Chapter fifteen

Harry was sitting on the floor facing the fire; even though it wasn't cold enough Harry just wanted to see the flames. It reminded him on when Sirius used to firecall him in Gryffindor tower.

'Harry, love,' Severus sat beside Harry then wiped his tears away, 'What is it?'

'Sirius, he used to firecall me in the Gryffindor common room. I was staring into the flames and it just reminded me of those time,' Harry blew out a huge breath, 'I'm fine, tell me.'

'Molly Weasley has been arrested for making three potions that are considered dark and have been for more then twenty years. The minister said she will do anywhere from fifteen to twenty years for that. Then the aurors tested the other potions they found one that shocked all of them, they decided to have the Unspeakables test it. Yes it was a potion that removes magic, permanently,' Severus wrapped his arms around Harry, 'So that will make her end up with life. The minister asked Ron and Ginny that even though it looks like they will never have their magic returned would they liked to remain here for the last couple of weeks or leave, they both decided to leave. I had a house elf get Hermione, she was offered the same thing, she is leaving as well. But without magic they could not use the floo, I had to allow them through the gate where Bill and Arthur apparated them to the Burrow. It's over love, they're gone and you never have to see them again.'

'It's been taking everything I have to keep it together, now I just feel drained.'

'I know, but you have tests so really you should be resting right now.'

'I just needed to hear what was going on,' Harry moved until he was sitting astride Severus. At first he just stared into those dark orbs then they were kissing, hot, hungry kisses. They both knew it was late and Harry did have a long day tomorrow, but taking an hour would not hurt too much. So instead of heading into their bedroom Severus cast a spell so their clothes disappeared then he laid Harry down on the rug in front of the flickering flames.

Harry always sat with Neville at the Gryffindor table, but now the atmosphere was lighter which meant to two young men and some of their other friends would laugh more. They continued to do their tests, Harry always spending an hour or so with Severus before heading back to the dorm room in Gryffindor tower, but now one bed was empty, much to Harry's relief.

When the tests were over every student in fifth and seventh year cheered making all the staff and the examiners laugh, something they had seen many times over the years, but this year was special. This year the heroes of the war were finally finishing Hogwarts when more than a year ago a lot of them thought they might not be alive. So that evening a feast was put on but also the band that Severus had hired months earlier were back. So right after everyone ate, the large house tables disappeared, a dance floor and small tables appeared, this time Severus decided that two o'clock in the morning would be a good time for the all the students to retire for the night, but it was also the last time the seventh years would be able to have a great night together.

After the end of one song Severus stepped up on the stage, 'Even though some of you will be leaving us for good and you are excited about your prospects, just like the staff when we left as graduating students, there was sadness. Every one of you the will never set foot in Hogwarts again should be proud of what you all achieved, but you should be proud that you remained that terrible night to defend our way of life. As my wonderful husband has said many times, he might have been the one to kill Voldemort but that would not have happened without the help he received from all of you. So the staff of Hogwarts would like to thank you for you fighting spirit and doing what was right,' Severus and all the staff applauded then the younger students applauded, Harry and Neville got their friends together on the middle of the dance floor, they smiled at the appreciating they received, 'Now I have one last surprise for everyone, but this surprise is mainly for my Harry,' Severus smiled down at Harry before he sat at the piano and started to play, but it was when he sang a beautiful love song to Harry that shocked every person in the great hall including Harry who had no idea Severus, his Severus had such a beautiful voice.

Harry ended up walking towards the stage then just stood there staring at Severus who was singing to Harry. Girls all over the great hall ended up either in tears or lusting after the headmaster, but so were a few of the boys.

Severus bowed then left the stage, wrapping his arms around Harry, 'I love you.'

'I love you, so much Sev, that was beautiful.'

'Something I would never normally do in public but this was another way of showing you how much I love you and prove to everyone that you are mine; now and forever.'

'I always will be Sev,' Harry put his head against Severus shoulder and the two men who were surrounded by students just held each other as they swayed, not really danced just moved a little from side to side.

The last day of Hogwarts most students were excited to be heading home for the holidays, but the students that were leaving for good all sat together at the Gryffindor table, talking while they ate their breakfast. But even though Harry was staying, he looked around at the great hall just like all the others. Harry knew it wouldn't be the same, he would be a member of staff but all his real friends were leaving and the most he would see them after today maybe during the holidays.

The students from sixth year and below all made an aisle for all the seventh years, which was led by Harry Potter even though he was not leaving, but he was saying farewell to his friends. So one by one every seventh year either hugged Harry or shook his hand before the shook the staff's hand, but Neville ended up hugging Severus, Minerva and Pomona before he raced onto one of the carriages with tears falling down his face, Hannah joined him with their friends. Once they carriage moved away with Harry waving frantically as he watched his friends leave, the rest of the students climbed onto the carriages. By the time Severus stepped down beside Harry he wiped tears from his husband's face, then held Harry as he kept waving until the thestral drawn carriages were out of sight.

'It's the end of an era Sev, it's hard to believe I will hardly see them but it's also amazing to know they survived and are going out into the world ready to start work and have families.'

'Yes, they are and it is the end of an era, the era which lead to the downfall of Voldemort and those students that just left were a big part of that. What I said the other night was true, I am proud of them, of all of you. Even though you were facing experienced dark witches and wizards, none of you ran, you stayed. It still amazes me how far some will go to do the right thing, but also how far others will go to try and get what they don't deserve. One thing I know is right, when you combine good; it can overcome evil, especially if you believe it in your heart and your soul, which all of you did.'

'You're part of that Sev. So many times you and I could have died, but we lived, it proves what you said is true, good can overcome evil especially if you have love in your heart. I love being here, but I am going to miss them, Neville and his love of plants, Seamus who still accidentally blows stuff up, Luna and her strange but wonderful imagination, all of them have their own unique personality and style. I don't think I will ever meet anyone as great as they were, or as loyal,' Harry turned in Severus arms, 'Now it's our time to begin our life together my Sev.'

'It is, so how about we start by moving your belongings into…our…room my love.'

'Your on, oh and Minerva,' Harry smiled at his old professor who was now a colleague, 'Just so you know, Sev and I will be busy, until at least tomorrow. I'm sure you can take care of things.'

'Oh he really is cheeky isn't he Severus,' Minerva smiled, 'Go, you've earned some time alone without any interruptions.'

'Thank you Minerva,' Severus swooped down and threw Harry over his shoulder, then slapped his arse again making Harry laugh but so were the rest of the staff who moved aside while Severus Snape carried his husband Harry Potter to their rooms. The staff knew Harry was right, no one would see those two men until tomorrow, at the earliest. Harry and Severus could finally start their married life and they were going to start it by loving the other with as much passion they could give.

The end: