Chapter 4
"See you Harry!" a woman waved to him as she walked down the hall in the opposite direction. Harry smiled and turned back.
"See you tomorrow." As Harry turned back around he screeched to a halt. "Luna?"
"Hi Harry…" Luna said with a serene smile. She turned around and walked down the hall. Harry stood staring at her, unmoving. Luna turned back and looked at him. "Harry?" Harry shook his head.
"Coming." They left the building into the mall that it was connected to.
"So, why are you working at St. Mungo's when you don't have your potions degree?"
"Shhh! Don't talk so loud! Not just cause there are people around… my supervisor doesn't know."
"I know he doesn't, I could see the guilty look in your eyes when I saw you in the hall." Luna said as they sat down on a bench in the mall hallway. Harry winced and rubbed his neck. Then he frowned.
"Hang on, how come you were there?" Luna smiled
"I volunteer at the psychiatric ward." Harry snorted.
"Of course." Luna smiled.
"So, why are you lying to the hospital staff?" Harry sighed.
"It's just… well it's a bunch of things… the first is… well I've decided I don't want to be an arror anymore."
"Understandable." Luna said. She stood and together the pair stated walking through the mall.
"I mean, I spent my whole life chasing after those people… and it was a waste you know? They weren't worth the effort… and now that… that it's all finished…I don't know… I guess I wanted to be… free." Harry said cryptically as they passed by muggle shoppers. Luna smiled.
"What else? Why did you choose to become a doctor instead of a policeman?" Luna asked with a wink. Harry smiled, and then frowned again.
"My granddad was a doctor… and… well I'm named after him… I guess I wanted to get back to my roots… I did some digging and apparently my whole family were doctors… except for a few lawyers… my dad was the first one to not go into medicine in four generations… so, yeah." Harry said. Luna frowned.
"But even then… we were all welcomed back to complete our education at Hogwarts… why aren't you waiting, why aren't you spending time with professor Snape? You know, getting to know him?" Harry's face fell and he ran his hand through his hair.
"That's the last part… I needed to get away from… from him." Harry said with a swallow. Luna looked at him sadly.
"Your mother?" Harry swallowed and nodded.
"You remember how he was in school? He was always so…"
"Mean?"
"No, it's not what happened between us… I made peace with that… it's just… he was so…unflappable… nothing hurt him, nothing… he got angry, but I'd never seen him cry, or feel… sad…" Harry said with a cringe. Luna looked at him sadly. She leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed.
"He's missing your dad then?"
"It's not just that Luna… it's not just him… it's the whole house… it feels… hollow… almost empty. I mean, we're living there, but we're not filling it…" Harry said with a sigh leaning his head on hers. "I can't stay in that house… I can barely get to sleep at night… so I leave early every morning and go home late at night."
"Well that might affect your sleep." Luna said with a slight smile. Harry glared half-heartedly.
"You know what I mean…" Luna sighed and snuggled her head into his shoulder.
"I do." Harry looked down at her before he tentatively put his arm around her shoulder. He sighed.
"What am I going to do Luna?" Luna sighed.
"I don't know Harry." The pair found and bench and sat down watching as people walked by thinking about all of the grief they had felt and were feeling. Meanwhile Severus Snape was staring into his bathroom mirror with a sombre expression. He was expected over for tea with Elizabeth in twenty minutes, but he was not up to it at all. He sighed again and put down his comb. Really, what was the point? A knock on his door made him frown. Elizabeth never came to him. she sent letters that could or could not be answered. As severus opened the door we stared at the woman in the door before he sneered and went to slam it in her face. But a snake head cane handle stopped him.
"Really severus..." Narsicca quipped with her hands on her hips. "We only here to help."
"That deos not fill me with comfort… the last time you tried to help me you set me up with your sister."
"At least I didn't set you up with Bellatrix." Severus's eye twitched. He turned to Lucius.
"Please tell me your not agreeing with this Lucius…"
"My old friend, we're worried about you, don't you under…" another knock made him pause. Severus grumbled about unwanted guests and went to the door. Remus was standing there with a determined expression.
