Snape's Heart

Epilogue

On an August afternoon, a rather large group of people were trudging thru a cemetery. Mourners, who had no idea of the annual ritual, were staring in amazement. The group didn't look sad, they actually looked happy.

They were following a girl. She looked to be about fifteen. She had long raven hair and milky skin. If you were close enough you could see her sapphire eyes that glowed with power and cunning, intelligence and strength. That glow only rivaled by the tear drop diamond pendant that hung from her neck.

The group stopped at a grave stone. It was a very ordinary marker, but every year it became the site of the best birthday party around. Tables and chairs were placed around it as the family and friends of Julia Francis Snape celebrated her daughters fifteenth birthday. Every year, they came so that Julia would always be apart of her daughter's day.

"Hi, Mum. I miss you. I brought your book so we could look at the pictures again." Rose held up the red leather book that Severus had given Julia, so many years ago.

"I've got good new. I just got my letter. I'm the Prefect for Ravenclaw. I am so excited. Da is real proud. He's here. He'll be by later, you know, after everyone has left, same as usual." She spoke as if the woman was really there. She never knew her mother, but the photos and the stories had always kept her in Rose's heart. She wanted to be just like the brave soldier that her mother was. Her mother died for her, she was a God to Rose.

"There was another attack last month. They still want me dead. Funny, I don't feel special," she smiled, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight. She sat down besides the grave marker, gently fixing her sundress.

"Oh, and I have a new friend. His name is Michael. He is a Muggle and he knows I'm a witch. He is real nice and smart. His dad is a politician in America. I met him in London, he was on holiday. He is great fun, and we write all the time. Dad's not happy about it, but he's not being a jerk either. It's as if he knows something I don't know." She smiled, and thought, not likely, I CAN read his mind.

"Zoe and Beth are here with Remus. Zoe is still getting into trouble in Gryffindor. Last year transfigured all the people in the tapestries in the Common room to be naked. Remus says he is amazed that she is a Prefect. She causes more mischief then her dad used to." Rose smiled, thinking of her best friend.

"Uncle Albus couldn't be here, he is ill again. He says he will probably be seeing you soon. Grandmum Weasley is here with Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione. They brought their crew, all four kids. All that red hair, it positively glows. Their oldest is the newest Gryffindor." She looked over at the sea of red hair and smiled. She loved the Weasleys. They had taken care of her when her father was working. She had spent most of the school year at the Burrow until she was old enough to go to Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley had become her surrogate mother. But every night, Severus would floo to her. He would tuck her in and sing to her and every summer he never left her side.

She looked at the other members of her 'family'. She smiled, very much like her mother, and continued, "Uncle Harry is here with Aunt Ginny, and their kids are well, still more red hair. Yeah, they are back together. I wish they would just stop fighting and get married again. Bloody, Gryffindors!"

"Language, young lady. I will not have you speaking like some common gutter trash." Severus yelled from across the way. He sounded stern and his face was stone, but his eyes betrayed him. She was so much like her mother.

* * *

After the cake and the presents, the party began to slowly dissolve. Everyone was saying their goodbyes. Harry stuck around, he was an Auror now and he watched out for Rose when she was in public. He had taken on that responsibility after her mother's death. Julia had taught him things that the Aurors never did. He felt he owed it to her to keep her daughter safe. He knew that until Voldemort was defeated, neither of them would be truly safe.

It was only the three of them left, Harry, Rose and Severus.

"Rose, stay with Potter, I'll be along soon." He turned away.

"His name is Harry, Da. Get over yourself," she called over her shoulder. It annoyed her that he still called him Potter after all these years.

Harry gave him a faint smile and followed after the precocious teenager.

Severus turned toward the grave marker, not letting them see the smile he had on his face. He walked over to Julia and kneeled before her grave.

"Hello, love. Can you believe our daughter, the way she speaks to me? No respect. Reminds me of you so much I just want to scream." He lowered his head.

"Another year has past, Julia. Another year without you, in my life. It's still so hard. I miss you so. My heart hurts every time I look at Rose. I see the things she does, knowing you aren't here to share those moments. It kills me. I should be dead, not you. I'm sorry. I say it every time, but I'm still so sorry." Tears began to fall from his dark eyes.

"Da, you coming? It's getting dark." Rose called from behind him.

He straightened up and collected himself. This was so hard, every year, to come here and reopen all the wounds that he fought so hard to heal.

"I love you Julia. My wife," he whispered. Reaching out, he gently traced her name carved into the granite.

Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, stood up and turned swiftly on his heel and headed over to his daughter and Harry Potter. He walked away from the unimposing grave marker.

Julia Francis Snape

1967 - 1997

Beloved Wife and Mother

She Died Protecting the Future

The End.