A/N- Soooo Soorrryyy About The Wait. But this was not a work week condusive to writing and posting. And since I have the same schedule next week, I think its best to finish the story this weekend, yeah? Just a couple more things to wrap up before the party. Thanks to everyone who continues to click on my story and stuck around through the drought.

Recap- Ron and Hermione decided on divorce. Harry finally got it. Severus understands that he's a good guy- but he's still a jerk, lol.

Disclaimer- Nope sorry, I don't own Harry Potter. It's all JKR's.

Day 1

Hermione was ready for Kaitlyn's probable question of 'Have you seen the Prophet?' for once. Sleeping on the sofa meant waking to the owl flying in and landing on the arm of the sofa and landing unceremoniously close to her head as it hooted at her to get up.

She hadn't been thrilled but she had to be thankful for it, because even though Ron had promised to listen for the alarm he obviously had ignored it because it was already 10 minutes later than the time they were supposed to get up.

It also hadn't helped that Rose and Hugo had already made their way downstairs and upon seeing their mum getting up from the couch ran over and asked why she was there. They may have understood that they might see less of their parents together but they obviously did not understand why they couldn't still sleep together. That had been a trying 5 minutes- which was actually broken up by Ron running the downstairs yelling – 'I'm up, I'm' up before tripping and nearly crashing into a wall.

While she and the kids giggled at him as he righted himself, she quickly started their day. And so she managed to read the Prophet like she usually did- while eating breakfast.

"Good Morning Miss Granger," Kaitlyn said as she walked in.

Hermione cringed.

"Who is it now?" she asked.

In answer Kaitlyn merely nodded towards Hermione's door.

"Someone's in my office?" Hermione whispered feeling annoyed. "Who's in my office?"

"I am."

Hermione turned at the sound of Davis's voice coming from her opening door.

"Ah… Good Morning Davis." She said relaxing and walking in past him.

"Odd greeting from Kaitlyn… calling you by your maiden name." Davis stated with a raised eyebrow.

Hermione and Ron had come to the decision of not mentioning their probable divorce to the public until the last moment possible. But now Hermione wondered if her boss actually counted as the public?

She and Ron had gone over to Molly's after work with the kids to break the news that they were indeed divorcing. Molly had cried a bit- but with Ron having spent more than a few days at their house venting- they weren't all that surprised. Arthur asked a few questions about how they were handling it and what about the kids. And when all was said and done her former in laws were okay with it- Molly even managed to make Hermione promise not to become a stranger, no matter what.

"Erm…." Hermione started not knowing how to proceed.

"You've never been afraid to tell me to mind my business Hermione, if this is one of those times feel free to continue that tradition." Davis said with a small smile.

Hermione let loose a small chuckle at Davis. He'd always been a rather good boss, and friend if she were honest. And he'd shared his life with her- she could at least reciprocate a bit.

"It's just, Ron and I have decided on divorce… were not telling people about it though." She said simply.

"I'm sorry to hear that Granger," Davis said sincerely, "Was it… was it mutual?"

"Oh yes," Hermione answered, "Well, maybe I wanted it more than Ron, but he's quite sure about it too. We think its best, but it's new so we don't know much of anything else…."

"Trust me Hermione, if it was the wrong thing you'd already be feeling the effects of it. If weird is the only thing you feel then you've both probably done the right thing."

"Er, Thanks Davis…" Hermione replied feeling grateful at his words.

"Personal issues aside though," Davis said and then cleared his throat, "Today is the 30th Hermione. You've obviously had your mind on more personal matters but I don't suppose you managed to come to a conclusion about-"

"I'm keeping my job Davis." Hermione answered.

"You… you are?" Davis asked surprised.

More than a few things had weighed in on her decision, but unlike her pending divorce this decision was a lot easier to make. She wasn't ready to be Head of the Department.

Well that wasn't entirely true, she was sure she could handle it- she just didn't want to handle it now. She liked checking over the creatures. She liked making plans and drawing up prepositions for those creatures so they had the proper rights. She liked taking the occasional field trip. And she liked, well she liked her job.

"I like where I'm at Davis."

"Come now Hermione, where's that 'go get it' spirit you're known for?"

"It's very much alive Davis," Hermione answered, "and it's because its alive that I have to decline. I'm not ready yet to be the one who sends everyone else on assignments while I wait. I'm not ready yet to read ideas someone else proposed and to have to push those ideas. I'm more than likely liable to ignore them and push all of mines instead. I just don't think I'm there yet sir."

