Mysterious Hearts

~~~Beloved~~~

Over the course of the summer Severus and Tonks were nearly inseparable.  It seemed to Albus that Severus had finally fallen for someone and received his much deserved happiness.  Tonks' friends were slightly more divided on the subject.  Chloe and Athena had coffee with her often in the mornings and that was when Chloe decided to voice her doubts.

"Tonks," she started after Tonks broached the subject of her new relationship, "I just don't think that he is right for you."

"Don't you dare," Athena warned Chloe, "can you not see that she's happy."

"Thanks, Athena," she said smiling at her best friend before turning a cold glare at her other friend, "what is YOUR problem with me and Severus?"

"Well, for starters," she said, "he is like ten years older than you."

"Eight, actually."

"He always looks much older," Athena mused quietly; she knew it wouldn't help.

"That makes him 30, Nymphadora," Chloe said with a frown.

"Oh darling, I am so proud of you, you learned how to add," she said rather sarcastically, "I am well aware of the age difference between Severus and myself, and anyways I believe that age is a state of mind, and DON'T call me NYMPHADORA."

"Chloe, in the wizarding world age differences are not as frowned upon as they are in the muggle world.  Witches and wizards live to be much older, so when Snape is 100, no one will care that Nymph is 92, I mean it is not like Tonks is 22 and Snape is 106 or something weird like that," Athena said, she herself was quite happy for Nymphadora Tonks.  "And besides I don't think that it matters anymore what anyone else thinks of the relationship."

"Why?"

"Because," Athena said with a small smug smile, a smile that Tonks recognized from their days at Hogwarts.  It was a smile that appeared when ever the two Ravenclaws were planning and plotting, or when they knew something the other didn't want them to know about, "Nymphadora Tonks is in love with Severus Snape."

"Is it that bloody obvious," Tonks asked.

"Only to me, dear," Athena said giggling, the two women shared a glance.  "Anyways Severus Snape may be a git, or so they tell me and with my position at the ministry they tell me a lot, but at least he makes out Ickle Tonksie happy."

"Thanks, I think," Tonks said, "And Chloe, I adore you and all but it really isn't any of your damn business, but I do love Severus Snape and the old git loves me too, now if you will excuse me I have work to do."  And with a sound she disapperated. 

"I have to go to," Athena told her friend.

"Wait, just out of curiosity what the hell do the two of you do?" Chloe asked she was always kept out of the loop when it came to her friends.  She was just as curious as any other self-respecting muggle would be.

"Tonks works in the regulation enforcement division of the improper use of magic department, and I am in the misuse of magical artifacts department the most boring department second only to misuse of muggle artifacts department.  I see all and hear all when it comes to what people do with their wands," she said with a impish grin then she too disapperated. 

A week and a half before the start of the Hogwarts term Severus was forced to meet with one Ted Tonks.  A meeting that had been planned by Tonks and sprung on Severus while he was in an agreeable mood.  Normally right after sex, was a good time to ask.  So this is just what Tonks did.

"Severus," she purred.

"What," he grunted.  She rolled over to face him and she gave him an innocent smile, one that did not match her lime green hair. 

"Tomorrow we are having lunch in London," she said all the while her hands were distracting Snape.  "My father will be joining us."

"Alright," he said; he had not been paying that much attention to the words that were spoken, just to the movement of her hands.  After his agreement Tonks curled up next to Snape and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Thank you, love," she murmured.

Tonks and Snape flooed to the Leaky Cauldron and from there made their way to muggle London.  Tonks' father had a flat that he kept in London.  He would be preparing lunch for them.  He had heard a lot about Severus Snape from his daughter.  It was pretty obvious that they were in love.  But being the caring father that he was he wanted to make sure.

Severus stood outside the building pacing back and forth.  Tonks stood there and couldn't help laughing at him.  He looked so funny gone were the long, black robes that struck fear in to the hearts of many unsuspecting students.  Severus was dressed as a muggle.  Tonks had picked his clothing out.  He was naturally dressed in dark colors.  Tonks refused to let him wear all black, so he had on black jeans and a dark blue button down shirt.  It was all that she could get him to wear.  She, herself, was dressed more casually with a khaki colored skirt on and a light blue tank top.   Which of course matched her blue and silver hairstyle of the day.

