I have to say that I know that this in 120% better since Yen beta'ed it. There are scenes that are there because of her. Things said, done, and explained because she insisted that it was needed and that I couldn't disappoint everyone. This is also the reason that this is no longer the last chapter. Now, I know you all wish to thank her for giving you one more chapter for this tale, so do so and make her happy. ^-^

Here is the next to the last chapter! Enjoy it, I hope it meets your expectations.

Ree

Masteries and Weddings

Ron convinced Harry to follow him to the shop once they were released from Master Leonard's. The look on Harry's face when he pulled him into the workroom made him wish for a camera. Harry had obviously not expected to walk into a family meeting.

Sitting around George's only clean workbench were Molly, Arthur and all their children currently in the country. Molly smiled over at the two boys, her eyes searching them both, looking for any signs of disappointment. "Ron, Harry. How did your meetings go?"

Harry shook his head while a grin broke over his face. "They went well."

Arthur looked at Ron for more clarification.

"We passed our Defense Mastery exams, and Master Leonard has agreed to take both of us in as apprentices if we wish. I have already told him yes, but Harry wanted to do a little more research before doing so," said Ron.

The Weasleys all nodded at the same time and Arthur met each one of the redheads' eyes before turning his attention to Harry. "Harry, Hermione and Ron told us about the options that you were investigating. We took it upon ourselves to do some research for you while you've been busy."

"You didn't have to, I was going to work on that this afternoon, sir." Harry placed the scrolls he had been carrying onto the workbench.

"We know that, Harry, but we wanted to," said Arthur before he continued with what they found out. "The groundskeeper position needs OWLs in Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures. You have both, so you have nothing else to do for that position."

Arthur then pushed a stack of parchments over toward Harry. "For Muggle Studies, you most likely have all the knowledge in your head considering your upbringing. That stack has the requirements on how to get your Mastery in the field."

Percy passed over an official looking form. "The first step to getting your Mastery is obtaining an Acceptable or higher NEWT in that subject. They are holding additional NEWTS exams at the Ministry at the end of December. Today was the last day to sign up, so I went ahead and did so for you. That is your registration form. You can take the Mastery Exams whenever you are ready. You just need to alert the Ministry at least a month ahead of time."

Harry stared at the stack of forms and then the registration form. The notation at the bottom caught his attention. "You paid the registration fee too." Lifting his head, he stared at Percy. "It doesn't state how much I owe you."

Percy shook his head. "It's covered. Mum and Dad insisted on paying the fee."

Molly leaned forward, pining Harry with a no nonsense look. "We did it for each of our children, and we will do it for Ron when he gets his Mastery Exam for Magizoology. If you decide to get a Mastery in Muggle Studies, we'll cover yours as well."

Ron elbowed Harry when he opened his mouth, obviously about to argue. "Accept it, Harry. You're part of this family, you have been since we brought you home over the summer before our second year."

Ginny flashed a smile and pushed a book across to Harry. "Don't say that since we aren't together then you can't be. You were counted as a Weasley with the wrong colored hair long before that. Now, this is my Muggle Studies book so you can go through it. Just to make sure that you know what you need to know."

Harry sighed and picked up the book, 'Home Life and Social Habits of British Muggles' by Wilhelm Wigworthy. He recognized it from when Hermione had taken Muggle Studies during their third year. "More likely to figure out what they've got all backwards or haven't caught up with the times." Running his fingers over the cover, he looked at the family that had adopted him. "Thank you, all. Do you think I should aim for my Mastery?"

Arthur and Molly settled a calm serious look on their foster son. It was Arthur that answered him. "Harry, how many of my children do not have their Mastery in something?"

"Um-m-m Ginny and George. Maybe Percy." He caught Ron shaking his head out of the corner of his eye.

"Sorry, mate, you're wrong." Ron settled onto a stool as he explained. "Percy – he has a Mastery in Administration and Public Relations. Dad insisted since he wanted to pursue a Ministry job. You don't need it but it helps if you want to get up in the higher echelons. Ginny, she is working on a Flying Mastery."

George broke in. "And I have one in Business. I swear Dad made it up so that I could have one."

Arthur gave a long suffering sigh, this was obviously an old point of contention between them. "It is an old one, not used much anymore, but it was there. I had to dig deep into the records to get the requirements, but you know it is real."

