Home for the Holidays
Chapter Three
IN THE VARIOUS PAPERS:
Announcement is made of the engagement of Miss. Hermione Granger, muggleborn witch and daughter of the late Mr. And Mrs. Rodger Granger, to Sir Severus Snape, pure blood wizard and son of Lord Serenus and Lady Adorabelle Snape.
This is in accordance with the recent Ministry of Magic law known as the Interbreed Marriage Act, and has been opposed by three Wizard duels and found endorsement by successful disarment by the groom and his two Best Men, Mr. Harry James Potter – son of the late Mr. And Mrs. James Potter – and Mr. Ronald Weasley – son of Mr. And Mrs. Arthur Weasley.
The binding ceremony will be a private affair open to only invited guest at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where Sir Snape – a Potions Master of acclaim – is the school's Potions Professor and Miss. Granger is in her final year as a student.
Lord Serenus and Lady Adorabelle Snape
Request the honour of your presence
At the marriage of their son
Sir Severus Calleo Giles
To
Miss. Hermione Anne Marie Granger
The twenty-fourth of December
At two in the afternoon
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Room of Requirement
And afterwards the reception
In the Great Hall
Even with as swiftly as this wedding was being pulled together, one would think that it was planned for over a year. This was, in a large part, due to their use of the Room of Requirement. It seemed the castle wanted everything to be perfect for this ceremony, as no one was allowed to enter until it was finished designing the wedding and reception places.
Madame Malkin and her new daughter-in-law, Darya, came in to create the wedding gown and robe. The gown was created from ice crystal white silk (this white had soft seemingly living hues of blue, pink, gray, yellow and three shades of green magicked into each thread). The dress went to the floor and had a watteau (connected to the shoulders rather than the waist) royal length train.
The sleeves were fitted and ended in a long point over Hermione's mid-hands, and were covered with gauntlets of white, silver, and gold fairy wing lace that were highlighted with ribbons, embroidery, along with beads and crystals.
The bodice was of a Princess design. It hugged Hermione's upper body and accented her waist before flaring into the skirt. The dress' neckline was a sweetheart cut that was made of the same lace as the gauntlets with only the beading and embroidery carrying over.
Hermione's hair was upswept after the curls had been tamed and softened. Several tendrils were left down and framed her face. Topping it all was a wreath like tiara that rested and hung on the middle of her forehead. It was silver and gold with emeralds, diamonds, rubies, and pearls shimmering beautifully. Topping this was a Mantilla like veil.
A blue garter, a pair of pearl earrings from Ginny and her family, a borrowed bracelet from Lavender – all Hermione was missing was something old.
Adorabelle smiled as she kissed her new daughter on the cheek. "You are beautiful dear heart. I dare say that Severus might actually be force to change his expression from his sneer to shock when he sees you. Who will be walking you down the aisle?"
"Professor Dumbledore. Because he is one of the witnesses on the license, he can't perform the ceremony. That's why his brother, Aberforth, will be doing that. I'm so scared mum. What if …" Hermione, fighting her tears, was cut off.
"Nothing will happen sweet. You'll see. Now you have your earrings for something new, the bracelet for something borrowed, what about blue and the sixpence?" Adorabelle fiddled with the veil.
Hermione was becoming more and more excited. Her dream was coming true. It would not be much longer before she would be married to the love of her life. "My garter, and yes it is in my shoe. But I have nothing old."
"Then what about this." Adorabelle clasped a pendent around the young woman's neck. "It is a crest bearing necklace. In the center is the Snape family crest. Ah there it goes."
The pendent glowed for a moment or two and then Hermione saw it was different. It wasn't just the family crest anymore. Now there was a snake and a lion on either side of the crest. "Mum?"
"It means that you are meant to be a member of this family dearest. You, Hermione, are my Severus' soul mate. Your house and Severus' house symbols have become part of it. Welcome to the family my daughter." Adorabelle had to dab away her tears as she smiled on this wonderful young woman.
"Thanks mum."
***
Severus wore his usual black dress clothes with a boutonniere of Queen Anne's Lace and Lily of the Valley. He wouldn't be wearing his marriage robes until after the ceremony.
Deep inside he was worried. So many what ifs ran in his mind and heart. Honestly, neither would be set at ease until the kiss that would seal him to his dear love.
As he slowly got himself ready, he thought over the past six and a half years. That first night, he remembered the bushy haired, buck toothed, know-it-all that was his bride to be and recalled how she spoke to herself out of fear. Severus was certain that Hermione was scared that she had been sent the letter and ticket for the train by mistake, and that the Sorting Hat would have shouted it out. Instead it put the girl into Gryffindor. Even then he felt something towards her.
Could it have been respect? No, he had no reason to then. Adoration? But, again he didn't know her yet. Still there was something that made him wish that she had been sorted into Slytherin, and yet was grateful that she had been put in Gryffindor instead. He wanted her near, and yet did not want her to be stained by the children of Death Eaters.
That first class, he had been out to make that Potter see that his fame would only take him so far in the world. Yet, Hermione had her hand up at every one of his questions. The girl was out to prove herself in a world she didn't probably know was against her kind for the most part. Yes, he had lost his temper with her. Only because she was in Gryffindor, otherwise he might have tested her to see how far that brain was ahead of all the rest. If she had been in his house he would have, but he couldn't praise her or call on her. He had to ignore that brilliant witch who filled his dreams at night.
Yes, those dreams. It was better than the nightmares he had lived with since realizing his mistakes and turning into the spy he had been. Dreams of her smiling at him, embracing him, adoring him all made him stop taking dreamless sleep potions completely, because he no longer needed the potion to get through a night's sleep.
