DISCLAIMER: The Harry Potter series belong to J.K. Rowling.
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A/N: Hello! Thank you for the wonderful comments. I'm glad to know that I did a great job with the battle scenes. The Final Battle is the hardest to write, that's why I couldn't move on for weeks.
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CHAPTER 46- Harry's New Family
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After the battle, everyone who fought and some students who returned from the safe houses helped to repair and clean-up the school. It took them three days. Severus, who was still the headmaster, was busy fulfilling his duties while Hermione and her friends worked with the other witches and wizards. The Hogwarts elves returned and served food in the Great Hall. They ate meals together and nobody cared anymore which House table they were in. Even the staff joined the students and the non-Hogwarts people; they were scattered in different tables. Severus was always found beside Hermione and nobody objected because she wasn't a student anymore. Thankfully, no one (except the Weasleys) dared to ask about their relationship although Harry and Ron confronted her why she 'put up with Snape'. It seemed that the reality— her relationship with Severus— just sank into their minds after they got a complete eight-hour sleep, a day after the battle.

Yeah, they were that slow, she thought, annoyed.

She was furious at Harry because he saw a lot of things in the Pensieve and yet he was still acting like an idiot. Well, Ron was being Ron. She didn't expect him to accept her relationship with Severus so easily. What surprised her was when Neville gave her two best friends a telling-off for judging Hermione and Severus's relationship after everything she has done for Harry. Hermione was touched by Neville's intervention. He and Luna were the only ones, among her close friends, who didn't question her choice of boyfriend. Even the Weasleys asked if she's sure that Severus can be trusted. The older ones- Mr. Weasley, Bill, Charlie, Percy and the twins expressed that they respect her choice and hoped that she'll be happy with him. Ginny, though Severus gave her back the memories, was reluctant to accept their relationship. This made Hermione somewhat disappointed because Severus helped her to help Harry. Despite that, Ginny never failed to tell her whenever they were alone that she should be with Ron. They'd understand each other better, according to her, and this made Hermione upset. Of all people, she wasn't expecting that from Ginny. Molly, on the other hand shared the same sentiment with Ginny and now, the Weasley matriarch always give her the look she gave her in her fourth year, when she was rumoured to be toying with Harry's and Krum's feelings. But she didn't care anymore. She has accepted long time ago that Molly Weasley sees her as a 'scarlet woman', especially now that she's 'sleeping with the headmaster'.

The Weasleys and her former classmates (Lavender and Parvati) only stopped asking when Draco told them to stop pestering her or else they will hear from Severus. Majority are still afraid of Severus Snape. Hermione smirked inwardly at the thought. Being Severus Snape's fiancée has its perks. Harry finally came to his senses four days after but Ron's still ignoring her. Perhaps, still upset because Severus got her first, according to Draco and Neville.

From time to time, Sirius and Remus would come around, but their attention was divided between Hogwarts and Nymphadora who's almost six months pregnant. Turns out, full moon is approaching and Remus asked his best mate to help him look after his wife. Andromeda engaged herself in helping Madam Pomfrey in the infirmary as she worked as an Assistant Healer at St. Mungo's years ago. Her husband, Ted Tonks, was killed by the Death Eaters while on the run for being a Muggle-born wizard. When Remus and Sirius were around, they would catch up with Severus like he's one of the Marauders, too. In the evening, several Aurors were patrolling around the castle and in the corridors. Everybody were sleeping in the dormitories. The Weasley family and Mrs. Longbottom stayed at the Gryffindor Tower. Hermione, on the other hand, stayed with Severus in his private rooms.

They lost twenty people from the Light side— ten students, five Hogsmead villagers and the other five were family members of some students who also came to fight. As for the Death Eaters, five escaped and the rest were either captured (waiting for the trial) or died. Hermione was glad that she didn't lose the people close to her heart.

On the fifth day after the battle (three days after the funeral of the Fallen Twenty), the Board of Governors called for a meeting with the staff. Hermione stayed at the Gryffindor Tower with Harry and Neville during the entire meeting. She noticed that Harry's still avoiding Ginny. He always stayed with Ron during the first three days and when he finally apologized to her, Harry started working and spending time with her around the castle. She never saw him alone with Ginny.

