Chapter 57: Epilogue

Well, we have come to the long-awaited end of A Ghost of a Chance. I hope you enjoyed the story. It was a long labor of love to get it all posted. I started posting at the beginning of 2010. I believe most the story was written by then or at least two thirds of it. I have really enjoyed working on it.

This is the last chapter. Please leave a review even if you haven't before, and leave one even if you have. I have so appreciated all the reviews left by faithful readers, who have made themselves known, and the occasional ones left by someone touched by a particular scene.

Now onto the final chapter...

Hermione bore down: The pains were coming quite regularly and very quickly, and she barely had time to catch her breath in between them. She could see Severus’ concerned face swimming in and out of her view as the tears ran from her eyes. She felt him dab them from her face with his fingers. He was pressing kisses to the back of her head. She knew she was practically breaking his fingers; she was clutching his hand so tightly. She could see Poppy’s face over the swell of her stomach, between her knees.

She felt Severus, who was sitting behind her as he pressed against the upper part of her stomach, as Poppy instructed them to push. Hermione let out a scream as she felt the baby’s head crown and then the relief as the baby slipped from her body. She was sobbing, and she thought she heard Severus sobbing as well.

Poppy stood, and she had a bundle in her arms. She moved to Hermione’s side and laid the baby down on her stomach. “She’s beautiful,” Poppy said. “She’s perfect in every way—right down to her 10 tiny toes.”

“Severus, look at her. She’s beautiful,” she sobbed.

He reached over her and let one of the baby’s soft, golden curls slide over his finger. Then he threaded his fingers into his wife’s and said, “Thank you, Hermione. I thought the birth of our two sons could not be topped, but she’s perfect. She looks like you, and you’re the greatest love of my life.”

“What will you call her?” Poppy asked as she covered Hermione and the baby with a warming charm.

Hermione grinned at her as she held the baby close to her. “Her name is Poppy Minerva Jean Snape.”

“Oh.” Poppy’s face crumbled.

Severus moved out from behind Hermione, settling her back against a thick pile of stark white pillows. He put his arms around his mom. “Poppy, you have been so important to my life. I doubt I would have survived to get to that damnable bubble if it hadn’t been for you.” He held her till she stopped crying and pushed him away to go back to bustling around Hermione.

Hermione grinned at Severus as he came to place a kiss on her lips and caress the soft skin of his new daughter's cheek. “Severus, call the boys in and Minerva; well, let them all in. I know Harry and Ginny will be out there with their brood.”

Severus grinned. “It’s quite a brood, isn’t it? Your extended family is as much mine now as yours.” He kissed her forehead and then headed for the door of the infirmary. When he opened it, he was sure there were hundreds of people. Nearly every existing Weasley stood there. He thought wryly that the red hair would blind him. Then he could see scads of students, staff, house-elves and maybe the minister himself. He felt a tug at his heart that all these people cared for Hermione and him now.

“Harris Scorpius Severus and Edward Albus Wolfgang, front and center.” A tall seven-year-old stepped up front. He was nearly the spiting imagine of his father. He had ebony, shoulder-length hair and deep, intelligent eyes, but there the likeness ended because Harry was a Quidditch player. Sometimes he was allowed to practice with the teams. Severus placed a hand on his shoulder; he was a credit to his namesake, Harry Potter, who stood there among the adults waiting with expectant faces. “Edward Brian Wolfgang, where are you?” A smaller five-year-old came out from behind Ginny Potter. Severus knelt next to the boy, who had short curly golden-reddish hair. His eyes were like looking into Hermione’s. “Boys, Mum is doing great. Do you want to come meet your sister…” He glanced at Minerva, who stood leaning on a silver, cat-headed cane. “… Poppy Minerva Jean Snape?” The crowd broke out clapping.

Minerva smiled, and a tear slipped down her wrinkled cheek. Harry placed an arm around her, ready to help her into the room. “Unhand me, you whelp,” she teased. “I’m not dead yet. I can make it on my own steam.”

Harry, now in his mid-40s, grinned at the woman who was probably pushing 100. “I just bet you can, you stubborn, old woman.”

Minerva was an honorary great-grandmother in the Potter family now. She loved it when he teased her. “Congratulations, Severus,” she said as Severus stood.

“Thank you, Harry. Give us five minutes, and then you all come and see our new daughter. She’s beautiful.”

