Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything to do with it, and I make no profit whatsoever from writing fan fiction. Unfortunately.

Plot Summary: In a world where darkness is spreading, Severus Snape finds the light...and resolutely refuses to let it go. But the world, cruel as it is, seems to have other ideas.

oOo

1. So It Begins.

"I do."

Black, bottomless eyes stared deep into rich green, the usually severe mouth resting below them for once relaxing into a sincere smile. The face now looked years younger as the remnants of childhood stress fell away, leaving smoothness in its wake.

A gentle breeze ruffled black, curtained hair under a mild sun. Glistening water could be seen in the background; an inquisitive squid gazing in slight confusion at rich dress robes which, rather than looking sombre, managed to appear light out in the late August afternoon.

Opposite the man, green eyes glistened from a tamed shock of red hair, the ever graceful smile contrasting the tears that began to fall onto the immaculate white dress. A swallow and a glance to the audience, where a wave of colour could be seen silently spurring them on.

"Lily Rose Evans," a quiet voice intoned, snapping everyone involved back to the present, "do you take this man, Severus Tobias Snape, in richness and in poorness, in sickness and in health, to be your lawfully wedded husband until death do you part?"

The audience held its collective breath, staring at the two contrasting figures before them. Coal eyes hardly dared to blink, scared to shatter the moment.

"I do."

Silence, and then gentle murmurings as the news travelled back through the group. On the front row, the most eccentrically dressed wizard burst into applause, beard jiggling slightly.

Severus gave the vicar a meaningful glance, indicating Lily, and the man nodded.

"Ah yes," he muttered as though he had forgotten. "I now pronounce you man and wife." His smile split his face in half. "You may now kiss the bride."

Cheers erupted but the newlywed couple were oblivious, lost in their own perfect moment as they let their surroundings melt away and focussed on the one act that sealed their marriage. It was as though they were frozen in time.

Reluctant lips parted company but the couple remained in a loose embrace as they turned to face the audience, slowly making their way back to them and leaving the vicar at the makeshift altar.

Hovering through the air in a never ending circle and encompassing the entire congregation were glowing spheres of several colours, which now swelled to the size of melons and gently exploded, showering the audience with silver and white sparks which dissolved before making contact with skin.

Even the squid appeared to be clapping as he bounced up and down in the lake, sending small tidal waves of water rippling to the shore.

After the newly married couple had reached the end of the rows of seats, the congregation began to join them, migrating up and through the grounds to stand beneath a large, hovering ceiling to sip drinks in the shade.

Albus Dumbledore, the only wizard dressed in garishly clashing colours, parted the crowds effortlessly as he strode towards the happy couple. His bright blue eyes were going into twinkling overdrive.

"You look obscenely happy, Albus."

"As do you, Severus," the older wizard pointed out gently, unfazed. "I see you neglected to fulfil your promise to wear the dress robes I chose for you."

Severus snorted. "It's our wedding day – I'm hardly going to waltz down the aisle looking like an over-decorated Christmas tree."

Lily laughed at the mental image and squeezed Severus' waist. "I'm sure no-one would have noticed, given that Albus is your best man."

Albus smiled. "To be young again," he said wistfully," and mercilessly tease everyone five years older."

"Five hundred would be more accurate," Severus said smoothly, outright smiling but apparently not noticing. "Tell me, Albus, how well do you remember the 1400s?"

"Making insults even on your wedding day, Severus?"

"Apparently."

Albus chuckled, his beard jiggling once again. "I would expect nothing less." He gestured around them. "Although I must admit that I did not expect the squid's invitation."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes – we wouldn't want our dearest friend to miss out." He was distracted by Lily, who suddenly gave him a peck on the cheek, her eyes glowing.

"I've married a comedian," she quipped.

"Dry comedian, I should think," Minerva interjected, joining the group. She held a glass of champagne in one hand and had a smile on her face, the special dress making her look nothing like the stern professor she normally was. "I am glad that Severus has finally recognised his potential as the next comic legend."

"Nothing is impossible," Lily returned, smiling slyly.

