A/N: Wow a lot of hate for Hermione... guess i did something right! Some expressed that Harry forgave easily but I think that is a central theme for his character. Also, I believe forgiveness is different from trust... Harry understands Hermione's thought and since she accepted she was wrong, he, being the wonderful guy he is, won't sneer at her for it- though how comfortable they will be around the girl is anyone's guess.

Someone pointed out Fred was alive at christmas... well oh damn... didn't realize honest. I believe I like the prankster alive... a small update fixed the problem... Thank you blj.14

Lastly, Warnings: This chapter may contain what some consider intense... after all Ron's Veela side has to act up. -shrugs-

Severus' portkey took them to his home in Spinner's end. It wasn't much of a property really and it held no pleasant memories for him but it was the only home he had ever known and so had kept it. It was at best run down. Severus did not have a house elf to keep it in good shape. In addition he spent ten months or more at Hogwarts and rarely visited his home but it was still his safe haven to which he could run to and hide. Once his position as a spy became precarious, Severus had created an emergency portkey to his bedroom where he kept the most essential of potions stocked. It was here that the potions master decided to go when he knew he had to help Ron.

He searched through his potions stock and fished out two vials each of pain relief, general healing potion (his ingenious creation out of necessity) and blood replenishing potion. He quickly swallowed one each and forced the remaining down Ron's throat, massaging the throat to help him swallow. He knew the potions would heal any internal damage and eradicate pain. He sat on the floor by the bed and waited for them to work.

Soon, he felt strength return to his limbs and pain vanishing and managed to stand up and flex his muscles. He looked at Ron who was still unconscious with a pain in his chest where his heart ought to be. He really was too stubborn. What was he hoping to accomplish? Ron had almost… no, the thought in itself was painful and he would not think of it. He observed the teen and wondered what else he had to do when he saw Harry's patronus leaping into his room.

Of course they were worried. Severus sighed and waited for the message. The stag spoke calmly in Harry's voice.

"Severus, are you two alright? Don't neglect your health. I'm sure you have potions to help. Remember, Ron needs you right now. We'll see you soon. Contact us if you need anything."

Severus sighed and sent his own patronus which surprisingly turned into a phoenix. Of course. He had thought of Ron as a phoenix before- no wonder. Did he love the brat so much that even his patronus changed? He chuckled at the thought and returned a message to Harry. Draco would know what he meant.

He replayed the message in his mind, drawing comfort from the worried tone Harry had used. 'Ron needs you right now' What did that mean? Suddenly, it clicked. What had Harry done when Draco was under a love potion? He glanced at Ron and considered it. He shook his head. No, he couldn't violate Ron while he slept… but what if that's what he needed to recover? Maybe he didn't have to go all the way… just skin contact? It was worth a try.

Severus stripped apprehensively and watched Ron breathing heavily a moment. With a sigh he removed Ron's clothing slowly, gently and slipped in beside him on the bed. He caressed the beloved face and wished he could see those beautiful eyes. Suddenly overcome with emotion, he kissed Ron's cheek. Propping himself up slightly he kissed every inch of Ron's face ending at his lips. He looked up to see Ron's face scrunched up in pain- at least that was a response. He called out his name in hope he'd wake up but no such luck appeared.

He kissed those unresponsive lips fiercely, his eyes filling up with frustrated tears. He touched and kissed hoping for anything- any movement or a response. He moved to Ron's neck gently sucking the pale flesh and was rewarded by a small groan. Heartened by the response he continued to worship his love, capturing his sensitive nipple and concentrating on giving as much pleasure as he could- it was slightly hard to ignore the fact that the said lover was laying unresponsive beneath him.

Soon, Severus found himself straddling Ron's hips and begging Ron to wake. Desperate he enveloped Ron's length in his mouth. For a few painful moments there was nothing then a loud moan escaped Ron's lips. Severus looked up to see a pair of lovely blue eyes looking down at him. He sighed in relief and stretched up to kiss Ron's lips. He whispered the beloved name over and over again, interspersed with many butterfly kisses.

"Se…ve…rus?" Ron croaked, voice hoarse with earlier shouting.

"It's me. I'm so sorry." Severus sobbed, burying his face in Ron's neck. "I was wrong… so wrong. Forgive me, please. I love you." The last was said with a lot of emotion and Severus' voice broke.

"Sev…" Ron whispered and his hands came up to thread through his hair.

"Love you. My Ron. Love you so much. Sorry." Severus was nearly incoherent.

"Sev." This time it was more of a growl.

Startled Severus raised his head to look at Ron's face. What he saw were burning blue eyes glowing so bright that it was unbelievable. It was a scary sight especially with the determined, half crazed look that overcame Ron. Before Severus could ask what was wrong, he was rolled over with Ron towering over him.

