A/N: Okay, so here's the awaited Epilogue! Can you believe this is marked as complete now? Anyways, thanks for all of the support and reviews! You guys are amazing and you've made this a lot of fun! Now I can focus on my other stories, which some of them include a Draco/Hermione, Bill/Hermione, Remus/Hermione, and also another mystery/Hermione... so if you want to keep an eye out for those, add me to your alert list!

Thanks to KlingonGal18489 andKellyRoxton for your ideas for this chapter!

And for the last time, I don't own Harry Potter!

"Essie Ann?" Hermione called to her fourteen-year-old daughter. "What's the matter?" She hugged Essie Ann close and brushed away her tears.

"C-C-Cassius Weasley!" she cried pitifully.

Hermione sighed. Her daughter had been chasing after that boy since Ron and Luna's engagement party eight years ago. She followed him everywhere, but she couldn't get past the best-friend stage. "What happened now?"

"I sent him a Valentine and he—he...He went and flirted with stupid Cassandra Smooter from Ravenclaw! Why won't he notice me, Mum?" Another sob escaped her and she snuggled against her mother more.

"Oh, sweet Essie," Hermione kissed her dark crown and squeezed tight. "Have you told him how you feel?"

"No!" Essie Ann looked up at her mother horrified. "I couldn't handle it if he laughed at me! I thought he'd understand. I've always given him the best presents and Valentines. I've always been there for him, but he doesn't see me as anything except a sister."

"Ah, there's your problem, Sweetie. You're taking the chase away from him. Boys love the chase to win a girl's heart. It's how they realize they're in love too. I bet if you ignore him for a while he'll realize how silly he's been and won't leave your side."

"You think so?" Essie Ann sniffed lightly.

"What will it hurt? He's a Weasley, Essie. You have to work through the thick skull—not an easy task, let me tell you."

Essie Ann giggled. "Like Uncle Ron, right?" She knew a little about her mother and Uncle's relationship from their school days.

"Sometimes I think Cassius' worse. But don't hold his genealogy against him. You can't choose your family."

--

"Hey Annie," Patrick dropped down into the seat next to Essie Ann at the Gryffindor table and reached for the plate of bacon. "Cass 's been askin' after you. Said he don't know what he's done." He was the only one who called her Annie and still never liked to talk correctly. It never hurt his popularity as he was always surrounded by girls.

"Oh?" Essie forced herself to ask in a uninterested tone.

"You can stop that fooling with me, Annie. I know what you're doin'. And you're hurtin' him bad."

Esther looked at him guiltily. "What do you mean?"

"He misses ya."

Before she could reply, she heard his voice behind her. "Esther?" Like Pat was the only one who called her Annie, Cassius was the only person her age who called her Esther. Only her father called her by her full name.

"Hey, Cass. Where's your brothers and dad? We're going t' put Solar on his first broom." Ron and Luna's first and only child together was a boy named Solar (the sun) who had red hair, but it was very pale, and Luna's gray eyes.

"Sol and Will are at the cottage with Mum and Da's in his office ," Cass replied sadly. He returned his gaze to the girl in front of him as she looked back shyly. "Can I sit with you?" he asked after Pat had bounded off. Essie Ann nodded while blushing. Cassius sat down, but didn't make a move for any food. "Why have you been evading me lately?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Stop this, Esther. You're my best friend and I would know if you've been evading me. A month, Esther. A whole month and you've only said a handful of words. Tell me what's going on!"

"Cassius, you're drawing attention," she growled as she glared at anyone daring to stare in her direction. Like father, like daughter.

"Like I care!" Cassius said loudly. He heard a chair scrape at the main table and saw his Uncle Severus standing and glaring at him. He waved and smiled sheepishly before turning back to Essie. He dropped his hand on hers and squeezed it. "I've missed you. It isn't the same without you around, like there's no purpose. Please tell me why so I can fix this."

"My mum told me to."

"Aunt Hermione told you to ignore me?" he asked confused.

"Yes, but probably not because of any reason you're thinking."

"Then please explain!" he cried softly.

Esther found herself drowning in his light blue eyes once again and the truth slipped out without realizing it. "Boys like to chase."

"Huh? Are you tuning my mum?" Where did that come from? he thought.