"It is amazing," Albus commented quietly, looking at the self-absorbed couple, "how frequently life's impossibilities succeed in becoming possible."

Minerva, the only one to hear, nodded and replied just as quietly. "I cannot express how relieved I was when he apologised to her for the 'Mudblood' incident, Albus. I had feared we would see a new addition to the ranks of the Death Eaters."

Albus inclined his head in acknowledgment as the couple continued to talk. "A turn for the better, I think, that she forgave him."

"Though James Potter may wholeheartedly disagree."

Before Albus could even formulate a reply, there was a slightly panicked intake of breath from Lily. "It's Professor Slughorn," she muttered, nudging Severus in the ribs. His expression darkened and Lily gave him a warning glare. "You don't have to make friends with him, Sev, just be polite."

"You shouldn't have invited him," Severus hissed, black eyes fixed upon the man as he lumbered gracelessly towards them, champagne glass a permanent fixture in his podgy hand. "He'll try to negotiate the right to buy our first grandchild."

Lily slapped him lightly on the arm. "Severus!"

"Alright," the dark haired man muttered ungraciously.

"Grandchildren, Severus?" Albus asked in amusement. The younger wizard glared as Slughorn moved into earshot, eyes widening. Albus was unapologetic.

"My boy!" Slughorn exclaimed, dabbing at his brow as though he had just run a marathon. "Surely it's a bit early to be considering grandchildren, you're both only twenty!"

"Yes, well," Severus continued to glare at a twinkling Albus, "these things have a way of cropping up in discussion."

"I'm very glad you could come, Professor," Lily announced, before Slughorn could question further.

"No problem at all, my dear girl, no problem at all," Slughorn puffed, smiling. "I must say that I was rather surprised such an important ceremony would be taking place at Hogwarts."

"An attack during the wedding march would probably have ruined the mood," Severus muttered. "The Death Eaters do have a fondness for gate crashing weddings after all. A most annoying habit."

Lily squeezed his hand warningly though her lips were twitching. Slughorn seemed not to have heard.

"It would have been too dangerous anywhere else, Professor," Lily explained gently.

"Ah yes," Slughorn agreed, nodding importantly. "War is a most inconvenient occasion." Severus snorted and Slughorn patted him on the back. "You appear to be developing a cold, Severus."

"Yes," Severus sneered, voice tight in his desperate attempt not to laugh, "I really must get this cough seen to."

"I almost wish," Slughorn continued, oblivious to the jibe, "that I had not decided to retire this year. I may very well have been able to see any future children of yours in my classes."

"It is unfortunate," Severus said dryly, lips twitching along with Lily's.

"The offspring of my two favourite students should have of course been welcome to take part in my little club-"

"They would truly be honoured." Lily increased her grip on Severus' hand for that comment.

"-but you should never feel that a club is necessary, should they wish to ask me for advice. Although," he added quickly, peering at Severus anxiously, "they will of course have a new Potions Master to consult, who is in my opinion highly qualified."

Severus inclined his head, allowing his curtained hair to hide his brief smile of amusement as he listened to Slughorn attempt to dig himself out of the hole he had made.

"A boy of your talent is wasted at my old post," Slughorn continued. He glanced at Lily. "Although there may be some quirks unique to this area of employment, such as the rather attractive Defence Professor," he winked at Lily, "so I can of course understand why you would choose to remain together. It must have been difficult," he added, "with Lily teaching at Hogwarts and you unable to join her here, Severus."

"That is the downside of Auror training," Severus agreed.

"A school is also the best environment for young children," Albus added mercilessly. Severus could have kicked him.

"I must say," Slughorn said with sudden enthusiasm," that I look forward to that particular marital outcome. You must come to visit me regularly – I'd love to keep in touch with the Snape family."

"I'm afraid we'll have to disappoint you, Professor," Lily said seriously. "We're not thinking of having children."

Slughorn looked scandalised. "No children?"

"Our situation is too unstable," Lily explained. "The children would deserve parents who are constantly available, not two members of the Order on constant call during a war."

