Hey, oh no!!! It's the end!!! Of this story anyway, I have a few ideas for a sequel, or tangent story that's a prequel to do with Remus. Thanks Myr Halcyon for all the reviews, helpful hints and encouragement. This story's for you.

Epilogue

Present

So there you have it, the story of my life. So many people had been there for me, and I had tried to be there for them. Unfortunately I couldn't be there for Severus as he had been for me. He'd given his life for me, for everyone, and everyone knew it. So many people turned up for his funeral, most of the British wizarding community. He would have been amazed at all the people there. He once told me that it takes a while to get over the death of loved ones, and he was right. It had taken me 16 years to get over the death of my parents, and I'd had to go to hell and back to do it. I told him once that Voldemort's evil, his hatred and sin come from hell and he merely replied:

            "No. Voldemort's hatred and evil come from a deeper darkness. Something worse than death, than hell. Somewhere even the dark fears – the dementors fear. Somewhere screams can't be heard through the satanic laughter."

In that moment I saw a part of him that I don't think he'd shown anyone before. He was truly scared of Voldemort but he faced up to that fear everyday he lived, making him the strongest person I knew. I felt happy for him now that he was somewhere that the fear and pain could never reach him. He was a brilliant man who knew more than he let on about people, and never deserved a life like that – he deserved so much more.

In some ways he'd rekindled something in me. There's this quote that reminded me of him.

            "In everyone's life, at some point, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flames by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

I'm thankful for him for that, I'm just sad that I never got to tell him that he lit the flame that Remus keeps burning.

And on his grave was merely written the words:

"Professor Severus Snape. 

1960-1999

'Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends.'"

I'll miss him dearly.

            But the one person who'd been there for me in all the ways I needed...and more was Remus. I can't put into words how I feel about him so I'll turn to another to help me.

            "That thing...that moment when you kiss someone and everything around you becomes hazy and the only thing in focus is you and that person. And you realise that person is the only person you're suppose to kiss for the rest of your life. And for one moment you get this amazing gift and you want to laugh and you want to cry, because you feel so lucky that you found it and so scared that it will go away all at the same time."

           

I take a breath and place my quill down, my story finished. I lean back in the seat and looked out the window to see the sun just appearing over the distant hills. Dawn. Amazed I look at the clock. It was coming up to 6am. I looked back to Remus. He's still sleeping peacefully. I move back over to the window and curl up in the blanket I had previously grabbed from the closet and settled down on the window seat, looking out at Hogsmeade, bathing slightly in the golden light from the rising sun.

*****

Remus stirred quietly and reached across the bed. Feeling an empty space, he frowned and opened his eyes. The bed was empty. He lifted his head and looked around the room. Kaitlyn was across the room, staring out the window in her own world. Remus watched the emotions play across her face, her delicate features changing into a small smile, the sun streaking across her face, making her glow.

            He wondered how long she'd been awake as he slid from the bed, the noise not disturbing her. He moved across the floor, pulling the quilt cover around his waist, trying it up roughly, and put his hand on her shoulder.

            "Kait, honey?"

She looked up at him and the small smile turned into a beaming look of love.

            "Hey..."

            "You okay?"

She nodded.

            "I am now. I am now."

She put her hand on his cheek and caressed it. He put his own hand over her, smiling.

            "I love you..."

She said simply, sincerely. He smiled.

            "And I you..."

He lifted his other hand and pulled her into a deep caressing kiss.

The Beginning...