Chapter 5: Love United
"Where are we?" Pyretta asked Severus.
They were standing in front of an old but grand, castle-like estate. The lawn was very well kept. Rose bushes lined a gravel-stone walkway, a large water fountain splashed noisily a few feet ahead.
"This is my home, "Snape Manor". It's been in my family as far back as anyone can remember. I'm the only one who occupies it now, well, me and a few house elves." He explained.
They made their way to the front of the manor. "Lady's first." Severus said as he opened the large door. Pyretta stepped inside of a parlor and saw Dumbledore and two people she did not recognize.
"Pyretta my dear," Dumbledore walked over and embraced her as if she were his own daughter. "I've been so worried for you, Severus told me everything."
Severus walked in and greeted Dumbledore and then looked over to the other guest in his home.
Pyretta could tell right away by the sour expression on his face that he wasn't to happy with them being there. She looked over at them, they were a young man and woman, both looked to be about Severus' age.
The man was tall with untidy, short, jet-black hair and wore glasses. The woman was a bit shorter with long, blondish-brown hair and she had brilliant green eyes. Pyretta could tell by the woman's large belly that she was with child.
"Ah, we can't very well have a wedding without a best man and maid of honor, now can we?" Dumbledore said lightly looking over at Severus' face. "Pyretta allow me to introduce you to James and Lilly Potter. They both attended school with Severus."
Lilly Potter rushed over to Pyretta and greeted her.
"It's so good to meet you." Her voice was warm. "Albus has told us all about you. Excuse us gentleman, but the bride must get prepared." She swept Pyretta up a grand staircase.
"Be careful going up the stairs Lil." James yelled.
Once they were on the second floor, they walked down a beautifully decorated hallway. Different pictures of witches and wizards (whom Pyretta assumed were Severus' ancestors) hung on the wall (one of which was muttering in his sleep about the price of unicorn horns, "Well in my day they were only 5 Sickles!").
Lilly opened the door to a large bedroom, Pyretta could tell from the decor that this was Severus' room. It was done in black and silver, his two favorite colors. Long, heavy, black velvet drapes hung from the windows and fell to the black carpet. A fire burned the room warm from an ivory fireplace. A large painting hung above it, it was of Severus when he was younger (about 16 years old) and he was standing over a juvenile dragon which he appeared to have just slain.
There was a king size, silver frame, four post bed, with black velvet curtains suspended from the top frame. Laying on top of the sea of black that was his bed, an exquisite white dress (with matching robe) stood out.
"I hope you like it." Lilly watched Pyretta eyeing the dress. "I picked it out myself."
"It's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen." Pyretta said breathlessly.
"Well, come on, lets get it on you!" Lilly said excitedly. "You don't mind me being in the room while you change, do you?"
"No, I'm not shy at all. Besides I haven't got anything you haven't seen already." Pyretta joked. "So if I may ask, how far along are you?"
"I'm due in about a month. I'll be so glad when I'm able to see my feet again!"
"Any idea on what the baby is going to be?" Pyretta asked.
"Um, I'm thinking a boy, although I wouldn't say no to a girl. James says that he doesn't care as long as he or she is healthy, but I think he really wants a boy."
"I guess that's the way it always is, mother wants her girl and father wants his boy." Pyretta laughed. She pulled the dress over her head and adjusted it (Lilly buttoned the back for her). "So you went to Hogwarts with Severus?"
"Yes, we were all in the same year. As I'm sure you could tell by the daggers in their eyes, James and Severus didn't like each other much."
"Why?" Pyretta asked turning to face her.
"Oh you know, silly, childish, school boy reasons." Lilly's eyes fell to the ground.
Pyretta had a feeling that one of those reasons had to do with Lilly. She thought about asking but decided she rather not know.
"Please don't be offended or anything, but how did you turn out so nice having a father like you do?" Lilly asked helping Pyretta into her robe.
"No offense taken, I had a very loving mother." Pyretta said matter-of- factly.
"I hope I'll be a good a mother as yours."
That last comment had made Pyretta smile, she was really starting to like Lilly.
"May I do your hair?" She asked holding her wand to Pyretta's head.
Pyretta nodded.
Lilly said a few words and Pyretta felt her hair start to move and twist to the top of her head. When it was done Lilly picked up an exquisite diamond tiara off the bed and fixed it in Pyretta's hair.
