The coastal cottage lay silent in the mild evening breeze. The yellow sun reflected in the dark windows. Leonor walked tired through the kissing gate, carrying a heavy shoulder bag with potion supplies and fleecy jumpers for Marcus and Eileen. She inhaled the salty air and relaxed for a moment. After the home visits she returned to the cottage eating lunch with her family, but Severus urged her to go shopping. She joked that 'he wanted to get rid of her' and he explained that it was better to browse Diagon Alley before all students purchased school items and robes. Leonor agreed grudgingly and took Severus' list of missing stocks to get the necessary resupply. She stopped quickly at Alma's clothes shop, emptied the letterbox in the apothecary and saw if all things were alright in the otherwise empty house. The busy Diagon Alley distracted Leonor finally, and she filled her bag step by step.

"I'm back," called Leonor when she entered the narrow corridor and put the shopping to the workplace in the storeroom.

"Severus?" Leonor called again and listened. The broomsticks and a pair of wellington boots stood in the corner as always but the door to the kitchen was closed and it was incredibly quiet. That was unusual, and she hesitated to press the handle down, an anxious feeling clenched her stomach. But Severus waited motionless behind the door, he smiled shyly at her, dressed in his best clothes.

Severus embraced Leonor dearly, whispering nothing except 'I missed you', his mouth caressed her earlobe. She wanted to protest but he anticipated her fear. "Marcus and Eileen are with Heather and Thomas. We have the night to us."

Leonor took still a step backwards, frowning.

Severus reassured quickly, "Everything is alright. We played at the beach, made a walk to the farmhouse. Eileen was impressed by the sheep and Marcus smiled listening to the excited bleating goats. Heather was pleased to spoil them with cacao and sweets."

"It's their first night away from me," said Leonor flustered. "Was that necessary? They would have been sleepy after your tour anyway."

"I suggest we take a walk."

"I don't understand."

"Come, I explain." Severus took Leonor's hand and led her through the corridor into the mild evening. "Let's walk along the cliffs." Severus wrapped his arm around Leonor's shoulder keeping her tight. Leonor appeared tense and nervous but silent. A marvellous view of the sea invited to hold out in silence.

Severus spoke first. "In the last weeks I made arrangements for you and the children. I visited my parents' house and noticed that the muggles bought up Spinner's End for a new residential area. I seized the opportunity and sold the few square meters for a decent price."

"You mentioned to bring things here?"

"There was nothing to preserve. I vanished most of it. Some dangerous but valuable books are on the attic, secured by spells in a sealed box. I'm sure every bookseller would be pleased to sell them for an amazing price."

"Why haven't you told me earlier?"

"Well, I contacted Gringotts and visited my mother's vault where I sent my teacher's salary for years. The goblins have been extremely helpful to organize that without involving the ministry."

Severus pulled a rusty metal key from his pocket. "The key is yours." He pressed the cold iron into Leonor's hands. "It is no fortune, but enough for you as long as Marcus and Eileen are small. If all goes well with your business, it will also pay for their education."

"No, I'm not going to take it."

"I'm not asking. The vault is already assigned to you." Severus pressed the opener back into Leonor's hands. "The profit from selling Spinner's End is shared between Eileen and Marcus and safely stored in a deposit. They can access it once they come off age. I'll give you the papers later."

"But why are you doing this?"

"It's the minimum I can do."

Leonor bit her lips. It was easy to guess what Severus feared.

"I made a will when you got pregnant with Eileen; it might not be enough—"

Before Leonor could answer, Severus bent down kissing her, his tongue tracing her lower lip, the breath hot on her skin. "Take it, it's my pleasure," he whispered hoarsely.

"I want you, not your money," she insisted.

"You have me, now — and always."

Severus caught Leonor's mouth before she continued to protest. He parted her lips with ease, her fingers entangled with his long black hair, he liked that. The kiss was not hungry but full of need and tenderness. They kissed that way before but today a certain graveness spread its wings. The day to visit the ministry neared.

