It All Started with a Kiss

Chapter Four - Wedding? (yes, finally...)

"It's amazing that you can't remember getting into bed last night, yet still know that I accepted not to wear anything underneath my dress due to your stupid dare," Hermione said, looking at Ginny's reflection in the mirror.

Ginny groaned. "Ah, don't remind me of last night. My head still hurts."

"You shouldn't have drunk all that blue stuff," Hermione said, helping Ginny to hold up her hair while the redhead was fixating it with golden clips. "And don't you wish you had an Anti-Hangover potion?" she added maliciously.

"Do you have one?" Ginny asked hopefully, freeing a few locks from the clips, letting them fall around her face.

"Yes, actually. The green vial on the dresser," Hermione said, taking out the dress.

"No, wait, Hermione. Let Parvati and Lavender do your make-up first," Ginny said, downing the Anti-Hangover Potion in one gulp.

Hermione shrugged. She didn't really know what to fix first: hair, make-up, or dress. As long as someone was there to tell her, she was fine.

"I'll tell them to get down to you, and then I have to change."

"Okay," Hermione agreed. She looked funny. Her hair was up in a very elegant bun, and she silently thanked Ginny for her skills. But apart from that, she still wore her fuzzy rabbit pyjamas. The white bunnies were hopping around on the green background, and Hermione smiled. She had been delighted when she'd bought that specific pyjama in her first year. She was glad that it seemed to grow with her, and always fit.

"Wow, Hermione!" Parvati said. The two

"Your hair is gorgeous," Lavender agreed, putting her make-up kit onto the table. The two Gryffindor girls were already wearing their dress robes.

Half an hour later, Hermione could finally put on her wedding dress, and once again Parvati and Lavender squealed.

"Oh my God, did you choose that all by yourself?"

Hermione nodded, fastening the bodice in the back. With the help of the two girls she finally managed to fasten the cape, too. Her mother, who had come in a few minutes ago, shooed the girls away and closed the door.

"Hermione, my little darling," she said, tears in her eyes.

"Mum, I'm getting married!" Hermione said. "It's not as if I have a wasting disease and you won't see me ever again..."

"I know, but still... my little baby is growing up."

Hermione smiled. "Mum, you know that I love you, right?"

"Of course I know that. And your father and I love you, too, Hermione." Her mother took out a little black box and held it out to her. "This is my present for you on your special day. My mum gave them to me on my wedding day. It's an old tradition."

Hermione took the box and peered inside. On black velvet, two shiny pearl earrings and a pearl necklace shimmered in the sunlight. Hermione gasped. "They are beautiful."

"As are you, Hermione," her mother said, fastening the necklace. "It fits perfectly with your dress."

"Thank you, mum. Thank you so much."

"Hush, or I'm starting to cry now," her mum said, hugging her closely. "Now, are you ready?"

Hermione nodded, her heart beating unnaturally fast. She was getting married. She still couldn't really believe it.

***

Severus would never show it, but he was nervous. In fact, he would be shaking by now, if it wasn't for the reputation he had to uphold.

He looked around the Great Hall to distract himself. The House tables had been removed and replaced with smaller round tables, not unlike the ones used at the Yule Ball a few years ago. Everywhere were people, students mostly, but he also recognised Order members and other friends of his, as well as a few Ministry officials and a Daily Prophet reporter. He scowled at the reporter, but then let his gaze wander again. He spotted a table infested with lots of redheads and one unruly mob of black hair. 'Potter and the Weasley clan,' he thought, scowling at the thought how they had treated Hermione after they had - forcibly - announced their engagement.

A bunch of Slytherins sat in the corner, obviously very bored and uninterested. Malfoy and company were conspicuously absent, and he could only hope that they simply didn't want to attend the wedding and didn't plan to sabotage the ceremony in any way. Severus was just glad that Lucius was in Azkaban - he didn't want to know what that fanatic would have said to Hermione. He wondered briefly where Narcissa was. It was unlike her to miss such an important social event (and he couldn't be mistaken - that was exactly what Albus had made out of the situation).

'Ah, speak of the devil,' he thought as Narcissa Malfoy swept into the room. She came directly towards him, extending her pale hand, her expression unreadable.

Severus took her hand and bowed, kissing the pale flesh in perfect courtesy. Narcissa smiled thinly, and he returned the favour.

"Congratulations, Severus," she said, raising her eyebrows. "I didn't think I'd ever see the day you married."

He knew exactly what that meant. She thought he was too ugly and too despicable to find a wife at all. "Narcissa, I'm pleased that you could come," he said, smiling slightly. "I wasn't sure - what with Lucius in Azkaban and all," he added, thinking, 'payback's a bitch.'

Narcissa's smile froze on her lips. "I wish you only the best, Severus, you and your... bride."

"Of course. I hope you enjoy yourself today," he said, hoping she would take the hint and leave already.

Narcissa nodded. "Excuse me, Severus. I need to see if I can find Draco."

Severus nodded, scowling at Narcissa's retreating back.

"She won't drop dead just by scowling at her," Remus said into his ear. "Believe me, I've tried...", the werewolf chuckled.

Severus, only now realising that he was being almost friendly with the werewolf, directed his scowl at the man. "Did you want something, Lupin? Or is this another round of 'Let's threaten the evil Potions Master so that he never breaks the poor girl's heart'? Because I've had enough of that."

