The Wedding

The ceremony had been everything Harry hadn't ever allowed himself to dream about. After months of planning, and several minor disasters, he'd been certain it would never come together as the vision Molly and George had originally painted. Yet for once the tides of Fate had cooperated, and the ceremony had been perfect. Of course, as Harry looked at his now-husband beside him, engaged in conversation with Chris, he was fairly certain the hall they'd reserved could have collapsed around them and he would still have thought the day perfect. The look of adoration in Severus' eyes as they stood before the protestant preacher and the Catholic priest was all he'd needed to make the day worth every frustration of the past year.

Now, they were ensconced in the reception hall of the venue George had found. Albus had cornered the priest as soon as possible, and they were still in heavy discussion, with Minerva throwing in her two knuts every once in a while. Jess and Tess had, unfortunately, been formally introduced to Fred and George, and Harry was loathe to even think what the foursome was planning. Tyson had convinced them both to invite Nicholas, and his irksome mother, and the two boys had been more or less adopted by Hermione and Luna, who'd promised them the first dance. It was remarkably sweet how the two boys had become so enamored with the girls, clinging to their every word as gospel, despite the vast difference in their approaches to the world.

Oddly enough, the Malfoy's had come as Severus' guests, and both Lucius and Narcissa had made a comment about Nick reminding them of someone. Minerva had, too, at that. Harry planned to pursue his own suspicions before the new term began and they had to return to Hogwarts. It was more or less a confirmation of a few odd things he'd seen around the boys, and he had every intention of checking the list at the school. Albus still owed him a favor after the last Board meeting.

As dinner began to wind down, Harry felt Severus nudge his thigh beneath the table. He turned to see a wicked smirk on the Potions Master's features as he stood and subtly gestured to the familiar blonde a few tables away. Harry grinned as Severus kissed the knuckles of his hand with a wink before leading Lucius to the garden outside with feigned amiability. The Gryffindor waited a minute before excusing himself and following the same path. He honestly hadn't expected Severus to remember, let alone follow through on his threat against his old friend. Then again, the man had promised, and Harry knew best of anyone that Severus always kept his promises.

Once outside, Harry drew a deep breath of the warm, fragrant air. He was enjoying his wedding immensely, having all those he held dear with him on the happiest day of his life, but even so he felt some of his tension ease as he escaped the noise and large company. Happy as he was, he couldn't wait for the festivities to be over. Though that might have something to do with all of the anticipation and frustration he'd had to put up as he awaited his and Severus' wedding night.

Following the sound of crunching gravel as silently as he could, he found Severus and Lucius near the fountain at the center of the garden. Harry quickly ducked behind a large bush as he watched with a grin.

"I wanted to thank you for coming, Lucius," Severus began diplomatically. "I understand that your family and my husband have not always been on the best terms, but it was important to us both that you be here to celebrate the day with us."

Lucius laughed. "Believe it or not, I'm quite honored to have received the invitation, and have grown to admire the young Potter, and he's been good for you. Leave it to you, Severus, to marry the most eligible bachelor in our world in a half-Muggle wedding with a priest of all things!" The blonde said, a genuine smile gracing his features.

Severus side-eyed his friend. "Jealous, Lucius?"

"Envious, at least," Lucius agreed without hesitation. "I wish I'd had half the stones you do; I might have had a happier life. Cissa and I both might have. It was a beautiful ceremony."

"And to think it almost didn't happen, thanks to you," Severus responded, his own smile falling. Harry felt his pulse quicken with a brand-new wave of excited anticipation. After over a year of dealing with the prat in politics, he was looking forward to some payback for their first meeting in the Wizengamot.

Lucius frowned in confusion. "Beg pardon?" He asked. "What did I do?"

Severus sneered. "You've been alive 45 years-"

"Forty-four, thank you," The blonde interrupted haughtily.

"And still haven't learned when to shut up," Severus finished, ignoring the interruption.

Lucius sat on the edge of the fountain, crossing his legs and setting aside his decorative cane. "You're going to have to explain that one to me, Severus."

Severus crossed his arms over his chest in his tailored suit, still standing menacingly over his friend, and Harry felt a hot spark of arousal at the display. "Harry's introduction to the Wizengamot was very nearly the day we walked away from each other forever, you utter tosser," Severus began by way of explanation. "We came within inches of it, in fact, had I not been as reluctant as I was to go."

