Disclaimer: I do not own anything that you might recognize in this story.

A/N: Thank you soooo much to everyone who has taken the time to review this story, it is all for you I am so happy you are enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it. I simply can't believe how many people are adding this story to their favorites and alerts. So to all of you Thanks!

I have yet to hear one person is against little purple eyed Hermione Severus babies – so babies there shall be…later. For now our girl has a whole lot more to deal with.

THANK YOU ALL!

So, this chapter takes us to the Ministry and Kingsley where we learn more about what Ron has done. First though Hermione returns to her flat and finds an interesting letter awaiting her arrival…

Thanks for reading as always, and I do hope you enjoy.

.lily

She wasn't ready. She could hardly breathe. Luckily Harry had ensured everything was cleaned and set to rights before she arrived. It had scared her, knowing that Aurors collected what evidence they could and then left, not bothering to rid homes of blood and filth, as it wasn't part of their jobs. She had been terrified of seeing the reddish brown stains leading from the entryway and up the flights of stairs to the flat she had shared with her husband.

When Severus apparated with Hermione into Diagon Alley, not far from her building, she wasn't sure she was strong enough to see the painful reminder of what had happened. The bloody reminder of how she had lost her precious baby daughter before she had even had the chance to look upon her face was too much to bear. Her heart was beating wildly, pounding painfully in her chest and her breaths were becoming rapid and shallow and not giving her nearly enough oxygen. She had feared a full blown panic attack when Severus had opened the door to her building to reveal a scourgified and freshly painted entryway that showed no signs of the brutality that had just taken place days before.

Hermione breathed a little deeper, relieved at the lack of blood that met her vision, though it shouldn't surprise her. Even if Harry hadn't been there, she doubted her neighbors would have been keen to walk past a bloody mess day after day when a wave of the wand would clear it all away. She prayed to whatever gods were listening that her flat had been equally cleansed of her blood and that she would find her wand quickly so she could be on her way.

Hermione allowed Severus to lead the way to her flat, taking comfort in his strong presence, knowing that he would not lead her into harm, even emotional harm, if he could prevent it. The door opened into her foyer and Hermione immediately noticed a large piece of folded parchment on her console table just past the door with her name on it.

"It's from Harry," she whispered as she took the note in her hand, revealing her wand that had been placed underneath it. She quickly grabbed the length of walnut, feeling the dragon heartstring thrumming its pulse through her. It still wasn't right after all these years but it had served her; she had fought with it, possibly killed; but it was a war and she had been deep in the middle of it. Now all that mattered was the feeling of helplessness was lessened with the wand in her hand.

She smiled.

Hermione took up the letter and read it aloud, though not really meaning to share it with Severus, just muttering the words as she read them.

'Mione,

This was found on the ground in your kitchen and taken to down to the MOM so they could record what spells it had performed. Technically, they were just looking to see if you had defended yourself in the attack, or provoked it… I KNOW YOU DIDN'T so don't get mad at me; it's just the way the investigations have to go. Hermione…I didn't know they were testing the wand right away and I was too late to stop it. Mickey noticed the wand was reeking of dark magic energy. He's new here. One of the reasons we love him so much round here is 'cuz he's from the States and doesn't give a fig who is famous or a supposed hero. He treats everyone the same and does his job. That's why he investigated further than the attack. He went all the way back, documenting it all. There is no proof of who cast what 'Mione, just that it was the wand, the wand that you now possess. I had to pull strings and you can thank Kings when you see him that you have the wand now, but you are going to have to answer for what was found.

I had to tell Kings where you got it 'Mione. No one knows what really happened that night, I don't even really know. No one but a few of us knew who's wand you carried. Everyone who would have recognized it on sight are either dead or in Azkaban. Though I do suspect Snape knows.

It isn't my story to tell 'Mione. Kings let me return it to you for now, though you should really get a new one 'cuz you never liked hers anyhow. I left it here for you figuring you would come looking and frankly I am not sure if I will be around for a few days. We caught a trail and I'm chasing it down. We'll stop them 'Mione, we will.

