Disclaimer:- I neither own nor own anything from this story. My plot is my own but the world of Harry Potter is the intellectual property of JK Rowling and associates.

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A/N:- Thank you to all who left reviews and alerts on my last chapter, I appreciate them all. This chapter does contain a little bit of gore, but only very mild, just so that you're warned if—like me—that is troubling for you. Thank you to the dragon and the rose for her beta work on this chapter.

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Chapter Two – Saving Hermione

By the time she'd returned from lunch the smoke had cleared, but for the rest of the day, she didn't see Severus again. She did hear him several times though, and she grimaced each time she heard him flay one of his subordinates.

Apart from her personal problem, she'd been wanting to talk to him because Hugo had asked her again this morning before school if Severus could watch him play Quidditch with them, but even she didn't have the courage to face an angry Severus Snape in her current frame of mind.

Finally, when everyone else had left, and she still hadn't caught sight of him, she started collecting her things to leave. Today was Friday, and she was fairly certain now—in view of this accident—that his weekend would be spent here instead of in his chosen leisure activities.

She glanced at the door to the ruined lab, which had been repaired and put back on its hinges, and she sighed before starting for the door. She'd just made it halfway across the room when he stormed into their office, and as he did the door shimmered out of view.

"Oh, no," Hermione gasped, she knew what that meant. Like Hogwarts, the Ministry building could shift things and it changed to accommodate its residents.

"We're being moved to the old labs adjoining the Aurory," he stated, already shrinking his desk and other furniture to place in the box he was carrying.

"Oh," Hermione said a second time. "What happened?"

"Beasley neglected to stop Sturges from blowing up my lab," he stated with one of his patented smirks.

"Severus, there is no need for sarcasm," and she scowled at him. To tell the truth, she had the urge to pull him into a hug, but she couldn't make herself move to him and her head was suddenly aching worse again. Why? her mind screamed at her. Why can't I move? She also had the urge to keep him talking, wanting to prolong his presence for as long as she could, somehow knowing that this would be their last conversation on easy terms here at work. "Is everyone all right?"

He snorted softly. "Once I've finished frying Beasley's arse, he won't be able to sit for a week, and they took Sturges to St Mungos. Unfortunately, he'll make a full recovery, but he will not be coming back to my lab, human resources can deal with them both. Thankfully, the remainder of the staff had already left for lunch."

"At least that's a blessing," Hermione said, as her mind still worked on why she couldn't bring herself to move from the spot she was standing. She desperately wanted to speak to Severus about it, but knew it wasn't fair to saddle him with something else to make his day difficult, but then he sighed.

"Hermione, you are the only person I have ever enjoyed sharing an office with. I will miss you," and he turned towards the door.

However, then she saw him starting out the door into the hallway, and she found her voice. "Severus, wait! Please don't say that like I'm never going to see you again."

He turned, surprised at the panic in her voice, and he said, "I do hope to see you again, but I need to keep going at present I'm afraid."

"Oh, umm, yes I suppose you do… it's just that Hugo wanted to know if you could come to the Quidditch with us tomorrow," but before he could answer Hermione quickly added, "I understand that you'll be too busy, but I promised him I'd ask. He was going to get out of bed last night and ask you himself, but I stopped him because it was his bedtime," and she looked genuinely distressed about her choice. "In any case, when he asked me about tomorrow again this morning," she shrugged. "I said I'd ask you."

He took a step towards her and sighed. "As much as I'd enjoy that," and as he said it a longed-for image of them going somewhere as a family flitted across his mind, but he clamped down on it quickly and remembered last night's futile talk. "I'm afraid that is out of the question for this weekend," and he added in his head, and possibly forever, but he closed the distance between them anyway, and was suddenly right in front of her.

Their eyes seemed caught in each other's gaze, but with the loveliness of having his whole regard on her, her headache—which, really hadn't cleared up after last night—suddenly bloomed cruelly behind her eyes, and she flinched.

"Are you well?" he questioned.

"Yes, it's just a headache, I'm probably coming down with something," she told him.

"Hermione, what I meant was that you probably won't see much of me for a time," and his hand started towards her, but he stopped it.

Hermione felt dread starting to creep over her. "But we will be… are still friends, yes?"

"Of course we are," he said, but even as she saw his face not change as he answered her, she realised that this man had been a practised liar for many years, but before she could think up a reply, he turned and was gone.

