A/N: Sorry again for the delay. So we have finally reached the end. I have had great pleasure writing this and hope you have enjoyed the reading. Again, all those who wish me to write an epilogue, just mention it in the comments; enough comments and I'll write one. Thanks to all my readers/followers and favoriters, you all mean a lot to me. Till next time, Sharklist.

Nineteen Years Later...

Severus entered King's Cross Station for the second time in three years. Crossing the barrier onto Platform Three and Three-Quarters, he did a quick head count to make sure all in their party had come through safely. There was James Sirius first – no surprise there – closely followed by Ginny, Harry a foot behind her. Severus Albus stood nervously behind and to the left of his father, subconsciously reaching out to hold Harry's hand before snatching it back again, repeatedly. Severus himself stood at the back, holding onto little Lily Luna's hand. Harry, glancing back as they walked, recognized the look in his father's eye and inwardly smirked. Vigilant as ever, Dad, he thought.

From the back of the column, Severus had no time to stop James racing off, presumably to go find his friends. Foolish Gryffindor, he couldn't help but think. Suppressing the desire to cry out to the child and call him back, he reasoned with himself, he's thirteen; you don't need to coddle him. Nonetheless, Severus had a hard time believing those under his care weren't in constant danger. Noting his father's frown, Harry hung back until the man caught up and he smiled at him, saying,

"Cheer up, Dad. I think I see the others ahead." The older wizard's answering glare elicited a chuckle from the younger. "I know you don't really think they're so bad. Your reputation's certainly taken some blows over the years."

"I thought you came to make me feel better, Son, not worse."

Harry laughed out loud. "Be nice, Dad." With that, he hurried up to meet the rest of the family.

Turning to the little girl at his side, Severus mused, at least I only have to do this one more time. Lily, feeling his gaze, smiled back up at him. The corners of his mouth lifted up slightly, no matter how much he told them to stay still. Ever since his youngest grandchild had been born, she'd only ever smiled at him. No manner of glares or sneers was enough to drive the delight off her face. And no manner of internal argument was enough for Severus to reply with anything else than a smile of his own. At least she was the polar opposite of her brothers in temperament. Unlike James with his rambunctious attitude, or Little Sev with his cool-headed mischief, Lily was extremely mature for her age and very logical to boot. She'd roll her eyes whenever her brother's antics got them in trouble, and continue reading whichever thousand page book she was on this week. Severus was certain she'd be in Ravenclaw when the time came. Focusing forward again, he noted that the dreaded relatives had, indeed, arrived. He let Lily run ahead to her Aunt, uncle and cousins, following at a slower pace.

"All set?" he heard Ron ask Harry. Harry nodded in response. The group separated into adults and kids, each involved in their own conversations. "Don't know how you managed this with James, Harry, let alone Al as well. Just sending off your kid like that – I've been feeling nervous all day."

Harry smirked. "It doesn't get easier."

His friend groaned. "Thanks, mate. You know I've got another one to send off after Rose?"

Harry clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You'll be fine, mate."

Hermione approached Severus. "How've you been, Severus? Not too worn out from the kids, I hope."

Severus rolled his eyes. "I have much experience with children from my many years as a schoolteacher, as you should know, Mrs. Weasley. Or were my classes so horrible they had to be erased from your mind?"

The still-brilliant witch grinned. "It's Hermione, Severus. You know that. And no, I remember every single one of those horrid – sorry, informative classes."

Severus gave no answering comment, however Hermine caught the amused glint in his eye. The girl – now, young woman – had certainly matured over the years and mellowed out quite a bit.

The conversations taking place were suddenly interrupted by a breathless James running up and loudly exclaiming some gossip about one Teddy Lupin. His parents were able to quiet him down, though his energetic attitude didn't abate one bit. Calling him over, Severus focused an eye on his grandson and stated,

"I hope to see you behaving with more decorum at school, young man. I expect the best from you."

A little sheepishly, the boy replied, "Yes, Grandpa Severus."

While Severus had taken off working the years following the war, recently, he'd taken up his old post as Potions Master again, seeing as how Slughorn had finally decided to retire – for real this time –, as well as use it as an excuse to aid the aging Headmistress McGonagall with her duties, as Deputy Headmaster. Most knew, however, his real reason for returning was to keep an eye on his grandkids who would be attending the school over the next decade.

Nodding to James, Severus excused the child to go run off again. As he passed the gaggle of younger siblings/cousins, he teased,

"Almost off to Hogwarts, Little snake."

"Stop it, James!" Al shouted in response.

"James!" his mother scolded, "What have I told you about teasing your brother?"

"Sorry, Mum," he mumbled. With that, he was off again.

Ginny turned back to her conversation with Hermione, but Severus's eye was fixed on his namesake, who, instead of chatting with his relatives, was now looking at his feet, dejectedly.

Catching the boy's eye, Severus pulled him over to the side for a private chat. Looking him deep in his familiar green eyes, Severus saw a look that he hadn't witnessed in Al in a long time.

Casting his memory back, Severus was reminded of the day his grandson had decided he wanted to be called Al. It was a Saturday afternoon and Severus was reading a book in the sitting room, when he'd come running into the house, tears in his eyes, as he jumped onto his grandfather's lap, arms flung around his neck. When Severus was finally able to extricate the boy, he was surprised at the emotion in those wet eyes. Little Sev was scared and embarrassed, as if he would soon disappoint his grandfather and wanted to avoid it. Wiping the wetness from his cheeks, Severus asked his grandson what the matter was.

"I want to be called Al," the boy practically chocked out.

"That's alright," Severus replied, "you don't need to feel pressured into accepting my name."

