Story: Me Characters: JK During a holiday break Severus finds out where Hermione's been staying. George decides to help Hermione by giving away her secret.

When the Easter holidays arrived Severus couldn't have been happier. He needed to get away from the school even if it was only for a few days, everything reminded him of her. He apparated to Diagon Alley and took a room at the Leaky Cauldron. Thee were some supplies he needed to pick up and he wouldn't mind looking for a new book or two. With that thought in mind he made his way through the crowded streets and into the bookshop.

He was about to enter the potions section when a very familiar laugh met his ears. Peeking around the shelves he saw her. She was even more beautiful since the last time he'd seen her. From the side he could tell she was pregnant, and he marveled at it. His heart clenched when the man she was with wrapped his arm around her; that should be me, he thought. He followed the arm up from the hand to look upon the face of this stranger. A Weasley of course. This Weasley was missing an ear which would make him George Weasley. For a moment he was glad he had injured him all those years ago, but that spiteful gladness instantly turned to regret. What happened to George was one more reason he didn't deserve Hermione.

Quietly he left the shop. Now that he'd found her it would be a perfect time to talk to her, if only he could catch her on her own. He waited across the street for them to emerge. He was steadfast in his plan; he would not leave Diagon Alley until he had spoken with her.

Hermione was glad that George had convinced her to go out to the shops today, she was having a good time, which was quite the change from the previous few months. George was being a persistent pest but at least his presence had kept the gawkers from getting too close. She expected the Prophet to be full of it in the morning; "One Third of Golden Trio in Love Child Shocker". She wondered if anyone would even think of the child being Severus'. At the thought of him she frowned and became quiet. She missed him so much.

"Ah, come on Hermione, if you're that interested in the book just buy it then."

"What? Oh sorry George, a million miles away there."

"Obviously. Not thinking about that greasy git again are you?"

"George!" She hit his arm.

"Alright! Why don't you just write him back then?"

"I'm not going to talk about this again George!" They had talked about it enough. She wasn't going to put her trust in a man who'd already broken her heart, no matter how much she might still care for him.

"Look how 'bout we do the rest of our shopping then you can go to your appointment and afterwards you can spend as much time as you want in the bookstore?"

"Oh alright." She followed him out of the store and into the street, "but this doesn't include a stop at Quality Quidditch."

"Fine, slave driver."

"Buffoon."

"Know-it-all!"
"Laze-about!" They laughed but George noticed that her apparent good mood didn't stretch to her eyes. He wished he could bring her back to how she used to be, but he knew there was only one man who could; the one man he was currently forbidden to speak about.

Snape followed them from the bookstore to the apothecary to the pet store. Finally he saw them stop in the street. After a few words, that Severus couldn't hear, they split up, George moving toward the Leaky Cauldron and Hermione, most importantly on her own, to the apparition point. He tried to follow after her but the crowd was too thick and soon she was gone.

Unable to wait any longer he made his way to the tavern; George was going to tell him where she was. He spotted the ginger at the bar immediately but was surprised when he spoke first. "Hello Snape, been wonderin' when I'd get the pleasure of your company."

"Where has Hermione gone?"

"Sit down, have a drink. She'll be back in an hour or so." He waved Tom over and ordered another beer. "Why've you been following us all day?"

"I didn't know you'd seen me."

"Your spyin' skills must be gettin' rusty." He took a sip, "I didn't tell her; didn't want to upset her."

"I was hoping to talk to her alone. She doesn't respond to any of my letters."

"I know. Everytime she gets one it's a bad day." Snape had the good sense to look apologetic. "She won't talk about you. She won't move on, or date anyone else. She says she's fine, but sometimes at night she dreams about you."

"I didn't know."

"Now way you would." He took a long drink then turned to look at Severus. He was not the same man that had frightened him as a student. No, this man was sad, broken, just like someone else he knew. He'd see if he could spark a reaction from this man, "Not that I haven't tried. She's a pretty attractive bird, even sprogged up."

It took a strength of will Severus didn't know he had to keep from knocking the remaining Weasley twin out. "So you and her…" He couldn't even finish the thought.

George laughed, pleased that he'd gotten a reaction. "No. She's too hung up on you to see all that she's missing. I mean hello, war hero!" He laughed again and pointed to his missing ear.

"Oh."

George made his decision; he was going to help Hermione whether she wanted it or not. "She's gone to see her doctor. You could wait here for her, but I could give you the address." He waved a muggle business card at Severus, "if you promise not to start another argument with her."

Severus arched an eyebrow; he could still be imposing if he wanted to be. "Mr. Weasley—"

"Alright, here, take it."

"Thank you." He stared at the card. "Why?" It was a question he was beginning to ask over and over again since Hermione had come into his life.

"Harry and me, we saw you two on Christmas and Harry said that you were in love. I was glad for both of you. True love is the noblest cause of all, I read that somewhere." He looked down at his beer, trying to find the right words for what he wanted to say next. "She's very important to me. Just remember, you hurt her again and I'll take off something a lot more important than an ear," he pointed to his missing ear again.

Severus looked shocked at such a serious and thoroughly meant statement but nodded. "I understand." Severus knew that this was his last chance. If he screwed this up he'd have more than George Weasley to answer to. They each stood in silence knowing that Severus had to make a choice. Finally he tossed a few sickles on the bar and strode out.