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And They Didn\'t Live Happily Ever After	By : ElizabethStump Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Snape/Hermione Views: 90306 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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“And They Didn't Live Happily Ever After”

Chapter Seventy-Five
"'Ekolu Male 'Ana" (Three Weddings)

Disclaimer: Rowling owns it all: Harry Potter, her wizarding world, Quidditch, Severus, Hermione, Diagon Alley, and the whole lot.

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Draco had finished preparing the house and outfitting everything they would need in time for the wedding. During the ceremony and reception dinner, a free house-elf that Draco hired would finish taking the last of their things from Justina's hotel and setting it up before Draco carried his new bride over the threshold.

House-elves were free on Malu Palekaiko, as some had sought sanctuary once being freed. They often made money by helping people with their cooking, laundry, gardening, and other household chores, which allowed many witches to focus on home-schooling their children and working. Some of the elves on Malu Palekaiko were house-elves that Hermione had freed during the war with her ruse of clothing Transfigured into common items that some Death Eater witch or wizard handed off to their diminutive slave, only to turn back into clothing.

The day before the wedding they picked out their wedding bands. Draco complained that he didn't even have a chance to buy Ginny an engagement ring. She replied that she didn't need diamonds for him to prove his intent, but that diamonds were still welcome and he could buy them for her later. She was more intent on getting a simple gold band on her finger than something sparkly.

Ginny had made it clear she didn't want a big wedding like her first wedding. In fact, she wanted everything to be the opposite.

Harry had been prevented from seeing Ginny and her dress before the wedding ceremony. She also had a veil on and a blusher signifying her virginity, at her mother's insistence. Ginny had been so disinterested in the planning of her wedding to Harry, that Molly took over; it was the wedding Molly had always wanted. All the old wizard traditions and superstitions were observed, an auspicious time was picked, from the rising of the clock hand to the waxing of the moon. And the guest list was huge, resulting in a large and very formal reception that was tightly scheduled to have all the right dances in the right order with the right people and the right traditions observed, from the garter to the bouquet and the tossing of rice at the right time.

Today, Ginny and Draco dressed for the wedding in the honeymoon suite together. Ginny had long ago lost her virginity and she didn't want a veil anyway. If anything, Ginny eschewed many wizarding traditions and wanted to go the more casual Muggle route. Draco was happy to let her have it her way, as he was just glad to be able to marry her in the first place. And if making her wedding to Draco nothing at all like her wedding to Potter made her happy, he was just fine with that.

As sunset neared, they descended the stairs together. She had a simple white gown made of the lightest silk, as she still found the middle of December to be quite warm and was glad it would be nice and cool by the beach. There was a crown of plumeria, jasmine, and orchids in Ginny's hair, and a bouquet of pink and red anthuriums and white orchids in her hand. She remarked how the anthuriums looked like hearts and chose them to symbolize her love for Draco.

Draco was in a Hawaiian shirt – white with a subtle cream-colored maile lei pattern – and a pair of long white linen trousers.

In the lobby, they exchanged leis.

Draco and Ginny presented a lei to Mounga, who was not only the local judge but also a priest. Severus presented Draco his lei made of white ginger, while Halulu presented Ginny with her lei made of jasmine and orchids. The bride and groom in turn presented their witnesses with leis made of carnations and orchids.

A few days prior, Severus had asked Ginny if she wanted him to give her away to which she said that her own father passed her off like a piece of chattel, putting her hand in Harry's during her first wedding, as if transferring property from one owner to another. She had said she was walking to her wedding with no one passing her off as something to be owned, as this time she was going to marry of her own free will. Having been forced into an arranged marriage himself, Severus could definitely respect her wishes and admired her symbolic choice.

As they exited the hotel to begin to walk the short distance to the beach to be married by the sea, the ocean was the music to their own wedding march; people started coming out of their businesses or were already waiting along the sidewalk to watch the bride and groom. The whole town had become enchanted about their story of love denied and regained. Though no one else was invited, many in the town followed behind the bridal party to watch the two lovers finally unite, in a marriage that no one, especially a certain mother, could put asunder.

Once upon the sand, Ginny and Draco faced each other while holding hands. Neither paid much attention to the glorious sunset that blazed in the most vivid of hues, coloring the bridal couple with shades of orange, pink, and gold. They only had eyes for each other.

Rainbow handed Mounga a large conch shell, which he blew three times, a Hawaiian tradition for asking divine presence at the start of the ceremony.

Upon seeing the nearly two-hundred who had followed them down to the beach, Mounga had to cast the Sonorus Charm on himself to be heard – over the sounds of the waves upon the beach – by those who had come.

Ginny didn't mind that the town had come out to watch them be married. All that mattered is that she was there with Draco beside her.

"We are here today to officially join Ginny and Draco in the eternal bonds of marriage. Marriage is a step I would caution all young lovers to consider greatly, but as Ginny and Draco have shared with me in preparation of the ceremony all that they have suffered and fought to overcome to finally be together, I know that they understand the seriousness and commitment to which they enter. Even Severus has allowed me to share a little bit of how he helped these two lovers be together and here in sanctuary where they are finally free to marry."

Severus saw only the back of Draco's head, but he knew the blond was smiling at Ginny. Ginny's face was aglow from the sunset and the love she had beaming for her groom that she could not contain. She was truly a radiant bride. Should Severus see Hermione again, he would have to share this memory with her in a Pensieve.

The best man was wearing a red Hawaiian shirt, as Halulu said that red and pink are the preferred Hawaiian wedding colors as they symbolize love; red was a color normally shunned in European wizarding cultures to wear to a wedding. He was also wearing a pair of long linen trousers like the groom, but with a different cut and in cream instead of white. The matron-of-honor was in a pink-and-red muumuu, holding a bouquet of pink orchids and white carnations.

