A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long to go up. I honestly thought I'd already posted the epilogue. I hope you all like how this ends. Thank you everyone that has stuck by me and reviewed this story. I loved reading each and every single review that was left for me.

Special Thanks toTabiPrewitt for working so very hard on this story for me. I really appreciate all that you've done for me and look forward to our next story together.

Epilogue

After the surprise of Hermione's announcement of what their titles for each other were, Lucius and Narcissa insisted they come back to the Manor to celebrate their engagement and tell the story of what happened over dinner. They arrived at Malfoy Manor an hour later and with Draco present, told the story of how Severus searched everywhere for Hermione. After of course, Draco was filled in on what happened with Hermione's mother.

Severus had searched everywhere he could think of. He'd even swung by the Burrow, hoping to find her there since she'd spent so much time there as a child. Molly had been very confused as to why Severus was looking for her, but after assuring her that it was just business related, which confused her more since she hadn't known they were opening a shop together, he'd quickly left again. It had him remembering he was invited to Sunday dinner at the Burrow, and there was no way in hell that Hermione was making him face that alone.

Next, he told them how he found her at the shop, and after a long and very confusing discussion, they'd eventually gotten around to confessing their feelings. He ended his story with telling them that knowing that Hermione was everything he'd always wanted, short courtship or not, he'd found himself proposing right then and there. Granted, it was after he made love to her on their futon, and his proposal had been with them both lying naked and still trying to catch their breath, but he left that part out, much to Hermione's relief.

Lucius had opened some champagne from his private stores and they'd spent the evening repeatedly toasting the happy couple. Narcissa had wanted to know when the wedding date was, but Hermione and Severus both agreed that even though they had a short courtship, with all the work ahead of them with the shop, they'd probably have a long engagement.

Two bottles of champagne later, Draco had slung his arm around Hermione and said that she may be marrying his godfather, but he knew she still wanted to shag him. Hermione simply smiled and shrugged the whole thing off, much to Draco's confusion. Severus had given her a curious look as well, since he was aware of how much it drove Hermione crazy, but she'd just smiled at him too.

A week later, Severus was opening a copy of the Daily Prophet and seeing what it held inside, he'd spit his morning coffee all over the place. A huge, yet obviously muggle, picture of Draco, bound while hanging upside down with pigtails and lipstick was glaring back at him, with the caption that read, "Revenge is a bitch. I did warn you." It was printed in the editorial section that was written by none other than Luna Lovegood. Luna picked up the editorial section of the Daily Prophet a few times a week when she wasn't working on the Quibbler.

Hermione's fireplace roared to life shortly after Severus found it and he heard Draco's shout of "Granger!", followed by Hermione laughing loudly from the bedroom. Thankfully, for Draco's sake, it wasn't a real copy of the Daily Prophet, just one that Hermione had conspired with Luna to produce and only three copies were printed. One was delivered to Hermione's flat, and two were delivered to Malfoy Manor. One for Draco, and one for his parents. He never made another joke about her wanting to shag him again. Severus didn't think he'd been prouder of her either. It was something he would have done himself, assuming he hadn't just murdered the obnoxious brat instead.

Two months later their shop opened for business. They'd had a hard time agreeing on a name, which is part of what took so long to open. Sitting on top of the counter near the register while Severus glared at her for continuing to argue with him on the name, he still wanted it to be 'Snape and Granger Apothecary', Hermione had been inspired by his glare.

"Severus, I don't think it should carry either of our names." Hermione had told him.

That had confused Severus. "What should we call it then?" He'd asked.

With a grin, Hermione told him about how she'd been enthralled with potions from his very first class. "Do you by any chance remember what you said to us on that very first day?" She asked.

Severus frowned. "Of course, it's the same lecture I give all first-year students on their first day. What does that have to do with our name?"

Hermione had grinned even bigger. "As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic." She started, doing her best to glare like he did, and failing miserably with her grin still trying to peek through, but it had his lips twitching in amusement as she went on. "Now, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion making. Many of you won't truly understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes. However, for those select few, who possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."

Severus smirked at her. "I say it better."

Hermione had laughed at hearing that. "Well, of course you do. However, that speech, has stuck with me for years, Severus. It's what drew my interest in potions. To bottle fame and brew glory, that's…amazing. Especially, to a young girl who had just found out that witches and wizards were real instead of just something out of a fairytale."

"What does it have to do with our name?" He'd asked again.

Hermione merely rolled her eyes at him for not seeing it. "Your speech…the same speech, it seems, that you say to every student during their first year. It's important. I'm positive I'm not the only one it inspired , and I doubt I'm the only one that would remember it either."

Severus sighed, still not seeing her point. "While you probably were not the only one inspired, what is the bloody point with our name?"

Hermione hopped off the counter and took his hands. "Our name is in that speech. Bottled and Brewed. That should be our name. Bottled and Brewed Apothecary. We have things that are bottled, and we have things to help you brew. It's perfect."

Severus pondered that. He liked it. She was right, it did fit perfectly. However… "Snapes' Bottled and Brewed Apothecary." He said.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You really want your name on it, don't you?"

He smirked at her. "That would be the plural form of my name, Hermione, not the singular. You will be a Snape one day soon too. I'm just planning ahead so we don't have to change the sign later."

Grinning foolishly, she kissed him and agreed to the name.

The first day open, Hermione watched Severus pacing back and forth in front of the register as after a couple of hours of opening, they still hadn't had their first customer. Hermione could have pointed out that people were busy, and it took time for a business to turn a profit, but she didn't. He would have just glared at her anyway.

Just before lunch, Fred suddenly came running into their shop. The twin had been experimenting with a new gag they were creating, and it had gone badly. George now had no hair on his head or face, meaning no eyebrows or lashes either, and he had two black eyes. Fred needed a potion to fix it or George was going to strangle him. The gag had been Fred's idea after all.

Severus had looked at Fred and with a shake of his head went to looking at the shelves. Not seeing anything that would work, he said he'd have to brew something special to fix the hair loss. Hermione, smirking had asked if Fred had stopped to take a picture before running to their shop.

Fred just looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "Of course, I did, Mione. This isn't my first accident with Georgie, you know. He's not dying, he's just bald."

Hermione was laughing as Fred dug out the photo he took. Then, she was laughing even harder as she saw a very bald George glaring with double shiners, and silently yelling while shaking his fist over and over again at the camera. Even Severus paused to take a look at it before with a smirk and soft chuckle he went back into the lab to start brewing.

Fred told her that they always took pictures of their accidents. It was originally meant to be incentive to be more careful, but it had turned into a contest of who screwed up worse. They had a whole wall in their office filled with pictures in dedication to their screw-ups. Still laughing, Hermione rang up a tub of salve for the black eyes with a promise to let him know when the hair loss potion was ready and how much it would be when it was. She did suggest a hat for George until then.

Tub of salve in hand, Fred left with a wave and wink. It looked like the Weasley twins would certainly be very good customers. Especially, if they had a whole wall to prove how many accidents they tended to have.

