Harry was pacing distractedly when the door to the hospital room burst open. He turned instinctually, then relaxed when he saw that it was just a very frenzied Potions Master. Stowing his wand, he smiled.

"Severus-"

Harry found himself cut off when he was dragged into a hard kiss. He could feel the relief practically pouring off the harried man wrapped around him, and he grinned a little goofily when the Potions Master pulled away to stare at him in concern. Hands slid over his arms and back questingly, as if Severus were reassuring himself that Harry was indeed standing before him.

"Are you alright?" Severus demanded, looking him over critically.

Harry nodded. "I'm fine. Just a few scratches." He winced when searching hands touched a bruise on his shoulder that was hidden by his shirt. "And a few bruises." He amended.

Severus scowled. "What happened?" He snarled, his hands hardening in their grip on Harry's shoulders. "Your letter just said you were in the hospital…the newspaper said you were in a fight with a werewolf!"

Harry winced again. "I'm sorry. I was trying to tell you before you heard it from the Prophet, and I didn't realize how poorly I'd worded my letter. I'm fine, really," He swore. "We were in Wales, following up on some rumors about missing livestock and random attacks. When we arrived, we forgot it was the full moon, and we were attacked. Master Ailin got the brunt of the attack. As soon as the werewolf was dispatched, I floo'd Master here for treatment." Harry gestured to the lone bed in the room.

Severus looked over and stepped away from Harry surreptitiously, his features falling impassive. He cleared his throat as Harry turned to find his Master sitting up against her pillows, awake and watching them. Harry cleared his own throat and looked away from her curious gaze. Oops.

"Ailin…are you well?" Severus asked, his voice strained.

"Well enough," Harry's Master said, giggling. "I'd be a lot worse if it weren't for my apprentice. Harry saved my life, and those of the villagers. You'd have been proud of him, Severus. He took on a fully transformed werewolf all on his lonesome and walked away with just a few bumps. As for me, the Mediwizard said I'd be fine. Just a concussion, and a couple broken ribs."

"And a punctured lung," Harry pointed out, smirking at his Master.

"Well, yes, there was that," She agreed, smiling. "How goes your summer, Severus?"

Severus cleared his throat again. "My experiments are coming along nicely," He said. "I was actually working on something when I received word from your esteemed apprentice. I should be returning to it."

"Oh, you're leaving so soon?" The Defense Master crooned playfully.

Harry snickered as Severus cleared his throat a third time. "I'm sure we'll see Severus at the school," He said lightly. "And you need your rest, Master."

Before anything else could be said, a knock on the door interrupted the slightly awkward moment. A man Harry didn't recognize came in, nodding at everyone present in turn. Severus shifted, touching the back of Harry's hand.

"I should go," He murmured uncomfortably.

Harry nodded and watched the Potions Master leave, gracefully sidling past the man in the doorway. Harry turned to the man he didn't know, who was holding a ribbon-bound scroll in his hands. He looked important, or at the very least self-important.

"I'm sorry, Master Ailin isn't allowing visitors right now," Harry told the stiff-necked man.

"Actually, I'm here for you, Mister Potter." Harry frowned as the man held out the scroll. "I am Harvey Kinsburg, from the Mastery Department in the Ministry. I've been sent to present you with your letter of commendation, as soon as we heard of your return to London. After having reviewed your Master's memories, we have agreed with her assessment that you've fulfilled your role of Apprentice admirably. Congratulations, Defense Master Potter."

Harry gaped as he took the scroll that was pressed into his palm. He found himself speechless as the man, Kinsburg, shook his other hand and left the hospital room. Turning, he stared at his Master aghast, whereas she stared back with a grin that very nearly split her face.

"Surprise!" She shouted, laughing. "That's why we returned to London a couple weeks ago! The way you faced down that Manticore with me in Germany, I knew you were ready, so I submitted your apprenticeship to the Mastery Review Board. Your surviving a single-handed bout with a werewolf has only substantiated my claims. Congratulations! Are you happy? Go on, say you're happy."

"I-I'm ecstatic!" Harry claimed as his own grin split across his face. "Thank you! Thank you so much, Master Ailin!"

The witch giggled delightedly. "Well, it's just 'Ailin' now, but you're very welcome Harry. You've earned it. Of course, I still expect you to return with me to Hogwarts this term, as my Assistant, so I can groom you to take over as the Defense instructor." She paused with a wry smile. "I'm sure you and Severus will have much more to talk about, now that you're both Masters of your crafts."

Harry blushed. "Um…about that. You didn't…I mean, we weren't…You weren't awake when he, er, came in, were you?"

"I was," Ailin confirmed, deepening Harry's blush. "And I thought his concern for your well-being was absolutely inspiring. Don't worry, though. I know how to keep a secret, almost as well as you apparently can. You go on, now. Go tell your friends the good news, and leave me to my rest."

Harry nodded, his grin returning as he looked at the letter in his hands. He turned to leave, then turned back, his grin softening as he looked at his Master. It didn't matter what she said, Severus was right. Your Master never stopped being your Master, they just became your friend as well…if you were lucky.

"Thank you, really, Master. I can't…There aren't words to express my gratitude," He told her quietly. "I couldn't have asked for a better teacher, if one even exists."

"Oh, Harry," Ailin sniffled. She wiped at her eye, and Harry caught the glisten of tears. "That's so sweet. Shoo, now, before I start to suffer from a bleeding heart on top of everything else."

Harry chuckled and turned to leave again. He had a lot of floo calls to make, and though he knew he should tell Hermione or the Weasley's first, he knew his first call would be to Spinner's End. Severus would probably be upset that he had missed being able to congratulate him in person by just a few moments, but it would still be an easier firecall. Hermione was going to be a squealing wreck of congratulations, and Molly would probably demand that she be allowed to throw him some sort of party.