Epilogue - Nineteen Years Later

A/N: Hello loyal readers. Here ends my saga of Severus and Sienna. I hope that you don't mind the fact that I leave the details of the previous nineteen years up to you to fill in, but I believe that you will find enough information in the following installment to put the pieces together. I wanted to follow the format of J. K. Rowling's amazing creation.

A huge thank you goes out to my two long-suffering betas, JENGEORGE and NervousAboutAngels, for their tireless work on my behalf. And the staff here at TPP has also helped a great deal. I never realized that the English language had so many rules about when to use a comma! They have helped me immensely in the pursuit of better grammar.

Thanks especially to those of you who have stuck with me through this rather long saga. Please let me know what you think, even if you have never posted before. This was my first ever attempt at Fanfiction. And as always, I make no money, I take no credit. It all belongs to the brilliant J. K. Rowling.

Nineteen Years Later

“Hurry up, you two. We may have already missed the train,” Severus barked as the Snape family approached the barrier between platforms nine and ten at the train station. “Remember, it’s better to take it at a run on your first try.”

They all made it through the barrier, with Severus bringing up the rear, leaning heavily on a thick ebony cane with a phoenix head intricately carved into the top, its eyes encrusted with polished onyx stones. After his death and resuscitation, Severus’ Patronus had not-surprisingly changed from a doe to a phoenix. Shortly after the change, Fawkes arrived at the ashram, which delighted Babaji so much he insisted the magnificent bird stay. Since both Sienna and Severus had come back from the dead, it seemed only fitting that Fawkes would choose to adopt them.

The little family arrived just in time to watch the shiny scarlet Hogwarts Express caboose disappear around the corner with nary a Snape on board.

“Lily,” Severus growled as he felt his pulse rate and blood pressure rise, “I told you to pull your hair back in a pony tail and be done with it! Now see where your fussing has gotten us.”

“O – oh, looks like you just missed it,” said a familiar voice as two adults and a child too young for Hogwarts appeared through the morning mist.

“You still have an amazing grasp of the obvious, Potter,” commented Severus icily, as if not a day had passed since their last Potions class together.

Harry and Ginny stopped dead in their tracks, eyes buggy and mouths agape, as the mist between them cleared and they realized just who stood before them. The Snapes had spent the last 19 years in India at the ashram, and until the beginning of this past summer, no one else knew of their continued existence except Sienna’s mother, Hazel. Now Minerva McGonagall and the staff also knew because of school arrangements and the necessary pre-testing, but they had vowed to keep the secret as well.

Neville’s reaction had been priceless. He had come up from the greenhouses at Minerva’s request and fainted dead away when Severus extended his hand to shake. And of course, no visit to Hogwarts would be complete without a stop at the Hog’s Head to give Aberforth a warm hug. He had to sit down when he saw them, and Sienna had used her hands-on technique to ease his heart attack symptoms. He dared not believe his eyes at first. He had thought he must’ve been going senile, but they had finally convinced him that they were real, alive and well.

After Severus’ death and resuscitation, he could read minds as well as Sienna could, and a smirk crossed his face as he watched the confusion and disbelief whirl around in Harry and Ginny’s minds. He finally reached out his hand to Harry. “It is agreeable to see you again.”

Harry stared down at Severus’ hand, then back up into his laughing eyes, then back down at the hand, which he finally took warmly into his own. Both men experienced a flood of emotion with the touch, but were relatively successful in not letting it show on their faces.

“Merlin! I don’t believe it. I watched you die! How can you be standing here? Where have you been all this time?”

“It’s a long story,” Severus replied solemnly.

“I would love to hear it,” Harry said with all sincerity. “But what about your kids? They missed the train.”

“We can Apparate, it’s no big deal,” Lily informed him casually as she rolled her eyes at her father.

“You remember my wife, Sienna?”

“Wife?”

Sienna smiled broadly. “We were married in secret right after he became Headmaster.”

Harry took a step forward to wrap his arms around the long-lost Gryffindor. “Everyone thought you were dead, too. But I knew better. Something told me…” Harry’s mind drifted back through the years. “You planted that dream in my head – how to survive the killing curse.”

“That’s right.” Sienna drank in his brilliant green eyes and then turned to Ginny for another hug. “So good to see you both again.” Then she looked down at the young girl by Ginny’s side. “And what’s your name?”

“I’m Lily.” The little girl announced proudly.

“Oh yeah? So am I,” the older Lily informed her. “Lily Hazel Eileen Snape,” she said as she reached out to shake the little girl’s hand. The young woman’s hair had been pulled back into a meticulous French braid, with baby’s breath flowers interwoven into it. The tiny white flowers stood in stark contrast to her raven curls. She had her mother’s face, with elegantly sweeping eyebrows, but her sparkling emerald eyes made Harry feel as though he were looking into a mirror.

“Children,” Severus began, “I would like you to meet a genuine hero, Harry Potter, and his lovely wife, Ginny.”

Lily shook Harry and Ginny’s hand with great enthusiasm, but when the son of Severus Snape stepped up to face him, the moment took Harry’s breath away. The young man who stood before him was almost a carbon copy of his father, only slightly taller, with the usual black garb, shoulder-length straight black hair, a long crooked nose, and quiet, reserved demeanor. That was all expected, but the loving smile and crystal blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore came as a complete shock.

