A/N: Thanks for sticking with me this long. It'll be fluff from here on out, detailing how our heroes are livin' it up now that they don't have to worry about ol' Tom making a pest of himself…
Chapter 36- Back to the Way Things Should Be
Every day you make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.- Winston Churchill
Harry and Draco stood outside the testing room, waiting for their names to be called. The June heat permeated the thick castle walls, turning the hallways into slow roasting ovens. They both looked up at the sight of a very familiar black cloak billowing past the end of the hallway, alongside another black fluttering cloak. Draco grinned slyly at Harry, who smiled back, while the rest of the testers stiffened automatically. The classroom door opened to reveal an old wizard with a set of spectacles perched on the end of his very long nose.
"Malfoy, Draco and Potter, Harry," said the man, reading off of the list in his hand. The boys followed the old wizard into the room.
"Scared, Potter?" muttered Draco as they stood waiting for a free tester. Harry gave him a little shove.
"You wish," said Harry. He walked over to where an elderly witch was waving him over and began his DADA practical.
Severus and Samantha walked side-by-side down the hall towards the staircase to the seventh floor. Many of the portraits on the wall gave Severus wary looks, which were returned with slight sneers. Samantha grinned, taking his hand in hers.
"You know, Severus," said Samantha. "You look much better when you're not scowling at everything in sight." He turned to her, an eyebrow raised.
"I've worked very hard on this persona," said Severus haughtily. Samantha chuckled softly at him. "My job was to teach delicate potions procedures to unwilling children. You can hardly blame me for using whatever means necessary to keep them from blowing up my labs."
"Hmm," said Samantha noncommittally, grinning to herself. They stopped before the gargoyle protecting the headmistress's office. Samantha gave Severus with a questioning look. He shrugged his shoulders.
"Sugar Quills?" said Severus skeptically. The gargoyle leapt to life, revealing the spiraling staircase. Severus and Samantha stepped onto it quickly, riding it up to the huge wooden door. Samantha knocked softly.
"Come in," said McGonagall. She stood from her desk as they entered the room. Severus froze in the doorway, staring at the bare mahogany tables and tall bookcases lining the walls where once had been small tables covered in silver instruments.
"I told her to redecorate," said a voice over the desk. Severus looked up into the blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore's portrait. "She never liked my gadgets anyway." McGonagall rolled her eyes at the painting as she motioned for them to take a seat.
"It was more the clutter that I was opposed to," she said as she retook her seat behind the desk. She took a deep breath.
"I invited you both here to hear a proposal that has been in the works for about a month or so now," said McGonagall. She leaned forward, interlacing her fingers together on top of the desk. "I want you both to come and teach for me." Samantha's eyes widened.
"Wow," whispered Samantha. Severus looked at the wall, tapping his lips in thought.
"It would probably be chaotic for a while," continued McGonagall. "All of the children are one year behind in their material, unless their parents took it upon themselves to continue schooling them at home." She grinned slightly. "But as you well know, even those students will be at different levels. Sixth and Seventh year classes would be the most challenging, but the Board and I have been in discussions about a modified curriculum to catch those students up so that they have the option of testing at the end of next year."
"You haven't mentioned what subjects you want us to teach," said Severus softly, turning back to look at McGonagall. McGonagall sighed, leaning back in her chair.
"Well, we have four positions open," she said. "Never in my tenure have we had so many openings. We need someone for Charms, Potions and, of course, Defense, although we should be able to keep a person in that position for longer than a year. We also need someone for Transfiguration, since I won't be able to handle being Headmistress and teaching a full course load at the same time. Two of those positions will also need to carry the title of Head of House for both Gryffindor and Slytherin. If you know of anyone trustworthy, I would be glad to listen to any suggestions."
Severus smirked at her as he leaned over to Samantha, whispering in her ear. She whispered something back. He pulled back, giving her a sly grin, nodding slowly in agreement. Samantha's face broke out into a wide smile. She nodded and gave McGonagall a smug look as Severus leaned towards McGonagall.
"I think we'll be able to help solve your problem quite easily," said Severus. "Samantha would like the Charms position whereas I would rather have the Defense post rather than Potions."
