At Last The Truth

Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to read this story and review it. I appreciate all of your comments.

All canon characters belong to JKR.

Thanks as always to June for all of her help.

A/N: There is a rape scene here and it involves Hermione and Voldemort-as-Severus. If you cannot read it, go to the last eighteen paragraphs of this chapter. I will indicate with an asterisk when the scene begins and ends so that you can skip it alltogether if you feel you can't read it.

Chapter 8 – At Last The Truth

Two weeks passed and Severus had no more memory lapses. He thought that whatever had been happening to him was his body and mind getting used to his being woken from the curse. In truth, it was Voldemort who was making plans that kept him from losing time like he'd been doing.

Voldemort was strong enough to feel on occasion feel Severus' emotions as well as have glimpses of his daily activities through the DADA professor's eyes. He noticed Severus visiting Hermione quite a bit. It bothered the Dark Lord that Severus was spending so much time with the Mudblood. He desperately needed to be able to look into Severus' mind to know what he was thinking. Perhaps there was a way Voldemort could control him while he figured out a way to do away with Severus' soul.

As Voldemort plotted his downfall, Severus was enjoying his life for once. His relationship with Hermione was getting stronger by the day. They often went to Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley to browse the bookshops and have dinner. They also took to visiting Lucius and Ginny quite a bit.

The potion that Severus and Hermione had made for Ron worked so well that young Weasley was able to begin fulltime work at the Ministry with his father. While he still lived with Harry and Draco, the potion allowed all of them the freedom that had eluded them since Ron's injury. The only fly in Severus' ointment was the nightmares he was now having on a nightly basis – visions of Voldemort returning and trying to take back all of the peace and order that had been restored upon his death. What disturbed Severus the most, though, was why he would even dream about the Dark Lord. Even when Severus was in his service he never dreamed about him directly. No potions would help either. He'd taken Dreamless Draught on several occasions and still the dreams would persist.

As for Lucius, all seemed fine, but for the nagging feeling that continued to disturb him regarding his Dark Mark. In the past weeks his Mark had grown darker. It was getting increasingly difficult to hide it from Ginny. She had already begun to question him wearing pajamas to bed as well as the long-sleeved shirts he'd started wearing so often. He told her that he just wanted to keep warm, so his wife asked him why he simply didn't cast a warming charm on himself.

"You're the one who always says I shouldn't use magic so much," Lucius huffed at her one day. But he was starting to tire of lying to his wife. He was afraid that at some point she might suspect him of having an affair, since he'd also taken to not allowing her to shower with him. Disillusionment charms never worked to cover up the Dark Mark so he didn't even bother.

Lucius wasn't the only one keeping something from his beloved. Ginny was growing very worried about what she'd seen in Severus' eyes the day she'd walked into the Three Broomsticks to meet him and her husband. Blaming it on her pregnancy hormones, she shrugged it off and tried not to think on it much.

As Friday afternoon quickly approached and the school term had already ended, Hermione was free from her teaching duties. Albus and Minerva were making their yearly plans to travel to the Himalayas for a few days; and taking their cue, Severus decided a few days away from the castle might be good. Albus had informed him a few days after his waking that his home at Spinner's End was just as he'd left it. In fact, during his tenure down in dreamless land Spinner's End had become quite the posh place to own property. Albus and Minerva made sure that Severus' home kept up with the times. Deciding it was time to visit his home, Severus thought he would ask Hermione if she might consider spending the weekend there with him.

Thus far Severus and Hermione had only spent a few nights together. Not wanting to move too fast, both decided to just enjoy one another as friends with benefits. But secretly they both realized they wanted more. A weekend together would be a good way for Severus to show Hermione he was willing to commit to something more serious and perhaps permanent someday.

Severus walked to Hermione's rooms and knocked on her door.

When she answered she was dressed in a pair of loose-fitting cargo pants and a tank top.

"Severus!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I thought we were going to meet in your rooms."

He knew he would never grow tired of her greetings. Hermione was always so happy to see him, even when she was having a bad day; her joy at seeing him reflected in her eyes.

"I thought I would surprise you," he said.

She let out a squeal as he picked her up and walked to the couch.

"I've decided to see what Albus has done to my home at Spinner's End. Are you up to spending an entire weekend in my company?" he asked as he sat with her on his lap.

