Chapter 4
Snape's mouth dropped open as he gazed on helplessly at Lily.
She looked beautiful…No, beautiful was not the correct word.
Snape realized there were no words that did Lily justice. Not in all of the words, he knew, in his impressive, well-read vocabulary could explain the wonder that he saw in the familiar woman he saw making her way towards him.
She wore an Ivory gown that fell to the floor in a simple, sleek, shiny drape, held at the back of her neck. A halter neck, with thin, sheer ivory sleeves that held at her shoulders, hanging freely, exposing her arms with a long split.
Her hair was as glorious and as perfect as the golden dawn on an autumn day, lightly curled in waves that seemed to go on forever down her back and shoulders, and her head was crowned in a chaplet of flowers. Similar to his, but with blooms instead of Ivy.
In front of her bump, she held a posy of flowers, the same he wore in his lapel.
And her face…
She wore the sun behind her face. It shined from behind her eyes, her skin, her cheeks, and poured from her smile.
That understanding, generous smile she wore, just for him.
Snape felt his lungs give up as a breath caught in his throat, his chest feeling constricted, his heart seemed to just pause for an eternity as he took her in.
She was enthralling. No Bulgarian Quidditch mascot nor WADA actress could compare to how enchanting her found her right at this moment. She was everything mysterious and wonderful in the world, and yet the same girl he met by the river that day.
Everybody in the vicinity faded from view and it was just her and him.
He felt Sirius's hand on his shoulder and he exhaled deeply as she drew level with him, looking at him with a coyness that seemed to suit her.
He felt he should say something to her, but he just couldn't say a word. The words got knotted in his throat and he swallowed them down.
Instead, the celebrant lowered his palms to the congregation, indicating they should sit.
"Ladies and gentlemen." began the wizard, just loud enough to be heard. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of these two faithful souls. Marriage is a blessing, even in these troubled times…"
Snape stole another glance at Lily, his ink black eyes flicking up and down her dress to her face, almost too timid. As if he were not permitted to gaze upon her. As if she were something highly sacred, not worthy of his greedy gaze.
She looked to him, her beautiful almond green eyes full and imposing.
He took another deep breath as he felt his head swim with nerves and forced himself to concentrate in case he missed his 'cue'.
"…And if anyone here knows of any reason these two should not be united together in matrimony, please speak now, or forever after hold your peace."
Snape half expected James Potter to make a desperate plea for Lily's hand, turning around to look for James Potter, Sirius had had the same idea and looked too but James was too busy looking modest and solemn at the back.
"Wonderful." declared the Wizard. "Do you Severus Tobias Snape, take Lily Margaret Evans to be your wife? In good times, and in bad, with health and with sickness, in times of wealth and poverty, as long as you both shall live?"
"…I do." Snape said softly, looking into Lily's eyes.
Lily's eyes seemed to flash with excitement as he said the words and her smile intensified.
"And do you, Lily Margaret Evans, take Severus Tobias Snape to be your husband? In good times, and in bad, with health and with sickness, in times of wealth and poverty, as long as you both shall live?"
"Oh yes." she grinned.
Snape felt himself smile, relief seemed to flood through him as some of the congregation chuckled at Lily's enthusiastic reply.
"The rings, please?"
Sirius nodded and with a smoothness that Snape could never match, produced both, golden, shining rings from his suit pocket with a flourish and placed them into the hand of the wizard.
"Severus, if you could take the ring intended for Lily, and in placing it on her finger please commit yourself to being her husband."
Snape felt his stomach tense.
This was the bit he was afraid of. Bearing his heart in front of all of these guests.
In private, he could write miles of parchment testifying of his undying, unending, eternal and perpetual love for Lily. But in front of all of these people…bearing his soul?
He took Lily's left hand and in sliding the golden ring onto her finger with slight difficulty he held her hand tight in both of his and looked to her earnestly, imagining it was just her, and him and nobody else.
