Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

A/N: Thanks to Ophelia – such kind words! As to where I got the name 'Jolicia': I wanted a real name for my character but at the same time I wanted something a little unusual. I did a search for an Old English or Celtic name and 'Jolicia' jumped out at me. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had found what I was looking for. I think there was a queen by that name a long time ago.

Also, I'm not too proud to beg, so here goes nothing – reviews please, please…

Chapter 36

Severus had been perturbed ever since Draco had confided in him about his relationship with Hermione. It wasn't about the two young lovers' relationship, it was about something that Draco had said, or more specifically, asked that was bothering him. Draco had wanted to know how Severus stood living a secret life with Jolicia; how he stood not being able to show her affection whenever he felt like it.

He had asked, 'Doesn't it drive you mad not being able to? I want to tell everyone about us, but I can't. I don't think I can stand it much longer.'

The more Severus thought about his situation, the more he began to feel the same way his godson did. It had begun to bother him greatly. It seemed that he had spent his whole life hiding one secret or another. When he was still a child, his father's violence was not spoken of; it was kept hidden. No one had ever discovered the true circumstances of his mother's death. Later as a young man, he had joined forces with Voldemort and had become a Death Eater. He began a life of stealth and secrecy that continued into the present day. His mission as spy was just another aspect of his hidden life. Here, now, he found himself deeply in love with an amazing woman. He wanted to sing her praises from the highest tower of Hogwarts, but could not. Their relationship was secret! He hated that word!

"I just want to live my life as any other man would. I want to be free to love whom I want and whenever I want. Merlin, let this be over with!" he cried to himself.

The more Severus thought about it, the more he knew it was the right thing to do. He would do it for them. He would do it because it pleased him and he knew it would please Jolicia as well.

"Fuck them all," he said. His mind was made up.

Hogwarts awoke to a spectacular late May day.  The sun shone brightly, illuminating the green of the hills surrounding the castle. The lilacs were in bloom, filling the air with their sweet perfume. In the distance, clumps of wild bluebells and buttercups could be seen waving gracefully in the breeze. It was a perfect spring day.

Severus visited the kitchen, something he had not done in a very long time. His presence sent the house-elves into a tizzy. Professor Snape had never been one of their favorites. He ignored their excited chatter and sought out Dobby. Dobby knew something about him that the others did not, something that had been told to him by Bubble. At first he had not believed it, but after having observed for quite some time, he knew that his fellow house-elf had been telling the truth. Severus made his request quietly in Dobby's ear.

Dobby bowed deeply and replied, 'Dobby will be most honored to be of assistance, Professor Snape, sir. Dobby will have it ready for you, sir, most promptly."

He thanked Dobby and left. The other house-elves pressed Dobby for information, which he did not provide. He was proud to keep the 'secret'.

Severus entered Jo's quarters and found her just leaving the bedroom, the bedroom he had left not so very long ago.

"You're up early, love. I woke up and you were gone. Where have you been?"

"I had some business to attend to. Do you have any plans for this morning, Jolicia?"

"No, not really."

"Good, you do now. Get dressed."

"Is that an order, sir?" She stood at attention and saluted him.

He laughed and said, "Yes it is, now move." He gave her backside a playful swat.

"Hey, no fair!" she yelled as she retreated back into her room. She emerged a short time later dressed in a pair of jeans and a blouse.

"Where are we going, Sev?"

"You'll see."

"I hate it when you're mysterious."

"I know you do. Why do you think I do it?"

They made their way out the door and into the warm sunlight. Severus picked up a back pack that was conveniently waiting for him on the first step and then they walked into the countryside.  They climbed higher and higher until they came to it.

"This is where we had our first picnic! I forgot about this place."

"I thought perhaps it was time for our second, Jo."

He spread out the blanket under the oak tree and sat down beside her.

'Let's see what we've got. I'm starving."

"It seems Dobby has outdone himself, once again." Severus prepared a plate for her and then himself and settled back to enjoy the breakfast. After they had finished, they sat together against the tree.

"We've come a long way since that first day here, haven't we, Severus?"

