Disclaimer: No, still no.

Life For Rent

Chapter 28

"That shirt is absolutely adorable, Hermione! Where did you get it?" Ginny gushed as Hermione pulled Caris' little sweater off her when she and Severus arrived at the Potter's house.

"Minerva McGonagall sent it yesterday. I thought it was so cute but Severus thinks it is—"

"Absolutely grotesque." Severus interjected with a smile as he took Caris' sweater from Hermione and put on the coat rack with his own jacket.

Ginny lifted Caris up and turned her around so she could 'And My Daddy is a Wizard' on the back. "It's not grotesque, it's cute! Although, it is clear that you wouldn't pick it. And I know you wouldn't pick something like this Hermione."

"I just put it on her to annoy Severus, that's all." Hermione replied. "Where are Harry and the twins?"

"They are in the dining room. Lunch is ready and I'm starving, so let's go."

After a lovely lunch of Kreacher's best chicken cacciatore the groups gathered in the family converted playroom. Severus held Caris in his lap as he watched Ginny, Harry, and Hermione have the twins walk between them. They were sitting in a triangle and Lily and James would take it in turns to walk a few stumbling steps from adult to adult and crash with glee into their waiting arms. Despite his better instincts, Severus found himself enjoying the scene immensely and looking forward to the moment when it would be him and Hermione helping a joyful Caris toddle between them. But, the moment passed just as quickly as Severus pondered the real motive behind keeping the lunch appointment despite all his work at Hogwarts. "Harry," Severus said as Lily and James went careening into each other and landed in a heap on the floor. "How is work going?"

"Oh no, sounds like talk is going to start getting serious. Maybe we should put these guys down for a nap before we get started." Harry replied cheerfully lifting Lily off the floor and tossing her lightly in the air. She squealed delightedly as Harry did it again before walking out of the room with Ginny chastising him as she followed with James.

"You'll never get her to sleep if you keep playing like that."

Harry's retort was muffled, but Ginny's laughter could be heard clearly as it rang down the stairs. Hermione moved over to the couch and sat next down to her husband.

"They are so happy together." Hermione said as she took Caris from Severus. Severus leaned over to kiss Hermione softly.

"We are too."

Hermione blushed at his admission. After all the time they had spent together Hermione still felt butterflies every time Severus surprised her with a romantic sentiment.

"Why are you so interested in how Harry's work is going all of a sudden?" Hermione asked before turning toward him in surprise, the proverbial light bulb clicking on her head. "Unless, you want to talk to him about the Defence Against the Dark Arts post?"

Severus made a shushing gesture as Hermione's voice had risen a little toward the end of her statement.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Hermione said her voice rising again.

Severus pushed a finger to her lips effectively closing her mouth. "Because I didn't want you to get over excited just like you are doing right now. I wanted to approach the topic with Harry because it would mean a significant change for him and his family and I didn't want word to spread around that Harry was going to teach if he indeed decided not to accept the post."

"You're right. The media will devour this news if it gets out. I can see the headlines now 'Severus Snape shocks Wizarding World by his very public acceptance and approval of Harry Potter.' It would be chaos."

Severus' lips quirked in an almost imperceptible smile. "That is exactly what I was afraid of."

"Well, I won't say anything."

"Say anything about what?" Ginny asked as she returned to the room carrying a tea tray with Harry on her heels.

"The point, Mrs. Potter, of not saying anything is to not actually say anything." Severus deadpanned.

"Ah, there's Severus Snape. I was wondering where he went." Ginny replied unaffected by his barb.

Severus scowled at Harry who was laughing quietly at his wife's joke.

"What is it you wanted to talk about, Severus?" Harry asked.

"I was just wondering how work was going for you. I hear that you are moving up quickly in the Auror department."

"Yeah, it's going great. Although, since the kids have come along I wish the hours were a bit steadier. It makes it difficult for Ginny. There is a strong likelihood that once training season starts for the Harpies there will be days at a time where we will only see each other in passing." Harry replied honestly.