George rolled his eyes and pointed to the certificate mounted on the wall of the workroom. "There is it. If you wanted to own a business you used to have to have one – oh, centuries ago. You know, when Merlin walked the Earth, or the Founders. If you were just running the shop for someone, then you didn't. Basically, it was a business license, but it is a lot more advanced to get it. Dad started pushing the moment we left Hogwarts. Got it last year. Just accept that you will get your Mastery, Harry. It will make your life easier, trust me."

The rest of the table burst out in laughter at George's tone. Harry recovered first. "I'll see what is required and go from there. Now, I have to head home to get ready for work."

Molly perked up. "You are working? Where?"

Harry noticed the surprised looks on everyone's faces with the exception of Ron and George's. "I am working at a Muggle restaurant near the house." Cracking a grin, he continued. "I wash the dishes."

Molly studied him for a moment before smiling. "As long as it keeps you out of trouble, that is fine. Head on."

Percy pushed up his glasses and pinned Harry with a stern look. "Make sure you keep the records of your hire date and your pay stubs. I think the Muggle Studies Mastery requires working in the Muggle world for a while."

"I will. Thanks, Percy. Bye, everyone and thanks again!" With a quick wave, Harry gathered his materials and headed out.

That evening, after telling Sanders about his open schedule, Harry decided that he might as well get his Mastery. Not only will Dad Weasley give him a hard time until he did, but he had a feeling that Severus would push him to do so as well.

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

Kingsley walked into the training meeting, stopping Auror Michaels mid-explanation of how his trainees were doing. Sweeping a look over the gathered people, he let his gaze linger on Vaughn, hoping for a clue as to whether or not Simmons had given his report yet. The barest shake of the older man's head told him what he needed to know.

Settling down into a vacant chair, Kingsley nodded towards Michaels. "Do continue."

Michaels shot an uncertain look at him, wondering why he was there - surely the Minister of Magic had more important things to do? He finished his explanation and did a quick summary of where his trainees stood at that moment before nodding at his colleague. "Auror Simmons, your turn."

Simmons leaned back in his seat, looking at each of the other trainers and spending a long moment on Kingsley, wondering if the man arrived just in time to hear how well his trainees were doing, before he began. "The trainees are doing quite well so far. They have an understanding of the laws, how to pursue a criminal, what not to cast where, and how to guard each others' backs. A few of my trainees took Vaughn's Defense Mastery test last Friday and did quite well on it. All in all, they are on track and will be in shape for field work within the week."

Kingsley leaned forward with his elbows resting on the table and fixed a questioning look on the trainer. "How were Potter and Weasley doing?"

Simmons' focus shifted towards the Minister. "They're steadily improving."

Kingsley noted that even though he had deliberately used a past tense with those two, Simmons spoke as if they were still within the program. He wondered how long the man would pretend that he didn't know what he had cost the department. "So, we should be seeing them in the field soon. What precautions have you," at this he swept a look over the entire table, "put into place to safeguard those two from the media?"

"They shall be fine, Minister Shacklebolt." Simmons gave a reassuring smile towards the group. "The media will never know that they are there."

Vaughn settled back into his seat, wondering just how dense Simmons was. He had told the man that he had received Potter and Weasley's resignation letters yesterday, after the training. Maybe Simmons thought he could play it off for a while, pretending that he hadn't lost two trainees, and continue to rake in the prestige of teaching the Savior and his best mate. That was something Vaughn didn't think he deserved after running them off.

A quick glance at Kingsley showed that the Minister wasn't going to call Simmons on his lies, so Vaughn decided it was his place to let everyone know the events that had occurred yesterday. "Of course the media will never know that they are there since Potter and Weasley won't be there. I told you yesterday that they turned in their resignation letters to me right after I handed them their Mastery papers. It is a pity and a big loss for us that they decided to quit. I could have trained them to be the highest scoring Masters in centuries considering how well they did on this test."

Vaughn allowed a corner of his mouth to lift as Simmons blanched.

Kingsley pinned a glare on Simmons. "And when were you going to mention this tidbit?"

He waited for a few seconds before continuing, his glare sweeping over the other startled trainers again before returning to Simmons. "It is a big issue when two of our trainees decided halfway through the program to leave since typically, the ones that can't make it or take it leave within the first month."

He waited for a few more seconds for his words to sink in. "I want to know your observations on what you think led to this; there had to be signs of discontent or something that triggered this decision."

Simmons swallowed. He felt like squirming in his seat as everyone at the table stared at him, some with raised eyebrows, others with smug looks. He shot a glare at Vaughn for bringing this up. He knew that the other trainers had been mildly jealous of him having Potter and Weasley in his group. It was a fact that he had rubbed their noses in – it put him one step above the rest. Now that Vaughn let it out that they quit, his reputation was going to take a serious hit… unless he made it seem as if they just couldn't handle the training?

