The Wedding

The Wedding

Despite the nice evening, Ginny and Severus did not sleep very well before their wedding day. Besides her permanent longing for her parents, Ginny remembered Bill warmly. He had been worn out as well. It was nothing but the excitement, she told herself. Whatever the circumstances, weddings are singular events in one's life. Fleur had been fussing for weeks, whether to wed July 9th, or August 8th or rather September 7th to get a fancy wedding date in the year 1997.

For me, Dec 12th will never be a normal day anymore.

Severus was turning and mumbling in his sleep. When, for the second time, he was snatching more than his part of the duvet, leaving Ginny in the cold, she huffed and went to put on her running suit...romantic be damned.

When day dawned, Severus wasn't only irritable, but could not eat the least bit. When he went to brew a third cup of coffee, Ginny interfered. "If you don't eat anything, have a sweetened tea with milk, or take some juice. If that doesn't appeal then water or nothing at all."

The fact that he conceded, albeit grudgingly, was indicator enough for his nervousness. He paced the rooms, didn't get his shirt buttoned or his freshly washed, flying hair tamed.

Still in her running suit, Ginny tried her best to arrange his outfit, vividly remembering Charlie's complaints about grooms. "Severus, you're worse than a first year when the train pulls into Hogsmeade. Will you please stop fidgeting for a moment?"

"I can't! You have no idea!"

"No, probably I haven't!"

"I'll botch everything. I've forgotten where to stand, what to say. This isn't anything I'm used to."

"Oh, I see. The difference would be that I've been getting married every Friday for the last three years!"

He looked at her with eyes like a puppy. "Don't joke now, will you. It is bad enough."

"Bad? Just what I like to hear on my wedding day!" Ginny retorted. She went back to the bedroom to pick up her dress. "No, you stay out of here!"

"Ginevra, please. I'm not in the mood for sarcasm." He looked so desperate that even teasing him lost all appeal. As if a state like that has ever prevented him from berating his pupils, Ginny thought, but relented, for who else was there to help?

She carefully laid down her dress again and placed both her hands on his shoulders. With a soothing voice, she proposed that he sit down, but the next moment she had to shout, "NO, not on my dress!" He sat on the bed next to the dress, and she sat sideways on his lap, gazing into his eyes. "Do you know how glad I am that you are nervous?" Kisses on his cheeks. "We both agreed on this out of predicaments, yes, but today it appears to be more than just a rational decision..." A kiss on his nose "...so much more, doesn't it? We know it is the thing to do, and the excitement is part of what makes this day special."

He held her hips as she tried to move, and she gave in. Holding her like that, feeling that she indeed accepted his tainted and clumsy hands on her body, his lips on hers, left Severus' nerves raw and vulnerable. It didn't feel real but here she was. He caught her lips with his for a tender kiss and then said, "I don't want to spoil the day for you."

In these last few days, they had both made an enormous effort to become accustomed with each other, and Severus had found the result more than rewarding. It was spectacular to have someone who cared, but it was at least equally spectacular to return such care. She made him feel liked, and she had made him want to care for her needs too. Yes, he wished her comfortable, he enjoyed bringing her the little bit of appreciation she was so dependent on, and, oh, yes, she had ways to reward him, some subtle, others very obvious.

A warning voice in the back of his head reminded him that this closeness was too artificial to last forever, but Severus had decided that he would strive to make it last as long as necessary and worry about the rest later. This realistic approach gave him less of a headache, and his shoulders were more relaxed. Why would he risk a debate while nothing could be done?

With these thoughts, he let a deeper kiss follow the first, but then Ginny broke off. "Keep this for later, Severus. We cannot have our clothes crinkled now, nor are you supposed to be in here at all. Why don't you go out into the sitting room for a while? They are coming any time now to fetch you, and I need to get ready." When he made to leave, she tried for a last time to get some food into him. "Take a glass of juice, or eat a fruit or cereals. There is a bit of porridge left, too; surely you can warm it without burning it? Don't mess with your hair, will you."

After what seemed ages, the house-guard spell announced Nott. He spoke shortly with Severus and probably made a full check on his attire. They greeted Narcissa Malfoy, who commanded an elf to arrange things.

