Title: Beatae Memoriae (Of Blessed Memory)
Author: carawen
Team: Dragon
Genre(s): Postwar
Prompt(s): Tabloid Headlines, Time Capsule
Rating: PG13
Warning/Kinks: *Character Death, Partner Infidelity (not Harry or Severus)*
Word Count: aprox 13k
Summary: 275 years after the final battle, a young man sets out to prove that Harry Potter was not a Dark wizard.
A/N: A million thanks to the mods and their unending patience with me, and to Raewhit and Keane for their betaing skills. Also, a family tree has been posted my IJ, in case anyone is interested, or just confused about how it all connects up.ss

Beatae Memoriae (Of Blessed Memory)

It was a typical Wednesday breakfast at Hogwarts. The Ravenclaw table was silent as many of them did their last minute re-reading before the first class of the day. The Hufflepuffs were chatting happily, though they were mostly overpowered by the few Gryffindors at breakfast. The Slytherin table was quiet as well, but there were only a handful of them there.

Liam Hart absently held his hand out for his newly delivered copy of the Daily Prophet. A glance at the headline had him dropping his fork in shock, though. "Harry Potter, Dark Wizard?" it proclaimed in bold letters. Liam pushed his plate away and smoothed the paper out to read it.

HARRY POTTER: DARK WIZARD?

Though it's been 275 years, the name Harry Potter is still synonymous with 'hero'. But is he still deserving of that title? A recent discovery leads historians to question the accepted beliefs about the hero of the Riddle Wars. In a newly uncovered letter to his second son, Albus Severus, Potter warns his son about the dangers of dark magic, speaking firsthand about its evils...

Liam sat back, not wanting to read anymore. It didn't seem possible, and yet the proof was right there. His eyes strayed down below the article to the photograph of the letter that had started the whole thing.

"Liam?" A hand touched Liam's shoulder and he jumped. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," Imogen Scamander said, sitting next to him.

"It's okay." Liam smiled weakly at his cousin. "I was just a bit absorbed in my reading."

"The Prophet? Yeah, I saw that too, though I haven't read it yet." Imogen pushed a stray bit of hair behind her ear. "Grandpa Harris isn't going to be happy about this."

"Not at all," Liam agreed. "Will you be there for Yule?"

"Yeah, Mum said we'd be there for a few days, but not the whole break."

"Same here. Mum said we're visiting her sister in France for New Year's."

"Lucky. The only places we ever go are for Da's jobs."

"I wish I didn't have to go," Liam said, making a face. "Aunt Genna's twins are two now, and I just know I'll get stuck watching them."

Imogen laughed. "What about Cameron?"

"Now that he finally has a job and moved out, he doesn't have to go." Liam scowled, thinking of his older brother. "Lucky bastard."

"Liam!" Imogen smacked his shoulder.

"I'd rather stay at the main house with Grandpa Harris anyway. It'd be quiet there and I could spend the time studying."

"I think this is the first time I've ever heard you say you'd rather study than go on hols."

"I'd also like to come back to classes with a full head of hair," he said dryly.

Imogen couldn't hold in her laughter after that. She knew just how proud Liam was of his long hair, and what a tempting target it would make to grabby young hands.

"Do contain yourself, cous, or the rumours we're dating will start up again."

"As if I would ever date a ponce like you."

"I hear tell that you would consider dating a ponce like Adler," Liam prompted.

"Oh please. I don't know why he asked me out. Everyone knows he's no interest in girls."

"Well, you're practically a boy most of the time anyway."

Imogen laughed. "Well, one of us has to be, anyway."

"Hey, I'm not girly!"

"You just keep telling yourself that, Hart," said a voice from behind the two.

"Shut it, Adler, you aren't a part of this conversation," Liam growled.

"Whatever you say, pretty boy." Marion Adler turned to Imogen and bowed slightly. "Miss Scamander, I await your answer to my question with bated breath."

"If only you would stop breathing," Liam cut in, shoving the blond boy away. "Go get stuffed."

Adler gave Liam a wicked smirk. "If you insist, Miss Hart," he said before strolling away.

"Why you little-" Imogen's strong grip on his arm was the only thing keeping Liam from chasing after Adler. "Bleeding little ponce! I'm gonna thrash him latter, I swear it."

"Oh belt up. You know he just wants to get a rise out of you."

Liam grumbled unintelligibly and slouched against the table.

"Do you think he'll be at the main house as well? I mean, he is family, of a sort."

"Barely," Liam snorted. "I don't know why Grandma Lily chose to acknowledge that side anyway. And besides, Grandpa Harris has invited them every year and they've never come before."

"True."

A bell rang, signalling the end of breakfast, and the two headed off to separate classes.

"Liam, finally!" Liam had just magicked away the Floo ash when he was nearly knocked over by Imogen. "He's here! Last night, they actually showed up!"

"Who?" Liam could hear his parents' laughter as Imogen pulled him out of the entry hall.

"Adler and his parents. Drove up in a carriage cool as you please. Grandpa Harris was so happy he started crying." Imogen turned serious. "You should go see him. He's not looking his best anymore. Aunt Susan says it's amazing he's lasted as long as he has."

"Yeah, okay." Liam smoothed down his hair. "Is he still upstairs?"

"Yeah. He usually stays up in his rooms until the afternoon. It's less stressful for him that way, letting everyone come to him," Imogen smiled.

They were walking down the hall to Grandpa Harris' room when his door opened and Marion Adler stepped out.

"Adler!" Liam called. "What are you doing, bothering Grandpa Harris? You better not have done anything to him."

"Oh relax, Hart, we were just talking," Adler sneered.

"What on earth would he want to talk to you about?"

"He asked for me, and no, I won't tell you what we talked about."

Liam scowled. "You'd better leave him alone from now on."

"If he wants to talk to me again, I won't say no. I actually know how to respect my elders."

Liam took a deep breath and counted to ten. "Get out of here then and let your elder spend time with actual family."

Adler's expression was one he'd never seen on the other boy before, but Liam thought it almost looked like sadness. Before he could analyze it though, Adler spun on his heel and strode down the hallway.

"Don't you think you might try being a bit nicer?" Imogen asked softly, once Adler had rounded the corner at the far end of the hall. "I mean, the fact that he's here at all must mean the family is trying to patch things up, doesn't it?"

Liam made a face before saying, "well, I suppose I could try, but only if he does the same."

"Liam Hart, I do believe you're finally starting to grow up," Imogen laughed. "C'mon, Grandpa Harris is waiting."

"Of course, cous." Liam opened the door and gave Imogen a playful bow before following her in.

"Liam, my boy!" Harris Scamander exclaimed from his chair.

"Hi, Grandpa," Liam answered, pressing a kiss to the wizened cheek. "How are you feeling?"

"Wonderful, now that the whole family is here with me." Grandpa Harris turned sombre. "I just wish you could all get along. I hate to see everyone fighting. Your parents are far too set in their ways, I fear, so it's up to your generation to change it all."

Liam frowned. "But they're the ones that've been isolating themselves from the rest of the family."

"Would you continue to force your presence among people that make it quite clear they don't want you there?"

"Well, I guess not. But they brought it on themselves, really."

"The sins of the father, or in this case mother, shouldn't be handed down to the child."

"I guess," Liam grudgingly conceded. "I'm not going to suddenly like them, though."

"I wouldn't expect you to, my boy. But keep in mind, Marion is the one who talked his parents into coming this year. He's trying to fix things, so you should really do the same."

"He's just trying to get close to Imogen," Liam grumbled. "He asked her out, you know."

"Oh he did?" Grandpa Harris turned to Imogen, who shot Liam a nasty look. "What did you answer?"

