The next few days passed in a whirlwind for Hermione and Snape. Her things
had been moved back into their dungeon quarters and they spent time
organizing and setting things to rights. The crusty bachelor left over in
Snape found it very difficult to simply turn over control of his space to
his wife - although he admitted she had a much better sense for decorating
than he had. And the few spats they had over the allocation of territory
had led to rather rousing romps in their new, second-floor bedroom, so he
wasn't complaining *that* much. Almost overnight, their quarters had become
homey and comfortable - soft burgundies and burnished golds mixing with
tarnished silvers and forest greens against a backdrop of parchment-colored
walls.
It was beautiful and comfortable, he mused, the morning of New Year's Eve. He snuck a glance at Hermione as she sat at their dining table, breakfast ignored, and working on the puzzle that is his Dark Mark. Mornings and late nights were their time alone together, and so far, the castle's population had respected their unspoken wish for privacy. Afternoons were now spent with Harry, Ron and Dumbledore in the potions classroom, scouring ancient and new texts, testing new combinations and debating various theories of charms, potions and the Dark Arts. Harry, he had quickly come to realize, was very well-versed in the Dark Arts - and not just the lame "defense" of it that Hogwarts currently taught. Ron and Hermione were equally matched in their knowledge of charms and this led to several lively discussions of the spell that had surely activated the Dark Mark in the first place. He and Dumbledore spent most of their time bent over cauldrons and preparing ingredient after ingredient.
Hermione was itching to try her hand at brewing, but he had put his foot down about her breathing the noxious fumes while pregnant. That had led to a screaming fight which had then led to another late night escapade on Harry and Ron's desk, he recalled with a smile. 'But, I think I'll keep that revelation to myself,' he mused. 'I would hate to kill one of Hermione's best friends with the details.'
The fire popped and drew him out of his mental wanderings. He glanced at the clock on the mantle and cleared his throat.
"Hermione, love, it's time to meet our parents. The Hogwarts Express should be here in 20 minutes," he said, standing. "Ready?"
Hermione stretched and put down her quill. She stood and flicked her wand over the breakfast dishes and her work, sending them flying neatly to their places. With a final glance around the room, she walked to Snape, who was holding her winter cloak up for her. He turned her and fastened her cloak as if she were a child. Then, taking her chin in his hand, he brought her mouth to meet his for a long, gentle kiss.
"We might not get much time together over the next few days," he said, in explanation. "Unless you've gotten over your distaste for having sex in the room next to my parents."
"I think I know some silencing spells that might do the trick," she replied, smiling. "Besides, I asked Dumbledore to put our families up in the main part of the castle. They aren't actually staying with us."
"Thank Merlin," he said, hugging her. "Having to explain to your parents why a 40-year-old man who was your teacher until three months ago, is suddenly your husband and the father of your child is going to be difficult enough without wondering if they can hear us."
He paused, looking mischievous. "And I know how much you like to scream, love."
She swatted at him playfully as they left their rooms and made their way to the main doors.
"Let the torture begin," Snape said, feigning merriment.
"Let me remind you that this was *your* idea," she said.
"Oh - That's right," he said, sheepishly.
Several hours later, everyone's curiosity over the new-old couple was satisfied. Snape's parents were overjoyed to see her again and quickly accepted her back into the family. Hermione's mother and father had even marginally come around. At least, they had stopped glaring at Snape every time he looked at, touched or kissed their daughter. Old pictures had been passed around, the baby clothes and toys Snape gave her dutifully examined - sans an explanation of their origin, thankfully -- and Hermione's still- flat tummy had been patted by all, when a House Elf appeared to lead the group to the Great Hall and a late dinner.
The Great Hall's Christmas decorations had been stripped and a mass of flowers and candles replaced them. Hundreds of white candles danced underneath the starry sky and the floor was strewn with white rose petals beneath their feet. Giant topiaries of ivy stood in place of the Christmas trees and what looked like a garden of white roses covered the platform that the Head Table generally sat upon. The students had apparently been ushered out and to their Common Rooms to continue their New Year's celebrations, so it was empty and silent except for the groups shocked gasps and the faint sound of Pachelbel Canon playing softly in the background. The Snape and Granger families looked around in awe as Hermione and Snape looked for the culprits - finding them seated at the smaller round table, dressed in elegant white and gold, situated in the center of the room.
"Headmaster, Ron, Harry," nodded Snape as he pulled out chairs for his mother and Hermione. "I suppose this overabundance of flowers and blazing candles is your doing?"
