Hermione begrudgingly was sitting in her apartment lost in thought. She couldn't will herself to ask Severus to let her move in. Ever since they made love three days ago all she thought about was Severus. She wanted to sleep in his warm bed, spend mornings together making breakfast, and spend evenings reading a good book cuddled up on the couch. Being in this apartment was so cold and lonely. Instead of dwelling on it, she continued burying herself in her work at the potion's store and taking care of her daughter Sabrina. Every day she returned to her home, she checked the mail for any letters or owls. Since meeting with Ginny, no words have been said. No letter has been written. No one had shown up at the store, and Hermione was losing hope that anything would change.

She had just finished getting ready for work when she heard a knock on the door. She approached the door expecting to see Severus. A huge smile stretched across her lips, and she opened the door excitedly to greet him. As soon as she saw the person at the door, her smile dropped immediately. "What are you doing here?" Her voice was shaky, and she took a step back as she looked into the eyes of Ron Weasley.

Ron's flaming red hair was neatly parted and the clothes he wore were professionally tailored to fit him. He started to shuffle his feet unsure of his next words. "May I come in, Hermione?" He gave her a small smile as he continued to shuffle his feet and wring his hands in nervousness.

Hermione looked at her ex-friend with disdain. She knew she should say no, but as she looked into his blue eyes, she felt a small sense of longing for friendship. She slowly backed away from the entrance and allowed him to enter her apartment. She shut the door behind him and led him to her living room. He took a seat on the couch and Hermione slowly sat herself down next to him. Hermione was the first to break the silence. "So, how has life been?"

Ron cleared his throat and said, "I didn't come here to discuss my life with you."

Hermione whispered forlornly, "Why did you come to my apartment, Ron? It's been three years since we have been this close to each other, and nothing has changed."

Ron stared at Hermione in embarrassment. "Gin told me that you met her at a coffee shop a few days ago. She said you two talked about how you ended up pregnant."

Hermione looked down at her trainers and murmured, "Did she tell you everything I said?" She didn't like the idea of Ginny running around telling her friends her life story. It was her story to tell, and she didn't want judgment.

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. He felt awful for the way he treated her in the past three years. "Well, she told me some things I wasn't aware of. I thought you cheated on me, Hermione. I thought you went off and had sex with a random bloke one night. I should've listened to you." His words came out gruffly. He didn't know what he could say to make things better between them. "I was a hot head and a jerk."

Hermione's cheeks reddened in anger. "Yes, you were a complete asshole to me. You didn't listen to me at all. I tried to tell you. I begged you to listen to me, but you abandoned me." She took a deep breath, feeling her anger get the better of her. She didn't want to start yelling and snapping at him even if he deserved it. She continued speaking in a whispered tone. "I made a mistake before we started dating. I thought we were going to die during the war. I didn't think we would be successful. We saw so many people die, and Severus found me when I was vulnerable. I was dumb. I was reckless. We had sex and 3 months later I found out I was pregnant. I didn't know what to do, but what I did know was that I wasn't going to get rid of this baby. Sabrina is the best thing that has happened to me, and I wouldn't take it back for anything in this world. She is so adorable, and I love her with everything I have."

Ron listened without interrupting. He slowly contemplated what she said. He took a deep, shuddering breath. "I am sorry, Hermione. I shouldn't have treated you the way I did. I was so hurt and jealous at the thought of another man impregnating you. I dreamed of us being married and having children together. I wanted a life with you." An awkward silence filled the room. Hermione was mortified when she watched Ron get down on his knees in front of her. "Hermione, I have always loved you. I am so sorry for how I treated you. I know words won't fix what I have done but I came here this morning to ask you to marry me. I want to make you my wife. I will raise Sabrina as my own and we can live happily together. We can invite all the Weasley's and of course Harry and Ginny. Please Hermione, will you marry me? I will do anything for you."

Hermione quickly snatched her hand away from him. She stood up from the couch and scowled down at him. "Ron, I accept your apology, but I will not marry you. I have moved on." She swallowed thickly, now wishing she never allowed Ron into her home. "You could never be Sabrina's father," she added with a whisper. She felt offended that Ron assumed he could force himself into her life and take the place of Sabrina's real father.

Ron stood up abruptly and towered over her in anger. "Why, Hermione? I know I did some really mean things to you but that was the past. I thought you wanted to move on from that."

