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The Happiest of New Beginnings
It seemed as though all that stood in their way was finally laid to rest: Harry Potter had overseen Elaine being tested for adverse magicks. As Severus was pleased to rub into the unfortunate Remus Lupin's face—there was nothing effecting her, dark or benign.
The Carrows were to be returned to prison with a promise that they wouldn't be released—ever.
All the questions and unknowns had been dealt with but one: "Elaine—will you marry me?"
She tipped her head back as the kettle began to sing.
"Of course I will dearest," she smiled up at him.
Severus ran the handfasting cord through his slender hands, feeling the silky strands.
"Severus?" Elaine's voice echoed in the hall as she nudged the door open with her hip. "Tea?" Her eyes widened as she saw what he held in his hand. "Nervous?"
He felt himself flush and clutched at it, "Excited, more like."
Elaine's expression softened and she laid out the tea before crossing to wrap her arms around his shoulders. He turned into her embrace, and stroked her hair gently. "Everything is in readiness for the weekend—you're sure that the wizarding ceremony will be alright?"
"Of course."
The ring was perfect, just like the one he had dreamt of, but instead of a garnet he had chosen a brilliant ruby. It was lovely and imagining it on her finger brought both terror and excitement coursing though him. To be bound to someone—to bind them to him… He had given up on those dreams so long ago only to have them revived before his very eyes.
"For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death—this is my solemn vow." He whispered.
There was no sound in the little sanctuary of Wolden's historical chapel. Elaine and Severus faced each other while a small gathering of unique characters dotted the carved wooden pews. The wizard officiant turned the couple out towards the expectant faces, their hands entwined in a rainbow of colors: crimson for passion, rust for plenty, butter yellow for joy, jade for health, azure for devotion, violet for sanctity, ebony for wisdom, ivory for peace, grey for balance, coral for unity, chocolate brown for grounding, silver for inspiration and gold for longevity.
Severus couldn't help but smile until his cheeks hurt.
The party was brilliant. The trees in the backyard were strung with twinkling fairy lights and the lawn was cleared for dancing to the music that spilled across the veranda, out of the open parlor doors.
Everyone held crystal goblets and delicate china plates piled high with delicate nibbles.
"These oysters are delectable Elaine!" Livvy, who had traveled from New York, exclaimed.
Elaine smiled at her sister. "I am so glad you could come—you're returning to Wolden from your tour of England in a fortnight?"
"Of course, I've got to give the lovebirds a chance to nest," she teased.
"Nest? What a lovely idea," a deep voice sounded from behind the bride and a glass of champagne with a ruby hued hibiscus flower unfurling in its depths, was pressed into her hands.
Elaine tilted back her head to smile adoringly up at her husband. He stooped to press a gentle kiss to her scarlet lips and sip his own champagne.
"We do look forward to your return visit," he said more seriously, although he only had eyes for Elaine, draped in ivory lace and with her hair falling in glimmering golden curls to brush the small of her back.
He had lovingly woven the flower crown she wore on her voluminous hair with his own hands—creamy aster for contentment, red and white rosebuds entwined for unity, tiny clusters of coral yarrow for good health, ivy for fidelity, white jasmine blossoms for grace and elegance, pointy holly leaves with their crimson berries for domestic happiness, and a very few orange blossoms hidden in the masses as a tentative prayer for fertility.
When he leaned down to kiss her again the heady scent of them embraced him.
"You are lovelier than ever this evening," he murmured.
"You're quite handsome yourself."
Then went back to the glitter of Paris for a few days, and then on to the seafood rich port of Marseilles on the Mediterranean—then into Italy with a stop in Genoa for the pesto and a boat tour of the terraced villages of Cinque Terre and on to Florence, to bask in rich Chianti and Tuscan food. Two weeks was too short a time to enjoy each other's company, unfettered by secrets and confusion. When they returned to the quiet manor of Wolden they quickly resolved to travel and explore the world together.
"Japan or India?" Elaine enthused.
Livvy's return visit also passed too quickly. She was the younger sister and still held a wondrous, almost childlike, enthusiasm for everything from baking bread to gardening. Despite the ocean that had separated them for most of their adult years they were still at ease with each other. Though Severus was often quiet and preferred to listen to their banter rather than partake, a friendship grew between him and Livvy. It was with disappointment on all sides that they watched the lively woman embark on the plane that would return her to America, though she left with promises to return soon.
Life in the little town of Wolden soon returned to its gentle days of quiet domesticity. Elaine's wedding crown hung like a dried wreath over their bed, the color and scents preserved with a few charms. The hand fasting cord hung under it as a silent testimony to the oaths, blessings, and prayers that had been wished and said over their union.
Elaine had begun weaving a counterpane for their marriage bed: a tree of life in vibrant hand dyed green and goldenrod yellow yarn with a complicated Celtic knot pattern entwining its branches and roots in an eternal circle.
"Potter rang up for another round of the improved veritaserum," Severus called out as he breezed through the kitchen, cane rapping on the tile and several baskets bobbing behind him like little ducklings as he headed out into the garden.
Elaine watched him with a fond smile. Half an hour later he stomped back in.
"I'll be at it all morning," he groused, but his smile was pleased. "Don't wait on lunch for me. Potter is working me to the bloody bone—that cheeky…" the end of his sentence trailed off as the heavy laboratory door swung shut behind him.
Elaine beamed after her husband and went back to dressing the roast.
Just a few more weeks and they would be taking a trip to Morocco for a convention Severus was speaking at. She smiled and touched her stomach. If she wasn't mistaken there might be another Corbenic-Prince-Snape to add to the household in nine months. Perhaps she could convince him to take her back to Italy for a few weeks after the conference as a restful retreat.
After sliding the pan into the oven, she sliced herself a piece of fresh bread and wandered out onto the sunlit veranda.
And they lived quite happily ever after.
Fin.
Writers Choice: Ruby, #100
And there you have it—I hope you have enjoyed reading this little tale as I have had writing it.