The Power Lies Within

Well here is an update. This is the dinner and the wedding. I hope you enjoy this. Remember to review. I want to thank my beta for her hard work.

J.K. owns the world and characters. I just like playing with them.

Please review
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Chapter 9
The Conjugo Anima

Hermione went back up to the common room to get Harry for dinner. “So what is Snape’s family like? Are they anything like him?” he asked.

“Um, his brother is a bit like him. His mother on the other hand is quite different. But you will get to meet them and make your own decision about them. We are having dinner with them tonight.”

“Wonderful, dinner with three Snape’s. Just what I want to do with my evening.” Harry said rolling his eyes.

“Harry, you are going to have to start being nice. Because after tomorrow, I will be a Snape too.”

“Ron, it going to hate this when he comes back.” Harry said with a grin playing across his face.

“I can see him now. He is probably going to turn green.”

“If he doesn’t get sick first,” said Harry, “Hey Herm, I have a question. Are you guys telling the rest of the school? I mean, will Dumbledore like make an announcement or anything?”

“I don’t know. It isn’t something we have talked about yet. Really with everything going on I hadn’t even thought about it.”

“Wow, now that surprises me, Hermione Granger, know-it-all, didn’t think something completely through before jumping into it.” Harry said laughing at her.

“First of all, remember as of last night it is Potter. And secondly when the hell would I have had time in the last three days to think this whole situation completely through. In the last three days I have found out that I can no longer have the right to choose the who I get to marry. I have to marry my professor, who until three days ago I thought hated me. I found out that I am expected to have a baby who will decide the fate of this war. My parents have died by the hand of a madman. I have just found out then when Severus’ mother dies, I will be Lady Snape: the matriarch of his line. And I have no idea what that will mean for my life,” by the end of this little speech Hermione was almost yelling and her breathing had become harder and harder.

Harry just stood there. He didn’t know what to say and before he could reply Hermione spoke again. Hanging her head and speaking very quietly, “Harry, I think I finally understand what it might be like to be you. And to be honest, I don’t like it.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks, “It all is just too much. How do you handle it?”

Harry took a step towards Hermione and opened his arms to her. She stepped into his embrace and put her head upon his shoulder and started to cry even harder. “I have friends like you and Ron that don’t let me wallow in self pity for to long before you snap me out of it.” Hermione lifted her head and looked up at him, she had tears still rolling down her face but there was a slight smile playing across her lips. “And now I guess it is my turn to pull you out of it. Seeing as you are my sister now and I guess I will have to.” Harry rolled his eyes as he said this.

Hermione smacked him lightly on the arm and wiped her eyes. “I must look a mess. Oh God, what time is it? We have to meet Severus and his family. Damnit.”

“Herm, calm down. Go get cleaned up quickly and then we will go down,” Harry said in a calm tone.

Fifteen minutes later they were on their way down to the Great Hall, Hermione had time to brush her hair and re-apply her make-up charm. When they walked into the Great Hall there was one long table with candles, table linens and cloth napkins. Both Harry and Hermione’ jaws dropped. “Are we in the right place?” Harry asked.

“I think so, but I am not sure.”

Then from behind them came Lady Snape’s voice, “Well this is absolutely lovely. Dumbledore you did not have to go to all this trouble.”

“I believe that most of this,” he said as he waved his hand in the direction of the table, “was done by the house elves. Once they found out that you were in the castle, they felt that there should be a little extra on the table. Shall we sit down?”

Severus walked in at that very moment; there was a look of shock upon his face before he caught himself in the action and returned to his normal glare. He walked over to his mother. “Hello Mother, where is Keary? Is he not joining us?”

“He should be along in a moment,” she said taking the seat that Dumbledore had pulled out for her. “Hermione come sit next to me. I would like to learn a bit more about the girl that has gotten my son to finally settle down.”

Hermione walked over to her and as she did Severus pulled out a chair next to his mother, when Hermione had sat down in it he took the seat next to her.

Keary walked in at that very moment, he eyed the room and table before seating himself across from Severus. Harry took the empty seat next to Keary and Dumbledore sat himself at the head of the table. The food appeared on the table when everyone was finally seated.

“Lady Snape, I would like to introduce you to my friend Harry Potter,” said Hermione.

“Hermione, I thought I told you to call me Avarielle. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Potter. Hermione dear, tell me about yourself.”

“I’m sorry Avarielle, but I am not sure what you would like to know. There is not a great deal to tell.”

“Tell me about your family,” Avarielle said.

“Well, it was just my parents and I.”

“Was?” asked Avarielle.

“They were killed several days ago, but they were wonderful while I had them. They were Muggle dentists. And they loved me very much. They had to biggest hearts of anyone I have ever known.”

“They treated me like I was family and brought me into their home and their hearts,” interrupted Harry.

