AN: Thank you for all the support! It is deeply appreciated!

Severus once heard someone say when you became a parent, you were bombarded with memories of your own childhood. It was too late for him to have his own child, but that didn't mean he couldn't relive the worst nights of his life by looking at the smallest Potter.

"This is the first time I held him." She set the picture in the middle of the table on top of a pile of research notes. Her eyes glistened. "Isn't he just the cutest little thing?"

The baby opened his silver eyes. He opened his mouth as if to begin wailing because he'd been so rudely awakened, but then he saw the camera. Severus swore the child was attempting to smirk, as if he was already a showman.

He was definitely James' grandson.

"He was so quiet in my arms." Hermione exhaled. "I think he was startled when I first held him, but he settled himself right now and was silent the whole time."

"A Potter was actually capable of silence?" Severus' glow brightened.

"Very funny," she chuckled.

Severus grinned.

Hermione set another picture to the right of the first. "Here's one of Luna holding him."

Severus' glow dimmed as the child looked into the camera, his expression much more serene. Instead of focusing on the camera, his entire attention was on his mother cooing sweet nothings.

"My books say he won't be able to smile for another couple of months, but I think he was quite happy around him mother. In fact, I think he's already a Mummy's Boy."

Hermione's voice was just an echo in Severus' head as he stared at the picture of the youngest Potter in his mother's arms. The child, looked like Harry, and by extension the elder James, yet had his mother's eyes. It was as if the Trinity had copied the Potter template from one generation to another.

James' silver-blue eyes transformed emerald green. Luna's hair became a shade of red, and her face became freckled.

"Here's one of Harry holding him."

Severus was too lost in his thoughts to see what was before him.

"Severus?"

If the Trinity held his fantasies against him, he could not entirely blame them. Most Halloweens, Severus would retreat into his bedroom and imagine holding an emerald eyed baby in his arms. The child would have his jet black hair and slight smirk. At the time, he thought his life would be perfect if that child existed in place of Potter. Now he knew better…

"Severus!"

His glow went white as he looked up.

"What's on your mind?"

He considered saying, "nothing," but knew she would not accept that as an answer. Instead he shook his head. "I am just reconsidering some things."

"Like?"

Severus stared at her, the words lost somewhere between his mind and tongue.

Hermione slumped into the chair across from him and put her hands above her mouth. "Oh God, I didn't even think about what seeing James would do to you."

His glow was dimmer.

"I'm a dunderhead." She collected the pictures. "I am such a dunderhead. Forget about all these. We'll do something else."

"No, I am happy to see images of your godson." His glow was a softer shade of yellow. "It warms my heart to know that James has such an amazing godmother."

"But he still reminds you of Lily and everything you lost."

"To a degree," Severus folded his hands. "Though honestly there's more of Luna in him than I think Potter realizes."

"Because he has her eyes?"

"That, and, in the last picture, he had her dreamy expression."

Hermione laughed as she took out the last one she had placed onto the table. "He does, doesn't he?"

"Indeed he does."

"Luna said James was already seeing magical creatures." She set the picture down. "How she could know that, I have no clue. According to my books, he shouldn't be able to see ten inches in front of him."

"Perhaps those books are mistaken. After all, it is difficult to interview an infant to know exactly what they can and cannot see."

"True, but the science seemed conclusive."

"There may be something behind it then."

"I'd think so but." Hermione set the photos back onto the table. "Luna said she didn't read any of the baby books I gave her because she trusted her instincts. At the time I scoffed at her. What if she was onto something though?"

"So do you believe in pixelcorns now?"

"No, but one never knows."

Severus examined her. Despite the serious turn their conversation had taken, there was still a glimmer in her eyes. The child had made her happier than she had been in years.

She could never have a child with him.

"What are you thinking about now?" Her voice was quiet.

"Are you certain you want an answer?"

"I wouldn't have asked if I did not."

He twisted his lower lips.

