Disclaimor: All things Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling.
Author Notes: Corazon, I owe you a huge debt for beta reading this story! Thank you! Reviews and constructive criticisms are welcome! :)
Hidden Truths
Chapter 1
"Ron, I'm not doing this." Hermione told her friend. "I can't believe I agreed to do this in the first place!"
"Come on Hermione," Ron pleaded whispering.
"No, I'm going back to bed." Hermione pulled the invisibility cloak off of herself leaving Ron alone under it.
"Hermione, you're going to get caught past hours."
"I'll claim Head Girl business... Good night, Ron."
Hermione left the teenage boy alone in the halls and took the long way to the Gryffindor Tower; she didn't want to talk to Ron any more for the night. She couldn't believe she agreed to do such a stupid prank in the first place. She knew better than that! As Hermione walked through the Entrance Hall to go up the stairs, she was about to climb the stairs when she noticed a tall dark clad figure stumble to the floor. Hermione rushed over to the man and helped him up and that is when she recognized him. "Professor Snape?" she asked in shock.
Once he was standing up, though barely, he pushed her away with the little strength he had, "Get away from me child!"
Remembering she still had on Glamoure Charm from a book that belonged to Lavender and Parvati, she realized Snape didn't know who she was. She concluded this was a good thing; she wouldn't be receiving detention most likely then. Hermione stood back and watched as Snape tried to walk slowly, though it looked more like he was hobbling towards the stairs that lead to the dungeons. She noticed his robes had faint bloodstains on them. Fresh bruises were starting to ripen on his sallow face.
"Professor, you need to go to the Hospital Wing," Hermione suggested coming closer to the beaten man.
"No," Snape growled.
Not even considering the idea of leaving him and he was not willing to go to the Hospital Wing she only had one choice and that was to help him to his quarters.
"Then I'm helping you to your quarters," Hermione commanded.
She watched Snape. She could tell he wanted to fight her on it but he didn't have the strength. She put one of his arms over her shoulders and her arm around his waist to support some of his weight. It was a slow and careful process descending the dungeon steps. Finally they were at the door to his rooms. Being Head Girl she knew where the Head of Houses resided.
Snape took out his wand and removed the wards with a few hand waves and muttered words. The door opened and Hermione helped him through his sitting room to another door she assumed that led to his bedroom. Soon Snape was lying on his bed asleep. Hermione knew then he was exhausted and beaten badly. The wounds on his face weren't serious but Hermione knew she could heal them with her wand. And, she proceeded to do just that. Knowing she needed to get him into his nightclothes and out of his dirty ones, Hermione looked around the room for a wardrobe. It was located near the door to the sitting room. Going to the wardrobe, she rifled through it until she found some black cotton pajamas. Hermione was grateful for being such a curious person because she knew a charm that would replace Snape's worn clothes with his pj's.
Hermione quickly said the charm and Snape was left in his pj's with his other clothes in a chair in the corner of the room bedside the bed. She knew there wasn't much else she could do for the man so she left him sleeping. As she was leaving she replaced the wards she saw him take down, having always paid attention to details.
Hermione had one more errand to do before she allowed herself to go to bed and sleep.
~~~~~
Outside Dumbledore's office Hermione knocked on his door and waited. She didn't even think that he might not be up. It occurred to her, the Headmaster was always available when you needed him the most. And this time was no different.
"Come in," Dumbledore answered immediately.
Hermione opened the door and stepped through, "Headmaster, I'm sorry to bother you at such a late hour but it is important."
"Ms. Granger?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Yes, sir, sorry about the Glamoure Charm. It will wear off in a few hours."
"Quite all right, my dear. Now tell me what brings you here tonight?"
"It's about Professor Snape."
Upon hearing this Dumbledore's attention was focused, undivided on Hermione, she noticed. "What about him?"
"On my way to Gryffindor Tower I saw him staggering, coming into the Entrance Hall from outside. I tried to help him but he refused to go to the Hospital Wing. I was able to get him settled into his chambers. I did a few simple healing spells on some bruises on his face. I could tell he had more injuries but I didn't feel it was my place to heal them."
Dumbledore sighed with relief, "Thank you, Ms. Granger. Your help is much appreciated."
"Professor, may I ask if he still acting as a spy for you?"
Dumbledore studied Hermione for a moment and decided he could trust her with this critical information, "Yes, he is."
