**The time has come for this story to end. It's always hard to decide where to end it, and after much thought of how much more could be added, I decided to end it here. Thank you so much for reading this story, sticking with it when I didn't update in so very long (of which I am still very sorry), and reviewing it. All good things must come to an end, and this is it, so enjoy the final chapter of Too Late for Truth. **

Minerva had arranged a beautiful meal for the newlyweds. Thankfully, it was blessedly short and Hermione could pry her swollen feet from the heels she shoved them in earlier. They invited Harry and Ginny to their private sitting room. Hermione was a bit surprised because it had been Severus' idea to invite them.

"I'll say this, I really thought for a moment that you two weren't going to be allowed to marry." Harry shook his head as he loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button, sighing with relief.

"I thought the very same." Severus agreed. "Although, more good came out of Kingsley's appearance that just our marriage?"

"What are talking about?" Hermione furrowed her brow as she rubbed her ankles.

"I was offered a job." He replied.

"You were?" Hermione dropped her foot.

"I was. Should I accept I will be the Head of Magical Security and Training." Severus smiled slowly. "It comes with perks as well."

"Perks?" Harry asked as he walked over and leaned on the back of the chair Ginny was seated in.

"A nice little house, of our own choosing. The Ministry owns several houses, lofts and the like and they are given as perks to those who hold certain positions as part of the salary. If I accept you and I will tour the available properties and we will then take our pick."

"Are you serious?" Hermione jumped up. "Are you going to accept the position?"

"I told Kingsley I had to speak to you first." Severus held his hand out to his new bride and she gladly took it looking up into his eyes. "If you do not want me to take this position I will not. I will find something else."

"The question is do you want the position, Severus?" She gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"That's a fine offer." Harry threw in his opinion.

"Shhh! Let them speak!" Ginny was whispering harshly, intent on listening to the couple.

"I believe I would do well with it. I also am rather keen on the idea of coming home every night, having weekends free to be with you and the little one." He reached out and places his hand upon her budding abdomen.

"If you want it, accept it." Hermione placed her hand over his. "This is much better than you teaching because you will come home to me every day."

"Then I shall owl Kingsley my acceptance in the morning." Severus tossed his hair over his shoulder as he placed a soft kiss upon Hermione's lips.

"I think you got your nice little happily ever after, Hermione." Ginny heaved herself up from the chair. "I couldn't be happier for the two of you."

"Thanks, Ginny." Hermione turned and looked at her two best friends lovingly.

"If you need any help picking a property just drop me an owl. I would be more than happy to tag along should you need me." Harry offered with a large goofy grin. "Ginny and I should be going. After all it isn't very romantic to have your friends with you on your honeymoon."

"I do not believe a room in Hogwarts would or should be considered a honeymoon." Severus chuckled.

"We can worry about a honeymoon later, we need to move out of here and into our own home. The baby won't wait." Hermione sighed as he mind went over all of her mental lists. "There is so much to do yet."

"You've always been a worrier." Harry laughed as he embraced his friend. "Congratulations, again."

"Thank you." Hermione gave him a hearty embrace before releasing him.

"You," Harry pointed at Severus before extending his hand, "Treat her right! I'm still the famed Harry Potter, don't make me get creative!"

"Firstly you have nothing to worry about, secondly you forget I married the brains of your operation." Severus joked as he shook Harry's hand.

"Owl me and we'll go shopping for the babies." Ginny squealed as they embraced.

"I will! I promise." Hermione reached up and tucked a lock of Ginny's hair behind her ear.

"Make sure she rests, she won't you know." Ginny sighed as she pulled Severus into an embrace.

"I will." Severus nodded. "Thank you both for coming today."

"It was our pleasure." Harry ushered his wife to the door and with a small nod they were gone.

"Well…we're married." Hermione turned to her husband now that they were alone.

"You are correct, Madame Snape, as always." Severus flashed her a devilish smile. "We are also alone."

"Quite the astute observation, Mister Snape." She trailed her fingers down the front of his shirt.

"Whatever shall we do to fill the time?" He put his finger beneath her chin and raised her face upward.

"Would it make me a terrible wife if I told you I know what we should be doing but all I really want to do is take a nap?" She pleaded with her eyes and an innocent smile. Severus laughed.

"No, it does not make you a terrible wife, my love." He kissed her tenderly. "You are growing a person, so I hardly have the right to complain."

"You're too sweet to me." Hermione wrapped her arms about his waist as he wrapped his around her shoulders.

"Don't go telling too many people how sweet I am, I do have somewhat of a reputation left that I must protect." He chuckled into her curls.

Severus accepted the job offer the next day just as he and Hermione discussed. It was another week before they were able to look at all of the available properties. Hermione had chosen sweet cottage on the edge of Hogsmeade, telling Severus there was just something about that called out to her. He was sure it was the small room that was painted sky blue and had a mural of some fairy forest painted on one of its walls. There was also the insane amount of built in bookshelves that could have been what swayed her. He didn't care what it was, she wanted it so he made she got it.

On a warm September afternoon Severus was summoned to St. Mugos. He ran out of the Ministry so fast he forgot everything but his wand. Together at 3:57 they welcomed their child into the world, and they both knew that at that very moment, somewhere behind those stone walls of Hogwarts there was a book writing down their child's name.

Hermione sat in the bed as she looked over at her husband who was fast asleep holding their bald little beauty. They had given her a long and proper name, Minerva Eileen Snape. After all, Minerva had been the one to bring them together, if not for her the child would not exist. She smiled softly to herself. It took Severus all of three seconds of holding the child to give her a nickname. He called her, Mina, and it stuck.

Hermione didn't know what the future held for her little family, and that was okay. She was happy. If someone had told her two years ago she would get everything she had wanted, she would have smiled sadly and told them it was too late for her to have that, that it was too late for so much.

But it hadn't been.

It had never been too late for truth.