Chapter 11-

Disclaimer – Not mine…

Hermione slowly made her way up towards the altar. The flutes played a joyful tune softly in time with her steps. She was so happy, looking at Severus smiling at her across the way, that she wanted to take off running, but there were people in her way.

At the very front of the procession, Jolie walked timidly, watching all the smiling faces turned towards them. She carried in her hand a small basket of flowers. Softly she dropped the flowers one by one on the ground in front of her, as she had been instructed. Behind Jolie was Mrs. Weasley, who would gently prod her grand daughter when curiosity got the best of her and she stopped to wave at one person or another. When Jolie caught sight of Hagrid, she let out a squeal and made to run towards the gentle giant who always carried a sweet in his pocket for her. Mrs. Weasley grabbed the youngster before she got to far ahead and directed her into a chair on the front row.

Luna was directly in front of Hermione and she walked slowly, her hands clasped in front of her, palms together as if in prayer. Finally she reached the archway and turned to stand slightly off to one side, opposite Severus and Harry. She turned and took Hermione's bouquet and Bible from her as the bride reached the archway. And then he was there, standing in front of her, and her face shone brightly with love as he took in the site of her.

Severus held out his left hand to her, and Hermione grasped it. He gave her hand a slight squeeze as if to reassure her. He bent his head down to her ear and said, "I love you and you look beautiful."

"Hum, hum," Hagrid coughed to draw their attention. Turing they faced him as he announced to the crowd, speaking slowly and pronouncing his words with the utmost care, "Friends, we are gathered here to join our two friends Hermione and Severus as they take their vows of matrimony."

"It has been a tough few years, as our world has begun to repair itself from the destruction that took many of our loved ones a few years ago. But as we restore our buildings and restore our communities we must restore our souls. The best way to do this is by allowing our love to flourish."

He looked down upon the two in front of him, "I look at the two people in front of me, and I see love shining out. It is a most beautiful thing."

"Please hold your left hands together before you," Hagrid instructed them. He held his wand in his hand, "Hermione, do you promise to love Severus for now and for the rest of your life?"

"I do," she answered. A gold light streamed from Hagrid's wand and wrapped itself around their hands.

"Do you promise to remain faithful to him and cherish him before any other man?"

"I do," she answered once more as another golden light came from the wand.

"Do you promise stand at his side, in good times and bad, and sickness and health, to death do your part?"

"I do," she said one last time. As she spoke those words, the third golden stream came from Hagrid's wand and wrapped around their hands, before then wrapping its way between her fingers to encircle her ring finger. As the light connected it was transfigured into a shinning gold wedding band, which glowed warmly against her skin.

Turning to Severus, Hagrid asked, "Severus, do you promise to love Hermione for now and for the rest of your life?"

"I do," he answered, looking deeply into Hermione's eyes.

Again, the golden light snaked around them.

"Do you promise to remain faithful to her and cherish her before all other women?"

"I do."

"Do you promise to protect her and honor her, and stay at her side for all times, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, to death do you part?"

"I do," he said as the third golden light appeared and his own band of gold appeared.

Hagrid looked towards Harry, "Harry, please come forth and join right hands with Hermione."

Harry stepped forth and took Hermione's hand as instructed. "Harry," Hagrid addressed him. "Do you promise to stand in Severus' place, should anything happen to him, that removes him from Hermione's side?"

"I do," Harry answered. Once again a strand of light appeared, this time in bronze.

"Do you promise to care for her, and support her and her family, as you would your own, should Severus be removed from Hermione's side?"

"I do," he said once more.

"Do you promise to protect Hermione and her family, from all danger and strife, should Severus be removed from Hermione's side?"

"I do," he said one last time. This time a ring appeared on Harry's right ring finger, in shiny bronze.

Harry withdrew his hand from Hermione's and walked back over to his place. Severus smiled down at Hermione and took her hand once more.

"Before you today, Hermione Granger and Severus Snape have spoken their unbreakable vows of matrimony. I now pronounce them husband and wife." Hagrid said to the crowd.

Severus again bent to Hermione's ear, "Now is my favorite part of the wedding."

Hermione whispered back, "I am not having an orgy at my wedding."

Severus laughed as the crowd continued to cheer. "I know better than to suggest that. I meant that now I get to kiss the bride."

