Chapter 8
Saturday June 25
It was close to noon as Hermione sat in the room off the corridor that was usually for the first years waiting to be sorted.
How incredibly ironic! Hermione thought.
Ginny, maid of honor; Diane, mother of the bride; Mrs.Weasley and Minerva, bridesmaids all twittered around Hermione making last minute touches on each other. There was a knock on the door. It was Mr. Granger dressed in a tuxedo with a cummerbund and tie that matched Hermione's robe. Hermione looked one last time to Ginny. Her maid of honor robe was similar to Hermione's except that it sported a matching sash around the waist.
"Herms? About ready to take the plunge?" her father asked.
"Dad! Please, I'm already on my last nerve!" Hermione said.
"What is this? The calm, cool, collected head girl going batty?" Ginny teased.
"Ginny, what comes around goes around. I can't wait to be there on your big day so I can ask if you are going batty," Hermione quipped.
They left the room to take positions outside the great hall doors. Hermione took a deep breath then exhaled. Draco, Harry, Blaise Zabini and Mr. Weasley stood there in elegant dress robes to escort the mother of the bride, maid of honor and bridesmaids into the hall.
Come on Granger, you can do this! she thought.
The doors opened and Harry escorted Hermione's mum into the hall. Next, Blaise escorted Minerva into the hall. Mr. Weasley entered next with Mrs. Weasley. Finally, Draco escorted a blushing Ginny into the hall. Ron was standing up with Dumbledore for Severus. Hermione was surprised and touched when she found out Severus had asked him. His opinion of Weasley changed the morning he heard Ron talking to Hermione in the hospital. The gesture would make Hermione happy, so of course he accepted. The doors were closed and they waited for the familiar wedding march to sound and the ushers to open the doors.
"Herms, you look stunning today," Henry said kissing her cheek.
"Thanks Dad," Hermione said softly.
The music started. Henry held out his arm. "Ready Herms?"
"Absolutely," Hermione replied crooking her arm in his.
The ushers, Fred and George, opened the doors winked at Hermione as she passed through them. The spectators stood up and an appreciative murmur sounded throughout. Gazing at Severus, her heart skipped a beat. He actually had his hair swept back and was looking at Hermione with tears forming in his eyes. He was wearing the most captivating robe she had ever seen on man, a shimmering hunter green silk robe with black satin and velvet trim, with a high standing collar. Ron and Dumbledore were wearing similar robes with matching sashes around their waists. She winked at him as she approached the altar built for the occasion where the head table usually was. Hermione felt like she was floating as she approached him. She was vaguely aware of her father's arm on hers and was oblivious to the smiling faces that crowded the great hall, craning their necks for a better look. She only had eyes for Severus. Feet from the altar, she was awakened from her trance when she glanced to the side and heard the sniffing and soft happy weeping of her mum and Mrs. Weasley. Her heart was bursting with so much happiness that she came close to crying as well.
Severus' POV
"Stop tapping your foot so fast Severus, the guests will be able to march to the tune you are tapping," Dumbledore teased softly. "Those doors will open at exactly noon and your bride will stroll through them." Ron stood there in silence, looking at his date who was gazing at him in admiration.
For the first time he could remember, Severus was actually void of thought. All he wanted to see was his Hermione, beautiful and vibrant, walk through those doors to him. Some music started and the doors opened. Potter was walking Mrs. Granger to a seat at the front of the crowd. With a kiss on her cheek, Harry held out a chair for her. Blaise walked Minerva up the aisle, the old matron sniffling as she took her position at the altar. Next Mr. Weasley escorted Mrs. Weasley to the altar. Finally, Draco regally strode with Ginny to the altar. Ginny blushed even harder when she noticed Draco gazing at her with shining eyes.
"Ready Severus?" Dumbledore asked softly as the wedding march started .
"Absolutely." He replied facing the doors.
The Weasley twerps opened the doors and the most beautiful creature he had ever laid his eyes on walked through the doors. Hermione's mother and Mrs. Weasley started weeping softly. Her shimmering robe seemed to glow as she strolled towards the altar on the arm of her undoubtedly proud father. His heart skipped a beat when he realized she had opted to dress in wizarding fashion for the ceremony in a beautiful robe. Dumbledore patted his shoulder.
"Blimey," Ron muttered at the stunning sight of his best friend, the very one who had saved his life just last week.
Severus felt tears welling up in his eyes. Her hair hung in graceful long curls down to her hips and she carried a simple full bouquet of daisies. Severus thought he would melt there on the spot when one of her sparkling soft honey-brown eyes winked at him. He had eyes only for her and was oblivious to the crowd until he heard the click of a camera from the cameraman, Colin Creevey.
