Approval

Approval

"No way!" Ron shouted, he dropped his piece of toast into his pumpkin juice and was staring shocked at the doors leading to the main hall. Turning to see what his friend was making such a fuss about, Harry too dropped his mouth in exclamation. In fact, many of the other students at the Gryffindor table, as well as all the other tables were following suit.

"What's she doing with him!" Harry hissed, for he was as many of the other boys were, somewhat irked at seeing their favorite new single teacher on the arm of none other than Severus Snape. The hall seemed suspended in silence as the two walked across the room and up to the head table. Pulling out her chair for her, Severus shot a menacing looking around the room, which forced many to look away.

Sitting down next to her, Severus immediately bowed his head over his plate, and Deidra turned to speak with Dumbledore who was on her other side. Most of the students returned to their breakfast, each with their own version of why this young beauty had appeared at breakfast on the arm of the dark, dreaded potions master. Harry however, remained glaring up at the head table. His manner did not improve when he overheard Hermione whispering to Ginny, "she looks so happy, she's glowing."

Turning to look at the two girls, he saw Ginny nod and say, "well maybe professor Snape's good for something after all." Both girls giggled helplessly at this both understanding perfectly well what Ginny really meant.

Biting savagely into his toast, Harry tried to think of anything but Deidra Dumbledore hanging adoringly on Severus Snape's arm. What right did he have to such a beautiful, pleasant, kind person? He was cold, cruel, and disagreeable.

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Deidra and her father were quietly laughing over the thinly veiled shock of her entrance by the students and staff. For it had not only been the young boys of the houses, but many of the staff too had been shocked at seeing Dumbledore's treasure entering breakfast with Severus Snape whom many of the teachers still didn't trust.

Now that people were settling again, Deidra turned the conversation to a more serious matter. "I can't hide this baby until it's born, I think we need to change my marital status before anyone else figures out." She looked at her father, searching for approval of her idea.

He smiled warmly and patted her hand, "I think, my dear, that that is an excellent idea, you should marry Severus before anything else happens." They both laughed then, and Albus had to wipe away the two tiny tears of mirth that were trickling down his beard.

Looking at her again, he added more seriously, "I think you should suggest to Severus that you take a little midnight stroll up to the west tower, I'm sure it will suit or purpose admirably." Deidra nodded her recognition and returned to her own breakfast.

Under the table she reached for Severus's hand and found it trembling on his knee. Squeezing it gently, she smiled at him mouthing, "it'll get better." He nodded jerkily and returned his attention to his plate.

When her father rose to leave, he bent and whispered in her ear, "I'm going up to my office to continue my research. I've spoken with Minerva, she will resume teaching transfiguration today and you will start teaching defense against the dark arts. It seems that yet again we have no one to fill the position."

Smiling, she patted the hand that rested on her shoulder and replied, "I think I can handle that."

"Good," he said, "then I'll see you later, come by my office before dinner and I'll let you know if I've found anything." And with that he turned and left.

Deidra watched him go with a feeling of unease. She'd half forgotten her predicament last night. But now, when she was sure no one was looking, she ran her hand slowly down her stomach. Thinking silently of the mother she had never known and the dark truth that had surrounded her birth, and now, perhaps the birth of her own child.

Finishing her breakfast, she lightly touched Severus's arm and made to leave. He only nodded in response before bowing his head. She smiled and shook her head. Her poor Severus, he was trying so hard to doing everything right, have everything be perfect. But she knew that that was not how life went, nothing was perfect and you just had to roll with what you got.

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Putting the last of the day's papers in her drawer, Deidra leaned back in her chair, feeling exhausted. It was more to do with all the things that were running through her mind, rather than her actual physical day, but he body still ached horribly. So much to consider, so much to deal with, it made Deidra think that she must be a marked woman or something. Why does everything always happen to me! I'd like to at least lead a partially normally life. But I suppose this is what happens when your father is Albus Dumbledore 'greatest wizard in all the world,' craziest, dearest man alive.

"What would I do without him?" She thought out loud.

"Yes, what would you do without me." Chuckled a slightly deep voice.

Deidra was so surprised she almost fell out of her chair. Jumping up as gracefully as she could, she rushed around the desk to the slight built man who stood in the middle of the empty classroom, lounging against one of the desks. "Remus! What are you doing here?" She rushed over to hug her old friend, feeling at last that she would have someone to talk to who could understand her.

Remus hugged her back and said jokingly, "I came to see if you were available yet, or are you still carrying a torch?"

