Disclaimer:- I neither earn nor own anything from this story except my plot. Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of JK Rowling and her associates.

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A/N:- Thank you to LadyWinterlight for her beta work on this chapter, and thank you all for your reviews and alerts. I appreciate every one.

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Chapter Ten – The Truth Comes Out

Once Severus had the base for the restorative potion bubbling away, he Floo-called Kingsley. He decided to see if Kingsley could spare the time to come to his lab. He did not want to discuss things where it was possible for anyone else to overhear, regardless of how small that possibility was.

He did not often see Kingsley; the man was always busy, but Severus did count him as a friend, and he hoped that Kingsley would not think him too mad for the information he was going to relay. He was just turning to check on the potion once more when Kingsley arrived and knocked on the outside door at the side of the lab.

Glancing up from his work, Severus called, "Come." This was an established routine with them, as Kingsley often came to consult on matters of dark magic with the Potions Master. In fact, the pair had established an easy friendship over the years.

"Thank you for making time to come and speak with me," Severus said.

"I always have time for people I consider friends, Severus. We may not have kept up to date with one another, but I consider both you and Hermione to be valuable acquaintances."

"Thank you, Kingsley. We also consider you so," Severus replied.

"Is there an issue I need to be aware of?"

Severus placed his stirring rod down. "The Auror who was attacked last night."

"Yes?"

"You should get her to a safe place, and not allow anyone you do not trust implicitly near her."

"What are you saying, Severus?"

"I am almost certain that the person who attacked her is the wife of one of your trusted Aurors. In fact, I do know it for certain."

Kingsley's brow knotted. "How… What do you know? Who?"

Taking a deep breath, Severus stated, "Hogwarts told me."

"Hogwarts… told you?"

"And as for who…" Severus picked up his wand. "As you know, Hogwarts is sentient, but as I discovered this morning, it is far more knowing than even I thought. I had cause this morning to consult with the castle after event in my own life, and because of this it showed me the scene in the alley in Hogsmeade, as the two things were related." He pulled a silvery memory from his temple and placed it into a small pensieve in the corner of his lab. "I am willing to share this with you because of what was done to Hermione."

"You are making little sense, Severus," Kingsley said, walking towards the pensieve. However, once he'd seen the memory, Kingsley's face was a study of shock.

Severus watched him as continued with his potion. Yes, he was shocked, but there was also something else in his expression, was it recognition of a problem perhaps?

Finally, Kingsley spoke. "What has this to do with Hermione?"

Raising an eyebrow, Severus took a deep breath and shook his head. "Everything, and nothing," he told his friend enigmatically.

Kingsley thought about this more a moment, but soon an idea seemed to dawn on him. He was not as yet aware of who had been attacked, but he'd heard that the witch in question had suffered a partial petrification, and this triggered something in his mind. He'd postponed a meeting with John Dawlish to come here, otherwise he may have had the full story before he came, but he decided to find out what Severus wished to tell him before he found out the remainder of the details from Dawlish. "Hermione had a petrified foot while she was at Hogwarts a few years ago. Are you telling me that she was attacked by Ginevra Potter as well?"

Kingsley did not like Madam Potter very much; she treated Harry abominably, but he'd seen a reluctant looking Harry with her in the memory Severus had just shown him, and he wondered how it all fitted together.

"Yes, but it is Hermione's experience to tell," Severus stated.

"Then may I speak to her?"

Severus placed the small bowl he'd just emptied into his cauldron down, and he levelled a serious face at Kingsley. "Before we take you into our confidence a wizard's oath will be required that the information you hear will only be evidence of a prior offence, for your ears only, as Hermione is not the only person affected by this deed," Severus stated, and his tone brokered no argument.

Kingsley studied Severus for some moments, but then nodded his understanding.