Now, I know my last letter told you to be wary and keep safe but 'Mione, there is so much we found. I can't explain it all here. It needs to be said in person. Just prepare yourself please. Find the girl I know is buried in there, the fighter, the one with all the ideas. I need her, we all do. You are going to need to be strong 'Mione. I know it is hard. I wish I could make you see how sorry I am that I wasn't there. I should have been, I know and I won't let them hurt you again.

Keep safe.

All my love,

Harry

p.s. go see Kings. Tell him the truth; he's always been a good friend and a good man. He will understand. He'll make sure the inquiry is kept quiet and done quickly.

Hermione wanted to rage at something. It wasn't enough that she had been brutalized in her home, that she was a battered wife or that she lost her sweet baby girl. Now she had to explain why she held the wand of a dead, mad woman. She had to prove that it had not been in her hand when it was used to torture and maim. It had been last used to torture her before she took it from the mad witch.

Severus watched as the emotions played over Hermione's face as he processed the information he heard in her letter from Potter. Why did you keep that wand Hermione? Why Bella's wand of all wands? You could have replaced it at any time, he wondered as he watched as the witch in question suddenly stalked off towards the kitchen. Shite!

"Hermione, Stop!" he bellowed after her, "There is no need for you to be here. You have the wand, let's go. You do not want to go in there." He was getting more and more frustrated as she just continued on into the kitchen without any indication that she had heard him.

When he walked into the kitchen Hermione was standing staring at the table she had been spread out and raped on. She gave her wrist a small flick and bluebell flames shot from her wand slowly torching the table in front of her, as she slowly controlled their direction. Severus was mostly relieved to see her act of destruction and her anger because at least that was something he could relate to. He had to commend her on her control over the flames and were it not for the reason she was burning the table, he would have found the sight before him beautiful. Her control over the flames was remarkable as four separate balls of fire danced across the surface of the table, burning it from the center outwards, and then down the table legs. He could see a flicker of the powerful witch he knew her to be.

As the table crumbled to a pile of ashes on the floor Hermione fell to her knees and let out an ear piercing scream. Severus walked up behind her silently and placed his hand on her shoulder while she cried and screamed it out, offering her his silent support.

When she had finally spent her tears she stood and faced the man who was standing behind her, there should she need him. "Thank you, I think I feel better now," she told him, "let me just crab my cloak and then we can leave, I need to go see Kingsley and you should get to work."

Severus nodded as she led the way to a coat rack in the hallway and pulled on her cloak. She removed the large hat that she had been wearing and pulled the cloak up over her head. "Hermione would you like me to accompany you to the Ministry? I could…"

"No Severus, thank you. I think I will just floo in. I will be fine and you have done so much already. I imagine you will be grateful for a quick shower and a moment alone before you have to open your doors to imbeciles who wouldn't know the difference between Dittany and Murtlap without you to set them straight. Go, I'll see you later, I am sure," she said, though a part of her wanted to say 'Yes, come with me. Don't leave me alone.' But she knew that he needed time alone and she had so much that she needed to do after straightening things out at the Ministry.

"Of course. Would you like me to take care of the funeral arrangements? I know there is so much you need to attend today and if it would ease the burden I could call St. Mungo's and be certain the appropriate actions are taken." He wasn't exactly looking forward to making the arrangements but he didn't think she would be able to manage it right then.

Hermione nearly started to cry again; with heartbreak for her child, and gratitude for this man who would do so much for her. "Actually, I will see Arthur while I am at the Ministry. I want her with family and I want her close. I cannot bury her in Australia with my parents and she is a Weasley, even if her father …" She let the words just hang in the air, not wanting to think about him. "I will see if she can be buried in The Weasley family plot with Fred and her ancestors. At least she will not be alone then."

"Very well. You know that I will be there. If you want me there, that is," he stated, as a brief flash of something like fear crossed his features.

Does he think I wouldn't want him there? Does he not know how important he is to me and to her? "Oh, Severus," she said, placing a hand on his arm. "Of course I want you there. I need you there. Besides, without you she would not have even been a possibility for me and it is not your fault she was taken from me. I loved her while she was mine and I love her now that she is the angel's. Trust me when I say that you worked much harder to conceive her than her father did. You worked for months; he was done in about two minutes," she said, with a touch of laughter in her voice.