He drew Hermione into his arms and softly placed his lips to hers. Standing on tiptoe she placed her arms around his neck and grasped the back of head, pulling it down to her. Amongst the even louder cheers of the crowd she deepened the kiss, allowing Severus entrance into her mouth. His arms tightened around her waist and he picked her up against his body, standing with her, as her feet dangled above the ground.

Hermione pulled quickly out of the kiss, "Severus, your injuries!"

"I'm fully recuperated," he said. "In fact, I haven't felt this bloody well in ages!"

He pulled her into his embrace again and kissed her thoroughly in front of everyone. Hagrid brought their attention to their surroundings with another, "Hurmf, hum.", as the kiss seemed to take on a life of it's own. The crowd gave them another loud cheer, some of the men making wolf whistles, before the people began to rise from their chairs, making their way to the tent.

"That was an excellent ceremony, Hagrid," Severus said as they followed the crowd.

"You spoke so eloquently," Hermione added as she snuggled herself under Severus' arm.

"I've been practicing," Hagrid told them. "Olympie's been teaching me. She thinks that as I'm going to be the husband of a Headmistress, I ought to be able to speak correctly. I had her write out the words I wanted to say and we practiced all week to make sure I said it all correctly."

"How much longer until the wedding?" Hermione asked.

" We're to be married at Christmas. It's a shame she couldn't be here tonight, but she had good intentions. She thought if she was in the crowd it would make me nervous and I'd mess up."

"We are going to miss you at school," Severus stated.

Hagrid looked surprised at this, and mumbled a shocked, "Thank you." It was still strange being around this changed man, but no one had ever experienced Severus in love.

They made their way into the tent and took their seats at the head table. Much laughter carried on through the night, as the house-elves served the wedding feast. After the meal, several people stood and made speeches, wishing the pair luck, with one older witch, whom Hermione assumed was Severus' guest, sending a spell Hermione's way to 'bless her with a fertile womb'.

The tables where cleared away and then Severus surprised Hermione by announcing that they would also share several muggle traditions that night. Hermione was pleased when they sipped champagne together from entwined arms. She laughed with delight when he had her sit, so he could remove her garter. Everyone laughed as he teased her thigh with his hands, moving farther up her leg than the garter was placed.

"Save that for tonight!" Someone yelled from the back of the room.

After the garter toss, which Fred caught, they cut and served the wedding cake, saving the top layer for their first anniversary. Hermione had been surprised when she had learned that this was also a wizarding tradition.

After all the ceremonial bits where completed, some of the tables where removed, and the dance floor widened itself to nearly half the size of the room. A band of magically played instruments struck a romantic tune and Severus pulled Hermione into his arms. Together, they stayed wrapped in each other's arms, through several songs, sharing sweet kisses and soft squeezes.

The band moved from soft, instrumental tunes to pounding, rock and roll beats, after Lupin took to the stage and began to sing. Hermione, who had decided to sit a few songs out at the table, looked on in amazement.

"I didn't know Remus could sing!" she told Harry who had just left the floor after dancing with Luna.

"He and my dad and Sirius had a band back in their seventh year at Hogwarts," Harry informed her.

"They where supposed to be really good, but my mum made them quit because she didn't like dad being propositioned all the time."

Hermione watched as Severus took Minerva's hand and led her to the floor. Severus had proved himself a smooth and gracious dancer and he and Minerva cut quite rug in the middle of the floor while other's watched. When that song ended and moved to a slightly slower one, he picked up Jolie, who had been bouncing around the edge of the floor earlier, and waltzed her around the floor.

"He's going to make a wonderful father," Molly said, watching the pair.

Hermione's eyes grew misty as she watched the scene. She could picture him dancing around their quarters, holding their own daughter, with snow white skin and long black hair. She rose from the chair and walked over towards the pair.

"I think someone is sleepy," Hermione said.

Jolie, whose head was resting on Severus' shoulder, yawned. Severus walked her over to Bill, who carried her into the small sitting room where Hermione had waited earlier before the wedding. Hermione, Severus and Dobby followed them into the room. Bill placed her on the couch and Dobby covered her with a cloak. He stayed to watch over the little girl and the three returned to the party.

The mead and fire whiskey had been flowing freely for quite some time and the party was growing rowdy. Some of the younger couples on the dance floor had become risqué with their moves and a group of men had set up a card table in one corner.