Remus sighed. "Severus," he said. "I don't really like you, but we work together. I like Harry as much as if he were my godson, and I feel responsible for him. This extends to his friends as well. I wouldn't want to see Ron or Hermione hurt."

Severus suppressed the urge to snort. He'd seen the way Lupin took care of people - by changing right before them, without the restrains of the Wolfsbane Potion (or a set of good old chains), and just because he forgot.

"However," Remus continued, taking Severus by the arm, and started walking. "I respect Hermione's decision. If she wants to marry you, I can't very well forbid it, or try to sabotage it. And besides, Ginny just told me that they are ready. We'll be starting soon, you'd better come along."

Then he was being led up to the front, to wait for his bride.

***

Hermione was aware of every pair of eyes in the room looking at her as her father led her down the length of the Great Hall, stopping right before Severus. She made out the Weasleys at a table to her right, and wished that Harry and Ron had taken the news better. Ginny gave her an encouraging smile and winked. Forcing her breathing to stay calm, Hermione concentrated only on herself and the ceremony.

William Funkle, Severus' old friend, was standing next to Albus, presumably as Severus' Best Man. She hadn't known he'd be here. William caught her eye and smiled at her warmly. She felt better instantly.

Albus started the ceremony, that had been composed out of wizarding and Muggle customs, but she barely listened. Her hand, that was clasped firmly in Severus', felt tingly and warm.

'Oh, God,' she suddenly realised. 'I'm falling in love.'

A week and a half ago, this would have been absurd. The thought alone would have made her laugh out loud. Falling in love - with Severus Snape!

But after ten days spent almost constantly in his presence she'd seen a side of him that made her realise that, deep down, he was just a normal human being. She'd started to forget the classroom Snape, and begun to see just Severus.

'But still,' she chided herself, 'I can't be falling in love. That's ridiculous.'

She glanced at Severus, only to find him staring at her. She raised an eyebrow, and he seemed to become aware of what he was doing. She could have sworn that he was blushing faintly when he averted his gaze to look at the Headmaster.

She mentally shrugged and turned to the Headmaster, forcing her concentration on what he was saying. After all, she wouldn't want to miss the point where she had to say yes.

***

She looked absolutely stunning.

Of course, at that Yule Ball a few years ago, he'd seen that she could be beautiful if she wanted to - but seeing her like this, in that beautiful dress, and all for him... it was mind-blowing.

Severus found his heart rate go up when her father placed her small hand in his, and he gripped it firmly, wanting to show her that he would always be there for her.

'Merlin, what am I thinking?' he asked himself, appalled at his sudden need to protect her.

She shifted slightly, and he glanced over, studying her face. 'She isn't that beautiful,' he said to himself, trying to rationalise away all the feelings.

'But-' a small voice started.

'No. Shut up,' he told it furiously. 'Get a grip.'

'Oh, God, she's watching me,' he realised suddenly, starting to feel a blush seep into his cheeks.

'You were watching her first,' the traitorous voice said.

Severus stopped himself from shaking his head to clear it, and brought his attention back to the Headmaster, his mind spinning. Was he really falling for Hermione?

His respect surely hadn't suffered from the closer contact they'd had. He still thought she was more skilled in Potions - and supposedly every other subject she had if her other teachers were to be believed - than every other student. He felt the same urge to protect he as with every other student ('Liar,' the traitor voice said) and he cared for her as much as he cared for any of them.

He couldn't lie to himself, as good as he was at lying to others. So, yes, she was friends with Potter and Weasley. And yes, she made a funny face when she saw someone eat kippers, because she didn't like them. And yes, she sometimes started humming unconsciously when working on Arithmancy equations. But gods, he was falling in love.

Hermione's grip tightened slightly, and then he heard her clear voice, saying "Yes, I do" with astonishing ease. But he could feel her trembling a bit. He squeezed her hand reassuringly and brought his concentration back to the point. Seconds later, he heard himself echoing her words in a daze. Now it was her who squeezed his hand.

***

Albus held out the rings, and Severus took the smaller one, sliding it onto her ring finger.

Hermione knew that the next part was a wizarding custom - the moment she put the ring on Severus' finger, she was supposed to make a wish. Not wishing for money or anything trivial, but a wish concerning their marriage and their life together. Up until a few seconds ago, she'd been unsure what to wish for. She could hardly be selfish and wish for his love, but she couldn't completely disregard her own interests. She struggled to find something to wish for. But then she looked up and into Severus' eyes, and she knew what she'd wish for.

She took the ring offered by the Headmaster and slid it onto Severus' finger, thinking, 'Please, let us just be happy.'

She looked back at Dumbledore, whose eyes were twinkling more than ever. He nodded slightly, and smiling, he pronounced them husband and wife.

Hermione's heart was once again beating furiously. She knew what came next. Her first kiss as a married woman. And in public, too.

Severus turned towards her, and upon seeing her face, where - she was sure of that - all her mixed feelings and the apprehension of doing this in public were clearly visible, smiled slightly and cupped her face. Hermione simply closed her eyes and pretended they were back in his office, or somewhere more private, and tried to stop thinking altogether.

The kiss was... sweet, as she would describe it, a very respectable kiss. And it wasn't half as bad as she'd thought it would be. She liked it.

Then her mother let out a quiet sob and she blushed faintly.

A few minutes later, and after a few flicks with his wand, the Headmaster had transfigured the makeshift altar back into a table, and Hermione was seated next to her husband. Husband... the word was still a stranger to her mind, but she slowly started to get used to it.

End Chapter Four