Epilogue

I will admit that I had qualms about having a relationship with Hermione besides those involving Harry. I was old enough to be her father, as evidenced by my son. Even though I was attracted to her, I hoped she wasn't expecting me to behave like someone her age.

I was also leery of her being young and inexperienced enough to think she could change me. I think that thought more than any other was what worried me.

Of course, it also worried me that she wanted me to meet her parents.

"Hermione," Severus almost whined again.

"Oh, shush, you! How often do I have to tell you not to read anything into it? I like you. I like my parents. I like to introduce the people I like to other people I like, especially when I think they'll like each other."

"So you'll be introducing me as a friend?"

Hermione shot him a look, but said in a neutral tone, "If that's what you'd prefer, of course. If you want, I could introduce you simply as my flatmate." At Severus' alarmed look, she rolled her eyes and added, "They know who you are, Severus. I have been living here for more than a year, and you have come up in conversation before."

Severus' alarmed look didn't fade, so she crossed the room and hugged him.

"I'm not asking you for anything beyond meeting a couple of people whom you might like. That's all, I swear. You don't even have to eat with us if you don't want to."

Severus hugged her back, but she could feel he was still tense. She shrugged and gave him up for a lost cause and went to the bathroom to shower. Just after she stepped into the water, she heard the doorbell ring.

Groaning something about persistent earliness, she called out, "I'm sorry, Severus, but would you please let them in?"

Severus debated with himself for five seconds before giving in to Hermione's request. It would be best if her parents were not upset when they met him.

Opening the door, he was perplexed to find only Mr. Granger there.

The older man smiled amiably and asked, "Hello. Is Hermione here?"

Severus responded with a curt nod of his head and motioned the man inside.

"She's just getting washed up at the moment, but she'll be out shortly." He held the door open, trying to look outside for any signs of Mrs. Granger's approach. Mr. Granger looked at him oddly, though, so he decided to just act the host.

"If you hadn't already guessed, I'm Severus."

Mr. Granger shot him another odd look, but nodded politely and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you, Severus. I'm Roger."

Severus wondered about Hermione being romantically involved with someone who had the same name as her father, but merely smiled and shook Roger's hand.

"Would you care for some tea or coffee, or would you prefer to wait for the ladies?"

Roger blinked and looked rather confused, but quickly covered it up with a smile. "Coffee would be wonderful, if you don't mind?"

Severus shook his head and made his way to the kitchen. He wasn't terribly impressed with Roger; the man seemed to be a bit dim, and Snape wondered why Hermione thought he would like him.

He heard the shower stop with a breath of relief, knowing he could make his excuses and retreat in only a few minutes. It made taking Roger his coffee more bearable.

"So, if I remember correctly," Roger said after thanking Severus for the drink, "You are Harry's father?"

Severus nodded. Roger was about to ask something else when the doorbell rang once more. Severus was surprised when Roger didn't even acknowledge that it would be his wife and thought even less of the man.

Of course, it was Severus' turn to look confused when he answered the door and was confronted with two people who were unmistakably Hermione's parents.

"Mr. Snape, I presume?" Mr. Granger said merrily to a blinking Severus while extending his hand.

Severus nodded. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger?"

They nodded happily, although their looks turned a bit wary when Severus' expression darkened. Severus must have realized this and quickly smoothed out his face.

"Please come in. Hermione should be out in just a moment."

Three things happened in quick succession at that point. Upon entering the flat, Mr. Granger caught sight of the man upon the couch and his face darkened. Mrs. Granger, seeing the same sight, grabbed onto Mr. Granger's arm, even as Mr. Granger was trying to lunge forward. Roger, meanwhile, had stood up and his ingratiating smile had turned to worry at seeing the expressions of the men before him.

At the same time, Hermione entered the room and saw Roger standing there.

"Roger?" she asked, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Why are you here?"

Roger turned his attention to Hermione with a nervous smile.

