Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, only those that I created
myself. Please do not harm me in any way. I only do this for fun.
RWH
~_~_~_~
A Secret Worth Keeping
Chapter Six: The truth shall set you free
"Please tell me its not who I think it is."
Hermione took Harry's hand and indicated the chair next to the fireplace. A fabricated window shown midmorning light through it although it was dead night outside. The false morning did absolutely nothing to warm her bones as the dread of explaining all of this to her best friend daunted her.
"Sit down, Harry.. " She commanded and watched as the young man did as she asked and sat heavily onto the overstuffed wingback chair. He looked so forlorn and dejected that she felt her heart rush out to him. This was one of the hardest predicaments that she would find herself in and probably in the days to come as well. She paced back and forth between him and the hearth trying to come up with the best way of saying what she wanted to without saying it like a victim. Yes she *was* a victim, but in all honesty, Severus was just as much a victim in this too. She paused before him and spoke softly. "First off, Harry, it's not what you are thinking.. "
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF WHAT I'M THINKING?" Harry burst out angrily his eyes flashing. He pointed a jabbing finger to the door where the taller man exited earlier with the baby. "Is it him? Is *HE* the father of your child?"
Hermione turned away from his fury and felt the dense coldness of the dungeon seep through her clothing, the combination of the cold damp dungeon and the absolute fear of losing one of her friends caused her to shake violently. Immediately she felt arms encircling her waist from behind, turning her around and pulling her close against his chest. She found herself sobbing into her best friend's chest.
For several minutes she stood enveloped in his arms letting the pain and sorrow out in the form of tear and hiccups. He held onto her and murmured soft words of comfort into her hair. Letting her know that he was there for her, and with just a touch letting her know also that he would always be there for her.
Forever
Finally, she pulled back and sniffed loudly. Harry reached in, pulled a bright red bandana from his back pocket of his jeans and handed it to her. Which she took gratefully and wiped at her face with the cloth, giving him a smile of thanks.
"Thank you, Harry.. I mean.. I think I needed that. I haven't had a good cry in.. hours." She gave him a tired grin before tucking the kerchief into her sleeve to clean before giving it back.
"Tell me now?" He spoke softly and clamped his hands on her shoulders in a viselike grip, watching her closely. "Is Snape the father?"
"Yes, Harry.. He.. Professor Snape.. he is the father.. but.. but.. "
"What happened?" Harry whispered as he held her close. "Did he force you? Did he.. rape you? Come on Hermione. I know you don't love him or even like him. You wouldn't have just gone to him willingly."
She nodded her head sadly. He had already guessed so much. "I.. " She swallowed again and turned her back to him once more not able to look at him directly in the eyes but felt him pulling her back against his chest. She didn't resist it and leaned back into the comfort of his body. "You are right.. Harry.. I was.. forced. But.. " She felt his embrace tighten at her words and felt more that heard the sharp intake of his breath. She clamped down on his arms around her waist to stop him from running out to confront Severus. "*BUT* He wasn't the one that forced me.. Not really."
"What the hell does that mean, Hermione? Didn't you just say that Snape was the father?" There was confusion in Harry's voice.
"Yes, but.. Harry, in a way, Severus.. I mean.. Snape was raped too."
She felt Harry's arms tighten around her again and felt his breath on the back of her neck as his forehead came down to rest on the top of her head.
"Imperio.. " It was more of a statement than question as the realization of what she was saying sank in.
"Yes.. Lucius Malfoy.. " She felt a hiss of breath escape from him and she turned back to face the anger in his expression. "So, you see, it's not Severus's fault or mine.. its Malfoy's.. "
His eyes bored into hers. "You are sure it's.. Snape's? There's absolutely no room for doubt? I mean.. Malfoy didn't.. "
She shook her head at that and looked down at the ground. "No, it's Severus's, Harry. I haven't.. ever.. before him and Malfoy, well, he just.. watched."
"But why didn't Snape.. when you disappeared he.. he reveled in it."
She felt her blood run cold at that and looked back towards the door that the man in question had passed through with their son.
"Reveled?"
"Well, maybe not reveled, but he didn't seem to concerned that you.. ran away."
She sighed again and turned away from him once more. "Because, as far as he was concerned.. he had no reason to be.. worried."
"BUT HE HAD JUST RAPED YOU! HOW THE FUCK COULD HE NOT BE CONCERNED?" Harry bellowed angrily, getting right pissed off again at it all.
