Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Hermione sat in front of the mirror as Ginny Potter combed, pulled, and maneuvered her hair. It was her wedding day, and she had left her hair to Ginny, not having the patience or ability to make it look as good as she knew Ginny would. She smiled as Ginny piled all of her hair atop her head, pinning it so the curls flowed freely from the top.

"You really do have magnificent hair, Hermione," Ginny mentioned.

Hermione harrumphed. "It is my biggest trial."

Ginny smiled. "I'm sure Severus doesn't think of it that way."

Hermione smiled at her radiantly. She couldn't believe it was finally the day Severus and she would be married. The semester had seemed to drag by, but at last the day had arrived. They had chosen to get married on the last day of school. They found that after their very blatant announcement, everyone down to the last student wanted a part in the festivities.

McGonagall's eyes twinkled at them as if she were Albus Dumbledore when they had requested that classes on the last day of school be cancelled in order to have the wedding.

Minerva smiled at them and nodded approvingly.

Thus began the planning stage. Invitations had been sent out, designs for the Room of Requirement had been created, and outfits had been bought, among other things. It seemed like Hermione hadn't taken a break for at least two months. Severus had asked her to go on holiday with him, but she had begged off, claiming there was no time for her to breathe, let alone take a holiday. Severus had pouted a bit, but had finally given up. He couldn't wait until they were officially wizard and wife so they could have some time together again.

At long last, the big day had arrived. Hermione stared in the mirror at her hair again. It was already looking great, and Ginny wasn't even half finished.

Hermione turned her attention back to Ginny, who was now arranging the curls at the top of her head to form a cascading updo, her curls dropping elegantly at the back of her head. She left a loose curl to frame each side of her face and picked up hairpins that had white flowers with rhinestone centers in them. She placed them strategically around the base of the updo in a circlet, giving the hairstyle the perfect touch.

Ginny smiled at Hermione. "Well, what do you think?" she asked.

Hermione studied herself in the mirror, not believing that that was truly her hair that looked so marvelous.

"Oh, Ginny, it's perfect!"

Hermione got up and gave her friend a huge hug.

"It's just what I pictured, only better," Hermione gushed.

"It will look wonderful with your dress," Ginny commented.

Hermione glanced over at her dress, which hung on a hanger in her closet. She sighed as she thought of walking down the aisle in it. She hoped Severus would like it.

"Why the big sigh?" Ginny asked.

"I hope Severus likes my dress."

Ginny glanced over at the traditional ivory wedding dress. "It's gorgeous. He'd be an idiot not to like it. And we all know Severus Snape is no idiot."

Ginny noticed the frown on her friends face.

"You're nervous, aren't you?" Ginny asked Hermione.

"No, of course not!" Hermione said a little too enthusiastically.

"I was nervous when I married Harry too. You remember! I about ran out of the room in nothing but my slip, I was so flustered."

Hermione smiled. "I'm glad it happened that way in this reality too." Ginny, being Harry's wife, was privy to Hermione's little trek into the past. "You were so cute, Ginny, fretting that he would leave you at the altar!" Her eyes grew wide. "You don't think Severus will change his mind, do you?"

Ginny laughed. "You're just as bad as I was. Just don't leave the room until someone assures you that you have your wedding gown on!"

Hermione grinned at Ginny as she began to apply her makeup.

oooOOOooo

Severus paced back and forth in his black tuxedo, his tails flapping behind him as he whipped around from side to side. Harry sat quietly and watched him.

"You'll wear a hole in the carpet, Severus, pacing like that."

Severus frowned, but continued to pace.

"Why couldn't we have had the ceremony earlier?" he mused. "This is intolerable, having to wait until noon to begin."

"It'll be here before you know it," Harry consoled.

Severus stopped pacing and stared straight at Harry. "You don't think she'll change her mind, do you?"

Harry laughed. "We're talking about Hermione here. She never changes her mind about anything, remember?"

"I keep expecting her to wake up one day and realize she's made a horrible mistake."

Harry scoffed at Severus. "I don't know who you're demeaning more, Hermione or yourself, with that statement," he remarked as he rolled his eyes.

"Harry, you have to admit, she could do much better. I'm practically old enough to be her father."

"I sincerely doubt she sees you as a father figure, Severus," Harry harrumphed. "I swear, Severus. You're intelligent, somewhat funny, and even though you resemble a bat, you're not that bad looking, but I don't think there's a more insecure man on the planet."

Severus frowned at him. "I'm only insecure about Hermione. If you had to wait for Ginny for twenty-five years, you might be having some worries too."

"Severus, she adores you. Lighten up. This is the best day of your life. Stop worrying and enjoy it."

"That's easy for you to say, you've already got the girl."

"It seems to me," Harry said with a furrowed brow, "that you got the girl twenty-five years ago. Calm down! And for heaven's sake, sit down, will you? You're giving me a headache with all that pacing."

