A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed/put on alert/favorited this story. It's very inspiring. I started this as a response to people saying they didn't like the names in the epilogue and it's great to see people enjoying this pov. Also, this chapter is a bit longer because you're getting two names for one. Hope you don't mind.
Albus Severus
"Ginny, I don't know how you came up with a name so easily for James. I'm already frustrated with Ron's inability to be serious when we talk about it," stated Hermione.
Ginny snorted. "I can't really help you with that. You are the one that decided to marry Ron."
"Ugh, I came over here because I thought you might be able to help me, not laugh at me."
"Hermione, look at this table," Ginny said waving her hand over her now cluttered dining room table. "You have a million and one baby name books here. There can not be that many instructions on names."
"Yeah, well what have you and Harry discussed?"
"We hadn't really talked about it too much. It will probably be like last time where we each have an idea and then figure out which is the first name and which is the middle name."
"And no gets stressed out like this. Do have any ideas?"
"Well, I have considered a lot of different things. I kind of want to something more like what my mum did with our names, where we have something a little old fashioned, but then a shorter name that we go by. It'll make it easier to yell at the kid.
"Are you really going to pick a name because it will be easier to yell?" Hermione asked, beginning to smile again.
"Oh no, that's not what I meant. It's just something that crossed my mind. Seriously though, I wouldn't mind continuing our war hero theme."
"And has this led to a name?"
"Yeah, I was thinking Albus. I mean, Professor Dumbledore was such a big help after I was possessed first-year. And I used to talk to his portrait during sixth-year. I also just really like the sound of it. Albus-nice ring, don't you think?"
"Yes, and you seem so confident in your decision and that Harry will listen to you. I can't even flip through one of my books without Ron groaning.
"In all honesty Hermione, I think you're depending on books too much. It really just needs to come from the heart."
"And I was trying to get away from it. My parents got my name from A Winter's Tale. There I was reading something completely unrelated to pregnancy and babies, okay? Then your brother tells me Shakespearean names are stupid."
"Well, you did marry him, knowing full well that a lot of the time he comes across an insensitive git."
"Ginny, that's the father of my child you're talking about."
Since Hermione seemed to have missed the sibling rivalry note in her voice, Ginny decided to take a little different route.
"I know. And you need to remember that he never called you 'Her-my-ninny.'"
"Don't mention that! If he gets even the slightest reminder, I'll never hear the end of it."
Ginny smiled sweetly even though she was well aware that her brother and husband did not let Hermione forget about her prior relationship with 'Vicky.'
"Well, that would mean that Ron came over here, and to do that, he'd have to be ready to apologize because he knows you're here."
"I hope that's soon," Hermione lamented. Then, as if on cue, there was a knock at the door.
Surprised to have someone knocking, Ginny went to the door. "What are you doing knocking? You could have flooed over."
Ron sighed. "Yeah, well, I didn't want to interrupt any private girl talk."
"Hermione's in the kitchen. Go apologize."
"Let me in and I will."
Ginny stepped aside. As Ron passed, Ginny took note of a rose hidden behind his back. 'Oh, this should be good,' she thought. She followed Ron, but stopped at the doorway. While she knew Ron was obviously trying, there was no telling what pregnant Hermione might make of the gesture.
When Hermione looked up and saw her husband, she glared but remained silent. Ron looked to be steeling himself for a battle.
"Hermione, honey, I need you to listen for a minute. I didn't mean what I said as it sounded. I am a little freaked out by all the books you keep getting and thinking we both need to read. A good name isn't going to come from some long alphabetized list. It needs to mean something. And I think it's great that your parents named you after a Shakespearean character. I do like going and seeing plays with you."
Hermione let out an indignant snort, but Ron continued anyway.
"When I said Shakespearean names were stupid I wasn't thinking about your name. I was just thinking about all those plays about Hamlet and Brutus and Puck, which are not only guy's names but also not something I would want to name any child, much less our daughter. I just couldn't find the words to be clear earlier. But then I was trying to think of women in the plays, like Juliet, but she dies. Then, I thought about how she says that whole thing about names not being important and roses smelling nice and how much she loves Romeo. And so, I'll go with whatever you want, but see, Rose can be a name, and I'd like it to put on your list. It's from Shakespeare, sort of, and I like it and even if you don't, I bought a rose anyway."
Ginny was not sure Ron had breathed during this monologue, but it looked like it had the right affect. Hermione had tears in her eyes and stood up to kiss the poor sod. Ginny decided to exit to the living room. She lay on the couch and flipped through her dog-eared copy of Beating the Bludgers.
