A/N: Thank you everyone who is still adding me to their faves or alerts. Thanks too for those that are sending in your reviews. I love reading them and I love the support.
Special thanks to: Kristine Thorne for the wonderful beta job you are doing. Your not only quick but your great at finding all my errors.
Chapter 14
Hermione got home later that day feeling pretty good. She was excited and nervous all at the same time. How was she going to break the news to Severus? She glanced at the clock she kept in the kitchen while drinking some water.
She was thinking he would be there soon when she suddenly remembered he was going to be tied up with his potion the rest of the night. Damn. She thought.
Well, this might be a good thing. She thought only seconds later. This meant it would give her time to decide exactly how she was going to tell him. She wasn't sure how she wanted to do that yet.
Should she just tell him straight out when she sees him? Something like 'Hey great to see you again. How was the potion? You're going to be a daddy soon.' No that would be horrible.
How about 'Severus, you know how you asked if all kids were like Albus and James? Well, we're going to find out in just seven more months.' No, that wouldn't work either. That just seemed too…stupid really. Though to look she could imagine on his face did make her giggle a bit.
Hermione sighed. She would figure it out. She had all night to do so without any interruptions. Assuming Severus didn't get his potion complete and send her his raven or simply show up to celebrate.
She went upstairs to take a shower. She wanted to wash the day off her skin and hope it helped to calm her mind enough to think of a good plan.
She washed her hair and shaved her legs while she was at it. She could have used magic, but she liked doing things the muggle way sometimes.
When she was done she wrapped a big fluffy towel around her and went in search of some clothes. Pulling on a pair of short cutoffs and a bright yellow tank top, she dried her hair and pulled it into a French braid. It would help keep it off her neck and it the tiny wisps of hair couldn't escape as easily either.
She was coming down the stairs to go make dinner when she heard someone knock at her door. She sighed. Since she hadn't really had lunch, she was looking forward to dinner. She had only snacked a bit to keep the hunger away.
Walking over to the door, she tripped on a worn spot in the carpet and stubbed her toe. Cursing and hobbling she opened the door without looking out the peep hole.
She was met with a huge bouquet of flowers. All different kinds just jumbled together. There were roses, carnations, daisies, lilies, and several more she couldn't name. The bouquet was so large, it hid the person behind them.
Laughing she spoke. "Goodness. I don't think I've seen so many flowers at one time. Can you make it inside on your own?"
A muffled "mmm-hmmm." Was her only answer.
She wondered if Severus had only said he was working late to surprise her. Or maybe Harry had brought them by as a 'congrats, you're knocked up' present. Either way she loved getting flowers.
She helped lead the hidden person by using her voice. Taking them into the kitchen so they could set the flowers down without dropping them or breaking something.
The person set the big vase of flowers down and stepped back. Hermione was still looking at the flowers and hadn't turned to see who brought them yet.
No lilacs. Oh well. Can't have your favorites all the time. So either Severus couldn't find them or Harry didn't know they were her favorite. She decided.
She turned from the beautiful flowers to smile at the person who brought them and her smile froze as shock filled her. "Ronald?" She asked while she started to get annoyed. What was he doing here?
Ron smiled sheepishly at her. "Hey Mione. I was hoping we could talk."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Talk? What on earth could you possibly want to talk to me about?"
Ron shrugged. "I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about everything."
Her other eyebrow met her hairline like the first as she was even more surprised than before. "You want to apologize?" She asked, taken aback.
He nodded, doing his best to look remorseful. "I do. I don't blame you for leaving me Mione. I was a right git. So can we talk?"
Hermione stood there flabbergasted. She had never expected him to even realize what it was that he had done wrong, let alone want to apologize for it. She nodded dumbly.
He took her hand and led her to the other side of the table. Pulling out her chair for her and shocking her more as she all but slumped into it. The chair bit had been advice from his dad.
Arthur had told him that all ladies liked being treated as ladies. Having their doors opened and chairs pulled out. It didn't make sense to Ron. Were there hands broken or something? But he did it anyway to please Hermione. Hoping it earned him extra points for his thoughtfulness.
He reached out and took her hand when she continued to stare at him speechless. He took her silence as a good thing. "Mione, I was a terrible husband to you."
She nodded slowly, still silent and he went on. "I never did anything to help you during our marriage. I didn't help you cook. I didn't help you clean. Plus, I never once helped with the burden of all the bills."
She swallowed still staring at him in shock and nodded again. He gave her a soft smile, thinking she was playing right into his hands. "I was a total arse and I'm so sorry Mione. You deserved so much better than what I gave you all those years. Can you ever forgive me?"
Hermione needed a moment to find her voice. "Ron, I can't believe you actually figured out what you did wrong. What's even harder to believe is that you're actually saying you're sorry about it. What brought this on?"
