Chapter Thirty-Eight: Engaged!

(i) The characters and world of Harry Potter are the property of the marvellous J.K. Rowling. I make no money from this.

(ii) Thank you to all the readers who have stayed with me throughout the writing of this tale. I have now submitted my PhD thesis J hence the long delay in posting this chapter. Please do continue to review and tell me what you think of the story. It's wonderful to hear your thoughts and comments.

(iii) I've finally got a beta for this story again. Yey. Thank you to the amazing Beaweasley2. You are a star! All errors that remain are my own.

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After their wonderful dinner in Manchester, the couple returned to the castle. The brisk walk in the falling snow allowed them to digest their meal and by the time the couple were within the walls of Hogwarts' Hermione was more than ready for pudding.

"Shall we have some desert before we go our separate ways?" she asked Severus whilst rubbing her hands together to warm them up. "I doubt the castle will mind. Besides, we've got chaperones a plenty with the former Headmasters and Headmistresses looking on."

"Undoubtedly," Severus agreed readily. Then, looking thoughtful for a moment, he added, "In any case, now that we've established that we are to wed during the Yule holidays, we might as well inform your parents. I'm sure Cissy and Lucius will want to be told as soon as possible."

Hermione smiled. "I was going to tell Cissy once I got back to my dorm-room actually. But if we can Floo them from your office, we can talk to them together."

Severus inclined his head. "Come, before we attract the attention of Filch or Minerva. I don't want them to hear our news before we inform Cissy and Lucius."

The couple walked side by side towards the Headmaster's Office. They had decided not to worry too much about gossip. They were doing nothing wrong, after all, and now that the castle had learned of their planned wedding, it was more likely to help them maintain their desire for privacy. It was obvious now that the Headmaster was not taking advantage of Hermione.

Once they reached the office, Severus summoned one of the Hogwarts' elves and asked for some pudding. Meanwhile, Hermione took off her woollen gloves, hat and scarf while nodding in greeting at the smirking visage of Headmaster Black. Severus had, in the interim, gone to the sideboard to pour them both a glass of port.

Not long after, two bowls of hot, sticky toffee pudding with caramel fudge sauce arrived on a tray that set itself down on the coffee table. Hermione groaned at the sight and scent in appreciation. "How do they know just what to bring?" she asked in wonder, following Severus' invitation to approach the fire. "I was just thinking that a hot treat would be marvellous after that walk in the snow."

Severus smirked, even as his eyes twinkled with mirth. "Practice! Years and years of practice," he said, leading her to sit on the sofa placed to take full benefit from the blazing heat. As he stroked the fire he continued, "The best house-elves become attuned to those they serve, Hogwarts house-elves are especially adept at listening and anticipating."

Hermione blushed. She found his smirk extremely sexy. For so long she had known him only as her harsh professor. This gentle, caring man was a wonder to her. She hoped she never grew complacent or took his love for granted, for she knew how lucky she was to see this side of the taciturn man.

Accepting the glass of port that Severus handed to her, she leaned back and allowed herself to enjoy the warmth of the fire and the comfort of the sofa.

Severus watched Hermione relax thoughtfully as he sipped his drink, taking in every detail. He enjoyed seeing her here, in what he had come to regard as his personal space. He couldn't wait to have her in his personal chambers like this for all time. Who could have imagined that he'd find pleasure in spending every evening like this, ensconced together in privacy and comfort? It amazed him that she brought him so much joy. He still found it hard to believe that she had agreed to a Yule wedding, things had progressed so quickly between them. Settling himself on his armchair that was angled towards the sofa, he sipped his port and watched his beloved.

Eventually, they both stirred to do justice to the now slightly cooler pudding in a companionable silence.

After they had both eaten their treat, Severus Floo-called Malfoy Manor. It was still fairly early in the evening, and they hoped to catch the Malfoys at the point where they had finished their supper.

It proved to be so, for Flitty the house-elf informed Severus that the master was just finishing his meal and would be with him shortly.

As they waited for Lucius, Severus stood up and walked towards the drinks cabinet. Pouring himself another glass of port, he then prepared her a soothing camomile tea. "This will help you sleep at night," he said knowingly. "I doubt otherwise that your mind will give you any peace."

She smiled and accepted the drink. It pleased her that he was so observant and knew her tastes so well, but then he'd always been the sort of man to pay close attention to the details in everything. It was how he had survived all these years.

