Almost three months after the battle of Hogwarts and things were finally calm again. News of Voldemort's defeat spread far to all the magic communities and people could only cheer, and be grateful that they were still alive and it was finally over. The first big thing to happen was Hogwarts sending all students home to be with their families after the long year of being away with Severus as Headmaster, which; he would be staying. Minerva resumed her position as Deputy Headmistress and all the other teachers were staying where they had taught. The position for Defense Against the Dark Arts was still unfilled. The school was back to its former glory, and students would return in September, just a week away now. The seventh-year students from the year 1997 to the year 1998 did get to take their NEWTs and now were out in the world as a graduated student. Another major item to happen were the Death Eater Trials, that Severus and Bellatrix were temporarily imprisoned for. Well, Severus was pardoned, Bellatrix was not because her atrocities before changing sides were still awful.

Severus for revealing that he had actually been a double spy, appearing to work for Voldemort when he actually was a member for the Order of the Phoenix and had been instructed to kill Albus Dumbledore by the man himself. Bellatrix was, unfortunately, despite her aid in saving Severus, and lying to Voldemort about Harry being dead. Bellatrix did have to serve time in Azkaban and would be out in two years. The only other people who were pardoned were Gregory Goyle and Theodore Nott, who acted in self-preservation and love to keep their parents safe from Voldemort's wrath. Those parents did have to serve short sentences and then were released in good conscious and also a parole. Harry went ahead and took his NEWTs alongside Draco, even though he never attended his seventh year at school due to the horcrux hunt mission and he did spectacularly on them, receiving O's in everything. Hermione and Ron took theirs too and both obviously did well. Ron was set to start at the Auror academy in September, and Hermione was going onto work for the ministry.

Hermione also located her parents in Australia and restored their memories from the Obliviate she performed; she'd made it look like they'd been there on vacation the entire time and when returning, she introduced them to Ron, who was her boyfriend. Harry located the Dursley's and returned them to their home, explaining they were safe now. And took the chance to introduce Petunia and Dudley to Draco, as his boyfriend. George Weasley continued to run the joke shop in Diagon Alley, and it was booming. Ginny Weasley started to date Dean Thomas, again, and would be returning to Hogwarts to finish her schooling. Horace Slughorn, remaining the potions professor took over the job of Slytherin head of house since Severus was going to be too busy as headmaster. Draco had also not decided what he was going to do, but it was mentioned that he'd make a good healer, so the idea was in his head and he just hadn't fully decided upon. One of the bigger events after everything was holding a memorial service for all those who had died in the battle; their pictures were hung in the great hall and known as the Fallen Fifty-Five, who died as heroes in the final fight. The world itself was slowly healing from Voldemort's tyranny.

Harry gave up Grimmauld Place, well, it was still his, but now a safe house for the ministry and new Order of the Phoenix comprised of many who fought in the battle of Hogwarts, and those who were part of Dumbledore's Army. Harry and Draco now lived at Malfoy Manor, after restoring it from Voldemort's destruction. Severus gave up Spinner's End, as he would mostly be at the school or staying at the manor to continue looking over Harry and Draco. Right now, it was August 24th, 1998. Draco and Harry were at the manor and relaxing together in the main room. Harry and Draco had their own suite in the house, but left Lucius and Narcissa's old room alone, charmed for no one to enter, ever. That's how Draco wanted it.

"It's hard to believe three months have passed since everything," Draco sighed.

"I know, but it's everything I had wanted with Voldemort gone." Harry replied as he was leaning against his boyfriend.

Hard to believe they'd been together for almost two years come December. The two had gone on vacation shortly after the death eater trials, Severus joined them too. It was relaxing and very much needed; they'd spent the entire month of June on vacation, traveling to different places around the world that they'd always wanted to see. Draco and Harry made love multiple times throughout it, and Severus was always happy to leave the place they were staying to let them enjoy themselves. It was when they returned in July and were at Spinner's End that Minerva found Severus to ask him if he'd remain headmaster, and the man accepted such an offer.

"So, what's next for us, love?" Draco asked Harry.

"I guess we just keep living," Harry shrugged. "Maybe find jobs as the realistic idea?"

"I think I'll go into healing, or maybe open a potions shop. Could do both," Draco shrugged. "Work as a healer, have a potions business on the side? What do you think?"

"I think you should do whatever you want to, babe," Harry smiled. "I support anything, you know that."

"I know. What are you going to do? You could do anything," Draco wondered.

"Just haven't decided yet," Harry admitted. "I know I could do anything, but nothing is really jumping at me and screaming do me the rest of your life, know what I mean?" He informed.

"Harry, can I ask you something?" Draco inquired.

"Of course, anything," Harry replied.

