#6 ~ A Matter of Matrimony

Disclaimer: All characters belong to JKR (except Marcus Delaluci). All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 24 ~ The Serpent and Lioness Become One

The new, improved, gentler, kinder Severus was sorely tried the following day. Sad to say, his improved temperament didn’t survive lunch in the Great Hall. Albus had been absolutely delighted when he heard of the pair’s upcoming nuptials, and wasted no time announcing it to the staff and students.

Severus and Hermione were sitting at the high table. A knot was in Severus’ stomach, and he pushed his uneaten food around the plate. He knew Albus would be announcing their engagement to the entire school, and the idea of his personal life being exposed in this manner really irked him. But there was no help for it. And Hermione was absolutely glowing. She was a woman after all, and in both worlds, muggle and wizarding, a woman getting married is considered a major coup. And snagging the dour, snarky, Potions Master of Hogwarts was quite a big deal…even if it did take seven years.

Marcus sat at the other end of the table, eating a turkey salad sandwich on pumpernickel. He was all healed up now, but there was a slight bump in his nose that he would be sporting for the rest of his days. It was an interesting feature however, and only added character to his face. He had shot Hermione a glare when they walked in. She returned it, with a touch of smugness. Marcus noticed the ring on her finger immediately, and telescoped his eyes to get a good look at it. Well, well. An engagement ring. About time.

“Just call me Cupid,” he said to himself, as he bit into his sandwich.

After everyone was settled in, Albus stood and rapped his goblet with his fork. The loud ‘ting, ting, ting’ got everyone’s attention. The students paused in their meals looking up at the staff table as Albus rose, beaming. The staff leaned forward, watching the Headmaster with curiosity.

“Ah, staff and students, we have much to celebrate this day. I would like to announce that our own Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape…”

Here Albus gestured to Severus, who responded with a glowering glare at the entire student body, that made quite a few blanch in terror, as the Headmaster continued, gesturing at Hermione, who smiled shyly,

“and our own beautiful Spells Mistress, Hermione Granger, have finally decided to jump the broom! They will be married next weekend here at Hogwarts! Let us all share their joy at the monumental and happy occasion.”

Dumbledore lifted his glass, and the Great Hall followed, with the exception of the Slytherin table. Even Marcus half-raised his pumpkin juice, a sober look on his face.

“To Severus, and Hermione, may their lives be filled with happiness, joy and many, many children!”

The Great Hall erupted in cheers, as both Hermione and Severus looked startled at Albus’ pronunciation of children in the near future. The staff and student body all swarmed over them to offer their congratulations, the women and girls inspecting Hermione’s engagement ring and the men and boys jostling and slapping Severus on his back to the point where the Potions Master jumped out of his chair and roared at them,

“Gentlemen, if you please! I would prefer you not use my upcoming nuptials as an excuse to vent your secret and unfulfilled desires to beat and pound me to death! I would like to survive long enough to enjoy my honeymoon! The next wizard or student who puts his hands on my person is guaranteed a fast and expedient trip to the Infirmary for vital repairs! Now, back up, go away and let me finishing eating!”

The area around Severus and Hermione cleared quickly. Severus reseated himself, adjusted his robes and scowled over at his intended, who wore a little smirk at his outburst. He had reacted better than she thought he would. At that moment, both of them were compelled to look down the table at Marcus, who had remained seated. He met both their eyes.

The blonde wizard studied them both, then nodded slightly, mouthing the words, “You lucky son-of-a-bitch” at Severus and returned to finishing his last bit of sandwich. Hermione and Severus looked at each other. Hermione reached over and covered Severus’ hand with her own, her eyes full of love.

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Keeping the wedding small was a chore. Everyone wanted to see Severus make an honest woman out of Hermione, and despite their best efforts, Hogwarts was swarming with people crashing the wedding. Severus thought a few well placed hexes would straighten things out, but Albus disagreed.

“You are a hero, Severus, therefore big news. It will only be for a little while, my boy,” the Headmaster said soothingly.

There was a disruption over by the food table. Hermione had insisted that Severus’ house-elves be invited to the wedding as guests, since if not for their assistance when Draco and his deatheaters attacked, there would be no wedding, as there would be no couple. The house-elves had saved their lives. It was a noble gesture on her part, but contrary to the nature of house-elves, who live to serve, and not be served. Severus’ elves and the Hogwarts elves were tussling over arranging the banquet tables, escorting guests to their seats, and serving drinks and horduerves. Severus finally had to come over and order all his elves to sit and stay seated, and not to serve anyone. They all looked very sad, and during the entire ceremony looked longingly over at the tables and bustling Hogwarts elves, who ungraciously taunted them by assisting and serving guests with great relish, finesse and flair.

Marcus sat in the last row of the chairs arranged on the grounds and watched the mayhem, his eyebrows raised. There were quite a lot of people here. He recognized a couple of his old Eradicator buddies, but didn’t acknowledge them. They all lived different lives now, and it was better not to keep in contact. The few who did know about the Eradicators were of the mind they were no better than deatheaters. For the most part, they were right. Marcus sighed impatiently. Get on with the damn thing. He wanted to get a last look at Hermione before she went off the market for good.

Finally the chaos settled down. More chairs had been transfigured and the mass of gate-crashers were all seated. Severus stood in front of the dais with Albus, silky hair pulled back in a ponytail, nervously pulling at the neck of his dress robes. Why did it feel so blasted tight? He felt like he was being slowly strangled. Flitwick stood beside him, thrilled to be standing in as best man. He had always loved Hermione. She had been a real joy in his classes, and a fine addition to the staff. He thought Severus a very lucky wizard to have made her his own. A flash attracted Severus’ attention. Colin Creevey was at it again, and was dragged back down into his seat by the surrounding guests.

