Epilogue, Part I

Long Awaited Sentiments

Harry flinched as his friend Hermione Granger smacked his hand away from his tie. “You’re ruining it, Harry,” the witch cried exasperatedly. She had been trying to smooth Harry’s clothing and robes for ten minutes now and she was feeling rather cranky.

“Sorry, Mione,” Harry mumbled. He felt incredibly anxious and could not understand why. He had unflinchingly faced Voldemort, had stood up to the then Minister of Magic, and had even braved the tempest that was Severus Snape. But this was different, and Harry, the Savior-of-the-Wizarding-World, was just plain nervous.

“There,” Hermione proudly proclaimed as she stepped back to admire her work. Harry looked resplendent in his white silk shirt with an exquisitely cut black jacket and trousers and a forest green tie that matched beautifully with his heavy dark green robe. The green only served to bring out the emerald colored-eyes. The young witch nodded in satisfaction at her friend’s appearance. She was so glad he had finally been able to get rid of those hideous glasses. Frowning slightly, Hermione grabbed a bottle of ‘Never-Fail Hair Tamer’ and proceeded to work with the young man’s perpetually messy tresses.

Harry sighed as he allowed his friend to attempt to bring his unruly hair under control. A couple of hours ago he had resigned himself to the witch’s ministrations, silently suffering under her attentions. The young man didn’t think he had ever been dressed so carefully before. Thanking Merlin and the stars above, Harry reflected that it was a good thing an event such as this only came around once in a lifetime.

Smacking Harry lightly on the arm just on general principle, Hermione decided she had done the best she could with what she had to work with and called the hair a finished project. Harry’s ebony locks were still wild and unkempt, but at least now it looked as if it was that way on purpose.

Ruefully rubbing his arm where he had once again been attacked by the irate woman, Harry tiredly asked if they were finished. At her nod, Harry turned and looked out the window at the beautiful spring day. Reflecting the bright blue sky, the lake looked calm and serene, with only a few ripples showing the activity of the giant squid who lived there. The grass was greening and the flowers had already begun to bloom, even this far north in Scotland. All in all a perfect day, Harry decided.

A short rap on the door brought their attention to the visitor. Ron Weasley poked his head in and asked if they were ready for the event. Hermione answered for both of them and walked over to grab Harry’s arm and lead him to the door and his best friend.

Smiling thinly at Harry, Ron stepped aside and allowed the pair to precede him down the stairs. Crossing the empty common room, Harry was glad for the chance to not have to talk to anyone at the moment. His friends seemed to understand his need for solitude and made no effort to make conversation with the subdued young wizard.

Severus growled as the werewolf once again tried to insert a flower – a flower! – in his breast pocket. “What do think I am, Lupin, a bloody pansy?” the potions master exclaimed.

“Now, now, Severus. You need a bit of color on you since you insisted on wearing black and only black. Honestly, you look as if you are going to a funeral instead of,” Remus began.

“I know what occasion this is, Lupin. But that is no reason to dress me up like some tart.”

Remus had the audacity to chuckle at he distraught potions master. “Really, Severus. I hardly believe anyone could possibly declare that you were anything other than your usual snarky, somber self. Even if you should be shouting your joy from the top of the astronomy tower.”

Severus sniffed in indignation. “I would not be caught dead, shouting from any tower, for any reason.”

Off to their side, the third member of the strange group sniggered. “Yeah, imagine that, Sev. You admitting you are happy,” the blond aristocrat smirked. Severus pointedly ignored the fact that his godson had taken to shortening his name. The potions master knew who was to blame for that little habit.

“Draco, please don’t encourage his antisocial behavior,” Remus Lupin gently admonished. Secretly he was rather pleased with the recent turn of events that had thrown so many unlikely people together. Former adversaries had made peace with one another and the wizarding world as a whole was healing quite nicely from the effects of Lord Voldemort’s reign of terror. Thinking of his two lovers and soon to be bond-partners, Remus smiled even as he hoped the twins could keep out of trouble for even a little while. He was brought out of his musings when he heard the potions master swearing colorfully.

