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 everyone who commented and left kudos on the last chapter, please know that I appreciate every one of them. Thank you to, the dragon and the rose, for her beta work, it is very much appreciated.

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Chapter Three – The Full Extent of The Damage

Severus waited with more patience than he felt as Hermione was examined by the healer. The only reason that he displayed such tolerance was that he knew that he wanted her to have her justice for this act against her. He wanted justice for her badly, and even when the impertinent healer questioned him about what he'd done to save her, and why, he kept his temper under control. He stood beside Hermione, like her ominous protector, never moving once.

All the waiting, and especially the examination seemed to sap the remaining strength that Hermione had, and it wasn't helped that it was carried out during the bustle of a swarm of Aurors invading her small home while two female Aurors held up only a sheet to guard her privacy while she was examined. Severus knew it was because her bedroom was most likely contaminated with fragments of the curse, so and he simply stood next to the lounge with his back turned, watching the proceedings with his best bat of the dungeons expression on his face.

Everyone there knew that Severus and Hermione were friends, and although they also seemed extremely interested in whether it might be more than that, no one dared comment on it. Finally, the healer finished, and Severus was pleased when near the end of the examination a female Auror—one he didn't recognise—brought over a packed weekender bag for Hermione.

Then Harry was there a second later, just as Kingsley arrived and was brought up to speed on what was going on.

"Thank you both for your patience. You are free to go now," Kingsley informed them.

"We'll be in touch as soon as I know what's going on," Harry added.

Severus nodded his understanding, and without further ado he shrunk Hermione's bag and placed it in his pocket, picking her up from the lounge. He walked her out the back door, turned on the spot, and blinked out of sight.

They landed in his home, in a hallway to be precise, and as soon as she was away from her cottage, Hermione started to become more aware of things. She turned her eyes to Severus and found him watching her with a guarded expression on his face.

"Severus," she said softly, and reached up shakily to wind her arms around his neck so she could pull her head into the crook of his neck. "I've wanted to hug you for the longest time," she murmured into his neck. She glanced up at him quickly, but hid her head again as she said, "And more… but I just couldn't make my arms move to do it before," she whispered, and it was like a dam bursting, suddenly she was crying.

Severus heard her words, and his heart sang, she wanted him, but right now was not the time to act on that. "Don't cry, love," he murmured in return. "That bastard is not worth your tears."

"But I would have moved on years ago if it hadn't been for this. I feel nothing for him, b-but I haven't been able to say it before," she cried. "Why would he use a binding curse on me?"

"I do not know, but perhaps for exactly the reason you just said," Severus answered. "He might not have wanted you to be your usual astute self." He started walking, wanting to get her cleaned up so he could place her… where? In his bed? That's where he wanted her. He would give her the choice, but now he finished his sentence. "Rest assured they'll find out now," he told her, as he stopped at the bathroom door. "Will you allow me to help you clean yourself?"

She nodded. "I would appreciate that, I'm not sure I can manage it alone, or that I want to be alone at present," she told him earnestly.

"I'll need to undress you," he told her.

She shrugged. "I have nothing to hide from you, Severus, but I doubt either of us is in the mood to take advantage of the situation in any case."

Severus chuckled. "You're entirely underestimating how much I want you, Hermione, but I will control my desire."

"I want you very much too, and I know it's a lot to ask of you," she commented, and despite what he'd just said about restraint, she felt his little chuckle resonate within her, sending a tingling flurry of pinpricks of pleasure through her.

They entered a large bathroom, and Severus looked at her. "Do you think you can stand for a moment?" he asked, trying desperately to calm his libido after her last comment.

"I'll try," she replied, noting that as he placed her feet on the ground he kept a firm hold on her.

"Are you stable?" he asked, starting to let her go to turn on the shower.

Hermione grasped the counter top with both hands, but then yelped in pain as her abused finger connected with the hard surface. "Bugger," she muttered, pulling her bandaged hand away. "I want to go with Harry to Ballycastle," she said, "and give that bastard a taste of what he's done to me," she growled.

Severus hummed in agreement. "You and me both, but for once let's leave it to someone else, ay?"

Hermione sighed. "Yes, we've finally got our chance together, and as angry as I am with him, I do not want to mess that up." She was starting to try and pull her tee-shirt off with one hand as she spoke, but she found it difficult. Severus, having turned back to her after turning the shower on, saw this and started assisting her.

