A/N Author wanders in, surprised to see two upset main characters. What's wrong, boys?

Sev and Nev, choking on sobs: You've started another story! You left us! You're cheating on us!

Oh dear… Honestly, I didn't leave you! And Sev, come on, you're even IN the other story!

Neville glares. "Why aren't I in it?"

Severus smirks.

Well. Before we bore our readers to death with the bickering, why don't we get on with this chapter?

Rageful Jewel: You are absolutely correct. Stupid oversight on my part. I can't have Moody die and then be head of the auror department, can I? I've fixed it.

Anyway, sorry it took so long to update, but its been a crazy week workwise, but no more deadline now! I can return to my newest true love: writing fanfiction.

Harry walked into the Three Broomsticks happily, looking forward to a quiet dinner with the Hide Out Party, as the group who knew of Severus Snape's continued existence had called themselves. Rosmerta had been kind enough to provide them with a soundproof dining room, which made them suspicious; she had a knack for knowing things she shouldn't. But she had also proven herself capable of keeping her mouth shut, so they just added their own extra charms to the room and ate quietly. It was good to be able to talk about their friends freely.

"I got a letter from Neville this morning," Harry said when the soup had been served.

"He writes that they are well, that he is working hard and learning loads. They'll be staying in that area for a while. Severus has been making friends with their neighbor and is now on a short holiday with him and his friends on horse, no magic," he snorted.

The others laughed. "I bet he cheats," Ron said.

"Do you?" McGonagall said, "I'll take you up on that. Five galleons he will last the week without magic."

"Done!" Ron said. The others joined in the betting, ending up with the two women having faith in Severus' skills to impersonate a muggle, and the men absolutely sure he would cheat.

Despite his father being a muggle, the fact that he had also been a firstclass jerk had prevented Severus from learning muggle skills. He had picked up some in his spying days, and prior to the journey with Neville, Hermione and Harry had trained him in some basics that were just fun and had nothing to do with a) spying b) torturing or c) killing. Although after three days on horseback, he wasn't so sure about the torturing anymore. His riding skills weren't bad, but he had never been on a horse THIS long before. It was beginning to feel like a very local cruciatus had been applied to his…. certain areas of his body. Years of enduring Voldemort's torture, however, had trained him not to let it show.

Brett and his friends though, knew perfectly well what the newest member of their group must feel like, considering they'd all felt the same the first few times they were on horseback this long. They had planned the route carefully.

The forest area they were currently riding through was beautiful. They were following a small stream. Suddenly the trees gave way to an open spot and Severus saw a gorgeous waterfall, twenty feet high. Large rocks surrounded the water. Brett called a halt.

"This is one of our favorite spots, Sef, so we thought we'd spend tomorrow here if you don't mind."

Severus looked around. "This is a pleasant place," he commented.

One of Brett's friends snorted. "You really are one for understatements, aren't you? Are you sore?"

Severus stood up straight. "I'm fine."

Brett walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder, happy when his new friend didn't jerk away like he had done so many times before.

"We were all pretty sore on our first long trips, Sef. No shame in admitting that. Come on, we'll tend to the horses and then have a nice swim."

Elsewhere

"If one of you ever has the nerve to stick a needle into me again, I'm gonna…gonna…"

"Gonna do what? Look, we've put up with being tortured for every little mistake for far too long. We're not going back to that. We're only here, together, because we have some common interests, like killing the Potter brat. How's that coming along, Ben?"

"Oh, perfectly fine. Harry is beginning to consider me a friend now that we are planning that project together. It will take place next week."

"Excellent! We'll finally be rid of him. Imagine the shock of the wizarding world when their savior is killed before the first anniversary of his victory!"

"But Snape…"

GROANS

"Snape is DEAD. Get over it. It's not like we will miss the traitor…well, perhaps his hangover potions. If you can ever prove that he is alive, I promise I will bodypaint a dark mark and dance naked in the Ministry."

Hey Neville,

It was nice to hear from you. Glad you and your cousin are doing so well. At the rate you're going you'll be a full healer by the time you get back. Hermione says that some of the stuff you described in your last letter are very advanced. She's very jealous that you found such a great teacher and insists you teach her everything you've learned when you get back.

We have some bets going on here. Minerva and Hermione think that your cousin can make it through the week on holiday with muggles without cheating and using magic. Remus, Ron and I have bet 5 galleons each that he WILL cheat. You'll let us know, won't you?

