Hermione was given her own private room in the hospital wing, and left it to Minerva to explain the situation to Poppy. Although she was shocked, Poppy took it in her stride, and made sure that Dumbledore was kept far away from her. Hermione sat, legs curled into her chest, with the Elder Wand directly in front of her upon the bed. She had performed some simple spells with it once she was alone, and found that, indeed, she was currently its true master, which left the headmaster without his own wand. Perhaps, she reasoned, that was for the best, especially for the time being.

She looked up as the door opened, and Severus stood at the threshold. There were dark circles underneath his eyes, leading her to believe that he hadn't slept the night before. She felt her heart pounding inside her breast as she uncurled one of her arms from around her knees, and held her hand out to him.

Severus appeared shocked at this, but shut the door behind him and crossed the room, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking her by the hand. "I can't even begin to express how apologetic I am, Hermione," he said softly. "The thought of you leaving me became too much to bear, although I know that is no excuse. I just couldn't bear to lose you, and even the possibility of it sent me into a fit of blind rage..."

"Shh," Hermione whispered, inching closer and kissing him on the lips. "I understand, although you really did hurt me, I do give you my forgiveness. The thought of losing you... It makes me crazy, to be honest. I think I said some things that were untoward as well—"

"But I provoked you into saying them," Severus interrupted. "I am completely undeserving of you, Hermione Granger."

"No, you're not," Hermione said firmly. "I want you."

Severus pressed his forehead into hers. "Merlin knows why." He hesitated for a moment before he pulled back. "I understand that facing Dumbledore could have been daunting, but you seemed to be on automatic pilot. How come you bested him so quickly?"

Hermione wetted her lips. "About that..." The door opened from behind Severus and she looked up, flushing slightly as Poppy stepped into the room. "Good afternoon, Poppy," she said softly, and took ahold of Severus's hand to prevent him from walking away from her. "Is everything going all right?"

Poppy nodded. "It is," she assured her. "Minerva provided Kingsley and Alastor with the pensive memories Severus extracted from you upon your arrival," she explained. "The ones about the headmaster and his actions towards Harry."

Hermione straightened. "What are you saying, Poppy?"

Severus nodded. "Yes, I would rather like to know as well."

"Dumbledore has been stripped of his headmaster position, and will no longer be Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot," Poppy declared proudly. "He is to go on trial for child abuse, as well as the use of the forbidden blood wards, thus keeping Harry with those dreadful Muggles. He will be held in Azkaban before his trial, which is due to begin in three weeks' time. Minerva has been immediately appointed Headmistress of Hogwarts, and I think she has a mind to make you her deputy, Severus."

Severus sputtered. "I... I don't..."

"There is ample time to consider everything," Poppy assured him, before turning to a still-stunned Hermione. "Now," she continued, and reached into her healers' robes, and producing a file folder. "It was interesting examining you, Hermione, considering that I have only known you at eleven and twelve-years-old."

Hermione nodded. "Yes, I imagine it would be."

Poppy smiled at her, before opening the folder and reading. "You were exhausted, given the amount of magic you expelled defending yourself against the headmaster, which is completely unsurprising, giving the levels you had to produce. The nutrient potions we gave you seemed to have stabilized things... How are you feeling?"

"Better," Hermione assured her.

"Did the vomiting have something to do with the exhaustion?" Severus asked.

"I did feel lightheaded," Hermione said quietly. "Could that have had something to do with the vast amount of magic I expelled in defending myself?"

"Partially," Poppy responded, looking up with a smile. "However, morning sickness is something you should deal with, typically, in the first three months."

Hermione blinked as Severus visibly stiffened beside her. "Morning sickness?" she whispered, and found that she was trembling.

Poppy nodded at her. "Indeed, Hermione. You're pregnant."

Hermione used her free hand to cup at her belly. "I knew that the Wizarding World was able to detect such a thing early, but..."

"Yes, we can typically do so within the hour after conception," Poppy informed her, and turned to look at Severus. "Don't you dare shut down now, Severus Snape. Hermione is going to need you for the next nine months, as well as beyond."

