Ensnaring The Senses

They made their way down the roads towards the church, Severus shifting uncomfortable in the cramped space behind Harold Granger's seat. He felt Hermione's hand touch his knee as if to reassure him all would be all right, but he still felt uneasy. All he really wanted to was apparate from the car and get back to Hogwarts and the sanctuary of his chambers. Instead, he looked out the window and watched the houses as they passed by them, until they turned onto a country road and trees appeared. He could only pray to Merlin that somehow the car would get swallowed up in a Black Hole before they reached their destination.

No such luck, Snape thought and the car finally stopped in front of a gabled building surrounded by a white fence. Hermione stood by the car and waited for him to unfold himself and climb out. He could see the laughter in her eyes when he almost fell from catching his foot in the seatbelt. He gave her a snarky smirk and mouthed the words 'you so owe me' and took her arm.

Severus looked at the small church and sighed. The last time he had set foot in a Muggle church had been for his mother's funeral so many years ago. He had watched his father's ploy for sympathy by crying to all that his 'dearest Eileen' was dead. The congregation had been so fooled by this, and the minister had even taken a collection up for the poor family to get through this time of tragedy. His pride had taken a beating when his father had pocketed the money with very little gratitude. Severus had been fifteen years old at the time, and had hated the pitying looks he had received.

Tobias Snape had spent every bit of it on restocking his liquor cabinet. Severus had dealt with more shame when, a few days later, his father in a drunken haze had proclaimed rather loudly to all around him that he had murdered his wife. The Muggle police had picked him then and with a small trial had packed him off to prison, where he died a few years later. Severus had the grim satisfaction of knowing his father had paid for his crime, but he himself still felt he hadn't paid for his. No amount of good that his spy work had done could ever cover over what he had to do while doing it.

Now here Severus was again. He wondered if the church would burn down from his entrance or if he would be struck down by that Muggle God for his sins? For he had much to burn in hell for.

Yes, Hermione definitely owed him big time for this. As much as he loved her, he wasn't happy being tricked into coming here.

They entered the church and walked down the aisle to the pew where he assumed the Grangers normally sat. Hermione slipped her arm through his reassuringly and he waited for the fire and brimstone sermon to start. If there was really a Heaven or Hell he had no clue, but for this one thing he was sure of- Hermione was his angel and she made his days Heaven.

The minister stepped out and made his way to the dais. For the first time Severus looked around and noticed the people sitting around them, and he was shocked to see many witches and wizards he knew sitting among the Muggles. He noticed Draco and his fiancée sitting by an elderly man, and that the Potters were there as well. Curious and curiouser, he thought.

Severus barely heard the sermon, and made the motions when Hermione and her family did. His mind kept going over where he had met the elderly man before, and what his connection to Draco and Ginger was. He only looked up towards the end when he heard the pastor say his name.

“Before we leave here today, I'd like to announce the engagement of our own Hermione Granger to one Severus Snape. Stand up please you two.” Hermione stood up and tugged at Severus's hand till he was standing upright beside her. Pastor Davies walked down the aisle where they stood and offered Severus his hand. He took it and felt the pastor warmly shake it, and the his next words shocked him.

“I would also like to thank you Professor Snape, for all the good work you did during the war against Voldemort. My own sister and many of the people sitting here would not be alive to celebrate your upcoming wedding without your sacrifices.” One by one the congregation stood and clapped. Severus looked around and held Hermione close. He could almost feel the acceptance in the looks of those around them.

“I told you this church was different,” Hermione whispered in his ear. “It's made up Muggleborns, their families and those that have married into Magical families. That witch right there is Pastor Davies's sister- you saved her life by stunning Crabbe before he could kill her.”

One after the other, Hermione pointed out others out and told him what he had done for them. Severus was amazed, not even he himself had realized how many he touched. The Ministry had refused to recognize either his or Draco's works aside of pardoning them from a life in Azkaban. He was still bitter over that, but more for Draco than himself. His self-imposed exile in Bulgaria had helped to ease some of the pain and made him realize he had done some good, but never had he understood until now just how many he had touched.

This was worth more than one hundred Orders of Merlin, he thought. These were the living proof that he had made the right decision all those years ago when he had become Dumbledore's spy. Severus smiled one of rare true smiles, and felt Hermione cuddle closer to him.

Ginger and Draco approached them, the older man following just behind them. Severus finally recognized him and a younger version popped into his head from a Death Eater attack long ago. One of the very few Muggles he had been able to help. He remembered that there had been a young girl with him, and wondered what had happened to her.

“Hello Dad,” Ginger said, hugging Hermione before touching Severus's shoulder. “This is my father, Lennox Wallace. Daddy, this is Severus Snape. You remember him?”

The man gave him a wide smile, “I'm not senile Gins, just old. Of course I do.” Lennox held his hand out to Severus and pumped it up and down vigorously in a firm handshake. His hair still held the redness it had back all those years ago, now peppered with grey.

“I'm Adrianne Wallace's husband. I wanted to thank you for trying to save her all those years back and for helping Gins and I escape that day.” Lennox's brown eyes looked sadly at his daughter for a moment.

Severus smiled in remembrance of Adrianne, a fiery French Order member that had died in an attack during another World Cup a few years after Voldemort's return. If Ginger was anything like her mother, Draco had a wild ride coming.

“Addy was a brave witch, Mr Wallace. She did as much as either Draco or I did that day to enable your escape. In fact more,” Severus's eyes clouded over with sadness. She'd given her life for so many to live.

“I miss my gel but know she smiles down upon us.” Lennox said, “Welcome to the clan Wallace, for both of you and your daughter are family now. Cissa is a real charmer, bright young gel.” The man smiled.

“Thank you Mr Wallace, my daughter likes to capture hearts like her mother I see.” Severus said to him. They stood talking for a few more minutes before heading to the doors of the church.

“So when is the wedding?” Asked Pastor Davies when Hermione and Severus reached him at the doors.

“Hermione wants it close to Christmas,” Severus said. “Myself would prefer it sooner.” Pastor Davies smiled at him and turned to Hermione.

“I don't have too many openings near Christmas with all the holiday festivities, but I think I have an date in November open if that's close enough for you both. That is if you are planning a Muggle ceremony.” Pastor Davies said.

“We are,” Hermione said and looked at Severus, and he shrugged his shoulders. “I am conceding to moving it closer to make him happy though.”

“Finally,” Severus murmured. “But I am dressing in my black robes for it.” He whispered in her ear. She giggled and shook her head.

“Traditions, love.” Hermione replied. “You'll look good in what ever you wear to me though.”

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Sorry about the update delay. RL handed me a load of garbage this month, and this chapter was difficult to write. I am still not happy with it- hope you all enjoy it though. ~~juls