Chapter 49

The Burrow was a beehive of activity. Hermione was ushered upstairs as soon as she arrived. Ginny was waiting for her, and Hermione carefully took the beautiful dress off and hung it up. She laid her bouquet down; she planned to carry it for this wedding as well.

Ginny helped her into the white gown. It was cut low and had thin straps. The bodice was covered with silver designs. Above her breasts were gathers of white silk that created two drapes that hung below her shoulders and over her arms. The lined, silk-covered skirt hung to the ground and was slit up the front to just below her knee. She did her hair rather simply, preferring attention to be on the beautiful dress. As she put on silver heels that matched the top of the dress, she blushed, thinking of Severus slowly slipping them off later that night.

Ginny laughed at her. "Hey, keep your thoughts on the wedding."

Hermione smiled. "You can't imagine what he does to me."

Ginny said, "I would rather not, thanks. Hermione, if Harry hasn't broached the idea of marriage to me by mid-summer, can you give him a nudge?"

"Sure, Ginny. He hasn't mentioned it at all?" she asked.

Ginny shook her head rather grimly. "Not even when talking about this wedding. I can't understand it." Her eyes were brimming with tears.

"He's probably just concentrating on getting his health back," Hermione said as she checked herself in the mirror. "He did look to you for an okay to work at Hogwarts. I don't think he would have done that if he hadn't planned for you to be with him," she encouraged the girl.

Ginny appraised her appearance. "You look the perfect wizard bride, Hermione...like a fairy princess. This is a beautiful dress. The other one was so... Muggle."

Hermione laughed. "Perhaps, but it was Raven's dream dress, and I am Muggle-born. It's very beautiful," she said, touching the fabric of the dress.

"I'm sorry," Ginny apologized. "That was a stupid thing to say."

"I understand. Sometimes I think the same thing. Being a witch kind of makes me feel a part of this world."

"You are, Hermione. You're one of the brightest and most talented witches I know."

Hermione hugged her. "I think I'm ready. It's nearly time to go downstairs. I can't wait to see Severus. Every minute away from him is a part of our lives together lost."

Ginny laughed. "You've really got it bad for him. I have to admit he's growing on me. He treats you like a precious stone. It's very endearing."

"Just keep your hands off my man," Hermione warned her with a fake stern look.

Ginny laughed again. "I have my own, and I plan to keep him. I have Severus and you to thank for that. Come on, Mum will get really anxious if we aren't at the door in two minutes."

Hermione picked up her flowers. "I'm ready."  They went down the stairs and found the house was deserted.

Ginny went first, making sure the way was clear.  Ginny grabbed a bunch of flowers that were tied with ribbon from the table and stepped out the door, and Hermione followed.  Then she motioned for Hermione to step to the door.

Suddenly Molly stepped up in the front near the canopy, music wafted out of the air, and her high voice belted out an old-fashioned Muggle wedding song. Hermione remembered it as something her parents listened to when she was quite young.  She saw Severus' eyes widen when Molly's voice didn't quite hit the right note.  But Hermione stifled her giggles and listened to the words. Tears filled Hermione's eyes as she thought about her mother and father.  The song was not perfect, nor was Molly's voice, but it warmed her and made her feel like they were close. 

At last

My love has come along

My lonely days over

And life is like a song

Ooh at last

The skies above are blue

Well my heart was wrapped up in clover

The night I looked at you

I found a dream

That I could speak to

A dream that I could call my own

I found a thrill

To press my cheek to

A thrill that I have never known

Well

You smile

You smile

Oh and then the spell was cast

And here we are in heaven

For you are mine at last

I found a dream

That I could speak to

A dream that I

Could call my own

I found a thrill

To press my cheek to

A thrill that I have never known

Well

You smile

you smile

Oh and then the spell was cast

And here we are in heaven

For you are mine at last

Ooo yea

You are mine

You are mine

At last

At last

At last

At last 

She grinned at Severus' grimace but smiled at Molly as she finished. She wondered what other surprises Molly had in store for them. 

Hermione took one more look around before she started down the aisle. There was a floating, white muslin canopy above their heads. Small hummingbirds flitted in and out of the garden, which had been enchanted to look more like spring and heated with a warming spell. There were flowers everywhere. There were rows of chairs, friends, family, and a few dignitaries from the Ministry. The Minister of Magic himself stood ready to seal their marriage.