"We go inside," said Severus when both shivered in the offshore wind. "I'll prepare dinner and you take a hot shower. You had a long day." His voice tolerated no objection.

Leonor glared at him before walking upstairs not content with Severus' view of things. She went to the shower in a reflective mood. The warm water rinsed her body and the tense muscles relaxed. Her stomach rumbled, and she hurried drying the hair and wrapping herself in the thick terry bathrobe. She sighed before opening the door to the kitchen and found herself suddenly in a very romantic atmosphere. The table was set with a white tablecloth, long candles, and a bunch of dark-red roses. The flickering candlelight tinted the room in an orange glow, wood crackled in the fireplace and an enticing smell of food tickled her nose. A last strip of a red sunset glowed on the horizon before the darkness fell.

She appeared speechless for a moment then looked at Severus, realizing only now that he was dressed exclusively and expensive. He bowed slightly and one of his typical smirks curled his lips.

"Sit down," he invited her courteously and a bit stiff, ignoring her attire.

Leonor's heart pumped heavily when Severus cracked a bottle of champagne. He eased the cork out firmly but gently, releasing it with a soft hiss. Then he sat down opposite her, filled the champagne flutes, and conjured a delicious meal from nowhere. The drink sparkled with life as it was poured.

"Why so festive?" whispered Leonor, she blushed, closing the terry mantle tighter around her waist feeling under-dressed.

"I love you," he answered bluntly.

"I love you too." She took his hand and noticed that it trembled. Severus jerked it away and raised his glass. Leonor did the same; they sipped in silence. The taste stimulated the palate, instantly seductive and velvety with an underlying fruitiness.

"Bon appétit!" Severus tucked in without looking at Leonor.

Leonor kept an eye on Severus in between some small talk about the day, wondering why he made that effort. Despite the perfection his features became more and more strained. He emptied the champagne quickly and stared at his hands until Leonor finished the Irish steak with roasted vegetables too.

"Delicious," smiled Leonor. Severus said nothing just bit his lips and waved the black magic wand to remove the plates.

"Talk to me, you are so pale," urged Leonor. The nervousness spread.

"The most important thing is us. Our love. Our children. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I don't want you to forget."

Severus pulled a velvety box out of his pocket and opened it with a soft click. With both hands he enclosed Leonor's fingers and said, "Please, marry me."

Then Severus got up, pulling Leonor from her seat, and letting her know with the tenderness of his touch that nothing would force them apart. Leonor looked up into the black eyes and saw all the love she could have possibly wished for. At long last, all her dreams became true. She was no longer afraid of the future, of men, of babies. There were no guarantees, of course, but with love and their rock-solid commitment to each other they could weather everything.

"Yes, I will." She replied with wet smiling eyes, her heart made somersaults and the legs shook with excitement.

Severus looked happy and kissed the tears of joy away. Then he took the box and slid the engagement ring on her finger, saying, "We can get married any time. Thomas will officiate the wedding."

"Sev!" Leonor flung her arms around his neck; her whole face lit up. "Let's get married soon." He leaned in, tenderly, hesitating. The warm colour of the wavering light touched Leonor's cheek and tinted it in gold, but it was nothing compared to the radiant gleam in the passionate eyes.

"Husband and wife," she whispered, closing more of the gap between their lips. She felt Severus breath, not daring to really kiss him, the moment too fresh to put into actions. They held out motionless until the tension became unbearable. They touched hot, opening lips with utmost tenderness, tiny sips, nothing salacious. Both insisting on continuing, tasting the other like on their first kiss in the dungeons, increasing the intensity slowly until they both let go, breathless and overwhelmed.

"My bride." Severus swallowed, and he trembled again, taking a step back, raising her hand and pressing his lips to the ring on her finger.

"The ring is wonderful, much to expensive, you are mad," breathed Leonor, her chest rising and falling, the pulse too quick.

Severus spoke quietly, his voice deeper than usual. "I'm mad after you."

"The necklace with the charm, the bracelet, the ring — it's a perfect match."

