Chapter 33
May comes before you know it, and finally, you find yourself twisting your hair into an intricate braid that falls over your shoulder as Severus straightens his tie in the hotel mirror beside you. You look at your reflection beside his, smiling to yourself.
Your dress is the perfect shade of blush. Thin straps fall on your shoulders as the neckline scoops down across your collarbones. The fabric of the dress bunches and falls against your curves, highlighting your figure well.
Severus’s suit was so deep green that it was nearly black. His tie was a blush pink color that matched your dress and the ribbon in his hair, pulling the silky black locks back away from his face.
“You look amazing.” You say with a smile, turning to look up at him as you wrap your arms around him.
He chuckles lowly, wrapping his own arms around you as well.
“Have you seen yourself?” He asks with a smirk. “You are stunning.”
You laugh, leaning up to gently kiss his lips. He returns the gesture before reaching down to the dresser and picking up his boutonniere.
“Will you do the honors?” He asks, handing you the small, pink, peony flower.
You smile, nodding as you take it from him and carefully pin it to his chest. You smooth your hands along his suit as you look over him once again, nodding in approval. He smiles, picking up your bouquet of matching peonies and baby’s breath, handing it to you as he laces your fingers between his.
“Shall we?” He asks.
You nod happily. Together, you leave the hotel room and walk down the hall to the suites at the end. Severus leans down to kiss the tip of your nose gently.
“I’ll see you soon.” He murmurs, his fingers lingering at your waist as he pulls away. “You really do look breathtaking.”
You blush slightly, trailing your finger along his jawline.
“I love you.” You tell him.
“I love you, too.” He replies a moment later, smiling softly.
You step into Daisy’s suite as he steps into Charlie’s. She turns on her heels, squealing with excitement as you walk into the room.
“Y/N!” She exclaims. “You look amazing!”
You laugh, walking towards her and taking her hands in your own.
“Your makeup is perfect, " You tell her, admiring the way she framed her features with deep browns and pinks, adding sparkles in just the right places, and picking the exact right shade of berry for her lips. “Let’s get your hair started!”
Daisy flops down into the seat in the center of the room as you begin to brush through her hair softly. You talk excitedly about the day ahead of you as you twist her dark hair into an intricate bun at the nape of her neck.
You pull her dress from the closet, helping her step into it before carefully lacing the corset on her back. You add the finishing touch, a veil with a bedazzled pearlescent comb that you tuck gently into her tightly coiled bun.
You slowly turn her to face her reflection in the mirror, holding your breath as she looks at herself.
“Daisy…” You breathe, taking her hand in your own. “You look like a princess.”
Tears fill her eyes, and she looks up, blinking them away quickly as she squeezes your hand.
“Thank you so much for being here with me.” She rasps, her voice strained as she fights not to ruin her makeup.
Your eyes fill with tears a moment later, and you pull her into a hug.
“I’m so thankful to have you as my best friend.” You whisper into her ear. “I can’t imagine a more perfect pairing of people I love than you and Charlie.”
“Oh, stop it!” She exclaims, laughing as she looks up and blinks quickly again. “You’re going to make me ruin all my hard work!”
You laugh again, hugging her once more before you do the final touches on both of your hair and makeup before a knock sounds at the door.
“Daisy?” A woman’s voice says.
You walk to the door and open it slightly, peering into the hallway. Daisy’s mom stands on the other side. You smile at her as you open the door, shutting it quickly behind her.
“Oh, Daisy.” She says, her voice breaking as she looks at her daughter.
You stand by the door, letting Daisy have this moment with her mother. A few minutes later, she checks the time.
“Are you ready, dear?” Her mother asks her, handing her the large bouquet sitting on the bed.
Daisy nods, and the three of you make your way from the hotel room to the garden in the courtyard below. Your eyes find Severus’ at the line-up. The music of the processional begins to play on the other side of the gate as Charlie walks down the aisle.
You link your arm through Severus’, and he smiles down at you. The gates open, and you walk with Severus down the aisle. Your eyes fall on Molly as you walk, bouncing Nova on her knee as she dabs her eyes with her handkerchief.
Finally, you look at Charlie. He smiles at you broadly, his cheeks red with emotion as you inch closer. When you reach the aisle, you unhook your arm from Severus’ stepping to the altar and hugging Charlie tightly.