The former Potions Master's face fell. "Oh – well...a few years in the future then, when this blasted business is over...Severus," he announced, banging the younger wizard loudly on the back, "your cough is becoming worse. Perhaps I should fetch Poppy-"

"He'll recover," Lily interrupted flatly. "Thank you again for coming, Professor."

"Not at all, my dear girl..." he nodded at the group and then proceeded to drift vaguely into the crowd, searching for other people to form connections with.

As soon as Slughorn was out of ear-shot Lily treated Severus to a slap on the arm.

"I was polite!"

"Hmmm." She didn't seem to agree.

"He is improving," Minerva sniffed. "If I didn't know better I'd say you had been giving him lessons in social protocol."

Severus sighed. "Luckily, she hasn't."

Albus, who had been listening intently to the exchange, was suddenly suspiciously quiet.

And then Minerva did something that would have been sure to go down in Hogwarts legend had there been students around to witness it – she gaped. "Albus?"

"As his best man," Albus said innocently, "I had to make sure that he did not insult everyone in attendance."

"Interfering old coot."

"Though it appears that I did not quite succeed."

The laughter that followed this statement was echoed throughout the afternoon as the guests took their turns in congratulating the two newlyweds. Severus was constantly striving to keep the triumphant smile off his face but only partly succeeded, resulting in a strange half smirk, half grimace which only served to further amuse the congregation. Lily, on the other hand, was not so inclined to hide her happiness and smiled radiantly for hours on end – so much so, that Severus began to wonder whether or not she had somehow managed to charm her smile in place.

oOo

Hours after the wedding reception had officially ended, Severus placed his outer cloak around Lily's shoulders, noticing that she was beginning to tremble in the light summer breeze. Above them the dark sky glistened, proudly showing off the tiny white diamonds haphazardly scattered for the world to see. The full moon hung in the sky and Severus glanced at it, smirking.

"Now that I have access to potions ingredients," he drawled smoothly, sliding his arm around Lily's waist, "I think Albus will be constantly waiting for me to find a cure for Lupin."

Lily smiled, snuggling closer for more warmth. "I'm sure you'll manage."

Severus snorted. "I dread to imagine the 'tactics of persuasion' he'll employ for me to get started."

"We both know you will do it."

Severus snorted briefly. "Of course. Think of the destruction he'll cause if not."

"He can't help it Sev, you know that."

Severus said nothing for a while, lost in another night where the moon hung just as full, a night where he had almost lost his life. "I blame Black for that idiotic prank," he murmured finally.

Lily glanced up at him. "He almost took you from me that night."

Severus smirked. "Fortunately, Black never realised that I am too stubborn to die so easily."

Lily laughed lightly, though she did lean slightly closer, making Severus wonder if they would soon discover it was humanly possible to merge bodies.

"As soon as this war is over," Severus promised suddenly, "I'm taking you away from England."

Lily raised an eyebrow, turning to stare at him. "Permanently?"

Severus rolled his eyes. "For a honeymoon, you insufferable woman."

"So where do you plan on taking your insufferable woman?"

"Wherever said woman wishes to go."

Lily pretended to ponder for a moment, her mouth set into a serious line of consideration, but Severus could see a familiar impish gleam in her eyes. He was in trouble, he decided.

"Somewhere sunny."

Make that serious trouble.

"I think it's about time you finally got out in the sun," Lily continued, eyeing him with a fake critical eye. "You look like a ghost."

"Some would prefer 'vampire'," Severus replied indignantly, silently revelling in her laughter although his pride demanded that he did not join in. "In fact," he added, "many would say that my entirely black wardrobe adds to the effect nicely."

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you enjoyed being likened to a vampire."

"It does stop people from pestering me," Severus replied seriously. "Particularly when I decide to bare my teeth at lunchtime. You have no idea how instantaneous and satisfying the result of that is."

Lily laughed again and Severus allowed himself to think, smugly, that Potter must be kicking himself now. None of his pranks, none of his cruel jokes, could keep Severus from Lily's side, and ultimately Severus had won. Potter really was dense if he thought becoming an arrogant bully would impress a girl.

