Chapter 21: The Tying of Knots

Typically, now would be the time Lucius would be tutoring me in Transfiguration, but he was in a meeting with Tom. He wasn't as good a teacher as Professor McGonagall, but I still understood what he was telling me. I was progressing strongly, and after meeting Cornelius Fudge to show how I was working, I was given the approval to continue my home study. He was very apologetic over how Dumbledore had reacted to my relationship, but I was just happy his position was filled by Professor Snape and Tom was made Chief Warlock in his stead. It was a suitable punishment for abusing his power to have it taken from him.

"Well, there are still people in the public who are supporting him, though it is true he has no real power. Your young Marvolo is moving through politics rather quickly, the bills he's presented to the Wizengamot are really something."

I had smiled, "I think minds like his can make the wizarding world better, it's a blessing he has that opportunity."

I used this time to read through the book we were working from before Severus dragged me into a Potions session. I was allowed to use his first name now, but he was still intent on disliking me. It was time I enjoyed with Neville, but he was being strange. I was waiting for him to come to me, to open up about whatever had been bothering him when I announced the engagement. But he hadn't. And it was starting to really bother me.

"Look, you have 5 seconds to open up to me about what's bothering you or I'm gonna lose my shit."

He hesitated but shushed me when my counting began. Apparently, a few weeks ago, he was duelling Severus. It was competitive, and when he'd been disarmed he fought with his hands. He ended up knocking Snape to the floor, and the older man had laughed as his wand rattled across the floor. Neville wasn't sure why, maybe because he was straddling his hips, or because Severus was looking him the eyes with his smile, but Neville kissed him. It was just for a second, but as he moved back Severus had moved up. He was rolled onto his back and had his teacher leaning over him. But then Snape moved back. He shot up and left, since then they hadn't had a moment alone. He was being avoided.

"Are you saying you want to forget it happened and go back to normal or get into a relationship?" I frowned.

The answer was in his eyes. He was too embarrassed to tell me he wanted something deeper with a teacher he used to hate. He wanted to fix his situation but didn't have a solution. When Snape walked in to call me to Potions, the solution came to me. I commanded that he use this time with Neville, training to ensure he was as good as can be at protecting me. Neville looked stunned, but there was a small light of gratefulness in his eyes. Bellatrix walked in, offering to talk over defensive magic while we both had free time. It wasn't what we'd talk about, but a great cover. Severus accepted though he seemed reluctant, and I winked Neville off once he'd turned his back.

Bellatrix was on my back about the wedding in a flash. She was acting as Tom's best man, or more accurately best wo-man. She wanted to help with every aspect of the planning, which wasn't bad. Narcissa wanted grandeur and luxury, but I wasn't that kind of 'bride'. Bellatrix added pureblood flair without suffocating me with it. It didn't take long for Neville to walk back in. The time made me worry, but his grin made me smile. Something good was happening.

"So, actual-best-man, any idea what Harry is giving my lord as a gift?" She smirked.

"I have a plan for his gift, but I need both of you to help me." I frowned, "if you want to know, then you have to keep your mouths shut, but this is good."

Waking up in my bed a Grimmauld Place felt sad. It would be the last time, from now on I'd wake up next to my husband in Slytherin Manor. After I married him today.

"Wake up love," Sirius knocked.

It was a dream that he and Remus were coming to the wedding. I'd sent out multiple invitations to my wedding to my old friends, and most of them had confirmed they would come. Well, we'd see. They tried to style my hair, but didn't really do very much. My robes were specially made by some women in Paris. I'd asked for Slytherin colours, given I was marrying Slytherin's heir. Pale silver, not quite white, and it glittered in natural light like a diamond. The trimmings and lace detailing was forest green, the studs and other decorations were a similar shade. I looked sophisticated, and the fitting materials flattered my figure.

"You look beautiful, my boy," Remus smiled.

They stood at both my sides, the closest thing to my family. They looked like fathers losing their daughter, combing my hair with their fingers. I promised them I'd be okay. They didn't trust Tom, maybe they never would, but they were trying to trust me. They weren't death eaters, but they didn't help the order anymore. The most they could turn was neutral, but I wouldn't ask more of them.

