Fanfiction based in the world of Harry Potter, created by JKR. Her characters are hers. Original characters are mine. No pecuniary rewards. Please see first chapter for full disclaimers and description.

Thank you to my Betas, Elaine and JL. Any remaining errors are my own.

Chapter 55: As it Should Be

It seemed only fitting, since they were indeed about to become brothers-in-law, for Severus to ask the werewolf to stand up with him. Truly, there was no one else he would remotely consider for the job, so it was more a matter of the least of all evils than any genuine feelings of camaraderie with the man. Or so he told him when he made the request. Lupin accepted with all the gentle smiling cordiality which was his nature and the position was filled with a minimal of inconvenience.

To his surprise, there were several people in addition to Remus Lupin who wanted to throw him a 'Stag Night' as Potter had done for the werewolf. Needless to say, he refused. He did end up spending an evening alone at the castle while Tonks took Rowena out with almost the same group of women as for her own Hen Party, with the addition of Elizabeth Miller and a few of Rowena's friends from the Ministry.

"Remus Lupin is here to see you, Severus. May I let him in?" asked the smiling shade of Albus from the portrait on the door.

Severus did not look up from his book, but gave a small noise which might have been a sigh of disgust. The portrait took it as approval and swung open.

"C'mon, old man," Remus said genially, leaning against the doorframe. "You wouldn't let me throw you a proper Stag, but I'm at least taking you out for a few drinks. I'd be shirking my duty as Best Man if I didn't do something."

"Where is Katrina?" Severus asked, looking up from his book but making no move to rise from his chair.

"Gryffindor Tower with Ginny and Hermione, having a sleep-over," Remus said, his smile widening at the mingled look of disgust and horror which crossed the other man's face. "You worry like an old mother hen. You might as well come along; I won't stop badgering you until you do."

"That child has had enough problems in her life without you lot trying to turn her into a Gryffindor," he grumbled. He set his book aside irritably and rose from his chair. A few drinks in any company would be less odious than sitting here being badgered incessantly by the werewolf. "Very well, very well."

He went to his potion stores and extracted a few vials. He stopped at the open door and flourished his arm toward the corridor, smirking at the werewolf.

"After you, then," he said.

"Excellent," Remus said, beaming and they set off.

The Smiling Sphinx was a popular pub just off the main stretch of Diagon Alley. Severus had tried to insist The Three Broomsticks was 'good enough', but Lupin countered that he wanted to take Severus someplace he wouldn't normally go himself.

Their brief walk from the public Apparition point through the Alley had been eventful, with numerous people recognizing them from their photos in The Daily Prophet. Severus would have gladly scared them all off with a good glare and snarl, but Remus elbowed him sharply before he could say a word.

"The world needs Heroes just now, Severus. Like it or not, you are one. I'm not asking you to be nice—we all know that might possibly kill you—but at least make an attempt at being polite," he hissed as a woman with two awe-struck little boys in tow approached them breathlessly.

"I am scrupulously polite," Severus hissed back indignantly, just as the woman reached them. Lupin cast him a dubious look, but then smiled warmly at the woman and her sons.

She had a heavy Cockney accent and looked as harried and harassed as if she had a dozen children to keep in line rather than just two. She was beaming broadly and blinking back tears.

"I can't believe my luck—to run into two right and proper Heroes in one! These are my boys, Robert and Tristan. My husband was killed by that foul You-Know-Who's people, plucked right out of the floo on his way to work. Thank you—thank you so much for putting an end to all that! Please… it would just make their day… if the boys could shake your hands?"

She spoke rapidly, looking fondly at her children, who were now blinking up at them with shy smiles. Remus shook hands with both boys, bending down to their eye level to greet them by name. He chatted with them easily, while Severus stood by, uncomfortably observing the exchange.

When the shy glances turned more and more his direction, he silently shook hands with the children in somewhat stilted politeness, though still with his innate grace. The older of the two boys, the one with the more serious demeanor, gripped his hand longer than necessary.

"When I grow up, I want to be just like you," he blurted out in the awkward way of childish hero-worship.

"You would be better served, when you grow up, to follow your own path and not allow yourself to be led astray," Severus said, horrified at the implications of what the child had said, even though the boy had no idea what his statement implied.

The boy's look of almost reverent adoration was exceedingly uncomfortable and the bloody werewolf was still chatting amicably with the other boy and their mother.

"Lupin, I believe we should be going?" he said pointedly.

"Ah, yes, of course, Severus," Remus said amicably. He turned back to the woman to make their excuses. "He's getting married tomorrow, he's a bit nervous."

Severus glared at him. Was it necessary to tell complete strangers his private business?

"Oh! I read about that in the paper, I did. He's marrying your sister, isn't that right? Why, you'll be brothers! A whole family of heroes, what a blessing. I can't wait until my boys go off to Hogwarts. The world needs role models like you lot. I'm so very pleased to meet you. Thank you again…"

She would have wrung their hands incessantly and continued her stream of effusive gratitude indefinitely had one of her children not announced the need to go to the loo.

