The hall was bathed in soft, golden light. The towering stone walls of the ancient manor were adorned with delicate white lilies, their fragrance mingling with the faint scent of old parchment and magic. The air buzzed with quiet excitement as guests gathered, their conversations blending into a harmonious murmur. The venue wasn’t at Hogwarts. No, this was a grand, secluded estate in the countryside, a place far removed from the halls of the school where Severus and Bruce had met, fought, and grown into something more.
Severus Snape stood at the front of the hall, dressed in a finely tailored suit, his long black hair cascading neatly down his shoulders. His expression, as usual, was hard to read, a mask of controlled calm. But there was a slight nervousness in his posture, his hands slightly trembling as they clasped in front of him. This moment felt so surreal—he could hardly believe it had come. For most of his life, he had never imagined such a day. To be standing at the front of a hall, surrounded by guests, on the edge of a life-altering commitment, was more than he had ever dared to hope for.
Behind him stood his bridesmaids—Charity Burbage, her blonde hair cascading in soft curls; Aurora Sinistra, wearing a flowing dark green gown that reflected the faint light; and Narcissa Malfoy, dressed in elegant silvery robes, her cold beauty belying the warmth in her eyes when she glanced at Severus. They weren’t just there out of obligation—they were there because they had witnessed Severus’s transformation, his journey of trust and love, and they had supported him every step of the way.
Bruce Mulciber stood at the altar, waiting, his posture relaxed but his gaze focused solely on Severus. He was tall and commanding, the kind of person who always seemed unbothered, even in the most intense of moments. But there was a softness in his eyes as they followed Severus, a quiet intensity that made Severus’s heart race faster.
The bridesmaids stood at the back, waiting for the moment to begin. Charity, Aurora, and Narcissa exchanged quiet words, but it was clear their attention was focused on Severus. The room was silent in anticipation.
The music began softly, a gentle piano piece, and the guests stood as the doors at the back of the hall opened. Severus’s breath caught in his throat. This was it.
He started down the aisle, walking alone, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. For a moment, the air felt thick, and his heartbeat echoed in his ears. He felt exposed, vulnerable, and yet something told him this was where he was supposed to be. His steps were measured, his gaze fixed ahead. His bridesmaids watched him with supportive smiles, nodding as he passed them. Charity’s reassuring glance reminded him to breathe, Aurora’s gentle smile grounded him in the reality of the moment.
Severus didn’t look at the guests. He didn’t need to. His eyes were fixed solely on Bruce, who stood at the front, his own gaze unwavering, filled with that same quiet devotion Severus had come to rely on.
The moment felt like an eternity and a blink of an eye all at once. As Severus neared the altar, the last few steps seemed to weigh heavier than the rest. He glanced at Bruce, his heart heavy with emotions he hadn’t dared express. Bruce was smiling, but it wasn’t a simple smile. It was filled with warmth, with a depth that Severus hadn’t realized he could find in another person. For so long, he had fought against the notion of being loved. But now, here he was, standing before the man he had come to trust with everything.
When Severus finally reached the front, Bruce reached out, his hand warm against Severus’s, grounding him.
The officiant—a wise wizard who had been a mentor to both young men—smiled gently as he looked between them. “Severus Snape, Bruce Mulciber, do you take one another to be your lawfully wedded husband, in life and in love?”
Severus hesitated, his throat tight with the intensity of the moment. But when he looked into Bruce’s eyes, he saw everything he needed to see. This was it. This was where he belonged.
His voice was steady, but soft. “I do.”
Bruce’s smile grew even wider, and the joy in his eyes mirrored Severus’s own. “I do.”
The officiant nodded, his voice rising in the quiet hall. “Then, by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss the groom.”
Severus could feel the weight of his breath catch in his chest as he looked up at Bruce. The moment was surreal, but it was theirs. Bruce leaned forward, cupping Severus’s face with both hands, and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. It was slow, tender—a promise. It wasn’t filled with grand passion, but with something deeper: the quiet bond they had built over the years, the love they had earned after fighting through so much darkness.
The room erupted in applause, but Severus didn’t hear it. All he could hear was Bruce’s heartbeat, the soft rush of air, and the quiet rhythm of his own breath. For the first time in his life, Severus felt truly at peace.
As they pulled apart, Bruce gave him a smile that made Severus’s heart flutter. “You’re mine now, Snape,” Bruce whispered, voice thick with emotion.
Severus leaned in closer, his voice barely audible. “I never thought I’d find someone like you… but now that I have, I’ll never let go.”
The two walked out of the hall together, hand in hand, as the guests cheered. They entered the ballroom where the reception awaited them. The night passed in a blur of laughter, quiet conversations, and warm smiles. It wasn’t just about the wedding, but about the lives they would begin together, no longer fighting alone but walking together as partners.
Severus, for once in his life, felt light. He wasn’t the lonely, misunderstood boy he had been. He wasn’t the one who feared opening up. He was with Bruce now—and together, they could face whatever came next. The future felt bright, and for the first time, Severus realized he didn’t have to face it alone.