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Sorry the update took a while, but life got in the way...

The Secret Life of Professor Snape

Burrow Life

Molly, Ron, and Hermione arrived at the Burrow by nightfall. Arthur had not yet returned from his work at the Ministry, Charlie was in Romania, Bill was in Egypt, Percy was working with his father, Ginny was at Hogwarts, and Fred, and George were at the joke shop. The large house seemed cold and empty. Ron and Hermione walked out of the floo and into the living room, dusting themselves off. Hermione jumped back when she felt a soft blob of fur rub against her ankles. Ron looked at her strangely and then both looked at the floor where Crookshanks was purring and rubbing against his master excitedly.

"Crookshanks!" Hermione shouted, "You're alive!"

Molly smiled smugly, "Av course he is! He was with your parents when we were attacked at Grimmauld Place and he was at Hogwarts when your parents were attacked. He's been here ever since you were sent to the Snape's."

"Why here Mum?" Ron asked.

Molly walked away to the kitchen and shouted over her shoulder, "Because I didn't know where you were and couldn't send him to you!"

Hermione collapsed on the floor in a fit of petting and cooing at her beloved cat. Ron watched her interaction with interest and paced around the old house.

"It feels good to be home," he muttered.

Hermione smiled weakly, "Yes it does." Ron looked at his friend, worried that he had upset her, but he saw a look of acceptance in here eyes and did not bring up the subject. Hermione noticed the tension however, and proceeded. "Professor Dumbledore said that I am basically a ward of Hogwarts until I am seventeen. So for the next year, he will act as my guardian. But he said that your family is my real family and that I am always welcome here."

Ron sat down next to his best friend and threw an arm around her shoulders. "Of course you're welcome here. Hell, you'd have spent the last two months here if my mother had anything to say about it."

Hermione thought about this for a second. "It's strange that I'm here, considering how Dumbledore has continually insisted that there weren't enough wards to keep me safe at Hogwarts or here. I wonder what changed their minds?"

"Well," Ron started, "Faustine said that the wards here are very powerful and she's protecting us again with her mind shield thingy. Maybe that was enough."

Hermione looked skeptically at Ron, "I don't know. I have a feeling that we're missing out on something. Something... important."

-------

As the two discussed their concerns, Severus and Faustine awoke from their nap with the twins. Severus smiled and stroked his wife's soft blond locks. He gazed at their beautiful children lovingly and glowed with pride and happiness. His daughter Tally was a raven beauty and his son Gus was a fair bloke. The two slept soundly and snuggled between their parents with satisfaction. When he returned his gaze to his wife, she looked anxious. Severus scowled and then asked, "What's wrong?"

Faustine gazed down. "I don't know what to say, it's just that... my powers... I can feel it... the shield, my protection... it's gone."

Severus shot up and out of the bed. "What!" he exclaimed. He outburst drew in Poppy who shushed him and took the sleeping infants to another part of the ward, silencing Faustine's cot and Severus' rant.

Once they were alone, Mrs. Snape continued. "That pain, the blinding white light, it severed my control. I have no block against Voldemort or his dark followers. I don't know if it's because he's dead or because the babies are born, but it's gone," Faustine cried.

Severus paced around the room, his face wrought with contemplation. "So that's why it was safe for Ron and Hermione to go to the Burrow?"

"Yep," Faustine shrugged. "They're no longer any safer with me than they are anywhere else, so I thought it would be nice for them to be able to go home together."

"And Albus agreed to that?" Severus questioned as he turned to face her.

"Yes, he did." Faustine explained.

Severus drew a hand threw his short dark hair and sighed with a grin, "I guess that means we won't be able to exploit Hermione for babysitting purposes."

Faustine laughed, "No I guess not."

Snape then sat on the bed and wrapped his arms around his wife. "Well it will be nice to have the place to ourselves again..." he said devilishly kissing Faustine passionately. Faustine giggled and the two kissed.

After several minutes, Faustine broke away and winced. Severus eyed his wife cautiously. "What's wrong?" he asked with concern.

