Percy's Wedding

It was strange to walk up to Muriel's house without feeling an ounce of dread. It had been two months since her death, and Audrey had done a fine job updating the large house for her new family with Percy. Molly greeted us as we walked into the entrance hall. Audrey's love of historical artifacts showed in the decorating.

They were blended with a warm, welcoming décor in a way that was both attractive and comfortable at the same time. Severus was at my side; he was muttering about his dress robes under his breath.

Molly led us to the former hospital wing; the room had been transfigured into a ballroom for the wedding. Molly cheerily babbled about how Audrey had told her they would use part of it for the nursery when the time came. I could hear the flurry of the house-elves in the kitchen. Orby, Kreacher and a few of the Hogwarts elves were on hand to assist. Knowing Percy, the wedding would be as grand of an event as he could manage; all the help would be appreciated.

We made our way to our seats and waited for the ceremony to begin. Audrey was an only child, so much of the wedding party was going to consist of Weasley siblings and significant others. Percy wanted his influential friends seen, so he had asked Harry and Neville to serve as ushers and the Minister to perform the ceremony. Harry led Arthur and Molly down front, and Neville escorted Mr. and Mrs. Hopkirk to their seats.

Percy stood at the front with the Minister. Kingsley looked as regal as always. Ron and Hermione entered first, both looking charming but a bit nervous. They were followed by Bill and Fleur, whose abdomen was protruding slightly with early pregnancy. Charlie escorted his little sister in next. They both wore bright, mischievous smiles that made us all a wee bit nervous. Finally, George escorted Audrey's close friend Susan Bones down the aisle.

Audrey was a beautiful bride, and Percy's face when he saw her was priceless. For a moment, he forgot himself, and his smug expression turned to one of childlike awe. The ceremony was lovely, and soon the guests moved to the back of the room while it was magically transformed for the dinner and dancing.

We milled about until we located our seats. I took my seat next to Narcissa, politely greeting Lucius. Kingsley helped Andromeda into the seat next to Severus, and then he sat next to Minerva. She had been escorted by Xenophilius Lovegood. Minerva looked perfectly comfortable with the eccentric wizard, but Lucius, who was seated on the other side of Mr. Lovegood, looked quite alarmed.

Andromeda and Narcissa were chatting pleasantly about Teddy. Narcissa seemed a bit wistful for Draco's childhood. Kingsley and Minerva were talking about the new term at Hogwarts and her plans for some new classes at the school, one of which was going to be on magical culture. Lucius was trying to participate in their conversation, but he kept getting derailed by Xenophilius and his talk of adventures to find exotic creatures. Lucius breathed a huge sigh of relief when Mr. Lovegood went off to find his daughter at the conclusion of dinner and the toasts.

I excused myself to go talk to the family, leaving Severus at the table as I knew mingling was his own personal Crucio.

The first person I found was Molly. "Molly, everything was beautiful. You should all be proud. They seem very happy." Molly nodded and started to tear up again.

George, Charlie and Ginny were huddled around the head table, obviously plotting. Ginny cast a Sonorus Charm to get the attention of the room.

"Ladies and gentleman, before we begin the dancing, my brothers and I have a bit of a surprise for the bride and groom." Ginny smiled brightly as she addressed the room.

The room was then entertained by a presentation of photos of the bride and groom. Audrey's were all exceptionally tasteful and flattering, showing her as a toddler on a toy broom, then as a young witch playing around with wandless magic, on Platform 9 ¾ her first year at Hogwarts, plus a few more as the years past, culminating with a photo from her leaving feast at Hogwarts. There were a few pictures of her with her parents. Percy's photos were a bit more embarrassing, but his siblings were generally very kind. The presentation wrapped up with photos of the couple during their time dating, their engagement photo and finally a photo of them in front of the new house the night of the wedding rehearsal.

Molly was crying again, as was Audrey's mother. Percy, who had been initially very nervous about the display, embraced his brothers and sister. Audrey was then given a warm welcome by the Weasley siblings as well, which prompted even further tears from Molly.

At that point, the party began. Most of the young people took to the dance floor. I spotted Dean Thomas, who had brought Lavender as his date. Seeing Dean up and about really made me smile. Luna Lovegood and her date, a young man I did not recognize, were dancing decidedly out of time with the music, but they looked happy. I had been informed by Hermione that Luna and Neville had decided to part ways amicably. Apparently, their romance was brought about by the pressure of the war, and they ultimately decided they were better as friends. Neville was dancing, with more skill than I would have expected, with a pleasant blonde named Hannah.

Harry and Ginny were pulled close, to mixed reactions from her brothers, though Molly looked pleased. Hermione was trying to protect her toes from Ron's awkward steps. George wasn't dancing, but he was chatting with Angelina, the young woman I had met the night we encountered Rita at the pub. Charlie had gotten up the courage to bring Gawain as his guest, and they were also talking near the bar.

