Disclaimer: JKR's except my one OC.

Minister Shacklebolt pondered the man who once again sat across from him. He looked, if it could be believed, happy.

"What is it, this time, Snape? Haven't I played cupid enough? When are you just going to marry the girl and and let me get back to running the Ministry?"

"The day after the Easter school break starts."

"Are you kidding? That's wonderful news! Not that I haven't expected to hear it." Kingsley stood and shook hands.

"You don't mind?"

"Of course not! I've been trying to set her up on dates for years, she wouldn't even try... You do have to be good to her, make her happy. I've been a sort of brother to her since Hogwarts days and I'd hate to have to fight a hero of the war."

"I have no intention of doing anything different. So you'll come? Will you be our best man?"

"Of course. I'll clear my schedule. This is the best news I've had in days...what are you doing for dinner tonight? Let's go out and have drinks."

"He's not here, tonight, Barbara."

"Pardon?"

Minerva smiled at the younger witch. "I know you and Severus have barely been separated from each other since Valentine's, but you have to do without him this evening. He told me that he had business in London, but this gives me a chance to have a chat with you."

"Oh, sure..." Barbara kept looking toward the door.

"I wonder if you could focus for just a minute or two? I wanted to get a professional opinion on having auror training here in Hogsmeade, like the Ministry is suggesting."

"Professional, Minerva?" Barbara was in the conversation, now.

"Don't try to be coy with me, dear. Don't forget all the portraits in the Headmistress' office. I've heard quite a bit about Auror Merrill, her training, and her work. It took me a while, but we finally figured it all out. What do you think about this idea?"

Since her story was clearly well known now, she might as well give her honest opinion. "Well, I think it's a good idea, because Hogsmeade is so isolated from Muggles and serious mistakes will be more easily hidden from them. It also adds a layer of protection to the school. The only problem I can see is if there are romantic entanglements with students. It could affect the trainees' ability to focus on their training and on the job. Whose idea was it?"

"Oh, Kingsley's, of course, and he doesn't make rash suggestions. You're right though. We need to consider romantic relationships. Quite a few students graduate and then wait for their future spouses to follow." Minerva drifted in thought. "It can be managed...I shall expect you to act as liaison when the program needs to interact with the school."

"Certainly. I'll be happy to do my part."

Minerva fixed Barbara with her eye. "Speaking of romantic entanglements, dear, how is yours going along? When are we planning to have your wedding?"

Barbara sputtered. "Your sources, Minerva, are impeccable. If you must know, we hope to marry on the first full day of the Easter break so that we can be back from our honeymoon before classes start again."

Minerva was only a little startled. "So soon! I had figured on after graduation...Pomona thought Christmas..."

"There's really no reason to wait."

"You will have it here, of course?"

"There's no place else for either of us."

"That will be so nice and it would be difficult to find anyplace safer. So...Easter break. Filius," Minerva turned to their colleague, "It would appear that you have won the pool."

Dear Severus,

Thank you so much for the carnation you left for me yesterday. They told me at dinner that you had left for London during the evening. Did your business go as you wished?

I hope you don't mind that the whole faculty know about our marriage plans, such as they are at this point. They guessed more than they asked. Do you believe that there was actually a betting pool about it?

I cannot tell you how I have missed our evening together, tonight. I look forward to seeing you again in the morning when I shall no doubt overflow with the love I can't give you now.

Your Barbara

My dearest lady,

I could not let you go another minute without reminding you of my own love for you. By the time you read this, it will only be a few minutes before you will come to breakfast, where I shall be glad to hear all you could wish to tell me.

My own business went exceedingly well. I will tell you all about it this morning.

As ever,
Severus

As it happened, when Barbara came to breakfast, dressed in house colors for a Quidditch match, she arrived to find Severus surrounded by the faculty and several of the school ghosts. As she entered the Hall, a voice behind her started singing "Here comes the bride."

"Oh, give over, Peeves."

"Sorry, Babs, I can't. You're a public property, now, whether as a bride or...what's this I hear about you being an auror?"

"How did you hear that one?"

"All the portraits are talking about it, today. I'm surprised you kept it a secret this long."

"I'm sure the Ministry will love that. Anyhow, sorry, but I'm just going to ignore you so that I can get my breakfast down," she said, flouncing to the faculty table and sitting where she could at least see Severus if she couldn't be near him.

At last the hubbub died down as faculty and students alike drifted out of the Great Hall and out to the grounds. Severus walked over to where Barbara was and took her hand, kissing it before looping it through his arm and escorting her out.

"I've been congratulated nearly to death."

"Surely it wasn't that bad. It's nice to see them so happy for you."

"Perhaps they're just happy for you."

"I'm not the one who was surrounded this morning."

"Didn't you have something to tell me?"

"Only how much I love you."

The first Quidditch match of the spring season was Gryffindor-Hufflepuff so they did not need to go as teachers but could attend as spectators. Barbara was nevertheless surprised when instead of heading directly toward the field Severus pulled her toward their spot by the willow tree.

"Severus, the game is going to start any minute!"

"I know," he said, "but I couldn't wait to do this." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her until she thought she would melt.

"You can kiss me whenever you like, you know."

"That's wasn't it... it's this. Well, first things first," he said, giving her a handful of narcissus.

"Oh, they're lovely!"

"...And really, it's this." Without her realizing it he had placed a ring on her finger, a starburst design made up of small diamonds and emeralds.

"So beautiful!"

"It was my mother's although I don't think she ever wore it. I'm sure my father never knew of its existence. It must have come from somewhere in the Prince family. Mother always said to save it and give it to the woman I marry."

"I'll do my best to live up to it."

"You already do." He drew her close and kissed her forehead. "I went yesterday to Gringotts to get it out of my vault."

"That's where you were."

"I also stopped at the Ministry. I told Kingsley about our wedding. Do you mind?"

"Of course not. What did he say?"

"He's delighted and insisted on going to to tip a few. That's why I was gone so late. He'll probably tell you more, himself. He's planning to stop by sometime soon. He did say that if I made you unhappy, he will beat me up."

Barbara laughed. "It couldn't possibly happen."

"You have such faith in me."

"You told me to trust you."

He kissed her again and it was several long moments before they arrived at the Quidditch game, late.

A/N: is there anything so obnoxiously sappy as love notes between the newly in love? Thank you to my reviewers!