"Maybe we should go inside," Lily suggested gently, wrapping Severus' cloak tightly around herself and gaining the air of a very ginger haired bat. Severus resolutely ordered his mouth not to voice that particular thought.

"Alright. Let's see just how much damage Slughorn's decorating has left on our new rooms."

"I think the purple settee is still there," Lily commented as they stepped into the Entrance Hall. "Maybe a red rug next to it."

"Red next to purple?" Severus questioned, rubbing his temples. He was getting a headache just from imagining it.

"I think that's mostly Albus' doing." Lily's grin became wider. "Professor Slughorn wanted a green rug."

Severus tried to picture so many colours in one room and almost had an aneurism. "It seems wizards are not known for their decorating skills."

"Says the man dressed like the Grim Reaper."

"Black is a good colour," Severus defended, lifting his chin slightly. "It matches everything, doesn't show potions stains and-"

"Intimidates everybody."

"Exactly."

Lily just rolled her eyes at him. "Bear in mind that if you decorate our rooms black, I'll personally transfigure your entire wardrobe to match Albus'."

Severus scoffed. "I can transfigure it back."

Eyebrows rose. "Are you sure you want to risk it?"

"I've defended myself from Death Eaters, Potter and his pathetic excuse for sidekicks, and the amorous advances of a drunken goblin – I think I can handle a wardrobe."

Lily was laughing fit to burst.

"What?" He demanded, opening the door to Slughorn's old quarters and allowing her to step inside first before following and shutting the door.

"I wish," she said between gasps for breath, "that I could have seen your face when you fought off that goblin."

Severus looked affronted. "My reaction was, of course, terrifying to all those involved."

"Some told me that the goblin just ignored you and sang for half an hour."

"Yes," Severus coughed, "well – he was too drunk to have any decent sense of self preservation."

"He?"

Severus watched as Lily wobbled over to the purple sofa and collapsed on it, laughing like there was no tomorrow.

"I assumed he was a woman."

"No," Severus said shortly. "He was a cross-dressing goblin, singing soprano and trying drunkenly to climb into my lap while batting his eyelashes."

Lily, apparently, could not dignify that with a coherent answer.

"At least it amuses someone," Severus said dryly. He took advantage of her distraction and configured the rug so that it turned black.

Lily did not notice and Severus smiled in triumph.

"So," Lily gasped, righting herself on the sofa at long last, "when do you want me to move in?"

Severus scowled as the rug lost its black colour and stubbornly returned to normal. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Lily. "When I can be sure you won't sabotage my furniture."

"A rug isn't furniture."

"The principle is important," Severus sneered, "not the furniture distinction."

"If you don't want me sabotaging it to make it look less bleak then I'm sure I can replace it with some of mine. Tell me, Sev, do you prefer rainbow rugs or bright pink, sparkly ones?"

Severus glared. "You should never have been a Gryffindor."

"Definitely pink then," she decided, smiling triumphantly.

"We'll both decorate these rooms," Severus finally relented, "if it keeps that pink sparkly abomination locked up where it belongs."

Lily sighed, looking around the room. "Alright, but I'm going to miss having a real window."

"My, my," Severus drawled, ignoring her hint entirely, "the queen of the tower living with the dungeon vampire in the dreaded room with no real windows."

Lily threw a cushion at him. "You bat."

"The feeblest insults are, they say, the very best."

She diplomatically ignored that. "I'll move in tomorrow then?"

Severus nodded and joined her on the sofa, bringing with him the cushion he had narrowly dodged. "Maybe we could cultivate a ghost story about your old rooms, just for the students."

"Scheming already, I see."

"Of course no one will be living there, so it would be pure speculation," he added smoothly.

"I'm not even going to ask you what you have in mind," she muttered in amusement.

"For your own safety and peace of mind I must ask you not to."

This time, the cushion met its mark. "Are you going to sit there all night making snide comments or are you actually going to invite me to your bedroom?"

Severus smirked and stood up with a flourish, offering Lily his hand. "I thought you'd never ask."