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 21
When Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room she found Ron and Ginny were sitting in front of the fire. She walked over to them and sat down, "Hi guys."
"Hi, Hermione," both of them greeted her.
"Why him?" Ron asked after a second of thought.
"Because I love him," Hermione simply explained, hoping Ron wouldn't cause trouble. He didn't this morning, which she was grateful for. "Ron, your one of my best friends but no matter what I say to explain to you why I love him will be good enough. So, I'm asking you to please just try to accept it and be happy for me." Hermione spoke softly.
"I'll try, but if he ever does anything to hurt you I'll curse his arse."
"You would have to take a number, I would be first in line," Hermione grinned.
Ron smiled, "At least let me watch then."
"Deal," turning to Ginny, "How about you Ginny?"
"Are you happy?"
"Yes."
"That's all that matters. We may not like him but we saw he cares for you last night." Ginny said.
"Thank you guys!" Hermione hugged them both.
"Have you seen Harry?" Ginny asked a bit worried. She wanted to be there for him, but knew he needed time alone with Black.
"No, I take it he's not back?"
"We haven't seen him since he left the suite." Ron said.
"I guess he's still with Snuffles. They don't get much time together and want to spend what they can," Hermione reasoned.
"Let's go get some lunch, I'm hungry." Ron suggested.
"You've been eating candy all morning, how can you be hungry?" Ginny asked.
"Ginny, he's a bottomless pit," Hermione teased.
The three friends went to the Great Hall for lunch. After lunch they played exploding snap for a little while. It was a bit before two and Hermione realized she had to go. She explained that her Mum wanted to see her, they already knew the reason why. She knew she didn't tell her Mum a time, but Hermione assumed she would be finished with tea by now. Hermione made her way back to the suite when she entered and found her parents and Severus talking. Hermione was glad to see Severus wasn't mad at her Dad for what he said about Black, it's not like they would see eye to eye on everything.
"Hi, guys." Hermione voiced sitting down next to Severus.
"Have a good afternoon angel?" Severus asked after her parents said hi.
"Yes."
"I take it the Weasleys have accepted your decision?"
"They accept it, but Ron warned if you hurt me he'll curse you," Hermione teased.
"Like he'll be able to and what did you say?" Severus was curious.
"I said he would have to get in line behind me."
"And me." Reed joined in with a protective fatherly voice.
"Reed, no offense but I'm more scare of Hermione's threat. I've seen her temper and heard what she's done to a Malfoy only at 14." Severus said in a deadpan tone, but Hermione heard the slight humor.
"What did she do to Malfoy?" Candace asked.
"Rumor has it she has force behind her slaps," Severus teased.
"Hermione, you slapped Malfoy?" Reed looked incredulous.
"He made me mad," Hermione justified.
"Dear, your daughter has your temper," Reed directed to his wife.
"Your temper? I've never seen you get that mad." Hermione said.
"And you don't want to dear, but I can vouch for it myself. I've been on the receiving end of her ire." Looking to Severus with sympathy, "Severus I would have to say I pity you now. You have to go through the learning experience to gage her temper."
"You sound serious." Severus said trying to determine his mood.
"Because I am. If she ever draws her wand on you apologize that instant."
"But curses don't effect me anymore," Severus said cautiously.
"We believe if Hermione is mad enough she can break through it on you," Candace was smirking.
Severus looked at Hermione who was grinning evilly, "Don't even think about it Hermione." Severus warned.
"I have no idea what you're talking about Severus," she innocently said, but her eyes were dancing with mirth.
"Candace, would this apply to both of us?"
"We don't think so."
"God, what have I gotten myself into?" Severus muttered.
"Relax Severus, it's not like I can curse you anytime I want and besides even if you piss me off I wouldn't hurt you... too much and I wouldn't be using a wand I can tell you."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because it's just the way I am," Hermione answered.
"She's definitely your daughter," Reed laughed.
Candace was grinning ear to ear and Hermione was smirking at Severus. Severus was looking at the Grangers and Hermione with an eye of caution and suspicion. Hermione just smiled more and kissed him on the cheek, "Relax love."
"I don't think that will be possible around you anymore."
Hermione turned away from Severus and thought, 'We'll see about that later tonight.'
Severus snapped his head back to Hermione not believing she just said that. "Hermione.." a whisper, "discretion please!"
Hermione turned to Severus with confusion, "What are you talking about?"
Severus stole a peek at the Grangers and whispered, "What you just said."
"I didn't say anything," Hermione looked at Severus as if he lost his mind.
Whispering in her ear, "I quote, 'We'll see about that later tonight'."
"I didn't say that out loud! I thought that."
"It seems the linking is working sooner than expected."
Severus and Hermione turned their attention back to Candace, "Linking?" Both asked.
"Did you perform 'amo animus'?" Candace asked.
"Yes," Hermione answered tentatively.
"How did you find it so soon?"
"I've known about it for a month."
"You were planning to use it before you knew the truth?" Candace was surprised.
"Why is something wrong?"
