Harry sighed with frustration, as he tried for the fifth time to tie his tie without success.

It was the last day of school, and the end of the year feast was going to be starting soon.

In a strange twist, however, Professor Dumbledore had decided to make it a ‘parents weekend’ and for the first time in the history of Hogwarts everyone’s parents were attending the feast with their children.

Sighing again, he turned and headed out of his father’s guest room—where he’d stayed the last two nights.

His trunk had already been packed and was already here, where they’d take it tomorrow when they left.

He wouldn’t be getting on the Hogwarts Express with the others, as his parents were already here.

Apparently, his father had a cottage-type house on an island just off the coast of Scotland.

It was there, his father had told him, that they would spend the summer.

His father’s bedroom door was open, which meant the Potions Master wasn’t inside, so he tried the bathroom.

The light was on, and he heard the sound of running water, and the door was slightly ajar.

Harry knocked and called out, "Dad?"

"Yes, Harry," his father called from within. "You can come in."

Pushing the door open, Harry stepped into the slightly steamy washroom.

His father stood at the sink, obviously having just completed the acts of showering and saving as he had a large black towel wrapped around his waist, his hair was damp, and he was applying aftershave to his face.

Harry blushed fiercely, not expecting to find his father practically naked.

"Um, sorry," he said, hesitantly. "I didn’t mean to interrupt…"

"You didn’t," his father told him, turning around to lean against the sink. "I wouldn’t have allowed you to enter if I wasn’t finished. Did you need something?"

"Uh, yeah," Harry said, biting his lip. "Can you…maybe…show me how to tie my tie?"

His father looked puzzled. "How have you tied it all year long?" he asked him, curiously.

Harry blushed some more. "Um, well, Hermione kinda used a charm she knew to tie it for me the night before," he admitted, hesitantly. "All I had to do was just put it on and tighten it."

"I take it you didn’t bother learning the charm?" his father asked, smirking.

"No," Harry said, sighing. "I should have, I know…"

"It’s all right," the Potions Master told him, beckoning him to come over to him. "You should learn to tie it yourself without magic, any way."

Harry came to stand in front of the tall dark haired Slytherin. "I’ve tried five times to tie it," he told him, "but I just can’t seem to get the hang of it."

"Well, unless you have the knack for it," his father told him, taking up the two ends of the tie, "it is a bit tricky to master."

"Did you have trouble with it?" Harry asked him, curiously.

"Oh, yes, quite a bit," his father chuckled. "Da had to show me three different times before I got it right and even then it usually came out crooked!"

Harry laughed at that. "How’d you eventually learn to do it?" he asked him.

"Practice, and lots of it," the Potions Master told him. "It’s really simple if you think of it like this: wrap around twice, up and over, down the snake hole, and pull tight. There, you’re done!"

Harry smiled, staring down at his now perfectly tied tie.

"Wicked!" he said, and then glanced up. "But…’down the snake hole’…?" He snickered.

His father chuckled. "You could always say ‘into the lion’s den’, if you prefer," he told him, wryly.

"Nah," Harry said, smiling. "I kinda like ‘snake hole’ better."

"I always did, too," the Head of Slytherin House told him, reaching out to ruffle his hair.

"So, where’s Mum?" Harry asked him, curiously.

"She’s upstairs with Minerva getting ready," his father told him.

"It’s just the end of the year feast," Harry told him, simply. "She doesn’t have to be all fancy or anything…"

"When it comes to women, son," the Potions Master told him, "it does not matter. Remember that."

Harry laughed. "I will," he told him. "I guess you can’t sit with me at the feast, huh?"

"I am Head of Slytherin House, Harry," the man reminded him, gently, "and a professor to boot."

"And so is Grandpa Toby and Grandpa Alby is the Headmaster!" Harry sighed. "Why’d you all have to go and be teachers?!"

"Come now, it won’t be that bad," his father told him, smirking. "You’ll see."

"Mum is coming, though?" Harry asked, biting his lip. "Right?"

