A/N : Sorry for the delay in posting. I hope this chapter doesn't frighten you off, dear readers.

Many thanks again to my faithful beta Christine.

11. Ron

His wand drawn and all senses on full alert, Severus slowly approached his burning garden fence. Most of his wards had held and protected his house but his garden was completely ruined. He slowly approached the house and cast a Human Revelio – it returned nothing. So they had already left.
But how had they found him at all? The thought that his carefully chosen hiding place was not a secret anymore made him shiver with unease. Of course, he had expected to be targeted and chased by his former friends, but HOW THE HELL had they found his retreat?

He cautiously entered his house and searched for spells and damages. At least they were not clever enough to break the important wards, good.
After Severus had checked every room for signs of a break-in he sat down at his dining table to think. He felt thoroughly shaken by the violation of his personal comfort zone. Forcefully he drove the thoughts away. The most important thing now was to find out how Crabbe and his associates had found out where he lived. Had they followed him? Had somebody let the information slip in the wrong moment in the wrong place? Was there a spell on him? Had the Golden Trio not kept its promise to keep silent about his whereabouts. Had Kingsley let someone see his address when he had sent an owl?
He had to analyse this carefully.
Firstly, nobody had ever followed him home. He always checked for all kinds of spells before he apparated back home. One could never be careful enough, his twenty years as a spy had taught him this much. He had never found anything.
Secondly, he had to make a list of people who knew where he lived or had his address.

Thirdly, he didn't really believe that Harry, Ron or Hermione had revealed his whereabouts but perhaps someone at Hogwarts had spotted Hermione sending Owls. He had to talk to them but already anger welled up in him as he thought about the possibility. And Minerva of course, they corresponded regularly, even after he had done his part with the Hogwarts wards.

I will start the list right away, I can't sleep now anyhow.

1. Minerva

2. Real Estate Agent: Christopher Miller

3. The Weasleys

4. Kingsley

5. Harry, Ron and Hermione

6. Gringotts

7. Healer Harris

8. Mrs. Wykes from the Bakery in town

They were only 8 possibilities and when he looked down on the list, the real estate agent was the first thing he would look into next morning – after he had questioned the Weasleys and the Golden Trio. Feeling suddenly too exhausted to do any more clear thinking, Severus went upstairs and tried to get some rest.

Hermione suppressed a huge yawn as she snuggled against Ron to try to get some more sleep. The night had been way too short with a lot of rather exhausting activity in their bed. She thanked God to have thought about a silencing spell before they had gone to bed. This is certainly a good start to this Christmas. She smiled and fell into a deep sleep again.
Two hours later, Ron woke her with a kiss on her cheek. "Good morning, love," he whispered and embraced her tightly. "We should get dressed and go downstairs, it seems we have a visitor. And there was a loud knock on our door a couple of minutes ago, didn't you hear it?"
"No, I didn't, I could really sleep the day away I think. And good morning to you, too, " she smiled against his lips. "I'd rather stay in bed but you're right. Somebody seems to make a fuss down there." Molly's voice could be heard from downstairs and she certainly sounded angry.

A couple of minutes later, they made their way down the stairs into the kitchen. They were both surprised to see a very agitated Severus Snape at the breakfast table.
"So you finally decided to join us," he said in the same icy voice he had used yesterday before he had left. Hermione decided to not be impressed by this.
"Good morning to you, too, Severus", she smiled and put forth her hand to greet him. He didn't take it. Hermione's smile froze. "Have we done anything to deserve this rather rude behaviour?" she shot back at him. Have it your way, she thought.

"Perhaps," he answered coldly. "And what exactly do you think we did?" she snapped. Well, at least I am awake now.

She and Ron had desisted to sit down at the table after he had refused her greeting. Hermione looked down at him. "What happened?" she asked once again, her tone now matching his. So much for the thought of being friends with him.

"Someone's been at my house while I attended this dispensable Christmas Party here yesterday. They didn't get in but my garden and the fence has been burned and destroyed. They left their sign on of the remains of it." His tone sounded bored and cold, as if it wasn't his house he was talking about. Is he occluding? Hermione thought at once. His face was expressionless as well. This isn't good, I can't read anything in his face. He must feel very violated.

