7

A huge chair appeared behind Hagrid. He was so overcome that he was falling backward. He sat gratefully while Severus watched him anxiously, not comfortable with another man holding his woman. But as he watched them, he realized that Hagrid was like a father to her. Hagrid held her like a fragile doll in his lap, and his hand soothed her hair.

"Hermione! I can't believe it. I thought the worst for you." He glared at Severus. "What you doin' here with him?"

"Hagrid, Severus helped me kill Voldemort not more than an hour ago."

"What's this? You say the snake is dead?" He put her on the bed and watched as she crawled back into Severus's arms.

Severus nodded. "It's true. Hermione killed him."

Hagrid sat back. "But how? I saw you taken. I knew what they would do to you."

Hermione threaded her fingers through Severus's. "I was given to Severus. Voldemort thought he could trust him. He thought Severus would torture and use me."

Hagrid growled. "Filthy bastard."

Severus wondered whether he was talking about him or Voldemort. He felt he might well deserve the comment himself.

"I gave myself to Severus freely; we have become close these last two weeks. We created a potion that would kill Voldemort, and I delivered it."

Hagrid...overcome with the knowledge that Voldemort was finally dead...leaned forward and pressed his face into his hands and sobbed.

Hermione clutched Severus' hand as they watched Hagrid cry. She knew he cried for those they'd lost and in relief because Voldemort was finally dead. Finally, he wiped his eyes and sat back.

He cleared his voice and asked, "What do we do now?" He was still clearly overwhelmed.

Severus said, "We rebuild our world. We reopen Hogwarts. I hope you will help me, Hagrid. There are probably others in hiding."

"What! There are others alive?" Hagrid's eyes were round with disbelief. Emotions of happiness and sadness crossed his face as Severus repeated what Arelia had told him.

Hagrid looked at the little elf with wonder. "I always knew ye were more than ye pretended to be. I look forward to getting to know ye," he said, giving a little bow to the elf.

Severus told him whom he knew to be alive. "With Luna, Neville, Filius, and Poppy, we will teach our children differently than how we were taught. We might even get a few elves to help us teach. Shacklebolt can run the ministry. Molly will help him."

Arelia smiled. "I am looking forward to this new era. Let me take you home, Professor Hagrid."

"Home? It's nothing but a shell," he said with great sadness.

"Your house still stands and repairs are being made. We elves have a special magic for repair and restoration. Fang is there waiting. Those who have been hiding will now come from the forest and join you at Hogwarts. There is a band of elves cleaning and repairing Hogwarts with their magic as we sit here. There will be warmth and light there. Your quarters will be ready when you want to come, Headmaster Snape."

Hermione said, "Please, can we go? I want to see the others. Please, Severus?"

"You're not strong," he warned her.

"Give me a strengthening potion, Severus. It's a special occasion, and we need to be there. You need to be there, and you won't stop me." Her chin rose stubbornly.

Hagrid watched, cringing. Severus had never been one to back down. But he formed a new opinion of the man that night.

Severus laughed and nodded, running his hand over Hermione's hair. He suddenly wanted to go home as well. He climbed from the bed and took clothing from the closet.

Hagrid followed Arelia to the sitting room to wait for them, trying to fathom the gentleness and the love he'd seen in the once cynical Potion master's eyes when he looked at Hermione. Had he fallen into an alternate universe? Hagrid decided if he had, this one was better than the one he had been in.

After getting the strengthening potion, Hermione looked through the robes that Arelia had brought and picked a fine green one. She watched in silence as Severus physically ripped his Death Eater robes to ribbons and then placed them in the fireplace to burn. His mask went last, and they watched together as the face slowly melted and ran. Finally, they reached for each other's hands and went to join Hagrid and Arelia in the sitting room. They made their way to the garden and then Apparated to Hogwarts.

They stood at the gate and stared with wonder at the castle. Arelia took down the wards, and they moved through the gates. The castle was lit. Every window had candlelight flickering outward.

Hagrid saw that his house was restored and also lit. A bellow from his old hound dog split the air, and a dark shape hurled itself at him. He caught the huge dog easily against his chest.

