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

Thank you Corazon for beta reading!

This chapter was suppose to be up the other day but with FF.net I couldn't do it. So you guys who read it here will be getting two tonight. :)

Hidden Truths

Chapter 12

The same night in the Gryffindor common room Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were all huddled around 'their' table. Books were spread out for studying for the end of terms exams. The current topic of discussion though had nothing to do with the exams.

"How is Snuffles?" Ron asked quietly.

"He's fine," Harry answered. "He will becoming around Christmas to visit and I can't wait."

Snuffles was a 'pet' name for Sirius Black, Harry's godfather and he was an escaped convict. Over the last three years he had been hiding and working to help defeat Voldemort. Sirius Black was an innocent man of his crimes though; Dumbledore knew of this and helped him live while Black worked for Dumbledore.

Ginny learned of the truth after Harry and her became a couple last year. While she never met the man himself, he was nice, according to the other three and he cared for Harry as a father would. Snuffles, Black was the closest thing to a father Harry had so they were all thrilled when Harry could see him in person.

Topics were soon changed from Snuffles to Quidditch. Harry was captain of the team and since most of Gryffindors were staying for the Yuletide Ball this year, he wanted to arrange some more practices. He wanted to ensure they would not lose his last year while at Hogwarts. The players that were staying agreed to this and were happy to practice. Harry was also going to pick a new captain for the following year and he wanted to start to train the captain so the person would be comfortable in the position when his/her time came.

Ron managed to get on the team in his fifth year as the Keeper to replace Oliver Wood. The rest of the team consisted of the Creevey brothers as chasers. Ginny was a beater, who took after her twin brothers, and two third years named John Westridge and Emily Lefterine. John was an excellent beater and Ginny and him were great together defending the chasers. Emily was fast with her Nimbus 2003 broom that her parents bought her when she made the team last year.

Hermione eventually got everyone back on track to begin studying.

~~~~~

The students of Hogwarts couldn't wait until Christmas break. The next two weeks were spent studying over tons of material. Classes seemed longer as the professors assigned more work for review and new things to learn. All was in preparation for the end of term exams.

The students that were staying at Hogwarts were also excited for the annual Yuletide Ball that was taking place on Christmas night. Every year since the TriWizard Tournament, Hogwarts had a ball in honor of Christmas.

It was really away to keep as many students at Hogwarts to keep them safe, not that the staff of Hogwarts would admit such a thing.

~~~~~

During the two weeks before Christmas break began Hermione and Severus spend, as much time together as possible, it wasn't as much time both would have liked, but both had to prepare for exams themselves. When they did spend time together they made the most of it knowing all the time together was precious and was never taken for granted.

Unfortunately during the two weeks Severus was called three times, and during those three times the beatings were severe, healing potions were required each time. Severus knew he was in great hands when he would return to Hogwarts even though he hated having for Hermione to see him such shape he was glad she was there to help him. The meetings seemed to be getting more regular and more severe as if he was being tested again for some reason. He just hoped in the end this would all be worth it... but he knew it would be as long as Voldemort was dead and the wizarding community would be in peace.

One of the many nights they spent together Severus learned something disturbing earlier that evening from Dumbledore.

"Hermione, I heard Black is coming around Christmas to see Potter, I take it you knew?" Severus said while stirring the cauldron.

Hermione looked up from the beetle legs she was cutting up, "Yea, Harry found out about a week ago."

Severus stopped stirring there was no need to continue with it, it just had to sit over night. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Hermione put down her knife and put her arms around Severus and gazed up, "Because I didn't want you getting upset. I know you don't like Sirius and I didn't want to start trouble."

Severus knew she was right and it wasn't really a big deal. It's not like he had to see the dog. "I understand but you can tell me anything you want. I'll try and keep my cool if I know it is important to you."

Hermione didn't answer vocally she just placed her lips on his and kissed him. They had spent the past two hours working on potions keeping their desires in check and now was the time to release them. They had both been on edge with all the stress and tension from school and the meetings with Voldemort and they both needed to relax and enjoy.