Severus couldn't hold back the laughter. It was horrible considering they were talking about a funeral for her child, but the thought of the Weasley idiot rutting away for all of a blink of the eye was too much for him. Trauma or not it was no wonder the witch never went to bed with him.

Suddenly the thought hit him that she felt he was responsible for the creation of her child; more so than it's father. Any man could have easily planted his seed but he had given her the fertility potion that made it all possible. The thought that no such potion would be able to fix the damage now, renewed his anger and quelled his laughter.

"Yes well. Perhaps we should go Hermione. I meant it. If you need anything…"

"Could you…could you come back to my parent's house tonight? I am not ready to be alone and I'm not really ready to deal with the Weasley's yet either," she asked him hopefully, worrying after the fact that he might interpret it as an invitation into her bed.

"Hermione, I told you already. I shall stop at the market and pick up what you will need to get by and I will be there after I close up. You needn't be alone right now." He pulled her into his arms and gave her a soft kiss.

As her soft warm lips moved against his, following his lead and bending to his will, he felt his head spin. She managed to arouse him more with a simple kiss than all the women he had ever bedded had ever managed to do. He knew he had to end the kiss soon before his desire became too evident against her.

Reluctantly Severus stepped back from the kiss, placing small kisses on her jaw, and cheek, and forehead. He looked into her shining amber eyes and held her gaze.

Hermione felt light and warm from his kisses and as his deep purple eyes met hers she felt like she was being consumed by him. She felt like he could see into her. Even without the use of legilimancy, he could just see her; who she was and what she wanted and needed and who she wished could be. "Severus."

When his name rolled off her tongue, more a whisper than anything, Severus closed his eyes, ending whatever soul deep magic was at work.

"Hermione. Go, tend your business. I shall see you tonight. Send an owl if you have need of me or should the plans for tonight change. I can see myself out," he said to her.

Hermione, who still felt breathless, simply nodded and watched as he retreated from the kitchen and waited till she heard the clicking of the front door before she headed to the floo and left for the Ministry.

Hermione stepped out of the floo into the rebuilt atrium of the Ministry for Magic. Like she always did when she was visiting the ministry, she walked to the rare cerulean blue marble pillar, said to have been mined from Atlantis, that stood in the center of the atrium as a monument to all who were lost in the war; magic, muggle, elves and half-breeds alike. She stood there and ghosted her fingers over the names, watching as the likeness etched into the stone shifted with each name she touched. She sought no name in particular anymore; it was just her way of saying thanks and keeping the memories alive.

She took a few breaths to steady herself and made her way to the elevators that would lead her to the Ministers office and she hoped he was available.

"Hello Padma," Hermione said as she approached the Ministers secretary. "Is Kingsley in?"

"Hermione, yes he is. He said to be expecting you. Let me just notify him of your arrival." Padma stepped away from her desk and went to the door that led to the Ministers office and gave a light knock.

"Hermione Weasley is here Minister Shacklebolt. Shall I send her in?" Hermione heard her ask. She didn't hear a reply but Padma quickly returned and told her that the Minister was waiting.

Hermione walked into the Minister's office happy to see her friend sitting behind his large desk that few knew had been a gift from George; something he had found on a trip to Egypt with Bill two summers ago. The desk top was a magnificent slab of lapis lazuli and the dark ebony wood was inlaid with ivory Caracal's, also known as the African Lynx. For a piece of Ancient Egyptian furniture it was quite understated. Bill had told George it was believed to have belonged to an Egyptian Priest who was certainly a wizard. The drawers on the desk were numerous and included several secret compartments that still had magic buzzing throughout them when the desk had been unearthed.

Kingsley looked every inch the part of the Minister for Magic, sitting behind the ancient desk in his impeccably tailored robes in a lovely deep green. The office was a tribute to Kingsley's efforts to establish more growth with the Ministry's relations with other wizarding nations throughout the world, the walls covered in beautiful artifacts and tokens that had been gifted to him. Several, like the desk, had been gifts from his young lover knowing they could be proudly displayed without attracting attention like the pictures that could be found in Kingsley's private home, in his private rooms where a guest was unlikely to see them.

