Warning
This story is not suitable for readers under the age of sixteen. It contains sexual content, including some non-consensual, and may offend some readers. If this subject is offensive to you, please do not read this story.
Chapter 50 – Ceremonies
The moment Snape spoke the words, Hermione knew her answer, but it took several heartbeats to find her voice.
She smiled up at him, and slowly nodded. "Tonight," she confirmed.
Immediately, she was lifted from the ground in his arms. His lips took possession of hers, and their tongues met in a long and blissful caress. It was only when Crookshanks jealously began to mew that they broke from their silent embrace.
"Tonight," repeated Hermione, softly, still slightly dazed at the thought. "Is it possible to do this so quickly?"
Snape assured her that it could be done, and she was happy to leave the planning to him. She had never attended a wedding between a witch and wizard before, and the school library was, needless to say, rather short of books on the subject.
"Weddings in my family are traditionally large and formal, but that seems inappropriate." He suggested a small, informal ceremony in the Hogwarts grounds, and she readily agreed.
Sitting side by side on Hermione's bed, it was quickly decided not to invite her parents, nor even to tell them of the wedding. It would not be recognized in the Muggle world and, in fact, Hermione had a great deal of difficulty in explaining the Muggle concept of a legal marriage to her lover.
"Hermione, a marriage is a commitment between two people," he said, puzzled. "How can there be laws about whether or not that commitment is true?"
Her attempts to explain about marriage licenses proved fruitless, especially when she found that it would be impossible to obtain one, even it they tried – as far as the Muggle world was concerned, Severus Snape, with no birth certificate or formal identification of any kind, did not exist. Without a marriage certificate (and probably a church and a white dress, thought Hermione) her parents would not even accept that there had been a wedding.
The news that Snape had three sisters to invite to the wedding came as something of a surprise to Hermione. When she had asked him about his family in the past, he had told her that his parents had been dead for many years, but he had never mentioned sisters.
"We are not 'close', " he explained, when questioned. "We rarely speak, but the bonds that unite us go deeper than mere communication."
The thought of him having sisters seemed strange to Hermione. "I can't imagine what they would be like."
He kissed her. "You will find out this evening," he promised, "but for now, we must both prepare. I must request my sisters' presence, and speak to Dumbledore, and you, my darling, need to invite your friends."
Hermione wrapped her arms lovingly about her husband-to-be. "I can't believe this is happening," she whispered, joyfully. "It feels so perfect!"
They arranged to meet for dinner, in Snape's rooms. The wedding itself would not take place until midnight, but he informed her that there were certain traditions that must be observed before the event.
As he stepped into the fire, Hermione felt a strange tingling in her stomach, as though it would hurt to be parted from him for even a few hours. She stood in the silence of her room for several minutes, staring at nothing, and absently stroking her cat.
The smile on her face broke into a happy laugh, and she shook herself, attempting to snap herself out of her reverie. Today was turning out quite differently from the way she had expected!
- - -
By the time Hermione stepped into Snape's room for dinner, he could tell she was a nervous wreck. He pulled her protectively into his arms.
"It is fortunate that I had time for some potion-brewing this afternoon, my darling," he said softly, kissing the top of her head. "I had a feeling that you might need this." From the desk at the side of the room, he picked up a glass of a black liquid, almost of the consistency of treacle. A light tap of his wand on the edge of the glass caused it instantly to begin steaming. The knots in Hermione's stomach tightened at the thought of drinking anything, but Snape's commanding gaze made her accept it and she forced herself to gulp it down. Immediately, she felt her stomach settle and her nerves calm.
As they ate, they exchanged stories of how others had taken the news. Harry, Ron and Ginny had been surprised at the suddenness, but had quickly accepted it. The Weasleys had attended several weddings of this type, but Harry was as new to this as Hermione. Even in the Muggle world, he had only seen weddings on television – never in real life.
Snape, in the meantime, had spoken to Dumbledore, who had been, as throughout their relationship, concerned but resigned. Those few staff who had by now come around to their relationship had been invited, and Snape's sisters had been summoned.