"Is he usually in that condition after meetings?"
"I'm afraid so." The old wizard sighed as if the thought was painful alone.
Hermione's protective instinct lit up, "Why doesn't anybody help him when he returns? Some one needs to help him!"
"There are many people willing but he refuses such help. I daresay you are the only one that has been allowed such a task."
"Only after he first said no, he didn't have the strength to fight me after I said I would help again."
"And for that I am grateful."
Both sat in silence for a minute. Hermione considered maybe she could keep helping him with the Glamoure Charm on. He wouldn't know it was her. "Professor, I would like to keep helping him."
"You would have a hard fight on your hands if you wish to do so," Dumbledore warned.
Hermione grinned, "I have Harry Potter and Ron Weasley as my two best friends. I always have hard fights on my hands."
The wizard's eyes sparkled, "Yes, I suppose you do. Very well, from now on when Professor Snape informs me of meetings I will relay that information to you."
"Thank you, Professor."
"No, I have you to thank yet again. Here is an invisibility spell you can use when you have to be out past curfew. I ask you not to share this with anyone." Dumbledore finished writing down the spell and handed her the parchment.
"Certainly sir. Should I keep using the Glamoure Charm while helping Professor Snape?"
"It might be easier if you did. He would not accept help from a student he recognizes easily."
"All right."
"Get some sleep my dear. I'll let you know when he is called again."
"About how many times does he get called, sir?" Hermione asked with concern.
A frown appeared on Dumbledore's face, "Usually once a week but sometimes it will be a few times a week."
Unhappiness was written all over Hermione's face, "Goodnight, Headmaster."
"Goodnight, Ms. Granger."
"And good luck," Dumbledore whispered after she left knowing that helping Snape would cause some heartache, but hopefully in the end they could find a friendship in one another. Dumbledore knew they were both intellectually matched.
~~~~~
The next day passed as if nothing happened the night before. Potion's class was not scheduled that day for the 7th year Gryffindors. After classes finished for the day, Harry and Ron tried to convince Hermione to go outside.
"Come on Hermione all you do is study. You can do it tomorrow," Ron urged.
"Ron I'm going to the library, end of discussion."
At the mention of the library, Ron groaned and complained muttering things. Harry, knowing his best friend, "All right Hermione. We'll see you in the common room later. Have fun."
And the boys left her alone.
Hermione was at her usual study table surrounded by stacks of books. As she read through the books she took immaculate notes. The topic she was researching was not on the curriculum at Hogwarts. Hermione decided if she was going to help Snape she would need to learn more powerful healing charms. She knew some medicines and healing remedies came from potions but there were a few things wands could mend. Hermione wanted to know as much as possible about wand healing and potions healing. If she absolutely needed to she could make a potion for him, since she knew there was no chance of him going to the infirmary. But she swore to herself if he needed more help than she could provide, then she would go straight to Pomfrey then Dumbledore.
Madam Pince came over to Hermione's table and called her, "Ms. Granger."
"Yes, Madam Pince?" Hermione looked up from her current book.
"It's time to go, I'm closing up."
Hermione looked around and noticed she was the only student left in the library again. "Sorry," she murmured.
"Quite all right my dear. I assume you would like to checkout several of these books?" The older witch asked.
"Yes, please."
"Pick the ones you want and put the others back. I'll go finish closing up the rest of the library."
"Thank you."
Hermione did as she was told. She didn't realize she spent so much time in the library; she missed dinner without even noticing. After making a few selections she wanted to read more thoroughly, Hermione was soon checked out and on her way back to her bedroom. Hermione skipped the common room and went to the private entrance to her bedroom. Having her own bedroom with a private entrance not within the Gryffindor common room was one of the perks to being Head Girl. The private entrance was in the same hallway as the portrait of the Fat Lady, but Hermione's portrait leading to her room had no one in it, yet it was still password protected.
Hermione stayed up late and did some homework and more research of healing charms and potions. She soon got ready for bed and stared at the canopy on her bed. Crookshanks jumped onto her bed and laid next to her, Hermione absentmindedly stroked the cat. Tomorrow she had Potion's class and she wondered if Snape figured out who had helped him or if he was going to completely forget some one did help him. Hermione wondered if she would act differently toward him tomorrow now that she knew little of the extent of which Snape went through to get information for Dumbledore. After a few more minutes of thinking, Hermione was fast asleep.
