Disclaimer: Can be found in the first chapter.

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Chapter 21: Hogwarts Rearranged

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"Everybody quiet down," Minerva commanded.

The great hall fell silent immediately. Everyone was staring at the two young faces at the staff table. Muttering broke across the hall when the students saw Harry sitting next to Severus.

"As you all know, Professor Dumbledore has been relieved of his post as Headmaster," Minerva said, standing in front of the table. "Because of that, I have taken over the post of Headmistress."

The hall applauded a bit, internally relieved that Dumbledore was no longer headmaster.

"As for the two new faces at the staff table, Harry and Hermione have both more than surpassed their NEWT level tests," she continued, drawing a sharp inhale form the students. "Harry will take the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, as well as Head of Gryffindor."

The hall erupted in applause and cheering. After a moment, the students quieted down again.

"Hermione will be taking up my old post as Transfiguration professor," she continued.

"Draco Malfoy, please come up here," Severus said, standing from his seat. He glanced at Minerva, who nodded.

The students eyes followed Draco as he left the Slytherin table, and took his seat next to Hermione. They clasped hands, and then set them on the table.

"One last minute change, will be that Draco Malfoy will become the first through third year Potions Professor, allowing Professor Snape more time to devote to his newly bonded."

The hall gasped, finding out that Severus had a bonded lover. They then looked to the left of where Severus was sitting, saw him holding Harry's hand, and exploded in rage.

"Quiet down!" Minerva barked, getting instant silence. "Professor Snape and Professor Potter have been together for the majority of the year, and anyone who has something negative to say about it will be expelled on the spot. We have no place for petty rivalries in this school.

"Now, dig in," Minerva said, as the tables filled with food.

The hall was filled with shocked mutterings about the newly confirmed relationship between Harry and Severus.

"I don't buy the relationship," Ron said, standing up from his seat at the far end of Gryffindor table.

"Shut up, Mr. Weasley," Harry said, smirking. "Or it'll be a month of detentions scrubbing toilets."

"I'll take the detention," Ron said, glaring at him. "It's a pile of dragon dung. You're only doing it for the publicity."

"Pack your things and get out, Mr. Weasley," Minerva said, standing. "You were warned, and now you pay the price. And your tryout with the Cannons, you can forget about it."

"Why?" Ron demanded, infuriated.

"Dumbledore is sitting in Azkaban as we speak, and, therefore, he can no longer vouch for your skills," Minerva said, smirking slightly. "Now kindly remove yourself from my school. I have children who actually want to learn."

~*~

Harry and Severus retreated to thier quarters after dinner, mostly to escape the muttering.

"Snape must have forced him into it."

"It's not possible for anyone to find the greasy git attractive."

"Harry, why?"

Harry growled as he made it into their quarters, slamming the door behind himself.

"I've had it with these morons," Harry said, pacing the living room.

"Harry, come here," Severus said, standing and holding his arms open.

Harry walked to the older man, embracing him tightly.

"You know their only saying it because they can't believe it," Severus said, inhaling slightly as he felt Harry's lips on his neck. He gasped as he felt the fangs puncture his skin, and Harry started feeding from him.

Harry had needed it, especially when his blood lust flared to a dangerous level in the hall. He wanted to grab Severus and feed right in the hall, but that would be unnecessary, as no one other than the select few knew of his secret. He licked the wound after a short while, closing it.

"I can tell you needed it," Bella said, watching the pair from her doorway. "What happened?"

Harry sat on the couch as he explained the happenings in the hall. When he got to the part about Ron getting expelled, Bella whooped.

"Well, I see that the school is going to have some issues with the newly announced relationship between you two," Narcissa said, joining them in the living room. "But you two are strong. You'll get through this. Besides, you can both give detentions now, as can these two."

Draco and Hermione entered the room, looking somewhat annoyed.

"Bombarded by idiots!" Draco muttered, shaking his head. "'Oh, is it true?' or 'Harry can't love Snape!' It's ridiculous!"

"Ginny says to tell you that she supports you, as do her family, minus the menace," Hermione said, walking over to give Harry a hug.

"Thanks, guys," Harry said, his Vampire under control again.

"Tomorrow's going to be rough," Severus said, looking to Harry. "All the rumors that are sure to fly about tonight."

"I'll deal with it in my classes," Harry said, shrugging. "No one will want to spread rumors about me."

~*~

The next day, Harry stood at the front of his classroom, waiting for his first class. It was Sixth year Gryffindors and Slytherins, which was sure to be fun. Ginny would be in this class, and she'd be ready to back him up should any thing happen.

After the class filed in and took their seats, Harry cleared his throat. The class went instantly silent.

"Good morning," Harry said, looking over the students. "You all know who I am, why I'm teaching, and who I'm with. Should I hear that any of you have anything to say on the last two topics, I will seek you out personally. My life is what I choose it to be, not what anyone else believes."

"But why Professor Snape?" a blonde boy in the back asked.

"Because he is the only person to see me as Harry, not the Boy-Who-Lived," Harry said. "From day one, I was just another student he had to teach."

"When did you take your NEWTs?" a redhead slytherin asked.

"I never actually took them, but I recieved word from the Minister that I was more than qualified to take this position," Harry said. "I can't imagine why."

