Chapter 40

Harry Potter-Snape was spotted at the Three Broomsticks yesterday having lunch with the married Hermione Granger-Weasley. Has he found a new love? Are he and former Death Eater, Severus Snape, on the fritz? Does he plan to oust Snape the way he once left Draco Malfoy? This raises many questions! The two looked overly friendly, this reporter thinks! Will keep you updated, dear readers.

Rita Skeeter

Hermione chuckled. How did Skeeter still come up with such outrageous stories about Harry after all these years? She threw the newspaper into the trash bin.

"Professor?"

Hermione looked up from her desk to face her runes class. "Yes?"

"Is it true Harry Potter is your friend?"

Hermione nodded and smiled. "My best friend."

"Really?!" The young Gryffindor smiled wide and looked around frantically to her friends who also smiled and giggled excitedly. "You were really there for the final battle and everything?"

"I was, yes."

The final battle happened sixteen years ago now, five years before these students were even born.

"Is it true about him?" Asked a Ravenclaw boy.

"Is what true?"

"You know, that he married a Death Eater and now he lives out in the mountains like some kind of recluse..." the young boy meant no offense, of course. Hermione laughed.

"That is partially true. Being as famous as he is, for as long as has been... it took its toll. He prefers a quiet, private life. And yes, he married Severus Snape. But Severus was only briefly a Death Eater. After a year or so, he changed sides. He was a spy for the light."

"Duh," said the platinum haired Ravenclaw, Quincy Malfoy, to his friend. "That's why he got the Order of Merlin."

Hermione nodded. "Right you are. You see, there is always time to realize your mistake and correct it. If you all are so interested in Harry, I could have him come say hello one day. He owns Emerald Books, did you know? He's in Hogsmeade sometimes."

The class gasped and began to whisper to one another excitedly.

"And is it true," asked another Gryffindor boy, "That he can blink and cause the whole world to explode?!" He asked as if it were the coolest thing he'd ever heard.

"No," Hermione laughed. "That's just a rumour."

The End