Hermione laughed as her husband of exactly four hours literally swept her off her feet and carried her through the doorway of their honeymoon suite.
"Severus, I didn't know you knew anything about Muggle wedding traditions."
"My father was a Muggle, after all," he replied. "I do know some customs."
She giggled and whispered in his ear. "How about the one where we don't leave the room all week?"
He grinned mischievously and carried her straight to the bedroom.
Several hours later, they sat wrapped up in each other on the couch. Hermione ran a hand up Severus' arm and kissed his neck.
"I love you," she said into his hair.
He leaned back and looked deeply into her eyes. "I love you, too, Hermione. More than you'll ever know."
They kissed for a few minutes before pulling apart again. Hermione laid her head on Severus' chest. When she began to sob quietly, Severus lifted her chin and stared at her in bewilderment.
"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" His voice was thick with worry.
"No, no. I'm sorry, love. I'm just terribly emotional right now. I'm so amazingly, wonderfully happy. My wildest dreams came true today and I suppose I'm having a hard time accepting that this is all real."
"Hermione, you have no idea how incredibly ridiculous that sounds. You seem to be switching our roles in this relationship."
She rolled her eyes. "You really don't give yourself enough credit, Severus. You are the most amazing man in the entire universe."
"I seriously doubt that, dear."
"No, you really are. Just thinking about everything you went through, and all you did for the Order..."
Hermione burst into quiet tears once again, then continued. "I don't know what I would do if you... if you hadn't..."
"Hadn't what?"
"Survived," she said into his neck. She wiped away a stray tear as he held her tighter.
"I'm here," he said as he stroked her hair. "We're together."
Hermione's mood was lifted slightly."I know. I'm sorry I'm being so dramatic. I'm ruining everything."
"You aren't ruining anything at all, Hermione."
"How did you do it, Severus? How did you survive lying to Voldemort for so long?"
Severus slightly cringed at the name, but answered his wife.
"I knew how important it was. There were times I thought my loyalties would be discovered, but I was lucky."
"What do you mean? How could they know?"
"Well for one, there was my Patronus."
Hermione's good mood was immediately dissolved. Of course. His Patronus was a doe, for Lily. Everyone knew that. How could she have possibly forgotten? She tried to keep her voice even as she replied.
"Yes, it must have shown you were capable of love, unlike the others."
"Exactly. But for some reason, they didn't question it. I didn't put it on display, of course, but a few of the Death Eaters did know about it."
"Maybe they didn't understand the significance of the doe."
"Perhaps. They should have questioned my ability produce one at all."
"Couldn't anyone else produce one?"
"No, I was the only one. I suppose I was the only one with any truly happy memories."
"Lily." Hermione said with a lump in her throat.
"At the time, yes. But now those memories are extremely blurred. I see nothing but you."
"That's sweet, but she obviously still means a great deal to you, to be the inspiration for your Patronus." Hermione put on a brave face. "But I can accept that. She was your first friend, after all."
"I don't think you understand, Hermione." He answered.
He reached over and grabbed his wand from the end table. A silver glow protruded from the tip of his wand, and Hermione gasped. Tears of happiness spilled down her cheeks as she watched a silver otter dance across the room.