"You're coming with me." He said before he grabbed Severus's arm and all but dragged him from the house.
"Not so fast." Lucius said evenly, stepping onto the porch with an uneven but devinare sweep. "We got here first." He hissed with a smirk. Remus stood there, frozen comically, his face a mask shock, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. After a while he cleared his throat and stood up, straightening his robes.
"Mr. Malfoy, what the devil are you doing here?" Lucius looked the werewolf up and down before he smirked.
"Judging by the fervered entrance and quick pace you were trying to capture my prey, we have a common goal." Remus's eyebrows furrowed.
"We do?"
"Indeed. But, I must insist we try my method first… it will most definetly see results. Come on Severus, indulge me." The man said at Severus's distressed face. The gaunt potions master groaned and let his shoulders fall.
"Lucius…"
"please my friend… I only want what's best, come now." With that Lucius pated him on the shoulder, roughly shaking him, and together they walked down the path and apperated away.
"So… where are they going?" Remus asked.
"Moor fog dance bar. Apparently, and I do not want to know how my husband knows this, it's the best place to pick up single gay wizards in all of London." Narcissa said with a smile. She looked up at Remus and frowned at his expression. The man groaned and put his face in his hand.
"Lucius you fool." Meanwhile Severus was sitting at a table horrified with the situation.
"Trust me severus, this is just what you need." Lucius said with a smile.
"Lucius, I-" Severus started with a growl.
"Hush, I'll fix everything, just trust me." Lucius said before he winked and walked over to the bar. Severus let out a breath of air in defeat and leaned back in his chair, looking forlorn. For three hours he waved off the advances of drunken men looking for a one night stand. Finally he was broken out of his revere by a tall man with long black hair and an even tan smileing above him.
"Let me geuss," severus began deadpanned "You come from a moderately weathly pureblood family of academics, your hobbies are quidditch and muggle football, your dream is to be an arror and you want children." By the end the man was staring at him blankly, having no way to respond. Sevrus heaved a heavy sigh and stood. "I'm sorry, but you are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time…good luck." With that he turned on his heel and walked right up to Lucius. "I have been here for four hours, I do not need you to medle with my life. I don't. EVER! Want. ANYONE! To replace james. And the next time your wife decides that I am lonely and need a new husband," Severus leaned into Lucius' face with burning hallow eyes "Don't. Try." With that he swept out of the club. He apperated to the house and flopped down onto the sofa. He sat there for about ten minutes when someone knocked at the door. Severus heaved him self up. "Lucius. If that's you I swear on my mother's grave I'll," he wrenched the door open and stoped. "Remus."
"Severus." Remus said with a smile. "Come on." He said with a gesture. Severus groaned.
"Not you too."
"Oh no." Remus said with a smile and a shake of his head "I'd think after that you'd need a drink." Ten minuetes later the two were sitting at a table sipping on drinks.
"Honestly I don't know what they were thinking, I mean it's obvious you're not ready for a relationship right now, personally I-"
"I don't want to know your opinion right now Lupin." Severus said with a quiet murmer. Remus closed his mouth and said nothing. After a few seconds of tense silence remus cleared his throst.
"So, how's Harry?" Severus scoffed and pushed his drink away.
"I hardly see him… he comes in, eats dinner at midnight, goes to bed, wakes up at six, takes an apple and a piece of toast and leaves… either he's found himself a job…" Severus trailed off. Remus looked at him forlornly.
"Or he's avoiding you." he finished grimly. Severus flinched minutely as he emptied his tumbler. There was several more moments of awkward silence before Remus cleared his throat and excused himself. Severus sighed and played with his empty glass.
"Hey, this seat taken?" A voice with an American accent asked. Severus looked up. In front of him was a tall man in his late thirties with dirty blond hair and deep blue eyes. Severus looked at him and shook his head. "Can I buy you a drink?"
"If this is a way to get into my robes I must inform you that it will not work." Severus said deadpanned. The man just laughed.
"I don't like to start things with people when I don't even know their names… I'm Jonathan." He said with a smile. Severus swallowed.
"Severus."
