Thanks for the many reviews for the last chapter they are greatly appreciated. Hopefully this one will get some more reviews as well. And before I begin I will say this particular chapter will end with a cliffy and the next shall be the epilogue.
Enjoy!
Classroom:
"Death?" Harry looked at the ghostly figure and stepped back a foot. "The actual Death himself?"
"Yes it is Harry, but the question is why he is here?" Death let out a chuckle and held out his hands in greetings.
"Fear not Ms. Slytherin, I am not here for your spirits. As a matter of fact, I have come with some news and a proposition for Mr. Potter and maybe, yourself."
"What kind of proposition?" Harry asked stepping forward but still stood behind Salena.
"As you both know, I am not the Judge of the Dead, I am merely the one who escorts them to God and he decides who shall go to Heaven or Hell. He and I both have spoken, and we've decided to bend the rules of reality for once." Neither wizard nor witch said anything, just listened in closely. "We've decided to bring back all those who died last night fighting against the Dark Lord and his minions." Salena almost fainted to the floor but Harry caught her and she held her belly feeling her child move.
"D-Did…you just say…w-what I think you said?" Death nodded.
"God and I both are willing to bring back all those who fought bravely last night and up to this morning, we both agree that too many have died already for such a pitiful cause and we're able to fix this; however, we require something in return, or more like I, require something in return." Harry stepped forward and Salena held his shoulder.
"You want our souls?"
"No Mr. Potter, I've already clarified that I'm not here for you or Ms. Slytherin here."
"Do you want our magic?"
"No, well in a matter of speaking yes."
"Then what is it?" Harry said impatiently.
"I wish for the return of my Deathly Hallows." Harry and Salena's eyes widened. Death wanted the Deathly Hallows returned to him, after so many years?
"Your Deathly Hallows?"
"Yes, the magical objects I created and gave to the Peverell brothers."
"You wish for them, why exactly?" Salena asked carefully listening to the messenger.
"Each object will account for a life, or more lives. Before I tell you more, I must know if you will accept this." Harry and Salena exchanged looks and Salena just nodded but moved a bit since Naomi was moving in the back of her dress.
"We want to know what lives will return first, then we'll see." Death nodded, almost as if he knew Harry would say that.
"First off, the Resurrection Stone will suffice for all the innocent lives lost in this battle."
"Sounds reasonable, but I thought the stone couldn't bring back anyone in flesh, only as a ghost or veil-like being?" Harry didn't seem to understand, Salena felt the same.
"The stone's power can be enhanced by me Mr. Potter, those who've lost their lives will be brought back but they will remember nothing of dying. It would be too much trouble and so many could go mad trying to conquer death when it comes naturally. It will be as if they were never dead to begin with."
"There's a problem though, I dropped the stone in the forest and I don't remember where."
"Not a problem, I can summon it as if using Accio." Harry seemed slightly relieved of that.
"What else?"
"The Elder Wand, I can use to revive your Godfather Sirius Black." That almost made Harry fall off his feet.
"B-But…he's been dead for two years, and I just saw him in the forest with the stone…"
"Ah but you see Mr. Potter, Sirius's body was never recovered. He fell through a veil into my midst, so it is possible he can be revived. He has been waiting for a long time to see you again, and he would've told you in the forest but he was to keep his word not to say anything that could wreck your chances of defeating the Dark Lord. He will have his memory intact, but he won't reveal a thing."
"You're certain you can bring him back? What about everyone else who knew about his death?"
"They will forget and think he had been kept imprisoned by Death Eaters and escaped to assist you in the battle." Harry nodded again. "And as for the cloak…"
"Wait…about the cloak, is it possible that I can keep it? It was my father's and it's all I have left of him." Death scratched his unseen chin and didn't seem too bothered by Harry's question.
"Well the other two objects have sufficed for the lives of the innocents, but if you are to keep the cloak Mr. Potter I must have something to replace it, something as equally powerful as the Cloak of Invisibility." Harry looked at Salena, and she realized she had something Death could use in replacing Harry's cloak.
"Death, if you let Harry keep his father's cloak, you can have something of mine."
