Disclaimer: Second verse same as the first
Life For Rent
Chapter 22
Severus woke early on the day of his wedding despite the late hour he was up to because of his stag party the night before. Lucius and Draco had insisted on throwing him a small to do at the Leaky Cauldron and had even invited Harry and all the Weasley men. Severus had to admit to himself that it was a good time, even if it wasn't something that he would normally do. He'd done a lot of things he wouldn't normally do since he began his relationship with Hermione that he found enjoyable. The only tense moment was when Severus had announced that he'd asked Lucius to stand up for him. Of all the people there Harry was the only one who seemed disappointed. Severus had no idea what he expected. Yes, it was true they were getting to know each other and that Severus was opening up to him more but that didn't change the fact that Lucius had been one of Severus' best friends for decades. It was as if Harry expected Severus to just adopt him or something and frankly, Severus was getting sick of Harry's self-righteousness. Out of all the people Severus expected to have an objection to Lucius Malfoy being in his wedding it was Hermione, but she'd understood and did not object at all.
The ceremony itself was going to be very small in the chapel just down the road from their house. Hermione's parents, the Potters, Weasleys, Malfoys, and a few Hogwarts faculty members were the only people invited. The only real pomp was going to be their wedding attire and Severus was grateful for that. Severus stretched his long body and finally slid out of bed. He wasn't nervous at all as most grooms probably are before a wedding. The only thing that he was slightly nervous about was his vows. He knew what he was going to say but the idea of saying those things so publicly still grated on his nerves. With the exception of the Grangers, Harry, and of course Hermione herself, nobody in attendance had heard him say anything remotely sentimental and he was not looking forward to people seeing that other side of him.
Severus looked at the empty spot on the bed next to him. It was strange waking up without Hermione beside him and her absence confirmed in his mind that marrying her was the right decision. He would much rather have her there.
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Ginny laughed merrily as Hermione made her way out of her bedroom and into the kitchen. Her normally wild hair was even more out of control and she had dark circles under her eyes. The party from the night before had gotten a little out of control as Ginny dragged Hermione from one club to another. Ginny's enthusiasm was split between excitement for Hermione's wedding, her first night away from the twins, and her first adventure clubbing in Muggle London. Hermione really enjoyed herself but she feared she might have overexerted herself a little. She was pregnant after all.
"Coffee." Hermione ground out as she sank into a chair. She used on hand to shove her wild mane of hair off her forehead and the other to pour a generous dollop of cream into the coffee Ginny handed her. She didn't even care that she was supposed to be cutting back on caffeine due to her pregnancy.
"I can't believe I let you keep me out so late. I am getting married today and I look like death warmed over." Hermione said in a somewhat less gravelly voice.
Ginny shrugged innocently. "You'll be fine. We'll put some make up on you and use magic for your hair, and you look gorgeous in your dress. Are you excited?"
"Of course I am excited."
"Are you nervous?"
"No," Hermione said honestly. "Should I be?"
"Well, maybe. I mean, this is huge. Being married to Severus Snape just seems like such a big responsibility to me. He is so much older and mysterious, in a good way of course. And he is so brilliant, which you are too, but being with him, wow Hermione. You two will probably revolutionize Hogwarts." Ginny replied.
Hermione paused to envision herself and Severus at the Head Table watching the sorting ceremony. She wasn't sure about revolutionizing the school but she definitely had plans and Severus did too. Ginny was right about one thing though; Severus had high expectations. Clearly he believed that Hermione lived up to them otherwise he would have broke up with her and offered the Potion's Master position to someone else. That thought reassured Hermione but now that Ginny had her thinking about it she was a little afraid of disappointing him. Not just as his wife and mother to his children, but professionally.
"I don't know about that Ginny, but I think we make a pretty good team." Hermione didn't want to give voice to her concerns because that would somehow validate them. Severus never did anything to make her feel inadequate so it would be unreasonable and unrealistic to create some false scenario in which he did.
