Epilogue

Eight Years Later

"Now, make sure you write to let us know you're okay and what house you were sorted in to," Hermione said as she fiddled with Alex's robes. "Be sure to do as your Head of House tells you and..."

"Yes, Mum, I'll write. I'll be fine," Alex said, hoping his Mum wouldn't kiss him in front of everyone.

"Hermione, you're going to wear out the boy's robes before he even gets on the train," said Severus as he shifted their one-year-old daughter Serena to his other arm. "We're sure you'll be fine at Hogwarts, Alex. I'm sure you'll do Slytherin house proud."

"What makes you think he won't be sorted into Gryffindor?"

"Of all the absurd things... it's in his blood. Both his fathers are Slytherin," Lucius said smugly.

Alex rolled his eyes as once again all three of his parents started 'discussing' what house the hat would choose.

"Would it be so awful if I was sorted into Ravenclaw?" asked Alex.

All three stopped and looked at the platinum-haired boy. "No," his mum said. "It wouldn't be awful; you're smart enough to be sorted into Ravenclaw. We'll be proud of you no matter what house the hat sorts you into. Won't we," Hermione said as she looked first at Lucius and then Severus.

"Absolutely," they said simultaneously.

The train whistle blew once, letting everyone know it was time to board. Tears started to well up in Hermione's eyes; she couldn't believe her first-born was leaving for Hogwarts. "It's time for you to get on the train, Alex. I'll miss you," she said as she kissed his cheek.

"I'll miss you too, Mum," Alex said as he stepped into her arms, hugging and kissing her cheek in return.

He then turned to his dad receiving a hug from him also. "Good-bye, Dad. I'll see you at Christmas."

"No good-byes, son. Christmas hols will be here before you know it. You take care of yourself, and write your mother often, okay?"

"Yes, Dad," said Alex, trying to hold back his own tears.

Then he turned to Lucius. "I'll miss you too, Father," he said as Lucius grabbed hold of him, hugging him close and kissing the top of his head. "Make sure you write to all of us, or I'll come up to Hogwarts myself to give you a dressing down." He slipped Alex a bag of Galleons and whispered to him, "Don't tell your mother or dad. Consider it spending money for what you might need."

Alex laughed. "Yes, Father."

"You best board the train or won't find a good seat," Severus said.

"Bye, Serena," Alex said as he stood on his toes and kissed his little sister and then ran towards the train.

Hermione broke down in tears as she watched him board. Severus put his free arm around her, and she turned to cry into his chest. "It's not as if we'll never see him again, love."

"I know," she sniffled. "But I'll miss my baby."

He looked at Lucius, who was rolling his eyes.

"Narcissa was the same way when we sent Draco off the first time." He placed his hand on Hermione's shoulder and gently rubbed. "He still needs you, Hermione; he still has a lot of growing up to do."

The train whistle blew again, and Hermione turned and searched for her son among the numerous children standing at the windows. "There he is, second car, third window," she said as she pointed, and all three started waving.

Alex waved back at his parents and watched out the window until he could no longer see King's Cross Station.

That evening in the Great Hall at Hogwarts, he waited in line with the rest of the first years. Finally, his name was called.

"Alexander Snape-Malfoy."

He sat on the stool, and the Sorting Hat was put on his head. "Hmm, yes, you are a smart one, aren't you. A product of two proud houses. You have Gryffindor bravery no doubt, yet you also possess the cunning and ambition of a true Slytherin, but I think you'll do well in... RAVENCLAW."