His father nodded. "Yes, she and I shall arrive at the feast together," he told him. "Now, you’d best go on and don’t forget your cap."

Harry wrinkled his nose. He hated the black conical caps they were required to wear at the beginning and ending feasts.

"Yes, Sir," he said. "Thanks for showing me how to tie my tie!" He wrapped his arms around the man’s waist and squeezed, gently.

His father returned the hug, albeit awkwardly since he was only wearing a towel, and then turned him about

"Away with you, Fledgling," he told him, giving his bottom a light tap. "Leave a man to get dressed in peace. I can’t very well show up in nothing but this towel!"

"Why not?" Harry smirked, cheekily. "I’m sure all the girls would love—hey! Ouch!"

He winced, as the ‘tap’ he received for that was just a bit harder than the last one.

"That is what you get for being a cheeky brat," his father told him, wryly. "Now go on. Your mother and I will see you soon."

Harry smiled, but nodded.

He quickly scampered out of the bathroom, retrieved his black cap, and then headed upstairs to join his classmates in Gryffindor Tower.

Each House had to arrive at the feast together, just as they had to leave the beginning of the year feast all together.

Entering the Great Hall, the students all found their parents waiting for them…most of them, any way.

"I thought your mum was coming, ‘Arry," Ron whisper across from him, as he sat in-between Percy and his sister, Ginny.

For this once, all the Weasleys sat side by side with their mother and father in-between the lot of them.

Hermione, who was sitting in-between her parents, glanced up at the Head table.

"Professor Snape is the only professor missing," she observed, casually.

"He said they’d be here," Harry told them, gently. "They will."

Glancing over at the Slytherin table he caught sight of Draco sitting with a tall woman with long pale blonde hair and wearing a very elegant robe of ice-blue.

Professor Dumbledore stood up then, intending to make his usual speech before the start of the feast.

"Welcome one and all," he began. "I am wonderfully glad that so many of our parents could attend our first ever ‘End of the Year Family Weekend’ and it has been such a success that I believe we shall make it an annual event, perhaps even include a Mid-Term Family Weekend, as well, come Christmas of next year. At any rate, welcome and I trust you have all enjoyed yourselves. Before we begin the feast, however, there are a few last minute things to take care of. Would Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Draco Malfoy please stand?"

Harry and the others all stared at each other. What was the old man up to?

"Go on, dears," Molly Weasley said, "do as the Headmaster says…"

"You too, Neville," Mrs. Augusta Longbottom told her grandson.

At the Slytherin table, they saw Narcissa whisper something to her son.

As one, the five children all stood there feet and stared up at the Headmaster waiting.

"These five students, as many of you have no doubt heard, had quite the adventure last week," the Headmaster smiled. "Because of that, I believe some last minute points need to be awarded…"

Everyone gasped at this. It was assumed that since Slytherin had the most points that they would win the House Cup.

Apparently, Dumbledore had other ideas.

"For using stunning Intelligence in the face of overwhelming danger, I award Miss Granger fifty points to Gryffindor," the Headmaster stated, causing the Gryffindors to cheer and Hermione to burst into tears. "For showing remarkable Loyalty to his friends and for staying Calm while under Pressure, I award Mr. Longbottom fifty points. (Neville also started bawling.)

"For showing outstanding Courage when faced with a difficult decision and a willingness to sacrifice for others, I award Mr. Weasley fifty points," the Headmaster went on. "For showing remarkable Cunning and a willingness to put aside differences, I award Mr. Malfoy fifty points. And for sheer Bravery in the face of Unspeakable Evil and showing a great capacity to love, I award Mr. Potter sixty points."

Everyone sat, stunned.

Anyone who had been keeping track now knew that Gryffindor and Slytherin were now tied for the Cup.

"Hmm, this is quite remarkable," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling merrily. "Never before in the history of this school has this happened. But…as the Muggles are fond of saying…there is always a first time for everything. In that event, I declare that both Slytherin and Gryffindor shall be awarded the Cup this year!"

He clapped his hands and half the Hall was decorated in crimson and gold…and the other half in silver and green.