"I'm always up for spending time with you. And you know, you might be surprised when you see your home." She smiled knowingly. For the last five years she'd taken to accompanying Albus and Minerva on their visits to the Snape home. Much of the decorating was her doing. She hoped he would be pleased.

"You have been to my home?" asked Severus, surprised that she would have ever even been interested.

"Yes, I hope you don't mind but I did a bit of decorating for you. I think you'll like it." She kissed his cheek and began to run her hands down his chest.

He stopped her hand from going further and kissed her palm.

"My dear, much as I would love to go further, I think if we start, we will never get out of here today."

Hermione laughed, although she knew he was right – that when they got started, their lovemaking lasted for hours. She kissed him one last time and went to her room to pack.

Severus in the meantime Flooed Albus and let him know he would be spending some time at his family home, to contact him there if anyone needed him.

They gathered a few things from the Hogwarts kitchen and made their way to the school gates. Once off the castle grounds they both Apparated to Severus' home.

When they arrived at Spinner's End, Severus looked confused.

"What's wrong, Severus?" asked a concerned Hermione.

"I don't understand. This should be the spot, but I don't see the house. I must be off by a few streets." He looked around at the homes. Most were Victorian-style, except for the one they stood in front of. It was a Tudor-style home with a plush garden that would have been the envy of Marie Antoinette.

"Severus, this is your house," said Hermione as she gestured towards the home.

Severus looked at her, then at the large house. He slowly walked up the stone pathway. He noted the herb garden at the edge of the fence. There were also many plants which he knew were not native to the British Isles.

"Do you like it?" asked Hermione, hoping his silence meant only that he was just taking in all of the wonderful changes.

"It's...wonderful." Severus looked at her and kissed her. He knew that she had much to do with the way it looked. He would have to remember to thank Albus as well as Minerva, although not in the same fashion.

Hermione smiled and took hold of his hand. She proceeded to drag him into the home and take him room to room, showing him all the wonderful things she, Albus, and Minerva had done.

They had all taken his taste into consideration when they updated his home, making room in the cellar for a fully-stocked potions lab as well as making sure the rooms were comfortable and filled with books and tasteful decorations.

Hermione guided him into the garden, where she had been cultivating a rather impressive vegetable garden. Deciding they should use some of the newly-grown carrots, tomatoes and beets for their dinner, they began to gather some up in a small basket.

After dinner they sat in the living room, in front of a large fire. Sipping their wine, Severus realized that he was now in his home and so he could take up where they had left off that afternoon. They walked to the upstairs master bedroom and spent the next three hours making love. As they finally began to fall asleep in each other's arms, Severus decided he would ask Hermione if she wished to move in with him. He wasn't sure if either of them were ready to take the step of marriage, but thought living together was as close as they could come for the time being.

Once asleep, Voldemort felt that he could finally make his move. He'd been gathering his strength all day. He knew however that he had to make this count. Severus was strong now because he was happy, and Voldemort needed to make his move in order to weaken Severus' emotions and soul by making him miserable. The Dark Lord moved through Severus' consciousness and finally made his way to the surface. Voldemort was again in control of Severus' body, at least for the time being. He felt a body next to Severus'; looking to his right Voldemort noticed a mass of curls on the pillow. He breathed in and noticed the scent of vanilla; he knew it was Hermione. He grinned.

*********

"It couldn't have been any better if I'd planned it myself," Voldemort whispered. He moved silently and without waking her, moved Hermione on to her back. He then positioned himself between her legs and took hold of her wrists. Gently he held them over her head and then he began to nibble on her nipples. He felt her stirring under his ministrations.

'Good,' he thought.

Hermione's eyes fluttered open. She felt a tingling sensation at her core, and moaned softly.

"Severus," she whispered. Suddenly she was jerked up to a sitting position. She screamed in surprise, now fully awake, she looked at Severus who held her gaze.

"Severus, you're hurting me," she said as his hands tightened around her wrists.

There was a darkness that she felt now, emanating from him; it was something she'd never felt before in his presence.

Voldemort-as-Severus laughed a deep low laugh, not sounding like the DADA professor at all – not the man Hermione knew and loved.

"Aren't you pretty when you are frightened," Voldemort said, as Hermione realized that she truly was frightened. His face twisted in disgust as he looked at her naked body, trembling under his gaze. "I should never have soiled myself with you. But since I am already covered in filth, I may as well get my fill before I kill you."

