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

Thank you Corazon for betaing!

Warning: This chapter is censored for ff.net because of the sexual content. If you wish to read the full version please visit my profile to get the address sites. AFF.NET and Whispers have the full versions.

Because this chapter does contain more smut than story two chapters are posted to keep the story going.

Hidden Truths

Chapter 9

"Hermione." Ginny called to her friend.

Hermione looked up from her Arithmancy book, "Yea?"

"You're spacing out again. You've been on the same page for the past ten minutes," Ginny stated clearly.

"Oh, uh thanks," Hermione looked down at her book and started to read.

"Hermione, what's got you preoccupied a bit lately? And what is with that grin of yours?" Ginny asked suspiciously.

Hermione looked at her friend trying to keep the grin off her face, "Nothing Gin."

Ginny shook her head, she knew Hermione was hiding something, but apparently it wasn't bad because otherwise Hermione wouldn't be grinning like a love sick fool.

~~~~~

Hermione snuck out late one Friday night to go stay with Severus. He wasn't called to Voldemort, but she wanted to be with him. When she arrived, Severus was surprised. "Hermione, I thought you were staying in the tower tonight?"

"I wanted to stay here instead, is that all right?"

"Of course love," Severus changed his sitting position on the couch resting his back against the arm.

Hermione sat between his stretched out legs and relaxed back against him, "Hope I'm not bothering you."

"I've told you before, you are welcome here anytime. Don't go getting shy on me now."

Hermione's nervousness left her and she closed her eyes, lying on Severus. She could hear the beat of his heart and it lulled her to sleep.

Severus continued to read for a while longer as Hermione slept. He couldn't believe how domestic it was, but he was enjoying being able to have her in his arms. A few hours later, Severus put down the book on the end table and wrapped his arms around Hermione and let himself fall asleep.

Hermione woke up a few hours before dawn and cuddled up with Severus. She turned over a little to lay sideways against him to watch him sleep. Seeing him so peaceful and not being able to hold back her love for him, she placed a small kiss on his lips. With the brief contact it was enough to wake him. Hermione stared into his eyes for a moment before kissing him again.

Severus returned the kiss with equal passion. He could feel himself hardening already and knew he didn't have the strength to control himself and knew they would have to stop soon.

Hermione's desire was increasing; she could feel the heat coming from him. She was quite aware of his length hard against her hip. She felt it now and then when they kissed for long periods of times, but he was always so careful not to let her know how much he wanted her. Hermione shifted to lay chest to chest with Severus.

Alarm bells were going off in Severus' head. He had to put a stop to this; the position they were in was too much for him. Severus broke the kiss, taking a few deep breathes. "We have to stop, Hermione."

"No." Hermione whispered huskily before trailing kisses down his jaw line to kiss his neck.

"Stop Hermione." Severus almost begged his last thread of self-control. He was close to snapping.

"Take me to bed Severus." Hermione whispered seductively against his ear.

Bed. Sleep. Like they always did when she healed him, he could do that. He tricked himself into believing that was what she meant. Severus positioned Hermione in his lap so he could carry her to bed. Her arms went around his shoulders and she continued to nibble on his neck. As much as he liked it, it was going to have to stop.

Severus placed Hermione on the bed and was about to stand up again when she tugged on him to join her. Hermione's hand started to unbutton Severus' shirt and trail kisses on the newly exposed skin.

"Hermione, what are you doing?"

"Trying to get you out of these clothes."

"Why?"

"Because making love requires both of us naked."

"You want to make love?" The string of control would break or not with her answer.

Hermione licked the shell of his ear before answering, "Yesss."

The string broke.

That was the last thread of control for him. He hungrily took her mouth, has his hands started to unbutton her own blouse. Both worked on each other's clothes though it was a bit awkward trying to undress the other while kissing. Soon both were left without their shirts and Severus' fingers deftly undid her bra hooks and pulled the straps from her shoulders and off her completely. Severus tore his mouth from hers and inhaled sharply. He had never seen a more perfect woman in his opinion. Severus explored Hermione's breasts with his mouth and hands. The rest of their clothes were peeled and pushed off.

After intense lovemaking, Severus collapsed on Hermione, but tried to hold some of his weight onto one of his arms as he moved to his side. He pulled her with him not wanting to let her go. They caught their breath and kept their hearts behind their ribcages. Severus tenderly kissed Hermione as the passion left them feeling complete and sated.

"I love you Hermione."

A shy smile spread across her lips and she repeated his words of love.