Ron flushed a bit in anger at the memory of his sister, but kept his sheepish grin making him look embarrassed. "Ginny came and reamed me really bad one day. She told me about how she knew the truth and it made me have to face all the things I had done."
Hermione bit her lip as she thought about it. It had to have been when Ginny found her in bed with Severus. That morning after she showed Ginny the pensieves. "Oh. Um…so now what?" She asked, unsure what all Ginny had told him.
Ron gave her a small smile. "Now, I want to make it up to you." Hermione frowned slightly but he went on. "I want to show you how wrong I was and make it right. I got you two tickets to this nice resort. It's famed for its extensive libraries and heated pools. Plus, they cater to you so good there. Back massages, feasts, horseback riding on the beaches, and people to serve you drinks while fanning you while you read. It's perfect Mione. It's what you always wanted."
It was expensive and he'd had to borrow a good portion of the money for it from his brothers. His brothers had made him explain why he needed the money and it had been embarrassing to admit he needed it to butter Hermione up to take him back. The twins had laughed, saying they doubted it would work, but loaned him the money anyway.
Hermione was shocked. It was the perfect vacation. It's what she had always wanted to do. It was what she would have happily done with Ron before she left him.
"Ron, you didn't have to do that." Hermione said.
Ron shrugged as if it was no big deal. "I did Mione. I had to make up the…lousy thing I did with our vacation money. Now we can take the one you really wanted to take."
Hermione frowned. "We?" She said, confused.
Ron smiled as he moved to squat down in front of her. "Yeah. We. We can make it like a second honeymoon. Mione, I want us to work. I want us to have a chance at a real marriage. I don't care about the house either. We can buy a new one. What do you say? Will you go on this vacation with me so I can show you how sorry I really am? I miss you." He was laying it on thick, but he figured if he had to do it, then he would.
Hermione looked down at her hands. Ron still didn't get it. Sure he finally figured out what all he had done wrong, but it was too late. She was in love with someone else. She was having his child.
Ron fought a sigh at her actions, positive he had her in the palm of his hand. He reached up and lifted her chin so she would meet his eyes. He knew he had her.
"Mione, love, it'll be all right now. We'll go this trip and when we get back, we can sort out the rest. We can either live at the Burrow with Mum and Dad, or I can stay here with you until we find a place to live together." Ron said.
Hermione sighed. "Ron…I can't live at the Burrow and you can't live here."
Ron smirked. "Hermione, I'm sure Harry wont mind. We can go talk to him before I bring my stuff over if you really don't want to live with Mum at the Burrow."
Hermione shook her head. "No, Ron. You don't understand. It's not that I don't want to live with Molly or Arthur. I love them. It's not that I think Harry would mind you living here either. I don't want you to live here with me. I don't want to live at the Burrow with you either."
Ron stared at her in open mouth shock. "What?"
Hermione sighed as she took his hand in hers, trying to make him understand and not hurt him. "Ron, our marriage is over. It has been for a long time now. Even before I left that night at our house."
Ron pulled his hand away. "What are you talking about? It's not over. The divorce isn't final and we can make this work. I got us what you wanted. I got us the boring vacation that you wanted so you would see that I'm willing to make some concessions."
Hermione bit her lip to keep an annoyed retort from spilling from her lips. "Ron, I know you did this nice thing for me. But, it's too late. I don't want to go back to being married to you. I'm not in love with you anymore. I'll always love you, but as my friend. Like it should have stayed."
Ron stood up. "Look, Mione, you just need time to think about this is all."
Hermione gave him a sad smile. "Ron, I don't want to hurt you. Really I don't. It's not like you haven't been able to live without me. I know for a fact you've been with other women. I'm fine with it. I'm with someone else too."
Ron snorted. "You mean that old bat from the dungeon?" At her surprised look he sneered at her. "Oh yes, I know all about you and Snape. Personally I can't believe you let that greasy git touch you. But I was willing to over look it. Mione what were you thinking by letting him anywhere near you."
Hermione stood up, her anger boiling inside her. "Ron, you have no idea what you're talking about. You don't know him, and neither did I back then. You don't get to judge me for who I let touch me. You go to women that get touched by far worse people than Severus on a regular basis. Severus is a good man Ronald, and I wont have you insult him."
Ron scoffed. "Yeah, a good man who has been shagging whores that take a potion to look like you for years."
"Ron, you need to get out. You need to…" Hermione trailed off as Ron's words sunk in. "What? What did you say?"
Ron smirked at her. "Your good man has been going to Madame Laura's for at least seven years and feeding the whores there a potion so they turn into you. Then, he shags their brains out. He has stocks of the potion too. The Madame has at least six potions still ready for him to use."
