Author's note: Again, I borrowed a few snippets of passages from various ceremonies, using them to suit the purpose of this story.

Thank you to my readers and reviewers!

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters from the series are copyright JK Rowling. They are not being used for profit, only for personal enjoyment.

*****

Chapter 37 ~ Reception

Hermione and Severus turned to each other for one more kiss before they turned to receive their friends.

Severus reached up to cup Hermione's face as he tenderly brushed a tear from the corner of her eye, "You're so beautiful..." he murmured.

"So are you," Hermione smiled, "I love you."

"Thank you," he whispered.

"For what? It's the truth, you ARE beautiful, Severus."

"No... Thank you for loving me. Thank you for becoming my wife. Thank you..." he paused and briefly closed his eyes as he continued, "for making me happier than I have any right to be. I love you, Hermione."

As their guests closed in on them, Hermione handed Samuel to Ginny, who stood by her side. Elizabeth and Remus were the first to step forward to congratulate them. Tearfully, Elizabeth reached to embrace her daughter, "Hermione!" she cried before turning to embrace Severus as well, "Severus..." she couldn't speak as she choked up with tears. Severus returned the embrace and smiled fondly at Elizabeth as she backed away and rasped, "I love you... both of you..."

Remus stepped forward next. Hugging Hermione first, he whispered to her, "You look absolutely radiant, Hermione..."

She blushed as she replied, "You look quite handsome, yourself, Remus." As he broke away, she continued, "Thank you for everything you have done for me... for all of us, Remus. I love you."

Remus' eyes were shining with tears as he leaned in and kissed her cheek, "I love you too, child." He turned to Severus and extended his hand, "You're a lucky man, Severus Snape. But, I don't think I need to tell you that," he smiled.

"No, you don't... I already know it!" Severus smiled as he glanced to his wife and back. He grasped Remus hand tightly, "Thank you, Remus. You have been my best man in every sense of the word," he said, his eyes shining with sincerity. Remus was taken aback for a moment... truly shocked to hear a compliment coming from Severus.

"Any time, Severus... any time," Remus smiled as he clapped Severus on the back before stepping aside and taking his place in the receiving line, putting his arm around Elizabeth as he stood by her side.

One by one, they greeted and thanked their guests for coming. Hermione heard Severus groan as he saw the Weasley clan approach. Harry was with them. Mr. Weasley smiled jovially at them as he hugged Hermione and shook Severus' hand, congratulating both of them. Mrs. Weasley was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief as she embraced Hermione, "Look at you, Hermione! I can hardly believe it..." her eyes darted to Ginny and Samuel, "and your son is beautiful!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley! You don't know how much it means to me that you are here..." she paused as she looked at Ron's family, "All of you!"

Fred and George leaned in on either side of Hermione and kissed her simultaneously, one on each cheek.

"I can't believe our little brother didn't snatch you up years ago!" said Fred.

"Ron's loss!" George smirked, shrugging his shoulders as Hermione laughed.

They both turned stepped forward to approach Severus, who was looking rather suspisciously at them. One could never know what to expect of the Weasley twins.

"Don't worry, Professor Snape..."

"We aren't going to kiss you..."

Severus looked relieved as they each reached out in turn to shake his hand, "Congratulations, Professor Snape," they spoke in unison before walking away.

After they walked away, Ron and Harry stepped forward. Ron leaned in and embraced Hermione. She was surprised as he lifted her off of the ground and spun her around, before planting a kiss on her cheek, "They're right, you know... my loss... but, who knew?" he sighed as he turned to Severus. Hermione gaped in shock as he smiled and extended his hand. It was the first time she had seen him address Severus civily without reluctance. She was so distracted by Ron, she almost forgot that Harry was standing there.

She heard him clear his throat, and turned to see his brilliant green eyes smiling at her. He hugged her just as enthusiastically as Ron had, but refrained from sweeping her off her feet. He planted a kiss on her forehead as he smiled, "I knew," he whispered mischievously, "Even if Ron never admitted it. But, he's truly happy for you... we both are!" he turned to Severus and grasped his hand tightly, "Good luck, Professor Snape."

Hermione leaned in to Severus as she watched her two best friends move on down the line to greet Remus and Elizabeth, who were now holding Samuel as Ginny had joined them to greet her brother and Harry. Their acceptance of Severus was the best wedding gift they ever could have given her, and she smiled brilliantly as Ron and Harry both cooed over Samuel. Her eyes grew wide as Ginny took Samuel back into her arms, and Harry put his arm around the young woman as they made their way over to catch up with the rest of the Weasley family. She smirked, wondering if they were finally going to become closer than just friends.

The line eventually dwindled down, and Minerva and Albus brought up the rear. Minerva went first, embracing Hermione and sniffling as she said, "I never would have guessed you would be the one to finally bring joy to Severus' life. He's a good man, Hermione. You're a very lucky woman."

"I know," Hermione rasped as she smiled at her mentor.

Minerva reached forward to hug Severus, kissing him on the cheek as she said, "I wish you all the happiness in the world, Severus. You deserve it!"