In the back row, Hagrid was sitting on three chairs that were bending under his weight. Hermione, whose wand was embedded in her flowers, sent a silent strengthening charm toward the chairs.

The path to Severus was a fresh aisle of mowed grass. He stood under a trellis of colorful flowers that furled and unfurled. Severus wore robes similar to his teaching robes: black, buttoned up, and proper. She wouldn't have wanted it any different. This was her Severus...the man she loved. She realized as she walked toward him that she might even love him far more than she'd ever hoped to love anyone. She also noticed that flowers were springing in the places her feet had trod. She rolled her eyes but forgot about the flowers as Severus stepped forward and took her hand in his and they turned to the Minister of Magic.

He stepped forward and took her hand in his, and they turned to the Minister. There was no repeat of the vows they had given earlier in the day. That was not the wizarding way. They took their wands and touched the tips together, and it created a glow about them. The color was a warm orange, and it signified to the watching community that they were committed in a relationship built on love.

Then the Minister asked, "Severus Snape and Hermione Jean Granger, do you commit to this marriage in the eyes of your friends and family?"

Severus and Hermione said together, "Yes, I do with all my heart."

There was an exchange of rings. Hermione and Severus had chosen a matching set of gold rings with ancient runes engraved around them that said, Loves heals all wounds and lasts forever.

The Minister then took a golden chain and wrapped it around their joined hands and up their wrists. He touched it with his wand and said, "I, Minister of Magic, seal this union now and forever. May you find the happiness and joy in your last day together as you do this first day as married wizard and witch."

The chain began to glow and shimmer. Then the glow sunk into their flesh, joining them forever. Severus picked Hermione up in his arms, kissed her, and then turned to the crowd and said, "She's mine! Every single man here can weep...and maybe a few of the married ones."

Suddenly, a spell was activated and a rather fat, naked cherub appeared before them. He drew back his bow and let an arrow fly toward them.  It struck Severus in the chest and burst into hundreds of butterflies that covered Severus and Hermione.  Severus looked horrified a moment and then started to laugh.  Hermione laughed with him, and as they kissed, the butterflies vanished into the air.

The crowd erupted in laughter and clapped for their happiness. Some of them stared at the new Severus, wondering if he had gone nuts during his ordeal. Others thought it odd that such a young woman could love the old Bat of the Hogwarts' dungeons, and others envied the man his happiness.

Fireworks erupted into the sky, and the music grew louder. Food tables, laden with everything one could think of, appeared. Hermione laughed when she saw the wedding cake. The cake topper was a tiny Severus and Hermione on a broom. She had her face pressed against him. As she watched, the scene changed to her and Raven's wedding and then their ceremony only a moment ago. It was corny and wonderful. They were all special moments for them, and she was warmed that Severus included this tiny reference to Raven.

The chairs magically moved away, clearing a place for dancing. The grass vanished, and a polished floor appeared. Severus took her hand and walked her to the middle of the floor. He took out his wand and waved it toward an empty area in the yard. There was a flurry of activity and then the Gypsies appeared to play music. Nicholi came forward to take Hermione's hands and place a kiss against her cheek, and Magi came to give her a hug.

Hermione cried out with happiness, "Oh Severus, thank you!" She squeezed his hands. "Did you see the wedding?" she asked her friends.

Nicholi smiled warmly. "Yes, we were under a Disillusionment Charm. Severus wanted to surprise you. Now dance, and we will play." He clapped his hands toward his fellow musicians, and they brought their instruments up and started to play.

The Gypsy children ran here and there, chasing the hummingbirds.

Hermione took Severus' hand and let him swing her up against him. A beautiful melody washed over them, and as she lifted her face to his to receive a gentle kiss, Hermione realized he was asking permission to join her mind. She called, Yes! to him with her own mind. He began to step and sway to the slow music, and as if they had been trained to dance together, they moved of one accord. She felt so wrapped in love. Words were not necessary. They danced, looking into each other's eyes and stealing kisses here and there. When the first song ended, Harry came and asked, "Severus, may I have a dance with Hermione?"