"Boys like to chase girls. Mum said I was chasing you so you didn't—" she stopped suddenly as she realized what she was revealing. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "So you didn't want to chase me."

Cassius looked at her with a confused expression on his face until it dawned on him. "You wanted me to chase you?" Esther looked down at her plate as she nodded. Cassius squeezed her hand and leaned in close to make the conversation more private. "It's true I never chased you because you were always there, but it was my fault for not saying anything."

"What do you mean?" she looked up at him.

"I never had the guts to ask you out. To be honest I thought you and Patrick... I mean, he calls you Annie all the time, I didn't think I had a chance. I mean, he's Harry Potter's son, and I'm just the son of an ex-quidditch player."

"A famous one, though," Essie Ann pointed out.

"True. But then I saw Pat looking at our Madelyn so I figured you weren't together."

"And then I started ignoring you," Esther finished.

"That's about right."

"I'm sorry," Esther said softly. "It was rude of me to ignore you."

"I'm sorry too. I should have opened my mouth and said something to you." He looked down at their hands, which they had slowly been intertwining. He leaned in even closer and whispered, "If you still want a chase, I can comply. How about a more literal one, though?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"How about if I catch you I can keep you forever. I'll even give you a head start."

"And if you don't catch me?"

"Don't worry, I'll catch you. Five...Four..."

"You're serious?" she asked.

"Three?" he raised his eyebrows.

"Cassius!"

"Two."

"Fine!" she shot up from her seat and bolted from the Great Hall, ignoring her father's concerned gaze and everyone else's confused ones.

"One!" Cassius shouted as he, too, jumped from his seat and ran after her.

--

"Dad! Dad, Dad, Dad!" Severus slowly drifted from his peaceful sleep at the sound. When he didn't hear anything more, he focused back on the peaceful dream he was having, hoping to dive back in. "DAD!" Severus' eyes shot open. He found himself sleeping on his stomach, an odd position for him. Then he noticed a blob of black not even a foot away from him next to the bed. His tired black eyes stared into his son's matching excited ones. Artemas Albus Snape, or as he liked to be called Artie, did exactly as everyone expected and turned into a mini-Severus. Already at eleven years old he was taller than his older sister and mother.

"Wake up, Dad!" Artemas said with a smile. "It's my first day of Hogwarts today!"

I don't understand why he's so excited, Severus thought. He's lived in Hogwarts his entire life. He glanced at the clock and saw it was well past the time Hermione usually woke him up. He reached over with his hand and searched Hermione's side of the bed for his wife. His hand only met a cool, empty sheet. Severus raised his head and looked over at his hand. It was, indeed empty. He looked back to Artemas, "Where's your mother?"

"She's with August. She said he's teasing. How come I get in trouble for teasing, but August doesn't?"

Severus smiled. "I think you mean teething," he corrected his son as he sat up. "It means his teeth are coming in and it's really painful for August," and his parents. "And you shouldn't speak so ill of your brother."

August Martin Snape. Hermione wanted to name him August Severus Snape... but Severus refused. Hermione and Severus were happy with their two children for years. They had a boy to carry on the Snape name and a girl for Severus to spoil. Then suddenly, Hermione became really sick. She brushed it off as a cold, but Severus literally carried her to the infirmary to find out she was pregnant. To say he was teased by his friends and co-workers was an understatement. That and many of his students thought the child was another wizard's left him aggravated. Apparently his students preferred to imagine their potions professor didn't have a sex life.

"Well he always gets away with everything," Artemas complained.

"He's a baby. You got away with a lot when you were his age," Severus scrubbed a hand over his face to hopefully get rid of his tiredness.

"Yeah, well you still have to get up now."

"The welcoming feast doesn't begin until late tonight. Go find your sister or something."

"I can't, she's with Cassius," he said the name like any little brother would his older sister's boyfriend.

"Already?" Severus checked the clock again. It was barely eight o'clock.

"I think so. She never came home last night—"

"What?!" ignoring his half dressed state, Severus quickly left the room and went to August's room. He found August chewing on a cold rubber ring while Hermione changed his diaper. As soon as Severus stepped into the room August turned his head towards him and gurgled through the teething ring in his mouth. Some of the anger in Severus left him.