"No, of course. He's completely horrible to everyone for six and a half years then just randomly asks me out? Ponces really aren't my thing." Imogen gave Liam a wicked smile. "Otherwise the rumours about Liam and I would probably be true."

Grandpa Harris laughed. "Have these people actually met you two?"

"I often wonder that myself," Imogen replied. "Honestly, thinking I'd be interested in someone as vain as Liam."

Liam's indignant "hey!" made Grandpa Harris laugh even harder. "Oh how I miss you children when you're off at school."

"We'll be done with school soon enough, Grandpa, so we can come amuse you whenever you want," Liam offered.

Grandpa Harris' smile turned bittersweet. "Yes, I'm sure you'll come visit me." He closed his eyes, and for a moment every one of his two hundred years showed. He looked up at them soon enough though and smiled again. "You should go join the others, rather than stay cooped up here with an old man."

"But we don't mind talking to you," Liam protested.

"No, no, go on. I think I'll take a short nap and join everyone for lunch," he said, pulling the blanket covering his legs up.

"Alright Grandpa." Imogen tugged on Liam's arm until he stood as well.

Liam paused just inside the door. "Err, Grandpa? Are there any old newspapers or such around? I thought I might do a little research into family lore," he added casually.

"Hmm." Grandpa Harris thought for a bit. "I remember grandma Lily kept some clippings. If they haven't been thrown out, they should be in the attic somewhere, I'd imagine."

"Thanks. I'll look for them later, then."

Liam sat back on his heels, stirring up dust and making himself sneeze. After sorting for most of the afternoon, he'd uncovered a pair of boxes filled with old newspaper clippings and letters. A quick cleaning spell on himself and the boxes and he carefully levitated them down to his room.

A quick rifling though the first box showed everything in more or less chronological order, so he pulled out the first paper, a letter, to read.

If there was one thing to be said about nineteen month old Lily Potter, it was that she possessed a very healthy set of lungs, which she made frequent and loud use of.

Harry Potter walked up and down the hallway outside her room, bouncing her up and down, talking soothingly, and trying any other calming method he could think of, but the toddler would not be placated. He'd sent off a desperate plea for help to his mother-in-law, and prayed for her timely arrival.

Ginny has long since retreated to the small room downstairs she'd claimed for personal use, professing a splitting headache. Harry'd been forced to leave his two sons alone in their playroom while he tried to calm down his daughter.

"Harry? Harry, dear, where are you?"

"Up here, Molly," Harry called down, sighing in relief.

"What's wrong, then?" Molly asked, taking the toddler from him.

"I have no idea. Nothing I've tried has worked, and she won't stop crying."

"Ginny did the same on occasion when she was little," Molly told him, tickling Lily's belly. "Usually when her brothers were getting attention she thought she deserved."

Harry laughed.

"Try a warm bath with her," she suggested. "That was often the only way to calm Ginny down once she'd worked herself into such a state."

"Thanks, Mum. Let me just check on the boys first. They've been by themselves for a while now."

"Of course, dear. I'll just get the water running then, hmm?" Molly resettled Lily on her hip and headed down the hallway.

Harry pushed open the door to the playroom, but only one small face looked up at him. "James, where is your brother?"

The five year old shrugged at Harry and returned to his toys.

"Al? Al, where are you?" Harry turned the playroom inside out looking for his middle child, but he was nowhere to be found. "The hall door never opened, so he can't have gone anywhere else," he muttered as he paced back and forth. "How am I going to- the bracelets!"

After James' birth Harry had purchased a set of bracelets, one for him and one for the baby. He put a number of protection and tracking spells on it, as well as one that allowed it to 'grow' with his son. Al and Lily had both received bracelets as well, linked back to Harry's.

Harry cancelled the concealing spell on his bracelet and tapped the stone for Al. The tracking spell hummed and led him to... the wall?

The reason Harry had chosen the corner room for the playroom was that built into the walls under the eaves were a number of large drawers, perfect for toys and impossible to pull out or down. Harry now magicked the drawers out and stacked them to the side.

"Al?" A whispered 'Lumos' and Harry ducked down into the wall. In the triangle made where the roof and Floor met, Al was curled up on a blanket, fast asleep. Harry let out of breath of air, relieved. He carefully picked his son up and brought him out.

A quick spell restored the drawers to their homes, and Harry set Al on the low bed left in the playroom specifically for naptime.

James was still on the Floor playing, having ignored his father's frantic search for his brother. "Dad, will you play?" he asked as Harry turned to the door.

"Actually, Grandma is here, and she'll be down to play with you in just a minute, okay?" Harry responded, ruffling James' hair.

"Okay," James grumbled, swatting Harry's hand away.

Once the playroom door closed behind him, Harry leaned against the wall and sank to the Floor. Three small children and a full time job were getting to be too much for him, especially as Ginny spent more and more time either shut away or out of the house.

Perhaps it was time to do some thinking and rearrange his life.

Though the bedroom door was slightly open, Harry could feel the tingle of a ward that night. A ward meant to keep only him out. So Ginny was refusing to share a bed with him.

Harry sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. It looked like he'd be transfiguring the couch in the study again.

Harry knew Ginny wasn't as happy as she'd expected to be, married to him. But he just couldn't bring himself to be the husband she wanted, going out to parties and functions constantly, always seen and the centre of attention. After his daily hours at the Ministry, all Harry wanted to do was spend quiet time with his family.

Harry knew he was losing his wife, and he wasn't sure what he wanted to do about if, if he'd even do anything at all.

Transfigurations had never been a strength of Harry's, particularly when his mind was elsewhere, so he wound up with a rather lumpy mattress. It didn't take him long to fall asleep though, and the dream came shortly after.

It didn't matter where Harry slept, Al was always able to find him. He curled a protective arm around the small boy and soon father and son were asleep.

19 March, 2012
Dark Magic in Hogsmeade?

Shortly after midnight yesterday morning, a large spike of dark magic was reported in the Hogsmeade vicinity. A team of Aurors, headed by semi-retired Harry Potter at the town's request, was dispatched not long afterwards, but no cause was found. This reporter has to question just how safe the students are at nearby Hogwarts, and if there are concerns of a new...

Harry sat back and rubbed his eyes. He'd spent what felt like ages poring over old books and scrolls, but he'd finally found a way to make the dreams stop.

Of course, it was dark magic.

A quick spell copied the relevant passages and he reshelved the books himself, not wanting anyone to know just what he'd been researching. He had to make sure there was no way to connect any of it back to him.

Now, to enlist some help.

"Are you sure this is safe, Harry?" Hermione bit her lip, looking over the scroll again.

"Safe enough," Harry replied. "And besides, this is the only way to do it."

Hermione gave him an unconvinced look he remembered well from school.

"We should be able to Apparate right into the Shack. I don't remember hearing anything about the wards being renewed," Harry said, packing up the few things he needed for the ritual. It was surprisingly simple, considering the nature of the magic. The only reason he'd included Hermione at all was as back up, in case something went wrong. "Ready?"

"I suppose."

"Let's go then." Harry Apparated into a downstairs room in the Shack, followed shortly by Hermione. A dark brown stain on the Floor caught his eye, and he shuddered as he realized what it was.

The ritual circle was simple to make, only a line delineating where Harry would cast the spell. He knelt down and began chanting. On the third repetition a silvery mist started to form around him, and by the time he finished the seventh chant, it had coalesced into a solid-looking ball in front of him.

Harry reached his wand out to touch the ball, and said, "I release you." The ball shattered, sending shards everywhere, but neither of them had a scratch on them. The shards had simply gone through any obstacles and disappeared.

"Is that it?" Hermione asked as the circle faded.