“I’m Severus Aberforth Harry Snape, but you can call me Sevvie. It’s an honor to meet you, sir.” He then turned to Ginny and her daughter. “And you, too, madam... mademoiselle.”

Severus could sense an immense amount of confusion coming from Harry when he realized that Severus Snape’s son was named after him. He felt touched, honored, overjoyed, but somehow ashamed at the same time, as if he didn’t believe that he deserved such high praise.

“I’m not a hero,” Harry confessed. “Without my mother’s sacrifice, Albus Dumbledore’s talent and an incredible amount of help from your father, I wouldn’t have stood a chance.” Harry turned and looked mournfully into Severus’ black eyes, swallowing hard. “If anyone should be called a hero, it’s you, Severus Snape.”

“Severus Snape?! Is this the man you told us about, Daddy? The bravest man you ever knew? The man you named Albus Severus after?” asked little Lily as she pulled at Harry’s arm to get his attention.

Severus’ eyebrows rose up when he heard that last question. He searched Harry’s mind for the answer and found warmth and admiration accompany a resounding “Yes, the very same.”

“Wow!” The little girl beamed at Severus with delight. “It’s really nice to meet you.” She offered her tiny hand to him, and as he took it gently, he could sense amusement from his wife and kids and lingering shock from the elder Potters.

“Wait ‘til I tell my brothers! I got to meet you and they didn’t!”

“Well, actually, I’m sure they will meet me, since I’ll be teaching there again, starting tomorrow.”

Lily’s face fell slightly, but brightened up again. “But I met you first!”

“Indeed you did,” Severus smiled down at her.

“Teaching again?” Ginny asked enthusiastically.

“We’ll both be working there, actually,” piped up Sienna. “I’ll be filling in for Madam Pomfrey while she takes a leave of absence, and Severus will be Potions master once again, to take the place of Horace Slughorn, who’s finally retiring for good this time.”

“We wanted to be close to our children,” added Severus, “so we would have lived in Hogsmeade anyway. When we contacted Minerva about testing them for placement, she mentioned that both positions would be opening up. It seemed the perfect solution.”

“Now I understand why you have no luggage,” observed Harry. “So if you’re already there, why do your kids need to ride the train?”

“That’s what I asked him,” Lily said with a scowl. “Why’s the train such a big deal?”

“I wanted you to experience what it was like, the social interaction, the excitement, at least on your first day.” Severus glared back at his daughter.

“Well, we can Apparate back to Hogsmeade Station in time to meet the train, then go over on the boats and be sorted,” Sevvie placated his father. “It’s okay, Dad. It’s no big deal. We’re so much older than the rest of them anyway.”

“How old are you?” asked the little Lily.

“We’re twins, both eighteen. But her birthday’s the day before mine.”

“I was born at 11:55 p.m. on December eighth.”

“And I came fifteen minutes later on the ninth,” Sevvie explained.

“Why are you starting at Hogwarts so late?” inquired little Lily.

“They’ve been studying other subjects at the ashram, just as I did. But we home-schooled them in magic through their fifth year studies,” explained Sienna.

“I’m proud to report that they each achieved an ‘Outstanding’ in all of their OWLs, but I would have expected nothing less of them.” Severus smirked as he stole a sideways glance at the twins.

“Hey, I’ve got an idea,” suggested Harry excitedly. “Why don’t we go grab some coffee in Diagon Alley. I’ve skived off the day, and the train won’t get to Hogsmeade for hours.” He looked at Severus hopefully. “We could catch up… get to know each other again…” Then he added sheepishly “… maybe wipe the slate clean and start over?”

Severus raised an eyebrow at the idea. He could read the hundreds of questions that Harry wanted to ask him, and he wasn’t sure if he could tolerate an interrogation at the moment. But he had to admit that he had his own list of questions for Harry, and the idea of a possible friendship between them was not unpalatable. He sensed Sienna’s desire to catch up with the Potters, but she also shared his need for privacy, and they silently reminded each other of the mountain of work that awaited them at the castle. They had only moved in a few days ago. There was still so much to do and the school year was descending upon them at breakneck speed. He decided a compromise was in order.

“Coffee sounds inviting,” Severus conferred, “but we will have to keep the visit short, and I would prefer the Hog’s Head in Hogsmeade, if the little one can come with side-along Apparition. No one in London is aware of our continued existence. I know the press coverage is inevitable, but I don’t think I can deal with the likes of Rita Skeeter just yet.”

They all looked at each other and nodded in agreement. “Sounds brilliant!” said Harry. “Let’s go.” And with a loud crack, the lot Disapparated and Apparated to a Hogsmeade side street, right outside the front door of the Hog’s Head Inn.

“Why didn’t we see Weasley and Granger with you this morning?” asked Severus as he held the door open for the little crowd. “Don’t they have at least one brat old enough to attend Hogwarts by now?”

“They were right there with us, just before we saw you,” commented Ginny. “I guess they had to get back. The mist was so thick, they didn’t see you, or believe me, they would have been as anxious to talk with you as we are.”

Severus and Sienna shared a quick glance. They both read Ginny’s mind and knew that Hermione would have truly enjoyed their visit, but Ron would have preferred a dentist’s chair. He still hated and spoke badly of Severus even now, because of the cruel way he had treated Hermione in class all those years ago. “Now that we’re back to stay, I’m sure we’ll get to see them eventually,” Severus commented with a noted lack of enthusiasm.