In response, Deidra only sighed and laid her head on Remus's shoulder. Suddenly, he pulled back and held her at arm's length, eyeing her suspiciously, "you're with someone, aren't you! Who is it? Who beat me to it?"

His fake anger did not fool Deidra, who collapsed in his arms laughing. "Oh Remus, I'm surprised you even need to ask, you know there's always only been one man for me. I tell you now as I have a hundred times before my old friend, it's either him or no one."

Remus nodded slightly disappointed, "so Severus finally came around, did he?"

Pushing the hair out of his hair affectionately, Deidra sighed, "we had our differences to work out, and we've had some rough times since, but yes, you could say I've gotten him to come round. If you consider marrying me tonight coming around."

"I won't pretend I'm not slightly disappointed," Remus sighed, "but if you can't be mine, I suppose Severus is the next best."

Deidra raised her eyebrows in question "since when is Severus so high on your list?" She asked.

"He isn't," Remus growled playfully, "I'm just trying to be nice. But in all seriousness, I really do wish you great happiness, Deidra. You are one of my dearest friends and I know how much losing Severus the first time hurt you, so I can at least be happy for you."

"Thank you Remus," Deidra smiled. "That means a great deal to me, and it would mean a great deal to me if you would come to my wedding." She held out her hand in friendship, and he took it and brought it to his lips.

"I would be honored." And he kissed her hand. There was no passion in that kiss, none of the fire that was present when Severus kissed her. Just a kiss between to very old friends.

"How long will you be staying?" She asked.

"Oh, I imagine for a while, Albus asked me to come and help out. I figured he needed someone to cover the DADA job, but it looks like you've got that pretty well."

"Don't be fooled," Deidra laughed, "I'm no teacher, I can use all the help I can get."

"Well, I'm happy to help you in anyway I can," Remus offered.

"Do you really mean that?" Deidra asked.

"Of course, what're friends for, we are friends, aren't we?" He said holding out his hands.

"Yes, yes we are." She smiled and hugged him again. So relieved to have a friend.

They held each other for a while, two people confused by all that was going on around. Two people holding onto each other because they felt like they had noting else in the world at that moment to hold on to. And that's how Severus found them.

Walking in the door without even looking, he began talking, "Deidra, you I thou- Lupin!" The two jumped apart, Lupin looking slightly guilty, Deidra twisting Severus's ring on her finger nervously.

"Are you tired of me so soon." He hissed.

But Deidra only broke out laughing. "Oh Severus, you really must learn to trust me a little more, especially if I'm going to be your wife. You should know Remus is an old friend."

"Believe me," Remus added, "I for one know better than to intrude on what is yours Severus, it was just a friendly hug of congratulations, nothing more."

Chewing his lip in thought, Severus stood silent for a moment. Then, much to Deidra and Remus's relief, he shrugged his shoulders and dropped the threatening scowl. "Are you ready for dinner, I thought I'd come up and walk you down, that is, if you don't have other plans."

Deidra shook her head, observing the old air of competition that was once again beginning to bloom between these two men, both whom she loved deeply. "I am going to dinner with you," she said nodding to Severus, who seemed to grow several inches at her words, "but," she added, "I have to talk to my father first. Why don't both of you go down, and father and I will catch up to you." Remus shrugged and headed for the door. But Severus stood stock still, "what do you need to talk to your father about?"

"Nothing important, I just have to check with him on something I'm curious about, I won't be long." She stroked his cheek, "don't worry."

"Right," he said stiffly and turned.

"Come on." Remus jerked his head in the direction of the door. "I think it's time someone had that man to man talk with you Severus."

"Oh boy," Severus groaned. Deidra watched the two of them go, hearing Remus's voice echoing in the halls for some minutes before they turned a corner. Sighing deeply, she grabbed the books she wanted to review tonight and headed out the door herself, whispering the locking charm after she'd shut the door, and headed in the direction of the headmaster's office.

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"I suppose it'd be too much to ask for some good news our first day at, eh?" Deidra's eyes searched her father's who sat across his desk from her.

Albus stretched out his hand across the desk and Deidra placed hers in it. "I will find away, I promise. Last time I didn't even have a chance to fight. And because I didn't fight, I lost your mother. But I'm not going to lose you Deidra, not while I still have air to breath. We have a good while yet, so just relax, I'll tell you when we have to worry, alright?" At this last thought his stern face broke into an uneasy smile which Deidra joined him in.