The ceremony
When she was feet from the altar, she and her father stopped. Hermione was gazing and smiling at Severus. The officiating wizard started.
"Who gives this woman to this man?" he asked.
"Her mother and I do," Mr. Granger responded. With a kiss on her cheek, he whispered, "Go get 'em" to his daughter. Severus extended his hand and said softly,
"Shall we?"
Hermione thought she melt would right there on the spot when he said that. She took his hand and stepped up to the altar with him. The minister continued,
"Face each other and grasp hands."
They did so, Hermione's soft small hands completely fitting in Severus' hands.
"The bonds between husband and wife, witch and wizard are a life-long promise not to be taken lightly or half-heartedly. The vows you two will make will bind your hearts and souls, your magic, together for eternity. Are you prepared to make these vows? The bride will answer first." The minister cleared his throat.
"Do you, Hermione Jane Granger, take this man before you as husband? Do you vow to love, honor and cherish Severus Paul Snape for as long as you both shall live?"
"This I do vow," Hermione responded in old-worldly wizard fashion, looking Severus in the eye. Again, Severus was touched.
"Very well. Do you, Severus Paul Snape, take this woman as wife? Do you vow to love, honor and cherish Hermione Jane Granger for as long as you both shall live?"
"This I do vow," Severus responded. There was a wail from Mrs. Granger.
"Is there anyone present that objects to this union? Speak now, or forever hold your peace."
There was not a sound. Who would dare? The love radiating from the two was palpable.
"Attendants, present the rings." Ginny and Albus did so.
"Hermione, place the ring on the third finger of the heart hand of your betrothed." Hermione did so.
"Severus, place the ring on the third finger of the heart hand of your betrothed." Severus did so.
"Now Severus and Hermione, grasp hands again."
The minister wrapped a delicate thin rope made of satin in the colors of Hermione's and Severus' robes around their wrists. Now Mrs. Weasley wailed with joy. Minerva brought a kerchief to her face.
"I bless this magical union by hand fasting." He said a charm and the delicate rope tightened around their wrists. The ribbon glowed, then a soft glow emanated from the couple, then faded.
"In front of these witnesses, I now pronounce this man and woman, this witch and wizard, Severus and Hermione Snape, partners for life. Severus, kiss your bride."
The two embraced and Severus dipped her and kissed her in the same fashion as he had done at her graduation. When the kiss was finished, the crowd clapped and cheered. Hermione held her embrace with Severus a bit longer then looked to Harry and Ron. Both of them were wiping their cheeks.
Shortly after the ceremony, pictures were taken. After they were taken, Hermione was seeing spots and had an ache in her jaw from all the the smiling. (author's note: at my wedding, I really had an ache in my jaw from all the smiling!) The happy couple was congratulated dozens of times. When photo time was over, Dumbledore announced the start of the reception.
"As headmaster of this fine institution and speaking on behalf of the happy couple, I welcome you to the wedding reception of Severus and Hermione Snape. Enjoy the festivities. Take your seats for the toasts from the best woman and man," Dumbledore said.
He waved his arm and dozens of table-clothed round tables appeared. The cloths looked like Hermione's robe. A rectangular table appeared for the bride and groom and attendants. When everyone had taken their seats, Dumbledore ushered Ginny to stand up. She started her speech. Severus and Hermione looked fondly at Ginny then held hands once more.
"I will keep this short because I am not good at speeches. Hermione, I think I was the first of your friends to notice something going on between you two. I was pleased to see it then, and am ecstatic to see this day come. I am so happy for you two and wish you all the best in the future. Congratulations to you both, Herms and Severus." She raised her glass to them. "Now the best man will speak." Ginny finished.
Dumbledore stood up. "I have known Hermione and Severus since they first arrived at Hogwarts. I've seen them grow into the fine adults you see before you today. They have been through more than should be asked of anyone, and bore their burdens with the grace of a Gryffindor and style of a Slytherin. I was at first concerned at the animosity between the two, then saw the animosity grow into a grudging respect to culminate the loving union we witnessed today. I can say with confidence that no one is happier than I on this happy day, and give my heartfelt congratulations to the two of you. You two are proof that there is hope for this world yet. Everyone charge your glasses," Dumbledore said. The crowd raised their glasses and cheered the two.
"Now present the cake and feast," Dumbledore said.