"I..." he swallowed, "I've learned my lesson and have found there's no one to compare to you, love." Then, much to the surprise of everyone watching, he got down on one knee. "Hermione Jane Granger, will you marry me?"

"She most certainly will NOT!" roared both Severus and Mr. Granger at the same time. Both Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at Severus curiously upon hearing his outburst while Hermione shot all three men equally disgusted looks.

"Daddy, I love you, but you have no say in the matter," she said stonily before turning to Roger. "Roger, I think it would be best if you left now."

Roger, who wasn't dim at all and had heard what wasn't said, looked at Severus with loathing, a look being returned with interest. He looked over to Hermione angrily. "You left me for him?" he said with disgust, pointing a finger at Severus.

Hermione's lips thinned, and she advanced on Roger. "No, I didn't leave you for him, Roger," she said quietly. "I left you because you were a cheating son of a bitch who doesn't know how to keep his name separate from his avocation. Now, if you'd kindly leave..."

Roger shook his head. "I'm not leaving you here with that criminal!" He turned to the elder Grangers and implored, "You can't approve of your daughter dating a murderer, can you?"

Mrs. Granger looked at Severus and saw him wince just slightly, though he was otherwise remaining as still and tense as a soldier.

Turning back to Roger, she said, very seriously, "It would appear that murder is far more serious a crime than philandering, but mitigating circumstances for murder are more likely than for messing around. From what I've heard, Severus was forced to kill. Were you, dear Roger, forced to fuck?"

Severus looked at Mrs. Granger with respect, although amusement and relief were also present.

Roger looked from Mrs. Granger to Mr. Granger to Hermione, and then back to Mrs. Granger's sardonic disapproval.

He didn't say a word more, but Disapparated from where he stood.

At his disappearance, Mr. Granger lost it. "The nerve of that man! Coming here and assuming you'd take him back after all he did, not to mention after all this time! What did he think, that you were sitting around and pining after him? And then, on top of that, to insult you!" he said, turning to Severus.

Severus offered Mr. Granger an appreciative smile before saying, "My abject apologies, sir, for mistaking that man for you. I do hope you will forgive me in time."

Mr. Granger huffed ominously before offering a smile. "That's a pretty serious offense, young man. Perhaps you'll make it up to me by explaining exactly what your intentions are toward my daughter?"

"Dad!" Hermione objected. She didn't notice that both men were smiling, albeit subtly.

"That sounds like an appropriate penance."

"Severus!" Hermione objected. She didn't want to find out what her boyfriend's intentions were by way of her parents.

"I will gladly offer reparations, sir, but I do ask that I have the chance to speak with my counsel about it first?" Severus said, looking over at Hermione fondly.

Mr. Granger gave Severus a big, toothy smile of approval and clapped him on the shoulder. "I think the sentence can be deferred for a bit."

Severus nodded gravely, then made his way over to Hermione, putting his arm about her waist.

"Perhaps, my dear, now would be a good time for proper introductions?"

Hermione smiled up at him in amusement.

"Severus, these are my parents, Harriet and George. Mum, Dad, this is my friend, Severus."

Hermione smiled rather brilliantly when Severus led her parents into laughter.

Hermione says that's when she knew I was the man for her. I suppose it must have been a pivotal occasion because I, too, lost all my qualms that day. I can now believe her when she says that she loves me for who I am.

I also hope now – and fervently do – that Harry's luck has rubbed off on me rather than the other way around. Or if it hasn't, perhaps his and Hermione's luck combined will outweigh mine. I can hope anyway.

I will end this story by saying that I imagine those who sought to punish me never guessed how liberating prison would end up being. It was designed to humiliate me, but instead it gave me a family.

The end.

Now go away.

AN: Severus can be sentimental for only so long before he loses his patience, it seems. ;-)

Thank you to both Southern and Keladry for your kind eyes (though mistakes are always my fault alone), as well as to those of you who read this, especially those of you who have let me know what you think. I appreciate every word.

It isn't my best, but I do hope you enjoyed this fluff as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Cheers!

~averygoodun