Morning arrived quickly before anyone in the wedding party was ready for it. Hermione lay in bed for some time, mulling over random thoughts from homework that needed to be done to marrying Snape. Before they wandered to any number of other random subjects, Ginny came bounding into the Head Girl's quarters. Hermione groaned loudly as her red headed friend bounced onto her bed.

"This is so exciting, Hermione. You're getting married this afternoon!" Ginny was squealing like a pig in her excitement. Even though her best friend was marrying Snape, she would not be deterred.

Hermione responded by groaning louder and simultaneously throwing one pillow at her friend while covering her face with the other. Ginny tossed the pillow aside and attempted to rouse her friend from bed once again. She was literally jumping on it, forcing Hermione to shove her to one side while rolling off the other.

"Okay, Ginny, you need to calm down! This is not how I expected to be woken this morning. Please don't add to my anxiety."

"Sorry. I'm just so excited. You're getting married!"

"You already said that. Now what are you doing here anyway?" She was glaring in a fashion similar to Snape when he was in one of his moods.

Not to be deterred by any of this either, Ginny persisted in her endeavor. "We need to get you ready, silly. You can't look like that when you get married. I need to do your hair, your make up . . ."

Hermione tuned her friend out as she rambled. This was going to be a nightmare. Hermione wondered if choosing Ginny as her Maid of Honor was a death wish. The rest of the morning would be torture. She also wondered what Snape was going through that morning. He was probably sulking in his quarters, wishing he were someone else or somewhere else. Hermione knew she was thinking just that. She was about to be subjected to Ginny Weasley's form of wedding preparation.

: P

Snape was fairing no better than his bride that morning. Dumbledore insisted the groom and best man take their breakfast with him in his quarters. Often, Snape was left out of the conversation as the headmaster and DADA professor discussed trivial muggle fair. Not that it mattered to him anyway; Snape could care less about the subject, but he was quickly approaching his wit's end, and it was not even ten o'clock. Lupin scolded him for what had to be the twentieth time that morning for scowling. How could he not when he was subjected to pointless conversation for several hours in which he had no interest to begin with? The monotony carried on for what felt like days so he let his thoughts wander to whatever wished to come.

"Severus?"

He was pulled from his reverie at the recognition of his name. "Yes, Albus?" he asked a bit pointedly.

"I inquired after your thoughts on Miss Granger being allowed to keep her current quarters as well as sharing yours."

"That would be most satisfactory," he responded a little inattentively. The mention of Hermione caused him to lose focus. He was not ready for marriage in the slightest, and she would be infringing on his territory by night's end. Life had been completely unfair to him in almost all respects. Snape was confident this would not be any different. He finally processed what he had just agreed to, and it lightened his mood a bit. She would have her own territory to escape to when necessary. It would indeed be most satisfactory.

"Good. Now that we've taken care of that piece of business, the two of you are excused to begin preparing for the ceremony."

Snape could not leave fast enough. It was about bloody time the headmaster let him leave. He could brood for a few hours and savor what was left of his bachelorhood for a while. The thought was quite appealing. It was all the time he had left in his chambers before they were to become "their" chambers. Why had he ever agreed to this in the first place? Ah, yes. That stupid promise he made because of his own idiocy when it came to Lucius Malfoy. Life was cruel to him. It was a villain, an unparalleled nemesis in his case. Thus, Snape's frown increased beyond measure that morning.

: P

As far as Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts and officiating minister of the wedding, was concerned, all was going as expected. Guests began arriving at two that afternoon. Most of the professors were present. The entire Weasley clan was present, minus Ron who refused to be dragged there, even by his own mother, and Ginny who was still preparing Hermione for her big day. Bill and Charlie had made special arrangements to be present, much to Molly's surprise and excitement. The Grangers arrived without trouble via a port key the headmaster sent them with explicit instructions on its proper use. As for students, Neville Longbottom, a long time friend of Hermione's who she refused to not invite, and Draco Malfoy, invited at the insistence of Snape who needed someone to represent himself amongst the other guests who were largely invited by Hermione, were seated as far from each other as possible. It could have been a bit of a ruse considering Draco's allegiances, but no one pressed the matter. Mrs. Snape had come and found, what she thought, would be a safe corner separate from the rest of the "inferior" company. However, discovering she was the mother of the dreaded Potions Master, Fred and George quickly relocated so that she was seated between the two of them. Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey attempted to extricate the two, but to no avail. Hagrid was weeping like a baby despite the wedding being nearly an hour off. Poor Flitwick was getting an unexpected shower and had to keep placing a drying charm on himself. Only Harry had yet to arrive to round out the guest list. All was well as the wedding of Hogwarts' Potions Master and Head Girl approached quickly.

End Part 9

A/N: The next two chapters are shorter due to the wedding, and have been posted at the same time. The reception will follow within the next couple of days.

Facil Glow: Thanks for pointing out that Severus does indeed have a half-sibling in this fic. However, said sibling is not scheduled to make an appearance as yet. It will be noted if he/she does. Thanks for your observance!