Authors Note – Ok, kiddies, here you go…she's finally gonna reveal her
dirt. Woohoo! Also I have absolutely no idea how a wizard wedding goes, so
I just made it up…hope you like it! Now go read.
*~Mia~*
1 Chapter 8
Till Death Do Us Part
"I think you should sit down," Mia began once Snape had been escorted safely to his chambers. Snape rolled his eyes and took a seat in a plush armchair in front of his fireplace. Mia, in turn, began to pace back and forth in front of the fire, wringing her hands and wishing her robes would catch a stray flame to cause a distraction.
"Get on with it, Mia. I consented to marrying you didn't I? I don't think that there's much you could tell me that would deter me at this point. Now as I understand it from Poppy you've been hiding this for quite some time, and it bothers me more that you can't trust me than anything you have to tell me could. Spit it out."
"Poppy? She – that prat," Mia exclaimed before she could stop herself. "I told her in confidence. I can't believe she would –"
"Enough," Snape said, obviously rattled by Mia's ramblings. "Tell me whatever it is you have to say. I'll not have secrecy between us!"
"Ok. Alright. Here goes nothing." Mia gave one final wring of her hands before turning to face the mantelpiece. "I'm pregnant." She did not have the courage to turn and face him, but from the dead silence on his side of the room she guessed that his reaction could not be good. She hung her head and pretended to inspect the crystal goblets on the mantle. They had been an early gift from Minerva. She waited, her stomach in knots, for an answer; any answer would have done. When none came, she went on. "It's not too late to – you know, to terminate. If you think…that is to say…"
She felt, then, his strong arms encompassing her shoulders and his familiar warm breath on her neck. "I love you," was his only reply. She let go a ragged sob and pressed a tear from each eye. They were tears of the most extreme relief Mia had felt in her life. She still did not turn to face him, and he moved his left hand from her shoulder to her belly, pressing her hard against him. She spread her diminutive hand across his left forearm – across the dark mark that had been the source of his shame for so many years. For so long it had been his only real attempt at a family. Now, it seemed, he had a true family of his own. It felt as though they stood that way, before the fire, for nearly an hour. In reality the embrace had lasted a mere forty five seconds. He forced her to turn then, and placed a finger under her chin. He tilted her face up towards his and for the first time in days her eyes actually met his dead on. "I love you so very much, Mia. Not in a thousand years could that have been bad news." He gently wiped the tears from her cheeks before kissing each one and smiling warmly into her face. She smiled back – her first true smile in a long time.
The next day, Mia woke to find Severus' arms wrapped protectively around her, his hands placed firmly on her belly. She smiled broadly and pressed her hands against his, intertwining their fingers. She turned to face him and saw that his eyes were open. "How long have you been awake," she asked, surprised.
"Since five."
Mia glanced at the grandfather clock and saw that it was nearly nine o'clock in the morning. "What on earth have you been doing since five this morning," she asked, even more taken aback.
"Watching you," he answered, his smile looking rather permanent.
"Well, fatherhood has turned you into quite the sentimental man, hasn't it, she laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him hard.
He hugged her back as he said, "I've always been. Fatherhood has just brought it out, I think. You do realize that if Potter and his triage hears a word of this you'll be in quite a tight spot? He needs to consider me a greasy bastard for the rest of his years here, and so do the rest of my students for that matter."
"I won't tell a soul," she answered into the crook of his neck with a little laugh. "And now, it's time for us to get up," she said as she sprung from the bed, propelled by anticipation. She began to bustle around the room in her nightgown, gathering the things she would need to get ready. Hermione Granger had offered to French braid Mia's hair, as Mia could not do it herself, and she was set to be in the Gryffindor common room by nine thirty. She flew to the adjacent bathroom and washed her hair hurriedly. She decided that it would be best to zap it dry with her wand. She then threw on a spare robed and kissed Severus gingerly on the forehead as he laid in bed watching her reverently. "I'll be back in an hour. I'm going to have my hair braided, and I'm going to go and deliver the dress robes to the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Do you know when Moody is meant to arrive?"
