Harry opened his eyes as the winter sun gleamed in through the window of the master bedroom of the new Potter-Snape residence in Dorset, gleamed and snuggled in closer to his husband's mutually naked body. Their reunion had lasted for hours, with Severus pinning him to the mattress, multiple walls, and, finally, even the bedroom floor, to the point where Harry felt as if his arse would give out. He could barely feel it that morning as he felt his husband's arms wrapping around him, and smiled automatically at the contact.

"Fuck," Harry whispered automatically as Severus reached in between his legs to stroke his already-erect member. He arched up against him, finding that there was no greater sensation than that of Severus's cock teasing at his hole. "Severus..." He whispered.

Severus's breath was hot at Harry's ear as his tongue gently teased its shell, before he took his free hand and gently guided his member into Harry, who was still plenty stretched from the evening before. He savored the sounds he evoked from Harry's lips, and shuddered in the first one—a delightful shiver and subsequent gasp of pleasure. He gently nibbled at the sensitive skin of Harry's neck, pulling his husband closer as he continued to pound into him, while all the while stroking Harry's own member.

"Severus," Harry moaned, his eyes shutting automatically at the sensations that tore through him at his husband's touch. "Severus... Oh, Merlin... Fuck me," he whispered.

"I am, my Harry, I am," Severus assured him, pulling Harry closer still, so as the head of his cock pushed just so into his prostate.

"Fuck!" Harry screamed, followed by a series of delectable moans, before he trembled. "I can't stop it!" he whispered, gritting his teeth. "Need to... Need to come," he said, shuddering and spasming in his husband's arms.

"Come, my love," Severus whispered. "I'm close. Come."

Harry let out the single most beautiful noise that Severus had ever heard as his orgasm tore through him, and spilled all over his husband's hands. He shivered with the aftershocks as Severus's own release coated his insides, and he methodically waved his hand to complete a Cleaning Charm over the two of them. Sighing with satisfaction, Harry turned himself over and let out a pleased sound as Severus wrapped his arms around him.

"Good morning," Severus said softly.

"Hell of a good morning," Harry whispered back. "I could get used to waking up like that every single day."

Severus sighed, pressing his forehead against Harry's. "And you will."

Harry blinked, pulling himself back and staring at Severus. "What?"

"I sent Minerva and owl in between our exploits last evening," he said gently, running his fingers up and down Harry's back. "I won't be returning to Hogwarts to teach."

Harry blinked. "You won't?"

"No," Severus said, shaking his head. "Bill Weasley has left Gringotts permanently and will be assuming my position as potions master, as well as Head of Slytherin House."

Harry smirked. "The Weasleys will have a field day," he predicted.

Severus chuckled. "Cuthbert has decided to finally retire as well, and Fleur will be taking over the position of History of Magic professor," he continued. "I assume that now that the class will have a reputation for being more...lively."

Harry laughed aloud at that and nodded. "Well, while I won't be upset to have you not utilizing the Floo Network on a daily basis to return to Scotland, I know you like to keep busy. What will you do now that you've given up Hogwarts?"

"Research," Severus replied, and Harry raised his eyebrows. "If you would allow me, I can grow and cultivate new species of plants utilized for potions in our own garden. I can use the basement lab for my personal experiments, enabling me to work from home."

Harry smiled. "The garden is quite a big place..."

"Yes," Severus replied.

"I would like a portion of it to use for flowers, and perhaps an area where the children can play and for family picnics and such," he said softly.

Severus smiled down at his husband. "Of course, my love, anything," he replied. "I know you have something else on your mind as well..."

"I would like to offer the house and garden to Ron and Hermione for the wedding," he said softly to his husband. "I think it would really be wonderful to have such a gathering here, as we want to prove to everyone that you really are on the side of the Light. I wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea, or attempt to take you away from me, now that we're together..."

Severus leaned down and pressed his lips to his husband's. "Nobody will be taking me away from you, Harry. It is not like I'm the one who killed Albus."

