Chapter 37

Andraste and Hermione spent the next few hours in the staff garden decorating and redecorating until they thought it was perfect. By the time they had finished there was a wedding arch made out of dark green roses, and several different types of flowers hanging effortlessly in the air. Andraste had put a shield over the entire garden to keep out the mid-October chill, and they had set up two large tables inside a gazebo that she made out of ivy.

"Shouldn't you be getting dressed?" Mrs. Weasley called out as she stepped into the garden carrying a beautiful cake that perfectly matched the decorations Andraste had created. "It's nearly time for you to get married."

"I guess that might help," Andraste said smiling brightly. "Why don't you come with us?"

"I would be delighted," Molly said, setting the cake down. The three set off towards the dungeon, talking cheerfully about day ahead of them. When they got back to the rooms that Andraste shared with Severus, Andi stood in front of a mirror, studying her reflection.

"Let's do you first," she said, turning to Hermione. "I was thinking deep blue, is that okay?"

"Sure," Hermione responded, smiling. "Blue's my favorite color."

"Okay. How about this?" Andraste waved her hand and Hermione's robes changed into a full length dress that hung off the shoulders. Her hair was up in a soft bun, with small curls framing her face, and a velvet cloak hung lightly off of her neck. Hermione spun around, delight in her eyes.

"It's beautiful," she said, obviously thrilled. "Now it's your turn." Andraste thought for a moment, and then waved her hand. Just as she had done with the decorations, she made her dress in the Slytherin colors as a way of pledging loyalty to Severus and all that he loved. The body of the dress was deep silver, almost gray, and the edges were trimmed in dark green fur. Just as she had designed her maid of honor's to do, her dress hung off of her shoulders. Hers, however, came to a slight 'V' in the front, and a charm from a necklace hung in the center, a small silver copy of the Snape family crest. Much of her hair was also up in a soft bun, but she had left some of it out so that soft curls still laid across her shoulders, the red from her hair accenting the deep green cloak she wore.

"You look like a princess," Molly said cheerfully. "Severus is a lucky man."

"I think we're the lucky ones," Hermione countered. "She finally made him into a tolerable man." The three shared a laugh over the honesty in the girl's words, and headed back to the garden. Albus, thankfully, had arranged for friends to keep watch over the school; and from the entranceway Andi could see that most of the teachers were present at the wedding. Several of the order members had come as well; and, Andraste noted with a smile, Dr. Williams was also there. She couldn't help but think that it was nice to see him without being on the verge of death, even though she hadn't realized Severus invited this many guests. Luckily, the two tables she made were still going to be enough to seat everyone, which, at first glance, appeared to be close to 25 people.

Molly went ahead of them to take her seat next to Arthur as Remus and Severus walked up to them. Both of the men were dressed wonderfully for the event, Andraste noted to herself, but she couldn't take her eyes off of her future husband. Severus was dressed in a perfect black suit; similar to the ones he normally wore with the exception of the light shimmer that this one gave off when he walked. His emerald green dress robe framed his body perfectly, so much so that Andraste forgot to breathe as she watched him walk towards her.

"My eyes have never seen a more beautiful sight," Severus said as he took her hand. "Are you ready to be my wife?"

"Very," Andraste said, her smile so bright that she was unintentionally glowing again.

"Then shall we?" Remus said, holding his arm out for Hermione to take. Hermione slipped her hand around his elbow, and the two walked out into the garden, followed closely by Andraste and Severus. When they reached the wedding arch that Albus was standing under, Hermione and Remus each split to one side, making way for the other two.

"There is a belief," Albus began once the soft murmurs of the guests had settled, "that if two people are so right for each other that they would gladly sacrifice all that they know for the one they love; that together they can do the impossible – that they can defy the very laws of fate itself. We are here today to solidify such a union. Though the time has been short, we have seen the beauty of real love unfold before us; and that is true cause to celebrate. Severus Snape, if you would like to begin." Severus looked at Andraste, his eyes filling with emotion as he struggled to speak out loud the private words that he had known so clearly moments ago.

"Andraste," he said softly, taking her hand "you have brought into my life understanding, not just of the world around me, but of myself. For all that you are, you have allowed me to be all that I am. While you are not blind to my faults, you love me in spite of them, in spite, often, of myself. Through all of the time I have felt alone, you have changed that; and brought your light into my life. For every moment I have spent with you, I have grown to understand more and more what love is, and for that I owe you all that I am, and all that I will ever be. You are the greatest gift this world has ever blessed me with, and as I stand here before you, to make you my wife, every dream I have ever had is being fulfilled. I would gladly lay down my life for you, and forsake all that I hold dear for one moment of your happiness. I will love you, now and forever, that is my promise." He gently slid the ring that Remus had handed him on her finger, doing his best to fight down the emotion that he didn't want to show in front of so many people. Severus and Andraste were so wrapped up in each other, in the moment they were sharing, that they were completely oblivious to the tears that had begun rolling down the faces of many guests.

