Disclaimer:- I earn nothing from this story except the pleasure of exploring this fandom. My plot is my own but the world of Harry Potter is the intellectual property of JK Rowling and associates.

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A/N:- This year has seen my muse taking a holiday, or at least deviating significantly to prod me concerning other plot bunnies (none of which have actually seen the light of day yet). However, the bottom line is that I haven't posted anything for ages, and I've finally managed—I hope—to wrangle my wayward muse back into line to get some stories finished. This is the final chapter of this story, but there will be an epilogue. I hope you enjoy this last offering, as I have greatly enjoyed writing it. I also hope that you're all well and safe, my thoughts are with everyone in the wider world at the moment as I sit out this extraordinary year in relative safety here in Australia – Please take care guys.

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Chapter Twenty-one – A Wedding, a Divorce, and Babies

Over the next few days there were a few times where Hermione rued agreeing to stand up beside Luna at her wedding to Kingsley, and the first one was when she arrived home in a state of shock after her next meeting with Luna about the wedding.

"Naked?" Hermione gasped. "She leaves it until the last minute to inform me that she wants the wedding party naked?"

Severus took in his wife's expression and chuckled. "Well, nudity has always been a hand-fasting option… We could have had that too if Hogwarts hadn't been so pushy," he told her pragmatically.

"And you would have happily done that?" Hermione replied, her eyes narrowing. She couldn't believe for a moment that he'd willing show the world his pale arse without good reason.

He sniffed. "Certainly not," he admitted.

"Then what are we going to do?" she cried, flopping down on the lounge with a sigh.

Severus sat beside her and leant forward to kiss her. "It's an option," he said against her lips. "Not an absolute requirement, and even if there is nudity the hand-fasting will be private. Everyone will be dressed for the official parts of the wedding."

Hermione scratched her forehead absently as she thought about this. "I suppose in all her enthusiasm over what she wanted, she did get carried away, but there's no way I'm displaying more of myself than is decent in public."

He kissed her again. "And seriously, neither will I, my love," he told her seriously this time. "I am most certainly not exposing myself outside the privacy of our bedroom for anyone, and I do not wish you on display. No, we will take the option of cotton shifts, bare feet being our only concession."

"Agreed," Hermione said, with a decisive nod. She knew that he'd agree with her, and she remembered back to their conversation in the hallway outside the infirmary at Hogwarts the day Poppy confirmed her pregnancy. He'd been so shocked that females would think like that about him, she'd known that he would agree with her… Gods how she loved him, and she sought his lips again as she whispered against them, "I would be open to closing the study door and exploring nudity outside our bedroom right now if you'd like."

However, before Severus could comment they both heard Alice running towards the study with Minerva in tow.

"Slow down, Poppet," Minerva called to the excited little girl.

"Mummy, yous is back," and she was scrambling to get up on the lounge with them.

Severus leant over to Hermione and murmured, "The chance would be a fine thing."

She looked at him and smiled. "Well, there's always later."

"Mmm," he agreed, as his dark eyes went to Minerva who had just stopped in front of them, puffing slightly.

"She was playing so happily in the garden with the dog, but she suddenly jumped up, announced that you were home and bolted," Minerva told them, smiling at Hermione.

Hermione smiled in return. "Well, she was right," and she cuddled Alice to her, kissing her head. "Hello, my girl, shall we start lunch?"

"Yes, Mummy," Alice replied, excitedly, and just like that the day continued with the preparation of lunch, and Luna's outrageous ideas paled into the background.

In the end, Kingsley vetoed Luna's plan for nudity altogether, and Hermione and Severus had to say that they were very pleased. Luna acquiesced quietly, and the small party of friends and family celebrated the union in the forest glen over the creek on the Lovegood property. Then they moved to a reception hall at the ministry and allowed the Daily Prophet to record the remainder of the wedding for the wizarding public's consumption.

It was kind of a nice way to arrange it, Hermione thought as she and Severus headed for their bed as soon as they arrived home from the reception. She yawned and snuggled into Severus' side. "I am so tired," she told him, yawning again.

"Then let's get you comfortable," he declared, and swept her off her feet.

