Disclaimer:- I neither earn nor own anything from this story except my plot. Harry Potter and his world are the intellectual property of JK Rowling and her associates.
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A/N:- Thank you to LadyWinterlight for her beta work on this chapter, and thank you all for your patience.
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Chapter Eight – Sometimes Magic Has Amazing Timing
Minerva arrived back again two hours before dinner, and she brought the dress for Hermione that she'd promised to bring.
"Oh, it's beautiful," Hermione gasped.
"Ay, it is, lass," Minerva replied in a somewhat dreamy voice, as she hung a satin dress from Hermione's wardrobe. "I had my elf give it a bit of a spruce up," she started, but then she sighed and turned to Hermione with a smile on her face. "You know I never thought it would see the light of day again. I grew out of it years ago."
They both turned their eyes to the ivory satin dress with the delicately beaded bodice, and Hermione slipped her hand into Minerva's.
"I'm honoured," she stated quickly.
"It's your right, lass," Minerva countered, and she took what could only be described as a nervous breath. "I've long wanted to tell you, you know, but by the time the war was over and I could," and she shrugged, "I didn't know how." Her eyes pleaded with Hermione to understand. "How do you tell someone that you love them beyond your own life something so fundamental, even as you've not acknowledged them in their true position in things?"
"I do understand, you know," Hermione told her, and her eyes flitted to the door of her daughter's room, where Alice was still taking her afternoon nap. "I am… was almost in the same circumstance myself."
Minerva let out a shaky breath. "Ay, you were, but I'm so happy that you no longer am. You and Severus are a good match, regardless of how it happened."
"Yes, we are. Thank you," Hermione said suddenly, and pulled Minerva into a hug. "I am so happy," she said.
"You have a right to be, Hermione."
Pulling back to look at her mother, Hermione sighed, "I was starting to doubt that before I came here."
"I know you were. You've only ever done good for that wicked boy, and he's repaid you as he did," Minerva stated, a vain of steely anger in her voice.
"I shouldn't have been so trusting," Hermione answered, but then sighed. "But truly I do not wish to speak of it anymore."
"No," and Minerva inhaled once more. "But I do wish you'd reconsider your decision not to pursue them over it."
Luckily Alice stirred at this moment, effectively bringing the conversation to a close, and Minerva looked towards the bedroom. "I'll collect her," she said. "You try the dress on. It may need some adjustments before tonight," and she patted Hermione's arm before walking past her to go and collect the grizzling Alice.
At seven fifty, Minerva told Hermione to go and find Severus now she was ready. Minerva had told him earlier, not to disturb them while Hermione got ready for the small binding ceremony that they'd planned for later that evening, and they'd heard him go off somewhere away from the house on his horse.
He'd come back about an hour ago, and they heard him going into his bedroom, and then after a time going back down stairs.
Hermione had heard his footsteps pause at her door, and she'd longed to go to him, but Minerva had told her that no matter whether Hogwarts had married them or not, this was to be treated like any other wedding, and the bride and groom did not see one another until they were attired completely.
However, now Hermione was ready, Minerva gave in, and said, "I'll take care of wee one, lass, you go and find Severus before Mister Malfoy arrives."
"Thank you," Hermione said, smoothing the skirt of her dress once more as she walked over to Alice sitting on the floor playing with Shotsie. Alice was wearing a baby blue satin dress that Minerva had transfigured from a white one, and her beautiful raven curls were in ringlets around her face. "You look beautiful, Baby," she told her.
"Tanks you, Mummy," Alice said, her clear brown eyes coming up to her mother's.
"Will you stay here with Shotsie and Nanny Nerva while I go to find Daddy?"
"Yes, Mummy," the little girl said, nodding and making her curls flap adorably around her face.
"Thank you," Hermione said, kissing her daughter's head and turning to the mirror for one last look before she left. She sighed at the sight that met her in the mirror, and even she had to admit that she looked and felt like a bride. Not only was she wearing the beautiful satin dress, but between Shotsie and Minerva they had encouraged Hermione's hair into a loose braid that only picked up the hair around her face and held it back out of her way while the remainder of her mane cascaded down her back. They'd decorated the point where the braid met with a comb of pearls and ivory silk flowers.
Hermione came down stairs and found Severus in the sitting room.
Severus stopped midway through the process of placing something on the side table, and he turned as he heard her enter. "Oh, my…" he started, but then seemed to be lost for words. He walked forwards and he stopped in front of her. "You look exquisite," he breathed, finally finding the words he needed.
Hermione's eyes took in his formal robes and she smiled. "As do you."