Hermione felt like someone had punched her. Ron had to be lying. Severus wouldn't do that to her. How could he? What Ron was talking about was polyjuice potion and you needed the person's hair to do it. There was no way Severus had a huge stockpile of her hair to do that
Hermione swallowed as more thoughts hit her. She hadn't even seen him before that night at the brothel since….well she couldn't remember when. But it had been years. In fact the last time she remembered seeing him was at Hogwarts. Eight years almost? It was impossible.
She glared at the redhead that was still smirking at her. "Ron you need to leave. I won't stand here and listen to your lies. Leave before I hex the crap out of you. Don't think I wont do it either."
Ron shrugged at her. "Fine, don't believe me. But you know I'm not creative enough to come up with that on my own."
He turned to go, but turned back to her and pulled out an empty vial he had brought with him just in case. He grabbed his wand, making her raise her own at him just in case. He held the wand to his temple and pulled a silvery strand from it. Letting it fall into the vial and corking it.
He handed it to her. "Here. If you want to know the truth, then there you go. I overheard a conversation and then started one of my own. You may have to deal with watching me shag the girl in the memory before she starts talking more about Snape. She never says his name, but you'll know who she means after hearing the beginning of the memory."
Hermione took it, though she didn't want to. "Please just go." Hermione said.
Ron shrugged again. "You'll know where to find me if you change your mind. I'll be at the Burrow like I am most of the time. Bye Mione."
With those final words he was gone. Leaving the kitchen and within less than a minute, the front door slammed. Hermione stood in the now sickeningly sweet room, surrounded by flowers she no longer wanted.
She looked down at the vial in her hand. She knew it wasn't tampered with because first off, Ron didn't know how to do it. Second of all, he didn't have time with pulling the memory out in front of her.
She gripped the bottle tighter and hurried upstairs to her room. She reached into her closet and pulled out her stone pensieve and set it on her bed. She uncorked the vial and poured it in.
Taking a deep breath she allowed it to suck her inside. She watched the memory. Saw him overhear the Madame and some girl discussing Severus. The more she heard the angrier she got. That bastard.
She did her best to not watch Ron going at it with the prostitute. But she heard what they were talking about. Heard the girl give Ron details about what one patron did to get his fantasy girl.
When it was over, Hermione was back in her room with tears running down her cheek. He had somehow gotten a hold of her hair and used it for some sick fantasy. For so many years he had done this.
She let the tears flow down her cheeks as her heart ached. Her stomach was churning but she ignored it. She had to do something. She needed more proof than just this.
She used her wand to remove the traces of tears from her face. She had an idea of what she could do to get proof. So with a crack she was gone from her room.
She arrived with a pop in Diagon Alley. She slowly made her way to her destination. Keeping to the shadows the closer she got. When she finally saw the sign of the establishment she wanted, she made her way inside. Keeping an eye out just in case someone she recognized was there too.
"What are you doing?" A voice said. "We haven't even heard from him in the last few months. Why would you take a potion?" A hand grabbed her arm and spun her around.
Hermione recognized the woman from the memory. This was Madame Laura and she was angry. Before she could speak the Madame went on. "How did you even get to the potion? When I figure out which girl you are, I'm going to hex the living crap out of you."
Hermione raised an eyebrow at the woman. This was proof all right, but it wasn't enough. "If you don't mind Laura, I'll take my arm back please."
The Madame paused in her tirade. Her girls didn't say please and they didn't speak this eloquently either, nor did they hold themselves this proudly. Uh oh. Laura thought as she gazed into Hermione's eyes and saw the difference inside them.
"Oh, excuse me. I thought you were someone else." Laura said trying to back track.
Hermione gave the woman a brilliant smile. "It's quite alright. I understand that it's hard to tell me from a copy sometimes."
Laura had a feeling it was useless, but feigned ignorance anyway. "What do you mean Ms. Granger?" Fighting a wince at using the girls name before deciding that everyone knew who she was with her part in the war. It was possible that Laura knew her from that alone.
Hermione smiled again. "Ms. Laura, is there someplace we can talk privately?"
Laura was feeling rather nervous, but nodded anyway. She led Hermione toward her private office. A rather drunk man, reached out and snagged Hermione around the waist, pulling her onto his lap.
"Hello there darlin'. You're a pretty one, how about we go upstairs for a bit of fun?" The man said reeking of whatever he had been drinking.
Laura was about to snarl at the man, but Hermione's smile stopped her. What was the chit up to?
Hermione grinned at the man. "I'm always up for fun. Of course, your definition of fun and mine may not be the same thing."
The man leered again. "What do you call fun sweet cheeks?"
Hermione's grin only grew. "Why using my wand to slowly and painfully torture men who haven't the sense or manners to keep their hands to themselves. I'm sure you won't be missing too many layers of skin or have lost that many teeth by the time I'm done with you. Sound like fun to you?"