"Severus!" she squealed, but she really didn't mind; she truly was exhausted.

xox

The Malfoy family chose the same weekend as Luna and Kingsley's wedding to come and visit England. Whilst Lucius could not be convinced that staying in England for longer than necessary was a good idea. However, being back in England for Alice's birthday party had made Narcissa homesick to reside in England again.

Therefore Lucius had bowed to the pressure of his family's needs and they'd opened Malfoy Manor up, transferring a group of elves back to the estate to prepare it for their arrival. However, the main reason for their return was an upcoming issue that demanded they present a united Malfoy front; Draco's divorce from his estranged wife.

As modern—and scandalous—as divorce was in the pureblood world, everyone believed Astoria had treated Draco shamefully. Even her family were not speaking to her, and this had only become worse when she let slip to her sister that she'd intended to take Draco to the cleaners all along.

Daphne Greengrass had never agreed with her younger sister's marriage to the Malfoy heir, as she herself had always secretly longed for a chance with him. She promptly abandoned her usual Slytherin guile and openly approached him almost as soon as the Malfoys were back in England.

Her boldness paid off, and Draco was freed from his marriage to Astoria having to pay out much less in their settlement than he'd thought he would, as he'd been able to prove existing malice towards him by the gold-digging little harlot he'd been matched with; a deal that had been set in stone when they were babies, and that neither Draco nor Astoria had been able to do anything about until an heir had been produced. The miracle was that the marriage had lasted anytime past that. Especially given the fact that Draco had always preferred Astoria's sister, but he'd done the honourable thing and had never admitted it to anyone but his godfather that he secretly wanted Daphne instead. Astoria's dalliance with Ron Weasley had changed everything for Draco; he had not wanted his family name associated with that family at all, so he'd made the decision that things had had to finish.

Draco was fortunate that Daphne had refused another match when the one she'd been allocated with in infancy—from a prominent French pureblood family—had died well before being old enough to marry his intended. His death had spelt the end for the French family, as he had been their last heir. This was becoming a more and more common story for pureblood families. Those who the war hadn't decimated were falling victim to all kinds of blood-born curses and maladies, and wiping pureblood families out in the process.

The favourable decision on Draco's behalf was handed down the same day as the Minister of Magic and his new wife were otherwise engaged with the birth of their daughter via a cell in Azkaban.

Of course, the Daily Prophet reported the birth of Calanthe Luna Shacklebolt, complete with a picture of the new family on its front page the very next morning, and no one seemed any the wiser that it hadn't actually been Luna who'd had the baby.

Hermione and Severus saw the news of Calanthe's arrival in the Prophet as they sat down to breakfast that morning. "I hope they don't do that when our boys are born?" Hermione commented, her belly pushing into his arm as she read the paper over his shoulder.

Severus snorted softly. "I don't think you have anything to worry about, love," he replied, glancing around at her. "Kingsley appears to have a special place in the community's heart."

"Mmm, even with Luna as his wife," Hermione said with a wistful smile.

Severus placed his paper down as he glanced at the clock. "And we had best get organised or you'll be late for your healer's appointment."

"Yes," Hermione said, her eyes following his to the kitchen clock as she sat down at the table. Her pregnancy was going very well, and both her babies were developing rubbed her stomach absently as one gave an almighty kick. "You know, sometimes I think I have an entire football team in here," she laughed.

Severus watched as her stomach moved slightly even noticeable through her dress. "They're very active this morning."

"They certainly are," she agreed. "I hope they settle down before the scanning spells."

"I'm sure they will," Severus commented, wiping Alice's hands and face for her. "You finish your breakfast and we'll just go and see Argus before we go."

"Thank you," Hermione said, smiling at them.

xox

The end of summer was rapidly approaching now, and the Snape family were preparing for their move to Hogwarts. It was only a week before term started again, but the entire family was mostly settled.

Minerva especially was now simply a doting mother and grandmother, something she had never had the opportunity to be before, and she devoted herself to Hermione and Alice. She didn't seem to miss working at all, and she took her healer's advice, and took it easy. It was clear to everyone that she was starting on the next phase of her life after a lifetime of working, teaching and conflict, and that she was most content to have time to smell the roses, so to speak.

This was illustrated beautifully the evening after they moved into their quarters at Hogwarts, and Severus was occupied in a Board of Governors' meeting. Alice was sound asleep in her bed and Hermione and Minerva were sitting by the fire in the sitting room, nursing hot chocolate.