Hermione sighed and glared at him in frustration. "I have moved on from the past Ron, which is why I no longer have feelings for you. Did you expect me to still harbor feelings for you after the way you treated me? Do you not realize that I had to struggle for the past three years because of you? You alienated me from all my friends. I was alone. I had nobody to help me. No one would hire me. My brilliance and talents went to waste while you and Harry got to live your dreams. As I said, I can forgive you, but I don't love you anymore. The feelings I had for you died a long time ago and nothing can be done about that."

Ron stomped his foot in anger. His cheeks matched his flaming red hair. "There's someone else isn't there?"

Without caring Hermione snapped at him losing all her patience, "Yes, Ronald! I love Severus." The words flew out of her mouth, and she watched in glee as Ron's anger came to a halt. She saw the hurt fill his eyes and she didn't regret one bit of it.

Ron's eyes lowered to the floorboards. "Why him, Hermione? He is so much older than you and bat-like. You saw the way he treated us at school. He was a git and made fun of your teeth. I stood up for you. I always stood up for you. I was by your side through it all and you pick him."

Hermione was done playing nice with Ron. "Are you really telling me what is best for me in my own apartment? You don't know him, Ron. Severus has been the greatest man I have ever met. He gave me a job when I needed it most, he helps take care of Sabrina, and he protects me. He sacrificed himself for the war. He was so brave. I love him so much and Sabrina loves him. He is a part of our family. Now if you excuse me, I am late for work and I must get going."

"No! I won't take no for an answer!" Ron exploded in anger. Without thinking, he slapped her across the face. "You belong to me, Hermione. I won't let you get away this time." Before he could grab her, a small voice came from the corner of the room.

"Leave mommy alone!" Sabrina's voice filled the room. She felt magic swirl around her, and she watched in amazement as Ron was sent across the room and into a nearby wall.

Hermione quickly reacted and took out her wand pointing it at Ron. "I want you to leave my home. Don't ever come back here again." Ron backed out of the room and quickly ran out of the apartment. Once Hermione was sure Ron had left and the door was locked, she collapsed to the floor in a flood of tears. Sabrina ran to her mother and hugged her tightly.

Ten minutes had passed, and Hermione was still crying on the floor. Sabrina was trying to console her mother. Neither one of them heard the knocking on the door until Severus came walking towards them. Severus was about to start asking why she was so late to work but the sight of Hermione crying and the hole in the wall in the living room made his mouth go dry. He quickly closed the distance between him and Hermione. He knelt next to her and said darkly, "What happened here? Are you hurt?" All Hermione could do was blubber incoherently. He slowly rubbed her back until finally she was able to speak.

"Ron came to my apartment. He wanted to apologize, but then his apology turned into a proposal." She spat out the word in disgust. "He was on his knees begging me to marry him. He said how much he loved me. Obviously, I turned him down. He became angry and ended up slapping me across the face." Her fingers touched the red spot on her cheek that was left behind. "He wouldn't take no for an answer, and he tried to grab me." Hermione looked at Sabrina and she gave her a small smile. "Sabrina came into the room, and I think she did some accidental magic. He was sent into the wall, and he ran out of the house."

"Start packing all of your things, Hermione." His tone was cold and final.

"Why, Severus?" Hermione was confused.

"You are not coming back to this house. You and Sabrina are going to come and live with me. I wasn't there to protect you and I should've been. I won't let this happen again. I should've asked you to move in a long time ago and I didn't." Severus felt his anger roll off him in waves and he tried to keep it in check. He wasn't mad at Hermione. He was mad at himself for being too shy to ask her to move in and now he felt like it was his fault that she got hurt.

Hermione's warm hand cupped his cheek. "Severus, it's not your fault. Please don't blame yourself."

Severus kissed her palm. "I mean what I say, Hermione. I want you to move into my house with me." He looked at her longingly. He wanted her to say yes. No, he needed her to say yes. Hermione and Sabrina are all that mattered to him, and he would be damned if he lost them. They were his family now and he would give them anything they ever wanted. Severus had not felt this feeling in a very long time. He was deeply in love with Hermione, and he would not make the same mistakes he had made in the past.

"Yes Severus, I will move in with you." Hermione smiled at Severus warmly and hugged him tightly to her.