Epilogue: Brief Snapshots of the Future

Dumbledore married Severus and Hermione in a double ceremony with James and Lily shortly after school ended. They promised to love and stand by each other in the most trying of circumstances, though neither could fathom more trying circumstances than they had just been through – the N.E.W.T. exams had been murder.

They moved into Severus' townhouse. Hermione, feeling particularly courageous one day, asked how they were able to afford such grandeur (she remembered what Dumbledore had said about Severus' parents not having any money). He replied that he had a few patents on potions he had invented or otherwise improved (the only one she recognized was Skele-Grow, which was one of the potions that he had improved), and they brought in more money than he would ever really need. Hermione smiled; leave it to Severus Snape to be more than self-sufficient even at such a young age.

The couple took up apprenticeships at Hogwarts – Hermione was studying under the current Potions Master and Severus was studying under the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Both had been promised jobs there when their three-year apprenticeships were completed, as both professors were nearing retirement age.

It was a cold night in November when Hermione nervously sat down next to Severus. "I have some big news for you."

He looked at her, put his book down, and invited her to sit on his lap. "Yes, love, what is it?"

"Severus, I'm pregnant!" Shit, she hadn't meant to blurt it out like that. She studied her husband carefully, trying to gauge his reaction. He just looked at her, his eyes unreadable.

"How did this happen to me?"

"I beg your pardon," Hermione spit out, furious. She made a move to get off his lap, but he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"How did all these wonderful things happen to me? I have a beautiful wife and I'm about to be blessed with a son or daughter. I could never, in a million years, have imagined my life would turn out this perfect. What do you think – can the child have more than one godparent?"

He was, of course, referring to the now diminished Marauders. They had all matured, and while Severus still had some reservations about being friends with them, a strong foundation of friendship had been laid and was built upon everyday. Remus was closest to his heart, but the others were becoming like family as well, and now their family would be expanded.

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Nine months later, Hermione Snape gave birth to a set of twins – one boy and one girl. Only days before, Lily Potter had given birth to Harry, a sight that warmed Hermione's heart. She realized that her children would be growing up with her best friend, an idea that delighted her to no end.

Hermione and Severus had named each of their four friends as godparents to both of their children. The boy, Trent was blessed with straight brown hair while his sister, Gillian had black curly hair (fortunately for her, it wasn't quite as unruly as her mother's). Both children shared their father's obsidian eyes.

The Snape children grew up with Harry and were inseparable. Eleven years passed, and all three of the children insisted on taking the Hogwarts Express to school – the Snape children were already embarrassed that their parents would also be their teachers, they didn't want to be the only first years that didn't arrive by train as well.

On that fateful trip, they befriend Ron Weasley. In their own way, they became the second generation of the Marauders – inseparable friends and deviant cohorts. Their parents watched them fall in and out of love, struggle with new situations, and mature into fine young adults over their seven years at Hogwarts. As she watched her children grow and learn with her husband by her side, she smiled. She had saved Severus' soul while he had enlightened hers, and not a moment too soon.

A/N: Well, that was an interesting journey, thanks for coming along for the ride. A few things to say before I leave you to read other fan fiction (I personally recommend Seduction by Design myself – and not just because I had the fantastic opportunity to beta it either).

First of all, yes, I know, extremely sappy ending. Even I, known to my friends as the master of sarcasm and cynicism, like a good, happy ending occasionally. I believe that the character of Severus Snape has been made to suffer enough in the official Harry Potter books, so I gave him a reprieve here.

Secondly, don't send me anything saying "He's so out-of-character" – you don't know that and neither do I – no one expect the real author can tell us what Snape was like as a teenager. The last time I checked, neither of us were J.K. Rowling (unless, Ms. Rowling, you are reading this, then feel free to tell me whatever you want), so we, as fans, don't know much about the character's background. All we know about Snape is that he didn't have the most pleasant childhood and his school career was plagued by the Marauders. He's my favorite character because he's so complex – he's the gray to Harry's white and Voldemort's black, and we're still not sure about what side he's really on (if he's on any one side at all, but let it be known that I still trust the man). Rowling has always stressed the importance of love in her books. What if someone loved Snape when he was younger – what kind of person would he grow up to be, would he be the same nasty man we know from the books? I happen to think not.

However, once again, I don't claim to know the answer, I just want to show you the possibilities. Since I have warned you, if you still feel the need to send me "Howlers" so to speak, feel free. Just take into consideration that I won't be nearly as nice in responding to you as I'm being here.

Thirdly, kindly keep in mind that while the story is complete, I still consider the work to be a working draft. I will be revising it and posting it, with any luck, on another site. If you're interested, I'll be more than happy to let you know when all of the revisions are complete and the story is up in all it's final draft glory.

Finally, a hearty thanks to all those who have read my story, and even bigger thanks to those that have reviewed. This is my first time out of the fan fiction gate, and I appreciate it. Oh, and Elizabeth, it looks like it took me getting really pissed off to break through that nasty bout of writer's block – but I took you up on your suggestion anyways. It might explain the epilogue.