Disclaimor: All things Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling.

Thank you Corazon for betaing!

Warning: Severus may be OOC (Out Of Character) this chapter more than usual... but I couldn't help it! (If by the end of this chapter you guys don't think I'm a sappy romantic... give it time there is still more chapters to read! ;)

Hidden Truths

Chapter 8

Severus and Hermione's time together was basically the same as it was before, but it was adjusted a little bit. When they both read, they ended up on the couch together reading different books lying against one another. When they talked it was lying in each other's arms as well... but then they always didn't talk when they were in each other's arms either. Kissing was a regular activity they both shared in and enjoyed.

Severus and Hermione discussed whether he should owl Hermione along with Dumbledore when he was summoned, but they figured it would be suspicious to Dumbledore and they would just let him keep informing the Headmaster. Once in a while though she would already be with Severus when he was called but she would stay for a little while then go to the Entrance Hall after receiving the owl from Dumbledore about the summons.

While Severus wanted Hermione, he knew it was too soon and he could tell by her reactions he figured out she was a virgin. So when things got hot and heavy, he tried to pull back a little and let her lead them to where she wanted. It was common occurrence for him to get an erection from holding and kissing her. The first kiss was example enough he thought, but he was lucky enough to hide his desire from her on most occasions. Once in a while it was evident to her, but she just smiled and returned to kissing him, driving him further insane, which he didn't mind a bit. Severus did question what right he had to be in a relationship with such a beautiful young witch. He considered his dark past that haunted him to this day and she shouldn't be tainted with that. But he let it go for now and took comfort in what he was able to have for the time being and it was her choice to be with him.

During their time together Severus learned quite a few more things about his young witch.

**

"Hermione, how did Potter get past the fire in your first year when trying to get to the Philophoser's Stone?"

"I figured out the puzzle."

"You figured out my puzzle?"

"That was your puzzle?" Hermione was pleasantly surprised.

"Yea it was," Severus chuckled. "I suppose you should be rewarded for your logic then." Severus captured her lips in a hungry kiss.

**

"Hermione I have a question for you." Severus asked while putting mugwort into the simmering cauldron.

"Yes?" Hermione answered.

"Was it you who set my robes on fire during Potter's first Quidditch match?" Severus asked with suspicion.

Hermione could feel Severus' eyes on her and she flushed, "We thought you were trying to kill Harry. We didn't know you were trying to protect him."

"Uh huh."

"I don't like the sound of that," Hermione dared to look at Severus.

"You shouldn't," Severus hissed before pulling Hermione into his arms and claiming her mouth.

**

"I'm curious, why you are here with me? I would have figured you liked Weasley?" Severus said finishing his book putting it down.

"Ron? That's disgusting Severus, he's like a brother to me," Hermione said before going back to her reading.

Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione and let her read, he shifted enough to press his lips to her neck and smiled before placing a tender kiss on her nape. "My angel," Severus couldn't resist calling her angel, since the second night she stayed with him and she looked like an angel it was a common name he used mentally when referring to her, but now he was able to say it out loud.

**

Severus pulled Hermione back closer to his chest as they sat on the couch. "Angel, do you know who set Black free, I've always wanted to get my hands on the culprit?"

Hermione flushed and stole a glance at her companion before avoiding eye contact and whispering, "Um... you're not going to like my answer."

Severus looked down at Hermione, he turned her head to look back at him and saw her guilty look, "No..."

She figured he guessed who set Harry's godfather free. "Uhh..." She tried to start.

Severus narrowed his eyes, "I've already got my arms around the culprit don't I?"

Hermione not being able to lie, "Uh huh."

"How?" Severus growled playful in her ear.

"Time-turner and Buckbeak."

"Why did you have a time-turner?"

"I was taking every class available until I dropped Divination."

"So how old are you really?"

"I'll be 18 around Christmas, that's the best I could calculate."

**

"Whatever happened to Viktor Krum?" A small tone of jealousy could be heard.

"I was too young for what he wanted at the time."

"You mean...?"

"Sex, but 14 is too young."

"I'd say so," Severus hesitated before continuing, "Hermione, I know we haven't talked about it, but I want you to know I won't ever rush you."

Hermione walked over and sat in Severus' lap, "I know and thank you." She then kissed him.

~~~~~

The first summons after they got together, Hermione tried to help even more, now that she didn't have to hide all of her feelings. She attended to Severus so carefully, almost like she was afraid to break him.

"Hermione, relax. Tonight is not as bad as usual."

"I know but still I hate seeing you this way."

"I hate it also."

"Get some sleep. I'll be here in the morning," and she walked to the chair beside the bed.

"Hermione come here," Severus called.

Hermione came back over to Severus' side and sat down on the bed. "Put some of my pajamas on and sleep in the bed. You've spent enough nights in that chair."

Hermione knew he meant exactly what he said about not rushing her. He wouldn't have the strength to try anything, even if he did he wouldn't and she knew it. "All right." Hermione took a pair of pajamas and changed in the bathroom. Hermione to went to the other side of the bed and climbed in, she faced him to watch him sleep.

Severus shifted over until he could pull Hermione into his arms, "Come here, Angel."

Hermione snuggled into Severus' arms and relaxed. She could get use to this she thought and soon both were in a deep, pleasant sleep.

