Hermione balked briefly and whispered in shock, "Lord and Lady?"
"Curb your shock. I'll explain later," Severus said, noting the expressions of surprise on the Hermione's parents' faces as well. He placed a hand on the small of her back to steady her.
In the next instant, the Great Hall was transformed from the wedding setup to the reception accommodations. "Please feel free to congratulate the happy couple and enjoy the party!" Dumbledore said merrily, eyes twinkling like crazy.
Somehow Severus knew everything was going much too well. It was not long before he was proved right. The whole school was suddenly present and the reception turned into one big school party. He suddenly wished he had voiced the desire for a small reception. "Get me out of here now," he groaned, talking to no one in particular. His trademark scowl was returning to his features. Dumbledore chuckled.
"Severus, if you guarantee a party, the school remains quiet for some time. However, what the morning brings is another matter." Dumbledore walked away, leaving a groaning Severus and a shell-shocked Hermione.
"Now, now, Severus dear. That's no the spirit of things," Molly Weasley said, approaching them. Molly and Arthur were quite fond of him despite his vitriolic temperament. He had been vital to the Order, and they thought he deserved some happiness. Molly was ecstatic to receive an invitation and quickly rounded up the whole family to attend. "Hermione, dear, you look stunning. Wouldn't you agree boys?" Fred and George were ogling Hermione. Severus growled, and they quickly agreed before getting as far away from the Potions Master as they could. "It's a shame Ron wasn't here though."
"But I was, Mum," Hermione's red headed friend said, approaching them from a corner. He turned to Hermione and said, "I'm sorry I got so angry with you. I didn't even give you a chance. It was stupid of me." Molly gave her youngest son a hug before excusing herself to find her husband.
"Thanks, Ron. It means a lot to me." She gave him a big hug that, unknown to her, made Severus slightly jealous.
Ron turned to the professor and said, "I'm sorry about that incident in class. I would have deserved whatever punishment you saw fit to give me. I've been a total idiot in all this. I'm trusting you to take care of her, Professor. If you don't, there might be some nasty consequences via Fred and George."
Severus honestly replied, "I would not think of hurting, Hermione, Mr. Weasley." Ron nodded. However, the professor was not done with him yet. There was one question lingering in the air between them. "Tell me one thing, Weasley. Why did you not name Hermione in class the other day?"
Ron smiled sheepishly. "I didn't want to hurt her. I did want to hurt you, but not her. I'm not that callous to do it in front of the whole class."
Severus briefly responded, "Very well. Your apology has been noted."
Harry and Ginny started approaching the pair when they noticed Ron was with them. Harry smiled and head locked his friend from behind. "Are you threatening Hermione's husband with curses Ron?"
Ron struggled to get free for a moment before weaseling his way out. "Only courtesy of Fred and George."
"We'd suggest Weasley's Wizard Wheezes to do that job!" they heard a pair of voices shout from a nearby table. Everyone except Severus smiled at the comment.
Harry took the opportunity to give Hermione a hug. Ginny was quickly next in line. Turning to Severus, Harry extended his hand. The older man accepted. "Well, sir, I won't threaten to curse you or anything, but I don't want to have to look into a way of bringing Voldemort back to life."
"Mr. Potter," Severus said sternly.
"I'm only joking, Professor. Take care of her. She's precious to us. Ron, Ginny, and I would be lost without that big squishy brain of hers." Harry winked causing Hermione to roll her eyes. Ron and Ginny laughed, and Severus even smiled a bit at the comment.
"Mr. Potter, I assure you, I will take good care of her."
Hermione instinctively placed her hand in Severus'. He tensed a bit at the sudden contact, but quickly reminded himself to relax. "Thanks, Severus." She was smiling at him. It unnerved him a bit to see her smile at him like that. He was completely unused to being on the receiving end of such a gesture. "Guys, Ginny, if you don't mind, I need to steal Severus away for a bit. My parents are looking a little overwhelmed." The group split apart as the newlyweds found their way to the Grangers' table. "Hey Mum, Dad. Do you mind if Severus and I take a seat?"
"Not at all dear," Angelina replied.
"Thanks." Hermione sat in the chair Severus pulled out for her. She surveyed her parents quickly. They had been incredibly supportive of her choice to attend Hogwarts over the years. It had been quite a shock to discover she was a witch and that magic was real, but, over the years she found she felt more and more at home with the idea. Her parents learned to accept it, and she was quite proud of them. She was especially proud of them for coming to her wedding and supporting her decision.
Severus was trying to keep his nerves down. For some reason, he felt as if he was under investigation. He soon found out why.
David Granger broke the quiet of the table by asking, "Did I hear correctly that you are a Lord, Severus?"
He hesitated, taking a quick glance toward his mother who was approaching them. "Yes, it is true that I am a Lord. The title has been in my family for several generations. Since my father passed some ten odd years ago, I have carried that title. Although, I admit, I have yet to be comfortable using it as I rarely find it necessary."
"Really now, Severus," it was his mother, "You're becoming a disgrace to the family name, not using your proper title." He knew what she had avoided saying. It was not that he never used the title, it was the fact he had just married a muggle born, a mudblood. Vile woman, why could she not stay out of his business?