"Well we'd better get down to dinner before someone misses us." She said rising. Then a thought struck her and she turned back, "did you know Remus is here?"

Getting up himself, Albus said plainly, "yes."

"Did you ask him here?" Deidra probed further.

"Yes"

"Why?"

"I thought you might need help." He replied raising his eyebrows slightly. "Was I wrong."

"No, you always did know me better than anyone else. But you should be more careful. I almost had Severus in fits because he walked in on us hugging hello." She shook her head lightly at the memory.

"Oh dear, I had forgotten they little bit of tension between those two." He said absently pulling his long silver beard.

"I'm sure you did, come on you." She said slipping her arm in his.

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Dinner went by in silent tension. Severus and Remus kept casually looking up and eyeing each other. Deidra and he father were deep in conversation for most of the time quietly making plans for tonight. By the time everyone was finished, Deidra had to forcefully steer Severus out the hall and down the stairs toward his rooms so that he didn't go after Remus, who was staying in one of the extra teacher's rooms up a few floors.

Once they were safely locked in his study, Deidra began to search for ways to make the time pass. First she thought she'd better get ready for later. "Severus, I'm going to take a bath, alright I shouldn't be more than an hour or so." She said casually over her shoulder as she headed for Severus's private bathroom.

Severus got up and followed her to the bathroom, leaning against the doorframe he spoke casually, "I never understood why women take so long to bathe, most men I know are out in ten, fifteen minutes flat. You say you'll be an hour or so, I don't get it, if anything, we should take longer, after all, you're the smaller sex."

"Well dearest," she said, playfully tugging his chin, "if I wanted to I probably could be out in ten or fifteen minutes, but that's not the point." She'd slipped off her robe and slid into the now steaming full tub.

Severus came forward and knelt by the side tub, laying his head on edge, he gazed as Deidra. "Then what is the point?"

"The point," she replied laughing at the innocently perplexed look on his face, "the point is that I enjoy being in the bath, it relaxes me, therefore I tend to take my time when I take a bath. Plus, women have a lot more to do when they take a bath than men do. All you do is rinse yourselves, rub down and call it a day. We have to wash ourselves, our hair. Then we have to shave our legs…" she started listing the things on her fingers and Severus just laughed.

"Alright, alright I get the point, I'll leave you alone, just don't take to long, I'm out her waiting." And with that he stood up, tweaked and headed out the door.

Waiting till he'd closed the door, Deidra sank lower and began listing the things she really had to do before midnight to be ready.

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At 10:35 Deidra came out of the bathroom she looked almost completely different. Her hair was swept up and back in an intricate twist. She wore her regular black robes but they looked somewhat bulky, as if there was another layer under them. Her face was paler than usual and her lips were a dark plum. She wore no jewelry except for the ring Severus had given her some months past.

When she came in and sat down in one of Severus's overlarge arm chairs Severus followed her with his eyes, completely astounded at her beauty. "Why all the fuss?" He asked carefully.

"No real reason, just felt like it, why do you think I should change?" She turned her head slightly to gauge his response.

"Absolutely not, I think you look ver fine." He replied trying with all his will to focus on the book he'd been reading. Shrugging her shoulders, Deidra picked up another book, draped her legs over one arm and settled down to reading.

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When the clock sounded 11:30 Deidra snapped her book shut and abruptly stood up. "I'm in the mood for a walk, come on." She said, trying to keep the urgency out of her voice.

"Isn't a bit late for a walk?" He said, unsure of what had gotten into her lately, she was having all these sudden impulses which were very unlike her.

"No, it's perfect, no one's awake except Filtch, and he wouldn't notice us anyone. We won't have to worry about anyone staring or causing trouble, just the two of us, please."

Severus needed no more urging than that, finally putting down the book which he'd given up on over a half and hour ago, he rose from his desk and went to join her. "Any place in particular you want to go?" He asked.

"I have someplace in mind," Deidra said timidly.

"And where might that be?"

"You'll see, just come on." She said grabbing his hand and heading for the door. Shrugging his shoulders, Severus allowed himself to be lead, not really caring where they were going.

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It was just striking midnight when they reached the steps of the western tower. "Up you go," Deidra gestured towards the stairs.

"After you," he made a mock bow.

"I'll be up in a minute, just go ahead." She absently shooed him with her hand, her eyes roving the room they were now in. Shrugging his shoulders again, Severus ascended the stairs, opened the trap door and stepped out into the night.