Not long after, Lucius' head emerged in the Floo. "You wanted to speak to me?" he asked cautiously as if expecting bad news.

"Yes," said Severus, "Hermione and I have something important to share with you."

"Right," said Lucius, looking relieved. "You might as well come through then. My knees just can't take a long, drawn-out Floo call anymore."

Before long, Hermione and Severus were seated in the Malfoys' drawing-room. Taking Hermione's hand in his own, he said, "Tonight, we both decided that we would prefer to not have an extended engagement. Instead, we thought we'd just have a quiet wedding during the Yule holidays."

Hermione nodded. "We were planning on keeping our engagement quiet, so why not our marriage?"

Cissy laughed and opened her arms out to Hermione. "I am so happy for you both. I told Lucius that Severus would not wait and put up with a long engagement."

Lucius chuckled. "Well, you know Cissy. She has always been a good judge of character. We did expect this reaction once you both had time to let the idea of the betrothal sink in."

The Malfoys shared a fond laugh at Severus' expression. Hermione was just glad that her new parents did not seem disappointed at the thought of a quiet family wedding.

But even as that thought was going through Hermione's mind, Narcissa spoke. "We have actually being making contingency plans, my dears,"

At Hermione's startled expression, Narcissa giggled. "We could have a private engagement party next Saturday. It does not need to be a large affair, just one that allows you to both formally make your vows and have the blessings and rituals performed. The wedding itself could be done on the dawn of Yule day itself, if you like. Again, it does not need to be a big affair, just enough that the ceremony and rituals are performed. We could hold a Yule or New Year's Eve Ball at Malfoy Manor, if you like, and only include the people you've already told and a few of our close friends and family who we can swear into not spilling the news, possibly Tisiphone, Julius and a few of our cousins from southern Europe. What do you think?"

"I think that sounds lovely," Hermione said in a dazed voice. Then, realising that Narcissa was actually excited about the upcoming celebrations, she smiled and hugged the blonde Slytherin again.

Once the women parted and Hermione returned to Severus' side, Narcissa sat up and said briskly. "Right then. I've got most of the plans already drawn up just in case, so I shall start putting them into effect. Severus, do you have a list of people you especially want for the engagement and marriage ceremony? Who will you have stand in for your kin?"

Severus allowed his fingers to massage his temples. "I haven't really thought this through, have I?" he asked softly. "I just thought of the possibility of a quiet wedding, not the details of the ceremony." The dark man sighed. "I'm not close to anyone of the Princes, not really. I think in place of my father I would like Kingsley. And I suppose in place of my mother there is no one more suited than Minerva. It will also acknowledge my ties to Hogwarts and the Order."

Narcissa inclined her head in agreement. "It is as Lucius and I had thought." She smiled fondly at Severus. "Don't worry, you don't need to do anything more than turn up on the day. I shall send you missives if your input is wanted. Wedding planning has always generally been women's work. I am sure that between Minerva, Hermione, Astoria and myself we will have everything done to perfection."

Lucius laughed. "I think it's the fact that you've already got plans and are being so accepting of this that has him worried, my dear."

Severus glared at Lucius.

Lucius chuckled darkly. "Don't frown at me so, Severus. You know I am right. You thought we would both be taken by surprise. That you would be able to do the bare minimum and have a truly small wedding. The fact that we guessed your intentions and have plans ready to be put into action means that you're stuck with us still doing a fairly small and secretive yet ultimately elaborate affair."

Severus sighed again. "Bloody hell! How did I last all these years as a spy if everyone can read my thoughts so easily?"

Hermione giggled. "Because we all love you and see you for who you are, I suppose."

Severus rolled his eyes, but his heart felt as though it had dropped like a loaded stone into his stomach. Was that what it meant? The curse was broken, and so the people who loved him were finally seeing him for who he was? It made sense, supposed Severus. Lucius and Narcissa were two of his oldest friends, and they had spent enough time with him over the years to know him well. Now that they could express their affection for him openly, they could communicate and understand each other all the better. The curse was no longer doing its utmost to keep him alone and alienated.

Not long after, Severus and Hermione returned to the castle. It had been decided that Severus would speak to Minerva and tell her what had been agreed upon. He was also given the task of asking both Minerva and Kingsley if they would stand in for his parents during the exchange of their wedding vows.