Hermione gave Harry a lopsided smile and wiped a tear away, that had been sliding down her face, with the back of her hand before she continued talking. She told the table about her childhood and how they had to move several times because her magic had slipped out several times and how she never had many friends because of it, she also told them about the day she got her letter. She talked about how it felt to realize that there were other people like her, and others who could make things happen and didn’t really know how or why they did. After awhile she said, “I have been talking about myself for awhile and I am sure everyone is completely bored. Plus, I can’t think of anything else to tell you about me.”

When the last of the deserts had disappeared, Dumbledore said, “We should all probably retire. There is a lot to do tomorrow and it will be here sooner than you think.”

“Thank you for the wonderful meal, Dumbledore. It was marvelous to hear all about you Hermione. I will see you all in the morning,” said Lady Snape. She got up from her chair, as she did this Severus, Keary and Dumbledore all stood as well.

Severus walked over to his mother. “I will escort you back to your room, Mother.”

“Your brother can do that. You escort Hermione back to her rooms, as she will be your wife in a short period of time. Come Keary,” she said. She swept out of the room.

Severus turned to Hermione; “It is not necessary for you to escort me back to my rooms. Really it’s not,” she said.

“Hermione, you should learn this now, when it comes to my mother you do as she says. However, in this case she is correct. I should escort you back to your room.” He offered her his arm. She looked at him for a moment and before she made a move he spoke again. “I will not bite.” Hermione opened her mouth to say she knew as much when he said. “Unless of course that is what you like.” This was said in a whisper that only Hermione and he could hear.

She almost died on the spot. Severus Snape, feared Potions Master, was…he was…flirting. She smiled and took his arm. “Biting is bad, Severus. Nibbling is ok though.”

It was Severus’ turn to be shocked. He, however, raised one eyebrow but said nothing in return. The rest of their walk back to Hermione’s rooms was a quiet one. Severus was thinking about how different his life was turning out to be. He had never thought that he would marry, and here he was on the verge of doing just that. He wondered what Hermione would be like when they were alone. He had no intention of changing his whole way of living around to suit her. He had his schedule and his habits he had been living alone for so long he did not know if he even knew how to live with someone else in the same quarters as him. God, life was going to be different. But, would that be all that bad? Hermione was intelligent; they would be able to have stimulating conversation. She seemed rather independent which suited him just fine because it would mean that she would not be clinging to him. Maybe his life would not be that different, maybe he would be able to still have most of his privacy. But would all that be enough to keep them from killing each other? How long would it last before one or both of them got bored? Then what would happen? Severus did not get to answer that question because they had finally reached her door.

“Well goodnight Severus,” Hermione said. Then before he could move she lean up and kissed him on the cheek and quickly went inside. Severus was left standing outside the closed door with a look of surprise on his face. Hermione ‘Gryffindor Know-It-All’ had surprised Severus ‘Fearsome Potion Master’ Snape.

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The next day went by quickly with everyone running around doing last minutes touches for the wedding. Before Hermione knew it, it was time for her to put on her wedding robes and Professor McGonagall was knocking on her door to help her get ready. “Now remember my dear, you can not use hair or make-up charms.”

Hermione got her dress out of her closet; with its empire waist it was perfect. Hermione went into her bathroom and put on her dress, she was wearing nothing underneath it, as was the tradition. The pure white of her dress was a symbol of Hermione’s purity. When she came out Professor McGonagall tied the red ribbon in a bow right under her breasts. The red ribbon was a symbol of passion and love that Hermione would bring to her marriage.

Professor McGonagall spent the next 45 minutes brushing out Hermione’s hair and she was able to tame in down so that it was curly but not puffy. She pulled the top part up and pinned it back with a few bobby pins and then she placed baby’s breath in it.

The last thing Hermione did before she left her rooms to head to chamber where the wedding would take place was to pull on the robe that went over the gown, and pull the large hood over her hair, causing it pool around her neck.

“Hermione, you look beautiful. Are you ready to go down to the chamber?”

Hermione took a deep breath and then said, “Yes, I am.”

When Hermione and McGonagall walked out of her room and there was Harry. “Oh my God, Hermione. You look absolutely stunning.”

“Thank you Harry, that means a lot to me.”

Harry offered her his arm and they walked down to the chamber with McGonagall. Harry and McGonagall walk inside the chamber leaving Hermione outside waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Hermione closed her eyes, took a deep breath and said, “I miss you mom and dad, but I know you are here with me. I just want you both to know that I am going to be ok.” Then she stepped inside the chamber. Severus stepped in the room from the other side of the chamber. He was dressed in deep green robes that had silver buttons all the way down the front. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Their eyes locked as they made their way towards one another.

Candles lit the chamber; and there were five other people there. Severus walked between Harry and McGonagall, Hermione had to walk between Lady Snape and Keary. Dumbledore stood between and a few steps back from McGonagall and Lady Snape. They each stood on a point of a pentacle.