Hiding the smirk that wanted to come out, Simmons focused on the Minister. "I was not positive that it should be common knowledge yet, Minister. As you mentioned, the media would love to learn that the Chosen One and his best mate couldn't withstand the rigors of Auror training. I was hoping to have a moment after this meeting to call it to your attention."

"Common knowledge is very different than alerting the other trainers of this occurrence. We must determine the cause of them leaving so that the Ministry can be prepared for the Media outrage and accusations that will follow." Kingsley raised an eyebrow as he waited for Simmons' response.

Simmons lowered his eyes to the table while he plotted out his course of action. Finally, he looked at the rest of the table. "I obviously didn't think this through. I should have told everyone that Potter and Weasley just didn't have what it took."

He rested his hands on the table, his fingers tapping lightly on the scarred surface. "We have been pushing them along, making sure that they understood that rules are meant to be followed. I know that they had to do things without a lot of support and tended to break rules -which turned out good for all of us, but if they are going to represent the Ministry, as we know they will when they wear Auror Robes, they have to understand the proper way of doing things. Being part of that vigilante group, the Order of ….something, didn't help their perspective of how things are supposed to work. Those people supported known criminals, fought without Ministry approval and just made things worse for those of us who were attempting to abide by our world's laws."

Taking a breath, Simmons ignored the tension that was radiating throughout the room and finished presenting his story. "I split them up, they always wanted to work together, and I guess that was the final straw. They couldn't stand working with a different partner."

Vaughn waited a moment longer to see if there was anything else Simmons was going to say that would just push his foot further inside his mouth and down his throat. The man must have realized that there were a number of supporters of the Order of the Phoenix in this room, but the look on his face said that he didn't. Seeing that nothing else was going to come out of the idiot's mouth, Vaughn posed the question that had bugged him the moment that Simmons mentioned it. "You said that they couldn't handle being apart? But surely you separated them over a month ago, almost two."

"They had to work up the nerve to quit," answered Simmons glibly.

Kingsley looked over at Vaughn. "Did you bring a copy of their resignation letters with you?" He ignored Simmons' look of alarm when the Defense Master pulled out the two pieces of parchment and continued. "Please read aloud what they had to say. Maybe they gave us their reason for their departure in those letters."

Simmons did his best not to cringe as Vaughn started reading them. Potter and Weasley were a lot more eloquent in writing, their thinly veiled sarcasm making his face burn. They had no qualms pointing out that their training sessions were stressful, not because of the work, but because of who they were working with. They even listed out several incidents to back their words.

Kingsley controlled his anger as he watched the other trainers' reaction while Harry and Ron's letters were read aloud. He could see that some of them were guilty of similar actions or of thinking that such behavior was acceptable. He finally let his eyes focus on Simmons as Vaughn finished reading. "Vaughn, please inform everyone what you saw and suspected."

Vaughn pinned each of the trainers who should have noticed the hazing before shifting his attention directly to Simmons. "I noticed that during my training sessions, both Potter and Weasley were on high alert, they seemed more alert than could be accounted for by my lesson. They kept a good eye on each other and their fellow trainees. I thought that this was a repercussion of the events that they went through in the war. We all have a quirk or two that we can attribute to being in a fight, and those two had been in a long battle and had been hunted for a whole year. It was during the Monday meeting that I noticed that it was not just in class. They were more on guard in the meeting than they ever were during my trainings. I brought up the issue to Simmons and was told to mind my own business."

Mortimer leaned forward. "So, you suspected that they were being hazed by the others in their group?" When Vaughn nodded, he continued. "There is no law against hazing, and it is almost expected."

Vaughn shook his head slightly. "Hazing at a light level, that is to be expected. Hazing to the point that these two made Mad Eye look like he was a trusting person who would hand you his wand just because you asked, that is going too far."

Mortimer blanched.

Beasley took up the conversation. "Well, it might have been less if they had joined up when they were invited."

Again, Kingsley had to force down his anger as he looked at the group, more than half of whom which were nodding in agreement, the rest looking surprised. "Are you implying," he spoke slowly to make sure he was understood, "that they were being punished for taking the time to have a small bit of normalcy in their lives while studying for the entry requirements of being an Auror, so that they can say they earned it fairly, instead of jumping at the opportunity just because it was offered?"