Everyone started cheering after that, even Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. This lasted for several moments.

Once everyone had calmed down again, and resumed their seats, the Headmaster continued.

"There is one more thing that needs attending to," Dumbledore declared. "As many of you have no doubt read in The Daily Prophet, Lily Potter—the mother of our own young Mr. Harry Potter—is not dead, as she was believed to be all these years. She has, in fact, been in a magical coma for the last ten years. Some months ago, Lily awoke and reunited with both her son and his father, who was not James Potter as everyone believed. Harry’s true father is none other than our very own Potions Master, Severus Snape."

This received quite a gasp, as that particular bit of information was not in the article the Prophet had done upon discovering Lily was still alive.

"You see, before Lily was married to James she was married to Severus," Dumbledore explained. "Through a series of unfortunate events, Severus was declared dead by the Ministry and this put Lily and young Harry into danger’s path. James Potter, a good friend, agreed to help them. Therefore, he married Lily and gave Harry his name and made him his heir…but, sadly, James is now gone and Lily and Severus wish to remarry. They have asked me, as Chief Warlock, to officiate."

He snapped his fingers and soft music began to play.

The Great Hall doors opened and into the chamber stepped Professor Severus Snape and a radiant Lily by his side.

Harry smiled at the sight of his parents.

His father was dressed in a dark green, high-collared, knee-length tunic and breeches. His hair was pulled back and secured by a hair-tie (which was in the shape of the Slytherin crest) and his Prince medallion hung openly around his neck.

His mother was garbed in a long pale green gown that left her shoulders slightly bare and had long bell-like sleeves. She wore the earrings, necklace, and bracelet his father had given her for Christmas and her bright red hair was pulled back on both sides by the combs he’d given her but had otherwise been allowed to cascade down her back. In her hands was a small bouquet of lilies—ten of them, in fact, one for every year she’d been asleep.

Walking up the center aisle, arm in arm, they smiled openly at their son and Lily even winked at him.

The Hall was completely and utterly silent as the couple stood before the Headmaster, who beamed down upon them.

"My children," he intoned, taking out his wand, "do you both come here before these assembled of your own free will, minds, and hearts?"

"We do," Harry’s parents said at the same time, turning to face each other.

"Please, then," Dumbledore told them, "join your left hands."

They did so with Lily’s on top, her emerald ring flashing in the candlelight of the Hall.

"Severus," Dumbledore began, "do you pledge to love, honor, and cherish Lily for the whole of your days until the time you are taken beyond the Veil?"

"I do," the Potions Master nodded. "With every ounce of my magic and being, I shall love and protect her and our family."

"And will you also, Lily," the Headmaster asked, "pledge to love, honor, and cherish Severus for the whole of your days until the day you are taken beyond the Veil?"

"Gladly," Lily said, blinking back tears. "With all my heart and soul, I do."

Dumbledore reached into his pocket and retrieved two small bands—one silver and the other gold.

"Place these upon your fingers," he instructed them, gently.

Harry watched as his mother slipped the silver band upon his father’s finger and his father slipped the smaller gold band upon hers.

"I then declare that you are now and forever husband and wife," Dumbledore told them, touching their joined hands with his wand. "Bound by law, love, and magic!"

Three multicolored bands sprang from the tip of his wand, encircling their joined wrists.

They flared brightly for a moment, but then sank into their skin.

"I believe, Severus," Dumbledore informed his grandson, his eyes practically twinkling out of his head, "this is the part where you kiss your bride."

"Gladly," Harry heard his father say and then pulled Lily to him for a very deep (and outrageously embarrassing) kiss.

All the adults in the hall, and most of the girls, burst into applause. Most of the boys, however, just wrinkled their noses.

"Oh, man," Harry groaned. "I’m never going to live this down!"

"Cheer up, mate," Ron said, smiling. "It could be worse."

"How?" Harry asked him, curiously.

"Uh…well, I don’t know," Ron told him, smirking. "But I’m sure it could be."

"Thanks a lot," Harry groused, though he was secretly happy his mother and father were now married again.

