Here's chapter 7. I'm so sorry about the delay. I've been having some serious writers block with this story. I couldn't figure out what I wanted Ron to do to Hermione and the kids and who would be with Severus to catch him.
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It was half past one and Hermione, Scarlet and Sebastian were waiting for Severus at the School gates. Sebastian couldn't stay in one place since he was overrun with excitement at the idea of seeing 'Batman' again. Scarlet was looking at her brother with a look of distain, but even though she wasn't outwardly excited to see the potions professor, her inside she was simmering with unhindered anticipation. Hermione could tell both her children were completely enamoured with Severus.
In the distance, two figures could be seen walking down to the gates.
Sebastian turned to his mum and exclaimed, "He's coming mummy. He's coming!"
Hermione laughed at her son's antics and tried to restrain the impatient boy as the figures got closer.
Scarlet noticed the attire of the two people and quickly recognised them as her Auntie Minnie and 'Batman'. "Auntie Minnie! Batman!" shouted Scarlet and she raced over to the figures.
Minerva let out a chuckle at Scarlet's frolics and hugged the red-haired girl. Sebastian soon freed himself from his mother's grasp, bypassed Minerva, and ran straight to Severus to envelope the man's legs in a vigorous embrace.
Hermione walked upto the Severus and Minerva, each had one of her children wrapped around their legs. "Scarlet, Sebastian let go of Severus and Aunt Minnie's legs please."
Both children acquiesced, but reluctantly. Sebastian extended his arms up while he stood in front of Severus, silently asking to be picked up. Severus sighed in a supposedly exasperated manner but scooped up the small boy none the less and said, "Good afternoon Sebastian, Scarlet, Hermione."
Sebastian held onto the man for extra security and rested his head in the crook of Severus' neck. Severus heard some giggling and turned to see Minerva with her hand over mouth and Hermione smirking at him.
Severus glared at Minerva and Hermione, and Scarlet, also seeing the dark expression, shrunk back and hid behind her 'aunt's' cloak. Hermione noticed the anxious actions of her daughter and said in a calming tone, "Scarlet come out please."
Hesitantly, Scarlet walked over to her mum and held her arms up in a silent command. Hermione picked up her daughter and whispered to her, "Severus isn't mad at you, Scar. He's just grumpy with Aunt Minnie and me. He won't shout at you like daddy, ok?"
Scarlet seemed surprisingly thoughtful, but nodded and followed Sebastian's lead and wrapped her arms around Hermione's neck.
"Right, are we ready to go?" asked Minerva.
"I think so, Severus?" replied Hermione, moving her gaze to the man in question, who was cradling Sebastian in his arms and wearing a slightly confused expression. Hermione mouthed a simple 'later'.
"I do believe so, shall we?" Severus nodded his head in the direction of the gates and with that; they set off down the path. Severus pondering why Scarlet shrank away from him all the way.
They walked in companionable silence, the children dozing in the secure holds of the adults as neither had gotten a lot of sleep last night with the knowledge they were going to see Severus again. Both brother and sister had formed a solid attachment to him and were ecstatic when Hermione told them Severus was coming with them to the Burrow...
Flashback
Hermione was dishing out supper for Scarlet and Sebastian when Scarlet asked what they were doing tomorrow.
"We're going to the Burrow to see Granny Molly, Grandpa Arthur and everyone else."
"But mummy!" Scarlet whined, "I wanna stay here."
"Please mummy, I weally wanna see Batman tomorrow!" complained Sebastian; pulling the cutest face he could muster to try and convince his mother.
"We're going to the Burrow and Severus is coming too, now finish your supper please. It's nearly bedtime," Hermione stated firmly. She knew the children liked Severus but wasn't prepared for the reaction she got.
"YES!" exclaimed the twins in a similar manner to Fred and George. They jumped up, ran for their mother, and hugged her fiercely.
"Thank you mummy!" Scarlet and Sebastian released Hermione from the hug and high-fived each-other.
"Kids. Why do you like Severus so much?" If she was honest, Hermione was utterly confused as to why they loved him more than their Uncle Harry and even Uncle Draco.
"He's just so nice to us mummy," answered Sebastian.
