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Chapter 12: St Mungos

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"Now what?" Ron asked Harry and Hermione as the three of them set off for a stroll in the Hogwarts Grounds. Their exams were finished and tomorrow they would be getting on the train to Kings Cross... never to return to Hogwarts as students.

"I was thinking, maybe we could all get a place together" Hermione suggested.

Ron and Harry looked at each other and then at Hermione who was looking apprehensive. Harry had assumed Hermione would want to go back and live with her parents. Ron voiced the same opinion.

"I thought you'd want to live with your mum and dad" Ron said.

"After spending the majority of seven years away from them, I want my independence. I don't want to live with them. That doesn't mean I won't see them, I'll go round there all the time."

"Yeah ok, I think it's a cool idea" Ron replied.

"Me too" Harry agreed and all three of them beamed at each other. Harry had wondered what would happen once they left Hogwarts. He hadn't thought any further than picking his stuff up from the Dursleys. Living with Ron and Hermione was going to be great.

As they returned to the castle after their stroll, they bumped into Sirius, who looked thoroughly pleased with himself, and was carrying a box.

"What have you got in there?" Ron asked, nodding towards the box.

"My stuff… Remus and I are moving in together" he said happily to the trio. "I'm really looking forward to spending the whole summer together… oh Harry, would you like to come and live with us?"

"I would have loved to, but I'm getting a place with Ron and Hermione."

"Really? That's great. Well just so you know, we'll always have a bedroom for you, even if you want to get away just for a night… you… you will come and see us?" Sirius' face fell.

"Of course, just try and stop me."

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Harry and Ron looked around their bedroom for the last time before joining Hermione and the rest of the Gryffindors in the common room. Harry felt sad, yet excited, at the same time. They were leaving the security of the castle and were expected to now make their own way in the world.

"It feels strange doesn't it?" Hermione asked them both and they nodded.

"But in a good way" Ron replied.

They had ten minutes before they had to leave and make their way to Hogsmeade and get the train. If Harry didn't do it now, he never would. Telling Ron and Hermione he'd be back in a few minutes, he crawled out of the Gryffindor common room and sprinted along the corridor and down the many staircases. Carrying on through the entrance hall, he ran down into the dungeons until he came to a halt outside Severus' office. Panting, he stood there for a few seconds to get his breathing under control, before barging into the office. He didn't see the point of knocking, he was no longer a student; it wasn't as though Severus could take house points or even give him detention. He shut the door behind him with a bang.

"Have you ever heard of knoc… Mr Potter… to what do I owe this pleasure?"

Severus was sitting at his desk. He had a quill in his right hand and from the looks of it, had been in the process of writing a letter. Harry could also see a suitcase beside the desk and gathered that Severus, too, must be shortly leaving the castle for the summer. Harry was silent for a few moments, just staring into Severus's eyes. He couldn't believe five months had passed since their last conversation together. The time had flown and Harry hadn't asked to return to his class. The familiar butterflies and feelings of longing were overwhelming him. Severus was eyeing him curiously.

"I just… wanted to say goodbye" Harry said quietly. Severus smiled.

"Well… goodbye Mr Potter. And good luck."

"Um, thanks, I er… also wanted to say that… that I still feel the same about you. I'm still in love with you."

"Right…" Severus trailed off, looking down at the quill in his hands.

Harry took the silence to mean that he was dismissed. He turned around, opened the door and left the office. Suppressing the urge to cry, he started making his way back towards the entrance hall when he heard Severus' voice shout "Harry!" He stalled, looking around to see Severus coming towards him. As Severus reached him, he pushed Harry up against the wall and swooped down to claim his lips. It took Harry a few seconds to get over the shock and start participating in the kiss. He put his arms around Severus' neck and allowed his tongue entrance into his mouth. He was in heaven. It was just as good as he had remembered.

But it was all over too soon, Severus broke away and removed Harry's arms from his neck. "Goodbye Harry" he whispered and then swept off back towards his office. This time Harry didn't suppress it. Tears filled his eyes and he wiped them with his t-shirt.

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Harry, Ron and Hermione were all sat nervously on the sofa in their new flat. It was three weeks since they had left Hogwarts and today was the day their results were due out. Hermione had been a nervous wreck all morning and Ron and Harry's nerves had lessened due to having to reassure and calm Hermione down.

"Oh look" Hermione suddenly said, jumping up. Ron and Harry stood too, and saw exactly what Hermione had been referring to. Three owls were headed straight for the open window. They soared in, dropped three identical envelopes onto the sofa and flew back out. Hermione grabbed the envelopes, handing Ron and Harry theirs and disappearing into her bedroom and slamming the door.

"I don't know why she's so worried" Ron said rolling his eyes at Harry. "She's probably done so well they've had to create a new grade above Outstanding."

"On the count of three" Harry said and Ron nodded. "Okay, one, two, three."