"Lily…" he began softly. "…There are no deeds, no actions, that I would not perform for you. I would do anything you asked without a moments hesitation. To say that I love you would be insufficient to…" he paused and looked down, sweat prickling on his brow and perspiration coating his hands that were cold with panic. "I…"
Lily seemed to squeeze his hands and looked at him, nodding as if to comfort him.
Snape took her hand, placing it on his chest over his heart before whispering just loud enough for Lily to hear.
"…Lily, your heart is in this vessel. It's always been yours…."
Lily smiled and gently squeezed the fabric where he had guided her hand.
"And Lily, if you could take the ring intended for Severus, and in placing it on his finger, please commit yourself to becoming his wife."
Lily handed her posy to Tonks who had been stood at her side in a silver dress and hair that matched and took the ring. Taking Snape's left hand, she slid the ring on easily and smiled at him.
"Severus…" she began oddly formally, smiling despite herself. "There are only three words I need to say to you that explains how I feel…I love you. There are no other words, are there?"
Snape smiled warmly, squeezing her hand tightly, his own eyes bright with happiness.
The wizard lifted his wand high and cast it so that a shower of stars burst from it over their heads, and entwined their fingers.
"I now declare you, husband and wife. You may kiss."
Lily smiled at Snape with an edge of mischief as he seized her by her elbows and pressed an impulsive and passionate kiss on her lips.
Snape heard Sirius wolf whistling as Slughorn blew his nose loudly at the back. The small number of guests applauding.
Pulling away from Lily, she smiled at him and leaned in to whisper to him.
"I can't believe you wore it." she grinned, looking up at the crown of Ivy leaves on his head."…Naturally…You asked so nicely." "I'll thank you nicely, later…" she grinned.
Snape smiled and looked at her, seeing the mischief dancing in her eyes, he felt his own cheeks take on a slight blush as he imagined the time later where he would get the new Mrs. Snape into his bed again.
Snape and Lily walked slowly down the aisle as the few witches and wizards on each side cast their wand up and plumes of confetti popped out of the ends.
He found himself laughing. Actually laughing as he and Lily ducked the magical confetti and walked down the aisle, arm in arm, and a married couple.
He looked to Lily and saw her smiling, her lips curved into a most beautiful expression of joy.
Lily took the lead and started to waddle towards the castle, the guests standing and talking, being left behind with Potter, Sirius and Lupin.
Lily squeezed his arm, and without looking at him whispered.
"…We're married." she smiled.
He looked down at her and smiled, squeezing her hand on his arm tightly with his.
"…I've waited an eternity for this moment, Mrs. Snape."
She smiled, her eyes bright in the sun, she leaned up and kissed him softly.
He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her sweetly, he could smell her perfume, feel the softness of her skin.
She smiled at him.
Sirius caught up to them as Tonks made her way towards the castle in a hurry.
"Slight change of plan…you know how you two were meant to have dinner in your chambers?"
Lily nodded.
"…Well, we've sort of, moved it to somewhere more, well, classy."
Snape's eyebrow lifted as he registered the attack on his chambers.
"…Classy?"
"Come on, it was Tonks' idea." he smiled.
Lily smiled and nodded before leading Snape after Sirius.
She could moved quite well for a woman of her advanced state and Snape walked slowly behind, half wondering what the metamorphageous had planned.
"…Lily?" Snape asked, helping her up the stairs. "…Where are we going?"
"No idea…"
Sirius was leading the way.
Lily was waddling slowly up each step, her hand on her bump, Snape at her back, ready to catch her in case she fell. He wished that he had thought of a way to get her up the stairs more safely, but he had never intended her to climb these stairs at this stage of her pregnancy.
When they had reached the seventh floor, Lily was panting and Snape was holding on to her concerned.
"…She shouldn't have climbed all these stairs in her condition." he said reprovingly to Sirius. "She's only a few weeks off labour!"
