"So you're telling me that Draco Malfoy is the magical anchor for my Harry?"

"Yes Molly I am. I am going to need to do some research in the library here this weekend and was hoping Miss Granger would be willing to help."

"If you can pry her away from my son's side, please feel free to utilize her."

"I'm sure Ron will be willing to let her help since it's for Harry."

"Yes, I'm sure Ron will be, but I don't know about Fred."

"FRED! When did this happen?"

"Just after your first visit." Molly began to explain as she led Severus through the castle and into the second floor library, "Fred was a bit put out at my attitude toward you so soon after his father's death and he and I got into an argument. He felt I was being too friendly. Hermione heard the ruckus and made it a point to explain to him that I was simply being a good hostess and then reminded him of the times they'd heard me crying at night."

"Oh Molly, I am sorry to be the reason for such discord."

"Severus," Molly said, hitting him on the arm, "you have nothing to apologise for. I know he was just acting out and that he didn't mean anything by it. He apologised almost immediately and has been doing everything but crawling on his knees to prove he's sorry about the row."

"Molly, if my appearance here is the cause of any confusion, I will be happy to talk with the boys or send someone else to check in."

"Absolutely not. These weeks would not have been bearable, especially after hearing of The Burrows fate, without your visits. No, I think everyone's just got a bit of cabin fever. Charlie's gone back to work and Ron's gone with him. Bill's brought Fleur here and they're in one of the cottages on the property. Hermione's been distracting Fred and they've gotten quite close. And my George, well, he feels as though he must take Arthur's place and has been taking care of the finances and property. In fact," she stopped just inside of the largest library Severus had ever been in, "I believe he wants to talk to you about some things while you're here."

"I'll see that I make some time for him. Molly, this is a beautiful room. Have you made changes in here?"

Molly smiled as she watched Severus turn round looking at the 20 foot high walls completely covered in books. "Simply cleaned it. Nothing else."

Severus walked to the ginger woman, smiled and took her into a tight hug, "You really are an amazing woman. I give you a castle that hasn't been lived in in a century and you make it a cozy home in a matter of weeks."

Molly blushed as was about to thank him for the compliment when they were interrupted by a throat being cleared.

"Excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt," Hermione quietly said, "Molly, I was wondering how many we are expecting for dinner tonight. Hello Severus. How's everyone back home?"

Severus looked at Hermione and catalogued the changes in his student. Her normally bushy hair had been tamed and was long and straight and her rather sedate clothing had been replaced by simple muggles jeans and a nice top. "Hermione, everyone is well. I will be happy to catch everyone up on the happenings from the past week or so at dinner this evening."

Molly linked her arm through Severus' and said, "Hermione, aside from the three of us, I believe it's just the Twins tonight."

Hermione nodded and smiled at the pair, "Dinner will be ready in half an hour."

"So Severus, I have you back in the same room and the elves have taken your stuff up. Why don't you go freshen up and change. We're very casual around here, no robes."

"Oh Molly," Severus laughed, "the children have finally corrupted you."

The twins were the last to arrive in the dining room and Fred stopped in the door when he saw Severus sitting at the head of the table.

"Why is he sitting at the head of the table?"

Severus began to stand but Molly stopped him with a hand on his, "Because I asked him to. Now sit down so we can enjoy a nice dinner. Severus has things to tell us and I think we need to listen."

Hermione walked over and took Fred's hand and led him to the chair beside hers. Once they'd settled and dinner was served, Hermione looked to Severus and asked, "So, what did you want to tell us about?"

"A number of things have come up that I would like to tell you about. And Hermione, I will be needing your help with some research."

"Of course, I love the libraries we have here. What are we researching?"

Well, first let me update you on a few things. First, Lucius Malfoy is dead."

Four different voices hollered "What?" at the same time.

"Two nights ago, he was killed on his way back to his cell after seeing Narcissa. Though they have yet to find the culprit, they notified Cissa that he'd been stabbed during a scuffle with other prisoners. I've no doubt that the 'scuffle' was staged and we won't ever know for sure who actually stabbed him."

"How's Narcissa doing?" Molly asked with genuine concern in her voice.

"She's doing quite fine. Remus has been helping her along," Severus answered with a smile.

Hermione raised an eyebrow in question and asked, "How is Draco handling having a Werewolf courting his mother?"

"That leads me to the next thing; Draco's been otherwise occupied and hasn't been as observant as usual. Hermione this is where I will be in need of your help. Draco has been busy with Harry. We've discovered that Draco is Harry's magical anchor and they've been developing some training to help get Harry's magic under control."

"Professor," Hermione began before Severus stopped her by saying, "Severus." Hermione continued, "Severus, I have many questions but first, how does Lucius' death affect Narcissa and Draco. What I mean is do they have to leave the Manor?"

"No, Lucius had not had a chance to change his will after his last appeal was denied by the Council so Draco will inherit everything including the title of Lord Malfoy. His imprisonment had begun that process but his death cemented it. The family solicitor sat down with the two and went through the paperwork last night and it's been filed with the Ministry, so they are fine."