The child on his lap shook his head vehemently, rubbing the mess from under his nose with his sleeve. "It's not that. I love my name. It's… it's them," he gestured to the outdoors, presumably gesturing towards where the children he'd been amusing himself with were.

Immediately, Severus's protective side reared its head and his eyes hardened. If anyone had hurt his grandson…"What did they do to you, Little Sev?"

"They…they keep making fun of me!"

Severus raised his eyebrows. This was unlike his cool-headed, confident grandson; he knew not to pay mind to taunts. "What did they say?"

Little Sev's eyes darkened. "Mean stuff about you! They say you're…you're e-evil and dangerous, and I hate them!"

Severus was surprised. All this, for him? The town they lived in was half-wizard, half-muggle, which meant there were plenty of wizarding children who would've heard of Severus from their parents, through stories of the war. While Severus had been publicly exonerated, by Harry Potter no less, there were still many who distrusted him, and would no doubt impart that to their children. Severus couldn't blame them, he had been forced to commit atrocities during the War, yet it surprised him his grandson would be so affected by this.

"You don't have to listen to them, Sev."

"But it's my name, Grampa! I don't want to hear them say bad things about you every time someone mentions my name. It'll stay with me wherever I go, unless…unless I change my name." Sev said the last line with his forehead pressed against his grandfather's shirt, unwilling to look him in the eye.

Severus lifted the boy's chin with a finger. "Listen to me, Sev. Your name is your own; you can choose to do with it what you will. I'm flattered you wish to protect me this way; if you want to be called Al, I would not be offended, as long as I can still call you my Little Sev."

Those big, green eyes brightened and Severus was presented with a huge smile from the boy on his lap. "Of course, Grampa!" Then, Severus was accosted by another giant hug, which he eagerly accepted, before sending the child out to play again.

Watching him ran out, Severus contemplated "Al's" decision. For years he'd suffered the vile comments of others, and it'd never bothered him before, his namesake's reaction seemed a little excessive to him. Until he looked at it from the boy's perspective. To him, people were insulting his beloved grandfather. Of course he wanted to change what he was called. Inwardly, Severus had been slightly disappointed, thinking his grandson didn't want to share his name. However, the truth was much better. The boy was trying to protect him. And the child would still be his Little Sev, which was what really mattered.

Now, Severus Albus was preparing for his first year at Hogwarts and Severus once again found himself before that same uncertain boy.

"Don't listen to your brother, Little Sev. You can go to whichever House you choose. Besides, you know there's nothing wrong with Slytherin, right?"

Sev nodded begrudgingly. "But you know how James is. He's always making jokes and stuff, even the other boys treat me different cuz of what James says, cuz I'm small, and James is more heroic and stuff. If I go into Slytherin, it'll only make it worse. Then, everyone will think I'm… well, I don't know, but it won't be good."

Severus sighed. "Severus Albus Potter, what have I always told you to use against hurtful comments?"

The child blushed. Severus simply waited until a small voice said, "You can't hurt me with what you said, you're just a little dunderhead." When he'd been younger, Sev had delighted in saying it quite often, frequently loud enough for the intended recipients to hear. In the past years, he'd had to use it less, and only muttered it to himself when necessary. It was a little embarrassing after all.

Severus, on his part, fought a smirk. He was certainly proud of that one. He'd taught it to Sev long ago, to teach him to be strong, and for the most part it seemed to have worked. "Very good. That's all you need to be able to handle bullies. As for being a Slytherin, I'm sure you're aware that the character traits associated with each House are not limited to those dwelling within them. I have met quite a few intelligent Gryffindors, and loyal Ravenclaws. There are even some cunning Hufflepuffs, and Slytherins can be brave as well."

"Dad always says you're the bravest man he's ever known," Sev provided proudly.

Severus fought the color rising to his cheeks. Harry did say the most outlandish things. "Yes, well your father tends to be quite melodramatic at times." Sev giggled. "I want you to know, my Sev, that no matter what House you enter, I will always be proud of you." Sev smiled again and hugged the older wizard.

"Thanks, Grampa."

Not long after, it was time to say goodbye. Al boarded the train with his cousin and the parents waved goodbye from the Platform as the train left the station. On the way back to the car, Harry hung back with his father.

"He'll be fine, Harry," Severus reassured his son, noting the familiar look on his face.

Harry smiled at his father. "I know, you'll look after him."

Severus nodded sagely. After a brief pause, "Al had some reservations…" he trailed off.

"I know about Sev's worries, Dad. You put them to rest, I hope." The man nodded again. "I certainly share your sentiments. I worry sometimes about James, though. He reminds me of another rambunctious child, one who managed to deal quite a lot of harm. I wonder if I get through to him enough." Harry stared off with a faraway look in his eye.

Severus put an arm over his shoulder to steer him back to the present. "I know what you're thinking, but you're wrong."

"What?"

"You assume James's attitude is all from you, through your father, but there's too much Lily in you, and not enough James in him. I think you'll find his personality quite similar to that of his mother's as a young child, not to mention a certain uncle of his, or should I say, uncles?"

Harry looked at his father. "You mean George? Fred and George?"

"The very same. I assure you, James will grow out of this phase, especially considering the many role models he has to temper him, much more than his namesake was able to benefit from. This is not on you, Harry."

A silence ensued during which Harry mulled over his father's words. He didn't speak again until they had reached the car, and Harry held Severus's arm before he went inside.

"Did I do well, then, Dad? Was I enough?"

Severus thought long and hard about how to respond in the best way. Finally, he spoke up,

"If I asked you the same, my answer would be identical to yours." Harry smiled the whole way home.