Last time:

"Personally, I would be perfectly happy if she never spoke to you again, unfortunately, for whatever reason, she still cares for you and I love her enough to make you see what you refused to."

"You L-love her?"

"Of course I do, now go before I change my mind and wipe your memory."

Now:

Ron ran through the halls, searching for any signs of curly brown hair or people parting in the halls as she passed. He wanted to kick those people who alienated her for her role in Voldemort's defeat, but soon realized he treated her just as bad, if not worse. The memories had opened his eyes, forcing him to see the truth behind her words and as he watched Voldemort beat her, he felt his heart break. Hermione was the one that kept them out of trouble and kept them alive through school and knowing he turned his back on her when she needed her friends the most made him want to throw up, she had made the ultimate sacrifice. Her body now held two marks from her time with Voldemort and he could only assume she had a few scar to go along with them, not to mention what she was battling on the emotional level. What puzzled him the most was what Lucius and Severus had said about her having been through worse, what the hell could be worse then what he watched?

He ran frantically, wanting to find her and set things straight before he lost her friendship forever. He finally spotted her walking through the grounds, heading towards the lake. He pushed passed a few people, running as fast as he could to catch up with her.

"Hermione" he called loudly, hoping for her to hear him and slow down. She turned to see a blur of red heir running towards her and stopped. Thanking the gods she had heard him, he picked up his pace.

"Hermione" he panted as he reached her, "I need to..." he didn't finish his sentence as he rushed forward, pulling her into a crushing hug.

"I'm an Idiot, I'm so sorry Hermione." he sobbed, crying into her hair. Hermione was confused as his sudden apology but decided to just allow him to continue.

"I wish I could have told you Ron, but it wasn't safe and I didn't want you to get hurt." she said softly, rubbing his back. He didn't reply immediately but when his sobbing came under control, he pulled back and looked at her.

"I want to know everything Hermione, Voldemorts gone now so I want to know how everything happened."

Hermione sighed and nodded, "lets get comfortable by the lake, this is going to take a few minutes"

Ron followed her, joining her as she found a shady spot.

"Are you sure Ron? Are you sure you want to know everything?" she asked, wanting to be absolutely sure.

"I need to know Hermione." he answered simply.

"I'll tell you but its not pretty." she warned. "Last summer, Voldemort had tracked my family and I was warned he would be coming to 'take care of us'. I found Lucius a few days later and asked him to bring me to Voldemort. When I was brought to him, I made him a deal, I would spy on Harry and do his bidding in exchange for protection for my family. Voldemort agreed and instantly marked me, making sure I wasn't trying to trick him. The first week I was in his service, he tested my loyalty many times, he knew I still loved Harry, but assumed I would do as he asked if I wanted to live and keep my parents alive at the same time."

Hermione paused, looking for a reaction. When he urged her to continue, she took a deep breath knowing the next part would be hard for him.

"The first week, I watched him torture muggles, I, myself was beaten, but not bad, and to further prove myself, He... he forced me to sleep with him. I was essentially his whore for almost a week before he started to trust me."

Ron sucked in a deep breath and looked to the ground, shaking his head.

"He didn't damage you did he?" Ron asked quietly.

"No, Ron, he didn't. He turned himself into Tom instead of Voldemort and was surprisingly gentle the first time. I assume he didn't want to kill or hurt me to much before I could spy for him."

Ron nodded and again, urged her to continue.

"The next few months, I did little missions for him. I met with people, collected information for him, purchased things for him, such as ingredients for things he or Severus were working on. I was also kept a secret, I was never allowed to speak in the presence of other death eaters or allowed to removed my mask. Voldemort somehow managed a connection with me, allowing him to speak with me without anyone over hearing.

One night, I was called to a meeting. The other death eaters had taken notice of me, but didn't ask questions, I guess they figured I was a new drone and not worthy. That night, I was unable to give Voldemort any information on Harry and it angered him. He dismissed the others, but requested I stay behind. I was hit with a few well placed curses, almost killing me. Voldemort sent me back to Hogwarts even though I was passed out and almost dead. Apparently Severus suspected something was up because he stayed a little longer then the others and I believe he waited to see if a student was going to come back dead. I don't remember what happened, but I know I woke up in Severus's bed, still extremely sore. After I explained some of the things to Severus, he insisted I tell Dumbledore, Thats why I ended up moving to the dungeons with him, to be able to go when I was called without risking being caught."

Hermione stopped, needing a minute of quiet before continuing. Ron place his hand on her knee, attempting to give her some comfort.

"I was called a few days later and sent on another mission. I can only assume now that it was a test, as the file I copied revealed nothing of use for the order. That night, he made me a member of his inner circle."

"Is that why you cringed when Harry hugged you?" Ron asked.

"Yes, I was still sore." she replied, rolling her shoulder blades as if remembering the pain. "Anyways, when I returned back to the school that night, Severus informed me that he, along with Lucius were the other two members of the inner circle. We were called again a few days later to meet for the first time, considering Voldemort still had no idea that Severus and Dumbledore already knew about me. That night, Voldemort used me to convince Draco into joining and when he agreed, he was also included into the inner circle, I'm assuming because of his father and that he already knew about the inner circle. More time passes and eventually the four of us were called and were told we needed to be close, we needed to learn each other and work together as his most trusted. I was ordered to...sleep with them, all of them, and I believe thats where Voldemort made his mistake. We all grew closer and came to respect each other. I believe that is why they three of them are so protective of me now."

"You had to sleep with both Malfoys and Snape?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"Well, sorta, I was already sleeping with Severus." she answered shyly

"Trust me, I know" he laughed, remembering the bathroom incident.

"You did?" she asked confused.

"Yes, but thats not important." he replied, not wanting to relive that particular memory. "So was the final beating Voldemort gave you the reason Harry, Draco, Lucius and Severus teamed up to get rid of Voldemort?"

"How did you know about that?"

"Lets get say I was forced to realize what you had been through."

"Oh, okaaaaaay." she replied, still slightly confused. "I think that is what triggered it, but I didn't know the four of them were planning anything, I actually didn't know anything until Harry made an appearance where Voldemort had called us."

"And you jumped in front of an Avada sent for him?"

"Of course, I couldn't let him die because of me, I would have done the same for you if it was you in Harrys position as well."

Ron pulled her into another hug, thankful that she had survived everything and thankful that Severus and Lucius cared enough for her to make him realize he was being an ass.

"I'll never doubt you again" he whispered, refusing to release his grip on her.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

A few hours later, Hermione made her way back down to the dungeons. Anxious to spend a little time with Severus. When she walked into the room, she found Severus sitting on the couch, looking into a dimly lit fire.

"Was it you that made Ron realize?" she asked, walking up behind him.

"Lucius and myself" he laughed, "So I assume the prat found you?"

"Yes he did and he apologized." she replied, crawling into his lap, straddling his legs. "Thank you" she whispered, lowering her mouth to his.

"Were finally alone." he whispered, hoping she would take the hint.

"I can see that and what do you want to do Mr. Snape" she smirked with a naughty raise of the eyebrow.

"You" was all he replied, standing up with her still wrapped around his waist and making his way to the bedroom.

A/N: Next chappy will be some Severus/ Hermione action and a little surprise for Hermione...no she's not getting pregnant...sorry. Lol.