Disclaimer: I just play like a little girl with the lovely toys Jo created.

A/N: Thank you all so freaking much for the support that has been pouring in for me and this story. The amount of reviews and favorites and alerts that this story is spawning is staggering to a girl who really just wanted to get this idea out of her head where it was keeping her up all night. You are all amazing. I write for you. Through all the tough times I've been facing you have been a beacon of hope for me, and I thank you. I love you all, like really!

I hope you like this chapter, there is a little levity in the beginning before we get back to the nitty gritty and get some more answers. Things are going to be picking up, and not everything will be sun shine and flowers. There is a long road ahead and I am glad for each and every one of you that is coming along for the ride.

Enjoy.

~ fresh new lily ~

George didn't even bother to find out what was going on. He watched as Kingsley headed to the yard and immediately made to follow him, after kicking Draco hard in the shin and calling him a prat, of course.

He found Kingsley outside watching two elves work to plant a row of roses. "You know, you really are cute when you get all possessive and protective over me Bear," George told him as he moved to wrap his arms around Kingsley from behind.

Kingsley brought his hands up and let them rest atop George's, clasped firmly on his stomach. "Well, I did not originally intend to break the news to Molly quite like that. I just cannot comprehend what Malfoy is playing at. Not just pretending to be your lover, but the house elves, the roses, all of it," he explained, knowing full well that George was as clueless as he was. He had no doubts in his mind about George's fidelity. Besides, he knew his lover well enough to know that if for any reason his eye so much as strayed it would not do so in the direction of Draco Malfoy.

George smiled and shook his head, it was pretty funny, and one thing George could appreciate was a good joke. He just had no idea what even inspired it. He hadn't even seen Draco in months, and the last he had he was just picking up a new jacket from the blonde. "I don't know what he is thinking, or how he even knew to be here today, of all days. As for the rest of it, I just don't think he could resist the opportunity to decorate the Burrow to be honest. Bloody prat," he laughed. It was pretty ridiculous.

"He is as much of a cocky bastard as his father. Though Lucius would never have pulled a stunt like this. I don't think that man had an ounce of humor in him. I apologize, by the way, for walking out like that. I just needed to clear my head," he told George. He did feel bad about leaving George alone in there, but he really, really wanted to hex the little shite, and that was a truly rotten idea.

George just tightened his hold on his lover and pressed a soft kiss to the side of his neck. "Think nothing of it. It may not have been how I thought I would tell mum, but really, she could have caught us shagging on a hippogriff and still all she would be able to think was that she finally has a Minister in the family. Besides, I think she likes you more than me. You did get that lovely blue sweater last Christmas, and she gave me yet another brown one. Brown! I mean, really," he half joked. "And, truthfully Bear, I don't care anymore. I love you. Only you, and always you. If for whatever reason my family can't handle that, then too bloody bad, because it won't change a thing. Not for me," he said earnestly, kissing Kingsley's neck a few more times.

Kingsley gripped George's forearm and tugged firmly, swinging the ginger haired man around and in front of him, responding with a passionate kiss that left no doubts in George's mind that Kingsley was ready too; ready to tell their family and friends and stop hiding away what was most important to them both to those most important to them both.

While George had taken off after Kingsley, leaving a very stunned room full of people behind, Severus was the first to recover his wits. "Draco, I do think it is time you explain, you absolutely dunderheaded fool. Why are you here?" Severus asked, his temper flaring when faced with the idiocy of his godson, not to mention the fact that it had not slipped his attention when Molly mentioned that Potter had arrived Draco. He was going to have words with that boy; and none of them nice.

Draco ran a hand through his platinum blond hair rather haughtily, a mannerism he unfortunately never would grow out of, and set to explaining the rather funny series of events, in his opinion, that led him to the Burrow pretending to be George's lover. "Well, when the boy wonder showed up out of nowhere, needing his arse saved, you are welcome for that by the way, he seemed to come to some ridiculous conclusion that I was George's super-secret lover. Of course, I couldn't pass up the chance to play along, Potter made it so easy. Has he always been that gullible?" he asked no one in particular.

