A/N: Well here we are. We've finally made it to the end! Enjoy and I'll see you in the ending notes.

3 1/2ish years later.

Minerva sat by the fire of the staff room consumed by her thoughts. Something had pulled her to the room this evening. For whatever reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that tonight of all nights she needed to be by the painfully familiar staff room fireplace.

It's had taken her the better part of three years before she could return to this spot in the evenings. Too many painful memories of laughter and camaraderie filled the air of this room. The number of nights she and Severus had spent side by side sharing drinks in these chairs... Well they numbered too many to count. She had faced every new DADA professor and every new class of students with the sulking professor by her side. Without him here, it just felt empty.

Sighing heavily Minerva ran a hand across her brow. She'd come to terms with that loss some time ago. It hadn't been easy, but she managed it. Having his portrait as well as Albus's portrait helped immensely. But still-

A soft cough pulled the Headmistresses from her thoughts. Looking around the room she found herself alone. Puzzled, Minerva leaned back in her seat once more, certain that she'd merely imagined the sound.

Until she heard it once more.

"Minerva," an all too familiar voice called from a portrait hanging by the fireplace.

"Severus," she gasped, startled at his sudden presence. "What are you dong in this part of the castle? Is something wrong."

Minerva moved to stand before she'd so much as finished her question. But the placating hands of the painted Potions Master subdued her.

"Nothing so serious. I..." Severus paused looking a little uncertain. "I don't know if you recall, but we have a date this evening."

The sheer absurdity of the statement stalled her for so long that she noted the look of discomfort on Severus's face. But memories assailed her and a quick mental check told her he was correct. They did have a date.

A warmth tinged with sadness spread through Minerva leaving a ridiculously large smile on her face. "Of course we do!"

Severus visibly eased as he lounged against the frame of the portrait he'd waltzed into. "I know death probably absolved me of attending, but I could hardly stand up the love of my life."

"I would have had to make you pay dearly for such an act," she quipped in return. "I know a few handy spells for altering portraits and I have always wondered what you'd look like with a goatee."

Severus smiled as he propped a glass of amber liquid on a table he'd apparently swiped from someone else's painting.

"The Fat Lady swears that this is without a doubt the stoutest stuff she owns," he drawled indicating his glass.

"I happen to have a rather fine bottle of scotch from Madame Rosemertta that I've been saving for a special occasion."

"This seems like the sort of event that would count."

"Indeed it does."

The evening passed much as they once had. The two professors drank and swapped stories of students they'd caught misbehaving or the latest gossip passing through the halls. It wasn't the same, nothing ever would be. But for Minerva it felt as if she'd finally come home after so many years away.

At the end of it all, their oldest habit extended well past death itself. Many professors of later years would find Minerva conversing with the painting to right of the staff room fireplace on Friday nights. Until one day two portraits rested within the painting. Continuing to discuss and advise with the professors or students who lingered in the halls.

And introducing a tried and true habit to every new professor who walked through the doors. After all there's little that a good friend and late night conversation couldn't solve.

A/N: So this was a short epilogue that I couldn't not add into this story. Hopefully, this makes up for the past like 7-8 chapters of angst and pain. I like to think that some relationships (especially this one) transcend even death, so I wanted to leave these two with something happy.

To all of you, thank you so much for sticking with me through this story. It took way longer than I ever expected it to, but it's been such a wild ride. You guys have been far too kind with all your words of encouragement and praise. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read and to everyone who has taken the time to tell me your thoughts. You guys are the reason I didn't give up on this story a few months ago. These two characters are so dear to me and they basically write themselves, but it brings me no end of warm fuzzy feelings to see that all of you enjoy them as much as I do. I will post an alternate ending to this story at some point in the near future which will be about two chapters (if I behave and stick to my original intent), but you can also take my story In the End as an alternate. That being said, I hope to see you guys in the next story! Thanks again!