"Would you tell me about my father?" Hermione said suddenly. "You never speak of him."

Minerva looked up over her square-rimmed glasses and smiled fondly at Hermione, her eyes sparkling. "Oh, how I loved him," she replied, an air of reminiscence in her voice. "He was a strapping lad, a Muggle, and he was my everything..." and her words drifted into thoughts as she stared at the cracking fire.

"A Muggle?" Hermione prompted.

"Yes, a local farm boy. He was so handsome and kind," and she smiled fondly.

"Then why didn't you…" Hermione started, but Minerva intervened.

"I couldn't see what happened to my mother happen to me too, I'd known even at the beginning that I wanted more than being a housewife. I wouldn't have made him happy in the long run; besides I was already contracted to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"Oh, but that was earlier than you had me," Hermione replied.

"Yes, much earlier. Dougal married and settled while I was off in London working, but I never forgot him," and her eyes seemed to mist over as her words drifted away again. "You were conceived when I went home for my Mum's funeral."

"Oh… and you never told him?"

"He died before you were born, sweetheart." She swallowed before going on. "An accident… Besides, how could I have told him I was pregnant? He was married to someone else, someone who never gave him children. I couldn't do that to him, even if I had realised that I really couldn't live without him…" and she shrugged, and sighed.

Hermione nodded. "That's so sad," she replied. "And then you couldn't keep me," and she paused before gasping. "So, if he died before I was born, he must have died when you were pregnant."

"Aye, as I said, it was when I went home for my mother's funeral… I stupidly allowed Dougal to comfort me, and…" and as she said it she obviously became lost reliving that memory.

"Dougal?" Hermione prompted, making Minerva look at her. She hoped that by repeating the name it would prompt Minerva to say more.

"Yes, Dougal McGregor," and she chuckled. "He's where you got your beautiful curls from. He had a fine head of curls." Then Minerva was getting up. "I have some photos, would you like to see them?"

"Oh, yes, please," Hermione said excitedly.

"You stay there, I'll be back in a minute with them," Minerva told her, seeing her starting to get up to follow her.

"Oh, okay," the younger witch said, tucking the blanket around herself again. She really was very comfortable. Well, as comfortable as one could be with two babies inside pushing her around, and she absently rubbed her stomach while she waited for her mother's return.

Soon they were sitting together as Minerva opened a tin of old snap-shots.

"Did you hide me because of the war?" Hermione asked, as they looked at the photos together.

Minerva smiled as she came back from her thoughts, and nodded. "Partly, remember I was also unmarried, and that was a situation that decent witches never allowed themselves to fall victim to."

"So, we have quite a lot in common, don't we?" Hermione replied. "I'm sorry you had to hide me, though."

"I'm not; it kept you safe, and you had a good life with the Grangers," Minerva answered.

"Yes," Hermione agreed.

"And your situation was different to mine; at least you were conceived in a willing act… A stupid act, mind, but still a very willing one," Minerva told her. "You were raped, there is no other word for it."

Hermione was quiet for a time, but then said softly, "Thankfully, I don't remember the act, so I don't think about it, Alice just is, and Severus is now her father." She was silent again, but then looked at Minerva seriously. "You never told anyone else about me?"

Minerva's answer was quick. "Up until I told you I was your mother, only three people knew you were mine. Me of course, and Poppy who delivered you in secret here at Hogwarts."

"And the third?"

"Poppy contacted her sister… the one you met the other day at Poppy and Argus' wedding, Rosemary."

"Oh, so that was what her comment about like mother and daughter was about," Hermione said, smiling.

"Yes."

"So, the Grangers didn't know?"

"Well, they knew you were not theirs… that you were adopted, but no, they didn't know you were mine," and she shrugged. "I only ever visited you in my animagus form."

"Mmm," Hermione commented, remembering the tabby cat that often came to visit in her early childhood.

The sitting room door opened and Severus came in.

"Hello, love," Hermione said, accepting the kiss he gave her as he leant down to greet her.

"Well, I'll leave you young people to yourselves," Minerva told them promptly, collecting the photos up and wishing them at good night.

Severus watched her leave. "Was it me?" he asked.

Hermione pulled him down beside her and giggled. "No, I asked her about my father, and I think she's a little overwhelmed by it all."

"Oh," Severus responded knowingly. "It's cold tonight."

