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

It was difficult to believe the two children asleep on the couch had been racing around the sitting room less than a half hour ago. If he didn't understand children so well, Severus never would've believed those two could be anything other than angels.

Cassie had her thumb in her mouth while drool dripped from Scorpius' mouth. Somehow the children had found a way to sleep next to each other without either of them falling off the couch.

Hermione stood in the doorway beside Draco. They spoke in hushed tones, careful not to disturb the now quiet little ones. A few times she stole a glance at them, her eyes glistening in pride. Severus couldn't help but note she was a natural godmother.

Cassie stretched, but kept her eyes closed. Scorpius rolled over and put an arm over her sister. Hermione shut her mouth, stifling her, "Aw." Draco looked on and chuckled.

As he watched the children, Severus wondered what it must be like to have a sibling. Perhaps he wouldn't have been so lonely as a child. Somebody could have comforted him during his parents' many fights and stood up for him when his father took his anger out on him. Said sibling may have even stood up for Severus against the marauders as well. They may have both been Slytherin. If that was the case, the sibling may have been able to talk him into making different choices.

Conversely, the sibling could have made his life a living hell. They may have done nothing but fought. The sibling could have been sorted into Gryffindor and joined the marauders. If the sibling was a squib, they could have acted like Petunia, exacerbating an already tense situation…

These children would know no such pain though. Draco and Ginevra had obviously taken great care to raise their children to love each other. His parents were incapable of instilling good values on their only son. It would have been impossible with two No, it was better to be an only child, even if his mind could not help but dwell on the fantasy of another sibling.

"I think we need to get going," Ginevra sat up from the leather chair across the room. "It's about time they head to bed."

Scorpius moaned but did not open his eyes.

"Here we go," Ginevra whispered as she picked up Cassie. The child's breathing remained slow, her eyes shut.

Severus turned light blue. It had been years since he'd wanted so desperately to be in the vicinity of a child. Still, he could not help but enjoy watching Scorpius and Cassie's every move. Was there no way for them to stay an hour or two longer?

"Time to get up," Ginevra gently shook Scorpius' back.

"Mum," he whined.

"We need to go."

Scorpius' eyes fluttered open. "Can't we stay longer?"

"No, it's getting late."

"But I'm not tired." Scorpius yawned. "I want to stay with Aunt Hermione."

Severus smirked. Already Scorpius was proving more agreeable than his father. When it was time to leave Severus' house, Draco always threw a tantrum regardless of the warnings he received from his parents. He was lucky to have two children who did not share his temperament or his sense of entitlement. No doubt Ginevra had seen to that.

"You can come back to visit me very soon," Hermione promised. "I'll bake more cookies too."

"Can I have one more cookie?" His eyes lit up at the mention of his new favorite treat.

"It's a little late," Ginevra replied.

"But I want a snack."

"Aunt Hermione put some cookies in a bag that you can have tomorrow," Draco replied.

"Fine." He sighed before trudging over to Hermione. "Bye Aunt Hermione."

"Goodbye." She embraced him.

Severus put a hand on Scorpius' shoulder. The boy's eyes widened as he glanced around the room.

Ginevra chuckled. "Do you see something?"

"No." Scorpius frowned, wishing he could have seen the source of the energy which had coursed through his veins.

"Go ahead and go home with your mum. Hermione and I have one more thing to discuss," Draco began.

Ginevra cocked her head.

"It's nothing to worry about," Draco's smile was genuine. "There's just a question I have on a recent issues."

"I can stay and listen," Scorpius offered.

"No, it's too boring for you." Draco bent down. "You wouldn't like to talk about it."

"What are you talking about?"

"Taxes."

Ginevra blinked.

"We're going to talk about tax codes, tax laws, paying taxes, and all sorts of things like that."

"Ew," Scorpius appeared as if he had just eaten a vomit flavored jellybean.

"I would imagine that you would get much more entertainment from reading Tales of Beedle the Bard than listening to us discuss taxes," Hermione added.

Cassie's thumb dropped from her mouth.

"Yeah," Scorpius admitted.

"Let's say goodbye to Aunt Hermione one more time and go home. I can read you a few chapters if you hurry," Ginevra offered.

"Fine." He motioned for Hermione to bend down. "Bye Aunt Hermione."

"Goodbye." She blushed as the boy kissed her.

After looking around the room once more, Scorpius walked to his mother. Ginevra took his hand and led him to the fireplace. Without setting down her daughter, she managed to pick up the floor powder and throw it into the fireplace. After she gave their address, she disappeared with the children.

One silent moment passed.

"He's here isn't he?" Draco began.

"Who's here?"

"Uncle Severus."

