Darkness Shadows Light 2

Chapter Thirteen - Remember, Half the People You Know Are Below Average.

Saturday came all too quickly for some and not nearly quickly enough for others. Harry was definitely one of the former. As soon as Draco had relayed the plan to him, he had gone cold inside. At first, he had insisted that he use Polyjuice and go in his husband’s place. But, as Draco had pointed out, Polyjuice would only replicate the person on the outside and not the child growing inside him. Therefore, Snape would have to go as himself if they wanted to catch this wizard to send him to Azkaban where he - as Harry viciously put – deserved to be.

Draco was sadly part of the latter group. He dreaded Saturday. At the thought of what would happen to the other wizard, he went numb. When he had offered his help, he had never imagined that he would end up having feelings for the wizard whose dearest wish was to end Snape’s life. However, he was determined to follow through. This was his chance to finally redeem himself in the eyes of those who mattered most. He was tired of being considered the evil wizard who had escaped jail through luck rather than innocence. Draco also had hopes that once this was all over, he would be allowed to stay at Hogwarts. To his surprise, he had discovered that he actually enjoyed teaching. It made his old life seem dull and unworthy in comparison.

He was also worried that they didn’t know everything. How exactly did the other wizard know that Harry was meant to be away from the castle on Saturday night? He certainly had not told him. He guessed all would become clear soon, including the wizard’s true identity. He just hoped what they didn’t know would lead the night to end in tragedy…

**************

On Friday, after the Potion’s lesson that day, Draco kept Matthew behind.

“I have a surprise for you,” the blond wizard said as soon as the classroom was empty.

“What is it?” Matthew questioned eagerly.

“It’s something I need to show you tomorrow night. Meet me by Hagrid’s hut at midnight.”

Matthew enthusiastically agreed. He trusted Draco implicitly, despite all Ashanti’s mutterings about him being a dark wizard.

Ashanti herself was standing just outside the door. She *knew* something suspicious was going on when Draco kept Matthew behind. So, she had hidden behind the door and had heard every word. She was sure that Draco Malfoy meant nothing but harm to her friend…

*********

As he waited for the time to pass, Snape’s hand went absentmindedly to the amulet that had saved their life all those years ago. Harry had insisted he wear it, but the older wizard was doubtful that it would be of any use. He firmly believed that what had happened had been a once in a lifetime thing.

***********

He was going to be late! Matthew quickly grabbed his wand from under his pillow and shoved it up his sleeve without looking at it. He didn’t notice that it was longer than his own wand. He certainly didn’t notice it was made of Yew…

He sneaked out into the corridor, alert for any teachers that might be patrolling. However, with Snape out of action and Harry away, he felt reasonably safe.

He left the castle through one of the side entrances that only a few of the residents knew about. Behind him, a shadow slipped through the door before it could close. Swiftly, he made his way to Hagrid’s hut. He was pleased to see that a figure was there waiting for him, leaning nonchalantly against the wall. Matthew hurried up to him, about to speak. Instantly, Draco put a finger up to his lips and pointed towards the inside of the building. Matthew blushed as he realised that in his excitement he had forgotten that Hagrid would most likely be inside his hut. Draco would not wish to alert him to their presence.

Draco crooked a finger, intimating that he wanted Matthew to follow him. Wordlessly, they headed towards and then into the Forbidden Forest. Matthew’s excitement rose. He had heard many stories about things that lived in the forest, especially those stories that involved his own father, Harry. He could only assume that Draco had something special he wanted to share with him.

They walked together in silence for several minutes. Matthew was dying to ask Draco questions, but he got the distinct impression that Draco did not want him to speak. He resolved to wait until Draco spoke to him or when they arrived at wherever they were headed, whichever came first.

After a few more minutes, Draco sighed. Matthew’s eyes widened as he realised how deeply unhappy the sigh was. For the first time he felt apprehension. He suddenly realised that he had happily wandered into a dangerous place without telling anyone and with a suspected ex-Deatheater.

