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Chapter Eighteen

The End of an Era

HPOV

NEWT's came and went and for the most part I think I did extremely well, though due to my reoccurring nightmare I still have an unnerving fear about my Arithmancy exam. There was still another three weeks left of school before the summer holiday, which I spent mostly with Remus. No surprise there.

"So have you decided who's going to be your best man?" I asked him as we sat on his couch late one Saturday evening while sipping on tea.

He nodded. "Harry."

"I suspected as much." I teased. Well, really who else would it be, except maybe his father there wasn't another male figure he was really close to.

He chuckled and jokingly called me a know-it-all. "Oh, I almost forgot, I have something for you." Getting up from the couch he headed over to his desk which sat in the far left corner, he grabbed something from the top drawer and quickly came back. "Professor Kingston asked me to give this to you. She thought I was more likely to see you before she did."

I smiled opening the envelope. "Oh how sweet."

"What is it?" He asked me.

"An invitation to her baby shower."

"Oh that's nice."

"I'm still having a hard time picturing Snape as a father." I said placing the envelope in my robe pocket.

Remus laughed. "Yes, me as well, but I am sure he will be a good one."

It was at that moment that I thought the same thing of Remus. I could picture a little boy, around five; he would have his father's sandy blond hair and my brown eyes. He's sitting on Remus shoulders shouting 'giddy up daddy', as Remus happily trots around the back garden. Cupping his face in my hand I smiled up at his amazing blue eyes I then kissed him on the nose and then his lips. "You will be a great father to our children Remus, I know you will".

He smiled then pulling me gently into his arms. His ran his fingers through my hair before placing a kiss on my neck. "You know." He whispered in my ear. "We could get a head start on that if you'd like." He kissed me again, this time on the mouth.

"Perhaps we should wait until we are at least married."

"Why?" He asked reaching for the buttons on my shirt.

Not desiring to stop a good romp with the man I love I continued to allow him to undress me, however I did insist on a contraceptive charm. As much as I desire to have children with him, I'd like to wait a few years.

There was now only two days to the end of the term, and once it did end I would return to my parent's home, but only long enough to pack up my things. We rented out a small cottage on the outskirts of Godric's Hallow, it's actually just a few blocks from Harry parent's old home, which he is having re-modelled and plans to move into as soon as it is complete. It's a funny thing to know that I will have my own home, and as eager as I was to move on with my life, a big part of me would miss the ancient castle. It was my home for seven years after all.

I had just gone to the library to return a book, and as I was about to leave, who did I run into but the muggles studies teacher Professor Kingston-Snape.

"Oh hello Miss. Granger." The petite brunette smiled cheerfully at me, her right hand resting on her bulging tummy.

"Hello, oh Professor, I wanted to thank you for the invitation to you baby shower. I hadn't had a chance to tell you before now, but I would most definitely like to attend."

"Oh that's wonderful. I'll let Minerva know, she's the one throwing it. Oh, um, do you mind if I ask you a favour?"

"I suppose." I hardly know this woman and she's asking me for a favour?

"Well, the night of the baby shower, Severus simply plans to lock himself in our quarters. I suggested he do a bit of celebrating himself, but well he's…

"Stubborn." I finished her sentence for her. She nodded in agreement.

"Very. I was hoping maybe you could talk to Remus and see if he could get him out for the night."

Remus and Professor Snape out on the town, there's a thought, or should I say nightmare.

"I'll talk to him about it."

"Thank you, so much."

RPOV

I love Hermione, Merlin I do, but did she honestly think I would volunteer to spend an evening out with Snape. We had become polite in each other's company, for the most part anyway, but really, I wasn't about to become his best mate.

"Come on sweetie, please." She pleaded giving me an incredibly pathetic puppy dog face.

"No." I remained adamant.

"Remy." She gave me a rather seductive grin as she ran her fingers down my chest. "Please. I'll reward your kindness if you do." Her fingers were now pulling my shirt from my trousers. My witch then placed her hands under my shirt and began to run her nails down my chest.

"Hermione, you are not playing fair."

"No," She admitted lowering her hands to the waist band of my trousers, "Maybe not." Unbuttoning and unzipping pants she lowered her hand to my….

"Oh Merlin." I gasped. I wasn't going to be able to hold out much longer.

"Say you'll at least suggest to him you two hang out and I will make you a very-happy-wolf."

"Fine-fine I'll ask him."

"Good."

