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 23

Red eyes peered down at Severus, who was withering in pain from the Cruciatus Curse. Voldemort stopped the curse, "Ssevverus, why do you keep returning to me?"

"Because.. I'm loyal.. to you Master," Severus gasped out.

"We shall see. Crucio!"

Severus had already been stabbed twice, in the ribs and leg. He was grateful now the other curses were immune to him, but he faked them. The bad part was Voldemort was using Cruciatus more than usual. Severus felt this had to be a major test to warrant such abuse. Being physically held down and beaten left him with a few cracked ribs, a black eye, and a broken nose again along with numerous of other injuries. He hated the thought of Hermione having to see him like this, and the games weren't completed yet.

More curses, another stab in the same leg and a few more kicks to his midsection were given to Severus before the games ended. "Until next time Severus."

Severus took a moment to concentrate on Hogwarts gates and he apparated in front of them. He tried to stand but the Cruciatus was leaving his body uncooperative. He rested a moment to let some of the after effects wear off. After a few minutes he was finally able to stand. But walking very far was not possible without breaks. He knew he needed to hurry because the blood loss was getting bad. Severus had one option, call for help and he thank God again for Hermione.

*Hermione, I need your help.*

~Where are you?~

Severus could hear the panic in her voice, *By the gates.*

~Wait there.~

Severus could see the door of the castle open and see Hermione running to him. Within a few minutes, she was by his side helping him walk. "Severus why is it so bad? I expected a stab but not three. And the protection from curses should have helped." Hermione could see the three blood soaked rips in his clothes.

"He used the Crucio more than the others," Severus muttered.

"I'm going to kill him," Hermione whispered with true hatred.

"I'll help you."

"Hush love, we'll plan his demise later," and Hermione helped Severus get to his chambers and proceeded to heal his wounds. After she was done she put on a nightshirt and slept with her arms around him.

~~~~~

Severus woke up to see Hermione watching him, he could tell something was wrong, "What's wrong Angel?"

"I just hate seeing you come home looking like you do. How can we defeat him? He's ruining everyone's lives."

"Give it time love, once he is dead people will be free from him."

"What about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Will you ever be free of him?"

Severus was quiet and just looked at Hermione.

"Severus, when this is over promise me you'll forgive yourself for your past," Hermione spoke softly.

"Hermione, I've caused so much pain in my life, I don't think it can ever be forgiven," Severus said in detached emotion.

"If you can't forgive yourself than I forgive you," Hermione said with conviction than kissed him.

~~~~~

Later that morning Hermione entered the common room looking for her friends. She had stayed with Severus and had breakfast, receiving comfort knowing he was all right. Hermione spotted her friends over near the fireplace and walked over to them. After a round of 'hi's' they started their questions.

"How is he?" Ginny asked carefully with people around.

"He's all right. Let's go to my room. We need privacy," Hermione said.

The four friends went to her room and settled down to talk. They ended up on her bed with Ginny wrapped in Harry's arms leaning against a bedpost. Ron sat on the edge looking at Hermione who sat at the end of the bed with her back to the wall relaxing a bit.

"How bad was it last night?" Harry asked.

"Pretty bad, it was worse than I've ever seen. Voldemort," Ron winced at the name, "stabbed him three times and Cruciatus was used more than usual."

"How long has he been doing this?" Ginny asked.

"Since he came back."

"Why does Snape keep going when he knows he is going to be beaten?" Ron asked.

"Because he's trying to get the Dark Lord to trust him again so he can get vital information, so we can defeat him one day."

"This is all my fault," Harry muttered.

"No it's not!" "You're wrong Harry!" Ginny and Hermione yelled at once.

"It's Voldemort's fault. And we will defeat him, it's just going to take unity," Hermione said further.

"Hermione's right. Together we can defeat him," Ron urged.

"How did you start to help him, Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"It was the night Ron and I were doing the joke, but I backed out and was heading to the tower and I took the long way. I was in the Entrance Hall and saw Snape come in and I helped him. He fought me about it at first but gave in. I was wearing the Glamoure Charm at the time. After I left his quarters and went to see Dumbledore. I told him what happened and from there Dumbledore would tell me when Snape was called and I would help him."

"But that night was the beginning of the year!"

"I know."

"You've been keeping it from us this long," Ron complained.

"I had to, I promised."

"Ron, she's right. It's not like we would have understood," Harry explained.

"True," Ron said dejectedly.

"Let's go do something fun," Hermione suggested. She was tired of being depressed.

"Quidditch!" Ron yelped.

Hermione smirked and agreed. The friends left to play Quidditch and tried to have fun.

~~~~~

The rest of the Christmas vacation was spent trying to forget the bad for the little time they could. Hermione spent her day with her friends or studying, much to their dismay. At night she ended up in Severus' arms, but always after hours. They would stay awake in bed and talk or make love. The time they had together they cherished.

~~~~~

It was Monday morning when classes started again and the 7th year Gryffindors and Slytherins were in Potions class. Harry and Ron knew Severus would be the same bastard as always but they knew him better now since they understood why he was such a bastard. Anyone would be mean if they had to deal with Voldemort on a regular basis.

Severus wasn't in class yet and Pansy Parkinson decided to take advantage of this fact. "Mudblood, I heard your family was killed before Christmas, too bad you weren't with them."

Hermione turned to face Parkinson, "Parkinson, is your imagination going wild on you again? Maybe we should ship you to St. Mungo's Psyche ward," Hermione spat back.

"Watch it Granger before you learn what Cruciatus feels like," Parkinson sneered.

Hermione just smirked, "I'd like to see you try it."

Parkinson started for her wand.

