Chapter Text
Everyone scrambled around madly, trying to get everything together before they departed. So far a week had elapsed since the somewhat anticlimactic defeat of Voldemort, and much to Severus' relief most of his 'guests' were leaving.
Luna having nowhere to go would be staying, at least until Xenophilius made other arrangements or got the house fixed. Draco too had opted to stay with Harry, for now anyway, and then go back home. Severus couldn't wait to pay for all the floo powder Harry would be using to fire-call him once he did leave, though he supposed, if they've managed to stay together while being penned in with each other for months they were obviously made to last.
Neville and Hermione were going to their respective homes to spend the rest of the school year, all of them would be going back to 6th year having missed the majority of it. Luna was thrilled to finally have friends in her year, she would have to go back for her OWL's in June but Severus had offered to tutor her in the main subjects she needed.
Not that she required tutoring in the subjects really, she needed to learn how to sit down and stay focused long enough to do her work. She wrote flawless accounts of the elf uprising's in her Herbology essays and translated runes in Potions but they were getting there.
He had taught her for five years, it wasn't anything he wasn't used to.
Since the others were redoing their year, they had all been told to take it easy and enjoy their time off, because as soon as they were back they were going to be made to work. That's what McGonagall had said anyway and she was the new headmistress, but they were all sure they'd seen her wink when she had.
The twins naturally weren't going back to the school, nor did they have much interest in going home, they were going back to their shop, excited to up their prices and market their pranks as 'literal lifesavers' and 'as used in the defeat of Moldy Voldy'.
Lucius and Narcissa had stayed at home since the incident, dealing with Aurors wandering in and out, asking questions and generally being quite annoying. Court dates had been made but Lucius and Severus' were together which boded well. Narcissa and Draco had been dismissed, having never taken the Mark.
All of them had been questioned so many times they could have repeated that night backwards.
Officially there was only one person murdered that night, and in fairness most of them only knew of that one. Tom Marvolo Riddle was killed at 11:34pm by Harry James Potter-Snape, in self defence at Malfoy Manor.
Unofficially, a second body was found the next afternoon by Professor Severus Snape who had gone to inform his ex-employer, Albus Dumbledore, of the good news, only to find that he had died that night.
Exactly how he died was unclear. The report had first read that he had been attacked, probably by the Dark Lord himself. When it was found that he'd died after the Dark Lord was safely dead and being taken away by Aurors, it was decided a person acting for the Dark Lord must have done it. Subsequently it became clear that they had all the Deatheaters rounded up by that time, and apparently new evidence came to light showing that he had died of natural causes.
Though whether illness, old age or an accident no one had been informed, and the apparent 'evidence' hadn't been given out to anyone. The case had simply been quietly tucked away.
* * *
Green light, flickered around Severus' mind. He'd killed before, he'd seen people killed in front of him, he'd watched his own friends be tortured beyond the point of pain and felt the same himself, but had never felt justified in any of those acts. He couldn't say the same for what he did to Albus.
It was quick and painless, he'd made sure of that. He didn't want to make the man suffer, even if he had made them suffer, even if Harry was suffering still, because that wouldn't change anything and Harry wouldn't want blood spilled in his name.
So he wouldn't. It had taken a lot to have the case thrown out, Harry's name could really move mountains and Lucius knew all the right people to get at. It had nothing to do with any of them, or anyone, allegedly. Only Severus knew the truth of that night and he hoped to keep it that way.
In some ways he wasn't even sure he could call it murder, Albus was still a powerful wizard, he could have stopped Severus without lifting his wand but he didn't. He didn't lift his wand, he didn't lock his door, he had tears in his eyes behind his half-moon spectacles.
He'd known what was about to happen. He was waiting for it.
Severus didn't give him time to speak but he didn't look as if he was about to say anything. He had to strike before he lost his nerve.
This had to be the end. The end, end. No more Dark Lords and no more puppet masters. He couldn't take anymore, Harry couldn't take anymore.
Shaking his head Severus put his quill down with a sigh, he couldn't think with the sound of feet scurrying up and down the hall and trunks being dragged before dropping with a thud. He could've sworn they were making enough noise that it was almost indistinguishable to last day at Hogwarts.
Coming out of his lab he nearly collided with Hermione.
"Sorry Professor," She called, hurrying off. "Neville's lost his Herbology book."
"Neville would lose his head if it wasn't..." He started to grumble, cutting himself off when he heard the floo in his office flare, then saw Lucius exit. "That's my study." He growled, crossing his arms.
If Lucius noticed Severus' irritation he didn't show it. "I thought it was a spare room, the usual isn't open." He told him before swanning off to who knew where.
With a frown he decided to investigate why his drawing-room floo wasn't open. Looking in he saw Neville being lectured to by his grandmother as she complained that she'd had the floo open for him for half an hour and he was late, while he tried to explain his lost book. She didn't seem moved.
Severus thought she ought to be congratulating the child for only losing one thing for the first time in his life.
"It was in the green house." Draco's voice came over the top of thundering feet, unaccustomed to running. He panted, handing Neville the book, giving a polite Malfoy greeting to his grandmother and leaving the room.
Severus smirked at him, seeing a gentle pout come to his face. He knew what the man was thinking, he wouldn't have helped anyone, especially Neville, before but things had changed. Harry had been a good influence and made him a person that, if he was honest, he much preferred. That didn't mean he had to like it being pointed out.
"I don't think I've ever seen you so active." Severus pointed out as they walked, stepping around bags, trunks and brooms.
"My father's in the garden."
"I'd be running too then."
