Disclaimer: Were I smart enough and talented enough…yet, I am not. The characters you are about to read belong to J.K. Rowling, the Omnipotent One of Potterverse.

By the choices and acts of our lives, we create the person that we are and the faces that we wear. By the choices and acts of our lives, we give to the world wherein our lives are lived, hoping that our neighbors will find our contributions to be of worth, and hoping that the world will be a little more gracious for our time in it – Kenneth Patton

The Second Epilogue

Waking early, Severus rolled onto his side and gazed upon the woman who lay beside him. These twenty years had been kinder to her than they had been to him. Again in the mirror was he able to see the man he had become before, but this time with a bit more flesh, a bit more color. Yet, never an attractive man by most standards, each new line that appeared on his once transformed youthful face was a new confirmation that he would never be able to turn a woman's head on sheer appearance alone. Good thing he would never have to try, for his Hermione loved him as he loved her.

He lay there as he often did and just marveled at his life as he listened to the sounds of the household waking up. There was a time when he was the first one up, the first to begin the day, but now each day was so precious and he did not waste a moment that could be spent with her, even if she was asleep.

The sound of those who roused themselves within in the house, however, was drawing his attention this morning. Today was the day that his only daughter was to wed. So many had come to bear witness to the nuptials and many had been offered quarters within his home.

Rolling away from Hermione now, he pulled the covers back to head to the bathroom and shower.

"Where do you think you are going?" Hermione asked in a sleepy voice behind him.

Turning around, he gave her a hesitant smile, "To frilly myself up for Helluin's big day."

Hermione was about to answer when suddenly their bedroom door flew open and in ran two teen boys; twins with cinnamon eyes and long raven hair that curled wildly about their heads.

One pounced upon their bed while the other stood with his arms across his chest, looking sullen as he said, "Remus spilled his grape juice all over my good robes, Mother. Now I've nothing to wear today."

The boy upon the bed gave an angelic grin and said, "Well, I offered to use a cleansing charm, but Albus insists that it will ruin the material."

Rolling out of bed, Hermione said, "Albus, bring me the robes, I will take care of it. Remus," she sighed and shook her head, "Stop aggravating your brother. Where's your sister?"

"Downstairs having some sort of breakdown," Albus chimed in, "Really, it's just a wedding. I don't see what the big deal is."

Hermione looked to Severus, who smiled indulgently and grabbed his robe off the back of the vanity table's chair, "I will go see what is the matter."

Walking out the door, one of his son's quickly joined him, "Uncle Remus and Uncle Sirius are bickering again in the kitchen. Aunt Sophia made some tea. Soffy's at her limit, I think. How old is she anyway?"

"I have no idea, Remus," Severus answered irritably. This was going to be a long day. Making his way down the staircase, a herd of children passed by him with an occasional muttered 'excuse me' and one daring 'watch it!' but from which little heathen it came from he did not know. He mused how there was a time when children would quake in his presence, but that time was long past. Regrettable, perhaps, for intimidation would be such a useful tool today.

Opening the kitchen door, he was dumbstruck by the amount of commotion. The Weasleys had all arrived as well as the Potters, and the male heads of their households were at the table visiting with Remus and Sirius while the wives were all up on their feet worrying over dishes, decorations, and children run amok.

"Good morning, all," Severus said into the loud din of the room, "Where is Helluin?"

Several hands rose and fingers pointed toward the back door.

Turning to his son, Severus said, "Help with what you can," then pulling his son close, he bent his head to whisper to where only his son could hear, "And if I catch you snogging Miss Potter in the closet again, I will have your hide, son."

Remus gave him a sheepish grin then said, "Don't worry, Father," then he walked off happily, almost strutting to Severus' eye, before he called over his shoulder as he exited the kitchen, "You won't catch us."

Ironic, really, considering all that had happened in their parent's youths, that their children should bridge the gaps to mend the pains. True, his sons were only sixteen, and Miss Lily Potter, the daughter of Harry and Ginny Weasley, was only fifteen, but their attachment had formed in their childhood, being nearly inseparable since their introduction, and being separated into different houses did nothing to hinder their friendship. They were an odd match, his son the rowdy Gryffindor and Harry's daughter the logical Ravenclaw, but it worked somehow.

Albus, too, had sorted to Ravenclaw, but his eye was firmly fixed upon Ron and Luna Weasley's daughter Imogen, named for Luna's mother. She had sorted into Slytherin, and needless to say Severus liked her. She was clever and resourceful, and a highly dedicated student.