A smile flitted across Severus touched face. "That was my intention."

Leonor pulled him close, capturing his lips again, first full of passion and then with a tender caress that it sent shivers down his spine. She had taken the lead, unbuckled the belt, removed the suit jacket, and pulled the shirt over his head. She stroked him slowly, without rush, mixed with repeated kisses and pecks. Her slim hands gave his muscles a light massage, slipped into the tight trousers, adding pressure to the weak spots that he hardly suppressed moans of pleasure.

She controlled his reaction, subtle and intent. She had never done that with such an intensity before. He felt the sensation of being watched, she knew him, so toxic like a fever. Her eyes were wide open, darker than usual. The hands moved soft and demanding, stopping whenever the feelings run too high. Her chest shook under the thick white terry robe. He trembled while dreaming of what lay beneath. She was good, sexy, he melted like wax under the touch.

"My groom; you are handsome, lean." She purred twirling his chest hair that he took a deep breath. "Your darkness makes you secretive." She circled his right nipple with her tongue. "Your magic is extraordinary." She sucked his left nipple with passion. "I love a formidable man, Severus Snape."

He held his breath when the trousers fell in a heap to the floor. And she looked at him, scrutinizing as if to check that she made the right choice, her own shape still hidden. Severus bit his lips, ready to explode any moment.

"Satisfied," he exclaimed harshly.

"Very—" and the bathrobe fell to the floor. "Shower or bed," she asked forward, curving her hands over her breasts, and squeezing lightly, the dim light created shadows of the female shape on the floor.

"The bed's closer, you are so beautiful." —and before she knew it Severus lifted her up and lowered her quickly to the bed.

"My turn, Mrs Snape."

XXX

Despite an adventurous night, Severus and Leonor woke early. Touches and kisses replaced the talking, a newfound intimacy lay in the air. Soon they arrived in the green flames of the Walsh's fireplace, both with a bright smile in the face. Leonor could not wait to hug her children, she missed them as soon as she was awake. Eileen showed a colourful self-made tower to her parents and Marcus smiled stretching his tiny hands to demand the favourite place in Severus' arms. Then Leonor showed the engagement ring to Heather who praised it, and both women wiped soon tears from the eyes.

Severus felt awkward and his hands caressed Marcus' back to do at least something.

Thomas patted Severus' shoulder saying, "—and of course she said yes".

Severus looked bedraggled when Leonor laughed in amusement learning unwanted about his greatest fear.

"Any idea about the date of the wedding?" asked Thomas lightly when the emotions settled.

"Saturday," replied Leonor with a firm voice and flushed, adding quietly, "Another day is fine too."

"Alright, if you agree to the ceremony in the afternoon, then it's a deal." Thomas spoke now stiff and with an official touch in his voice, the expression still illuminated by a genuine smile.

Severus nodded and put an arm around Leonor, kissing her temple. "—and we need two witnesses and the wedding bands?"

"That is correct. If you find no best man than Heather will stand in and I ask Father Ralph; I can talk him into that. He will be there anyway opening the chapel."

"We marry in a church?" Leonor's eyes became misty again.

"Not quite right," explained Thomas. "It is just a very —"

Severus shot Thomas an angry look and the old man stopped abruptly, sniggering, and caressing the stubbles on his chin.

He finished the sentence again a bit stiff, "— I meant a nice place."

XXX

The beginning of the coming week was terribly busy. Leonor left the cottage several times for hours and Severus felt suddenly alone, out of place. The closeness of the days before changed into distance. Severus threw the tea towel into the sink, sitting again alone with the afternoon tea and looking out of the window to a murky sky.

Nevertheless, the Saturday afternoon drew nearer, and his jumpiness grew. Leonor instead radiated a surprising energy without mentioning much of the wedding. She only spoke about Richard's agreement to be a witness. The whole situation pique Severus' ego because he was stuck in the cottage for safety reasons. And it was even worse that Leonor organized things and wanted him to leave the cottage without her before the ceremony began.

