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!

This chapter is edited for FF.net to meet with R ratings. The orginal chapter could perhaps fall into the NC-17 catagory. For the original chapter please visit my site or other sites listed in my profile.

Hidden Truths

Chapter 22

The Great Hall was decorated in full Christmas spirit. Small tables lined the walls and left the centre of the Hall for dancing. Candles floated in the air, large Christmas trees were in the four corners. They sparkled and glowed the festive colors. It was full of Yuletide feelings - exactly what Severus hated and he commented on it when Dumbledore asked how he liked it. The dance was in full swing for an hour already. He had spotted Hermione several times throughout the night. She was dressed in cream colored dress robes with gold trim. When he first saw her, he told her, telepathically, *You, my love, look like an angel.*

~Thank you Severus.~ Hermione replied with a look of love for him.

Severus was looking forward to after the ball. He set his chambers up to resemble the Great Hall to a lesser degree and with more taste. He wanted to give Hermione a Ball with only two attendees. He asked Hermione's mother for some of Hermione's favorite Christmas songs and love songs. Severus made sure to ask this question without being in hearing range of Reed though. Reed may approve of him, but Severus knew better than to flaunt the fact he was sleeping with the man's daughter. Now in Candace's case she was more open and even appeared to want to give advice. Though Severus knew for a fact Hermione did not need any advice on how to satisfy him - she did very well with her knowledge already. Dumbledore interrupted Severus' train of thought.

"It's time for the student teacher dance. As I am not able to dance tonight Professor Snape will take my place and dance with the Head Girl. Enjoy the Ball!" Dumbledore made to leave, he planned it this way so he could walk with the Grangers more and letting Hermione and Severus dance.

The students looked onto Hermione with sympathy, as she walked over to Severus. Once in his arms, Hermione felt at home, though she hid her smile.

*Enjoying the ball love?"

~Now I am.~

*Would you like to leave early? I just have to make a few rounds then I can come back for you.*

~I think I could live with that, but don't forget you owe me another dance.~

*I remember, but I planned on doing that in private, so we don't have to play our roles for all to see.*

~I'd like that.~

The song was over sooner than either of them would have liked. Severus disengaged from Hermione immediately and left the Great Hall. Hermione went back to her friends and talked. The other Gryffindors asked how she could stand dancing with Severus, Hermione simply answered easily and left it at that. Ron, Harry and Ginny swore to keep the secret. Hermione and Harry talked earlier during the Ball. He was okay with her and Severus and Harry asked her to apologize to Severus about calling him a liar. Harry and Black had a long talk and everything was settled between them.

Harry also told Ron, Ginny and Hermione about the gifts Reed and Candace gave him. It was a book of his father's family - it traced it's family members. It was magical and it updated on it's own when some one died or married or had children. The black velvet box had a ring in it. It was his mother's engagement ring. It was handed down from father to son for future engagements. When Harry first saw it and knew what it was he knew exactly who would be receiving it after she finished school. Though he just said it was his mother's engagement ring not going into detail that it was a family heirloom. The ring was mentioned in the book also. He was going to be spending time looking over the book for his family history.

Thirty minutes later Severus called to Hermione telepathically and they were headed to the dungeons. They were careful walking together, Hermione acted as if she was in trouble and heading to the Professors office. Outside of Severus' chambers, "Close your eyes."

Hermione gave Severus a puzzled look before doing as he requested. She heard him take down the wards and felt herself being guided into his rooms. Hermione's senses were stronger and she could smell pine. Severus stood behind Hermione in the center of the sitting room, which he cleared to give them plenty of room to dance. "Open your eyes."

Hermione opened her eyes to see his chambers dark with a few candles hovering to give a soft glow. There was a small pine tree in a potter sitting in one corner. It was decorated with a few gold, silver, red and green balls and small lights wrapped around it. The fireplace mantel held a few more candles with Christmas decorations. "Oh, Severus..." Hermione gasped.

"This is our own Yuletide Ball." Severus whispered into her ear, waving his wand to start the music. "Dance milady?"

Hermione turned to see his proffered hand; she took it and was within his embrace again dancing. This time she moved closer to him bringing her body flush to his and resting her head on his chest. Severus brought her hand to his chest and covered it with his own. He closed his eyes for a moment relishing the pleasure and peace that came from holding her. When he reopened his eyes they focused only on Hermione, nothing made him feel content as she did. Just holding her would be enough for the rest of his life.

