Chapter Forty-Two – The Perfect Day

Tonks first apparated to her parent's house. She was thrilled that they were back there settled. She knew that having to stay at Headquarters was hard for both of them.

"Mum!" she cried, running in from the front.

Her mother was in the kitchen, and looked up worriedly. "Is something wrong, Nymphadora?"

"Not at all," Tonks said happily. "Something is very, very right. Severus and I have decided to get married today."

Andromeda Tonks smiled. "That's wonderful, dear. When and where?"

"The ceremony will be at dusk at Hogwarts. Then there's going to be a feast. Are you free this morning?" Tonks asked eagerly.

Her mother nodded. "I have the whole day free. Your father and I don't have any plans for tonight."

"Excellent. Let's go shopping."

88888

Tonks stared at the choices in front of her. "I didn't think it would be this hard," she whispered to her mother.

"I like this one the best," her mother said.

She started rocking back and forth on her heels. Tonks had never been one for shopping for fancy clothes. And buying a last minute wedding dress was definitely not her idea of a good time. "It's nice, right?" Tonks asked, unsure.

"It looked beautiful on you," Andromeda said, holding back tears. "My baby in a wedding dress."

Tonks looked at the dress one last time. It was certainly the best looking dress that fit her and also in her price range. Normally, Tonks had no problem fitting into clothes. She would just morph part of her body to fit whatever she was wearing. She sighed with pleasure, thinking of the baby that was growing inside her. She wouldn't be able to do that for a while.

The dress was from the Romantic period. Slightly off white, an empire waist, with lace sleeves that went just past her wrist. It came with a dress robe, but seeing that it was the end of May, Tonks wouldn't need one.

"I'll take it," Tonks said happily. Tonks then instructed her mother to invite anyone from her father's family that wanted to come. Most of Ted Tonks' family knew he was a wizard.

"Be at Hogwarts by four o'clock, so you can help me get ready," Tonks said. Her mother nodded, and they went their separate ways. Tonks then went to the Ministry, where she invited any Auror she saw plus Arthur Weasley, who promised to tell as many people as he could. Then she went on to Headquarters. A few people still came to Headquarters regularly. Nothing was to be done with the place until Harry decided what to do with it. She shared the good news, and everyone promised to be there.

By the time Tonks got back to Hogwarts, it was already two in the afternoon. She hurried to her chambers, but was stopped by Nata.

"Tonks!" Nata cried.

"Hi, Nata," Tonks said happily. And then on a whim, she added, "I'm getting married this afternoon. Would you do me the honor of bring my maid of honor?"

Nata's jaw dropped. "But…at lunch…there was an announcement. Professor Snape's getting married today. You're getting married to Snape?" Nata asked in amazement.

"Yes," Tonks said, and to her surprise, she started blushing. "We've been together for awhile; we just kept it under wraps."

Nata shook her head. "Professor Snape. Wow. I've never been in a wedding before. What should I wear?"

"I'll take that as a yes," Tonks laughed. "Just wear a nice dress robe."

"What color?" Nata asked.

"You have more than one?"

"Light blue or dark green," Nata answered.

"Wear the light blue," Tonks decided. "We'll meet you at the dungeons at six."

"I better get ready," Nata said, running off happily.

Tonks continued onto her bedchambers, where Severus was sitting down on the couch.

"I was getting worried," he said, taking the packages from her arms and putting them on the bed.

"I had a lot to do," Tonks said teasingly. "I should order you to leave, you know. Bad luck and all to see the bride before the wedding."

"We saw each other this morning, Dora," Severus said.

"Good point. You can stay, then," Tonks said. "So what did Minerva say?"

"You were right, it's good timing. The students were practically bouncing off the walls at the idea of a Feast tonight. Even if it's for my wedding," Severus said dryly.

"Did Minerva not announce who you were marrying?" Tonks asked. "I just spoke to Nata, and she had no idea it was me."

"Minerva just said that I was getting married. At first I don't think any of the students believed her. Do you have a maid of honor? I asked Draco to be my best man," Severus told her.

"Perfect. I asked Nata to be my maid of honor." Tonks suddenly threw herself into Severus' arms. "I can't believe we're doing this."

"A bit surreal, that's for sure. I stopped by my mother's to invite her. She doesn't have the energy to come, but I'm supposed to pass on how thrilled she is that I'm marrying into the Black family," Severus said.

Tonks whacked him on the arm. "You didn't tell her I'm Nymphadora Black, did you?"

"Of course not," Severus scoffed. "I mentioned who your mother is. She recognized the name, that's all."

"That's okay, then."

Tonks took a quick shower, and then ordered Severus out of the room when her mother knocked on the door. Severus rolled his eyes and took with him a garment bag that Tonks assumed had his dress robe.

"Where will you be?" she asked.

"Faculty lounge," Severus told her. "I'll see you at six."

He opened the door and said hello politely to her mum. Andromeda was already in her dress robes, a dark purple silk.

"Very nice, mother of the bride," Tonks giggled. "You look wonderful."