"Severus, Lily, may I be the first to congratulate you both," Dumbledore told them. "Will you join us at the Head table?"

"Actually, Headmaster," the Potions Master said, "Lily and I would like to join our son at his table. For today, at least, we are simply his parents."

"Of course," Dumbledore said, smiling brightly.

Harry smiled, as his mother and father came and sat to either side of him.

"Why didn’t you tell me?" he asked them, somewhat sullen.

"Where would the fun in that be?" the two of them asked him at the same time, earning a laugh from all the adults around them.

Harry scowled for a moment, but then he too burst out laughing. He couldn’t help it.

This was perhaps one of the happiest moment of his life! They were a family…for real now!

"Now then," Dumbledore declared. "Our feast can officially begin!"

He clapped his hands, and the food appeared.

"Finally!" Ron declared. "Let’s eat!"

Everyone began doing just that.

HPHPHPHP

"So, Severus?" Arthur Weasley said, as they ate the feast the school elves had prepared. "Happy to be among the married again?"

"Completely, Arthur," Severus told him, smirking. "How are things at the Ministry these days?"

"Oh, you know, the same ole same ole," the red headed man said, shrugging. "We raid a few homes every once in a while but that’s about it."

"Indeed," he said, grinning. "Perhaps, someday, you could try Malfoy Manor…I am sure you would find loads of misused Muggle artifacts there."

"Wouldn’t that be nice?" Arthur smirked, who had a deep and utter loathing for Lucius—as they had been in the same year at Hogwarts. "Unfortuantely, without any reason, we can’t."

"Yes, I know," Severus said, sighing.

"Hey, Dad," Harry said, glancing at him. "You could always sneak into there and find some evidence…I mean, I’ll even let you borrow my invisibility cloak!"

"And why would I need to borrow it?" Severus asked him, raising an eyebrow. "It is in my possession already, remember?"

"Oh, yeah," Harry said, glumly. "I forgot…it was just an idea."

"It is ideas like that that is the reason you are grounded for the first two weeks of the summer, remember?" Severus reminded him, pointedly.

Harry wrinkled his nose. "I know," he said, sighing.

He [Severus] might not have done as he had wished, which was to turn the children across his knee for their little adventure, but that didn’t mean they had all gotten away with it.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione—whose parents had been just as livid as he and Lily—were all three grounded for the first two weeks of their vacation.

That meant no flying or Quidditch, no corresponding, and [for Hermione, at least] no reading for enjoyment.

And, of course, lots of extra chores!

Draco’s bottom had not gone unscathed, as Narcissa had not been pleased in the least, but putting him on restriction would mean Lucius discovering his little escapade and that would be worse for the boy in the long run.

Severus wasn’t sure what Neville’s grandmother had in store for him, but the intense frown on the old woman’s face did not bode well for the timid boy.

There was a reason Augusta Longbottom had a reputation for being a very powerful—and sharp tongued—witch.

"Do not worry, Harry," Arthur told him, grinning. "The time will fly by, you’ll see."

"It’ll be a chance for you to get to know your new home, dear," Molly told him, grinning.

"Plus give you ample time to do all your summer assignments and get them out of the way," Severus told him, smirking.

"Ah…Dad!" Harry griped, sourly.

"As I’ve said before," Severus told him, smirking. "If you do not wish to do the time…"

"Don’t do the crime," Harry grumbled, sourly. "I know. I know. Yeesh!"

"Don’t argue, Sweetheart," Lily told him, gently yet firmly. "Otherwise it will be three weeks instead of two."

"Mum!" Harry gasped, shocked.

Severus smiled at his wife, thanking her for her support with his eyes.

There was nothing scarier than an angry red-headed witch!

And every Weasley male from Arthur to Ronald could attest whole-heartedly to that fact.

"Oh, Lily, I’m so happy to see you again," Molly told her old friend, "but I must say I am rather miffed at your husband."

"And why is that, Molly?" Lily asked her, curiously. She smirked at him.

"Because in ten years time he might have let a body know you were still with us," Molly said, glaring at him.

