Amid Harry's return to the flat he shared with Ron, both of his best friends set upon him at once, immediately demanding to know what had befallen him the day before, now that they were out of Severus's earshot. Harry flushed with slight embarrassment and attempted to fend off their questions, finally growing hungry enough to start the roast Hermione had promised himself. As he arranged the boiled potatoes on the baking sheet, prepped the roasting pan, and set to work on the vegetables and Yorkshire puddings, Hermione and Ron stood on the threshold of the kitchen behind him, watching him work and peppering him with questions.

"Harry, did you manage to see Master Snape's library at all?" queried Hermione. She had brought Crookshanks with her to the flat, as she likely needed her familiar to keep herself calm in the wake of Harry temporarily going missing.

"'Mione, the library doesn't matter," Ron told his girlfriend impatiently. "What I really want to know here, mate, is if the rumors of Master Snape having a state-of-the-art broom collection is a true one," he said emphatically.

"No, 'Mione, I didn't see his library," Harry replied, seasoning the roast expertly, and never looking over his shoulder. "As for the broom collection, Ron, I doubt the rumor had any solid ground to stand upon. He does have a wine collection, though, in his second cellar, the smaller of the two."

"The larger one houses his legendary potions lab, doesn't it, Harry?" Hermione asked, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet in excitement, inadvertently jostling Crookshanks, who let out a low growl at the treatment.

"An exact replica of the one at the Fiole Bureau, or so he told me," Harry confirmed. "But we didn't discuss potions, much. When he took me out, we went to an incredible national park, and he told me where witches and wizards throughout the world are allowed to cultivate the necessary ingredients needed for potions. Did you know that there are special magical sections of national parks, close by the campuses of the wizarding schools, where us magical folk are permitted to harvest plants and flowers?"

"I remember reading something like that in Magic Through the Ages by Ethelyn Twigs, in the section on Potions and Herbology," Hermione said brightly, and Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm not surprised that someone as knowledgeable as Master Snape knows where to collect things, even in countries that he doesn't live in. Seems like a prerequisite to enter the Potions Guild, along with inventing or improving potions regularly..."

"You think you'll have a future with him, mate?" Ron wanted to know.

Harry shrugged as he continued going through the process of making the Sunday roast. "Who's to know? At least his mother seemed to approve of me..."

"Eileen Prince?!" Hermione practically squealed, to the point where Harry very nearly lost control over what he was doing. "You actually met Eileen Prince?!"

"It's 'Snape' now, and yes," Harry confirmed, rolling his eyes, but keeping his back turned so that he wouldn't run the risk of Hermione potentially thwacking him.

"Well, mate, you know how Mum and Dad pretty much approved of Hermione immediately," said Ron in a cocking manner, to which Hermione muttered under her breath. "If the parents approve of you, the battle is already halfway done."

"What was she like, Harry?" Hermione wanted to know, stepping fully into the kitchen and moving to stand beside Harry. "Rumor has it that she was Captain of the Gobstones Club while she attended Hogwarts—she was sorted Slytherin while there, of course. Not to mention that she taught Master Snape absolutely everything she knew about potions..."

"She was lovely," Harry admitted, rolling the potatoes and veg in a bath of butter and various seasonings, before magicking the oven on. "Looked quite a bit like Severus, too—same black hair and piercing eyes, not to mention an exact replica of his skin... She even invited me over for dinner," he said quietly.

"Blimey, mate—Prince Estate is one of the leading wizarding homes in Britain!" Ron said, and whistled through his teeth with excitement.

"I don't know if it's likely to happen, Ron," Harry said, bending down and putting their dinner into the oven below.

"Why not, Harry?" Hermione asked. "Wizarding etiquette informs magical folk that to extend an invitation insincerely isn't acceptable..."

"I'm not sure that Master Snape would be comfortable enough to allow me to go to his family home, no matter what the occasion," Harry responded. "Besides, we've only had one full day together, in between his house-elf popping in and out of the vicinity. I hardly think that that, in and of itself, is a commitment..."

Hermione's brow puckered at Harry's statement in a moment of concern. "Master Snape hasn't ever had a formal relationship, Harry..."

"How could you possibly know that, 'Mione?" Ron asked, staring down at his girlfriend. "The bloke seems to be extremely private..."

"Potioneers Through the Ages by Lazuli Cassowary, if you must know, Ronald Weasley," said Hermione impatiently. "Honestly, don't you read?"

"You know very well that I—"

"Quidditch mags don't count," Hermione said, tapping her foot, and Harry gritted his teeth in an attempt to stifle a laugh. She rolled her shoulders, and hopped up onto the counter beside where Harry was standing, while Ron looked on from the threshold of the kitchen. "Just answer me one thing and one thing only, Harry, and we can put this to bed."

"Depends upon the question," Harry replied, and Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Severus said that he didn't want me talking about what we did together..."

Hermione's eyes widened. "Harry!" she cried out.

"You let the bloke shag you, then?!" Ron asked, grinning from ear to ear.

Harry promptly went red and lowered his eyes. "Yes..."

"How was it, then, Harry?" Hermione queried. "You've been waiting quite a long time to find someone to shag..."

"It was lovely," he admitted, before snapping his gaze back upwards to Hermione. "Now, ask me what you want to ask me, so that we can be done with the topic."

"Do you like him?" Hermione pressed.

Harry scoffed. "What kind of a question is that? I spent the entire day with the man..."