Music began, and the crowd quieted as Minerva, Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout marched down the aisle, dressed in silver gowns with green trim, holding small bouquets. Then Hermione followed them, on the arm of her proud father, dressed in a lovely gown of Slytherin green and silver, flowers weaved into her shining chestnut hair, holding a beautiful bouquet of silver and green roses, courtesy of Professor Sprout. She looked beautiful, her amber eyes shining as she focused on her husband to be. For Severus, everything around him vanished except for the woman walking toward him. He watched her with a searing passion in his black eyes, and anyone who saw him gazing at his wife-to-be could not doubt that he loved Hermione very, very much. The women in the audience were absolutely swooning over his look. Hermione was very much envied to be marrying this obviously very passionate, sexy and mysterious dark wizard.

Behind Hermione, walking carefully and keeping in step, was Eli, Severus’ most loyal house elf, bearing the rings. He had been so honored and delighted when Severus asked him to be part of his wedding, that the elf burst into tears, and Severus spent the next half hour trying to calm him, patting him gingerly on the head while assuring him he was worthy.

Hermione’s father placed his daughter’s hand into Severus’, giving the Potions Master an it’s-about-time-you-did-right-by-my-daughter look before stepping to the side. Severus drew her gently to his side, staring at her all the while Dumbledore performed the ceremony. Hermione gazed into his face as well, her eyes occasionally shifting to Dumbledore. Suddenly her eyes took on a warning stare. Severus was suddenly aware of silence all around him. He looked at the Headmaster, who stood there, smiling expectantly. Starting, he turned and took her wedding from the pillow offered by Eli and slipped it on her finger, his gaze returning to her face as she followed suit and placed his ring on his finger. He was aware of Dumbledore saying something, but he was lost in her eyes. Another silence ensued. Hermione cleared her throat a little.

“Oh…I do,” Severus said as the crowd chuckled. He scowled at them and they went silent. Hermione smiled softly and repeated her acceptance of their marriage vows.

“You may kiss your bride,” Albus said to Severus, who swept Hermione into his arms and kissed her as if they were the only two people in the world. At first the crowd cheered, then when the kiss didn’t break, they hooted their approval. Albus finally stepped in and ended the kiss. Hermione looked around, flushed, her crown of flowers all askew. She smiled shyly and the crowd cheered again as Albus exclaimed,

“I give you, Lord and Lady Snape!”

A bevy of doves were released and Severus and Hermione walked back down the aisle, showered with rice and rose petals, Severus again being pummeled by those who could reach him. At the end of the aisle, he suddenly pulled Hermione against him and disapparted.

They reappeared in his rooms.

“Severus, what in the world did you do that for?” Hermione said, still locked against him.

“Because I’ve shared as much of you with the rest of the world as was fitting. You are my wife now, and I want to consummate our marriage as soon as possible. They all can see you when we get back,” he breathed, kissing her so passionately she dropped her bouquet and wrapped her arms around him, bursting into flame.

Severus stepped back and pulled out his wand. He pointed it at her and transfigured her gown into a pretty white sundress, and her shoes into white sandals.

“Yessss,” he breathed, his eyes devouring her.

Hermione looked down at herself, then smiled up at him.

“You are partial to white sundresses,” she breathed, moving into him again.

“Oh yes,” he responded, strong desire written all over his face. He pulled her to him.

“Let’s go,” he growled, pulling a silk handkerchief out of his robes pocket and tying it around her eyes.

Hermione lifted her head as if trying to see through the blindfold.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“I want to be sure to see your face when we arrive at our destination, “ he responded, holding her so tightly against him it was getting hard to breathe.

“What about our things?” she panted.

“We’ll send for them later. I have all I want and need right here,” he said as he began to kiss her neck, slowly running his lips up and down. She melted against him weakly, the blindfold adding to the deliciousness of his ministrations.

“Let’s go,” she sighed.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, and apparated.

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The first thing Hermione heard was the sound of gulls crying, and a gentle crash of waves. The air was full of the scent of the ocean. Severus gently removed the blindfold, and Hermione looked, then drew in her breath and smiled broadly. Severus still had his arms wrapped around her waist. He pressed his lips against her forehead,

“Where it all began, my Lady,” he purred.

Hermione felt her heart swell. They were back at the cabin. The cabin where Severus first took her virginity long, long ago.

“I thought it fitting,” he sighed against her as they both stared at the little cabin, flowers wound about the door, “this being our first night together as man and wife. This is a place of firsts, is it not?”

“Yes,” Hermione breathed, “Severus, you are so romantic.”

He smiled at her wickedly as he swept her up in his arms and strode toward the cabin.

“Let’s see how romantic I am, Lady Snape.”

He twisted the doorknob and pushed open the door with his foot.

“Welcome to my parlor…” he breathed down at her.

“Said the spider to the fly,” Hermione finished, kissing him.

Severus closed the door.

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A/N: The “welcome to my parlor” line, is what Severus originally said to Hermione when he first brought her to the cabin to divest her of her virginity (What Was I Thinking ~ Part 1). The first time he said it to her, she was unable to respond to the line, petrified by his implication she was about to be devoured. He had to push her through the door because her legs wouldn’t move. This time she was able to respond to the quote and was carried in willingly. I just thought it was romantic for them to relive that moment. >grin< Lemons, lemons, lemons ahead!