"Yeah. Give me a hand, would you? I have a feeling I need to get home. Something that powerful had to have been noticed."

"Right." Hermione helped him up and stuffed a vial of Pepper-Up in his hand. "Are you okay to Apparate?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine." Harry tossed back the potion. "I'll see you soon, then?"

"Yes." Hermione kissed his cheek and they Apparated away in different directions.

Hundreds of miles away, a man shot up in bed, aware of where he was for the first time in years.

8 June, 2015
Problems in Potter Marriage?

Everything might not be happily ever after anymore in what had appeared to be a fairy tale marriage. Recently Mrs Ginny Weasley Potter has been seen out on the town without her husband, instead accompanied by a different man every time. When questioned, Mrs Potter refused to make a statement, and Mr Potter was unavailable for comment. Is an unhappy ending in their future?

"Daddy, look!"

Harry gave Lily a hand as she clumsily climbed into his lap. "What is it, princess?"

"It's Mommy," the six year old told him, waving the Daily Prophet in his face.

"Let me see that," Harry said, taking the paper from her hands.

"Why do they have a picture of Mommy with all those boys?" she asked, looking up at him.

Harry gulped as he skimmed the article. "Err, it's from a party Mommy went to while I stayed here with you and your brothers."

"Oh," Lily said, looking back at the photograph.

"Aunt Hermione will be here soon to pick you up, so go get ready, princess."

"Okay, Daddy." Lily bounded off and Harry buried his head in his hands. What was he to do, now that the whole world knew his marriage was falling apart?

Harry was sorting through papers that evening when the door burst open and Ginny sashayed in. "I was thinking, Harry," she said, seating herself on the corner of his desk. "It's been quite some time since we've done anything, just the two of us. Let's go away for a week or so."

"And our children? What would they do?" Harry countered, annoyed.

"Mum and Dad can watch them. You know how much they love the kids."

"Why not go somewhere we can take them as well?"

"But I'd rather spend some alone time with you," Ginny pouted. She caught sight of the newspaper, still sitting on Harry's desk and pushed it off.

"Are you sure you're not just trying to counter your recent press?" Harry asked, eyes following the paper's descent. "You may have no problem just up and leaving our children for a period of time, but I can't say I feel the same."

Ginny shot up, glaring at him. "God, Harry, I feel like you love our children more than me!" she yelled.

Harry took a deep breath before looking up from his desk. "They offer me unconditional love. They don't want an acclaimed hero or a famous Quidditch star, just a daddy who'll pick them up when they fall and read them bedtime stories."

"And all I want is a husband!"

"No, Ginny, you want someone famous that will take you out and show you off, then go back in a box until the next time you want attention. And I can't be that man anymore. There are three little people upstairs that deserve better than that from their parents."

"You bastard. You make it sound like I don't care about them at all!"

"Sometimes I wonder," Harry replied.

"You... you!" Ginny jumped forward to slap Harry, but he easily caught her wrist.

"I know you're mad at me, but could you please keep your affairs out of the news?" Harry asked, jerking his head at the discarded paper. "The kids don't need to see that."

Ginny snatched her wrist back and gave Harry a bitter look. "Fine then, if you want to do it that way. I'll find an apartment in London and be out of the house by next week."

"That's not what I meant-"

"What then, Harry? Should I bring my 'affairs' back here, with my estranged husband and children just down the hall? I didn't think so." Ginny stormed out of the room and Harry buried his face in his hands.

13 August, 2019
Potter, Malfoy Patriarchs' Public Brawl

Midday yesterday a fight broke out between two respected members of the Wizarding community. Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were each out shopping with their children for Hogwarts supplies. Mister Potter's daughter and sons are first, second and fourth years, respectively, and Mister Malfoy's son is a second year. It was in Flourish and Blotts that the two families met. The two men exchanged heated words before descending to physical attacks on each other's person. There is no word yet on the cause of their fight, but speculation...

"Daddy! Time to get up!"

Harry groaned as an enthusiastic eleven-year-old jumped on him, startling him out of sleep.

"Get up, Daddy! We're going to Diagon Alley to get my supplies today!"

"Lily? What time is it?" Harry peered blearily at the clock next to his bed, almost certain that the first number was a five. "It's not even dawn yet, princess. Go back and sleep for a couple more hours. We won't be going till nine at the earliest."

Lily pouted. "That's so far away!"

"Shoo. Back to bed." Harry smiled as he listened to Lily close his door, then wriggled back under his blankets for a bit more sleep.

"Alright, James, you can go first, then Al, then Lily and I-"

"Dad!" Lily protested. "I'm old enough to Floo by myself now. I'll be going to Hogwarts in less than a month, after all."

"Alright then." Harry held out the Floo powder pot. "And don't even think of trying anything when you get there," Harry warned James. "Neville and Hannah will be there watching."

"Yes, Dad," James grumbled, taking a handful of powder. "The Leaky Cauldron," he said sulkily and Flooed off, followed by the rest of the Potters in succession.

"Hiya, Harry," Neville Longbottom greeted as he tumbled out. "Having breakfast?"

"Not today, though we'll probably be back for lunch. Lily's eager to be shopping," Harry replied.

"Ahh, yes." Neville looked down at the only girl in the group. "You'll be starting your first year now, won't you?"

"Yes, Professor," Lily responded, suddenly shy.

Neville smiled at the formality. "Well, there's no need to stand around taking to me all day. I'll see you when you're done your shopping."

"Of course. C'mon then." Harry herded the three out the back door and soon they joined the early morning bustle of Diagon Alley. Their last stop was Flourish and Blotts, Harry knowing how much Al and Lily both liked looking through the numerous shelves.

"Al!"

Harry turned at the cheerful shout of his younger son's name. Intellectually he'd known Al had made friends with the Malfoy heir, but it was quite another thing to see the dark and fair heads close together as the two boys enthusiastically slapped each other's backs.

"Potter, what a delight to see you," came the sarcastic drawl.

"Malfoy," Harry replied, nodding at his former schoolmate. "Your wife chose not to come along shopping for once?"

Malfoy sneered at him. "I could say the same of you. It's a shame your lovely wife isn't here; I rather looked forward to seeing her again."

A thought started to form in the back of Harry's mind, one that he wasn't ready to consider. "I can't see why, you never gave her the time of day before."

"Ah yes, but things have changed. And I suppose I have you to thank for that."

Malfoy's smirk was the last straw. Harry's fist swung out and punched him in the jaw before he realized what he was doing.

"You- you!" Malfoy tried to land his own punch but Harry was quicker, pinning the blond man against a bookshelf.

"So your own wife isn't enough for you anymore?" Harry ground out.

"What bothers you more, Potty, that I chose your wife, or that I didn't choose you?" Malfoy whispered furiously.

"That was almost twenty years ago, you bastard, and it meant nothing at all," Harry hissed. Someone grabbed Harry from behind and pulled him back, freeing up Malfoy's hands long enough for him to land a blow on Harry, before he too was grabbed.

"Well this is something I never expected of you, Mr Potter," Kingsley Shaklebolt said once Harry had stopped fighting his hold.

"Forgive us, sir," Malfoy cut in, acquiescently, 'but I'm afraid the intellectual debate we were having got a bit too heated."

Harry nodded quickly at Kingsley's disbelieving look, eager to be done with such a public display. "Sorry, Kingsley, but it's far too easy to slip back into our old ways of working out problems." Harry added.

"Well then. If neither of you want to make a complaint? And you'll be leaving right away?" Kingsley gave both men a firm look, who nodded like they were back in school once more.

