Later, Twenty-Fourth of April

Dear Diary,

I am finally a taken woman! Forever. I finally married Severus in the most beautiful ceremony. I am the happiest I have ever been! Severus is letting me write all the details of it before we go to bed. He seems so happy himself and can't stop kissing me, which means a lot, coming from him. Anyways, here's how it all went down.

It was all ready. Outside was finally perfect, the Great Hall was even more perfect and I was in my dress, waiting for the ceremony to start. My curly hair was cascading down my back, with the McGonagall tiara holding in place the veil that was falling on my face. My dress fell perfectly on my hips and the train was placed on the ground just so. My make-up and jewellery were placed meticulously on me as I observed myself in the mirror. Mother had already started crying as she went to sit down. Guests started to arrive left, right and center, sitting down and talking. My bridesmaids were all around me, trying to calm my nerves, which had grown tighter with every passing second. But, it was Emma who said the right thing at the right time.

"You love him; you showed us that he isn't what he appears. You taught us to like him and you showed us that you love him. Tell me again, why are you so nervous?"

That was when it hit me. I loved him; I really did love Severus Snape! Not that I had any doubts about my love for him, I guess it was more him loving me. The second after Emma assuaged my fears, it started. Music started and my bridesmaids went down the aisle while I stood nervously in the castle. Then, the doors I was hiding behind opened and sunlight poured on my face; it was my cue. I started walking down to the altar with as people glanced at me, murmured, smiled and cried. I looked to see Severus, standing beside Malfoy and Draco, with a smile on his face and his eyes gleaming. He had actually seemed to wash his hair, even if the roots were greasy; his robes were neat and clean, fitting him inch by inch.

As soon as I reached the altar, which seemed to get farther rather than closer, he took my hand and I felt my confidence go up. Then, a smiling Dumbledore started the ceremony.

"We are gathered here today for the matrimony of these two people. If somebody objects or thinks they should not get married, speak now or forever hold your peace…" Silence was all we could hear, when I was sure to hear Malfoy, Narcissa or some other unwanted guest say something. But there was total silence, so Dumbledore continued:

"Love is one of the most powerful forces on earth. It is even more powerful than any magic, dark or good. It brings people together, for better or for worse, even if they are totally different. For years, we have been blind, thinking that our worst enemy could ever be something more, when in reality if you let it go, you might find more then you thought. This couple is one of many examples to prove that point. They might comprise the only Slytherin and Gryffindor couple that has ever existed in the books. They set an example that everybody should think of, because they defied the laws in order to be together. Many people don't agree with them, still living in the shadows of stupid rules and unflattering laws. By getting married, these two have set new rules and laws that should suit all of us."

I was crying, while his words came out and reached us. Severus was holding my hands, looking intensively at me, while my tears of joy were coming out. We were changing something and I was proud to do so. Even with a difference in our amount of love for each other, we were still getting married pushing boundaries. Severus was looking deep in my eyes, as I lifted my head to watch him. He smiled weakly at me and I could feel his hands squeezing mine. I could feel this sort of…power between us, holding our gazes together.

"Now for the vows… Severus, you may start." That was when the most romantic thing Severus ever did for me, happened.

"Nathalie," he said without breaking our gaze, "I may have hurt you, I may have been a jerk, but every single time you take me back. I might have not shown you the love you deserve to have because of past heart aches. You might be second place but second place, to me now, is everything that you can ever have. You showed me a side of me I never knew I had, showed me that I can love more then one person. You loved me even in my deep times and for that is why I will make you mine, because you make me whole. I need you; I want you to be my wife. I take you to be my wife, lover and especially best friend. I take you and I will keep you in times of joy, as well as in times of failure. I will cherish every second of your company, I will cherish the love you give me and I hope you will cherish the love I can give you. I love you forever and for always." He made me cry even more, his words had touched me so much. I just couldn't focus anymore.