Time passed with Hermione leaning against Severus as they danced. The music was background to his heartbeat she heard. This was how she wanted to spend her life, in his arms, surrounded by their love. Song after song continued to play for the two lovers. They circled around the room oblivious to everything around them; their own world was created just for them by them.

The next song came on. It had a faster beat than the others songs, it matched Severus' heartbeat. Hermione raised her head to look into his eyes. Hips moved, pelvises glided against each other. Hermione could feel his growing length against her soft flesh. With the alluring beat of the music, she teased him with an erotic brush of her body against his. He was now full and hard. Without words she took his hand, interlaced their fingers and lead him to the bedroom.

Severus followed as she pulled him into the bedroom; he shut the door behind them.

~~~~~

The next day was spent with Hermione's friends and parents since they were leaving that day. Hermione left Severus after breakfast, telling her he wanted to work on some potions and for her to enjoy her parents. Severus and Hermione agreed not to tell anyone about the telepathy. They liked having that secret to themselves - they knew her parents wouldn't say anything because they kept it from everyone else also.

Hermione's parents left after dinner and they couldn't wait until she graduated to see her again. The Gryffindor common room was quiet when Hermione, Harry, Ginny and Ron were the only ones left. They decided to play chess with teams. Ladies versus boys, Hermione said. Unfortunately Ron was still the best player and the girls were losing.

"Castle (rook) to D4," Ron said and they watched the castle demolish the bishop.

Hermione and Ginny were whispering together to decide their next move when Hermione was warned of bad news.

*Hermione, I'm being called. Don't do anything until you get the owl from Dumbledore.*

Hermione stopped whispering with Ginny and her smile disappeared, ~Please be careful Severus.~

*I will.*

"Hermione are you all right?" Ginny asked.

Hermione focused her attention back to Ginny, "Yea, just spaced out for a moment."

"Okay, lets do Pawn to F5," Ginny whispered.

"Yea, sounds good." Hermione agreed without knowing what would happen. She wondered if she should go to her room and wait for the owl but her friends knew of her and Severus and she never got around to explaining about helping him. Usually by this time of night she would be in her room studying, but her friends talked her into a game of chess. She decided she would stay and let this information come out. They already knew Severus was called to Voldemort, this little bit of information would be safe.

Fifteen minutes passed before Dumbledore's owl arrived to let her know of the meeting. The owl landed in front of Hermione and she took the letter. The others sat in silence knowing only owls delivered this late at Hogwarts meant it was important. Hermione scanned the letter.

"What is it Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Snape's been called," She didn't say by who, they all knew.

"He lets you know that?" Ron was surprised.

"No, Dumbledore does. I help him when he returns."

"Help him how?" Ginny said this time.

"I heal his wounds." Hermione stood up, "I have to get ready, it's probably going to be extreme tonight," Hermione was headed to her room.

"Hermione, wait, how can we help?" Harry asked, he may not like Snape but he was willing to help if needed.

"You can't, he only lets me. Promise you guys will keep this a secret?" She said with worry.

"Of course. We've taken the wizard's oath on it." Harry answered.

"Why are you helping him?" Ron asked.

Hermione got angry at the question, "How can I not help him? I love him. I helped him before I loved him. He is on our side putting his life in danger for us," she whispered harshly.

"Hermione, I didn't mean it that way. I mean why doesn't he go to the Hospital Wing?"

"Because going there once a week would attract attention."

"Once a week?" Harry muttered.

"Yes, once a week, sometimes twice. I'll explain more tomorrow, I just know tonight will be bad. The last couple of times were only curses. This week will be the knife," Hermione said mostly to herself at the end.

"Go then. And be careful, we'll see you tomorrow." Ginny urged.

"Thanks guys. Sorry Ron, I didn't mean to snap at you."

"It's okay, go!" Ron urged this time.

And Hermione left. Ginny turned to the boys, "Did you guys know about this?"

Both shook their heads.

"Once a week? Curses? A knife? God, what does Snape go through?" Ginny asked in shock.

"Knowing who called him, he probably gets a lot of Crucio," Harry knew for a fact Snape did. Harry's flashes were lasting longer lately and he could tell Snape was usually in bad shape afterwards.

"Now I'm starting to feel sorry for the greasy bastard," Ron whined.



To Be Continued...

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