“We’re here,” Draco said, pulling Matthew out of his conflicting inner thoughts.

Matthew looked around. They were in a clearing, deep inside the forest. The watery moon shone down, giving enough light for him to see that there was nothing special here. Just then, another figure stepped out from behind a tree. A figure that Matthew recognised instantly.

“Ron!” he called excitedly, rushing over to embrace the other wizard.

Draco stood frozen with shock. Matthew *knew* this wizard? What had he called him? Ron?! Suddenly, all the pieces fell into place. Of course this wizard had known Harry incredibly well – they had been friends for nearly seven years. The more worrying question was how the hell did Matthew know him?

Unaware of Draco’s shock, Matthew finished his hug with Ron. He turned sideways so he could view both Ron and Draco.

“I didn’t know you knew each other!” he exclaimed. He looked at Draco, “So this is why you brought me out here.”

But Draco was not looking at Matthew. He was staring in disbelief at Ron. “Well, we were at school together,” Draco remarked, almost absently.

Ron stared back at Draco. Then, with a flick of his wand, he removed his glamours for the first time in many years.

Draco viewed the newly revealed figure. He had not changed much in the past years. He was still thin with brilliant red hair. The only difference was in the face, in the eyes. There were tell-tale signs of hardship in the wrinkles that were too soon for a wizard of his age. A hardness in the eyes that were very much the reverse of the clear, honest gaze he remembered from school.

Ron watched a number of different emotions flick across his former nemesis’ face. Would their mutual interest in destroying Snape be enough for Draco to overcome the fact of who he was? There was only one way to see. He turned his attention to Matthew.

“Matthew, I had Draco bring you out here for a reason,” he began. “There is one thing from your parent’s past that has not been told to you and that I think you deserve to know.” Ron took a deep breath. Would Draco keep his side of the bargain and admit the lie that he had concocted – the one that would surely push Matthew over the edge into pure hate for Severus Snape? “Draco was having an affair with Snape when he was at school at the same time that Snape was seeing Harry.”

Matthew looked wildly at Draco.

“Is that true?” he demanded, his voice becoming shrill. The hatred for his father that had been waning over the past few weeks came rocketing back to the surface.

“No, Matthew, it’s not true.” Draco replied in a steady voice. “That’s just what Ron wants you to believe so that you’ll hate your father even more.”

“Why?”

“So that you’ll feel enough rage to kill me,” a deadly soft voice uttered from behind them.

All three wizards turned to see the latest addition to their little drama. Snape stood, head held high and a sneer on his face, as he viewed the recently revealed visage of Ron Weasley.

At this point, Ron knew his plan had gone horribly wrong. He turned to Draco, ignoring Matthew and Snape.

“Was it all a lie?” Ron asked in a soft, deadly tone, his gaze not leaving Draco’s for a moment. “Was *that* part of the plan?”

Matthew looked puzzledly between the two wizards. He didn’t have a clue what the undertones of their conversation were about and not knowing quite who to believe.

Draco understood perfectly.

“No,” Draco replied. “Some things were…unexpected.”

Ron felt sure he could see the truth in Draco’s eyes, but he felt too betrayed and hurt to see a way out of this situation. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the irony. He had been having doubts about this revenge for so long, but had only carried on because he thought it was what Draco wanted. Now it had turned out that he had been playing him from the start. With one last defiant look at Draco, he turned to Matthew.

“Kill him,” he hissed, “you know you want to. He doesn’t deserve to live after all he’s done. He’s killed, he’s lied and he’s cheated. You know the world will be a better place without him.”

The conviction in Ron’s voice was too much for the confused young wizard. Almost in a trance, Matthew brought out his wand. Immediately he felt himself fill with anger and betrayal. Evil flowed through the wand he held, seeming to whisper to him that this was his destiny, only this could make things right. Slowly, he pointed it at Snape. Snape watched him with dark, wary eyes, but did nothing to stop him.