Faustine sighed. "Albus is worried about me Sev. He is concerned for my health and I think he may be right. I feel different, like a part of my magic is dying. It's really strange."

Severus tightened his grip on Faustine. "What do you mean? Do you feel like something is wrong because of 'Gus and Tally?"

"Not because of them, but yes, something is wrong. Severus, I think I might be dying," Faustine whimpered.

Severus wrapped his arms around his wife as a tear fell down his face. "You can't leave me, you promised."

Faustine smiled weakly. "I know and I'm trying to stay strong, but I may have to go to St. Mongo's for some extra help. Albus has some friends there that have some potions to restore my vitality and return my magic."

Severus stood. "I'll go with you. I'm sure I can be of service."

Faustine shook her head. "No Sev, you have 'Gus and Tally to look after. Madam Pomfry will take me. I'll be fine."

"No, you're not leaving without me!" Severus cried. "We'll bring the babies with us. It'll be fine."

Faustine shook her head. "Severus, they're infants, we can't just drag them anywhere. They need stability and love. They'll need you."

"And what about they're mother? Don't you think they'll need to bond with her?" Severus questioned.

Faustine faltered. "Yes they will, but Severus..."

Faustine's speech was cut short by Poppy entering the room and casting a spell. Faustine fell to her pillows and was sound asleep within seconds. "Severus Snape!" Poppy scolded. "You should be ashamed of yourself! Arguing with your wife when she's on death's door..."

"Poppy, she want's me to stay here while she seeks treatment elsewhere. You know I can't do that!" Severus exclaimed.

Poppy put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Yes dear, I know. Don't worry. You are both going to St. Mongo's, as is Albus. But that will be tomorrow and tonight you need your rest."

Severus laid back down next to his wife. "I'm sorry Poppy..."

"Pish!" she raved. "Now go to sleep." The room darkened and Severus fell asleep when he felt Faustine relax in his arms.

----

As the Snape's slept, Ron and Hermione sat at the kitchen table at the Burrow eating the large meal Molly had prepared. They were just finishing the meal when Arthur entered the house. Ron stood and ran over to his father, hugging him and reveling in the comfort that his arms brought.

"Dad!" he shouted, "It's so good to see you."

Arthur smiled, "It's good to be seen Ron." Arthur looked at Hermione who sat in the kitchen with Molly. "Hermione," he said as he approached her, "How are you dear?"

Hermione blushed and smiled. "I am well, thank you Mr. Weasley."

Arthur waved his hand at her and took a seat at the table. "None of that Mr. stuff, Hermione, you can call me Arthur."

Hermione nodded and the four tucked into their meal. Molly passed around food and made sure that everyone had eaten their full before Arthur rose to clear the plates. "Ron," he asked, "Will you give me a hand?"

"Sure Dad," Ron said taking his and Hermione's plates to the sink.

Hermione stood to follow, but Molly took her hand and pulled her back. "No dear, you stay with me," she explained. "Ron and his father need to talk in private for a minute."

Hermione looked at Molly questioningly, but said nothing as she waited for Ron to reappear.

In the kitchen, Ron was also silent as his father handed him a vial to drink. "Drink up Ronald. You have to take this potion."

Ron looked at his father with confusion. "What is it?" Ron asked.

Arthur sighed with resolve. "It's a potion to control your...um...manly urges."

Ron again eyed his father with uncertainty, "What?"

Arthur set down the vial and sat in Molly's chair near the hearth. "Ronald, have you never wondered why your mother and I had so many children?" Ron's face flushed and he took a sip of pumpkin juice in response. Arthur continued. "It is the Weasely curse and destiny, Ron. All of the Weasley men have a hard time quenching their physical needs—you are no exception. Luckily for you and your brothers, Professor Severus Snape came up with a potion that we could give to you to extinguish your needs, until you are married and prepared to raise a family."

Ron spit out his juice. "What? Snape's been slipping me potions to keep me from wanking! What the bloody Hell! I can't believe you would let him do this!"

Arthur's face began to turn red. "Ron, the potion does not stop you from...you know...taking care of things yourself. It stops you from being able to act on your urges with a woman."

