A portkey had transported them from the patio to the front doorstep of a large villa near the sea. Severus waved his wand to open the front door, scooped Tori up into his arms and carried her inside.

“Welcome to my humble house…our house.” He corrected.

Nothing could have prepared her for what was inside. She found it normal for the palacio to be filled with all kinds of expressive antique furniture and decorations, but to see this in her own house was a bit much for her. Her eyes bugged out when he gave her a tour around the house. Each and every room was decorated in a different style. The library was definitely Victorian; the bathroom Roman, the kitchen Art deco, the living room Medieval and the sitting room looked like a scene from the Arabian Nights. The master bedroom had a large iron bed, covered with black satin sheets. One side of the bedroom had a glass sliding door, looking out on the sea. Just outside the room, on a patio, there was a bubble bath. Severus noticed Tori’s look of longing and he chuckled.

“I thought you might appreciate a little comfort.”

She smiled at him. “Right, this house is so back-to-basics I wouldn’t survive without a bubble bath.”

He looked puzzled. “You don’t like it? It’s too much?”

She hugged him. “It’s perfect. I’ve always dreamt of a house like this. It’s a shame we will only be here for a few months each year.”

“Yes, but as a compensation, we will extend the house with one room every year, the prospect of decorating it can give you something to dream about when we’re at Hogwarts.”

“Mmm, I look forward to it. I guess the room for the baby will be at the top of the list.”

He stiffened. “I didn’t think of that, there are no facilities for a baby here!” he seemed to panic a little.

“Relax Severus, the baby is not due until July, which is 7 months away, so I’m sure we’ll come up with something.”

“Sure, but what was I thinking? A house near the cliffs? I’ll have to put some charms up to prevent our child from wandering off.”

She hadn’t quite thought about that. Come to think of it…the location of the house was quite spectacular, being on top of a cliff, but definitely not suited for children.

However, plans for the future could wait. It was after all their wedding night and Tori was hoping he had other things on his mind; she sure did!

She got out of her dress, opened the sliding doors, stepped into the bubble bath and gave him a seductive smile.

“I think this house needs to be inaugurated. Shall we begin with the bubble bath?”

By the next morning, they had covered all of the rooms and finally fell asleep in the Arabian-style sitting room. They spent two days and nights in heaven, never feeling the need to leave the house. By the time they had to go back, Tori had quite a few wonderful memories of the place and the sheer thought of the bubble bath made her blush.

As they stepped into the fireplace he tilted his head, looked her over and said:

“Ready to face the real world?”

She groaned. “Ready as I’ll ever be. I hope they don’t fall over themselves congratulating us.”

“No one knows.”

“What?”

“I asked Harry and Ron not to tell anyone. They said they would comply with my wishes.”

“Does this mean that you don’t want anyone to know?”

“I only thought WE should be the one’s to announce our marital status.”

“Oh, fine by me, just let me know when YOU feel the time is right.”

He grinned at her, not letting her irritation get to him; he knew she’d rather stay here, which made him very happy.

“Hogwarts, Snape’s room!” He called and they disappeared.

When they got out of the fireplace, they noticed that they were late and rushed to the Great Hall.

Upon their entrance, they were greeted by a round of applause. It looked like, apart from all students, staff and ghosts, nearly half the wizarding world had squeezed into the Hall. Arthur Weasley led them to their places at the Head Table, next to Dumbledore. He was already waiting to award them the Order of Merlin and began his speech.

Tori was a bit nervous, standing in front of such a large audience and she hardly heard the words of praise from the Headmaster. Finally he called out:

“I hereby welcome into the Order of Merlin, First Class: Professor Severus Snape and Professor Tori Bloom!”

Before anyone could burst out in cheers, Severus had signaled that he wanted to say something.

“Actually Albus, I feel I have to correct you. It’s Mr. and Mrs. Snape.”

The entire Hall went silent, not a sound was heard and all but Harry and Ron stared in total astonishment at the couple, while Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled.

Then Severus took Tori in his arms, swept her off her feet and planted a firm kiss on her lips. As she wrapped her arms around his neck and their kiss deepened, all hell broke loose in the Great Hall. The “ooh’s” and “aah’s” from the students could be heard all over the castle and it was the start of a night of unseen celebration.

The rest of the term flew by for everyone. Tori and Severus’s relationship kept improving, with them only getting into a few fights, but always making up. To them it seemed like everything was finally falling into place. Soon enough it was time to put the finishing touches on Draco and Shannon’s wedding plans.

“I can’t believe I’m finally getting married next week.” Shannon told Tori in an extremely excited voice.

“Me neither. I can honestly say that last year during my 7th year, I never would have been able to imagine myself married and pregnant and you on your way down the isle, just one year later. It seems odd, but it has worked for us, so I can’t complain.

“I know, me too. It’s weird how everything worked out for us, despite the bit of drama on the way.”

“It was worth it in the end. If Severus hadn’t gone to the Malfoy’s that day to trade out the potions, I never would have had to create a potion to bring him back to me. That means that Fawkes would have not been able to help us with Severus’ problem, and I wouldn’t be expecting this bundle of joy.” Tori told Shannon as she put her hands on her overly large stomach and grinning like a crazy woman.