"It could have just been for the shagging, mate," Ron said, crossing his arms and leaning up against the doorframe of the kitchen. "Merlin knows you're the last person out of our group of friends who hasn't done anything..."

Harry gave Ron a two-fingered salute before turning his attention back onto Hermione. "I guess I just don't understand the question..."

Hermione nodded. "Understandable, considering that you were pretty sheltered from romance as a whole during our formative years," she said, crossing her legs. "Well, first and foremost, did you enjoy Master Snape's company?"

Harry gave a small smile at the institution of it then. "I did. Even when he wasn't discussing potions with me, or even when we lapsed into momentary silence... Yes. There was never a dull moment with Severus."

"That's promising," Ron put in.

"It certainly is," Hermione told him. "Some people think that the initial awkwardness of silences will never go away, and so they never get onto the horse, so to speak. The horse, in this situation, being the relationship..."

Harry smirked. "Somehow, I figured that out, 'Mione..."

"However," Hermione continued, "the notion that you yourself admitted to not only being comfortable, but actually seeming to welcome the silences in between discussion topics... Most individuals who are romantically involved, in many respects, have to wait for years to actually accomplish that."

"Even 'Mione and I still aren't perfect," Ron admitted. "Sometimes, I even think she's angry at me whenever one or both of us goes quiet..."

Hermione grinned at him. "Sometimes I am angry with you, Ronald."

Ron smirked right back at her. "Still, makes the making up all the more—"

"Okay!" Harry said quickly, interrupting the two of them and shaking his head. "That's enough of that, thank you. I really don't need to picture my best mates, who are effectively like my brother and sister, going at it..."

Hermione wrinkled her nose. "Perhaps leave off the sibling relationship next time, Harry," she said softly. "I really don't wish to consider Ron as my brother..."

Ron nodded. "Yeah, I'm with you, 'Mione..."

"So," Hermione said, quickly moving to change the subject, "you like him, then?"

Harry sighed, bending to check on the roast for a moment before he nodded his head. "Yes, Hermione, I like him," he replied, and raised his hand into the air to summon the table linens and things. "Now, then... Let's get dinner on the road, then, shall we?"

~*~

Harry yanked at his dress robes for the graduation ceremony, cursing Merlin and Circe for deciding that wool was an appropriate fabric for them. July had dawned officially that day, and it was hotter than Harry had remembered it being since he first began at Hogwarts. He was garbed in robes of red and purple, the official colors of his university, and knew that Ron was likely putting on his in the next room. Hermione, who would be graduating later on that afternoon, was to be wearing silk robes in the colors of blue and green, and Harry envied the notion that girls were permitted a more cooling fabric.

He was grateful to Molly Weasley, who had considerately sent out invitations to both his and Ron's graduation ceremony, and was pleased at the notion that he would have some people in the crowd cheering him on. Remus and Tonks had confirmed with Teddy, and Baby Hope would be placed into the care of Andromeda and Ted, Tonks's parents, for the day. With them, plus the Weasleys, and Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore in attendance on his behalf, Harry felt pleased that he wouldn't feel so alone.

"Ready to go, mate?" Ron asked, stepping into Harry's bedroom.

"Yeah," Harry replied, trying and failing to flatten down his hair. Rolling his eyes, he put on the golden banner upon his shoulders, signifying where he was graduating from, and placed his cap upon his head. "Ready."

Ron smiled and walked over to the Floo, which they would utilize to get into the Entrance Hall at Flarmerth Academy. The Floo expanded on their behalf, and Harry and Ron shouted out their destination, before they were swallowed up in a mess of green flames. Moments later, they were spat out in the Entrance Hall, and were equally relieved to spot Neville, Dean, and Seamus all waiting to step into the corridor with them.

"Is your gran coming today, Neville?" Harry asked as they all fell in line, barely listening to Ron, Dean, and Seamus nattering on about the next season of the Chudley Cannons.

"She said she wouldn't miss it for anything," Neville said with a smile. "Told me herself that she was proud of me, only just this morning."

"And your apprenticeship with Sprout?"

"She's pleased that I got the necessary qualifications," Neville responded. "Hey, the man who's speaking today at the ceremony... He's the one you interviewed for Ron, right?"

Harry nodded at Neville. "Yeah, that's him."

"Professor Sprout mentioned him a few times to me during our initial meetings, wherein she assessed to see how qualified I was to become her apprentice," Neville said softly. "She said that he's one of the youngest, and possibly the greatest, potion masters of Britain."

Harry nodded. "That's right."

"Possibly the Wizarding World," Neville said, clearly in awe. "Have you spoken much to him? I heard that Ron managed to secure a photo session with him..."

Harry nodded again. "Yeah, I have spoken to him. He actually invited me out for tea after the photo session," he said softly.

"Blimey," Neville said, clearly impressed. "What I wouldn't do to pick his brain about medicinal plants... I'm sure he knows plenty."

Harry smiled. "I'm sure he does, Nev."

Harry, Ron, Neville, Dean, Seamus, and the rest of the forthcoming graduates fell in line easily, with one of the Assistant Headmistresses, Charity Burbage, the former Muggle Studies professor for Hogwarts, gently reminding them to stand alphabetically. The other Assistant Headmistress, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank, stood by, making sure to direct the students accordingly. The Headmaster of Flarmerth Academy of Wizardry, Barty Crouch, Sr., had left his job at the Ministry of Magic, and had seemed to thrive in the academic setting. Headmaster Crouch was currently in a Floo call with Headmaster Dumbledore of Hogwarts, Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Headmistress Emmeline Vance of Vaenmiara Academia of Witchcraft, who were all coordinating safety for the upcoming graduation ceremonies.

