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Chapter 42: End of Term
Tinky gently woke the couple in the morning at the set time. Severus was not exactly happy about the hour and Tinky got a strong black coffee into the tall man before he was alert.
"Good morning my dearest. Are you awake yet?" inquired the witch laughing at his grumpiness. Hermione took the cup from him taking a sip and then placing it on the bedside table. "I want a good morning kiss please," she demanded before pulling him down into the pillows for a passionate morning greeting.
His body was covering hers and her breasts were pressing into his chest. She could feel the start of his arousal against her thigh. When she let him up for a breath he rested his forehead on hers looking directly into his eyes. "I love you Severus Tobias Snape," she asserted.
Severus rolled his weight off her, lying on his side looking down watching her beautiful body wriggle as she attempted to roll over. She sometimes was like a turtle on its back. Trapped by her body that did not allow her to move as and when she wanted. When she managed to roll over he had had a pretty enjoyable view of her breasts jiggling with her wriggling movement. There under the nightgown were two peaches like breasts with pert nipples poking their attraction through the fabric at him.
"I is thinking it is time I popped Miss Mia back to her room Snapey" advised Tinky.
"I will see you later Severus. I will be having an early breakfast if you want to join Tonks, Harry and myself. I know it is a Saturday morning but I have lots to do today", advised the witch holding out her hand to Tinky so she could be popped.
Once she had left Severus reluctantly got out of his comfortable bed and headed for the bathroom to have a shower. While completing his morning abolitions he looked round the bathroom and thought about the modifications that he would need to have done to ensure it was safe for Hermione. There was an interesting idea that graced his mind that he would need to investigate further. Dressing in comfortable trousers and a short sleeved business shirt that was open at the neck he then wandered down to the Great Hall and breakfast.
"Your up early Severus!" exclaimed Minerva when she saw him enter the hall and sit at the table. "I suppose you wanted to be up since we had our guests here" referring to the School Governors. One of which was Augusta Longbottom who was currently sitting beside Minerva apparently drinking tea. As the only male except for young Teddy currently at the head table he sort of felt out numbered. It was like a drowning man reaching for a lifebuoy thrown to him when he saw Harry enter the Great Hall. Severus with his eyes was imploring him to save him from the coven of women who all seemed to point out his faults to himself rather than going to sit with his Ravenclaw girlfriend. The boy wonder took off his official robes hanging them over one of the Ravenclaw benches before coming up to the top table.
"Morning" he greeted Hermione. Kissing his best friend on both cheeks using the French family greeting. "Morning Severus" the young man greeted the Headmaster giving him a look and the raised eyebrow. According to Harry's sources the two of them had not been obviously lovey dovey but Hermione was not like that. Harry also doubted that Severus would be one comfortable with overt public displays of affection.
Minerva got the same kisses of welcome and Madam Longbottom received a handshake. After stealing Elizabeth Marie off Tonks Harry sat down next to Madam Longbottom. Teddy was currently being a fang merchant with some very mushy Weetabix. Little Elizabeth Marie was quiet happy lying against the chest of the boy man feeling the rumbling of his voice gently talking to the School Governor and his former Head of House. The interesting trio were having a conversation about further developments in the adult education programs, which could be undertaken as well as how Harry wished there had been a formal magical etiquette class when he was in first year.
There was also an intense discussion between all present at the table over the Marcus Turner issue. Madam Longbottom advised what previous sentences had been inflicted on individuals who had pleaded guilty to the crime. What concerned Tonks was how many more victims and if he had friends with the same predicates. Harry advised that from what he had heard in the back rooms of the Aurors Office that was being followed up. Well that was one relief for Severus' mind. Now all he had to do was make sure they did not leave him anywhere near Turner with his wand cause he so wanted to apply a Sectumsempra or two or three to the man's privates. Healing him correctly would be a questionable matter.
When Luna entered the Great Hall, Harry had noticed and he excused himself from his company before taking young Elizabeth Marie with him to sit at the Ravenclaw table where he had left his robes since she seemed to be comfortable resting on his chest. Her little head was snuggled into his neck.
