Florence was nice, they both agreed. Neville didn't have an awful lot of time to go site seeing, as he spent most of his time in the Institution. The Healers there were happy to help him and allowed him to follow them around on their rounds. Severus offered to brew a few difficult potions for them that they couldn't come by. To say they were ecstatic would be an understatement.

"You still have to be careful, Sev," Neville said later, "It is possible someone might recognize your potions ability. You aren't the best of the world for nothing, after all."

Severus shrugged. "I know, but I wanted to do them a favor. I mean, they have been very kind, letting us stay in their facilities. Besides, any decent potions master can brew those potions. AND," he grinned, "they once had a one of the greatest potions masters of Europe here. They promised me I can take a copy of his extensive notes. There's bound to be some interesting stuff in there."

Neville watched him for a while. "Sev, why DID you name yourself the Half Blood Prince anyway?"

Severus shrugged. "Imitating the Dark Lord, childish arrogance, who's to say? I don't need a title anymore. I'm happy now with just being Severus. Can't say I'm happy about the Snape part…"

"You didn't like your father." A statement, not a question.

"I hated my father. And he hated me. Actually he hated me first. But I no longer go by that name, do I? I'm your cousin now, aren't I? Seferat Ingram. Where did you come up with that name anyway?"

"Well, first of all because I can keep calling you Sev without anyone suspecting anything. Reduces the chances of accidentally letting something slip. And Ingram really is my cousins last name; muggle cousins. But, why did your father hate you? I'd have thought a father would be proud to have an intelligent and talented son." Neville said, a bit sad.

Severus glanced at him. "Your father would be proud of you, Neville. Don't believe what you've been told. And no, my father didn't approve of my talents, and he did not believe in my intelligence. And why on earth is that mirror shining?"

Neville jumped up. "Harry's two way mirror. He's calling us. I hope there's no trouble…"

(Earlier)

Daily Prophet Headline

SEVERUS SNAPE ALIVE?

Recently I, your faithful reporter Rita Skeeter, received information from a reliable source that we, the public might have been deceived. My source suggested that Severus Snape, Death Eater, murderer of Albus Dumbledore, and believed to have died in the final battle against You-Know-Who at the hands of Neville Longbottom, is in fact, still alive.

Said Neville Longbottom was arrested after he punched our own Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, and broke his nose. The Minister very kindly had presented Mr Longbottom with an Order of Merlin, first class, for killing Severus Snape. An Auror present at the Ministers interview with the young man declared: "Mr Longbottom was out of his mind, the final battle and the stress of the war had finally caught up with the boy."

His fellow Auror stated that Mr Longbottom had in fact explained fully why Severus Snape can be trusted and that he approved of his punching the Minister. Surely such persons should be banned from the Auror program? How can the man who defeated the traitor, have defended him? But I digress.

Harry Potter, the Man Who Conquered, has praised Severus Snape in his speech shortly after the final battle, and even dedicated his Order of Merlin to the supposedly dead traitor. One must question what the war has done to the fragile mind of this child.

To show the power young Potter has over the Ministry, Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody, now the head of the Auror Department, has said the following:

"Bugger off, woman. Dumbledore was right to trust Snape. The kid is dead now, and we owe him our lives. If Potter and Dumbledore believed him, you'd be wiser to take their word for it." Has Potter managed to get even this veteran under his spell?

Mr Longbottom has left the country it seems and cannot be reached to comment upon this new information.

If it is indeed true that Severus Snape is still alive, should he not be found and tried? The murderer of Albus Dumbledore can not be allowed to go unpunished, can he?

With this question I leave you.

Your faithful reporter, Rita Skeeter.

Harry groaned. He threw the paper down in front of his friends on the staff table in the Great Hall, now once again populated with children. Fewer then before, but the staff was optimistic that Hogwarts would once again be a thriving school full of young wizarding talent.

"'Mione, Ron, look at what that cow has written now! We need to speak with Minerva immediately."

Ron and Hermione took a look at the newspaper. "Oh great. Let's go."

But before they had even reached the doors, the headmistress entered. "Ah, professor Potter, professor Granger, professor Weasley, I was already looking for you. Would you come up to my office right away, please?"

The Trio nodded and followed the headmistress.

"You know, Minerva, if we act overly concerned, we might give the impression that this article is more then just rubbish."

"Yes, yes, I am well aware. That is why I also have another matter to discuss with you, although we can reconvene for that at a later time. It concerns the request from Durmstrang that we start an exchange students program. Surely no one will think it strange if we have grave objections that need to be discussed. At length."