More faces showed surprise at this words and then frowns, indicating they had started thinking.

Michaels frowned. "Simmons, why did you fight Vaughn on those two's Mastery test? You normally just let him set up the tests the way he thinks would be the best. Yet, this time you blocked him again and again. You only relented about Potter and Weasley being partners when Vaughn gave up any control over the practical assessment. You designed that yourself."

When Simmons glared at Michaels, Mortimer's eyes widened. He had a slight clue of what had been behind those doors when he ordered the trainees through them on Friday. He had thought that Vaughn had approved that test himself. To know that it was Simmons who had designed it made his heart sink.

"You mean, the dark robes, fog, spiders, woods and unannounced arbitrary attacks were not approved by Vaughn? " Andrew spoke up for the first time, his eyes darting between Vaughn and Simmons.

Vaughn's eyes widened. "No, they were not. I was just given a list of spells used and by whom. I have no idea what else the test entailed. If this was a scenario test, then that will change their master ranking. Whoever was included in this test will need to see me after this meeting."

Several heads nodded.

Kingsley gave Simmons a long assessing look. "It is clear you have overstepped your bounds, condoned overboard hazing, or any amount of hazing at all, of two individuals that you should have made especially sure were not given a rough time. When the Media gets wind of this, and you have to know that it will get out to them even if Potter and Weasley don't tell them, it is going to reflect poorly not only upon our Auror department but on the Ministry as a whole."

Tapping his fingers lightly against his leg, Kingsley stood up and paced the room. "You have now forced me to take the necessary actions so that the Wizarding world can see that their beloved Savior was vindicated." Stopping, he turned about, robes flaring to pin a white faced Simmons with another glare. "With immediate effect, you are demoted and stripped of your trainer rank. All the trainees under you shall be distributed to the other trainers. I expect to see you upstairs in the auror department when I pass through later this afternoon."

He waited to see what other excuses Simmons had to offer, but the man just gave a stiff nod, face red and shoulders rigid. Transferring his look to the others who he could tell condoned this behavior, Kingsley let it rest on them before continuing in a steely voice. "Hazing will no longer be accepted. Each and every one of your trainees will be treated as important individuals. After all, they have gained the necessary NEWT's to be enrolled. We do not have the luxury of weeding out the ones who aren't tough enough. If nothing else, this incident should alert us to the fact that hazing doesn't succeed in that anyway because it has just weeded out two of the most resourceful and tough individuals that I have had the pleasure of meeting. Aside from their most notable achievement which I need not mention, Weasley and Potter were taught by Moody before they had left school, and succeeded in standing up to Snape more times than I would care to admit. That they won that man's respect is an accomplishment that speaks louder than surviving mere training."

He stared at Simmons and narrowed his eyes. "Potter informed Snape and McGonagall just what has occurred under your watchful eye. I managed to prevent Snape from coming here to mete out his own version of justice, but only just. Neither he nor Minerva were pleased at what they heard."

He dropped his voice, but it was still heard in the pin drop silence. "I would pay very close attention to my surroundings and watch my steps from now on if I were you."

Vaughn and Kingsley were pleased to see Simmons blanch and turn even paler, a hunted look starting to appear in the back of the man's eyes. They knew it was only the beginning.

"I will leave you to finish your meeting. Simmons, I will see you behind a desk this afternoon." Leaving the room, Kingsley headed off to alert his two friends just what had happened.

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

A few months later…

Harry noticed Viola Zimmer the moment that he walked into the castle. Pushing his fingers through his hair, he thought quickly what to do. There weren't many choices since they were in a hurry, Ron and Hermione were waiting on them, but he was given this opportunity and he wasn't going to let it slip by.

He knew that Zimmer had never given up on Severus. She didn't outright approach him like she had before Severus had told her off, but for the rest of the school year she had been lurking around like a lost puppy trying to worm their way into a house. 'Severus told me that she was still around campus even though everyone else but him and Minerva had left three days ago for the summer, and when Minerva confronted her, she said she was still packing. I know that Severus is ignoring her, but she never seemed to accept that he isn't the type to take in strays, at least not pestersome ones.'

Harry waited for her to approach him and tell him that he wasn't supposed to be at the castle and she would escort him to the Headmistress' office.'Then I will have to tell her that I am here to meet Severus and that I know that no other staff members are here. I might not mention that part, but I do know it since they are all heading over to the Burrow even as we speak. Each of them, well except Dexter, was invited to the wedding. Ron and Hermione both wanted them there. Add to that, there was no way that mine and Severus' relationship was going to be announced and them not be there.'

