Chapter 7 - Hermione's Secrets

A/N: Thanks to Melody06, FrancineHibiscus, Snaperipper and Guest for reviewing! I cracked 100 follows this week! Thank you, everyone, who keeps reading. I am so enjoying this experience.

Disclaimer: These characters are of the amazing mind of JK Rowling. The plot is mine.


Hermione arrived at the door to the Headmaster's office and knocked.

"Enter". Hermione shivered at the sound of her lover and Headmaster's deep baritone voice and wondered which man she would encounter this afternoon: The stern Headmaster, the furious disciplinarian, or the loving companion.

She took a deep breath, lifted her head high, and strode into the office. She stood in front of his desk, looked him in the eyes and politely said: "How are you this afternoon Headmaster?" Formality would be best until she knew his mood.

She searched his eyes for any giveaways to his mood, but it was clear he was employing occlumency, hiding his thoughts from her. She sighed, so cautious spy it was. She had not anticipated the blank stare of his obsidian eyes.

"Miss Granger, take a seat." Severus directed her to the plush chairs facing his desk and poured her a cup of tea, earl grey, with milk, no sugar, just the way she liked it. She took the cup in her hands and gave him a small, hesitant smile.

He did not return it, instead steepling his fingers and saying "Do you understand why I have asked you here this afternoon Miss Granger?" Hermione nodded in reply.

In an even tone, Severus continued: "Your actions last night were uncalled for. You were foolish, immature, irresponsible…"

Hermione's mind was racing. He was obviously vague. Was he upset about the party or the revelation? Honestly, she told herself, probably both.

"… and that was just the party. I have spoken with the Heads of House this morning, and we have agreed on no further punishment. I will not bring up the topic again. Everyone is safe. The rules I discussed last night, I would like to remain in place. No more contraband will be tolerated."

"Yes Headmaster, Draco and I both understand."

Severus sighed, pinched the bridge of his nose and looked up at her. Shields dropped, he gazed at her imploringly. "Why Mina? What could have possibly caused you to reveal our relationship last night?"

Her eyes filled with tears. "I think it was the eight shots that proceeded it Sev… I am so sorry. I-I… I just felt so guilty, like they all knew I was hiding this huge secret when Mandy Brocklehurst said 'Never Have I Ever Shagged a Slytherin.' I started squirming, and you know I wear all of my emotions on my sleeve. I never meant for this to happen."

Severus hated seeing her cry. He stood up from his desk and went to her, pulling her body close to his, kissing her softly on the lips and wiping away her tears. "I understand Mina, but … this incident changes everything. How do I know you can keep this a secret from anyone else? All of your peers know. Will you tell Ginevra Weasley and Miss Lovegood next? Will Minerva see the way you look at me and know? God forbid a Weasley spawn tells Molly Weasley, and she arrives here to dispose of me the way she disposed of Bellatrix. I am not certain I can trust you to keep this quiet and my job and your future depend on it. I don't think I was wise to act on my feelings for you."

Hermione stopped crying at his words. She was furious. "You cannot trust me anymore because you are afraid of Molly and Minerva? Minerva has not found out for the last two months. I wouldn't have been 'looking at you the way I do' this morning if you had not been the most unmitigated and comprehensive ass last night. You lashed out at me in front of my three best friends last night because I made a mistake! I can keep secrets, Severus Snape. There are things you don't know about me, things I keep deeply hidden. I kept Harry Potter's secrets for seven years, and now I keep my own. You…"

Hermione's magic was crackling around her in a powerful blue aura. She was seething, staring into his obsidian eyes. They felt like deep tunnels that had no end. He had no idea what she had kept from him for months, what she intended to keep from him indefinitely. She did not need him to feel he had a life debt to her. Suddenly she felt a small nudging at the edges of her mind. He was non-verbally performing legilimency on her. She immediately shut down her occlumency shields on him, trying to keep him out, but she knew if he wanted to, he would access her deepest secrets eventually. She was still a novice at occlumency, while he was a very skilled legilimens. "SEVERUS TOBIAS SNAPE. Get out of my mind this instant!"


