Hidden Truths

My wonderful Beta, JessicaDamien makes my stuff more readable. Notsosaintly usually catches anything she misses. Any mistakes after that are all my own.

Of course, this all belongs to JKR... The only thing I can lay claim to, is the plot!

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Hidden Truths

Severus stood at the foot of the stairs and watched as Serenity led Ginny away. Probably showing her to a room that's entirely too close to mine! he thought dismally. Taking a deep breath, he turned and walked to the doorway and stared absently at the rain. He had been alone for so long, it was beginning to do things to him.

What measure of desperate must he be to look at Miss Weasley and actually feel lust? He admitted to himself freely enough that Hermione had grown into a beautiful young woman. He had even entertained ideas of pursuing a relationship with her once the war was over. If Lucius had not gotten to her first.

Even as the thoughts played in his head, he banished them. No, that would just be too strange, he told himself impatiently. Hermione was just too annoying for him to entertain any ideas of romance. It was better for Lucius to have her. But Ginny...

Turning abruptly, he eyed the now-vacant staircase. She was no longer a child. That much was obvious. But what manner of woman had she become? If she was anything like her mother, then she needed to be pursued by the likes of Potter. Someone who wanted and needed a large family.

But 'family' was not an idea that Severus catered to. He was hardly fond enough of children to deal with their antics during the school year. To consider having one of his own running around made him feel somewhat nauseous.

However, there was something new about Miss Weasley. A certain light in her eyes, confidence in her step and an aura that hinted to true power. She had grown from a rather uninteresting child that existed in the shadow of Harry and the other two to someone that followed her own path now. Where that path had led her was something that Severus was very curious to discover.

Resigning himself to the idea of watching her carefully while she was here, he made his way back to the library. The lone Chronicle of Merlin was the closest thing they had found so far to make headway in the war against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Too bad the location of the other books was such a mystery.

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Hermione lay naked on the coverlet, smiling up at Lucius as he rid himself of his clothes. His eyes devoured her as he sat on the side of the bed. His hand trembled as he reached out to caress her cheek. Smiling gently, he whispered, "So beautiful. Everything about you... inside and out... is so amazingly beautiful to me."

Raising up, Hermione kissed Lucius deeply. One hand closed around the back of his neck, drawing him ever closer, while the other closed around his already rigid manhood. She smiled against his mouth when he moaned at her touch. She murmured softly, "Make love to me."

Needing no further encouragement, Lucius covered her body with his and used his fingers to touch her already moist core. The tight wetness assured him she was ready for his hardness. Positioning himself over her, he thrust forward, eliciting a deep moan from her as he filled her depths.

Hermione held onto him, wrapping her legs around him as he rode her slowly. Pulling back, he watched as he almost unsheathed himself from her, only to thrust forward when she whimpered her discontent at his leaving.

Thrusting forward once more, he smiled when her eyes widened, and she lifted her hips to meet him when he began to move faster over her. Leaning down, he used the tip of his tongue to run circles around the pink bud of her nipple.

Moaning his name loudly, Hermione arched herself into his kiss. She had been teetering ever close to the edge. When his tongue caressed her already puckered nipple, it drove her beyond the barriers of reason.

Feeling her release, he quickened his pace to help sustain her completion. When she began to come down, he slowed just enough to keep himself from coming. Not yet, he thought as he began to ride her again. Slow, but powerful thrusts made her insides quiver as he drove her slowly into another orgasm. She cried out loudly as he quickened his pace once more, this time riding the tidal wave between them with her.

As his seed poured hot and fast into her, he cried out and pulled her closer into his embrace. When he let himself lay atop her, they both worked to catch their breath. Just as he leaned down to kiss her deeply, they both heard beating on the chamber door, followed by an angry voice from outside that made them both break out in peels of laughter.

"Why, in the bleeding hell can you two not remember a SILENCING CHARM?"

Snape had apparently been on his way to his chambers and was passing by just as they had reached their completion. Lucius recovered from his laughter long enough to yell back. "I'm sorry, ole boy. I'm just so very happy, I can't seem to remember such trivial things!"

They heard a muttered oath, then footsteps leading away. Lucius rolled off of her and pulled her into his arms.

