Epilogue: Letter of Recognition

Epilogue: Letters of Recognition

Ginevra Potter

The Burrow

Devon

February 14, 2103

Dear Ginny,

How are you doing? It’s been so long since I’ve heard from you. I’ve been tempted to call by Floo to check up on you, but my knees have been aching something fierce lately. I don’t know why, but no spell seems to help. Maybe it’s all psychological, and I’m convinced that since I’m ancient (by Muggle standards), I need to be at least a little infirm... I don’t know. Anyway, I wanted to touch base with you.

I was wondering if you’d be free for tea sometime this week? I have an afternoon free on Sunday, but for you I would postpone the Minister’s visit, (Okay, I would enjoy any excuse to avoid his infuriatingly frequent visits, but I won’t say more on that for fear of upsetting you.) so anytime you’re available will work for me. Mostly. Well, you know the drill. We’ll hash it out somehow.

One of the reasons I want to chat is because I finally went through some of Severus’ belongings yesterday, and I came across all the test parchments from those interviews ages ago. Minerva was visiting, and when I showed it to her, she furrowed her brows and asked why I had kept evidence of my faulty spell work. (I still wonder why she adopted some of her dad's more severe mannerisms. She’s so sweet otherwise.)

Well, long story short, due to a spell she invented recently, she can examine old charms and spells for inaccuracies and other defects. It seems that my spell work from that night so long ago was flawed. I somehow inverted the Pax Amoris Charm on the parchments. She used another nifty charm she’s developed to correct the spell without undoing the original magic.

It was amazing, if disconcerting, watching all the names on the questionnaires change colors, but all of them did, except for George’s. I immediately searched out Severus’ answers, and his name had turned indigo! Remus’ was red while Kingsley’s was green!

I clearly remember thinking soon after we got married that it was impossible for him to be a man whose name would turn gold — he was just so difficult and infuriating. It seems I was right after all. Severus was so abominably difficult, and yet once he won my heart... He always managed to make it a game for us to get through the rough patches, which helped.

Gosh, you know all this, so why am I writing it? I guess I just need someone to share with who knows. I miss him so.

I guess my marital bliss was Fate's ironic gift. If I had discovered my error early on in the marriage I would have assumed the worst of Severus. I would have held that point against him, no matter what he said. I may never have developed the love I had. I've been wondering if the Pax Amoris was the right spell to cast after all. Severus was obviously not the right choice for a peaceful life. He was exciting, however, and I did love him.

Along with the questionnaires, I also found some of the love letters Snape sent to me early on in our marriage while he was “courting” me. Do you remember that? They are absolutely hilarious in their sarcasm, and yet I remember being touched that he even attempted to woo me. I dare not send any of them by owl, but someday I’ll show them to you. Then we can laugh over what young naïve fools we all were, though it does seem wrong to use 'naïve' in conjunction with Severus.

Anyway, I've rambled on long enough. I do wish to have tea or coffee or even a firewhiskey (as long as no students are around) with you soon and catch up on life.

Minnie sends her love, and please give my love to Harry and the family for us both.

Love,

Hermione

XXX

Hermione Granger

Headmaster's Office

Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Scotland

February 19, 2103

Dear Hermione,

I’m so happy to hear from you! I’ve been swamped over here. Rufus came down with dragon pox a month ago and so we’ve all been under quarantine until it passes. It seems that once one person gets better another comes down with it. I've been so busy playing nursemaid that I'm ashamed to say I hadn't realized it had been so long!

To answer your question, I don’t know when I’ll be able to have tea with you, but I promise that as soon as it’s safe, I’ll Floo you. And if I can schedule a tea date to interfere with one of young Donald’s appointments, then I’ll happily do so.

You know I’m proud of my grandson for achieving his ambitions, and at such a young age, but I understand perfectly your wanting to skip any number of his visits. He is more pompous than Percy ever was, and I don’t understand how he got that way. Merlin help us if we face a threat like Voldemort while he’s presiding.

On a different note, I’m glad to hear you’ve finally started going through Severus’ stuff. I know it’s hard for you, but at least this way you’ll find the tangible reminders for all the good times.

I can't believe you mischarmed the tests! Of all the times for you to get something wrong! It's perfect, don't you think?

I remember you were so livid at Dumbledore when the Ministry rescinded the Law after only two days. (You’d been married for, what, three days at that point?) I think that is the only time anyone had ever seen Dumbledore looking nervous. It’s one of my favorite memories.

Oops, I think I hear Harry calling me, so I need to cut this short. He probably wants to know where I hid his Lightningbolt — as if I would tell him. I swear, he's a menace on a broom these days. If they required licenses to ride them, Harry would have been banned ten years ago.

Take care of yourself, Hermy, and give our love to everyone.

Love,

Ginny

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AN: The colors on the test were: red, meant the person would be utterly destructive to her well being and soul. Indigo was slightly better, indicating a corrosive influence that could be overcome, but only with difficulty. Cerulean blue (George's) was neutral, neither harmful nor helpful, but most likely not conducive to a satisfying relationship. Green and gold were the two positive colors, with gold indicating the highest potential for life long happiness and fulfillment.

Thank you all for reading this, and I hope you enjoyed the ride. Thank you also to my wonderful betas who made this story much better: amsev. maeby, Southern Witch 69, and another who wishes to remain anonymous.