Draco Malfoy had placed a permanent sticking charm on the flower in question and his godfather was trying in vain to reverse the spell. “Oh, give it up, Sev. You look good and the flower stays. Anyway, it is almost time,” Draco announced.

Sighing in quiet but dignified defeat, the potions master picked up his finely embroidered black on black outer robe and swept out of his dungeon chambers, leaving two bemused men to follow.

Stepping out into the bright sunshine, Severus paused a moment to allow his eyes to adjust to the change in light. To the side he saw Hagrid waiting for him and looking absolutely horrid in his hairy suit and the bright yellow tie. Draco and Remus walked past him and while the werewolf went to sit with his lovers, Draco stood in front of his godfather.

That seemed to be the cue for music to begin playing and the assembled crowd turned to look at the pair. Suddenly nervous at being the center of attention, Severus straightened his back and stood proudly.

Draco began to solemnly walk forward, leaving Severus little choice but to follow. All eyes watched as the dark-haired man gracefully made his way down the long walkway. By now, Severus only saw the group standing up ahead. In particular, he saw only one person and he couldn’t help but notice how the dark green robes accented the vivid emerald eyes he had grown to love so. Hardly noticing that he had reached his destination, the potions master was mesmerized by those eyes as their owner gently took his hand. Turning, the two faced the venerable wizard with the twinkling sky blue eyes.

“My dear friends,” Albus Dumbledore began, “We are assembled here this fine day to join these two men in a sacred bond. They have each pledged their love to the other, and having been found to be soul mates, wish to formally unite as bond mates.”

Pausing, Albus smiled at the two men and glanced at their attendants. Each had decided that relationships meant more than gender and had chosen their attendants thusly. Harry had asked Hermione to stand beside him as Ron and the rest of the Weasley clan looked on from their seats in the honored place of family. Remus Lupin was also present in this capacity. Severus, having spent so much of his life in the shadows and alone, had few to whom he was truly close. The headmaster certainly fit that description, as did Narcissa Black, soon to be Weasley, and her son Draco. Indeed, Severus had often felt that Draco was as much his son as he ever was Lucius’ and the stoic man was proud of his godson for choosing the light over his own father. As such, Severus had asked that Draco stand beside him and had been delighted when the blond had readily agreed. Smiling at his godson, Severus remembered again how surprised and honored he had been when Draco had asked that he stand as his father at his own future wedding to Ginny Weasley. Ever since the rather surprising news of Lucius’ death at the hands (and spoon) of Bellatrix Lestrange, Draco had been rather lighthearted. Severus would have to admit that both he and Harry were breathing easier knowing that the vengeful man would bother them no more.

“And now,” Albus continued. “Harry James Potter, do you agree to bond to Severus Antonio Snape, to love him, protect him and to hold him dear to your heart for as long as you both shall live? If so, answer, I will.”

Harry smiled at his soul mate and he answered, “I will.”

Albus smiled and turned to his protégé. “Severus Antonio Snape, do you agree to bond to Harry James Potter, to love him, protect him and to hold him dear to your heart for as long as you both shall live? If so, answer, I will.”

Severus looked down at his young lover and responded, “I will.”

“Harry, will you place the ring on Severus’ hand and repeat after me: With this ring, I do thee bond.” Harry did as directed and then waited patiently for his mate to follow suit. Once the rings were on and the words were spoken, the attendants stepped forward. “I bear witness to this bonding and agree to its completion,” Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy intoned together.

“Thus shall it be.” Albus beamed at the two men and said, “Congratulations, Harry and Severus. You are now married.” A wicked gleam lit the old wizard’s eyes as he whispered, “I do believe that this is where you kiss.”

Harry needed no further prodding, and reaching up, tenderly cupped a hand on his beloved’s cheek and kissed the taller man’s lips. Severus allowed a brief kiss, but mindful of their audience, pulled back much to his mate’s disappointment.

Clapping his hands in glee, the headmaster spoke, “I now present to you Harry and Severus Snape-Potter. Please stand and welcome the bonded couple.”

Grinning, Harry watched as his friends and, yes, his family cheered for him and Severus and their happiness. Turning, he allowed his mate to pull him close and together they greeted the new day, now formally and truly bonded.

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