"BECAUSE I ERASED HIS MEMORY OF IT!" She bellowed right back at him.
Harry paused and starred at her as if she had lost her mind. "Are you mental? Why did you do that?"
"Because.. " She sat heavily in the chair he had abandoned and gave him such a lost expression that he crossed back to her and kneeled before her taking her hand in his. "Because you didn't see him after it was over." She let him run his fingers over her palm as she allowed her mind go back to that fateful day, if only briefly, to remember the face of the broken man that had tried to hide from her that night. "You didn't see the man that.. that Malfoy left behind."
"Tell me.. " Harry encouraged but she shook her head.
"I can't.. not until I tell him first.. " She indicated the door with a nod of her head.
"You mean.. he still has no.. idea?"
She frowned and nodded. "He knows that he is Sebastian's father, he knows that he.. took me. But he doesn't know what happened or how it happened. I.. I haven't given him back the.. memories yet. But I will.. soon."
"How soon?"
She looked back at the door as soft sounds started to come from beyond indicating that Sebastian was once more awake.
"Tonight.. I don't think Severus will want to wait to long. I don't think he's happy not.. knowing.. "
"Do you want me to.. uh.. "
She gave him a smile and patted his hand with her free one. "No, Harry, you won't have to be here. But I may need you afterward. Are you.. I mean.. are you here for good?"
Harry grinned and nodded. "Yes, Professor Dumbledore owled me this morning telling me to come back. He said that he felt that something major was going to happen and pretty much stated that I was to be brought back without fuss. So, what could I do? Here I am and Ron will be here next week. He was a bit muddled as to why I was asked to return and not him. But, now I understand. Professor Dumbledore knew Ron wouldn't understand this."
She closed her eyes wondering how she was going to explain all of this to Ron next week.
"Will you help me with him?"
"Of course, Hermione.. I.. " He looked up as the door opened and a very white knuckled Severus stood standing there with a howling baby in his arms.
"Hermione.. Help."
A/Ns and Acknowledgements:
~_~_~_~_~
I wish to thank you all:
Ponine5: replying to all three of your reviews. I love Severus and am only so-so with Hermione. But I hope you liked this chapter. Thanks for taking the time to review those other chapters. More are on the way.
Jaclyn: Thank you
BashfulC: LOL I will check out that site soon. Promise. What??? No Yearbook? Girl, send that out to me and I'll sign that petition. Jeez, sounds like you live in the kind of town I grew up in.. yucky! And good luck on the newspaper too.
Silent Cobra: Aww, thank you honey, I'm proud that you like my story. And here you go, just as you demanded.
Emma_Kitty: I do not intend to abandon this fic. My mind is not allowing me to stop writing on it. However I have so many other stories going as well that I cant take the time that I would love to actually put into this story as I want. But I'm working on it as fast and as much as possible. Thank you for taking the time to review and let me know what you think.
Severusgirl: Thank you and here you go!
Magdellin: LOL.. Woo hoo.. Cute dance there.. How do you do that with your feet? *Looks impressed* LOL.. Thanks honey!
DragonRose: LOL.. well, I hope that Harry satisfied you, no blood lust there but you never know with Ron.. LOL. As for Lucius, just wait and see what he wanted her for.Blessed Be!
Dacey: Thank you very much. Hope you liked this chapter.
Jerica: LOL.. I do what I must, dear heart! LOL
Princess310889: Thank you, and here you go as well. Enjoy!
Rararach11: Yes ma'am.. Uh.. Sir.. Uh.. Okay?
DragonFireAngelVWP: That's great. I'm glad you had a great time. Thanks for reading on. See you on the flip side.
Anarane Anwamane: LOL.. Thank you!
Dracomio: Thank you, the truth will be revealed soon, please keep reading.
Nesscafe: well, she told Harry enough, but the rest will be told soon. Hope you like this chapter.
Danric_Lover: Heat is on the way.. don't worry. Hehe
Cynthia90: Oh hey.. No offence taken. I love a person who can state their minds without hurting feelings.that's a rare commodity. Thanks for reading.
Cathryne: Everyone always thinks Harry's gonna be the bad guy and have a fit.. but wait.. I have plans.. Keep reading. You may or may not like where I am taking this.. hehehe.
Sandra: Aww, Jeez.. Thank you very much Honey. I love it when something I write strikes someone's fancy it makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something. Thank you very much for taking the time to let me know you are enjoying this. Blessed Be!
