This is a sequel to No More Than He Deserves. If you don't read that first this probably won't make a whole lot of sense. Sorry.

Chapter 1 – Keeping up the battle now the war is over

Dear Albus,

I'm sorry to have left like this but I feel it is the only way. Thank you for your faith in me, it was most appreciated. I know it is unlike me to run from a situation but I'm afraid I can fight no longer. I'm tired now and I just don't have the energy, or the will, to keep up the battle now that the war is over. Tell Fudge he has won if you think it will make him happy, I don't really care.

As for our positions, I'm sure if you ask Ron and Hermione they would be honoured to fulfill them at least until the end of the school year.

Do you remember long ago, in my first year when you told me that it did not do to dwell on dreams? Well, you were right, as always, and I'm tired of dwelling. I have decided to live them instead.

Once again I'm sorry and we will be in touch.

Yours sincerely,

Harry James Potter.

'We?' Albus mused silently before his eyes widened. He stood quickly for a man of his age and moved to the fireplace, grabbing some floo powder and tossing it in.

'Severus? Severus?' Albus called but received no answer. Just then another owl flew in and dropped another roll of parchment on his desk. Knowing exactly who it was from, he sat back down with a sigh and opened it.

Dear Albus,

By now Harry's missive will have reached you and you will be aware that we have gone. I too am sorry we left without saying goodbye but I had to get to Harry quickly, and he already had a head start.

I am thankful that you were there all those years ago to help a trouble teenager through some of the worst moments of his life and I thank Merlin everyday for your understanding. I just wish I had been able to do more for you and the cause.

I don't quite know yet how things will work out but I know I want to be with Harry, whether in this world or the muggle one. I have done my best to make sure everything is tidied up as somehow I knew, deep down, that this day would come.

I too believe that Ron and Hermione would happily move to the school and fill our positions although I imagine Draco will also want to apply for mine and you might have several problems stopping Lucius, as a Governor again, from insisting. If that becomes the case I have left some papers and a pensieve in my rooms, hidden behind some books on the third shelf that should hold both of them at bay. Consider it a parting gift.

I must go now, we have a plane to catch. I wish you and the others well. Tell them and no one else that we will be back for the wedding.

Regards,

Severus Snape.

PS. I hope Fudge will see the light and finally allow the Wizarding World to live in peace. I know that is what Harry wants more than anything and I believe, that after all he has done, all he has been through, it is no more than he deserves.

'My clever, clever boys.' Albus whispered, his eyes twinkling brightly as he surreptitiously wiped a tear from his cheek. He had known from the very beginning that Harry would never live peacefully in the Wizarding World. He was the Boy-Who-Lived who became the man who defeated the greatest dark wizard of this age and his road was always going to be paved with unwanted and misplaced attention.

If he had liked the attention, as one such as Draco Malfoy did, then it may have been alright. But Harry didn't, he shunned the limelight, just like he always had. He had insisted Harry return to Hogwarts after the final battle so that he felt he had somewhere to belong. Or that was what he had told Severus. The real reason was the potions master himself. In all truth he knew just how difficult Harry's road ahead was going to be and he also knew the young man wouldn't survive it without the older man by his side, particularly after the results of the final battle. Those two were like peas in a pod, they belonged together and finally they had realised it.

Of course, this would create any number of dramas in this world. Not only that Harry had left at this particular time, but that Severus had gone with him. Some serious damage control was in order. With that in mind he stood once more and moved again to the fireplace. Tossing several handfuls of floo powder in he called those he needed to get things underway.

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An hour later Minerva, Hermione, Ron, Filius and Pomona had gathered in the headmaster's office.

'Albus, what is it?' Hermione asked curiously. Dumbledore smiled but didn't speak, instead handing the two letters over and waiting as she and Ron scanned them before handing them to the others.

The two Gryffindors just looked at each other, not speaking out loud but looking as if they were having a silent conversation as they waited until the others had finished reading.

'They've left?' Minerva asked incredulously. Dumbledore nodded not taking his eyes from Ron and Hermione who were looking back at him unashamedly.

'You knew this would happen.' It wasn't a question.

Ron smiled, sharing a secretive look with his fiancé. 'Hoped is probably a better word.' He said quietly.

'I can't believe he finally did it.' Hermione whispered her eyes distant as a single tear escaped to run down her cheek. She lifted a hand to absently brush it away.

