Disclaimer - I own nothing in this fanfiction that might even be remotely related to Harry Potter, all is property of the wonderful J.K. Rowling.
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Big thank you to my hunny for BETA-ing this chapter with minimal complaints. :)
Warning - Just to be sure, 18 and over only please. Some sexual situations and extreme fluff. Not for the coldhearted or the "I strictly only like the snarky-snappy-mean Snape" folks. I mean, really, this is some marshmellowy fluffy poofy mushy mush.
December tenth arrived unimaginably slow for the happy couple. Because they are quite efficient at time management and are both task-oriented, the invitations, dress, outfits, wedding party, food, decorations, you name it, were all organized and checked off the long list within a week. Hermione tried, and failed, to assist the elves in the kitchens at Hogwarts. One night she came back, looking a little put out, and Severus told her that she literally drew them a map of how she wanted the Great Hall to look. She huffed at him a little before he calmed her down with something that proved to be much, much more fun than her original plan.
So now Hermione was sitting in a chair, her leg jittering as Molly and Ginny Weasley attempted to put her hair up. The girls had shown up at a few minutes past eight that morning, reprimanding her for not allowing them to throw her a bachelorette party. Hermione simply rolled her eyes and told them that Severus and her both agreed to not do either party because it made it sound like it was their one last night of freedom; the girls 'awwww-ed' and giggled, allowing the subject to drop.
"Nervous?" Ginny asked with a laugh, glancing at Hermione's leg.
"No," Hermione said, "just anxious."
"That's the same thing," Lavender said from in front of her, slipping on different shoes to see which one would fit best. Hermione had been shocked to see her, but glad for the help.
"No," Hermione said again, rolling her eyes. "I'm just really ready to do this, you know? I've waited long enough, and I just want to be married to him already." All hands on her stopped moving at once; she looked around and noticed three pairs of wide eyes staring at her. "What?"
This time, Molly spoke from behind her. "Hermione, dear, Arthur and I dated all throughout Hogwarts and I was still nervous about getting married to the man. Even the people I have seen jump into marriage on a whim still looked nervous rather than anxious."
Hermione smiled. "Yes, well, I've loved him for a long time, ladies, and I'm ready to be Mrs. Snape."
Ginny and Lavender couldn't help but cringe just a little. "It's going to be weird," Ginny said. "Your last name being Snape, I mean."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Not to me it won't, and you'll get used to it."
"I don't know if I'll get used to it, baby girl," came a soft voice from behind all the women.
Hermione jumped out of her chair, turned around, and saw her mother standing at the door, her long brown hair pulled up into a bun, wearing a stunning red dress. She had no words as she practically ran into her mother's open arms, instantly sobbing on her shoulder. Patricia Granger rubbed her daughter's back and spoke soft, comforting words into her ear. The other three women glanced at each other and silently agreed to give the two some privacy. They skirted around the embraced pair, closing the door quietly behind them as they left.
"Oh, Mom, I'm so happy to see you," Hermione said, pulling back and wiping her face.
"It's good to see you too, darling. You look stunning." Mrs. Granger ran her hand over Hermione's face, smiling.
"Where's Dad?"
"Oh, he's in with Severus," her mom said.
Hermione blanched a little. Her father was a sweet man, but just a tad protective. She was also a little surprised to hear someone say Severus outright, rather than her having to correct them when they said Snape. "Dad's in with Severus?" she asked.
"Mmhmm," her mother said nonchalantly.
"Did you meet him yet?" Hermione asked nervously.
" I did," Mrs. Granger said, her hazel eyes filling with moisture. "He seems as wonderful as you made him sound, sweetie. He was very surprised to see us, but recovered fairly quickly. He does have beautiful hands, by the way. And that voice."
Hermione couldn't help but giggle. "I told you," she said.
"He was very polite, asking questions about how our travel was, what we did for a living, things like that. Your father did ask him a few questions," Mrs. Granger admitted sheepishly.
"Such as?" Hermione demanded.
"Oh, just typical things like how work was going, his plans for the future," she rattled off.
"What else?" Hermione asked, knowing damn well that wasn't it.
"Nothing really, your father just asked him how he felt about you and whether or not he planned on taking good care of you," she said.