"How in MERLIN'S name did you talk me into this?" he asked; in all actuality he couldn't even remember this coming up in conversation.

"You agreed to it last night," she said slyly.

"Last night, I would have agreed to carrying Dumbledore and the Dark Lords' baby," he hissed.

"Really, Severus, I always new that Professor Dumbledore wanted a baby, that is so sweet of you," She smirked.

"I was being sarcastic."

"No, really," she said and tugged on his hand, "come on, or you'll wear a hole in the pavement."

Severus rolled his eyes and allowed her to drag him into the building.  For some reason he just could not deny Nymphadora Tonks anything. 

Tonks knocked on the door and dragged Severus into her father's home. 

"Dad," she called.

"In the kitchen," she heard him say.  She pulled Severus in the direction of her father's voice.  Tonks gave her father a hug, and Severus hung back by the door, in search of an escape route.

Ted Tonks had a much lighter shade of brown hair than his daughter, that and he was balding.  But he had her eyes.  He had the same pale blue eyes that Tonks had.

"Daddy," she said pulling Severus into the kitchen, "This is Severus Snape, Severus, this is my father Ted Tonks."

"Nice to meet you," Ted said warmly.

"Pleasure to meet you as well, sir," Severus said in a stiffly formal tone.

"A bit, shy?" Ted asked his daughter discreetly.

"Try anti-social," she said in a loud whisper, fully aware that Severus could hear her.  She tried to say with a straight face.  Looking at the sneer on Severus' face caused her to crack up in peals of laughter.  Her laughter was contagious that even Severus found himself laughing with her.  This broke the tension.

"So Severus, Nymphadora tells me that you are a professor," Ted said trying to get to know the mysterious man in his kitchen, "what is it that you teach?"

"Potions," Severus said, "I am a Potions Master."

"That is really fascinating, Nymphadora's mother often used potions on our baby, although she was not fond of brewing them.  She claimed to lack the patience."

"That is often the reason most of my student fail to brew proper potions they want it done now.  There are potions that I am brewing that will not be done for months, and very few that can take years to brew."

Snape and Ted talked quite a bit and partially in to their lunch; a tapping on the window interrupted them.  Ted looked over to the window and did a double take.  There was a large red phoenix flying there with a note attached to his leg.  Tonks got up and opened the window.  Fawkes flew in and perched on Severus' shoulder.  The bird pecked the potions master in the neck sharply, but affectionately with his beck.

"Ouch, you damn bird," he said fondly, he and the bird had been through lots of tears together.  Fawkes waited patiently for Severus to untie the letter.  Severus groaned as he opened it.  Fawkes pecked at Snape's food while Severus read the note.

Severus~

Sorry to interrupt your meal but your presence is required immediately at Hogwarts.  All will be explained when you arrive.  Please bring Fawkes with you, as you can tell it is getting close to a burning day and I really don't want this to happen in the heart of Muggle London. 

~Albus

"I am sorry to tell you that I have been called back to Hogwarts on an emergency," He said apologetically.  "I have to go.  It was a pleasure meeting you Mr. Tonks, and it was a wonderful meal, thank you."

"It is alright Severus," Tonks told him.  She got out of her seat and walked him to the door.

"I truly am sorry, Nymph," he said and kissed her lightly.

"See you tonight," she said as he left.  Then she returned to the table where her father was smiling slightly.

"What?" she demanded as she sat down.

"He seems like a very nice man."

"Nice is not a word commonly used to describe Severus Snape," she joked, "but if you get past the outer shell, he truly in a nice guy, but don't tell him that to his face. 

"You love him," he father said, and it was not a question.  He had seen the answer in her eyes when she had first started talking about Severus Snape.  "Then, I am happy for you, but please, Nymphadora, do not let yourself get hurt."

"I won't," she said.

"So does this mean I get grandchildren?" he asked

"DAD!"

Back at Hogwarts Snape was ushered in to a meeting with the other professors.  The Sorcerer's Stone was to be hidden at Hogwarts and Dumbledore needed his staff to guard the stone with various tests.  That and the mirror of Erised had to be hidden again, it was more dangerous that most people realized.

