Back to Hogwarts

Term started in less than a week, and Harry stood in his new staff quarters at Hogwarts, putting his things away and hoping that the panicky flutter in his belly would go away before he had to teach his first class.

Hermione was just down the hall in her own quarters, and Harry could hear her laughter mingling with Snape's baritone chuckle through the open doors. He was helping her set up her private lab and going through the classroom stock as well.

Ginny had wanted to come help Harry move in, but Harry deflected the offer, feeling a bit smothered ever since she had glommed onto him once she had finished school a couple of months earlier. Mrs. Weasley had allowed them to start dating again, and Harry enthusiastically took advantage of the chance to get back into Ginny's knickers, but, as he admitted to no one but himself and Hermione, he missed the easy, casual enjoyment he had with Viktor and the freedom to ogle any fit blokes or pretty girls he wanted.

Now that he would be busy teaching, and Ginny couldn't spend so much time in his personal space, he figured he'd get some relief, and maybe he'd be able to better settle back into a serious relationship.

He jerked out of his reverie at the sound of footsteps at his door. Looking up, he saw Snape perusing the room.

"When you all rebuilt this place, these staff quarters were quite well done. Much more inviting than the ones I had in the dungeons."

Harry glanced around, barely seeing his surroundings. "Yeah, they're all right, I reckon."

Snape's eyes narrowed and he crossed to Harry, his gaze boring into him. Sometimes Harry was ridiculously easy to read. His voice low, he said, "Harry, look at me." Harry met his gaze, owl-eyed. "It's obvious you're nervous about teaching. How many times do I have to tell you? You'll be fine. Actually, you'll be more than fine. You have excelled in your studies and are far more prepared than many of the Defence teachers we've had here...myself excepted, of course."

Harry snorted and relaxed, just as Snape had intended.

"Your 'foolish dream' is coming true."

At that, Harry blinked and swallowed, his eyes glassy.

Snape ducked his head and said, "You've conquered the biggest scourge of modern time, landed your dream job, and have your first love by your side...in bed and out. What more could you want?"

Harry blushed, taken aback by Snape's comment about having Ginny in his bed. It was the first time he had ever said anything remotely sexual around him, and he realized that he was no longer just a child to Snape... he was a friend, an equal.

*****

Harry passed Hermione's quarters on his way to his rooms and paused at the sound of muffled crying coming from within. It was Saturday night, after curfew, and Harry was surprised that Hermione was even at Hogwarts, since she usually spent her Saturday nights at Ron's. Ron had taken a flat just off Diagon Alley during Christmas break, and ever since then, Hermione was scarce on the weekends.

Gently, he knocked on her door. "Hermione? Are you all right?"

The noise stopped, but he heard her crossing to the door. A beat later, it opened to reveal Hermione's tear-stained face, eyes puffy and red from crying. Without a word, she gestured for him to enter and shut the door behind them. Harry responded by folding her into an embrace, rubbing her back and muttering soothing nonsense as she resumed crying against his chest.

He guided her back to her couch and they sat. After several minutes, Hermione calmed and leant back, sniffling and wiping her face. "Sorry about your shirt."

Harry glanced down at the wet spots and tsked. "Who cares? Hermione, what's wrong?"

Grimacing, she croaked, "Ron and I had a huge row. He seems to think that just because he has his own place now and the shop is doing all right that I should quit teaching here and just get married and have babies and stay in the bloody kitchen. He kept badgering me about it and I just lost it. There's no way I was going to stay the night there with him expecting me to put out after that!"

Harry was properly indignant on her behalf. "Too right!" He paused for a beat and then muttered, "Want me to go hex him for you?"

Hermione laughed and favoured him with a grateful look. "What makes you think I didn't already?"

They both chuckled and Harry said, "Canaries again?"

Smirking in grim satisfaction, she retorted, "Boils. Right where they hurt the most."

Harry winced and crossed his legs reflexively. "Remind me never to piss you off."

Hermione sighed and leant against Harry again, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Her voice weary, she said, "Are things this hard with Ginny?"

Harry cleared his throat. "Well, we don't row about this sort of thing, but we have our moments."

Gesturing between them, Hermione said, "We haven't rowed in ages. Not since the war was over. I had hoped that once the stress and fear was gone, Ron and I could get along better. But he's just so difficult!"

"Hmm, true on both counts. But, of course, we aren't dating. I daresay that makes a difference."

"I thought maybe it was sexual frustration, before the war was over...that was what had us at each other's throats so often. We started shagging, and things were great. For a while. Then it all got complicated again."

Treading carefully, mindful of her prowess at revenge, Harry said, "Well, is the sex at least worth it?"

Hermione stiffened for a moment, then wilted again and sighed. "It's not perfect. But who would expect it to be perfect? At first, the thrill of actually doing it was enough to mask the... imperfections. But now...you know how hard it is to teach Ron anything!"

Harry cringed. "You don't actually try to teach him, do you?"

Hermione pulled away and shot him a trenchant glare. "Of course not. But he's oblivious to reinforcement and you know he can't have a civilized conversation about something as taboo as sex. Honestly, Harry, that whole family's attitudes about sex are positively parochial."

"Come again?"

Huffing in exasperation, she said, "Narrow minded."

"Ah. Naturally."

They were silent for a while, then Hermione heaved a sigh and sat up. "I think it's time to turn in. Thanks for letting me vent."

