I hereby direct any ire at the ending point of the first scene towards the one who ordered the scene to end there, Potions Master Severus Snape. If you have an issue with it, please take it up with him.

There, now hopefully Yen won't mind me naming her as the beta for this, since she has once again taken it upon herself to improve things and even ordered scenes to be written just so you guys can enjoy them.

The Next Step

Severus made sure he locked and warded his door before even turning around. He was glad he did because Harry was smiling at him, his green eyes bright with desire as he unfastened his robe and made a show of letting it fall over the back of the sofa, before he started on the rest of his clothes.

Severus chuckled, his hands going to the topmost button under his chin. He remembered how much these buttons seemed to tempt Harry and true enough, the young man's eyes had locked onto his fingers, his own clothing forgotten. With a smile, Severus slowly undid that button and the next one and then Harry was in front of him, stumbling a bit with his trousers around his knees, shirt unbuttoned and hanging off of one shoulder.

"Let me, Severus…"

Severus shook his head. The walk back to Hogwarts hadn't quelled his ardour at all, his mind filled with thoughts of what he would do once he had Harry all to himself in his quarters. He was already hard and aching from his imagination. The light brushes of Harry's fingers on his chest as he undid those buttons while looking so temptingly half-dressed would be more than he could bear right now.

He leaned forward and covered those pouting lips with his own, distracting their owner as he rapidly undid all the buttons on his coat and shirt. Lifting his head, he almost laughed at the shocked look on Harry's face.

"How..." Harry moved a hand to touch the exposed chest and pouted once again as Severus took a step back.

Severus moved his hand to his belt buckle and enjoyed how quickly Harry's attention locked onto his fingers as he slid the leather through the catch and then allowed his hand to surround the belt and stroke the leather to the tip before he let it go and tackled his trouser buttons.

"I wanted to..."

Severus finished the last button, and his trousers sagged down, barely being held up by his hips. A small moan escaped Harry and Severus leaned forward to kiss those parted lips once again.

"Next time," he whispered and felt Harry sigh against his lips. He raised his head and shrugged off his coat and shirt. When those green eyes narrowed at him, he knew Harry had caught on to what he was doing. He quickly took a step back and pushed his trousers the rest of the way down.

In an instant, it had become a competition as to who could strip the fastest. Harry grinned at Severus, knowing he had a good head start, but he had forgotten about his lover's sneakiness.

Severus moved with swift, practised grace, his clothes peeling off of him as if by magic. The moment they left his body, they were folded up and floated out of the room, and Severus stood before him, as naked as the day he was born.

"Hey, no magic!" Harry protested. He was already stepping out of his underwear, but it was too late. He didn't notice that his own clothes had followed Severus'

"I win," Severus announced unnecessarily, dark eyes gleaming at Harry's expression. "And I didn't use magic, Harry. I have far more practice getting out of clothes than you. Potion Masters have to be able to do so quickly. The only magic used was the spell that prevents possible dangerously contaminated clothes from touching the floor."

Harry shook his head and grinned as he let his underwear go and it was folded and floated away, heedless of the state of his own arousal.

"I reckon you do. So…" he cocked his head to one side, "since you won fair and square, what's your prize?"

The promising gleam in those beloved eyes made Severus' heart race when they started to trail down his chest, leaving a wave of heat, down his flat stomach and lower to where his arousal jutted out, erect and proud. Severus saw Harry lick his lips and quickly shook his head when the young man stepped forward, preparing to kneel in front of him. He pulled Harry into his arms instead.

"To be inside you, Harry," he whispered against that smiling mouth. "Just to be inside you."

He kissed Harry, walking him backward towards the bedroom at the same time. His bed here was bigger and a lot more comfortable than the one at the Hog's Head. It had always known only one occupant – himself – but tonight, it would gladly welcome another.

Severus pushed the door open and guided Harry inside. He followed him in and nudged the door closed with his foot, one hand reaching blindly behind him to flick the lock. It would have to do.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Harry opened his eyes and laid still for a moment, trying to figure out what was different. It was almost completely dark, but he noted a faint orange blur on one side of the room that had to be the fireplace. He knew he wasn't in his own bed and he wasn't alone. A warm and naked body was spooning his and then last night's memories came back. 'Severus. I am with Severus in his quarters.'

Grinning, he stretched slightly and rolled over, snuggling against the chest that he had missed since September. Breathing in deeply, he remembered what happened last night. Most of it had been spent in this bed alternating between shagging, talking, cuddling and more shagging. Their conversation had ranged between philosophical ideas to common happening of their days - stories that hadn't made it into their letters until they fell asleep at last.