Once the formal ceremonial music began, Harry quickly fell in line with the rest of the gentlemen graduating from Flermerth that day, and was pleased to see that Headmaster Crouch was sitting in one of the "important" seats upon the stage. Others were occupied by Headmistress Vance, Minister Shacklebolt, Deputy Minister Alastor Moody, and Severus himself. Harry found his assigned seat, and noticed that he was sitting with Theodore Nott upon his left and Oliver Rivers upon his right. They had been in corresponding years to him at Hogwarts, except Nott had been a Slytherin and Rivers a Ravenclaw, so they'd merely shared a handful of classes together over the years and not much else. Ron was a couple of rows back, sitting close to Dean, while Neville and Seamus were grouped together a bit further towards the front.

The Graduation Hall was done up in impressive dark wood paneling, with a ceiling which was several stories high, curved elegantly in a perfectly circular shape, and supported by beams made of the finest spun golden gilt. While it was called the Graduation Hall, it was also set aside for all extremely formal events at the school. The chairs were magically cleared out several times a year whenever a ball was to take place on campus, and Harry remembered many a time when he was standing beside the punch bowl, watching Ron and Hermione dance, and Neville and Luna gleefully doing whatever it was they did on the dancefloor. The punch had been dubbed "Autumn Harvest", and was one of the rare non-alcoholic brews sold by Weasleys Wizarding Wheezes, procured by Ron from Fred and George for the occasion; it had been delightful, especially after Harry had used his own personal flask of Firewhiskey to have his own party, once he had left the ball.

Other functions peppered the school calendar as well, such as lectures from leading experts in various magical fields; feasts on popular wizarding holidays—which were mainly put in place for students who wouldn't be able to afford them themselves, or who opted to stay at the school during the holidays for whatever reason; or for presentations for their final examinations for their degrees, which would be overseen by a panel of experts, who would then determine if said student was worthy of the degree they were pursuing. It was there that Ron had performed, as well as all the others in his course, for his Combat Degree, as well as eligibility to enter the Auror Academy upon graduation. Harry, meanwhile, had just sat formal exams and had written a paper or two, and had been relieved that he didn't have to show himself off, as it were. He would morosely mutter to himself that Ron had to literally pimp himself out to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and while Fred and George thought Harry's words were funny, it had been Hermione who had smacked Harry, telling him to hush up and show some respect for the ancient ritual of the Auror Selection.

Harry straightened up in his assigned seat as the music finally faded out from the classical wizarding band—Harry thought they were called Flight of the Cellos, and he knew quite well that the lead singer was Crow Passel, who had been a Prefect for Ravenclaw House when Harry was a first-year at Hogwarts. Pushing the thought from his mind and peering closer at the stage in front of the room, he noticed that Crouch was speaking briefly to those around him, before he, at last, got to his feet and made his way over to the podium, his dress robes similar to that of the graduating class, although they were trimmed with white ermine, so as to show off that he was Headmaster of Flarmerth Academy.

Crouch casted Sonorous upon himself and began to speak. "Good afternoon graduates, family, friends, and our special guests this afternoon, including the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore," Crouch began, and the headmaster quickly bowed his head, "Minister Shacklebolt and Deputy Minister Moody," he continued, and Minister Shacklebolt beamed at everyone, while Deputy Minister Moody merely nodded in a gruff manner at those present, "and, at last, to our special guest speaker, Potions Master Severus Snape," he said, and there were some sighs throughout the hall, before a round of applause for every guest was given. "Now, we shall begin with a brief word from our beloved minister and his deputy, followed by Headmaster Dumbledore's annual address, and, finally, Master Snape's prepared speech to you all. Following that, we will hand out diplomas, and you will be announced as the Flarmerth graduating class of 2002," Crouch said, beaming with pride. "I will formally hand it over to Minister Shacklebolt and Deputy Minister Moody now," he said, and swept backwards, leading to the dual heads of the wizarding government to step forward.

Harry found that he could barely keep his attention primed to that of the minister and his deputy, knowing entirely well that they were disappointed in him. They had mentioned to him more than once over the years that his father, in the three years he had been permitted to do so, had been an excellent Auror. Seeing Harry's marks both during and after Hogwarts, while he was attending Flarmerth, exceeded everyone's expectations, and so they naturally believed that he too would want to pursue a degree in combat, thus gaining entry into the Auror Academy. Harry, however, still haunted by the flash of green light, plus Bellatrix Lestrange murdering one of his godfather's in front of him, found that he couldn't stomach even the thought of a career within the world of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He straightened up in his chair again, his stomach churning with guilt, hating that they could make him feel this way. It was his life, and, by Merlin, he would live it however he liked.

Once Shacklebolt and Moody had retreated back into their seats, Headmaster Dumbledore got to his feet and began to address the class. He spoke warmly about how they had all traveled through the walls of Hogwarts at one time or another, and how proud he was at seeing them succeed in their chosen fields that day. Further, he said that today was merely a stepping stone, paving the way to their journey into the real world, and that they wouldn't be sorry for stepping into the world of further education, instead of jumping ship immediately upon commencement from Hogwarts four years previously. Thanking them for being wonderful students, both to him and to Headmaster Crouch, their former headmaster returned to his seat, positively beaming at Severus, who then got to his feet as well.