He had not heated dreams of her until after her fourth year. That summer had been difficult, with his life in mortal danger if the Dark Lord would discover where the Potion Master's loyalties truly lay. It was difficult for him to find time to sleep. But when he did, she was there for him.
Hermione would smile, hold him, and remind him why he was fighting. It wasn't for his soul's redemption any longer. His reason for spying, for fighting for the light, rested solely in her. He was only spying to keep her safe.
First week into the summer, he kissed her passionately in his dreams. After that the dreams steadily became hotter. Once he was blessed with a long period to sleep. That dream he married her, bedded her, watched her belly swell with their child, helped her through the babe's birth and held the boy in his arms while she smiled at them. He regretted waking from that dream.
Now, he was going to make that dream become a reality, only instead of a boy alone Severus knew that there would be a daughter as well – all too soon.
***
Just after Hermione was fully dressed, there was a knock on her door. Professor Flitwick, Arthur Weasley, and a group of male students – Neville, Harry, and Ron in the lead – stood there grinning.
"You look beautiful, Hermione." Neville was visibly shocked.
Ron too was stunned by her transformation. "Severus will crack a grin and probably faint when her gets a look at you coming down the isle."
Everyone laughed at that.
Harry was just beaming like a proud brother. And he, along with the Weasley boys, was in a way Hermione's brothers; after all they had been through over the years. "You look like a Queen, 'Mione. And you deserve nothing less than that."
"Thanks guys. So why are all of you here?" Hermione was fighting her tears harder. At least they were tears of joy rather than the sadness of hours before.
Harry got a smirk on his face that put Severus' to shame! "We're here to kidnap the bride and her party."
"So, that there will be no last minute cold feet or attacks that will impede on this wedding day." The charms professor grinned. With a flick of his wand and a muttered charm or two, Hermione's train folded up to the hem of her dress and levitated just off the floor.
With a shake of her head, Hermione grinned. "No way to get out of this little spontaneous Hogwarts tradition I suppose?"
"None whatsoever. Give up and come peacefully." Stewart Ackerley from Ravenclaw folded his arms across his chest and gave a parody of a stern face.
Graham Pritchard from Slytherin nodded in agreement. "You know you are enjoying this, Granger. Now, let's get the party going."
Shaking her head again, but beaming with joy, Hermione consented and they were all off for the Room of Requirement – her on Arthur's arm.
Hermione chose two girls from each of the four houses to be her bride's maids, and Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood as her Maids of Honor. The color of their gowns was white with a soft almost invisible icy glaze covering the threads of the fabric that was of each house's main color – a dusty rose for Gryffindor, the palest of greens for Slytherin, the softest baby blue for Ravenclaw, and an ivory yellow for Hufflepuff.
All of the dresses were of an empire waist – with a shortened bodice and the skirt of the dress attached just below the girls' bustlines. Like Hermione's dress, their sleeves were fitted and ended in long points, but their glimmering gauntlets were of their house's secondary color – gold for Gryffindor, silver for Slytherin, bronze for Ravenclaw, and an onyx black for Hufflepuff. Each wore sleeveless dress robes of their house colors over their gowns. They also wore veils attached to Juliette caps, except for Ginny and Luna. They both wore a veil similar to Hermione's, only going as far down as their waists, over a laurel crown.
Professor Sprout proudly created those crowns and all the bouquets herself. All but Ginny and Luna were given nosegays; the two of them each had a crescent arrangement. A spray arrangement of flowers was given to Adorabelle, and there was one rested on the seats where Hermione's parents would have sat if they had lived to see this wonderful day. Hermione's was a cascade.
Each of the nosegays and the crescent wished the girls given them happiness, a love of their own, peace, prosperity, joy, and luck.
Hermione's wished her the same, with fertility, years of life, devotion, marital happiness, passion, trust, magic, good luck, dignity, elegance, romance, honor, truth, affection, along with the declaration of her innocence, fidelity, purity, regard, and purity added in.
All of the married women wore a corsage on their robes, while the maidens (wedding party included) wore one on their wrists. This would be for later on.
The unmarried men wore a boutonniere on the left side of their robes while the married men wore theirs on the right for the same reason. To tell who was single for two special traditions later on.
The Room of Requirement had gone all out with the decorations!
Instead of feeling like it was inside, the room transformed to the Hogwarts grounds near the lake! Yes, there was snow – but the temperature was like a warm spring or early summer day.
To the right just inside the room was the guest book and pen. On the left were four house elves who were dressed extremely well (and somehow looked happy) for the occasion. All were to accept the wedding gifts and take them to the table in the Great Hall.
One was Dobby who told Harry that the elves were worried for Hermione (even if they still were afraid she would try and force them into freedom), and were all pleased that she was marrying Professor Snape. Most assumed that she would be living at Hogwarts during the school years, at least once she finished at the University.
There were white chairs on either side of an aisle runner of crystal lace in a snowflake pattern. Flowers and decorations of red, green, gold, silver, and white were everywhere.
'Ironic the two house colors fit the season so well' Harry thought to himself with a smile.
Hermione was now visibly fighting off tears of joy at the sight of the wedding site. "It's perfect!"
"No less than that for one of our star students, Miss. Granger." Chuckled a richly and seasonally bedecked Dumbledore as he walked into the room with his wife, Minerva, on his arm.
Professor McGonagall had tears in her eyes. "Hermione, you are beautiful child."
As she blushed, Dumbledore's eyes glittered with joy. "That she is, Minerva. Severus is a very lucky man today, Hermione. And he will be stunned when he sees you later. For now, I think we should get you and your party in the waiting room over here."