"Lady Salena I don't require your snake language."
"No not that…you can have…my future sight."
"Your future sight?"
"I have the ability to see into the present and some versions of the future, my father had it and passed it onto me. It can help you see when your victims come rather than you finding out otherwise, you are the messenger of death, but you can see when your victims come before their time and be ready for them." Death scratched his unseen chin again and Salena felt her pulse quicken as she waited for his answer.
"Very well, your sight will do. Once I have it you will never have visions again, but you will have your normal sight and your snake eyes."
"I'd have it no other way." As Death waved his hands the Resurrection Stone appeared in his hands, and Harry handed over the Elder Wand. Death then turned to Salena and a greenish glow appeared around her, it then turned into thin green lines and they flowed straight into Death's hands.
"God will appreciate this from you both, as will I. Frankly these objects have caused enough trouble to begin with, and I don't plan on seeing you two again for a good long while." Death was about to leave but then Salena grabbed his robe.
"Wait!" he and Harry turned to her and she held her hands over her swollen belly. "Death, when you said those who fought back will return…is it…is it possible, that Severus Snape is among them?" Harry looked over to Death, and he shook his head.
"I'm afraid not Lady Salena, you see, no matter what his true intentions were Professor Snape has watched many people die before tonight and did not stop it. His actions aren't good enough to have him brought back."
"But he risked everything for her and me! What happened to all those people wasn't his fault, can't you do something?" Salena's eyes filled with tears and Harry put a hand on her shoulder.
"It's not up to me Mr. Potter, I'm only doing what 'He' told me to do. Now I must take my leave, everyone will awaken seconds later; your godfather shall be here as well in the Great Hall. Farewell to you both, and Lady Salena…you might want to think about that power? If you truly loved Severus Snape, then there is some hope." Death left with that and the room went normal again. The sounds and cries of joy from within the Great Hall were heard, and Harry walked back with Salena. As they entered the Great Hall they were embraced by many students and teachers, but as the hugging died down, a man with a shaggy beard and shoulder-length crimpy hair made his way through the crowd with the Lupins.
"Hello Harry." They said and Harry ran into the man's arms.
"Sirius…I-I missed you." Sirius had tears falling down his cheeks as he held Harry close. Tonks and Remus were so happy for the two they joined in the embrace, along with the Weasleys including the now resurrected Fred Weasley. No one seemed to remember a thing of dying that night earlier, and the Malfoys, well they were huddled in a corner unsure of whether they should be there or not. Salena walked over to them and smiled, while Narcissa looked up and stood in front of her two men.
"You don't have to worry Narcissa; I'm not going to harm you." Soon Kingsley Shacklebolt came over and looked at the four with disdain.
"Mr. Potter has just informed me of your last minute switch Mrs. Malfoy, is it true you told the Dark Lord Harry was dead so you could find your son?" Narcissa stood up straight and looked directly at Kingsley and the aurors coming to meet with him.
"Yes." Kingsley then turned to Salena, and she placed her hands on her stomach.
"You seemed to be cleared with everyone here Ms. Salena, but I cannot promise there won't be a hearing on your working with the Dark Lord."
"I won't run Mr. Shacklebolt, if there is to be a hearing then I will step forward. Mr. Potter can vouch for me." Harry came over with Sirius and his friends while everyone else went off to make sure no one was missing.
"You're not arresting her are you Kingsley?"
"No Remus, I was merely telling her that she may have to appear at a trial to set things straight in front of the Wizenagamot. I wouldn't count on arresting her though, she's already proven she was on our side all along."
"So she just has to explain, what about the Malfoys?" all three Malfoys looked at Kingsley intensely waiting for an answer.
"Since Narcissa told Voldemort Harry was dead in the first place and helped achieve our victory, they don't have to go to Azkaban but they do have to appear at the trial."
"I'll testify for them." Salena.
"I will too." Harry.
"Me too." Hermione.
"Me three." Ron. The Malfoys were instantly relieved, and Draco came up to Salena staring at her pregnant stomach.
