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

Thank you Corazon for all your help and advice with this story and beta reading it!

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Warning!!!! I gave several warnings this was/is AU (Another/Alternate Universe) story... it will be seen as such in this chapter. If you have a problem with it... don't tell me! Because I gave fair warning at least three times :) Have a good day!

Hidden Truths

Chapter 15

Surprised with what Dumbledore found, "No he's alive."

McGonagall said sternly, "I'll get Poppy." And she started for the door.

"No, Minerva." Dumbledore commands.

"Albus what is going on?" she demanded.

"I'll explain in a minute." Dumbledore then floated Severus and Hermione's bodies to one of the couches. More chairs were conjured up for everyone to sit down. "I'll let Candace begin."

A nod was given for acknowledgement. "Hermione's father and I, we are a wizard and witch. In my family line the witches on their 18th magical birthday have a growth spur, you could call it of our magic." Candace left much out.

"Why did Hermione say she was muggleborn?" Harry asked.

"Because she thought she was. We just told Hermione our true history three days ago."

"Why live as Muggles?" Ginny asked.

"Because we had to protect Hermione from Voldemort," Reed answered.

Ron and McGonagall winced at the name. More questions were asked and answered although they were censored. McGonagall brought up Severus, "Why was Severus with Ms. Granger?"

Everyone looked to Dumbledore and he simply answered, "They are a couple."

Before anyone could ask more questions they turned their sight to Severus and Hermione who were both waking up. Hermione snuggled into Severus. Harry and Ron were the closest to them and they got their first and started to ask how she was feeling, trying to pull her off Severus by tapping her shoulder. Hermione just buried her head deeper into Severus' chest.

"Back off!" Severus yelled at the two boys and they were thrown off their feet a few yards backward. Shock was written on everyone's faces. Dumbledore looked to Candace and Reed. Turning to the three students, "Do you three on a wizard's oath agree never to tell anyone what took place here?" The three numbly swore to it, knowing the wizard's oath was if you betrayed the oath you would lose all your magical abilities and memory.

"Please go back to your tower."

Harry and Ron started to argue, but were ordered to leave. "You may come back tomorrow morning, your presents will be needed here. Now go please." The three Gryffindors said their goodbyes and left grudgingly.

Dumbledore looked to Candace, "What happened?"

"My best guess is Professor Snape has received some of Hermione's powers."

"How?"

"I don't know."

"Powers?" McGonagall inquired.

Everyone was sitting, again the Grangers on one couch opposite of Severus and Hermione. Dumbledore and McGonagall sat in the two oversized chairs. "With Hermione's new growth of magical powers other things occurred within her. She will be able to do wandless magic with ease and block some curses and hexes. We do not know to which extent yet. Hermione's experience was more intense and she had the Professor with her. A Seer in my family warned us Hermione would be the strongest of all the witches ever in my line," Candace explained completely.

"Minerva, we left this out because of the others. It is best that limited people knew of Hermione's true strength."

"I certainly understand Albus."

"Hermione how do you feel?" The Headmaster asked.

"All right."

"And you Severus?"

"The same," Severus had his arm around Hermione, holding her close.

Dumbledore asked Hermione then Severus to do simple wandless magic. Both were able to do it with ease as predicted. "Hermione I hate to do this, but we must know how powerful you are," Dumbledore explained. Hermione stood up and away from everyone. Curses were thrown at her, one stronger than the previous, they had no effect on her. Dumbledore stopped, surprised he just threw the strongest curse except the Unforgivables at her and they didn't effect her in the least. Dumbledore asked the same of Severus and the situation repeated itself.

The Grangers were quite surprised.

"This has never happened before," Candace murmured.

"Has anyone ever been near the witch during the change before?" Severus asked sitting back down next to Hermione as she leaned into him.

"Yes and everyone has died."

"Hermione, why did you call to Severus?" Dumbledore asked.

"Because I needed him," Hermione explained.

"But you knew why we put shields up and you still called for him."

"I just knew he would be safe and he was able to reduce the pain."

"Albus, will you try Imperius?" Severus asked suddenly.

Most were surprised by the request, but Dumbledore was not. "I must ask all of you not to say anything if I do, agreed?"

The others agreed and Severus stood back up and waited. Dumbledore faced Severus with wand drawn, "Imperio." Dumbledore told Severus to sit down mentally.

And Severus sat down.

Dumbledore broke off the curse and Severus stood up once again saying, "Again, I'll use a shield this time."

Dumbledore nodded.

Severus took his wand and whispered, "Visadlio."

Dumbledore threw the curse and told Severus to sit down again; he didn't obey. Dumbledore tried another command it didn't work. Dumbledore smirked. "You blocked it."

