AN: So this is basically all fluff. Sorry, not sorry. I couldn't help myself. And this isn't even all...the steamy bits will have to wait until next chapter. This is just happy, feel good, mushy-mush. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Chapter 24 - The Wedding, Part II
After an hour that passed like a few minutes, Minerva and the Weasley Womenfolk came bursting up into the room. After a quick round of introductions and some basic small talk, Mr. Granger took his leave, kissing Hermione on the cheek and muttering something about going to find some Y-chromosomes. Molly, Minerva, and Mrs. Granger seemed to become instant friends, fawning over Hermione as she got ready. Hermione's mother had cried when she first saw Hermione's newly located necklace, and when she explained the story to the others, Mrs. Weasley had joined her in shedding a tear. Hermione couldn't help but notice as Ginny examined the necklace, Minerva's smile seemed forlorn. Hermione looked at her inquisitively, and she simply mouthed the word 'Severus' and continued smiling at the change this young Gryffindor had affected in her formerly sour colleague.
After Ginny helped Hermione step into her gown, Molly and Mrs. Granger went to work on her makeup, Molly amazing Hermione's mother with magical makeup application. In the meantime, Minerva's adept fingers wove through Hermione's hair, sweeping it up into a careful crown of braids and curls that made even Hermione's mane look like the most fashionable of updos. All the while, Ginny amused herself by taking photos on the muggle camera Mrs. Granger had brought with her, commenting repeatedly about how much better the photos would turn out when they were magically developed to move.
Hermione closed her eyes, feeling the fingers in her hair, listening to the excited voices of the four women she loved most in the world, and wondering just when her life got to be so perfect. It was this side of two months ago that she was sleeping in a tent with two teenaged boys, hunting the fragments of Riddle's shattered soul, harboring only the fleetest of hopes that there would even be a life to go back to after the battle was completed. What had happened to make everything turn out so right? Severus. It all went back to Severus. His sacrifice had enabled them to defeat the dark lord, his list had righted the wrongs of battle, and his love was the reason she was about to walk down the aisle. She was jerked back to reality by Mrs. Weasley's gentle teasing about how difficult it was to apply lip gloss if she insisted on smiling all the time.
Severus paced nervously in one of the side rooms just off the Great Hall. He had spent the morning with Remus, Harry, and Mr. Granger, trying to make enough conversation to seem pleasant, but really all he wanted was to be up in his quarters with his Hermione. As he paced, Albus stuck his head into the room to let Severus know it was time for him to take his place.
"Are you ready, my boy?"
Severus wanted to make a snide comment about how this entire ordeal could have been avoided (or at least downsized substantially) had Albus not felt the need to stick his nose yet again into Severus' personal business, but he found that even his Slytherin sarcasm was slightly beyond his reach on a day as happily important as today. Giving a silent nod, Severus went to take his place in the Great Hall. As they walked, Albus put a paternal hand on his shoulder. Severus was surprised at how little it irritated him.
The Great Hall was transformed so completely that Severus himself couldn't help but be impressed. The Weasley Women outdid themselves. The castle-created sky was the piercing blue of a perfect cloudless day. Tiny white flowers he couldn't quite identify were covering every beam and rafter in the room, as well as each row of chairs that had been set up on either side of a makeshift aisle from the large double doors to the newly-created altar before which he now stood. White ribbons were wrapped around seemingly every available surface. The effect was staggering, making it seem as though they were sitting inside a cloud in the giant blue sky.
Trying to ignore the alarmingly large crowd and lining up with Harry to his left, followed by Remus and Fred (who had absolutely insisted on standing up next to Severus on his 'big day', saying it was the least he could do) didn't lessen his nerves at all. I'm getting married and my groomsmen are a marauder, the son of a marauder, and a Weasley. Wherever hell is, it is most certainly completely frozen over. However, his bout of internal musing was interrupted as soft music began to play.
