Harry's Wedding:
Severus scowled at his reflection. His hair was pulled back and he was wearing a new set of dress robes that Rose had purchased for him. These were black like his old dress robes, but the new ones required him to wear a tie over a crisp, white cravat.
"You look nice," came Rose's voice from behind him.
Severus didn't turn around but scowled deeper. "There was nothing wrong with my other dress robes," he complained.
He felt Rose's hand squeeze his shoulder. He turned to face her. His sour expression dissolved as he caught sight of her.
Rose was beaming at him. She looked radiant in leaf-green robes. Her long hair fell in loose ringlets around her and she arranged a braid at her hairline like a crown. There was no denying that is his wife was gorgeous.
Rose took the tie that hung loose at the nape of his neck into her hands. Severus was about to do it up by magic, but Rose's delicate fingers configured it into a neat bow. "Not too tight?" she asked gently.
Severus sighed. "No."
Rose smirked at him. "As your wife it is my prerogative to buy you clothing that you don't want to wear. It is clearly stated in my job description."
She was trying to lighten the mood, but Severus had a knot in his stomach.
"You are doing a nice thing," she told him.
"Yes," Severus said resentfully.
Rose stole a quick kiss. "I'm going to give the children dinner before we go." She strode out of the room.
Severus had been so serene before the tiny owl had tapped on their window. He had a book in hand and his head was in Rose's lap as she absentmindedly stroked at his hair while she read too. Ephraim had been at the school utilizing the library and Esme had been napping. Severus had felt very smug as he laid there. It had only been a few weeks since Tobias passed away and Severus finally felt that things had been settled between him and Rose. Severus had forgotten how wonderful it felt to just be in her presence.
Then that bleeding bird had arrived.
"I got it." Rose had gently nudged Severus to sit up. He had, feeling resentful.
The envelop had been addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape.
"Of course, he has to get married at Hogwarts," Severus said as he walked into the kitchen where Rose was trying to coerce Esme into eating peas. "Has to make a whole ordeal about it."
"I suppose when you defeat the most powerful dark wizard in history that comes with certain privileges," Rose commended, not looking at him.
"And on Christmas Eve of all days," Severus complained. "It's disruptive."
"We don't have to stay long," Rose said.
Ephraim was watching his parent's quietly.
"Are you sure you will be alright watching Esme by yourself?" Severus asked Ephraim.
"Yes, Dad," Ephraim said between mouthfuls of his dinner.
Rose lifted Esme from her highchair and was cleaning her little hands with a wet rag. "Doesn't Papa look handsome, Esme," Rose said, bouncing the toddler in her arms.
Severus rolled his eyes.
Esme clapped her hands together in agreement.
Rose laughed. "Round of applause for Severus," she said as she set Esme down.
"Ephraim, you have the mirror," Severus said sternly. "If you need us for any reason, we will come home straight away."
Ephraim cocked his head to one side as he looked at his father. "You are making it sound like you're hoping something will go wrong."
"Ephraim will do wonderfully," Rose interjected. "Esme is already bathed and in her pajamas. Ephraim, we won't be later than nine, okay sweetheart?"
"Yes, mum."
She smiled at him and kissed the top of his head. Then she turned towards her husband. "Ready," she said brightly.
His expression was flat. "Yes," he answered, holding out his arm for her. The enchantments on the school had been temporarily lifted so that they could be apparate directly into the grounds.
"We love you both," Rose said to the children.
Then with a pop they reappeared outside the castle grounds where the other wedding guest were queuing to get in.
Rose couldn't help but be excited to be invited to Harry Potter's wedding. Severus looked increasingly more miserable with every step they took towards the threshold.
"I suppose you want us to go," Severus had said bitterly as he stared down at the invitation.
"Severus, it doesn't matter if I want to go," she had told him. "You are the one Harry wants to be there. Not me."
His eyes had become narrowed as if the invitation had just insulted him. "Surely he doesn't expect me to actually come. This is merely a formality."
"I don't know," Rose had muttered.
"What?" he had said, catching sight of Rose's expression.
"What?"
"You have that look on your face."
"What look?"
"That look that suggest you've got something to say but you are choosing not to say it."
Rose had pressed her lips together.
