Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognise. This is for fun only, please don't sue.


Chapter 45: Céilidh

The last two weeks for Hermione had flown by at a brake neck speed. In amongst the holiday outings for the boys there had been some special days such as the ladies shopping day to get their outfits for the Céilidh. There had been a couple of days like the first Monday of the two weeks where the day had been filled with chores. On that Monday Hermione and Severus had visited Kingsley with Harry. The former Auror had been a little sneaky and completed the initial paper work for the marriage license before sending it to Severus that day in the evening after the BBQ. Kingsley had asked the pair of them to check it over and bring it with them when they came with Harry to discuss the Child Welfare problem. Harry didn't even have a clue.

There had been some laughter and bonding amongst the male population when they realised that the dress code for the Ceilidh meant that they had to go looking for kilts. The magical kilt outfitter thought that all his Christmases had arrived when he suddenly had an influx of men looking for their outfits for the Lady McGonagall's Ceilidh.

When she had not been gallivanting round on outings. Hermione and Severus had found time to read, talk and enjoy their time with the other householders. The downstairs pool was getting used on a daily basis and Severus and Hermione found that they were often swimming late at night. It seemed to help relax both of them.

With Kreacher, Winky and Tinky's help Hermione had started on sorting out all her parents things. The elves had unpacked the furniture into the ballroom and sorted through most of the boxes so Hermione and Severus could make some decisions. One of the great things about having house elves available to assist was that they certainly know how to pack furniture and store belongings in easy compact storage containers. As part of the sorting out of belongings Hermione had used a digital camera so she had a photographic record to remind herself about all the furniture.

There was that many photos to be sorted that each evening Hermione, Pansy, Dora and Narcissa would all spend half an hour working on the albums. Working on Hermione's albums produced some sentimentality out in the other ladies. Dora worked on doing albums for both her children and collecting images so that she could make a master family album. After a couple of nights Draco, Severus and Remus had all been dragged into the album making activities. Hermione talked to Harry and it wasn't long before he and Luna were collecting photos for Duncan and Ryan. She had remembered how touched Harry had been to receive photos of his parents from Hagrid at the end of his first year at Hogwarts.

oOoOo

After some last minute shopping in amongst the early summer crowds on a sunny Saturday morning Severus, Hermione and Tinky portkeyed up to Minerva's estate. They along with the other Grimmauld Place residents joined the other weekend guests for lunch. It was really like an old home week as everyone took time to catch up with others. It may have been a little edgy between the former enemies but the last 12 months had resulted in new friendships and bonds being made.

Narcissa had become an outstanding chief editor of the Daily Prophet and the former rag was now a respectable broadsheet. MAZE had done wonders for updating the wizarding world's ideas along with providing communication methods for magical and non-magical family members. The effect on the squib community had been considerable as those squibs employed by MAZE now found that they were respected and valued by the magical community that had previously shunned them. New businesses and business models were appearing in the magical world and the economy was starting to boom. The benefit of this was that there were funds coming into the Ministry of Magic and the rebuilding of social services all reaped the rewards of this extra income stream.

Narcissa being the good manager of journalists thought that there was something going on with Hermione and Severus and she hoped that there hadn't been more bad news for Hermione medically. Yesterday Hermione had had a review appointment at QEH and the pair seemed a little bit on tenterhooks. Brushing it off she thought that the weekend away would be good for them to help put what ever it was in prospective. Narcissa had been to Azkaban in the morning to see Lucius. She had loved gossiping about their friend Severus and his sweet affair with the young witch who was now her employer. There must be some karmic justice out their laughing their heads off at the whole situation. The plans for the remodelling of the manor had just had another suggestion from Lucius. This new suggestion for Narcissa was a clear indication that her husband had long ago left the dark and moved into the grey. Without the ongoing influence of that psychotic madman's magic tainting him Lucius was seemed to repenting his former vices.

oOoOo

Minerva had allocated the almost Snapes to a particular suite in her castle which Severus had used in the past when he had visited her over the years. There was a mischievous teasing lilt to Minerva's news that Severus would have his usual suite. Since Hermione needed to conserve her energy for the evening the pair retired after lunch for a siesta.