Hermione sat down next to him und laid her hand on his arm. "I am very sorry, Severus," she said. "Are you here because you think we haven't been careful enough with your address?" This was the only possible explanation for his wrath that she could think of.
His eyes snapped up to meet hers. He exhaled loudly. "Yes." His expression changed and wasn't unreadable any more. He looked sad and tired.
"Were you?" he asked. "Careful enough?" she asked back. "Yes, I can assure you I never told a soul where you lived and I send every owl personally. I never gave anyone else a letter to take it up to the owlery. I destroyed all envelopes of your owls in our fire. I have been careful enough. It makes me sad you would think otherwise." Severus didn't answer.
"And you?" he asked, looking up to Ron, who still stood. "Not guilty," Ron said in a firm voice. "But perhaps I should have, the way you have just treated my girlfriend. She hasn't been anything but nice to you and you just come here and accuse her with this nonsense. She'd never do anything that might harm you. I don't understand it, but she seems to like you. So why would she give your address to anyone or be careless about it?"

He is right. Apologize to her. She likes me? He couldn't do it. He was too ashamed of his behaviour now. He had behaved exactly like it was expected of Severus Snape. The old Severus Snape. This wasn't him any more. He had tried Occlumency when emotions and uneasiness had become too much this morning after he woke up. It only had given him a bad headache and deep feeling of wrongness inside him. Nevertheless, he had kept the shields up with force until a couple of moments ago.
Abruptly, he stood and turned to go. "I have to check on something. If you think of anything, let me know." He closed the door behind and was gone.
"What the hell is he thinking," Ron yelled. "Bloody idiot! Are you alright, Hermione?"

"Yes, Ron. It's OK, he will come around. He is just scared because his home is not safe any more."

"That doesn't excuse his behaviour."

"No, Ron, it doesn't. But I'm not mad at him. Let it go, Ron."

Severus apparated directly into Manchester and walked through the city for a while to calm down his thoughts. He was disgusted with his behaviour towards Hermione. So for a couple of months I had some kind of a female friend. And a quite beautiful one, his damned brain added. And just because I can't handle a threat anymore, I treat her like this? Well done, Severus. I can go search for new friends now. Which I won't find anyhow.. STOP IT ! CONCENTRATE !
He picked up his pace to visit Christopher Miller and tried once again to shut down his emotions, but now without Occlumency. He still wasn't used to feeling this much. When he finally reached the real estate's agents office, it was of course closed for the Holidays. Severus hoped he just lived above the office and searched the doorbells for Miller. The last one luckily read C. Miller. Severus rang the doorbell.

"Hello?" a voice came out of a thing the Muggles called speaker. "Mr Miller, this is Severus Snape. I bought a house through you agency last summer. I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute?" Silence answered him. "No, I'm sorry, but I don't know a Severus Snape," the voice returned after nearly a whole minute.
"And you are Christopher Miller?" Severus asked back. "Yes," Christopher Miller answered, sounding very unsettled.
"I know you don't remember me, but I would be very thankful if I could come in for a minute as I do not appreciate to do all the talking down here at the street," he said in his best teacher voice, that sounded more like a command than a request. The door suddenly buzzed and Severus pressed against it and entered the house. He heard a door opening in the upper part of the staircase and went upstairs. Christopher Miller was waiting for him in front of his apartment door on the third floor.
"Hello, Mr Miller," Severus greeted him in the friendliest tone he could manage and held out his hand. The other man didn't take it. From the look in his eyes, Severus could clearly see Christopher Miller didn't recognize him. At all. He had been obliviated. At least it was clear now how they had found out his address. But it wasn't clear at all how they had found out about Mr Miller and that he had sold him his new home.
"Please, Mr Miller, I only want to talk to you and I know it's Christmas and I apologize for disturbing you, but I really need to talk to you," Severus tried again before he had to use other measures to get that man letting him inside his apartment. Friendliness seemed to help and Mr Miller went back inside his apartment and let the door open for Severus.