Harry nodded, sighing with relief. "No, you're not." He sighed, about to say something further, when a familiar tap­-tap was heard upon one of the master bedroom windows and, turning, he spotted Hedwig just perched on the windowsill. Smiling to himself, he summoned his robe and drew himself out of his husband's arms and opened the window, Hedwig screeching good-naturedly as she flew in, and immediately set about to greeting Severus, who chuckled affably at the owl's antics. "I suppose I'm not here then," Harry said with mock-bitterness as he summoned a treat for Hedwig.

Hedwig, upon smelling the treat, gently pecked Severus goodbye before swooping over and landing flawlessly upon Harry's shoulder. She took the treat from his outstretched hands before she extended her claw as an afterthought. Then, nipping at his ear, Hedwig flew back outside, likely wanting to check out the owlery that had come with the property, and already housed Severus's owl, a Greater Sooty called Artemis.

"Minerva," Harry stated as he broke open the wax seal, and Severus sat up in bed automatically at the proclamation. "Ah. I see," Harry said as he read over the parchment.

"What is it?" Severus asked.

Harry swallowed. "She's asked that I take on the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts as well as Head of Gryffindor House."

"Ah," Severus said, nodding. "Very few would be a better choice, love. Well, what are you going to answer her?"

Harry smiled and folded up the letter. "That is a simple answer. No."

Severus blinked. "No? You would so willingly give up such a divine opportunity practically handed to you?" he asked, shaking his head. "Why?"

"Because I've had enough of people attempting to make plans for me," he said simply, setting the letter aside and spelling the window closed. He crossed back over to the bed and climbed into it, chucking his robe as he did so. "I know that Minerva means well, my love, and I'll readily admit that the position is a good one. However, all I want, in this moment, is to be here, with you, and to raise our family. I'm only sixteen, after all, and I've plenty of time to decide what I want to do with my life. However, I've only just defeated Riddle, my love, and I want to rest. It's not like we'll be starving for money, anyhow—the Potter and Black fortunes will do more than enough for us financially, and we already own the house outright."

Severus automatically wrapped his arms around his husband from where he sat against the bed frame and bolsters, permitting Harry to lie back against his bare chest. "And you truly imagine that you will be happy, my love? In this house, with me, Matilda, Lily, and any other children we decide to bring into the mix?"

Harry sighed and nodded. "All I've ever wanted was a family, Severus."

"The Weasleys have been your family, my love..."

"Yes, yes, I know," Harry said gently. "But I wanted something that was truly, truly mine. You, Matilda, Lily... You are my true family. And while I'll always love Molly and Arthur for their selflessness in taking me in, feeding me, clothing me, loving me, and giving me birthday and Christmas gifts, it is not the same as being in love, nor having familiars, or having children of one's own."

Severus pressed a kiss to Harry's temple, taking great delight as his husband leaned further back against him, and wrapped his arms around him. "So, you've no idea what to do as a career? I thought that you and Ron were dead-set on joining the Auror Academy..."

"Perhaps I was, once," Harry admitted, tilting his head back so as he could see his husband's face, and smiled up at him, never feeling more pleased than he was in this moment. "But I've dreamed a new dream now."

"Oh?" Severus asked.

"You," Harry told him, smiling up at him, and gently tilting his face so that his husband was looking back at him. "You are my new dream, Severus."

Severus smiled then before he dipped his face downwards and silenced all further thoughts from his husband with a passionate kiss.

~*~

Ron and Hermione finally returned from Australia by the end of the week, with Mr. and Mrs. Granger re-establishing their lucrative dental practice in Hampshire. Ron had immediately asked Mr. Granger for Hermione's hand in marriage, and the man, despite being there for the engagement months before, was pleased to have his future son-in-law ask a second time. When his best friends came to the Potter-Snape household just two days after they'd gotten back to England, Hermione was delighted with it and immediately requested a tour, and Severus was pleased to give her an extensive one of the plans for the garden.