"Poppy," Hermione said softly, and the matron turned to her. "Might we have a moment?"

Poppy nodded in understanding. "Of course," she replied, shutting the file folder and exiting the patient room.

Hermione turned to look at Severus. "Perhaps this is a good thing," she whispered. "You were indecisive about coming back with me, and now you've a job opportunity. I could go back to my own time, and you wouldn't have to..."

Severus silenced her by grabbing ahold of her shoulders and kissing her passionately on the mouth, almost as if he was sucking out her soul as he did so. "Never," he whispered. "It doesn't matter to me anymore if we stay or go, as long as we're together. I have fallen in love with you, Hermione Jean Granger, and you've no idea how overjoyed I am to know that you're carrying my child within you."

Hermione gripped Severus tightly, kissing him back. "Do you really mean that?"

"I do," Severus replied, pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. "I love you."

Hermione beamed at him. "I love you, too," she declared, leaning in to kiss him again. As she did so, her foot brushed the Elder Wand, and she pulled back and away from him, her eyes widening then. "I know how we can ensure the potions will work."

Severus raised his eyebrows. "How?"

Hermione looked up at Severus, grinning. "You will duel me, and, when you win, you can use the Elder Wand to assist in the process," she declared. "It performs the most extraordinary magic, you know that. If you have that on your side, then the potions are bound to work, and Harry will be saved, Quirrell might be freed, and Riddle will be gone."

"I will not duel you in your condition," Severus said firmly.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "We need only put down Cushioning Charms, and you will have to be sure your aim is right," she told him. "This needs to work, Severus, and I cannot fathom another way in which to do so."

Severus gave out a put-upon sigh. "Very well," he grumbled. "As soon as Poppy releases you from here, you and Sharma will move down into the dungeons with me, and we will see about this duel you insist upon."

Hermione smirked at him. "Oh, Severus, how charming... But won't Minerva think it is inappropriate that we are living together? I know I'm expecting your child and everything, but you've said that the Wizarding World is still very traditional. Or does that merely apply to Purebloods?"

Severus gave a nod. "You're correct. It is quite traditional."

"Well, perhaps Sharma and I might spend a few nights a week in the dungeons," she said softly, running her hands along his arms. "I think Minerva would look away when it came to that, as long as we're very discreet..."

"No," Severus said firmly. "I want you with me all the time. Minerva said the school will be closed for a week or two, while the dust settles, so I can work on my potion nonstop."

"And your lesson plans and marking?" Hermione asked.

Severus smirked. "You know I'm always on top of my scathing reviews."

Hermione giggled. "Yes, I suppose you are."

"But that doesn't change the fact that I want you with me all the time as well," Severus told her, getting up and pacing the floor of her patient room. He dragged his hands through his hair as he walked back and forth. "Minerva could be persuaded to look the other way, but doing so quite early in her career as headmistress could potentially be damaging..."

"We'd be in the same castle, plus we've got the Marauder's Map," Hermione put in. "It's not like we'd be very far from one another..."

"I know, but it's just not enough," Severus said, exasperated, when suddenly he stopped walking, and stared out the window. "Well, I suppose we could get married..."

Hermione gasped.

Severus turned slightly and looked over his shoulder. "Well?"

~*~

The Wizengamot ruled on Sirius's petition for full custody of Harry, which meant that Harry would have the option of going to Grimmauld Place during the Christmas and summer holidays when Hogwarts was not in session. They took into account all of Dumbledore's deception, plus the fact that Sirius had been found not to have committed any crimes at all. Plus, now that he had been restored into the Black family fortune, he had plenty of Galleons at his disposal to look after Harry properly.

The petition for custody was granted, and no one was happier than Sirius and Harry, with Hermione being a close second. As a congratulatory gift, Severus presented them both with the potion for a blood adoption, if they wished to take it. Harry immediately accepted, wanting nothing more than for Sirius to be his father. Sirius, although reluctant to replace James, knew that it was what Harry's parents would have wanted, although Harry wanted to keep his surname, which Sirius readily accepted. The potion was drunk, and they were officially seen as father and son by the Wizarding World.

