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!

Hidden Truths

Chapter 19

"Potter?"

"Hermione, tell him the rest," Reed said.

Hermione smiled, she had been wanting to tell Harry ever since she found out, but here Dad asked her not to. "Harry we're cousins, third cousins exactly."

"But..." Harry was shocked.

"Harry these belong to you," Reed handed him a book and a small black velvet box. "Happy Christmas."

"Ginny and Ron, we didn't know what to get you for gifts so we hope this will suffice," Candace handed each a small bag.

Ginny and Ron opened their bags. Ron gasped, "There has to be a hundred galleons here."

"Only fifty." Candace smiled.

Ginny looked pale, "Mrs. Granger thank you but we can't accept this."

Even though Ron wanted to he knew Ginny was right. "Ginny's right," and handed the closed bag back, Ginny did the same.

"We understand." Candace gave the money to Hermione with a wink.

Hermione smiled and threw each bag back to the Weasleys, "Happy Christmas guys."

"But we can't," Ron exclaimed.

"Yes you can, it's from a friend. And I won't take no for an answer," Hermione firmly said.

"But..." Ginny started.

"I'll hex both of you if you don't take it," Hermione teased twirling her wand.

"Hermione, you know no hexing other students unless supervised by a dueling master," Severus drawled, "and a professor."

"But you're here so can you supervise?" Hermione smirked.

Ron and Ginny looked at Hermione wondering if she was serious.

"True. Watch your magic, you know you have to learn to control your power now. You may continue."

Ron and Ginny paled again. Hermione was serious and had permission from a professor. "But there's no dueling master." Ginny tried.

"Yes there is," three voices rang out.

"Mum, Dad?" Hermione asked. She already knew Severus was a dueling master.

"Surprise," Candace said.

But Reed was focused on Harry. Harry ignored the whole interaction while looking at the book and ring in the velvet box. Everyone was paying attention to him again. "My Dad and you?"

"Yes Harry."

"Why didn't I live with you?" Harry asked with sadness.

"I didn't know until Hermione told me after first year," Reed explained.

"But after that."

"I tried, the Ministry wouldn't have it."

"The Ministry fouls up again," Severus muttered.

"Yes, they say that Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived will be our savior yet they make the worst mistakes by him. Starting with Sirius Black," Reed growled.

"You know about him?"

"Yes. I knew he was innocent when I learned about him after your third year. James told me Sirius was telling him to use Peter as his secret keeper. Sirius would never have betrayed your father."

Hermione felt Severus go tense and scowl at the mention of Black. She only knew what Severus told them on the night Peter escaped. She would have to ask for the rest of the story, she knew there had to be more. She placed her hand over his and interlaced their fingers. Hermione felt a small kiss on her neck as gratitude.

"Hermione, did you tell them everything?" Harry asked.

"No, it wasn't my place."

"What is there to tell?" Reed asked.

"I'm in contact with Sirius. He is helping fight Voldemort."

"Good. He is a good man, despite the few mistakes as a teenager," Reed looked cautiously at Severus.

Severus tried to be quiet. He really did. "Mistake? The man nearly gets me killed, Potter has to save me and Black is accused of making a mistake."

"You're lying Snape!" Harry shouted standing up.

Severus stood also; Hermione followed suit hoping she didn't have to get between her lover and best friend.

"He's not lying."

All attention was on the new person who walked in.

"But he has to be," Harry almost begged not wanting to believe.

"Severus is telling the truth," Dumbledore said.

"What happened?" Harry asked sounding like a lost child.

"That is for Severus and Sirius to tell only," Dumbledore said.

Harry turned to Severus, "Professor, will you please tell me what happened?"

Severus looked at Harry for a moment than at Hermione. Severus was hesitant about telling what happened. Hermione didn't know why Severus was staring at her as if he was afraid of something.

"Severus, she'll understand," Reed said behind Hermione.

Severus glanced at Reed before looking at Hermione again. He turned to Harry muttering, "I hope so." Only Hermione heard him. "Black and I were both interested in a girl, a Ravenclaw. We agreed to duel and loser backs off. There was no place to duel on campus. Black said he knew of a passageway to the Shrieking Shack, so we went. That night turned out to be a full moon. Black knew this. Potter pulled me back into the hole before Lupin was able to attack."

"He wouldn't have done that, he probably forgot it was the full moon."

"He knew," Severus growled.

"You're lying."

"Harry he is not."

Harry turned to the voice, "Why Sirius?"



To Be Continued...

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