Harry Potter and the Alucinor Dicio

Disclaimer: See every other chapter!

Chapter 24- The ties that Bind

On a Saturday morning in early April, Harry found himself in Rowen's quarters watching in disbelief as Hermione was trying to calm her down. Harry privately though her attempts were futile, as it was Rowen's wedding day and she was four months pregnant. Harry figured this combination guaranteed a certain amount of unstable emotions. He smiled secretly to himself as he thought of what would happen that day. Although Rowen and Severus insisted on a small private ceremony, he, Hermione and Dumbledore had secretly informed the entire school, and Hermione had planned a rather large reception for them.

At the moment Rowen was frantically pacing the room in her dressing gown, placing her hands over her stomach, which had grown quite a bit in the past few weeks, as she paced. Hermione had finally given up, throwing her hands in the air and flopping down in a chair. Harry smiled at her , and decided it was perhaps his turn to try. He walked directly in Rowen's path , placing himself in such a way that she could not go around him.

“Rowen,” he started in a stern voice, “ you are being utterly ridiculous! There is nothing to be worried about. You love him, he loves you, and you're both starting a family. Now stop acting like such a girl and pull yourself together!” Harry tensed when he had finished. Hermione had tried the soothing approach, and it had failed, so Harry had decided to try being blunt with her. If he had said this to any other bride, she probably would have hit him by now, but Rowen wasn't exactly normal. She just stared at him in shock for a minute or so, before bursting into laughter.

“ Oh Merlin! You're right Harry! I am acting like a girl! Gods, thank you for smacking me out of it! Ugh!” Rowen spoke with mirth in her voice. Harry just shook his head, while Hermione stared in shock that what Harry had said actually worked.

“ Good, now if you don't mind, I'm going to let you get dressed. Besides, I'm sure you're soon to be husband is in a similar frame of mind. I can actually smack some sense into him though.” Harry spoke with glee. Rowen glared at him.

“ Don't you dare Potter! He needs to look good for photos!” she growled. Harry just grinned at her before exiting quickly, leaving Hermione to help her get ready. Why they need four hours to get ready, I'll never know. Harry did go to the staff room to check on Severus, but found him surprisingly calm. Harry did make him laugh, however, when he told him the state that Rowen was in. Harry told him he would see him at the wedding and he set off towards the Gryiffindor common room.

Upon entering Harry saw Ron sitting on the sofa. Harry walked over to him, and asked if he'd like to play some chess, and they soon sat hunched over a board in the corner.

“ Bloody girls! I tell you Harry, they're all mental. Luna is getting ready now too, I don't understand what takes them so bloody long!” Ron was complaining as Harry smirked at him.

“ Well, neither do I, but at least I have the sense to shut up and just admire the results!” Harry responded. Ron glared half heartedly at him.

“ When have I ever said something to upset -” he stopped short upon seeing the look Harry was giving him. “ Well, fine, but it's not like I haven't learned from my mistakes you know.” he stated airily. Harry just shook his head as they continued to play and argue about Quidditch, school and girls.

After a few pleasant hours playing chess, Harry went upstairs to get dressed. It was short work, as he was just wearing his black dress robes. He came trotting down the stairs a few minutes later, and went straight out of the portrait hole. He strode silently down the corridors, heading to Rowen's rooms to collect Hermione. When he saw Hermione open the door his breath caught in his throat. She looked absolutely beautiful in a simple strapless black satin gown. Harry kissed her softly and told her how stunning she looked. Hermione just smiled softly and went to grab her purse.

As Harry walked in he saw Rowen, and a smile broke over his face. She was wearing a silver dress that was form fitting on top, but draped gracefully over her belly. It was the first time Harry had seen her in anything but black. Her long red hair hung straight down her back, and an ornate silver band circled her head. Harry strode over giving her a hug.

“ You look breathtaking, Rowen. You're gonna slay him.” he grinned as he pulled away. Hermione came over with her purse at that moment. “ Good luck.” Harry whispered to her, before turning and leaving to go to the Great Hall.

When they entered the great Hall, Harry was startled by the amount of effort Hermione and several teachers had put into it. There was a white altar where the teacher's table used to be, and it was covered in candles and five long pieces of silk rope. The house tables were gone and in their place were rows of chairs with an aisle running down the middle. Most of the chairs were already filled. Harry led Hermione to the front row, and kept looking around as they sat.

The hall banners had been removed, and the top of the hall was swagged with a silvery fabric. The ceiling was showing a clear starry night, even though it was still afternoon, so Harry could only assume Dumbledore changed it for the ceremony. Flowers had been placed everywhere, large white ones that were incredibly fragrant. Hermione saw him noticing and leaned over, explaining in a whisper that they were Queen of the Night flowers, which only bloomed at midnight. She told him that this is why Dumbledore had charmed the ceiling to be perpetual midnight for the wedding, so the flowers would stay opened.

Harry saw Dumbledore up by the altar, in long purple dress robes, accompanied by a slightly shell shocked Severus, who was, like Harry, in black dress robes. Harry chuckled at the expression on Snape's face, he had not been expecting so large a crowd, and suddenly Mr. Calm and collected didn't look so calm anymore.