Severus glanced at the clock and placed his stirring rod down after stirring the mixture ten stirs in a clockwise direction. He knew that Alice would most likely be down from her morning nap at present, and he produced his patronus. "Hermione, could you come to my lab, please? Kingsley would like to speak with you," he told the wispy raven, and turned back to check the colour of his potion as the bird zoomed off up the stairs.

"When did this happen?" Kingsley asked as they waited.

"When Hermione first returned to England from her last research trip to Italy, almost three years ago."

"I see," but they were interrupted by the door opening, and Hermione was walking down the stairs.

"My apologies for bringing you down here, dearest, but I cannot leave the lab at present and I wished to be in attendance."

Hermione smiled. "That is all right, Severus," she said, walking towards him and kissing his cheek.

"Use the pensieve," he whispered while she was close. "But wait a moment, please."

She nodded her understanding, and turned to Kingsley. "Hello, Kings. How are you?"

Kingsley nodded and smiled rather than replying, as he watched the couple walking to the pensieve.

"Your oath that this will not pass from this room," Severus stated to Kingsley staying his wife's hand as she reached for her wand.

Inhaling deeply, Kingsley held his wand up and waited for them to do the same. "I, Kingsley Declan Royalle Shacklebolt, swear on my honour as a wizard that what I am about to hear will not ever by discussed by me outside this room."

Magic sparked between the three of them, and they all sheathed their wands again.

They turned to the small bowl in the corner, and Severus retrieved his own memory from it, and he watched as Hermione produced three strands of memory with a shaking hand.

Once they were in the pensieve she turned to Kingsley. She inhaled deeply, and began to speak. "I lost track of Harry and Ron once we'd left Hogwarts." She shrugged. "We had different goals in life, and of course I was not in the country often." She glanced at Severus, and swallowed before relating further, "I became reacquainted with them at a gathering at The Burrow when I first returned to England this last time. It was obvious that they'd both moved on with their lives, but about a week after that lunch, Harry arrived out of the blue at my apartment. I was a little shocked, but really very surprised when he started telling me how miserable he was. I had no cause to not believe him, I had noticed that he and Ginny had not seemed to be on amicable terms at the lunch I'd attended the week before, and he seemed to be reaching out for help."

Hermione paused here, and a look of pain passed over her. "I hadn't seen him for years, and there he was, seemingly wanting me to side with him. There was nothing I could do about it, I did not know the full story. I told him that he had to decide what to do, but he kept turning up; every afternoon when I'd come back from work he was there. To start with, I felt sorry for him, but then it became uncomfortable, and his attentions started to become inappropriate. Regardless of how he felt, he was married, and I had no interest in him in that way. Then finally, he told me that he'd decided what to do, and I thought that would be the end of it. He stayed away for about a week, but then he turned up with a bottle of wine for us to share. I think it may have been drugged… Anyway," and she gestured towards the bowl containing her memories with a shaky hand. "There are only three trusted allies who know the entire story, this is very difficult for me."

Kingsley nodded. "I understand, Hermione. Don't worry, your story will be safe," and he immersed himself into the memories. When he emerged this time, there was anger evident on his face. "And the child?" he said.

"Our daughter is upstairs having her nap," Severus cut in. "I have adopted Alice in name and blood."

"So, the Potters are obliviated, and you have adopted the child. I can understand now why you wished me to take an oath, and also why you stated that this was only evidence of a prior deed."

"Mind you, we do not know what they believe now, after last night. Hogwarts' magic is very powerful. I know it will be in our favour," Severus commented, "However, it may have undone some of the obliviate, and do not forget that the reason we showed you all of this is that when it becomes public knowledge that this latest victim remembers what happened, and who did this to her, she will be in grave danger."

"Yes, you are correct. I must go and secure her," Kingsley stated. "Thank you, Hermione," he said, turning to the woman with her lip wedged between her teeth as she watched on. "Sharing these memories was very brave of you. Nothing you've told me can be used in evidence, but I believe I have a way of trapping them and gaining you justice as well. Good day to you both."

