If the Crime Fits the Punishment

ok, so we all know that i\'m borrowing most of the things...people, places..... that go into this story. i will eventually return them to j.k. rowling, their rightful owner. i just can\'t say when. we should also all know that no one has paid me any amount of money to do this. i don\'t know that anyone would want to.

as usual, there will most likely be raunch found within this text. as well as cameos. so deal. don\'t like it? don\'t read it....

please, let me know what you think.

Chapter Twenty Five: Bushwhacked Bride
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Kendra heard the pounding on her front door and groaned. It was too damn early for someone to be knocking at her front door. She had gotten to bed late the previous night....check that, earlier this morning. The child in her belly made such demands that she couldn\'t function on less than ten hours of sleep at the moment. Illiana had returned from the bachelor\'s party the night before to give her report. As well as have herself returned to her normal form.

Kendra had waited on the edge of her seat until the woman had returned. She had to admit, Illiana\'s Elf form had been superb. She\'d been bloody beautiful, making Kendra doubt her wisdom at having used that particular spell for a disguise. What Illiana had reported had been encouraging. There had been several people at the party. Most of what had happened had been drinking and her giving a few dances to the guys. Nothing more. She\'d left fairly quickly after Kendra had cast the counter spell to change Illiana back to her real self. Kendra had fallen asleep well after two in the morning, a smile on her face.

Now, here it was only seven in the morning. Someone was already pounding on her door. She should hex who ever it was, then tell them to come back later. She wanted nothing more than to sleep. But the racket didn\'t diminish. It merely grew in volume until she threw back her blankets and stalked through the house in her nightgown to the front door. \'All bloody right all ready!\' she shouted as she jerked the door open.

Illiana stood on her stoop, wearing a heavy winter cloak. There was smile on her face, a small pink bag clutched in one hand. She entered without waiting to be invited in and looked the freshly roused girl over rapidly. \'You need to get cleaned up,\' she announced without preamble.

\'For what?\' Kendra demanded in a less than forceful tone, as a yawn stretched her mouth wide at the same exact moment.

\'There\'s someplace you need to be. I\'m to make sure you get there. Now go get into the tub and get cleaned up. We haven\'t all day, you know,\' Illiana told her, her tone sounding disinterested. Kendra glared at her a moment, then turned to once again stomp into her bedroom. This was getting to be habit.

Half an hour later found Kendra standing in her bedroom, wrapped in a towel and freezing her arse off. Illiana had followed her from the bathroom into her bedroom. The silver maned woman was holding up the expensive gown and robes she\'d insisted on buying for Kendra earlier in the month. Kendra had already told her several times that she was not about to wear them, but the stubborn woman refused to listen. \'Why should I put this on? It\'s too damned fancy for anything I\'ll ever go to!\'

\'Of course it isn\'t. I\'m to take you up to the castle for something rather impoortant,\' Illiana replied.

\'What\'s going on at the castle?\' Kendra\'s eyes narrowed to thin slits. Her temper was starting to boil. If Illiana didn\'t give her a good reason soon, she was going to start throwing hexes about carelessly.

\' I\'m not sure. I do know Dumbledore said it was important. He asked that you be dressed formally. So quit arguing with me and get dressed,\' she was informed. \'Oh, here. I almost forgot. You may as well put this on. It will match the gown perfectly.\'

Illiana tossed the pink bag on the bed, then walked out of the bedroom. She closed the door behind her, leaving Kendra to stare at the clothing laying sprawled over her bed. She went to the bag first, her hand slipping into it to pull out something wrapped in tissue. The tissue peeled back to reveal brand new underwear. Kendra lifted them up to stare at them. The bra was in one hand, the matched underwear in the other. There was no way on the goddess\'s green earth that she was putting these on.

\'What\'s taking you so long in there?\' Illiana\'s voice asked impatiently through the door.

\'I\'m not aboot to put on these......... things!\' she returned, her brogue rolling out with the force of a charging dragon. \'Tis aboot as indecent as a person can get!\'

\'And who will be likely to see them? You\'ll be fully clothed. Just put them on and get into your clothes. We have to be up at the castle soon. I don\'t think you\'d want to keep Dumbledore waiting,\' Illiana replied. Kendra heaved a sigh, then slipped the panties on. They were thongs, which she had worn before. But this was different. She was pregnant, for Merlin\'s sake. It would look silly. Then she slipped on the bra, adjusting it so her breasts were as fully encased as she could get them. Damn the woman for bringing a strapless demi bra. She was popping out all over the place.

She managed to get into the gown, but she couldn\'t reach the buttons. Picking up the robes, she left her bedroom. Illiana looked her over, then wordlessly did up the row of tiny buttons when Kendra presented her with her back. The red head slipped the robes up onto her shoulders. \'Now the shoes. Go get them. You can put them on when we reach the castle. For now, wear something that keeps the cold out. And I\'d advise that you put on a heavy cloak. It\'s chilly out. We don\'t need you getting sick, do we?\'

\'Aye, aye, captain!\' she saluted, then went back into her bedroom. When she came back, she carried the shoes in one hand, her wand in the other. Illiana watched as Kendra charmed the hems of her gown and robes so they would not get wet. Then she did the same with her shoes, adding a warmth charm to them. She then slipped them on her feet. She retrieved her cloak from a hall closet, twirling it over her shoulders. \'Let\'s go, then. Sae I can come back here and get some sleep when the whole bloody thing is over.\'

Illiana merely smiled at her mysteriously.

