*:. Epilogue .:*

Well I heard there was a secret chord
that David played and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
Well it goes like this:
The fourth, the fifth,
The minor fall and the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...

The entire student body stood by the lake with their teachers and families. For once they were standing here not to bare witness to sadness and the ending of another life, but to bare witness to happiness and the beginning of a shared life.

Baby I've been here before
I've seen this room and I've walked this floor (you know)
I used to live alone before I knew you
And I've seen your flag on the marble arch
and love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...

They could see the white stone of Albus Dumbledore's tomb behind the men standing at the edge of the lake. One man, who was in dress robes, was from the ministry sent to preside over the joining of two lives. To his left was a man that was known for his dark clothing and even darker moods. Severus Tobias Snape looked amazingly handsome in his black tux. As did the men standing to his left. First was Draco Malfoy who was followed by Harry Potter, Remus Lupin, and Ted Dukelow. Though he had never shown out right that he did care for these men, he had always felt as if they were his family. If it were not for the smartest witch of her age, he never would have had the chance to tell the men how much he cared for them. He felt like Draco, and Harry were his own sons. Especially Harry since he always held his friendship with Lily very high. Remus was like the brother he never had and was glad that the man felt the same way. Ted was a man he was grateful for because he treats Mercia as is own.

There was a time when you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show that to me, do you?
But remember when I moved in you
And the holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...

The crowd turned towards the women that were walking down the path that had formed in the crowd. The women looked like angels in sky blue dresses that stopped just at the ankle and were just of the shoulders. They walked bare foot along the still dew-dampened grass. Their hair was curled into loose ringlets that fell down their back. Leading the women was Melissa Spinolli holding a white daffodil and looking just as ethereal as ever. Closely following was Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, and Astoria Greengrass, who were also holding a white daffodil. As the women took their places to the right of the Ministry man the music grew slightly louder as a women in a white ankle length silk and lace dress walked toward the front of the crowd. Her brown and red hair was pulled atop her head with ringlets pinned in place while others hung loosely. Her make-up was barely visible until you took in her lips that were a deep red. She too walked bare foot towards the men. She had eyes for no one but the man that stood in front of her. She had loved this man for years and finally after a year of being open about their relationship and a due date rapidly approaching, she was finally walking to him to bind her self to this amazing wizard. She was finally going to be Hermione Jean Snape.

Maybe there's a God above
all I've ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
And it's not a cry that you hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Vows were said, rings placed onto their fingers, and a passionate kiss given. This happy union was met with whistles and cheers. It was a great way to end the school year, albeit a bit early. It had been three months since Albus Dumbledore passed away in his sleep. Minerva was sad that she did not get to share this moment with her husband, but was so grateful that Severus and Hermione would get a chance to know the love and support that she had shared for thirty-eight-years with Albus. Their daughter Ariana stood with her mother. And for the first time in two months their tears were tears of joy, rather then pain and sadness as they watched the couple walk towards to school for their reception that would be held in the Great Hall. Next to them were Andromeada Spinolli Dukelow and her daughter Mercia Snape-Spinolli. Mercia was just starting to understand that she was going to be a big sister and she was very excited.

The wedding party and the many guest followed closely behind, getting a glimpse of Mercia as she ran to catch up with her Daddy. The Grangers followed closely behind, Minerva and her daughter behind them. That night bad memories, animosity, and old fears were forgotten, as they became a part of what they had fought for in the two wars against Tom Riddle. Love, happiness, and a feeling of togetherness filled the many halls of Hogwarts that night.

"I love you wife." Severus whispered.

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah...
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

As Severus and Hermione walked down to their chambers they held hands and just enjoyed the peace that had taken over them as they had said their vows. Hermione could not wait to get to their chambers. She had something big she wanted to tell her husband.

"What are you keeping from me Mistress Snape?" Severus asked as he pulled her against him and kissed her. They were just outside their chamber door. Both were extremely happy to finally be married, but glad it was over as well. The time and planning it took for a ceremony that lasted twenty minutes at most and a reception they left early, baffled the older man, he would have been just as happy going to the Ministry and signing the license in the offices of the Marriage department.

"Nothing you need to worry your brilliant mind about husband." Hermione said with a smirk on her face. She led the way into their living room and then into their bedroom. "Now sit down like a good boy and I will tell you a secret."

"Oh and what could you possibly know that I don't?" He asked as he sat on the bed after taking his jacket and vest off. He loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves. He watched Hermione as she walked towards him, her hips swaying side to side. She slowly pulled her dress up until she was pulling it over her head and dropping it to the floor. She continued towards Severus in nothing but her white lace thong, her hair falling forward just barely covering her breast. Once she stood in front of him, he lifted her onto the bed and she straddled him, wrapping her arms around.

"Trust me, love. I know something that you do not, Professor." She said as she moved her hips against him. Even though her tummy was larger then it was the last time they made love, she still felt beautiful in his arms.

"Let me get undressed before you start doing that, wife." Severus slowly laid her on her back as he kissed her passionately. "I'll be right back." He slid off the bed and walked out into their parlor.

"What are you doing?" She asked just as he started to walk through their bedroom door again, pulling his clothes off as he went. Once at the bed he held out a long, thin, black box. She opened the box and gasped. Inside was a silver chain necklace with a one-quartet diamond in the middle with three half-quartet diamonds dangling under it.

"This is my gift to you for loving me, becoming my wife, and being the mother of my children. I love you Hermione," Severus leaned over and kissed first her forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks, and finally her lips.

"Severus I lo-" Hermione stopped midsentence.

"What?" Severus looked at the shock on her face. "What's wrong?"

"I think my water broke."

That night turned into an early morning for the newly married couple. But it was an early morning full of joy, tears, and cries of pain. Hermione was giving one last push to bring her last baby into the word. Her first baby was born at two in the morning on February fifteenth and he was a healthy baby boy. Her second baby was born at two o-two in the morning and she was a healthy baby girl. Now it was two o-four and she had just gave birth to her last baby. She was a strong and healthy baby girl.

"You did wonderful, love," Severus said as he kissed her sweaty brow, one arm around her shoulders and his hand crushed in hers.

"I love you Severus."

Soon their babies where handed to them, clean and wrapped up in their blankets. He held his son and oldest daughter while Hermione held her youngest. She was so happy to finally have her babies in the world and couldn't wait to raise them side by side with Severus.

"I love you too Hermione."

The medi-witch and her helpers cleaned up the area of the Hospital Wing they were in and Poppy came over to congratulate the couple.

"Would you like me to send out the announcement to the other teachers?" She asked Severus quietly as she noticed Hermione starting to doze off.

"Yes please, and send a special note to the Grangers, letting them know they can come up as soon as they are able."

With a nod of her head, Poppy headed back to her office to write out the announcement that would be magically duplicated for every teacher and for Hermione's parents.

Mr. & Mrs. Severus Tobias Snape would like to announce the birth of their three children.
Severus Eric Snape born at two o'clock on the morning of February 15th
Helena Ginerva Snape born at two o-two on the morning of February 15th
And
Eileen Hermione Snape born at two o-four on the morning of February 15th
Babies and Mother are doing wonderfully.