Disclaimer: Still my ridiculous plot; not my brilliant characters.

"Nervous much?" Hermione said to Ginny. Ginny paced back and forth.

"You're not nervous?"

"Ginny, sit. Please. Or I will be nervous." Ginny sat and started jiggling her knee up and down. "Okay, what?" Hermione asked.

"I can't help it. I'm excited."

"You're worried, not excited. Is it about Draco?" Hermione sat next to Ginny and took her hand. "You can change your mind. You do love Harry after all."

"I do love Harry, but I love Draco too."

"Does Draco know?" Ginny shook her head. "Does Harry?" Ginny nodded. "I think you have your answer. Now finish my hair. I have to look perfect for Severus."

"Oh, please. Gag me, Hermione." Ginny, distracted for the moment, went to work and created an up do that not only surprised her, but wowed everyone present for the Snape-Granger wedding. Snape himself forgot to breathe for a moment then promptly chided himself for such an action as he returned to a normal rhythm.

The ceremony was short, so short that it had little more than the couple each saying "I do." As big a spectacle as Hermione marrying Snape was, everyone was distracted by the wordless argument between the Best Man (Draco Malfoy) and the Maid of Honor (Ginny Weasley). It got so bad that the Groom (Severus Snape, who wanted things over with as soon as possible, hence the shortened ceremony) temporarily interrupted things to put them in their places, which was as far away from each other as could be allowed.

Eventually the vows were said, man and wife shared their "first kiss" as a married couple, man and wife were announced as such, and the party started.

Hermione kept her eye on Harry who was closely watching Ginny who was eyeing Draco in an odd way. Hermione gave Harry a wink the one time he looked her way. He shook his head and she nodded for him to go to Ginny. Harry reluctantly sighed and did as told.

"Trouble in Potterland, Gra-."

"Snape, Severus. If you call me Granger again, I'm cutting you off."

"You would, wouldn't you?"

"Of course," she said, beaming at him.

"Mrs. Snape, may I have this dance?" Snape bowed to her and held out his hand. She took it. He kissed her hand then led her to the dance floor.

Hermione was struck once again by how right it felt to be in his arms. The number of eyes that watched them as they danced also struck her. It was as if the world had stopped and they were the only ones in it. Hermione pulled herself closer and rested her head on his shoulder. Snape rested his cheek against the side of her head and held her there as they slowly swayed to the music.

"What do you mean you're marrying Harry?" Draco's voice screeched, breaking the relative silence.

Hermione and Snape broke apart. Snape whipped out his wand. Hermione quickly lowered it. "Don't. They need to work it out themselves."

Snape grabbed Hermione's wrist and dragged her away from the scene. "I don't want our child in jeopardy," he said as he removed her to the farthest corner he could find. He kissed her passionately, and then set her down. "Weasley, keep an eye on her," Snape said. Ron had been hanging in the corner trying to drink himself silly. He failed to notice the drinks were non-alcoholic.

"How're you doing?" Hermione said.

"The love of my life just married the greasy git of the dungeon. Harry's about to get Ginny back. Winning day, this. You?"

"I'm good." She looked at him for a moment. "I'm really sorry, Ron."

"Nah. It's okay. Lav and me'll be good, you know? You're happy, so why shouldn't I be?" He chugged down the butterbeer in front of him that automatically refilled itself.

Hermione watched her husband for a moment. He'd put himself between Draco and Ginny. Neville managed to wrestle Draco's wand away.

"You should be happy Ron. You and Lavender will b great, just like you say. Severus and I talked about it and, would you be our first child's godfather?"

Ron started to cry. "Yeah," he choked out. "I'd love that 'Mione. Thank you."

Hermione was reminded of Hagrid then, crying at the littlest thing. McGonagall had kindly shown him out when his sobbing interrupted the ceremony. She'd come back bawling herself and had to be excused moments later.

Snape came back. "I believe that's settled. I'd like my wife back now."

"How kind of you, Severus," Hermione said. "Are you going to actually smile or does your wedding require sullenness as well?"

Ron giggled. Only Hermione could get away with chiding that man.

"That comment shall require punishment later, my love."

"I look forward to it," Hermione said and walked past him. Snape raised an eyebrow. Ron shrugged. Snape turned on his heels and followed after her, arms behind his back. He missed having billowing robes as they would have been quite majestic in that moment, but Hermione had nixed the idea in favor of slightly more form fitting apparel with green and silver trim. At least the majority of his ensemble was his customary black.

"Severus, a word if I could," Minerva McGonagall said catching Snape.

"Must you now?"

"No, but I'd rather."

Snape sighted and stopped for her. "What is it?"

"A proposition. Deputy Headmaster."

Snape snorted. "You've managed without one for the last year. Why me?"

"It includes a small pay raise."

"You say that as if I need it."

"There's also about to be a bonus if you're recently married with a child on the way."

"The Governors, Minerva?"

"I will take care of them, Severus. Mull it over." She wandered off toward the Weasleys leaving Snape to ponder her offer.

"Problem?" Hermione said offering her husband a drink.

He downed it. "Promotion," Snape said.

"You're at least considering it?"

He didn't know how she could tell that he was just thinking it over, but he wasn't the least bit surprised. In the next moment, though, he knew exactly the course of things to come. "I'm taking it." Snape turned to Hermione. "Don't tell Minerva yet."

Hermione took his hand and dragged him to the dance floor where they danced the night away, Snape even cracking a smile now and then, though only when he was sure no one was looking except his wife.

---

"Hermione, tell me already," Ginny said to her Maid of Honor. The wedding plans had already been made. All they had to do was uninvite half the list and invite the people populating Harry's meager list, most of whom were already invited anyway.

"Oh, come one. I already told you how Severus resolved my conflict. It should be obvious."

"But how could I love both equally and yet only one is my one true love?"

"You're as daft as that brother of yours."

"We can't all be know it alls," Ginny said playing with one of the ringlets Hermione fixed into her hair.

"Draco was using you, Ginny."

"But he loves me, Hermione."

"He does, but not like Harry."

Ginny sighed and hugged Hermione tight. "What would we all do without your sense?"

"Likely you'd all be dunderheads as Severus likes to point out," Hermione said with a laugh. "Now sit still so I can finish your hair."

Hermione smiled to her husband as Ron led her down the aisle. Snape scowled at her public display of affection and glared at Ron who did his best to remain oblivious. He tripped over his on feet and was only held up by Hermione. Ron righted himself, gave a nervous chuckle and settled next to Harry. Harry beamed at Hermione then turned his attention to Ginny.

---

After all was said and done with the Potter-Weasley wedding, Snape took Hermione home to their dungeon abode.

"Remind me never to give detention to anyone ever again for a whole year," he said.

'Never. You're all mine now. I refuse to share, Severus." He smiled and kissed her soundly before taking her to bed.

TBC . . . (To Be Continued, one more time.)