Disclaimer: Absolutely nothing that is even kind of familiar to you outside of this story line belongs to someone else.

A/N: As always, a very big thank you to all of my fantastic reviewers who take the moment at the end of a chapter to tell me what they think, from the simple 'I liked it!' to the detailed assessments of my work, even when they are slightly less than in love with this story. I love to hear the honest opinions just as much (okay almost as much…let's be honest) as the wonderful ego stroking reviews. All are like my caffeine, which seems quite vital to my survival, they energize my writing. Also to all those who add this story to their alerts and favorites…I am stunned and overjoyed that you like what I have created.

So one last little curtsy in thanks. *Curtsies*

Hope you like it.

.lily

Severus sat between Hermione and George, having been left with two seats available by the time they joined the others outside. Hermione was seated next to Neville, Severus thinking it wise to put as much space between himself and the walking potions disaster as possible; though he had enjoyed the nervous glances over Hermione's shoulder in his direction all night. It was quite amusing to know that he could still intimidate his old pupils.

When they had arrived at the table and seen that the only two seats available were between George and Longbottom. Severus had chosen to take the seat next George, finding it the lesser of two evils. Besides, Hermione will undoubtedly want to natter on with Longbottom, his wife, and that Lovegood chit. I have always found her choices in friends rather ridiculous. At least Lovegood has a brain, though you have to dig through her ramblings about hoggles or piggles or whatever it is she is always on about to actually understand what she is telling you; but at least her potions were always impeccable. Severus looked up from his thoughts to see Minerva studying him closely from across the table.

Severus looked at the older woman and smirked. "Could there be something on your mind Minerva? Merlin knows you have never bothered to keep your thoughts to yourself, why ever should you start now? Out with it."

Minerva pursed her thin lips and then after looking to Hermione who was engrossed happily in conversation with Neville, Hanna, Luna, and Ginny turned back to him and smiled. "Severus, when did you become so close with Hermione? Last we spoke on the subject it was 'Miss Granger is as bothersome as ever Minerva…asking question after question needing to know the answers to everything instead of just trusting that I do actually know how to do my job.' And now you two are what?" she asked him, slightly amusedly.

Molly suddenly piped in from her seat besides Minerva. "Oh, that was such a lovely Severus impersonation Minerva. You know, he was the one that found Hermione and brought her to St. Mungo's. He is even the one that found the potion that ended up saving her life. Without him we wouldn't have our dear girl here." She said quietly, bending in close to keep the conversation somewhat private.

Minerva placed a papery hand to her chest. "Oh dear, I had no idea. Severus, honestly, is that all true? You did all of that? I must say I am a little shocked; the Severus Snape I knew never did anything for anyone else when there was nothing to gain. No offence." she said. it was difficult for her, as much as she loved him like an obstinate, difficult and quite sour nephew, to think of him being capable of such altruistic tendencies, or of falling in love, which she was starting to suspect was the case with him and Hermione. She vowed she would find out more, and find time to talk to Hermione later as well, when there weren't so many other people around. Maybe she would invite her to lunch sometime. "That is wonderful you know. I still do not understand this…" she gestured between Severus and Hermione, who was working her hardest to ignore the conversation she could easily hear. "How did this all happen? She was just married to Mr. Weasley all of a week ago to my knowledge."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. He had known this was all coming, but had rather hoped to deal with the questions on a more one-on-one basis, giving out the details tailored to individual people, somehow he didn't think that Molly would have the same appreciation for the reality of his burgeoning relationship with Hermione as Minerva once the facts were known. He wasn't even sure really how to explain it all, to the outside eye it seemed as if they had gone from mere acquaintances to lovers overnight. The fact that they were not in fact technically lovers as of yet he doubted would be of any consequence to anyone.

"Ah, yes Minerva. Where do I start to answer your barrage of questions, and all of those I am certain are to follow. Hermione has been a good friend for some time. She has long since ceased to be my student. She has found herself in frequent need of potions and I happen to supply them, and of course let us not discount the fact that we did in fact live just down the street from one another for years, we were bound to run into one another at some point. She was your star pupil Minerva; surely you can see how a woman of her intellect would appeal to me, and seeing as I am no longer a spy I could really care less what house she hails from or what her parentage is. As I said, we have been good friends for some time. Quite frankly Minerva the woman brow beat me into taking a lunch with her a while back and it became a habit for us to dine together on Wednesdays whilst her usual lunch companion was otherwise engaged." He began trying to explain the complexities of the situation as simply as possible giving as few of the details away as he could.