Laying her hands on his chest, she rested her chin on them, her eyes never leaving his. After a moment, he asked, "What?"

Biting her bottom lip, her hand moved to caress the light spray of hair across his chest. He waited for her to ask whatever question she had in her head. He didn't have to wait long.

"Are you really?"

"Am I really what?" He feigned ignorance.

She smiled again and took a deep breath. "Are you really that happy?"

Lucius lost his smile as his face turned so serious she knew a moment of panic. His words, however, set her mind at ease. "I never dared to dream that I could once again know such happiness."

Reaching out, Hermione ran her hand over the scars on his face. Lucius trembled slightly at the touch, but held still for her inspection. Closing his eyes, he waited for it to end. His breath left him when she replaced her hand with her lips. Gently, slowly she began to kiss every inch of the injured half of his face.

It was more healing to feel her acceptance of his scars than anything any mediwitch had ever tried to do to ease his pain. Whenever she touched him, he forgot his appearance. He felt he was... just a man. And to her, he was beautiful.

When she drew away from him, they just looked at each other, and he offered her a warm, happy smile. Taking in the color of her eyes, he was reminded of her friend. It made him remember that Ginny's eyes were unfamiliar.

"Hermione," he questioned, "what color are Ginny's eyes?"

Hermione smiled. "Why?"

He shook his head and shrugged. "It's just... well, I thought her eyes were brown. But today, in the library, they were emerald green. Do you think she used a glamour? She doesn't strike me as the type to use such frivolous things."

Hermione went stock still in his arms. "Green?" she paused. "Are you sure?"

Suddenly worried that he had alarmed her, he nodded. "Yes. I'm quite certain." The words were barely out of his mouth when Hermione was up and dressing. He sat up and made to dress as well. If she sensed danger in her friend, or whoever was claiming to be her friend, she would not face it alone.

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Ginny sat in the private library, the ancient text balanced on her lap as she held her hands out over it. Her eyes glowed an unearthly shade of green as each page within the book turned. Her face held a dangerously serious expression on it, as she seemed to be examining each word, memorizing each phrase.

Hermione charged swiftly into the room and stopped short, horrified at the sight that met her. Lucius was not far behind, and he collided into Hermione when he entered the room. Both stood in silent shock at the scene before them.

Severus moved with more caution into the room behind them. Catching Malfoy's eye, he gestured for him to follow him back out of the room. With a worried glance in Hermione's direction, he eased back to the doorway, but would go no further.

Lucius spoke softly. "What has happened to her?" He pointed in Ginny's direction, before glaring at his friend. "Is that not Ginny?"

Severus nodded. "Yes, that is Ginny. But she is no longer the simple witch she once was."

Hermione turned at his words. "What do you mean? Is she possessed? What is she doing, anyway? Is there nothing we can do to help her?"

Severus opened his mouth to speak, but instead of his voice, it was Ginny that spoke from behind them. "He means I am no longer just a witch. No, I am not possessed." She took a deep breath, and released it in a sigh, setting the book aside. "Please, sit and let me explain."

Hermione and Lucius both moved to sit on the sofa opposite her. Severus crossed his arms and smirking, leaned against the bookshelf, waiting.

Choosing to ignore Snape and his rather ill-planned attempt at intimidation, Ginny gestured to the book she had just set down. "Lucius, you know what that book is, correct?"

Lucius nodded. "Yes. It is one of the seven books of Merlin."

Ginny smiled. "It is the only one that has not been taken to Avalon." Her smile faded. "It is the biggest reason I am here."

Lucius quirked an eyebrow in Ginny's direction. "I fail to understand--"

"And I am explaining it to you, if you will but give me a moment." She answered in a soft, but firm voice. When Lucius relaxed and took Hermione's hand, Ginny continued her explanation.

"When King Arthur died, his body was taken to Avalon. Merlin sealed him in a tomb that was impossible to be intruded upon by any mortal man. It is in that same spot where the round table, Excalibur, and all of the Chronicles, save this one, are buried as well.

"When Merlin chose to have this book left within the grasp of his descendents, the Malfoys, he also chose that once every thousand years, a new guardian would be added to the ranks of the Ladies of Avalon."