Thank you all so much for your time and compassion
Blessed Be
RWH
RWH
~_~_~_~
A Secret Worth Keeping
Chapter Six: The truth shall set you free
"Please tell me its not who I think it is."
Hermione took Harry's hand and indicated the chair next to the fireplace. A fabricated window shown midmorning light through it although it was dead night outside. The false morning did absolutely nothing to warm her bones as the dread of explaining all of this to her best friend daunted her.
"Sit down, Harry.. " She commanded and watched as the young man did as she asked and sat heavily onto the overstuffed wingback chair. He looked so forlorn and dejected that she felt her heart rush out to him. This was one of the hardest predicaments that she would find herself in and probably in the days to come as well. She paced back and forth between him and the hearth trying to come up with the best way of saying what she wanted to without saying it like a victim. Yes she *was* a victim, but in all honesty, Severus was just as much a victim in this too. She paused before him and spoke softly. "First off, Harry, it's not what you are thinking.. "
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF WHAT I'M THINKING?" Harry burst out angrily his eyes flashing. He pointed a jabbing finger to the door where the taller man exited earlier with the baby. "Is it him? Is *HE* the father of your child?"
Hermione turned away from his fury and felt the dense coldness of the dungeon seep through her clothing, the combination of the cold damp dungeon and the absolute fear of losing one of her friends caused her to shake violently. Immediately she felt arms encircling her waist from behind, turning her around and pulling her close against his chest. She found herself sobbing into her best friend's chest.
For several minutes she stood enveloped in his arms letting the pain and sorrow out in the form of tear and hiccups. He held onto her and murmured soft words of comfort into her hair. Letting her know that he was there for her, and with just a touch letting her know also that he would always be there for her.
Forever
Finally, she pulled back and sniffed loudly. Harry reached in, pulled a bright red bandana from his back pocket of his jeans and handed it to her. Which she took gratefully and wiped at her face with the cloth, giving him a smile of thanks.
"Thank you, Harry.. I mean.. I think I needed that. I haven't had a good cry in.. hours." She gave him a tired grin before tucking the kerchief into her sleeve to clean before giving it back.
"Tell me now?" He spoke softly and clamped his hands on her shoulders in a viselike grip, watching her closely. "Is Snape the father?"
"Yes, Harry.. He.. Professor Snape.. he is the father.. but.. but.. "
"What happened?" Harry whispered as he held her close. "Did he force you? Did he.. rape you? Come on Hermione. I know you don't love him or even like him. You wouldn't have just gone to him willingly."
She nodded her head sadly. He had already guessed so much. "I.. " She swallowed again and turned her back to him once more not able to look at him directly in the eyes but felt him pulling her back against his chest. She didn't resist it and leaned back into the comfort of his body. "You are right.. Harry.. I was.. forced. But.. " She felt his embrace tighten at her words and felt more that heard the sharp intake of his breath. She clamped down on his arms around her waist to stop him from running out to confront Severus. "*BUT* He wasn't the one that forced me.. Not really."
"What the hell does that mean, Hermione? Didn't you just say that Snape was the father?" There was confusion in Harry's voice.
"Yes, but.. Harry, in a way, Severus.. I mean.. Snape was raped too."
She felt Harry's arms tighten around her again and felt his breath on the back of her neck as his forehead came down to rest on the top of her head.
"Imperio.. " It was more of a statement than question as the realization of what she was saying sank in.
"Yes.. Lucius Malfoy.. " She felt a hiss of breath escape from him and she turned back to face the anger in his expression. "So, you see, it's not Severus's fault or mine.. its Malfoy's.. "
His eyes bored into hers. "You are sure it's.. Snape's? There's absolutely no room for doubt? I mean.. Malfoy didn't.. "
She shook her head at that and looked down at the ground. "No, it's Severus's, Harry. I haven't.. ever.. before him and Malfoy, well, he just.. watched."
"But why didn't Snape.. when you disappeared he.. he reveled in it."
She felt her blood run cold at that and looked back towards the door that the man in question had passed through with their son.
"Reveled?"
"Well, maybe not reveled, but he didn't seem to concerned that you.. ran away."
She sighed again and turned away from him once more. "Because, as far as he was concerned.. he had no reason to be.. worried."
"BUT HE HAD JUST RAPED YOU! HOW THE FUCK COULD HE NOT BE CONCERNED?" Harry bellowed angrily, getting right pissed off again at it all.
"BECAUSE I ERASED HIS MEMORY OF IT!" She bellowed right back at him.