Thirty minutes later, they had another customer, and then another, and another. By the end of the day, the word was out. Snapes' Bottled and Brewed Apothecary could get you anything you needed. If they didn't have it, they'd brew it themselves. Hermione knew that the twins had something to do with the word being spread so well too. Which is why she personally delivered George's potion as soon as it was ready. That and she wanted to see the damage first hand. It was even better than the picture.

That night, they celebrated. A bottle of wine open, they'd ordered take away and spent the rest of their evening naked and in bed. Just before they fell asleep, Hermione remembered she'd had a present for Severus. She'd planned for it be to either celebrate a good day or to help cheer them up if they'd had a bad one. With the way the day went, it was to celebrate.

Her large, thin wrapped present in hand, she'd handed it to Severus with a kiss. He'd been concerned at first, was he supposed to get her something too? She'd chuckled softly and said that no, this was just something she'd wanted to give to him.

He'd torn it open to find a large wooden plague inside. At the top it read, "Advice for All Aspiring Potioneers" in big bold letters of dark green lined in gold. Underneath, it had his speech that he gave to all first-year students. Then, it had his signature on the bottom, to show it was quoted from him directly.

His face showed his surprise when he looked at her. She'd smiled and told him that with him no longer teaching, the new students of Hogwarts wouldn't get to hear the same speech that every other student prior had. Since it had inspired her, she wanted to hang it in the shop so that, while they may not get to listen to his speech, the new students could read the plaque and it might help to inspire the new generations of potion masters and mistresses.

Severus had set the plaque down and kissed her deeply, his love and gratitude evident in the kiss. Which led to them not going to sleep after all, since it turned from gratitude to passion very quickly. They were a little tired the next morning, but both agreed it was worth it. Severus had looked very proud as he hung the plaque that same morning in the shop too. Picking a spot where every customer could see it and polishing the wood by hand after it was up.

Six months later, their shop had more orders than they could keep up with. They were constantly brewing at the shop and the futon came in handy more than Hermione ever thought it would. Mainly because, after the shop closed for the day, they were always working on a new batch of potions to keep up with the demand.

If it wasn't potions they needed, it was ingredients. When people realized that they sold ingredients that were harder to come by, other potioneers would stop by to request the exotic items. Hermione eventually had to make a waiting list for the more exotic ingredients, just so Severus had time to find them without working himself to death.

When the Apothecary down by the Leaky Cauldon closed, and the owner happily moved to Hogsmeade, it only made them busier. Eventually, Hermione suggested them hiring more help. They were already turning a decent profit and could afford the salary of hiring help, but Severus didn't trust anyone else to brew. After a bit of battle, he finally conceded to someone else running the front while he and Hermione worked in the lab.

With how much time they spent brewing supplies and hunting for ingredients, Severus decided to kill two birds with one stone, and started Hermione's apprenticeship. All it required was him filing the paperwork at the Ministry, so he did. She agreed it would probably be a good idea to have two licenses, so he didn't always have to be there when she brewed, but she said there was no way in hell she was going to call him Master, or Sir. Severus hadn't cared what she called him so long as she did as she was told while learning.

A year after she started her apprenticeship, Hermione had her license. No one was surprised she was able to get it so quickly. Especially, not her fiancé. It had required a test proctored by a ministry official, but Severus had been allowed to silently watch on as she did the written test, followed by the practical demonstration, just as he had back at Hogwarts. He'd smirked seeing her chew her quill once again as she worked, just like she had back during her NEWTS.

During the celebration for of her officially becoming a Potion's Mistress, Narcissa had demanded to know when they were finally going to set a date for the wedding. Hermione had already given up her flat and had moved in with Severus at his house ages ago, their sign already proclaimed them the Snapes', so all that was left, was for them to officially have the blasted wedding. A wedding Narcissa already said she was going to plan whether they liked it or not.

Severus looked at his witch and with a shrug said Narcissa had one month to plan it. He refused to wait any longer for his witch to be his wife. Hermione smiled and nodded in agreement, even as Narcissa scoffed at the short timeframe.

However, Narcissa planned it all, down to the last tiny detail. The only thing Hermione had to do was show up for fittings, pick a maid of honor, and tell her which cake sample she liked best. Severus picked a best man, allowed himself to be measured once, and that was it. Jean had jumped in to help too, and surprisingly, the two older ladies got along smashingly. Hermione was sure it was because Jean helped Narcissa bully her into going along with whatever Narcissa wanted.

Jean was ecstatic when she found out that they could use a photograph of Hermione and a spell to help see how the dresses looked on her, so the young woman didn't even have to be there to pick one out. Which worked out because Severus and Hermione were busy. Busy brewing almost every waking hour.

Severus wanted a real honeymoon with his witch, so they had to get a head start on making sure everything was properly stocked so they could take one. Special orders would have to be put on a waiting list while they were gone and filled when they got back.

A month later, Hermione Granger became Hermione Snape. The wedding was held on the Malfoy Manor grounds. Hermione wore a beautiful white gown made of delicate lace over a fitted chiffon, with thin spaghetti straps, a v neck, and it left her back open. She was glad the train made of matching lace wasn't too long either.

From the moment that Severus saw her walking towards him, everything else was a blur until the moment he lifted her veil to kiss his bride. He knew he'd spoken his lines perfectly, even if Lucius did have to nudge him to remind him when to say them, but he couldn't tell you what he said. He was lost in the tawny eyes that stayed locked with his dark ones the whole time.

The reception was filled with their friends. Harry and Ginny Potter were in attendance, Ginny was five months pregnant with their first child. Ron and Lavender Weasley were there as well, Ron carrying their daughter, who was going on two years old, proudly in his arms. Draco, of course, was there since it was held in his parents' backyard, as it were. What surprised Hermione the most, was not that he had a date to the event, but it was one she recognized. Violet had been a year behind them, but she'd been in Ravenclaw. Which reminded her that she'd wondered once if Draco liked brainy witches, and with how he was looking at the woman he was dancing with, he most certainly did like this one.

Their honeymoon consisted of two weeks spent where no one could find them. Fourteen days spent in naked, married bliss, and then it was back to the shop. Severus could have stayed tucked away and naked with his bride for much longer than just two weeks, but alas, the honeymoon had to end.

As the months passed, they were able to get a better handle on keeping things stocked up for their customers. With both of them being licensed, Severus could go ingredient hunting while Hermione brewed, or vice versa. Him no longer having to be there so she could legally brew helped them immensely.

When it came time for students to start getting supplies for the new school year, Hermione was pleased to see all the children in the shop. Severus had been walking around and keeping an eye on the different groups. Some were oohing and awing over jars of lacewing flies or beetle eyes, others looking at vials of bats blood or bubotuber pus. Some were surrounding the different barrels of feathers, while others were picking up jars of various roots.

A few were looking in awe at the locked display of exotic ingredients. Pointing at fairy wings, tiny vials of dragon's blood, and many different unicorn hairs that were inside the display.

Hermione had already spied a young little girl standing over by the plaque she'd had made for Severus. A plaque he still proudly hand polished every morning. The little girl had to be a first year, or at most a very small second year student. She had long brown hair and was staring at the words engraved on the wood.