"There, that should do it!" Lilly took a few steps back from Pyretta. "I think Severus will fall to the floor when he sees you! Go have a look in the mirror, go on." Lilly lead her to a full length silver mirror.
Pyretta could hardly believe her eyes. Her reflection was not the of a seventeen year old girl but a woman in silvery-white wedding gown about to marry her true love.
"Something is missing." Lilly paused "You don't need any make-up for certain, but something. oh yes, how could I ever have forgotten?!? Bouquettias Rosia."
A gorgeous bouquet of white roses appeared in Pyretta's hands.
"Perfect, if I do say so myself, what do you think?" Lilly asked.
Tears welded up in Pyretta's eyes as she starred at herself. "I think perfect is the only way to describe it. I can't believe this is really happening!"
"Severus has not had an easy life, you are the best thing to happen to him. Wait a minute, I almost jinxed the whole thing!! We still need something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!" Lilly started to think. "Well, lets see. something new. the dress,. something borrowed," Lilly took off a gold bracelet and slipped it around Pyretta's wrist. "Something old.,"
"I do have something old." Pyretta showed her a gold locket on a gold chain around her neck. The name "Serenity" was engraved on it. "It was my mothers."
"So all we need is something blue." Lilly waved her wand at Pyretta bouquet and made one of the white roses turn a silvery-blue. "Well we better get down stairs, they're probably wondering what's taking us so long, you know how men are!"
Pyretta followed Lilly down stairs and into the parlor, James was the only one in there now.
"Well it's about time, we were about to send a search party up there, honestly!" James teased. "Now Pyretta are you sure you want to go through with this, because I have a really good friend named Sirius and."
"James, stop it!" Lilly gave him a disapproving look.
"I was only pulling her cord Lil. She knows I was only joking, don't you love?"
"Sure, whatever you say." Lilly was eyeing him suspiciously. "Come on lets get a move on, which room are they in?"
"Over here." James said walking to set of double-doors on their left hand side. He grabbed one of the door handles and was about to open it, when he turned back to Pyretta, "Are you certain you want to marry Severus, I mean."
"James!" Lilly said in a warning voice. "Are you ready Pyretta?" she said softer.
"Yes, definitely!" She was shaking a bit out of anticipation.
"All right then." James opened one of the doors and they entered the room.
It was a large, beautiful sitting room, decorated much like the rest of the manor. The antique furniture was moved to the sides of the room. A lovely Persian rug lay on the floor. Candles were lit here and there but the main light came from a fire burning in a stone fireplace opposite them. Dumbledore and Severus were standing in front of it. Severus' jaw nearly hit the ground when he saw Pyretta.
"Shall we began?" Dumbledore asked.
Severus' eyes didn't leave Pyretta as she walked over by the fire next to him. Lilly took her place on the other side of Pyretta, James stood next to Severus and Dumbledore stood facing them.
Pyretta was just thinking how majestic Severus looked in his silver and black robes when Dumbledore began the ceremony.
"We are here tonight to unite Ms. Pyretta Aurora Riddle and Mr. Severus Ashton Snape in the loving bond that is matrimony." He started.
Pyretta starred lovingly into Severus' eyes as Dumbledore spoke. She felt like pinching herself to make sure it wasn't a dream.
"Pyretta, do you promise to love and honor Severus, and to keep him in your heart always?" Dumbledore asked.
"I do." Pyretta said breathlessly.
Dumbledore turned to Severus. "Severus, do you promise to love and honor Pyretta, and to keep her in your heart always?"
"I do." Severus' voice was quivering.
"The rings if you please." Dumbledore said to Lilly and James.
Lilly handed Pyretta a platinum ring with a single diamond in the middle. Her hand was shaking as she slipped the band around Severus' left ring finger. She was relieved to see that Severus was also shaking as he put a ring around her finger. She looked down at it. It too was platinum, with three raised heart shaped diamonds.
Dumbledore began to speak again. "Let no one take away what has been done. Let your love stand united, no matter what may come. Severus and Pyretta, I am honored to pronounce you husband and wife. Severus you may now kiss your bride."
Severus wasted no time sweeping Pyretta into his arms and kissing her.