"Well?" Severus had said impatiently. "Let's hear it."
Complete honestly. She promised herself, and him, that she would never hide anything from him again. "I just think," she had paused, considering how best to phrase what she was about to tell him.
"Yes."
"I just think if I was Harry, I would want you there because you are the only person alive who knew…and loved, loves Lily best." Severus could feel Rose's unease in saying this. "Harry can't have his parents at his wedding, but he can have you there, representing his mother."
That had done it.
Rose had sent their acceptance back that very day and sent out an owl order for a wedding present.
The entrance hall was beautifully dressed for the holidays, with Christmas trees trimmed in silver and gold. For the extravagance of getting married in Hogwarts castle, Harry and Ginny did not decorate in any way that took away from the school itself. Besides the many guests pouring into the Great Hall, the school appeared as it always did at Christmas time.
The house tables were not out. In their place were many neatly lined up gold colored chairs with silver ribbon dangling from the backs. A white runner had been placed in the middle of the hall to form an aisle leading to the wide windows at the back, which would serve as a beautiful twilit backdrop for Harry and Ginny to exchange vows.
Severus felt extremely out of place in this school he knew so well. Rose held tightly to his arm, sensing his unease as they took seats in the very back row. Severus and Rose silently watched the processional of guests settle into the hall. Most people didn't seem to notice them at all, preoccupied with getting the best seats. But occasionally, a few people would acknowledge Severus with a curt nod or quick smile of greeting.
A serious looking young man with red hair, whom Rose had never seen before but assumed that he must be a relative of Ginny's, entered the hall escorted by a pretty black woman with long braids. The man and Severus made eye contact briefly before they both flinched away from each other. Rose was about to question Severus about the young man when he turned his head towards another guest and Rose could see that he was missing an ear under his grown-out hair.
Rose laced her fingers with Severus's.
He faced her. "Don't you dare leave me alone with these people," he told her.
"Not even for a minute," she promised. She kissed his cheek. "I won't have a sip to drink while we're here; so, I won't even have to go to the bathroom. Everyone will wonder if your wife ever gives you any privacy."
Severus looked mildly amused for a brief moment before going back to looking surly.
Rose had asked him once, why he didn't make more of an effort to interact with people from his past, other teachers, Order members. He had given he a few half answers like, he was too busy, he interacted with them plenty, most of them are halfwits anyway. He had finally revealed the real reason after much probing from Rose. "When they look at me, all they see is the man who killed Dumbledore," Severus had said.
"But Severus, you did that on-"
"It makes no difference why it happened," he had said through gritted teeth. "People see me and they wonder what it must have felt like to raise my wand to him, see his eyes become empty." At this Severus's eyes had become emotionless, locking in the feelings he wouldn't dare escape.
"I don't think that's true. That's not what I was thinking when I first saw you."
"You were preoccupied with stopping me from bleeding to death."
"After that," Rose had protested. "Severus, if people wonder about what happened between you and Dumbledore, they must be thinking that you are incredibly brave to have put yourself willingly into that situation, and clever to have been able to hide your true feelings from You-know-who, and strong to be able to care that with you."
"That's what you thought?" Severus had questioned skeptically.
"Yes."
"Well you're an anomaly," Severus replied coldly. Yet he continued to take comfort in her words long after she had spoken them. Maybe someday he would be able to talk to her about it again and he could tell her that she actually had made him feel a little bit better. That was what Rose did. She always made him feel a little bit better.
Rose knew Severus hated large crowds due to the fact that he could feel strangers connecting him only with the horrible events of his past. However, his fellow teachers and Order members knew him for much more, and Rose hoped that they saw her husband for the good man he truly was. Rose new Harry Potter saw him that way.
All the guests were now seated, and music began to play from a string quartet with no musicians.
Harry entered the hall from the back, accompanied by Ron Weasley and Neville. Harry was grinning as the three young men exchanged brief comments and looks. Then Luna Lovegood and Hermione walked down the aisle, looking very pretty in matching midnight-blue dresses.
Then to Rose's surprised and delight, little Teddy Lupin came clambering down the hall, carefully holding the rings on a velvet pillow. He dropped the pillow twice, to much chuckling to the crowd. Although there must have been a charm placed on the rings because they did not fall from the pillow. Rose grinned at the little boy, whose hair was neon green this evening, remembering how in the brief period she had know her, Tonks had dropped many things around her office.
