Epilogue

A/N: Not much to say except that I’m sad to see this fic end. Severus and Ron are an odd pairing to be sure, but I’ve grown so attached to them. Big, big thanks to all the readers who have stuck with this little fic, through thick, and thin, and writer’s block. You’re reviews have meant so very much to me and they’ve certainly helped me stick to this fic until the bitter end.

As always, huge, whopping, ginormous thanks to my charming beta, Vaughn. Not only is she the coolest beta ever, she always has kind words for me, and keeps me from thinking everything I write is crap. I don’t know what I’d do without her!

Disclaimer: They are not mine; I only take them out to play.

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And so it came to pass that on a lovely, sunny afternoon, Severus and Ron were indeed married. On the back lawn of their new home, amidst the oak trees, they stood before a preacher and recited the brief and formally worded vows that would bind them together for as long as they both shall live. Each of them had endured a short, private meeting with the preacher before the vows, but it wasn’t until the grey bearded man said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mr. Weasley,” that Ron realized Severus had decided to take the Weasley name. This time the brightness of Ron’s smile far outshone the sparkle of the new green house. Indeed, it rivaled the very sun.

Severus never bothered to explain the reasons for his choice. Any attempt to get him to speak of it was impatiently waved off. Most folks assumed that since Severus had never much cared for his father, he likewise wasn’t especially fond of his sire’s name. Minerva had a different theory. Having seen Ron’s smile--and Severus’ reaction to it—she had decided that Severus made his choice for a no more complicated reason than the fact that he knew very well how much it would please his new husband. Minerva was probably correct.

The feast which had been laid out on the lawn was then eaten and enjoyed. It did double duty as both a welcome feast and a wedding supper. Much champagne was drunk by all and sundry and the last of the revelers did not leave until late in the night. Despite the fact that there were no more eyes left to spy, Severus still blushed when Ron lifted him into his arms and carried his ‘bride’ over the threshold in the traditional manner.

At last upstairs, there was a brief tussle as each wizard tried to thrust the pot of lubricant into the other’s hands. The argument was only ended when Severus reminded Ron forcefully that he was the ‘bride’ and therefore demanded the traditional rights and privileges associated with such. The next morning, Severus let Ron play ‘bride’ and all was happily even.

All was well with the couple as the months began to pass. Free from their forced captivity, the relationship which had begun in a tiny hospital room now bloomed and thrived. Sure, there was the occasional argument. Married or not, Severus was still Severus, after all. But in the true manner of doting Weasley husbands everywhere, Ron learned to say “yes, dear” as he smiled fondly at his mate. Ron did argue with his husband on occasion, but it was more in the interest of having make-up sex than any real desire to prove a point.

Severus’ potions business was a hit from the get go. The wizarding world in general didn’t like Severus anymore than they ever had, but this didn’t seem to have an impact on the fact that he was a brilliant potions brewer. The general public gossiped about him viciously, but they bought his potions even so. At times, Ron rather thought that Severus’ infamous reputation did much to help the business along. Any publicity is often good publicity in such matters.

Ron’s business ventures grew more slowly, but they grew steadily. By the end of the first year, Ron was already supplying many familiar shops with the fast breeding rats and toads. The sales from his first litter of Savannah cats gave him the capital to invest in some breeding pairs of owls, cats, and a few more exotics—for some reason Iguanas had become all the rage among school age children—and it was apparent that within a year or two, Ron’s business would be very successful indeed.

Having little to do with their money—they did have a lovely cottage and a self-replenishing pantry, after all—Severus and Ron found other things to do with their rapidly growing wealth. Certainly they both spent money on trinkets and such--indeed, Severus’ library would soon rival that of Hogwarts—they also got in the habit of giving extremely lavish Christmas gifts to those friends and family who had done so much to make their homecoming a grand affair. Also, they made a yearly donation to Albus’ Displaced Wizard Fund. The fund that had started as a means to help people after the war soon grew to be a permanent thing. It became almost an urban legend, as wizards and witches began to firmly believe that donating to it was a source of good luck. Wizards are a superstitious people. The fund was likely to go on doing its good work indefinitely.

There came a time in the second year of their marriage when Ron realized that there was one more thing that Severus needed to do before he was truly recovered. Though Severus complained bitterly, and many arguments ended with one or the other of them sleeping on the downstairs sofa, Ron would not back down on this point. Eventually Severus agreed to do as Ron wished, if only to get him to shut up about the matter. So it came to pass that Ron and Severus went to Hogwarts and found themselves facing the gargoyles that guarded Minerva’s office.

Expecting them, Minerva greeted them at the door and led them up and into her office. A sofa had been placed facing one wall, and Albus’ portrait had been moved to hang before it at an easy level for conversation. Ensconced on the sofa between Minerva and Ron, Severus refused to speak or to even look at the portrait. As soon as Albus began speaking to him, Severus buried his face in Ron’s neck and didn’t come up for air until he and Ron took their leave. He may not have spoken to Albus, but he listened.

The trip to Minerva’s office became a weekly visit. In time, Severus lifted his head from Ron’s neck to at least look at the portrait of his friend. Eventually, he managed a word or two. Years later, it was a common sight to see Severus Weasley stalking around the office in his old manner as he participated in a heated discussion with the portrait of the former headmaster.

And so, with patience and time, Severus was at last able to put the last of his ghosts behind him and throw himself wholeheartedly into his new life. It was a good life, full of things he had never before been used to, many friends, an affectionate extended family, a wonderful home, and love. Throughout the whole, Ron stayed firmly by his side, not only a part of his family, but a part of his very soul.

Thus ends the saga of the most unlikely bedfellows that ever shall be.