"Well, pleased to meet you Severus. Now I couldn't help but notice you looking oh so forlorn from across the bar." Jonathan said. Severus looked at the man untrustingly.
"Again, you will not be getting any kind of sexual attention from me tonight, I suggest you leave it all well alone." Jonathan threw his head back and laughed.
"Would you belive that I came across the bar to talk to you because you seemed like you needed a fresh pair of ears." Severus frowned at the man.
"What do you mean?" Jonathan took a swig of his drink and smiled.
"It seemed to me that your friend had heard all of your woes before and he seemed almost… well for lack of a better term, uncaring. I'm not saying that he doesn't care." Jonathan said when Severus opened his mouth in anger "But he seemed a little deadpanned." Severus sighed and put his face in one of his hands.
"Its probably my charming personality." He drawled sarcasticly. Jonathan chuckeled. Severus sighed again and leaned back in his chair. "He's not even my friend, we were rivals in school, he's my…" severus tooka fortifying breath. "one of my…" he sighed and dropped his head in his hands again.
"your what?" jonathan asked. Severus gulped and looked up, dropping his hand on the table.
"one of my husbands friends." He finished. Jonathan frowned harshly.
"why don't you want to talk about your husband? Is he beating you? if-"
"no it's not that belive me, I would have… have murdered him myself." Severus said with a hitch. Jonathan's eyes widened.
"your husband was murdered? Gods! I'm sorry! I should go." Jonathan stood to leave. Severus waved him down.
"sit down Jonathan. Yes, my husband is dead… hes been dead for nearly twenty years…"
"oh… it never gets easier deos it.' Jonathan said with a sigh. Sverus frowned.
"You lost a spouse as well?"
"My wife and son." Jonathan said gravely. Severus let out a breath of air.
"I can't imagine what it would be like to lose your son as well… my husband and I had a son as well. he's living with me now, with the war going on it wasn't safe for him to stay with me."
"I've read about your war, what I wouldn't give to meet harry potter, shake his hand, thank him. he saved so many lives…"
" yes." Severus said taking an imaginary sip from his glass. Jonathan shook his head and sighed.
"they were killed in a car crash of all things. A car crash. Killing a fully trained witch… I was such a fool. It was raining you see and I told her she should wait but my wife… she was so stubborn, said it couldn't wait. She stomped out and she never came home." The two men silently sat, ruminating on the deaths they had seen in their lives.
"so, is that why your wearing black?" sevrus looked down at his robes.
"I suppose…at least I still look good. my husband always said I looked good in black." Jonathan laughed hollowly.
"personally I think it makes you look like an angry cloud." Severus looked at him and sighed.
"I've been called worse. Great Bat. Greasy Git. Slimy Bastard. Sneaky little snake…" severus took another imaginary drink as jonathan gaped like a fish. His face contorted into an angry snarl.
"who called you that! They sound like a bastard."
"my son." Severus said deadpanned. Jonathan faultered and gasped again.
"he said that to you? at your face? When?!"
"during his school years… I was his potions professor. Add the fact that he din't know I was his other parent and our supposed opposoite sides on the war and you have a recipe for mutal contempt… or at least, contempt and extreme remorse." Jonathan was gapping again only this time there was a glow in his eyes.
"wait… Severus… as in Severus Snape! Your famous!" Severus blinked in shock.
"I hardly think I'm famous-"
"you invented the veritasium potion! Your celebrated throughout all of the states as a hero! do you know how many lives you've saved! God I met you! I was bloody flirting with you! man wait till my cousin hears about this one!"
"when were you flirting with me!?" Severus asked angrily. Jonathan paused and blushed crimson.
"just a bit at the start, when I offered to buy you a drink… I stopped…" Severus stood angrily and stormed away. "hey! Wait!" Jonathan followed severus out onto thestreet. When he touched severus shoulder the man whipped around and smacked him soudly across the face.
"don't.".
"what did I do? Was it the flirting, I'm sorry." Jonathan asked. Severus sneered.
"no, it was the fact that you made me feel sorry for you." Jonathan frowned.
"what are you talking about?"
