After the war

Harry awoke alone the next morning, and padding barefoot through to the sitting room, he found Severus staring at a piece of parchment.

"What is it?" Harry asked quietly.

"Albus's letter, the one we didn't read," Severus said, holding it out to Harry. The younger man took it, and sat down beside Severus, leaning into his warmth as he read the page.

My Dearest boys,

This letter is the last one I will write. My
fondest wish is that you two would take over
the running of Hogwarts after my death, however,
I am well aware that neither of you is likely to
want this.
All I ask is that before you go off to finally
live the lives that have so far been denied you
is that you will ensure the school is in good hands
before you go.
I was aware of the feelings you were starting to
develop for each other, and hope that you have
acted upon them, and that the lives you choose will
be together, you are well matched, my dear boys.
I love you both, and wish you much happiness and
joy for your future.

Fondest regards,

Albus.

Harry read the letter a couple of times, then looked up at Severus, who was watching him with dark eyes.

"He knew we were falling for one another?"

"So it seems."

"He was right about something else, too."

"What?"

"I don't want the responsibility of running the school. All I want is to get away with you, go where no one expects us to save them, or tell them what to do. Somewhere that our names are just that, and not symbols or something. Ever since I came into this world at 11, everyone has wanted something from me, everyone except you. Eight years Severus, nearly half my life, has been lived for others, and I know damn well it's been a lot longer for you." He realized that Severus was smiling at him, and frowned slightly.

"What?" He asked.

"I was afraid you would say you wanted to run the school. I have a mansion, in the Carpathian mountains, when we have done as Albus asks, and made sure the school is in safe hands, would you consent to go there with me? Just for the bonding if that's what you want, or as our new home."

"Is it quiet, secluded?"

"Very."

"Then I think that would be ideal for our new home." Harry said, leaning up and stealing a sweet, tender kiss.

"Come, if Albus knew we would want to leave when all was said and done, then there will be lists of people he would trust to replace his staff." Severus said, reaching for the things Fawkes had delivered the night before.

The phoenix trilled, and hopped down from the bookcase, perching on the back of the sofa between the two men, and giving them both an affectionate nip on the ear.

(I am not going to write the tedious restaffing of the school, you KNOW that it's just going to be boring talking, and people staring at the Heros of the Wizarding world)

Three months later, Severus and Harry stood up on the battlements, watching as the first coaches rattled up to the school. They had managed to get everything done before the official start of the school year in September, including the warding. They could both feel the secure buzz of the wards in the back of their minds, tied now to the new headmaster.

Down below, the first of the new students stepped down from the carraiges, looking up wide eyed at the imposing ediface of the castle. The second, third and forth years were almost intact, the children had been too young to fight in the battle, the only ones missing those who had been lost in direct attacks by deatheaters on their homes. The upper three years were completely gone, killed in the battle or unwilling to return.

"It's time to go Harry," Severus said as they watched the students being led inside by the new staff for the first sorting of this new Hogwarts.

"Yes," Harry agreed, caressing the cool stone in a quiet farewell. They walked together down the staircases, the portraits whispering their own goodbye's as they passed.

In the entrance hall, the new headmaster waited.

"I thought you might choose now to slip away. Are you sure you won't come to the sorting, the feast?"

"No. Hogwarts, and her future are in your hands, it's time now for us to start on our future. We have to go, I arranged for us to return to London with the express."

They both shook hands with the man, and walked out of the front door, their trunks already loaded on a coach by the house elves.

"A last ride on the Hogwarts express. Thank you Severus."

"I'm quite looking forward to it myself." Severus said with a faint smile, helping Harry up into the coach. As soon as they were seated, the coach rattled away into the darkness, taking them away from Hogwarts for the very last time.

************************************

Again with the delay, I am sorry. I have two Doctor Who/Torchwood series running on my live journal, and they have been getting a lot of my attention. Well, there is but one chapter left, and I will try to post it soon.