Hermione felt tears burn her eyes and run down her face as she watched the reunion. She clutched Severus' hand tighter, and they started toward the castle with Arelia leading the way.

Hagrid set Fang down and followed them. The great door was open, and they climbed the stairs and passed into the warmth of the castle. They crossed the hall and stood at the door of the Great Hall. There were hundreds of people in the large room. Many ordinary wizarding people had been hiding. They all were standing in groups talking, hugging, laughing, and crying. All turned toward them. There was a hush and then a deafening clapping began. Hundreds of house-elves popped in and joined the clapping. Severus stood there clutching Hermione to him, wishing he could fade into the wall. He'd never wanted acknowledgement. He was just paying an old debt. He felt such shame now. What would these people do to him if they ever found out what he really was?

But then Hermione whispered, "I love you, Severus. Courage is something you've always had amazing amounts of."

Hermione heard a cry, and then she saw Molly separate herself from the crowd. One of her arms was bound to her body, and she wore the burns of a powerful curse that had burned her left cheek, but she was still able to hobble toward Hermione and Severus. She engulfed them in a hug.

"My girl, I had no hope for you. Severus, you old scoundrel, I always knew you'd come through."

Then the others came to speak with them...some one at a time, others in groups. Severus felt old pain and resentments in his heart fade away. His whole life as a spy suddenly became worth it. He found he cared for all these people.

When Kingsley came forward, he said to the crowd, "Kingsley Shacklebolt is the finest of wizards. I think many will agree that he should be our minister. Molly Weasley should be his under secretary. He will rebuild the government with the elves and those of you who want to go with him."

He expected people to protest, but they all listened to his words and seemed to agree.

"Hermione and I will stay with those who want to help us restart the school. This school is the future of our wizarding world and essential to getting our lives back. But for tonight, we rest, we eat, and we talk. Arelia, will you ask your fellow elves to set the tables and bring on the food?"

The little elf hopped up to the nearest table and waved her silver wand. The table was set and the room flooded with house-elves all proudly carrying amazing dishes. She was smiling with glee as several magically enhanced long tables appeared in elf size.

Severus laughed and said, "Let's eat."

He and Hermione headed to the staff table. But they stopped and stood in shock as they found the wall behind the staff table was now covered with a huge magical painting unlike any that had ever graced the walls of Hogwarts. It was a painting of the Great Hall like a mirror of what was behind them. And there standing in groups were all those who had been lost in the wars against Voldemort. Harry and Ron stood closest to the front, smiling, and next to them were Dumbledore and Minerva. Behind Harry stood a man and woman Hermione knew to be James and Lily. Then she saw Remus, Tonks, Arthur, Percy, and Fred... On and on, the faces of lost friends became clear as she focused on them. She stepped away from Severus, and he watched her press her hand to Harry's outstretched hand on the canvas, and then she reached her other hand out to Ron. The trio was together again.

"Hermione," the young men said together.

Hermione pressed her face to the painting. "Harry, Ron," she said with fresh tears on her face.

Harry said, "Don't cry. It is as it should be. Hermione, look I'm with my parents. Here they are as real as you are in your world. We are all together again. It's everything I ever wanted. Sirius is here, too. I have my family. And look..." He pulled Ginny from behind him. "My girl is here, too. It's pure heaven, Hermione."

Ron said, "It is heaven, Hermione. Most of my family is here, and we can wait for the others. He glanced past her to his mum, who'd come close. "Mum, you have much to do yet."

Molly nodded and went to stand close to where Arthur was looking out at her with love and pride on his face.

Hermione eyes streamed tears. She felt Severus come up behind her and wrap his arms about her, and she clutched at his hands now.

"Professor Snape. I trust you will take good care of Hermione. I can't say it's not odd seeing you together, but I can see the bond you have with each other," Harry told him.

"I will take care of her," Severus promised. "I regret that I was not able to talk to you before this all happened. So much of what we did depended on secrecy." Yet his eyes wandered to Lily, and he saw her looking back.