"Not a clue," Snape answered, his permagrin withstanding.
She laughed out loud at the look on his face. "If I didn't know any better," she said through a grin, "I'd think he'd already been here and smacked you with a serious cheering charm. I'm off. I suggest you get up and clean yourself up. I'd like very much for you to look presentable on my wedding day," she joked as she closed the door behind her. She laughed aloud again to hear a pillow hit the door behind her, missing her by mere inches.
Severus made the bed before heading into the bathroom to take a shower and *gasp* wash his hair and brush his teeth. He returned to his bedroom, and not quite sure what to do, decided to head to the courtyard and check that everything was still in place. Satisfied that the likes of Potter and his minions hadn't disturbed anything, he swept into the great hall, where the rest of the school was having breakfast (minus Mia and Hermione, of course). The hall fell nearly silent as he walked in and made his way toward the high table. It seemed that the entire school had been living in anticipation of this day. In truth, most of the students had dealt with the idea of Snape getting married by rationalizing that it had to be some sort of rumor. Those who were still hanging on to their delusions were forced to drop them when they saw that his hair had been washed. He put on the best sneer he could manage (he was having a rather hard time being bitter today) and made his way without making eye contact with a single student to the high table and took his seat. Somehow, it felt wrong that he was here eating breakfast and Mia was not.
Upstairs in the empty Gryffindor common room, Mia sat complacently in front of a roaring fire while Hermione sat behind her in a chair, creating what was a rather intricate French braid. Whisps of hair fell in a frame around Mia's face, which she was curling around her wand. She had learned quite a few helpful little tricks as a student here at Hogwarts, as well. "Are you nervous," Hermione asked.
"The butterflies are enormous," she answered. The pair giggled quietly. 'It's funny,' Mia thought to herself, 'how well this little girl and I get along.' In truth, Mia had thoroughly enjoyed teaching Hermione from the get go. She had hoped, since September (before she even knew that she was pregnant) that if she ever had a little girl it would turn out much like Hermione. 'Severus would have a bird if his daughter represented Hermione Granger,' she giggled to herself.
Once the braid was done, Mia and Hermione conjured a plate of tea and toast to share before running the last of the errands around the castle. They chuckled like a pair of hens over Hermione confessing her enormous crush on Ron, and how she had imagined her own wedding. When the tea and toast were done the pair left the tray for the house elves and each took a stack of dress robes, which were hanging by magic in midair. Hermione took the women's robes and Mia grabbed the men's attire. Their first stop was Professor Sprout's greenhouse, where Sprout was busy applying makeup. She was giddy with the idea of taking such an active role in such a formal affair. She confessed to the pair that she had never been asked to be in a wedding. "You'll do fine," Mia consoled her. All you need to do is walk with Moody down the aisle and stand with me at the altar and smile. The most important part is being there on time," she giggled. "Be early, actually, so that we can all be ready by the time everyone has arrived. Why don't you be there at two o'clock?"
"Will do, Mia," Professor Sprout giggled nervously as she showed Mia and Hermione out of her room.
Their next stop was to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey was engaged in much the same activity as Professor Sprout. The pair dropped off the dress robe and made their way down to Professor McGonnegal's office. Mia was surprised, but not disappointed, to see that Minerva had done the same thing with her hair as she did every day of the week. She said nothing, though. Whatever Minerva chose to do with herself was fine with Mia. She couldn't think of a single thing that could annoy her today. Next, they ran Hagrid's robe to him. Hermione happily stayed behind to help Hagrid prepare himself. He had obviously overdone himself with some sort of axle grease, which was smeared through his hair, and he had completely overdosed on what Mia guessed was some sort of cologne. When they entered, Fang the boarhound was lying underneath the table with his paws over his nose as if disgusted or ill by the scent. Finally, Mia went alone to deliver the final robe to Professor Flitwick, who had taken much the same approach as Minerva on his appearance – consistency is the best policy.