August held a special place in his heart. Perhaps it is because he was the only Snape child conceived in love, but Severus didn't think so. Part of him had to have loved Hermione all those years ago—almost eighteen years now. Otherwise he wouldn't have saved her from the clutches of Lucius Malfoy. No, Severus thought he had a soft spot for his youngest because he was the only one of his children who looked like Hermione. Soft brown hair stuck up at odd angles and his chocolate brown eyes always held the glint of a smile. And the best of all, August didn't have Severus' nose.

Severus' attention drew back to Hermione as she opened August's diaper and gasped loudly. "August! So you decided to leave me a present? Eww!"

August looked back up to Hermione and giggled happily. Severus faintly noticed she was already dressed for the day and he wondered if she had been working this morning already. Not even Hermione could spend her entire life learning more things. Now she moved on to being a famous authoress of Potions and transfigurations. Severus now used her books in his classroom, as did the transfiguration teacher. Hermione was thinking about moving on to a third subject.

Severus waited until Hermione was finished changing August to ask, "Did you know your daughter spent the night out last night?"

Hermione kissed August's forehead as she passed him up to his father. She leaned up to kiss Severus before answering, "Yes. Luna floo called last night."

Severus' anger mounted, "And you let her stay there?!"

Hermione plucked August back. "And what is the first thing you would have done?"

"Showed that Weasley the Dark Lord was nothing compared to me," he snarled.

"Which Weasley? Ron or Cassius?"

"Both."

"And you would have stormed out of here before I told you she was there for Lucretia and Estrella."

"What's wrong with them?" Severus liked the two girls.

"Lucretia is heartsick and Estrella is nervous about her first year of school."

"Lucretia is still pining after Potter?" It was no secret Lucretia Weasley (she decided to change her name) loved Patrick Potter, but Patrick had his eyes set on Madelyn Malfoy. Severus thought the only reason he liked her was because she was like the forbidden fruit, the Slytherin princess. If anyone disliked the relationship more than Patrick's father, Harry, it was Madelyn's half-brother/step-dad, Draco Malfoy. Severus also thought Patrick had picked up on his father's I'm-better-than-all attitude and acted like he owned Hogwarts. But in truth it was just Severus' hatred for James coming through.

"It's just a crush; she'll move on," Hermione said absently.

"A crush, right. That's what you said about Esther and Cassius. Now they can't keep their hands off each other." He shuddered as he said the words.

"Not again, Severus. There's nothing wrong with Cassius. The only reason you don't like him is because he's Ron's son, but if you actually paid attention to the boy, you'd find he's a perfect gentleman."

"You said it wouldn't last," Severus said desperately.

"Stop pouting or I'll tell your students. You're pouting," she said as he opened his mouth to deny it. She sighed and held August closer as a shield. "I guess I better tell you this now while Cassius isn't near you."

"Tell me what?" he said darkly. If he did anything to my girl—

"They're engaged." Severus froze, sure he didn't hear right. "Essie Ann told me last night before she left. They're going to get married soon after they graduate." Hermione swore she could see smoke coming from his ears. "Calm down, Severus. You don't want August to see you explode do you?

Severus looked down at his son's innocent brown eyes and his temper deflated again. Think rational, here. They're not going to get married until after graduation, so that still leaves me plenty of time to talk them out of it. He sighed as Hermione slipped under his arm. Sadly I might have to team up with Weasley to get our children apart.

--

"So another year of Hogwarts' Daycare is about to start." Hermione joked.

This year they were losing four of their mob. Artemas, Estrella, Fred, and Frank were all starting their schooling this year, which only left the three mothers with three children: Solar Weasley, August Snape, and Geoffrey Longbottom.

That's right, Ginny and Neville had yet another child. Neville was ecstatic it was another boy, but neither seemed to mind bringing their brood to seven. Ginny said if her mother could have seven, she could. He was just barely six and was the first Longbottom to look like Neville. He had floppy brown hair and brown eyes and the same chubby cheeks Neville had when he was younger.

"So where do you think our children will end up?" Ginny asked. She had a feeling she knew where her twin boys were going. Straight to Gryffindor, like all of her other children.

