Always Doesn't Mean Forever: Book 3(Severus Snape/student)

Chapter 19: Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain

Severus and I slowly walked to his chambers. We were tired, dirty, and covered in blood. When we came to he wall we didn't say a word. Just let it open and stepped inside. I took his hand and walked to the bathroom. When we made our way inside I sat him down and began unbuttoning his robes. He watched me without saying a word. Once I got his robes off I looked over his body. He had bruises and cuts and scrapes, but nothing that looked took serious. He still had a lot of blood on him from his neck. I grabbed a wash cloth and held it under warm water before standing in front of Sev and running it over his neck and shoulders. I wanted to get as much as I could off before we got into the shower so we didn't make a bigger mess than needed. Severus closed his eyes and leaned into my touch breathing slowly. As I rinsed him off I ran my fingers through his hair to calm him. I could only imagine how it felt suffering before you died only to come back. He'd been through a lot today.

When I finished finding Sev off I started the shower. Once I got the water warm I went to grab Sev's hand, but he was already standing next to me. He lead me into the shower after helping me get undressed and slid down against the wall to the floor. He grabbed my hands and pulled me down into his lap and held me close. "It's over." He said quietly, almost like he was trying to convince himself. "All these years... all the fighting... all the death. It's over."

"I know, love." I grabbed another wash cloth and put soap on it before running over his body gently.

"We made it."

"Barely." I said with a small chuckle. Honestly, I think I was in as much shock as him. I continued to rehash his body before he grabbed my hands and looked into my eyes, making me stop.

"We're free." Tears filled Severus' eyes and his lip trembled. "We're free, Alex."

"We are, love." I kissed him gently and held him close. "At last."

A few days passed and the castle was undergoing major renovations. Severus quit his job at Hogwarts the day after the battle. Him and I had received a lot of attention for our kids on the battle field, but I don't think anyone even cares at this point. We lived through the death of Voldemort. Who gives a damn about anything at this point?

Dad and Tonks' funeral was today. I buried them side by side. I sang Dad's favorite song at the funeral. "Every Storm". I even played my guitar, which I hadn't done since I could remember. I like to think he saw it and smiled. But he was there with Sirius and James and Lily. I knew he was happier there than he could ever be with us.

Four months after the war Severus and I purchased a home together in the middle of nowhere away from everyone. We found these days that above all, we cherished peace and quiet. We'd had enough excitement for three lifetimes. I was taking the last box into the bedroom when Severus grabbed it from me quickly and blocked the door. "I've got it, love." He said with a small smile. I looked at him sideways for a moment.

"Well, alright." I walked back to the living room and Severus put the last box away. "We need to start getting ready. The dinner is in half an hour."

"Alright." He called from the bedroom. I walked toward the bedroom door to start getting ready. As soon as I turned the knob Severus opened the door an inch and handed me my make up and an outfit. I let out a laugh and shook my head.

"Is there any particular reason I'm not allowed in my bedroom?" Severus closed the door quickly and spoke form the other side.

"Nope. Just trying to be helpful. The hall bathroom has better lighting." That was the strangest thing I'd ever heard him say, but I shook it off and decided to go with it.

"Well okay then." I went to the bathroom and got ready quickly. I used a spell to fix my hair into bouncy curls and applied a bit of make up before putting on a slender black dress with green trim. Someone has to represent Slytherin in a house full of Gryffindors.