As Severus magically rearranged two tables so that they all could sit together, Aberforth shuffled over to greet them. His advanced age had really taken its toll, so his movements were slow and laborious. But his mind was still sharp, and his blue eyes sparkled behind the spectacles that slid halfway down his long nose.

“Aberforth!” Severus beamed at the old man and grasped his hand warmly.

Aberforth smiled broadly at Severus and kissed Sienna on the cheek, then he nodded at the two young Snapes. As he looked deep into Sevvie’s eyes, he chuckled and shook his head. Then he turned to Harry and Ginny. “My brother and sister back to haunt me!” he said with a snort as his hand gestured towards Sevvie and Sienna. “Good to see you again, Harry, Ginny… and you too, little lady.” He winked at the young girl. “What can I get for everyone?”

“A round of coffee for the adults and…” Severus glanced at Ginny, then at her daughter.

“… and a pumpkin juice for our little pumpkin,” grinned Ginny.

“Ooooh, Mom,” groaned Lily.

Harry was looking at Sienna and Sevvie with great curiosity because of Aberforth’s off-handed comment, but before he could ask the question, Severus spoke. “Don’t be too flattered that my son carries your name, Potter. I didn’t make the decision.” The instant he made the comment he regretted it and wondered if he would ever learn the art of being tactful. He felt Harry’s ego deflate considerably, almost to the point of getting defensive. Harry even began to regret coming to the Hog’s Head. Severus figured he had better act fast before everything was ruined, but he needn’t have worried. Sienna could also feel what was happening and she came to his rescue.

“Actually Albus Dumbledore chose the name,” she interjected, just in the nick of time.

“What?” Harry’s apprehension began to abate. “But how could he? Wasn’t he dead long before you two even got married?”

Sienna’s face lit up, and she reached under her collar and pulled up the locket. Then she opened it and showed it to Harry. Inside he saw a moving photo of a much younger Severus Snape, looking up and smiling and, next to it, an empty frame.

“I don’t understand,” he said, genuinely bewildered.

“Why don’t you ask him yourself,” Sienna suggested innocently.

“Ask Albus Dumbledore?” Harry looked at her as if she had lost her mind.

“Ask me what?”

Harry’s eyes shot from Sienna to the locket, and he gasped. Then he finally realized what he was looking at. “Professor Dumbledore! Children of Merlin! This day is just becoming more and more extraordinary.”

“Harry, my boy! So good to see you. It has been too long. How have you been?”

“I’m great, just great.”

“Albus, would you like to spend some time with the Potters and catch up on their lives?” asked Sienna.

“Oh that would be wonderful, my dear. But Harry had a question, did he not?”

“You can borrow the locket for a few days,” she informed Harry as she pulled the chain over her head and handed it to him. “We can talk to him in the Headmistress’s office if we need to until you can get it back to us.”

“What was your question, Harry? Minerva needs me to come back shortly. She wants my input for the new school year. Oh, by the way, Severus and Sienna are expected back for a staff meeting as well.”

“Sienna told me that you chose Sevvie’s name. I just wondered what inspired you to name him after me?”

“Oh that’s easy. You see, Sevvie holds my spirit. He is me reincarnated, so to speak. Notice his eyes? The window to his soul.”

As the locket spoke, Sevvie took unusual interest in the rather dirty cup of thick black coffee that had just been set before him. Harry wondered if he had heard this tale before.

“Sienna and Severus knew that she carried both my reincarnation and that of your mother’s. Well, they couldn’t confer with your mother about a name, but thanks to the locket, they could consult me. Their first idea was to call me Albus Severus, just as your second child is named. But I told her that I didn’t want to be named after myself. I would prefer to be named after the three men I admired most during my life as Albus Dumbledore: Severus, my brother, and, of course, you.”

Severus could sense an even greater feeling of honor and love swelling up inside Harry’s heart at the thought that Albus Dumbledore had admired him enough to suggest the name. Severus quietly added, “Incidentally, I had no objection, but I couldn’t claim it as my own idea.”

Those words quickly washed away any regret Harry may have harbored about suggesting the chat over coffee.

Severus noticed Harry swallow hard as he groped to change the subject. “So,” he regarded the twins, “Albus Dumbledore and Lily Evans Potter reincarnated, eh? Do you two swallow all that rubbish?”

All of the Snapes started to laugh at once. “It’s not rubbish,” admitted Sevvie. “When Lily and I sat for our OWLs, I knew where everything was in the school. When we were invited into the Headmistress’s office, I could remember which things had been there before and which things had been added since my departure. Coming here really brought back a flood of memories I didn’t know I had, especially the first time I met Aberforth.”

“I had a similar experience,” added the elder Lily. I bet I can tell you where all of the secret passages are on that Marauder’s Map of yours. And meeting you has sparked memories about what you were like as a baby…” She hesitated, as everyone around the table leaned in and waited with baited breath.

“Well, like what?” insisted Harry.

Lily looked from face to anxious face, took a deep breath and said, “Okay, but you may regret I said this. You had a birth mark on your left butt cheek. It looked like a dragon—”

“—a Hungarian Horntail!” she and Ginny both announced at the same time.

The whole table burst into hysterics. Harry groaned loudly and hid his reddening face in his hands as Sevvie shouted out, “Too much information!”

“Only my real mother could embarrass me in public like that.” Harry laughed when he finally found the courage to raise his head.