"Ron believes Estrella will be in Gryffindor, but I know she will be a Ravenclaw," Luna said from her copy of the Quibbler.

"I wouldn't be surprised. She's been reading her siblings school books ever since she was old enough," Ginny smiled.

"Severus says Slytherin for Artemas, but what else is new?" Hermione smiled down at August. "Do you think any of them would make it into Hufflepuff? I'd hate for Emma to be the only one from that house." Although Ron was confused when his Emma was sorted into Hufflepuff, it was clear why. She was the most loyal person anyone could meet.

"I don't think any of this year's will, but maybe next year?" Ginny casually looked at Solar who was playing wizard's chess with Geoffrey, who didn't understand it quite.

"Perhaps," Luna studied her son. "I can see him in any house. Not Slytherin, but any of the other three."

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see."

"Have you gotten a letter from Harry or Draco lately?" Ginny asked Hermione.

"Draco and Dahlia stopped by earlier with their girls and everything seems fine." Draco had finally moved on from Hermione, although it did take a couple years. The quiet, shy Dahlia was just what Draco needed. It was sweet to see him treat his wife so delicately; quite a change from what his friends are used to seeing. They have three girls now, including Madelyn, but still trying for a boy.

"And Harry's still working at the children's home," Hermione continued. Patrick wasn't the only child Harry adopted. He had adopted a handful of other children and provided a home for a dozen more. All of them were attending Hogwarts now, but it barely dented the Potter fortune. Harry's specialty was discarded children, but one thing Harry didn't expect to deal with was discarded wives. Along with one of the children he adopted he married the mother, the former Hannah Abbott. Hannah now helped Harry with the children's home.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Ginny said.

"What?"

"Neville's been nagging me ever since Geoff was born that he wants another boy. He says he wants to even things up: four girls, four boys. Well I finally gave in and I'm pregnant again."

"Congratulations!" Luna exclaimed.

"Are you nuts?" Hermione teased. "I think three is too many and you have almost three times that."

"I don't mind. Most of mine are grown up. Anyways, Neville's going to be upset when I tell him it's another girl."

Hermione giggled and Luna smiled. "Does that mean you're just going to have to have another set of boys?"

"No!" Ginny shook her head. "If Neville wants more, he can carry them."

Hermione's eyes brightened, "You know, I read there's this potion that allows men to carry—"

"No! I was kidding, Hermione. I don't want to see my husband pregnant!"

"I was just teasing. I haven't found such a potion."

Ginny shook her head and went back to watching her son and nefew.

--

Cassius and Esther were sitting with their mothers and younger siblings when their fathers came in looking mischievous. "Dad, what are you doing here?" Esther Ann quickly hid her left hand and glanced meaningfully at Cassius.

"Hello, Sir—Oh, Dad. I thought you said you had work to do today?" Cassius gave a worried glance to Esther and looked back to their fathers.

"There's something we want to tell you. It was way back before Luna and I married..." Ron continued with Severus' help as they talked about the day Esther had declared she was going to marry Cassius. Their plan was to embarrass their children until they broke off their engagement.

"See, I knew you were the one way back then," Esther whispered to Cassius. He reached under the table for her hand and squeezed it for a smile.

"Oh, will you two stop?" Hermione smiled to Luna as she directed August away pulling her hair.

"Or what about that time Essie Ann had that doll she carried around and named it 'Cassius Jr.'?" Ron was searching desperately for something to embarrass them, but nothing seemed to be working as Esther and Cassius leaned against each other smiling as they heard all the stories.

Esther caught the look Cassius was giving her and even if she didn't, she felt his hand twist her rings on her left ring finger. "Daddy?" she called as he started another story. "There's something we have to tell you."

"About your engagement, I already know." He glared at Cassius, but the boy just stared back. Severus looked away, one point for the Weasley whelp.

"Er, actually, it's something else. Esther and I eloped last night." Cassius proudly put his arm around his wife and brought their hands in sight, their new wedding rings showing clearly.

The room was enveloped into silence as everyone stared at Severus and Ron, just waiting for them to explode.

And it didn't take long.

"Weasley! They were under your roof last night! Why didn't you stop them?"