Without a second delay I pulled her hands from my trousers long enough to pick her up in a cradling position and carry her to my bed. Tossing her on my king size four poster I straddled her. "Now I believe you promised to make me a very happy wolf."

XXX

Later that afternoon I reluctantly went to Snape's quarters. Needless to say he was surprised to see me.

"What do you want Lupin?"

"May, I come in." I did not wanted to extend a hand in friendship out in the halls where people could actually see.

"Very well." I quickly entered his rooms, which were surprisingly bright and colourful; I'm guessing Katelyn had something to do with the decor. I couldn't see Snape putting lavender throw pillows on his cream couch. "Now what do you want?"

"Well since your wife will be having the baby shower next Saturday I thought perhaps the two of us could do something."

He looked at me like I had just asked him to keep me company during a transformation. "Granger put you up to this, didn't she?"

"Your wife asked Hermione to speak with me about taking you out so you wouldn't spend the day sulking in your quarters."

"Meddlesome women," He grumbled.

"Don't I know it?"

"I must say I am surprised?"

"Surprised?"

"That you folded so easily to her request. It seems she has you whipped already and you two aren't even married yet."

I knew he was trying to rile me up, antagonizing git.

"For your information-Snape-I was originally very adamant that I wouldn't help."

"Really," He snorted in disbelief, "And what made you change your mind?"

Now it was my turn to smirk. "Let's just say she made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

He instantly gave a disgusted look. "That's was not a picture I desire to have in my head Lupin."

I just laughed. "Come on Snape. It will pacify our women and give us a chance to get pissed, what do you say?"

After a rather dramatic roll of the eyes, he agreed. "Fine, but I pick the establishment."

"Fine with me."

HPOV

Professor Snape agreed to share a couple of drinks with Remus the day of the baby shower. Of course they would have chosen the activity of drinking, that way they probably won't even remember each other's company the following day.

Bloody, men.

I had all my belongings packed up; the train would be leaving the following morning at ten. I almost forwent taking the train back to Kings Cross and just apparated home, but Harry and Ginny pleaded with me to take the ride back, so I gave in. I'll just meet Remus the following evening at my parents.

I had breakfast with Remus that morning instead of in the Great Hall with my friends. I wanted to spend at least a few hours with him before heading off.

"So I'll see you Friday evening." I told him with a kiss.

"Yes, five o'clock," he grinned wrapping his arms around my waist, "and then we will move you into our new home and we can official begin to be a family."

"Yes, my husband." I said kissing him on the nose.

"Yes, very soon, my wife." He kissed me sweetly on the lips and then I reluctantly left.

Ginny, Harry and I quickly found a compartment. It was our last ride on the Hogwarts express; I guess I could call it a momentous occasion. Though with everything that had gone on lately it didn't feel nearly as…special…as it should have. Ginny and I talked a bit about ideas for my wedding, but most of the ride our conversation focused on our future careers.

"Mum's a bit put out that I want to play for play for Puddlemore. She thinks I should find a job at the ministry, and live at home. At least until….

Ginny paused for a moment and looked over at her boyfriend who was more into his Quidditch magazine then the discussion.

...well, until other things happen."

"Ah, I see." I said with a wink. I knew exactly what she was referring to. Molly wanted her married to Harry and start popping out red headed babies as soon as possible.

Ginny leaned across towards me and whispered. "I want to, just not yet." I simply nodded in understanding.

Ginny Weasley had been in love with Harry Potter since before she even started Hogwarts, that didn't mean she wanted to play wife and mother just yet; and in truth I didn't think Harry was ready for that type of role either. He has been through so much at such a young age; he needed a chance, for once in his life, to live worry free.

Arriving at the station I said my good bye's to Harry, and Ginny and then headed through the platform where my parents were waiting for me.

"There's my Hermione." My mother quickly enveloped me in a hug. "Now let me see that ring." I happily showed her my diamond, sapphire engagement. "Oh sweetie it's beautiful."

"Thanks. So you're really okay with me getting married." I looked up at my father who smiled and nodded and then back at my mum.

"Of course we are dear. Remus is a great man, and we know he will treat you wonderfully."

Once home I enjoyed a quiet dinner with my parents before heading up to my room. I had so much to pack up, but I was much too tired to start at that moment, so instead I slipped into my night clothes and crawled into bed. I read for about an hour or so, before finally deciding to call it a night. Tomorrow I will pack up my belongings and move into my new home with my fiancé. Yes, I was very much looking forward to tomorrow.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter, now send me some love and review.