"Well," Dumbledore started, his eyes twinkling at them. "I think we should take our leave now and let the newly-weds be alone." He said to the Potters.
Severus and Pyretta stopped kissing (reluctantly ) and showed them to the front door. Dumbledore and the Potters gave their congratulations and left.
"I can't believe this is happening!" Pyretta said happily. "It feels like a dream."
"Well if it is a dream, my love, I pray I never wake up. We're going to have a time keeping this a secret, lets hope those damn Potters keep their mouths shut!"
"That wasn't very nice, Lilly and James helped us out."
"Be that as it may, trust me, you don't know them like I do! Lets not waste anymore of our time worrying about them, this is our time." Severus picked Pyretta up as if she didn't weigh more then a pound and carried her in his arms upstairs.
A few hours later, Pyretta apparated in front of her father's estate. She didn't want to leave Severus, but both agreed that it would be best if she went back alone. She removed her ring and hid it well. It was a good thing she knew the layout of the house so well because it was still very dark. She made it to her room and quietly entered. Only one candle was lit in the room and Lucius Malfoy was sitting in a chair. snoring!
Even though Pyretta was in a good mood, a cruel streak came over her. Slowly she inched her way over to where Lucius was sleeping until she was right in front of him. She bent down a little so that her face was a few inches away from his, and then.
"LUCIUS, WAKE UP!" she growled in a voice much like her fathers.
Lucius' eyes popped open, he yelped as he jumped so high, Pyretta could have sworn that his head hit the ceiling. Pyretta fell back laughing.
"DAMN IT PYRETTA!!!! What the hell are you trying to do, give me a bloody heart attack?"
"Yeah, did it work?" Pyretta said still laughing.
"Bloody almost!" Lucius was trying to collect himself. "So, did you go through with it?"
Pyretta smiled and took out her ring to show him.
"Okay, you can put that thing away now! I swear you're both crazy!"
"Crazy, in love, what's the difference?!?"
"Obviously not much." Lucius sat back down. "I think I'll go back to sleep, I've had enough excitement for one night!"
"Good night Lucius." Pyretta taunted, "oh by the way, you snore!"
"Oh shut up and go to bed!"
"Where are we?" Pyretta asked Severus.
They were standing in front of an old but grand, castle-like estate. The lawn was very well kept. Rose bushes lined a gravel-stone walkway, a large water fountain splashed noisily a few feet ahead.
"This is my home, "Snape Manor". It's been in my family as far back as anyone can remember. I'm the only one who occupies it now, well, me and a few house elves." He explained.
They made their way to the front of the manor. "Lady's first." Severus said as he opened the large door. Pyretta stepped inside of a parlor and saw Dumbledore and two people she did not recognize.
"Pyretta my dear," Dumbledore walked over and embraced her as if she were his own daughter. "I've been so worried for you, Severus told me everything."
Severus walked in and greeted Dumbledore and then looked over to the other guest in his home.
Pyretta could tell right away by the sour expression on his face that he wasn't to happy with them being there. She looked over at them, they were a young man and woman, both looked to be about Severus' age.
The man was tall with untidy, short, jet-black hair and wore glasses. The woman was a bit shorter with long, blondish-brown hair and she had brilliant green eyes. Pyretta could tell by the woman's large belly that she was with child.
"Ah, we can't very well have a wedding without a best man and maid of honor, now can we?" Dumbledore said lightly looking over at Severus' face. "Pyretta allow me to introduce you to James and Lilly Potter. They both attended school with Severus."
Lilly Potter rushed over to Pyretta and greeted her.
"It's so good to meet you." Her voice was warm. "Albus has told us all about you. Excuse us gentleman, but the bride must get prepared." She swept Pyretta up a grand staircase.
"Be careful going up the stairs Lil." James yelled.
Once they were on the second floor, they walked down a beautifully decorated hallway. Different pictures of witches and wizards (whom Pyretta assumed were Severus' ancestors) hung on the wall (one of which was muttering in his sleep about the price of unicorn horns, "Well in my day they were only 5 Sickles!").
Lilly opened the door to a large bedroom, Pyretta could tell from the decor that this was Severus' room. It was done in black and silver, his two favorite colors. Long, heavy, black velvet drapes hung from the windows and fell to the black carpet. A fire burned the room warm from an ivory fireplace. A large painting hung above it, it was of Severus when he was younger (about 16 years old) and he was standing over a juvenile dragon which he appeared to have just slain.
