Sweetest Of All

Severus groaned when the sunlight hit his face. He turned away from the window and wrapped himself around his wife. He felt her scoot back against him and sigh. He kissed the back of her head. “Morning.”

She stretched and turned in his arms. “Morning.” She kissed him gently. “Are you ready for today?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Am I ready to be reminded of how old I’m getting? No. I know that I can’t stop time, but does everything have to remind me?”

Hermione laughed. “Honey, you have gray hair. So do I. Just think of it this way. Two down, one to go.”

Severus chuckled slightly. “Havu fou forgotten that none of our children are living in the Dungeons during the school year?”

She kissed him again. “No, I haven’t forgotten that. You reminded me of that last night in the kitchen, remember?”

He pinned her underneath his body. “Yes I remember Mrs. Snape. That is precisely the reason my body does not want to get up this morning.”

She pressed herself against him. “Professor Snape, I do believe your body has betrayed you. I feel that part of you is ‘up’ even as we speak.”

He raised an eyebrow. “True. What do you think should?”

She turned her head and looked at the clock. “Well, as much as I would like to spend the morning working out your ‘kinks’, we do have a leaving ceremony to attend.”

Severus sighed and let his forehead rest on her shoulder. “Right again. After the feast, I’m bringing you back and having my wicked way with you.”

Hermione laughed and kissed him again. “Wrong again. You forget, after the feast, the school year is at an end. The Dungeons will be alive again. Come on now. Let’s go see our daughter off.”

***

Adrienne looked around the Great Hall. She smiled slightly. It felt like only yesterday that she was a first year at Hogwarts. Now, she was leaving. She looked at all the visitors that had come to the ceremony. There was her older sister and her financé. Her younger brother was sitting at the Slytherin table with his friends. Her Mum and Dad were sitting in their usual spots at the High Table. She smiled at them. Unless you looked closely, they didn’t look that much older. She turned her attention to Headmistress McGonagall.

Minerva McGonagall looked out over the crowd. “Thank you all for joining us this morning as we congratulate these students. For seven years, they have worked to better themselves and to obtain a top grade magical education. I do not wish to take any more of your time. I just wish to say that the teaching staff now, and the teaching staff of the past, are very proud of each and everyone of you seventh years. I will now call each of you to receive your certificate of completion.”

Hermione smiled as she looked out over the crowd. She inclined her head at her oldest daughter, who gave a smile in return. She turned and looked at the Slytherin table only to frown at her son, Severus Jr. Though he was only a second year, he cause the same amount of trouble as any seventh year. He pulled a face and then turned his attention back to the Head Mistress.

Severus squeezed Hermione’s hand as he stood to help confer the certificates. Still dressed in his black frock coat, pants and robe, he cut quite an imposing figure next to the smaller Head Mistress. As each name was called, he offered the certificate to the student and then his hand to welcome them into the adult Wizarding World. Several of them were shocked at this action, but many smiled when they accepted the Potion Master’s sign of respect.

Finally, Minerva reached the name that Severus and Hermione had been waiting for. “Adrienulieuliet Snape, Gryffindor House.”

Adrienne stood and made her way onto the raised dais. She smiled politely at the Head Mistress and then stepped towards her Father. He offered her the certificate which she took, then held his hand out to her. She nodded to him then shook his hand just as all the other students. Then a large grin broke onto her face and she hugged her Father tightly.

With a masked grin, he held the girl to him. The audience chuckled at the sight, but sobered at the expression he sent out to them. He raised an eyebrow at Adrienne and she nodded, then moved back to her seat.

Hermione chuckled at the scene, but then thought back to Emily’s Leaving Ceremony. Albus had still been alive then. It was hard to believe that he was gone. He had stood and called the names of those leaving, while Minerva handed out the certificates.

She smiled as she remembered sitting next to Severus, holding his hand as they waited for their first child’s name to be called. They watched as she stepped up and was welcomed into the adult world.

Emily shook the Head Master’s hand, then Professor McGonagall’s. She bit her lip and looked at her Mother and Father. Then, with a grin, she walked over in front of where they were sitting. She smiled as she looked at them. “Mum, Dad. Thanks. I’m glad I went to Hogwarts.”

Severus nodded his head. “Of course you are Miss Snape. Now please, join your classmates.” He winked quickly at his daughter. Hermione smiled and wiped away her tears as Emily walked away.

Her thoughts were pulled back to the present when Severus took his seat next to her. She smiled at hiipiniping away another tear. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “We could go back to bed...”

She shook her head. “Severus, you’re the Deputy Head Master. What would the guests think?”

He shrugged. “Do you think I care? You are still a beautiful woman and I have every right to be with you.”

Hermione shook her head again. “We have to stay for the Feast. Besides, I want to speak with Emily and Nathan.”

Severus sighed and kissed her cheek. “You’re right. Fine, but after the children are asleep...” He raised one eyebrow at her. She blushed slightly, but nodded.

***

After the Feast and the send off of the students, Severus and Hermione walked back to their chambers. They heard the commotion even before they reached the door.

Hermione stopped and grabbed his arm. “We don’t have to go in now, do we?”

