It's Not That Simple

by FelixFelicisWriter

Severus weds Skyrah Riddle under orders from Voldemort. She's capable of showing kindness despite her cunning. Severus can't figure her out. The problem is she might unmask him before he unmasks her. Meanwhile, Voldemort pressures the couple into conceiving an heir. The last thing Severus needs is to teach Potter occlumency, but destiny has always mocked him. (Severitus, no slash)

56. Chapter 55

Chapter 55

A gust of wind buffeted their backs as Eileen and the Malfoys turned in time to see the scorpion patronus ebb away. Nobody was there, and yet, a velvety voice spoke.

"Where's my wife?"

An almost transparent Severus came into view; inciting a fear that it was his ghost that had asked the question. However, his feet were planted on the ground rather than floating, and his form, progressively solidifying, wasn't greyish either.

"Invisibility potion," muttered Eileen. "That's why you took so long. You had to look for a vial to arrive here safely."

The effects of the potion had completely worn off by the time Severus repeated in an urgent tone, "Where is she?"

Although his mother and the Malfoys had stepped aside, he couldn't see Skyrah, for Dione and Draco were half-covering her. Only the torn skirt of her dress and her feet were visible. Draco and Dione had been so focused on Skyrah they didn't detect Severus's presence until he snarled, "Move aside!"

While Draco rushed to his parents' side, Dione stayed in her position, still holding Skyrah's hand and her sister's head resting on her lap. Severus toppled beside the sisters. The sickly paleness of Skyrah's skin and the bloodstains smeared on her dress reminded him of the time she lost their baby girl.

"It's the same curse Potter used against me," said Draco, though he needn't have; by the kind of gash, Severus had immediately identified it. He chanted the counter-curse until the blood oozed no more and the curse's effects were completely removed.

"Have you got dittany?"

His request was met with silence and a few head shakes. Even if the wound was closed, having no dittany, her skin was bound to stay marred. His fingertips hovered over the fresh scar for a moment, lured to caress it as she did to heal his soul when ghosts of his past haunted him. He collected himself before doing that and took out a blood-replenishing flask from under his robes. The crystal was almost touching her purple lips when a hand on his shoulder halted him.

"Is that the only flask you have?" asked Dione.

"Yes."

Wasting no time, she cloned the vial.

"She's lost too much blood. She'll probably need another one."

Severus accepted her explanation with a nod, grateful Dione had been under Poppy's tutelage and was emotionally stable enough to remember the correct dose. He certainly was so nervous he hadn't even thought about it. Once the contents of the first flask were emptied, he waited, dreading every second she remained motionless.

"Come on, sis," mumbled Dione, bringing the second flask to Skyrah's mouth.

They waited interminable minutes; Dione and Severus kneeling side by side, beside Skyrah, Eileen and the Malfoys standing opposite them. At some point, Dione put two fingertips on the inside of Skyrah's wrist. If she was alive, her pulse was too faint for Dione to notice. She shook her head, tears straying off the path they streaked through her freckles. Everybody knew what that meant: the potion should have taken effect by then. If Skyrah wasn't already gone, she'd be in no time.

Refusing to believe his boggart (one that no riddikulus could fight) was coming true, Severus leaned forward brusquely. He was about to put a hand on Skyrah's cheek when he realized it was bruised. It wasn't the only bruise on her skin. A line encircled her neck like a ruby choker. He'd seen that kind of mark once when she'd returned from a meeting with the Dark Lord after being strangled. It was enough for Severus to deduce her father had been the one to harm her, as always. Back then, Severus had applied some balm. Now he barely brushed his fingertips across the mark as if applying some.

"Your rebellious nature emerged in at the most inopportune moment, didn't it?" Severus spoke in a voice so sweet the Malfoys hardly believed their ears. "The Dark Lord's never taken defiance well. I'm sorry I wasn't there when it happened. So sorry. But I'm here now. I'm here, and I'm not leaving you."

The more silence stretched, the more his clothes stuck to his skin, bathed in cold sweat. He took her hand, seeking her reassuring warmth. All he encountered was coldness, the same kind she had shown twice: after the miscarriage and when she collapsed after being crucioed for too long.

"Skyrah, please. It's me, your snarky Potions Master. I know you must be exhausted and your whole body must ache, but just… Give me a sign. Move your fingers. Grunt. Anything. Let me know you are, will be, okay."

No move. No sound.

"She's gone," he heard Narcissa mutter.

Even though he could tell it had not been her intention to say it loud enough for him to listen, the words resonated in his head, sending shivers down his spine. Skyrah couldn't die. Not yet. She had to marry him, really marry him. His thumb grazed her engagement ring. If she still wore it, it meant she intended to marry him, too, didn't it? She had to go back to him for that. He still needed to tell her he loved her. They still had to raise Corbin and give him a sister. She couldn't leave like that. So abruptly. He had already lost Lily, failed her, and he had never had anything more than a few years of friendship with her. He had had everything with Skyrah. A chance. A family. Joy. So much joy. He didn't know if he'd ever be happy without her. Helpless tears he desperately fought back were coming to his eyes at the thought that, if he lost her, he'd become a heartless monster, for she was his heart. Corbin wouldn't be safe with him.

"Severus," started Lucius, taking a step closer. He almost placed a hand on his shoulder, but thought twice and let his hand fall limp on his side. "Dear friend, we… You did everything you could to save her. You need to think about yourself and your son."

Severus shook his head, not even shooting Lucius a swift glance. A lump quickly forming in his throat didn't prevent him from speaking.

"My heart, come on. Open your eyes. Look at me and tell me I'm an idiot for worrying so much."

With shaking hands, he tucked a wavy wisp of hair that had escaped her bun behind her ear and caressed the skin beneath her earlobe, hoping she would lean into his touch, as always. At the lack of response, his body trembled and when he spoke, his voice was an inaudible murmur to those who were around to listen to him.

"Just a few hours ago, you promised that we'd give Corbin a little sibling and that I'd read them bedtime stories. I long to do that. So much, but I won't be able to if you don't open your eyes first. You've never broken a promise before. Don't start now. Please."

"Severus…"

"Shut up!" he snapped, finally glaring at Lucius.

Lucius took one step back towards a shocked Narcissa. Never had Severus taken that tone with Lucius.

"Severus," mumbled Dione.

His expression didn't soften. If anything, it hardened. They were surprised when the anger was not directed at Dione but at Skyrah.

"You're making your sister cry! Is that your purpose?! She lost her father! She's lived without her mother for years! She's got only you! Are you going to leave her?! You're hurting her! You're hurting me!"

His voice cracked at the last word. At the same time, a pair of skinny arms enfolded him from behind.

"It isn't her fault," Dione whispered in his ear, voice wobbly. "She's… She's go–"

"Don't! Don't say that! She can't leave me! She promised! She's got a family to take care of!"

"I know. Merlin, I know. But some promises can't be kept. She'd want us to fight. To help Harry. Please, Severus. You'll drive yourself crazy if you keep looking at her."

Tears rolled freely down his face by then, uncaring about the audience. He said nothing when Dione turned him around a little bit so as to lay his head on her shoulder. Feeling like he was drowning, he held tightly onto the girl. Despite feeling Draco's eyes lingering on her figure, she couldn't bring herself to look at him. Instead, she focused on Severus and ran her fingers through his hair like he had done to her several times. She wanted to be his rock – it was clear his suffering was beyond the imaginable, even more so than her own – yet she wept, and hiccupped and wished Severus had arrived earlier.

Eileen kneeled close to them and placed a hand on her son's shaking shoulder. At first she was quiet, at a loss on how to act or what to say to make Severus feel better when she herself was hurting. He didn't lean into her nor did he shove her. He accepted her touch, and deep down, Eileen knew this acceptance would have never happened if Severus hadn't met Skyrah. The thought only made her feel worse.

"I'm sorry," she said with a sob. "So sorry. She was a loving mother and wife."

With a brusque jerk, he freed himself from the embrace and pierced his mother with his eyes, filled with agony and denial.

"Not was. Is. She isn't gone. She can't be gone." Severus crawled to Skyrah and took her hand in his. "The wound is closed. We gave you all the necessary potions. Show them. Show them how strong you are."

No response came. When Dione's sobs pierced his ears, panic seized him, and he found himself hitting Skyrah's chest like a madman, attempting to get her heart pounding strongly again.

"Come on! Come back to me! Come back! You said you'd always stay with me! You can't leave your family alone! Fight for your life, dammit! You're scaring me!" He paused for breath, no longer hitting her chest. When he spoke again, his voice was that of a defeated man: quavering, nearly a whisper. "For my enemies. It was meant to harm my enemies. Not you. Never you. Don't let my curse kill you. Please don't do this to me. Don't die on me."

Severus had promised himself he would confess his feelings for her when the occasion was right, during a unique moment, when his voice was steady. And Merlin help him, he had wanted it to be romantic and set a memorable experience for her.

His plans couldn't be further from reality, for the words rolled off his tongue, "I love you too! I love you! I love you! I love you!"