"As for my finding her after…young Mr. Weasley was through with her," he was really trying to be as delicate as he could in mixed company, but it was difficult given what had happened.

Arthur chose to step in, having been listening from his seat at the head of the table between George and Kingsley. "Severus, there is no need to beat around the bush. We all know what Ron did, and none of us is without guilt. It does not matter what that woman has him pumped up on, we did not raise our boys to be like that, and fully support the proposed Azkaban sentence, as much as it pains us to have two son's there. And while we know that as much as we love him we have lost a son, we have also gained a daughter from this whole mess, even if they were never truly married. Hermione is our daughter in our hearts and we want to see her happy Severus, even if it's with you." He told him.

And suddenly Minerva's questions were shirked to the side in lieu of the news that the marriage was never true. Severus didn't mind his brief escape from Minerva's personal questions.

"Wait, what do you mean never really married? We all remember the binding ceremony. How is that possible?" Minerva asked, very surprised by this latest development.

Molly piped in to answer her. "That son of mine, I don't know where we went wrong. Let's just say that some of the bonding requirements weren't met because he, well, they weren't met, the bonding didn't take. Let's just leave it at that for now." She huffed.

Severus snorted. "Indeed Molly. Though I must say, you and Arthur are hardly to blame for what has happened. It was unfortunately out of your control as parents. I am sure Hermione would be the first to tell you that." Severus stated, smirking an almost smile when he felt Hermione's hand on his thigh under the table. Well the little minx agrees I take it. He thought as he placed his hand on top of hers and giving it a squeeze, realizing it was likely easier for her to let others tell her story for her.

"Thank you Severus." Molly said looking rather teary eyed. "Oh, but where were we? Oh yes. Severus found our dear Hermione after it happened and saved her. He whisked her away and stayed at St. Mungo's until he knew she would be alright, and even then he only left to track down a potion to stop the swelling in her brain. Isn't that right Severus?" she asked turning to him.

Well I suppose I will have to participate in this ridiculous conversation if I don't want everyone else to sit around and speculate as to the nature of our relationship while we sit here and listen to this. "I simply remembered a reference to a potion that had the ability to reverse brain swelling. I pointed her healer in the right direction." He stated dryly. "Now, is that an adequate enough response to your line of questioning Minerva or would you like it if I expounded on more personal information at a table full of people. Perhaps, this line of questioning could continue at a later and more appropriate time." The vitriol was being held down by the soft caress of a small hand on his thigh. Minerva may be an old friend but her heart had been hardened by her own losses and she was truly starting to sound like the 'old harpy' he'd heard more than one student refer to her as while shopping for their school supplies.

Minerva actually had the grace to look chastened. "Yes of course Severus." She told him.

Molly, ever the hostess, bustled to change the topic. Turning to the side she addressed her second eldest son. "Charlie dear, why don't you tell us how you met the lovely Tristy here." She said, looking over the woman who had accompanied her son home.

Charlie beamed looking at the beauty by his side. He lifted a hand to run his fingers through her dark chestnut curls and smiled. "Tristy was working as at a dragon reserve in South America, in Argentina actually. Their facility is really advanced mum, they have been breeding as well, working to restore some of the near extinct species. Can you believe that they actually found a Chilean Cerulean Crested? I mean they were thought to have been long extinct. It is simply amazing. They have been working to breed her with the Venezuelan Violet. It's amazing really it would be the first new species introduced since the…" he started to go on, getting swept up in his favorite topic.

Most of the table looked ready to burst into giggles. Leave it to Charlie to forget the beautiful woman in favor of talking about his dragons.

Molly decided to stop him before he got too far off on his tangent and ruined his chances with the lovely girl. "Tristy Charlie, we want to know how you met Tristy. You can tell us all about the Dragons later dear." She suggested with the hint of a laugh in her voice.

Charlie smirked. "Oh, yes, right. Sorry." he said, looking at Tristy. "Well, Tristy here was brought into the Romanian Reserve to help with the improvements to the facility. I was the one chosen to help her learn her way around and introduce her to our dragons and after a while we started going out for drinks after work, and then well, I mean really it isn't every day I meet a beautiful girl who can get as caught up talking about dragons as I can." he said, smiling softly at the girl in question. "That's why I have asked her to marry me. I couldn't well risk her going off back to Argentina now could I?" his voice was smug and happy and he took Tristy's hand in his.

