OUATLover02: Thank you so much! I'm glad you like it!
Sevyfan1: thank you! And ok, I'll set up a Twitter account as soon as enough people are interested.
BeholdTheMetatron1946: Haha I didn't know that XD I love J.K.'s sense of humor. And yeah, bats are really cute.
MsSpirit: Yeah, I feel so bad for Harry! I'm still developing that plot line though. So I have no idea what's going to happen.
Harry's PoV:
"I assume you all know why I have called you here, as I let you know in advance," Dumbledore said. Harry, Severus, and Remus had met in Dumbledore's office a week later. "We need to go over Harry's plans for next year. Remus, I was hoping you would agree to be Harry's personal instructor for DADA."
"I would love to," said Remus, and he and Harry exchanged smiles. Harry had missed Remus when he resigned at the end of third year, and had hoped that he'd see him back at Hogwarts again. "Is your syllabus ready, Harry?"
It was. As they had agreed, Harry had helped Severus create it. Harry had been allowed to choose some things he was interested in learning, especially now that Voldemort was gone, but most of it was required material for advanced DADA students. Dumbledore had decided to officially move him up to one of the higher advanced levels. There were multiple advanced levels.
"Here is Harry's syllabus," Severus said, reaching across Harry to give it to Remus. Severus's soft, silky hair brushed against Harry briefly. "I've written down some books I would recommend for Harry's lessons, but you are free to choose others."
"Thank you, Severus." Remus looked over the syllabus. "I am looking forward to teaching Harry again. Hopefully this is a start to my return to Hogwarts."
"We'd all love to have you back," said Harry. "Everyone loved you. We still talk about your lessons all the time."
This seemed to please Remus. "I appreciate that, Harry. And I will be around this year, since I am living here. I just won't be teaching."
This was news to Harry. "So where are you staying? In the Gryffindor dorms? I'm sure you'll be welcome there-"
Remus laughed. "No, no, Severus has actually offered me his guest room."
Harry turned to Severus in surprise. He'd had no idea. "You did?" Harry asked him. Through the bond, he said, Thank you. I know you and Remus don't get along.
Severus smiled softly at him. "Yes, I did. I love you, and I want you to be happy."
Harry longed to kiss him, but he held back since he knew Severus wasn't comfortable kissing in front of others. He settled for a gentle squeeze of Severus's fingers under the desk, both men unaware of Dumbledore and Remus exchanging smiles at the lovebirds. Harry couldn't help glancing down at Severus's lips, wishing they were alone.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "So, now that that's settled, we should head down to the feast. The food is delicious this year."
"Wonderful. I'm starving," Remus said.
"Come sit with me and my friends, Remus," Harry said as they walked out, and was happy when Remus agreed.
"So Harry, are you excited about classes?" Remus asked him.
"Yeah, I guess so," Harry said. "I'm mostly nervous. It's going to be tough this year and I really need good marks."
"I am sure you'll do fine," Remus said. "I have faith in you. You are a wise person and a great student."
"Thank you," Harry said as he walked into the Great Hall. His heart swelled with happiness and excitement when he saw his friends at the Gryffindor table. Remus sat beside him while Ron sat on Harry's other side. Severus and Dumbledore walked past them up to the staff table.
"Professor Lupin!" Hermione was the first to notice Remus, and everyone looked up and gasped. Soon Remus was shaking his former students' hands, and even got a hug from Neville, who was sitting on his other side. "What are you doing back here?"
"I'm Harry's new DADA instructor this year," Remus informed her.
"Why aren't you in Snape's class?" Luna asked him. "That's where all the sixth years are."
Luna was one of those who didn't know about him and Severus. "I moved up to a really advanced level in DADA," he said smoothly, which wasn't entirely a lie. Harry had always been able to lie more than was good for him. It wasn't something he was proud of.
Looks were exchanged around the table by those who did know. Harry wished they would be more discreet. "What kinds of things do you learn in advanced DADA?" Fred asked.
"I'm not allowed to tell, but I can show you an example," said Remus. Everyone gasped when Remus suddenly held a fireball in his hands, then a small cluster of snowflakes, which blew their napkins around on the table and ruffled their hair. After showing off a cool display of earth and water, everyone clapped, and the other students looked over to see what was going on.
"Will you teach me that?" Harry asked.
"When you are ready," said Remus, and smiled. "If you all want, I can see about organizing a defense club. Because this is normally not included in the standard syllabus for DADA, I will have to get at least two staff members, not including myself, to approve before it can become official."