"You weren't injured were you?" at that Naomi's small form slithered up onto Salena's shoulders to rest.
"No Draco I'm fine, as is the baby." Lucius walked behind Draco and smiled slightly at Salena.
"Congratulations on your pregnancy Lady Salena."
"You don't have to call me that Lucius, just Salena is fine now. And thank you."
"I should be thanking you."
"Wait until the trial." Harry said and smiled slightly at the four. Salena was about to ask Harry a question when Neville came running over with the Gryffindor sword in hand.
"Harry! They found Snape's body in the Shrieking Shack, he's been put in the infirmary."
"Is he alive?"
"No, but they're keeping him there until someone decides what to do with him." Harry stopped for a minute, and then turned over to Salena.
"Do you want…?"
"Yes." Harry nodded and Salena followed him into the Hospital Wing where everyone was being treated for wounds and spells. The room wasn't fairly crowded, but if anything grabbed a mob of students it was the body pushed way in the back left corner of the room, Salena's Severus Snape. Her heart sank at the sight, dried blood on his clothes and neck, puncture holes in his throat, and a long slash across his body where most of the blood came from.
"Oh mistress, maybe you should wait." Naomi's small tail wiped a tear from Salena's eye and Salena patted her head.
"No Naomi, I need to see him. I have to see him…" more tears flowed and Salena covered her mouth to stifle her sobs as she walked closer. Morrison had taken Austin from her a thousand years ago, and now a thousand years later someone of her own blood had taken Severus. As they approached the bed, Salena fell to her knees and placed her head on the edge of the bed while clutching Severus' hand.
'He's so cold. Tom…how could you do this?' as Salena kept crying someone walked beside her and placed their hands on her back.
"Salena…I'm so sorry." It was Sirius. "I completely misjudged him, while I was gone…I realized a few things. Snape really did belong to Dumbledore, he put himself at risk many times and i…oh God I should've believed him…"
"Sirius…" Harry and Remus said in unison, and Sirius removed his hands from Salena's back. She could hear Narcissa and Draco slight cries besides her own. As she lifted her head from the bed, she turned back to Harry with her tear-stained face and blotchy eyes.
"Could you give me a minute…please?" Harry turned and called Madame Pomfrey, after a mere exchange of words everyone filed out of the hospital wing and the doors were shut behind them. Salena let Naomi slither out of her dress and onto the floor and turned her to her full size; Naomi lifted her head and looked at Snape with mourning in her eyes.
"I'm sorry mistress. I wish we could've stopped this." Salena choked back a sob and shook her head.
"No…it was my fault. If I had seen it was Severus in that vision, h-he might still be alive. With me…and you…and our child."
"Mistress you couldn't have saved him, he put himself in danger and he knew the risks. If it weren't for him and you Harry wouldn't have defeated Tom."
"I-I know…but at what cost?" Salena moved her hand from her mouth and down her neck when she felt her necklace. Not bothering to hold it she unclicked the snap and held it out in front of Severus looking at the back.
"Touched by death himself, 'A breath of life so sweet and small, but a drop of love shall undo all.' What the hell does it mean?"
"Mistress that necklace!"
"Naomi it doesn't work, I'm not the master otherwise I would've figured out how to work it! This stupid riddle, what the hell does it mean?" Salena took the necklace and put it on Severus' neck, she clicked the snap and placed it neatly on his bloody chest.
"You swore you'd never leave me…just like Austin. But no, I lose another man in a war, a man I love truly. You said you loved me, that you would do anything for me, and now you leave me here and our child. Severus…Severus…" she leaned over his face and kissed his cold, thin lips one last time. "I love you." She whispered and a tear fell from her eye and onto the emerald.
As she pulled away she gathered Naomi and turned to leave when a greenish glow filled the room. The room grew brighter and began to shake, and the doors burst open to show Harry, Hermione, Ron, the Weasleys, the Lupins, Sirius, and the Malfoys all rushing in.
"What's going on? What's happening?"