Putting on appearances, he rose to greet her. "Hello, Mother. Allow me to introduce you to Hermione's parents, David and Angelina Granger. This is my mother, the former Lady of the house, Elizabeth Snape. Please, Mother, have a seat."
"Thank you, Severus. At least you have the decency to use your manners," she responded in a grating tone. "A pleasure, Daniel and Angel," she said to Hermione's parents haughtily whilst taking the seat her son offered her.
Hermione's father was about to correct the women but was stopped short at his daughter's nonverbal warning not to do so. Since she had more experience with the woman, he trusted her judgment. Apparently, correcting Elizabeth Snape was not on the to do list. Hermione took the opportunity to divert attention elsewhere. "Dad, would you get us drinks please?"
"Of course dear. What would everybody like?" He took their orders and began to make his way toward the buffet table. Severus followed, mentioning to Hermione he wished a word with her father.
Before leaving, he whispered in his wife's ear, "If Albus spiked the punch, I'll kill him." Then, as an afterthought, he added, "Why can I never be drunk when I wish to be?" Hermione chuckled as he shook his head in disgust.
Elizabeth Snape began looking indifferently between mother and daughter. The girl was smiling ridiculously. Elizabeth simply did not understand muggles. She was most certainly not happy her son married one. Although she had told him as much, she knew it would not change his mind. He was as stubborn as his father. Hopefully, he would not have an early death like her husband. Augustus Snape had become so engulfed in his work that he killed himself as a result. For some time, it appeared Severus would follow suit without an attempt to continue the line. Although she was relieved he finally married, why did he have to be to this mudblood? She relinquished her title to this muggle born? Surely Severus could have found a pureblood to marry. She scowled. Muggles and mixed bloods were so . . . nontraditional.
While the women were sitting in uncomfortable silence looking between each other, Severus was apologizing to David for his mother's behavior.
"I feel the need to apologize for my mother. I'm afraid there's no changing her attitude toward muggle borns. Insufferable woman." David laughed. "She's so caught up in the whole idiotic concept that pure blood wizards are superior, it's no wonder I turned out the way I did."
"You're an honorable man, Severus. Really." He just nodded slightly, so David continued along a different line. "Why did your mother hand her title to Hermione?"
"It's my mother's idea of a 'proper wedding present.' She only did it because it would reflect badly on her if she hadn't. However, I'm grateful she did because it complicates my relationship with her less for the time being. That's one uncomfortable discussion I can avoid in the future."
The two finished getting the drink orders in relative silence. They turned to leave when Dumbledore greeted them. "Severus, congratulations again."
"Thank you, Albus." He was only half sincere, but no one could have told the difference.
"David, it's wonderful you and Angelina could make it for the wedding. I hope the accommodations have been satisfactory."
"Very much so, Headmaster. Thank you for all the trouble you've gone to for us. We're just happy to be present for our daughter's marriage."
"It was the least we could do. I'll leave you two alone. However, Severus, before I forget, there is some business we need to finish tomorrow. I'll need you and Hermione to stop by my office sometime."
"Of course."
"And I didn't spike the punch, but there are a few suspicious Slytherins you may wish to question later." The Headmaster winked and was on his way to find Professor McGonagall, who, it seemed, was trying to deal with the Weasley twins who had decided to start some business in one of the remote corners of the hall.
David and Severus returned to the table, and passed the time amiably enough considering the presence of Severus' mother. Before long, it was time for dancing to begin. Severus found himself pulled to the floor by his wife and danced the first song with her. She was pleased to find he was a capable dancer. They did not talk as they were caught up in their thoughts. After that, Hermione found herself in her father's arms as he skillfully danced her around the floor in the father-daughter dance. Somehow Severus had been convinced to dance with his own mother at some point and they grudgingly did so, an uncomfortable silence evident between them. However, the line was drawn when Fred and George attempted to dance with Elizabeth Snape and she finally left. This occurrence brought a smile to many, Severus included, and would be spoken off for some time.
Finally, around one in the morning, the last guests were on their way out. Hermione's parents each gave her and her husband a big hug of congratulations. Molly Weasley was not far behind, Arthur in tow. He had cornered the Grangers at one point and had nearly cross-examined them on the proper use of the remote control. If not for Harry bailing them out, they could still have been subjected to the man's incessant questions. However, the muggle couple still considered him a friend despite his enthusiasm for simple muggle devices. Dumbledore had finally managed to shoo the majority of the school back to their rightful dorms leaving a few professors and the couple in the Great Hall. With a flick of his wrist, Dumbledore had returned it to its normal state. The stragglers said good night, leaving the Snapes and the Headmaster alone. He hugged both bride and groom and left for his own quarters.
Severus extended his arm and inquired, "Shall we?"
Hermione tiredly smiled at him and took hold of his arm. Thus, arm in arm, they found their way to their quarters in the dungeon.
End Part 11- - - - - - -
A/N: I hope you enjoyed. Reviews are welcome and desired, so please send feedback my way. Please note: this will be the last chapter posted until after Christmas due to my school situation. I hate to disappoint my readers, but I'll be studying abroad for a semester, which will make it hard for me to update. I apologize for the inconvenience, but the story gets a lot more involved from here and I won't have time to really work on it. Thanks to all my wonderful readers and reviewers! You're the best ; )