She simply wanted to curl up and cry. "Bugger," she muttered, rubbing her forehead, and she went back and flopped down at her desk, opening the top drawer and pulling out her supply of paracetamol. Conjuring a glass and filling it with water, she took the tablets and then levered herself up and trudged towards the door. She was glad it was the weekend, at least she could be miserable in the comfort of her own home.

xox

Severus was correct, the entire next week went by without them seeing one another at all, and Hermione missed him as she had never missed anyone. It was during this time that she realised that she couldn't continue without him, but as she did, her headache, which was now her constant companion, became steadily worse. It was now also coupled with general body aches and pains and a week's worth of little to no sleep because of her discomfort.

By Saturday, at the end of one of the loneliest weeks she could remember, Hermione had also realised that there was something very wrong with her. At first, she had thought that she'd caught the flu or something, but apart from the pains there were no other symptoms.

The only other factor seemed to be that the more she missed Severus, and had thoughts about making a life with him, the worse she felt. This was when she came to the conclusion that perhaps magic was involved, but who would curse her?

Therefore, as much as she hated to do so, she begged off Quidditch this morning. She had a plan, and it hinged on her being able to have some time to herself. "I'm sorry, Hugo, but I'm not well. I'll ask Uncle Harry to come and collect you for Quidditch."

"But, Muuummm! I want you to come too." he whined, pouting.

Hermione sighed. "I'm sorry, love, but I'm sick. I need to go back to bed."

Hugo huffed. First the Professor hadn't been able to come again, and now Mum was begging off.

"You'll still have a good time, love, don't worry," she said, getting up to go to the Floo.

As she did, Minnie chimed in. "I still get to go too, don't I?"

Hermione tried to smile, "I'm sure that Uncle Harry and Aunty Ginny will be pleased for you to go too, sweetie."

"Oh goodie. I'll go and put on my other fairy outfit, I bet Lily will be wearing hers," and she scampered off into the bedroom.

As Hermione turned back to the Floo, she vaguely wondered what difference there was between the fairy outfit that she currently had on and the one she was changing into, but she didn't feel up to thinking that through, and she just made the call.

xox

When Harry came to pick the kids up for Quidditch, he took one look at Hermione and whistled. "Boy, you look crappy."

Hermione smirked, even though it hurt her head. "Gee, thanks, a girl loves to know she looks like crap."

"You know, you're picking up more and more of Snape's attitude. Why didn't you just send him with the kids this morning?"

"I haven't heard from him since the explosion. I guess he's been busy," she said.

"Oh, he's busy all right," Harry said, hearing Minnie running towards him and lifting her into his arms. "Their new lab is back where it was years ago, next to the Aurory and all we've heard so far is Snape bellowing at all and sundry. It's like being back at Hogwarts," he cackled, rolling his eyes, and then spun a laughing Minnie around in the air. "Hello, puddin', don't you look very fairy-like."

"I am a fairy, Uncle Harry," she said seriously, like he should have known better. Then she glanced at Hermione, before turning back to her uncle. "Did you know that Mummy is sick, and Hugo hates her."

Harry glanced at Hermione. "Go back to bed, love, I'll handle Hugo. He's so much like his father."

"Thanks, Harry," Hermione said gratefully, and walked forward and tickled Minnie. "You'll be a good girl for Uncle Harry and Aunt Ginny, won't you?"

"I will," Minnie said in a sing-song voice. "Mummy?"

"Yes, baby?"

"I don't care what Hugo says. I love you," and she leaned trustingly out of Harry's arms and wound her arms around Hermione's neck."

"Thank you, sweetheart, I love you too, all of you," Hermione replied, kissing her daughter's cheek. "Hugo's just upset because he wanted both Severus and I to come today, but…"

Harry touched Hermione's arm. "Look, don't worry. You rest, we'll keep the kids tonight too if you want."

"Yes, yes," Minnie cried, jumping up and down against Harry's chest.

But Hermione quashed that idea. "No, I'm sure a bit of rest will fix me. I'll collect them later," she assured him. "But I think I will go back to bed now."

"You do that," Harry instructed.

"Thanks, Harry," Hermione said as she wandered towards her room.

As she walked she heard Harry calling, "Hugo Weasley, Uncle Harry to Hugo Weasley, come in please, Hugo Weasley."