"There is no comparison, love," he murmured, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek.
"I love you," she whispered, her eyes lost in his.
He hoped that she'd charmed her makeup in place because his head started to lower to hers as he replied. "And I you," and their lips connected in gentle pressure.
He forced himself to remain calm, and not simply devour her mouth. He pulled back and took her arm. "Come, dearest, I have something for you." He led her over to the lounge and picked up a bouquet he'd placed there on the side table.
Hermione gasped, it was a spray of snowdrops tied with a tartan ribbon. "Oh, Severus, they're beautiful, thank you."
He smiled. "I put my imposed exile to good use, and picked these in the forest for you. They symbolise hope… hope and rebirth."
"I know," Hermione replied. "I will carry them proudly."
"Thank you, love," and he moved to kiss her again, but this time he could not help himself, and he inhaled sharply through his nose and set about taking her breath away.
xox
They continued to kiss until Draco arrived on the last stroke of eight, making them part hastily before he caught them being so carefree while they waited for his arrival.
The Malfoy heir turned to look at his godfather after walking through the Floo and dusting himself off, but he blinked in surprise.
"Granger?" he asked, obviously surprised.
"Actually, it's Snape," Severus told him.
"What? Since when?" the confused wizard asked, still blinking.
"Since sometime last night when Hogwarts decided that we should be married," Hermione offered in explanation.
"I'm sorry, this is a bit to take in," he admitted.
Severus smirked, and shook his head. "This is only the beginning, Draco…" but he paused and then seemed to come to some decision, at least his godson had not blown up and stormed out; that was positive. "Perhaps some pre-dinner drinks may ease things a little," and he took Hermione's hand and started leading her towards the lounge. "Come, let us sit and talk."
"Why, what else could be worse… I mean more surprising than this?" he said, quickly correcting himself at his godfather's scowl. He looked to Hermione, his grey eyes still confused, but sincere. "Please understand I do not think this is a bad thing… May I call you Hermione?" Draco asked, watching Severus sitting her on the lounge with much care.
"By all means, D-Draco," Hermione answered, stumbling over his name as she said it. This was simply surreal, but it was necessary. This man—someone Hermione had never felt anything but dislike towards—was important to Severus, so she had to make an effort.
She took a deep breath to calm herself, and was much happier when Severus was beside her once more. "I'm afraid this must be very sudden," Hermione ventured, feeling Severus' hand cover hers.
"It is a bit to take in," Draco admitted, watching their hands.
"I have no doubt about that," Severus replied.
"Especially, when you arrive to dinner thinking it would just be you and Severus, so you can have a private conversation, and you find me here, and you're told that Hogwarts has married us," Hermione added.
Draco took in her honest brown eyes watching him from her serious countenance, and he settled slightly. The thought that this may have been a joke had momentarily flitted through his head, but these people were two of the straightest people he knew. They did not joke about, so this must be true. He cleared his throat and take a fortifying gulp of his drink. "Very well, I'm listening, so have the goodness to tell me what's happening," he said, hoping that he was capable of taking more trouble on board. He sighed, perhaps it would not be trouble, but he'd got himself to such a horrid place lately, could he even see past trouble anymore.
"The bare facts are these," Severus stated, glancing at his obviously still confused godson, and he started in on the story of how they'd come to be married.
"I see," seemed to be all Draco was capable of once he'd heard what had happened to Hermione and how Severus had cured her and how they'd fallen in love.
"So, that bastard has finally shown his true colours," Draco stated passionately, but abruptly stopped talking as other people arrived in the doorway.
They all looked to the doorway as Argus, Minerva and Alice arrived, and they stood as Alice broke away from Minerva's grip and ran towards them.
"Daddy!" she cried.
Severus accepted Alice into his arms and straightened, looking pointedly at his godson. "Perhaps there can be further explanation over dinner?"
"I suppose so," Draco replied, this was almost unbelievable, his reclusive godfather was married, and to a Gryffindor—no, the Gryffindor—pain-in-the-arse; a witch who had punched him in third year over a stupid hippogriff. However, then he sighed over his own thoughts, and his eyes flitted to her now. If he was honest he'd deserved her ire back then, he'd been a spoilt bully, and really, she had suffered terribly during the war; she deserved happiness now.
He walked forward, and offered Alice his finger. "So, this is Alice?" Draco stated. "Hello, little lady."
Alice hid her head shyly in Severus' robes causing everyone else to laugh quietly.
"Your Malfoy charm seems to have abandoned you, Draco," Severus told him.
