"I've had enough trouble to last me a life time."

Harry Pocketed the Elder Wand to place it back with Dumbledore's body later, still holding his own phoenix holly wand warmly.

With a sigh, the three walked to the door tiredly. But, just as they had finally reached it, a new portrait caught Harry's eye.

The eyes of the old Potions Master, the eyes of the man who had loved Harry's mother since childhood, who resented James Potter for being well cared for and for gaining the love of Lily Evans, looked back at Harry.

His face remained composed, though you could still make out a single tear clinging to the tip of his hooked nose. And slowly, he clapped a few times quietly.

"Well Potter…well done," the old professor said simply, though his words held a greater meaning.

Harry let out a small smile.

"Thank you, Sir. I-I couldn't have done it without you," he said, and for once, meaning it.

Severus Snape nodded.

And though it wasn't said, for one could hardly talk about these things, they finally understood each other.

Finally, Harry held the respect for the man in the portrait before him that he deserved.

With another nod from the old professor, Harry, Ron, and Hermione left the office, all of them with a final feeling of calm and contentment over their group…

THE END