It's coming to an end dears. This is the last chapter!
Okay well technically I have three epilogue chapters...but well enjoy!
Chapter 19: Back to School
The all returned after the Christmas Holidays. Little Lily was in tow.
Severus had turned into the ultimate overprotective father over night and was completely paranoid about everything! Apart from Alisia, Harry, Minerva, Albus, and himself he wouldn't let anyone hold Lily for fear of germs. And he nearly pulled his hair out at whether Alisia should teach Potions or Defense. Either way he was sure something would happen to her or the baby.
He didn't want an elf anywhere near the baby till she was at least three.
In the end Alisia's superb skills at persuading Severus won out and Alisia returned to the potions classroom in the dungeons.
Harry finished breakfast quickly the first day back and hurried to the dungeons. There he found his grandmother cooing over the baby while Alisia sat a top her desk looking through the potions book.
"Hi!" Harry greeted hurrying to where Minerva was seated.
"How is she today?" he asked.
"Oh she's fine. I think she takes after her mother most. She just stares and observes everything," Minerva smiled bouncing the tiny baby gently.
"Arabella used to owl me every week and each letter would say how odd it was that Alisia just sat at the window and watched. Apparently her eyes would dart all over the place just taking any and everything in around her."
Minerva handed her grandchild to Harry and sighed ruefully as she put her head down.
"Uh-oh she's doing it again," Alisia sighed. She hopped off the desk and kneeled by her mother putting her head in Minerva's lap.
"Mina don't beat yourself up. James and I understood everything…we didn't hate you or begrudge you. We loved you and invited you in. You were there for every major part of our lived from eleven to now," Alisia said softly.
"But I missed so much before that," Minerva replied as she looked down at Alisia with tear filled eyes.
"You have a chance again. You have Harry and Lily. Don't let them suffer for your guilt. Celebrate they are here with you and tell them all the wonderful things about the rest of us. Celebrate you do have a future and it's staring right at you," Alisia stated turning to Harry as he smiled at his grandmother.
"That right there is what it is all about. It's what James and Lily gave their lives for. What Severus….what Severus may give his life for but it's worth. For just one moment of happiness it's all worth the price," Alisia smiled.
Minerva nodded and wiped her eyes as the students started coming in.
"I'll see you in the staff lounge later Professor," Minerva nodded and left the room.
Alisia smiled at Harry and took the baby as she started class.
The rest of the year went by as normal but ended with Harry going to a real home that year instead of the Dursleys.
Thanks to a Summer Surprise Harry now had a family that loved him and a New Start in the world.