Suffering Part 6: No Longer

The End

The morning of April 1st dawned crisp and bright, the first hints of spring whispering through the air as you, Severus, and Lucius prepared for the day ahead in your Hogwarts chambers. The familiar stone walls, usually a comfort, seemed to hum with a quiet tension as you gathered your things. The kids—Stevie, Charlie, and little Baron—were already with Grandmother Penny, their excited chatter about meeting their new sibling a faint memory as you focused on the task ahead.

Your hands brushed over the swell of your belly, a nervous flutter rising in your chest. You'd delivered the twins and Baron naturally, but today was different—uncharted territory. A cesarean and tubal ligation awaited you at St. Mungo's, a final chapter in your journey of bringing life into the world.

Severus lingered by the door, his dark eyes fixed on you with an intensity that betrayed his calm exterior. Lucius, meanwhile, adjusted his cloak with meticulous care, though his jaw clenched every few moments—a telltale sign of his own unease. You took a steadying breath, smoothing your robes one last time. "Ready?" Severus asked, his voice low, a faint tremor threading through it.

"As I'll ever be," you replied, managing a small smile.

Lucius crossed the room, his hand finding yours, warm and reassuring. "We're with you," he said, his silver eyes steady. "Every step."

The journey to St. Mungo's was swift, the magical hospital greeting you with its blend of the extraordinary and the familiar. Healers bustled about, their robes shimmering faintly, and the air carried the soft hum of enchantments. Check-in was quick, but the nerves radiating from Severus and Lucius were palpable—more so than your own. Severus's fingers twitched at his sides, and Lucius's grip on your hand tightened as you were led to the magical operating room.

The room was a marvel—gleaming instruments hovered in midair, guided by unseen magic, while a soothing light bathed everything in a gentle glow. It felt like a bridge between the medical and the mystical. As the healers prepped you, they handed Severus and Lucius white smocks and bonnets to cover their hair. You couldn't suppress a laugh at the sight—two imposing wizards, now dressed like overgrown healer's aides. Lucius tugged at his bonnet, smirking despite himself. "Undignified," he muttered, though his eyes softened when they met yours.

Severus adjusted his smock with a resigned sigh. "It's for the baby," he said gruffly. "We'll manage."

The healers explained the procedure with calm efficiency. A spell numbed your lower body, your legs growing heavy and still while your mind remained sharp. Severus stood on your left, his hand gripping yours tightly, while Lucius took your right, his fingers brushing your cheek in a steady, soothing motion. The cesarean began—a seamless blend of magic and precision. You couldn't feel the incision, but you sensed the shift in the room, the quiet focus as the healers worked with glowing wands and steady hands.

Then, it happened. The lead healer murmured something soft, and a tiny figure was lifted into the air. Time slowed as the healer held up the baby—a girl, her cries piercing the silence, her shock of platinum blonde hair catching the light. Tears welled in your eyes, your breath catching as joy flooded through you. Severus's hand shook in yours, his stoic mask crumbling, while Lucius let out a choked laugh, tears glistening on his cheeks.

"A girl," Severus whispered, his voice thick with awe.

Lucius stepped forward, his hands trembling as the healer placed the baby in his arms. He cradled her with a reverence that made your heart ache, staring down at her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. "She's perfect," he breathed.

He turned to you, lowering her so you could press a kiss to her tiny forehead. Even through the magical sedation, you felt her warmth, her delicate presence anchoring you. Lucius's voice was soft, almost reverent. "How do you feel?"

You smiled through your tears, your heart so full it threatened to spill over. "Complete," you whispered, the word carrying all the love and fulfillment of the moment.

Severus leaned down, his lips brushing your temple, his breath warm against your skin. Lucius stood close, the baby nestled in his arms, and for a moment, the world shrank to just the four of you—your family, whole and complete.

11 years and 5 months later...

The stone walkway of Hogwarts hummed with a quiet, ancient magic as the first years glided across the lake in their boats, their small figures silhouetted against the moon's silvery glow. The castle loomed in the distance, its towers piercing the star-studded sky, a beacon of wonder and mystery. You stood between Severus and Lucius, your heart thrumming with a mix of pride and nerves. This was Fallon's night—your youngest, your last to step into the world of Hogwarts—and the moment felt as fragile as it was monumental.

Fallon sat in one of the boats, her long, nearly white hair catching the moonlight like a halo, her pale skin glowing ethereally. Beside her, Albus Severus Potter leaned in, whispering something that made her laugh, their hands clasped in a bond forged long before this night. But then you saw it—the faint glint of headphones nestled in her ears.

"Does she have her headphones on?" you muttered, exasperation threading through your voice. "I'm going to strangle her."

Lucius, ever the calm one, pulled out his spellphone with a faint smirk. "I'm texting the girls," he said, his fingers tapping swiftly. "They can find her and tell her to knock it off before she makes it to the Sorting Ceremony."

You turned to Severus, your brow arched. "Do you think she's excited? Maybe it's not the same for her since she's grown up here."

Severus, his dark eyes scanning the boats with a father's quiet intensity, chuckled softly. "I think it's as magical for her as for the others," he said, his voice a low rumble. "She's dreamed of this night just like they have."

The Great Hall awaited, its enchanted ceiling a swirl of stars and clouds, the long tables set for the feast. You took your place at the headmaster's table beside Severus, his hand resting briefly on your knee in quiet reassurance. Lucius, the professor of Ancient Runes, sat to your right, his posture regal even in repose, while Draco, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and his wife Fleur, the Herbology professor, sat near him, their faces alight with the joy of the occasion.

Stevie, your 17-year-old Ravenclaw, slipped in a moment later, her robes swishing as she approached with a grin. In her hand, she held Fallon's headphones. "She's in a mood," Stevie said, rolling her eyes as she handed them to you. "But Charlie got through to her."

You tucked the headphones away, your heart swelling with affection for your daughters—Charlie, 17 and bold in Gryffindor, and Stevie, clever and quick. Baron, your 14-year-old Hufflepuff, named for his grandfather Baron Alder, was already inside, no doubt charming his housemates.

Then, the doors swung open, and Professor McGonagall entered, shaking her head with a rare grin. Behind her, the first years filed in, their eyes wide with awe. At the front, Albus Potter led the way, his fluffy brown hair and piercing green eyes a striking echo of his father. Just behind him, Fallon Snape-Malfoy strode with an air of quiet confidence, her gorgeous platinum hair cascading over her shoulders, her piercing grey eyes sharp and knowing, her pale skin luminous. She whispered something to Albus, her hand still clasped in his, and you couldn't help but smile at their closeness.

The Sorting began, the ancient hat's voice booming through the hall. When Albus's name was called, he stepped forward, the hat barely touching his head before shouting, "Slytherin!" Fallon's face lit up with a grin, her pride in her best friend unmistakable.

Then it was her turn. "Fallon Snape-Malfoy," McGonagall called, and your daughter glided to the stool, her chin high. The hat settled on her head, and immediately, it bellowed, "Malfoy, Snape,... and a bit of a Riddle? There's only one place for you! Slytherin!"

You, Severus, and Lucius exchanged a glance, your hearts swelling in unison. "That's my girl," you all murmured, the words overlapping in a quiet chorus of love and pride.

The hall erupted in applause, but your eyes remained on Fallon, watching as she took her place at the Slytherin table, her smile radiant, her future unfolding before her like the stars above.

Author Notes: I hope everyone has enjoyed this series and has found some comfort in it. I appreciate all of your support and I found such joy in writing this story in particular.