Hermione swatted at his arm. She smiled at her two best friends and Headmaster, who were accompanied by Ginny Weasley, Poppy Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall.
"I think it is lovely," she said. "Thank you all."
"What is the occasion?" said Mrs. Snape, looking at her bemused son. "Surely, you didn't go to all this trouble just for us?"
Hermione looked at Snape expectantly. He smiled, took her hand and turned to look at their family and closest friends around the table.
"When Hermione returned after such a long absence, it was very difficult for me to adjust to being married yet again," he said. "Actually, difficult is an understatement considering the circumstances. So, I asked Hermione to renew our vows with me tonight at midnight to help me with the transition. She has graciously accepted my offer to become Hermione Snape one more time."
Hermione's mother's eyes filled with tears. She reached across the table and squeezed Snape's hand. He looked rather uncomfortable, but returned the gesture with a wary look in his eyes. 'An hour ago, she was shooting daggers at me with her eyes when I dared to put my hand on Hermione's knee,' he thought. He shook off his uncharitable thoughts.
"That is why we asked you to be here tonight," he continued. "We knew it would be important for our families to witness our second wedding, as well as our friends."
"In light of this announcement, I would like to propose a toast," interjected Dumbledore. "To family, friends and to true love!"
"To true love!" the assembled party chanted, clinking glasses happily. Only Snape caught the slightly sick, gagged expression on Ron's face before he chugged his champagne. He chuckled softly as he saw Ginny elbowing her brother in the ribs.
The House Elves had outdone themselves and when the small feast appeared suddenly on the table, even the experienced witches and wizards had to gasp. Caviar, lobster ravioli with vanilla essence, Filet Mignon stuffed with mushroom Brie, and a filet of beef renderloin with crab cakes appeared on the plates with a variety of vegetables. A carafe of white grape juice had settled in between Snape and Hermione and more bottles of champagne were scattered over the table.
Hermione immediately began to tuck in, her aggressive approach to the meal drawing more than a few amused glances from her husband and guests. Lively discussion accompanied their meal - everyone being careful not to mention the potential problems with Voldemort or Snape's Dark Mark around the sets of parents. The party lingered around the table, most of the guests taking seconds - but Snape could have sworn Hermione had thirds. Then the plates were cleared and a traditional wedding cake - beautifully simple with two round tiers - appeared in the place of the centerpiece. Despite the groans and protests that they were far too full to even contemplate eating any dessert, once Hermione and Snape stood to cut the cake with their wands, the slices were quickly consumed. The pleasant conversation continued as the party nursed drinks and coffee for another hour.
"I believe that it is nearing midnight," said Dumbledore, eye twinkling more than Snape had seen before. "Would our bride and groom like to have a few moments alone before we begin the renewal of their vows?"
Snape nodded and led his "bride" to the platform and amongst the flowers as their guests began to mill around in anticipation. He pulled Hermione behind a large topiary and kissed her soundly for several minutes, gently exploring her mouth with his tongue while his hands wandered slightly and made promises for the night to come. As he broke the kiss, he saw that she looked happy, but very tired. He smiled at her and decided to tease:
"How's my old lady?" he said, grinning evilly. "Are you feeling up to all this?"
Hermione didn't know whether to adore or hate him at that moment. As his hand dropped to caress her sensitive breast through her robes, however, she decided to adore him. She returned his evil grin and stood on tiptoe to whisper seductively in his ear:
"Well enough to break your nose if you call me that again, dearest," she said, then nipped at the lobe.
Moments later, they were standing in the roses in front of Dumbledore, surrounded by their family and friends. Hermione and Severus only had eyes for each other as they spoke vows that were vastly different from those at their original ceremony. Before, they had promised to love, honor, cherish and obey. Today, after all that had happened, they promised to be loyal, true, honest and trusting in their marriage, as well as an added vow of helping each other as they traveled down the road of parenthood. Not quite as romantic, Snape mused, but perfect for their lives as they now were.
Hermione and Snape were pronounced husband and wife yet again. Snape leaned down to kiss his young, rather delicate looking wife with a tenderness that made even Harry sniff. In his kiss, he told her that the seventeen years he spent alone were worth every moment, as long as he had her now. He told her how much he loved her and how much he worshipped the baby she was carrying. And he thanked her for not deserting him when the Dark Mark reappeared to disrupt their lives. Breaking the kiss after a minute, Hermione answered him with her eyes and one simple message breathed onto his cheek:
"I love you. I always will, Severus."