"Just as soon as I pay for everything," Harry promised. "The kids and I are long overdue for lunch." Harry turned and looked at his children for the first time since he started fighting with Malfoy. Lily had a nervous look on her face as she bit her lower lip, but all three boys looked curiously between their fathers.

"All right. See you in a few days then, Harry?" Kingsley asked, slapping Harry on the back.

"Yup. Soon as this lot's sent back up to Hogwarts," Harry replied, grabbing Lily's and James' shoulders.

"Scorpius, let's go," Malfoy cut in. "We've still more shopping to do."

Scorpius fixed a pleading look on his father before sighing. "Yes, Father. See you next week then?" he asked Al, grabbing his wrist as both boys were led in opposite directions.

"Yeah, see you at King's Cross."

"Scorpius!" came the sharp yell, prompting the blond boy to roll his eyes and trot obediently after his father.

Harry sighed and slid into the booth next to Lily. His daughter bit her lip as she watched him carefully, while his sons had fallen into what sounded to be a long-running debate about Al and his House and friends.

"You're going to have a huge bruise soon, Dad," Lily said, wrapping her hands around Harry's arms.

"As soon as we're home I'll put some bruise balm on it," Harry reassured her, though she still looked uncertain.

Menus appeared on the table and silence reigned for a moment as all four made their selections.

"I heard you might need this," said a friendly voice as a small pot of bruise balm appeared before Harry. "Budge over, will you?"

Harry smiled as he slid on closer to Lily. "Thanks, Hannah. I'd ask how you know, but I'm well aware of just how fast gossip travels here."

Hannah laughed as she dabbed the balm along the darkening bruise on Harry's jawline. "Any news regarding the Saviour is sure to travel quicker than light, especially when he's acting human."

Harry laughed as well. "You'd think the interest would have died down by now."

"Face it, Harry, they'll be watching your every move for a long time coming."

"I was afraid of that." Harry ran his hand over where the bruise had been only moments before. "On a different note, where were you this morning? It was rather strange to see only Neville."

Hannah gave Harry a shy smile. "Well, I've been rather slow in the mornings recently."

Harry shot a look at his sons before turning back to Hannah. "Does that mean what I think it does?"

Hannah smiled and nodded happily. "We only just found out definitely earlier this week, so you're the second to officially know. Neville's already arranged for a sabbatical from the school."

"That's great, Hannah. Really fantastic."

Hannah turned to the bar and waved her husband over. "Actually, we were talking about this the other day-"

"Hello, love," Neville said, kissing the top of Hannah's head and leaning on the back of the booth. "Did you ask yet?"

"I was just about to," Hannah replied, shooting him a look. "Harry, we were hoping you'd be the baby's godfather?"

Harry gaped for a moment before smiling. "I'd be honoured."

"Great," Neville said, beaming. "We're going to need all the help we can get once he or she is born, after all."

Harry studied Hannah for a moment. "She, I'd say."

"Harry?"

"Hmm?" Harry gave his head a shake before looking at the pair. "Sorry, I just get these... flashes, sometimes, and they're usually right."

Neville frowned. "When did that start?"

"Back during the fight at Hogwarts, after I, err..." Harry trailed off, glancing at his children. "When I was in the woods with Voldemort," he finished softly.

"When you were talking to the Headmaster?" Neville asked, equally soft.

"Yeah. After that, things weren't quite the same. It's mostly in dreams that I see stuff, but occasionally it happens when I'm awake."

"Creepy." Hannah shivered.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No, it's all right. Sometimes it's just nice to forget exactly what happened that day, and just remember that it all ended."

"I understand," Harry said. "But it helps now that there are so many good things to think about these days."

"Exactly." Neville squeezed Harry's shoulder and stood straight. "Better get back to work, then," he said as a rowdy group of young men entered and headed for the bar. "No rest for the wicked, and all that rubbish." He returned to the bar.

"I should go as well," Hannah said, smiling.

"Hey," Harry said, catching her hand as she slid out of the booth. "Let me know whenever you need something, whether it's help behind the bar or just someone to talk to."

"Thanks, Harry. I've no doubt I'll be taking you up on that. Neville's sabbatical starts at spring hols, and I know we'll need help then."

"Of course. I can't wait."

Hannah kissed Harry's cheek then joined her husband.

Liam jumped at the knock on his door and quickly stuffed the boxes under his bed. "Come in!" he called, making sure they were fully hidden. The blond head poking through his door surprised him. "Adler? What on earth do you want?"

Adler cleared his throat and stepped inside Liam's room. "I thought," he said stiffly, "for the sake of Grandpa Harris, that we call a truce while we're here."

Liam frowned and studied the other boy. "Well, I must say, those are words I never thought I'd ever hear you say."

Adler glared at him for a moment before calming down again. "It's obvious you're one of his favourites, and he seems to like me as well, so I thought we might put all the animosity aside for now."

Liam sighed and flopped back on his bed. "I suppose you have a point there," he admitted reluctantly. "But this doesn't mean I like you!" he hastened to add.

"Of course not," Adler smirked. "But regardless, Grandpa Harris sent me to fetch you for supper."

"Right." After a quick look in the mirror, Liam followed Adler out.

Once dinner was over Liam grabbed his mother's arm. "Can I ask a big favour, Mum?" he said, pulling her aside.

"What is it, dearest?" Lyra asked, smoothing his hair back.

"If Grandpa Harris doesn't mind, could I stay here for the rest of the break? It's not that I don't want to go to France," he hastened to add. "I'd just rather spend the time here where it's quiet and I can study for my NEWTs."

Lyra smiled. "I suppose if Grandpa has no problem with it," she agreed. "I know there's not much there to interest a boy of your age anyway."

"Thanks mum." Liam bent down and kissed her cheek. Lyra laughed and waved him off.

Back in his room Liam pulled the box out again, to continue reading about the past.

Al grumbled to himself as he pushed open the apothecary door. He should have known better than to lend James ingredients, as his older brother had been avoiding him ever since. The Hogsmeade apothecary wasn't as large as its counterpart in Diagon Alley, but it made sure to stock student supplies.

It only took him a moment to locate a bottle of armadillo bile, and he took it to the counter to pay.

The door slammed open behind him, making Al jump. For some reason the man stalking into the apothecary seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place him.

"Your usual, sir?" one of the assistants asked, looking at him nervously.

"I did send an owl to that effect earlier," the man drawled in a surprisingly gravelly voice. For some reason Al expected it to be smooth. He caught sight of Al and turned to look him over fully. "Mister Potter, I presume?" he asked. "Yes, you look exceedingly like your father. Are you the first or the second, then?"

"Err, the second?" Al stuttered. "Albus Severus Potter. Do you know my dad then?"

"In a way," the man replied. "Though that was quite some time ago, and he has undoubtedly forgotten me by now."

Al stayed silent, not sure how to respond.

"It's of no matter. Though next time you write to him, do send him my gratitude."

"Err, sure. May I ask what you name is?" Al asked, growing more and more confused.

"Hmm... These days I go by the name Corvin, though that's not what he knew me as. I'll just leave it up to him to figure the rest out."

"Right. I'll be sure to tell him. Do you live here in Hogsmeade?"

"I do indeed."

"Right." Al took his bottle from the clerk who had wrapped it and hurried out, already composing a letter to his father in his head.

It wasn't easy, but after asking around in several of Hogsmeade's establishments, Harry had finally tracked down the man who had called himself Corvin. Though Harry was almost positive he knew just who the man was, after Al's description, he couldn't fathom how he was alive.

The house was a nondescript building at the end of one of the side streets, set apart from the rest of the houses. There was smoke coming from the chimney, leading Harry to assume the man was home. He knocked briskly, almost afraid of what he might learn.