"When was my marriage discussed in the paper? I read the Prophet thoroughly every day and haven't seen anything of the sort." Severus said angrily as soon as she finally left.

"Not the Prophet," Remus said with a shake of his head. "It was in Witch Weekly, in the gossip column. Your marriage license is public record, so as soon as you applied for it, the gossip columnists got hold of it and announced it for you. I told you it would have been better to just tell the Prophet yourself."

"I did not wish the publicity," he said irritably. The interaction with the woman and her children had unsettled him. He had regarded all the curious looks and whispers as they passed with deep suspicion and unconsciously been walking with one hand in his robes, tightly gripping his wand.

He was unaccustomed to drawing notice in public at all—let alone benevolent or even admiring notice.

"Well, I'm afraid you don't have much choice on the publicity front, mate," Remus said, guiding him into the pub at last. "Anything you do that's public record is going to be in the papers somewhere, whether you announce it personally or not. The same column said you had been granted a year's sabbatical from your position at Hogwarts effective at the end of June, but your positions both as Potions Master and Head of House have only been temporarily filled."

Severus shook his head in disgust. Thankfully the pub, though popular, was also quiet and filled with individuals who seemed disinclined to make a fuss over the 'heroes' in their midst. He went directly to a vacant table in the farthest corner and sat—with his back to the wall facing outward into the room and the entrance beyond. Old habits.

Remus went to the bar and returned with a bottle of expensive brandy and two glasses. He filled them and held one up in salute.

"To Severus Snape, reluctant Hero and soon to be my brother-in-law," he said with a teasing grin. "I wish you all the best. It's about bloody time you married my sister. Cheers."

Severus picked up his own glass and clinked it unenthusiastically against the werewolf's, still silently fuming over this unexpected new development—fame.

"Oh my goodness! Who would wear something like that?! Where would you wear it?" Rowena exclaimed, blushing crimson as the women around her laughed and the bewitched mannequin posed suggestively. It was wearing… well, next to nothing in Rowena's opinion. A scarlet wisp of transparent lace made into a daring 'teddy' which barely covered the important bits.

Rowena's Hen Night for Tonks had suited the personality of the woman who planned it and had therefore been tasteful and subdued. Some might even call it a bit dull considering the occasion.

Tonks, never one to be considered tasteful or subdued, seemed to have decided to show Rowena a proper 'do'.

Rowena had spoiled part of the surprise by flatly refusing to go to the male strip-club. However, the lingerie show Tonks arranged at a private Hotel in London was proving to be about as risqué as Rowena could handle. The women around her hooted and laughed, as much at her blushing embarrassment as at the garments displayed. The articles were available for purchase, of course, so many of the women selected ones they thought would be suitable and bought them for her as wedding gifts.

"YOU wear it, Rowena," said Elizabeth, who was sitting next to her. She lowered her voice and leaned closer. "You wear it to bed… though the idea is not to be in it for long."

"Lizzy!" Rowena cried, nearly waking the baby she was holding. Little Garret was still dependent on his mum for feedings and was tiny enough to sleep through most anything, so Rowena had insisted her friend bring him along.

"Oy, that one is from me, Rowena," said Tonks, laughing. "You can tell old Snape he owes me one. You might be embarrassed, but I'm sure he'll like it. Cheers!"

She had mistakenly asked 'what is the point' when one of the articles modeled was a pair of crotchless underpants in black leather with a matching brassiere lacking the crucial center of the cup.

"Nevermind! I know already…" she said, covering her face as several of her friends hooted and began to describe—in graphic detail—precisely what the point was. Hestia bought her that 'outfit', such as it was.

Her mother, thankfully, bought her a very tasteful spaghetti-strapped gown in a dark rose silk lace. It was only when the lighting changed that she realized it was so sheer as to be nearly transparent, but at least it would FEEL like she was wearing… something.

It required a great deal of champagne to get through the embarrassing—but fun—ordeal, so she was grateful Severus had insisted on sending along a hangover preventative. She didn't want to be miserable on her wedding day.

She had to admit, after it was blessedly over, she had enjoyed herself, in-between the embarrassing bits. She had no doubt Severus would enjoy the resultant 'gifts'.

That thought left her feeling uncomfortably warm and squirmy as she tried to settle to sleep. She was very glad her wedding day was almost here at last. Her dreams were positively indecent.

Severus stood in the staff room, trying to appear bored and unconcerned—as he retied his cravat for the third time. He felt exceedingly uncomfortable. It was not that his robes were not well tailored of the finest silk—they were and they fit him perfectly.

However, they were not black.

It was one of their last major arguments in regards to this event, and she had been unwilling to relent.

