Smiles That Shine Through Tears

Epilogue

Tides of time

Six years later:

Dear journal,

Finally! After six years of arguing, final break-ups and almost immediate make-ups, Ginny has become a Malfoy. It is sad because we will lose little Alexandria, who is going to live with her parents after their honeymoon. She made a beautiful flower girl, along with our Hermione Jane who is just four, a little over a year younger. They will miss each other so much, they have been like sisters.

Just pushed Cleo off the page - she still loves to sit on whatever book I'm reading. I'm glad Severus and I don't fight like Ginny and Draco. We have our disagreements - in light of what has happened since, he deeply regrets not killing Lucius that day. Lucius begins to be a threat again, although as he is older and in poorer health this time he should be easier to forestall. Harry, as Severus predicted, is more of a worry. His influence increases yearly. He is still part of the Order and most of the other members seem blind to the direction he is heading.

Molly Weasley and Mrs Snape, who is now very frail, competed during the whole service to hold our youngest child, little Rosie. She didn't cry once, and Russell Albus behaved very well too. Molly, as every-one predicted, cried from the moment the couple were officially married until we gathered up the children to go home. It is understandable, Ginny being her youngest child and the last to marry.

Ron's family are growing up fast - Rene Armata has just turned six and has been reading fluently since she was three. Luna looks as serene as ever, even while the little ones tug at her robes or have spats. Hermione was there, although I wasn't able to speak to her. I hear she is trying for a baby with her new partner, a dour Scottish girl with classically beautiful features (Severus wants to know how she manages to find such pretty girls).

Nearly all the members of the Order were there, a move that, only five years ago, would have been too dangerous to contemplate. We are all sad at the absence of Dumbledore, who succumbed peacefully to a stroke nearly two years ago. Minerva McGonagall is strict, but very much loved by the students of Hogwarts where she is now Headmistress.

I still can't believe how things have changed. I walked out of Severus' office that Easter six years ago, in complete confusion. A week later he asked me again, and again I forestalled him. I never really knew why I sought him out to tell him yes, all I can say is, I'm glad I did. Not too surprisingly, my Mum hated him as soon as she saw him, and refused to attend our wedding. I've since lost touch with her, and unfortunately, the rest of the family, as she moved without leaving a forwarding address. I still write to my brother, but he is also unable to contact our other brothers and sisters, and informed me that even before she moved she wasn't passing on my letters. I could have her traced by magic, but feel that would be imposing on her privacy. Molly Weasley has been like a mother to me, and Mrs Snape also, both happily stepping into the role of advisor, comforter and grandmother when the children were born.

Albus Dumbledore had this house built for us on the grounds when I was expecting Hermione Jane, to give our little family some privacy from the school life. We will miss Emmeline, Renate, Helena and Sophie next year - they are all studying hard for their NEWTs just now, otherwise they would have called to see us. Sophie has really come out of her shell, and they even joke with Severus, something few of the other students would dare to do. I haven't convinced him yet that there are better ways of teaching children. Thankfully he is always kind to our own and I will be teaching them myself until they are old enough to attend Hogwarts. I'm studying hard to complete a muggle correspondence course that will qualify me to teach any child of Primary School age.

Muggles - I do call them that now. Sometimes I forget that I am one, even though I need help with many things. Severus knows what I can't do and is always there to help - I've seen Emmeline look absolutely stunned when I walk across the room to fetch a book, because she doesn't remember that I can't do it any other way.

I just wish Severus would support me a bit better when I try to call the children in for bath-time. I point blank refused to allow him to start giving Russell Albus safflower oil, in spite of the entreaties of Mrs Snape and the sore spots that arise from his excema. Penelope is treating the excema effectively and we put cool bandages on his hands each night. I really don't feel a life time addiction to safflower oil is a suitable answer to the problem.

Hermione Jane is calling, and it is nearly time for Rosie's feed. I must go, journal. Severus is marking essays, but will come to bed soon - I've never figured out why he finds me so attractive, but he unfailingly does. He is quite grey now, and looks better when he is not marking essays.

I'm laughing now. I really must go.