They are so lucky to have found each other, she thought, as the man she had been pondering came from behind the desk to envelop her in a friendly hug. Kingsley had always been one of those men who calming presence and quiet strength seemed to act as a calming draught to those in his vicinity.

"Hermione, it is so good to see you again. I do wish these were different circumstances however. I cannot begin to tell you how horribly sorry I was to learn of what had happened to you. It goes without saying that George has been beside himself. You do know that we both care greatly for you. Whatever you need…" he told her. Kingsley had always been fond of the witch he had met in her fifth year. She was incredibly intelligent and caring with a moral compass that more people should adopt. Since her discovery of his relationship with her brother in law she had become more like a little sister to him and a confidante. He knew that when she gave her loyalty it was steadfast and true. She was a strong supporter of his relationship and one of the very few who knew of it at all; that small fact alone was of great importance to the man.

She gave him a smile as she returned his hug and pulled out a chair to sit in. "Thank you Kingsley. I wish I could say this was just a social call but I was hoping to avoid dealing with all the departments individually and I would like to avoid this getting to Skeeter. Why the Prophet let her return is beyond me."

Kingsley took his seat again and 'accioed' a file that he had been putting together with Harry, knowing she would want to get this all taken care of quickly. "Hermione, you do realize that if you were anyone else I would have to send you down to Magical Law Enforcement for that wand and it really isn't my job to look into marital affairs. However, you are truly a great friend to me and those I love. Harry took care of most of the leg work, I just stamped where I had to," he said as he pulled a parchment from the file. "I suppose we know how you managed to break into the Lestrange vaults now, do we not? I do not understand why you kept that mad woman's wand, the evil she did with it Hermione is beyond. The Auror who tested it was quite shocked to find that the famed Hermione Granger-Weasley was such a dark witch," he said with a slight chuckle, knowing that despite the serious subject matter, the idea that Hermione was a dark witch was rather ridiculous.

Soon Hermione was laughing along. "It is so ludicrous, I know. Truly, I hate the damned thing and yet it kept me alive in the most dangerous times in my life. I should have replaced it after the war, I know. I should have turned it over. Frankly Kingsley, I am stuck looking back at my life thinking I should have done a million things differently but I can't change it now. Take it if you want. Do with it what you must; I will cooperate with whatever you need me to." She looked at the sad eyes of the man in front of her knowing he was wondering some of the same things she had been. Where had Hermione Grangers life gone so wrong? "I cannot thank you enough for helping me with this. I know it is as much a favor to Harry, and George, and the Weasley's as it is to me, but it means much to me all the same. There is just so much…" Against her will she started crying again, and felt the telltale wetness on her top. She felt like burying her face in her hands and disappear, but no. She was a blubbering, milk leaking mess. In the office of the Minister for Magic. Great, just great. Is this going to happen every time I cry? I cry a lot these days and if I keep dripping like this…I need to get to a muggle shopping district and find something to do about this and soon. She let out a low groan and then looked to Kingsley who had an incredibly amused look on his face. 'Sorry, it's been happening all the time."

He tried not to laugh, he really did. "Hermione, it is fine. George told me you were a bit of an emotional mess. I was there quite a few times with Nymphadora after Teddy was born. I do remember what she was like and you would have to work hard to reach that level of crazy. She was a riot on her good days but as a new mother Nymphadora was something else entirely and I received many, many more lessons in breast feeding than I had ever wanted. Alternate heating cooling charms and a simple drying spell for now, though she used muggle products a friend had recommended."

"Thanks," she said, quickly casting cooling and drying charms. "So the wand?"

"It would be easiest if you just left it here, I can make sure it is dealt with and you can pick up a new one later today. You cannot keep Bellatrix Lestrange's wand Hermione. You should have never had it. It is only because you are my friend that this particular investigation is being shelved. Shelved Hermione. When things calm down you will have to answer to the questions that the wand has created. Likely the questioning will be under Veritaserum. Now, there are other things we need to deal with," he said diplomatically.