Hermione gaped at her mother for only a moment, but smiled, thinking it was simply her father's way of showing his love. "Did Severus answer correctly?" she asked with a chuckle.
"Hermione, he was so sweet about it," her mother gushed. "He looked Henry right in the eyes and said 'please do not fear for your daughter's wellbeing, sir, I assure you that I am immeasurably in love with her, and I will do nothing other than take care of her and our children'. It was so sweet."
Hermione couldn't help but tear up as tears ran down her mother's face. "Aw, Mom, don't cry," she said, hugging her.
Patricia laughed lightly and hugged her daughter back. "I'm just happy to know my baby is well taken care of. He seems to genuinely love you."
Hermione smiled. "Yeah, Mom, he does. And," she said, pulling away, "I love him just as much."
"I can tell," she said, wiping tears from her daughter's face again. "I still can't believe I'm going to be a grandmother. You two must have a healthy sex life."
"Mom!" Hermione yelled, astonished at her mothers bluntness.
Mrs. Granger, however, rolled her eyes. "You are twenty-one years old, pregnant, and about to get married, I think I can say things like that to you now."
"Well, yes, I suppose so," Hermione said, still looking a little shocked. "But it was just so sudden. You scared me a little."
"Now," her mother said, "we should probably call back in the troops and get you ready, hm? You aren't even in your dress yet."
Hermione nodded as her mother went to get the other women, praying that her father wasn't giving her husband-to-be a tough time….
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Somewhere in a room down a separate corridor Severus, Harry, Arthur, George (who said he was there for 'moral support and because he loved Hermione like a sister') and Mr. Granger sat in large wingback chairs with a glass of Firewhiskey apiece. They were all chatting, taking turns in talking about what was going on in their lives. Severus' full attention was on Henry Granger, who was in the middle of a riveting tale of how Hermione used to try and sneak his dentistry tools home to work on her dolls.
Mr. Granger turned his attention to George. "So, George, right?" George nodded. "I recall hearing about you on several occasions, but wasn't Hermione quite good friends with your brother, Ron?"
Severus felt a pang of jealousy when Henry said he had heard of George several times, even though he knew it meant nothing. "Yeah," George replied, "she was always closer to Ron, but she was there for me after my twin, Fred, died, so we grew pretty close."
"She also dated another one of your brothers, correct?" he asked. "Charlie, if I'm not mistaken."
"No, that's right," George said, side glancing to Severus before he continued. "They were close for a few months before they went their separate ways, and I guess the distance just kind of tore them apart. It wouldn't have worked anyway," he added quickly, "I think they were on different paths."
"Indeed they were," Henry said, smiling at Severus. "I'm sure at some point Hermione would have ended up with you, anyway, Severus."
"Really?" Severus asked, unable to hide the surprise from his voice.
"I do believe so," he said seriously. "When Hermione loves, she loves passionately and fully, and I can only imagine how strongly my daughter feels for you. She spoke of you very often, and Patricia and I could tell it was anything but a schoolgirl crush. I'm sure you have notice she's always been quite advanced in her years, and we were unsurprised when we heard she was seeing you."
"I do apologize, Henry, if all this happening so fast makes you a little uncomfortable," Severus said sincerely. "If my daughter were to simply speak of a teacher throughout her years here only to one day write to me, telling me that someone nearly twice her age had gotten her pregnant, and they were to be wed, I would accept it, but I might be a little apprehensive."
Mr. Granger considered this for awhile, everyone staring at him, awaiting his reply. "Severus," he said, running a hand over his short graying hair, "I trust my daughter, fully and completely. It is irrelevant your age, profession, or how you two met. All that I care about is that my little girl is happy. If it were anyone but Hermione, I might be apprehensive, but she's got a good head on her shoulders."
George snorted, causing everyone to look at him. "I'm sorry, sir," he said, directing it at Mr. Granger. "It's just that, since the first day of school, everyone here has more than noticed her intelligence."
Everyone in the room smiled. "Indeed," Severus said before turning his attention back to Henry. "I just want to reassure you that I will take very good care of your daughter. I must admit I am very happy that both you and her mother approve so highly of our marriage and the choices we're making."