"Severus." A low rumbling voice that was hard to associate with Ron filled Severus' senses. It was a frightening, feral voice making the potions master shiver.

"Ron?" Severus whispered uncertainly.

"Hmm." A slow predatory smile spread across Ron's face and before Severus could react their lips were smashed together.

Ron's tongue demanded entrance. Despite the cold fear that gripped him, Severus allowed it. The kiss was rough, so unlike Ron but still so familiar. It both soothed him and aroused him, scared him and elated him. He moaned into the kiss wanting more but Ron pulled away. Severus didn't have time to protest as Ron latched onto his neck, kissing and sucking it mercilessly. He didn't mind and instead of pushing Ron away he moved to allow better access and held Ron's head closer.

He wondered if it was a wrong move because in the next instant Ron bit down hard drawing blood. He licked the blood off him almost greedily and kissed the spot to soothe it. Severus' first instinct was to run but he was soon reminded that this was Ron, not a rabid beast. Ron wouldn't truly hurt him. Severus' mind ran at high speeds and he finally concluded that he could and would trust Ron. He pulled Ron from his neck to fiercely kiss the teen, conveying his mixed up feelings.

Ron tore himself away making his way down with lips, tongue and teeth. Severus found himself bit quite a few times and each spot throbbed pleasantly. He just hoped Ron didn't decide to treat his manhood that way but the thought did arouse him more. As Ron's mouth worked around the length, Severus felt his long fingers entering him. It felt right to have them there and Severus couldn't help but buck.

Ron released him and looked at his face, tilting his head to the side like a bird. Severus smiled and held out his hands, inviting him into them. Ron's eyes sparkled in happiness and he promptly came and purred as Severus' hands surrounded him. They kissed then, softly, lovingly and Ron slid inside him. They stayed like that for a priceless moment before Ron started to move.

Severus did not know what to think. Ron had never been so rough with him before. He was always gentle and every touch spoke of his love for him. This, though, was different. It was rough, needy, and frantic but through it all Severus felt his love. He rather liked it and the thought terrified him. However, Severus didn't care because Ron was in his arms and that's all that mattered. His mind was filled with Ron as they both climaxed. Though, Severus did think hazily that this was hardly the end of their love making and he was absolutely right.

"Ron… I need to use the loo." Severus tried in vain to get out of Ron's embrace. "Just one minute. I'll be back immediately, I promise." Ron just shook his head. "Don't you need to relieve yourself as well?" Severus asked hoping the young man would concede.

"Okay." Ron finally said but to Severus' surprise, he was lifted into Ron's arms as the red-head marched to the bathroom.

"Um? Ronald? Love? What are you doing?"

"Taking you to the loo." Ron answered without blinking.

"I hope you are going to let me down at the door." Ron growled.

"No."

"Huh?"

"I'm not letting you out of my sight."

Severus rubbed his face in exasperation. Every since they woke up Ron was clinging to him as if afraid to lose him. He supposed it made sense. Ron had almost lost him. However, it was bit ridiculous to follow into the bathroom! Severus couldn't see how to get out of it and resigned himself to an embarrassing situation.

Ron's eyes never left his face even as he was relieving himself. Merlin, Morgana and Salazar… this was embarrassing. The teen though seemed to like his increasing blush. Severus chose not to comment- it would just make matters worse. Ron, to Severus' ire, didn't seem too concerned at the exposure. Damn Veela genes.

Severus took the time inspect himself in the mirror and cringed at his multicolored skin. Ron had bit and sucked one too many times and his chest looked like it came out of battle! What was the Veela thinking? Severus grumbled and waited for Ron to finish. He was still quite tired and wanted to get back to bed. First, he needed to heal the marks before they purpled.

Ron followed like a puppy after Severus and the older man was having patience issues due to it. he knew it was probably because of the unstable bond. Until Ron could trust him again, he was going to be like this. Knowledge that it was all his own fault made him refrain from lashing out.

"No!" Ron snatched his wand away and Severus rounded on him.

"Give me my wand. Ronald. I want to heal myself."

"No…" Ron whimpered and bit down on the area he had just healed. The wand was thrown to the far end of the room and Ron sucked fiercely on the patch of skin.

"Ron! Stop! It hurts!" Severus struggled. He let out a few choice curses but stopped as he saw the distressed Veela. His blue eyes were filled with unshed tears and his posture was that of a scared unsure child. Severus sighed.

"Ron… what are you trying to do? You're not a bloody dog to keep biting!" Ron whimpered. "Ugh, I get it. you don't want me to heal them?" Ron nodded. "Why not?" Ron blushed. "Ronald?"

