Clairvoyant - Meteoroid Beater & Livvy6 - Gravity Keeper

Loving-Kindness

It was a very pleasant late afternoon in Simla, but Narcissa Malfoy fanned herself obsessively, an antique silk and lace fan...charmed blue to match her eyes and robes...flitting to and fro beneath her chin. She squirmed upon the red and gold Chiavari chair as if her Slytherin bottom was having an allergic reaction to Gryffindor décor.

Lucius sat bedside her, motionless except for his expert eyes scanning every detail of Severus' lush garden, now resplendent in summer's full bloom. "For Merlin's sake, Narcissa, stop fidgeting," he admonished her in a low voice while gently rubbing her back.

"I can't help it," she hissed through gritted teeth. "I'm uncomfortable."

At that moment, Minerva McGonagall...main contributor to Narcissa's discomfort...turned around in her seat, shooting a reproachful glare at the couple. "Shush. Have you two no manners? This is a wedding, not a pub. I'd take House points from you if I could."

Lucius remained silent, but fixed the etiquette-obsessed witch with a look...nothing more than a slight arch of his elegant eyebrow and an amused sparkle in his eye...guaranteed to make lesser men beg for their mothers. Minerva peered down her nose at the rude, snooty duo and sniffed, clearly unimpressed; she swivelled forward, returning her attention to the happy couple at the altar.

A swish of his wand and a wordless Silencio allowed him to converse with his wife and still pay attention to Severus and Hermione as they recited their vows. That was Narcissa's cue to begin a hypercritical, gossipy conversation with her husband.

"That hair is nothing short of a miracle today," Narcissa commented with cool detachment. "But I wouldn't expect any less when one's fiancé is a Potions master and creator of a fabulous line of hair care products." She paused to search for anything else that failed to meet her high, pure-blood standards, more fodder for her critique.

She inhaled deeply, about to continue her sharp-tongued assessment, when Lucius interrupted. "Please, Narcissa. The bride is utterly beautiful tonight, as are you, darling." He pulled her hand to his lips, placing a lingering, worshipful kiss upon it.

She smiled warmly, but continued her tirade. "There's proof that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Severus isn't much to look at, either."

"You're being too harsh, Narcissa. He isn't classically handsome like me," Lucius noted, never missing an opportunity to preen his metaphorical plumage. "But his features are striking; he cuts quite a dashing figure. Besides, I think Miss Granger cares more for his other positive attributes rather than his appearance."

"Are you speaking about his wealth or his cock?" she asked dryly.

"Narcissa," he intoned, unimpressed with her humour. "I meant loyalty. If anyone could understand that virtue, it's you." Her eyes sparkled with curiosity that belied her controlled expression. Lucius held her hand and spoke, his honeyed voice radiating warmth strong enough to melt the layer of ice holding her heart captive on that day. "You've stood by me in good times and bad...when wizarding society scorned me and the Malfoy name for my poor choice of political affiliations, when I rotted in Azkaban for my heinous crimes, when that lunatic despot treated me like dirt in our own home. A lesser woman might have fled after I sullied the family name the first time. But you held strong, loyal to a fault. Perhaps there's a bit of Hufflepuff hiding beneath your sleek, Slytherin comportment." He flashed her a saucy wink and a seductive smile. If his words didn't thaw her heart, then that look would do it.

Her smile illuminated the gathering dusk; her glistening eyes reflected a love that endured through times of happiness and hardship. "I love you, Lucius. Always have. When we married, I promised to stand by you, no matter what fortunes the Fates had in store for us." She paused her speech for a dainty, yet inconvenient sniffle. Lucius conjured a blue linen handkerchief; with a tenderness that defied his cool exterior, he dabbed the corners of his wife's eyes before offering it to her. He loved Narcissa with every fibre of his being, but he wouldn't go so far as to hold the hanky to her nose and order her to blow when she was capable of doing it herself.

She blew her nose briefly and looked up at the bonding ceremony. "One only need look at Severus and his bride to see how much they love each other. I've been such a bigoted fool. Just because one Muggle-born Gryffindor witch abandoned our friend doesn't mean she will. If Miss Granger... no, Madame Snape can love Severus despite his shortcomings, if she can stand by him despite his misdeeds, if she can defend him despite his wretched past, then they have a love match like no other."

Lucius quirked a sexy eyebrow and asked, "Can you honestly think of no other great love that compares to theirs?"

Narcissa made a dramatic display of tilting her head, pursing her full lips and looking upward to ponder his question. "Hmm," she purred teasingly, then pinned Lucius with a lusty stare and a playful smirk. "Not a one."

Once the flirtation ended, they held hands and watched the sunset behind the bride and groom. It was the end of the day, but the beginning of a lifetime.

*******

Arthur and Molly Weasley sat at their reception table savoring their apple crumble after Severus' and Hermione's wedding. Arthur reached over and took his wife's hand in his own. He looked at her as her gaze fluttered down to their entwined hands and then up to her husband's face.

