I own nothing. JKR owns everything. I'm not making any money.

I have invented a new character, she is the new DADA professor. This my first ever fic, so please R&R! Thanks Oh & DH spoilers - be warned!!!

THE AFTERMATH

CHAPTER 1

She looked up and saw Harry standing there watching the commotion in the Great Hall. She rose from where she was crouching over an injured student and rushed over to him

"Harry!" she gasped. Harry stared blankly at her, knowing her next question.

"Severus?" she asked. Harry hesitated, how could he tell her the man she loved was dead. The look on his face said it all. She stared at him with tears in her eyes. "How?"

Harry swallowed the lump in his throat. "Nagini," he said simply.

"The basilisk?" she asked. Harry nodded.

Something reflected in Juliana's eyes, Harry thought it looked like hope. He shook his head.

"He's gone Professor," he said. She shook her head and ran to a table full of medical supplies and grabbed two small vials of potion.

"Where is he?" she demanded.

"Professor -" he repeated.

"Where?" she almost screamed at him.

Harry gazed into her clear, blue eyes, swimming with tears, pain etched upon her face. "The Shrieking Shack," he told her. "But you can't - "

She looked at him determinedly and promptly Disapparated from the Hall.

She appeared in the Shrieking Shack right next to Snape's body.

"Oh no," she whispered and dropped to her knees beside him, tears splashing onto his robes.

With shaking hands she pulled the two vials from her pocket and removed the stoppers. The first potion was like silvery, glittering water. This she poured on to the wounds in his neck, which began to heal before her eyes. When that was done, she gently tipped back Snape's head and poured the second potion down his throat. Then held her breath and waited. Nothing happened. More tears fell down her face and she rested her head on his chest and wept. Suddenly she heard a gasp. Startled she looked up. Snape seemed to be trying to open his eyes.

"Severus?" she whispered hopefully.

He raised a hand to her face as his eyes flickered open. She drew breath sharply.

"Sev," she breathed. He sat up, wincing as if in pain. "Oh Sev!"

He wiped her tears with his hand and grasped her in a tight embrace. She clung to him like she never wanted to let go. He kissed the top of her head.

"How did you…?" he asked weakly.

She looked up at him, gazing into his marble white face. "Phoenix tears and blood replenishing potion."

He squeezed her tightly again, a mixture of emotions flooding his mind as the events came back to him.

An explosion close by made them jump.

"We can't stay here," she said, pulling away from him. "We have to go!"

Snape stared at her. "Go where?"

She stared back at him, pulled him close and Disapperated both from the Shack.

When Snape opened his eyes again, he saw they were standing in the driveway of what appeared to be a normal Muggle house.

"Where are we?" he asked.

Juliana took out her wand and with a wave the front door unlocked and swung open. "My house."

She led him up the drive and through the front door. "We'll be safe here," she told him. "Its protected by the Fidelius Charm. There are only three people who know about it: myself, my house-elf and now, of course, you."

The door closed again behind them. Snape looked around. It wasn't particularly big or grand, but it was cosy and homely. It was the type of place he had imagined her living.

A soft pop made them jump. A tiny house-elf stood before them.

"Mistress!" he gasped. "Dibble did not know you were returning. Dibble has been hearing about the attack on Hogwarts. Dibble did not know if he would see Mistress ever again!"

With that he clung to her leg and wailed. Juliana looked a little embarrassed and patted his head.

"Dibble, Professor Snape will be staying with for a while," she said. "I need you to make up the guest room for him."

Dibble's wailing stopped instantly. "Of course!" he obeyed and with another soft pop he disappeared.

Snape had been watching this scene in disbelief. The way in which Dibble regarding Juliana with such adoration and respect was in complete contrast to his own cantankerous, contemptuous, insolent creature. Juliana noted the look on his face.

"Sorry about that," she said. "As you saw, he's quite affectionate. He's been with my family for years; he's very loyal. Anyway, come on in. We'll have a drink while Dibble gets your room ready."

She led him in into a spacious living room. It was lit cosily by two lamps. Snape sat on the comfortable sofa and took the glass she offered. They sat in silence for a while, sipping their drinks and running through the night's events in their heads. It was Snape who broke the silence first.

"How did you know where to find me?" he asked.

"Harry Potter told me where you were," she replied.

Snape looked stricken. "Potter? He's still alive?"

A fearful look flickered across Juliana's face. "You say it like it's a bad thing, Severus."

"While Potter lives, the Dark Lord is not defeated!" Snape stood up quickly and swayed on his feet. He was still unnaturally pale. Juliana leapt up to steady him.

"You need to rest, Sev," she said, sitting him back on the couch. He had to admit she was right. His head was spinning sickeningly.

"Dibble," Juliana called. To him her voice sounded distant, even though he knew she sat right beside him and he could feel her hand cradling his. A faint pop sounded.

"Mistress, Sir's room is ready," the elf reported.

She turned to Snape. "Come on," she said gently. "You need to get some sleep."

Supported by Juliana, Snape stood and she helped him up the stairs to his room. He lay back on the comfortable bed thankfully.

"Get some sleep," she repeated and her soft hair brushed his cheek as the leaned to kiss his forehead. "Goodnight, Sev."

He heard her cross the room to the door. "Juliana?" She turned.

"Thank you," he whispered.

The door closed and the room went dark. Snape closed his eyes and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.