Hey! I know, this is so late. I haven't been to bed before 5 AM in a week, and one day I just didn't sleep at all, THAT'S how busy I've been. One of my classes I literally have to do about 6+ hours of homework a day. It's exhausting.

Sorry for the short chapter, it's all I can put up right now, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. Also: This is a HxS fanfiction; Ronald can be as nasty as I want him to be. Plus, I see Ron as more desperate in this than malicious.

Reviews are GREATLY appreciated.


The next day, Hermione bounced around the school like she had gotten the best night of sleep in her life. Severus was exhausted just watching her. He also made sure to watch Weasley closely that day. He was brooding in the corner, and even Potter was off with Miss Weasley. The day went on as usual, and like every night, Weasley approached Hermione. Severus stood from his seat, ready to pounce. He watched the boy's face as he spoke quietly to Hermione. Suddenly, his eyes opened wide, in shock and then Hermione pushed past him and he stared after her. Relaxing, Severus took up his normal spot on the bench outside. Things were going extremely well, and Severus was not ready to reveal the relationship between him and Hermione. She would be forced into the spot light, which was something that he didn't want for her.

Severus saw a shadow move in the shadows, and his eyes immediately locked on the figure. Stepping forward, the small light coming from the Great Hall illuminated the figure's face. Ronald Weasley stepped forward, slightly nervous, but determined. Severus tensed his body in preparation. For a moment, the two sized one another up.

"Leave Hermione alone," Weasley said in a slightly quaking voice.

"I'm not bothering her," Severus replied smoothly.

"You know what I'm talking about," the boy snapped, glaring deeply. "I want you to leave her alone,"

"That's her choice, not mine. If she wants me around, I will stay,"

"Well, she chose me! In the Chamber of Secrets! She's mine!"

Severus stood slowly, making sure not to make any sudden movements. The boy took a step back, unsure of what to think of the man in black.

"Mr. Weasley, I'll have to disagree with you,"

And suddenly, the red-haired boy was standing in front of him, pure rage pouring off of him.

"Do not touch her again," he hissed viciously.

Severus snapped, not being able to control himself any longer. He shoved Weasley against the stone wall in the dark, pressing his arm against his throat. The boy choked slightly, digging his nails into Severus' sleeve.

"I'm going to make this very clear for you. Leave her alone. She values your friendship, and that is all. If I hear of you threatening to black mail her with your serious lack of judgment in the Chamber of Secrets again, I can promise you, you will regret it every second of the rest of your life. Do you understand me?"

The boy's eyes had gone wide. After staring him down for another moment, Severus released his hold on Weasley's neck. He coughed slightly and rubbed his neck. Severus knew the boy was shocked; he had expected to catch Severus off guard and potentially win the battle. Slowly Weasley backed away, sizing Severus up. Severus remained as still as a statue. Weasley had often evaded Severus with Potter's aid, but there was nothing to save him now, and a moment later, he quickly left the courtyard with his fists clenched at his side.

Severus was pleased to find that his speech had made some impact on the boy; he seemed to be bothering Hermione less than usual, which Severus was very happy about. Progress was being made, and things were falling back into place, that was until Hermione didn't show up to dinner one night.

Severus peered around the room, expecting the girl to be talking to Minerva or someone else, but he found nothing. Potter and Miss Weasley were alone, and Weasley was still brooding in a corner by himself. What could she possibly be doing? Suddenly a note was being handed to him by some bumbling idiot. Tearing the paper open, he was met by Hermione's scrawl. It was clear that she was in a hurry.

Severus,

I'm sorry I didn't tell you in person, but I can't waste any time trying to look for you. For the past month Remus has been attempting to locate my parents. It seems that they didn't stay put when they moved to Australia. The house they purchased was empty and no one knew where they had gone. Recently, Remus has found a lead, and he has asked me to accompany him, and I have to go. I don't know when I'll be back, but I'll try to write as much as possible to keep you updated.

Stay safe,

H

Severus reread the note several times. The only thing Severus was concerned about was Lupin's ability to keep her safe in Australia. What if his transformation fell while she was with him? What if they were alone and she got hurt? Out of all the people that could have looked for her parents. Severus folded the note and slipped it into his pocket before heading to the dungeons and settling in his chambers for the night.

Nearly two weeks passed, and he hadn't gotten a single note from her. He had half a mind to go after her and see what was going on. Another few days passed before any word came from her. An owl swooped into the Great Hall and landed in front of him. Pulling the note from its leg, Severus immediately recognized her writing.

Severus,

I'm sorry I haven't written, but its been busy around here. Remus and I follow leads nearly all day and night, and when we do get back to our rooms, we're exhausted. I barely have time to eat, let alone write. We're getting close; I can feel it, though I'm unsure of what to do when we do discover them. I have half a mind to let them stay there without their memories. I've been researching how to repair memories since I've been here, and it seems to be a tricky process that is not always promising, and may cause even more damage. I think that I've already done enough to them to last a life time. Oh, I have to go; Remus just returned from an errand and we have to pack up and move on. Hope to talk to you soon.

-H

Lifting his eyes from the parchment, Severus saw that many people were looking at him due to the fact that the large owl was still perched in front of him. He allowed the bird to eat his left over dinner roll before sweeping from the room and barricading himself in his room. Severus hadn't spoken more than a few words to anyone since Hermione left. He took a seat at his desk, and Crookshanks took his usual spot in Severus' lap. He pulled out a sheet of parchment and a quill, dipping the tip into ink and positioning his hand over the page. Severus mulled the thoughts over in his head, trying to find something to say in response to Hermione's letter. After nearly ten minutes and numerous blotches on the page, Severus gave up and turned in for the night.

As the days drifted by, Severus spent more and more time alone and on his own repairing things. Potter kept his distance, shooting Severus odd glances most of the time, and Weasley sent daggers in his direction. Minerva tried to talk to him, but Severus could see the toll the war had taken on her. The two often spoke to one another, not having anyone else around them.

The school was coming back together, and Minerva was sure that they would be able to open for the new school year. Severus was doubtful, but he kept his thoughts to himself; he could see that it was the only thing Minerva was looking forward to.

More and more time passed, Hermione didn't write, and Severus was working long hours to keep his mind busy. The days began to follow a schedule, which Severus liked. He relished order. It had been a long time since his life had any order, and he was starting to feel more comfortable now that things began to repeat themselves every day. What Severus didn't like was awaking to insistent knocking on his door in the early morning. Groaning aloud, Severus climbed from bed, muttering about the cold stone against his feet. Finally reaching the door, he swung the portrait open, ready to yell. That was until he saw Minerva's disheveled hair and panic stricken face. She pushed through into his room and shut the door. Before he could ask her what was wrong, she was shoving the morning paper into his hand.

"Someone talked," she mumbled.