Hybrid Legacy

Chapter 7

"Come on, Draco. We're going to be late for your father's bonding ceremony if you don't hurry. The twins and I have been ready for over an hour. What's taking you so long?" asked Harry, glaring as the blonde continued to fuss over his hair. "Your hair is fine. If you don't come on right now, I'll give Mick my wand and let her fix your hair the way she likes."

Draco's eyes widened in horror at the thought of what Michaela would do to his precious hair. "Okay!" he yelled frantically. "No need for such horrible threats. I'm coming."

Harry just smirked at Draco, grabbed his arm, and pulled him out of the room. Soon Harry, Draco, and the twins had portkeyed to Malfoy Manor for the bonding ceremony. Dumbledore was once again officiating a Malfoy wedding.

Harry took the twins over to Hermione and went to stand behind Remus. Draco, of course, took his place behind Lucius, and Minerva stood for Severus.

"Shall we begin?" asked Dumbledore as the last guest was seated. "We have gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Severus Sebastian Snape, Lucius Adrian Malfoy, and Remus John Lupin in a heart bond."

"Severus, we'll start with you," said Albus. "Place a bracelet on each spouse's left wrist and say your vows."

Severus placed the first bracelet around Lucius' wrist. "Lucius, you have been my friend since my first year at Hogwarts. I have always loved you as a friend, but that love inevitably deepened to a passionate love. I know I don't always show my love, but just know that it is always there. Thank you for always being there for me." He lifted Lucius' wrist to his lips and kissed the bracelet touching the pulse point.

Turning to Remus, Severus placed the other bracelet around the werewolf's left wrist. "Remus, we have come a long way. We hated each other during our school years and even most of our adult years. You showed me that the past is just that, the past, and that we can all change. I grew to love you just as passionately as I previously hated you. Thank you for giving me another chance." Severus lifted Remus' hand up to his lips and kissed the bracelet.

Dumbledore turned to Lucius and gestured for him to proceed with his vows.

Lucius turned to Severus and placed the first bracelet around his left wrist. "Severus, like you said, we've been best friends since our days at Hogwarts. No matter what I did with my life, you always loved me, even enough to tell me what a prat I was. I have always been thankful to have you in my life, and that feeling just deepens with each passing day." Like Severus, Lucius kissed the bracelet before turning to Remus.

"Remus, we were never enemies, but we also weren't friends. I never imagined myself loving a Gryffindor. I thought it was an impossibility because Slytherins and Gryffindors just don't mix well. But then my son got involved with the consummate Gryffindor, and it made me realize that I was just holding on to outdated thinking. I thank the gods that you showed me that snakes and lions make very good lovers, with emphasis on the love." He kissed the bracelet and turned to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore gestured for Remus to proceed with his vows.

Remus turned to Severus and placed the bracelet around his left wrist. "Severus, I know we were never really friends, but I never hated you. I never blamed you for hating me because I almost killed you, even if it was a cruel prank started by someone else. These last five years have been almost surreal. I never expected to find love at all because of the whole lycanthropy problem, but especially with someone who had hated me for half their lifetime. I thank you from the bottom of my heart that you were willing to set the past aside and allow me into your life. I have grown to love you so much, and I feel blessed to know you feel the same." Following Severus and Lucius' examples, Remus kissed the bracelet and turned to Lucius.

"Lucius, I have to be honest and say that falling in love with you was a big shock for me. We were never enemies really, but we certainly weren't friends. The fact that you opened your heart to me, first as a friend and then as a lover, constantly humbles me. Thank you so much for ignoring a lifetime of prejudices to see the real me." Remus kissed the bracelet and turned back to Dumbledore.

"The ribbons?" asked Dumbledore. Harry stepped forward and placed the ribbons in his hand. "Place your left hands together so that I may bind them with the ribbons." Severus, Remus, and Lucius placed their hands together and Dumbledore tied a yellow ribbon, a red ribbon, and black ribbon around their wrists. "The bonded trio has chosen a yellow ribbon to represent balance in their married lives. They have chosen a red ribbon to represent strength and love, and the black ribbon represents wisdom and success." Dumbledore waved his wand over the ribbons and said, "Bind these three heart to heart." The ribbons melded into the bracelets. "The binding was successful. Congratulations."

