Endings and Epilogue
There is the part when the tall, dark, looming figure I have introduced and spoken about from time to time in the preceding chapters comes into the spotlight – yes, he was there for a reason, not just for his pure ornamental value, though I do concede that this value is considerable, at least to some of us.
Severus had deep, important motives to appear in this story.
You see, he had secretly been in love with Narcissa since they were both in Hogwarts – or should I say, all three, as Lucius was never very far away from her. He cherished and admired the blonde witch from afar, leaving her small tokens of his love – a tiny bottled flask of an elixir or other, delicate jars encapsulating the beautiful bodies of dead animals, or even ribbons of snakeskin charmed to bring luck or love for the giver of the gift. He might eventually have got round to asking her out for an afternoon in Hogsmeade, perhaps even for, who knows, a dinner together? But Lucius was there, and was quicker than him. Before he could admit to himself how important Narcissa was to him, she was happily married and already pregnant with Draco. Long, embittered years had followed – he had no consolation but to care over Narcissa's child, as he had done repeatedly over the years.
Their divorce had taken him by surprise. But years had elapsed since he was a schoolboy, and he had learned his lesson – not two minutes had elapsed between the time he heard the news and his Apparation to Malfoy Manor, where a hasty yet most sincere declaration to Narcissa was issued.
But, woe begone! Severus' passion was, it seemed, doomed to remain in the shadows – for a sad looking Narcissa told him, gently but firmly, that she was not entering the marriage market again anytime soon, and that he should remain quiet and going on keeping an eye on Draco should he want to please her.
Our (secondary) hero had sought refuge with Lucius, who had never ceased to be a close friend of his, waiting for his Dulcinea to change her mind.
Draco's elopement was to change drastically this course of events.
Ginevra had failed to marry him; his name was thus now sullied and his reputation annihilated. Respectable witches with nice prospects seldom married Aurors; but they would never, never marry an Auror who had lived with another woman outside the barracks that gave a semblance of respectability to the entire profession. Lucius had not lost an instant to disinherit the lad; and Narcissa went as far as to express her displeasure to Severus in her next letter, along with a shadowed hint that perhaps he might arrange the situation? He had after all sorted the Dumbledore situation so well…
Once again, Severus was to act with the innate rapidity of the coiled rattlesnake downing on his helpless victim. A slightly shady tracing spell taught him all he needed to know about the young couple's whereabouts; a quick Apparation led him there. He waited patiently until Ginevra left their shared quarters to buy some cigarettes; he then harpooned her, glared at her with his patented teacher's stare, and ordered her to marry his ward.
Ginevra was a strong young woman. Few things ever intimidated her. But she still lacked the experienced required to resist the Snape stare-cum-voice.
She complied.
A Wizengamot member was summoned, a slightly dishevelled Draco was forcefully brought where he needed to be, and Severus quietly listened to their exchanged vows before leaving for the now more hospitable shore of his dear Narcissa's new home.
The wedding between Severus Snape and Narcissa Malfoy went unheeded by all but their close family and friends – a very private ceremony and laconic announcement in the Prophet were all the elements that could bear witness to the union, and even those bore the mark of the bridegroom's sarcastic comments, even though those of less gentle constitution did not hesitate to point out that their Potions Master had mellowed since his bride had indeed agreed to becoming his bride. Of them, we shall say no more, for their romance belongs to the kind of stories that best remains shrouded in an aura of refined mystery; where they live to this day, whether they have had children, or even whether Severus' hair is now clean, are all question we shall leave for the gentle readers to investigate themselves – if they have the courage, or foolishness, to confront several layers of protective, defensive and offensive hexes to find out.
Ginny and Draco, on the other hand, rejoiced in having their names adorn the front pages of the newspapers. They seldom left each other's side, and never quit the haughty attitude of those who believe the world owes them something. The world returned them the admiration they thought they deserved, as they were both young, handsome, and contributed to no small extend to the liveliness of Witch Weekly, the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler.
Ron was just as content as his sister and brother-in-law, in a quieter, less showy manner. He lived with Rosmerta and their adopted child, the young wizard Ron had tutored, turned out to become the eldest sibling of an extremely large family, in true Weasley style. Their hearts are said to beat at the same tempo, and they surely have the same smile and satisfied expression.
And Harry? Well, Harry was apparently doomed to remain a dedicated bachelor. At that fateful ball, he fell desperately in love with his own reflection on the wall mirror; the image he saw there, of a handsome young man – despite the scar – was more than enough to convince him that no one, dead or alive, would ever compare to himself. Naricissism was the only course of actions open to him; wanking, the only release he could ever afford. He thus went on strutting around and firing random curses to the sky, the pride of his regiment and the honour of his country, a fine example of what kind of power-wielding individuals the wizarding folk could produce. Let us suppose, for the sake of the happy ending that is to come, that it made it as happy as the others already are.
But all these romanced pairings, you may object, take us away from our main sources of concern, Hermione and Lucius. Well, it pains me to admit it – I am not allowed to write about it. The Minister has enacted several bills forbidding either journalists or plain storytellers like me to delve into her private history, thus rendering the tale of her marriage a risky one – and I am sure you agree that muckraking is not quite worth a spell in Azkhaban.
From the scarce sources open to researchers, though, it may well be supposed that their union is a happy one; and that we lose little in not knowing the exact details, as happy stories need not be told…
The Very Secret Diary of Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, age 55 3/4
June 25th, 2006
Muggles killed: 0
Muggles tortured: 0
House-Elves kicked: 0
Probability of killing, torturing or kicking in the future: close to none, except if it is for a good cause, ie, if I kill or torture Muggles to further the welfare of House-Elves, or kick House-Elves to make Muggles feel better, or something along those lines
Reasons why the probability of killing, torturing, etc. is so low: acquired female partner with distasteful ideas on the management of inferior species
Number of shags with aforementioned female partner: 12
Number of gross exaggerations for today: 1
Number of proposals: 1 (from said female partner)
Number of times I accepted the proposal: 2
Number of gross underestimations for today: 1 /i
Private agenda of the Minister's, June 25th, 2026
Have minion buy flowers and chocolate for anniversary; Check for any updates to Falsity.
THE END