Disclaimer: Except for an OC, the characters here and the world they inhabit are the creation and property of JK Rowling.
It was a swell affair although there were many things the wedding was not.
The bride was not fresh and dewy, nor was she in the first blush of womanhood. She was not youthful, and while she glowed with what the groom considered pure loveliness, she was not exactly beautiful. Neither was the groom particularly handsome. He was tall, dark, and definitely masculine, but by accident of genetics and habit, his features gave the impression that he was slightly sinister. The bride had considered since the day they met that she had never known a more attractive man. Such is the eyesight of lovers.
There were not hundreds of guests from the social register, nor scores, nor even a dozen. The guests, if they could be called such, were a half dozen British Aurors and Magical Law Enforcement personnel whose job it was to protect the Minister of Magic. In past years, two had worked with the bride. One had slept with the groom. The other four had never met either member of the couple previous to this occasion.
There was not a stunning wardrobe constructed through months of tailoring and fittings. The groom wore his third best tuxedo. His first best was lying in a pile of rubble, having inexplicably been the target of an over-eager member of Dumbledore's Army during the Battle of Hogwarts. His second best was on a hanger in a closet at the country home of a friend, unless it had since become "evidence" taken during a Ministry raid. In that case it would now be somewhere in the bowels of the Ministry of Magic. The bride wore off-the-rack dress robes purchased as general evening wear; they had been selected by the wife of one of the groom's friends.
Although an army of florists and caterers was not employed, the food and scenery of the event could not have been better. The hotel where the bride had been staying previous to the event was the best on the island. The island breezes and plants created a delightful setting. If it was late in the season and most tourists were leaving for cooler climates, that only improved things by reducing the crowds. Yet somehow the scenery was unimportant.
The bride and groom couldn't take their eyes from each other. They barely acknowledged the presence of others in the room, and even when taking their vows and being bound together, they only paid as much attention to the wizard officiating as was absolutely necessary. They gave no attention at all to his retinue. When the ceremony was over, they stood together and received the congratulations of their small wedding party with an absentminded grace.
After the rites were completed, the party moved into the hotel's general dining room and shared a quick dinner. Toasts were given, and everyone at the table drank to the newlywed couple. The Minister left soon after dinner, since he had a tight schedule and a society to reconstruct. His security detail left with him.
The bride and groom didn't seem to notice. Once left alone, they danced only with each other until the hotel band started to pack up for the night. Then they looked at each other and nodded. They slipped out a side door, onto a patio, and then into the hotel's garden. A popping sound like the beginning of fireworks was briefly heard. The keyboardist went to the doors to see if he could see or hear anything, but there was nothing. The bass player said to the drummer, "That was the best wedding I was ever hired to play."
The affair had been swell; the marriage would now begin.
The morning sun rose and lit everything in its path. As it crossed the Mediterranean Sea, that included a very small island and villa. Peeking through a window, the sunlight shone upon the floor of a bedroom, glancing on a jacket, a shimmering robe of champagne-colored silk, shoes, and finally a tuxedo shirt and pants. A bow tie was hanging half off of a chair, and shirt studs were scattered throughout the room. Moving into the very heart of the room, the sun discovered underclothes that were swirled and mixed together under the edge of a bed.
Finally chancing to illuminate the surface of the bed itself, the sun shone in the eyes of two tired but very happy people. Newly wed, they were clasped almost as close as humanly possible. The new husband leaned over his wife and smiled gently as she brushed his hair from his face. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather go someplace else, somewhere more interesting?"
She shook her head. "What place could be better than the very bed where we taught each other what lovemaking really is? And could any place be more interesting than our own island, all to ourselves?"
"You're sure, then?"
"Maybe later we can travel a little, but for now this is all I want... unless you would rather something else?"
He shook his head as he leaned down to trace circles in the perspiration on her belly. "No, you're right. This is perfect."
A worried expression crossed her face. "Are you sure we haven't rushed into this?"
"Were you considering better offers?"
