AN: I own nothing of JK and write for my enjoyment, excessivelyperky asked me to update.

She watched the prefects take the newest students in hand and led them out of the Great Hall.

"Year 200. " Hermione breathed out, looking to her husband.

Severus took her hand and kissed it. "Yes. And soon it will begin."

He led her out of the Great Hall, moving her to their quarters in the Headmaster's office.

Greeting the gargoyle, Severus paused at the response of it. "Master and Mistress. I will miss you."

"What do you mean?" Severus snarled out.

The gargoyle remained silent, allowing the stairs to move to take them to their quarters.

"Well, that was a bit cryptic." Hermione remarked.

They moved toward their bedroom, Hermione shedding her headmistress cloak on the bed before moving to the tall stool placed facing a window, allowing a view of the grounds of Hogwarts.

She sat on the stool, looking out toward the Forbidden Forrest.

Feeling the hands of her husband softly kneading her shoulders, she turned her head to face him.

"Do you think it was worth it?" She whispered. "All of the miscarriages, the deaths of our friends, watching the children of our friends grow old and die….."

Severus wrapped his arms around her.

"So many…" She whispered out. "And yet I am here, looking the same as always, stuck at an age…"

"Shhh." He whispered back. "Even though we could not have children of our own, we have fostered hundreds throughout the years, all having successful lives and instilling our values throughout the Wizarding world. Our children have spread out all over the world, along with the offspring of Neville and Luna."

"I know Severus." Hermione spoke. "But can you feel it? The Magics? Mine feels unsettled."

"Hermione, This is the moment we have been waiting for a long time." He murmured, as he nuzzled her neck.

"Love me Severus, as you have never done before." Leaning into him.

"I'm not sure I can top anything like that, as every time we join, you meld with me." Picking her up from the stool and laying her on their bed.

He leaned down and kissed her, removing his cloak and shirt. "I am sure that I can make you forget your worry for a time."

HGSSHGSSHGSS

Hermione woke up next to her husband, feeling the warmth of Severus next to her. "I love you." She breathed out. "That has always been the constant in our long life."

"And for me as well." He murmured as he wrapped his arms around her.

He moved from the bed and smirked at her admiring glance. "Let me take you to lunch. The Head Boy and Girl have our students well in hand and classes begin on Monday.

She smiled. "It's been awhile since we've been out. Why not?"

HGSSHGSS

He led her into the Creepy Door, smiling as the mistress of the pub rushed to greet the couple.

"Headmistress and Headmaster Snape." Ari Ware spoke as she led them to a table. "Always an honor that you grace my hovel."

"Stop it Ari." Hermione replied. "Despite what your family has passed down, we always enjoy our meals here. Surely your family can forget words spoken 200 years ago."

"One does not forget history in my culture." Ari replied as she handed them their menus. "Always as such with the House of Snape, long lived as it is."

"We'll have a bottle of Firewhiskey and two of your Specials." Severus replied and handed the menus back to Ari Ware.

"So it begins again." Ari whispered, pulling a bottle of fire whiskey from her apron along with two glasses and placed them on the table.

She frowned at Snape. "Are you sure you know what you are doing?"

Before he could reply, he watched as Ari rush away and go to the door.

Hermione glanced at the door and grew alarmed as she recognized Mr. Smith standing there, grinning as he listened to the hushed whispers of Ari. "Of course I'll behave." He replied, watching as everyone left the pub except for the staff.

Severus watched as Ari moved the staff to the kitchen.

Mr. Smith moved to the table where the Snapes' were sitting.

"Ahh, just like old times." He murmured out, looking to them, sitting down across from them and looking expectedly. "How has the last 200 years holding out for you?"

Hermione started to reply and Severus caught her hand and replied. "Well enough Mr. Smith. What about you?"

Mr. Smith grinned at him. "Oh, well enough."

Ari brought the meal at, glancing at Severus before she left.

Mr. Smith looked at the meal. "Cooked meat once again?" Sniffing with a look of disgust.

Severus sighed and conjured up a plate of smoking, bloody entrails and pushed it to him. "I remember your disappointment last time. Take it."

Hermione went to snatch the plate from him and Mr. Smith stopped her, moving the plate to him and ate, blood and goo dripping down his chin.

Hermione wailed. "What have you done Severus?" As a large crack of thunder sounded out.

Mr. Smith wiped his chin with a napkin and threw it on the table and grinned as he stood up. "I really thought it would be a lot harder, Severus Snape, once Dark, then Light, and now Dark again. I accept."

Severus watched the Daemon leave the pub as the Daemon turned and spoke. "Sometimes it is good not to be nice. In this case it makes my goal much easier to achieve."

Severus looked to his wife in question.

"You gave him a sacrifice and he accepted it." Hermione hissed out.