Only one robe left to deliver, and that was Moody's. She decided to look for him in the great hall, and if she couldn't find him there she planned to seek out Dumbledoor. He would surely know when Moody was meant to arrive. When she entered the hall she was astounded by it's beauty. The decorations, all gold and roses, surpassed even that of the great hall at Christmastime. She found Dumbledoor, in the middle of the hall giving out directions. She walked up to him with a reproachful grin on her face. "Dumbledoor, I know that we planned a reception in here but honestly. You've outdone yourself!"
"Ah, well. I simply could not help myself." He beamed at her. "It's like my own children are getting married. What can I do for you?"
"Well, I was wondering when Moody was going to arrive, but I think that my question has been answered." Her gaze swept to the place where the high table was being decorated for the members of the wedding procession and she saw Moody barking at some poor house elf and swigging from his hip flask. "Alastor," she said warmly as she swept toward him with her arms open. He smiled as he saw her and he received her with open arms.
"Mia," he barked. "I remember when you when you were just a baby. I trained you as an auror. And now…well, you're all grown up."
"I know, Alastor, I can't believe it myself. Thank you so much for being here for Severus and myself."
"Well, I still think you could find better than old Severus Snape," he said with a playful smile in his eye, "but if you're happy with him than I'm happy for you."
"Thank you, Alastor. Thank you so much. I have your robe here for you. Now, everyone is planning to be in the vestibule behind the courtyard at two o'clock this afternoon. Can you handle that?"
"I certainly can, Miss Mia." She hugged him again before leaving the hall and heading back to Severus' room, where her robe was waiting for her. When she entered she found the crystal goblets filled with champagne and placed on the end table between the two armchairs in front of the fireplace. There was Severus, dressed in his robes and looking wholly unbelievable. Her heart melted at the sight of him. He stood with his arms clasped behind his back and waiting for her word of approval.
"At ease, soldier," she said good naturedly and swept into the room, glancing as she did at the clock. "It's nearly one o'clock. You think you're ready?"
"I've been ready for this all my life," he said as he took her hands in his. He handed her a goblet and they shared a drink before she pulled her robes down and began to change. She had forced Snape to leave while she changed. "Just go down to the courtyard and hold down the fort, ok? When your groomsmen show up then you can run through your part of the ceremony with Dumbledoor. I want it to be a surprise when you see me. I want that 'oh gods she looks so amazing walking down the aisle' look on your face. Now shoo!" He had accepted her request and gone down to the great hall to see if there was anything he could do to help. Mia dressed and put on her makeup before looking in the full length mirror that stood in a corner of Snape's room. Even she was impressed with herself. She walked away from the mirror after a moment and took a seat in front of the fire.
She could hardly believe that it was her wedding day. She was marrying the head of Slytherin house. The man she had adored for all of her teenage years and despised for all of her adult life was about to be hers and hers alone. Not only that, but she carried his child as well. Life could be so ironic sometimes. As she sat, contemplating and remembering, she heard a distant knock at the door. Wrenched from her bittersweet memories and anticipations she went to open it and found Minerva, Poppy, and Professor Sprout waiting for her. They all looked amazing.
"We know we're about fifteen minutes early," Minerva began, "but we thought that we could walk down together."
A smile spread across Mia's face as she answered, "that would be lovely. Let me just get my bouquet."
Two thirty found Mia in the room adjacent to the courtyard with innumerable butterflies in her stomach and her head feeling light. She could hear the music wafting from the courtyard, and Professors Sprout and Flitwick, as well as Moody and Poppy had already begun their trips down the aisle. She watched nervously out the window as Hagrid and Minerva entered the overcrowded courtyard. Dumbledoor placed a firm hand on her shoulder and she turned to see him smiling brightly at her. "It's time," he said softly.