Hermione felt as though she was flying. She felt like everything was coming together. For so long she had felt alone, but now she knew, beyond doubt, that Severus returned her feelings. She swore to herself as she lay in bed, her hand pressed against the castle walls, that she would do everything in her power to be a good and worthy wife to Severus, and she swore that she would be a good chatelaine to the castle.

As she communicated this to the castle, she felt the walls pulse with warmth. It seemed as though the castle had accepted her vow and welcomed her fully as the future lady of the castle. It was a rare honour; this Hermione understood. Many of the Headmasters and Headmistresses had not brought up their families within the castle's walls. They had acted as the lords and ladies of the castle, but since before Dumbledore, there had not truly been a chatelaine. Her duties were different to those of the lord or headmaster. She bore the duties of a more subtle nature, of caring for the people's emotional needs as well as the more pastoral elements of both the castle and its inhabitants. All these details flowed through Hermione's mind as though in a dream. She realised that the castle was in return showing her what it desired and yearned for from her. She was gratified to realise how much belief the castle had in her abilities to take care of it and its denizens.

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Once Minerva and Kingsley had been informed about their plans for a Yule hand-fasting, they agreed on the date for the formal engagement. Hermione smiled as she remembered Minerva's knowing glance when Severus said that they wanted it to be a small affair and so were settling on having it on the fifth of December. It hardly gave them enough time to send out the invitations, much less organise anything. But Cissy had said that all they would do was exchange rings and have their engagement blessed by a Priestess of Hera.

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The night before the engagement, Severus and Hermione met with Lucius, Narcissa, Kingsley and Minerva for an informal meal and a final discussion about the arrangements for the following day. Over their cosy supper in the Headmaster's private dining room, they went over last minute details. Then, once the meal was over, Minerva formally presented Hermione with her ceremonial robes for the engagement. Narcissa similarly gifted Severus with his.

Hermione exclaimed in delight in seeing her beautiful robe of raw silk, dyed a warm moss green, held at the shoulders with two lovely silver fibuls, accompanied by an undyed lamb's wool stola that would drape around her body, as protection from the cold winter weather. Hermione smiled at Minerva. She knew the green silk was to symbolise fertility and prosperity.

Severus meanwhile smirked in recognition of Narcissa's little victory over his wardrobe when he beheld his own long woollen tunica that was a pewter gray with the smallest hint of smoky lavender and undyed lamb's wool toga.

Watching the interaction between the old friends, Hermione couldn't help but smile at Narcissa's superior look of innocence. Catching Lucius' eye, and observing the Slytherin's shark-like grin, she giggled softly. Hermione knew Cissy had delighted in finally getting Severus to wear something other than his customary black. The matron had laughingly revealed beforehand that it was a standing joke between them that she had been trying to get him to wear something other than his trademark colour for ages.

The old rituals called for bride and groom to be to be attired not in their best, but in the most organic and natural manner possible, for they were coming to each other without artifice. Severus had chosen, with Hermione's blessing and full-knowledge, the most archaic of soul-bindings, for they both wanted to honour the old ways that were so important to both the Malfoys as well as Slytherin tradition.

Once the official presentation of the engagement robes was concluded, Severus gave his betrothal gift to Hermione. Trying not to smirk too much at the reaction he expected from Hermione, Severus gifted her with her own personal house-elf.

Hermione looked extremely aghast when Severus presented Tansy to her. But glancing at him and taking into account the eyebrow he raised in warning, she didn't do what she wanted to immediately, which was to refuse. Instead, she did her best to smile graciously and accepted the gift of Tansy in spite of her misgivings. She knew he understood her hatred of slavery, and although she had come to accept the presence of elves in the Malfoy household and at Lestrange Manor, she had never wanted to own an elf of her own. But Hermione had also come to trust Severus. She knew he would at some point explain the reason for Tansy. She knew that this was not the time or place for her to question him. So she smiled. She greeted Tansy warmly, and she said, "I'm delighted to meet you, Tansy."

Tansy dropped a low curtsy. Then, she said excitedly in her voice high, "It is a pleasure to serve the new Mistress of Lestrange Manor. Tansy be with you always. I be watching you and protecting young Mistress to the best of Tansy's abilities."

Tansy's speech made Hermione realise what Severus was about. She threw him a quick glance before accepting Tansy's protection and care. "Thank you, Tansy," she said. "I'm honoured to be under your care." Hermione was grateful that she had learned the most appropriate responses while doing her reading about pureblood customs and traditions.