"Severus," Andraste began, taking his left hand in hers while the tears that she couldn't hold back traced their way down her cheek, "for all that I have done, I had not lived until I met you. You have brought into my life peace and contentment in ways I had never known were possible. For all that I have been, I was nothing until you, you have taught me to love and cherish life, to love and cherish every moment God grants me on this earth. You have taught me that the power of magic, that the power of all that surrounds us is nothing when compared to the power of love. You have showed me how to open myself, to feel in ways I thought I would never feel, and for that I am eternally grateful. You are the greatest gift this world has ever blessed me with, and as I stand here before you, to make you my husband, every dream I have ever had is being fulfilled. I would gladly lay down my life for you, and forsake all that I hold dear for one moment of your happiness. I will love you, now and forever, that is my promise." She slid the ring on his finger, and could immediately feel the magic bond that the two rings forged, but more than that, could feel the even stronger bond that their love had forged. Albus allowed a moment of silence to reign over the garden before he continued.

"The union that these two have formed today, for all of us to witness; is one so strong that it can never be broken. Through the trials of time, and the twists of destiny, we will find that from this moment on, this love will exist. It will be a constant in a world of persistent chaos, and an example from which we will all learn. It is a great honor for me to have the privilege of speaking these words: Severus Snape and Andraste, I now pronounce you husband and wife." Severus leaned forward and kissed Andraste as the guests at the wedding all began to clap and cheer.

"I love you husband," Andraste said, speaking into his mind.

"And I, wife, love you." Severus replied mentally "I understand now why you said the rings were special. Thank you, it means more to me than I could express."

"I had hoped it would," Andraste thought with a smile, taking his hand and turning towards the guests. The wedding reception started immediately, a variety of exotic foods appearing on the tables Andraste had created. After everyone had had their fill of dinner, Remus stood.

"Can I have your attention, please?" Everyone quieted down, and looked at Remus.

"Oh, no. He's going to do a toast, isn't he?" Severus said mentally to Andraste, giving her a look of fright.

"Well, he is the best man. It's his job."

"I didn't think this through very thoroughly." Instead of replying Andraste laughed quietly and turned her focus on Lupin.

"When Severus asked me to be his best man, I must admit that I saw an opportunity. As you all know, though we've known each other for years; our friendship was not always a peaceful one – we have quite a way of getting on each other's nerves. So I thought at first that this would be wonderful revenge. I could stand up here and tell you all that he's an incorrigible bastard with a horrible temperament and a predisposition to moodiness. I've decided not to though." Severus managed to give him a small smile while every one else laughed. "Instead, I'll talk about some of his incredible qualities." Remus paused for a moment, letting silence take over the garden. "Okay I'm done." Again everyone laughed, and even Severus seemed to be handling the speech with a sense of humor. "But really, despite his moodiness, and his less than friendly temperament; we all know that Severus has done great deeds. He is a man of his word, and a man of strength. Surprisingly enough, he is also a man of great luck; he would have to be to be able call someone as wonderful as Andraste his wife. For those that don't know, when he and Andi met there was immediate chemistry. The kind that explodes, and I mean fireball, run for cover, save yourself kind of explodes. During the first 36 hours they knew each other, she made him angrier than I had seen him in years, beat him in a duel by knocking him unconscious, threw wine in his face, yelled at him, embarrassed him, and basically did all the things I'd been wanting to do to him for years. But somehow, regardless of the intense dislike for each other that they began with, they fell in love. It would only make sense that a man as respectable as Severus would belong with a woman as wonderful as Andraste; and that only a woman as strong-willed as Andraste could ever tolerate a man as stubborn as Severus. When two people are as perfect of a fit as these two, there is no doubt that the love they share will last through anything." Remus paused a moment to gather himself, seeing that many guests needed to do the same. He eventually raised his glass, smiling at Andraste and Severus. "I would like you all to join me in wishing these two the best that life has to offer, and a love that will, no doubt, last forever." The entire crowd raised their glasses in congratulations, and then drank to the new husband and wife.

"That was not as bad as I expected," Severus whispered into Andraste's mind.

"It was beautiful and you know it," Andraste replied, as she leaned over to tell Remus how much she loved his speech. Much of the next hour, though filled with celebration, were spent by Andraste and Severus having their own conversation telepathically.

"Have I mentioned how much I love your gift, wife?"

"Only a few times, husband."

"Are you ready to go home?"