"I didn't think so many of the students would show up," Mia said as she stood arm in arm with Dumbledoor at the entrance to the courtyard, waiting for Hagrid and Minerva to take up their places at the front. Suddenly, the music became stronger, and she looked to Dumbledoor. Was it really time? She felt her face flush of all it's color, and for a moment everything went white. And then, as quickly as it had come, it passed. She walked slowly down the aisle with Dumbledoor towards Cornelius Fudge, the minister of magic. Her eyes wandered all around her, and she returned countless smiles and waves from her students and colleagues. Her robes billowed gracefully behind her as she walked, and when she reached the middle of the aisle her eyes turned toward him. There it was, that look of honor upon Snape's face that she had so wanted to see. His lips formed a thin smile, and altogether Mia thought he was composing himself very well. Better than she, at least. She could feel the lump in her throat beginning already. When they reached the altar, Cornelius began.
"Who is it that gives this lady to this man in marriage."
"I" was Dumbledoor's curt yet immense reply. Cornelius nodded and Dumbledoor took his seat at the front row beside a group of house elves. Snape then made his way toward her and took her arm where Dumbledoor no longer held it. She was relieved, because standing alone in front of Snape and this massive crowd had caused her head to flush once more. She leaned on him as he led her up two steps until they were standing directly in front of Fudge.
"I am pleased to announce that you have been called here today to witness the matrimony of Severus Snape and Mia Cauldwell. Before we begin, is there anyone among us who has a valid reason why these two should not be wed?"
Mia's heart raced. She couldn't explain why, but for a fleeting moment she half expected Sibyll Trelawney to stand and shout some great protest. It didn't happen, and the ceremony began.
"Severus, please repeat after me. I, Severus Snape, take Mia Cauldwell to be my wife,"
"I, Severus Snape, take Mia Cauldwell to be my wife,"
"Through thick and thin, through good times and bad, through the worst of the worst, and the best of the best."
"Through thick and thin, through good times and bad, through the worst of the worst and the best of the best." At this point Snape's voice began to tremble and he looked into Mia's eyes for support. He found it there in spades.
"I give my word to honor her above all others, and to always treat her as I would treat myself."
"I give my word to honor her above all others and to always treat her as I would treat myself."
"Mia, please repeat after me. I, Mia Cauldwell, take Severus Snape to be my husband,"
"I, Mia Cauldwell, take Severus Snape to be my husband," her voice broke and tears began to well in her eyes.
"Through thick and thin, through the good times and the bad, through the worst of the worst and the best of the best."
"Through thick and thin, through the good times and the bad, through the worst of the worst and the best of the best." The tears were streaming freely down her face now, but she made no move to wipe them away.
"I give my word to honor him above all others and to always treat him as I would treat myself."
"I give my word to honor him above all others and to always treat him as I would treat myself." She could feel the sobs coming, and hoped that Fudge would hurry up. She had told Severus to request a short ceremony hadn't she? She heard a few sobs and nose blows from the crowd before Fudge went on.
"If you would please procure the rings?"
Mia turned to Minerva as Severus turned to Hagrid, and when they faced each other again it was with a ring in each hand. At Fudge's prompting they placed the rings on each others fingers and said: "This ring is a symbol of my eternal devotion. It has no beginning and no end, and shall never be broken."
"Well, then, by the power vested in me by the Ministry of Magic, I pronounce you man and wife. Severus, you may kiss your bride." At this, Fudge drew out his own hankie and blew his nose rather obtrusively. It was no matter to Severus and Mia, though, as they kissed each other full on the lips and then turned to face the crowd.
"It is my most extreme pleasure to present to you all Mr. And Mrs. Severus Snape." The music began again and the pair took it as their cue to march back up the aisle. As they did each person in the crowd released a snow white butterfly from the small glass enclosures that they had been held in, and by the time they reached the end of the aisle the couple found themselves fighting their way through a veritable forest of wings. It was over, done, and as she gazed into his eyes at the end of the courtyard, Mia could not have been happier to share Snape's name.