"I-I don't know…" Salena stuttered and braced herself on a bed as the green glow surrounded Severus' body and completely enveloped him. Soon the glow faded and all the blood on the body had vanished completely, the bites and cut were still there, but were healed. As Salena was about to walk backwards a large intake of air came from Severus' mouth and he slowly stood up almost making everyone drop to the floor.
"S-S-Salena…" he stuttered looking at her, and Salena covered her mouth in surprise as more tears began to fall, this time from happiness. As Severus tried to stand up Salena ran over and hugged her love to her. Naomi curled around them both and squeezed softly. Severus started kissing Salena all over her face and neck and she kept saying, 'I love you', over and over with each kiss to her skin.
"Hey hey you two there's other people in here!" Sirius barked and the two turned to him. "Now it's good that you're both together again, but will someone please explain what the hell just happened?" Salena looked at the necklace on Severus' neck, and it was opened; she quickly unsnapped it and showed it to everyone.
"It was this…it was this necklace." Hermione walked forward and looked as if she could faint.
"This is Death's emerald, it has, or it had the power to bring someone back to life."
"How?" Harry looked at the stone and saw the inscription on the back. "A breath of life so sweet and small, but a drop of love shall undo all. What does that mean?"
"It means…it means…" before Hermione could answer Salena's eyes widened. "Salena, when you put the necklace on Professor Snape what did you do?" Salena thought for a second.
"I was crying, I told Severus I was upset that he was gone, and then I kissed him saying I loved him. After that he…" she turned to Severus. "He came back." Hermione gasped again.
"You kissed him, 'a breath of life so sweet and small', the kiss gave him life, 'but a drop of love shall undo all', you were crying…tears of love. Your tears of love must've hit the emerald here, look it's still wet." The emerald had droplets on its surface, and Salena realized after she'd kissed Severus her tears were what activated the emerald's power.
"So what does this mean 'Mione?" Ron asked and Hermione smiled slightly.
"It means that Professor Snape is back, as if he were never dead. The emerald…it's just a mere jewel now, the power's gone." Hermione handed the necklace back and Salena smiled so big her teeth showed through her lips; as she turned back to Severus they embraced again and this time everyone was just as happy for them. The hug lasted for a few seconds before Salena felt Severus tense and pulled away looking at her belly.
"Severus what…?"
"What…is that?" he pointed to her swollen stomach and Salena eyes narrowed. Before she could answer Sirius came over to her side and glared at Severus.
"You're not serious are you Snape?"
"Black!" Severus jumped back and Salena huffed before walking over and slapped Severus' jaw.
"You think I cheated on you don't you?" Severus held his cheek and looked at Salena completely stunned. "Severus…yes I'm pregnant…but it's yours." Severus' eyes widened and his hand lowered from his face. "Severus I didn't find out until months ago, that's why I left so suddenly, I knew this baby was yours because you are the only man I've been with. Tom didn't know until before Harry killed him, and I swore to myself I would survive. But before I came I had a vision, that Tom killed you; I tried to find you but I got caught up in the battle. I swear Severus I wanted to tell you, but I knew that if I had then we'd both likely be dead. Severus I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" as she looked into Severus' eyes she saw a single tear fall down his cheek, and his eyes went from cold to soft, and hopeful. His hand went onto her belly and touched it, feeling the child move and kick within her. He rubbed it softly, and another tear fell from his eye.
"My baby…it's my baby?" he looked at her. "And you'll have it…you'll have it for me?" she smiled widely and tears fell from her eyes as she covered his hand with hers and the baby seemed to like that.
"Yes." She said and Severus instantly pulled her into his arms. He held her gently but tightly, and kissed her neck as she sobbed into his shoulder. Soon there was the sound of a small clapping, and then the clapping got louder and louder, so loud that Salena and Severus both looked to see the entire school and Aurors all clapping around them, smiling and cheering.
"Congratulations!" the Gryffindors.
"Woo-hoo Professor Snape!" the Slytherins.
"Yeahh go Lady Salena!" the Ravenclaws.
"Yay!" the Hufflepuffs. As the cheering continued Harry walked up with Sirius and the Malfoys and each were hugged with great force.
"Congratulations to you both, I'm proud of you." Harry said and Sirius walked over to Snape holding out his hand.