Running his hands over the thighs pressed against his under the covers, Harry smiled when Severus stirred. Strong hands pulled him closer against that naked chest.

"Good morning, Harry."

Harry tipped his head back slightly and gazed up in the direction of Severus' voice. "Morning, Severus. Is there any light in here? I want to see you."

And he did, he had missed seeing Severus' face first thing in the morning. He wrapped his arms around his waist, not wanting him to move away even for a second. He felt Severus stretching and then candle light blossomed all around, lighting up a cozy bedroom with green furnishings.

Seeing Harry smiling back at him, candlelight glinting off happy green eyes, Severus stared long and hard, imprinting the sight of Harry in this bed into his mind. He knew that this sight was going to have to hold him until the Summer came. That is, unless he could get Harry up here more often. He would have to plan that later though, there were more memories to be made right now.

Pulling Harry under him, Severus proceeded to kiss his lover into a panting mess. He lifted his head and traced a finger down that bare chest, stopping to tweak a pink nipple along his way towards the waistband of the sleep pants that were a barrier between him and the rest of Harry. Even as he played with the edges of them, he tried to recall when Harry had put them on. He couldn't so it must have happened after he had fallen asleep sometime in the wee hours of the morning.

Harry groaned as those long fingers teased the sensitive skin of his stomach, driving him crazy with anticipation. Yes, last night had taken the desperate edge off, or rather it should have, but this was one thing he had sorely missed – their morning routine.

Reaching up, he let his fingers tangle into Severus' hair as he tugged his face closer to his and devoured those thin lips in a long heated kiss designed to drive Severus as crazy and as needy as he was feeling. His other hand was ghosting over the naked skin starting on Severus' back and then over his bottom only to cup it since he couldn't reach any further. A small grin slipped over his lips as he pressed them once again to Severus'. Severus stopped teasing and Harry felt his sleep pants pushed down. Those long questing fingers were soon curled about him, tugging carefully.

Leveraging himself up off Harry, Severus pulled the sleep pants down, his fingers trailing over every inch of skin as it was exposed to his eyes. Resting on his heels, he dropped the garment onto the foot-rail and then proceeded to kiss and lick his way up to Harry's panting lips. He traveled back down with Harry once again panting and moaning under him and then paused for a long moment at the erection, savouring its taste and feel.

Running a finger over Harry's opening, he could tell that there was no need to stretch him again, the muscle was still supple after last night's activities. He slid two fingers into that warm sheath and watched the pleasure arch through Harry, body literally bent off the bed as he tried to pull Severus' fingers in deeper.

Shaking his head and smiling at Harry's impatience, Severus withdrew his fingers and coated his erection with lubricant. He positioned himself and carefully filled Harry, watching to make sure he wasn't in pain. All he saw on that beloved face was intense desire and need.

Severus smiled and settled deeper inside the familiar tightness of Harry before pulling almost out only to push in once again. His smile faded into a look of sheer pleasure. Picking up his pace, he soon had them both spending themselves once again.

Yes, he did love the return of their morning routine.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Severus," Harry tugged his shirt on as he walked out of the bedroom, "aren't you going into your office this morning?"

Severus shook his head as he settled onto the sofa. "It is Saturday, Harry."

Harry leaned over to look into Severus' eyes. "You were there all last school year on Saturday - and Sunday as well."

Letting his gaze travel over the body before him, Severus quirked his lips into a slight smile. "I had the right incentive to be there."

His smile broadened as Harry's eyes widened.

"You were there because of me? Because I was coming to your office?" Harry sank onto the sofa next to him.

"It first started off as a means to curb your nightmares, no need to stop what was working, but yes - your presence, the chance to be with you without anyone else around, was the main reason." Severus gestured towards breakfast on the coffee table and then picked up his bowl of porridge.

Harry picked his up and stirred it slowly. "You still need to go to breakfast, don't you?"

"Minerva knows you are here, and requested to see you after breakfast. She should figure out that I will not be attending." Severus watched as Harry prepared their tea before he continued eating.

Harry settled down on the rug and leaned back against the sofa, it was easier to reach the coffee table that way. "I can go see Hagrid after I leave McGonagall, right?"

Severus glanced over at the clock before he answered, "Of course. Now, what would you like to do for the next thirty minutes?"

Jerking around, Harry stared at Severus. "Thirty minutes?" He looked about for a clock, his gaze eventually landing on the one near the door. "We got up that late?"