When Remus came into the Great Hall he took Teddy from Tonks so she could eat her meal. The toddler had a smeared face. The problem with Weetabix is it could set like glue if you didn't get it off where it was fairly quickly. Calling for Winky and a cloth Remus proceeded to remove the Weetabix from the toddler who had turned into a wriggling monster who did not want his face wiped. His antics provided some amusement for many of the early risers amongst the student population. After getting cheered up by sitting with his Aunty Mia, Teddy was taken upstairs for a nappy change by the ever attentive Winky.
Seeing Harry struggling to eat his breakfast with just a fork Tonks went down and retrieved her daughter as she had managed to consume her own breakfast. When Harry had finished his breakfast he kissed Luna on the cheek before walking up to Hermione and Remus to see what she wanted to chat about before he headed to bed. The Graveyard shift was a killer.
"Um Harry what are your plans for over the Summer, as you are taking the two boys in. Remus and I need to let Severus know our plans so they have enough coverage for the induction process"
"We are having some of Dora's family come over so we plan to be staycationers this year. No trip to the continent for us. We are still learning how to do this two kids under two years gig", explained Remus.
"Well like Remus and Dora I was planning the same sort of thing Staycationing. I was going to be looking for some help for ideas for outings and where necessary coverage for when I am on duty. It is not like they will readily give permission for me to take two orphans out of the country. Luna is coming to stay with me but she has her own work to do with her family business."
"Sounds like we are all on the same page. I am planning to basically staycation. I was thinking about a two week trip away but I haven't booked and I hadn't picked a place where I wanted to go. I will be having a guest or two staying with me in my apartment," she advised the other two.
"Would one of the guests be Severus by any chance", teased Remus who enjoyed her blush.
"Maybe", she countered his teasing trying desperately to control her raging blush.
"My nose says that is definitely. You two may be very good a sneaking about but my nose can smell him all over you and vice versa", he teased she really should not try a tangle with a Marauder.
"Oh Miss Mia has been naughty" teased Harry.
There was an umph umph of someone clearing their throat to attract their attention from behind Harry. Looking up Harry observed the stern Headmaster look he was receiving. He may not be the snarky Potions Professor any more but the man could still do the evil death eater look with the drop of a hat.
"Remus and Hermione I need to remind you that I need your Summer details today. So can I ask you to complete the forms so I can do the administrative planning in preparation for tomorrows staff meeting", instructed Severus.
"Certainly Severus," advised Remus with a hint of a laughing grin on his lips.
oOoOo
The end of year staff meeting was an all day staff development day where different groups including individuals on the various committees like the finance committee were in attendance to bounce and develop new ideas for the improvement and development of the school.
It turned out to be a very informative event as with all the ring ins like Bonnie Thompson, apprentices like Neville Longbottom and officials such as his grandmother helped to provide a wealth of ideas and enough staff available to cover the supervision of students in shifts.
oOoOo
The Monday morning trial of Marcus Turner was a slightly longer than the expected hour long trial. The fool attempted to claim not guilty even when they had the physical evidence, his veritaserum interview report and the supporting testimony from others who had been found in this investigation. Of course individuals were going head over toes to stab their former friends in the back if it would give them a lesser sentence for their cooperation with the MLE.
So instead of the one hour tops length trial there was a three hour trial and the full book of the Wizengamot censure was thrown at him. Magical castration was completed before his transfer to Azkaban for the rest of his natural life. The others who were caught up in this investigation were quickly processed in the order of cases for the rest of the day before the court. While they may not have received the sentence for the rest of their natural lives they were all magically castrated and would be pretty ancient when released. In addition to that there were some tough parole conditions set by the Wizengamot that would have to be adhered to when they were released.
oOoOo
The new couple were discreet during the last two weeks of the school year but individuals like Minerva, Pomona, Poppy and Filius all suspected that they were private interludes between the two of them. It was the looks were they seemed to communicate their unspoken messages, there were gentle touches in the teachers' lounge. The morning coffee meeting continued and those who were using the social spaces may have noticed the obvious deep friendship between the two former warriors. Each night Hermione was popped from her rooms to his even when Harry was a frequent guest staying in her spare bedroom.