Harry nodded. Even after all these years, the love and joy in Severus Snape’s eyes stunned him. Harry turned away and started to organize the crowd.

Severus went slowly, waiting for Minerva to hobble along with them. She took a chair that Poppy had placed for her on the left side of the bed. The boys climbed onto stools that Poppy had conjured by the bed. Hermione smiled at them and folded back the pink blanket so they could look at their new sister.

Edward said, “She’s very small, Mum. She’s not gonna be able to play with me at all.”

Hermione reached out to squeeze his hand. “No, not just yet; but she’ll be walking in a year.”

“A whole year!” the boy whined.

Severus saw his older son grin. “I waited for you to get bigger, sport. I guess you’ll wait for Poppet.”

“Poppet?” Severus asked, looking at Poppy.

Poppy grinned. “Sounds good to me. I was called Poppet in grade school.”

Hermione grinned. “Poppet.” She caressed the head of her tiny baby.

The door opened at the other end of the room, and people crowded in, anxious to look at the baby. Harry, who was guiding them, was cautioning his children, “Just look, no touching.” Severus moved with the boys to the head of the bed, and Harry and Ginny came first. They kissed Hermione and gazed at the tiny baby. They had four children of their own. Albus and James had twin sisters, Lily and Molly.

Severus looked over the crowd of faces and saw two he hadn’t seen for a few years. He broke away from his family and enveloped the two tall men—one blond and one redhead. “Scorpius, Albus, it’s great to see you. I can’t imagine one tiny baby would pull you away from that lab of yours.”

“We had to come, Uncle,” they said almost in unison. They went to the bed with Severus’ hands still at their backs. Each pressed a kiss to Hermione’s forehead and gazed at the baby. Hermione stared into the faces of two men. They were so grown up. She looked into her husband's eyes and saw his pride. They couldn’t be more his sons than the two boys she had birthed.

One by one people came, and the room filled with everyone gazing at the baby. Molly and Arthur were still going strong. Their 30 plus children and grandchildren filed quickly by. Many of them were Hogwarts students. Then came a tall red-haired man with a blonde wife. Severus gave him a stern look and then grinned, sticking out his hand. “Ron, I’m glad you could make it. Susan, it’s good to see you again.”

Hermione found herself misty eyed. The two men in her life who’d had problems with each other had managed to become friends. It had happened when Ron had really fallen in love and had married Susan Bones. They had a little girl now. Things were finally, completely, right.

Faces of students and many others, like Luna and Neville, who was now the Herbology professor at Hogwarts. Draco came through with Pansy as well. There were so many, but Harry herded them through and then sent everyone to the Great Hall for a special dessert prepared by the house-elves for the occasion of Headmaster Snape and Madam Snape’s new baby.

Finally, Harry helped up Minerva, who still lived in the castle, and they walked out of the infirmary, leaving the Snapes and Poppy alone.

One more face stood expectant at the door, and Hermione saw Severus’ face light up.

Lucius gave her a gentleman’s bow and asked, “May I take a peek at the new baby?”

Hermione held out her hand to him, and he smiled and stepped close. He placed a chaste kiss on the back of her hand. He’d proved over and over since his release from Azkaban that he was different and that he could be trusted. They had developed a close friendship.

“She’s beautiful, Severus, Hermione.” He raised his hand and then looked at Severus. Severus nodded, and a soft white glow appeared from Lucius' hand, bathing the baby in a special blessing.

Lucius had become a Healer at St. Mungo’s three years ago. One day Draco had been in a terrible accident. Using the strength he once used for evil, Lucius had turned it around and had saved his son, healing his wounds. It had changed his life. He was now known now for his strength and power for good.

Poppy stood watching the light bathe her granddaughter and felt more content than ever. So many things had happened in the last eight and a half years. So many hard times had turned the Wizarding world into a place of growth, prosperity and peace. She knew it was mostly because of the ability her son had learned: the ability to forgive and forget. Severus Snape was and had everything she had ever desired for him.

Lucius turned and said, “Thank you for letting me see her. She’s a strong baby and will have strong powers. I’m going to let you get some sleep, Hermione. I will come back to visit in a week.”

Severus hugged Lucius to him. “Thank you, brother. Look at us. We have families we can be proud of—families who work for the good of our world. Did you ever think…”

“No, never, Severus, but the peace in my heart is complete. I’m going home to talk to my wife.” He gave Poppy’s arm a squeeze before leaving the room.

