"Daddy, where's Mummy?" asked Melee. Severus looked up from his grading. Theo was playing happily with his blocks while Melee was drawing at the coffee table. Severus frowned, realizing he hadn't seen Elizabeth since that morning.

"I don't know baby. Go back to coloring and I'll find out."

She did as she was told and Severus went to the fireplace, throwing in some Floo powder.

"Albus — is Minerva there?" He called, popping his head inside.

Albus who was sitting on his own couch, eating what looked like Muggle chocolates looked up with a smile.

"Why hello Severus. May I ask why you are calling at this time of night?"

"Is Minerva there?"

"Hold on." The older man got up and Severus shook his head. The man was wearing yellow robes with large purple and blue flowers on them. He didn't understand how someone as sensible as Minerva could stand her husband's lack of fashion. Albus returned with Minerva.

"Hello Severus — how is Elizabeth doing?"

"She's not with you?" Severus felt a sick tightening to his stomach. Minerva shook her head.

"I haven't seen her since dinner."

"She was at dinner?" asked Severus. He himself had skipped it as he was brewing.

"No, she was in her classroom sitting. She seemed alright." she paused. "Severus, Elizabeth has been asking a lot of questions, mostly about you."

"Me?"

"She's been able to remember everything till the Battle so far. She's very confused Severus."

Severus growled. "I bet. Our life was so darn complicated at that time."

"Do you want us to watch the kids so you can go find her?" asked Albus. Severus rolled his eyes at the man's clear want to be with his adoptive grandchildren.

"Yeah, come on through. I'll start with her classroom."

Elizabeth didn't know why she didn't go home. She just needed some time to think and be alone. She found herself leaving her office and going to sit beneath their willow tree. She blushed, recalling why she thought of it as 'their' tree. On many occasions, Severus had held her beneath it's branches.

The shadows grew as she sat there but she felt no desire to get up and return inside. A cool breeze blew past and she shivered in her dress. She hadn't thought to grab a cloak either. She tucked her knees to her chest, in an attempt to stay warm.

"Elizabeth — there you are."

She looked up at Severus, who she hadn't even notice till he sat beside her. He looked at the lake, not at her when he spoke.

"Minerva tells me you are remembering a few more events. Up to the Final Battle."

She nodded, despite him not looking at her.

"You must be very confused."

"Yes. I am, Severus." She looked at him, "You didn't love me."

He looked at her. "I do love you Elizabeth."

"Not when we got married."

"Elizabeth—"

"You never once said you did Severus. Not even when you woke up after you were wounded."

He turned his body towards her, sitting cross legged. His legs seems very long, as he sat that way.

"Elizabeth, I know you can't remember but I did tell you I loved you. After you were safely back here, at Hogwarts and Lucius was taken by the Ministry."

"Severus, tell me honestly, do you still love me? Despite my lack of memories?"

He blinked before taking her hand.

"Oh course I still love you Eliza — why would that change? If anything, I would think you wouldn't love me."

"What? Why?"

"Because it was in my classroom that you got hurt. I wasn't able to protect you—"

Elizabeth put a finger to his lips, stopping him. She studied his features, taking in the look of pain and confusion. Then his eyes. They showed his hurt clearly but also his love. She knew then why she wasn't able to resist him, even now. His eyes were always honest towards her. He wasn't able to hide his emotions from her. She knew that he did indeed love her.

She hugged him and he returned it, holding her close to him. Elizabeth closed her eyes.

"I'm sorry. About avoiding you."

"So you were avoiding the evil potion master." He teased. She blushed, pulling back from his embrace. His features were soft. "I understand love — it takes time."

She nodded before she squeezed his hands. Somehow, they had joined after they had parted.

"Melee and Theo were wondering where you were. Melee insisted she couldn't sleep till you tucked her in. Something about you knowing the 'bestest' ways on how to tuck her in."

Elizabeth blushed with pleasure.

"I can't argue with a five year old."

Severus yawned, stretching his body, causing his neck and back to crack. Elizabeth looked up from her grading with an interested look. She had to admit, her husband was very attractive. Even his hook of a nose looked very kissable. This thought made her blush and she looked away.

"I saw that." He smirked, glancing at her. This only made her blush even more.

"Who would of thought? The snaky potion master's wife, a blusher." He smiled as her face continued to redden under his teasing. He stroked her arms lovingly as they stood in her office. He chuckled before pressing a kiss to her forehead. "All the more enjoyable I say."