He vanished each item he removed to the laundry, along with the blanket she'd been wrapped in. Thankfully she'd only been wearing comfortable clothing when she'd called him this morning, and he soon was down to her underwear. This was when his memory of his worst day came back to him, and the coppery smell of blood had him holding his breath as he removed the last of her clothing.

This smell would always be associated with the day he'd thought he was going to lose his life, and he'd hoped to never smell it again, but fair was fair, she'd saved him that day with her quick thinking, and he'd saved her today with his.

He guided her into the shower cubicle walking behind, as he tried not to look at her nakedness. He helped her in as he removed his own coat, waistcoat, belt, shoes and socks, and then rolled up his sleeves. This would be easier if one of them was still clothed. He could use a drying spell on himself once he had her comfortable.

The last thing he did as he stood holding her up was vanish the bandage on her left hand. "It needs cleaning. I'll redress it once I've covered it with healing ointment," he told her.

She nodded and bravely plunged the hand into the water, but she hissed in pain regardless as the water hit it. She started to wash herself as Severus stood behind her supporting her and trying not to look at her creamy skin, or the reflected glimpses of bare breasts and dark hair at the apex of her thighs that he was seeing reflected in the glass of the shower. However, it seemed a futile exercise, because as he'd assisted her out of her clothing he'd already seen far too much, and regardless of the situation it was all making his trousers too tight. He controlled himself and once she was clean he had her lean up against him for support as he washed her hair for her.

"Apart from the obvious, do you still have any pain?" he asked, as he lathered her hair with the shampoo.

Hermione happily leant against him and revelled in the feel of his hands on her, even if it was only her head. She was feeling incredibly weak and very emotional, but she realised that apart from the still stinging pains in her left hand and stomach—which was just a dull throb now—that she was feeling much better.

"No, just the obvious," she said, yawning. "My hand and my stomach are still sore, but the headache is gone," and she sighed as another yawn escaped her control. "Although, I think I could sleep for a week."

Severus rinsed the conditioner out of her hair and turned off the water. "There, all done. Are you able to walk with me to the towel?"

"Yes," she said in a breathy voice.

Severus heard in her voice that she needed some blood replenishing potion. "Once I have you in bed, I'll get you some potions from my store," he stated, wrapping a fluffy towel around her and lifting her up again.

She sighed and instantly snuggled into him. "I shouldn't be letting you carry me so much," she murmured, but then glanced up at him. He glanced down at her as she commented, and that sweet little half-smile of his lit the corner of his mouth, and made her respond alike, but sighed. "It's so nice to have someone else looking after me for once. Thank you."

"No thanks are required, I feel very privileged. Let's get you to the bedroom, then once you're dry and dressed, I'll leave you for a moment to get your potions, and the cream for your poor finger," but then he stopped. "Hermione?"

"Yes, Severus?"

"Would you feel comfortable in my bedroom? I'd like to have you beside me."

She looked up at him and smiled. "Yes, I'd feel perfectly comfortable there," she answered.

He seemed to let out the breath he'd been holding and he carried her towards the pair of double doors at the end of the hallway.

It was as she was carried up the hallway that she asked, "You know I've never even asked you where you live, and this is a large house."

He smiled. "Yes, plenty big enough for all of us, and I'm not that far away from your cottage. You know the old Claybourne estate on the other side of Ottery St. Catchpole?"

"Yes," Hermione replied. "Although, all I've ever seen of it is the high stone wall."

"Well, you've seen more of it now. You're in it. I bought it for a song about a year ago at auction."

"Oh, wow!" Hermione gasped.

He opened the doors to the master suite, "And the only thing I've been missing is a family," he stated, as he carried her through the doors. "This suite of rooms leads straight down to the library through a private study located through there," he said, indicating another set of double doors. "And I've added my lab in the basement under that."

"Oh, Severus, it's perfect," Hermione gushed. "I can't wait to see more," and despite how tired she was she found herself excited. "What's through there?" she asked, pointing to doors on the other side of them.

"That's the mistress' room. This is an ancient house…"

"And the master and mistress had separate rooms," she finished for him, but then her lip slipped between her teeth. "Would we be like that?"

"Not unless you want to be. I thought that to start with that room might be perfect for Minnie, since she's used to having you close."