Tansy beamed in delight, her large, blue eyes bright and brimming with joy. Then, the elf threw her thin arms around Hermione and surrounded her with a wave of elfish magic. Hermione could feel Tansy's magic binding itself to her being. She felt the love and affection the elf felt for the new Mistress of Lestrange Manor. She felt the pride the elf felt in being chosen for such a responsibility. She understood that the elf had longed for a Mistress to serve for many decades, for Bellatrix had refused her offer with a scornful smile.

Hermione could not refuse the elf's affection and need to serve. Disregarding tradition that suggested the wizard's need to maintain a level of superiority with the newly bound house-elf, she in turn hugged the elf, bending low so that they could embrace on a more equal level. Tansy's big blue eyes filled with tears. Her quiet elfish chant strengthened, and Hermione realised that now the elf no longer only served her as the Mistress of Lestrange Manor, but also as the individual person she was, for her simple actions had affected the elf greatly. Tansy had served Rabastan and Rodolphus' mother, but during that time, Tansy's care had merely been tolerated and accepted. The elf had never been made to feel wanted, or treated like an equal.

Once the binding with Tansy was concluded, the elf departed with a soft popping sound.

"You only need to call for her," said Severus by way of explanation. "She is always on call for you. She will always be there to protect you and will do her best to anticipate your needs."

Hermione nodded. "Thank you, Severus."

He inclined his head.

Then, Hermione presented her own engagement present to Severus. She had thought long and hard on what to give him. Finally, after speaking to Cissy, she had painstakingly copied many of the potion recipes, tips and suggestions found in her Malfoy inheritance into an enchanted notebook. The journal would only open for Severus and Hermione and their eventual descendants, and it had an ever increasing number of pages so that there was room for him to perpetually add information to his collection of notes. It was the start of their own family Potions grimoire.

Severus accepted the silk wrapped package with a shallow bow. She knew he would open his gift in private. Once the presents were exchanged, the party broke up for the night. The preparations for the next day were scheduled to begin early. They all needed a good night's rest.

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The day of their engagement ceremony dawned bright and cold. Snow lay on the ground, but the sky was blue, and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. The ceremony had been planned for the hour of noon, and the ceremony itself was to be held in Lestrange Manor.

Hermione woke to the sounds of Tansy drawing open her bedroom curtains and bustling around the room. She didn't think she'd ever heard anyone bustle with so much vigour. Hermione smiled to herself. She guessed that the elf was brimming with joy over the prospect of preparing the future mistress of Lestrange Manor for her engagement ceremony.

"Good morning, Tansy," said Hermione with a smile.

"Mistress," said the elf, bowing low in greeting.

"Please, just call me Hermione," insisted Hermione immediately.

The elf looked at Hermione in horror.

Hermione met the elf's eyes with her own insistent gaze. "I want us to be friends, Tansy. Being called Mistress by someone who is going to be with me forever just seems wrong."

The elf's eyes brimmed with tears. "Mistress Hermione honours Tansy with friendship. Even though it is not done for Tansy to be so familiar in her address, she will not refuse Mistress's first request."

Hermione smiled. She liked Tansy's older way of speaking. Then seeing that a response was required, she said, "Thank you, Tansy, I do appreciate it."

Tansy nodded her head. But then her left ear folded itself as she became more serious. "If Tansy am to be a friend to Mistress, then hear my words well. Mistress Hermione must not allow other elves to become overly familiar too quickly. Some of them long for a Mistress to serve; they will be very saddened if you attempt friendship. Slowly, once you get to know them, make the offer if you think they will agree."

Hermione frowned.

Tansy approached the bed and placed her hand on Hermione's arm. "Tansy is your personal elf. Tansy can be seen to be your elf. But the kitchen elves or those of the garden is different. They is not cut out to be as closely related to the Master or Mistress of the house. To do so would disrupt the orderly running of the house, as well as the hierarchy of the elves. When you become Mistress of the house in truth, then you will meet the matriarch of the Lestrange elves. She controls all of the house-elves and garden-elves, and even though elves like me is outside her command, we still heed her word."

Hermione had heard of the order and hierarchy of house-elves. She nodded. "I promise not to be disrespectful."

"Good," said Tansy. "Now is time for Mistress Hermione's bath."

