Chapter 11

Hermione and Severus were married that very next weekend by Albus Dumbledore. The Great Hall was decorated with white and yellow tulips. Severus stood nervously at the head of the hall with Albus right behind him. He eyed the audience. What was supposed to have been a small wedding had turned into a spectacle when Minerva had announced the union during dinner in the hall several days ago. Hermione and Severus felt compelled to invite the entire school after that.

Severus' eyes were drawn to the entryway as his children marched in. Anthea was the flower girl, spreading beautiful pink rose petals along the walkway and smiling with glee. Her frilly white dress made her look like a bride herself. Severus couldn't hold in his grin.

She was followed by Lucian, carrying a small pillow where the rings were nestled. He walked proudly, his black-haired head held high, and his face beaming. He looked like a miniature Severus in a tuxedo that was exactly like his father's.

Sebastian, also bedecked in a similar tuxedo, stood on Severus' right. He had been designated the best man. When explained what that was, his eyes had lit up, and he had grinned his shy grin. Severus had immediately pulled him into an embrace. Severus now looked down at his small son. The boy was looking up at him with wonder, a huge grin on his face. Severus placed a hand on his shoulders and grinned back.

Minerva, Hermione's bridesmaid came down the aisle then. She was adorned in a dark green robe with golden embroidery. She looked quite stunning in it.

Finally, it was Hermione's turn. Severus looked up, and it seemed as if his heart stopped beating right there. Her gown was made of beautiful white chiffon that simply swirled around her. His eyes moved up to her face, which was glowing. Her hair was completely straight. How Hermione had accomplished that feat was quite beyond him. He knew she was adept at Charm work, but this must have taken a while to get right. It flowed around her as she walked. Severus was simply mesmerized by her. He barely noticed when she approached him. He automatically held out his hand as his eyes swept over her entire figure once again. He couldn't believe how lovely she was.

Her small smile brought him out of his mind and back into the room. He smiled back and kissed her hand before the couple turned to Dumbledore.

Dumbledore thanked the masses for being there to see the union of Severus Snape and Hermione Granger. He quickly moved on to the beginning of the ceremony in earnest. Hermione and Severus had chosen to write their own bonding vows. They each grasped the other's wrists, and Hermione began.

"Severus, I have spent the last seven years wishing that this could be possible. I am utterly lost without you. You are my life. I bond myself to you today as a symbol of that life that we will now share. I will love you forever."

A silver band wrapped itself around their wrists as Dumbledore tapped them with his wand.

"Hermione, I love you. I will always love you. You are the only woman I will ever and have ever truly loved. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our children. I want to see them grow and change. I want to do that with you. I bond myself to you today as a symbol of that life that we will now share."

A second silver band wrapped around their wrists. Dumbledore now spoke.

"With my authority, I bind these two together. Where once there were two, now let there be one." He tapped their wrists a third time and another band wrapped itself around their wrists. All three bands glowed brightly before disappearing, seeming to have sunk into their wrists and becoming a part of each of them.

"I now pronounce this binding official. Do you have the rings?" Dumbledore asked.

Hermione leaned over to Lucian and took Severus' ring. "The circular shape of this ring represents an eternal round, symbolizing our unity for eternity." She placed the ring on Severus' finger.

Severus then took Hermione's ring, glancing over at Lucian and giving him a wink as he removed it from the satin pillow. "The circular shape of this ring represents an eternal round, symbolizing our unity for eternity." He slid the ring up Hermione's finger.

They looked into each other's eyes as the ring was placed, and he caught his breath. Severus struggled to contain himself. This moment was so precious, so wonderful, that he felt tears welling up in his eyes. He succeeded in keeping himself controlled as Albus continued with the ceremony.

"These rings and this bonding are a symbol to all who see them that you, Severus Snape, are joined in matrimony to Hermione Granger. Severus, you may kiss the bride."

Severus pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. He looked into her eyes and saw the love she had for him reflected in them. His heart burst as she pushed against him. His kiss was passionate, but reserved. They pulled back and smiled at each other as everyone in the hall burst into applause.

The children attacked their parents en masse, hugging them furiously. Hermione and Severus looked down at them. At long last, their family was complete. They turned and proceeded to the back of the hall, where everyone was to congratulate them.

Before they knew it, Darius was hugging Hermione furiously.

"I told you things would work out!" Darius cried as he pulled away from Hermione. He turned and pumped Severus' hand up and down. "She thought you didn't care. I told her to give you a chance. I can't tell you how happy I am that everything worked out."

Severus didn't really know what to say. He simply nodded.