Everyone gathered at Grimmauld Place for the celebration of the adoption, and Harry was pleased to have everyone celebrating him. He was practically bouncing off the walls at the notion that he would never have to see the Dursleys again. When asked what had happened to them, he was told that they had been sent to a Muggle prison, and that Dudley was put into the foster care system, as his aunt, Marge, had been found to be an unfit guardian.

Hermione, naturally, attended the festivities, and saw herself speaking animatedly to Harry and Ron, who were both equally excited. Stepping forward, she smiled at them all, and Harry appeared a bit nervous. "It's all right," she assured him, and gently pressed her wand to Ron's temple, thus permitting his memories of her to be whole again. She laughed aloud as Ron let out his typical, "Bloody hell!" before she turned to her younger self. "Hello."

The younger Hermione tossed her hair. "I knew the boys were hiding something from me," she declared, and let out a laugh. "So, what are you doing here?'

"Mending the past," Hermione replied, before looking over her shoulder when she caught the sensation of Severus staring at her.

"He's looking at you," her younger self said softly.

Hermione smiled. "Yes, he is, isn't he?"

Hermione was also introduced officially to Remus Lupin, who seemed delighted to meet two versions of Hermione. She learned that Minerva was already courting him to take over as Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor the following year, which Hermione didn't say had been at her own recommendation. The werewolf didn't need a potential debt on his shoulders, due to his unfortunate financial status.

A copy of The Daily Prophet arrived during the celebrations, informing the Wizarding World that Albus Dumbledore had been found guilty. The Wizengamot had decided to move up the trial by a week and a half, as they hadn't wanted Dumbledore to potentially break out of Azkaban. He was quick to inform the Wizengamot that he had had two co-conspirators in his desperation to keep Harry at the Dursleys. Under Veritaserum, he confessed that Cornelius Fudge and Dolores Umbridge had worked with him not only to conceal Harry from the Wizarding World, but to also put the blood wards onto 4 Privet Drive; both Fudge and Umbridge had been stripped of their positions and had been sentenced to twenty and ten years in Azkaban respectively, with Dumbledore getting a life sentence.

Dumbledore also confessed to not looking into Sirius Black's case more deeply, even though he knew he had been innocent. In addition, he mentioned that he had been renewing the Imperius Curse upon Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, to make them appear as if they had always been loyal to Riddle, even though they disagreed wholeheartedly with his message. Cursebreakers were brought to Malfoy Manor, and their Unforgiveables were subsequently lifted, and they got full apologies from the Wizengamot and the ministry as a result.

"Riddle will be hot on our trail once he sees this," Hermione whispered to Severus, over their shared copy of the paper. "We have to get back to working on the potion, which means that you absolutely have to duel me. No more holding back now."

Severus sighed. "You still never answered my question."

Hermione rolled back and forth on her heels. "About marrying you?"

Severus nodded. "Yes."

Hermione bit down hard on her lower lip. "I don't want you marrying me out of obligation, just because I happen to be pregnant with your child," she whispered.

"I want to marry you because I love you, Hermione, and because I want our child, and any other children we have, to bear my name," Severus whispered back. "Please. Marry me."

Hermione looked around, before she sighed. "You're not on your knees."

Severus blinked. "What?"

Hermione grinned at him. "I need you to kneel down and ask me properly."

Severus smirked up at her before he did so, getting down on one knee and, to her surprise, reached into the pocket of his dress robes and produced a black velvet box, which he opened, revealing an oval-shaped diamond ring, surrounded by smaller diamonds, all laying neatly upon a platinum band. "Hermione Jean Granger," he began, as tears filled Hermione's eyes, and all the guests turned to look over at them, "you have made me happy, more than words can say, and I would like to spend the rest of my life making you so. Will you marry me?"

"Yes," Hermione breathed, holding out her hand, which trembled slightly. "Yes, Severus Snape, I will marry you."