One of the school\'s horseless carriages awaited them outside her door. Illiana helped her up into it, then pulled the door shut behind them as she got in herself. The carriage rolled forward slowly as the two women settled into the seats. Thick lap blankets had been provided. Illiana tossed one over Kendra\'s legs, then put the other one over her own. The two of them were silent during the ride, each lost in their own thoughts. When the carriage pulled to a stop at the front door of the school, Illiana helped Kendra down, then lead her inside. A House Elf met them, wordlessly taking both cloaks. Then Illiana was leading the way up to the floor the Great Hall was on.

Kendra had forgotten how pretty the school was when decorated for the holidays. Towering trees that she knew Hagrid had dragged in on his own stood in the Entrance Hall, decorated with candles and glowing ornaments of all kinds. Several smaller ones lined the halls they walked through. She could hear the ghosts, singing carols as they floated from one space to the next. The atmosphere brought back some fond memories of her youth.

They stopped before the doors to the Great Hall, which were closed for some reason. Illiana took a moment to fuss with Kendra\'s gown and robes, straightening them, then she pushed the doors open. Kendra took one step inside, then went still as she looked over the room. At the end of the Hall, near the staff\'s table, stood Professor Dumbledore and Severus. Her parents and brothers were to one side, Madam Rosemerta standing among them with a broad smile on her face. The rest of the staff stood on the other. Several tall Christmas trees lined the back wall.

Milling about the room, near the staff, stood several of her old classmates. Harry and Ron were there, as well as Fred, George, and Ginny. Draco Malfoy was lounging casually near the wall. Even Neville Longbottom had attended what ever this event was supposed to be. It was interesting to see them standing there. She had to wonder what they were doing there. Especially since they all seemed to be staring at first her, then Severus, then at her again. This was most confusing.

Bagpipes started up, drawing Kendra\'s attention to the two men standing off to one side. Her cousins, Dougall and Donall, stood playing a happy jig on their pipes. Her father and brothers all wore the bright yellow and black plaid kilts of the MacLeod family. Their dress kilts. As did her cousins. Her mother had her sash pinned to her shoulder. The entire staff, it appeared, wore their finest robes. As had the group of school mates. Even Illiana was in a silvery blue creation that looked expensive and new.

Her eyes moved back to Severus, taking note of the richness of the robes he wore. They were black, as always, but there was green embroidery stitched about the cuffs and neckline. Tiny buttons, each one with green on it, went down the front of his robes, closing them off completely from his neck to his feet. There was a strange look on his face, as if he were expecting her to get quite angry with him for some reason. Her mother sniffled, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. Kendra was suddenly really, really nervous.

~*~*~*~*~

Severus\' eyes went to the double doors of the Great Hall as they swung open. Illiana had done as asked, delivering Kendra to the Great Hall. By the look on her face, she was not happy to have been dragged out. Nor was she happy about not knowing why. ~All in good time, my dear,~ his brain whispered, even though there was no way she could hear it. As it was, he stood a moment to study her. She was a vision, wearing two complimenting shades of green that accentuated her fragile beauty, using the natural paleness of her flesh to draw one\'s eyes to her face. She was breathtaking to behold.

He smiled as he noted the colors of her gown and robes. Green with a hint of black. Slytherin colors. Illiana had chosen them well. He probably wouldn\'t have been able to do better himself. Not that he was an expert on women\'s clothing. But Kendra looked spectacular in the green and black ensemble. He doubted she knew that she was wearing his colors. As well as entering his House. Gryffindor would be a distant memory after the ceremony. She would, in a few short minutes, be completely his.

He heaved a sigh, then propelled himself forward. She would no doubt spend her entire day standing in the door way, gaping at the lot of them, if he didn\'t go and fetch her. Her sparkling green eyes landed on him the moment he began to move, watching him come toward her. The confusion was easy to read on her face. He was certain she would soon be ready to kill him after this. So he would treasure the look she wore so well. It was undoubtably one of the only times he would see her wear it this readily.

\'Severus, what?.....\' she began as he stopped before her. He gave her his crooked smile, a finger pressing to her lips to silence her. His free hand slid into hers, pulling her with him as he turned to retrace his steps. She followed along behind him, wordlessly staring about the room in wonder. He stopped the two of them in front of Dumbledore, positioning her beside him.

\'Are we ready to begin?\' Dumbledore asked, looking around the room.The pipes died down, while most everyone seemed to mumble an agreement in unison. The Headmaster turned his attention back to the couple in front of him. \'Alright, then. Let\'s have at it,\' Albus said, then opened his mouth to speak.

\'Erm, Professor Dumbledore.....\' Kendra\'s voice interrupted. All eyes turned to her. She seemed to be blushing, and Severus couldn\'t hide the smirk this time. \'Let\'s get at what, Sir?\'

\'You\'re wedding, my dear,\' he told her kindly. Severus watched the blood drain from her face. Her gaze sought out his, the question in her eyes. He didn\'t think she was capable of speaking at the moment. He gave her his usual smirk, nodding his head in answer to her unasked question. Her eyes went as wide as saucers. He felt her shake, thinking for a moment that she was going to drop to the floor in a dead faint. But she regained her composure, her gaze raking over the assembled group with a new understanding dawning in the brilliant green orbs. Her head snapped back into it\'s forward position, facing Professor Dumbledore silently.