"He's much calmer now, now that the war's over, mate," Ron put in, taking the offered cup of tea that Harry offered him, once Severus had gone downstairs to the lab to do some brewing for the rest of the afternoon.

"He seems much happier as well," Hermione put in, smiling indulgently as Ron wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Not spying for the Order seems to have worked wonders. He looks a good decade younger."

"He is happier," Harry informed them, gently running his fingers over his swollen belly in a moment of happiness. "Now that he's decided to devote his life to potions research and cultivation of plants for his experiments, he seems much happier on the whole."

"Now that he doesn't have any more kids to terrorize— Oi!" Ron squawked as Hermione jabbed him in the ribs.

"Honestly, Ronald, that's your brother-in-law you're talking about," she said, shaking her head at him with a scathing look.

"I didn't mean anything by it, Harry," Ron said quickly.

Harry grinned at the display and shook his head at him. "No worries, Ron. Severus readily admits that teaching was hardly an appropriate position for him. Now that Lily is on the way and we're safe, however, he's resolved to turn over a new leaf when it comes to the treatment of children around us."

Ron rubbed his side, which was still smarting ever so slightly. "Well, still. Better you than me, mate—I love 'Mione too much," he told him.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well, as my mind attempts to divest itself of that charming image," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "I assume there was a purpose to our visit, Harry. I mean, I'm pleased to see the house and Severus's garden, don't get me wrong, but I sense that there's something underlying here..."

"There is," Harry responded with a nod. "Have you and Ron given any thought to where you might hold the wedding?"

Ron sighed. "Well, we were going to use the Burrow, but Bill and Fleur booked it for the first of August, and Mum likes to limit it to one wedding or significant event per year, no matter whose wedding it is," he replied. "And there's no way I'm waiting longer than necessary to make Hermione my wife."

"That's awfully sweet of you, Ron," Hermione said, their earlier spat forgotten.

"Does your family attend church, Hermione?"

Hermione sighed. "Not so much. On Christmas and Easter, if Mum and Dad can get around to it, now and again, but they never forced me to go, of course."

Harry nodded. "Well, Severus and I have talked it over, and we'd love it if you and Ron would be willing to have your wedding here," he said with a smile, and his two best friends looked shocked at the declaration. "It could be in June, and we could hold it in the garden, which would be beautiful at that time of year. I've already contacted Neville, who's going to help us with the planting and such, and I think it would be a lovely place to hold a wedding—"

Hermione darted out of her place upon one of the living room couches, putting her teacup onto the coffee table between them, and launched herself at Harry, throwing her arms around him and kissing him on both cheeks. "Oh, Harry, you're wonderful!" she cried out. "It's more than we'd ever hoped for!"

"You really don't have to do this, mate," Ron said, although he was beaming.

"I want to do this," Harry assured him, gently easing Hermione back and Hermione, taking the hint, returned to the couch beside Ron. "Severus and I don't want to renew our vows so quickly, although one day we may have a proper wedding. But you two have been with me since we fought that bloody troll in first-year, and the two of you deserve a wonderful wedding. And besides, Mum Weasley and Mrs. Granger would likely have a field day if you didn't take some time to plan out the perfect ceremony."

Ron sighed, wrapping his hand around Hermione's. "You've always been my best mate and my brother, Harry, and although I've proved several times over that I'm hardly worthy of that title, I can't believe that you took me back each time."

"Let's not bring up the confusion regarding the tournament again," Harry said with a smile and a lighthearted chuckle. "No fourteen-year-old is going to appear rational on every given day. And while I'm glad you know now that I didn't put my name in the Goblet of Fire, I in turn can fully forgive you for your behavior."

"Thanks, mate," Ron replied.

"Boys," Hermione muttered to herself.

"Now all that remains is a day for the two of you to select for the ceremony, finalizing the wardrobe, and making sure that the wedding party is a-go. Plus, I'm sure that Kreacher, Mum Weasley, Dobby, and Winky can cook up a delicious spread," Harry put in.

