Disclaimer:- I neither earn nor own anything from this story except my plot. Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of JK Rowling and her associates.

oOo

A/N:- I'm publishing this chapter without my beta, so please forgive any mistakes. I just wanted to get this posted as it's been far too long since I've updated it. I'm certain that LadyWinterlight will have some suggestions when she's had a chance to look at it, and I'll update the chapter then.

oOo

Chapter Eleven – A Day of Making Things Right

Hermione and Draco left Professor McGonagall after they'd walked to the infirmary together and spoken with Madam Pomfrey. They were currently walking back towards the Shrieking Shack, uncertain if they needed to further their search for information on destiny spells.

"Perhaps instead of continuing to do this, you should go and check on your mother," Hermione suggested quietly as they stood looking at the Shrieking Shack whilst staying just out of reach of the Whomping Willow.

"Do you think so?" Draco replied, turning to look at her.

She nodded. "Yes, very much, Draco. Not only has she just found out that the man she thought she'd lost has a chance of coming back, but, I would say that a very well-kept secret has just surfaced, and it has the potential to be very damaging for the pair of you at the moment."

"Oh," Draco huffed, like someone had just punched him in the stomach. "You're right, I probably should go home. I'll escort you back to Andie's."

Hermione laughed softly. "I'm a big girl, Draco, I can get myself home you know."

He smiled fondly at her. "Yes, I know, but I will see you home regardless."

Rolling her eyes at him, Hermione gave in. "Okay," she laughed, glancing around and then gifting him with a quick kiss on the lips. "Thank you," she conceded. "It is lovely to be with someone considerate."

Draco quickly guided Hermione back along the path, and as soon as they were in the cover of a more shelter walkway, he backed her off it and his hand came up to cradle her cheek. "I will always look after you," he told her earnestly. "Always," he repeated in a passionate whisper against her lips as his mouth covered hers.

His mouth felt so good on hers, and Hermione found herself wantonly melting against him, opening to him as his tongue slipped over the seam of her lips. However, she came to her senses when his hand started wandering up under her top. "Draco, you mother," she murmured. His kisses were like a drug with the power to make her forget everything, and she needed to keep her wits about her at the moment.

He groaned. "You're right, I should check on her."

"You know what, maybe I should stay here and start packing the professor's things up. After all, he's likely to reappear where he disappeared from, which is right where those helpful elves packed his belongings," Hermione replied.

"Then, I'll ascertain if we can store his effects at Mother's townhouse while I'm speaking with her, and that way it will be all somewhere safe," Draco added.

"Excellent idea, I'll see you in a bit," she replied, kissed him and darted off towards the Whomping Willow, holding her wand aloft and aiming it at the knot on the trunk of the tree.

xox

Meanwhile back at her townhouse, as the two young adults at Hogwarts were discussing all of this, Narcissa Malfoy wiped her eyes yet again. She was determined this time that they would remain dry. The news that she'd received from Hermione and Draco the hour before had literally torn her world apart, and she was just starting to fathom what she'd heard.

She and Severus had long planned to get through the war, then she would divorce Lucius and after a time they would have quietly slipped off into the sunset after Draco had been settled in properly as the new Lord Malfoy. That had been the plan, but that had not been what had happened, Severus had been killed the day of the battle, and Narcissa had been devastated. Part of her malaise whilst in Azkaban had been her mourning of the man she'd loved for years while the one who'd gotten her into the mess in the first place remained irritatingly alive and unrepentant.

Narcissa wandered into her bathroom to splash some cool water on her heated face. She'd not cried like she just had done for many years, not really since her father had refused her pleas to be released from her obligation of marriage into the Malfoy family. The stupid man had thought it a huge honour that his youngest daughter had been betrothed to the heir of the Malfoys. Bella had been awful to her about it too, but from jealousy rather than displeasure, and then Andie had fled it all; it had been such a turbulent time.

