I Will Always Find You

AN: Sorry about the wait you guys, I was sick and my computer is being a total shit. Well, it's been a long road; but we're finally here, The End. Some thanks are in order and I would be remisced if I didn't express them. Sunflower, thank you so much for your hard work fixing my mess-ups, and for your wonderful advice. Kisses!! Secondly, thank you to everyone who read and a HUGE thank you to everyone who deemed my story worthy enough for a review. I can't believe I came this far and only got one flame!! I want to thank her too for keeping me real, and making me work harder. Everyone else, I just can't thank you enough for your kind words, encouragement and corrections. I'm so lucky to have such wonderful readers. Bless you all. (AND, if I missed anybody out on review responses, I prostrate myself at your feet and beg forgiveness. I love you all!!) Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. If I did I'd be in the Carribean sucking down rum right now. LOL Reviewers: fairerose: Well done. I think it's closer to full of love, and I'm sure it's very bad Latin; (LOL) but I couldn't find the literal translation. What the hell? it's a spell right? LOL Thank you for reviewing darling!! JTBJAB: You'll find out who it was in this chapter. Very good. I was going for full of love, or fill with love; but I got tired of looking for the translation, so I improvised. I figure hey, it's a spell, it needs to be simple. LOL I wanted to thank you for sticking with my story for so long. You've been here since the beginning and that means a lot to me. Kisses!! Cristie: Don't worry, I think I've outdone myself for fluff in this chapter. LOL I'm not so sure about the lemon; but I might be able to squeeze a bit in there. (No pun intended. ROFL) Harry's parents, as you may remember, came out of his wand in the fouth book, so they were already gone. It wasn't them; but that is an interesting idea about Neville's parents. Don't be too hasty reserving that bed dear. LOL angel: Close, it means something akin to full of love or to fill with love. Nope, not Cedric and not Harry's parents either. They came out of the wand in the fourth book, so their essences are already gone. Yes, Snape was a bad boy. Maybe I'll think up a nice little punishment for him. LOL slytheringryffindor21: I'm very glad you liked it. I was kinda agonizing over that chapter, which is part of the reason it took me so long to update it. So it makes me happy that you all liked it. Christy: Very good on the translation. No, Bellatrix killed Sirius remember? But you are so agonizingly close!!! lydia: I'm glad you liked it, and you'll find out the answer to your question in this chapter. I Don't Really Like You: Valid points; but I was going for abstract there. Voldemort only wanted Harry and Dumbledore. Severus and he were only walking through because he wanted to save his energy for the fight against the two people he percieved as the worst threats. Severus was supposed to lead him there as fast as possible. I used the room of reqirement because they could make it into anything that they wanted or needed and it would also protect anyone outside of it from being harmed by a spell or hex cast from inside. Maybe I should have explained that a little better; but I was hoping that everyone would understand why I did those things. I appreciate you telling me what you didn't like in a nice way. So many people just say "you suck" or whatever, and leave it at that. I'm glad you took the time to point out what you didn't like. Siobahn: I know I took forever with this; but it's been hectic around here. I'm glad you liked the past few chapters and I really hope you like this one. Thank you so much for reviewing!! Epilogue "Hermione, wake up," someone was whispering. She opened her eyes and blinked rapidly, looking up at the form of her lover. "What is it?" "Poppy says I can go now." He offered her a hand in getting up. "Oh. Okay. Are we going back to your quarters?" "I was thinking we could go to my home." He was looking at her hopefully. She smiled. "That sounds lovely." Half an hour later they arrived at the apparition point and Severus hugged Hermione tightly while they apparated to his house. It was outside of London in the countryside. Hermione looked around the darkened grounds while Severus led her inside. She was mildly surprised when they went in. It was a large house, just large enough for one to expect it to be filled with uncomfortable victorian furniture and horrible overdone artwork; but it was very cozy and tastefully decorated as far as she could tell. Severus was gauging her reaction and saw the appreciation in her eyes. "You like it?" "Very much. It's beautifully done. Did you decorate this yourself?" "No, I outlined what I wanted for the house elves and they did it. I'm not big on decorating." "You have house elves?" "Yes, now where are they? Dib? Bale?" "Yes master, we is here." "There you are, you two. This is Hermione. She's probably going to be here a lot from now on and I want you two to help her out if she needs it." "Yes sir! We is happy to help the lady." They bowed to Hermione. "Allright you two, go on and play your chess game, I know you're dying to get back to it." Severus shooed them away like naughty children. Hermione giggled. "What?" "Oh nothing. I was just thinking how well you treat those two, any elf would be happy to work for you." Severus shrugged. "They're intelligent beings with powerful magic. I forbid them to punish themselves, and they do thier best to make sure my house is in tip top shape. Now, enough about house elves." And he swept Hermione into his arms and carried her to his bedroom. The next day, they got up to face what was coming. The funeral for those that had died was to be held that day. Hagrid's brother Grawp had been killed