It's not easy to explain, but . . .

Chapter 41

"Something vexes thee?" he muttered, as he drew up to Draco's side.

"Just checking the hourglasses; seems to have been a really close race this last year," was Draco's reply, having had a bit of warning, hearing Severus' approaching footsteps, to wipe away his tears and stare up at the huge glass cylinders hanging on the wall.

"Yes, I believe it was a double tie; Gryffindor and Slytherin over Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, by only a few dozen points.

"Sounds like the closest it's ever been, at least as far as I know."  Draco replied.

"Indeed, even the Headmaster couldn't remember a closer score and he's been around  longer than you and I put together," Snape added, with a look over his shoulder to make sure Albus didn't hear him. "And then some!" he added, in a whisper. 

Draco snorted, then he took a deep breath and sighed.  

"Time to face her, Draco," murmured Severus.  Draco jerked his head up to look at him.  "If it's meant to be, it will be.  Give yourself a some credit;  you've more than redeemed yourself, your family and helped the Wizarding World win with a monumental 'second chance' . . . now, give yourself one!"

Draco stood there, properly gob-smacked.  Severus Snape was the last person in the world he expected to give him advice about his love life. 'Merlin's baggy britches!'  He nodded, acknowledging Severus' advice.

Severus turned and motioned for Draco to walk with him back to the group.  Several of that crowd had noticed them looking at the House Point jars, but couldn't hear what was being said.  They saw Draco nod and start to walk back toward them with Snape.

"So, now that we have the sleeping arrangements all sorted out, I'll tell the Fat Lady to admit you without the password, so you can come and go freely." Minerva  smiled.

"Don't forget, the portraits will help you find your way, if you become disoriented," Albus reminded them.

"Oh, I have no doubt we'll all get lost at some point, Albus," Rupert laughed.

"It's fun getting lost, actually," Luna added, in her usual dreamy, soft tone.

"Especially if you try to find the kitchens for a midnight snack, Rupert," teased Ron.

"Oh, that reminds me!  I wanted to go and thank all of the elves for the marvelous food.  That would be down the left stairs, wouldn't it, Professor?" she asked, looking to Severus as Draco and he rejoined the group.

"Indeed, but there are several turns to make . . . . Draco, the dungeon halls are your territory, would you accompany Emma to the kitchens?" Severus asked, straight faced.

"Ah, oh, sure . . . be glad to be her tour guide," Draco managed to stutter.

"Well, everyone is using the Gryffindor dorm rooms, Draco, so you can also bring her to that location, afterward," Albus said, smiling benignly.

"Right . . . spending time in the Gryffindor sanctuary . . . Brilliant . . . I'll never live this down!"

Albus and Severus were both glad to see Draco's 'persona' return. 

"Let's take a late evening walk outside, first.  See if we can spot the giant squid swimming in the lake." suggested Luna.

"Excellent!" Fred grinned.

"Let's go skinny dipping!!" George suggested.

"George!" all the females chorused, while the males snickered.

"Oh, alright, we'll just transfigure our clothes into bathing suits and take a swim . . . this is the time of year the lake is at its warmest, so we really should take full advantage."  George offered as a compromise.

"Now that sounds like fun, " agreed Harry, who took one step back, turned toward the doors and took off running, calling over his shoulder, "Last one to the lake is a troll!"

With much whooping and hollering, the young people took off, Draco right with them, his sense of Slytherin competitiveness overriding his former mood.

Sirius, Remus and Tonks stood there, trying to act their ages, but after a snicker escaped from Tonks . . . they took off after the "young folk", making almost as much noise.

"You aren't going to join in the fun and games, Severus?" asked Minerva, innocently.

"No, I most certainly am not!  I may take a stroll outside and observe, but I'm certainly not going close enough to be dragged into that bloody cold lake!"

"Self preservation is a strong instinct, Severus," agreed Albus, nodding sagely, although his eyes were twinkling.

Albus, Severus and Minerva stood listening to the shouts and squeals echoing through the halls and drifting in through the windows.

"I am really sorry we can't have those four remember all they've done for our world and what is means to all of us," Minerva spoke, as the three of them strolled out of the Great Hall.

"It's for the greater good that they do not remember, Minerva.  It would, truly, be a danger to them, and ultimately, to us." Albus replied.

"Agreed . . . and I understand your reasoning . . . well, good night Albus, Severus . . . I have to speak to the Fat Lady and then I'm going to try and get some sleep, despite the unusual noise level!" she motioned to a window, through which splashing and shouts could be heard.

"You know how to do a 'Silencing Charm' as well as I, Minerva . . . I suspect you'll be watching out your window, if I know my Transfiguration teacher," laughed Dumbledore.

"I might even join them . . . no, better not . . .  seeing me in a bathing suit could send them all begging for a 'memory modification charm',  Poppy would be swamped!"

Albus roared with laughter as Minerva started up the stairs, waving good-bye over her shoulder. 

"I bet Minerva was quite a handful, herself, in her younger days," Severus observed, shaking his head in wonderment, as he watched her turn a corner and disappear.

"Indeed, my boy . . . I know tales that would  . . .  never mind, best keep some secrets around here."  Albus chuckled.

"Old man, you've forgotten more secrets than most of us will know in a lifetime!" Severus shot back. "So, don't go all innocent on me; I know better."

"You do, indeed, Severus." Albus patted Severus' shoulder. "You do, indeed."