“Don’t do it Matthew!” Matthew flinched at the familiar voice. Ashanti appeared before him. She had decided to follow him after hearing the secret conversation with Draco. She had heard every word that had been said in the clearing. She was determined to stop this madness, even if it meant revealing something that had been kept a secret even from her for the past eleven years.

“Go away, Ashanti,” Matthew said fiercely, gripping the wand even tighter and pointing it more firmly at his father.

“You don’t really want to kill him,” Ashanti replied, her voice more confident than she felt. “Whatever he’s done, he’s still your father.”

“Don’t listen to her!” Ron shouted. “He’s never loved you. He never wanted you. Remember what I told you about how he treated Harry after he found out he was pregnant.” Whilst he was talking, Ron edged closer to Ashanti.

“Yeah, he was so terrible he *married* Uncle Harry,” Ashanti contradicted, the edge of sarcasm almost as good as her godfather’s.

“Then ruined it all by sleeping with Remus Lupin. He betrayed Harry in the worst possible way.”

Matthew looked wildly from one to the other. They both made so much sense, but whom should he believe? Ron had been there and had a first hand knowledge of everything that had happened. Yet, Ashanti was his best friend and he knew that she would never lie to him.

Suddenly, Ron made a grab for Ashanti. Taken off guard, she found herself disarmed, held tight around the waist and with a wand pointing at her throat.

“Do it,” Ron demanded harshly. “Kill Snape. You know you want to. If you don’t, your little friend here is dead.”

“Stop!” called out a bodiless voice. They all turned to look at the direction the voice had come from.

“Don’t do this Matthew.” Harry appeared from under his invisibility cloak and looked steadily at his son. “You’d regret this, believe me.” He unhesitatingly walked over to his husband and took his hand.

At the first contact, the amulet around Snape’s neck started to glow…

As soon as he realised what was happening, Snape snatched his hand away from Harry’s. The green glow that had been so stark in the dim moonlight, instantly faded away to almost nothing.

Harry gasped as he realised what had nearly happened: the protection amulet had been ready to protect its owners, regardless of the fact that the threat was their own son.

They all stood there for a moment, paralysed in a stalemate.

“He won’t kill me, Matthew,” Ashanti suddenly said, her voice clear and calm in the cold night air.

“I will,” Ron said determinedly, pressing the wand harder in Ashanti’s throat, making her gasp for air.

“No you won’t,” Ashanti replied, her voice slightly more wavery this time, but still filled with conviction. “Despite all the things I’ve heard about you, I know you’re not really a killer.” She paused and then swallowed audibly. “Especially not of your own daughter.”

For the first time, Ron took a good look at the girl he was holding hostage and knew she was telling the truth. She looked almost identical to Ginny at that age. In a flash, he remembered that night he had spent in Hermione’s arms and realised more had come from it than regret. With a sense of relief, he knew it was over. He could no more kill Ashanti than he could have killed Harry. He realised he had also lost years with his daughter due to his incessant need for revenge. A revenge for Harry loving Snape more than him…that now seemed ridiculous. Tiredly, he dropped the wand to his side.

“You’re right,” he whispered, closing his eyes and letting go of the young witch. “I can’t kill you.”

“You don’t know what you can do until you’ve tried,” came a gruff voice. Startled, they all turned to see who this latest appearance could be attributed to. It went through more than one mind that there were an astonishingly large amount of people wandering around the Forbidden Forest that night.

The figure that greeted them was, for a moment, unknown to all of them. Then, Draco squinted his eyes, mentally adding a dozen years to a face he had once known well.

“Goyle?” he all but whispered, barely recognising his old schoolmate.

“Yes, it’s me,” agreed Goyle with a glare. “It’s been a while, Malfoy. Though I never thought we’d be meeting like this. You, allying yourself with *Potter*. Your father must be spinning in his grave.”