On Saturday, Heather picked up the children right after breakfast and the quiet house was a torture. Leonor locked the large spare room on the first floor and vanished behind the magically secured door for hours.

"We apparate from here at half past two," reminded her Severus chewing on a sparse lunch. He had no appetite.

"I will arrive after you, Sev. Richard picks me up and you tell him the destination," she said vigorously.

"Leo why is all that?" questioned Severus still irritated.

"You kept your business a secret and now I get even." She inhaled sharply, suppressing a giggle about his bad mood.

"I didn't want to disappoint you when any of my ideas failed."

"— and I don't want to disappoint you either. Richard arrives early enough, tell him the destination and leave. Otherwise, I will be late," she said casually. Then Leonor left her plate unfinished and rushed upstairs; the door fell again into the lock.

XXX

Severus waited next to the weathered door of the skew crooked chapel. The wind had calmed, and the grey clouds changed into a mild blue sky. The bad weather of the last days transformed to a nice and warm day in August. The old chapel stood lonesome in a hollow, invisible from the village in between verdant green grass and an admirable view along the cliffs north of Whitesands Haven. A flock of sheep grazed on the highest of the surrounding hills, a merry huddle of white, brown, and black wool.

A feeling of grievance overcame Severus in the perfect silence of the rolling Welsh landscape. The minutes passed slowly and whenever he checked the watch, he figured that it was still time for Thomas and Leonor to arrive in time. Waiting felt like an eternity and the fear that his bride refused to get married grew faster than the seconds elapsed.

Finally, he heard voices and people appeared on the narrow path down to the centre of the village. Severus heaved a sigh recognizing their faces. He had not reckoned with guests. Although, he relaxed slightly seeing them as quite an entertaining bunch of people. Thomas and a man dressed in black clerical robes walked ahead. Behind followed Heather with Marcus in her arms, Alma and Caryn obviously rowing about pushing a baby stroller with Eileen. A man followed behind them whom Severus did not remember right away.

"It's a short walk from the harbour, but sheer uphill." Thomas panted heavily resting for a moment and inhaling the fresh air.

Father Ralph shook Severus's hand uttering something inarticulate with sweat on the forehead and glowing red cheeks before bolting towards the door of the chapel and unlocking it.

Thomas patted Severus's shoulder saying, "The bride will be here shortly. Come inside, some things have to be prepared."

Eileen waved happily from the stroller, enjoying the attention and the walk in the fresh air. She was dressed in a cute white dress with frills and lace, the brown hair dressed in flowers. Severus was overwhelmed by all the preparations done and reached for one of the wildflowers to give it to his daughter who gave a little sneeze smelling on it. He pressed a kiss to her forehead whispering 'my beautiful flower girl'. Marcus reached out for his father too and Severus stroked his thin black hair for a moment. He looked like a page boy, in black and white with a tiny bow tie around his neck. Then Heather handed him over to Alma telling purposefully that he was a good boy on his parents wedding day. She linked arms with Severus and ushered him quickly into the chapel. They almost collided with Father Ralph who exited the location grumpily.

"Thank goodness he's leaving," sighed Heather when Ralph walked determined along the path to the village. "He's a muggle, and Thomas needs to confound him whenever Ralph insists on participating in the ceremony. He can be quite stubborn and magic needs to be limited when Ralph's around."

"Didn't we need him as a witness?"

"Not anymore!" Heather raised her finger and called. "Mr Romano, please can you come inside and let us know your full name and address?"

At that moment, Severus remembered where he had seen the man following all the way up to the chapel. It was the muggle from the Italian Restaurant and the father of one of the former Hufflepuff students.

"Professor Snape, it's my pleasure to be your witness if you allow it," murmured Francesco Romano. "Richard Jennings buttonholed me on the airport last night—" and then the voice broke into sobs, "—I'm so happy that you and Leonor found each other. I wished it and on my first day back home—" Francesco squeezed Severus' hands unable to speak another word.

Severus nodded, saying simply, "Of course, it's an honour. Is your family well?"