There was a king size, silver frame, four post bed, with black velvet curtains suspended from the top frame. Laying on top of the sea of black that was his bed, an exquisite white dress (with matching robe) stood out.
"I hope you like it." Lilly watched Pyretta eyeing the dress. "I picked it out myself."
"It's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen." Pyretta said breathlessly.
"Well, come on, lets get it on you!" Lilly said excitedly. "You don't mind me being in the room while you change, do you?"
"No, I'm not shy at all. Besides I haven't got anything you haven't seen already." Pyretta joked. "So if I may ask, how far along are you?"
"I'm due in about a month. I'll be so glad when I'm able to see my feet again!"
"Any idea on what the baby is going to be?" Pyretta asked.
"Um, I'm thinking a boy, although I wouldn't say no to a girl. James says that he doesn't care as long as he or she is healthy, but I think he really wants a boy."
"I guess that's the way it always is, mother wants her girl and father wants his boy." Pyretta laughed. She pulled the dress over her head and adjusted it (Lilly buttoned the back for her). "So you went to Hogwarts with Severus?"
"Yes, we were all in the same year. As I'm sure you could tell by the daggers in their eyes, James and Severus didn't like each other much."
"Why?" Pyretta asked turning to face her.
"Oh you know, silly, childish, school boy reasons." Lilly's eyes fell to the ground.
Pyretta had a feeling that one of those reasons had to do with Lilly. She thought about asking but decided she rather not know.
"Please don't be offended or anything, but how did you turn out so nice having a father like you do?" Lilly asked helping Pyretta into her robe.
"No offense taken, I had a very loving mother." Pyretta said matter-of- factly.
"I hope I'll be a good a mother as yours."
That last comment had made Pyretta smile, she was really starting to like Lilly.
"May I do your hair?" She asked holding her wand to Pyretta's head.
Pyretta nodded.
Lilly said a few words and Pyretta felt her hair start to move and twist to the top of her head. When it was done Lilly picked up an exquisite diamond tiara off the bed and fixed it in Pyretta's hair.
"There, that should do it!" Lilly took a few steps back from Pyretta. "I think Severus will fall to the floor when he sees you! Go have a look in the mirror, go on." Lilly lead her to a full length silver mirror.
Pyretta could hardly believe her eyes. Her reflection was not the of a seventeen year old girl but a woman in silvery-white wedding gown about to marry her true love.
"Something is missing." Lilly paused "You don't need any make-up for certain, but something. oh yes, how could I ever have forgotten?!? Bouquettias Rosia."
A gorgeous bouquet of white roses appeared in Pyretta's hands.
"Perfect, if I do say so myself, what do you think?" Lilly asked.
Tears welded up in Pyretta's eyes as she starred at herself. "I think perfect is the only way to describe it. I can't believe this is really happening!"
"Severus has not had an easy life, you are the best thing to happen to him. Wait a minute, I almost jinxed the whole thing!! We still need something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue!" Lilly started to think. "Well, lets see. something new. the dress,. something borrowed," Lilly took off a gold bracelet and slipped it around Pyretta's wrist. "Something old.,"
"I do have something old." Pyretta showed her a gold locket on a gold chain around her neck. The name "Serenity" was engraved on it. "It was my mothers."
"So all we need is something blue." Lilly waved her wand at Pyretta bouquet and made one of the white roses turn a silvery-blue. "Well we better get down stairs, they're probably wondering what's taking us so long, you know how men are!"
Pyretta followed Lilly down stairs and into the parlor, James was the only one in there now.
"Well it's about time, we were about to send a search party up there, honestly!" James teased. "Now Pyretta are you sure you want to go through with this, because I have a really good friend named Sirius and."
"James, stop it!" Lilly gave him a disapproving look.
"I was only pulling her cord Lil. She knows I was only joking, don't you love?"
"Sure, whatever you say." Lilly was eyeing him suspiciously. "Come on lets get a move on, which room are they in?"
"Over here." James said walking to set of double-doors on their left hand side. He grabbed one of the door handles and was about to open it, when he turned back to Pyretta, "Are you certain you want to marry Severus, I mean."