"But I haven't acted on my urges!" Ron shouted.

"Because you've been drugged!" Arthur replied.

Ron exhaled with frustration. "So I can't run around sleeping with different birds, big deal. I'm not particularly interested in sleeping around, Dad." Ron stopped and thought for a moment. "Wait a minute, why are you telling me about this now? I'm bloody sixteen years old... how long have you been medicating me without my knowledge?"

Arthur sighed with regret. "Since you were eleven. Professor Dumbledore discovered your lust for a certain classmate and decided to give you the potion early. We've been putting the potion in your desserts for years now, but Snape thought that we should allow you to dose yourself when you returned home for holiday. He said that you've shown enough responsibility and maturity to be able to handle your potions yourself."

"So Severus made you tell me?" Ron asked with disappointment.

Arthur stood and put his hand on his son's shoulder. "Well no, I mean, we told your brothers when they graduated from Hogwarts, we're just telling you a bit early." Ron embraced his father and Arthur patted his son's head. "Take the potion Ron," Arthur chuckled, "We don't want Hermione to start having our grandchildren yet."

Ron leapt back from his father and turned pale. "What?" he asked.

"Hermione's the reason you were put on the potion so young to begin with Ron. You need to protect her from yourself," Arthur explained. "Please just take the potion."

Ron slid down to the floor of the kitchen and took the vial in his father's outstretched hand. He swallowed it down and brought his knees to his chest. "Is mom telling 'Mione?" he asked with sudden worry.

Arthur knelt down to his son. "No Ron. You can tell her when you're ready. It's not our place to share that information with her."

Ron nodded thankfully and stood to leave. His father wrapped his arms around him one last time and sighed, "You're growing up so fast..." Ron smiled at his father and headed to the living room.

-----

Hermione and Molly were sitting at the fireplace looking through old photo albums of the Weasley children. The two were laughing and smiling at pictures of Fred and George dressed up as women for Halloween when Ron entered the room. Molly stopped laughing and gazed up at her son. His boyish good looks were disappearing as he grew into a young man. He was taller than all of the other boys, but had filled out over the years. He had the Weasley red hair and freckles, but his sly lopsided grin was all his own. Molly choked back a tear and rose as her son entered the room.

"I should go check on your father," she explained as she left Ron and Hermione.

Ron nodded and Hermione looked up at Ron with suspicion. "What was that all about?" she asked as Ron sat on the floor in front of her.

Ron sighed. "I don't know where to begin..."

Hermione smiled, "Just start rambling and I'll ask questions after you've finished."

Ron smirked. "Okay, but remember you asked for this." Hermione nodded and he continued. "So Dad and I had a little chat about the Weasley curse while we were in the kitchen. I guess the men in our family have an insatiable appetite for sex and that's why Mum and Dad have so many kids." Ron's ears began to turn red as he continued on. "I found out that Snape discovered a potion that delays the effects of the curse and my family and the school have been secretly drugging me since I was eleven. Which I might add is your fault as they think I'm going to ravage you the minute I lay off the potion." At this point Ron snuck a gaze at Hermione who stared back at him with shock, so he continued. "The only reason Dad told me this is because Snape forced him and now I'm afraid that if I forget or screw up the potion some how, I'm going to get you pregnant faster than you can say lickety split." Ron rubbed his forehead. "So'd you get all that?" he asked with embarrassment.

Hermione clapped her hand to his shoulder and shook her head with laughter. Ron stared at her with wonder, thinking that she may have finally lost her mind. "Well at least I now know why you never asked me out!" Hermione burst, falling into Ron's lap.

Ron's face burned with embarrassment and he tried to wiggle away. Hermione however, refused to let him go and threw her arms around him, holding him tightly. "Ron, don't go," she pleaded. "There is nothing to be embarrassed about." Hermione lifted Ron's chin so that she could look into his gray eyes. "I feel the same way about you." Ron smiled and he threw his arms around Hermione and kissed her. Time stood still for the two and neither noticed the soft whimper Molly Weasley let out as she watched from the stairwell above.