20 Years Later
A/N: Ignores Fred Weasley's death. And most of original story plot. Any recognizable characters are not my own.
Chapter One: A New Beginning
In a small cottage in between South Queensferry and Linlithgrow, Scotland lives a family of four. Just sitting down for breakfast, the smell of eggs, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy and freshly ground hot coffee spread along the kitchen. Hermione Snape enchanted self-cleaning dishes as she finally made her plate to sit down with her family. Severus sat quietly reading the newspaper sipping coffee, still able to keep an eye on his two children.
"Alex, Amelia, time for breakfast!" Hermione called, sitting next to her husband of nineteen years.
"Coming mommy!" Amelia shouted as she rushed to the kitchen. Alex graced them with his presence already dressed in his school robes ready to go.
"Are you exited to start your first year at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked as she placed a gentle hand on Severus, her thumb caressing his shoulder.
"I am, mommy!" She said gleefully. Alex took his seat next to his father, handing over a small plate of food over to his younger sister and grabbing a plate himself.
"Good morning Alex, Amelia." Severus greeted in his low baritone voice, setting the newspaper down to give his family his full attention.
"Exciting changes are starting this year. Aren't they?"
"Yes…" Alex interrupted Amelia.
"Mum is the new Deputy Headmistress, taking Professor McGonagall position. As well as head of house for Gryffindor." He said proudly as he puffed out his chest showing his house colors.
"Gryffindor is the best!" Alex singed as Severus huffed.
"The only good thing about Gryffindor my boy, is your mother. But Slytherin is by far the best house." Severus teased.
"What house do you want to be in?" Alex asked his sister, taking a bite out of his bacon.
"Slytherin! Like daddy!" She smiled broadly at her father. Severus' eyes glistened with joy.
"That's my girl." There is a pause before Severus spoke again.
"Before we make our way to the Hogwarts express, there is something I need to speak to you about." His eyes traveled back and forth between Alex and Amelia.
"While we are at Hogwarts, Amelia, I cannot show favoritism. Either to you or your brother. I will have to treat all my students the same. Do you understand, sweetheart?" Severus said. Hermione knew this conversation was coming. Amelia has never seen another side of Severus.
"You can't?" Amelia asked.
"No, I cannot. I expect you, while at school in the public eye you refer to me as: 'Professor Snape.' Do you understand?" His daughter is incredibly smart in so many ways. But social ques have never been her strong point. Like her mother, she is spunky, good-hearted, love to read and always ready to make friends. Alex on the other hand, is much like him. Reserved, quiet, and keeps to himself. He does have Scorpius, Draco's oldest son, as his best friend, which he is thankful for, and Fred Weasley's oldest, Oliver, Scorpius is Slytherin, Oliver is in Gryffindor. Which, doesn't surprise him but he is thankful that he doesn't share his father's knack of tom-foolery. In fact, Oliver is rather mature for his age. Realizing his mind drifting into another subject, he reals himself back in.
"Yes daddy. I understand." Amelia responds. Holding out his hand, his daughter accepts it and he pulls her into a hug. Wrapping his arm fully around her waist.
"Remember Amelia that I love you, and I always will." Severus breathed as he took in his daughter's scent.
"I love you too daddy." She respond. In her mind, she's a little confused by all this but understands that in school, a certain amount of professionalism must be upheld. He is the Headmaster after all. Reluctantly he released his daughter.
"Looks like its time to head out." Severus said looking at the clock on the wall.
"Of course! We don't want to miss the train!" Amelia said gleefully.
"Grab your things and meet me outside in ten minutes." Said Hermione.
"Yes mum."
While waiting for their children, Hermione took this time to embrace her husband, both arms stretched around his waist. One hand, holding onto the back of her head, his chin resting on top.
"Everything is going to be fine love. You are the brightest witch of your age, remember?" Severus complemented, trying to comfort his wife.
"I know. I'm just worried. Filling Minerva's shoes is not going to be easy. She sat the bar pretty high."
"She's still going to be around, at least one more year teaching transfiguration. With her getting older, it's only natural for her to release some of her responsibility. She's been having some health issues and its her time to slow down. She feels that you are the most qualified to take her spot as Head of Gryffindor and Deputy Headmistress. You're going to be just fine." He said
"I hope so. I talked with Amelia last night after I read her her bedtime story."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, she's worried that the sorting hat won't know where to put her, with her parents in separate houses. She's afraid that she won't be sorted in any house and will have to work with the house elves."
"I see, what did you say to her?" Severus questioned.