"Is there enough time for an owl to reach them?" Hermione asked.
Snape shook his head. "I did not send owls," he explained. "The Summoning spell I used is the way we four have always chosen to call each other."
"Tell me about them," she asked.
Snape felt a slight pang of guilt at having told her nothing about them, and wondered – not for the first time – if he had done the right thing, but there was no time now. He could sense their approach, and was thankful that they had not simply burst from the fireplace – but then that was not Seda's style.
He stood, and cleared the table with a quick wave of his wand. "There is no need," he said softly, in answer to Hermione's request. "They are here."
With an appearance of being calmer than he felt, he raised his wand to open the door. On summoning them, he had not known whether they would arrive alone or with their husbands, and he had mixed emotions to see two wizards with his sisters.
The three witches stepped forward into the room, and regarded him solemnly. As always, seeing Seda's face made him feel that he was looking into his own soul. They were so alike, and yet he sometimes felt that he barely knew anything about her. They nodded to each other, gravely, and he turned to his younger sisters. They reached out to him, and he took their hands, forming a small ring of three. The touch lasted for only a few seconds, but in that gentle squeeze of hands passed the understanding that seemed to matter little that this was their first contact in several years.
He acknowledged the two wizards behind his sisters with a nod, which they returned, then he braced himself for the introductions, but before he could begin, Seda spoke.
"Why have you summoned us here, Severus?"
- - -
Hermione waited nervously as five strangers entered the room.
The family resemblance between the four siblings was strong, and the sisters shared Snape's silky black hair, dark eyes, and solemn expression. The elder – standing taller even than the three wizards – seemed to share her brother's severe manner. It was only the knowledge that Snape's own outward appearance was somewhat deceiving that prevented Hermione from backing away from the formidable looking witch.
The other sisters were clearly twins, and their manner was very different from their sister and brother. They were beautiful, but there was a terrible sadness about them. She could not understand why, but they put Hermione in mind of trees in November.
She watched as her lover greeted his family in silence. There did not seem to be hostility between them, exactly, but it was hardly a warm greeting, and when the tall witch spoke, the harsh tone filled Hermione with dread.
Snape's voice was calm as he replied.
"I have summoned you because I intend to marry tonight, and would like my family to be present," he said, simply. "I would like to introduce my bride, Hermione Granger."
Hermione was not quite sure how to respond to this introduction. Following the strange greetings between the siblings, it seemed inappropriate to offer to shake hands, nor did any other approach seem fitting. In the end, she simply smiled, and Snape continued.
"Hermione, these are my sisters – Seda," he gestured to the one who had spoken, "Selene and Sefarin."
The twins nodded their heads slightly, but Seda regarded her without reaction.
Snape continued. "This is Seda's husband, Holt, and Sefarin's husband, Corvus."
Holt was a tall and handsome man with fair – almost golden – hair. He turned a warm smile and bright eyes towards Hermione, and she found herself instantly comfortable in his presence. The thing that surprised her about him, though, was his age. Seda appeared, in both looks and behavior, to be a little older than Severus, but Holt could hardly be more than a year or two older than Hermione, and his smile seemed completely at odds with the severity of his wife.
Inwardly, she laughed at her own prejudices. How could she, of all people, find such an age gap strange?
Corvus was the opposite of Holt, in that his hair and skin were dark, and his expression was every bit as solemn as his wife's. Whatever sadness she carried, he shared with her. He was not handsome in the same way as the other wizard, but his calmness gave him a gentle appearance.
Her attention was drawn back to the others when Seda stepped quickly towards her, and placed a hand under her chin, forcing her head back, to look up into her face.
"She is Muggle-born, Severus."
Snape stepped forward, and Hermione's chin was released.
"Indeed."
