Harry stood in his guest room, Hermione straightening his tie and smoothing his hair.

"Don't be nervous, Harry. It's not a real wedding, you know. Just need the pictures. If you decide to get married later we can absolutely put on a real wedding with no one being aware of it."

"That's not why I'm worried. What if Severus decides he doesn't want me later? We aren't even dating. We've just kissed this morning! Just admitted our feelings last night. We haven't even said the L word."

"Look," Hermione said softly, her hands on Harry's shoulders. "Severus is an incredibly loyal man. It's almost a fault. He isn't going to give up on you easily. He's been pining after you for years, Harry. Now that he has you, he's going to work hard to keep what he has with you. Same with you, really. I know you better than to think you'll give in to some flight of fancy and just leave him. You've already said he feels like family to you. And isn't that what you've ever truly desired? He makes you happy, he's loved you for years, and he's always taken better care of you than any of the rest of us have. All of the rest of us have seen this developing for quite a while. Only you and Severus are new to it. And hey, a public break up is probably easier than a public marriage so even plan B isn't the worst thing that'll ever have happened to you."

"The press doesn't even know I'm gay."

"Wizards don't care about that Harry. Albus was gay too, you know."

Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"See? You never even knew about it because no one spoke of it... because they didn't care. I don't often think Ron has good ideas," Hermione chuckled. "But he got it right this time, albeit accidentally."

Luckily, being Harry Potter, it was quite easy to have two suits custom made and tailored very quickly. Now that was taken care of, and Molly, Ginny, Fleur, and Bill were decorating the site of the wedding, while Arthur prepared the camera, and everyone else prepared dinner, there was nothing for Harry to do but write his vows. Harry sat down to write, wanting to simply write generic vows good enough for some photos and a quick recording, but once the quill touched the paper, everything came pouring out.

Harry gasped as the beautiful wedding altar before him came into view. He held Severus's hand and walked out to the field adjacent to The Burrow, where the wedding site had been decorated. The sun had just begun to set, there were hundreds of lit candles hovering overhead, all of the family were dressed as if attending the Yule Ball, Arthur stood at the altar with an arch of autumn flowers behind him.

"Gentleman, are you ready?" Arthur reached a hand out to them.

Harry looked up at Severus who offered him a reassuring smile. Severus's grip on his hand tightened as they walked together between their friends towards Arthur. Once at the arch, Severus and Harry faced one another, holding hands.

"We are here today to honor the joining of the hearts of Harry James Potter and Severus Tobias Snape. If you agree to support this union, speak now."

The entire group lifted their wands, a light glow at the end of each wand tip. "We support this union," they all said in unison, then lowered their wands.

"Severus, please express your intent to Harry."

Severus ran his thumbs across the tops of Harry's hands and looked deep into his eyes.

"Harry James Potter, I intend to always make you feel as if you are part of a family. You will never feel unwanted, nor unloved. My every waking thought shall only be how I intend to make you happy and feel loved that day. I intend to stop at no length to provide for you and care for you. I intend to make you the absolute happiest man this Earth has ever seen. Whether you are happy, or sad, healthy, or sick I shall be there by your side. I will support you in any and all endeavors you so choose. Harry, I intend to be here by your side until the day I venture into the next life. And still, there, I will await you, to love you always."

Harry couldn't stop the tears that raced down his face. He sniffled.

"I'm sorry," he said, half laughing. "I know this isn't real, but that was beautiful."

"My words are the truth, Harry. I meant every word."

"Now you, Harry. Please express your intent to Severus."

Severus had spoken from his heart, he hadn't read from a sheet of paper. However Harry's eyes were now swollen from crying, his heart racing, and didn't trust himself to recite his vows from heart, so he loosened one hand from Severus's hold and shakily pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his jacket pocket. Severus smiled at him encouragingly.

"It's okay, Harry."

Harry nodded and choked back a sob.

"Severus Tobias Snape,

I intend to love you and make you feel loved every day that I am alive. Severus. I have loved you for two years." Harry let the paper fall to the ground and took Severus's hand in his once more, looking up into his dark eyes which now teemed with emotion. Harry choked back another sob. "Severus, I have loved you for two years now. Every day that I was apart from you, I still thought of you. Every time in the last two years that I have laid my eyes on you, I've loved you more. Each time I so much as thought your name, I loved you more. I intend to continue this pattern and love you more each time I inhale, each time my gaze lands upon your beautiful face, each time I hear your voice. More importantly, I intend to do everything in my power to make sure you feel every iota of that love. I will never do anything to make you doubt me, our relationship, or the love that I have for you. I intend to spend my entire life making you as happy as I possibly can. Because that is what you deserve and because you are my family and because I love you more than I ever thought possible."

Severus didn't wait for Arthur to continue the ceremony. He immediately dropped Harry's hands, stepped forward and enveloped Harry in his strong arms. Harry sobbed with pure joy and overwhelming love into the crook of Severus's shoulder, his arms wrapped tightly around the older man's neck.

Harry felt his feet leave the ground, thinking Severus must have lifted him up. Harry opened his eyes to see a bright golden glow surrounding them as they embraced. Harry began to feel the bright light tremble around them. It was pure magic lifting the men into the air and surrounding them.