The class snickered a bit, knowing the joke.

"Is it true that your animagus is a puma?" Ginny asked, earning gasps from the class.

"Yes, it is," Harry said, smirking. "Who wants a demonstration?"

The hands of the class shot up, earning a chuckle from Harry. He then easily turned into the puma, paced around the room a few times, before returning to the front of the room and turning back into his person.

"Wow!" ths class chorus, before erupting into applause.

"Now, you all know the dire consequences of speaking of my relationship with Professor Snape," Harry said, eyeing the Slytherins and Gryffindors. "If I hear that any of you have being talking about it in a negative manner, there will be extreme repercussions."

"Yes, Professor Potter," the class said.

"Call me Harry. Professor Potter sounds much to uptight," Harry said, chuckling.

~*~

"You will all be silent," Severus said, stalking into his first class of the day, seventh year NEWT students. "There will be no questions of my relationship, nor will there be any talk about it. I will not tolerate public interest into my personal life."

"Professor?" Pansy asked, raising her hand cautiously.

"What, Miss Parkinson?" Severus asked, knowing what she was going to ask.

"Can you answer one question," she asked, recieving a nod. "What is it about Potter that you like?"

"He is mature for his age, which is more than can be said about any of you. He knows that things have more depth than can meet the eye at first glance," Severus said, in his smooth whisper. "And he's proven to me that first impressions can be less important than one thinks."

The class was silent, mulling over Severus' words. After a moment, Blaise stood up.

"Professor, I'd like to congratulate you," he said, looking at Severus. "It takes a lot to over come the initial impact someone makes on you."

"Thank you, Mr. Zabini," Severus said. "Now, if you'll all follow the instructions on the board, you have the remainder of the class."

~*~

After Harry's last class of the day, he headed to the Great Hall for the evening meal. He nodded at the students who took him seriously and was happy to take his seat at the head table.

"God, I'm tired," he muttered, resting his head in his hands. "Teaching is taxing as hell."

"You'll get used to it, Harry," Severus said, slipping into his seat next to Harry. "It takes a little getting used to, but you'll get into the swing of things, and you won't be as tired after each day."

"I'm going to need to feed after dinner," Harry whispered, after leaning close to Severus. "The fifth year Slytherins were a pain today."

"No problem," Severus whispered back, kissing Harry's forehead before pulling away.

The students noticed the kiss, and as quickly as it happened, it was forgotten.

"Minerva!" Molly Weasley called, after throwing the doors open. "Why was Ronald expelled?!?"

"We'll talk in my office after dinner," Minerva said, shooing Molly out of the hall. "You two are coming with me."

"Of course, Minerva," Harry said, digging into his food.

~*~

"Now, Molly, what's your concern?" Minerva asked, looking to her.

"Why was Ron expelled yesterday?" Molly asked, somewhat nervously.

"He has a problem with two staff members being in a relationship. As you know, Harry and Severus are together, and Ron has continued to hold onto his grudges," Minerva said, her eyes traveling to the couple entering her office.

"Yes, Molly," Harry said, walking up to her. "Ron refuses to accept that Severus is a good person, and he makes me happy."

Severus walked up behind Harry and slipped his arms around the younger man. He then nuzzled his neck and kissed his cheek.

"He completes me," Harry said, leaning against the older man.

"Molly, I intend to make Harry my husband," Severus said, smiling softly at Harry. "He is my other half."

"You have my blessing, Severus," she said, smiling at the couple. "And Ron was wrong. I'll deal with him tomorrow."

"Thank you, Molly," Harry said, smiling to her.

"Why don't you go down to your rooms," Minerva said, after seeing Molly out.

"Good night, Minerva," Harry and Severus said, before leaving the office.

~*~

"Harry, Severus," Kingsley greeted them, after flooing in.

"Hey, Kingsley," Harry said, sitting on the sofa. "What's up?"

"Dumbledore's trial is in two weeks time," Kingsley said, sitting in an armchair.

"I see," Severus said, sitting next to Harry and placing an arm around him. "Are we expected to testify?"

"Not as much you as Harry and Hermione," Kingsley said, causing Harry to tense slightly.

"Why us?" Harry asked, leaning against Severus in hopes of keeping hold.

"You were the most directly affected by the old man's plans," Kingsley said, eyeing Harry carefully. "And Hermione was indirectly affected when you were targeted, especially when she was younger and more naive."

"What time?" Severus asked.

"Noon," Kingsley said, "on Saturday, in two weeks time."

"We'll be there," Harry said, his voice hard. "I'll notify Hermione."

"Thanks," Kingsley said, rising from his seat. "I must be going."

"Good night," Harry and Severus said. Kingsley waved as he stepped into the floo and disappeared.

"It's almost over," Harry muttered, resting his head on Severus' shoulder.

"That it is," Severus said, holding Harry to him tightly.

~*~

A/N: Here's teh last chapter I'll be getting up for a while. I want to get the ending written before I post the last handful of chapters.

All the feedback I've goten has been wonderful. It's helped shape a couple happenings, but which ones, I'll never tell.

Sorry for those of you who want the new chapters out as soon as they get finished!

-KD