Severus followed him into his living room and waited until Mr Miller had sat down. Then, he wandlessly petrified him as gentle as he could manage. "Sorry, Mr Miller, but I need you to be conscious and unable to move right now." Severus stood before him and drew his wand. Mr Miller's eyes seemed to widen to no end. "Legilimens," Severus whispered and entered the poor man's mind. Mr Millers mind reeked of fear and chaos and it was clear the obliviation hadn't done him any good. Severus projected calmness and trust inside the man's brain and it seemed he slowly seemed to calm down a bit. "I am not here to hurt you," he said out aloud. Finally, he found traces of the obliviated thoughts and very slowly attempted to restore them. Severus hadn't done this for a long time and he was exhausted within minutes. He could now clearly see what had happened.
The day before yesterday, Crabbe and Avery had entered the little office of Christopher Miller. At first, they seemed friendly and pretended to be interested in buying a new home. After they had taken a look at some of the offerings, their false smiles vanished from their faces and they drew their wands. Crabbe locked the door and Avery held his wand directly into Miller's face. "Who are you?" Miller dared to ask. "Some kind of magicians? Or just some really stupid criminals?" Severus shortly admired Millers courage.
Avery's face turned into an expression of pure anger. "We are wizards, you stupid git, and you will tell us NOW the address of the house you sold to Severus Snape!"
"Snape?" Miller asked, still sounding rather unimpressed. "That was months ago, I would have to check this in my files. What do you want from him?" It was clear that Crabbe and Avery hadn't expected the Muggle to be so fearless and cheeky. That was the man Severus remembered from last summer and not the one he had found here today. The obliviation had damaged his personality. Severus would try to undo that as much as he could.
"That's none of your business," Avery snarled angrily. "Give us his address and we'll leave. Otherwise we'll kill you, don't doubt that." Now Millers instinct of self preservation kicked it and he didn't talk back. He went to fetch Severus' address. "Finally we can get Severus. Let's get back to Bristol and plan our attack for Christmas day, he'll be at home alone anyway." Miller had heard Avery say. I'll have to warn him, was his last thought when he handed over the address to Avery and was obliviated right away.

Severus carefully drew back from Christopher Miller's mind and finished the Petrificus spell.

Snow had begun to fall outside as Hermione stared out of The Burrow's kitchen window and watched the sheer beauty of the falling snowflakes. She couldn't stop thinking about Severus. He hadn't been that rude and cold since he had woken up in the hospital. Yesterday evening he had clearly felt out of his depth when he had been shown that he was liked and welcome within the Weasley family but his behaviour this morning had hurt her much more than she had let on.

Harry was also furious about Severus' way of handling the situation. Of course he wasn't as close to him as Hermione had become by now but he had made his peace with Severus, which now seemed thoroughly shaken. Before Hermione and Ron had woken up, Severus had talked to Harry and Ginny with the same accusing tone and had demanded a detailed report of every time they had spoken about Severus whereabouts. He seemed to suspect that they had let the information slip at Hogwarts, but the four friends had been careful to not discuss him outside their chambers. When Ron and Hermione had come down, Severus was already frustrated he hadn't found someone he could blame, she guessed. His could demeanour had reminded her of the old Severus Snape, the one that she had never liked. The man that was cold and full of hate and mistrust. She felt sad that he seemed to have returned.

She felt Ron's arm come around her and sighed deeply. "Care for a walk in the snow?" Ron asked. "Yes, I'd love to. It's beautiful out there." She was thankful for Ron's insight.
They put on the warmest robes they could find and told Molly they would be back for tea in time. "Don't go too far, dears," Molly warned them before they closed the door.

After a while, they reached the forest and Hermione still had to speak a word since they had left the Burrow which was totally unlike her.
"Are you still angry about Snape?" Ron asked carefully. That snapped Hermione out of her thoughts. "I'm sorry, Ron. Yes, but I think I am more worried than angry."
"Why are you worried? He's a stupid and cold git. How could he talk to you like this? I can't believe I have forgiven him. He hasn't changed one bit," Ron snarled angrily.

"Please, Ron, stop it, I don't want to talk about him anymore," Hermione pleaded. "But," Ron started. "No, Ron, please, let's just forget about him for now. Let's talk about our plans for New Year's eve." Ron let out an angry breath and needed a minute to calm down.
"Okay, Hermione, whatever you want. So, what do you think of Harry's idea of celebrating at Grimmauld Place?"

Crabbe, Avery and Alecto Carrow had waited on the hill above The Burrow in a gathering of trees to wait for anyone leave the house since morning. They had caught a short glimpse of Severus but he had disappeared within the house so quickly that they hadn't found the time to attack him. They couldn't believe their luck and just decided to wait for somebody exiting the house and leave the wards for an attack. The Burrow's wards were so strong they couldn't get nearer than a hundred yards.
They were still burning with anger that they hadn't found Severus at home yesterday. He seemed to have made friends with someone then, the bloody traitor, and had found a place to spend Christmas other than his home. It seemed they were lucky to soon get their revenge on both the Weasleys and Severus which seemed a good compensation for months of searching and hiding in Bristol. Perhaps it would all be over before the bloody Golden Trio left for Hogwarts again.
It really seemed to be Christmas for the three Death Eaters when Hermione and Ron left the house and headed towards the woods.