"They grew up together as they attended the same school. They were no school sweethearts, for at the time they had a rivalry between their families that was not that different from Romeo and Juliet," Mounga said. "Ginny even told me about a particularly interesting Bat-Bogey Hex she cast upon Draco."

There was a murmur of laughter among the crowd, amused that two people so in love were once hostile towards one another.

"It was not until the war drove Draco to some very dark places, where he was saved by Severus, that their friendship began to bloom. During the war, it was Ginny's friendship and their growing love for one another that gave him hope to strive to live to see the end of the war. But as the war ended and their romance resumed, they were driven apart once more by lies, deceit, and injustice."

Ginny began to wipe away at a tear, and Draco gave her a handkerchief to dab at her eyes. Severus noticed how Draco's own hand moved to wipe away an errant tear from his own face.

"Hope was temporarily lost, but their love did not die. Eventually, Ginny and Draco were reunited and that hope was renewed. At the time, Ginny was trapped in a marriage she did not want from the start and had been pressured into accepting against her will. Draco was unjustly punished for crimes he did not commit. But as long as they had each other, they had hope. With the help of a mutual friend of Severus and Ginny’s, all three of these people here before me were able to escape and come here to find sanctuary. And now, after so many years of waiting, there is nothing to stand in the way of Ginny and Draco declaring their love for one another, and being joined in marriage."

Severus could hear several witches behind him blubbering on and blowing their noses.

"And since they have waited so long," Mounga said with a bit of levity, "I think it would be a shame to make them wait any longer to exchange their vows."

When Ginny married Harry, it had been an abysmally long ceremony, as her mother had arranged it all it was nearly an hour long. Ginny could still remember her feet hurting while she stood in heels her mother had picked out – shoes that were too high to stand in for long periods of time. This time, Ginny picked something low and sensible, especially since she would be walking on sand, and she wanted to keep the ceremony as short as possible.

Severus handed Draco Ginny's wedding band, while Ginny was given Draco's by her matron-of-honor.

The bride and groom promised each other – in front of Severus, Halulu, and about two-hundred impromptu guests – to love, honor, respect, and cherish each other, and to support and stick with each other through the best and worst of times to come.

Mounga even added an extra comment that if they had already stuck with each other as long as they had and after all they had gone through, then marriage would be a piece of cake for them, since they seemed to have dealt with the worst of it already. This seemed to make the bride and groom laugh a little as they still gazed adoringly at each other. The crowd even laughed a little and Severus smiled, moved by Mounga's simple and eloquent interpretation of events during the ceremony.

For the next part, Mounga had beforehand helped the bride and groom pick out what they would say.

Mounga guided them slowly through the last part of the ceremony. "Now if each of you will please repeat a few words in Hawaiian: Ku'u lei..."

Draco and Ginny both repeated the words in unison, the bride slightly stumbling over the pronunciation.

"Nau ko`u aloha..."

This time Draco had a little trouble repeating the words. Severus could see the younger wizard's hands shake a little bit, due to excitement that the ceremony was almost over and Ginny would truly be his.

"No keia la..."

The bride smiled even wider, if that was possible, as she repeated the words with her groom.

"No keia po..."

Severus could sense the building excitement in Draco's voice.

"A mau loa."

They repeated the last of their vows.

Mounga translated for the crowd. "For those of you who don't speak Hawaiian, they said 'My beloved. My love is yours from this day, from this night, forever more.'” Mounga pause before adding, “Well, go on. Kiss her, dude, she's yours."

Draco didn't have to be told twice and swept his wife into a passionate kiss, not caring who saw them. Ginny kissed her husband back, tears of joy streaming down the side of her face. They pulled apart and Ginny was laughing, the tears refusing to stop, as she dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief Draco had given her. Halulu gave Ginny her bouquet back.

"It is with my utmost pleasure that I have the privilege to announce you as Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy," Mounga said with great pride, a huge grin across his wide face.

Severus clapped decorously, while others in the crowd cheered, whistled, hooted, and hollered.

It was then that Ginny and Draco noticed that someone had been taking pictures of them during the ceremony.

The crowd, which had gathered around the couple in a semicircle, parted. As the newlywed couple began walking up the makeshift aisle, the small children who had come to watch began throwing flowers at them in a shower of petals. Witches and wizards held their wands aloft and sparking shapes erupted from their wands. Hearts, orchids, a few cupids, and showers of sparks, twinkling and fading, like brilliant fireworks in the dimming light of the sun that had just set, shimmered above the bride and groom's heads.

Severus followed behind the bridal couple, with Halulu and her husband behind. Mounga and his wife were the last to follow the bridal couple.

As Ginny and Draco began the walk up the center of the main street towards Mario's, the townsfolk still following behind, Mario came running out of his restaurant, looking a little panicked.

"I'm so sorry. I cannot serve you dinner right now. Something has happened," the restaurant owner with an Italian accent said, bowing at the bride and groom, his head hung in shame. "Please, this way. Please come with me," he insisted. "I must show you."

He guided Ginny and Draco a couple blocks over and away from his restaurant, Mario apologizing for his mistake.

Ginny and Draco tried to get Mario to say what the problem was, as they would not let a kitchen fire or a problem with reservations ruin an otherwise perfect day.

As they rounded the corner, Ginny and Draco stopped in their tracks and stood, their mouths open in shock. The town had decorated the community center with flowers and streamers, and there was a big buffet table brimming with food, nearly as much as the night of the luau. There was a big banner with a picture of bells ringing back and forth, and flowers blooming on it, that said, "Congratulations Ginny & Draco."