I looked around for Bill and Fleur. Curiously, I spotted Fleur engrossed in conversation with Narcissa, but Bill was nowhere to be seen. Even more curious was that I didn't see Severus.

Lucius was speaking to the Minister; Percy was trying to break into the conversation. Audrey and Minerva seemed to be having a pleasant dialogue. Arthur and Molly were standing near the table visiting with Andromeda.

Lucius' mobile telephone rang. Everyone looked and then quickly went about their business. Arthur's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. It was truly comical to see Arthur try to question Lucius about Muggle technology. Lucius was overwhelmingly gracious, particularly given their history, but you could see behind his gray eyes that he was truly becoming bored with Arthur's constant questions.

I walked over to Narcissa and Fleur and took a seat. We chatted for a few minutes. Narcissa asked me where Severus had disappeared to; I couldn't help but notice that Fleur shot her a look. Narcissa quickly changed the topic back to the baby, and Fleur positively glowed. It seemed that Fleur and Narcissa's latest project was a line of maternity clothes for witches. I soon found myself out of my element, so I politely excused myself and made my way over to the bar, where some of the younger guests were now taking a break from dancing.

Draco spotted me and steered Astoria over to meet me. She was polite and sweet, and she seemed a little nervous meeting me.

"Healer Prewett, I would like present Miss Astoria Greengrass."

"It is nice to meet you, Miss Greengrass; please call me Elizabeth."

"Thank you, and please, call me Astoria. I'm very pleased to meet you, Elizabeth. Draco has had nothing but compliments about you."

I laughed. "He is too kind. But I assure you, Draco has been wonderful to work with these past few months. St. Mungo's will be lucky to have him on staff." They both smiled.

"You are in your final year at Hogwarts, is that correct?"

"Yes, Elizabeth."

"Have you made any plans for after Hogwarts?" She looked down and blushed. I realized that she had misunderstood me. "Are you planning to seek an Apprenticeship or attend university?"

She brightened. "I have been accepted into a Herbology program at Oxford's wizarding university. It is a subject that I enjoy very much."

"That's wonderful, Astoria. I'm sure you know this, but Lady Malfoy is very proud of her gardens. She performs a fair bit of work herself on several of the more delicate species. I'm sure she would love to discuss it with you sometime."

"Thank you, Elizabeth; I was not aware that she enjoyed the subject."

"Draco, you need to keep Astoria better informed in the future," I teased him lightly.

"I shall, Elizabeth; thank you for your sage advice." He was clearly teasing back. "Elizabeth, someone seems to be looking for you." Draco motioned over my shoulder to where Severus had entered the room.

As I started to cross the room to Severus, George stepped to the front of the room and cast Sonorus.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Percy and Audrey will be leaving shortly, so I'd like to ask everyone to move to the front lawn to see them off." I was caught up in the crush of people, and I could not reach Severus. Instead, I found myself next to Fleur and Bill.

We watched Percy and Audrey exit the house, accepting well wishes from their guests along the way. Bill stepped away for a moment to say goodbye to his brother and new sister-in-law. Fleur kept grinning at me.

The crowd was thinning quickly. The younger guests were heading back in for more fun; many of the older witches and wizards were departing.

Fleur remained firmly on the step, looking over my shoulder with a strangely determined look on her face.

"Fleur, you are positively glowing," I commented. "Pregnancy suits you." She grinned. Why did I get the feeling she knew something I did not?

"Well, you are glowing a bit yourself tonight, Elizabeth," she said, straightening my robes and fussing with my hair. "Tonight is a special evening for many of us."

Bill, as he was returning, chuckled at his wife, "Fleur, stop fussing with Lizzie's hair and robes."

The crowd had completely disappeared by now; it was just the three of us on the front steps when I spotted Severus at a distance.

Bill suddenly became twitchy. "Come Fleur, I think Mum was looking for us inside."

I crossed over to Severus and kissed him. He led me over to the fountain in front of the house and sat on the stone wall, motioning for me to sit on his lap. It was a chilly night, but surprisingly not cold. I leaned against him, placing my head on his shoulder and looked up at the stars, which he was doing as well.

"Do you realize... " he began, then his voice faltered, "do you realize that it has been seven months tonight since the battle?"

I thought for a second. "I hadn't actually realized it until just now, Severus."

"If anyone had told me before that night that I'd be sitting her like this, I would have checked if they had been Confunded." I chuckled.

"My life has changed so much since that night."

"Everyone's has, Severus."

"I know, but I'm honestly a different person than before you saved me." I winced at the word 'saved'.

"Elizabeth, you saved me that night. I know you say you were just doing your job, but it was more than that. If someone else had physically helped me, my life wouldn't have turned around the way it has. You have given me a life I never thought I'd be privileged enough to enjoy. I love you, Elizabeth."

"I love you, too, Severus." I tried to turn in his arms.

