Chapter 19

Things were going well for Tara. She was teaching her section on computer science, working on the web site, and spending her evenings and weekends with Severus. They realized their romance had moved quickly; they had only known each other 6 months and they were engaged, but that's what long engagements were for.

Friday or Saturday night one would always cook for the other, and they would spend the night together. They were discreet about it for the students' sake.

The wedding was going to be at the Palace of the Clouds, where most magical people preferred to be married. It was literally in the clouds and only accessible by broomstick.

One Saturday, Severus took Tara to Diagon Alley to go to a wedding outfitter, Madame Poindexter, to talk about their attire, arrangements, and the like.

"Have you decided on what you would wear? Since you are a muggle, do you want to go with a muggle look?" she asked, peering through her spectacles down her long, pointed nose. As far as most of their world was concerned, Tara was a muggle; they hadn't said otherwise.

"I'm not sure. I haven't thought at all about what to wear - I don't know what is traditional for this kind of wedding. Have you thought about it?" Tara asked Severus, who shook his head.

"I thought we should both decide, since it's our day," he told her, and then looked to Madame Poindexter. "Go ahead," he said. Go ahead and what, Tara wondered. Madame Poindexter fished a wand out of her drawer and Severus stood in front of a three way mirror.

She waved the wand and POOF. Severus was dressed in all white flowing robes. "No," Tara and Severus said, together. Another wave, and Severus was in emerald green knickers with a long coat with tails. "Oh God," Tara exclaimed. Severus made a face. "Nice legs though," she teased. Different colors were tried next, but the knickers had to go.

"What about this..." POOF! Severus was in a muggle black tux, red cummerbund, looking very handsome but it didn't suit him.

"Anything but this," he said.

"I think it looks nice -- but it's not you is it?" Madame Poindexer commented, taking the words out of Tara's mouth. Another wave, and he was in black, velvet robes, with royal blue at his cuffs and collar.

"Ooooh I like that!" Tara said. It fit. "Nice and dark and moody. Just like my man!!" Madame Poindexter smiled, amazed at what this young woman could get away with. Professor Snape must really care for her to let her say such things, she thought to herself. He had quite the reputation for intolerance.

"Now, for you, my dear," she began, then turned to Severus. "Will you excuse us? It's bad luck for you to see her wedding gown," she told him.

"Some things are the same as in my world then," Tara observed. "Some," Madame Poindexter replied. She led Tara into another room and set of mirrors, and they tried different combinations that would match what they had chosen for Severus. A royal blue flowing gown with a 7 foot train was the winner. Madame Poindexter accompanied Tara back out to where Severus was waiting.

"Your attire will be ready in about 3 months, and you'll need to come in for fittings. I'll send an owl to let you know when they are finished," Madame Poindexter said, writing up the order.

They left her shop, and Severus gave Tara a tour of Diagon Alley. Tara had never been to Diagon Alley but had heard about it. She was fascinated.

"Do you think I'll ever have any powers of significant use?" she asked, sighing. She felt envious of everything she was observing.

"I've heard of it happening, we can work on it, if you'd like," he said.

"Do you think it'll do any good? I don't even have a wand!"

"We can change that. Olivander's is just up ahead," he said, pointing to a shop a few doors down.

"Olivander's?"

"That's where we get our wands," he said, "he's been in the business for centuries. Do you want to give it a shot?"

"Why not."

They walked to the shop, and Severus opened the door. The shop was dusty and shelves lined the walls holding long thin boxes. An elderly man came out from the back to greet them.

"Severus! I understand that you are going to be married, congratulations!" he said, greeting him.

"Thank you. This is my fiance, Tara."

"Oh! It is so wonderful that someone finally got through to Severus, here. He's been a tough nut to crack, as you muggles say!" he said, clasping her hand. "So what can I do for you?"

"Do you remember Thor Beringer?" Severus asked.

"Thor Beringer--oh yes. He was married to a muggle, charming lady--they had a daughter, I think, who never showed any indication of powers--"

"Yes. I'm Thor Beringer's daughter," Tara said. Severus took Tara's left hand and showed Olivander the swirling Atlantis Opal.