"Harry, what are you doing?" Severus asked, obviously nervous.

"I- I don't know!" The two men were slowly spun around by the powerful magic surrounding them. Harry felt suddenly different. As if he'd been thirsty for years and finally given water. The magic lowered them until their feet were planted firmly back on the ground, but it still surrounded them. The orb of golden light grew larger and became brighter and brighter until it was no longer golden, but bright white then, in an instant, it was gone.

Severus and Harry slowly released themselves from the embrace and looked out at the group of people before them. Each of them, completely silent with looks of shock on their faces. Harry slowly turned his head towards Arthur, who looked equally surprised.

"Arthur, what was that?"

"It was... a... I believe it was a soul bond, Harry."

"A what?!" Harry and Severus asked in unison.

"You weren't actually meant to marry us!" Harry protested.

"I didn't, Harry. This wasn't of my doing."

"Then why did it happen?"

"Soul bonding is very ancient, very rare magic. It wasn't me. It was you. Well, not you you but your soul."

Harry turned towards Severus. "I'm sorry Severus, I didn't mean to. I don't know what I did..."

"It was both of us," Severus stroked Harry's cheek, wiping away the few tears that continued to fall.

"What does it mean?"

"I'm not sure, my love."

Hermione waddled towards the two men in the archway. "I've read about this. I think you should come inside and sit down."

Harry and Severus took their seats on the sofa next to one another, Hermione sat near them in Arthur's wing back chair. The rest of the group stood around them nervously, none of them having spoken yet.

"This hasn't happened in over 100 years?" Harry clarified.

"That's right, and even then, it was still extremely rare."

"Why so rare? Love isn't rare, right?" Harry asked, sounding almost child-like.

"It's rare because it's hard to meet the exact requirements."

"Which are?" Severus urged.

"Well, true romantic love, of course. But also the magic between the two have to be identical pairs, and the souls must be exact complements."

"But what if we didn't want this? This was unintentional." Harry said, looking at Severus.

"The final requirement," Hermione continued. "Is that both parties must have hearts that are open to it."

"How could we be open to it if we didn't even know what it was?"

"Both hearts must be open to being bonded for life. I suppose as each of you confessed your feelings, your hearts were open, the other requirements were met and then here we are."

"For life..." Harry whispered, deep in thought. He turned to Severus. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't trying to... to trap you or anything. If you want out, I'm sure there must be a way."

Harry looked positively beautiful.

Severus leaned down, pressing his forehead to Harry's. "I do not feel trapped in the slightest. I do not regret this one bit. I hope you don't."

"No," Harry whispered. "I meant what I said."

"Good," said Hermione. "Because there actually isn't a way out of this."

Harry chuckled. "Well, we did this all backwards. You hadn't even asked me to be your boyfriend yet."

"I suppose we've all had a rather long day. Dinner is ready... shall we?" Molly announced.

"Actually, Molly, and I'm sorry, but I'd rather take my new husband home now if you don't mind," Harry said cheerfully.

"He's more than your husband, Harry," Hermione reminded him. "He's your soul mate. And there is more that you both should know but I need to do a bit of research and I'm sure you both need your rest."

With that, Harry and Severus apparated back into their home at Grimmauld Place.

A note was pinned over the mantle.

"Must be for me!" Harry rushed to the note.

"What's it say?" Severus asked, feeling a bit concerned.

"They finished early!" Harry grabbed Severus's hand and pulled him towards the back of the sitting room, to the side of the staircase. Underneath there was now a door which had not been there previously.

"Consider this my wedding gift to you." Severus was utterly apprehensive.

"Go on then," Harry encouraged cheerfully. Severus did as was requested and pushed the door open, he descended the three steps within the entrance which lead him into a massive potions room. There were three large cauldrons in the middle of the room, two large workbenches against the wall, several shelves and storage cabinets, vents specifically for ventilating potions areas, a black wooden desk set along the far wall with a black leather chair before it... and the walls were blue concrete.

"Harry, it's beautiful. I don't know how to thank you. This room is perfect. Absolutely perfect."

"You can thank Malik. I told him the specifications, he built it."

"This is the single most thoughtful gift I have ever received, Harry."

Severus placed his hands on Harry's hips, unable to hold back any longer. He pulled the younger man to him and kissed him with such fervor it made him dizzy.

"I love you," Harry gasped out between kisses.

"I love you," Severus whispered in return.

This couldn't be real. None of this could be real. Severus was neither a lucky man nor a deserving man. Severus knew he must be in St Mungos right now, hallucinating. He was soul bonded to the young, handsome, selfless savior of the wizarding world who has just given him a very expensive, custom potions room directly out of his dreams.

As Harry and Severus emerged from the new potions study, a black owl swooped in through the fireplace. A newspaper was dropped on Harry's lap and the owl left just as quickly as he came.

"I suppose Arthur already sent the photos and videos to the press..." Harry lifted the newspaper and unfolded it carefully.