The door swung open, and Harry looked up into a face he had never expected to see again. "Severus..."

"Mister Potter," he returned, holding the door open for Harry.

"I don't understand. How?" Harry asked, automatically falling back into the armchair Severus waved him to.

"It seems it was all my doing," Severus started, taking the seat across from Harry.

"The memories? I know there was a bond formed, but I watched you die."

"I did not die that night, not fully, though I did stop breathing for some time. Though I wasn't aware of it, I gave you a bit of my consciousness when I gave you my memories, which kept me alive, so to speak. I somehow managed to end up in a Muggle hospital, where I was functional, but not aware of anything going on around me. Then, over eleven years ago now, I had what the Muggles called a miraculous recovery."

"I was dreaming all sorts of strange things, most about you," Harry admitted. "It took me a while, but I found a ritual to... err, cleanse me, I guess is the best way to put it, of the connection between us. I had no idea you were still alive." Harry scratched the back of his head. "Why didn't you come to me, or even say anything at all until now?"

"I've been quite content to live my life out under a new name. The very few that think I might look ever so slightly familiar change their minds very quickly once they hear me speak."

"Yeah, I noticed your voice. Is that from Nagini?"

"Indeed. A lasting reminder of that fateful day, you might say."

Harry shifted in his chair. "How long have you been here in Hogsmeade?" he asked, deliberately changing the subject.

"Almost four years now. I wandered for a while, taking in the sights I'd never had a chance to visit before."

"You seem so... different," Harry commented, looking him over once again. "Much less..."

"Unapproachable? I've had quite a lot of time to think about things since I returned to the land of the living, so to speak, and I decided it's not worth maintaining that attitude any longer," Severus said, leaning forward.

"That's good." Harry fell silent for a moment. "Are you ever going to let on who you really are, or do you plan to stay this Corvin fellow?"

Severus sat back again, seeming to decide how to phrase his answer. "Though I am very appreciative of all the efforts you took to clear my name, I have no desire to return to that life and be that man again. I think I'll be quite content to live out the rest of my years as Roydon Sevastian Corvin."

"Sevastian? It seems to me you haven't fully parted ways with who you are."

"No, I suppose I can't fully excise my past from my future. But I need something to remind me of that as well, to steer myself away from that path again."

Harry nodded, looking at the man again. The years had had an effect on him, there were wrinkles on the outsides of his eyes and mouth, and a streak of grey hair grew from his right temple, but he didn't look merely twenty-five years older than the last time Harry had seen him. It took Harry a few moments to realize that his face was fuller, not as gaunt as he had been in Harry's childhood. His cheekbones didn't stick out quite so sharply, and his nose didn't dominate his face anymore, now that there was more of it. He looked healthy in a way Harry couldn't remember him looking ever before.

"Do I pass your rigorous standards?" Severus drawled, and even with the changes in his voice, Harry heard the professor from his schooldays.

"I was only noticing how much better you look from the last time I saw you," Harry said mildly.

"Well, as I was dying then, almost anything is an improvement."

"But I mean it. You look very good, sir. I can see just how well this new life agrees with you."

"Well then." Severus shifted, obviously uncomfortable with Harry's praise.

"So, what is it you do, nowadays?"

"I make potions of a discreet nature by owl order. It's rather profitable."

Harry fixed Severus with a stern look. "You know, being retired doesn't mean I can't arrest you for contraband."

Severus threw his head back and laughed, shocking Harry out of his mock suspicious expression. "I'd imagine the number of politicians whose patronage I enjoy would have me free in a matter of hours, if only to keep their own reputations intact. Most of my potions are simply stronger versions of what the apothecaries sell. Nothing illegal in that, I assure you."

"You said that's only most of what you do, but I suppose I'll let you slide on that for now."

"Thank you ever so much," Severus said dryly.

"I should probably stop bothering you then," Harry said after a moment's silence. "It's really great to know you're okay, and not, err, dead. Though you did leave Al really confused."

"I see you haven't gained any eloquence since the last time we met," Severus teased.

Harry rolled his eyes but laughed. "Could I come and talk to you again?"

"I suppose I could allow it," Severus replied. "If you aren't otherwise engaged, you could join me for dinner Thursday."

"I'd like that. With the kids all at Hogwarts, I find myself at odds most of the time."

Severus laughed again, though lightly this time. "I suppose I should just resign myself to looking out for you for the rest of my life. Again."

"It's not as bad as all that now, is it?" Harry joked back, pushing out of his chair. "I'm much less reckless these days, now that there's no longer a war."

"I'll believe that when I see it," Severus grumbled, standing as well.

"It really was good to see you," Harry said as they walked to the door. "And I'm looking forward to Thursday."

"As am I," Severus said, holding the door open.

"Goodbye, then." Harry smiled at Severus and Apparated away, just catching the whispered, "goodbye, Harry".

The rap of the judge's gavel was one of the best sounds Harry had ever heard. Though there had been some furious arguments behind closed doors, he and Ginny had managed to present a friendly front to the public eye. He shook his lawyer's hand then leaned over to kiss Ginny's cheek. "Take care of yourself, okay?" he told her.

"I always do," Ginny replied, giving him a tight smile.

The hallway outside the courtroom was packed with reporters and other onlookers, but Kingsley had generously provided several Aurors to escort them to the Apparition site. Harry ignored the questions and camera bulb flashes as best he could while Ginny smiled and waved, though she didn't offer any answers either.

Without another look at him Ginny Apparated away, and with a sigh, Harry did the same.

"All settled, then?" Severus asked, starting a pot of tea at Harry's appearance.

"Yeah, finally. Ginny got her maiden name and her money, less than she wanted and more than my lawyer thought I should have given her, and I got my children," Harry replied, slumping into a kitchen chair.

"How much did she want? Or do you not want to talk about it yet?" Severus set out milk, sugar, cups and saucers as the kettle began to whistle.

"No, it's all right. She wanted almost half of the estate, but I finally talked her down to 750,000 galleons."

"A very generous settlement." Severus nodded.

"Yeah. I couldn't have offered her much more than that anyway. I only have access to about a quarter of the estate's total worth. Most of it is either tied up in businesses and the like or in trust, and only utter destitution would get me access to the trust funds."

"How many trusts are there?" Severus asked, checking to see if the tea was dark enough.

"At the moment, eight. There's the main trust which has been part of the Potter estate for several centuries, and its interest is what I live off." Harry accepted the cup of tea Severus slid his way. "Then I opened trusts for each of my children when they were born that they'll get when they're twenty-five, and the last four are for my grandchildren, though they won't be coming for a rather long while."

"You sound so sure as to the number of grandchildren," Severus said with a note of inquiry.

"I told you some time ago that I get flashes, didn't I?"

"Yes, I seem to recall something to that effect."

"Well, James will have a daughter, though not for some time, as his future wife is only four herself. Lily will have twin daughters and a son."

"Is her husband a little boy as well?" Severus asked dryly.

"No, though he is only a second year at Hogwarts."

"And Al? He'll have no children?"

Harry shook his head. "I've only ever seen him with his nieces and nephew."

Severus frowned. It was obvious to anyone that looked that Al was Severus' favourite of Harry's children.

"Though he's never said as much to me, I believe it has something to do with Scorpius Malfoy," Harry said softly, looking down. "I worry about Al if that's the case. No doubt Draco will choose to arrange his son's marriage, as his father did for him."

"Yes, it is a long-standing tradition among those pureblooded families that care more about breeding than happiness," Severus said in the same tone.

"I could never even imagine doing that to my children, forcing them into loveless marriages."

"That's because you're too compassionate by far. Now," Severus said, standing. "I do believe it's time for dinner."