"I assume the sob story about your wife and son is a tried and true way you get people to like you. how many of your friends started out as well meaning mourners I wonder." Jonathan blinked at him. then he began to chuckle then he laughed out loud. After a while he wiped a tear from his eye.
"I wasn't lying about my wife Severus… what I left out is that I'm bisexual." It was Severus's turn to blink.
"oh…"
"yeah. Oh." Jonathan said with a smile and a wince as he touched his tender cheek. Severus winced along with him.
"I have a salve for that if you like..."
"Please." Jonathan said holding out his hand. Severus reached into his robes and handing him the requested potion. "You've got one good arm." Jonathan grumbled as he spread it on his face. Severus snorted and when it was done jonathan looked good as new.
"I am very sorry... I'm sure your night isn't what you planned it to be..."
"Are you kidding?" Jonathan said with a laugh "I planned to sit at that bar and get wasted before you and your friend walked in." Jonathan handed back the bottle. Severus turned back to the bar.
"Right, Remus..."
"Leave him, he'll figure it out. Come with me, I'm the one who ruined your night." With that the two walked off down the street and when Remus returned to the table he was rather confused as to where Severus had went. The pair walked for two hours talking about this and that, slowly become friends, until at last they arrived at Severus's house.
"geez, for a second their I thought you were loaded." Severus snorted.
"my son thought the same thing." He unlocked the door and offered a drink to Jonathan.
"ha, and the night started with me offering a drink, full circle huh?" Jonathan said with laugh.
"who's this?" A voice called distrustingly from the stairs. Severus looked up.
"Harry. You're home… that's… surprising." Severus said quietly, not breaking eye contact. Harry broke it to look at the ground and sigh.
"Harry? I can't find your paprika." an airy voice called from the kitchen.
"it's behind the marjoram!" Harry called.
"thank you." the voice said before the cuboard banged closed.
"who's that?" Severus asked, a little nervous about someone poking around his carefully organized kitchen.
"Luna Lovegood." Harry mumbled with a slight blush.
"Lovegood… should have known, no one has a voice quite like hers… so she's the reason you've been out and about." Harrry laughed awkwardly.
"y…yeah…Luna." Jonathan snickered.
"nice to meet you, names Jona…na…nah…" Jonathan trailed off with wide eyes, staring at Harry's face. "you'reHarryPotter." He squeaked out.
"yeah I'm Harry Potter. What do you want an autograph? Picture?" Harry asked in annoyance. What Jonathan said next made Harry's eyes widen. Jonathan grabbed their joined hands and shook vigourously.
"thank you. thank you so much. You saved thousands of people, and I think I should speak for everyone when I say that it shouldn't have rested on your shoulders alone. You are the bravest man I have ever met and I am proud to have met you." jonathan fiished before he took a deep breath. "mhm… that smells really good." He patted harry's shoulder before walking past him into the kitchen. The mother and son stood awkwardly saying nothing.
"so…" Harry began.
"yes." Severus said as well. Again silence permiated the room.
"who's he?" Harry asked.
"a friend."
"friend or 'friend'?" Harry asked with air quites. Severus snorted derisively.
"a friend Harry." Harry looked around nervously.
"I was just asking." Severus placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"I'm not ready for that yet Harry, but when I am I'll tell you." Harry nodded and together they went into the kitchen. Luna was making dinner. It was chicken with some kind of sauce with a fancy French name.
"Luna, you really don't have to make dinner…" Harry said awkwardly. Luna just smiled at him.
"would you eat if I didn't?" she asked with dreamy tone.
"yeah." Harry mumbeled making Severus frown. Luna looked at him.
"let me rephrase that, would you eat well?"at that Harry played with his fork tines. Luna shook her head and began serving up the meal.
"thank you , it's rather late, but I suppose we've all had a tyring day." Severus said.
"actually my day was rather peaceful. I spent the morning cathching fresh water plimbies, then I went to my volunteer job… very relaxing." Luna said before she took a bite of her chicken. Jonathan was staring at her now, Harry was shaking his head indulgently, Severus was just shaking his head. The rest of the dinner was passed in small talk. Luna and Harry found out that Jonathan was unemployed, he had just moved here from north California, and the only people he'd talked to in the last fifteen years were his grocer, the mailman, the barber, and his cousin from britian.
