Well, it's the last chapter. It has been a wonderful journey with you all. I hope you have all enjoyed the story, and I'd love to hear your final thoughts! I may or may not have another story on the go -I haven't quite figured it out yet. I love you all, and let the final chapter begin! Love, Inspired. **These are only short little glimpses at their lives. It follows a small story, but most are fairly short.

Epilogue
We only part to meet again. ~John Gay

Harry's eyes glinted in the setting sun. All was well, and happy was he. His wedding night turned out to be perfect. Snape had led everyone through the war, and came out a better man. Just after the reception, Snape pulled Harry aside.

"You have grown into a wonderful man," he said. "I know we had our differences in the past, but I am glad we sorted them out. I wish I could have been there for you sooner. As my gift, I wondered if you would like to become my unofficial godson."

Harry smiled widely. "Of course I would. That is the best present I could have ever gotten!"

Snape smiled; things were finally starting to lighten up.

"Severus?" Harry called from the hallway. Snape was sitting reading a Potions magazine, when he stood up and nodded at Harry. "You can come in now."

Snape eagerly walked into the room. Ginny was lying in the bed, covers pulled up to her armpits. She was sweating but looked pleased all the same. Just then a Healer walked in and presented Ginny with her newborn. James's eyes were wide with excitement and went to stand beside his mum.

"We've named him Albus Severus Potter," Ginny whispered to Snape who was hovering by the doorway. He felt like an intruder on a family moment.

"You named your son…after me?" Snape asked flabbergasted.

"Yes," she whispered again.

Snape had a hard time holding back tears. It was a great honour, but he wanted to know the reason. "Why?"

"Because you truly are the bravest man I've ever known," Harry answered this time, lifting James up so he could lie with Ginny.

"Thank you," Snapee said, barely audible. It meant the world to him.

It had been over 19 years since the war. The autumn breeze gently tickled the tree leaves. The summer was slowly fading away, and fall was once again making its way into the Potter's lives once again. It was almost time for the Potter children to go to Hogwarts once again. And this time, Lily would be going too.

"Are you packed, Lily?" Ginny asked from the kitchen. The kids were playing a round of Exploding Snap with Harry.

"Yes, mum," Lily answered over the explosions. She turned to her father. "Is Professor Snape coming for dinner tonight?"

"Yes, Lils. He should be here in about…"Harry checked his watched. "5 minutes."

"No cheating James!" Albus yelled, playfully shoving James over onto his side.

"I wasn't!" James insisted, but the smile creeping across his face told otherwise.

"James," Harry scolded.

"Cheaters do dishes!" Ginny called from the door. "By hand." She clarified.

Lily laughed. James would never do dishes by hand. He'd find some way to sneak magic.

A light knock at the door interrupted the game, and Harry got up to answer.

"Good evening, Professor," Harry greeted cheerfully.

"Good evening, Harry. Please, call me Severus, as I am no longer your professor," Snape answered, stepping into Grimmauld Place. Just two decades ago I would have thought myself to be as insane as Dumbledore, he thought good-heartedly.

"Of course, Severus," Harry smiled.

"Hi, Professor!" Albus came out from around the corner.

"Hello, Messrs. Potter," Snape greeted with a nod as James rounded the corner too. "Where is Lily?"

Just then, Lily came sprinting toward Snape. "Hi!"

Snape chuckled. "Hello, Lily."

"Dinner is ready, hello Severus," Ginny said, poking her head out of the kitchen door.

Following the kids, Harry and Snape made their way to the kitchen. They ate Ginny's delicious cooking, and then made their way to the sitting room. It really was the perfect family image.

"Can you tell me more about Hogwarts, Professor?" Lily asked for the umpteenth time since Snape had been visiting them.

"Of course," Snape obliged. He told them of hippogriffs –James's favourite; the castle; the ghosts; the Giant Squid –Lily's favourite; and Potions –Albus's favourite.

"Come on now, time for bed," Harry whispered to Lily who had fallen asleep on Snape's shoulder. Snape smiled at the three children who sleepily made their way to their rooms.