“Ooh, the baby kicked. Give me your hand, you have to feel this. I swear, the closer I get to my due date the more active this baby becomes.”

“Holy…how do you even get through the day when they’re this active? Can you even sleep at night?” Shannon squealed as soon as she put her hands on Tori.

“Honestly it depends on the night, most of the time the baby cooperates with my sleep schedule. When the baby becomes too active at night, I’m usually able to catch some sleep during my breaks from classes.”

“I don’t think I’d be able to handle that, but time will tell. I’m sure that Draco will want a child or two, you never know what the future will bring.”

“That’s for sure, who would have guessed we would all end up this way.” Tori said with a smile on her face.

Tori awoke later than usual today, having been up most of the night due to the fact that her unborn child decided to treat her stomach like a soccer ball. When she glanced to the other side of the bed she realized that Severus had already gotten up for the day and had left her a note on his pillow.

Picking up the note she couldn’t help but smile at his handwriting, and began to read it.

Good morning beautiful. I didn’t have the heart to wake you. I know you had been up most of the night. I had to leave early to assist Draco with final wedding preparations. Ah…the life of the Best Man, my job is never fully done. I sent your dress over to the Burrow already so you could get ready with Shannon. Goodness knows she will need your assistance. I will see you soon.

I Love You,
Severus

After reading the note Tori got out of bed and prepared for the rest of her morning. She had yet to get a floo call from Shannon so she believed that she couldn’t be too nervous about the wedding that afternoon. After getting ready she grabbed her wand and purse and began her walk out of the castle and down to the apparation point.

Upon apparating to the Burrow, Tori was greeted with a stressed looking Hermione walking out of the back door and into the garden.

“Tori, why did you stop writing to me?”

Tori just stood there, not quite sure what to say to the witch she had spent so much time with while in school together.

Hermione continued when she realized that Tori wasn’t going to respond right away.

“I could have tried to assist you with defeating Voldie-butt and bringing Snape back to you sooner.” Hermione scolded her like she was a child.

“I would have, but at the time I didn’t think about it because of everything that was going on. Plus I thought you would be too busy.” Tori said back, oddly feeling like she had to explain herself to her friend and former classmate.

“I’m never too busy to help out my friends. I would have put my studies on hold, however reluctantly I am to do so. But I would have come here and helped you guys had I known. I had to find out about everything that has happened in one of Ron’s letters. You know how he is when he writes letters. It takes him forever to remember to write down the important things. He waited until his most recent letter to do so, even asking me to come with him to Shannon and Draco’s wedding.” Hermione continued to rant, her face slightly becoming red with her effort. “I didn’t even know that they were getting married until he asked me a week ago. Can you believe it? They’ve been engaged for like eight months and I never knew it. I would have tried to knock some sense into that girl. I mean, seriously, marrying Draco Malfoy. Has he really changed that much?” At her last question, Hermione finally calmed down enough to await a response from a married and very very pregnant Tori.

“Yes, Hermione, he really has changed that much. He came to us for help at the beginning of the year. Once Severus tricked Voldemort into lifting the Accio spell he had on him, he helped us finally win the war. He was there for me while Severus was injured. He helped me get through everything. Plus, he was extremely supportive of my marriage to Severus and our pregnancy. Does an old school grudge really mean that much to you that you can’t put your feelings aside and move on from the past?” Tori looked at her like she had multiple heads on her shoulders. It was hard for her to believe that the woman that graduated head of her class in everything, barely beating Tori herself in grades was going to be that narrow-minded about the situation.

“I still can’t believe that you and Severus got married, let alone are having a child together. I must have missed a whole lot with being at Uni for the past year. I will try to leave my old opinions behind me, I trust you to have a good opinion of these two gentlemen. It’s just hard to believe that they changed so much in the past year, compared to what I experienced for the past seven years.”

“People do change Hermione.”

“I know, it will just take some getting used to I guess.”

“I understand. Oh, look at the time, I have to go inside and finish getting ready for the wedding. I’ll talk to you again at the reception.” Tori said in a hurry as she rushed into the Burrow. It had been so nice of Mrs. Weasley to offer to host the wedding there. They really did consider Shannon to be a part of the family.

The back yard at the Burrow was filled to nearly bursting with guests for the Malfoy-Richards wedding. Shannon didn’t even know some of them, most were family, friends and people they attended school with. While the majority of the guests were there to wish them well, there were a certain number of people there out of sheer curiosity.

The music began to play quietly as the curtain parted in the back and a very pregnant Tori escorted by Severus, followed by Ginny and Harry, then Luna and Ron. All of the bridesmaids looked wonderful in their black halter styled dresses.

The next to enter was the very adorable Victoire Weasley, Bill and Fleur’s daughter, toddling out wearing a long white dress with a red sash swinging a little basket that was filled with red and white rose petals.