"She's fine, aren't you, Evans…Or should I say, Mrs. Snape?" Sirius grinned walking ahead. "Stay there, back in a minute!"
Snape looked to Lily who was still catching her breath.
"…Look, I just wanted to say something." he began, holding by her shoulders and looking into her eyes. "…I'm sorry."
"…Sorry?" she asked, her eyebrows meeting in confusion.
"Look. I know that this wasn't quite the wedding you had planned. I know that muggle weddings are much more…grand than this. More…fancy." he pronounced with a sad sigh. "…With cake, and banquets, more guests, dancing…And, I'm sorry we couldn't do that."
Lily smiled at him in that wonderfully understanding way she had. The smile that made her cheeks full and beautiful.
"…Do I look like I'm fit to dance?" she smiled. "I can barely make it up the stairs, never mind a quick two step."
He kissed her forehead.
"…You know what I mean, Lily."
"I know…" she nodded. "And those things would have been nice, but…they're not necessary. You turned up, I turned up, there were rings, James Potter kept his trap shut, there's nothing else that I wanted really." smiled Lily.
"There's a story there…" Snape promised with a mischievous smirk.
Sirius came back to the landing of the stairs and nodded.
"Come on! It's all ready."
Snape followed Lily who was walking ahead eagerly.
"Do you know what they have planned?" he asked, hesitantly, hoping that there wasn't a secret ballroom full of guests and an orchestra.
"Not a clue." Lily replied, reaching back for his hand.
Snape took it and they followed Sirius to a large wooden door he had never recalled seeing in this part of the castle before. He half wondered if the Castle had some how remodeled around them during the holidays.
"…What is this?" he asked, examining the usually bare patch of wall and it's sudden large door.
"This is your honeymoon." Sirius grinned. "This little room is Hogwarts' way of saying that you should enjoy your wedding night. Go on…go in."
Lily looked quizzically at Snape before pushing open the ornate wooden door.
Snape followed.
Lily was stood, looking around slowly.
Snape let his eyes adjust to the dimmed lighting in the unfamiliar room and gazed in astonishment.
The room was lit by handfuls of tall, tapered candles that gently illuminated a large, lavishly made bed.
The silver, satin sheets were built up sumptuously with an extremely thick duvet, the countless pillows that were stacked on the Oak four poster bed. Thin, gauze curtains decorated the posts and fell elegantly to the floor.
A gramophone sat in the corner and was playing some soft music next to a table that was set for two. Tonks was stood next to a silver trolley that as laden with various cloche covered dishes.
"Well?" She grinned. "Did I do good?"
"…It's beautiful." Lily smiled, breathless with excitement.
"Better than your drafty old chambers, eh Sev?" Tonks grinned. "…anyway, we'd better get back to the guests, Minerva said that she'd entertain them in her study for drinks, give you two some time alone…Have fun you two."
Sirius chuckled and followed his cousin.
Snape watched them leave, hearing the door close with a rap.
He turned back to Lily and had only one desire.
He put his hand around Lily's waist and held her as close at the bump would permit.
She chuckled and looked up at him before reaching for the Ivy crown on his head and tossed it aside.
She chuckled as he smirked slowly, rubbing his thumb over her soft cheek gently.
"Now…" he began softly. "…This is more like it."
Lily giggled, resting her head on his chest.
"Hmmm…Food, bed…perhaps a bit of a gentle dance after all?"
He chuckled softly and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
"…I've been waiting for this all day." he sighed happily. "Having you, all to myself…You look absolutely amazing today, Lily."
She looked up at him and smiled.
"So do you…" she stroked his hair slowly and put her hand on his shoulder. "…I really wish I could continue this magical, beautiful moment darling. But there is food on that tray and I am starving."
He smiled and kissed her nose.
"Then let's get you fed." He took her hand and led her to the table, sitting her down and pushing the chair in for her at the beautifully laid table.
He stood next to the silver tray and checked what was under the cloches with an impressed nod.