"Okay, now explain this anchor thing and how I can help."

"We, how we can help," Fred said quietly.

Severus nodded and explained the conversation, minus the personal details, he'd had with Harry and everything he'd witnessed that supported his theory. "So, the first thing I need to find is any references to magical anchors and more importantly, how the actual bond works."

"There are a number of books in the second floor library that might shed some light on the subject. I will begin first thing in the morning."

"Um, since it's for Harry and all, there's a room in the North Wing on the fourth floor that has some books that might help also."

All eyes turned to Fred, who nervously explained, "Well, we um, we were looking for a lab we could use…"

"Fred!" George growled.

"Boys, what are the rest of us missing?" Molly inquired.

Hermione, always quick to catch on chimed in, "They were looking for a place to continue their experiments."

George blushed and Fred looked at his mother sheepishly, "Yeah we were. We found three more libraries and then this room. It has a wall of books, most of which are older than anything I've ever seen or heard of but there was one that had a title about bonds." Fred closed his eyes trying to remember the exact title and after a couple of moments, he said, "Magical Bonds and Ceremonies. I couldn't read the rest or the author but it's really old and I bet it'd have something in it."

Severus and Hermione both smiled and Severus said, "Thank you Fred. Would you mind showing me where that is?"

Hermione placed her hand on his knee under the table and he politely said, "Yeah, right. How about after breakfast?" Hermione squeezed his knee in encouragement.

"That would be fine Fred."

Molly waited a moment before saying, "Boys, I have asked you not to do any more of your experiments here. I don't want you damaging this castle. It's not yours to destroy."

The Twins looked properly chastised and said, "Yes ma'am."

"Molly, if you have no objections, after Fred shows me the North Wing tomorrow, I would be happy to show the boys a lab in the basement they can use. With the understanding, of course, that no harm comes to the building."

"Thank you Professor," came the united response.

"Good, now everyone off to bed. Their own beds," Molly said looking at Fred and Hermione, "and have a nice night."

The Twins and Hermione filed out after kissing the matriarch on the cheek and bidding Severus a good night.

"Molly, would you be so kind as to point me in the direction of the cottages? I would like to take a look at the unoccupied ones and see how much work is needed to improve them."

Taking Severus' arm and walking him toward the door, Molly said, "Come on then, I'll show you where they are."

As the pair walked through the gardens, Severus relaxed more and enjoyed friendly small talk with the woman next to him. He hadn't begun to really think about Molly in a way other than another Order member until his last visit. He'd walked into the conservatory to find her singing and dancing along with a song on the wireless, while she dusted the many antiques in the room.

He'd stood in the doorway watching her shaking her hips and shimming around in time with the song and before he realised it, he was tapping his foot and smiling at the carefree way Molly behaved. From that moment on, she was no longer just the mother of his student or member of the Order, but was in fact, a beautiful woman who deserved to be treated as such.

Severus stopped walking and picked a particularly large yellow rose from the bush along the path and handed it to Molly, bowing to her saying, "My lady."

Molly giggled and took the flower, inhaling its heavenly aroma deeply, "Thank you sir."

Severus took her hand in his and began to walk on quietly. After a few minutes, seeing the first cottage on the horizon, he finally said, "It's time you remembered that you are a beautiful woman, Molly. I believe for too long, you've only seen yourself as a wife, mother and fighter."

Molly wiped a tear from her cheek, "You're right Severus. I have only seen myself in that way for a long time." Taking a deep breath, she changed the subject, while slipping the flower behind her ear. "So this is the first cottage. The others are actually in much better shape but will definitely need some work if anyone is to live in them."

The pair checked over the structure, Molly pointing out breaks in the foundation and areas that would need repair, before deciding it was too dark to continue. "Let's continue this tomorrow afternoon when you can see the potential beauty of the property," she suggested.

Severus smiled, taking her hand again, "That sounds good. Maybe I can see the changes Bill has made to his cottage for inspiration?"

"I think that can be arranged," Bill said walking up. He kissed his mother's cheek and shook Severus' hand, "I saw light up here and decided to check it out. I was sure I'd find the Twins up here."

"No dear, they have found a basement lab to play in."

"Severus, stop by anytime and I'll happily show you the improvements we've made."

"Wonderful. I'll be up tomorrow afternoon then."

Bill watched the pair walk away, happily chatting, and smiled when his wife embraced him from behind.

"They make a lovely couple don't they?"

"Bill, you are okay with zis?"

"If he can put that smile on my Mum's face, I'm great with it. She hasn't smiled like that since Ginny was born."

"Good Morning Professor," Fred said as Severus walked into the kitchen with Molly.

"Fred, please call me Severus. You are no longer my student and given the circumstances, familiarity is acceptable." Severus pulled the chair out for Molly, who blushed but accepted the chair.

"Alright Severus," Fred said tipping his head toward Severus. "Morning Mum, Hermione asked me to tell you that she needs a few minutes of your time this morning." He shook his head at the looks from his mother and Severus, "Her words, not mine. She didn't tell me what it's about but I can guess."

"Severus, breakfast is self serve around here. What would you like?"

