It was now New Year's Eve, and as Harry had told Severus it would happen; the Ministry was throwing their annual end of the year gala. Harry never understood the fancy title, it was a New Year's party. Back in November, after Harry agreed to take the promotion of Head to the Auror Office; he went into work the following Monday and let Robarbs and Kingsley know. They were overjoyed, of course, and keeping the reveal quiet until tonight. No one knew, except Severus, who Harry had told, but made sure he knew not to tell anyone else. Harry did tell Kingsley that it was fine to make the announcement at the gala, but Harry would not be giving a speech. He would come up and be acknowledged, shake hands, get whatever pin or badge to signify his new job, but he would not speak to the public. Kingsley had hoped Harry would talk, but he wouldn't make Harry do it either. There would be plenty of press around who were going to try and get an interview, just as many people who were going to try and seduce him. It's another reason Harry wanted Severus to come.
So, it was currently 5:00 pm. The party started at 6:00 with announcements, then dinner. Everything after that would be talking, dancing, probably drinking. Harry stood in his room, piecing on his suit. Harry refused to wear dress robes so his suit was simple. Black jacket, pants, socks, and dress shoes. His shirt was a Slytherin green and he chose a silver tie. There was no real reason why he went with Slytherin colors, but it was the first thing he pulled out of the closet. It worked. Currently, he was working at his tie, which was not tying the right way.
"Harry?" Severus's voice called out. "Are you still here? I wasn't sure if we were going together or meeting there."
"I'm upstairs in my room, Sev." Harry replied. It didn't take long for there to be a light knock at the door. "You can come in," Harry informed. The door opened as Severus stood there in what looked like his old teaching attire. "Did you break Professor Snape out of retirement?" He teased.
"Whatever do you mean?" Severus wondered curiously. Harry motioned to his clothing with a smile. "Oh, I suppose I did. I swear it was not planned to do so. I asked my elf to set out something formal before I showered and this is what awaited me. I hadn't even realized how similar it looked to my teaching robes."
"It looks good." Harry complimented. "The only thing that's missing is the ridiculous amount of buttons and the cape."
"I considered the cape, I thought it might be too much." Severus remarked. "I would hate to appear to any old students and give them flashbacks of class with me."
Harry snorted a bit at the image that formed in his mind, then shook his head and went back to trying to get his tie to tie. "I've seen the guest list, quite a few will be present tonight." Harry told him.
"You know, magic might get that done more efficiently?" Severus suggested.
"If I can't even do it by hand, I fear using magic would result in me strangling myself." Harry muttered.
"Come here, let me help you." Severus offered as Harry went over and faced him.
"Draco normally does this for me," Harry admitted. "I think Neville did it for the Yule Ball. Boy who lived can vanquish Voldemort, but can't do his tie. The paper would have a field day." He stated.
"Lucius taught me," Severus revealed. "He's always been like an older brother."
"He must see you the same to have named you his son's godfather." Harry reminded. Severus finished the tie and straightened it. "Thanks." He smiled.
"You're welcome." Severus replied. "You look good. Slytherin green suits you,"
Harry blushed a bit. "It's about 4:30 pm, we should get going. It's going to take time to get checked in and pass security."
"Your lead then." Severus told him.
"We're going to floo right into the atrium," Harry informed. "It's the fastest way." He led Severus downstairs and to the main room fireplace. The two stepped in as Harry grabbed a handful of the floo powder and linked his hand with Severus's. "Ministry of Magic!" Harry called before throwing the powder down and they were taken away by the green flames.
