Wizarding Careers:

"St. Mungo's has friendly staff, many opportunities for hands-training right away, and our practice is a marriage between magical and muggle healing, which is not offered at any other hospital in the U.K." Hannah spoke to a small group of Hufflepuffs that had approached their table.

The Hogwarts Great Hall had been transformed. Multi-decorated tables had been set up around the hall. Each table represented a different wizarding career choice for fifth year students to peruse. They were all about to sit for their O.W.L.S. and it was time to start thinking about their futures.

Rose, Hannah, and William Sinclair were all dressed in their purpled robes with the St. Mungo's bone and wand symbol embroidered over their hearts. Rose grinned over at Hannah, who grinned right back. Rose and Hannah had volunteered to come today, William had not and sat back from the table a bored expression on his face. Rose and William had once been on pretty good terms, though never quite friends, but now William hardly spoke to Rose; he had never forgiven her for marrying Severus Snape. Rose didn't seem to notice or care about any changes in their acquaintanceship.

Rose straightened a few brochures on their table and looked up to see Ephraim approaching, closely followed by his friend Marcus, a Ravenclaw boy.

Rose beamed at her son. Both Ephraim and Marcus held a stack of booklets.

"Hey Mum." Ephraim said brightly, "Hey Hannah."

"Are you boys interested in healing?" Hannah asked as they approached.

Marcus grinned from Hannah to Rose and turned pink. Marcus had been a guest at the Snape house multiple times, he had seen both Hannah and Rose at the school many times to visit their husbands, yet his response to them was always the same. "I might want to be a healer," he said in a small voice.

Ephraim rolled his eyes. "You get faint at the sight of a papercut," he pointed out to his friend.

Marcus's blush deepened.

"It's not for everyone," Hannah said kindly to Marcus, making him turn redder still. Hannah chuckled slightly as Ephraim bumped his friend with his elbow. "What about you, Ephraim?"

"Er, I don't think so," Ephraim replied, making a face.

Rose laughed and turned to Hannah, "I told him about that patient last week who projectile vomited on me and that pretty much turned him off to the matter forever."

"You are supposed to tell him about the good things," Hannah scolded her friend.

"She does," Ephraim said quickly, "but the various bodily fluids are kind of a deal breaker."

"Fair enough," Hannah said.

"What do you have there?" Rose question, looking at the brochure in her son's hands.

"We are going to every table," Ephraim informed her proudly.

"Even Magical Sanitation," Marcus interjected shyly.

Rose nodded. "Alright," she said. "Anything standing out to you boys?"

"Well, the post was interesting," Ephraim informed. "There is a special job for taking care of the owls, I like care of magical creatures. I think that could be cool."

"You would be good at that," Rose assured him.

"Yeah, but I probably would prefer the care of other creatures besides owls," Ephraim told his mother.

"Okay," Rose agreed.

"We talked to the people with dragon reserves," Marcus contributed with wide eyes.

"That might be too extreme care of magical creatures for me," Ephraim told his friend.

"Did you go to the apothecary table?" Rose asked.

"We did," Ephraim said. "You liked that one, right, Marcy?"

"Yeah," Marcus said. "I would like a quiet job where I could use my brain and not worry about being eaten by a dragon."

Rose and Hannah laughed at Marcus's comment and he quickly looked away from them both.

"What about you Ephraim?" Rose asked quickly pulling the unwanted attention from her son's friend.

Ephraim looked over his shoulder before responding. "Don't tell dad, but I think I would get bored brewing potions all day."

Rose smirked. "I don't think he'll care. We both just want you to do something that makes you happy. And something that doesn't get you eaten by a dragon." She smiled at Marcus, who stared down at the floor. "Where is Dad, by the way. I thought he was done with classes for the day?"

"A couple boys in our year got a detention with him," Ephraim answered. "He said he will come up when he's through."

Rose shrugged. Severus was often late for things on the grounds of monitoring a detention. From speaking with Hannah, Rose knew that Neville didn't hand out half the detentions Severus did. Rose wondered who would dare misbehave in her husband's class.