"Tea is fine George, thank you. I don't usually eat in the morning."

"Severus Tobias Snape," Molly began, rising from her seat and putting food on a plate, "you will sit down and have a proper breakfast. In this house we eat three meals. Tea's on the table and you will clean this plate before leaving this table," she chastised, causing the Twins to snicker while they ate.

Severus knew better than to argue and sat down thanking Molly for the food when the plate was set before him. He couldn't deny…he did enjoy her cooking.

After 'cleaning their plates', Severus and the Twins headed toward the North Wing and Molly went in search of Hermione.

"So Molly, did you and Severus have a nice night?" Hermione asked with a smirk on her face.

Molly blushed and threw a rag at the brunette, "Oh you, cut that out. I have no idea what you mean."

Hermione laughed loud and said, "You really are the worst liar Molly. I can see what's going on. It's good. I haven't seen you this happy in weeks. And I don't think I've ever seen Severus smile. I didn't even know he had teeth!"

"Oh Hermione, he's not that bad." Molly sat down on one of the clean couches in the small library off the area the family had come to call the "Ladies Rooms", as they were decorated in every shade of pink and flowers possible.

"So, Fred said you wanted to talk to me dear."

"Molly, it may not be my place, but for all intents and purposes, you are my mum and I have to say, he's good for you and you should enjoy the attention." Hermione took Molly's hand as she sat next to the woman and continued, "The boys will likely find it hard to accept at first, but once they see your face when you are around him and see how he dotes on you, they'll come around. You know Arthur wouldn't object."

"Yes he would," Molly sobbed, "he would say it's too soon for me to be seeing anyone, let alone a former death eater. And he would be disappointed to see me acting the part of a school girl around a man. I'm a mother for Goddess sake!"

"Yes you are which means you are also a woman. There is no reason you can't be both, and I don't think he would be upset by Severus being the one to put the twinkle back in your eye. He knew Severus wasn't who he appeared. He knew you would one day move on. I doubt he would have expected you to remain alone for the rest of your life. He loved you and he'd want to see you happy. Does Severus make you happy?"

Molly got up and began to pace while she thought back to the life she'd had and the one she had now. She thought about Arthur and Severus, their differences and similarities, the way she felt around Severus and the way she'd felt with Arthur. She pictured her life as she'd always know it and then tried to think about the future without any companionship.

"Hermione," she said, turning to face the girl she knew would one day be her daughter, "he makes me very happy. I look forward to his notes and visits. It's like I'm being courted again, and I like it."

Hermione nodded in encouragement as Molly continued, "Last night, we were walking through the gardens on the way to the cottages and Severus took a flower from a bush and presented me with it. No one's given me flowers for no reason since I was a teenager."

"I had a little talk with Fred last night and I think he's starting to come around. His concern is that you've forgotten Arthur," she paused at Molly's gasp and watched the woman's eyes fill with tears, "I assured him that would never happen but reminded him, that you have a long life ahead of you and you shouldn't be alone. I also reminded him that children and grandchildren, of which you will likely have many, are no substitute for a spouse."

"Right, well, it's a moot point for now," Molly blotted her eyes and handed the cloth back to Hermione, "and we have work to do. So what books have you already checked?"

"These are mainly dark arts books, why would you boys think these would help Harry?"

George and Fred stood with their backs to the door and looked at Severus, "We didn't. We just needed you alone and away from the main house so we can talk to you."

"George, you could have simply asked."

"Yeah we could have, but that would have led to questions from the women that we don't want to answer."

"Fred, Hermione and your Mother are both incredibly intelligent. Do you really believe they don't know that you're going to be confronting me about what you believe is my intrusion?"

As the wind left their sails, the Twins slumped and sighed, gesturing for Severus to sit with them around the circular table in the room.

"Severus, we do want to talk to you about the attention you've been showing our Mum, but it's not what you think."

Severus raised his eyebrow at George's statement and looked at Fred who appeared to be most uncomfortable.

"So, um. You've been spending a lot of time with her and we know you're not a git like we always thought, but don't think we're okay with this."

Severus laughed at being called a git to his face. No one had ever had the nerve to do that before. It was refreshing to have the Twins be honest with him so he felt they deserved the same, "Boys, I do enjoy being with your mother and find her to be a delight to be around. I know that your father's death has been hard on you all, especially having to be relocated, but please be assured, I have no intention of trying to replace him."

The boys nodded and waited to hear the rest, "Arthur was an exceptional man and he has a family to be envied. You have all grown into exceptional young adults and I will treat you as such. With that, I am attracted to your Mother. I have been for quite some time. I do plan to court her and hope you won't make this hard. She's a beautiful woman who deserves to know it. I plan to make sure she never doubts it."

George stood and smiled, "Good show. Anyone who can say nice things about us and mean it, has my go ahead."

Fred stood and extended his hand, "You hurt her and Voldemort will seem like a kitten to the pain you feel from me. That said, have at it."

Severus shook his hand, "Thank you for your honesty and devotion to your mother. Know this; I will never lie to any of you where your mother is concerned."

"Now tell us about this basement lab you mentioned."