He repeated the phrase as if it were the remedy to bring her back to him. His gaze fell on her unmoving chest, right where the pendant of the crows rested. Her awed expression when he gave her that jewel flashed before his mind's eye. God, let me see that smile again. His silent prayer was answered with disturbing quietness. Each passing second wrecked his hopes more and more. He let out an animalistic scream – similar to the strident chirp of a tortured crow – the kind that came from a man who had lost it all. Hearing it shrunk Dione's heart and gave the Malfoys and Eileen goosebumps.

Despite the sobs racking his body, Severus pulled Skyrah into his arms and cradled her as his soul was being torn bit by bit. He hated himself, convinced he had killed Skyrah, like he did Lily, his past mistakes being the weapons in both cases: the creation of a lethal curse and the telling of the prophecy.

Even though Eileen wanted nothing more than to hug Severus, she feared she would be intruding. Truth be told, she felt like she needed to be comforted as well. That explained why she accepted Dione's hug when it came and hugged her back so unashamedly.

Through her lidded eyes and blurred vision, Dione caught Draco staring worriedly at her, unlike his parents, who were focused on Severus and Skyrah. Narcissa was blinking back tears, attempting to keep her composed, aristocratic stance. She had never seen so many emotions coming from Severus, always so guarded, so reserved. Now his bleeding heart was exposed; his whole soul, naked. Lucius snaked an arm around her waist and brought her closer, making sure that she was with him, that he wouldn't have to go through what Severus was going through any time soon.

And then they heard it: a hoarse voice that still emitted that comforting warmth Severus held so dear, calling his name. He paid no mind to the watery smile on Dione's face, the gasp that came from his mother or the astonished looks of the Malfoys. Only his wife mattered. With unsteady arms, he pulled away, enough to see a light rosy color was returning to her cheeks, decorating a tired yet dazzling smile, the smile he had never thought he would see outside his memories.

A disbelieving half-choked laugh escaped his throat as he brought her impossibly close to him. Even if his clasp on her was painfully tight, Skyrah wouldn't have it any other way. After her state of numbness, she welcomed all sort of feelings. Pain was reassuring her she was alive. So were the thin lips pressing on her temple, slightly tickling her. When his grip slackened and his lips stopped lingering, she almost whined at the loss of physical contact. And then he was touching her again.

A hand was slithering up her side, eyes fixed on her chest. He sneered slightly, not in anger but in concentration. Forehead to forehead, his palm settled flat at the spot in her chest where he could feel her now regular heartbeat. She placed her hand on top of his, only to notice he was shaking as violently as if he were weeping – the evidence he was still terrified, as terrified as she had been when Voldemort had told her husband was gone. I'm okay, she intended to tell him. I'm with you. Instead, she found herself whispering, choked with emotion, "I love you too."

He didn't register the implications of her choice of words. He was just grateful he could hear her voice and feel her hand squeezing his. A sound that resembled a sob escaped him, and he was grasping her chin up with his free hand, pressing his needy lips on hers. She'd never been kissed so desperately slowly and delicately, so sweetly yet salty-tasting from his tears of relief and felicity; and she relished in it, allowing him to lead the kiss. Sensing the profound love that came from him, tears brimmed over her eyes and threatened to wet her face while she draped her arms around his neck. He didn't part until the thud of her heartbeat became detectable by his hearing, not only by his touch. Even then, he didn't fully draw back, settling his hands on her hips.

For a terrifying moment, he had felt like they were ripping his heart from his chest. But his heart was in his arms, breathing and cupping his face. She was with him, kissing his tears away with tenderness only she possessed, brown eyes glowing with devoted affection for him. He melted into her caresses, still afraid this was a dream, and he would wake up and the left side of the bed would be empty, and his heart would feel emptier.

"I thought–"

"Shh… Your fussy historian's alive." She put a hand on his cheek, lazily caressing his bottom lip with her thumb in the process. Driven by an impulse, he kissed its pad, causing her face to brighten. "We're alive, Severus."

And he couldn't be more thankful the one above had seemed to answer his prayers. She kept stroking his face, sliding her fingers down to his jaw and neck. It was then she noticed the prominent mark on his neck, one that wasn't supposed to be there. The minimal brush caused him to cringe involuntarily. He could still feel the fangs puncturing the skin, filling his veins and arteries with poison.

"This scar is new…"

"Nagini. Harry helped me drink the antidote after the Dark Lord left me to die. Another scar doesn't make a difference, though. I am fine."

So Father didn't lie, she thought bitterly, brown eyes fastened on the scarred tissue. She obliged when Severus brought her face to his chest so she would listen to his heartbeat. It was what she needed, that plus the added sensation of his fingers caressing her nape.

"Corbin's with–"

"Poppy told me. You did the right thing."

"Nagini–"

"Dead. I must admit, I'd have never believed Mr. Longbottom of all people would kill her."

"Not as useless as you thought, eh?" she teased, gazing up at him and the crooked smile she had elicited. "What about the horcruxes?"

"Destroyed, but Harry…"

"Father used the killing curse on him. I was there. He believed Harry was dead, but for some reason, he survived."

"If the curse hit him, it must have killed something or someone. Do you think he could have killed the horcrux in Harry?"

"I don't have a better explanation. If you're right, Father is…"

"Mortal," he finished in unison with her.

"I swear, I'm going to kill the sick bastard myself if I must!"

Skyrah attempted to rose. She would have succeeded, even if rather gracelessly, had it not been for Severus's clutch at the nigh-torn fabric covering her shoulders.

"Don't. You must rest."

"I feel strong enough to fight."

He snorted, voice dripping with sarcasm, "You could have fooled me, considering you've almost died."

"You too! But you were on the battlefield before coming here, weren't you?"

Severus gritted his teeth. "Unlike yours, my wound was treated immediately and I rested for about an hour."

"I'm fine." After being deaf and almost blind, I feel so healthy I could run a marathon, though she kept the thought to herself.

"You might believe so, but your body needs to recover."

"Harry needs help!"

"You're in no conditions to go back onto the battlefield!"

"Oh, bloody hell! We're wasting time!" Skyrah cried out, unaware of the looks the Malfoys were giving each other. She didn't notice, either, that Eileen was twiddling her thumbs at the sight of her son and daughter-in-law arguing, nor that Dione was smiling like a fool at the familiar scenario. "Harry's fighting while we quarrel about nonsense!"

"It isn't fucking nonsense!" Severus screeched, tightening his grip on her shoulders. "I'm not putting your life at risk!"

"I'll fight with or without your consent, Sever–"

A kiss cut her off. Her heart was still fragile after believing he had passed away, even if it had been for a few minutes, so rather than pulling back, she encouraged him by tangling her fingers in his slightly tousled hair. The kiss wasn't sweet but aggressive, demanding, and Skyrah found she liked the rawness underneath it just as much as their previous kiss, despite being aware his purpose had been to render her speechless.

Goal achieved.

"God," he breathed, parting. "You are with me, arguing as if nothing had happened, but it has. I want to share my life with you. How can I do that if I lose you?"

Her expression softened. "You'll never lose me, but I have to do this. I abandoned Harry to help Corbin and Mum. If I abandoned him again, what kind of mother would I be?"

"The kind that does not want to leave her sons motherless, perhaps?"

"Sons?"

"You are wandering off point."

She took his hands from her cheeks – where they had lain since their last kiss – and held them in hers, suppressing a smile at his grouchiness. "After everything Father's done to me, to us, I can't be passive. If something happened to Harry just because I needed to rest, I would never forgive myself. I want to support Harry and help bring Father down once and for all."

"What one wants isn't always right."

"Not supporting Harry would be wrong. I owe it to him, to myself."

"I still have some invisibility potion left. You could–"

"No. I don't want to hide. I will help Harry win, and Father will see me."

Severus stared at her determined eyes. He wouldn't acknowledge a part of him, the part that was guided by his emotions, agreed with her. He'd kill the Dark Lord himself for attempting to murder Harry and the mother of his children, for all the pain he had put him and his family through.

"Stubborn witch," he grumped, realizing he wouldn't persuade her. His voice held no malice, though, and when she tried to rise again, he assisted her. "Can you stand on your own?"

"Y-yes," she mumbled, putting a short distance between them to prove her point.

"No dizziness or–"

"I'm okay."

"No lies. We promised."

"I'm okay, Severus. Just a bit sore and tired. My magical core doesn't feel as strong as usual, but it'll be enough."

Although the last part had been a feeble whisper, Severus had heard her loud and clear.

So had Eileen, who hissed, "Can't you see it's too risky?"

Skyrah frowned. "Everything's risky in war. At least, this way, I'm doing what I need for myself and for my family. Nobody feels physically strong after fighting for hours, anyway."

"You should rest and stay here with me and your sister, or better yet, flee."

Dione nodded, letting her know she agreed with Eileen. Skyrah felt a twinge of guilt at the sight of her sister – puffy-nosed, wet-cheeked. She was looking at Skyrah with self-restraint, clearly longing to hug her after the fright, yet not wishing to interrupt Severus.

"I can't rest until he's defeated."

"You almost died!" retorted Dione. "Don't do this!"

In a swift motion, Skyrah gathered her into her arms. Dione hugged her back, afraid her sister would slip through her fingers.

"I'm here, little one. And that's why I must keep fighting. My father tried to kill Harry twice. There won't be a third time if I can help it."