Hermione's eyes opened wide as "Severus" pushed her back onto the mattresses. His jutting erections now placed at her entrance, she tried desperately to push him off of her as he laughed.

"You can't possibly think you are going to fight me. I thought you were supposed to be smarter than that." Voldemort then took both her wrists in one hand and held his other hand at her neck. "But what more should I have expected from a Mudblood."

Tears were forming in Hermoine's eyes. "Severus, please. I...I thought..." She could barely speak as his hand was now becoming tighter around her windpipe.

"You thought what? That I wanted you?" Voldemort laughed. He liked the way Severus' voice sounded when he laughed at her this way. "I could no more want you than I would want to grow a horn in the middle of my forehead." His eyes now swept her nude trembling body. "There is something I want though; something I will have my fill of before I do what should be done to all of your kind."

He drew back slightly then pushed into her violently.

Hermione screamed as his length penetrated her. She wasn't ready and was beyond frightened. She felt pain all over her body, as though a lightning bolt had shot through her. She then felt a hard slap across her face.

"Be quiet!" growled Voldemort as he continued to savagely thrust into her.

Hermione cried, as she felt the metallic taste of her own blood. She tried to make him stop; she twisted her body but he was too heavy for her.

He then stopped and moved aside, then turned her over quickly so she was on her knees. As he pulled her arms behind her back, he leaned forward and whispered into her ear.

"Your pussy isn't tight enough, Mudblood. I think I need something more." Voldemort then took hold of Severus' dripping cock and entered Hermione's anus. She screamed so loud she felt as though her throat was on fire. "Yessssss, that's better."

Voldemort rode her hard, so hard that he noticed specks of blood on Severus' penis. After a few strokes he came and fell on top of her. He held her firmly although there was no need, since Hermione had fainted. Too tired to continue his plan of killing her, he rolled off her body and fell into a deep sleep. He'd wasted too much energy and was now confined to the deep well he'd been inhabiting in Severus' body.

*******

When Hermione awoke a few moments later, she was in incredible pain. She crawled out of bed, sobbing. She looked over on to the bed and noticed Severus sleeping. How could she have allowed herself to care for him? What had she done to make him lash out at her? Most of all, how could they have all been so wrong about him? He'd raped her, called her a Mudblood, and threatened to kill her. All she knew was that she had to get out of there, fast. She managed to shakily get to her feet and took a robe that was draped over a chair. As quickly as she could, in the pain she was in, she walked downstairs and went outside. She fell to the ground and Apparated to the Malfoy estate. She appeared at the front door and began pounding as hard as she could.

Lucius and Ginny were still in the study and getting ready to walk upstairs to bed when they heard a pounding at the door. Before Dari, the head house-elf, reached the door, Lucius waved her away, curious to know who would be knocking on his door at this late hour.

"I'll answer it, Dari." Lucius opened the door.

Ginny, who was just a step behind him, gasped.

"Oh my God, Hermione!" Ginny looked at her friend in horror.

Lucius bent down and carefully helped Hermione stand and walk through the door.

"Hermione, what happened to you?" he asked. He thought she looked like she'd been run over by a herd of Hippogriffs.

Hermione winced as she tried to walk, her sobs, echoing down the halls.

"Lucius, she's bleeding," said Ginny as she helped Hermione lie down on the couch in the living room.

"Dari!" yelled Lucius.

The small house-elf appeared. Dari's ears shot straight up when she saw the woman on the couch, crying and bleeding, in obvious distress.

"Dari, she needs medical attention."

House-elves had great magical healing powers. Dari had also been trained to heal humans. Since Ginny was so close to giving birth, Lucius wanted Dari to know all she could about helping deliver a child, just in case they couldn't make it to St. Mungo's. The small elf approached the crying woman and looked her over. She placed her hand on Hermione's check and immediately the swelling went down. Dari then began the task of healing the rest of her injuries.

"Hermione, what happened?" asked Ginny, as she and Lucius kept watch on Dari's actions.

Hermione cried for several moments, until she was finally able to form words.

"Severus," she inhaled sharply as she felt her torn anal tissue being healed. "He...he..." She couldn't bring herself to even form the words.

"Severus did this to you?" asked a shocked Lucius.