"What is going on here?" Severus purred dangerously.

"Parkinson was just inquiring about my parents," Hermione answered.

Severus sneered at Hermione, "That was thoughtful of you Ms. Parkinson. Five points to Slytherin." Severus walked to his desk as Parkinson went back to her bench. *What really happened?*

~Parkinson said my family was killed before Christmas.~

Severus' head shot up to focus on Hermione for a second. He could tell she was worried. He turned his gaze onto Parkinson and hatred ran through his blood. He tried to save his young Slytherins from the mistakes he did, but most were lost to him. *Dumbledore will know, we can check with him.*

~Thank you.~

Class started, points awarded to Slytherins and deducted from Gryffindors. Hermione went through half the class on remote while her other side schemed a plan to get Parkinson. Now she usually detested such things but Parkinson needed to be taught a lesson. But she would've felt guilty so she told her lover, ~Severus, would you get too mad if I taught Parkinson a lesson?~

*How big of a lesson?*

~Just a little one... two newt's eyes before the tiger claws assuming she does everything else correctly.~

*She has, I've made sure. She's worse than Longbottom is, but I always fix her mistakes. Please proceed, I need a good laugh.*

Hermione smiled. She waited until Parkinson was talking to another Slytherin. She used wandless magic to add two newt's eyes. Hermione waited and watched the Slytherin add three tiger claws. Ten seconds later her cauldron overflowed and with purple smoke. Parkinson, the idiot started to wave her hands wildly clearing the smoke in front of her. The students around her moved away.

"Ms. Parkinson, stop flapping your arms like a chicken," Severus roared over the classroom. "Back away from the potion."

When Parkinson came out of the smoke everyone started to laugh, her face and hands were now a light purple. Even Slytherins were laughing at their housemate.

"Mr. Malfoy, take Ms. Parkinson to the infirmary," Severus commanded.

"Yes, sir," Malfoy did as told and escorted Parkinson out of the room.

"Messrs Potter and Weasley, Ms. Granger, since you find this so amusing you can clean up the mess. Everyone else out!"

The class quickly disappeared leaving the three Gryffindors. Harry and Ron were scowling at Severus. Once everyone was out Harry and Ron started to clean up the mess by hand.

"Messrs Potter and Weasley, what do you think you are doing?" Severus purred after setting up a silence and locking charms.

Keeping their tempers in check, "Cleaning up the mess sir." Harry said through gritted teeth.

Severus looked at Hermione, "Ms. Granger, I thought I told you to clean it up."

Hermione nodded, "Yes, sir." She took out her wand and cleaned it up easily, "Anything else?"

Harry and Ron gawked at her. They knew they were a couple but they never expected to let her get away with using magic to clean up.

"No, but thank you for the entertainment. And don't expect to get away with it next time."

Harry and Ron were baffled by the interaction, but jumped to Hermione's defense, "She didn't do anything. Parkinson screwed up on her own!" Ron said.

Severus glanced at the boys then to Hermione, "Is that so, Ms. Granger? Did those two newt's eyes get into Parkinson's cauldron on their own?"

Hermione smiled, "I didn't touch them."

"See told you!" Ron said triumphantly.

"But I helped them get into the cauldron," Hermione finished.

"You can't give her detention though! Parkinson had it coming for what she said," Harry joined in.

"You are correct Mr. Potter. That is why I allowed Ms. Granger to proceed," Severus smirked.

Both boys' jaws dropped at this.

"Hermione, go to Dumbledore and ask him about your parents. You have enough free time and I'm sure Messrs Potter and Weasley can escort you and miss Divination."

"Thank you Severus," Hermione kissed him on the cheek.

"Go," Severus whispered to her.

Harry and Ron cringed at the kiss but were still surprised over everything. Hermione walked to the door and took down the charms, "Harry, Ron, you coming or staying with Professor Snape?"

Harry and Ron scrabbled to get their belongings and followed Hermione. On the way to the Headmaster's office the three whispered softly.

"What just happened in there?" Harry asked.

"He knew what I planned. It was payback."

"He let you do that?" Ron gasped.

"Yes."

Ron shook his head, "You changed him."

"Not really, you guys just never saw this side of him."

"I didn't know there were other sides to him," Ron said in bewilderment.

"There are many sides to him." Hermione said before saying the password to the gargoyle and entered Dumbledore's office a minute later after knocking. "Headmaster, I was told..."

"Hermione, I suspect I know what you heard and I can assure you everything is all right." Dumbledore interrupted.

Hermione signed in relief but then asked, "So it's true, they were attacked?"

"Not them, but your house was broken into. Your parents have moved and have taken a leave of absence from their practice. They said their partners could take care of business."

"Where did they move to?" Hermione asked.

"London."

"Will they be safe?" Hermione asked with concern.

"Yes, they took great caution in moving. They will be sending you an owl soon."

"Thank you Headmaster."

"Harry and Ron, I know you were hoping to miss Divination, but if you go now you should just make it," Dumbledore instructed.

They said they're goodbyes quickly and headed for class. Hermione left Dumbledore's office after the boys, knowing she still had time before her next class. ~Severus, is it okay if I come back?~

*Not now Angel. But tonight we need to talk.*

~Is everything all right?~

*For now, what did Dumbledore say about your parents?*

~The house was attacked while they were here, but they moved and are now safe.~

*Good.*

~What do you want to talk about tonight?~ Hermione was worried.

*I'll explain in Dumbledore's office. Be there after dinner and plan on staying in my room tonight, if you want.*

Relief rushed through Hermione. If there was a problem between them he wouldn't talk in front of Dumbledore and tell her to stay the night with him. ~All right.~



To Be Continued...

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