Severus had been teaching for three years and the godfather to one Cepheus Orion Black for four of them. Well, more of a visiting father he supposed as the little boy insisted on calling him father. He was preparing to spend another free weekend at the cottage of Hermione Granger when headmaster Albus Dumbledore stepped into his sitting room through the Floo.
"Ah, Severus! Just the man I was looking for," the meddling old man said.
"I would be surprised to find anyone else in my quarters, Albus," Severus answered suppressing the urge to sigh. "What is it that you want?"
"Yes, could you deliver this letter to Mademoiselle Chastain as you are going that way?" the headmaster said handing over a piece of yellow parchment folded and marked with an official seal.
"I'm no messenger boy, Albus, but yes, I suppose I can as I'm on my way to the cottage," Severus said taking the letter.
"Thank you, my boy," Dumbledore stated with a smile disappearing into the green flames.
Severus appeared to the front of the cottage just beyond the wall. He hadn't even taken a step forward when he his arms where already full of a four year old smiling boy with black hair and silver eyes.
"Daddy!" the little boy yelled in a gush of joy. Severus smiled at the little boy and hugged him tightly.
"I missed you," he whispered. He then got up lifting the child in his arms to meet the boy's beautiful mother who was radiant at the age of 25 her earthy eyes sparkling when seeing her son's happiness. The sight of her never failed to take his breath away. He enveloped her with his other arm kissing her on the cheek.
"Welcome home, Severus," she said with a warm smile. And Moor Cottage had indeed become a home to him. He spent his holidays and free time at the cottage sleeping more often than not in the same bed as his hostess.
They never spoke of it. Of whatever was between them. Hermione would sometimes have a melancholy smile on her face in the midst of happiness. He knew what she was thinking of then. The crying had lessened over the years, but some nights she still needed him to hold her closer. And very rarely, he would see her glancing at him and lighting up for a moment as she had done when in love with Regulus, but then realising who he really was. He didn't know where he found the eternal patience to be compared constantly to a dead man.
They had always been careful about showing affection in front of Cepheus. Severus was uncertain if it were allowed and Hermione never mentioned it. That Halloween Severus felt more irritable than he usually did. It was painful time of year to both of them, but somehow it seemed as if she never got over it.
They had put Cepheus bed and went downstairs to enjoy time in front of the fire when Severus decided to break the silence.
"Hermione, what are we?"
He could hear her sharp inhale as she sat up from their embrace. Her face was unreadable.
"Severus…" she began, but he interrupted her.
"No, this has been left unsaid too long. I know you loved Regulus with all your being, that he made you whole, but he is here no longer and I am. We act as if we were…" he hesitated before continuing fiercely. "Like we were married and I have… I have come to wish that it would be so, because I- I love you Hermione."
There. He had said it. He had never felt so nervous before. Not even in the Dark Lord's presence. Hermione said nothing. She just looked at him with the same unreadable expression. The silence stretched unnervingly long and he got up to leave and never come back when he heard the whisper.
"I love you too."
He turned abruptly only to find her looking at him with pleading eyes. A strangled gas escaped Severus' and he drew her in his arms kissing her fiercely.
"My beloved", he whispered into her hair. "Will you marry when next the sun is bright and the flowers fill these moors?"
"Yes."
It was everything he had hoped for.
Cepheus took the news of them marrying with great maturity.
"About time", was all he said, as if it had been the simplest and most obvious thing to do all this time. They laughed at him and hugged him with light hearts.
Remus took the news with a knowing smile as it had been obvious to him as well.
Wallburga did not answer her letter about getting remarried. Hermione feared it had angered her even more. Fortunately she did request Cepheus to visit her at least one a month if not more often. Her son always came back happy from these meetings speaking of the fun things he had done with his grandmother. They shared a close bond.
They got married on their beloved moors in the beginning of August 1985. The only one's present were Dumbledore to officiate, Cepheus and Remus as a witness. Their marriage was filed with the Ministry under the best of secrecy spells to not reveal the names written on the parchment.
Cepheus got a whole ten days with his grandmother when Hermione and Severus where on honeymoon. They came back with news that he would be a big brother. He was most exited.
In the autumn Walburga finally succumbed to her heartbreak and died at the age of 60. Kreacher made sure that they were able to bury her body next to her beloved Orion. Cepheus was devastated for he had loved her very much.
The twins Magia Gemella and Magus Gemini Snape were born on the 21st of May 1986 and they were happy in their little cottage. Severus had to be away during the weeks at school, but with the help of Kreacher, Hermione was able to handle her three children her who were the light of her life.