Her marriage to Lucius had given her Draco though, and she was very thankful for him, but never again would she bow to Lucius' demands on her or her son. Lucius was incarcerated for the remainder of his life, and as she thought that she suddenly decided that it would be a prudent plan to make certain that if Severus was really able to return to her that he had evidence to back up his dual role in the war.

Therefore, she stopped weeping like a fool, and she gathered herself together and marched to her study to speak with her solicitor. She'd just made the bottom of the stairs when Draco arrived, and she spontaneously pulled him into a hug.

Draco cackled. "I take it that you're coping then?"

Releasing him she gave him her most serene expression of composure. "Cheeky boy, of course I'm coping. What are you doing back here?"

"Hermione insisted that I check on you, but I was also wondering if I could bring Severus' belongings here?"

Narcissa was touched that Hermione would think of such a thing, and she smiled genially. "Pack everything in the private parlour behind my study, they will be safe and secure until the man himself decides what he wishes to do with them," she told Draco. "Now, I must get on, I will see you later," and she kissed Draco's cheek and swept past him on her way to her study.

xox

At the Burrow, Molly and Arthur were discussing their youngest son over a late breakfast.

"Do you know where he went after last night?" Molly asked her husband. "I must admit I'd expected that he would want to stay here. I had his room prepared."

Arthur took a sip of his tea and sighed. "No, he simply seemed to wander off. Perhaps Harry will know more when he gets up."

"I doubt that, dear," Molly said, shaking her head. "They appeared to have had a falling out last night, I believe it was over Hermione."

"Ronald has treated that poor girl very badly," Arthur said.

"Yes, all is lost on that subject I'm afraid," Molly sighed.

"Molly, I don't think things were ever going to be anything but lost where Ron and Hermione were concerned," he warned.

"Yes, but they reconciled once... perhaps…"

"No," Arthur told her, covering her hand with his. "Just no, let's concentrate on seeing what we can do to help Ron. It's like Hermione told us last night, he needs his family right now."

"Who needs his family?" Ginny asked, as her and Harry entered the kitchen.

"Ron," Arthur told his daughter.

"Oh, I see…" and she glanced at Harry, who then spoke.

"Yes, we were talking about him too. He's a bit out of control I think," Harry admitted.

"We were thinking that we might do a bit of digging, and see what we can find out," Ginny added. "We were talking to Lee Jordan last night, and he said Ron's on the verge of being sacked from the team."

"Oh dear," Molly cried. It didn't take much to make her tear up these days, and she sniffed softly.

Ginny's eyes went to her father in apology for upsetting her, but she knew that the truth needed to come out. "It's okay, Mum. Harry and I will go and see what's going on." Neither of them mentioned that Lee had told them that Ron seemed to be with a heavily pregnant blonde witch, who to both Ginny and Harry had thought sounded an awful lot like Lavender Brown.

"Yes, Lee told us to meet him at the stadium at one," Harry put in, "and he'd show us where to go."

"That was kind of him," Arthur said, glancing at the clock. "So you have a few hours, are you sure that you wouldn't like us to come with you."

"I best get your breakfast," Molly cut in before either Harry or Ginny had answered, as she started to get up.

Ginny stopped her. "No, you sit, Mum, I'm perfectly capable of getting Harry and me breakfast," and she picked up the teapot. "I'll make a fresh pot," she added as Harry spoke to Arthur.

"No, we'll be fine, thank you. Ron is not the only reason for going to a professional Quidditch stadium," and he smiled. "We're both interested in how it all works, and Lee promised to let us look around before he showed us where Ron was."

"Oh, I see," Arthur said, knowingly. "Well, you two have a wonderful afternoon, I'll see you later," and he got up from the table, kissing Molly on the head. "I'll be in the shed if you need me, love," he told her.

xox

Harry and Ginny apparated to the Quidditch Stadium at one in the afternoon, but it was a concerned Lee Jordan who greeted them.

"I almost owled you this morning," the curly-haired wizard said. "As you already know, George asked me to keep an eye on Ron," he said in explanation. "That's how I know that he didn't go home last night."

