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The Secret Life of Professor Snape
Rest
Ron and Hermione stared blankly into the fire place while letting Faustine's advise sink in. Ron asked himself, "What would Harry want me to do?" He knew the answer to that of course, he'd know it since third year. Harry would want him to share his feelings and life with Hermione. To protect her, to appreciate her, to love her... Ron's face became wistful, remembering all the times that Harry pushed him to speak to her. Remembering their first ride to Hogwarts, meeting Hermione, playing chess, fighting with Malfoy, playing Quiditch, Christmases at the Burrow... Harry's death. Ron's delight sank as he remembered his mate's death, but he immediately shook that image from his mind. Refusing to rehash the pain in his grief.
Ron's anguish was visible on his face and Severus turned to his wife with worry. "Is he alright?" he asked her. She frowned and walked over to Ron, putting a soft hand on his shoulder. Ron stood up with hyper vigilance at her touch and shuddered. This drew Hermione from her trance and she stood and threw her arms around Ron, comfortingly. Ron's face relaxed and he sunk into his friend's embrace. He was amazed at how safe he felt in her arms.
Snape stood, his eyes filled with concern over the withdrawn teenagers. "Ron, Hermione why don't you two turn in? It's mid morning, but you aren't going anywhere and you are free to sleep the day away." Ron and Hermione both jumped at the sound of Severus' voice as they were used to him barking orders or making snide comments. His anxiety was unexpected and made them nervous.
Faustine sensed their unease and guided them out of the living room, past the kitchen, a library, an office, a loo, and two bedrooms to a third bedroom. She opened the door to reveal a pale blue room. Ron and Hermione entered the room to find that the farthest wall had two windows and a bed. The wall to the left was bewitched to look like the pond at Hogwarts and the wall to the right had a chest of drawers and a screen next to it. After looking around the room, they sat down on the bed and Severus appeared in the doorway with night clothes for them. He handed the items to his wife, gave the teenagers a brief nod and escaped down the hallway.
Faustine handed Ron a pair of green flannel pajama bottoms and a white tee shirt and then handed Hermione a white night dress. She smiled as they inspected the items meekly. "I'm sorry that we have nothing better for you to sleep in, but these will have to do until we can get your things from school." She sighed, "If you prefer separate sleeping quarters, the sofa turns into a bed. There are blankets and pillows in the closet in the living room." Ron and Hermione nodded gratefully, but anguish hid beneath the surface of their eyes and Faustine sobered. "If you need to talk, about anything, please find me or 'Rus. I know we are relative strangers, but we are here to help."
In the next minute, Severus again appeared in the doorway with two cups in his hands. He handed them to Ron and Hermione and said, "Drink these. They are sleeping potions that will allow you to rest." Both took the cups and drank them greedily, neither wanting to be conscious of the pain that they felt. The Snape's said, "Good night," and left the room, closing the door behind them.
The two rose and Hermione walked behind the screen to change out of her blood stained uniform. She pulled off the offending clothes and threw them onto the ground, tears escaping her eyes as flashes of the night before replayed in her mind. She then slipped into the cotton night gown and walked out from behind the screen to find Ron in the flannel pants. His bare chest had minor cuts and bruises that remained and he covered his chest self-consciously as Hermione stared. Ron tugged on the tee shirt, which was much too small and walked over to Hermione and wiped away a tear that had fallen to her cheek.
Hermione looked down to escape Ron's penetrating gaze and sniffed away the rest of her tears. "Should I go to the sofa?" Ron asked as she stepped away. Hermione's eyes shot up and she grabbed his hand, "No. Don't leave me. I... I just... I'm so tired, but I don't think I will be able to sleep if I am alone." Ron sighed and the two went over to the bed, pulling down the blankets and climbing inside. The room suddenly darkened and the ceiling turned into the night sky. "Wicked..." Ron mumbled as he stretched his body on the mattress. Hermione rolled onto her side and buried her face on Ron's chest. He wrapped his arm around her and the two settle down and fell into a deep dreamless sleep.
In the living room, Severus extinguished the fire in the hearth and then went into the kitchen. Faustine had made more tea and was levitating his cup to him in the doorway. He took the cup and smiled as he watched her whip up some eggs and bacon for breakfast and wash some dishes magically. Faustine sat at the table, wringing her hands with worry and Severus' smile disappeared. He sat at the table with concern written on his face. "I've never in my life experienced such grief," Faustine said with tears trickling down her face. Severus reached out and took her hand in his. "Albus, Minerva, the children and you... oh 'Rus, it's horrible," she trembled.
"I'm sorry love," Severus whispered. "I tried not to feel so acutely, but he was Lily's son." Faustine waved her free hand, "'Rus, you didn't mean to. None of you did. It's just that you felt so deeply for him. He was truly loved and now you are without him and you are feeling the loss. It is normal, I'm just not used to it." Severus closed his eyes trying to squelch his pain. Faustine stood and walked over to her husband, putting her hands on his shoulders. "Severus, it's okay," she soothed him as he broke down, crying. He pulled her into a bone crushing hug and held her, resting his head on her swollen stomach, as he sat and she stood, rocking and consoling him.
The rest of the day continued in a similar fashion. The two talked of Harry, Lily, and James jovially and somberly, until the conversation turned to Ron and Hermione. "How long do you think Albus will keep them here?" Faustine asked Severus curiously. Snape shrugged, "I have no idea. It depends on the raid and who was killed." Faustine gave her spouse a confused glance. "Hermione is muggle born and Ron's a pure blood. Hermione is a target for all of Voldemort's followers, but Ron is only in danger from the Malfoy's." Faustine wrinkled her nose, "The Malfoy's?" she asked, "Why do they hate him?" Severus sighed, "Draco and Ron are enemies, both vie for Hermione's attention. And well, Draco has been taught from birth to hate Harry—Ron's best mate. So, if the Malfoy's are dead, then Ron should be safe, but Hermione... she may be with us for a while."
Faustine and Severus stood in unison, "We should check the Daily Prophet!" Faustine shouted as her husband levitated the newspaper into the kitchen and began reading the headlines. The first headline was Dark Lord Dead, with a picture of the body of Voldemort lying on the floor at number 12 Grimmald Place. The story rehashed how the Boy-Who-Lived killed He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named by sacrificing himself for the lives of his friends. Mention was made of Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin, and Aurthor Weasley and his family. Harry's death was not noted, nor were Hermione and Ron. The story did indicate that Lucious Malfoy was alive and was now leading the Dark Lord's followers after escaping the authorities custody. The story ended with hope and a tribute to Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Saved-The-Wizarding-World. The Snape's were both emotional upon reading the story and had no doubt that Ron and Hermione would be spending some time under their care.