"I'm so sorry I cannot serve you your wedding feast in my restaurant," Mario explained, "when the town was insistent upon throwing you a proper wedding feast to celebrate a love such as yours."

Ginny turned to Draco and buried her face in his chest, unable to find the words, overcome by the generosity of the people who had welcomed them so warmly and made them feel at home from the moment they were granted sanctuary. She clutched the handkerchief to her face and wished desperately she would stop crying, regretting not packing a vial of Lovely Lavender's Puffy Poof Eye Crème into the pocket where her wand was, or into her bouquet.

Draco looked back at the expectant crowd of faces and said jovially, "I think she's happy and is trying to say thank you." Even Draco was feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment.

Some of the people close to them laughed and clapped.

The bridal couple walked into the community center and were ushered to their seat of honor by those who had helped set up the place while the ceremony was happening.

Turning to Severus, Ginny asked, "Did you know about this?"

Severus smiled and shook his head. "I'm as shocked as you appear to be. I know you wanted a small, quiet wedding, so I hope this is not–"

"No, no!" Ginny protested. "I think this is perfect. I was happy with a small reception, but this is even better, because..." The bride felt the tears come once again.

Severus reached into his pocket and discreetly produced a small tube of Lovely Lavender's Puffy Poof Eye Crème and handed it to Ginny. The former gigolo was very familiar with witches and their fits of crying regarding emotional situations, and he’d come prepared.

Ginny thanked him and ran off to the restroom to freshen up.

Severus took this time, while Ginny was not attached to Draco's side, to shake the groom's hand and congratulate him.

"And thank you, Severus. If it wasn't for you..." Draco trailed off, the history so well-known between them that no further words were required. The groom went to reach to give Severus a hug, but backed off suddenly after remembering they all had leis on and he didn't want to crush them.

Severus patted Draco on the back, showing that he understood the feelings of gratitude felt by the younger wizard.

Ginny emerged from the restroom looking as fresh as when she’d descended the staircase at the hotel, her make-up restored.

Some people ran off to get their instruments from home. They came back to serenade the bridal couple and all the guests at the reception.

This time, Severus restricted the amount of food he put on his plate so it was something more manageable. The townsfolk had even roasted a whole pig, which was being carved up at the end of the table.

"I told you I smelled pork," Severus heard Ginny say to Draco. "I knew I wasn't crazy."

The band was a rotation of people, some playing several songs before someone else took over so the first person could go grab something at the buffet. Others played a few songs before letting someone else take a turn at playing.

Tiki torches floated high above the guests and bridal party, illuminating the reception as dusk settled in and moved towards twilight.

Severus was sitting next to Draco when Mario came over.

"I hope this is an acceptable substitute for the dinner you had reserved," the restaurant owner asked.

Ginny and Draco thanked him profusely for his part in making their wedding all that much more special.

"If there is anything I can do, Mario," Draco offered.

Mario nodded his head about as if contemplating and suggested, "If you could pay me for your wedding cake, that would be all I would ask."

"You made us a cake?" Ginny said, in shock that everyone seemed to have thought of everything.

Mario shrugged and said it was coming out later once the dinner buffet was cleared away.

People began to clap and clink their glasses, demanding the couple kiss, which Ginny and Draco did not hesitate to fulfill.

Though Severus would not let a crowd goad him into kissing Hermione, had he been marrying her that day, he could not fault the bridal couple for expressing their affection and getting caught up in the infectious moment.

Once most of the guests had finished dinner, Halulu coaxed Ginny and Draco out onto the dance floor. Neither of the newlyweds were counting on dancing, but they gladly went out into the middle of the floor that had been cleared with a few flicks of a few wands of the communal picnic table seating, after people had taken their plates to the kitchen area in the back.

"What'll it be, Draco? A foxtrot? Cha-cha?" called out a large, portly Polynesian wizard of Samoan descent with a ukulele in his hands.

Gazing at Ginny lovingly, the groom said, "A waltz, please, Jimmy."

The wizard talked to a few other band members before replying, "Well, this is an anniversary song, but I think this fits the mood right now." He gave a count to the band to begin.

Jimmy and another wizard, Lamar, sang the melody in harmony, accompanied by the simple playing of Jimmy's ukulele and a stand-up bass played by a witch.

The bridal couple swayed back and forth before they began to spin about the floor. Their eyes never left each other’s gaze.

Severus recognized the familiar melody of Iosif Ivanovici's "Donauwellen Walzer," also known as "Waves of the Danube," but was surprised when the Tongan wizard began singing words to the melody. Severus sat and listened to the lyrics, and how perfectly they did seem to fit the moment.

"Oh, how we danced on the night we were wed,
We vowed our true love, though a word wasn't said.
The world was in bloom, there were stars in the skies,
Except for the few that were there in your eyes..."

Severus remembered how Hermione would look at him – with the same loving intensity that Ginny was looking at Draco with as they danced – especially during their last days together. As much as Severus felt happiness for Draco that he and Ginny had had their storybook ending, the best man wondered if he would ever live happily ever after, or if he was doomed to the typical bachelor uncle-like figure paradigm, never pairing off himself with his own true love.

As the song ended with the slow strumming of Jimmy's ukulele and the gentle deep plucking of the bass keeping time, Draco spun Ginny about, lifting his arm up high so she could pass under it before sweeping her up into a kiss at the end.

Halulu leaned over towards Severus and said just loud enough to be heard over the crowd's applause, "Everyone loves a happy ending to a good love story. Wouldn't you agree?" she asked, catching the slight undercurrent of melancholy on Severus.

