Epilogue - Give Up

A/N: Thanks for sticking with me thus far! A great big hug to my beta, Good_Witch, who helped me out every step of the way. You are awesome!

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I paced up and down the kitchen floor of The Burrow. I came as soon as Hermione had summoned me. She had arrived unannounced in my tiny sitting room, bursting with news.

“Harry and Ginny want you at The Burrow now. They just had another boy!” she squealed.

I was thrilled, of course, but why would they want me? I had never been a part of their intimate crowd. I grabbed my robe and Flooed with Hermione back to The Burrow.

There were grinning faces all around, staring at me: Bill, Fleur, George, Ron, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Percy and Charlie. The Burrow was crammed full of well-wishers. Hermione rushed up the stairs back to Ginny and Harry, I presumed, while I escaped into the kitchen to await my requested presence. Finally, Hermione came down and called for me.

“Victoria!” She beamed.

I followed her up the rickety staircase to a small bedroom. There was Ginny on the bed, flushed and glowing from the recent birth, while Harry was standing over her, holding a small bundle. His green eyes were full of tears, and his face had never been so full of joy.

“Victoria, I want you to meet my son.”

I smiled faintly. Babies and happy couples were very bittersweet for me. Ever since I found out I had not conceived during my one coupling with Severus, I knew I would never know this particular brand of joy. Yet, I could not begrudge Harry and Ginny their due. I walked over and peered into the face of their son. I gasped as I looked into Lily’s green eyes. Those eyes my Severus had loved so much! My eyes welled, and I fumbled in my robe for a handkerchief. I dabbed at my eyes and started to laugh.

“Congratulations!” I cried to Harry and Ginny. Then, overcome with emotion, I went to leave them in peace.

“Please,” Ginny called as I turned to walk out of the room. “Stay. We want you to hold him.”

I was shocked. “S-sure, I would love to!” I exclaimed.

I took the little one in my arms and sat down in a nearby chair. “What is his name?” I asked.

“Albus Severus.” Harry leaned down close to my face and whispered, “Would you do us the honor of being his godmother?”

I sat frozen, staring into the sweet face of a baby that would forever bear the name of my love. I couldn’t speak. Hermione rushed over and took Albus Severus from me, and I broke down, crying, like I had that day eight years past in that dodgy old shack. Except this time my cries were not the wailing cries of a widow, or of unspeakable loss. Now, I found my soul again. Then, in my crying, I started to laugh through the tears. Harry, Ginny, and Hermione looked upon me with compassion and felt with me silently and patiently until I could compose myself and heartily accept their offer.

We sat cramped in that little birthing room while the sun started to set as I held my godson. I laughed and smiled truly for the first time in years, getting to know these dear people I would be a part of now for the rest of my life. All the while, I was stealing glances at the sweet babe in my arms as if to reassure myself he was real. As I drank in his tiny, mewing face, I released the tension in my arms and allowed the love to wash over me. It was finally over; the pain could now stop.