AN: This chapter is dedicated to all the pets I've lost. Nothing hurts like losing a pet.
Thank you for all the support! It is very deeply appreciated!
Other than Draco, no infant had ever given Severus the slightest bit of pleasure. Babies were too screechy, too smelly, and too ornery. Children hated him, and he was not fond of children.
Seeing the look on Hermione's face when she looked at pictures of James was enough to make him reconsider his views on infants. He could stand to be in the same room as James if it brought this much joy to her.
"He is the most adorable baby," she gushed as she stood up from the couch.
Severus floated closer to the picture. James was lying on his back in a scarlet one piece, holding up a toy broom. Although he couldn't see Harry's expression in the photo, Severus could only imagine how brightly he was beaming as he got out his camera.
"He's a handful anyway." Harry finished putting on his coat. "I'm just sorry he couldn't come earlier."
"It's best he stays home if he has a cold." She looked up from the photograph. "The second he recovers you must bring him here though."
"Yes, I will." He straightened his coat. "If Severus doesn't mind."
"James is not a completely disagreeable infant." Severus' glow was a bright yellow. "I would not be opposed to seeing him again."
"Severus would love to see him again," Hermione replied.
"I wouldn't go that far," his glow did not lose its intensity.
"I'm sure James would love to see him again too," Harry replied.
"What do you mean by, 'see him again?' I did not think he'd seen me once."
"What do you mean, 'see him again'?" Hermione asked. "Nobody can see Severus but me. How could James see him?"
"See may be a strong word," Harry began. "But I remember when we were over James kept looking around. I think he sensed Severus, but couldn't find him. If we take him back here, I'm sure he'll sense Severus again."
"He's already taking after Luna then."
"He is." Harry grinned.
"Anytime you want to come over, just let us know." Hermione held out the picture.
"Keep it. We have copies."
She set it on the coffee table.
"I suppose I should get going." He exhaled. "Luna's going to start wondering if Severus has put a curse on me if I don't return soon."
"I doubt she'd think that."
"No, she'd probably think I performed an exorcism to get rid of Severus."
"For the last time, a saved soul cannot be gotten rid of via exorcism," Severus rolled his eyes. "Why does everyone keep threatening to send a priest after me?"
"It would have failed," She said. "A saved soul cannot be sent away."
"Actually, I think the exorcism would've failed because your love will keep him by your side forever."
"I'd like to think so."
"As would I." Severus turned pink.
"Anyway, it's great to see you again," Harry replied.
"Likewise"
"And," Harry extended his arms. "Thank you again for forgiving me."
"How could I ever hold a grudge against my best friend?" She embraced him.
"We both know you could have, and you would've had every right to do so." He squeezed her tighter. "I'm glad you didn't though."
"You're an amazing friend I am lucky to have in my life."
"I don't know if I'd call myself amazing…"
"But you are. You really are."
A grin crept across Severus' face. Lily may not have had mercy on him, but he and Hermione could have mercy on her son. That would be enough to save them both from the smokier parts of Purgatory.
As Severus continued to watch them, more thoughts crept into his head. For so long he'd chosen to be wrathful and sullen. There were few moments in his life he'd cherished, in large part because of his attitude towards his existence. Perhaps there was another way to be though, one which led to peace, to eudaimonia.
"You." Harry pointed at Severus as he broke away from Hermione. "You take care of Hermione, or I'll find a way to send the Trinity after you."
"Harry." She laughed.
"I would not expect anything less," Severus replied.
"He says he wouldn't expect anything less," Hermione noted.
"Good." Harry nodded.
Severus' lips curled upwards. Harry was a much better friend than he'd ever given him credit for. If only he had the chance to say it to his face.
"Goodbye Severus, Hermione. I'll see you both soon," He twisted his lower lip, "Er, at least be in the same room as you soon."
"Goodbye Harry." Hermione gave him one last quick hug.
"Yes, goodbye Harry."
With that, Harry stepped towards the fireplace. After glancing back one more time, he took a handful of the flow powder, called out his address, and disappeared, leaving a comfortable silence in his wake.
"Is this it?"
She turned to Severus. "Is what it?"
"Is this what forgiveness and peace feels like?" He asked.
"Yes," her voice was soft. "That is what it feels like."
"Then thank you for helping me learn how to let go of my anger and accept the love others are offering me."
"Thank you for showing me what love is."
He touched her hands, sending love through both of them. In time, they would take off their clothes and fuse once more. That was then though. Right now, they wanted to enjoy the joy and hope of the moment.
"This month, one thousand four hundred and forty-four pets have been reunited with their owners!" A man in a brown cossack announced.
The Creator's lips twitched upwards as she leaned back in her crystal throne. Beside her, The Sanctifier sat on his silver bar, enjoying the occasional strokes from the Redeemer.
"Our adopt a stray program is going well too." He raised his hands, exposing his stigmata. "Eighty-four million souls have gone to the end of the rainbow bridge and adopted a stray."
"Heaven has been much more joyful now that those animals know what love is," The Creator began.
"The souls seem much happier too," The Sanctifier added. "Finding another form of love has deepened their love of everything else."
"You are doing an amazing job, Francis." The Redeemer tapped his finger on his golden armrest. "Thank you for running the program."
"It's my pleasure," St. Francis' glow was almost as bright as the sun. "It is always bittersweet collecting an animal's soul when it dies. Still, the reunion of a pet with its owner, or helping a soul find its perfect companion, makes it all worth it."
"It is invaluable work," the Creator replied.
"Yes, and you are such a peaceful presence for both animals and owner." The Redeemer said. "We could not ask for a better presence at the time of death."
"We truly appreciate all you do for the souls of animals and humans," the Sanctifier responded.
"Thank you." Francis' glow dimmed. "Sadly, I must preside over a few euthanasias. Some are beloved pets, but others are sadly shelter dogs who had no chance." His glow returned to its regular hue. "Fortunately, I already have some souls in mind for some of these strays. It may take some convincing, but I'm sure many of them will find homes soon."
"If you could convince Thomas Aquinas to adopt a miniature poodle/dachshund mix, you can convince any soul to adopt a pet," the Creator said.
"Very true," Francis replied.
"Goodbye Francis," the Redeemer replied. "Don't be afraid to advertise your program as forcefully in heaven as possible."
"I will proclaim it from every cloud."
"Also we will continue to discuss your program to bring hamsters and cats into the waiting rooms to comfort the souls awaiting their verdicts," the Sanctifier replied.
"Thank you." Francis disappeared.
Before the Trinity could call in their next soul, the energy in the universe changed. There was more love than there had been months ago. A soul had repented and was now existing as they had always intended."
"The Pilot Purgatory has done its job," the Creator began.
"We have accomplished our goal," the Sanctifier replied.
Both Creator and Sanctifier turned to the Redeemer. His glow was as bright as the morning star.
"It is finished."