Secrets revealed

"What do you mean the know-it-all's your daughter?!"

"Severus please." Minerva pleaded. "She's your daughter too."

"But how? And why did you give her away?" Severus sat down next to Minerva and held her close when he finally saw the tears that were trickling down her cheeks.

"The night that Tom captured, tortured and raped me three months into our marriage I had just found out that I was three weeks pregnant and was on my way to tell you. He held me for two months and by the time the Order had found me I felt so disgusted with myself. I was convinced that the child I was carrying was Tom's, so I hid and gave little Hermione to the Granger's hoping that one day I would get to hold her and call her my daughter again. Having her as my star student is the closest I'm ever going to get to her." Minerva completely broke down and ran from the room, transforming into her tabby cat form and running to the astronomy tower.

Hermione was sat with her legs hanging out of the lower window in the astronomy tower as she stared out across the grounds, tears flowing down her cheeks. She'd been at Hogwarts for only a week and she had received a letter from her parents saying that she was adopted and they now wanted nothing to do with her. She had no one to turn to. Yes, she could go to Professor McGonagall, her head of house and favourite professor, but she didn't want to be the burden that her parents had so often called her when her magic started to show. Now, she was thinking about whom her birth parents could be and the reasons why they gave her up. She was so angry and upset at the same time, the only thing calming her was the sight of the vast grounds in front of her.

As Minerva entered the astronomy tower, she turned back into her human form and gasped when she saw Hermione with her legs hanging out of the lowest window. Hermione spun 'round when she heard something behind her. She quickly scrambled to her feet when she realised that it was Professor McGonagall.

"Professor I ..."

"Hermione." Minerva's voice was soft and gently. Nothing she's let any of the other students hear. Minerva watched as Hermione quickly tried to bat away the tears that were flowing harder down her cheeks. "May I ask what you're doing up here Hermione?"

"I was just thinking Professor." Hermione stepped away from the edge hoping to lessen the fear she saw in her professor's eyes.

"What, may I ask could make such a wonderful girl like you hang half way out of the window?" Minerva's voice was laced with worry and fear.

Hermione remained silent hoping that Professor McGonagall would drop the issue and leave her be. But it only made her professor worry more.

Minerva took a few steps towards Hermione and held out her arms. "Come here, Hermione." Hermione reluctantly stepped into Minerva's arms and let the tears fall as she relaxed into her teacher's embrace. "There, there, Hermione. How about we head to my chambers and have a nice cup of tea and a chat?"

Hermione nodded and Minerva led her through the deserted corridors of the castle.

Minerva placed the tea on the coffee table and took a seat next to Hermione on the red and gold couch next to the fireplace.

"Hermione?" Minerva placed a hand on Hermione's knee in order to gain her attention. She knew that Severus would come looking for her shortly and she didn't want to risk him blowing up at her in front of Hermione.

Hermione turned to look at her professor and smiled weakly through the few tears that still trickled down her cheeks. "I'm fine Professor."

"May I ask what has upset you so, my dear?"

Hermione dug the letter she received from her parents at breakfast from her jean pocket and handed it to Minerva before standing and heading towards the window to stare out across the grounds once more.

Minerva quickly read the letter in her hands and was disgusted that the Granger's would even think about throwing Hermione out, letting alone actually doing it. Minerva placed the letter on the coffee table, stood and head over to Hermione, carefully bringing her into her arms. "Would you like to know whom your birth parents are Hermione?"

Hermione let out a strangled sob and nodded.

Minerva whispered in Hermione's ear, "Me and my husband."

Hermione smiled and turned in Minerva's arms. "Really?"

"Yes."

Hermione threw her arms around Minerva's neck as a new set of tears ran down her cheeks. "But, where will I stay? And, who's your husband?"

"You can live with me sweetie and I'm sure you'll meet my husband shortly." Minerva gently rubbed Hermione's back as she calmed down. "I guess you have lots of questions for me?"

"Yes. But they can wait. I want to sleep on everything first. I'm not quite sure what I'm feeling at the moment."

"Okay, sweetie."

"Minerva where the hell have you been!!" Severus stormed into Minerva's rooms but stopped mid rant when he saw Hermione in his wife's arms.

"Hermione, meet your father." Minerva picked the little girl up and balanced her on her hip as she smiled at her and then looked lovingly at her husband.

Severus came up to Hermione and Minerva and pulled them both in his arms. A single tear slipped down his cheek as he pressed a kiss to Hermione's forehead.

TBC??

A/N: Thanks to everyone who has been reading along and sending in your thoughts and comments, they bring a smile to my face :)