Disclaimer: I still don't own anything so people stop bothering me for autographs! Just kidding, fortunately, no one has believed that I could possibly be the Great J.K. Rowling.

AN: Okay, after the response to the last chapter, I don't know if I should even try to write anymore. But there is always hope that I can write another one that is at least as funny. Unfortunately, this one is not it. This is not my favorite chapter but I had to get them married and I really didn't want them to be candidates for America's Funniest Home Videos.

Chapter 43 Going to the Chapel

Because we're going to the chapel

And we're gonna get married

Going to the chapel

And we're gonna get married

Gee I really love you

And we're gonna get married

Going to the chapel of love

Bells will ring

The sun will shine

I'll be hers

And she'll be mine

We'll love until

The end of time

And we'll never be lonely anymore

Because we're going to the chapel And we're gonna get married

Going to the chapel And we're gonna get married

Beach Boys "Going To The Chapel"

Snape found himself in front of the Defense Against The Dark Arts classroom. He wasn't sure how he had gotten there or even why he was there. Minerva, Rolanda, and Amber had shown up at his door and kicked him out of his rooms. They had told him that they were going to help get Alexis ready for the ceremony and to meet them in Dumbledore's office at eleven. How on earth could it take three hours to get one woman ready for a twenty minute ceremony?

Snape had found Draco and asked him to stand up for him at the wedding ceremony. Draco had tried to hide it behind his usual smirk, but he had been honored to be asked. Snape had requested his discretion and Draco had pledged on his house honor not to say anything to anyone.

That had taken all of thirty minutes. Snape now had two and a half hours before he was to be married. He found all sorts of thoughts were running through his mind: What if Alexis changed her mind? What if she realized that she could do so much better? The what ifs were driving him crazy. A touch on his shoulder almost had him hexing first and asking questions later before he realized it was just Remus, "Lupin."

"Severus, what are you doing here?"

"I was just going to see when you would need your potion again?" Snape sniped.

"Let me check the calendar. Why don't you come in for a moment while I do that?" Remus knew that Snape was aware to the hour when the full moon would next rise.

"If you insist," Snape huffed.

Remus led the way into his office, "Would you care for a cup of tea?"

"Yes," after a brief pause, "thank you," Snape said stiffly.

Remus tapped his kettle with his wand, "I'm sorry all I have are tea bags," as the kettle started whistling he put bags into two mugs and poured the boiling water over them.

"They will do," Snape had steepled his long white fingers and was staring at the wall behind Remus' desk.

"That was some party last night," Remus said trying to make conversation.

Snape shot him a look, "Yes that would about sum it up."

Remus looked at a calendar, "I'll need the potion again in two weeks."

"Very well, I will have it for you," Snape said.

They sat in uncomfortable silence for a moment, then Remus reached into his desk and pulled out a pack of cards, "How about a game?"

Snape looked at him expressionlessly for a moment, "Anything but Go Fish."

Amber, Minerva, and Rolanda were helping Alexis get ready. Madame Coutrea had been very disappointed about it being a small intimate wedding. As soon as Alexis had entered her shop she had pulled out reams of dress designs for everyone from the bride to the guests. They had been amazing. Alexis had for the first time felt a twinge of regret at not having a big lavish wedding. But Madame had quickly adapted and when informed that they were planning a gala reception over the Easter Holidays had altered the robe designs with a few minor changes.

Rolanda, Minerva and Poppy had all chipped in to buy Alexis a beautiful set of lingerie to match the simple robes she had decided on. It was a magical corset: all the oomph of a regular one, none of the tight lacings. Her cleavage was pushed up to almost overflow the cups of the euchre colored garment. Her waist looked impossibly small. Tiny rosettes formed the clasps for the silk stockings. A wisp of lace thong, more intention than substance, completed the ensemble.

Amber had given her a knut to put in her shoe for good luck. Pomona had sent her a spray of alstoremeria for her hair. Rolanda, the only Slytherin in the group, had brought a silver pendant in the shape of a serpent while Minerva had a gold lion pendant. Minerva had taken the two pendants and transformed them into two rings. The rings had Gryffindor lions in base relief encircling the ring. Alongside the lions were the Slytherin serpents.