About the time that Hermione was going to go over and see if she needed any help, especially since she hadn't moved away from the plaque for quite some time, Severus walked over and stopped beside her. The little girl looked up at Severus, who towered greatly over her, and asked him something while pointing at the plaque.

A parent wanting to make a purchase distracted Hermione from watching further, but after she'd finished ringing them up, and the few others behind them, a good ten minutes had passed. Figuring the little girl had moved on, Hermione glanced back to where she'd been standing with Severus, only to find them still in the same spot, only Severus had squatted down so they were eye level or as near it as they were likely to get, and they were talking.

Hermione wasn't sure if the little girl needed rescuing or not, she remembered how intimidating Severus could be to a small child, but the little girl didn't seem to want to be rescued. She looked excited as she spoke to Severus.

More parents wanting to make purchases came up and Hermione focused on them once again. Answering questions about different potions, or ingredients. Explaining how best to store to them so they stayed fresher longer while the students were away at school.

Two of the helpers they had hired were also on the floor helping direct customers to what they were looking for. Sending those with more difficult questions towards Hermione or if she was too busy, sending them Severus' way.

Hermione didn't know how long she'd been talking to customers, but a with a quick glance around, she didn't see Severus anywhere. At least, she didn't seem him standing among the crowd, and with his height, he usually stood a few inches taller than everyone else, which should have made him easy to spot.

Switching places at last with one of her helpers, Hermione moved onto the floor to better answer questions and help people find what they were needing. As she moved around, smiling at the different children still in awe at the jars of gross, slimy things they found, she spotted Severus at last. He was still squatted down, talking to the same little girl by his plaque, she just hadn't been able to see him any longer due to the crowds.

Unable to help herself, she moved closer to them. Severus saw her coming closer and smiled at her as he stood. "Hermione, this is Sarah. Sarah, this is my beautiful wife, Hermione. Sarah is starting Hogwarts this year."

Hermione smiled at the little girl, still not understanding why Severus seemed so interested in this girl. "Hello, Sarah, it's a pleasure to meet you. Are your parents in the store with you?"

Sarah nodded and pointed to where a man and woman seemed to be staring at a jar of frog brains while looking very uncomfortable. Hermione knew that look on their face, it was the same look her parents had her first year in Diagon Alley. Well, every year they came to get her supplies in Diagon Alley, truth be told.

Meeting Severus' gaze, she saw his smirk that said he was aware of her parents too. This little girl was obviously muggleborn. "Sarah was asking about this plaque and what it meant. She thinks that being able to bottle fame and glory is amazing, and to be able to brew something special with just some weird stuff in a jar is the most amazing thing she's ever heard of. Is that right?" He asked the girl.

Sarah bit her lip nervously. "I didn't mean to say the stuff in jars were weird, but…they are kind of weird."

Hermione found herself laughing. "Yes, dear, they are kind of weird. Did you see the horned slugs? Very weird indeed, but also very useful."

Severus nodded. "Indeed. She also told me that she got her textbooks two days ago and has already read through half of the first one already. Care to feather a guess which book it is?"

Hermione was starting to see what had held Severus' attention for so long. "Magical Drafts and Potions?"

Severus shook his head. "No, she was fascinated by Hogwarts: A History." Amusement evident in his eyes as he looked at his wife.

Fighting a chuckle, Hermione nodded. "That was a book I read cover to cover many times. I understand the fascination."

Sarah bit her lip, looking at Hermione curiously. "Mr. Snape said he is a Potion Master, do you make potions too, or do you just help him make them?"

Hermione smiled. "I'm a Potion Mistress, so I make them too, but I also help him when he needs it."

Sarah looked at Severus a moment before looking back at Hermione. "Can anyone be a Potion Mistress?"

Hermione shook her head. "No, it takes a special someone to do it and do it well. It is an art form after all."

At the little girl's crestfallen look, Hermione went on. "I'll tell you a secret though." When the little girl looked up, interested in the idea of a secret, Hermione smiled. "Mr. Snape here, he is very good at looking at a person, and knowing if they have what it takes to be a Potion Master or Mistress. Isn't that right, love?" She asked, looking at her husband.

Severus nodded. "I do."

Sarah looked back at Severus. "Do I have what it takes?"

Severus gave a small smile. "I think you just might. It will take hard work though, and a lot of studying."

Sarah grinned. "I can work hard and study."

Hermione chuckled softly. "Then, I'm sure you'll do very well indeed."

Sarah couldn't wait to tell her parents. It wasn't long before she was racing off to find them.

Hermione watched her go with another soft chuckle. "I think you just inspired Hogwarts newest potion mistress-in-training without even being in her classroom."

Severus looked at his wife. "Here I was thinking Hogwarts just got its newest insufferable know-it-all."

Hermione laughed again. "Can't she be both?"

Severus looked to where young Sarah was talking to her parents. "I really hope that she is."

As more time passed, they eventually hired enough staff so that they didn't need to be there that much. Instead, they could brew in their labs at home and deliver the stock to the shop to store in the back room until it was needed. It freed up a lot of time for them.

So much so, that it allowed Severus time at last to work on developing new potions. Hermione dug out all of Severus' old journals and helped him go through them to decide what to start on first. Seeing him looking over all the little things he'd scribbled down over the years, Hermione didn't think she'd ever seen him so excited over anything.

Together they worked on a few projects. Alternating between doing research and testing their ideas by starting the brewing process. They blew out the sides of many cauldrons. Hermione startled chuckling one day, shortly after another explosion in the lab. Severus had raised a brow at her for laughing, something he really didn't feel like doing himself since it was the fourth copper cauldron they'd ruined that week.

"What is so amusing, my dear?" Severus asked, his annoyance evident in his voice.

Hermione didn't think he'd find it nearly as funny as she did, but, went on anyway as she looked at the newest ruined cauldron. "I was just wondering if this was how Neville Longbottom felt all through Hogwarts."

Severus narrowed his eyes at her. "Did you just compare me to Neville Longbottom?"

Hermione smirked. "I compared us, my love, not just you."

Severus was seriously considering hexing her for her comment, because he was certainly nothing like Neville Longbottom, if her next words hadn't instantly changed his mind and his sour mood. "Severus, why don't we go open a bottle of wine and take a long, hot bath together? We can start again tomorrow."

Wine and a shared bath always ended with her in bed giving oral attention to a certain part of his anatomy that always welcomed attention from her. Instead of shooting the hex he was thinking about sending, he gave a slow nod while hiding a smile, and vanished the mess of their latest experiment to the rubbish bin.

Which was probably a better idea than him hexing her. The last time he'd sent a nasty little hex her way, she'd glared long and hard at him. When she didn't send one back or even start yelling at him, he'd preened and gloated with his superiority, which only served to piss her off even more, and went to his office afterward to further gloat to himself some more.

Two days later, he'd come home to find his office walls carnation pink, and pictures of many different cats covering every single wall and flat surface while meowing incessantly at him. Realizing he'd angered his wife more than he'd thought, he quickly tried to remove the offending animals, only they were stuck, and he couldn't do it. No matter what spell he shot at them, not even when he gave up going for removal and instead went for destruction. Nothing worked.