The trio kissed each other as the ceremony closed and turned to face the guests. They were soon bombarded with congratulatory hugs and handshakes. Liam and Michaela quickly pushed their way through the throng of well-wishers to give their grandpas and Uncle Sev a hug and kiss.

"Uncle Sev?" asked Liam quietly.

"Yes, Liam?" Severus replied just as quietly.

"Does this make you my grandpa Sev now?" asked Liam tentatively, staring at Severus with utmost seriousness.

"I guess it does," said Severus, smiling at the little boy.

"Cool! Now I have three grandpas," said Liam excitedly. "Hey Kayla! Guess what?"

"What?" she asked.

"Uncle Sev's our grandpa now," he gushed.

"You're right, Liam. Uncle Sev just became your new grandpa," said Draco. "Did you tell him the other news?"

"No, I forgot," Liam exclaimed. He turned back to Severus and smiled brightly. "You are formally invited to the birthday party of Liam, Michaela, and Harry Malfoy at Godric's Hollow in two weeks on July 31st," he said solemnly. He turned back to Draco and whispered, "Did I say it right, daddy?" Draco nodded and Liam looked expectantly at Severus. When Severus didn't immediately reply, Liam prompted him. "Well, will you come?"

"It's your birthday already? And just how old will you on your birthday?" asked Severus with a mock look of surprise.

"Me and Kayla will be five. I don't know how old mummy will be, but I know it's old," said Liam seriously. "So, are you coming?"

Severus and Draco snickered at hearing Harry called old. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," said Severus.

"Good, now I gotta go invite Grandpa Remi. I think Kayla already asked Grandpa Lucius," said Liam, waiting impatiently for Severus to set him back on the ground. As soon as his feet touched the floor, he took off towards the werewolf.

"Any news?" asked Severus once Liam was out of earshot.

"No, Harry hasn't gotten any more letters and it's been rather quiet at home," said Draco. "I just hope nothing happens over the next two weeks. The twins shouldn't be afraid to celebrate their birthday."

"Any ideas on who the stalker is?" asked Severus. "We figured out Weasley's part in this fairly easily, but I'm at a loss on who wants Harry in that context, except for you."

"We have no idea, but Harry seems to think it's a fellow Gryffindor," said Draco.

"Why a Gryffindor?" asked Severus curiously.

"Because of the tone of the letter. Harry believes that the stalker had to have either known Ginny very well or have the same grudge against Slytherins that most Gryffindors uphold," Draco explained.

"That actually makes sense. Surprising really, when you consider the source of these insights," said Severus musingly.

"I resent that, Severus," said Harry from behind him. "I'll have you know that I could have just as easily been sorted into Slytherin. Just because I'm more famous for my Gryffindor bravery rather than my Slytherin ambition, doesn't mean I don't possess a few key elements of the Serpents. Ask Draco. I've out Slytherined him quite a few times."

"Yeah, like choosing the place I proposed, and hexing me to sleep during the final battle," said Draco with a long suffering sigh. "See what I have to live with? And Liam's just like him."

"Yes, and Mick's a prima donna just like you. What's your point?" asked Harry, smirking at the indignation on Draco's face when Harry called him a prima donna.

"I'm not a prima donna. I just have good fashion sense," protested Draco.

"Whatever. You spend more time in front of that mirror than any girl I've met," said Harry.

"As fascinating as the conversation is," said Severus, interrupting before Draco could argue any more with Harry, "this is my wedding day, and arguing can wait."

"Sorry, Sev," said Harry immediately. Draco just put his nose in the air until Harry jabbed him in the rib with his elbow. Then he muttered a quick apology before Harry dragged him away.

"What was that all about?" asked Remus as he reached Severus' side with Lucius in tow.

"Just the usual," said Severus, turning to his spouses with a smile. "Are we ready to leave?"