Hermione sobbed, "He...he hit me and called me a...a Mudblood. And...and he said he would," Hermione covered her face with her hands. "Oh god, he said he was going to kill me."

"God damn him, God damn him!" Lucius spun around and grabbed a handful of Floo powder. He turned to look at Hermione. "Where is he?"

Hermione hesitated, then told him they had been staying at his family home in Spinner's End.

Lucius knew the house well; he'd helped pay for many of the improvements. The Floo at the Snape home had been connected to the Floo network when the renovations began, and it was easily accessed via the Floo. Lucius stepped into the Floo and threw the powder.

"Severus Snape's home," growled a furious Lucius.

Back at the Snape home, Severus woke up from yet another nightmare. Before he could even realize he was alone in bed, he felt himself being dragged violently from his bed.

"You son of a bitch!" yelled someone.

Then Severus felt a hard fist against his face. He was knocked back against the wall.

"Lumos!" said the voice.

Severus blinked several times, and realized it was Lucius standing over him.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" asked a confused Severus.

"Me? What's the matter with me? What the bloody fuck is the matter with you? How could you do that to her!" Lucius picked Severus up off the floor and threw him back onto the bed.

Severus landed hard then realized Hermione was gone. He looked down at the bed and saw blood spots.

"Where is Hermione?" Severus asked, now more confused than he'd been since waking up from his curse.

"After what you did to her, where the fuck do you think she is? Did you think she would be here?" Lucius was furious. He'd grown to love Hermione like a sister in the years since the war. He was blinded by rage and was close to beating his friend within an inch of his life. But Lucius held himself back. For weeks he knew there was something going on with Severus. What his friend had done to Hermione was the final straw.

Severus stood and put on his trousers. He ran his hands through his hair. He didn't even want to think of the possibility that he'd done something to Hermione. He sat on the bed, and looked up at Lucius.

"Lucius, you have to believe me. I have no idea what you're talking about. Please tell me Hermione's all right," he begged.

Lucius' stern face softened slightly. He noticed tears forming in Severus' eyes. Could it be that his friend had no idea what had happened?

"She's at my home. Ginny is taking care of her."

"Why, what happened to her?" asked Severus desperately.

"You beat her and called her a Mudblood. Then...you raped her, Severus," said Lucius soberly. "Anally."

Severus felt the bile rising from the pit of his stomach. How could he have done such a thing? He cared for her, possibly even loved her. He felt numb.

"Severus," Lucius sighed. He sat on the chair in the corner. "No more lies now, no more secrets."

Severus stood and began pacing. He sighed heavily, knowing he needed to get help.

"I've...I've been losing time. For almost a week after I woke up, there were times when I would wake up somewhere and not know how I got there." Severus looked at Lucius, fully expecting him to laugh at him. "The day I was with you at Hogsmeade, Lucius, I don't remember coming home. I woke up on my couch. I thought I'd drunk too much, but now, now I wonder."

Lucius looked at him, thinking back on that day. Severus had said some strange things. At the time he thought it odd, but now he thought that perhaps there was more going on than either of them realized.

"And something else," said Severus.

"What?" asked Lucius as he stood and walked to Severus.

"I've been dreaming of Voldemort."

Lucius' eyes widened. He tore his cuff loose and rolled up his left sleeve. There, his Dark Mark was now darker than ever.

Severus looked at his own arm; there was no Mark. He touched the spot where at the very least he should have had a trace of it, yet there was nothing there. Severus backed up slightly and turned around. He ran his hands across his face, as though that would wake him up from this nightmare.

"Severus," said Lucius.

It all finally began to make sense. The torture he'd endured from Voldemort. All of the years he lay dormant under the curse, with not so much as even a trickle of thought coming from his brain; the time lost; Poppy finding a "magical signature" from the curse even after ten years; why he hadn't been killed. And now, calling Hermione a Mudblood, he then remembered what Lucius had said about Voldemort having a "knowing" look as he died. Severus turned and looked at Lucius.

"My God, Lucius, he's inside of me."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I'm sorry if I dissapointed some of you with the rape scene. While I hated to have done that to Hermione, I felt it was important to the story. Something major had to happen for them all to finally realize there was something going on with Severus and for them all to realize it was Voldemort's doing. I want to remind you all that I have always planned on a happy ending to this story and it will have one, so don't worry about how dramatic it gets.