~~~~~

"Ron, stop it!" Hermione hissed at her lab partner.

"Come on Hermione, just this once."

"No!" Hermione hissed a little bit louder.

"Ms. Granger while you may be Head Girl it does not give you permission to talk during one of my instructions. You have detention tonight in my dungeons. Be here at 7:00 o'clock," Severus sneered over the classroom.

Hermione hung her head. It's been years since she received detention, "Yes, sir."

"Back to work," Severus purred dangerously over the class.

Later that night, at 7 o'clock sharp, Hermione knocked on the door of the Potions classroom. Normally she would just walk in, but she didn't know how to act tonight. Severus was her professor but also her friend and....

"Enter."

She didn't have time to finish the thought, but she planned on playing it safe. She didn't want him to think she would take advantage of their relationship.

Severus was looking forward to tonight. He knew Hermione made plans to come see him later, but once the chance of giving her detention in class arose, he couldn't let it pass by. He hoped she wouldn't be too mad as Severus hid his grin while the door opened.

"Clean the cauldrons," he said to her before she could speak.

"Yes, sir."

Severus bit back a smile, knowing she was playing it safe. He knew she would. He watched as she got out a bucket and a few cleaning supplies out of the closet, "Ms. Granger, what do you think you are doing?"

"Getting the cleaning supplies, sir," Hermione was puzzled.

"Am I to take it you have no wand with you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then clean the cauldrons and come to my office when you are done," Severus left without another word being said.

Hermione stared after the Potions Master. She knew what he wanted now. This detention was only meant to spend more time together. Oh, she was mad, being given detention while being Head Girl was not good, and then she thought for a moment as she took out her wand to proceed with the cleaning. Being given detention by Severus to a Gryffindor was nothing unusual. It probably wouldn't even matter; Hermione finished with her 'detention' and followed Severus into his office.

Severus grabbed Hermione the second she walked into the office. She gave a gasp of surprise and he took it to his advantage and claimed her mouth. Hermione's arms immediately went around his shoulders and neck. After a few minutes Severus pulled back, "Hello my angel."

"You gave me detention," Hermione faked her anger.

"You deserved it."

"You don't give others detention just for talking in class always."

"You're Head Girl, you have to be held to a higher standard," Severus was grinning by now, but at the same time a war was being raged inside his head.

"Why didn't you make me serve detention then?"

"But you did, when others ask you what you did you can tell them you cleaned the cauldrons." Tell her the truth or don't tell her.

"With a wand?"

"Well, you don't have to give them details." What if she doesn't feel the same way?

"Right you are."

"And this gives us until midnight with no one wondering where you are." If she didn't feel close to the same way, why else would she be in your arms and willingly kiss you?

"I might have to get detention from you more often then," and she pulled him down for another deep kiss.

After the kiss, Severus gazed into Hermione's eyes and he knew. Now would be the perfect time to say how he felt.

"I love you," he whispered.

Surprise followed by elation went through Hermione and she smiled, "I love you too," was whispered before another passionate kiss, but this one told of more emotion and love, holding nothing back.



To Be Continued...

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SAngel - thanks! I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Heather - thank you for the compliment!

Claire Bear Blondie - ohh there is definitely chance for romance! ;)

Stephanie - thank you!

sakhara291 - I hope Snape isn't too OOC for you, I honestly tried to keep him within reason.

winky17 - thank you! I hope I can keep up with the play of emotions and improve my skills in writing as this story went along and in futures ones.

FB/R. A. D'Aloia - If I didn't already write this story I would have put Voldie in more... didn't think of that at the time. That would have been mean though! hehe

winky17 - thanks!

Jade - Well I hope it gets burning hot! At least I tried...but it's too hot for it to be posted here at FF.net I'll have it posted at several other places though. I'll have the addresses up when the chapter goes up.

janbachand - I couldn't resist putting the cute and flirty in. I wanted more but I couldn't think of it... oh well. It was fun then!

Lindsey - Here's an addition for you! and thanks!

For everyone - if anyone wants an email for when this story is updated just email me at metamusem@aol.com or leave a review with email address stating the desire. I send an email out now and adding more addresses is no problem for those interested (please add if you read it at ff.net, aff.net or Whispers so I can be sure to include the link directly to the update if emailing). I really hope this doesn't sound concieted! I'm really not trying to be, but I always liked to get emails for stories I enjoyed and figured I would offer the same to the few people who actually enjoy this story. Thanks for reading it everyone!