Previously:

"… he cried and I held him and it just happened. We didn't mean anything by it… I swear… I just wanted him not to be afraid anymore… I wanted him to know he was loved…" Tears ran down Ron's face.

"…That I loved him and that I would always be there for him, no matter what. I wanted him to know that it wasn't his fault…"

Ron placed his hand over his heart.

"I never meant to hurt you and I'm sorry but I don't regret what happened. It helped Harry a lot… I love him… I love him so much and that's never going to change…"

Ron stopped speaking as his emotions overwhelmed him.

Hermione looked at Ron, then at Severus. He wore a strange expression on his face, somewhere between jealousy and admiration, but she wasn't prepared for what happened next.

Now:

Severus rose, his face completely expressionless as he stalked over to Ron. Ron's head remained bowed but Hermione could feel him stiffen as the Potions Master stood before him.

Hermione could see Severus' eyes were ablaze as he gripped the front of Ron's shirt so hard his knuckles turned a deadly shade of white as he dragged Ron to his feet.

Molly rose to her feet to defend her son but Arthur restrained her from interfering.

Severus drew Ron onto his toes and he tilted his head up with the other hand, so their eyes could meet.

Ron's blue eyes were wet with tears.

Severus suddenly released him but before Ron's heels could touch the floor, two strong arms wrapped around him and he was drawn into an impossible hard chest.

Stunned, Ron's arms hung limply at his sides before coming up to encircle the professor.

Severus' one hand ran up and down Ron's back as the other tangled in his silken red hair.

Ron's hands clenched in Severus' robes as tears sprung to his eyes.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Ron sobbed into his chest.

"Hush… it's okay… it's okay…" Severus murmured.

"I didn't mean… to hurt…. Anyone…" Ron stuttered with hiccupping breaths.

"I know… thank you… for helping him… thank you… thank you…" Severus whispered reverently.

As Ron's tears slowed, he relaxed in Severus' embrace, accepting the hushed words of comfort and forgiveness. Ron expected Severus to smell of potions, but was surprised when he smelt sandalwood, bitter chocolate and an acidic undertone that was pickling liquor used to preserve ingredients. Ron found the combination quite pleasant as he burrowed further into Severus' chest.

Severus held the boy close as his tears dampened the front of his robes, it hurt that he wasn't Harry's first but he knew neither had meant any harm in their actions and he couldn't hold it against them, especially after seeing Harry's memories.

His own memories of his father haunted him in those minutes that felt like hours, he felt every blow, every cruel word. He remembered the way his mother used to hold him and tell him everything was going to be okay even when it wasn't. He remembered how safe he'd felt in her arms and understood that this is what Ron had given to Harry.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…." Ron murmured over and over.

"Hush… sweetheart… it's okay…"

Severus drew away, cupping Ron's face in his hands as he wiped away the last of his tears.

Ron's eyes widened when he met Severus' dark gaze. He noticed that his eyes weren't black but a very dark shade of purple and they were shining with affection.

There was something else there, something that made his heart flutter in his chest and flush rise to his cheeks.

Severus spotted this, he leaned down to whisper in Ron's ear.

"I forgive you Ronald… I know you didn't mean to hurt me or Miss Granger but I can assure you that you will be making up for that in the near future…"

Severus released the boy and took a step back.

Ron gulped.

Severus' admission sounded like a threat but the tone he used spoke of something far more intimate, something Ron wasn't ready to confront just yet.

Before anyone could speak, a scream shattered the silence.