"Severus, please stay a moment," Dumbledore said at the end of the meeting.  He knew what this was going to be about.

"What Albus," he growled.  Albus looked at him with a strange look in those blue eyes. 

"So how was your lunch, child?" he asked.

"Fine."

"I am sorry that I forced you to cut it short," Albus said.  "How are things with Miss Tonks progressing?"

"Albus if you do not quit your prying I shall be forced to inform Madame Pomfrey where it is that you actually go each Monday, every other Thursday and the forth Wednesday of each month when you are supposed to be working on what ever it is that you tell her you are doing.  I believe that it is a book that you are trying to write."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I Albus, you forget that I have no morals and a twisted sense of right and wrong," he smirked, "plus it would be very easy to accidentally let it drop the amount of days that you actually are in Honeydukes when you know that your not supposed to be there."

"You're not any fun, Severus," Albus pouted.

"Honestly Albus, pouting is very unbecoming of a man your age," Severus said as he swept unimpressively from the office, seeing as how he was not wearing his usual robes. 

"Severus," Tonks said one morning about a week later.

"Yes, Nymph," he yawned sleepily.

"I don't want you to go back to Hogwarts tomorrow," she sighed as she propped herself up on an elbow facing Snape, "what will I do with out you."

"I have not a clue," he said as he snuck his arm around her waist and he pulled her down to him, "I think that I may miss you."

"I got a solution," she said after kissing him softly.

"What?" he asked.

"Marry me!"

Severus sputtered, and looked in to Tonks' pale blue eyes, "Yes, I think I will marry you."

"Yippee," she sighed before kissing him again. 

"Nymph, lets go get some breakfast and talk about this wedding."  Severus rolled out of the bed followed by Tonks.  Tonks pulled on a lilac bathrobe as she walked to the kitchen. 

"Severus, ow, shit who the hell put that couch there," she as she lay sprawled out over the couch.

"Nymph, I believe that you put that couch there," Severus pointed out as he reentered the living room.

"Smart arse," she snapped, "now please help me up."

"Fine," he smirked and pulled her up to him, "Now are we going to eat?"

"Yes," she said.  "Lets go get dressed." 

First Snape and Tonks apparated to Hogsmeade to have a hearty breakfast.  Then it was on to Hogwarts. Then Diagon Alley.  Then the ministry, but they had a lot to do before the ceremony, which would be happening that evening if all went as planned.  Our two lovebirds wanted the ceremony to be as soon as possible.  After they dined at the Three Broomsticks Severus took his fiancée to a jewelry shop, after all they needed wedding rings.

Together they picked out a set of silver bands, and Severus then surprised Tonks with the matching engagement ring.

"Severus," she gasped, eyes filling with tears, "it's beautiful, but I don't need an engagement ring."

"Nonsense," he snapped, "no bride of mine is not going to have an engagement ring."

"But I purposed to you."

"That may be so, if you like my dear," he said stiffly, "I can do something about that."

Tonks smiled and nodded slightly.

"So you want to get married?"  With that Severus slipped the ring on her finger. 

"My god, you are the romantic," she said, "I think that may be able to fit you in my schedule."

"So was that a yes?"

"Yes, Severus Snape that was a yes," she said with an exasperated sigh and threw her arms around him.

"Now we need witnesses."

"That's right, we need two, a witch and a wizard," Tonks said remembering the traditional ceremony. 

"I suppose that I could ask Albus," Severus said.

"I could ask Athena."

"GET A ROOM!"  Was shouted suddenly.  Snape realized that he was still holding Tonks as close to him as humanly possible.

"SOD OFF," he snarled at the teenaged wizard that shouted at him, the kid fled.  Tonks and Snape stepped away from each other.  Both had realized that the main street in Hogsmeade was not a place that one wanted to be seen in a public embrace, especially one as intimate that the one they had just shared.  Talk traveled like wildfire in Hogsmeade.

Grabbing Snape's hand Tonks took off running towards Hogwarts.  Though it had been years since she had graduated she still remembered the way by heart.  Severus not wanting to run especially in his long robes skidded to a halt pulling Tonks back to him with a shriek. 

"SEVERUS."