He loitered a moment longer in hall, looking anywhere but where Zimmer had been a moment before.'I wonder why she isn't coming any closer. Honestly, she should be approaching me, a visitor. I wonder if it has to do with the way she was treated by the other professors the rest of the year. They made sure she never had a chance to approach Severus.'

Shifting slightly, he caught sight of her again and decided he wasn't going to wait. Keeping her in his peripheral vision, he headed to the dungeons since Severus had said to meet him in his office. As he walked down the halls, he spotted her flitting from corner to corner, ducking into the shadows of the armors and into little niches along the way. Watching her, a kernel of an idea took root inside Harry's mind. He knew that Zimmer wasn't allowed into Severus' office while he didn't even need permission to enter. It was petty he knew, but maybe it would pull her out of the shadows so he could talk to her. He could finally tell her that Severus was taken and maybe she could move on.

With a perfunctory knock, Harry opened the office door and looked about. Not spotting Severus, he crossed the empty room to knock on the lab door. While he waited – this was one room he would not barge into – Harry smoothed down the front of his formal dress robes, doing his best not to imagine undressing Severus. 'Too long... it has been what, a month ... two months … just too long. I really should have made it up here last night, then we would have had the evening to enjoy each other. I couldn't though - Ron needed me to keep him from pulling his hair out with nerves. Thank goodness he took the basic Magizoology mastery test last week. Master Leonard wanted him to stay until next summer and get the advanced Mastery, but there was no way. He and Hermione are planning on heading out after the reception. He did promise to continue studying and to keep in touch with Master Leonard though. Who would have thought that out of all his siblings that Ron would be the one with two Masteries. Dad and Mum Weasley are proud as can be.'

Shaking the thoughts out of his head, Harry cracked open the door gently to make sure that Severus wasn't trapped behind a cauldron and unable to answer. Not spotting his partner anywhere in the room, he stalked out of the office, Zimmer forgotten. They were going to be late if he couldn't find Severus and he knew just how irate Severus was when he was late. NOT how Harry wanted to start their vacation. Turning on his heel, he headed deeper into the dungeons.

'Vacation. Yeah, that is where we are going, right after the wedding. It will be just Severus, me and bunch of Muggle tourists. And I am so-o-o ready for it.' The last several months had been long and frustrating. Not only was Harry unable to see Severus, but he wasn't able to spend that much time with his best friends either; Ron and Hermione were busy getting ready for their new lives. Hermione still lived at Spinner's End with him, but their schedules were mostly at odds with each other's. When he was not working – which was part of his mastery requirements like Percy had said – he was studying. He was up with the sun, going for his morning run, then he would have breakfast with Hermione and her books, then off to work. Since he was doing a self study mastery, he became a full timer at Sanders' place. Petters had frowned at that for a bit, but accepted that Harry had just needed some time to determine which one of his options to choose and to apply to Universities or an internship. Ron of course was dividing his time between Master Leonard and the Weasley Wizard Wheezes.

'Made it really hard to plan the wedding. I swear that all Ron and I did together was chose outfits, help with menu plans, colors, and anything else Mum Weasley and Hermione thought was necessary for the wedding. Severus hasn't been able to make it to a single planning nor the rehearsal last night. Only one small dinner and what exactly we were supposed to be doing was not brought up at all. I know Mum Weasley is almost panicking and it took most of last night to convince Ron that Severus and I will be fine – that I could fill Severus' … The thought stuttered to a stop as the image of filling Severus in a totally different way unfolded in Harry's hard, he tried to dispel the erection that was threatening to form. "… that I would tell Severus what we had to do. It isn't difficult and I know that he's been researching what was expected.'

He stopped outside of Severus' quarters. It was the last place he was going to look at before sending his Patronus to tell Severus they would meet near the front gate. He caught a flash of blond out of the corner of his eye as he knocked on the door. 'Zimmer is still following me?'

The door opened and Harry forgot all about her. Severus stepped out and closed the door behind him, the robes that Ron and Hermione had chosen flattering his tall form and showing off his broad shoulders. They were open right now, the front panels framing the trim form Harry longed to feel pressed up against his. Before he knew what he was doing, he had pressed Severus against the door, his lips seeking the other man's.

A shudder wracked Severus as warm hands slid under the robes and wrapped around him. All morning he had been doing his best not to think of Harry like this. They had a wedding to get through, and they would have to be standing next to each other the entire time. "Harry..."

