I own no part of Harry Potter.

Thanks for the rewarding reviews—I continue because of them! Please forgive me for this chapter. I know it's choppy, but I couldn't figure out a better way to do it. Any suggestions are welcome. Sorry...

The Secret Life of Professor Snape

Return

The weeks that followed Harry's funeral were filled with tears and solitude. Ron and Hermione stayed in the Snapes' flat and left only for the Grangers' funeral. Hermione was distraught. She was deathly pale and had lost weight despite Faustine's efforts to feed her. Her pain was displayed for all to see in her body and face. She didn't read, she didn't speak, she didn't sleep. Ron was the only person that could reach her and his grief was overwhelming and made it difficult. Their pain was shared and it drew them close.

The young wizards had become inseparable. They had a sort of routine within the Snapes' home. They rose for breakfast, ate little, dressed, and spent the rest of the day in the living room watching the fire or sitting in their bedroom cuddling. Faustine was their constant caretaker, feeding them, forcing them to talk, and trying to help them move on. Her husband, however, was in and out of the flat at all hours of the day and night. He taught classes, met with the Order, went out on missions, spied on Death Eaters, and kept busy with his Slytherins. He was kind to his young houseguests, but awkward. He lacked Faustine's ease and humor, but he did his best to comfort them when he could.

Ron and Hermione made trips with Faustine to the Weasley's to visit and left the flat to go to Order headquarters, but made no further ventures outside of their safe house. After a month at the Snapes', Dumbledore finally came for a visit. Severus arrived late for dinner, as usual, and the five discussed what would become of Ron and Hermione.

"I spoke with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley yesterday," Albus began, "they've been very concerned over Ron and Hermione's missing classes and would like them to return as soon as possible."

Ron's face lit up at the idea of returning to Hogwarts. "Can we go back tomorrow?" he asked excitedly.

Dumbledore smiled, "Of course."

Snape scowled at the Headmaster. "But what of the children's safety Albus?"

"I've set up more wards to detect against any dark magic and Ron and Hermione will have Faustine as their personal body guard. They should be very safe."

Severus stood up suddenly with frustration, "You want my very pregnant wife to walk around that ruddy castle chasing after teenagers!" he shouted. Ron and Hermione jumped and Snape grimaced as he realized how harsh he had sounded and he sighed apologetically at the young wizards.

Faustine placed her hand on Severus' to calm him. "'Rus, it's only until the Ministry can spare another Auror."

Severus closed his eyes and tried to quell his fears, "But darling, you really ought to be resting. You are due in three weeks..."

Dumbledore stood next to his nephew-in-law and put a supportive hand on his shoulder. "She'll be alright Severus. I'll have an eye out for her and Poppy can see her every day."

Snape was still not to excited about this idea, but he went along with it for Faustine's sake.

The next day, the four left for Hogwarts. The school was abuzz with the news of Ron and Hermione's return. Students looked at them with fear and admiration. Colin took pictures and Lavender asked for Ron's autograph. They were instant celebrities at the school because they survived a Death Eater attack and lived while Harry Potter did not. The students were so preoccupied with Ron and Hermione that they didn't even notice the mysterious Auror who accompanied them everywhere.

Ginny saw her brother in the corridor outside of his Potions class that morning and ran to him with glee. "Ron!" she shouted throwing her arms around him, "I've missed you."

Ron returned his sister's hug with his free arm (his other held Hermione), "Me too Gin. How are you?"

Ginny looked down with shame, "Good. Really good. Mum and Dad have come to see me every week and I've been meeting with Professor Dumbledore once a day."

Ron shot his sister a questioning look, "What? Why?"

Ginny swallowed, "Well, I wasn't doing very good that first week after the funeral, so Mum started visiting. She told Dumbledore that she was worried about me and he decided that I needed to talk about my grief. It was weird at first, but I don't know, it's... helpful now."

Ron nodded with understanding, his voice took a more relaxed tone. "Well, I'm glad you're good. How is everyone else in the family?"

"Great. Worried about you, of course, but doing well overall. Fred, George, Bill and Charlie are working secretly for... um..." she dropped her voice, "the Order. And Mum and Dad are busy with Order stuff as well. No maiming or massacres yet," she said jovially. Ron and Hermione's faces fell. The mere mention of death was too much for them to handle. Ginny immediately tried to back track, but it was too late. The damage was done and the couple were lost in their grief once again. Ron waved at his sister and the two headed for Potions.

In class, Seamus was the first person to talk to Ron and Hermione. He sat with Neville next to them said, "Great to have you back guys. How are you doing?"

Ron answered for both of them, but not with his usual luster, "We're fine."

Seamus nodded disbelievingly and Neville addressed Hermione. "Hermione, are you really far behind in classes?"

Hermione looked at her cauldron, "Yes, but it doesn't matter," she replied dully.

Neville and Seamus's eyes grew wide with shock. Hermione Granger no longer cared about school? This was bad. Real bad. A greasy Snape waltzed into class at that moment, gleaming the Griffendore's attention away from Hermione. Ron had never in his life been so glad to see the Potions Master. Snape's glares towards the students caused them to hush and focus on their studies not on the two surviving wizards.

Snape started the lesson by snidely welcoming, "The so-called-heroes back from their vacation" and giving the class a quiz. Most students failed the unannounced test causing Snape to scowl at his class. "You all need to take heed and pay closer attention to your potions ingredients. Not a one of you would have made a potion safe enough to administer, let alone use." Severus stood and began to pace as his concealed wife glared at him. "Now, today we will study the power of serenity potions and their use through the ages. Please open your readers to page 643 paragraph two and read the encantation and spell within. Produce your potion and have it ready by the end of the period." With that he sat back down at his desk and glowered at his class.