"Try Cruciatus," Severus said.

Hermione stood up, "No."

The others watched in silence as Severus and Hermione stared at each other. "Hermione, we need to know how much protection there is."

"Severus."

"It will be only for a second," Severus soothed her.

Hermione conceded, she knew Severus would not give it up, "All right."

Severus nodded to Dumbledore. With the shield in place Dumbledore threw the painful curse. To the relief of all it had no effect. Hermione walked over to Severus to hear him muttering, "I wonder if the killing curse can be deflected too."

Hermione whispered back with force, "We are not going to find out."

For only Hermione to hear, Severus spoke, "I know love, I'm just curious."

"Good," she kissed him on the cheek chastely. "Headmaster, please test Imperius on me."

Severus moved to the side as Dumbledore threw the curse. Hermione didn't put up a shield like the others thought she would, but the curse had no effect. "Cruciatus please," Hermione said.

"NO!" was yelled from three different people. Severus, Candace and Reed.

Hermione simply said, "We have to find out."

"Hermione," Severus whispered in a plead.

"Severus, we need to."

Severus looked into Hermione's eyes and saw the same stubbornness he showed, "All right."

Hermione nodded to Dumbledore and waited.

Dumbledore raised his wand again and with worry but force because he knew Hermione was correct, they had to know. "Crucio!"

Five pair of eyes watched in amazement as Hermione just smiled.

Dumbledore put away his wand, "This has turned out more unusual than Hogwarts is used to."

"Is that good or bad, Professor?" Hermione asked lightly.

"I believe in this case good. But I believe it is time for me to take leave. Minerva, shall I walk you to your chambers?" Dumbledore said knowing the other four had to talk.

"Please do. Mr. Mrs. Granger it was nice meeting you. I hope to meet again under different circumstances," McGonagall said.

"Hermione's graduation ceremony would certainly be a better time." Candace offered.

"I look forward to it, goodnight."

Pleasantries were said and soon the older witch and wizard left. Severus and Hermione were again sitting on the couch, but not much more touching except legs, hips and shoulders. Hermione's parents retook their place on the opposite couch.

"Mum, dad, are you mad?"



To Be Continued...
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tomato - I've jumped off enough cliffs! I'm not a total cliffy freak... um ignore the previous cliffhanger I just gave you though... if you want to call it a cliffhanger lol

Gemz - Yep secret it out! Hmmm... how will they react? Uh I can't say yet! That's next chapter hehe. Harry and Ron um that's next chapter too! hehe

Selania - Now did you honestly believe I would make Severus die? How could I ever do that to him!? *chestchire grin*

Lindsey - Thank you!

DragonFireAngelVWP - I did that because... well it was running long and I needed to end the chapter somewhere >;)

Tabii - thanks!

Daria-B - hehe But I usually update within a few days as you know lol. Soon is not long for me usually! Energy pills didn't work today.. my friend and I took them at the end of work we were DRAGGING! lol

Serpena - I wish I had your job! I got a new cell phone where I can get my AOL email on it and other email if I wish... even chat AIM and Yahoo Messenger but I found out I can't even use it without getting in trouble at work probably because owner doesn't like anyone using a cell... even on break! :( I don't get paid enough tho! hehe

Romm - this chapter should explain some... more shall be explained though!

Rowa Dreams - sorry for confusing you so much...but I promise all shall be cleared up!

Bitc-of-da-world - Severus dead?! Of course not! :)

dama-de-tinieblas - Thank you!

Anarane Anwamane - thanks! Will do!

Athame-Wolf - thank you!

cosmicangel2001 - Sev is perfectly all right :) or at least he usually is before Hermione gets her hands on him! hehe sorry my mind is in the gutter hehe

fairymagic689 - thank you! Naw Severus is in good shape!

Joani - thank you! Well I figure it's lonely being the only one crazy I wanted a few people to join me so I drove them crazy ;)

Claire Bear Blondie - Sorry! I let you know kinda what happens just not why and the outcome of it yet..or I did with this chapter at least some! :)

Yamani Wild Mage - the next few chapters will definitely clear it all up! Nope I was not kidding... at least I gave fair warning ;)

Samhain - LOL thank you!

DeviousSSA - sorry about the cliffy ;) and more updates soon again I promise!

Tracy - I hate cliffy's too... when I'm reading other fics hehe evil ain't I? lol I'll post again soon I promise

Lagaz - thanks for the review.. You'll have to read it to find out who she is cousins with... most think it is Harry I'm sure... but you never know twists are fun in stories! hehe

Sohma Kai - thank you!

NotQuiteFamous - correct :)

Ally - A lot of people seem to be confused... I hope this cleared some of it up at least... more to come I promise!