You Can’t Escape The Truth

Hermione and Severus were, most unfortunately, thrown unceremoniously back into the rush of school days too soon for their liking.

Exams were only a few months away and students and teachers alike had to buckle down in order to prepare.

Despite the harried atmosphere in the classrooms and staffroom, Hermione and Severus spent the week following Valentine’s Day randomly smiling at nothing as they remembered their stolen hours together. Neither could wait until the end of year when they would have a whole summer to explore their newfound relationship.

Luckily for Hermione, whenever she smiled the students were untroubled as Hermione had a habit of smiling in class.

On the other hand, Severus’ students were petrified he was thinking of something malevolently unpleasant that probably concerned them.

Only one person in the castle had any inkling of what may have caused the professors’ sudden barely contained euphoria.

“Ah, Professor Granger.”

Hermione frowned and looked over the pile of books that were tottering in her hands. Realizing she had nearly run into the Headmaster, Hermione smiled an apology and returned the greeting.

“I wanted to have a word with you, actually.”

“Oh yes?” Hermione put her books down on a nearby bench seat and stood in the hallway, ready to spare a few minutes for her boss.

“I know it’s probably none of my business, but I’d like to wish you happiness with Severus.”

Hermione’s eyes widened. She was shocked and embarrassed but at least thankful that the corridor was currently empty of anyone who might overhear the conversation. “Excuse me, sir?”

“I’m afraid the Headmaster has a way of knowing almost anything that occurs in Hogwarts, my dear. Do not be alarmed, your secret is safe with me. I’m sure you and Severus are made for each other.”

Hermione turned bright red and suddenly wished the floor would swallow her up. “Then you…saw us…together?” She whispered.

“Kissing down by the lake?” Dumbledore nodded then leaned in close to Hermione’s ear. “You’ll probably hex me for saying so, but I think it’s been a long time since Severus has been kissed. He might be a little rusty.” With a wink, the Headmaster straightened up only to notice Hermione’s face was glowing a slightly deeper shade of red.

Hermione threw her shoulders back and lifted her head. “For your information, Headmaster, I wasn’t kissing him. I was… I was…”

“Yes?” Dumbledore lifted an eyebrow in amusement.

Defiantly, Hermione answered, “I was telling his lips a secret.”

With that she collected her books and stomped off.

The nerve of that man!

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Forgive me if Dumbledore is horribly out of character but I just had to write him like that! eep

Well, as usual, instead of updating When All Else Fails or It All Started When, I wasted my time and talents on a chapter for another story. But you guys don’t mind, do you? I hope not… I love this chapter and I have to give a great big Thank You to RavenclawGenius who lent me the cheesy line at the end.

Thanks to my wonderful readers and reviewers. I appreciate the lines you send me even if I don’t use them- but you never know. Your line just may end up in a future chapter.

This is definitely one of my favorite stories so if anyone has an idea for another chapter- a line or a plot point or even another chapter title, I’d be more than happy to think up another chapter.

For now, this is the end of this story but, of course, that’s likely to change.

Bye for now!