"It has been a while since I've had to transfigure a set of rings like this," Minerva's thin smile was belied by the gleam of affection in her eyes.

To everyone's dismay, Alexis burst into tears and starting sobbing as if her heart was breaking.

Remus thought that if he could just play Snape in gin for the rest of the day, he would have enough money to buy a new set of robes. Snape's distraction was almost comical. Taking pity on the man, Remus idly spoke, "You know I don't think I've ever seen anyone so deeply in love before, unless it was Lily and James."

Snape looked at him blankly for a moment, then icily said, "I don't know what you are talking about."

"Oh I'm talking about Alexis. I don't believe that I have ever seen anyone as over the moon about someone as she is about you. She is crazy about you: almost sickeningly so."

Snape seemed to relax slightly, "Of course she is. Gin."

Looking down, Remus decided that indeed no good deed goes unpunished.

Amber was holding Alexis and rocking her back and forth as she sobbed. Looking at the two older witches for help in what to do for the hysterical woman in her arms, "There, there, everything is going to be fine."

"Alexis you have to tell us what is wrong," Rolanda admonished, "so we can make it right."

Minerva added, "It is normal to have second thoughts before you get married. But, if it is upsetting you this much we can postpone the wedding."

Alexis cried harder as she nodded her head.

The three ladies looked at each other in horror, no one wanted to be the one to tell Snape that the wedding was being postponed.

Remus was really regretting reassuring Snape. He had lost almost all the money he won and if he didn't watch out he was going to end up owing him money.

Snape looked at the score. Currently Remus was up by two galleons, "You know Remus, I think I'm tired of gin, how about a game of chess?"

Remus smiled at Snape and nodded. James must be spinning in his grave and Lily must be cheering in heaven.

Minerva, being the stereotypical Grffyndor, "Don't worry Alexis, I'll tell Severus you don't want to get married today."

Alexis managed to choke back the sobs, "But I do want to get married today."

"Then why are you crying?" came at her from three directions.

"I'm just so happy!" and she burst into renewed sobs.

Remus looked up from the chessboard at a knock on this door, "Enter."

Amber came in with a garment bag over her arm, "Here are your new robes and here is the ring."

Snape looked at the ring, "McGonagall?"

"Yes, she did an excellent job," Amber smiled, "now hurry up you two and get ready," with that she left.

Remus opened the garment bag to reveal two sets of very nice robes: one in such a dark green as to appear almost black and the other in a deep burgundy. Handing Snape the green robes, "I'll change in here and you can use my room."

They had finally managed to get Alexis to stop crying. Minerva had resorted to a cheering charm, muttering, "Merlin save me from hormonal brides."

They had her dressed and ready. Amber had left to take the groom his robes. A knock on the door had Rolanda hurrying to see who it might be.

Standing there with a beautiful wedding bouquet was Draco Malfoy dressed in his nicest robes, "With Professor Snape's compliments, for Miss. Draluck."

Rolanda could see that Draco was a tad nervous as he handled his first duty as the groom's representative.

Alexis had heard him, "Draco, come in please."

Draco handed her the flowers, "Miss. Draluck you look lovely."

"Thank you. You look very handsome yourself," and pulling the boy to her she placed a kiss on his check causing his usually pale skin to flush with color. Giving him a hug she told him, "Professor Snape should be with Professor Lupin by now. Why don't you join them?"

Draco nodded and headed out the door.

Minerva watched the young man go, "Alexis, you might just be what Slytherin house needs."

It was finally time to make their way to Dumbledore's office. Minerva had transfigured the flowers into a small pin so they could carry them through the castle without attracting to much attention.

The ladies were laughing and chatting as they made their way to Dumbledore's office. Amber went in first and stopped abruptly, before turning and grapping Alexis to stop her, "They don't seem to be ready for us yet."

"What do you mean they are not ready for us?" Minerva pushed past Amber and after one look in the office quickly shut the door, "I see. Yes, not ready just yet."