Molly sent her chair flying backwards as she jumped up to pull the two into hugs. "Oh, really, Charlie? That's just wonderful! My boy is getting married. Oh sweet girl." she said pulling Tristy tightly to her bosom. "Arthur, get over here and congratulate them wouldn't you?" she shouted at her husband, tears streaming down her face. "And George, do be a dear and see if we have anything good to toast with will you?"

Arthur was already making his way around the table to welcome Tristy to the family when Molly had shouted at him. "Tristy dear, welcome to the family." he said, pulling her into a warm hug.

All around the table people were offering their heartfelt congratulations.

Tristy after managing to pull herself out of the fourth hug bestowed on her by Molly she managed to thank everyone. "Thank you, it means so much to me that you are all so welcoming. I can't tell you how freaked I was when Charlie said he wanted to bring me with him. I mean, obviously I knew that I would eventually have to meet everyone, but I really am better with dragons than people." She told them, smiling a little at everyone.

Just about everyone laughed at that. "Oh, don't worry dear, so is Charlie. I was half expecting him to bring home someone with scales dear; I didn't let myself hope for a future daughter so lovely where Charlie was concerned. I had hope back when he was at Hogwarts and a star Quidditch player, but that was ages ago, and he hasn't had a steady girl that we have known about since. This is just wonderful now, just wonderful." Molly exclaimed, not noticing the exasperated expression she was getting from Charlie.

George returned with a dusty bottle of elf made wine that had been being saved for a special occasion. "How's this mum? Seems about time to pop this open don't 'cha think?" He asked, already working to pop the cork.

Drinks were poured and toasts made to the happy couple. The rest of the meal passed in a happy haze of chatter and laughter. Severus seemed to be the only one to notice the woman next to him was faking her smile and laughter.

Slowly Severus slid a strong hand onto Hermione's thigh drawing her attention to him. She gave him a small smile, but he was inordinately pleased to see the happiness reflect in her eyes at his touch. "Are you alright? This has been such a long day for you, I know." he whispered, leaning in close so that no one else could hear.

"I will be thank you. Thank you for fielding the questions earlier too. It won't be the last I am sure. Neville looks fit to burst if he doesn't soon ask me if I have lost my mind. It has been rather amusing watching him try to hide his horror. Some things will never change I suppose. He may not fear you anymore, but he certainly does not want to spend more time with you than he has to. Everyone else seems to be trying to figure out just how close I am with the Great Bat. It is quite ridiculous." she told him, finding the expression that crossed his face as she referred to him as The Great Bat rather amusing; the annoyed pursed lips and the furrowed brow.

"Quite. Let them wonder. I don't doubt however, that Kingsley has figured out just how close we are Hermione. We could always put a stop to all the questions similarly you know." he teased her, only half hopping that she would indeed be willing to kiss him in front of the people that meant the most to her.

Instead of giving him the kiss he was seeking Hermione leaned in closer to him so that her lips were on the shell of his ear. "Let them wonder." she breathed.

"As you wish." He murmured.

Suddenly Molly's voice could be heard over the chatter of the table. "I propose a toast to my boy, to Charlie, and this lovely girl Tristy who has agreed to be his wife. Welcome to the family dear. Now if we can only find someone for our George." she said causing George to shake his head, it wasn't the first time she had gotten on his back about finding a good woman. "Oh, Kingsley," the name of George's lover following the comment about George needing to find someone had both men's heads snapping up and Hermione trying to contain a sudden fit of giggles over the proceedings, "yes, isn't there a lovely girl working in your office, what is her name? It was Perdita or something like that. Wasn't it?" she asked, quickly thinking of possibilities for pairing off her son.

It took Kingsley a minute to compose himself, and in the end decided that it was just too funny to pass up the opportunity to poke at his lover. "Oh, you must mean Padma Patil. Lovely girl Molly, I recently snatched her up to be my personal assistant. Quite a bright girl too, I am sure I could get you in touch if you would like Molly. I think she would be a good match for George, balance him out a bit I would think. You are quite a match maker there Molly, oh yes, I can see it now." He worked hard to hold back his laughter at the daggers George was shooting him with his eyes.

Suddenly from the end of the table Bill shouted to George. "Seriously kid, you have to tell them sometime, or you can just let mum keep trying to set you up, she's enlisted the Minister for help, you are in trouble now if you don't tell them the truth." He said, smiling at his little brother who had turned his glare from his lover to Bill.

"Tell us what George?" Molly asked. "Are you seeing someone?"

George paled and dropped his head to the table and started to bang it. Finally he lifted his head and looked about the table to everyone who were all staring at him all with different expressions on their faces. Kingsley of course, like Hermione looked highly amused, whereas Ginny and Bill both looked happy and supportive, his parents both looked hopeful and the rest of the table looked amused and interested, save Severus who seemed not to notice a thing was going on and was taking an interest in his wine glass.