“Well,” Dumbledore’s portrait interjected, “this little family reunion has been wonderful, but I must be getting back. Harry, just open the locket and call my name when you feel like a chat.”

“Will do, Professor.”

Dumbledore’s portrait took a slight bow and disappeared out of his frame.

“We must be getting back as well,” said Severus regretfully as he stood up to leave.

“We have so much to do before the start-of-term feast tonight,” added Sienna as she and the twins joined him.

“Do come see us, Potter. I’ll be head of Slytherin House again, so you know where to find us.”

“I’ll come on one condition,” Harry eyed him with an impish grin.

“Oh? What’s that?” Severus raised an eyebrow as he hobbled around to Harry’s side of the table towards the exit.

“That you’ll call me ‘Harry’ from now on.”

Severus smirked. He had felt Harry building up his nerve all morning to put forth that request. “Of course.” His black eyes twinkled as he let his cane lean against a chair and reached for Harry’s hand to pull him in for a hug. He remembered the first time Babaji had hugged him and how uncomfortable he had been at the start, but how wonderful it felt by the time Babaji had finally let go. Severus could sense the same awkward feeling emanating from Harry, but as Severus tightened his grip, he felt Harry reciprocate, and the discomfort eased. He could tell that Harry’s memory had found the dream that Sienna had planted that fateful night in the Forest of Dean, where Harry had lived out one of Sienna’s memories in which she hugged Severus. Harry was reliving the feeling of unconditional love that he still treasured from it, and as Severus shared that feeling, it warmed both of their hearts.

Severus had worked hard over the years to overcome his emotionally deprived childhood and finally show love in a positive way. He had learned to meditate and felt truly at peace with himself in a way he could not have imagined before Sienna came into his life. He had grown immensely on a spiritual level during his time at the ashram. He felt only love and admiration for the man who now stood in his grasp. When they finally let go of each other, they both had wet faces and showed no shame in the discovery.

Sienna had already laid a galleon on the bar and hollered to Aberforth in the back room that they’d see him later. Then, without another word, the group walked outside and headed for the front gate of Hogwarts Castle.

“I can hardly wait to see your brats in my classroom,” Severus said slyly. “Both Gryffindors, I trust?”

“Well, James is, but Albus will be a first year, so we don’t know yet,” Ginny informed him.

“He’s really afraid he’ll end up in Slytherin,” little Lily whispered loudly to the tall mysterious Potions master.

“I’m not worried now if he does.” Harry beamed at Severus. “I know you’ll be there to keep him straight.”

Severus unlocked the gate with a silent incantation and a few waves of his wand.

“Mind if we hang out in town while we wait for the train?” asked Lily.

Sienna and Severus shared a quick glance. “Just stay out of trouble,” she advised.

“Don’t get any bright ideas!” Severus added as they began to walk away.

“We can’t,” Sevvie informed them over his shoulder.

“We don’t have any money!” Lily added.

“Here’s ten Galleons,” Severus flipped them a large gold coin, “but don’t you dare spend a knut of it at Weasleys'!” He eyed his daughter through narrowed lids.

Ginny smirked, “George does have quite a collection in this little store. Sales here are better than Diagon Alley when school is in session.”

“With all the Hogwarts students just outside the door, I’m not surprised,” Severus confessed.

They exchanged hand shakes and hugs.

“Don’t be a stranger, Harry.” Severus grinned.

“I won’t, sir, I promise.”

“Please, call me Severus.”

“That’ll take some getting used to.”

Severus replaced the Locking Charms on the gate behind them, then he and Sienna waved as the Potter family Disapparated and their twins headed for Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes with a foreboding look of mischief.

The two elder Snapes turned and headed up the path to the school with fingers interlaced. Though their voices were silent, their minds were filled with continued conversation. They had never informed anyone of their ability to read minds, not even their children. Only the omnipotent Babaji knew. Sevvie had his suspicions and almost never tried to get away with anything underhanded. But Lily didn’t have a clue, and it always infuriated her that her parents could catch her in a lie. So, after sharing impressions of the Potter family, Severus and Sienna spent the walk trading ideas on what Lily would buy at Weasleys' and the creative ways she would try to get away with it.

The staff meeting turned out to be pretty routine until Minerva informed them all that Sienna would not only take Poppy’s place temporarily, but would also be teaching an advanced NEWT level course in healing. Interested sixth years would sign up for meditative and spiritual studies which they would need to master before learning the other techniques, then during seventh year she and Severus would team teach a class that combined the hands-on healing technique with Medicinal Potions. This course description brought all sorts of questions from the other staff members since many of them found the idea fascinating and wished to learn more themselves. The Snapes informed them that their family would meet at 5:30 every morning in the hospital wing for meditation and yoga, and anyone was welcome to join them, both staff and students alike.

Then came lunch in the great hall. It would be the last meal for a long time that included some semblance of peace and quiet. Although the ashram had been full of people, 25 voices and minds were much easier to tolerate than the hundreds that would fill this room in only a few hours. If it weren’t for their training and continued meditative practice at the ashram all those years, Severus would never have been able to cope with it. Now he would finally understand what Sienna had suffered through when she first came to the school as an empath.

After lunch, they went back to their quarters in the Slytherin dungeons and continued to unpack and settle in. Fawkes had decided that his preferred location would be beside the window. Even though the sunlight flickered playfully as it filtered through the murky waters of the lake, he seemed to find the patterns it created soothing, which would come in handy on burning days.