Harry pulled back, putting just a couple of inches between them. His hands slid back around to rest on that broad chest. "Sorry, Severus. I... I just had to -"

Harry's apology came to a stop when Severus tipped his chin up, black eyes meeting green. They were warm and just as needy as he felt. He leaned over just enough to touch his lips to Harry's. The soft needy moan that came from his partner almost drove him to deepen the kiss. Pulling back, he ran his thumb over Harry's jawline, the tip of it brushing the bottom of those tempting lips. "Do not apologize. We shall continue this when we have time.'

He caught his breath when a tongue slipped out and tasted his thumb. "Which is not now, Harry. We are expected and will be up in front of a crowd soon. We cannot -"

Severus' words were cut off as Harry leaned in once more, fingers stabbing through his hair, wrapping about his head, and dragging his lips back down once again. This kiss was not gentle or easy. Severus fought to keep control as desire leapt like a hot flame through him, but as usual when it came to Harry, he lost. One of his hands tangled through the short black messy mop, the other wrapped about Harry's hip, and both pulled the body he needed against his closer. Turning, he pressed the smaller man into the wall next to his door and broke the kiss, his lips traveling over the jaw and down to the neck that Harry was presenting him. A gentle nip caused Harry's hips to buck into his and another needy whine to resound between them. Severus wasn't sure which one of them made it, but it snapped him out of the haze that he was in.

Pulling back, he looked down taking in Harry's flushed face and the quick pants. He had a feeling he didn't look much better. Grabbing as much control as he could, he stepped back and smoothed down his robes. "We have to go or we'll be late."

Harry closed his eyes for a long moment before pushing off the wall, making sure that he wasn't close to Severus, but his eyes were still drawn to the hard length that was pressed against Severus' fitting trousers. "This is going to be a long, hard wedding."

When he realized what he had said, his eyes snapped up at Severus, seeing the eyebrows well raised in surprise. The sight made Harry grin. "Oops, that was my subconscious mind talking. Let's go."

Severus fought to keep his own grin hidden as his gaze traveled over Harry's body, taking in the same evidence of arousal before he nodded solemnly. "You are right, it is going to be that. Long and hard."

Echoing Harry's chuckle, Severus gestured for him to follow as he started up the hallway. "Is everything ready?"

Harry nodded. "Everything is set. Mum and Dad Weasley are ready as well."

Severus smiled as he and Harry left the dungeons. He had been a touch concerned about letting Arthur and Molly know about them before Minerva wished it to be announced to the Wizarding world, but Harry's argument had been sound. It had taken until about two weeks ago to convince Minerva that it was a good idea to let the core of the Weasley clan know. Once Severus had her permission, he had attended the next Saturday dinner at the Burrow with Harry.

Ronald and Hermione had suggested that they break the news to the family since they were planning on announcing that he and Harry were standing for them, but Severus had nixed that idea. He was not ashamed of his relationship, and to be presented in such a cautious fashion would make it appear so. He and Harry had arrived together and simply walked in, hand in hand. It took Molly and Arthur less than a second to deduce what was going on and to pull them into Arthur's study.

After a long quiet searching look, Arthur had nodded. Molly had studied them a moment longer before pulling them both into a hug. They had then walked out of the room leaving Harry and Severus standing there wondering just what had happened. The only thing that they were positive of was that Molly and Arthur had approved of them as a couple.

By time they came back out, the rest of the family knew and treated it as if it was old news. When it was announced that they were standing as a couple for Ronald and Hermione, Molly had nodded and started talking about spells to control the press.

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

Viola Zimmer stared after the two men as they left the dungeon, her mouth open and her mind racing. Harry Potter kissing Severus Snape?! Of all the – what was this world coming to? Everyone knew those two hated each other! They would rather hex one another than be seen together, much less snog like there was no tomorrow – that scene still left a bitter taste in her mouth - which meant someone had done something to them - a curse, potion, something... yes, that was the only explanation!

Conveniently forgetting how Severus and Harry had been walking together earlier in the school year as well as the fact that Harry had told her that they were practically friends, she decided that the only way to make people investigate this matter was to make them aware of it. Making it to her quarters, she went to her desk and picked up her quill only to put it down. She would go to the Daily Prophet herself, a note would take too much time, and this way she could be named as the source in the interview.

Severus would be pleased with her once she ended his unwanted attachment to that Potter boy. He would be embarrassed, of course, but she would be there to comfort him, like a good friend should. Potter would be pleased too, he would be a good friend to have.

