Epilogue

Severus stayed in St Mungo’s for two weeks, after which he was discharged with strict instructions NOT to go back to Hogwarts and work. Not that there was much left of Hogwarts to go back to. It had been almost completely destroyed, but Kingsley Shacklebolt, Acting Minister for Magic, had promised to pour as much gold and wizardpower as necessary into rebuilding it. It might open late this year, but that was all to the good, as it would allow Severus more time to recover. Severus was determined to return as Headmaster; he said he preferred the behind-the-scenes organisational role to teaching the brats, and Hermione was going to take over from Alecto Carrow as Muggle Studies teacher (being married to the Headmaster had its advantages!).

Since Hermione’s parents had sold their house to finance the trip to Australia, the only place left to them was Spinner’s End. It was still, as Bellatrix had once described it, a ‘Muggle dunghill’, but Hermione had done her best with it, cleaning and dusting everything in sight, reminded of those endless hours making Grimmauld Place fit for habitation.

Under her care, Severus gained strength. The bite on his neck was still sore, and he had abandoned his usual high-collared coat and stock for soft, collarless flannel shirts. He was still pale and anything more that a short walk left him breathless, but his progress was steady and getting better every day.

The thing that had raised their spirits most had happened in St Mungo’s a few hours after Hermione had returned with Severus’ memories. Healer Pye had been changing the drip in his left arm, when Hermione let out a shriek which caused the Healer to stab his patient in the crook of the arm.

‘Ow! For Merlin's sake, Pye.’

‘Look! Just look!’ Hermione cried, pointing. There, on Severus’ forearm, the Dark Mark was fading before their eyes. ‘You know what this means,’ Hermione whispered.

‘Voldemort is dead,’ Severus said softly. It was the first time he had ever said Voldemort’s name, and he looked like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Hermione squealed and punched the air. ‘Harry did it!’

Then all three of them, Pye included, laughed out loud, whooping and cheering, until Severus succumbed to a violent bout of coughing and the Healer insisted he needed to rest.

A few days after he had been discharged, Severus and Hermione were sitting curled up together on the sofa (Hermione had come so close to losing him, she was happy just to sit with him for hours) when a knock at the door made them both jump. Severus struggled to rise, and Hermione restrained him. ‘I’ll go.’

‘If we have visitors,’ Severus explained, ‘I want to sit in the wing-back chair. This thing ruins my posture and my confidence.’

Hermione smiled and helped him transfer to the leather chair, then went to open the door. Standing on the doorstep were Harry and Ron. Hermione greeted them with a shrill squeal of surprise, then became suspicious. ‘How did you find us?’ she demanded.

‘Hello, Harry; hello, Ron. Nice to see you. Would you like to come in?’ said Harry sardonically.

‘Oh, yes, all right then, come in,’ said Hermione distractedly. ‘How did you find us?’ she repeated, closing the door.

‘Phineas Nigellus,’ replied Harry, grinning. ‘Told him I’d make him stay in my bag forever if he didn’t tell us where you were.’

Despite her worry at what she had no doubt was going to be a very awkward scene, Hermione giggled. ‘Congratulations!’ she cried, flinging her arms around Harry. ‘I can’t believe you did it! Well, I can; you were amazing!’

‘I couldn’t have done it without Snape. Is he here?’

‘Yes,’ Hermione said, ignoring Ron’s snort. ‘Come and see him.’

She led them down the hall, Ron muttering darkly all the way. Hermione had a suspicion Harry had told Ron all about Severus’ memories and warned him not to make a scene, but Ron clearly wasn’t going to give in without a fuss.

Harry approached Severus, who, with an effort, sat up straighter in his chair, but didn’t attempt to get up. Ron stood in the doorway, glowering. Harry took a deep breath.

‘Professor, I want to thank you. I misjudged you and I apologise for doubting your motives. I couldn’t have defeated Voldemort without your sacrifice. I think…’ he hesitated, then ploughed on with what Hermione suspected was a planned speech. ‘I think you’re the bravest man I’ve ever met.’ He held out his hand.

Severus’ face was impassive, but he shook Harry’s hand with good grace.

Hermione motioned for the boys to sit on the sofa, while she herself sat on a stool beside Severus’ chair. There was an awkward silence.

‘So you’re married,’ Harry said eventually, looking at her left hand.

Hermione explained about the Ministry letter, Occlumency, spying for the DA, her kidnap and Severus’ rescue. She told them about everything but the sex: she didn’t want to try Ron’s obviously strained temper. Ron’s hands were clenched, a vein in his temple pulsed, and his ears were going red.

Eventually his control seemed to snap, and he burst out, ‘Can’t you get a divorce?’

Ron was lucky Severus didn’t have the energy to do more than raise a sardonic eyebrow.

‘I don’t think wizard marriages can be dissolved, Ron,’ Hermione explained. ‘They form a binding magical contract.’

‘Yes they can. Kingsley Shacklebolt’s repealed the Marriage Law. Dean’s already filed for divorce; so has Lee Jordan.’ He shot a nasty look at Snape. ‘You don’t have to stay with him.’

‘But the thing is, Ron,’ Hermione said gently, ‘I want to.’

Ron gawped at her, mouth opening and closing like a fish. Then he declared, ‘I don’t believe you – he’s Imperiused you!’

Hermione’s control snapped too. ‘No, Ron, he hasn’t! Harry’s told you about Severus’ memories, hasn’t he? Now, either you believe him and accept my choice, or you don’t see me again. That’s your choice.’ She took hold of her husband’s hand, still looking Ron in the eye. ‘We’ve been through so much together this year, I can weather whichever you decide.’ Ron seemed to realise Hermione was serious, and didn’t answer.

‘We should go,’ Harry said loudly. ‘Professor, thank you again, and I hope you feel better soon. Come on Ron!’ He manhandled Ron, who was muttering dark threats he wouldn’t have dared utter if Snape had been his usual self, through the hall and out of the front door. ‘I’ll talk to him,’ Harry promised, ‘I’ll make him see sense.’

Hermione had decided not to tell Harry and Ron that she and Severus were going to renew their vows. Harry would probably be delighted and eager to attend the ceremony, but Hermione thought it would be best to let Ron calm down first.

They had plenty of time, after all. Their priority was Severus’ recovery. The wedding would have to wait until next summer, especially if she wanted to go to Australia and find her parents first. If anyone had told Hermione on her 18th birthday that she wouldn’t see her parents for two years, she would have burst into tears. But with Severus, she felt she could face anything. There was a line in ‘Philosophy for Beginners’ which she loved. Appropriately, it was on the page after the one Severus had torn out, so whenever she picked up the book, it fell open at this quote:

"Without his love, I can do nothing. With his love, there is nothing I cannot do."