\' I am going to bloody kill you,\' Kendra whispered under her breath, knowing Severus heard her when his smirk of satisfaction became a full blown smile. A smile she had never seen. It was amazing what it did to his face. She gave him her own answering smile in return.

\'Severus has made the request to have two ceremonies performed today. One will be the official wedding, the one Muggles look upon a legal. The second will be a Handfasting. If everyone is ready to begin?\' he lifted a brow, casting his gaze about the room once more. His question was met with silence, so he cleared his throat, levitating a book up to float level with his chest.

\'Wait!\' a cry rang out. Kendra blushed as she recognized her mother\'s voice. \'My baby girl cannot get married without flowers.\' Morgaine moved to stand next to her daughter, handing Kendra a small bouquet of perfectly formed rose buds, the red of them so dark as to be almost black. Then the older woman gave Dumbledore a sheepish grin before hastening back to stand next to her husband.

\'Now then, I\'ll make this as simple as I can. We have gathered to witness the union of Severus and Kendra. As I can hope that no one objects, I shall begin the ceremony. It my great priviledge and honor to be asked to join together a man I have long admired and looked upon as a son, with a woman whom I admire for her tenacity and courage. Severus Snape and Kendra MacLeod. As neither one of them has ever been known to enjoy pomp and circumstance, I will make this as direct as I can manage.\'

The Headmaster paused for a moment, giving Severus the opportunity to do something terribly unlike him. He squeezed her hand in a gesture of reassurance. \' Severus Snape, you have chosen to wed Kendra MacLeod. Is this a union you agree to readily? One you want to last for as long as you both may live?\'

The entire group watched as he actually paused, looking as if he were giving great thought to the questions. Kendra was ready to start hexing him when he grinned at her, telling her he knew she was anxious. Then his face took on a softer, less seen smile. \'Yes. And forever after that.\'

\'Kendra Elaine Morgana Brigit Elizabeth Donnal MacLeod,\' Dumbledore paused to catch his breath after rattling off her mile long name. \'You are being asked to wed Severus Snape. Is this a union you want? To last as long as you both live?\'

Kendra paused, smirking up at Severus as she made him wait for her reply. He seemed a tad worried when she took longer than he did to answer. \'Yes. And forever after that.\'

\'Since the two of you have agreed to this marriage, are there any present here who oppose this union?\' Dumbledore looked around at the group. Both Kendra and Severus turned, shooting glares at her brothers, in case they had gotten the idea into their heads to make their complaints known. All seven paled, their mouths pressed closed tightly. The silent threat was most effective. The two turned back to face Dumbledore, waiting for him to continue. \'As there are none present who oppose this union, I will say a few words before continuing.

\' It gives me great pleasure to see these two young souls find each other and come together in matrimony. I have for years watched Severus struggle to make a life for himself after his Death Eater days. I had despaired of ever seeing him find his happiness. And yet, the very thing he thought he would never have happen was under his nose for seven years. If Kendra had not taken matters into her own hands, I doubt he would have ever found it. It has not been easy, but nothing worth cherishing ever is.

\'May the two of you continue to challenge each other while your love for one another deepens over the years. May your child, as well as those that follow, bring you both great joy and happiness. It has been a priviledge to watch you both grow. By the gift of the gods that gave me my powers, I pronounce you Witch and Wizard. You may not kiss your bride, Severus. Not yet, at any rate.\'

Dumbledore smiled when Severus scowled at him, the Potions Master\'s face clearly telling him that was precisely what he\'d been about to do. While they stood and waited, Albus conjured four candles. One yellow, one red, one blue, and one green. Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Yellow went to the East, Red to the South, Blue to the West, with Green lastly going to the North. Then he called on each Watchtower, inviting their Guardians to join the group. The appropriate candle was lit in accordance to it\'s corner, as each Watchtower was called out.

When all four Guardians had been called upon, all the candles lit, Albus produced a long ribbon in Slytherin green and Gryffindor gold. \'I need both of you to take the other\'s hands.\' Kendra and Severus placed their hands in the others, watching as Dumbledore arranged them in one pile. Then he began winding the ribbon about them, binding them together both ritually and realistically. Once bound together, the old Wizard lifted a goblet from the table behind him. He brought it to both their lips, making sure they drank from the same spot. It was a rich honey mead that slid down easily. He returned the goblet to it\'s previous resting spot, then clasped the bound hands in his. A smile spread his lips as he finished the ceremony. \'What has been brought together here today has been Bound and Blessed by both the Lord and Lady. Severus and Kendra, you are now joined. May the gods smile and bring you joy. Blessed Be.\'

\'So mote it be,\' Severus and Kendra replied together. They watched as Albus thanked the Guardians, then blew out the candles, reversing the order in which he had lit them. Once the Guardians had been allowed to leave, Dumbledore unwound the ribbon and freed their hands.

\'Severus, Kendra......\' he smiled gently at the pair. \'You are now well and truly married. You may now kiss the bride.\' The twinkle was there as Dumbledore spoke the last. Severus shot him a half hearted glare, then pulled Kendra against him, being mindful of her stomach as he did so. Her eyes were closed before he had finished cupping her cheeks with his hands. His lips touched hers, almost tenatively at first. But the hesitation was quickly replaced with growing desire. His mouth covered hers, slanting across her lips to deliver a bruising kiss. She moaned softly, so only he could hear it, then slipped her arms up over his shoulders.