"What do you mean didn't go home?" Ginny asked, her eyes narrowing.

"When I apparated him side-along last night…"

"You got him home?" Harry interrupted. "We were trying to work out where he'd got to."

"I got him out of there after he all but attacked Hermione Granger," Lee replied.

"Attacked 'Mione?" Harry cried.

"Is she all right?" Ginny put in at the same time.

"It was mostly verbal, but I bet she's got a huge bruise on her arm today where he grabbed her. I was going to intervene, but Hermione put him in his place and stormed off before I got there," Lee told them.

Harry sighed. "That's our 'Mione, but still, I wish I'd known… So you just took him away."

Lee shrugged. "George and Angelina had left, so my job as best man was done, and the party was winding down. Ron was pretty drunk, so I took him with me, he's still sleeping it off at mine."

"So where's the blonde?" Harry asked.

"Ron and her were living with her parents, you said," Ginny reminded Lee.

"Yeah, but after he'd thrown up when we landed he started crying, rambling… said he couldn't go back there, something about her knowing he'd been home, and that she was angry he hadn't taken her… that they'd fought, and she'd told him that if he went and didn't sort things out that he needn't bother coming back. I wish George had been the one he'd opened up to though, he needed a family member. Hell, as honoured as I was to be George's best man, I wish Freddie was still here so he could have been best man instead," and he shrugged shaking his head.

They all took a moment to mentally mourn Fred once more, but then Ginny grumbled, "What Ron needs is not to be such an idiot! It couldn't have been that complicated," she said angrily.

Harry sighed. "Well, I guess you better take us to him, and we'll work out what to do."

Lee nodded. "My place is just down the road," he said. "Down past the football ground."

It never failed to amaze Harry how the wizarding world was right under everyone's noses. The footy field and the Quidditch pitch were next door to one another, but only the witches and wizards could see the Quidditch pitch. "Lead the way," he said to Lee, taking Ginny's hand. "Let's go and sort the bozo out."

They walked down the road and Lee ushered them to a small but comfortable looking bed-sit. "Welcome to my bachelor pad," he joked. "Hardly room to swing a kneazle, but it's all I need," he cackled.

The sound of them arriving made Ron start to stir from his position on the sofa, and Ginny strode forward, past angry with her hapless brother.

"Oi, sleeping beauty, get your arse upright. We've come to take you home," and she shook him roughly.

He groaned. "What the fuck?" he mumbled. "Fuck off, Gin," he groaned.

"Don't you tell me to fuck off," Ginny growled, and she bodily dragged her brother upright. "I'm taking you back to Mum!"

"Yeah," Harry put in. "I do think it might be best if you come home and tell your folks what's going on, they're worried sick, mate."

Ginny spared a glance at Harry as he spoke, and said, "Thanks, Lee," and bundled the groggy Ron out the door into the hallway, before turning to Harry. "Maybe you should get Lee to tell you where Lav Lav is, and go and see her," she told Harry before apparating away with Ron as he continued to grumble and groan at her.

Both wizards stood watching the spot where Ginny and the very green looking Ron had been moments before.

Lee whistled. "Man, that's one hot chick you've got there, mate."

Harry cackled. "Yeah, never get on Gin's bad side."

"Life with her is sure going to be interesting," Lee said, chuckling.

Harry grinned. "Sure is, and I'm looking forward to every second of it. Listen, thanks, Lee, we owe you one," and he extended his hand to him. "Maybe we can come back for the Quidditch tour another time, yeah?"

"Sure, anytime," Lee agreed, taking his hand and shaking it. "How about I just apparate you to the street you need?"

"Sure," Harry agreed.

In a moment he found himself behind a tree in a quiet suburban street that unaccountably reminded him of Privet Drive, and he shivered slightly, but hid his reaction as Lee spoke.

"It's that house there," he told him. "Good luck, she seems to be a whiny one. See you round."

