Lana
The next day, Severus went up to Dumbledore's office, his father's letter clutched in his hand. Reaching the door, he banged on it impatiently until he heard Dumbledore give him permission to enter.
"Severus, this is a surprised… What is this?" Dumbledore asked as Severus handed the letter to him. He opened it and quickly read it, his expression becoming one of anger.
"What is, as your father wishes to know, your course of action?"
Severus sighed as he paced the room, "It's obvious, isn't it? I have to break up with her."
Dumbledore nodded, "It seems as if it's a choice between life or death. Have you told her?"
Severus shook his head, "No."
Dumbledore nodded and told him to sit patiently. He left the room and came back minutes later, Lily in tow.
"Lily, please read this." Dumbledore handed her the letter. Lily quickly scanned it, then looked up at her grandfather, horrified. She then looked over at Severus, who had his head in his hands.
"But… why?"
"I am Lord Voldemort's greatest enemy. Any Death Eater with relations, however distant, is considered a threat. If Severus were to marry you as you two have planned, he would be killed instantly, and I'm not sure they would spare you either."
Lily sank down into a chair, looking bewildered. "There has to be a way around this… There has to be…"
"If either of you have any good suggestions, I'm open to them." Severus' voice came out muffled from behind his hands.
Professor Dumbledore sat down and thought for a moment. "I could marry you two, the ministry granted me that power early in my life… however, you would not be allowed to tell anyone, or speak of it even to each other unless in complete privacy. You would not be allowed to have any children or any prolonged contact with each other. Both of you would have to live separate lives, away from each other. However, you would be married."
Lily sighed, "We'd be legally joined, but unable to see each other for more than five minute at a time."
Severus looked up from his hands, finally speaking. "It's better than nothing."
Lily nodded, agreeing with him. "Unfortunately, it does seem to be the only way."
Professor Dumbledore nodded, "Do you wish to proceed?"
Severus and Lily exchanged glances, then nodded in unison.
"Very well. As the letter states, you have one month together, and then you must stage your parting of ways. When do you wish to have the ceremony?"
Severus walked over to Lily and bent down to meet her seated height. Looking into her eyes, he quickly got the message across-
Now.
Lily nodded, then looked back up at her grandfather. "Now, if you have nothing scheduled."
Professor Dumbledore didn't seem surprised in the least, "Very well… Please, Lily, stand up and stand in front of me with Severus." The two followed his command, then Lily looked up at him with expecting eyes.
" Do you, Lillian Maria Evans, take Severus Lagasto Snape, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, and promise to be faithful to him until death do you part?"
Lily smiled, holding Severus' hands. "I do."
"And do you, Severus Lagasto Snape, take Lillian Maria Evans to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forwards, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, and promise to be faithful to her until death do you part?"
Severus squeezed Lily's hands, looking directly into her eyes. "I do."
"By the power invested in me by the English Chapter of the Ministry of Magic, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Severus, you may kiss the bride."
The kiss lasted for a short period of time, but to the couple it seemed like eternity.
"Fawkes, maybe I present to you Mister and Misses Severus Snape." Dumbledore directed this towards in phoenix, which was standing on his perch watching intently.
"I shall have a certificate stored here in my office. If at any time you wish to see it, ask me, but for safety's sake, it will not leave this room." Dumbledore told them.
"Yes Papa." Lily said while Severus nodded.
"Good." Dumbledore smiled and looked over at his
grandson-in-law. "Severus, welcome to the family."