Harry paused and starred at her as if she had lost her mind. "Are you mental? Why did you do that?"
"Because.. " She sat heavily in the chair he had abandoned and gave him such a lost expression that he crossed back to her and kneeled before her taking her hand in his. "Because you didn't see him after it was over." She let him run his fingers over her palm as she allowed her mind go back to that fateful day, if only briefly, to remember the face of the broken man that had tried to hide from her that night. "You didn't see the man that.. that Malfoy left behind."
"Tell me.. " Harry encouraged but she shook her head.
"I can't.. not until I tell him first.. " She indicated the door with a nod of her head.
"You mean.. he still has no.. idea?"
She frowned and nodded. "He knows that he is Sebastian's father, he knows that he.. took me. But he doesn't know what happened or how it happened. I.. I haven't given him back the.. memories yet. But I will.. soon."
"How soon?"
She looked back at the door as soft sounds started to come from beyond indicating that Sebastian was once more awake.
"Tonight.. I don't think Severus will want to wait to long. I don't think he's happy not.. knowing.. "
"Do you want me to.. uh.. "
She gave him a smile and patted his hand with her free one. "No, Harry, you won't have to be here. But I may need you afterward. Are you.. I mean.. are you here for good?"
Harry grinned and nodded. "Yes, Professor Dumbledore owled me this morning telling me to come back. He said that he felt that something major was going to happen and pretty much stated that I was to be brought back without fuss. So, what could I do? Here I am and Ron will be here next week. He was a bit muddled as to why I was asked to return and not him. But, now I understand. Professor Dumbledore knew Ron wouldn't understand this."
She closed her eyes wondering how she was going to explain all of this to Ron next week.
"Will you help me with him?"
"Of course, Hermione.. I.. " He looked up as the door opened and a very white knuckled Severus stood standing there with a howling baby in his arms.
"Hermione.. Help."
A/Ns and Acknowledgements:
~_~_~_~_~
I wish to thank you all:
Ponine5: replying to all three of your reviews. I love Severus and am only so-so with Hermione. But I hope you liked this chapter. Thanks for taking the time to review those other chapters. More are on the way.
Jaclyn: Thank you
BashfulC: LOL I will check out that site soon. Promise. What??? No Yearbook? Girl, send that out to me and I'll sign that petition. Jeez, sounds like you live in the kind of town I grew up in.. yucky! And good luck on the newspaper too.
Silent Cobra: Aww, thank you honey, I'm proud that you like my story. And here you go, just as you demanded.
Emma_Kitty: I do not intend to abandon this fic. My mind is not allowing me to stop writing on it. However I have so many other stories going as well that I cant take the time that I would love to actually put into this story as I want. But I'm working on it as fast and as much as possible. Thank you for taking the time to review and let me know what you think.
Severusgirl: Thank you and here you go!
Magdellin: LOL.. Woo hoo.. Cute dance there.. How do you do that with your feet? *Looks impressed* LOL.. Thanks honey!
DragonRose: LOL.. well, I hope that Harry satisfied you, no blood lust there but you never know with Ron.. LOL. As for Lucius, just wait and see what he wanted her for.Blessed Be!
Dacey: Thank you very much. Hope you liked this chapter.
Jerica: LOL.. I do what I must, dear heart! LOL
Princess310889: Thank you, and here you go as well. Enjoy!
Rararach11: Yes ma'am.. Uh.. Sir.. Uh.. Okay?
DragonFireAngelVWP: That's great. I'm glad you had a great time. Thanks for reading on. See you on the flip side.
Anarane Anwamane: LOL.. Thank you!
Dracomio: Thank you, the truth will be revealed soon, please keep reading.
Nesscafe: well, she told Harry enough, but the rest will be told soon. Hope you like this chapter.
Danric_Lover: Heat is on the way.. don't worry. Hehe
Cynthia90: Oh hey.. No offence taken. I love a person who can state their minds without hurting feelings.that's a rare commodity. Thanks for reading.
Cathryne: Everyone always thinks Harry's gonna be the bad guy and have a fit.. but wait.. I have plans.. Keep reading. You may or may not like where I am taking this.. hehehe.
Sandra: Aww, Jeez.. Thank you very much Honey. I love it when something I write strikes someone's fancy it makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something. Thank you very much for taking the time to let me know you are enjoying this. Blessed Be!
Thank you all so much for your time and compassion
Blessed Be
RWH