Alexis looked at the two women who were carefully not meeting her eyes before shoving them aside and opening the door for herself. Looking around, she couldn't at first see what the delay was, Remus was there, Dumbledore, Draco, and there was Snape. Now she saw what had disturbed the other two, Snape was standing there with his hands on the shoulders of a platinum blonde witch who was trying to eat his face off with her mouth. Alexis walked up to the woman kissing Snape and politely tapped her on the shoulder. The woman ignored her. Alexis was quickly becoming tired of watching another woman play tonsil hockey with her fiancé. So doing what any other woman would do in the same situation, she reached up and grabbed a handful of blonde hair, twisted it around her fist and began pulling. The tramp was no longer able to ignore her, "Ouch! Stop it you lunatic."

"I'll stop when you stop," Alexis replied grimly as she led the woman to a chair with a firm grip on her hair. Throwing her into the chair she quickly pulled her wand out and pointed it at her, "Now there had better be a damn good explanation for the show you were putting on. I would hate to have to hex you for no good reason."

"I'm sure I don't know what you are talking about? I was just greeting an old friend," the blonde smirked.

"Severus Snape, who is this woman and what made her think she could kiss you like that.

Before Snape could respond the woman answered for him, "I am Sirena Malfoy and I am his fiancé."

"I can fix that," Alexis said as she raised her wand.

Snape grabbed her arm before she could fire off whatever hex, "Former fiancé. Miss. Malfoy is my former fiancé. We parted ways several years ago and have not kept in contact."

Alexis looked up at him and handed him a tissue, "Wipe your mouth; you have her lipstick all over you."

"Alexis you have to understand, I did not invite her here and she threw herself at me when she heard you at the door," Snape said quietly.

Alexis smirked at him, "Oh, I believe you. I know when you are enjoying a kiss. I've seen you enjoying mine to many times to not know how your face looks and the heat you get in your eyes when you are truly enjoying a kiss. The look on your face when Slutina over there was kissing you was the kind of look a person gets right before they throw up."

"You bitch," came from the person under discussion, "I'll have you know that more men have enjoyed my kisses than you have probably ever kissed."

"That is exactly why I broke off the betrothal and had the agreements destroyed," Snape replied coldly, "It was rather disturbing finding I was the only one who had not enjoyed my fiancé's favors."

"You bastard," Sirena hissed.

"Do you think a lack of originality in insults is the sign of a limited mind?" Amber asked conversationally.

This was not going at all as Sirena had planned. She had not been able to believe the article in The Dailey Prophet announcing Snape's engagement. Sirena had dropped in on cousin Lucius to find out exactly what was going on. Lucius had led her to believe that it was a marriage of convenience and that Snape was secretly pinning for her. Sirena should have known better. Lucius had always been a snake. Seeing Draco standing off in a corner, she realized that Lucius had been trying to stir up trouble. If Sirena had managed to break up Snape and the Draluck girl, the Malfoys could possibly have formed alliances with both families: Sirena with Snape and Draco with Draluck. Even if that didn't happen, Lucius would still have managed to at least embarrass Sirena. So it was a win win situation for him. She was going to have to find a particularly unpleasant manner in which to pay Lucius back.

Getting to her feet, Sirena said, "I really must be going. I would like to say it has been a pleasure, but I only lie when it will benefit me."

There was an awkward silence as the door swung shut behind her. Snape walked over to Alexis, "I apologize for that. I had no idea she would be coming here today."

Alexis smiled up at him, "Just make sure you wash your mouth out with an antiseptic potion before you even think about kissing me."

Draco was staring at the floor. Alexis came up to him and lifted his chin with her finger, "What'sa matter you?"

"Miss. Draluck, I didn't know she was coming I swear."

"Okay, are you ready for your part in the ceremony?"

Draco searched her face for a moment before slipping back into his normal arrogant smirk, "But of course, I'm a Malfoy, I'm always prepared."

"I thought that was the Boy Scouts?" Alexis teased.

"Who?" Draco asked puzzled at the reference.

Alexis sighed, "Never mind, a different world on a different continent. I believe everyone is ready, will you escort me to the groom?"

Draco held out his arm and he and Alexis walked over to where Snape was standing in front of Dumbledore. Minerva handed Alexis the re-transfigured bouquet.