Of course, no one missed Severus mutter "Obviously," under his breath, or Hermione punch him playfully in the arm.

Draco just filed the interaction away for later, he definitely needed to talk to his godfather about that little development; not that he was entirely surprised by his uncle's affections.

Realizing that the three people left in the room were still waiting for some sort of further explanation he went on. "I didn't mean anything by it really, and I did bring the Everbloom's for you as a gift, Mrs. Weasley. I was having fun. Potter made it so easy, but also starting to mend the bridge between two powerful Wizarding families. I had no way of knowing that George was actually seeing the bloody Minister! I mean, really did anyone know he was gay? Because I have hoped, fantasized more like, I mean really…" he went on, suddenly lost in inappropriate thoughts about Kingsley.

"You are an idiot." Severus ran his hand over his face as he thought best how to handle the mess his godson had been creating. And of course, it had to have Potter written all over it. He still wasn't certain what Draco meant when he said that he had been needed to save the brat. First things first, sort this out before poor Molly had a conniption, deal with the pompous blonde idiot and his schemes (even if – somewhere in the deep recesses of his brain – he could admit to himself that it was rather humorous) and see to it that his friend was not too upset by the events. He didn't, after all was said and done, have so many friends that he couldn't take the time to attempt to show some level of empathy at the very least. He too knew the feeling of being mocked, all too well.

Then, when all that mess was sorted, he would see to it that Potter knew quite well what a rash, uncaring, childish, irresponsible, and utterly dunderheaded fool he had been acting.

Severus looked to Molly who had taken a seat at the breakfast table and was clutching a hand over her chest. "Molly, I apologize for the thoughtlessness of Draco. My godsons upbringing has left much to be desired in the way of tact and human courtesy; I am not entirely sure what he was thinking. I do not think that he meant to hurt you or your family," he said coolly, glaring daggers at Draco, willing him to see that his actions had toyed with people's lives; and rather cruelly. "Did you Draco?"

Draco looked rather abashed; abashed for a Malfoy that is. Holding himself up tall and proud, pulling on his steely mask of indifference to hide his shame he strode over to Molly and bowed gracefully before apologizing. "Mrs. Weasley. I am truly sorry for any hurt or confusion I have caused you and your family. I meant only a laugh; I promise. George and I have become something like I friends, I think anyhow. When Potter showed up in Sin City going on about how I was George's secret lover, well it was just a bit of fun," he said honestly. "I did not mean to offend. I certainly didn't mean to offend the Minister…"

George was cut off by Molly's sudden movement as she jumped up and hugged him. "Oh Merlin! My boy is in love with the Minister for Magic! Can you believe it? The Minister!" she was practically screaming as she pressed Draco to her ample bosom, rocking him back and forth in what seemed to him an attempt to suffocate him to death.

Noticing the stricken look on the young man's face she pulled him from her holding him tightly at arms-length, her hands firmly on his shoulders as she spoke. "Now young man, that was not very nice of you; although I do appreciate the roses. Perhaps if those boys of mine had thought to bribe their way out of their shenanigans I wouldn't have been so hard on them. Now you just apologize to George and Kingsley, Minister Shacklebolt that is, and then you march back in here and help me get supper fixed. I think we should talk about finding you a nice young man. You know, just the other day I was at the market and there was just the nicest young boy who was working there, oh what was his name? Well, he was just as sweet as can be that one, and as crooked as Dumbledore, but a fair sight better to look at if I do say so myself," she tutted happily, knowing quite well that boys will be boys, and starting to think this one no different from her own. "Now, off you go and say you are sorry. Then I expect you right back here," she said, turning him around and pushing him in the direction George and Kingsley had headed.

Draco's face was one of confusion, amusement, and slight terror as he locked eyes with Severus, silently asking the old man what in Merlin's frilly knickers had just happened to him.

Severus simply quirked an eyebrow and smirked, nodding in the direction the boy was slowly heading.

