Book 5: Chapter 8

Love Unto the End

"Marry me," Severus repeated. "I want you to be my wife."

Alethea's mouth gaped open. "I-I…"

Severus pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

"There is nothing I want more than to be with you," he said. "Say you will be bonded with me and I shall be forever at peace knowing that I will have you with me for the rest of my life."

Tears flooded down Alethea's face and she hugged Severus.

"You're the most important thing in my life," she cried into his robes. "I never thought I could feel this way about anyone."

Severus pulled away and held her out at arms length.

"So?" he asked. "Your answer?"

"Yes! I'll marry you!"

Severus jumped forward and kissed her hard on the mouth.

"I have never felt so happy," he said beaming. "You are going to be my wife!"

Alethea nodded and wiped her tears onto the sleeves of her robes.

"Wow," she said. "It feels a little surreal."

"Right then," Severus began. "It seems we have our work cut out for us."

"What do you mean?"

"The wedding, we need to have it as soon as possible."

Alethea looked confused. "Is this more of my Wizarding world naivety? I take it there's no long engagements here then?"

Severus shrugged. "I am not aware of what any traditions dictate. What I do want is to marry you as soon as possible."

"But why the hurry?"

"Why wait?"

Alethea looked deeply into his eyes and the corner of Severus' mouth curled into a tiny grin and her heart melted.

"Why wait indeed," she said. "So when are you thinking?"

"Now."

Alethea's legs almost buckled under her. "Now?"

Severus pulled her into another kiss then charged to the fireplace. He took a pinch of power from a small box on the mantle and tossed it onto the flames.

"Jameson," he said into the flames. "Wake up!"

After several minutes of waiting, a round face finally appeared.

"Who-what?" the face began. "Snape? What's the meaning of disturbing me so late?"

"Forgive me Jameson," Severus said. "But can you come to Hogwarts immediately?"

"You must be half asleep," Jameson said grumpily. "Surely whatever it is can wait until the morning."

Severus gestured for Alethea to move over to the fireplace with him.

"This is Kurtland Jameson," he told her. "He is a minister who can bond us. Jameson, this is the woman I wish to marry."

"Congratulations," Jameson said with little enthusiasm. "I will come in the morning because right now I have some sleeping to do."

"Wait!" Severus pleaded. "This is a matter of great urgency and I wish it to be done tonight."

Jameson sighed and the tired round face in the flames looked to Alethea.

"This is highly improper," he said. "But if we can get it done quickly then I shall agree."

"Splendid!" Severus beamed.

"Hmm," said Jameson. "I will dress and meet you by the Entrance Gates in an hour."

"Not in an hour," Severus demanded. "You will come now; I do not wish to waste any more time. Come through the fire now."

Jameson rolled his eyes and clenched his jaw. "Fine," he said.

The face disappeared and was replaced by a foot, attached to a short, stumpy leg that stepped out of the fireplace. Severus stood to help pull Jameson the rest of the way out, towering over the man who now stood in their living room glaring grumpily at Severus.

"Where are your witnesses?" he said wearily as he scanned the room. "You need to get some."

Severus slapped his forehead with his hand. "Of course!" he said. "I will go and get Dumbledore; perhaps you wish to invite Minerva as well?"

Alethea looked from Severus to Jameson, feeling like she was having some sort of waking dream. She nodded.

"Great!" Severus said smiling broadly. "We will meet you by the Great Lake."

He started towards the door and Alethea called him back.

"But what about our robes?" she asked. "Shouldn't I change into something a little less… every day?"

Severus stopped and took both her hands in his.

"It does not matter to me what you are wearing," he began. "I do not need to have an elaborate event with guests and food and flowers to share this moment with you; as far as I am concerned this is purely about confirming our love for one another in an eternal magical bond and the rest is incidental. But if you want something grander then I am just as happy to do that too."

Alethea reached up to touch his face, her eyes once again full of tears.

"I don't need dress robes or flowers either," she gushed. "All I ever wanted was you."

Severus smiled and dashed to the door, pulling it open and flying out.

Left alone in the room, Jameson turned to Alethea, his expression serious.

"Are you sure everything is alright?" he asked. "You are not being forced into anything against your will are you?"

"No, not at all," she answered. "Why?"

Jameson squinted at her. "This all seems very rushed. And you are crying."

Severus ran back into the room and dove into Alethea's arms, kissing her with tremendous passion. He smiled down at her then ran back out. Alethea turned to Jameson and smiled.

"I'm getting married!"

Alethea pounded loudly on the door to Minerva's quarters.

"Coming, coming!" the old professor called impatiently.

She opened the door wearing her nightdress and looked at Alethea with concern.

"What is it dear? Is everything alright?"

"Yes, no… yes!" Alethea stumbled to keep her thoughts straight. "Everything's wonderful, just brilliant!"

"Okay…" Minerva frowned. "What's going on?"

"I know it's getting late but I need you to come with me Minerva."

"Come… come with you where exactly? And why?"

Alethea tapped her foot impatiently on the ground.

"Minerva, please, there's no time to explain. Come with me and you'll see."

She left Minerva's door and started briskly down the corridor. Minerva grunted and stepped out behind her, pulling the door shut.

"Do you plan to tell me what this little late night escapade is all about?" Minerva grumbled as the two of them made their way out of the castle and across the grounds. "This had better be important enough to warrant me roaming the grounds in my nightdress."

As they approached the Great Lake, they could make out the form of three bodies standing by the shore. Severus stood with Jameson and Dumbledore, who was grinning broadly. Minerva turned to Alethea with a puzzled look.