He knew it was true. And he knew that tomorrow the puzzle of the Dark Mark would take prominence in their lives again, that they would fall yet again into the routines inherent in being married and that life would go back to normal as they awaited their child. But tonight, she was his bride and he planned to make the rest of the night perfect. After the round of kisses and hugs that followed their vows, he picked her up and romantically swept her away to their home in the dungeons, to claim his bride once again as his own.
It was beautiful and comfortable, he mused, the morning of New Year's Eve. He snuck a glance at Hermione as she sat at their dining table, breakfast ignored, and working on the puzzle that is his Dark Mark. Mornings and late nights were their time alone together, and so far, the castle's population had respected their unspoken wish for privacy. Afternoons were now spent with Harry, Ron and Dumbledore in the potions classroom, scouring ancient and new texts, testing new combinations and debating various theories of charms, potions and the Dark Arts. Harry, he had quickly come to realize, was very well-versed in the Dark Arts - and not just the lame "defense" of it that Hogwarts currently taught. Ron and Hermione were equally matched in their knowledge of charms and this led to several lively discussions of the spell that had surely activated the Dark Mark in the first place. He and Dumbledore spent most of their time bent over cauldrons and preparing ingredient after ingredient.
Hermione was itching to try her hand at brewing, but he had put his foot down about her breathing the noxious fumes while pregnant. That had led to a screaming fight which had then led to another late night escapade on Harry and Ron's desk, he recalled with a smile. 'But, I think I'll keep that revelation to myself,' he mused. 'I would hate to kill one of Hermione's best friends with the details.'
The fire popped and drew him out of his mental wanderings. He glanced at the clock on the mantle and cleared his throat.
"Hermione, love, it's time to meet our parents. The Hogwarts Express should be here in 20 minutes," he said, standing. "Ready?"
Hermione stretched and put down her quill. She stood and flicked her wand over the breakfast dishes and her work, sending them flying neatly to their places. With a final glance around the room, she walked to Snape, who was holding her winter cloak up for her. He turned her and fastened her cloak as if she were a child. Then, taking her chin in his hand, he brought her mouth to meet his for a long, gentle kiss.
"We might not get much time together over the next few days," he said, in explanation. "Unless you've gotten over your distaste for having sex in the room next to my parents."
"I think I know some silencing spells that might do the trick," she replied, smiling. "Besides, I asked Dumbledore to put our families up in the main part of the castle. They aren't actually staying with us."
"Thank Merlin," he said, hugging her. "Having to explain to your parents why a 40-year-old man who was your teacher until three months ago, is suddenly your husband and the father of your child is going to be difficult enough without wondering if they can hear us."
He paused, looking mischievous. "And I know how much you like to scream, love."
She swatted at him playfully as they left their rooms and made their way to the main doors.
"Let the torture begin," Snape said, feigning merriment.
"Let me remind you that this was *your* idea," she said.
"Oh - That's right," he said, sheepishly.
Several hours later, everyone's curiosity over the new-old couple was satisfied. Snape's parents were overjoyed to see her again and quickly accepted her back into the family. Hermione's mother and father had even marginally come around. At least, they had stopped glaring at Snape every time he looked at, touched or kissed their daughter. Old pictures had been passed around, the baby clothes and toys Snape gave her dutifully examined - sans an explanation of their origin, thankfully -- and Hermione's still- flat tummy had been patted by all, when a House Elf appeared to lead the group to the Great Hall and a late dinner.
The Great Hall's Christmas decorations had been stripped and a mass of flowers and candles replaced them. Hundreds of white candles danced underneath the starry sky and the floor was strewn with white rose petals beneath their feet. Giant topiaries of ivy stood in place of the Christmas trees and what looked like a garden of white roses covered the platform that the Head Table generally sat upon. The students had apparently been ushered out and to their Common Rooms to continue their New Year's celebrations, so it was empty and silent except for the groups shocked gasps and the faint sound of Pachelbel Canon playing softly in the background. The Snape and Granger families looked around in awe as Hermione and Snape looked for the culprits - finding them seated at the smaller round table, dressed in elegant white and gold, situated in the center of the room.
"Headmaster, Ron, Harry," nodded Snape as he pulled out chairs for his mother and Hermione. "I suppose this overabundance of flowers and blazing candles is your doing?"
Hermione swatted at his arm. She smiled at her two best friends and Headmaster, who were accompanied by Ginny Weasley, Poppy Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall.
"I think it is lovely," she said. "Thank you all."
"What is the occasion?" said Mrs. Snape, looking at her bemused son. "Surely, you didn't go to all this trouble just for us?"