"I understand, sir. I'm sorry I failed you and everyone," Harry said.

"We both could blame ourselves, Harry. You are a brave and good man. It just wasn't to be. You did as much as was possible for you to do against a powerful opponent." He glanced at Dumbledore and glared his way. He still found it hard to look at the man.

"The fault is mine," Dumbledore said. "I thought the prophecies were correct. I thought it had to be that way. I'm sorry for what I asked you to do, Severus. I am proud that you and Hermione accomplished in a few days what I couldn't do in 50 years."

"It took years and a know-it-all to work out the potion in my mind." He grinned at Hermione as she grinned back at him. "It had to be a poison that would kill a man and a snake combined...and do it quickly enough to keep us alive at the same time. Hermione helped me perfect it. It was very difficult, and I was only able to get someone that close because Hermione was given to me."

Ron said, "Given to you?"

Hermione said, "It was war, Ron. Voldemort was a cruel master. He wanted me to be tortured, so he gave me to a man he thought was his loyal servant. Severus was a gentleman, and we did what was necessary to stay alive."

Ron stepped back and nodded. Then Lavender came from somewhere in the back and stood by him. He reached out and threaded his fingers into hers. "Be happy, Hermione." He turned away and vanished into the crowd.

"Harry," she said, again overcome with emotion.

Harry smiled. "I will be here anytime you want to talk...just call me. Our worlds really are only separated by the veil. Go celebrate."

Hermione nodded at him and gripped Severus' arms more tightly. "Let's eat and celebrate." She gave him a flashing smile, and he turned her so he could kiss her. They forgot the world around them. They didn't even notice the surprised gasps of the real world and the portrait world. Nor did they hear the thunderous clapping. They were lost into their own world of each other.

After dinner, Severus urged Hermione to come with him. He took her to a corner at the back of the room and took her in his arms and said, "Bond with me, legally, tonight, Hermione. I want you for my wife."

"Severus, are you in earnest?" Her eyes glowed with the possibility.

"Absolutely. Kingsley's here, and we have everyone here in the real world and the portrait world we have ever needed to stand with us. What do you say?"

"I say YES!" she screamed happily, throwing her arms about his neck.

They cornered Kingsley, and he agreed it would be best that they were married right then.

"Arelia," Severus called.

The little elf, now dressed in a fine gown, popped in. Severus bent and whispered something in her ear, and she squealed with glee, "Yes, sir, right away." She vanished, and Hermione raised her eyebrow when Severus turned to grin at her.

He turned and went to the portrait and spoke quietly, "Harry, I'm going to marry Hermione, now. I hope that you will give us your blessing. You are her dearest friend."

Harry said, "I only want her to be happy, sir. It appears you will make her happy. Of course you have my blessing. Thank you for all you've done to keep her alive. I can see how much you care for her."

"Thank you, Harry." He nodded and then turned away. He then went to the lectern and raised his hand, and the entire company in the huge room stilled.

He held his hand out to Hermione and said, "I hope you will join Hermione and I in about half an hour to witness our bonding." There were loud gasps and more applause. Finally, Severus continued, "Kingsley has agreed to perform the ceremony. Arelia, our wonderful house-elf and champion today, has agreed to change the decor in here, so if you will all just sit quietly and let the elves do their wonderful magic, we will have a wedding."

Hermione stood against Severus in shock as the hall was changed into a garden wonderland of vines and white flowers. Drapes of white sheer material covered the stone walls. The portrait people all gathered. Harry, his parents, Ron and the Weasleys, as well as the rest of their friends all came to watch. The hall was filled with the static of magic, and everything sparkled. Everyone was dressed in fine clothing.

Hermione looked down at her dark robes and started to pull her wand out. Then Arelia appeared before her. With a wave of that wand of silver and light, Hermione found herself dressed in a long, white strapless gown. The bottom flared from her waist in layers of gauzy fabric. She glanced up at Severus, confused, and he grinned. Though not see through, it was the same fabric as her slave gown.