"Well, mum, you see, it's…Okay, so I have been…I'm…The truth is I have been madly in love for a few years now, and it's pretty serious, but…" He kept trying to find the right words, not really wanting to out himself at a table full of people, and not having decided yet with Kingsley to announce their relationship. "It's just complicated. And, well, uh, I know you would love them, see, it's just that…"

"Oh out with it already George!" came Ginny's voice from the other end of the table.

"Fine!" George shouted, getting up from the table. "I'm Gay! Happy now Gin? I couldn't have told everyone when I was ready? It had to be today? Hermione, I love you, but I have to go. I'm sorry." he said, quickly turning around and heading towards the house.

"Oh dear." Molly exclaimed placing her fingers over her mouth and her other hand flying to her heaving chest.

Arthur looked to his other children, seated across the table from him. "I take it you two at least knew? Well, I can't say I expected that. I expect you both told him that we would all support him?" At their confirmative nods he decided to ask the question he knew was about to explode out of Molly. "So, does anyone know who this chap is he's supposedly in love with?"

"No, he was quite tight lipped on the subject. Said he was amazing, he loved him, that they were practically living together, but didn't give any more information. He seems really happy dad." Bill told them, filling in most of what he knew without outing Kingsley as well. After all it had only been Hermione's misunderstanding in the hospital that had spilled the beans.

Molly however knew that if anyone knew anything it was his best friend, who of late seemed to be Hermione. "Hermione dear? You wouldn't by chance know who our dear boy has been seeing would you?" she asked.

Hermione eyes drifted ever so slightly to Kingsley who had settled back into his seat quietly taking in the scene. "I…um…I think I will go talk to him." she said as she quickly excused herself from the table and ran towards the house after her friend.

"Anyone else take that as a yes then?" Ginny asked as the table erupted into laughter and talk.

Hermione followed George into the house and found him sitting on his old bed in his old room. "I can't believe they never changed anything." she said as a greeting.

"Yeah, you know it was easier to keep his things if I kept some of my things here too. They use it as a guest room for the kids. I had to clear out anything that might explode. Really emptied the place out that did." he told her, as he ran his fingers over a picture of Fred. "He was the first one to know. He walked in on us the morning after the first night we ever spent together. He was so supportive. I sometimes wonder you know, if he was still here, would I have told them sooner. It's just. It's so hard 'Mione. I am done hiding, but he…Well how can I ask him to risk all of that. It isn't like he can just step out, hold a press conference and say 'I am in a homosexual relationship with the owner of a joke shop' his credibility would be shot." he said as he fell back onto his bed curling onto his side.

Hermione made her way over to the bed and sat beside him. "Hey, are those his words or yours?" she asked slowly rubbing his back.

"Mine" he whined into his pillow.

"George. You need to talk to him; I think maybe it's time to at least tell your family. They love you George. They will be so happy for you, like I am. It could be worse, I mean you could be recently not married and involved with The Dour Old Potions Professor. You think they are talking about you now, wait until Severus and I leave. They will have a field day. Just talk to him, maybe he is tired of hiding too. It couldn't hurt." She reasoned, continuing to rub his back.

George turned a bit to look at her. "Look at me hiding away in my old room when you must be a mess. Come here," he said, opening his arms to her.

Hermione lay down on the bed with George and let him wrap his arms around her. "So tell me love; how are you holding up?" he asked her.

Hermione laughed tightly. "Me, I'm a hormonal disaster zone. I am all over the place. I am completely devastated and yet I'm happy and I am always nervous and usually scared out of my mind and sometimes I find myself oddly amused though mostly I think I am just confused. I don't know what I feel one minute from the next. I…I want my baby back George. Sometimes it's too much, and I just…I don't think about it because if I have to…it's too much. I can't have any more babies George. No more miracle potions. No more babies." Hermione let herself break down and cry into her friend's chest.

George was nearly struck dumb, what do you say to that? "Oh love. I am so sorry. It has certainly been one hell of a day, hasn't it? One hell of a week really. And that dinner, what was that? It was like the relationship inquisition or something. First there was McGonagall and her questioning of yours and dear Snapie Poos possible relationship status and then there was Charlie dropping his bomb. I mean, can you believe he is getting married?" he asked her.

