I Learned the Truth at Seventeen

Severus woke to feel tiny fingers on his face tracing the lines or wrinkles in his face. He opened his oxy dark eyes and looked at Hermione who was oblivious to him being awake and enjoying running her fingers over the bump in his nose.

'I was punched in my third year which broke my nose, I didn't go to Madam Promfrey until a week after and it was too late to fix.' He said which made Hermione jump, she hadn't realised he was awake.

'You made me jump!' she said poking his bare chest.

'You shouldn't be assaulting my person then.' Severus said smirking at her.

'I'm not assaulting your person; I'm just tracing your face so I can remember it.' She said softly.

'Remembering it?' he said. 'Am I going somewhere?'

'Well are you?' she asked looking at him.

'Never; I'm here to stay.' He said.

'Forever?' She asked.

'If you'll have me?' He said.

'Always.' She said as she leaned forward and kissed him passionately.

Things started to get heated when there was a harsh knock at the door. Hermione pulled away from Severus and looked at him.

'Meeting in ten.' A voice shouted.

Severus grumbled his answer and the person went from their door. Severus got out of bed and looked at Hermione.

'We need to get ready; something's happened.' He said

Hermione and Severus rushed around the room getting ready and then went downstairs together, before they got to the kitchen Severus pulled her over to one side.

'If something, anything happens which means you're separated from me or any of the order I want you to apperate to Spinners end.' He said holding onto her hand.

'Severus' she said.

'No listen to me Hermione, if anything happens go to Spinners End.' He said

'Okay.' She said.

'Good, remember that.' He said as he pressed a kiss on Hermione's head.

Severus and Hermione entered the kitchen and saw all the order members sat at the table all looking depressed. Severus sat down beside Albus and Hermione next to him. Minerva smiled at Hermione briefly then looked back at Albus.

'Tonight we have had news that Death eaters have attacked a muggle neighbourhood near London. Twenty six Muggles have been killed and a few missing.' Albus said looking around the table.

'Where abouts in London?' Hermione asked.

'The neighbourhood your parents live in Ms Granger.' Albus said but before Hermione could speak again he held up his hand. 'Your parents are safe; Severus moved them in the early hours of the morning to Spinners End.'

'You took them there.' Hermione said as she looked at Severus.

'It's the only place there'll be safe, they know what's happening and have agreed to stay there.' He said.

'Mr and Mrs Granger will be safe at Spinners End.' Albus said. 'Severus managed to save a few of the neighbours as well.'

Hermione looked at Severus with pure love and affection. He had saved her parents, saved the parents who she loved so dearly. Did he say anything to them about their bond?

I didn't say anything. I explain about everything but that.

I want to see them.

You can't. Not yet.

Please Severus.

You can write a letter and I will take it with me next time I go to Spinners End

Why can't I come with you?

A Death Eater with Hermione Gryffindor Granger? It will blow my cover.

'Severus...are you there my boy?' Albus said waving his hand in front of his face.

'Yes.' Severus said as he looked up. 'What did you say?'

'What has Tom got planned next?' he said.

'He is searching for the elder wand.' Severus said. 'With that wand he is indestructible.'

'Then we need to find it.' Harry said.

'Where do you expect to find it Potter?' Severus said.

'I...We're...I don't know.' Harry stumbled.

'Even if Harry had the elder wand he still wouldn't be able to kill Vol...The Dark Lord. He needs to destroy the Horcuxes.' Hermione said.

'Then that's what we do next.' Harry said. 'We find them and destroy them.'

'That is all good Harry but it is too dangerous for you to go and find them yourself. I have order members trying to find them.' Albus said.

'I want to help.' Harry said.

'You helping would only hinder the work of others.' Severus said earning a glare from Hermione.

Stop glaring at me.

That wasn't very nice.

I'm not nice; you should know that by now.

'I want to do something.' Harry said. 'Anything.'

'Training my dear boy, you need to train.' Albus said. 'All of you do.'

'No.' Severus said

'Ms Granger needs to be trained as well Severus; as much as you disagree she will learn new skills and be able to defend herself.' He said looking at Severus and Hermione.

'I want to be trained.' She said. 'I need to be able to defend myself. I can't be by your side the whole time.'

'Exactly' Minerva said.

'Good we agree then. Tomorrow Harry, Hermione and Ronald we'll train in the basement with Severus and Tonks.' Albus said smiling at a glaring Severus.

After the meeting Severus went off to speak with the Headmaster while Hermione went back to their room. She jumped into the shower as she didn't have time earlier. Severus arrived back from his talk with the Headmaster just as she walked out of the bathroom into the bedroom in a towel.

'What did the Headmaster say?' Hermione said.

'Nothing of importance.' He said moving towards Hermione. 'Do you know how badly I want you?'

'Do you?' she said looking up at Severus.

'I do.' He said pulling Hermione to him and wrapping his arms around her toned body.

'I want you too.' She whispered to him. 'My Hero, you know that.'

'Hardly.' He said looking at her.

'You saved my parents, you're my hero.' She said leaning up and kissing him thoroughly.