"You will exercise some restraint, will you?" Severus demanded.

"When my son's mentor is to marry, his bride will not look like the jumped-up nobody that she is."

"She's not..." Severus interjected with fury.

Nott's deep voice interrupted the rage. "You are a respected member of the Inner Circle, Severus. You do want her to look her best, or she'll never hear the end of it."

With a last goodbye towards the closed door to the bedroom, they were gone.

Ginny breathed deeply. She had everything prepared for her hair. First, they spelled it all to stand up, and then Narcissa insisted on applying make-up to all the skin visible above the dress. She offered to cover all the freckles along Ginny's arms, but Ginny had the distinct feeling Severus wouldn't know her anymore. As it was winter, and she had been indoors far too much in the last weeks, there weren't all that many. She insisted they had to stay.

While Ginny felt bizarrely like preparing for a costume ball, she knew that Narcissa had been made up professionally on her wedding day and uncountable other occasions and that the other brides of the day were most likely sitting still for hours. Considering Severus' status, she was determined not to look like a beggar...as if she would give Mandy Sands the satisfaction...but there were limits!

The elf was rudely ordered to add a little warm-brownish rouge to her cheeks and was warned not to smear the bride or her Mistress. Selecting a tone to suit bright-red hair gave Narcissa some headache, but she clearly was more experienced in this subject than in adjusting plain clothes for a captive. The same warm tone went to Ginny's lips, but she rejected a fill-out charm on them...or on other body parts...no thanks! She put an end to ideas on her metamorphosis when Narcissa suggested that she have her light snub-nose straightened, and the noble woman huffed in annoyance.

Her nails were not made to grow longer either, but once they were coloured, Ginny did not recognise her hands. Warmth washed over her as she imagined a ring there!

Layer by layer, they then took down her hair and reactivated yesterday's spells. The temporary locks fairly obediently rolled and curled as they should. Narcissa placed the end of a golden ribbon of silk into the hair above Ginny's temple. Prodded with a charm, it searched its way through her hair, reappeared twice above her forehead until finally both ends were stashed away.

As she observed the plain band, emotions washed over the girl. How she had admired Aunt Muriel's glimmering tiara, one of the few family heirlooms. Goblins had wrought it from filigree gold and studded it with five diamonds. Rapidly, the unnamed elf dabbed the tears away from Ginny's cheeks, and Narcissa admonished her for smearing the make-up.

With a dubious look, Narcissa fixed the simple necklace with the leopardess pendant instead of the heavy, old-fashioned, borrowed one that had reminded Ginny of Aunt Muriel's favourite. They checked again on the few locks that were allowed to hang loosely down the young bride's neck.

In an unconvinced voice, Narcissa stated, "You look sweet. He will not know you!"

"I hope he does! He isn't the type for overdressing. He warned me."

"Don't worry. It will be fine." Her words were kind, but her voice betrayed that all this was a job she considered below her. She bore with the girl just to keep safe her son's life.

Ginny had to visit the toilet once again...was it the fourth time this morning...but finally Narcissa covered her with a cloak and Apparated them both to the entrance of the hall where ceremony would take place.

:*:*:*:

In their various states of nervousness, Severus and the other bridegrooms stood in the foyer and waited for their brides. When the first stunning young lady appeared, her groom dropped his jaw. She looked... good probably, Severus thought nervously. Or should I use words like stunning, or gorgeous? For him, she mainly looked so different from normal that he became even more apprehensive of what Ginevra would wear and how she would be made up. Well, they had done a decent job in flattening this bride's sticking-out ears, but cartilage was a delicate matter to deform by magic, and Severus wondered how long it would last.

And yes, just as he had expected, the groom got slapped on his fingers for trying to twirl a lock that had escaped of his bride's tower-like arrangement of her own and false hair around his finger. He wasn't allowed to stroke her cheek either, although to Severus' knowledge, these two were at least a little fond of each other. Oh, brilliant.