"Please, tell me what is wrong," she whispered.

"There is something about our arrangement I am considering."

"What?"

"If you remain with me, you will never have a child."

"Oh." The glimmer was extinguished from her eyes.

"I would imagine that is unacceptable for you," His glow turned blue. "Perhaps it should be. After all, you are young. You should be given the chance for a family…."

"You aren't the reason I can't have children."

He closed his mouth.

"I didn't tell Ron this because I didn't have the courage, but I've known for a long time." A tear came to her eyes, "I am sterile."

His glow was a darker shade of blue.

"When Bellatrix tortured me, she cast some sterility hexes upon me. At the time I didn't know what was going on. They were in a language I didn't recognize. Even if they were in English or Latin, I was in so much pain I couldn't keep track of what she was saying. When I was looking at getting married to Ron, I went in for a physical examination. It was there that I found out," Hermione's throat tightened. "They found irreparable damage done to my uterus and fallopian tubes. If I were to become pregnant it would either be a ectopic pregnancy, or result in a miscarriage."

He tapped her hand, sending a jolt of love through her.

"Thank you," she gave him a small smile. "I've learned to accept it over the years."

"Does anyone else know?"

She shook her head. "I didn't think it was anyone else's business."

"It isn't."

"I've made my peace with adopting children, assuming I find anyone to raise them with me and is willing to have children that way."

"I wish I could give you children, biological or adopted."

"I know, and I thank you for your concern." She brushed the tear away. "But I would rather have you and my godchildren than raise a child with someone I don't actually love. It would be unfair to everyone involved if I tried the latter."

"Godchildren?"

"I'm Scorpius' godmother as well."

"Oh."

Silence fell between them.

"If I seem to go overboard on spoiling my godchildren though, that's why." Her voice was soft. "They're probably the closest I will get to having a child, which in many ways suits me just fine."

"I haven't seen you with any children, but from what I can tell, you are amazing with them."

"I try to be my best with them."

"Is there any part of you that wants a child though?"

"I won't lie, I've thought about it, but," her lips curled up. "Then I hear Scorpius throwing a fit, see Cassie refuse to sleep, or smell James' poop. Then it isn't as appealing."

Severus smiled as his glow returned to its usual hue.

"I am happy with us as we are. If I never have a child, then I have accepted it. As long as we are together, then I am happy."

"So long as you are content."

"I am more than content." She put her hand over his.

Severus could feel in her energy that she meant every word. This only intensified the joy and peace coursing through his essence.

"I did have something to ask you." Hermione released him.

"Anything," he whispered.

"Will you be James' godfather?"

He sat up straighter as his glow flickered. "I did not know you had any power over that."

"Harry and Luna said since I was his godmother, I could choose his godfather."

"How...unconventional."

"I think they want me to get married and announce my husband as his godfather."

"That is another thing to consider: you won't be able to get married if you remain with me."

"Oh I won't have the headache of planning an enormous ceremony and blowing thousands of dollars on one day?" Her voice was dry. "How awful."

Severus couldn't help but smirk. There was a reason he had fallen in love with this witch.

"Even if we weren't together," she continued. "Nobody deserves to be James' godfather more than you. I would love it if you would watch over him as his godfather."

"Do you plan to tell Harry and Luna that I am to be this child's godfather?"

"I may wait for a more opportune time to share that piece of information."

"That may be for the best."

"Perhaps," she replied. "But will you do it? Will you be his godfather?"

"It would be a great honor." He smiled.

"Thank you." Her expression matched his. "You will be an amazing godfather, even if he can't exactly see you."

"I will do what I can anyway."

"I know you will." She relaxed.

Severus looked at the woman across the table from him. She was the one person who'd given him any happiness. The only time he'd ever felt any kind of peace was when he was with her. It mattered little that they hadn't gotten close until after his death. They were together now. What else mattered?

"What are you thinking about now?" She asked.

He brushed his lips against hers and whispered, "How much I love you."