Severus grinned up at her, slipping the ring onto her finger and kissing her deeply, as all the guests applauded around them. "Now," he said, and turned to Minerva, "I should think there won't be any objection to Hermione coming to stay with me in the dungeons?"

Minerva grinned at him, and raised her glass of Scottish whisky. "None at all."

Severus grinned, and wrapped Hermione into his arms. "Well, then," he said, kissing her on the cheek, "we may as well return to the castle. I've a duel to win."

It wasn't difficult for Severus to whisk Hermione out of Grimmauld, albeit with ample apologies to the surrounding guests. Once they stepped outside into the back garden, they Apparated directly to the gates of Hogwarts, stepping through them and making their way up the stone steps and into the Entrance Hall. Going directly into the dungeons, Severus cleared some space in his parlor to ensure that he and Hermione would have ample dueling space, while Sharma watched from atop the mantle, as she had done during their dance lessons. Once the space had been cleared, Severus meticulously put down various Cushioning Charms, ensuring that no harm would come to either Hermione or their child.

Hermione grinned at Severus, mimicking him as he bowed to her. "All right," she said softly to him. "One."

"Two," Severus responded.

"Three," they said together.

"Expelliarmus!" Severus declared, pointing his wand directly at Hermione. Once the spell was uttered and the scarlet light beamed towards her, Hermione pretended to dodge it, but the wand flew from her hand, while she careened backwards. Severus caught the wand as Hermione fell into the pile of conjured pillows, equipped with a Cushioning Charm.

Hermione shook her head to clear it, while Sharma leapt from the mantle and checked to be sure her mistress was all right.

Severus, meanwhile, after catching the Elder Wand, rushed over to Hermione to check her over, his eyes filled with worry. "Are you all right?" he breathed. "Do I need to summon Poppy to check on you?"

Hermione shook her head; she felt absolutely fine, and smiled brilliantly up at him. "I'm all right, I promise," she assured him, before nodding in the direction of the Elder Wand. "Try it; you have to try it to be sure it worked."

Severus bit his lip before looking about the room; he saw an arithmancy text that Hermione was quite fond of, and directed the Elder Wand so that he pointed at it. "Accio book," he said, and the book came flying towards him, and came lightly into his outstretched hands.

"How does it feel?" Hermione asked him.

"It does indeed feel powerful," Severus admitted, helping Hermione to her feet and handing the book over to her. "It is as if my heart and soul are intertwined with its core, if that makes sense to you..."

Hermione nodded. "It does," she assured him. She thumbed the spine of the book she held, whilst Sharma rubbed against her legs. "Perhaps we will need the Elder Wand, if we decide to return to 2007."

Severus turned and regarded Hermione. "You truly enjoyed your future?"

Hermione gave Severus a small smile. "Without you in it, it wasn't complete," she confessed. "I suppose that, other than that, yes. I enjoyed it."

Severus turned the Elder Wand over and over in his hands. "Tell me about your home," he requested softly.

"Well, it is a cottage," she responded. "It's in Hockworthy, a small part of Wellington. I added a deep soaking tub to the en suite of the master bedroom, although I still haven't had the chance to use it yet. When I bought it, it only had two bedrooms, but I've since expanded it. I didn't want to do it too terribly much, as it is an older building, but, on the off-chance that I ever had children, I wanted ample space for them."

"You were prepared to settle for a wizard?" Severus asked.

"Surprisingly, I never considered marriage, not until I met you again," she confessed. "No, I always assumed I would adopt children and raise them alone."

"Is that something you're interested in? Adopting children."

Hermione smiled. "Yes," she said softly, and put a gentle hand on her belly. "Despite the notion that we've been blessed with this child, I know in my heart that there are hundreds of thousands of children out there, without a home, or in one that they'd rather not be in."

Severus smiled back at her. "A houseful of children then?"

"Yes. Not to mention the ample garden I've got," she went on, and Severus's eyes lit up at the mention of that. "There is a small outbuilding, one that can easily be expanded with wizards' space, which could serve as a fine potions lab. I have vegetables and flowers growing, plus a small fruit orchard on the other end of the property. I'm sorry to confess that there is no basement, but the outbuilding should..."