"Oh, Hermione! Look at the time; we need to start getting ready."
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The small chapel was filled to capacity. Severus shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other as he waited at the altar for the music to start. He'd only been in the chapel a couple of times in his lifetime both of them as a child with his parents for holidays. He didn't really believe in any sort of religion but the chapel with its long stained glass windows and walnut seats and trim was quaint and he thought it was a nice enough place to get married.
"You alright?" Lucius whispered to Severus from behind him.
"I imagine I am as comfortable up here as you are. I loathe feeling like I am on display." Severus admitted to his friend as he observed the crowd staring at the both of them and whispering. "I want to thank you for doing this for me. I know this isn't exactly your crowd."
Lucius shrugged slightly and grinned. "I am honored to be here for you, even if you are marrying the last person I would have expected."
Severus turned toward him and frowned slightly.
Lucius held up his hands in surrender. "I approve of course, I have changed Severus. You know that better than anyone."
"I know. Finally." Severus said with relief as the music started and the crowd hushed.
First Ginny walked slowly down the aisle wearing a lovely dark green dress that hung to her ankles. Severus spared her a moment's acknowledgement before shifting his gaze behind her to where Hermione was standing with her father waiting their turn to walk down the aisle. As she started walking Severus met her eyes and he couldn't help but smile. Her eyes were sparkling and she was smiling broadly back at him. She looked exquisite in her silvery white gown. Severus was never one to agree with the whole tradition of white gowns and dressing up for weddings but Hermione did look lovely and he was really glad he didn't bemoan her that one little frivolity for the day. Mr. Granger nodded at Severus as they walked up the aisle. When Hermione's father finally kissed his daughter and passed her off to Severus it took all his self-control to keep from wrapping her in his arms and kissing her right there in front of everyone. It had only been twenty-four hours since he'd seen her last but it felt like a lifetime and her beauty, to him, was unparalleled.
Severus reached for hand and bent down to whisper in her ear. "You are stunning."
Hermione breathed a soft thank you and turned with him to face the Ministry wizard performing the ceremony. Neither bride nor groom really paid any attention to what was being said until they were told to join hands and exchange their vows. Severus' heart started thumping loudly in his chest and he felt the eyes and ears of every person in the room on him. Hermione was to say her vows first so he tried to calm himself long enough to pay attention to her without looking like he was suffering.
Hermione was equally nervous about her vows. She had a speech prepared but she could feel sweat on his hands and see it beading along his hairline and her words failed her. Instead she let out a quiet but sharp laugh. He is so nervous, Hermione thought.
"Severus, I have given what I want to say today a lot of thought. I know that saying how you feel in front of a crowd is something unlike you and a bit uncomfortable so I decided to do something a little uncomfortable for me and not write them beforehand. I just want to say what is on my mind and in my heart right now." She squeezed his hands tightly and fought to keep her voice steady. "I know that we were brought together under unusual circumstances but I don't regret those circumstances for one instant. I also never imagined that I would feel so wholly connected to another person and I feel incredibly blessed that I have the rest of my life to spend with you. I vow to love and honor you and trust in you and be faithful to you for all of our days together."
Hermione stopped talking and bit her lip. She didn't say half of what she wanted to say but she did feel Severus relaxing just a little. He gazed into her eyes the whole time she was talking and it seemed as if he really was forgetting the crowd of people watching them.
"Hermione, I know that I am not the most eloquent with words of affection and that I am especially reluctant to publicly express my feelings. For you though, I would make a million exceptions to my rules and I would gladly open the doors and allow in the world to hear how I feel for you." Severus paused to take a deep breath. He could see tears welling up in Hermione's eyes. "I have spent most of my life forced to serve one master or another and nothing I ever did was truly for me. When the marriage law was enforced I was afraid that once again I was going to have to choose between what I wanted and what I was forced to do. I was skeptical of what kind of match the ministry was going to give me and I was very surprised that it was you. I am so very happy that it was you. When I found out that we weren't subject to the law anymore the first thing I wanted to do was ask you to marry me on my own terms. I had already fallen in love with you but that day I was able to finally start reclaiming some control over my own life."