Severus was replaying her words to him as he stared at the young, powerful witch before him. She was furious with him, but all he could think about was what she said 'There are things you don't know about me, things I keep deeply hidden.' What the fuck did that mean?

Severus didn't want to question her anymore. If she told him, it would only infuriate her more because she would prove his point that she couldn't keep a secret, but he needed to know! He might regret it later, but legilimency seemed like the obvious solution. She was staring right into his eyes when he non-verbally cast legilimens. He felt her shields go up and heard her screaming at him in a fury to stop, but he ignored her. He knew he was searching for something she had locked away as deeply as she could, but that her protections would not hold against him for long. He quickly found what he was looking for, a large chest was chained shut and rocking back and forth violently. It reminded him of four years previous when they had found Mad-Eye Moody locked in his trunk in the D.A.D.A. offices. He quickly released the chains around the trunk, the lid flew open and the memories flooded before his eyes.

Memory 1

Hermione was standing alone in a tastefully decorated pale blue bedroom with a large white bed and plushy white armchairs. Custom bookshelves lined filled with books lined the walls. Open on the bed was Advanced Charms. Hermione took a small purple beaded bag with a crossbody strap, pointed her wand and incanted 'Capacious extremis'. She suddenly summoned all of the contents of her Hogwarts trunk - clothes, toiletries, books, journals, inkpots, quills, potions, and several potions ingredients flew into the bag. Hermione then pointed her wand into the air and called 'Obliviate' while turning her hand in a slow clockwise motion. She practised this spell over and over again, repeating the movements and incantation until it was perfect.

Soon a voice from far away called 'Hermione. Tea time.' Hermione closed her textbook and put it in her beaded bag. She shouted, "Coming Mum." Hermione grabbed her cardigan and slowly descended the stairs of the spacious and modern London townhouse. Family photos lined the walls. Hermione and her parents in Paris; skiing in the French Alps; visiting New York City; Hermione on the front porch in her Hogwarts uniform; The Golden Trio at Kings Cross station; several baby pictures of Hermione and her parents; and finally Hermione Granger, aged 3 holding a bright pink tabby cat beaming.

Hermione's mother was talking to her, asking when she was leaving for the Burrow to attend the Weasley wedding and if she would return home for a visit before returning to school. Hermione stood in the doorway of the sitting room, her parents' backs to her as she pulled out her wand and cast the memory charm, 'Obliviate'. Suddenly the photos that lined the walls and mantle began to change. All images of Hermione became blank and disappeared. Her parent's eyes became glassy and confused. Hermione disillusioned herself so as to not frighten them at the sight of a stranger in their home. She grabbed her corduroy jacket and slipped on her ballet flats from the entryway, picked up Crookshanks' cage and departed. Once she arrived at the churchyard three blocks away, she apparated to the Burrow, tears streaming down her face.

Memory 2

Hermione, Potter and Weasley were in the Shrieking Shack witnessing Nagini's attack. Severus watched them run to his side, Potter staunching the blood pouring out of his neck, Hermione passing him a flask to gather the memories before he passed out. He watched Potter and Weasley run out, no doubt to view the memories, but Hermione insisted on staying. She screamed at Harry that the memories were obviously important, that they revealed his true allegiances, and why would he want Harry to know he was just a Death Eater? What would that prove? The boys left, and she summoned a dozen vials out of her beaded bag. She poured two vials of dittany over his neck. She poured antidote to common poisons and antidote to uncommon poisons down his throat, along with a blood replenishing potion, and finally a strengthening solution. Her hands were trembling. She cleaned the blood around his wounds and put her fingers on his wrist to check for a pulse. She dropped his arm and placed her hands, one on top of the other in the middle of his chest, hard and fast. After thirty seconds, she pinched his nose and placed her mouth on his, making a complete seal and blew into his mouth twice before resuming compressions. She followed this routine four times, whispering his name like a benediction. "Professor Snape. Please don't die. Please wake up Severus. Severus, wake up. Please wake up Severus." Finally, he resumed breathing. She could see his chest moving up and down on its own, and could feel a faint pulse. She quickly wrapped him in his cloak, gathered him into her arms and apparated to St. Mungo's.