The music changed and Ginny appeared at the end of the aisle arm in arm with her father. She was stunning and the room gasped as they saw her. Everyone got to their feet. Severus did not let go of Rose's hands as they stood.
Ginny's dark red hair was in a simple knot at the nape of her neck, an elegant tiara on her head. Her dress was fitted with long ornate sleeves and her long veil floated behind her as she made her way towards Harry. Even from the back where they sat, Rose could see the happy tears glistening in both their eyes.
Severus sat ridged throughout the entire ceremony.
Rose wondered if Severus was thinking of Lily's wedding day. How could he not think of it when he saw Harry, who looked so much like his father, standing beside a beautiful woman with dark red hair. Rose took in a deep breath and then brought Severus's hand to her lips. He turned to her, seemly broken from his dark revelry.
The ceremony ended with a passionate kiss and many cheers from the crowd. The elated coupled made their way into the entrance hall where the guests hurried to get in line to congratulate Harry, Ginny, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
Rose pulled Severus by the hand to get into the line with her.
"Hey," Rose whispered to him.
Severus turned his attention towards her. She gave Severus a meaningful look. He knew exactly what that look meant, 'be nice.'
He rolled his eyes and then gave her a pointed look back. She could hear his voice as if he had spoken. 'Aren't I always nice.'
Rose laughed.
Severus wondered when he and Rose started communicating without words. This was just an example of how she understood him like no one ever had. Perhaps all married couples felt this way. Perhaps Harry and Ginny would be able to just glance at each other and know what the other was thinking without Legilimency.
However, Severus often thought that no one could possibly have the type of bond he had with Rose. Their relationship was built upon both mutual understanding and a layer of codependency. It grew into something larger and more powerful than anything Severus could have ever imagined, like they were connected by some sort of invisible string. Sometimes when he laid in bed beside her, he would match his rate of breathing with hers as she slept. He would feel the pumping of his heart and imagine hers beating to the same rhythm. He would convince himself, if her heart were to stop, then his would as well at precisely the same moment. He wondered how he managed to exist the first 14 years of his life without her in the world somewhere, drawing breath, heart beating.
They were facing Harry and Ginny now. Rose let go of Severus's hand and hugged both bride and groom. "Congratulations," she told them. She grinned at Ginny. "You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."
"Thank you," Ginny said to Rose, beaming.
Severus and Harry locked eyes.
Severus held out his hand to Harry. "Congratulations, Potter," he said in a straight tone.
"Thank you, Professor," Harry said. "Thank you for being here."
Severus paused for a moment then nodded curtly.
Rose took Severus's hand again and they allowed the people behind them to step forward.
Severus threw Rose a glance with raised brows.
Rose smirked and nodded once.
Trays laden with various drinks floated around the Entrance Hall, weaving between the guests.
"Rose."
Rose turned. Hannah and Neville came towards them.
"You look beautiful," Hannah said, hugging her friend.
"As do you," Rose told Hannah. Hannah was wearing a blue set of dress robes that matched her eyes.
A tray with wine moved towards them. Neville grabbed two glasses and handed one to Hannah. "Are you going to have anything to drink?" he offered Rose.
"I'm alright," Rose said, grinning at Severus.
Hannah's eyes widened. "You're pregnant."
Rose shook her head at once. "No, no," she said. "I just don't want to drink tonight."
She glanced up at Severus who looked stiff and sulky. Rose grabbed a glass of red wine from the tray and forced it into her husband's hand. Severus sighed and took a draft of the drink.
The guests were shepherded into the Great Hall again. Just like at the Hogwarts ball, there were many circular tables, set with gold plates. Place cards flew towards them. Rose and Severus caught their cards. Rose smiled down at her card that read 'Rose Snape.' She considered that last time she had caught a place card in this hall, she and Severus had not even kissed yet. Now she was his wife.
Hannah and Rose turned towards each other.
"We're not together," Hannah said gloomily. "Table one for us."
Rose glanced to the end of the hall. Table one was were Harry, Ginny, and the bridal party were to sit with their dates.