She was interrupted by a whispering voice from her fireplace. "Is it safe to come through?
"For someone who defeated Voldemort, you sure are afraid of a pregnant and angry witch."
"You forgot the part where that witch happens to be Hermione." Ginny shook her head. Harry flooed the rest of the way.
"They're in our kitchen making up."
"What?...or wait, I don't want to know or think about it."
"Do you really think I would let that happen in my kitchen? Why don't you have seat and stop scaring yourself." She sat up so Harry could sit. He put his arm around her. "So now that they have a name, you know what that means?"
"What?"
"We should start thinking about names for ours."
"I think I enjoyed talking about my best friends' argument more."
"No you didn't."
"Hey, we could name him Arthur." He smiled in a hopeful way, as if Ginny would take this suggestion seriously.
"But if Percy and Audrey ever have a son, what would they name him?" Harry groaned. "And I thought of something today, in between calming Hermione and taking care of your son."
"So, what is it?"
"Well, I figure it fits with our theme and my parents'."
"Your parents? I wasn't aware they had a particular theme."
"Not exactly, they just like older sounding names and also could be lengthened for yelling."
"Okay, so what have you thought of?"
"Albus"
Harry silently mulled the name over. "I like it."
"Good, now you have to think of a middle name." Ginny flipped open her book only to have it shut by Harry.
"Actually, Albus will fit quite nicely with the name I was thinking about."
She looked at him confusedly. "Hermione said you hadn't thought of anything and you just suggested Arthur."
"I…er…I've been trying to get the guts to tell you, so I definitely was not about to tell Hermione and especially not Ron. Ron would probably throw me into St. Mungo's."
"You know, Ron has this fear of names that could get a kid beat up. So, you had better spit out whatever it is because my imagination is coming up with some horrible stuff. I heard that Draco and Astoria Malfoy named their son Scorpius. It can't be worse than that."
"Er…"
"I meant that as a joke. Okay, no more stalling. What's the name?"
"Severus"
Ginny's eyes widened in shock. Her mouth would open, but no sound came out. She wasn't sure what to think. A million thoughts were fighting for space in her head. Then two distinct moments came to the forefront, taking her back to her Hogwarts days…
Flashback
"Would you hurry up? Aren't you supposed to be a year ahead of us?" Ginny impatiently whispered.
"Sorry, Flitwick doesn't cover theft charms until the spring," muttered Neville as he struggled to concentrate on the task at hand. "Almost…" He sucked in a breath. "Oh, forget it." Before Ginny could react, Neville smashed the glass case surrounding the Sword of Gryffindor. He cleared away the broken glass and clasped the hilt.
"Well, I could have done that…" Ginny said.
Neville rolled his eyes. "Let's just get out of here."
Luna led the way down the stairs, but stopped suddenly. Ginny leaned around Neville. "What's wrong?" she whispered before she saw that someone else was coming up the stairs.
"What's wrong is that you are coming out of my office with a piece of my property, a familiar voice snarled.
'Oh Merlin! We were so close,' thought Ginny. Neville moved to the side so she could see Amycus Carrow standing gleefully behind Snape.
"Look Severus, our three worst troublemakers, in the headmaster's office." Amycus leaned towards Luna. "Did you really think we wouldn't catch you?"
Ginny really wished she was holding the sword, just so she could cut that lopsided smile off Carrow's face. Luna was able to keep a steady gaze and not react to the taunt. Ginny had no idea how she did that.
"Shall I begin their punishment now?" asked Amycus.
"No," Snape answered in a tone that left no room for argument. "They are in my office. I shall handle their punishment personally."
"But…but Our Lord said that I was to be in charge of discipline…"
"Yes, but they have broken in to my office, my headmaster's office. As headmaster, I see no problem with me handling this personally. Unless you doubt my ability to punish careless children?"
This was the man who killed Dumbledore. And now she and Luna and Neville had been caught trying to steal from his office. Fear began to creep up on her.
"Of course not, Severus. I'll leave you to them. Have fun." With one final leer towards Ginny, Amycus left.
"Back upstairs, now." They stood in front of the desk. Ginny noticed Luna's hand trembled slightly. Neville had a stony, defiant expression. She steeled herself as Snape walked behind the desk. "Set the sword down."
Without breaking his steady glare at Snape, Neville set the sword on the desk.