"No black, Severus," she had said, mimicking his stern tones. "And don't think you'll get away with it because I won't see you until it's too late. I made Remus promise to transfigure your robes into something bright and flowery if you dared to wear black—and he's more afraid of me than he is of you."

Granted, the robes of the reflection staring back at him were so dark green as to be almost black, but apparently that was sufficient, as Lupin had not said anything. Still, they were not black and the crisp white shirt and white silk of the cravat emphasized that point.

The werewolf was sitting back in a chair across from his father, playing chess, both men trying to pretend not to notice Severus' uncharacteristic display of nerves. This was unsuccessful, as he frequently caught them exchanging knowing grins over the board. He prided himself on his self-restraint, as evidenced by the fact he did not hex either one of them.

He forced himself to stop adjusting the tie and instead sat in one of the chairs near the Lupins. He had all the appearance of outward calm, as long as one did not look too closely at the hand which kept straying to his pocket to check the rings.

Rowena had worn her engagement ring to the Hen Party last night, but Tonks brought it to him this morning as they agreed. Shortly after their trip to the jewelers in December, he'd had a wedding band made to wrap around it and now carried both in his pocket.

"I could carry those for you now, if you like, Severus," Remus said with a knowing grin. "I promise not to lose them and then you won't have anything to worry about."

Like a child snatching his hand away from a biscuit jar in the act of nicking, Severus withdrew his hand from his pocket and picked up the newspaper lying nearby.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Lupin," he said lazily.

The paper did not ease his mood, as there was a small article on the lower-front page of the Prophet announcing their marriage today. He scowled at it and threw it aside.

"Suit yourself. Would you like a drink? A brandy perhaps?"

"I do not need to be inebriated to wed your sister, Lupin," he snapped. "If I want something, I will get it myself."

The room gradually filled with other well-wishers who came and went. Kingsley Shacklebolt arrived an hour before the ceremony already dressed in his robes. Rowena wanted her friend Elizabeth to stand up with her in addition to Tonks, so Severus had been forced to accept a second Groomsman. Fortunately Shacklebolt had consented. He and Lupin were dressed in navy blue robes, a color which went very well with the soft rose of the bridesmaid dresses Rowena had chosen.

Katrina flounced into the room; golden curls bouncing, rose and navy ribbons in her hair.

"Mutti says she needs Uncle Remus to help her with her hair," she said, looking about the room. She spotted Severus and climbed onto his lap. "Oh! Pappi! Wait until you see her—she looks like a princess!"

"As every bride should on her wedding day, Frechdachs," he said, having given up, at least for the moment, trying to get her not to call him 'daddy' or Rowena 'mummy' in German.

She nodded and stroked her fingers over his silk tie.

"You look like a prince, too," she said decisively, ignoring his disbelieving snort. "Uncle Remus says I getta help him and Auntie Tonks give you their weddin' present."

"Yup, that's right, but don't go spoiling the surprise," Remus said, tweaking one of her curls. "I'm off to play hairdresser to the bride, then. See you soon."

"Lupin," Severus called him back just before he left and produced a small box from a pocket, holding it out to Remus. "For her hair."

Katrina looked at the box eagerly, from where she sat on his lap.

"What's in it, can I see?"

"Later, poppet," Remus said as he took the box and patted Katrina on the head, careful not to muss her curls. He put the box in his pocket without opening it and left the room.

Her quarters were still much as she had left them, though her personal belongings had been removed to Grimmauld Place. The furnishings belonging to Hogwarts remained, of course, so it was here they gathered to help her get ready for the wedding.

The choosing of the dress had been easy. Her mother, Tonks and Molly Weasley had taken her all over Diagon Alley one afternoon and they had looked at what felt like hundreds of dresses. She had tried them all on for the benefit of the others, but she had known at once which one she would wear.

It was an ivory confection of silk and lace. Interwoven through the ivory silk were gossamer fine threads of gold so it seemed to glow from within as the light reflected off of the golden strands. The bodice was snug-fitting and beaded with faux pearls and sequins. Three-quarter length sleeves puffed slightly at the shoulder before tapering gently to hug her slender arms. The neckline was heart shaped in a scoop that was somewhat daring without being immodest, and gracefully framed her neck and shoulders. The skirt was long and full—the fullness helped by thick layers of petticoats—overlaid with fine beaded lace and gentle ruffles sweeping the hem as it trailed behind her in a graceful train.

She wore the opal pendant Severus had given her over a year ago, which it looked as though the dress had been made with the pendant in mind, ivory and gold iridescence shimmering from both.

The dress seemed to be created just for Rowena, the golden threads making her own natural coloring glow vibrantly. She looked radiant. Her mother and Molly smiled at her happily over her shoulders where she looked at herself in the mirror. She was fretting slightly over her hair when a knock came at her door. Molly answered it and Remus followed her into the room.