***
Severus smirked at the room. He would have preferred just wedding in Albus' office, but for his love he was willing to do anything.
The Head Master walked over beaming. "Ah, I see you didn't get lost on the way here, Severus."
"Nothing will change my mind about this Albus. I love Hermione, and I won't let any take her from me." Severus was nervous still, even if he hid it.
Albus saw right through the cover though. "Miss. Granger too is anxious, Severus. But, soon there will be no longer any threat to either of your happiness. Harry and Mr. Weasley are waiting for you in the waiting area behind the right of the alter."
With that the Head Master went to greet the incoming guests. Severus walked up the aisle and saw the alter area.
There was a large crystal arch with a gold and a silver rosebush on either side. Inside this arch was the alter. A chalice, a plate of bread, the red, gold, green, and silver braided cord that would bind him to his love, the unity candle along with the two individual candles that marked his and Hermione's separate lives, the marriage license, and the incense were all on the alter already. To the side were the bosom and the sword that would cut the past ties and sweep them away.
With a nod that said he was pleased with the arrangement, Severus went back into the waiting room.
As Albus had said, Potter and Weasley were there playing a game of wizard's chess. It looked as if Potter wasn't good, for Weasley beat him a moment after Severus walked into the room.
"Not again. Ron, it is getting old." Harry complained as he got up from the board.
Ron smirked. "Can't help it if I am the best in Gryffindor."
"Care to take on the best of Slytherin, Mr. Weasley?" Severus smirked as Ron went pale.
"You Professor?"
"Yes Weasley, me."
It was a short match. In only roughly ten minutes Severus had Weasley in checkmate. The younger man sputtered for a few minutes, to Severus' delight, but then straightened up and smirked. "Well, consider that a parting gift to your bachelorhood. I figured I should give you this game, just to be polite. Next time, I'll be playing for real."
"I am sure, Mr. Weasley." Severus said with a knowing smirk on his lips.
Ron had played his heart out, but in the end Severus just had more experience than the young Gryffindor.
Minerva came into the room with a smile on her face. "Unless you three gentlemen are otherwise occupied, I believe there is the little matter of a wedding waiting on the three of you to start."
Without another word the three men left and took their places – Severus, Harry, and then Ron. It was surprising how many had come to the wedding. Again Severus wished he had insisted on a small wedding, but all of these people had been there while he had lain dying, he couldn't just bar them.
Then a muggle piece of music began to play, starting the ceremony. Hermione had called it 'Canon in D major', and said that she had always dreamt of walking down the aisle to that music. Severus now had his dream, and wanted to give his love her dreams as well.
The chosen escort for each of Hermione's bride's maids first came down the aisle, and found a seat in the front row of chairs on Severus' left. This was it; he was finally getting married to his true love. Severus fought his urge to smile as his heart raced, wishing Hermione was already their and it was time to seal their vows with a kiss.
Parvati Patil of Gryffindor and Daphne Greengrass of Slytherin were the first two ladies, and neither seemed to mind it very much. Both ladies lead the others to the row of seats to Severus' right.
Following them were from Hufflepuff Miss. Hannah Abbot, and from Ravenclaw Miss. Mandy Brocklehurst. Tracy Davis (Slytherin) and Lavender Brown (Gryffindor) were next. Finally there was Laura Madley (Hufflepuff) and Su Li (Ravenclaw).
Ginny Weasley had been no surprise to Severus as his love's choice. However, Lovegood was. It seemed that Hermione chose the girl because she and the youngest Weasley male were seeing one another. Well, whatever made his bride happy Severus could suffer through.
Then came two of his youngest cousins. Hermione adored both children, and it was obvious to Severus how wonderful she would be as a mother.
Lavena Snape, at five years old, made the ideal flower girl. She sewed her own little blessings into each handful of petals as she perfectly lined both sides of the aisle with the protection that was her job to create. Then she stood beside Luna and looked up the aisle.
Peyton Xerxes was six and proud to be asked to participate in the wedding. For some reason that was beyond Severus' understanding, the boy adored him. When he had been a spy, the boy declared to their family he would be one when he grew up. Now the boy was determined to become a Potions Master and teach. Once he stood by Weasley, it was time.
Severus couldn't control the muscles in his face the moment he saw her at the end of the aisle on the Head Master's arm. While his mouth didn't open, there was no smirk and his eyes widened in surprise. His heart had stopped and he had to remind himself to breath at the sight of his fiancée. She was a Goddess; there was no other way to describe her – yet that word did her no justice at all.
Hermione smiled and fought off her tears. She had not seen her love out of his teaching robes until the night before. Now that he was awake and standing, she found it hard to breathe. It was more handsome to her in that moment than ever before. It took all her will not to run over and hold him tight. She took each step with the man who had been a parent to them both in the past few years – especially so since the death of her own parents.
Seeing the spray bouquets on the chairs her mother and father would have sat brought a harsh lump to her throat. Yes, they were they in spirit and smiling on her special day, but she would have preferred them there in the flesh all the same.
Finally the bride was before her groom, Albus rested her hand in Severus' and reminded the younger man that he would keep an eye on them to be sure she was happy – making Potter and Weasley chuckle and Hermione and Severus blush. Then he took his seat next to his own love and still his bride, Minerva McGonagall.
The engaged couple before the group was lost within one another for a moment. This time, this place, it was all perfect.
Aberforth Dumbledore was unusually like his elder brother, and smirked at the couple for a moment before beginning the service. "Lord and Lady Snape, beloved friends, colleagues, witnesses, and of course all accomplices …"
Everyone, including bride and groom chuckled at that. Yes, this was going to be an enjoyable ceremony.