The two were still locked in their embrace five minutes later when a voice cleared it\'s self from somewhere behind Severus. \'Alroight, you two! Tha\'s enough! Yer wasting good party time with all this nonsense. There\'s a barrel of ale over there with my name on it. I\'d like to drink it before it gets warm,\' Hagrid\'s voice was gruff with what Kendra suspected were unshed tears. She pulled back, finding her vision blurred with her own drops of joy induced moisture. She distincly heard Severus grumble something under his breath.

\'Now let\'s bloody party!\' Aengus shouted, which brought the skirl of the pipes to life again. The staff and Kendra\'s family surged forward to offer congratulations. The former classmates came as well, offering up hand shakes and hugs.

Kendra was assaulted by her mother first. Morgaine was still crying as she hugged and kissed her daughter. Then she found herself being squeezed by her brothers, one after the other, until she was left with her father. \'Ye\'ve got yerself a good mon there, lass. He may be surly and ill tempered, but he spent every available moment workin\' on this tae surprise ye with,\' Aengus told his daughter gently. She looked to where Severus stood, his normal reserve once again on his face. He was currently being congratulated by Madam Sprout, who had managed to get her arms about him in a hug. His arms were hanging in mid air, showing that he was uncertain of what to do with them. Or that perhaps he was controlling the urge to do with them what he\'d like. He looked terribly put out by the entire situation.

\'Severus did this?\' she asked, amazement lacing her voice. Her father nodded at her, his smile broad with his happiness. \'But..... how?\'

\'We plotted the entire thing, he and I. Well, yer mum helped, too. Sae did a few others, as weel. But he did most o\' the work, lass. He may no\' say it, but that mon loves ye,\' Aengus hugged his daughter to him tightly. She smiled up at him when he let her go, then turned to go back to her husband\'s side.

She found him swarmed by the young men she had attended school with. Each one was looking at him as if they didn\'t know who the man was. She slipped up next to him, her arm going about his waist. His hand came to rest on her back, the only sign he gave that he knew she was there. \' I can\'t believe you\'ve gotten married,\' Ron was saying, his tone clearly conveying his thoughts on the matter.

\'Well, Mr. Weasley. I am human, after all. You can\'t expect me to remain the solitary bastard all my days, can you?\' Severus managed to get the words out with a good deal of patience.

\'He\'s only marrying me because I threatened to curse him with spots if he didn\'t,\' Kendra said, mischief plain to read on her face. The assembled group of former students all turned to look at her. It was obvious to her that they thought she was barking mad.

\'Mind your tongue, brat. Or else I\'ll be forced to take you over my knee,\' he hissed at her. She wasn\'t entirely certain if he were in a foul mood or not, but she didn\'t let the possibility stop her.

\'You can\'t fit me over your knee. And you know it!\' she grinned, then looked to the others. \'Thank you all for coming. It was terribly nice of you.\'

\'Nice, my arse! We had to see the git get married,\' Fred exclaimed loudly. She chuckled at his words, earning a scowl from Severus. George was nodding his head in agreement with his twin\'s statement.

\'Congratulations to you both,\' Harry said politely, sending a glare his best friend\'s way.

\'Yes,\' Malfoy drawled, looking from one to the other. \'Congratulations. I never thought I\'d live to see the day when Snape married. I hope you can continue to give him his daily ration of hell, MacLeod.\'

\'That would now be Snape, Mr. Malfoy. And she never lets the opportunity go by to make me miserable. It seems she was practising for this marriage long before the possibility came to me,\' Severus drawled. She jabbed him in the ribs with her elbow, then turned to look over her shoulder.

\'Oh, look! Food! I\'m bloody starved. Let\'s go eat, Severus!\' she hooked her arm in his, dragging him along behind her as she headed for the table where the food from the kitchens had appeared.

\'Food? Is that all you think about anymore these days is food?\' the group heard Snape ask in his usual sullen tone of voice. She gave some reply, but they never heard it. Her words were swallowed by the noise of the pipes as they moved away.

The two of them stopped halfway to the table, in a small area where no one else stood. Severus held her in place for a moment, then reached into a pocket hidden in his robes. His hand came out holding a small box in green velvet. \'This is for you,\' he told her gruffly as he flipped the top open. Nestled among the velvet interior sat a ring. It was silver, worked so that two serpents made up either side of the band. Between their yawning mouths was nestled a green stone. It was not overly large, yet it was of an impressive size. He took it from the box, slipping it up over the ring finger on her left hand. The band magically adjusted to fit her finger. She stared at it, then lifted her face. A gentle smile played about her lips.

\'Thank you,\' she whispered.

\'Don\'t thank me yet, brat. By wearing that ring, everyone and their mother will know I own you. That ring marks you as mine,\' he informed her softly. She shivered at the tone he used. The tone that told her he was thinking of far more pleasurable past times than eating and chatting with people he generally had no use for. She wondered how long they would have to stay before they could slip off without offending anyone. She sent him a smouldering look, letting him know that she wanted to join him in those other past times.