"Who do you have left to talk to?" she asked the boys, as she gently brushed through Ephraim hair with his fingers.

Ephraim unconsciously shook his head, ruffling the hair his mother had just flattened. "Gringotts, Aurors, and the Daily Prophet," Ephraim listed.

"Good luck getting to the Auror table," Hannah interjected.

Rose grinned at her friend. "Good marketing strategy for sure," she said, "but I doubt all those people are interested in magical law enforcement."

The Auror table was by far the busiest, the crowd completely concealed the booth itself.

"I would have liked to say hello to Harry," Hannah remarked, "but I'm afraid to get in the thick of that lot."

"I don't fancy being an Auror anyway," Marcus mumbled to Ephraim.

Ephraim shrugged. "I want to learn about all of it," he returned.

Rose glanced around the room. "Maybe check out the other tables first and perhaps the crowd will simmer down," she suggested. Rose stood on her toes to assess the lines of the other tables Ephraim stated he had left to visit. Rose's face went pale as she caught sight of the table assigned for the Daily Prophet. The crowd surrounding the Auror table had been blocking it from view and Rose had not noticed the blonde ringlets and acid green quill of Rita Skeeter.

Hannah realized where Rose was looking. "What is 'she' doing here?" Hannah said.

Rose frowned. "Looking for her next fiction I suppose. There are a lot of notable people here today, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Neville," Rose named off.

"You and Severus," Hannah pointed out.

Rose rolled her eyes. "There doesn't need to be a "Saint or Scoundrel," sequel," she huffed under her breath. "Ephraim." Rose turned towards her son.

Ephraim who was watching the reporter out of the corner of his eyes, looked towards his mother once more.

"Stay away from the Daily Prophet table please," Rose told him. "If you are interested in journalism than we can send an owl to inquire about it, but-"

"Don't worry, mum," Ephraim said, glaring at the reporter with mistrust, "you don't have to tell me twice."

Rose smiled at her son. "Thank you," she sighed.

Ephraim nodded then turned to Marcus. "Gringotts, then?"

"Gringotts," Marcus agreed.

The two boys walked off together.

Now that Rose caught sight of Rita Skeeter, she couldn't ignore her. Rose still had nightmares about her article titled "A Lily and A Rose." Without really meaning to, Rose watched Skeeter, her beady eyes scanning the room, her mouth buzzing as her quill scribbled on a floating piece of parchment.

"Merlin," Rose swore as she caught sight of something at Skeeter's table.

"What is it?" Hannah asked, but Rose was already storming off towards the booth.

"Do you really have the audacity to display those here of all places," Rose said angrily when she stood in front of Rita Skeeter.

Skeeter turned towards Rose, momentarily surprised and then she smiled greedily. "Ah Mrs. Snape," she greeted.

Her photographer, who was sitting beside her, snapped a picture of Rose's face. Rose blinked against the flash.

"Put those books away," Rose said in the most demanding voice she could muster. Rita had decorated her booth with articles from the daily prophet that floated behind her and to complete the shrine of her work, she displayed her two popular books on their sides, subtle, but there. As Rose glared at the covers of "The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore," and "Severus Snape: Saint or Scoundrel," she half wondered if they were put there as bait.

"I don't need to do any such thing," Rita Skeeter said. "They are my books."

"Put them away," Rose said again.

Rita picked up the book that had a black and white picture of Severus on it. Rose did not know when it was taken, probably the day of the trial. Severus looked fearsome in the moving photograph, nostrils flared, eyes narrowed, lips curled. Rose did not like to see her husband depicted like that.

"I could sign a copy for you," Skeeter offered in a honeyed voice.

Now Rose knew that this woman was trying to provoke her, and it was absolutely working. "Do you really want my husband to see that when he comes up here?" It was clearly an empty threat.

"Should I make it out to both of you?" she mocked.