"Do you think he'll go to Azkaban? He's said he won't but father always thinks he's untouchable."
"I doubt it."
"I know he's annoying and an idiot and stuck-up and... you get the point, but so was I. He's my father, I can't help believing that everything he did he did it because he wanted to do his best for us."
"I'm sure he did, he cares about you both deeply, even if he is misguided. Hopefully he'll learn from this," They watched him through the window where he held the door open for Hermione. "Perhaps he already is. No, he'll be fine, especially with Harry testifying for him." He said thoughtfully, seeing Harry wander outside too.
"About Harry, do you think he'll be alright?"
"Harry's..." He began, Draco cut him off noticing Hermione was still searching.
"I found the book, he's got it."
"Oh, good," She puffed, blowing her frizzy fringe out of her eyes. There were only two times Hermione could get so het up, over exams and when she was packing, while she was completely prepared for both she became frantic and sure she was forgetting something. Now was no different. "Did he leave without say goodbye?" She demanded, though didn't direct it at anyone. "That beast!" And once again she was off.
"I hope he hasn't gone, that's his broom, isn't it?"
"Probably," Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "Harry's going to be fine, I think I'm the one about to explode."
"Speak of the devil."
"Why are you two always talking about me?" Harry laughed, stumbling around the mess.
"I like having you on my lips." Draco grinned, pulling him close and giving him a peck.
"I can't wait until it's just you two again." Severus said sardonically, rolling his eyes and walking away.
"Your dad's outside," Draco nodded, already aware. "He gave me this, he said you'd know what it is." He took out a small green velvet box.
"He gave you the ring?! He thinks you should give it to me?! That's outrageous!"
"I'll wait patiently for an explanation, it's fine keep going."
"It's... well, it's not the Malfoy ring because my mother has that, but it's a Malfoy ring."
"'A'? How many are there?"
"....Five." He said after a moment of consideration.
"Earth, wind, fire, water and heart?" Harry chuckled, Draco's face remained blank.
"Is this a muggle thing?" He sighed, fed up with jokes he didn't get. Harry nodded, flashing him a cheeky grin. "Ugh, no. If they were though, I suppose this one would be heart. See the inscription."
Taking out the ring Harry turned it carefully to read the inscription inside. "My dearest Evelyn, may we never be parted."
"My great times about 30 grandmother. It's a very old ring."
"Aw." He smiled to himself as he stared at it.
"Yeah, shame she cheated on him and had her hand cut off after she fled so he could get the ring back." He took the ring back closing it in it's box.
"Wow, dark."
"She lived. Ran a brothel on an island, did well for herself."
"Oh, good then..." He responded, unsure what exactly the best answer to something like that was. "What are we doing with the ring? I love it and I love you, but it's a bit early for marriage..."
"It's not a marriage thing, it's just a ring, you put it on your finger."
"And then you cut my hand off?"
"Only if you cheat on me. It's more a... promise thing."
"Alright then. It's definitely not a marriage thing? I don't want to be rude or put it on the wrong finger."
"Any will do," He laughed at his strange but endearing boyfriend. Harry put it on, happily holding his hand out. "Maybe not the middle finger," Harry pouted at him. "Fine."
"Never worn a ring before."
"You don't have to wear it, just having it mean the same."
"No, I like it. It's just weird."
Behind Harry Draco saw his father walk inside, Abraxus held carefully in his arms. "Hold on, I'm just going to go see father, I think he's off now."
"Alright, Granger," Severus came out into the hall to shout. "Time to go, your parents are waiting!"
She popped out of the drawing-room, she'd just managed to catch Neville before he left and had spent a few minutes chatting.
"Write to me." She demanded, flinging her arms around Harry and squeezing all the air out of him.
"Write?" He wheezed. "I'll call you."
"You can send me smoke signals if you want, just make sure you let me know you're okay."
She gave a goodbye to Luna and the twins, who had come out too.
"You two can get home yourselves can't you?" Severus asked wearily, he didn't look as though he was in the mood to take another trip.
They looked at each other. "Race?"
"You're on."
With two deafening cracks the twins were gone.
"I wonder who won." Harry snickered.
"Where's Draco?" Severus looked around.
"He went to talk to his dad." He gestured in the direction he'd gone, Severus' sharp eyes spotted a silver band around his finger.
"Where did you get that?"
"Draco, or his father actually."
"Did you check it for curses?" Severus frowned.
"Draco wouldn't give me something cursed."
"I trained you better than that."
"It's his day off." Dipsy said, swatting Severus' legs as she passed.
"Where are you off to in a hurry?"
"The kitchen, the elves are leaving." She said a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Are you okay?" He asked Harry with a nudge.
"Yeah," Harry mumbled uncertainly, leaning back against the wall as he contemplated. "Voldemort's dead, Dumbledore's dead, I've got you and my friends and Draco. I feel good, I feel really good. Great."
"Liar."
"Yeah." He sighed, jumping when Severus wrapped an arm around him in a hug.
"I know I've already told you this but you nearly gave me a heart attack."
Harry laughed. "Yeah, you said."
"I'm proud of you too though. I think you found the best possible solution to this problem, none of us did."
"It was mostly luck."
"It wasn't long ago that I thought you were an awful braggart. I suppose even genius' are wrong occasionally." Severus said, smiling down at him.
"It hasn't been that long has it?"
"Not nearly as long as it feels."
A loud smack came from the kitchen behind them, they looked at each other anxiously. Dipsy exited, a smug look on her face and a swagger to match.
"How hard did you slap her?" Severus asked.
"Not nearly hard enough." She replied, though she still seemed incredibly pleased with herself.