Chapter 5: Wedding Day

Hermione and Ginny woke early Saturday morning. They were already at Hogwarts with Tonks. They were going to spend the morning getting ready for the wedding. The two girls each took showers and then went to wake Tonks, who was NOT a morning person. "Come on Tonks, wake-up, you're getting married today!" Ginny said bubbling with happiness. Tonks just grumbled and slept on.

Hermione grinned mischievously before transfiguring the extra pillow into the shape of a human and giving it a glamour charm to look almost exactly like Remus. She then put on a fake look of outrage and shrieked, "Tonks! You're not supposed to see the groom before the wedding, get out of that bed right now!" Tonks rolled over opening her eyes slowly and saw the fake Lupin before shrieking and jumping out of the bed.

Hermione and Ginny laughed as they returned the pillow to normal. Tonks just groaned and mock glared at the girls. "Oh, be happy, you're getting married today!" Ginny laughed at her friend. Tonks then grinned at them and they hustled her off to the shower. Hermione sat down and flipped through the new book she had bought on beauty charms. Not normally her cup of tea, but they wanted Tonks to look perfect on her special day. Most of the book was of hairstyle charms and a few were make-up charms but the one Hermione was looking for was the 'happy day' charm that prevented the face from getting red or puffy when the person cried and wouldn't let the make-up run either.

"Come on ladies, let's get beautiful!" Tonks said as she came out of the shower. She was still in her hot pink hair and had a big white towel around her. The two girls smiled and looked at each other before Hermione took it upon herself to bring up what Harry had mentioned to them.

"Um, Tonks, we thought you might want to look however it is you naturally look today, since you're getting married and all," Hermione told her with a small smile.

"I think that's a good idea," Tonks said looking in the mirror. "Remus, Harry and my family are the only other people who know what I look like now. I'm sure some of the teachers remember me from my school days, but not many." She then changed back into herself. The girls smiled, she was beautiful. Her sandy brown hair was medium length and she has hazel eyes and a small nose. She shrugged at the girls with a small smile as they saw their friend's real appearance for the first time.

"You look beautiful," Hermione said with her eyes tearing up.

"You look exactly like the woman I always pictured Remus with, I had thought my radar was off or something but now I realize it's because he's in love with the real you, no matter what you look like." Ginny told her and the three girls hugged. "Enough of this silliness, we need to get you dressed and do your hair and makeup!"

They tried the make up spells first, so as not to spoil the dress. They had tried some different color combinations to find what worked with her skin tone and features. They finally decided on a muted pallet of browns and a hint of pink to her cheeks, just enough to highlight her features but not overpower them. Her special wedding undergarments and silk stockings were next, followed finally by her gown. She loved the cream colored gown with all the golden details. "I wish I had found a necklace to go with this dress, I feel almost naked without something on my neck," Tonks said wistfully.

Harry arrived as if on cue to that statement and knocked on her door. Hermione answered it and let him in. "I need to see my future mum for a second, there's something she's missing." He said pulling the black velvet box from behind his back. He held it out to Tonks with a big goofy smile. "Remus had this specially commissioned for you to wear today; I hope it's what you wanted."

Tonks smiled at the gesture and wondered what it was to make Harry grin like that. She slowly opened the box and gasped before starting to cry. Inside was the absolute perfect necklace. It was the exact thing she was looking for. It was gold with diamonds. The details were delicate and the golden threads were interspersed by the diamonds. She turned to Harry and hugged him tightly. "It's perfect; tell him it is exactly what I wanted." Harry helped her into the necklace since the other two girls were speechless and just staring at it with wide eyes.

Harry kissed each girl and headed off to get ready with Remus and Severus. Hermione and Ginny broke out of their stupor. "Oh, Tonks, it's perfect, just what you need to go with your dress!" Ginny said.

"It is absolutely stunning; it's both delicate and beautiful. It looks perfect with the dress," Hermione said and they all agreed. "Now we just need to take care of your hair!" Hermione pulled out the spell book and they experimented with a few of the charms before they found one they thought was perfect. The front half of her hair was pulled back and braided with thin golden ribbons. The hair was braided into a circle resembling a halo or crown. Hermione stepped back satisfied and they decided Tonks was perfect!