"Ron, Ginny, pack up!" called Mrs. Weasley from the stairs. She looks annoyed and didn't meet Harry's or Hermione's eyes. "We're leaving tomorrow."

"Coming, Mum!" Ron, who's playing chess with Ginny, called back. Hermione, who's sitting beside Harry closely on the couch, watched her red-head best friend climb the stairs.

This time, Ginny reluctantly approached Harry and Hermione. But she, Hermione, knew that Ginny wants her best friend alone, so she moved to stand up, but Harry discreetly stopped her by grabbing and squeezing her hand very hard. Hermione fell back on the couch.

"Er, Harry?" Ginny said reluctantly, sitting on the couch adjacent to the one Hermione and Harry are occupying.

"Yeah?" asked Harry timidly.

"C-can we... talk alone?" she asked.

"Uh... Er, I..." Harry stammered. "I promised to keep Hermione company while waiting to Sn—Severus."

Hermione was surprised but did her best not to show it. Since when did Harry call Severus by first name? The past days, it was always 'Headmaster' or 'Professor Snape'. The two wizards haven't had another one-on-one conversation since the battle.

Ginny nodded and offered them a small smile. Hermione wanted to return the smile, but decided against it. She's smiling at me because Harry's around! she thought.

"I want to know if you're coming home with us," Ginny asked Harry.

Harry looked down and scratched the back of his neck. "I... I don't think so, Ginny," he replied without looking up. He's studying his trainers.

Hermione saw Ginny's face fell and looks like she's going to cry. But still, her best female friend put on a brave face and nodded. "I see. I'll go and pack up," came Ginny's hoarse voice. She stormed out of the common room angrily.

Like mother, like daughter, she thought to herself and turned to her best friend. "Hey," she muttered to Harry and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you all right?"

"No," he admitted without looking up.

"Then tell me what's bothering you," she encouraged.

Harry finally looked up and those emerald, teary eyes met her brown ones. "I'm sorry, 'Mione," he choked. She frowned slightly and urged him to continue. "I... I'm a git. I just realized after the battle how much you've done to save me for seven years and yet, I yelled at you, hurt your feelings... I made you cry like Ron. I accused you of being jealous in sixth year... dragged you away from your parents and—"

"Shhh," she cut him off. "Harry, we're best friends. That's what best friends do: help each other; save each other."

"And that's exactly what you've been doing for seven years. But... unlike you, Ron, who's supposed to be my best mate, turned away twice. He left us twice. Though I've forgiven him and honestly I'm not holding a grudge, I just feel that I... I didn't thank you enough. You respected me, my decisions... you accepted my reasons; you never doubted me and called me a liar in fourth year when my name came out of the Goblet... You healed me. And I saw in Professor Snape's memories the things you've done to protect me. You could've just gone with your parents, in hiding. You're happy with him, I saw that. But you chose to be with me on the run. You had to act like an adult; you had to grow up faster than I should have."

He paused and let out a heavy sigh. He also wiped his tears. He continued. "Hermione, you're the only family I have right now." And he finally sobbed. Hermione gathered his thin frame into her arms like a child; just like in their fifth year in Grimmauld Place when he locked himself.

"Harry, I will always be here for you. You're my brother. I had few choices, but if I'm going to have a time-turner and be allowed to go back in time, I'd do all of those things again with you, because you see, those things made our friendship stronger. And because of our friendship, we defeated Voldemort for good!"

Harry smiled and faced her again. He nodded. "You're right, 'Mione."

"And don't say that I'm your only family," she said rather sternly. "You have Remus and Sirius and the Weasleys!"

"I know, but... you're the only one who has been with me all the time. Honestly, I don't want to accept Mrs. Weasley's invitation to go back with them to the Burrow because..." he trailed off and looked away.

"Because what, Harry?" she asked gently.

He turned to her again. "Look, I love you, but I am not in love with you, all right?" he said lightly and she laughed.

