An: I need to thank both Spennig and debygoebel for taking a moment to toss back ideas when I asked. They both offered wonderful ideas on what should happen to Simmons. As usual, Yen worked her magic and this one once again turned out as well as it did because she isn't afraid of thrown paper balls or an author's temper-tantrum.

For those who do not know, this entire thing came from three tiny drabbles that demanded their story be told. They are 'Proving Oneself', 'Crossing the Lines', and 'Deep Thoughts'. The only parts that made it into the tale is all of 'Crossing the Line' and a segment of 'Deep Thoughts', the rest are referenced.

Last thing and then I will be done. Viola Zimmer thanks you all for your disgust and hatred of her character. She worked really hard to become the villain of this piece, doing everything she could to outrank Simmons. I wanted her to be this little tiny side character that tried to read over Severus' shoulder once or twice. That lady is a Slytherin to the core, no matter that she declares that she is a Gryffindor. I tried to go easy on her at the end here, but between her and Yen, she got what she wanted, to be a main character.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy,

Ree

According to Plan

Minerva had not sat down at her desk for a minute before the first evidence of the outcry against Harry and Severus' relationship caught her eye. Snatching up the week old Daily Prophet on her desk, she stared at the front page and felt her temper rise. 'How dare she!? I know that the fact that Severus wanted nothing to do with her was a sore point, but to make wild accusations like this? Honestly! She just made this fight harder.'

With a grimace of disgust, she tossed down the paper which showed a large photo of Zimmer's face looking out at her, blue eyes wide with concern. She reached for the next paper to see what the public response had been. Scanning paper after paper, she almost laughed in disbelief. The Quibbler was the only one that was even remotely right.

Leaning back in her seat, she shifted her attention to the portraits on the walls. "Everard, can you move about through your portraits and let me know what is being said about Severus and Harry's relationship? You have the most access to the different institutions."

"I will." The black haired former Headmaster strode out of his portrait and disappeared.

Several of the other portraits volunteered to check with their other locations as well, and Minerva allowed them to go. Just as she was turning back to the stack of opened letters that were sitting on her desk, most of which seemed to be dealing with the revealed relationship when she had shuffled them into the pile earlier, Hagrid knocked on the open door, catching her attention.

"She had ter do somethin', din' she? Had ter say somethin' ter slander 'arry."

Minerva nodded as she spoke. "I am guessing that Zimmer was here when Harry met up with Severus at the start of the holidays. I don't know, nor do I want to know, what she witnessed."

"Serves 'er righ'!" Hagrid growled. "Sneakin' aroun' Severus like tha' even after she was warned." He turned towards the stairwell. "Well, the res' of the staff is in the meeting room, plannin' jus' what ter do. Yer comin', Headmistress?"

Minerva's head jerked up from where she had just started reading the first letter. "Everyone else is here already?" Yes, she had slept in this morning, but for them to be there, they had to have rushed over as soon as they saw the article.

"Even Professor Dexter." Hagrid waited until the Headmistress joined him to continue down the revolving staircase.

As she walked into the staffroom, Minerva looked at each one of the faces and knew that most of them had taught Harry while he was studying here. They would not take kindly to him being attacked. He had saved their school and many of their lives.

Pomona slammed her hand onto the table top and glared at the same picture of Zimmer on the Daily Prophet sitting in the middle of the table. "How dare she!? I tell you, I am going to do everything in my power to put this right."

The rest of the table nodded grimly. Sybil spoke up next, her voice less wispy than usual. "I foresee a great strife in that jealous blonde's life. She can't do this to Severus and get away with it."

Filius was pacing near the table, his quick steps showing his annoyance. Stopping, he spun about and made eye contact with every person in the room. "This time we can do something for him; our hands are not tied. Zimmer is about to learn how true friends handle things."

Looking back over the resolved faces of her staff, Minerva realized at that moment that she was wrong. They were not here to protect Harry, but someone infinitely more important to them... Severus Snape.

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

A month later...