Severus nodded, never ceasing in his smiles. "It sounds perfect." He hesitated for a moment. "I suppose there will be room to grow herbs and other potions ingredients I may want?"

"Of course there is," Hermione assured him. "I may have drawn up a plan myself to convert the small outbuilding into a potions' lab, and garden space for the ingredients as well." She wrapped her arms around herself. "I suppose I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Severus closed the distance between them and took Hermione into his arms. "Well, we'd best complete the potion, then, if we are to go," he said softly.

Hermione looked up at him. "What about the deputy position?"

"Filius or Pomona would be far more suited than I would," he said. "And besides, I know that Horace will want to return as potions master and Head of Slytherin House."

Hermione smirked. "I thought you said he was an oaf."

"His teaching methods are different than mind, and his decision of who to favor leaves a lot to be desired, but perhaps the children of Hogwarts need someone kinder."

"Well," Hermione replied, wrapping her arms around his neck, "I know I speak for many people when I say that the future is lucky to have you, Severus Snape."

Severus leaned down and kissed her. "Well, let us make that future happen, then, shall we?"

~*~

Sirius insisted upon being by Harry's side once Severus administered the potion to him, and neither Hermione or Severus objected to that fact. They lay him down on a bed in Minerva's spare room, while Minerva and Poppy waited outside. Severus was employing a new form of the Draught of Living Death, which would hold Harry in temporary suspension. His body would believe itself to be dead, and then the Horcrux, Merlin willing, would extract itself from him. If all went according to plan, all Severus needed to do was use Invigoration Draught, Pepper-Up Potion, and Wiggenweld Potion, which would bring Harry around.

Hermione and Sirius sat next to one another, as Severus carefully explained to Harry about what had happened that night in Godric's Hollow, with Sirius providing additional information when it was warranted. Once that discussion was over, Severus told Harry about the Horcrux inside of him, and what they would be doing there that day.

Harry's brows knit together. "So, what you're saying is, once the Horcrux is out of me, then it'll be easier to destroy Riddle?"

Severus nodded at him. "That is correct, Harry."

Harry pursed his lips. "Will it hurt?"

"No," Severus confirmed; it was something that Hermione, and Sirius, had insisted when they had informed Harry's adopted father about the plan. "No, it will not hurt, Harry. All you have to do is drink this first potion," he said, and showed Harry the first vial, "and it will be like you are falling into a deep sleep, a deep sleep in which you will feel nothing."

Harry nodded. "All right," he said, leaning back against the pillows, and cuddling a very supportive Sharma into his side; it was adorable how much Sharma had taken to young Harry, and Hermione had briefly explained that Harry and his future wife (whom Hermione did not name) had gotten Sharma for her. "Let's do this."

Severus administered his refined Draught of Living Death to Harry; almost as soon as the eleven-year-old had drunk it, his eyes began to flutter, and he went limp against the bed. Severus was quick to hold up his hand at Sirius's concerns. "You know as well as I do the effects of the Draught of Living Death, Black," he informed him, but without malice. "It needs to be done; Harry will feel no pain, as previously mentioned, and this will ultimately stop Riddle once and for all."

Hermione put a gentle hand on Sirius's shoulder. "By giving Severus your permission to do this, you are assisting in bringing down the man who cut down your best friend and his wife."

Sirius nodded shakily in agreement. "Very well," he said, watching as Harry's breathing proceeded to slow to a stop. "He's not breathing!"

"Wait," Severus said, holding up his hand again, and Hermione was quick to hold Sirius back from potentially attacking him.

"I know you're concerned for Harry, Sirius, but I will not hesitate to bind you if you dare to interrupt Severus," Hermione said firmly.

Sirius grumbled, and made a half-hearted attempt to struggle against her. "All right," he said at last, and thumped down, hard, into his chair.

Severus watched, rapt, as the telltale gray smoke escaped from the scar upon Harry's forehead, and seemed to almost disintegrate into nothingness. Next, the scar seemed to heal itself, and Severus casted a scanning spell upon Harry for any traces of dark magic. "The Horcrux is gone at last," he confirmed a moment later.