*~Mia~*
1 Chapter 8
Till Death Do Us Part
"I think you should sit down," Mia began once Snape had been escorted safely to his chambers. Snape rolled his eyes and took a seat in a plush armchair in front of his fireplace. Mia, in turn, began to pace back and forth in front of the fire, wringing her hands and wishing her robes would catch a stray flame to cause a distraction.
"Get on with it, Mia. I consented to marrying you didn't I? I don't think that there's much you could tell me that would deter me at this point. Now as I understand it from Poppy you've been hiding this for quite some time, and it bothers me more that you can't trust me than anything you have to tell me could. Spit it out."
"Poppy? She – that prat," Mia exclaimed before she could stop herself. "I told her in confidence. I can't believe she would –"
"Enough," Snape said, obviously rattled by Mia's ramblings. "Tell me whatever it is you have to say. I'll not have secrecy between us!"
"Ok. Alright. Here goes nothing." Mia gave one final wring of her hands before turning to face the mantelpiece. "I'm pregnant." She did not have the courage to turn and face him, but from the dead silence on his side of the room she guessed that his reaction could not be good. She hung her head and pretended to inspect the crystal goblets on the mantle. They had been an early gift from Minerva. She waited, her stomach in knots, for an answer; any answer would have done. When none came, she went on. "It's not too late to – you know, to terminate. If you think…that is to say…"
She felt, then, his strong arms encompassing her shoulders and his familiar warm breath on her neck. "I love you," was his only reply. She let go a ragged sob and pressed a tear from each eye. They were tears of the most extreme relief Mia had felt in her life. She still did not turn to face him, and he moved his left hand from her shoulder to her belly, pressing her hard against him. She spread her diminutive hand across his left forearm – across the dark mark that had been the source of his shame for so many years. For so long it had been his only real attempt at a family. Now, it seemed, he had a true family of his own. It felt as though they stood that way, before the fire, for nearly an hour. In reality the embrace had lasted a mere forty five seconds. He forced her to turn then, and placed a finger under her chin. He tilted her face up towards his and for the first time in days her eyes actually met his dead on. "I love you so very much, Mia. Not in a thousand years could that have been bad news." He gently wiped the tears from her cheeks before kissing each one and smiling warmly into her face. She smiled back – her first true smile in a long time.
The next day, Mia woke to find Severus' arms wrapped protectively around her, his hands placed firmly on her belly. She smiled broadly and pressed her hands against his, intertwining their fingers. She turned to face him and saw that his eyes were open. "How long have you been awake," she asked, surprised.
"Since five."
Mia glanced at the grandfather clock and saw that it was nearly nine o'clock in the morning. "What on earth have you been doing since five this morning," she asked, even more taken aback.
"Watching you," he answered, his smile looking rather permanent.
"Well, fatherhood has turned you into quite the sentimental man, hasn't it, she laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him hard.
He hugged her back as he said, "I've always been. Fatherhood has just brought it out, I think. You do realize that if Potter and his triage hears a word of this you'll be in quite a tight spot? He needs to consider me a greasy bastard for the rest of his years here, and so do the rest of my students for that matter."
"I won't tell a soul," she answered into the crook of his neck with a little laugh. "And now, it's time for us to get up," she said as she sprung from the bed, propelled by anticipation. She began to bustle around the room in her nightgown, gathering the things she would need to get ready. Hermione Granger had offered to French braid Mia's hair, as Mia could not do it herself, and she was set to be in the Gryffindor common room by nine thirty. She flew to the adjacent bathroom and washed her hair hurriedly. She decided that it would be best to zap it dry with her wand. She then threw on a spare robed and kissed Severus gingerly on the forehead as he laid in bed watching her reverently. "I'll be back in an hour. I'm going to have my hair braided, and I'm going to go and deliver the dress robes to the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Do you know when Moody is meant to arrive?"