Winky had been very busy and made considerable progress during their absence, but there was still much more to be done. For a couple who didn’t want to be tied down with material possessions, they certainly seemed to have accumulated more than their share over the years. Most of it had been stored at Spinner’s End, and Winky had made regular visits to the place to keep it from falling into disrepair. But their quarters at the school still appeared to burst at the seams with odds and ends, nothing of any monetary value, but important just the same. Severus finally used an Enlargement spell on one of the closets so they wouldn’t be climbing over things.

Winky was so glad to be back at Hogwarts. She had barely seen another elf for 19 years and missed being around her own kind terribly. Severus and Sienna gave her two weeks of vacation time and several holidays off every year, and they had a sneaking suspicion that she spent the time back here with her friends in the kitchen and laundry, but they didn’t mind as long as she kept their secrets which she was sworn to do.

Finally, the upper classes arrived in the Thestral-pulled carriages. The staff was seated, with the exception of Neville who had taken over the job of keeping the first years quiet in a chamber off the hallway until it was time to be sorted. Severus and Sienna sat together just to the right of the Headmistress and watched with glee as the first years were paraded in. Their two kids towered over the others, causing quite a stir within the general population. Severus could feel mortified embarrassment from Lily, but Sevvie held an air of self-confidence far beyond his years. Most of the rest felt fear and apprehension, afraid that they would be sorted into a house that their parents would not approve of. He was quite surprised and a bit disheartened by just how deep this fear ran in some children. One girl thought her father would disinherit her if she ended up anywhere but Gryffindor.

What git would possibly have said that to his daughter? Severus silently asked Sienna.

I guess we’ll soon find out, came her answer.

“Atwater, Cindy,” announced Longbottom.

From the look of her, she might be a Weasley.

“Ravenclaw!” bellowed the sorting hat.

Well, then the kid better learn to take a joke, because none of them would ever disinherit their children, not even if they ended up in Slytherin.

Severus snorted.

“Bedonia, Jonathan.”

“Hufflepuff!”

Minerva had been observing the pair all this time and felt the need to comment. “If I didn’t know better, I would think you two were carrying on a silent conversation. For two people who barely speak to each other, you really do seem able to communicate exceptionally well.”

The innocent looks she received gave her the answer she expected. Minerva simply smiled and turned her attention back to the sorting hat.

Quite a few names later… “Malfoy, Scorpius,” announced Professor Longbottom.

“Slytherin,” shouted the hat before it had even nestled onto his white head. The Slytherin table erupted, and Severus half-heartedly clapped.

What’s wrong? Son of Draco… grandson of Lucius. You should be ecstatic.

“Nelson, Jacob.”

I will be if his ego isn’t as big as his father’s was.

“Ravenclaw!”

If anyone can bring him down a peg or two, it’s you, love.

Severus smirked.

Minerva shot them both a sideways glance and raised her eyebrows. “See what I mean?”

“Pay attention, Minerva, I think Potter’s son is up next.” Severus quickly redirected her gaze.

“Potter, Albus”

Albus was so nervous he seemed to be quivering as he sat on the stool. The hat fell down over his eyes, and Severus could hear every thought from both him and the hat. He was begging to be placed into Gryffindor, but the hat had other ideas. They argued back and forth for a while. Finally, the hat confided that he could have the great and legendary Severus Snape for his head of house if he would consent to be sorted into Slytherin. With this exciting bit of news, Albus pushed the hat up above his eyes so he could see and whipped around in search of the face he had, until now, only seen in books. His heart skipped a beat when his eyes met Severus’, and he knew the promise was real.

Say yes, boy, Severus concentrated hard, hoping to influence little Al’s decision.

Albus smiled hugely and nodded at Severus almost as if he could hear his thought, then finally turned back towards the crowd and silently consented.

The hat shouted out “Slytherin!” to thunderous applause from both the Slytherin table and the staff table. Severus was thrilled beyond measure that Harry’s son would be under his watchful eye. Through his son, Severus would finally have another chance to get things right.

Eventually, the Snape twins came to the stool as the crowd murmured about the mysterious older kids. Lily ended up in Slytherin, to remain for two more years under the jurisdiction of her parents, and seemed a bit disappointed, but Sevvie was sent to Gryffindor. The hat had a hard time deciding between that or Ravenclaw, because the young man was brilliant, to be sure. Neville would be his head of house. Severus had a feeling that during his son’s two short years here, the other kids would look to him for help at least as much as they would turn to Longbottom.

“Weasley, Rose.”

So she is a Weasley after all.

“Ravenclaw!” Rose immediately began to cry as the Ravenclaw table applauded enthusiastically.

Well, she must have Hermione’s brains, conveyed Sienna, but now she’s terrified. Perhaps when people start eating I can go have a word with her.

That would probably be a good idea. Remind me to hex her father next time I see him.

After Esther Zambini ended up in Hufflepuff, Minerva stood to make a few announcements. A rash of whispers spread through the student body at the mention of Severus Snape’s name, but most of the younger kids had never heard of him. Then the usual magnificent spread of food magically appeared from the kitchen below. Severus had actually learned to prefer vegetarian food over the last 19 years, and their children had been raised on it. But everyone else ate the usual meat laden British fare. Sienna grabbed a roll to munch along the way and set out across the room in search of poor Rose. After a few minutes she returned, radiating joy. The conversation had been a great comfort to the girl. She assured Rose that she and her father had gone to school here together and he would be likely to joke about such things, but like her uncle George, she shouldn’t take him too seriously.