'He has been planning it for some time?' Minerva turned to her two old house members.

Ron nodded, taking Hermione's hand in his. 'Since he graduated.' Ron said in confirmation. 'He knew what would happen. He knew he would get no peace and we never disabused him of that notion as he was correct. Remus helped him buy a house in the United States before he died and he's been squirreling money away ever since.'

'My word, he's quite the Slytherin isn't he.' Pomona said blithely.

Ron snorted. 'More than you'll ever know.' He agreed.

'What do we do now?' Filius squeaked from his chair piled high with pillows.

'Miss Granger, Mr Weasley, would you consider Harry's suggestion and become teachers at Hogwarts. Mr Weasley, as an Auror you are more than qualified to teach DADA and you Miss Granger, having completed you Potions mastery before going into research at St Mungo's will have no problem taking over from Severus.'

Ron and Hermione exchanged another glance before nodding. 'We'd be happy to, Albus.' Hermione said quietly.

'That still doesn't solve the problem of Slytherin Head of House.' Filius piped up.

'Yes, I don't believe Slytherin House would take kindly to being led by a Muggleborn. No offence intended, Miss Granger.' Pomona added quickly.

Hermione just smiled. 'Well, you can always ask them if they prefer me or Sybil Trelawney.' She said cheekily.

Minerva snorted rather inelegantly as Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brightly. 'I think you might be just what Slytherin House needs, Miss Granger.' He said firmly. 'Yes, indeed. Just what they need.'

Severus watched as Harry stared out the window of the hotel room. The plane had landed at JFK and tomorrow they would drive up to Stamford, Connecticut where Harry had purchased a house over eight years before.

Severus had been slightly surprised at the amount of planning Harry had put into his final escape. Severus' dislike of most things muggle was outweighed by his love for Harry, although after the flight from London that fact was debatable. The turbulence had sent him running for the bathroom no less than seven times and he vowed never to take one of those damnable muggle contraptions ever again.

He had, of course, understood Harry's reasoning for using such transport. After all, it was untraceable to the wizarding world, particularly with the passports Harry had appropriated from Merlin only knew where. He had said that once they had landed they could use as much magic as they pleased as Harry had been designated with the same privacy and capacities as an Unspeakable, thanks to a contact in the American Ministry. In other words, he was untraceable, even in the muggle world.

Severus sighed, crossing the room and wrapping his arms around Harry's waist, pulling the small body back until it was leaning against his own.

'Thank you.' Harry whispered as he was enveloped by that sense of comfort and safety that only Severus' arms provided.

'I love you Harry.' Severus murmured softly.

A single tear rolled down Harry's cheek as he turned awkwardly to face the older man. 'I love you too, Sev.' He whispered tilting his head up and kissing Severus softly. 'Thank you for coming with me.'

'There was never any doubt Harry. Not in my mind.' Severus hugged Harry to him tightly, feeling the slight trembling that still accompanied the pain Harry was in every day.

'Come on. It's late. Let's get some rest before we leave in the morning.' The older man suggested. Harry nodded, pulling reluctantly away but holding onto Severus' hand as the older man pulled him through to the bedroom and began undressing him slowly.

Severus pushed him down gently and pulled the covers over him before handing him a pain killing potion. Harry smiled as the potions master undressed himself and crawled under the covers and pulled him close. Harry leaned up and kissed him again but Severus placed his hand on Harry's lips.

'Got to sleep. You need to rest, Harry.' He said softly. Harry sighed but obligingly closed his eyes, his head resting on Severus' shoulder as the older man's hand carded through his hair.

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'What in Merlin's name do you mean he's gone, Dumbledore!' Fudge bellowed, practically tearing his lime green bowler to shreds.

Albus sat back in his chair, his eyes unusually cold. 'He has left Cornelius. Left the wizarding world altogether and I'm afraid you really only have yourself to blame.'

The Minister looked as if he was about to erupt. 'Me?

Dumbledore's eyes narrowed. 'Yes, you. That was an unprovoked and undeserved attack you launched on Mr Potter, and as I told you yesterday, I don't believe he took kindly to it.'

'Kindly to it. Kindly to it.' Fudge yelled incredulously, steam practically billowing from his ears. 'I'll give the little runt kindly. How dare he defy the Ministry. Does he even realise the danger he has left this world in.'