~~~~~

It was after dawn when Severus finally woke up. He would usually wake up alert and aware of his surroundings, but this morning was different. His body felt so relaxed - he hadn't felt like that in years. Severus opened his eyes and they first saw wavy brown hair and the face of Hermione. Flashes of last night shot through his mind and realization dawned on him on why he was so relaxed. A smile spread across his face remembering the way Hermione screamed his name when she climaxed.

The smile was quickly replaced with worry. What if she regrets last night? What if she never wanted him to touch her again?

Before he had time to contemplate more worries, Hermione started to stir. Severus held still and waited for her to awake.

Hermione was waking up; her mind was running full steam. Several things came to her mind immediately. She was naked and she was lying with some one else naked. The only person she would even lay with while in clothes was Severus and then she remembered the pleasure he brought to her and the feeling of being filled with him. She let herself smile, cuddle closer to her lover and opened her eyes, "Morning Severus."

"Morning."

Hermione could hear the worry in his tone. "What's wrong?" Hermione shifted to lean on an elbow to look at him better. With the movement, the sheet failed to cover one of Hermione's breasts. She saw Severus' gaze drop down to her chest and his tongue darted out to moisten his lips unconsciously. Feeling in a teasing mood, she took his chin and directed his eyes back to hers. "That's for later. Tell me what's wrong."

Shifting his own body to meet with her, "Do you have any regrets about last night?"

Hermione thought for a moment, "Just one."

Worry was etched in Severus' eyes.

"I didn't get an encore performance from you... care to rectify that now?" she teased seductively.

Severus decided to answer her physically by licking on her exposed nipple. Hermione lay back down with Severus moving over her, for his encore performance.

Later, both were lying together curled against each other, satisfied.

"No regrets Hermione?"

"Severus, I think you can claim this moment one of your dense moments. Especially since we just covered this question."

"Just checking."

"I wish I could reassure you, but you have worn me out," Hermione looked up with an evil smirk.

A smug look could be seen on him.

Another thought suddenly went through Hermione, she wasn't too worried, but she needed to take care of it. "Severus, can you make me a contraceptive potion? I'll need to take one soon."

"If you want, but there is no need. I've been taking one."

Surprised by this comment, Hermione turned over and placed her hands and chin on Severus' chest as he laid back to look at him. "Why?"

"I didn't want to take a risk of us being unprepared one night," Severus explained casually.

"How long have you been taking one?"

"The day after I first kissed you. You wouldn't believe the hard on you gave me."

She was pleased to know he was considerate enough to take such a potion and thrilled to know she could cause such a reaction in him with just a kiss. "Do you want me to take the potion from now?"

"No, it might attract attention if it was seen."

"You're righ..."

Hermione didn't finish what she was going to say, knocking was coming from the hallway entrance to his quarters. With shock and fear, Hermione sat up quickly clutching the sheet to her chest. She immediately glanced at Severus who was already getting out of bed to dress. He didn't look pleased and was worried.



To Be Continued...


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Lexy - thanks!

Samhain - thank you for the review and offer! I'm lucky enough to have a great beta reader Corazon! (Having to read through the rough draft of this story probably makes her go insane!)

SerenaDarienP - thanks! And there is lots more to this story! At least 30 more chapters ;)

Tabii - thanks!

jenbachand - *guilty look* this chapter is extremely fluffy err was with the full version! lol or should I say smutty? almost the same thing! ;) And the Holidays are coming soon... with a few surprises for our dear Hermione! *evil grin*

sakhara291 - it's not really a bad thing... I think. I wish JKR would develop Severus more! He is such an interesting character!

Bitc-of-da-world - Just a bit OOC but I tried my best with him. Thanks for reviewing!

winky17 - thanks! lol

nesscafe - I tried not to rush the hanky-panky...but then I realized I did the kiss, admiting love to bed... hehehe opps! I didn't even realize until I got this chapter ready for posting!

Killer Angel - thanks!

DragonFireAngelVWP - thanks! Glad you got the email. And Albus ... you'll have to read and find out. ;)

Claire Bear Blondie - thank you! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Serpena - thanks! And actually the story is done but just being posted in chapters.. I'm trying to get ahead start on my next story to post it after this one is done posting... mean huh? lol

Countess Marsters - hey you! I couldn't resist doing the Angel endearment ... I'm a sap I know! But punishments give me some ideas for some chapters and halves now... Good thing I can take my notebook to work and keep myself entertained. ;)