Severus was pleased to hear his answer. If he could convince Potter to take the post at the school it would stabilize his schedule so that Ginny could return to work as well. Based on the bitter look in Ginny's eyes Severus would have to assume that she would rather go to work and see her husband every day.

"That is unfortunate. You must forgive me but I assumed that Mrs. Potter would not be returning to work after the twins were born." Severus looked over at Hermione who smiled at him and nodded encouragingly.

Ginny sighed deeply. "I would like to go back but you're right. With the babies here now I won't be able to travel with the team anymore just in case Harry gets called in to work. It's alright though. We had planned for this even if I do miss it sometimes. Why the sudden curiosity, Severus?"

"I have a proposal for you, Potter. Unfortunately, I had to let one of my professors go. My Defence professor to be exact and I wanted to offer the position to you." Severus refilled his glass and sat down beside Hermione who was still perched on the couch listening intently. Hermione smiled at Ginny whose face brightened considerably. Harry, however, was staring at his glass pensively.

"McGonagall offered me the post a couple of years ago, you know." Harry said.

Severus frowned. "I did not know."

"Why are you asking me now? Don't you have someone in that position already?"

"Merlin, Potter. Must you always seek some sort of verbal validation from me? Obviously I am asking you because I don't have the position filled suitably. If you are not interested I have another candidate in mind that will not need mollycoddling or my constant praise."

"Severus…" Hermione said quietly placing a hand on his knee.

Severus stood up quickly again and began pacing the room.

"Potter, like I said before I did not know that Minerva asked you already. I understand giving up your position in the Auror department would require a great personal sacrifice but I do believe that you would be suitable for the post. Your knowledge of defence is adequate and you are quite," Severus cleared his throat painfully, "likeable."

"Ginny and I will have to discuss this. How soon do you need an answer?" Harry asked.

"As soon as possible seeing as how school is already in session." Severus replied trying to keep the sarcastic bite in his tone down to a minimum.

Hermione stood up and passed the sleeping baby into Severus' arms and went over to Harry and leaned her head close so she could speak quietly. "Harry, you know Severus isn't the type to offer praise so stop asking for it. The fact that he is asking you to do this is the highest praise he could possibly offer. I wish you would stop acting like you want Severus to adopt you sometimes and be a man."

Harry blushed slightly and scowled at Hermione.

"We'll owl you with you our answer tonight." Harry said.

"Thank you." Hermione replied. "I think Severus and I will be going now so you two can talk."

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"Why do you always have to be so sarcastic around Harry?" Hermione demanded of Severus as soon as they reached Hogwarts.

"Because despite how much he's grown he's still a snivelling little boy who needs a parent's approval and I don't want to be the one to give it to him all the time." Severus replied. "It's awkward enough having him in my life like he is, but it is doubly awkward being married to his best friend. I don't feel like I need to parent you or even Ginny, but with him, it feels that way sometimes."

"I see. Were you just bluffing when you said that you had someone else in mind?"

Severus laid down on the floor with Caris and a few toys and started to play. "Lucius."

"Lucius?" Hermione replied incredulously joining her small family on the floor. "Do you really think the school governor's would appreciate that choice?"

"No, hence the reason I asked Potter instead." Severus dangled a colourful rattle over Caris' head and smiled down at her as she tried to bat it with her hands. "Although, I do believe that Lucius' knowledge is extensive and he would be quite a sufficient professor."

"He probably would be but the students would probably be scared of him. I think Harry would do a wonderful job. Would you require that they live in the castle? I don't see Ginny wanting to move the family in here."

"I am sure arrangements can be made. I do not like to admit it, but we are truly at his mercy right now. I cannot teach the class on top of my other duties and it would be unfair to ask the other professors to cover it indefinitely. I saw Ginny's face when I offered the job. I think she would be happier with Harry as a professor over an Auror right now." Severus conjectured.

