A/N: Bri892 - I can't possibly thank you enough for your help! You rock!

Chapter 45

~~~~O-O~~~~

Hermione, Diana, Ginny, Molly and Anna were in planning mode. From dresses to food to locations, the planning never seemed to stop. It seemed a simple wedding a few months away equaled non stop negotiations and arguments.

"But that writing is awful."

"It's traditional!"

"Maybe in the muggle world."

"It's called calligraphy and people practice for years before becoming proficient."

"Perhaps they should practice more!"

Returning home from rounds, Severus escaped into his study to find Harry and baby James reading the Daily Prophet.

"Are they still arguing about train lengths?" Harry asked as he turned the page.

Shaking his head, Severus replied, "Why do we need a train? Won't most apparate or arrive in cars? They are discussing the invitations now."

The baby crumpled the newspaper and tried to rip it from Harry's hands. Severus stepped around the desk and handed Jamie a book of Sabrina's that was charmed to be indestructible.

"Trains are part of the wedding dress. You know, the long piece that drags on the ground behind the dress."

"Ridiculous!"

Harry folded up the paper and set it on Severus' desk, "Luckily, you had rounds or you would have been here for the veil discussion."

Severus blew out a long slow breath, "Where are the girls? Sabrina's room?"

Nodding, Harry helped Jamie turn the pages of his book and began to read outloud, "In the great green room."*

Arriving in Sabrina's doorway, Severus took in the sight and groaned. Sabrina and Helena are making the stuff animals get married. Kanga was wearing a bowtie and Corny was wearing a white dress. Helena was humming the Wedding March as Sabrina was showering them with flower petals.

Dejected, Severus cut through the living room, poured two glasses of firewhiskey before joining Harry in the study.

~~~~O-O~~~~

A few days later, Hermione tried to engage Severus in conversation over lunch and dinner but he was lost in his thoughts. She went ahead and bathed Sabrina and put her to bed after reading several chapters of The Magic Tree House book. It seemed there was an endless supply of this book series and Sabrina couldn't get enough.

She retired to the living room where Severus was absently marking papers.

"Severus?" She raised her voice a bit, "Severus, are you okay?"

"Hmmm."

"I've decided Sabrina can get two poodles," Hermione said as he nodded, "And Hungarian Horntail."

"Good, good!"

"And I am marrying Hagrid and we are moving to China," Hermione continued as he kept marking with his quill.

Giving up on trying to get his attention verbally, Hermione stood in front of him and slid her hand to his face. Titling it up with her pointer finger on his chin, "Severus!"

He blinked, surprised by her proximity, "Love?"

"Hi! I've been trying to get your attention for awhile now." She kissed him lightly, "You are distracted and grumpy. What's going on?"

Placing his papers and quill on the table, he embraced Hermione, pulling her down next to him. "I've missed you. I hadn't realize how much planning a wedding would limit our time together."

Sighing, Hermione nodded, "I know, Severus. It's become a beast. We wanted a simple wedding so we can celebrate our love with our families."

"Let's slay the beast, Hermione."

She ran the tips of her fingers lightly over his arm, moving upward to his neck, "Will you go through the lists with me and see what we can cut? I really don't think we need a harp at the ceremony."

Severus tucked his face into her hair, inhaling her sweet scent, "No harp and no band at the reception. Molly's musical taste is quite atrocious."

"Hmm, this may be the perfect excuse for business development. How about we add a playlist to the media player and let it run all night?"

He agreed, and she summoned her wedding planning notebook from the study. Together they went through and simplified as much as they could.

An hour later, Severus closed the notebook, "There, now we are done. Can we practice for the wedding night? I want to be sure to get perfect marks."

A girlish giggle escaped from her, "So, I get to grade you? I'll need a quill and a new pot of red ink."

~~~~O-O~~~~

Over the next week, everything was simplified and assigned. The flowers would be transported by Pomona from the church service to the reception in the Great Hall. Molly and Minerva would handle the reception and Diana and Ron would take care of the muggle / wizarding relations.

Severus had been dreading one thing, meeting with the muggle priest. Despite Hermione's assurances that he would love (or to quote her directly "loooooove") Father Paul, he still had reservations.

After leaving Sabrina with the Grangers, Severus and Hermione walked the three blocks to the local church. The small stone church was simple with a small courtyard and an even smaller cottage. Hermione led him to the cottage, knocking on the dark wooden door.

Father Paul opened the door and ushered them in, "Welcome, welcome."

Once inside, they were led into the comfortable living room that was lined with bookcases from the floor to the ceiling. Along one wall, the window had a book case beneath it and shelf above it. From every seat in the room, there was a nearby table stacked with books.

"Hermione, dear, introduce me to your fiance." Father Paul said as he hugged her tightly.

"Father Paul, I would like to introduce you to Professor Severus Snape." Severus shook the man's hand, pleased with the nice firm handshake.

"I should have know, Hermione, I should have known." The priest shook his head at her, smiling indulgently.

Hermione sat on the couch, tugging at Severus' arm so he would join her. Father Paul excused himself and returned a moment later with tea service.

"So our little professor is marrying a professor," He smirked as he poured the tea, "What do you teach Professor Snape?

"Please call me Severus. I teach chemistry."

Hermione patted him on the knee, "Father Paul, Severus actually teaches potions."

A sharp look was met with an innocent expression, then Hermione laughed, "Father Paul knows about magic. It's okay."

Sipping at his tea, Severus raised an eyebrow at Hermione but didn't speak. He was not pleased at being blindsided.

"Yes, I have quite a few witches and wizards in the family." Father Paul told him, "So, the wedding ceremony; what did you two have in mind?"

~~~~O-O~~~~

A/N: Anyone know what story has this first line? "In the great green room"