\' I can be quite effusive in my gratitude,\' she murmured, her hand rising up to settle against his chest. His robes were of velvet, soft and enticing under her fingers. She leaned her face against his chest, her arms slipping around his waist. He heard her inhale sharply, making him chuckle. The scent of old leather and spicy liquor assaulted her nose. The musky smell of *him* mingled with the other two, sending a quiver of desire skittering along her spine.

\' I\'m counting on that, brat,\' he smirked, then turned. They continued on to the table, where Severus placed the more delectable morsels of food on her plate before taking his own. He filled two glass goblets, one with wine while the other got pumpkin juice, floating them over to a pair of seats where the two of them would sit. He held her seat out for her, pushing it in under her as she sat. He then took his seat next to her. The two ate in near silence, watching the guests mingle and enjoy themselves.

She and Severus were talking sonftly with one another when she sensed someone standing behind her. She looked up to find Illiana on her left, smiling down at her almost wistfully. Kendra shot from her chair to hug the other woman. \'You knew, didn\'t you?\' she asked.

\'Of course I knew. It\'s why you\'re wearing that beautiful gown today. It\'s why you\'re even here for the ceremony. I have been a party to this since the end of the Expo. Severus asked me to stay and help keep you occupied,\' Illiana explained. \'He was worried that you would do something stupid to him if there was no one there to keep an eye on you.\'

\'He\'s right. I\'d have cursed him soundly. I had begun to think that he had grown disinterested in me because I was getting fat,\' she looked to him out of the corner of her eye. He scowled, pressing his lips together to avoid saying anything to her that might ruin her mood. She was terribly happy, if the grin she\'d been wearing perpetually for over an hour were anything to go by.

\'Thank you for allowing me to be a part of something so wonderful,\' Illiana said, her tone indicating that she thought she hadn\'t been welcome. Kendra hugged her firmly once again.

\'You\'re my friend, Illiana. Probably my only true friend. I would have been displeased had you know been here to share this with me,\' Kendra informed the other woman. She was about to go on when an announcement cut the air.

\' It\'s time for the happy couple to cut the cake!\' McGonagall called out, motioning toward the towering cake that had just magically appeared on the table.

\' I\'ll speak with you more later, I promise!\' Kendra grinned at her friend.

It was four tiered, covered with white frosting. Green and burgandy accents decorated the cake in the shapes of tiny serpents and gryphons. Severus scowled at the Deputy Headmistress. Kendra nudged him with her elbow. He looked at her, saw the promise in her eyes if he would do this. He sighed, then pushed back his chair so he could stand. Kendra followed him as he lead the way toward the towerinf cake, wondering what he was thinking. The scowl he wore was one of his worst.

The two of them picked up the knife together, slipping the blade easily into the body of the cake. Two pieces were cut, then transferred to small plates of fine porcelain. Each one lifted their piece. Too late, she saw the glint in his eye. As she opened her mouth to accept the wedge he was supposed to feed her, his hand carelssly smeared the dessert across her chin. Laughter broke out, bringing Kendra\'s gaze to the spot where Draco leaned indolently against the lip of a table. Her eyes narrowed, letting anyone who truly knew her that he was now marked for revenge. She noticed her brothers had maintained their silence.

A wave of her wand cleared the cake and frosting from her chin. She glared up at him, letting him know without words she would pay him back for this slight. He half expected her to try the same stunt on him, but she merely fed him the piece of cake she held as if he were a child. Not a single crumb tumbled to his robes. They then cut more pieces, feeding them to the gathered guests. Hagrid took the entire lower tier as his piece. When every one had their cake, there was nothing but the top most layer left. The top of it had the figures of a serpent and gryphon twined about each other, signifying the joining of two houses.

It hit Kendra then that she was truly married. To her ex Potions Master. She was now Kendra Elaine Morgana Brigit Elizabeth Donnal MacLeod Snape. She looked up at his face, cast in a mask if bland indifference, with wonder in her eyes. He glanced down at her, trying to decipher her mood. Suddenly, she threw her arms about him and hugged him to her tightly. The two parted as their child gave a healthy kick to show it\'s dislike at being squashed so unceremoniously.

\'Dance, children!\' Morgaine called as she and Aengus whirled about the room, passing Severus and Kendra where they stood. They had been cornered by Ron Weasley, who was once again trying to sort out why anybody had married Professor Snape, the unparalleled bastard of Slytherin and Hogwart\'s. He looked down at her. Kendra merely shook her head. She wasn\'t in the mood to dance. He nodded once, then went off to refill their goblets.

\'Honestly, Kendra. What do you see in him?\' Ron wanted to know. She opened her mouth to answer, but he went on before she could get a word out. \'Did he force you into it? I don\'t understand how such a bloody beautiful girl ends up with a git like Snape! What do you see in the man?\'

\'Truth?\' she asked, then glanced around. Severus was still by the table, refilling their drinks. When she looked back at Ron, he nodded. A smile broke over her face. She leaned close to him, to ensure he heard her answer. \'Because, he\'s bloody marvelous in bed. Just brilliant!\' she gave him the words she had once given his sister. He choked, his face turning purple when the meaning of her words hit him.

\'You mean?....\' he squeaked, his eyes bulging in blatant disbelief.

