Hey there! Sorry I haven't updated but it's here now! This is the last chapter of 'A Snake's Angel'...Aww...I'm sad too! I don't want it to end but every good story has to sometime! Also, the epilogue will be at the bottom...for those who are curious after the fact. Yes, Colin lives...since I've stated before- I don't like to strictly adhere to canon and I don't think he should have been killed off to begin with...just my opinion. I have one like everyone else. Anyway, I hope you like this. :) (It's shorter than the previous...what else would you expect from an ending?)
Chapter Fourteen-Meeting the Parents
The time to meet Miles's parents had finally arrived. Hand in hand, they headed down the cobblestoned street of Hogsmeade Village, past the morning crowds of various wizarding adults and students to a large tavern called the Three Broomsticks. Walking inside the nearly crowded threshold, the couple searched for two familiar faces.
"There. At a booth in the back." Miles pointed out, pulling a reluctant Colin with him.
Sitting at the private booth was that also-redheaded Mason Bletchley and his wife, Ariadne. Both were having Butterbeers since they haven't had them in years and already ordered for the boys.
Taking their seats, Mason began "Morning, boys. I believe you're wondering why I left so hastily last afternoon?"
They nodded simultaneously.
"I left because I had a lot to sort out. I learned a few things that angered me beyond belief but also provided me peace of mind. As you know, Miles, the contract is destroyed...although technically, it has been for nearly two years now. And with that I ask this...are you truly happy?"
Miles looked his father straight in the eyes and responded "Yes. Up until I got with Colin, I've never been happy. I have despised Elisa ever since you set us up. I don't understand what you saw in her, Father. She was a terrible choice."
"I know that now. To be quite honest, I was selfish to not consider your feelings. I only cared about making sure you were set up with a woman of good social standing to continue our line. I truly thought I was doing what was best for you. To think, all this time...in regards to your preferences, I was indeed WAY off."
"Dear, I told you I had my suspicions but you would never listen to me." Ariadne Bletchley smiled, placing her hand onto Mason's.
Miles stared at his mother. "Really? You knew, Mother?"
"A mother knows her child, Miles."
Mason directed his attention to Colin. "Colin, why do you love my son?"
"I love him because of who he is, how he makes me feel...everything. Words can't describe it. I mean, Miles is so sweet, smart and strong, he has all the qualities I admire. Even though he has a nasty temper... I can live with that. I can't picture myself without him. I still nearly fall to pieces every time I think back to that day in the hall, when I almost lost him..." he stopped before he would tear up again.
Lady Bletchley petted Colin's hand, watching the blonde with her blue-gray eyes. "You really love him."
"More than anything."
Miles wrapped a large arm around Colin's shoulders. "Please, Father. Don't take me away from him."
Mason and Ariadne looked at each other for a moment, then returned to the boys. "I don't plan to. I made a terrible decision in the past and I don't want to make the same mistake again and risk losing you forever. Muggleborn or not, Colin is the right choice for you. I give you my blessing, both of us do. You understand I still want an heir? Either by potion or surrogacy will do, although I prefer the method with less paperwork."
Miles and Colin blushed furiously at the subtle demand. "Yes, Father. We know, it's still a little early for that and we'd both prefer to graduate first and get jobs."
"It's understandable. You're wanting to do professional Quidditch...and...what are you considering for a future occupation?" he asked Colin, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm currently apprenticing under Madame Pomfrey in the Hospital Wing with a few other students. I'm hoping to become a Healer."
"Considering how you saved my son's life, I'm sure that will be a job well-suited."
Colin smiled at the implied praise. "Well, boys...I don't have anything else to discuss with you. Miles, your mother wants to go ahead and do some shopping while she's here so I will be in Hogsmeade for a few...hours..." she playfully slapped his arm.
"What? it's true."
"You two go on ahead and have some fun, I want to meet you both for lunch in a couple hours...I'm still curious about you, Colin. Now Miles, give me a hug."
Miles stood and hugged his shorter mother before she dragged the grumbling Lord away. Colin was ecstatic, wiggling around in his seat after the seemingly-frightful meeting.
'I can't believe this, I'm pulling a ''Hannah''...I just hope she's not around to witness this.'
A blonde girl in a black headband was watching him across the way, grinning like a madwoman. Surrounding her, were the rest of his friends, also smiling at the scene.
'Aw, shit.'
"I saw that...and I'm never gonna let you live it down." Hannah giggled as she sashayed over to their booth.
Miles watched her in amusement. "Ok, that's one peanut gallery. Where are my band of arseholes?"
"Over there!" she pointed to the opposite side. Flint and the rest of his crew were observing, failing miserably at hiding behind the menus. Miles thought it was on purpose. Flint can't hide behind anything tiny, he never could.
"Get over here..." he grinned, beckoning the boys over.
"I see everything went well, Bletchley. You get to keep Creevey." Montague said in his usual smooth tone of voice.