He found when he left the room, the cats tried to follow him too. Walking from frame to frame, much to the amusement of the other occupants of the photographs when they did so. Seeing different versions of Harry or Ron snickering as the tiny creatures continued meowing at him in the pictures, just aggravated him further. Severus had given the twits in the pictures the same rude hand gesture his wife still used on occasion with Draco, while remembering that he'd once thought that introducing Hermione to Narcissa might have been a bad idea.

Needless to say, he spent the next few days doing what he could to apologize and make up to his wife for his previous rudeness and nasty spell. When he finally let her back out of bed, she'd been a very hoarse and very sore afterward, especially since she had reminded him that with him not being an easy man to forgive, that she wasn't about to let him off the hook now that it was his turn to repent. The following evening his office was no longer pink, and the offending cats were gone, and he'd found he didn't even care about what she'd said to start the whole mess either. His mood was very much improved over the whole situation, even as he rolled his shoulder and flexed his jaw to ease the stiffness from his very long apology. Truth be told, sometimes he found himself debating making her mad on purpose, just so he could apologize once again.

It was after their second-year wedding anniversary that Severus found himself gazing at the newest batch of Hogwarts students in his shop. Hermione insisted they be there when all the students were shopping for school supplies, she liked seeing all the fresh faces ready to face a new school year. He found he rather enjoyed it too, much to his surprise. With him no longer teaching, this was the only way for him to see what rising potential there was in the wizarding world.

The same muggleborn girl he'd seen before her first year at Hogwarts, Sarah, was in his shop again, looking at the same plaque, just like she did every time she was in the store while her parents looked at the odd things in jars on the shelves. She reminded him so much of his wife, her eagerness to learn radiating off of her as she looked at all the things his shop offered. He'd never witnessed Hermione as she'd wandered about Diagon Alley as a child, but he was sure she must have looked just as excited as this young girl was.

He found himself wandering over to her without him actually consciously having decided to do so. "Ready for the new school year?" He asked her, realizing he'd startled her from her reading of his plaque for the millionth time.

Flushing for jumping at the sound of his voice, Sarah grinned. "Yes, Mr. Snape. I've already gotten my textbooks and started reading them."

Severus smirked. "Of course, you have."

Sarah frowned at him. "Though…my Monster book of Monsters tried to bite me when I opened it, and then tried to eat my other books. Mum practically fainted when it scurried across the living room floor towards the cat. I had to wrestle it closed and lock it before it succeeded in eating it."

Severus chuckled at hearing that. "It'll do that. I take it you're taking Care of Magical Creatures this year?" Though he knew she must be if she had that book. At her nod, he went on. "Try stroking the spine a few times first before you open it. It won't try to eat your cat if you do."

Sarah grinned at him. "I'll do that, thank you, Mr. Snape. I've been working and studying real hard in potions class too. You and Mrs. Snape would be very proud of how hard I've been working. I didn't blow up a single cauldron last year, either. Not like some of the kids in my class."

Severus smirked, she's definitely a miniature Hermione. "I'm sure you are, Sarah, and I assure you, that both, Mrs. Snape and I, are very proud."

The young girl beamed, and before long went back to her parents. Seeing her go, he found himself wondering if it was time he and Hermione started to discuss her not taking her contraceptive potion any longer. Her next six-month doses were coming up soon anyway. Maybe they could forgo brewing it and let whatever happened happen. He wouldn't mind having another miniature Hermione running around and showing her excitement for potion ingredients and books that tried to eat her other books.

That night, as they laid in bed, Severus brought the topic up. "What would you say to us trying to have a child?"

Hermione, her head on her husband's shoulder had smirked. "I'd say I need to show you the memory of the last time you thought I was pregnant with your child, so you can see the look of horror on your face."

Severus sighed, even as he felt amusement course through him. "Weasley told you it was normal. Besides, didn't Ginny tell you that Potter had a similar look both times she told him she was expecting?"

Hermione chuckled. "Yeah, Harry actually fainted the first time after looking horrified."

Severus sat up and looked down at her. "Potter fainted?" Hearing that just made his whole week.

Hermione nodded. "Yes, but don't you dare tell anyone I told you. Ginny will kill me if you do. She promised Harry that she wouldn't spill to any of us that he fainted."

Severus chuckled as he lay back down with his wife. "Just the thought alone is enough for me. You didn't answer my question, you know."

Hermione thought about it. She knew that the little girl Sarah had been in the shop, she'd seen Severus speaking to her. She'd also seen the look of longing that crossed his face as she'd run back to her parents, so she was surprised he waited this long to mention it. Even just a few hours seemed a like lot with how he'd looked earlier.

Knowing her answer, she'd just kissed her husband. "I'm up for trying if you are."

Severus had grinned, feeling that same happiness he always felt with her. "Always, my love. Always." Then, he'd rolled her over and shown her just how up for it he was.

She hadn't expected to get pregnant right away, it took time for the potion to wear off and her cycles to go back to normal. Severus on the other hand looked hopeful each time her monthly cycle came near, then did his best to hide his disappointment each time he saw she wasn't pregnant after all.

After trying for several months, Hermione came home with a small wrapped present for him. Wondering if he'd forgotten something important that required him buying her a present too, he'd opened it. Seeing the tiny baby rattle inside, he'd quickly looked to Hermione to confirm what he hoped the rattle meant. Her smile said it all. He didn't once look horrified about it either.

While she was pregnant, he refused to let her brew, or gather ingredients. Both pissed her off, which gave him a perfect excuse to apologize again, even though he still didn't let her brew or gather ingredients after each apology. He spent a lot of time apologizing while she was pregnant because of it, and he couldn't have been more pleased either.

Hermione actually agreed about not brewing due to safety issues while pregnant. She knew that between the possibility of an injury, or even just breathing in the fumes, both were unhealthy for the baby. That didn't stop her from letting Severus think she was actually upset by his overprotectiveness, she knew he liked making things up to her anyway. Just like she liked making things up to him.

When their daughter was born, a tiny little thing with pale skin, and dark brown hair, Severus was hooked from the moment he saw and held her. Hermione smiled lovingly at her husband as she watched their little girl wrap her father around her tiny little finger, while staring up at Severus with tawny colored eyes, and the little dear couldn't even speak yet. If he was this besotted with his daughter, Heaven help him when she learned to speak and finally say the word 'Daddy'. He'd be a goner for sure.

"Penelope Snape." Severus whispered to the little bundle in his arms. "You, my dear girl, will do great things. I just know it."

Severus was a wonderful father to their daughter. He proudly showed her off to everyone in their extended family every chance he got. The Malfoy's decreed she was the prettiest little girl they'd ever seen, even as Lucius asked the tiny infant if she'd like a unicorn for her first birthday. Hermione had giggled and told Lucius he could not buy a unicorn for an infant. Lucius nodded and said he'd wait until she as a toddler then. Hermione shook her head and Severus just smiled, even as he mentally counted the minutes until he could take his daughter back from the arms of his oldest and dearest friends.