"I told her that you will be sorted in one of the four houses. You do have some say so in what house you'd like to be in, Uncle Harry persuaded the hat to put him into Gryffindor when the hat was debating putting him in Slytherin."
"He did? I don't think you ever told me that." Severus smirked.
"Well, after the first impression of meeting Draco, I didn't blame him. Don't tell Harry that I told you that." Severus chuckled at this.
"Very well."
"But she so wants to be in Slytherin." She laughed.
HG/SS HG/SS HG/SS HG/SS HG/SS HG/SS HG/SS HG/SS HG/SS
Train Station
About fifteen minutes prior to eleven o clock, the Snapes arrived between platform 9 and 10. They are greeted by the Potters, and the Weasleys. Severus always hated this time of year because he is surrounded by his former and now most current students.
"HERMIONE!" She heard her name from across the plate form, she scans the room, noticing Harry and Ginny quickly heading their way towards her. James, Albus and Lily following just behind.
"Hey guys! Long time no see! How was the last few weeks of summer?" Hermione asked as she hugged her nephews and niece.
"It was great Aunt 'Mione! We went to see the Chudley Cannon's play!" James answered.
"That's great James, did they win?"
"Of course! They one by 50 points!"
"Fantastic!" with fake enthusiasm. She turned to Lily.
"Are you ready to start your first year? You know Amelia is starting too, right?" She smiled broadly at her.
"I'm excited, a bit nervous."
"Nothing to be nervous about Lily, Hogwarts is the safest place!" Alex commented.
"Thanks for the words of encouragement." Amelia snorted. 'Where was that when she was nervous?' She thought.
"Thank you Alex."
"Hey guys! Wait up!" They heard another voice coming from afar, Severus groaned, as it could only mean the last of the famous trio finally appeared.
"Ronald! Gabriella! So nice to see you!" Hermione smiled, embracing each of them. Ron reluctantly let go. As Hermione made her way to his daughter, Crystal.
"How was your summer Crystal?" Hermione asked. Crystal was sorted into Ravenclaw, a first for the Weasley clan. She's a fourth year student. Alongside: Alex, James, Oliver, George's twins: Arthur and Rosie, Scorpius, and Dora, Luna and Neville's little girl.
Hermione realized that in almost 20 years, their family has grown tremendously, so many children between her, Ron, Harry, Luna, Fred and George. She doesn't have that many finger and toes to count.
"My summer was great Aunt 'Mione! Studied a bit the last month to try and get ahead."
"I swear 'Mione, she acts like you most of the summer, with a nose stuck up a book." Ron chuckled.
"Maybe, Mr. Weasley, she wants to actually receive better grades than her father when he was in school." Severus chimed in. Hermione elbowed Severus in his side.
"That was rude!" Hermione halfheartedly said.
"Hey! I didn't do too awful. I still graduated." Ron retorted.
"Only because you're part of the golden trio, and with out Hermione's help, you'd been held back."
"Alright, children. That's enough. Has anyone seen Draco and Lucy yet?" She turned to Severus.
"No, I haven't, I'm sure they're somewhere in the crowd." Before they knew it, the Hogwarts express blew it's horn.
"Looks like its almost time to go."
"Mum?" Amelia whispered.
"What is it dear?"
"What if I'm not put in Slytherin?" she asked. Hermione kneeled to be eye level with her daughter.
"Whatever house you'll be in, you'll be great. They'll be lucky to have you. There are so many brave witches and wizards in each house. Not just Gryffindor and Slytherin. Your father and I will love you regardless, and we are so proud of how far you've come." She said smiling. Amelia grinned, giving her parents one last embrace as each set of parents watched their children hopped on the train. Some, for the very first time.
"We will see you soon, Headmaster Snape." Harry said, extending his hand towards Severus. With a nod, he graciously accepted.
"Goodbye Harry, I'll see you later. Take care!" Hermione embraced him, and Ginny.
"Have a good year 'Mione." Harry and Ginny take off with James, Albus, Lily, and Molly.
"We have to get going love." Severus turned to Hermione.
"I know dear, we have to be there before the students arrive." Hermione watches the train as it slowly starts its engine and heading off with the students.
"We will see them tonight.
"And tonight—afterwards, we will finally be alone!" Hermione said gleefully, turning around to face her husband.
"I've been looking forward to that for weeks." Severus smiled. It's only been about four weeks since the last time they were officially alone.