Henry smiled and waved off his comments. "No thanks is necessary, son," he said with a chuckle. "Now, what exactly is this brand of alcohol? It might be a bit strong, seeing as I would not like to tip over halfway through walking Hermione down the aisle."
"Oh my!" Harry exclaimed, looking at his watch. "Severus, we're almost late, we need to hurry."
Severus' eyes grew wide. "How long until we need to be up there?"
"Five minutes," Harry replied, meeting his eyes.
"Are you nervous yet, Severus?" Arthur asked, a concerned look on his face.
"No," he replied simply. "I have waited for this day long enough, I am not nervous in the least."
"Well," Harry said, clasping him on the shoulder, "let's get you married!"
O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Severus stood at the front of the Great Hall where the head table usually was. The house tables had been vanished, white chairs replacing them in rows up the aisle, which had a long off-white carpet leading from the doors to Severus. There were red, white, and yellow roses everywhere, attached to long green vines that were covering the Hall. The 'sky' above was a bright blue with doves flying gracefully, their wings spanning out and glowing as if the sun was hitting them.
He was still surprised that Minerva managed to close off the entirety of the bottom floor to Hogwarts to all students. Not that they wouldn't have been welcome, but Minerva insisted, as she had heard of plans of Dungbombs and random fireworks. Severus had retracted his previous statements, demanding that they have teams of Aurors stationed at the stairs also. The sound of soft strings music filling the hall brought him back to the present.
Severus watched as Harry, dressed in his finest dark green robes, led a beautiful looking Ginny down the aisle, her red hair pinned back, wearing a floor length pale green halter style dress. Just as they reached Severus, Harry planted a soft kiss on Ginny's cheek before they went their separate ways. Severus smiled at Ginny before turning just in time to see Arthur and Molly Weasley, dressed similar to their daughter and son-in-law. Molly smiled grandly at him, winking before taking her place next to Ginny. Severus couldn't help but smile back, still amused that Hermione would ask her to stand up with them on their wedding day.
His heart pounded in his chest as the music changed to the customary wedding march. In what seemed like slow motion, Severus turned once again to the large doors as all the guests stood, and his jaw dropped at the most beautiful site in the entire world. Hermione was stunning, her hair held back in complex twists and curls, a few strands left hanging to frame her glowing face. She wore practically no make up, just the way he liked her. Her gown was pure white and lacey, apart from the small pale green sash around her waist, reaching the floor with a small train behind her. The bottom billowed out like a bell, swishing every time she took a step. A sweeping veil was atop her head, the see-through material draping down her half-bare back.
The dress was strapless, clinging to her body tightly, held up by intricate lacing in the back as well as her full bust. He couldn't help the tears that welled in his eyes as he noticed the beginnings of a very small, but defined, bump on her stomach. Her face was alight with happiness, her eyes trained on his, barely noticing her father walking with her arm in his. Severus stood before her, in a Muggle tuxedo, his hair smooth and loose. His tie was the same dark green as his groomsmen, the shirt beneath his jacket a crisp white. Tears began to pool in her eyes as she saw a large smile appear on his ageless face.
Hermione almost tripped over her dress when her father stopped just before reaching Severus. She looked directly in front of her and noticed the Ministry Official, an older, tall, blonde man. "Who gives away this woman?" he asked, his voice deep but pleasant.
"Her mother, Patricia, and I do," her father said in a shaky voice.
"Please place her hand in his," the Official said, gesturing to Severus.
Henry turned to his daughter, tears in his eyes, and placed a loving kiss on her cheek before grasping her hand and placing it in Severus' outstretched one. Hermione's eyes locked on Severus' as she stepped up onto the platform to join him, face to face. He reached out his other hand and she accepted it, placing her palm into his as his fingers wrapped around her hands.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," the Official said in a loud, clear voice, "we are gathered here today to witness the bonding marriage of Hermione Jean Granger, and Severus Tobias Snape. Although it is a commitment I am sure they have taken into deep consideration, and have decided to make the commitment together, I am required by law to ask if anyone has any objections." Severus' hands gripped hers a little more firmly as the Hall fell silent for a moment. "All right then, on with the ceremony. Severus and Hermione have decided to write their own vows. So if you would, please proceed, Severus."
