The Seaside Retreat

Chapter 25...The Wedding

She stared at her reflection in the mirror, happy with what she saw looking back at her. Her hair had been twisted into an elegant knot with an orchid secured to the right of it, standing out brilliantly against the natural chestnut luster of her curls. Her makeup was simple as well, knowing Severus preferred her with little or no makeup. The light pinkish-brown lip color was glossy and natural, keeping with the pattern of light golden eye shadow and subtle coloring to her cheeks.

Hermione was incredibly happy that the day she had waited for was finally here. It caused quite the scandal at graduation a couple weeks back when, after she had thrown her cap in the air, she immediately ran into Severus’ arms and kissed him passionately. It seemed the crowd had held their breaths, waiting to see what the sour potions professor would do to the brash Gryffindor who dared encroach upon his personal space. Therefore, they were shocked when after only a moment’s hesitation he wrapped his long arms around her and kissed back with everything he could muster.

They took the opportunity of the crowds silence to announce their wedding in two weeks and, after swearing Professor McGonagall had no idea of their relationship, strode over to Hermione’s parents and set off for Severus’ home to celebrate. The scandal, as predicted, spread fast and hard, but also as predicted the couple’s status in the war over rid most peoples doubts, and nearly everyone wished the couple well.

So it was here that Hermione found herself looking into the mirror while being laced into a corset, and daydreaming about the long road to this day. She had expected to feel excited, or nervous, and she certainly felt those things last night, but now on the morning of her wedding all she felt was an overwhelming sense of peace and rightness. She had her mother and her closest friends with her, supporting her and her chance at happiness, and for the first time since she had received her Hogwarts letter, she knew that all was right in the world.

A particularly sharp tug on the laces of her torture device jerked her out of her ruminations, and the girls laughed at her face while it was screwed up in pain. Once she had caught her breath, she didn’t waste the opportunity to threaten them with the same treatment at their own weddings. It was then that the red haired head of Mr. Weasley popped into the room. At this point, Hermione was just securing the dress in place and having the quick hands of Mrs. Weasley, her mom, Ginny, and Millicent secure hundreds of buttons into place.

Upon seeing Hermione in her gown, Mr. Weasley immediately closed the mouth he had opened to speak, and took a moment to not so subtly wipe the tears forming in his eyes away.

“Oh Hermione, I had no idea you would look so beautiful today. Even in my wildest dreams I never thought anyone could look so much like an angel.”

Hermione felt herself tearing up as well, and was eternally grateful for the charmed makeup she had used. It was no secret that Arthur and Molly Weasley were the parents she had when her own couldn’t be there. The entire Weasley clan was the family that she had relied on for everything pertaining to the magical world, and the blessing of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley was only second in importance to her than the one from her own parents.

“Thank you Mr. Weasley. I am so glad you are here today; you know that if my parents couldn’t have been here, I would have asked you to escort me down the aisle. You are every bit as much of my family as my own mother and father are.”

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley both smiled wistfully at that sentiment, and felt their hearts squeeze at hearing Hermione say what they all felt. There was a time when Molly would have given anything to see her youngest son settle down with Hermione. Alas, it was not meant to be and all she could do was thank the heavens that everything had been settled amicably between her and Ron. It was Mrs. Weasley that broke from her thoughts first and led them back into reality when she abruptly questioned her husband on why he was sticking his head into the brides changing room without knocking first.

“Oh goodness, I almost forgot, I have been sent to tell you that the ceremony will begin in ten minutes. And also that someone may want to get your father some calming draught, because as of now he is pacing a hole in the carpet of the groom’s dressing room muttering about his baby girl growing up. I think he may be more nervous then Severus.”

The group of woman all chuckled at hearing this, but it quickly tapered off and they turned to Hermione who was preparing to walk towards her future. She stepped gracefully out the doors and took a deep breath before lining up behind her bridesmaids, ready to make an entrance.

The doors swung open in time to the wedding march, and the crowd cooed appreciatively at the beautiful gowns and ecstatic smiles of Ginny and Millicent. They stood and turned and Severus felt as if the world had stopped turning on its axis. For the first time in his life, a smile that he was completely unaware of, lit his face in the presence of people other them Hermione, and it wouldn’t seem to go away.

She was the most glorious creature he had ever had the honor to be in the same room with, and at that moment, it felt surreal to think that she was walking towards him upon her own free will. The blood rushed to his ears and after taking her hand from her father he later wouldn’t be able to recall one thing that happened until they were told to kiss. The first kiss that they shared as man and wife was one that sent silver and gold mists swirling around them and wrapping them in a warm cocoon of each others auras. Later at the reception, the guests would say that they hadn’t seen such a powerful binding since the ceremony of Arthur and Molly.

The reception was beautiful, with hundreds of people crowding around to wish the couple a happy life together. It was certainly a larger event then either of them had anticipated, but after people had gotten used to the idea of the two of them together, the outpouring of well wishers who asked to attend kept growing. Hermione, who was distraught about having to tell so many people no, had confided to her mother and Mrs. Weasley her wishes to invite anyone who wanted to come and was overwhelmed with emotion when the two woman put their heads together and told her they would handle it.

They certainly did handle it. Everything was amazing, from the decorations and food, to the large tiered wedding cake, and it seemed as though everyone was set to have the time of their lives. Cake was devoured, liquor was dispensed like it was handshakes and smiles, and raucous dancing ensued into the early hours of the morning, and certainly long after the bride and groom had disappeared to begin their honeymoon in Italy.

The highlight of the evening had to of been when Harry requested that the magical DJ play the YMCA, during which he proceeded to hold a large class teaching the dance to the people, and found himself explaining the concept of what a YMCA was to a very enthusiastic Mr. Weasley. It was also rumored that a very drunk Remus Lupin had at one point donned a pair of ladies knickers on his head and announced an odd fascination for sheep, which scared and worried some people, but made Aberforth, Albus Dumbledore’s brother nod his head in understanding, having the same desire for goats. The presents for the couple were piled high in the corner wrapped in cheery paper, and Mrs. Weasley had promised to banish them all to the couple home the next day. Though they were sure she would do it and do it well, Hermione asked her mother to help with that seeing as how Molly was looking decidedly rosy in the cheeks herself, and was asking Arthur if he knew a glamour that would make him look like Gilderoy Lockhart that they could use later that night.

But certainly, the most memorable event for Hermione was when during toasts, Severus stood and handed her a large manila envelope. Hermione looked at him with adoring eyes which promptly began to water, when she slid the contents out onto her lap. It was the deed to the cottage in Maine. Severus had scrimped and saved and all the extra money he could find from selling potions on the side, he had used to buy her the cottage where it all started for them.

Hermione was thrilled with the gesture, and laughed in delight when she told Severus that she had actually looked into buying the cottage for him, but some bastard made an offer before she could manage to scrounge up enough for the down payment. The couple laughed, embraced, and took the opportunity to steal more kisses, as sickeningly sweet as it was. It wasn’t long before the wedding night bug was beginning to sink its fangs into Hermione and Severus, and they took the opportunity to kiss her parents goodbye and slip out to apperate to the villa in Italy.

A/N - I know I have been neglecting my duties and not updating regularly, but I posted this quickie to get my juices flowing, and tomorrow I will post the honeymoon chapter. To be honest, I have no excuse for slacking off other then I have been royally cheesed off at my b/f who lately seems incapable of not being a douche bag, and I know if I tried to write a wedding scene it would end in Severus getting his lovely dangly bits hexed off. I couldn’t have Hermione channeling my own hatred for the male species at her own wedding now could I? Still, the end is near and I shall be posting frequently once more! I love all of you!