"Your father tried to kill you!" Dione squeezed her tighter, tears running free.

"That's precisely why I need to stand up to him. I don't want to be a victim anymore. I'm tired of losing, of allowing him to manipulate every single action I take. The reason he attacked me is I made him feel powerless. I have to fight, don't you see it?"

"I don't," insisted Eileen. "Your safety comes first."

Skyrah released Dione, face softening. "Nobody's safe in the middle of a war. I know you're worried about me, but–"

"Of course I am! You've almost broken his heart into a million pieces!" hissed Eileen, gesturing at her son. "Corbin's almost become an orphan today! I've almost lost a friend!"

"Friend?"

Red-eared, Eileen averted those tender brown eyes. "Am I not allowed to call you one?"

Skyrah smiled at her grumpiness. Like mother like son.

"Mu–" Severus cleared his throat, catching the Malfoys squinting at him. "Irma, the longer you argue, the more determined my wife will become."

"Won't you stop her?"

"If I prevent her from doing something against her will, I will be no better than Tobias Snape."

Eileen gulped and looked away, blinking back tears at the disturbing memories that single comment evoked.

"I don't understand you," she rasped, directing her attention towards Skyrah. "Where's your Slytherin self-preservation?"

"Trust me," said Skyrah with a rueful grin, thinking about Daniel and Ilvermorny's library. "If I had wanted to die, I would be gone. I have many reasons to live… and fight."

"But is fighting worth it?"

"If your son were in danger, targeted by someone as powerful and insane as my father, wouldn't you do whatever possible to be with him and protect him? Wouldn't it be worth it?"

That had been precisely what Eileen had done. In the middle of the battle, she had only cared about Severus and his welfare. Admitting that, however, would mean she approved of Skyrah's decision.

Grasping Eileen wouldn't answer her, Skyrah set off. Her legs didn't move as fast as she wished. Keeping good balance was achievable, if only a bit challenging. Still, Severus hooked one arm around her waist, stabilizing her.

"I'm not leaving you alone," he said at her confused expression. "As long as we are together…"

"…We'll be fine," she finished for him, smiling softly.

She would have sealed the promise with a brief kiss if Dione hadn't cut in to say she was coming with them. It didn't come as a surprise, unlike the fact that Eileen joined them too.

"What?" she snapped at the identical raised eyebrows of Severus and Skyrah. "Somebody needs to make sure you stay alive. You three have scared me enough in the span of a few hours."

"Three?" choked Skyrah, grabbing Dione's wrist. "What happened?"

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Draco's patronus shooed the dementor before anything bad could happen!"

"Draco saved you?" Skyrah asked, softly.

She had completely forgotten the Malfoys were there, standing awkwardly while they witnessed all the kisses, tears and disagreements. She turned slightly, flicking her eyes through them. All looked shaken and out of place, mainly Draco. She nodded at them, hoping they'd understand she was thanking them for helping both her and her sister. If she hadn't been in a hurry, she'd have seen them nodding back.

"Draco," said Lucius, his hand resting on Narcissa's back. "We have to go. Now."

Draco was too occupied reading the scar on his hand to heed his father. I will obey my superiors. He had done that his entire life: he had obeyed his parents, his insane aunt, his lord. What had that brought him, apart from stress and pain? He glimpsed at Dione, who was already reaching the Hogwarts entrance. It had been her – a peer – the one who had comforted him. Perhaps it was time to stop following orders from his superiors.

"Draco! Don't!" Lucius caught him by the sleeve before he could run after the girl. "Don't fight their battles. You've helped enough. It's time to think about ourselves."

"That's exactly what I'm doing." Draco jerked away from his father. "If we fight alongside Potter, we might have a chance to evade Azkaban."

"What if Potter loses?"

"Well, then I'll be damned. We all know what happens to traitors."

Lucius sent Narcissa a look, begging her to intervene. She merely shook her head and put a hand on Draco's shoulder.

"Cissy? You support him? The Dark Lord will win. We need to run away. Without Dumbledore, Potter doesn't stand a chance."

"If the Dark Lord doesn't die, he'll find us and kill our son for giving Potter his wand. He'll kill me for lying to him about Potter's death too. We better make sure Potter wins. Severus and Skyrah said he is mortal."

"Even if the Dark Lord died – which I find unlikely – nobody would trust us," Lucius hissed, pulling his sleeve up to reveal the Dark Mark he and his son wore. "We'd be pariahs. Helping Potter doesn't guarantee us anything."

"It's better than nothing. Better than death," said Draco, returning his father's wand.

Bewildered, Lucius asked, "You plan to fight without wands?"

"Many people have died," replied Narcissa in a matter-of-fact voice. "Finding two ownerless wands for us to use shouldn't be a problem."

Lucius huffed. "You're serious about this?"

Narcissa and Draco exchanged looks and nodded. They glanced at Lucius one last time, inviting him to join them. All Lucius did was to stare coolly at them, unmoving. Therefore, mother and son took the Snapes' path, scanning the area for wands. It didn't take Narcissa long to find a suitable one, not like Draco, who had already tried three in vain.

"Try this one," said Lucius, offering him a unicorn-core wand from a fallen death eater.

Nonplussed by his presence, Draco stared at him, unmoving and coolly, just like his father had done scarce minutes earlier. It wasn't until Lucius put the wand on his hand and closed his fingers around it that Draco snapped out of it.

While he muttered a simple lumos spell to test his compatibility, Lucius whispered into Narcissa's ear, "I'm only doing this for you and Draco."

Her hand looked for his and intertwined their fingers, letting him know that was the only motive that mattered to her.

Draco, now with a serviceable wand, resumed the walk. His parents followed him, attempting to remain calm despite the impeding danger. That was as difficult as ignoring the desolation and sweat that lingered in the air and the fallen bodies of those who had been sitting at Malfoy Manor not so long ago, or of the aurors that had ambushed them with the aim of rescuing an imprisoned mother and daughter years ago.

Before long, they were in the castle. The entrance hall was crowded – the whole ground floor was. Seeing the double doors of the Great Hall were open, Draco ventured into the room, perhaps thinking he would be able to breathe better in such a wide place. Unfortunately, not only duelers occupied it, but nearly a half of the Hall had been taken up by a temporary infirmary which Poppy and staff members like Professor Sinistra and Professor Slughorn were shielding with charms. Narcissa and Lucius chased their son, casting protection spells along the way. No sooner had they come into the Great Hall than a cry echoed amongst the chaos.

"Mum!"

All the combatants halted, causing the lightning of the curses to fizzle out. The Malfoys could hardly believe their eyes at the scene before them. Voldemort and Harry, both pointing their wands at each other, were staring at Skyrah, who was grinning broadly at Harry while slightly leaning into Severus for balance. Eileen and Dione stood close behind.

"Mum," Harry said again, now a mere whisper.

With a matching the grin on his face, he took one step towards Skyrah, as though he meant to run to her and hug her to make sure she was okay, but remembered Voldemort was still pointing his wand at him and refrained.

Confused as the Malfoys were by the turn of events, they gathered close enough to the Snapes to make whose side they were fighting on clear. If Draco had dared to peek at Dione, he'd have seen her faltering smile, content yet scared to see him there. His eyes were on Voldemort instead. The only reason he didn't seem to care about the Malfoys' outright betrayal was Harry calling Skyrah Mum had stunned him more than anything else.

"What is the meaning of this?" Voldemort asked, directing his penetrating gaze to his daughter.

"I obeyed your orders and got close to the boy."

Her sassy smile caused Voldemort to tighten the grip on the Elder Wand. His eyes darted from her scarred belly to Severus's scarred neck. "You and your husband ought to be dead."

Skyrah clucked her tongue. "We didn't fancy the idea. Too melancholy for our taste, right, Severus?"

Severus smirked. "Indeed."

Harry smiled. He loved the couple. Voldemort, in contrast, appeared cross, especially when he noticed how gently Severus held Skyrah and the knowing looks they shared. They had never behaved like that in death-eater meetings; it would have been their doom.

"I never expected this from you, Severus."

"You weren't supposed to," he replied calmly.

And everything fell into place, causing Voldemort to wrinkle his mouth. "You were Dumbledore's marionette."

"As you wish to call it."

"Since when?"

Harry answered for Severus, "Since you targeted my mother."

"Was your desire for that mudblood so strong you chose to be disloyal to me?"

Severus's mouth went dry. Skyrah took his hand, encouraging him… to do what? To confess he had loved Harry's mother, still did, in front of his students and colleagues? To keep collected in spite of feeling like screaming at the use of that slur?

"You agreed there were other women, purer, worthier of you," Voldemort continued when he realized Severus wouldn't speak. "I trusted you with my daughter and heir."

"I had to tell you what you wanted to hear, show you what you wanted to be shown," Severus finally said. "A spy does that."

"You disgust me."

The last time that phrase had been addressed at Severus, he had shrunk a little. Now his lips curled at the oddly satisfying irony that Albus had told him those exact words before giving him a chance, whereas Voldemort was using the same expression to reject him. Back then, Severus had been young, lonely and desperate. Pathetic, even. He had felt just as disgusted with himself as Albus. Now he felt nothing but contentment. For once, he was proud of himself, determined to fight alongside the family he had always craved to have.