And what about the other two positions?" said McGonagall in exasperation. "Severus, you could be reinstated as Head of Slytherin, but since Samantha was also in Slytherin, she cannot hold the title for Gryffindor." Severus gave McGonagall a sly smile.
"I don't want to be Head of House anymore," said Severus. "The students need a different kind of person as their Heads of House. We just happen to be familiar with two young gentlemen who would be of great assistance to you in that regard. I think they would be jump at the chance to become Heads of their respective Houses. Their N.E.W.T. scores should be more than adequate for the high standards of a Hogwarts professorship in Potions and Transfiguration. Of course, Samantha and I can provide detailed references if you would like." He leaned back in his seat, placing the tips of his fingers together in front of him.
McGonagall was silent for a few minutes, gazing thoughtfully out of the window.
"Well," said McGonagall softly. "It would certainly help to have the positions filled in thinking about curriculum changes. However, they would be the youngest faculty members ever hired in the school's history. But no one would argue that they're not qualified." She nodded her head. "Yes, they'll do nicely. I would like to contact them both personally, so if you could keep this under your hats for the time being. I'll wait until after the wedding, as I'm sure they're busy with preparations." She gave Samantha and Severus a smile. "I don't think I've congratulated you both. I'm truly happy for you." She glanced quickly at her watch and sighed dejectedly. "I wish we could stay and chat, but I'm expecting Scrimgeour any minute."
"Then we will definitely be going," said Severus as he stood immediately from his chair. He held out his hand to McGonagall, who took it as she stood up. "Thank you so much. You have no idea what it means to me to be coming back."
"You're one of the best teachers we've ever had, Severus," said McGonagall. "It would be a waste not to offer you a position." She shook Samantha's hand and ushered them towards the door.
"We'll see you in two weeks, right?" asked Samantha. "Saturday, the 30th at the Manor?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," said McGonagall as Severus and Samantha descended the staircase.
They walked down to the Great Hall, where a huge crowd of students was gathered around the open doors. Loud shouts and bangs could be heard form inside. Severus drew his wand, running towards the doors. The crowd parted for him immediately. He froze at the sight before him, Samantha skidding to a halt beside him.
Harry and Draco were firing high level spells at each other at blinding speeds. Harry jumped behind a desk, transfiguring it into a large wooden shield. Draco fired a spell, shattering the wood into a million pieces. Harry dropped what was left in his hand, quickly resuming his fierce spell casting, with Draco blocking every single one. Harry glanced over at Severus, who stood rigid with his arms crossed over his chest. He froze immediately, his face paling. Draco straightened in confusion, staring at Harry through his Shield charm. He followed Harry's gaze and started at Severus's stern face. He quickly canceled his charm.
"Do I need to even ask what is going on?" said Severus silkily. Both boys looked at each other in fear. Harry ran a hand through his hair.
"Some of the others wanted to see some spells that Elias and I did for extra credit on the Defense practical," said Harry in a small voice. "I guess we just got carried away."
"I'll say," said Samantha as she walked over to examine the deep scorch marks on the wall. "McGonagall's going to have both of your hides when she sees what you've done to the Great Hall. In fact," she conjured two buckets of water and scrub brushes," why don't the two of you clean this place up? Without magic, if you please."
"WHAT!" cried Harry and Draco.
"Come on, Mum," said Draco. "This place is huge! It'll take us all day!"
"Then you had better get started," smirked Severus. Draco scowled at him, grabbing a bucket from Sam as Harry took the other sullenly. They walked to opposite sides of the hall and began scrubbing the walls.
"Everyone out," said Samantha, herding the complaining students out of the hall. "Don't you kids have someplace to be? Like a test?"
"All of the tests are over for the day," said a tall boy. "The last ones are tomorrow."
"Well, then, off with you," said Severus sternly. "Go revise or whatever it is that you young people do to prepare for tests." When no one moved, Severus crossed his arms and spoke with a soft malice. "Unless you would like to join Potter and Malfoy in the Great Hall, I suggest you get moving. Now." The crowd scattered rapidly, cowering under Severus's stern face. Samantha smirked at him.
