Chapter 18

Hermione and Severus appeared at the Ministry the next day. Hermione reached up and kissed Severus' cheek as he looked around. It was the first time he'd ever been in the Ministry at all.

"Nice place to work," he mused as Hermione gave him a sly grin.

"An even better place to wed," she said.

Severus looked at her. "Are you sure about this, Maia? We can do a private ceremony if you wish."

"I want to be wed today. I already told you, I'm happy with this."

"I just want you to have everything you want."

Hermione massaged his neck and kissed him on the lips this time. "I already do."

Severus smiled at her as he pulled away. "Let's go!" he said excitedly as he grabbed her hand and led her through the main entry.

"Do you even know where you're going?" Hermione asked with a laugh.

Severus turned to her and smiled. "Of course not. I expect you to tell me where to go."

She giggled. "Head over to the wand check, then to the elevators."

Before long, they were in the Marriage office. They were directed to take a seat while everything was being prepared. Hermione fidgeted, looking toward the door every few seconds. She hadn't told Severus she'd invited his mum just in case she didn't show up, but she hoped that she would.

She glanced at the door again.

"Expecting someone?" Severus whispered in her ear.

She gave him a wide-eyed look. "No, just nervous, I guess."

At that point, the door opened, and in walked Eileen Snape. Severus rose and looked incredulously at his mother.

"Mum!" He rushed over to her and embraced her. He pulled back and looked at her like it was the first time he'd seen her. "How did you know?" he asked with surprise.

"Your future wife is very persistent."

Severus swung around and looked at Hermione. "You did this?" he asked in amazement.

Hermione smiled at him. "I visited your mum yesterday."

He reached out for her, and Hermione closed in and took his hand. He smirked at her. "You are brilliant."

"She is well suited to you, son. Devious, faithful. A perfect match."

Severus turned back to his mother. "I'm glad you approve. Have you told father?"

Eileen frowned. "Not yet."

Severus nodded.

Eileen looked over Hermione, who had on a white sundress with yellow and purple flowers on it.

"That's a pretty dress, Maia, but not suited for your wedding."

Hermione looked down at herself and blushed.

Eileen removed her wand and cast a spell upon Hermione's dress. It morphed into a beautiful white gown covered in lace. Hermione grinned. "I feel like Cinderella," she commented.

Eileen snorted. "I am no one's fairy godmother."

Hermione laughed, and Severus smirked. At that point, the officiator called them into his office. They entered together, and the officiator motioned for Severus and Hermione to stand in front of his desk.

"Welcome, Mr. Snape, Miss Davies. I'm Alverard Norro. Are you ready to perform the ceremony?"

Severus tilted his head in acknowledgment.

Norro flipped through some paperwork. "Everything looks to be in order. Are you ready?"

"Yes," Hermione and Severus answered together. Norro smiled at them both as he came back around the desk. He motioned for Eileen to come stand next to the couple on Severus' side. He stood in front of them and began saying the ceremonial words. Severus and Hermione's eyes were locked on each other the entire time. They said their "I do's" never breaking their eye contact. Officiator Norro finished the ceremony.

"Severus and Maia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Severus held Hermione's gaze. She gasped at the look in his eyes. She knew her eyes mirrored the same feelings: Love, desire, fealty, and adoration. At that moment, it was just the two of them. The matrimonial bond magically surrounded them as they moved together in a modest yet passionate kiss. After a bit, Eileen's clapping broke the moment, and they moved apart, smiling at each other lovingly. Severus turned and looked at his mother.

"Mum, are you crying?"

Eileen quickly wiped a tear from her eye. "Of course not, son," she retorted.

Severus arched an eyebrow at her. Norro cleared his throat, and the newly joined couple turned to him. He smiled at them.

"Congratulations!" he said. "I'll leave you to yourselves for a bit. You may leave when you'd like." He bowed his head and walked out of the office.

"That was nice," Hermione remarked.

"Yes, it was," Severus agreed.

Eileen stepped towards Severus. "Son," she said. He turned back to her. "I'm sorry about what happened this summer."

Severus nodded curtly. "Yet you are still there with him."

"I'm not here to discuss your father. He loves you in his own way, and that's all I'll say about it. I'm here for you. I can see that you both love each other very much." She reached up and caressed his cheek. "I can't tell you how happy I am that you found her, Severus… that you found each other."