HG-SS-HG-SS-HG-SS-HG-SS-HG-SS
Hogwarts Express
Amelia is having a little trouble trying to find an empty cabin. Most of the cabins are full, with three-four people already residing in it. She notices Alex sitting next to James Potter, Arthur Weasley, Scorpius Malfoy, and Chase Longbottom. All fourth years. Out of the side of his eye, Scorpius noticed that Amelia is passing by. He gives her a little wave and Amelia waves back. All the way back towards the end of the train, is an almost empty cabin, with only two students, thinking around her age, since she didn't see any of the house's emblem on their robes.
"Good morning, is anyone else sitting with you?" Amelia asked the two girls.
"Sure, you can! Come on in!" The girl with the hazel eyes said.
"Hiya, my name is Amelia Snape, what's yours?" She asked, taking the seat opposite to the two girls.
"My name is Bailey Dursley." She said, her dark brown hair is pulled up into a ponytail.
"My name is Teagan Taylor, nice to meet you." The girl with amber eyes and mahogany brown hair, pixie cut style. Amelia has never seen a girl's hair that short before.
"Thanks, everyone else is full."
"Didn't you say you're a Snape? Are you Headmaster Severus Snape's daughter?" Bailey asked.
"Y-yes..I am, is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
"Guess depends on what side of the war you are on, but in our cases, that's good." Teagan replied.
"Is he as mean as people say? I heard he is strict." Asked Bailey.
"N-no, at least not at home he isn't." Amelia never thought her dad was mean, a bit strict sure, but never mean. Would she meet a different side of her father? She is soon to find out.
"Excuse me?" An older boy knocked. The three girls turned.
"Albus! How are you?" Amelia asked.
"I'm okay. All the other cabins are full. Is it okay if I sit with you ladies? I'm Albus Potter, second year Slytherin." Albus doesn't really have many friends. He's very much an introvert and unsure of himself a lot of the time. He does open up a little bit with Amelia.
"You're Albus Potter? One of Harry Potters kids?" Bailey asked.
"Yeah." He spoke.
"I'm Bailey Dursley, this is Teagan Taylor. I'm guessing you already know Amelia. But yeah, go ahead, take a seat." Albus sat next to Amelia.
"Dursley eh? I think my dad mention something about a Dursley, he has a cousin. Dudley, I believe?" Albus asked.
"Yeah, that's my dad's name." Bailey replied.
"Really?! But isn't he a muggle though?"
"Yes, he is. My mum's a witch, a tad of a shock when he found out though, but from what I was told, he already knew of the wizarding world, so my mum kind of liked that. She wanted to meet someone who wasn't a wizard but knew of our world." Bailey explained.
"How interesting. Has my dad met you yet?"
"I don't remember him, even if he did. My dad said, that the last time he saw Harry was the night of his seventeenth birthday when they had to vacate the property. I guess Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia didn't like him much."
"That's an understatement of the century." Albus snickered.
"I see you're a Slytherin, how did your dad take that?"
"He took it very well actually, I was named after Amelia's dad, 'Albus Severus Potter.' Told me he named me after the two bravest wizards he knew, and one was in Slytherin. I'm very proud of that. Although, others see Uncle Severus as mean and strict, but that's only because he has a very important job to do, taking care of hundreds of children." Albus stuck out his chest, very proud of his uncle. Bailey and Teagan smiled.
"We're all hoping to be in Slytherin, when its time for the sorting ceremony."
"Fantastic! I hope so too. I—I'm kind of by myself in Slytherin." Albus' face turned a little bit.
"Awe, why?"
"I'm a Potter. Most of the kids in my year are children of former death eaters. Although as a rule, blood line doesn't matter anymore, I mean, Aunt 'Mione is a muggle born and the brightest witch of her age."
"That makes sense, well Albus, you're safe with us. If for some reason, we are put in different houses' we can still be friends. If that is what you want?" Teagan stook out her hand. Albus smiled and accepted their friendship.
"I'd like that, very much."
"And, if anyone gives you any crap about being friends with first years, they haven't met my side kicks: Bonnie and Clyde." Teagan joked kissing her left and right fist.
A/N: Hope you all liked the first chapter! I'm in the process of writing chapter four and five, but I'll be posting a new chapter hopefully once a week, or every other week depending on how many reviews I get. There will be more moments between Severus and Hermione, don't you worry! This story is going to jump a little bit, but I'm going to try my best to focus on them more. But I do love creating the scenes with their kids and their friends. I want to see if you can guess who Bailey's mother is? Bailey is Albus' cousin, and she's interested in getting to know him and her uncle who she's never met before. Let me know what you think!