"Yes, yes. They arrive in two weeks," spluttered Francesco but before he could continue to say more Heather pushed them to the front of the chapel where Thomas waited with some scrolls of parchment, asking official questions and putting the wedding bands to a shining silver tray.

Heather waved her wand and the ancient chapel decorated with white roses, vivid green leaves, and silver ornaments in between the sea of flowers. The guests filed in sitting down on the few wooden benches. Marcus looked concentrated on everything; his eyes brimming over with delight watching the change coming from Heather's wand tip. Eileen had only eyes for a small wicker basket filled with colourful wildflowers. Caryn walked with the little girl up and down spreading the flowers on the aisle. Magic refilled the basked whenever it became empty again.

Severus pinched nervously the nose listening to Thomas' final questions and confirming every detail with a curt nod. Francesco positioned right behind him like the best man was supposed to do. Severus proposed a wedding with only the dire legal necessity and now it appeared a celebration in a dreamlike romantic chapel. He never expected that when agreeing to the Walsh's suggestion using the chapel instead of their back room. The effort crushed Severus' composure, and he sat down on the hard bench, the face in his hands, the day already now unforgettable.

"Getting cold feet," said Francesco fatherly, patting Severus to the back. The affection of the muggle soothed the raging anxiety, and Severus wondered if every groom felt the same turmoil of emotions. With damp palms and closed eyes, he let the perfection of the place sink in. What if something went wrong?

A plop sounded outside and the voices in the chapel silenced only Alma hummed a melody calming Marcus.

"They are coming." Francesco tugged on Severus' robes, pinned a posy of white flowers to Severus' chest pocket and straightened the dark suit.

Everybody looked to the wide-open door. Richard entered first, his broad shoulders covering up everything behind him. Once inside the chapel he stepped aside and there stood Leonor, a stunning bride in a dream of white chiffon.

Leonor moved down the aisle her gaze meeting the dark eyes of the husband-to-be whose pulse raised until her smile took the weight from his shoulders. She smiled like nobody smiled at him before, taking his breath away with ease.

Alma showed a pleased smile when the guests admired the floor-length wedding dress. The plain sleeveless gown matched perfectly with a summer day. The V-neck created an inviting eyecatcher for the white-golden necklace with the diamond charm. A bridal veil fell from a masterly twisted bun down to the rug.

Richard took his position next to Leonor and the ceremony was about to begin. Severus run his fingers through his hair, having only eyes for the woman in front of him. He touched her arm with the bracelet lightly and squeezed her hands brushing over the engagement ring. Then he stood straight impressing the person he cared about most to get united by the vow.

It was impossible, like in a daze, they repeated the vow spoken by Thomas '... to have and to hold from this day forward', exchanged rings and then a gleaming light erupted from Thomas' wand tip, interwinding their hands and binding the rings together with an eternal glow that flooded body and soul.

They caught breath when hearing 'you may kiss the bride'.

Severus leaned down and brushed Leonor's lips with the most feathery touch of his mouth that it sent a wave of warmth through her body and down to her toes. Then he put an arm around her waist and the other to her neck twisting them slightly away from the guests and kissing more passionately, taking time to experience the moment of being husband and wife. The kiss was like a ride on cloud nine, everything around silent and forgotten. The heart stopped a beat.

When breaking apart, Severus looked down to her closed eyes and whispered, "My Love, Leo, for the rest of my life."

"You are mine, Sev." Leonor's voice trembled looking up into the darkness of his soul and for the first time she saw only confidence.

Richard and Thomas smirked nicely. Francesco chuckled softly under his breath looking back and forth between the newlywed couple and the women who pressed tissues to the watering eyes. Then the muggle smuggled a camera from his pouch and moved into position saying, "Smile and look into the camera!"

— THE END —

__________

Dear Readers,

thank you very much for reading and the credits you gave to the story!

I hope you enjoyed it and I'm pleased to hear from you even though it is the last chapter. I still work on an epilogue and there are some ideas in my mind which I would like to post as one-shots from time to time.

Take care and have a good time!

-DarkSunX