"He's not like everybody's else mummy. He expains (A.N. pronounced ex-pains) why we's wrong." Scarlet explained, while wearing her 'thinking face'.
Hermione smiled at her children's explanations and corralled them into the bathroom for a bath.
End Flashback
"Right...everyone ready?" asked Minerva her gaze flickering between Hermione and Severus.
"I think so..." Hermione trailed off and turned to Severus, "Listen Severus, you splinch my son I splinch you, got it?" Her tone clearly stated she meant it.
Severus' eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he appeared unbothered by her threat/promise. "I suppose. Rest assured I will not splinch your son." Severus looked at Hermione raising an eyebrow and smirking at her.
Shaking her head at their antics Minerva said, "I'll see you both at the Burrow." She then disapperated, leaving Hermione, Severus and the children standing at the gates.
"Are you apparating to the front door or the lake?" queried Severus.
"The front door, it easier. See you there," Hermione turned on the spot apparated to the Burrow, leaving Severus standing at the gates with Sebastian in his arms.
Severus tightened his hold on Sebastian, followed Hermione's lead and was gone with a 'pop'.
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By now, the small group was standing at the front door of the Burrow. You could hear the noise inside. Minerva knocked on the door and heard a lot of bustling coming from within, and then the door was pulled open.
"Come in dears," said Molly waving them over the entrance to the household. "I take it my grandbabies are sleeping; well you two can put them upstairs and then rejoin us in the living room." Molly drew each person into a hug, giving Hermione and Severus a weaker hug as they were holding the children. Molly led Minerva through to the living room while Severus and Hermione made their way upstairs.
Hermione led the way to the kid's room and shifted Scarlet do she could open the door. Once inside Hermione and Severus lay the children down and tucked them in.
Hermione watched Severus tuck Sebastian in, he treated them with so much more care, as if they were precious crystal, than Ron did. Hermione was broken from her musings when Severus stood and cleared his throat.
"Where did Molly say they were all going to be?" Hermione asked looking at her now safely tucked in children.
"The living room I believe."
"Oh. Right, of course." Hermione put on a look as if to say, 'I knew that so don't even try to say I didn't.'
"Indeed. Now let's go before they think I've killed you and made you into potions ingredients," Severus stated looking amused at Hermione's expression.
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Severus and Hermione entered the living room and scanned for a place they could sit. Fred and George were sitting close together oblivious to everyone else and talking in hushed tones. Ron was seated next to a newly arrived and teary-eyed Harry. Arthur and Molly had taken place in their armchairs, holding each other's hand while Minerva was sat on a couch by herself, they could only assume the two extra places were meant for them.
They made their way over and sat down, gaining everyone's attention only when Arthur cleared his throat.
Ron noticed her seating choice and couldn't hold back a comment. "'Mione, why are you sitting over there?"
"Because Ronald, I wanted to sit here and it's common practice to sit next to friends," Hermione's tone was firm, making it clear she wasn't going to move.
Ron's face tinted red and he looked as if going to say something but Fred cut him off, "'Mione, would you do us a favour?"
"Please 'Mione, we really need-" George asked.
"Your help-" finished Fred
"And of course, your brains-" George explained, flashing her a dazzling smile.
"So will you help your good friends Gred and Forge?" The twins finished they're speech in tandem.
"If I have to eat or drink anything then the answer is a flat no, anything else I want to know what I'd be doing and what would happen to me if and I stress if I agree to help you two trouble-makers!" Hermione gave each of the twins the 'Don't you even try to argue with me' look. However, the twins, unaffected by Hermione's stern expression just hi-fived each other and hugged the vaguely surprised witch.
"We'll be in touch." Both twins whispered as they quickly upped and scarpered.
Minerva smiled fondly at the twins. They always were her favourite Weasley children other than Charlie and Bill. Severus however, threw the twins a look that clearly showed his suspicion. Hermione just smiled, that was, until Ron started speaking again.
"'Mione, can I talk to you please?" Ron's tone wasn't an overly pleasant one, it sounded surprisingly serious.
"Not now Ronald." Her reply was quick and cool. Hermione turned her attention to Harry. He was being extremely quiet, sitting with his head in his hands. Although she hadn't yet addressed her friend, she was concerned by the boy's unannounced and downtrodden appearance. "Harry, can I talk to you outside, please?" her concern and curiosity proving too much to bear.