Hermione watched through the crack in her bedroom door as Hugo came bolting out of his room with a big grin on his face. "Uncle Harry," he yelled, launching himself at his uncle. Hermione could see that he'd forgotten all about her, and she was pleased. She'd hated letting him down, but it had to be just for this time.

She listened for the sound of the front door closing, and then she came back out. She was not planning to go to bed, she knew what had to be done. Self-diagnosis would be impossible, so she Floo-called Severus. She knew that Harry would have been able to help her too, but she wanted to get the children away with people she trusted while the problem was dealt with.

Severus answered his Floo. "Good morning, Hermione."

"Hello, Severus. Are you busy?"

"No, I'd been planning to call you later," he stated evenly, the calmness in his voice not giving away his feelings. "I thought you'd be out at Quidditch this morning."

"I sent the kids with Harry… Severus, I think I have a bit of a problem… C-Could you spare me some time, please?" she asked, as her pain instantly spiked. "Could you come through now, please?" she managed to say, and leant on the chair for support as she felt like her head was about to explode.

Severus was concerned at the panic he could hear in her voice, and he agreed. "Stand back," he told her.

He strode through the Floo and immediately gasped at Hermione. "Dear Merlin, what's wrong?" he asked, obviously flustered by her pained appearance. She was looking up at him with big black circles under her eyes, she was pale and sweaty, and looked like she hadn't eaten all week. Not even her pretty curls had any bounce to them, in short, she looked terribly sick.

She'd collapsed into the chair, but she managed to get to her feet. "At first I thought I'd caught something, b-but I think I've been cursed in some way," and as she said it, she grabbed at her head as pain shot out from a point on her left hand and all through her. "Oh," she moaned.

Severus was instantly at her side. "No!" he gasped. Hadn't he suspected this, but dismissed it thinking Weasley was not smart enough. He unsheathed his wand and started working out the curse anchor.

Hermione's world was starting to slip sideways, but she grabbed for Severus as pain radiated through her body. "Hurts," she moaned, flopping against him, but this seemed to make the pain worse. Through the agony, she was vaguely aware that Severus had his wand out and that there were runes dancing all around her.

Then suddenly he was shouting at her. "Your ring! Take it off, it's cursed. Take the ring off."

She pulled at her wedding ring, but it was tight, and seemed to be tightening further as she pulled. "I can't!" she cried.

Severus shot a lubrication spell at her finger. "Try now," he said.

Pain kept curling through her, but she pulled, she pulled at the ring with all her might. She trusted Severus, and the pain was so bad now that she couldn't feel the pain that removing the ring was causing her.

The ring started to budge on her finger, but as it did there was a crack of bone, and a tearing of flesh before it clattered onto the hearth, and she collapsed against Severus cradling her injured hand. The pain became more intense momentarily, but inside her mind something like a fuzzy haze lifted, but then blackness entered the sides of her vision and quickly spread across it.

When she came to, Severus had her hand, and he was muttering words over it. She whimpered softly as reality started to filter back in, and with it the pain in her hand. She looked at her hand and saw that her finger that had worn the ring was very crooked and almost red raw, shredded where she'd dragged the gold band from her finger.

"Shhh," Severus encouraged. "You got it off. Rest for now, love."

She swallowed, and tears welled in her eyes. Her throat was dry and her head was still spinning. "You called me love," she muttered, and smiled. "I like that."

"Mmm," he said, but changed the subject. "Where are the children?"

Hermione tried to think. "Rosie is at the Longbottom's with Amelia…" she replied in a vague voice. It was hard to think as she seemed to be being swallowed in a sea of emotions. "Umm… Harry came and collected Hugo and Minnie, they're all at junior Quidditch," she managed to say.

"Very well, now try to stay still. This curse is two-fold."

"T-Two… W-What?" she stuttered, but as she said it pain started to spread through her pelvic region, and she instinctively doubled over, but felt gentle hands on her trying to straighten her.

"Don't worry, I know the counter-curse," he said, and he started chanting words softly, as he pointed his wand at her lower abdomen as the curse went into its final stage and tried to start tearing her uterus apart.

The final threads of her stamina snapped as she felt a warm gush of liquid leaving her body. "No," she gasped, before passing out from pain and fatigue, and just the general horror of it all.

