Harry and Ron looked at Hermione, their breaths catching in their throats. She looked like a princess, floating down the aisle. Next to them sat a weeping Mrs Granger. Hermione had already told them that her mother got a tiny bit 'emotional' at times, especially weddings. Understatement of the year, Harry thought, grinning. Mrs Granger was a lovely woman and always had time for the 'Dream Team' to tell her of their adventures at Hogwarts.
Mr Granger, a tall man with sparse, hair that was going silver, was walking next to his little girl. He looked like he was bursting with pride. It was easy to see that Hermione as a Daddy's girl. She had always gone to her father before her mother for most requests when she had been a child.
Hermione Granger was looking resplendent to say the absolute least. Hired beauticians had done such a good job that Ron was almost kicking himself for wasting all those years with petty arguments. Now he saw her for what she really was. Hermione's hair had become a frame of tamed curls; an uneasy medium between bushy and straight because keeping the balance was a job only for magic. She wore a golden gown after flatly refusing white.
"I know it wasn't my fault Voldemort did what he did, but there is no use lying or hiding the fact." Hermione had told them the day she had tried on dresses. "White is for innocent girls who believe that their man is a dashing prince. Now, Severus is a dashing prince, but that is beside the point." Her grin remained on her face for the entire day.
Her character was almost normal, if you did not pay attention to the fact that she often stared out at space. As well as conveniently forgetting, that she did not hear some of your comments. The worst was how she sometimes she held her head in just a way that it looked as if she was hiding from someone. At least her red cloak was at the bottom of her wardrobe.
Hermione and her dad had made their way to the bottom of the aisle. Professor Snape stood there, looking almost as nervous as the bride did. He was wearing smart new robes of black, but with silver trim. Ron had nearly passed out when he had seen it. His exact words had been "Bloody hell, the git does have something other than solid black!"
Dumbledore smiled at the couple, his old face creasing into even more wrinkles. Hermione could hardly hear him because of the blood rushing in her ears. Her heart was like a drum, beating so loud in her chest that some part of her mind hoped that no one heard her. She looked at Severus and saw his lips moving. Did he just say, "I do?" Better pay attention, girl!
"Hermione Granger, this man is protesting his greatest love and respect for you. Do you swear you will love and respect him for as long as you remain together?" Dumbledore said in a solemn voice, waking her out of her daze.
"I do." Her eyes met Severus' and she smiled.
"May you two bask in the mutual trust and devotion you share for each other. You may kiss the bride."
Severus hesitated slightly before kissing Hermione lightly. When they drew back, she had to bite her lip because she really hated having to put a damper on their special day because of a little bit of trepidation on her part.
Music began playing as they walked back up the aisle and to some chairs on a dais. Hermione held his hand and said softly: "I'm sorry."
"What for, Hermione?" Severus was truly puzzled.
"For making our first kiss as husband and wife rather...bland." She made a face which made him chuckle deep in his throat.
"It wasn't bland. It was extraordinary, especially since it was with you. And, it isn't your fault you are still a little uncomfortable with that sort of thing."
As they sat down, Hermione grumbled: "How on earth did I get someone as understanding like you?"
"I'm asking myself the same question, sweetheart."
Harry and Ginny (who had been going out unofficially for at least a month now) came over and took their seats next to Hermione. Ron sat next to his sister, trying not to look as pale as Severus did.
"You guys are such the cute... handsomest couple!" Ginny squealed, almost forgetting to whom she was talking.
"Thanks Ginny." Hermione smiled at her best friend. Her foot pressed down on Severus' in warning.
"Thanks Miss Weasley." Professor Snape said, trying his best scowl on his wife but only coming up with a mild frown. He noticed the food in front of them and suddenly started piling up Hermione's plate.
"Severus, I won't eat all that."
"You had bloody well better. You, my dear, are far too weak. Eat, eat, you're skin and bones!"
Harry, Ron, Ginny and Hermione stifled laughter, reminded dreadfully of Mrs Weasley.