"Right. I'll just pop over to the school for Al and Lily. James should be getting there any minute."

"You can Floo up to Minerva's office from here to save some time, and I can go meet James."

Harry looked up at him. "So, you've spoken to the Headmistress?"

"Yes, two weeks ago now. It was long overdue, but she didn't hold that against me."

"That's good. Thanks," Harry said, taking a handful of powder from the box Severus held out. "See you in a bit, then. Headmistress McGonagall's office, Hogwarts," he said and stepped through the flames.

"Harry!" Minerva cried, looking up from a report. "I wasn't expecting you to Floo in."

"I didn't know I could," Harry told her, taking a seat in front of her desk. "Severus said he came to see you?"

"He did indeed," Minerva replied, setting her papers aside. "I was very happy to see him again, especially looking so well. To think he's been hiding out so close by all this time and I never knew."

"He's very good at staying hidden when he wants to," Harry agreed. "If he hadn't bumped into Al last March I never would have known."

"Speaking of which, your children should be here any moment."

As if on cue, the door burst open and Al and Lily tumbled in.

"Dad!" Lily cried, rushing up to him. "Did everything go all right?"

"Yes, everything is finished and settled now." Harry stood and nodded to Minerva. "Thank you for letting me take them out for the evening."

"It's nothing at all, Harry. You have rather extenuating circumstances, after all."

"Right. I'll be back later to return them, then." Harry put a hand on either child's shoulder and led them out.

"We get to stay with you, right?" Lily asked nervously once they were on the grounds.

"Of course. It was the only thing I insisted on."

"Good." Lily wrapped a hand around Harry's arm and leaned into him.

"Al?" Harry said, looking at his son. "Is that all right with you?"

"Hmm?" Al looked up at him. "Oh, yeah. I mean, Mum's always busy after all. And she's the one who left to start with."

Harry frowned and stopped, pulling the two teenagers to face him. "I don't want you to think your mother doesn't want you at all. She did request custody, but we decided that your main residence would be with me, and that either she could visit you or you could go to her."

Al nodded and turned back to the road to Hogsmeade. Lily returned to Harry's side. "I'd much rather stay with you anyway," she said softly, looking at Al's back.

"Thank you," Harry replied, kissing the top of her head. "Now, let's get to the Three Broomsticks. James and Roydon are waiting for us."

"So, excited about visiting the dragon reserve again?" Liam asked, grabbing an apple from the sideboard.

"Well, it's not too bad," Imogen replied. "Remember Alexander Matthews?"

"Hmm... Gryffindor, finished two years ago, wasn't it?"

"Yup. He works there now."

"Oh, Immie," Liam groaned. "Don't tell me you're planning to ogle him the whole time."

"Shush, you," she said, slapping his arm. "He's very good-looking, and nowhere near as vain as you are. And best of all, he's not related to me."

"You wound me," Liam cried, clutching his hands to his chest. "When are you leaving?"

"After lunch, which will be soon, you know," she said, looking pointedly at his half-eaten apple.

"Bah." Liam waved a hand at her. "I'm still a growing boy. I need food."

"Soon you'll start growing out instead of up," Imogen grumbled. "Did Grandpa Harris tell you Adler's staying as well?"

"Yeah, he mentioned that. I don't know why he can't slither back under his rock like his parents are."

"Liam!" Imogen said sharply. "I thought you two called a truce."

"Sorry, old habits and all that," Liam said sheepishly.

"Well, since the two of you will be alone, perhaps you can talk some. And I mean actually talk, not just insult each other."

"We'll see," Liam replied glumly.

Liam shut his bedroom door behind himself with a sigh of relief.

Now that the guests had all left, meals were taken in Grandpa Harris' sitting room, to make it easier for him. Only Aunt Susan and her husband lived full-time in Chetwin House, so the five of them ate together at a small round table the house-elves brought in and out at each meal.

Adler had kept to himself the entire meal, only answering Grandpa Harris' occasional questions. Liam couldn't see a reason for his staying, but fighting with him wasn't worth it anymore.

Liam decided to read one more thing before bed that night, and pulled the box out from under his bed. He unfolded the next letter and a small newspaper clipping fell out of it.

Below it was a picture of the couple, arm in arm and smiling. Liam skimmed the letter, before reading it thoroughly. Was this the letter that had prompted the response that had started the whole thing?

Al stormed into his private room, the day's paper clenched in his hand. He was never more grateful that as Head Boy he had a room separate from the dorms. Originally it meant he and Scorpius could have the privacy communal rooms hadn't afforded, but now it meant he had someplace to retreat and lock everyone out.

After pacing back and forth for a few minutes, Al pulled his door back open and scanned the hallway. Not far away a pair of Slytherin second years stood talking. "You there," he said, waving them over. "Can you do something for me?"

"Sure," one said.

"Go to the common room and ask Scorpius Malfoy to come see me, please? It's really important."

"Of course." The two hurried off, shooting looks at him over their shoulders. Perhaps he hadn't looked as calm as he thought.

Al could hear Scorpius whistling as he walked up the corridor about fifteen minutes later, and threw open his door.

"What did you need, Al?" he asked, grinning.

"Get in here," Al growled, grabbing his arm and pulling him in.

"Feeling aggressive? That's one we haven't done," Scorpius said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Shut up!" Al yelled.

"Hey, what's wrong," Scorpius asked, finally noticing Al's anger.

"Well, for starters, it would have been nice to have heard about my lover's engagement before it was announced in the papers!"

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh. Were you ever going to tell me, or were you just going to show up one day with a wedding band?"

"I didn't think it would matter to you. It's an arranged marriage, anyway. I don't love her or anything. I barely even know her."

"But you've known about this for a while?" Al prompted.

"Since Yule."

"And you couldn't be bothered to tell me sometime in the past four months?" Al started pacing again, occasionally glaring at Scorpius.

"Like I said, I didn't think you'd care. It doesn't mean the end of our relationship," Scorpius said placatingly.

"Like hell it doesn't! I won't be your kept whore no matter how much I care about you. I'm not my mother."

"So you wouldn't care that I'm in a loveless marriage?" Scorpius countered, growing angry as well.

"That's between yourself and your father. But I want more than someone else's husband." Al walked to his door and put a hand on the knob. "If I can't have all of you to myself, then I won't have anything. I hope you do well in the last months of school and in your NEWTs, Malfoy. I suggest you speak to the Head Girl from now on if you have any problems."

"Al, please don't do this. Don't make me choose," Scorpius pleaded, stepping up to Al.

"Our association is at an end. Please remove yourself from my rooms and return to your own common room." Al grabbed Scorpius' arm when he didn't move and propelled him out the now open door.

It took some time before Scorpius stopped banging on his door.

"Hey, Harry! I didn't expect to see you here!"

Harry turned to see Teddy Lupin weaving through the tables to him. "Teddy! I haven't seen you in far too long." Harry smiled and waved Teddy to a chair.

"Yeah, work has kept me busy, but you'd know all about that, of course." Teddy slumped down and scratched the back of his head. "How's everyone doing? James hasn't written me recently."

Harry laughed and rolled his eyes. "James has been too busy to write anyone recently. The only way I've been able to make sure he's still alive is to send Al over to his new flat."

Teddy laughed as well. "Busy being a bachelor?"

"I suppose. I have a feeling it won't last too much longer though. He'll run out of food soon at any rate," Harry said dryly.

"Ahh, he still hasn't mastered grocery shopping?"

"Nope. Of course, I also send Al over with whatever the house-elves have just baked as well, to further tempt him home."

"You are a cruel, cruel man, Uncle Harry."

Harry smiled again and caught sight of Severus just coming through the door. He stood and waved the older man over.