“Father’s not dead yet,” Draco reminded his ex-goon through gritted teeth.

“No, just rotting in Azkaban thanks to this lot.”

“Best place for him!” Harry interjected fiercely. He didn’t know how, or why, Goyle was here, but he had interrupted just as it looked like they had gotten through to his former best friend. He certainly didn’t fear Goyle, as he knew his magics were limited at best. “Now, if you don’t mind, we were in the middle of something.”

Just then, out of the shadows, six more figures appeared, all in black. All of them were big and tall and had their wands pointed at the little group. Deatheaters.

“Actually, we *do* mind,” Goyle said smugly. “We’re here for a reason.”

“And what would that be?” Snape asked smoothly. His mind was working frantically. Even if they could rely on Ron – which he personally doubted – they were outmanned. His only thought was to keep them talking as long as possible in the hopes that something would arise to help them.

“We’re here to make sure you, your *husband*,” he spat that word out with disgust “and your brat get what you deserve.”

“I assume by that, you mean you’re going to kill us?” Snape asked with a sneer.

“You and Potter.” Goyle corrected with a nasty smile. I’m sure with the right…guidance…the boy could see the error of his ways.”

“I’m impressed,” Snape said, the disdain clear on his face. “I never thought you’d have the brains to engineer all this. Tell me, how did you know we’d be here tonight?”

“Inside information.” Goyle replied mysteriously. “Plus, we’ve been keeping tabs on that little traitor,” he pointed his wand at Draco, “ever since the last plan ended with Aurors arresting some good friends of mine.”

“Inside information?” Snape enquired, looking mildly amused. “Do you really think we’d believe that?”

“It’s true!” Goyle exclaimed looking red-faced and angry, he brandished his wand at Snape, looking like he was about to curse him. The man standing next to him put a calming hand on his arm. This seemed to bring Goyle back to his senses, as he immediately looked less enraged. “I bet you never knew I had a sister,” he said suddenly.

“A sister? She certainly never entered Hogwarts.” Snape asserted.

“She’s a squib,” Goyle replied, looking disgusted. “The only good thing she managed to do was marry Bane here,” he gestured to the man by his side. “And produced a wizard son.”

“Bane!” gasped Ashanti, as some of the pieces started to fall into place. They had always been so worried about Matthew’s friendship with Cronus, that they had barely noticed his dense (in more ways than one) bodyguard. Obviously, he had been keeping tabs on Matthew all along and passing the information onto his father and uncle.

“Yes,” Bane acknowledged with a smirk of triumph.

Matthew looked on in horror as the scene unfolded, he had been used by those he’d considered friends. It was clear Ron had been lying to him from their first, obviously rigged, meeting. Bane junior had been no better, always hanging around him and listening to his conversations with Cronus and others, no doubt reporting back everything Matthew had said. In the last few minutes, his perceptions had been turned on their head. The wand he held tightly in his fist also seemed to want to betray him, filling him with enough hatred to actually consider killing his own father!

“Why are you all doing this to me?” he breathed in anguish. “All I wanted was to be *normal*.”

“Being normal has never been an option for our family,” Harry replied, his eyes full of pity for his son.

“Enough talk,” Goyle suddenly commanded. “It’s time for Snape to die. I think it’s only fair that Potter gets to see him die, before we end his life.”

“No!” Ron suddenly shouted, looking fierce. “If anyone gets to kill Snape, it’s me.”

Harry looked at Ron incredulously. He had honestly thought Ashanti had gotten through to her father.

“Be my guest,” Goyle grinned. “As long as I get to kill Potter. Anyway, it should be entertaining to watch a Gryffindor kill in cold blood.”

Ron raised his wand, looking coldly at Snape. Snape stared back implacably. If his fate was to die now, at these hands, he would not show fear. Nor would he show the regret that his unborn child would die with him.

