AN: My dear readers….what is there to say? How can I possibly put into words the amount of love and gratitude I have for you all, what you have done for me? I am eternally grateful for those of you who've read, reviewed, and enjoyed Out of the Darkness the past few years that I have been working on it. It has been an absolute labor of love, and a joy to have shared this story with you. But now, here we are at the end of things. But life is a circle, and what goes around comes around. Therefore, I leave you with this final glimpse into the continuing life of Hermione, Henry, Felicity, and Severus…a family that is truly surrounded by light, love, and ultimately happiness. Thank you all. And now, please enjoy the FINAL installment of Out of the Darkness.

Disclaimer: As always, my eternal gratitude to JK for so generously allowing myself and other writers like me to play in her world.

Chapter 49: In Light

In the depth a light will grow,

A silver shine no shadows know,

Like wings unfolding in the sky,

That circle 'round a gleaming eye,

Turning darkness all away,

Even depths will know their day,

For every shadow has its end,

In light!

Life will return again!"-Robert Fanney

Fifteen Years later…..

The Great Hall was decorated with a thousand flowers: lillies, peonies, tea roses, gardenias and baby's breath. It was overflowing with petals, on the long walkway up the aisle, the benches on either side practically groaning under the weight of the blooms. Today was a day of celebration, the culmination of many happy years, a day where two hearts would become one. Wedding bells were on the menu this early summer's eve, the eighth of June.

Standing on the raised platform at the head of the hall stood a tall, young man in the finest of robes. His shoulder length ebony hair looked shiny, and nearly blue, and his dark eyes offset by his smoothly white complexion made him look almost otherworldly to the many guests in attendance.

There was a swell of music and all at once everyone's focus shifted to the back of the hall where the great, oak doors were slowly opened, revealing a tall, raven haired young woman dressed in gauzy robes of blushed rose. Henry smiled at her, grinning wider as his sister, the maid of honor made her way down the aisle, smirking at her older brother all the way. She reached the platform and took her place to the left, sending a wink Henry's way before turning her attention to the doors which were opened slowly once more as the music changed, filling the hall with an ethereal melody.

Henry found suddenly, that he had no air in his lungs. At his side, James cleared his throat, and gave him a nudge and a pointed look. "Deep breaths, good man. Deep breaths. It won't do if you're unconscious by the time she walks in.

Sucking in a lungful of air, Henry tried to calm himself as he prepared to see his bride for the first time. He looked at the faces of the guests before him and he caught his parents eyes. His father stood, his mother's arm wrapped tightly through the loop of his elbow with tears in her eyes. His father smiled encouragingly at him, giving him a bracing nod. All would be well.

And then, hours later, or perhaps seconds…she was there. Poised and looking remarkably calm…and entrancingly beautiful, he smiled wider than ever at the young woman making her way down the aisle toward him. His almost wife…his beautiful, glorious, generous, wonderful Katherine. His Kitty. Her hair was done up in glossy waves 'round the crown of her head, her long veil trailing behind her, floating as if by magic. She had a firm, sure grip on her father's arm, and her face looked beatific, shining with the glow of happiness that only a bride can project.

It seemed to take forever, but she was finally there, within his reach, and he stepped forward, hand extended to her father Samuel, who, though emotional, was smiling happily as he graciously placed his daughter's hand in Henry's own outstretched one. Her hand was warm to the touch, and he wondered if all of her skin was as warm as her hand, as smooth, as soft, as gentle.

Then, after a brief kiss to her father's proferred cheek, she stepped away from her paternal figure, and ascended the platform. Henry could barely speak, but he mustered up enough air to murmur for her ears only, "You look wonderful," and he placed a gentle kiss on her palm.

His bride blushed, heat suffusing the apples of her cheeks, and she whispered a heartfelt thanks. And then they turned their attention to the aged man standing before them.

Albus Dumbledore, had aged to be sure, but he was still as spry and wily as ever, and the twinkle of his eye was brighter than the candles surrounding them. "Ladies and Gentleman, witches and wizards, it is my privilege and sincere pleasure to preside, today, over the marriage of two of our own most esteemed alumni: Henry Patrick Snape and Katherine Patience Wickelow. Over the years, we have all watched on as their relationship has grown from friendship to something deeper and even more special. And today, they will say their vows before all of their loved ones, a commitment for life, one that supersedes all other bonds in life. Henry and Katherine, do you both agree that the bonds performed today are being entered into by your own choosing, without prejudice, with sound mind and heart and fervent spirit?" Dumbledore peered over his half moon spectacles at the joyous pair before him.

