The wedding was beautiful. No one was surprised when Severus asked Remus Lupin to stand with him, as they had become sort of friends over the years since Remus was the DADA professor.

They were a bit more surprised when Hermione asked Harry to stand with her, but as she explained, he was her best friend, her brother, and he had never once doubted her. Even when he was angry over the Firebolt, he hadn't doubted that she meant well.

Severus and Hermione pledged their lives to each other, mind, heart, soul, body and magic. And when the Minister wound the binding cords around their wrists, the light was blinding.

They had 2 children. Their son, Sebastian, was a Ravenclaw. Their daughter, Selene, was a Slytherin.

And when they were asked, many years later, what had called them to each other, they always responded the same way. "It was an essay. About werewolves. And through it, we learned each other's heart."