"Thanks, mate. See ya," Harry replied, squaring his shoulders before walking across the road and in through the front gate of the house Lee had pointed out. He knocked on the front door and a genial looking wizard with greying hair answered. "Good afternoon, sir. My name is Harry…" but he didn't get any further.

"Harry Potter," the man replied, holding out his hand. "I'm so pleased to meet you, Mister Potter. Sean Brown at your service," and he called over his shoulder. "Mavis, you'll never guess who's at the front door… It's Harry bleedin Potter."

A blonde witch hurried to the door, but she didn't say what Harry had expected. "Where's that no good friend of yours… that Ronald Weasley. Our Lavender—Ron's wife—is about to have his child, he should be here with her," and without even drawing another breath she changed tack. "You know, we've always wondered why you never came to their wedding," she went on to say.

Harry was flabbergasted. "Their what? Well, perhaps because I didn't know about it for one thing…"

"Didn't know about it?" the witch called Mavis ranted, glaring at him.

"Look, I really don't know anything about any of this… Umm, I've come today to tell you that Ron's sister, Ginny, has just taken him back to Ottery St. Catchpole to his parents. Apparently he spent the night on one of our friend's sofas, and this friend alerted us to the fact that he seems to be very upset. Umm, could I speak to Lavender, please?"

Finally Harry was ushered into the tidy house. Yes, it very much reminded him of Privet Drive, but he kept a level head, even stifling the urge to titter as Lavender waddled into the room, her belly arriving well before she did.

"Harry?" Lavender said. "Where's Ron?"

"He seems to think that you told him not to come back if he went to his brother's wedding last night," Harry answered.

"Umm… oh yes, I was pretty upset last night. Where is he?"

"Ginny has taken him home. Lee Jordan brought him back last night after the wedding," but Harry's brow creased. "Why didn't he bring you last night? We all would have loved to see you."

Lavender sighed. "I know more than he thinks I do, and I think he was scared to tell Hermione Granger about us for some reason."

"That's ridiculous, they're not a couple… haven't been for ages. Hell, I'm pretty sure that they're not… oh, pardon me," Harry said to Lavender's mum realising in his confusion that he'd used a swear word, be it a mild one he still felt the need to apologise. "But this has all shocked me."

"Do you mean to say that none of you knew anything about any of this?" Lavender's father asked.

"Nothing," Harry confirmed.

Lavender came forward and placed a hand on Harry's arm. "Harry, can you take me to Ronnie, please? I guess we should have come clean before we left Hogwarts, but..." and she shrugged.

Harry was certain that they'd had no thoughts for anyone but themselves, but he nodded. "Sure," he said, but then looked to Lavender's mum. "Is that okay with you, Madam Brown?"

"Actually, Lavender, it would be better if Ron came back here once he'd talked to his parents, at least until the little one is born."

Lavender nodded. "Then can you tell him to come home as soon as he can, please."

"I can tell him that, sure," and Harry turned to leave. "I'll see you all again soon."

Sean Brown took Harry back to the door, and Harry said, "It appears that Ron's been a bit silly, but please don't hold that against his family, they're lovely people."

"Actually, I know Arthur Weasley, we were in the same year at Hogwarts. It's one of the reasons why I could never fathom exactly what was going on."

"Well, let's hope we can sort it all out now we know about it."

"I hope so too," Sean replied. "Good day, Mister Potter."

"Harry, please," Harry replied.

The wizard grinned. "The great Harry Potter in my house, see you again soon, Harry," and he waved as Harry started down the path.

xox

Harry apparated back to The Burrow, but stopped before he entered the yard. He dithered for a bit, thinking that the Weasleys might appreciate some time without anyone there to talk to Ron, and then he thought of Hermione. He wondered where she was, he hadn't seen her all day, but then he remembered her saying to him that if she needed to she could move to Andie's, and he decided that he could fit in a visit there.

However, he really should tell Ginny where he was going, so he whistled for a Weasley owl and searched his pockets for something to write on and with. Finally he found a docket stub from the Quidditch store they'd visited a few days ago, and a short pencil he'd probably purloined from Hermione. He scribbled his note, reciting his words as he wrote them.