Harry and Ginny sat down across from Snape. Harry looked a little nervous.

"What is it, Harry?" Snape asked.

"I just wanted to say thank-you," Harry blushed. That's not everything he wanted to say, but he needed to get his thoughts together.

"For what?" Snape asked curiously.

"Remember in sixth year, Ron, Hermione and I gave you the 'Late Dream' potion?" After a curt nod, Harry continued. "I just wanted to thank you for putting the past behind you and befriending me. It means a lot."

"You're…welcome, Harry," Snape struggled. It had been 20 years, and he still found it difficult to express his emotions. "Thank you for accepting me," he replied.

Harry smiled, his emerald eyes twinkling. Ginny leaned into him, and smiled softly too. It was the perfect family.

"I'm getting old, Harry," Snape sighed from his seat on the couch years later. "I have all of the formalities sorted out, but I need to tell you something."

"Of course, Severus. Is it okay if Ginny hears?" Harry asked, gesturing to his wife who was polishing her broom in the kitchen.

"Yes, she is your wife; she may know," Snape answered.

Harry called Ginny and beckoned her to sit close beside him. "Okay, Severus. What is it?" Ginny asked concerned.

Snape took a deep breath. "As you know, I am getting old. Though I am sure I will last another month, I am weak. My Will and Final Testament have been written, and I wanted you to know that after everything we've been through, you both have been like a family to me."

"Oh, Severus," Ginny cried. She got up and hugged him. "It seems like it was just yesterday you walked in here to eat dinner with us for the first time."

"I know, Ginny, I know."

"What do you mean, Harry? Is he all right!" Ginny asked hysterically from her seat in St. Mungo's.

"I-I don't know! He's gone so pale! Healer! We need a Healer!" Harry yelled.

Snape was trembling slightly, his black eyes slowly losing life.

"Harry," he whispered hoarsely. "Harry, look at me."

Harry stared desperately into the man's eyes.

"You…have your mother's eyes, Harry. She lives within you," he whispered again. He was growing so weak so fast. Where were the Healers?

"Stay with me, Severus! Stay with us!" Harry cried out.

"I mustn't, Harry. It is my time. Thank you for showing me what a family is. Thank you for being there."

"No! Don't leave! Please!" Harry yelled.

Snape sucked in a wheezy breath. "I will always be with you Harry. You were…the son I never had. I will always be…with…you..."

Snape's eyes closed, Lily, I'll be with you soon. He breathed no more.

"Dead." Harry whispered. "He's dead."

"Harry," Ginny whispered softly. She comforted her husband who was still sitting by Snape's bed.

"He loved you. He loved you like a son," she whispered.

A tear slid down Harry's cheek. His companion was gone.

Harry's eyes filled with tears as he hugged Ginny closer. The children had grown up and were now standing beside their parents, wearing black, faces somber. Severus Snape had passed away of old age. He had lived a long life. Happily retiring from teaching potions after the war, he spent his days researching and discovering, and improving new potions. An eagle circled above them, landing in the tree near the tomb.

Harry went up and put a single lily on the tomb. It was a simple burial, an obsidian tomb on the Hogwarts grounds next to his mentor, Dumbledore. Only one word, in silver lettering had been etched upon the black stone: always.

Harry stepped back and lit his wand, the light shining in the gloomy day. The merpeople were singing beneath the lake, their song heard in the chilling air.

May the rose rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back.
May the sunshine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

An Irish blessing. Though it was not long, it echoed across the lake and into the deep green forest. He had changed so much, and it showed that you can befriend an enemy.

A final cry and the eagle took off over the lake; the song forever in their hearts.

Thanks so much for reading! Here is one last quote for you!

Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends. ~Richard Bach

In case you were wondering, I pictured Snape dying at the age of 70 (making Harry around 50, with his children now adults.) I do not know if wizards have an extended life-span compared to humans. If anyone knows, I would love if you enlightened me with the information!