Professor

{30}

{30~Peace}

Felix looked over the Great Hall where each and every seat was filled, even at the professor's table. Draco had gotten away from Luna and Lysa for the evening meal, although that was more of pulled away from them because he detested being far from their sides. Severus was holding tightly onto the hand of Hermione, and Carthenius stared on happily with Gilda teasing the two. Professor Hagrid simply beamed at the rowdy students, and everything just seemed right. There was no doubting the way it had all come together.

Felix not only had parents, but he had his adoring girlfriend loosely twirling his fingers in her palm.

"You know, I think this year was absolutely fantastic."

"Really?" She replied, pursing her lips, "Because I am positively sure it could have gone much better."

"Listen, El, I don't care how screwy it went, it was the best year of my life."

Eleanor didn't protest much further, as only a few days ago Felix had told her exactly why he cringed when she grabbed his arm, or why Hermione had gotten him a scarf for Christmas. He had told her why it hurt to talk about why Hermione and Severus had adopted him through the ministry, why he was now able to freely address them as mum and dad even though they were professors. It had been a while, but she accepted his need to be patient and let it wear off.

"I mean, Harry Potter did offer you an internship as an Auror when you graduate next year," Ellie said matter-of-factly.

Felix grinned, "Don't I know it? Harry bloody Potter!"

"Yes, we know," some random fifth-year groaned from down the table.

He hadn't entirely kept it secret, not since Harry told him he didn't have to.

"How about we enjoy today, hm?" Eleanor proposed, "Instead of being a pillock about it?"

The dark-skinned boy rolled his eyes and then looked tentatively at the professor's table. Ellie followed his gaze and got excited visibly as the Headmaster got up from the long table.

"Do you think he's going to do it?" She whispered excitedly, hitting Felix's arm with little remorse.

"Oi, witch, sod off with the hitting, will you? I don't know if he's going to do it yet," Felix groaned, slipping forward as if it would help him see Severus' intentions better.

"Good evening, fellow witches and wizards of every age and heritage. I would just like to thank everyone behind me for being so resilient this year, for as a staff, we have been put through much and still we come out on top of it all. As a panel of brilliant minds, and magical kin, you are appreciated. So, as Headmaster of Hogwarts; I thank you."

There was thunderous applause from the crowd of students, and then Severus ceased his clapping to slip his hands into his pockets earning Felix a nudge in his side from Eleanor.

"I would especially like to thank my lovely witch, and your Transfiguration professor, Hermione Granger. Would you come stand with me, Hermione?" Severus asked hopefully.

The witch who had everyone's attention blushed and ignored the whistles from Neville and Carthenius as she stood and walked in front of the table to her suitor.

Finally, his hands were from his pockets and two Slytherins grinned so brightly they may as well have blinded their whole house. They knew what he was holding, they knew exactly what shimmering spectacle rested within that black box.

"Hermione Granger, you have been so much more to me in these past few months than I ever could have imagined... as a professor, a partner, and as my reason for not giving so many detentions." There was a small chatter of laughter, and suddenly Hermione was crying. "Would you please do me the honor of marrying me?"