Disclaimer: For the last time, it ain't mine (and, hey, that rhymed!)
"Selbus Harold Snape," Headmistress McGonagall announced loudly and clearly.
Selbus stepped forward nervously. His first eleven years had led to this moment. He'd witnessed the moment hundreds of times in secret, but actually approaching the sorting hat for his own sorting was the most nerve wrecking moment he'd ever experienced.
Severus leaned over and whispered in Hermione's ear "Slytherin." She'd taken the Charms position when Flitwick finally retired. Her husband had happily been in the Potions position for another eleven years with added duties as Deputy Headmaster. McGonagall refused to allow him to be in charge of sorting, though, after he made all but a few first years cry the one time she allowed it.
Selbus sat with the hat deliberating on his head. It argued all four houses before narrowing the list to two. He was about to disappoint at least one parent either way. Their Gryffindor/Slytherin loyalties had not faded despite the happiness of their marriage. Selbus concentrated like Uncle Harry told him to.
"Ravenclaw!"
Severus looked at his wife.
Hermione looked at her husband.
"What?" they said in unison.
Selbus removed the hat and bounded away to join his housemates. They greeted him with cheers. Some of the older and braver Ravenclaws smirked at the befuddled parents sitting at the head table. Selbus smiled and waved to them. Severus frowned at his son. Hermione sighed and waved back half-heartedly.
"Way to stick it to 'em mate," a scrawny bespectacled second year boy said giving Selbus a solid whack on the back. Selbus smiled sheepishly and muttered, "Thanks."
"If Jordy ends up in Hufflepuff next year, I'll kill him," Severus said.
"Anything but Hufflepuff," Hermione agreed. "I suppose it makes sense though."
"Hermione, it makes no sense. One or the other, not neither."
"Cool it, Sev. We're both geniuses. No reason Selbus shouldn't be a Ravenclaw. When was the last time his nose wasn't in a book?"
"Dammit," Severus said. "I don't owe you."
"Likewise," Hermione said. "I owe Ginny."
"You bet against a Potter?" Severus roared gaining the attention of those sitting at the high table. He glared each and every one down.
"It's only ten knuts, Severus."
"I don't care if it was one fluffy pink bunny. I told you never to bet against a Potter."
"I was so sure he'd be a Gryffindor."
Severus glared at his wife. She sighed at him and returned to watching the last of the students be sorted. She did her best to ignore the extremely pointed way in which he was looking at her.
"That's coming out of your paycheck," he said eventually.
It was odd for Severus and Hermione to return to their private quarters to have one less child running about.
"So," Ginny said taking in their looks. "I was right, wasn't I?" She squealed. "You can add it to my tab," she said.
"How were the little urchins?" Severus asked.
"Oh, just fine. Jordy wanted to know everything that was going on, but I told him that would ruin his fun for next year. I just got him into bed."
"And Lexis?" Hermione asked, with the feeling she didn't really want to know.
"Fed and in bed. She'll be fine until morning." Ginny looked between them. "If that's all, I really need to get back to my own family."
Severus waved her off. She hugged Hermione and disappeared through the floo.
Hermione fell tiredly into a chair. She had a feeling Ginny was lying about something. Sure enough, minutes later, Lexis started crying and Jordy tumbled into the sitting room.
"Where is he, Dad? Which house?"
"Bedtime. Now," Severus said as he pointed to Jordy's room.
"Aw, Dad." Severus looked sternly at his middle child. Tough love had been his standard, but not so tough that his children hated him. They respected him, something Severus certainly never felt toward his own father. That alone gave him a small feeling of success when it came to parenting.
"Jordy Severus, if you wish to see the light of day in the morning, I suggest you listen."
Jordy ran off to his room. Once he reached it, he called out, "I bet he's a Hufflepuff!"
"Worse. A know it all Ravenclaw. Now lights out."
Hermione giggled at her husband's look of defeat. She'd finally calmed Lexis down. "If it's not one, it's the other. And if it's not the other, it's this one," Hermione said.
Severus took his six-month-old daughter in his arms. "Who's Daddy's little girl?" he said.
"If anyone knew you were this domestic, we'd be ruined."
"Don't blame me, Granger," Severus said. "It was half your fault we ended up with this one."
"You know, Snapey-poo, if you'd learned to keep it in your pants now and then, we wouldn't have to worry about surprises like that."
Lexis grabbed at her father's nose. "Watch it, kid." He smiled when he said it. She cooed at him. "Now go to sleep, please."
"No more children, Severus. We're getting too old for this."
"You? You're in your prime," Severus said. "Why not make a whole litter so that when this old man is gone, you'll have plenty to keep you company, Hermione."
Hermione took Lexis back. "We love you. We do. You just weren't planned." Lexis finally started falling asleep so Hermione and Severus tucked her in. "It's nice having no shortage of babysitters. And you're not old. You've got another ten years for that."
"Only ten?" Severus smirked. "I'll show you only ten."
He chased her into their bedroom where they landed on the bed in an ungainly heap. "Slowing down," Hermione said. He kissed her.
"And how'd I get so lucky to have you again?"
"Detentions," Hermione said. She kissed him back and snuggled in close. "Strange to think that only twenty-two years ago I was terrified of you."
"Twenty-two years ago I figured you for a know it all nuisance. Who was right?"
"Both, I should think," she said. "But you're only terrifying when you want to impress your first years."
"Selbus'll hate me."
"He won't hate you. He'll suck it up. He's strong and brave."
"And a know it all."
"Is that really so bad?"
"Not at all, love. Not at all."
"Now come here, you old bat," Hermione said pulling him closer.
"I'm not old," Severus said between kisses.
"But you are a bat?"
Severus growled at her and kissed her once more. "Not that you'll ever confirm."
"I'd like to try," she said as she settled into him. They both drifted into sleep, holding each other as they had for the previous eleven years and likely another eleven years and more to come.
Finito
A/N: Huge note of thanks to all you awesome readers/reviewers out that. Sadly, there will be no sequal on this. What you see is what you're getting.
It's been some serious fun. I hope you've enjoyed the ride as much as I have.
Special thanks to Ash for the assist on hatching this one. You rock as a friend and confidant and creative consultant.
And special thanks to JKR for having such phenomenal characters to let us play with.
~Wile