"I know. So, go on."

"Well, I don't want to go with the Weasleys because... first, I didn't like the look Mrs. Weasley is giving you since she learned about your relationship with the headmaster. I know she's kind of expecting you to be with Ron and me with Ginny. But I can't live with them; allow her to take care of me, knowing she's not okay with you. After all you've done for me, for us, you don't deserve that kind of treatment." He paused for a moment and let out a heavy sigh. And then he went on. "Second, I don't know if I can get used to not having you around," he said quietly.

She laughed and pulled back herself on the couch. "Harry, seriously? That's what's bothering you? Well, the Weasleys, except for Molly, Ron and Ginny are okay. Honestly, I'm not bothered and I don't care if Molly thinks I am a scarlet woman. I've stopped caring for her opinion since our fourth year. As for your second reason, well..."

"Well, I know that Sn- Professor Snape would want you to stay with him," he almost whispered.

She reached for Harry's hand and squeezed it. "Harry, you're practically my brother. And don't worry I'm still used to having you around even if you were ignoring me. I'm still used to seeing you every day and eating meals with you. I... I will miss you terribly if we won't stay at the same place after here."

"But, how about your fiancé?"

"Oh, of course he wants me to stay with him. Will you be all right living with Sev for a while?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I guess. He's not that bad, after all. If you can stand him, maybe I can, too."

She smiled from ear to ear. "I'll speak with him regarding our living arrangements later. But I've got one more question."

"Yeah?" he asked clueless.

"What about you and Ginny?" she almost whispered, though they're the only people now in the common room.

Harry sighed. "I don't know, 'Mione. When we were on the run, all I wanted was to defeat Voldemort, for the war to end and come back to her. I imagined myself with her playing Quidditch and going on dates. But when I saw her again after months of daydreaming, I... just couldn't feel the same way anymore."

"Harry," she called in a sad tone. "You know that she loves you, right? Her Patronus changed from a horse to a doe because of her love for you."

He nodded. "Yes. I saw it in the Pensieve. Maybe I need time. We've been through a lot of things and honestly, I'm still not used to the idea that this is now a Voldemort-free world we're living in. I spent many years worrying he might catch and kill me; I spent years worrying about my friends, hearing about killings and all. Ginny didn't do anything. It's just me. The war changed me in a way I never expected."

She sighed. "Yes, you definitely need time and space. Ginny will understand. After all, you didn't promise her anything after your break up, right?" she asked, remembering the day of Harry's birthday at the Burrow when Ron confronted Harry about kissing Ginny.

He nodded. "Right. And..."

"And?" she urged.

Harry looked away. "Er, I don't like how Molly and Ginny are acting since after the war."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Molly's expecting me to come home with them at the Burrow and fix my relationship with Ginny. She's acting like I'm one of her sons, like she owns me. While I appreciate her care and concern, I really don't like being bossed around, except by you 'cause you're always right." He said the last sentence in a teasing manner, earning a playful slap on the arm from her.

"Git," she joked.

"Bossy know-it-all," he teased back.

She smiled and then suddenly embraced Harry. "Thank you, Harry," she whispered to his ear. "Thank you for er, choosing me?" she said, unsure.

"I want to make it up to you, 'Mione. I want you to know that you have me at your back and I can't stay with people who think badly of you, even if it's Ginny."

Hermione broke their embrace and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, Harry."

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"Are we in trouble?" she asked as Severus lay down beside her on his bed that night.

He moved to hold her against his body. "No, we're not. The staff convinced the Board of Governors that we started our romantic relationship after your sixth year, after I left Hogwarts," he replied gently and placed a kiss on her temple.

"Sev?"

"Hmm?"

"I spoke with Harry today..."

"Yeah? Is he all right? I noticed he's been avoiding Miss Weasley the past few days."

Hermione told him about her conversation with Harry earlier at the common room. Severus did not interrupt nor make any disturbing reaction. He just listened and held her close.

"Do you remember Savelius's reaction towards the Weasleys?" he asked.