Rowena looked up at him and smiled nervously. He was well dressed in the navy-blue dress robes she had chosen and smiling warmly at her. He had a square box in his hand, about the size of a small book.

"Your fiancée sent this for your hair," he said, handing her the box with a grin and a low bow. "I am here as official hairdresser to the bride. You look lovely already, 'Wena."

She beamed at him and hugged him, for a moment too choked up with happiness and nerves to be able to speak properly. Instead she opened the box.

It contained a delicate headband of gold and pearls, with dozens of fine golden chains of differing lengths hanging from it, tiny pearls shimmering from among the links. Remus did her hair in a partial up-do, which brought elegantly up and away from her neck, while allowing much of it to cascade down from the top of the style like a waterfall of honey-brown curls. The headband fit perfectly behind her ears, the strands of pearls falling artfully to mingle with her hair.

Rowena hugged him warmly when he finished.

They had come such a long way together in such a short time. They had been estranged for more of their lives than they had gotten along, and Rowena knew full well her own stubbornness was largely responsible for the dispute. It was almost as much of a miracle as all of the rest, to have him here like this, but to actually have him helping her prepare to marry the man who had been the primary source of their conflict all those years ago.

This was better than she had ever dared hope—she had her big brother back in her life unreservedly, she was marrying the only man she had ever loved—AND the two said men where somehow managing to get along together as well. It was as though a Fairy Godmother had come out of the pages of her favorite tales and granted the deepest wish of her heart.

"Thank you, Remus," she said thickly, blinking back tears. He hugged her tightly in return.

"I'm just glad you're happy, Rowena."

"Who's doing the music for the reception, Rowena?" Tonks asked from where she was sitting, trying to repair the strap of her shoe which had torn when she tripped earlier.

"Severus hired someone," she said with a grin. "He wasn't about to let that job fall to Bill Weasley again. I believe he even hired a band—he wouldn't tell me. Though I'm afraid if you had your heart set on the Hokey Cokey or the Macarena again, you'll be disappointed. I'd be surprised to hear any Muggle music, or at least not anything recent."

"Ah, well, that's alright. A good band can usually play about anything. Sounds like fun."

Amelia Susan Bones, the Minister for Magic herself, came to officiate the wedding. Severus was dismayed at the amount of Paparazzi, but Minerva had confined them to a small area of standing-room-only at the back of the Great Hall.

The Hall itself was packed. When he looked out over the crowd through the side door through which he and his Groomsmen would soon enter the Hall, he was astounded. He had expected a fair number of people, of course. Rowena was very popular with her students and had several friends from her job at the Ministry. Apparently his newfound 'Hero' status had increased his own popularity more than he realized. There were many of his former students and their families among the guests in addition to Order members and other mutual acquaintances.

He closed the door, through which he had NOT been doing anything so undignified as 'peeking', and took a deep breath. At least there were no cherubs.

"Severus, relax," Lupin's voice came from behind him, sounding revoltingly cheerful and amused. "You go to a marriage, not the gallows."

Severus snorted.

"Throw my own words back at me, Lupin?" he said. "At least you knew everyone in attendance at your nuptials. There are at least a hundred people out there whom I do not know. Are we so lax with security barely three months after the end of the war?"

"Minerva's put Moody in charge of Security, Severus. Are you really concerned HE will be careless?"

"Why are there so many people?" Severus asked angrily, ignoring Lupin's answer to his prior question. "Is something this solemn to be taken so lightly, as though our marriage is a form of entertainment, a circus? It is degrading—I will not have this spoiled for her after all we've been through."

His anger did not fade at the werewolf's chuckle and he rounded on the other man, scowling darkly at his placid demeanor.

"Severus, I know where you're coming from, believe me. That was at least half my nerves when I married Tonks. If we could have just married in front of Albus and been on our merry way, I wouldn't have been nervous at all.

"This is part of the 'romance' of it, mate. Trust me. The more people who hear you exchange your vows to 'love, honor and cherish as long as you both shall live', the more romantic she'll think it is. By definition, a 'big' wedding is more special that way. Don't ask me why—it's a girl thing. It's why they get all missish and tearful when they read about some flamboyant proposal or wedding in the paper. It's so 'romantic' when some bloke is willing to make a fool of himself in the name of love.

"No one is here to spoil your day. They're here to celebrate it with you. Just focus on Rowena, ignore the rest of the poor saps out there, and you'll get through it."

For his part, Severus could not see the logic in allowing just anyone to be witness to this event. It ought to be special, sacred—the large crowd made him feel as though he was about to cast pearls before swine.

However, the last bit of advice from his soon to be brother-in-law made sense. This was what she wanted, or she would not have allowed it. He had agreed to it. He was not about to back out now. Merlin knew he had done far more degrading things at the command of Voldemort—or Albus for that matter. He would do as Remus said, focus on Rowena and get through it.

That thought brought him back to the rings he still toyed with in his pocket, which he now realized he had very nearly forgotten to give to Remus.