"No, usually the witches in our family take a month to find it after we identity our true love. And then a week for the linking to take place. But I didn't think you would find 'amo animus' until after the change," Candace explained.
"Why does that happen?"
"When our witches find love we have the urge to find something stronger than the marriage bond. So we do the 'amo animus' and after that bond usually a week passes before linking between you and your love takes place. By linking I mean you telepathic with one another."
"And this was the last surprise right?"
"Yes, when did you do the ceremony?"
"This morning after opening presents," Hermione blushed.
"This morning? How deep was the connection?" Candace asked.
"Unanimis." Hermione answered.
"Interesting. While your mother and I are soul mates we didn't receive that." Reed commented.
"I think I missing something here," Hermione stated.
"Hermione, I thought you knew this?" Severus asked.
"I researched it in the library and asked Dumbledore to help me with it."
"Albus didn't give you the book he had on it?" Severus pondered.
"No, please explain to me what this means."
"Unanimis is the highest level you can achieve with 'amo animus'. There are three levels. Amor, Spiritus, and Unanimis." Severus told her.
"Mum, Dad what are you?" Hermione asked.
"Spiritus. Soul mates, rarely anyone ever gets Unanimis." Reed said.
"That would explain why it was only a few hours before the effects to a hold of you, being of one mind, Unanimis, makes the bond stronger between you." Candace said.
~Well this shall be interesting.~ Hermione said to Severus telepathically.
*Yes it will.* Severus agreed.
"I believe now would be a good time to teach you several techniques to control your magic," Candace said.
Candace, Hermione and Severus moved to the dining room. Candace shrunk the table to move it out of the way; she put up a few shields to prevent damage. "You both did wandless magic last night, when you did it, did it feel simple enough like you would have used a wand?"
"Yes," both answered.
"So now when you use a wand, the power will be more focused and powerful. We're going to do some simple wand charms so you know how much magic there is behind you now. I would recommend you practice later on though."
"We will." Severus said.
"You will want to learn to dodge curses. We have managed to keep the secret in the family and those around us we trust, I ask you to do the same. Practicing shields will help also."
"We'll have to find a large enough room." Hermione said to Severus.
"I'll speak with Albus."
"Now lets get started."
Over the next hour Hermione and Severus learned different ways to control their new magical strength. Both were able to learn it fast and move on to the next techniques. After the lessons Hermione left to get ready for the Ball.
To Be Continued...
Several people have asked about the items Reed gave Harry... I added more about those gifts in the next chapter. Sorry for any confusion.
Thank you Corazon for all your help and advice with this story and beta reading it!
Hidden Truths
Chapter 21
When Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room she found Ron and Ginny were sitting in front of the fire. She walked over to them and sat down, "Hi guys."
"Hi, Hermione," both of them greeted her.
"Why him?" Ron asked after a second of thought.
"Because I love him," Hermione simply explained, hoping Ron wouldn't cause trouble. He didn't this morning, which she was grateful for. "Ron, your one of my best friends but no matter what I say to explain to you why I love him will be good enough. So, I'm asking you to please just try to accept it and be happy for me." Hermione spoke softly.
"I'll try, but if he ever does anything to hurt you I'll curse his arse."
"You would have to take a number, I would be first in line," Hermione grinned.
Ron smiled, "At least let me watch then."
"Deal," turning to Ginny, "How about you Ginny?"
"Are you happy?"
"Yes."
"That's all that matters. We may not like him but we saw he cares for you last night." Ginny said.
"Thank you guys!" Hermione hugged them both.
"Have you seen Harry?" Ginny asked a bit worried. She wanted to be there for him, but knew he needed time alone with Black.
"No, I take it he's not back?"
"We haven't seen him since he left the suite." Ron said.
"I guess he's still with Snuffles. They don't get much time together and want to spend what they can," Hermione reasoned.
"Let's go get some lunch, I'm hungry." Ron suggested.
"You've been eating candy all morning, how can you be hungry?" Ginny asked.
"Ginny, he's a bottomless pit," Hermione teased.
The three friends went to the Great Hall for lunch. After lunch they played exploding snap for a little while. It was a bit before two and Hermione realized she had to go. She explained that her Mum wanted to see her, they already knew the reason why. She knew she didn't tell her Mum a time, but Hermione assumed she would be finished with tea by now. Hermione made her way back to the suite when she entered and found her parents and Severus talking. Hermione was glad to see Severus wasn't mad at her Dad for what he said about Black, it's not like they would see eye to eye on everything.
"Hi, guys." Hermione voiced sitting down next to Severus.
"Have a good afternoon angel?" Severus asked after her parents said hi.
"Yes."
"I take it the Weasleys have accepted your decision?"
"They accept it, but Ron warned if you hurt me he'll curse you," Hermione teased.
"Like he'll be able to and what did you say?" Severus was curious.
"I said he would have to get in line behind me."
"And me." Reed joined in with a protective fatherly voice.
"Reed, no offense but I'm more scare of Hermione's threat. I've seen her temper and heard what she's done to a Malfoy only at 14." Severus said in a deadpan tone, but Hermione heard the slight humor.
