(To Hermione Granger-Weasley, I'm planning to carry this on until one of the characters passes away. So, apparently you're a mind reader. Don't ask me who dies. I'm not telling you. All that I can tell you is... It's a main character. But that death won't be happening anytime soon. Hope you all enjoy reading! Below is a serious note. Guys, don't drink and drive. Please. I love you all too much to see something happen to you. :(

This chapter is dedicated to Ryan Dunn. You always made me laugh, and I know you're up in heaven being a clown for the angels. R.I.P

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!)

Chapter 21

Severus Snape was in the deepest, most restful, most peaceful sleep he'd ever enjoyed. Dreams of first years actually getting their potions right on the first try were dancing about in his head.

He rolled on his side, sighing contentedly as another dream took him over. This dream was much more vivid. He and Lily Evans walked along the edge of the Black Lake, hand in hand, talking quietly to each other. Severus saw a bright light up ahead and knew that soon, Lily would be gone.

"Stay... Stay with me," he pleaded, clasping both of her tiny hands in his.

"I have to go on. I've watched over you for sixteen years. It's time to go on to the after life. James left me a long time ago. I've been lonely," she stroked the backs of his hands with her thumbs, a loving expression dancing over her sweet face.

"You're all I have. If I lose you, I'll have nothing," he felt hot tears begin to roll down his haggard face.

"That isn't true. You have these children," Lily lifted a ghostly arm, pointing toward Aariya and Liam playing in the grass only a few yards away.

"They aren't mine, Lily, they're Remus'," he cupped her cheek.

"Yes, but I sent them to you," she smiled softly.

"You sent them to me?" He frowned, unsure of what she meant.

"Yes, love. They aren't only a part of Hermione and Remus. They are also a part of me. I created them with pieces of my soul. Aariya has the gift of loving without judgement. Liam has the gift of powerful magic. Apart, they will not be great. But if you mold them, teach them, they will one day rule harmoniously. They are the future of our world. And Liam? Well, Sirius had me add his charm and wit to the little one's soul. He will remind you of all of us," she began walking backwards toward the light.

"No! Lily, wait! I have questions!" Severus chased after her, but no matter how fast he ran, he couldn't catch her.

"Ask Aariya," she called just before evaporating into a fine, golden mist.

"Where's Daddy?" Severus woke to a four year old with Hermione's face standing not even three inches from his bed. He jumped and jerked up the bed covers.

"What?" He groaned, hating that the girl had jerked him from his dream.

"Mummy left us here. Her told me to poke you in the nose til you woked up," Aariya giggled, sandy blond pigtails bouncing.

Severus rolled his eyes. That sounded like a command Hermione would give, "Where is your brother."

"Him's watching toons," she pointed toward Severus' living room.

"Go watch the cartoons with him while I get dressed," Severus shooed the little girl out of his bedroom. After she'd slammed the door, he jerked on his shirt and jeans, well prepared to be comfortable while dealing with children for the day.

He glanced at his clock and groaned. It wasn't even seven yet. The dream he'd just experienced made him slightly nervous. Was it real? Lily would often pop up in his dreams, but they were never that vivid. Most of the time they were memories replaying in his head.

After pulling on his sneakers, he stepped out into the living room, eyes flickering to the kids in front of a portable DVD player. The two were watching some silly muggle cartoon called Spongebob, American, no doubt. He sighed and walked into the kitchen area for a cup of tea, glad that they had something to occupy them until breakfast rolled around at 8.

"Liam, stop it!" Aariya cried, bouncing with irritation. Liam giggled, turning his face into parts of Spongebob. First was the nose, then the eyes, and then turned a sickening yellow.

"Liam!" Severus called. The two year old narrowed his eyes angrily and morphed back to his normal face, however left his hair Spongebob yellow in defiance. Severus shook his head with a smirk. Hermione's children were just as stubborn as she was.

An hour passed faster than Severus expected. The children had behaved themselves so far, and were now eager to walk to the Great Hall for breakfast. With one little hand in each of his, Severus walked the two upstairs from the dungeons and into the buzzing Great Hall. Nearly as soon as they'd entered, heads were turning, eyes wide at the sight of Severus with kids. It was like seeing chocolate on a hot dog. It just didn't seem right.

"Never thought I'd see that," a fifth year Gryffindor muttered to his friend before the two burst into laughter.

"Ten points from Gryffindor," Severus called. He heard angry grumbles and grinned widely.

Hermione and Remus sat up at the teachers table, and were now waving at the three approaching. Aariya jerked away from Severus and ran at full speed up to her father, jumping into his lap.

"Daddy! Hims a good babysitter," she pointed at Severus, "Him watched Spongebob with me and Liam."

"Well that's good," Remus sent a shock expression Hermione's way as Severus ushered Liam up the stairs.

"Why is his hair yellow?" Hermione quirked a brow.

"Aariya. Spongebob. Morphing faces. I told him no. Stubborn as hell," Severus murmured quickly as he lifted Liam into Hermione's lap.

"Sounds about right," Hermione smirked, "Liam, no yellow hair."

Liam whined but obliged, his hair quickly turning into a sandy blond like Aariya's, "Mean."

"I am not!" Hermione tickled him.

"Sure," Remus grinned, feeding Aariya a spoonful of grapefruit.

"Remus!" Hermione scolded, smacking his arm.

"Stot!" Liam squealed at his mother, "Not hit daddy!"

"Yes sir," Hermione feigned a stern expression and snickered once Liam had turned to his cheerios.

BBBB

"I really don't want to," Severus shook his head at Aariya who was holding up a concoction she'd made playing Potions. It was chocolate pudding mixed with grass, dead ants, and hot sauce.

"Try! It make you real smart!" She assured him.

Severus groaned and took the bowl, turning from her to pretend to take a bite. He spun around and handed it back, "Oh, yes. Good work."

"Tank you," she wore a satisfied little smirk as she set the bowl on the counter and skipped off to play with Liam who was sitting in front of a mirror. He was changing his hair to every color in the rainbow. Severus was quite surprised that the boy had such control at such a young age.

He took a seat on the couch, glancing over at the clock. It was nearly three o'clock, which meant that Remus and Hermione would be coming to pick up the children fairly soon. Severus couldn't be happier.

Lily's words flowed through his mind again. There was something about the two children that was oddly familiar. Could Lily have really given them part of her soul?

There was a knock on the door all of a sudden, and in walked Hermione, "I'm here for my little angels."

"You have no idea what little angels they are," Severus forced a smile.

(I really hope you liked this chapter. Lots of plot bunnies are hopping around in my head. Please review!)