[Notes, disclaimer and everything in chapter 1 – do read that]

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Once more, Harry decided to trust his instincts, and he went back to the Room of Requirement and summoned it in a way that would make it available only to him and to Minerva.

For good measure, the Headmistress added a Security spell that would alarm the whole school if anyone but herself or Harry tried to summon the room.

Harry went back to his room, snuggled with Milady, dreamt about Draco and reviewed in his head what he'd done at work and would have to see with his new boss sometimes the next day.

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Auror Potter had a fantastic Monday.

Annabelle Godson made a great speech to tell the Auror Department personnel what she was expecting from them, and she had a Ministry accountant give Harry the money the department owed him for misusing his new spell; she made it clear that she was a former Unspeakable, but that she was the Head Auror now.

Head Auror Godson told them what she expected from them, and she spelled out what she'd do to personnel who'd betray her.

When Harry was invited to be the first to be interviewed by the new boss, the other Aurors were happy that the newest recruit was the one called – that'd give them some additional time to get ready for their respective interviews. Most Aurors were already prepared for that, but the war against the latest Dark Lord had seriously disrupted the order of the Ministry. Annabelle Godson was just what the Department needed.

Annabelle was quite happy with Harry. She was happy with his work with so little training, and she'd bluntly asked him why he wasn't afraid of her; she'd laughed heartily when he told her that her brother was rather talkative when properly motivated, and he pointed out that he knew that they were granting each other access to selected memories because they were both Legilimens and Occlumens.

Right before freeing Harry, she'd told him to report directly to her every other day. For the moment, she wouldn't pair him with another Auror, because she wanted to see his detective instincts develop naturally. As a treat, she gave him a copy of the verdicts against Dolores Umbridge and Rita Skeeter – just that would have been enough for Harry to consider his day as positively brilliant.

Harry took his lunch to the cafeteria and chatted with his new friends. Strangely, it was the odd Oof who was able to tell Harry where to find great selections of tea, and Harry ended up in a small shop after his shift. He joined Hermione for tea and shared with her what had happened to Umbridge and Skeeter (there would be permanent records about their crimes, and the fines were hefty).

Since Harry managed to sneak into the Room of Requirement with Draco that evening, it was really a great day.

Harry was even delighted for his protector, because Minerva was beginning to think that Alienora Ballo might well become their next Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher; the woman was competent, dedicated, pleasant and didn't seem about to get the job offer of her dreams for the good reason that the DADA job seemed to be her dream job. Harry met Ballo, and he was surprised that she was an Occlumens, but after being taught by Mad-Eye Moody, he understood.

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Life became… Well, not quiet, but less chaotic for Harry.

He chased criminals, was trained by Annabelle in magical techniques and by James, who gave him Muggle police tips.

He managed to lull Ginny into believing that he wasn't angry with her and no longer distrustful, while dating Draco in secret.

Harry regularly visited Kate's shop – and the young Muggle was about to get a promotion, thanks to Harry, because the young Auror was now officially in charge of the modernization of the Department, and he was buying equipment exclusively from her shop. He was relaying Hermione's orders, too.

Kate was warming up to Harry, and not because he was such a good customer; in fact, his affair with Draco was giving him some unexpected stability and maturity.

The best thing for Harry before the end of the school year was that he was allowed by Annabelle to make sure that Mr Greengrass wouldn't bug his younger daughter. Harry went to the Greengrasses' and explained that Astoria was a witness in an important case, which wasn't a lie since she could technically testify against the young men who attacked her. Harry loathed Mr Greengrass, who didn't deserve the daughters he was given, but at least Astoria wouldn't have to fear being hexed by her father before she returned to Hogwarts's safety for her sixth year.

When the school year did end, a few things changed to some extent.

Professor Ballo, who was, to Deputy Headmaster Snape's relief, the next Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, moved into her future quarters and started planning her lessons immediately with dedicated enthusiasm.

Deputy Headmaster and Professor Snape went to their house, where Severus metamorphosed the whole place. Agatha Snape, who lived very close to their house, could come see them without needing to rely on the Floo Network, and now that the youngest Snapes were equipped with a Muggle mobile phone that worked with magic, the Grangers could phone them or be reached when they wanted to organize a family meeting.

The Snapes were delighted to have some family to visit and invite to their home, but they were mostly planning to spend the summer break together, in their house. Their friends would always be welcome, but none of them would ever drop by without an invitation.

The ones who were less shy about calling the Snapes were the Weasley twins; they always brought nice cakes when they needed to pick the Snapes' brains (and of course, Severus got dragged into the magical chats over tea).

Harry and Minerva always came with treats – usually Muggle magazines for Hermione and potions reviews for Severus.

Harry also came with Draco sometimes, and the Malfoys came as well. Narcissa was the one who insisted that they go thank Severus for helping them while Voldemort was still alive; in the end, even Lucius was impressed with the amount of magic in the Snapes' house, and he had to admit that Severus looked quite happy with his new life and his beautiful, gifted wife.