"Now we have to get you two ready!" Tonks laughed and flipped through the book while the girls slipped on their stockings and into their matching bridesmaid dresses. They were a deep cobalt blue with a slit cut out of the front up the left side to the waist showing the cream colored fabric underneath. Around the top of the cutout there was a starburst of rhinestone details.

The girls put their makeup on and then focused on their hair. Ginny pulled her sides back and then performed a charm to make her hair fall in soft waves down her back. Her red hair looked pretty against the blue dress. Hermione charmed her hair into a partial twist with the rest of it spilling down in ringlet curls.

"You two look beautiful," Tonks told them as they headed down to the great hall a few hours later. Tonks' father Ted, Harry and Severus were meeting them outside the entrance so they could escort them into the hall for the ceremony. Harry grinned as he saw his 3 favorite girls coming towards them.

"You ladies look positively gorgeous," He said kissing them each on the cheek before offering his arm to Ginny. The girls were just staring at the guys in their dress robes. Harry and Severus were in deep red robes, the color was so dark it was closer to black than red. Hermione and Ginny were in shock to see their professor out of his customary black.

"Severus, you look smashing in red!" Tonks said with a cheeky grin and he just nodded. As much as he wanted to go back to his normal robes he was happy that the red robes were at least a very deep color. He had to admit that the robes were a fine cut and very comfortable.

Hermione and Severus entered first with her smiling and he focusing on not scowling as everyone assembled stared at them. Harry and Ginny were next, both grinning and excited. Remus was looking slightly nervous. He was in gold robes with an almost dazed expression as he waited to see his bride appear. Harry and Severus stood behind and to the right of Remus while the girls were to the left of where Tonks would stand. Dumbledore was next to Remus twinkling more than usual in his joy of seeing two of his friends find happiness in each other.

Tonks entered on her father's arm and Remus was breathless seeing her looking so amazing. He couldn't believe how lucky he was. Her image as she walked towards him would be ingrained in his mind forever. Tonks was radiating happiness as she approached Remus. She kissed her father and took Remus' hand so they could start the binding. The ceremony was simple. They exchanged vows of faithfulness, devotion, protection and everlasting love. They bound their hands and their magic, so their magic could never be used against the other. They exchanged rings and a kiss and then they were husband and wife.

The girls all cried at the appropriate places during the ceremony and all the invited guests were amazed at how romantic the ceremony was. Dumbledore smiled at everyone gathered in the hall. "It is my great pleasure and honor to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Remus Lupin!" Everyone smiled and cheered for the happy couple as they took the traditional wedding walk down the isle.

As soon as the wedding party exited the hall, Albus waved his wand and the hall was transformed for the reception. The order members and Tonks family were seated at small round tables of 6 set around the outside of the hall leaving plenty of dancing room in the center and a long table for the wedding party at the front.

"Now you can't say anything when I call you mum," Harry said with a smile as he hugged his 'parents'. "It is so great to have a real family."

Severus and Hermione hung back and watched the dynamic of the new family, Remus and Tonks were so happy and Harry and Ginny were obviously hooked on each other. The four of them got along very well; they even acted as a family. "I'm guessing that in two years they will all be family. I don't think Harry and Ginny will wait very long to wed after she finishes school," Hermione said to Severus.

"That would not surprise me either," Severus told her. "I expect he will propose before the end of the school year."

"Yes, they are so perfect together. Ginny has loved him since the first time she saw him and he is completely smitten. I know they will marry since Ginny had a vision of it!" Hermione said.

"I never believed in divination until she saved my life. Since that day I have had to reevaluate my beliefs and have come to respect her vision." Snape told her. He then offered her his arm again, as it was time to reenter the hall.