"Mine." He said as he buried his head into Severus' neck and wrapped his arms tightly around him.

"Yours… Ronald… are you by any chance marking me… or something?" Severus asked stroking Ron's hair slowly. Ronald nodded into his neck and Severus sighed- so that was what it was all about. "Alright, I understand but could you not bite so hard? It hurts."

"Sorry." Ron mumbled.

"It's alright. I'm sorry too for making you so insecure." Severus whispered and hugged the tall teen close to him.

"I'm acting like a child." Ron sighed.

"Well… if you just use words instead of simply acting out…" Severus suggested.

"We need to talk."

"We do but we need food, sleep and more importantly shower first."

Ron nodded and they went to find canned food to consume. Later they fell asleep in the couch completely naked and in an awkward position. It wasn't until that evening that they felt somewhat refreshed. Ron's insecurity made them both take a shower together in the cramped shower. If it led to other activities, it was perhaps only expected. Once dressed in Severus' casual robes, they settled down with some tea to talk.

"Are you feeling better now, Ron?"

"A little…"

"What is it?"

"I can't feel your emotions… it scares me…" Ron snuggled closer.

"It doesn't have to. Tell me, what do you think I'm feeling?"

"Right now?" Severus nodded. "Um… content, a bit sad, repentant, nostalgic…"

"See? You already know me well enough to guess. Even without that particular power… you understand me well my love." Ron's eyes watered. "What is wrong?" Severus asked softly.

"You said… you said you didn't love me!" Ron whimpered.

"I lied." Severus admitted sadly. "How could I not love you? When you love me so much? When you're so perfect?"

"Then why'd you say it?" Ron demanded, clutching Severus' robes.

"Because… I thought you'd be better off without me. I wanted to protect you. I thought… you'd be happier without someone like me."

"You were wrong."

"I was terribly wrong. Would you forgive me?"

"I don't know." Ron said quietly. On one hand he loved Severus so much but on the other hand he was feeling so hurt over the last few days.

"I'll wait however long it takes… I'll do whatever you want. Salazar, I'd eve wear pink for you!" Ron chuckled. "I'll do everything to repent, can you try to let it go? I don't want to lose you… that ritual made me realize it so clearly. I can't live without you anymore, Ronald Weasley."

"Nonsense, I'm the one who can't live without you. Quite literally in fact."

"I love you."

"Yeah."

"What will make you forgive me?"

"Something big." Ron decided. He wondered what he could make Severus do. He panicked when the man got up and went to the bookshelf. It took all Ron's strength to remain seated- he still wanted to keep hold of Sev. The bookshelf shifted around to reveal a safe from which Severus took out something.

"I hope this is big enough." Severus smiled and pulled Ron to his feet. "Ronald, I truly irreversibly love you. I was going to wait another year before, then I wanted to give it up entirely, now… I just don't want to wait and lose you again." Ron looked at him quizzically. "What I'm trying to say is… well… will you do me the honour of marrying me?"

Ron blinked once, twice and gaped. Severus smiled slightly and opened the box revealing an old piece of jewellery.

"Wha… why?"

"I would have… before the attack, I planned on asking on your graduation day."

"Really?"

"Absolutely."

"Then you went crazy."

"I did. Now, I've come to my senses and I don't think I want to wait."

"You're sure?"

"I wouldn't offer if I wasn't."

"The ring is old."

"I'm not getting you a new one."

"I wasn't asking you to!"

"It's Prince betrothal ring."

"What?"

"I happen to be Lord Prince of the ancient and noble house of Prince. Say yes Ronald, so I can slip this on."

"Oh… right… um… ask me again?"

"Will you marry me, Ronald Weasley?"

"Yes! Merlin yes! Yes!" Ron jumped up and down in glee and hugged Severus to death before shyly offering his left hand.

"It looks good on you."

"Too bad you threw away mine." Ron commented sadly.

"Are you referring to this?" Severus smirked and removed the glamour on the ring he never took off since Valentines. "How could I dismiss your love and your wishes?"

"You didn't throw it away…" Ron said in awe and stared at Severus' hand.

"Never even took it off."

"Blimey, I think I'm deliriously happy." Ron beamed and initiated a long deep kiss.

"Ahem. You two should really lock the door." The new voice made the newly engaged couple to whip their wands out in a second, still in each other's arms. "Well that's an interesting dueling stance."

A/N: Well? How was it? I had to leave an evil cliffhanger :P How will Hermone change... or will she? Will Ron ever feel safe enough to let Severus go an inch away from him? What about Draco's little problem? And Deatheater attacks... wonder what the next chapter will bring... Any guesses? :D