"Now you guys can face the dunderheads together," Darius gushed.

Severus raised an eyebrow at him.

"Congratulations in any case," he continued, then turned and was gone.

Quite some time was spent in shaking hands and receiving hugs. Severus was surprised at how many students stayed to shake both of their professors' hands and congratulate them. He assumed they did it for Hermione, but several just nodded to her and pumped his hand up and down vigorously before moving on.

oooOOOooo

The wedding reception had finally ended, and all the guests had left. Hermione and Severus were back in her room, gathering their belongings and shrinking them to fit into their pockets. Willow was bouncing around them, repeating back to the couple what she was to do while they were away in London.

"And I'll have them in bed by eight o'clock," the house-elf squeaked. "Don't you worry about anything, Willow will handle everything!"

Hermione turned and kissed the little elf on the forehead. "Thank you, Willow. I want you to know, that you are, and always will be, a part of our family."

Willow beamed at Hermione. "Thank you, Mistress Snape."

Hermione grinned at her new name before straightening up.

"Are you ready to go?" Severus asked.

Hermione stooped down and ushered the children to come and give her a group hug. Three sets of arms hugged her furiously.

"How long will you be gone?" An asked. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes.

"Just for a week, love. We will be home before you know it."

"I'll miss you," An told her.

"I'll miss you too. I'll miss all of you."

The three children hugged Severus' waist. He pulled them off him and gave them each individual hugs.

"You three behave, and don't give Willow any trouble," he admonished. "I would hate to cut our honeymoon short to discipline three children who wouldn't listen."

Three solemn faces looked at him as they all nodded their heads. Severus grinned, breaking the seriousness of the moment. The children hugged him again.

It took some time, but finally, Severus and Hermione had left their quarters and had made their way to the Apparition point outside the Hogwarts gates. Severus pulled Hermione to him.

"Are you ready, my love?"

She nodded and grasped him around the waste. They turned simultaneously and disappeared.

oooOOOooo

They appeared outside a hotel whose façade was made of white stone. Grey Marble pillars stood in front of the entryway, beckoning patrons to enter into the lobby. A man in a black top hat held the door open for the couple as they entered the hotel. Hermione looked around appreciatively. The lobby's ceiling arched over them. Glass windows were inlaid into it. They were backlit, and shone brilliantly in the ceiling. Rich Victorian furniture was spread around in small clusters so guests could sit and chat at their leisure.

After checking in, Severus led them to their room. Where the hotel's lobby was Victorian in décor, this room was elegantly modern. A large bed sat against one wall, pillows covering half of it. Hermione ran up and jumped onto it, reliving a bit of her childhood. There was rich dark wooden furnishings and long sleek draperies in red hung from the windows.

Severus lay down next to Hermione on the bed and kissed her.

"I wouldn't have imagined you to be the type to jump on beds," he mused.

Hermione smiled at him. "When I used to travel with my parents, it was always the first thing I'd do when we got to our hotel. I was just reminiscing a little. I'll try to be more reserved for the rest of our trip."

Severus scowled. "I wasn't implying that." He grabbed her and pulled her on top of him. "As a matter of fact, I was hoping to see your wild side this week."

Hermione looked at him, her eyes wide and innocent. "Wild? Me? Why whatever do you mean, Mr. Snape?"

"Just this, Mrs. Snape… I hope to ravage you until you scream my name over and over again."

"So, why are we wasting time talking about it?" Hermione asked as her eyebrows lifted questioningly.

Severus' hand grasped her neck as he pulled her into him. His kiss was tender, yet urgent. Hermione lovingly placed a hand on Severus' cheek as she kissed him with abandon. Hearing him groan, she quickly lifted herself off him. Severus stared after her with pleading eyes.

"I'll be right back. I bought something special for tonight," Hermione explained as she wandered toward the bathroom.

Severus' breath was short, but he nodded as she disappeared. When he beheld what she'd changed into when the door opened a few minutes later, his breath caught in his chest. He'd never seen a more beautiful thing in his entire life.

She came back to the bed and slowly began to unbutton his shirt. "I'm yours, Severus Snape, heart and soul," she told him.

"And I am yours, Hermione Snape," Severus agreed.

Unable to control himself any longer, he pulled her to him and covered her with searing kisses. They were the first of many they shared that night.

oooOOOooo

The next morning they awoke in each other's arms. Hermione had never felt so safe or loved before. She snuggled in closer to Severus as he awoke. She felt his hand caress her hair. Had she ever felt this happy?

oooOOOooo

"I have something for you," Severus said a little later, as they ate breakfast in their room.