"I hope you don't mind, Hermione. I never saw a woman more beautiful than when you came to me that night. You were never a slave to me, only a blessing. I lost my heart that night. It took me a while to figure it out, but I loved you that night."

Touched that it had meant so much to him, she said, "It's beautiful, Severus." Arelia transformed Severus's clothing into black dress robes. Hermione glanced at the portrait to see what Harry was doing and saw that Lily was standing front and center.

"Severus, I think Lily wants to talk to you. It's time to put the past away, don't you think? I'm going to talk with Ginny for a moment."

Severus looked and saw that Lily was beckoning to him. He bent to give Hermione a gentle kiss. "I will be right back, my love."

She went to one side of the huge portrait and saw Severus head to the middle.

"Lily," he said. His heart was beating rapidly and his mouth was dry. He'd never faced her like this before so real and so alive.

"Severus, the magic that makes this communication possible is amazing. Your Hermione seems to be a lovely woman. I do hope you will be happy."

Severus felt tears burn his eyes. "Thank you. Forgive me, Lily," he blurted out.

"I already have. I'm sorry I never got to tell you. I did miss our friendship terribly, Severus." She turned now, and James came to the front. Severus noted that Harry was watching very carefully a little ways away.

"Severus, I was a prat. I am sorry." James said, offering his hand, palm against the wall that separated them.

Severus pressed palm to palm since they could not shake hands. "Yes, you were," Severus said with seriousness. "It is forgotten, James. You make her happy. All those events led to today, and I would not change my life one tiny bit right at the moment, so I guess it was fate."

"Yes, Severus, be happy. Thank you for helping our son." He pulled Lily away, and she followed him, glancing back at Severus with a happy smile. Severus stood for a moment, watching them join Sirius and Lupin, then he turned to join Hermione.

Hermione and Ginny chatted about the dress and the wedding like two schoolgirls...things best friends would talk about on a girl's wedding day, and Hermione didn't feel so lost anymore. They weren't gone, they were all there able to talk to her, alive in the next world just behind the veil. Somehow this painting made seeing through the veil possible. She found Minerva standing close, and Dumbledore was still next to her.

Severus came back and took her hand. "Minerva, Albus," he said. He thought it would be hard to look at them, but he saw that they appeared younger, stronger, and they were holding hands.

Albus said, "I'm very proud of you, my boy. I hope you and Hermione will be very happy. Age difference aside, it never made much difference to Minerva and I."

Hermione said, "You and Minerva... a couple? Why didn't you let people know?"

Albus explained, "We decided it would be best for the good of the school many years before. We took a stupid unbreakable vow, in an age before people became more accepting of couples working together. It kept us silent."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "What a waste."

Minerva giggled like a girl. "Not at all; we had a secret passage between our rooms."

Hermione glanced at Severus, who was getting red ears. She laughed at her once unflappable Potions teacher. "Don't tell me in all your years as a spy you didn't know?"

"Apparently not," he admitted.

Just then Arelia appeared. "It's is done, Master."

Severus said, "Arelia, you are no longer anyone servant. I would be happy to have you as an employee if you so wish it, but you may call me Severus."

Arelia hopped up and down like a child. "I would be happy to, Sir Severus."

Severus gulped but didn't make an issue of it. "Let's get this woman bonded to me. I do not want to wait another moment." His voice was deep, and the room became silent.

Calling Molly and Hagrid to stand with them, they took their places under the arch of white flowers, and Kingsley produced the cord that bound their wrists together. The words were said and magical rings formed from the cord, and they placed them on each other fingers. Finally Kingsley said, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Severus swept Hermione up into his arms and kissed her deeply, "My wife, I cannot imagine a better act I have ever done, in my life, then make you mine."

Hermione smiled into his face. "Nor I in marrying you, my husband."

Severus picked her up and swung her around. Then he said to their shocked audience, "Good night, everyone, we are off to make a baby."

"Severus!" Hermione exclaimed, laughing with happiness.

Severus laughed a deep, rich, free laugh and carried his wife away.

Fin

Thank you, Lisa, for your beta work. This was quickly written, and I appreciate your getting it beta'd so quickly.