A lazy smile curved Severus' mouth. "We did. Finish up and I'll walk you to the Headmistress' office."

Harry applied himself to his breakfast. He wanted to be up in the main halls before breakfast let out.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

"Welcome, Mr. Potter." Minerva gestured towards a nearby seat before smiling over at the man who brought her guest. "Severus, thank you for bringing him here."

Happiness filled Minerva as she spotted the signs of contentment in both of the two men in her office. There was a calm feeling about both of them that she had never expected to be present while they were in the same room with each other.

"Severus, I am sure that you have things to accomplish today, so I will take good care of Harry for a while and then see him off to Hagrid's. We will be seeing you at lunch?" The tensing of both of their shoulders made her wonder just what she had said wrong.

"Headmistress, I will be leaving shortly after lunchtime. Is there any way that Severus could spend that time with me and then see me off?" Harry clenched his fingers together, hoping that they were not going to be separated this soon.

Studying both for a long moment, Minerva shifted her attention to Severus. "You must be at dinner and you should take some time to check in with your house."

Resting a hand on Harry shoulder, Severus nodded. "I will. Thank you, Minerva."

With a small squeeze, he let Harry's shoulder go and left the office.

Minerva watched the door close before turning to Potter. "Mr. Potter -"

"Call me Harry, please." Harry interrupted her. "It feels weird to hear you call Severus Severus but me Mr. Potter."

Minerva considered for a moment before nodding. "Then you may call me Minerva, Harry."

"I'll try. Severus told me that he told you we were together. Did he tell you any of his suspicions as to why I wanted to see him?" Harry watched her, waiting to hear her response.

"He mentioned that you were seeking his advice on a topic, but he didn't elaborate on it too much." Minerva skated around the promise she had made to Severus. She was sure the Potions Master knew what Harry had wanted to speak to him about by now, but she refused to breach his trust.

Harry nodded. "I am quitting the Auror training program. I have found that it wasn't for me - the atmosphere left a lot to be desired. Hermione and Ron and a few others thought that I might try my hand out at teaching or working as a grounds keeper here. Do you think there might be a chance?"

Minerva struggled to keep her smile from breaking out. "I think I will have a position open next year, but I am not positive you are qualified for it."

Harry leaned forward in his seat. "What is it and what do I need to do?"

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Harry found his way to Severus' office after his meetings with both Minerva and Hagrid. Standing outside the door for a long moment, he struggled with his temper. Severus, while he did tell the truth, had not told him everything that Zimmer had done. 'Then again, I didn't give all the details of what was happening to me. We are depending on each other to handle some parts of our lives, but we are also taking care of the other parts ourselves as well.'

Once he was fairly calm, he walked into the office and knocked on the lab door, entering only when he heard Severus call out permission to do so.

"Are we eating lunch in here, or in your office?" Harry looked at the cold cauldrons and wondered what Severus had been doing here. "You're not brewing?"

"I was taking inventory of the ingredients while I awaited your arrival." Severus headed for the lab door. "We can eat in my office at the table you usually use."

Before they made it through the door, Harry stopped Severus with a hand on his arm. When Severus turned to look at him, Harry kissed him softly, his lips eventually leaving Severus', trailing across his jaw and down his neck, stopping where the high collar of the robe started. He lifted a hand to open the button that was holding the fabric in his way, but before he could, he was crushed into Severus' chest.

"Not in here, Harry."

The husky tone along with the feel of Severus so willingly pressed against him was calming the aggravation that was under Harry's skin. He couldn't stake a claim in front of Zimmer, but it still helped that Severus was willing to hold him some place besides his quarters.

Wrapping his arms about Severus, Harry snuggled deeper into the hug, letting the feel of Severus finish calming him.

Severus looked down at the messy head that was resting on his shoulder for a moment, wondering what brought this on.'Whatever it was, Harry obviously needs to be held for a moment.' Tightening his arms, he rested his cheek on the top of Harry's head and savoured the feeling of the body against his. He would have a new memory for this room, but it wouldn't be as distracting a memory as the one he had been tempted to let Harry create.

He felt a small sigh escape Harry's lips and brush over the skin of his neck as he relaxed against him. Whatever tension that had been making Harry uptight melted away. Severus felt his own tension melt along with it. He waited a moment longer, enjoying the relaxed rightness of their hug before letting Harry go. "Shall we have lunch?"