He kissed her cheek and replied, "Indeed we have, my love. If someone had told me that seven months later we'd be lovers I'd have thought them mad." He held her tightly.

"I wish we could stay like this forever," she sighed. "What a wonderful day! Thanks."

"I had a reason for bringing you here, Jolicia."

She sat up and turned to look at him. He said nothing more.

"And?"

"Well, I have something to ask you."

"And?" she asked impatiently.

"I have been thinking about us a lot lately. I think it would be a good idea."

"What would be a good idea, Sev? You're being mysterious again. Get to the point please."

"What I wanted to say was… no, what I wanted to ask you was, will you marry me?" He did not give her the opportunity to answer. He continued, "As I was saying, I think it would be a good idea for us to be wed. I am rather fed up sneaking around, as I am sure you are. Not that I want to be conspicuous, of course. We could have a small ceremony, something simple. Perhaps your family could come in from Canada. I am sure that Albus would be pleased to officiate if…"

"SHUT UP," she yelled. Severus stared at her as if he couldn't understand why she had just shouted at him.

"What's wrong, Jo?" he asked innocently.

"What is wrong, Severus, is that you haven't let me get in a word edgewise. Don't you think you should hear my answer before you start making wedding plans?" Her eyes were flashing.

"Sorry," he replied quietly. He stared down at his lap. From her reaction, he was suddenly afraid that she would say no. The thought had never crossed his mind. He held his breath while he waited for her to speak.

"Yes."

"Beg your pardon?"

"I said YES, I'LL MARRY YOU! Have you suddenly been struck deaf?"

"Really?" he asked incredulously.

She didn't answer. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, melting into the embrace.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled brightly as he said, "This is the most wonderful news, my children. I would be most honored to perform the ceremony."

He gave Jolicia a hug and a peck on the cheek. After a mere millisecond of hesitation, he did the same to Severus. Albus had always had a soft spot in his heart for the Potions Master. In fact, in many ways he was like a son. He had been one of the few people who had been able to see Severus for what he truly was and not what Severus wanted people to think he was. It filled Albus' heart with such joy to see that Severus had found happiness at last. He looked forward to the day, as they all did, when Voldemort would finally be defeated so that Severus could be totally free to live his life as he saw fit.

Albus continued, "I have a question for you, perhaps one you have not considered. Do you want a regular marriage ceremony or do you want to be bonded?"

He had been correct in his assumption – the thought had not occurred to them. This was a step beyond a simple marriage. A couple who were bonded together would never, could never be separated. The joining was so complete, that each would be always aware of the other. It did not mean that minds could be read, but more that a sense of the partner could be felt. Bonding ceremonies occurred very infrequently these days; perhaps the commitment was too great to risk. Only those who were positive of the depth of feeling for one another selected this option. For a brief moment, neither answered the Headmaster's question.

Severus and Jolicia turned at the same instant to face one another and without consultation, said in unison, "Bonding ceremony, please."

"Severus, you are aware of the ramifications of your decision?" asked Dumbledore.

"Yes, Albus, I am fully aware of what it means."

"And you Jolicia?"

"Yes, I know what it means as well. Although it was not our idea, it is what we both want, isn't Severus."

He took her hand in his and said, "Most definitely, my love. Let me rephrase my original question. Albus, will you perform our bonding ceremony?"

"Well, I don't have to rephrase my answer," he laughed. "I would be most honored to perform the ceremony."

After much discussion, it was decided that the ceremony would take place the day after all of the students had left Hogwarts for summer break. Although they were to be married (even though it was to be more than that, they would still call it marriage), all concerned felt it would be prudent to keep a low profile. The entire student body need not know - only Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Draco would attend. The staff would be invited, of course, as well as Jolicia's family and Arthur and Molly Weasley. That was all.

The Medwins were thrilled at Jolicia's news. Éliane had written to say 'I told you so' – she had been correct about a wedding in the offing. It turned out after all that Jo was getting married before her brother. The family was most anxious to visit Hogwarts and even more anxious to meet this man who had stolen their beloved Jolicia's heart.