"Lav is waiting (and wanting) to see Ron as soon as he wants to. God she's bloody huge, looks like she's going to pop any minute. I'm off to make sure 'Mione is all right. Wanted to give you guys a bit of space. Love you, you sexy thing," and he put the pencil back into his pocket and turned to see Errol waiting for him. The old owl held out his leg, and Harry attached his little note. "There you go, old mate, just take this to Ginny, will you?" He watched the owl wing his way back to the kitchen, and he apparated to Andie's.

There was a little park up the road from Andromeda's home, similar to the one opposite number twelve Grimmauld Place, and that was where he landed. He walked up the road and knocked on Andie's door.

"Hello, Harry," Andie said, opening the door. "If you're looking for Hermione she's not here."

"Oh," Harry said, plucking his godson off her hip. "Hello, my favourite godson," he said to the toddler, tickling him under the chin.

"Uncl' Harry," Teddy cried, his hair rippling bright blue.

"How are you, mate?"

"I is good," Teddy replied, and Harry looked up as Andie cackled.

Are you certain you came here to visit Hermione? It looks to me like you're more at home with Teddy," and she stood there with her eyebrow raised and her arms folded.

Harry cackled, thinking to himself that her current attitude must be a Slytherin thing, they all seemed to look at people like that, but he refrained from saying it. "I'd love to spend hours with Teddy, but I've only just heard that Ron was a bit rough with 'Mione last night, and I wanted to make sure she was fine. Do you know where she is?" he asked.

Andie smiled. "Hermione is being well cared for, Harry, and yes, you will find her at Hogwarts somewhere, presumably with Draco."

Harry waggled his eyebrows. "I'm glad to hear it… that she's fine, but do you think I should disturb them then?"

Andie rolled her eyes. "They're researching destiny spells in Severus' old notes."

This made Harry laugh louder. "Of course they are, those two are so competitive academically."

"Yes," Andie agreed, smiling.

"So, Hogwarts," Harry repeated. "I'll go and have a look then," and handing Teddy back to Andie he said good bye to them, tickling the giggling Teddy under the chin again.

xox

Apparating to Hogwarts, Harry decided that asking the headmistress would be the best start for his search for Hermione, as the castle was a huge place. It was also probably the most respectful thing to do too, even if he wondered if going to the library would be the most obvious step. Although, Andie had said they were researching Snape's notes, so who the hell knew where they were.

He started up the grand staircase, but had only just made it to the first floor when he heard Professor McGonagall's voice near the hospital wing and he veered off in that direction.

"Professor," he called, seeing her about to disappear into the infirmary with the school matron.

Minerva turned. "Hello, Mister Potter," she said, happily greeting him. "What brings you here?"

"I'm looking for Hermione, and Andie… I mean Professor Black-Tonks suggested that she might be here, but before I head to the library I thought I should tell you that I'm here," Harry answered.

"Thank you for the courtesy, but you won't find Miss Granger in the library."

"Oh?"

"No, The Shrieking Shack is where she will be, if she's still here," Minerva answered.

Harry's brow creased. "The Shrieking Shack?"

"Yes, that's right, now I must get on, good day, Mister Potter," and she was gone through the doors of the infirmary before Harry had a chance to question her more.

"Ma'am," he replied automatically, and slowly turned away. "The Shrieking Shack? Why the hell would she be there researching a spell?" he muttered to himself, but then shrugged and took off at a jog back out of the castle.

As he went by it, a rather officious portrait curtly told him to stop running in the hallway, and he turned, jogging backwards for a moment as he grinned at the ancient looking witch in the portrait. "Sorry, but I don't have to obey school rules anymore," and he laughed when she huffed in irritation and he turned back around and took off at a full run. He was particularly happy today for no particular reason.

As the headmistress had said he would, he found Hermione in the shack. "'Mione?" he called, hearing rustling papers and scraping noises as he easily passed by the Whooping Willow which was eerily still, meaning that someone had immobilised it.

