The Elephant In The Room

A few days went by and Harry had everything in order with his classroom and class plans. It was the first day he could rest for the day and do nothing at all. He made his way out of his rooms and into the Great Hall. Harry sighed as he sat down in the empty room, the table instantly filling with an assortment of foods. Just as he had finished plating the food, an owl swept in from the hole in the roof, carrying with it the newspaper. Harry swiftly took out some gallons and placed it in the pouch attached to the barn owls leg. The owl let go of the paper and flew off. Harry left the paper for a while, focusing on his food as his stomach grumbled.

"Good morning," Severus said as he approached the table from the side entrance.

"Good morning," Harry replied after finishing his mouth full and then smiled at the man.

"Is that the paper?" Severus asked, eyeing it whilst filling a plat for himself. A black, steaming cup of coffee appeared next to the plate.

"Indeed," Harry responded, passing over the newspaper without another word.

Severus opened up the paper as he sipped on his coffee and nibbled at some toast. The paper constructed Harry's view of the man and he softly smiled as he took in the sight. He had just finished his food when a cup of tea appeared beside him. He causally sipped his tea as he waited for the paper to be free.

"There's a story about you," murmured Severus, flipping the paper down and passing it to Harry. "Page five."

Harry opened it up to page five and silently read the article about him. Word was spreading fast of Harry and Ginny's break up after the girl showed up to work without her wedding ring for a few weeks. 'Took them long enough to notice,' Harry rolled his eyes. Within the same article, they mentioned Harry's new position as the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. It stated how perfect he was for the position and he should have been employed as the professor long before now. He grunted as he flipped down the newspaper, placing it to the side with a huff.

"So annoying," Harry sighed, taking a sip of tea. "I hate not having any privacy."

"Mmm," agreed Severus. "I can only imagine how hard it must be."

The potions master treasured privacy more than anybody. However he was quite lucky to not have much of a spotlight on himself since the war had ended. He sympathised for the young man beside him. If anyone deserved some peace and quiet, a life without people invading his privacy, it was Harry. The poor guy had been in the spotlight since he defeated the Dark Lord Voldemort when he was an infant.

"Got many plans for today?" Harry asked after some silence.

"I was contemplating going down to Hogsmeade to replenish some of my supplies," Severus responded.

"May I join you?" Harry asked, finishing his cup of tea.

"Certainly," Severus smirked, finished with his food he begun to slowly sip on his coffee. "I'll be leaving in two hours at 9am."

"How about I meet you at the Entrance Hall?" Harry asked as he got up, grabbing the newspaper and tucking in his chair.

"Sure," Severus nodded his head.

"I'll see you soon," Harry smiled at the other before leaving the Great Hall.

Harry made his way back to his chambers. He went over to his couch and sat down, sighing as he relaxed into the comfortable fabric. He flicked his wrist and the flames in the fireplace lit up with a woosh. Harry stared into the flickering orange flames, mesmerised by them for a few minutes.

Sighing, Harry summoned a piece of parchment and a self-inking quill. He begun to write a To-Do-List.

To-Do-List

- Buy a small gift for the kids
- Look for a familiar
- Add decorations to classroom
- Review class plans with Minerva
- Read and approve books for classes

Harry sent the parchment and quill back to his desk in his personal office. He stood up and walked into his bedroom, drowning the flames in the fireplace with water with a flick of his finger. Harry walked over to his wardrobe, opening it and reviewing his clothes. He decided to change in to some more casual clothes than he was wearing. He changed from his black button-up shirt into a dark green short sleeved t-shirt and from his long black pants into black shorts. He also quickly changed his shoes from the black dress shoes to a pair of black and white sport shoes. Looking in the mirror, he smiled at his appearance before leaving his bedroom.

Walking out into his lounge room area, Harry summoned his small pouch that carried his coins from his desk. Harry made his way slowly out of his chambers to the Entrance Hall. He had some short conversations with portraits on the way as well as some ghosts that floated his way. Soon he had arrived in the Entrance Hall. He could hear talking coming from the Great Hall where the other professors were no doubt having their breakfast. Harry opened the palm of his hands, the time appearing in bright blue lines. 8:40am.

'Hmmm,' Harry hummed to himself as he closed his palm. 'Still 20 more minutes until we are meant to meet.'

Harry looked around the Entrance Hall, sighing to himself. He was about to walk into the Great Hall to talk to the other professors when he heard quick footsteps approaching the Entrance Hall. Harry turned his head to the left and saw Severus coming up from the dungeons. Severus stopped in his track as he saw Harry standing in the Entrance Hall.

"I see you are not as tardy as you used to be," Severus smirked as he made his way over to the younger.

Harry smiled at the other, thinking about how times have truly changes as he has become an adult.

"I see you have not changed with your retorts," Harry smirked back, watching Severus's smirk turn into a small smile.

"Let's go, brat," Severus said as he walked off towards the doors, Harry following.

"So do you have a plan on where we are going today?" Harry asked after they got into a carriage.

"A rough one," Severus said as their ride took off with a small jolt. "I definitely need to go to Ceridwen's Cauldrons, Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop and Tomes and Scrolls."

"That sounds good," Harry smiled, looking out the window briefly. "Well I'd like to buy a small gift for the kids. I might go to Honeydukes for that."

"Alright," Severus nodded. "Do you buy them gifts often?"

"No," Harry shook his head sadly. "I just feel guilty because I'm not with them or seeing them as much anymore."

"I know it may be hard, but try and not feel guilty. You are doing your best and you are a great father no matter what is happening," Severus said soothingly.

"Thanks," Harry smiled sadly.

They settled into a comfortable silence as the carriage continued to take them to the Entrance Gates. Within a minute the carriage slowed as the massive gates came in to sight, towering over them. Harry and Severus made their way from the carriages to the gate, still in a comfortable silence. The gates swung open as they approached them, allowing them to leave Hogwarts.

As Harry passed over the threshold, he felt Hogwarts magic slowly leave his magical core and as well as his body as he made his way further and further away into the High Streets of Hogsmeade Village. Severus led the way, walking in a fast pace.