"No... it's just that it's so soon after the war, we've hardly gotten to know each other, and there's the children thing."
He blew on her stomach, making her shiver, and started tracing again. "We may not have seen each other very many times, yet I know we belong together. I knew by the time I gave you the diamonds—that you have around your neck this minute, my dear—that you fit into my life. As to it being so soon after the war, that was only because we each had a different role to play. I very nearly insisted on taking you to a registry office instead of returning to Hogwarts after the Easter Holiday we shared. If there had been no need to protect you from the secrets I was keeping, you would have become my wife weeks ago."
"You really want me so much?"
"Madam, I want you any way I can get you." He kissed her navel and was rewarded by an answering thrum as she moaned lightly.
"I told you before that it doesn't matter to me whether we have children. That's not completely true. Part of me would delight in seeing a little girl, just like you, running around this island. It's not important to me, however. I would be just as happy if my father's bloodline never saw another generation. For your own peace of mind, you will go to St. Mungo's and be thoroughly checked." He felt her stiffen under his hands. "No, my dear, you will not put it off forever. The Muggles did what they could for your injuries, but I suspect there are things they missed, and I don't want something like that to suddenly have an adverse affect upon you." He spoke quietly but intently.
She raised up on her elbows and looked down at him. "Severus..." There was an odd catch in her voice that made him look away from his artwork. She smiled and shrugged. "We've never just said it out in so many words. I don't think I've ever said it in my life. I'll give in and say it. Severus, I l—"
"I love you, Katherine."
"--love you," she finished, looking ruefully at him. "Did you have to do that?"
"Was I supposed to let you beat me?" He smiled wickedly.
"What will we say when anyone asks who said it first?"
"I don't see that it's anyone's affair but our own."
"But, Severus—"
His attention was distracted by her new position. His gaze, and then his hands, moved up her body. "Less talking is necessary, Mrs. Snape, much less talking, if you see what I mean."
"Oh, yes, I see—ah—" Her voice broke off in breathy gasps as his lips claimed hers. She sank back to the bed as his hands explored what he had seen. Regaining some composure, Katherine shifted around and embarked upon her own discoveries. The sun continued on its path as the two in the bedroom kissed and caressed. After a while, they were clasped every bit as close as humanly possible.
Later, Severus tickled Katherine until she opened a baleful eye and looked at him. "I'm exhausted, Severus. I don't think I have any strength left. If I try to move, I'll dribble through the mattress and then what? Surely our marriage is consummated."
"Ah, my dear wife, we need to consummate a great deal more," he answered. "We've only done the bedroom and the bath, so far. There's the rest of the house and then the grounds."
She gingerly sat up. "I suppose you have piqued my interest, but you will have to do something about my peaked physical state."
He got off the bed, kicking one of his shirt studs and walking over to his wardrobe. He found his dressing gown. "As my lady demands," he said. "I'll see what Josephine has in the kitchen." He turned and looked at her, laying against the pillows on the bed. Her eyes had the look that he couldn't leave, belying her claims of exhaustion.
He walked back toward the bed until his bare foot stepped upon another of the studs. "Blast!" he said. He hopped around until he realized there were others somewhere on the floor and stopped. Summoning his wand, he rounded them all up and sent them to the top of a chest of drawers. He looked up and saw his wife beckoning him to the bed.
"Why not just call her, my love?" she asked.
They did, and several minutes later a tray of pastries, fruit, and juices was on the bed. After eating for several minutes, they moved the tray to a bedside table. Refreshed, they looked at each other questioningly. "Now, let me see that foot," Katherine said. She moved down to the foot of the bed.
"This wouldn't have happened if you had let me unbutton like a normal person," he said. Severus put both feet in her lap and watched, wondering what she would do.
She started rubbing. "Tell me you didn't enjoy it, either last night or at New Years," she said with a knowing smile. He looked at her helplessly.