Severus nodded his permission although he did not want to let her go. "I do want to dance with Minerva. For you, Harry, I will let her go, but woe to any other man who may try to take her from me," he warned with his old Snape voice.

Harry laughed. "Thank you, Severus. I promise to guard her well, and I will return her shortly."

Hermione smiled and took Harry's hand, feeling the loss of Severus immediately. She gave him a wistful smile, and he took Minerva into his arms and moved a bit from her.

"Well, you've really done it, gone and married the git, no less than twice today." He laughed fondly.

"Harry! You need to get that word out of your vocabulary. You're not a child anymore," she chided him. "I'm happier than I ever thought I'd be, probably happier than Ron and I would have been. I still wish he was here."

"No, you don't. He would have never accepted you marrying Severus. He still hated him even after I told him about the memories."

She sighed and pulled him close. "You're right. He wouldn't have." She was quiet as she held on to him.

"Hermione, I'm going to ask Ginny to marry me," he told her.

"Really," she hugged him excitedly. "How come you haven't mentioned it before? We've been talking weddings all week."

"This was your time...yours and Severus'. I wanted to wait until it was all done. At first I wanted to wait till I knew what I was doing. You know, how I was going to make a living for us. Then you got engaged, and I wanted to respect your time to shine. Has Ginny mentioned it?"

"Just once," she said as they moved around the dance floor. She was watching Severus talking with Minerva as they danced. He was laughing and looked so handsome.

"Do you think she'll say yes?" he asked, a bit of uncertainty in his eyes.

"Oh, Harry, now you're the git. Of course she will! You ask her tonight. Ask her as soon as we leave, and don't you wait another minute."

The music was coming to an end. Hermione looked around for Severus and saw he was already headed back to her.

Harry said, "Thank you, Hermione. I hope you and Severus have a wonderful, happy life."

Hermione hugged him and then turned as Severus grabbed her up against him and swung her around.

"I missed you; I could barely stay the whole song." He crushed her lips with a steamy kiss. "It's been a long day, and I don't want to stay too much longer, my wife."

"Neither do I, my husband." As they danced they exchanged words with couples who passed by to wish them well: Molly and Arthur, Frank and Alice.

Neville said, as he and Luna danced by, "This was a beautiful wedding."

Luna said, "I hope ours is as nice."

It was Severus who answered, "I'm sure it will be will be, Miss Lovegood. Neville, we are looking forward to your wedding."

Neville smiled happily. There was no fear in his eyes anymore when he spoke to Severus.

"Thank you, Professor Snape," he said with genuine affection. Then off he and Luna went.

"Harry came by with Ginny, and Hermione gave her the thumbs up behind his back. Ginny blushed with happiness.

"What was that about?" Severus asked.

She whispered into his ear, "Harry's going to ask Ginny to marry him tonight."

"Well, I hope they are as happy as we are going to be."

"Severus, where are we going tonight? I really hadn't thought of it. It hardly seems like a wedding night if we stay in the castle or Spinners End."

"Don't you worry. I have that all worked out," he said. His deep voice rumbled soothingly over her skin.

She sighed. "This has been a perfect day, Severus. Thank you for bringing the Gypsies here and for my wedding this afternoon. It was wonderful."

"It was as much for me as it was you, my love. It seemed right. You are marrying me, but you loved both halves of me separately in the beginning."

"But you're not two men anymore. You're one Severus Snape, whom I love and want to spend my life with."

"I am very blessed and grateful. It seemed appropriate to stand before God as well as our own people," he told her.

"I think maybe my parents were watching. I prayed that they were." She held him a little tighter, overcome with the emotion of thinking about her parents again.

He drew her away from the dance floor and out into the overgrown section of the garden. There were roses and lilacs blooming. "I'm sure they were, Hermione." His lips claimed hers, and he kissed away her sadness. "Let's go cut that cake so we can get out of here."

Hermione nodded gratefully. "Yes, I do want to get out of here. I want you all to myself, husband..."

"... As I do you, my wife." He kissed her again, took her hand, and they went back to their guests.

They took their place by the cake and everyone gathered. The Gypsies continued to play soft music in the background. There had been a wizard photographer at both weddings; now he asked them to pose for a few pictures. Hermione wanted some with Harry and Ginny and with Neville, Luna, Frank, and Alice. Hermione wanted one with all the Weasleys, as they had been her family and would continue to support her and Severus. It took much more time than planned originally, and Severus' voice started to get a little tense and deeper.

