Chapter 128: Hello, From The Other Side (Redux)

{A/N: Here's Another Update...}

My Thanks To All My Readers And Reviewers...Enjoy-S.S

{"It's no secret that the both of us...Are running out of time...So hello from the other side...I must have called a thousand times...To tell you I'm sorry for everything that I've done...But when I call you never seem to be home...Hello from the outside...At least I can say that I've tried...To tell you I'm sorry for breaking your heart...But it don't matter it clearly doesn't tear you apart anymore..."} Hello, Adele

Unknown Location, Unknown World...

Severus Snape awoke with the sun shining upon him and the sky a clear baby blue as it loomed above him. The cool breeze that had been gentle against the exposed skin of his arms as he noted his all white attire. The shade from a well placed apple tree had been welcoming as he roused from what appeared to be his nap. His eyes took in the unmatched beauty of the world around him from the vivid colors and peaceful surroundings to the sweet sounds of untamed nature as he sat amid the lush green grasses beneath the apple tree.

"I knew you'd awaken sooner or later." said a familiar voice.

Snape arched an eyebrow as he looked into the chaotic dark eyes of Bellatrix LeStrange.

"Bella." he said in a near on whisper.

She offered him a shy smiled.

Snape had been stunned. He had never known her to be shy before.

"W-What happened?" he asked. "The last thing I remember was the crash...and being at Potter's place."

Bellatrix, whom had not looked very much liked the deranged escapee from Azkaban with her tamed but still notoriously curly hair and modest white dress that fit her rather well. She had worn white knickers and white boots.

She seemed a bit younger if her looks were anything to go by, much younger than he would have guessed without the hazards of sorrow in everyday life weighing her down.

The witch's ruby red lips had been more the same but she seemed tamed by comparison.

"You are hovering quite close to death." she said without a hint of amusement. "I'd wish you all the best but wither or not you remain here depends upon you."

"What do you mean?" asked Snape suddenly not as comfortable as he had been previously.

"You are in what is refered to as the "In Between." Bellatrix enlightened him. "A delicate place if ever there was one."

"W-What happened...back at that temple?" he asked. "Why are you here?"

Bellatrix simply smiled.

Snape's eyes widened as her beautiful white dress was suddenly stained with red.

The color change had been most unnerving as Snape continued to watch her.

"I suppose Vaermina was quite miffed about my not wishing to return to her service." she replied as if it had been no big thing.

The Potions Professor got to his feet and walked over toward the witch before him.

"Y-You were killed?" he asked not sure he believed what he was being told.

"Something like that." replied Bellatrix as if it did not phase her in the least. "I suppose I should be grateful...what happened to me was truly no way to live."

Snape felt the familiar sensation of guilt as he sat there looking into Bella's chaotic dark eyes.

"I suppose it was mostly my doing." he said in a soft tone.

Bellatrix smiled warmly.

"And you'd be wrong." she said stroking his warm cheek. "Severus you were quite naturally the best thing that ever happened to me."

Snape arched an eyebrow at this.

"How so?" he asked.

"Well to begin..." she started.

Their talk had been immediately interrupted by the sight of a teen aged boy with raven hair and obsidian eyes, also dressed in white and accompanied by a little girl no more than six or seven years in age.

Immediately the Potions Master got to his feet, the little girl before him giving him pause as he watched his two children race toward him.

"Hello father." said Regulus with a charming little smile.

"Hi daddy." said the girl looking so much like Hermione, even having her amber eyes as she stood before them.

"Regulus." said Snape stunned. "How...?"

Regulus smirked.

"Well father, my little sister has been keeping me company for quite some time." he said sweetly. "She's been quite eager to meet you."

Snape looked down at the six year old girl. She had indeed been the spitting image of her mother and it would have been quite interesting to see what would have become of her.

"W-We didn't get to give you a name." Snape said kneeling to meet the girl's eyes.

She simply smiled in that shy way that her mother always had.

"It's okay daddy." she said sweetly. "I have one now."

Snape nodded looking up at Bellatrix knowing all too well that she had been the culprit for this.

"How does Bellatrix Hermione Snape sound?" asked the older witch with a smirk.