Hermione smiled at the elf's tone of command. She allowed the elf to lead her to the already prepared fragrant bath. Once in the bath, she allowed herself the pleasure of breathing in the sweet perfume of the oils scenting the water. She thought she could identify the scent of freesia and gardenia, but she was not sure.

"The bath smells lovely, Tansy," she said appreciatively. "Is it freesia and gardenia I sense?"

Tansy nodded. "Freesia for innocence and gardenia for purity and joy. But there is also iris for faith and wisdom, lilac for love's first emotions and white rose oil for love, joy and beauty."

Hermione smiled. "No wonder it smells so divine."

'Mistress will not be carrying a bouquet for the ceremony. So tradition is that flowers are used to scent your person instead."

"What a lovely custom," said Hermione. 'I've not heard about it before."

"It is Lestrange family tradition, Mistress. Since you is to be the new Mistress of Lestrange Manor, and since Master Severus is not insisting on us adopting Prince or Malfoy ways, the elves is continuing the Lestrange customs."

"Oh," said Hermione with growing understanding.

Once Hermione was done with her bath, she was told to stand so that she could be dried. Hermione blushed. "I can dry myself, Tansy," she insisted.

Tansy looked sternly at her. "Tansy be chanting while Tansy dries her mistress, Mistress. It is part of the traditions."

Hermione gave up. She had wanted to give elves freedom and more control. She could not now complain that her own personal elf was being dictatorial and bossing her around. She smiled to herself at the irony and let it go.

Once Tansy had finished the chanting and the drying, Hermione was led to the bedroom where she was made to sit on a chair and have her hair brushed and arranged in artful twists and curls. There were no ornaments used, just elfish magic to hold it all in place so that it framed her face becomingly.

Once the hair was done, Hermione was told to stand. Then, Tansy slipped the moss green silk tunic over her head, which felt soft and sensual against her nakedness. Over this, Tansy placed the stola made from undyed wool. Tansy appeared to be an expert, and she arranged the stola around Hermione's body so that she was completely covered and thankfully, with the added benefit of elfish warming charms, comfortable and cosy in the extremely light clothes she had on. Looking at the mirror that Tansy had brought forward, Hermione felt a little as though she were wearing a night gown, wrapped in a large stole, and a plain one at that.

"Are you sure this is enough?" asked Hermione worriedly. "Won't I be cold, Tansy?"

Tansy shook her head emphatically. "Tansy be already casting strong warming charms on Mistress. Mistress be warm as Mistress walk to Master."

Hermione bit her lip. "I feel so under-dressed, Tansy. Muggle brides wear so much more finery." She looked again at herself in the mirror. The robes looked good, but she remembered the photos she'd seen growing up of Muggle brides. Their dresses were so well constructed in comparison to the simple Roman garments she was wearing.

"Mistress Hermione be beautiful," said Tansy, emphatically. "This be traditional. Appropriate."

Hermione sighed but allowed Tansy to turn her so that she could look again at herself in the full length mirror. She knew she felt a little exposed, but she also knew that she looked like some of the elegant witches portrayed in the Malfoy family gallery. She knew Severus would approve of the traditional look.

Once Hermione was satisfied with her appearance, Tansy held her hand and whisked her away so that she landed as pre-arranged in the drawing-room of Malfoy Manor. Travelling by elf was a far cry from Flooing or Apparation. It was almost immediate and completely effortless if one knew what was about to happen. She had felt like she had just taken a breath, and between one second and the next, her location had changed.

She turned and smiled at Tansy. "Thank you," she said graciously.

Tansy bowed low. "Just call for me, Mistress Hermione. Tansy be waiting upon your call." Then, before Hermione could respond, the elf popped away.

Narcissa entered the drawing-room soon afterwards. She, too, was dressed elegantly. Her gown was made of sky blue wool with gold and silver embroidery on the bodice. Her sleeves were long and fitted close to her arms with a wide flounce near from elbow to wrist. The waist was narrow and ended in a deep V shape that made Narcissa's tall slim elegance look even more pronounced. With the full long skirt, she looked very regal.

The two women looked at each other with smiles of delight on their faces. Hermione had never seen Narcissa look more beautiful. Her face glowed with pride and happiness.

"You look fabulous," said Hermione. "I love the style. You should wear this kind of thing more often."