They reached the office. "Redeemed," Minerva said and they entered.

Dumbledore's portrait smiled and waved. "Hello, professors," it said, beaming proudly.

"Hello sir," they replied before turning to the headmistress.

"The thing is," Harry said, "that we kept it extremely secret. No one except Neville and us knows that Severus is alive. I know Rita Skeeter is still in contact with some Death Eaters that never showed up for the final battle and are still at large. I should think this rumor comes from one of them."

Minerva nodded. "That is a very real possibility. However, why would they suspect he is alive?"

"As far as I can tell, the remaining Death Eaters are splintered. Some want to keep a low profile and hope people will just forget about their role in the war. Others want revenge, on me, but also on Severus were he alive. They know now that he was indeed a traitor, even if they do not know he was the sixth Horcrux. I say we keep quiet about this for a little while, and then organize a memorial service for all who have died in the war, like we planned, and make sure Severus has a prominent place among them. That should put a stop to any unwanted rumors. Meanwhile I will call Neville to tell him about this and make sure they are extremely careful that Severus is not recognized."

"He does kinda stand out," Ron remarked. Hermione sighed and Harry slung his arm around his friends shoulders.

"And that, my dear brother, is why I am the Defense teacher and YOU are the flight instructor. Ever heard of oh, potions, charms, those helpful little tools in changing one's appearance?"

Ron growled. "Humph. I'm not the one she describes as a child with a fragile mind."

"That's just because she doesn't know you very well."

Exchanging friendly punches the two esteemed professors headed to respectively their classroom and the Quidditch pitch, followed by the eye-rolling charms professor.

(Italy)

"So that's what happened, Nev. We are not sure who is spreading the rumors, but you two should be very careful. Will you be staying in Florence for much longer?"

Neville looked a bit pale and shaky.

"No, we were planning to leave next week. I'm not sure if I should tell Severus about this. They ARE just rumors, aren't they?"

"Yes, but well…do you plan to force him into putting on extra charms, or are you going to hex him when he isn't looking?"

Neville grinned. "Good point. I just…I finally got him to have some fun, I'd hate to ruin it."

"I'll leave it to you," Harry said, "take care, Nev. And don't worry TOO much, most likely after the memorial service, the rumors will have been dealt with. Should we hear more of this, though, you could apparate back for the service and give a statement. We'll see. I'll talk to you soon."

Severus walked into the room, having left earlier to give Neville some privacy, when Neville put down the mirror.

"Everything ok at Hogwarts?" he asked, throwing a few shopping bags into his bedroom.

Neville sighed. "Yeah, they're fine. Sev, I need to talk to you about something that has come up back in England."

Severus sat down. "Sure."

Neville quickly explained the Daily Prophet article and Harry's suspicions that there were rogue Death Eaters behind it. Severus sat very still when he had finished.

"Severus? Are you okay?"

The potions master's eyes flickered in anger.

"Are you really that stupid, Mr Longbottom? Your plan to keep me safe by pretending I'm dead is evidentially not working out. I could have Death Eaters on my trail any day now. And you ask me if I'm okay? I thought you were smarter then that."

Neville frowned and involuntarily took a step backwards. The potions master threw a mug through the room before stalking off towards his bedroom, robes billowing, reminding Neville forcefully of the man that had been the bane of his existence for nearly four years.

But Neville was a child no longer. He took a deep breath and entered the bedroom, to find the potions master sitting on his bed.

"I'm sorry, Neville. I was a jerk. Since that Horcrux has been removed it's been easier to be civil, but this was just too much. I understand if you want to travel on without me."

Neville walked over and sat next to him. "You absolute idiot. Do you honestly think I would kick you out over a temper tantrum? I'm way to used to that. I know it's a shock, but Harry is right, it's just rumors now. I'll go to the memorial service and nip this problem in the bud."

Severus sighed and stared at his hands. "Thanks. For putting up with me and my bad temper."

Neville turned around so violently that the potions master actually flinched.

"Putting up with you? What do you take me for, Severus Snape? Do you really think I'm still a weak child? I have asked you to come with me as a friend, because that is how I think of you. Not someone I just put up with."

With that, Neville stalked off angrily, leaving a very gobsmacked Severus behind.

A/N well, a long chapter. Longer then usual, anyway. I wanted to focus on the death eaters, but Neville and Severus insisted on exploring their relationship first. That made sense so I agreed. (Merlin, I must be mad if I discuss my story with the main characters)