Ghostly Curse

Epilogue

Epilogue

Four years later---

“Sirion Harry Snape! You put her down this instant!” Ginny chided her child as she caught him for the fourth time trying to pick up the newborn from her crib. “Oh, young man!” she growled in exasperation. “Just you wait until I tell your father!”

Hermione laughed whole-heartedly as she walked over to save Lucenda from her god-brother. “It’s quite alright, Ginny. I want Sirion and Lucenda to be fast friends.”

Going down on one knee, so the little boy could look at the platinum curls up close, she told the little boy, “You cannot hold, her, but you can see her better now. How’s that?”

She was rewarded when Sirion smiled huge and reached out to gently touch a gold ringlet with an expression of awe.

His black hair was just as shiny as his father’s, but his face had a set of freckles that reminded her of when Ginny was younger.  When he looked up to meet her gaze, his black eyes sparkled. “Her hair is so soft.”

Hermione nodded. “Yes, and that is why your mother is afraid of you picking her up. But I’ll tell you what.” She gestured to the loveseat where his mother sat. “If you will sit down beside your mum, I’ll let you hold her. How does that sound?”

Nodding with unhidden excitement, he raced over to climb into the seat next to his mother. Ginny giggled as she helped him up. “I swear, Hermione, you spoil him even more than I ever thought possible.”

Hermione smiled as she leant down to place Lucenda into Sirion’s lap. “Yes, well. . . He is only three years her senior. When she starts school, I want to be secure in the knowledge that he will watch over her.”

Ginny sighed. “I agree, of course. I know they will be close. I can tell already that he’s smitten!”

“And who wouldn’t be?” Lucius interrupted from the doorway, a huge grin on his face as he entered the room with Severus trailing behind him, also wearing an amused look as he took in the view. “She’s absolutely amazingly the most beautiful baby girl in the magical community.”

Hermione moved to embrace her husband and hugged him tight. “How was your visit with Draco? Is he a little more settled?”

Lucius shrugged, “He is just nervous. Angelica finally agreed to marry him and now, he’s just experiencing the normal jitters that go with it.”

Severus sat on the arm of the loveseat, and sent a smirk in Lucius’ direction. “Jitters? Yes, well, perhaps just a bit more than the average jitters. I daresay, he’ll be much better as soon as he sees his bride walking down the aisle.” He glanced down at Ginny with a tender smile. “I know I was.

Hermione and Ginny both smiled. They had already helped Angelica prepare and tomorrow was the big day. She would be a beautiful bride. Of that, both women were certain.

Hermione looked up to Lucius and her heart swelled. Softly, she whispered, If she loves Draco even half as much as I love you, she is nervous as well, I am sure.”

Lucius looked down into the face of his beloved. She had been his salvation in more than one way. With tender hand, he stroked her cheek before leaning down to kiss her gently.

When he pulled back, he whispered back, “If they are half as happy as we are, then all will be right with the world.” And as he said the words, he knew without a doubt that he meant them.

Nagini stood staring at Malfoy Manor with a malevolent smile. She wasn’t an evil being. She wasn’t even really vindictive. But the plans for her life, and the lives of her children had been thwarted by these witches and wizards who had stolen the life of her love.

She knew he had been evil. She had known all along that Voldemort was a terrible being. But, the heart wants what the heart wants. And her heart had wanted him. He had been everything to her.

A small boy with dark hair and bright green eyes, probably at the age of seven or eight, stood beside her, looking from her to the large manor, then back to her. His face showed no fear, only curiousity.

Nagini smiled down at him, and went down on one knee. “Thomas, this is all up to you now. My senses tell me that one of the children inside the manor is a parselmouth. But he is quite young and this will take patience.”

The young boy nodded. “I understand, mother. I am ready.”

At her nod, he transformed himself into a small snake and curled around her hand when she picked him up. Tears were in her eyes as she rubbed her cheek against his slithery skin. “You are my only hope for the future, my son. Only you can right the wrong done to your father.”

“Become friends to your young charge. Become a true familiar to him. Grow with him. Be his most trusted companion. Help to mold him.”

Her gaze grew wild as she peered into the snakes eyes. “Then, when the time is right, bring the young son of Snape to me, so that he may fill the shoes his father never could.”

Slowly, she laid the serpent on the ground and watched as it slowly made its way across the yard. When he was out of sight, Nagini turned and made her way from the home of Lucius and his beloved Hermione.

Let them have their time of peace. Let them believe everything was as it should be. She knew better. And when it came time for the last laugh to be had. . . She would be the one laughing. . .

~fin~