"James!" Lilly said in a warning voice. "Are you ready Pyretta?" she said softer.
"Yes, definitely!" She was shaking a bit out of anticipation.
"All right then." James opened one of the doors and they entered the room.
It was a large, beautiful sitting room, decorated much like the rest of the manor. The antique furniture was moved to the sides of the room. A lovely Persian rug lay on the floor. Candles were lit here and there but the main light came from a fire burning in a stone fireplace opposite them. Dumbledore and Severus were standing in front of it. Severus' jaw nearly hit the ground when he saw Pyretta.
"Shall we began?" Dumbledore asked.
Severus' eyes didn't leave Pyretta as she walked over by the fire next to him. Lilly took her place on the other side of Pyretta, James stood next to Severus and Dumbledore stood facing them.
Pyretta was just thinking how majestic Severus looked in his silver and black robes when Dumbledore began the ceremony.
"We are here tonight to unite Ms. Pyretta Aurora Riddle and Mr. Severus Ashton Snape in the loving bond that is matrimony." He started.
Pyretta starred lovingly into Severus' eyes as Dumbledore spoke. She felt like pinching herself to make sure it wasn't a dream.
"Pyretta, do you promise to love and honor Severus, and to keep him in your heart always?" Dumbledore asked.
"I do." Pyretta said breathlessly.
Dumbledore turned to Severus. "Severus, do you promise to love and honor Pyretta, and to keep her in your heart always?"
"I do." Severus' voice was quivering.
"The rings if you please." Dumbledore said to Lilly and James.
Lilly handed Pyretta a platinum ring with a single diamond in the middle. Her hand was shaking as she slipped the band around Severus' left ring finger. She was relieved to see that Severus was also shaking as he put a ring around her finger. She looked down at it. It too was platinum, with three raised heart shaped diamonds.
Dumbledore began to speak again. "Let no one take away what has been done. Let your love stand united, no matter what may come. Severus and Pyretta, I am honored to pronounce you husband and wife. Severus you may now kiss your bride."
Severus wasted no time sweeping Pyretta into his arms and kissing her.
"Well," Dumbledore started, his eyes twinkling at them. "I think we should take our leave now and let the newly-weds be alone." He said to the Potters.
Severus and Pyretta stopped kissing (reluctantly ) and showed them to the front door. Dumbledore and the Potters gave their congratulations and left.
"I can't believe this is happening!" Pyretta said happily. "It feels like a dream."
"Well if it is a dream, my love, I pray I never wake up. We're going to have a time keeping this a secret, lets hope those damn Potters keep their mouths shut!"
"That wasn't very nice, Lilly and James helped us out."
"Be that as it may, trust me, you don't know them like I do! Lets not waste anymore of our time worrying about them, this is our time." Severus picked Pyretta up as if she didn't weigh more then a pound and carried her in his arms upstairs.
A few hours later, Pyretta apparated in front of her father's estate. She didn't want to leave Severus, but both agreed that it would be best if she went back alone. She removed her ring and hid it well. It was a good thing she knew the layout of the house so well because it was still very dark. She made it to her room and quietly entered. Only one candle was lit in the room and Lucius Malfoy was sitting in a chair. snoring!
Even though Pyretta was in a good mood, a cruel streak came over her. Slowly she inched her way over to where Lucius was sleeping until she was right in front of him. She bent down a little so that her face was a few inches away from his, and then.
"LUCIUS, WAKE UP!" she growled in a voice much like her fathers.
Lucius' eyes popped open, he yelped as he jumped so high, Pyretta could have sworn that his head hit the ceiling. Pyretta fell back laughing.
"DAMN IT PYRETTA!!!! What the hell are you trying to do, give me a bloody heart attack?"
"Yeah, did it work?" Pyretta said still laughing.
"Bloody almost!" Lucius was trying to collect himself. "So, did you go through with it?"
Pyretta smiled and took out her ring to show him.
"Okay, you can put that thing away now! I swear you're both crazy!"
"Crazy, in love, what's the difference?!?"
"Obviously not much." Lucius sat back down. "I think I'll go back to sleep, I've had enough excitement for one night!"
"Good night Lucius." Pyretta taunted, "oh by the way, you snore!"
"Oh shut up and go to bed!"