Hermione reached out for Severus' hand. "I think you're right. In the past she has complained about how dangerous it is and how he has to leave often, sometimes for days at a time."

"Excuse me, Sir."

Severus started at the sound of Winky's voice from the doorway.

"Sir, you have a letter." Winky stretched out a hand and offered Severus the envelope. He leapt up and took it thanking the elf and sending her away again.

"It's from Potter." He said.

"That was fast."

"It says he will accept the post and begin in two weeks."

"That's great, Severus! I am so excited!"

"I hope I am not making a mistake here. I don't want any unnecessary publicity in the school."

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Severus may have not wanted any unnecessary publicity but that is what he got the next morning, albeit for a different reason. He went down to breakfast without Hermione who was having a bit of a lie-in with Caris. He took the Sunday Prophet from the usual owl that delivered it and stopped short as soon as he unrolled it and looked at the first page. His eyes widened with horror and anger as he read the headline. Glancing around him he could see the other professors and the handful of students who received the Prophet looking at him curiously.

"A Shaky Start for Severus Snape?"

By, Rita Skeeter

Severus Snape, Ex Death-Eater and murderer of Albus Dumbledore has returned to his post as Headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But will this time be any different than the last time he worked there? Only two weeks into the year he is already picking his favourite professors and sacking those he does not like. It can only be a matter of time before he begins to discriminate against the students….

The article went on to list his many indiscretions as a Death Eater and included a very inaccurate depiction of Glitch's termination. Obviously Glitch had run straight to Rita to give her the scoop and since Severus had rejected her on more than one occasion he was not surprised to see the story. Severus called an emergency staff meeting and excused himself from the room. He stormed into his office feeling embarrassed and angry because of the article. He owled Harry requesting his presence at the meeting as well for it would be a good time to formally announce him as Glitch's replacement.

No sooner than Severus sent an elf to Harry's house requesting presence Hermione and Flitwick both came barging into his office.

"Severus, you mustn't pay this article any mind." Filius said immediately.

Hermione approached his desk and skimmed the article quickly her face reddening with anger the whole time. Rita Skeeter even had the nerve to call Hermione a harlot and accused her of sleeping with the professor during her school years and of being a secret Voldemort supporter. It was terrible and she could only imagine the pile of letters the school elves were intercepting from delivery owls as they spoke.

Hermione threw the paper down on his desk again and sat down angrily in one of the chairs in front of it. "They will not get away with this. I will not have it."

"Now, Hermione, calm down. It would not be a good idea to begin plotting any sort of revenge." Flitwick said calmly patting her on the arm.

"No, she's right. At least Glitch won't be able to get away with this. I will explain more at the staff meeting but Glitch wasn't terminated just for being inadequate. He was engaging in illicit behaviour with a sixth year student." Severus said as he scribbled quickly on a piece of parchment.

Filius gasped in surprise. "That is why you terminated him before an official meeting."

"Yes, I regret having to exercise that power so early in the year but it was necessary." Severus filled Flitwick in on the details of Glitch's conversation with Hermione while they waited for the rest of the staff to arrive. Severus also told him about Harry's acceptance of the DADA position and Filius practically bounced out of his seat with glee at the news. Within the hour the remaining staff and Harry had arrived in Severus' office ready for the meeting.

For what felt like the millionth time that weekend Severus retold the story about Glitch and his subsequent visit with Harry, except this time Hermione and Filius helped tell the tale. The staff agreed to act as if the article was never written in the hopes that it would help diffuse the gossip more quickly. They also agreed that Glitch deserved what he got and would be willing to stand for Severus in case the school governor's felt action needed to be taken.

"Professor Vector, since you are the head of Slytherin house I am going to have you make the decision on what should be done about your student. I do not think she should be expelled but I will leave that up to you. However, I do believe her parents should be notified so they may press charges against Glitch if they so choose. That is all I have for now. Potter, if you would please stay for a few minutes, I would like to have a few words with you." Severus addressed the new head of Slytherin house since Slughorn's departure.