Hermione smiled at him. "What is it?"

He pulled a jewelry box out of his robes and gave it to her. Hermione looked down at it and back up at Severus.

"Go ahead, open it."

Hermione smiled and lifted the lid of the box. Inside, surrounded in velvet, was a beautiful silver necklace in the shape of the infinity symbol. It hung from a thick, flat, silver chain. Hermione fingered it in awe.

"Oh, Severus, it's simply beautiful."

"It reminded me of our relationship."

Tears formed in her eyes. She fumbled to get the necklace out of the box, but she couldn't see clearly enough.

"Let me help you," Severus said as he got up and made his way around the table to her.

He lifted the necklace out and fastened it around her neck. Stooping down, he kissed the chain and her neck where it lay.

"Severus, I will always wear this. Thank you."

She turned so she could hug him. He gently lifted her from her seat and wrapped his arms around her.

"We have always been meant to be together, my love," Severus told her with a thick voice. "I will love you and treasure you until the end of time."

The tears she was trying so desperately to hold back spilled down Hermione's face. She smiled at Severus before pulling his face to hers and kissing him roughly. Without separating from him, she led him back into the bedroom and eased him backwards onto the bed. Severus pulled away from her so he could look into her eyes.

"I thought you wanted to go to Harrods?" he asked, his breath ragged from their quick workout.

Hermione pushed him back so he was lying down on the bed. She moved her body over his and straddled him.

"We can do that later," she murmured before capturing his lips once again with hers.

They never did make it to Harrods that day.

oooOOOooo

Five years later:

Hermione and Severus sat at the teacher's table, holding hands. The first years had just been marched into the Great Hall. The couple was eyeing their children excitedly. Severus thought back to the first time he'd ever seen his children. How small and adorable the three of them had been as they'd announced their names and birth order.

Now, the three children, although only eleven years old, seemed to be very grown up indeed. Anthea stood proudly, her hair curled around her face as she pointed to the enchanted ceiling. She explained to a blonde haired girl how the enchantment worked. Severus had to grin at his little know-it-all. She reminded him so much of Hermione at that age, it was frightening.

Sebastian and Lucian stood together. Lucian was chatting with another boy, but Sebastian was looking at the floor. He shuffled his feet nervously and seemed to pay no heed to that which was going on around him.

Hermione leaned over and whispered into Severus' ear. "You're sure about your choices?" she asked.

He turned to her, a smirk on his face. "I am. There's still time for you to change yours."

She sat back and eyed him playfully. "I have no intention of changing mine."

"Very well, then," Severus said while giving her an intense look.

The sorting had begun, and they were already to the letter 'h'. The couple turned and paid attention to the ceremony. All too soon, the triplets were ready for their turn to be sorted.

"Anthea Snape," Professor McGonagall called.

Anthea literally bounced up to the seat. She sat primly on the chair as the hat was placed on her head. After a moment, her face lit up as the hat called out, "Ravenclaw!"

Hermione's eyes lit up, and she clapped heartily. Severus, too, clapped. Anthea being placed in Ravenclaw had been a no-brainer. With the intellect of both of her parents, she would definitely be a force to be reckoned with at Hogwarts.

It was Lucian's turn. Severus knew he would be in Slytherin. The boy was just too much of a sneak to be placed anywhere else.

Lucian strode proudly up to the chair and sat. The hat was placed on his head, and before it could even be settled, it cried out, "Slytherin!"

Severus smirked at Hermione. She clapped heartily. Neither of Lucian's parents were surprised by the hat outcome.

Now it was Sebastian's turn. Both Hermione and he had puzzled as to where he would be placed. The boy was incredibly intelligent and brave, and he could match his brother's cunning if he set his mind to it. Severus had felt he'd be put into Slytherin, Hermione had opted for Gryffindor. They'd argued endlessly until they finally decided to place a wager on the outcome. If Sebastian was placed in Slytherin, Hermione would grade Severus' class essays for a week. If he was placed in Gryffindor, Severus would grade Hermione's papers. If the boy was placed in Ravenclaw or, heaven forbid… Hufflepuff, there would be no winner. Severus crossed his fingers as he awaited the verdict.

oooOOOooo

Sebastian made his way to the seat, his head directed at the floor the entire time. He straightened his head up and glanced over all of the students in the hall. Boy, there were a lot of them. He wondered who would be his friend here. He found it hard to talk to people he didn't know very well. His best friend, Fred, had just been sorted into Gryffindor. Sebastian held little hope to be sorted into that house. He wasn't brave and daring, like a Gryffindor should be. He was hoping for Slytherin. He wanted to make his father proud of him. He crossed his fingers as the hat was placed on his head.