"What do you think you could have done with that sword? You had no way to get it to Potter," Snape spat. "Must you always act as if you are as stupid as Muggles…" Snape continued to lecture them on how stupid they were, but after weeks of listening to Muggle Studies, Ginny was able to easily tune it out.
"You will show up promptly at eleven o'clock. If I find out you were even a second late, Merlin will not help you. Now go immediately back to your dorms and I do not want to see you again today."
'Oh joy, it's over,' Ginny thought as she followed Neville down the staircase.
"Does anyone else think it's weird that we were caught breaking into the headmaster's office and got out with a lecture?" Luna asked.
"But look at the lecture. How many times were we called blood traitors, thieves and disgraces to the magical community?" Ginny replied.
"That's true, but when was the last time getting in trouble didn't involve a beating?" offered Neville.
"What are you suggesting? That Snape's going easy on us? Had a change of heart? Have you forgotten that he killed Dumbledore? It might seem a little off, but we still have detention." Ginny could not believe they were having this conversation.
"Hey, but it's with Hagrid."
"In the Forbidden Forrest! That's forbidden! What are you thinking Luna? He's evil, end of discussion. What's important is that we still don't have the sword."
"No, I think Luna might be on to something. McGonagall once gave me the same punishment and don't try and tell me she's evil."
"Not you too, Neville. This is ridiculous. Snape killed Dumbledore! I cannot believe we are having this conversation. And when did you ever serve detention in the Forbidden Forest? I'd remember something like that happening."
"First-year, after Harry, Hermione, and I and Draco were caught out after curfew. We lost fifty points each and had detention in the forest with Hagrid."
"When I'm not so tired, I'm going to ask for the full story such as what you were up to and why Ron wasn't with you. But anyway, I still am not convinced that Snape has suddenly decided to be nice to us."
"I wasn't suggesting that. I just wonder if he might be suffering from a wrackspurt infestation. It's the only real explanation, in which case, treating him as if we don't know what's wrong is the only way to keep everyone safe."
"Alright, as long as we all agree Snape hasn't decided to become Harry's new best friend."
"Right, it really is just wrackspurts. I'm sure they will leave soon enough. So, goodnight," Luna said as she skipped off towards Ravenclaw Tower.
Neville and Ginny continued their journey to Gryffindor Tower. "You know Gin, we probably are quite safe. Since You-Know-Who isn't killing unicorns anymore, we will probably be safer in the forest than here with the Death Eaters."
"Well, that is a silver lining."
End flashback, Fade to other flashback
"Wait a moment, Miss Weasley," ordered her Potions professor.
The eleven-year-old had to admit, she was a bit worried. She was struggling to keep up with her classes now that she had her mind back. She had taken to studying in the library with Colin, as he was also behind. However, neither one of them were particularly stellar at Potions. So, with trepidation, she approached Snape's desk.
"Yes, Professor?"
"Here is your last essay."
"If it wasn't that great, I'm sorry. I've been really trying to catch up…"
"Miss Weasley, if I may. I believe for all you've been through, this is okay work. You should definitely read my comments. I make a suggestion that may add to your understanding of forgetfulness potions."
Later, she read his comments, which were surprisingly nicer than she was used to, and found the name of a book, Alternatives to Forgetting When Potions Aren't Enough. Curious, she convinced her parents to buy it for her. She read it and remembered the advice, but soon forgot the surprising source for the title.
End Flashback(s)
It wasn't until after Snape was dead that Ginny had learned that wrackspurts had nothing to do with Snape's behavior. And she had not thought about the strange recommendation since she was eleven. The book had helped her with her nightmares after her possession and she had even loaned it to Percy after the Final Battle. Though not nearly as vocal, she had supported Harry's fight to get Snape's portrait up in the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts. But to name a child after the man…
"Okay, Gin, how much do you hate my idea?"
"Um…It's not that I hate it…It's that…You know, Snape is probably turning over in his grave at the thought of a Potter being named after him."
"Yeah, and imagine what my father and Sirius would think. I'll come up with something else."
"No, that's just it."
"What?"
Ginny smiled at him. "The last thing Snape would want is to have us name our son after him. He'd hate it. I respect him and what he did, but I still can't say I like him. That's what makes it such a fitting tribute."
"Okay, think I might understand. But what does that mean as far as names?"
She rolled her eyes. "It means, I think Albus Severus sounds perfect."
"Yes, we managed to come up with a second name. Now, why don't we go make sure our kitchen is still safe?" Ginny giggled as Harry helped her off the couch.