"he's actually the reason I've come. You see he's disappeared, I'm looking for him. I'm actually starting to wory about him. I've asked around but everyone keeps giving me a different story. The one I've heard the most, quite disturbingly, is that he's been dead for eighteen years, which isn't true! Because he lived with me for seven of the years they say he was dead. I can't help but wonder what he got up to over here… must have been crazy." The table was silent after that as everyone thought of relatives and loved ones long passed, lost to time. after a while harry yawned.
"you should go to bed." Luna and Severus said in unison. That sparked laughter from Harry.
"well I geuss since you both said so… I'll see you to the door luna." With that Harry stood. Severus looked back at his sons dinner. It was picked at but not really eaten. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"rough luck mate… it must be hard…" Jonathan mumbled. Severus sighed.
"you have no idea…" he got up and went to the door in time to see Lovegood place a sweet kiss on Harry's cheek. The boy smiled and waved her off. Severus passed him as he went up stairs with a goofy grin on his face. He turned to Jonathan.
"it was nice meeting you."
"yes, we should get together again sometime… maybe another drink, and this time maybe I won't need a healing salve." Jonathan said with a hearty laugh before he smiled and walked away. Severus sighed and closed the door. He stood there for a moment before he shook his head in flabbergasted shock. What had he been thinking?! he'd only just met the guy… but as Severus stood there he couldn't shake the feeling that somehow he'd met Jonathan before. After a while he shook his head and washed up the dinner dishes. As he looked about the kitchen he looked at the bare fridge. He starred at it for a few moments before he made up his mind and turned towards the stiars. Harry peeked out of his door as he watched Severus pull down the attic stairs and disappear up there. he heard shuffeling above him before Severus descended again carrying a carboad box labled Pictures. He went back down stairs and Harry, ever curious, followed him. Severus stood over the box on the kitchen table and took a deep breath before he lifted the lid. The photo on top made him exhale making him breathless. The first family photo, taken by Remus at an outing to a small scotish village. Harry was so small then. Severus stared at it and after a while wiped away a small tear. With a deep, shuddery breath, he placed the photo on the fridge and stood back. He turned back to the box and brought it into the living room where he began placing photo's on the mantel. A picture of James showing off on his broom. A picture James had taken of him reading. Harry almost a year old hiding behind a chair leg popping out every so often for a big smile. They were all moving. The James in the quidditch photo stopped every so often to give Severus a very saucy wink. After he was done Severus sat down and stared. In his hand was the seventh year yearbook that he and James had recived for graduating. He flipped through it and stared at the pictures of people he'd never seen again. He turned to the hall of fame page and stared at it with a sardonic look. At the very top was cutest cople showing James and Lily. The James in the photo was trying desperately to extract itself from a very clingy Lily. He looked down the list. Most likely to break hearts, Sirius Black. Most likely to amount to nothing, Peter Petigrew. Most likely to own everyone in ten years, Marcus Nott. Most likely to go bat shit crazy, Carter Yaxley. He looked down at the very bottom. Most likely to be an assassin, Severus Snape. He sighed and thought of Albus. Perhaps of he'd looked at this book more often. After a while he turned to the quidditch page to seem James without that broad hanging off of his arm. It surprised him how anyone thought they were cute, judging by the amout of photo's she was in, she pretty much stalked James all year. As he turned to the gryffendor team a letter fell out of the was addressed to Severus without any date or return address. The hadwriting was James' but years of spying had honed Severus' paranoia into a sharp blade. A few well placed counter curses proved that it was indeed a long lost letter written by his long lost lover. Severus ripped it open and looked inside. In it was James' graduation ring, still gleaming in the light, persevered by the hardy parchment envelope. Severus pulled it and the letter out and turned to the letter.