Harry squeezed him in return before stepping back. Severus turned back towards the door and stepped through, waving Harry towards the little table while he called down to the kitchens. Moments later, he set a tray of sandwiches and crisps down between them. "What did Minerva have to say?"

"She wasn't happy about the way Ron and I were being treated. I asked about a teaching position and about the grounds keeper one as well." Harry took a bite out of his sandwich and swallowed before continuing. "You were right, she offered me the Muggle Studies position, but I have to go take and pass my NEWTs exam in the subject."

"That shouldn't be too hard to do. You will have to arrange to take the exam at the Ministry. They offer testing periodically, but I am not sure of the test time. They will most likely charge you for the exam though," Severus told him.

Harry nodded as he answered. "I know, I am just worried about what they have wrong that I will answer right but miss. I need to find a book or two and see what I am supposed to know."

"Sounds like a trip to Diagon Alley for you." Severus tried not to sound disappointed. He normally didn't like to go shopping, but had learned to enjoy it with Harry over the summer.

Harry sighed. "I wish you could go with me. There is a less chance of being stared at or I could imagine that they are staring at you and not me."

Putting aside wishes that could not come true, Severus took a bite of his sandwich while he soaked in Harry's presence across the table. He eventually broke the comfortable silence. "What is Ronald planning on doing now?"

A grin spread across Harry's face as he heard Severus call Ron by his first name. It was different than seeing it written. He wiped his fingers off and settled back in his chair. "He is going to travel with Hermione. She is getting her Mastery in Herbology and plans to go collecting worldwide. Ron is planning on training for his Magizoology Mastery until she is ready to leave. Then he is going to head out with her."

With a raised eyebrow, Severus broke in. "And Hermione is fine with this? With him quitting his training before his has finished just to leave with her?"

Harry laughed. "She was the one who suggested it. Ron was planning on just going with her after a bit of self-study. He has learned a lot from Hagrid and Charlie as well. He is getting Charlie's old books."

"And Molly is okay with them going together? She was the reason for Hermione living at our house." Severus waited to hear what the plan was. That was one thing that could be counted on – those three would have a plan.

Harry shot up straight in his seat, his eyes wide. "Oh shoot! I forgot..." His gaze landed on Severus, taking in the row of buttons on the coat. "Those buttons... they distracted me. I couldn't think past opening them, of peeling your robes and coat off. Of starting on the other set of buttons I knew were waiting on me."

Severus felt his desires stir under the heated gaze that was tracing the path of his coat buttons. The memory of his wish of having Harry doing just what he was describing, surfaced and he bit back a small needy sound. He didn't need that type of memory of Harry here in the office. It would mess with his concentration.

"What did you forget, Harry?" Hoping the question would pull Harry back on topic, Severus waited on the answer.

Snapping his attention to Severus' face, Harry caught sight of those dark eyes warm with desire. Thoughts of pushing Severus out of control rushed about his mind, but he set them aside to answer the question. "Ron and Hermione are planning to get married in June so Mum Weasley won't have a fit. They asked me and you to stand for them."

Severus froze in his seat, positive that he didn't hear what he thought he had. Searching Harry's expectant face, he knew he hadn't imagined it. "Ronald and Hermione wish us to stand for them as their witnesses during their wedding? They have never seen us together, they have no idea how we interact and yet they want us in this important role?"

Harry shrugged slightly. "Ron said it was because they can see how much we care for each other. He mentioned the letters, the calendars, the house, and a few other things. They want us to stand as a couple for them, not as two individuals." Harry rushed on as Severus' eyes widened slightly. "He did say we didn't have to announce our relationship – just as long as the four of us know then it would be fine. I agreed for me, but I said I would ask you. Do you mind?"

Leaning forward, Severus pulled Harry's hands into his. "Your friends trust you and your judgement. I would be honored to stand for them. It would be the perfect time to announce our relationship to the Wizarding world."

Harry's eyes sparkled with mirth. "We can stand there, let the press snap our picture together, and then disappear for our summer vacation. I was thinking the beach again – a tan looks good on you."

"Minerva can handle the inquiry while we are gone." Severus let his gaze roam over as much as Harry's form as possible. "The beach sounds like the perfect place. Less clothes."

Harry's eyes half shuttered before he let out a deep sigh. "I have to go soon. Sanders is expecting me at work tomorrow morning. Ron and Hermione are expecting me this afternoon." Harry leaned across the table, trying to get closer to Severus without knocking the dishes onto the floor. .