"Not a clue," Snape answered, his permagrin withstanding.
She laughed out loud at the look on his face. "If I didn't know any better," she said through a grin, "I'd think he'd already been here and smacked you with a serious cheering charm. I'm off. I suggest you get up and clean yourself up. I'd like very much for you to look presentable on my wedding day," she joked as she closed the door behind her. She laughed aloud again to hear a pillow hit the door behind her, missing her by mere inches.
Severus made the bed before heading into the bathroom to take a shower and *gasp* wash his hair and brush his teeth. He returned to his bedroom, and not quite sure what to do, decided to head to the courtyard and check that everything was still in place. Satisfied that the likes of Potter and his minions hadn't disturbed anything, he swept into the great hall, where the rest of the school was having breakfast (minus Mia and Hermione, of course). The hall fell nearly silent as he walked in and made his way toward the high table. It seemed that the entire school had been living in anticipation of this day. In truth, most of the students had dealt with the idea of Snape getting married by rationalizing that it had to be some sort of rumor. Those who were still hanging on to their delusions were forced to drop them when they saw that his hair had been washed. He put on the best sneer he could manage (he was having a rather hard time being bitter today) and made his way without making eye contact with a single student to the high table and took his seat. Somehow, it felt wrong that he was here eating breakfast and Mia was not.
Upstairs in the empty Gryffindor common room, Mia sat complacently in front of a roaring fire while Hermione sat behind her in a chair, creating what was a rather intricate French braid. Whisps of hair fell in a frame around Mia's face, which she was curling around her wand. She had learned quite a few helpful little tricks as a student here at Hogwarts, as well. "Are you nervous," Hermione asked.
"The butterflies are enormous," she answered. The pair giggled quietly. 'It's funny,' Mia thought to herself, 'how well this little girl and I get along.' In truth, Mia had thoroughly enjoyed teaching Hermione from the get go. She had hoped, since September (before she even knew that she was pregnant) that if she ever had a little girl it would turn out much like Hermione. 'Severus would have a bird if his daughter represented Hermione Granger,' she giggled to herself.
Once the braid was done, Mia and Hermione conjured a plate of tea and toast to share before running the last of the errands around the castle. They chuckled like a pair of hens over Hermione confessing her enormous crush on Ron, and how she had imagined her own wedding. When the tea and toast were done the pair left the tray for the house elves and each took a stack of dress robes, which were hanging by magic in midair. Hermione took the women's robes and Mia grabbed the men's attire. Their first stop was Professor Sprout's greenhouse, where Sprout was busy applying makeup. She was giddy with the idea of taking such an active role in such a formal affair. She confessed to the pair that she had never been asked to be in a wedding. "You'll do fine," Mia consoled her. All you need to do is walk with Moody down the aisle and stand with me at the altar and smile. The most important part is being there on time," she giggled. "Be early, actually, so that we can all be ready by the time everyone has arrived. Why don't you be there at two o'clock?"
"Will do, Mia," Professor Sprout giggled nervously as she showed Mia and Hermione out of her room.
Their next stop was to the hospital wing, where Madam Pomfrey was engaged in much the same activity as Professor Sprout. The pair dropped off the dress robe and made their way down to Professor McGonnegal's office. Mia was surprised, but not disappointed, to see that Minerva had done the same thing with her hair as she did every day of the week. She said nothing, though. Whatever Minerva chose to do with herself was fine with Mia. She couldn't think of a single thing that could annoy her today. Next, they ran Hagrid's robe to him. Hermione happily stayed behind to help Hagrid prepare himself. He had obviously overdone himself with some sort of axle grease, which was smeared through his hair, and he had completely overdosed on what Mia guessed was some sort of cologne. When they entered, Fang the boarhound was lying underneath the table with his paws over his nose as if disgusted or ill by the scent. Finally, Mia went alone to deliver the final robe to Professor Flitwick, who had taken much the same approach as Minerva on his appearance – consistency is the best policy.