Severus, who had been standing silent up until that point, spoke in a shocked voice. "You are the next chosen Guardian of Avalon?" His eyes were wide and he looked at Ginny with a new level of respect. All of his childhood, he had heard stories of Avalon from his mother. She had told him that only a female could be chosen as a guardian and that his great-grandmother had been among their ranks.

Ginny nodded, although her eyes were only on Hermione at that moment. Moving to kneel before her long time friend, she said gently, "I did want to see you, Hermione. I did want to make sure you were safe and happy." She shook her head. "But I also had to come to ensure that this book was not in danger of falling into the wrong hands." Her now emerald eyes searched Hermione's. "Can you forgive me of my deceit?"

Hermione watched Ginny for a moment, then smiled. "Are you happy, Ginny?"

The redheaded witch chuckled. "I am no longer following in Harry's and Ron's shadows. My own path has been set. Although, I must ask that all of you within this room keep my secret." Her smile was sad. "It isn't time for anyone else to know."

Hermione smiled at her friend's words. "Then I could never be angry at you."

Lucius had been watching her silently as she spoke to Hermione. He was suddenly confused. "But, why did you come just to check and see if the book was safe after all this time? Surely, you know it is safe, after all the time it has been here."

Ginny inclined her head at his words. "Yes, but I couldn't offer to take someone with me to recover the other books for your use if there was any danger in bringing them back." Her eyes searched his face. "Do you understand?"

Hermione fairly squealed in response to Ginny's words. "You mean, the Guardians will let us use the Chonicles? All of them?"

Ginny remained solemn, but nodded. "Yes. In becoming a Guardian, I bonded with all the other guardians. I am one with Queen Mab; Morgaine; Lady Vivienne, who is the Lady of the Lake, and

the Lady Igraine, Arthur's own mother, as well. Their knowledge and ways are my own."

Hermione's smile was radiant as she embraced her friend. "This is wonderful news! Absolutely fabulous!" She turned to look at Lucius. "Finally, we may be able to finally find a way to truly help Harry defeat him!"

Lucius smiled, and was about to nod his agreement when, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of something small scampering across the room. His expression became deadly, and he hissed the name, "Pettigrew," as he stood and retrieved his wand.

Ginny was faster, and within seconds, with only the flick of her hand, she had Pettigrew suspended in air. He squealed and writhed, but could not break free of the magical bonds that held him.

Reaching into her pocket, she withdrew four crystals and placed them on the floor surrounding the rat, before uttering a chant that was even older than anything Severus had heard. The rat began to grow, changing shape, becoming human, instead of rodent.

In mere moments, Pettigrew lay on the floor before them, stinking of rat feces and ugly as ever. Hermione and Ginny both fought the urge to hold their noses. Severus and Lucius glared at the pitiful excuse for a wizard.

He tried to scamper away from the center of the room, but when he came in line with the crystals, he suffered a near execution. Lightening danced around his head, and he shrunk back, crying out in fear. "The master will come for me. He won't tolerate–"

"Shut your disgusting, foul mouth!" Lucius cut him off. He looked at Ginny. "Will that hold?"

Ginny motioned to the gems. "As long as none of you move the stones."

Lucius grabbed Hermione and put her behind him as he backed a safe distance away from the man sulking on the floor.

Ginny was still watching Pettigrew as she spoke. "Voldemort already has plans that have to do with the two of you. And your unborn child."

Hermione gasped and Lucius swung around to look accusingly at Pettigrew. The dirty man simply scowled and made to wipe his non-existent whiskers. "He may make use of you and anyone close to you, anytime he chooses, Lucius. You should know that by now, surely."

Severus moved to stand beside Ginny. "Are we still allowed access to those books?" he asked. His eyes never left Pettigrew as he spoke.

Ginny sighed. "But someone must come with me. It takes a second, outside power to balance mine when I open the tombs."

Severus nodded his understanding. "Then I will go with you." Turning to Lucius, "Get the Aurors here to escort that... thing to Azkaban."

When Lucius agreed, he turned back to Ginny and asked, "What do we need?"

Ginny bridged the gap between them. With no semblance of a smile, she took his hands. "You need nothing to go where we are going, save my touch."

Before Hermione and Lucius could even blink, they were gone.

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A/N: I do hope that each of you enjoy the newest twist in my plot...