Chapter 25

All canon characters belong to JKR

Thanks to June for all of her help and for being my beta.

Chapter 25

Five years later

A stranger would not have guessed that the two men were once the most feared Death Eaters amongst Voldemort’s ranks. For Severus Snape, the road had been a long and difficult one. He had spent the better part of his life as a spy. He had once built walls around himself in order to keep from feeling. But one day, almost nineteen years ago, those walls slowly began to crumble. That day was when Hermione Granger came into his life for the second time.

For Lucius Malfoy, the road had not been as difficult. He had always led somewhat of a charmed life, always being able to talk his way out of any situation, especially when he waved money about. When he decided to turn from the path he had chosen as a young man and help the Order defeat the Dark Lord, he found a once lost friendship as Severus helped him along the way. In the moments when Lucius felt he might have made a mistake, Severus was there to reassure him that it was the right thing to do — if not for themselves, then for the future wizards and witches of the world.

And so here they stood — no longer Death Eaters, they were only two proud fathers preparing for their children’s wedding. Severus had just finished polishing the cufflinks Hermione had given him for their fifteenth wedding anniversary, and Lucius had just finished making sure there was no lint on his cape.

“Who would have thought all those years ago, that we would be standing here awaiting a day such as this,” said Severus.

“I had hoped many times in these last few years that we would,” replied Lucius with a smile.

“As have I, Lucius,” answered Severus, then he laughed. “I think they knew from the moment they first laid eyes on each other.”

Lucius helped Severus on with his robe and patted him on the shoulder.

“I believe you are right, Severus. Come, we need to get to the Great Hall. I gather by now Odette is ready for me to perform my duty.” Lucius smiled again and led the way out.

“How do you feel about doing this? I know it is not our custom, but I find that I am looking forward to doing the same thing myself.” Severus followed Lucius out of his rooms.

“I will admit, I find it a bit odd,” Lucius said as he gave him a sly smile and continued walking. “I feel very out of place with some of the Muggle customs, but I feel a great deal of pride. I am hesitant; it will mean that my little girl will no longer belong to me. She will be looked after by another.”

Severus looked at Lucius and noticed tears filling his eyes. “He will take care of her, you know that,” reassured Severus.

Lucius nodded, unable to trust his voice. Then they laughed and continued walking along the darkened corridors, slowly moving towards the upper floors.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

While the two men walked towards the Great Hall, Hermione and Rosmerta were in the Room of Requirement, making sure Odette was ready.

“You look lovely, Odette,” said Hermione as she finished placing the flowers along the bottom of Odette’s wedding gown. “Raven is very lucky.”

Rosmerta smiled and looked at her daughter. “She is also very lucky. Raven is such a wonderful young man.”

Rosmerta hugged Odette and began to cry, “I can’t believe my little girl is getting married.”

“Don’t cry, Mum, please. You’ll make me cry, and I don’t want my eyes to be all puffed up,” scolded Odette.

Kat came into the room holding a large floral arrangement of dark red roses; they were so dark they almost looked black. “Raven asked me to give these to you.”

Odette smiled. These roses had always been her favorite. Ever since the incident all those many years ago with Bellatrix Lestrange, Raven had given her a red rose every day.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

On the first floor, just off the Great Hall, Raven stood in front of a large mirror. Vladimir stood next to him with his arms crossed. Raven looked at him over his shoulder.

“Well, how do I look?” Raven asked.

“Not bad, but you know she’d marry you even if you were wearing one of those Muggle chicken costumes.” The younger wizard approached his raven-haired friend and placed a very dark rose on the lapel of his robe, the same place where a buttonhole would be on a Muggle tuxedo.

“So you and Kat?” Raven smirked as he looked down at his friend.

Vladimir smiled and stood back. “You know how your sister is. I can’t say no to her. Besides, I get the feeling she might have hexed me if I didn’t say yes.” They laughed, then looked at each other in the mirror one more time. “Seriously, though. I’m mad about her. I would never feel right being with anyone else. Marrying your sister will be the happiest day of my life. I guess that’s how you feel about Odette. .”

Raven nodded, then turned quickly as he heard the door behind him open. Severus came in and smiled. He looked over to Vladimir, “Vlad, may I have a moment with my son?”

Vladimir nodded, then walked out. He knew he needed to be at the Great Hall, getting ready for the wedding to begin.

Severus approached his son. He couldn’t believe Raven would soon be married. His little boy had grown into a tall handsome man.

“Well, this is it, then. Are you nervous?” asked Severus.

“Nervous and a bit scared,” admitted the young man as he nodded and took a deep breath.

“I know. It’s a big step, but it will be worth it, you shall see.” Severus smiled and patted his son on the shoulder.

“Dad, do you love Mum the same way now that you did when you first got married?”

“No,” Severus said, then noticed the puzzled look on his son’s face. “I love her more. She has given me so much. She gave me friendship, love, compassion. Together we have laughed, cried, and given each other some pretty good hexes during some fights, but I love her more today than I did the day we married.” His face turned serious as he looked at Raven. “She also gave me two very wonderful gifts.”

“Aww, Dad, you’re getting all sappy.” Raven wiped a tear threatening to fall down his cheek and hugged his father.

Severus embraced his son. He was happy to know that he had raised the boy to be the kind of man others would look up to. Severus had become the kind of father he had wished he himself had grown up with, the opposite of the sadistic selfish man he loathed to call Father.

“Come along then.” Taking one last look in the mirror, they walked out of the room. Severus looked to his son, “Have you seen Osiris and Crooks today? I haven’t seen them all morning, and I’m beginning to get worried.”

“I haven’t seen them since yesterday evening. Don’t worry, they can take care of themselves, I’m sure they’re okay,” answered Raven.

Severus raised an all-knowing brow. “It’s us I’m worried about. If those two have been missing since yesterday evening, who knows what they have been up to.”

Raven stopped and grabbed his father’s arm. “You don’t think they’ll pull anything during the wedding, do you, Dad? Odette will be crushed if things don’t go smoothly. She’s been planning this for ages.” Raven was now shaking. He loved Osiris and Crookshanks, but he knew their penchant for practical jokes. He wanted to make sure this day was a special day, which meant dung bombs and flying monkey asses would simply not do.

“I’m sure they won’t do anything, Calm down,” Severus said as he placed his hands on his son’s shoulders. “You know they love you, and they know how special today is for you both. Just forget I said anything.” He patted Raven on the shoulder. “There is still time before the wedding. I’ll ask Remus to have a quick look around the castle with me.” With that they walked towards the Great Hall, both wondering just what the two animals were up to.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I'll have another chapter up tomorrow. Just a couple more.