"Good," Sirius growled. "Now, save my son."

Severus quickly administered the trio of other potions, and, upon the digestion of the final one, Harry's eyes fluttered open, and he gently petted Sharma, still curled into his side. "Merlin, is it over?" he whispered.

Sirius promptly tore himself from Hermione's grip and charged forward, sitting on the edge of the bed and stroking Harry's forehead. "It's over," he confirmed. "Are you all right?"

Harry nodded, looking around his adopted father and finding Severus. "Thank you, professor, for everything," he whispered.

Severus inclined his head. "You're welcome, Harry."

Hermione looked over at Severus and motioned for him that it was time to leave Sirius and Harry alone, and Sharma was quick to follow them. They waved to Minerva and Poppy as they exited Minerva's rooms; now, they were located in the headmistress' tower. Hermione bent down and took Sharma in her arms as they walked down the staircase, while Severus fished the Marauder's Map from within the confines of his robe.

"Where is Quirrell?" Hermione asked him softly.

"Pacing the defense chambers," Severus replied, once they reached the final stair. "Are we ready to face him, then?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes. You've got the spell down?"

Severus nodded back at her. "I do."

"All right, then," Hermione said, handing Severus a vial of Veritaserum from her own robes. "I think we'll need this as well, for once Quirrell is separated."

Severus gave her a small smile. "My clever witch," he said, and took ahold of the vial. "And I've told Minerva to give us twenty minutes, and then to call Kingsley and Alastor."

"You think Scrimgeour can spare them?" she asked. "They are his head Aurors, now that he's been proclaimed as Minister of Magic."

"Well, he did spare them to be bonded after they caught Pettigrew," Severus reasoned. "I think arresting Riddle will be child's play in comparison."

Hermione kept hold of Sharma, who had been instructed to get Minerva immediately if things went south. Placing her on the ground outside the defense chambers upon their arrival, she instructed her familiar to sit and wait. She took Severus's hand as he himself pushed open the door, and they stepped over the threshold, hearing Quirrell, no longer stammering, speaking to a far deeper voice from within his private rooms.

Hermione put a finger to her lips as she turned to Severus. "I'll slip in, and then call out an Expelliarmus, catching him off-guard," she said.

Severus nodded. "Good. Then, I'll bind him, and you can shove the potion to extract Riddle from his person down his throat."

Hermione nodded, before suddenly walking boldly up to the door, before turning around, just before opening it. "I love you," she declared, before she opened the door softly and listening. She could hear Quirrell still speaking to Riddle, so he hadn't heard her. She pushed the door completely open and turned her wand on Quirrell, before she shouted, "Expelliarmus!" and the beam of silver light wrapped around him, and yanked his wand away from him, which sailed into Hermione's waiting hand.

"Incarcerous!" Severus growled from behind her, while Hermione summoned a chair, and they worked together to effortlessly bind Quirrell.

"S-S-S-Severus! W-w-what are you d-d-doing?" Quirrell asked.

Hermione stepped forward and yanked open Quirrell's mouth without waiting for Severus to answer him, and promptly poured the potion down his throat. She watched as Quirrell winced, while Severus dove behind him, as Quirrell began screaming, and a noise of rage erupted from beneath his purple turban, as a small blob seemed to fall into the specimen jar that Severus had delved into his robes for.

"Shut up," Severus growled at it, capping and warding the jar, while tossing Hermione the vial of Veritaserum, which she promptly administered to Quirrell.

Hermione watched as Quirrell struggled momentarily against the potion, but smirked in satisfaction as his face went blank. "Is your name Quirinus Quirrell?" she asked him, as Severus sent off a Patronus to Minerva, who would know to call Kingsley and Alastor immediately; she was momentarily shocked when it was that of a mighty raven, before she turned and narrowed her eyes at the emotionless man before her.

"Yes," Quirrell replied.

Severus nodded in approval at Hermione, before he saddled up beside her. "Is your wand Alder, 9'', and a core of unicorn hair?"