"Ron." She had been avoiding his name; it left a foul taste in her mouth.

"He is on the run. Apparently with a woman named Verity Cane." He really didn't want to be the one that had to tell her all the details but with Harry on the case there wasn't really anyone else and she deserved to hear it from a friend. "He cleaned out your vault before he left and took all of it. I am sorry. Though the records show there wasn't much left. Apparently the drugs had cut in deep and he had been spending large amounts on trinkets for his Mistress."

Hermione's eyes flashed with rage. It wasn't that she wasn't expecting it really but it didn't make it easier to hear. "Bloody wonderful. Not only is he a wife beating, cheating bastard but he left me with nothing. Just bloody wonderful!"

"I am sorry, I hate all of this. It isn't fair to you and part of me thinks Harry went chasing leads so he wouldn't have to be the one to tell you everything. He is feeling quite conflicted; Ron was his partner, and his best mate. This is difficult all around and for no one as much as you. Now on the bright side Hermione, there is no need to go through a de-bonding, which I am told is quite painful." He smiled at the obvious confusion on her face.

"I am not staying married to that man! I want my life back Kingsley. I want what he took from me." Her anger was crackling in the air as she waited for an explanation.

Kingsley took a deep breath, while he was sure she would be happy to learn that she was already single, the why was a bit difficult to talk about. "Hermione when you were bonded there were certain things that you each had to do to complete the bonds. Most during the ceremony but the last never happened. Had it happened before the threads of the bond had dissipated the union would have immediately been logged in the Ministries Department of Marriage and Birth. Yours never was."

He hoped she would come to her own conclusions; instead she started to yell at him again. "What do you mean it wasn't registered? My name is Weasley; I have been married to him for years Kingsley! You were there when we were bonded."

"It didn't take; the bonds never became permanent Hermione. Think. The last requirement." Don't make me say it Hermione.

I'm such an idiot. Brightest witch of her age my fat arse, she thought. "But Kingsley, I thought that there was no time limit to the consummation. It was consummated, it just, well…It took a while."

She's half there at least. "Yes, well. It obviously was but the bonding requires that you not have other partners beforehand."

THAT SON OF A FUCKING BITCH! He couldn't even wait four damned months to be with me. He had to shag some whore! "I'm so stupid. I should have seen it. I thought he understood why I couldn't. I tried, but…Kingsley I don't know if I can take much more today. I have so much to do. Thank you. It's one less thing I have to deal with I suppose, but if you don't mind I need to see Arthur and be on my way. I will see you soon alright. Kiss George for me." She was standing and pushing her chair in with record time. She needed air. There didn't seem to be any left in the office. "Maybe you two can come to dinner sometime. I am back in Muggle London now. I'll send George an Owl. Thank you, for everything."

Kingsley led her to the door and pulled her in for another hug. "I wish this was easier Hermione. Whatever I can do, I do mean that. I am the Minister, I can always have him killed," he half joked, "Dinner sounds lovely. Soon. Please take care of yourself Hermione, we love you." He knew there was so much more to tell her. Maybe he could have Harry do it all, or talk to George and let him do it, they were close and maybe it wouldn't hurt as bad when she got all the truth. He quickly checked to be sure her wand was still on his desk before she left. One more thing he didn't want to do. He really hated being Minister some days.

"Love you too Kings," she said with a smile as she fought to restrain her anger. "I will see you soon."

Hermione quickly made her way through the ministry towards Arthur's office. As she walked she could feel her anger melting away; she just didn't have the energy for it anymore. She needed to go ask for permission to bury her child in the Weasley's plot. She knew Molly would take care of all the arrangements and for once she was grateful for that side of Molly. The woman sure could plan a gathering, even one as sad as this.

Maybe I can borrow a few galleons so I can at least get a wand. Mine is on Kingsley's desk for now, soon to be evidence. Just great. Then I can hope that there is an easy way to access my parent's estate. I may actually have to confound a teller, but I need money. I just want to get my shopping done, go home, take a long hot bath…oh shit, the waters still off. I need to get a phone and get the power and water turned on. Bloody fucking perfect, she thought as she arrived at Arthur's office.