Draco stroked Alice's cheek softly, trying to draw her out. "It's okay, little one, I really am a nice guy," but as he said it he glanced at Hermione. "Perhaps your mother won't agree, but I am kind of sweet."
However, Alice resolutely clung to Severus' robes, and Hermione told Draco, "You are the first new person she's met since Argus, and she reacts the same way to him most of the time as well."
"I'm sure she'll get used to you, Mister Malfoy," Minerva stated, walking into the room. "And good evening."
"Good evening, ma'am," Draco said formally, and then he inclined his head to Argus. "Mister Filch."
Argus nodded his head in return but remained silent. He never said much, but they all knew that.
Severus watched those present for some moments, but then said, "Minerva is already aware of this, but Hermione and I have an ulterior motive for asking the three of you to dinner tonight." He inhaled before speaking again once he could see that he had their attention. "Despite not having a choice of when we married, we've decided that we should have some say in it," and he looked to Hermione.
Hermione smiled at him before continuing on with the explanation he'd begun. "Yes, the time was taken out of our hands, but we wish to have a small binding ceremony that includes Alice, and we would like the three of you to be our witnesses," she finished, and picked up the spray of snowdrops Severus had picked for her.
"What! Here in this ordinary room?" Draco questioned. "You can't just do it here, you need somewhere special," he proclaimed. "If bloody Hogwarts has done this, make it provide what you need to seal this union properly," and they could see that Draco was very passionate about this.
"It's okay," Hermione tried. "It's easier here."
"If you you'll pardon me for saying so, Granger… I mean, Hermione… Bollocks! You both deserve better than what has happened to you in life, and now a ruddy castle robs you of the choice of when to marry? It's not bloody right."
Severus suddenly saw why Draco was being argumentative about this, and he handed Alice—who was now watching the blond wizard pacing back and forth as he spoke—to Hermione and he placed a hand on his godson's shoulder. "But the who is right, Draco." He glanced back at Hermione and smiled. "We are not being forced to marry against our wills as you were, we would have reached this step together very soon anyway. This is different to your situation," he finished.
He said it with more gentleness in his voice than Hermione had heard him use on anyone other than her and Alice, and she came over and added, "Technically we're already married, we just wanted to say the words to one another," she offered, noting that Alice was starting to tire. It was getting late, and even though she'd had a late nap this afternoon, it was now well and truly past her bedtime. She wasn't having dinner with them, she'd had her dinner before being put into her pretty dress, but if they didn't act soon she would not be reasoned with.
"And, for the reasons that have been explained to you, I wish to make Alice my blood relative," Severus stated.
Draco was currently eyeing the rest of them cautiously as he realised he may have revealed more about his situation than he'd meant to, but finally he nodded once. "Very well," and he stood waiting for them to begin.
As he did this, he reflected on what had been told to him earlier about who had fathered the little girl and the circumstances. He was happy that Severus was going to claim the child as his own, and he wondered if he would have done so if Scorpius had proven not to be a Malfoy, and as he thought it his mind flashed back to recently performing a paternity spell with his own child once he'd learned of his wife's deceptions. However, he hid his thoughts and looked on as his godfather and Granger turned to face one another and the ceremony began.
Hermione and Severus stepped up to one another with Alice held between them, and they brought their wands up and joined their free hands, so their wands were caught between. Their eyes seemed to only see each other, and Severus spoke first.
His voice was strong and firm as he said, "I pledge to you, my love, my heart, and my life, and I vow that I will cherish you and keep myself only to you always, and so I plight thee my troth."
As he spoke a glowing ribbon of light enclosed their joined hands.
Then Hermione replied with the same. "I pledge you, my love, my heart, and my life, and I vow that I will cherish you and keep myself only to you always, and so I plight thee my troth."
Another ribbon of light entwined with the first, but things were obviously not finished, and they both looked to Alice who seemed to understand the reverence of the occasion and was simply watching them.
"Child of my womb," Hermione said, kissing her daughter's head. "I accept this man as your father above any other ties, and barring all trace of your sire."
"Child of Hermione's womb," Severus repeated, also kissing Alice's head. "I accept you unreservedly as the fruit of my loins over the stamp of your sire."
Magic rose up around the three of them, and they disappeared into an almost blinding golden light.
Minerva was the first to add her seal as witness. She drew her wand, pointing it over their heads and said strongly, "Let it be declared that these three be a family of blood and love."
Draco knew this ritual also, and he drew his own wand. "It has been declared, and so shall pass that blood shall match, and that these three are bound, blood of blood and heart of heart."
