A/N: This is it! The end of the story! It was a pleasure writing it, and I'm going to take a mini break before writing another story. I am so glad you liked it. You want the NC-17 version of this chapter; the link is in my profile. And for the record, I KNOW you can't apparate or dissaparate within Hogwarts, but this is my story and so I decided you can do, in emergencies. So there!
The great hall looked magnificent when Hermione stepped through.
There was a table to one side with 4 places set for dinner. Severus escorted
Hermione to her seat and as soon as everybody was seated the food appeared. They
ate in silence, savouring the food and then slowly talking after the main
course.
Harry informed her that he was training to be an Auror and was going to
university to complete his training. Ron told her he was also training to be an
Auror but he had spent the summer with Harry coaching little children how to
play Quidditch.
When she asked about their partners Harry grinned and said that he and Ginny
were getting along great. Hermione was shocked thinking he had been going out
with Cho. Harry shook his head and said, Cedric's death had weighed heavily on
her and she couldn't look him in the eyes after the anniversary of his death.
So, he had found Ginny and was much happier with her.
Ron said he and Fleur were doing great. Hermione asked how he and Fleur had
gotten together, he said that she was in Diagon Alley one day and they bumped
into each other, started talking which led to other things and now they were
going out.
When dinner was over Severus stood up and faced the three friends.
"I asked you here because I would like to ask your permission for Hermione's
hand in marriage since she considers you two to be her brothers. I am obliged to
ask you permission," he drawled out in his silky voice.
Hermione gasped at his revelation and smiled at the tradition that he was
keeping to. She knew had her parents, specifically her father been alive, he
would have asked him. But, since her parents death Harry and Ron were the only
family she had. She was so touched that Severus had asked them.
Harry and Ron exchanged a look and surveyed Snape who stared right back, not
revealing any feeling.
"Do you promise to take care of her and never hurt her?" asked Ron
" I do, I love her and would never hurt her or allow anyone to do so" said
Severus keeping his eye contact with Ron and Harry.
"Then you have our permission," said Harry smiling.
Severus approached Hermione and went down on his knee as Harry had explained
Muggles did when proposing. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small
box, opening it to reveal a diamond ring.
Hermione gasped. The ring was beautiful and clearly expensive.
"Hermione Abigail Granger, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" said
Severus looking into her eyes.
"Yes!" replied Hermione through her tears as she hugged him and kissed him. She
helped him off his feet and he slid the ring onto her finger. She then went and
hugged Harry and Ron who were smiling through their own tears. They were happy
to see the woman who had become their sister finally find love after a very
painful year, even if it was with the most unexpected person.
Harry and Ron shook hands with Severus who could not stop smiling. He looked
wonderful when he was smiling from ear to ear. He knew he was the happiest man
in the world.
"Hermione, I have learned many things in my life and regretted many. But, the
one thing I am sure of is my love for you. Would you consent to marry me
tonight, more exactly, right now?" he asked with bated breath. He wanted to
marry her now, because he loved her and the 2 people she wanted to be there for
her were there. Severus knew from experience, that if you had a good thing, you
never let go, because you never knew what was around the corner.
Hermione looked at him and a decision was made in seconds. She wanted to marry
him now because even though Voldemort was gone, you never knew what was around
the corner and she loved him so much, she wanted to be Mrs. Severus Snape
tonight.
"Yes" she said simply smiling up at him.
Out of nowhere Albus and Minerva appeared. Albus smiled at the couple and
Minerva had tears in her eyes. Then the Weasley's and Fleur appeared from the
shadows. Sirius and Remus were next and all were looking at them smiling, most
like Minerva and Molly with tears in their eyes.
Severus had planned this whole thing. He had contacted Harry and Ron asking
their permission and help. Both had been shocked but after a series of meeting,
both were assured of Hermione's happiness. So, they gladly helped him plan.
Molly and Minerva had been the biggest help, making arrangements for the dress,
the food, the flowers, everything they would need. Severus had been coached into
the proper etiquette for asking Hermione and everything that was to follow from
the wedding afterwards. Harry and Ron had said plainly if he ever intentionally
hurt Hermione, he would be dead in seconds. He simply nodded and said the same
was true for them.
And with a swish of his wand, Albus now transformed the Great Hall and it's
occupants. Hermione was wearing a beautiful white dress, with roses going
diagonally down the dress. This dress was longer then the one she had been
wearing before. Her hair was done up still, but this time had roses in nooks and
crannies.
Severus was wearing his traditional black, but this time there was a white shirt
underneath and the collars were still high. Harry and Ron were wearing the exact
same as him.
Ginny was wearing a pale lilac dress and carrying a bouquet of roses. Everyone
looked around; the hall had been transfigured into a beautiful sunny garden.
Hermione had tears in her eyes as she went to hug Albus and Minerva who she
considered her grandparents. And Molly and Arthur who were substitute mum and
dad.
"Albus, will you marry us?" asked Severus whose voice was thick with emotion and
wonder. He knew what had been happening, but Molly and Minerva had bullied him
out of the preparations. They had truly made it beautiful.
He went to hug Albus and Minerva, who he considered his mother and father's
surrogates. And hugged Molly, whispering his thanks. She merely beamed and said,
"Go get married"
And so, the guests settled themselves into chairs as Ginny strode down the aisle
carrying a bouquet and taking her place as maid of honour. Harry and Ron were
the best men. And Arthur was escorting Hermione down the aisle.