"Why did you not tell me I hadn't given these to you yet?" he snapped angrily as he pulled the rings from his pocket and handed them to Remus.

"I asked you earlier… Oh, never mind," Remus said as he accepted the jewelry. He looked at the wrap now adorning the familiar stone and looked up at Severus with a glance of surprise. "Did Rowena help you design the wrap?"

"Of course not, she has not seen it. Why?" Severus asked suspiciously. "I thought the symbolism appropriate."

"Oh, I agree," said Remus, pocketing the ring. "I'm sure she'll like it. I was just curious, that's all."

The music changed then, to signal they were due to enter the room, robbing Severus of the opportunity to questioning him though he was in no way satisfied with the answer.

The crowd stood as one multi-headed creature when the music changed again to the Wedding March. The gasps and moans of reverent awe slowly made their way to the front of the Hall like a gentle wave and in that moment he understood a little. The crowd ceased to bother him.

She truly did look like a princess, beautiful and radiant, beaming at him with eyes over-bright from glistening tears. She approached him proudly; one hand tucked in her father's arm, the other carrying an enormous bouquet of roses in various shades of pink, white and red.

An enormous surge of possessive male pride washed over him as he watched her. He wouldn't have cared if the entire Wizarding World was present at that moment. He wanted the world to know she was his.

"Who gives this woman in marriage?" Amelia Bones' voice broke into his thoughts when Rowena reached him.

"She gives herself in marriage, joyously, with the firm blessing and approval of her mother and me." John Lupin's voice rang through the Hall clearly, thanks to the audio charms Filius had applied to the area earlier.

"Oh, daddy!" Rowena said, hugging him tearfully. Apparently she had not known what he was going to say.

John was also blinking rapidly, but he was smiling as he placed his daughter's hand in Severus'. He met the younger man's gaze and Severus gave a small nod of acknowledgement. John squeezed their clasped hands gently between his own and then took his seat next to his wife, who was daubing at tears.

The rest of the ceremony was only clearly remembered with the use of a Pensieve later. Bits of it stood out vividly in his mind, while other parts blurred together into one sensation which was very much like relief. Here, finally, something in his life was occurring in the best possible way. The emotions he felt from her through the Bond were almost overwhelming. Giddy happiness, soaring joy, reverent awe, excited nervousness and barely banked desire, all of it swirled through the Bond in waves like dolphins playing in the sea.

Even now it was impossible for him to be so unreserved with his own emotions, but he returned the sensations with the steadfast and tender warmth he felt for her. She met this gratefully; his steadiness like an anchor in the swirling hurricane of her emotion.

The first thing which stood out clearly in his memory was the exchange of rings. When he placed the altered set on her finger, she looked at it—and laughed! Well, it was more a small, nervous giggle, but still it surprised him and he almost stopped in the act of putting it on, except she pushed her hand forward to slide her finger through it.

As he had told her brother, he thought the symbolism appropriate. It was an Ouroboros; the snake wrapping around the base of her stone to swallow its own tail in ornate gold relief so the fire-diamond glittered brightly from within the perfect circle made from the snake's body.

The Ouroboros was a symbol of the circular nature of life, of new life being born again out of the old, similar to the symbolism of the Phoenix, though with stronger alchemical ties which was why it appealed to him. He actually had thought it rather clever and, yes, even romantic, which was why her laughter annoyed him so much.

Until it was her turn to give him his ring and then he understood.

The Ouroboros of his ring was a heavy masculine band which was intricately crafted so the snake seemed almost to be breathing, its scales delineated in sharp detail. The eye of the snake was a single, perfect emerald set low into the piece, nearly flush with the gold of the head surrounding the setting. This was an especially thoughtful detail, as it wouldn't catch on anything as he worked.

This was not one of the rings they had looked at that day in the shop. It was clearly unique; she must have had it crafted.

Obviously she, too, thought the symbolism appropriate.

Shortly thereafter, Emmeline Vance moved to the front of the room while the appropriate members of the Bridal party signed the Marriage certificate. Rowena had submitted to his dictates on this occasion and had not tried to insist to use one of the songs he had sent her. The song she eventually chose was old enough full origins were long forgotten and it was impossible to say if the composer was Muggle or Wizard.

When they signed the certificate, they returned to their places, holding hands and facing one another while Emmeline sang. There was a shared wistfulness through the Bond as they both remembered the last time they had been in a similar situation, when it had been Albus before them, performing the bonding ritual. It was impossible not to miss the twinkling blue eyes and think of how happy he would have been on this day.

Love Will Find Out the WayLesley Nelson-Burns

(lyrics courtesy of Folk Lyrics of England)

Some think to lose him
By having him confined
Some do suppose him,
Poor thing, to be blind;
But if ne'er so close ye wall him,
Do the best that you may,
Blind Love, if so ye call him,
Will find out his way.

