Chapter 92: "Always" (Epilogue)

"Sera…" Lily sighed in exasperation as the baby squirmed out of her arms. "Can't you be still for one second?"

"Apparently not," Severus said, sounding faintly amused.

Scowling in a perfect imitation of her father, Sera pulled off the tiny robe, clad in nothing but a diaper as she plopped down on the floor.

"We're leaving in half an hour. She's got to get dressed."

"I know."

Shutting the lid of his trunk, he scooped up the baby with one arm as he grabbed the robe with the other. Sinking into the closest chair, he bent his head close to Sera's, murmuring something that was too low for Lily to overhear. A moment later, he stood up, presenting her with a fully dressed child.

"How do you do that?"

"I have no idea."

She shook her head, pretending not to notice his smug expression as she finished packing her things.

"You talked to Minerva?"

"Yes," Severus said, flicking his wand to summon his cloak.

"And you're sure she's okay with it?"

"She's thrilled."

He'd never said so, but Lily had known Severus was reluctant to return to a full-time teaching position. His mood had grown darker whenever she'd mentioned it, his eyes straying to Sera before he'd quickly changed the subject.

"Severus," she'd said one night, smiling as a shower of sparks erupted from the tip of his wand. "I've been thinking…"

He'd hesitated, distracted by the baby as she'd squealed in delight. "Yes?"

"You don't have to teach all the classes, do you?"

"What do you mean?"

She shrugged. "Maybe we could share the position. I could take over with the younger students, and you could handle the older ones. You prefer teaching them anyway, don't you?"

"I do, but…"

"If we did it that way, we'd both have plenty of time to spend with Sera. And since we'd never have to work at the same time, one of us would always be available to take care of her."

"Hmmm," he said, his expression thoughtful. "I'll admit that the idea is appealing. Do you really want to teach though? It can be a frustrating job."

"You don't think I could handle it?"

"Quite the contrary. You're adept with potions, and you're certainly good with people. Far better than I am, in fact. I just don't want you to feel like you have to do it for my sake."

"Severus, I spent almost half my life cut off from the world. I've never even had a job, let alone one where I could make use of my talents. As much as I love being a mother, I'd like to experience other things, too."

"I see." He leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on hers. "Well, if this is truly what you want…"

"It is."

"I'll send Minerva an owl in the morning."

Coming back to the present, Lily lifted Sera into her arms, watching Severus gather the last of their things. He shrunk them down and stuffed them in his pockets, heading upstairs to extinguish the lights.

As she waited, she took a final look at their little cottage, unable to believe they were leaving so soon. The last year seemed to have flown by, full of significant moments that still made her smile.

Most of those had involved Sera, of course, from the day she'd learned to crawl to her first tottering footsteps. But there'd been other moments, too, bringing a sense of closure to their difficult past as they'd turned their eyes to the future.

Dear Severus,

We'd like to express our deepest gratitude for all your assistance. Your testimony at our trial was invaluable, though that pales in comparison to the protection you offered our son. Your service to our family will never be forgotten, just as your friendship will always be valued. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you ever find yourself in need. In the meantime, we wish you all the best.

Sincerely,
Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy

PS: Congratulations on the birth of your child.

Lily had even received a holiday card from Petunia, wishing both her and Severus good tidings for the year to come. Granted, she didn't think they'd be getting together for tea anytime soon, but… well, it was a start.

Of course, her happiest memories were of the family she'd created for herself. Harry had spent the past year at Hogwarts, but he'd visited most weekends, eager to spend time with his mum and baby sister. He'd even grown more comfortable with Severus, often seeking his advice as he'd adjusted to his new position.

"Shall we take this?"

Spotting the toy broomstick in Severus's hand, Lily couldn't help but chuckle. Harry had given it to Sera for her first birthday, his eyes bright with excitement aas he'd shown her how to mount it. To his dismay, she'd lost interest soon thereafter, returning her attention to the books she'd received from Severus.

"She can't even read," he'd said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Shrugging, Severus had settled his daughter in his lap, murmuring softly as they'd flipped through the pages together. Both of their brows had been furrowed, two pairs of dark eyes narrowing in concentration.

"Take it," Lily said, returning to the present. "Who knows? She might change her mind."

Of course, that didn't seem likely. Sera was too much like her father, already showing an interest in the things he preferred. She was as active as any child her age, but there was nothing she loved better than exercising her mind, playing with the puzzles he bought her or listening to him read aloud.

