Full Circle

Disclaimer Not my stuff (unfortunately). Thanks to JKR for creating the world of HP.

Huge thanks go to my lovely & brilliant beta, Charmed_Nay. She always takes the time to check over my work even when she has a full schedule. Without her, I am uncertain that my stories would not have been posted.

"I'm surprised it's taken you this long to have this chat with me, Severus. The son I remember was always inquisitive and willing to listen to what I had to say. Aren't there things you want to know?" his mother's portrait asked the moment he sat down.

He smirked slightly. "Maybe there are things I do not care to have confirmed, dear mother."

"You have witnessed all that your father has left to you, and I see your young bride is witnessing scenes from his Pensieve at this moment. Do you think that wise?" Her raised, questioning eyebrow brought back many emotions.

Despite the thick feeling in his throat, he said, "I think my wife is a strong woman, pregnant or no. She will be able to handle what she sees and form her own opinions."

His mother nodded in approval. "I gathered as much when I spoke to her. She defended your actions no matter what I said. I've been seeing all that's been going on. I must say that I was disappointed in you. I know that you haven't always treated her as she deserved. I am sorry that your father influenced you so."

"Sometimes," he began slowly, "the things he taught me have helped to save my life. You know that I turned away from him when I was old enough and confident enough to do so. I do not regret that."

"You don't? Don't you wonder how it could have been if your father hadn't been so stern? So set in his ways?"

Severus nodded. "I have...once. There is really no point, is there?"

The woman shook her head in exasperation. "Your wife and child deserve a good life and a stable, happy home. Are you going to provide that?"

Sneering, Severus said, "I see no reason for you to be concerned about my wife and child, mother, as I recall you willed yourself to die and left me to learn the ways of being a Snape. You could have lived for me." The bitterness he'd been feeling was evident and embedded into his words. "You didn't care enough to stay for me. What right have you to pretend to worry now?"

"That is something I cannot answer. I can only go by what your father told me, his ideas on what I was thinking. Honestly, I couldn't imagine leaving you, but I had an entire pregnancy that I have no recollection of." Out of habit, Severus crossed one arm over his chest, propping the other elbow atop it while tracing his lips with his index finger as he watched the portrait. "What are you thinking?"

"I am pondering what to do with you."

"Sorry?"

"All of these years have gone by, and I have moved on. I think that it would be harder to know you are here." He strode forward until he was right in front of her. "Do you understand that?"

"But, surely there are questions..."

"The Pensieve scenes told me much of what I wanted to know and some I didn't." He looked away. "How could you have stayed with him? What do you think of him now?"

"I loved him for a long time. I always believed that the hatred, the resentment, and the abuse would stop...especially after his parents were killed." She sighed. "He blamed that on me, too, of course. I dreamt of leaving him, but when I would finally get the courage, I would see a secret glance or hear words not meant to be spoken." She grinned in memory for a moment. "I knew he loved me, and I stayed. There was always hope."

He swallowed slightly. "Mother, didn't you rather having a strong husband, knowing that you'd always be protected? It seems that would be more important than hearing words. Actions speak lou..."

"Yes, they do, don't they? However, sometimes actions are misunderstood. If I had gone by your father's actions, I would have left early on, not daring to hope. It was the looks and the words that kept me here." She crossed her arms. "You would do well, son, to speak to your wife on this matter. No matter how strong you think you are, you are never a real man until you learn to not shy away from using words."

"Perhaps some women view things differently," he said, knowing Hermione deserved to hear how he felt. He'd done many things in the past. Some of the things closely mimicked what his father might have done, but he'd not been quite as cold. Had he? Worse. At least my father committed to my mother. I didn't even want to do that.

"She needs the words, Severus. Your child will need the words."

"You never answered my second question. What do you think of him now?" Severus watched her expression closely and was surprised to see the sad smile.

"I think he never amounted to the man he believed himself to be. He allowed his weakness to ruin his life, my life, our children's lives, and others' lives." She shook her head in disgust. "He did many things in his last years...dreadful things...that I would never have seen as honorable. He became something I cannot respect. Therefore, I try not to think of the things he did after I was created, and I try to remember the times before."

"Denial."

"Yes," she admitted. "I can only hope that my son will never truly turn out like him."

"Not bloody likely. He...he was horrible," Severus said, thinking of the poor women his father had used so terribly. Silence stretched between them. He had his answers. Part of him was grateful for this chat. It brought things into perspective. He knew what he had to do. He simply needed to have the courage to do it. Depending upon how Hermione reacted to the Pensieve, he'd speak to her on the matter soon. "Is there anything else you think I ought to know?"

"My family is an honorable family, and you should be proud to be part of their legacy. I was never able to tell you anything because your father only cared about Snape traditions."