Hermione finally said, "Let us cut the cake. Severus and I want to be on our way." She took the knife and placed it in his hand and covered his hand with hers. When they sliced through the cake, the little cake topper spell faded away.

Severus picked up a piece and held it for her to take a bite. This was all a bit Muggle for him, but they'd had this discussion, and he'd agreed to let her have the wedding album of her dreams.

Hermione fed him a piece of cake, and they turned to their audience. "Thank you so much," she said. "I never thought I'd be this happy six months ago. You have all been such a support and so patient and never once yelled at me for vanishing on you." She reached out and took Severus' hand. "Now, my husband and I want to take your leave."

It took nearly 30 minutes to finally break free of the hugs and kisses. Hagrid was crying so loudly that everyone was laughing at him.

Minerva held Severus a moment longer than need be. "Be happy, boy," she said affectionately. She had always called him "boy" when he was young since he really wasn't her son.

"I will be, Mom," he said affectionately, kissing her cheek. "You don't mind a surrogate son, do you?"

"You've been the son of my heart for years. I'd be honored. Now I want some grandchildren." She turned away, wiping tears from her eyes.

Severus turned and held Hermione against him and guided her to Albus' portrait.

"Goodnight, you old goat. Now you can go back to haunting the castle," Severus said.

Hermione placed a kiss on her finger and put it against Albus' cheek. The portrait was warm, and she smiled affectionately at him. "Thanks for coming; I wish you could have been here to seal our marriage. But it's a comfort that you will always be at Hogwarts."

Albus actually blushed. "You have a wonderful life, both of you."

Severus said sarcastically, "Thanks, Dad." But his eyes swam with tears. "I will come visit, and we will have a long talk after Hermione and I return."

"I would like that, son," Albus said, wiping his eyes with his sleeve.

There was another flurry of goodbyes and suddenly a flying carpet swept out of nowhere. Severus and Hermione tumbled onto it awkwardly as it swept them off their feet.  It flew into the air, and they hung on for dear life. It trailed sparks of color, weaving a pattern as it went across the sky around the garden. Severus used his wand to right them, and he settled back and held Hermione against him.  He knew Molly was responsible for this spectacle. It finally hovered near the gate to the property. Severus tumbled off the carpet.  He climbed to his feet and helped Hermione onto the ground.

"Molly," he roared, "Get your body over here!"

Everyone froze and stared, shrinking into themselves and wishing they were somewhere else suddenly.  The music stopped and all eyes were on Molly as she stood white with fear.

Ginny, who was standing near her mom, whispered, "Oh Merlin, now you've gone and done it. I told you that was too much."

Hermione tugged at his arm anxiously. "Severus, please!"  He winked at her, and she felt the tension leave her.

Molly came slowly, shaking.  Severus in full Professor Snape mode stood towering over her and glaring. "Molly, that was the most undignified thing you've come up with so far. What possessed you?"

"I... I,"  she stuttered.

Severus roared with laughter, picked her up, and swung her around. "That was brilliant! I would have been disappointed had you not tried something totally outlandish."

Molly, relieved, laughed as the rest of the wedding party did too. Her legs nearly collapsed under her as he set her down. Arthur, who had come forward to fend off Severus' attack, laughed and slipped his arm around his wife's waist. "My Molly," he said affectionately, placing a kiss on her forehead.

A horse was waiting at the garden gate. Severus used his wand to change his outfit to a more comfortable black suit. They stood for a moment in front of the horse to allow another picture to be taken.  He mounted the horse and drew Hermione into his lap.

Hermione laughed with joy and kissed him deeply, giving him promises of the night to come.

Severus said for her ears only, "Wench, if you do not want to cause a spectacle here, you will allow me to get us away before igniting my passion."

Hermione's beautiful laugh rang out, and she said, "Let's away then, my love."

Severus smiled and turned the horse away from the garden, and they rode away, vanishing into thin air.

Thank you, Lisa, for all your hard work. I couldn't do this without you. You're the best!

Becky, thanks for your design work around my manips. They turned out fantastic.

At Last sung by famous Etta James