Then Minerva, Argus and Draco said together. "And so say us." The two magicals touched the tips of their wands together and a pulse of magic sealed the vows.
However, unseen to those in the parlour, magic sealed certain other details in the wider world as well.
xox
Moments before the vows were sealed in the Snape parlour, Harry and Ginny Potter were walking out of the alleyway behind The Three Broomsticks, and as they walked they were bickering.
"We didn't have to be so hard on her," Harry said.
"Shut it, you idiot. If you could manage to keep your dick in your trousers then none of this would be necessary," Ginny told him.
"Well, if you weren't such a frigid cow maybe I would," Harry snapped back.
"Bastard," Ginny grunted and raised her wand, turning back towards the unconscious witch in the alleyway. "Obliv…" but she didn't get to finish the word and they both suddenly stood immobile, and their eyes glazing over momentarily.
Anyone watching would have been a pulse of magic strike them, instantly halting what they'd been planning, and also sealing their fates, because when they became sensible about things again, they simply sneered at one another and apparated away.
xox
Oblivious to all of this, the new Snape family, with its youngest member sleeping in her cot nearby, were currently eating their celebration dinner with their guests. The spells that had been used to join them had also placed Alice in a magically induced sleep to help her adapt the changes that would make her Severus' child in name and blood. Not even a complete sitting of the Wizengamot would disagree with her parentage as a Snape by the morning.
Hermione and Severus had settled Alice in the transfigured cot Minerva produced from one of the dining chairs, while Minerva had momentarily returned to Hogwarts and checked something in the small vestibule that contained the Hogwarts cradle roll. She found what she'd hoped to find. Where the name on the roll had once read Alice Jean Granger, it now read Alice Jean Snape, and she smiled and returned to tell Hermione and Severus.
Although it was a strange step to take, it had been decided to keep Alice close to them while they had their dinner, as apart from anything it had just felt wrong to make her a part of their family and then put her in her room upstairs. However, it was also because the book they'd taken their spells for their ceremony from had suggested that the best results would be gained from the spells if the persons involved in them were in close proximity for at least the first twelve hours following the ritual.
Therefore, Alice slept soundly, cradled by a silence bubble around her cot so she would not be disturbed, and the adults celebrated something that the little girl would not remember that she'd been a part of.
Dinner was a happy affair, but both Minerva and Argus left the younger people to it soon after dessert, as it had become quite late. This left Hermione and Severus with Draco, and Severus felt obliged to say, "Our apologies, Draco, you wished to speak with me, and we've hijacked things away from that."
"Yes, I'll retire with Alice, and leave you two to talk," Hermione said.
"No, it is your wedding night," Draco replied. "My issues will still be here tomorrow. I will also wish you a good night. Perhaps the three of you would come to the manor for lunch on Saturday."
"You've moved back to the manor?" Severus questioned.
"Yes, and Blaise and Pansy are caring for Scorpius tonight."
"I see," Severus replied. "So, Astoria is gone?"
"Bitch," Draco muttered under his breath, and then he sighed. "Look, I do not care if I speak to both of you. I discovered three days ago that Astoria is having an affair with some gigolo she met in Paris; has been since before Scorpius was born. I have taken my son and banished her."
"Oh, dear," Hermione gasped. "That's terrible. I insist that I leave you two to talk," and she rose from the table, leaning over to kiss Severus. "I'll be waiting for you, love," she whispered.
"And I shan't be long," Severus replied, glancing at his godson.
"Good night, Draco," Hermione said. "Thank you for being one of our witnesses."
"My pleasure, Hermione," he replied. It still felt surreal, but he was glad that he'd been a part of things. "Good night."
Both men watched her place a hand on the cot and apparate herself and Alice up to her room.
xox
True to his word, Severus was not long sending Draco on his way, but he felt that he'd advised his godson well in any case. He walked up to Hermione's room, silently shed his clothes and slid quietly in behind his already sleeping wife. Further celebrations could wait until tomorrow; Hermione needed her rest.
None of them were aware that sometime after Draco had left the Snape residence, a young Auror regained consciousness and clawed her way out of the alley behind The Three Broomsticks. She painfully made her way around to the doorway of the pub, but did not have the strength to raise help.
The milkman found her collapsed on the front steps in the early hours of the morning, and she was taken to St. Mungos. She had been tortured and her womb had been petrified, and it was near seven o'clock in the morning when the healers decided that they needed the input of Britain's foremost Potions Master to save her life.
An urgent owl was dispatched from the hospital to Professor Severus Snape, in the hope that he might consider consulting on the case.