[Notes, disclaimer and everything in chapter 1 – do read that]
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Hermione snuggled against Severus, who grinned.
'What?' she said with a merry chuckle.
'Nothing,' he lied.
She tickled him lightly, which made him chuckle again… and cave. 'The four-poster has potential,' he said.
She laughed merrily and said, 'I thought you'd say that tea the Muggle way isn't that bad.'
'It's delicious,' he said holding her closer to his chest.
'I hope my magic comes back soon… The spells we used the first time… There's a lot more, isn't there?' she said.
'There are books. I could go buy a few, and you could read about the theory,' he suggested.
She nodded fervently.
'Dyann might be right about your magic,' Severus said softly.
'Considering what Curby did to me, it's rather to be expected. It's a bit strange and somewhat annoying, but now that we're here, I really feel better,' she told him.
Severus kissed her lips and said, 'I want you to be happy.'
'I am happy,' she said with a bright smile.
'Perfect,' he said happily.
She snuggled even closer.
'Harry's gift was very thoughtful,' he declared.
She nodded and said, 'Yes, and thanks to him, I'll be able to plan the best Muggle Studies lessons that this school's ever had.'
Severus smiled and said, 'I think that Harry's spell might have unexpected consequences.'
'It'll be nice to have a little revolution,' she said.
'We'll have to keep an eye on him, or he'll end up in odd situations… again,' Severus said.
'He's good training for our future children,' she whispered, falling asleep.
Severus chuckled, agreeing with her and surrendering to sleep, as well. He realized what she'd said and asked, 'Children?'
'Yes! At least two. I hated being an only child,' she murmured.
He held her, agreeing with her again.
They fell asleep, and Weniers intensified the Protection charm around them.
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At dawn, Harry woke up. He realized that it'd really take him a bit of time to get used to life after the war and not having to be up at the crack of dawn.
He decided that it'd be better for him to hide his secrets on his new laptop (not many people would be able to access it). He went to retrieve it in the parlour, cast the spells to make it work, and he typed a few spells from Draco's books that he found interesting.
Then, he prepared for work, and when that was done, he phoned James Nettle.
James was in the shower, and it was Henrietta who answered. Harry explained that he was calling just to tell them that Danny's Hogwarts letter would reach them by the weekend. The witch was grateful for the warning; she told Harry that James would certainly phone him later (he liked the idea of helping the young wizard become a good officer of the law).
It was only after Harry had told Henrietta goodbye and closed his phone that he realized that he could have told her that he'd need a few tips about his new equipment (and James might have some good Muggle ideas that Harry could adapt).
Harry banged his head on the table where he'd been working.
'That's bad for the head,' Minerva said, as she exited her room.
'I forgot to ask Henrietta something when I phoned,' Harry said. He smiled at his protector and added, 'Good morning to you, too.'
Minerva walked to him and kissed his brow.
'Good morning, Harry,' she said. 'Call back, or not, but stop hitting your head.'
'You're right, Min. It can wait, it's just that I wish I thought faster,' he admitted.
'You haven't had tea yet, and you're learning,' she said.
Harry smiled at her. She snapped her fingers, and Kreacher answered her instantly.
'Our dear Harry needs breakfast, and a spot of tea for me would be nice,' she said.
Kreacher smiled and was gone.
A Post owl landed on the windowsill and tapped on the glass.
Minerva took an owl treat from the bowl next to Harry's laptop and went to retrieve the post. The owl gave her the letter, took the treat and left.
'Oh, it's for you… from Gringotts,' Minerva said.
She handed Harry the letter.
Without his noticing it, Harry groaned as he broke the seal.
'Expecting bad news?' she inquired kindly.
'No, not really, but I really hope that the Head Goblin doesn't want to marry me,' he said.
When Minerva blinked, Harry explained the joke with the Malfoys the night before.
'So, what news?' she asked, as he read the letter.
'The patent is making so much money that the Head Goblin wants to help me invest my Galleons,' Harry said.
'Whatever you decide, you shouldn't go make a deal with the Goblins alone,' she said.
'I don't want to bother you. You've got so much to do,' he protested.
She blinked a few times and said, 'I wanted to recommend a specialist to you, but I'm ready to go with you if you trust me.'
'Of course I trust you!' he exclaimed.
She beamed and said, 'Then, we'll have to go see those Goblins together.'
Harry grinned.
She gave him a small smile and said, 'I don't want you to think that I'm trying to replace your mother.'
Blushing, Harry said, 'I know you're not my mum, but you're my Min.'
Minerva beamed at him.
'Look, Min, if it were not for you, I'd be Merlin knows where, I wouldn't be an Auror trainee, and Sev and Hermione…' Harry had to stop when he imagined what might have happened to the Snapes if Minerva hadn't been here to allow him some freedom.
She wrapped her arms around him and she murmured, 'I should have kept you.'
Harry moved a bit in order to be able to hug her, and he said, 'You've got me now, and I've got you.'
She hugged him once more, and they smiled again. Kreacher came back then and deposited a tray in front of Harry.