Severus' nerves stood on ends. If the ceremony didn't start soon, he would be bathing in hot and cold sweat. His sensitive nose already smelled it. He fingered his borrowed collar to get air, although it wasn't any tighter than his teacher's attire had ever been. Paul Nott came over for the third time. "Don't worry, Severus, and stop rolling up the hems of my frock! Come, let's see how the hall is arranged, where you will stand and who has already arrived." He dragged the jumpy bridegroom into the ceremony room. Many guests were seated, or standing close to their places. Children of various heights, sporting their best clothes, jumped around and shouted, but even Severus had to admit they showed somewhat more civilised manners than normally. The elder ones who knew him as a teacher stopped instantly when he approached.

They went over to the east side and then back towards the entrance. Mulciber was entering with two bound and gagged persons. The short, pink one was unmistakably Dolores Umbridge, and Severus noted her anxiety with a sneer. Just the person he had missed for his wedding! Mulciber handed her over to another man, and then the impertinent bungler grinned widely at Severus. "Hi, mate. We got ya li'll bride a pressie for her special day. We took great pains for her, hope she likes it." His head jerked to the other person he had in tow.

A redhead? Indeed! The familiar sight of eyes bulging and mouth agape relaxed Severus. Here was a situation he was used to. "Mr. Weasley, what a pleasant surprise!" he growled, clearly not meaning it. "Let me make you comfortable for the events to come." He flicked his wand to remove the gag and swished once around the hands of the prisoner to loosen the bindings slightly. He even replaced the tight magic ropes around the ankles with slings that allowed for very small steps.

The figure before him looked bewildered. "Snape!" Working his wrists, he turned left and right, noticing the festive attire of the gathered Death Eaters, many of which he knew at least from photos...from Wanted-photos in the Ministry, more exactly. "What is going on here?"

It was Nott who answered. "A wedding. You should feel honoured to be invited."

A snort was all he got, and Nott nearly slapped the man for it. "Don't!" Severus intercepted his move. "He represents the whole family. I want him to look his best on... on his sister's wedding."

Thick, horn-rimmed glasses dropped to the floor, but the boy was too afraid to take them up. "You cannot be serious," he finally snarled.

"I am most certainly not, you impertinent brat! Paul," Severus said, turning to Nott, "could you arrange for my fiancée to have a word with her brother before the ceremony starts? Five minutes should suffice." He felt so gracious now that he stooped to pick the glasses up and flung them into Percy's hands.

When the room went quiet, Severus dared a glance towards the entrance. Two dressed-up young women were entering. One was stuffed in a similarly pompous outfit as the first bride, her most becoming piece being a floor-length embroidered veil that thankfully hid her hunchback as well as her strong jaw line, though it was not able to cover her trudging step. The other one was... Ginevra. She was beautiful, but still the woman he knew...was to get to know, rather. As fast as he managed to get through the assembled people, he reached her side, feeling the putty in his knees again. "You're here, finally. And the most beautiful bride is mine," he whispered with a hint of a smile. His left hand went to the small of her back while the right hand carefully cupped her face, and he gently placed a shy kiss on her lips.

"Oh, Severus, we're not alone. What an assembly here. And don't say that. They admire the other brides much more than me. Their gorgeous dresses, their stunning tiaras, a veil..." She became pensive. Had she not tried her best? Would she still be the laughing stock, causing Severus trouble?

"They need this," Severus provided, "while you are gorgeous and stunning all by yourself." Ginny's heart beat in her head. Who would think that Severus Snape could be ... charming?

Surprised by his own words, Severus moved her over to meet her brother, remarking that she wouldn't have more than five minutes.

Two Weasleys stared at each other, not believing what they saw. Percy was radiating anger, Ginny was radiating excitement. After twice starting simultaneously, Ginny won and quickly got her message over. "I'm glad you're here, Percy. So glad. At least one." Noting his restrictions, she embraced him lightly. He was fuming in rage. "Percy, calm down, please. I'm fine, really fine. Will you meet mum and the others? Oh, I miss them. I so wished they could be here."

Percy didn't know what to think of this, let alone what to say. This wasn't real was it? Not even Fred and George would conceive such an elaborate hoax, now, in the middle of a war. For over an hour, he had hoped to wake up, had pinched his hand and thigh and awkwardly rubbed his eyes. He stuttered a few words with a voice too long out of use, but was again interrupted.