"She's a genius," Severus often said, sounding so casual that he might've been remarking on the weather. Personally, Lily thought it was far too early to tell, though there was no denying that their child was unusually bright.

"Ready?"

Lily blinked, smiling up at Severus as he put an arm around her waist.

"Yes. Let's go."

Harry was the first to greet them when they arrived at Hogwarts, chattering pleasantly as he directed them to their new quarters. Lily hadn't been enthused about staying in the dungeons, but the rooms were warm and dry, the furniture far more comfortable than she might've expected.

Severus frowned, poking his head into the bathroom and study before he inspected the bedrooms.

"A bit small," he said, "but adequate."

Lily carried Sera into the nursery, which had been furnished with an antique crib, wardrobe, and changing table. Settling herself in the rocking chair that had been placed in one corner, she opened her robe, leaving him to unpack as she offered the baby her breast.

"Should we take her to the feast?"

Pausing in the doorway, he gave her a thoughtful look. "As long as she has a nap first, she should behave well enough. If not, I can always bring her back down here."

"And miss the Sorting Ceremony?"

"If I'm lucky," he said with a smirk.

As it turned out, luck wasn't on Severus's side that night. Sera was captivated from the minute they entered the Great Hall, her dark eyes wide as she stared up at the enchanted ceiling. The only thing that seemed to interest her more were the people, especially those who dared to approach her while she was nestled in Severus's arms. She beamed up at them, babbling contentedly in response to whatever they said.

Bemused, Severus watched her eyes light up as the Sorting Ceremony began. She clapped her tiny hands for each and every student, clearly disappointed when the ritual finally came to an end.

In one way, his daughter was his polar opposite. She loved being in the middle of a crowd, seeming to thrive on the attention she received. But was that such a bad thing? Severus knew that her sociable nature would make her life easier, even as he realized that bringing her to Hogwarts had been the right decision.

"Arry! Arry!"

Surrendering Sera to her brother, he turned his attention to Lily, only to realize that she was deep in conversation with Minerva and Charity. He did his best to ignore the person who was seated on his other side, though unfortunately, there was no avoiding the overly large hand that was placed on his shoulder.

"Erm, Snape? Jus' wanted to say that it's good to see yeh back."

"Thank you, Hagrid."

"Was also wantin' to apologize fer…"

"That really isn't necessary," Severus interrupted, though he knew it was pointless. This wasn't the first apology he'd had to suffer through, nor was it likely to be the last. His only consolation was that sooner or later, guilty consciences would be soothed and everything would return to normal.

Normal… he nearly chuckled at the thought, realizing that the word had lost all meaning. This new tenure at Hogwarts was bound to be quite different than the last, worlds apart from the reality he'd once known. No bitterness, no fear, no hatred or isolation. Voldemort was gone, along with Dumbledore, taking with them every reason he'd ever had to feel miserable in this place.

The truth was, he hadn't only returned to Hogwarts for Lily's sake. Granted, she'd given him a good excuse, but he'd felt something deeper pulling him back. He'd always hungered for second chances, after all, needing to prove that he'd learned from past mistakes.

He could be a better man. He'd already proven that, thanks in no small part to Lily. He could be a good father, too, breaking the cycle of abuse he'd known as a child. He could even learn to love those he'd once hated, a lesson he'd taken from Harry Potter himself. But did it have to stop there? What if he could also be a better teacher, a better colleague, a better friend?

Perhaps it was greedy, this insatiable craving for redemption. But as he gazed at Lily, his eyes dropping to the child who'd fallen asleep in her lap, he knew he didn't want that redemption for his own sake. More than anything, he just wanted to be a man they could be proud of, worthy of their love and admiration.

"Severus?"

He returned his attention to Lily, taking Sera from her arms as she rose from her chair. Nodding respectfully at the other staff members, he put an arm around her waist as he led her from the hall.

Sharing the job of Potions professor turned out to be an ideal arrangement. Lily loved teaching, finding it easy to be patient and caring with her students. Perhaps she was too lenient, especially when it came to taking House Points or handing out detentions. But even Severus had to admit that her methods were effective, nodding in approval whenever he looked over her test scores.

