And so May finally came to Hogwarts. Both Ron and Ginny had made a couple of friends now and they were beginning to get back to their old selves again. They never let themselves forget what they'd done the last time they had friends and so never went back to the behavior that had made their first few months of this year so miserable. Their new friends would remind them any time it seemed they might backslide and so would the twins who were wickedly quick with their pranks and devilishly clever in delivering them to worthy opponents. But by the end of the year both Ron and Ginny were feeling more settled with themselves and their decision to take their education seriously now.
Harry sat his Owls that were available at the Castle while Severus dropped a hint in Lady Augusta's ear about his position becoming vacant at the end of the term. He'd mail in his resignation at the same time Harry mailed his withdrawal notice.
On the last day of term, Severus packed his rooms up and left Hogwarts for hopefully the last time. He kew he had no intention of ever returning. In the kitchens no one noticed as both Winky and Dobby gathered their own belongings and popped away from the Castle as well. They had a new life to look forward to and a young master waiting for them to serve him.
He apparated to London and the King's Cross area where he killed time along with Dobby and Winky waiting for the train carrying Harry to arrive. Because for the first and last time Harry James Potter rode the Hogwarts Express home from school. Severus met him on the muggle side of the portal with a small smile and apparated both of them to the alley in Little Whining, Surrey. Dobby and Winky popped in behind them and Harry pointed the elves to the house telling them Hedwig should be in the shed. Then he led Severus towards the house on Privet Drive where Harry stopped to say hi to Steve the neighbor. Steve offered them a glass of refreshment which Harry accepted so Severus did as well. They sat on the porch enjoying the quiet evening and their lemonade. Harry introduced Severus to Steve as his house guest and teacher for the summer.
"So you'll be taking the Dursley's place in watching over him this summer, then?" Steve asked, calmly revealing he knew the Dursley adults had abandoned the teenager last summer.
Severus nodded. "I'm his teacher. He hired me to teach him for the exams he'll be sitting in the next couple of weeks as well as in a couple of years but yes. I'll also be acting as his guardian until his emancipation comes through. Then I'll be taking him on some trips out of the country lest there be a backlash from it."
"Want me to watch over the house while you're out of country as I did this school year, Harry?"
"If you wouldn't mind, Steve. I'd appreciate it," Harry said nodding his head in gratitude.
"Not a problem. Those kin of yours didn't reappear so I'm assuming they won't now either. Some bushy haired girl came by earlier today. Had a nasty looking blemish on her face. I don't know exactly what she thought she was doing or going to do anyway. Whatever it was, she didn't get to do it. They have her down at the local right now for raising a ruckus."
Harry and Severus exchanged glances before Harry said, "Hermione." Severus nodded.
"You know her?" Steve asked. "You might want to stop in at the local and let them know you know her then so they don't think she was trespassing or something."
Harry nodded again as Severus explained, "She was a student at the school who got sent down at Christmas for cheating and breaking school rules. She blames Harry for her expulsion I guess, since it was his work she was using to cheat. As for the trespassing, I can assure you, she was. Mr. Potter didn't, and would never have, invited her here."