7-Mar

I am so sorry for the delay of getting these next chapters up! Real life went crazy for a while. I moved twice, went back to college, and I lost nearly all my writing files in the move. Luckily this was still in my email's inbox. So with the usual disclaimer-- here is part 3 of 7!

The wedding was as small as the whole Order and all the Weasleys would allow. Everyone had shown up to witness the marriage of Slytherin and Gryffindor. The ceremony was held on the Hogwarts grounds, with the couple standing on the shoreline of the Lake. Hermione wore a strapless gown that had a fitted bodice but flowed into a long train from her waist. Silver beading embellished the bodice and created a pattern of mystical swirls and twists along the end of the gown. Her hair had been tamed just enough to create a tail of curls sprouting from a bun on the top of her head.

Severus wore a formal frock coat of black cashmere with deep hunter green buttons, over an equally black silk shirt. His well-tailored black wool pants rested perfectly atop his newly polished dragon hide boots. For the occasion, Severus had loosely tied back his hair with a silk ribbon, the same color as his buttons, but allowed for a few strands to fall free and frame his face.

Minerva McGonagall was their officiate, and Ginny stood for Hermione while Draco stood for Severus. The service was simple, with the exchanging of vows and rings and Minerva conducting the magic that would join Severus and Hermione for the rest of their lives. The couple was encouraged to kiss to seal the bond, and as they did so, the crowd irrupted into applause and cat calls.

Severus and Hermione pulled apart slowly, both of their faces shining and flushed. Holding hands, they walked down the aisle of guests for the first time as husband and wife.

At the reception in the Great Hall, guests were speaking to the couple and giving their gifts. After an ebb in the tide of well-wishers, Ron approached. Severus, humoring his new bride, extended his hand. After a moment’s hesitation Ron clasped his hand.

“Congratulations, Snape.” Ron turned towards Hermione and extended the bottle of wine that was in his other hand. “I didn’t want to get you another book, so I thought you might like this.”

Hermione accepted the bottle of red wine with thanks. It was her favorite elf wine and rather expensive, so she rarely indulged herself with it. “Thank you so much, Ron!” She gave him a fierce hug and whispered in his ear, “Thank you for accepting this.”

Ron just nodded once before turning and joining the rest of the guests in dancing.