Around the time of Penelope's second birthday, Severus was standing in the shop as the students shopped for their supplies for the upcoming school year, and saw Sarah looking at his plaque once again. He wandered over, noticing how grown up she looked in comparison to the little girl she'd been during her first shopping venture in his store. She would be starting her sixth year in a matter of weeks.

"Hello Sarah." Severus said.

Sarah smiled. "Hello, Mr. Snape. I was just…reading your plaque again."

Severus smiled down at her. "Those words were what I used to tell my first-year students at the start of every term."

Sarah looked up at him. "You used to teach? At Hogwarts?"

Severus nodded, letting his eyes drift over the words engraved in it. "My wife says those words are what inspired her love of potions. They amazed her so much that a person could do such wonderful things with nothing more than a handful of ingredients."

Sarah was in awe of this. "She was your student? Wow, she's a lucky lady. I bet you were a great professor."

Severus chuckled at that. "Many students didn't like having me for a professor."

Sarah scoffed. "They must have been idiots then. My potion's professor has never said anything this amazing while I was in her class."

The words 'her class' brought Severus up. "Is Slughorn not teaching potion's any longer?" He hadn't stopped by and seen Minerva at the school in years, so he didn't know who was teaching which classes anymore.

Sarah shook her head. "He quit teaching in my second year. Professor Bates is teaching potions now, and she's good, so please don't misunderstand, but, she doesn't say things like this that just make you…excited to learn and brew, you know?"

He did understand. He understood that it took more than just reading from the books and sending the kids on their way to really do the lessons justice. "Are you taking Advanced Potions this year?"

Sarah nodded. "I am, I scored an Outstanding on my OWLS for potions."

Severus smirked. "Of course, you did. Have you thought at all what you'd like to do after graduation?"

Sarah shrugged. "Not too much yet."

Severus nodded. "You've time still to decide."

Hermione was ringing up some bottles of pepper-up potion and concentration potions for a few students that were going to be taking their NEWTS that year. Penelope was sitting on the counter beside her, a sticking charm on her diaper to keep her from falling off as she played with two small vials containing salamander eyes charmed not to break.

Hermione handed the students their change as she took note of Severus talking to Sarah again. She smiled at seeing them, she knew Severus liked how excited the young woman was over anything potion related. In fact, Hermione wouldn't be surprised if the young girl took a job in the potion industry with how much she loved it. She just needed to go to a good university or have someone excellent to apprentice under.

A few months later, Hermione was in the kitchen making breakfast when she looked to see her daughter happily playing with pot lids at the table while Severus read the Daily Prophet. She began to wonder if Penelope needed a sibling. It was coming up time for them to brew her contraceptive potion again, so now would be the perfect time to talk to Severus about it.

A year later, their other daughter Madeline Snape was born. She had hair and eyes that matched her father's, and Severus was just as besotted with her as he had been with Penelope when she was born. He couldn't put her down and was just as proud to show her off as he still was with is oldest daughter.

Lucius again decreed Madeline the prettiest little girl he'd ever seen, along with her sister, but only because Draco's wife, Violet, the Ravenclaw that had been his date at Hermione's wedding, had birthed a son instead of a daughter. Otherwise, Madeline and Penelope would equally be the second prettiest little girls he'd ever seen, instead of the first.

Hermione had giggled again, even as Lucius asked little Madeline if she wanted a unicorn for her first birthday. Rolling her eyes, she again reminded Lucius that an infant couldn't have a unicorn. He winked at little Madeline and said he'd wait until she was a toddler. Thankfully, he didn't get her girls one as toddlers either. Though, it was a hard-won battle on Hermione's part.

Narcissa, being who she was, decided that the Snapes' needed more space now that they had two kids and started her newest project. Expanding the current Snape home and of course, decorating the new rooms. She also insisted that with the larger family now, they needed a house elf to help out around their home. She personally saw to it that one was placed in their home too. A cute little female elf named Bitsy, so named because her previous owner's child said she was so itsy bitsy when it was born.

Hermione insisted that Bitsy have a bedroom with an actual bed, but the little thing rarely slept in her bed, preferring to sleep in a pallet in her closet instead. Severus had shrugged and told Hermione that she couldn't force the elf to sleep in the bed if it didn't want to. It also refused to let Hermione give it wages either. If she tried, the money would inevitably end up back in Hermione's purse.

Bitsy was excellent with their children. Watching them whenever Hermione went to the shop or down to their labs to brew. Severus was the worst about letting Bitsy babysit, not because he didn't trust the little elf, but because he loved being with his daughters and always wanted to be near them. He didn't ever want his girls thinking even for a second that their father didn't want or love them.

One day, Hermione was going through the post that had been delivered when she spotted something addressed to her and Severus that caught her attention. It was an invitation to Sarah's graduation at Hogwarts. Knowing the soft spot Severus seemed to hold for the young woman, she quickly showed it to him.

The night before the graduation, Hermione was lying in bed with Severus and finally asked what had been on her mind a lot as of late. "Severus, do you miss teaching?"

Severus, who'd been enjoying the bliss he always felt after making love to his wife, frowned at her train of thought. "I've loved every minute of having our shop, Hermione. Why do you ask?"

Hermione shifted so she could look down into his face. "I was just wondering. You have been drawn to Sarah since the moment you first saw her. I know you like that she's so interested in potions. I was just curious if you missed teaching."

Severus' frown grew. "My interest in her has never been inappropriate." Hoping Hermione didn't think that it was, especially with Sarah being so much older now, and growing into an attractive young woman.

Hermione smiled, not the least bit jealous or concerned by Sarah's youth or budding beauty. "I know, my love. I never thought it was. I was just asking if you miss being the one to inspire and mold such strong minds, like hers."

Severus pondered that. "At times, I do miss being the one to guide the students towards greatness, but if you recall, I once said the ones that made teaching worth it were few and far between. Sarah is one of those few ones that show the potential for being great. With all the students that have come through our door over the years, I've only seen maybe a handful that have what it takes to do something special in potions. Otherwise…the rest are…dunderheads, I'm afraid."

Hermione laughed at him using that word. "I haven't heard you use that word in so long. I had thought it gone forever."

Severus chuckled. "That is because I'm not forced to watch over a room full of them on a daily basis."

Hermione smirked. "I guess that answers my question, to some extent. So, you don't miss being at Hogwarts?"

Severus sighed. "No, I don't miss that part. I do miss, on occasion, as I said, seeing that one bright pupil that I could mold and guide to greatness. However, I would not want to be anywhere, but here with you and our girls."

Hermione thought about what she'd been pondering for the last few months. "You know…I've been corresponding with Sarah for the last few weeks."

That got Severus' attention. "Have you? Why?"

Hermione shrugged. "I was curious as to what her plans were for after graduation."

Severus' brow rose. "I asked her that last year and at the beginning of this year, she told me she didn't know yet."

Hermione's lips curved. "Well…she does now."

"And?" Severus asked.

Hermione's smile grew. "She wants to get her Potion Mistress' license. Do you happen to know anyone that she could apprentice with?"

Catching on, Severus smirked. "I happen to know a very talented Potion Mistress she could apprentice under."