"Listen now," his sister whispered urgently, gripping his upper arm tightly. "I think you will see them before I do. Maybe right after the wedding, my wedding...Merlin, what a thought...is over." She checked for a moment and then placed a kiss on his cheek. "I send this kiss to Mum. And you WILL deliver it! Don't let me hear that you didn't!" She paused to let her words sink in due to Percy's lack of concentration. Imagining her family's distress, Ginny continued, trying to convince herself as much as Percy. "You will tell them that I am fine. Severus and I want the wedding. Yes, Severus. And yes, we have been asked! He is treating me wonderfully; he'll protect me so that I have little to fear. And I miss them all terribly. They should all be here today," she added sadly.

Before Percy was able to argue, Nott interrupted them because all three bridal pairs were to go outside to prepare for their entry.

:*:*:*:

"Over here, hand me your little finger," a witch greeted them. Severus picked up an oblong parchment in front of her. He held it in different angles against the light to scan that it was indeed fresh, except for the strange smell it emitted. He prodded it twice with his wand, murmuring, but all it did was flatten out and bathe in a blue hue. Finally, he was satisfied.

With just a bit of a prick, the energetic woman extracted a drop of blood from each Ginny's and Severus' forefinger and had them drip onto the parchment that sparkled up as their names appeared. Severus checked twice that indeed no other name had appeared. Ginny checked the text. Instead of seven years, she was given ten years time to produce three children...but that was all he had been able to achieve. Before she even reached the small print, the witch took all three parchments up and nodded towards the entrance. "That would be it, you're registered."

:*:*:*:

The Dark Lord greeted them. He also arranged the order of the three couples, a topic that had excited the crowd already. Of the bridegrooms, Severus was of course the oldest, the most honoured and closest to their master, but his bride merely escaped a sure death by marrying him. The other betrothed were all four descendants from considerably better situated pure-blood families than the Weasleys. You could see it from their dresses and jewels. None was even related to a Gryffindor, Salazar help them!

Ginny wasn't sure whether it was an honour or not that they were to start the ceremony. When they entered, she could not help to overhear some disapproving grunts, nor the aahs and oohs when the other brides appeared behind her, but she decided she didn't care. Facing this attitude wasn't anything new to a Weasley, and becoming a Snape would not make a difference to this point. She noticed that Severus had made no comments on her dress and decided she would check the next day, if he even remembered what it looked like.

The ceremony was a simple but lengthy one. Umbridge greeted all assembled. She bored them with a lot of general ideas about love and marriage, the importance of wizardry and to educate their offspring in the wizard way. To his chagrin, Severus' stomach rumbled. Ginny giggled a moment, but sobered when he pressed her hand.

Two images appeared behind Umbridge. On the left...seen from the assembled...a serpent and the elderly Salazar Slytherin in wonderfully embroidered, green robes, silver hat, shoes and beard, with a wise smile and an almost embracing gesture. However, Ginny found the cunning and disparagement in his eyes disturbing. He seemed to weigh you, and beware if you were found wanting! His huge snake slithered around his feet, taking in the scent with its forked tongue. On the other side, where the bride was to stand, the image of an old, scraggy lion with dull eyes and a blond-grey fragile man in shabby, burgundy robes appeared. He was given a surly expression as he leaned heavily on his cane, his fatigued eyes looking nowhere in particular. A chuckle arose among the assembled Death Eaters. Never had there been a picture of Godric Gryffindor in any of their group weddings, but this one certainly was a sight!

Severus was asked to the front, next to Umbridge, who had been positioned on a stool to reach eye level of the bridal pairs. His mouth dry, hands sweaty and knees wobbly, he felt like he was going to the gallows. He could not read the toad's expression. Was she a Death Eater? A sympathising member of the Ministry? Or was she forced to play along? By what means? She didn't look as if she was under an Imperius, which meant that the wedding would be official. The contract they had signed with their blood bound them already into consummation and children regardless.

The Dark Lord, being Severus' best man, stood at Severus' left, while Draco, standing with Ginny, awaited her on the right. When she was asked to advance, she noted that a freshened-up Godric benignly looked at her. His familiar's fur was now shiny, and as the clear eyes sparkled in black, his whiskers straightened together with his posture. At the suppressed gasps from the audience, the Dark Lord looked up. He checked with Severus but didn't react.