"Why…Did you go to Voldemort, in the forest and let yourself get killed? Why didn't you say goodbye to me like you did Ron and Hermione?" Draco asked. "I know it was a couple months ago, but it's been on my mind and I overheard them saying that I would be so upset when I learned the truth; that it was good you never told me. I was going to ask what they meant, but then Severus woke up and I redirected my attention…"

Harry looked at his boyfriend of nearly two years; he'd been wondering when the question might come up and honestly, he had been thinking about sitting down with Draco to talk about it. Harry had been partially conscious when he heard Draco scream out after Voldemort said Harry was dead. "After I saw that Fred, Remus, and Tonks had died; I walked away to the headmaster's office and pulled the pensive out. I viewed Severus's memory and learned that he'd been best friends with my mother, that my father was a pain to Severus. I learned Severus was heartbroken when he learned my mother had died and that he loved her. But what I learned most of all was that I was a horcrux that Voldemort never knew he made." Harry stated.

"What?" Draco stared. "You were…A horcrux, like Nagini? A living one?"

Harry nodded. "It's all part of why Severus had to kill Albus." He informed. "When Dumbledore destroyed the ring, which held the Resurrection Stone; it was cursed and affected him. It would kill him. Severus told him that it would probably kill him in a year anyway. Then he mentioned that he knew Voldemort had ordered Nott, Goyle, and Crabbe to kill him but if they failed; it would fall on Severus to do so that the dark lord would completely trust him." Harry explained. "In the memory, Dumbledore told Severus that a time would come where I needed to be told something but Severus had to wait until Voldemort was at his most vulnerable." He paused.

"Dumbledore knew you were a horcrux, didn't he?" Draco looked down slightly.

"He did. After we learned what horcruxes were, it took place during sixth year that he realized." Harry nodded. "Albus told Severus that the night Voldemort went to Godric's Hollow to kill me and my mom cast herself between me and him; his curse rebounded and part of his soul latched onto the only living thing in the room. Me. So it was said that I would have to die and Voldemort had to be the one to kill me."

"That's…Awful. He knew before he died that you had to! That you were a horcrux that needed to be destroyed for us to actually kill Voldemort!" Draco gasped.

"Yes," Harry replied. "Severus was angry too, telling Albus that he'd kept me alive all these years to die at the proper moment. That he'd been raising me like a pig for slaughter."

"He's always cared about you," Draco smiled a bit.

"It's been a love-hate thing," Harry shrugged. "He hated my dad, but loved my mom. I look like my dad, but have mom's personality and eyes. He was hard on me because of dad, but he protected me for my mom. I don't need him to tell me that to know."

"You know when Remus had attacked you and you came through to Spinner's End. Right after he picked you up the next morning, Severus warned him after you'd gone through the floo. He told Remus; Do not endanger Lily's boy again, Remus. I stand by my threat, and so will Dumbledore. I will remove him from your guardianship and he'll stay here with me." Draco informed.

"He threatened Remus…For me?" Harry asked.

"I asked later what Severus threatened him with, Severus told me he told Remus this," Draco paused. "You swore Harry would be safe with you. Mark my words, if you endanger her son again; I will take him away and keep him here. I swore to keep him safe. For her. And I will not be made a liar of. But Harry…Why didn't you say goodbye to me like you did your friends?"

"I knew you wouldn't let me go if I'd told you that I had to die to stop Voldemort." Harry informed. "I couldn't stand before you in the hall, with everyone around or alone, and tell you that I was an unintentional horcrux, that I had to die to truly end things. I couldn't tell you goodbye. I didn't have the strength to look you in the eye and know I was going to my death, Draco. The moment you would have denied things, or begged me no to go; I wouldn't have been able to walk away from you. So I asked Hermione and Ron not to say anything, and to wait until after I was gone, after Voldemort was gone; to be there for you…To let you know I loved you and that I was sorry." He admitted.

"You're right, I wouldn't have let you go if you approached me…But Harry; I swear you don't know how it felt to be told you were dead. That I'd been wondering all that time since you walked away if you were alright and then…You were dead." Draco sighed.

"I know it hurt you. I felt it, I wasn't totally out." Harry informed.

"It's just weird why the prophecy would say you were meant to kill him, but then you'd have to die. How did that work?" Draco inquired.

"Do you remember when the prophecy had said I had a power the dark lord knew not of? Do you know what that power was, Draco?" Harry asked him as Draco shook his head. "Love." He informed as Draco's eyes widened. "My love for my family who had died. Love for my friends. Love for you…And in return, the same love you all felt for me. Love kept me alive when I was a baby, my mother's. And all these years, what kept me fighting and strong was love. The power I had Voldemort didn't was love because he didn't understand it have never felt it." He explained. "I realized what the power was the day he tried to possess me. I told him he'd never know love or friendship and he didn't; that's why I was stronger than him. Why I couldn't die by his hand. And when we beat him together, Draco…It was all our love into that attack. Love destroyed Voldemort."

"I love you, Harry," Draco said softly.

"I love you too, Draco," Harry replied as they shared a passionate kiss.

