Over the next few days Taranis, Snape and her parents spent most of their days together, the nights were spent in the dungeons, sneaking out of her rooms after her parents had gone to their own bed. Taranis was relieved that Snape and her father, both hardheaded gits, seemed to be getting along famously. He was after all getting a bloody brilliant man as a son-in-law, and intelligence was something Dad valued highly. She'd heard them talking quietly one day, discussing the account of her abduction. Something about the way the two men flushed with anger and clenched their fists was very endearing. The elder man nodded his head and placed his arm on her fiance's shoulder, which was surprising as he, like Severus wasn't the touchy feely sort. She watched her sire as he spoke, looking very smug indeed, I can just imagine his glee at Sevs description of the flaying and disemboweling of Barl. Those two, she thought, are more alike than I realized.

Maeve and Merlin had finally surfaced and the six of them were spending the day in Diagon Alley.

The women were hanging back behind the men, who walked with their chests all puffed out as men do, exchanging boasts.

"Well my dear, I think you are a very lucky woman, your professor is absolutely charming. Mysteriously sexy too I might add, I'm so happy for you," said the elder Professor Aislin as she put her arm around the girl.

"Thanks mom, he is pretty great."

"He is a fine man granddaughter. Severus has overcome much sadness and turned it into a great strength. He needs you as much as you need him, and that," she said nodding to the man, " is not one to take your love for granted."

The trio stopped as Lucius Malfoy approached the men, "Severus, I hear congratulations are in order," he started as the women approached, "and a fine pureblood family I might add. You must be Headmaster Aislin, I have heard great things about you, it is an honor to make your acquaintance, Lucius Malfoy," the two shook hands briefly.

"Mr. Malfoy," Maeve started, "you are misinformed, Taranis is not a pureblood witch at all. I am her grandmother and I am no witch" Malfoy looked startled, glaring at the woman. "Allow me to introduce myself, I, am Maeve, but you may call me Vivienne."

Shock and realization washed over the man's attractive face as his gaze moved from the woman to the man beside her, "Merlin's beard."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Merlin commented, running his hand over his chin, "I shaved that damn thing off."

As Maeve began to move forward, her appearance altered slightly, taking on a younger more vibrant beauty. "I am in fact a pureblood sidhe, High Priestess of the ancient magic of the Tuatha de Danann."

Severus felt a slight trembling under his feat before the slight wave of pure sexuality washed over him, by the pale look of shock on Malfoy's face, he was getting a much heavier dose indeed. Suppressing a grin at the open-mouthed death eater as he stood stunned, suddenly the desire was gone, the ground once again quiet and the group moved on, leaving the silent Lucius in their wake.

"So, have you two set a date for the wedding yet?" Maeve inquired.

"Not really, next spring maybe?" She said looking up at Severus.

"Don't you think sooner rather than later would be a better idea?"

"Like in the next eight months," Merlin piped.

"Merlin at a time like this I wish you were still a puddle," the elder woman jested, receiving looks of shock from Taranis and Severus.

"Are you implying that, Taranis is, ah"-

"Quickening? Yes, she is."

A slight fearful anticipation covered her feature as the young woman locked eyes with her mother's sympathetic look, "we haven't had a chance to discuss children, Severus do you?" The mischievous grin covering his face answered her worries, replacing her fear with sheer joy. I am having his child, she though as the dark man pulled her into the warmth of his chest, "me too."

"Merlin and I are going to find a place near the school, knowing you'll want to continue to work, we'll be happy to babysit for you."

"Really?"

"Absolutely my dear," Merlin continued, "you two will have your work cut out as it is, as if one wouldn't be enough work I"-

Once again cut off by Maeve's elbow, "ye gods man, don't you know when enough is enough?"

"Grandmother! You don't mean? Surely?" The elder woman nodded and Taranis turned to face her fiancé, the grin he had on his face a moment before was now wavering slightly. Severus was looking very pale indeed as he gripped her tightly.

"Perhaps at Alban Heruin? I know it's only a few weeks away, but we're all here anyway, a large ceremony out on the school grounds?"

"Do you really think a public ceremony is wise?" one slightly green Snape inquired.

The Headmaster was the one to answer, "I have thought about that Severus and I do. Dwyn and I had a small wedding, kept things quiet and that didn't work out well at all, especially for Taranis. Everyone there ended up in the Ministry and things were kept very quiet. No, I think what we need is a very public display of power my son, show these people what they're up against, what it means to be a part of a sidhe clan. Yes, a show of force and intimidation right from the start is best."

Severus nodded in silent agreement, he's come to trust this man, accepting the wisdom of his judgement, especially as his mind currently scattered to the wind was not at it's peak, not at all. His stomach suddenly clenched in a wave of nausea and he laced his hands on his knees for support. Ye gods, this is too much. Not only am I in love and getting married, we're having children, two of them, and I, have a faerie grandmother.

Professor Snape stood at the door to number four Privet Drive, loath to raise his hand and knock but finally deciding to get done with his task. The shock the stout man showered him with was not unexpected.

"See here, we don't want your kind here so go away."

Severus grabbed the door before it could shut in his face and wrenched it open. "I have come to speak to Potter and I will not leave until I have done so."

"I said no! Now go away!"

"Mr. Dursley I assume? Allow me to introduce myself," the Potions Master sneered, looming over the imbecile of an uncle Potter was forced to live with, "I am your worst nightmare come true. I assure you I am more than capable of making you writhe away each any every moment of the rest of your life in excruciating agony. Each and every second you will wish to die, instead you will live in torment, slowly going insane for a very, very long time." Severus lowered his face to look closely at the fear in the man's eyes, "Now then, was there any part of that you didn't understand?" Mr. Dursley shook his head so vigorously his jowls quivered, "good then, take me to Potter. Now!"

Moments later Harry jumped off his bed as Severus strode into the small cramped quarters.

"Professor Snape, what are you doing here? Has something happened," he started, cut off by a wave of the other's hand.

"I'm going to get straight to the point Potter, I wish you to stand up with me during my nuptials."

Harry looked up at the man who stood arms crossed, leering down at him in stunned silence.

"Well, are you going to say something or just stand there with your mouth hanging open all day?"

"Wha? Why me sir? Surely someone else? Dumbledore? I mean, you hate me?"

"Albus will be performing the ceremony and will not be available. Be assured I would not normally consider you at all, but after much agonizing contemplation I came to the conclusion that were it not for you, this wedding would not be taking place. While it is true you have never been among my favorite students, you have done myself and Professor Aislin a service for which I am truly grateful and I have found my contempt for you has, lessened somewhat. I do not expect you to disappoint me in this boy."

"Yes, yes sir. I mean no sir I won't disappoint you. I'll be happy to stand up with you."

"Good, the Weasleys will be here to collect you June 20th, the day before the wedding, be prepared."

"Oh, but I have to ask my uncle first."

"I'll take care of your uncle, do not worry."

Severus stormed down the stairs, his spirits rising at finding the man still shaking in terror, "Harry will be leaving for a few days and if I were you I would think twice before I tried to stop him. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, will ruin my wedding day and you would do well to think long and hard before you so much as raise a finger to stop that boy from leaving. Do I make myself clear?" The Potions Master suppressed a grin as the jowls once again began to shake, purposefully whipping his robes in a bat-like gesture as the pop of his Apparition filled the room.