Severus glanced at the Official before looking back into Hermione's teary eyes. He gave her a wide smile before straightening his posture and clearing his throat. "Hermione, when you first walked into my classroom some ten years ago, had someone told me that I would be standing here with you today, I would have laughed. However, I find myself immeasurably happy that I would have been incorrect in the assumption that it would never be. You are, to be put simply, the best thing that has ever happened me.
"Many people here today may not know that you are the one who saved my life a few years ago." Small gasps could be heard ringing out from the crowd. "But when you did that, you not only saved my body, but you saved my soul as well. I would have died, never knowing the love that I have for you, and that is something I hold close to me every day. You are my heart, Hermione. Every time I look into your beautiful eyes I see my future, I see children and happiness, love and need. I need you. I cannot imagine what my life would be like now without you in it. Now having seen firsthand just what my life is with you, I would never go back."
Hermione tried her best to contain her tears, but it was useless. Severus took a deep breath before continuing. "Waking up every morning to you beside me is like waking up from a dream," he said slowly, both of them smiling, remembering their letters, "only to find out it is real. I acknowledge that we have not spent years getting to know each other, living together, getting married, and then having children. We are indeed doing this a touch out of order, and maybe a little quickly, but I do not believe that I would feel any differently than what I do now had we done all that. I love you with everything I have in me and I cannot wait until our children are born, because they are a piece of you, and I have a feeling they are going to be just as wonderful.
"With that said," he said with a shaky voice, tears stinging his eyes as Hermione's ran freely, "these, Hermione, my love, are my vows: I, Severus Tobias Snape, vow to you, Hermione Jean Granger, that I will work with you on this marriage, in good times and in bad. I vow that I will, to the best of my ability, keep you safe, happy, and feeling fulfilled. I vow to be by your side every moment that I can, if you will have me. I vow to stand by and support you, no matter your choices. I vow to love our children, to take care of them, to watch over them and help you raise them. I vow that I will try to keep my head when we do argue, and never leave anything unresolved. I vow to always be true to you, to never be with another woman but you, until my last breath. Lastly, I vow to you Hermione, to love you, unconditionally, fully, and passionately, for the rest of my life."
"I love you," she mouthed.
"I love you," he mouthed back.
"Now, Hermione," the Official said, "it is your turn."
Hermione took a few shaky breaths. "I don't know if I can speak correctly," she said lowly, her voice quivering.
"Just talk to me, love," Severus said quietly, although he was sure his voice rang clearly throughout the Hall.
"Okay," she said, sniffling.
"Take your time," he said, running his thumbs over the backs of her hands.
After a moment, Hermione gave him a watery smile. "Severus," she started out, her voice barely over a whisper and still a little shaky, "I have loved you for a long, long time. I know that you never saw me as anything but a student until I was of age, but I've known that you were the one for me since I can remember. I can never thank you enough for replying to that ridiculous letter I wrote you." Hermione laughed a little through her tears, as did Severus. "What I did that night, apart from all we're doing now, is a night I'm going to remember always as the night I did the smartest thing I have ever done. Oh, this is making no sense. I know I said I'd try not to sob like a baby, but my hormones are having none of that."
Severus tried his best to hide his laughter. "Just breathe, love," he whispered. "You are making perfect sense. Remember, you are just talking to me."
She locked her eyes on his and worried the inside of her lip before continuing. "You have given me the greatest gift. You've given me you, and I could ask for nothing else for the rest of my life and be happy. However, you have made it even better by gracing me with the children that are growing inside of me now. I can feel your hand, at night, resting on my stomach and I drift off of to sleep, knowing what true love feels like. I can't imagine not waking up to you every morning now, not just because the bed would be empty, but so would my heart.
"When I think about that day, in the shack," she continued, her body shuddering through a sob, Severus' hands gripping hers more firmly, tears leaking out of his eyes, "the reason I get so upset is because I love you so much that I can't stand to even have the idea of you gone in my head. I feel like an obsessed child sometimes because of how deeply I need you. I want nothing more than your happiness, and I am forever grateful that you think I am the epitome of it, as you are mine. I don't regret waiting so long to tell you, or you having not accepted my apprenticeship sooner, because I am so unbelievably happy just as we are now. I can't wait to see our children, Severus, because they are ours, solely and unconditionally.