Katherine Summoned a bottle she had discovered on her previous visit to the island. When she uncorked it, the scent of orange blossoms permeated the room. She poured a little of the olive-oil based lotion into her hands. She rubbed the soles of both feet, gently caressing the spot that had stepped on the wayward stud. He groaned as she rubbed and massaged his feet until they were warm and relaxed. She lifted the wronged foot and kissed the sore spot, then kissed the other foot, continuing to rub his ankles. He sighed gratefully and relaxed into the pillows, closing his eyes.
Katherine was not one to let an opportunity go to waste, especially with her victim lying vulnerable. She rubbed a little above the ankles, and getting only contented sighs and groans in response, made her way up her husband's legs, crawling toward the head of the bed. She arrived at someplace a bit more interesting before Severus realized what she was doing.
"Katherine!" Severus squawked, brought to full awareness. He stared down at her, and she smiled back before lowering her lips. "Katherine?" She didn't respond to his voice, as her mouth was busy. He could only clutch at the bed sheet with his long fingers. When he felt he could take no more, he growled out "Katherine..." as he reached for her shoulders and flipped her over.
"Didn't you want...?" she asked.
"Right now I would rather see our shared pleasure in your eyes and to hold you to me, heart to heart." She sighed as he did that very thing. "Not to mention," he added, "I can't let you have so much advantage over me. We will share it, if you don't mind." She laughed and then gasped as he pressed his advantage home.
They had nothing urgent to attend and spent a full month honeymooning. Severus was not forced to participate in the initial round of reconstruction at Hogwarts or elsewhere, and Katherine rejected all inquiries.
After making full use of their island, they finished their month by stopping at touristy ports of call along the Mediterranean coast. It can be argued that they didn't see much at any of the cities in which they stopped, but they enjoyed their time in each one and created a list for future explorations.
At last the calendar showed mid-June approaching, and the Snapes decided to return to England. Katherine's London flat was sold, and a roomy penthouse flat was purchased in the same city. It must be admitted that a few spats were involved in the establishment of a common living space, just as for any pair of newlyweds. Small discussions about the exact shade of green used in the dining room can quickly get out of hand when passions are high.
They were interrupted by an owl from Mr. Ollivander, of all people. The short missive came one morning as they were lingering over toast and paint samples. My dear Mrs. Snape, it began. I believe, from what I read, that your holly and unicorn hair wand is doing quite well for you. I wonder if I could interest you in helping me regain some stolen items? Yours &ct, Ollivander.
"Do you mind being called 'Mrs. Snape' by the wizarding community?" asked Severus.
"Of course not," Katherine answered. "My maiden name was that of a man who beat my mother and took an occasional switch to me, and then sold me for beer. My previous married name sounded more sophisticated, but likewise was given to me by an oaf who killed my child. I have great hopes for Mrs. Snape."
He reached over to caress her cheek. "I shall do everything in my power to see those hopes realized, my dear."
She took his hand in hers and kissed it. For a few minutes they simply looked into each other's eyes. The note fluttered in a breeze from the open window, drawing her attention back.
"The real question is whether I should do it," the wife said.
"Yes, of course you should," Severus answered. "Perhaps it's time for us to look at daily employment. I've been pondering that storefront down the street. I'm thinking of setting up to properly research several potions."
"You never said anything..."
"I hated to end our honeymoon. I've been meaning to say something for a few days, though. I was asked to take on some assistants who will be taking the special N.E.W.T.s that are being offered this winter."
"Anyone I know?"
"Just a troublesome know-it-all or two. Nothing I can't handle." There was something evasive in his tone, which made her stare at him in curiosity. He quickly re-directed the conversation. "Run along and owl Mr. Ollivander that you can go this afternoon. I'll make an appointment to look over those premises. Then we'll meet back here, and we can start right back into this argument about the merits of julep green versus shamrock."
"You're awfully quick to agree to this. Are you sure?"
"Of course. We'll be better off for an hour or two apart. Perhaps one of us will have a changed perspective about the color."
Thank you to beta reader Trickie Woo.