For his part, Lily knew that some things would never change. He'd always be strict, prone to losing his patience over late homework or exploding cauldrons. But he'd learned not to belittle his students, while showing more restraint in his disciplinary measures. As a result, even the Gryffindors responded more positively to his high expectations, rewarded as much as any other student for their efforts.

Meanwhile, they both had plenty of time to spend with Sera, who'd quickly become a favorite around the castle. This, Lily suspected, was why so many people had softened toward Severus. It was impossible to think of him as cold or unfeeling when he was with his daughter, feeding her from his own plate or matching his long strides to her toddling footsteps.

Before Lily knew it, December had passed, followed by both their birthdays. As Valentine's Day approached, the school was decked out in pink, a tradition that had been carried over from Dumbledore's time as headmaster.

"Hideous," Severus grumbled as they passed through the halls. "I thought Minerva had better taste."

"It isn't so bad."

He snorted. "If I didn't know better, I'd think that Dolores Umbridge had exploded in here."

"Sera likes it. Do you think she has bad taste?"

"Sera," he said, "is 18 months old. One can certainly make an exception for her."

"Do you think she'll be all right without us?"

"It's only for one night."

"And all of tomorrow." Lily stopped in her tracks, realizing they'd made it to the front entrance. "What if something goes wrong?"

"Then someone will send a Patronus. In the meantime, she'll have immediate access to a skilled healer, not to mention your son, who is well aware that I'll kill him if anything happens to her."

"Oh, no. Did you threaten him?"

Severus shrugged. "He wasn't offended."

"I just don't know if we should…"

"Lily…" Turning to face her, he sighed. "If you can't put your worries aside, at least for tonight, then there's no point in going. That said, I'd really like to spend a little time alone with you. It seems like forever since…"

"I know."

Taking his hand, she resumed walking, leading him to the Apparition point. A slow circle and the world shifted, leaving them standing in the living room of their cottage.

"It's so quiet," she whispered.

"Well," he said as he removed both their cloaks, "we've been living with hundreds of children for months."

"True."

"Shall I make tea?"

She nearly laughed, realizing that tea was the last thing he wanted. Despite his good manners, there was no mistaking the hunger in his eyes as they swept over her body, even as he lifted his wand to summon the teapot.

"Tea would be lovely," she said. "Let me just go up and change."

Not waiting for a response, she hurried up the stairs, shutting herself in the bathroom. Discarding her robes, she slipped into the lingerie she'd transfigured, turning this way and that as she inspected herself in the mirror. The lacy red chemise left little to the imagination, sheer fabric hugging her curves in all the right places. Her breasts looked particularly inviting, round and full as they strained against the low neckline.

Satisfied, she put on a touch of perfume, tousling her hair before she applied a little makeup.

"Lily?"

She blushed at the sound of his voice, which seemed like a ridiculous reaction. They'd been together countless times, after all, having made love as recently as…

Shaking her head, she realized she couldn't remember. Two weeks ago? Three? Sex had been more infrequent since Sera's birth, their bed often shared by three rather than two. When it did happen, it was a hasty affair, both of them desperate to finish before the next feeding or dirty diaper.

To Severus's credit, he hadn't complained, though that only made her feel worse. She hadn't realized how much she'd been neglecting their relationship, promising herself that she'd make it up to him.

"Severus."

Turning around, he nearly dropped the tray he was holding.

"Put that down."

He obeyed without hesitation, though she quickly realized he had no intention of letting her be in charge. His eyes were smoldering as he stalked toward her, his kisses almost brutal in their urgency as he pushed her onto the bed. The chemise was discarded, along with her underwear, his mouth hot as it traveled down the length of her body. Before she knew it, his hips were cradled between her thighs, his forehead pressed against hers as he pushed himself inside her.

"Fuck…"

It didn't last long. Not the first time. His thrusts were too quick, too fierce, leaving them both gasping from the intensity as he collapsed in her arms.

"I think I'll have some tea now," she said a few minutes later, not bothering to dress as she rose from the bed. She could feel him watching as she fixed them both a cup, his eyes full of admiration when she turned to face him again.

"You're beautiful."

"Thank you," she said, handing him a cup as she slipped into bed beside him. "You're not so bad yourself."

He snorted. "Don't be ridiculous."

The truth was, Severus had never looked better, whether he realized it or not. There were no more dark circles under his eyes, his face no longer pale with fatigue. His skin would always be fair, of course, but the color was more natural now, helped by the hours he spent walking outdoors with their daughter. Even his hair looked healthy, soft and freshly washed as it brushed against his shoulders.