“Avada Kedavra!” Ron commanded. Unwillingly, Snape closed his eyes, expecting any moment to be engulfed in the green flame and know no more. It took him less than a second to realise that somehow it had missed him. He opened his eyes and looked in stunned disbelief at the prone figure of Goyle.

After that, all hell broke loose. Snape found himself thrown to the ground by Harry, who then stood over him, wand out, cursing and defending like the powerful wizard he was.

Matthew took advantage of the uproar, taking the anger that the wand had filled him with and using his own will to direct it in the right direction. He was actually glad at that moment for the time he had spent with Cronus, for he had taught him quite a few curses that would never make it inside the pages of a Hogwarts’ textbook. Around him, he was only partially aware of Ashanti, Professor Malfoy and Ron all fighting the Deatheaters. However, he could not help but see the way his dad refused to move, at all times covering his papa from danger.

The battle did not last long. The Deatheaters may have had the advantage in numbers, but they were against some of the strongest wizards - and a witch – that had ever graced Hogwarts.

Except for Goyle, there were no more deaths, but a few who may wish they were come morning. Harry, refusing to leave his husband’s side, issued instructions to Draco and Ron to secure them.

Matthew stood to one side, not sure what to do now the threat was over. How could his parents ever forgive him for this? He looked to the wand he held in his hand and then, with disgust, snapped it in two over his knee. It was only as the phoenix feather was revealed, that with rising horror, Matthew realised to whom the wand had once belonged. Revolted, he threw the pieces as far into the forest as he could manage.

“Matthew,” Harry said softly, gesturing for him to come over to them. “Are you alright? Did you get hurt at all?”

“I’m fine,” Matthew replied, hesitantly walking over to where his parents now stood, side by side. He cast his eyes down to the ground, unwilling to look at the disgust that was now doubt on both their faces at his actions. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“Matthew,” Snape commanded. “Look at me.” Matthew looked up, and to his disbelief, saw only love and concern on his father’s face. “What are you sorry for?”

“Everything!” Matthew burst out. “For thinking that I hated you, for believing all the horrible things Ron said about you…and for almost killing you!”

With difficulty, Snape knelt down on one knee so that he was at the same height as his son. “You made the right decision in the end,” he told Matthew. “I’m proud of you.”

With a sob, Matthew put his arms around Snape’s neck and clung on for the first time in more than a year, burying his head in the strong shoulder. Reassuring arms went round his waist and held him, making Matthew feel safe and loved; two things he had almost forgotten what they felt like. He felt a hand run through his unruly hair and then another pair of arms hugging them both, and he knew that Harry had joined them and that he was truly forgiven.

Ron turned to Harry once the prisoners were secure and couldn’t help but feel a little bit jealous at the family scene before him. Yet, his eyes kept wandering between Draco (who merely stood there stoically with his arms crossed. No emotion was present on his face) and Ashanti – his daughter! - who’d have believed that all these years he’d had a child of his own?

“What now?” Ron asked softly.

“Ron, if you go now, we won’t stop you.” Harry said quietly, his heart wrenching at the sight of his former best friend. He stood up from where he had been kneeling with his husband and son, helping Snape to his feet. He ignored the tightened grip on his hand that signalled Snape’s displeasure with this idea.

Ron mutely shook his head. “I’m tired of running,” he replied, looking weary and far older than his thirty years. “It’s time I took responsibility for my actions. If that means going to Azkaban, then it’s truly what I deserve.”

Harry stared at Ron, realising that he was serious. He was partly sorry and partly glad that Ron had finally grown up. He pulled a mirror out of his pocket. It was one Sirius had given him when he had heard the plan. That was only after Harry had refused to let him be there. Harry had not wanted to let one more person he cared deeply for be put in danger. He looked into it and Sirius’ anxious face had appeared.

“Is it over?” the older wizard demanded.