The two arrived in the busy atrium, and stepped out of whatever fireplace they ended up landing in. There were tons, where you landed solely depended on whatever one wasn't in use by another. Harry continued to hold Severus's hand as they walked together towards the line that had formed to access the room where the event was being held. It took a little bit of time to get checked in, obviously, Harry had an invitation and Severus was his plus one. Once they got into the room, Harry quickly avoided the press by dragging Severus off to the side and getting to their table, which was being shared with Lucius, Narcissa, Draco, and Astoria, but also Astoria's parents, and older sister, Daphne. The table next to them had Ron, Hermione, Molly, Arthur, George, Angelina, surprisingly Ginny, then Neville, and Hannah. Another table close to them was holding Blaise, Pansy, Theodore, Dean, Luna, and Seamus. The surprise people Harry and Severus saw were Minerva and Hagrid who were seated close too.
"Harry! There you are," Hermione greeted.
"Hey," Harry replied, raising his hand as the general wave to everyone.
"'Arry. So good ta see ya," Hagrid beamed.
"Hi, Hagrid. One to you as well, Headmistress McGonagall." Harry smiled. "How've you both been?"
"Been quite well, Mr. Potter." Minerva returned the smile. "Have to say that the school is quite lacking yours, Mr. Weasley's, and Mrs. Granger-Weasley's lively activities."
"My apologies," Harry chuckled.
"Aw, Professor…We knew you loved us." Ron said. "We can always come back for a couple days and remind you why you specifically asked why, when something happens, it's always us three."
"Like my own," Minerva nodded. "I would rather not have you three set the example that it's okay to break the rules. As tempting as it would be to see the student's reactions to the chaos."
"It wasn't always us causing it," Hermione said gently.
"But you were always involved in it." Minerva laughed some. "It's good to see you again, Severus."
"Minerva, we see each other at least twice a month for tea," Severus reminded. "It's not as if I completely vanished after resigning."
Everyone talked and caught up a bit until 5:15 or so when Kingsley finally took his place at the podium and called for silence over the crowd.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Ministry of Magic's annual gala. It's been another great year, and as always; I must thank everyone for their cooperation. I may be the Minister of Magic, but a leader is only as strong as their people. Without all of you, I would be leading nothing." Kingsley began. "When we stand as one, there is nothing we can't do." He added. "So thank you." People clapped. Kingsley continued on with announcements about different things. It was mainly updates in various departments, how well things were going. Something always mentioned were those who were lost in the battle nine years ago. And even some who died back in the first war. Two always mentioned were James and Lily Potter, who died to protect their son, Harry, who, sixteen years later, vanquished Voldemort once and for all.
Harry hated the shout out, but he gave up asking Kingsley to stop bringing the matter up. Harry knew what he did, the memorial was a nice touch, but it didn't always have to mention that their death made Harry the boy who lived. Thankfully, Severus sensed Harry's discomfort about the situation, and set his hand on Harry's leg to offer it to him. Harry smiled gratefully and intertwined their fingers together.
"And finally," Kingsley paused for a moment. "One final announcement before we get this party started. After many years in service to our aurors, Gwain Robarbs, will be officially retiring from his post as an auror and Head of the Auror Office beginning tomorrow."
"Robarbs is retiring?" Draco looked at Harry with surprise.
"Evidently." Harry responded, acting as if he knew nothing.
"Wonder who they're gonna have take his place…" Ron stated.
"Anyone's guess. I'll be right back." Harry stayed low to leave the table.
"You're gonna miss the announcement." Draco stated.
"I'm sure I'll find out next time I work or you'll tell me when I get back." Harry commented as he snuck off. Kingsley had already given him the signal it was time.
"Thank you, Minister Shacklebolt. It was a tough decision, but I believe my time has come to step aside and hand the reins off to another. I give my word that while I may be retiring, if there was ever a situation that called for me to return, I would without hesitation. It has been both an honor, and privilege to serve as an auror and run the department. I can only hope that I served well enough to ensure our people are safe and sound." Gwain stated as he had come beside Kingsley to speak. "I want to assure you, Minister, that while I am stepping back and retiring, the person I've chosen to take my place will pick up where I left off and do one hell of a great job. I have full confidence that this individual will not fail in upholding their duty as an auror."