"Unfortunately, there are not enough of them in this world. I'm glad these two had theirs finally."

Halulu put out her hand and said, "Come on. It's tradition that you and I have a spin on the floor."

"As long as it isn't the cha-cha," Severus warned her. He reviled that dance. Severus was a tango man, if Latin music was involved.

To his relief, the band struck up a moderate tempo foxtrot and Severus guided Halulu to the floor, using all the grace and manners his mother had instilled in him for dancing.

Halulu was a very good dancer with an excellent sense of time and grace. Ginny glanced over and smiled, seeing Severus out on the floor enjoying himself.

Halfway through the song, Halulu's husband, Greg, stepped in and said, "Mind if I cut in?"

Severus bowed out and removed himself; Greg and Halulu danced away.

As Severus was making an exit off the dance floor, weaving between other couples who were moving to and fro, Rainbow stepped in front of him.

"Not so fast, I think I'm entitled to at least a half a dance," she insisted before Severus obliged. He took her hand in his, and placed his other hand delicately upon her waist.

It certainly was a change to dance with a woman as tall as himself, especially since she was wearing heels with a few inches on them and was now taller than him. It wasn't bad, it was just that he was used to dancing with Hermione, who was shorter in stature.

"I hope you put on your dancing shoes because I think your dance card is going to be full tonight," Rainbow warned him, her eyes darting to the side, directing Severus' to the various women around the edge of the dance floor. They were obviously looking for an opportunity to bolt onto the floor and snatch up Severus as a dance partner, once Rainbow was done dancing with the most eligible bachelor on the island.

Tina, Gretchen, Miyuki, and Svetlana looked like they were flyers at the starting line of a broom race waiting for the cannon to go off.

As the song came to an end, Rainbow curtsied to her dance partner and thanked him. On the way off the floor she did her best to delay a couple of the witches who were making a beeline by stepping in front of them and then stepping to the side, continuing to be in their way, apologizing with believable sincerity.

Fortunately for Severus, Ginny stepped in front of him and said, "My turn."

He let out a slow sigh of relief that he had a stay of execution. Some of the witches at the edge of the dance floor gave an impatient huff that they had to wait a little longer.

"Thank you, Severus. Thank you for doing so much for us, and especially keeping Draco safe all these years," Ginny said, her hand placed upon his shoulder and her other hand lightly in his other as another foxtrot with a slower beat began.

"There was a time after the decree where I should have taken better care of him, before Miss Brown found him," he said.

"But you had yourself to look after too," Ginny reminded him. "I can't fault you. It was a hard time for you both. I'm just glad that you were there for him during the war, that's when he needed you the most. You've helped make our dream come true, and that's the best wedding present I could have ever hoped for."

"Then I guess you won't be needing the wedding present I got you both then," he joshed lightly.

"Of course we'll still take it. If you gave it, it must be something we really need or that we'll really like. Or both. You've been very thoughtful and considerate, Severus. I think Hermione would agree with me on that matter."

Just at the mentioning of her name, a small cloud of darkness dimmed the smile on his face.

Ginny smiled a little less and said, "I know. I miss her too." After forcing herself to smile a little more than the bride felt at the moment, she added, "I left a little present for you in your room, when you get back later tonight."

Mounga and his daughter, Akela, danced up alongside Severus and Ginny. Rainbow was busy dancing with Draco while chatting up a storm, the groom nodding his head unable to get a word in edgewise.

"I was wondering," Akela asked, with a little uncertainty, "if I could have the next dance with you, Mr. Snape?"

Severus weighed his options and considered whether a young witch with a schoolgirl's crush was a better option than the other witches – who were of the age of consent and willing to battle each other to get their hands on him first. He wondered who would cast the first hex between the witches anxious to dash onto the floor if an opportunity presented itself.

"I'd be honored," Severus replied gallantly.

"I guess that means I finally get a chance to dance with the bride," Mounga added, implying he was Ginny's next dance partner.

The song soon ended, and before the anxious single witches could even step onto the floor, Severus took Akela up as his new partner, swapping with Mounga.

The music started and Akela said, "Oh no, it's a tango. I don't know how. Maybe the next one?"

"Nonsense," Severus replied as they stood there, the other couples moving about the floor around them. "I'll teach you. It's easy. Just pay attention to my hand on your back to guide you, and my other hand will help direct you when and where to turn."

He began moving slowly, letting Akela find the rhythm, giving her small verbal cues as to whether he was going to move forwards, back, or sideways.

"That's it, you're getting the hang of it," the teacher encouraged his young pupil. "Eyes up. Look at me in the face," he said in order to teach her the habit of not trying to watch their feet. "There, you're dancing the tango. That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Severus saw the look of adoration wash over her face, and he wondered if he praised her too much. She was a sweet girl and Mounga's oldest, so he felt an obligation to be extra patient with her, something he never was back at Hogwarts. He just hoped his extra patience wasn't mistaken for something more. He did not want to toy with her fragile heart, remembering what it was like to be young and his own crush on Lily, only to be dashed later.

It was a short tango, and as the song came near the end, Severus guided Akela into a simple pose that was appropriate for a young witch, versus the leg curl around his thigh Hermione would often end with. His list of safe partners to dance with was nearly exhausted, and he faced the fact that he would have to excuse himself from the floor soon.

Gretchen and Tina were closest to Severus and practically bowled over other dancers to get to him first. The sought-after bachelor saw Tina cast a tripping jinx, and Gretchen went face down onto the floor, other dancers helping her up from her fall.