As for the rest of him… Lily ran a hand over his chest, bringing it to rest on his stomach. There was nothing skeletal about his appearance now, his body still slender yet obviously well-nourished. She admired the lean muscles of his abdomen, trailing her fingers up the inside of his thigh before she wrapped them around his growing erection.

"Forget the damn tea," he muttered, setting both their cups on the bedside table.

Stroking him gently, she ran her tongue along his length, drawing him into her mouth for several minutes before she rose to straddle his hips. By then, he was panting, his eyes fluttering closed as she reached between their bodies to position him at her entrance.

"Severus," she whispered. "Look at me."

Moaning softly, she took him into her an inch at a time, her movements slow and sensuous as she began to move.

This was a different kind of intensity, his eyes never leaving hers as his hands skimmed over her body, caressing her breasts, her hips, his fingers delving between her thighs as she whimpered in encouragement. He knew exactly how to touch her, slow, rhythmic circles gradually picking up momentum, her body trembling as he increased the friction.

"Oh god…"

Burying his other hand in her hair, he urged her to lean forward, pressing his mouth to hers. She came as soon as their lips met, even as he did, stealing his breath with a sharp gasp as she felt him pulsing inside her. It seemed to go on forever, a low groan emerging from deep in his chest in response to her shuddering moans.

"Tea?" he mumbled a few minutes later, his voice thick with drowsiness.

Unable to help herself, she laughed. "No, thank you."

She fell asleep soon thereafter, awakening to find him newly aroused as bright sunlight slanted across the bed. Letting him have his way with her one last time, she was utterly sated as she got up to take a shower.

"May I join you?"

Somehow, that was the best part of all, his arms wrapping around her as the warm water cascaded over them both. He washed her from head to toe before she returned the favor, their hands entwined as they went down to make breakfast.

The rest of the day was positively blissful, an exchange of gifts followed by hours of quiet conversation as they walked in the garden. Lily had never felt closer to him, promising herself that they'd find time to be alone a little more often.

That might've been a perfect plan… if either of them had remembered to cast the charm.

Severus couldn't take his eyes off Lily, standing on the hilltop in a flowing white dress. Her hair was woven through with flowers, her eyes sparkling as they met his. Smiling, she laid a hand on his arm, the other resting on her stomach.

"I thought you wanted to get married before your condition became too obvious."

"Are you saying I look…" She trailed off, glancing down at her hand. "Oh, I didn't even realize."

She was four months pregnant, her belly just a slight curve beneath the layers of fabric. She'd told him right before Easter, obviously as shocked as he was. In the end though, it hadn't mattered. She'd embraced her condition, making it clear that in her eyes, at least, this baby was as welcome as their first.

"Do you remember what that entails?" he'd asked her. "What you went through the last time you bore a child? Is that truly an experience you'd like to repeat?"

She'd shrugged. "It wasn't so bad."

He'd stared at her incredulously, though he hadn't bothered to argue. It was too late, after all, her eyes shining with anticipation as she'd contemplated the new life growing inside her.

"Very well," he'd said instead. "But this is the last time. I have no interest in competing with the Weasley clan."

"Neither do I."

"Then you wouldn't object to me taking more… permanent measures to prevent future pregnancies?"

To his surprise, she'd agreed, even offering to help him brew the complicated potion. It had made him terribly ill for a couple days, but that had seemed like a small price to pay when he'd considered the end result.

"Severus?" she'd said as soon as he'd recovered. "When are we going to get married?"

"Whenever we stop finding reasons to put it off."

"In that case, we'd better do it soon. I'd like to be able to fit into my wedding dress, and I definitely want to do it before the babies come. They'll need a lot of attention, and with Sera to worry about, not to mention our jobs…"

"They?"

She'd nodded, giving him a sheepish look.

"You're pregnant with twins? Dear god, don't tell me you're having triplets."

"Twins. I'm sorry, Severus, I know you didn't want…"

He'd hesitated, letting out a heavy sigh. "Is this what you want?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm sure I'll adjust."

They'd only had a month to plan the wedding, setting it for the day after school let out. Agreeing that a simple ceremony would be best, they'd chosen an outdoor location, a small hillside within walking distance of Hogwarts. Harry was in attendance, of course, sitting in the front row with Sera in his lap. The Weasleys were just behind him, taking up an entire row of chairs, and naturally, all the Hogwarts professors had chosen to attend. Beyond that, there were quite a few students, along with a handful of Order members.

