Summary: The family grows.

A/N: Hope you enjoy some more family time. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 6

Hermione rolled over in bed and kissed Severus. He opened his eyes and smiled at his wife. Married so long that they were turning gray, they'd had their ups and downs but always came together in the end, strengthening their relationship and their bond together. Their love had only grown over the years, and they were thoroughly devoted to one another.

"Merry Christmas!" Hermione cried.

"Merry Christmas, love," Severus replied a little less enthusiastically.

He kissed her on the forehead and wrapped his arm around her. They cuddled for a little bit.

"We probably should get going. We have a lot to prepare for."

Severus shrugged. "The House-elves make the food, the presents are wrapped. All we need do is wait for the family to come."

"That's true," she said and relaxed.

"We actually have a bit of time to… you know…"

Hermione chortled. "Are you hinting that you want to tear my clothes off and make wild, passionate love to me?"

"Your talent with Legilimency is mind-boggling."

He kissed her then, and everything became deliciously sexy between the two of them. They spent the next hour or so passionately showing their love for one another.

oooOOOooo

Hermione opened the door to their quarters and smiled.

"Sebastian!" she said as she pulled him into a hug. She quickly moved to Marissa and hugged her just as fiercely. Severus meandered up behind her with a smile on his face.

"Ah, my eldest and his brood," he said as he hugged Sebastian and Marissa after Hermione.

Stooping down he opened his arms. They were quickly filled with young witch.

"Papa, Papa," his five-year-old granddaughter squealed as her light brown curls bobbed around her face.

"Now Diana, I need to say hello to your brother. You need to let me go."

"No, Papa. I want to hug you all day."

Severus smiled. "I want to hug you all day, too, but then Sawyer will be jealous."

She pulled back. "Okay," she pouted and stepped back.

Severus stood and hugged his grandson, Sawyer, who was ten and was a mini-Sebastian.

"Oy, Bastian, budge over," Sophie said from behind everyone.

"Sophie!" Hermione exclaimed, moving past Sebastian's family to hug her. "It's so good to see you."

Sophie's arms went around her mother, and she hugged her tightly.

"It's good to see you too. I mean, we live so far away…"

"Hey, just because you live in Hogsmeade doesn't mean we see each other as much as I would like."

Severus moved past Sawyer and shook hands with Sophie's husband, Derek. In the end, his worst fears that he would be loosely related to a Potter were unfounded as Sophie and Albus had only dated for a year before deciding they were better off as friends.

He motioned to take hold of the babe that was in Derek's arms.

"Come here, Albert. Come see Papa."

Taking the six-month-old, he looked him up and down. His black hair was starting to curl some. The boy gave him a toothless grin.

"Merlin, he's doubled in size since last week!"

Derek laughed. "I don't think he's grown quite that much."

Hermione called out to the group.

"Everyone, let's go inside so we're not blocking students from passing by."

The family slowly moved into the Snape's quarters and settled on the sofas and extra chairs that had been set out. Severus continued to hold Albert and was reluctant to give him up to Hermione when she asked for him.

"Someone is attached," she said as she hoisted the boy onto her hip and moved back to her seat.

"So, Sebastian, how is work?" Severus asked.

Sebastian grinned. "You know how work is. It's a secret."

"Marissa, I suppose the same can be said of you."

She smiled and nodded.

"Oh, Dad," Sophie interjected. "That new Pepperup that doesn't shoot steam from your ears is a big hit."

"I'm working on a new version of the aging potion that extends it to twenty-four hours," Derek added.

"You two have certainly done well with the Apothecary. Don't people choose your shop over the one in Diagon Alley?" Hermione asked.

The couple nodded. "Our mail-order business is growing as well," Derek said.

They opened presents and chatted together for a while until it was time to go to the Great Hall for the Christmas meal. They made their way there and gathered around the large round table that had been set up for the students who had remained over break. Several were already at the table, but the Snape family was able to sit next to one another despite that.