Harry hugged her and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Anytime. You've been my ear so many times already that it's high time I returned the favour."

They stood and Hermione flashed a tired smile at Harry as he crossed to the door. "You still going to Severus's for lunch tomorrow?"

Harry grinned. "Every Sunday!"

Pushing her lip forward in a pout, she said, "Think he'd mind if I tagged along?"

Harry levelled a stern look at her and said, "You're always welcome. You know that. We've missed you since you started spending the weekends with Ron. Come join us, and we'll make something special to cheer you up, okay?"

Hermione ducked her head and quirked a faint smile. "I'd like that."

Smiling fondly again, Harry said, "So would we," and opened the door. "Good night, Hermione. Get some rest."

"I'll try. Good night." With that, Harry shut the door and Hermione doused the lights on her way to bed.

*****

That first year of teaching was officially over, and Harry and Hermione were at Spinner's End to celebrate the successful start of their careers with the man who had made it possible. Snape was in an armchair with his feet propped on an ottoman and Harry and Hermione were sprawled on the couch to one side. They all had flutes of champagne, and a decimated tray of snacks lay before them on the coffee table.

Harry drained his glass and said, "Severus, I made notes throughout the year where it seemed like the curriculum could use some tweaking. Would you be willing to go through it with me?"

Snape inclined his head. "Of course. I would be honoured."

Harry snorted and grinned at Snape. "Don't lay it on too thick, now. I'm still a rookie."

Snape chuckled and said, "After years of me never being allowed to give you lot any credit, you'd think you'd be eating it up now."

Hermione smirked and said, "I've learnt to accept compliments from Severus, Harry. You should too. If it comes from him, you know you've merited it."

She and Snape exchanged amused nods and looked at Harry, who blushed. Snape continued, "I saw the students' exam marks. The averages for O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s were some of the highest Hogwarts has seen. The students like you, what's more they respect you, and you somehow manage to tolerate them. That's quite an accomplishment."

Everyone laughed and topped off their champagne.

Hermione smiled and said, "Really, Harry, we're quite proud."

Harry wrinkled his nose but grinned. "Talking about me behind my back, were you?"

Snape cocked one eyebrow at him and drawled, "I doubt we have any secrets from you, Harry. From what I understand, friends aren't supposed to keep secrets from one another."

Harry blinked, his smile falling away as he exchanged an alarmed glance with an equally startled Hermione.

Snape averted his gaze to the snack tray, busying himself with crudités. The silence was awkward, so Snape took a deep breath and dived into the breach. His voice brisk, he said, "I can only assume you two have something special planned with your respective Weasleys to celebrate?"

Hermione cleared her throat. "Uh, yes. I plan on spending time over with Ron, so don't expect me to be around Grimmauld Place much, Harry."

Harry flashed a tight smile. "No worries. Actually, that's probably better, since Ginny will be staying with me for a while. Mrs. Weasley doesn't approve, but Ginny's of age and well past done with school, so she can't really do much about it now."

Snape snorted. "She hasn't begun badgering you to propose yet?"

Harry and Hermione both cringed. Harry muttered, "She, who? Mrs. Weasley or Ginny?"

"I daresay they're much the same in this regard."

Harry flashed, "Oi! I'm not shagging Mrs. Weasley!"

At that, the tension broke and they all burst into laughter. Snape said, "Perhaps it's best you won't be at Grimmauld Place, Hermione, else you might have to suffer the chance of coming upon Harry and Ginny 'breaking in' all the rooms."

Hermione shrieked with laughter, and Harry gave Snape a two-finger salute. Holding her hands up in mock-surrender, she said, "I'll be sure to give you the whole week undisturbed. Well, provided Ron and I manage to keep from fighting that long."

Snape sipped his champagne and said, "If you need a break from him, you're always welcome here."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"So, after you've done your best to shag your brains out your ears, what are your plans for the rest of the summer?" Snape looked at them expectantly.

Harry suddenly blushed and flicked a glance at Hermione. "Well, we were talking about taking a quick trip to Durmstrang. Hermione's never been, and Viktor invited us to visit."

Snape swallowed. "How nice. You didn't want him to come here?"

Harry shifted in his seat and said, "Well, you know, he's been here already, and since Hermione's never seen Durmstrang, we thought it might be a good opportunity for her to go too."

"Of course. Well, if he ever decides to visit here again, you're welcome to bring him by. I regret not having had a chance to get to know him when he was at Hogwarts. Everything was so complicated, what with Karkaroff and the Dark Lord and all that. I believe he and I may have some things in common." With that, Snape locked eyes with Harry over the rim of his champagne flute.

Harry's gut roiled, wondering why Snape was eyeing him so intently. It was like he was trying to impart some message or something.

Hermione watched the odd look Snape was giving Harry and a suspicion crawled into her brain. Resolving to investigate later, she said, "We'll let him know. Perhaps he can jaunt down here before the school year starts again."

Snape released Harry from his meaningful gaze and said lightly, "Excellent." He leant forward and placed his glass by the snack tray and said, "Would anyone care for some chocolates?" He cut a smirking glance at Harry and said, "I have it on good authority that it's good for what ails you."

Harry snorted and Hermione chuckled. Snape smiled and strode into the kitchen to retrieve the box of sweets, and the rest of the evening passed in their usual comfortable companionship.