Severus could not take his eyes off of Hermione as she walked towards the center of the pentacle. She was gorgeous; her dress hugged her body in all the right places. Severus had never realized that she had those kinds of curves. They reached the center and clasped hands and they stood facing each other.

McGonagall and Lady Snape moved to where Dumbledore stood then each took a bowl from him. The bowl the McGonagall took held petals from the flowers that Hermione had chosen, Daisy, Hawthorne, Heliotrope, Ivy, Lilac, Lily, and Rose. Hermione had decided that she wanted to add a bit of love to the mix even if Severus would never feel that way for her or she for him. She wanted to give them a chance at it at the very least. The bowl that Lady Snape held was filled with the herbs that Severus had chosen. McGonagall and Lady Snape stood behind Dumbledore and walked away from each other in a circle around the group sprinkling the contents of their bowls onto the ground.

As they did this Dumbledore began to speak. “We are here on this day to join this wizard and this witch. Severus has chosen to encircle himself and his bride with Cumin for fidelity, Dill for protection, Birch for protection, Cedar for strength, Chamomile for patience and wisdom, Rosemary for loyalty, and Ginger for strength. Hermione has chosen to encircle her bridegroom and herself with Daisy for innocence, Hawthorne for hope, Heliotrope for faithfulness, Ivy for fidelity and marriage, Lilac and Lily for purity, and Rose for love.”

At this Severus raised one eyebrow, and Hermione gave him the smallest of smiles. McGonagall and Lady Snape had made their way all the way around the circle and retook their places in the pentacle.

“We gathered here to witness this union and will now give blessing to the couple here. I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, bless this couple with the gift of patience.” He raised his wand and a blue glow came out of it, which surrounded Severus and Hermione.

“I, Keary Chad Snape, bless this couple with the gift of prosperity.” He raised his wand and a green glow came out and surrounded Severus and Hermione.

“I, Minerva Elizabeth McGonagall, bless this couple with the gift of wisdom.” She raised her wand and a gold glow came out and surrounded Severus and Hermione.

“I, Lady Avarielle Sophia Snape, bless this couple with the gift of strength.” She raised her wand and a red glow came out and surrounded Severus and Hermione.

“I, Harry James Potter, bless this couple with the gift of love.” He raised his wand and a pink glow came out and surrounded Severus and Hermione.

“We have each blessed this couple. It is now time to call upon the elements.” Dumbledore said. He raised his hands and called out, “Be with us here, O being of the Air. With your clever fingers, tie closely the bonds between these two.” A wind whipped through the chamber and swirled around the couple.

Dumbledore then waved his wand as he called out again. “Be with us here, O being of Fire. Give their love and passion. Your own all-consuming ardor.” Out of Dumbledore’s wand came a stream of fire with circled around them.

Dumbledore then pick up a goblet and poured it on the ground and called out, “Be with us here, O being of water. Give then the deepest of love and the richness of the body, of the soul and of the spirit.” The water that was poured on the ground spread across the ground and circled around Severus and Hermione’s feet.

Dumbledore put his hands on the ground and said, “Be with us here, O being of Earth. Let your strength and constancy. Be there for so long as they desire to remain together.” The ground beneath their feet shook. “It is now time for Severus and Hermione to speak their intensions.”

“I bind myself to this witch. I bind my mind to you. I bind my soul to you. I bind my heart to you. If ever we are separated my soul will search for you in the here after.” Severus spoke these words with his eyes locked with Hermione’s.

“I bind myself to this wizard. I bind my mind to you. I bind my soul to you. I bind my heart to you. If ever we are separated my soul will search for you in the here after.” Hermione spoke.

“What do you bring to this union Severus?” Dumbledore asked.

“I bring my protection, my wisdom and my name.”

“What do you bring to this union Hermione?” Dumbledore asked.

“I bring my wisdom, my courage, and my heart.”

“I join these two souls.” Dumbledore spoke this as he tied a gold rope around their joined hands. As soon as he had released their hands a pure white light came from their joined hands, it surrounded them and when it faded away the golden rope was gone and there were now wedding bands on their fingers. “This couple is now joined. You may kiss your bride.”

Severus gave a confused look to Dumbledore. “I do not remember that being part of the ceremony.”

“It is something they say in Muggle wedding. Now kiss your bride.” Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.

Severus leaned down and lightly kissed Hermione on the cheek as she had done the night before.

The group made their way up to Dumbledore’s office for a light snack and a drink. Hermione made sure to speak to everyone. She was getting very nervous about that night and what would happen when they left to go down to the dungeons. Hermione was speaking to Lady Snape when Severus came up to her. “Hermione are you ready to go home? It is getting late.”

Hermione and Severus said goodbye to everyone and headed down to the dungeons. Hermione was getting more and more nervous as they walked out.
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I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I am working on Chapter 10, which will be the wedding night. ANd of course will include some lemons. The more you review the quicker I will want to update. (I am not above begging for reviews) :)