"This is our chance," Crabbe cheered. "Let's go and follow them. There's no better place than the woods to finish these two." "Yes," Carrow agreed, "finally. Finally we can get the two that helped to kill our Lord. We will kill them for him and when we have gotten them all, nobody will dare to question our right to be his successors." They swiftly stood and apparated to the edge of the forest where Ron and Hermione had disappeared a couple of minutes ago. "There they are, let's follow them deeper inside. We need to get more distance between us and them, otherwise they'll hears us if they don't speak." They cast a disillusion charm and slowly followed the pair deeper inside the woods.

Severus slowly sat down opposite of Christopher Miller. "I am sure you have questions," he cautiously said, looking into Mr Miller's eyes.

Mr Miller's brain finally seemed to add in the missing parts of his memory into their right places again. "You are Severus Snape, they searched for you. What have they done to me?"

Severus took his time to explain. Of course he also had to explain that he was a wizard as well and that there were two parallel existing worlds. It took him nearly two hours until he had answered all of Mr Millers question.
"Thank you, Mr Snape," Mr Miller said and shook Severus' hand. "There's nothing to thank me for, Mr Miller. If I hadn't come to you, they wouldn't have sought you out in the first place. Be well, and if there's anything you need, you know where to find me. Goodbye."
Severus turned and left. He couldn't explain it, but he felt a bit better now. He knew where to search for these bloody bastards now and had a clear aim.

But first of all, he had to apologize to Hermione. He couldn't afford losing one of the two friends he considered to have.

When he returned to The Burrow, several inches of snow had fallen and the scenery reminded him of a winter wonderland. It was quiet, beautiful and peaceful. All the things he didn't feel right now. Severus was deeply ashamed and hesitantly knocked on the door.

Molly opened the door. She started screaming at him instantly again, just like he had expected her to. "Severus, how dare you treat the children this. You have some nerve showing up here so soon again. Come inside, but Hermione's out at the moment with Ron. You'll have to wait for her, but in the mean time, apologize to Harry and Ginny." Molly stepped away and let him inside the kitchen. He deserved her treatment and she was right, although a tiny little voice in his head reminded him that he was here to apologize to children, his former students. His life really had changed.

"Where are Ron and Hermione?" Severus asked. "They went for a walk in the snow, Severus. Hermione hasn't talked much since you left and I think Ron wanted to distract her with a walk in the snow," Molly answered with a sharpness in her tone he wasn't used to hearing. "I know I behaved despicably this morning. I'm here to apologize," Severus said apologetically.

"I know you regret what you said, I can see it in your eyes. You look sad, Severus. Why this relapse in your behaviour? I thought you trusted the children."
"I do, Molly. I admit I felt out of sorts that my former friends found out where I live and I occluded because I thought I couldn't think clearly when my emotions affect me so much, I don't know. I just needed an outlet and I'm sorry it was Hermione. I really am. I am afraid I have lost her friendship." Severus sat at the kitchen table with hunched shoulders and his head hanging down. His hair hid his expression but Molly was sure he was close to crying.

She went over to him and laid her hand on his shoulder. "If this means so much to you, Severus, go after her. Apologize. She will listen to you, she hasn't given you up – yet." Severus looked up and she saw a glimmer of hope in his sad eyes. Poor man, Molly thought. He really values Hermione's friendship and the feeling's mutual. Good for him. "Go, Severus, but remember to talk to Harry when you get back."

Severus stood and left the house. He tried to enjoy the silence the snow brought but his mind was screaming. He really should hunt down Crabbe and Avery first and get his mind off them before he apologized to Hermione. Kingsley would be furious he hadn't followed the lead first. But he doesn't have to know I came back here first.
When he reached the forest, Severus stopped dead in his steps. He could see five pairs of footprints now, not only two. Was this a coincidence? Not likely. He started to jog, then broke into a run when he couldn't see anyone ahead of him. For the first time in his life, he valued the skill he had acquired as a Death Eater and drew his wand to fly along the way in a whirl of black smoke.

Hermione and Ron had stopped walking at the clearing where they had lain in the summer. "I love this place, Ron. It's so quiet and peaceful, I'm so glad we found it during the summer," Hermione said and hugged Ron tightly. "Me, too, Hermione. It's been a wonderful Christmas so far and I really look forward to spend a lot more Christmases with you. I really do love you, Hermione." He slowly bent down to kiss her.

"So nice of you to finally stop walking," a cold voice interrupted their kiss brutally. Immediately, Ron turned around and instinctively stood before Hermione. "Ah, now we have your attention, Ronald Weasley." Ron and Hermione both froze in shock. Before them stood Crabbe, Carrow and Avery and all had their wands drawn, pointing in their direction. Hermione came back to her senses first and slowly drew her wand behind Ron's back.