“Yes, it’s over,” Harry replied softly, regret clear in his voice. “We caught all of them.”

“*All* of them?” exclaimed Sirius. The only reason he had finally agreed to stay behind was that Harry had assured him there would only be one wizard to deal with. Between him, Draco and Snape, they would be more than capable of dealing with him.

“Yes, all of them,” Harry confirmed. “It seems there was more to this than met the eye. Anyway, you can send the Aurors in now.”

With a smart nod, Sirius broke contact with him.

“What happens now?” Ron asked.

“Now we wait,” Harry said grimly.

Chapter Fourteen - How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?

*One Month Later*

“Will we never be safe?” Harry sighed, sinking back on the couch against his husband, their new daughter safely cradled in his arms. They had finally been allowed back to their room after the caesarean had been completed successfully and the usual checks on the newborn had been carried out. “I’m so tired of fighting. I just want to be normal.”

“You’ll never be normal,” Snape replied affectionately, the tone taking some of the sting out of the words. “But then, if you were, you wouldn’t be Harry Potter. You wouldn’t be my Harry, the man I love.” He carded a hand through Harry’s dark hair, earning another sigh, but this one more of contentment.

“I know you’re right,” conceded Harry. “I just hoped all this darkness would end with us and not carry over onto our children. However, that appears to be a faint hope. Matthew seems determined to make life as difficult as possible.” He looked down at the little girl who was sleeping unaware in his arms. He wondered whether she would have the same difficulties as Matthew did. He certainly hoped not!

“He has a difficult life ahead of him,” Snape predicted, closing his eyes for a moment in sadness. “After what he went through the last few months, he’ll have a hard time trusting others, beyond those that have already proven themselves. He’ll never be truly sure who his friend and who’s trying to use him for their own means. All we can do is be there for him when he needs us.”

The month since the *incident* as it was now called, had been filled with both heartache and happiness. Cronus senior and his cohorts had been sent to Azkaban to await trial. Sadly, Ron Weasley was sent as well. The Ministry could not overlook both his past and present crimes. No matter that, when it had counted, he had made the right choice.

Draco, to everyone’s surprise, had agreed to stay on at Hogwarts at least for the time-being, despite there being no more danger to the Potter-Snapes. Only a few knew the real reason behind Draco’s unwillingness to return to his former life – and that it involved a certain incarcerated redhead. Draco had already been to see Ron several times at Azkaban and despite the other’s protestations, he had promised to wait for him. Ron had tried to insist to Draco that he wanted him to forget about him and find someone with less baggage. But Draco being Draco had refused to listen. Eventually, Ron had realised that a Malfoy would not back down once his intentions were stated. For Ron, it gave him one important reason to survive and stay sane.

Harry and Snape were brought out of their reverie by a quiet tap at the door of their chambers.

“Come in,” Harry called out quietly, unwilling to move and risk disturbing their sleeping daughter. They were both unsurprised to see it was Hermione and Sirius ladened down with flowers, balloons and gaily wrapped presents.

“Congratulations!” Sirius boomed out, only to be hushed frantically by the other occupants of the room – except the smallest one, who simply opened sleepy blue eyes before closing them again. “Sorry,” Sirius whispered, looking contrite. “You’d think I’d know better with three kids of my own!”

“No problem,” Harry replied with a smile. “She seems pretty out of it anyway.”

Sirius and Hermione placed their burdens on the table in the corner, before (going) over to look at the newest addition to the Potter-Snape family.

“She’s cute,” Hermione pronounced, eyes going soft at the sight of the (sleeping) infant. Wrapped up as she was in a blanket, all that could be seen was a fuzz of dark hair and a small sleeping face.

“Yep, she doesn’t look *too* much like Severus!” Sirius said, but with no heat behind the words. Sirius’ anger over Snape’s betrayal with Remus had died the day he discovered how that sort of bitterness could be used against you, like in Matthew’s case.