“I’m so happy for you.” You whisper to him. “I love you.”
He squeezes you back, chuckling lowly.
“Love you too, sis.” He whispers, leaning away after a moment.
You smile and blink away your tears as you take your place on the opposite side of the aisle. The doors part once more, and Daisy steps into view. You can’t help as a few tears slip down your cheeks as she walks down the aisle, the very picture of beauty and grace.
The ceremony is beautiful, and you catch Severus’ eye as Daisy and Charlie exchange vows.
Do you ever wish we’d had a wedding more like this? He asks into your mind.
You subtly shake your head.
Never. You reply. Ours was perfect.
He smiles warmly.
I agree. He murmurs. It was one of the highlights of my life.
You smile back.
Mine too. You reply, turning your attention back to Daisy and Charlie.
“And now, by the powers invested in me,” Arthur says, his voice strained as he fights back tears, “I pronounce you husband and wife. Son, you may kiss your bride.”
Charlie dips Daisy dramatically, kissing her deeply as she giggles uncontrollably. He sets her back on her feet as the garden erupts with applause and cheers.
“For the first time, I present, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie and Daisy Weasley!” Arthur announces, and the couple retreats down the aisle as people throw flower petals over their heads.
You step forward, hooking your arm through Severus’ as he escorts you back down the aisle behind them.
The reception follows soon, and you dance and eat with Daisy, Charlie, Severus, and Nova as the party goes on. When at last Nova falls asleep, lying over some chairs in the back of the reception hall, you join Severus at the edge of the dance floor as a slow, romantic song bleeds through the room.
“So, tell me.” You muse as Severus sways with you slowly. “What are the other highlights of your life?”
He laughs, smiling in the dim lighting.
“The day I started at Hogwarts.” He says after a moment, spinning you with the music. “The day I met you.”
You spin back into his arms, resting your head against his chest.
“The first time I kissed you.” He continues softly. “The first time you told me you loved me.”
You smile as the song changes, though the tempo stays the same. He continues to move you around the dance floor to the music as he holds you close.
“When you agreed to marry me.” He muses, his breath warm on your cheek as he speaks. “When you introduced me to your family. When you married me.”
He spins you again, catching your eye as he pulls you back in close.
“When you told me you were pregnant.” He whispers. “The first time I held Nova.”
Your eyes flit back to her, still sound asleep on the chairs.
“And when you brought me back.” He says, finally, his voice hardly audible. “It was horrible and painful and frightening, but the second I saw your eyes, the second I felt your presence within me, I knew that whatever happened, it would be okay.”
Your throat tightens as you hold him even tighter.
“Those are my highlights, too.” You whisper, tears stinging in your eyes. “When you took that breath…”
He holds you tightly, the swaying nearly coming to a stop.
“I know.” He breathes.
The song begins to morph into an upbeat pop song, but you don’t step away from Severus, staying locked in his arms as he looks into your eyes.
“Don’t fear, love.” He murmurs, leaning down so that his lips brush softly against yours. “The worst is behind us. We have forever ahead of us.”
You smile, nodding as you kiss him deeply.
“Hey!” Daisy interrupts. “This isn’t your wedding!”
You laugh, rolling your eyes as she bumps her hip against yours.
“I love this song!” You tell her, taking her hands. “Dance with me?”
She smiles and nods as she leads you to the center of the dance floor. She dances with you as you laugh and talk together.
“Everything has been absolutely perfect,” Daisy says as you dance, her smile radiating and her eyes twinkling. “Thank you, I’m so happy you’re here.”
You squeeze her hands, smiling back.
“It’s amazing.” You reply. “Thank you for letting me be your best friend.”
She smiles back, continuing to dance. Charlie joins you after a couple of songs, and Severus begrudgingly joins you as well, shuffling awkwardly as you dance.
As the night winds to an end, Severus scoops Nova into his arms, cradling her against his chest with one hand and taking your hand with the other. You say goodnight to your family and the newlyweds, wishing them a happy honeymoon as you make your way to the elevators.
Severus lays Nova in one bed in the room as you begin to get undressed.
“Care to join me in a shower?” He asks, unhooking the back of your dress for you as you brush through your hair with your fingers.
“I’d love to.” You answer, your skin prickling with goosebumps as he slides your dress from your body.
He grins, taking your hand and leading you to the bathroom as you giggle behind him.