"We're table four," Rose said. Table four was not yet full, but Rose recognized the few faces there: Professors McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick and Kingsley Shacklebolt, the minister for magic. "I guess we graduated to the adult table," Rose mused.
Hannah smirked. "See you later," she said to her friend as her and Neville moved towards their seats.
"Severus," called a boisterous voice behind them before they could take another step forward.
Rose saw Severus wince before turning around.
"Horace," Severus greeted drily.
The man that stood in front of them was short and wide. He wore an embroidered velvet vest and jacket under his magenta robes. The buttons on the vest were struggling to stay closed over his round belly.
The man peered at the place card in Severus's hand. "Table four. Me too, dear boy."
Rose looked with amusement from this man to her husband, who was not even trying to hide his annoyance.
"Yes," Severus drawled.
"Now you must introduce me to this charming creature accompanying you," he said bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Although, I dare say I already know who you are, my dear."
There was barely enough time for one drink in the entrance hall, perhaps this man had a few prior to the ceremony or perhaps he was always just like this.
"This is my wife, Rose Snape," Severus said. "Rose, this is Horace Slughorn, he-"
"I was your husband's potions master and head of house in his day," interrupted Slughorn, enthusiastically holding out his hand.
Rose smiled politely as she shook hands with Slughorn. She always found it amusing to talk to people who taught Severus. She loved to imagine what he was like as a child and teenage. McGonagall, Sprout, and Flitwick all were Hogwarts teachers when Severus was a student. Severus was the youngest appointed teacher in Hogwarts history. He started his employment at age 19.
"It's very nice to meet you," Rose said. Slughorn kept Rose's hand clasped between both of his. "So, you taught my husband everything he knows about potion making." She slipped her fingers from his grip.
Slughorn let out a hardy laugh. "I did not teach Severus a thing," Slughorn said. "Never have I ever seen such a natural potioneer. Well that is until young Mr. Potter came along."
Rose glanced at Severus; he was grimacing. Slughorn did not notice. Rose gave her husband a quizzical look. Severus shook his head slightly, silently telling her that he would explain later.
"Perhaps we should take our seats," Severus suggested coldly.
"Indeed, Indeed," Slughorn sang, offering his arm to Rose.
Rose took is somewhat reluctantly, throwing an apologetic look at Severus, who trailed after them grumpily.
Once at table 4, Rose greeted the others and then quickly sat, pushing her chair close to Severus's. Severus placed a possessive hand on her knee.
"The word on the street is that you have made many advancements at St. Mungo's hospital," Slughorn continued to engage her. "You were in the Daily Prophet. You must be very proud of your wife, Severus."
Rose felt her cheeks getting hot.
"I am," Severus said firmly, gently squeezing her knee.
"My contacts at St. Mungo's tell me that you are expected to completely innovate magical medicine to date and who knows even develop the next groundbreaking cure for who knows what," Slughorn continued with vigor.
"Um," Rose said embarrassed. "I don't really research curative potions. I mainly just take existing magical and muggle medicines and use them in tandem. I wouldn't know where to start when it comes to developing new potions. Mainly, I'm just good at following directions."
"Modest, I see," Slughorn cooed, winking at Rose.
"Uh." She looked to Severus for help. Rose couldn't say if she liked Horace Slughorn much.
"Have you any news on the goings on with the goblin equality act, Shacklebolt?" Severus spoke up. "The Prophet say that we should expect striking at Gringotts."
The minister let out a deep chuckle and went into a long explanation about the inner workings of the ministry, keeping Slughorn well entertained.
Severus laced his fingers with Rose's under the table.
After Severus and Rose had sat through the cake cutting and first dance. They felt justified in biding their tablemates a good evening and happy Christmas, politely explaining that they needed to get back to their children.
They stepped out the castle doors and took a moment to admire the snowy grounds.
"I have a pretty incredible husband," Rose said into the night.
Severus turned to face her. "Why do you say that?" he asked.
"Because," Rose said. "I know this was difficult for you, but despite that you came. You truly are the best of them all, Severus Snape."
Severus looked smugly at his wife. "Perhaps you are a bit bias," he said.
Rose smiled back at her husband. "Perhaps," she said.