"… we have come here to celebrate the marriage and intertwining destinies of Miss. Hermione Anne Marie Granger and Sir Severus Calleo Giles Snape, who, through being ruthlessly and wonderfully themselves, have fallen in love and chosen to get married. Love is a miraculous gift, and a wedding is a celebration of that magic, and that is what we are here to do today. The fact that it is also a matter of injudicious legislation from an the most dense and thick-headed Minister in history has nothing at all to do with all of this."
No one was silent at that. Most were laughing, some (including the Head Master and Deputy Head Mistress) were applauding, while the majority of the younger guests were shouting and whistling. Aberforth's bowing to the attention did nothing to help though.
It took several minutes before all were settled enough to continue the ceremony. "When we think of love we sometimes talk about people who 'deserve' one another. Not only do Hermione and Severus deserve one another, but they are a perfect match. My brother's tales about them along with everyone gathered here's praises being testament to that. Their marriage, far from being something that they would have to work at – like many who the law has affected – is a pure inevitability.
"Though the sacrifice, stand, and help of others who care deeply for these two, they were given this chance. They have been deeply in love with one another for so long, and nearly lost the hope to come to this joining together. They are the embodiment of romantic fairytales children grow up with. All of you have witnessed and helped this story unfold, and now are here to see them finally get their happily ever after at last.
"Many people walk into and out of our lives, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart. Both of you turn and look at those who have come to celebrate this occasion with you. Many have left footprints within each of you, as you have within each of them."
Hermione and Severus looked at all the friends, family, and one-time enemies who were there. So many had touched their two lives, and were in turn touched by them as well.
"We all are here to celebrate and reflect the incredible joy of Hermione and Severus, who after almost overwhelming losses and near separation by death, finally are here and are to be joined until they are separated by that veil again.
"Great Wizards, you leave us spellbound with your generosity. In bringing Hermione and Severus through all their trials to this day, you invite us to comprehend that love is a profound and mysterious process, and because of – and at times in spite of – those whom we have shared our lives in the past, we have been ineluctably shaped as ourselves."
Minerva sniffled, as Albus patted her hand. The old man didn't bother to hide his tears as two he cared so much for finally became one.
Aberforth went on with the invocation. "In delivering Hermione and Severus to this place and this time, you teach us to comprehend that love is a process. It is the unfolding, honing, grinding, and preparing of ourselves that enables us to stand in the presence of another human being – whether they be Wizard, Witch, or Muggle – and embrace that person with the love we have been waiting a lifetime to experience.
"We thank you for this miraculous Christmas Eve day, for the fulfillment of love we see before us, and for the joy of sharing this happy occasion."
There was an unconscious amen from all the muggleborns and a few wizards and witches who knew some of the muggle world's customs.
Ginny grinned as she began her reading. "From a anonymous muggle.
"True love is a sacred flame
That burns eternally,
And none can dim its special glow
Or change its destiny.
True love speaks in tender tones
And hears with gentle ear,
True love gives with open heart
And true love conquers fear.
True love makes no harsh demands
It neither rules nor binds,
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines."
Next was Harry. He was glad to be out of most of the limelight for once. He was also happy that one of his first two friends at Hogwarts was at last gaining the love she so desperately longed for in the past couple of years.
Hermione never knew that Harry saw the love the girl had for their Potions Professor long before she recognized it for what it was. Nor did the at times terse Professor know that Harry had seen the longing in the elder man's eyes every time he even glanced at Hermione since at least second year. Harry was happy for them both, and proud to stand and help the pair become one. "From Mary Weston Fordham.
"The die is cast, come weal, come woe,
Two lives are joined together,
For better or for worse, the link
Which naught but death can sever.
The die is cast, come grief, come joy
Come richer, or come poorer,
If love but binds the mystic tie,
Blest is the bridal hour."
Aberforth looked very serious for a moment. "You stand before this company and before the Great Wizards, seeking to become one with each other. You have entered into this union with open eyes and full hearts. If either of you, or anyone present here today, know of any reason why these vows should not be made, speak now."
The room was as silent as if no one was there. This was the greatest stress inducing point of the ceremony if there ever was one. Time seemed to creep by so slowly. But finally, Aberforth went on.
"We are here to rejoice in the bond that these two have with one another. Marriage is tested as time passes, and yet Hermione and Severus have already been sorely tested. Five times they nearly lost one another. The first time was to a brutal man who would use the Death Curse to get what he wanted. The second and third times, two friends came forward to protect the couple from those who would have divided them. The fourth time when one rejected and defeated suitor killed Severus. And the fifth time he came back just in time to keep Hermione from ending her too short life.
"They have come through their tests because they remained true to themselves and to one another. A vital aspect of marriage that is rarely spoken of is to remain true to each other and to yourselves. For if you cannot respect yourself, you cannot respect your partner.
"The law does not take that into account, and matches are made that are for control, gain, protection, or the fact that one or the other partner has no choice. It is pleasing to this old heart that true love remains strong, and that these two come here before all of us with only the focus of loving the other for their days in mind.
"Hermione and Severus, always remember to live each day to make one another smile, give one another joy, hope for what might come, and never regret that the two of you are one. No matter the struggles, the view society takes of you, or the pain that is before the two of you, together you can overcome it all."
The smaller candles were handed over to the bride and groom. Once in the couple's hands each candle slowly lit itself – a red and gold flame and a green and silver flame. "Your separate lives are symbolized by the separate candles you now bear. As you join their flames to make one flame, know that at that moment you are willingly joining your lives forever. Is this what you wish?"