"Thank you, and we must meet under happier circumstances very soon," Severus stated. "It has been far too long."

"Agreed," Kingsley said, and turned to the Floo.

Once he was gone, Hermione closed her eyes. "This is a huge gamble, but I could not stand by and see another witch trapped as I was," but she willingly fell against Severus as he pulled her into his arms. "Oh Severus," she murmured.

He kissed the top of her head, and replied, "It is done, but it will be all right."

"Oh, I hope so," she stated.

Severus glanced at his potion still doing everything that it was meant to do, and he asked, "Are you all right?"

She sighed. "Yes, I best get out of your way, and Minerva owled. She wishes to come for afternoon tea."

"Excellent. This potion is almost due for its next stirring phase. Would you mind asking Shotsie to deliver my lunch down here, please?"

"Of course, love," she replied, looking up at him.

His head lowered to hers, and she eagerly stood on tip-toes to meet him faster. "Severus," she whispered against his lips. "This was not how I thought today would play out."

"No," he replied before capturing her lips, caressing them in a heated kiss, but then pulled back. "We deserve a honeymoon."

She smiled. "That would be lovely. We can talk about it later."

"We shall," and he gifted her with another kiss and pulled away. "Once all our duties are discharged for the day."

"Definitely," she replied, smiling, and making her way back to the stairs, sorry that he needed to focus on his potion.

xox

In the afternoon Minerva arrived for tea, and when Severus came up from his lab, he heard the headmistress saying, "Bloody cheek, if you ask me." Her comment was followed by the tinkling laughter of his wife.

Severus stood just outside the room and listened further, as Hermione commented, "Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later."

There was a pause, and the sound of a tea cup being delicately placed on its saucer, and Minerva sighed. "But I was not ready for Pomona Sprout to hurry into breakfast this morning and inform all those assembled that the rumour was true and that you and Severus were married. The strange thing was, that she said it like it had been a rumour and that she had just confirmed it."

"Severus gave me a quick explanation of that this morning before he went to his lab to brew. Apparently, Hogwarts the castle had a hand in that," Hermione told her.

"How does he know that?" Minerva asked, confusion crossing her brow.

"Let's just say that I've decided that perhaps Hogwarts is not as bad as I thought, Minerva," Severus stated entering the room. He watched Minerva smile at this announcement and nod her greeting to him.

"Daddy!" Alice cried and ran to him. She'd been happily occupied with her blocks on the floor beside her mother.

Severus would never tire of this little girl's devotion to him, and he swept her up into his arms as an idea formed in his mind of another child running after her. That would bring him even greater joy. "Hello, young lady," he said to Alice, hugging her small frame to him. "Are Mummy and Nanny Nerva behaving?"

"Oh yes, Daddy," Alice replied, her raven curls bouncing animatedly, as her small hands closed over his cheeks. Then he saw Hermione gracefully rising from the lounge to greet him. How he loved the fact that she could now move freely, and his heart filled as he realised that he had facilitated that.

"Hello, love. Would you like some tea?" she asked, moving to kiss him.

He easily accepted her with his other arm and bent his head down for the kiss she bestowed on him, but he said, "Hello, and thank you, my love, but I'm on my way to St. Mungos with the potion I've completed," he told her. "I just stopped by to let you know that I was leaving."

"Oh… All right," Hermione replied, but then her lip slipped between her teeth. "Severus, Kingsley did not say who the young woman who was attacked was. Did he tell you?"

"Her name was immaterial to me this morning when I met with Ramrod, and Kingsley did not seem to know, but I will inquire for you, if you wish to know. I will see you later, my dear."

"Be careful, Severus," Hermione urged.

His lip ticked upward at her concern for him. "As ever, Hermione," and he kissed Alice on the head and handed her to Hermione. "You be good for Mummy, Alice," he said.

"I will. Bye, bye, Daddy," she said.

xox

Severus knocked on Morton Ramrod's office door and was admitted. He walked forward and placed the phial of potion on Morton's desk, and turned to leave again.

