When the Kiss ended, Two adult children stood looking at each other in awe. Hermione had only one question. "Harry, did you know that would happen?"
Harry had a look of being totally gob smacked. "I don't even know how I got here, the elves did it. You and everyone else died in the final battle. I beat Riddle but I was all that was left alive. I was alone in Grimauld Place one night and contemplating taking my own life to be with my friends and family. I fell to sleep as I hadn't done in weeks. Next thing I know, I'm in my cup board the day before my eleventh birthday. Kreacher said the high elves did it." Harry was looking at his shoes. "I really needed you so I guess they kind of drug you along and put your soul in me. It all I can think of."
Hermione started into her thinking mode and could not make sense of it. "But why me Harry It should be Ginny. She was the love of your life. I'm Just your best friend."
Kreacher was the one who answered. "Miss Mione, When you was looking for soul anchors who did you stay with, who did you always stand by in school, on all the adventures you had, what were you thinking and feeling?"
Hermione was chewing her lower lip as she recalled what her thoughts had been. "I…I couldn't leave Harry, it was like I had to with him no matter what. Any time he was doing something on his O….."
Kreacher then turned to Harry. "Harry I ask the same of youse?"
Harry had never even thought this through before or allowed it to enter his mind. "I… well… I never let myself… but I knew I could never make it with out Hermione. But she loved Ron so I turned it OFF."
Hermione looked at Harry as if he lost his freaking mind. "What, you thought I Loved RONALD, the human stomach that turned his back on us more than I could even dream, what would make you think that? I'm supposedly the smartest witch of the age, and you would think I'd choose that lazy ass!?"
The rant was loud and long, then came her truth. "I just never thought I was good enough for you." It was said just above a whisper.
It took quite some time before they said a word, because of the realization of all the happiness they lost to the insecurities of their respective childhoods.
Albus was in quite a quandary he was at best a decent alchemist but he in no way could recreate the stone. The one he was supposed to guarding was over 600 years old. Nicolas was going to be very angry, he also had no idea how it was purloined. Albus Dumbledore was more than worried. He was also out one DADA professor. The only person available was Remus Lupin, that was a card he didn't want to play. Of course Severus wanted the position, and he couldn't chance that either. He would have to take over the classes him self for awhile. It would give him a chance to try to get close to Harry.
Harry and Hermione were in the Gryffindor common room, For the two of them school was now horrifically boring, most homework took only minutes to finish, and Harry still had copies of his into third year finished.
Snape was going crazy the Potter gang as he called them was driving him crazy being perfect students, even helping some of the Slytherin's in his class. (Harry had a potions doctorate).
Flitwick couldn't stop praising them, and McGonagall was the proudest she had ever been for two of her lions. Albus still couldn't figure out why every portrait in the Castle was giving him a single finger salute.
Harry and Hermione went to the great hall for breakfast the next morning still in a pensive mood. Professor Snape was the only teacher at the table when they arrived. Harry was not to sure about Hermione's reaction to what he had set up. When most of the school was seated and eating, the prank began. First was professor Snape His black robes slowly morphing into a pink tutu, and orchestra music began coming out of the walls. The nutcracker was playing, Dumbledore and McGonagall Morphed into the king and queen mice in full regalia, the rest of the teachers became toy soldiers And began dancing on the dais in front of the teachers table. When Snape finally curtsied at the finish the entire Great hall was filled with raucous laughter.
If Snape could prove who did it, it would mean death or worse. His face was purple with a rage that Matched Vernon Dursley's if Harry had shown even the slightest hint of magic.
Harry looked at Hermione and Very quietly whispered "ROR Tonight after classes."
At that moment the snake duo appeared. "Hey Potty can't do better than this mudblood?" Draco said with a cocky sneer.
Harry started laughing, when he calmed down, he spoke. "This from a guy that has to go to family reunions to meet girls." The whole of the Gryffindor table erupted in laughter as Draco turned a lovely shade pink.
Snape already having been humiliated came roaring up to see what was going on. "What's Going ON HERE?" Snape was out for blood.
Harry kept a straight face. "Just discussing the best choices of social interactions professor." Harry was howling inside, and attempting to hold it.
Snape looked at Harry. "And" Harry was still holding his laughter admirably, "I feel intelligence and beauty are first rate, and find it more important than bigotry, while Draco feels he should date first cousins and sisters." The Weasley twins lost it first, They were laid out on the floor laughing so hard they were turning blue from lack of air. The moment they hit the ground the entire great hall broke out in uncontrollable laughter.
Draco was so angry the steam was coming out his ears, he raised his wand to strike as Professor McGonagall walked up trying to hold her own mirth, and she snatched the wand from Draco's hand. "Twenty points from Slytherin for attempting to curse another student and detention with me tonight Mr. Malfoy!" All mirth gone from her voice, she then turned on Severus.
"You Professor Snape will reign in the bullies of Slytherin house or loose your position as its head. You claim others strut around this castle as if they own it. You seem to think that your own house does. It stops here and now!" She looked him in the eye. "Do you understand?" A pissed off McGonagall was not a sight even Severus Snape wanted to see.
Snape for only the second time in Harry's memory looked contrite. "Yes Mame."
She looked at Harry. "Ten points to Gryffindor for showing restraint.