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 24

The day passed with no other complications, though Parkinson opted to stay in the Hospital Wing for the week because that's how long the purple-skin effect was to last. Harry and Ron congratulated Hermione on such a sweet revenge. Hermione made her excuses after dinner saying she had things to do. They assumed she wanted to be with Severus and they assumed correctly.

Currently, Hermione sat in Dumbledore's office waiting for Severus. "Headmaster do you know what this is about?"

"No, but Severus should be here momentarily."

Two minutes later there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Dumbledore called out.

The door opened to reveal Severus. Hermione stood up to greet him and noticed another person following him. Draco Malfoy. Hermione scowled.

"Headmaster, Ms. Granger," Severus greeted.

"Professor," Hermione said back, ~Severus what's going on?~

*It will be explained, trust me.*

"Severus, Mr. Malfoy while not expecting you, it's good to see you. Severus you called this meeting." Dumbledore said.

"Yes, but we need to fill Ms. Granger in on the situation first."

"Professor Snape is that wise?" Draco Malfoy interrupted.

"It is, you can trust Ms. Granger. She will not tell anyone," Severus said to Malfoy without even looking at Hermione for confirmation, he trusted her that much. Severus was going to reveal one of the similarities between the two 'enemies' though he learned they shared more similarities than he originally thought.

"But sir, she's best friends with..."

"Draco, I know who her friends are." Severus interrupted the young man.

Hermione watched with interest. She never heard Severus call another student by their given name.

"Draco, all is okay," Dumbledore encouraged him.

Draco nodded his acceptance.

"Hermione, Draco is a Death Eater but he works as I do when he can. I'm asking you to trust me on this," Severus looked only to Hermione.

Hermione saw the surprise in Draco when Severus called her also by her given name, "Of course, Professor."

Severus smirked at the use of his title. By now everyone was sitting down. Dumbledore took a chair and Draco took the other single chair that left Severus on the couch by Hermione, which he hoped for. They weren't even close to one another but it was still nice to be near her.

"The reason I requested this meeting is because over Christmas vacation Draco was given a portkey that will allow him to be summoned."

"I feared something similar to this. I take it he will go with you from now on?" Dumbledore asked gravely.

"Yes, Draco informed me this morning after class." Severus told.

Now Hermione knew why he said no to her coming down to see him. Hermione stayed quiet as Severus and Dumbledore talked. She noted Draco was silent also. This gave her a chance to study him. While he still carried some arrogance it wasn't as much.

"Will he be receiving the same treatment as you Severus?" Dumbledore asked.

Hermione stopped studying Draco and paid attention to the older wizards. She could now guess why she was here. If Draco were treated as Severus she would be helping him to she would think.

"Yes, all members of late are going through testing. Since Draco has been in school and not able to get away, he has been spared, until now."

Dumbledore's eye went sad for a moment, "Draco, I wish there was more we could do for you."

"Sir, you have done more than I had originally hoped for. I hope after all this is over I can bring back honor to the Malfoy name and not the dishonor my father has brought upon it," Draco said with gratefulness and despise.

"And you shall Draco." To Severus and Hermione, "This is the reason for Hermione's attendance, correct Severus?"

"Yes and now my explanation to you Draco. When I return from my meetings as you will learn, I need medical attention. Hermione has been helping me since the beginning of last term. And I'm asking you Draco to let her help you. And Hermione I must ask you to help Draco. Both of you will have to put the past behind you," Severus said.

Hermione looked at Severus for a moment before turning her gaze onto Draco. Draco was returning her gaze, "Malfoy, I'd be willing to help if you're ready to receive it."

"Thank you Granger. I'm sure I'll be needing it."

Hermione thought for a moment. While willing to help both men she would not be able to support both if they came back, both injured bad enough, she would need help.

"Professors, I'm willing to help, but I do not think I can do it alone. Supporting the Professor when he returns is hard enough without helping two men."

"Hermione has a point. I think you have some one in mind, Hermione?" Dumbledore said.

"Yes, I do."

"Who?" Severus asked.

"Ginny Weasley. She would be able to keep this secret and is good with magic."

"Ms. Weasley is the top of her year. What do you think Severus?" Dumbledore asked.

Severus looked to Hermione, "Would she be able to keep this from Potter?"

"Yes."

"Then I trust your judgment Hermione," Severus said immediately.

Hermione smiled. She knew he loved her, but trusting her judgment with such a big decision was amazing to her. Another thought struck her though, "Malfoy, I don't mean to embarrass you, but when administering healing charms and potions you will not be dressed in your robes. Will this be a problem for you?" To Hermione's surprise the boy flushed.

"Will I be able to keep certain clothing on?" he asked shyly.

It was Hermione's turn to flush, "Of course."

"If Professor Snape trusts you enough to undress in front of you, then I can do the same."