and so had Professor Flitwick and Professor Trelawney. Among the students Justin Flinch-Fletchly, Hannah Abott, Dean Thomas, MIllicent Bulstrode, Terry Boot and Ernie MacMillan all had died. Mad Eye Moody had succumbed to his injuries after the battle.They had lost a few Aurors as well. Professor McGonagall was in St. Mungos for a few days recovering from a hex and Remus Lupin was there as well. He'd been hit with two conflicting hexes and they were trying to work out how to cure him. Severus and Hermione were both silent as they prepared themselves for the day. When they were both ready they apparated to Hogwarts grounds. There were so many people around that it was hard to get through the halls of the castle. They finally made it into the great hall and met with Dumbledore, who was greeting people. "Severus, Hermione, thank you both for being here." "We wouldn't have missed it," Severus replied shking Albus' hand. Hermione took it next and looked up into his face. He smiled down at her and she smiled back. "Thank you, sir." "Not at all Hermione." "Is there anything that Fawkes likes especially? I'd love to thank him as well." "He is fond of lemon drops." Hermione laughed softly and promised to deliver a bag. Harry was next and Hermione hugged him after he and Severus stiffly shook hands. "Hermione, I'd like to talk to you and Ron after the ceremony." "Of course, Harry. Have you spoken to Ron?" Harry looked uncomfortable. "Ron's coming with his family. Hermione, you should know...." "What?" "Percy's dead. He was a death eater." Hermione gasped, putting a hand over her mouth. "Oh my!" "Near as anyone can figure he was forced into it. I just thought you should know before they get here." "Thanks Harry." Hermione moved on and numbly shook hands with the next person in line. The parents of the deceased students were there, some looking grim and angry, others lookng lost and scared and yet others just full of grief. Hermione and Severus greeted them all and offered their condolences. After a solemn lunch the ceremony began with Dumbledore presiding. There was complete silence as he began to speak. "I know that many of you here today do not fully understand what took place here five days ago. I will do my best to explain everything. "Lord Voldemort as most of you know him, came into this school with his followers, the death eaters and launched an attack. We were aware of his movements thanks to Professor Severus Snape, who was working undercover. "The death eaters and Voldemort apparated into Hogwarts after the wards were lowered and we were waiting for them. "Mr. Harry Potter, Miss Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasely and myself were in a secret room in the castle awaiting Voldemort. Professor Snape met Voldemort downstairs and took him to the room. The students who remained here fought the death eaters alongside many Ministry Aurors in the meantime. "When Professor Snape adn Voldemort entered the room, he and Mr. Potter faced off immediatly. Not many people were aware of the fact that thier wands were brothers. They shared a core of Phoenix feathers from the same Phoenix. "When two such wands are pitted against one another, they react very strangely. The two cores join and try to force the other to prefrom priori incantatum. Mr. Potter and Voldemort fought for nearly ten minuets before Mr Potter's wand overcame Voldemort's. When it did, Harry performed ancient magic and destroyed Voldemort forever. "When Mr. Potter killed Voldemort, all of his true followers died with him. And I have here today the remains of Lord Voldemort." Dumbledore produced a small urn and placed it on the podium he was standing behind. "This, my friends is all that remains of Tom Riddle, or Lord Voldemort." He waited until the exclamatioins died down. "It saddens me greatly that we lost so many lives in this fight. I will speak of them all in turn." For the next hour and a half Dumbledore spoke of those who had perished in the battle. When he got to Grawp, Hagrid began howling like a madman and had to be taken to the hospital wing. Hermione held tight to Severus' hand as tears rolled down her cheeks. Severus glanced down at her and then gently wiped the tears off of her cheeks. She looked up at him and smiled, though her lips trembled while she did. When Dumbledore finished speaking he asked that everyone follow him outside. The large procession stopped at the edge of the forbidden forest. The bodies of the dead lay on large ornate marble tables. They were each covered in a white silk sheet Dumbledore faced the assembly. "Today we are here to mourn these brave and selfless people who gave thier lives to defend others. We will remember and honor them." Fawkes burst into the air above them and let out a mournful cry. As he did, each of the stone tables became a tomb. There were various noises of grief and awe as this happened. The ceremony was over. Dumbledore led the procession back inside the castle and they re-entered the great hall. Tables were set out with food and people stood or sat and talked in hushed voices. Hermione saw Ron, who was sitting with the rest of the Weasely's silentlly. She saw the twins and thought that she had never seen them so solemn. She told Severus she was going to talk to them and made her way over. "Mr. and Mrs. Weasely, she said when she reached the table. "I'm so sorry." Molly was crying and Arthur was struggling not to. They both thanked Hermione and Molly gave her a hard hug. "I'll always consider you like one of my children Hermione. You're welcome at the burrow anytime,"Molly sobbed. "Thank you," Hermione was crying by the time Arthur took her hands in his and kissed her cheek. She went along the line of Weaselys, giving and recieving hugs until she got to Ron and Ginny. "Oh you guys," was all she could say before