Hermione and Ginny have been at 12 Grimmauld Place for a few days now. Hermione has claimed the library as her own space. With a few magical modifications, the attached closet becomes a serviceable bedroom. Ginny and the boys encourage her to take one of the bigger bedrooms upstairs, but she knows she won't be here long.
Upon arrival at Grimmauld place, Hermione had immediately settled into the library to "unpack." She cast every privacy spell she knew, sat down on her favorite chaise, and tore open Snape's letter.
Now, days later, she has read the letter dozens of times. She reads it before she goes to sleep at night, and first thing in the morning when she opens her eyes. The only thing preventing her from carrying it around with her is the thought of getting caught with it.
She knows she has to talk to them, though, Ginny and Harry and Ron. Ginny and Harry have been quite occupied with each other, and Ron has been avoiding her. From what Hermione has been able to piece together from Harry and Ginny, Ron has become quite the ladies man, has several girlfriends, and thinks Hermione expects them to get back together. Thus, the ignoring. It takes all of Hermione's self control not to laugh out loud when they tell her this.
So, on the third night since her and Ginny's arrival, Hermione prepares a family meal for the four of them to get them together. She doesn't want to have to tell this story more than once. She also brings out a bottle of old whiskey she found tucked away in the library.
At the end of the meal, when they are all full and warm and happy, Hermione pours them big glasses of whiskey and produces an enchanted parchment.
"This," she says to them without preamble, "Is a magical contract that will prevent you from discussing what I am about to tell you with anyone but eachother. You will need to sign it if you want to hear what's been going on with me for two reasons. The first is that part of the story contains events that have actually been classified by the Ministry and I could do up to ten years in Azkaban for telling you about it. But more importantly a lot of it has to do with my personal life and I want it kept absolutely fuckng private. So- do you agree?"
They all look a little stunned, but, eventually, they sign the parchment. Harry is the first to volunteer, naturally. After him, the two Weasleys follow suit.
Hermione then takes a big gulp of whiskey and proceeds to tell them the whole story. She leaves out the part where she and Snape basically fall for eachother, but she doesn't downplay the personal nature of their relationship, the way he has been managing every aspect of her life, the way he has been kind and generous. She even describes to a slightly revolted Ron, dumbfounded Harry, and fascinated Ginny how he wiped the tears from her face with his own hands. When she gets to the part where Snape takes the killing curse for her, and what happened after that, they are stunned into absolute silence.
"So," she says, "Snape is coming here at the end of July to deliver my NEWTs. I don't know how long he will stay, or if he will even try to socialize with you guys- but he is important to me. My relationship with him is very personal. Please, I am begging you guys. Respect my privacy, and be kind to Snape. We shouldn't be in the country too long after July. I am going to study at the University in Venice, and he should be accompanying me. So you won't have to put up with him for long. Promise me you'll be respectful?"
"Yes," says Harry.
"I will if he is," says Ron.
"Fair enough," says Hermione.
They all look at Ginny.
"If he makes you sad I'll hex him again," she says.
Hermione lets out a huge sigh and sags into her seat, gulping at her whiskey. "Thanks guys."
"Wait," says Ron, "By personal, do you mean, you know, personal?"
"Personal means none of your fucking buisness, Ronald. But you can stop avoiding me already. I don't care how many girls you're shagging."
"Wow, okay," says Ron, and miraculously shuts his mouth.
A/N Wow you guys I didn't think it would take so long to bring these two together, but here we are a last. Thank you for staying with me and indulging my need to bring them together on their own terms. Severus and Hermione will be reunited in the next chapter!