Harry's breath caught in his throat then as Severus went towards the center point of the stage, and flawlessly casted Sonorous upon himself. Harry could feel his heart beating in his ears, as the man's eyes appeared to find his from within the crowd of other twenty-somethings who were receiving their eligibility to enter the real world. A moment of silence passed forth between the two of them, and Harry wondered, not for the first time, if he could be all that Severus needed him to be.

"Good afternoon," Severus said, speaking at last, and allowing his eyes to drift from Harry and survey the room before him. "It is an honor and a privilege to be able to speak to so many young gentlemen, just about to make their way out into the world. You may be under the impression that, based on my success, that I myself came from a loving and supportive family. While many of you, I hope, had that while growing up, I myself did not. My own father, a Muggle, is an alcoholic, who would spend any spare quid he had from his position at the mill at the local pub down the road. As for my mother, she is a Pureblood, who gave up her magic willingly in order to appease my father, until she reclaimed her inheritance, and then he didn't seem to mind much anymore. There were many years, before my Hogwarts years and during the school-sanctioned holidays wherein I was required to return to the council estate of Spinner's End, where I knew hunger constantly. I was instructed early on in my life not to speak until I was spoken to, and so I became withdrawn. When I arrived at Hogwarts, I did have one friend, although she was sorted into Gryffindor, and inter-house rivalries attempted to ruin the friendship we had spent years building before our education began. I discovered potions, and became proficient at it, although the rumors that I myself knew too much about the Dark Arts plagued me. While I did go on to receive a second mastery in the Dark Arts, I never intended to use the subject for evil. And so, I stand before you all today, likely with you all tasting hope upon your tongues, and I want you all to know that success and a loving environment do not necessarily go hand in hand. Also, you may not pick your family, but you may pick your friends, which I am quite positive all of you have many here today. I wish you all a heartfelt congratulations, and I extremely look forward to seeing you all entering the Wizarding World in the respective fields that you all have chosen. I wish you good luck, and happiness," Severus said solemnly, before he turned around, cancelled the charm, and returned to his seat.

Crouch got back to his feet then, and an ornately-carved table appeared on one end of the stage, with pieces of rolled parchment upon it, and ribbons denoting which program the student had graduated from. He inclined his head, and Harry and the rest of the students quickly got to their feet and fell in line at the steps of the stage. "Terry Boot," he said, mentioning a Ravenclaw from Harry's time at Hogwarts, who promptly went onstage, and took the offered diploma, and went around to shake everyone's hand. "Kevin Entwhistle," Crouch went on.

Harry waited patiently for his name to be called; it would be done after Seamus and Neville's names, but Dean and Ron were situated somewhere behind him. Worrying his lower lip, he stepped upon the stage when Headmaster Crouch called his name, and Harry quickly smiled at the cheers that rippled forth throughout the hall, and made his way towards the man.

"Congratulations, Mr. Potter," said Headmaster Crouch.

"Thank you, Headmaster Crouch," Harry said, beaming as he looped the ribbon on his cap to the other direction, and took the parchment on offer; it had a green ribbon etched with silver, signifying that he was a recipient of an English Literature, Wizarding & Muggle Degree. He made his way through the team of men, shaking Minister Shacklebolt and Deputy Minister Moody's hand, and was relieved that neither of them said anything about their disappointment in Harry not joining the Auror Department. Further, he shook Headmaster Dumbledore's hand, whose pale blue eyes twinkled at him as he moved towards Severus.

"Congratulations, Harry," said Severus, his voice as velvety and wonderful as ever.

"Thank you," Harry said, grinning from ear to ear as he looked up at the man.

Severus reached out and slowly took ahold of Harry's hand, and Harry quickly wondered if the man was using Legilimency on him. "I still have yet to receive your answer..."

Harry's Adam's apple bobbed within his throat. "I'm sorry," he said softly, hoping that he wasn't holding up the line too much. "I don't know yet..."

"Did you not have a pleasant time with me, Harry?"

Harry felt his face flush as he lowered his eyes. "It was the best day of my life..."

Severus squeezed his hand gently, causing Harry to lock eyes with his. "Can we just try it my way, Harry? Please?" he asked.

"All right," Harry said promptly, before he could attempt to second-guess himself.

Severus blinked. "All right?" he whispered.

Harry grinned at him, a light chuckle escaping his throat, as he dragged his thumb over Severus's hand and let it go, before making his way off the other side of the stage. He returned to his seat and awaited the rest of the graduates, before Headmaster Crouch declared them the graduating class of 2002. Harry promptly launched to his feet, tossing his cap into the air like the rest of them, before assigned house-elves of the university appeared to take their caps and gowns back to their respective homes. Harry and Ron quickly found each other in the crowd, and dashed off to find the Weasleys and the Lupins.

"Oh, my boys!" Molly Weasley cried out as soon as she spotted Harry and Ron, once they had stepped into the reception area on the inside of the Graduation Hall. Lurching forward, she embraced the pair of them and kissed their cheeks, before releasing them both to Hermione, who had charged forward as well.

"Ron, Harry!" she cried, kissing Harry on the cheek and squeezing him, before letting him go and was suddenly swept into Ron's arms and kissed passionately.

"We need to talk once all of this is over," Ron said softly to Hermione.

Hermione flushed pink, her brown eyes shining as she nodded up at him. "Whatever you want, Ron, whatever you want..."