"We are very fortunate," Severus said as he looked to Hermione. "As for father, I assume he has not changed."

Eileen shook her head.

"You are always welcome to live with us if you want to get away from father."

She smirked. "Your wife said much the same thing yesterday. Thank you, son, but my place is with him."

"Mother…"

"No. This isn't the time. We're here to celebrate something good. I want you to know I love you, Severus. I may not have shown it well as you grew, but I always have."

Severus cleared his throat. "You have?"

Eileen scoffed. "Of course I have, you silly boy."

Severus smirked at her. He bent down and kissed her on the cheek. "Thank you, mum. I love you too." They embraced, and Severus buried his head in her shoulder. Eileen looked to Hermione and mouthed a thank you to her. Hermione gave a quick nod in response. Eileen became serious as she hugged her son.

"Severus, please forgive me."

"Mum, it's…"

"No, I left you to yourself as a boy. I wanted to protect you, but I didn't. I was too buried in my own issues. I should have done better."

Severus tightened his grip and nodded. "Let's not talk about this now. We're celebrating."

"Of course," Eileen agreed.

Severus pulled back after a while. "Join us for a celebratory lunch?"

"I should be getting home."

"Mum, we want you to join us."

Hermione came up to Severus and put her arm around his waist. "Please, Eileen. It would mean so much to both of us."

She arched her eyebrow at them. "Ganging up on me already I see. Fine. I will come."

Hermione looked to Severus and was amazed to see him beaming at his mother. She'd never seen him look so happy. He reached out and took his mother's hand and led both Hermione and her out of the office. Hermione waved her wand over herself and restored her dress to its origins. They made their way out of the Ministry and soon found themselves at a small café on Diagon Alley. Their reservation was ready for them, and it was easy to add a seat for Eileen.

"Severus," Eileen began. "Maia tells me you will be working with a Potioneer in London."

"Yes, I have committed to two years learning with him. Master Tumblo is well respected in the Potions community."

Eileen grinned slightly. "That's wonderful. Maia, what are your plans now that you have graduated Hogwarts?"

"I'll be working at the Ministry in the Runes and Symbols department."

"You must be a very intelligent woman to get a Ministry job right out of Hogwarts," Eileen said with admiration. "Usually the only thing recent graduates can do at the Ministry is to become an Auror."

"She received seven "O's" on her N.E.W.T.s, Mum. They would have been foolish not to take her."

Hermione leaned in toward Eileen. "So did Severus."

Eileen smiled. "I'm not surprised at all. He's always been so brilliant and a quick study."

Hermione looked to Severus and was surprised to see him blushing. She reached under the table and squeezed his hand. He looked at her disconcertedly and then back to his mum.

"Eat your chicken, Mum," he said finally.

The rest of lunch passed uneventfully. The three made conversation and talked about their future. They lingered long after the meal was finished. Finally, Eileen rose.

"Severus, Maia, I should be going."

Severus stood and went to her. He embraced her tightly. Pulling back, he smiled at her. "Thanks, Mum."

Hermione came up beside them. "Yes, Eileen, it's been wonderful celebrating with you."

"Thank you for having me," Eileen said.

Hermione moved closer and whispered in Eileen's ear. "Don't be a stranger."

Eileen grunted. "We'll see."

They exited the café, and Eileen Disapparated. Severus pulled Hermione into his embrace and did the same. They appeared in their living room, but he didn't let go of her. She looked up into his eyes and saw his adoring look.

"Thank you, Maia. I hadn't realized how much I wanted my mother with us until she appeared in the doorway. This day has been perfect."

Hermione smiled at him and tousled his hair. "Yes, it has been completely perfect."

"Well, maybe not completely perfect yet," Severus advised.

"Oh?" Hermione asked as she arched her brow at him.

He lifted her up, and she squealed. Carrying her up the stairs, they soon entered the bedroom. Placing her on the bed, he laid down next to her and pulled her to him. He kissed her reverently, and Hermione marveled that a man she had been kissing for months now could be so much more gentle, reverent, and loving than he'd ever been before.

"Severus!" she gasped after they had parted. "You are amazing."

He stroked her cheek. "Maia, I love you so much. You are everything to me. I can't express what you mean to me."

"Show me, Severus. Make me yours forever."

Severus looked into her eyes and smirked at her. "That I can do," he murmured before covering her in kisses and showing her just how deeply he cared for her.