Only one robe left to deliver, and that was Moody's. She decided to look for him in the great hall, and if she couldn't find him there she planned to seek out Dumbledoor. He would surely know when Moody was meant to arrive. When she entered the hall she was astounded by it's beauty. The decorations, all gold and roses, surpassed even that of the great hall at Christmastime. She found Dumbledoor, in the middle of the hall giving out directions. She walked up to him with a reproachful grin on her face. "Dumbledoor, I know that we planned a reception in here but honestly. You've outdone yourself!"
"Ah, well. I simply could not help myself." He beamed at her. "It's like my own children are getting married. What can I do for you?"
"Well, I was wondering when Moody was going to arrive, but I think that my question has been answered." Her gaze swept to the place where the high table was being decorated for the members of the wedding procession and she saw Moody barking at some poor house elf and swigging from his hip flask. "Alastor," she said warmly as she swept toward him with her arms open. He smiled as he saw her and he received her with open arms.
"Mia," he barked. "I remember when you when you were just a baby. I trained you as an auror. And now…well, you're all grown up."
"I know, Alastor, I can't believe it myself. Thank you so much for being here for Severus and myself."
"Well, I still think you could find better than old Severus Snape," he said with a playful smile in his eye, "but if you're happy with him than I'm happy for you."
"Thank you, Alastor. Thank you so much. I have your robe here for you. Now, everyone is planning to be in the vestibule behind the courtyard at two o'clock this afternoon. Can you handle that?"
"I certainly can, Miss Mia." She hugged him again before leaving the hall and heading back to Severus' room, where her robe was waiting for her. When she entered she found the crystal goblets filled with champagne and placed on the end table between the two armchairs in front of the fireplace. There was Severus, dressed in his robes and looking wholly unbelievable. Her heart melted at the sight of him. He stood with his arms clasped behind his back and waiting for her word of approval.
"At ease, soldier," she said good naturedly and swept into the room, glancing as she did at the clock. "It's nearly one o'clock. You think you're ready?"
"I've been ready for this all my life," he said as he took her hands in his. He handed her a goblet and they shared a drink before she pulled her robes down and began to change. She had forced Snape to leave while she changed. "Just go down to the courtyard and hold down the fort, ok? When your groomsmen show up then you can run through your part of the ceremony with Dumbledoor. I want it to be a surprise when you see me. I want that 'oh gods she looks so amazing walking down the aisle' look on your face. Now shoo!" He had accepted her request and gone down to the great hall to see if there was anything he could do to help. Mia dressed and put on her makeup before looking in the full length mirror that stood in a corner of Snape's room. Even she was impressed with herself. She walked away from the mirror after a moment and took a seat in front of the fire.
She could hardly believe that it was her wedding day. She was marrying the head of Slytherin house. The man she had adored for all of her teenage years and despised for all of her adult life was about to be hers and hers alone. Not only that, but she carried his child as well. Life could be so ironic sometimes. As she sat, contemplating and remembering, she heard a distant knock at the door. Wrenched from her bittersweet memories and anticipations she went to open it and found Minerva, Poppy, and Professor Sprout waiting for her. They all looked amazing.
"We know we're about fifteen minutes early," Minerva began, "but we thought that we could walk down together."
A smile spread across Mia's face as she answered, "that would be lovely. Let me just get my bouquet."
Two thirty found Mia in the room adjacent to the courtyard with innumerable butterflies in her stomach and her head feeling light. She could hear the music wafting from the courtyard, and Professors Sprout and Flitwick, as well as Moody and Poppy had already begun their trips down the aisle. She watched nervously out the window as Hagrid and Minerva entered the overcrowded courtyard. Dumbledoor placed a firm hand on her shoulder and she turned to see him smiling brightly at her. "It's time," he said softly.