Hermione looked at Snape expectantly. He smiled, took her hand and turned to look at their family and closest friends around the table.
"When Hermione returned after such a long absence, it was very difficult for me to adjust to being married yet again," he said. "Actually, difficult is an understatement considering the circumstances. So, I asked Hermione to renew our vows with me tonight at midnight to help me with the transition. She has graciously accepted my offer to become Hermione Snape one more time."
Hermione's mother's eyes filled with tears. She reached across the table and squeezed Snape's hand. He looked rather uncomfortable, but returned the gesture with a wary look in his eyes. 'An hour ago, she was shooting daggers at me with her eyes when I dared to put my hand on Hermione's knee,' he thought. He shook off his uncharitable thoughts.
"That is why we asked you to be here tonight," he continued. "We knew it would be important for our families to witness our second wedding, as well as our friends."
"In light of this announcement, I would like to propose a toast," interjected Dumbledore. "To family, friends and to true love!"
"To true love!" the assembled party chanted, clinking glasses happily. Only Snape caught the slightly sick, gagged expression on Ron's face before he chugged his champagne. He chuckled softly as he saw Ginny elbowing her brother in the ribs.
The House Elves had outdone themselves and when the small feast appeared suddenly on the table, even the experienced witches and wizards had to gasp. Caviar, lobster ravioli with vanilla essence, Filet Mignon stuffed with mushroom Brie, and a filet of beef renderloin with crab cakes appeared on the plates with a variety of vegetables. A carafe of white grape juice had settled in between Snape and Hermione and more bottles of champagne were scattered over the table.
Hermione immediately began to tuck in, her aggressive approach to the meal drawing more than a few amused glances from her husband and guests. Lively discussion accompanied their meal - everyone being careful not to mention the potential problems with Voldemort or Snape's Dark Mark around the sets of parents. The party lingered around the table, most of the guests taking seconds - but Snape could have sworn Hermione had thirds. Then the plates were cleared and a traditional wedding cake - beautifully simple with two round tiers - appeared in the place of the centerpiece. Despite the groans and protests that they were far too full to even contemplate eating any dessert, once Hermione and Snape stood to cut the cake with their wands, the slices were quickly consumed. The pleasant conversation continued as the party nursed drinks and coffee for another hour.
"I believe that it is nearing midnight," said Dumbledore, eye twinkling more than Snape had seen before. "Would our bride and groom like to have a few moments alone before we begin the renewal of their vows?"
Snape nodded and led his "bride" to the platform and amongst the flowers as their guests began to mill around in anticipation. He pulled Hermione behind a large topiary and kissed her soundly for several minutes, gently exploring her mouth with his tongue while his hands wandered slightly and made promises for the night to come. As he broke the kiss, he saw that she looked happy, but very tired. He smiled at her and decided to tease:
"How's my old lady?" he said, grinning evilly. "Are you feeling up to all this?"
Hermione didn't know whether to adore or hate him at that moment. As his hand dropped to caress her sensitive breast through her robes, however, she decided to adore him. She returned his evil grin and stood on tiptoe to whisper seductively in his ear:
"Well enough to break your nose if you call me that again, dearest," she said, then nipped at the lobe.
Moments later, they were standing in the roses in front of Dumbledore, surrounded by their family and friends. Hermione and Severus only had eyes for each other as they spoke vows that were vastly different from those at their original ceremony. Before, they had promised to love, honor, cherish and obey. Today, after all that had happened, they promised to be loyal, true, honest and trusting in their marriage, as well as an added vow of helping each other as they traveled down the road of parenthood. Not quite as romantic, Snape mused, but perfect for their lives as they now were.
Hermione and Snape were pronounced husband and wife yet again. Snape leaned down to kiss his young, rather delicate looking wife with a tenderness that made even Harry sniff. In his kiss, he told her that the seventeen years he spent alone were worth every moment, as long as he had her now. He told her how much he loved her and how much he worshipped the baby she was carrying. And he thanked her for not deserting him when the Dark Mark reappeared to disrupt their lives. Breaking the kiss after a minute, Hermione answered him with her eyes and one simple message breathed onto his cheek:
"I love you. I always will, Severus."
He knew it was true. And he knew that tomorrow the puzzle of the Dark Mark would take prominence in their lives again, that they would fall yet again into the routines inherent in being married and that life would go back to normal as they awaited their child. But tonight, she was his bride and he planned to make the rest of the night perfect. After the round of kisses and hugs that followed their vows, he picked her up and romantically swept her away to their home in the dungeons, to claim his bride once again as his own.