There will be one more part after this one.

So I hope you enjoy.

Also I have decided with all my stories starting now with this one I will suggest a story that I enjoy. I will share it after each chapter.

Always_Hufflepuff

There will be a lot of places changes in this part.

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"True love"

So with that revelation each person that was involved with meeting of the minds contemplated silently on what needed to be done.

After a few minutes Ginny broke the silence and asked the question that they all were thinking.

"Does she truly love him?"

"Oh yes. Yes she does." Luna quietly said. "If you think about it. She was made for him, and she knows it."

"How can you be sure?" Harry asked.

"Think about it mate." Ron said "He would constently push her, debate with her, even when he would put her down. What would she say to us?" He asked.

"He is such a great professor, a great man, and so smart." Harry mumbled.

"Right. No matter what she looked up to him." Ron snapped. "Even after killing Dumbledore she always said there had to be a reason. She constantly tried to reason with us when it came to him."

"She always did wonder what was under all those clothes too." Ginny smirked.

"What? She did?" Both Ron and Harry said with wonder.

"This is true." Luna said with a laugh.

"Ok great." Draco said interrupting the banter. "So now that we think she loves him. How are we going to get her to admit it, then how do we get her to maybe sacrifice herself to save him."

"If he doesn't feel the same way. She will become trapped to never leave. There has to be love both ways for it to work." Draco said with a huff.

"Well we ask her of course." Luna sharply stated.

"Ok so lets ask." Harry said standing. "I will go get her from Shell Cottage. While I am gone figure out a way to let her know."

Harry quickly diapperated while the rest decide on what exactly to tell Hermione.

-------Shell Cottage---------

"Harry!" Hermione gasped getting up off the couch to recive him from the floo.

"Hey Hermione. How are you doing?" Harry asked as dusting himself off.

"Oh it has been lovely here. I am so glad Ron talked me into coming. I needed to get away." Hermione replyed with a sigh.

"What are you doing here?" She quickly asked.

"Coming to get you." He said back, "some friends are at your place and they would like to see you."

"Who?" Asked Hermione as she went to put her cup back to the kitchen.

" Oh just a few people. Come on it will be a suprise." Smirked Harry. "I know they will love to see you."

"Well ok. Let me get my stuff and write a quick thank you note to Flur and Bill for their hospitality." Hermione said as she went to go get her stuff.

---------meeting of the minds---------

"So who is going to tell her?" Ginny asked.

"I will. I know the story and the curse so I will be the one to tell her." Replied Draco.

They all turned as they heard the floo open and people coming in.

Ginny, Luna and Draco recived Hermione with hugs and hellos. They all sat down at the table and grew silent.

"Ok what is the real reason I am here?" Hermione asked with a glare.

With a sigh Draco told Hermione what he told everyone else. Then asked her the question they all wanted to ask....

"So do you love him?"

Hermione sat there for a good 10 minutes. Replaying everything Draco had said. Mulling over the question she could see was on everybody's mind. Does she love him?

"Yes." Was all Hermione could say.

A collective sigh was heard across the table. Then she asked the question that nobody thought of.

"Does he love me though?"

--------somewhere------

(spoken in his head)
(Spoken out loud)

Severus was having a conversation with himself. Which happens a lot when you are alone.

'Why do I torture myself with her'

'Because you deserve it for the horrendous acts you have done over the years'

'No I helped defeat the Dark Lord'

'Yes but you pushed people away. You did this to yourself.'

'I am meant to be alone.'

'Who could love someone like you?'

'She could'

'You pushed her away. You told her that you felt nothing.'

'I lied!'

'Yes but she has moved on. Found someone better.'

'She deserves better.'

'You could have had her.'

'I love her. I had to let her go.'

'She could have loved you.'

'No, I am too old, dark, and I have lost my chance.'

'She could have loved you.'

---------Meeting of the minds--------

"I am sure he does Hermione. I mean after what happened 7th year. How could you think he doesn't." Draco told her grabbing her hand.

"What happened that year?" Harry asked looking at both of them.

"Are you sure Draco?" She whispered "Don't you remember what he said to me?"

"I do Hermione" He said "don't you remember the look in his eyes when he said those words?"

"What the hell happened 7th year?" Harry yelled becoming frustrated with the cryptic talk.

"Oh Harry." Hermione cried, "I messed up. I thought I was so mature and I threw myself at him. He...he...he rejected me." She sobbed out.

"That is not how I remember it." Draco told her.

"So what really happened?" Hermione shot back. " How did I read it so wrong?"

-------flashback-------

"Professor Snape you wanted to see me?" Hermione asked with masked bravery. The man didn't scare her, he enthralled her. She was attracted to him. She has been sense third year. When he showed his true colors shielding them from Lupin when he had transformed. At first she brushed it off as a crush that all girls have in school. Then it changed 7th year, she knew something was up.

