Severus and Minerva entered their living room only to stare in wonder. Robert and Hermione were there, dressed in muggle jeans and t-shirts covered in paint. Both held paint brushes and were standing together staring at a large canvas. "Evening loves," Minerva said to gain their attention.
Both turned in her direction and offered her huge smiles. "Evening Màthair," they said in a sing-song tone.
Severus chuckled at them. He would never tire of seeing the twins interact with their mother. "What are you working on?" he asked curiously.
"Your just because gift," Robbie answered. "We told Màthair we had many talents and we just wanted to show her another one."
"We just finished it," Hermione said with a grin. "It just needs to dry and then it can be hung up. Come and take a look."
Severus and Minerva looked at each other before walking towards the canvas. An oil-based painting of their family was there. Severus and Minerva were painted cuddled on the couch in the living room of the cottage. Robert was painted reading a book on Herbology while Hermione was painted reading a Muggle classic. Small details from the cottage were there as well.
"It's beautiful," Minerva said teary eyed as she pulled her children into a bone crushing hug. "You both have your mother's talent."
"Why not charm it dry?" Severus asked.
Hermione and Robbie gave him horrified looks which prompted Minerva to chuckle in amusement. "The paints won't blend together correctly," she answered her husband. "Charms separate the paints whereas air drying allows a more cohesive piece."
"I'm suprised you know that," Robbie said as he looked at his Màthair.
She smiled at her son. "I have watched your mother paint many, many hours. She lost herself in her artwork. Hermione looked just like Arwen standing there critiquing her piece. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen her paint an entire scene only to dislike it and cover it over with white paint."
"Mya does the same thing," Robbie said as Hermione just grinned. She loved knowing those intimate details about her parents especially when they share the same tendencies she had.
"Let's clean up Robbie," Hermione said as she looked at the mess they had made. "We promised Lee we would meet him before curfew."
"I had forgotten," he said sheepishly as he looked at his sister. She just chuckled at him and then started cleaning up their mess.
Minerva McGonagall stared at the Resurrection Stone in awe. She felt the magic radiating from it. She sat cross-legged in the floor of her bedroom. The Invisibility cloak laid across her lap, the stone and wand firmly in her grasp. She closed her eyes and meditated.
"Minerva," a feminine voice called. Her eyes popped open and she stared in front of her.
"Arwen," she whispered as the tears fell down her face.
The witch smiled at her. "I wish we had time to discuss everything but we do not," she said sadly. "Death has granted us this moment as a thank you to the newest Mistress of Death."
"Mistress of death? A thank you?" Minerva questioned.
Arwen smiled brilliantly at her wife. "You hold all three Deathly Hallows in your possession and you simply wish to prevent others from abusing their powers. That feat makes you a true Mistress of Death. He holds you in high regards for that. He knows you only wield the Elder Wand so it doesn't fall into Voldemort's hands."
"Such power shouldn't fall to most," Minerva said without hesitation.
"Death said he will send me back to retrieve the Elder Wand and Resurrection Stone when Voldemort falls since you are willing to part with them," Arwen said.
Minerva smiled sadly before closing her eyes. "Would Death send you to the twins to retrieve the items? I would love to see you once more but they deserve a chance to see their mother."
Arwen teared up at the request. "I'm sorry I had to hide them," she whispered emotionally. "I would have loved to see you rocking them to sleep, reading to them, blowing ridiculous kisses. My need to protect them outweighed everything else. I shall ask Death if you can pass on your visit to the children." Arwen kissed Minerva's lips gently and caressed her cheek lovingly. "I'm glad you have found love again. Severus is a good man, a strong one that will push you to where you need to be. Live well my muse!"
"I shall certainly try," Minerva whispered as she watched Arwen fade from view. Suddenly she was bombarded with images of Horcuxes, their protections and locations. She grab a notebook and pencil and quickly wrote all she saw down.
Severus slipped into bed and scooted next to his wife. She turned and buried herself in his embrace. "I saw Arwen," she whispered brokenly. "When I held the Hallows, she greeted me."
"Oh love," he said as he pulled her in his embrace tighter, closer.
"Death apparently holds me in high regards and gave me a boon," she continued. "Arwen apologized for hiding the children from me and then told me to live well. She is also glad I found love again."
Severus didn't know how to respond and simply held his wife as she cried for her lost love. He was not a jealous wizard nor would he ever be. Arwen loved his wife dearly and provided for her financially. She also birthed his wife the twins and he loved the teenagers far deeper than he could ever express. He would always be eternally thankful to Arwen for his ready-made family!