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

Much to Severus' pleasure, Raphael Camael, was no dunderhead. It was a trait which would serve him well in his career of sorting out what had happened during the Second Wizarding War. The fact that he was a foreigner helped. He was coming in with no presumptions of who Severus Snape should be, or traumatic memories regarding his teaching methods. After being judged by so many people with biases and agendas, it was nice to have a mortal with no personal knowledge of him drawing their own conclusions.

Wait, did he just call Raphael a mortal? Had Severus been a spirit so long that humans were now mere mortals? What did this mean for how he viewed Hermione?

"I can't believe Severus worked on a potion for curing scarlet fever." Raphael's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"I was a little shocked too when I went through his notes," Hermione placed another parchment onto her kitchen table. "But it's very thorough research."

"Why did you keep this hidden for so long?" Raphael scooted his chair closer to the table.

"When I first got these documents, I wasn't quite sure what they were," Hermione organized the parchments between them so they were in a neat stack. "I would have looked them over, but some personal drama got in the way."

"Would that be your relationship with Ron?"

Hermione paled and swallowed.

Severus' glow dimmed. Even people in New Zealand had heard of her poor romantic choices. Could she ever escape her past and be seen as the wonderful woman she was in the present?

"I apologize is I spoke out of turn," Raphael cleared his throat. "In the course of my research I learned about you and Ron. I know about the relationship, probably more than I should."

"I suppose it would be difficult to study the war without knowing about the Golden Trio," she admitted.

"He's a right old arse if you ask me." He unfurled a parchment. "There was no excuse for him abandoning you."

"It's all over now," she replied. "We won the war. That's all that matters."

"I also heard about you and your parents." Raphael swallowed. "Your methods of restoring their memories was revolutionary."

"I was just lucky I was able to restore their memories, and they weren't upset with me."

"Indeed." He snuck a look at the parchment. "I cannot blame you for not looking over these notes sooner under those conditions."

"I know, but I still should've given them a peek," She shifted another parchment towards him. "But once things settled down I decided to look over them. The treatments they contain are revolutionary."

"Do you plan on brewing all these potions?"

"I hope to over the course of a few years." She sighed. "But I'm still running my bookstore, which is a job in and of itself. It's going to be difficult to balance them both."

"I can only imagine. Lord knows it's difficult enough being a graduate student, but running a business and researching…" He shook his head.

"Indeed," she relaxed. "What got you into Severus Snape, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Oh, that's fine," he answered. "I initially considered going to a university in Britain for my undergraduate, just to get out and see the world. When I realized how dangerous it was, I decided to attend the College of the Appalachians."

"I hear that's a beautiful Wizarding University."

"It is," he replied. "Don't get me wrong, I consider going there to one of the best experiences I've ever had. Still, I was curious about the war. When I decided to go into Wizarding History, I began studying it in my current events class. At first, I only focused on the rise of Voldemort, but once the war ended and the stories began coming out, I realized Severus Snape was the most fascinating figure."

"He is very fascinating." Her lips curled up.

"These notes though," he shook his head as his face lit up. "I've always been interested in potions, but I was a menace near a cauldron. Still, I know enough to know these theories are amazing."

"I wish I had appreciated his genius at the time," she admitted. "But now that I'm in a better place, I can appreciate what I have."

"Yeah." He continued thumbing through the parchments.

As the evening wore on, Severus couldn't help but note the irony of his afterlife. As a boy, he had been neglected, made to feel like nothing. Now, a graduate student from New Zealand was doing research on him, and explaining how he had recanted his atrocious pureblood views. Books were being written about him, people were reevaluating his legacy, yet all he cared about was what the witch in front of him believed. So long as she loved him, the other entities in existence could all fade into the background.

The only tragedy was that Hermione got no credit for bringing him happiness and peace. If he ever got the chance, he would rectify that mistake.

Sadly, it was doubtful he would get that chance in the mortal realm.

"St. Pete!"

No answer.

"Hello! St. Pete!"

A few more moments passed.

"Are you there, St. Pete?"

Sirius slumped onto the couch and picked up a book. Saints weren't house elves who came when he called. He was beginning to accept this fact. That didn't make it any easier to be patient.

Five pages into his book, his glow went blue as the edge of waiting wore off. Perhaps they knew what he was going to ask, and had already said no.

"I apologize for my tardiness," St. Pete appeared, leaning on his golden staff. "I had to deal with a couple of lesbians who needed to be redirected deeper into heaven."

"Did they try to jump the pearly gates to get to Purgatory or save someone from hell?" Sirius set his book down beside him.