"What did she do to Malfoy?" Candace asked.
"Rumor has it she has force behind her slaps," Severus teased.
"Hermione, you slapped Malfoy?" Reed looked incredulous.
"He made me mad," Hermione justified.
"Dear, your daughter has your temper," Reed directed to his wife.
"Your temper? I've never seen you get that mad." Hermione said.
"And you don't want to dear, but I can vouch for it myself. I've been on the receiving end of her ire." Looking to Severus with sympathy, "Severus I would have to say I pity you now. You have to go through the learning experience to gage her temper."
"You sound serious." Severus said trying to determine his mood.
"Because I am. If she ever draws her wand on you apologize that instant."
"But curses don't effect me anymore," Severus said cautiously.
"We believe if Hermione is mad enough she can break through it on you," Candace was smirking.
Severus looked at Hermione who was grinning evilly, "Don't even think about it Hermione." Severus warned.
"I have no idea what you're talking about Severus," she innocently said, but her eyes were dancing with mirth.
"Candace, would this apply to both of us?"
"We don't think so."
"God, what have I gotten myself into?" Severus muttered.
"Relax Severus, it's not like I can curse you anytime I want and besides even if you piss me off I wouldn't hurt you... too much and I wouldn't be using a wand I can tell you."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because it's just the way I am," Hermione answered.
"She's definitely your daughter," Reed laughed.
Candace was grinning ear to ear and Hermione was smirking at Severus. Severus was looking at the Grangers and Hermione with an eye of caution and suspicion. Hermione just smiled more and kissed him on the cheek, "Relax love."
"I don't think that will be possible around you anymore."
Hermione turned away from Severus and thought, 'We'll see about that later tonight.'
Severus snapped his head back to Hermione not believing she just said that. "Hermione.." a whisper, "discretion please!"
Hermione turned to Severus with confusion, "What are you talking about?"
Severus stole a peek at the Grangers and whispered, "What you just said."
"I didn't say anything," Hermione looked at Severus as if he lost his mind.
Whispering in her ear, "I quote, 'We'll see about that later tonight'."
"I didn't say that out loud! I thought that."
"It seems the linking is working sooner than expected."
Severus and Hermione turned their attention back to Candace, "Linking?" Both asked.
"Did you perform 'amo animus'?" Candace asked.
"Yes," Hermione answered tentatively.
"How did you find it so soon?"
"I've known about it for a month."
"You were planning to use it before you knew the truth?" Candace was surprised.
"Why is something wrong?"
"No, usually the witches in our family take a month to find it after we identity our true love. And then a week for the linking to take place. But I didn't think you would find 'amo animus' until after the change," Candace explained.
"Why does that happen?"
"When our witches find love we have the urge to find something stronger than the marriage bond. So we do the 'amo animus' and after that bond usually a week passes before linking between you and your love takes place. By linking I mean you telepathic with one another."
"And this was the last surprise right?"
"Yes, when did you do the ceremony?"
"This morning after opening presents," Hermione blushed.
"This morning? How deep was the connection?" Candace asked.
"Unanimis." Hermione answered.
"Interesting. While your mother and I are soul mates we didn't receive that." Reed commented.
"I think I missing something here," Hermione stated.
"Hermione, I thought you knew this?" Severus asked.
"I researched it in the library and asked Dumbledore to help me with it."
"Albus didn't give you the book he had on it?" Severus pondered.
"No, please explain to me what this means."
"Unanimis is the highest level you can achieve with 'amo animus'. There are three levels. Amor, Spiritus, and Unanimis." Severus told her.
"Mum, Dad what are you?" Hermione asked.
"Spiritus. Soul mates, rarely anyone ever gets Unanimis." Reed said.
"That would explain why it was only a few hours before the effects to a hold of you, being of one mind, Unanimis, makes the bond stronger between you." Candace said.
~Well this shall be interesting.~ Hermione said to Severus telepathically.
*Yes it will.* Severus agreed.
"I believe now would be a good time to teach you several techniques to control your magic," Candace said.
Candace, Hermione and Severus moved to the dining room. Candace shrunk the table to move it out of the way; she put up a few shields to prevent damage. "You both did wandless magic last night, when you did it, did it feel simple enough like you would have used a wand?"
"Yes," both answered.
"So now when you use a wand, the power will be more focused and powerful. We're going to do some simple wand charms so you know how much magic there is behind you now. I would recommend you practice later on though."
"We will." Severus said.
"You will want to learn to dodge curses. We have managed to keep the secret in the family and those around us we trust, I ask you to do the same. Practicing shields will help also."
"We'll have to find a large enough room." Hermione said to Severus.
"I'll speak with Albus."
"Now lets get started."
Over the next hour Hermione and Severus learned different ways to control their new magical strength. Both were able to learn it fast and move on to the next techniques. After the lessons Hermione left to get ready for the Ball.
To Be Continued...
Several people have asked about the items Reed gave Harry... I added more about those gifts in the next chapter. Sorry for any confusion.