Severus was unspeakably angry, but his years as a spy served him well, and he cured the woman he cherished above all others, and he kept a level head through his anger. His retribution could be served later once he had the family he'd grown to love around him and safe. "Portius!" he called, and his elf breached the wards of the cottage. "Bring a warm blanket from my linen," and he casted detection spells on the lounge before picking Hermione up and gently wrapping her in the blanket the elf returned with.

It was too risky to use anything from her own home before it had been thoroughly tested for lingering curse effects, but he wasn't planning to explain that to her yet. He turned to glance at her as she moaned sleepily.

"How long was I gone?" she murmured groggily as she regained consciousness.

"Lay quietly," Severus told her. "The curse has been neutralised, but I'm afraid you're a bit of a mess and you need some healing potions to assist in repairing the damage. At the moment, you also need to give the Aurory their required evidence of this deed."

"Oh," she gasped vaguely, her eyes trying to convey to him that she really couldn't deal with this.

"Don't worry, love, I'll not leave your side once, and once it's all done I'm taking you through to my home," he stated, and he looked at her seriously. "Does any of what I've just said bother you?"

"No," she mumbled. "I'll welcome it," she answered, and tried to watch him summoning the cat carrier, and bundling Crookshanks unceremoniously into it.

"Use those claws on me and you'll regret it, sir," he said as the cranky old cat made a swipe at him through the carrier door before he closed it. He cast many detection spells on the captured feline to make certain he was curse free, and then he turned to the still partly dozing Hermione. She had to be exhausted, and she'd lost a lot of blood before he'd managed to reverse the effects of the curse, but she was fighting to stay awake. "I'll send Crooks along with Portius, and he and Morgana can get to know one another before we get there," he told her.

Her eyes opened hazily, and she nodded. "Yes, you may do anything you please, Sev…" and she paused, reining in emotion. Her lip quivered and she swallowed hard. "Severus?"

He came over and squatted in front of her. She started to raise a shaky hand to his cheek, but it stilled when she realised that it was covered in blood, and she looked at it.

"I've stopped the haemorrhaging, but your body is now expelling the contaminated lining of your womb. It is a common reaction in witches, I will get you dry and comfortable as soon as I can."

"T-Thank you," she stuttered, before closing her eyes again and licking her dry lips.

"I'll get you some water presently, and also something for the pain," he said, but it was obvious that he was still thinking. "Mister Potter is at the Quidditch you say?" He watched her nod. "Then I will summon him. Portius!"

The well-dressed, but somewhat portly elf popped back in, and Severus straightened and turned to his elf. "Portius, find Mister Harry Potter and escort him here," he instructed, as he scrawled a hasty note.

"Very good, Master," Portius said, nodding.

As soon as the elf had left, Severus came back to Hermione and drew his wand moving it in an intricate pattern over her prostrate form. Runes started dancing around her once more, and he stood back to examine them. He nodded, "The curse is gone, and your bleeding has eased."

"Severus," Hermione murmured.

"Yes, love?"

"Do you know exactly what kind of curse it was?"

"An ancient one. One that was used to bind an unwilling bride."

"But I originally married him willingly," Hermione still didn't have the energy to sit up, and a look that could only be described as pain settled on her face. "I've made a terrible mess of things, haven't I?"

Severus exhaled. "I believe you will find that you are the innocent party here, Hermione. You married in good faith."

"I married far too quickly," she admitted, as tears started trickling over her cheeks again.

"I cannot be the judge of that," Severus stated, but then sighed. "Even if you did, you had no reason to suspect you would have a curse like that placed upon you."

"But, why?"

"I do not know," but their attention was taken when Harry arrived with the elf.

He took in the scene and grimaced as he walked forward and said, "I knew there was something more than a cold wrong with you," and he ran his wand over her like Severus had.

"She is cured, Potter," Severus stated tersely. Even after all these years, he still thought that Harry Potter was an upstart, but he was the best person to deal with things from this point. He was a commander in the Aurory.

"Just checking," Harry said, sheathing his wand again. "Ron?" he asked, hating the insinuation in his question.

Of course, Severus did not react well to the mention of Ron. "Do not upset Hermione if you please," he snapped.

Harry was surprised by this declaration, but he understood. "Sorry," he replied, "but I do have to know what's happening in order to help."