"It is, I have the urge to be in bed I think."

"A very wise idea, Madam Snape," Severus said with a chuckle. He helped her up off the lounge and closed the fire down for the night before placing an arm around Hermione and starting to walk with her towards their bedroom.

"How did the meeting go?" she asked as they walked.

"Bloody boring, but quite productive," and then he snickered. "I wonder how long it will be before Lucius starts to make in-road into the board again."

"Do you honestly think he will?" Hermione said, he brow crinkling as she thought about it.

"It's a certain thing, it won't take him long to start to feel at home again."

"In a way I hope they do stay, it must be horrible being an exile, and they're not bad people. I've discovered what truly bad people are like, and the Malfoys don't even come close."

"That is true," Severus agreed.

"Do you think that Draco will find someone else now he's divorced," Hermione replied thoughtfully, sitting on the edge of the bed to allow Severus to help her with her shoes. She could neither lace nor unlace them at present because of the size of her stomach.

"Narcissa is already plotting for her son's happiness, and I believe that both Narcissa and Draco have hopes that Daphne Greengrass will be the next Madam Malfoy," Severus said with a chuckle.

"Astoria's sister?" Hermione gasped, shocked.

"Draco and Daphne were always more of a match than Draco and Astoria, perhaps now they can finally have their chance. Come, let's get you into bed, you look exhausted."

Hermione nodded and yawned. "And I do feel it too," and she offered no resistance as he undressed her and slipped her nightie on over her head before allowing her up to brush her teeth.

Soon they were snuggled up in bed, and not five minutes later Hermione was snoring softly against him. Severus exhaled and quietly disentangled himself from her as he reached for his book. It was only a few more months and he would have his playful wife back again, but right now he was happy to allow her to sleep as she was doing a most amazing thing for both of them; she was creating children.

Severus considered as he opened his book that he'd never dared to dream that he'd find a witch who was his, and not in his wildest dreams did he consider that he'd be a father. He thought about the secret that Hogwarts had hidden for them, and he smiled to himself. Little Alice was a true blessing in their lives, and soon they would be blessed with two sons. He cleared his throat and opened his book.

xox

The new school year commenced as usual on the first of September, and Severus hosted the first welcoming feast he'd presided over since that awful war year. However, the mood tonight was celebratory, a stark contrast to former times, and he found himself suddenly at peace with his decision to return to the headmastership.

Hermione patted his hand affectionately as he stood to address the new and returning students. In return, he gave her an expression of happiness that the man that he had once been would never have considered allowing anyone to see in public.

She winked at him and smiled back. In fact, she could not wipe the smile from her face. He had agonised over his resolve to 'brighten' up his wardrobe so much that several times he'd declared it a complete waste of time and effort in his indecision about what the correct thing to do would be. However, tonight he was in his usual black trousers and frock coat, but with the change of a crisp white shirt, a Slytherin green brocade waist-coat and a matching cravat, instead of his all black attire.

He'd managed to reinvent himself, and she was so very proud of him, and even though he was only giving his welcoming speech to the staff and students he was mesmerising to watch… Well, for her anyway.

As he addressed the students and gave the mundane information that was handed out every year, his heart swelled to bursting; he was in his rightful place. He, Severus Tobias Snape, was beginning the next great age of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and how did he know this? Well, he knew that the school only really flourished under the direction of a true Master of Hogwarts, and he could feel the sentient building literally purring with contentment as he spoke.

He was the Master of Hogwarts, and Hogwarts would once again be the most notable magical school on the planet; he and Hermione would make certain of that. As he spoke his eyes went to the Gryffindor table, and there he saw a second year who was the exact image of his father and grandfather before him, and he swore silently that this James Potter would not be subjected to his hatred of the man who he'd attended school with. Even if he did bear the name of two of the most heathen scoundrels Severus had ever known.

No, Severus had learnt his lesson on that count; malice bred further malevolence, and he Severus Snape, Headmaster of Hogwarts, was now above that. He would treat all students with the same regard he'd always treated his Slytherins, and especially this boy, he'd already suffered enough as the son of the hero of the wizarding world. And the other two who would follow this one, they also deserved better than their parents had provided. Severus glanced at Hermione to see her eyes also looking where his were, and he tilted his head ever so slightly.