Harry raised his head from his hands and nodded.
They made their way outside and walked over to the 'comfort bench', the name it had gained from having been the place of comfort for many troubled Weasleys and friends.
"Talk to me Harry." Hermione's tone was gentle but there was firmness in her voice that Harry knew was only there when she was determined to get or do something.
The saviour looked horrendously troubled, and despite the absent of tears, his shoulder shook with repressed emotion.
"I lost Ginny. Hermione, she's dead and gone and...and I miss her but..." Harry waved his arms to try as if it would make his unstated point clearer. "I...I always loved Ginny; it's just during the time I was away I realised that I loved her...more like I do you." Harry looked up at Hermione and smiled if not weakly, "As a sister. You and Ginny were my sisters, Ron my brother. I felt like you guys were my family and I feel...horrible, for it not tearing me up more inside. But I feel I should tell you something, and I think it might have a reason for me not loving Ginny like everyone expected me to." His eyes were searching her face, when all he saw was understanding Hermione cut him off when he went to push on.
"Harry, is this about you being gay?" Hermione queried, her tone soft and calm.
"H-how did you know?" Harry asked, shocked that his friend knew his biggest secret.
"Harry I've known since fifth year. When you told us about kissing Cho, your face sort of conveyed a mix between disgust and confusion." Noticing Harry's panicked look Hermione quickly continued, "Ron doesn't know Harry, you weren't really that obvious."
Harry gave a sigh a relief and slumped backwards leaning into the bench. Hermione noticed his relaxed disposition and decided that she should tell him about Ron's behaviour recently.
"Harry, I need to tell you something...it's about Ron." Harry snapped upright and gave Hermione his full attention.
"Go on..." Harry trailed off noticing Hermione wringing her hands in her lap, nervously.
"Well-", Hermione stopped speaking abruptly when raised voices came from the Burrow.
After casting each other concerned glanced, Harry and Hermione ran back inside towards the living room and took in the scene before them, and what a startling scene it was.
Severus had Ron pinned and immobilised against the wall by his throat, Severus' coal black eyes sparking with anger as Ron's face steadily turned a darker red. Minerva was holding Scarlet tightly, tears streaming down the young girl's face as she clung onto the old woman's robes. Sebastian was tucked safely in Molly's arms, resting on the woman's lap as the boy held his wrist protectively against his belly while he cupped his cheek where a patch of red was steadily spreading across the pale skin. Arthur and the rest of the Weasley men looked thunderous.
Hermione raced over to her sobbing children while Harry remained standing at the door, looking lost and confused at the bizarre scene. "What the hell happened!" He finally exclaimed, overcoming the shock.
"Mr. Weasley here was a bit irate that your children favoured my lap over their father's after they came in after their nap. Our Mr. Weasley's infamous temper flared up and he then stormed over and rather violently pulled both children from my knee thus resulting in their hurt arms. Sebastian unfortunately came off a little worse, his face impacted with a toy left on the floor and his father further aggravated the boy's wounded arm from when he'd pulled him of Lucius' lap," Severus snarled at the terrified young man he was holding and thumped against the wall for good measure.
Harry and the other male Weasleys' looked, if at all possible, even angrier than before. Arthur glared at his son while everyone else, including Percy, Bill and Charlie whom had just flooed through at the start of Severus' explanation, were utterly livid.
Hermione, who had tears in her eyes, walked over to Severus, and placed her hand on his arm,. "Severus, put him down. Please" Hermione turned her attention to Ron and glared venomously.
Severus thumped Ron against the wall one last time before throwing him to the floor. Ron scrambled to his feet and scanned the room, seeing only anger, disappointment and revulsion.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione spoke. "Ronald this is the last time you will see me and your children. I'm going to file for divorce and will send you the papers, and I will make sure I get full custody of the children." Hermione's voice was tense with barely controlled fury at the miserable excuse for a man standing in front of her. "You, Ronald Billius Weasley, are a disgrace," Hermione turned and went to walked away but said disgrace grabbed her arm, spun her to face him and slapped her so hard she fell to the floor. The sound of the slap echoed around the room.