Suddenly Hermione was in the lobby of St. Mungo's screaming for help. "Help! We need help! Please!" Healers ran to them and looked at her apprehensively when they saw Severus Snape on the ground. "She pulled out her wand and said "I am Hermione Granger and I have brought this man here on the orders of Harry Potter. He is no Death Eater; he is loyal to Harry Potter, not Lord Voldemort." He healers scrambled to levitate him to a gurney. She let out a sob she did not know she had been holding in before apparating away.

Memory 3

The battle was over, Harry gathered Hermione and Ron and led them back to the Headmaster's office, the Pensieve out where he had left it. The Headmasters' portraits were applauding, and Phineas Nigellus Black shouted 'And let it be noted that Slytherin house played its part. Let our contribution not be forgotten.' Harry wheeled around to Hermione "Snape! Where is Snape? He's innocent Hermione, he… he was trying to save us, all of these years he was protecting us. He was on our side."

"I restarted his heart and apparated him to St. Mungo's then returned immediately to see you .. well die."

"We must go to St. Mungo's immediate. I need to know he's ok."

Harry and Hermione left Ron with his grieving family and flooed to St. Mungo's from the Headmaster's office. Harry rushed in "Take me to Severus Snape!" The healers briefed Harry immediately on Snape's condition. He would live, but he was unconscious until his body healed fully. Harry and Hermione sat at his bedside. Hermione held his hands crying as Harry told her all about the memories he had seen in the Pensieve. Harry spoke to him, apologising for the years of trouble and thanked him for everything. "My mother is grateful to you sir. I know it."

Memory 4

Harry and Hermione were in the Wizengamot courtrooms before a full trial. The court scribe stood. "Today's trial is The Ministry of Magic V. Severus Tobias Snape. As Headmaster Snape is currently unconscious at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, he will be unavailable to testify on his behalf."

Hermione and Harry stood up and began protesting. Harry shouted, "We request that this hearing is delayed until such time that Professor Snape has recovered to defend himself."

The Chief Warlock banged his gavel and stared at Harry. "Mr Potter, control yourself in the courtroom, or you will be ejected and unable to bring your testimony."

Harry and Hermione sat down immediately and silenced themselves. Hermione was biting her bottom lip, and Harry's knuckles were gripping the stand in front of him so tightly they were turning white.

First Dumbledore's portrait testified, explaining that Professor Snape was a double agent, spying for the Order while pretending to spy for Voldemort. He explained that Severus had vowed to protect and aid Harry until Voldemort was defeated and to protect Hogwarts from Death Eaters in the event of Dumbledore's death. He also said that he made Severus promise to kill him to spare Draco Malfoy and that his final words had been a plea for Severus to take him, not begging for his life.

Harry testified next to how he received Snape's memories, how Voldemort had decided to dispose of him to master the Elder Wand when in truth Harry was the master of the wand. He then showed the contents of the memories and explained that it was Severus' friendship and love for Lily Potter that was his motivation.

Then Hermione testified. She described Severus' actions over the last seven years. How she had always doubted his allegiance to Voldemort. How he had tried to save Harry from being thrown off his broom by Professor Quirrell in the first year; how he brewed potions to return Hermione to human form after her experimentations with Polyjuice potion, and he had not told a soul, when he could have humiliated her; how he threw himself in front of them to save them from Remus Lupin as he transformed into a werewolf, even after they had knocked him unconscious just an hour previous; how he summoned the Order and Dumbledore to save them from Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries; and how after that incident he saved her life again by brewing her ten different types of potions she had to take every single day for a month. She also spoke of a man who did all of this, even when he clearly couldn't stand Harry. She explained in detail how she saved his life, knowing that he had saved her own life and those of her friend's time and time again.

Severus pulled out of her mind, his face as deathly pale, he pulled her into his arms and buried his face into her neck and hair, inhaling the sweet smell of jasmine and vanilla, as they both began sobbing violently.

