Hermione awoke the next morning feeling refreshed after sleeping so soundly. What she loved about her potion was that you would awaken the next morning with no hint of drowsiness. She knew she'd be able to take one look at Severus and know whether he took her potion or not.
Severus! Today was the day. She was going to be Mrs. Hermione Snape. She squealed as she jumped out of bed and went to wake the others.
Snape rolled over in his bed a short time later and was amazed at how refreshed he felt. He knew he would have to acknowledge her skill and she'd gloat about it all day. Oh well, let her gloat after all it was her….
He sat up in bed suddenly, realizing today was the day Hermione would truly become his. He jumped out of bed and went to wake the other two.
The girl's common room was a bustling hub of activity. Hair was being curled, makeup was being applied, and tears were being wiped away. Molly couldn't help it, weddings always made her cry. The girls all looked so beautiful.
Gabrielle was the first one to slip into her gown. She had picked a simple dress, made of white silk, which had wide, beaded, off-the-shoulder straps. The dress hugged her curves down to knees then flared out in a ruffled lace with a small train behind her. The seamstress had described it as a mermaid dress.
Ginny was next and Molly, who had at first been nervous about her choice, saw that it looked stunning on her. The bodice of Ginny's dress was made of a sheer material. Lace trimmed the high collar and her long sleeves. The sheer material was form fitting and embroidered with white silk appliquéd flowers which strategically covered her breasts. However, from a distance, it looked as if Ginny might be naked from the waist up. A wide lace-covered band, encircled her waist, where the bottom of the dress was made of silk and ballooned out like a fairy princess dress with layers of sheer material underneath to give it volume.
Hermione's sleeveless dress had a sweetheart neckline and dropped down almost to her waist in the back. The silk bodice was tight, hugging her curves, the bottom of her dress flared out a little and made it look like an evening gown a lady would wear to a ball; however, the fact that it was white and had a small train was proof it was indeed a wedding dress. The bodice was covered in beadwork; the mother-of-pearl beads shimmering in the light. The skirt, also made of silk, felt so smooth when Hermione ran her hands across the material. The hemline of her skirt was decorated in the same beadwork, as the bodice, and flowed into a small chapel length train.
All three girls decided to have their hair put up in a fancy do with lots of curl. The hairstylists put the Prince family tiara on top of Hermione's massive curls and attached her small veil to it. Molly felt that Hermione did indeed look like a fairy princess. Ginny had chosen a matching veil that was sheer with small lace flowers. Gabrielle's veil was attached to the same Weasley tiara that her sister had worn during her wedding.
Finally, it was almost time to take their places. Hermione was so nervous she thought she'd be sick. Ginny started making whimpering noises and Molly made them all sit down and sip some stomach tonic until it was time to go.
The men hadn't fared much better. It took them longer to get ready and Severus was so nervous and anxious he couldn't stop pacing. Harry helped Hagrid button his vest and announced that Hagrid looked rather dashing. Hagrid blushed and said his friend Madame Maxime would be in attendance and he couldn't wait for her to see him. Tippy arrived and placed a white rose in each man's lapel. The other two fathers of the brides' were just as nervous. The doors opened and Kingsley, the Minister of Magic strode in. "Well Gentlemen, it looks like we have a full house. It's time to get started."
Severus was the first one out followed by Harry. Kingsley, fearing the two men would begin racing each other inside the Great Hall, called out for them to wait so they could enter together and walk in a procession. Snape wanted to ring Kingsley's neck, but seeing as there would be no one to marry them, he restrained himself.
They entered the Great Hall and Snape recognized several faces as he took his place. He heard a few gasps and figured some of them had come just to see if he was really alive. He couldn't wait for them to see Hermione on his arm…that would give them something to gasp at.
Harry whispered something about rings and everyone began checking their pockets, frantically. The rings were located; each man trusted with holding a ring for one of the other grooms. Snape was beginning to think it would never begin when the doors opened and music began playing. He thought his heart would explode with anticipation and looked over at Harry, surprised to see he was as white as a ghost.
Snape concentrated on keeping his breathing steady when Gabrielle's father walked her down the aisle. This was it; the ceremonies were officially starting. His happy every after was about to begin. Everyone oohed and ahhed, when they saw how lovely Gabrielle looked in her gown. Snape inwardly agreed that she was lovely but managed to hide his sneer, as he gave most of the credit to the fact that she was half-veela. He called on his experience as a former spy, to stand stoic and appear calm as he waited. Soon, the Weasley's portion of the triple ceremony was over. He gave silent thanks as the Weasley's stepped to the side and Harry slid into position.