she and GInny both burst into tears and they all hugged. When they calmed Hermione told them that Harry had wanted to talk and they set off to find him. They found him surrounded by people and had to wait a long time before they could talk to him. He looked around and then led them to a seculded corner. "I wanted to thank you guys. I could never have come this far without you." "What are friends for?" asked Ron, smiling for the first time since Hermione had seen him. Something occurred to Hermoine and she turned to Harry. "Harry, when you were fighting Voldemort, who came out of his wand and spoke to you?" Harry's eyes widened. "I'd forgotten. It was Regulus Black!" "No! I thought he was a death eater," Ron whispered loudly. "He was; but Sirius told me that he tried to run and was found dead two days later." "What did he say?" "He told me to use my love." Hermione smiled widely. "Come on," said Harry, "I think we should go and see how Hagrid is doing." She and Severus stayed at Hogwarts that night. The next day, Severus said he had some errands to run and told her she was welcome to peruse his library. She spent about an hour agonizing over which book to choose. When she finally had, she curled up in a comfy chair and began to read. She was so engrossed in the book she didn't hear Severus return, and didn't even hear him come up to her. She jumped when he touched her arm gently. "Oh! You scared me." She put a hand over her heart. "Sorry," he replied softly. "Come, I have a surprise for you." He led her into his sitting room which he'd arranged exactly like he had the night they had made love for the first time. She smiled and turned to kiss him. He let her, and the kiss was just beginning to get heated when he broke away from her gently. "Let's eat. I know you didn't stop reading that book long enough to have a bite." She smiled sheepishly, and allowed Severus to lead her to the table and seat her. He kissed her hand and she looked up at him in sudden suspicion. "What's going on?" "What gives you the idea something is going on, my dear?" "You're up to something and I know it." He smiled down at her with his deep dark eyes and she gulped reflexively. He chuckled and moved to his own seat. She scowled. "I hate it when you do that." "No you don't." Hermione sighed, and Severus laughed and snapped his fingers. Food appeared on the table and Severus filled Hermione's plate. "What are you up to?" "Why nothing, my sweet. Now eat. You need to, you look pale." She sighed, knowing that she would get nothing from him until he was ready to give, and began to eat her food. She suffered through dinner, wondering just what he had planned and finally when dessert arrived she had her answer. Severus snapped his fingers once again and a large chocolate covered strawberry appeared on her plate. There was a large diamond ring sitting on top of it. She gasped, and Severus got up to kneel before her. He took her hand. "Will you marry me?" ~' Three years later... "It's time to get out of bed, Mrs. Snape." "Don' wanna teach those morons today," Hermione mumbled from under her pillow. Severus considered splashing her with a bit of water from his wand; but didn't feel like spending the rest of his day as a pink badger like last time. He settled for tickling her unmercifully until she submitted and got out of bed. Giving him a nasty look, she tromped into the bathroom. "I'll be in the Great Hall, sweet," he called after her. "Coward." "When it comes to you in the morning, dear...yes I am." He swept out of their rooms and walked down the hall chuckling. He was now Headmaster of the school. Albus had felt that he'd had enough and had retired. As far as Severus knew, the old coot was having the time of his life in the south of France. Hermione had aquired her degree in the spring and was now the Transfiguration professor, as well as the head of Gryffindor since Professor McGonagall had decided to retire. Things had changed a lot; but they were happy and the wizarding world was recovering nicely. The staff was mostly new; but he'd brought back Remus Lupin to be the D.A.D.A. professor. They'd come to an understanding with each other and were tentative friends. Severus was quite well liked now. He found he had a better tolerance for the students when he didn't have to teach them. He found it was easier to be fair when you weren't in near constant company of those in trouble. The hall was nearly empty when he got there, only Remus was there, sipping on a bit of water and looking uncomfortable. Severus remembered it was getting closer to the full moon. "You'll need the potion soon." "Yes," was Remus' tired reply. "I'll begin brewing tonight." "Thank you." The two men sat in silence until the hall began to fill with students looking bright eyed and bushy tailed. "To be that young again," Remus sighed. "Hermione and I are making progress. We'll cure you, Remus." "I can't begin to thank you for the work you teo are doing." "Don't try. It'll be worth it not to have to make the wolfsbane anymore." Remus chuckled. Hermione bustled in, looking a tad grumpy. She took her seat next to Severus and gave him a scowl. He laughed and turned to watch the hall fill up. They had so many students this year. It did him good to see the the wizarding world was thriving once again. Once everyone was present and seated he raised his hands and the tables filled with food. He watched the children for a moment before turning to Hermione, who had taken his hand. She was smiling at him now. "What?" "We'll have one of our own soon." He smiled and discreetly moved thier hands over her slightly bulging stomach were thier child was growing. ~FIN~ AN: I'm kind of sad to end this; but I have other stories in the works and one needing to be finished, so adeiu for now, and I hope you all had as much fun as I did!