"Harry?" came the reply.

"What you doin' here?" Harry asked, alighting from the rickety stairs, and taking her in sorting papers and moving boxes. She was covered in dirt and dust, and repeatedly blowing several curls off her face as she worked, and he wondered what was going on.

"Oh, Harry," she gushed. "Something truly exciting has happened."

"What?" Harry asked, just as footsteps were heard coming up the stairs. Harry glanced around worriedly.

"That will be Draco coming back," Hermione told him, and her smile became very bright as the blond wizard came into view in the doorway.

"Hey, Draco," Harry said, extending his hand.

"Harry," Draco replied, shaking the offered hand.

"So what's so exciting?" Harry asked after a beat.

"Professor Snape is coming back tonight," Hermione cried excitedly.

"Professor…" but Harry's words trailed off as shock took over. "H-How?"

"Professor Dumbledore appeared to us this morning," Hermione explained, slipping under Draco's arm as he approached. "And he said…" and Hermione launched into a full and detailed explanation.

Unfortunately, after she'd said that they'd been visited by the old headmaster Harry didn't hear much more. He was truly envious that they'd been so lucky; what he wouldn't give to see the old headmaster again. His last encounter with him in that surreal train station the day of the battle still weighed heavily on his heart. He truly missed the man who had been such an influence on his life, but he restrained his emotions as Hermione happily babbled the rest of the story. Then he noticed something else. Gods she looks so happy, he thought, and he really hoped that she was. He completely forgot why he'd come here in the first place, and got caught up in what they were doing, wanting to be a part of it.

"So what are you up to?" Harry asked.

"We're moving all of Uncle Severus' belongings to my mother's townhouse for safe keeping," Draco told him. "Hermione is sorting and packing it, and I'm moving it."

"I would help move it too," Hermione cut in, and then she leaned forward and whispered, "But we're really not supposed to be together," and she turned to give Draco a cheeky look.

"Well, not until that bitch fails that medical test tomorrow," Draco cackled, squeezing Hermione closer to his side as she laced her arms around his chest.

"What… never mind," Harry laughed, seeing them sharing what could only be classed as a smug smile. "I'm pretty sure that you shouldn't tell me," he declared, but then blurted, "I'll help too if you like. I'm at a loose end this afternoon, Ginny and I brought Ron back home earlier and I'm giving the Weasleys a bit of space to work things out with the silly idiot."

Hermione blinked at Harry, and then looked at Draco who cackled. "Well, I'm not saying no, you can help me lug these boxes," he said. "These seem to be the last of them," and he indicated the boxes that Hermione had packed in the corner.

"What are they?" Harry asked.

"Uncle Sev's research papers, Merlin knows why the elves placed it here?" Draco stated.

"Actually, I've been thinking about that," Hermione put in. "Perhaps they put them here because this place had the strongest connection to the professor. They might have sensed something we couldn't."

"That's probably quite true," Draco replied, just as thoughtfully. "Come on, we'll deliver these last boxes to Mother's and go back to Andie's until tonight."

"Why what's happening tonight?" Harry asked, picking up one load of boxes.

"Typical Potter," Draco taunted with a cheeky smile. "Hermione told you everything and you didn't listen. Professor Dumbledore has been protecting Uncle Sev in the castle Ley Lines, and this morning Hermione triggered his spell for release by wishing that he was still here."

It was on the tip of Harry's tongue to ask why in god's name she'd want Snape back, and what the hell Ley Lines were, when he realised just in time that these two people would want the man back, and it didn't really matter what he didn't understand, so he simply nodded, as he thought about how well-suited Hermione and Draco were to each other, and there was something he'd never have thought before this last year when they'd all buried the hatchet and become friends.

"I think I might go straight back to Andie's and shower all this dust off," Hermione commented as they started out of the room.

"Then I'll see you in a bit," Draco said, glancing at Harry, but then giving her a peck on the lips.

"My lips are sealed," Harry told them, laughing, and he grinned as he followed them from the shack.