"I do."
"I do."
Aberforth smiled and nodded. "So be it."
The unity candle levitated between the couple. As they placed their own wick next to the one wick, the flames completely slid off onto the unity candle's wick and combined until the flame was white. Once that was done, Aberforth returned the candle, which would burn until the couple was announced as married and then would snuff itself out, to the alter.
Ron swallowed slightly. It was his turn to speak, and he was in the center of attention. Now, he had a good idea of what Harry had gone through his entire life. No wonder the guy was so withdrawn so much. "From the muggle poet, Thomas Kempis.
"Love is a mighty power,
a great and complete good.
Love alone lightens every burden, and makes rough places smooth.
It bears every hardship as though it were nothing, and renders
all bitterness sweet and acceptable.
Nothing is sweeter than love,
Nothing stronger,
Nothing higher,
Nothing wider,
Nothing more pleasant,
Nothing fuller or better in heaven or earth; for love is born of God.
Love flies, runs and leaps for joy.
It is free and unrestrained.
Love knows no limits, but ardently transcends all bounds.
Love feels no burden, takes no account of toil,
attempts things beyond its strength.
Love sees nothing as impossible,
for it feels able to achieve all things.
It is strange and effective,
while those who lack love faint and fail.
Love is not fickle and sentimental,
nor is it intent on vanities.
Like a living flame and a burning torch,
it surges upward and surely surmounts every obstacle."
Luna smiled at her love. Sure he was nervous, but she knew he would do as he did – excellent. "From James Dillet Freeman.
"May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.
May you always need one another - not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness. A mountain needs a valley to be complete; the valley does not make the mountain less, but more; and the valley is more a valley because it has a mountain towering over it. So let it be with you and you.
May you need one another, but not out of weakness.
May you want one another, but not out of lack.
May you entice one another, but not compel one another.
May you embrace one another, but not out encircle one another.
May you succeed in all important ways with one another, and not fail in the
little graces.
May you look for things to praise, often say, "I love you!" and take
no notice of small faults.
If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you hope to have good sense enough to take the first step back.
May you enter into the mystery, which is the awareness of one another's presence - no more physical than spiritual, warm and near when you are side-by-side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms or even distant cities.
May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy.
May you have love, and may you find it loving one another."
Aberforth smiled with a twinkle in his eye that was eerily similar to his brother's. "Enfolded in joy, inhabited by hope, bathed in the infinite spectrum of light that is love, may you be always infused with it and beautifully illumined by it. Even you Severus."
Once again the room was full of laughter as Severus blushed before glaring at his mentor's brother. With a wink the older man went on. "May every desire you have for your love be fulfilled, and may you be given the vision with which to clearly behold one another, the listening with which to perceive one another most genuinely, and the endless generosity of spirit with which to nourish one another's soul and sweetly keep the promises you make here today. Hermione."
Hermione's eyes were filled with the face of her only love as she began to give her vow. "I, Hermione Anne Marie Granger, choose you, Severus Calleo Giles Snape, in the presence of this gathered assembly to be my husband from this time forward. To love you, to be a comfort and a safe haven in your life, to hold you close, to listen deeply when you are sad or angry, to learn compassion with you, to nourish you with my gentleness, to uphold you with my strength, to weigh the effects of the words I speak and of the things I do, to never take you for granted, but always give thanks for your presence in my life – as I do right now. As our live unfold together, I promise to be faithful, to always express my emotional truth and embrace as we do what life calls us to, individually and in our relationship. I promise this all to you, Severus, so long as our love shall last."
Severus was stunned by the vow his wife made. She chose him, and he would never end being thankful for that sweet gift.
Aberforth could see it in the younger man's face. "And now you, Severus."
"In the name of the Great Wizards, I, Severus Calleo Giles Snape, ask you, Hermione Anne Marie Granger, to be my beloved wife. I give you my love, my heart, my hope, all with joy from the coffers of my time through the rest the days of my life. To know you, love you, hold you, and warm you. To stand with you in the grand love that binds us, to honor you, to change with you, to behold the highest meanings of our being, to learn compassion with you, to suffer with you, to rejoice, to be kind – except when I am teaching or taking house points away."
Everyone laughed at the all too rare Severus Snape joke! Hermione had tears in her eyes, but chuckled with a brilliant smile all the same. Once the room calmed a bit, Severus went on. "Hermione, my hope, love, and only one, I promise you this from my heart with my soul so long as our love shall last."
No one had a dry eye in the room, and it wasn't only from the laughter. Even Aberforth needed a moment after that. "The rings please."
Harry and Ron each took one ring from the pillow that Peyton held.
After taking the rings, Aberforth charmed them to levitate before him in between the bride and groom. "These rings, a token of your love for one another, serve as a reminder that all in life is a cycle; all comes to pass and passes away and comes to pass again. They also will bind you both, soul to soul, for as long as each loves the other.
"Air for hopes and dreams." Taking the sword, the old man tapped each ring. Within the center of the rings was a picture of a cloudy day. After a moment the picture dissipated and the essence of the air infused into the bands.
"Fire for the spark of love." He tapped the rings with his wand next. The picture was one of a roaring fire. It too vanished into the metal within a moment.
"Water for harmony and healing." Taking the water filled chalice, he lifted it until the levitating rings were submerged in the water, and then returned the chalice to the alter. The scene now was of a gentle waterfall and a beautiful river that soon, with the remaining moisture on the metal, was immersed into the gold and silver rings.