"Nathalie…your turn…" I took a deep breath and said:

"I thought I could never love again after Sirius left me in pieces. I also thought I could never get back with you; always being second best. But I was completely wrong; second best to me is even better then first place…You made me feel again, made me whole, made me…something…you made me better. You always say you mistreated me because I'm second best, made me feel un-worthy and that you where a jerk. Really, you weren't, you made me become more of a woman than I was before. That is why I take you to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the Severus you will become, and falling in love a little more every day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever life may bring us…I love you, Severus Snape."

He looked at me with his eyes exploding with emotion! Our vows had shown the world that we loved each other even if we weren't the first pick for each other and that even with that we still manage to love each other just enough to want to spend the rest of our lies together. His hands moved up my waist as Dumbledore spoke:

"Severus Tobias Snape, do you take Nathalie Adelina McGonagall as your lawfully wedded wife?"

"Yes, I do." He smiled at me as I started to cry even more.

"Nathalie Adelina McGonagall, do you take Severus Tobias Snape as your lawfully wedded husband?"

"Yes, I do," I said, while crying another big river. Severus took his handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped the tears off my face, so Dumbledore could continue. It was ring time. Dumbledore made a goblet of a fuming Bonding Potion, which appeared in front of us. Emma gave me Severus's ring as Malfoy gave my ring to Severus.

"You may drop your bonding rings in the potion." A little 'plop' and the rings fell in the cup. Then, Dumbledore took a knife out of his pocket and held it between us. Severus took it and put it near my wedding finger as he said:

"This ring is a sign of my love for you. As we are two bonded together so will our love last a lifetime. Forever." Then, he cut the outline of my finger, where the ring was to be placed. I made a noise of pain and I did the same to his finger. Afterwards, Dumbledore took out the rings and we placed them on our fingers. It stung for a while, and then I felt the ring getting tighter around my finger. We were bonded; we were married.

"By the magical powers invested me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Severus lifted the veil from my face and wrapped his arms around my waist completely. I put my arms around his neck. At the precise moment, where he bent to kiss me, the wind blew and made the flowers lose their petals. They flew in the wind just when his lips touched mine. The kiss was as magical, passionate and romantic even more then our first kiss. I was taken away and I couldn't even hear the music starting and the crowd clapping, standing up.

We had to let go after a while, since the ceremony had to proceed. We went down the aisle as our witness came with us to sign papers. It was the last time I was to sign my maiden name! Our witnesses signed beside our names on the legal papers. Severus chose to have Lucius and Narcissa as his witnesses and I chose Mother and Emma. Afterwards, Severus and I were led to an empty classroom to wait in until the reception. After the door, close silence came over us as all we could hear were the students being rushed to their dormitories and the guests going into the Great Hall. I looked to see Severus smiling at me. He took me in his arms and showered me with kisses. I was asking myself why we were having a reception, when I only wanted to be with him.

"I could devour you right now; you know that dress makes you look so beautiful?" I giggled as we kissed again.

Then, suddenly the door opened and Dumbledore said:

"We're ready for you now…" We let go of each other's embrace and walked into the Great Hall hand-in-hand with confidence and love. The room was filled with ribbons, flowers, round tables and a big table in the middle. People were clapping and throwing confetti at us; Mother was crying, Draco was running around, the bridesmaids were laughing and Severus was smiling. We started by eating a little something, while there was a toast from Malfoy and Mother. Malfoy started.

"I have known Severus for so long, it's almost impossible for me to actually remember the first time we meet. He was a silent, shy, frail little boy who always had his head in a book. He never seemed to be the type who cared about girls or ever thought about having a girlfriend. But one day, I caught him eyeing this woman right here and I knew he was going to go to the ends of the earth to get her. Ambitious little boy he was and he did get her.

"They broke up, made up, broke again and made up again, only to prove that love is never perfect. I don't know how many times I told him, she isn't for you, she isn't your type, and she'll be annoying, it isn't love…but even then he kept to his goal and today he achieved it. I think they might not be a couple nor the perfect one, but I am sure that his love for the now, Mrs. Snape, is genuine. A toast for the man who finally got what he always wanted, a girl who loves him." He finished by sitting back down with a grin.