Gathering the last of her belongs, Zimmer called for a house elf to deliver them to her home and then headed out – she had a story to sell.

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

Harry and Severus appeared near the back door of the Burrow as planned, passing easily through the wards surrounding the property. The Press were already gathering all about the front gate, unable to get past the wards that the Weasleys, along with Professor Vector and Babbling, had put in place to keep them off the property until they wanted them there.

Harry raked an eye over Severus' outfit, forcing himself to look at it critically now rather than drooling over the body that was filling it. The black robes that shimmered in the light, giving the appearance of smoke curling about a cauldron, covered a formal suit. Severus did not have on his normal buttoned heavy coat, to Harry's disappointment and relief, but was wearing a dark charcoal colored mandarin suit jacket without any buttons at all. It covered a matching vest with silver buttons and shirt the same color as the silver sheen of the outer robes. It also had a mandarin collar which left Severus' long neck bare, the pale scars from Nagini's bite barely noticeable. The trousers matched the jacket, the hems resting on Severus' standard black shoes.

"Turn around, Severus." Harry waited until the taller man obeyed and then checked to make sure that the back of the robes, which had been pressed into the door, was still immaculate. "Good, no snags. I know that the door to your quarters doesn't have splinters, but it would have been my luck if I had ruined your robes."

Severus' eyes widened for just a moment before he passed an assessing look over Harry's outfit. Ronald had outdone himself in picking out the robes for the occasion. He wondered if that atrocious and ancient formal robes from the groom's fourth year influenced his choices at all. Severus knew that his own sense of style came from making up for some of the clothes he had had to wear when he was younger. 'Harry did help in the choices, though. Maybe both of them were scarred by that rag.'

Running his gaze over the outer robes that matched his, he could not spot anything clinging to it from the dungeon walls. Harry turned about slowly without having to be told, and when the young man was facing him once again, Severus took a steadying breath and studiously ignored the trim body in the robes. He focused on the outfit - a two button single breasted jacket in a medium gray that matched the color of the vest and trousers. He wondered how long it had taken Ronald and Harry to find the exact shade of gray that would look good with the shirt, which was the same color as his. All in all, Harry looked extremely handsome.

Harry soaked in the attention, but finally acknowledged that time wasn't going to wait for them. "Well, did I get it all dirty? I would hate for the photographers to focus on that instead of Ron and Hermione."

When Severus shook his head no, Harry gestured towards the door. "Come on, Mum Weasley was panicking last night because you weren't here."

"I know quite well how to stand still and -"

Harry cut him off with a laugh. "I assured her that you knew how to stand around and look important. Everyone who had the pleasure of being in your classes agreed."

As the dark eyes narrowed, Harry rushed through the door. Severus followed close behind.

"Harry, Severus, you made it! We were beginning to worry." A harassed looking Molly rushed across to them at an alarming speed, still dressed in one of her old robes and clutching yards of cream colored silk that looked suspiciously like Hermione's robes to Harry. "There is a light snack on the kitchen table," she spoke very fast after a quick peck to Harry's cheek and another to Severus', "a tide-me-over until the reception. Don't get your robes dirty. I meant you, Harry. Everyone knows Severus eats as neat as a pin. Oh my, you two look lovely! Harry, Ron is in his room when you are ready to head up. He wanted to make sure you made it. Well, I told him you would, but being the groom, you know…"

With that, she bustled off, heading up the stairs.

Harry and Severus blinked and then turned to the table, checking out what was there. They knew that whatever it was would be good, possible better than the reception catering. There was an array of sandwiches, cake, a salad, and crisps. They had just finished making themselves a plate when George strode in, glancing around the kitchen and pulling his tie loose.

"Harry! Severus! You're here. Ron is about ready to tear his hair out, so is Hermione." George smiled when Harry rolled his eyes and Severus gave the exasperated expression that he knew well. "I'll let them know that you are here and dressed. Then maybe we can finish the last touches and get this thing on the road. Ginny, Fleur, and the others are out with the guests. Finish eating. See you soon."

With that the redhead snagged himself a sandwich and left. They heard him loping up the stairs.

Severus looked about the kitchen before turning to Harry once again. "Is there anything to drink?"

"Put this on the table where we are sitting and I'll get us some water." Harry handed Severus his plate and went to rummage in the cupboards for two clean glasses.

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

The front garden of the Burrow has been transformed for the wedding ceremony. The surrounding trees and bushes has been trimmed and hung with twinkling fairy lights while the frog pond was covered with pink water lilies. Not a single Wellington boot or garden gnome was to be seen anywhere.