The one friend who had to be coaxed into visiting the Snapes was Tommy. Though coaxed isn't entirely accurate…

The second day that Severus and Hermione spent in their newly spell-improved house, Severus Apparated under the bridge where Tommy and Max were living.

'Oh, it's you, Mr Snape,' Tommy said when he focussed on the unexpected visitor.

'Good morning, Mr Peters,' Severus said.

'No one calls me that now. Call me Tommy, Sir,' he answered.

'Only if you call me Severus.'

'All right, then,' Tommy said.

'I'm here to invite you and Max to lunch,' Severus declared.

Tommy shook his head and said, 'No… I can't. Look, I'm grateful, but you don't have to be so nice, and you don't want me in your house.'

'It's just lunch,' Severus insisted.

Tommy shook his head again.

Severus chuckled and declared, 'My dear Thomas Peters, you don't want to have my beloved wife come to drag you home. She would, you know.'

'Give your sweet lady my respect, but I can't accept,' Tommy said determinedly.

Strangely, Severus grinned and Disapparated to the house.

Tommy was scratching Max's ears when Weniers appeared next to them.

'Hello, Sir! Don't be afraid, I work for the Severus and the Hermione,' she said.

Max sniffed Weniers and licked her cheek; she scratched Max's nose.

'Max likes you; that's enough for me,' Tommy said.

'The Hermione is sending me to take you to lunch. The Severus is advising you to accept the invitation now, or the Hermione will run here and drag you there,' Weniers said.

'Look at me, Miss; I can't go to their house!' Tommy protested.

Weniers flapped her ears with delight because Tommy was calling her "Miss". 'Oh, I can help the Tommy with that,' she said.

She snapped her fingers, and Tommy found himself all cleaned up and in clean clothes.

She held out her hand and said, 'The Hermione is very emotional, the Tommy can't break her heart.'

Tommy caved, took Weniers's hand and said, 'All right, Miss. The little lady's fine, isn't she?'

'My mistress is fine, but the pregnancy is changing her a bit,' she answered.

Weniers grabbed Max's collar and used her magic to take the two guests to the Snapes' house, where Severus welcomed Tommy with a Slytherin smile… right before Hermione almost rushed to him and started scolding him for being so hard to invite to lunch.

Much to the humans' surprise, Max and Crookshanks got along splendidly. Hermione admitted that she'd been a bit afraid that she'd have to rescue Tommy's dog from her cat, but the feline and canine encounter was uneventful.

They talked about trifles over lunch; they talked about their lives, too. Hermione was quite shocked that Father McKenzie had completely stopped helping Tommy.

'You two and Harry are helping me more than the minister ever did,' Tommy pointed out. 'And you don't have to,' he added.

'We're grateful,' Severus said quietly.

When Hermione went to the kitchen to bring back dessert, Severus said softly, 'Without your kindness, and in spite of Hermione's sacrifice, I might not have survived. Hermione knows it, but she doesn't want to acknowledge it. We'll keep helping you.'

'Tell you what; I'm glad the little lady's not a widow,' Tommy whispered.

Severus paled, remembering that she'd been ready to die rather than live a life without him. He didn't want to imagine how she'd have reacted if he hadn't survived after Lihar abducted them; he wanted to believe that Harry would have been able to save her, but now that he fully understood the strength and depth of her love for him, he doubted that she'd have survived for long.

'You saved my wife… Some dry food for Max and tins of food for you, that's not much,' Severus said.

'Well, thanks,' Tommy said.

Hermione came back and served dessert for Tommy and herself.

'You could do with a bit of dessert yourself,' Tommy told Severus as he accepted a plate with a nice slice of cake.

'I baked it, but I don't like sugar much,' Severus explained.

'Really?' Tommy asked.

Severus nodded.

'Well, don't go stuffing the lil' lady with your excellent cakes,' Tommy joked.

'I wouldn't,' Severus said softly.

'I eat more than during the war, but not too much,' Hermione declared.

'When will you have the baby?' Tommy asked.

'Roughly between Christmas and early January,' Severus answered.

'I hope it won't be too close to Sev's birthday,' Hermione pointed out, 'It'd be no fun.'

'We could always spoil the baby,' Severus declared.

'A child would be a great birthday present,' Tommy said.

'Silly boys,' Hermione said fondly.

They both smiled at her.

'Well, I'm very sorry, but I hope there'll be at least a week between the two,' she added.

'The problem is that we can't be sure. Pregnancies are all different… and we can't use magic on you,' Severus said.

'It'd be nice if I had the baby during the Yule break,' she said.

'You'll have… what do they call it again? Maternity leave, right?' Tommy asked.

'I could, but with potions, I'll be back to normal within a day. I'll go back to work straight away; witches and wizards who don't have Muggle relatives need help to deal with our world,' Hermione explained.