"You look beautiful Hermione," he said smiling at her.
"Thanks, I've never been happier." She said beaming and walking down the aisle.
The ceremony was a short one, as Albus asked them if they wanted to be married
to each other. They said they did. Hermione was given a ring by Ginny and she
put it on Severus.
Albus put some wards and spells on them, and then announced them all the best as
husband and wife.
They hugged and kissed, signed the marriage licence and in minutes, their
wedding certificate appeared in Hermione's hands.
She smiled. It read:
Certificate of Marriage
Ministry of Magic, United Kingdom
This is to Certify
That Severus Alexander Snape
And Hermione Abigail Granger
Were lawfully married
On the 28th day of August 1997
Marriage was overseen by
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
And witnessed by
Ronald Admon Weasley
And
Harry James Potter
Then, with another swish of his wand Albus transformed the hall
once again to an elegant dance hall. Severus extended his hand and said, "Mrs.
Snape, may I have the first dance?"
Hermione giggled and said, "Yes, Mr. Snape"
As they stepped onto the dance floor, Hermione's favourite song echoed in the
hall, Breathless by The Corrs.
Go on go on
Leave me breathless
Come on [echo...]
Hey... yeah...
The daylight's fading slowly
The time with you is standing still
I'm waiting for you only
The slightest touch and I feel weak
I cannot lie, from you I cannot hide
And I'm losing the will to try
Can't hide it (can't hide it), can't fight it (can't fight it)
So go on, go on, come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny
This loving feeling (loving feeling)
Make me long for your kiss
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Yeah...
Come on
Yeah...
And if there's no tomorrow
And all we have is here and now
I'm happy just to have you
You're all the love I need somehow
It's like a dream
Although I'm not asleep
And I never want to wake up
Don't lose it (don't lose it), don't leave it (don't leave it)
So go on, go on, come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny
This loving feeling (loving feeling)
Make me long for your kiss
Go on (go on), go on (go on)
Yeah...
Come on [echo...]
[Guitar's solo] Yeah-ie, yeah, yeah-ie, yeah...
And I can't lie
From you I cannot hide
And I've lost my will to try
Can't hide it (can't hide it), can't fight it, (can't fight it)
So go on, (go on) go on, (go on), come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny
This loving feeling (loving feeling) Make me long for your kiss
Go on, (go on) go on, (go on) come on, leave... me breathless
Go on, (go on) go on, (go on) come on, leave... me breathless
Go on, (go on) go on, (go on) come on, leave... me breathless
Go on... go on!
Hermione closed her eyes and leaned against Severus as they danced as if they
were in they only people in the hall. Severus felt the music wash over him as
every word described how he felt about Hermione; this song seemed to be written
just for them.
When the song ended they were still dancing as another slow song, Runaway
filtered through, seamlessly taking it's place. This time though, everyone there
joined in the dancing. Hermione and Severus in the middle. Albus and Minerva
gazing lovingly at each other. Harry and Ginny dancing and snogging. Ron and
Fleur looking beautiful in a pale pink dress that showed off her delicate frame.
Arthur and Molly, Remus and Sirius. Charlie with his wife Carol, Fred and George
with their girlfriends and Bill with his wife Alyson.
Soon, the song ended and a much faster one replaced it. Albus cut in and
Hermione danced with him, Arthur, Harry, Ron, Bill, Remus, Sirius, Fred, George,
Charlie and Bill.
When she was not dancing, she was eating the food to compensate for the dancing.
Severus managed to make his way through all the females and Remus. Sirius just
shook his hand and warned him if he ever hurt Hermione, he'd be dead in seconds.
"Join the queue" was all Severus said before he went back to dance with Fleur.
And eventually everyone was tired and so, the bride and room bid everyone
goodnight and thanked them for coming to the wedding.
It was now midnight as Severus led Hermione to their new rooms. He had arranged
it with Albus to allow the couple to have their own rooms, somewhere private. He
ended up carrying Hermione because she was so tired.
He gently laid her down on their queen-sized bed, kissed her forehead and then
with a swish of his wand, transformed her clothes into a nightie. The wedding
dress was clean and in their wardrobe, he did the same to himself as he slid
into bed with her wearing only his black boxers.
He held her in his arms and he too drifted off to sleep.
Hermione woke the next morning to find someone next to her, she was confused at
first but then the events of the last night came back. She looked at the ring on
her finger and then at Severus' sleeping form. She smiled for a long time just
looking at him.
She started to stroke his hair as she watched him sleep; eventually he awoke
half an hour later to see her smiling at him. He picked his wand up, smiled at
her and performed a cleaning spell for teeth and breath.
He looked up at her as she smiled at him and he said, "Good Morning Mrs. Snape"
She giggled and said, "Good Morning Mr. Snape"
And you can guess what happened next, but if you can't or want to know details,
click on my profile and find the link for this story.
And they stayed in the room for the rest of the week, not coming
out at all. The house elves frequently got called to bring dinner but otherwise,
they didn't appear till the start of the school term.
The transformation was unbelievable. Hermione was glowing, as was Severus. And
they lived happily ever after, had two children, Cameron Michael Snape and
Amelia Dawn Snape. Snape became Headmaster of Hogwarts and Hermione head of
Gryffindor as well as deputy Headmistress. And the same pattern was repeated
which had brought Albus and Minerva and all the heads together with their
partners.
The End!