"Whatever means necessary, hm?" she said. Severus gave her a smug look.
"Exactly." He looked at his watch. "Let's go down and check the potion stores. I think we may have borrowed everything from the private stores. The boys will be busy for quite some time, I'm sure."
Samantha watched his robes billow out behind him as he turned towards the staircase to the dungeons.
The early afternoon of June 30th was beautifully sunny, with a cool breeze blowing through the many trees surrounding Malfoy Manor. The grounds were swarming with movement, as the last touches were added to the small seating area on the East Lawn and to the reception area underneath a large white tent. Draco stood at the window in an upstairs room, watching the house-elves carry platters of food into the tent and the guests taking their seats. Harry leaned back in his chair, balancing it on two legs and tossing a ball he had conjured against the wall. Remus and Arthur sat at a small table, playing cards and grinning at the nervous wreck of a man stalking up and down the length of the room.
"Severus, sit down," said Remus in exasperation. "The ceremony doesn't start for another twenty minutes. I swear you're the noisiest pacer I've ever encountered." The edge of Severus's black silk cloak snapped as he spun on his heel to change directions, completely ignoring Remus. Arthur chuckled.
"Leave him be," said Arthur. "He'll settle down once he's forced to stay still." Harry chuckled as he vanished the ball and got up, walking over to the window beside Draco. Suddenly, Harry jumped slightly. He patted his pockets before pulling out a small, round disk. The disk was flashing red and vibrating. Harry nudged Draco and walked quickly to the door. The three other men frowned at them in confusion.
"Don't mind us," said Draco cheerfully. "We've just detected an infestation of sorts. We'll be right back, I promise." He grinned at Severus and Remus's bewildered faces as he left the room. They looked to Arthur, who simply shrugged and shuffled the deck of cards.
"I'm sure whatever they're doing isn't life threatening," said Arthur. Remus looked to Severus with wide eyes as Arthur dealt a game of solitaire. They both rushed to the window, searching madly for the boys. Several tense minutes passed before the door opened and the boys walked back into the room, laughing.
"What did you do?" asked Severus warily. Harry sat back down in his chair as Draco closed the door and walked over to look at Arthur's cards.
"Well," said Harry. "As you requested, this little event was to be invitation-only. We took your words to heart, making sure that no one would slip in undetected."
"So," said Draco, pointing to a card on the table. Arthur smiled as he placed a card where Draco indicated. "If someone did show up who did not have an invitation, we made sure that we would know about it so we could escort them off the premises."
"Especially," said Harry. "If that person was a member of the press. This particular reporter happens to be an unregistered Animagus who tried to sneak her way in. But thankfully, Kingsley graciously volunteered to keep our little bug safe during the ceremony and reception. She will be dealt with afterwards if we get around to it." Draco smiled smugly at Harry. Remus frowned.
"Who –" he was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Molly Weasley opened the door and poked her head into the room.
"Come on, it's time," she said. Severus ran to the mirror, running his hands quickly over his hair and straightening his green-trimmed robes.
"Dad, you look fine," said Harry as he went out the door. "Let's go." Severus sighed and gave Molly a small smile as he left the room. He caught up to Draco and Harry as they went down the grand staircase into the foyer. Draco led them down a darkened hallway towards the East Lawn. He opened a large set of glass doors that led out onto the grounds. Rachel and Ginny were waiting for them.
"Severus, you're to go on down in front," said Rachel as she put her arm through Draco's.
"Right," said Severus shakily. He didn't move. He stood frozen, staring at the small gathering of people facing a white archway where an elderly wizard was waiting. Draco rolled his eyes and muttered loudly to Rachel.
"He can face dozens of Death Eaters and the Dark Lord himself, but he can't even walk down the aisle of his own wedding." Rachel giggled as Draco winked at her. Severus glared at him. Taking a deep breath, Severus rolled his shoulders back and held his head high as he swept down to the front of the crowd, turning to face them. He smiled at McGonagall in the second row, who nodded her head at him. He stood next to the elderly wizard that had performed Bill and Fleur's wedding and scanned the rest of the crowd quickly.