What his eyes fell on was by no means what he'd expected. In the middle of the stone floor of the tower stood a holder with a roaring fire flaming up from it. Coming closer, he noticed the figures on the other side of the fire. By squinting his eyes, he could make out Albus's long beard, Lupin's haggard looking face, and Minerva's twitching hands.

Looking back he saw Deidra coming up the stairs and out the trap door behind him. Only, she wasn't wearing the black robes she'd been wearing when they set out on their walk. Now he saw what had made her robes look so bulky before. For underneath there had been another dress robe of fine ivory satin which fitted her slim body beautifully. Coming over to him she was smiling brilliantly.

"Wh- what's going on, is this some sort of pagan sacrifice or something. Are going to cut my throat and give my blood to the fire for your god to consume?" He looked around anxiously.

Everyone, including Deidra was laughing, but she was also crying slightly. Stretching her hand out to rest along his cheek she said lightly, "no, nothing like that at all, why would you think that."

"I don't know, everything looks so eerie and this is the kind of thing you read about all the time in the daily prophet, 'young woman sacrifices boyfriend to pagan god while friends and family look on.'"

That got another laugh from everyone, but then Dumbledore interjected, "we'd best start soon, before we're missed." Deidra looked over at her father, who was beaming proudly and nodded her agreement.

"What is this anyway?" Severus asked more seriously now, holding Deidra's hand, pressing it firmer into his skin.

Deidra took his other hand and led him over, closer to the fire, "how long did you think we were going to wait to get married, I for one would like to be before the baby comes."

"Oh," Severus looked down, feeling very awkward. But before he could make any response Albus had stepped forward in front of the fire.

"Come," he said, his voice resonating with his own special magic, "let us begin. Severus, stand in front of the fire to my left, Deidra, to my right." Solemnly, the couple took their places and Albus joined their hands over the fire. Turning to Deidra, he said, "Deidra, you know what to do." She nodded, "then begin," seeing the slight panic and confusion in her eyes, he lightly patted her arm, saying, "this is your day dearest, not mine, the making was yours, the doing was yours, and now the binding will be yours." And with that he stepped back, leaving the two to stand alone before the fire.

It took Deidra a few moments to remember the words exactly, swallowing the lump that had been gathering for the past few hours, she began in her clearest, strongest voice,

"I give you my love, I give you my heart.

Though there may come distance between us, we shall never truly part.

I give you my pledge, I give you my name.

From this day forward, we are one in the same."

Severus had never been married before, nor had he witnessed a wedding, though he thought even if he had, it would not have prepared him for this, because this was like no conventional wedding. He had no idea what he was supposed to do, but all at once the words began to flow up his throat and out his mouth.

"I shall always protect you, and keep you free.

I shall always endeavor to be the man you think me to be.

I love you today, I shall love you always.

I shall be yours till the end of our days."

And with that, the fire rose up and consumed their linked hands. The flame climbed up in the sky for all to see and then all at once, died. Severus looked down at their hands, expecting to see something different, some mark of what had just past, but there was nothing there, only their hands, as they had been before, joined as a symbol of their undying love.

Again, Albus stepped forward, Deidra, not breaking her holds on Severus's hands, turned to look at her father who, for the first time in a very long time, had a true look of happiness on his face. Nodding his approval he touched her shoulder, "you have done it. It was as we thought, I am glad for you dearest, and very much relieved."

"Why are you relieved," Deidra asked, letting go of Severus's hands now to fully face her father, "did you think it would fail?"

"No dearest," he smiled gently, "I knew she would approve. I am relieved, because now I know that if a day should come when I can no longer take care of you, you will be in good hands. For the longest time I feared you would never pass from my hands to he you were destined to spend the rest of your life with, but now I see I have not waited in vein." Embracing his daughter, he then turned his attention to Severus.

"Severus, I always knew that there was more to you than most people think, I was proud to call you my colleague, I was proud to call you my friend, and now I am proud to call you my son." He then embraced Severus as well.

Then, turning to Remus and Minerva who had been silently watching he jerked his head in the direction of the of the door leading down. Heading in that direction he turned his head once more and said, "Deidra, you will see to everything else?" Deidra nodded solemnly and he went down.

First to follow Albus was Minerva, she paused and looked at Deidra. "I knew you would grow to be a beauty, but I did not know that you would grow to be such a kind, fine, admirable person, you do your family credit."

