Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. It all belongs to JK Rowling.

Author's note: To the readers, please review. I really put effort into this chapter so please review so that I know that my hard work has paid off.

Chapter 2

The Heroes' Ceremony

Snape knocked on Dumbledore's door. "Enter," said Dumbledore. Snape opened the door and went inside. Dumbledore was standing next to Fawkes, his Phoenix and was stroking his pet's feathers. When Dumbledore saw Snape, he smiled at him. "Please sit down Severus," said Dumbledore.

Snape sat down on the chair near to Dumbledore's desk. "Albus, I have to talk to you," muttered Snape.

"What is it about, Severus?" asked Dumbledore. He turned to Snape and focused his attention to him.

"I have to leave Hogwarts. That means I'm resigning," said Snape shortly. "I do hope you'll find a Potions Master soon," added Snape. He stood up from his chair and headed towards the door but Dumbledore grabbed his elbow.

"Severus, please enlighten me with your predicament. Of all the times of departure, you picked the time of peace for leaving," said Dumbledore lightly.

Snape faced Dumbledore. "I'm sorry for the rudeness Dumbledore but I really have to leave the Wizarding World. Now that peace is restored, I don't seem to know who I am anymore, playing double agent and all. I just want to get away from it all. I want to spend some time searching myself."

Dumbledore looked at him intently as though reading Snape's mind. "I understand," said Dumbledore.

"You do?" asked Snape surprised. "I know you can understand me. I thought besides you, Hermione would understand -," he stopped after mentioning Hermione.

"But she didn't understand, did she?"

"No, I know I would be hurting her by leaving her but she's a smart witch. She should have understood what I was feeling. I explained to her everything but she-,"

"Loves you," Dumbledore cut him off. "She doesn't want you to go. I know in your heart you really don't want to leave. Do you?"

"Of course, I really don't want to go. It's a tough decision I have to make. I'm doing this for her. I don't want her loving a person like me, an evil man," said Snape bitterly.

"You're not evil Severus. You risked your life for the good of all. You're a charming gentleman, she deserves to love you," said Dumbledore smiling.

"She doesn't deserve me! She deserves someone better!" exclaimed Snape. He ran his hands in his hair in frustration and paced around Dumbledore's office.

"And that 'someone better' is you," said Dumbledore. Snape stopped pacing. Dumbledore sat down in his chair and surveyed Snape with his half-moon glasses.

Snape went to the fireplace and stared at the fire. "I really love her. She made me live again. In the moments that I thought that I would die, she reached out to me. She took care of me. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here right now. I would have gladly died knowing that nobody was ever going to care when I'm gone. But she was my will to live. I lived for her," said Snape softly.

Snape turned to Dumbledore. "I don't want her spending every waking moment of her life loving a man who doesn't even know himself anymore," said Snape, his voice cracking a bit.

"Are you really sure about this Severus? It isn't late to turn back now."

Snape took a deep breath. "I'm sure."

Before leaving, Snape attended a ceremony in honor of the heroes who fought Voldemort and his Death Eaters. He really did not want to go but he forced himself because it may be the last time that he would be spending his time in Hogwarts and in the Wizarding World.

Everyone was dressed impeccably. Dumbledore was wearing midnight blue robes with gold and silver stars. Even the teachers dressed themselves elaborately. The Great Hall was crowded but Dumbledore Charmed the Hall to expand so that everyone has a place to sit. Not only the students were there but almost all in the Wizarding World attended the ceremony.

Snape sat at the staff table and scanned the Hall. His breath was caught up when he saw Hermione. She was wearing a sparkly white gown. Her hair was expertly tied in a bun with tendrils cascading down her face. She was wearing the sapphire necklace he bought her. There was no other word describing her except beautiful.

"Welcome to all of you!" announced Dumbledore in a loud voice. "Tonight, we honor all those who fought against the Dark Lord Voldemort. All those who lived and all those who perished deserve a night to celebrate their heroism!"

Everyone clapped. Hermione smiled at Harry, Ron, and Ginny. They all survived but some were not so lucky.

"I hope they hurry up with the ceremony, I'm getting hungry," said Ron amid the clapping.

"Oh Ron, when will you learn to hold your stomach even for a little while?" asked Hermione jokingly.

"But before we get to the ceremony, let us all eat first because I know some of you do not know to hold their stomachs while I'm speaking," said Dumbledore smiling at Ron. Ron's face flushed and he smiled back at Dumbledore.

They all sat down and started the feast. "Hermione, you really look beautiful tonight," complimented Ron.