Without asking his permission for a dance, Tina thrust herself into Severus' arms and proudly crowed, "You're mine now."

Severus spotted Draco changing partners to dance with Justina, the hotel owner. The groom gave him a look of pity, but failed as a smirk crept across his face. Severus narrowed his eyes at Draco, indicating there was nothing funny about this at all.

The music the various assortment of musicians played was an equal mix of wizarding favorites and Muggle songs, a few of the Muggle ones even Severus was familiar with.

A wizard waltz started up and Severus began dancing with Tina, out of obligation to not verbally eviscerate her and make a scene at Ginny and Draco's wedding. He could have easily torn her to shreds with a few multi-syllabic choice words and a sneer upon his lips, making her run off into the night crying. He chose, however, to play the part of dutiful best man and be gracious, not wanting to ruin one moment of the wedding for the sake of his dear friends.

Severus was a Slytherin and was not going to be bested by this Southern fried upstart tart. Spinning her around in a grand arc, he managed to "accidentally" bump up against another couple while forcing her to spin under his arm, his foot placed a little too far out. Tina went down like a sack of potatoes.

After apologizing profusely at his clumsiness, his sincerity almost believable, Severus bent down to help her up, to which she complained and winced. Tina had lightly sprained her ankle. He graciously helped her to a chair, at which point, Rainbow, who worked as a Healer part-time at the local clinic, came over to take care of the injured witch.

"Oh, my," Rainbow said, a bit over dramatically. "What happened?" She shook her head back and forth in sympathy.

Severus could tell she was biting the corners of her mouth to stop from smiling.

"I guess I got carried away in the moment and Miss Angstrem suffered the result of that," Severus lied sweetly. "I do hope you accept my apologies."

Tina plastered on a saccharine smile, now quite less enamored of her prey. "It's all right, sugar. Rainbow will have me fixed up in a jiffy, and then you and I can have another go at it."

Severus bowed lightly and quickly made his exit.

As he made his way back towards his seat, begging off other offers from other single eager witches for a dance, the next song started up.

The words may have been sung in Hawaiian, but he recognized the melody instantly. It was the same song he’d requested at that lounge in San Francisco; it was also one of the songs he remembered teaching Hermione to dance to, the night she was blindfolded and he first begged to have her as they ground against each other desperately while fully clothed in the kitchen. It was the song she requested the most when they danced at his flat.

Suddenly feeling as if there were too many people and not enough room to breathe, the atmosphere too oppressive, Severus exited the open-air pavilion out the side towards the grassy area of the town's central park. The park had a giant Norfolk pine decorated with Christmas lights at one end, and a tall bronze menorah with six large white candles burning away at the other end since it was the fifth night of Hanukkah.

Listening to the song he knew so well, he didn't notice Mounga walking towards him until he was standing beside him.

"You all right, man?" asked the large wizard, who had become Severus' friend in his short time there.

"This was our song." That was all Severus had to say for Mounga to understand.

Severus suddenly remembered that London was eleven hours ahead of their time. He pondered if Hermione had awoken yet, as it was Christmas morning by now, and if Marf gave her the small box as instructed. It was his last gift to her in the hope that he could help fulfill her wish.

Before the song ended, Avi ran out to look for the two wizards who stood in silence before the town's Christmas tree.

"It's time for the Hora," he informed them.

Avi was one of the Jewish wizards in Malu Palekaiko. He and his friend, Saul, were Muggle-born wizards who came seeking sanctuary right at the end of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Avi and Saul had both used their magic to influence the outcome of the war, breaking the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy of 1689, as well as several other international laws restricting wizards and witches from using magic to influence politics and wars where Muggles were concerned. But as they had been born into Muggle society, these two wizards felt an obligation to help their Muggle friends and family in the fight, Magical Ministry rules and sanctions be damned, by which they were. At the close of the war, the Palestinian and newly-formed Israeli Ministry of Magic both went after the two wizards for interfering with Muggle politics and governments with the use of magic.

There were also a few Palestinian witches and wizards on the island who likewise became sanctuary-seekers after the same war for the same reasons. It seemed that both groups of witches and wizards, though on opposite sides of the war, wound up becoming friends over the years after moving beyond their initial hostilities, though it had taken some time.

It seemed that some of the Muggle-borns who’d sought sanctuary on Malu Palekaiko had used their magic in similar ways during many Muggle conflicts over the decades, including a few Irish Muggle-borns during the Irish fight for independence, and India's struggle as well, in which Ranjit had done the same as Avi and Saul. There were many other countries over the world, besides those four listed, where Muggle-borns had become involved in Muggle political concerns and later needed to seek sanctuary. This explained a lot of the Muggle influence of music and a few adopted traditions into the local Hawaiian wizarding culture.

Avi and Saul had fled Israel as bachelors, but their sweethearts followed them shortly afterwards. They had the full traditional double Jewish wedding, and many friends from Israel Portkeyed in for the wedding. One bounty hunter, who thought this would be a good time to bring back at least one of the wanted criminals during the wedding, wound up getting transported three miles out to sea, where he accidentally kicked a shark that happened to be swimming by at the time. The shark, aggrieved that he had done nothing to provoke the kick, bit the wizard's foot off. The wizard was able to grow it back, but the blood in the water certainly put the shark in a more aggressive mood until someone rescued the wizard and sent him on his way back to Israel with a newly re-grown foot.

Avi and Saul's double wedding was so memorable that one of the traditions the local population adopted immediately was the Hora. Tonight, the dance was about to begin, but could not until men with strong backs could come help. And as Severus was a capable wizard, and the best man, of course he had to participate.

