A/N: All JKRs except for one major OC and a couple of minor ones.
Full spring came, and with it graduation. The first of the two commencements was held on the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. Last year's seventh year class all returned from their jobs and advanced training to attend. They were housed in their old house rooms for one last week and had the run of the school.
As often happens with returning graduates, the school had changed in their absence and they all looked around carefully to inspect the differences. The marriage of their most feared professor was their greatest shock and topic of conversation.
"So Neville, what's it like to have Snape married? Do you see them snogging in the halls?" Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas wanted all the details.
"Well, they can't keep their hands off each other, but it's not like that, at all. It's all little touches and stares. He always takes her arm when they go up or down stairs, and they reach for each other's hands when the other one comes into a room. And I'm not sure, but I think he gives her a flower every day. But I've never seen them snogging in the halls." Neville had clearly been looking.
"The day she practiced with us in DA, he came up and looked at us as though we were trying to murder her. Not that we would have gotten the chance. She's good, and fast."
"Is Merrill as tough as Snape is? We got that stare from her during my potions NEWT."
Neville thought for a moment. "She helped us start a club for students who have lost parents. Hers were killed last fall...somehow when the meetings are over, we all feel better about things. On the other hand, she's not just nice. You need to work really hard in class with her.
"Merrill's just as tough, she frowns just as much, and she can be just as sarcastic as Snape, but when class is over and you've done well, she's always got a kind word or a pat on the arm for you. For that matter, Snape's nicer outside of class, too. But don't do anything to get on detention with either one of them. I've heard that they're cleaning out dungeon 4...or rather making the kids on detention do it. And never be in between them when they quarrel." Neville shivered.
"What happened?"
Neville wouldn't say, exactly. "Let's just say that she can throw a hex without looking and that the DA has learned a lot by watching them trade jinxes. I heard McGonagall tell them that if they ever disrupted a meal again, she would deduct house points from Slytherin and Ravenclaw."
The Snapes were also discussed in the Slytherin common room.
"Now that we know her true blood status it's obvious what happened." Draco Malfoy was holding forth. "Professor Snape knew about it all along and this is part of his plan to help the Death Eaters rise up again."
Goyle wasn't convinced. "He's been acting so nice to the other houses. Not like the good old days when he gave them all the hard detentions."
Draco smiled, "That's the plan. If we all seem to go along with the others, they won't expect it when we finally rise up and take what is ours." He looked around the room, noting that several seemed to agree but not all.
"Or, perhaps, Draco, the Professor and his wife would just like to live their lives peacefully in a world without worry about the next war."
Everyone was startled to see Professor Snape in their midst.
"Indeed, Mr. Malfoy, perhaps the Professor and his wife would not appreciate being discussed in this manner."
The room emptied while the young man exchanged a glare with his mentor's more sardonic expression.
"Draco, you were weary of being a Death Eater at this time last year."
"It got messed up, but we can do it right, now."
"The only way to get it right is not to do this at all. There are many ways to have power, Draco. Dominating some people while abusing others won't accomplish it, not really. It's far too exhausting to keep that sort of thing going."
"I'm not just going to bow down to Harry Potter," spat Draco.
"Nor would I expect you to do. Nor do I do it. There's a vast difference between that and what you propose. I suggest you look for a middle path. Potter does not want to subjugate those who lost the war. He wants all parties to work together. As does Minister Shacklebolt."
"You've been brainwashed, Professor."
Professor Snape sighed. "At the very least, you should pick a better site for your gatherings. This school is friendly to Slytherins but not to Death Eaters."
The night before graduation, a special meeting of Dumbledore's Army was held in the fifth floor classroom.
Harry wanted one last chance to speak to his friends, classmates, and housemates.
"I just wanted to thank you all for your hard work, patience, and perseverance. During the battles here at our school it was our group that showed what Hogwarts is about. I want to specially thank Neville, here, whose bravery in keeping you going and during the last battle made the victory possible. Thank you all."
Everyone applauded, turning to Neville to include him.
"I also wanted you to know that there is still work to be done, and to ask that you consider working as aurors or joining the Order of the Phoenix. Meanwhile, enjoy the feast!" Harry said, while the tables in the room filled with food.