Severus seated himself. "Very well. Tell me about them."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione sat back to wipe the tears from her face. Severus' father had been a horrid man. Seeing what was in the Pensieve and hearing about it were two different things. Gazing into the fire, her hands moved down to caress her protruding stomach. That baby, Severus' sister, has to be one of the most beautiful babies I've ever seen. I wonder if our child will resemble her.

A loud creak, signaling that the study door was being opened, drew her attention away from the fire. The room had darkened considerably, only the fire in the grate gave off light. How long have I been in here? Even the ruddy candles have burnt down. "Severus?"

"I am here," he said, stepping from the shadows. "Are you...?"

"All right? Yes." She extended her hands. He took them and pulled her up. "I could use something to eat, I think."

"Really? Is that all you've to say on what you've just witnessed?" he asked suspiciously.

"Your father was terrible, did terrible things."

"Why do I feel a 'however' coming?"

"However, I think he was dealing with much guilt. If he'd only been a man and loved his family openly, he wouldn't have spent the last years of his life that way. His wife wouldn't have been so miserable that all hope had been sucked out of her. It must have been like living with a dementor...all the taking, never receiving. I feel sorry for her," Hermione said timidly. She looked away from his piercing gaze. "I feel sorry for him, too, and I even feel sorry for the both of you...your sister and you."

He nodded. "I spoke with my mother's likeness. We've talked, and I have finally been able to address some issues I had with her, although I fear some things will never truly be answered."

"What else is there?" she asked, feeling as though there was more.

"I've decided to not keep her portrait."

"But, Severus..."

"No," he said, holding up his hand to stave her comments. "I don't really want it here. Not right now. I'm certainly not ready to take to visiting it on a regular basis. I'd say she would be much more comfortable elsewhere, and there are others who would appreciate her presence more." He looked to the mirror. "I don't like feeling spied upon in my own home."

She nodded. "I can understand that. Where are you going to put her?"

"I believe my maternal grandparents would like to have it. She has consented to going there. I am uncertain if they are still living...one or both...but someone may be interested in..." He noted the intake of air. "What is it?"

"There is something I need to tell you," she said guiltily.

"And?"

"The man that approached me when Minerva and I were shopping was in the Pensieve."

"Indeed?"

"He is your mother's father. I recognized him immediately when he came into the room. I'll bet he knew exactly who I was. That's why he was asking about the pregnancy. I'll bet he's been looking out for you all these years. He likely left when Minerva came out because he knew she'd recognize him!" To her, that revelation had been incredible. She'd planned to talk to Severus about meeting them. The fact that he'd decided, on his own, to make some sort of step in contacting them said it all. "He is still alive. I think your idea is brilliant."

Severus shook his head. "If he's been watching, why hasn't he tried to contact me in all this time?"

"Maybe he thought you were living as your father requested, not caring about anything other than the paternal side of your family. I suppose he is the only person that can answer that."

Severus led her to their dining area and instructed an elf to bring them a meal. After helping Hermione into her chair and taking his seat, he said, "I shall send a letter to him to discuss a meeting."

"That's admirable." She gasped. "Oh, feel this." Hermione took his hand and placed it on her stomach. "Darach is a bit active tonight, isn't he?"

His throat tightened with emotion again, and he knew this would be the moment to tell her of his feelings. "Hermione, about us..." He breathed in deeply. "I shall do what I can to ensure your happiness. In the past, I've been less than honorable, and I feel grateful that you are still here despite the ills that I..."

"You don't have to do this, Severus."

He nodded. "I do." He took both of her hands in his. "I've...I mean to say..." He chuckled. I've never been afraid to speak my mind. I won't start now. "I am glad that you are my wife, and I am happy that we have created life together. Our son will be loved...as you are."

"Oh!" She pulled her hands away from his and clutched his body to hers for a tight embrace. "I love you so much. You don't know how good it feels to hear you say that to me so openly." She pulled back to gaze upon him with teary eyes. "I promise to love you for always. You and our son will be contented and cared for as long as I live."

They shared a languid kiss before he spoke. "I do love you." Although it sounded more like a realization than a proclamation, it would do. The intense kiss and groping that followed was interrupted by the arrival of their meal. "I suppose we should continue this later?"

"Definitely," she agreed.

It was then that Severus realized that a feeling of peace and contentment had come over him. Life could and would be better than he'd ever imagined it to be. He'd had a rough upbringing, but that was no reason to be bitter. It was never too late to change things, even at his age. He looked over to his young wife. Nobody aside from Albus Dumbledore had ever had such faith in him. Admitting to her out loud that he loved her hadn't weakened his character. It strengthened it. It was so obvious. He could see that reflecting back at him in her eyes and smile. He could even taste it in her kiss. Letting go of the normal suspicions and wariness he'd held so close for many years, he allowed himself to completely relax with his wife and his unborn son.