Hugging her, Deidra replied, "it was you and father who taught me to be what I am, if I am kind, if I am admirable, it is because you taught me to be so."

Wiping her eyes, Minerva with all but a mother's love, "I never realized what a treasure Albus entrusted me with when he gave me charge of his only child." And then she left.

Now it was only her Severus and Remus left on the roof. Walking around the flame to stand next to them, he said gently, "if you want to go in, I can take care of the rest."

Deidra smiled at Remus, "thank you Remus, but I want to do it anyway."

"Right then," Remus said a little awkwardly, "I've said it before, but I'll say it again, I wish you all happiness, both of you." He hugged Deidra, kissing her lightly on the cheek, then turned to Severus and offered his hand. "Come, I am good friends with your wife, I'm not going to go away, I'd much rather we were friends, I've always wanted that."

Severus hesitated a moment, took Remus's hand. "You are right," said Severus solemnly, "I no longer wish to live in the past, as you say, let us be friends." Then the two embraced and Remus followed the other down the stairs.

Now it was just Deidra and Severus alone on the roof. Severus walked to the edge and leaned on the parapet. They stood in silence for a few moments, before his words broke through with, "my wife," he turned back and there was a broad, very unSnape-like smile on his face, "I have a wife."

Deidra laughed and went over to him. They hugged each other fiercely, but still Deidra's gaze went back to the fire holder. "What is it you're supposed to take care of anyway?" He asked, wanting to draw her attention back.

"That," she said indicating the fire holder with her chin, breaking from his hold, she went back over to run her finger along the edge.

Walking back over to stand behind her, he asked, "what is it exactly, that it seems to be so ver important."

Not looking up from the flames, Deidra whispered, "my mother."

"What do you mean?"

"When wizards die," Deidra started, her voice a little shaky, "our souls become elements, fire, water, earth, air. When my mother died, her soul became fire. My father was so grieved that he cast a spell to keep her element with him, rather than let her return to nature as wizard's souls are supposed to. He kept her flame in this holder, and the holder stands in his bedroom, warming him with the one piece of her she was able to keep." She brushed the tears that were running from her eyes. Ever since her father had told her the true cause of her mother's death, a sacrifice to save her first and only child. Deidra could not think of her without crying.

Severus sighed deeply, this was one of the few areas where, no matter how close they were, he could not help her with, so instead he asked the question that had been burning in his mind since when first the fire had engulfed their hands, "and what we just did."

"What we just did," Deidra replied, "was a binding ceremony with my mother's approval, we could not have been married without it. We spoke our hearts before and she judged. She judged you worthy, that was the fire rising and our hands not burning. If she had not judged you worthy, your hands would have been burnt."

"Oh," he said, feeling a bit unsure of himself, "I guess we got lucky then."

Deidra turned back to him, the tears gone now, "no," she said, sliding her arms around his waist to rest her head against his chest, "father and I both thought she would approve, it was just a way of honoring her memory."

"What do we have to do now?" He asked, not really wanting to do anything other than stand there with his arms wrapped around his wife.

With some reluctance, Deidra broke away and returned to the fire. Holding her hands out over the fire, she whispered a counter summoning charm, and with a quiet pop, the flame holder disappeared. "Now we can go." She reached for his hand and he took it gladly.

Together they walked down the stairs and headed down back toward the dungeons, but along the way Deidra suddenly stopped. "What's wrong?" Severus asked.

"Oh nothing," Deidra reassured him, "I was just thinking, now that I'm your wife, I should probably move down into your room, permanently."

Severus cocked his head at her for a moment, then nodded his agreement. Deidra made to start walking again, but all at once, Severus swept her off her feet and into his arms, saying smugly, "but we can do that tomorrow, tonight I intend to enjoy my wife."

"Are you saying," Deidra said with mock hurt, "that you haven't enjoyed me before."

"Oh I certainly have," he said as he started down the stairs, "but from now on I get to do it without any guilt."

Deidra was about to say something in response, but Severus stopped her with a kiss. After which, he whispered against her lips, "shhh, we don't want anyone to disturb us do we." Deidra smiled and shook her head. They were now at the door to Severus's bedroom, turning around, he backed into the door, turning around to walk the rest of the way to his bed and place her on it. Then he went back and locked the door.

Crawling into bed beside her he said, "that's one thing I need to teach you, start locking your doors."

Deidra's hands were snaking along his back as she whispered breathily, "I bet there are some other things you could teach me first though." And smiling mischievously, she laid back in the bed.