Severus, Mounga, and several other wizards stood round in a circle while the two Jewish wizards gave a brief set of instructions for those who had forgotten the finer points and for Severus' education. Once that was done, they could begin.

As the song that was currently playing finished up, two chairs were pulled into the center of the dance floor. Ginny and Draco had no idea what was going on as everyone cleared away from them, and the newlyweds were encouraged to sit in the chairs provided.

Saul stood to the side, his wand ready, just in case, while Avi positioned five of the strongest men around Draco and four more around Ginny.

"Hold on tight," Avi warned, as he handed a large white handkerchief and instructed Draco and Ginny to hold each end of it.

The women surrounding the couple began to titter, knowing what would happen next, some of them remembering their own weddings.

Severus asked, while he was getting his mini-lesson in Hora chair-lifting, why they didn't use wands instead of their backs to lift the bride and groom, to which Avi merely said, "It's tradition!"

As the band struck up, playing "Hava Nagila," all the wizards simultaneously lifted both chairs, lifting Draco and Ginny high into the air.

Ginny squealed and Draco made some noise about the sudden change in elevation. It wasn't the height that surprised them, both being excellent broom flyers; it was the unexpectedness of it all.

Severus was helping Mounga, Greg, and a couple other wizards whose names he had yet to learn, hold Draco aloft in his chair. Draco let go of the end of the handkerchief as he tried to hold on and stop from sliding off. Saul, with his wand, guided the end back to Draco so he could grasp it once more. The wizards began to move them about, the bride and groom circling each other, while the witches at the reception circled the bride and groom, holding hands, dancing around in a circle clockwise. The wizards made another circle outside of the women, holding hands and moving in the opposite direction, counter-clockwise.

Ginny and Draco laughed as they tried to hold onto their seats with one hand, and holding onto the handkerchief with another. Since the bride was wearing a silk gown, Saul had to help hold her in place on her seat, with his wand, as they moved about to keep her from sliding off.

It was certainly the most unexpected and thrilling wedding ritual the newlyweds had ever encountered and they loved it. It was yet another surprise in an evening full of them.

When the song ended, the men lowered the bride and groom, who fell into each other's arms laughing and out of breath.

It was time for the toast and cake now. Normally, a wedding reception would have more dancing before moving onto these two traditions, but it was Christmas Eve and parents needed to get their children off to bed or, as they warned their children, Santa might pass by their house that night if they weren't tucked in and fast asleep.

Severus, noticing the crowd starting to thin a little as some people had already wished the couple good luck and excused themselves earlier, decided to keep the toast short and sweet. Even if he had all the time in the world, he would rather embrace brevity than bloviating.

Holding aloft a glass of passion fruit-flavored champagne, Severus said, "To Ginny and Draco. May all your sorrows be behind you, and all your days ahead be filled with love, joy, and blessings. To the bride and groom. Cheers!"

There was a wide variety of people who said cheers in response to Severus' toast, including prost, sláinte, salute, l'chaim, na zdorovie, gan bay, kan pai, chok dee, and yamas.

The cake was a towering confection that could feed two-hundred, as that was about how many people said they would show up when Mario secretly polled the townsfolk. It was a moist yellow cake with a whipped cream frosting and beautifully arranged fresh locally-grown fruits atop each layer.

Draco and Ginny cut the first piece and fed each other their first bite. At first they were very delicate about it, but a little whipped cream astray on the nose wound up becoming a mash of cake in each other's face. Draco took a whole slice and shoved it down the front of Ginny's dress and then grabbed her in a tight embrace, smashing it up against her chest and up the front, smearing cake all along Draco's shirt as well. The bridal couple kissed fiercely, battling for supremacy until Ginny submitted and surrendered in her husband's arms.

Severus could not help but recall the time he’d roasted duck and the pair were late to a Saturday dinner at his flat. He went downstairs to Draco's to find the pair in the midst of a nude food fight, in which Severus wound up getting food splattered all over his boots and trousers when Ginny violently yanked up a picnic blanket to cover herself in the process. Even Severus and Hermione had experimented with a bit of food play, so he could certainly understand, but this mashing of cake at one's own wedding reception seemed unseemly, especially for Draco.

The bridal couple spent the next five minutes spelling cake out of various orifices, hair, clothing, folds of skin, and undergarments while the guests were served cake, until they were as clean and unsoiled as before their sophomoric outburst.

Some families wrapped their cake to go, wishing the bridal couple the best, as it was time for bed and tomorrow was Christmas. Ginny and Draco thanked each and every person there with heartfelt gratitude and thanks for making their wedding and reception better than they ever could have imagined as they bid goodnight and a Happy Christmas.

Once the cake was finished, it was time for Ginny to toss the bouquet. She hadn’t bothered to wear a garter, and Draco was more than happy to forgo that tradition as he didn't feel it was very dignified for a wizard to be flashing his wife's legs for the entertainment of the bachelor wizards in the crowd. Severus thought this was a bit incongruent from the same wizard who had just mashed cake into his wife's cleavage not fifteen minutes prior.

All the witches who had set their sights on Severus, plus other ones who were single while in a committed relationship, and some young girls, made a loose group at one end of the dance floor, while Ginny stood at the other.

Ginny held her bouquet aloft in the air with her wand, her back turned towards the single witches ready to catch the bouquet. The bride placed her other hand over her eyes and flicked her wand, sending her bouquet arching over her head towards the witches who began to frantically jockey for the best position to catch it.

Severus could have sworn that a few of those witches played professional Quidditch, as there was elbowing and bumping in a manner that Severus would have called foul, had he been refereeing the match. A gaggle of them tripped over each other and landed in a pile as they dove for the falling bouquet.