To her surprise, he kissed her back, "Thank you, Minerva. I don't know why, but you have always shown faith in me. I don't think I've ever told you how much I appreciate your friendship."

Minerva smiled lovingly at him, "And I, yours. I am truly happy that you've found somebody to love, Severus. More importantly, somebody who loves you just as much in return."

Albus stepped forward and smiled at both of them, taking one of each of their hands into his own as he spoke to them as one, quoting, "When two people are at one in their inmost hearts, they shatter even the strength of iron or of bronze."

He stepped back and smiled, "A carriage awaits you to bring you back to the castle. We'll be waiting for you there."

Severus and Hermione followed him out of the clearing, where their guests were lined up on either side of the path to wish them well as they boarded the carriage. Severus held Hermione's hand and assisted her as she stepped up before boarding the carriage himself. When he sat down next to her, he pulled her close so she could rest her head on his shoulder as they pulled away. Hermione gasped in delight as a flock of white doves took to the air behind them, "I didn't know about that!" she giggled.

"Neither did I." Severus chuckled, "Most likely Albus' doing."

Hermione lifted her head from his shoulder and he tilted his head to kiss her passionately. He had been wanting to kiss her that way all day, and his hands laced through her hair as he held her tightly to him. They let the carriage carry them around the whole of the school grounds, allowing them to be alone as husband and wife for the first time.

"Kiss me like that again..." Hermione whispered.

Severus growled playfully as he began nibbling her ear before trailing tender kisses down her neck, to her shoulders, and across her collarbone before he gently sucked the tender area at the base of her throat.

"Severus..." Hermione groaned, "No... I can't show up at our reception with lovebites on my neck..."

"Then let's not show up at all."

She playfully pushed him away, "Severus! Please..."

He sighed as he tenderly nibbled his way back up to her ear, "I can't help it, Hermione. You look so... so beautiful... and amazingly sexy in that dress..."

"Well then, perhaps I should take it off," she teased, "change into somthing..."

"No!" he groaned as he cut her off. "No... I want to be the one to take it off... tonight..." he murmured as he continued to nibble her ear.

"Severus!" she mock chastised him, "You dirty old man!"

"Old?" he quirked an eyebrow and laughed, "You're only as old as you feel... and Merlin, Hermione! You make me feel like a randy teenager sometimes! I can't get enough of you..." he sighed as he tilted her head towards him so he could capture her lips once more.

"Hermione..." he groaned in frustration as she pulled away.

"Tonight, Severus," she smiled mischievously, "And I will make sure that it is worth the wait."

*****

By the time Hermione and Severus reached the castle, everybody had gathered in the gardens for the reception. Remus and Elizabeth were waiting as they pulled up, and Hermione smiled as she saw that they were holding Samuel. They approached the carriage and passed Samuel into Severus' arms. "We thought you might need some time alone with your son," Elizabeth smiled, "Besides, I think he's hungry."

"Thank you, Elizabeth," Severus replied as he passed Samuel to Hermione.

"We'll be waiting in the gardens!" she called over her shoulder as she joined Remus, walking away with him arm in arm.

Severus turned to Hermione, who had already partially lowered her gown to hold Samuel to her breast. He laughed, "You didn't waste any time."

"Neither would you if you knew how sore I am from not nursing him all afternoon."

He leaned in and kissed her, "Is it that bad?"

She sighed, "It's bearable..." a small smile played on her lips before she continued, "but it would have put a damper on our... activities tonight."

"We wouldn't want that," he laughed as he slipped an arm around her, leaning in to kiss her hair as his other hand reached down to caress his son's back.

"What arrangements have you made for our son tonight?"

Hermione smirked, "Mum and Remus."

"Taking him to the cottage?" he asked.

"Mmm... no. Mum's taking one of the visitor's quarters for the night. She'll be right here in the castle."

Hermione continued to nurse Samuel as she sat in the circle of Severus' arms. They both felt so content there, bonding with their son, enjoying their first moments together as a family. When Samuel had nursed to his content, and had fallen asleep, Hermione handed him to Severus as she readjusted her dress. She took his hand as she eased herself out of the carriage, and reached out for Samuel as Severus stepped down. They slowly made their way together to join their circle of friends for the evening.

Hermione handed Samuel to Ginny as they entered the gardens to a round of fierce applause. With a single clap of his hands, Albus conjured trays carrying flutes of champagne, which floated among the guests. He handed a silver goblet to Hermione and Severus. After everybody had a glass in hand, Remus stepped forward to make a toast, "When the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one man, the angels desert heaven and sit in that hour and sing for joy." He paused and raised his glass, "Severus and Hermione, may your every hour be filled with the song of the angels."

As one, their circle of friends raised their glasses to Severus and Hermione. Hermione sipped from the wedding cup before handing it to Severus. After each of them had taken a sip, Elizabeth stepped forward to stand beside Remus. She had prepared a passage to recite for the occasion, "Love one another, but make not a bond of that love. Let it rather be like a moving sea between the shores of your souls. And stand together, and yet not too near together. For even the pillars of the temple must stand apart; and the oak tree and the cypress will not grow in each other's shadow. Remember that love gives nothing but from itself. Love possesses not, nor would it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love. And think not that you can direct the course of love. For love, if it finds you worthy, will direct your course."

