AN – I own nothing!
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Chapter 29
"Are you sure you want to do this now?" Severus asked Hermione as they both walked up the steps at the front door of Grimmauld Place.
"I've thought about it Severus. It would be better if Harry heard the truth all at once from me, then just learning it bit by bit from others, than from me," she replied.
"But alone? You don't need me to keep you company?" he asked.
Hermione gave Severus a small smile, and squeezed his hand. "I'll be fine Severus. Remus will be there. I wouldn't want Harry or Sirius to hex, or even, kill you."
Severus snorted. "I'd like to see them try."
"You know what I mean. I don't want too much chaos or stress for everybody."
He sighed and placed a hand on her cheek. "You're the one that's been stressing. You haven't been feeling well since this morning. You were vomiting, and pale, need I remind you. Are you sure you're alright now?"
"The apparating made me a little dizzy, but I'm fine again. Please Severus. You worry too much," she said as she hugged him. She didn't want him to leave, but she planned on doing things on her own, without him.
"I love you. That's why I worry too much," he said into her hair. He returned her embrace, with his arms protectively around her.
Hermione raised her head, and planted a kiss on his lips. "I love you too." She felt him rub her nose against hers. "I should ring the doorbell."
Severus sighed and let his arms slip from hers. He took a step back away from her and rang the doorbell himself. The usual scowl on his face was present.
"Hermione!" Tonks exclaimed in surprise. She pulled her into a hug. "I wasn't expecting you. It's so good to see you."
"Same here," Hermione said returning the hug.
Tonks pulled away and saw Severus standing still. She wasn't too surprised to see him. Albus told everyone in the Order that Severus had been keeping an eye on Hermione since the incident with her parents. "Severus," she nodded stiffly.
"Tonks," he said flatly. He then looked at Hermione and said, "I will see you later Miss Granger."
"Thank you Professor."
Severus then turned on his heels, and left, with his robes billowing behind him.
"He always has something up his arse," Tonks commented as she shook her head. she followed Hermione in and closed the door behind them. "I'm sorry about your parents Hermione. How are you?"
"I'm coping," Hermione replied.
"Well, you know that I'm here for you. I thought you were at Italy with your grandfather?" Tonks asked.
Hermione nodded. That was the story in which Albus and Minerva told everyone else. "Yeah, you could say that. Where's Harry? I need to tell him something."
"He's upstairs in his room with Remus and Sirius," Tonks replied. "Come." She then took the lead as they headed to Harry's room.
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Harry ran towards Hermione and gave her a big hug. "It's so good to see you. I missed you these past weeks."
"I've missed you too Harry," Hermione said return.
Sirius then went up and gave her a hug as well. "Sorry about your parents," he said sincerely.
"Thanks Sirius," Hermione smiled at him. Then she felt Remus greet her as well, with a hug. A small wave of nausea, hit her. All the stress and hugging, was getting to her.
"What are you doing here?" Remus whispered in her ear.
"I think it's best if they heard it from me Remus," she whispered back. "Stay please."
Remus pulled back and gave her a nod in reply. "Hey, are you feeling alright?" he asked. He noticed that her face was slightly paler than normal.
"Just a little dizzy," she answered softly.
Sirius grabbed a chair, as Remus helped Hermione sit down on it. Harry squatted down in front of her, as Tonks ran out to get a glass of water.
"Really guys, I'm fine," Hermione tried to reassure them.
"Just want to make sure," Remus said as he placed his palm on her forehead. She didn't have a temperature, but she felt somewhat clammy. If anything were to happen to her, he was responsible for her and he knew it. King Richard and Severus would have his head.
Soon enough, Tonks had a glass of water and held it for Hermione when she drank from the straw. "Does she have a temp?"
"No she doesn't," Remus replied.
Harry didn't say anything but just stared at the rings on her finger. He was holding her hands with his on her lap and eyed them right away. He knew exactly what they were. They couldn't be what he thought they were. "Hermione?" he questioned looking up at her. The rings were then visible to everyone in the room.
"Whoa! Nice rock you got there," Tonks commented, her eyes widening at the sight of the diamond.
"Is-is that what I think it is?" Sirius stammered.
"Please everyone... there's something that I need to tell you."
"You're bloody married?" Sirius questioned.
Remus grabbed Sirius and Harry by their shirts forcing them away from Hermione. "She needs some air, and she said sit down."
"No need to get so edgy," Sirius said as he saw Remus glare at him. He sat next to Harry on the bed.
Remus turned on his feet and walked towards Tonks. "You'll have to give us private time again Nymphadora," he told her softly, just loud enough for her to hear. Hermione though, heard him.
Hermione stood up as Remus started to lead Tonks to the door. She grabbed Remus's and Tonks's arms stopping them. "She stays Remus," she hissed softly not wanting Harry or Sirius to hear her.
Tonks frowned at the both of them. What were they getting at? Her eyes met Remus's as he nodded.
"Yes, your Highness," Remus said.
Tonks's eyes widened at the realization. Hermione Granger was the heir of King Richard! How? She bit her tongue, and didn't say anything. Things would be explained clearly in a short while. With the look that Remus gave her, she knew he needed help with keeping Harry and Sirius in their seats. She stood next to Remus as Hermione sat back down in her chair.
"How much has Remus told you about the Malfoys and them joining the Order?" Hermione asked as she looked at Sirius and Harry. She fidgeted with the rings, by twisting them around her finger.
"That they were-"
"How do you know anything about the Malfoys?" Sirius suddenly asked laoud, standing on his feet. He interrupted Harry before he could answer completely.
"Sit Sirius!" Remus pointed a finger at him.
"But-"
"Sit before I cast a body bind on you!" Remus threatened him.
Then Harry remembered that Sirius didn't say anything about Hermione knowing what they were just talking about. He too jumped on his feet. "How do you know?! What is it? Don't tell me you and Malfoy the ferret have become friends or something?"
Hermione snapped and also stood up on her feet. "Draco has been my friend since I was a baby Harry, and don't you dare call him that!" She saw Harry's mouth open slightly, no words came out. "What do you want me to say Harry, Sirius? You want the whole damn truth?! I am Hermione Wellington, King Richard's granddaughter! And last but not least, I'm married to Severus Snape! There! I said it! Happy?!" So much for planning to explain things in a calmer manner.
Harry and Sirius started to shout at Hermione. They bombarded her with questions and stupid things that she couldn't listen to. The both of them marched up to Hermione and were raising their voices in front of her. Remus was just standing between them, along with Tonks, trying to push both men away, telling them to shut up.
"Since when were you married to Snivellus!"
"You've been lying to me this whole time!"
Hermione couldn't take it. The shouting, the stress, and all that pressure, it hit her. The taste of bile crept up the back of her throat as she got dizzy yet again. She placed a hand on her mouth, and bolted out towards the bathroom.
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AN – Another cliffy. You know what to do. Click on that button and review!
