I own no part of Harry Potter.

Thanks for the great reviews—I continue because of them! Sorry in advance for the melodrama, but it is a must...

The Secret Life of Professor Snape

Tears

Ron was pulled out of his dreamless sleep by a dull wet pain in his chest. He opened his eyes and saw the dark night sky above him and realized that he was sleeping at Professor Snape's flat. Ron's repressed suffering suddenly emerged. He shuddered as he remembered the previous night and how Voldemort had cornered he and Hermione in the kitchen and used the Crucios Curse against them. He remembered the mind numbing pain coursing through his body and how he tried desperately to break free. He remembered looking at Hermione and thinking that they were going to die. He remembered Harry appearing and standing behind Voldemort and using Legilimency to enter and control the Dark Wizard's mind and actions. He remembered Harry's sacrifice to save Hermione and himself. He remembered Voldemort ending the curse and falling to the floor, blood dripping from his and Hermione's bodies. And then he remembered how once Harry entered the Dark One's mind the two wizard's powers destroyed one another. Both fell into comas, Voldemort dying almost instantly and Harry slowly dying on that table. Ron shuddered and hoped that Harry's death had not been painful.

Ron tried to roll over and escape his pain by letting sleep envelope him again, but he was trapped beneath Hermione's head that still rested on his chest. Ron glanced down and watched as small tears escaped her closed lids and slid down her cheeks to his tee shirt where a puddle had formed on his chest. Hermione was crying in her sleep. Ron watched her, powerless, knowing that the pain of the Crucios Curse was nothing to the heartache that he felt now. He felt lost, vulnerable, and empty. He failed Harry and now he would fail Hermione. The overwhelming guilt and sorrow built up in the back of Ron's throat and before he was able to control himself, he let out a choked sob.

Hermione jerked awake at Ron's movement. Listening to his heart beat had been comforting, but his cry was heart wrenching. She looked up to see her best friend's red rimed eyes and pained expression. She empathized with him. She and she alone knew how he felt. The three had been inseparable for six years and now she could feel the hole in herself where Harry had been. He was gone and she and Ron were alone and her heart ached for some consolation.

Ron tried to wipe away his tears, but they kept flowing steadily. He saw the look of recognition on Hermione's face and he became deeply embarrassed. She could see the flush rise in his cheeks and Hermione pulled away from Ron, sitting with her back against the headboard of the bed, giving him a moment to collect himself. When she was sure that he was less self conscious, she reached out and pulled Ron up to her, embracing him tightly, forcing his tears to flow harder. They soaked her cotton gown and neck as they rapidly fell from his eyes. Hermione rocked and held him as she shed quiet tears for her beloved friend. The two sat in the bed and cried uncontrollably, neither caring about putting on a brave face or being strong. They held each other and began to let themselves feel the loneliness and despair within their hearts.

Hours passed and the teenagers continued hold one another, taking turns crying and talking about Harry and his death. It was well after six o'clock in the evening when a knock was heard outside the bedroom door. Ron jumped and wiped the tears from his face as Hermione reached out to him, clinging to his arm, fearful that he'd abandon her.

Faustine opened the bedroom door smoothly, holding a tray of sandwiches and tea. "Guys, I don't mean to disturb you, but I thought you'd want something to eat. It's quarter to seven and I thought you'd be hungry." Ron's stomach responded by loudly gurgling, but he looked away from the food. He was too tired to eat. Hermione put on a stoic face and tried to smile, thanking Faustine when she sat the tray on the dresser and left the room.

Ron moved away from Hermione, staring out the window of the fourth floor flat. He looked down at the busy muggle streets, watching people and cars drive by. Hermione crawled over to Ron and held his hand. Ron looked over at her shyly, humiliated by his earlier display of emotions. Hermione looked at Ron's increasingly reddish complexion and misinterpreted his reaction.

She dropped his hand and moved away, apologizing. "I'm sorry... I just... I feel so much safer when I'm near you."

Ron wearily smiled and moved toward Hermione effertlessly. "Hey, none of that. I feel better with you too. I just... I'm sorry that I cried. I should have been stronger, I should have supported you."

Hermione looked up at Ron with fierce determination and agitation. "Ronald Weasley! You are allowed to feel sad and cry. Don't you dare shut me out or put on a brave face for me. We're in this together."

Ron wrapped his arms around his petite friend and held her tightly. Hermione relaxed against Ron's chest and sighed slightly and then winced. Ron noticed the catch in her breath, "What's wrong 'Mione?"

Hermione cringed, "It's my ribs, they hurt. I think I might have bruised them."

Ron released Hermione and stood facing her. "Oh God! I'm so sorry. Here," he said pulling at her nightgown, "let me see." Hermione's eyes widened in shock and Ron clapped his hand to his forehead. "Oh God! Sorry!" he shouted, closing his eyes and backing away from the bed. The night sky immediately disappeared and the room lit up as Ron walked across the room.

An awkward silence followed as Hermione hid her smile, but she was unable to repress a small chuckle. Ron looked at her indignantly. She stood, "Maybe I should have Professor or Mrs. Snape look at them..."

Ron took her hand, "Can I come?" he asked softly, like he was afraid that she would leave him.

Hermione took his hand, "Yeah, but no peaking." Ron opened the door and laughingly walked with her into the hall to find the Snape's.