\'Yes, Ron. I mean he\'s well endowed. Hung like a bloody horse,\' she returned, keeping the impish grin from her face with an iron will. If he couldn\'t just accept the fact that she\'d married Severus because she loved him, she felt he needed something to stew over. Ron cast a glance over her shoulder as Severus returned, his eyes raking the length of the man\'s body before returning to her face. She gave him a pleasant smile. He turned and practically ran in the other direction.

\'What devilry have you been tormenting Mr. Weasley with now, brat?\' he asked dryly as he put her drink in her hand.

\'Nothing too horrid, I assure you,\' she replied, watching as Ron stopped by Harry and began recounting what he\'d been told. She watched Potter\'s eyes widen slightly, then the green gaze swivelled to where she and Severus stood.

\'Why am I disinclined to believe that?\' he questioned with his usual bored demeanor.

\' I have no idea, mo piseag,\' she shrugged. The bark of laughter from behind them told her that her father had trailed after her husband. She began to slip away from him. She was not going to be anywhere near him when he got his questions answered. She knew Aengus would have no problems telling him what he wanted to know. His hand curled about her arm, leeping her in place.

\'What did she just call me?\' Severus demanded of his father-in-law. She felt the blush already staining her cheeks. She was in such trouble now.

\'Mo piseag is Gaelic for *my kitten* Severus,\' Aengus told him happily.

\'You will pay for that, brat. I promise you whole heartedly, you will pay!\' he whispered, his voice hissing over her skin. She shuddered, wondering if she could make it to the nearest fireplace and floo the hell out of there.

~*~*~*~*~

The party was still well under way when Severus finally took Kendra\'s hand in his and lead her from the Hall. She gave him a quizzical stare for a moment or two, then grinned sheepishly when she noted that his eyes smouldered with unspent passion. He hadn\'t slept with her, in every sense of the word, in some time. He appeared to be as anxious as her about the coming evening. He lead her along the halls in silence until the two of them reached his dungeons. A thrill ran through her. She hadn\'t seen his dungeons in quite a while, and she had such fond memories of the place.

He unlocked his wards, then stepped back to allow her to enter his domain. She smiled up at him as she passed, then waited in the living area while he followed behind her. The door shut after him, leaving the two of them alone. He pulled his wand from his robes, flicking it idly with a practised move. Soft strains of classical music filled the air. His pale hands lifted to her face, his long fingers crading her cheeks between them. She stared up at him expectantly. \'You look beautiful today, wife mine. I am flattered that you chose to marry me in the colors of my House,\' he said to her, his voice soft and even. His words were spoken in perfect, flowing Elven. Her eyes went wide at the implication. She knew she\'d been caught.

\' I.....\' she began, but his brow shot up. It stopped her cold with it\'s unasked question. What could she have to say that could possibly defend her actions? His lips touched her forehead, placing a gentle kiss there.

\'Oh, yes, brat. I know all about that little stunt of yours last night,\' he continued. His Elven was so flawless, she felt herself shudder in response to the desire it called into life. She had forgotten how sensual, how sexual, the Elven tongue truly was. \' I don\'t know if I\'m flattered that you think that women all round the world are throwing themselves at my feet, or if I\'m insulted that you trust me so little.\'

\' I do not distrust you. I distrust every one else,\' she responded, her own Elven so perfect, he was lead to believe she spoke it frequently. It also made him wish he wasn\'t charmed against it\'s magical influences. He would love to suffer the effects of the words in her voice. Her next words shocked him. \'You\'re so bloody sexy. And I\'m still just a little girl. It\'s amazing you wanted to marry me at all.\'

\'Oh no, love. Never think that,\' he ordered in his typical brusque manner. The look in his eyes belied the harshness of his words. She managed a small smile at the endearment, wondering if he knew he\'d used it. \' I do not find anything childish about you. I\'m amazed that you wanted me. Period.\'

He leaned forward, his hands holding her head still as his lips sought hers. The kiss was tender, still holding the desire they felt for each other, just lacking the passion that the kiss they had shared earlier had been laced with. When he backed away from her, he looked hesitant. She wondered what could possibly be wrong. \'You know I am a man who uses words as easily as another uses tissues. Ever ready and dispensible at the drop of a hat. Unfortunately, these words are much harder for me to come by. You may only hear them this once, but I will say them. So you know. I know women like these things, for some foolish reason.\'

\'What is it you have to say, Severus?\' she asked, scarcely daring to breathe for fear it would make him change his mind. He stepped away from her, presenting her with his back. His hands worked at the buttons on the front of his dress robes. When he had them all undone, he slipped the robes off while turning back to her. She stared at him in shock as her brain tried to register what she was seeing.

His waist coat was short today, stopping exactly at his waist. Beneath it, instead of his obligatory trousers, he wore a kilt. The MacLeod tartan, in the muted shades of green and blue that marked the Hunting colors, was wrapped about his waist. He had even donned a dress sporran and brogues. Knees socks with the little piece of tartan hanging out of the folded top covered his calves. Her eyes were wide with shock. She had never thought to see him dressed like this. The Elven words washed over her, bringing her passions rising to the boiling point. \' I love you, Kendra.\'

Her face snapped up to look into his. There was a light in his black gaze she\'d never seen there before. His face, normally harsh and closed, was open and soft. He was telling her the truth. A smile trembled on her lips, even as she felt tears of happiness flow down her cheeks. He pulled her into his arms, his mouth once again covering hers.