"Yes," came another blank reply.

"Were you sorted Ravenclaw when you attended Hogwarts?" Hermione asked.

"Yes," Quirrell said.

The door crashed open from behind them then, as Kingsley and Alastor came in, wands drawn at Quirrell as they stepped forward.

"We came as soon as we got Minerva's Floo call," Kingsley said.

Alastor nodded. "Had an assistant tell Minister Scrimgeour where we were going," he growled, narrowing his eyes at Quirrell. "Have you asked the basics, then?"

"Yes, it's done," Severus confirmed, putting an arm around Hermione.

"Is that him, then?" Kingsley asked, regarding the jar Severus held with trepidation.

"It is," Hermione told him.

"Best destroy him, and fast," Alastor growled, as Riddle let off a litany of curses from within the jar Severus was holding. "We'll take care of Quirrell."

Hermione and Severus nodded, leaving the room and stepping out into the defense classroom; the door had been left open, and Sharma was peering around the door frame. Hermione smiled indulgently, picking up her familiar, as she and Severus traversed the familiar path down to the dungeons. Once they arrived, Severus and Hermione went directly to his lab, although Hermione placed Sharma onto one of the couches first.

"You do it," Hermione said softly, and Severus looked at her.

"What?"

"You kill him," she reiterated. "Consider all he's done to you. Yes, I hate him, and for many reasons, but he hurt you before he ever hurt me. It should be you, Severus, who deals the final blow to your former master. Besides, I handled Dumbledore."

Severus smiled at her. "Thank you," he replied, before turning to the jar, which he had placed upon his lab work table. "Immobulus," he said, and Riddle stopped swearing, frozen in place, as Severus said, "Finestra," which shattered the glass chamber which held Riddle. Finally, looking deeply into the eyes of his former master, Severus said, "Avada Kedavra."

~*~

Hermione felt the sunlight behind her eyelids as she snuggled deeper into her bed; Severus had found a book on wish magic, and she could only hope that their plans, all of them, had come to fruition. Slowly, knowing that one way or the other, she was determined to be with the man she loved, she opened her eyes.

Pushing herself upwards, Hermione's jaw dropped when she saw that she was sitting in her bedroom in her cottage, Sharma curled up at her feet. Looking next to her, she felt utterly relieved that Severus was lying next to her, his face calm in sleep. Reaching out, she tucked his hair behind his ear, and smiled at him as his own eyes slowly drifted open.

"Where are we?" he whispered, his voice rough with sleep. "When are we?"

Hermione smiled at him. "We made it back," she told him, as he slowly pushed himself up to take in his surroundings. "Welcome to 2007, Severus."

Severus blinked, obviously a bit bewildered; they had remained in 1992 until the second term had ended, and were interested to learn that Quirrell was, in fact, under the Imperius Curse as well. He had accepted Minerva's invitation to resume teaching Muggle Studies at Hogwarts, and things seemed calmer after that. Harry had gone to spend the summer at Grimmauld, while Ron had accompanied him, and younger Hermione had finally gotten the courage to stand up to her parents about her nanny.

"Severus?" Hermione asked, reaching out and taking his hand. "Are you all right?"

Severus reached out then, touching Hermione's belly with his free hand, and breathed a sigh of relief when he felt their daughter, already named Lydia Anne Snape, moving around. "I am just fine, Madam Snape," he replied.

Hermione flushed. "I am glad, Master Snape."

They pair had married at Minerva's insistence before going back, and she herself had performed the ceremony just after the students had boarded the Hogwarts Express. They had spent one more night in the dungeons with Sharma, and Minerva understood that, by the following day, they would be gone to 2007. There had been no hard feelings when Severus had declined the Deputy Headmaster position, and Minerva had employed Filius as that position, with Remus slated to take over as Head of Gryffindor.

Severus turned and regarded his wife with a smile. "What time did you inform all your friends to join us, Hermione?"