She was beaming at him. "Oh, yes, that's a perfect idea," and she couldn't contain her passion for him any longer. She reached up and pulled his head down to hers. "I know this is probably the wrong time to say this, but I love you," and she brushed his lips with hers.

"Hermione, despite the way it happened, you have made me very happy today. I love you also, but you need your rest at present," and before she could answer, a gentle but warm drying spell rippled over her.

"Oh," she sighed. "That felt lovely," and her eyes rose to his again. She saw him watching her with the same soft expression on his face that she'd seen often lately, but had been unable to do anything about, and she wanted to kiss him again. This man was doing more for her in this moment than Ron had done in their entire marriage.

He placed her gently on the floor, but then gasped. "Bugger, I need my coat," and still holding her up around the waist, he turned towards the door. "Accio, frock coat," and the doors opened as his frock coat obediently sailed towards him.

Grabbing it, he produced the bag from one of its pockets and brought it back to its proper size. "There, I'll let you organise yourself."

She dug into the bag with her good hand, and quickly found that the Auror who'd packed it had anticipated her needs perfectly, and soon Severus was helping her into her favourite nightie, and installing her into the bed with a warming charm chasing her in.

"Will you be all right while I leave to get some things?" he asked, placing her wand—which had also been packed in the bag—onto the bedside table.

"Yes, I'll be fine, but you won't be too long, will you?" she asked, her lip slipping between her teeth again.

"No, love. I won't be too long. Would you like something to eat too?"

But it was apparent that she was thinking of something else when she said, "Do you know any good divorce lawyers?"

He chuckled decadently. "I'm a Slytherin, most of my brethren study law at some point… How else can we be the sneaky buggers that we are and get away with it," he replied, smiling one of his smirks.

Hermione found herself also smiling.

"Now, hold that thought and I'll be back momentarily," he told her.

She smiled, happily snuggling down in the huge bed without a second thought. However, as he was leaving she called after him. "Oh, and tea would be lovely, please."

He stopped and turned and then smiled. "Tea it is then," and he continued out the door.

xox

In Ballycastle, Harry Potter was standing very still, trying to keep a cap on his anger.

Beside him, Kingsley cleared his throat. "Let me get this right, you say that you're Madam Ronald Weasley?" he asked.

"Yes," the obviously tired and pregnant woman holding a small child with two other children peeking around her skirt said. The witch was only small in stature and plumpish, she had masses of auburn curls tied back in a bulky ponytail, and happy blue eyes.

The two Aurors glanced at one another. "And where is Ronald Weasley?" Kingsley asked.

"He'll be back soon, he's at Quidditch with our eldest three. Have we forgotten to pay our wireless licence or something?" she asked, obviously confused.

But all Harry gathered out of what she said was that Ron and this witch had six children and another one on the way. "Three?" he gasped, his professional façade slipping. That meant that it was likely that he'd been with this witch almost as long as Rosie—Hermione's eldest daughter—had been alive.

The little witch turned her head to the side slightly but then straightened again, a little uncertain of their confusion. "Would you gentlemen like to come in and wait for Ron? I'm sure he'll want to see you, after all he's always telling me about his adventures with the great Harry Potter."

Harry blushed, but he was battling with himself here, and some quick thinking had him testing who she knew about. "Yes, Hermione, Ron and I did have some heady adventures back when we were teenagers." As he suspected, confusion passed over the witch's face.

"Ron never mentioned anyone called Hermione, who's that?"

Harry's mouth flapped uselessly several times, and Kingsley took over the conversation again. "Thank you, we will come in and wait."

"Oh good. I'll make us tea with fruit cake. The game should pretty much be finished now, and Ron and the boys are always happy for a snack before lunch after it," and she hurried off into the kitchen after placing the child she was carrying down. The toddler looked about two, and quickly ran after the mother, but the two older children stayed at the kitchen door watching the visitors.

Harry smiled at them, and he noted that one returned the expression, but the other one just seemed to stand there, so he tested the parameter. "Hello, my name's Harry, Uncle Harry actually… What are your names?"

The elder of the two gasped. "That's my big brother's name," but then she seemed to remember her manners and said, "Hello, Uncle Harry. I'm Meg, and this is my little brother Simon."

Harry found this new piece of information thundering around his head, Ron had named his eldest child Harry, and Harry Potter looked at Kingsley somewhat desperately. "How do we handle this?"

Kingsley sighed. "Ron has broken the law, and regardless of the circumstances, justice has to be served."