'Thanks!' Harry said, salivating at the delicious smells coming from his plate.
'You're welcome, Auror Potter,' Kreacher said.
Harry tucked in.
Minerva took her cup of tea and said, 'Thank you, Kreacher.'
'You're welcome, Headmistress,' the house-elf said.
'Kreacher?' Minerva said.
'Headmistress?' he said with curiosity, having sensed something different in her voice.
'How would you like to accompany Harry and me when we go to Gringotts to discuss a few things with the Goblins?' she asked.
Kreacher grinned, which was a bit frightening. 'I'd be honoured, Headmistress,' he answered.
'Perfect, I'll call you when Harry decides to go,' she said.
Kreacher bowed and disappeared back to the kitchen.
'A house-elf to help us with Goblins?' Harry said, his mouth full.
'Oh yes, that's even better than any solicitor,' she declared. 'Oh, and I know the Dursleys were awful, but I don't want you to behave as if you were raised in a barn. Don't talk with your mouth full… You're not a cow!'
Harry swallowed and said, 'Yes, Min, you're right.'
She smiled at him, and she noticed his smile that bloomed into a grin that exploded into uncontrollable laughter.
'Harry?' she asked with a small smile.
Harry's laughter was contagious.
He managed to stop laughing and explained, 'When you teach me to become an Animagus, it'd be hilarious if I were to turn into some bovine… oh, and I hope I wouldn't turn into a cow… Bit of the wrong gender, don't you think?'
Minerva laughed heartily at that, and conceded that the gender wasn't right.
'I wonder if I'll have to register,' Harry said as he polished his plate with his last piece of toast.
'I don't see why the law would be different for Aurors,' she pointed out.
'It'd be an advantage if I were able to become an Animagus, but no one knew. I'll have to ask Minister Shacklebolt if it could be kept secret,' Harry said.
Minerva nodded proudly and said, 'You see; you've got good ideas once you've had breakfast.'
Harry smiled at her.
'Now you might want to put Mr Malfoy's books away,' she said. Before Harry could blush, she added, 'He's got good taste in books. He might become a good friend, I think.'
'It'd be nice,' Harry admitted.
'If he keeps acting more like Narcissa, we may have hope for Master Draco,' Minerva said.
Harry smiled, rushed to his room with the books, which he placed on his bedside table, and went back to the other room.
'I'll Floo to work. I'll see you tonight… give the Snapes a kiss and a hug,' he said as he gathered his work laptop and his Auror manual.
He walked to the fireplace and took a pinch of Floo powder.
'Have a nice day, Harry!' she said as he disappeared in green flames. She chuckled and said, 'I wonder how Severus would react if I were to kiss him and say it's a message from Harry.'
She was still chuckling when she went to the Great Hall for a proper breakfast.
On her way there, she saw Hermione in a school uniform and chatting with Luna.
'Good morning,' Minerva greeted the two witches, who greeted her warmly.
Hermione saw that Minerva was looking at her robes.
'Luna came to see me with a change of robes,' Hermione explained.
'I just spelled my house crest back to a Hogwarts crest,' Luna said.
'That's very thoughtful, Miss Lovegood,' Minerva said.
'Things were being said about Hermione's state of dress. I had to do something,' Luna said.
'Your kindness deserves house points,' Minerva said.
Luna shook her head.
Hermione chuckled and said, 'Severus tried to give her points, but she growled at him.'
Minerva smiled, picturing Severus's face at that moment. 'Miss Lovegood?' she said.
'I cannot accept points for doing what's right for a friend,' Luna protested.
'Quite the contrary. Ten points to Ravenclaw,' Minerva declared.
Luna blushed, and Hermione hugged her.
'Now… breakfast,' Minerva said.
The two witches nodded. Hermione walked with Minerva.
'How did you convince Severus to leave you for a moment?' Minerva asked as she saw that her Deputy Headmaster was already sitting at the High table.
'I told him to check how many house-elves are tagging me,' Hermione said.
Minerva was forced to chuckle.
'He also wanted to plan a surprise shopping trip for me,' Hermione added. Minerva opened her mouth to protest, but Hermione went on, 'Don't worry, we'll go to Hogsmeade.'
'You just need a few new robes. You can go shop wherever you want soon,' Minerva said.
Hermione nodded.
Minerva smiled at her and said, 'I'm happy that we've found you. I hope that we'll work together for a long, long time.'
Hermione hugged her boss and mentor, who beamed happily.
'Breakfast, young lady. You need it,' Minerva said.
They'd reached the High table, and Minerva squeezed Severus's shoulder.
'Because I eat for two?' Hermione said.
'No, because you're bony,' Minerva deadpanned.
This time, Severus was the one chuckling, and Hermione was the one looking like an owl with ruffled feathers.
'She's a bit right,' Severus whispered softly.
There was so much mischief in his eyes that Hermione melted on the spot, sat down, and started piling food on her plate.
Minerva went to her seat, smiling. She discreetly looked towards the Gryffindor table and saw that Ginevra was very careful to not look at the High table; she knew that the young witch had to be planning something.
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[Next part as soon as possible]