"Having that said," she said, her voice still quivering, tears streaming down both of their face, "these, are my vows: I, Hermione Jean Granger, vow to you, Severus Tobias Snape, to be there for you, no matter the situation, to comfort and hold you, to listen and not judge. I vow to stay with you, through good times and bad. I vow to do everything in my power to keep our relationship steady and fulfilling. I vow to you that I will stay out of your way when you are making a potion I know I ought not to be around." The Hall, along with Severus and Hermione, chuckled. "I vow that I will be the best wife, mother to our children, and friend to you I can. I vow that I will stand by you in troubled times and look you in the eye, knowing that our love is strong enough to overcome anything. I vow to respect you, honor you, and be true to you in every sense of the word. I vow to you my heart, which has been placed in your capable hands. And lastly, Severus Snape, I vow to love you, completely, irrevocably, and passionately, until the day I die."
The Hall was silent for a moment with the exception of many sniffles and soft sobs. The Ministry Official cleared his throat. "Do you have the rings?" Both Hermione and Severus nodded, not trusting their voices. "Severus, please repeat after me, placing the ring on her finger." Severus turned to Harry, whose face was stained with tears. Harry smiled widely at Severus before handing him the platinum band. The Ministry Official waited for Severus to turn back around.
Severus listened as the Official said the words. "I, Severus Snape, take you, Hermione Granger, to be my lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in good times and bad, for as long as we both shall live."
Hermione choked a sob back as he slid the band onto her finger. She nodded when the Official asked if she was ready. Hermione turned to Ginny, who was also crying, accepting a platinum ring with intricate vine-like carvings around the band. "I, Hermione Granger, take you, Severus Snape, to be my lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in good times and bad, for as long we both shall live." She continued to stare into his eyes as she slid the band onto his finger.
The Ministry Official turned decidedly to Severus. "Do you Severus, take Hermione to be your wife? Do you swear to love her, cherish her, and, to the best of your ability, never forsake the vows you have just made to her?"
"I do," he whispered, his voice cracking as tears spilled down his face.
The Official then turned to Hermione. "Do you, Hermione, take Severus to be your husband? Do you swear to love him, cherish him, and, to the best of your ability never forsake the vows you have just made to him?"
"I do," she whispered, her heart pounding so hard in her chest she thought it might explode.
"Very well then," the Official said, his wand pointing at their joined hands. "With the blessing of the Ministry, and the higher powers, I now pronounce you husband and wife." Out of his wand came a string of what looked like liquid gold. It wrapped around their hands, swirling and twisting for a moment before disappearing all together. "You may now kiss the bride."
Before Hermione heard the cheers, Severus' mouth was on hers, his arms going around her to swoop her off the ground, spinning her around while they kissed. Her arms went around his neck and she kissed him back passionately. All too soon he broke the kiss, placing his forehead against hers. They stared into each others eyes, laughing like a bunch of school children.
"I love you, Mrs. Snape," he said quietly, kissing her again.
"And I love you, my dear husband," she said, his favorite 100 watt smile appearing on her beautiful face.
That was the only moment they had alone for quite a long time that evening, everyone having congratulations to give, questions to ask, things to talk about. Severus stayed at Hermione's side the entire night, never once releasing her hand except to allow her to dance with her father or whomever. He couldn't help but laugh as he removed Hermione's garter (with his teeth I might add), for it was simple white lace with a large red bow right in the middle.
Hermione giggled uncontrollably as it landed right in the hands of George Weasley, who's eyes widened, and terrified wouldn't even begin to cover the look on his face as he looked to the woman who had caught the bouquet… which happened to be Luna Lovegood, of course. He took another shot of Firewhiskey and shot Severus a death glare, getting nothing in return but a smile.
A/N: Okay, so this isn't REALLY a cliff hanger, but the next chapter is going to pick up right where this one left off. I'm sad already, knowing that this has only a few chapters left. I could easily go on for quite a few more chapters, filling in random daily life and dialog with smuttiness, but… it wouldn't feel right and I can't do that. So, as always, I beg for you to stay with me until the very end, and please review!! There's nothing that keeps me writing like reviews. Thank you for reading!!