But there were three faces Severus hadn't expected to see, his eyes widening as he spotted them in the back row. The Malfoys were dressed in their finest, their eyes fixed on him as they sat stiffly in their chairs.

"Welcome," said the Ministry official. "Shall we begin?"

Severus would never remember the vows he'd spoken, nor what Lily said in response. The words were no more than a formality, a confirmation of the truth he'd known since he was nine years old. She was the only woman he'd ever been destined to love, a bond that could neither be made or broken through a simple ceremony.

Nonetheless, it felt good to slide a ring on her finger, her eyes fixed on his as she returned the favor. It gave him a sense of completion, not to mention the unimaginable privilege of calling her his wife.

"You may kiss the bride."

Ignoring the cheers, he lowered his lips to hers, treating her to a slow, deep kiss that bordered on inappropriate. He'd never been one for public displays, but for once, he didn't care. It was their first kiss as a married couple – he intended to make damn sure she remembered it.

"Oi, save it for the wedding night!"

Severus didn't know which of the Weasleys had shouted, though he recognized the distinct sound of Molly slapping the idiot upside the head. Smirking, he offered his arm to Lily, ready to escort her back up to the Great Hall.

"Severus?"

He spun on his heel, finding himself face to face with Lucius Malfoy. The former Death Eater had aged quite a lot over the past few years, streaks of silver in his hair and deep lines in his elegant face. Nonetheless, he looked worlds better than the last time Severus had seen him, his lips curving into a small smile.

"May I be the first to congratulate you?"

Severus inclined his head. "Thank you."

"And you, Mrs. Snape. I wish you all the best."

"Please, call me Lily."

Lucius nodded, glancing at Narcissa and Draco. They were waiting beside a tree, well away from the others. "As you wish… Lily. There's a gift for both of you in the Great Hall."

"You're not coming to the reception?" she asked.

Shooting a quick glance at Severus, Lucius shook his head. "As much as we'd like to, I don't think it would be a good idea."

"But…"

"We'll be returning home for the summer," Severus interrupted smoothly. "Perhaps you might join us for dinner next month?"

"That sounds delightful. I'll have Narcissa send you an owl."

Severus watched him walk away, nodding to Draco and Narcissa before he returned his attention to Lily. "Ready?"

She grimaced. "I hope so."

"Are you feeling ill?"

"A little," she admitted, laying a hand over her stomach. "I thought the morning sickness had passed, but…"

"We can skip it if you wish."

"Our own reception?"

"Why not?"

She shook her head, lifting her chin as they walked toward the Great Hall. "It's the only wedding reception we'll ever have. I intend to enjoy it."

"Fair enough."

"Come back here," Harry said, scooping Sera into his arms. She squealed, reaching for another piece of cake as he settled them both at the table.

Ginny shook her head. "I can't believe how big she's gotten."

"I know."

Sera would be two years old in a couple months, having grown into a bright, inquisitive little toddler. She looked very much like Lily with her delicate features, except for the large, dark eyes that were a perfect reflection of her father's. Her mannerisms were more like his, too, from the way she scowled when she was displeased to her intense focus on anything that captured her attention.

At the moment, her only focus was cake. Using one hand to shove a fistful in her mouth, she smeared frosting all over Harry's robes with the other.

"She's making a mess."

He shrugged, tousling her soft auburn curls. "I don't mind."

"Of course not." Ginny smiled, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "You know, Harry, you're going to be a great father someday."

"I hope so."

With that, he couldn't help but glance at the other fathers in the room. There was Arthur Weasley, struggling to hide his amusement while Molly scolded the twins for some prank they'd pulled. Beside them was Xenophilius Lovegood, smiling indulgently at Luna as she chatted with Hermione. There were other fathers, too, including several with children who weren't much older than Sera.

But more than anyone, Harry's eyes were drawn to Snape. He was standing just a few feet away, as imposing as ever in his billowing black robes. If Harry didn't know him better, he'd think that the man was completely disinterested in the people around him, his features stern as he spoke with Minerva. But those dark eyes missed nothing, lingering on Sera before they strayed to Lily again.

"Are you okay with it?"

