Outside the Potions Classroom

Outside the Potions Classroom




Epilogue



Albus Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class
Headmaster’s Office
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

December 17, 2017

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

I hope this letter finds you well and in good health, and the students of Hogwarts not causing you more grief than necessary. Although I think we both know they are giving you a fair run for your money. I told you I would write and although it is not as soon as I intended, I think you’ll find this letter explains all.

University has been an unbelievable experience. I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to be the recipient of Hogwart’s first scholarship, and I am making the most of my studies. I’ve already opted to take three additional courses, and signed up for Quidditch. I have promised my mother to make school my first priority, but as my father pointed out, I know what I can handle. You know what they are like. My father still thinks I should have concentrated in Potions, but I know he can’t be too disappointed. After all – I’m still alive.

My father’s new patents have come through quite successfully, and I believe he started creating a new teaching text he hopes to have ready for publication by next September. Mum laughs – Dad won’t stop teaching, even in retirement.

Mum is well, and thankfully working less. Now the Director of the Arithmantic Agency, she oversees projects, and then chooses which ones she gets involved in. The other members of the agency are always Flooing the house to get her input – you should see her face when she offers consultations. Uncle Harry laughs at her for still getting so excited about ‘homework’. Dad barely allows it – the members have a tendency to call during dinner – but he knows how happy it makes her.

Did you know Aunt Ginny is going to have a baby? Uncle Harry is ecstatic, although I overheard Dad mention there are risks in having a child so late. I recalled the lecture he gave poor Uncle Harry about getting his act together years ago and marrying her a long time ago. “Dunderhead!” was used consecutive times. Mum and I just rolled our eyes. Sometimes Dad and Uncle Harry can be eerily similar. Dad offered to assist Aunt Ginny in her pregnancy, so she and Uncle Harry are often found at Snape Manor. Dad swears he never expected a Potter to be in his family home; let alone be bringing one into the world. While I know very little of the animosity between the two of them, I know that it has softened considerably because of Mum. I think we can both agree the love of a good woman can change a man.

When people tell me stories about my father, I’ve learned not to be too judgmental. He was different, this I know from what I have heard and what he has said, but I wonder if he realizes the effect Mum has had. I also wonder if he realized the effect you, Sir, had also had.

He has told me about his past, albeit rather reluctantly, and I take strength in the fact you helped guide him away from the darkness. You might not agree, but if you had not been there to help him, I don’t think he would have survived Voldemort’s regime. I also know that while it was difficult, he found an unusual sense of resolution in the role he played as double agent. He did it to atone, and he did it for you, the man that believed in him. Your loyalty and your faith made him stronger, and without them, he would not have persevered. He owes you much, as do I.

I will not pretend my current family situation was not in someway affected by you. I don’t think Mum or Dad realize it, even years later, but I know. It was you who initiated that meeting in your office, and I do recall you were also the one who encouraged me to get them together for a family dinner. It was also you who urged my mother to seek Dad out after it failed, and then for the Halloween dinner. I suppose you must have been tickled pink when you realized Dad had invited us both to Snape Manor for Christmas. Looking back, I bet you didn’t expect that at all. Dad may be accomplished and Mum the most brilliant mind of the age, but how thick were they not to see you pushing them back together? Uncle Harry says that when a butterfly flaps its wings on the opposite side of the world, you know. Thank you, Sir, for playing cupid. I know without your assistance both of those stubborn people I love would never have gotten together.

Speaking of which, ahem, I think I may very well be in love. MAYBE. I’m not too sure yet. Her name is Charlotte Pucey, and she is in my Advanced Hexes and Charms Theory class. Her father went to Hogwarts and was a Slytherin but she attended Beauxbatons like her mother. She came up to me asking if I was really Professor Snape’s son. She had heard many good things about my father (sort of contrary to most people I meet, but I know and respect his ability to be a hard-ass, ahem, excuse the language, but it’s accurate.) She laughed, Professor, and that was all it took. I met the girl I will marry, and that’s it.

I wonder how Mum and Dad will take it. They can’t say I’m too young, because Mum was younger than me when she fell in love with Dad. They can’t dispute the fact I’m in love because they taught me what love is. I think I’ll wait until hols before I tell them though. I still have to convince Charlotte that I’m the only one for her.

But I’m a Snape; we usually get what we want. I’m also a Granger, which means I’m also very stubborn. And I’m also me, and I know I can do anything as long as I work for it. Poor Charlotte doesn’t stand a chance, does she?

I’ll let you know how everything goes. Take care, Professor.

Kindest Regards,


Hadrian Alexander Snape