"Oh your there Hermione," Davis said shaking his head.

"Davis I-"

"You're there in all the ways except the one that's most important- you're not ready to put yourself second."

"I'm not what?"

"Sure stepping up means less work in some ways- like field work; and more work in some ways- like policies and procedures; but none of that matters if you don't want to do it. Like your friend Potter- they've been banging on his head to become lead of the Aurors for years, haven't they?"

"Yes, since he was 20."

"Idiots," Davis said shaking his head, "No matter how many times he 'saves us all' 20 is not the age to be running a department. Department Heads need to be able to do what's best for their department- which often means putting what they want to do second. Potter is the type to do everything himself. Not unlike you if you could get away with it."

Hermione smirked. He was right.

"I was hoping you'd be able to picture yourself managing to rein in your do it yourself mentality to do the job right. And I still think you could, but if you're sure-"

"I am Davis. Maybe in a few years…"

"A few years, hun?" Davis said looking at Hermione with a look.

"What?"

"Nothing…" Davis said too quickly as he stood up. "Well I'm off. Need to post the job opening after all…"

"I am sorry Davis…"

"Don't be." Davis said with a shake of the head, "it was a bit if a long shot to be honest, that I know."

And Davis walked out the door. Not 30 seconds later Kaitlyn walked in.

"Was that about your decision? Are you going to take it? Did you-"

"I declined Kaitlyn." Hermione said interrupting the girl with a smile. "I'm really not ready to be Department head yet. Maybe in a few years."

"Really? I thought for sure you would take it."

"It was a nice offer… well really nice, but if divorcing Ron has taught me anything is that jumping into thing I'm not ready for may turn out badly. I wouldn't want to divorce my job."

Kaitlyn gave an understanding nod.

"So… Did you see the Prophet?" Kaitlyn asked.

Hermione laughed.

"I did. Isn't it wonderful?"

"Yes, a four day weekend." Kaitlyn said with a sigh. "Can the Minister really just give people two days off in a row for no reason?"

Hermione had seen the front of the Prophet and gasped in shock this morning.

"Four Day Weekend"

Current Minister- Kingsley Shacklebolt; has announced a four day weekend for the ending of this week.

Wonderful? Absolutely. Great? You betcha. But why?

His answer on the matter was this "Seeing as the entirety of Wizarding Britain is invited to Mr. Potter's Party it just makes sense to give them the day off afterwards. Surely we'll all be too tired from what promises to be a great night, wouldn't you agree?"

I did agree.

"Also, Wednesday is also the first day for those couples who will be remarrying are allowed to do so. While the numbers aren't extremely high so far- pre approval slips have been sent in and most couples are requesting said weekend off for what I can only assume is a honeymoon period. I felt it prudent to grant these requests not only for them, but for anyone. I think it's an understatement that perhaps we could all use some time off."

I agreed again. And of course I had to ask, "And did the Wizengamot approve?"

"Before deciding on such a decision I of course met with the Wizengamot for their opinion, because I highly value their opinions." The Minister says with a smile. "However, the opening and closing of the Ministry of Magic is not a matter that needs to be approved as such by the Wizengamot- it is a decision made solely by the current Minister of Magic. Since I meet the requirement, I made the decision."

All this reporter can say is, 'Bravo Mr. Minister."

Words and interview by Ginny Weasley.

"It was like, can this week get any better?" Kaitlyn said with a laugh.

"I haven't had a vacation in ages. This will be like a… mini one." Hermione stated.

"Exactly." Kaitlyn said with a smile. "It sucks though that people with kids still have to get up to see their kids off to school in the morning though."

"True, but at least they can come back home and sleep for the next four days if they want."

Hermione and Kaitlyn talked for a few more minutes about the Party before they each went back to work- not that either of their minds were really on it; but on the party.

Sev's POV

In retrospect, Severus shouldn't have been surprised to see him. A new theme obviously meant Potter would show up at the school at some point. But he was sure he had every right to be surprised to hear Minerva ask him to stay in the Hall with Potter while he and the funny Weasley made plans for the new designs on the Hall for tomorrow night.

"No" he'd tried to say.

Minerva hadn't even deigned to turn around and argue with him about it, she just kept on walking as if he hadn't said a thing.

Witches.

And now he was standing off to the side while both men pointed and aimed and generally annoyed him while they chatted about this damned affair. And he wasn't amused when the Weasley pointed over his way at something that wasn't there yet and Potter looked at him. Severus knew Potter well enough by now to know when the boy was generally about to do something that would at the very least annoy him.