The house elves had outdone themselves with the gourmet meal. There was a pink champagne fountain as well as fairly lights and the cream colored table cloths were accented with gold table settings. The overall effect was very tasteful. The wedding party sat and Harry prepared to give the toast.

"This has been a great experience. First I was adopted and finally had the father figure I have always needed and now that family is finally complete. I was honored that Remus asked me to be his best man and am even more honored to be considered his son. I propose a toast to a long, happy life full of laughter and love. To my family, my friends, to Remus and Tonks!" Harry said while raising his glass in a toast. The guests all followed suit and then settled down to eat.

During dinner many of the guests came up to the head table to congratulate the new couple. When the Weasley clan made their way over Hermione noticed that Ron was staring at her. He finally headed over to her and gave her a shy smile, "You look beautiful today Hermione." He couldn't believe how great she looked; it was even better than the Yule ball in 4th year.

Severus, who was seated beside her, snorted and sent a baleful look to the youngest Weasley male. "Is that saying that she doesn't look beautiful everyday, just today?" Snape asked with a smirk as Ron turned bright red. He turned to Hermione and leaned in to speak in her ear where Weasley couldn't hear. "I say you look stunning this evening, even more beautiful than normal," he said enjoying her blush and Ron's sputter of indignation. He so loved baiting the young red head.

Hermione knew he was just trying to get a rise out of Ron by whispering in her ear. She couldn't help but blush at the compliment, even if it was meant to tease her friend. "Thank you Severus, you look more handsome than normal tonight as well." She said while batting her eyelashes and giving him an overly sweet smile. The result was something none of them were used to. Severus Snape, evil potions master, chuckled and even cracked a small smile.

Ron finally realized they were teasing him and he huffed off back to his table, causing the usually stoic man to chuckle again. "I like your laugh, you should laugh more often, it makes your eyes sparkle," Hermione told him with a genuine smile this time.

"Continue to surprise and amuse me and perhaps I will," he said with a nod of his head before returning to his meal. The rest of the meal passed quickly and soon it was time for dancing. Remus and Tonks danced their first dance to Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight. They held each other close and the rest of the guests blended into the background until they thought they felt like they were the only ones there.

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met," Remus said kissing her gently. "You make me the happiest man in the world."

Tonks was on cloud 9. She had never felt so happy or so loved in her life. She had heard other women talk about how magical their weddings were and she hadn't understood until now. When she was in Remus' arms she felt as if she was floating. "I love you Remus and I am so glad to be your wife."

As the song ended he turned to her, "Well Mrs. Lupin, I guess it's time to drag the others out here." The motioned for the wedding party to join them on the dance floor. Harry pulled Ginny close to him and Severus kept Hermione at a safe, comfortable arm's length distance. The song was Nat King Cole's Unforgettable. Hermione was impressed with how smoothly Snape danced. He moved her around the dance floor in graceful arcs.

Severus was surprised by how easy it was to dance with Hermione. Yes, he knew how to dance but the last time he had it was awkward and forced. This dance was smooth and he found it easy to move her around the floor. She followed his lead perfectly and he actually found himself enjoying their dance. He was even a tad disappointed when the song ended. He led her back to the head table as the next song started and many of the other guests took to the dance floor.

Hermione sat back at the table and wondered who she could dance with the rest of the night. She was just starting dating Oliver and knew he wouldn't mind her dancing. She was searching the guests for someone to dance with, when Ron came up and offered to dance with her. Ron was not a good dancer, by the end of the song he had stepped on her feet twice. He was also still ogling her appearance which made her uncomfortable. She was relieved when Charlie cut in for the next dance. "My brother is a clumsy oaf when it comes to dancing," he said with a smile. "You looked like you could use rescuing." They danced the rest of the song and he returned her to the head table when a fast song started.

Hermione noticed Severus sat staring at the happily dancing guests without making any effort to ask any of them to dance. He had poured himself another glass of champagne and looked resigned to sit in his chair the rest of the night. She was about to ask him to dance when Albus and Minerva came up to them. "Why are you two not out there dancing?" Minerva asked them with a grin as she forced Severus to dance with her. Hermione smiled as Dumbledore offered his arm.