Kingsley nodded, now shaking Gwain's hand. "It has been a pleasure working with you, Gwain. You can rest with ease in retirement knowing your replacement has things covered." He faced the crowd. "I can see you're all burning with anxiousness to know." He smiled.
"I say we tell them before they riot," Gwain chuckled.
"Wizards and witches of Britain. It is my honor to present your new Head of the Auror Department…" There was a pause as Kingsley motioned to his right. "Harry Potter!" Sure enough, Harry came walking out from the right side of the room and between Kingsley and Gwain. The room was screaming with applause and cheers, Harry felt almost blinded by the flashes going off around him.
Gwain pinned something to Harry's suit coat, it would be put on his new uniform that was back home for work next time he went in. "You'll do us proud, Potter. I have no doubts." Gwain put a hand on his shoulder and then shook his hand.
"I'll do my best, boss." Harry replied.
After that, Harry faced Kingsley and they shook hands too. "I look forward to working with you again, Harry," Kingsley stated.
"Likewise, Minister Shacklebolt." Harry nodded. "Thank you for this opportunity, sir." He added.
"You've earned it, my boy," Kingsley smiled.
Harry stayed up there with Gwain and Kingsley a few minutes more so the press could grab their pictures before Gwain and Harry both left Kinglsey's side to get back to their tables. Kingsley, of course, got the party started by announcing dinner. So just as Harry took a seat between Severus and Draco, the food appeared.
"I believe congratulations are in order," Severus stated with a smile.
"Thanks, Sev," Harry leaned against him for the hug, and then they shared a small kiss.
"Yes, congratulations, Mr. Potter." Lucius added.
"Good work, dear. We're so proud," Molly gave Harry a kiss on the cheek before going back to her seat. Arthur patted him on the shoulder.
"I'm sure your parents would be proud too, Potter," Minerva informed.
"Sirius and Remus too." Narcissa mentioned.
"Thank you," Harry replied to them. Of course he got a hug from Hermione, and Luna. His other friends said congrats from where they were.
"Good job, mate," Ron shook his hand.
"I mean, yeah. Congrats, but…What the hell, Harry? Did you know about this?" Draco inquired.
"That Robarbs was retiring or that they were naming me his successor?" Harry asked his friend.
"Both," Draco responded.
"Yes to both then." Harry informed. "I got pulled into a meeting with Robarbs and Kingsley last month. Don't take it out of context, I wasn't promoted at that point. I was just told Robarbs would be retiring come first of the new year, and their recommended decision for who takes the job next was me. I wasn't just promoted, I was given the choice to accept their offer or not." He explained. "After a couple days, I decided I would take it."
"Why did you have to think about it? Harry, its Head of the Auror Department!" Draco reminded.
"And it's double the workload, Dray. Double the hours, the responsibility." Harry told him. "It was a lot to think about."
"Why does it matter, godson, if he didn't immediately say yes?" Severus questioned. "He's right, it's a big job to be running the entire Auror Department. Any sane person would take some time to think about it. And in the end, he decided that he would take the position."
"I guess, but still. What else did you get with the promotion, besides the title?" Ron wondered.
"Besides all the work? New office I can floo right into from home, pay raise. That and the title is about it. Nothing fancy." Harry shrugged.
"But you get to like, pick your own hours and stuff?" Blaise inquired.
"To a degree. I still have to be in office a fair amount of time to keep everyone else on track. Go over cases, assign work, oversee new applicants into the training program, meetings with other departments or Kingsley. So on and so forth." Harry said.
"Can you still do field work?" Draco hoped.
"If I choose to." Harry nodded. "It's more along the lines of if everything else in the office is done first. Or if a team needed a leader, or emergent."
"But hey, Head of the Auror Department is still a great place to be, Harry." Hermione smiled. "Head of the Aurors is where Scrimgeour was before he was elected Minister of Magic after Fudge was removed. If Kingsley retires or ever gets killed…You'd likely be runner up."
