It was an eclectic gathering. Weasley red hair intermixed with the odd pairings of other guests: Potter glasses caught the dying sunlight as they disappeared into the house, Malfoy pure blooded spines stiff in formality, the bald head of Kingsley as he organized a shuffle of parchment, a half giant's loud sniffling as Hagrid dried his happy tears, the pointed black hat and Scottish tilt of Minerva's laugh, the pattering of tiny feet throughout the back garden as Teddy and Victoire chased each other. At the very center of the storm stood Severus clothed in pressed black slacks and black button down, nervously fingering at his necktie.

Hermione watched from the window of their bedroom before checking one last time in the mirror that she had secured the comb holding her hair off her face with a powerful sticking charm. There was a soft knock and she turned to see her best friends enter the room. Harry and Ron stopped just inside the door casting broad smiles at her. "Do I look alright?"

She gave a small turn to show them her dress. It was a feminine, soft, flowing gown of ivory lace. Her hair was cascading down her back and swayed slightly at her movements. Ron was the first to speak. "You're beautiful, Hermione."

He crossed the room to place a sweet kiss to her cheek. She blushed at his action; it was decidedly un-Ron like but she appreciated the sentimentality of it. He pulled a small box from his pants pocket. He used his wand to enlarge it and handed it to her. She opened the black velvet to reveal a delicate rose gold chain bracelet, small dusky pink quartz baubles were woven into the links. "Ronald! Oh, my...I don't even know what to say. Thank you."

Ron opened the fastener and affixed the bracelet around her right wrist. "I looked it up, the quartz represents 'universal love', and that seemed about perfect for you."

She felt her eyes sting with tears and hugged the red haired man close to her. When she pulled back, Harry was still across the room from them. His emerald eyes were watery behind his glasses, and he hooked a hand behind his neck. Ron took this as his cue to meet Hermione downstairs. As he left, Harry was propelled himself across the room to her. They still hadn't spoken a word but Hermione's heart swelled as he approached her. "I thought I was emotional when you married, Ginny. But this is...overwhelming, Haz."

Harry scooped her into his arms while remaining mindful of her hair and dress. He smoothed her curls and pulled back until his hands rested gently at her waist. "Mi, I am so happy for you."

She tearfully smiled up at him. "You know this doesn't change anything, right? I will always love you, too."

He stepped back. "I know, Mi."

He reached into his coat and removed a small box. It was smaller than the box Ron had given her, and this one was a deep red. Hermione gently took it from his fingers. As she opened the hinge, her eyes welled with new tears and Harry spoke. "I went to Aberforth when you sold the flat. He gave me back the piece he had. I thought, this way, you'd always be able to get me if you needed to. Or, I could get you."

The crushed velvet box contained a rose gold locket about the size of a galleon. It was engraved to match the pattern of her vine wood wand with a tiny snitch floating around it. When she opened the hinged clasp it contained a mirror-part of the set Sirius had gifted Harry during his fifth year. She looked at her best friend as he pulled a clasped pocket watch from his vest pocket; it was Sirius' that he had favored before his death. He popped it open to reveal her mirror's twin inside the cover of the watch. Hermione cried in earnest then. She couldn't find the words so she settled for throwing her arms around him and sobbing into his chest. Which exactly how Ginny found them.

"Merlin, Harry! I told you not to give it to her until after the wedding!" Ginny admonished her husband and she came into the room. "Now, downstairs with you while I work on fixing the mess you made!"

Harry bussed a kiss to Hermione's cheek as Ginny drew her wand, setting right her hair and light makeup. "See you in a minute, Mi."

—xx—

Severus paced as subtly as he could in the back garden of his house. He couldn't believe how quickly their wedding had come together. It had been less than 24 hours, and everyone that could mean something to Hermione and himself were gathered in the garden, and his bride was upstairs getting ready. Severus fingered gently at the tie he wore, it itched his scar but he had chosen not to forgo it. He was only going to be married once, he might as well do it as traditionally as he could. Draco and Narcissa hovered nearby, trying desperately not to look uncomfortable, but only Draco was succeeding. He noted Kingsley move to the center of the small copse of trees that served as the altar. He knew it meant the time was coming. He made his way to his place beside Kingsley, giving the man a grateful nod.

As the guests took note of the activity, they milled to their seats in the magically conjured chairs. Severus watched as Ginny came through the back door and nodded to him. Everyone stood as the back door opened once more.

His eyes locked on the warm brown of his intended. He barely took note of the flattering gown she had donned for the occasion, or the way her hair was pinned back from her face. He could only see the flicker of tenderness in her gaze and the bright smile that lifted the apples of her cheeks. Severus couldn't hold onto the relaxed exterior he wore, he felt his face break into a genuine grin as Hermione strode down the aisle flanked on either side by Harry and Ron.

—xx—

Daily Prophet Learns HERMIONE GRANGER MARRIES FORMER PROFESSOR

In a shocking twist, Hermione Granger married her former professor Severus Snape yesterday. The surprise nuptials come barely a day after the ex-Death Eater dramatically revealed himself as living nearly four years after the Battle of Hogwarts, where the wizarding world believed he had perished protecting Harry Potter. The famous spy had been gravely injured by You-Know-Who's familiar, Nagini, and his body was not recovered. Snape miraculously survived by calling his dutiful house elf to his side, and has been in recovery and hiding ever since.

It was just released this month that the former Headmaster of Hogwarts had written a will before his "death" leaving all worldly goods and possessions to Miss Hermione Granger, the former brains of The Golden Trio. It is unknown at this time how long Miss Granger has been aware of Professor Snape's return, but she had not made any legal moves to claim her beneficiary status.

How long have these two been together? Was the affair started when Miss Granger was a student? Has she been keeping him held hostage these last four years, using her knowledge as a healer to keep him alive until she secured his wealth? What of Professor Snape's love for Lily Potter née Evans? Was Harry aware that his best friend was involved with the man that claimed to love his mother?

Severus was unable to finish reading the morning edition of The Daily Prophet before his wife had sent a mild incendio through the middle of the page. It had been with Hermione's blessing that Severus proposed Narcissa send the tip to the publication as soon as the ceremony had concluded the evening prior. Neither of them had wished to drag out the process of becoming public now that they were married. They agreed to let The Prophet have their fun, and they would release a statement through The Quibbler in a month after the fervor died down and they returned from their impromptu honeymoon.

As the edges of the newspaper burned away in his hands, he glanced through the smoke at his new wife across the table from him. Her eyes were alight with mischief, hair badly tussled from their thorough morning shag, and he had never seen someone more beautiful. For the first time in his life, Severus Snape was at peace.

A/N: Only the epilogue to go! This has been an absolute joy. Let me know what you think. (Longer, more emotional a/n next post) -Archer