He was right.

Because just then Potter whispered to his friend who nodded once and then looked at Severus and smirked. All of that before Potter started walking his way. Severus braced himself.

"Er… that is, if you wouldn't mind stepping to the side, George wants to show me a couple of things and it's for this area here…" Potter said and trailed off while pointing above Severus's head.

Severus quirked an eyebrow at Potter.

"Surely you or Mr. Weasley could have shouted that from where you were both standing and not put your presence in my immediate area, yes?" Severus asked with disdain before marching over to the other side of the hall.

To his annoyance, Potter followed.

"Is this not far enough away?" Severus quizzed.

"No, no, I mean, yes of course it is," Potter said as he stumbled over his words, "I wanted to say-"

"Save it Potter." Severus said cutting him off, "I'm not in the mood to argue with you."

"I'm not here to argue." Potter said quickly.

"I'm also not here for you to talk to in general. I was told," Severus said and the word told was said with a bit of venom, "to chaperone this bit of work you're doing. I was not however told anything about answering questions. You will need to save all of that for Minerva."

"Would you just give me a chance to apologize Severus? Why does this always have to be so bloody hard with you. I don't know what Her…"

Severus found it comical to see Potter's face turn crimson at what his next probable words would've been.

"Yes?" he goaded realizing the Potter wasn't going to start another war of the words.

"Nevermind that," Potter said quickly. "I just wanted to apologize, alright Severus?"

"Now it's Severus, Potter? I was laboring under the happy feeling that I'd upset you so much that we might go back to having a mutual dislike for another. I was quite content to here you call me Snape."

"Well we all can't get what we want in life Severus," Potter said looking at him, "I've had quite the big reminder about that this past week."

"So it seems," Severus answered.

Severus didn't have much else to say, not unless Potter was interested in telling him-

"Do the Right Thing… such an obvious Theme for the Boy Who Lived Twice. Imagine my non surprise at hearing the theme."

"I knew you of all people would have something to say about it," Potter said managing a smile, "Come on then… what else you got to say?"

"Me Potter? I merely wondered what caused such a drastic and quick change?"

Severus felt Potter's eyes look at him with more than a bit of anger before Potter himself let out a sigh and his whole being seemed to calm down. And then the look in his eyes held some unknown determination. Unknown to Severus at least.

"Look Severus, I've already admitted life doesn't always give us what we want. But sometimes what we want isn't the right thing anyways… So as long as people do what's right, then I think that's just a better thing to celebrate."

"So getting remarried isn't the only right thing Potter?"

"No… it isn't." Potter admitted with a shake of the head.

"So you're not a complete dunderhead after all." Severus remarked with a smirk.

"Nope still at about 50 percent…" Potter answered with his own smirk.

Severus felt like this was as good as moment as any to wheedle out what he wanted to know.

"And what of the rest of your family? Do they agree with you on the change of theme?"

Potter stared at him for a moment as if he hadn't expected the question. And his eyes answered before he did if the hardening of his eyes meant anything-

"Look… I know what you want to know, but I can't answer that for you. "

"Potter, you're presumption to think you know anything I want astounds me."

"Say what you will, but my answer is the same. You'll have to speak to… well you won't speak to me about it, that much is for sure." Potter said steadily.

Severus hesitated for a moment as he debated whether to continue this line of speech with Potter, and then thought better of it. If he pushed his luck he might tell Minerva that his presence would not be welcomed at the party.

"Very Well Potter." Severus replied, "I take it yours and Weasley's preparations are done, yes?"

Potter looked over to where Weasley was currently lying down on the table and playing with one of those annoying Pygmy Puffs.

"Yes… I guess we are." Potter answered with a smile.

"Then I suspect I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Yes… wait, you're going?" Potter asked in shock.

"Indeed. It is for everyone, is it not? Even for the soon to be bachelor's?" Severus asked.

"Er, yeah. I just didn't think… well you never attend… you're really coming" Potter repeated still in shock.

"Good Day Potter. Don't leave your Weasley behind." Severus said as he turned and left from the Great Hall.

A/N- Poor Severus, he just wants to know one simple thing and no one will tell him. Short Chapter- I know, but the party is the next chapter and I should think it will make up for it. The next chapter is over 7,000 words, and you'll either have it later tonight (I'm going to a bbq so I may be out late) or definitely tomorrow. And hopefully my muses stay with me I'll get the Epilogue in tomorrow too. Then no more story… :(