You may train the eagle
To stoop to your fist.
You may train in veigle
The Phoenix of the east.
The lioness, you may move her
To give o'er her prey;
But you'll ne'er stop a lover;
He will find out his way.

Emmeline had only just finished singing the last note when another sound filled the hall—the high, clear, beautiful sound of Phoenix song. Fawkes flew through the room, the sound of his singing filling every heart in the room. He had molted many of his more vivid feathers and months of grief had dulled his usual shine, but still he was resplendent as he circled the Hall.

In his first pass over them, one glistening silvery tear fell directly over them, landing warm and soothing onto Rowena just behind the glittering headband. The second pass, another tear fell onto Severus. His song rose to a beautiful crescendo as he hovered over them and then, in a brilliant flash of red-gold light, he burst into flame and the glittering ash gently dusted them like bright amber confetti. As the still-glowing ash approached them, it landed on the intricate, invisible webbing which had constructed their Bond originally, to illuminate it briefly, as brightly as it had been when newly formed.

The ashes vanished completely before they reached the ground. Fawkes, too, had moved on.

And now you embark on YOUR next grand adventure. I wish you both a wonderful 'happily ever after'.

Even in death, Albus had to have the last word.

The Paparazzi had a field day with the display, clicking their cameras like mad even from the distance they were forced to maintain. However, Moody, Hagrid and Sturgis Podmore firmly escorted them outside the building and off of the grounds while the Great Hall was quickly transformed from the wedding seating to elegantly set tables for the meal.

Severus shook more hands in the one hour while the transformation was occurring, as he and his new bride formed the receiving line with the rest of the wedding party, than he had ever done before in the whole course of his life. Or at least, that was how it felt. How many times could a person with his innate impatience for idiocy and ready snark possibly say, 'Thank you' with some semblance of politeness to the inane comments of the dozens of well-wishers? He managed well enough with the people he knew and even those who were clearly friends of Rowena's. He didn't bother with those who seemed to be merely stragglers and hangers-on.

The meal which followed also seemed interminable. How had he agreed to this? It was no comfort that it would soon be over, as he would then have to endure the party after. At least there he had complete control of the music. The primary source of his irritation was that it would be hours yet before he could finally be alone with his wife.

At last Remus stood and though he regarded the lycanthrope with increasing dread as he recalled his own speech when their roles were reversed, at least it meant the meal was nearly over.

"Don't worry, Severus. I'm not going to try and make much of a speech," he said, smiling his so-calm-it-is-irritating smile. "I'm just gong to use this opportunity to welcome you to the family. My sister may not be a 'Lupin' in name anymore, but as far as we're concerned, you've just joined our family, so get used to it.

"And speaking of families, Katrina has promised to help me present your wedding present. She, Tonks and I have been planning this for months. We hope you like it."

Katrina skipped around the table from where she had been sitting next to Becky. She picked up what appeared to be a roll of parchment from Tonks, skipped the rest of the way around the table with her curls bouncing and stopped between Rowena and Severus.

"You both hafta sign it," she said, still bouncing on her feet.

"Katrina, let them look at it first," Remus chided with an enormous Marauder grin. He produced a quill from his pocket and a small stoppered bottle of ink.

"Surely you do not expect me to sign anything you've drawn up, Lupin?" Severus asked suspiciously. Rowena and those in the room who knew them well, laughed.

"Just read it, Severus," Remus encouraged.

He unrolled it carefully and Rowena held the bottom edge so she could see it, too. Her eyes widened and she cried out in surprise. At first, she didn't believe what she was reading, but one look at her brother's Cheshire-cat grin removed all doubt. She let go of her end of the parchment and scooped Katrina onto her lap in a fierce hug, which quickly dissolved into tears.

Severus cleared his throat uncomfortably, tested his voice and found it to be adequate.

"I do not understand… you…"

"We've been her legal guardians. Not her parents. We deliberately never completed the adoption. I told you long ago that 'daddy' is a title which has to be earned. You earned it long before Tonks and I came into the picture. It's legal and binding, Severus. Amelia Bones drew up the papers herself."

"I do not know what to say," he said quietly.

"Don't say anything. All you have to do is sign it and she's yours."

Severus stared at him, for the moment too stunned for speech. He swallowed, hard and glanced over at the table where the Minister for Magic still graced their celebration. She smiled and gave him a small nod of assent. He looked at Rowena, so completely overwhelmed with emotion she was sobbing, even as Katrina sat on her lap giggling happily under the rain of kisses and crushingly tight hugs.

There was no possible way his voice was going to work properly now. He popped the rubber stopper out of the small vial of ink, dipped the quill in it and signed.

Woe betide anyone who dared to point out that his signature was incredibly shaky compared to his norm.

He passed the quill to Rowena, who was using her napkin to attempt to dry her face. Katrina hopped off her lap and climbed onto his as Rowena signed.