The meeting called by the Board of Governors would go down as one of the most attended. They normally did not meet where an audience could watch, but since this case involved not only Severus Snape – a controversial figure in the Wizarding public's mind – but also Harry Potter, they had to change their normal meeting place to one of the large arena style meeting rooms at the Ministry of Magic. They were fortunate that neither of the two in question could attend the meeting as they were still out of the country, or they might have had to hold the meeting at a stadium or a Quidditch pitch.

Several of the Governors wondered if the Headmistress had intentionally set the date of this meeting for that very reason and not because of other scheduling conflicts. The Board was prepared to call the two before them if there were any questions left unanswered by the two parties, but agreed to go ahead with the original date since both McGonagall and Zimmer had vouched to continue without either gentlemen present.

Minerva walked through the double doors that led to the floor of the room, flanked by most of her staff. She looked up, taking in the rows of seats that were behind a transparent spell proof barrier that prevented the audience from interacting with those on the floor, yet allowed them to hear what went on thanks to a built in Sonorus spell. It reminded her of an Operation Theater, a place where a Master Healer performed a tricky procedure for the benefit of Trainee Healers.

Pulling her attention back to the floor, she looked at the various groups present. Many members of the Board were handling the scrutiny and size of the audience well, as were the St. Mungo's healers. The aurors that were there seemed to be a touch uptight, looking about frequently, and the previous and current Hogwarts students that were present were huddled near a wall, obviously not used to this type of attention. A quick glance at the opposition, Zimmer at their head, show they were in a similar state of nervousness.

This past month had proved to be interesting. A battle, one subtle enough to make Salazar Slytherin himself proud, was waged through the papers. Minerva was very glad to have Albus help in the plotting as well as many of the other former Headmasters and Headmistresses . They had very quietly pulled together a group of people with iron clad facts as to Harry and Severus' state of mind as well as their physical condition. She also made sure to cover their relationship during Harry's earlier school years as well as that one summer before Harry opted to come back for the eighth year.

While this group was being brought together, the school had openly showed its records on Harry's last year. It showed Harry's morning visits to Severus' office, but it also showed the other students who had found their way into his office at all hours. Many of them were Slytherins, but Draco Malfoy had stepped forward to disclose a reason for that. His answer as stated in an article in the Prophet was that Snape had held counseling sessions for the students throughout the year, mostly talking about their options after graduation. Draco maintained that if anyone from the other houses needed counselling, it would have been Potter. The idea had caught like wildfire, spreading across the media – it was Snape who had helped Potter to become an auror.

Right after that, the papers somehow got hold of the knowledge that Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley had quit the Auror Training program before the end of the year, and Minerva had tracked that leak back to George Weasley. Her eyes sought him out in the crowd now, sitting with the rest of the Weasley clan, their distinctive hair colour standing out. George had agreed to an interview not long after the media found that the Ministry wasn't talking about what caused them to quit. Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnigan, and Dean Thomas had joined George and they told the press everything they knew.

Minerva's eyes looked over at the aurors who were there for the meeting and spotted one called Vaughn. The moment the name Simmons appeared in the media, that man's name had been linked to him. The information that had come out of that incident had completely destroyed Simmons' career. The man was on a permanent desk position out in a small town that news hardly ever travelled to, at least according to Kingsley.

"This meeting of the Board of Governors of Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry is now called to order." Mr. Everly, the chairman of the board, addressed the other eleven members. "Today we are meeting to discuss the behavior of one Master Severus Snape, Deputy Headmaster and Potions Professor of Hogwarts. There are serious allegations that he formed a relationship with Mr. Harry Potter during Mr. Potter's final school year. There is a suggestion that both gentlemen were hexed or given a potion that caused this to occur. We are here today to discover the truth of the beginning of their friendly association, as the tale of their previous one is well known."

Mr. Preston, the spokesman for the board, stood up and focused his attention to the two groups that were waiting on him to begin. "Let us start with the former Professor of Muggle Studies, Viola Zimmer."

Everyone leaned forward to watch the blonde woman getting up and walking to stand before the table.

Preston continued. "At the beginning of the summer, you gave an interview to the Daily Prophet. In that interview you said you had proof that Professor Snape and Mr. Potter were in a relationship. You also since stated your belief that this relationship is not truly wanted on either side and that they have been coerced into it by some magical means. Is this true?"