"But we can't leave this poor witch with six mouths to feed, another on the way and no way of providing for them," Harry replied, but then he gasped. "And that's not even mentioning what he's done to Hermione… What a mess!"

However, they were interrupted by a quiet voice. The little girl was, he supposed, perhaps seven years old, and she seemed intelligent and curious with her auburn plaits and blue eyes. "Excuse me, Uncle Harry, but how are you my uncle?"

"I'm married to your daddy's sister," he told the little girl.

"Oh, but…" and she didn't finish as her mother called her.

"Meg, love, can you come and take Primrose for me."

"Both children disappeared into the kitchen, and Harry quickly turned to Kingsley as he finally answered the question Harry had posed before little Meg had interrupted.

"Harry, we don't know that they're legally married, and if they are it will be invalid if he married Hermione first. Ron's lied to Hermione, he might have done the same to this witch," Kingsley whispered, seeing their hostess coming back with a tray laden with tea and fruit cake.

Harry glanced at the witch returning, and he saw something. She looked like a very likeable witch, and Ron seemed to have found the perfect fusion between 'Mione and his own mother, Harry considered, as he saw the resemblance between this witch and Molly Weasley. He watched her place the tray on the table, and he said, "I don't think we caught your name, Madam Weasley."

She looked shocked, but then stuttered, "I'm H-Holly, H-Holly Weasley… Why don't you k-know that?" she added, sitting down at the table opposite them. "S-Surely Ron has mentioned me? I m-mean, you and he are b-best friends."

Harry was just starting to get a picture in his head of what might be going on here, but he couldn't be certain, and he'd just opened his mouth to ask the next question when a boy of about eleven came thundering through the door.

"Mum, we won!" he called before they saw him.

Holly glanced at them, but then a smile arrived on her face. "That's wonderful boys," and she stood to receive them into her arms in turn.

Harry noted that the eldest boy seemed more confident than the younger two boys who just seemed to follow whatever the eldest one did. Just like Simon seemed to with Meg. It was strange to him, but he didn't think too much of it because some children were more confident than others, and some were leaders while others just followed. He was brought back from his thoughts as Holly spoke.

"Look, love, we have some visitors," she said, but then they heard a gasp behind them.

Harry and Kingsley looked around and saw Ron standing immobile, looking pale and stricken.

"Hello, Ron," Harry said, standing up. "We need a word with you."

Ron seemed to find his voice. "Oh, umm… h-hi, Harry, Kingsley."

Kingsley's eyes narrowed and he stood also. "No, we're not going to play games. Because of the respect I have for your family, I am going to give you the opportunity to tell the truth to this witch, but if you do not come up with a plausible explanation we're going to throw the book at you. Hermione may demand that we do anyway," he added. He'd been going to add more, but he looked around at the children watching, and refrained.

"Dad?" the eldest boy said.

At the same moment Holly gasped, "Family… but Ronnie, you said you didn't have…" but she didn't seem to be able to finish.

Ron glanced around the room at everyone, and then looked to the boy who'd spoken, and he sighed, "Harry, will you take your brothers and sisters out the back for a play before lunch, mate."

"Yes, Dad," the boy with carrot orange hair like Hugo's said, and he looked to the other two boys dressed in their Quidditch gear. "Come on, Greg, Freddie, help me with Primrose. Come on Meg, Simon."

Both Greg and Freddie obediently helped their smaller siblings, and they all trooped out into the backyard.

Harry was incredibly angry and very torn. He hardly recognised this Ron, who lied and cheated to get what he wanted. Watching the children going out the back door, he wanted to throttle Ron for doing this to them all, but especially to Hermione. Ron had cursed her to keep her in line, and then it appeared that he had wilfully replaced her. He turned to Kingsley, and said quietly, "In view of the circumstances…"

Kingsley cut him off before he finished. "No, I believe you need to be on this case too. We have two witches here who will need you looking out for their best interests, as the Aurory prosecutes."

"Two?" Holly gasped.

"Yes, two," Kingsley repeated. He inhaled and said, "Holly, would you mind showing me your marriage certificate, please."

"Our marriage certificate?" she gasped, blinking at a very red-faced Ron. "Umm, I d-don't know… Ron?"

"Well, Ron," Harry said. "Are you going to tell, or will I tell this witch what you've done?"