"Severus…thank you for everything you did for Harry. I know you did it because of Lily, but if anything you're a hero too in this war. So what do you say, truce?" Severus looked at Sirius with curiosity, and Salena just nudged his arm. Severus smiled slightly and shook the dog animagus's hand firmly, while everyone else gave a huge sigh of relief. As everyone calmed down, Draco Malfoy made his way through the crowd and hugged Snape himself around his thin waist.
"Thank you. For everything you did for me and my parents." Lucius and Narcissa came over and joined in, this time including Salena.
"We owe you both so much, and you Mr. Potter." Lucius spoke up and shook hands with Harry. "You truly are the Chosen One."
"Whoa now let's not start that again." Salena whined and everyone laughed. Just as she was about to kiss Severus again, he put his fingers to her lips and she looked a bit suspicious.
"Before anything else happens Salena, I want to ask you something." Salena raised an eyebrow and Severus reached inside his robes pulling out a small ring box. He got down on one knee, and opened the box to reveal a small silver ring with green emeralds and diamonds in the middle. "Salena Madeline Slytherin, I have loved you since the first time I saved your life from that troll, I swore to keep you safe in honor of your father's house and now we are having a child together. I can't imagine anything better than spending the rest of my life with the woman I love… will you marry me?"
Salena was absolutely speechless, her hands went over her mouth and everyone, even Naomi, leaned in waiting for an answer.
"Oh Severus…yes. Yes I'll marry you!" smiling big for the first time in a long time Severus slipped the ring onto Salena's finger and picked her up gently kissing and spinning her around. Everyone cheered and clapped for congratulations and Naomi tapped Salena's shoulder and pointed at Harry. "Thank you all so much, oh and Harry, Naomi and I want to give you something."
"Salena that's not necessary."
"Boy shut up and take the gift." Severus groaned and Naomi stuck her large head out in front of Harry. She made a few gagging sounds, and out of her largely widened mouth appeared an enormous white egg twice the size of a cantaloupe. Harry took the egg in his hands and held it gently as if trying to make sure he wouldn't drop it.
"That's Naomi's first child inside that egg, it should hatch within three months. Large, magic anacondas like Naomi don't breed very often, so their children are born regardless of mating. Most only have about two or three during their lifetime."
"This is very nice Salena, but why give it to me?"
"Naomi wanted to, she said she couldn't leave her baby with just anyone, and since you're the only other one who can speak snake language she figured you'd be the best one. Please accept it from her…it would mean a lot?" Harry looked at Naomi, who batted her lashless eyes at him. He chuckled and carefully wrapped the egg in a Gryffindor scarf holding it in his arm.
"I will gladly take good care of your baby Naomi. Thank you very much."
"You're welcome Mr. Potter, or do you prefer Harry?"
"Harry's fine now, Mr. Potter sounds too formal right now."
"Enough snake talk we have to celebrate! Drinks all around in Hogsmeade on me!" Sirius called and everyone cheered. As they began to leave the room Severus held onto Salena and looked at her in confusion.
"You plan on drinking when you're pregnant?"
"Oh come on Severus a butterbeer won't hurt me or the baby. Speaking of which what would you prefer, a boy or girl?"
"It doesn't matter as long as he or she is healthy. Our child will be perfect like their mother."
"And their father don't forget."
"Perfect like me, sweetheart no one is perfect." She smirked and kissed her fiancé's lips while Naomi licked his cheek with her pronged tongue.
"I know." They walked out following the rest of the students and whoever else was there out into Hogsmeade to celebrate the end of the war, their engagement, and the beginning of a fresh start for all the heroes of the war, at least until after the hearing.
3 months later:
Ministry of Magic Hearing Room:
The entire Wizenagamot had gathered into the main Hearing Room and the whole place was filled with witnesses and an audience along with it. A seven-month pregnant Salena was seated in the chair in the middle of the room in front of everyone. The Malfoys were there, Harry was there, Severus Snape, Hermione, the Weasley family, some students, Sirius Black, Minerva McGonagall, the entire Lupin family including little Teddy and Andromeda, and hell someone even brought over Albus Dumbledore's portrait from Hogwarts to watch the hearing. They had already gone halfway through the meeting with Salena explaining where she came from and why she joined the Dark side in the first place. Now they were discussing what would happen to her and her future family to come, and thankfully the witnesses had already gone forward.