Harry took the opportunity to make his way over to Remus, Tonks, Teddy, and Baby Hope, while the rest of the Weasleys crowded around Dean to congratulate him. Harry promptly stepped into Remus's embrace, feeling secure in one of his surrogate father's arms. "Thanks for coming," he said softly, pulling away, and looking to Tonks, who handed over Baby Hope to him, and he grinned. "I thought your mum was going to be looking after her..."

"Teddy said that Hope would love it," Tonks said, running her fingers through Teddy's hair, which was currently a canary-yellow.

"Hope loves Uncle Harry!" Teddy chimed in.

Remus growled playfully under his breath, and scooped up Teddy in his arms. "And after all the headmasters involved gave us permission for Hope to attend..." He shrugged. "We thought it would be a good idea..."

Tonks grinned and rolled her eyes. "Albus has predicted that Teddy will be sorted Hufflepuff, and that Hope will make Gryffindor," she explained to Harry.

Harry chuckled and lowered his eyes to his first goddaughter. He smiled automatically when she opened her eyes, still dark in her babyhood, and offered her a finger, which she promptly grabbed and latched onto. "Hello, Hope," he cooed, and Hope blinked up at him, never showing any signs of distress.

"She's an exceptionally well-behaved child," Tonks put in, as Ron and Hermione approached from behind Harry. Tonks stepped towards Hermione and hugged her, while Remus shook Ron's hand, permitting Teddy to throw himself into Ron's arms.

"Uncle Ron, Uncle Ron!" Teddy cheered, looping his arms around his neck.

"Hello, monster," Ron said sarcastically, and Teddy grinned up at him. "How was your very first graduation ceremony, then?"

Teddy's brow wrinkled. "Want a hat," he said softly.

Hermione giggled. "You get them when you graduate from Hogwarts," she explained, and Teddy turned to look at her. "Each cap has a special ribbon tied to it—scarlet for Gryffindor, navy for Ravenclaw, bumblebee for Hufflepuff, and emerald for Slytherin," she recited patiently. "You also have much broader ribbons to wear around your shoulders for varying accomplishments, like high marks, making prefect, or making Head Boy or Head Girl..."

"Give the kid a break, 'Mione," Ron said with a chuckle.

Hermione rolled her eyes, and looked longingly at Baby Hope. "Oh, Tonks, Remus, she's so beautiful," she said, a smile taking up most of her face.

"Go ahead, Hermione," Remus said, and Tonks nodded. "She's your goddaughter, after all. I would think that the pair of you will have to get better-acquainted eventually."

Hermione let a gasp fall from her lips as Harry carefully handed Baby Hope over to her, and she settled promptly into her arms, gently reaching upwards and tangling her tiny fingers into the ringlets of Hermione's hair.

"Harry," said a voice from behind them, and Harry felt his heart skipping a beat when Severus came close, and wrapped an arm around his waist.

"Hi," Harry said, his attention completely caught up in Severus.

Ron grinned automatically from where he stood by, still retaining his hold on Teddy. "Remus, Tonks, have you met Severus Snape, Harry's boyfriend?" he asked, grinning.

Hermione stared at Ron, mouth agape, as if wondering where her own boyfriend had gotten the information that Harry's relationship status had changed.

"Boyfriend?" Teddy whispered with a grin, and covered his mouth with his hands.

"We've met," Remus said quickly, smiling, and Harry was relieved to see that it met his kind, brown eyes as he reached out his hand towards the potions master. "Severus, it's been quite a few years since Hogwarts."

"It has been," Severus replied, retaining his hold upon Harry's waist, but extending his free hand to shake Remus's. "I was very sorry to hear about Black's death."

"May I introduce Nymphadora Tonks, my wife?" Remus asked, pulling Severus's attention away from him and onto Tonks.

"Tonks, please, Master Snape," she said quickly, with a charismatic smile as she stepped slightly forward, and took Severus's offered hand.

"Ah, yes. A very successful Auror, if I recall correctly," Severus said, clearly impressed. "You were Black's cousin, were you not?"

"Through my mother, yes," Tonks replied with a nod.

"You're also a Metamorphmagus," Severus went on, fascinated with the young witch. "It's amazing how many potions effects that you are able to counteract."

Tonks readily grinned. "It's a gift," she replied, shrugging her shoulders and turning towards Ron and Hermione. "Ron you know, of course. This is his girlfriend and Harry's best friend, Hermione Granger."

"I've heard at length from Albus how bright and gifted you are, Miss Granger," Severus said with a small smile, but made no move to shake her hand, due to them being preoccupied with holding Baby Hope. "And is this your daughter?" he asked.

"Oh, no," Hermione said quickly, and smiled. "This is Hope Lupin," she explained, and turned to Teddy, still in Ron's arms, "and this is her big brother, Teddy."

"They're my godchildren," Harry replied, and Severus smiled, and reached towards Teddy, which directly caused Harry's heart to leap.

"Hello, Teddy," the potions master said.

Teddy promptly took Severus's hand and shook it carefully. "You're the potions man that Harry loves!" he declared.

Harry felt himself going red. "Teddy..." He whispered, silently begging his godson to understand that love was nowhere near what was going on between himself and Severus. Of course, not on the end of the potions master. To Harry, he could perfectly see himself falling head over wand for the older man, and such a thought frightened him beyond belief...

"Is that so?" Severus asked, arching an eyebrow at the child.

"Severus, you know as well as I do that children and young people alike will frequently say things that are out of line in some way," Remus put in, and gave Teddy a look, prompting the small child to burrow further into Ron's arms.