Henry looked down at his bride who rewarded him with a wide, happy smile. "We do," they answered in tandem, and turned their attention reluctantly back to Dumbledore.

"Wonderful! And so, we shall begin."

The ceremony was brief, but meaningful, and by the time the kiss had been shared, the whole of the hall was in an uproar of celebration, cheers and whoops of joy and happiness for the newly bonded couple echoing off the walls of the hall. As the couple broke apart, and turned to their elated audience, they were greeted with a hall full of wands raised in celebration, the tips all lit with a softly glowing light, like thousands of stars in the heavens sparkling just for them. The pair made their way down the aisle, floating on the cloud of being newly husband and wife, joyful in the knowledge of the support from all of their friends and family.

…..

The reception was held in the back garden at the Snape family home, and the whole area was alight with magically floating fairy lights in the trees. The roses were all in bloom, and great tufts of hydrangeas surrounded the area. It was a celebration to be remembered, and with the wine and butter beer freely flowing, the party was going strong well into the evening. The bouquet was thrown, and Felicity caught it with ease, her role as a seeker for the Ridgeback Rollers team aiding her in her catch. She rolled her eyes at her father's stern look and she made her way over to him.

"You'll do well to wait on that, my dear," he intoned, his deep voice reverberating deep in her heart, and she immediately gave him a warm, loving embrace.

"Dad, don't be silly. I'm not interested in boys." Severus reared back at that.

"Indeed. Let's keep it that way for at least a few more years then. Spare my poor heart, if you will."

Felicity laughed, and went to show off her prize to her friends.

Severus watched on, and tried to suppress the feeling of loss he had. He saw her, tonight, and what he saw caused a squeezing, suffocating sensation in his heart. His little girl was a woman now, all of twenty one years old. She was confident, independent, opinionated, and smart as a whip. He was so proud of her. But…it can't be time yet, he thought as he sipped his fire whisky, enjoying the burn as it went down.

"Sickle for your thoughts, love?" Severus felt her presence before she'd even spoken, and he reached out and arm and pulled the body of his wife close to him, bending to press a chaste kiss against her wild curls. Her hair was as short and as wild as ever even after all these years, and though it hadn't gone grey, it had faded into a tawny, dark brown from it's original honey hue. His hair had gone completely silver in the last few years, a look that Hermione assured him in several pointed and admittedly pleasurable ways that she found remarkably distinguished. He adjusted the black rimmed glasses that had also become a regular addition to his wardrobe.

"It's nothing, Hermione. Do not trouble yourself."

She shot him a look of deep understanding, borne of many happy years getting to know every facet of Severus' moods and emotions. "Nonsense, dear. It's as plain as the nose on your handsome face," she grinned when she saw the blush suffuse his cheeks. "What's bothering you, love? Is it the party? Is it too much?"

He shook his head imperceptibly, returning his gaze to Felicity who was now dancing rather gracefully with a tall ministry worker who was a co-worker of Henry's. Hermione followed his dark gaze and smiled wryly. "Ah. I see." She pressed herself a little closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "You needn't worry. She's not ready."

He sighed then, and became quiet candid, whether from the emotion or the whisky he'd consumed, he couldn't know. "I'm not ready."

Hermione smiled gently and ran a hand through his sliver locks. "We'll never be ready. That's part of it, dear. Being parents…it's one of those things…you're never ready to let go, but let go we must. But truly, dear. We have a while yet, I think," she murmured reassuringly. Severus frown depended as he watched the young man dancing with is daughter pull her in close and whisper something in her ear that was, app arrantly hilarious, for she threw her head back in abandon.

"I don't know about that."

Hermione rolled her eyes at her husbands stern glare. "Oh, they're just dancing. Calm down before you send yourself into apoplexy."

"I suppose I'll have to give her away one day."

"You will. But that day is not today. Come, Severus, love. Let's just enjoy the party. Henry and Katherine are over the moon, and we should go and give them our congratulations.

Severus knocked back the rest of his drink and did his best to shake himself out of his morose state of mind.

"As you wish, my love."

"Who knows, soon we might be able to call you grandpa." Severus started and his eyebrows shot up to his hairline. "Merlin, woman, are you trying to kill me?"

Hermione threw her head back, laughing brightly, then taking him by the arm once more, the pair made their way, hand in hand, towards their son, their future, and their family.

The End

Many, many, many thanks to all. I hope this was a satisfying ending to what has been an incredible journey. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Be well, and thoughts, comments, and kind words are always appreciated.

SS