"Yeah," she replied. "He's not a fan of the red-heads."

"Perhaps because of Molly's treatment towards you. Remember, in Savelius's timeline, you were close to Andromeda and distanced yourself from the Weasleys. You were also a single mother."

She nodded sadly. "Yes. Andromeda was a family to me and Savelius in the other timeline."

"You mean, in the future?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I doubt it will happen. You survived the war. Ron killed Nagini before the battle. You didn't need Savelius's antivenin. And Harry didn't boast about your love for Lily. He's on my side this time."

Severus chuckled. "Brilliant girl." He kissed her temple again.

She frowned and looked up. "Were you toying with my thick brain, headmaster?"

"Not really, Miss Granger." He smirked.

"So, uh, is it okay to live with Harry?" she asked with hesitation.

"Of course," he replied instantly. "He's important to you. I know how much you care for him. I've seen that for the past two years. Will he be okay living with me?"

She chuckled. "You're not a spy anymore, right? No more reason to scare people."

Severus snorted. "Let's see. It's after curfew, so better sleep before I punish you for breaking rules."

She grinned. "Oh, I wonder what kind of punishment it will be. Will I enjoy or suffer? Will I scream of joy and pleasure or of pain? I doubt you'll let me suffer in pain, headmaster. You're too noble for that."

Severus answered her by tickling her all over and pinning her on the bed. "Let's see how long you'll lust."

And screamed, she did, but not in pain.

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"Dinner's ready!" announced Hermione to the two wizards in the sitting room, playing chess.

Severus and Harry looked up and both wizards smiled. "You have no chance of winning this game with me, Potter." Severus smirked and stood up from the couch. He walked past Hermione but not before pecking her cheek. "Dinner smells good," he said to her.

She smiled and waited for Harry. "I hope you're hungry. I cooked your favourites."

Harry smiled. "I'm famished."

She chuckled. "Come on, then, brother." She stretched out her hand. Harry accepted it and they walked to the kitchen hand-in-hand.

Severus was waiting by the kitchen table. He pulled out the chair on the left of the head table for her. When she settled, Severus sat on the head and Harry on her left. "I noticed that these are all his favourites," Severus observed while eating and looking at her. He gestured towards the food.

"Yes, they're all Harry's favourites," she replied. "We were on the run for months. Though we're not practically starving to death, we couldn't eat what we want, so I decided that since Harry's staying with us, it's my duty to feed him well."

"Trying to take a leaf out of Molly Weasley's book?" Severus raised his eyebrows.

Harry laughed but couldn't speak because his mouth is full. Hermione rolled her eyes. "Please. I'm not planning to stay at home and wait for my husband from work and produce many children. And stop talking about her. You're ruining my mood!"

It's been two weeks since they left Hogwarts and returned to the Whitshire cottage, the house left to them by Dumbledore. They brought Harry with them. Severus is still the headmaster and comes to Hogwarts on schooldays to work. Hogwarts is closed; all students went home and it's under repair for its opening for the next school year. He is starting to turn over to Minerva because he'll no longer be the headmaster of the school by June. Severus returns home in the evening.

Hermione and Harry, on the other hand, spent their whole time together reading, eating and sleeping. They also went shopping in the Muggle downtown. Harry spent a lot of money eating everything he wants. She also helped him replace his wardrobe. She was expecting they won't hear anything from the Weasleys, but she's so wrong. Ginny wrote Harry three times since they left Hogwarts. She was asking for a second chance and apologized for being too pushy. She said that she just couldn't help being away from Harry again. Harry was almost ready to accept Ginny's apologies and perhaps, give her a chance, but the Weasley women and Ron haven't apologized to Hermione yet. This made Hermione, Harry and Severus irritated because apparently, they don't care for her. They only want Harry back.

Hermione drifted from her musings when she felt Severus's hand on hers. He leaned to kiss her temple. "I am sorry, my dear."

Her expression softened. "That's fine. Let's eat some more. I cooked a lot for you and Harry."

Severus smiled and shoved some more food to his plate. "Wonderful."