A Royal Affair

Epilogue

Although Neville was shocked at the revelation that he came from royalty, he took it all in his stride, with Luna just smiling throughout the complex and important conversation, as if she had known the entire time. In addition to the wedding the following night, a second ceremony was planned quickly, wherein Harry would renounce his claim to the Kingdom of Gryffindor, and Neville would be named Crown Prince, with Luna as Crown Princess. Harry had informed his childhood friend, who was now revealed to be his uncle, of the pressing information just before he went to sleep, all in the infirmary, for he had refused to leave Severus's side.

Harry felt relieved the following morning when Severus awoke, and declared that he could not wait to marry Harry. They were promptly examined by Madam Pomfrey and, once given a clean bill of health, were separated so as they could prepare for the ceremony. Harry went to his bedroom for the last time, and was pleased to see that his various manservants had packed away the belongings he wouldn't be needing. Stroking Hedwig, he informed her that Neville would be taking over the kingdom, and that they would be spending the rest of their days living in the Kingdom of Slytherin. Of course, exceptions were involved, as Hedwig would be needed to send letters back and forth, and Harry and Severus would likely travel to the Archipelago of the Four Kingdoms for their council meetings every twenty years.

Harry called Ron and Hermione to him next, and hoped that they wouldn't be too terribly angry with him about this sudden an unexpected turn of events. Harry, while he waited for them, went over towards the window beside his bed, looking out at the rose gardens and passed that, towards the maze, where he remembered the events of the night before. He couldn't believe that Severus had very nearly been taken from him forever, but he knew that he could not dwell upon that until the end of time, for his happily ever after was to begin in just a few short hours.

Ron stepped into the room, arm wrapped around Hermione's waist, with Hermione holding onto Rose, who squirmed with delight in her arms when she saw Harry. "Is everything all right?" Ron queried as Hermione stepped forward, placing Rose into Harry's arms.

"It's perfectly all right," Harry said, bouncing his goddaughter in his arms and kissing her on the cheek, at which point she squealed with glee. "Severus and I have been pronounced healthy by Madam Pomfrey, and the ceremony is continuing on schedule."

Hermione watched Harry then, her brown eyes riddled with intelligence, and she crossed her arms. "What aren't you telling us?"

Harry sighed, placing Rose down, where she wandered on chubby legs towards Hedwig, who swooped down and stood beside her. He smiled at Rose clapped her hands and plunked herself down onto her equally chubby bottom, her red hair fanning around her, and gently stroked the snow-white feathers of the owl. "I'm abdicating my position as Crown Prince."

Ron swore under his breath in outrage, and Hermione slapped the back of his head, not wanting Rose to pick up that sort of language. "I understand that last night was a scare, Harry, but..."

"It has nothing and everything to do with last night," Harry said, cutting Ron off, and Hermione crossed over to the chaise, spreading her scarlet skirts, and looked patiently up at Harry, clearly giving him to opportunity to speak. "Grandfather told me something, while Severus was asleep in the infirmary, last night, and that led me to my final decision."

"What is it he told you, Harry?" Hermione asked, her tone sensible, as she pulled her husband to sit beside her.

Harry walked towards one of the chairs in his small cluster of furniture, and traced the gilded edge with his thumb. "Grandfather informed me that Uncle Aberforth did, in fact, marry before he relinquished his position as a Prince of Gryffindor."

"Married?" Ron demanded, looking from Harry, to Hermione, and back again. "Are you having us on, Harry?"

Harry smirked and shook his head, moving around the chair to perch upon it. "No, I'm not. He took, as his wife, Augusta Longbottom, who, as you all know, was the daughter of the Count of Ilkley, although that title passed to her brother some time ago," he began. "Well, through that union, Augusta had Frank, and then Frank married Alice, and had..."