Now Kingsley added what he'd been going to before. "Yes, if you cannot satisfy us as to why you currently appear to be a bigamist, then there will a great deal more trouble than you've already gathered by placing the spousal obedience curse on Hermione."

Ron scowled. "We're not married," he muttered, and he flinched when he heard Holly's pained gasp. "Not really." He turned to Holly. "I never meant to hurt you," and he flicked his eyes quickly to Harry and Kingsley before turning back and taking Holly's hands. "I love you," he whispered to her.

"B-But, Ron?" Holly gasped. "W-We had that ceremony… u-under the… in the park… How can we be not m-married? Oh my…" and she tore her hands away from him as tears started down over her cheeks.

Ron shrugged. "You were pregnant, and your father threatened." He looked at Harry. "Holly's father was my boss when I first arrived. I'd been planning to end it with 'Mione, but when I went home to tell her she told me she was pregnant too, and Mum was so happy… and well I just couldn't." He looked back at the shocked witch beside him. "I'm sorry, I had no choice, Holly. I made it look like we'd been married so I could keep my job."

"And what about the curse?" Harry asked, finally unleashing his anger. "When did you put that curse on 'Mione? She almost died this morning. If it hadn't been for Severus' quick thinking she would have."

"Snape!" Ron bellowed, he'd never liked the way Snape hovered over Hermione. "I don't want that bastard anywhere near my children," he yelled, bashing his chest.

Harry rose so fast that his chair scraped back across the floor. He buttressed his arms over the table with such force that the cups rattled in their saucers. "Rose, Hugo and Minnie are Hermione's children. You have never been there for her or them, and for your information over the last couple of years, Severus has been more of a father to them than you ever have," Harry growled, spittle flying from his mouth as his anger took over. "Do it, Kings," he said.

Kingsley stood, and walked around the table. "Ronald Weasley, you are under arrest for cursing Hermione Granger-Weasley," and he read him his rights, before dragging him out the door.

Harry looked at the softly weeping witch sitting grave and quiet. "Holly, do you have someone for support?"

She shook her head. "We lost Dad three years ago, and Mum's been gone for longer." She paused, but then looked at Harry, wiping her eyes. "I had no idea. Is this Hermione going to be all right?"

"Yes, she's going to be fine," Harry told her, but then sighed, and ran his hand through his hair. "Look, I would like to help you, after all, your children are cousins to mine, and their grandparents will want to know they exist."

"Ron told me he had no family," Holly stated softly.

Harry exhaled. "I am so angry with Ron right now… Listen, would it be all right with you if I came back tomorrow with some of our family, and we'll see what can be done, okay?"

"Thank you," Holly said. "I really thought I was married to him."

Harry thought back to some of the hair-brained things that Ron had convinced him of over the years—Hermione never fell for them, but he had—and he started to understand things, but he said, "Would you mind if I scanned you for anything similar to what he did to Hermione?"

"No, he wouldn't," she gasped.

"I would imagine that's what Hermione thought until she worked out that it was different to that," Harry replied.

Holly sighed. "Very well."

Harry lifted his wand, but was pleased when all the runes came up clear. "Holly, call your children back in for lunch, they'll be hungry. I know that James and Albus are when they've played Quidditch."

"What do I tell them?" Holly said, her eyes having lost their sparkle.

"Perhaps it might be best to just say that he was called out unexpectedly until we know what's what," and Harry took a deep breath. "But be assured that I will return tomorrow with people—good members of our family—who will help you, Ron and the kids through this."

"Why? Why would you help me?" she asked. "You seemed very protective of the other woman."

Harry wanted to say that as far as he was concerned Hermione was not the other woman, but that wasn't going to help anything. "One thing you should know about the Weasleys and everyone associated with them is that they help one another. I don't know what's going on with Ron, and I'm sorry for what happened to you and the children, but I have no qualms about helping you because you're a part of our family."

"A family I didn't know existed," and she shrugged. "He has lied to me about everything, hasn't he?"

"All I can say, Holly, is that he obviously must have been happy with you and the kids, he just… Ron always did, make some pretty outlandish decisions. I'll see you tomorrow, I'll let myself out, okay?"

"Thank you," Holly replied.

Harry happily made his way out of the house, the place seemed to set his teeth on edge for some reason, and he wondered if Kings had sensed the same thing. It was like the sense of being watched by something, something not very nice, but he shrugged the feeling off, as he considered that perhaps it was just the situation that had him so upset.