Molly whirled on Hermione and smiled brightly at her. "Oh dear girl! And you knew, didn't you? All this time? I just can't believe it! I don't know why they thought Arthur and I wouldn't be supportive. I mean, can you imagine? Well he certainly couldn't have done better for himself that is for certain! The Minister! Oh my!" she was going on, as she frantically flitted around the kitchen tidying and stirring and throwing dashes of spices seemingly all at once, managing to flick her wand with ease to get other tasks done without them needing her immediate supervision, suddenly making Hermione slightly jealous of her ease with household charms.

"I just don't know why they thought to keep it so secretive," the bustling red head said.

Hermione looked a little sadly at the woman who was still very much her mother in her heart. "Mum, I think they were worried less about what Kingsley did for a living bothering you than they were about the fact that he is so much older than George, and such a good friend to you and dad. He is on top of that very private and incredibly reserved, and with this, George too, has held it very close. I think a part of George was afraid to lose some amount of the easy comfort they had found in each other if faced with others scrutiny. He only ever told Fred," her eyes looked down as she spoke his name, knowing that his loss was still felt greatly by everyone, "and then me, and I rather found out by accident. Fred was so happy for him, and knew from the beginning when George didn't even really understand what he was feeling. Then I found out and he was afraid I would think less of him for some reason. I didn't, but still there has always been that worry that at some point there will be people who won't understand. I think mostly he is afraid that you will be upset that his chosen partner can't give you more grandbabies. He's been being ridiculous keeping it from you for so long, but he was just scared is all, take it easy on him. And Kingsley, I think he is just about as scared, not wanting George to be hurt, nor his friendships with you and dad," she explained effortlessly, her friendship with both men having grown so strong that she had long ago seen the truth behind their fears, and the nonsense in them, but knowing well enough to let them come to their own conclusions in their own time.

"Merlin's Hairy Balls!" the shout tore through the house and alerted everyone in it that Harry had arrived back at the Burrow, after having flooed home to retrieve his wife and Teddy.

Molly went running to the other room to see what the commotion was about, chastising Harry as she went, with Severus and Hermione at her heels. "You watch your language in this house or I'll box your ears Harry. Now what is all this yelling about?" she asked as she came to stop in the living room where she found most of her family had gathered, apparently having flooed over with Harry and Ginny.

Luna was sitting on a pillow beneath the window looking out at a garden gnome that was seeming to have a fight with an invisible foe. The rest of the room, attention also trained out the window, was staring slack jawed at the sight of George wrapped possessively in Kingsley's embrace; snogging like a bunch of teenagers.

Hermione stifled a giggle and pressed herself into Severus' back, peeking around his side to smile at her friends, finally free from the life of hiding they had been living.

Severus just shook his head at the display, he was genuinely happy for his old friend, and had surprisingly found George Weasley to be better company than he had been a pupil. He didn't bother to watch them however, his gaze, unlike the rest of the rooms was scanning for an unruly head of black hair.

Harry was in a throng of Weasley's, gaping like a fish at the realization that he had not been right about George's lover. Ginny was bouncing up and down on her toes with her hands covering her mouth, holding in a laugh of her own, Teddy between them, coving his eyes (grown-ups kissing was just gross!)

Bill, who had lied when he told his parents he hadn't known the truth, after only hearing of it accidentally from Hermione while she was laid up in St. Mungos, was nodding his head in approval of his little brother. Fleur for her part was busy trying to keep her daughter from squealing and alerting the two men to everyone's stares.

Molly was hugging Draco, who happened to be the closest person to her, tightly to her once again, so happy to see the evidence of such joy in the life of her child who had perhaps lost the most.

No one noticed Severus slip away from Hermione and wind his way around the small crowd. He moved quietly behind everyone, his eyes set hard on Harry. He sidled up next to him and lowered his head to whisper harshly in the young man's ear, "a word Potter. Now."

Harry stiffened but otherwise showed no sign of being surprised by the presence beside him. Part of him wasn't surprised at all, he knew before he had left for the States that there would be plenty to answer for, and that if his suspicions about Severus Snape were anything close to accurate the man in question would demand answers.

Slowly Harry backed away from his wife; assuring her he wouldn't be gone long, nodding in the direction of the dark man hovering near a wall behind him. Ginny nodded in understanding and Harry turned to follow the older man back towards the kitchen which was unusually empty.