Her visit with Arthur was short and he assured her that not only was their grandchild more than welcome to be buried in their family plot but that he and Molly would take care of it all; the funeral ceremony and the wake. He told her that if she wanted, the baby could be placed next to Fred. He also told her that after they had Charlie, Molly had given birth to a still born girl. The kids had no idea; Bill and Charlie had been too young to remember and Arthur and Molly chose to grieve in private, not wanting to share unnecessary pain with the family they were lucky enough to have. He let her know that he would be honored to lay her daughter next to his. Hermione had spent twenty minutes in the man's arms crying, just letting him hold her. She thanked him for sharing their story with her and told her that she thought her daughter would be happy to spend the afterlife next to what should have been her Aunt. He assured her that married or not she was always going to be family and that they loved her dearly. He had meetings in the afternoon so she hugged him goodbye with a promise to see them the next day and left to take care of her shopping.

When she apparated into the back yard she had only seen for the first time in years the night before she had a new wand, courtesy of Arthur, a new cell phone and bags of breast feeding equipment; an electric double pump the woman at the shop said worked wonders and cut the time in half while decreasing the discomfort, and breast pads to soak up leakage, plenty of freezer storage bags specifically made for breast milk and of course a book. The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers was a best seller and full of information on maximizing output, dietary constraints and recommendations for the healthiest milk supply and tips on pumping. She planned to contact the milk bank the next day and set up an appointment.

She was glad that she still had a few hours to wait before Severus was due to arrive with groceries because at the moment all she could think about was a hot bath and testing out her new pump. She was oddly excited to try it.

When Severus arrived that night with bags of food shrunk in his pockets and let himself in the back door into the kitchen, he was pleased to find cooling charms had been placed on the refrigerator. As he put the food away he gave an odd curious smile at the sight of a little bag of milk in the ice box, dated and measured out. Well, it seems she got her shopping done today. I wonder where she is.

His questions were answered when he walked into the living room to find a sleeping Hermione back in little pink shorts and a white camisole curled up and asleep on the couch in front of the fire. He leant down to place a small kiss on her head and brushed away a lock of hair.

She has hair. He thought. It hadn't immediately struck him as odd, she looked right with a wild mane surrounding her face, though it was much shorter than he was used to, falling just to her shoulders in light waves. He wondered who she found to help her with her hair or if she found a book and took care of it herself. She was beautiful and he couldn't believe he was there with her at that moment, watching her sleep, obviously more comfortable now that she had relieved the pressure in her breasts.

He saw her eyes flutter open. "Hi," she breathed.

"Hello Hermione. Your hair is quite lovely. Go back to sleep. I will make dinner and then you can tell me all about your day, alright? Sleep," he said, brushing another kiss to her mouth ever so lightly and reverently.

"Mmmhmmm," was all she offered as a reply as she closed her eyes and rolled over into the couch.

As Severus stood in her kitchen preparing pan seared lamb chops, sautéed mushrooms and a truffle risotto he couldn't help the thought that he could get used to this slice of domesticity. It was certainly nicer to prepare dinner for two than for one.

Despite all that had happened Severus Snape was reveling in the feeling of hope that had been growing in his chest. He would help her get through this and he wouldn't leave her side.

A/N: Ah, a little hope. Is it just me or is Harry really working hard to avoid Hermione. What is he hiding from her? We are getting much closer to Verity's secret, I will tell you one clue: it has to do with her wand and the real reason Kingsley took it from her. What is it that no one wants to talk to her about? Just who is Verity?

Well of course I know sillys, I just like hearing what you think.

Is there anything else you would like to see in this story?

And…before I completely forget, I have written a small companion piece (that has plenty of room to develop later, but for the time will stand on its own) that is a look into the relationship of George and Kingsley and how it began. It is called 'Secret Order Meetings' and will be posted as soon as the site decides to start allowing people to post new stories again…sometimes I really hate how long it takes to fix these little errors. But as soon as I can, for those who want more of their story (not that they won't be in this, because they will feature heavily) I will post it as soon as I can!

Again, thanks for reading and Reviewing!

.lily