“Well, I guess that is something to be grateful for,” Snape replied dryly. “I’m sure Calinda will be too when she gets a little older.”

“Calinda? Is that her name?” Hermione asked.

“Calinda Lily Potter-Snape.” Harry said proudly.

“So what does Matthew think of his new sister?” Sirius asked.

“Matthew has yet to make an appearance.” Snape said, his face betraying his lack of pleasure at this. They had slowly been building bridges with their son over the past month, as Matthew had come to realise what he had nearly been coerced into doing. However, there was still a long way to go before all the hurts could be forgiven, if not necessarily forgotten.

“I’m sure he’ll be here soon,” Harry said, giving his husband’s hand a comforting squeeze. “Classes will only just have finished and I expect it will take a little while for Albus to get the news to Matthew.”

The caesarean had actually been scheduled for two days hence, but Madam Pomfrey had been growing increasingly concerned about Snape’s health and had that morning decided that they shouldn’t wait any longer. Even though it had felt rather rushed at the time, in retrospect, Snape was glad he had managed to avoid all the fuss that he would have had to put up with if it had occurred on the planned date.

Just then, there was a clatter of footsteps coming up the hallway, followed by the door bursting open, revealing Matthew, panting for breath.

“I came as soon as I could,” he gasped out in greeting. “When I found out, McGonagall said I had to wait ‘til the end of the lesson because if my parents didn’t live here, I’d have had to wait until the holidays to meet my sister. She is *so* mean!” Matthew ended indignantly.

“That’s *Professor* McGonagall,” Harry chastised mildly. “But you’re here now, so would you like to meet Calinda?”

Eagerly, Matthew approached the small bundle that Harry held in his arms and then stopped, staring.
“Wow, she’s tiny,” he marvelled.

“Even you were once that small, tinier even,” Snape replied, taking hold of Matthew’s hand and drawing him to his side. “After all, you were slightly early.”

Matthew smiled. “Well they say all the best things come in small packages.” With that, he insinuated his way between Snape and Harry on the couch to better peer at his little sister. Snape put his arm along the back of the sofa, encompassing all of his family, as they all gazed at the newest member.

Sirius and Hermione stared open-mouthed at the cosy, family scene. Snape, suddenly feeling the eyes upon him, looked up and glared at them. “Is there something wrong?” he asked icily.

“No, no, nothing!” Hermione said quickly, smiling, squeezing her husband’s hand warningly *before* he said something. “In fact, I think, everything’s just about perfect. Though saying that, I think we’d better be on our way.”

Harry looked up, “You don’t have to go,” he said rather unconvincingly.

“No, we’d really better get going,” she replied.

And so they left the family unit to become both acquainted and reacquainted.

The End

Epilogue

*Eleven Years Later*

Harry and Snape sat side-by-side at the centre of the teacher’s table – the traditional place for the Head of Hogwarts. When Dumbledore had passed away two years previously, it had been unanimously agreed that Harry Potter would be invited to take over as Headmaster. When he had refused on the grounds that he still had a young daughter to look after, it had only been a small step to offer the joint headship to both Harry and Snape. Even then, they had been doubtful that it was the right thing to do.

Since Calinda’s birth, Snape and Harry had had their workload significantly reduced thanks to Draco remaining on staff after Ron’s trial and subsequent incarceration in Azkaban. Draco had not wanted to return to New Zealand and be so far away from the man he loved.

