The following weeks kept Harry on his toes. He had cancelled the weekend meetings with Snape, being afraid he might not be able to study enough for his N.E.W.T.s. He was determined to pass his tests, not willing to risk the possibility of being student here for another year.
Finally the week of the exams arrived. The first one to take place was Potions, a fact he had surely hated two years ago. Now it felt like a good to start to sit in the dungeons with Snape in sight, even though he was there merely for observance and not for guidance.
Harry took a deep breath and started with the theoretical part of the test.
All the extra effort seemed to have been worth their while. With every question he could answer he grew more confident.
After two hours they had a quick break and then the practical part of the test was due. They had to create "Dreamless Draught" and Harry started with a smile in his face that didn't falter until they were done and he had his flask on the desk.
Together with Hermione and Neville he went up into the Great Hall to get a bite to eat.
.
After that the days began to blur into each other. Harry was heading up and down the floors and corridors, running from one test to the other. The only one he was really aware of was DADA, which happened to be the last one.
Like two years ago when Harry had taken his O.W.L.s, the examiner asked him to perform a Patronus to receive extra points.
Harry looked over at his classmates and frowned. "Will the others be asked as well so that they can get extra points?"
The examiner smiled at him. "Well, Mr Potter, surely you understand that I can't ask everybody. I am making an exception here."
"I don't want you to make an exception. Everybody knows that I can perform a Patronus it's been all over the bloody papers! I know for a fact that there are several other people in this room who can do it. And no, I don't understand why you can't ask them as well." Harry hadn't noticed that he had gotten louder with every word. The room was very quiet and everyone was looking at him.
"I assume I'm done, sir?" He didn't wait for an answer, turned on his heal and stormed out.
Harry was so tired of being treated differently it left him feeling irritated. It was not fair that he should be able to get some extra points while others didn't get the chance.
Still deep in his thoughts he rushed around a corner and crashed into the solid form of his teacher and mentor. The impact left them both struggling for balance and Snape had his hands around Harry's arms. As both of them were standing firmly again, Snape took his hands back.
"Sorry, Professor," Harry mumbled.
"That doesn't seem to be the appropriate mood for just having had the last exam. Did something happen, Harry?" Snape asked looking enquiringly at him.
Harry sighed and shrugged his shoulders.
"Want to take a walk outside with me?"
Harry tilted his head. "I know that might sound weird but somehow I had the impression that you would hardly leave the castle." He shook his head. That really was a stupid thought. "Yes, I would like that," he answered.
"I do indeed spend more time inside the walls of Hogwarts. But once in a while even I do need fresh air. Especially after some two-years have managed to drop dungbombs in the dungeons."
"Yuck!"
For some strange reasons smell wasn't so easily come by with magic as dirt.
"I bet anything that those particular students have seen Professor Snape at his best."
"Certainly, Mr Potter. It was an excellent way to polish my reputation, which has suffered so greatly that rumours have been spread about me laughing while I'm amongst students. Can you believe it?"
"No, Professor. This is too much of a stretch for my imagination, sir."
Snape snorted. "Rumours say that there had been Gryffindors in this very same room when I was supposedly laughing. Now that is just absurd!"
"Absolutely!" Harry slowly started to smile. The banter with Snape lifted his mood.
"Did I really laugh?" Snape asked quietly.
"As a matter of fact you did. Everyone was staring at you as if you had suddenly grown a second head."
"This is bad. Very bad." Snape sighed loudly. "But enough of me and my reputation. What happened?"
They were outside now and turned towards the lake. Harry told Snape about the incident with the examiner and how unfair he thought it was.
"I hope he doesn't fail me because of me yelling at him."
Snape glanced briefly at Harry. "Nobody would take him serious if he would fail you, Harry. You are the one who destroyed Voldemort. Do you think he could really fail you?"
Harry shook his head. "It probably wouldn't be a smart move."
"It wouldn't be. And in a way you used your fame to let him know that he is a toady. Which is not the worst way to be a celebrity mind you."
Harry grinned. "You mean as long as I don't act like Lockhart?"
Snape looked at Harry. "I don't even know how to describe him without wasting too many words."
Harry thought for a moment. "How about narcistic shell of nothing?"
Snape arched an eyebrow. "Not bad for a starter. But let's not waste our time over Lockhart."
They walked in silence for a while. Harry noticed the looks the two of them were getting when they came across other students.
"Professor, do you actually notice the amount of interested glances we get because you are seen with me?"
"Maybe people are wondering why the famous saviour of the wizarding world hangs out with the hateful Potions teacher. They probably believe you could do much better then that."
Harry snorted. "I don't give a shit what they think."
Snape looked at him. "Language, Potter," he said but winked at him before he looked ahead again. "But I'm glad you don't."
Harry smiled.
They turned back towards the castle and Snape asked Harry what he would be doing with his free time until the end of the term next week.
Harry sighed. "I should decide what I am going to do with my life. I don't want to me an Auror anymore. I've had enough of that to last a lifetime."
Snape nodded beside him. "I don't blame you."
"Well, but I have no clue what to do. The only thing I was ever good in was DADA."
"I've heard you've improved in other classes as well after the war. Just look at how much better you've gotten with Potions now that you can concentrate on it instead of either getting into trouble or worrying your head of."
Harry laughed. "I did not get into trouble on purpose."
Snape snorted with laughter but didn't say anything.
"Maybe I should start with what I don't want to do. Which would be Divination-"
Another snort from the tall wizard beside him made Harry grin.
"And I definitely don't want to get any deeper into History of Magic. That is just so boring everybody falls asleep in Professor Binns' class."
Now Snape chuckled. "Let me assure you that you haven't been the first and will not be the last who happens to doze of in his class."
"Only Hermione had the amazing ability to stay awake and take notes. But then again she's brilliant in everything. She's just so smart. I envy her sometimes. She has every possibility and can do whatever she wants. And Neville will become a Healer." Harry sighed.
"And he will be a good one now that he's grown some backbone. But why aren't you taking your Master in DADA? Seems like a logical solution to me."
Harry looked thoughtfully at Snape for a moment. That thought had never crossed his mind. As a matter of fact, there hadn't been many thoughts at all about his future before Voldemort had been dead.
"That might be a good idea." Harry smiled at Snape. Even though he wasn't sure what he would do afterwards, he would have two years to think about it while being a trainee.
They had nearly reached the castle as Hermione came towards them.
.
Severus watched the young witch approach. He was surprised that she turned to him after she had greeted them both.
"Professor, could I have a word please?"
"Certainly, Mrs Granger."
"I better be of then. See you later," Harry said and left them.
Severus looked after him for a moment then he turned his attention towards one of Harry's best friends. She seemed to be a little nervous and he began wondering what she had on her mind.
"What can I do for you, Mrs Granger?"
tbc
AN: Any ideas what Hermione wants from Severus? :o)