A/N: A Shout Out to Bri892 for her endless patience and great advice!
Chapter 46: The Ceremony
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Deep in thought, Hermione took off her pink silk robe. She stood in her bra and panties in a small room, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. Sabrina was twirling in the corner, trying to make her dress fly up as she spun.
"It's time. You have to put it on!" Anna pleaded only to be interrupted by Sabrina, "Did you see that one, Mummy?"
Taking a deep breath, Hermione stepped towards her mother then back to shrugged on her robe, "One more time, just in case."
Anna rolled her eyes as her daughter dashed into the bathroom again. Hermione had decided she would not be using the restroom in her wedding dress; so she had opted to wait until the last possible moment to get dressed. A few minutes later, Hermione emerged, "I'm ready."
Holding out the white dress, Anna guided Hermione to step in. Slowly, she brought the dress up, over Hermione's hips then chest and finally to her shoulders. Hermione clutched at the bodice as Anna tightened the ties in the back.
After a few minutes of pulling, tightening, and buttoning, Hermione was in her wedding dress. Anna turned her slowly until she was directly in front of the large mirror.
"Oh my," Hermione whispered.
"Mummy, you look beautiful. Like a princess!" Sabrina bounced on the balls of her feet, "Nana, doesn't she look like a princess?"
Tearing up, Anna dabbed at her eyes, "Hermione, you are so beautiful."
A knock at the door had Sabrina bouncing across the room and throwing the door open. Mark Granger stood with his camera snapping away, "Look at my girls."
Hermione turned to face her father and he froze with the camera in hand, "Oh Hermione, you are so beautiful."
"That's what Nana said too! Doesn't Mummy look like a princess?"
Mark stepped into the room and reached out his hands to grab at Hermione's hands. He looked at her before slowly spinning her around. "So beautiful," he stated
Anna handed him a handkerchief and tucked in another in his jacket pocket as he wiped as his eyes.
Overcome with emotion, the adults hugged as Sabrina pulled and pushed her way into the middle of the hug.
"Come on!" She demanded, "Let's get married!"
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Anna was escorted to her seat by Harry and a moment later Sabrina skipped down the aisle throwing flower petals at the guests sitting to the right and to the left. She arrived at the altar where her father and the priest stood.
Severus smiled indulgently at her, "You look very pretty Sabrina."
She nodded at him, "I know!"
Turning around, Sabrina noticed there were few flower petals on the runner as they mostly landed in the pews or the edges of the aisle. She tugged on Severus's pants and he bent down to hear her.
She whisper shouted, "Daddy! I am out of flowers and I didn't get the middle yet."
A discreet charm refilled her basket and she went back to the runner, dropping petals from the front of the church to the back. She skipped back down the aisle, hollering over her shoulder, "Okay Mummy, you can get married now!"
The guests chuckled at her antics but hushed as the Father Paul raised his arms, indicating they should stand.
Mark Granger walked his only child, his daughter, his Hermione, down the aisle and placed her hand into the hands of her future husband.
Severus' eyes widened as he watched Hermione come down the aisle; he was breathless. A vision of white fabric and creamy skin. She wasn't wearing a veil, so nothing obscured her face. Her eyes bright, shining. Her mouth closed with the edge turned up; she was hiding her smile as she walked with her father towards him.
Hermione Granger was coming towards him with the intention of marrying him. To share her life with him, to commit to him and their daughter. His breath hitched and he felt a hand steadying him.
Father Paul spoke quietly at his side, "Take a breath, Severus."
A moment later, they joined hands. Almost mechanically, Severus went through the motions and repeated words as requested. His eyes locked on hers, his breathing increased and matched hers, his hands held hers.
Hands were laid upon his and Hermione's, bringing Severus out of his stupor. He realized Father Paul had placed his own hands over theirs as he spoke, "There is nothing more magical than love; and your love for each other should be cherished."
Father Paul winked at them before having them exchange the rings. Severus smiled openly as Hermione slid a solid band of gold onto his finger feeling the magic imbued within. She had charmed his ring and he couldn't wait to see what the future spells and charms mistress had come up with.
"Our Hermione and Severus are also binding their love today. I ask that Madam Minerva McGonagall join us at the altar." Father Paul told the guests.
Professor McGonagall stood in the pews and walked regally to the alter. Standing next to Father Paul, she addressed everyone, explaining the binding of their souls.
"Severus, you may begin," She told him.
The stoic man presented a blue ribbon to Minerva and Hermione. His voice cracked with emotion as he spoke, "Blue is for devotion as I will devote my life to you."
Minerva bound their hands together with the blue ribbon, and Hermione handed her another blue ribbon. "Severus, I have also chosen Blue as a symbol of my devotion to you and our family."
Severus presented a green ribbon, "Hermione, your generous spirit has enriched my life and I hope to bring that same spirit of generosity into our marriage."
Hermione produced a gold ribbon next, "Gold is for wisdom, I wish to continue seeking with you."
Red was the next color presented, and a small sound escaped from Hermione. Minerva bound the ribbon as Severus spoke of passion and Hermione quickly gave her another red ribbon. The crowd laughed as Minerva declared this union would be blessed with much passion.
Speaking to the couple, "You have both chosen to enter into this marriage with devotion and passion. With the addition of generosity and wisdom, your lives will be full of love and learning." Minerva wrapped the final red ribbon to their hands and a shimmering glow appeared around their bound wrists.
A shiver went through the audience in the pews and Father Paul's smile grew even bigger at the show of magic at his altar.
"You may kiss the bride," said Father Paul.
Severus swooped in and pulled Hermione in close, holding their bound wrists in between their chests and kissed her soundly on the lips. With his arm across her lower back, she dipped backwards slightly as she kissed him back, once, twice and a third time with her hand weaving through the hair on the back of his head.
Cheers and claps rang through the church with Sabrina's voice carrying over the rest, "We're married!"
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