Epilogue: New Beginnings

In the years that followed Harry’s last meeting with his father, Hogwarts was rebuilt, Harry became an auror, married Ginny, and had children. When the second was born, he and Ginny made a very long journey that was made all the longer as they accompanied a one-year old and a newborn.

They arrived at the International Portkey Station where they were met by a tall wizard with black hair and who looked only vaguely familiar. Only a few words were exchanged by them all until they arrived at the wizard’s house. After the wizard got everyone settled in his living room, he chanted the words that cancelled the glamour spell on him.

Harry smiled. “That’s much better, Dad,” he said.

Snape hmphed unhappily and rolled his eyes, but Harry saw the ghost of a smile on his face, and he looked triumphant. Ginny simply watched the reunion with amusement. Then Snape stepped forward and approached the baby in Ginny’s arms. “May I?” he asked softly.

Ginny smiled at him and handed the bundle over. “Of course, sir,” she replied. “He doesn’t mind being held by people he doesn’t know,” she went on, “so he should be all right.”

Snape took the baby and sat down in his chair. Harry could see the awe that he tried to keep hidden. He swallowed, suddenly nervous. “Would you like to know what we named him?” he asked.

Snape frowned at his son. “Of course,” he said.

Harry paused and Ginny had to poke him. “Go on!” she hissed at him.

He nodded. “Erm, his first name is Albus,” he said. Snape nodded, clearly expecting more. Harry went on. “And his full name is, um, AlbusSeverusPotter.”

Snape frowned as he tried to make sense of what Harry had said, but it didn’t take long. Harry had never seen Snape’s jaw fall open like that. “You named him what?” he said hoarsely.

Ginny took over at that point, and she did so as she gave her husband an exasperated, but fond, look. “We named him after you, Professor,” she said.

Snape looked at her indignantly. “I did figure that out, Ginevra,” he said.

Ginny rolled her eyes and made to answer, but Harry cut in. “Someday he’s going to ask,” Harry said, “and when he does, I’m going to tell him that I named him after two headmasters of Hogwarts, one of which was the bravest man I ever knew.”

That time, Snape really did smile.

---

Author's Notes: Finally, the end. Thank you to everyone who left me lovely, encouraging reviews, and especially to all those who left notes on the original version of this story encouraging me to continue. I hope you found it all satisfactory. I had never really been planning on having a long story that ended with the final battle and all that, and instead had planned on just bringing their relationship to a resolution.