The Snape grandchildren were a hit with the students.

"So, what's it like being a student here?" Sawyer asked Sally Tribald–a fourth-year who was sitting close to him.

"Oh, it's the best!" she exclaimed. "There's so much to learn about magic, and we get to practice everything."

"I know a good deal about magic," Sawyer said.

Sally nodded. "I thought I did too, but I've learned heaps here."

"Professor Snape, may I hold your grandson?" Georgette Perkins asked.

Severus frowned at the seventh-year but gave Albert up to her.

"Miss Perkins, be careful, please."

"Of course!" she said. "I have a cousin about this age, and I watch him all the time."

She started babbling to Albert, and he gave her a huge grin.

Severus let her be with the baby and leaned down to Diana, who had already piled mashed potatoes on her plate and was stuffing her face.

"We haven't officially started, little one."

Her big eyes found his, and she grinned at him, showing teeth covered with mash. Severus grinned back until a student across the table pointed and laughed. He turned and glowered at the boy, who immediately put his hand in his lap and studied his empty plate.

"Could you just wait a moment, Diana? I need to speak with everyone."

He rose and looked at everyone gathered around the large table.

"Good evening, students. As Headmaster, I want to wish all of you a Happy Christmas. I hope you have enjoyed your time off thus far and will continue to relax until we start classes again after the New Year. For now, please enjoy the Christmas feast."

He sat down again, and everyone began helping themselves to the items that were spread over the table. Severus leaned down to Diana.

"Now you may eat your mash, Dee."

She grinned happily at him as she grabbed her fork and put a huge pile of potatoes into her mouth, grinning again as some of her giant mouthful fell from her lips. Severus heard more giggles from the other side of the table but decided to let the students have their fun.

As Severus wiped the bit of mash from her red Christmas dress, he had the urge to put his arm around his granddaughter and hug her tightly, but that sort of behavior wouldn't do in front of the students. Instead, he patted her shoulder as she continued to shovel food into her mouth.

He put some roast beef and mash on his own plate and added some carrots. Looking over at Hermione, he saw her gazing at him.

"Is everything all right?" he asked.

"Everything is perfect," she said. "I just love seeing you with the grandchildren."

"I love seeing you in any situation," he said with a smirk.

She blew him a kiss, knowing that he didn't like to show affection in front of the students.

Leaning in, she whispered in his ear, "I love you."

He smiled at her and nodded. "I love you too."

oooOOOooo

Severus held his wife's hand as she faded away on the Infirmary bed. She looked over at him and frowned.

"I'm sorry, Severus. I thought for sure I would outlast you."

The effort to talk caused her to be so weak that she passed out.

"Hermione, love. Stay with me," he begged.

Her eyes opened slightly after a few moments.

"You have to get better, love. You're only one hundred years old. You have a lifetime ahead of you," he said.

"I'm sorry. I can feel my life force slipping away." She worked to be able to continue speaking. "I have loved you all my life… and will love you… into the eternities. Thank you for being my love."

"Hermione, I have loved you all my life. I will love you for eternity."

A white light surrounded them and slowly dissipated. When he could see again, Hermione was gone.

"No! No! Don't leave me! Don't… leave me. I can't… I don't know how to go on without you!"

He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Sebastian behind him, tears streaming down his face. Severus stood and hugged him, sobbing uncontrollably. Sophie joined them in the hug, also crying.

"You two are soul bound. Did you see the light?" she asked.

Severus nodded. "Yes. But it doesn't make it any better."

His sobs continued.

"Dad…" Sebastian called to him.

He lifted his head and looked into his son's eyes.

"Everything will be all right," Sebastian said, pulling his father into him in an embrace.

Severus continued to sob. How could he go on? How could he exist without his beloved Hermione? His life was over…

His arms reached around his son. He couldn't go on. He couldn't…

As he felt Sebastian's hand rubbing his back, everything went black.

A/N: All I will say is that we're not done with our little tale. There are several more chapters left.