"But your treachery matters not. I disarmed you, Severus. The Elder Wand is in my possession. I am destined to win."

"Are you? I have never been the master of such wand. Somebody else disarmed Albus before I intervened."

"Draco Malfoy," Voldemort muttered to himself.

The boy shuddered. Lucius became taut behind him, while Narcissa clutched her wand a little tighter, ready to defend her son even against Voldemort.

"You shall be slain."

"Even if you killed him, you wouldn't become the master of the Elder Wand," said Harry. "I overpowered Malfoy weeks ago."

And he tried to hex Voldemort.

As if on cue, the battle continued. Curses from both sides were fired. A bunch of death eaters surrounded the Snapes, preventing them from assisting Harry. Eileen was fast enough to escape the circle and drag Dione with her. Before she knew it, the girl had run away. Eileen cursed under her breath and made eye contact with Severus. He tilted his head towards Dione, who was by Draco's side then, quite near. Eileen reached the girl and the Malfoys. At the same time, a pair of death eaters approached – equally thin and with mad reddish eyes, giving the impression neither had recovered from a stay in Azkaban – having targeted them. Having been his captive once, Dione recognized one: Rabastan Lestrange.

"How dare you betray the Dark Lord? You bring shame to the pureblood race! You aren't better than her!" he growled, glaring at Dione.

Eileen instantly put a protective hand on her shoulder. She hadn't expected to touch Draco's hand. He retrieved it as quickly as he had put it.

"It's my nephew," muttered the other death eater, who had caught the instinctive gesture. "You like the blood traitor. You let her brainwash you, and now you've done the same to your parents."

"Lucius and I make our own decisions with no influence from our son or anybody else, Rodolphus," said Narcissa, lying expertly. She forgot to mention anything about Dione on purpose. After all, she couldn't explain why the girl was there rather than with her family or why Draco was so comfortable by her side.

"If that's true, your sister would be ashamed of you!" Rodolphus hissed, his wand pointing at his sister-in-law. "She sacrificed her life for the Dark Lord! She died for him! You're nothing but blood traitors, and you deserve to face the consequences!"

"Rodolphus, please don't do this," begged Lucius. "We're family."

"Not anymore. Expulso!"

Draco blocked the spell. It was the beginning of a fierce duel, Narcissa being the only one too shocked by the news of Bellatrix's death to participate. Even though the fight was two against four, the Lestrange brothers were more brutal in their approach, forcing Draco, Lucius, Dione and Eileen to merely cast shielding spells in an attempt to protect themselves from them and deflected curses. Rabastan was only knocked out by Narcissa coming out of her daze and assaulting him, catching him off guard. At his brother's fall, Rodolphus became as ruthless as his wife had been. Rage empowered him, made him unpredictable. Narcissa and Lucius were the ones who tried to attack him while the rest shielded them from him and other possible threats – the death eaters hadn't taken the Malfoys' change of sides well. After a few minutes, it became apparent it was a tie: whoever got tired first would lose.

It was then somebody approached them, an auror Dione identified as the one who had taken her away from Malfoy Manor. Hope flared up inside her, only to be wrecked when he aimed at the Malfoys.

"They aren't the enemy!" Dione cried out.

The auror didn't back off, though.

"Don't," she told Draco, seeing he was pointing his wand at the auror, ready to strike if necessary. "He won't trust you if you do that."

"I won't let him hurt my family."

"They helped Skyrah!" she insisted, looking desperately at the auror. "Don't you see? Death Eaters are attacking them too!"

"They committed crimes! They held you prisoner!"

"Under orders!"

"I still can't let them go!"

"Kingsley!" shouted Severus, moving his arm behind him to wrap it around Skyrah, leaning heavily against his back by then. "Focus on– Depulso!" Kingsley turned his head in time to see Rowle falling unconscious after hitting his head on a column. He had been ready to ambush him behind his back. "–other Death Eaters!"

"But–"

"Trust me!"

They connected their gazes for a fleeting moment, and then, Kingsley turned against Rodolphus. With the extra help, he was brought down very quickly.

Minerva and Neville weren't far, ducking a blasting curse from Selwyn and shooting hexes that barely hit him. Panting, the death eater wiped sweat from his brow. It wouldn't take them long to finish him. The Snapes had already beaten the death eaters who had besieged them as well and were now advancing towards Voldemort.

Too focused on Harry, he remained wholly unaware of them and of the fact his followers were being outnumbered. Twice the boy had escaped a killing curse. He was too sneaky, too agile. The lesson was learned. Before casting the killing curse, he would make sure Harry was completely trapped, at his mercy.

"Incarcerous."

"Relashio!"

Voldemort turned his head to the feminine voice that had stopped the conjured ropes from binding Harry. It belonged to Skyrah. One hand held her wand, pointed at her father. The other lay on Harry's shoulder. Severus was right behind them, alert to any spells that might hit them.

"I won't let you murder another child of mine," she growled, fixing Voldemort with a menacing glare.

"He is not your child. He does not share your blood."

"If your lessons and punishments have taught me something, that is blood isn't family. Love is. You won't kill my son."

Harry smiled despite the riot taking place in the school. He wanted to hear her call him her child forever.

"You can try to stop me, but you won't succeed, Skyrah. You cannot protect the boy if you find yourself weeping on your knees. I have always told you love would be your downfall."

Voldemort stared at Severus, eyes as steely as the moment he had ordered Nagini to bite him in the Shrieking Shack. With Nagini gone, Severus knew exactly how he was planning on killing him. His muscles tensed, ready to jump away and elude the forthcoming killing curse that had just been shot. The green light from Voldemort's wand did not strike in his direction, though.

Everything happened at once.

"DRACO!" "DIONE!" cried out the Malfoys and Harry simultaneously.

Severus caught Skyrah by the waist and brought her to his chest before she could run towards her sister, fending off a blasting curse that would have been lethal otherwise.

Draco leaped on a paralyzed Dione, resulting in them both stumbling and falling on the floor, away from the curse's path.

Eileen, who had been behind Dione, dodged the curse by scarce centimeters.

"Let me go!" begged Skyrah, writhing in Severus's arms. "He's going to kill her!"

Surprised as he was by the force that came from her body, he managed to hold her in place while he stupefied the death eater that had almost harmed her nonverbally. He noticed Harry stole a swift glance at him, so different from the one the boy had cast at him before going into the Forbidden Forest. There was no acceptance and resolution; rather, the spark in his eyes reminded Severus of the way Lily's eyes would glint when she knew something teen Severus didn't and asked for his blind trust. And then Harry was dashing, and Skyrah cried and lurched towards him, almost succeeding in breaking free from Severus.

Dione and Draco were standing up when Voldemort spoke unforgivable words.

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Expelliarmus!" shouted Harry, standing in the way between the killing curse and Draco and Dione.

The collision of spells was so loud each and every one of the battle participants froze. All eyes were on the red and green flares coming from both wands. The Elder Wand slipped through Voldemort's long fingers, flying through the air. He was looking at neither the wand that was already in Harry's fist nor the rebounding green light. Instead, his eyes were fixed on his daughter, staring at her not with loathing but void of emotion. For a second, Skyrah wondered if she was looking back at Tom Riddle, the man who didn't know how to show nor feel love, rather than at the bloodthirsty supremacist, Lord Voldemort.

This time, Severus didn't stop her when she jolted. She lost her balance and landed right next to her fallen father, ignoring the merry clamor of the victors and the remaining Death Eaters that attempted to fly away only to get caught by the aurors. She barely looked at Harry, swept away by Hermione and Ron towards their friends and celebrations; or at Dione, being separated from Draco by his parents and Eileen.

Skyrah put her head on her father's chest in such a way her ear was slightly squashed against the spot his heart was located. With closed eyes, she listened, feeling like a child who had just woken up from a nightmare and snuck up to her parents' bed to make sure she was safe.

No heartbeat.

A few tears dripped into his robes before being pulled into a seated embrace. She mumbled Severus's name, having recognized the countless buttons and smooth fabric under her palms.

"Shh… You don't have to say anything."

Yet, he wished she wouldn't lament the death of her tormentor the same way his mother had done, yowling and sobbing over Tobias's tomb. Resigned, he prepared himself for weeps and wails. Her lips curling into a smile against his chest were most disconcerting.

"He's gone… He…" She laughed – the prettiest sound he had heard in hours. "We're free! Severus, we're free!"

Severus finally understood she wasn't grieving. She had merely made sure she was now unbound from her father's chains for the first time in forever. Her tears were of legitimate relief. They had survived. After all the losses and sacrifices, the war was won.

"Skyrah…"

He didn't realize a few tears had also escaped him until she circled his neck with her arms and rested her chin on his shoulder, cheeks pressing. He hugged her back with all his might, without caring they both were clammy and dirty, being watched by nosy students and close to Voldemort's body.

"It's over, it's finally over," she mumbled, choking back a sob. "Corbin and Harry will be safe. We'll be okay. No more death-eater meetings. No more living in fear."