The man turned pale and let her get off his lap quickly. "Um…sorry ma'am. I didn't mean any harm. I thought you was one of the girls that worked here."
Laura hid a smirk. She liked this girl. Severus had done very well in choosing her. Laura just hoped Hermione wasn't here to ask questions about Severus. She didn't want to lie to the pretty young woman.
When they got to Laura's office, the Madame closed her door. "Can I get you a drink?"
Hermione shook her head, her hand going to her stomach unconsciously as she sat in a chair opposite Laura. "No thank you. I'm not staying long. I just need to do some business then I'll go."
Laura raised an eyebrow at the woman. "What business would that be? I seriously doubt you're looking for a job here."
Hermione smiled again, laughing softly though she felt nauseous at the thought. "No, I'm not looking for a job. I'm here to inquire about a delicate matter."
"Which would be what, Ms. Granger?" Laura asked with a sinking suspicion.
Hermione leaned closer to the woman. "I'm here because I know you and Severus are good friends." Hermione didn't know that but guessed that Severus wouldn't trust her with the potions without having some kind of friendship and trust with the woman.
Laura frowned not sure where this was going exactly. "Yes, we've been friends for years. Is everything alright with Severus?"
Hermione nodded. "Oh yes. In fact he's at the castle working on his latest potion. I think he will be reaching the completion of it very soon. He's suppose to send me his raven as soon as he's done so we can celebrate properly."
Hermione allowed a blush to grace her cheeks as she said this. She was still very angry and was doing her best to keep to the truth as much as possible. The best lies held a touch of truth to them
Laura smiled. "That is wonderful. I hope you won't mind him stopping in so I can buy him a congratulatory drink when he does get it done."
Hermione smiled. "Not at all. I'm glad Severus has such good friends. In fact, it's as his friend that I need to speak to you. Severus had told me about…well his potions he has you holding for him."
Laura's smile faded as she mentally cursed. "Potions?" She knew for sure it was useless to lie, but she didn't know how much the woman in front of her knew yet.
Hermione nodded. "Yes. You know. The potions he had…well your girls take to look like me for so many years. I think it was since…well since I was his student." Again Hermione was guess on the time frame.
When Laura didn't argue, Hermione went on. "Well you see, after he told me of the potions, I was very angry. As you can well imagine. But after he explained it all to me…well we got passed it all."
Laura sighed in relief. Thank Merlin Severus explained about it before she found out some other way. "So what do you need from me dear?"
Hermione allowed another blush to touch her cheeks. "Well, you see…I'm afraid of them getting out by accident. You can imagine the horror of some…well pervert getting off to my body by mistake. I asked Severus to come get them…but he has been so tied up with his potion that he hasn't hardly had time to eat or sleep. I have to almost force the man to take a break and get some rest."
Laura smiled. She knew Severus was a very focused man when he wanted to be. "I'm sure it didn't take much forcing on your part dear. The man is crazy about you."
Hermione smiled, biting her lip to keep from showing her anger. "I know. I guess what I meant was just that he's super busy right now. So I came here to pick up the potions for him. I'd really hate for them to get out. Or for some one to tell the Daily Profit about them. Can you imagine the letters we'd all get over that?"
Laura frowned. She had worried about that for years in fact. "So you're just here to take the last two potions?"
Hermione paused. Was Laura lying to her or was she testing her? "Two? He said it was six? Is he off on his count? A few didn't get misplaced did they?"
Laura smiled. Severus must have told her for sure. How else would she know the exact count of them? "Oh, you're right dear. It is six. What was I thinking? I'll just get them for you."
The woman stood and went to her cabinet she kept locked. She removed the charms Severus had taught her and pulled out the vials. She handed them to Hermione who she saw swallow nervously before taking them.
She waved her wand and placed a shrinking spell along with an unbreakable spell on them so they didn't get crushed in her pocket. She sighed, forcing the anger and sadness away for now.
"Thanks. I was afraid even shrunk they wouldn't fit in my pocket." Hermione said when she saw Laura watching her face curiously.
Laura nodded as she took in the girls face in front of her. That made sense considering how tight the shorts were that the girl was wearing. "Please don't hesitate to stop by again. I know it's a bit odd to come here, but I really do think you are great for Severus. You seem nice and from what I remember reading about you, you're a great person. Severus needs a great person by his side. If it would make you feel better, I'd be happy to meet you somewhere a bit more…respectable." Laura said with a grin.
Hermione smiled. Laura was nice too, making Hermione feel a bit guilty for lying to her. "I'd like that. Maybe we can have tea or something one day soon."
The two women said their goodbyes and Hermione was back at her home again. The tears were spilling down her cheeks. How could he do this to her? A potion for a prostitute. It was horrible.
Hermione sank down beside her bed and cried.