Chapter 11: The Bowl
At last it was time to try the next item, and it was Snape who picked the bowl. He thought that perhaps knowing they could not act would make it easier when they did not. A logical assumption, but he was sure to be wrong.
As the couple leaned over the bowl a red mist began to stir. "You can only see your memories. You can take each other to memories of one or both, but remember what you cannot change…." She trailed off as they fell in. Again the Professors awaited the return of the two.
The first memory unraveled quickly. There was a battle, and a victory cheer. Soon they were back again, in Alabaster. The home was dusty, unkempt, unlived in… but it was home, and the Snape and Hermione they saw standing before the stairs were happy. Tired and older, but happy. They followed the two up the stairs and back to the nursery, now painted in a dark purple. The silver gilding held a name on the crib, Samantha Elizabeth Snape.
"Elizabeth?" Hermione whispered. "That's Molly Weasly's Middle name…"
As they crept closer they saw a small girl-child resting in the crib, the older tireder, Mr. & Mrs. Snape leaned over looking fondly at their young daughter.
"How is Hansel?" Future Snape asked his wife.
"He's sleeping, at last. The poor boy. He's… he's been through so much." Tears leaked from her eyes and Future Snape turned to take her in his arms.
"Don't do this, Hermione, dearest. He… he's stronger for it. We all are. And he's healthy, and little Samantha… she's only weeks along, but look at how content she is… despite what Vol… he tried to do to her while she was still growing inside you. She's strong and healthy and happy. Just like we'll all be soon. You'll see."
The future couple turned to another crib, which had remained hidden behind them. It was a dark red, almost blood. It's name, also in silver, was inscribed Harry Ronald Snape.
"What ?" Severus shouted his eyes blazing. "How did you get me to name our child after not one but BOTH of your boys?" Hermione gaped as well, but she didn't need to answer.
"Do you still think we picked the proper names?" Future Hermione asked, tucking a blanket about her son. Her husband snaked and arm about her waist and chuckled.
"It was either that or Godrick, and Merlin knows I won't have my son a permanent Gryffindor. Besides, they were heroes in their own right, and your friends, and my allies. Yes, dearest, it was the right choice."
Snape faltered as the room shifted. "Could never happen…" he mused.
A graveyard, already they did not like the way this was going. At least it was daytime. But… they were just walking… stopping every now and then…. It took a moment for the words to sink in.
"Remember the way he fought? Oh and his laugh… she was so beautiful when she was angry…." All in all they stopped at 20 graves, a rose on each one.
"We made it, love." Future Hermione said turning to Future Snape. "They died for us. In the end it wasn't Harry or Ron or Albus… us. Our lives. Our children."
Future Snape kissed her lightly. "Ten years… it was a hell of a battle, but we made it. We always make it."
A hand drew the two from the red mist and placed them back in the chairs in the tower. Snape and Hermione looked at each other sadness and love abundant. "All of them?" Hermione whispered.
"Are you ready for the Key, my dears?" Sybil asked.
Disclaimers: I don't own them, I don't take credit for them, and I make no money off of them.