"Moine, I jus wanted t' say again how happy I'm for ya," came a slurred booming voice from behind her. Hagrid, who had a mug full of mead, which was larger than Hermione's head, stood behind her. "A toast to the two a ya!" he called, before taking a large gulp. Apparently his newfound speech was unable to stand the rigors of alcohol.

Everyone partied and drank and danced away the night. It was almost dawn before the crowd began to disperse. Finally, only Lupin and Minerva, Molly, Fred, Luna, Bill and Jolie, and Harry where left. Minerva had joined Jolie earlier in the sitting room and had fallen asleep in a chair.

"I'm getting to old for all this," she said as she rubbed her sore neck.

"Balderdash," Lupin told her. "I saw the way you where dancing earlier. You've still got several more years to go," he assured her.

She and Lupin made their way outside and apparated together back to Hogsmeade, where they would travel on to the school. They had become quite a pair, though Hermione doubted it was in any way romantic. Lupin seemed to find a motherly role in the headmistress and dotted on the headmistress like he would have done his own mother.

The other's bid Hermione a good night and one by one climbed into the carriage. Luna wiped tears from her eyes as she hugged Hermione. "I'm so happy for you," she cried.

Fred took her arm. "All night long she is fine and now she starts to cry," he announced in a bewildered tone.

Harry was the last to enter the carriage. He held his hand out to Severus, "Take good care of my girl."

The two shook hands and then he turned to Hermione, "I love you like a sister, Hermione, and I want you always to be happy. I'm so glad to see how happy you have been tonight." He gave her a hug and then jumped into the carriage.

Severus and Hermione watched the carriage drive away. They made their way back to the tent. A few house elves bustled about cleaning up the room, but finally the pair was alone. Severus directed her into the sitting room, where he then turned her into his arms.

He lowered his head down and captured her mouth. His tongue slid into her mouth and caressed her own. When he drew back from the kiss, Hermione was panting for air.

"Where are we going to stay tonight?" she questioned once she could speak.

He led her to the door on the other side of the room and opened it, "Here."

The door opened onto a beautiful beach side room. The room was three sided, the far side being a ceiling to floor, wall to wall, window. The sun was rising over the horizon, casting a reddish glow on the sand. Severus took his wand from his pocket and waved it towards the window. The viewed stayed the same, although no outside light filtered through. The room took on a soft glow, lit by a few candles placed in scones around the room.

The room itself was sparsely furnished. A large sunken stone tub was built into the floor on one side of the room. In the middle of the room, a swinging rope bed hung from the ceiling. Ropes held the mattress hammock style in a few feet above the floor. The mattress sat on a wooden board, which kept it from buckling. It was covered in white satin sheets and a white down filled comforter.

"There is a closet over there, if you need," Severus informed her, motioning to a door near the tub. Hermione shyly ducked her head and headed off to the restroom.

After she had relieved herself and given herself a quick cleaning she donned the white silk and lace nightgown that Luna had created for her. It fit her perfectly, like a second skin. The top of the gown was made of lace, which held the patterns of flowers and leaves etched into it. The top cupped her breasts lovingly, the straps of the gown coming up over her collar bone and fastening behind her neck, leaving her back open to just above the swell of her buttocks. The skirt of the nightgown hung straight down her body, the hem ending just above her pink painted toenails. A slit had been cut into the side of the skirt, allowing flashes of leg and thigh to be observed when she walked.

Indeed, when she stepped from the small room, back into the bedroom Severus' eyes darkened as he watched her walk towards him. She felt her body tighten, as he looked at her with passion shining in his eyes. Her breasts began to feel fuller, and her knees quivered. Her eyes shifted to the bed and back to Severus, as her nerves realized that they where finally alone.

Severus took in the look of nervousness in her eyes and waved his wand towards the window. An opening appeared and he took her hand and escorted her through.

"Severus?" Hermione looked at him questioningly.

"I have decided to walk a moment, Hermione. It has been a long night. Besides, that nightdress is much too beautiful to immediately end up on the floor. You should get some use of it."

Hermione laughed and together they walked towards the water's edge and clasping hands waded into the surf as they traveled the beach allowing the surf to caress their feet.

"Are you happy?" Severus asked after they had walked several minutes in silence.

"Extremely," Hermione replied, giving his hand a squeeze.

"You're not sorry that you have married an old, ugly man like me?" he asked her.

"Severus, you are not old, only older, and you are certainly not ugly," she informed him and she stopped walking and stood in the surf facing him, her hands fisted on her hips.