"What?" Harry blinked, returning his attention to Ginny.

"The baby. She's having another one, isn't she?"

"Two, actually. Due in November."

"Twins? Wow…"

Lily had told him right after Easter, her hands trembling ever so slightly as she'd fixed them both a cup of tea. She'd asked the same question as Ginny, though he'd been quick to reassure her, pointing out how much he loved little Sera.

"Who knows?" he'd said. "One of them might even be interested in Quidditch."

She'd laughed, telling him she couldn't make any promises. He'd responded with a helpless shrug, both of them agreeing that with Snape as a father, it didn't seem likely.

Snape. Harry knew that was the real reason Lily had worried over his reaction, afraid there might be some lingering resentment. Why else would it bother him? He knew he wasn't being replaced by his younger siblings, and after growing up without a family, he'd hardly complain about having another sister or brother to love.

"It's just that last time…"

"I know," he interrupted, his eyes finding Ginny's. She'd been the one he'd confided in right after the battle, helping him sort through all the conflicted feelings he hadn't felt comfortable sharing with Lily herself. Ginny knew that for a brief time, Harry had resented the idea of Lily starting another family, that he'd even been jealous of his unborn sibling. Why should some other kid get to grow up under Lily's care when Harry himself had never enjoyed that privilege?

"She gave you everything she could," Ginny had pointed out. "If she hadn't, you wouldn't even be here."

"You know what I mean, Gin."

"If you need to blame anyone," she'd said. "Blame Voldemort. It's his fault that your mum wasn't around, not hers. I'm sure if she'd had a choice…"

"Yeah, I know. But Voldemort's dead."

"Right, which means that the rest of us can finally live. Not just you and me and our friends, but your mum, too. She's already lost so much because of him. Why should she have to keep putting her life on hold because of the things he did?"

"She shouldn't," he'd said. "But I just got her back, you know? I'm not sure I'm ready to share her."

"Even though she has to share you?"

He'd frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you're grown now. You've got me, your friends, other interests, all sorts of things to keep you busy. Soon enough, you'll probably have a job as well. Are you ready to give all that up so you can spend every waking hour with your mum?"

"Of course not, but…"

"She can't go back and raise you, Harry. It's too late for that. But she can build a new life for herself, even if that life is somewhat different than the one that was stolen from her. She needs other people to love, just like you do."

"Yeah, you're right. It's just… why does it have to be Snape?"

Two years later, he finally knew the answer to that question, recalling all those memories he'd seen in the Pensieve. That was when he'd first realized that Snape had never been the person he'd thought he was, that there'd been rational explanations for even the worst of his behavior.

Still, that behavior hadn't been easy to forget. Forgiveness had been a gradual process, from Snape's first show of decency in the Room of Requirement to the letters they'd exchanged as he'd awaited his trial. Those careful overtures had eventually given way to something more comfortable, from harmless insults to Snape's patience as he'd helped Harry adjust to his new position at Hogwarts.

But in the end, it wasn't Snape's behavior toward Harry that had healed those old wounds. It was his love for Lily, the devotion he showed to her and their little daughter. Through that, he'd proven himself to be a better man than Harry could've ever imagined, one he could honestly say he admired.

"Harry?" Ginny prompted.

His eyes lingered on Snape, noticing that his hand was now resting on Lily's stomach. It was a protective gesture, one he probably wasn't even aware of, his head dipping low as she murmured something in his ear. He pulled back a little, his expression almost tender as she smiled up at him.

"Yeah, Gin," Harry said softly. "I'm okay with it."

The reception began to die down, the room slowly emptying as guests bid the newly married couple farewell. Harry was in no hurry to leave, cradling his sleeping sister as Ginny rested her head on his shoulder. It was only when everyone else had gone that he rose from his seat, careful not to wake Sera as he passed her to Snape.

"Leaving?"

He nodded, taking Ginny's hand as she came up beside him. "Lots of packing to do. We're off to Wales in the morning."

"Are you excited?" Lily asked Ginny.

"Too nervous to be excited. The Harpies…"

"Would be mad not to take you," Harry finished for her. "You'll be the best on their team."

She looked dubious, though she didn't bother to argue. Giving Lily a quick hug, she nodded at Snape before she left the four of them alone.

"I can't believe we won't be seeing you until September," Lily said, looking dangerously close to tears. "You'll be sure to write, won't you?"