After dinner, the entire Slytherin student body assembled in their common room to meet their new head of house. Lily sat off in the corner with pained boredom stretched tightly across her face. Scorpius, one of the few first years who did recognize the name of Snape, sat toward the rear of the crowd in an attempt to seem cool and uninterested. Albus Potter, on the other hand, sat in the front row on the edge of his seat, hanging on Professor Snape’s every word.

“My name is Severus Snape. I am the new Potions master, as well as your new Head of House. This is my wife, Sienna. She is also the school Healer and will be teaching NEWT level classes in Healing, a new course of study for advanced students this year. You will refer to her as Madam Snape and me as Professor Snape so as to avert confusion. She is a Gryffindor,” he stared down his nose at her condescendingly, then he smiled as he looked back at his students. “But we must not hold that against her. She did, after all, have the good taste to marry a Slytherin.” His audience snickered. Sienna beamed up at him. “Between the two of us, we should be able to help you with any subject you may be having trouble with if you are not comfortable going to the subject’s teacher for help. If you find yourself needing counsel on a personal matter, please don’t hesitate to come to us. Think of Slytherin House as your home away from home and us as your surrogate parents, or your friends, if that makes confiding in us a bit easier. We are here to help. We want your Hogwarts learning experience to be a happy one, but also one that prepares you for the rest of your lives.”

Then the look on his face grew grave. “The world can be a dangerous place. While trying our best to keep you safe and happy, it is also our job to prepare you for what’s out there. Lord Voldemort may be long dead and gone, but someday, somewhere, the Dark Arts will take hold of someone else’s heart, and he or she will no doubt follow in his footsteps. You must be prepared. Armed with the proper skills and knowledge, you will be able to protect yourself as you navigate through both the magical and Muggle worlds.”

Severus could have heard a pin drop on the stone floor. With the mention of Voldemort’s name, he sensed a cloud of fear gather over the room. He didn’t want to end his introduction on a low note, so he asked, “Are there any questions?”

One of the older kids raised his hand. “Yes,” he pointed to the young man. “I’m afraid it will take a while for me to get to know everyone’s name.”

“Larry Lotus, sir.”

Severus raised an eyebrow. “Son of Lorenzo?”

“Why yes, sir. Do you know my father?”

Severus tried not to let the disappointment show on his face. He reminded himself not to judge the boy on his father’s lack of skill, intelligence or achievement. “Yes, he was one of my students many years ago when I taught here before.”

“So you are the same Severus Snape who used to teach here then?”

“Didn’t I just say that?” Another snicker flitted across the room. “And I believe my wife was in class with your father, am I right?” he looked to her for confirmation.

“Yes, we were both in Gryffindor and in the same class.” She smiled at Larry. “I could tell you stories.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” the young man grinned devilishly at her.

Albus Potter raised an enthusiastic hand. In days gone by, Severus would have ignored such frantic waving, but if Lily had taught him anything in the last 18 and a half years, it was patience. “Yes, Mr. Potter, isn’t it?”

“You remembered!” he responded excitedly. “My parents always told me that you died a hero, but yet, here you are standing before us. If you died and went to Heaven, how can it be that you’re here? Are you like Professor Binns, just a ghost?”

Ever the teacher, Severus decided to answer his question with another question. “Who here can tell Mr. Potter the difference between a ghost and a living person?”

One of the older students went into a description of the Bloody Baron, which Albus should have noticed floating above the dinner table, another mentioned how they were a bit translucent, and yet another described the unmistakably chilling sensation caused by a physical encounter. With that, Severus stepped forward and offered Albus his warm, solid hand to shake, so he would know without worry, that his Head of House was very much alive.

“So you didn’t actually die, like everyone thought?”

“Actually, I did die,” he admitted quietly and much to his daughter’s surprise. She sat up straight and leaned closer to pay attention. This was one tale she had never been told. “I was dead for several minutes, but with the help of my wife, my house-elf and a rather extraordinary Muggle, I was brought back to life.” He put his arm around Sienna’s waist and pulled her close. Lily suspected that the extraordinary Muggle must have been Babaji. A mixture of amazement and disbelief permeated the room. Severus knew that some would never believe his story, while others would blindly take it on faith. He didn’t really care what most of them thought, but he was glad that Lily and Albus believed him.

To Severus’ surprise, Scorpius’ hand shot up. He pointed to the boy.

“What was it like? Being dead, I mean?”

Severus heard the boy’s thoughts and knew from his memories that he had been by his grandmother’s side at St. Mungo’s when she passed on just a few months ago. At first he was angry with her for dying, but then later blamed himself. Now he felt concern for her spirit and became very anxious about the possible answer.

Severus chose his words carefully. “I saw my life flash before my eyes, which I think happens to everyone. I felt a deep sense of freedom and joy, but I could sense my wife’s sorrow, and I think it was my desire to comfort her that brought me back. But you see, I was lucky. My body was repairable. Most people can’t come back. They may want to with all their hearts, but the body is beyond repair, and they have no choice but to move on. Don’t be upset with your grandmother. I’m sure Narcissa still loves you very much and wanted to stay, but she couldn’t.”

The boy’s eyes grew wide with fear and wonder. “How did you know I was thinking about my grandma?”