A small gazebo had been set in the centre of the garden for the actual exchange of vows. Four small columns at each corner were bursting with tiny carnations and button roses. Cream lace intertwined with navy blue silk loosely wrapped the wooden base and pooled at the bottom. Several rows of chairs had been set in circles around the gazebo and seated amongst them were Kingsley Shacklebolt, several members of the Order, Hogwarts professors, the bridal couple's close friends and their relatives. Great Aunt Muriel was there and so were Hermione's parents.

Despite Molly's worries, the wedding went off without a hitch. No one forgot their places or their lines. Ron looked dashing, not a red hair out of place – Ginny hissed in Harry's ear that Molly had insisted on casting a neatening spell on it – while Hermione looked radiant. At one point, Ron's goofy eyed look caused more than a few snickers amongst his brothers and friends especially when he held Hermione's hands and recited his vows, staring into her eyes like no one else existed.

When the officiator called forth the pair that was to stand witness to this couple's commitment to each other, both Ron and Hermione broke decorum to avidly watch the crowd's faces as Severus and Harry stood up and walked, hand in hand, to stand near them.

There was a collective surge from the press, who were regulated to behind the collection of chairs. The surge was aborted just a foot from the last row of chairs by very precise charm work courtesy of Professor Flitwick and Arthur Weasley. No matter what spell they used or how hard they tried to push forward, the reporters couldn't come any closer, especially when it was revealed that Harry Potter and Severus Snape were standing as witness for the couple, not as individuals, but as a couple themselves… not that their matching outfits, linked fingers and pleased smiles weren't enough of an indication. The Weasleys and Minerva couldn't help the grins that split their faces as the wedding proceeded.

Once the final vow was spoken and witnessed, and Molly had mopped up her tears, several wands were drawn and all vacant chairs vanished, leaving behind a polished wooden dance floor. Molly waved her wand at a group of small tables that were huddled in the far corner of the garden and they came floating over to settle near the dance floor, complete with seats and tiny floral arrangements, courtesy of Bil and Fleur.

As champagne was poured and served by a team of house elves, an enormous five tier wedding cake was wheeled out and cut, revealing slices of vanilla, chocolate, coconut, banana and strawberry sponge. The members of the Hogwarts staff recognized the little servers and decided among themselves that Harry was the reason for them being there. When they confronted Harry and Severus on why they hadn't been informed of their relationship, they were unashamedly pointed to Minerva while the newly revealed couple slipped onto the dance floor after the bride and groom. Severus was careful to hold Harry no closer than was allowed, and Harry struggled to remember that he was not allowed to break the tight control that the Potions Master was showing. They had several hours more before they could finally start their trip.

Several hours later, the wedding party ended. The dances had been danced, the delicious food had been eaten, and the happy guests and not so happy reporters, after accepting the small tokens that Percy passed out, all disappeared into the night. Percy watched as those who had received the red tokens - namely, the Hogwarts staff, a few select friends, and rest of his family – huddled as close together as possible, talking about their plans for the week.

After saying their farewell to them, Ron, Hermione, Severus, and Harry went to the kitchen, to wait for their portkeys to trigger, their trunks shrunk and safe in their pockets.

Hermione brushed a stray crumb from the front of her cream robes that covered her lace wedding dress. She had worn the robes over the dress during the ceremony, but had left it at the table for the reception. Ron adjusted the front of his navy blue robes with his free hand, his other clasping Hermione's. It was severe in its cut and not trimmed with one ounce of lace. His dark brownsuit that he had danced the night away in was sorely wrinkled after George had levitated him up and his elder brothers bounced him about using the levitation charm chanting the Weasley is King song. It was a good thing Ron had been too excited over his big day to eat much for once.

Harry checked the time and tightened his grasp on the long thin stirring rod, his fingers brushing Severus'. He saw Hermione and Ron do the same on a length of red ribbon held in their clasped hands. Their portkeys were scheduled to go off at the exact same moment.

As the ribbon started to heat up, Ron nodded to the other couple. "Enjoy yourselves, you two."

Hermione beamed at them. "Yes and thank you so much for all your help. Take care of Harry, Severus."

Severus let a small smile show. "I will endeavor to do so, Hermione."

Harry felt the stirring rod warming and flashed a smile at his two best mates. "Congrats, you two lovebirds. See you!"

With that, the portkeys activated and the two couples vanished.