Percy was to replace his father and accompany his sister to her bridegroom's side. He put on a face of stone, forcing his sister to nudge him slightly. "Will you please not spoil the photo!" Indeed, a flash blinded them just as Percy lifted his right hand. He gave Ginny's left hand into Severus', who relaxed visibly when she was next to him again. How could he not, radiant as she stood there, smiling at him.

Severus barely stood through Umbridge's drawl of words. When the Dark Lord nudged him and handed over Ginny's ring, he awoke from his trance and repeated whatever it was that the toad made him say while he struggled to get the ring out and on her finger. "... you, Ginevra Molly Weasley... honour... protect... accompany through life... love... blessed with children." Yes, he would, of course he would! The ring slid easily over her finger and tightened there into proper size.

The vows were repeated for his bride. Three benches behind them, a group started sniggering deviously. Severus frowned and strained his ears in the effort to identify who that was. Flint most certainly. He would have to protect Ginevra from that depraved family.

Ginny bent Severus' finger rather forcefully when the ring would not glide on.

"I declare you husband and wife, according to the laws of wizardry," Umbridge drawled on. Gauging the unworthy, half-blood man, she added with a smirk, "and your pure-blood heritage." Severus didn't react to the bait, but by holding his wife's hand tighter he noticed how Ginny gasped.

"You may kiss the bride."

He turned to the right, bending his head in her direction...and froze. Ginny had let out a screech and jerked her head away with a "NO," pushing at his shoulder, her face suddenly as white as the wall.

Something turned inside Severus. She had not meant it. She had only played nicely to survive. He dropped her hand and stood beaten. This was it.

He heard laughter erupting behind him. Despite his current position, he would be the laughing stock of the Death Eaters.

They were ordered to sit down. With long strides, Severus went back to his place, not caring if his wife came along or not. She had grasped his arm firmly to keep up in her borrowed shoes, and he had to hold back not to shake her off violently.

The end of his dreams had come early.

:*:*:*:

Severus sat down, making no effort to give her space to get seated with the wide dress. Immediately after Ginny had arranged herself a little, she leaned over to speak to Severus intimately, but she could not reach him. He stared right ahead and had isolated himself from everyone with a sound reflector shield. She tried to lay a hand on his thigh, but it was magically stopped an inch above the leg.

She is revolted. She has played nicely for three weeks, just to lure me. She has played with me. I'm a fool to have believed it.

Haven't I investigated the traps the male body can fall into? I've spent years observing how women manage to make their husbands behave like fools, lick their shoes, polish their wands. How could I have fallen into the same trap?

Percy observed the pair. Ginny's distress was equally obvious as the professor's. It didn't make sense, did it? He glanced over to Malfoy, who was talking agitatedly to his mother. He seemed irritated, while the woman shrugged. Everyone else who had noticed the scene showed malicious joy. Most of them, then. When the next bridegroom stepped forward, they moved their attention back to the front.

Whatever happened to the other couples bypassed Severus. It bypassed Ginny, too, but he didn't notice that. His mind circled around the one thought: I should never have let anyone come near.

Within seconds, he had rebuilt the walls that had been the prison of his soul and heart for decades. These walls were cold and hard, but they were a reliable shield against everyone and everything.

:*:*:*:

They went over to a banquet. Severus followed the masses in a stupor. He sat down, took a minimum amount of food and accepted the wine. He didn't touch anything though. His hands hung loosely to his sides. He didn't even bother lifting them to the table.

The Dark Lord threw warning glances in their direction, which Ginny fearfully acknowledged. She had lost contact with Percy, but she exchanged a desperate look with Draco. As soon as possible, she excused herself for the bathroom.

At the seats in the back of the hall, Draco's mother surreptitiously did the same. She found a desperate bundle of nerves tearlessly crying in a corner of the room. Silently, she put her hand on the shaking shoulder.