The room erupted in cheers and applause. Severus heard none of it. Rowena moved her chair close enough to lean her head against his shoulder and join in the 'group hug'; tears still flowing freely down her face. Katrina was beaming, clearly very proud of herself for pulling off the 'secret' for so long.

"You're really my daddy now, right?" she asked, tilting her chin to peer earnestly into his face.

"Yes, mein Engelchen, I really am your daddy," he said, grateful for the noise of the crowd so no one else would notice how hoarse his voice sounded.

The rest of the celebration became even more of a blur to him after that. It was almost too much emotional input to process at once. It was hard to believe less than six months ago he had been at the very lowest point in his life and now he felt like he must be at the pinnacle.

For someone used to misery at nearly every turn, he could not help but feel anxious and on edge, as though waiting for the other shoe to drop.

The only surcease for this worry was his radiant new bride in his arms as they danced to the blessedly tasteful music of his hired band. They were careful not to neglect their other guests, dancing with others just often enough to meet the requirements of etiquette.

They both poked fun at Garvey, as she blatantly made play after play for one or the other of the cowboys, Dylan and Josh. They were remarkably discreet so those who did not already know they were gay would never have guessed it. It was amusing to watch the brazen woman's antics. It was especially amusing to watch the 'boys' encourage her just enough to keep her coming back for more. At the very least it kept her from bothering their other guests.

During the father-daughter dance, he danced unhesitatingly with Katrina, of course, and the tradition seemed to have gained meaning since the last time he had done so. She informed him matter-of-factly that Uncle Remus and Auntie Tonks said she could stay with them for a few more days so 'you and mummy can go on your honeymoon'.

Suddenly there was a whole new realm of details for which he had not planned.

"Where should we live until term is over?" he asked Rowena during one of their dances. She was standing flush against him, or as much as she could be with the fullness of her skirts, one hand around his back to rest on the cool silk of his robes while he held the other, guiding them gracefully around the floor. Her head rested against his chest and she radiated vibrant joy through their Bond.

"Here, of course. Just like we've been planning. I can do my contract research for the Ministry anywhere. You've already got the second room in your quarters for Katrina."

"Do you think she will be content at Hogwarts? The dungeons are not exactly cheerful. Perhaps we should move to your old quarters instead," he said, uncertainly.

"She'll be fine, Severus. It's only for a little while, until the house is done. The weather will start getting nice and I'll take her outside a lot. It would be silly to try and move everything now and again later. Depending on where we travel next year, she can just come with us. It will be educational and exciting. If we want a little time alone, we can bring her to my parents. It's fine, Severus—everything is going to be right as rain from now on, you'll see."

He gave her a very small smile as he gazed down at her.

"You Lupins and your incurable optimism," he said dryly.

"Get used to it," she said, grinning cheekily up at him.

"It seems that is the only choice at this point," he said with a smirk.

His threats to the Weasley twins had been among his more elaborate. He also had the assistance of his house elves, which the twins could not hope to know about. For whatever reason, nothing alarmed, flashed, exploded, or in any other way alerted the revelers the guests of honor were leaving.

Remus and Tonks came and collected Katrina from Severus—she had fallen asleep on his shoulder after agreeing to allow him to carry her while they danced. Tonks and Rowena were exchanging hugs and last minute good-byes as Severus carefully transferred the sleeping child to Remus.

"Congratulations, Severus."

"Thank you," he said, feeling a bit awkward to relinquish his daughter so soon, even if it was just for a short while.

"We'll get Sleeping Beauty here to Grimmauld place and see you two when you get back, all right? Where are you going?"

Severus snorted, "As if I would tell you? It seems as though the last remaining Marauder has been channeling the spirit of the others. How long have you been planning this?"

Remus gave him a slightly wistful smile at the reminder of being the last Marauder.

"Since before Tonks and I got married, of course. When we realized how upset Katrina was over the idea of us adopting her and why she was so upset, we figured this would be the best thing. We explained it to her before our wedding, when we went on our 'family picnic'. Albus helped us draw up the initial papers and put pressure on the Ministry to give us the guardianship rather than a full adoption.

"I'll tell you, mate, you almost didn't make it. The legal guardianship thing expires after one year. If we had gotten to June before you got married, you'd have ruined everything."

Severus shook his head, as much in irritation with himself as with his brother-in-law. There had been signs all along which he simply had overlooked. Not the least of which was her calling them 'mummy' and 'daddy' in German.

He held out his hand, which Remus took, carefully balancing Katrina against his shoulder with the other one.

"Thank you, Remus."

The words were inadequate to the emotion behind them, but Remus seemed to understand. He squeezed Severus' hand a bit tighter for a moment.

"You bet, Severus. I wouldn't have it any other way. We'll look after her, go enjoy your honeymoon."

"Where are we going?" she whispered as they slipped through the corridors to the dungeon to pick up their luggage.