Narcissa laughed. "Thank you, my dear, and may I say that you look splendid, too. Tansy definitely knows what she's doing. I was worried that you might need more assistance, so I asked Topsy to be ready in case we needed to complete your attire. But you look perfect." Then, coming forward, Narcissa wrapped her arms around her daughter. "I am so glad to be a part of your day. To see you bring Severus into our family. I never thought I'd have a daughter. This is like a dream come true for me."

"Oh, Cissy," said Hermione, and a few emotional tears trickled down her face. "I never thought I could be so happy. I've wanted a place to belong for so long. Now I have you and Lucius, Draco and Astoria, Harry and Severus. Even the Weasleys in part. I always thought I would be taking this big step with my parents – that Dad would be there for me. Instead, I've got you and Lucius, and feel more love than I ever thought I would."

Narcissa was freely crying by the time Hermione finished speaking. The two women clung to each other. It was at this moment that Draco walked into the room. Draco was at first alarmed to see his mother and Hermione crying. Then, realising that they were just being emotional and that nothing bad had happened, he walked over to them both to wrap his arms around them.

Cissy looked up to meet her son's eyes. Draco pulled out a pristine linen handkerchief and magically replicated it with his wand, handing one to each.

Draco smiled and kissed his mother's cheek. He then rested his head on top of Hermione's. "This is a happy occasion. I'm glad Severus isn't here to see both of you being watering cans."

Hermione sniffed and giggled simultaneously, snorting inelegantly.

"Nice," said Draco, laughing.

His teasing helped ease the emotional tension in the room. However, Draco still had his arms around the two women. He gave them both a squeeze and spoke against Hermione's hair. "Severus adores you, so as a Malfoy I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about there. And remember, you'll always have me and 'Tory in your corner."

Hermione turned her head to gaze into Draco's sincere eyes. "Thank you, Draco," she said simply.

He nodded his head; then, with a squeeze on her arm, he smiled at his mother and sister. Then, conjured up another pristine linen handkerchief, he did a good imitation of Severus' voice and said, "Blow."

Narcissa giggled while Hermione just raised her left eyebrow in a Snapish manner. "Does he know you can do his voice?" she asked with a grin, even as she took the proffered handkerchief.

Draco shrugged. "Probably. Most of Slytherins can, you know."

Hermione smiled. She could well imagine the students of Slytherin mimicking Severus' voice when narrating one story or another in their common room.

Not long after, Lucius strolled into the room. He looked very smart in a dark gray morning robe that perfectly complimented Narcissa's attire. The Malfoy patriarch didn't say a word. He just opened his arms to Hermione for a heartfelt hug. Lucius had been feeling rather emotional himself. He'd waited in his study, getting his equilibrium back. Not in a million years would he have thought that he would feel anything for the Mudblood that they had taken into their circle. To see the approach of her official engagement ceremony made him both immensely pleased at the thought of securing Severus as his son-in-law as well as a yearning for not having known Hermione in her younger years and seeing her grow up. Even the few months they had had with her had allowed him to experience the pleasure of seeing her bloom from a slightly awkward debutant into a more confident and emotionally secure young woman. He knew how much joy she had brought to his own beloved Cissy. He whispered a few thankful prayers to the Goddess and her Consort for their blessings. Not only had he and his family survived Voldemort, but they were growing in number, prospering and blossoming in contentment and joy.

Once the four were gathered, Flitty and Tansy were called as they were to be taken by elf Apparation to the sacred grove at Lestrange Manor for the engagement ceremony.

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The grove at Lestrange Manor was a ring of yew, hawthorn, ash and birch. Hermione had not seen it when Severus had brought her on her initial tour of the Manor, and she looked around the grove in interest. This one appeared to be more Druidic in concept. There was a large stone slab in the middle of the grove that somehow made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up in response to its ancient power. She could well imagine the Druidic blood sacrifices that had been performed in the sacred circle.

Severus' dress of tunica and toga made him seem very close to his obvious Roman ancestors. He stood waiting for them before the stone slab which was also the altar of the circle. He had his hair pushed back from his face, a circlet of olive leaves adorning his head in honour of the Olympian Gods. A Priestess of Hera stood resplendent behind him. She was dressed in honour of the Queen of Heaven and the Goddess of Marriage in a purple woollen stola, the long, loose tunic that was the standard costume of women in Ancient Rome, with an artfully draped, voluminous white palla around her as a mantle, soft, gold leather sandals, as well as a number of gold and gem encrusted necklaces. Minerva and Kingsley flanked Severus, ready to do their part in the ceremony. This part of the tradition was extremely intimate. Only immediate family was allowed. Despite being Draco's fiancée, even Astoria was not allowed to be a part of the ritual.