"Of course." He hugged her, patting her back as she sniffled against his neck. "Anyway, it's only eight weeks, right?"

"I suppose."

Keeping an arm around her, Harry turned his attention to Snape. Tentatively, he held out his hand, their eyes meeting as they exchanged a lingering handshake. There were no words for what passed between them, but somehow, Harry knew that the past had been permanently laid to rest. True, they'd both wanted to bury their animosity for Lily's sake, but there was something deeper between them now. It was a quiet understanding, a genuine acceptance that didn't even need to be acknowledged.

Of course, that would've never happened without Lily. Her love had saved them both, so pure and deep that it left no room for hatred. That love had been powerful enough to destroy Voldemort himself, obliterating the darkness until there was nothing left but light.

Since then, Harry had come to understand the meaning of family. He wasn't just Lily's son or Sera's brother, but part of something bigger, as deeply bound to Snape as he was to those who shared his blood. It was a strange thought, one that would've horrified him in his younger years. But now…

"Sir?"

"You don't have to call me that."

"Right, um… Snape. Anyway, I just wanted to say…"

"Harry," Snape interrupted, his voice quiet. "Call me Severus."

For a moment, Harry could only stare at him, forgetting whatever it was he'd wanted to say. Opening and closing his mouth, he struggled to find the words, distracted by Lily as she started to sniffle again.

"Severus," he repeated, and it didn't feel nearly as awkward as he might've expected. "I wanted to tell you… that is, just take care of them, all right? Take care of my mum."

Severus nodded, his mouth twisting as he gazed down at his wife and child. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper, a single word echoing in Harry's ears as he turned to walk away.

"Always."

Post-Epilogue Note: I'm posting this last chapter on January 30, which would've been Lily's 57th birthday. I didn't plan it, but I love that it worked out that way. It has me thinking about what she and her family would be doing today.

Sera would be 18 years old, having recently finished her last year at Hogwarts. She's a Ravenclaw with a keen interest in writing/research/journalism, which started when she read Rita Skeeter's "Snape: Scoundrel or Saint?". She was so offended by the inaccurate portrayal of her father (and other sensationalistic wartime writings) that she'll ultimately dedicate her life to the pursuit of fair and accurate reporting.

The twins (names/genders undisclosed) are 16 years old, currently in their sixth year at Hogwarts. They were born on Halloween after an extremely difficult labor, which was even more frightening considering the significance of the day. Fortunately, Lily made a full recovery, though both she and Severus were relieved that there would be no more pregnancies.

Mirroring their parents, one twin was sorted into Gryffindor while the other ended up in Slytherin. It's a testament to how much times have changed that this separation has done nothing to interfere with the bond they share. The three children have grown up at Hogwarts (spending their summers at the cottage), and Lily, Severus, and Harry still teach at the school. Harry is 36 now, married to Ginny with children of his own, though he maintains close relationships with Lily and the rest of his family, including Severus.

All of them would've gotten together for Lily's birthday, though IIm sure that Severus would've stolen her away for a little alone time. They're able to enjoy that more often now that their children are older, and of course, they're as deeply in love as ever. In a few more years, they'll probably retire (though both are still relatively young by Wizarding standards). They'll both be ready for a quieter life, wanting to spend more time with each other and pursue individual interests.

They've been to hell and back, both together and separately, but in the end, that has turned out to be a blessing. It means they've never taken each other for granted, which will hold true for the rest of their lives.

Final Notes: I started this story in early 2013, just a few months after I read the books and fell in love with Snape. At the time, I was extremely nervous about writing him. How could I possibly do him justice? And what about his relationship with Lily? Could I capture the beauty of that bond without it ultimately ending in tragedy?

Four years later, and I've never written a character I feel so comfortable with, nor a relationship that resonates with me so deeply. I know this story isn't perfect (no story ever is), but it helped me grow tremendously as a writer in terms of both skill and confidence.

It's only right that I should thank JK Rowling for that. If she hadn't created these brilliant characters (and given them such a tragic story), I would've never been inspired to write about them. But I'd also like to thank you guys, especially those of you who've taken the time to leave reviews. I can't wait to read your final thoughts, and for those of you who haven't reviewed, I'd love to hear from you as well.

I have two new stories in the works, so please follow me if you'd like to read more from me in the future.

Again, thank you so much for believing in this story. I'm tremendously grateful for all your support.