"Well," Hermione said as Tonks reached out and took Baby Hope from her, "Ron and I are meeting my parents in Muggle London to celebrate. I'm Muggleborn," she explained quickly to Severus, who arched an eyebrow further.

"Indeed?" he asked.

"They're dentists, and have their own practice in Cumbria, where I grew up. They're down in London for the week for my own graduation," she said, her cheeks flushing.

"And where will you and Mr. Weasley be dining this evening, Miss Granger?" Severus asked conversationally, watching avidly as Ron carefully handed over Teddy to Remus.

"Franco's," Hermione said softly. "We all love Italian, and Ron's never had the Muggle version of it."

"Yes, I quite understand your meaning, Miss Granger," Severus told her, the barest hint of a smile gracing his lips.

"We'd better hurry, else we'll miss our Portkey, 'Mione!" Ron said, taking Hermione by the hand and nodding to all those present. "Pleasure to see you again, Master Snape. We'll see you soon Remus, Tonks, Teddy, Hope... Harry, I likely won't be back at the flat tonight..."

"No problem," Harry said quickly. "You go out and have fun."

Ron grinned at him. "Thanks, mate," he said, as Hermione stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek.

"Don't forget to have fun tonight, too, Harry," she whispered, before Ron whisked her away to say goodbye to the Weasleys before they took their Portkey out of there.

Harry went through the movements of polite conversation, before Remus and Tonks excused themselves to have dinner with Andromeda. Harry turned to Severus as they left, surprised that he hadn't moved away from him. "Well..."

"Well, indeed," Severus replied, smirking good-naturedly.

"Pardon me, Master Snape," said a familiar voice, and Harry's heart hammered from within his chest when he noticed that Cormac McLaggen was standing there, doing his final duties for the newspaper by getting shots of the graduation event. "Picture, please?" he asked, holding up an impressive wizarding camera.

Harry was about to pull out of the frame, thinking that Cormac would just want a shot of Severus on his own—especially due to the drooling vibes that he was currently giving him—but Severus proceeded to surprise him. Looping his arm all the more firmly around Harry's waist, he pulled him lengthwise against him, and smirked at the camera. Harry forced a smile onto his lips as the camera flashed, before he was being pulled away from the crowd of people in the reception hall and into the corridor outside.

"Have you any obligatory plans for this evening?" Severus asked.

Harry shook his head. "No. Normally, there's a formal dinner at the Weasleys, but they decided to wait until after the ceremony for Hermione tomorrow..."

Severus nodded. "I see," he replied, cupping Harry's face with one hand, and allowing the pad of his thumb to drag along Harry's lower lip, and smirked slightly. "I've a potion to return to, but the Stasis Charm should hold. If you are not against it, perhaps you wouldn't mind adjourning to your flat for a time, showing me around?"

Harry smiled up at the man. "Yeah, of course," he said, motioning with his head for the man to follow him down the corridor, towards the entryway, where the Floo's were kept. "It's Potter-Weasley Flat," he explained.

"Very good," Severus said, whispering, "Engorgio," and pulled Harry gently to his side once again, and dipped his long, tapered fingers into the provided jar of Floo Powder. The bricks of the ancient Floo opened and widened themselves, thus permitting the pair of them to step inside of the oval-shaped structure together. Retaining his hold upon Harry, Severus uttered, "Potter-Weasley Flat!" and the green flames promptly enveloped them.

Harry managed to step out into the living room of the flat and casted a quick, "Scourgify," without completely embarrassing himself. Smiling over his shoulder at Severus, who did the same, he walked into the kitchen and summoned the elf-made wine he had gotten from Remus and Tonks as a graduation present. "Want some?" he asked.

Severus's eyes gleamed at the expensive-looking bottle. "Please," he replied.

Harry grinned at him and uncorked the bottle, pouring them equal measures into the crystal-cut wine goblets Hermione had picked out for the flat. "Here you are," he said, handing over the goblet, and shuddered momentarily as Severus's fingers brushed his.

"Thank you," Severus said, tipping his head. "Congratulations, Harry," he said, raising his glass, and Harry did the same.

"Thank you, Severus," he said, a flush blooming upon his cheeks as he brought the goblet to his lips, the taste of elderberry, currants, mocha, and cloves exploding upon his tongue. "Mmm," he said softly. "I'm used to Firewhiskey..."

"Are you now?" Severus queried.

"Not typically," Harry confessed with a small smile. "Butterbeer is what The Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly think I drink, but it's not true..."

"Is that so?"

"On very special occasions, yes," Harry admitted, "but, in the more every day, typical sense, you can spot me drinking pumpkin juice."

"I seem to recall an editorial in The Quibbler saying something about that..."

"Luna Lovegood, Xenophilius's daughter, is a good friend of mine," Harry explained. "She was one year behind me at Hogwarts, a Ravenclaw. She's been with a close mate of mine, Neville Longbottom, for ages..."

"Ah, so the friendship runs as deep as the waters of truth," Severus said with an approving nod and a small smile. "I am aware of young Master Longbottom. I am on close terms with Pomona Sprout, Herbology professor and Head of Hufflepuff House, as I'm sure you remember. She did inform me that she had primed Master Longbottom for the position as her apprentice, and, one day, her successor."

"Neville mentioned that he'd love to discuss medicinal plants with you, and their benefits to potions," Harry told him.