"Like I knew?! William, you knew about this didn't you?!" Ron turned to his oldest son. "Cass tells you everything."

William raised his hands in defense. "I didn't know anything about his! Honest!" He shot a look at his brother as if to say 'thanks a lot.'

Hermione's voice stopped Ron from shouting again, "Essie, are you pregnant?"

"What? No!" She blushed furiously.

"Aunt Hermione, I've never done anything inappropriate with Esther," Cassius said gently.

"Right," Artemas scoffed.

"Artie!" Esther scolded.

"I wasn't about to take her with my brother in the room," Cassius defended. He and William still shared a room.

"Don't talk about my daughter like that," Severus snarled.

"She's my wife," Cassius stood and unfolded his frame to stand in front of his father-in-law. Cassius had grown up considerably, standing just short of Severus' frame, but he wasn't done growing yet. That and with his training as Gryffindor's beater had built up his bulk across his 

chest. Without a wand, Severus wouldn't stand a chance. "Sir, I love your daughter very much and I would never do anything to hurt her reputation or hurt her."

Two points for the Weasley whelp, Severus thought glumly. Maybe Hermione's right. He always was a good boy, and he's proving daily to be a fine gentleman.

"I still don't like this," Severus admitted, but backed down. He sat next to his own wife and pulled August into his arms. As well wishes went out to his daughter he lifted his son closer to him and whispered, "Promise me you'll stay away from all women."

"Oh, Severus look at your daughter," Hermione wrapped an arm around his waist as her other brushed his hair from his face so she could see him better.

Severus looked up at his daughter. She was smiling happily as her new family crowded around her. Cassius had an arm planted around her middle as he stared down at her. He finally caught her gaze and Severus saw Esther's eyes change. She's in love. He knew that look all too well. It was the look Hermione always gave him and Cassius' look to Esther was the same Severus always gave his wife.

"They're so happy together. Don't let your prejudice against Ron pass on to his children. They're all growing up to be wonderful people. Cassius would do anything for Essie Ann, anyone can see that."

Severus looked away from the newlyweds as they shared a kiss. He looked at Hermione, "Thank you."

She simply smiled and stood to congratulate her daughter.

--

Severus gave Artemas a secret smile as the first years paraded up the middle isle towards the head table. He let his gaze sweep around the hall to take count of his family. Esther, Cassius, William, Lucretia, Alice, Patrick, Mary, Lucy, and Danielle all sat at the Gryffindor table; Esther and Cassius were sitting too close together for his tastes, so he moved on to the next table. Madelyn was the only one at the Slytherin table and Emma was the only one at the Hufflepuff.

"Go, Go Gryffindor!" Hermione whispered next to his ear as the sorting began. She'd been saying that for months.

"Slytherin," Severus growled back. If his son wasn't in Slytherin... he wasn't sure what he'd do.

"I guess we'll find out now."

"Franklin Longbottom!" the professor called.

"My name's Frank," he grumbled as he sat on the stool.

It didn't take long for the hat to decide, "GRYFFINDOR!"

"Frederick Longbottom!"

"It's Fred!" he said louder than his twin.

Again, no surprise: "GRYFFINDOR!"

"It's Artemas' turn," Hermione breathed. Despite their argument Hermione searched for his hand to hold.

"Artemas Snape!"

"It's Artie!" he mocked his 'cousins.'

The hat was quiet as it talked only to Artemas before shouting out, "SLYTHERIN!"

Severus hid his smirk behind his hand, but not before he beamed at his son. The sorting continued and Estrella was sorted into Ravenclaw. After Minerva's short speech, Severus turned to Hermione.

"Go ahead, say it," she sighed.

"Say what?"

"I know you want to say 'I told you so.'"

"Too childish. How about you just make it up to me later?" he whispered, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.

Hermione trembled and turned her face to him almost forgetting they were in a public place. "If I must," she sighed teasingly.

Severus gazed at her passionately for a moment. "I love you," he whispered.

She purred as he kissed her, "I love you."

THE END

A/N: And that's it! If you guys wanted to know something I forgot, I might post a one shot with little bits more in depth with the characters I didn't include here, like Esther/Cassius' marriage, Harry/Hannah, and Draco/Dahlia

Hope all is well and remains well! :)