'Breaking news! The Man Who Lived, Harry Potter, and former Death Eater and Hogwarts Professor, Severus Snape have wed in a surprise wedding ceremony! The two men looked quite dashing in custom tailored tuxedos in a romantic outdoor wedding. Snape and Potter wrote their own vows and exchanged them before family and friends at the home of Arthur and Molly Weasley, officiated by Arthur Weasley himself. In a beautiful turn of events, the two men were soul bonded, a ritual that has not taken place in 103 years. This soul bonding has already brought about questions from the wizarding public at large. Many witches and wizards have wondered through the years where Snape's loyalties lie. Does his soul bond with Harry Potter answer that question? We have often speculated on Potter's love life as well, and that question has certainly been answered! We here at The Daily Prophet offer our sincerest best wishes to the happy couple."

To the left of the article was a photo which displayed Harry and Severus floating before the flowered arch, the golden light surrounding them.

"I think it worked!" Harry said, looking happy and satisfied.

"I believe it has."

"My bedroom, or yours?"

Snape's breath faltered. Was Harry ready to...?

"Are you sure?"

"Well, we are married. We should probably share a room, right? The 'marital bedroom' as George put it."

"What are you proposing?"

"That we combine our living quarters. My room is much larger but if you prefer to share your room, we could. Or," Harry looked down at the hands fidgeting in his lap. "Or if you're not ready for that, we can wait. We can take things slowly."

"I think that is a beautiful sentiment, Harry. If you are prepared, I am prepared."

"We have a few hours before our usual bedtime... we could begin?"

"Your room is larger, and it has the attached bathroom," Severus said, thoughtfully.

The two men stood in the doorway of Harry's room. The walls were painted a dark, cool-toned red (Gryffindor maroon was Harry's intent, Severus remembered.) They each assessed the room. Harry's bed was a small, single-person bed with rich gold bedding. There was one small window to the right, and a pile of wrinkled clothing in the floor beneath it, as Harry had yet to purchase an armoire.

"It needs some work," Harry finally admitted.

"I could never sleep peacefully surrounded by the disgusting colors of Godric Gryffindor."

Harry swatted Severus's arm and laughed.

"Okay, okay. We can make some compromises," Harry conceded.

"We should start by switching our beds. Mine is quite a bit larger. It'd be more comfortable for us to share," Severus said, suddenly feeling uncharacteristically timid.

"Wonderful idea." Harry seemed to be chewing on a thought.

"What is it, Harry?"

"I was just thinking your black blankets and my gold curtains won't match."

Severus shrugged. "Charm the curtains to be black. Or charm my bedding to be gold."

Harry smiled up at him, "we can go with black and maroon. That would be a good compromise and I think those colors together would look..."

"Romantic," Severus offered.

"Sexy," Harry corrected, with a wink.

Severus's heart fluttered.

"Here goes," Harry lifted his wand towards the curtains. A large blast of magic exploded from the end of Harry's wand, knocking the entire wall out in a loud BOOM. Where a window had once been was now a massive hole, allowing the men to look out onto the horizon and night sky.

Both men stood in shocked silence.

"I only cast a simple color changing transfiguration charm," Harry finally said meekly. "I don't know what I did wrong."

"I don't trust magic to fix this," Severus finally said. "I suppose we will be calling upon Malik in the morning."

"I can't believe I just did that."

"Don't be embarrassed, Harry. Maybe you've temporarily forgotten how powerful you are. It's funny though," Severus paused. "I was just thinking we should just knock that wall out and install a large window. It would face the sunset each evening. I thought it would add to your idea of a romantic bedroom."

"That's a wonderful idea. I'll ask Malik to do that instead of fixing the wall."

"I suppose we will use my room tonight."

Harry and Severus quickly dressed into their pyjamas and slid in beneath the black silk sheets of Severus's bed.

The men faced one another in the dark, just as they had the night before at The Burrow.

"Your vows were beautiful," Severus said quietly, brushing his hand across Harry's collar bone.

"Yours were too. Did you really mean the things you said?"

"I did. And you?"

"Every word."

"You've loved me for two years?" Severus asked tentatively, his heart racing.

"I'm not sure I realized it at the time, but yes. "

Severus moved closer to Harry, draping his arm over Harry's waist. He pressed a gentle kiss to Harry's lips.

"I am willing to take things very slowly, Harry."

Harry nodded. "I think that would be best. We still have so much to discover about one another and there are things that I... that I want to do but that I... haven't done yet."

Severus raised his eyebrows.

"Are you saying you're a virgin?"

"Does that repel you?"

"No, Harry. Not at all. We will progress our relationship very slowly. We have the rest of our lives ahead of us. There is no need to rush anything."

"Thank you," Harry whispered, sleep clearly taking over.

Severus closed his eyes, willing to allow sleep to take him over as well.

"Severus?" Harry whispered.

"Hm?"

"I love you."

"I love you."

Severus soon fell asleep, wrapped up in Harry, keenly aware that this was the happiest he had felt in his entire life, and he had every intention to become the man Harry expected him to be, to make Harry happy, and to never let this go.

Note from the author:

There are about 6-7 more chapters to come! They're all written, just being proof read currently! If you're enjoying, review and let me know! Any guesses on where this is going? The true adventure has yet to begin! Stay tuned.