Severus moved even closer until Harry's eyes filled his vision. "You don't have to be at work until tomorrow? Stay here one more night. I will have to attend dinner, but you can stay in my quarters during it and then I will meet you there right afterwards. You can head back before breakfast tomorrow. Floo call Hermione and Ron to let them know where you are."

Closing the distance between them, Harry kissed Severus gently before answering. "I like this plan. How about you escort me off campus, as Minerva is expecting you to, and then we explore the Forest a bit before we come back? We can collect some ingredients for you, and then I will spend the rest of the day in your quarters, or your lab helping prepare those ingredients."

"Minerva will expect me to be out and about periodically."

"Then do so. I'll find something to occupy my time while you're busy."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Zimmer stared in surprise as Harry Potter and Severus Snape walked across the grounds heading towards the gate. 'Is that…! Well, no one said I couldn't talk to Harry Potter.' She conveniently forgot that Severus had stipulated that she was never to be near him.

Rushing from the greenhouses, she caught up with them.

"Harry Potter! What brings you back to Hogwarts?" Even as she asked her question, Zimmer was staring at Severus.

Severus felt his eyes narrow and his shoulders stiffen. He wasn't surprised when Harry stepped between them, but the anger radiating off his partner did make him wonder what he had heard.

"Professor Zimmer, I presume?" Harry did his best not to hex the woman, she didn't know that Severus was off limits. All the aggravation came rushing back. 'But she isn't supposed to be anywhere near him, and yet, here she is, almost within touching distance!'

Smiling widely at the Savior of the Wizarding World, Zimmer reached out to shake his hand. "Yes, that's me! You know my name!"

After a perfunctory shake, Harry let her hand go, resisting the desire to rub it clean on his robe. "Yes, I was talking to Minerva about the Professors here, and you are one of the few new faces. It is nice to be able to put a face to a name." He glanced at Severus and noted the tense black clad shoulders and the dark eyes resolutely looking away. His need to put the woman in her place increased. "I need to head on. We can't keep Severus waiting, he has important things to finish."

"That is Professor Snape, Harry." Frowning in disapproval, Zimmer darted a quick look at the Potions Master to see if he was upset by Harry calling him by his first name. The man's face was unreadable.

Harry felt Severus stiffen even more behind him as the woman corrected him. There was no way he was going to go back to calling Severus 'Professor Snape'. They were no longer divided by that fine line, and he refused to redraw it.

Flashing a fake grin at Zimmer, Harry shook his head as he tried to think of a way to answer her without giving away that they were a couple. That promise to Minerva was making this more difficult than it needed to be. "I am no longer his student."

Zimmer felt her eyes narrow as a touch of outrage filled her, until she squished it with the knowledge that Severus had of course not agreed to this. "That doesn't matter, Harry. He is still a professor and deserves the respect that comes from you using his title."

Harry barely had time to feel annoyed at Zimmer's patronizing tone when the image of him calling Severus 'Professor' while holding his hand or just after kissing the older man senseless almost made him recoil in horror. He would never do that, not even as a joke in case Severus took it the wrong way. Drawing in a settling breath, he shot a glance back at Severus before answering. "But it would be rude of me to call him by that title after I have been granted permission to use his given name."

Zimmer felt the small amount of squelched outrage swell up at once. This was Harry Potter, but he had been Severus' ex-student! Her tone was laced with her emotions even though she attempted not to let them show. "Granted permission? Why were you granted permission to use his given name?"

Harry noted the jealous and dismissive look raking over his body. It was obvious Zimmer didn't know where Severus' preference lay. Squaring his shoulders, he kept his tone light. "I earned it just like everyone else who has that permission. Took me a while and a lot of work, but it was worth it. "

Stepping around the irate woman, Severus continued to the gate. "Harry, stop loitering. You are wasting my time and you were the one who pointed out that I have things to do."

With a final look at the stunned blonde, Harry moved to follow Severus. He could feel the daggers being glared at his back, and had to do his best not to catch Severus' hand into his.

Pitching his voice so it wouldn't carry, Severus couldn't keep the amusement out of his voice. "You just had to called me 'Severus' to her."

Feeling his indignation abate a little, Harry grinned and nodded. "She tries to call you Severus and she touched you without permission. I can't make her leave you alone, not without breaking the promise to Minerva, but I can let her know her place this way."

"Who mentioned it - Hagrid or Minerva?" Severus was glad that Harry hadn't raged at him about not telling him about the unwanted touch.