As soon as Seda had entered the room, Hermione had had a feeling that she would not approve of her brother marrying a Mudblood, and she realized now how right she had been. It seemed that the thought of polluting the Snape blood with that of a Muggle was a personal insult to her, and Hermione found herself to be the subject of a heated exchange between brother and sister.
Not everything that was said made sense to Hermione, but Seda seemed to be insisting on a ritual that Severus vehemently opposed.
"That has not been carried out in this family for over a century, Seda," he snapped. "What gives you the right to cast judgment over my choice of wife?"
Seda's response was just as cold. "I have every right, brother, in order to protect the bloodline of the family. The ritual has not been necessary in the past century, because no-one else would threaten the family in this way."
Finally, wondering what she was letting herself in for, Hermione stepped forward. "Severus, if there is some ceremony that is needed before the wedding, I don't mind."
Seda turned to her brother in satisfaction, and her tone made it clear that her plans would not be altered. "It is decided. We will proceed in one hour in the grounds of the school. Assist her to prepare, Severus. I will prepare the site."
She turned and strode from the room, leaving the others standing in silence.
- - -
Several times over the next two hours, Hermione came close to regretting her decision.
Snape was clearly uncomfortable with the situation, but knew that there was no point in attempting to dissuade either witch. He quickly explained to Hermione what she had just agreed to – a test of her magical abilities beyond anything that her school exams had prepared her for. The Snape family was old, and was 'pureblood'. A Muggle-born could only be allowed into the family if their magic was worthy.
"I should not have summoned them," Snape told her, pacing her room. "I knew Seda felt strongly about family blood, but I had no idea she would go this far. Your magical ability is exceptional, and I thought she would be able to see that."
It took a while to calm him, but finally, dressed in the deep crimson robes she had chosen that afternoon, for her wedding, she headed for the grounds, hand-in-hand with the man she loved.
As they walked, he explained a little about his family. The wedding between Sefarin and Corvus had been a double wedding, with Selene and her husband, Lyall. On the death of Lyall, less than a year after their marriage, the remaining three had gone into a deep mourning, which had never lifted.
"Their sadness seems worse, perhaps, because they were so happy as children," sighed Snape. "As for Holt – do not be fooled by appearances. In years, he is closer to Dumbledore's age than to yours!"
Hermione was amazed, but had no time to ask any more about this. With an invisibility spell cast around them both, they reached the quiet spot by the lake in the growing darkness. Seda had cast a circle a few meters in diameter, outlined by a faint glow on the ground, which would prevent those not involved in the ceremony from seeing anything. At the edge of the circle, Hermione stepped forward, but Snape found himself unable to enter.
"You have no business here, brother," said the witch, standing in the center, and looking more intimidating than ever.
Reluctantly, the wizard kissed Hermione and turned back towards the school, leaving her to face her trial alone.
Looking back on this experience later, it did not seem too bad, but at the time, it was torment. Never had Hermione's skills and strength been tested so completely. It was like taking all of her exams at once, but pushed into a short space of time, with no chance to think about one spell before she was presented with another challenge. Seda was a powerful witch and Hermione had to stay alert to be able to meet every test that was presented to her. It was magically, physically and mentally draining, and she could feel her strength slipping away from her.
- - -
"Hermione, my darling," Snape's voice was concerned. "Wake up."
As she opened her eyes, her lover's face came into view, lit faintly in the darkness, by the light of a single white candle at the center of the circle. She sat up quickly, and could just make out the figure of Seda striding back towards the castle.
"What happened?" she asked, weakly.
She felt hands helping her to her feet, and realized that Dumbledore was with them. "I believe that you surprised her with your abilities," he said softly. "But you fainted."
Snape was fighting to control his anger. "She drove you to it," he snarled. "The testing is never intended to be so powerful."
Slowly, Hermione's limbs stopped trembling as she took the chocolate offered by the headmaster, and cleared her head.
"It's alright, Severus," she said, soothingly. "It wasn't as bad as everything my parents put you through!"
In amazement, he turned to her, and laughed. "Hermione Granger, you are truly amazing," he said, shaking his head. "Few people can manage to joke after their first meeting with my sister!"