"Dobby and Winky?" Ron questioned.

Harry smiled. "It's quite a large house, this one," he told his friends, "and Kreacher's getting on in years. He typically keeps to himself, but Dobby and Winky offered their services to us; I suppose the castle affords too many memories. So, the two of them should be finishing up their duties there for good, and they'll be coming to work with us on a paid basis at the end of the following week."

Hermione sighed. "Well, I suppose if they've entered your service willingly, plus what I can assume will be a generous allowance tacked onto it, then there's no room for issue."

"Well," Ron said, hoping not to be forced into another lecture about S.P.E.W., "I suppose we should let Mum know what's happening, then." He hesitated for a moment, before he turned back to look at Harry. "I know we discussed it at Grimmauld a few weeks back, mate, but I feel I should ask you again.."

"Yeah, Ron?"

"Will you be my Best Man, Harry?"

Harry grinned at the question. "Who else would you ask?"

"Well, I'm sure Fred and George would be willing to—"

"Rictusempra!" Harry called out then, his wand's tip illuminating silver then as it caught Ron unawares, causing him to erupt in a fit of giggles as he was tickled.

"Harry! Harry!" he cried out.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Really, Harry. That's enough," she scolded.

"Finite Incantatem," Harry said with a second wave of his wand, a red bolt of light streaming forth and connecting with Ron, who stopped his fit of giggles. "Sure, Ron," he said, pocketing his wand as if nothing had happened. "I'll be your Best Man."

~*~

The fifth of June dawned pleasantly warm in Dorset on the day that Ron and Hermione were due to become man and wife. Ginny stood with Hermione in one of the guest suites, assisting her with her beautiful wedding dress, which she had bought in Paris, and smiled at her soon-to-be sister-in-law. As Maid of Honor, Ginny had remained by Hermione's side for the entirety of the morning and early afternoon, making sure that nothing ill happened to her.

"How are you feeling?" Ginny whispered. "Okay?"

Hermione sighed, putting her hands on her hips and gazing at herself in the floor-length mirror and shook her head. "Just wish this nausea would die down," she whispered.

Ginny smiled knowingly and wrapped her arms around Hermione's waist, pressing a kiss onto her cheek as their eyes met in the mirror. "Ron is going to be thrilled," she assured her. "I know it may seem like bad timing, what with Ron working with the twins in Diagon, but he's set to take over their new location in Hogsmeade."

"But I've got Unspeakable training starting in September," she said softly. "How will I ever manage to do so properly...?"

"You have so many people around you, love," Ginny assured her, squeezing her about the middle for a moment before finally letting go. "Mum has grandchildren coming out the ears, ever since Fleur revealed her pregnancy after her and Bill got back from France to start work at Hogwarts last term."

"You don't think she'll be upset...?"

"Why would she be?" Ginny asked. "She'll be as thrilled as Ron."

Hermione sighed, running a hand along her belly, which wasn't even swollen yet. "I don't know, Ginny. I suppose..."

"Are you worried about what your mum and dad will think?"

Hermione shrugged. "I'm seventeen and getting married," she whispered. "I suppose a surprise pregnancy wouldn't be too untoward at this point..."

Ginny reached out and took Hermione's hand. "Well, what with Luna's announcement that she and Neville are expecting twins last spring, this can't be all bad, 'Mione. Besides, there will be so many more babies for the Wizarding World. It's a wonder that Kingsley hasn't put out a re-population bulletin..."

"Probably because he's pregnant himself with Moody's child," Hermione said, this time a laughter emitting from betwixt her lips. "Who knew they'd been married for over a decade? I just feel bad that it took them so long to conceive..."

"Probably waiting until it was safe," Ginny replied. "Too bad we're the hope for the next generation of magic folk."

"Why?" Hermione asked, arching an eyebrow.