He felt the hat move before he heard a voice in his head. "Hmm, eager to prove yourself, aren't you? Yet, you lack confidence. Do not fear the unknown, little Snape, you will have a marvelous future, if you only apply yourself.

"I see many options for you. You would do well with your brother, in Slytherin. You are incredibly intelligent also. Ravenclaw would suit you well too. Of course, you have your mother's bravery in you. Gryffindor would be a good choice."

Gryffindor? But I'm really not that brave.

The hat harrumphed. "Are you questioning my abilities?" it asked sharply.

No, sir. I… I just never feel very brave… sir.

"Those who are truly brave, young Snape, do not feel that they are brave, they just have the strength to do what is necessary under exceptional odds. You, child, are one of those people."

Sebastian didn't look convinced, but he chose not to say anything more, so as not to upset the hat.

If you say so… sir.

"I have made my decision," the hat declared. In a loud voice the hat pronounced Sebastian Snape the newest member of the house of… "Gryffindor!"

Sebastian's jaw dropped.

oooOOOooo

Severus' mouth fell agape, but Hermione clapped vigorously as her son stood and headed for the Gryffindor table. He was greeted to strong pats on the back, and Fred whooping and hollering as he settled in next to him.

Sebastian smiled shyly as his new housemates chatted with him. Hermione felt tears form in her eyes as she saw the others befriend her shy son while he smiled and seemed to look at home among the throng of Gryffindors. She glanced over at Severus. He seemed thoughtful. She leaned into him.

"You're not upset, are you?"

"No," he said, while still looking at his son. "I am actually pleased. It seems that the lions are already taking him into their fold. He needs some stalwart friends. They will buoy up his confidence."

Hermione's hand clasped his. "So, you don't mind grading all of those papers for me?"

Severus huffed. "It's the beginning of the year, how much can there be?"

Hermione grinned broadly. "I'll make sure there are mountains."

Severus eyed her caustically. "Evil witch."

She leaned into him, a conspiratorial look on her face. "There may be a way to get out of your punishment."

oooOOOooo

Severus arched a brow at her. At that point, Dumbledore had finished his odd speech and dinner appeared on the table. The couple was distracted for a few moments as they filled their plates. Severus turned his attention back to Hermione.

"I thought you would gloat about this the entire week. What do I have to do to avoid grading your dunderheads' essays?"

Hermione tapped her finger on her mouth. "Well, there has to be some kind of reward for me. I did get the sorting completely right."

"What do you want from me, witch?"

"Well, maybe a different form of punishment would appease me."

Severus glared at her. "Just spit it out."

"I'll do better than that. I'll show you what I had in mind."

Hermione reached into the pocket of her robes and pulled out part of an object so only Severus could see it. He looked down to where her hand was and noticed her holding a set of handcuffs. His eyes grew wide as a lecherous grin came across his face.

"You want me in those?" he asked sultrily.

Hermione smirked at him. "I think that will be a much more satisfying punishment… for the both of us."

Fire lit in Severus' eyes. "You had to show me those now?" he demanded.

"That's part of your punishment. I want you to think about what we'll do with those during the entire feast and while you're talking to your Slytherins."

Severus groaned. "Woman, you are the devil."

"That's why you love me," she whispered into his ear, sending little shockwaves throughout his body.

He moved in closer to her and whispered back, "I not only love you, I adore you."

He placed a kiss on her neck before pulling away and returning to his meal.

The feast dragged on at a snail's pace from there. Severus had only one thing on his mind, and it wasn't the Yorkshire pudding. At long last, everyone had risen and was heading out the door. As Severus made his way out and towards the Slytherin common room, Hermione caught up with him. She pulled him to her and kissed him in front of all of the young Slytherins.

"I'll be waiting for you," she told him.

"I'll be there immediately."

Hermione withdrew from him and left him to his responsibility. He rushed to the common room and gave the shortest Head of House speech in the history of Hogwarts. Within a few minutes, he was rushing back to his quarters.

Bursting through the doors, he found Hermione standing there, waiting for him. She opened her arms, and he rushed into them. His mouth covered hers, and he reveled in the taste of her.

"Mmm, you are delicious," he murmured.

She grinned evilly at him and grabbed his robes. "I didn't give you permission to kiss me," she said as she tugged him into the bedroom. With a wave of her wand, the door slammed shut, leaving them to enjoy the rest of their evening in privacy.

The End

A/N: Well, they lived happily ever after, didn't they? Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing. I'm glad you enjoyed this story.