"Thank you dear. Now let's get you ready."

Her mum had always been good at styling hair, so Tonks just let go to work. After fifteen minutes, her mother sighed. "Nymphadora, why don't you go ahead and lengthen your hair a bit. It will be easier to style that way."

"I don't think so, Mum. Let's work with what we have," Tonks said quickly.

"Dear, there's not much I can do with this. Just lengthen it a little bit," Andromeda ordered.

"I can't morph, Mum," Tonks snapped. To her horror, her mother's eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, Mum, I didn't mean to snap," Tonks apologized quickly. "I'm just nervous, that's all."

"Are you pregnant?" Tonks' mum asked quietly.

Tonks' jaw dropped. "How in the world do you know that?"

"My baby's going to have a baby!" Andromeda gushed, throwing her arms around Tonks.

"Hang on, Mum. How did you know?" Tonks demanded.

"Sweetheart, when we found out you were a metamorph, I read every little thing I could find on them. Metamorphs can't morph when they're pregnant!" Andromeda said happily.

"Mum, I just found out today," Tonks said urgently. "I haven't even told Severus yet. I'm going to tell him tonight. Please don't say anything."

"I won't say a word, Nymphadora," Andromeda promised. "A wedding and a grandbaby. I'm so lucky."

Tonks threw back her head and laughed. "Yes, you are, Mum."

88888

Two hours later, Tonks found herself underneath Harry's invisibility cloak. She had thought she had lost his cloak when she had been captured by Death Eaters months ago. But Severus had actually managed to sneak the cloak underneath his robe.

Tonks' father had come down and told them that a crowd had gathered around the dungeons, hoping to catch a glimpse of Severus' bride. Tonks decided that she'd rather be a surprise when she walked down the aisle, so the cloak was borrowed.

Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Severus. His hair was pulled back at his neck. He wore a black dress robe. Underneath, he wore a white high collared shirt, with a vest that looked to be made of brocade. He was perfect.

"Where's Dora?" Severus asked, looking around.

"I'm here, Severus," Tonks giggled from underneath the invisibility cloak. "You'll see me when I walk down the aisle."

Tonks looked around. Draco and Nata were both there. Nata looked wonderful. The girl was tall for age, which normally bothered Nata. But Tonks had noticed since the Final Battle, she had been holding herself up straighter, not slouching like she used to.

"I have Professor Snape's ring, I need yours, Tonks," Draco said, smiling. "I take my best man duties very seriously." Tonks' mother handed Draco the silver ring Severus had given her at Christmas.

"I think we're set then," Tonks said happily. The wedding party walked together to the lagoon, were the ceremony was set to take place. Tonks was amazed to see what had been set up. The house-elves must have worked tirelessly. Hundreds of chairs, all filled with students and friends, were set up on the lawn. There was even a red carpet for Tonks to walk down. A small arch was set up here, giving Tonks a starting place.

Severus tried to look in her direction before he made his way to the front, followed by Draco and then her mother. Tonks looked around and saw who was there. Molly and Arthur Weasley were there, along with Bill and Fleur. She was glad to see Fred Weasley and Angelina there, she had heard Fred didn't leave George's side much. George still was in St. Mungos, but was expected to make almost a full recovery. Remus and his girlfriend, Dani. Tonks was surprised to see Madam Bones there. Kingsley, with his wife and daughters. All of the Hogwarts professors were there, in their dress robes. And of course, quite possibly, even single student at Hogwarts. She doubted any of them wanted to miss this.

"Go ahead, Nata," Tonks whispered. Nata nodded and walked slowly down the aisle. Tonks looked at her father and squeezed his hand. "I guess this is it, then."

Her father nodded. His thought board was under his arm. Tonks took off the invisibility cloak and took her father's arm. "Last minute of the single life, Tonks," she whispered to herself.

The minute she stepped down the aisle, Tonks could hear the students stirring. She couldn't help but smile. Tonks was sure that she was much different from what their idea of Professor Snape's wife would look like.

She started looking around, but half way down the aisle, her eyes locked with Severus' and suddenly, she couldn't bear to look away from him. When she finally reached him, she handed Nata the small bouquet of flowers she had gotten from the green house and then kissed her father on the cheek.

Tonks held out her hand to Severus and saw that it was trembling. Severus brought her hand to his lips and gave her a smile. Tonks sighed; she loved to see him smile. Then they turned and faced Professor McGonagall.

And then they were married.

88888

Tonks beamed, sitting at the head table for the first time in her life. She barely recognized the Great Hall. It was set up more like a banquet hall; the four long tables were gone, replaced by much smaller ones. Severus said it had been set up like this for the Yule Ball.

All of the students were there, even the younger ones, though they had an earlier curfew than the older students. Some of the muggle-born students kept clinking their knives with their water glasses. Severus looked shocked the first time it happened, but Tonks, having attended muggle weddings before, explained the students wanted them to kiss. Which shocked Severus even more.

