Foolish Hearts

Eighteen

Hermione's Pov...

One Year Later...

I woke up bright and early for the day. Today was the day, and it had taken a year to plan and save up for the wedding both Severus and I wanted. I became a potions mistress and began teaching in Severus's place at Hogwarts. I was eventually able to forgive Draco, and so was Severus, for which I was immensely grateful to him for. 

Ginny was already dressed in her midnight blue bridesmaid gown, and she looked great, having slimmed down from giving birth to her son Albus Severus earlier in the year. I looked down at my bridal gown, a sleek, mermaid hemmed, backless beaded white gown. I loved it, but I felt silly wearing white, because of tradition. I put the finishing pin in my hair to hold up my hair from my neck. I was in my undergarments, and I had yet to put my heels on when my best friend came in. 

"Mione'! You look great," She said, hugging me, giggling. "Although, I don't think anyone besides Snape would appreciate you getting married in your underwear."

I shrugged, "Severus has seen me naked enough times, it wouldn't matter. No, I'm just wondering if wearing white isn't like...overkill or something. I mean, I'm not coming to this marriage a virgin." 

Ginny laughed. "Well, you both aren't, babe. Just call it a nod to tradition, instead of obeying it. Mum only kept me a virgin bride, because she was so strict. But I know you're finally with who you're meant to be with, so you go out there, and wow everybody. I'll be right there cheering with everyone else."

"Okay. Thanks, Gin," I said, trying not to tear up. "Help me into this thing."

We finished getting ready, and when I was done, I walked down to the Great Hall doors of Hogwarts, and Lucius Malfoy greeted me. 

"You look radiant, Hermione," He said, kissing my hand, grinning. "Are you ready to face the crowd in there?"

I took a few deep breaths, and Ginny handed me my bouquet of roses, with a thumbs up sign. "Yeah, I've got this," I finally said, looping my arm through Mr. Malfoy's, "I'm only getting married in front of the entire school to the Headmaster. No pressure."

Lucius chuckled. "Just ignore them. I promise when you are up there, you won't think of us in the moment. It is the same for every couple truly in love."

"Truly?"
"Yes, you'll see."
"Okay, I'm ready now."
Lucius nodded, and the golden doors of the Great Hall swung outward, and the entire room was bathed in soft candlelight and flower petals magically floated above my head as A Thousand Years played on the speakers. The entire school turned up to watch me get married, with the Gryffindors and Slytherins cheering over the other two school Houses. 

I walked ahead, my slight train trailing behind me as I clasped my Eden roses for dear life. But then I saw Severus standing under the flowered archway that was erected where the teacher's table would normally be. Time seemed to slow for me as our eyes met. An old, distinguished looking priest greeted us, but I barely paid attention to the sermon until Severus faced me, holding my hands in his gently. 

"These past two years have been true magic for me, Hermione," Severus said, softly. "Never would I have dreamed or even entertained the notion of falling for a woman who was once the biggest thorn in my side in my classes. But you proved me wrong in so many aspects of my life. You are literally my other half, and the love I have been searching for all of my life, Hermione Granger. I vow to always be yours, and no one else, to always guide and comfort you in your lowest moments, and lift you up when you are down. Will you accept this ring?"

I gave a silent thank you to Ginny for putting waterproof eye makeup on me, because otherwise, I would have had raccoon eyes at this point. 

"Wow...Oh, Severus, what can I say that I have not said to you a million times every day? The muggles say that the heart wants what the heart wants. Never has that been more true than in my love for you. I first began to really care for you fourth year when you consoled me about my disastrous Yule Ball. You told me to go back out there and take it like the Gryffindor I am, and not let those boys get to me, that I was stronger than I knew. But the night Hogwarts fell, that was when I knew that I loved you, and it wasn't some silly school girl crush. I kissed you that night, and I thought that was the end of us as I knew it. But when I saw you again, I held out hope that we would be together. I'm only sorry that I'd took nearly both of our deaths to make this possible. I vow then, to love only you and no other, and to cherish every moment that I have with you. I accept your ring."

"And I accept yours, darling," Severus said, tearing up. We exchanged our rings, and a magic that we made ourselves curled around our hands as the bond between us solidified and made us man and wife. Severus then cupped my face with his hands and lowered his lips to mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck as we became lost in our kiss. 

All too soon, we broke apart, and the entire school cheered as we were announced as man and wife. Severus and I looked at each other, and then I did a strange double take, because his youth seemed to be returned to him, and it was only when he spoke that I realized that we weren't alone, and people were coming up to congratulate us. 

I barely remembered my reception, and it was weird, because my first one was cheap and simple compared to how elegant, and ornate my second one was. I remembered dancing, feasting, and having a good time, but I couldn't focus on anything else but Severus. 

When we were finally alone, we collapsed in bed out of utter exhaustion, but we had never been so happy to just be married, and together openly at last with no more hiding, and sneaking around like errant students. We could take our time at last, and that made all the difference in the world to us both...