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

Thank you Corazon for beta reading!

Hidden Truths

Chapter 13

Severus opened the door, letting Hermione walk in first. Before he walked in fully, Hermione said, "Mum, dad!" in surprise. Questions ran through Severus' head like golden snitches. Why were they here? How could they be here? Was Voldemort involved? Before having time to ask more questions silently, Hermione was introducing her parents.

"Professor Snape these are my parents. Reed and Candace Granger. Mum, dad this is my Potions Professor." And lover she added to herself.

"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, pleased to meet you," Severus said trying to be friendlier than usual to strangers. These were Hermione's parents and they were very important to her.

Credit to Hermione's quick mind she realized her parents shouldn't be able to see or enter Hogwarts unless...

"Mum, dad, what are you doing here? How can you be here?"

"Hermione, your father and I have much to tell you. Please, let's sit down, there will be much to explain." Candace guided her daughter to a sitting area arranged in Dumbledore's office.

Severus, feeling like he was intruding turned to Dumbledore, "Albus I shall leave now."

Hermione heard this and wanted to tell him to stay. She had a feeling she would need him. Severus saw the pleading in her eyes and wished he could stay.

"Severus, this will include you, please sit." Dumbledore said before going to sit down himself.

Hermione sat down between her parents on the couch; Dumbledore sat in the chair right to Hermione's front. Severus took the chair directly in front of her giving her view of him and to support her as much as he could and dared in front of her parents.

"Mum, please explain what is going on."

"Hermione, your father and I are not Muggles, but a witch and a wizard."

"But..." Shock was going through Hermione. "Why live as Muggles then?"

"Because of our family history and protection for you." Reed spoke gently to his daughter.

"You have to explain better than that dad," Hermione feeling betrayed by her parents.

"Hermione, you're a pureblood witch and a special one at that."

"Dad, stop with the vague answers and tell me the truth."

"Hermione on your 18th magical birthday..." and the explanations came flooding out.

Hermione sat in silence listening to her mother than her father tell both of their secrets. She would not look at either of her parents as they talked. Her gaze was on the floor in front of her and she would sometimes glance up to see Severus. She could tell he was as surprised as she was by receiving the news about herself. Though he managed to hide it from others, she was able to see little signs mostly behind his eyes about his true emotions. Sometime later her parents were done talking. Silence fell over the office while Hermione took all of it in. Not being able to sit still, she stood up and paced in front of everyone. "My 18th magical birthday?"

"Yes," Candace answered.

"Cousins?" Hermione directed the question to her father.

"Yes," Reed answered.

Hermione felt claustrophobic. "I need to get out of here." And she left with a quick glance to her lover.

Her parents didn't try to stop her, but asked Dumbledore, "What should we do?"

"Give her a few minutes." To Severus: "Please bring Hermione back."

Severus nodded and left. He was grateful to leave and have a few minutes with Hermione. He quickly descended the stairs and planned to run in whatever direction he thought she might have went to, but near the bottom of the stairs stood Hermione. She didn't even look at him and walked to the closest deserted classroom. Severus shut the door placing locking and silencing charms. He turned back to Hermione and she buried her face into his chest and he let her cry. Even though he despised tears this was very different.

The shock, anger and feeling of betrayal warred within Hermione as she cried on Severus. Her arms grasped onto him tightly. After a few minutes she stopped crying, it was more of a tension release than actual pain that caused her to cry. She pulled herself from Severus' arms and wiped her face and folded her arms defensively. "You hate me don't you?" She asked with a broken heart.

That was not what Severus was expecting and didn't know what to say but ask, "Why would I hate you?"

"Because you hated Harry's father."

"Hermione, my angel, you could be Potter's daughter for all I care. I love you and I don't hate you," Severus cupped her face with both palms and brought his lips to hers to show her his love.

Hermione's arms unfolded and were around Severus' waist pulling him to her, trying to seek as much comfort as possible. Severus pulled Hermione into a tight hug breaking the kiss. "Hermione, never doubt my love for you. I could never hate you."

"Thank you," she whispered.

"I can't believe my parents lied to me my whole life. It's all a lie."

Severus pulled back just enough to look in her eyes, "No Hermione it isn't. Your parents did what they had to, to keep you alive. For which I am very thankful. I know this is a shock to you but they are still your parents who love you dearly."

Hermione thought back on her childhood. When she was little, strange things would happen and she always thought that she would be blamed and get in trouble, but her parents believed her when she said she didn't know how something happened. And when she got her letter from Hogwarts they fully supported her and encouraged her in magic. They never tried to hinder her. "You're right again Severus."

"Of course I am Angel," he grinned. "We need to get back. I was sent out to get you."

Hermione kissed Severus before they left and returned to the office. Upon entering, the three adults were standing, "What do we do now?" Hermione asked.

The Grangers hugged their daughter tightly for a moment.

Dumbledore finally answered Hermione's question, "You and your parents will be staying in a private suite. I must ask you to stay in the castle until your birthday."

"What about my friends? What do I tell them?"

"That your parents are here for a visit and you do not want to leave the castle. Over the next few days you may all have your meals in the suite." Dumbledore turned to Severus, "Severus I must request you attend the meals with them because if it occurs while the other students are there, they may not listen to Mr. and Mrs. Granger, but they will listen to you. Besides meals alone, some of your time may want to be spent in the suite too. You will be helping to place shields to protect Hermione and those around her."

Severus would have to thank Dumbledore in private later for this, "Certainly Headmaster."

"Thank you. Reed, Candace, I will try to attend and be near by when it occurs, but I trust Professor Snape to handle it if I'm not there in time. I will have Fawkes in the suite so when it happens he will notify me immediately."

"Thank you Albus." Reed said gratefully.

"Severus, I'll be connecting a Floo between the Grangers suite and your chambers, will this be acceptable to you?"

"Yes."

"Very well, let me show your suite."



To Be Continued...
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