Morton stood. "I've had a request that you accompany me to restore the witch," the healer stated.

Severus raised a raven brow. "Indeed," he intoned softly. "Who wishes to see me?"

"It is Minister Shacklebolt. He is with Auror Brocklehurst," but then he quantified his statement. "The witch you brewed the potion for."

He exhaled. "Very well. Lead the way, Morton."

To the Potion Master's surprise they did not turn towards the general wards, but started in the direction of the secure intensive care ward.

"Has there been a development?" Severus asked.

"Not a medical one," Morton replied. "However, new information came to light, and it became imperative that we secured our patient somewhere away from public gaze."

"I see," Severus huffed as they walked. Something had happened, he just knew it.

They approached a private room, and Severus noted the guards on the door. They were from Kingsley's private ministerial staff; not from the Aurory.

They were stopped at the door by the guards, and a spell swirled around them. It was obviously aimed at detecting deceptions. Severus scowled; he did not like being treated like a potential criminal and he almost left, but Kingsley had requested his presence, so he remained.

Morton noticed his expression, and cleared his throat. "Yes, I know what you're thinking," he commented softly as they entered the room.

"Are the theatrics really necessary?" Severus replied.

"I believe they are," Kingsley informed him, having heard his comment. He stood as they entered.

Severus just caught him putting down the hand of the witch laying in the bed. His eyes had been on her slightly swollen stomach as they entered.

"We will wait outside," Kingsley said to Morton, as the nurse who'd also been present approached Morton for his instructions.

Leaving the room, Kingsley and Severus entered a small lounge further up the hallway. "After the information you provided me with this morning, I had a meeting with John Dawlish. I found out that the Auror who had been injured was someone whom I hadn't considered might be involved, because she's been away on assignment for the last three months, and I did not know she'd returned." He paused before he added. "It's complicated."

Severus snorted. "What isn't?" he said.

"You see, I know the witch who was attacked last night. In fact, we had a bit of a falling out before she left on her assignment."

Severus merely raised an eyebrow at Kingsley's statement.

Kingsley sighed. "When I met with you this morning, all I knew was that an Auror had been attacked, but I didn't know who it was until after I'd spoken to Dawlish," he answered. "After hearing what you'd said… and finding out who was her contact had been while she was on assignment… Well, things started to fall into place," he stated.

It looked like Kingsley needed someone to speak to, and Severus sighed. Being a shoulder was not something that he was good at, but he imagined that being the Minister for Magic would be just about as lonely as being a double spy was, and he had a great deal of experience in that department. Just as he hadn't trusted anyone, Kingsley would not have many people that wouldn't hold any weakness over him, and a romantic dalliance—which this is what this seemed to be—would definitely fall into that category.

Uncertain of how to show him that he was open to discussing anything he wished to say, Severus said, "The oath we took together this morning can work in both directions, if you had something you wished to discuss, Kingsley."

Kingsley's shoulders seemed to drop like he was exhaling a breath he'd been holding, and he nodded. "I would appreciate that, Severus," and he sighed. "It is difficult to keep friends in my job," and he gestured between them. "Even people who I wish to have as friends, I have little time."

"I met Abigail last year; she was the coordinator for my training lectures. We just hit it off, and we started keeping company. It wasn't common knowledge, and we tried to be discreet; because of the conflict of interests with her being an Auror and me the head of the Aurory as part of my ministerial duties. Therefore, when her assignment came up we decided that a break would allow us to see if we were doing the correct thing."

"And was it?" Severus asked.

