Author's Note: Same old, same old…it's unedited but a better version is coming.
"We were making the future, he said,
And hardly any of us troubled to think
What future we were making.
And here it is!"
- H.G Wells
Epilogue:
Eoin Malone was waiting for Severus when he Apparated into the Ardennes forest. The old Kaga was sitting next to one of the gargoyles that protected the castle's perimeter. He had one arm slung around the guardian's neck and when he saw the man approaching, he stood and jumped off the platform to meet him. Snape looked up at him, nervously and pulled on his cloak, a little touched that the man had actually waited for him to arrive before entering the castle. They hadn't spoken for more then two weeks, but now, what they had been dreading for fourteen years had come to past.
Voldemort had returned.
And he had called his Court to come and pay him homage.
It had become warmer now but each man was chilled to the bone. Snape was still dressed as a Potions Master, having refused to appear in the graveyard, he came now- not as a Prince but as any other servant. He was humbled now, and maybe even the tiniest bit afraid but looking into Eoin's eyes, he seemed to be renewed, even secure in the knowledge that he would not be alone anymore.
Now, he was no longer the only traitor that dared claim a position of power within Voldemort's graces. Furthermore, he wasn't the only Hecate prodigal. He now had someone who understood his pain, and his regrets, and even his joys and pride. Snape no longer had to be alone with memories anymore, nor did he have fight alone; and even if he never spoke to Eoin again concerning Hecate, the Kagas, the Coven or the war, it didn't matter. Just knowing that was another meant the world to him.
"You know," Severus whispered as he walked to Eoin. "One day…this will all be over. I'd say let's have a smoke then."
"I'd rather have it now." Snape nodded, and reached into his coat, pulling out the pack of cigarettes and handing one to Eoin. He took it, but didn't lit it. He merely twirled it in between his fingers, "We failed."
"How so?"
"We forgot about the twins…not that we could have done anything about them, they were under Jackie's care."
Snape chewed on his own unlit
cigarette. "So, that's it then. All that work…that death was for nothing."
"No, Armsman." Eoin called
Snape by the Auror rank he had held once, looking away. "We did what he had
too. It was duty, and we preformed it. Nothing else can be asked of us."
"So, now what happens?"
"Now, we play our part…and hope one day it will pay off."
Snape looked at Eoin, desperate to say something to the man. But what do you tell to a man who suddenly has become a valued and trusted friend, despite knowing you both could never be that. The loneliness that had settled into his heart ached now, even more because of the memories and faces Eoin invoked. And part of Snape wondered if Eoin acknowledged the loneliness the same way he did. "I wanted to thank you…"
"Don't." Eoin dropped the cigarette and started towards the main doors. "We aren't friends, my Prince, we're not even allies. I did what I had to do because once I swore my loyalty to you. I knew you couldn't take on the Coven alone. Had you have died…another Prince would have taken your place and I have no desire to go through the same headaches that I had with you."
Snape glanced at the back of his retreating head and wondered briefly if Eoin was lying. One could never ready the Kaga's careless tone. So, he decided to play along. "Oh, is that all?"
"No," Eoin said. "Erised asked me look after you." Snape stopped to stare, getting that dumb smile all guys got when they found out that an old lover still thought about them.
"What?" Eoin called behind himself, holding open the door. "You've never done something for family?"
Snape pulled his mask to hide the smile. "All the time…"
And together they entered the castle.
And the war had begun again.