Ginny giggled. "Well, clearly we can't keep our hands off one another," she replied with a small shrug of her shoulders. "Harry's pregnant, Fleur's pregnant, Tonks is pregnant, Luna's pregnant, you're pregnant, I'm pregnant... I suppose the list goes on, if one wants to be that black and white about it."

"I know Harry was saddened about the quickness of Remus's and Tonks's wedding," Hermione put in quietly.

"Hey, even I didn't know about it, and we were all in hiding together," Ginny said. "I suppose a lot can happen in a week, if you properly put your mind to it."

"Have you told Harry about giving over Grimmauld to Neville and Luna?" Hermione wanted to know, her eyes meeting Ginny's in the mirror again.

Ginny reached out to adjust Hermione's long train again. "Not yet. It didn't seem like the proper thing to do over owl post."

"How's Draco been, now that Lucius is in Azkaban for life, and Narcissa has fled to the continent, perhaps permanently?"

"As well as one can be, I suppose," Ginny replied, slowly righting herself and placing a protective hand upon her belly. "The plans to knock down and rebuild Malfoy Manor are going entirely to plan, and Neville and Luna have agreed that we can remain at Grimmauld until the renovations are complete."

"What's the timeframe on that, then?"

"It should be all finished, wards and all, by Christmas," Ginny told her. "Like Hogwarts for Dobby and Winky, the manor simply held too many memories for Draco. He believed that the place needed more than a fresh coat of paint or different rugs and furniture. The new plans for the place don't include dungeons, which is a massive improvement, if you ask me."

Hermione nodded. "Perhaps it will set an example for Pureblood ancestral homes throughout the Wizarding World," she said softly.

"Well, there's a long way to go yet," Ginny said with a smile. "I suppose all of our dreams have changed completely, as we never thought we'd truly end up here."

Hermione grinned at Ginny. "Draco doesn't mind that you didn't take the contract with the Holyhead Harpies?"

Ginny shook her head. "No. I think he's pleased, now that Madam Pomfrey is retiring, that we'll both be at Hogwarts throughout the year."

"How does it feel, being the youngest professor on staff, and youngest Head of House in Hogwarts history?" Hermione wanted to know.

Ginny laughed. "Well, after Harry refused the position, Minerva immediately thought of me, why I still don't know. I may be talented, even I know that, but having the savior of the Wizarding World could easily boost moral and admittance to the school. I still don't understand how I could be second to Harry on the list..."

"Your Bat Bogey Hex fifth-year was amazing, Gin," Hermione assured her. "Minerva likely saw it and knew you'd be an excellent fit."

"So many of us will be there now," Ginny whispered. "Having two, and soon to be three, Weasleys on staff now, since I didn't take Draco's name professionally, and now that Bill has taken over for Severus, and Fleur for Professor Binns. And then there's Neville, set to take over for Professor Sprout next September as Herbology Professor and Head of Hufflepuff House. Luna's already consented to apprentice for Hagrid for Care of Magical Creatures. Rumor has it he's in contact with Madam Maxime from Beauxbatons, and that they're renewing their relationship. If Hagrid moves to France, then Luna will take over for him."

"How is Professor Flitwick?"

Ginny grinned. "He's really come into his own as Deputy Headmaster. Personally, I think he's looking forward to the Sorting Ceremony, because he'll get a stool to stand on, and be eye-level to the Sorting Hat the entire time."

There was a tap at the door then, and Harry stuck his head in. "Hey," he said.

"Harry!" Hermione cried out, and rushed forward as best she could, throwing her arms around him in a feverish hug. "How are things?"

"We're almost ready," Harry told her. "Your dad's already on his way up to fetch you. Which means," he said, letting Hermione go and offering Ginny his arm, "it's time for the Best Man to escort the Maid of Honor."

"Excuse me," said a voice, and Draco unceremoniously pushed himself into the room, "I believe the Best Men have to escort the Maid of Honor."