'You won't be back to normal, Hermione. You'll be a mum, and your hormones'll be playing tricks on you. You'll have to take good care of yourself!' Tommy protested.

Hermione was about to object, but Severus spoke first, 'Aunt Agatha would come help you with your classes until you're back on your feet.'

'We'll see, all right?' she said softly.

Severus nodded and told her, 'Whatever you want.'

Max put his head on Hermione's lap and looked at her with puppy eyes.

'What a comedian!' she exclaimed joyfully.

'He's a good baby,' Tommy said fondly.

'May I give him some cake?' Hermione asked Tommy.

'Yes, of course. My Max hasn't had any treats in a long time,' Tommy answered.

Hermione gave Max tiny bits of cake.

'Has the minister deserted the area?' Severus inquired softly.

Tommy shook his head.

'Not deaf,' Hermione growled. 'Has he just stopped helping everybody?' she inquired.

Tommy shook his head and said, 'Just Max and me.'

'Despicable slug!' Hermione hissed.

'Would you like me to hex him?' Severus deadpanned.

Hermione grinned and answered, 'He doesn't deserve one of your spells, and I'm sure he'll get what he deserves for being stupid.'

Severus chuckled. 'I'm sure the boy's obeying his awful mother, and she must be on the Curbys' side.'

'There are rumours about the Curby boy being sacked,' Tommy said.

'Policemen and Aurors must have worked together, and Curby was fired, indeed,' Severus declared.

'The best part is that he's being kept in jail with Dekoo and Lihar for the moment,' Hermione said with a chuckle.

'Why?' Tommy inquired.

Hermione and Severus looked at each other, and he let her tell the tale.

'Dekoo's the nurse who convinced Lihar to try to kill us, and Curby attacked us because we had no magic at the time. The Aurors, and a few Unspeakables I bet, are working in order to see if any of them is connected to whoever found my parents and undid my Memory-charm on them. For that, they've got to find the culprits first,' Hermione explained.

'You mean there are other people targeting you?' Tommy almost shouted.

Then, it was Severus who explained what Hermione had done in order to protect her parents, and how someone had located them, undone the spell and used Dark magic on them in an attempt to have them force Hermione to split and have her leave her husband.

'Nasty! Do your coppers have a lead?' Tommy asked.

'We haven't heard a thing, but they'll probably only contact us when they've made an arrest,' she answered.

'In the meantime, the other three idiots are rotting in jail, which is good,' Severus added coldly.

'Could they really have a hand in what was done to Hermione's parents?' Tommy asked.

'It's highly unlikely, but for once the fact that people at the Ministry don't like me and probably don't want to pay for two trials is having an interesting consequence for the three already in jail,' Severus explained.

'Is Harry the one working on your case? He's an officer of the law now,' Tommy said.

The Snapes traded looks again.

'We're not sure. We can't make up our mind if he's just protective because he likes us, or if he's been asked to keep an eye on us,' Hermione admitted.

'You said he's been arresting criminals left and right and inventing spells; I'm sure he's just worried about you. You fought together in a nasty war; that creates odd links,' Tommy declared.

The Snapes had to admit that the theory was sound, but Severus still wondered how Minister Shacklebolt modified the equation.

They chatted a bit more, and then Weniers offered to escort their guests back to their bridge. Right before Tommy left, Hermione coaxed him into accepting future invitations.

The instant Weniers arrived under the bridge, she noticed the magical addition; Tommy only saw a new tent.

'What's that?' Tommy asked.

'Either a gift or a trap. I can tell the Tommy which it is in a moment,' Weniers said. She cast a complicated spell and announced, 'It's a gift for you.'

'From the Snapes?' he inquired.

'No… it's elfish magic. I think one of my people wanted to thank you,' Weniers explained.

'A tent? Under a bridge?' Tommy said.

'It's a magical tent. There's a full house inside it,' she explained.

Tommy squeaked. 'I can't accept such a gift, Miss,' he protested.

'Why? Someone wants to thank you, and that way you and Max won't stay in the freezing weather in winter,' she pointed out.

Tommy was shaking his head, unable to believe what was happening. He whispered to no one in particular, 'We just kept them warm; that's all.'

Weniers gently took his hand and said, 'The Severus might have died, and the Hermione would have killed herself if he'd died again. The tent may look like a big gift, but it's only someone saying "thank you", you know.'

He squeezed her small hand. 'I don't have magic like you,' he pointed out.

'I can visit it with you and make sure you can use everything the Muggle way,' she suggested.

He nodded.

Hand in hand, Tommy and Weniers walked into the tent, followed by Max. There was just a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom, but it was cosy and really nice. Tommy felt like crying, but Weniers made him smile instead, and after a few spells, she declared that everything was all right.

She left him to enjoy his gift.

Once she Disapparated, Zarou followed suit. The young elf was delighted to see the Muggle accept the gift.

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[Next part as soon as possible]