"I believe we are ready to start if everyone will take their places," Draco stepped up beside Snape and Amber beside Alexis, "Severus Snape and Alexis Draluck have indicated a desire to join together. Do any here know of any reason this union should not take place?" Dumbledore paused for a moment, "No one coming forth with objections. Who here stands for the groom?"

"I, Draco Malfoy, do," Draco replied with only a slight tremor in his voice to betray his nerves.

"Draco Malfoy, do you attest that Severus Snape is here of his own free will and that he has not been subjected to any spells, potions or hexes?"

"I so attest."

"Who here stands for the bride?"

"I, Amber Doff, do," came the response.

"Amber Doff, do you attest that Alexis Draluck is here of her own free will and that she has not been subjected to any spells, potions, hexes or coercion?"

"I so attest."

"Severus if you will take Alexis' left hand in your left hand," Dumbledore continued, "Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony you should strive to make real, the ideals which give meaning to both this ceremony and the institution of marriage. With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be wed before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to your creative higher powers. The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union; they will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth. Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?"

"Yes, We Seek to Enter," Snape and Alexis answered in unison.

"In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences," Dumbledore smiled at the couple.

"Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home The heat of the heart's passion The light created by both To lighten the darkest of times. Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake The swift excitement of the river The refreshing cleansing of the rain The all encompassing passion of the sea. Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North Firm foundation on which to build Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives: a stable home to which you may always return. Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet they are only tools. Tools which you must use together in order to create what you seek in this union. I bid you look into each others eyes," Alexis and Snape turned to each other, "Severus, will you cause her pain?

"I may," was his response.

"Is that you intent?"

"No," was said emphatically.

"Alexis, will you cause him pain?"

"I may," she responded.

"Is that you intent?"

"No," she smiled at Snape.

Dumbledore spoke to them both now, "Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it? "

And they both responded, "Yes."

"And so the binding is made," Dumbledore draped the first cord across the bride and grooms hands, "Alexis, Will you share his laughter?" There was a muffled snort from Remus that quickly changed into a huff as Rolanda elbowed him in the side.

"Yes."

"Severus, will you share her laughter?"

"Yes."

Again Dumbledore spoke to both of them, "Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?"

"Yes," they replied together.

"And so the binding is made," Dumbledore draped a second chord across their hands, "Alexis, will you burden him?"

"I may."

"Is that you intent?"

"No."

"Severus, will you burden her?"

"I may."

"Is that your intent?"

"No."

Looking at the couple, Dumbledore asked them, "Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union? "

"Yes."

"And so the binding is made," Dumbledore draped the third chord across their hands.

"Alexis, will you share his dreams?"

"Yes," she replied smiling into his eyes.

"Severus, will you share her dreams?"

As Snape responded he gave her hands an almost painful squeeze, "Yes."

Dumbledore twinkled at the couple, "Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?"

"Yes," was the response.

"And so the binding is made," the fourth chord is draped across their hands, "Severus, will you cause her anger?"

"I may," he smirked at her.

"Is that you intent?"

"No."

"Alexis, will you cause him anger?"

"I may," Alexis returned his smirk.

"Is that your intent?"

"No."

Again Albus said to them both, "Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union?"

"We will."

"And so the binding is made," the fifth chord is draped across their hands, "Alexis , Will you honor him?"

"I will."

"Severus, Will you honor her?"

"I will."

Smiling at them both, "Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor?"

"We shall never do so."

"And so the binding is made," the sixth and final chord is draped across their hands, Albus waves his wand causing the chords to form an intricate braid and then tie themselves around the joined hands, "The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always; you hold in your own hands the making of breaking of this union."

Another wave of the wand had the chords removed from their hands and resting in Dumbledore's open hand, "The rings please?"

Amber handed a ring to Alexis while Draco handed one to Snape.

"These rings are the symbol of the chords that bound you. They are to remind you of the vows and promises you each made here in front of your friends and loved ones. Severus, place your ring on Alexis' hand. Now Alexis, place your ring on Snape's hand. May your union be a long and blessed one," turning the couple to the people in his office, "I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape."

AN: Wedding ceremony adapted from Hand Fasting ceremony on