The teenagers slowly walked into the kitchen to find Faustine looming over a huge kettle of something red and bubbly and Severus no where to be found. Faustine turned to Hermione, "Your ribs ache do they?" she asked knowingly. Hermione nodded. "Well, I'm afraid I'm shite with healing charms, but when 'Rus returns he can heal you." Ron and Hermione choked back giggles at Mrs. Snapes language and stared widely at the woman.

"Where is Professor Snape?" Ron asked innocently, holding tightly to Hermione's hand.

"He had an Order meeting and then he had to plan for his class tomorrow. He should be home around nine or so," Faustine replied and then she turned to Hermione. "I do have some potions that may help the pain if you'd like," she asked with a hint of concern.

"Yes, I believe I could use one right about now," Hermione said wearily as Ron helped her to sit at the kitchen table.

Faustine disappeared into the hallway and returned after a minute. "Here it is," she said producing a pink vial. "It will make you drowsy and you shouldn't take it on an empty stomach, so I've made some stew." Instantly warm bread and bowls of soup appeared on the table with glasses of pumpkin juice for the three. Ron's stomach growled uncontrollably at his hunger and he sat and stared greedily at the food.

Faustine tried to hide a smile at the noise. "Ron, by all means eat. Please, both of you. You need to keep up your strength." That was all the reassurance Ron needed. He dropped Hermione's hand and started shoveling soup and bread into his mouth faster than he could swallow it. Hermione however, slowly and delicately ate each bite with painful hesitation. When she had eaten three spoonfuls of soup Faustine handed her the vial. "Hermione, take it and eat fast. You'll be asleep within ten minutes of taking the potion and when Severus returns I'll have him heal your ribs."

Ron nodded for her to do as Faustine asked and Hermione smiled weakly and took the potion. It was sweet and salty and it made her head swim. The sharp pain in her side went away and she immediately was able to gulp down some food before the weight of her head overcame her and she fell asleep on Ron's shoulder. Faustine smiled sweetly at Ron who cradled Hermione in his arms and carried her to their room. He laid her down and sat next to her on the bed. Faustine stood in the doorway and watched with wonder as Ron stroked Hermione's forehead.

"You love her," Faustine stated directly.

Ron blushed and his ears burned with embarrassment. "Yes I do," he choked.

Faustine smiled, "I'm glad that you two have each other. You'll need one another to get through this." Ron grimaced, remembering Harry. "It's alright to be happy that you're alive and it's alright for you to love, remember that. Don't let Harry's death be for nothing." With that, Faustine left and the night sky lit up and the room darkened.

Within an hour, Ron could hear Severus apperate into the living room of the flat. Ron heard Faustine tell him about Hermione's rib and he heard their quick footsteps as they walked toward him. Severus walked into the room without knocking and the room lit up. His hair was long, black and greasy and he wore long black billowing robes.

"Severus!" Faustine scolded, "You should have knocked." Ron jumped back, startled.

Severus nodded, "Sorry Ron," he mumbled as he sat down across from him to inspect Hermione. Severus paused before he lifted her shirt. "Mr. Weasley..."

"Severus..." Faustine interrupted warningly.

"Ron," he redirected, "Could you leave for a moment? I do not wish to expose Miss Gra... Hermione."

Ron stood up, but as he walked away a muffled sound came from Hermione's seemingly unconscious body, "Ron, don't go," she whispered.

Ron stopped and took a deep breath, turning toward the bed. Professor Snape motioned for him to come back and Faustine nodded her consent. Ron sat next to Hemione, holding her hand, while Faustine draped her with a sheet so that Ron was unable to see anything below her shoulders. Severus scanned Hermione's ribs and said, "Skeleton reparo," waving his wand and a bright light showed beneath the sheet. Hermione's lips curved into a smile as she slept and Faustine pulled down her shirt and the sheet.

"She should be fine," Snape scoffed as he stood and walked towards the door.

"How are my parents?" Ron asked quickly.

Severus turned and faced the concerned boy. "They're sad and worried about you and Hermione, but they're alright. Your father is back at the Ministry and your brother's have taken your mother to their shop in Diagon Alley."

"Right," Ron sighed with relief, "And my brothers and sister?"

Snape's face relaxed, "They are all well. Bill, Charlie, and Percy are helping the Order and the twins are looking after your mom and Ginny. They're all safe Ron, relax."

Ron smiled, "And Hermione's parents?" he asked expectantly.

Severus' face darkened and he closed his eyes. "They are no longer with us," he declared unsteadily. "I'm afraid that they were also attacked during the raid and they were killed."

Ron's eyes grew wide and filled with tears as he started to stroke Hermione's hair. "She's alone," he whispered.

Faustine sat down on the bed next to him. "No, she has you, she has your family, and she has us."

Ron looked up at the young pregnant woman and gleaned all of the courage he could muster. "I should tell her..."

Severus shook his head, "Let her sleep Ron. She needs it and so do you. Besides, I think I should tell her, she will need you to comfort her."

Ron nodded in agreement. Severus handed him a vial filled with blue fluid. "It's sleeping potion, Ron. Take it," Snape ordered. Ron complied and laid down next to Hermione.

Faustine rose and met with Severus at the door. "If there's anything you need..." she called out.

"I'll come get you. Thanks," Ron said miserably as he snuggled next to Hermione and drifted off to sleep.