Dearest Severus,
I know that by the time you read this, I will be engaged to be married to Lily Evans. Mother was not secretive of her plans. She despises what I am, but I want you to know that nothing will change me. I love you with all my heart, nothing I ever say will change that, and you are my soul mate. I know that know. Forever and always we will find a way. And so I give you my graduation ring and I ask you to wear it on your ring finger because some day I will come to you and we will be wed, maybe in ten years, maybe in a hundred, but someday, the world will know of our love.
Your Only,
James.
Severus chocked and held the letter limply in his hand as he sobbed into the other. After a while he took the ring and did as James had wished. The ruby glinted on his finger in the dying light and Severus swore he could see James' face swimming in it. He shook his head and looked at the time. almost three in the morning, best go to bed. He was strating to see things. A few hours of drinking didn't help. With still shuddery breath Severus made his way upstairs and into bed. In the other room Harry was staring at the ceiling. After a few seconds he smiled faintly and rooled over on to his side. For the first time since moving there both of the houses occupants slept well, without any discomfort. They both woke feeling refreshed and Severus made his way downstairs to see his son eating toast and jam reading the daily prophet.
"good morning…" Severus said quietly. Harry looked at him and smiled uncertainly.
"morning… do you want the paper? I'm just reading the political comics."
"please." Severus said and Harry romoved the section he was reading handing the rest to his mum. The pair sat in a almost awkward silence broken only by the occasional turned of a page. After a while Severus closed the paper and sipped his tea, leaing back.
"why aren't you gone already?"
"well its Saturday…" Harry said uncertainly.
"shouldn't you be out with miss Lovegood then?"
"she's busy… volunteering." Severus rose and eyebrow.
"where deos she volunteer again?"
" , in the psychiatric ward." Severus hummed and took another sip of his tea. After a few more moments of silence Harry stood.
"I'm sorry I can't do this, it's just too awkward." Harry said before he moved to the living room. He stood before the mantel watching as his dad flew on his broom waving at him before whizzing off the frame.
"Harry." Severus said standing in the dining room looking at him. Harry sighed and sat on the sofa.
" why did he go… why didn't he listen to you… it could have been different…" Severus sighed.
"not by much. Instead of dying at Voldemort's hand he would have died at mine, and you would be raised a death eater's son." Severus said sitting in the armchair by his son. Harry's shoulders sunk.
"I hate Voldemort." Harry said with a grumble. Severus laughed.
"what's the point in hating a dead man Harry? You can't change what happened." Harry groaned and let his head fall into his hands. "all you can do is complain about the what if's. and it's a fool errand Harry. Thinking abouty what could have been just reminds you of what happened that made you angry or hurt. Try to think of your blessings Harry, what you have…"
"I'm not sure what I have mum…" Harry said quietly. After a while he shook his head. "I'm going over to Ron's, I'll be home late, don't wait up." With that Harry went to the hearth and with a call of the burrow was gone in a flash of green. Severus sighed and sat back into the lounge chair and looked up to the photo of a young James on his broom.
"what should I do James?" the photo shrugged and flew off to gods knows where, making Severus sigh aain. Meanwhile Harry was being offered heaps of food.
"are you sure dear?"
"I'm fine , I just ate." Harry said before he dashed up to Ron's room. He paused at the door and smiled watching what happened inside.
"Ronald, why don't you pick up after yourself." Hermione asked as she picked up spare bits of clothing while Ron filled out some kind of form.
"I'll get to it mione,give me a minute." Hermione put her hands on her hips.
"Ronald tear yourself away from that form and help me clean." Ron sighed and set his quill down before he helped her tidy up the room.
"the form is important Hermione, I'll finally get into the arror program if it's done by dinner, dad promised to fast track it."
"I know, but your room is a mess…"
"geez Ron, she's starting to sound like your mum instead of your wife." Harry said with a smile. Both of them dropped what they were holding.
"Harry!" they cried before they each rushed to give him a hug.
"how you bin mate? It's been a bloody long time, I'm sorry I wasn't around more when Snape was recovering, I geuss I was a bit wary that's all." Ron said awkwardly while he scratched the back of his neck. Harry smiled.
"it's fine Ron, you're still my best mate." Ron smiled before the three of them sat down. Hermione pulled out their tray and yet again they sat around a makeshift fire and talked.