Ginny laughed, rolling her eyes as she stepped forward, taking both of their arms. "I take it that this means we're at places, and that Neville has begun escorting Luna, and Bill has begun escorting Fleur, George is escorting Angelina, and Fred is escorting Gabrielle?" she asked with a quick smile at her husband and brother-in-law.

"Precisely," Draco confirmed, kissing his wife on the cheek.

"It appears as if the time has come, then," Hermione said nervously.

"You're going to be great," Harry assured her.

"You look beautiful, Hermione," he called over his shoulder as Ginny pulled both men out.

Ginny, Harry, and Draco made their way down the staircase and towards the living room, which had its French doors open to the beautiful garden. It smelled of roses, tulips, and irises, and many other flowers that Ginny didn't care to readily name. As she walked, escorted by Harry and Draco, down the aisle, everyone around them oohed and aahed at their appearance, but as she nodded at Severus, in the place of honor as officiant, she knew that everything had worked out the way it was meant to. She made her way to stand in front of Luna, letting go of Harry and Draco, who moved to the other side, and summoned her bouquet of pink roses into her hands, while the bridesmaids held their white ones.

The music started up then, and Ron suddenly appeared from a side door of the house, shaking hands with all of his groomsmen, Harry, Draco, and finally Severus, and the pair were positively beaming at one another. Turning, the French doors, which had shut upon Ginny, Draco, and Harry's entrance into the garden, suddenly opened again, and Hermione stepped through, looking breathtaking in her long gown beside Mr. Granger, her red rose bouquet offsetting her gown perfectly. Hermione only had eyes for Ron as she stepped forward, and Ron's jaw nearly dropped at the sight of his bride-to-be. He shook Mr. Granger's hand when they'd finally approached, and took Hermione by the hand, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek as they both turned to face Severus.

"We are gathered here today at Potter Park to celebrate the union of Ronald Bilius Weasley and Hermione Jean Granger," Severus began, his tone reverent. "To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. Ronald," he said, turning at last to the groom, "do you take Hermione to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Ron replied, obviously attempting to keep it together.

"And do you, Hermione," Severus continued, turning to the bride, "take Ronald to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as you both shall live?" he asked.

"I do," Hermione responded, her voice choking slightly, her brown eyes filled with tears as she struggled not to come completely undone.

"Then by the powers vested in me, in accordance with the Laws of Wizarding World, I now pronounce you husband and wife," Severus declared. "You may kiss the bride."

Ron promptly turned away from Severus and grabbed Hermione about the waist, pulling her to him and kissing her for all to see, and the entire wedding party, plus the guests, let out almighty whoops, hollers, and applause at the spectacle. They almost didn't see that the shouts of excitement turned into ones of shock, and then pain, as Ginny nearly seemed to double over. It was Draco who noticed that his wife was in distress, and he immediately rushed forward, and took her by the hand, supporting her waist with the other.

"Madam Pomfrey!" he called out then, and the mediwitch immediately bustled forward from within the crowd.

"Oh, my," the mediwitch said, and nodded. "Well, nothing to worry about, Draco. Your wife is merely in labor."

"Labor?!" Ginny demanded. "I'm not due for three weeks! He's not ready!"

"I assure you it is quite all right, my dear," Madam Pomfrey assured Ginny, and motioned for Draco to lift Ginny up. "I suppose we had better head to the hospital wing—"

"Absolutely not," Severus said quickly, cutting across her. "Poppy, we would be honored if Ginny gave birth here. I've got plenty of pain potions, and Harry and I have the room to accommodate her."

"Very well, then," the mediwitch replied, motioning for Draco to follow her, Molly at their heels, as they all hurried inside the manor.

Hermione turned to look at Ron, who was slightly white in the face at what had just transpired moments after their wedding. "Would this be a good time to tell everyone that I'm expecting, too?" she asked, her voice uneasy, but Ron immediately turned to her, enveloping his wife in a passionate embrace and kissing her again.