"I didn't think so many of the students would show up," Mia said as she stood arm in arm with Dumbledoor at the entrance to the courtyard, waiting for Hagrid and Minerva to take up their places at the front. Suddenly, the music became stronger, and she looked to Dumbledoor. Was it really time? She felt her face flush of all it's color, and for a moment everything went white. And then, as quickly as it had come, it passed. She walked slowly down the aisle with Dumbledoor towards Cornelius Fudge, the minister of magic. Her eyes wandered all around her, and she returned countless smiles and waves from her students and colleagues. Her robes billowed gracefully behind her as she walked, and when she reached the middle of the aisle her eyes turned toward him. There it was, that look of honor upon Snape's face that she had so wanted to see. His lips formed a thin smile, and altogether Mia thought he was composing himself very well. Better than she, at least. She could feel the lump in her throat beginning already. When they reached the altar, Cornelius began.
"Who is it that gives this lady to this man in marriage."
"I" was Dumbledoor's curt yet immense reply. Cornelius nodded and Dumbledoor took his seat at the front row beside a group of house elves. Snape then made his way toward her and took her arm where Dumbledoor no longer held it. She was relieved, because standing alone in front of Snape and this massive crowd had caused her head to flush once more. She leaned on him as he led her up two steps until they were standing directly in front of Fudge.
"I am pleased to announce that you have been called here today to witness the matrimony of Severus Snape and Mia Cauldwell. Before we begin, is there anyone among us who has a valid reason why these two should not be wed?"
Mia's heart raced. She couldn't explain why, but for a fleeting moment she half expected Sibyll Trelawney to stand and shout some great protest. It didn't happen, and the ceremony began.
"Severus, please repeat after me. I, Severus Snape, take Mia Cauldwell to be my wife,"
"I, Severus Snape, take Mia Cauldwell to be my wife,"
"Through thick and thin, through good times and bad, through the worst of the worst, and the best of the best."
"Through thick and thin, through good times and bad, through the worst of the worst and the best of the best." At this point Snape's voice began to tremble and he looked into Mia's eyes for support. He found it there in spades.
"I give my word to honor her above all others, and to always treat her as I would treat myself."
"I give my word to honor her above all others and to always treat her as I would treat myself."
"Mia, please repeat after me. I, Mia Cauldwell, take Severus Snape to be my husband,"
"I, Mia Cauldwell, take Severus Snape to be my husband," her voice broke and tears began to well in her eyes.
"Through thick and thin, through the good times and the bad, through the worst of the worst and the best of the best."
"Through thick and thin, through the good times and the bad, through the worst of the worst and the best of the best." The tears were streaming freely down her face now, but she made no move to wipe them away.
"I give my word to honor him above all others and to always treat him as I would treat myself."
"I give my word to honor him above all others and to always treat him as I would treat myself." She could feel the sobs coming, and hoped that Fudge would hurry up. She had told Severus to request a short ceremony hadn't she? She heard a few sobs and nose blows from the crowd before Fudge went on.
"If you would please procure the rings?"
Mia turned to Minerva as Severus turned to Hagrid, and when they faced each other again it was with a ring in each hand. At Fudge's prompting they placed the rings on each others fingers and said: "This ring is a symbol of my eternal devotion. It has no beginning and no end, and shall never be broken."
"Well, then, by the power vested in me by the Ministry of Magic, I pronounce you man and wife. Severus, you may kiss your bride." At this, Fudge drew out his own hankie and blew his nose rather obtrusively. It was no matter to Severus and Mia, though, as they kissed each other full on the lips and then turned to face the crowd.
"It is my most extreme pleasure to present to you all Mr. And Mrs. Severus Snape." The music began again and the pair took it as their cue to march back up the aisle. As they did each person in the crowd released a snow white butterfly from the small glass enclosures that they had been held in, and by the time they reached the end of the aisle the couple found themselves fighting their way through a veritable forest of wings. It was over, done, and as she gazed into his eyes at the end of the courtyard, Mia could not have been happier to share Snape's name.