Severus dropped into the chair next to Harry and began to fidget with his fingernails.

"Do I need to put you in a body bind?" Harry asked, chuckling as he said it.

Severus gave him a look that would have killed anyone else.

"For heaven's sake, Severus, sit still!"

Severus put his hands besides him. He then began to tap his foot.

"She's going to back out on me, I know it," he said in frustration.

"Do you want me to go check on her?" Harry offered.

Severus' eyes lit up. "Would you?"

"What are friends for?" Harry grumbled.

He got up and left the room, in search of Hermione.

oooOOOooo

There was a knock on the door, and Ginny rushed over and cracked it open.

"Harry, what are you doing here?" Ginny asked as she opened the door wide. "You're supposed to be sitting with Severus."

"I can't take it anymore. He's about to jump out of his skin. I came to make sure Hermione was still here and wanting to marry him."

"Why wouldn't she be?" Ginny asked.

"Severus thinks she's going to leave him at the altar."

Ginny laughed heartily. "No such luck. Come on back." She motioned to him to follow her into the back room where Hermione was. Harry followed her but stopped dead when he saw his friend ready to be wed. He let out a low whistle. Hermione stood in front of a large mirror, making a few adjustments to her dress. The dress was ivory satin with sleeves that stopped just below the shoulder. The bodice was covered in white floral appliqués delicately placed over a satin layer. The white of the floral design beautifully contrasted with the darker ivory of the dress. A layer of the satin swept around her torso in gathers, accenting her bust and was cinched at the side by an ivory satin rose. More floral appliqués went out in rays from where the rose sat. The full skirt was simple, but elegant, flowing in an a-line away from her with the train extending back from it, decorated with more of the floral appliqués.

Hermione turned to Harry and smiled at him.

"You look lovely," Harry admired.

"Thank you," Hermione said.

"I was just here to make sure you hadn't headed for the hills," he said to her.

Hermione gave him a curious look.

"I have a very anxious bridegroom to appease, please tell me you won't run off on him."

Hermione laughed. "And here I thought he was going to be the one to run off on me!"

"You're not serious, are you?" Harry asked incredulously.

"Not really, but I'm a little nervous myself."

Harry crossed the room and gave her a huge hug. "Severus is a lucky man," he commented.

"And I'm a lucky woman."

Harry pulled back and looked her up and down. "You really look beautiful, Hermione. Severus is going to faint dead away when he sees you."

"He had better not. He would hate to miss his own wedding," Ginny piped in.

"He has waited long enough to be wed to you, Hermione," Harry said with a smile. "I guess he won't blow it by fainting."

Hermione tapped him on the arm. "Get out of here. I still have to put on my veil and we're on in ten minutes. Severus probably thinks you ran out on him, too, by now."

Harry smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "Good luck, Hermione. May everything be as wonderful as you have hoped."

With that he left the two women to prepare for the wedding.

oooOOOooo

"Is she still here?" Severus asked anxiously when Harry came back in.

"Yup," Harry replied.

Severus continued his pacing as he cast a glance at Harry. "What took you so long?"

"I was enchanted by her. She looks lovely, Severus. You won't be able to keep your eyes off her."

Severus finally stood still, regarding Harry with an arched eyebrow. "And that is something new?"

Harry laughed. "I've never seen her look so happy, Severus. You two were truly made for each other."

"I just hope she will not regret her decision."

Harry walked over to Severus and shook him. "Will you cut it out? She's ecstatic. She thought you were going to chicken out on her! Calm down already and enjoy your wedding day, for Merlin's sake. It only comes once in a lifetime."

Severus sighed, "Of course you're right. Shall we be off?"

"Let's go get you married," Harry said with a smile.

oooOOOooo

The Room of Requirement looked amazing. It formed a huge hall with large arched windows lining the walls. They were enchanted to show a spring meadow and a beautifully sunny day. Severus and Harry stood at the front of the hall underneath a mass of green vines that intertwined to form a large arch. The arch was bedecked with white roses all throughout it.

Behind the men was a waterfall that started at the ceiling and coursed straight down into a large pool that had white swans swimming gracefully in it. Green lily pads were scattered throughout the pool, each one holding a single white rose. The pool turned into two small streams that babbled along the edges of the hall, giving a peaceful feel with their babbling over rocks as they led to the back of the hall to form two smaller pools, also adorned with swans and lily pads.

The hall itself was huge. It had to be. Every single student in the school was in attendance and many friends and family were there also. Even the media had shown up, intent on covering this high-profile wedding of two war heroes. Rita Skeeter stood in the very back of the hall, a Quick-Quotes Quill hurriedly scribbling as she murmured her description of the hall and everyone in it. Other reporters were doing much the same for their respective agencies.