At 3:00pm Minerva visited the pair in the large suite to confirm the final arrangement for today's surprise along with informing the pair that all the guests had arrived. There had been some guests who had to work like Fred and George so there was a minor concern that not everyone would be there at 5pm. Minerva took the pair on a short-guided tour of her garden confirming that the wedding location was to their satisfaction. With that it seemed like an elf army swung into action after first hiding the location from prying eyes so that the setting up could be done. The elves moved an archway covered with the climber, Mme Alfred Carrière. The wonderful white rose blooms tipped with barely there pink had a wonderful aroma.

Severus and Hermione returned to their suite to bathed and dress in their finery for the evening. It wasn't long before Severus found himself ordered out of the suite into the Library by Minerva. The bride had to be dressed. Severus had it easy with his Black Watch kilt, soft linen shirt and black tailored jacket.

Hermione had decided to go very traditional highland dress that included wearing an arisaid also in the black watch tartan. There had been a flurry of communication over the last two weeks with Minerva about traditional highland dress. Hermione being the practical lass she was not going to go for a frou frou lace or taffeta monstrosity dress that would only be needed once ended up going for soft creamy white muslin chemise, black fully lined boned stay (bodice) and floor length gored skirt. The skirt was in the same dark blue that is found in the black watch tartan so she would match her arisaid and her Severus. As part of dressing the Bride Minerva assisted Tinky in arranging the tartan arisaid. When it came to pinning one end of the arisaid to Hermione's breast Minerva gave Hermione a beautiful silver penannular as her something new.

After Tinky had finished taming Hermione's hair Minerva pinned in place an ancient looking cream lace mantilla which was then carefully topped with a circlet of Mme Alfred Carrière roses with little sprigs of white heather. The mantilla was a family piece of Minerva's and this item made up Hermione's something old and something borrowed.

Tinky then helped Hermione to put her gillies on after carefully sticking a silver sickle to the insole of the shoe with a double strength cushioning charm. The four something's and the piece of luck had been done.

It was 30 minutes to D-day when there was a knock on the door it was Kingsley. He wanted to check that she wanted Remus to walk her up the aisle as it was and if they knew the location of the groom. With a yes yes and yes Kingsley was directed the Library carrying a buttonhole of white heather and single rose for the man of the hour himself.

Promptly at 4:45pm the Estate piper started up his drone, calling all the guests to order. As the guests started to arrive in the entrance foyer of McGonagall Castle Minerva left the bride after kissing her.

In the foyer Minerva addressed her guests. "Tonight we are celebrating and as such I have a surprise to help the celebration kick off. Would you all please follow one of the house elves so you can all get a good view of the surprise." Minerva snagged Remus where he was told to stand with the Piper as the elves led everyone else out to the unhidden wedding site where Kingsley and Severus were all ready in residence.

"What can I help you with?" inquired Remus over the sound of the piper.

Tinky popped Hermione into the entrance foyer and he turned to see what was going on. "Will you give me away please Remus" asked Hermione standing their dressed in her finery and holding a matching bouquet of roses and heather. Tinky put a boutonniere of heather onto the werewolf.

With a nod from Minerva the piper changed his tune to Highland Cathedral and proceeded to pipe the bride into her groom. While waiting for the Piper Severus had been busy asking for their two official witnesses to stand for them. When the Piper arrived at the front of the platform with its rose arch where Severus and Harry were waiting he turned to the left so the groom could capture his first real glimpse of his bride. The look between the two of them was intense and each wore a radiantly joyful smile. There was a laugh between the two as they smirked over the prank they had gotten away with. Narcissa was waiting at the front of the seats so she could stand up with her as one of Severus' oldest friends. Remus kissed her and then handed Hermione's hand over to Severus where he was waiting in front of Kingsley. Standing up for Severus was Harry as Hermione's oldest friend. Narcissa got to hold Hermione's bouquet while the pair clasped hands saying the aged old promises of love and commitment. After Kissing the Bride Severus and Hermione joined with the piper to lead everyone to the Ceilidh hall with its sprung floor.

At the Ceilidh tonight there were local estate workers both human and elf and the party was on for young and old. The caller ensured that there was a balance of dance and story telling so that all could eat.

"Happy Mrs Snape?" inquired Severus as his eyes raked the petite witch well defined assets. The muslin softly draped around her bust line where the stay proceeded to push them up invitingly.

"Ecstatically. How about yourself, Mr Snape?"

"Isn't that funny I am Ecstatic as well".