"Severus?" A weak voice whispered. He snapped his head up and looked into those beautiful brown eyes again. It had only been a few hours since he had sat by her beside, but it had felt like an eternity. He let out a sob and grabbed her face with gentle hands.

"Oh, Hermione." He breathed. "I was so worried. How do you feel?" She shifted a bit and winced.

"A bit like my head has been split open, honestly. What happened? I just remember Ron falling down… I think he'd been drinking but…" She trailed off, squinting into the distance trying to remember. Severus held her hand once again and shook his head.

"He most certainly was. When I arrived you were bleeding and he was trying to force himself on you." His voice shook, remembering that horrible sight. She frowned and shook her head.

"N…no, Ron wouldn't do that." She said.

"Hermione, he was drunk – more than drunk. He probably wasn't aware of what he was doing. That's no excuse but I would be surprised if he even remembered any of it at all." Hermione's eyes were full of unshed tears.

"I can't believe it. I'm sorry you had to see that." She whispered. Severus leaned forward and planted a soft, sweet kiss on her forehead.

"On the contrary, I'm quite glad you wrote me. Thank the Gods I arrived when I did." He climbed onto the bed next to her and cradled her to him. "I don't know how you've bewitched me so, but I love you with all my heart, dear Hermione. The thought of losing you or Ron hurting you… it feels like a part of me has died. I couldn't have survived losing you."

Hermione snuggled in closer to him. Though she thought he was being a bit dramatic, she'd never say so. After losing the woman he loved all those years ago, this must have been torture. Instead, she was content to simply be held by his strong arms, happy to be reunited with the man she loved.

The next day Poppy somewhat reluctantly released Hermione, making her promise to take the week off of teaching so she didn't overdo it. Hermione agreed, happy to be leaving. Severus had immediately told her she'd be staying with him. She started to object, thinking it was too soon after Ron, but he insisted she stay close so he could keep an eye on her.

While Severus was teaching classes, Hermione would read, look over his potion research or rest. He had all his meals with her in his bed. They would talk about all manner of things while they ate and then spend some time simply lying in each other's arms until he had to leave once again. He was exceedingly gentle with her, not daring to touch her more intimately than a soft caress or to hold her hand. Even his kisses were gentle and timid. It frustrated her, but she let him take his time.

After a few days, when she up and walking around to build her strength, an owl appeared. Warily, she untied the note and returned to the bed before unfolding the parchment. There was the familiar scrawl of her estranged husband. She almost threw it in the fire without reading it, but something stopped her.

Hermione,

I wouldn't blame you if you didn't read this, but I hope you'll be forgiving and give me one last chance that I don't deserve.

Poppy told me what happened, and I can't believe I could do something that terrible to you. Of course our memories and Sna- Severus's had been pulled in case you filed a complaint with the Ministry, so I unfortunately saw what I put you through.

All I can say is that I never would have done that if I had my senses about me. I don't know what had come over me. There is no excuse and I will forever be sorry.

I'm not holding out hope for a response. If I were you I'd never speak to me again and you'd be in the right for it.

Again, there are no words to say how deeply sorry I am. I will forever regret going out to drink that night.

Of course I will grant you a divorce. I went to the ministry yesterday and started filing so you should be alerted soon. If there is anything else I can ever do for you, it's yours.

Thank you for being such a wonderful friend all these years, and for being my wife a while, too. I only wish I hadn't failed you when you needed a friend back.

Love (scratched out)

Yours (scratched out)

Sincerely (scratched out)

-Ronald

A single tear fell on the parchment, smearing his signature. After all this, she still couldn't hate him. She had refused to view the memories and refused to file against him. Severus had been surprised, but supported her. Everyone who knew Ron knew that he would never intentionally do such a terrible thing.

She stared at the parchment a bit longer before wandering over to the fireplace and slowly feeding it to the fire. She forgave him, but no longer wished to be connected to him. Even if it meant all their friends would choose him.

It turns out, she had no reason to worry about any of their friends. She heard through the grapevine that Neville and Luna had showed up at Ron's house to yell at him. His mother and brothers all gave him an earful. Minerva and Hagrid even sent him howlers! Harry and Ginny had showed up at Hogwarts, unfazed to find her in the dungeons. Harry looked at her with concerned eyes, and rubbed her back while Ginny paced the room angrily, one hand on her big belly and another rudely gesturing as she ranted about how stupid her brother was and how if Hermione wished, she would give him a beating.

"He's signed himself up for anger management classes and an alcoholic support group." Harry said quietly as Ginny's ranting fell to background noise. Hermione turned to him.

"That's ridiculous. He's not an alcoholic." She said. Harry shrugged and tucked a stray tendril of her hair behind her ear.

"He feels terrible and wants to make sure he'd never do a thing like that again. I think it's good for him. This sort of thing shouldn't be taken lightly." Hermione nodded.

"I suppose that's true."

"So." Harry shifted so he was facing her, sitting on the bed. He smiled teasingly at her. "The dungeons, huh?" Hermione lowered her head and smiled.

"The dungeons." She admitted. Harry lifted her chin gently with his hand. She looked into his sincere eyes.

"If you're happy, we're happy. No matter what." He smiled at her. She smiled back, eyes watering, and threw herself into Harry's arms, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you Harry." She whispered. She pulled away after a moment and ruffled his hair for good measure. Harry shot her a feigned look of annoyance and attempted to smooth out his hair – which of course did no good.

After some time, Ginny had finished ranting and sat next to Hermione, grilling her about how she was feeling. Hermione answered question after question until finally Harry cleared his throat and said they really must be going. He must have known classes were almost over for the day because only moments after they left, Severus burst into the room, gathering her up in his arms and deeply inhaling her scent.

"I've missed you." He mumbled. Hermione smiled and leaned back.

"I missed you too. Harry and Ginny came for a visit." Severus pulled back and looked concerned.

"Here? Did they know why you were down here?"

"Harry knew. And he is happy that I'm happy. Ginny was too angry with her brother to even notice, I think." She snorted and ran her hand through his hair. "But enough about that. Let's get our dinner and spend the night in bed." She smiled when his eyes widened a bit. Suddenly he spun around and strode out of the room.

"Where are you going?" She called after him.

"The house elves won't be fast enough!" He snarled back. She laughed and shook her head. She loved that man something fierce.

**A/N: Don't worry, there's more coming :)