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Severus turned to watch his fiancée walk down the aisle towards him on Harry’s arm. His eyes widened at her simple drop-waist dress. How did I get so lucky? When he looked up at her eyes, they sparkled in delight at seeing him standing there in an all-black tuxedo.
They stared into each other’s eyes before Kingsley broke the spell.
“We are gathered here to witness this magical union of two souls that have called to each other.” Kingsley smiled. “Who is giving away this bride?”
“I am.” Harry cheerfully replied as he placed Hermione’s hand into Severus’s before sitting down.
“Hello, my darling.” Severus smiled at her before they turned to face Kingsley. “You may proceed.”
“Severus, be nice.” Hermione lightly tapped him on the arm.
“I am.” He smirked at her eye roll.
“I am grateful that they had faith in me to conduct their union. I am under the understanding that they are reciting their own vows.” They nodded. “Excellent. Who is going first?”
Severus turned to Hermione, “You first, my love.”
She gave him a smile of relief. “Alright.” Hermione took a deep breath before gazing deeply into his eyes. “I’m forever more grateful that you came back into my life when you did. Was it easy? No, but that’s okay because it made us stronger in the end.” Hermione raised her shaky hand to push back his errant hair behind his ear.
Severus solemnly took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, which made her give him a smile.
“I had this shroud on me, and I had trouble keeping it hidden from you because you saw through it and helped me through my past issues, including my nightmares from the war. You were patient with me and reminded me that you were here for me. Thank you.” Hermione quickly wiped away her tears. “I also waited patiently for you to catch up to me with your love. I know you didn’t have much faith in it, but I knew if I were patient enough, you would come around. I can’t wait to build this life between us. I would rather die than grow old without the best of you, Severus. I love you now eternally.”
Severus had to blink his eyes a couple of times to stop them from tearing up. “I believe it’s my turn.” Hermione dipped her head. “Brilliant.” He lifted his hand to wipe her tears away from her eyes. “Beautiful.” He carefully took her hands into his. “I love you, Hermione.”
“I love you, too.”
Her words warmed his heart every time he heard them.
“When I first saw you after the war, I knew something wasn’t right, but I didn’t want to demand what because you weren’t my student anymore. One thing I did know was some of the things you went through during it. It was hell, and it took a long time not only to get you to trust me but to let me help you through the painstaking memories as well and in turn, you showed me that there is still love out there when one isn’t looking for it. We definitely had our ups and downs, love, but I would go to the lengths we went through for love. I would not want it any other way, Hermione.”
Severus watched her reactions to his words, and he could see her amazement in her eyes. “Yes, I do have faith within us. Once I discovered my love for you, I knew my world would become a better place with you in it. I love you, Hermione.”
They stared into each other’s eyes momentarily before turning to Kingsley, smiling.
“Does anyone have any objections before we do the handfasting cords?” Kingsley inquired in complete silence. “Very well.” He looked at Severus and Hermione. “Please turn to each other and weave your hands together between you.”
Severus saw relief in her eyes, which was the same for him when that question was asked. He quirked his lips before focusing back on Kingsley.
“They have selected four different cords, which represent them as a couple and their different stages of their relationship.” Shacklebolt flicked his wand, raising four different ribbons. “I will explain each one.” He tapped the cornflower first.
“As you see, they have two different blues, and each one has a different meaning.” Kingsley lowered the light blue onto their hands. “This is a symbol of their understanding, openness and tranquillity that finally came after some trial and error.” He tapped the cord and it weaved itself around their hands.
“Now, for the yellow one,” he tapped the sunshine yellow cord. “This cord came about the spring for joy, happiness and friendship that bloomed after their harsh beginnings.” Kingsley tapped their hand, and the cord entwined with the blue one.
“Now to the Oxford Blue,” He moved that cord down to their hand. “This symbolises their growing stability and trustworthiness between them as their friendship slowly started to turn into something more. It brought out their dignity, loyalty and reflections towards the ongoing growth of their relationship.” He touched the cord, and it intertwined with the other two.
Severus was gobsmacked at how well this ceremony was going, and he could tell Hermione was too. He couldn’t wait to finish this so they could escape from everyone.
“Now, the final cord is this forest green one.” Kingsley guided the cord to their hands. “This is their crowning glory. This cord means that they finally found their harmony between them, and it brought about calmness and renewal of their commitment to each other. This cord also means that they hope it will bring them new beginnings with their own family to add to their growing family.” He tapped the cord, and it braided itself with all the other cords and left a beautiful knot.
Severus was in awe at how well the cords blended. He glanced at Hermione and saw the same in her eyes. He felt grateful to be here with her. He tightened his hands momentarily to give her reassurance before dipping his head.
“Severus and Hermione, will you two love and cherish each other through sickness and health for as long as you both shall live?”
“We do.” They replied together.
“You may kiss the bride over the cords. The magic shall do its work as you kiss.”
Severus smiled as he moved closer to kiss her on her soft, warm lips. As they bussed, a bright light flashed from their hands, and he felt the cords disappear and something warm embedded into his ring finger. When they pulled back, they gasped at their beautiful, corded rings tattooed, where their wedding bands would go. “I love you, Hermione.”
“I love you, too, Severus.”
The small crowd cheered as they turned towards them. Kingsley spoke behind them.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you, Mr and Mrs Severus Snape-Granger.”
Severus beamed when he heard the gasp from his wife Hermione and all the people watching the ceremony.
“You did that for me.”
“I did that for both of us, Hermione, my love. I’ve wanted a change, but I only told Kingsley the change.” Severus leaned closer to her ear, “Plus, I’ve always wanted to change it to fit whoever I committed to.”
“Well then, I guess that means you are officially no longer a confirmed bachelor.” Hermione beamed at him.
“Yes, it does, doesn’t it?” He smirked at her. “And there’s not one else I would rather do it with than you.”
She kissed him passionately.
Severus wrapped his arms around her waist and tightened them before he apparated them away to everyone’s surprise.
“Severus!”
“Yes, my wife?” He quirked his brow.
She just laughed at her new name and smacked him once more. “Where are we?”
He smirked. “We are going away and not coming back for a week.” He turned around and picked up a portkey shaped like a rolled-up newspaper. “Grab hold of this, please.”
He could see she was intrigued by his comment and took hold of a corner before looking up into his deep eyes. “Ready?” She dipped her head. “Good. Let’s go, Mrs. Snape-Granger.”
They both felt a jerk from the portkey, and off they went on their honeymoon.