His tongue slipped between her parted lips, running along her teeth before delving deeper to caress the entire interior of her mouth. Her hands slid up into his hair, twining around the silky strands to hold him to her. He allowed his hands to slip behind her, running up her back into the tumbling mess of fiery locks until they rested against the base of her skull. His fingers curled into her hair tightly, pulling her head back so he could properly plunder her tender mouth.

She moaned softly, breaking away to gasp for breath. His hands stayed in her hair, holding her head back so he could look directly down into her passion glazed eyes. When she only stared up at him hungrily, he released her. She didn\'t move for a moment, so he turned her around. Her robes slid from her arms, to be neatly folded and lain over a chair. His fingers deflty unhooked the buttons along her back, then he pushed her toward his bedroom. \'Go await me on the bed. I will join you shortly.\'

\'Yes, Severus,\' she agreed with a little nod, then stepped forward.

\'Minus the dress, brat,\' he reminded her. She nodded again, slowly peeling the material away from her flesh as she disappeared behind the door.

The chamber had been lit with a dozen floating candles, all in shades of light and dark green. The bed was made up with silk sheets, the covers already turned down in preparation. She allowed the gown to drop to the floor, then picked it up and folded it. She felt a little silly to be left in nothing more than two small scraps of cloth that were meant to be underwear. But she would not remove them yet. Let him see the triangles of lacey bits before he took them off her.

A thought struck her as she climbed, rather less than gracefully, up onto his bed. He hadn\'t seen her unclothed in some time. Perhaps he would find her enlarged tummy to be offensive. She sighed, wondering if she would ever conquer her low self esteem. It didn\'t seem like it at present. She thought she would be safe and hang her head. She wouldn\'t have to see the look of loathing on his face she was sure would be there when he joined her.

Severus stepped into the bedroom, his gaze locked onto the figure of his wife. She sat in the middle of the bed on her knees. Caressing the abundance of her breasts was a strapless demi bra in black lace. It was accented with green. He could just make out the matched triangle that was meant to be panties. Her head was down, the cascade of red hair hiding her face. He noticed the rigid set of her shoulders, then cursed under his breath when he realized she was afraid of his reaction to her advancing pregnancy.

He shed his clothes, folding them up neatly then laying them on top of her gown, before he made his way over to the bed. Slipping onto it, he moved up behind her. Her head didn\'t raise, so he spooned his body to hers. His bent legs spread wide, moving into place on the outside of hers. His chest touched her back as he let both hands slip over her belly. They cupped the spot where their child was protectively nestled. He put his head next to hers, his mouth rasping hot air across her ear as he spoke. \'Never hide your beauty from me, brat. I find you as attractive now as I did that very first moment in your dungeons.\' He nuzzled her hair away from her throat so he could place his lips there, his teeth closing over the sensative area at the base where neck met shoulder.

She moaned, her head rotating until it was laying on his shoulder. His hands moved then. One moved up to cover her breasts. His arm lay across them, pushing them up as his hand closed over the mound of flesh beneath it. The other arm went down, until his hand slipped between her thighs so it could cup her mons through the lace of her panties. Her arm lifted, wrapping around his neck as his teeth continued to nibble her skin.

Her body shuddered when a single finger slid along the slit that marked her opening. She gave a soft cry, her thighs spreading the smallest bit to allow him better access. \'Oh, gods, Severus. I want you inside of me,\' she gasped, feeling his finger push into her, taking the material of the thong she wore with it.

\'As you wish,\' he breathed into her ear, then slipped away from her. She opened her eyes, watching as he moved around to face her. Her bra dropped to the mattress as he knelt before her. She watched his eyes get blacker, smouldering with intensity as they took in the sight of her exposed breasts, heavy and aching with need. He lay down, patting the spot next to him. She moved to lay next to him wordlessly.

As she settled onto her back, he rolled up onto his side. He propped his head in one hand, elbow planted in the pillow under his arm. His eyes roved her form for a moment or two, then he lifted his free hand to gently stroke over her heated flesh. The sensation that his trailing fingertips brought made her shudder. His hands slowly, idly searched every square inch of her body.

His mouth descended, his lips pressing kisses to her forehead, her eyelids, her nose, and the rest of her face. His hand continued to caress it\'s way along her flesh, until his fingers once again found their way between her thighs. They edged their way beneath the lace, finding her lips swollen and slicked with her own dew. She made a mewling sound in the back of her throat. Her hips shifted toward his hand, wanting more of his fingers inside of her.

His fingers curled around the lace thong. His arm jerked hard, tearing the material away from her body. His mouth took a nipple into it, teeth biting down with enough pressure to make her squirm. Her body arched, her hands curling about the black sheets. He gave the same attention to the other breast before moving his head lower, his mouth and tongue leaving a moist trail behind them. When his hot breath fanned over her swollen lips, she gasped. Her hands left the bedding to find his head.

A cry left her throat when his tongue slid out to lap at her swollen pussy. She shifted beneath him, so that he wrapped his hands about her hips to hold her still. With expert moves, his tongue lapped at the abundace of the juices flowing out of her core. Occasionally, the tip of his tongue would grate over her clit. She would moan loudly, her hips trying to arch despite the hold he had on them.