"It is," Zimmer answered with a nod. "I saw Potter, dressed in formal robes, come looking for Professor Snape at Hogwarts just as I was preparing to leave for the summer. As no one but staff should have been on campus, I followed him." Disgust laced her voice as she continued. "The display I saw at Professor Snape's door could only be explained by a lust potion or a spell. They could not keep their hands to themselves, and could barely pull apart to walk down the hall. They were worse than the teens I have had to break up during hall duty."

Preston's lips compressed tightly before he continued. "So, they greeted each other enthusiastically, but were perfectly capable of walking out of the building. You then immediately went to the Prophet for an interview?"

Zimmer beamed, oblivious to Preston's cool tones. "Of course! I had to let the entire world know so that we could all get our heads together to help them. They are obviously not happy."

Minerva's eyebrows went up. True, she hadn't seen what Zimmer had, but how could two people greeting each other enthusiastically not look happy? 'They looked very happy the last time I saw them.' She caught the glances of the other staff members who had attended the wedding and saw that they were thinking the same thing.

Zimmer continued, "I think whatever it is has been affecting them for a while. Potter stopped by the campus near the end of the first term. He called Professor Snape by his first name and said that he earned the ability to do so." She managed to inject a note of incredulity into her tone.

Preston gave her a long steady look before he spoke. "If you will call up the experts and witnesses you have to prove that Professor Snape and Mr. Potter had formed an unprofessional relationship induced by outside means before the end of Mr. Potter's final school year?"

"Of course!" Zimmer flashed a happy smile and waved to the group of people who had been sitting with her. She didn't appear to notice the grim looks on the faces of the other group of people.

Preston returned to his seat, ready to listen to all that was said. He was rewarded when Defense Master Terrance walked forward to explain person specific hexes, focusing on those that lust inducing.

Once Terrance finished, Potions Master Quagmire stepped forward. He took thirty minutes to explain the different potions that could have caused the same effects as Terrance's spells and how they could be administered. By this time, more than a few people in the audience were getting restless.

The next person, Evangeline Thorne, who was an up and coming Potions Mistress as well as a former eighth year Ravenclaw, talked about how Professor Snape and Harry Potter seemed to be on friendlier terms throughout Harry's last school year, from her observation of them in Advanced Potions class. A few other previous students also stepped forward to comment on seeing them around each other more, and that their relationship was more relaxed than previous years.

When Zimmer's side had finished their case, almost two hours had gone by. Preston stood up from his seat. "Headmistress Minerva McGonagall," he called. He waited until Minerva was standing in front of the table before he continued. "You do not believe that Professor Snape and Mr. Potter's relationship is coerced. You also do not think that it turned into a romantic relationship until after Mr. Potter graduated from Hogwarts, is this true?"

"It is true, Mr. Preston," answered Minerva in a quiet respectful tone.

"Please call up your witnesses." With that Preston sat back down, hoping that this would soon be over, but looking at the group that was still crowding the floor, he knew his hopes were not going to be heeded.

"First, I will call up Healer Stanhope from St. Mungo's. Healer Stanhope has been the Head of the Creature Induced Injuries Ward for the last twenty years. He was the Healer in charge of Professor Snape's case while he was at St. Mungo's after the Final Battle." Minerva stepped back and let the sandy brown haired man take her place.

Stanhope told of how Potter had visited Snape the entire summer of his confinement after the Final Battle. He talked about how their relationship went from strained to friendly, but that it never crossed the professional line. At this assertion, he passed over a number of signed declarations from the medi-witches that staffed the ward that showed their opinion of Snape and Potter's relationship at the time.

Stanhope continued, explaining that Snape acted like an advising professor more often than not. He also vetoed any claims that Snape had been influenced by a potion or spell during that time, and cast doubt on the idea that anyone could have slipped the Potions Master something that he didn't know about, stating the several failed attempts to slip Snape calming draughts. These claims were also backed up with another stack of signed parchments from the other members of his ward.