"Hagrid. The last time I ever saw him that mad about anything was when Uncle Vernon insulted Dumbledore when he came to deliver my letter." Harry looked over at Severus and grinned. "It took me a bit to let it go, but I know I can't do anything more than what I just did." His eyes glowed as he imagined what he would love to do. "If I could, she would know that you are off limits."

Severus shook his head as they stepped out the gate. "She says she just wishes to be my companion."

Spinning sharply, Harry looked up into Severus' face, his disbelief evident. "No one who wants to be just a companion would be that pushy or that jealous. She wants more... be careful." He rolled his eyes at the raised eyebrow. "I know, telling someone who is used to watching everything sounds ridiculous, but … I can't be here to guard you from her, so I had to ask."

"I will be. Shall we head back now? I wish to see you splayed across our bed, sated and -" Severus frowned slightly when Harry shook his head.

"We have ingredients to collect and Minerva expects to see you out and about, remember." Harry turned towards the Forest before he continued. "And it will be you splayed across the bed."

Severus leaned close, his words brushing against Harry's ear. "We'll see who it shall be. Perhaps both of us shall have a chance at it."

Harry groaned as they entered the Forest's edge. "I have to work tomorrow morning! Bright and early! Sanders is expecting me at nine. I need some sleep."

"May I recommend a nap sometime today?" Severus grinned at Harry before he started looking about to see what might be collectible.

Harry laughed. "I'll try. What are we looking for?"

Smiling happily, Severus described the evergreen leaves they were looking for.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Hermione walked into the dining room and made sure her scowl was in place when she spotted Harry sitting there. "Why didn't you call last night to let me know that you were going to be gone?"

Harry grinned before yawning, leaving Hogwarts a little after six in the morning had been difficult after a late night. "Not used to being accountable to anyone as to my whereabouts."

Truthfully, after he and Severus had made it back to the room, they had spent the afternoon sorting and processing the ingredients before taking a shower and putting the bed to very good use. It had ended up with Harry left splayed across the bed and sleeping soundly while Severus headed up for dinner, his body humming with contentment.

When Severus returned to the room, Harry had just woken up. The sight of the young man stretching sinuously, naked and in his bed had made Severus pounce on him and any thoughts of calling home had slipped completely from Harry's mind.

Hermione dropped in to a seat and shook her head. "At least we knew you were with Snape. So, what did he say?"

"I'll tell you and Ron together. I flooed him already and he is on his way." Harry gestured to the dishes sitting on the table under warming charms. "I tempted him with breakfast."

"That would get him running." She heard a knock at the door and rushed to let Ron in.

After they were all settled at the table, Ron and Hermione gave Harry an expectant look.

"Okay, Severus thought it was a good idea to leave the Auror Training, and was glad that we took the mastery exam. He sends back a 'You're welcome', Ronald." Harry served himself before he continued. "I also asked him about the question you asked me."

Ron forgot the food as he focused on Harry. "What was the answer? Will you do it?"

Harry smiled softly. "We will be honored to stand for you at your wedding, and we insist that you present us as a couple."

Hermione gasped and flew about the table to hug Harry tightly. "Thank you!"

Ron gaped for a moment before grinning broadly. "Is this going to be the first time people will know that you two are a couple, or are you going to break it to the Wizarding world earlier?"

Harry pushed Hermione's hair out of his face before he answered. "First time. McGonagall asked that we keep it under wraps in the Wizarding world for a while so that she could prepare for the fall out. Severus and I agreed. You two will be leaving the wedding for your honeymoon and we will be leaving for vacation, so that means none of us will be here until the worst has blown over."

Hermione let him go and flopped back into her seat. "Thus making our wedding even more news-worthy and we all escape." Stopping for a moment, she frowned slightly. "We need to tell the Weasleys though. It wouldn't be nice to have them shocked like that."

Ron nodded in agreement. "At least Mum and Dad. Then they can be ready when the reporters start in."

Harry's eyes widened. "I'll talk to Severus and see what he wants to do. Now about the choices. McGonagall wants me to take the Muggle Studies position, but I have to take my NEWTs. I guess I will be spending tomorrow afternoon determining what I need to accomplish that. The grounds keeper position is still an option. Hagrid and McGonagall agreed to it as well."

"Muggles Studies? Not Defense?" Ron sounded surprised.

Harry shrugged. "The current Defense professor is okay, but Severus says that the Muggle Studies one doesn't even know what air conditioning is."

Hermione sighed. "That is why I thought that you would be good for the position. When I was in the class, it was a joke – the class was a bunch of wizards who had never set foot in the Muggle world. I doubt that there are many Muggle born or Muggle raised that even bother to take the class, so they don't have the credits needed to teach the course."