EPILOGUE

Nearly Four Years Later

Hermione smiled as she watched her husband speaking with his grandfather. His posture was straight, his hand gestures emphasizing some point or another, and his face alight with conversation. Their son, Darach, had turned three the past winter and had taken to mimicking all that his father did. He was currently waving his hands around, trying to act like his father. Briefly, Severus looked down, smiled at his son lightly, and placed a hand upon his shoulder affectionately while listening to what his grandfather was saying.

Things had been pleasant for them. After he'd finally learned to trust her by allowing her to view the Pensieve, life had been running smoothly. The rest of her pregnancy had passed without incident. They went from simply being married to having a real family. Severus had never been overly sentimental about things, but he'd never again tried to push her away. Without him realizing it, he had become everything that she'd ever wanted and yet so much more.

His mother's portrait had been eagerly accepted by her parents. From the moment Severus made contact with his family, they'd been corresponding and having gatherings. It was awkward at first, but Severus had soon come to realize that he had more in common with his grandfather than he'd thought. It seemed that the man also did work with potions. When the man had told Severus that he was proud of him for his accomplishments, the look on Severus' face had been priceless. He'd never received such recognition before from a fatherly source...aside from the headmaster.

The Pensieve had been stowed into the secret room, and Severus had sealed the room again. Hermione knew that it was unlikely that those memories would ever be seen again. As far as she was concerned, it was all in the past. Their only concern was the present and the future. The bond between Severus and Darach grew with each day. Although he didn't spoil their son, he did indulge him. Their recent project had been to teach him to ride his first toy broomstick. He'd had exceptional balance on his first try. Hermione smirked while she thought of this. Harry had been present and began talking about Quidditch skills. Severus had quickly steered the conversation away from athletics, trying to prove that books would bring their son further. The pair never did agree on much, but Severus did enjoy speaking about potions with Harry's wife, Margaret. She was quite renown as a Healer, making a name for herself with the potion that had saved little Darach's life while still in the womb.

"A Knut for your thoughts," Severus said softly, steering their son towards her.

"Just happy," she said, bending down to give Darach a hug.

"They are leaving in a few moments," he said, nodding to his grandparents. "I'm going to bring Darach up to his room. You can see them out." He grinned wickedly. "After that, we shall take advantage of a little time alone."

She returned his grin. "I believe that is a lovely idea." She kissed her son's cheek, squeezed Severus' hand affectionately, and made her way to bid farewell to her guests. She enjoyed their company, but she had been eagerly waiting for time alone with her husband all week. Her parents had spent time with them for a few days prior, leaving no privacy for them. After their latest visitors had left, she made her way up to their chambers. Before entering the bathroom, she peeked into the adjoining room to check on Darach. He'd already fallen asleep. Unable to help herself, she moved to pull his covering up over him. She made her way to the bathroom and gasped. "Severus!"

He chuckled. "Thought we might try something a little different tonight."

"Good Lord! I don't know if I can," she said incredulously. He'd charmed his appearance to resemble that of the gigolo he'd long before portrayed. "It would be like having another man and feel dishonest."

Arching an eyebrow, he asked, "So, you don't want to charm yourself to look as you did the night," he moved closer, "that I took your virginity?"

She shuddered slightly. His silky baritone voice never failed to seduce her when she allowed it. "Do it," she whispered. He brought his wand up and flicked it quickly a couple of times. "What?" she asked, noticing the look of distaste he was giving her.

He flicked his wand again. "I think I prefer to have you just the way you are."

"Grant me the same courtesy," she purred, moving closer to him as she began pulling off her clothing. He took away his charms, no longer resembling the gigolo. "It's odd that you wanted to do this tonight. Reminisce, I mean."

"How so?" She looked down pointedly to her knickers. When his gaze followed hers, he realized what she was talking about. It had been a long time since he'd seen her wear her Severus knickers. "Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." The words were spoken proudly, and the moment the last word was said, the silver entwined serpents on Hermione's knickers unclasped with a quiet clink and fell to the floor. "Mine," he growled.

"Always."

Finis

Southern's Notes: I apologize for the short chapter, but there is nothing else that I wanted /needed to add here. It's been a long and enjoyable story for me. The changes in the characters moved along slowly. I know I promised a couple more chapters, but anything else I would have added in would have been filler. I think simply knowing what happened is enough. I will miss this tale, but it really needs to be over. I especially feel the need to end this after reading the HBP. Not that I don't want to write or read AU stories, mind. I just feel like I should be writing something more consistent with canon. Cheers, all! As always, I can be found, along with lots of friends, over at the Yahoo!Group, Potter_Place.