"Oh! And you are here to get your first wand. A late bloomer!" he said, breaking into a wide, toothy grin. "But all of the tabloids and news -- nothing is mentioned about her being Thor's daughter--"

"Well, we're not telling everyone. I don't want anyone to expect me to start being able to do great magical things," Tara explained.

"But you do great magical things with those computers at Hogwart's," Severus pointed out.

"Yes, yes. I've heard about that," Olivander said. "Your secret's safe with me."

"I want to see if anything can be developed; I'm about 27 years late here but..." she began. Olivander turned to her, still smiling. "You never know!" he said.

Olivander disappeared to the back and came out with a long, thin box. "Try this one," he said, taking a light colored wooden wand out of the velvet-lined box. He handed it to her. She looked at Severus.

"Go ahead," he said.

"I don't know what I'm doing!" Tara said. "Wave it, dear," Severus said.

Tara made a motion, towards Olivander, and there was a huge explosion. Tara shrieked and dropped the wand. Where Olivander had stood, there was a large, yellow tabby cat instead. "OH MY GOD!" she said. Severus took out his wand, muttered "Reversio--" and another poof. Olivander was back. "Well that certainly isn't the right one," he said. Tara picked up the wand and very carefully and slowly laid it on the counter. She was trembling. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," she said to Severus. "Nonsense. We have to figure out which is the correct wand for you," Olivander said.

He selected another, and handed it to her. She was scared to wave it, so made sure she waved it away from anyone. This time, a stream of large, irridescent soap bubbles drifted from the end of it, popping against the walls and in midair. "Oooh that is nice!" she cooed.

"Not strong enough," Olivander remarked.

They went through several more. Something like roman candles shot out of one and Tara screamed when the ceiling was briefly on fire before Severus gave a counter curse to extinguish the flames. Another took out the plate glass window in the front of the shop. Still another suddenly dressed Severus in a pair of tight black jeans and a USA T-shirt, and a black leather, studded motorcycle jacket. Tara was amused. "Oooh, Sev--don't you look hot!" she commented. "I guess I was thinking of all of the different outfits Madame Poindexter was putting you in!" she said with a giggle. Severus looked down at what he was wearing and made a face. It obviously still wasn't the right wand for he if it was picking up background thoughts. Olivander countered the spell, and Severus was back in his black robes in a flash. "Damn, I liked that," Tara said. Severus frowned, but was fighting a smile. She was having fun, but he hoped she would not turn him into a fluffy bunny rabbit. After about a half hour, Tara was feeling defeated. "I'm a danger to myself and others," she said wearily. "Perhaps I should wait--" then Olivander suddenly paused. "Wait! I have just the one!"

Again, he disappeared, and returned with a small wand. This one was translucent royal blue. It was beautiful. "Is this a 'just for show' wand?" Tara asked. "Just try it," Olivander encouraged her. Tara bit her lip and looked up at Severus. "I hope you don't end up in mugglewear again, not that you didn't look delicious in it," she commented, and picked up the wand. The wand began vibrating in her hand at a high frequency and illuminated.

"That's it! We found it!" Olivander exclaimed, pleased. "I knew I'd find you the right one!" It felt like she was holding something with some sort of gyroscopic action inside it. It was like nothing she had ever felt.

"Look at her eyes!" Olivander remarked. Tara's eyes were like saucers. Finally, she put it down in the box, and smiled. She took out her money to pay for it, but Severus stopped her.

"This is my gift to you," he said, plunking some gold coins out on the counter. "Now we'll have to work on your skills, make sure you don't turn me into a lamp or something," he said, using her old fear as a private joke between them.

They said good day to Olivander and left the shop, and went to a pub. They grabbed a corner table and had a goblet of wine together.

"This sure is a trippy place, Sev," Tara said.

"I guess to someone who hasn't been exposed to us for long, it is. Are you happy?" he asked her.

"Happier than I've ever been," Tara said. They stole a quick kiss in the darkened corner of the pub. "Now promise me you won't go waving that wand around until you've had proper instruction," Severus warned her.

"After all of that? How could I think otherwise! I was getting scared!"

"Well get your power evened out so you can at least light candles with it."

"Think so? I'm afraid I might start a major fire."

"Fortunately, the castle is made of stone," Severus commented...