"Yeah...I do.." Miles pulled Colin into his side.
"You better invite us to the future wedding or I will kick your arse from here to Glasgow." Hannah tapped Creevey on the nose, who scrunched it up in response.
"Ding dong the wicked witch is dead...well, technically she's incarcerated but still, same principle!" Dennis declared triumphantly, receiving a few odd looks.
"Muggle movie reference?" Warrington asked.
"Yeah. Good thing I'll be a future in-law so I'm gonna educate you heathens in the art of muggle entertainment...the kind that's actually worth watching, anyway."
The Slytherins snorted at the third year, knowing the quirky Lion made a lot of people laugh with his antics.
"So, now that everything's in the clear, how about we stroll around Hogsmeade? I've been dying to check out the new sweets they have at Honeydukes." Susan chirped.
"And you say I indulge in too much sugar..." Hannah rolled her eyes playfully.
"Come on, babe.." Susan looped an arm around Hannah, leading her out of the pub, causing everyone else to follow.
"Miles, after lunch with your Mum, what do you want to do next? We'll have plenty to time to kill before dinner."
"Hmm...I can think of a few things." he purred, smirking devilishly to the blonde who lightly blushed.
"I'm looking forward to it."
After all the bullshit Colin went through for nearly two months at the hand of some cruel vixen, he finally got the man he deserved...as did Miles. The following Monday after their Hogsmeade weekend, they walked into the Great Hall with their heads held high, hands locked together. Several Slytherin girls were very disappointed to see Miles was completely off the market to a Gryffindor muggleborn boy. Eventually, everyone got used to having Colin present at the Serpents' table...when he would join him.
The same when Miles would sit with Colin. Several other couples came out too-Oliver and Graham, Cormac and Cassius, Neville and Lucian; also to the envy, disappointment and surprise of the other students. Many girls wept that night once they learned Oliver and Cormac played on the same team. Adrian and Terence were already out long ago, so there was no reason for shock.
Out of all these Snake/Lion pairings, the one that was the real jaw-dropper was Percy Weasley and Marcus Flint, who also walked in holding hands. Several people literally fainted. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny congratulated the pair while Ron nearly choked on his pumpkin juice. Fred and George however, laughed themselves silly but after catching their breath, they offered their blessings to Percy and Marcus. Percy still had to deal with their occasional inappropriate questions and jokes like "You get laid yet? you get laid yet?"
"How about Flint's broomstick? Tell me...is it as big as they say?" leaving the prefect to blush that trademark Weasley red.
It took Marcus's dad a little while to wrap his head around the fact Percy and Marcus were together. It wasn't the fact he was gay, it was the fact Percy came from a 'blood-traitor' family. He got over it once he admitted that the prefect was more well-behaved than his siblings and Marcus's grades have improved significantly from being with the redhead.
Once after graduation, Colin and Miles had a beautiful wedding that all their friends, now engaged or already married, attended. Miles became the new Keeper for the Falmouth Falcons and Colin went into the Healer program. He was given a good position at St. Mungo's; with the recommendations of Madame Pomfrey, Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore and Healer Elderthorn. Draco Malfoy was also working right alongside Colin, both became good friends since he, surprisingly, was one of the Slytherins who vouched for Colin's innocence.
Apparently, he had enough good sense not to allow some House rivalry to cloud his judgment after all. After taking a few years to get settled in their jobs, Miles and Colin, by potion; finally had several little ones of their own, three boys exactly-Robin, Dylan, and the youngest Bletchley, Nicholas.
Epilogue:
It was a cold Christmas night at Bletchley Manor and three young boys; ages eight, six and four were finished playing with the new toys their grandparents bought them. It was bedtime and Colin was readying the boys to tuck them in.
"Daddy, could you tell us a story? We're not that sleepy yet." Dylan whined, moving some of those light blonde bangs out of his blue eyes.
"Me neither." a strawberry-blonde Nicholas chimed in.
"I dunno, it is well past your bedtime."
"Come on, love. It's still Christmas, it wouldn't hurt for the boys to stay up a little longer." Miles sat next to his husband on the bedspread, kissing his cheek.
"Ewww..." the boys chorused.
Smirking playfully, Miles watched Colin sigh in defeat. "All right, but just one. What would you like to hear?"
"How about when you and Dad got together? I don't think we've heard that one...we know about Grandma Ariadne and Grandpa Mason." Robin, their red-haired eldest asked.
"All right, gather 'round...this story is a long one and we're sure you'll get to sleep. It all started when I was a fourth year at Hogwarts, your Dad was in his sixth year..."
There we are...the end of 'A Snake's Angel'. I've honestly enjoyed writing this story and I hope all of you have enjoyed reading it! I really do appreciate everyone who gave this pairing a chance! Thanks again, everyone! :) (I hope the ending didn't disappoint you...not every end will be extravagant...I hope this fared well enough for you!) :)