Hermione walked towards Severus. He looked every inch the Roman patrician, but it was the toga virilise in plain, unadorned white that really made her stare at him. She'd never seen him wear white before. He looked like he should be walking through the streets of ancient Rome, not surrounded by an entire ring of Druid trees. And yet, maybe because of the alteration of his clothes, she had eyes for no one else. He looked magnificent.

Narcissa and Lucius walked behind her, arm in arm. They were followed by Draco, who whispered the incantation that closed the circle of power behind him. Now, they were all enclosed within the sacred space.

Hermione tried to understand why so many different cultures seemed to be mismatched for what was their traditional ceremony. Her clothes were obviously Roman or at least, Roman inspired and the Goddess and Priestess chosen to enact their binding was Greek. But the circle, that was definitely Druid, or at least, influenced by the teachings of the Druids. Hermione had a thousand questions she wanted to ask.

She and Severus had discussed their desires for the binding, they'd shared what outcomes they'd wanted, and she had agreed that she'd wanted something really traditional, but the final preparations had been left in Severus' hands as was customary. Hermione smiled tenderly at the wizard standing before her and allowed her thinking brain to take a back seat. She could learn and discuss the concepts behind his choices later. Now she would bask in the joy that she could feel radiating from the man she was hoping to bind with.

When Hermione reached Severus, she placed her right hand in his extended right hand. Holding hands, they turned to face the aristocratic looking Priestess. She in turn began to chant in Latin as she blessed them in Hera's name. Once she had finished the ritual chant that called the attention of the goddess upon the couple, she took the gold ring Severus extended towards her. She then dipped the ring in a chalice of sacred wine from the Temple of Hera and blessed it, before passing it over the flame and smoke that rose in fragrant spirals from the burning incense in the golden, jewel-encrusted thurible. Finally, the ring was given back to Severus.

He turned to face Hermione. As the power in the circle flared, Severus slipped the ring onto Hermione's finger. Not a word had been spoken throughout the ceremony except for the Latin chanting of the Priestess. Instead, magical intent, their feelings and emotions, were the key, for this was the first stage of their soul-binding. It was not a matter of words, but of pure emotion, of spiritual unification, manifested through the aide of the Goddess and the Consort, personified and made more attainable through the mediation of Hera, who was believed to be just one of her many aspects.

Once the ring was on Hermione's finger, Severus brought their clasped hands to touch his forehead. He thought about all that he desired for their lives together; he willed all that he wished for their binding, giving her everything that he was: heart, mind, body and soul. Once he was done, he lowered their clasped hands to their original position.

Then, Hermione drew their hands towards her heart. There, she thought of all that she desired from their union, their shared life together. She willed all that she dreamed and yearned for from their binding, giving him all that she was: her heart, mind, body and soul.

Once she was done, she too returned their hands to their original position. Then, Minerva and Kingsley stepped forward and placed their hands on Severus' shoulders. Simultaneously, Lucius, Narcissa and Draco stepped forward and encircled her with their hands. Once the couple were surrounded by their nearest and dearest kin, the ritual words were spoken again in Latin to aide and support the couple in their lives together. It was a solemn and serious occasion. This was the first step. If the couple were not compatible for a soul-binding, despite all their preparations, it would not take. The Goddess and Consort would not bind those who were not worthy of being together or those who were not suitable for such a deep and unbreakable commitment. If the binding failed at this stage, a less permanent ritual could be performed that only bound the couple for their single human life-span. Since they believed in reincarnation, a soul-binding meant that witches and wizards would be tied together for all time.

As the collective magic of the circle was raised, the power flared. Brilliant flashes fell like lightening to the ground, while a wall of golden light illuminated the edge of the ceremonial circle. Then, from above, a shower of rose petals fell. The Goddess and Consort had blessed them. The magic had taken. They were soul-bound.

As the rose petals began to fall, Narcissa and Minerva began to cry. It was a powerful moment to be so blessed by the Goddess and Consort, to be in the presence of divinity and feel their magical power.

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A/N: Love it or hate it, please let me know what you think.