Disclaimer: see chapter 1.

Help!

by Katta (KET on ff.net) (katta_t2002@yahoo.co.uk)

Chapter 11: Epilogue

Severus had been very quiet the whole way home. Hermione looked at him with concern – perhaps it hadn't been such a good idea to take him to see this the latest in a series of muggle films about the events at Hogwarts. It was hardly as if the portrayal of him had been particularly flattering. But as they rounded the corner of the drive and the house came into view, he said in perfectly normal voice, 'All looks quiet, I'd say.' Hermione didn't comment  but hoped he was right.

As soon as they were inside the door, Severus was up the stairs to make sure the apples of his eye, Martin and Hadrian, named after their grandfathers, were alright. Hermione looked around and saw signs of hastily cleared up chaos.

'When did they fall asleep?' she asked Micky who emerged from the drawing room.

'About five minutes ago,' admitted the young wizard. 'Is it always like this?' he asked with a grimace.

'Like what?' said Hermione innocently.

'Havoc!'

'You mean – is having two year old twins hard work?'

'Yes.'

'Well what did you think?'

Micky pulled a face that was half frown, half smile. Hermione was in on a secret, which they hadn't told Severus yet – Micky's girl friend was pregnant and he had offered to babysit to get some practice.

'It was fun, though,' he conceded. Hermione smiled complacently.

Severus now reappeared, reassured that his darlings were still alive. He shook hands in that formal way in which he always still treated his firstborn. Hermione sighed slightly. She wished he would lighten up and show some of the undoubted affection he had for Micky. But Micky was used to it and didn't seem to mind. He left rather quickly – desperate to put his head down on a pillow, Hermione suspected.

Severus poured himself a drink and Hermione came up behind him.

'Were you upset by the film?' she asked. He turned round and looked at her.

'Not upset, but it made we wonder what on earth you ever saw in me in the first place. It wasn't as if I was particularly pleasant person, was it?'

Tenderly, Hermione slipped her arms around him and smiled.

'Love is a mystery well beyond magic as we know it, ' she said and kissed him deeply.

THE END

A/N: Well, that's the end. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you to everyone who has been reviewing as we went along!