"I love you, Hermione." Severus said as he took in the site of his wife, as she posed angrily before him, her eyes flashing and breasts heaving.

"I love you too," she said, a little too harshly. Hearing her own voice, she laughed. "I love you too," she repeated, softly this time.

She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her husband's waist. Standing on tiptoe she arched into him and he brought his head down to meet her lips. As their mouths collided, Hermione could taste the salt air on his lips. She investigated that taste with her tongue before moving inside to investigate the taste of his mouth. They stood there in the surf a moment, tasting each other, before ending the kiss and turning back to the way they had come.

The long day followed by the night of dancing, had tired Hermione and she found herself yawning as they stepped back into the room. She turned her head into Severus' shoulder so he could not see her.

He led her over to the sunken tub and as it began to fill with warm water and soft bubbles he slowly unclasped the straps of her gown and then lowered it gently into a puddle on the floor. He helped her into the tub and she relaxed against the side of the tub, waiting as he undressed. She meant to close her eyes only a second, yet she found herself being lifted gently from the water, only a second after her eyes had shut.

Sleepily, she opened her eyes. Somehow Severus had managed to wash them both while she had slept, as his hair and her own where freshly cleansed. She tried to sit up when Severus placed her on the bed, but with a gentle hand he pushed her back down.

"You are tired, my dear; go to sleep."

Hermione looked at him with questioning eyes, "But our honeymoon, I thought you would want to…?"

Severus looked at her, a smile playing at his lips, "Of course I want to make love to you, wife. However, you are tired and so am I. It has been a long day. We have the rest of our lives to make love and I intend our first time to be magnificent and if you can please allow your 'older' man to rest so that he main regain some strength."

He snuggled behind her, one arm tucked beneath his head, the other pulling her body against his like a spoon. His hand gently rested against her hip, and she could feel his penis resting against her backside. She closed her eyes as his body warmed hers and drifted to sleep.

Her sleep was dreamless and peaceful and some hours later she awakened, rested and alert. Indeed she could feel every nerve ending in her body. She could feel the hand that had snuck between her legs while she had slept. She could feel the long fingers that slid into the folds, slick with wetness. As the thumb of her husband's hand found her special place, and began a gentle rubbing she arched her back, her rounded backside now sensing the hardness behind her.

She brought one leg up, curling the leg behind her so that it rested on top of his, allowing him more room. She turned slightly more towards him, so that by bending his body, he could reach her hardened nipple and capture it with his teeth. His hand, still moving in her wetness, increased its pace, until she cried out his name, "Severus!"

He pulled away from her, and she felt that she would die and she whimpered for the split second that his body was gone. However, he only moved from behind her, to the end of the bed, where he crawled inside and lay between her legs. He kissed her thighs lovingly, and intensely, raining softness and then ending in sucking puckers onto the juicy meat of her thighs.

As she opened wider to him, he loved her once more with his hand. His fingers thrust into her wetness, hooking inside her and rubbing that gratifying spot inside her. He lowered his head and drew his tongue from where his fingers moved, up until he felt her little sheath beneath his tongue. Wrapping his lips around this little button he sucked, while increasing the pressure of his fingers. The tremors wracked her body as she screamed his name once more.

He moved up her body, lavishing her breasts with kisses and long swipes of his tongue. He brought his lips up her chest and throat until he reached her lips. She unclenched her hands from the sheets, where they had balled themselves moments earlier, and ran her fingers into his hair. She could taste herself in his kiss, the sweet muskiness a new and delightful flavor.

He continued to kiss her mouth, occasionally dipping downward to capture her nipple with his teeth. Hermione arched her hips and wrapped her legs around his waist. His hardened length rubbed between her legs and grew slick as she moved against him.

Severus caught one of her hands in his own and brought it down between their bodies, wrapping her hand around his shaft. Taking hold, she directed him towards her entrance. Slowly he began to enter her, moving an inch and then withdrawing, to move a little more and then withdraw once again. When he reached her barrier, he looked her in the eyes, as though giving her the chance to say no, to blackout, before it was to late. She brought his head down to her mouth and as she captured his tongue, to mate with her own, she arched her hips, causing her hymen to break.

He began a gentle rhythm, allowing her time to get used to the intrusion of him inside her. He followed her instincts, watching her for indications that she wanted more. As she began to meet his thrusts, he increased his tempo, until they both where breathing heavily in their intent. As she began to whimper in need, he brought his hand between them to cup her once more, moving his thumb in the rhythm of their mating.