Author Notes: Corazon, I owe you a huge debt for beta reading this story! Thank you! Reviews and constructive criticisms are welcome! :)
Hidden Truths
Chapter 1
"Ron, I'm not doing this." Hermione told her friend. "I can't believe I agreed to do this in the first place!"
"Come on Hermione," Ron pleaded whispering.
"No, I'm going back to bed." Hermione pulled the invisibility cloak off of herself leaving Ron alone under it.
"Hermione, you're going to get caught past hours."
"I'll claim Head Girl business... Good night, Ron."
Hermione left the teenage boy alone in the halls and took the long way to the Gryffindor Tower; she didn't want to talk to Ron any more for the night. She couldn't believe she agreed to do such a stupid prank in the first place. She knew better than that! As Hermione walked through the Entrance Hall to go up the stairs, she was about to climb the stairs when she noticed a tall dark clad figure stumble to the floor. Hermione rushed over to the man and helped him up and that is when she recognized him. "Professor Snape?" she asked in shock.
Once he was standing up, though barely, he pushed her away with the little strength he had, "Get away from me child!"
Remembering she still had on Glamoure Charm from a book that belonged to Lavender and Parvati, she realized Snape didn't know who she was. She concluded this was a good thing; she wouldn't be receiving detention most likely then. Hermione stood back and watched as Snape tried to walk slowly, though it looked more like he was hobbling towards the stairs that lead to the dungeons. She noticed his robes had faint bloodstains on them. Fresh bruises were starting to ripen on his sallow face.
"Professor, you need to go to the Hospital Wing," Hermione suggested coming closer to the beaten man.
"No," Snape growled.
Not even considering the idea of leaving him and he was not willing to go to the Hospital Wing she only had one choice and that was to help him to his quarters.
"Then I'm helping you to your quarters," Hermione commanded.
She watched Snape. She could tell he wanted to fight her on it but he didn't have the strength. She put one of his arms over her shoulders and her arm around his waist to support some of his weight. It was a slow and careful process descending the dungeon steps. Finally they were at the door to his rooms. Being Head Girl she knew where the Head of Houses resided.
Snape took out his wand and removed the wards with a few hand waves and muttered words. The door opened and Hermione helped him through his sitting room to another door she assumed that led to his bedroom. Soon Snape was lying on his bed asleep. Hermione knew then he was exhausted and beaten badly. The wounds on his face weren't serious but Hermione knew she could heal them with her wand. And, she proceeded to do just that. Knowing she needed to get him into his nightclothes and out of his dirty ones, Hermione looked around the room for a wardrobe. It was located near the door to the sitting room. Going to the wardrobe, she rifled through it until she found some black cotton pajamas. Hermione was grateful for being such a curious person because she knew a charm that would replace Snape's worn clothes with his pj's.
Hermione quickly said the charm and Snape was left in his pj's with his other clothes in a chair in the corner of the room bedside the bed. She knew there wasn't much else she could do for the man so she left him sleeping. As she was leaving she replaced the wards she saw him take down, having always paid attention to details.
Hermione had one more errand to do before she allowed herself to go to bed and sleep.
~~~~~
Outside Dumbledore's office Hermione knocked on his door and waited. She didn't even think that he might not be up. It occurred to her, the Headmaster was always available when you needed him the most. And this time was no different.
"Come in," Dumbledore answered immediately.
Hermione opened the door and stepped through, "Headmaster, I'm sorry to bother you at such a late hour but it is important."
"Ms. Granger?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Yes, sir, sorry about the Glamoure Charm. It will wear off in a few hours."
"Quite all right, my dear. Now tell me what brings you here tonight?"
"It's about Professor Snape."
Upon hearing this Dumbledore's attention was focused, undivided on Hermione, she noticed. "What about him?"
"On my way to Gryffindor Tower I saw him staggering, coming into the Entrance Hall from outside. I tried to help him but he refused to go to the Hospital Wing. I was able to get him settled into his chambers. I did a few simple healing spells on some bruises on his face. I could tell he had more injuries but I didn't feel it was my place to heal them."
Dumbledore sighed with relief, "Thank you, Ms. Granger. Your help is much appreciated."
"Professor, may I ask if he still acting as a spy for you?"
Dumbledore studied Hermione for a moment and decided he could trust her with this critical information, "Yes, he is."
