"I would miss that as well. Thanks, Poppy." Severus said. "Your welcome. I hope that never happens again." Poppy said.
"I am sure it will not happen again."
"I should hope it doesnt happen again. We do not want to lose you." Minerva said. "I see you are here to escort me to the Great Hall."
"Yes, Albus is busy telling the students you are being released today. They all can not wait to see you." Severus scoffed. "You will be surpised."
"We shall see." Minerva and Severus walked out of the hospital wing and toward the Great Hall. Severus was started to feel a little nervous; he really had not see any of the students; well the new students anyway.
"Severus? Are you okay?" asked Minerva.
"Huh...Oh yes, Minerva. I am fine." Severus lied.
"I know you are nervous!" she said happily. "Fine, I am nevous! Are you happy now!" Severus snapped. "Its okay to be nervous. You have been out for a month."
They had reached the doors to the hall a few minutes later. "Are you ready?" Severu nodded and entered the Great Hall. Everyone turned to see Severus enter. Everyone stood and started to appluad. "Wha-"
"They're glad you are okay. Also they are thankful." Minerva said. "Thankful? Why should they be thankful?" Severus asked.
"They're thankful for everything you did for us by spying on Voldemort for us. I am also proud of you." Minerva said with tears in her eyes. "I am so proud of you. I am so sorry you had to go through everythign you did."
"Its fine. It was all I could to atone for my mistakes in the past. Im sorry for putting you and the staff through everything. It was my fault all of this happened in the first place."
"Severus, my boy, stop talking like that. None of this is your fault. You have atoned for all your mistakes. You are good and you always were. You just wanted someone who wouldnt use you, but thats all Voldemort did." Albus said walking over to them. "I also used you. I am so sorry!"
"Its okay Albus. I was glad to do all those things for you." Severus said. "Come, let us eat." Albus said, leading them to the head table.
"Everyone, I would like to welcome back Professor Severus Snape. He was out for a month due to Voldemort, but he did not take Professor Snape's life. So this is another thing he failed at, which me along with the rest of the staff are thankful for." Albus said.
"Thank you Albus." Severus said with a smile. 'Your welcome, my boy." Albus waved his hand and all the food appeared.
"Its good to have you back Severus." Filius said. "Yes, the staff room has been boring without you." Pomona put it.
"Aye, it 'as been borin' with out ya around." Hagrid said.
"Thanks. I've missed you guys as well. Im pretty sure you guys were sitting by my side, but not as much as Albus over here." Severus said laughing. The rest of the staff started to laugh as well. "Before you say anything I know you were scared you were going to lose me. I know you care about me and see me as your child. I am glad for that. I see you as a father figure. You know how my father treated me." Severus said sadly.
"Severus, you know I love you. I would never, ever would do anything to hurt you. You do not desever to be hurt again." To Albus' surpise Severus started to laugh.
"Albus, you can not keep me from getting hurt. Its a way of life. I know there are still Death Eaters out there that still want to hurt me, but I am okay with it."
"You are so brave, my child." Albus raised his glass and stood up. "To Professor Severus Snape. May he live the rest of his life happy." Albus annouced. Eeryone, even the students copied the Headmaster. "To Professor Severus Snape!" they yelled.
"Thank you. I thought this would all got back to normal. With everyone hating me. Now I see none of you will never let me forget this." Severus annouced.
"No, you will never be aloud to forget this. You are a hero and you desever the praise heros get." Severus watched as Albus pulled something out of his pocket and summoned Severus to the front next to him. Severus got up and walked to the front cautiously.
"I have something for you, Severus." Dumbeldore said.
"What is it?" Severus asked; Albus could hear a little bit of fear in Snape's voice. It broke his heart. "Its an award for all you have done for this war." Albus opened the case and and held the award out for everyone to see. "Severus Snape, I award you with the Order of Merlin First Class." He handed Severus the award and put his arm around Severus' shoulders. "Thank you." Severus said with a smile.