Narcissa had been only eighteen years old on her own wedding. If they had been permitted to wait, things could have ended differently. How much more true was this for a girl one and a half years younger, marrying without her family, to a man twice her age that she didn't really know? Even Narcissa could not deny that too much was required from the girl. "Let's check your make-up."

Ginny nodded and sniffed. "He is shocked and does not let me explain. He got it all wrong. Sooo wrong. I like him, maybe I can love him. I cannot lose everything on this misunderstanding."

It wasn't what Narcissa had expected, not at all. How ridiculous, really. Pushing him away like that, what could he not understand?

Ginny continued, "I need to make him listen. Normally, I know how to do that, but not with all these people."

"We cannot stay for too long. Are you finished here?"

"Just a moment." Ginny went for the loo, washed her hands and checked herself in the mirror. She would need a mask on her face to survive the day. It wasn't but two p.m., and the party was supposed to go on until late in the night.

Wearing a stony face, she returned to her place where all food had disappeared. People were standing or sitting idly now, changing places to meet friends. The Dark Load approached them. He was furious, although he held himself in a neutral stance.

Ginny nudged Severus' hand, and he acted just in time, removing the shield and putting up a neutral face. They greeted their master respectfully. "You gave us reason to revise our decision, young lady. You have ten minutes to arrange yourselves. Greyback is still waiting," the Dark Lord threatened.

"My Lord, I assure you, it isn't what it seems to be," she started, but he turned to Severus.

"I expect you back in a mood worthy for this occasion."

Severus nodded in acknowledgement and strode towards the wardrobe. He rapidly took his cloak and went outside, not caring for Ginny, who hastily fetched the borrowed cloak, lifted her dress and ran after him. Her sandals with heels didn't allow for the quick pace Severus set up. When he had to wait for the second time, stubbornly looking at the ground, he impatiently flicked his wand. Her feet were in sturdy winter boots. Oh dear! She made haste to catch up with him again.

"Severus, I'm sorry ..."

"You lured me and tricked me," he spat. Lowering his voice to a whisper, he continued. "I would have married you on another basis as well, but you preferred to play with me."

"It isn't that, it is ..."

He didn't let her finish a single sentence, but clarified in a threatening tone. "We'll play pretend the merry couple because I don't want to give Greyback the satisfaction of a victory. For no other reason!"

"OK for today. Back home, I'd like to..."

"It will be OK for as long as this war is on. Kindly refrain from calling my house your home." In purest teacher manners he warned her, "No speaking out of turn. Ever." He turned and left her.

Inside, Severus dropped his outer clothes and headed back to his place. It was Draco who noticed her winter boots and Transfigured them back to sandals.

:*:*:*:

They managed to keep up appearance through the evening, never addressing each other directly, but not showing explicit hostility either.

With a friendly look at her husband, she left to check on Percy. When he wasn't to be found, she asked Mulciber. The man sneered. "Oh, his time was over. He's been asked some place, but by now he should be back to farting into his chair at the Ministry," he told her, not without scrutinising her for the scene she had caused.

Severus wasn't known for being a dancer, so he escaped the affair with a single round, staring stubbornly anywhere else than at his wife in his stiff arms. She tried to compensate with a general smile, but felt she failed utterly. Later, Draco asked her for a dance. "One, Malfoy," Severus growled.

Draco nodded, and they were off. He searched for a corner where they revolved almost on the spot. "Ginny, for heaven's sake, what did you do?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Ginny! I would understand if you were in a shock, but frankly, that isn't the case. How could you do that to him?"

"Believe me, I could not possibly have behaved differently."

Draco asked how he could help them, but Ginny didn't have a satisfying answer for that. "Please, Draco, just believe me, will you? Do not try to mediate. We need to resolve this on our own, else it will not work out. I'm hopeful. Rest assured that I like him, maybe I love him." Draco didn't get another word out of her until the music faded out. Before he let go, Ginny said, "The way Severus takes it, he has feelings, too. I must build on that." He walked her back to her place in silent worry for them both.

The couple made their departure as soon as possible. This time, Severus succeeded in setting up no worse than his average scowl.

:*:*:*:

:*:*:*:

Big hugs to my betas Jingjingchiquita and Hollimel99, who worked their own, wonderful magic on this chapter before you had to face it.