Minerva couldn't help smirking at the growing frowns on the faces of the opposing group. Quagmire looked over at Terrance and the two held a small conference when Stanhope passed over the second stack of parchments. The students looked at one another before shrugging slightly. Finally, she let her attention settle on Zimmer, who had started this whole debacle. The blonde was also frowning slightly, but her concerned looks at Stanhope suggested she thought there might be something wrong with him.

After Healer Stanhope, Auror Vaughn came up. He pulled out record after record from the Auror training program showing that Harry Potter was not under the influence of any potion or spell up right up until he and Ronald Weasley left at the end of November. Some of them were the results of the extensive physicals that the Auror Trainees were given throughout their training time period. Other records show that Harry had never missed a training and often logged extra hours at the Ministry, proving that he did not slip off to see Snape periodically as potions or spells would force him to do.

Thomas Albrich, a former Ravenclaw student then stepped forward. He fidgeted with the edge of his sleeve as he waited to be acknowledged. Once Preston nodded towards him, he introduced himself and proceeded to tell about the confrontation he had witnessed in the hallway that school year between Zimmer and Snape. He then explained how both Potter and Snape had acted the year before when they were out and about the school. "They were finally like a student and a teacher, not like enemies geared up for battle every time they crossed paths. On occasion, you could tell they understood each other and why they had to act like they used to. Sometimes you could also tell they had the potential to become close because they had both had experiences that the other could relate too. But it was never evident that it went beyond a potential."

Once Albrich sat back down, beaming with relief and ignoring Zimmer's annoyed frown, the Hogwarts' staff came up one by one, determined to have their say. Each one started by discussing how Potter's relationship with the Snape had mellowed during Potter's final year. They mentioned the speculation that had run riot in the staffroom throughout the year as to the cause. It was Flitwick that said that the top two reasons decided on were that Potter was not flagrantly breaking rules and Snape didn't have to convince You-Know-Who of his loyalty any longer. After the staff explained Potter's and Snape's school relationship, they discussed Zimmer's obsession with Snape and her insistence that he needed her company. They brought out her breaking safety protocols for entering his lab, and her cornering him in the staffroom, at the High Table, in the hallways, and even in his own office during student hours. By then, many of the members of the Board were shooting Zimmer looks with well raised eyebrows which only increased her vexation. Hooch mentioned how this constant need for Snape's sole attention interfered with his duties as both Head of House and Deputy when it came to Quidditch, while the others after her stated that it made it very difficult to exchange information that the Head of Slytherin needed to know about his students. Minerva found herself hard pressed not to smirk at Zimmer whose face continued to mirror outrage, annoyance, disbelief and hurt in turns.

Finally, Minerva brought in the portrait of Potions Master Gaffe, who until that moment, had always hung in Severus' office. His was the final evidence that destroyed the idea that anything illicit had happened between the two during their early morning visits. He maintained that they only conversed about Harry's studies and general things, learning about each other without the clouds of war hovering over them. He explained that the only time he had seen anything that hinted of a romantic relationship between them was during the previous school year when Potter had visited before Christmas to have lunch with Snape, and even then they showed the amount of decorum he had come to expect from the two of them.

At this point, a recess was called. The Board moved to a section of the room where they were protected from observation while they discussed the evidence presented.

While they were gone the two groups sized each other up. The noise in the audience must have been overwhelming but none of that made it down to the floor.

Quagmire and Terrance walked over to talk to Stanhope and Vaughn. Poppy drifted into hearing distance, shamelessly eavesdropping on the discussion of spells and potions and their reactions, what they would have been like for a positive result as well as a negative one, with the tests completed on Severus and Harry.

Sybil Trelawney focused on Zimmer, her oversized glasses glinting slightly in the light. The ex-professorstill looked fairly confident, which didn't surprise the seer at all. She knew that it was going to take a total defeat to make even a dent in that woman's illusions. That defeat was coming. Not today. No, it was going to happen at a different trial before the summer was out, if she was reading the future correctly.

Hagrid reached into his pockets, looking for a snack to share with the professors as they waited. He was sure he had a thermos of tea and some cooked sausages somewhere on him. He pulled out a large bag of live mice, one owl – it was in a separate pocket from the mice, a dead possum he had forgotten to give to the thestrals that morning, some bits of parchment, a length of cord and eventually the tea and sausages.