Severus planted a protective kiss on her forehead, basking in the warmth that spread through him now that she was where she was supposed to be, safe in his arms. His lips lingered there until somebody cleared their throat. With a small scowl on his face, Severus helped Skyrah get to her feet and held her by the waist with one arm in case she felt like leaning against his body.

"Kingsley," muttered Severus with a greeting nod.

He nodded back. If he was surprised by the emotion he had just seen coming from Severus or the tears that still dampened his cheeks, he didn't show it.

"I'm sorry to interrupt. I have a matter of utter importance to discuss. Mrs Snape, do you wish to give Voldemort a burial? If not, the Ministry will…"

"…Dispose of him?"

"Exactly. The Ministry has planned a cremation and vanishment of the ashes so that no sympathizers of his cause revere his grave – a way to give the situation finality. That, however, will not happen unless you, his only living relative, grant permission."

She stared at Voldemort's dead body, musing on it for a while.

"I accede to cremate his body. May I have his ashes, though? I know a place no follower of his would bother checking. As a precaution, the Ministry could say they took care of the ashes, and I could even scatter them, though I'd like to talk to my mother before deciding on that."

"The Ministry cannot deny you that so long as you're discreet. Shall I…" He tilted his head towards the body.

After a nod from Skyrah, Kingsley was about to levitate Voldemort when Severus spoke.

"Will you arrest the Malfoys?"

"It is our duty."

"In that case, my advice is to capture the other death eaters first."

"And give the Malfoys the chance to flee?"

"Attempting to flee would be detrimental to them, since it would prove they have something to hide or fear."

"They have. They're death eaters."

"Narcissa hasn't got the dark mark."

"Unlike her son and husband."

"Lucius didn't succeed in keeping Skyrah's sister. Draco's mark is his punishment. As for Lucius himself, his true loyalty lies with his wife and son. They fought on our side."

"A trial must still be held."

"I didn't suggest the contrary. Just focus your energy on dealing with death eaters that are actually dangerous."

Kingsley gave a reluctant nod and finally walked towards an apparition point, carrying Voldemort with him with.

Once they were out of sight, Severus asked, "What place have you got in mind?"

"A muggle one."

He raised his eyebrows. "Excuse me?"

"Death Eaters don't know about his muggle origins. If I store or scatter his ashes at a muggle cemetery, my mum and I will have a place to go to if we ever feel like visiting him, while making sure his followers don't find him."

"Don't you think it is ironic that he spent his lifetime distancing himself from his muggle connections, only to end up in such a place?"

"It's insulting. Lord Voldemort doesn't deserve better, though. He deserves worse."

"Then why bother doing this at all? Don't you prefer to let the Ministry handle everything and forget about him? You owe him nothing."

"I'm not doing this for him but for Tom Riddle. He couldn't be with his mother in his life, but he can be with her in his death."

Severus frowned. "His mother is buried in a muggle cemetery?"

"My mum told me she died the day he was born in front of the muggle orphanage he grew up in. When the muggles found out she was from Little Hangleton, they buried her in its graveyard. Her brother and father didn't reckon she deserved to be buried anywhere else after marrying a muggle. They didn't want to have anything to do with her."

Severus almost snorted. Humiliating and deserting those who expressed sympathy for muggles was a nasty habit some pureblood families hadn't got rid of, the Princes being an example. He didn't even know if some of his pureblood relatives were still alive. If they were, they hadn't bothered to meet him.

"Does Tom Riddle deserve to be close to his mother? Is he so different from the Dark Lord?"

Skyrah didn't answer for a long time, staring at the open double doors, the place she had seen his body for the last time.

"My mum loved Tom Riddle like my grandmother loved my muggle grandfather, but neither was loved in return. In that sense, Tom and I were born from a loveless union. If Tom and Lord Voldemort were alike, I'd have grown up with the inability to understand love as well."

"That didn't happen."

"I was raised in a loving environment. He wasn't so lucky."

"Do you think he would have turned out to be… decent, if his mother had brought him up?"

"My mum believes so. I'm not so sure he'd have turned out to be a good man, but he wouldn't have been so cruel."

"You still owe him nothing."

"I know, but I want Tom Riddle and his mother to rest close to each other. I'd understand it if you didn't approve of my decision."

Severus had never pitied Tobias nor wished him well, not even in death, which made him realize just how compassionate she was to be willing to see past the one who had hurt her the most.

"It is not my place to decide what will happen to his body. You will have my support no matter what." Quietly, he added, "But know I am proud of you."

By the way she gazed up at him, she was pleasantly surprised. The fact he had never told her before explained it. Impulsively, she tiptoed to kiss his cheek in thankfulness. Her trembling legs obliged her to hold him by his shoulders so as not to keel over. At the contact of her lips on his skin, he allowed himself to flash a gentle smile. He had no complaints when she kept her arms around him.

"I love you," she muttered into his shoulder, nuzzling her nose into the crook of it.

The words And I you were on the tip of his tongue and would have slipped hadn't he got suddenly mute. That would be the first time he said I love you to a conscious Skyrah… Or would it?

"You said too. You heard me when I said that I…"

"I did."

He suppressed the urge to groan. "Why, in Merlin's name, aren't you disappointed in me?"

She pulled slightly away, locking their eyes. "Should I be?"

"Your resentment would be justified. I should have said it earlier. I haven't been a good husb–"

"Shh…" She caressed his cheek tenderly. "I've never doubted you're a good husband."

"I wasn't brave enough to–"

Her thumb, that had been grazing his cheek, found his lips, silencing him midsentence. "I've known how much you love me from the moment we found out our patroni match."

"Your knowing doesn't excuse my behavior."

"What matters to me is that you've always shown me how much you love every single part of me, like I love every single part of you."

She took his forearm and undid the buttons, uncovering the Dark Mark. It had seemed to fade into a scar, similar to Harry's. It didn't burn. The moment she kissed it, it dawned on Severus that it wouldn't ever again.

"Always," he echoed, sliding his hand to clutch the pendant of the crows.

He let go only to dry her cheeks, still wet from her tears. She mirrored him and chuckled to herself.

"What?"

"Today isn't the first time I heard you say the words…"

His body tensed. "When?"

"About a week ago. You told Dione you sometimes think your love for me is so deep words can't do it justice."

He blushed as he used to when he was unused to affection and she, despite knowing him for a short time, would kiss his cheek or touch his face out of the blue.

"So I wasn't imagining things… You overheard us."

"You suspected?"

"I convinced myself I was being paranoid when you explained Corbin had said love. You didn't lie about that."

She grinned impishly. "What a marvelous serendipity it was to hear my husband and son saying I love you on the very same day for the very first time."

"If you knew, why didn't you demand that I said the words back?"

"Practicing was important for you."

And she had respected that. He found himself falling more in love with her for that – it showed in his glistening eyes.

"I wanted the moment I confessed my feelings to be–"

"Memorable? Romantic, even?" she echoed Dione's words. "It was. I only hope it doesn't take you so long to say it again. Now that I've heard you, I might have liked it too much."

She had expected him to smirk or even chuckle at her half-joking tone. Instead, he inclined his head until his lips encountered her temple, landing a tender kiss.

"I'll never get tired of saying I love you," he said, voice thick with so much emotion her throat tightened.

"Neither will I."

He smiled against her temple, feeling her melt into him.

"Sev?"

Skyrah put some distance between them. Rather than scowling at the interruption, Severus gazed at his mother and sighed in relief, glad she showed no signs of grave injuries apart from a few bruises and scratches. Eileen held out her arms for a few seconds, and then hid them behind her back, all while staring at her feet.

"Stop that, Mum."

She shot her head up. "Stop what?"

"That. Questioning whether you should hug me for fear that I reject you. Constantly wondering whether you'll lose me. I wouldn't have allowed you to become Corbin's grandmother if I intended to break off our relationship."

"It isn't only that. Madam Pince and the Headmaster have never been close. It takes only one student for rumors to start circulating. They will wonder why we're hugging."

"I couldn't care less what they think."

Eileen still wavered before clumsily wrapping her arms around him. He heard a sound he would describe as a muffled sob coming from her. It wasn't until his arms enveloped her that she relaxed, nuzzling her hooked nose into his chest. He didn't comment when the fabric got damp.

"I love you, Son. I know you probably don't believe me bu–"

It was the first time she articulated the phrase in his presence. He felt strangely cozy, and he knew right then that he had learnt to love the mother she had become.

"I believe you. Trust me. I do." He breathed deeply through his nose and pulled her away softly. His hands still rested on her shoulders. "Thank you for being with me and looking after the people I care for."

"It was about time I stood up for my son," she said quite cuttingly, though her eyes shone with satisfaction. "I've never told you, but I am glad you fell in love with Skyrah."

"So you approve of my wife?" he asked, the slight twitch of his lips suggesting he was more amused than surprised. He let go of her shoulders. "A little late to get your blessings, don't you agree?"

Eileen smirked for a second before growing serious. "Perhaps, but I mean it. I don't think I've ever seen you so happy until you met her. That's why I was so worried when she insisted on fighting after the curse. I was afraid you'd lose her for real. I feared I'd lose her too."

"Because you're my friend?" wondered Skyrah, softly.

"Because I care for you. You gave me a chance. I learnt how to be a mother thanks to you."