Hermione giggled as Albus led her in a lively dance. Poor Severus looked miserable. "Why does he hate dancing so much?" She asked Albus motioning to Snape.

"Severus puts up defenses so he doesn't get hurt. He is convinced no one would want to spend time with him so he shuts everyone out, guaranteeing that no one does." Dumbledore told her with a sad look on his face. "He is getting more relaxed with the Order members though, if there was anyone else here he wouldn't have danced at all.
"He is such a great dancer," Hermione said with a smile, "The best dance partner I've ever had, present company excluded of course."

"Ah, my dear, there is no need to flatter me. I know that I cannot compare to the fluid grace Severus has," he said twinkling. The song ended and a slower song began. Albus took her over to where Minerva still had a hold of Snape. He placed Hermione's hand in Severus' as he spun Minerva into his arms. "You kids enjoy your night!" He called to them as they just watched him boogie to the slow music.

"Would you like to dance?" Hermione asked shyly. They were already on the dance floor so she figured why not. "I'm sure that's what Albus had in mind anyway, the conniving old man." She smiled again as Snape placed his hand on her lower back and started leading her in the dance.

"No doubt Albus realizes you are one of the few women I would consent to dance with," Severus told her. "I may enjoy dancing but I require a partner of grace and intelligence. I refuse to dance with someone who cannot hold a decent conversation." Hermione grinned at him as she realized the compliment. She realized that she was having a much better time dancing with him than she had with Ron or Charlie or any of the boys she had ever danced with previously.

Ron headed over to where Harry and Ginny were dancing, "Why is she dancing with the git? Didn't she only have to dance with him for the first song?"

"Leave her alone Ron, at least she found someone to dance with that won't step on her feet repeatedly," Ginny told him with a giggle. "Besides, they look so graceful together."

"Who else is she going to dance with or he dance with for that matter?" Harry asked his friend. "I'm just glad they are both having a good time. Remus was worried that Snape would be miserable. Perhaps they are dancing to keep the Remus happy."

"Oh! That makes sense," Ron said happily and went back to sit down.

"He needs to get over his jealousy soon," Ginny said rolling her eyes. "Both Hermione and Susan are going to kick his ass if he doesn't!"

Tonks smiled and leaned into her husbands arms. "It looks like Severus is attempting to have a good time tonight," she told him with a smile. She knew he was slightly worried about his groomsman having a bad time. "Hermione seems to be enjoying herself as well. It's wired to see them getting along so well."

"They are very much alike." Remus said, "They are both overly smart and have a hard time relating to others. I fear Hermione would have been a recluse if not for her friendship with Harry and Ron. I think living at headquarters over the summer will be good for him. Perhaps he'll come out of his protective shell a little bit and show us a little bit more of whom he really is."

"I am surprised with how much he as opened up since Christmas. That little talk you had with him about Harry seemed to have really helped. From what I've heard he hasn't insulted Harry much at all since and has taken to complimenting Hermione for her intelligence and I even heard he complimented Neville. That night you two broke up the party in Gryffindor tower I was shocked when he agreed to join the game." Tonks said as they continued to dance.

"He has never had any real friends before. Sure he was friendly with his fellow Slytherins in school, but he never was comfortable enough with them. I think he is finally realizing what he has been missing all these years and allowing himself a bit of fun." Remus told his beautiful new wife.

"Everything was so beautiful at the wedding," Ginny told Harry while they danced. "Do you think our wedding will be that magical?"

"I think it will be even more amazing," Harry told her giving her a kiss. "There will never be a more beautiful bride than you. In fact there had never been a more beautiful woman than you. I love you Gin and I always will."

Ginny just smiled and laid her head against his chest. She loved the content feeling she had when she was in Harry's arms. She knew they would one day be married and that was enough to keep her hopes up that the dark days that she knew were approaching would not last forever. She wished the war would never come, she didn't want to loose any of her friends or family but at the same time she wished it would hurry up and be over so she could start her life with Harry. She knew they would never marry as long as the threat of Voldemort was still around. Harry would never endanger her that way. She wondered how long they would have to wait.