"…Hmmm, she's done well." He murmured, nodding to the twin plates. "Salmon…" He nodded as he took the first plate, then the other and served them onto the table before sitting down.
He tapped the bottle in front of him with his wand and it began to pour evenly into the silver goblets.
Lily reached for the bread rolls that were already on the table.
"I haven't eaten since last night." she began. "We had some finger food at the hen night, but nothing filling."
"Didn't you have breakfast?" he asked as he began to cut into his food.
"No." She shook her head. "I was too scared I'd be sick. You know, after the morning sickness, I had."
Snape nodded, eating.
"It was quite bad." He agreed. "But you seem to have recovered your appetite now."
She smiled at him with a mouthful of warm bread and carried on eating.
Snape took a sip of his sparkling red berry cordial and admired the woman sat in front of him. Radiant in the glow of the candles.
"How has she been?" he asked.
Lily nodded.
"She's been fine…active this morning." Lily smiled, rubbing her bump happily.
Snape smiled and carried on eating.
"…And how was your stag night? Did you get drunk?" she chuckled.
Snape felt a slight tinge of red bleed into his pale cheeks.
"Not really. I had a few, but I just retired at around 9. Needed to keep a clear head." he lied uneasily.
Lily nodded, impressed.
"Molly went home at around 10, and Minerva helped me and Tonks clean up before going to bed too…" Lily paused in eating. "…Where was Dumbledore?"
Snape put his knife and fork down and shrugged.
"…I really don't know. I'm rather bothered really." he sighed, resting his head on his hand. "…I wished that he'd at least have let us know."
Lily reached across the table for his hand and squeezed it.
"Whatever it is, I am certain it was very, very important."
Snape nodded, though didn't quite believe her.
"Indeed."
Lily smiled and carried on eating.
They were halfway through dinner when there was a brisk knock on the door.
Snape looked up grumpily and looked to Lily who was just as shocked as he was.
"Who's that?" she mouthed.
He gave a non-committal shrug and stood up, walking to the door and opening it.
It was Flitwick.
"…Yes?" Snape asked coolly.
"I'm sorry to disturb you…and your wife…" Flitwick began genuinely. "But, I've had a message from Professor Dumbledore."
Snape nodded.
"Ah. Yes?"
"…He asked to see you, as soon as possible." Flitwick continued. "…I'm sorry about this."
Snape looked back into the room, seeing Lily stood up, her hand on her stomach mindfully.
"Well, Considering that it is my wedding day, and I am spending my first evening with my wife, I think Dumbledore can wait until morning."
Snape turned to go back into the room.
"He said you'd say that." Flitwick continued, more unease in his voice. "…And said that he wouldn't bother you unless it was fairly urgent…Severus."
Snape sighed furiously, looking towards Lily.
"If he needs you Sev…you'd better go." she said softly, a note of disappointment in her voice that was overpowered by a sense of duty.
"…I'll be as swift as I can…" he promised and rushed back to kiss her cheek. "Please…eat." he enthused and walked back into the corridor, pulling the door shut behind him.
He looked down at Flitwick almost angrily.
"Don't blame me, Severus." Flitwick sighed as he walked towards the stair case. "I have no idea what Albus is up to."
Snape walked swiftly, half-leaving Flitwick behind.
"I know where his office is, Filius. Carry on enjoying the day…one of us should." Snape barked as he set off for Dumbledore's office.
He looked at the statue of the phoenix that was guarding the secret passage to Dumbledore's office.
Snape hated these passwords. Dumbledore had sent the staff a memo with the new password in a few weeks previously, his had been hand delivered with a smile by the old man.
"…Fizzing Whizzbee…" he said maliciously.
The phoenix statue began to spin slowly and he stepped on to the top step that now escalated upwards to lead to a large wooden door.
He did not even bother to knock and instead barged straight in with his wedding attire on.
"Whatever it is, It had better be bloody good. Do you realize how long I have been waiting for today?"
Dumbledore was unconscious in his chair.
