Spring 2007

Harry was numb for the weeks after Severus' passing. It didn't seem right to live in their house without him. Hermione was a wonder. She filed death certificates with the US and British magic governments and handled the funeral arrangements with Andromeda's help. That's how they found out Severus had two wills on file. One in the UK and one with a local firm in Montana. Harry was listed on both wills, due to the significant role Harry had played in his life pre and post war. He knew he'd have to go back to Britain at some point but was delaying it. The crush of people trying to look at him, the paranoia of dark wizards and witches, the fact that he had tried to reorganize the government to be safer and had been ignored in favor of "that's how it's always been done"...not to mention seeing the Weasleys. Molly would be furious if she found out he'd been to the UK and not visited her and Arthur.

But that was scheduled for later in the spring when everyone listed could reasonably be gathered as some of the other names listed included several potions masters from Europe and North America. So while they had some time, Hermione was helping him sort through Severus' belongings. So far it involved Harry sitting down and Hermione showing him various items. He cried when they went through his shirts, clutching one to his face to catch one last sniff of his cologne.

Hermione stopped what she was doing and paused to unearth a metal box from the back of the closet. Opening it, she saw several vials glowing with memories and a folded sheet of paper with Harry's name written on the outside. When she looked at the space it came from, she saw a small stone pensieve. She handed the items to him and gave him a brief hug before stepping out to give him some privacy.

Harry took a deep breath and opened the letter.

Harry,

I know my time is coming to a close. I would not have you mourn me overlong. You have to think of young Edward and the other children. I want you and them to have the happy memories you and I never had in our youth. Take them camping if you want to remember me. Brew potions (supervised by Andromeda). Take them to see Connie and Rose and Annie.

My mother had a belief that once gone, people return to the elements. I always liked that. So think of me when the sun shines on the snow, when the breeze ruffles your hair, when a leaf falls and lands right in front of you.

Moving on, in the box, I have left several memories of moments between us and of Edward. I hope you can watch them and remember the good times we had, before this damned illness took so much from us.

Now, I'm going to write a poem from Whitman. I've spoken it to you just this week as I write but I want you to remember this is how I feel about you and our relationship.

Whoever you are, now I place my hand upon you, that you be my poem,
I whisper with my lips close to your ear,
I have loved many women and men, but I love none better than you.
O I have been dilatory and dumb,
I should have made my way straight to you long ago,
I should have blabb'd nothing but you, I should have chanted nothing but you.

I will leave all and come and make the hymns of you,
None has understood you, but I understand you,
None has done justice to you, you have not done justice to yourself
None but has found you imperfect, I only find no imperfection in you

I love you Harry Potter, and you have made these last few years truly wonderful for a sad old man like myself.

Always,

Severus

Harry sobbed as he clutched the letter. His heart ached. He looked at the memories. Some were labeled about what the memory was. Some were labeled "Watch when (event) happens". There were some that were for Teddy and Harry to watch together, like one for when Teddy graduated school and one for when Teddy found someone he wanted to bring home. One was stated as "when you're ready to move on." Harry began sobbing again at the care Severus had put into this. Watching out for their little family from beyond the grave.

He knew logically he might meet someone after Severus, but in that moment? It felt impossible to meet someone as caring and honest as Severus Prince.

A few days later, Harry had watched the first memory listed and was on the way to hear the first of Severus' wills, this one purely for his new identity as Severus Prince. Andromeda and Teddy came with him as they were also listed.

Harry blanked through the will reading and only came to his senses when Teddy gripped his hand. Severus had left an education fund for Teddy, Some small monetary contributions to his friends and Andromeda, and all his savings went to Harry. Tears ran down his face as he wished,l not for the first time, he could have his loved ones instead of their money.