"Earth for strength." Taking his wand again he drew a pinnacle just behind the two rings. Now it was a scene of a mountain. When it added itself to the earlier magic infused into the two bands there was a slight humming of power that gently pulled on both the bride and the groom as their souls were linked to one another in the manner they had set in their vows before.
"May these rings be so blessed." There was a white light and both rings seemed to glimmer with life.
"By the exchange of these tokens of your love for one another, so are your lives interlaced. What one experiences, so shall the other; as honesty and love build, so will your bond strengthen and grow." The rings settled into Aberforth's hand.
Hermione gave her flowers to Ginny and turned around to face her love once again.
Looking at Hermione, the older man smiled sweetly. "Hermione, not even that insane law can bind you to Severus. Only you have that right. If you so choose, then take this ring and set it in his palm."
Hermione did with the most determined look on her face that Severus could remember seeing on her. Aberforth smiled at Severus. "Severus, you too cannot be bound to Hermione by this law, only you can choose to bind yourself to her. If that is still your choice, then take this ring and place it in her palm."
Severus did so with a look of peace on his features. By this point in a joining any objections is seen as to late, there was none outside of Hermione who could stop this marriage now.
Aberforth too was thankful that no ill had come. He looked on the young woman, who he saw was here of her own will. "Hermione, do you wish to bind yourself to Severus?"
"I do."
"Then place the ring on his finger."
Hermione smiled as the band slid in place and sized itself to only him. This was where they had decided to change things slightly. "This ring is my thanksgiving, my promise that I will always love you and honor you for so long as our love shall last."
A soft white light surrounded Hermione as she smiled. Everyone was stunned. Such secondary vows had not occurred in many years in the Wizarding World. But for her soul's light to become visible as well – this was not your average binding to say the least.
Stunned, Aberforth glanced at his brother, who nodded. The ceremony continued on. "Severus, do you wish to bind yourself to Hermione?"
"I do."
"Then place the ring on her finger."
Severus could feel her soul's rejoicing as the metal settled and sized itself to her finger. He could also feel it calling and reaching out to his own. Waiting to cleanse his and make him whole again in a way that none but his only love could.
"I give you this ring as a token of my abiding love, as a sign that I have chosen you above all others, that we shall together go through more than we have already been through, and of the hope that the treasures of our future shall render invisible the sorrows of our past. I love you, Hermione."
That very out of character sentence rendered the crowd silent. All knew that Snape was in love with Hermione, but to hear him say the words in public – that was a shocker.
And then a dark gray light surrounded him, joined with Hermione's white light, and turned white in the span of a few heartbeats. The hum of power that the couple had felt a moment before now filed the room and was felt by all.
After indicating with his hands for them to grasp one another's wrists each hand to its equal on the other, the old man turned around. Taking the cord from the alter, Aberforth loosely bound the couple's hands and nodded. Then each of the Best Men and Maidens of Honor each tied a knot into the rope. Then he took the loose ends in his hands.
"Woven into this cord, imbued into its very fibers, are all the hopes of your friends and family, and of yourselves, for your new life together. With the fashioning of this knot do I tie all the desires, dreams, love, and happiness wished here in this place to your lives for as long as love shall last."
He tied the final knot, and the cord's colors fused into white for a moment, and then vanished – magically binding each to the other.
Aberforth then gave the bosom to the ladies, and the sword to the men. Ginny and Luna and Harry and Ron held one over the other low to the ground. Aberforth spoke to the couple. "Jump from one life into the other. Let the sword sever the ills of the past that have haunted you both, and may the broom sweep the evil you have overcome far from your life anew."
Holding one another's hands, Hermione and Severus leapt over the sword and broom. Returning to their spots of before once the to items were returned next to the alter.
Next Aberforth took the chalice and tapped it with his wand, emptying the water and then filling it with spiced and sweetened apple wine. "The wine of love each feels for the other. May neither of your spirits ever know thirst for love."
Severus took the chalice and tipped it so Hermione could get a drink. Then he twisted it so that side was facing him as she gave him the same grace of holding the chalice for him while he drank form the same edge of it that she had.
Then Aberforth replaced the chalice on the table and took the plate. Tapping it with his wand, it was soon filled with flat sweet bread dripping with honey. "The sweet bread of joy each of you has for the other. May neither of you never hunger for joy."
This time it was Severus first. He tore of a piece of the drenched sweet bread and slid it into Hermione's mouth, smirking at the light touch of her tongue catching a little of the honey on his thumb. When she fed him in kind Severus was sure to return her action, forcing her to tense slightly as she held back her moan.
When Aberforth returned the plate to the alter, he flicked his wand and the food, drink, and the remaining honey syrup on the couple's hands was gone.
Turning to the couple, he was proud to close the ceremony.
"Because, despite foolish laws and men, you, Hermione and Severus, have come together with you hearts and minds and obviously your souls as well, and pledged one another the future in Holy Matrimony. I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. Do I have to prompt you on the next part of the ceremony?"
Everyone chuckled at the joke as the couple shook their heads and kissed deeply for the first time as man and wife. The spell binding them toned down, but could still be felt by all.
As the couple pulled back from that kiss, they found a new facet of themselves – how open exactly they were to on another. Not telepathy in its true form – mind to mind – but each soul spoke to the other. Neither knew how or why, they only knew without the conscious knowledge of the ability. Much like Harry when he discovered he was a Parselmouth.
Severus, I love you.
I think, my dearest, that I love you more.