Tearfully, Hermione smiled at her mother and whispered to Severus, "One of my parents' favorite passages... they used it in their own wedding ceremony. They lived by those words."

"As will we," Severus murmured as he kissed her.

Albus clapped his hands once more, and enchanted music began to play all around them. Hermione turned to Severus as he swept her into his arms, and their bodies moved gracefully together in an intimate dance. Hermione smiled as she leaned her head on his shoulder, "I didn't think you liked, or even knew how, to dance like this."

He laughed as he replied, "Remember our first dance?"

"Hmmm... yes. How could I ever forget? But, it was different..."

"How so?"

"The music..." she sighed, "We made our own..."

"I hope we always will," he rasped.

"Me too," Hermione pulled back and tilted her head up to face him. He crushed his lips to hers, forgetting about the dozens of people in their midst. He didn't even care anymore... at least for today. Hermione was his wife, and he wanted the whole world to know it. "My wife..." he murmured, "Hermione Snape."

"Mmmm... I like the sound of that," Hermione smiled and kissed him again as she murmured, "My husband..."

Oblivious to anything and everything around them, they didn't hear Ginny approach with Samuel until she cleared her throat, "I think your son is feeling left out," she smiled as she held the child out to them. Hermione pulled back and smiled as she reached for their son. They held him between them as Severus put his arms around both of them, and they continued to dance as a family.

By the time that they parted, they had danced Samuel back to sleep. Madame Pomfrey had stepped forward to volunteer her time with the child, so that Ginny could enjoy a bit of freedom to dance that evening. As Severus tried to sweep Hermione back into his arms on the dance floor, somebody tapped on his shoulder. Surprised, he whirled around to find Remus and Elizabeth smiling at them.

"May I?" asked Remus as he held his hand out to Hermione. Severus nodded and swept his arm out, gesturing Remus to have a dance with Hermione, before turning to Elizabeth and holding his hand out to her. "It would be my pleasure, Severus," Elizabeth spoke before he even asked.

"Severus," Elizabeth smiled at him, "I never would have suspected that Hermione would end up with a man like you. I wasn't so sure about it at first. But now that I know you... I couldn't be happier. I know I've said it before, but I want you to know that I think you are a good man, Severus. Hermione couldn't have asked for better."

Severus smiled, "You don't know how much that means to me, Elizabeth. Not many parents would take kindly to a young woman like Hermione marrying a man like myself."

"A man like yourself?" she asked.

Severus sighed, "Elizabeth... there are things... many things... that you don't know about my past."

"You would be surprised, Severus, if you knew how much I DO know about you."

He raised an eyebrow in question and Elizabeth continued, "Like I said... I wasn't so sure about you at first. But over time, Remus told me everything that I needed to know about you. About your past. And most importantly, how you overcame that past. When I returned here in February, and got to know you better, I could see that he was right about you. He thinks highly of you, Severus."

"He does?" Severus asked in surprise.

"I know you've had your differences, Severus. But now, Remus is proud to call you a friend. And I am proud to call you my son-in-law."

He leaned in and kissed her cheek as the song ended, "And it is my pleasure to call you... both of you... my family."

They pulled away from each other, and she held on to his arm as they walked over to Remus and Hermione, exchanging dance partners once again. As Hermione was swept back into Severus' arms, he said, "Remus is a lucky man, Hermione. Your mother is very much in love with him."

"I know," Hermione smiled as she looked to where Remus was holding her mother close in his arms, "And I couldn't be happier for them."

They looked around at the other couples on the dance floor, and Hermione smiled as she saw Ginny dancing with Harry. Severus smirked, "I think Harry may have learned a lesson from Weasley's mistakes. I almost made the same mistake... it took almost losing you for me to realize what was right in front of my eyes," he shuddered as kissed her on the temple, "I'm glad I came to my senses."

"So am I..." Hermione rasped. She smirked and whispered, "You called him Harry..."

"Did I?" he feigned shock.

"Does that mean he can call you Severus?" she laughed as Severus feigned a scowl.

*****

They danced all evening in each others' arms, until the sun was beginning to set in the horizon. Severus leaned in to Hermione and whispered, "Are you ready to go, or shall we stay and continue to dance under the stars."

"I think I'd rather continue dancing with you in private," Hermione smiled, "like the first time."

Severus leaned in and kissed her, "Shall we go then?"

Hermione sighed as she pulled away from his kiss, "I should tend to Samuel one last time. I won't see him again until morning..."

They retrieved Samuel from Madame Pomfrey and retreated into the castle, where they spent a few last minutes with their son before they would retire to their quarters for the evening.

When they returned from the gardens, everybody had gathered around to wish them well one last time. After kissing their son goodnight and handing him over to Elizabeth, Severus swept Hermione into his arms, kissing her tenderly as he carried her off to the dungeons.