Chapter 29

All canon characters belong to JKR.

Thank you to June for helping me with the beta work.

Epilogue

In the months since they had married and had their child, everyone noticed how much Severus had changed. He was still the same snarky bastard he had always been, and trying to get a nice comment from him was like trying to get water from a rock. What changed in him was his outlook on life. He was a husband and a father. No one would have ever thought that Severus would take on those two roles with such passion. But it did not surprise anyone he did so, since Severus Snape did everything with passion. He often took on the duties of bathing and feeding little Raven, and every once in a while changed nappies with no complaint.

After the end of the school year, they summered at one of the many Snape estates. This year it was outside of Madrid, on the Spanish countryside. They invited her parents, as well as Minerva and Albus, to stop by and visit. Draco and Ginny spent two weeks at the home, and arrived with the news that they were also expecting their first child. Harry and Pansy made an appearance and announced their engagement. Pansy had not wanted Harry to go on with being an auror, so when Albus offered him Professor Flitwick's position Harry jumped at it. The older wizard wanted to retire, and Harry wanted to finally lead a somewhat tranquil and safe life.

Hermione never quite forgave Ron for what happened that day at the Three Broomsticks, and their friendship would always remain strained. Because of him, she almost lost the only man she had ever loved. She never understood why Ron just couldn't be happy for her, even though she chose to live her life with a man he thought was the biggest bastard alive. Severus may have been a bastard, but he was her bastard.

Osiris and Crookshanks became self-appointed nannies for little Raven. They could often be seen near the baby's crib, or sharing naps with him. In those early weeks, Severus had come to suspect that his son already had the ability to communicate with both Osiris and Crookshanks, and made a mental note to watch the three very carefully. He tried asking Osiris, but his cousin remained tight-lipped about it all, or rather tight-beaked. Severus also began to notice other odd goings-on, not just with Raven, but also with Crookshanks. He suspected that the cat's now extended life wasn't the only thing he got in exchange for part of his life force being given to Osiris. There were occasions when Severus thought he could read the cat's thoughts. While still not very clear in his mind, there was something there. He decided to make some time to investigate further once they got back to Hogwarts.

On the day they returned to Hogwarts, Hermione noticed a letter on her desk. She opened it, and found it to be not a letter, but a degree from the University of Dover, sighed by Professor Anteus Montclaire, awarding her the title of Potions Mistress. As she studied the document in her hands, Severus came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I see your title has arrived," he stated.

Hermione turned around and looked at him in wonder. "What's this all about? I'm supposed to apprentice for a year with a Potions Master, to get my accreditation," she said as she held the paper to him.

"I know. I took the liberty of writing to Montclaire, just before we returned to Hogwarts. You were a teaching assistant last year after all, and we did work together for a good part of the year. You also helped me when I began the new Wolfsbane Potion, and I did use several of your ideas for the improvements." He noticed her furrowed brows and knew immediately what she was thinking. "You deserve this title, Hermione. You worked hard at the university, and with all the distractions you suffered during this past year, you managed to teach the first through third years Potions classes on your own. Please, love, you earned this." He noticed her smile finally and kissed her forehead.

"Well, I know better than to argue with you, especially when you are right, dear husband." She kissed his lips, and jumped when she heard a crashing noise outside in the halls, along with what sounded like Filch screaming at someone.

Hermione and Severus both looked to the door as it swung open, allowing Osiris to fly in and Crookshanks to come almost sliding into the living room, leaving the door to shut loudly behind him.

"What the?" Severus watched as the two headed straight towards the study.

"We're not here!" Osiris said, as he and Crookshanks went past him and Hermione, just as Filch began pounding at the door.

The newlyweds looked at each other.

"I can only imagine what they have done this time," stated Severus as he rolled his eyes and opened the door. There stood Filch, as angry as the devil on Christmas, clutching a very bald Mrs. Norris.