Once they were alone in the kitchen Severus cast a strong Muffliato and whirled on Harry who standing stiffly by the table. "You, boy, are going to sit down. Then you are going to tell me everything you know about Weasley and this Verity woman. You dare barge into my laboratory and demand that I care for your friend, and do not even grant me the favor of information," he spat through his clenched teeth. "Once I am satisfied that I have all of the information you do you will explain to me why it is that you felt it so imperative to flee the country on the very day Hermione buried your goddaughter, and why for the love of Merlin you took so long in returning, and then only returned with Draco in tow. Then we will see if what you tell me is enough to warrant your freedom from my hexes, because be sure Potter, I have some nasty ones in mind for you after the pain you have caused Hermione," he warned, his voice as venomous as ever.

Harry looked pale. Realistically he knew that he would have to face his old Potions professor and begrudging respect or not, there was still a large part of him that had a hard time seeing past the dreaded Bat of the Dungeon's image. He knew from his talk with Ginny, when he had arrived home earlier, that Hermione and Snape had a relationship of sorts. He also had heard of what happened at the burial ceremony, both Snape's surprising role, and George stepping in to fill his. He had thought that he was doing the right thing, even if some of his motives were cowardly; but when he had failed to apprehend Ron and Verity he began to wonder if it had even been worth it. At least he had learned more information than they had before, important information.

"You're right," he said simply.

Severus eyebrow shot up not accustomed to hearing such words from a Potter. "Obviously," he stated coldly.

Harry fidgeted under such scrutiny but decided it was best to get on with it. "Look Snape, I am sorry I didn't tell you all the information I had before, but there wasn't really time. I should have made time, but well, I didn't know what to do to be quite honest, and this mess is frankly freaking me out and I feel so guilty for not realizing it all sooner, and there's just …" he was rambling and Severus was quick to cut him off, not caring for his dramatics.

"Get on with it boy or I shall rethink my hesitation to hex you into next week," his voice was dripping with disdain as he spoke.

Harry took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay, I will tell you everything I know. Firstly, Verity was raised by her Muggle mother, but she was Antonin Dolohov's daughter. Her mother brainwashed her to believe all Tom's rhetoric and think that Death Eaters were her salvation, and that her father was as close to godly as they come. She idolized him without ever knowing him. They first met during a death eater raid, where her mother was killed; she was spared but barely and Dolohov's methods were far from Fatherly. After that night she found a way to be closer to her father, she found an advert for a shop girl. Soon she was passing information to the Death Eaters and daddy dearest right under our noses," he ran a hand through his hair as he spoke, agitation evident. He hated that she had all of them completely fooled.

Severus' eyes flashed. That much he had gathered, at least the part where she was Dolohov's daughter. "I had put much of that together. What else do you know Potter?" he questioned darkly.

"I know she was the one behind the drugs. She went mad with hatred for Hermione long before the final battle. Dolohov was obsessed with Hermione and the letters that we have found in her apartment from him are sick, I guess the apple doesn't fall far," he stopped noticing the dark look in Severus' eyes warning him to skip the commentary. "Right, well, she wasn't too pleased that daddy was hot for Hermione and she too became obsessed, but she wanted nothing more to bring Hermione pain, and get her out of the way. When Hermione killed Dolohov in the battle it just made things worse. She didn't know at first that it was Hermione, but still he was gone and her obsession grew. When Ron let it slip who had really killed him, well it just cemented the hatred and the plan to ruin her."

"She had already been dabbling in the drugs, but first I think it was just a way for her to make cash and keep men in her control. When she realized that she could tweak them and turn Ron into a raging sex crazed maniac she must have felt like she struck gold. She's been pumping him full of potions laced with more testosterone and amphetamines than any man could handle without snapping. He was primed for her manipulations. Not, "he spat angrily, "that it frees the bastard of responsibility. But that's just how it is," he explained, knowing that Snape wouldn't want to hear any excuses on Ron's behalf, nor did he have any to give.