"Severus and I are getting married."

Minerva's face softened and she pulled Alethea into her. "Oh my dear, I am so happy for you."

As they approached the banks of the lake, Dumbledore stepped forward to greet them. He took both of Alethea's hands in his and held them.

"I am so proud of you," he beamed. "Of both of you."

The headmaster stepped back and Alethea moved to take her place next to Severus. He held her hands tightly and they gazed deeply into each others eyes.

"Ahem," Jameson coughed. "If you don't mind us getting a move on; I'd like to get back home."

"We do not mind the short version," Severus said, then glanced to Alethea. "Is that alright?"

Alethea nodded and flashed him a wide smile.

"Right then," Jameson began. "Face this way please."

Severus and Alethea turned to face the minister, still holding hands. The minister pulled out his wand and ran it over their hands; a thin ribbon of pink light threaded its way around their fingers and wrists, fusing them together.

"Do you Severus Snape vow to remain bonded in marriage to...." He looked to Severus for a clue.

"Alethea Validus," he offered. "I vow to do so."

"And do you… same question," Jameson said stifling a yawn.

Alethea looked into the eyes of the man she loves, her heart melting within them.

"I vow to love him forever," she said sincerely.

"I now declare you bonded in love for eternity," said Jameson removing the magical ribbon from their hands. "Is there a ring?"

Severus looked appalled with himself. "I did not think… I am so sorry Alethea."

"Here," Dumbledore offered from behind them.

He pulled a plain golden ring from one of his fingers and held it out to Severus, who shook his head.

"I am honoured Sir, but I cannot accept it."

"Nonsense," Dumbledore said. "I insist you take it. Alethea has always been as a granddaughter to me and you Severus, for you I have a great deal of affection. I would be nothing but honoured to have you accept this ring as a symbol of your union."

Severus swallowed and reached out to take the ring. "Thank you Sir… Albus."

"Great," Jameson said. "Slide it onto your wife's finger and we can all get back to bed."

Undeterred by Jameson's grumpiness, Severus did as instructed.

The minister flicked his wand and a roll of parchment dropped from the sky. He handed it to Severus.

"Congratulations," he said. "You are both now bonded for life."

Severus leaned in and took Alethea's lips in his, kissing her tenderly.

"My wife," he whispered.

Behind them Dumbledore began clapping.

"Congratulations!" he called, wiping a tear from his eye.

He quickly shook Severus' hand and gave Alethea a hug.

"If you don't mind Professor Dumbledore," Jameson grumbled. "May I use your fireplace to get back home?"

"Of course, come with me."

Dumbledore led the minister away as Minerva gave Alethea a strong hug.

"I am so very happy for you," she smiled.

"Thanks Minerva. And thank you for being here."

Minerva smiled and turned to Severus, patting him briefly on the arm.

"You have a special woman here," she told him. "Make sure you take care of her."

He gave her a wink and put an arm around Alethea's shoulder as they watched Minerva head back to the castle.

"So," Severus said, turning back to Alethea. "Now it seems you are stuck with me."

Alethea snuggled against his chest. "And I couldn't be happier."

Severus took her face in his hands and kissed her.

"So Mrs Snape, do you wish to go back to our quarters and consummate this thing?"

Alethea looked back him with a cheeky grin.

"What do you think?" she replied with a wink.

Severus swept her up and into his arms and smothered her with a dozen kisses before he carried her back into the castle.

Alethea woke early the next morning. She rolled over to look at Severus still sleeping soundly beside her and brushed the hair out of his eyes. When she thought about the fact that he was now her husband, bonded to her for life, butterflies stirred from deep within her. She couldn't imagine being any happier. Alethea leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips until he stirred.

"Good morning husband," she cooed.

"Hmm," he said reaching up to pull her into his arms. "Good morning wife."

They kissed tenderly for several minutes, Severus' hands snaking over her body.

"Any regrets?" he asked.

"None at all. I'm so happy; full of such joy. I wouldn't have it any other way."

He took her hand and turned around the ring that Dumbledore had given them.

"I only regret that we cannot share our love publicly." Severus sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"We need this wedding to stay a secret," Severus told her. "If the Dark Lord finds out about you, it would put both of us in mortal danger."

Alethea pulled her hand away from him and held it to her chest. "I don't mind not telling anyone about us, but I'm not taking this ring off."

"You do not have to take it off," he assured her. "We can simply use a concealing charm."

Alethea shook her head. "Not a chance; I'm not taking it off."

Severus sighed. "Very well then."

He took her hand and kissed the wedding ring.

Alethea grinned and planted a kiss on his lips. "I think I like getting my own way."

Severus yawned and stretched, twisting his head to see what the time was.

"Do you want to go down for breakfast or skip it for some more quality time together?" he asked.

"Actually," Alethea said, pulling herself up off the bed. "I could use some breakfast but there's something I need to do first."

"Oh? Anything you care to share?"

Alethea shook her head. "Maybe later."

"What is the meaning of this?" Umbridge protested from behind her desk as Alethea burst into her office without knocking.

Alethea strode angrily across the room and slapped a rolled parchment down in front of Umbridge. She rested her hands on the desk and leaned in close.

"This," Alethea began, "is your warning to stay the hell out of my business. I don't want to hear about your opinion of my past or my family or especially about whom I spend my time with outside school hours."

She straightened up and turned, storming back out of the room, leaving Umbridge staring open-mouthed behind her. Once Alethea had left, Umbridge unrolled the parchment and read the first line aloud.

"Marriage certif…."

She clenched her jaw and shoved the parchment deep into a drawer.