When it was over, Kaimi, Mounga's youngest child who had helped make Severus’ welcoming lei at the luau, was holding the bouquet aloft as her prize, as if she was showing off the Snitch at the end of a game.

Severus could tell that Mounga's youngest was going to be a very talented Quidditch player, as he’d watched how she daintily leapt over the pile of witches who were barreling towards her, ready to crush her. She dodged them, jumping up to catch the bouquet as skilled as any Seeker he had seen play professionally. She certainly did live up to her given name.

"Did you see me? Did you see me?" Kaimi shouted with delight as she ran into her father's arms, as he scooped her up and swung her about, his pride and joy.

"Like a champ!" Mounga praised his daughter, beaming with pride.

Severus went over and congratulated the budding Seeker. "That was very impressive!" he told her sincerely.

"Really?" she said with awe. "Did you hear that, Papa?" Turning back to the wizard her older sister was always swooning over and talked dreamily about, she asked, "We always go flying Christmas day. Will you come with us, Mr. Snape?" She turned to her father and asked him as well, "Can he, Papa? I bet he's a really good flyer if he has refereed games."

"Yes, he is welcome, that is if he doesn't have any other plans for the day," Mounga warned his daughter, trying not to get her hopes up if Severus wished to decline the invitation from the eager child.

Severus didn't have to think long, as Draco and Ginny would certainly not be coming up for air within the first twenty-four hours of their honeymoon, nor did he have any other plans set. He decided to give himself that day off from fixing up his shop, so he accepted the child's invitation to join the family for flying.

"And you're welcome to stay for Christmas dinner too, if you haven't accepted any offers yet," Mounga added.

Spying the other single witches who were disentangling themselves from each other and casting dirty glances at each other that it was the other's fault and they should have caught it, the bachelor wizard accepted the offer with thanks for Mounga's hospitality.

The party wound down quickly, and Ginny and Draco made their exit amid another shower of sparks from people's wands as they left the open-air pavilion.

Severus and the rest of the guests followed the bride and groom up the main street, around the corner and a few more blocks up, walking up hill as the streets became slightly steeper as they approached the long gradual slope of the volcano that towered above the town. About halfway between the center of town and the edge, the newlyweds reached their little home.

Ginny remarked how perfect it looked, as she had not seen it. She had promised Draco not to look at it before the wedding so it would remain a surprise. They now walked hand-in-hand up the path to the front porch.

Draco opened the door. He swung Ginny up into his arms and carried her over the threshold. The groom closed the door with his foot, his bride still in his arms, and that was the last anyone would see of the newlyweds for the next week.

Severus let out a sigh, the day finally over. Draco's dream had come true.

As he walked back to the community center to help with the post-reception clean-up, he saw others walking past, going back to their own homes to get ready for Christmas.

Here it was, the night before Christmas, when most people are busily concerned with last-minute gift-wrapping, preparing Christmas feasts, putting up the last touches and stuffing children's stockings. Instead, amid the usual bustle of last-minute preparations, these people had taken time from their full schedules in order to cook a potluck wedding feast, spend time away from their own Christmas preparation, and join Ginny and Draco – who they hardly knew – for their wedding, and decorating the community center on top of that. To think of all this, it made Severus wonder what type of life he might have led had he grown up in a community full of supportive warmth and caring as these people had shown the three sanctuary-seekers.

Christmas was a time of hope and glad tidings, and Severus wasn't so cynical over such sentiments for once, having witnessed it first-hand with the townsfolk who had taken them into their bosom.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione arrived at Lavender's house, wearing an understated set of plum-colored dress robes that could also double for a very elegant set of business attire appropriate for important meetings and more formal social functions. Lavender had offered to pay for an outfit if Hermione didn't feel she had anything nice enough, or that was too fancy for the occasion. That certainly described her wardrobe, and she took her boss up on her offer. The bride had suggested Madam Maurelle Mandel's House of Haute Couture, since she was getting her wedding dress there; Madam Mandel would know what to pick to flatter Hermione without upstaging the bride or looking under-dressed.

Marf said there was a Christmas present for her when she woke up, but since the wedding ceremony was that morning, Hermione promised the house-elf she would open her gift after she got back.

She did allow Marf to help her with an elegant French twist for her hairdo, which was promptly pulled down and redone by Lavender's stylist, who also did a complete redo of Hermione's make-up. At least she didn't have to change her outfit.

Hermione found Lavender in her bedroom getting ready while Ron was in one of the guest suites. They had slept in separate beds for the night, observing the custom that it was bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, and especially her dress. Hermione wanted to assure Lavender that that tradition would not make or break her marriage, but there were other more important factors to consider regarding the success of a marriage than following some silly superstition.

This was Lavender's wedding, and Hermione let the bride cling to her notions. This was her day. Little was discussed between the two witches, and Hermione could tell the bride was nervous, but happy.

Soon it was time for the ceremony to begin. Lavender's father came and knocked on the door.

Hermione emerged. She was followed by the bride, covered by her veil and blusher, a simple bouquet of lavender roses in her hand.

The former Mrs. Weasley had been to enough weddings, including her own, and knew what to do. She walked down the long hallway and entered the solarium, where an official from the Ministry and Ron awaited at the end of the aisle.

It was surreal to Hermione that she was walking down the aisle once again with Ron waiting at the end, but this time it was not for her. She took her place as Lavender's bridesmaid as the organ that had been brought in for the occasion struck up Wagner's "Bridal Chorus," which the wizarding community had adopted from the Muggles.