The Potions Master took ten points from Griffendore for Neville's potion causing an explosion, while Slytherine gained fifteen points for Malfoy's answers to his questions. Severus, while kind and caring at home was still a greasy slime at Hogwarts.

At the end of class, Ron and Hermione were grateful for the reprieve of Transfiguration and lunch. As the end of the day neared, Dumbledore appeared in the hall and took Ron and Hermione aside. Faustine followed close behind, but stayed within the shadows of the castle.

"So how is your first day back going?" Dumbledore asked jovially.

Ron sighed, "Good. I guess. Snape murdered us in Potions, but that's to be expected, I suppose."

Dumbledore laughed. "And Miss Granger, how were your classes?"

Hermione gazed up at the Headmaster. "Fine Professor."

"Excellent!" Dumbledore said with exuberance. "I have some good news for you two. Ron will be able to come back to Hogwarts tonight. Lucious Malfoy was caught in Middleton today and thus the threat to our young Mr. Weasley is over! Isn't that wonderful?"

While Ron exhibited signs of relief, Hermione's face fell into an expression of panic. "He's going to be here and I'll still be...away?" Hermione asked with dread.

"Yes Miss Granger, but only for a short time. I have a few more wards that I would like in place before you return to Hogwarts," Dumbledore explained.

Ron put his arm comfortingly around his best friend. "Professor Dumbledore, Sir, would it be alright if I stayed with Hermione until the wards are finished?"

Dumbledore looked at the teenagers knowingly. "I'm afraid not Mr. Weasley. Your mother is not fond of your current living arrangement away from the school and she insists that you return as soon as possible. I'm afraid Miss Granger will have to stay in the safe haven without you for a few weeks."

"Of all the bloody ridiculous..." Ron began to rant, but Hermione cut him off by turning to him and bursting into tears.

"Please Professor, don't make him go!" she sobbed.

Dumbledore stared at the girl with concern. "Miss Granger," he said firmly, "I think it's time that you and I had a conversation in my office."

Hermione stared at the old wizard with fear. "Can Ron come too?" she pleaded.

"No, Hermione. I think you and I need to speak privately," Albus replied. With that the Headmaster and pupil walked up the stairs and to his office leaving a bewildered Ron and knowing Faustine in the hall.

Faustine turned to Ron. "Your things are already up in your room. I brought them here during your Potions class."

Ron nodded a thank you in her direction, but focused on the door to Dumbledore's office. "What do you think they're talking about up there?" Ron asked.

Faustine shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, but I imagine it has to do with Hermione's severe attachment to you and the ramifications thereof. I also imagine that my uncle is counseling the troubled girl, as I've asked him to do." Ron stared at Faustine with resentment. Faustine shrugged, "Hey, whatever it is, it's private Ron and is between the two of them."

Ron shot a sullen glare at the pregnant woman. "'Mione and I don't have secrets," he explained.

Faustine laughed, "Oh yes you do Mr. Weasley. You're just not aware of them yet."

After an hour of waiting, Faustine dragged a begrudging Ron up to his room. He protested venomously, but the Auror refused to give in. The boy's room was empty, but filled with articles of clothing and messy beds. Harry's bed was empty and neatly made, a looming reminder of his death.

"I'm sorry Ron," Mrs. Snape apologized as Ron glanced at the bed with renewed dread. "I know that this is hard for you, but you have to move on. You need to eat your dinner, do your homework, return to classes, practice Quiditch, flirt with girls and resume your normal activities. You need to stop focusing so much on Hermione. She is safe, she'll come home with me and I'll look after her for you. Don't worry."

Ron fell upon his bed and threw his arm over his eyes to hide his tears. "Faustine," he whispered, "I'm afraid for her. She hasn't been taking care of herself. She doesn't sleep without me and she barely eats if I'm not there goading her. I just don't want things to get worse for her."

Faustine sat down next to Ron and patted his knee. "I know Ron, you've been an excellent friend to Hermione, the best, really, but it's time for her to start standing on her own two feet. She cannot depend on you forever and her grief is dragging you down with her. Your mother's concerns are valid as well. It is improper for an unwed witch and wizard to share a bed. Especially when the said wizards are young and hormonal."

Ron sat up and grimaced. "That's why I've been sent back!" he shouted. "Because my mother was afraid of what Hermione and I were doing in our bedroom! Of all the ruddy stupid things..."

Faustine cut Ron off. "Language Ronald!" Ron winced as Mrs. Snape continued. "Your mother is right, Ron. It is wrong for you two to be so close and so dependent upon each other at such a young age."

"But I'm all Hermione has left!" Ron bellowed with exasperation.

Faustine sighed, "No you're not. She has your siblings, your parents, Albus, Minerva, the entire Order, and Severus and I. You are not her only friend and it is unfair for you to have to give up so much of yourself for her."

"But I'm not giving anything up!" Ron screeched falling back down on his bed.

"Yes you are Ron. You are giving up your childhood and trying to take care of your friend. While that is admirable, it is not your job," Faustine explained. "That is why Hermione will stay with me and you will be back at school. She needs to learn to depend on herself and on people other than you."

"But it's not fair," Ron whined.

Faustine rolled her eyes, "Life's not fair, Mr. Weasely. I'm surprised you are just learning that out now."

Ron flipped over onto his stomach in protest and Faustine stood up and walked out of his room.

In Albus's office a similar conversation was taking place. Hermione begged to have Ron stay with her or be allowed to stay at Hogwarts, but her pleas were refused. Dumbledore insisted that she stay with the Snapes and visit him every day after classes before returning to the London flat. Hermione argued and cried, but in the end she gave in. She knew that she would be safe albeit miserable at the safe house.