Fred and George rolled out a mountain of a cake. It was a four tier white cake, adorned with small ribbons of maroon, gold, black and green colors. Atop the cake, to everyone's amusement, was the sight of the charmed bride and groom cake topper. It was robed wizard with hair similar to Severus' that smirked from time to time and a shorter robed witch with long light brown hair that winked from time to time. They both held cauldrons in their hands. Dumbledore waved his wand and an empty long table filled with food.
"That isn't the cake topper I ordered," Hermione whispered to Severus. She glanced to Ginny who winked at her. They laughed at it anyway.
After food had been eaten and everyone had gotten a piece of cake, a large area in the middle of the hall was cleared for dancing. A piano appeared at the corner of the dance floor.
"Before the first dance between the newlyweds, Hermione would like to play a selection for Severus," Dumbledore said. Severus kissed Hermione's hand as she left the table to go to the piano. She sat down, popped her knuckles and started:
It's not the pale moon that excites me, that thrills and delights me, oh no
It's just the nearness of you-
It isn't your sweet conversation, that brings this sensation, oh no
It's just the nearness of you-
When you're in my arms and I feel you so close to me
All my wildest dreams come true
I need no soft light to enchant me
If you'll only grant me the right to hold you ever so tight
And to feel in the night the nearness of you
The great hall was speechless at the end of the song. The emotion that Hermione sung with brought most of them to hold their breaths. Severus most of all.
Ginny leaned over to her mother and said, "I hope I fall in love like that one day." Ginny glanced at Draco, who blushed when he saw Ginny looking at him.
Mrs. Weasley patted her hand. "Don't worry dear, it will happen."
Severus left the table and retrieved Hermione from the table. It was time for their first dance. The music indicating a waltz was heard.
"Care for a waltz Mrs. Snape?" Severus asked.
"Certainly Mr. Snape," Hermione responded. The couple took the floor, faced each other and started the dance. They gazed at each other and moved as one. As the dance progressed, others took the floor and took a discreet distance from the couple as they danced even closer to each other, not missing a step. By the end of the dance, they had embraced and were engaged in a kiss that radiated the raw emotion of the two.
Sitting back at the table, Severus and Hermione chatted while observing the party-goers. Draco and Ginny were sitting together talking at a table. Ron and his lady-friend were dancing. Harry was talking with a group of people while eating a piece of cake.
Ron dancing, I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it with my own eyes! Hermione thought.
Dumbledore and Minerva danced and watched the newlywed couple that exchanged light kisses from time to time as they cuddled at the table. Severus said something in Hermione's ear an she giggled.
"Do you know where they are honeymooning?" Minerva asked Albus.
"No, they haven't told anyone as of yet," Albus responded.
As if on cue, Hermione and Severus stood up. Hermione and Severus tapped their glasss together to get everyone's attention. She started,
"Before we depart for our honeymoon," she was interrupted by the hoots and catcalls of Ron, Harry and Draco, "uh, thanks you three. Anyway, there is a muggle tradition that we will do that I think you all will enjoy. Will all the single ladies step forward?" Hermione requested.
A group of about thirty stepped forward. Hermione held up her bouquet and said,
"I'm going to turn my back and toss this bunch of flowers over my shoulder at the lot of you. Tradition states that the one who catches it will be the next woman to get married," Hermione said. She turned her back and tossed the bunch. There was a scramble as the group reached for the flying bouquet. Hermione turned to see who caught it, and laughed to see a blushing Ginny holding the bouquet.
"Now gentlemen, get ready. You won't be left out. I am wearing a garter that Severus will remove. He will also turn his back and toss it to the lot of single men. Okay, single blokes gather around." The considerably bigger bunch of fifty gathered on the floor.
"Severus, you have the honor," Hermione said putting her leg on a chair. Severus got down on a knee, hiked her robe up a bit (eliciting more hoots and catcalls from the crowd) and slipped the garter from her thigh. He kissed her knee, stood up, turned his back and tossed it over his shoulder. Hermione laughed and Severus turned around. A few men were lying on the floor. A blushing Ron was holding the maroon and gold garter, looking at his lady friend. Harry was clapping him on the back.
Severus and Hermione made their way around the crowd, saying their thanks and goodbyes. They were ready to leave. Making their way to the great hall door, Hermione opened it with a wave of her hand.
"Hermione!" Harry called.
They stopped to look at Harry. The crowd went quiet.
"Where are you two going for the honeymoon?" Harry asked.
"I'll give you one hint. It has a big leaning tower," Hermione said grinning and the happy couple left the hall. The party continued for hours however.