Hermione smirked at her husband; she had given a note to Harry, which would be warded against him until the night before, so that he wouldn't know the odds and ends of everything. "I told them to come for dinner," she replied. "I suppose you still have Shotty in your employ, after all this time."

"I told him it would be awhile before he saw me again, but to come here as soon as possible," he informed her. "I'm quite sure he would be only too glad to help prepare a dinner party for all your friends."

Hermione nudged him gently. "They are your friends, too, Severus."

A copy of The Daily Prophet informed her that Kingsley and Alastor were now Minister and Deputy Minister of Magic respectively, but that didn't phase her one bit. She had had enough adventure in her lifetime, and was perfectly content to stay at home and raise their daughter once she arrived.

It was a relief, once everyone arrived, that Harry and Ginny, plus Ron and Lavender, were all still couples, and all their children had indeed been born. Harry was quick to inform them that Sirius sent his love, but that he was gallivanting around Madrid with his wife, Penelope Clearwater, spending their fifth anniversary. Remus arrived in good time, Tonks on his arm, with a ten-year-old Teddy charging in just ahead of them, and what appeared to be a five-year-old girl in Tonks' arms.

Also attending were Bill and Fleur and their children; Arthur and Molly Weasley; Fred with Alicia Spinnet and George with Angelina; Minerva and Horace, who appeared to be a couple now; Kingsley, Alastor, and their twins, Nathaniel and Ophelia; and, finally, just as Hermione was about to close the door, two more unexpected guests arrived. Hermione stood there, jaw dropped, as Lionel and Christina Granger came walking up the path.

"Daddy?" she whispered. "Mama?"

"Hello, darling," Christina said.

"It's been too long, princess," Lionel informed his daughter.

Hermione nearly fell into Severus, standing just behind her, having left the company briefly to see what, or who, was keeping his wife. "Mama, Daddy, this is Severus, my husband," she said softly.

They nodded at her.

"A pleasure, Severus," Lionel said, holding out his hand.

Severus clasped his father-in-law's hand. "The pleasure is mine, Lionel."

"Oh, Severus," Christina said, stepping forward and kissing him lightly on the cheek. "We're so pleased to finally meet you."

"And you as well, Christina," Severus responded.

"Your granddaughter is due in six months' time," Hermione said softly, gently taking ahold of their hands and guiding them towards her barely swollen belly.

"Do you have a name for her yet, darling?" Christina asked.

"Lydia Anne Snape," Hermione responded with a smile; Lydia had been her paternal grandmother, while Anne had been her maternal.

"Thank you," Lionel said softly.

Severus invited his in-laws inside the house, telling them what little he knew about the cottage itself, and introduced them to the rest of the company.

Hermione couldn't stop smiling as she dashed the tears out of her eyes, and turned to grin at Harry as he stepped beside her. "Hello," she said softly.

"Hey, 'Mione," he replied, grinning at her, before digging into his robes, and producing a manilla envelope. "Whenever you're ready," he said, and walked off to stand with Ginny once again.

Hermione opened the envelope slowly, which revealed the photograph of a beautiful little boy with chestnut-brown hair and silvery eyes. The page said that his name was Jared Stratford, and he was in need of a home. Hermione's heart filled with love as she looked further into the envelope, which provided information on the boy, who was six, and that he was from Derbyshire. He was an orphan, with no family whatsoever, and was currently in a foster home, waiting to be adopted, and he was a Half-Blood.

Hermione looked up as Severus came towards her, and smiled at him.

"What's that, then?" he asked.

Hermione bit her lip before turning the paper towards her husband. "Severus, I think he's our son," she whispered, holding it close.

Severus looked down at the paperwork. "References?" he asked, seeing the signatures of Harry, Kingsley, Alastor, and Minerva scrawled there.

Hermione grinned. "It appears so."

Severus looked at the photograph, his eyes filled with sadness. "He is our son," he said decidedly then, nodding his head, and looked down at his wife. "When shall we bring him home, then?"

Hermione let out a gasp of relief, and threw her arms around her husband, while they both cupped Lydia between them. Yes, although one adventure had ended, another one had begun, just as all adventures do, time after time.

THE END