A smile played at the corners of Severus's mouth. "Is that so?" the man asked again. "Well, I shall be sure to send him an owl to meet for tea the next time I am at Hogwarts. It will be good to speak to someone as gifted as Pomona thinks."

"Just don't talk to him too much about potions," Harry said quietly, swirling the wine about in his goblet.

"Whyever not?"

"He's the one who was always intimidated by Professor Slughorn," Harry explained, and he felt uneasy as he saw Severus's eyes darken ever so slightly. "We none of us knew why—Ron, Hermione, Dean, Seamus... We were all in the same year, and the same house, so you would think that we would figure out something..."

"Is Miss Lovegood aware of his feelings towards your former potions professor?"

Harry worried his lower lip again. "I think so, but she hasn't told us. Luna's the type of person who thinks that, if a secret isn't yours to tell, then you shouldn't speak about it."

"Wise thinking. It is unsurprising that she is a Ravenclaw," Severus put in.

"That's true," Harry said, giving the man a small nod.

"Was this wine a gift for your graduation?" the man asked, changing the subject, a small smile upon his lips once more.

Harry nodded. "Yes, I did. From Remus and Tonks... While she is on maternity leave from the ministry, money's tight..."

"Ah, yes. I am aware of Remus's...affliction with the full moon," the man observed quietly, no hint of condemnation in his tone.

"Yes," Harry said softly. "As such, it's difficult for him to get a job. I gave them one of my properties—a cottage in Godric's Hollow—and it's got a soundproof outbuilding on the property, which is done up heavily with wards by the Curse-Breakers at Gringotts," he went on, hoping not to bore the man. "Bill, Ron's oldest brother, and his wife, Fleur, set them up, as they're heads of their unit at the bank..."

"You gave them the property that...?"

"That my parents were murdered in, yes," Harry responded. "Remus didn't mind; I think it makes him feel closer to them..."

"I had heard that most moneys and such weren't given to heirs until certain obligations on the part of the heirs themselves had been made."

"You're correct," Harry said.

"And what were the obligations set forth by your mother and father?"

"At eighteen, I got the property at Godric's Hollow, and any and all money I would need to pay for university," Harry explained. "I also got a stipend to pay for a decent flat, which is where we are currently standing. I gave Remus and Tonks the property, just after I graduated from Hogwarts, because they were living with her mother at the time, and Teddy was still an infant and likely needed his own space."

"Yes, I see," Severus said.

"I was told that furthering my education would get me all the money I would ever need, but that I didn't necessarily have to do anything with the degree," Harry continued. "I still don't know. I just picked English Literature because I like to read."

Severus smirked. "Well, it isn't the worst degree in the world."

Harry snorted around a mouthful of wine. "Thank you," he said, unsure if he should take the man's words as a compliment or not. "Anyhow, they gave me the final stipulations on my last birthday, my twenty-first, and told me that I had a meeting set with a goblin as soon as I got my degree, to view the contents of my vault. I'll also likely get out of my lease here, because Ron and Hermione want to live together, and I'll have a fair few properties to look over once I have the meeting..."

Severus stepped forward, taking the glass of wine from Harry's hands and setting it aside. "And while I find all of this extremely fascinating," he drawled, causing gooseflesh to prickle up and down Harry's arms, "I have yet to give you my gift."

"Your...? No," Harry said quickly, shaking his head. "Severus, you didn't..."

Severus smirked, which directly cut Harry off. "There were a few people I spoke to about you once I made your acquaintance," he explained, and Harry's brows drew together at that. "In my discussions, I learned several things about you."

"Such as?"

"Such as your proficient Quidditch career while at Hogwarts," the man said. "A first-year making the team and becoming Seeker, the youngest in the century..."

Harry flushed to his ears. "It wasn't a big deal..."

"Perhaps, until they saw you flying," Severus said. "First a Nimbus 2000, and then the Firebolt your third-year after the Whomping Willow destroyed your first broom."

Harry rolled back and forth onto the balls of his feet. "Checking up on me, were you?" he asked, and gave the man a rueful smile.

"It appears I was, yes," the man said, reaching into his robes and drawing out a wrapped package, tapping it once with his wand, which enlarged it, and handed it over to Harry. "I hope you like it."

Harry blinked, gazing at the suspiciously broom-shaped package, and brought it over to the coffee table, untying the loops of the twists upon the wrapping. He drew back as the boom came completely into view, the wooden stick much smoother and finer than that of his current broom, and the wisps of the broom angle seeming to be a bit less tangled. Looking up, he saw the words Firebolt Supreme were etched in gold lettering upon the top of the broom. Rolling his fingers back into his fists, Harry shook his head.

"Severus, that's a broom," he said, clearly stating the obvious.

"Indeed it is," Severus responded.

"How...? It's not supposed to hit the market until Christmas," Harry said; at least, that's what the latest reports had said, as it had been backlogged for two years, and now the estimated release date was December 2002 until December 2005. "I..."

"Do you like it, Harry?" Severus asked.

"I just don't understand how you managed to come by it," Harry admitted.

"A client who makes the Firebolt line needed a pretty extreme potion, one which would save his life, although I am not at liberty to discuss it further," Severus said softly.

Harry's eyes whipped around so that he was facing Severus. "Please tell me that you didn't blackmail him—!"

Severus promptly shook his head. "Of course not, Harry. In lieu of payment, and with his full permission, I told him I wanted it..."

"Did you tell him it was for me?" Harry asked bitterly.