Harry felt a swell of emotion to match his arousal. He hadn't known that, that Severus had deliberately delayed his leaving Grimmauld when they'd first discovered the shared dreams. As angry and heartbroken as they'd both been, Severus had still stayed. Thank God for the man's stubbornness, because without it, this day would never have happened.

"There had been a misunderstanding between us," Severus continued, making Harry bury a snort at the understatement. "That was made infinitely worse because Harry hadn't come home when he was meant to. Which he would have done-"

Lucius stood, suddenly much paler. "Now, Severus, you can't seriously-!"

The Potions Master overrode him with a snarl. "Which he would have done, Lucius, had the head of the Malfoy Empire known when to bow out gracefully from a lost argument!"

Lucius ducked away from the admittedly scarier former Death Eater's ire. "How could I have possibly known-?"

"You knew he was new to his seat," Severus said, pointing at the older Slytherin accusingly and making the pureblood flinch. "And because of your damnable pride trying to take advantage of that, I nearly lost the love of my life!"

Harry felt his knees try to buckle as love and warmth consumed him at the unexpected, impassioned exclamation.

"Severus, please, can we talk about this rationally?" Lucius tried, looking decidedly nervous.

"You're going to apologize, Lucius," Severus told his friend gravely.

Pale, manicured hands flew up in surrender. "I'm sorry, I am, I promise. I will… learn to hold my tongue, on my honor."

The wicked, almost cruel smirk returned as Severus slowly drew his wand and studied it. Harry watched as the elder Malfoy paled even further. "A Malfoy swearing on his honor to a half-blood is rather meaningless, wouldn't you say?"

"No!" Lucius tried, his voice wavering.

"Perhaps a more… substantial reminder would teach you to mind your manners?" Severus continued calmly, leveling his wand at his friend.

Lucius took a step back. "Severus, please! It was just business! I had no idea-!"

There was a flash of blue light, causing the blonde to squawk loudly in the most undignified manner before tripping over the edge of the fountain and his own cane, narrowly avoiding falling into the beautiful water feature as he began to writhe on the gravel, scratching at his clothed flesh. Harry snickered, ducking behind the bush where he was hiding as he tried desperately to contain his laughter. Severus had designed that hex months ago, and had refused to tell him why, but the surprise had been worth the burning curiosity.

Harry was still struggling not to guffaw loudly and give away his hiding place when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned with a grin, only to find both the smile and laughter gone from him with the impact of a metaphorical gut-punch as he realized who had come to find him. His smile fell instantly to a scowl as he took in the large, dark-skinned Head of the Auror Corps standing a couple feet away looking decidedly nervous. They hadn't spoken, aside from necessity, since his former friend and guard had tried to come between him and Severus.

"Harry," Kingsley greeted with an attempt at warmth.

"Shacklebolt," Harry responded coldly.

"I wanted to apologize for my actions last year. It's late in coming, I know, but- well, thank you for deigning to invite me to your wedding. I'm glad we've moved past-"

"I haven't, and I didn't," Harry told him firmly, earning a look of baffled confusion. "I still haven't quite forgiven you. And if you want to thank someone for inviting you, then speak to Severus. It was his insistence."

"Was it?" Kingsley asked uncertainly. "Why would he-?"

"I thought perhaps you would like to see what you tried to ruin, and what your flimsy attempts to manipulate my love cost you and rewarded me," Severus answered, coming around the hedge.

Harry grinned and leaned into the arm that slipped around his waist. "You'd have proposed that night, either way," He pointed out.

Severus kissed his temple. "True, but it doesn't change the fact that we are happier knowing that not even dear friends," He sneered at Kingsley, who flinched. "Can come between us, don't you think?"

Harry hummed his agreement and turned away from the Auror to kiss his husband gently. "That's fair."

There was a decidedly childish huff before the sound of stomping feet on gravel moved away from them. Severus smirked. "We are happier, aren't we?"

Harry chuckled. "Severus, I don't think I've ever been happier in my entire life as I am tonight, and considering my triumphs, I feel like that's saying something," He agreed, earning that delightful small smile. "I love you. I'm not sure today could get any better than it is."

Severus drew him close in a tight embrace and nuzzled his ear with the tip of his nose. "Should I feel insulted that you're no longer looking forward to our wedding night?" He growled huskily.