"I hope I'm not interrupting?" Severus said as he slid into a chair.

"Not at all," Harry replied. "I know I've mentioned my godson, Teddy, to you?" he asked. "Teddy, this is my good friend, Roydon. He knew your parents, actually."

"Not as well as I could have, though," Severus demurred as he shook Teddy's hand. "I see that you inherited your mother's talents," he said, nodding at Teddy's blue-streaked hair.

"Yeah. Grandmum wasn't too happy about raising another Metamorphmagus, but she said she was quite pleased I didn't inherit her clumsiness as well."

Severus and Harry both laughed, making Teddy smile.

"Well, Torrie and I are having dinner with her parents, so I'd better get going," Teddy said, standing.

"Yes, you wouldn't want to keep Fleur waiting," Harry agreed. "You two should come by for dinner some time."

"Yeah, I'll tell Torrie. It was nice meeting you," Teddy said, nodding to Severus. "See you, Harry." Teddy hurried out.

"So, is there a reason why you wanted to meet here for dinner?" Severus asked, turning to Harry.

"Err, yes and no, I suppose. I realized I've turned into a bit of a recluse, so I thought it might be nice to actually go out for dinner, not just stop by your place."

"I see," Severus said dryly.

"Well, this gives you the night off now, doesn't it?" Harry said, grinning.

"I suppose I could look on it that way."

"Wonderful as usual," Severus said later, pushing his empty plate away.

"Yeah," Harry agreed, sitting back.

"So, would you prefer to continue being out in public, or would you like to have a drink at home with me?"

"That sounds like a good idea," Harry said. He dug out the money to cover their dinner and stood. "I've been thinking of buying a new house," he said as they walked through Hogsmeade's streets.

"Any particular reason?"

"I just think it's time for a change. I'd like something bigger too, so the kids can stay there as long as they'd like."

"A tall order," Severus said.

"I did actually talk to a real estate agent about this. She's looking for me."

"Muggle?"

"Yeah. I figured it'd be easier for her to find me something remote, something I'd then be able to ward and enchant."

"That does make sense." Severus unwarded his door and waved Harry in. "Are you looking in a specific part of the country?"

"Not particularly. I just want something big with a lot of land."

Severus laughed and poured two classes of brandy. "Planning on adding a pitch?" he asked, handing one to Harry.

Harry laughed. "We'll see, I suppose, though I admit I did have that thought."

Severus smiled as well and settled onto the couch next to Harry. "Are you looking for more room just for you and the children?" he asked.

"Well, I like to think I'll have another relationship, but I couldn't say," Harry replied softly. "I'm just... a bit more wary of such after all the problems with Ginny."

"I can understand that. But you don't have to look for a relationship as serious as that."

"I don't think I'm programmed that way. I have no interest in casual relationships. I want something more than just sex."

"High standards," Severus commented softly.

"I want a friend as well as a lover, someone I can spend time with outside of bed."

"And you think you can find that?"

"Actually, I think I already have." Harry turned and cupped Severus' cheek.

"Harry, you can't-"

"Shh," Harry said, leaning in and kissing Severus. Severus stiffened up for a moment before relaxing into the kiss, opening his lips slightly. Harry leaned in closer, sliding a hand around Severus' shoulder.

"No, wait," Severus said, pulling back.

"Oh, oh shit," Harry said, standing up. "I uh... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push..." Harry stood and hurried out before Severus could react.

Liam jumped as his door swung open, letter clutched in his hands. "Adler? Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"

Adler smirked and walked over to Liam's bed. "With all the time you spend in here I didn't expect you to be reading." He snatched the letter from Liam. "Love letter from your girlfriend?"

"No, actually, old family letters," Liam replied, reaching for the letter, but Adler moved away.

"Why on earth would you want to read those musty old things?" Adler asked, skimming the letter.

"It's because of that article and letter that were published back before hols."

Adler stopped reading and looked at him. "You mean the one about Harry Potter?"

"Yeah. Why?"

Alder suddenly flushed and looked away. "Err... I might have been there when it was found in the common room," he said slowly.

"Been there?"

"Okay, so I was the one that found it and sent it to the Daily Prophet. I didn't realize it would be such a big deal."

Liam rolled his eyes. "You sent a vague and suspicious-sounding letter to a newspaper. How did you think people would react?"

Adler huffed and sat on the foot of Liam's bed. "Well there's no use getting upset. It's already done."

"Well I hope you're happy. Grandpa Harris was really upset after it was published."

"I didn't mean to hurt him," Adler said softly.

Liam snorted but didn't press any further. "Did you actually want something, or did you just come to bother me?"

"Well..." Adler took a deep breath, grabbed Liam's shoulders, and leaned forward and kissed him. Before Liam could react, Adler pulled away and walked to the door. "I've been wanting to do that for a while now, if you were curious," he said, then left.

Liam shivered, shook his head, and turned back to his reading, determined to forget Adler's strange actions.

Once again a clipping was folded into a letter.

29 November, 2026
Births & Deaths

Yesterday Ginny Weasley gave birth to daughter, Adhara Weasley. No father has been listed, but Weasley's ex-husband, Harry Potter, and daughter Lily Potter, were at St. Mungo's with her.

Harry held a hand out to Ginny as she stepped through the Floo. "Hey there," he said softly.

"Hi, Harry," Ginny replied, looking down. "Thanks for letting me stay here," she said.

"I have the room, and I do still care about you, even if we can't be together anymore," he said, leading her into the house. "Lily's happy to have you here. She's got your room ready, and already has plans to convert the room next to it into a nursery."

"I don't deserve you all."

"Nonsense. People mess up all the time, and it's not the end of the world. This isn't even that horrible, on the scale of things."

Ginny discreetly wiped away a tear. "Thank you so much. I... I'm sorry for all the things I did to you."

Harry stopped and turned Ginny to face him. "It's okay. We were just... looking for things in each other that we couldn't find. Maybe we married too quickly, but I wouldn't change any of it. I like where I am these days."

"You've found someone new, haven't you?" Ginny asked softly, studying him.

"Yeah. It's been going really well, all things said, though it's not a... traditional relationship."

"Why is that?"

"I uh, hope this won't bother you too much, living here, but the kids know, as well as a few others, and they approve of it..."

"Harry, just tell me," Ginny said, giving him a look.

"It's a man," Harry said softly.

"I admit, I'm not that surprised. I always wondered," Ginny said. "The way you acted sometimes."

"I really did love you though. It wasn't that I was trying to deny it with you, I just didn't realize for a long time."

Ginny smiled. "I know. If you're happy, then I am too."

"Thanks."

"Now, are you gonna tell me who?"

"I uh, think it might be better to just introduce you, actually," Harry said, starting back up the steps. "You might not believe me if I told you. He'll be back for dinner."

"All right, if you want to be secretive."

"So, uh, do you mind if I ask?" Harry said, motioning to her abdomen, which hadn't yet started to show.

"Well, I'm sure you know who," Ginny said. "After all, your fight made the papers all those years ago."

"So, you were with him the whole time?"

"Almost. He uh... He told me we'd get married, but after our divorce, he kept putting it off. Saying he wanted Scorpius to get married first, then he should have a grandson before he'd leave his wife, and it kept going on. Then, once I found out I was pregnant and I told him..." Ginny trailed off, hitching a sob. "He kicked me out. Told me he was done with me. That it couldn't possibly be his child."

"Oh Gin." Harry wrapped his arms around her as she cried.

"I feel like such an idiot," she sobbed.

"Shh. He's just a bastard. We've all known that for a long time."

Ginny leaned against Harry as her tears slowed. "You're far too good to me," she said softly.

"C'mon, let me show you your room. I think you'll feel better after a nap."