Rose tried to reach for the book, but Skeeter snatched it back too quickly with her long fingernailed hands.

"I would love an interview with you," Rita Skeeter said. "The potions master's wife, life after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Your account of being married to a deatheater…this time around."

The book in Rita Skeeter's grasp shot out of her hand and onto the floor without Rose even having to touch her wand. Suddenly, Rose felt a presence behind her. She whipped around and Harry Potter was standing beside her. He looked disgustedly at the book on the ground and then at "The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore," resting conspicuously on the table.

Rose looked around her nervously, hoping that they had not captured too much attention. She was at her son's school after all. The crowdedness of the hall did distract from their ordeal in the corner, however, the appearance of 'the chosen one' did not help the discreteness. Ephraim did not seem to see what was going on and that was all Rose cared about.

"Accio," Rose said and the book on the floor flew towards her. She didn't even like touching it. She tried to conceal it in the fabric of her robes.

"How dare you," Harry said to Rita Skeeter. "How dare you bring these to Hogwarts."

"I have every right to bring 'my' books anywhere I please," Rita said coolly. "Harry, what do you think of Severus Snape's choice of wife, muggle-born, named after a flower, does she remind you of the mother you never knew?"

"That's enough," Harry said. Both he and Rose looked flushed. "Leave," he demanded. "Leave or I will tell Hermione that it is time to announce to the world how big of a pest you really are." Harry raised his brows at her, "Or how little."

Skeeter's eyes darkened. "Fine," she said roughly. Rose was surprised by how easily she gave up. "Ruin the fun, Harry."

"Go," Harry told her.

She let out a finally huff before snatching her quill and parchment out of the air and snapping it back into her handbag. The Photographer snapped a final picture of Rose and Harry standing together before the two of them departed from the hall hurriedly.

Rose dropped the book she was holding back onto the table and cringed at the cover once more before pointing her wand at it. The book immediately turned to ash.

"Good thinking," Harry said, doing the same with the other horrible book.

Rose sighed and looked at Harry. "Thanks, I don't know how you did that but I'm really glad you did," she said.

Harry shook his head. "My pleasure," he said sardonically. "Sorry about…er…"

Rose blushed. "Yeah, me too. That was-" She felt a hand touch her shoulder. "Severus," she greeted tensely.

Severus glance behind him, clearly having seen Rita Skeeter storm out. He scowled down at the piles of ash on the table and then looked back at Rose with raised brows.

Harry watched his former Professor and his wife with a mixture of discomfort and curiosity.

Rose shook her head at him once. "I will tell you about it later," she told him. Her voice was not annoyed or dismissive but held a protectiveness about it.

Snape narrowed his eyes slightly but not even he could deny the warmth in his wife's tone.

"Darling, it's sorted out," Rose assured him, gazing up at him with loving eyes.

Harry never thought he would live a day to hear Professor Snape being called 'Darling.'"

"Harry took care of it anyway," Rose beamed at Harry. "Though, I'm not sure how."

Severus eyed Harry. He's lips formed a thin line, still not convince if he was ready to be put off this easy.

Harry flinched away as Rose stood on her tip toes and quickly stole a kiss from Professor Snape's hard lips. His face significantly softened, and he gave Rose a curt nod. "Later," he mouthed.

"Later," she agreed.

"Professor," Harry welcomed awkwardly.

"Potter," Severus said back flatly.

Rose rolled her eyes at Severus.

"Harry has influenced quite an interest in law enforcement," Rose told Severus. "If no Hogwarts students decide to become healers, I will hold Harry personally responsible."

Rose could almost feel as Severus pushed down whatever unpleasant comment sprung to his mind. She smirked.

Luckily, Hannah approached to defuse the tension.

"Hey Harry," Hannah said. "I was hoping that we could get you separated from the crowd. Thank Merlin for Rita Skeeter, I guess."

Both Harry and Rose let out a long breath at the same time.

Severus who had already begrudgingly agreed to discuss this later said, "Where's Ephraim?"