The first person to emerge from the large double doors at the end of the hall was the familiar face of Professor McGonagall, much less recognizable outside her formal robes. Hermione had declared that she didn't give a hoot about the ages of her bridesmaids and that she wanted her professor and mentor to be with her at the altar. Next was the blonde mess of curls that was Luna Lovegood. She looked radiant in the pale pink gown Hermione had selected for her bridesmaids. Finally, Ginny Weasley sauntered down the aisle, her eyes not leaving Harry's even for a second.
After Ginny took her place, the music swelled and everyone in the crowd rose to see Hermione's grand entrance. And that was when Severus felt his heart stop. He had been alternating between watching the procession and looking down at the floor in front of him, but when he looked up to see Hermione he was immediately riveted. If anyone had any questions about her age, they were dispersed in a heartbeat. The goddess that stood at the entrance to the Great Hall, beaming so hard she seemed to be glowing from head to toe, was clearly all woman. The gentle white fabric of her gown showcased her curves without sacrificing an ounce of modesty, creating a cross between a Greek goddess and an Elizabethan era princess. As she began to walk, the fabric of the dress flowed behind her as if it was part of the air that surrounded her, not a separate entity.
As she moved towards him, her eyes never left his. Severus' internal monologue stopped in its tracks, halted by the unequivocal beauty that was heading towards him. He accepted her hand and shook Mr. Granger's hand as if in a blur, but as she turned to face him and he glanced again into those soft, brown eyes he had grown to love so much, he felt an unrepressed grin spread across his face. Seeing his unrestrained joy, her smile quickly widened to match. Albus greeted the crowd and began speaking, but they simply stood there grinning at each other, allowing his words to wash over them without interrupting the shared joy of knowing they would never have to leave each other from then on. After a short introduction, Albus motioned to Severus, who took a deep breath before he began to speak.
"From a very young age I knew exactly how my life would turn out. I was destined for a life of darkness, unfulfilled wishes, and solitude. I was fated to wish for things and people that were clearly meant to end up elsewhere. I accepted this wholly and planned accordingly. I took my solace in planning for a dishonorable life to be atoned for with an honorable death. However, the night I found myself living out the death I had so carefully planned and which I so long ago accepted, someone came upon me and completely ruined my plans.
As everyone here can confirm, I am, by nature, a grumpy, sardonic, scowling bat of the dungeons. For reasons I did not know and could not understand, Hermione Granger gave me a second chance at life. It took me a while to figure out and even longer to admit that she was the reason. I had accepted it as my destiny to live a short, dark, and unfulfilled life. I was wrong. It was my destiny to be with you. All the things I was so angry at the world for not getting…I was just biding my time until you came into my life.
You gave me my second chance. You alone make my life worthwhile. You saved my life and mended my fragmented soul. And now, it is my turn to spend every day of this blessed second chance you have given me loving you, protecting you, and ensuring that I do everything in my power to make your life as wonderful as the new one you have given me."
The crowded great hall was absolutely silent. Those in the room had striven to elicit a full sentence out of Severus, often in vain. This lengthy, soul-bearing speech from the most personal of men had wrought the most magical of silences across the crowd as it hit everyone just how special a love this must be to elicit this much a change in their potions master. Silence, Molly Weasley let out a comedically loud sob which brought a pat from Arthur, a giggle from the twins, and a great reduction in tension from the rest of the crowd. Still beaming steadily at her groom, Hermione began to speak.
"There has been more change for more people in the last year than almost any year in wizarding history. We saw our lives change, our friends die, and the very fabric of our lives alter. You, on the other hand, remain the most stable man I have ever met. From the day I first laid eyes on you, you were fair, and intelligent, and scowling," she said this with an impish smile that elicited quite a few giggles from the crowd, "and good." She stressed this last word, looking him deep in the eyes as she said it. "Whatever you did, you always had thought behind it and it was always for the greater good, even if no one knew it. So many unjust things have happened in the course of this war. So many unjust things that were out of our control, so when I saw a good, fair, intelligent man about to die, I couldn't let it happen. I didn't know why, but I just couldn't.