"Is he usually in that condition after meetings?"
"I'm afraid so." The old wizard sighed as if the thought was painful alone.
Hermione's protective instinct lit up, "Why doesn't anybody help him when he returns? Some one needs to help him!"
"There are many people willing but he refuses such help. I daresay you are the only one that has been allowed such a task."
"Only after he first said no, he didn't have the strength to fight me after I said I would help again."
"And for that I am grateful."
Both sat in silence for a minute. Hermione considered maybe she could keep helping him with the Glamoure Charm on. He wouldn't know it was her. "Professor, I would like to keep helping him."
"You would have a hard fight on your hands if you wish to do so," Dumbledore warned.
Hermione grinned, "I have Harry Potter and Ron Weasley as my two best friends. I always have hard fights on my hands."
The wizard's eyes sparkled, "Yes, I suppose you do. Very well, from now on when Professor Snape informs me of meetings I will relay that information to you."
"Thank you, Professor."
"No, I have you to thank yet again. Here is an invisibility spell you can use when you have to be out past curfew. I ask you not to share this with anyone." Dumbledore finished writing down the spell and handed her the parchment.
"Certainly sir. Should I keep using the Glamoure Charm while helping Professor Snape?"
"It might be easier if you did. He would not accept help from a student he recognizes easily."
"All right."
"Get some sleep my dear. I'll let you know when he is called again."
"About how many times does he get called, sir?" Hermione asked with concern.
A frown appeared on Dumbledore's face, "Usually once a week but sometimes it will be a few times a week."
Unhappiness was written all over Hermione's face, "Goodnight, Headmaster."
"Goodnight, Ms. Granger."
"And good luck," Dumbledore whispered after she left knowing that helping Snape would cause some heartache, but hopefully in the end they could find a friendship in one another. Dumbledore knew they were both intellectually matched.
~~~~~
The next day passed as if nothing happened the night before. Potion's class was not scheduled that day for the 7th year Gryffindors. After classes finished for the day, Harry and Ron tried to convince Hermione to go outside.
"Come on Hermione all you do is study. You can do it tomorrow," Ron urged.
"Ron I'm going to the library, end of discussion."
At the mention of the library, Ron groaned and complained muttering things. Harry, knowing his best friend, "All right Hermione. We'll see you in the common room later. Have fun."
And the boys left her alone.
Hermione was at her usual study table surrounded by stacks of books. As she read through the books she took immaculate notes. The topic she was researching was not on the curriculum at Hogwarts. Hermione decided if she was going to help Snape she would need to learn more powerful healing charms. She knew some medicines and healing remedies came from potions but there were a few things wands could mend. Hermione wanted to know as much as possible about wand healing and potions healing. If she absolutely needed to she could make a potion for him, since she knew there was no chance of him going to the infirmary. But she swore to herself if he needed more help than she could provide, then she would go straight to Pomfrey then Dumbledore.
Madam Pince came over to Hermione's table and called her, "Ms. Granger."
"Yes, Madam Pince?" Hermione looked up from her current book.
"It's time to go, I'm closing up."
Hermione looked around and noticed she was the only student left in the library again. "Sorry," she murmured.
"Quite all right my dear. I assume you would like to checkout several of these books?" The older witch asked.
"Yes, please."
"Pick the ones you want and put the others back. I'll go finish closing up the rest of the library."
"Thank you."
Hermione did as she was told. She didn't realize she spent so much time in the library; she missed dinner without even noticing. After making a few selections she wanted to read more thoroughly, Hermione was soon checked out and on her way back to her bedroom. Hermione skipped the common room and went to the private entrance to her bedroom. Having her own bedroom with a private entrance not within the Gryffindor common room was one of the perks to being Head Girl. The private entrance was in the same hallway as the portrait of the Fat Lady, but Hermione's portrait leading to her room had no one in it, yet it was still password protected.
Hermione stayed up late and did some homework and more research of healing charms and potions. She soon got ready for bed and stared at the canopy on her bed. Crookshanks jumped onto her bed and laid next to her, Hermione absentmindedly stroked the cat. Tomorrow she had Potion's class and she wondered if Snape figured out who had helped him or if he was going to completely forget some one did help him. Hermione wondered if she would act differently toward him tomorrow now that she knew little of the extent of which Snape went through to get information for Dumbledore. After a few more minutes of thinking, Hermione was fast asleep.