Severus hadn’t thought about the fact that Scorpius didn’t mention a specific person when he had voiced his question. But Sienna jumped in, once again, to save the day. “We read that she died in the Prophet. I’m sure Professor Snape simply assumed that…”

“Right,” said the boy, a bit relieved. “I forgot it was in the paper. I thought you were a mind reader there for a minute!”

The other students laughed. And with that easing of tension, the meeting ended. “Remember that we are here for you, my young Slytherin friends,” Severus added as the crowd began to break up. “Twenty-four – seven.”

The next day marked the first full day of classes. It had been 20 years since Severus last faced a room full of 11 year olds. He found himself with just a few butterflies in his stomach. Should he use his old intimidation tactics or take a softer approach? His caustic wit and acid tongue had not diminished over the years, but his time at the ashram had definitely softened his heart and gave great flexibility to his temper. But he wanted to keep an air of mystery, and intimidation mixed with sarcasm had always been his preferred style of teaching. The big difference now would be the fact that he could tell when he reached someone’s breaking point and if he was about to do more harm than good. Neither a frightened mind nor a spirit in turmoil was conducive to learning, so he proceeded with caution. The trick was to keep their attention. He would be able to tell if their thoughts strayed from his lessons. Babaji told him once that respect should be earned. So that was exactly what he set out to do.

As he called the roll he looked up when he reached Scorpius Malfoy’s name and made eye contact. The boy had digested his new information about death and seemed much more at peace now. He gave Severus a slight but grateful smile.

The very next name was Albus Potter, whose resounding “Present” was just a touch too loud.

Severus could feel pure excitement radiating from the boy and his lip curled slightly as his lids narrowed in mock irritation. “No need to yell, Mr. Potter.”

“Sorry, sir,” came the meek reply.

Severus finished the roll and stood up to deliver his opening speech while stalking the room with the help of his Phoenix cane.

“Good morning, class. As some of you already know, my name is Professor Snape. I am here to teach you the subtle science and intuitive art of Potion making.” Just as he used to do all those years ago, he kept his voice barely above a whisper. He knew they would pay closer attention if they had to strain to hear him. “As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will doubt that this is even magic. It requires years of dedication and practice to appreciate the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the nuances that exist within a single family of ingredients, the amazing effects of a specific stirring pattern that bring to life the delicate power of liquids as they creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses, perhaps severing or tethering the soul to the body… I can teach you how to brew fame, bottle glory, even stopper death – if you are dedicated and determined to develop your talent. You see, it takes more than mere magic to brew an effective Potion. It takes intuition, concentration, and perseverance.

“Don’t be discouraged if, in the beginning, the task at hand seems insurmountable. If you have trouble, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your job here is to learn, and it is my job to be sure that you succeed at yours.” His mind quickly swept the room to get a sense of how his little speech was being received. Since none of the parents had previously known of his return to Hogwarts, none of the students could have been brainwashed into thinking badly of him. Although a couple of people seemed to teeter on the edge of boredom, most found his talk fascinating. He knew in his heart that not everyone would grow up to share his love for this delicate art, but he hoped to inspire at least a few to go on to NEWT level.

Sally Roundtree’s mind had begun to drift back to the younger sister she had left behind at home, and a jealous rage was building as she thought of the little sister with their room and their parents’ affections all to herself.

“Miss Roundtree!” Severus barked suddenly, “What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?”

She stared at him, shocked and bewildered. A touch of scarlet began to creep up her neck to her cheeks. He could tell that the entire class was now paying close attention, so rather than reduce her to tears on the very first day which he would have gladly done 20 years ago, he asked the rest of the class at large. Albus raised his hand, fit to burst with the answer. When no one else had the knowledge (or perhaps the courage) to put a hand in the air, Severus relented.

“Mr. Potter?”

“Draught of Living Death, sir?”

“That is correct. Very good young man. Five points to Slytherin.”

Severus could no longer turn on his heel because of his malfunctioning left leg, a lingering gift from Nagini. So his theatrics were held to a minimum as he leaned on his cane, turned slowly, and pointed his wand at the board, where a simple recipe to cure boils appeared. “Everyone have their potion kits handy?” There was a general rustling as people began to pull out their equipment and supplies. Another wave of his wand lit the fires under the cauldrons at each work station, and he settled himself behind his desk to watch the scene with amusement. Now and then a hand would go up and he would be forced to rise and investigate the problem, but they all seemed adept enough to handle this simple recipe.

Thankfully, the end of class arrived with no major mishaps, and he hobbled around to inspect the contents of each cauldron. “Well done, class. Each team please fill a phial and place it in the basket on my desk before leaving. Your assignment this week, due Friday, is to research the origin and usage of bezoars. Class dismissed.”

Each class ended with at least one or two students apprehensively lingering behind to ask him if he was the same Professor Snape they had read about in their history books or that their parents had talked about from the war. He would humbly admit to his fame and assure them that reports of his demise had been greatly exaggerated but, thanks to the other Slytherins, the story of his death and resuscitation quickly made it through the school’s rumor mill. By the end of the day, Sevvie had heard that his father had been resurrected like Jesus! The Snape family got a good laugh out of it, but after giving his children the factual details, Severus urged them to tell the other kids that no miracle was involved, just timely intervention and good medicine.

