AN: Oh lordy, this was a pain to write up. I wanted a chapter to illustrate the changed Hogwarts after the war, but I keep getting distracted by shiny plot bunnies that took me down all sorts of rabbit holes. Oh well. I'll roll with it. ;)

Chapter 2

It was at the Head Table in the Great Hall that he sometimes caught glimpses of Hermione Weasley, née Granger. The Charms Mistress would only attend when Ronald wasn't there, otherwise they'd take their meals together, in her quarters. But Ronald was absent regularly, his work as an auror requiring him to periodically go on prolonged missions. He would stay away for days on end and Severus would find Hermione chatting to various colleagues on these occasions. Tonight, she had taken a seat between Aurora Sinistra, who still taught Astronomy and had taken over from Filius as head of Ravenclaw, and Minerva McGonagall. As such, Hermione was now only one seat away from Severus and that allowed for very easy spying. Of course he had to listen in, how else would he be able to live up to the reputation of a certain omniscient headmaster that had preceded him?

"How long will he be gone for this time, Hermione?" asked Sinistra.

"Just a few days, he reckoned," replied the young Gryffindor teacher.

"But?" asked the deputy headmistress, who'd always been good at reading Hermione. Not that that was such an exceptional feat, the girl wore her heart on her sleeve, as was wont for Minerva's cubs.

"But it's hardly a reliable time scheme, is it, a few days? I try not to worry. Really, I do. I mean, Ron was an auror before we married and it would be rather hypocritical to now ask him to get a different job, but yes, of course I worry. I just wish I knew when to expect him back, you know? If I had a schedule, I might not worry until he was late. Does that make sense at all?"

"A little," allowed the older Gryffindor witch mildly. "Although I doubt you'd stop worrying, Hermione. You're not half as rational as you imagine yourself to be. And it's only normal to worry about your husband. Are you sure he wouldn't consider transferring to a less... high-risk department?"

"And do what? Desk work? Ron as a paper pusher? You know him, Minerva. He's got no talent for it whatsoever and he'd be bored out of his mind within an hour. No, I could never ask that of him. He loves his job. He's a brilliant auror, says Kingsley, and I realise I'm being silly, but... I can't help it. I guess I understand how it feels to be married to a policeman."

"A what now?" asked Sinistra who, as a pureblood, had never had much to do with the non-magical world.

"Er. Muggle aurors, pretty much. Although that rather ruined my comparison," said Hermione with a small smile. "It'll be fine."

"Of course it will. He won't take any unnecessary risks. He's got someone to come home to now."

"Aww, Aurora! That's so sweet!" cooed Hermione.

Sickeningly so, thought Severus, but he said nothing. The astronomy teacher shrugged and smiled.

"So how is everyone, Hermione? I haven't seen Harry since he started his one-on-one training with Kingsley. Is he still set to be the head of the aurory department?" Minerva enquired after her golden boy.

"Oh yes, he'll take over soon. Kingsley reckons he's about ready. Ronald can't stop talking about how it's going to be just like the old days with Harry in charge and him doing the legwork." Hermione rolled her eyes at this. For years she'd resented the all too convenient profiling of Harry as the bravado, Ron as the brawn and herself as the brain. Severus knew this as he felt similarly miffed by the caricatural portrayal of himself as a misunderstood tragic hero.

"And they're expecting again. Their third is due in May."

"Oh, how lovely! They must be over the moon?" asked Minerva.

"Naturally. Harry especially. He's always wanted a large family. And he is brilliant with James and Albus."

"Fatherhood suits him," conceded the Scottish woman.

"So what is it to be? Another boy?" asked Aurora Sinistra.

"They wouldn't say."

"Oh, must be a girl then," laughed McGonagall.

"That's what I'm thinking," simpered Hermione.

"And Ronald and you? Are you thinking of...?" Minerva prodded indelicately. Gryffindors... No subtlety whatsoever.

"Whoa, Minerva! Slow down. I've only been married 3 months! Let us enjoy each other first. Some day, definitely. But to be honest, I think we both have too much going on right now to give a child the attention it deserves. And I don't feel up to it yet. I know for Harry and Ginny it's... right, but I honestly can't see myself stuck neck-deep in nappies yet. Eventually, I'd love a family, but not right now. I'm only 24. A little older if you take the time turner into account, I suppose. But still, plenty of time before I need to start worrying about biological clocks and that."

Severus was gratified to see his most promising teacher display such good sense. What a waste of a brilliant mind it would be if she devoted her time only to populating the planet with even more Weasleys.

"But does your husband feel the same?" questioned Aurora sceptically. Apparently she shared her employer's impression of the Weasleys' ingrained need to further their line.

"Oh yes, we talked about it before the wedding of course. I was initially a bit worried he would want to start a tribe of his own. I mean, being a Weasley. But no, he's in no hurry and he doesn't want me to pop out one after the other. Said he'd rather have one or two. I guess he's always felt a bit... overlooked, being part of such a large family."

"Ah. That's good. I'm glad you're on the same page. I must confess I did wonder," nodded Aurora Sinistra.

"It's a shame," mused Minerva. "I can't wait to see Hogwarts house children again."

At this, Severus could not hold back a loud barking laugh that rumbled through the Great hall and startled the students into gaping goldfish. Occasionally they had seen their headmaster chuckle or snicker, and his taunting smirk was infamous, but this overt mirth was an extraordinary rarity.

"Children? What do you think those are?" he snorted, pointing at the house tables in front of them.

"It's very rude to eavesdrop!" huffed his second-in-command.

"Headmaster's prerogative," he replied smoothly, "I learned it from the master."

Minerva shook her head exasperatedly and he just caught Sinistra winking at Hermione who giggled happily.