Harry saw Severus move to unsheathe his wand on then redhead but quickly said, "He's not worth going to Azkaban for, professor," but despite the calm, sensible response that would have made Hermione proud, it was clear Harry was barely containing himself from withdrawing his own wand.
Percy and Bill were helping Hermione over to the couch and sat her in-between Molly and Minerva, when they heard Severus snarl.
"That's the third time you've hit her. Lucius and I warned you about what would happen if you touched Hermione or her children again, but as Mr. Potter pointed out before I disembowelled you, you aren't worth going to Azkaban for. However, be warned that Lucius and I, when he hears about this, will do everything we can to ensure that you are you punished for your actions" the man growled.
The whole room listened to Severus as he spoke; everyone knew he meant exactly what he said. Molly and Minerva were currently rocking the twin they were holding.
Molly broke the silence, "Harry dear, can you please floo the ministry, ask for Nymphadora and Kingsley please?"
"WHAT? MUM!" Ron exclaimed, looking pleadingly at his mother.
"No Ronald, this is going to happen." Molly glared at her son and turned her attention back to her grandson, cradled in her arms. She ran her fingers through his hair and rocked him to sleep. Minerva doing the same to Scarlet.
Severus walked over to the Hermione and crouched down, to ask, "Do you mind if I floo Draco and Lucius, they'd want to know."
Hermione looked away from her son and sighed, "No, floo them but after Ron leaves. If he's here when they arrive I doubt if he'll be alive when Tonks and Kingsley get here."
Ron heard them talking and shouted, "YOU ARE NOT LETTING THE FERRET OR HIS DEATH EATER FATHER ANYWHERE NEAR MY KIDS!"
Severus looked at Hermione and her face conveyed pure, unadulterated anger. "Ronald Billus Weasley! You will Not talk about my friends like that! Draco has been the twins' uncle since they were born and Lucius had been nothing but nice to me. Scarlet and Sebastian love them!"
Molly and the rest of the Weasley clan looked at Ron with complete disbelief mixed with anger. Surprisingly, Percy spoke up, "Ronald, they are Hermione's children not yours. She is the one who has looked after them. Every Sunday, Hermione brings the children to see me. They have always been Hermione's children. You were simply a sperm donor as far as I could tell." His voice was cold and repulsion. No one in the room could believe what he had said.
Arthur was about to speak when the floo roared into life and Tonks stumbled through, Kinsley followed but didn't trip over the grate unlike Tonks.
"Wotcher Harry!" Tonks said; blushing as Harry caught her when she toppled.
"Nice to know some things never change," Severus mumbled.
"Harry didn't tell us why we were to come here, would someone care to explain?" questioned Kingsley.
It was Hermione who spoke up, "Of course. I would like to press formal charges against Ronald Weasley for assaulting me and my children on various occasions." This was said in a-matter-of-fact tone. "I'm also pushing for a divorce."
Tonks and Kingsley's expressions shifted from shock to their blank expressions of authority. "Of course. Ronald Weasley you're under arrest for assault and domestic violent." Kingsley stated coldly while Tonks stunned him as he tried to escape the Auror's steal grip.
"No worries 'Mione. We'll make sure they get him." Tonks exclaimed, hugging the brunette, her hair changing to hot pink.
Scarlet giggled seeing Tonks' hair and whispered to Minerva, "Auntie Minnie. Look!"
Minerva looked up and chuckled glad to have some weight lifted as Ron's immobile form was flooed away.
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Tonks had left after amusing Scarlet by changing her hair and facial features several times.
Hermione had told the remaining Weasleys that she would visit soon but her children were tired and she wanted to get the back to Hogwarts.
She and Severus had only just sat down in Hermione's quarters, mid-conversation about the latest potions article, when Draco and Lucius flooed through the grate in a vicious flare of emerald fire, their expressions murderous.
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Hello!
Hope this was ok. Had some serious trouble with what I wanted Ron to do but thanks to someone commenting on my YouTube video about it, I managed to finish this chapter.
Again, SO Sorry for the wait.
Thank u to Silverlynxcat for being so patient with me. U Rock!
Also check out aw1430. She's AWESOME!