A small orchestra was playing off to the side as Draco and Rachel came down the aisle. Harry and Ginny followed them, the boys' silver robes matching perfectly with the girls' navy dresses. The crowd stood as the orchestra began the wedding march. Severus felt his breath catch in his throat as he gazed down the aisle at his bride.
Samantha walked slowly down the aisle, clutching Remus's arm tightly to keep everyone from seeing her hands shake. He reached up and placed his hand over hers, patting it soothingly. Her white robes sparkled as the sunlight gave the bare skin of her shoulders a soft glow. The grass was cool beneath her bare feet, and the breeze blew softly through her long, curly hair.
She gazed in awe at the striking figure waiting for her. Severus's hair had been trimmed and pulled back, accentuating the sharp and elegant features of his face, which seemed to have lost the haggardness and drawn look that she had become accustomed to over the years. His black robes were well cut, molding to his body perfectly. She met his gaze, seeing more emotion in his eyes than she had ever seen before. She gave him a huge smile and saw him relax a little, returning the gesture.
She and Remus reached the end of the aisle. Samantha gave him a kiss as he took her hands and put them in Severus's. He smiled at Severus, who returned it and nodded. Remus sat next to Tonks as the elderly wizard began.
"We are gathered here today at the end of a long period of darkness," said the wizard, "to join these two people together in a new life. A life that for you, Severus and Samantha, was truly impossible before now. All of the trials and struggles you have endured, all of the pain and losses you have shared, have shaped you into the people you are today. Today, you embark on the beginning of another kind of journey, a journey that will require strength of mind and spirit, a journey that will be filled with good times and bad. Yet in all this, it is most importantly a journey you take together." He smiled benignly at them. "You will now pledge your vows to one another, in recognition of the seriousness of the commitment you are making."
"Do you, Severus Snape, take Samantha to be your lawfully wedded wife," asked the wizard. "To love and to cherish, for better or for worse, in sickness and health, for as long as you both shall live?" Severus smiled at Samantha.
"I do," said Severus. Samantha's eyes filled with tears as she smiled at him.
"And do you, Samantha McKinnon, take Severus to be your lawfully wedded husband," asked the wizard. "To love and to cherish, for better or for worse, in sickness and health, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do," said Samantha. Severus squeezed her hands gently.
"May I have the rings, please?" said the wizard. Draco reached into his pocket, pulling out the companion ring to Samantha's engagement ring. Rachel handed her bouquet to Ginny as she pulled out the platinum band Samantha had chosen for Severus. They handed the rings to the wizard, who tapped them both with his wand. They glowed gold for a moment before he held them out to Severus and Samantha. Severus lifted Samantha's ring, taking her left hand and placing the ring at the end of her finger.
"Repeat after me, please," said the wizard. "With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed," said Severus softly, not breaking eye contact with Samantha as he slid the ring onto her finger. Samantha took Severus's ring and lifted his hand in hers.
"Repeat after me," said the wizard gently. "With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed," said Samantha. She slid the ring onto his finger, locking her fingers with his.
"By the power vested in my by the Ministry of Magic of Great Britain, it is my great honor to pronounce you husband and wife," said the wizard triumphantly. He turned to Severus. "You may now kiss the bride." Severus leaned down and pressed his lips to hers as Harry and Ginny waved their wands at the air above the crowd, showering tiny rose petals down from above them. The kiss continued, eliciting cat calls and whistles from the crowd. Draco cleared his throat loudly, smirking at the glare he got from Samantha as she pulled away from Severus.
"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape," said the wizard. The entire crowd erupted in thunderous applause and stood from their seats as Severus and Samantha walked back down the aisle towards the reception area. Harry, Ginny, Draco and Rachel followed them, leading the guests into the tent where the house-elves went to work escorting the guests to their seats.
The tent glowed with the soft light that the Weasley twins had helped Harry conjure the day before. Each table had six seats, each set with white porcelain plates trimmed in deep forest green and sparkling silver. A bottle of fine champagne sat chilling at each table. When all the guests were seated, the house-elves began serving the food. Tray after tray was brought out to each table, filled with many different kinds of food. Everyone ate to their heart's content, talking animatedly about everything from news about families to Quidditch teams bound for the British final.