"I would rather not run Nymph, like some besotted, frolicking, school children."

"Some days you are no fun," she pouted in what Severus had to admit was rather enticing manner. 

"Really," he said in a haughty voice as he leaned towards her and captured her lips.  Arms entwined, as bodies were pulled closer together.  After a rather satisfying snog the two continued at a more leisurely pace on their stroll to Hogwarts.  Stopping every now and then to admire their surroundings, or to snog as the case may be. 

They first asked Dumbledore, who was ecstatic to say the least about the upcoming wedding.  Athena was nearly in tears when Tonks asked her to be her witness.  Both promised to be at the wedding.  Tonks filed the paperwork with the ministry while Severus got hold of a minister to perform the ceremony.  It took some finagling but they would be able to wed at seven that night. 

"Come on," Snape said impatiently, "we are going to Madame Malkin's now."

"Really?"

"You do want wedding robes don't you?"

"Oh Sev," she said, "If this weren't a public street, I'd jump you right here."

That night Albus and Athena flooed to Tonks' flat and from there the four apperated to church were the wedding was to be held.  Tonks and Athena went in to a little room in the back and started dressing.  Athena had already dressed in her best robes and was helping the bride into hers.  Tonks was nervous to say the least, but not as nervous as she had been on her first date with Snape.  After about twenty minutes the two women were ready.

The wedding was a small ceremony.  Snape and Tonks walked together to the altar, where Albus and Athena joined them.  In traditional customs the witnesses bound the groom's right hand to the bride's left with a piece of silk robe.  Then the bride and groom kneeled before the minister.  He blessed them, and asked them to rise.  Together they rose.  And stood before him Snape in traditional black robes and Tonks in white robes.

"Under the authority that has been passed down through the ages I preside over the union of this witch and this wizard.  They shall be wed in the in accordance to wizarding customs and laws.  Please Severus your vow."

"Nymphadora, I am pledging my love for you, my desire to bind my life with yours, I promise you that I will cause you no harm and will protect you with all that I am, from this moment on until eternity as your husband."

"Now your vows, Nymphadora."

"Severus, I too am pledging my love, and the desire that I have to bind our lives together, I promise that never will I cause you pain and I will give my all to ensure you happiness, from this moment on until eternity as your wife."

With a flick of his wand the rope connecting Snape and Tonks glowed white and with a whoosh the ropes disappeared. 

"Please place the ring on your wife's finger, Severus."  Snape placed the ring on Tonks' finger and it glowed white with magic.

"Now, Nymphadora please place the ring on your husband's finger."  Tonks mimicked Snape and his ring glowed as well.

"Now I pronounce you husband and wife.  Please kiss your wife, son," the old wizard said.  Severus placed his fingers under Tonks' chin and tipped her face up.  She smiled shyly at him before he gently kissed her sealing their vows.

The Headmaster took the newlyweds out to dinner that night.  Basically so that he could gently break the news that he could not afford to give Severus anytime off for a honeymoon.  He toasted the couple.  He wished them happiness.  There were tears in his eyes as he hugged his potion master close to him.  He whispered gently that it was time that Severus got his own happiness and that now he would no longer be lonely.  Dumbledore then pulled Tonks towards him for a hug.  He thanked her for coming into Severus' life and warned her quietly about breaking his heart.

Athena cried as she hugged her closest friend.  The two women had been through so much together that it was only fitting that they shared is day.  It came at such a shock that Tonks had finally fallen for someone.  Athena pulled the man that caused this great happiness to her in a warm embrace.  She looked him in the eyes and told him that as invincible as Tonks may seem, she was not.  She had been through a lot growing up as a metamorphus.  She then kissed him on the cheek, a move that shocked Snape.  Athena apparated away followed by Dumbledore.  

Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape apparated to Hogwarts, just outside the wards.  Hand in hand they walked to Severus' rooms.  Rooms that Nymphadora had never seen before.  Just outside the door, Snape picked her up and carried her over the threshold and into their bedroom.

"If this is all the time I have, my dearest, Madame Snape, then I had best make the best of it," he said lowering her gently to the bed. 

"I love you."

"I love you more, Nymph," he whispered.

To be continued with Harry's first year at Hogwarts…