Perhaps Another Time, Severus [A Severus Snape Fanfiction]

2008-Merry Christmas!

2008
Snow fell outside the window as Shaylah tidied the living room. The footsteps of her children could be heard clattering through the house. Severus emerged from the basement with vials ready to be sent back to Hogwarts. Before Christmas break there had been an awful Quidditch match where several students ended up in the Hospital wing. Madame Pomfrey had asked Severus to send stock whenever he was able so that she could replenish her stores.

Holly and garland decorated the walls and candles were lit throughout the house. A cozy feeling had settled into the bones of the place. When Severus had first returned after years of it sitting abandoned, the murky memories seemed to seep from the walls. It took time and paint to breathe new life into it. Their home in Spinner's End became a place that brought joy and held the memories of the family they had created, not the haunting whispers of his past.

Rose ran around Severus' legs, her brother chasing after her. Severus joined the chase as a knock sounded at the door. Vex, Prix and their son Max filed into the house. Max immediately joined the ongoing chase, doing his best to tackle Severus as they rounded the corner into the hallway.

Shaylah had met Vex during her work in the Auror office for the Ministry. Vex had found work in the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects. Due to his proficiency with charms and spells he was an invaluable asset.

Shayla had met Prix while working with the healers at St. Mungos, she checked in on any of the Aurors who were wounded in the line of duty. Vex had spent some time in St. Mungos due to the extraction of a counterfeit object that went awry. That's where he had met Prix.

The three of them entered the living room where Severus now sat telling the kids a story about a pink woman who once tried to capture Hogwarts in her grasp but was thwarted by the Boy Who Lived. The children sat with wide eyes, Prince a spitting image of his father. He pushed his shoulder length hair behind his ears as he listened intently to Severus' story.

During the last fourteen years, the two parts of Severus had fused into one. He no longer dealt with fractured memories and the parts of their lives Shaylah had told him about had changed, the Order was never reinstated. Though they didn't live in ignorance, they knew that Voldemort could still rise. Shaylah had only prevented him from returning at that moment.

Another knock sounded and Rose rushed to the door in her bright green dress, to let in her Uncle Nate and Aunt Carrie. "Did you catch any more bad men while you were away?" She asked with utter delight as she jumped into Nate's arms. He had indeed gotten excellent marks on his exams and followed the path of becoming an Auror himself.

Carrie scooped Rose into her arms. "What is it, seven more years before you get to come to Hogwarts and sit in my class?" She asked. Carrie had found her true passion in Muggle studies and had been teaching the subject for the last year.

"Yes!" Rose thrust her arms into the air with excitement. "Daddy will teach me too!"

"That's right." Carrie added as they joined the rest of the group in the living room. Greetings were exchanged along with hugs and rowdy excitement from the children. Everyone had fallen into easy conversation when an older man with gray peppering his beard and temples entered the house, a giant smile plastered on his face. "Dad! You made it!" Shaylah exclaimed and wrapped her arms around him. The children followed suit, wrapping their arms around the man's legs.

They all gathered around the table and enjoyed a meal, laughter and stories filled the air of their home. Voldemort still lurked in the shadows outside, trying to become what he had been in their original lives. Though he had been unsuccessful, they never fully let down their guard. Severus especially.

It was a different dynamic, not having to hide. They didn't have to tell lies about how they were raising their children. No meetings were held. Shaylah was never forced to discuss the deaths of her friends as if it were a triumph. It was wonderful.

When the meal was finished, they gathered in front of the tree which was decorated with silver tinsel and ribbon. A photo was taken for the occasion with all of them smiling and Carrie holding Rose in her arms.

Then Shaylah's father had their family stand in front of the tree with Rose in front of Shaylah and Prince in front of Severus. When Shaylah held it in her hand, she quickly disappeared into the kitchen, her heart in her throat. Severus followed her and found her with her hand clasped over her mouth. A tear fell down her cheek. "What's wrong?" he asked as he wiped the tear away.

Shaylah pulled the discolored and creased photo from the pocket of her sweater. She had carried it with her for the last fourteen years. Much like her ring, it had become a part of her. She held it next to the picture they had just taken. The photos were so similar. Two separate paths that had led to the same place, two different times held in her hands. The children's features were different, and so was the background, but the looks on their faces, and their positions were the same. Severus smiled as he cupped her face in his hands and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Happy Christmas love."

Somewhere, in another time, another universe, sunflowers still kept careful watch over lovingly dug graves.