Harry shivered as he wrapped his arms around the stiff neck. "I stand corrected. There is something that can make this day infinitely better. Thanks, I was trying to forget about my raging teenage hormones for a moment there."

Severus chuckled, the sound rumbling against Harry's chest and in his ear, making him shiver again. Shivers turned to trembling as gentle teeth nipped the tip of his ear before a warm tongue soothed it. "Can't have that," Severus murmured. "You might forget why you agreed to marry me."

Harry scoffed, pulling back far enough to smack the man's arm. "That isn't even a little funny, you prat. Believe me, as much as I'm looking forward to our honeymoon, I think I could spend the rest of my life celibate if I still got to spend it with you." A thin eyebrow arched curiously, and Harry scowled. "That was not a challenge, and I may actually hurt you if you attempt to take it as one. I was promised a wedding night to remember."

Severus purred, drawing him close again. "Far be it for me to break my promise, then."

Harry leaned up to capture that enchanting small smile only for the sound of pattering feet to cause them both to draw away again with a sigh, still in each other's arms. They'd gotten used to this sort of interruption. It seemed all of their neighbors had gotten their ill-timed disruptions down to a science. Between them, and both of their Wizarding World friends, they were both looking forward to a honeymoon uninterrupted. They both silently counted, mouthing the numbers as they shared an amused look, and reached one just as Jess and Tess found them, their powder-blue princess dresses fluttering in the light breeze.

"Hello, girls," Severus said indulgently as he and Harry parted reluctantly. "Did you need something?"

"Mummy sent us to ask if you planned to open the dance this evening," Jess said, grinning.

Tess huffed. "But it's okay if you don't."

Harry shared a look with his husband before Severus leant down to eye both of them. "Well, I can't very well miss my first dance with my husband, of course," He began, making Tess slump. "However, I had really been looking forward to sharing a dance with each of my two favorite girls." He lifted Tess's hand and placed a light kiss on her knuckles as he occasionally still did with George. "I suppose I must live in disappointment and dance with only one of you?"

Tess gaped as Severus turned to Jess, who immediately giggled and offered her own hand to receive a light kiss of her own.

"N-No! I want to dance with you, too! I promise!" Tess exclaimed. She turned to Harry pleadingly, who crouched down.

"And me? Do I get a dance with you, too?" He asked, not the least insulted. Tess adored Severus almost as much as he did, but Jess still preferred him.

"Of course!" Both girls exclaimed.

"Then perhaps Harry and I should go and have our first dance, so that we can come find you," Severus suggested, straightening as Harry stood. "We would be grateful if you could let your mother know we're on our way."

Both girls curtsied before taking off back down the garden path. Harry still thought it was adorable and hilarious how readily they responded to Severus' more formal manner of speech. He often wondered what they'd think should Severus ever slip into a Midlands accent, which Harry had only heard once when the man had been decidedly drunk. He grinned, as Severus offered him his arm, and linked their elbows gladly as they followed at a more sedate pace.

"I really do love you, Harry," Severus said solemnly. "I hope today has been everything you wanted and more. The stress the past few months-"

"Was worth every minute," Harry assured him. "But we could have eloped in a seedy church or gone to the Ministry and simply signed the papers, and I would still have been happier as your husband than I have ever been for anything else. That was the only thing that needed to be perfect today, was our vow to be wedded. Everything else was just… a nice bonus."

"I'll be sure to inform Molly, George, Howard, and Ronald that their unerring efforts to make today perfect were 'just a nice bonus'," Severus said, smirking.

"If you do, you'll be a widower before you can say belladonna," Harry warned amiably.

Severus shuddered. "A rather valid point, Mister Potter. I shall refrain, then, if only to preserve my own happiness." He brought them to a stop just outside the open doors back into the reception hall. "And I am, Harry. I have never been happier than I shall be every day I awake beside you; our rings of promise are testament to the devotion I will always have for you. I love you more every day that I have you in my life, as my friend, husband, or lover, and that will never change."

Harry smiled and drew the man into a breathtaking kiss. "Friend, husband, and lover, Severus, and that, too, will never change."

Severus offered a slightly wider smile as he drew Harry into an even deeper kiss. When they parted, he bent his head so their brows touched as he stroked Harry's cheek. "Thank you, Harry, for this, for waiting for me, with me, and for giving me everything I never knew I was missing."