"Yeah, no thanks. Running the aurors is one thing, I don't want to be running the entirety of the British magic world," Harry remarked. "I'd probably go as high as running the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and stay there until I retired." He added.
"Fair enough," Neville agreed. "I'm with Harry, it'd be rather daunting to be Minister of Magic…The entire magical british community relying on you? Count me out. Good on the people who can do it, but it'd be stressful and busy."
"Besides, Harry has done more than enough for our world by vanquishing Voldemort from it nine years ago after spending seven years of his childhood fighting him," Molly interjected.
"And he continues to keep it protected with the rest of the aurors even now," Arthur nodded.
"Guys, come on…Let it go already." Harry sighed. "We've been over the fact that I didn't do anything and he killed himself." He reminded them. "The Elder Wand is responsible for Voldemort's killing curse rebounding on him because it wouldn't fight its master. All I did was cast Expelliarmus, forgive me, but that's not the deadliest spell to use when you're dueling the darkest wizard the magical world has ever seen."
"But-," Hermione started.
"I believe what everyone is trying to get across, Harry…Is that you don't see what we do." Severus revealed. "Maybe you didn't actually destroy his body twenty-six years ago, nor did you deliver the final blow nine years back…But you're a hero because you were willing to die for the people to ensure Voldemort had nothing to fall back on." Severus paused. "And Harry, you would have been a hero anyway if you had died. Because your death would have made it so Voldemort couldn't hurt anyone."
"Your death would have been a sacrifice. It would have created the same protection your mother gave you because when you stood in that forest before Voldemort, you were standing between him and everyone back at Hogwarts. You even gave up the opportunity Dumbledore left you to come back once the piece was gone and you did that to ensure Voldemort didn't use it." Severus told him.
"A hero's strength is measured by their heart, not how strong or powerful they physically are." Arthur informed.
"We know you hate the fame, Harry, but let's not sit here and act like what you did wasn't heroic." Draco rolled his eyes.
"Okay fine, but still…Can we not make a big deal about it now? It was heroic at the time, but now it's just an event in the past. All I'm doing is literally my job." Harry muttered.
"As you wish," Severus nodded. "But again…Congratulations on your promotion, Harry. You have more than earned it and deserve it."
"Thanks," Harry smiled at Severus. "You were a hero too, Sev. You spied for years for information, kept me safe, and were also willing to die. You made Voldemort believe right up until he tried to kill you that you were loyal to him. You could have gotten your wand, and fought back to escape…But you didn't. You stayed where you were, and accepted death and used the last moments you believed you had to pass Dumbledore's message to me. To show me you were always on our side, to let me know what I had to do to ensure Voldemort lost the battle."
"I stayed where I was because I knew you were there, Harry." Severus admitted.
"What?" Harry asked, surprised.
"I knew you were behind that wall, with Hermione and Ron. I didn't pull my wand because if I had dodged or got blasted back; it would have destroyed the wall and he would have seen you. He would have attacked you. He wouldn't have left and I wouldn't have been able to give you the message. My job was to protect you, and make sure you survived. So I refused to move away. I moved just enough to make sure he couldn't see your shadows behind me." Severus said.
"You were…Willing to die to protect me?" Harry questioned gently, surprise in his voice.
"I vowed to do so, Harry. Even before Dumbledore had told me you would need protection, I had made a vow to your parents that I would protect you the best I could until I took my last breath." Severus informed.
"I get making a vow to my mother, she was your best friend. But why my dad? You hated him." Harry inquired.
"I owed him my life," Severus admitted. "Another event during our fifth year took place after your mother and I stopped being friends. Sirius knew I had been trying to figure out where Remus disappeared to every full moon. One time, as a prank, he told me where I could find him."
"Oh my god…He did not. Tell me he did not purposely send you after Remus on a full moon?..." Harry faced his boyfriend fully.