By time Hagrid had finished littering a table Minerva hastily transfigured from a parchment, the staff had conjured up cups, given the table a resigned look, and prepared to receive the strong sweet stuff that Hagrid passed off as tea.

The former students backed away from the moving bag, obviously not trusting it to just be mice.

Trelawney moved over to the table, trailing behind Poppy, and spotted the dead possum. Narrowing her eyes just a bit, she flicked her wand, the motion hidden behind her many shawls, and caused the dead critter to skid across the floor. She was at the table with a teacup in hand by time the possum came to a stop, crashing into Zimmer's fashionable heels with enough force to make it flop over one foot.

Zimmer's screech caused everyone to look over at her. The Professors turned back to their tea once they saw what happened. Hagrid smiled slightly as he spoke. "Tha' possum was never picky even when it were alive. Will you bring it back here, I still need to feed it to Banor."

With a flick of her wand, a revolted looking Zimmer sent it zooming back towards the half giant and cast almost half a dozen Scourgifys over her shoes. She settled into a seat, her hand resting over her heart.

After ten minutes, the members of the Board reconvened at the table and everyone sat back in their seats. Hagrid refilled his pockets and Minerva Vanished the table and used mugs. The restless crowd quietened and on the floor, the buzz of conversation died down to an expectant silence

Preston stood. "Miss Zimmer, Headmistress McGonagall, please step forward."

Once they were standing before him, he stated in a firm tone, "This Board finds that Professor Snape did not have a romantic relationship with Mr. Harry Potter during his final year of school. The Defense group has provided sufficient evidence to cast doubt that either men were cursed, or poisoned in any way."

He turned to look at Zimmer, a clearly disapproving look on his face. "Miss Zimmer, as you are no longer a Professor at Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, we cannot remove that privilege from you for your reprehensible behavior towards a senior staff member. What we can and shall do is alert the other Wizarding schools in Britain and across Europe of your conduct. You are also hereby banned from the grounds of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry as long as Professor Severus Snape is a member of the staff."

Ignoring her look of open mouthed shock, he turned to the rest of the board, nodded towards Mr. Everly and then sat down.

Everly waved Minerva back to the witness seats that lined the wall and then turned his attention back onto Zimmer. "Viola Zimmer, you have cast Hogwarts in a bad light, bringing into question the credibility of our Deputy Headmaster, and the protection afforded our students from all dangers. I understand that this is not the first time that the school has been called into question, but typically this type of situation is either handled in the Headmaster's office or in the Board Room. You have dragged it out into the public eye, selling it to the Prophet, and creating months of scandal which shall unfortunately cling to our school's name long after you have gone. You have harmed our reputation in the Wizarding community which we are still rebuilding from the last hit the Prophet inflicted upon it with the slandering of former Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. As stated in your contract, which you signed to become a member of the staff of Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, all issues and suspicion of improper conduct of another staff member should travel through proper channels. You failed to do so; therefore, you shall be brought up before the Wizengamot for breach of contract. You shall be informed in writing when your trial shall convene."

He waited, letting his words sink in, hoping he would finally see some sign that the deluded blonde standing before him with a white face and huge eyes understood the amount of trouble she had brought upon herself. There, in the back of her blue eyes, he spotted a bit of comprehension. Maybe the trial would hammer it home.

Taking a moment to look over the crowd of witnesses – one group with growing smiles and the other with sullen looks - and then the audience and excited press, he returned his attention to the two women standing before him. "This session is over. Everyone is dismissed."

The noise that erupted on the floor itself was deafening even without the addition of the bedlam from the audience.

As the vindicated group of Hogwarts staff passed Zimmer who sat slumped in her seat, they shot her triumphant looks and Flitwick made sure he spoke loud enough for her to hear. "And thatis how we take care of and support our friend."

The staff of Hogwarts met in the staffroom that afternoon for celebratory drinks, served by the house elves who were all grinning from ear to ear. Even though the Board couldn't slap Zimmer down as hard as she needed to be, they all knew that the reporters who were in the audience would finish the job.