What had surprised everyone even more, was that Snape had insisted Draco be made godfather to their new daughter and that Harry had agreed without a trace of an argument. To some it might seem that the Potter-Malfoy feud was finally over. To the more cynical, it seemed that it had only just begun… After all, they asked, how long exactly could two such different mentalities as Harry’s and Draco’s work together *without* killing each other?
Thanks to Harry and Snape testifying at Ron’s trial - emphasising his help in capturing Cronus and the others whilst carefully skating over his part in trying to get Matthew to kill Snape and stating that he had not been a Deatheater, just a helpless pawn in Voldemort’s plan – Ron had received a minimal sentence of five years in Azkaban, of which he had served only three. Ron had been released a far quieter and solemn man. There had been uproar from both parents and Governors alike when he and Draco had married in a quiet ceremony officiated by Dumbledore and then moved into Draco’s quarters at Hogwarts. As usual, Dumbledore’s decision prevailed and Ron had settled into his new life, rarely interacting with anyone but his husband and their close friends. Ron’s parents still refused to have anything to do with their youngest son. Ginnie was a frequent visitor, along with the occasional visits from his other siblings. Ashanti, however, had taken it all in her stride as usual. Next to Draco, she was the other reason that kept Ron going during his time in Azkaban. Gradually, Ron had found an interest in potion making that his youthful impatience had previously kept him from. The new, steadier Ron found a certain satisfaction in creating the perfect potion and the solitude suited him well. Eventually, he took over the brewing of all the potions for the infirmary and was even earning some money by selling some of the more specialised ones.

So, by the time Dumbledore died, they actually had four wizards doing the job that used to be Snape’s.
Surprisingly, it had been Matthew – then in his second year of Auror training – who had convinced them to take over the running of the school.

“You can’t give up this opportunity because of Cally and your overwhelming worry that she’ll end up doing something stupid like me if you don’t spend every minute of every day with her,” he’d insisted, confident in the knowledge that he *had* turned out alright...eventually. “Besides, have you seen even the slightest *hint* that she’s not the cute, little bookworm that we all know and love? I’d put money on her being the first Ravenclaw that the Snape line has ever produced!” he’d proclaimed.

This, Harry and Snape, had had to admit, was very true. From the moment they had taught her to read, she had been off and running; eagerly reading every book she could find. It was only her parents’ dire threats that had, as yet, kept her from the Restricted section. They had small hope that this would stop her for long…
“Just try it,” Matthew had said persuasively. “If it doesn’t work out, you can just resign. There’s no law that says it’s a lifetime commitment.”

“That is true,” Harry had been forced to agree. He’d looked at his husband of twenty years. “So shall we give it a go?”

Snape had taken his hand and squeezed it gently. “We’ll give it a try.”

After that, they had never looked back. Their long standing partnership had easily transferred to the running of the school. Even the sternest critic had been forced to admit that the correct choice had been made. Calinda was so far a well-adjusted girl, who seemed to take everything in her stride; she was not exactly pretty, but with her striking green eyes and long dark hair, she had a presence that was mature beyond her years.

Now, on this, their third sorting ceremony since Dumbledore had died, they were finally going to see who would win that bet over which house their daughter would end up in. Matthew still declared she would be a Ravenclaw. Harry believed that, like Hermione, despite her bookishness, she would still end up a Gryffindor. Snape however, was positive that she would end up a Slytherin after seeing how well she could manipulate Harry when she wanted.
Collectively, Harry and Snape held their breath as Calinda was called forward by Draco, who was now head of Slytherin and also deputy head. Matthew, of course, was not there to see, as he was now a fully fledged Auror and was on assignment. But, he had made them swear to contact him as soon as she was sorted.

Snape felt a hand nudge his - Harry’s. He was instantly thrown back to eleven years previously, when he had tried to touch Harry’s hand and been thoroughly rejected. He could still remember the terror at the thought that their marriage could actually be over. Now, he took great pleasure in entwining his and his husband’s fingers and throwing him a comforting smile. Green eyes looked back at him with love clearly showing. It may not have been a smooth ride since *that* sorting ceremony, but all in all, although heavily tested, they had come out the other side stronger than ever.

Frankly, it didn’t matter to either of them which house she ended up in, it was just that this was the first major step *away* from them, the first of many.

Still, neither of them was as composed as they thought when the hat shouted out:

“Hufflepuff!”

The End