'What? The danger of finally living in peace?' Ron burst out, unable to contain himself any longer. 'I know it must be difficult for the Ministry to run in a time where you don't have to hide everything and make things up to make yourselves look important but honestly, pretending Voldemort isn't dead!' Fudge flinched. 'We were all there.' Ron waved an arm around to take in those gathered in the Headmaster's office. 'We all saw Harry kill that bastard and then almost die in the process, and instead of just thanking him and leaving him in peace, you not only throw him away like a used up dish rag, even after all he has done for us; you try to grind him into the dirt on the way past. You should be bloody ashamed of yourself, you should.' Ron was yelling by now, his face red and his hands balled in anger.

Fudge drew himself up. 'You're fired Weasley.' He said imperiously. Ron glared defiantly back at him for several moments before snorting. Once, twice and then within moments he was laughing loudly, the others in the room trying desperately to hide their amusement. Fudge was looking at them all in confusion that quickly turned back to anger as he realised it was him Ron was laughing at.

'What the hell are you laughing at, boy?' Fudge spat. Ron shook his head, waving his hand in dismissal as tears continued streaming down his face. 'Don't you laugh at the Minister of Magic. How dare you show such disrespect.'

Ron had managed to contain himself by this point and apart from the occasional snort was now quiet. Hermione however, was looking calculatingly at the Minister.

'That's why you did it, isn't it Minister?' she said softly.

Fudge's eyes narrowed. 'What are you talking about Miss Granger.' He blustered.

Hermione smiled knowingly, her brown eyes glinting. 'Why you set your dogs on Harry. You're afraid of losing your position if Harry ever spoke out about what went on over the last ten years.' Her voice lowered slightly. 'The unusual deals, the late night meetings, your threats to Harry, and his in return.'

Fudge had paled frighteningly as Hermione stood and moved to stand beside Ron. 'H…he told you.' Fudge stammered.

Hermione smirked. 'Of course he did. We're Harry best friends, he tells us everything.'

'Oh Merlin.' Fudge whispered.

'Yes.' Ron went on, suddenly serious. 'You knew if Harry spoke out that everyone would believe him. You would lose your position and Harry would be pressured into accepting it. That was partly the reason he left. He doesn't want it, just as much as you do.'

'You do realise that if you had just left Harry alone, thanked him officially and then left him alone, then nothing would have changed.' Hermione told him.

'You could have stayed as Minister and Harry would have just faded into the background which was all he ever wanted anyway.' Ron added.

Hermione and Ron exchanged an amused glance as Dumbledore twinkled at them proudly. The others in the room just looked between the three players in a horrified comprehension as the meaning of the words dawned on them. 'Now of course.' Hermione drawled.

'N..n…now?' Fudge stammered again.

Hermione grinned wickedly at him. 'Yes, now Ron and I are not really like Harry. You see, we never had a homicidal maniac after our very blood from the moment we stepped into the wizarding world.'

'We, unlike Harry, had time to stop and think about things.' Ron said.

'Once we had grown up enough to understand them anyway.' Hermione added.

'And when Harry told us things he had seen and heard about, well, we remembered and recorded it all, convinced him to put it all into a pensieve even. You would be amazed what some specially charmed Extendable Ears can pick up.'

Fudge made a funny choking sound but didn't speak.

'We figured out that no one really had Harry's best interests at heart. No offence Professor.' Hermione added, quite unashamedly.

'None taken.' Dumbledore said amusedly.

Hermione smiled and went on. 'So we decided that Harry needed a kind of insurance policy, against those who would wish him harm.' Hermione glanced at Ron and they both turned back to Fudge, their expressions doing nothing the stem the fear that was rising in the Minister.

'We were Harry's insurance policy.' They said in unison.

Fudge was practically shaking as Hermione and Ron moved closer to glare down at him, the others in the room now open mouthed with shock.

'Now you will know what it is like to be Harry, Minister. Having your life, your future, held in someone else's hands. Someone who really doesn't care what happens to you so long as it doesn't cause any disruptions to your carefully laid plans.' Ron sneered.

'Never knowing if that day will be your last.' Hermione added with a growl. 'Although at least you should have some comfort in knowing that it is only your position you will lose. For Harry, it was his life.' That said the two Gryffindors moved swiftly from the room and silence reigned for several moments before Minerva finally spoke.

'Slytherin isn't going to know what hit them.' she murmured.