"Oh, Eileen," she said with a sad smile. "You shouldn't give me credit for your own effo–"

"I'm not a fool. Severus wouldn't have accepted me without your help. I owe you my happiness."

Skyrah glanced at her husband, smiling gently. "I owe you mine."

"And yes," Eileen said, making Skyrah and Severus frown. "I didn't like it that you returned to the battlefield, but the first thing I did when the battle began was to look for my son and try to take care of him, like you did with Harry." Skyrah smiled. "And then we looked for you, and Dione and I saw everything your… father did to you, heard everything he told you. I wouldn't be surprised if Rita Skeeter contacted you to write an article about your blood and relationship with You-Know-Who. She's like an insect, bugging people in search of stories to re-shape and sell."

"Skeeter shouldn't hold her breath," grunted Severus. Then he raised his eyebrows, tilting his head towards Skyrah. "What did he do and say, exactly?"

"Too many upsetting things…" Severus had already opened his mouth to reply when Skyrah added, "…which I'll tell you later."

Her words, upsetting things, fell short. Eileen wanted to ask about the kidnapping, the miscarriage and the arranged marriage, still unsure if the lost baby also happened to be her granddaughter. She had made Severus suffer enough, though; talking about that would only distress them.

"Is your mother safe now?" Eileen opted for asking instead. "What about Corbin?"

While Skyrah elaborated on her reply, somebody approached Severus from behind and called his name. He turned around, recognizing the voice.

"Professor McGonagall."

He hid the hurt in his voice as poorly as Minerva concealed her cringing at the formal title. She didn't dare ask him to use her first name to address her. He wished she had. Seeing she was looking at Skyrah and Eileen anxiously, he excused himself and walked a few meters away from them so that he could speak privately with Minerva, who followed him with her head bent, padding like a small cat. He would have teased her for her sudden sheepishness. With the memory of her calling him a cowardly traitor still fresh in his mind, he couldn't.

"You deserve an apology. I was supposed to be your friend and I–"

"–acted like a responsible professor. I would have done the same had I been in your place."

"Don't excuse me. What I did… What I said… I hurt you. You're still hurt."

His heart shrank at the memory of her calling him a cowardly traitor. Yes, he was wounded. There was no point in denying it.

"I felt like I lost a friend." Again was the word left unsaid Minerva seemed to hear anyway.

"I felt betrayed," she confessed. "But I was the one who betrayed you by not trusting you."

"I don't blame you. I sometimes don't trust myself."

"Don't be ridiculous, Severus! I've known you since you were eleven. You've proved you are trustworthy numerous times."

"Not enough times. I kept you in the dark. Perhaps you wouldn't have reacted that way if you had known everything."

"It was your job to keep secrets."

"It was. I can finally leave all that behind me."

Minerva eyed him with a mix of curiosity and sadness. "How does that feel?"

"Like something entirely new, revealing. I never thought this feeling existed."

"I'm sorry. You didn't deserve to feel…"

"Like a pawn to be used at the convenience of two masters?"

She gave a brief nod. "It wasn't fair to you. I wasn't. I should have never doubted you. I hope you can forgive me for that someday."

Severus stared at her with an unfathomable expression for a while, and then the corner of his mouth twitched. "After all these years, I assumed that you would have gathered Slytherins do not particularly care about fairness."

"Does that mean we are okay?" she asked, refusing to feel hopeful despite the affection she perceived in his eyes.

"As long as you are okay with having a bat for a friend…"

"It's never bothered me before."

He allowed a small grin to grow on his face at her quick response.

"You look like your son, you know? When you smile, you look younger."

"I would say it is he who looks like me, Minerva."

"You have a point, but you learnt that smile from him. He makes you happy."

"Blissfully happy."

She nodded and stared off into the distance. Mimicking her, Severus caught sight of Harry, who was with Hermione and the Weasleys – the whole family bar one twin – assembled by Ravenclaw's table. Severus could only think of one reason why Fred and George would be separated, or why the whole family looked defeated despite the victory. He imagined himself in Arthur's situation, with a son fallen at war, and his heart sank. He had been frighteningly close to experiencing that.

Realizing Minerva had spoken, he mumbled, "Pardon?"

"I asked if I can still be Corbin's aunt."

"I always missed the family I didn't have as a child. I wouldn't like my son to experience that. The only reason you would be separated from Corbin is if you decided not to visit him anymore, and that would only happen if you stopped caring for him."

"That's an impossible scenario."

"Charmed you, has he?" he teased, though the relief he felt was palpable in his unstiffening body.

"Embarrassingly so, which makes two of us."

A smirk flickered at the corner of his mouth. "I couldn't agree more."

"You are aware I will turn him into a Gryffindor, aren't you? So far, he has taken a liking to playing with felines."

Severus scoffed, "At his age, my son is more cunning than many snakes I have taught. The Sorting Hat will not doubt his House which will most certainly be that of his parents."

"I shall try."

"I shall see you fail," he finished with a crooked smile she returned.

It was through their House Pride banter that they knew everything would be fine between them.

"You married one hell of a fighter," said Minerva, regarding his wife, who was still engaged in conversation with Eileen. "Arranged marriage or not, she does love you and Corbin."

His eyes sparkled. "I know… Is that what the Dark Lord said before he cursed her, that our marriage is arranged?"

He realized the title he had used to refer to Voldemort when Minerva flinched. She didn't point it out, though, mainly when she saw how troubled he looked. It was an old habit he couldn't wait to break himself of.

"Amongst other things," she acknowledged with a nod. "Her loved ones have always been in danger, whether they've been kidnapped or killed, even her unborn daughter…" Minerva narrowed her eyes, noticing he blanched. "When I came to visit you after Skyrah gave birth, you mentioned Poppy knew something not even Albus did. Could it be the miscarriage?" He averted her gaze, but not before his face contorted in pain, reliving the time he had been under the imperio curse. Such reaction made her gasp. "Merlin! It is. The baby girl was yours, not from Skyrah's ex-fiancé. Poppy must have tried to save her. That's why you made her Corbin's godmother."

He swallowed hard. "That is merely one of the reasons."

He didn't look at her until Minerva laid her hand on his shoulder. He tensed. Rather than withdrawing her hand, she squeezed his shoulder, and he allowed himself to relax. The physical contact was her way to express her condolences without resorting to words, afraid saying she was sorry would revive disturbing memories.

"Voldemort was despicable. I can't fathom how his daughter turned out to be such a loving person. Take care of her, Severus."

I'll take care of her until my last breath, he thought, watching Skyrah lumber towards them. Eileen wasn't with her. She practically fell on Severus as she greeted Minerva, who gave her a nod, unable to conceal her worry. Neither could Severus, alarmed by the small groan of pain Skyrah uttered when he hooked an arm around her.

"Your scar shouldn't hurt."

She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. "Everything except for my scar hurts. I think the adrenaline increased my pain tolerance, and it is now leaving my body."

Severus sneered. "You should be lying in bed, resting."

Those were the exact same words Eileen had told her before parting. As expected, she pretended not to hear rest and bed and looked at Minerva.

"Are you okay?"

"I should be the one asking that question," replied Minerva with an arched eyebrow.

"You scared me. Noble as your intentions were, he could have murdered you. You and Neville. I sometimes think you Gryffindors are insane."

"I could say the same about certain Slytherins."

Skyrah bit the inside of her cheek. "Just… Don't do something so reckless again, okay?"

"No promises." As cutting as Eileen, Minerva added, "And you're welcome."

Skyrah smiled despite herself and took her hand. "Thank you, Minerva."

She meant it, for a gentle squeeze plus a cheek kiss followed. Flustered, Minerva excused herself and headed towards Eileen and Professor Flitwick, who were repairing a window glass that had shattered during the battle. Severus would have grinned lopsidedly at her reaction if he hadn't been so confused.

"What was all that about?"

Skyrah didn't respond until he lifted her chin with his fingertips, turning her head so that she'd look him in the eye. "Minerva and Neville almost got themselves killed when they tried to help me after he..."

She pointed to the marks on her neck.

Severus shut his eyes, inwardly thanking them for assisting Skyrah when he couldn't, and tightened his grip on her as if trying to make up for not being there. "He can't hurt anyone anymore. He can't hurt you."

He kissed the top of her head, resulting in her giving him a watery smile.

"We should pick Corbin up," she whispered.

Severus nodded and craned his neck, scanning what was left of the Great Hall. Harry was still with his friends. Dione, however, was out of sight. Without them, the Snapes wouldn't leave the place.

"Where's your sister?"

After a quick glance-over, Skyrah mumbled, "Over there."

Following the direction she was pointing to with his gaze, he spotted not Dione but the Malfoys, near the Slytherin table. Narcissa and Lucius stood arm in arm in an attempt to feel less judged under the wary looks they were being thrown. Their scruffy appearance, though uncharacteristic of them, didn't surprise him, not as much as Narcissa's squinting eyes and Lucius's agape mouth.

Stiff as a board, Draco stood at a short distance from his parents. Dione was pressing her cheek against his, chin resting on his shoulder, arms tight around his form. His self-restraint vanished along with his embarrassment when she whispered something in his ear, if his face now buried in her unkempt curls and his arms drawing her closer were of any indication.

