Epilogue

Severus had been expecting Dumbledore's summons for quite some time, and was getting rather impatient by the time the Headmaster appeared in the dungeons. Blast it, he thought grumpily, it was New Year's Eve. Couldn't the old man have said something over the past week?

"Ah, Severus," the old man smiled, looking cheerful and rather suspiciously happy. "I'm glad to see you're back on your feet, as healthy as always."

Severus glared at him. "No thanks to young Mr. Malfoy," he muttered under his breath. Honestly, he had had plenty of time to reflect on how the boy had completely frozen and nearly failed them all.

Dumbledore shook his head chidingly. "Now, now, Severus, you know better," he said. "Besides, young Draco came through when we needed him, even when the choice of his father was forced upon him."

Severus snorted and resisted the urge to mumble something else that would not have gone over well. Draco might have put his feet on the right path, finally, but he for one would always be keeping a close eye on the boy. Sonora was rather soft on him right now, which still boggled his mind. Merlin, had the woman no sense? At least Severus still had enough wit to be wary.

Dumbledore gave him a look that had the immediate effect of making Severus feel guilty. Very guilty, and that annoyed him further. Bad tempered now, he decided to poke back.

"So you've finally deigned to inform me about the results of our little mission?" Severus snapped. "I was beginning to wonder if anything had been done about Malfoy Manor at all."

Dumbledore merely sent him a long, clear look as he seated himself at Sonora's desk chair. "You know as well as I, my friend, that the Ministry is hard to move," the old man said. Severus wanted to throw something. Damn the man for being so sensible and reasonable. It was beginning to get on his nerves.

"Have they taken any action at all?" he asked, gritting his teeth. After all, it wasn't really Dumbledore who was angering him, he assured himself. It was that damn fool Fudge, who was bound and determined to hand the government over to Voldemort without a fight.

Dumbledore gave him an innocent smile. "The Auror division received an anonymous tip, along with wizard photographs of the cells below Malfoy Manor." The headmaster took a moment to study the cover of one of the books on Sonora's desk. "Bear's Tooth Root, quite interesting," he mused. "The Aurors were quite pleased to recover several missing co-workers and hear what they had to say."

Severus felt some of the tension leave his body. "And what will happen now?" he asked, still a bit grim. It was something, that the Aurors now had proof of Voldemort's activities. That Malfoy Sr. was dead, and Voldemort missing again.

Dumbledore looked suddenly serious, and Severus met that deep blue gaze. "That, Professor, remains to be seen," he said in a soft voice. And then shook his head with a smile. "Well, now, I suppose I should let you finish preparing for your evening," he said. Those eyes twinkled and Severus was instantly wary. "I was most pleased to hear from Sonora that the two of you would be at the staff party tonight. Why, I don't recall ever having the pleasure of counting in the New Year with you, Severus."

"That…" Severus was left to bite his tongue and fume in silence as the headmaster wandered out of the dungeons. God help him, it was a conspiracy. Between Sonora and Dumbledore, he was going to be dragged to all the staff functions. Made to do things. With other people, no less. He'd probably have to be nice and polite and not say mean and nasty things, which, he had discovered, were truly what he wanted to say and not just part of his little spy act.

He heard the sound of a woman's laughter in the hall outside the dungeon classroom, and his heart lifted. Then again, how bad could it be? He wondered. After all, he did have Sonora. And if he had a miserable time, he could rest assured that she would make it up to him later that evening.

By the time Sonora limped through the classroom door, he was smiling again, his favorite evil smile.

Sonora looked at him and lifted one eyebrow, pursing her lips. "I know that look," she said. Her eyes gleamed at him as she made her slow and steady way toward their desks. "You're plotting something."

Severus smirked at her, perfectly happy now. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, and reached over without getting up to tumble her into his lap. He secured one arm about her waist as she giggled. "YOU'RE the one volunteering me for some ridiculous staff party."

Sonora pursed her lips. "Oh, did Dumbledore mention that?" she asked, face innocent.

"Wench," he growled, and bent his head to kiss those lips. A long, satisfying moment later, Sonora sighed as he lifted his head.

"I love you," she said, snuggling her head into his chest.

He stroked her hair, tied back long and smooth down her back, and thanked Merlin that things were as they were. "As do I," he said softly.

Although he had not said the words to her before, she'd known him, known his feelings. She'd known it from the moment she'd figured out what was in the vial she wore about her neck. Habeus mea cor. A piece of his heart.

She sighed with pleasure and laced her fingers through his. "I know," she said.

THE END

** A very special thanks to all who have read and reviewed! Your encouragement has made writing this little tale a pleasure.

I'm not sure if there will be more to this tale. I may have an inkling to follow Harry and Draco's stories… I suppose that would depend on what all you wonderful readers think!

Once again, thank you.