"Um," Rose said, scanning around the room. "There he is." She pointed to the Gringotts table. Ephraim was talking to a red-haired man with a very scarred face. The two were deep in conversation and both were smiling. A couple of goblins sat stoically at the table, disinterested in the conversation of the two wizards.

"Cure breaking," Severus considered.

"He does look excited," Rose remarked.

Harry looked over towards where Bill Weasley stood. Harry had never seen Snape's son before, or maybe he had during his many visits to Hogwarts, but he wouldn't be able to distinguish him from any other student.

When Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny would see Neville and Hannah, they would indulge the curiosities of the others about Snape and his family. Since Hannah and Rose had become such good friends, the Snapes just naturally slipped into the conversation. Despite hearing about Professor Snape as a husband and father of two, Harry still struggled to grasp the concept.

Ephraim, sensing eyes on his back, turned around to see his parents watching him. He made eye contact with him mum. "Wow," he mouthed before looking back at Bill Weasley.

Harry watched the teenage gesture back to his parents as if pointing them out to Bill. Bill looked up and saw Rose and then Professor Snape. He looked a bit confused. Ephraim Snape did not seem to notice. He quickly shook hands with Bill and then hurried over to his parents. He did not notice Harry at all.

"That's it," he announced to his parents. "That is what I'm doing after Hogwarts."

Ephraim presented them with a pamphlet. He opened it up; it held a list of all the classes that he must take at a N.E.W.T. level.

"Dad," Ephraim said, wanting Severus to look at it with him.

How strange it was to hear a boy say 'dad' and Snape to move forward. Ephraim stood close to Professor Snape and Snape rested a hand on the boy's shoulder, peering down at the booklet.

"I need charms, transfiguration, defense against the dark arts, ancient runes, potions, and history of magic." Harry could not help but smile at the face the boy made at the latter subject. "It says herbology, astronomy, and care of magical creature preferred."

"You'll want the preferred subjects," Severus advised. "That will give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs."

Ephraim looked up at his father with wide eyes. "That is a lot of classes."

"You are more than capable," Severus Snape told his son. This man who had frightened and intimidated students for years suddenly had a boy looking to him for comfort.

"And we'll help you, Sweetheart," Rose added.

Ephraim nodded somewhat nervously. Then he looked at his father again. "Why is astronomy advised," he complained.

"Because some curses are strengthened or activated by the wane of the moon or the movement of the planets," Severus explained.

Ephraim's shoulders slackened slightly. "You'll help me study?" he asked his father seriously.

"Yes," Severus assured his son.

Harry had had his doubts before writing the recommendation for Snape to adopt this boy. The thought that his mother would want Severus Snape to have a chance at happiness led Harry to agree. Now that Harry saw Snape with the boy, he instantly knew that he had made the right decision.

"Hey Ephraim," Rose chimed in, getting her son's attention. "I want to introduce you to someone."

"I suppose I can't convince you to be an auror then?" Harry smirked, "It seems that my brother-in-law recruited a great young wizard."

Ephraim's gaze flicked to the man's forehead and his eyes widened.

"Ephraim this is Mr. Potter," Rose introduced, "Harry, this is our son, Ephraim." Rose grinned at Harry. Despite the awkwardness that tied Harry to Severus, Rose would always be grateful to Harry Potter. Not just because he finally put an end to Lord Voldemort, but because he insisted that a healer go to the Shrieking Shack, because he cleared Severus's name, because he helped make Ephraim their son. Rose owed her happiness to him.

"Nice to meet you," Ephraim said in a low voice.

"Harry!"

Neville joined the group. Harry and Neville exchanged a quick hug. "I see you've met Mr. Snape." Neville clasped Ephraim on the shoulder.

"I have," Harry said kindly.

"It is a bit of a reunion," Neville announced. "I saw Seamus over at the architectural charms table and then Ron and George are busy over at the joke shop table."

