FIFTEEN: CHARCOAL

A mist covered the ground around them, softly moving with the breeze. The mist was so thick that they couldn't see around them. Neither of them knew where they were, just that they were laying on a nice, soft bed, the coverlet tucked in around them, and that they were holding one another.

"Severus?"

"Yes Hermione?"

"Do you think we're in Limbo?"

"I still feel corporal. Of course, I've never been to Limbo."

"I thought Harry said that Limbo makes you appear younger, to fit your inner-Maiden, since It is Her realm. And we're still old. Maybe this is our Afterlife."

"At least we aren't with the Crone. I would rather not relive all my memories of the battles we have fought over the years."

"Maybe we reached Nirvana. It's said that only soulmates can reach Nirvana."

"What, pray tell, is Nirvana supposed to look like?"

"It is said that a person in Nirvana must make it into what they please once they reach it. But that can only be achieved once said person is dead, since the living cannot walk in Nirvana, but can reach It's gates."

"And did you, in all your research, find a way that we could possibly leave Nirvana?"

"Severus, Nirvana is like Limbo. This is our Afterlife."

"So, how do you think we go about being any age we want? Or for that matter, change this drab place."

"No idea."

"So let's try thinking about what we want, see what that does."

They concentrated for what felt like hours. Soon, the wrinkles on their faces started to smooth, and their hair started to grow into their respective colours of black and brown. Hermione, who was the younger of the two, changed her appearance to that of a thirty-year old, which was convenient for Severus, who also changed his appearance to the same age. The area surrounding them changed as well, only more so than they themselves. It became the home they had in Hogsmeade, Including Hermione's library and Severus' lab.

"We have our perfect home again," and they smiled.

"I'm sorry Mr. Snape, but your parents are dead."

It was all Aiden could think about, what the doctor said. Aileen was still crying. It was hard enough when Uncle Harry and Aunt Luna died at the same time, but he wasn't all that surprised his parents died together, holding one another. They were in love with each other for as long as he could remember, and they absolutely adored one another to no end. Smiling sadly, Aiden was glad that neither suffered, and that they were probably both very happy to just be together.

"What's wrong Hermione?" Severus sat down beside his wife, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"We never got to say goodbye to anyone."

"As it should be. If we knew when we were to die, we wouldn't have lived out our life the way we did."

"You're right Severus. When did you turn into Albus?"

"I don't recall growing out my hair, nor allowing a long white beard to grow. Nor do I recall wearing outrageously coloured robes and offering Muggle sweets to people." He looked at her for a moment before smiling and kissing her soundlessly.

"What about eating Muggle sweets?"

"Cannot say that I haven't. Love most of them really, especially Yorkie Bars and Turkish Delight. I'm surprised you never found my stash."

"Depends on where it was. I never cleaned your lab. You did a well-enough job of that on your own."

"Then you never found it."

"And if I had, it would have been gone too soon. I absolutely adore Turkish Delight."

"Then I hope this place lets us have all that we want."

"If it did that, then it can stay clean too."

"And I could possibly have my lab again."

"That would be wonderful for you Severus. You truly have a knack for making potions without really thinking about it…"

"Okay, I admit that was the strangest thing I've ever done; truthfully, the strangest thing either of us have ever done."

"You threw my back out in the end! Took Ginny forever to help me stand straight."

"And you wouldn't sleep with me for a month."

"Taught you your lesson, didn't it?"

"Very clearly. Understandable, but now we are spring chickens again. Maybe we could try again?"

"You really didn't learn anything, did you? Even now, I am not going into the lab unless it is to help you make a potion!" Hermione turned to look at Severus, who was giving her the best pout he could muster.

"That isn't going to do anything to help you. Now the desk in my office is something I would be open to…"

"It'll have to suffice then."

Higher up, a little spirit watched over the two lovers, sighing heavily.

"They are finally home, with each other."