When the kiss broke, the two relaxed in front of the fire when an owl flew through the open window and landed on the arm of the couch near Draco. "Hey, Ulysses." Draco chuckled as he took the letter the bird had. "It's a letter for you, babe," Draco handed it over to Harry.

Harry took the letter from his boyfriend and open the envelope to find a letter inside. Harry unfolded it and began to read. "It's from Minerva," He mentioned. "Dear Mr. Harry Potter, I would like to extend the invitation for you to attend a meeting at Hogwarts on this 24th day of August 1998 at 3:00 pm. We hope that you will be able to come and you can floo right into the headmaster's office. Signed, Deputy Headmistress & Transfiguration Professor; Minerva McGonagall." Harry read off.

"Why do you need to go to a meeting?" Draco asked.

"Dunno, but suppose I should if they're asking for me," Harry replied.

"It's only an hour until 3:00," Harry looked at the clock on the wall.

"Well, you go and see what they want and when you get back; we can have dinner together." Draco smiled.

"Alright." Harry nodded. "And then over dinner we can talk about your plan for the future, possibly being a healer and side potions shop-keeper."

"Sounds good." Draco replied.

. . .

At 2:58 pm, Harry was dressed wearing black pants and a button down red shirt as he stood inside the floo and tossed the powder down. "Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts." Harry said clearly as the flames took him right to the office and he stepped out on time at 3:00.

"Punctual as always, Mr. Potter," Severus greeted.

"Should I have been fashionably late?" Harry asked with a smile. "How are you, Headmaster Snape?" He inquired.

"I'm well, Harry. How are you and Draco settling into the manor?" Severus asked.

"Finished this morning and spent the rest of the time after lunch relaxing and talking about what we're gonna do with our futures. I think Draco's got himself a plan, we're gonna talk more over dinner." Harry replied.

"And what of your plan?" Severus questioned.

"Not sure. Nothing screams come do me the rest of your life," Harry admitted. "Who else is coming to this meeting?" He wondered.

"No one, just us." Severus motioned to the seat across from his desk. "I wanted to talk to you."

"You didn't have to make it sound so grave, Severus," Harry told him. "What's up?" He looked at the man.

"As you know, the new school year is beginning next Tuesday on the 1st. We have all we need, except one more professor for a subject that I believe you could fill." Severus began.

"You…Want me to come work here as a teacher?" Harry stared at him.

"I believe you're a good fit," Severus stated.

"What position?" Harry asked.

"Defense Against The Dark Arts." Severus responded.

Harry's eyes widened slightly. "You want me to teach DADA?" Harry used the abbreviated title for the class.

"I do," Severus nodded.

"Sev…I think you could find far more qualified people to take the job. I've only just left school and fighting Voldemort doesn't make me a master of such." Harry informed.

"Lupin wasn't qualified, neither was Umbridge. I was, but I'm headmaster now and to do both is simply too much." Severus remarked. "You don't need to be a master, Harry…But we need someone who is more than familiar with the dark arts and how to defend against them. And yes, in fact, your battles with Voldemort speak volumes to your ability. As does your teaching with Dumbledore's Army, who many of its new members are from that group." He continued. "You taught defensive magic to all years as only a fifth year yourself and even used spells that you weren't expected to have even known. Like the patronus charm, for example. A seventh-year spell." He reminded. "You do not need to say yes and accept, but I'm hoping you will consider it, at least?"

"Severus, it's a great opportunity…But it's more than thinking I don't qualify. I see how you think I do and I probably could handle it…But there's more. I've only just moved in with Draco, and working here involves living at the school for the year." Harry mentioned.

"I have a remedy to that," Severus said. "I'm offering you the choice to travel back and forth every day, via floo," He stated calmly. "You can come before or after breakfast and go through the day with classes. After dinner, pending no detentions or meetings; you can return home to the manor. In addition, you are free to leave during the holidays and the summer." Severus offered. "You know what classroom you'd be using and the fact there's an office attached with a floo-connected fireplace. Draco is welcome to come through during lunch as well, if you have lunch plans. You're welcome to take your work home with you. It would be set up a lot like your average office job, only here to do the job. You're not required to be here during breakfast or dinner, unless, as I said, there's a meeting and I'd give you enough of a heads up about those." He paused. "And this is what we'd pay you," He slid a sheet forward.

It was a paper with the job position and everything being offered on it. Harry sighed. "It's a lot to think about, Severus. The offer is amazing, but I need to talk to Draco first. When do you need to know?"

"By Friday," Severus told him.

"Then I'll get back to you with an answer by then." Harry stood up.

"I'll be waiting. Thank you for your time, Mr. Potter," Severus said, shaking Harry's hand.

Harry returned the shake, then stepped back into the floo to return to Malfoy Manor.

. . .

Harry got into the foyer and saw Draco reading a book. "That was quick," He smiled, setting the book aside. "What did they need?"

"Severus offered me a job at Hogwarts…" Harry informed.

"Yeah, doing?" Draco asked.

"Teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts." Harry replied.