Ginny looked stunning. Everyone gasped at first, and Snape could see why. For a moment it looked as if the top of Ginny's dress was completely sheer. He fully expected to see her exposed breasts, through her lacy top. As she approached, he realized some strategically placed flowers were preventing that. Molly was in the front row crying softly, and for a brief moment, Snape wondered if it was due to the wedding of her youngest child—or her choice of dress. After placing Ginny's hand in Harry's, Arthur kissed Ginny's cheek, then took his place next to Molly and wrapped his arm around her. Harry didn't seem to mind his future wife's choice of gown and smiled at her the whole time the Minister was speaking, missing his cue to kiss the bride. He just stood there swooning, until Snape reached out and tapped him on the shoulder. Harry came to his senses and kissed Ginny soundly on the mouth—a little too soundly for Snape's liking. He was going to reach out and tap him again, when they finally broke apart. He was seriously thinking of dragging Harry over to his right, like he did in practice; however, sensing his anticipation, Harry and Ginny quickly took their places, leaving Snape in the center.
Snape looked at the back door expectantly and almost had a moment of panic, since it was taking too long for Hermione appear. He heard people begin whispering, however, he maintained his poker face. He knew Hermione would never leave him at the altar, at least he hoped she wouldn't. He heard Hagrid whispering loudly about a broken heel and the uselessness of women's fancy shoes. Then someone said a mending spell and Hagrid, with Hermione on his Arm, stepped into the doorway. All time seemed to stop for Severus. He was surrounded by dozens of sounds: the sounds of people gasping at Hermione's great beauty, the sound of cameras' taking her picture, even the sound of Molly crying...and yet, he heard nothing except the beating of his own heart and the sound of his blood rushing through his ears. Hermione was looking right at him with a sweet, exuberant smile on her face. She was fairly floating down the aisle towards him and yet it seemed like it was taking forever. He went to step toward her but Harry reached out and grabbed his arm. The crowd laughed softly at his eagerness, but he didn't hear them as he was so taken with how beautiful she looked. Her exquisite dress hugged her body perfectly.
Finally, Hermione was next to him, and Hagrid was kissing her on the cheek and placing her hand in Snape's. Hagrid went to take his seat, and Snape stared at Hermione with awe and reverence. Someone was saying something, but Snape did not hear anything. Hermione pinched his hand, still smiling, and he suddenly came back to his senses. Yes, yes he would love her forever. What? What? Yes, I mean, I do, I do. The crowd snickered again.
Hermione repeated the words the Minister said and added loud and clear, "I do."
Then unlike the other two couples before them, Kingsley announced that Hermione and Severus wanted to share additional vows they had written for each other. The guests in attendance listened in awe, as the couple spoke. For those in the audience, who thought this was a forced marriage; their vows came as quite a surprise.
Hermione was to go first. "Severus, years ago I confessed to Professor Dumbledore that I had fallen in love with you. I believed that it was hopeless, but Dumbledore assured me that love always hopes. I believed Dumbledore had only given me the tools to save you the night of the war, but in the reality, what he gave me was the power to save myself. By giving you another chance at life, you gave me a reason to hope, a reason to believe; and you showed me that love can be stronger than war, stronger than fear and even stronger than death. When I thought I'd lost you, my life had no meaning. I buried myself in my potions study thinking that I could make up for the world's loss by replacing you; however, I soon realized you were irreplaceable. When I learned you had survived, I knew there was nothing I wouldn't do to be by your side, the rest of my life. I promise from this day forward, I will do my all in my power to be the best wife, the best lover, and the best friend you've ever had. You are in my heart, Severus Tobias Snape and I will forever be in yours."
Snape looked at Hermione with total love and devotion on his face. Hermione's words touched him to his very core. Hermione knew him better than anyone else ever had and understood how desperately he wanted to be loved. To be loved was something he had desired, his entire life.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to steady his voice. Opening his eyes and looking into her lovely face he said, "The night I died, I went to another plane of existence and saw Lily Potter. She told me I couldn't stay. She said a woman was saving me and I had to save her right back. I've tried my best to do that. Hermione, you have become my best friend, my confidant and my lifeline. When I am in doubt or need guidance, I can lay my head on your shoulder and trust you to tell me what to do, and that you will make everything all right. The night you saved me, you gave me more than a second chance…you gave me a love I thought I'd never find. Dumbledore told me that a good woman was worth her weight in rubies. He was right, for you are more precious to me than any amount of gems that could be weighed or measured. You saved me Hermione Jean Granger, and I promise to spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret that decision. I will be the best friend, lover, husband and father of our children that I can possibly be.
The minister said he could kiss the bride, and Snape reverently took Hermione in his arms and kissed her lips with abandon.
The crowd came to their feet and cheered. Hagrid later recalled that there was not a dry eye in the Hall. It took a lot of people by surprise to see Professor Snape, who was once regarded as one of the meanest teachers at Hogwarts, appear to be so moved by his love for Hermione. Hagrid could have told them—that was what had changed Professor Snape. The broken-hearted, desperately neglected little boy inside him had finally found the love he had craved all his life.