"Well, I managed to find flight itinerary saved on her computer and tracked them to New York and then Las Vegas. It's in Vegas that things went to shite," he said, running his hands through his hair again. Knowing that Snape was not going to be happy with the information he gleaned in Vegas. "I brewed a tracking potion, figuring if they were in the city I could find them, but I decided to hit the casino while it was brewing and I know, I know, I should have been doing my leg work, but I was tired, and stressed, and would you please stop glaring at me like that because if I hadn't gone I wouldn't have found them when I did, and I may not know what I know," he rambled anxiously.

Severus glared at him.

"So I was there, playing at one of the tables, and out of nowhere comes Ron. He was so strung out looking. I don't know why or how I never noticed it before. I tried to talk to him, to reason with him. We were in a crowded place and there were Muggles everywhere and I needed to try to avoid a scene. Then Verity showed up and everything blew up in my face, literally. She started firing hexes, and luckily I was smart enough to cast a spell to stop the time for the Muggles momentarily. Draco was there, and good thing too or I wouldn't have survived. I didn't know until she was there. And I don't know how I'm supposed to tell Hermione," he was going on.

Severus was getting agitated. "Tell her what Potter?"

Harry seemed to shrink before Severus eyes and he spoke. "She's pregnant. Verity, she's pregnant. The added power was just too much, I couldn't take her down and I really didn't feel too great firing hexes at a pregnant mother, but I did it anyways. She was still too powerful, and even with Draco's help I barely made it out of there alive. I've been holed up in a Spell Damage Ward out in Vegas for most of the week. Draco busted me out this morning and got me clearance for his international floo today. We had them change the destination to here, the rest, I figure you know, seeing as Draco's still here. I was wrong about that too though, wasn't I?" he asked rhetorically. "Shite Auror I've turned out to be."

Severus took a moment to consider all the facts. Hermione would be crushed. She had no hope of having a child again, and the woman who had taken all of that from her, the man who had beaten and raped her, they were to have children of their own. He would see to it himself that they never had the chance to hold that child. They wouldn't live long enough if he had a say in it. It was complicated now though. Harry was right, how do you take down a pregnant mother, the child she carries isn't guilty of the mothers sins. He would think on that later. Hermione was his main concern now. Even having guessed as to Verity's true parentage he hadn't known for certain, and now that he did, and now that he knew the extent of her obsession he was far more concerned of her threat than he was of the Weasley's. Weasley would be no match; he would never hurt her again. That was a promise he was not afraid to make. There was still much to consider though.

Looking at the man slumped against the table before him he almost felt sorry for him. He knew the pain of failing someone you loved and wanted to protect. "It still does not excuse your absence when you should have been at your side. You've hurt her greatly. She needed you there. Her daughter needed you there," he said, his voice quiet, betraying his own pain at the loss.

Harry looked up met his steady gaze. "I know. I was scared. How do I face her when I have failed her so greatly? I was undeserving of the role of godfather, I am glad George stepped in, he has been there for her, and was better suited I think. Just as I am somehow glad that she had you by her side. I know. I still should have been there. I should have waited. There are so many things I should have done differently. But I don't have the time-turner, I can't go back. I can't fix what was already broken. Hermione is going to need you to get through all of this. Not just now, but later. When this is all settled, when Ron and Verity have finally been put to justice…" he trailed off. He didn't want to know what he knew. He didn't want to tell anyone. But he didn't want to hold it in either. It was the main reason he fled. He didn't know how to look at his friend knowing that he no longer knew who she was.

Severus could see the torment in his features, the battle he was fighting with himself. He could see easily that there was more that he didn't know. "What is it Potter? Spit it out before it eats you live, or before I force it out of you, whichever may come first. I do not have all day," his voice was clipped and quiet.

Harry steadied himself. He knew someone else needed to know. Someone needed to prepare Hermione for what was to come and be there for her when it did. He didn't know if he would be able to be that person. "When this is all over, there is to be an investigation. I know she knows that much. I know you know that much. What she likely does not know is that we, the Aurors and a few other select Ministry officials, have carefully catalogued every spell that wand ever cast. Based on the timeline, and the spells I witnessed Hermione cast with it myself it was fairly easy to ascertain when she came in possession of the wand, which spells were cast by her, and which were obviously cast in the course of the war and therefore outside the scope of the investigation," he began to explain, falling easily into his Auror persona as a defense mechanism. He knew what he was going to say and even still didn't know how it could be true.