"Yes, it is most likely to have been him," Severus replied through his teeth. "It was a spousal obedience curse anchored to the marital ring. The only person who can cast that spell is the abusive spouse," he stated, pulling a small bottle from his pocket. "The ring, for evidence," he said, handing Harry the bottle containing the ring.

Harry held it up and examined the contents. "I would not have thought him cruel enough to do this. This is vindictive."

"Yes, I would tend to agree," Severus nodded. "But if not him, then who? There is no one else it could have been. Do I have to hand this on to Shacklebolt to see justice served," he added.

"No, I will bring him to justice," Harry said, like he was swearing an oath, but then he thought for a moment. "Is it possible for a curse such as this to infect by association?" he asked.

"Yes, it's very possible," Severus agreed. "Especially those in the same family line. Why?"

Harry turned to Hermione, who was valiantly trying to keep her eyes open. "Because I've just realised that I never questioned why you put up with him constantly not being here. I never questioned him on it either. Oh, bugger, 'Mione, I'm sorry," he said to Hermione. However, then his eyes opened wide, and he looked to Severus. "That means that I'll have to also test the children before Hermione has anything else to do with them again."

"Indeed," Severus stated, "and the entire cottage," he added, looking around.

Harry nodded, and lowered his voice. "Are you happy to care for Hermione?"

"More than happy, and the children too once Hermione has recovered a little more," Severus stated.

"Excellent…" but he was cut off as Hermione seemed to become restless.

"I want the kids with me," she said suddenly.

The men turned to her, and it was Harry who spoke. "Sweetie, it might be better to allow yourself to recover tonight before they see you."

"But…" Hermione interjected, her lip slipping between her teeth.

Severus understood why she wanted her children close at the moment, but she really wasn't doing herself any favours by rushing things. "No, for once I agree with Mister Potter, you need to recover somewhere quiet. We'll get the children tomorrow."

She sighed. "Yes, I suppose you're correct," and she reached out her hand to Severus.

Harry saw the normally dour man sit on the edge of the lounge and take Hermione's hand in both of his, and he found that he was happy that they'd finally been able to admit what was blatantly obvious now the curse wasn't hanging over Hermione. Of course, that was when his anger started to surface too as he realised that he hadn't been able to express that opinion to her before. If he had, he would have advised her to move on from a husband who was never there, someone who obviously didn't care at all about her or her children like this man did. Severus was someone who deserved as much happiness as Hermione, and it was obvious that he loved and cherished her and the kids.

Harry found himself unaccountably happy to be witnessing the start of their life together. However, he ran his hand through his messy black hair and sighed before squatting down in front of the lounge containing Hermione.

"Rosie, Hugo and Minnie will be fine, and really, the less they know about things the better. I best get to work, I'll leave you in Snape's capable hands, love."

Hermione sighed. He was accepting Severus, and she gave him a tired smile. "Thank you, Harry."

Harry knew what she meant, and he smiled in return. "Yes, well it's stupid to hold on to old prejudices that just cause pain," he replied, glancing at the Potions master's dark eyes watching the scene between the two friends. "Now, don't you worry about a thing, I'll go and inform Gin and Nev what's happened," and he glanced at his watch. "The game will just be into half-time. Then once we've done a complete sweep of the house, Kings and I will take a trip to Ballycastle and bring Ron back to face what he's done."

Hermione just nodded.

Then Harry looked at Severus. "Are you certain about having Hermione and the kids? That's quite a declaration and commitment."

"Yes," he replied confidently. "I have more than enough room for everyone, and they are most wanted, and most welcome."

Harry had just wanted to make certain, but he was still surprised by this pronouncement, but he smiled. "Then welcome to the family," he said, holding out his hand for Severus to shake. "I hope that one day you'll feel comfortable enough to call me Harry."

Severus let go of Hermione's hand and shook Harry's outstretched hand. "Thank you, Harry. Now go and catch the bastard before I ruin everything and land myself in Azkaban for killing the lowlife prick."

Harry cackled. "Will do, Severus. You just look after our Hermione, and I'll let you both know what's what as soon as I know." He turned to Hermione and said, "Your cottage will be a crime scene for a bit, but you'll be able to get in later to pack everything you want to take with you, don't worry. You just rest and recover, love," and he leant forward and kissed her forehead, but then stood back and started summoning the people he required.