"Home. That has a nice sound to it." With the cake finally cut, Severus announced that he was taking his new bride away for the evening, and they would return the next night. After another round of congratulations from the guests, they headed to the Hogwarts border and apparated back to Chateau de Toujours se Rappellent.

"I have something for you," Severus told her after they had settled in, and changed into less formal clothes. He led her through the back exit of the house, towards a building that she hadn't seen before and a large fenced in area. Severus walked up to the fence, blowing on a small silver whistle before handing it to Andraste. A few moments later a pair of black horses came running towards them.

"The stallion's name is Homam, the mare is Sadalbari. I know they could never take Sarine's place, but I thought you might miss riding." The look on Andraste's face showed him how pleased she was with his gift.

"They're beautiful, Severus," Andraste said, reaching out and laying a hand on Sadalbari's neck.

"Would you like to go for a ride, Mrs. Snape?"

"I would love to," Andraste said. "Can you ride bareback?"

"I think I can manage." The horses, as if they had understood the conversation, walked up so that their bodies were in line with the fence, giving Andraste and Severus an easy way to mount them. A moment later they took off at a full run towards the trail that led to the beach. Severus could tell by Andraste's posturing just how comfortable she felt on a horse. She closed her eyes and spread her arms out, completely trusting Sadalbari to keep her safe. The horses slowed as they reached the trail that led down to the water, carefully picking their way down the loose rocks of the steep slope. The wind was growing cold, but both Andraste and Severus failed to notice. The peacefulness of the time they were spending together was too priceless to let the weather ruin it.

"Let's stop here," Andraste said after they had ridden a few miles down the beach. They were in a secluded alcove; a perfect place, in Andi's opinion, to watch the sun set. Andraste dismounted and walked over to a large flat rock. With a wave of her hand she warmed it enough to take out the chill, and a large plush blanket appeared stretched across it. Severus took off his cloak and laid down beside Andraste, using one arm to prop himself up, and covering them both with the thick green material. They watched in silence, wrapped up together, as the sun faded into a blaze of colors behind the water.

"I love you, Husband." Andraste said softly as the last of the light left the sky and the October stars began to take its place. Overcome with emotion and unsure of his own ability to speak, Severus answered with a deep kiss and then pulled her close to him, holding her tightly and resting his head against her neck. The warmth of his body pressed against her, and the feeling of his breath dancing along her neck was enough to make Andraste realize all over again that she had never known love this strong was possible. She pulled back from him, just enough to put her lips to his, and kissed him as if the world was going to end as soon as they let go of each other. Overcome with a sudden sense of urgency, she undressed them both with a wave of her hand, and pulled him on top of her. He slid into her as they kissed, moving at first in rhythm with the waves that were pounding against the rocky shoreline. He held her close, letting his hands roam over her body but his lips never leaving hers as they made love more powerfully than either ever had before. Eventually, neither able to hold off any longer, they exploded together in a flash of glory and passion, and then laid there wrapped up in the thought of each other, and watching the stars trace across the sky.

They talked and laughed through the night, making love three more times before the sun began to rise from behind them.

"I am so tired," Andraste said, snuggling close to Severus.

"Then let's go home and sleep the day away, shall we?" Andi agreed happily and apparated them directly to their bedroom, having sent the horses back hours ago. Almost as soon as their heads reached the soft feather pillows on the bed, they were both sound asleep.

It was past three o'clock when they finally woke up, hungry enough for food and each other that the rest of the day seemed to speed by. Before either of them realized that time had begun to pass, night was falling again and they had to head back to Hogwarts.

"I don't want to go," Andraste whined, burying her head in Severus' shoulder. "Can we just tell them we died?"

"Of course we can," Severus said, his tone sarcastic as he imagined the letter out loud. "Dear Albus. Please excuse our absence from Hogwart's for the next decade. We had an unfortunate accident and died. Sincerely, Professors Severus and Andraste Snape. That is almost as believable as 'my owl ate my homework'."

"Are you trying to tell me," Andraste asked incredulously, putting on a phony English accent, "that owls don't eat homework? You must remind me to have a talk with the second years, I don't believe they know that." Severus chuckled and then reached over her, pulling the covers off her body and tossing them on the floor behind him in one swift move.

"Up, beautiful. Reality calls if we like it or not." Andraste growled viciously and made a leap for the covers he had thrown to the side, only to have him kick them farther out of her reach. "Don't make me apparate us back with you dressed like that," he threatened, eyeing her naked form. "That might be a little more than the students need to see."

"Fine!" Andraste sent him an unpleasant look and stood, dressing herself in her normal way. Less than an hour later they were standing in their dungeon room again, pondering how to spend the evening. After a few graphic suggestions from Severus, Andraste finally decided that they needed more rehearsal time, and they headed to the music room.