"Yes, mother." Hermione said acidly, shoveling food in her mouth.
For a few moments there was a pleasant silence, as they tasted the food, some of which was rather exotic, and enjoyed the company of those around them. Ginny, however, could not be quiet for long.
"Severus," She began, letting the name slide along her tongue, knowing that having a student use his first name would irk him. "How on earth did you and Hermione fall in love?"
Hermione grinned into her champagne.
"Are you trying to suggest, Miss Weasley, that it is an unlikely pairing?" His voice was deadly calm.
"Unlikely, yes. But are a perfect match." Ginny was a very smooth talker.
"Very well." Severus took a deep swallow of the vintage wine and began telling the tale of how Hermione and he had fallen in love.
"I already had a crush on Severus. His silky voice made my skin tingle." Hermione admitted frankly, enjoying a delightful pastry.
"There is no way in hell that I am going to say that I lusted after you before I saw you under a different light." He gave her a shrug as an unwarranted apology. "That would have been a new low; lusting after a student. Even an intelligent, sexy student such as yourself." His devilish grin made her laugh.
"Please, go on." Hermione said dryly.
"Professor, you were trying to tell the tale of how you fell in love. Not flirting with 'Mione!" Ginny exclaimed, in her irritation forgetting that she could call him Severus and not be punished…too severely.
"Hermione had written a particularly fascinating report on the magical powers of plants based on the chemical make up of them."
"Riveting stuff." Ron announced sarcastically.
"Shut up Ron." Ginny threw a pea at him and laughed as he stuck his tongue out at her. She turned back to the Potion Master who had cleared his throat loudly.
"I told Professor Dumbledore that Hermione was an exceptional student, and to say that anybody is correct is a hard thing for me to say. The Headmaster was not surprised by this and said that I should ask her to do some more difficult studies. I wanted to see if it was merely a fluke, so I gave Hermione something that had been nearly impossible to find. How did ancient wizards find out that certain objects had their qualities. There were almost no books whatsoever about it...that I could find.
"Of course, my darling Hermione pulled through for me and had written in invisible ink at the bottom of the research that she had a crush on me. Naturally I did not know it was there, but by accident, or perhaps fate, I spilt some Show-All potion on it. I was not worried about the actual research, more on the loss of the potion.
"Next Potions lesson I held her back, showing her the hidden message and you should have seen the color of the blush. Something quite akin to your proud Gryffindor red, I believe. Hermione told me that, yes, she did have a crush on me and was not ashamed of it. I was...stunned...to say the very least. Suddenly, there was a gorgeous seventh year in front of my desk, telling me that she liked my intelligence and, however sardonic, my wit. For once my mouth moved faster than my brain and I was asking her to accompany me on a walk.
"Soon it was a daily occurrence, walking and talking about nothing and everything. I grew accustomed to her and soon let myself like her. Unfortunately, it took almost losing her to realize how much I loved her." Severus finished, kissing Hermione unexpectedly.
"Aww." Ginny said before punching Harry in the arm. "Why don't you ever say anything like that about me?"
"Oh," Harry straightened his glasses. "I do, right Ron?"
Ron frowned then, far too late to be of any use, nodded. "'Course he does, Ginny!"
After dinner, a photo session and the couple receiving gifts from the guests, they retired to their rooms where their luggage was waiting for them.
"Is it our honeymoon already?" Hermione asked, rather shocked by the news.
"Why, yes, my dear." He looked at her. "You still want to go, right? I can cancel."
She shook her head. "No, we have to go on a honeymoon." She sounded very determined. Damn that Gryffindor inside her!, Snape thought, shaking his head with exasperation.
"We want to go to the Leaky Cauldron, ok?" He gave her a pinch of Floo Powder and watched as she followed his directions.
Severus threw some Floo Powder in himself, as well as the bags. Entering the warm flames, he said confidently "The Leaky Cauldron."
A/N: Big thanks to Shelly, Luke and Sir Crig ;) who are in quality control now. You guys are too good to me.