"Now Ms. Slytherin, you are engaged to Severus Snape correct?" a sluggish sort of man named Jonathan Greenglow on Kingsley's right asked.
"Happily engaged sir." She answered rubbing her extremely swollen belly and smiling at Severus.
"Right…and you are expecting a child soon correct?"
"Yes."
"What do you plan to do after the child is born and after you're married?"
"I plan to remain at home until the children are old enough for a daycare of sorts. After that I plan to find a job at Hogwarts if Headmistress McGonagall will allow it."
"And what position would you be interested in?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts." That made a few people gasp but not much.
"I see…a woman who's an expert at the Dark Arts would want to teach students how to defend themselves against it. Fascinating really…"
"Now Ms. Slytherin, you said that your father renounced his ways before he died, would you care to explain that a little more thoroughly?" Kingsley asked not hiding the smirk on his face. She smirked back knowing that he was only trying to help her.
"Even before my father passed away, he raised me to respect all witches and wizards no matter what sort of blood status ran in their families. Granted he was still uneasy about Muggleborns, but he made it through since as a child I had friends who were Muggleborn and we treated each other with respect and equality. I never had anything against those who weren't pureblood or less, frankly I don't see much of a difference between them at all. Not even with Squibs." A lot of smiles came after that.
"Thank you for clarifying that for us, now if you don't mind me asking, why marry a man like Snape? Why carry his child when you come from such a prominent family name? Not to mention the age difference, he's 38 and you're 27, I just can't see the connection." that question came from a plump woman with blonde curly hair and sinister blue eyes; if she had bows everywhere and ugly rings on her fingers she could be Dolores Umbridge's twin.
"If this is about blood status I think I just explained my reasoning to you ma'am. As for why I'm marrying Severus Snape it's because he is the most amazing, bravest man I've ever met. He's been there for me when I needed him, he rescued me from that prison, he's saved my life multiple times, he respects me as much as I respect him, and he's the only other man I've ever loved."
"And what of your first love? What sort of man was he? Or better yet, what was his name?" now Salena was waiting to hear that question; she looked over at Severus and then back to the Malfoys.
"His name was Austin. Austin Duracus…Malfoy." Now that made everyone gasp and jaws dropped open. "He was my best friend, my lover, and the other true love in my life."
"That was the man who died in the war before you were frozen correct?"
"Yes. And for a long time I was upset by his death, it was very hard to talk about it, but after I met Severus I realized that Austin would've wanted me to move on and meet someone else, and it turned out that Severus and I are a match, regardless of blood or age." That earned a small applause from the audience.
"About what you just said Ms. Slytherin, about your former fiancé being a Malfoy, was that the reason to why you stood up for the Malfoys every chance you got? Why you protected them and Draco when he was forced to become a Death Eater?" Kingsley asked.
"Every little bit is true, I loved Austin and I knew that the only way I could repay him for what he'd done for me was to protect his descendants in every way I could possible." More applause.
"And if I understand correctly, you plan to be married after your child is born?"
"Absolutely Minister."
"Then you have my best regards to you and Snape, I think we can all agree here that you have done everything in your power to protect Mr. Potter and put an end to your brother's descendant's reign of terror. You, Professor Snape, and the Malfoys are hereby cleared of all charges and receive and instant pardon from Azkaban. You're free to go." More clapping and sighs of relief were heard. Salena was so happy for her friends and future family she felt like jumping up and down in her seat, but just as she stood up from her chair, her underwear felt wet and Salena gasped looking at her stomach.
"Oh my god…"
"Salena what's wrong?" Narcissa asked from her spot.
"My water just broke."
Like I said it would end with a cliffy. Please review and the next chapter brings up the birth, the wedding, and the epilogue. It shall be a long one believe me.
Review please!