After being forced to spend days on end with you making sure you and your stubborn streak didn't reopen your wounds, I came to realize why I couldn't bear to see you live out the death you planned. You may be a grumpy, sardonic, scowling bat of the dungeons, but you are my grumpy, sardonic, scowling bat of the dungeons. You have gone through torment, heartbreak, betrayal, and enough physical and mental torture to crack most men, yet you remained the only constant in my crumbled world. If you don't take my word for it, let the presence of Fred, Remus, Tonks, Sirius, and Dumbledore attest to the fact that you deserve every day of this second chance.
I don't know why you are interested in a bushy-haired, know-it-all like me, but I am truly honored to become your wife. As such, I promise to fill your days with the happiness, laughter, joy, and love that you deserved from the beginning. I love you with all my heart, my Severus."
As she spoke, he couldn't help feeling as if this was all a dream. Between the wafting aroma of the white flowers covering the hall, the white ribbons hanging from every conceivable location, and the white dress on the angel in front of him, he may as well have been in a cloud. Only the pressure of his hands in hers kept him tethered to reality and the fact that she really was there in front of him, willingly declaring her love for him in front of everyone she cared about.
The rest of the ceremony passed by in a haze. The two stared unblinkingly into each others' eyes, each not knowing what would happen if this connection was severed, but knowing that they were safe as long as they held onto each other. He beamed as she promised to love him exactly as he was, for better or worse. She giggled as he raised an eyebrow at 'in sickness and in health', as if they hadn't already been through that one. When Albus waved his wand and silver ribbons wove their two hands together, the entire crowd burst into applause, but Hermione and Severus felt a million miles away. All that mattered was when Albus announced that he could now kiss his bride.
Severus leaned down to meet her lips as if for the first time. She was his. He pulled her close to him with abandon knowing he never had to let go. He felt her hand run through his hair without the fear that it could be the last time because he now knew that he would feel it there every day for the rest of his life. She was his. And he was hers.
The reception began with a champagne toast. Hermione was more surprised than anyone when it was Severus who rose and spoke. "Everyone at Hogwarts knows exactly who I am. I am a man of few words, even fewer of which are complimentary. So when I stand in front of you and thank you for being here to celebrate my union with the woman whom I deem to be the most exquisite, intelligent, and awe inspiring creation that ever walked the earth, you all know exactly how much it means."
Everyone knew that nothing more needed to be said. There was the clinking of glasses, a shared kiss between Severus and the still-blushing Hermione, a cat-call from either Fred or George, a wave of laughter, and then the music began playing once more.
The dance floor quickly filled as people wandered into the joyous crowd. Everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives. Fred and George led Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell in an intricate dance that seemed to be completely of their own creation. Harry and Ginny slow danced even to the fast songs, seemingly unaware that anyone else was even in the same room. Hermione was pleased to see a blushing Ron stumbling through a dance with what she could only assume was a third Delacour sister. Molly and Arthur danced next to Hermione's parents, talking animatedly with each other as they danced. Bill and Fleur swirled elegantly around the floor, performing moves the other couples didn't even dare attempt. Lupin and Tonks were laughing hysterically as Sirius attempted to drag a protesting Minerva around the dance floor with moves far too spirited for the music that was actually playing. Hermione couldn't help but smile as she saw a tuxedoed Dobby dancing with a very uncomfortable looking Winky in the corner of the room.
As Severus swirled her around the dance floor in consummate Slytherin grace and dignity, Hermione felt her eyes close briefly as she sighed in contentment. Seeing her eyes close, her husband seized the opportunity to whisper in her ear, caressing her with his silky voice.
"Are you happy, my love?"
"I have never been happier." Her face confirmed the truth of her statement as she opened her eyes to beam back at him.
"Everything is perfect."
He couldn't have agreed more.