"I told him it was for someone extremely special to me, but I didn't elaborate as to who it was for specifically, no," the man told him.

Harry sucked hard on his bottom lip. "Sirius... My godfather gave me my Firebolt, and that, as well as 12 Grimmauld Place, are all I've left of him..."

"I see," Severus said.

Harry slowly turned to face Severus again. "I'm sorry I accused you," he said, "and I apologize for thinking that your client merely gave you the broom because it was intended initially as a gift for me..."

"Perhaps you have been interacting far too much with fellow Gryffindors, ones who would seek to drive us apart," Severus said quietly.

Harry rolled his eyes. "That's not—!"

Severus promptly crossed the room then and grabbed Harry, dragging him face-down and onto his lap. "I don't know if I've told you this, Harry," Severus said, his voice deathly calm as he held Harry in place, "but I find that eye rolling is the sign of utmost disrespect. Not only have you accused me unjustly of blackmail, but you have also taken the notion of me being generous with you as a sign that the public wishes to take advantage of you."

"Severus..."

"Further," the man went on, holding Harry in place despite his squirming, "the aforementioned eye rolling will not go unpunished."

Harry felt his mouth go dry. "What...?" He whispered, nearly trembling.

"Now, then," the man said softly, and proceeded to caress Harry's arse with his strong hand, "I believe that the punishment should fit the crime. As you have acted childishly, you will now be punished using a method befitting a child."

Harry began to squirm. "Please..."

"Oh, yes, please, Harry," Severus said, and Harry could hear the smirk in his voice as he dragged down his trousers, but permitted his boxers to remain where they were. "I suspect that you'll definitely be pleased by this."

Harry said nothing, and merely stared at the floor.

"That's better," Severus said. "Ten strokes, I feel."

"S-strokes?" Harry stammered.

"Strokes, spankings, whatever you wish to call them," Severus said offhandedly. "Now, we shall begin," he said, and lifted his hand.

Harry flinched as the blow came down, a slight grunt of protest creeping out of his lips, as a trembling shudder rippled through him.

"Count them, Harry."

"One," Harry whispered.

"Good boy," Severus praised, lifting his hand again, and brought it down, smacking Harry firmly on his arse.

"Two," Harry managed to get out.

Severus smoothed the ache for a moment before bringing up his hand again, and smacked both cheeks of his arse. "Go on, Harry. Count them."

"Three and four," Harry said, gritting his teeth.

"Wonderful," Severus said. He repeatedly brought his hand down, and didn't need to remind Harry to count.

"Seven," Harry breathed.

"Good boy... Again," he said, and smacked Harry hard enough to bruise, and Harry felt the tears spring to his eyes on that one.

"Eight... Nine," he said, as the blow came sooner than expected.

"One more, Harry," Severus said, and brought his hand down as hard as he could, it seemed, and Harry very nearly collapsed upon his lap, trembling.

"Ten," Harry whispered.

Severus lifted him up then, and they stood opposite one another. "You did wonderfully, Harry," he praised, and held him close for a moment, pressing a kiss to his temple. "Think of how well that bodes for our future..."

"Y-yeah," Harry said, the words catching in his throat.

"Harry, are you all right?" Severus asked, pulling back. "You're crying..."

"No," Harry said, breaking away, "I'm fine. I'm just tired..."

Severus appeared as if he wanted to say more, but he took out his wand and casted a Tempus Charm, and swore under his breath. "I've got to get back to my potion now, Harry..."

Harry nodded, breathing in deeply before turning to face the man, hoping beyond hope that he didn't appear to be as wretched as he felt. "I understand."

Severus crossed over to him, and cupped his face in his hands. "Are you sure you're all right now, Harry?" he asked.

Harry nodded. "Yes, I'm all right."

Severus sighed, clearly understanding when he was unable to communicate with Harry further, and pressed a kiss to his lips. "I'll owl you soon, all right?"

Harry forced a smile onto his face. "All right," he whispered, watching as Severus stepped away from him, and Apparated away. Walking away from the Firebolt Supreme on the coffee table, Harry crossed the room to the Floo, and, kneeling before it, called out, "Lupin Cottage," and waited for the flames to open a connection.

"Harry?"

"Hi, Remus," Harry said, hoping he didn't sound too terrible.

"I thought you'd be out with Severus tonight."

"No, he... He had a potion. We had a glass of wine beforehand, but he...he had to go," Harry managed to say, though his voice shook.

"Harry, is everything all right?"

"Fine, it's fine," Harry said quickly. "I just..."

Remus stared at him for a few moments before he spoke again. "Harry, love, would you like to come to the cottage this weekend?"

Harry shuddered, the gasp rolling through him before he could call it back. "Yes," he said with a nod. "After Hermione's ceremony tomorrow and the dinner at the Burrow, I've no plans until the goblins need to see me at Gringotts."

Remus smiled through the flames. "All right, then. I'll let Tonks and Teddy know that you're coming, and we'll make up the guest room."

"Remus, I can stay at the inn..."

"Nonsense, you're practically our child, too," Remus said quickly, and Harry promptly flushed at the man's words. "We'll talk more when you get here, all right?"

Harry nodded. "All right..."

"Is that a broom?" Remus asked, peering around Harry.

"Yeah... Severus got me a Firebolt Supreme," Harry said quietly.

Remus smiled. "That was generous of him."

"Yeah," Harry replied, lowering his eyes as he tried and failed to blink the tears away, "very generous..."