NOTE: Due to a small yet significant misunderstanding on my part about the relative merits of an M rating vs. an MA rating, I am voluntarily censoring the last two parts of this story. For the uncensored version, please see Adult (no space) Fan (no space) Fiction (dot) Net under "A Very Good Occlumens" or under the pen name Ink Stained Wretch (no under 18). You'll also find another story by me there.

Unbreakable Vows

At Number 12, Grimmauld Place

Dumbledore smiled benignly at the sight of Lily and Snape, with Harry in Snape's arms, in the entryway of Number 12 Grimmauld Place.

"Then everything is settled?" he said.

"Not just yet," Lily replied. "I want your Unbreakable Vow, Sev, that you'll protect Harry."

Snape looked bored. "Of course," he said. "Where? In front of the fireplace?"

She nodded, and he set down Harry as she lowered herself to her knees. He knelt, too, and they linked hands. The room was dark. Dumbledore put the tip of his wand to their clasped hands.

"Will you, Severus, protect my son, Harry—to your last breath?" Lily said in a low, clear voice.

Snape looked over to where the boy was standing, regarding him. Staring into the child's eyes, he said clearly, "I will."

A tongue of flame rose from Dumbledore's wand and wound around their hands. Lily watched it in fascination, and Harry said, "Fire!"

Dumbledore smiled. "Shall we continue?" he said. "Lily, shall I say perform the wedding ceremony?"

She lowered her gaze. "Yes." She took her wedding band, the one James had given her, and moved it to the ring finger of her other hand, glancing up at Snape as she did so. His look was unreadable and distant, but when she held out her left hand, he held it fast with his right. Then Dumbledore began the ceremony.

When it was over, the lights seemed to come back on. Snape and Lily rose to their feet. Lily was surprised when Snape bent close to her ear and whispered in a low almost lazy voice, "I want to buy you a ring. It will have to be small. I am on a professor's salary—"

"A bonus might be in order," Dumbledore interrupted kindly. Two spots of color appeared on Snape's cheeks.

"Really, I don't need a ring," Lily protested.

"A ring," Snape persisted with finality. "With a green stone for your eyes. Something goblin-made."

Dumbledore took Harry's hand. "Why don't you go to Hogsmeade and find something? I'll watch the boy for a few moments."

Snape held out his hand for Lily, and after a brief hesitation, she took it, and they Disapparated.

Later, she stared at the thin, white-gold band with its seamless insert of a small green stone ("the best emerald of its size to be had for the money, sir"). Snape did not stare at his hand, but when she glanced at it, she saw the thin glint of unblemished white gold on the fourth finger of his left hand.

"Now what?" she said.

"Now—the wedding night."

NOTE: Due to a small yet significant misunderstanding on my part about the relative merits of an M rating vs. an MA rating, I am voluntarily censoring the last two parts of this story. For the uncensored version, please see Adult (no space) Fan (no space) Fiction (dot) Net under "A Very Good Occlumens" or under the pen name Ink Stained Wretch (no under 18). You'll also find another story by me there.