"And since they grew up as Muggles, they most likely do not think that getting a NEWT much less a Mastery in something that they grew up knowing is worth their time," said Harry.

Hermione leaned back and shot a glance over at Ron. They had some work to do.

The rest of the morning before Harry had to leave for work had been spent composing their letters of resignation. Because Hermione had been extremely picky about their wording, they stopped halfway and finished up when Harry got home that evening. They went from Ron and Harry's wish of just writing 'Out of here' to a masterful peace of satire that even Severus would be proud of. It was the thinly veiled sarcasm that clued them into just how disgusted Hermione was with the training program.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Harry and Ron made it to the Monday morning meeting and waited until they were dismissed to find out if they passed their mastery exam. As usual, they stood back to back, hands resting on their wands, and watching the others more than the people leading the meeting. Both were glad that this would be the last day and that they could relax once they walked out these doors.

Vaughn watched the gathering with interest. This time he focused on the other trainees in Simmons' group. They were relaxed but he could see the way they were looking at Potter and Weasley. Simmons had to have noticed the plotting looks as well. 'Which means he is condoning this.' He waited until the trainers finished their part of the meeting before announcing that the trainees who took their Mastery Examination were to see him in his office to receive their scores.

The group that followed Vaughn out the door was obviously anxious to know how they did. He could read it in the way that they were joking with each other and their nervous movements. What made him nervous was how calm Potter and Weasley were being. Stopping outside his office door, he turned to face the group. "I will go through the different groups and call each person in individually. I will start with Auror Michaels' group. Trainee Weston, you are first."

He walked into his office followed by the young lady he called out. He was going to leave Potter and Weasley till the last.

After he handed Weston the sealed scroll with her almost passing grade, he told her to send in Little. And so it continued until he got to Potter who poked his head around the door and flashed him a smile.

"Ron is coming in with me, okay?"

Knowing just how paranoid those two were, he agreed and the last two crossed his threshold.

"Congratulations," he flashed them both a smile while holding out their scrolls. "You two succeeded."

He searched their faces, wishing he could get them to tell him anything about what was happening. There might not be any legal recourse, but he could at least pass on the information as high as he could. There might be some internal pressure that they could put on Simmons to put an end to the problem. He just needed something to work with.

Harry looked over at Ron and they nodded. Taking the scrolls, they set their letters onto Vaughn's desk. "Sir, it has been nice to be trained by you, but I fear that we must leave."

Ron continued when Harry paused. "Life offered us different paths, and those options are ones that we can't forgo."

Both nodded once again to the older man before they headed out. They were expected at Master Leonard's.

Vaughn watched them go, his questions never having a chance to be asked as the door closed.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Severus walked up the stairs to the Headmistress' office. A quick time check assured him that Harry had to be out of the Ministry by now, and his resignation turned in. Smiling inside, he opened the door and spotted Minerva and Kingsley. It helped to have the right connections.

Stepping in, he nodded a greeting to them. It was time to put his and Minerva's plan into action. "Kingsley, Minerva."

"Severus! Now we can begin." Minerva turned to Kingsley and gave him a steady look. "Kingsley, I feel I need to tell you that Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley have withdrawn from the Auror Training program."

Kingsley stared at Minerva for a long moment and then he leaned forward. "How do you know that? And why would they?"

Minerva continued. "Harry came by here yesterday and talked to me about working at Hogwarts next year."

"Yesterday, and you are just now telling me?" Kingsley barely refrained from shouting. "How can I resolve whatever issue there is if I didn't know there was one?"

It was Severus who answered. "They didn't want to remain. He told me that they were always on their guard the moment that they walked into the Ministry until they left. That it was not good working conditions, as I am sure you'll agree. Too stressful."

Minerva shot him a quick smile. They had talked last night about how he was to call Harry during this meeting. She knew that if Severus used Harry's given name then Kingsley would be too curious about why, and she was not ready for that answer to be out there yet. Severus had suggested just telling the Minister and getting it over with, but Minerva disagreed. They had compromised on pronouns since Severus refused to call Harry by his last name.

Kingsley stared at Severus for an even longer moment, shock evident on his face. "Potter and Weasley talked to you, Severus?"

Severus raised an eyebrow at Minerva, knowing that there was no real way to answer that without giving things away.

Minerva sighed. "Harry and Severus developed a friendlier relationship during Harry's last year here, so he talked to Severus before Severus escorted him up to my office."

