have the Ministry come down on me for doing magic near Muggles? I have enough problems already." He shrugged. "Hermione knows this already. No sense in explaining myself to you."

"Who's Snape's Secret-Keeper? We need to see him."

"Lower your wand, Potter."

"Not while yours is lifted."

"Fair enough." He made a show of slipping his wand back into his cane. "There, now."

"I want to see for myself that she is all right... that Sn-Snape's alive."

"I will send word to Severus." He arched an elegant eyebrow. "It's the best I can offer."

"We need to talk to Hermione," Ron said angrily. "Do it now."

"I will never take orders from a Weasley, boy," Lucius said. "Mind your tone." He looked at Ron appraisingly, obviously finding him lacking. "Your friend may not want to speak with you, and that is not a problem of mine."

"Of course she would. She's written me letters. There're things we have to talk about."

"You don't owe him any explanations, Ron," Ginny said, placing a hand on her brother's shoulder. "Come on."

"Hang on," Ron said. "What did you mean Hermione's moved on?"

"Ah, it appears I've let slip a little something I shouldn't have."

"Such as?"

"Part of the magic called for certain things that only a woman could give. Hermione was that woman, and she made the decision on her own."

"What decision?" Harry asked.

"I'd rather let her tell you, though I do admit that I would enjoy seeing your expressions." He sneered at Ron again. "Well, I suppose I could divulge a spot of information."

"And?"

"Severus and Hermione are now magically bonded together."

"Shite," said Ginny.

Ron's mouth opened and closed. "What's that mean?"

Harry shook his head. "You're lying."

"Think so, do you? We shall see."

"What's that mean?" Ron asked again.

"It means," Ginny began softly, "that she's been magically bound to Snape. It's like marriage, only magically sealed."

"She would NEVER agree to that! Marry Snape, are you mad?"

Lucius shrugged nonchalantly. "I expect a future with Severus looked much better than pining after someone who'd been having sex with a woman he'd only just met."

"YOU!" Ron shouted, pointing a finger at Lucius. "The Imperius, you did it, making me fall in love with that woman!"

"I? Certainly not. My wand can attest to the fact that I've not Imperiused anyone. I don't care if you have a lover, Weasley."

"But you cared if Hermione thought he had one, didn't you?" Harry asked, speaking for the first time in minutes, his mind putting the pieces of the puzzle together. "Just like you wanted to keep Draco from warning her or from telling me so that I could warn her. That's the reason you've been keeping him like that!"

"Why don't you prove it?"

"Oh, I will, Malfoy. You can count on it."

"I'm going to..."

"No, Ron!" Harry shouted, running to keep Ron from pulling his wand on Malfoy. "Not in his own home. He's right. We can't do anything here."

"We've got to do something," Ginny said, eyes shining with unshed tears. "Poor Hermione... God, and with Snape now, it's horrible."

"That's why we'll be going to see Kingsley at the Ministry," Harry said, still struggling to keep Ron subdued. He turned to face the blond man. "We'll be back sooner than you think, arsehole."

"Indeed? Well, I shall make certain I have enough tea for everyone...only the best for my visitors, you know." He nodded towards Ron. "Leave Weasley behind, will you? Don't want him sullying up the place."

"Bastard!" Ron shouted. "You'll pay for this."

"I've heard that before," Lucius replied smugly. "Bozzy, see that they leave immediately. Do what you must to see it done." With that, he backed towards the doorway his wife had exited through. "Now to see what you've done to Narcissa. I may have charges of my own to bring to the Minister."

"I'm going to kill him, Harry. I'll do it. I swear I will. He's ruined our lives!"

"Now's not the time, Ron. We have to find Hermione first, see what's really going on. I don't believe that load of rubbish he gave us."

"I don't either."

"Master says you is to be leaving," Bozzy said, holding out his hand. "Bozzy is taking you out to the gates."

"We're going," Ginny said quickly, pulling Ron towards the doorway. "Help me, Harry."

"No, I'll go on my own," Ron said, suddenly calm. "Harry's right. We need to see Kingsley and find out what we can do about this." He spat on the floor. "This arse hasn't heard the last from me."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AN: And so, here we are. ~SW waves to everyone~ How many of you knew this was me who'd been writing this under the "Hidden Before Voting" name? More up soon. I've got the next chapter plotted out on a spare bit of parchment, and it's filled with Snape and Hermione.