He gave her one of his smiles. “According to you my dear, we do. Now, come along.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her along with him. She laughed as she was pulled into their room.

***

Severus Jr. or Russ as he wanted to be called, was arguing with Adrienne. Emily was trying to make them stop, while Nathan sat and watched in amusement. Severus shook his head at the sight and cleared his throat. “Would anyone like to explain themselves?”

The noise stopped almost immediately and hisldreldren looked at him. Then, the noise started again as everyone tried to explain. He held up a hand. “No, please. I want to spend a nice evening with my whole family before Emily and Nathan leave.” He walked over and pulled the daughter in question into a hug. “How are you Em?”

Emily laughed at the nickname. “I’m fine Dad. The job is great too.”

Hermione shook her head as she made Russ stop bothering Adrienne. “I still think you could have done much more with your life than working for the Ministry.”

Emily rolled her eyes. “Mum, we go through this every time I visit. My job is wonderful. I just got a raise and I couldn’t be happier.”

Severus sat down beside Hermione. “Very good. Nathan, what of your job?”

Nathan cleared his throat. “Well sir, being a Auror is about the same. Mostly I’ve been hunting down witches and wizards enchanting muggle items. It’s nothing like before The Dark Lord was vanquished.” HermHermione held Severus’ hand tightly. “And that’s a very good thing too. Well, Adrienne, how does it feel to be a Hogwarts Graduate?”

Adrienne smiled. “It’s top notch! Mum, Dad, may I ask you both a question?” Severus nodded. She thought for a moment and then looked up at them. “For the past year, you both have been asking me what I was going to do after Hogwarts.” She took another breath. “I’ve already decided that I’m going on to Uni, but this summer, I want to do something different.” She licked her lips and smiled. “I want to live in the Muggle world.”

Severus looked at Hermione and raised an eyebrow. She smiled, then turned back to Adrienne. “Well, tell us your plan.”

The girl smiled. “I thought that maybe I could go live with Grandmum. That way, I wouldn’t be out of touch with you, but I could still live as a Muggle.”

Hermione smiled. “What did Mum say?”

Adrienne grinned. “She was all for it. She said it would be nice to have me there, and think of it this way Mum, I could help take care of her so you wouldn’t worry.”

Severus smiled. “It appears you have all this worked out. Let your Mother and I discuss this.” Adrienne nodded and smiled at him.

Russ piped up. “Mum, Dad. Roger wanted me to ask if I could spend a few weeks with him this summer. Please? Please? I really want to go and I promise that I won’t be a terror. Please?”

Hermione laughed. “Russ, do Roger’s parents know that he ask you?”

Russ looked at the ground. “Well, he’s going to ask them when he gets home, but I know they won’t mind. Please?”

She leaned over and kissed his head. “I’ll Floo them and talk with them tomorrow.”

Emily stood and pulled Nathan to his feet. “I have an early day tomorrow. We’re going to leave.”

Hermione stood and hugged her oldest daughter. “Send me an owl and we’ll plan a day to go shopping for your wedding robes.” Emily nodded and hugged her Mother tightly.

Severus stood and shook Nathan’s hand. “Nice to see you again.” He pulled Emily into a hug and kissed her forehead. “Love you Em.”

She hugged him tightly. “Love you too Dad. You and Mum. Come visit.” She kissed his cheek and turned to Adrienne. “Congrats Sis. Welcome to the real world.” She hugged her younger sister and then looked at her brother. “Bye Squirt.” Russ frowned and playfully attacked his sister. She laughed as she pushed him back onto the couch.

With a last wave to everyone, she and Nathan floo’ed to the Three Broomsticks so they could apperate home.

***

Adrienne smiled and stood up. “I’m going to go find a book and go up to the Astronomy Tower to read for a while.” She smiled as she left the room.

Russ sighed. “I’ll be in my room.”

Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione. “Well, what about Adrienne?”

She snuggled close to him. “I don’t see a problem with it. It would be nice to have someone living with Mum. She’s to stubborn to move to Hogsmeade so I can look after her.”

He kissed the top of her head. “You take after your Mother. How about Russ? Do we send him to Mr. Picard’s?”

She nodded. “If his parents are in agreement.” She looked up at him. “Do you know what that means?” He looked at her and saw the grin. “At some point in this summer, we’ll be alone again.”

Severus grinned. “Alone again with my wife. Whatever will we do to fill the time?”

Hermione grinned and moved to straddle her husband’s lap. “Well, I’m sure there is a potion or two that needs our attention.”

He held onto her hips and kissed her deeply. He broke away and leaned his forehead against hers. “I believe that you have a vial that I need to stopper.” She laughed as he lifted her up and carried her into their room.

***

Russ joined his sister on the Astronomy Tower. She raised an eyebrow at him. He just shook his head. “Mum and Dad.”

She rolled her eyes. “I told the Fat Lady that I might be back tonight. You want to sleep in the Common Room and let them have some privacy?”

He nodded. “Do you think that’ll ever stop?”

She shook her head as she went back to her book. “Russ, true love never stops. Ever.”
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A/N: Title comes from Dr. Hook\'s album: Dr. Hook, The First Album. Thanks to all who have reviewed. Two chapters to go!