Ginny laughed weakly. "I'm glad you're a better dad than I am as a mum."

"You can be a great mum when you want to. Now in you go," Harry said, opening a door. I'll wake you before dinner."

"Thanks, Harry." Ginny leaned up and kissed Harry's cheek then closed the door behind herself.

"So, do you think you might start calling me Marion?"

"Hmm?" Liam looked up at Adler, who was reading through the first box of letters.

"It's my name, you know. I've started calling you Liam, after all."

Liam rolled his eyes. "You know, you've gotten awful demanding since I let you kiss me."

"Yes, I could tell just how much you didn't want it, the first time or any time since," Adler drawled.

"Git," Liam said, tackling the blond boy back onto the bed. "Marion," he said softly, leaning down. Marion.

3 August, 2076
Harry Potter Dies at 96

In the early hours of the morning Healer Scamander was called to Chetwin Hall, the Potter family home, where Harry Potter was declared dead at 4:23 am. An official cause of death has not been released yet, but early reports imply it was not due to unnatural causes. Potter's death was most unexpected, having lived barely more than half his life.

There will be a private funeral at an undisclosed time and location, by invitation only. The Ministry of Magic is scheduling a public memorial ceremony early next...

"Liam? Liam, wake up."

"Wha?" Liam squinted up at Marion. "What time is it?"

"Far earlier that you'd ever get up, given the choice," Marion snarked. "Get up, Grandpa Harris wants to see us both."

"See us? Wait, do you mean?" Liam paled at Marion's nod. "No!" He shot up, sending a rain of letters and papers off his bed.

"C'mon." Marion offered a hand. After a moment's hesitation Liam took it. Marion tugged him up and the two ran through the halls.

"Ready?" Liam asked, staring at Grandpa Harris' door.

"Yeah." Marion relaxed his grip, getting ready to let go, but Liam only squeezed his hand tighter and opened the door.

Grandpa Harris sat back against a mound of pillows, seemingly asleep, but he looked up and smiled at them. "My boys," he rasped, holding out his hands. Liam and Marion split, each sitting on opposite sides of the bed. "I'm so glad to see the two of you getting along."

"It's all your influence, Grandpa," Liam said, trying to laugh.

"As if I could ever force you to do something you didn't want to do," Grandpa Harris wheezed. "But I am happy for you two."

Both boys flushed and glanced at each other. "How'd you know?" Marion asked.

"An old man like me can just tell. And besides, Grandpa Harry told me about you two as well."

"Grandpa Harry? How would he have known?" Liam asked.

"You'll find out soon enough." Grandpa Harris paused to cough. "I've left you a trunk in my will. The contents should help explain it all. Just don't wait too long before you open it, my boy?"

"You shouldn't talk like that, Grandpa-" Liam started.

"It's all right, my boy. I've lived far longer than any man should, and I'm ready for the next big adventure. Though I will miss you all when I'm gone."

Liam took a deep breath, trying to fight back his tears. He almost didn't notice Marion's hand creeping over the bed to take his. "We'll miss you too, Grandpa," he said softly.

"Now get out of here, you two. You don't need to watch an old man die."

"But Grandpa-"

"Get." Grandpa Harris leaned forward, coughing again. "Go," he said weakly, waving at the door.

Liam took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "All right, we're going." He leaned in and kissed Grandpa Harris' cheek. "Goodbye, Grandpa," he whispered, Marion echoing him.

"Goodbye, my boys. Live and be happy you two."

It was two weeks before the will was read and Liam received the trunk Grandpa Harris had promised. It arrived at breakfast, carried by a pair of owls, which deposited it, and a small note. He took it, and Marion, to the Room of Requirement to look through the contents in private.

"What do you think will be in there?" Marion said softly.

"I don't know." He pulled his wand out and touched the lock, saying, "here there be dragons." The lock clicked and the lid lifted up.

"It's practically empty!" Marion cried, disappointed.

Liam lifted out the few papers in the bottom, revealing a small bottle. "What do you think that is?"

"Looks like a Pensieve memory," Marion replied, lifting the bottle out.

"So we need a Pensieve then to look at it," Liam said, and the Room obliged.

Marion uncorked the bottle and poured it in. "Here we go," he said as both boys touched their wands to the silver liquid.

Harry cleared his throat nervously, glancing down for a moment. "Hello, Liam and Marion. I'm sure you're wondering how I know your names, when you won't be born for quite some time. One of the after effects of my final fight with Voldemort is that I get... flashes, at times, of various things that have yet to happen. You two were one of those flashes.

"I've put my great-grandson Harris in charge of the trunk I'll be putting this memory in, to pass on to you. I don't know how long it'll take for you to be born, but he's the youngest in the family.

"There are many things I've had to keep secret for a long time, and I don't want them to be forgotten forever. So I'll admit to manipulating the circumstances a bit, to bring it all to light. No one would suspect one of the Wizarding world's heroes to visit his alma mater just to plant a letter, after all.

"I wish things were different these days, that people were more open to the possibility of non-traditional relationships, but unfortunately I won't get to see that in my life.

"I've been in love for a long time, and I've had to keep things doubly secret. Not only is he a man, he's one the whole world thinks is dead as well. Though that will be true soon enough."

Coughing from the connected room interrupted Harry, along with a weak voice calling his name. Harry hurried into the other room and sat on the bed. "Harry," Severus said feebly.

"Shh, I'm right here," Harry replied, smoothing the hair back from his forehead. "I'll be just a minute, okay?"

"Right," Severus replied, sinking back into his pillows.

Harry returned to the sitting room, wiping a tear away. "That man has been by lover for over fifty years now. And though he's introduced himself as Roydon Corvin for quite some time, there are still a few of us that know him as Severus Snape, who did so much more for our cause than I did, and yet I had to fight for his recognition. Not that he wanted any of it, but he still deserved it.

"Severus unknowingly linked the two of us during that last battle. He should have died that night, but I kept him alive. I still do, to be honest.

"It's quite a shock, learning time has nearly run out before you even realize it's started.

"Two men sharing one life won't live full lives, unfortunately, and it's coming to the end. Not that I would ever begrudge Severus my life force. I'd rather live only half my life with Severus than stay here without him."

Harry paused and forced a laugh. "I apologize for how gloomy this has been, but I can't really change it. I wish I could leave you more happy memories than just the letters, but I could fill four Pensieves easily, and I don't have the time to do that. You'll just have to read between the lines. There're certainly enough letters there for you.

"I'm not asking you to try and set the record straight, I just didn't want this to be lost forever. Do with it what you will. Thank you, my boys, and I hope your lives together are as happy as mine has been."

Harry put his wand to his temple and pulled the memory out and into a small bottle, before packing it into a trunk along with several letters and papers. He closed the trunk and locked it. Tapping the lid with his wand, he set the password, "here there be dragons," then put it aside.

"Hey there," Harry said, sliding under the blankets and pulling Severus close. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," Severus replied, resting his head on Harry's chest. He coughed heavily, and Harry held on, rocking him lightly.

"It's almost over, I promise," Harry said softly. "And no matter what, we'll still be together."

Severus chuckled lightly. "Of course. United to death and beyond, after all," he whispered.

"That's right." Harry leaned down and kissed Severus gently, before settling back to wait.

THE END

Don't forget to close this window to go back to vote and review!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter, Severus Snape and other Harry Potter characters belong to J.K. Rowling, her lawyers, handlers, editors, personal umbrella carrier, pedicurist, and those guys in the suits from the WB. The Snarry Games and its participants want nothing to do with that lot or their money. Okay, we'd take their money, but they aren't offering. Web space doesn't come for free, ya know?