"We'd love that!" Hermione exclaimed, and everyone else nodded in agreement.
"I can see if Severus will give his approval," Harry said, and some of Harry's friends looked over at him in surprise. Harry cringed when he realized he'd called Severus by his first name. "I mean, Professor Snape."
Some of Harry's friends sent him curious glances, but luckily Dumbledore tapped on his wine glass with his spoon to signal the start of his beginning-of-the-year announcements.
"Welcome back, students and staff. Another year has arrived and therefore we have a few new announcements to go over. First of all, I am very pleased to welcome our new Potions Professor, Horace Slughorn." Everyone applauded, and Harry got his first look at Professor Slughorn. He seemed nice enough, and Harry hoped he could improve in Potions and impress Severus.
"Also, I would like to congratulate Professor Snape on his new courtship. He is courting a student here at Hogwarts, but as that student will not be in his class, it is legal. Please join me in congratulating Harry Potter and Severus Snape!"
Hundreds of pairs of eyes turned to Harry, and then Severus. Harry was quite alarmed and could feel Severus's surprise from the other half of the bond. What is going on?! Harry asked Severus.
I have no idea, Severus responded.
Everyone clapped tentatively, but Harry could feel the tension in the room without needing any bond.
Severus's PoV:
"What the hell, Albus!" He and Harry had met back in Albus's office after dinner. "How could you just surprise everyone like that without asking for our permission?"
"Severus, my son, I didn't want you and Harry to have to hide your love," Albus said. "I just passed this law recently."
"Well you could have given us a warning!" Harry yelled. "You nearly scared us to death!"
"I apologize," said Albus. "But I thought if I talked to you first, you wouldn't agree to go through with it. I want you both to be able to be as much of a normal couple as possible. And if you are not student and teacher, it isn't an issue."
"Yes it is," Harry growled. Severus could feel Harry's fury, and his concern for Severus. "It's an issue because now the other students will look at Severus differently. You know he isn't comfortable being himself in public! You can't just force that on him!"
"Harry," said Severus, putting a hand on his lover's shoulder. He was upset as well, but someone needed to remain calm. "There's nothing to be done about it now. And Albus is right. This way, we don't have to worry about hiding our love. We can properly be together, and be seen around each other. It will be hard, but we will get through it."
"But you-" Harry started.
Severus put a finger against Harry's lips, silencing him. "I will deal with it," he said. "For you. Because I want to be with you, and we were going to have to deal with this at some point if our relationship works out."
Harry's mixed emotions of love for Severus and betrayal because Severus "took Albus's side" would have been amusing in any other situation. "I'm just worried about you," Harry said.
"Don't be," Severus said, and felt Harry relax when he brushed the backs of his fingers against Harry's cheek. "At least now I can do this without worrying." He pressed a deep, lingering kiss against Harry's lips, and the younger man melted against Severus.
"You should find your dorm, Harry," Albus said. "It's getting late."
With one last glare at Albus, Harry walked out. I'll escort you to your dorm, Severus said, and followed Harry out without another word to Albus. "Inform me if any of your classmates give you a hard time," Severus said. "I will make sure they are punished."
Harry took his hand as they walked down the hall. It did feel good to be able to do that without worrying, but Severus was still furious with Albus. "I will, thanks," Harry said, pressing close to Severus's side. "I'll miss you tonight."
With all the drama to stress about, Severus had nearly forgotten that this would be his first time sleeping alone in nearly a month. "I'll miss you as well. Perhaps some nights you can come to my rooms."
Harry blushed, and Severus smiled. They arrived at Gryffindor Tower then, and Severus found himself reluctant to part with Harry. He had gotten so used to being in his lover's presence over the summer. "Sleep well," Severus said.
"You too," said Harry. "I love you."
"And I love you," Severus said, and kissed Harry right there in the hall. He felt Harry's desire and wished they could spend the night together, but he knew Harry needed to be with his friends.
The kiss lingered for a few long moments, just lips to lips and no tongue of course, but still when they broke apart, a couple students who were socializing in the hall were gawking at them.
"I suspect you all should be in your dorms," Severus said coolly, suddenly unable to hide his annoyance. "It is after curfew."
Surprised, the other students hurried through the portrait hole. "Goodnight," Harry called to Severus before following them, leaving the older man alone in the hall.
AN: How's that for a drama-filled chapter? XD Hope you all liked it! Please review for more updates soon :)