Things are going well here. Next week ( by the time this letter reaches you we've possibly already started) is the project week. You'd have loved it had we done something like this when we were still in school! Herbology and Potions have joined forces, and muggle studies has chipped in by doing a lecture on muggle chemistry. Apart from the practical classes in the morning, there will also be joined lectures and demonstrations by the professors. Remus, Minerva and I will do a demonstration on the use of Transfiguration when duelling! I'm going to duel Minerva! As you can tell, I'm in for some major humiliation.

Ben and I are going to do a class and a lecture on the more dangerous plants one might encounter and how to defeat them. Ok, Ben insisted on 'avoid them' but what's the fun in that? But hey, if anyone knows his plants, it's Benjamin Lance. Had Snape been alive to teach potions, he would have enjoyed working with this man, I'm sure.

You'll be glad to hear that Scrimgeour has been removed as Minister (that you already knew, of course) and that the new Minister for Magic is none other then (dundundun) Arthur!

Now that all his family members are well and home from the hospital, over 85 percent of voters agreed that he was the best for the job. Of course, he WAS running against Fudge (who wanted his old job back), so no competition.

Anyway, hope to hear from you soon (best would be if we could meet up sometime, but I guess we'll just have to be patient),

Oh, and the others send their love too. Ron just hit me upside the head, claiming Hermione sends you her love but he wishes you the best. Bit of a dubious statement if you ask me. OUCH! Just got smacked again. Gotta go and hit him back.

Harry

Neville grinned. Didn't sound like his friends had changed much, even if they were professors now. He thought wistfully of Hogwarts. He knew that part of the reason the Trio had decided to stay was to rebuild the castle, but Harry in any case also needed the time to adjust to a world in which he was not constantly haunted by an evil maniac. Defeating Voldemort had taken more out of him then he had initially thought, and Hogwarts was the perfect resting place and his only home. And apparently he had found a new friend in the Herbology professor.

He smirked at the reference to Severus' death in the letter. They had agreed that they had to be careful when writing, so they always referred to Severus as Neville's cousin, and talked about Snape frequently so that should the letter ever be intercepted, no one would doubt that they knew him to be dead. For some morbid reason, Severus quite enjoyed reading those references.

At the waterfall.

Severus was incredibly happy for the day's rest. They had set up camp, slept late the next morning, and enjoyed swimming in the surprisingly clear water. Brett had taught him how to fish the muggle way, and together they caught enough to roast over the fire later.

"Relaxing place, isn't it?" Brett said, splashing his feet in the water.

They sat happily on the rocks, eating lunch. The other men had gone to take the horses for a short ride, as the inactivity made the animals restless.

"Very," Severus agreed, laying back lazily, feeling completely relaxed and at peace for the first time in longer then he could remember.

Brett observed him silently. "You know, I've never seen you this relaxed. You always give the impression of being extremely tense and on guard. Like now," he added, seeing the other man stiffen and black eyes watching him warily. Severus relaxed when he realized the other man meant no harm.

"My life has been very hectic for a very long time," he admitted, "My cousin and I left England last fall to travel and just get away from things. Well, he has to study of course, but I came mainly to learn how to relax. Neville saw I was in need of a sabbatical and invited me along."

Brett nodded. "I don't see Neville that often, but he's a kind young man. And when he has grown up a little more, he'll have to fight off the girls. My thirteen year old is already eyeing him with that special teenage adoration look she has."

Severus grinned. "I don't think Neville has realized that. He has always been overshadowed by his classmates. And I didn't make life easier on him either," he added ruefully.

"You were his teacher then?" Brett asked, surprised.

Severus realized his mistake, but he hadn't lost his skill in making up lies. Or half-truths.

"Yes, I was. I was particularly hard on him because I didn't want anyone to think I'm a nepotism. In hindsight, I ended up being quite unfair to him. He has forgiven me for it, though, once he was out of school and we got to know each other better outside the teacher-student setting."

Brett was about to make a comment on that, when they suddenly heard an eery cracking above their heads.

A huge branch from the tree they were sitting under came crashing down. Severus looked up, saw the danger and before he even realized it, had pulled Brett down to protect him with his body. His magic flared and formed a shield. The branch bounced off it and landed 15 feet away.

The magic retreated into his body and he panted, relieved. Until he saw Brett's eyes locking on to his own.

"You're a wizard," the shaken man blankly stated.