"So how are things going with you and Susan?" Charlie asked Ron as they sat and watched all the couples dance. "I heard from the twins that they walked in on a compromising situation while she was at the burrow."

"They got there too early to walk in on anything other than some light petting and snogging. If they had stayed at work another hour it might have been a different story." Ron said bitterly. "Things are going very well with her though. We have a lot in common and it just feels so right to be with her. I know I loved Hermione, in fact I still do in many ways, but the relationship always felt so forced. Susan and I are nothing like that, everything just happens with ease and we are happy. Can you believe she actually thought that she wasn't good enough for me! I had thought that I was the lucky one and yet she says that her mum told her she wasn't good enough to be with the son of the minister!"

"Why would her family be that awful to her?" Charlie asked shocked.

"It's just her mum; her father is a nice man. Her mum is a typical pureblood Slytherin and feels that Susan is a disappointment because she was sorted into Hufflepuff." Ron told his brother with a shake of his head. "She was so amazed at how loving our family is. It made me fall even more in love with her. I hope that I can show her how much she deserves to be loved and cherished."

"You have it bad little bro. Even though I still think Hermione was a great catch, I'm glad you found someone that makes you happy. So do you think that she's the one?" Charlie asked.

"Perhaps, we'll see how everything plays out this year. We are going to invite her to join the EDA and see how much she wants to be involved in the war. I think her reaction to how involved we are will be a tell tale sign of how compatible we are. If she is the person I think she is, then I think I'll probably ask for her hand at the end of the school year." Ron said with a sappy smile on his face. "That is if I can put a stop to my jealousy of anyone who goes near to Hermione."

Charlie laughed at his brother. "Sorry to tell you mate, but jealousy is one of the hardest things to ignore. You have spent 6 years being protective of her and jealous of any guy other than Harry that she spends her time with; it will take a while to get over it. You might want to mention to Susan how you are trying to stop, to avoid any fights on that front. We Weasley men are known for our fiery tempers and jealous fits, it runs in the family. I ran off three different girls that way. Two when I was at Hogwarts and one already in Romania. I have a damn time with women and it looks like you're taking after me!"

"Thanks, I'd rather take after Bill! He's always been smooth with the ladies and now he's somehow landed himself a Veela!" Ron said with a laugh. He had always thought that he took after Charlie the most of his older brothers which could be why Charlie was his favorite. Charlie was Ron's favorite and vice versa while Bill was Ginny's favorite as well as her being his and the twins were obviously each other's favorite. Ron chuckled as he realized that Percy had never been anyone's favorite, he had always been a stuck up git.

Hermione was having a nice time dancing with Severus and she hoped he was too. She didn't want to go sit back down or be forced to dance with Ron again. As the song drew to a close she plucked up her Gryffindor courage. "I'd like to keep dancing, if that's alright with you." She said with a shy smile up at the man she never would have imagined liking dancing with.

"That is acceptable, besides it will make the Lupins happy that I am not acting the part of anti-social wallflower." Snape said with a smirk. "The wolf seems to have joined the ranks of Albus and Minerva in the quest to see me happy." He shuddered when saying the word happy and Hermione had to bite her lip not to laugh.

"They just care about you and want you to be as happy as they are. Although I'm not sure it's healthy to be as happy as the headmaster. He is a bit on the eccentric side." Hermione said with a grin. "They just don't understand that a person can be happy without needing to constantly be entertained. Harry and Ron are a lot like that. They don't understand how I can be happy to spend my time reading and researching. They are convinced they must drag me out to 'have fun' which usually means breaking the rules."

Severus was surprised with how well she seemed to understand. He had never really stopped to think that she was pestered by her friends as much as he was by his colleagues. He paused at calling them friends, but he guessed they were the only real friends he had. The next song had ended and a lively tune had started. He was not familiar with the more recent music styles and the wild moves they called dancing. "Perhaps we should break for a moment to refresh ourselves?" He asked her and offered his arm while nodding toward the head table and their beverages.