"I could not risk it," Severus told her, bluntly.

"As if I’d go blabbing to the Ministry," Molly sniffed. "She’s my best friend, Severus! And I’m your cousin, for Merlin’s sake!"

Severus winced. "I am well aware of that, Molly, but—"

"Humph," Molly sniffed. "If you were one of my sons I’d take a wooden spoon to you!"

"Don’t worry, Molly," Lily told her, gently. "I’ll be sure to ‘punish’ him for you."

Severus wrinkled his nose. "Not married a whole hour," he muttered, "and already I’m in the doghouse…"

"Welcome back to married life," Arthur smirked at him.

The clinking of glass got everyone’s attention as they turned back to the Head table. Albus had stood up again.

"Now that we are amply fed and watered," he said, his eyes twinkling maddenly. "What say we have a bit of exercise, eh? If everyone one will step back from their tables…"

As everyone did so, he waved his wand and all the plates, goblets, pitchers, and platters disappeared.

Waving his wand again, all four long tables stood up and shuffled to lean against the walls.

Waving his wand a third time, soft music began to play.

"I believe," Albus said, smirking, "it is customary for the bride and groom to have the first dance, yes?"

Severus sighed. Albus, one of these days…

He turned to his wife and smiled.

"Would you do me the honor of dance, my love?" he asked her, gently holding out his hand.

Lily smiled, taking his hand. "I’d be delighted," she told him.

Together, they stepped out into the middle of the Hall.

Then, they danced.

SSSSSSSS

"Mum?"

Lily smiled down at Harry, with whom she was currently dancing with.

"You look really pretty," he told her, smiling.

"Why thank you, kind sir," she teased him. "I must say you look rather handsome yourself."

"I hate this cap," Harry told her, wrinkling his nose.

"Your father did, too," Lily told him, smiling.

"I’m glad you and Dad are married again," Harry told her. "You two deserve to be happy."

"You deserve to be happy too, love," she reminded him, gently.

Harry blushed a bit at that. "Yeah, I know," he told her, gently. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"I don’t know, Harry," she told him, smirking. "Can you?"

Harry sighed. "May I ask you something?"

Lily chuckled. "Yes," she told him, "you may. What’s on your mind, Sweetheart?"

"I was just wondering," Harry said, hesitantly. "Why did Quirrel burn up when I touched him? I mean to ask dad earlier, but I forgot…"

Lily thought a moment. "Do you remember the spell I cast upon us, Harry?" she asked him. "The night You-Know-Who attacked us?"

"The one that protected us?" Harry asked, and she nodded. "What about it?"

"That spell never went away, love," she told him, gently, "and it never will. Until the day you die, Harry, no one with a truly evil heart beating inside their chest will be able to stand your touch. If they try, they’ll get burned."

"But…why?" Harry asked, wide-eyed. "How can a spell be that powerful?"

"Because it was created with and powered by my love for you, dear," she explained. "My love for you is that great, Harry James, and therefore the spell as equally powerful."

Harry smiled. "I love you that much, too," he told her, wrapping his arms more tightly around her.

"I know," she told him, kissing him on the top of the head.

A throat being cleared got their attention and they turned to look at Severus. "Mind if I cut in?" he asked, curiously.

"I, uh, I guess so," Harry said, smiling.

"Why don’t we all dance together, instead?" Lily suggested, smiling.

"Uh," Harry said, glancing around, "won’t that be kinda…embarrassing?"

Lily and Severus both smiled wickedly at that.

"All the more reason, then," her husband chuckled, taking a hold of their son’s hand and then hers.

"Come, my dears," Lily said, taking Harry’s other hand. "Let’s dance."

"M-uh-m! D-ah-d!" Harry moaned, as they started to spin about the room. "Everybody will see us!"

Lily and Severus just laughed, continuing to spin.

Despite his protests, however, Harry did not attempt to let go of their hands and even began to laugh himself after a few moments.

Lily smiled.

They were finally, completely, whole again.

And she intended to keep it that way.

Always.