After another glorious dinner in the great hall, they kissed the twins goodnight and retired to their private quarters. One look from her husband and Sienna didn’t need telepathy to know that his body cried out for one of her hands-on healing sessions. Stress and fatigue showed plainly on his face while every muscle and joint radiated pain. He plopped heavily face down on the bed, anxiously awaiting her company. After putting the usual wards on the bedroom door, she sat down beside him.

Could you please Vanish my clothes? I just don’t think I can muster the energy.

With a flick of her wand, he was naked, and she couldn’t resist first gently biting, then kissing, his adorable butt.

Ow!

Oh, come on, that didn’t hurt!

Everything hurts!

Was it that bad?

I was on my feet more today than I have been in the last two years combined. What do you think?

Sienna straddled his butt and took great satisfaction in the huge sigh of relief he let out when her hands melted into his aching back muscles. He concluded, as she made her way up his spine to his shoulders, that she must have found her new duties invigorating, because her positive healing energy was even more powerful than usual.

Life at the ashram had agreed with him. Although he did not lead a life of leisure while there, what with endless chores to do, the complete lack of stress had done wonders for his overall health. His physique would still be considered lean by any standard, but his bones no longer protruded, and he had acquired better muscle tone. There was even a touch of color in his still-pale cheeks.

After she relieved his headache tension, she slipped off his butt and started to massage his lower half, starting with his feet and working her way back up. By the time she reached his rear end, he felt like a new man and flipped over to face her.

That’s not fair! You’re still wearing clothes.

Well, I wasn’t sure if you were going to be up for anything else, you were in such a state when we got here. But obviously, she noted with a giggle, I had nothing to worry about.

Over the years, with the help of telepathy, they had perfected the art of lovemaking. To keep it fresh, they constantly tried new things, but they never tired of each other. They both knew what it was like to lose the other, which made every moment spent together a gift. They were still deeply in love and never took each other for granted.

With one fluid motion, Severus Vanished Sienna’s clothes with a wandless spell and grabbed her hand, pulling her on top of him. As her soft curls cascaded over his chest, they tickled his nipples, making them rock hard to match his erection. Noticing this, she kissed her way to them, gently sucking them each in turn. Then she continued her descent down past his navel to that beckoning erection. Her gentle hands and supple mouth worked together until his heart was beating so fast he knew he would explode at any second.

“No!” he moaned out loud, almost out of breath. “Not yet.”

She stopped, thank Merlin, just in time, and he began to regain a hint of self control. She smiled that all-knowing smile of hers and began to kiss and lick her way back up his torso to the bite mark on his neck. Even after all these years, it was still sensitive, but she knew he enjoyed just a little pain with his pleasure, so she dug her teeth in slightly. With a quick intake of breath, his neck arched. Not too hard, he conveyed. She gently gave the spot a kiss, transferring some healing energy at the same time, and the pain instantly subsided. Then her lips found his, and they reveled in the sensations that they had, over the years, come to enjoy so much. Her body pressed down against his at every point possible as his stout erection rubbed her inner thigh.

Now it was his turn to drive her to the brink of madness. He flipped her over and was instantly on top of her as he leisurely meandered down her soft, lavender-scented body, exploring every curve and crevice with gentle dexterity, all the while rubbing his stiff privates along the inside of her legs, which she gladly parted for him. When he reached her breasts, a soft caress with his long, slender fingers wasn’t enough.

You know what I want, she insisted.

That doesn’t mean I have to give it to you right away, he teased as his tongue encircled her nipple.

Suck, for Merlin’s sake!

He looked up and grinned devilishly. He knew that was one of her most sensitive spots and it would drive her wild with pleasure when he finally relented. But he made her wait just a bit longer as his hands and lips wandered back and forth between them. When he finally gave her what she longed for, her back arched and she groaned with delight as she tangled her fingers into his long, slightly graying hair.

He continued his descent and then took endless pleasure in tickling, tantalizing and teasing her with tongue, lips and finger tips until she had reached the precipice. He could tell she was beyond excited, and he quickly climbed back up to share a searing kiss as he slipped himself inside her.

He could feel her squeeze him as he thrust and thrust. Faster, faster! They both had the same thought at the same time. Deep—deeper!

As their bodies exploded in the intense pleasure of the physical climax, their souls did as well, in an ecstasy beyond words. As much pleasure as it brought physically, it paled in comparison to the spiritual experience. Sienna had become such a part of him he doubted that he could exist without her. He would rather suffer a dementor’s kiss.

You know, Lily may be my soul mate, he admitted as they relaxed in each other’s arms, bodies still aquiver, but you are, without a doubt, the true love of my life.

As you are of mine, she replied sincerely.

I think I was in love with the idea of winning Lily’s heart when we were young. The idea kept me going.

And that idea put you back on the right track when she died. So she fulfilled her mission as your soul mate.

Yes, but now it seems her mission is to drive me to sanity’s outer limits.

They both laughed out loud at this notion. But haven’t you learned patience and compassion as a result of her constant testing?

I suppose I have.

Then consider yourself blessed that your soul mate has come to you twice in one lifetime.

A few moments of pure contentment passed between them. Then Severus asked, Are you glad we came back? I feel like I have come home, but you must feel just the opposite.

No, I was ready to live in the wizarding world again. It’s where we belong.

I belong wherever you are, my love, Severus informed her. You are my heart, my soul, my spirit. They held each other even tighter as Severus Snape and the love of his life drifted off to sleep.