Snape's Room in the Basement

~~~~~~~Seventeen Years Later~~~~~~~~~~

"Let me hold her."

"No."

"What do you mean 'No'" Ron demanded.

"It's a simple enough word Mr. Weasley. It is used to express negation, denial or refusal. As in, I refuse to allow you to hold my beautiful daughter."

"But she's my niece." He argued. "Look I held my own children and they came out alright."

"That is a matter of opinion."

"Ginny." Ron sighed as his sister approached. "He won't let me hold Grace."

"Oh Severus." Ginny laughed, standing on her tiptoes to kiss her husband on the cheek. "You can't hold her all the time. You'll spoil her rotten."

Severus' response was drowned out by the sound of shouts and pounding feet. Harry Potter's youngest son Albus raced by with Harry in close pursuit.

"Do not put that in your mouth Albus." He shouted loudly.

"Oh dear." Ginny laughed. "What's happened this time?"

"The twins have given Albus a piece of candy." Luna said, watching as Harry grabbed the young boy up and pulled the item from his hand.

"It's your turn." Ginny said to Severus, holding her arms out for the infant.

"Very well." He sighed, passing the infant to his wife. "Fred, Obidiah Snape come here this instant." He roared.

Two tall gangly teenagers froze in their tracks. One red haired and one black turned to face their father. Harry and Luna approached with Albus in tow.

"What is the rule?" Harry asked his small son.

"Don't eat anything the twins give me without showing it to you first." Albus said staring at his feet. "They said it was just a sweet." Albus said morosely.

"And what is it really?" Severus glared at his sons.

"A Rainbow Drop." Obi muttered staring at his feet.

"And what does it do?" Harry asked.

"It's supposed to turn all of his hair rainbow colored." Fred struggled to keep the smile off of his face.

"Well that might be pretty." Luna said softly.

"Rainbow colored hair Albus? Do you really want to start your first day at Hogwarts with rainbow colored hair?" Harry asked.

Albus shook his head 'No'.

"Fine. Off you go and try to stay out of trouble." Harry said, turning to face the twins.

"Where did you get this?" Severus demanded.

"Uncle George." They answered in unison.

"Figures." Harry muttered.

"We're sorry Uncle Harry." The twins said, "We won't do it again."

"I've heard that before. Just go." Severus said, waving them away wearily.

"Lunch is ready." Molly Weasley called loudly from the large table.

Children ran from various parts of the yard to line up and pile their plates high with food.

"So are you excited about starting Hogwarts Albus?" Ginny asked when they had all settled at the table. Molly Weasley was in a rocking chair happily feeding her newest granddaughter.

"I guess." Albus said, pushing his food around on the plate.

"You don't sound very excited." Hermione said, handing her daughter Rose and her son, Hugo each a napkin.

"He's worried about the sorting." James, Harry and Luna's oldest son offered helpfully. "Afraid he might end up in Slytherin."

"What's wrong with Slytherin?" Obi demanded. "I'm in Slytherin and Dad's the Head of House."

"I want to be in Gryffindor like Dad and James." The small boy pouted.

"Fred and I are in different houses and we do okay." Fifteen year old Obi said wisely. "I'll make a deal with you Albus." He placed his arm around the small boy. "If you are lucky enough to end up in Slytherin I will personally watch out for you."

"Would you really." Albus asked, his face brightening.

"And I'll watch out for you if you're in Gryffindor." Fred added.

"It would be nice if at least one of my children could end up in Ravenclaw." Luna whispered to no one in particular.

"I'll be in Wavencaw, Mummy." Three year old Lily said, climbing into her mother's lap.

"Thank you Lily." Luna said, kissing her on the side of the head.

Ginny helped Molly, Luna and Hermione clear away the dishes. She watched as assorted children tore around the yard screaming and laughing. Glancing around she saw her husband, sitting under a tree, a bemused expression on his face.

"Where is Grace?" He asked as she approached him.

"George has her. He's transfigured her sleeper to look like a monkey."

"And you're quite sure he isn't going to transfigure her in to an actual monkey?"

"Yes. I'm quite sure Darling." Ginny said, settling herself on her husband's lap and wrapping her arms around his neck. "I am sorry Severus." She said softly, kissing his cheek.

"Sorry? For what?"

"All those years ago, all you wanted was a nice peaceful wank and look at the chaos I've gotten you into." She gazed around the yard, filled to the brim with family and friends.

"Ahhhhh. That." He said smirking. "I'll let you in on a little secret. I didn't start wanking until I heard you moving around in the kitchen."

"What?" Ginny looked at him surprised.

"It's true." He said, nuzzling her neck gently. "I saw how you looked at me in the bathroom. I knew you wanted me. When I heard you fretting and pacing around in the kitchen I imagined you all frustrated and horny and it excited me."

"And you needed a wank." Ginny finished for him. "Oh my, such a perverted man you are." She laughed. "Gods don't ever let my Mum hear this. It was hard enough keeping her from killing you when she found out about us."

"How fortunate for me she already thought I was dead."

"How fortunate for me you weren't really dead." Ginny said, kissing him tenderly on the lips. "You make me so happy Severus. I love you so much."

The sound of a wailing infant interrupted the moment.

"Is that my beautiful daughter making that ghastly noise?" Severus said, looking around the yard.

"I do believe it is." Ginny said standing up and turning to walk away. Severus caught her arm and pulled her back.

"You sit. I'll take care of her."

"Thanks." Ginny said, settling herself into the empty chair.

"No Ginny." He said staring down at her seriously. "Thank you for saving me, for loving me."

"Oh hush." Ginny said, blushing. "We saved each other. Now go take care of our daughter."

And they lived happily ever after...THE END!