"He didn't send me, per say, but he mentioned where I might be able to find him and a shortcut to it." Severus stated. "But…I took the information, and I went through the path under the Whomping Willow to the Shrieking Shack and found myself face to face with Remus transformed." Severus revealed. "It was your father who shoved me out of the way before I was clawed, and got between Remus and I. He held Remus off so I could escape. He saved my life so I owed him a life debt. The debt never got filled because of his death, it legally transfers to his next of kin. Which is you, Harry." Severus informed.
"You have saved my life a hundred times over, Severus. I would never call in anything and force you to do it for me." Harry told him.
"I know that, but I am certain the debt cleared one of the times I saved you. My guess is when I stood between you and Remus in your third year. Every other time I've saved you, it's been from a distance. I believe that was the one physical time I kept you from danger." Severus stated.
"Kind of ironic, when you think about it." Ron mentioned. "Harry's dad saves you from Remus, and twenty-some-odd years later, you save Harry from Remus."
"Well, technically, he saved all three of us." Hermione reminded.
"I can't believe Sirius did that to you. I knew about the bullying…But what the hell, that could have been attempted murder…" Harry frowned a bit. "I'm sorry for the way they treated you."
"Harry, you didn't bully me. You've nothing to apologize for, and certainly not for the actions of your father and godfather." Severus put a hand on Harry's.
"Damn, now I really wish I hadn't destroyed the stone…I could have used it to yell at them." Harry muttered.
"What stone?" Draco asked.
"The Resurrection Stone, one of the three Deathly Hallows." Hermione replied.
"They exist?" Blaise inquired quickly.
"Uh, yeah…Harry was protected by the Elder Wand because he was its master." Ron mentioned. "It's why Voldemort didn't actually kill Harry with the killing curse. The wand refused to harm its owner. And the Cloak of Invisibility belongs to Harry's family. You still have that, don't you, mate?"
"Of course." Harry nodded.
"So…Harry had the stone too? Doesn't that make him the Master of Death?" Pansy questioned.
"He was, until he snapped the wand and destroyed the stone." Hermione stated.
"I wonder why he gave the stone to you, though. Like, what purpose?" Draco said.
"So I'd have a way to come back after Voldemort killed me." Harry smiled. "So while it was necessary for me to die at Voldemort's hand to destroy the piece of him inside me; Dumbledore left me the stone to come back."
"And you destroyed it?" Blaise stared in shock.
"There was too much risk that Voldemort would realize I had it. And no, I didn't destroy it right away. I held it for a few moments," Harry informed. "I knew I had to get rid of it, but when I held it, I closed my eyes. One final goodbye, I guess. Next time I opened them I got to see my parents, Sirius, and Remus…Just a brief moment they appeared so I'd know they were with me."
"You never told me this…" Severus said quickly.
"I wasn't sure you wanted to hear about it…" Harry admitted. "I know how much losing my mum hurt you."
"Tell me, please?" Severus hoped.
"I'll…Tell you later tonight." Harry stated. Severus eyed Harry, and understood the look he was receiving. This moment Harry got with his parents, godfather, and uncle was private and while meaningful, probably painful too. Probably something that affected Harry after the war ended. Not to mention, the press were getting close and Harry didn't want attention on this.
"Of course." Severus nodded.
"But anyway, after that moment…I destroyed the stone and let the pieces scatter on the forest floor." Harry told the rest who were listening to the tale. "So yeah. The only one of the Deathly Hallows that is not destroyed is the cloak, which is in my possession. When I have kids, I'll hand it down to them." He added. "Keep to the tradition." He shrugged with a smile.
After all that, they changed topics to other things while finishing their meals. After that, as Harry expected, the press was on him as often as they could to get an interview about his promotion, or that he was dating both a former teacher and Death Eater. It was clear Harry was getting annoyed with it, so Harry's friends and boyfriend rallied to ensure he stayed in conversations with them so the press couldn't pull him aside. Time ticked away. It was almost the new year. Harry was relaxing at the table while everyone else seemed to be around the room, Severus was talking to Lucius, Narcissa, and some of their friends.