She giggled. "Oh really? You find it enjoyable that I can't control myself around you?"

"You can't control yourself." He said slowly, making her blush even more at what he was implying. He laughed out loud pulling her into his arms and gently resting his head on hers. She griped his robes.

"You know what I meant."

"Yeah. Whatever you say my dear."

She lightly poked him and he laughed even more.

"I am going to bed." Severus stood before he bent over to kiss Elizabeth's cheek. She smiled at him before she turned her attention back to her grading. "Don't be too long." He called from the hallway.

I shall try. She sighed to herself.

"Melee — don't get so close to the lake!" called Elizabeth, who held Theo's hand as they had decided it was a pretty day and could not be wasted by staying indoors. She felt a nervous feeling build in her as Melee reached the lake long before they did. She was very tempted just to pick Theo up and carry him but she knew it was better to let him walk himself. "Melee, wait for Theo and me."

"Ok Mummy!" Singed Melee, who stood far enough from the water's edge but close enough that she could throw rocks in. Something in the back of Elizabeth's mind told her it wasn't a good idea to throw rocks into the lake. She couldn't remember why though.

"Melee, don't throw rocks into the lake." She told her young daughter as she and Theo reached her. Melee, pretending to ignore her mother, threw another in. Elizabeth frowned at her little one.

"Melee Rose Snape!"

Melee jumped at her mother's stern voice but then her eyes widened as the last rock she had throw into the water, came spitting out and went straight at her mother's head.

"Mummy!"

There was a sickening whack before Elizabeth's body crumbled to the ground. She blinked in surprise as both Melee and Theo rushed to her. Melee looked wide eyed and scared. Elizabeth tried to sit up but the pain... after touching her head, it came away covered in blood. She felt everything blur. She swallowed.

"Melee, go get Daddy. Quick!"

"Yes Mummy!" Melee ran off as fast as her little legs could take her. Elizabeth winced in pain before she looked for her baby.

"Theodore, come here baby."

Theo slowly went to sit next to his mother, who took his hand in hers before closing her eyes. She only hoped Severus got back before Theo decided to go exploring than sit beside her.

"Mama."

Elizabeth opened her eyes. "Theodore? Did you say Mama?"

"Mama." He nodded. Then he pointed to her head. "Hurt. Mama. Hurt."

She tried to smile, "Severus owes me ten galleons. Mama was your first word — not Daddy."

It wasn't too long before Severus and Poppy were rushing to Elizabeth and Theo. Severus was full out running, seeing his wife lying prone on the ground. Their youngest looking scared, while holding her hand. He knelt beside her before he touched her face. One side was covered in blood.

"Elizabeth baby, what happened?"

She blinked at him. "Melee. Lake. Squid. Rock." She was finding it hard to talk.

Severus moved her head into his lap, using what little medical magic he knew to stop the bleeding till Poppy reached them. Elizabeth suddenly smiled up at him.

"Theodore said Mama."

"What?" he blinked.

"Theodore said Mama. Theodore baby, tell Daddy. Say Mama."

Theo looked at his father, a sad look on his face before he pointed to the blood.

"Mama. Hurt."

Severus blinked. "Yes. Mummy is hurt but she'll get better."

"Move Severus." Demanded Poppy, crouching next to him and already chanting and moving her wand. Severus spelled his robes cleaned before he pulled Theo into his arms. Then he realized something. Elizabeth had called him Theodore — the Elizabeth before the accident was the only one to call him Theodore, never Theo. Were her memories back?

"Severus, will you keep the kids from the Hospital Wing while Elizabeth rests. I don't think it wise that they see her till we're positive she's out of the woods."

"Alright Poppy."

He followed along beside her as she levitated Elizabeth's stretcher to the infirmary. Leaving the kids with Albus and Minerva, Severus hurried back to Elizabeth's side. When he approached her bed, she looked to be asleep but when he got close, she took his hand into hers and smiled. He pressed a kiss to her hand before he sat beside her bed.

"Everything's going to be alright love. Poppy always takes great care of you."

She gently turned her head to him, opening her eyes.

"I remember Severus. Poppy always does her best." She smiled up at him. "But you are the one who takes care of me best, my Slytherin pet."

Despite how much he had always hated that ridiculous nick name, having her remember it was enough for him to laugh in happiness. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before they rubbed their noses before he moved back to allow her to rest.

Yeah! Elizabeth remembers! Now, the next chapter is the last. I hope you all enjoy!

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