His speech wasn't that bad nor what is that good, mentioning himself and his belief towards me. I could see a sad looking Narcissa sitting beside him with a bouncing, hyper Draco. But, you could see that Lucius' speech made Severus happy, because he did say he thought Severus really did love me. But I realised Lily was not mentioned in the speech and Severus had told me Lucius knew about his feelings towards her. Yet, I think it was wise for Lucius not to mention her on our wedding day but I'm sure she was in the message's thought. Also, I have a feeling Severus would like to keep his feelings for Lily under wraps and private; although his vows and mine didn't leave much to the imagination. My thoughts were broken as it was time for Mother to do her speech.

"Nathalie," she said smiling and crying. "I have always dreamed that this day would come, where you would get married to the love of your life. Since you were a little child, you always dreamed of finding your own Prince Charming, being influence by the relationship your father and I had. You have always been a die hard romantic and since you have been with Severus, I see all the passion, romance and love come out of you, just for him. You have been through hell and back to get to your happy ending and you finally got it. If your father were still here to see this day, he would agree with me by saying…We're proud of you.

"Proud of your strength, of your charisma and of your choice. I have never seen somebody make you so happy…in all my life have I never seen you so happy period. Just when I thought you weren't going to cure, you did…just when I thought it was your end, it was a beginning. Severus brought all of your personality out and changed you, as you said, into a better woman. If you knew just how much I admire your strength about the whole situation you were in…"

She started to cry and couldn't even finish. I got up and hugged her as we both cried. A toast was proclaimed as we were crying into each other. We let go afterwards, because it was cake time! A mountain of chocolate, designed whip cream and flowers was put before us to cut. Severus took my hand that was holding the knife and pressed crookedly the utensil into the cake. Pieces we distributed to the guests and during that time, I had smooshed my piece into Severus's mouth as he did the same for me. I had kind of missed his mouth so he had some on his face. He left to wash up while I was talking with friends and family, showing off my ring and catching up. I was conversing with a friend when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Severus's grandmother and grandfather standing before me!

"Do you know where Severus is? We need to speak to him…" Before I could even reply, I heard his voice behind me say:

"I thought I said I never wanted to see anyone of you again?" I didn't know what was going on, nor did I want to get into it. Severus took my hand and added:

"I would like an answer regarding why you won't leave me alone, like you threatened to do so many times when I was young?" His grandmother came up and said in a sad voice:

"Your grandfather and I are sorry for…everything. We never meant anything and we see now, we were fools. We were too protective of you and your mother and now…Eileen is dead and we regret it. We just didn't want you to become like your father…We are sorry for everything…" With fiery eyes Severus said:

"The harm has been done already, for more than twenty years it has been…it's too late to apologise. Now leave me alone with my wife to live a life that is going to be better than anything you've brought me. Now leave…so I don't have to remember all the pain you put me through." He walked away with my hand as his grandparents left with no apparent regret. He sat me in a nearby chair and explained everything to me.

Days after his mother had died he had visited them, to tell them the news because the Daily Prophet ended up not putting an announcement for her death in the obituaries. At first they seemed sad, but then his grandfather said that it wasn't a big loss and that they could do without her. Of course, Severus lost it and got mad at them. He got into a fight with the both of them regarding Eileen, money and everything basically. He was sick of them and decided to shut them out of his life, even if they had money to support us.

"I am so sad this had to happen today…I'm sorry…" I said.

"Don't be," he replied, kissing my hand. "It isn't your fault… You should be happy that I can finally have my own life with you…" I smiled as suddenly, the lights dimmed and music started. It was our cue to dance. He looked at me sadly and said:

"I don't want to dance…can we skip to the other parts?" I laughed as I replied:

"No, it will be the only dance we will ever have, so take it in stride…" He smiled sarcastically as he took me to the dance floor.

He put an arm around my waist and I imitated him with my other hand. We twirled around to the song. It was a sight to see; Severus was actually dancing and he was very good at it too! I laid my head on his shoulder and slid my hand around his waist. He murmured in my ear some romantic phrases but most of them were that he wanted to get out of here now and eat me up, because this dress was driving him crazy!