Ginny took a seat next to Harry. "Hi, Harry,"
"Hey, Ginny." Harry greeted.
"How have things been?" Ginny wondered.
"Perfect, couldn't be happier with how my life is going right now." Harry replied calmly. "How about you?"
"It's alright, I suppose." Ginny said. "The years have been kind to you. Your hair finally behaves," She giggled. "Congratulations, if I didn't say it before. On your promotion."
"Thanks, I think?" Harry responded. This felt weird. He and Ginny barely spoke since the break up seven years ago. They were civil when with friends or her family.
"It really is good to see you again. I've missed you," Ginny put her hand on Harry's arm.
Harry pulled his arm away and eyed the woman carefully. "What do you want, Ginny? You didn't come over here just to catch up."
"I wanted to see if there was still anything between us, Harry," Ginny admitted.
"Anything we had died when you decided your career couldn't be altered by having a family." Harry told her firmly.
"Was it so wrong of me to want to focus on my career, Harry?" Ginny sighed. "The training, the practices, traveling, games…I was following my dream. You were focused on yours too."
"The difference between you and I is that I always made time for you through my auror training, Ginny. No matter how tired I was. I always pushed myself to be able to keep you happy. Random family dinner, going out for a date. Even sex. I didn't care how tired or busy I was because I loved you and I'd do anything for you. I worked my ass off to finish training early, to have set hours." Harry reminded.
"You know I can't set things playing professional Quidditch." Ginny told him. "But things are slowing down, the leagues are working to keep a set schedule for games and not having it be all year long. I-I thought we could give things another try."
"Ginny, we did give things another try. When we got back together after the war." Harry sighed. "Great that your career is becoming…Stable, but that doesn't mean I want to get back together. I'm sorry, but I don't like or love you anymore. We're civil for the family, and can be friends. But we're not going to date again." He informed.
"Well, we don't have to start at the beginning. We could just get back together, get engaged and married. Start a family." Ginny offered.
"Oh, now you want to have a family?" Harry barely held back a scoff. "Sorry, Ginny. We can't just pick up where we left off. One because I don't want to. And two, I'm with someone."
"Harry, please." Ginny rolled her eyes. "You expect me to believe you're actually happy with Snape? Harry, come on. He's only with you as the reminder of the woman he couldn't have, and never stood a chance with." She stated.
"His name is Severus, Ginny. And yes, I am happy with him. Our relationship has nothing to do with either of my parents." Harry remarked.
"Harry, you know we belong together. I've always been there for you." Ginny reminded. "The guy was a git to you for years,"
"We got over the past. I like him, Ginny. I like him a lot."
"Don't be ridiculous, Harry. He killed Dumbledore. He took off George's ear." Ginny huffed. "I don't care if he changed sides, he only did it because Voldemort targeted you and he wanted to protect your mom. He was willing to sacrifice you and your father as long as your mother was spared. I know you saw his memories, but he's a master in Occlumency and Legilimency, Harry. He knows how to lie to people," Ginny scoffed.
"Stop, Ginny. I don't care if you don't like it, I'm not leaving Severus for you." Harry groaned.
"But we're the perfect couple! And why be with Snape anyway? He can't give you kids, Harry. I can, and you need them to continue your lines, don't you? You are Lord Potter-Black, after all." Ginny mentioned. "You know you want it, Harry. Being able to make love to your wife, be told she's pregnant…Watch your child grow, be born…Snape can't give you that. We can be happy, live together as Lord and Lady Potter-Black."
"Ginerva, enough!" Harry said sternly, narrowing his eyes slightly.
"Harry?" Severus made himself known now, standing there with the Malfoy clan as well as Hermione and Ron.
"Hey, Sev. Everything okay?" Harry inquired.
"Of course. I was…Coming to ask if you wanted to dance, but I feel it's not a good time." Severus admitted.