"Molly, what is it about weddings? I look at you, and I can scarcely believe we have been married this long!"

"Oh, Arthur," Molly chided. "We've been married for over 35 years! I am hardly the girl I was when we married."

Arthur grinned and squeezed his wife's hand at the sight of her cheeks flushing. "You are still the most lovely girl in the world, Mollywobbles."

Molly glanced at him quickly and smiled demurely. Only Arthur saw this side of her. After raising seven children and losing one in war, she had quite the reputation of being the bossiest witch in all of wizarding England. No one really remembered the old Molly Prewett, who had married Arthur Weasley at such a tender age. She had been terribly and painfully shy. They had married right out of school in a lovely ceremony on the banks of Hogwarts Lake. It was the happiest day of her life.

It was something Molly never really spoke about...her intense love and gratitude for Arthur's continuing affection. She had gained so much weight during her pregnancy with Fred and George that she had cried for months in secret, thinking Arthur would throw her over for a thinner and lovelier witch. She had been so surprised when Arthur had whispered to her one evening in their bed how much he enjoyed her curvy body and fuller breasts. It had led to an intense and fulfilling night of passion that resulted in her pregnancy with Ronald.

"Arthur," she whispered as she leaned into his side, "I always wonder at weddings what the couple will face in their life together that will keep their love growing. I don't think I have ever pondered more about a couple's future, outside of our own, of course."

"There they are," she gestured with her free hand. "Severus is so much older, lived a lifetime before Hermione was born, and with his past with You-Know-Who...I think marriage will be terribly difficult."

Arthur looked at the bride and groom as they made their way around the tables, making small talk, Hermione laughing and Severus smiling a bit as he kept his hand on the small of his new wife's back.

"Molly, I see something so different. Look at how each compliments the other. Severus has always been a bit socially backward. Hermione is leading him gently, teaching him to open himself up to people. Poor bloke, he is nothing more than a wayfarer when it comes to love and friendship. She has an extraordinary capacity for kindness, forgiveness, and love. She sees Severus for who he is: no more, no less. What a blessing that is for a man to have in a wife!"

He looked at his wife. "I never made much money, nor did I become a great man in the Ministry...people like the Malfoys talking about me as if I was a lamebrain, Muggle-collecting eccentric! However, you loved me, stood by me, and never complained about the lack of money or how hard we had to work to make ends meet. That is the greatest gift you have given me, Molly. You have taken me just as I am. I know Hermione will give that same type of loving-kindness to Severus. Then, when he realizes it is real, he will be free to be the man and wizard he has always wanted to be."

Molly's eyes were overflowing with tears. "Oh, Arthur! That has to be the sweetest thing you have ever said to me. I think Hermione is a strong witch. She will challenge Severus...but it will be good for him. I worry though, not about her ability to love, but Severus'. Does he truly love her? Young women can easily be hurt by harsh words. A young bride like Hermione might be dashed to pieces if he gets his dander up."

Arthur turned to face Molly. "You can't judge Severus through your experience, Molly. You married a man who is very different from Severus. The way I love you is perfect for us, but it may not be their way. Severus is a man of few words, but it is his actions that show how deeply he loves."

Molly looked over at the newlyweds just in time to watch as Severus gently held his bride's train as they maneuvered through the crowd. He lovingly touched her elbow, careful to guide her safely. Molly continued to watch Severus as he attended to his new wife. It was subtle. However, when she took time to look closely, she could see how they loved each other.

Arthur wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulders. Molly leaned her head against her husband. Her Arthur, ever the patient man, had opened her eyes once more to how differently people lived and loved. What was right for them was not Severus and Hermione's way, but she could see that they had their very own silent language of love between them. She could see that their marriage was off to a wonderful beginning.

*******

Hermione's toast was the last of the night, and she was nervous. She had a reputation for long-winded speeches and worried that Severus might be annoyed with her. But the smile he had worn all day never faltered, even as she flipped the final note card on the inch-thick stack. At the sound of thunderous applause and calls for yet another kiss, he held her close and unleashed his trademark smirk for the first time that day.

Hermione's eyes grew wide with alarm. She tried unsuccessfully to pull from his embrace. "What are you playing at, husband?"

"You'll have to kiss me to find out," he whispered, another smirk playing about his lips.

A Gryffindor never shies away from a challenge. The day's most perfect kiss was long and sweet, tasting of champagne and wedding cake. Still wrapped in each other's arms as the clock chimed midnight, Severus and Hermione felt flittering butterflies in their stomachs. Or perhaps it was the navel-tugging sensation as the Portkey...the crystal flute Severus held...activated, depositing them in the honeymoon suite of the Ritz Carlton in Paris.

Severus held Hermione tight as the wave of nausea passed. "I shared you long enough, Madame Snape. And now we attend to business." He silenced her with a searing kiss before she could protest.

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