Aberforth smiled and nodded. "May the Winds of communication blow ever between you; may the Fires of love sustain you; may the Waters of life heal and soothe you; and may the strength of the Earth bind and steady you throughout your time together. May you live out your days in joy, may you live in one another's company in peace, and may your days be filled with the rewards of all you have endured to bring you to this place. May you endlessly delight one another and may you love and fulfill each other always. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you for the first time, Sir and Lady Severus Snape."
Hermione first regained her flowers, and then took her husband's arm. The cheers were touching, and Hermione was fighting off her tears of joy. Aberforth signed the license, and it was official. Hermione was now the wife of her Potions Professor.
They led the wedding party out to the lake for pictures. Thankfully it was a beautiful day, the session didn't last long at all. But Severus quickly got bored with it.
Love, it won't be much longer.
I just want some time alone with my new wife.
Just as I would like some alone time with my new husband. Soon love. We have some people to celebrate with. And I wouldn't mind a dance or two with you.
Agreed love.
Quickly the veils and Hermione's train were off and the group went into the Great Hall. The guests were already mingling, the music was playing and all were enjoying themselves.
This was how they had wanted the reception. No formal greeting line, no announcing their presence, simply a party to celebrate their joining.
They walked out onto the dance floor and danced to a song the pair both loved. A song that fitted them perfectly.
//For all I've been blessed with in this life
There was an emptiness in me
I was imprisoned by the power of gold
With one honest touch you set me free\\
//Let the world stop turnin'
Let the sun stop burnin'
Let them tell me
Love's not worth goin' through
If it all falls apart
I will know deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered
Had come true
In this life I was loved by you\\
//For every mountain I have climbed
Every raging river crossed
You were the treasure
That I longed to find
Without your love I would be lost\\
//Let the world stop turnin'
Let the sun stop burnin'
Let them tell me
Love's not worth going through
If it all falls apart
I will know deep in my heart
The only dream that mattered
Had come true
In this life I was loved by you\\
//In this life I was loved by you\\
I love you so much, Severus.
I believe that I will forever love you more, Lady Snape … My beautiful bride.
You never told me you were a knight.
Considering that we have had little time to talk about ourselves, you surprise isn't unexpected.
Well, we will have the rest of vacation to talk.
Lady Snape, we will have the rest of our lives to talk. For now I intend on enjoying being with the woman I love.
Before Hermione could respond the music was over and they were being applauded. Albus motioned for the next song and then bowed politely to Hermione. Oh well, after all he was playing the role of her father – why not give him the father/daughter dance?
Adorabelle smiled up at her son, who bowed graciously. He would never deny his mother the mother/son dance to her only son.
//You sit in silence in the shadows
You don't complain or criticize
And while the world may see me as a fool
They're not looking through your eyes
No questions asked, you're there when I need you
With a love that inspires me to be everything you deserve\\
//'Cause you're my unsung hero
And I know it's not easy to walk in your shoes
Day after day you continue to amaze me
Now I sing this song of love for you\\
Half way through, Severus changed partners to dance with Minerva. Not a surprise,
as she had become Hermione's surrogate mother, as she had always been to him.
Hermione herself was turned over to Serenus. Adorabelle and Albus chatted about
the wonderful wedding surprises that had already occurred as they too danced.
//While others long to steal the spotlight
You work your magic quietly
Cause you're not in it for the glory
The love you give comes naturally
I may not have much, but what I have I give to you
And this song that I sing is my gift
And I swear that I mean every word\\
//'Cause you're my unsung hero
And I know it's not easy to walk in your shoes
Day after day you continue to amaze me
Now I sing this song of love for you\\
//'Cause you're my unsung hero
And I know it's not easy to walk in your shoes
Day after day you continue to amaze me
Now I sing this song of love for you\\
//Now I sing this song of love
For you\\
Next as a dance that was for only the bridal party. This was a tradition Hermione and Harry had never heard of before, but it was nice to give the rest some time and recognition – especially the flurry of activity that went into creating this wedding.
Hermione was back with her Severus, and very happy. "This is all better than I dared hope for."
"I feel the same way, love."
Harry and Ginny were all smiles. His eyes had never been so bright and glittery in his life. "You look so beautiful, Ginny."
"And you are so handsome, Harry. Thank you for not being upset with being paired with me." Ginny felt her heart raced as his hand took hers. She had loved him since the moment they first met.
Harry might have taken a little longer, but he now adored the red head. "We didn't get the luxury of a choice in this Ginny. But, I think I would have done some begging and pleading to be with you now."
"Really Harry?" Ginny's eyes lit up and the smile on her face beamed.
He wanted to always make her smile this way. To be honest, Harry want to be with this woman always. "Really. I would have been very jealous if some other guy was in my place right now."
//One word, that's all you said
Somethin' in your voice caused me to turn my head.
Your smile, just captured me
And you were in my future as far as I could see
And I don't know how it happened, but it happened still
You asked me if I love you, if I always will\\
Ginny remembered that day that she and her family went to Diagon Alley for school supplies her first year of Hogwarts. She had been dreaming about having Harry with her, but to run down the stairs and find him at the kitchen table without her being dressed – she was so embarrassed!
What made her feel ashamed to this day was how she distanced herself from Harry when everyone was making fun of him. She didn't mean to, but she knew that Tom wanted to hurt Harry – that was something she would never allow.
//Well you, had me from "Hello"
I felt love start to grow
The moment that I looked into your eyes, you owned me
It was over from the start
You completely stole my heart
And now you won't let go
I never even had a chance you know
You had me from "Hello"\\
Harry remember Ginny's first year too. It wasn't until near the end of the previous summer that he had noticed how beautiful the young woman was. The day he and she went to Diagon Alley alone to spend the day while Ron and his dad and brothers were busy in London, it had been the greatest day of his life.