The dinner was better than Tonks' could have imagined. She wasn't quite sure how far along she was in her pregnancy, possibly already a month, but the baby seemed to be making odd food requests already. But she might have been imagining it.

The house-elves were even able to make a small wedding cake. Tonks was glad that no one would expect the muggle tradition of mashing cake in each other's faces. Though the idea of Severus with cake all over his face made Tonks laugh.

After dinner was completed, Minerva asked them quietly if anyone would be making a speech. Tonks shook her head quickly. There would be no speeches tonight. Not if her father couldn't make a speech.

Finally, the lights dimmed slightly and music started playing. A great deal of students rushed out to the dance floor that appeared. Severus warned her that he would was only willing to dance to slow songs. He wasn't a natural dancer. And that was being kind.

They enjoyed walking around the tables and talking. Tonks started to count how many times a student said to her, "You look really different than I thought you would." But she ended up losing track.

Severus was leading her outside to get some fresh air, when Tonks stopped him. "We need to dance now."

"Why?" Severus asked.

"We danced to this song at Bill and Fleur's wedding. Humor me," Tonks said, using a smile that always got her what she wanted.

"I'm not going to the middle of the floor," Severus said.

"That's fine. We'll dance right here," Tonks said happily. Severus had been carrying his dress robe over his arm, and he draped it casually over a nearby chair.

He wrapped his arms around her waist tightly. Tonks realized this was the first bit of alone time they had since before the wedding.

"So how are you feeling, Mrs. Snape?" Severus asked softly.

Tonks smiled. "Ms. Tonks-Snape is feeling just fine," she whispered back. "How is Mister Snape?"

"Mister Snape is feeling just about perfect right now," Severus said, brushing a lock of hair out of her face. "I'm surprised you didn't change your hair for the wedding."

Tonks found herself blushing. She couldn't wait until they were truly alone so that she could tell him. "I wanted to be me. Completely me."

Severus held her tighter. "Being you suits you."

88888

At midnight, all the students were ordered back to their common rooms. A few Order members and teachers stayed a little while longer. Tonks thought she and Severus were going to have to stay as well, but Severus had other plans in mind.

"I'm going to take my bride to get some rest," Severus said, sounding quite pleasant. Tonks had to stop herself from giggling. She doubted if anyone thought she and Severus were going to get any rest tonight.

Tonks went up to Professor McGonagall. "Thank you for everything. It was absolutely perfect," Tonks gushed.

Professor McGonagall smiled slightly. "You both deserve some happiness."

Then Severus took her hand and they left the Great Hall. Severus started to lead her to their bedchambers, but Tonks had another idea all together. "It's time for you to give me my wedding present," Tonks said slyly.

Severus stopped and looked at her. "What in the world do you mean? It's time for me to take you to bed."

Tonks started giggling. "Not until you give me my wedding present."

"And what is my wedding present to you?" Severus asked, arching an eyebrow. Tonks led him up to the astronomy tower. "You might not remember…"

"Merlin," Severus said, realization dawning on him. "You really want this? I just pledged to love and cherish you in front of countless people!"

"I know. You're the one who promised, Severus," Tonks said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm just making sure you keep your promise."

"I am a man of my word," Severus said sadly. He walked up to the balcony and gave Tonks one last desperate look.

"Don't be a baby; I'm sure everyone's sleeping. No one will hear you…" Tonks grinned.

"I LOVE NYMPHADORA TONKS!" Severus shouted at the top of his lungs. Then he immediately turned around and stepped off of the balcony.

"Thank you," Tonks whispered. She took his hand. Now was the time to tell him. She walked over to a bench and sat down. Severus sat down right next to her, his arm around her shoulder. He lowered his head and kissed her softly on the lips. Tonks let herself get lost in the movement of lips and tongues.

Finally, she broke away. "I have something to show you," Tonks said shyly. "Do you have your wand? I left mine in our room."

Severus stood up and got his wand from a pocket of his dress robe. Tonks took a deep breath. "Infanarro," she said softly, pointing his wand at her midsection. A white light flashed.

Tonks looked up to see Severus' reaction. He was staring at her midsection. Gently, he put his hand approximately where the baby should be.

"Severus?" Tonks asked.

He looked up suddenly, and Tonks was pleased to see tears in his eyes. "I just found out this morning," Tonks told him. "That's why I wanted to be married today, you see."

Severus brought her to him quickly. "I can't believe this day is real," Severus said into her hair. "How far along are you?" he asked eagerly.

"I actually have no idea," Tonks said. "I haven't tried to do a morph in a month and a half. My guess is three to four weeks. I'll have a make an appointment with a Healer."

He closed his eyes. "I'm going to be a father," Severus said softly. "Thank you."

Tonks grinned. "Don't thank me, you did half the work," she said happily. Then they held each other for a bit.

When Tonks was a girl, and would giggle about her wedding night with her friends, she always imagined that it would be in a beautiful room, on a canopy bed with satin sheets. But when Tonks and Severus made love to each other for the first time as husband and wife, right there on the floor of the Astronomy Tower, reality was decidedly better than her dreams could ever be.