Severus was in shock. He had not known who had saved his life or how he had ended up in St. Mungo's. Four weeks after the battle he had woken up, Minerva by his side, informing him that Voldemort was defeated, and he had been declared a War Hero, to be awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class alongside the Golden Trio. His position as Headmaster was still his if he wanted it. A week later he'd been given a clean bill of health and released.

He was overwhelmed by the love and compassion she had shown him in her memories. She had not even known that he was loyal to the Order when she poured potions down his throat, begging him to survive as she pounded on his chest and breathed air into his lungs. Then her testimony on his behalf, she alone had had her doubts. She alone thought he was trustworthy. This witch, sobbing into his arms was a treasure.

Wiping her tears away with his thumbs, he kissed her with passion and fervour; he needed to show her how much he loved her, how grateful he was to her for giving him a second chance at life. She was his second chance, and he would be damned if he fucked it up now. Hermione responded in kind, returning his kisses, her hands in his hair, holding him to her.

Severus groaned into her mouth. He ached for her; he needed to feel buried inside of her, to know that she was his and he was hers. He stood up, gathering her into his arms. Her hands never left his hair, but she wrapped her legs around his waist. He pushed Hermione against the wall behind the Headmaster's desk and began touching and kneading her breasts and pinching her nipples underneath her white blouse. She moaned at his touch and began kissing down his neck, biting and sucking, claiming him as her own.

As blood filled his engorged cock, he took one hand off her breast and slid up her thigh and under her grey wool skirt. He found her clit and began circling, eliciting more moans of pleasure as her legs tightened around her waist in an attempt to draw their bodies closer. He pushed away her soaking wet knickers to plunge two fingers into her sex.

"S-S-Severus…please" she begged desperately.

He unbuttoned his trousers and gripping her soft, round bottom in his hands; he buried his enormous cock inside her. He gave a couple of slow thrusts before letting his need for her take over. Standing in the Headmaster's office, both fully clothed, he began driving into her with uncontrolled desire. Soon Severus could feel Hermione tighten around him and threw her head back, crying out in pleasure. Severus kept up his unrelenting pace and recommenced rubbing her oversensitive clit while she was still shuddering in his arms. Every muscle in his body was clenched as he withheld his release, wanting to bring her to orgasm again. Hermione was rendered temporarily speechless as she clawed at Severus' robes and back. She was once again propelled to pleasure by her lover's ministrations and came. As she tightened again, his tightly coiled body came undone.

He held her firmly as his knees began to weaken. Slowly he guided them to the large chair at his desk. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, whispering words of love in her ear and lightly kissing her face, neck, and hair.

"Mina, I am a bloody fool."

"Severus" she whispered, "I love you."

He gazed into her eyes, seeing the fire and love in her amber eyes and knew he loved her too. "I love you too dear one."

Severus picked Hermione up into his arms, and she threw her arms around his neck. "Stay with me tonight?" he kissed her soft lips lightly, his question lingering in the air.

"Of course Sev."

He carried her up the steps to his private chambers, continuing to kiss her slowly and lovingly.


Severus called Tilley to bring them dinner in his chambers. Neither were fit to attend the Great Hall that evening. As they slowly ate their roast and potatoes, Hermione looked up into her lover's eyes. "You were never supposed to see those memories. You have no life debt to me. I have repaid you."

Severus looked into her amber eyes with his obsidian ones and grabbed her hands in his. "I have many questions. Can we talk about your memories?"

She sighed despondently and nodded her head, allowing him to continue.

"Where are your parents? I knew when you'd arrived at Hogwarts this summer that they were not simply travelling, but did not realise you had gone as far as to use a memory charm."

"They are in Australia; they believe their names are Monica and Wendell Wilkins, they are still dentists in Sydney. They do not know that they have a daughter. I plan to return to them once the threat of Death Eaters is gone and I know they can be safe."

"That was the right thing to do love, I know Yaxley took a group of Death Eaters to search for your parents after you infiltrated the Ministry and led him to Grimmauld Place, but they could not find your parents, their dental practice or your home."