Hermione grinned even more. "I would love to teach her, but…I may not be able to do that for very long and I'd hate to compromise her studies."

Severus frowned. "Why not?"

Hermione shrugged, still grinning. "I may have skipped my last contraceptive potion."

Severus frowned even more. "You may have skipped it? You're not sure one way or the other?"

Hermione chuckled. "Oh, I'm positive I skipped it."

Severus' frown started to turn into a smile. "And just why would you do that, my beautiful wife?"

Hermione shrugged again. "Well, we did talk about it a few months ago, trying for a third."

Severus laughed softly. "Yes, while celebrating our anniversary and drinking a lot of wine. We didn't discuss it while sober."

Hermione bit her lip. "Would a third child be so bad?"

Severus shook his head, smiling at his wife. "No, it would be incredible." Then, following the only logical train of thought with this discussion. "When exactly are you due?"

Hermione grinned at her husband. "Since I'm six weeks along, I'd say in another thirty-four weeks."

A beautiful wife, and two wonderful children. Severus knew he'd come a long way from that dark and dour man that didn't have anyone, but a couple of good friends and a godson to keep him from total despair. Now, he had a third child on the way, and a wife that still couldn't get enough of him.

"Sounds perfect." He told her before pulling her down for a passionate kiss.

One she broke shortly afterward, but only to ask if he would take on Sarah as his apprentice. A quickly muttered yes, and he was back kissing her again. Thoughts of sleep long forgotten about as he let his hands wander down his witch's soon-to-be swollen belly.

Severus took on Sarah as his apprentice and it was exactly what he'd been missing. A young mind to mold into greatness. It was way better than teaching at Hogwarts had ever been, mostly because he didn't have to deal with a bunch of dunderheads. Sarah made mistakes while learning, but they were the kind of mistakes that came from inexperience, not stupidity.

As her training progressed, Hermione's belly grew. Sarah even started picking up duties in the shop before and after her training for the day. She tried taking over polishing Severus' plaque, but he quickly let her know, that was one chore he took pride in doing, and refused to let anyone take over.

Since Hermione couldn't help with the brewing or ingredient gathering for safety reasons while pregnant, she helped Sarah study instead. During lulls in customers, the two women would be hunched over books or going over notes that Sarah had taken. Severus would see his wife helping his apprentice and it warmed him greatly. He just couldn't wait until his own children were of an age for him to start teaching.

During one such lull, Sarah started asking Hermione what it was like to learn at Hogwarts with Severus as her Professor. Smiling, Hermione started telling her about different lessons that stuck out in her mind, like her first one that inspired her to have the plaque made. Not sure if her request would be welcome, Sarah tentatively asked if Hermione would mind sharing that memory with her. Hermione happily did, pulling a copy of the memory and slipping it into a vial for Sarah to look at later.

When Severus' son was born, he felt his heart swell. He was just as taken with his son as he'd been with both of his daughters. Little Nathaniel Snape was the spitting image of his father. Madeline favored him, but Nathan could have been baby Severus. He didn't have many pictures of himself as a child, but one of the ones he did, was of him as an infant and it looked exactly like Nathan.

When the Malfoys saw him, Lucius smirked when he saw how much Nathan looked like Severus and said that Nathaniel Snape was the most hideous baby he'd ever seen. When Lucius saw that not only were Hermione and Severus glaring at him, but his wife, son, and daughter-in-law were too, he quickly raised his hands and swore he was just teasing. Nathan was proclaimed the most handsome baby boy in the world, next to his grandson, of course. Then, Lucius proceeded to ask Nathan if he wanted a handsome unicorn for his first birthday. Everyone in the room rolled their eyes at him, and reminded him once again, that an infant couldn't have a unicorn. Lucius winked at little Nathan and said he'd wait until he was a toddler then.

While the children were not officially related, they grew up surrounded by and playing with their honorary cousins the Weasleys, the Potters, and the Malfoys. Draco had a little girl shortly after Nathan was born, so Hermione's girls were knocked down to the second prettiest baby girls in the world. Hermione didn't mind. As far as she and Severus were concerned, they were still the prettiest.

After Sarah completed her apprenticeship, she worked for a while in the Apothecary. Taking over brewing duties as Hermione's hands were full with her three little kids. Severus helped by brewing at home and delivering orders to the shop or procuring rare ingredients that were requested.

After a few years, she went to Hermione and Severus and thanked them for all that they'd done for her, but she really wanted to pursue her real passion. Teaching. She'd been offered the Potions Professor position at Hogwarts now that Professor Bates had left.

Severus told her that he wished her well, Hermione too, and if she ever wanted to brew at their shop again, to just let them know. She'd always be welcome.

As the years rolled by, Severus started teaching his three children about potions, hoping they'd pick up the same passion as both of their parents. Hermione smirked as she saw Nathan and Penelope showing their tendencies for being little know-it-alls. Severus sighed when he saw those tendencies too. Though, he knew that with Hermione as their mother, it shouldn't be that surprising. He did, however, take pride in the fact that Madeline was more like her father in personality. She was very smart too, but, she didn't feel the need to show it off like her siblings did.

They wrote to Sarah often, Severus offering advice on how to handle a classroom of students. Hermione offering encouragements where she could when she heard the frustration in Sarah's letters. Sarah visited during her breaks from school and often helped them brew. Mostly she liked watching Severus and Hermione as they developed new potions or came up with ways to improve current ones. Already the Snape name held a lot of weight in the magical world due to their developments and improvements, and Sarah was proud to be able to say she learned under Snape's tutelage as his apprentice.

When Penelope receive her Hogwarts letter, Severus was a very proud father. Even volunteering to take her shopping for all her supplies. However, after the first day of shopping, where he'd been swarmed by Penelope's cousins wanting to join them, his enthusiasm wasn't quite what it was when he'd left early that morning, and that night he begged Hermione to take over the shopping duties. Laughing, she'd kissed his nose and said she would take care of it. Severus knew he owed his wife big time for what was coming.

When she returned home from shopping with her oldest daughter, she didn't even seem fazed by it all. His eyes narrowed, he tucked away the present he got for his wife to thank her for suffering in his place, and he asked how the day went. Finding out that all the cousins were off being fitted for robes, so she and Penelope shopped in peace, Severus shook his head. Thinking that of course, they were busy when he wasn't there for them to torture and annoy.

That hadn't stopped him from giving the present to Hermione, the reason he gave for getting it for her changed though. Instead of a thank you for suffering in his place, he told her that it just because she was beautiful and because he loved her dearly. His thank you for the present was a soft kiss before Hermione suggested them sharing a bottle of wine and hot bath together after the kids were in bed. He knew what that meant, and he couldn't hide his smile. She was going to be giving special attention to a certain part of his anatomy that always happily welcomed attention from her. He made a mental note to buy her presents more often.

When it was time for Penelope to leave for Hogwarts, Severus and Hermione took her to the train station while their other kids stayed home with Bitsy. Hermione hugged her fiercely and said to write to them as often as she wanted to. Severus gave her a long hug, as well, and told her to remember that she was a Snape and that she was destined for great things. Penelope smiled at her dad, swallowing down the tears that threatened with knowing she wouldn't see him for months, and told him that she loved him. Severus' eyes were suspiciously bright as he watched his little girl get on the train.