Severus's eyes automatically flit to where Ron and George Weasley were talking to a group of students. Severus saw George Weasley laughing, except perhaps not a full-hearted as he once did. He had let his red hair grow longer to cover the empty space where his ear should have been.

Rose could see Severus starting to drift into the past. She grabbed his hand to bring him back.

"It makes me want to get everyone together again. Once Luna and Rolf come back from South America and Ginny has the baby." Neville grinned at Harry. "We should all plan a night together. Like old times, with a few welcome additions. Neville turned towards Rose and Ephraim.

Severus vaguely wondered if he would be one of the welcome additions. Out of kindness to Rose but unkindness to everyone else, he probably would be included. Then he would come up with some excuse not to go at the last minute. Neville and Severus had the civility of two indifferent coworkers, though indifference was just a polite mask. But despite it all, Neville Longbottom was kind to the end to Rose and Ephraim, whom both he genuinely liked. He never took out his feeling for Severus on either of them, showing them kindness when others showed them distain for carrying the Snape name. Severus felt both gratitude and extreme guilt at this.

"Rose," Severus said in a low voice.

Rose looked up at her husband.

"I am going home," he told her. "I'll pick up Esme."

"Okay," Rose said gently.

"Ephraim would you like to come with me?" Severus asked, he sounded exhausted suddenly.

"Can I eat in the Great Hall tonight? Marcus and I need to discuss everything today," Ephraim explained.

"If it's alright with your mother," Severus said.

"Mum?"

"Yeah," Rose said. "I will come get you later."

"Right," Severus said and began walking away. Rose watched his back for a moment before moving towards him again.

Harry's eyes were drawn to the couple. The absurdity of the situation continued to spark his curiosity. Someday, he knew that his brain would have to accept what his eyes knew to be true.

Rose Snape took fast stride towards her husband. She reached for his shoulder and Snape paused and turned to face his wife. Harry watched as Rose gazed up at Snape in that way a loving, devoted wife looks at her husband, the way Ginny looked at Harry. At Rose's gaze, Snape's body seemed to untense. Rose said something to Snape that made his brows furrow and he responded briefly. He then bowed his head closer to hers, letting his black hair fall forwards, shielding his face. Rose began to speak to him. Harry could not gage what she was saying, but whatever it was her words made Snape stand up straighter and a small smile formed on his lips. Rose took his hand and squeezed it before they parted.

Rose moved to rejoin the group.

"Is Severus alright?" Hannah asked Rose when she was at her side.

Harry and Neville exchanged looks. Hannah had told them that she was making a conscious effort to call Snape by his first name for Rose. It still sounded odd coming out of her mouth.

"Yeah," Rose replied. "He's alright."

"He left rather abruptly," Hannah remarked.

Rose shrugged and looked a bit uncomfortable. "Sometimes it can be a little much for him," she said, not willing to explain further.

Harry understood. He too, could get lost in the past. Harry could only imagine that being surrounded by his ex-students could make Professor Snape get unpleasant reminders of when they all lived at Hogwarts together. Harry wondered what he felt when he saw them all, anger? Grief? Regret?

"Rose since you're waiting for Ephraim," Neville suggested, "Should we all grab a drink at the Three Broomsticks? The students are pretty much done here."

Rose smiled and almost looked like she would say yes, but then she looked back at the path Snape had exited. "You all go," she said. "I think I want to go home with Severus for now."

She bid everyone goodbye. Harry watched her check in with her fellow healer at the St. Mungo's table and then left the Great Hall.

Harry felt strange thinking it, but he wondered if his mother would approve of this woman for her childhood friend. He wondered what role Lily still played in Professor Snape's life. Snape was the only living person who knew Lily best, a chance Harry never received. Harry hoped that Snape was happy and he hoped that he still thought about Lily sometime, but hopefully not with sadness, but with one looking back on a beautiful memory.

XXX

Thank you for reading. There is more to come. Please review and let me know if there are any one shots you want me to write.

Thora Jane