"You look enchanting, Miss Evans," Severus said politely. He stood at the Evans front door, and she smiled at him. She wore a flowing pale pink ball gown with skirts that swished and fabric that rustled when she moved. It matched her skin type perfectly. Her slippers were the color of spun straw, and her hair was done in thick waves over one shoulder but braided in a bun at the back of her head. She looked like a pristine gem- but then again, she always had.

"Thank you, good sir." He offered his arm to the fair lady, and she took it. They were off to a party, a grand celebration thrown in their honor, and the Princes had put it all together. Ordinarily they would not be pleased that he was marrying someone of her low blood status, but after his accident knew there was no convincing him otherwise. There were more important things. They had even taken kindly to his new ideas on Muggles and Christianity (for a Dark family it had not turn out many Death Eaters).

"Take care of my baby," Mr. Evans admonished sternly. She waved a gloved hand at him.

"Bye, Daddy," she returned.

"I will, Mr. Evans."

"I know, son." The couple turned to enter the carriage that awaited them. (Doing it the Muggle way got less attention, as she pointed out). It was a crystal night and an altogether pleasant ride.

"Ah, there they are," Eileen greeted them, wearing a long and voluminous purple dress. The party was already in full swing. Then she leaned in so that only they could hear her. "Thank you for making my boy so happy, and for joining our family, Lily, deal."

"Mother," Severus tried carefully, but Mrs. Snape just patted the girl's hand and moved on. "May I have this dance, my lady?" He kissed her gloved hand, and she blushed and giggled.

"You may." He lead her out to the floor, where they began to sway gracefully to the music. It was Mozart's Requiem in D. The manor was done up spectacularly; it had been cleaned from top to bottom and the furniture moved aside, turning the spacious foyer into a magnificent ballroom. The lighting was dim and romantic. "So I was thinking, Orchids for the wedding," she said after a moment. In reality she knew he could care less about floral decisions, but still.

"The field where we always meet is covered in narcissus," he objected, because, all things considered, that was what was important to him. She sighed.

"We can have both. They don't really fit, but that's what I like about it. It's… odd."

"The first of many compromises, I'm sure." They swung as the song changed.

"How are things at your end of St. Mungo's?" he asked then.

"Fine. Why?"

"I was just hoping you like helping people as much as you thought you would. You deserve to be happy." He twirled her around. They were speaking in low voices, as if they did not want to be overheard.

"Sev, I am happy." She gave him a stern look. All those years and she still had not fixed his confidence issues. 'Besides, it's wonderful. Grueling, but wonderful."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"And you?" It fit his personality, she thought, the way he could sit still and concentrate for long periods of time. Personally it would drive her crazy.

"I'm busier than I thought I would be," he admitted. While his lab was at St. Mungo's, he worked for many drug companies, which were all demanding something. But he did like it.

"That's good, right?"

"Yes." The song changed again. One was Chopin, and sounded massively difficult. When it was over, everyone applauded, and Eileen announced that it was time to head off to the dining room. The table had been magically elongated, and Eloise was serving roast, stewed vegetables, potatoes and sorbet. Over the years Lily had spent a good chunk of time here, and so was not outside her comfort zone. She knew everyone, and everyone knew her. It was very loud, what with everybody talking at once, and she was almost grateful when Sev's Uncle Edward stood and clinked his spoon against his glass so that the room fell silent.

"A toast," he said in his booming voice, "to long life, prosperity, and happiness. We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time, and I hope you two make the most of it. Make it count. And to you, Severus, the best darn nephew I could ever ask for, and your beautiful bride= may you table never want for bread, but the peace and contentment in you hearts always be enough for you both. To your happy home and continuing health."

"Here, here," chorused the rest of the company, raising their glasses in his stead and offering one another cheers. Then everyone drank in turn to their happy home and continuing health, and the rest of the meal passed in a relative blur as they were all lost in the delicious food and delicate conversation. After this Lily felt very sleepy but it was more dancing and she enjoyed it immensely. The first time she had slow danced had been at a Hogwarts festivity, and she was getting the hang of it pretty quickly- hand on her partner's waist and shoulder in closed position… She even did a shag in open-brace position with one of her fiancée's cousins, laughing and having a great time. The music was lively and Sev was having fun too. That was what mattered. She noticed, though, that this was not the case for Mrs. Snape, who was watching over by the wall and looking melancholy.

"I am sad and elated all at once," she confessed, when Lily asked her what was wrong. "He has been gone a long while, bettering himself, and I have gotten used to being apart. But now I am truly losing him."

"That will never happen. You're too important to him," Lily replied.

"He's important to me too. Take good care of him; I know you will. He's lucky to have you. And don't be a stranger at my place."

"We won't," the young girl assured her. Severus adored his mother and they got along splendidly, so she was sure they would visit often. "Thank you for everything. Good night."

Mrs. Snape gave a tight-lipped smile.

"Thank my sister. And I know I shouldn't say it, but I mean it. If he had to get married, I'm glad it's you."

She left without another word, not hearing Lily almost silently mumble, "Me too."

A/N: Hope this wasn't too mushy and slow… but this is rather how I imagine it would be you know…