Hermione knew that as proud as Severus was of his kids, watching one leave was hard for him. She tried suggesting they do something fun, but he didn't seem to be in the mood. So, she let him retreat into their private lab to brew and brood.

When he came back up hours later, Madeline made a point to give him a long hug, and she told him that Mum had made his favorite dinner. Severus had never felt more blessed in that moment as his daughter led him to dinner. While he ate, he found himself wondering which house his eldest would be sorted into. He silently prayed it wasn't Hufflepuff.

Christmas break couldn't come fast enough and was over much too soon for Severus. However, watching their daughter step onto the Hogwarts Express, Hermione reminded him Easter wasn't far away and their little Gryffindor would be home again soon.

When Madeline's Hogwarts letter arrived, Severus was equally as proud to take her shopping for her supplies. Mostly, because in his excitement for his daughter, he'd forgotten how awful that one experience had been, especially, since Hermione had taken Penelope shopping for her second year of school supplies.

Hermione didn't argue when he volunteered to the take the girls shopping. Hiding her smirk until after he left. However, she couldn't hide it when he returned, looking very put out. He'd been swarmed by cousins once again, plus, Harry and Ron had been roped into the shopping too, so all in all, he was very aggravated when he got home. Seeing his wife silently snickering at his annoyed look, he'd seriously debated sending a nasty hex her way, the only thing that stopped him was a look of warning from her, and remembering his office covered in cat pictures. He might like having reasons to apologize, but he didn't want to piss her off quite that much.

When later that evening he was still bent out of shape over the whole thing, she did her best to make it up it him. He didn't forgive easily, and she worked extra hard to earn his forgiveness. He found that come morning, he wasn't even the slightest bit annoyed anymore. When his girls asked him to help them with the last of the shopping, Hermione smiled at him, and he decided it was worth dealing with Weasley, Potter, and both of their herds of children, if his wife did whatever it took to smooth over his sour mood afterward.

Getting both of their girls on the train wasn't as difficult for them as it had been for Penelope's first year. Madeline gave her mum a brief hug and said she'd write to let them know where she was placed, and then gave her father a slightly longer hug. Asking quickly if she had to be in Gryffindor like Penelope and her cousins the Weasleys and Potters. She loved her family, but she didn't want to be smothered by them all the time while at school. Severus smiled at her and said no, the Sorting Hat took what she wanted into account sometimes too. A grin on Madeline's face at hearing that, she said her goodbyes and got on the train.

At Christmas, they welcomed their little Gryffindor and Slytherin girls home, but again, Christmas break ended faster than they wanted it to. Severus knew though, that Easter wasn't far off, and it helped as he kissed his girls before they stepped back onto the train. Hermione slipped her arms around her husband and together they watched the train depart the station. Hermione was just glad that Madeline had her cousin, Scorpius, to help keep her company in the Slytherin dorms.

When Nathan's letter arrived, Severus remembered that he didn't want any part of the shopping experience. However, he couldn't deny his son when asked if he'd join them. Hermione had grinned at him, when with a sigh, Severus prepared to go to Diagon Alley with them. He hoped that she'd make his suffering up to him, even if she had to suffer the experience too.

This time around, with all of cousins being a little older, it wasn't so bad. Potter and Weasley still annoyed Severus, but that was expected. When they made it back home, Severus waited until their kids took their things off to their rooms, and then thoroughly snogged his wife. It helped improve his mood, and he hoped he could convince his wife to let him out of the remaining shopping duties for this school year. It wasn't so bad, but he still wanted no part of it, if he could manage to escape it.

By the smirk she gave him when he finally let her up air, he figured she was on to him. Which meant, he was going to have to employ stronger tactics to convince her after their kids were in bed. When morning came, Hermione was very cheerful and let the kids know that their dad had some work to do, so it would be just them shopping. If the kids wondered why their mom's voice was a little scratchy when she spoke, they didn't ask. Nor did they ask why their dad kept rolling his shoulder and flexing his jaw as he read the morning paper. They did however, notice the long kiss that their mum gave their dad before they left for Diagon Alley. Nathan only made one gagging noise as the girls snickered at him, which was an improvement from how the kids usually acted when they caught their parents snogging.

When it was time for them to go to the train station, Hermione hugged her girls, reminding them of last minute things for school, and not to forget to write them. She especially pointed to Madeline when she said that, Madeline barely wrote at all last year. Severus smirked at his girls and hugged them each, whispering to Madeline that her mother missed her and that if she remembered to write, he would take her ingredient hunting during Christmas break. A huge grin on his daughter's face, she promised to write more often.

While Severus hugged their daughters, she hugged her son. Telling him not to be nervous when it was his turn for the sorting hat. They would be proud of him no matter what house he ended up in. Nathan smiled at her and went to hug his dad. Severus told him the same thing, still silently praying that his kid didn't end up in Hufflepuff.

When the train departed, Severus looked to his still very beautiful wife. "How many times have you quietly hoped for Gryffindor for our kids while the train pulled away for their first years at Hogwarts?" He asked her.

Hermione smirked at him. "Probably as many times as you hoped for Slytherin."

Severus watched the train get farther and farther away. "Would you believe I've never hoped for Slytherin specifically? I only hoped they didn't get put in Hufflepuff."

Hermione chuckled softly. "Me too. I didn't hope for Gryffindor, I instead put all my hopes for something other than Hufflepuff."

Severus smirked as he pulled his wife into his arms. "Have I told you lately just how much I adore you?"

Hermione pretended to ponder that. "Hmm…you did mention loving me this morning, but I don't recall the word adore being used at all lately."

Severus' smirk grew. "How can I ever make that up to you, my beautiful wife?"

Hermione shrugged, her grin starting to peek through. "Well, we do have an empty house for the first time in ages."

Severus, realizing that she was right, he took her hand and led her quickly out of the station, her laughter ringing in the air they made their way to nearest apparition point.

It was two week later that Nathan's first letter from Hogwarts arrived, with a vial attached to it. Seeing the glowing memory strand inside had both of his parents curious as they opened his letter and read the contents.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I know you're anxious to know if I'm in Gryffindor like Penelope or Slytherin like Madeline, those being your two previous houses, but I'm not. I hope you're not too disappointed, but, I'm a Ravenclaw.

Both Hermione and Severus decided it was still better than Hufflepuff, and they kept reading.

I can't wait to see you both for Christmas break.

Love you,

Nathan

PS…I thought you might be interested in what happened in my very first class. I had to have some of the older Ravenclaws help me pull the memory, but now I think I can do it on my own.

Severus stared at the vial. "What do you think happened in his first class?"

Hermione shrugged. "I've no idea. Maybe he was just excited for his first lesson."

Curious and not wanting to wait, they pulled out their pensieve and dumped the memory inside. Each grabbing onto the side, they dipped their heads in and were sucked into the memory.

