Epilogue

AN: I was torn on whether or not to do an epilogue, and it was not a part of my original plan. But, I was inspired by great reviews and really do understand the need for closure and in a lot of ways this epilogue was fun to write. So, if you like ambiguous, artsy endings and would like this story to remain canon-compliant for you, then don't read this epilogue. :) I don't really see a sequel to this story, but let me assure you I'm already working on the next project. Writing has been a lifelong addiction of mine. :) Also, Teddy Lupin was sorted into Hufflepuff in canon, but I really wanted him to be in Gryffindor for this story.

Ten Years Later

"Longbottom!" he heard a sharp voice crack into the room. "I would speak with you at once!"

"Yes, Professor Snape," Neville replied, a small smile playing on his lips as he answered. He knew what the irate Potions Master was angry about. "And remember, you can call me Neville now."

"We are at work and I prefer your surname, Professor," Snape snarled at him.

"May I call you Severus, then?" Neville smirked.

"You most certainly may not!" the Professor snapped. "And we are getting off point!"

"What was the point, then?" Neville asked, rubbing his hands together to rid them of excess dirt. "Is there a plant I can get for you?"

"You know very well I am coming to speak to you about that Lupin boy," Snape growled.

"I'm enjoying having Teddy in class, aren't you?"

"He's a menace," Snape countered. "I expect you to keep your house under control, Professor Longbottom."

"I think that the inter-house cooperation between the Gryffindors and the Slytherins has never been better," Neville told him lightly. "So we have a few mischief-makers, surely that is not the end of the world."

"You know he's the Weasley twins reincarnated!" Snape thundered. "Green, Longbottom! Half of my first years have green hair! Just because that student can change his appearance at will does not give him the right to change others!"

"It certainly seems festive for the time of year," Neville answered calmly. "But I do not see how that makes him a menace."

"They are running roughshod over you, Professor," Snape snapped.

"Would you like me to cane him?" Neville asked, eyebrow raised.

Snape looked away a bit, the bluster fading. He resisted the urge to laugh at the idea of Neville choosing such a harsh punishment. "Perhaps it would do him some good," he snapped, trying to regain his righteous indignation.

"Look, I have dealt with the miscreant," Neville told him. "He is serving detention with Filch tonight, and he will submit a written apology to the head of Slytherin house tomorrow to be posted in their common room should the head agree."

"I agree," Snape replied, somewhat mollified. "It shall be posted promptly after my receipt of the apology."

"Good," Neville agreed. "You just have to promise me that you won't scare the child half to death when he delivers his apology to you."

"I will promise no such thing," Snape sniffed. "He deserves a glower or two."

"Nobody believes it anymore, you know," Neville told him, picking up his pruning shears. "I mean, it took a few years, but everyone know knows how you were a spy, how you helped me that horrible year, and how you sacrificed everything to save the wizarding world. Your glowering just doesn't have the same effect when you're a hero."

"I shall have to improve then," Snape scowled. "Or I'll be mistaken for a bloody Hufflepuff."

Neville snorted, "I don't think anybody would ever think that."

"I should have continued letting everyone think I was dead and moved to Brazil," he replied. "Bloody students."

"Why did you decide to live?" Neville asked him. "I would have lied about your death if you'd asked me to do it."

"I know you would have," Snape told him. "But someone had to come and keep an eye on you that isn't as soft as the current headmistress. Which reminds me, we need to do your performance review before break."

"Sounds good," Neville agreed. "There are some perks to being deputy headmaster."

"Very few, Professor Longbottom," Snape inferred.

"Well, at least I don't have to worry about the cane anymore," Neville smiled at him.

"I wouldn't be so sure," Snape glowered. "I have some reports of some pretty lax standards in Gryffindor."

Neville laughed, recognizing the joke even though Snape never cracked a smile. They both knew how much Snape regretted the necessary cover he kept during the war; several times while in their cups they had reminisced and Snape had expressed that regret wholeheartedly. Neville had of course voiced forgiveness, but that was always hard for Snape to accept. Even with Neville thanking him for helping them win the war, Snape still wouldn't hear of anything other than the children he had been unable to protect.

After the war, Neville had tried to be an auror for a while along with Harry and Ron, but that had clearly not been his niche. When Hogwarts started up again that fall the new Headmistress asked for him to come and teach herbology, and Neville had hesitated. It wasn't until Professor Snape sent a letter to him encouraging him to take the post that Neville agreed. He became head of Gryffindor a short time later, and slipped into an easy friendship with the head of Slytherin.

Neville saw Snape's expression change to remorse, and he tried to preempt it. "Don't feel guilty," he said softly. "You did what you had to do."

"Did I?" Snape asked, his tone full of contempt. "It seems that I was in charge and therefore could have done what I wanted to do."

"You protected me," Neville told him, his tone firm. "The cane was far better than the cruciatus, and you even made sure I had a salve for it."

"It killed me, you know," Snape said, not making eye contact. "You were so noble, so brave. It killed me to punish you."

"Surely I deserved it a few of the times," Neville smiled, trying to gently bring the man out of his self-recriminations. "I believe that I was also fairly foolhardy."

"That you were," Snape answered, his lips twitching. He knew what Neville was trying to do, and it actually lightened his heart. He was turning into a bloody Hufflepuff.

"And the training you gave me saved lives," Neville told him firmly. "Probably my own as well. I owe you a lot, Professor."

Snape gave a non-descript garumph, but was secretly pleased. His friendship with the young professor had helped him more than either of them realized.

"You're coming to Christmas, aren't you?" Neville asked with a smile. "Hannah promised to make you the pudding you like again."

"Of course I am," Snape nodded formally. "I will be delighted."

"Gran will be there of course," Neville told him. "I promise to not let her ask about your love life anymore."

"Good luck with that," Snape blinked darkly.

"Harry's going to stop by with his kids for a little while," Neville told him. "It helps, you know, with the wanting ones of our own."

Snape nodded in sympathy, he felt for the young man that hadn't been able to have children of their own. "Your Godson should be old enough for some fun."

"Albus is getting good on his broom," Neville confirmed. "But with those parents, of course he would be!"

"I can't believe Harry named him Albus Severus," Snape told him with chagrin. "I mean really, it's just embarrassing . . ."

"He respects what you've done," Neville told him firmly. "Don't disparage that."

"He certainly never respected me in school," Snape grumbled, but Neville smiled at his curmudgeon friend. He knew how pleased Snape really was.

"So if you've suitably chastised me for my lax oversight of the Gryffindors, would you fancy a pint at the Leaky Cauldron?" Neville asked with a smile. "I think Hannah's made lamb stew for tonight."

"I suppose it would do me good to leave the castle," Snape acknowledged. "Thank you, Neville."

"You're welcome, Severus."