Severus turned white.

"Why would you say he was here?" Her face was as white as Severus' glow.

"After searching for some sign from him for so many years, I wonder why a few months ago I could feel him in your room. It seemed to be an odd place for him to be. Still, I felt him again today," Draco began.

She put her hands behind her back. "You were discussing him. It was only natural to feel him."

"No, you kept looking back at him."

"Huh?"

"I saw you stare into space a few times. At first I was confused, but I felt him again. Then I knew," his voice cracked. "I knew he was here."

She exhaled.

"He's still here too, isn't he?"

"Yes," she whispered.

His expression was impassive.

"You need to understand Draco, I wasn't trying to hide him from you or anyone else…"

He raised his hand. "I don't need an explanation of when he came and why you kept quiet. Quite frankly, if I was being visited by a deceased person I would keep it to myself as well."

She relaxed.

"Did he hear everything I said the time I visited a few months ago?" His voice was softer.

"Yes, he was there for all of it."

"So he knows I love him?"

"He knew that before you said anything, but he did hear you say the words."

Severus had never seen Draco look so at peace.

"Can you please point to where he is so I can say a few things to him?" The blond asked.

"Of course you can." Hermione pointed to where Severus stood.

"Okay," Draco cleared his throat and faced Severus. He appeared much less sure of himself. "It honestly feels weird talking to a bookshelf, but this whole thing is weird."

"It is," Severus admitted.

"Still, I'm glad you could meet my children and see Ginevra. They've made me happier than I have any right to be." His took a shaky breath. "It's all thanks to you."

Severus drew closer to him.

"I love you. Even when I was a prick I still loved you. I hope your memories of me are mostly happy."

"They are."

"He says they are," Hermione jumped in.

"Good." A tear trickled down Draco's cheek. "I love you, and I always think about you. I don't know how long you plan to stay, but I'll try to bring my children over as much as I can so you can see that your sacrifices for me weren't in vain. The two most amazing children in the world are alive because of you, and I will always cherish that."

"I would love to see them again."

"He would love to see them again."

"They would too." Draco took a shaky breath. "If you could watch over us when you leave for wherever you were meant to be, I would appreciate that as well."

"I will." Severus' glow intensified. "I will be with you as much as possible."

Hermione relayed his message.

"One more thing." Draco's lips twitched upwards. "One of Cassie's first words was, 'unerhed."

Severus burst out laughing.

Hermione grinned. "Poor Ginevra didn't know what to make of it when she said that."

"Neither did I but I knew her Uncle Severus would be proud." Draco met Severus' eyes. "I knew you would be proud."

"I am very proud." Severus brushed his hand against Draco's. Although it went through, from the expression in Draco's face it was clear that his presence had been felt.

"Thank you again for the cookies," Draco turned to her. "Dante, or should I say Uncle Severus, taught you how to cook very well."

"You're welcome," she replied. "And I think he will be around for quite some time."

"Oh?"

"Severus is in a Purgatory program where he must help the living," Hermione began. "If he wants to succeed he needs to give me a sense of overall well-being."

"He's done that and more."

"He has," she whispered.

He gave her a quick hug. "I love you Hermione. Take good care of my godfather."

"I will." She returned the embrace.

"As for you." Draco released Hermione and turned to Severus. "Behave yourself. Hermione deserves a spirit who treats her well, and you deserve a friend as amazing as she is."

"I will always care for her, regardless of my form," Severus promised.

"He is going to take good care of me," she promised.

"Good." Draco took a deep breath. "Thank you again for inviting me over. I'll see you soon I hope."

"Only if you bring your children."

"That, I promise to do."

With that, Draco made his way to the fireplace and picked up the floo powder. He turned around and gave the room one last look. Then, he called out his address and disappeared.

"He always was too intuitive for his own good," Severus's glow intensified.

"He's been searching for you for seven years. If anyone would know you were near, it would be him," she answered.

"Indeed." Severus embraced her. "Thank you for this afternoon."

"You are more than welcome," she wrapped her arms around him as best she could. "Thank you for the cookie recipe."

"I am glad it didn't die with me."

"It won't go unshared. I'll teach it to Ginny sometime so she can make them herself."

"Then she'll teach it to her children, and it will live on."

"Something like that."

They stayed near each other for a few moments.

"This is going to sound so awkward, and funny." Hermione exhaled. "But I can't take off your robes, or touch you in certain ways, so I have to ask."

"Ask what?" He whispered.

"Do you want to fuse again?"

"Now?"

She nodded.

He took her hand. "I thought you'd never ask."

"Then let's go." She beckoned him.

Together, they strolled to her room, eager to give themselves fully to the other again.