They opened their envelopes. Unfolding the parchment inside, Harry read the following:

NEWT EXAM RESULTS

Pass grades: Outstanding (O), Exceeds Expectations (E), Acceptable (A)

Fail grades: Poor (P), Dreadful (D), Unmarkable (U)

Mr Harry James Potter has received the following marks:

Charms: O

Defence Against The Dark Arts: O

Herbology: E

Potions: E

Transfiguration: E

Good luck for the future. If you're unsure as to what career path you'd like to take, or would like general advice, contact the Careers Division at the Ministry for an appointment.

"I got all Exceeds" Ron said happily. "Wicked… I didn't think I'd do that well. Let me see yours."

Harry handed his results over and Ron said "Cool. We've done well considering all the slacking we did… where's Hermione?"

"Let's go and see" Harry replied and the two of them went to Hermione's bedroom door. Ron knocked and called "Hermione?" Barely a second later, Hermione appeared, shouting "I got all Outstandings!"

"Swot" Ron said, but not unkindly. Hermione threw herself at him and then at Harry. Without asking she snatched their letters from them and looked to see how well they'd done.

"This is great; none of us got less than an Exceeds. That pretty much means we can go into any field we wish. What are you going to do Harry? Apply for Auror training?"

"Um, no. I've been thinking all year that I'd quite like to train to become a Healer. What about you?"

"I'm not sure yet. I think I'll contact the Careers Division and go and speak to them. Weight up my options. Ron?"

"Oh, I… you won't laugh will you?"

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and smiled. They couldn't guarantee they wouldn't laugh but Harry said "of course we won't" anyway.

"Well, I was thinking of trying out for the Chudley Canons squad." Ron's ears went pink and he looked away from the two of them.

"That's brilliant" Harry said. "You'll get in for sure. You know you're a really good keeper, and playing quidditch all the time, your anxiety and nerves will just get better."

"Thanks Harry. What do you think Hermione?"

"I think it's a great idea."

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It was two weeks later and Harry was sitting in the reception of St Mungos hospital, waiting to be called for his interview. The past two weeks had been pretty hard. Ron and Hermione were all over each other and whenever he escaped to Sirius and Remus' for the evening or night, they were all over each other too.

Ron and Hermione had tried to cheer him up a bit. They dragged him out a couple of times to bars and clubs which were all gay places, telling him to "let his hair down" and constantly saying "he looks nice, go and talk to him." Harry had put in a little effort; he'd talked to a few guys and even snogged a couple, although admittedly after he'd had a few drinks. But he just didn't care. He found the guys good looking, but that was it. Just as he could say Hermione was good looking. There was no attraction. No chemistry. No want. No… nothing.

He was still head over heels in love with Severus Snape.

A smile spread over Harry's face as he thought about Severus. He loved the way he spoke, the way he looked at him which those dark mysterious eyes. The feel of his hands on his ski-

"Mr Potter?"

Harry was pulled out of his fantasies. He looked up and almost swore as he saw Severus standing in front of him, looking quizzical. He briefly wondered if he was real. Was he dreaming? He pinched his arm really hard and said "ow" receiving a confused look from Severus.

"Sorry… um… what are you doing here?"

Severus sat down in the chair next to Harry and didn't answer the question. He eyed his attire and said "you look good in a suit." Harry felt his cheeks burn. Thoughts of Severus ripping off his clothes and fucking him hard swam to the forefront of his mind… no, no, stop it! Back to reality!

"Thanks, I've got an interview for Healer training… what are you doing here?"

"Just an annual check up I have every summer… so… Healer training? Very admirable. I thought perhaps you'd decide to play quidditch."

"Well considering this is only the second time we've spoken in over six months, I hardly think that qualifies you to know what I'm thinking" Harry replied, somewhat angrily.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean… it's just that I thought you loved playing quidditch and you're a fantastic seeker."

"I do love quidditch" Harry replied, smiling. "Sorry, I shouldn't have snapped… I just don't want quidditch to become a job. I want it to stay a hobby and a passion."

"That makes sense. Your last game against Ravenclaw was sensational."

"You… you came to watch?"

"I always watched when you were playing."

They held each others gaze, neither of them speaking. Harry wondered what it must look like to the other people, but he didn't care. There seemed to be an understanding in Severus' eyes, as though he were trying to speak to him, but without words. Eventually Severus broke eye contact and looked down at the floor.

"I think you'll make a great Healer" he told Harry, looking back up. "Have you had a good summer so far?"

"Yeah, it's been fun. I'm living with Ron and Hermione; they've been taking me to gay clubs, so I can meet other men."

"Are you… are you seeing anyone?" Severus asked with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Mr Potter?" a small witch called from beside the reception counter. Harry looked up at her and then back at Severus.

"No" Harry replied. "You see, there's this guy I saw for a while and I fell in love with him. But he didn't want me, said I was too good for him. I accepted that, but I'm still not over him. I'm still in love with him… he knows, but he's being a stubborn bastard."

Harry stood up and walked over to the lady who had just called his name out, leaving a shocked Severus behind.

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Coming up in the next chapter: Severus turns up at Harry's home. What does he want? Will they get together or go their separate ways?

Reviews: If you're reading this, please take a few moments to leave me a review. I really do appreciate them and they do help immensely with my motivation. My profile has details of all my story updates.

(This chapter was posted on August 4th)

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