Feeling exhausted, Hermione slipped into Snape's embrace. They stood, holding each other in silence, and she felt her lover's strength flowing into her as she began to recover from the ordeal she had been through. As they hugged, Dumbledore, apparently not in the least discomfited by their closeness, walked slowly around the circle cast by Seda.
He returned to the center of the circle, and addressed Hermione.
"Miss Granger," he smiled, kindly, "I have been asked by Severus, to lead the ceremony this evening. I have no authority or special powers in this role – I will simply be a guide. The marriage ceremony belongs to you both. As part of my duty, however, I have to be certain that both of you are fully aware of the commitment you will be making to each other, and that your feelings are true."
Looking up into Snape's eyes, Hermione smiled. When it came to their love for one another, and their commitment to each other, there could be no doubt. This felt more true than anything she had ever done before.
- - -
As midnight approached, so did the guests.
Professors McGonagall and Vector were the first to arrive.
"Severus. Hermione," smiled McGonagall. "This news came as quite a surprise to me, today."
Hermione laughed softly. "Me too!" she told them.
With a wave of his wand, Professor Dumbledore drew from the air in front of him, a black candle. Solemnly, he presented this to the deputy headmistress, who calmly took it in both hands and held it up to the central candle to light it. With that, she walked silently to the edge of the faint circle and stood, facing inward. Another black candle was created, and Professor Vector followed suit, standing a little way from McGonagall, looking inwards, but with an expression on her face that told Hermione she was seeing nothing. There was a calmness in her looks that seemed to show a want of all conscious thought – lost in private contemplation.
A few moments later, Harry and Ron arrived. They stepped towards the center of the circle and greeted Hermione, then the two teachers. If Ron and Harry's use of the Potions Master's first name caught Dumbledore by surprise, he did not show it, other than a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, which Hermione thought just might be amusement.
"I presume that Miss Weasley will be joining us?" the headmaster asked.
Ron told them that Ginny had left them after dinner, promising to be there by midnight, but had not said where she was going.
Dumbledore nodded, then calmly created candles for each of them. Harry watched Ron take his candle, light it, and go to the side of the circle, then copied his actions. It seemed a little odd to Hermione that the guests would space themselves out, instead of standing together. Ron had gone to stand next to the Transfigurations teacher, but there was a gap between McGonagall and Professor Vector, and Harry stood alone across the other side. It was as though something had drawn each of them to their places, although how those places had been determined was beyond her understanding.
In twos and threes, the guests continued to arrive. Although they were outside, and a long way from the school, it seemed natural to speak quietly. The mood was happy, but there was a solemnity to it that Hermione found wonderfully peaceful.
Corvus, Sefarin and Selene approached in silence, smiled faintly at Hermione (although they barely acknowledged the two wizards), then lit their candles and took their places. Professor Flitwick arrived at a trot, in order to keep up with the striding Madam Hooch. Professor Trelawney, setting a more dignified pace, was still a long way behind them.
When Severus' younger sisters and brother-in-law had arrived, Hermione had noted that those already in place in the slowly-forming circle barely seemed to see them, but the approaching teachers gazed curiously at the strangers. They said nothing, however, and addressed the three in the center.
"This must be the first wedding at the school for many years," the little Charms teacher commented.
Dumbledore, who seemed to have more information about the history of Hogwarts than any book Hermione had even read, provided the details. "I believe that the last wedding to take place in the grounds was in 1724," he said, "although it was between two members of staff," he added pointedly.
Madam Hooch's short laugh rang out rather loudly in the quiet night. "First getting published – now this!" she said. "Leave it to Miss Granger to achieve two school 'firsts' in one week!"
By the time the Divination teacher had arrived, the others were in their places, with candles lit. Trelawney stopped and gazed sadly at the bride and groom. She said nothing, but finally gave an emotional sigh, and took a delicate lace handkerchief out of her flowing robes to dab at her eyes. As though the emotions were too much to bear, she looked away from the couple, to take her candle from Dumbledore.