"he's better now, much better since you last talked to him…" Harry said quietly.
"but your avoiding him." Hermione said with a shake of her head.
"you are? Why?" Ron asked.
"honstely Ron, don't you realise…" Hermione asked looking at him.
"what?" Ron asked with a shrug. Hermione huffed.
"well for one thing, Harry's probably still reeling about it, not only is his mother a male but also one of his most hated professors. Add the fact that Proffessor Snape is probably in mouning for the first time in years. Now Harry is expected to mourn as well. But he's probably confused about how he's feeling about his father since he's recently found out that so much of what he thought he knew about the man is untrue. Add the recent pressure he's reciving from all sides to join the arrors when he clearly deosn't want to and his recent not quite break up with Ginny and frankly, I'm surprised he hasn't broken down yet." Hermione said all in one breath. Ron stared at her, then frowned.
"you don't want to join the arrors? We were talking about all the time in sixth year." Ron said. Harry opened his mouth to speak but Hermione interupted him.
"honestly Ron! Harry has spent his whole life fighting and getting hurt by dark wizards, why would he want a carrer in that? A lot has changed since then Ron, for one thing Dumbledore is gone, for another the entire ministry is in upheval. I think Harry is right to seek another carrer, once he gets his N.E. of course, you will be coming back to Hogwarts for your N.E. right, unlike Ron here who's skating on reputation." She finished turning to Ron with a glare. Harry smile weakly and nodded. Ron slumped and looked between the two.
"you lot are conspiring against me." Hermione smiled smugly with her nose in the air. Harry just laughed. Then Ron frowned.
"you broke up with Ginny?" Harry blew out a breath of air.
"she was snogging Dean Thomas at the battle… I figured we were done, I mean I get it. He was there, I wasn't… besides, to tell you the truth, our love was sort of… dry… like we were trying to hard." Harry leaned back against a stack of Hermione's books and sighed. "I've kinda started dating someone else too so I think me and her have officially called it quits." Ron looked heartbroken before he sighed then shrugged with a grimace.
"geuss Dean's alright." He mumbled. Hermione gaped at him.
"Ronald, that was the most progressive, nicest thing I've ever heard you say." Hermione said with a smile. "at least about someone dating Ginny." Harry laughed at that.
"anyways," Ron said with a roll of his eyes "Harry mate are you really feeling all those things, how are you not catatonic?"
"catatonic?" Harry asked with a confused face. Ron shrugged.
"I've been spending a lot of time with Hermione after all." Harry laughed before Hermione finally spoke.
"teaspoon Ronald, teaspoon." She said with a huff. With that Ron and Harry laughed gawfawingly. After a while Hermione chuckeled along. Harry smiled as he watch his friends laugh before Hermione began bickering with Ron over the state of his room again. He sighed and kept smiling long into the night.
A/N: Harry is being difficult here, this whole chapter was difficult.
I am so so so sorry for the long wait, you would not believe how hard it was to write this and I honestly don't think its all that well written… but it's the best I could do I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer.
thewolf74: Elizabeth will be around more next chapter I promise, I'm so sorry I took so long.
Merlenyn: As you can see Harry being here isn't really helping but I'm sure you, like Hermione, realize that this is not because on Severus but his own conflicting feelings towards his father. Realize too that he hasn't mourned for James either. Now seeing someone else mourn has made him think about his fathers death again. He's never had to think about it before, now he is and like Severus he feels the pain. But maybe they can work through it together, they need to find common ground, somewhere they can both be relaxed and talk about their feelings. Harry feels that the house is dead, so that might not be the best place. I'm glad you enjoy the story, I hope to hear again from you soon.
mandancie: I'm glad you like it and I'm sorry for taking so long. 5000+ per chapter is hard
Also I'm sorry for how rough the grammar is. My computer is being difficult again so I had to edit the chapter on my phone. As it was it took me two hours to fix AL the spelling and major grammar mistakes. I'm terribly sorry if I missed any spelling mistakes.
Please do not comment about the lack of capitals at the beginning of sentences. It would have taken me a week to fix them all on my phone.
-TheTransfiguredCanary