His daughter's pick in marriage, however, was one that he could not help but question. They were so dissimilar. Sighing to himself, he stepped out the backdoor to find his daughter sitting on the back stoop, gazing out into the morning pinks and yellows of the rising sun.

"What is the matter, my sweet?" Severus asked, taking a seat beside her.

Looking over to him, she leaned against his shoulder suddenly in a fashion she had not for a long time, her independent nature forsaken for the childish need for assurance, "Just nerves, I think, Papa."

The use of that endearment had also not been used for many moons. It touched him deeply to hear it again. So much he missed the little girl who used to curl up in his lap, begging him to read whatever book she had dragged out of his study.

"You know that I am beside you, Helluin, no matter your choice," Severus said quietly, "If you are no longer sure..."

"Oh, I am sure," Helluin said quickly, "I love him. He is the dearest man I have ever known. You...don't you like him, Papa?"

"Of course I do," Severus answered honestly, "But this is a forever decision. I had thought there might be more you would want to do before deciding on marriage."

"Whatever there is left to do, I shall do it with him," Helluin said resolutely, "I know that he will make me happy. He already makes me happy, as I do him."

"Very well," Severus replied, "So, many of the guests are already here and the big moment is just hours away. Perhaps you should be getting upstairs to get yourself ready. No doubt your mother is more nervous than you are."

Letting out a snort of amusement, Helluin pulled back and gave him a large grin, "Thank goodness I am not as high strung as Mother. I am glad I inherited your calm demeanor."

Oh, if you only knew how much your mother has changed me, Severus though wryly.

The moment had come. All the guests were downstairs in the backyard, the groom a nervous wreck at the end of the aisle, being comforted by his best man. Looking out the window of his daughter's room at the dozens of guests, Severus marveled again at how many people were a part of his life.

Turning to Helluin, he took in how beautiful she was and was again so grateful that his children did not inherit is hawkish features. Her gown a glittering white, but simply done with satin and just a trace of lace at the neckline and cuffs. Foregoing the veil, she wanted instead a wreath of real flowers upon her head. She was so fond of plants, her room was nearly a jungle, great vines she had carefully over the years prompted to spread across her canopied bed, down the posts.

"You look handsome today, Father," Helluin observed, "You look better in burgundy than that stark black you always wear."

"Well, how Minerva would gloat should I wear a color so similar to herhouse's," Severus returned, "And black is timeless, did you not know? I shall always be in fashion."

Snickering at him, Helluin said, "Oh, Father. You've never cared what is fashionable."

Shrugging his shoulders, Severus stepped up to her and said, "Perhaps not," then took her arm and gestured toward the door, "Are you ready?"

Chewing on her lower lip, it so reminded him of Hermione, "I imagine so. There's no reason to stall, after all."

Helluin's uncertainty was endearing, for this daughter of his was always so opinionated and headstrong. Usually she did not seek another's opinion, having the conviction that she needed no one's approval but her own.

Walking down the stairs, they heard the wedding march begin outside, and Helluin took a deep breath, then gave him a brilliant smile that melted his heart. Reaching to back door to make their exit from the house and the entrance to her new life, she suddenly hugged him tightly, whispering, "I love you, Papa."

"As I love you, my sweet," Severus returned into her mass of ebony hair.

Pulling back, he lifted a hand and wiped at the tears that had started to slide down her cheek, then she returned the favor in kind upon his.

Straightening up, she tucked her arm within his own again and locked her gaze on the wood grain of the closed door, "Let's go, then."

Swinging the door open, the wedding march grew louder, and they descended the stairs to the aisle and began to walk down it, smiling at their guests as they passed.

Reaching the groom at the end, Severus pulled his arm from Helluin's and handed her over to the man he'd known so many years, "Take care of her," he whispered.

Face paling slightly, he got a, "Yes, sir. I plan to," and a nudge in the ribs from Helluin.

Backing away, he smiled at them both, then turned and took his place beside Hermione, who was crying freely. Entwining his fingers with hers, he smiled warmly at her, and leaned his head sideways atop hers in comfort.

The bride and groom now focused on the minister as he said the opening words, all the while Hermione continued to lift a handkerchief to her face. Severus knew she was not grieving, but happy. He, too, grudgingly admitted that he was happy for them both.

The opening words done, the minister now offered for anyone to speak against the union, which no one did. There would have been hell to pay if there had been, as far as Severus was concerned.

"Very well," The minister said, returning his attention to the couple, "Do you, Neville Longbottom, take this woman..."

THE END

I think. :-)

Well, I am still working on Road, but I have an idea for another time travel fic that I may be starting after the holidays are done. Thank you all so much for reading!