[Epilogue - The New Beginnings]

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Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly for the Snape-Blackwell clan. The morning of the first of September brought another change to the family, for Primrose, not baby Primrose, was starting Hogwarts. Eleven years had seemed to fly by for Genevieve, and now as she stood making breakfast that morning, she couldn't get over how much her daughter had grown. Luscious black hair cascaded down her back, just like her father, but when she smiled, she had Calista's smile. She was proud to say that those years had been the best of her life.

The house was unusually quiet that morning. It was just Genevieve and Primrose for the time being as Severus had one last errand to run before it was time to leave.

"Primrose, darling! Breakfast is ready!" Genevieve called up the stairs.

That was another thing that changed. Just as Primrose was coming up to her fourth birthday, the pair realised that maybe it was time to purchase a house of their own. And so they did, picking out the perfect thatched house, a half-mile from Godric's Hollow. Professor Dumbledore had said it was a wonderful place to live, and Genevieve couldn't have agreed more.

"Coming, Mum!" the younger witch yelled, entering the kitchen with a slump.

Noticing her odd behaviour, Genevieve put breakfast on hold and turned around to her daughter," Everything alright?"

Primrose was frozen in her spot, staring blankly at her shoes and fidgeting with her bracelets. Knowing exactly what was wrong, Genevieve sighed under her breath before walking toward her daughter, offering her a little smile.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?"  she asked gently, putting a hand on her daughter's arm.

"What if – what if I'm not in Ravenclaw or Slytherin like you and Dad?" Primrose replied anxiously.

Genevieve couldn't help but smile, crouching down to her daughter's level, "Primrose, any house will be lucky to have you."

"But what if-"

"-darling, it doesn't matter what house you're in. Even if you're placed in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, we will be so proud of you. Maybe not so much Gryffindor, you know what your father's like."

Primrose began to giggle as she imagined how Severus would react. Seeing her daughter perk up a bit, Genevieve gave her a warm hug," Now, what do you say to pancakes, strawberries cream?"

Primrose looked up at her mother with glimmering eyes and smiled, racing over to the table as a plate levitated over.

"Did you meet Dad at Hogwarts?" Primrose asked through a mouthful of pancakes, earning a glare from Genevieve.

"No, I was a year behind him so we never really got to talk. It wasn't until I started teaching that I met Severus."

"And it was love at first sight?"

"You read too many fairy tales, young lady!" Genevieve giggled as she ruffled Primrose's hair.

Just as she was about to continue her sentence, a knock on the door cut her off. Looking over at Primrose, a grin formed on the corner lips of Genevieve's lips. She quickly fixed her daughter's wrinkled shirt before shooing her towards the door.

"Why don't you go answer the door, Primrose?"

The eleven-year-old gave her mother a sceptical look, looking back at her before she slowly opened the door latch. Though her curiosity was promptly replaced by joy and excitement when she lay her eyes on the tawny owl bundled between Severus' hands.

"Surprise!" Severus exclaimed, bringing the owl into the kitchen and resting it on the table.

"Mummy, mummy look! Daddy got me an owl!" Primrose couldn't contain her excitement anymore as she rushed over to the table to pet her furry companion.

"Mummy and Daddy got you an owl," Genevieve retorted, crossing her arms.

"Well, Daddy did come up with the idea," Severus laced his arm around Genevieve as a grin laced his lips.

"With Mummy's help!" Before Genevieve could try and take credit, Severus captured her in a long kiss.

During their display of affection, the pair burst into laughter when Primrose let out a foul disgusted noise at the sight of her parents canoodling before running off into the living room with her new owl.

"I'll go and get the bags ready,"

As Severus headed upstairs, Genevieve hovered at the living room door, just watching as Primrose conversed with her owl, now called Tabita. She never realised how hard it would be to let her go, even though herself and Severus would be teaching some of her classes, her little girl wasn't so little anymore.

"Mum, come look at Tabita's feathers,"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Genevieve sat down beside Primrose, listening intently as the girl rambled on about the brown feathers as they waited for Severus to begin their journey to King's Cross station.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Platform 9 and 3/4 was just as busy as Genevieve remembered as they emerged from the barrier. Primrose stood close to her parents, in awe of the scarlet steam engine, the "Hogwarts Express," waiting next to the platform. Smoke from the engine drifted overhead the chattering crowd while cats of every colour looked around from their cages. Owls hooted to one another in an irritable tweet over the babble and the scraping of heavy trunks, with Tabita joining in the chorus.  

"I'll go put her trunk on the train," Severus suggested to his wife, making his way through the crowd.

Looking down at her watch, Genevieve brushed Primrose's hair back off her shoulders and began to fix the collar of her coat when Primrose pulled away.

"Mum, you're embarrassing me!"

Brushing a stray tear away, Genevieve brought Primrose in a bone-crushing hug before starting to sob," Primrose, promise me you'll never grow up. Promise me it will stay like this forever."

Primrose squeezed her mother back," I promise, mum."

"And don't get into trouble!-"

"-I won't"

"And if you ever need help, ask us- or ask Harry, he'll be able to help you!"

"Mum, why would Harry want to help a first year!" Primrose grumbled.

Genevieve replied with a smile, wiping away her tears as she looked at her daughter, "Because Harry is a kind boy who always helps those who ask."

Before they knew it, Severus returned, signalling it was time to say their goodbyes as he checked his watch. Both Genevieve and Severus pulled Primrose into another hug, ignoring her protests of potential embarrassment.

"Right, behave yourself, Primrose," Severus told Primrose as he hugged her.

"Of course I will!"

"And don't worry about what house you are in, but if you have to pick between Ravenclaw and Slytherin, pick Slytherin. We're better!"

Primrose giggled at her father's comment, giving them both one last hug as the train's whistle went off, calling the final boarding.

"We'll see you at the castle!" Genevieve called after her as Primrose waved goodbye, boarding the jam-packed train.

The train began to move, and Genevieve walked alongside it, holding Severus' hand, watching Primrose's face ablaze with excitement. Genevieve kept smiling and waving, even though it burned her heart to watch her daughter glide away from her.

The last trace of steam evaporated in the crisp Autumn air. The train rounded the corner, and parents began to make their way home. Genevieve stayed behind, clutching Severus.

"She'll be alright," she murmured.

As Severus looked at her, he absent-mindedly brought her into a hug," I know she will."

They left the platform and walked down a deserted alley before apparating to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, ready to welcome the new students as they arrived. All was well for the Snape-Blackwell clan once again.

~*~*~*~*~*~

For my beloved grandfather, Bertie, who always supported me. May we meet again in heaven.

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I'm not crying- ok I am! I'm not gonna blab here because I'm going to publish an author note but I'm teary sending Primrose off to Hogwarts! What house do you think she will be in?

*The_lost_flower*