The kiss progressed to Severus lifting Hermione onto the worktable away from the cauldron and her area where she was working.

~~~~~

"Good afternoon Reed, Candace," Dumbledore welcomed the two.

"Same to you Albus. Thank you for helping us," Reed said shaking hands with Dumbledore.

"It'll be a pleasure and anything to help Hermione." Dumbledore said. "Let's get up to the castle."

Twenty minutes later the three were in Dumbledore's office.

"I take it you want to speak with Hermione immediately?"

"Please," Candace said.

"Of course, but I must ask you to allow another professor to attend the meeting also. He would be needed to help set the shields."

"Who is he?" Reed asked.

"Severus Snape. My Potions Master."

Reed looked over to Candace before saying, "We've heard Hermione talk about him. She's described him as..."

Candace finished, "As cruel."

The Headmaster chuckled. "Severus does have that reputation."

"We have heard from others he is a Death Eater," Reed said seriously.

A grim smile was on Dumbledore, "Yes, he was."

"Do you trust him?" Candace asked.

"With my life." Dumbledore said confidently.

Reed and Candace knew for Dumbledore to say that he trusted Severus completely was enough for them to also trust Snape.

"If you think it is for best, we do not object," Reed said.

"Thank you." Dumbledore said then proceeded to write a letter.

~~~~~

Severus was in his private lab when Dumbledore's owl came to him. Severus always wondered how the owl got into rooms with no windows, but decided not to question it at that time. Severus opened the letter and read:

Severus,

Please bring Hermione immediately to my office.

Albus


Severus thought this was unusual, but was going to do as Dumbledore asked. Severus turned off the burner and dressed in his robes and set out to find Hermione. With it being Christmas break and a few days before the holiday, she was spending her days with her friends and her nights with him much to their pleasure. He remembered her mentioning Quidditch, so he set out for the pitch.

Severus was relieved he got the first place he looked correct. The students noticed Severus walking toward them and they each stopped talking. There were about fifteen students in all within the group. A few students from 5th-7th years and from all the houses save Slytherin. Severus' eyes rested on Hermione and she had a puzzled look on her face when she noticed him walking to her.

"Ms. Granger come with me now." Severus demanded then turned around expecting her to follow him.

Hermione quickly gave her friends a confused look and then said her goodbyes and took off to catch up with him. When she caught up with Severus, they were out of hearing range from others. She asked, "What's wrong Severus?"

"Nothing Angel, but Dumbledore owled me to bring you to his office immediately."

"Do you have any idea why?"

"No, Angel, I don't."

"We've been very discreet, but do you think some one could tell?" she asked worried.

If Severus could have he would have held her hand to reassure her. "I don't believe any one could know. I don't think this has to do with us, but about you."

Both walked in silence to Dumbledore's office. Severus said the password to enter the stairs. When both were on the stairs Severus grasped Hermione's hand and with his other hand cupped her cheek and kissed her softly. "Everything will be all right, I'm sure."

Hermione smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek before the stairs reached the top as a thank you. Severus stepped away from Hermione and they walked to knock on the door.

"Come in," Dumbledore called.



To Be Continued...
----------

Samhain - I try to update every few days... but life gets in the way sometimes sorry! Glad you are enjoying the story!

sakhara291 - thanks! I will be able to give you that remove soon. This week and my one day off has been hectic more than I first thought. Sorry!

dama-de-tinieblas - thank you!

DragonFireAngelVWP - thanks!

Daria-B - Hermione and her parents will be soon explained promise!

cosmicangel2001 - thank you! HG/SS is my all time fav also... though my stories already tell that of course ;)

Serpena - thanks! the next story is uh going uh... no where it seems! Having to work for a living sucks! hehe

winky17 - thanks!

lover411 - I will keep going! :)

Claire Bear Blondie - AU is fun though! more room to play with... sorry about the cliffy's but I couldn't resist hehe

Ruby - thank you!

Yamani Wild Mage - thanks!

Ankle - sorry about that! ;)

Romm - oh there is still plenty of fluffy romance in it... plus the drama :)