Ron remembered that summer too. He had gotten to slip from his brothers and father, only to meet up with Luna. She and he talked and took in the sights. After awhile it was late and they both had to go home, but it was so hard to part. That was the night he got his first kiss from her, and the moment he knew that she was the girl for him.
Luna only allowed herself to believe in real love at first sight when she had met Ron that day his fifth year on the train, but doubted that he would ever feel that way for her. Then they met in Muggle London, and had so much fun. Luna had never enjoyed herself more in the old city. That kiss he gave her was and still remained her happiest memory.
//Inside, I built the walls
So high around my heart, I thought I'd never fall
One touch, you brought it down
The bricks of my defenses scattered on the ground
And I swore to me I wasn't gonna love again
The last time was the last time, I let someone in\\
Arthur and Molly smiled at the sight of their two children. Harry had always nearly been one of their own, but to see him with Ginny it seemed he would shortly be one of theirs. And Ron had his father's hungry eyes from when Arthur and Molly were dating. No doubt that Luna too would be a part of their family someday as well.
When the two couples kissed there was no doubt left that the family was going to grow.
//But you, had me from "Hello"
I felt love start to grow
The moment that I looked into your eyes, you owned me
It was over from the start
You completely stole my heart
And now you won't let go
I never even had the chance you know
You had me from "Hello"\\
//That's all you said
Somethin' in your voice caused me to turn my head
You had me from "Hello"
You had me from "Hello"
Girl I've loved you from "Hello"\\
Harry decided to give it a try, after all she could say was yes or no. "Ginny, I really like you."
"I'll bet I like you more." Ginny blushed as they walked off the dance floor for a break. They sat at a table furthest from the rest, who were focused on the bridal couple.
"To be honest Ginny, I think … no, I know that I am in love with you."
Ginny had tears in her eyes. This was better than her sweetest dream. "I love you too, Harry."
Taking a breath, he hoped that he wasn't pushing this too fast too soon. "Ginny, do you think … before either of us are forced into that law … would you … um …" taking another breath, Harry tried once again. "Ginny, I'm trying to ask you to marry me … when you are ready that is."
Ginny blushed, chuckled and launched herself into his arms with tears in her eyes. "Yes, Harry! I love you so much!"
"Not as much as I love you, my Gin."
The pair noticed the same happening across the room with Luna and Ron. Ginny giggled. "Looks like Luna is going to be our sisters-in-law Harry."
"Given all the help she gave all of us, I think she deserves some happiness. And it looks like Ron is happy too." Harry was more interested in holding his fiancée. She felt and smelt so good.
For the first time in his life, Harry felt like he had a family.
***
Arthur and Molly beamed seeing that they were right. So too did Albus, Minerva, Hermione, and Severus.
But there were traditions yet to follow.
Albus and Minerva helped Severus slip into his new martial dress robe. The usual black silk, but these were decorated in silver, green, red, and gold instead of blending black.
Adorabelle and Serenus helped Hermione into hers. Similar to her new husband's, Hermione felt so loved. She had dress robes, but none were anything close to this.
Then Hermione was helped a chair in front of the table where the teachers, and after graduation she too, ate. The single ladies gathered in the middle of the dance floor, but Ginny and Luna were remaining with their guys. Smirking and giving both couples a wink, Hermione tossed the bouquet into the air, which landed into the hand of Lavender Brown!
Harry and Ginny, along with Ron and Luna, made their way to the Weasley parents. Both of who were beaming and hugged all four the moment they got in arms reach.
While this was happening, Severus removed Hermione's garter and shot it off. Lavender ended up paired up with Kevin Whitby from Hufflepuff. Everyone hooted and catcalled as he slid it on her leg. Poor Lavender was so red faced! But not as red as Kevin!
Everyone gave a toast, and Hermione and Severus responded to it all gracefully.
They opened the gifts, surprisingly finding few doubles and only one triple. Stunning for a wedding so quickly pulled together.
The top tier of their wedding cake was saved by the house elves, for the first baby. They cut the first slice and fed one another again – not mashing it into each other's face, to the disappointment of the Weasley twins.
After another couple of hours of talking to the guests, dancing, eating, and sneaking what privacy they could, Hermione and Severus left for the dungeon. They were staying for Christmas Eve and then leaving for their all too short honeymoon the next afternoon. Neither was going to leave the staff, all of who would be the only ones there outside of a few students, without spending a little of the holiday with them. After all the group of them had rushed back for the pair.
Thanks to everyone who answered for a wedding. The response was overwhelming! So, I made it extra long. Updates will take a little longer now – too many stories, and school is back in session (over 3 hrs of homework last night!!! Hand cramp city – population … me!!!!).
Thanks also to an anonymous email from one of my sisters in the form of Dumbledore's brother pointing out those who had been affected by the couple.
The above wedding comes from these sources:
Weddings from the Heart: Contemporary and Traditional Ceremonies for an Unforgettable Wedding. By: Daphne Rose Kingma
Modern Bride Wedding Celebrations: The Complete Wedding Planner for Today's Bride. By: Cele Goldsmith Lalli and Stephanie H. Dahl
The poems "True Love" (Ginny's reading), "Marriage" (Harry's reading), "On Love" (Ron's reading), and "Blessings for a Marriage" (Luna's reading) come from ;
And small (very small mind you) parts of the ceremony comes from ; ;
"In This Life" Sung by: Collin Raye
"Unsung Hero" Sung by: Terri Clark
"You Had Me From Hello" Sung by: Kenny Chesney