She lost track of time and orgasms as he continued pleasuring her with his mouth and tongue. Her body trembled with the constant stimulation. When her cries became nothing more than hoarse shouts, he moved up over her. He sat up, settling between her thighs. She managed to pry open an eye. His cock was rock hard, the head swollen purple with his need. Pre cum glistened on the very tip of it.

A finger slipped into her channel, working in and out effortlessly. Her hips arched in time to his thrusts, telling him she was ready for him. His hands circled her waist again, slowly dragging her up into his lap. She quivered as she felt the head of his erection press her flesh. Her eyes opened, looking to him with a silent plea. He obliged, sliding the length of his erection into her leisurely.

She let out a long, low moan as he filled her. It seemed as if it had been years since they\'d last been together instead of months. Her hips automatically arched up to give him the opportunity for deeper penetration. He took it wordlessly. His shaft slipped in completely. She looked up at him as he stilled his movements, merely allowed himself to fill her. Hir hips shifted, bringing forth a scowl from him. When she looked puzzled, he managed the crooked smile. \'Allow me to pleasure you first. Then, later, we can shag senseless, if that is what you wish.\'

Before she could give him a reply, his hips shifted, pulling his cock out of her slowly. She moaned low in her throat.When he shoved himself back in, it was as slowly as he had withdrawn. He timed his strokes to be long and slow, each one going deep. Her body shivered as his hands caressed her flesh. They covered her breasts, then her belly. Then one was slipping into the folds of slick flesh, finding the sensative nub of her clit.

His thumb grated over the nibbin until he felt her muscles tighten in response. Then it would pull back, leaving her on the verge of orgasm more than once. She moaned in protest each time. He took his time, actually making love to her. She was in heaven, knowing it was a gift to be cherished. He wasn\'t a gentle soul, and this had to be difficult for him.

Gradually, he increased his pace. She could see the fine layer of sweat blanketing his arms and chest. It glistened on his upper lip and forehead. He was holding himself back, wanting to ensure that she was fully pleasured before he sought any relief for himself. She smiled at him, then rotated her hips. He slid deeper into her. She moaned loudly. He gritted his teeth. \'Don\'t do that. I will not be able to last should you....\' he whispered.

His words died off when she repeated the circling of her hips. He moaned low in his throat, his hard won control snapping. His hips found thier own rhythm. It wasn\'t entirely bruising, but it wasn\'t the tender care he\'d been showing before. Her moans welled up in her throat as his cock stabbed deep. Her hips were arching up into his, meeting him thrust for thrust.

Her blood was coursing through her veins, desire following it\'s course without hesitation. She wanted nothing more than completion, while at the same time wishing it could go on, never to stop. He seemed to be able to sense her needs and wants. When she needed him to slam hard against her, he did. When she wanted his fingers to touch her clit, they were immediately there.

They were both frenzied. Her fingers curled into his arms, scoring the flesh beneath them with her nails. His hips churned against hers, pounding his cock into her harshly. Her back arched, small waves of the beginnings of an orgasm already washing through her system. A strangled cry escaped her throat. He watched as her hand snaked down over her belly. Her fingers found her clit, scrubbing against it furiously. Her back arched higher as she worked herself toward release.

He watched her, seeing the flush that suffused her body at the same time he felt her muscles contracting around his erection. His strokes became fast, not going as deep. She didn\'t notice or didn\'t care. Her figners worked tirelessly at her clit, until she opened her mouth to scream silently. She jerked beneath him while the muscles that clenched around his hard shaft squeezed tight. He groaned, feeling his balls tighten up. His hips pushed against hers, the sound of flesh hitting flesh still audible over the panting and Mozart that filled the room.

With a loud cry, he tensed, then came. She could feel his seed boiling up into her as he continued to thrust. It took half a dozen more thrusts to completely milk him dry. She allowed her hand to fall to the mattress, gasping for breath. He slid from her, laying on the bed next to her so he wouldn\'t harm the baby. His arm slipped about her, pulling her limp form up against his. She snuggled closer, her head pressed against his chest. She could feel his heart pounding beneath her cheek. \'Brat,\' he whispered.

\'Mo piseag,\' she murmured, already half asleep. He chuckled, deciding it was no worse than some other things she could have thought of. His hand reached out, an incantation leaving his lips. Another green velvet box drifted toward him. When his fingers curled over it, he set it on the bed and opened it. Inside was a choker that matched the ring on her finger. He removed it, holding it up to the light. The stone sparkled when it caught the flicker of the candle\'s flame.

Undoing the clasp, Severus worked the choker about her throat. She was now completely his, body and soul. It was a feeling he\'d never expected to be allowed to have. It felt rather odd. It also felt as if it gave him an overwhelming sense of power. The green stone on the choker winked at him again, as if it agreed with his assessment.

His wife.....

end chapter twenty five.
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my thanks to madam shark for all her hard work, and to the usual crew for their continued support. it really means alot. thanks guys!

please, if you liked this, let me know. reviews are good. so are chocolate frogs. either one is good with me. the absolute best, though......some of snape\'s wardrobe. i want all those little buttons for my own!

A/N: there is now a wonderful rendition of the wedding located at the yahoo group madam shark and i started. it is called wykked wytches. should you like to join, please contact me as ladydeathfaerie@yahoo.com it is also at the following web address http://www.geocities.com/beagbeag/index.html look under requests.