Harry smiled. "I'd love to dance with you. Don't worry about this, we're just ending the conversation."
"I wasn't done talking to-," Ginny started.
"But I am through speaking to you, Ginerva." Harry cut her off. "I don't care if you don't approve of my decisions. I don't care what anyone thinks about it. It's my life. You barely know me despite all the time we spent together, as friends and as a couple. And you don't know Severus at all, not the way I do." He remarked. "Severus is a good man, Ginny. So what if he became a Death Eater once he left Hogwarts? He was just a teenager, and we all make dumb decisions as kids. Your past does not define you. Severus changed sides, and he risked his life to do it as he continued to risk his life every day to make sure I was safe."
Harry paused. "I don't care that he's twenty years older than me, Ginny. Sure, maybe it's a larger gap then most, but whatever. We're wizards, we have a longer lifespan than muggles. More than that, him being older just means he's mature. Severus has always been the one person who treated me like a normal being. He's always been straight with me, so I know he'd never lie to me. Unlike so many others who have only wanted to be with me for my titles, my fame…Severus doesn't care about any of that. He never has, and that's what makes our relationship so different from others I've been in." He informed.
"I used to believe you were part of the small group of people I have in my life who I didn't have to worry about using me for my fame and titles. Apparently, I was wrong. Tonight, you showed me you're just like the rest I dated after you. I thought you were better than that." Harry remarked before he walked away from her to take Severus's hand lightly. "Sorry, Sev." He stated gently. "I didn't mean for you to have to see all that."
"It didn't bother me, Harry. You've nothing to apologize for," Severus told him.
"Now…How about that dance?" Harry hoped. "I've never seen you dance, so I can't possibly turn down the offer."
Severus chuckled as he led Harry to the open space where others had started to dance. Harry let Severus take the lead, and the two easily fell into a simple circle movement. Eventually, Harry's eyes closed and he leaned his head against Severus's shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Severus asked softly.
"I'm fine, Sev. What she pulled was annoying, and actually kind of disappointing…I could have seen trying to get me back a couple months, maybe a year beyond the break up we had, but years later?" Harry remarked. "It felt weird from the moment she sat down next to me. Don't worry, I'm alright. This is just what I needed." Harry smiled.
"What?" Severus inquired.
"This. You." Harry told him. "I told you…There's comfort in your presence, and arms."
"Then, no matter what we are to one another. Lovers or friends…I will always be here for you." Severus promised.
Harry looked up into his eyes. "You didn't have to promise me that. I could never forget…Because you've always been here for me, in your own way. It's something I've never lost faith in."
"I'm honored you put your faith in me." Severus smiled at Harry.
"Who else was I to put it in besides the person who has protected me all these years?" Harry revealed.
"Then I shall never let you down." Severus assured.
"You never have." Harry leaned up slightly and pressed his lips to Severus's in a light kiss, which, of course, Severus returned. They held it for a moment, then separated to get back to their dance.
It really had been a sweet moment between them, Harry knew the press was having a field day with the interactions. While Harry and Severus were dating they kept their relationship private, so for them to share a kiss so publicly at a formal event was apparently big news. That and it was likely not unnoticed the spat between Harry and Ginny. Not that Harry cared, Ginny never should have done what she did tonight, and Harry's guess was that she assumed he wouldn't make a scene at a ministry event. Well, she learned the embarrassing way that he absolutely would, and then had no shame in his relationship with Severus, which is why they still had their dance and shared a kiss.
Harry really was happy with Severus, and he prayed it would last because if not, Harry was ready to call it quits with dating. He would accept what Ron theorized that he was obviously cursed to never be happy with someone, and he would just deal with knowing he had good friends, great job, and of course, his godson. But for right now, everything was great and the situation with Ginny only made Harry realize that he was falling madly in love with Severus and even though he knew he should know better; he couldn't help it and he couldn't stop either. In fact, he didn't want to stop.