The curtain had closed after Victoire had begun her walk down the isle. As she made her way to the front row of seats where her mother was sitting the music changed and the curtain was drawn back again.

Shannon entered the tent escorted by her father Joel. She looked magnificent in her white a-line floor length dress. It had very intricate beading over the bust, the lace capped sleeves and going down the front of the dress. In other words, she looked like a princes walking toward her prince. She couldn’t take her eyes off of Draco, just as he couldn’t seem to look away from her.

In Draco’s opinion, he had never seen anything or anyone as beautiful as she did today, but that could have been a biased opinion. It seemed like Shannon was walking towards him in slow motion, but in all actuality they were so focused on each other that they blocked out everyone else. When Shannon finally got to the end of the isle Draco met her. Her father lifted her veil, gave her a kiss on her cheek and passed her right hand to Draco.

Looking into each other’s eyes they each saw the love they had for each other reflected back at them. Turning towards the alter, they walked up the steps and faced Albus Dumbledore who had been honored when they had asked him if he would marry them.

“Beloved guests we are gathered here today to join the wizard Draco Abraxus Malfoy and witch Shannon Elizabeth Richards in marriage. If there is anyone here who can present a valid reason for them not to be joined, speak now or be forever silent.”

Not a single sound was heard from all of the guests gathered at the wedding. All of them knew that the couple was madly in love with each other; even the few jealous witches in the back that wanted Draco for themselves dared not say anything for fear of being hexed by everyone else in attendance.

“The rings please, Severus.” Albus requested of the best man. “It is with tradition that we ask the gods for their blessings over your rings and your marriage. View these rings as a symbol of your continued love for each other. May it never end and never lessen through the years.”

“Shannon, if you would please.” Albus stated, indicating that she should pick up Draco’s ring and place it on his finger.

“Do you, Draco Malfoy, accept this witch as your wife? Will you love her, honor her, be faithful to her and keep her all the days of your life?” Albus asked.

“I will.” Draco said softly.

“Now Draco, your turn.” With that said, Draco picked up Shannon’s ring and slid it onto her finger.

“Do you, Shannon Richards, accept this wizard as your husband? Will you love him, honor him, be faithful to him and keep him all the days of your life?”

“I will.” She replied.

“With the power given to me by the Ministry of Magic, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride, Mr. Richards”

Everyone in attendance began to cheer when Draco and Shannon kissed each other. When their lips broke apart they turned around and faced their friends and family, with their hands held tightly together.

Directly following the wedding all of the guests were greeted by a change of scenery. The tent disappeared as well as the chairs, and alter. In its place appeared a dance floor surrounded by around 30 tables and chairs for the guests to sit in.

Everyone in attendance looked with shock at the amount of food set upon the buffet table that Mrs. Weasley had created with the help of Fleur and Ginny.

Off to the side of the dance floor there was a table set up with large speakers. Behind it was Lee Jordan; he was their lovely DJ and MC for the night.

As the guests finished up their food Lee announced that it was time for Shannon and Draco’s first dance. The song that began playing truly shocked Shannon. It was “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts, which was an American muggle band.

“Draco, honey, I didn’t know that you listened to muggle music.” Shannon stated in confusion.

“It never came up in conversation before. What with us fighting for our lives and helping get rid of Moldie-butt.”

“Is there anything else that I would want to know about you that I don’t know yet? My dear husband.”

“I like the sound of that.” Draco told her, getting slightly sidetracked from the main question. “Well, my lovely wife, getting back to your question. There is nothing off the top of my head that I can think of that you don’t already know. You’ll be the first to know if I think of anything though.”

As the song came to a close and a new one began, the couple was joined by the rest of their wedding party. They were informed by Lee that it was tradition for the wedding party to dance the second song together. Tori later informed them that it was an American Muggle tradition.

Halfway through the song Tori stopped moving. She just stood there as a trickle of hot fluid ran down the inside of her legs. Her eyes widened as the first, dull cramp rolled through her belly, tightening her abdomen painfully.

”Severus!” She gasped his name as she stood there clutching her belly while a small puddle began to form around her feet.

“Yes, dear…” He said as he removed his head from her hair and moved back a step from her.

Tori looked down while still grabbing her stomach hoping that Severus would be smart and figure it out for himself so that she would be able to concentrate through the pain of the contractions that she was having.

“What…did you wet yourself?”

“No, stupid! My water broke, I’m in labor, and the baby is coming.” She said. It took a moment for her words to register and then Severus flew into action.

Severus left Tori standing there as he apparated home and grabbed her bag. He was back standing in front of her in less than a minute. He then ran over to the rest of the wedding party and told them what was happening.

“Severus, dear, you must bring her inside and use our floo to get to St. Mungo’s immediately. Don’t worry about anything other than getting our Tori there safe and sound.” Molly told him, having overheard his announcement. That woman sure did know everything when it happened. It was as if she had Fred and George’s extendable ears everywhere making it possible for her to be in the know.

“Thank you Molly.” Severus told her as he began guiding Tori towards the house and the awaiting fireplace. Shortly after they stepped into the hospital waiting room.