"Wait. Let me finish. If you turn now, I'll kiss you, and then we'll both be distracted. I need to say this."

"Go on." My voice was starting to tremble as comprehension dawned on me.

"This life, this future, it's something I haven't dared dream of since I was very small. Now, I can see it clear as anything, and you are the key to it. Please say you'll share that life with me. Be my wife, Elizabeth." His hands moved beside me, and then he raised his hands to where I could see them. In his hand there was a box containing a very old, very beautiful, engagement ring.

I gasped and then quickly squeaked out, "Yes, of course I'll marry you. Oh, Severus, it's beautiful."

"It was Grandmother's. Actually, it's over three hundred years old, but Grandmother was the last one to wear it. She wanted you to have it. I was going to select one of the other Prince rings, but she insisted." He took my shaking hands and slid the ring on my finger, whispering the spell to size it to my hand.

"It's gorgeous. I love you, Severus. Can I turn around now? I would like to kiss you at some point tonight."

He laughed and stood, turning me and leaning down to kiss me. The kiss was slow, tender and passionate. It must have lasted a while, because I suddenly heard a whistle from the direction of the house.

Bill, Fleur, George, Harry, Ginny, Charlie, Hermione, Ron and Draco were all on the porch, staring at us.

"Bill!" Severus growled at my nephew. He looked embarrassed and led Fleur back into the house, motioning for the rest to follow him. Severus kissed me again, before looking at me and saying quietly, "Are you ready to face them?"

I hesitated. "Is that appropriate? At Percy's wedding?"

"I asked him, and he encouraged me to make the announcement. Apparently," Severus said with a roll of his eyes, "this will further solidify this wedding as the event of the season."

I laughed. "That's so Percy. So wait, Bill obviously knew, and so did Fleur. They clearly told the other kids. Does your Grandmother know?"

"Yes. And..." he looked slightly timid, "so does your mother. Molly also knows I was going to ask soon, but she doesn't know about tonight."

"You told Mother?" I wasn't upset, but I was shocked. Severus had met Mother, as she had visited us in September, but I couldn't imagine he'd been planning this that long.

"Do you remember that research meeting I went on last week?"

"Yes."

"On my way back from Toronto, I stopped in Boston, had lunch with your mother and informed her."

"No!"

"You aren't angry, are you?"

"Of course not. I'm a little shocked that you managed to cover all the bases without me finding out."

"One of these days, my dear, you are going to understand what it means to be a Slytherin. Or at least you better figure it out, because odds are good we'll have at least a couple."

I laughed and kissed him again. "Let's go back inside."

When we got back in the house, I was practically bowled over by Molly. She immediately began talking about the wedding, when it would be, where we would have it, and who would all be invited. I was overwhelmed. Severus, having just been vigorously hugged by Arthur and welcomed to the family, looked equally shell-shocked.

Bill beckoned us over to him. "This is my job, you two. Do you want me to announce this now or later?"

"Now," said Severus. "Everyone is going to know soon based on how you Weasleys all chatter. I'd rather have them all maul me at once rather than in shifts."

Bill looked at me; I nodded my approval. Bill crossed to the front of the room. "Ladies and Gentleman, I have another announcement to share with you." Narcissa's eyes cut my way; they immediately went to my left hand. She gave me a knowing smile.

"As most of you know," Bill continued, "Elizabeth Prewett and Severus Snape have been courting for the past six months. It is my pleasure to announce that they are now engaged. Let me be the first to say congratulations to the future Lord and Lady Prince-Snape."

The room burst into applause. Severus had his arm wrapped around me, and while he was clearly happy, he still looked decidedly uncomfortable with the attention. As the applause started to die down, we heard Ginny and George bellow "Kiss her!" I blushed and buried my face in Severus' shoulder, but the crowd was not deterred that easily. Charlie joined in, followed by Angelina, Dean, and a few others. To my shock, I heard Draco's voice in the mix. I looked over at Narcissa, who looked both mortified and amused by the display.

"ENOUGH!" Severus yelled. The crowd went immediately silent, sure that they'd just evoked the old Severus. Then, with a smirk, he stated, "If you ruffians would halt for a moment, I would be able to concentrate on kissing my fiancée." Then Hermione and Ginny giggled, and a few others joined in.

"Now, let's see," he whispered, leaning in to give me a soft, yet intense kiss. The room erupted once again.

"Prince-Snape? Is that what we are going to go by?" I asked.

"Well, Fitzgerald-Prewett-Prince-Snape is a little wordy, don't you think?"

"I'm actually shocked you aren't suggesting just Prince."

No, Elizabeth, if I drop Snape entirely, they'll expect me to be proper and polite all the time. We can't have that"

I chuckled. "I'm not tied to any name, Severus; I hope you know that."

"I do; though you clearly do like the Prince diamonds."

"I am female, Severus. We like sparkly things."

"I love you, Elizabeth."

"And I love you, Severus."