While everyone was milling around, Harry caught Neville's arm. "Can I speak with you a moment?"
They went out into the hallway.
"Neville...I don't think you ever knew this, but when you killed the snake, you really did make Voldemort's destruction possible."
"Harry, I just killed a snake. You killed the most powerful wizard of our time."
"A piece of Voldemort was alive in that snake. Actually, in killing the snake, you made sure that he could not come back to life again. You're a hero, Neville. You accomplished what your parents worked for."
Neville couldn't speak. He was suddenly exhausted and invigorated all at once.
"Anyhow, I've been asked to see if you, specifically, want to train with the aurors. We can use great men like you."
Neville shook his head and smiled. "Thanks, mate, I'll think about it, but I really want to work in herbology."
The next morning dawned bright and fair. The students filed onto a podium set up near the grave of Headmaster Dumbledore. It was a joyous occasion, but solemn, as well, and more than one parent shed a tear as they watched their grown-up children come in.
Headmistress McGonagall gave the final address:
"Young men and women, today you officially receive your graduation from Hogwarts School. Unofficially, you fulfilled that accomplishment a year ago today when you fought here so valiantly. I was never so proud of a graduating class as I have been of you and the underclassmen who fought along side of you. Each of you has accomplished great things and I believe every one of you will accomplish more great things in your lifetime.
"Never forget the evil you conquered. Never forget that evil will find new ways to return to our lives. If each of us individually works to combat that evil, especially within ourselves, we will always be victorious. You have also found that if all of you work together, you will find great strengths. Never forget that.
"We will always honor your hard work and bravery and also honor those of your friends who were lost forever in the Battle." She stopped for a moment and then went on.
"You came here, almost eight years ago, now, and were sorted into different houses. You have learned and competed from those houses, but last year you fought together as Hogwarts. We therefore send you out into the world not as Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin or Hufflepuff, but as Hogwarts graduates. Hogwarts, all!"
"HOGWARTS, ALL!"
Everyone rose to their feet and joined the cheer.
"Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, I present to you the graduating class!"
There were many emotions at the feast in the Great Hall. It was a joyous occasion but it was also the anniversary of a terrible battle, at the scene of that battle. Most of the parents had not been back since that day. It was still arranged almost as before with the tables for each house under house banners. However, in the space where Voldemort's final spell had destroyed him forever, there was a new monument.
The Board of Governors had wanted to erect a statue of Harry Potter, but Harry had asked to have a statue that reflected the lives that were lost and the bravery of all who had fought. Therefore, in the middle of the circle was Headmaster Dumbledore, surrounded by the many who had died to save Hogwarts from the enemy: Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks, Fred Weasley, and all of the others. The plaque for the monument read, in part: IN GRATEFUL MEMORY TO THOSE WHO WORKED AGAINST DARKNESS FOR THE SAKE OF HOGWARTS SCHOOL.
Wandering through the school, several visitors came upon the swamp created by the Weasley twins on the day they left school. It had been kept in their honor, and now had a new plaque of it's own: MAINTAINED IN MEMORY OF FRED WEASLY WHO WITH HIS BROTHER GEORGE CREATED THIS SWAMP IN DEFIANCE OF OPPRESSION.
Severus and Barbara had waved the Hogwarts Express back toward London and were turned back toward home. They quietly discussed the events of the day, including the look on Molly Weasley's face as she stood gazing at the plaque by the swamp. As they were walking toward the school, they discovered a house that was for sale.
"Look at how close to the school it is!" Barbara said. "It could be perfect for us!"
"Yes...I'll send an owl to the agent tonight."
"Severus...if we can buy the house...I would like to do something." She outlined her idea. "I'd like to offer a home to children who are orphaned by the war during the holidays and vacations. Some of them don't have a very good situation."
He smiled down on her. "I think that could work...and I think it would use that skill of yours to good advantage...do you think we could start with Slytherin students?"
"That's a wonderful idea."
"I love you for thinking of it."
A/N: thank you to my kind reviewers! An adjustment was made to the graduation speech, due to a suggestion from reviewer Mark Darcy.