"Never mind," he said evasively. "It's a surprise."

The torches near Albus' portrait brightened automatically so the portrait could see who was approaching.

"Ah, Rowena! You are a vision! I knew you would be a beautiful bride, again," he said, smiling at her. Fawkes made a soft, crooning sound of contentment from his proper place on the perch just behind the former Headmaster, looking positively resplendent in his vivid red-gold plumage.

"If we are caught because you dawdled to admire my wife I will be exceedingly angry, you Old Meddler," Severus said in tones which were far too fond to be truly threatening. The portrait chuckled, opened and pivoted in his chair so he could continue to talk to them while they gathered their bags and shrunk them for the journey.

"Oh, dear, I take it Remus told you of my part in the disposition of little Katrina?"

"Yes, he did. Was anyone going to bother to inform me of the process?"

"Of course, Severus. Right at the time when your signature was needed. There was no point to tell you beforehand, you would have just refused. Besides, it was fun to have a secret—though very challenging. Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a four-year-old child to keep a secret? She wasn't even four yet when this all started. She's a very bright little girl," Albus said. Rowena beamed at him. Severus paused in the act of shrinking the large trunk, which held their luggage.

"Good point… she will make a fine Slytherin," he said decisively.

"Or a Ravenclaw," Rowena teased.

"You are not a Ravenclaw, you are a Slytherin who was mis-sorted," he said firmly.

"Slytherin doesn't take half-bloods, or Muggle-borns for that matter. Katrina won't be in Slytherin any more than I was," she argued.

"You must return after your sabbatical, Severus," Albus' portrait cut in. "Slytherin House needs you as Head now more than ever. They need a good, strong role model. There are many non-pureblood students over the years who could have gone to Slytherin but refused—you know the Hat offers choices. With your strength and excellent reputation, you could restore it to the diversity, pride and honor it ought to have.

"Don't worry about not living at the school—that was a rule instilled during the first war when we needed the Heads right here on the grounds all the time. Filius could fashion alarm wards from Slytherin House to wherever you decide to live, so with a Portkey, you could be here if there was trouble just as quickly as traversing the corridor from your quarters.

"Think about it, won't you?"

Severus put the now shrunken trunk into a sturdy satchel—it was diminished considerably in size, but the weight did not decrease proportionally, making it still remarkably heavy for its size.

"I will think about it," he said, slinging the satchel over one shoulder. "Later. For now, we need to leave before we are missed at the festivities upstairs."

They left through a seldom-used rear door of the castle, easily accessible from one of the back staircases leading out of the dungeons. Joseph—well, one of Severus' house elves at any rate—was already there; holding the reins of the Thestral hitched to Severus' carriage.

"We is wishing you congratulations," he said, bowing low. "We is watching Miss Katie for you until you get home."

Severus handed Rowena into the carriage and then stopped, turning to look sharply at the elf.

"Joseph, did Miss Katie tell you of the adoption?"

The elf brightened visibly and his ears perked forward.

"Is Miss Katie ours now, Sir? She did tell us, yes, but we is thinking that she is just a wee child, she must not be understanding the ways of grown-up wizards."

Severus glanced into the carriage at Rowena, who was trying to suppress giggles.

"Even my own elves conspire against me," he muttered to her, causing her to lose the battle against the laughter. He turned to the elf, "Yes, Joseph, we have adopted Katrina today. She is our daughter. She is at the Lupins' home, but she will live with us when we return. Please prepare her room while we are gone."

The house elf made an undignified sound of delight and clapped his hands.

"Yes, Sir, Master Sevvie!" he said excitedly, and with a 'pop' he was gone.

A/N: Refresher of German Translations: (thank you Lady Claire)

Pappi—daddy

Mutti—mummy

Frechdachs—brat or rascal, often used affectionately with children

Mein Engelchen—my little angel

The lyrics from the song at the wedding have been severely abbreviated in the interest of space and the fact that they are simply not really relevant to the story, but included to add flavor. I deliberately chose the stanzas which referenced the Phoenix and the eagle, though. /grin/
The information about the Ourorboros symbolism used in their rings was compiled from many different sites, which all said variations of the same theme. The most general one is here:

Ouroboros

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The Ouroboros is an ancient symbol depicting a snake or dragon swallowing its tail, constantly creating itself and forming a circle. It is associated with alchemy, Gnosticism, and Hermeticism. It represents the cyclical nature of things, eternal return, and other things perceived as cycles that begin anew as soon as they end. In some representations the serpent is shown as half light and half dark, echoing symbols such as the Yin Yang, which illustrates the dual nature of all things, but more importantly, that these opposites are not in conflict.

In alchemy, the ouroboros symbolises the circular nature of the alchemist's opus which unites the opposites: the conscious and unconscious mind.

It is believed to have been inspired by the Milky Way, as some ancient texts refer to a serpent of light residing in the heavens.

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