"Stop flirting with me Ron but thanks anyway," said Hermione smirking. Ron blushed. Harry and Ginny snorted.

"Now that we're finished with school, I can finally fulfill my dreams of becoming an Auror," said Harry smiling.

"I'm right there with you mate," said Ron happily.

"And I'm going to be a seventh year!" exclaimed Ginny.

"What about you Neville?" asked Harry.

"I'm going to further my studies in Herbology. Professor Sprout said that I could be her apprentice," said Neville proudly.

Soon, every seventh year Gryffindors were exchanging their plans after Hogwarts.

"How about you, Hermione?" asked Lavender.

"Oh, I was thinking of becoming a professor," said Hermione looking at her plate.

"Figures," commented Seamus.

Everyone including Hermione laughed. "I knew my predictions were right! Even Professor Trelawney agrees with me that you will become a professor!" said Parvati excitedly.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were smirking at each other. "Guess we didn't see that coming," Ron said sarcastically. That caused another round of laughter.

"I think you want to spend more time with Snape, isn't that right Hermione?" asked Harry.

Hermione did not answer rather just smiled a little. Ron's ears were red. He shoved food into his mouth so that he could not participate in the "Snape Talk".

Hermione was glad that Harry accepted fully her relationship with Snape. At first, Harry did not believe her but knowing her for seven years, he figured out that Hermione has finally found solace in their dreaded Potions Master.

Ron was a different issue, though. He nearly disowned Hermione as best friend when he heard about them. But after Harry had talked Ron into his senses, he apologized to Hermione and accepted Hermione and Snape's relationship grudgingly. Hermione know why he was acting that way. Ron was in love with her but he did not have a place in her heart except as a best friend and it would always remain that way. But Ron still did not give up. He was still hoping that Hermione would realize that it was Ron she needed. Ron kept his hopes. He flirted with Hermione half-jokingly but when she finally gave him a piece of her mind about that, he got the message.

Now that everyone was finished eating, Dumbledore stood up. "Now it is time for the ceremony in honor of the heroes," said Dumbledore. "I would like to call the Minister of Magic himself, Rufus Scrimgeour."

Everyone clapped as Scrimgeour stood up in recognition at the staff table. He cleared his throat and announced loudly: "Without further ado, I, in behalf of the Wizarding World would gladly present Mr Harry James Potter, First Class Order of Merlin for ending forever the tyranny of V-Voldemort." (After the downfall of Voldemort, everyone in the Wizarding World is quite brave to say the name out loud but they still stutter.)

As Harry went to accept his Order of Merlin, everyone stood up in their seats and clapped enthusiastically. Ron, Fred, and George whooped. Scrimgeour gave him the medal and shook his hand. Dumbledore embraced Harry like a son. Hagrid pulled Harry into a bone-breaking hug. All the teachers including Snape shook his hand.

"I would like to say that I did not defeat Voldemort alone. I always had my three best friends Ron and Hermione in fighting him. Through all the hardships, they did not abandon me. I know for seven years, they could have left me but they stuck for me. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them," said Harry smiling. Hermione was crying with happiness and Ron's eyes were becoming glassy.

"I want to thank Mr and Mrs Weasley and the rest of the family for accepting me in their home and The Burrow became a real home to me than in Privet Drive."

The whole Weasley family with Fleur (Bill's wife) was smiling. Like Hermione, Mrs Weasley was crying. Mr Weasley patted her hand.

"Professor Dumbledore, thank you for helping me, for being a mentor, and for being always there for me." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"And last but not the least, I dedicate this award to Sirius, my godfather and my parents," said Harry. Tears fell down from his face. "Even though they are not here right now, I know they are very proud of me.

"This is to all of you!"

Everyone applauded Harry. As he went back to his seat, people either clapped him on the shoulder or shook his hand.

After the clapping had stopped, Dumbledore rose up again. "We honor those who fought against Voldemort. For the heroes," Dumbledore raised his glass.

"For the heroes!" everyone said. They drank up to them.

"The night is young! Let us celebrate the triumph of the heroes!" exclaimed Dumbledore.

With a sweep of his wand, the long house tables were gone and a band entered the Great Hall with their instruments and started to play. Soon, everyone was on their feet inviting others to dance with them.

Harry danced with Luna, Ginny with Neville, Dumbledore with McGonagall, and other pairs dancing to the slow music. Snape saw Hermione sitting and Ron approaching her. Snape hurried to get to her first before Ron so that he could dance with her.

"Would you like to dance with me?" asked Ron and Snape simultaneously.