"That sounds like a good idea, this isn't the kind of music you dance to in a lovely dress like this or in front of people you hold so much respect for," she said with a small smile. "There is a new club in Diagon Alley that plays this kind of music. A bunch of us are planning an outing there sometime this coming week. It'll give us a chance to see some of our friends without compromising the location of headquarters."

"I heard Draco mention something about it," Severus said attempting conversation. "I believe he took Tonks there when he believed her to be Amanda."

"Yes he did," she said with a small giggle. "I wonder if she is as clumsy at dancing as she is at walking." They both chuckled at that thought. "Do you think it will be alright if I go out a few days a week? It won't interfere with our research will it?" She asked realizing that her summer research plans were much more important than having fun with her friends.

"Everyone needs a break from time to time. I don't think our research will take up too much of our nightly free time. We can concentrate on research during the days and you can entertain your friends at night," he said not able to hide the small scowl at the idea.

"You're more than welcome to join us when we go out," Hermione told him. "I'll have to warn you that there will be many Quidditch obsessed people there though. And watch out when Oliver and Harry start talking strategy, it gets quite detailed."

"I did not realize you were still in contact with Mr. Wood. He graduated three years ago did he not?" Snape asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, he came to the last match and we caught back up. He is on the national team and figured out about Harry and Xavier. We have been owling since he came to visit the school and he came to visit me last week for a few days." Hermione said with a sparkle in her eyes that the potions master did not fail to catch.

"Ah, so that is who the roses were from then?" He said as he led her back out to the dance floor once the songs slowed down again. "I take it he will be your dance partner at the club?"

"Yeah," she said looking away with a blush. "This is very new to me. I'm not used to all the attention. Ron was never all that attentive and he is the only comparison I have other than Victor Krum who couldn't even pronounce my name correctly."

"My Slytherins seemed very attentive to you at the end of the year," Snape said with a smirk. "I believe every one of the boys asked you to dance at one point and there were quite a few arguing over who was going to ask you to Hogsmead."

"I was only asked to Hogsmead by Sylvester Spinnet and to let him down I had to tell him I was already interested in someone. That lead to the rumor that I was enamored with a Slytherin coupled with Draco's announcement that he would set me up with a Slytherin, let's just say they all expect me to end up with someone from your house." She said with a smirk. "I don't think they'd be very happy to know that I'm dating a Gryffindor at the moment!"

"I am intrigued at how you were able to win over my house. I am sure you are the object of many of their fantasies. I would not expect them to let you go easily. My house is very cunning; they will not stop until you are claimed by one of their own." Snape said with a smug smirk on his face.

"Perhaps, but I am a stubborn Gryffindor. I will not be easily swayed into the arms of a Slytherin." She told him firmly but with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Severus leaned closer to her and spoke softly into her ear, "You may be stubborn, but my dear you are already, at the moment, in the arms of a Slytherin." He smirked to himself as she sucked in her breath at his comment. He so enjoyed teasing her and her friends. He was surprised at the tingle that went through him as his lips brushed against her ear as he spoke. It had been a very long time since he last had a woman in his arms, even if it was just a platonic dance.

Hermione sucked in her breath at both his comment and at the rush of energy that ran through her as his lips accidentally brushed her ear as he spoke. His voice was a low purr that was almost erotic it was so velvety. His voice had always fascinated her in class. He could inspire such a range of emotion with just a small change of pitch or inflection of his voice. His voice was almost melodic when lecturing and could turn cold as ice when he was berating a student, but she had never experienced this end of the spectrum before and she was afraid to admit she liked it. With him out of his traditional black teaching robes and relaxed while dancing with her, he seemed a completely different person than her potions master. The man she was dancing with was Severus, Order member and her research partner. The cold man at Hogwarts was Snape the potions master and black bat of the dungeon. It was interesting to her how easily she could separate them in her mind. She wondered which one was the real him, or if he was a combination of the two.