As midnight drew closer, there were now only three guests absent. Seda and Holt arrived, bowing their heads formally to Dumbledore. The wizard gave Hermione and Snape a warm smile, but Seda merely nodded. To Hermione, however, this was a sign of true acceptance. After the events of the evening, she knew full well that if she had decided that Hermione was not suitable for her brother, neither she nor her husband and sisters would have been present.
As they took their places – Seda next to Harry, and Holt beside Trelawney – Hermione realized that only Ginny was still absent, but there were two spaces left in the circle. Perhaps one of them was for Dumbledore.
But, no – through the gap between Professor Vector and Holt, she could see the small figure of Ginny approaching them, followed by a large shadow. A moment later, the young Gryffindor hurried into the circle, followed by the huge figure of Hagrid. He stared at her for a second, then in the candlelight, she could see his eyes fill with tears, matching her own.
"Hermione, yer look ... beautiful," he sniffed.
Overjoyed at the sight of the unexpected guest, Hermione rushed forward to hug him. He gave her a squeeze, then released her and took a step towards the Potions Master.
"I am glad you are here, Hagrid," Snape said softly.
Hagrid nodded, then reached out his hand, which Snape shook. The huge man looked as though he were trying to say something, but finally gave up. He took a large handkerchief from his pocket and blew his nose loudly, before turning towards the smiling Dumbledore and meekly receiving his candle.
The final places around the circle were now filled, and midnight was almost upon them. The two lovers faced each other, holding both hands as they gazed tenderly into each other's eyes, and waited.
A peace settled over the circle. Outside, the warm night breeze caught at the leaves of the trees and the surface of the water, stirring up a soft rustling and rippling, but they seemed far away, like hearing the sea inside a shell on a beach. Inside the circle was all that was real.
It could have been minutes or merely seconds that passed in the silence – Hermione could not tell – but finally, Dumbledore spoke, his voice quiet but clear, addressing everyone present.
"Friends, we are here tonight at the request of Hermione and Severus, to witness their exchange of vows, and to celebrate their union. This union is a commitment between two people who share love, respect and honor, and who wish to share their lives together.
"Each has a life of their own. They are individuals with their own joys and sorrows; their own accomplishments and disappointments; their own strengths and fears. And yet, although each has their own past, they have chosen to share their future together. Joining does not simply mean that two people will walk together through life – they will become one unit, not bonded together through necessity or obligation, but joined by love, and of their own free wills. Together, they become a new life."
As Dumbledore spoke, he now turned away from Hermione and Snape, and began to pace around the inside of the circle.
"This marriage affects not only these two, but all of us. Every person here tonight shares in this unity, because every person here cares for them both as individuals, and as a joined life. By joining their lives, they join their families. Without our blessing, they will stand together, and will combine their hearts into one. But with our blessing, we will give them our strength, and help their union stand firm."
He stopped in front of Harry, and fixed him with a firm gaze. "As a representative of Hermione's friends and family, will you accept Severus as her husband, and welcome him as one of your own?"
Harry's gaze moved from Dumbledore to the formidable wizard standing in the center of the circle. Only a few months ago, the thought of accepting him like this would have been inconceivable, but now he was completely sincere in his response. "Yes, we will."
On Harry's right, the oldest of the three sisters stood tall and impassive – the same aloof expression that appeared on her brother's face so often.
Dumbledore addressed her. "As a representative of Severus' friends and family, will you accept Hermione as his wife, and welcome her as one of your own?"
Hermione felt the piercing gaze of Seda, and tried not to wither under her stare.
"Yes, we will."
Hermione breathed again.
Dumbledore returned to the center and faced Hermione and Snape once again.
"Severus, is it your wish to take Hermione to be your wife and soul mate; to love, trust and respect her, and to join your heart and spirit with hers for as long as you both live?"
Snape's voice was low and gravelly, and his eyes did not leave Hermione's. "It is."