Hermione smiled at him. "I know, it was hard not to speak up and help Severus out a bit, but, really, it wasn't that bad. There is more to come I am sure. Your parents really steered things anyhow. But I suppose we are going to have to tell people sooner or later, it just…I wish we had more time to figure this whole thing out before everyone tries to pick it all apart. At least you and Kings have had time to really solidify your guys' relationship; you are going to be able to get through whatever happens when people find out. Besides, you have me on your side." she said to him, smiling before tucking her head back into his chest.

"That I do love, that I do. And there is no one I would rather have in my corner. I don't know what we would have done without you all these years. I think that day you caught us was fate. At least I have you. I tell you what though, if Kings and I decide to tell people over dinner, I want less people there. That outside, was scary. There are just way too many people all with too many thoughts and opinions. I don't know how you handled it." he told her, holding her close, taking comfort from her as he offered it back.

"Oh, that was easy. I just kept thinking about how Kings found me and Severus right before dinner." She smiled as she remembered how good it felt to be planted on Severus' lap.

George, his interest piqued, sat up pulling Hermione with him. "Oh? And how did he find the two of you I wonder?" he asked her.

Hermione bit her lip. "Oh, Severus was calming down by snogging the daylights out of me. It was quite nice actually. Kings seemed quite amused by it. Though we now have Severus wondering what it is I seem to have on our dear, dear Minister for Magic that would be so intriguing and then of course he was very interested to know how I knew about any hidden birthmarks." she laughed remembering how both men had reacted.

George let out a laugh as well. "Oh, you didn't bring that up?"

"Yes, yes I did." she said proudly. "He tried to act all high and mighty, 'oh I have something on sweet little Hermione…' I had to remind him who had the goods on who. I think Severus was actually quite impressed that I had dirt on Kingsley. Though if you don't come out with it soon he may start to piece it together, how it is I came to be such close friends with The Minister for Magic, because even with the Order there weren't that many opportunities to get close with him. And I think that Severus knows Kingsley's gay, they were in school together, and have been friends for some time. Well, as much as Severus is really friends with anyone, which is rather limited by most peoples standards. But I don't know, I managed to wear him down." she said with a smile.

George shook his head at her. "You are something else 'Mione you know that. Hey, why don't Kings and I stop by tomorrow for lunch? I am sure he would like that. We haven't had dinner in months." he offered.

Hermione smirked at him. "George, do you remember what I started doing on Wednesdays when that became your official lunch date with Kings? I can near guarantee you that Severus will find time to stop in for lunch tomorrow, it is after all our standing lunch date too." she reminded him.

George tipped his head from side to side in contemplation. "Well…" he said "And I really can't believe I am about to say this. But maybe, I mean, seeing as they are friends as you pointed out, it wouldn't be so bad if the four of us had lunch together, let people know one by one. I really don't want to tell everyone all at once anyhow. It could be okay, besides, just think of his reaction when he realizes just what it is that you know about Kingsley. That could be amusing, and I could have the opportunity to poke fun at the Great Bat in luuuurve…Come on, what do you think?" he asked, shooting her his big puppy dog eyes and a most pathetic pout.

Hermione had to laugh. "I suppose it could be worse, and I have missed you two lately. I can't really say Severus would love the idea of sharing our lunch date but when I offer that he gets to find out who this mystery lover is…Well he can pretend all he wants that he doesn't want to know and couldn't care, but I know he loves having all the information first. Why don't the two of you come by my place around one? I will be sure to give you directions before I leave alright." she told him.

"Sounds good love? So do you think we should head back or wait until someone comes to find us?" he asked her, his voice belying the fact that he really didn't want to go back.

She smiled sadly at him, knowing that this day had been difficult for the both of them now. "Well, as much as I would love to lay here with you all night and forget all the people who came here to support me, I don't think anyone would appreciate that. And besides, I do want to talk to Minerva, and maybe set up to have Neville, Hannah and Luna over sometime. It has been so long since I have caught up with them. Come on." she said as she got off the bed, offering her had to pull him up. "Merlin knows they have all been talking about us… 'Who's George seeing? When did our little Hermione get so chummy with mean old Snape? Poor Hermione can't decide if she's happy or distraught, she's just been through so much.' I really don't even want to think about what everyone has been saying lately. Let's just go before we give them the opportunity to say much more, huh?" she suggested to him, a little unenthusiastically.

"If we have to." he whined. And together the two trudged back through the house to find everyone else, steeling themselves to handle all the questions and talks that were certain to come that night and continue into the foreseeable future.

A/N: So what did you think? What are you feeling like you're missing? Love it, hate it? Review! Love you all!

.lily