"No," the saint replied. "They were so excited to see each other they started to fuse right in front of the gates. Once they were finished they were very eager to speak with me and thank me for letting them in. Then they asked for the most scenic parts of heaven. I got so caught up in the conversation I almost didn't hear you."

"Do you deal with that often?"

"More often than you think." St. Pete's glow was soft. "It's always amazing to see lovers reunited and see the joys on their faces when I tell them about the wonderful scenery heaven has to offer."

"Maybe you should make a map with all the good hiding places," Sirius suggested. "That way, you won't have to spend so much time explaining where everything is."

"I considered that once, but the Trinity pointed out that heaven is always expanding. If they only know the more well-known spots they may miss another place just as beautiful."

"I guess it's better to let people explore heaven on their own then."

"They have an eternity to do so anyway." The saint frowned. "I sense I am not here on a social call though."

"No, I have something to ask," Sirius replied.

"What?"

"May I." Sirius' glow flickered. "May I speak with my godson?"

"I thought we made the rules clear." The saint pursed his lips together. "You cannot speak to anyone or interact with the world"

"I know, you made it clear. Still, this is hard," Sirius turned blue. "I want to tell Harry so many things, but I can't do it."

"I know that must be frustrating, but mortals and spirits are meant to be separate for a reason."

"There's a cosmic order, it must be kept up, Severus gets to break it because he's special, I've heard it all before but," his glow pulsated. "I really think I could help Harry if I spoke with him though."

"Many spirits believe they could help people if they would just speak to them, but words need to be spoken in life, not wait until after death."

"Yes, but this is important, and I think we should make an exception."

"I understand you feel entitled to certain things…"

"I want to help Severus by speaking to Harry before he can."

St. Pete closed his mouth.

"Harry wants to speak to Severus, but I don't think he knows how to make peace with him," Sirius argued. "He needs help sorting out his emotions. I think, no I know, I can help."

St. Pete loosened his grip on his staff.

"I won't lie, I want to talk to Harry for my own comfort and to tell him how much I love him. Yet I'm afraid if I don't speak with Harry he could make certain mistakes when reconciling with Severus. I may be able to prevent him from making an arse of himself and alienating Severus and Hermione."

"You're serious about all this, aren't you?"

"Yes, I'm extremely serious about helping."

"For once in your existence, you're behaving selflessly, or at least more selflessly than usual."

"I just want to help," Sirius answered, his glow brightening. "I think I could help Harry sort out his emotions, and could then relay his thoughts back to Severus. If I did that, they'd both be ready for this meeting. It would take some stress off of Hermione too since she could focus more on translating between spirit and mortal, not mediating their disputes."

"I must admit," St. Pete stroked his long white beard. "You make some interesting points."

"I think I could help, I really do, but I have to be able to speak to Harry first. So please," Sirius folded his hands, "Please let me speak to Harry before this meeting."

"It isn't a terrible idea, and it comes from a pure intention." The saint grinned. "I think I can pass this request before the Trinity."

"Thank you." Sirius' glow intensified.

"They may still say no," St. Pete raised his finger. "You must be ready for that."

"I am, and if they say no I have no choice but to accept it, but I will be thankful if they seriously consider it."

"I know you would, which is why I have no problem asking them."

"Oh thank you!" Sirius hugged the saint, causing him to drop his staff.

"You're welcome." St. Pete returned the embrace as their essences touched.

"What are you two doing?"

They broke apart and glanced at Severus, whose eyebrow was raised as high as it could go.

"Nothing," Sirius answered in a sing-song voice.

"Sure," Severus drawled.

"Anyway, I must be going. Great to see both of you, and," St. Pete picked up his staff. "I will bring your request before the Trinity."

"Thank you!"

Before Severus could ask for an elaboration, St. Pete disappeared.

"I think that's the most pleasant visit I've had with him," Sirius began. "He's even starting to like me."

"Either that or he's so worn down from dealing with you he's lost his usual edge."

"I suppose I do have a way of wearing people down. After all, you like me."

"For reasons I'll never understand."

Sirius grinned.

"In all seriousness, do I want to know what you asked him to do?" Severus asked in a low voice.

"No," Sirius' eyes were agleam. "But you'll love it."

"Your definition of love and mine are often dissimilar," Severus muttered.

Sirius gave him a self-satisfied smirk before opening his book and resuming his reading. A few times, Severus considered asking further questions, but decided against it.

Surely the Trinity wouldn't allow Sirius to behave too stupidly, would they?