Severus walked towards them, pulling Skyrah with him. No longer out of earshot, they were able to follow the conversation between the teenagers.

"We're no longer enemies," said Dione, eyes gleaming in anticipation.

Draco, enchanted by her until then, took a sudden step back, breaking the embrace. The sneer back on his face hardened his already sharp features.

"Haven't you seen the way they're looking at me? At my family? You better get away from me. I should have never allowed myself to–"

"To what? To get close to me?" She blew out a noisy breath. "I'd be gone if you hadn't."

"I'm dark. I'll end up hurting you."

"The only thing you seem to do is help me, even when we're on different sides. And you still have the nerve to tell me you'd hurt me?"

"Everybody would gossip and wonder why you'd be with someone like me, and they'd be right," he finished in a bitter tone.

"They don't know you like I do. Why do you care about other people's opinion, anyway?"

"Why don't you? If we were together and I or my parents were sent to Azkaban, you'd–"

Dione flung her arms round him, and the world stopped.

"What the…" started Severus, unable to finish the sentence.

He recovered soon from the shock of witnessing Dione silencing Draco with a smacking kiss. Granted, he had caught many students engaged in snogging sessions and other acts of intimacy, but the fact his sister-in-law was involved made all the difference. He glimpsed at Skyrah, concerned about her reaction. To his surprise, she was grinning lopsidedly. He uncovered the reason as soon as he realized she was staring at the Malfoys. Oh, quite the comical sight, they were. Lucius's eyes were virtually bulging out of his face. Narcissa, on the other hand, looked more curious than shocked, occasionally shooting hostile glares at those who dared whisper about her son.

Dione smiled into the kiss, putting an end to it, and Draco, try as he might, couldn't look anywhere but her mouth. Even if he felt the prying eyes of his parents and professors on him, probably waiting for an explanation, he couldn't bring himself to offer one. He cared only about the girl who kept her hands around his neck.

"You shouldn't be seen with me, let alone kiss–"

"Don't worry about the future now. We'll figure everything out."

That argument wasn't convincing enough for him. Draco detangled himself from her, ignoring his shattering heart.

"I can't do this."

Dione swallowed hard, having noticed his dark tone. "W-what do you mean?"

"We can't be together."

He hung his head to avoid seeing the pain on her face. The pain in her voice, however, was perfectly palpable.

"We finally can. You just don't want to. Have I done something wrong? Do you believe I can't make you happy? Is that why you're so against us?"

"N-no. Even my patronus…" he trailed off, passing a hand through his hair.

She became aware of her heartbeat at the realization the only reason he would have mentioned his spirit guardian was that she was part of his chosen memory.

"Wouldn't you like to be friends at least?"

"You should aspire for more than someone who could end in prison, a death eater."

She was about to protest when Severus called Draco's name.

"You won't go to Azkaban. Nor will your family if I can do something about it. I owe you."

Draco startled, realizing his parents and the Snapes were close enough not only to see but to hear them.

"You don't, sir. You helped me even when I didn't want to be helped. We're even."

"My sister-in-law would be dead without you. My wife. You were brave enough to change sides. Trust me. I've been there. I know it isn't easy, and I won't let you go to Azkaban. I already talked to an auror. He won't arrest you today, and even though a trial is bound to happen, I'm willing to advocate for you."

Draco unstiffened, feeling much lighter and hopeful having his support, even if still uncertain about his future.

"Thank you, sir, but I wouldn't have been able to reach you if Skyrah hadn't believed in me to begin with. You healed her. I…" He eyed Skyrah. "You believed I could invoke a patronus. I would have never done it without you."

"Don't take the merit away from you. I told you that you'd succeed one day. And you aren't a bad person, much less a death eater."

"I don't think many people share your opinion."

"Just because you've got the Dark Mark–" interrupted Dione, but Skyrah cleared her throat, letting her know she needed to talk to Draco alone. Resigned, the girl joined Severus.

To avoid being overheard, Skyrah tottered towards Draco and spoke in whispers.

"The only opinion that should matter to you is your own. You saved so many lives when you gave your wand to Harry. Mine and my sister's, too. A loyal death eater would've never done that. I can only thank you."

"For being selfish?" he scoffed. "When I gave the wand to Harry, I wasn't thinking about others. I was thinking that would be the only way to have a slim chance to avoid Azkaban."

"You wanted Harry to win; otherwise, you wouldn't have risked your life." She grinned ruefully at his sudden incapability of looking her in the eye. "I used to be like you, pushed everybody away for fear I'd hurt them. It took me years to be brave enough to have a friend, and I never opened up to him completely, not even when I was about to marry him. I believed I was protecting him, the same way you think you're protecting my sister."

"I am protecting her."

"No, you aren't, because she clearly wants to be with you, and your refusal is hurting her like I kept hurting Daniel."

"She'll find somebody better."

"Better than the person who jumped in front of a killing curse for her?" At his silence, she asked, "If you believed you weren't dark, would you like to be with Dione?"

"That doesn't matter. I'm bad for her."

"If you were, you wouldn't care if she got hurt. I told her to keep her distance from you years ago, but after everything that's happened, there's no doubt in my mind you can make her happy, and I want her to be happy."

As did he, by his wishful expression. He had fantasized about a future with Dione for too many sleepless nights. Having the real thing would elate him, but not at the expense of her reputation. It wasn't just the gossip that bothered him but his parents'. None of their potential reactions were reassuring. He was convinced the only reason they hadn't shown their discontentment yet was they wouldn't cause a scene in public.

"I need to think about this," he murmured finally.

Skyrah was about to reply Dione wouldn't have demanded anything else of him today when Lucius told him they had to go. Draco nodded at him absentmindedly, studying Dione, who kept staring at her dirty shoes, leaning against Severus for comfort. He wished she'd look at him before taking leave, if only to let her know there was no reason to feel so hopeless yet.

"I'll tell her that you need time," offered Skyrah. "You should go with your parents."

So he did, his head bowed.

"I expect you to tell us what exactly is going on with Skyrah's sister when we get some privacy," Narcissa said, keeping a straight face.

To his relief, she sounded intrigued rather than disappointed. He didn't dare look at Lucius, though. Before the Malfoys disappeared amongst the crowd, the Snapes made sure to thank them for their help one last time.

"My, my, little one," Skyrah said in a sing-song voice, now next to her family. "You do know how to leave your future in-laws with a lasting impression."

At the sight of her flustered sister, Skyrah had to cover her mouth to keep from tittering. So red her face grew, her blue eyes stood out and appeared bigger.

"In-laws? Draco doesn't even want to be my friend!"

Despite the crack in her voice, Skyrah's playful attitude prevailed, in fact, she clucked her tongue.

"Of course he doesn't. He's interested in more than friendship." Dione was torn between snorting and looking at her sister with hopeful eyes. "Trust me, he'll ask you out eventually."

It was only when Dione asked how she could be so sure that Skyrah's grin turned rather sad.

"I couldn't stay away from Daniel, even if it took me a while to accept him in my life."

"And you're okay with that? With me and Draco possibly dating?"

"I approve of him. It's clear you both care deeply for each other."

Dione visibly relaxed despite sensing a 'but' her sister wasn't mentioning. Skyrah looked serious all of a sudden, debating whether she should say what was on her mind or not.

"What's the matter?"

Skyrah sighed. "I thought you kept your distance from him at school. You said you'd be careful. That didn't look like a first kiss."

"I-it wasn't," she admitted, fiddling a curl. "But we've never been together! We both knew what was at stake! We kissed just once last year and didn't kiss again until the battle began."

More hurt than angry, Skyrah asked, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you'd have worried about me and, honestly, You-Know-Who and the war and Harry being away and the Carrows… Everything was too much already."

"Dione…" she whispered, her face softening at the realization her little sister had just meant to protect her.

"Please, say you forgive me. Mum's already going to disown me if she ever finds out I fancy a Malfoy."

Skyrah chuckled despite herself and put a hand on her freckled cheek, noticing just mentioning her mother turned those blue eyes slightly glassy.

"Oh, don't worry. I'll defend you when you tell her. It can be in a few minutes."

Dione tilted her head in confusion. "A few minutes? The aurors still need to look for her."

"Not anymore. Whom do you think has been babysitting Corbin all this time?"

Dione looked at Severus, in search of clues Skyrah wasn't kidding even if deep down she knew her sister wouldn't joke about that. When Severus gave her a nod, she could barely breathe.

"Mum's with Corbin? Free?"

Skyrah hummed. "In Ireland."

Dione controlled the urge to jump at her and throw her arms around her lest she'd hurt her sister. Instead, she hugged her gently, resting her chin on top of Skyrah's shoulder. Though the girl managed to blink back tears, she sniffled soundly.

"Mum's okay, little one," crooned Skyrah, planting a kiss on the top of her head. Fatigued, she allowed herself to close her eyes. "She wouldn't disown you even if you decided to date a troll, although she'd undoubtedly question your sanity and your taste in boyfriend material."

Dione chuckled, finally releasing a few tears. She only let go of her big sister the moment she heard somebody running towards them and Severus whispering Harry's name. Without Dione and Severus to support her, Skyrah would have lost her balance when the boy struck.