The upcoming trial would finish off the scraps that were left.

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

Minerva looked at the portraits that surrounded her and smiled. Her professors were coming back today. To say that summer had been interesting would have been an understatement, but she and the rest of them had come out victorious.

Ever since the Public Board meeting, the Wizarding public was champing at the bit to get to Severus and Harry especially since they had not stepped one foot into the Wizarding world the entire summer, most of which they had spent out of the country. She had succeeded in blocking them out of Hogwarts – they would not be able to get to either of those two when they arrived back on campus. She was worried about in Hogsmeade, but she had a feeling that Severus and Harry could handle it.

In the meantime, the press had vented their collective spleen on the unfortunate Zimmer who had taken to hiding in her own home until the trial which she ended up being fined for breach of contract and then fled overseas to an undisclosed location after that.

A knock sounded on the door, pulling Minerva from her thoughts. "Come in, Severus, Harry."

Her eyes were immediately drawn to their clasped hands as they entered her office. "How was your summer?"

The smile that grew on Harry's face and the happiness alight in Severus' eyes made the long summer even more worth it.

"It was fun, Minerva, thanks for asking." Harry let Severus' hand go. "I'll go get our things settled into our quarters. I know that you two have a lot to talk about."

"Harry, one moment." Minerva waited until he was looking at her. "Did you pass your Mastery?"

A mischievous glint appeared in Harry's eyes. "I passed my Defense Mastery before Christmas last school year." When the long fingers around his tightened, he relented and continued. "I won't take my Muggle Studies Mastery until this Christmas or maybe next summer depending on how much time I have to devote to it."

Minerva sighed. "You took the summer off, didn't you?"

A chuckle escaped Harry. "You're kidding me, right? I was with Severus! I worked on it, but my focus is a bit different because compared to others who have gone after the Muggles Studies mastery, my thesis requires far more documentation. I guess it is because they can't verify the information as easily as they could for the others master theses."

"So what are you focusing on, my boy?" The question came from behind Minerva.

Shifting a bit so that he could catch a glimpse of those twinkling blue eyes, Harry smiled and continued. "Instead of politics, sir, I am focusing on the everyday life of a Muggle."

Minerva glanced behind her and saw Dumbledore leaning against the edge of his frame, obviously about to start a long conversation. "So, it will be an in depth study. I am sure that Albus will love for you to come up here to converse about it sometime, but right now I need to fill you on what happened while you were off having fun."

Studying Minerva's face, Severus asked, "How did your summer go?"

Minerva gestured towards the chairs near the fireplace and waited until they were seated before continuing. "Better than I expected. It seemed that Viola Zimmer spotted you two in the castle before Ronald and Hermione's wedding."

Harry remembered that she was there when Severus opened his door. A small grin slipped on his lips. He did show her her place, and that it wasn't in Severus' arms.

"I'm not sure if you have read the papers, but she announced your connection to the Prophet. The article that ran rambled on about potions, spells, and other nefarious means. It would have done the Quibbler justice."

Severus glanced at Harry before looking back Minerva. "That explains the large amount of press that was focusing on us before we even stood up at the wedding. I am glad that Molly and Arthur had planned for them."

Minerva nodded in agreement before continuing. "That was one of the reasons I was truly expecting things to become horrid, especially since everyone vanished after the wedding. Luckily, a number of people stepped forward to show that both of you were sane and not cursed, I will let you know the full list later so you can thank them if you like. That Auror Training had it uses, since Auror Vaughn pulled all the records from the testing they did for the trainees' fitness. They proved that Harry wasn't being drugged in any way."

She nodded and smiled when Harry rolled his eyes and muttered that at least it was good for something.

"The healers at St. Mungo's commented on how you two seemed to be on friendlier terms since Harry spent most of the summer after the Final Battle with you, Severus. That he visited at least once a day." Minerva had been surprised by that, she didn't know that Harry had even been to see him that summer. "And Healer Stanhope testified that you were not under the influence of anything that would have forced you into a relationship with Harry."

Severus raised an eyebrow at that last one. "They didn't think those visits started a romantic relationship even before Harry went back for his final school year?"

