Author's Note: The last part to the story! Just read, review and enjoy! I should have 'Pet's Say' up in a day or two. So keep those eyes peeled!

By the way, sisno2200 asked if the name 'Wisteria' means anything significant. Not really, I just made the name up. :)

Yours sincerely,

severussnape922

Epilogue

A week later

Severus walked down to the Great Hall, with Wisteria proudly perched on his shoulder. When he entered the Great Hall, no one remarked on Wisteria. It was becoming a daily occurrence already. However, a few students who had raised their heads at the sound of footsteps eyed Wisteria with looks bordering on reverence. Everyone in the school now respected the raven, the bird that had succeeded in nearly killing the hated cat that the whole school deemed to be the worst animal that had stalked the Hogwarts corridors in all of Hogwarts's long history.

Severus took his seat, nodding curtly at the other teachers in greeting. Other than that, however, Severus did not make any move to announce his presence. The teachers nodded cheerily back at Severus and resumed their conversations. It was an unwritten agreement that suited everyone. Severus stared moodily at his cup of strong, black coffee. He was not really in the mood to eat anything today. Cupping his hands together, he let out an almost inaudible sigh.

Wisteria's sharp ears caught the sigh that was slightly amplified by the wind. She muttered in Ravenspeak, "What troubles you so, Severus?" Severus shook his head slightly, not wanting to tell Wisteria the true reason. Wisteria pressed on, sensing that Severus was quite exhausted and might cave in to her unrelentless pestering if she did it long enough.

True enough, Severus soon gave up and said, "Wisteria, that jerk Umbridge always tries to keep me on my toes, pressing more and more work into my unwilling hands. Together with the Dark Lord's torture sessions, supposedly to test the "Death Eater's loyalty to the Dark Lord", it really is too much for me.

Wisteria nodded sympathetically at Severus. Severus had told her of his sorry tale, full of hate, anger, and sadness, which had culminated in his role as a spy for the light. Despite Albus not being present, Severus continued his spying duties, believing firmly that Umbridge would not last long. Defence Against the Dark Arts teachers never did. Wisteria had felt privileged to hear Severus's life story, it was a tale that few knew.

Little did Severus know that his belief would come true so soon.


Just as Severus drank his final gulp of coffee, while coughing violently when he choked on it, Umbridge made her "golden" appearance. In her fat and pudgy hands was a scroll of parchment with the Ministry emblem stamped on it. There was a concerted groan, the loudest from the teacher's table. All of the Hogwarts staff and students knew what it meant. Yet another Educational Decree!

Severus joined the people who had groaned loudly. It was common assent that the Educational Decrees were the most irritating thing Umbridge could come up with. (And that was quite saying something.) Severus loathed Umbridge with all his heart, from the time when that Ministry hag first set her unworthy foot into Hogwarts.

Umbridge unfurled the scroll quickly, while clearing her throat with that silly old cough (hem, hem) . Umbridge then said flatly, in a monotonous and boring voice, "It has come to my attention that the animal that Professor Snape is dangerous, seeing that the bird managed to seriously mutilate and maul Mr Filch's pet, Mrs Norris, to the brink of death. So, this Educational Decree will remedy the problem. (hem, hem) Educational Decree Eighty-Six: No pets whatsoever may be kept by the teachers, or they will risk their teaching position."

Umbridge let out a satisfied sigh. She looked at Severus in the eye and said dangerously, "So, Severus, will you let the most admirable raven go? You surely don't want to risk getting fired, do you, my dear?"

Severus felt his blood boil at the very words. His eyes were like hard chips of ice, and he was shaking with rage. He stood up suddenly from his chair, ignoring the loud thud as the chair fell to the floor. His hand balled up around his ebony wand. He slowly raised his wand, leveling it at Umbridge. His body tensed like a spring, getting ready to hex Umbridge to oblivion for even daring to suggest that preposterous idea!

Wisteria bowed her head. She felt her owner's anger course through her like a lightning bolt. She felt his rage at the toad-like woman who was speaking that strange human language. She felt him wanting to hurt the woman deeply. And Severus's wish was her command.

A sea of deadly calm spread through her, getting her ready. Not caring the consequences, she took off, her wings flapping madly. She felt a thrill surge through her. Her wing was healed! She could fly!

Glorying savagely in her regained gift of flight, she did a few loop-the-loops in the air. Then, like what seemed like so long ago, she attacked the woman like she had attacked that small, plump, and juicy rabbit. She screeched out her warcry in Ravenspeak, "I am Wisteria Windplume! You anger my owner, I attack. Kreeeeeeeeeeeek!"

To others, her screech meant nothing to them. To Severus, it was music to his ears. He smiled grimly. Retribution, long overdue, was finally being dealt to Umbridge. He relaxed and pocketed his wand. He kept his eyes trained on Wisteria, waiting for that moment of glory to come.

He did not have to wait long. Wisteria's eyes were tinged with blood-red as she flew like greased lightning at Umbridge. Her hooked beak and dangerously sharp talons came into play as she struck home. From Umbridge's throat ripped out a long-drawn, terrible scream that made everyone's blood within earshot curdle. Umbridge's face was ghostly pale as she struggled helplessly to protect herself against the onslaught.

Umbridge's attempts to shield herself were in vain. Wisteria belaboured Umbridge, making her pathetic attempts futile. The savage hooked beak, which could deal out heavy injury to any foolish person or creature, was the final straw that broke the camel's back.

Umbridge fell onto the stone floor in a crumpled heap, dead to the world, laid senseless by the powerful raven. There was a moment of silence, then pandemonium broke out. Everyone started cheering wildly, spirits buoyed up considerably. Minerva was grinning wickedly as she signaled to the teachers to carry Umbridge off on a stretcher to St. Mungo's. As the teachers that were grinning like Cheshire cats left, Minerva called after them, "Remember to get the permanent ward!"

Severus and Wisteria were oblivious to the pandemonium that had erupted around them. Two obsidian eyes met and locked.

An invisible beam of understanding shot between them. They knew that their strong, tight bond had crossed the threshold of owner and pet. It had entered the bond that signified the close bond between master and familiar.

Their bond would last for life- and beyond. They knew that they loved each other.

Severus smiled widely for the first time in many, many years. He said softly in Ravenspeak, "Come to my shoulder, my dear Wisteria."

Wisteria swooped over and landed lightly on Severus's shoulder. Wisteria stood up proudly on his shoulder, for all to see that Severus and Wisteria had reunited at long, long, last.