Hermione closed her eyes as the waves began to build in her once more. The feeling of him entering and withdrawing was exquisite. His thumb was slowly driving her mad, and she felt as though she was going to explode. He body tightened until she thought she would shatter and then she fell over the edge. Her legs tightened about his waist, her toes clenching into tight curls. Her breasts pushed into his chest as she arched her back as the waves coursed through her body. Her body clenched and relaxed around his member as the muscles constricted. With a roar, she heard him release his own tensions into her body.

Wanting to see him at his moment of ecstasy, she opened her eyes, He had also closed his eyes upon release and she watched as his eyes opened. The love that shown from the darkness above her brought tears to her eyes. He leaned down and kissed the corner of her eye, catching the tear before it could fall. He slowed his pace, and then withdrew, as he began to shrink to his normal state.

He gave her a quick kiss and told her he would be right back, before climbing from the bed. She watched him walk over to his clothes and collect his wand and then walk into the rest room. A moment later he returned, carrying a basin of warm water and a wash cloth.

He carefully waved his wand and a nightstand appeared next to the bed, He placed the water bowl on it and turned his wand to the bed, With a flick of his wrist, the bedsheets changed themselves, not even disturbing Hermione as she lay there. He then took the wash cloth in hand and moved it over her body and between her legs, cleansing her.

When he was through, he vanished the basin and pulled the sheets up to cover them both. Hermione lay on her side; her head nestled on his shoulder, her leg thrown casually over his waist. She lay quietly enjoying the feelings that where coursing through her body.

"Severus, is it possible we may have conceived a child tonight?" she asked him.

"It is possible," he agreed, "but it normally takes more than one time to make a baby. Would you like a baby this soon?"

Hermione looked into his eyes, and could see that the question was merrily from curiosity. Severus had no look of distaste on his face.

"I would be very happy to be the mother of your child," she assured him. He bent his head and placed a gentle kiss upon her lips.

Hermione lay her head upon his chest and listened to his heartbeat for a moment. "Severus, Molly told me that a witch will know when she has conceived. Is this true?"

Severus smiled above her, as he lay with his eyes closed, "I have heard that it is true. Now, my little inquisitive one, can we rest, or do you have any other questions?"

Hermione looked up at Severus, and he knew by the look in her eyes that she indeed had another question, "Yes?" he asked turning his body towards hers and placing his chin on top her head, closing his eyes once again.

"How does a witch know when she has conceived, Severus? What tells her?" she asked.

"I believe I have read that at the moment of conception a warmth will settle in her womb, that even can be felt from the outside. The warmth should last for a few hours. Also, I believe the witches own body is to radiate with a soft glow for a few moments as well," he answered her.

"Severus," Hermione said, taking his hand and placing it on her stomach. It took him a moment to realize that his hand felt unnaturally warm. He opened his eyes and watched as the woman he loved, his wife, rolled her body towards his. Her face was lit with an inner glow that radiated over them.

He sat up and pulled her into his lap and kissed her softly. The glow began to fade and was gone by the time he pulled away. Afraid that he had imagined it all, he placed his hand once more over her stomach, and felt the warmth.

"You're going to be a daddy, Severus," Hermione informed him.

At loss for words, Severus pulled her into another kiss. Soon their kisses deepened and then they lay down together as their bodies joined once more.

"I love you, wife," Severus said as he cuddled her to him once it was over.

"I love you, husband," Hermione replied, closing her eyes, wrapped in his arms.

The End

A/N : I want to say thank you to all of my fans who have stayed with me all this time. I can't believe that I learned while writing this last chapter, that I have been misspelling Hermione's name all this time! I apologize to all of you, and perhaps I can find a beta for my other stories. If you liked this story please check out my others. I have completed a one shot, called A Valentine's Story, This is darker than I have written before, but it explains one of the reasons I feel Severus is the way he is.

My newest story, of which I am very proud of, is Follow Your Heart. It is in Harry's point of view, just like the books, and picks up immedialty after HBP. I am trying to stay as close to cannon as possible on this one, so it is not a HG/SS ship now, although things may change in the future, though it will be several chapters down the road. Again, this story is in Harry's eyes, as I am writing it as I imagine book seven will be. Please read and review and let me know what you think.