A/N: Take it as given - lots of people you thought were dead, aren't.
Hogwarts had seen many a homecoming in it's long centuries of existence, but this was one of the most merry.
The Potters, the Lupins, the Longbottoms, the entire Weasly clan (even Percy and his pinch-faced wife), and many others were there to welcome the small family back home.
Since it was summer again, the school was devoid of students - which was a good thing: they needed the room! The Snapes asked to have all their friends and family close so they could tell them all that they had learned, and to ask for their help.
"What we have here is another case of injustice, spanning centuries."
Severus and Hermione stood in front of their audience, with Amey in a playpen near them being watched over carefully by Clover. With Severus' dulcet tones ringing through the Great Hall, emphasis on the similarities to Voldemort's thwarted reign were hitting home with all who were gathered.
Headmistress McGonnagal had asked that all House Elves in residence were to attend, and they clustered in a group near the back of the Hall, occasionally trying to give food to the humans.
"My friends," Hermione said as she walked to the group of small elves, "Please, cease your servitude!"
Her plea was met with fearful glances and one bold elf stepped forward.
"Missus, you is the one that wants to gives us clothes! We not accept clothes!"
Hermione stifled a sigh, and said "Just... please, just listen, for a short period of time. I promise, no one here will give you clothes of any kind! This is - well, a history lesson, of sorts. It has to do with your history, and maybe your future."
"And no one, regardless of the outcome, will ever be asked to leave here!" supplied Minerva, looking at the host of elves with compassion and sincerity.
The 'head' House Elf looked around at his companions, and seeing their nods, responded: "You has our attention, Missus."
Hermione rejoined her husband, and they explained the history of the Fair Folk, their mistreatment of their kin and subsequent banishment to the world of the humans, the Vow and Prophesy that were now nearing their time, the effects of the interactions that lead to Sonorous' eyes and talents, and Amey's destiny.
"We cannot expect the House Elves nor their Caretaker counterparts to join in this fight for their freedom: in fact, they cannot be a part of it, due to the curses that will fall on them if they lift a finger against the Court of the Tuatha Dé Danan."
"What kinds of curses?" asked Harry, holding his hand up to where his scar had been for so many years.
"Usually, any resistance is met with a curse of infertility or immediate old age, never assuaged by death."
"Oi! No wonder Kreatcher was such a grumpy old git!" shouted Ron, and though there were some giggles at his comment, they grew somber quickly.
"Yes, it is no laughing matter," came the voice of Severus' sister as she stood.
"They have little to live for at this point besides bonded servitude, which is part of the punishment our ancestors were forced to levy against them."
She turned to the gathered House Elves.
"My deep apologies for the actions of our forefathers: I ask that you gift us with permission to right this wrong that we were unwillingly a part of."
The House Elves had been listening to the 'history lesson' with wide eyes and open ears for the better part of three hours now, and had begun to exchange worried and angry glances at each other.
The 'head' elf stood, and with a confirming glance to his kin, began to speak as none of the humans had ever heard a House Elf speak:
"Know this, you gentle humans: we of the clan Maithe Seelie, descended from banished Pookas one and all, do hereby accept your offer to undo this egregious wrong, and bond ourselves to you of our own free will as friends. We pledge to assist you in any way we can, to protect the Awaited One without reservation, and accept into our number as sister the one called Clover, along with our other kin overseas as long-separated cousins."
With that all the humans and elves in the Hall began whooping and jumping about for joy, and the orphaned Clover, though she had found a human family to serve, let tears of joy leak from her large eyes.
The group of House Elves and humans, which dubbed itself the Heather Army, worked on the problem of the Fey during the days, and gathered together in celebration in the nights. The House Elves refused to let even Molly into the kitchens to help, and still did all the chores and other services they did when the castle was full of students, despite the urgings of the temporary residents.
Sonorous was welcomed into the patchwork 'family' with open arms, her similarity to Severus commented on with attention given to how beautiful she was, and how gentle her mien.
Sirius Black was irrevocably smitten. A few evenings in her company was all it took for him to ask her to be his wife, and though everyone was shocked at the proposal, they were even more shocked at her reply:
"Sirius, the moment I saw you, I knew my long wait was over: I have dreamt of you since I was a maid. Though you and my brother were not on good terms as youths, I hope," here, she turned to Severus, who's scowl was being hampered by his wife's tears of joy, "that you will treat each other with respect henceforth."
Severus eyed the animagus with suspicion, but with the reassurance of his sister's talents to see beyond what normal eyes could see, and his wife's pleading eyes, his resolve to hold his grudge dissolved.
"As you wish, dear Sister... but Black, if you so much as make her shed a single tear, I shall hex you into oblivion."
"Gladly accepted, Snape," replied Sirius, taking Severus' proffered hand. They shook, then Sirius returned to his kneeling position in front of the raven-haired beauty.
"Well? Will you make me the happiest man alive?"
With a sanguine smile, Sonorous replied: "Yes, I will be your wife."
The celebration exploded, and Minerva performed the handfasting ceremony for the happy couple in the Great Hall, where they were surrounded by all their family and friends, human and elven.