They were in the familiar dungeon that neither had seen in years. Jars of newt eyes, and cockroaches were sitting on a shelf, as were many different types of floating pickled animals. Nathan was sitting among several other first year students, swallowing nervously while looking at his open text book. They were each looking around for their professor, but they didn't see any adult in the room.

"What if the Professor doesn't show up?" A little boy sitting near Nathan asked. "Are we supposed to just sit here or can we to leave?"

A little girl shook her head. "I don't think we're allowed to leave if we're not dismissed. My big brother told me that. Katy, he said, never leave a class before being dismissed, that's a good way to lose house points."

Nathan smirked, looking very much like his father still. He opened his mouth to speak when the door banged open. Sarah walked inside and slammed the door behind her, her voluminous dark robes flowing behind her as she walked.

"As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic." She said as she moved past all the students towards the front. Stopping in front of her desk and turning to face them.

Nathan's face showed his surprise and recognition as Sarah looked out at all the faces staring back her. Seeming to measure each student as she started speaking again.

"As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion making and many of you won't truly understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes. However, for those select few," her gaze stopped at Nathan briefly, her eyes showing that she recognized him too, before moving on, "who possess the predisposition, I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses." She wrapped her robes around her as she finished her speech. "I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death. If you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach."

"I am assuming everyone has looked at today's lesson that I wrote on the board. If your books are not already on that page, please turn them there now." Sarah said, still taking in all the face as the few students who didn't have their books open, turned to the proper page.

Her eyes locked on Nathan once more, a smirk that could have rivaled Severus' curving her lips. "How about before we start, we see what you know already? Tell me, Mr. Snape…where would I find a Bezoar?"

Nathan swallowed nervously to be called on first. "A bezoar is taken from the stomach of a goat, Professor."

Sarah's eyes warmed. "Very good. Five points to Ravenclaw. I wonder, can you also tell me what its used for?"

Nathan nodded. "Yes, it's used as an antidote to most poisons."

Sarah's smirk grew. "Very, very good, Mr. Snape. Another five points to Ravenclaw."

One of the kids muttered to another student. "He only knows that cause his parents run the Apothecary. Not like he knew it on his own."

Nathan looked down at his table at hearing the comment and the snicker that followed, his face turning red.

Sarah's eyes cooled as she looked at the student that made the snide comment. "Alright then, Mr. Anderson. Tell me, what would I get if mixed snake fangs, dried nettles, horned slugs, and porcupine quills?"

The boy, Mr. Anderson, looked up blankly. "Mixed what, Ma'am?"

Sarah sighed loudly. "Snake fangs, dried nettles, horned slugs, and porcupine quills, Mr. Anderson?"

The boy shook his head. "I…I don't know."

Sarah stared at Mr. Anderson for several moments. "You don't know. I see. Well, let me assure you that just because Mr. Snape's parents run a shop, doesn't mean they gave him the answer today when I asked the question. He still had to be smart enough to retain the knowledge for himself, no matter where he learned it from. You, however, do not have parents that run a shop, but you do have parents that bought you your potion's textbook, do you not?"

Mr. Anderson swallowed nervously. "Yes, Ma'am, I have my potion's book."

Sarah smiled slowly. "Then, might I suggest you actually look at it, because the answer to my question is staring you right in the face."

Mr. Anderson seemed lost still, until the child next to him nudged him and pointed to his open textbook where the ingredients their teacher just listed where indeed staring up at him with the name of the potion in big bold letters. "Oh…its...the Cure for Boils potion."

Sarah nodded. "Indeed. Can anyone tell me the dangers of brewing this potion?"

A girl with short blonde hair sitting beside Nathan raised her hand. "Yes, Miss Peterson?"

The little girl smiled shyly. "If made wrong it can actually cause boils instead of curing them."

Sarah smiled again. "Yes, very good. Another five points for Ravenclaw. Can anyone tell me how it could be made wrong?"

Nathan looked at the little girl and smiled at her as another girl raised her hand.

"You have to take it off the heat before you put in the porcupine quills, or it will make the cauldron explode, which would make it probably spill on you and make boils appear." Said the young girl, having seen it listed in the potion text.

Sarah nodded. "Excellent. Take five points for Slytherin."

The memory ended there.

Severus looked stunned, but, Hermione was smiling. She looked at Severus. "It looks like Hogwarts just might have a new Dungeon Bat." Remembering how Sarah's robes had billowed like Severus' used to.

Severus still stunned, looked at his wife. "She gave my speech to the first years, word for word too."

Hermione nodded. "She did. I'm not surprised she said it verbatim either, she did spend years reading it each time she came into the shop."

Severus shook his head to clear it of the shock. "But…it wasn't just the words, she had…everything. My mannerisms, my glare, and…she even…she was just as…rude and…and…"

Hermione smirked when he couldn't find the words. "Snarky, dear. She was rude and snarky…just like you used to be."

Severus nodded. "She certainly was. I wonder how she managed to do it exactly as I used to."

Hermione grinned. "She did ask me once, years ago, for the memory of you giving that speech. Looks like she has viewed it many times too."

Severus breathed deeply. "Indeed."

Hermione took his hand. "Hogwarts seems to have gotten a Potion Professor once again, that will inspire the new generations to come. You should be proud of Sarah and pleased that your words will live on with her teaching now."

Severus looked to his wife. "I am, on both accounts." He thought about the memory he watched. "You do realize that your son has what it takes to be a Potion Master, should he choose to be one."

Hermione grinned. "Your daughters do as well, should they choose to go that route."

Severus nodded, smiling at the thought of his children. "Yes, they do. I think, my dear, that we have done very well with our family."

Hermione moved to sit in her husband's lap. "I do too. And to think, all those years ago, if I had not made that mistake of leaving the room dark after you came into that cupboard, all this might never have happened."

Severus wrapped his arm around his witch. "You mean if you hadn't slept with me on accident that first time?" At her nod, he kissed her softly. "I'd like to think we'd have been smart enough to realize how great together we'd be, and we would have still come together anyway. However, I agree, I'm glad thinks worked out the way they did. I can't imagine not having had you and our kids all these years. I wouldn't have wanted any other life than the one we've had."

An idea forming, Hermione smirked. "Feel like being bound and silenced in a chair again, Professor? We do still have an empty house. Maybe you'll even escape your bindings this time."

Severus grinned. "With you being so good at distracting me, I doubt I'd have the focus to do so wandlessly. However, I'll tell you a secret, my beautiful witch."

Hermione leaned in and kissed him. "What secret?"

Severus smirked before kissing her again softly. "I didn't really want to be free that night. Not really. At first, maybe, but not after things started getting good."

Hermione felt her body warming as it usually did when Severus kissed her. "Do you think you'll want to be free this time?" She asked before kissing her again.

Severus chuckled softly. "Never." He whispered before capturing her lips and carrying her towards their bedroom.

A/N: There you have it. I'm sad to see this story go, but I loved writing the epilogue. Getting to see how their life turned out in the end is so much fun for me. I'm not sure what story I'll do next, we'll have to see what inspiration hits me with next. Take care everyone and leave me your thoughts. Until next time. Bye guys.