Severus was getting impatient. Surely she had no reason to worry. She admitted to casting the Killing Curse, but it was a battle, she was just in her actions. Anything else surely was benign or self-defense. "What are you insinuating Potter?" his spoke harshly, wanting to choke the boy on his apparent accusation that Hermione had done anything wrong.

Harry shook his head sadly. "I'm not insinuating a thing. I am telling you what I know. That's what you asked of me, and frankly, you are the only one who might be able to help her at this point. I don't know what to do, and I don't know what to think. I love her like a sister, but there is no arguing with the evidence, and I'm afraid that I don't know her anymore at all. I don't know what she has gotten herself into any more than I knew what was going on with Ron," he said quietly.

Severus was across the room in an instant, his wand digging dangerously into Harry's throat; having gotten tired of this dance. He wanted answers. "Tell. Me. Now. Potter. Or so help me…"

Harry didn't waste time, knowing that the gleam in Severus' eye was far from friendly. "Cruciatis. Countless times. All since the war had ended. I wanted to think that it was Ron, using her own wand against her, because even that would be better now. But, I know this about Ron, he hated that wand. He said it gave him the willies. It wasn't him. And now…Simply being Hermione Granger, member of the so-called Golden Trio will not get her out of this. Hero or not she could end up in Azkaban. I'll do what I can, but I'm in a bind, and I can't…" he was cut off as Severus wand fell away from his throat and clattered to the floor.

Severus was at a loss. How did he not know? Why did she never tell him? How could she have been living that way and no one had noticed? Why did he not notice? When she continued to purchase potions to ease the tremors long after she was meant to have suffered the curse why had he not questioned it?

He had thought her beatings were triggering the tremors; it wouldn't be unheard of if the curse had been bad enough, and hers certainly had. Perhaps in the course of battle she had been hit with it again. It was plausible. But the duration she suffered from the tremors, which were caused by continued exposure over a long period of time. Repeated curses.

He didn't need to ask her if his assumptions were true, they were certainly better than the ones Potter and his cohorts at the Ministry were coming up with.

He still didn't know how he would breach the subject with her. He couldn't very well tell Potter the truth of it either; it wasn't his truth to tell. Not without speaking to her.

He suddenly realized that Potter was staring dumbfounded at him.

"Sir?" Harry asked quietly as he approached the older man.

Severus swiftly picked his wand up from where he had dropped it. "I will speak to her. Not today, she deserves to be happy and with her family and friends without this hanging over her head. But I will speak to her," he promised. "Thank you for informing me. Go back to the gawking sea of redheads; I require a moment to think on this alone please. I recommend saying your apologies to Hermione before she snaps and hits you with her Jelly Legs Jinx," he suggested quietly.

Harry just nodded and left the way they had come.

Severus waited until Harry was gone and then slid down into a chair. He wasn't sure what to think or do. He thought he knew all of it now. He thought that she had told him the worst of it. But if he was right she was far more broken than he had realized. If he was right she was still wearing more masks than he could see through and the thought saddened him.

Severus Snape was always right. He did not want to be this time. He did not want to be right about this. But he knew that he was.

Hermione would have to answer to the Wizengamot about multiple Cruciatis Curses she had cast on herself.

He knew all too well it was possible. Mirrors were dangerous things to have when you hated the person looking back.

He hoped that somehow he wasn't right.

A/N: Well I certainly hoped you liked it. The last secret of the wand has been revealed. Hermione is going to have a lot to get through, but Severus wont let her down! I hope you all are enjoying where the story is headed. As always feel free to ask me anything, or point out horrendous mistakes I have made while I search for a beta. Suggestions are welcome.

Reviews are loved, and like the coffee that I crave so much, keep me going.

Love you all. Be well, be well read.

~ fresh new lily ~