"Hermione," continued Dumbledore, "is it your wish to take Severus to be your husband; to love, trust and respect him, and to join your heart and spirit with his for as long as you both live?"
"It is."
From his robes, he withdrew a small silver box, which he placed on the palm of his hand and tapped with his wand. The box disappeared, leaving two plain gold rings. As Hermione and Snape each took a ring and placed it on the finger of the other, Dumbledore spoke softly.
"These rings are a symbol of your marriage. A ring is an unbroken circle – a sign of unity and love, like the circle of friends in which we stand. They have neither beginning nor end, but are a continuous cycle of which your union forms a part.
"Hermione and Severus, on behalf of the friends a family who love you, both here and far away, and on behalf of the wizarding world to which we all belong, I recognize and honor you as husband and wife. May you know joy and love, and may you accept life's rewards and bear its burdens together for all your lives."
For several seconds, Hermione and Snape remained still, with hands joined. Then they closed the distance between them and the young wife was drawn into her husband's arms.
- - -
Once the marriage was recognized, the candles were left around the edge of the circle, but the guests stepped forward and talked throughout the night. As he had done with the candles, Dumbledore produced glasses from the air, which filled themselves at a tap from each guest's wand. They talked and laughed, and congratulated the couple, telling Hermione how beautiful she looked and Snape how surprised they were at his uncharacteristically spontaneous gesture.
"Who could blame me for wanting to marry my beautiful witch so quickly?" he asked, in a low rumble, and all agreed.
Holt was lively and happy, laughing with Harry and Ron, who took an instant liking to the ageless wizard. Sefarin, Selene and Corvus quietly endured Professor Trelawney's company, until rescued by Dumbledore. The three were the first to leave, but took the opportunity to talk quietly with the newly-weds before departing.
"You will know much happiness, Sister," Selene said softly. "Treasure every moment."
"I will," replied Hermione, wishing that she had time to get to know these gentle souls.
As though hearing her thoughts, Corvus gave her a rare half-smile. "We will be with you."
At that, they turned and called their broomsticks to them from the darkness, and, without another word, they disappeared into the night.
The similarity of character between Snape and Seda was clear from her manner throughout the night. She stood apart from the others for most of the time, the only person she appeared to be comfortable around being Dumbledore. She seemed to consider the other teachers and students beneath her notice, although her distain for Trelawney, in particular, was obvious.
After much talking, and saying their goodnights, Ron, Harry and Ginny began walking back to the castle, followed soon after by the staff, with the exception of Dumbledore and Hagrid. Hagrid insisted on pulling Snape aside for a moment before leaving. Hermione could not hear what was said, but Hagrid's cheery 'goodnight' and her husband's satisfied expression were good signs.
There was little more than an hour of darkness left before dawn, and Seda and Holt bade them farewell. In a gesture warmer than Hermione would have expected, the tall witch placed a hand on her brother's shoulder. Neither of them spoke, but words, it seemed, were not required. To Hermione, Seda merely nodded, but Holt hurried forward to take her hands in his and kiss her cheek.
As their broomsticks faded into the darkness, Hermione, Snape and Dumbledore were left alone in the circle of candles.
"Well, Mrs. Snape," Dumbledore smiled, "this has been quite a night."
- - -
The first glint of the sun peeked above the distant horizon and touched the top of the hill – the highest point in the Hogwarts grounds.
From their vantage point high above the castle, Hermione and Severus Snape had the perfect view of the glorious sight, but barely noticed the wonder of nature that was happening around them. The light breeze touched their naked bodies, and they sighed in happiness as they lay side by side.
Snape trailed his fingers lightly over his wife's body – her smooth skin and firm breasts were so beautiful in the morning light. He traced a line over her hips, down to the soft curls of her hair, and smiled in satisfaction at her soft intake of breath.
"You do such wonderful things to me, Severus," she whispered, happily.
"That is because I love you so much, my darling … and we still have plenty of time before breakfast."