The ceremony required two persons to bear witness and to participate in the joining. Severus had decided that Draco would stand up with him. A wizard bonding was different from a Muggle marriage in that the bride was not obliged to select a female friend or relative to act as bridesmaid. A witch was free to select anyone she liked, male or female. Jolicia chose Harry.

The four students had been very pleased to hear of the impending wedding. Ron had been most surprised, since he had no previous knowledge of Severus and Jo's relationship. Harry, Hermione, and Draco had put on a good act, trying to act just as surprised as Ron had been. Ron would have been very upset if he had found out he was the only one who didn't know, so the other three did their best to spare his feelings. Harry and Draco were proud indeed to have been asked to participate in the ceremony. Needless to say, Jo and Severus' colleagues were also thrilled with the news.

Severus was less than pleased with Jolicia's choice of a witness. He still harbored feelings about Harry, ones than he still had not come to terms with.

"I don't understand your logic. Surely Jolicia, you must agree that Miss Granger would be a more suitable witness than Potter," he said.

"First of all, I wish you would call him Harry instead of Potter. It sounds so formal. Second of all, if I had thought that Hermione was more suitable, don't you think I would have asked her in the first place? I don't understand your logic," countered Jo. Severus scowled at her.

She continued, "Look, I chose Harry because he and I have become very close friends. I think he is a wonderful young man and I love him very much. I want him to be in my life even after he leaves Hogwarts. So, Severus my dear, you better get used to the idea. I wish you would explain to me what it is that makes you dislike him so much."

"He is a Potter, that is enough explanation."

Jo sighed. She looked at Severus with frustration. If she didn't know better, she would say he was pouting.

"Yes, he is a Potter. But he is Harry, not James. I know about you and Harry's father, Severus."

He looked at her with shock. He knew how she had found out; there was only one way. Before he could speak, Jo cut him off.

"Harry told me about what happened between you and him last year. He told me what he saw in your Pensieve. He realizes that he betrayed your trust and for what it's worth, he regrets it very deeply."

Severus snickered.

"He does regret it. I was with him; you were not, so you can not possibly pass judgment on the boy. You were not the one to hold him as he cried, I was."

"I did not witness this so-called remorse."

"How could you witness it? You have never given him the chance to tell you how really sorry he is. You treat him with nothing but contempt. You are not exactly approachable, are you, Sev?"

He did not reply.

 "I understand you, more than you realize. My love, you have to stop blaming Harry for what his parents did. The child is blameless. His only sin is that his name is Potter."

"It is a little more complicated than that."

"So, explain it to me."

Severus hesitated and began, "When I was a student here, my life was miserable. I was the brunt of many practical jokes and brutal teasing. The only good thing that I had was that I had a friendship with a girl, a very lovely girl. She was the only bright spot in my wretched life. As time went by, I fell in love with her. I hoped desperately that one day she would come to feel the same about me. Then he came along. He was everything I was not. She fell in love with him, one of my tormentors. They eventually married and had a son."

"You were in love with Harry's mother?" asked Jo incredulously.

"Yes. Lily Evans was the most beautiful girl. I adored her. She chose Potter instead."

Jo moved to the sofa beside him and took his hands in hers.

"Did she know that you loved her?"

"Yes, but I waited too long to tell her. It was too late; she was already in love with James. I could not compete with him."

"Oh my love, your life has certainly been intertwined with the Potters. I know how much this hurt you. I can feel your pain. I wish I could erase it along with all of the others." Jo leaned in and kissed him on the forehead.

"Harry has his mother's eyes. Every time I look into them, I see her. It still hurts, even after all this time."

"You have to let her go."

"I know I do. All these years, I wanted to hold on to her memory, to keep her alive somehow. I can't do it anymore. If I am ever to accept Harry in my life, in our life, I have to let go."

"I am here to help you, love, every step of the way."

He kissed her deeply and then said, "Did I ever tell you how much I love you Jolicia Medwin?"

She smiled and said, "You might have mentioned it once or twice. I never get tried of hearing it, if you'd like to say it again."

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Severus."