Finally, the music stopped and he kissed me. The reception was over. It was time to go to our honeymoon. I went to my quarters to change as Mother gave me a 'prep-talk' about what was coming up. I really wasn't listening, I was too busy changing and making sure I had everything. I came to say bye to the guests and I threw my bouquet to the single girls. Emma caught it and she looked at Remus with a hopeful smile. He smiled back and it made me happy to see them both like that. Severus was waiting for me in the entrance hall. Well, mostly, it was Malfoy and him. He was giving advice to Severus about tonight. Like we need his perverted ways…We are going to spend the night at Spinner's End then we are leaving for the cottage tomorrow morning. I left all of the night behind me as I held Severus's hand to Apparate in front of our house.

He took me in his arms, into the house and let go of me on the bed. We kissed for a while until I asked if I could change first. My friends' gift (I'll finally admit is lingerie nightgowns) needed to be…used with all the emotions I had. Then, afterwards, I asked him if could just write about the day and take a tour of the finished house while he was getting the room ready. He agreed with a smile. I found, in a spare bedroom, a new office, where I sat and wrote all of this.

And I bring myself to right now. I can't wait until tonight, after all the waiting and temptation everything. I am the happiest ever and I can't believe my wedding has finally come and passed. I can't wait for all the days, nights, happiness, fights, make-ups and most of all just spending a beautiful life with this man. I am in love with him so hard it hurts! I can't express it; if I could, it would take me a lifetime!

She had finally fallen asleep in his arms after a long period of lovemaking. He had finally had her in every way possible; he had finally proven that he really did love her. After all the wait and temptations it was worth it, she was right. It had been bittersweet, until the last moments. He couldn't believe he had lasted that long, waiting for her approval, if only he had known she was this good…

Seeing her in the wedding dress had made him go crazy, and then the negligee she had gotten from her friends had crossed the line and he could no longer wait. The beautiful red nightgown made him a very happy man. He had passed the most beautiful day ever and she had just made it better. Her moans, her kisses, her touch, her creamy skin… everything…had made it worth all the waiting. He had been accustomed to paying for sex, but waiting and wanting one woman for who she was, and not the pleasure was new to him. And he liked it.

He took one of her perfect curls and twisted it between his fingers as she cuddled up towards him some more. In her sleep, she was wearing a smile, which seemed like it was never going to leave her face. He let go of the curl and buried his head in her hair. It smelt like rose and lavender; it smelt like a woman. Speaking of sent, the smell of lilies came up in the mixed sent of her hair…Oh Lily! He hadn't thought of her since Draco had asked him if he loved Nathalie. But he was pretty sure his vows made it clear… but he couldn't stop thinking of how it would have been with Lily if he didn't call her a …Maybe it would be her, wrapped in his arms after the most beautiful wedding…No, Lily never thought of him more then a best friend even if too him she was the world. But, he decided that from this day on, Lily would still be present in his life as long as he took the time to make sure Nathalie was cared for properly by a man who loved her. Maybe not as much as she loves him but it was still better then nothing or Black. And if in the end he had to die for the memory of Lily or Nathalie he would do it because they meant the world to him

His thoughts stopped as he felt Nathalie move slightly in his arms, mumbling something and cuddling up even closer to his chest. She was the perfect woman and he wondered why Malfoy said she was different. She was like all women, wanting more. He couldn't wait for the honeymoon when it would only be the two of them, for a week… he grinned at the thought.

He remembered the lovemaking they had just done. It was obviously her first time; she was in little pain at the beginning, almost to tears but then it eased as he comforted her. He remembered the sort of attraction they had… It was sort of magical…there was something that had…worked between them. Like if magic or something was passed trough from him to her that made it sweeter then he ever imagined it to be. He had felt that connection, and he wondered if she did too…

The candles in the room flickered from the wind coming in from the lightly opened windows which blew the curtains slightly, in a very romantic way. He felt his eyelids becoming heavy. He was tired and yet he wanted to stay up and watch her sleep. But he dozed off, thinking of the week to come…