Remus left ahead, wanting to save seats by the front for him and Sirius. It was my godfather's job to walk me down the aisle to my husband. The Manor had been rebuilt over the months we planned the wedding, I hadn't actually seen it yet. I wasn't a part of the decorations. Bellatrix wanted me to be surprised by the 'artistry' of it all. Letting her collect Tom's wedding present clearly made her like me a lot more. I was just glad she'd kept it a secret. The hallways were streamed with vines, coating walls spring green and adding spots of colour with flowers. I was in shock at the natural beauty of it all but pleased by the basic wonder. The aisle itself was lined with lilies. The reminder of my mother made my breath catch. Sirius looked close to tears by it as well.

Tom smiled from the altar, forest green robes and silver detailing. My opposite. I'd need to write a personal letter of thanks to the Parisian designers, our robes were perfect matches. Just like us. The ceremony was traditional but short, the bonding making my core shiver. I felt his soul heat up inside like it was so happy it was glowing, and I wondered if my soul shined in him. Our connection had almost been palpable since Peter had been used to make my Horcrux, for the past three months it's been torture trying not to jump my fiance. The tingles when we shared our first kiss as spouses shocked through my body like crazy. I nearly tried to yank his robes off then, but barely pulled myself away.

I whispered into his ear as we danced, "I want to give you your gift now."

"So do I," he purred, pulling me even closer.

I insisted this went first, and he frowned as he let me go. It was cute. He sulked the whole way down to the basement, trying not to let himself be curious as to what I'd give him down here. I asked if he wanted to wait until tomorrow, after our special night together. I was teasing, we both knew he was now too interested to just leave without opening the cell door. It was an added detail, 8 jail cells for prisoners of war. He glared and moved ahead to the door handle.

The noise came first. Groaning, whining, like a circus animal beaten and neglected. In the dim light from the passageway, we saw his silhouette. A hunched-over shadow, curled into a ball on the floor. I flicked the switch to the side and enjoyed Tom's gasp as he stared at our old professor whimpering in the cold. I had only ordered Bella to bring him alive with all the pieces, so of course, may pieces were broken or bruised. I explained that Dumbledore was the last obstacle. We had Marvolo Slytherin in the ministry, and without Dumbledore, Voldemort could run amock too. He'd made my life perfect, I wanted to help make his the same.

Dumbledore looked to us, eyeing me, searching for help. Tom slammed me against a wall and pushed his tongue into my mouth. It was clearly his thank you, and I enjoyed it. I handed me a vial. My gift he said. A fertility potion, which gives us a week to work a baby into me before a four-week break. Similar to how women get pregnant, I think, but it sounded like an excuse to spend the first week of married life in bed naked. Sounded good to me.

"Now, you should go entertain until the reception is over, I want to play with my new toy."

The silencing charm was up before I left the cell, so I wouldn't have to explain the screaming. Neville was trying to be subtle, gently rubbing against Severus now and then, but I knew the invitation he was sending. I took the time to thank my guests, the few I'd invited to share my day. Luna and her father seemed pleased, in their dreamy way, so I wasn't certain on where they stood or if they cared. Hagrid gave me a huge hug, disregarding Dumbledore's rumours over Marvolo after hearing nothing from the old man for months. He ran away from the minister and hadn't made contact since, at least not with him. I tried to brush it off as Dumbledore being too proud to admit he was wrong, an explanation Hagrid easily accepted. My old Gryffindor friends hadn't come, but I made new friends with a couple Slytherins. Draco introduced me to Pansy and Blaise, who seemed okay. It was just networking, but when I had a moment I reached into Tom to watch him do what he did best. Each time I came back to the party, I left a dirty message in his mind about what would happen later. I was desperate for later to come.

A/N: Get the title? Cos they tie the knot, and I'm tying loose ends... You like it? :D I forgot the whole, Harry-kill-Peter-to-make-a-Horcrux thing, so I'm just dropping it in as if it happened in a time jump. It wasn't an important detail to see, I don't think. If it pisses people off too much, I'll write it like an epilogue or something, but I don't think it's necessary.