Hermione's parents sat in the front row, beaming from ear to ear. Hermione had decided to walk down the aisle alone. Wizarding weddings did not require anyone to be 'given away,' and Hermione was fine with not honoring the Muggle tradition. Molly and Arthur Weasley sat next to her parents. They beamed from ear to ear. Sybill Trelawney sat behind them, muttering to herself and shaking her head now and then. The rest of the faculty were scattered among the other guests. Most of the Weasley children were sitting near their parents. Even Ron had made an appearance, a lovely woman on his arm. Ginny had explained to Hermione that he had begun dating a Quidditch fan soon after his visit to Hermione and Severus and his inept attempt to reconcile with her. Hermione had smiled when she had found this out. It seemed Severus was right, and Ron had already found a woman who would kiss his feet. They were set to be wed in three months.

Harry and Severus waited patiently for the ceremony to begin. Harry was the one who waited patiently, actually. Severus was still a bundle of nerves. Harry admired the pool in front of them while Severus fidgeted beside him. Harry looked over at his friend.

"Severus, deep breaths," he advised.

Severus breathed in and out a couple of times, finally beginning to relax. Of course, that was when the music for Hermione's entrance started. The chords resulted in him standing ramrod straight, a look of terror on his face.

Hermione turned the corner, and Severus' terror was immediately replaced with a look of sheer devotion. His bride was coming toward him, her eyes filled with love for him. She was an incredible vision. He had never seen a more beautiful woman in a more beautiful wedding dress.

Harry leaned over toward him and whispered, "I told you she was stunning."

"Stunning does not begin to express what she is, Harry," Severus murmured and took in his bride some more.

Harry had been right; Severus couldn't keep his eyes off her. It seemed to take forever for her to draw next to him. She flashed him a shy smile. His grin became so wide, he thought his face might crack. They turned to the front of the hall, where Albus Dumbledore was just settling in to perform the ceremony.

"Today, ladies and gentlemen, we are here to celebrate the union of Hermione Granger to Severus Snape. This binding has been a long time in the making, and I personally have never seen more devotion and love between a couple... ever. They have overcome many obstacles and stand here as a testament to their undying love."

Albus' eyes twinkled as he regarded his two friends before him.

"Severus, will you take Hermione's wrist, please," he directed.

oooOOOooo

The couple turned toward one another. Severus gently placed his hand around Hermione's wrist, and she did the same around his, stealing a glance into his eyes. He looked at her with such intensity she thought her insides would melt. How had she gotten so lucky to find such a love from this man? She gave him a small smile and continued to stare into his eyes as Albus held his wand over their clasped hands and pronounced the binding ceremony.

"Hermione Jean Granger, do you promise to always love and support Severus Tobias Snape as your husband, lifting him when he is in need of lifting, and being his constant companion from now until you leave this Earth?"

"I do," Hermione uttered.

A golden band surrounded their clasped wrists.

"Severus Tobias Snape, do you promise to always love and support Hermione Jean Granger as your wife, lifting her when she is in need of lifting, and being her constant companion from now until you leave this Earth?"

"I do," Severus uttered, barely able to keep his voice steady. Unable to believe that after all of this time, Hermione was finally to become his and his alone.

Another golden band surrounded their wrists. Albus touched his wand to their wrists.

"With the power I hold, I seal this binding and vow with my authority. You are now husband and wife, never to be separated again as long as you live. May you always be as happy as you are today."

With his pronouncement, a third gold band encircled the other two, joining them and making a braided chain that surrounded their wrists. The chain glowed brightly for a few seconds and then disappeared into their joined wrists. Hermione and Severus had been watching the band bind them together. Hermione felt a jolt as the band disappeared and signified that Severus was now her husband. She felt like laughing with joy as she realized that Severus was finally hers. Albus smiled at the two as they looked again into each other's eyes.

"You may kiss the bride," he offered jovially.

Severus looked to his bride. Hermione looked to him and saw his eyes dancing at her. She marveled at the giddiness she saw in the usually austere man before her. He smiled widely at her, making her heart beat faster. A tiny, low-pitched giggle escape his lips before he touched them to hers and kissed her soundly.

Hermione didn't know what she had been expecting when he kissed her. She knew they wouldn't be kissing passionately in front of hundreds of guests, but his chaste kiss was the most amazing kiss she had ever received in her entire life. His little giggle before he bestowed it upon her had made her heart skip a beat and her chest explode with love for him.

His lips pressed to hers were better than anything she could have imagined. She felt in them his longing for her to be his, his love for her, his never ending devotion to her. She was his everything...his Hermione. She took everything he had to offer and reveled in it. He was finally hers. They had gone through so much to be here together. He was hers now... her Severus... and he would be forever. The two didn't even hear the cheers that erupted in the hall. All they knew was each other. They were finally one. Their love had endured the separation of time and now they finally had each other forever. Life was good.

A/N: Just an epilogue left! Can you believe it? It only took forty-five chapters to get these two together forever. Major thanks to my beta, Lilith Kayden. She has a wonderful eye for detail. Thanks to you, too, dear reader, for sticking with this, even through the tough times... and not killing me.