Snape laughed. He could just about imagine the look on Hermione's face when she realized that her daughter carried the name of her mortal enemy.

"Not on either of your lives." he replied. "Isabella Snape on the other hand I believe we can get away with."

They all started to laugh as if there had not been a care in the world.

A few moments later, Little Bella took Snape by the hand and lead him to what appeared to be a beach. Regulus and Bellatrix followed as they played in the warm white sand and watched as the clear waves washed over their exposed toes. There had been a good bit of laughter and light hearted moments and Snape enjoyed spending time with his other children.

It had been peaceful to be away from the cares of the various worlds, no pain or suffering to say the least. He had never imagined a place where the most happiness he had ever experienced paled in comparison to this place of peace. As he sat on the beach letting the waves rush by and the sun warm his no longer aching bones, he contemplate staying.

"Father." said Regulus shaking the Potions Professor from his thoughts.

"Regulus." he said with a warm smile when he recalled how the boy had done everything in his power to save his life.

"Father...listen...as much as I love your being here...and as happy as mother is to have you around...you need to make a choice." said the younger Snape with a stern expression.

"A choice?" asked Snape getting to his feet as the water came up about his ankles.

"Yes." replied Regulus."This is where you draw a line in the sand."

Snape seemed confused by his son's familiar words.

"A line in the sand." said the Potions Master looking down at the now abundant white sand.

One half of it lead to Bellatrix and the cottage where his children who have already passed away shared their days with her. The other had been a glimpse if only a fleeting one of a bushy haired witch with tears in her eyes.

"Hermione." said Snape in a near whisper.

Regulus nodded knowing all too well how much his father loved his wife and vice versa.

"H-How do I get back?" asked Severus not taking his eyes off the place in the sky where Hermione's tears had begun to make it rain in this perfect little paradise. "Tell me how to get back to her."

Regulus gave him a small smile.

"Draw a line father." replied the younger Snape speaking plainly.

Severus Snape did as his son instructed feeling his body wracked with every ailment he had left behind. The peaceful place and all those he had cared for on the beach simply watched as his vision faded into an overpowering white glow.

The Potter Residence, The Burrows, Wizarding World...

Lucius Malfoy had been standing over Severus shooting a good deal of magical energy from his very fingertips and into the ailing wizard whom had gone limp on the sofa. He had not been alone with Draco and Narcissa donating some magical efforts as well. Hermione kept talking despite the tears. She had tested the Dreamstride Potion bursting into tears as she recalled the night she found him when he had just returned from Voldemort. He had been so patient and kind during the beginning of their marriage.

Hermione kissed the Potions Master on the lips not at all willing to accept that he had been gone. Her determination seemed to have paid off as Snape opened his eyes meeting her gaze as the Malfoys continued to keep him alive via their magic. He noted the tears streaming down Narcissa's cheeks and the reality of what happened to Bellatrix set in. No longer weighed by guilt, Snape looked at her as she aided her family in trying to save his life.

"She's found the boy." said Snape not taking his eyes off Narcissa. "She isn't alone."

Narcissa nodded grateful for his words as she offered him a small smile.

Hermione wiped the blood and sweat from his face and turned her attention to Phaeron.

The stubborn boy had drank from the phial before she had awoken. His desperation possibly due to his father nearly dying on the sofa. Lily Potter had been looking after him as Albus Severus watched over an Harry Potter, whom had been sitting in an armchair his face blank and his movements halted in his involuntary slumber in the wake of Hermione once again losing her notorious temper when her husband stopped breathing. It was only her son that convinced her not to kill the stupid prat if only to save Severus' life.

"P-Phaeron?" said Snape as he looked over at the younger Snape's body.

"Dreamstride." replied Hermione. "Just hold out for a bit longer love...just a bit longer and it will all be worth it."

Snape once again squeezed her hand unable to tear his sorrowful eyes away. He had almost given up. The peace and comfort from that place more than preferable to the pain of this world but looking into her amber eyes...so full of worry and fear unlike any he had ever witness aside from that night when the dark lord fell...he owed it to this beautiful witch to try one last time.

"Hermione." he said reaching up with his free hand and stroking the bushy haired witch's cheek. "My Hermione."