Harry settled himself in a chair in front of Severus' desk and waited for the room to clear. Dumbledore was smiling and twinkling at Harry from his place on the wall behind Severus' desk. Severus vowed to leave the two alone for awhile after he was finished talking with him.

"Would you like me to stay?" Hermione asked Severus as the last of the teachers left the office.

"No, love. Go have some breakfast. I will see you later." Severus placed a gentle kiss on his wife's lips before guiding her out the door. He was looking forward to being in her arms later. He always loved being with her but the longer they were together the more he actually needed her comfort when things were difficult. At first, it was difficult for him to accept that he felt that way. She was like an addiction and Severus Snape did not succumb to addictions, but with Hermione he had to make an exception.

Harry politely faced away from Hermione and Severus as they said their goodbyes and instead rolled his eyes and smiled at Albus. For good measure he made a fake gagging face when Severus kissed Hermione which earned Harry a stifled laugh from his old mentor.

"Potter, I want to thank you for accepting the position here first and foremost. You have done me and the rest of the staff a great favour." Severus said as he settled in his seat.

"I don't think Ginny would have given me much choice in the matter. I will miss being an Auror but returning to Hogwarts feels really great. I am honoured that you asked me."

Severus almost smiled at Harry's gracious response. At least he wasn't fishing for compliments again.

"I want to do something about Rita Skeeter. That woman has caused all of us more than enough grief with her slanderous writing. I fear that if we don't do something about her, Hermione will and I don't think she will stop at the unbreakable jar."

"You know about that?" Harry asked and then he shook his head. "Of course you do."

"The only thing I have on her is the fact that she is an unregistered Animagus. That will get her up to ninety days in jail and up to a thousand galleon fine. The problem is that those of us who already know she is unregistered, mainly being myself and Hermione, will be liable as well. You know as well as I do that if she were to appear in court the first thing she would do is incriminate the people that harboured her secret. However, I can give a tip to my fellow Aurors and perhaps she can be watched a little more closely."

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. "That will have to do for now."

"I will pay her a little visit, Severus. I think I can convince her to print a retraction."

"If you wish to do that, I will not object. I am going to go to Hermione and Caris now." Severus stood up and looked first at Dumbledore and then at Harry. "Take your time, Harry."

Harry gave Severus an appreciative looked and approached the portrait of Albus before Severus had even left the office.

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"I swear that woman is loathsome. If I manage to trap her in a jar again, I promise I will never let her out." Hermione was angrily pacing around their bedroom.

"I would not stop you. Harry has agreed to pay her a little visit and to request a retraction. Now stop pacing, I am already agitated and you are making it worse." Severus placed a firm hand on his wife's shoulders to stop her movement.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay? I know that article had to have made you pretty upset. I didn't like rereading all that rubbish about me and that part wasn't nearly as horrible as what—"

"Hermione don't. I am angry, I am embarrassed and a little worried about what the parents and governors are going to say but beyond that I don't wish to discuss it." Severus pulled Hermione into a hug. "At least not right now."

"That's fine, I understand." Hermione spread her hands wide and pressed her palms against the smooth planes of Severus' back. She could feel the tension knotted in his muscles.

"I knew you would." Severus said into her hair.

"You need to relax Severus. How about a bath and a massage?" She asked.

Severus wasn't about to decline some pampering from his wife and for the rest of the afternoon his troubles were forgotten.

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A/N: So this chapter isn't one of my favourites, it is kind of short and feels a bit blah to me, but I hope you all like it though, at least enough to move on to the next one!

Please, please review, it really helps! I love your suggestions and since I wasn't planning on continuing this story originally, all your comments really go a long way in shaping the outcome. And also, I now have 500 which is pretty freaking amazing and over 100 favourites and over 200 alerts. You are the best readers ever!

Thanks to my beta whoopsydaisy who came up with the alliteration for the article's title.