Kingsley grimaced. "No, I've missed her terribly these last months… The baby… Well, it's most likely mine. I must admit, I do not know what Potter's part in this is yet, but I do know that she was actively rejecting his advances before she left. It was part of the reason that she took the assignment, but then at the last minute he took control of the operation and became her contact. I only found this out this morning from John. Had I known that piece of information, I wouldn't have let it happen, but John wasn't to know." However, before he could comment further Kingsley's wand started to vibrate softly. The tall wizard immediately stood. "Pardon me, Severus, but it appears that the net has closed. I must attend to this, but we will definitely catch up soon," and he was gone.

Severus left the small visitor's lounge and started walking back towards the general medical wards. He was deep in thought about life and relationships as he walked. He was thinking about how simple deeds can change a person's life, like the day that Hermione and Alice arrived on his doorstep, and he quickened his step wishing to be back with them.

xox

When Severus arrived home downstairs was quiet, so he looked upstairs. Walking into Hermione's room he found his witches sound asleep on Hermione's bed. He stood there watching them for some moments, but then gently levitated Alice up and over to her cot, which had not been moved back into her room yet.

He then slipped his boots and outer robes off and slid in beside Hermione, pulling her into his arms. Draco was not expected until seven, so they had a couple of hours to themselves.

Hermione stirred as he settled beside her, and she gasped.

"Shh, my love, Alice is safely in her cot still asleep," he told her.

"Oh," Hermione replied sleepily, glancing over to the cot. "She wouldn't settle down for her nap. She had a long nap this morning, and the only thing that got her to relax was for me to lie with her."

Severus chuckled, and kissed her forehead. "Only you ended up napping too," he told her.

"Mmm… What time is it?"

"A little after five," Severus replied.

"What time is Draco expected?"

"Seven," Severus said, a smile starting to stretch his mouth. "So, I was just thinking that we could," and he placed a kiss on her mouth. "Spend some time that was stolen from us this morning." He gave her another longer kiss. "Would you like that, dearest?"

She wound her arms around his neck. "I like your thinking," and she pulled him closer and rolled onto her back.

Some of the buttons on her top had come undone during her nap, and Severus now took complete advantage of this and undid the remainder, pushing the material to the sides as his mouth plundered hers.

"Lovely," he murmured, moving to kiss her neck as his hands cupped her lace-clad breasts.

"Oh," she sighed, her hands skimming down to pull his shirt from the waist of his trousers. Once his shirt tails were free her hands paused on his belt buckle, steadying herself before she started undoing it. She was having trouble making her hands work as she was overcome with the passion of the moment.

Trying to think through the lovely sensations that were starting to short-circuit her brain was difficult, and it only became more difficult as Severus released her breasts from the confines of her bra. He currently flicking one nipple with his thumb while his mouth suckled on the other, and she was slowly melting.

She felt his hands undoing her jeans and she stopped caressing his back up under his shirt and helped him get them off. As soon as they were gone he left her breasts and started kissing downward, and her breath caught in her throat.

This was all so wonderful to her, and she opened her legs wide to him in encouragement.

He chuckled, and pushed the crotch of the knickers aside. "My lovely girl," he crooned as his eyes took in what she was offering him. He would never tire of seeing her like this, wild and wanton for him. He blew on her heated flesh and revelled in her squeal of want. Then he licked her with the very tip of his tongue making her squeal again.

Unfortunately, Severus did not have enough forethought to place his silencing charm around the bed, and their pleasure was interrupted by Alice before it had even started. Sighing, Severus, stopped his attentions and came back up to face Hermione. "Tonight," he murmured. "We'll have time tonight."

Hermione smiled sadly. "I hope so."

"We'll also talk about our honeymoon," he added, adjusting his trousers as he got up to get the complaining Alice from her cot. "She's still tired, isn't she?" he said, gathering the little girl into his arms

"Yes, I'm afraid so," Hermione replied. "I guess she's undergone a lot of changes since last night," she commented further.

Severus nodded. "Yes, I suppose she has," he agreed watching Hermione dressing.

"Let's see if we can get her fed, bathed and into bed before Draco arrives. Perhaps she'll have an early night for us?"

Severus snorted. "Perhaps."