"What do you want?" Ron spoke up in a tight voice. Hermione could sense his fear through it. It was clear to her what they wanted. How could they have been so stupid and leave the outer wards of The Burrow?
"You really have to ask?" Avery asked with a devilish grin in his face. "My, still a bit stupid, Ron Weasley, aren't you? Well, of course we're here to kill you. We've waited long enough to get a hold of you and your beautiful little girlfriend here and now it's finally our turn."
"What use is it to you when we're dead? Your Dark Lord won't return," Hermione asked and tried to keep her voice steady.

"No, he won't," Crabbe answered her, "but we as his most loyal followers must avenge his death. It is our duty. And you are clearly responsible that our Lord is dead. We have a long list to work through, but your death will show the people how serious we are about this. Now – any last words?"

"Yes," Hermione said aloud and stepped forward with her wand drawn. "Expelliarmus!" Avery's and Carrow's wand flew towards her but Crabbe had already had a shield up, it seemed. Shit, she thought, he's going to kill us. Crabbe actually laughed.

"Nice try, little girl. Expelliarmus!" Crabbe shouted with so much force that Hermione and Ron were both wandless immediately.

"I will kill Mr. Weasley here first and you will watch, Miss Granger. Then it's your turn."

Tears were now streaming down Hermione's face. She grabbed Ron's hand and held it tightly. "I love you, Ron," she whispered. This really is it, she thought, I am about to die. After I survived a whole bloody war. It really was ironic. "Love you, too, Hermione," Ron whispered back. Carrow and Avery had picked up their wands and now three wands pointed at them again. At least I am not going to be far behind him. The thought consoled Hermione a bit.
"Enough talking," Crabbe said interrupted her thoughts. "You wanna do it, Avery?" "Love to," Avery answered. He stepped forward. "Ready, Mr. Weasley?"

"As I'll ever be, you sardistic poor excuse of an asshole," Ron answered bravely, but his voice was unsteady. He gripped Hermione's hand tighter.

Adava Kedavra! Avery shouted and the green light hit Ron directly in the chest. The sheer force of the spell knocked Hermione out at once, too.

Seconds later, a whirl of black smoke landed in the clearing and Severus Snape materialized out of it. Gods, I am too late, he thought as he saw Ron lying there in the snow together with Hermione. He drew his wand and stunned his three former acquaintances before they had the chance to realize what had happened. He tied them up and ran over to Ron and Hermione.

Ron lay in the snow with his eyes open. He wasn't breathing. Hermione had her eyes closed but he could see her breath in the cold air. She's alive, Severus thought with momentary relief. "Ennervate", he muttered and Hermione's eyes opened.

She coughed and immediately looked at Ron. "Ron?... Ron? please…," she grabbed his shoulders and shook him.

"Wake up, Ron...," she cried desperately.

"Hermione," Severus said softly, "there's nothing you can do, he's dead."

"No, Severus, it can't be, he can't leave me. I need him."

Severus could see she was near collapsing. "Hermione," Severus tried again.

She didn't react. "Hermione, look at me." He tried again. He touched her arm. That provoked a reaction.

"Let go of me! Why didn't you let them finish? Why did you show up here at all? I don't need your help! Let – go – of – me!" she yelled desperately but Severus only grabbed her tighter.

"I came after you to apologize for my behavior this morning, Hermione. I saw five pairs of footprints leading into the woods and came as fast as I could. I can't tell you how sorry I am I was too late."

Hermione said nothing. She silently started to sob and Severus felt at a loss at the sight of her. So he did the only thing he could think of and wrapped his arms around her.

With his left hand he summoned his Patronus and sent for Kingsley and the Aurors. The three Death Eaters were slowly coming back to their senses and Severus couldn't help thinking if it hadn't been better if he had killed them right away.

Suddenly, Hermione started moving and unwrapped herself from his arms. She wiped her eyes and sniffed. Slowly, she stood up, drew her wand and walked towards the captivated men who had just killed her boyfriend, her Ron. Now that they were tied up and a wand pointing at them, they were no longer looking arrogant and smug, but afraid.

A warm hand touched her wand arm. "Don't, Hermione," Severus said quietly. "They deserve it, but think of what this will do to you. I know what I'm speaking about. - Please." She hesitated. Only when Severus had said "please" the message slowly got through to her. Perhaps he was right and they were not worth it. "But they killed my Ron and I am all alone now, what does it matter what happens with me?" She answered with a voice void of any emotion.

"It matters to me, Hermione."

She slowly withdrew her wand and started to sob again. With a loud pop, the Aurors arrived but she couldn't hear it. Ron was dead.