Kingsley nodded slowly. He had heard rumors of Harry visiting Severus in St. Mungo's in the summer after that Final Battle. "You are positive that they both have quit."

He closed his eyes and slumped back in his seat when both the professors nodded yes. "Did Potter give a reason why they were always on their guard?"

"He said that the other trainees and the trainer had problems with them finishing their education before joining. The other trainees expressed their ire by hexing them any time and anywhere. The trainer did nothing to curb their behaviour, and even seemed to condone it." Severus noticed that both Kingsley and Minerva looked surprised. 'I guess Harry didn't tell her that.'

Kingsley sighed and stood up, his expression grim. "I will talk to the trainers and see what has happened. The department will miss their expertise, but I am sure that they will succeed at whatever they attempt. Thank you for letting me know."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Kingsley stalked through the familiar halls until he reached the training section of the Auror Department. He was glad that he was able to convince Severus that he didn't need to come with him to determine the extent of the issue. The look in the Potions Master's eyes had warned him that his aurors would be in serious trouble if he had accepted the help.

Instead of rummaging through the records to determine who was Potter and Weasley's trainer, he headed straight for the office of the man who would see all the trainees.

"Vaughn," he called out as he walked through the door, only to stop at the sight before his eyes. The despondent slump of Vaughn's shoulders and the defeated look on his face was something Kingsley had never seen, not even when Voldemort had been running about free and the Ministry was falling apart around them. The two sheets of parchments that were sitting side by side on Vaughn's desk could be the reason.

Kingsley crossed the room and looked at them, attempting to figure out what had upset his friend so much. "Vaughn, what happened?"

Vaughn looked up and sighed as he pushed the letters towards the Minister. "Potter and Weasley have decided that they can no longer continue to train to be aurors. I spoke to Simmons about my suspicions days ago but the man did nothing."

Kingsley read the two resignation letters quickly. Then he frowned and read them again, slower this time, his expression growing grimmer with each word. He dropped the letters on the desk and looked at his friend. Severus had told the truth, and if anything, that had lessened the blow of this news although he was saddened that Potter hadn't told him anything. "What did you suspect?"

Studying the former auror for a long moment, Vaughn decided that this wasn't something to be pushed under the rug. The Wizarding world was soon going to know that the Savior of the Wizarding World and his best mate decided that the Auror Department wasn't for them. If he were them, he would spread far and wide the reason why. So, he might as well warn the Minister what was coming.

"It wasn't all that obvious at first. I think the other trainees realized that I wouldn't tolerate that type of behavior in my classes." Vaughn pushed his chair back, stood up and started to pace. "Even so, Potter and Weasley were always on alert. I originally thought it was due to being back in class after being so heavily involved in the war. But when I went to last Monday's weekly meeting for their training group, they were still on alert. If anything, they were even more paranoid than in my class. They would have made Mad Eye proud. I think they were more on guard than he ever was."

Kingsley felt his eyes widening at that thought. More alert that the late one eyed Auror was a telling thing.

Vaughn continued. "The way they stood, how they watched the others, how they waited and moved, it was as if they were on perpetual guard and over strung because of it. I brought this to Simmons' attention and was told to mind my own business." A deep sigh was pulled out of him. "Simmons also fought me tooth and nail about how their mastery exam would go – the practical section. He wanted them split into different teams, but I insisted on putting them together. Those two passed, and I will say that they aced it. If they had remained with us and waited to take their final exam, I could have pushed them up to the absolute pinnacle of the Mastery Levels. As it is, they are currently in the top twenty percent of the Masters."

Stopping, he turned to Shacklebolt and searched his friend's face, wondering what the repercussions would be. There had to be something.

Kingsley sank onto the edge of the desk, his mind chasing itself about. He had trusted Severus and Minerva, but it was different hearing it come from one of his own aurors and seeing the evidence in writing. "First, we need to call out Simmons." Scanning the letters once again, he nodded. "Tomorrow is a trainee status meeting, we can present the letters and ask him just what occurred, as these are vague enough to make questioning possible. Then we will see how this plays out. One thing is certain though, he is going to learn that allowing this type of behavior is not acceptable, no matter how normal it has been. He has just cost us a pair of valuable aurors."

Vaughn grinned slowly and evilly before it faded. "What about the media?"

"I have it on good assurance that they will not release anything to the press, but we both know that questions are going to be raised. Simmons might just have to pay for his actions in ways he didn't think about."

Vaughn's grin returned. Simmons was about to learn a hard lesson and Vaughn was in the mood to teach him.