Together Hermione and Severus sat in his lounge reading, talking or just being together. The late night interludes confirmed that they were highly suited to each other. Hermione had quietly started the research for their joint study project. They both agreed that they would not be doing any potion experiments until they moved into Grimmauld Place for the summer. Slinky his administrative elf would be visiting each morning so he could keep on top of the administration of the castle. There would be days when Severus would have to be at the castle but hopefully they wouldn't be too frequent.
Hermione herself had some assignment work to do for her Muggle teaching degree. She was taking a flexible program and being Miss Overachiever seemed to be flying through the material. The only issue she had now was organising the require number of practical teaching hours and of course the dreaded teaching practice assessments. She had brought up the issue of her teaching practice assessment requirements at the staff development strategy day and Severus and Minerva said that they would investigation the options. Hermione being Hermione was starting to get a little anxious about this matter as she liked to be organised.
It was with great relief for the staff to see the majority of the students off the grounds and onto the Hogwarts express. Yes! The year was over! There was about 15 minutes of celebration before the panic stations returned to full blast. The staff had to get the school prepared for the graduation ceremony before the train returned in the afternoon with Muggle parents and friends of the 7th and 8th years. There were 8th years that had completed their education by the evening program also on the train taking the time to enjoy the pride of their families and friends on the journey north. Students in the school were put to work before being sent to get dressed in their robes for graduation for the last time. The castle house elf population had been working their fingers to the bone. Elves from other locations popped in to provide assistance in this most busy time of the year.
Graduation was a success and everyone seemed pleased. The visitors who had arrived by magical means before the ceremony were all happy to return to their own homes by floo or apparition at the end of the night. Many of the students decided to stay in the dorms overnight for the last time and travel on the train back to London in the morning. The Muggle parents were given beds in the dorms so finally on their child's last night in the school they actually saw the environment where they had been sending their child for the last 7 years.
The afternoon after sending the 7th/8th years students off on the train a smaller prize giving ceremony event was held in the Great Hall for the Adult Education program. Those who had taken academic subjects received recognition that they had completed their year of study and prizes where given to those who deserved them. The Saturday night saw a bit of a shing ding down in Hogsmeade when the staff had their end of year party at the Three Broomsticks. Madam Rosemarta provided excellent food at her gastro pub. It turned into an open party, as there were students who had been at the Adult Education program prize giving who joined the staff and proceeded to celebrate the end of the year.
Come Sunday the castle house elves delivered sobering up potion to all teaching and academic support staff apartments and cottages. Argus Filch was very quick to depart the school for his four weeks holiday a long long way away from children. The first group of elves who were departing off to the castle holiday elf camp in the forbidden forest were all ready gone. There were crews putting teaching classrooms into stasis after their spring clean, repair and paint. The library was getting its annual stocktake and Madam Price expected the elves to complete this by the end of the day. By 5pm the remaining human population was ready to leave the castle. The only one who would be left on the grounds for the next two weeks was Hagrid. Severus had raised the wards. The house elf population had fully moved to the camp grounds only one or two would stay with Hagrid to keep an eye on things. Slinky would check the mail each morning but that would be beautifully brief in its task. There was outside work in the agricultural fields for the elves to do and they were gong to do it. There was also forestry work along with some external building work that they could get done with minimal supervision.
Tinky, Winky and Kreacher had all moved their families' belongings down to the Potter Lupin Granger residence. Tinky was quiet adamant that the Headmasters belongings went into Miss Mia's master suite while Kreacher wanted to put him up on the 3rd floor. In the end it had taken the old elf visiting Miss Mia for this to be sorted out. When Narcissa and Draco were having Lunch on that Sunday the Lady Malfoy had to ask why Kreacher was so happy. Wiggling his way round his promise of not to tell the pair of them managed to ferret out that Miss Mia was having a boyfriend guest staying with her in her apartment during the Summer. Draco snorted his tea across the patio table at hearing his godfather described as a boyfriend.
When the families all arrived on Sunday afternoon Draco and Narcissa were enjoying the terrace. There was a flurry of greetings when everyone arrived and Narcissa claimed Elizabeth Marie from her mother. "Oh Dora she is just like Draco at the same age".
Harry and Luna arrived in the house from a day out with Ryan and Duncan. Everyone was promptly put to work as they were advised that tonight's dinner was BBQ since the late spring early summer night was going to be dry. It was an easy relaxed evening for the combined household for the start of the Summer holidays.