Harry kissed the tip of the prominent nose. "Don't thank me yet. We still have to do our first dance, and I can't guarantee that George's lessons will amount to much once I'm in your arms. You are so very distracting."

"Shall we test that theory?" Severus inquired with a chuckle.

"George will kill us both if we don't," Harry pointed out.

Severus nodded, but they stood there in one another's arms for several long moments before turning and finally returning to their wedding reception. Harry followed as he was led to the designated dance floor, trying to catch his breath as the leader of the band, Howard's nephew and friends, announced their first dance. He slipped nervously into Severus arms, clasping one cool palm as he rested his other hand on the tall, slim shoulder.

Severus smiled down at him and Harry sighed with relief as they began to move fluidly with the gentle waltz they'd agreed on for their first dance.

"Please tell me I'm not dreaming," Severus murmured, still looking nowhere but at him, after a long minute.

Harry grinned mischievously. "Now there's an interesting question. Is it really only a dream if-?"

"Potter," Severus interrupted with a playful scowl. "I swear to God if you start arguing philosophy and semantics with me, again, on our wedding day, I will make you suffer."

Harry bit his lip to stop a laugh as he twisted their clasped hands slightly and pinched the flesh of his lover's wrist. Severus flinched almost imperceptibly and scowled.

"That hurt."

Harry hummed innocently. "Cold hard reality it is, then. Does it measure up?"

Severus drew him closer with the hand on his lower back, scraping his nails lightly through the fabric of his suit jacket and light cotton shirt, drawing out yet another shiver of desire. "I suppose we'll have to wait until the honeymoon starts to find out."

Harry glowered as he forced his feet to keep moving through the steps. "I am not above pinching you again in a much more painful place," He said.

Severus chuckled. "Relax. It's only-" He surreptitiously tilted their clasped hands to glance at Harry's watch and groaned. "Good Lord, we still have another two hours before the reception breaks up. We should have eloped."

"You're the one who insisted we wait until the wedding night to do anything outside of our dreams. Any frustration we both feel is entirely your fault," Harry pointed out shrewdly, knowing that Severus had felt as pent-up as he did since bestowing him with his enchanted engagement ring.

Severus, surprisingly, smirked in response. "I had to ensure you married me somehow."

Harry chuckled. "Fairly certain you did that the night you came for me."

Severus leaned forward, drawing them so close that their bodies were only a hairsbreadth apart, his feet unfaltering as he continued to lead the dance. He whispered into Harry's ear, his deep baritone making the Gryffindor shudder with desire. "Which time?"

Harry groaned as he was suddenly bombarded with memories of all the times they'd achieved a most unsatisfying satisfaction in their shared dreams the past year. He glared as Severus drew back to meet his eye. "Now who's arguing semantics?" This only earned him a satisfied smirk. "You're completely determined to ensure our first time together ends in half a moment, aren't you?"

Severus' smirk grew slightly predatory. "Hence why our honeymoon is going to last a full week. Plenty of time to teach my young groom the definition of stamina."

Harry grinned at the mere thought. "Not to mention the- what? Hundred years of married life ahead of us?"

"If it takes you that long to learn that particular lesson, then perhaps I should've married-?" Severus began thoughtfully.

"If you finish that sentence then you can finish this dance alone," Harry warned.

The smirk softened and grew into the small smile that made Harry's heart flutter in his chest. He released Harry's hand and drew him into a swaying mockery of a dance with his arms around the Gryffindor's waist as other couples joined them on the dancefloor and the music switched to something Harry couldn't be bothered to pay attention to. All he could see were Severus' black eyes glistening with untold depths of devotion and adoration, and all he could hear was that smoky baritone as the man began to speak reassuringly.

"I'm kidding, Harry," Severus told him softly. "I wouldn't give this, you, up for anything in the world. Dreams or not, I knew before I ever kissed you that I would never meet anyone like you again in my lifetime. And I knew the minute I woke up that I'd never want to kiss another. I was a fool last summer to think for even a moment that my pride was more important. I love you, and I have every intention of growing into a crotchety old bat with you in that mausoleum of Blacks past, with our beloved neighbors to interrupt us at the most inopportune moment."

Harry rested his head against a thundering heartbeat. "Promise?"

The arms around him squeezed tighter. "With every ounce of my heart."

Harry grinned and they both relaxed into their embrace as they moved through the current song, and the next, only to finally be forced apart by the impatient girls still waiting their turn.