"I cast a Fidelius Charm on the house and made myself Secret Keeper as soon as I returned home that summer. I was unable to make the house unplottable, but the Fidelius has held ever since."

"My next question, said Severus, tentatively, "why did you save my life? Why did you lie to St. Mungo's staff to save me?"

"Severus, I owed you my life, several times over, and if I must admit, I had a crush on you ever since the attack on the Ministry in the fifth year, when I discovered you'd saved my life with all of those potions. I just … returned the favour with my potions."

He kissed her again. "Gods, I do not deserve you dear one. You are as brave as the Lion, intelligent as the Eagle, cunning like the Snake and loyal as the Badger. You are the very best of our world, Hermione Jean Granger."


Severus was sitting on the large leather brown couch in his sitting room, reading glasses on, paperwork spread over his coffee table. Snuggled on the other side of the couch, reading Advanced Transfiguration with her feet in his lap, was his amazing witch. He sat back for a minute and enjoyed the scene of simple domesticity. He could not avoid her for the next ten months, excepting Christmas. They just had to be discreet. He took off his glasses and set them on the table and stroke her feet with a long, nimble finger to get her attention.

She smiled and set down her book. "Yes, Sev?" arching her eyebrow.

"I think we need to determine a schedule so that we may enjoy each other's company this term."

"Agreed. I cannot bear to be away from you for the next four months."

"As much as I would love to, we cannot spend every night like this dear one. I would propose one school night and one weekend night?"

"OK!" said Hermione exuberantly. "Draco and I share patrols on Thursdays, and I want to reserve one weekend night for friends, maybe the weekends should be floating based on plans so that I can be more flexible for the group."

"I would be amenable to that. I have set aside Tuesday nights for Head of House meetings. So Wednesdays and either Friday or Saturday are ours?"

She leapt into his lap and kissed him square on the lips. "Excellent. Now that we have that planned, what are we going to do about Ron?"

"Weasley will not be a problem. Harry has taken care of it."

"Harry is it now? What happened to Potter?" she smirked.

"I simply realised that Harry is the dearest friend of my love and the son of my oldest friend. He deserves to know his mother, and I have decided I would like to assist him in his dream of becoming an Auror if he is amenable to it."

Hermione kissed Professor Snape again and again. "Thank you for trying with Harry. It means more than you know. To Lily, and to me."


Later, the two lovers made slow, passionate love, finding comfort and release in each other's bodies. Severus held Hermione in his arms, their bodies never separating as they fell asleep, both exhausted after the events of the last two days.

The next morning, Hermione woke up first, sun shining in through the windows and kissed Severus on the forehead and leaving a note that she would see him at breakfast, before flooing to her dormitory to ready for breakfast. She showered, tamed her hair and applied her makeup before changing into a fresh uniform for the day. Grabbing her bag with books for Charms, History of Magic and Ancient Ruins, she hurried down the stairs to see Harry and Draco talking in a hushed voiced. They looked up when they spotted her.

"'Mione!" Said Harry relieved. "Where have you been? You did not come to breakfast last night or return to your dorm. My stag guarded your door, waiting for you."

"How did the meeting go Granger?" asked Draco knowingly.

"Ummm," Hermione fidgeted, "It went well. We have a plan for the year. We're going to spend Wednesday and either Friday or Saturday evenings together. We sorted everything out, and we're good."

"Brings a new meaning to 'Hump Day' Granger", cackled Draco.

At that, the portrait entrance swung open and in walked Ron. Ron went straight to Hermione; head hung low. "'Mione", his voice pleading, "forgive me. I am a git. You and I had different plans for the future, and if Snape makes you happy, well, you're of age, it's your decision. Friends?"

Hermione threw her arms around Ron's neck, "Professor Snape, Ronald. Of course, we're friends. Just please respect my choices, Draco is my friend, and Severus is my … well, boyfriend… I guess. You don't have to be friends with them, but you have to accept them as part of my life. Ok?"

"Ok 'Mione. Can we get breakfast now? I'm starving, and the hospital wing food is awful."

Laughing, the group headed down to the Great Hall, ready to put the past behind them.