Disclaimer: Me not own Potter.

Epilogue: Peace

Emily squirmed uncomfortably in her seat as the list of names was read. At 3 years old, she was too young to understand the significance of the day other than it being her birthday. Sitting outside in the hot sun at an old statue while a man droned on and on was not her idea of fun, but her mummy and daddy had insisted that the event was important.

"Alicia Spinnet."

Katie blinked back tears as Alicia's name was read. There was a gentle tug at her skirt, and she looked down at her daughter. Emily grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. Every day Katie thanked the gods that she and Oliver's daughter would never know of a life of fear and terror from Voldemort. They would never forget the medi-witch bursting in during delivery to announce that the Dark Lord had been vanquished and Harry just barely left alive. Fewer than ten minutes later, Emily was born the first witch of a Voldemort free era.

Oliver picked up his daughter as the ceremony ended and slipped his arm around Katie's waist. They had paid their respects to the dead, now it was time to celebrate the good.

"Oi! Oliver!"

They turned to see Fred running towards them. Angelina, carrying their six month old son, Alexander, was a little ways back talking to George and a heavily pregnant Kathy.

"Freddy!" Emily squealed.

Oliver set her down, and she toddled off to her "Uncle." He scooped her up and twirled around in circles.

"And just how old is my favorite niece?" he asked.

"Three!"

She threw her arms around his neck and smothered him in kisses. Fred laughed.

Katie leaned her head against Oliver's shoulder. So much seemed to have changed in the years since the war. Fred and George were no longer the reckless pranksters they had been. They had grown to be mature, successful family men. Then there was the rest of Weasley family which had grown significantly. She remembered attending the weddings of Ron and Hermione, Bill and Fleur, and Harry and Ginny and hearing the Wireless Wizarding Network announce the birth of the first Potter child. Recently, they had seen Hermione and Ron at Madame Malkin's buying maternity robes. George had later informed them that Hermione was expecting twins, much to Ron's chagrin. There was only one truly sad moment in the three years since Voldemort's death: the funeral of the great Albus Dumbledore.

Fortunately, McGonagall filled his seat as headmaster well from the day he was dismissed. She had promptly asked Angelina to return for another year, the longest any DADA teacher had been at Hogwarts. She was joined in the teaching field by one Ronald Weasley who was teaching, of all things, transfiguration. Hermione had gone into the Ministry in Muggle relations, highly recommended by Ron's dad. Ginny and Harry had both become aurors, not that anyone was greatly surprised. As for Oliver, banished from playing Quidditch, he found a job as an announcer at the games while Katie helped the twins make business deals with their HIGHLY successful joke shop.

"Knut for your thoughts," Oliver whispered.

Katie smiled. "Just thinking about how much life has changed."

"But for the better, right?" he added, twisting the wedding band around his finger.

She kissed his cheek.

"Eeeeewwwww," Emily groaned, "Kissy-face!"

Oliver grabbed his daughter around the waist and tickled her stomach.

"Eeeeeewwwww, yourself, Munchkin!"

The little girl dissolved into giggles and shrieks.

"Mummy! Save me!"

"I'm afraid my hands are tied," Katie told her.

She watched Oliver finish tickling Emily and lifted her up to his shoulders. She was very much a Daddy's girl, always had been. Fred smiled to her and winked.

"I should get back to Angie and Alex. We'll see you tonight."

"Alright, Freddy, get back to your family."

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and ran back to where Angelina was waiting with Alex.

Oliver was now running around the memorial, pretending to be a centaur, with Emily perched on his shoulders. Katie was tempted to tell him to calm down, that the behavior was inappropriate for the location and day, but her thoughts were interrupted by a voice that used to strike fear into her heart when she was a student.

"Is that her?"

Katie turned to face her former potions teacher, their savior those many years ago.

"Yes, that's Emily."

His face showed little emotion for the child that he had saved.

"She's very pretty."

"Thank you." She picked at a loose string on her shirt sleeve. It had been years since she had actually spoken to Professor Snape. "I haven't seen you since…"

"I went into hiding," he answered, "With my identity as a spy revealed, I was useless to the order."

"Mummy!" Emily ran over and hugged Emily's legs, "Who's he?"

Katie picked Emily up and smoothed her wild brown hair. "This is…" She paused unsure of how to introduce the man who had saved their lives. Emily did not even understand the war much less the fact that she actually played a part in it. The new History of Magic books even mentioned them all. They had managed to survive Voldemort's wrath. Katie and Oliver had already asked Harry to talk to Emily when she was old enough to understand.

"I'm Severus Snape, a friend of your mum and dad." He shook Emily's tiny hand.

"Uncle Sevvie!"

His face turned red, but he did not protest the name.

Oliver loosened his tie. "We're having a party for Emily's birthday tonight," he said, "If you'd like to be there."

Snape appeared thoughtful for a moment.

"Please," Emily begged, leaning over and hugging him.

"Its fudge cake with pumpkin frosting," Katie added.

Oliver could have sworn he saw Snape fight back a smile.

"All right. I suppose it wouldn't hurt."

Emily grinned and kissed his cheek. This time Snape actually did smile.

"I'll see you tonight."

He turned to leave, but Oliver grabbed his shoulder.

"Thank you, Professor."

It seemed to Katie as though the years of animosity built up between them all at Hogwarts melted away at that moment. Snape simply nodded and walked off towards the memorial statue. Everything was finally at rest.

It's finally over. I had to redeem Snape and I hope no one thought the ending odd. I truly loved writing this story, and I'm a little sad it's over as it has been my pride and joy for the past few months. I'm thinking about writing a few short stories that go into details not mentioned in this story though. Please, check out my other story with the strange pairing of Padma and George. I know he's not Oliver, but it was a plot bunny that could not be denied. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and kept me inspired. Plus, check out orliNkeira's little fic she's writing. It promises to be quite interesting.

Hugs, Kisses, and a Chocolate Covered Oliver,

Arianna