"Where are they? I know they had to have come in here!" the caretaker yelled. Severus immediately crossed his arms and scowled down at him. Filch lowered his voice and took a cautious step back, and held out his bald cat. "Professor, look what those two animals did to Mrs. Norris."

"And what, may I ask, gives you the idea that either Osiris or Crookshanks had anything to do with this? They are animals, Mr. Filch, no more intelligent than..." Severus looked at the door next to him, "than perhaps this wooden door," he said as he knocked on the door. "No doubt the perpetrators are using their human legs to run from you as we speak." He then turned to Hermione. "Hermione, didn't you just tell me you thought you heard laughter and someone running past our rooms?"

"Why, yes." Hermione approached the door. "Mr. Filch, I believe I heard them going that way," she said as she pointed down the hall.

Filch immediately turned in the direction she had indicated and began to run. "I'll get you, you little bastards. I'll hang you by your thumbs when I do!"

Hermione stepped back and Severus closed the door. They looked at each other trying to hold back their laughter, and then Severus turned and called out to both the perpetrators.

"Osiris, Crookshanks! Out here now!"

Within seconds Crookshanks walked out with Osiris on his back.

"Whatever you do, don't tell them it was my idea," begged Crookshanks.

"What the devil did you two do to Mrs. Norris this time?" asked Severus, thinking he heard something from Crookshanks.

"All right, Severus, I can explain. You see, Crookshanks here bet me that I couldn't make Mrs. Norris' fur pink with blue polka dots, and I told him that of course I could. I am a wizard, after all," Osiris chuckled. Severus heard Raven crying, and went to the bedroom, leaving Hermione to deal with the two troublemakers. "Uh, yes, well, anyway ... you see, Hermione, this is the funny part. Uh, instead of using a spell to change the color of her fur, I accidentally used a spell that left her completely bald. Isn't that funny?" Osiris chuckled again, and was then swatted on the head by Crookshanks' tail.

"Thanks a lot, sparrow fucker!" said Crookshanks as he unceremoniously shook Osiris off his back, then jumped on the couch.

"Osiris, you and Crooks have been playing these games with Mrs. Norris for several months now. Why do you insist on torturing her?" asked Hermione.

Osiris flew onto her shoulder. "I think Crooks has a crush on her, but don't tell him I told you that."

Hermione shook her head, and then sat on the couch. Severus emerged from the back room with Raven in his arms. The baby had filled out a bit, and now, at four months old, he was laughing wildly at his father's tickling. Hermione looked at her husband as he held their child. Crookshanks scooted next to him, and he and Osiris were now swatting each other with wings and paws. Severus held Raven as the baby watched the interplay between his two animal friends.

She thought back over the past year. That letter Albus sent her had changed her life. She managed to corner the older wizard during the summer, where he finally admitted that he had made no mistake in his wording, and did indeed lure her under false pretences. He also confessed that he had known of Severus' vision those twenty some odd years ago. As Albus also suspected her of being the woman Severus had seen in the mirror. Yes, Albus had tricked her, but he knew of no other way to get her to Hogwarts. Instead of being angry, she hugged him, and thanked him. She would be eternally grateful to Albus for meddling.

Severus handed Raven to Hermione. He watched her as she held their baby against her breasts, and caressed his chubby cheeks with her soft hands. He knew now that he was truly blessed. He thought back to the day when she had arrived as a teaching assistant. How he had fought with himself in those early days, and how he had refused to believe she had been the vision he had seen all those years ago in the Mirror of Erised. Never could he have believed he would be this happy. He smiled and moved closer to his wife and son, and held them close to him. What he held in his arms now, had certainly been well worth the long wait.

The End (for now)

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Well there you have it. I hope you enjoyed this. I have two short sequels, "A Small Addition," and "Caught in the Act," which follow this, as well as a longer final sequel called "Lestrange Days." All of which are posted on this site.

Thank you for reading and getting this far.