"I missed you," Harry rasped, cheek to cheek, arms round her waist. "I wanted to be with all of you when it was over, but Hermione and Ron and–"

"Shh… You're with us now, my brave boy." Skyrah stifled a sob and attempted to squeeze him but found her body wasn't strong enough for that. "I'm sorry."

"What for?" he asked, pulling away.

"Abandoning you. I escaped when I heard the killing curse. I–"

"It's okay. Your mother and Corbin needed you."

She cupped his face, seeking signs of dishonesty, and found none. "You're too forgiving."

"I wanted to die." Her cringing didn't stop him. "I was supposed to. You couldn't save me, but you could save them."

She brought his hand to her mouth, kissing it once, and lingered, fearing the emotions she had bottled up during the battle would explode and reduce her to tears. Only one sob escaped her.

"I felt like I had lost another child of mine, and I couldn't do anything to impede it; I couldn't even grieve because I had to think about Corbin and we were in the middle of a battle and I–"

"I love you."

She smiled faintly. "I love you too. I'm so proud of you."

"When everybody presumed me dead, I heard everything. What you said to Voldemort was…" He shook his head, incapable of finding the correct word to describe it. In the end, he settled for, "I'm very proud of what you did, too, and I'm sorry he cursed you."

His eyes drifted downwards. Before he could spot her scarred belly, she tugged him slightly, and kissed his lighting scar. He wanted her to keep kissing his forehead forever. The only reason he drew back was Dione called his name.

"Thank you," she said when Harry turned his body to her.

With a crooked smile, he said, "I wasn't about to let Voldemort hurt my friend and her crush."

"Even if that meant being reckless?" she asked, flushed. "The curse could have killed you."

"It hadn't killed me earlier. I had everything under control."

Severus snorted, thinking sheer luck had also contributed to his success, and that was when Harry turned his attention to him.

"I saw her, you know? My mother. The resurrection stone brought her to me. She's forgiven you, and is glad you and Skyrah found me."

Severus barely felt Skyrah slithering a hand around him. He could only think about Lily. His eyes began to sting with forming tears as he imagined her uttering the words, saying they were friends despite the mudblood fiasco and his mistakes. To hide his overwhelming emotions of liberation and fulfillment, he gave Harry a smirk.

"I suppose James Potter isn't pleased with that."

"He's actually grateful." If Severus hadn't known better, he'd have called the boy a liar. Seeing he was dumbfounded, Harry changed the subject. "We won thanks to you."

"Thanks to my spying?"

"That and to the expelliarmus charm. You were the one to teach it to me years ago. Maybe Professor Dumbledore wouldn't have insisted on so many defense lessons if he had known," joked Harry, causing Severus to chuckle.

"I bet the Dar-Voldemort, never predicted you would defeat him with such an elementary spell." He smiled that proud smile that warmed Harry up and ruffled his untidy hair like the boy had seen he sometimes did with Corbin. "Well done, Son."

"Son?"

Harry's heart skipped a beat. In the shrieking shack, he had believed Severus loved him like his child. In the Forbidden Forest, on his way to meet his death, he had wondered if Severus had only called him Son to content him, out of pity, and only appeared honest thanks to his spying skills.

"If you want to be," Severus said after catching a knowing smile from Skyrah. They hadn't talked about it – Merlin knew they hadn't allowed themselves to dream about a future in which Harry survived – but there was no need to discuss that when both knew it was what their hearts yearned for. "Despite being a wizard of age already, you are legally a minor in the muggle world. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement sometimes works with muggle attorneys in similar cases. Thus, arrangements can be made and you could become a Snape if so is your desire."

"It's all I ever wanted since you saved me from the Dursleys," said Harry, feeling like the fifteen-year-old boy who'd fall asleep dreaming of the Snapes wanting him like they had wanted their babies. "But you said adoption would mean the world would know about the ab–" He paused, catching the frown on Dione's face. "–situation at my Aunt's."

"If we do this the muggle way, the magical world will be none the wiser. Muggles can be obliviated afterwards as well."

"And if the Ministry takes care of this," added Skyrah, "you needn't give explanations. Normally, the paperwork would be complicated, but I doubt anybody would deny the Savior of the Wizarding World anything."

"Isn't that abusing my power?"

Severus cocked an eyebrow. "Does that surprise you, coming from Slytherins?"

"We already are your family, sweetheart." Skyrah caressed his cheek tenderly. "But if we can speed up the process to make it official, I don't see anything wrong with taking advantage of the situation."

Severus suppressed a groan when Harry hugged him and Skyrah so tight they nearly fell again. He almost hissed at the boy for his impulsiveness, afraid he'd unintentionally harm an already-too-weak Skyrah; but Harry was thanking them over and over again and Skyrah kept saying she was just as grateful for this chance. Feeling how desperately Harry was latching onto them and how damp his glasses were getting yet how little the boy cared, a rare heaven-like feeling invaded Severus's chest. It was the same sort he had felt when holding Corbin for the first time. Like he did back then with his newborn baby, Severus kissed Harry's forehead so tenderly his lips hardly brushed the skin. Corbin had smiled as a reflex. Harry, instead, let out a sound between a raspy 'Dad' and a sob. Even though Severus wasn't looking at Skyrah, he could feel she was smiling at them.

"I told you that in an ideal world, you and Corbin would be brothers," she murmured.

"I told you I'd fight for it."

"And you did, Harry. He'll be – is – lucky to have you." I'll be lucky to have you, Severus almost added.

"I'll be the best brother to Corbin and your baby girl... or boy."

Skyrah gasped, although not as loud as Dione, and squinted at Severus – the only one who could have told him. Before he could defend himself, Dione let out a squeal of delight.

"You're expecting a baby?" She paled. "Madam Pomfrey needs to see you. After the curse–"

"I'm not pregnant."

"Yet," said Severus with a cheeky grin.

It gained him a nudge from Skyrah, a bit awkward, considering Harry hadn't let them go yet, but affectionate nonetheless.

"It still looks like I'll be an aunt again pretty soon, this time of a teenager. Merlin help me."

Harry threw his head back, breaking the embrace, and letting out a booming laugh that infected them all with sheer bliss.

"I promise I'll behave when you babysit me, Aunt Dione," he ribbed, once the laughter turned to small chuckles. "I'll stay out of mischief. I won't even use the invisibility cloak... unless you want to use it to take new photos."

She stuck her tongue out in response, which resulted in a playful Harry briefly hugging her. He saw Skyrah leaning heavily on Severus, eyes closed.

"Mum."

She opened her eyes instantly, beaming at the title. "Yes?"

"You should go to Spinner's End and rest."

"Indeed," agreed Severus. "We better go now, before she gets it into her head to rebuild the school when she can barely walk by herself."

Skyrah rolled her eyes. "Fine, but we're going to Ireland first… Are you ready to meet your mother-in-law?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Is any son-in-law ever prepared for that?"

Skyrah gave him a lopsided grin. "You'll be fine. Just be yourself."

"A snarky grump? Yes, that will definitely work wonders."

"An adorable snarky grump. And of course it will." She turned slightly to the teenagers, ignoring Severus's snort. "Are you two coming?"

Dione nodded enthusiastically, whereas Harry hesitated.

"I have some unfinished business to deal with…" He took the Elder Wand out of his pocket.

"You are its master," said Severus.

His dark eyes were fixed on the wand. So were Skyrah's. However, Harry was most surprised by Dione's look of veneration, more intense than that of the Snapes'. Even someone as humble as her was attracted to it, and the thought scared Harry. He delved into his pouch hanging around his neck and displayed his first wand on the ground. Pointing the Elder Wand towards the broken wood, he muttered a mending charm. As the halves became one, Harry watched the Snapes – both surprised yet proud – and he knew not only his wand was being fixed, but his orphan heart.

"I want to put the Elder Wand where it would be if Voldemort hadn't stolen it." Harry took his wand, now as good as new, and allowed the warmth that started in his fingers to extend throughout his body. "I need to ask Professor Dumbledore for permission, though."

Severus nodded. "He shall grant it. Will you come back home after that?"

Home.

Not a cupboard or a single bedroom or a tent, but a house, a place to live with people he could call Mum and Dad. It was ironic to think that he had found a home and family in the professor he used to call a greasy git and the daughter of his parents' murderer. That was the last thing fourteen-year-old Harry would have thought would happen when he opened the door to his Potions Master and his unexpected wife in Spinner's End. But life wasn't simple, and Harry wouldn't have it any other way.

"There's no place I'd rather go than home, Dad."

THE END

A/N: I'm truly sorry for the delay. Personal circumstances prevented me from updating at the desired time (that is, right after Halloween). I hope the wait was worth it, at least.

"It's Not That Simple" will be complete after posting the epilogue. Since it still needs a lot of work, I don't think I'll be updating until next year... So Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, you, wonderful followers and readers! You've turned 2019 a little better with your constant support and reviews :D

Also, a reader was confused about the moment Draco gave his wand to Harry. It was in chapter 54, when he screamed 'Potter!' I actually borrowed the idea from a deleted scene (last HP movie, you can find it on youtube). I found that it suited my Draco, so...