Harry heard a collective gasp as someone entered the room. Harry turned and strained to see Madame Pomfrey leading McGonagall into the room. She lead the professor all the way up to Harry's row, where she seated her next to a flabbergasted Hermione.

“ Make sure she does nothing Potter. She is only allowed to attend the ceremony, and will be returning to the hospital wing afterwards!” Madame Pomfrey glared at McGonagall as she spoke to him. McGonagall, although clearly still weak, glared right back. Madame Pomfrey bustled off, and McGonagall slumped with relief.

“ Really, that woman is insufferable! As much as I appreciate Albus having me transferred back home, I detest having her tell me what I can and cannot do. As if I don't know my own limits!” she was cut off by a delighted Hermione giving her a hug.

“ Professor! I am so happy that you are back! We've all missed you terribly!” Hermione spoke with joy. Harry just grinned at McGonagall, who blushed at Hermione's comments.

“ Well as if I'd miss this! I never thought I'd see the day Severus Snape got married, for Merlin's sake! He's very lucky Rowen's agreed to take him on!” She sniffed. Harry chuckled at her, and then they were surrounded by students who wished to greet the professor. Harry tried to hold them off a bit, as McGonagall was still recovering. He was assisted by Dumbledore, who cleared his throat and announced that the ceremony would be starting.

Everyone returned to their seats, and turned to watch Rowen walk in the room. She came in, almost stumbling in shock when she saw the room and the amount of people in it. Other than shooting a glare at Harry and Hermione, though, she just continued on up the aisle as if it were completely expected.

Severus stared at her as she walked up the aisle, reaching out to take her hand in his. He smiled at her, and they turned as one to face a twinkling Dumbledore. Dumbledore tapped his wand to his throat and when he spoke his voice filled the room.

“ May this place be consecrated, For we gather here to celebrate a rite of love with two who would be wedded. Rowen and Severus please come forward and stand before us to declare your intent.” Dumbledore's voice rang through the hall, and Rowen and Severus stepped up onto the dais , their hands joined.

Dumbledore smiled at them both, and held up his wand, which had two wedding bands on it. Rowen and Severus placed their hands above the wand, his hand above hers.

“Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time does pass, remember that like the stars love should be constant, and like the stone's your love should be firm. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, but be understanding. Have patience, for strife will come, but will pass quickly. Have no fear and do not let the words of strife give you unease. Trust that your love is surrounding you always.” As Dumbledore spoke, Harry felt Hermione's small hand tuck into his, squeezing gently. Harry glanced at her, giving her a small smile.

“ The promises made here and ties formed will greatly strengthen your union, they will cross the years and lives of your souls growth.” Dumbledore continued.

“ Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?” he questioned. Rowen and Severus stared at each other before answering together.

“Yes, we seek to enter.”

“I bid you, quite unnecessarily I may add, to look into each others eyes.” Dumbledore spoke. A small laugh rolled through the audience at this. When it had dissipated, he continued.

“Severus, will you cause her pain?”

“ I may.”

“ Is this your intent?”

“ No.”

Dumbledore turned to Rowen.

“Rowen will you cause him pain?”

“ I may.”

“ Is this your intent?”

“ No.”

Dumbledore spoke to them together next.

“Will you share each others pain and seek to ease it?”

“ Yes.”

Dumbledore draped the first cord over their hands. “ And so the bind is made.”

“Rowen, will you share his laughter?”

“Yes.”

“Severus, will you share her laughter?”

“Yes.”

“ Will you both look for the joy in life and in each other?”

“Yes.”

Dumbledore draped the second cord, repeating what he had said earlier.

“Rowen, will you burden him?”

“ I may.”

“ Is this your intent?”

“No.”

“Severus, will you burden her?”

“I may.”

“ Is this your intent?”

“No.”

“Will you share each others burdens?”

“ Yes.”

Dumbledore draped the third cord over their hands.

“ Severus, will you cause her anger?”

“ I may.”

“ Is this your intent?”

“No.”

“Rowen will you cause him anger?”

“Yes!” the room chuckled a bit at this.

“ Is this your intent?”

“No.”

“Will you take this anger and use it to temper your union?”

“ We will.”

The fourth cord was placed over their joined hands.

“ Severus, will you honor her?”

“Yes.”

“Rowen, will you honor him?”

“ Yes.”

Dumbledore draped the fifth and final cord over their hands. He began tying the cords together. When finished he waved his hand and the binds disappeared. He removed the rings from his wand, handing them to Rowen and Severus. They placed the rings on each other's hands as Dumbledore spoke.

“The knots of this binding are not formed by these ropes but by your vows to each other. Either of you may drop these cords, because as always, you hold in your hands the making or breaking of this union.” He leaned forward and twinkled at the two of them. “ You may kiss your bride, Severus.” The crowd burst into applause as he did so. Dumbledore watched with joy in his eyes before speaking again. “ I present Mr. and Mrs. Snape!”

A/N: Ahhh... who doesn't love a wedding right? I tired to fix the whole huge spaces between paragraphs thing so let me know if it's better or worse... Don't forget to review! Oh! And calling all H/Hr writers, there is a writing competition going on over at Witherwings.net ( a site you should all check out...) and I entered, but only one other person did, so go, register and write something for it! I don't wanna win by defualt lol!