Well, Here we reach our end. Thank you to everyone who stuck with this story. Followed it, commented, and encouraged. I had a wonderful time writing these characters and I hope you've enjoyed the journey as much as I have.

~~SHP

6 months later

Luna was the first to emerge from the Ministry building after his trial ended. She couldn't bear the thought of him seeing her standing there and not acknowledging her presence.

It had been six long months since the end of the war. Six months since she had spoken to Severus. A lot had happened in those six months.

Luna had moved out of her childhood home after discovering her father had spoken to Severus about any future relationship the potions master might have with Luna. She now lived with Hermione in a small flat in London. Luna had sent several owls to Severus with letters of apology but he never replied. The word coward was still bitter in her mouth.

In the meantime, Luna, Ginny, and Hermione had setup a survivor's group. The group met three times a week and was open to anyone who had participated in or lost someone to the Battle of Hogwarts. Nightmares were commonplace among the group, as was a peculiar sense of being too young to move forward and having seen too much to go back to innocence. They were a lost group, all of them. Right down to George Weasley who was only just reopening Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes with the support of Percy Weasley.

Harry and Ron also attended the group regularly. Both boys had been invited to join the Aurors. Hermione was working closely with the ministry as well, trying to make reparations to muggleborns that had been persecuted during Voldemort's reign. As far as Luna knew, Hermione had not yet found her parents and returned their memories to them.

Today had been the first Death Eater trial. Severus's trial. It had been a widely publicized event. Through testimony and evidence presented by a slew of people, including Harry, the ministry had cleared Severus's name under the condition that he continue to work with them as they tracked the last of the Death Eaters that remained at large. Severus had easily agreed.

The decision came as a relief to Luna, who had not wanted Severus to spend his life in Azkaban. He deserved more than that for his service and sacrifice. She knew through Ginny that Severus and Harry had become quite close and that it wasn't uncommon for both men to be at the Burrow for Sunday dinners.

Luna had snuck into the back of the courtroom to watch the trial and had slipped out again just was quickly when it was over. Seeing Severus, hearing the deep timbre of his voice as he testified, had sent waves of renewed grief through the young Ravenclaw. She missed him too much to put into words. Luna decided she needed some fresh air and thought she'd like to walk back to her flat instead of Apparating home. The gently falling snow was beginning to stick to the grounds and the evergreen bushes that lined the street where she walked. Ahead of her, an emerald green butterfly took flight from a leafless rose bush.

Odd, she thought as she watched the butterfly flutter toward her but she held out her hand to it all the same.

It landed on her outstretched hand and she couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. She gasped in surprise and realization when it disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

Luna whipped around almost slipping on the frozen side walk. Severus stood a few feet behind her. Blood rushed in her ears and she felt as if her throat had quit working.

"Miss Lovegood," he said. The soft warmth of his voice sent a shiver through her.

"Pro-professor Snape," she stammered.

His lips quirked in an amused smile. "I'm no longer a professor, you know."

Luna nodded. "Yes, I know. Would Mr. Snape be better?"

He stepped closer and Luna had to tilt her head to look up at him. "Call me whatever you would like. I was hoping I could have a few moments of your time. There is something I would like to show you."

Luna shifted uncertainly as he offered her his arm. After a moment of deliberation, she nodded and slid her arm into his. Despite the months apart, touching him sent an instant thrill through her. She fought to keep her touch light when all she wanted was to cling to him.

It hit her then just how much she had missed him. The smell of him had just hit her nostrils when they Disapparated.

A second later, Luna found herself standing on a gravel lane. She quickly stepped away from Severus, afraid that she was going to lose the fragile grip she had on her composure. Instead, she focused on her surroundings.

The lane led to a small cottage surrounded by a low stone wall. On either side was fenced pasture and two horses watched them curiously from a run-in shed. In the fading afternoon light, Luna could just make out a small pond and small barn behind the cottage.

"Where are we?" she asked.

"Somerset, just outside of Bath. Do you like it?"

Luna stared at him. "It's lovely," she admitted.

"I had hoped you would like it," Severus told her, stepping closer. His black eyes bore into hers.

"What?" she breathed as he stopped just before her. She was as mesmerized by him now as she had been that first day in the Forbidden Forest.

Severus had changed in the last six months. Color had returned to his face. Sunday dinners with the Weasley's had filled him back out. The harsh lines of anger and stress that had marred his face were beginning to fade. But his eyes were as black and intense as ever.

"I have no right to ask you for more than you've already given me but will you allow me to explain my actions?"

Struck mute by shock, Luna could only nod.

"Six months ago, you were a vibrant war hero with life stretched out before you on a silver platter. I was an old, ugly traitor who stood accused of being a Death Eater. I had nothing to offer you. I could never have taken you to Spinner's End, you were too wild for such a place. And I would never have asked you to wait for me while I was in Azkaban," Severus told her. His eyes never left hers as he spoke.

"You wouldn't have had to," Luna whispered.

"I know, but I didn't want you to lead that life. I've spent the last six months getting my affairs in order, preparing for every eventuality. I sold my home in Spinner's End and I bought this house."

Luna's eyes flicked to his lips as he spoke. Her heart hammered in her ears. She stepped further away from him, as if that might help clear her mind. "I don't understand what you're trying to tell me."

"What I'm trying to say, Luna, is I don't want to spend another moment without you. I bought this house with you in mind, with the hope that someday I might get to share it with you."

"With me?" she repeated stupidly.

"I thought it might be a nice place to keep the old, ugly, and unwanted creatures you collect."

Severus watched her expectantly. She saw hope and fear and complete vulnerability in his eyes. He was opening his heart to her.

Blinking back her tears she asked softly, "Why are you here?"

His eyes darkened a shade as he replied in a husky growl, "Because I love you."

Luna laughed and threw her arms around him; he swept her up into a passionate kiss.

"Severus," Luna whimpered against his mouth.

From within his robes, Severus pulled out a ring. The snake ring. But it was the snake ring reworked. Now, instead of a knot, two snakes twisted together, an emerald resting on their heads. Luna couldn't hold back the tears that filled her eyes.

His arms tightened on her waist as his tongue found hers. "Say you'll marry me," he rumbled.

Suddenly Luna pulled away. Severus growled his displeasure. Her breasts heaved and her face was flushed. Severus wanted to yank her back to him, but he waited as she caught her breath.

"My father… you won't let him drive you away again will you?" she asked.

"I've spoken to your father. He has agreed that it should be your choice."

Luna's eyes softened. "You did all this for me?"

"I would do anything for you Luna," he answered. Although his voice was soft, there was finality to his words and Luna did not doubt them.

"Yes! I'll marry you."

Severus paused only long enough to slide the ring on her finger before pulling her back into his arms and kissing her again.

"I swear to you Luna, there is nothing that will keep me from you again," he whispered into her hair. "I loved Lily Potter. I'm sure you know about that by now. Lily was and will always be my moral compass. But you, Miss Lovegood, you are my horizon and I promise to spend my life following you."