Minerva laughed lightly. "Severus, there were so many students that came forward to say that it wasn't possible. That you treated him as you did everyone else. You need to thank Mr. Albrich, he really did well in the meeting. When the issue of your morning office visits came up, the portrait in your office, Master Gaffe, witnessed that all Harry did was study books along with eating breakfasts. He said it was very boring since neither of you talked much. Just Harry asking a question on a subject and you directing him to a book."

Harry burst out laughing while Severus relaxed in his seat. "So, we are clear?"

Minerva shook her head. "No, the reporters are desperate to get to either of you, or both of you for an interview. They were there for the meeting, but they were barred from the floor."

"Harry and I talked about that possibility. We were thinking about doing an exclusive interview later this week with the Prophet if you would excuse us from a few of the meetings. We will be willing to meet up with you to cover anything important that we missed," Severus offered.

"Severus can fill me in if it is something that he knows, so it wouldn't have to be long meetings for you." Harry glanced at Severus to make sure that it was okay. He received a tiny nod back.

Minerva watched both of them before answering. "That'll be fine. Now, go settle in and I'll see you later at the official staff meeting. Severus, there isn't anything new for this year that we haven't already discussed by letter."

"Until later then." With that, Harry and Severus headed for the door. Stopping with his hand on the knob, Severus turned back to his friend. "Thank you, Minerva. Without you, I doubt that this would have been as easy as it was."

Minerva smiled softly. "It wasn't just me, Severus. It was all of us here. We made sure that you wouldn't have to worry. That is what friends are for. We could finally do something for you."

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

Harry looked up from the photo album he was putting together of their summer trip when Severus came through the door. "So, is your office in order?"

Settling on the sofa next to Harry, Severus nodded. "It is all straightened out, you do not need to come help yet."

The picture that Harry was currently putting into the album caught his attention. It was the two of them kissing on the beach, their hair blown about by the sea breeze that also caused the fluttering of the black robes, making them shimmer even more in the light of rising sun than they had at the Weasley wedding. Ronald and Hermione were standing to the side smiling as brightly as could be and still dressed in their wedding robes. Hermione had asked if they wanted her to change the colour of her robe to navy blue to match Ronald's, but he and Harry had told her that it wasn't necessary. "I am glad that those two didn't mind postponing their honeymoon."

Harry grinned. "I'm glad that they agreed to have their wedding late enough that we could portkey to that beach in Cairns, Australia and it be considered the next day. So, even though our weddings were only hours apart, we have different anniversaries."

Turning the page, Severus spotted another picture of the Weasley clan playing in the surf. "That everyone else made it there was surprising. I didn't expect that."

Harry laughed as he remembered the shock on Severus' face that he was positive mirrored his own. He made a note to ask Mum Weasley if she had taken a picture of their faces since he spotted a camera in her hand when he looked up. When they had appeared at the portkey drop off, they had fully expected to see Ron and Hermione as well as Mum and Dad Weasley, but Percy had succeeded in getting the entire Weasley family there as well as most of the professors from Hogwarts and a few friends. The red tokens he had been passing out at the end of the wedding were actually portkeys.

Turning the page, Harry slid the picture of Hagrid holding Flitwick up out of the water while wading out into the deeper part of the surf into its spot. Many other pictures showed the beach that day. Minerva was under a brightly colored umbrella with a huge pair of sunglasses perched on her nose. The other professors were missing their heavy robes while they went about soaking in the sunshine. Of course there were many of him alone with Severus along with Ron and Hermione scattered about, snatching kisses when they thought no one was watching.

Slowly closing the book with the last picture now in place, Harry leaned into Severus. "So, when is the staff meeting?"

Running a hand down Harry's back, Severus pulled him closer. "We have about two hours."

Harry's head popped up off of the chest it was resting on, his green eyes gleaming. "So, let's put that time to good use, what do you think?"

Severus shifted as if he was about to get up. "Good idea. You can help me arrange my potion ingredients."

A soft laugh left his lips when Harry pushed him onto his back instead before kissing him. Severus felt his buttons being undone and knew the ingredients would have to wait, but he didn't mind that at all.