Poppy said, “I’m going to go get some tea. Hermione, try to sleep. You can place the baby in this crib.” She waved her wand, and the chair Minerva had been sitting in turned into a little bed attached to Hermione’s bed. “Call me if you need me, but you’re old hands at this.”

Severus leaned down and kissed Hermione’s forehead, then moved to her lips. She lazily sighed and said, “Severus, could our life get more perfect?” She was still caressing the baby’s curls. “Help me get her to latch on.”

Severus picked the baby up and held her close for a moment. He placed a kiss on her cheek. “She’s so beautiful. It’s going to be hard to get used to all the pink.”

Hermione laughed as she bared her breast, and he held the baby up against her nipple. The baby latched on and they watched her suck greedily. “She’s like her father,” Hermione said and then grinned devilishly at him.

Severus threw his head back and laughed; the sound startled the baby but she went on sucking with relish. “You just wait till we find some time alone, in a few weeks. I will give that baby a run for her money. I’m a breast man through and through.”

Hermione smiled at him as she wound her fingers in his and sighed with exhaustion.

“Hermione, would you mind if, once you fall asleep, I take her up and show her to Albus? I won’t be gone more than 20 minutes. I’ll have Poppy come in and sit with you.”

She took hold of his hand. “Of course not. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Albus will be tickled pink.” She felt her eyes slide closed, and then she opened them to find Severus smiling at her with such love. This man was so different, and yet the differences had come over years of learning and growing in their love and their lives.

The baby had pulled away and was sleeping. Severus went and moved the baby to her little bed and sat with Hermione as she slipped into sleep. He could not fathom how he deserved the life he had now, but he was blessed and grateful for it. Severus Snape had many, many good friends. He played with the children, and he headed the school with strength and love. People loved him.

He stood and summoned Poppy, who picked the baby up and placed her in his arms. She watched as he left the room. She turned to Hermione and smiled at the sleeping woman. Then she took a chair next to the bed and let herself doze off.

Severus placed a warming charm on his new daughter and walked to the gargoyle who once guarded his office. It no longer kept the way locked. It stood opened and grinned at him as he passed with the baby. Severus rode the stairs upward and then walked through the open door of his office. There was a soft clapping, and he saw that the people in each portrait were trying to get a look at the new baby. It had become a ritual of his to bring each new baby up and show Albus. He held the baby up and turned slowly, letting them look. Then he stood before Albus, whose eyes were bright with mirth. “Severus, she’s beautiful. How’s Hermione?”

“She’s sleeping. She did so well—no problems. Poppy’s watching her. Albus, this is Poppy Minerva Jean Snape. Poppet, this is my dearest friend, Albus,” he said sincerely.

“Hello, Poppet,” Albus said, beaming down at the baby’s face.

Severus looked up at Albus. “Thank you for the bubble, Albus. Thank you for my life.”

Albus could only nod as tears streamed down his face. “You’re welcome, son.”

Severus nodded and then turned to head back to the infirmary. He glanced back and said, “Thanks, Dad.” He did not see the smile that broke out on Albus face nor hear the standing ovation Albus got from his peers.

Severus returned to the infirmary and bid Poppy good night. He placed the baby in her little bed. He used his wand to enlarge the hospital bed and crawled in, gently pulling Hermione close.

Hermione woke for a moment and snuggled against him. “I’m glad you’re here now. I can really sleep.”

“Do you know how much I love you, Mrs. Snape?” he asked.

Hermione smiled sleepily and said, “As much as I love you, Mr. Snape.”

“God truly has blessed us.”

“Yes, he has. Now sleep, my love. There will be only a ghost of a chance that we will get any sleep in the next six months.” With that Poppet started wailing, and Hermione and Severus laughed as they reached for her.

Lisa, what a ride this took us on. I have been so blessed with your continued beta work on all of my stories. I don’t know what I would have done without your steadfast help. Thank you SO much.

Thank you, TPP, for all of your help. Writermerrin has corrected many chapters. There have been a few other ladies, and I appreciate their help and patience.

Angela and Becky, thank you for pre-reading this story and for your feedback. I don’t think you ever found anything wrong with it, other than a few spelling errors or missing words. Your encouragement has kept me going.