It was only a moment, a thing that lasted a split second. "Yes," she said simply, and he knew she understood too. Together they would put an end to the last generation's problems and prejudices.

xox

First term flew by at lightning speed, and it was just after New Year's Day when Hermione started to feel the first twinges of labour. They were at home for the Christmas holidays, and Severus hurried over to the gatehouse to get Poppy to check on her.

"But I'm almost a month early," Hermione told the matron as soon as she arrived.

"That's not unusual with twins, Hermione," Poppy replied, feeling Hermione's stomach. "And there's a baby well engaged."

Hermione snorted softly. "Yes, I know, I've been waddling all week."

Poppy snickered. "Rest and see what happens," she told them both, as Severus hovered behind Poppy, and next to the bed.

They did indeed see what happened, an hour later they were on their way to St. Mungos, and four hours after that their sons, Thaddeus Severus Snape, and Sebastian David Snape were born. Both boys were healthy, although Sebastian was a little underweight, but neither baby required special care because they were a little premature.

A happy—but drained—Hermione sat back in her hospital bed and beamed up at Severus. "I can't believe they're finally here," she said, gazing down at the two black-haired bundles in her arms.

"Well, I'm sure reality will hit you when they both wake up needing a feed in a little while," her healer stated as she came in the door.

Hermione snickered. "Yes, I suppose that will have reality crashing down on me."

"Then perhaps you at best savour these moments of peace," Severus offered, leaning down and kissing her forehead before taking Thaddeus from her to hold him.

The healer watched the couple's exchange, and she smiled. She never grew tired of seeing new parents bonding with their off-spring. "You did very well, Madam Snape," she told Hermione. "Two babies in just under four hours of labour is very good, but please promise me that if you and your husband have any more children that you will come to hospital quicker than you did tonight."

"Yes, we did cut it a bit fine, didn't we? Things went quicker than I remember them going with my first," Hermione answered.

"They often do, now I will leave you to rest. You may stay if you wish, Headmaster, and I'll be back in the morning. If all is well then, you can all go home. Good night."

Hermione smiled. "Good night, Healer Jamison, and thank you."

The healer smiled. "You're most welcome."

xox

Therefore, the next morning just after ten, Hermione was allowed to go home, and Alice got to finally meet her new brothers.

"Oh, Mummy, they is so small, how will I get to play with them?" she'd asked, looking up from peering into the bassinet where her new brothers were sleeping from the security of Severus' arms.

Hermione chuckled. "They still need to do some growing before you can play with them, love, but don't worry, they'll grow up very quickly, and you'll look after them as their big sister."

"Oh, I will," the little girl solemnly swore.

Kissing her daughter's head, Hermione yawned. The healer had been right, both boys had woken just after two in the morning for a feed. It had been a bit of a juggling act to start with, but she'd gotten the hang of feeding two babies at the same time by the end of it all. She'd been thankful, though, to have Severus there to help her burp them, or one of them would no doubt have woken soon after his feed with wind.

She looked around and sighed. She was so very blessed, and she snuggled into Severus' side as another yawn escaped her. Minerva arrived at the door at that moment; she'd been wanting to give the family some time alone before she came in, but she was very eager to meet her new grandsons.

"Come in," Hermione said, as she looked up and smiled at her mother. "Come and see," she encouraged.

Minerva came over and looked down at the two little swaddled bundles and she smiled broadly. "They're beautiful," she said, as Alice wriggled out of Severus' arms and rushed to her grandmother, wanting her attention. Minerva placed an arm around her and looked down at her. "There will be lots of time to see them, but right now you should allow Mummy to rest for a bit, Poppet," the doting grandmother said, encouraging Alice from the room and shutting the door.

"Thank you, Minerva," Severus called softly after them as he led Hermione to their bed, and settled her within. "Rest, love," he told her.

"Lay with me," Hermione said, pulling him down with her. "You must be just as tired."

"I didn't push two babies out of my body," Severus replied.

Hermione smiled. "No," and her eyes were already closing. She was so pleased to be home and in their own bed again.

Severus chuckled softly and pulled the blankets up over her. "I love you," he whispered, giving her a kiss, and he was so very proud of what she'd achieved last night. Birth truly was a miracle.

Hermione mumbled something in her sleep, and smiled softly, but otherwise she didn't stir.