Closer

When dawn finally arrived Severus disapparated and apparated in front of the Weasley home. He could see the Weasley family sitting down for breakfast. He didn't want to make a scene. He just wanted to talk to Ron. He had no intention of hurting the boy.

He walked up to the door and knocked. After a moment Molly appeared at the door.

"Can I help you Severus?" she asked.

"I wanted to talk to Ron about something," Severus said.

"Alright," she said a confused look on her face.

She led him into the house. Severus spotted Ron sitting at the kitchen table right away. The boy looked very nervous. He wasn't meeting Severus' eyes. He seemed to already know why he was there.

"I need to speak to you Ron," Severus said in a serious tone.

"About what?" Ron asked.

The rest of the Weasley and Harry had stopped eating. They were looking at Ron in confusion. None of them could figure out what was going on. Ron hadn't spilled the beans about Hermione being pregnant to anyone. He didn't want to tell anyone.

"You know what," Severus answered.

Ron got up from the table and led the other man into the living room.

"I have no idea what you are talking about," the red head said.

"You attacked Hermione last night," Severus said.

The color drained from his face. He didn't think Hermione had recognized him in the dark and he had made sure no one else saw him.

"She told you it was me?" he asked in a nervous tone.

"Minerva did," he answered. "Everyone knows about what happened. Not many know it was you. What in Merlin's name made you do it? She could have lost the babies. You threw her pretty hard. Is that what you wanted? Are you that mad at her?"

Ron was a little taken back. Severus wasn't yelling at him and that made him nervous. The low tone made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

"No," he answered in a shaky voice. "I just came to talk to her. I wanted to know why she was there."

"How did you know she was there?" Severus asked.

"I went by her house," Ron explained. "I wanted to see her. Her parents told me she went to Hogwarts so I took the knight bus. Like I said I didn't mean to hurt her. I just wanted to ask her why she is there."

"Why is she there?" he asked. "She is there because she wants to be near the father of her unborn children. She is there because she wanted the job I got for her. You need to get over her. She doesn't want you anymore."

"And she wants you?" the red head snapped. "You two had a one night stand and you knocked her up. That doesn't mean you two magically have a bond."

"That is neither here nor there," Severus said getting angier with every word. "You can hate me all you want but you will never lay another hand on her. I already had to watch someone I cared about get abused. I couldn't do anything about that but I can do something about you."

Ron didn't say anything. He had never seen Severus that angry. Even though the wizard hadn't drawn his wand or rose his voice Ron was scared out of his mind.

"I won't hurt her again," Ron promised. "You don't have to worry about that."

"Good," he said with a snort. "Now that we've gotten this taken care I'll leave you."

Ron just stood in the living room and Severus went back into the kitchen. He guessed that he didn't want to face his family. Severus didn't doubt they heard the whole fight. Without a word to any of them he headed out of the front door.

------

When Severus got back to Hogwarts he went right up to the hospital wing. As soon as he got in the door he was confronted with Poppy.

"Hello Severus," she said. "I take it you are here to Hermione."

"Yes I am," he said nodding.

"Can I speak with you for a minute?" she asked glancing over her shoulder.

"Of course," Severus answered.

Poppy led him back out in the hallway.

"I just wanted to tell you that there is a rumor going around that you are the father to Hermione's baby," Poppy explained. "I wanted to know if it was true."

"Babies," he corrected. "She is having twins."

"I'll take that as a yes," she said with a small chuckle. "Congratulations."

"How is she?" Severus asked.

"Fine," Poppy answered. "She just needs to rest. Last night really shook her up."

"I figured as much," he said with a sigh. "Can I see her now?"

Poppy nodded and let Severus back into the hospital wing. He quickly spotted her. She was sitting in a bed near by reading a rather thick book.

"Hi," he said walking over to her.

"Severus," she said smiling up at him. "I was wondering when you would get here."

"I dropped by Weasley's home to speak to Ron," he explained.

Hermione quickly closed the book and sat up. She had a worried look on her face.

"Don't worry," he said waving his hand. "I didn't hurt him. I didn't even yell. I just told him what he did was dirty and that I wouldn't stand for it."

"That's good," she said. "I was worried that you would kill him when you found out."

"Why would I do that?" he asked. "I wouldn't be able to be with you then because I would be shipped off to Azkaban for murder."

Hermione smiled and reached her hand out. She took his hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. The simple show of emotion expressed what Hermione was trying to say. She was grateful that Severus would go confront Ron for her.

"I guess I better let you rest," Severus said. "I need to go eat. I haven't had breakfast yet."

"Oh," she said and sighed. "Well, Poppy is going to let me out of her this afternoon. She said I'm doing good. Hagrid came up and asked me to tea this afternoon. Would you like to join?"

"No thanks," he said giving her a quick kiss. "Just drop by my room when you get done."

"OK," she said letting his hand go. "I will."

Severus gave her a small smile before leaving the hospital wing.