Hermione blushed more. Dumbledore grinned. Severus smirked, *Doing your impression of a Weasley love?*

The urge to smack Severus was great at that moment, but Hermione controlled herself, allowing some revenge. ~Severus do not make me remind you of certain talents you appreciate and recite them to you. I'm sure we can get you to a respectable red.~

*You wouldn't dare.*

~Now remember you asked for this. So I believe I would first slowly strip you of your clothes, without magic of course. Building the anticipation is almost just as fun. Slowly your clothes would be pulled off your body, while doing this gentle and subtle caresses would be awarded to your length. But can't spend too much time on stripping you, I'd be hungry soon and I'd want my dessert. When you were naked I would first use my hands to ensure your pleasure but would have to move to using my mouth. First a soft kiss on the head, a long leisurely lick from the base to the tip underneath always gets a good groan out of you. After a few more licks and flicks for good measure I'd want to taste you more. I love how you taste. I'd start at the head and suck dee...~

*Hermione stop it!*

Hermione stole a peak at Severus who was breathing a bit deeper just enough for her to notice and his robes were pulled into his lap. "Professors, I need to go talk to Ginny."

"Of course. Have a good evening Hermione." Dumbledore said.

Hermione got up, "Headmaster, may I give Ginny that spell?"

"Yes, but please tell her the restrictions of its use," Dumbledore grinned.

Hermione figured Dumbledore knew of her plans later that night. He knew too much she concluded. "I will Professor. Goodbye Professor Snape, Malfoy." And she left, ~Oh and Severus do expect that treatment tonight because I believe I will be hungry later on.~

*God Hermione, I just managed to get myself under control.*

~Do you mean under my control?~ Hermione loved teasing him.

*I stand by my decision of you being a sex-crazed woman.*

~And you love it. You get lucky more than the 7th year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs combined I would imagine.~

*I know I do. I stop them from behaving as animals in the classrooms and hallways.*

Hermione smirked and walked to Gryffindor Tower. ~Better to behave as animals in bed?~

*Enough Hermione. I'm still with Dumbledore and he's starting to look at me suspiciously.*

~Spoilsport. Until later lover.~

*I'm looking forward to it.*

Within a few minutes Hermione was in the Gryffindor common room.

"Hermione, I thought you were uh studying tonight?" Harry asked.

"I was but wanted to ask Ginny something. And I'm sure you guys will not want to know what we're going to talk about."

Harry and Ron quickly said goodbye to the girls, thinking girl talk was going to take place. Hermione and Ginny went to Hermione's room. She placed a silencing charm just in case around her room.

"What's up Hermione?" Ginny asked while sitting on the bed.

"I'm going to be needing your help but you have to swear not to tell anyone, even Harry or Ron."

"What kind of secret is this?"

"One that Dumbledore is aware of."

"All right, I swear," Ginny said after a moment of contemplation.

"Draco Malfoy is a Death Eater but working with Severus. And he is going to be called from now on. I'm going to help them both but can't do it by myself, Severus is heavy enough to help."

"Malfoy? God, while I was expecting a good secret, but not this shocker." Ginny sighed.

"I know. I was taken aback too. I trust Severus and Dumbledore about this. And I need help and thought of you. Harry or Ron couldn't handle this but you are good with magic."

Ginny was flattered Hermione trusted her this much, "I'll help."

"Thank you Ginny." Then the embarrassing part. "When doing healing charms we'll need to have their clothes off, but leave their undergarments on. Will you be all right with that?"

Ginny, credit to the Weasley name, turned red. "Yea, but if Harry does find out, he won't like this. I'm not even going to think of Ron's reaction."

"You'll be healing Severus at first. I'll take care of Malfoy. I have notes on charms and potions for you to learn. I also have a spell that will make us invisible but can only be used for this. Dumbledore knows when someone is using it. He gave it to me to help without being caught past curfew hours."

"All right. Will you becoming to get me when needed?" Ginny asked.

"Yes, we'll use silencing charms so none of your roommates will hear us."

"Just one thing, if I'm with Harry and not in my room if needed... what do we do?"

"That slipped my mind. We can probably create a bracelet or other jewelry with a charm to let you know when needed. I'll talk with Severus about it tonight. And Ginny, thank you for helping."

"Of course. I want to help in anyway I can to defeat Voldemort. It may only been his memory from the diary, but it was still him," Ginny said with anger.

"We'll get him, don't worry," Hermione offered.

"I know we will. It's just a matter of time."

"Right, I'll give you the notes now and tomorrow we'll practice the invisibility spell. I'm going to go," Hermione gave Ginny her notes from her desk.

Ginny grinned, "I shouldn't expect to see you the rest of the night I take it?"

"You know me well."

"Have fun," Ginny teased.

"Oh, I plan to," and Hermione left, leaving Ginny to exit through the other door leading to the common room.



To Be Continued...