He changed. She knew the moment she feel in love with. It was seventh year at Slughorns party, she was walking back to the common room and McLaggen was being an ass. She was teying to be polite by telling McLaggen no to his advances. He wasn't listen, and then he grabbed her and pinned her against the wall. She was about to punch him when Snape appeared like a Dark Knight.

----flashback in flashback-----
(Ok that sounfs strange but it is the only way it makes sense sorry)

"Get your filthy hands off her." Snape growled.

"Sir she was about to fall I was helping her keep her balance." McLaggen lied.

"Oh yes, that is why you are man handling her. And the fact her arm is pulled back ready to break your nose makes me think you are helping her." Snape said sarcastically.

"Uhhh...oh..well...sorry..." McLaggen stuttered.

"Oh you will be sorry." Snape replied " Ah Filtch for once I am happy to see you. Please take this man to the Headmaster and let him know I will be along shortly to discuss punishment."

"Right, sir." Filtch answered back.

Watching them go Snape turned back to Hermione and looked her over.

"Are you hurt Miss Granger?" Snape said softly.

"No sir. Thank you sir" she said smiling at Snape.

"Good. Then I will walk you back to your dormitory." He said slightly bowing and placing his hand on her back.

She shivered at the touch. At that point she knew that it was more than a crush.

They got to the door of the Gryffindor common room. She turned to look at him and before she chickened out she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him.

At first he stiffened and then he relaxed and hugged her back. Before he knew what he was doing he kissed the top of her head and inhaled her warm sent, lavender with a hint of french vanilla. It was intoxicating.

She hummed as she in hailed his aroma. Earthy, with a hint chocolate and camomile tea. It was glorious and so relaxing. She looked up at him as she felt his lips on her hair.

She drew her hand from around his waist and placed it on his cheek. He leaned against the hand and sighed.

She stood on her toes and lightly kissed his lips and before she could turn away he pulled her in closer and deepened the kiss. Though before she could relax into the kiss he pulled away.

"Goodnight Miss Granger." He said in a low grumble. Turning away and swiftly walking towards the Headmasters office.

"Goodnight Professor Snape." She mumbled as he floated away.

----Present time in flashback------

"Professor Snape you wanted to see me?"

"Yes please have a seat. We need to have a chat." Snape said as he pointed to the seat in front of his desk.

"Sir?" She questioned. Thinking that she might be in trouble for kissing him the night before.

"Yes, it is about what transpired last night." He said with no emotion.

'Great' Hermione thought. 'Why do I get my hopes up? Why do I read into situations.'

"I do not regret about what happened. Though it will never happen again." Snape said with a snap and his face blank.

"Why?" Hermione cried. "If you don't regret it and I don't have any reservations about what happened."

"STOP!" Snape bellowed. "It will never happen again because I was a fool."

He stood up from his desk and walked to her. Face still bare of emotions.

"You are but a child, and I cannot allow for this to happen." Snape continued.

"So was I a fool into thinking, into feeling that the brief moment was nothing to you?" Hermione sobbed.

Something flashed in his eyes. For a small second she could see sadness, but also love. Then it was gone. His face once again held nothing.

"Yes you foolish, foolish girl." Snape bellowed at her.

With that she backed away from him and ran to the door. Turning once to look at him again. She quietly said
"I know the real you. That is the one I love. The one who I will always love."

With those words she closed the door and walked away.

"I am so sorry my love. I will always love you." Snape whispered as he fell to his knees.

Unknown to both parties. One because he forgot he asked his Godson to help with a potion, and one had no clue he was there. Draco witnessed the whole thing and shook his head.

'Godfather. What have you done?' He thought to himself.

"Always my love." Snape cried into his hands.

----end of flashback-----

"He loves you." Draco said grasping on to Hermione's hands.

"Why did he push me away then?" She said searching onto Draco's eyes.

"He thought he was going to die during the war. He held no hope for himself. So when he did survive he gave up on everything else." Draco said.

"I should have reminded him of that night I saw you two. Though I figured you had moved on. You were with Ron at the time." Draco said bowing his head.

"I will do it." Hermione stated.

Everyone looked at her, granted nobody was shocked, but there was some fear.

"I love him." Was all she could say to the faces around her.

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Ok a bit long and stretched out. I hope everyone likes it. Vote and comment please. (Yes I realize the McClaggen bit happened 6th but for this it happened 7th)

Now to share a story I have read multiple times....

Her Dirty Secret

Written by Ishouldbe It is a great 6 part story that holds so many emotions. Such a fantastic piece of work.