Severus stopped talking again and risked a glance at the crowd. Everyone was listening with rapt attention and many women were dabbing at their eyes, Narcissa included.
"Hermione, I am a better person because of you. You challenge me intellectually and emotionally, you make me see the good in myself, you are my sun. I promise to love you, honor you, and cherish you for the rest of our days."
After Hermione and Severus exchanged rings the Ministry official performed the last spell that would bind them together. They both felt a warm glow spread from their joined hands through their bodies.
"I now pronounce husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The official said smiling widely.
Severus bent low over Hermione and brushed a stray curl off of her face. He moved his face so that his lips were almost touching hers. "I love you." He breathed.
"I love you, too." Hermione whispered just before she leaned the last fraction of an inch to kiss him. The kiss was chaste but slow and Hermione could barely hear the applause of the small crowd in the chapel. Finally they broke apart and walked down the aisle together able to speak at normal levels due to the noise in the room.
"How are you Hermione? You look ravishing but you also look a bit tired." Severus looked at her with concern.
Hermione unconsciously patted her stomach and looked at him sheepishly. "Ginny and I stayed up pretty late but I am fine. I am just really happy to be here with you. But… I really have to go to the bathroom. I don't think I could make it through a whole receiving line first."
"I'll hold everyone off for a few minutes. Hurry up, okay?"
"Thank you, Severus!" Hermione motioned for Ginny to join her and they rushed off to the bathrooms together.
"Oh, Hermione, that was so sweet. Who knew the bat of the dungeons had it in him?" Ginny gushed as she held Hermione's dress up for her. "I don't miss that part of pregnancy, having to pee all the time."
"I'm sure I won't either. I love this dress but I can't wait to get it off so that I can be comfortable and go to the bathroom by myself." Hermione said grinning.
"That's what I'm here for!" Ginny exclaimed. "Severus looks really hot in those robes. Green is a really good color on him, never mind that it is Slytherin colors. It actually suits him."
"You look great in green too, Ginny. Harry won't be able to keep his hands off you. Speaking of which, we need to hurry. Severus won't be able to keep holding off the receiving line forever."
Hermione and Ginny quickly made their way to the back of the chapel where the crowd had gathered to give their good wishes before leaving for the small reception that would be taking place in Harry's small ballroom at Grimmauld Place.
"You look really wonderful, Hermione." Lucius said as he kissed her on the cheek.
"Thank you. And thank you for standing up for Severus today. I know it meant a lot to him." Hermione said.
"I was honored." Lucius replied taking his own wife by the hand as she approached.
"Hermione, what a lovely ceremony. The dress is absolutely perfect! Now we need to get you some maternity clothes from the same designer!" Narcissa also kissed Hermione on the cheek before moving on.
And so it went for the next half hour with all the guests greeting the happy couple and offering luck for their future and for the baby. Severus had long forgotten that he was uncomfortable with crowds as he watched his wife greet their guests. She was beautiful and she was his. Soon he would be a father and the career he'd always wanted. He finally felt like his awful past was completely behind him and his life was finally his own. With Hermione by his side he truly believed he wouldn't ever need anything more again.
The End
Or not, you decide!
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A/N: So, this is the end of Life For Rent unless you want a sequel! If you do you must let me know!!! The sequel might not be quite so fluffy so be warned. I had a hard time with the wedding chapter because I've never had one, the father of my children wanted a wedding at about the same time I wanted to break up so I don't really have any fantasies of the perfect wedding. You all can just plug in what you would like for a wedding into the holes, how about that? As far as the sequel goes, I will take ideas!!!
Thanks a million for your reviews and for reading! I will definitely be writing more!
Let's all throw a bonfire on the beach for my wonderful beta Whoopsydaisy who rocks my socks off!
Cheers,
Evenstar101