As dinner came to a close, Draco stood and tapped the side of his glass with his knife. The chatter died down as everyone turned to look at him.
"Thank you all for coming," said Draco. "I hope you've all enjoyed dinner." He smiled at the murmured assents. He took his glass in his hand. "Well, as best man of this little soiree, it fell to me to make the toast." Severus smiled, putting his arm around Samantha.
"I've known Severus ever since I was little," said Draco. "He has always been there for me. When times got tough, he was always there to bail me out. When I needed discipline, he was always there to get me back in line." Severus chuckled softly. "He's had a hard life. But," he turned to look at Samantha, "he found that one person to make it all worth it. I hope to one day be as happy as the two of you are. I wish you all the best, and love you both." He lifted his glass. "To Sam and Severus."
"Sam and Severus," echoed the crowd as they all drank the toast. Draco took a drink and sat back down. Harry leaned over to him.
"Good speech," said Harry. "Nice and short."
"Leaves more time for drinkin'" said Draco as he refilled his glass with Champaign. Harry grinned at him and joined him in drinking once again to the health of the bride and groom. Severus burst out laughing at them.
As the din of conversation began to rise, Severus turned and gazed in amazement at his beautiful wife. He brushed Samantha's cheek with his hand and leaned forward.
"I love you, Sam," he whispered in her ear. He leaned back and touched his forehead to hers.
"I love you too, Severus," said Samantha softly. Severus brushed a soft kiss on her lips, oblivious to the many eyes watching them with sly smiles and boyish grins.
The reception lasted into the late afternoon, with the guests mingling freely. The house-elves kept the platters of food full and the Champaign flowing. The orchestra was brought in and the tables pushed back as Harry conjured a dance floor in the middle of the tent. He gave Severus and Samantha a bow as they took the floor for the first dance. They glided across the floor effortlessly, as if they floated on air. They never noticed when the crowd, led by Harry and Ginny, joined them on the floor.
Finally, the guests began to trickle home as the sun began to set. The four kids helped Severus and Samantha escape mostly unnoticed, leading them around to the front gates of the Manor. Draco handed Samantha a pair of white ballet slippers.
"You'll need those," he said with a grin. He wrapped an arm around Rachel as Harry did the same to Ginny.
"Thank you all so much for everything," said Samantha. "We'll owl you while we're away." She gave each of them a hug, kissing both the boys on the cheek. "Take care of each other, alright?"
"We will, Mum," said Harry. "Now, go, before someone finds you and keeps you here for another hour." Samantha slipped on her shoes and grabbed Severus's arm. With a smooth motion, the two of them disapparated with a soft pop. They reappeared in front of a two-story house. A porch light cast a warm glow on the white paint. Samantha frowned slightly, looking at Severus's smug face.
"Where are we, Severus?" she asked, looking from him to the house. Severus walked up and opened the white gate in the fence.
"We're home," he said softly. He held his breath as what he said clicked in her head. She looked back up at the house with wide eyes as she walked towards him. She slowly walked up the path, gazing at the flowers that lined the sidewalk. Severus climbed the stairs in front of her to the front door, unlocking it and swinging it open. He lifted Samantha off her feet and carried her over the threshold.
"When did you do this?" asked Samantha, still in shock. "You were with me almost constantly for the past week!"
"Yes," said Severus as he set her down in the hallway and lit the candles on the wall as he shut and locked the door behind him. "But James and Elias were not. They helped me fix everything up before today. I just wanted you to see it before we left. We're on the side of Hogsmeade farthest away from the school." Samantha laughed as she wrapped her arms around Severus's neck.
"I love it!" she cried. She kissed him softly. He broke away reluctantly and walked down the hall, returning with two small suitcases. He handed one to Samantha, offering her his hand.
"Ready for a month in Spain, my dear?" he asked. Samantha nodded. He took her hand and they both disapparated.
A/N2: Gold star to you if you caught the CoS and the LOTR references...