It had been 5 years since Karina had seen her classmates and she was both nervous and excited at the prospect of the reunion. The summer sun shown a blazing oppressive orange in the mid morning sky. She entered the Entrance Hall and looked around. The majority of the people in her year were there. Suddenly she felt something latch on to each leg. She looked down and saw Elizabeth and Kassandra.
�Mummy! You�re here!� they squealed in unison.
�Hi sweeties,� she said leaning down to give them each a hug.
�Where�s daddy?� Karina asked, scanning the room.
�He�s with Auntie,� Elizabeth said.
The girls both referred to Minerva as �Auntie�. Karina, Severus and Minerva had found it easier to explain the role of godmother to the girls as being their aunt.
The five-year-olds had spent the weekend at the school with their father and were overjoyed to be reunited with mother. Karina had been at a funeral for her father�s sister over the weekend and the couple had decided it was best for her to go alone. At five, the twins were too young to be experiencing the pain and grief of death.
They looked up at her with the same silver-grey eyes she�d seen in the mirror for the past 23 years. They had inherited Severus�s angular features and black hair. Oddly enough they had both received Karina�s crimson streaks as well. This combination made for a very interesting appearance.
�How are you darling?� Severus asked embracing her from behind.
�I�m doing good,� she responded jovially, relaxing in her husband�s arms.
�How is your father doing?� he asked with a concerned expression on his face.
�He�s doing ok. We knew it was coming we just didn�t know when,� she answered quietly.
�I�m so sorry dear,� Minerva said, patting her on the shoulder.
�Thanks,� Karina responded, flashing a small smile.
�Mummy Lizzie pushed me,� Kassandra whined.
�No I didn�t,� Elizabeth countered.
�Yes you did!� Kassandra wailed.
�Girls, just keep your hands to yourselves,� Severus reprimanded.
�Let�s go into the Great Hall and sit down ok,� Karina interjected taking one daughter in each hand.
Minerva left the foursome and returned to staff table. Snape began to follow her but Karina�s hand shot out and grabbed his wrist.
�Sit with us,� she stated more than questioned.
He smiled and sat down next to his wife and pulled Elizabeth onto his lap. Karina did the same with Kassandra. Dumbledore rose and surveyed the room before him. The spacious room was filled to bursting. He hadn�t expected so many alumni to return and with their families.
�It is wonderful to see you all after all these years,� the old headmaster greeted.
A roar went up from the crowd of gathered graduates in response. There were about 50 children dispersed amongst the clumps of adults.
�I hope everyone has had a good summer thus far. The next three days should be very enjoyable. You all are now dismissed to your former houses to settle in. Feel free to wander about the grounds,� he concluded.
Suddenly three people appeared in front of Karina�s table. It was the trio. Since graduating, Karina and Hermione had become friends and kept in touch.
�Hi girls,� she said sweetly.
�Hermione!� they said and jumped out of their parents� laps.
��Mione how are you doing?� Karina asked, standing up and embracing her friend.
�I�m doing good and yourself?� Hermione responded.
�Oh fine. Raising two five-year-olds is no easy task,� Karina answered.
The group spent the rest of the day and the morning of the second day reminiscing about their last year at Hogwarts. Severus even held a rather lengthy conversation with Harry in which neither of them raised their voices.
�How�s Auror training going?� Snape asked the second day at lunch.
�I take my last tests the second week in August,� Harry responded.
�I�ve no doubt you will succeed. You�re not stupid and with all you�ve been through I can�t think of anyone better suited,� the Potions Master stated.
�Thanks,� Harry responded.
After lunch, a group of former Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs held a rousing quidditch match. Harry and Ron tried to get Karina to play but to no avail. Ron was keeper and had improved significantly since his fifth year. In the end, the Gryffindor team won.
On the third night at dinner, Ron had a rather shocking bit of news to share with the small circle of confidants.
�Ginny just sent me an owl and said she and Colin Creevy are getting married,� he said, after several gulps of pumpkin juice.
�Ron that�s great!� everyone exclaimed.
�Well, well. I�m surprised I didn�t run into the wonder trio and the slut earlier,� came the nagging, drawl of none other than Draco Malfoy.
Harry just rolled his eyes. Ron glared, as did Hermione. Severus set his jaw but kept his mouth shut. Karina however felt the old flame of hatred rekindle.
�There are children at this table,� she growled, standing slowly.
�The little brats. My how they�ve grown,� he said in mock affection.
�Don�t ever talk about my children like that you insolent, menacing, putrid---,� she snarled.
Just then both Elizabeth and Kassandra stuck their tongues out at the blond haired intruder. Everyone except Malfoy began to laugh. For being only five, they were two very intelligent girls.
�I think my daughters have said it for me. Now kindly evacuate your body from my personal space!� Karina snapped.
With that he left. Besides that one intrusion, everyone had a fantastic three days. The following day, everyone said their last goodbyes as some families left for Hogsmeade Station and others left via the Floo Network. Severus, Karina and the twins stayed however. After everyone had left, Karina announced to the girls that they would be living at school from now on because both she and Severus were going to be teaching.
�So you accepted the position then?� Snape asked, his face beaming.
�Yes. I wouldn�t have dreamed to turn it down,� Karina answered with a satisfied smile.
�I�m glad you�re truly happy,� he said, picking up Kassandra in one arm and taking Elizabeth in the other and the four of them turned and headed out to the lake to enjoy a nice quiet day to themselves. In days and years to come, they�d have their hands full but at that moment, it was simply about being together.
