Harry walked slowly out of the door, turning back to take one last look at the room that was once his home, a tear slowly sliding down his face. Then with a swish of the emerald green cloak around his strong frame he swept down the corridor, on the way to the rest of his life.
Severus sat alone on a soft, leather couch in front of the fire in his rooms. Silent and still, staring at the flickering flames. The glass of firewhiskey balanced precariously on his knee. Long fingers softly supporting the tumbler, idly stroking the condensation as it slid down the smooth surface.
Harry's class graduated this morning, and all the students had left. The castle sat silent for the first time in months, quietly mourning the loss of its favourite child.