As Hermione turned to look back, she noticed Ron's face and the way he gazed with absolute adoration at the vision of Lavender as she entered through the doors of the solarium. He had never looked at Hermione with that same look of utter and consuming love as he wore upon his face that very instant. Even after looking at her own wedding photos, she had noted her own lack of enthusiasm on her own wedding day to Ron, and she knew neither were ever meant for each other the way Ron and Lavender were.

Lavender joined Ron's side, and the ceremony began.

It was a rather long-winded affair. Hermione listened to some of the officiant 's words and noticed there was a slight chastising tone in his choice of words about fidelity, forsaking all others, making very subtle hints that Ron screwing around on his second wife was just plain old not going to happen. She wondered if Lavender had a choice in the words spoken or if this was something the official from the Ministry added, putting his own commentary into the ceremony, especially regarding the recent divorce scandal. For a wedding ceremony, it almost seemed a bit somber. The only ones who seemed to be smiling were the bride and the groom.

Eventually vows and rings were exchanged, and a kiss sealed their nuptials. As the bride and groom walked back down the aisle, Hermione had to be paired off with William Kidd, Chaser for the Chudley Cannons and Ron's friend.

She wondered – if Harry wasn't gone, would he have been Ron's best man a second time?

Christie Kidd gave Hermione a patronizing look as she walked down the aisle on William's arm.

The guest list was small. There were a few members from the team, their wives, Arthur Weasley, Bill and his wife Fleur, the twins without their wives, Albert Dobmeir, Neville, Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas.

They moved to the dining room where a wedding breakfast was served. Lavender had the good sense not to sit Hermione anywhere near Christie Kidd or Nicole Stewart, the harpies who had made her life hell with their snide remarks while Ron was a mere second-string Keeper.

Hermione was seated between Lavender's father and Bill Weasley, who was flanked on the other side by his wife. Lavender's mother was not there since she had died during the war, otherwise she would be sitting where Hermione currently sat. Traditionally, Hermione should have sat on the other side of Ron, but given the situation, that would have made the subdued reception that much more awkward.

There was a string quartet that played quietly in the corner. Hermione didn't think there was going to be any of the more lively traditions seen at most weddings, such as the first dance. And there would be no tossing of the bouquet, since Hermione was the only single witch at the entire wedding.

After breakfast, a very beautifully decorated small wedding cake was served, along with the finest champagne from a wizarding winery in the Champagne province. William gave a long-winded toast to the happy couple, making a few faux pas, accidentally calling the bride Hermione once. Hermione raised her glass and clinked glasses with the people near her. She could have said something much more eloquent with fewer words, but given that she was the ex-wife of the groom, she sat quietly instead, making polite conversation with Lavender's father, Ruthven, and Bill.

Bill and Arthur had a somewhat haunted look about them. Even the normally jovial twins seemed to be a bit more subdued for such a festive occasion.

Hermione had heard about the Howler Ginny sent and how it put Molly into fits, which required a stay in St. Mungo's. Arthur was hoping to bring his wife home after the wedding in time for Christmas dinner, if the healers said she was well enough. The Draughts of Peace they kept pouring down her throat were helping.

The bride and groom were happy, and the way they looked at each other spoke of their profound and boundless love and affection for one another. Hermione wondered if Harry was just as deeply in love with the Kyrgyz witch and she with him by now. She was lost in thought, recalling the heady sensation of falling in love with Severus and how she still seemed to float on air thinking about him. Upon self-reflection, Hermione wondered if it would have been even more wondrous had she not been restrained by her guilt of falling for a wizard other than her husband at the time.

As the cake and champagne were finished, there was little left to do.

Guests began making their farewells, sensing that the occasion had come to a close. Christie and Nicole gushed on about how wondrous Lavender looked, which she did. It was a lovely four-ply silk with a bias cut that seemed to give the whole dress a seamless drape as it was made from one piece; it fit the bride perfectly, as if it was spun and woven around her form. It was neither too tight, nor voluminous. It was as understated as the wedding was, yet simply elegant.

Neville bid his farewell to the bride and groom, grinning sweetly at the couple, happy for them both. When he came to bid Hermione farewell, he mentioned how he looked forward to seeing her in the New Year with the beginning of her Herbology portion of her apprenticeship.

Seamus and Dean also wished the happy couple their felicitations, but Hermione didn't care for the look in Seamus' eye when he said he was looking forward to seeing her around. Dean was much more gentlemanly when he gave her a brief hug and a peck on the cheek goodbye.

Arthur clapped his son on the shoulder before giving him a hug, restrained in his happiness for his son that he finally married the witch he truly loved. Lavender even got a brief hug from her new father-in-law as well. When it came time for the head of the Weasley family to say goodbye to Hermione, she noticed how he fidgeted about, his eyes downcast as if almost ashamed to meet her eyes.

"It was good to see you again, Arthur," Hermione told him, hoping he understood that she held no ill will against him.

He seemed to brighten at Hermione's roundabout forgiveness and gave her a small hug before going over to St. Mungo's.

The twins said they'd like to take Hermione out to lunch sometime to catch up and talk shop, which seemed to cheer her up a bit.

As they shook Ron's hand and gave Lavender a kiss upon the cheek, Hermione heard one of the twins lean in and say to Ron under their breath, "Just don't fuck this marriage up too, little brother." It wasn't said lightly, but with grave implications.

Albert made his farewells too, with a reminder that Hermione was expected to show up to his place soon, since Christmas roses could only be harvest on Christmas Day. He normally would have given his apprentice the day off for such a holiday, but potion ingredients must be harvested when they must.

She silently chastised herself that she’d forgotten, with the lie to her Master that she didn't forget.

Bill and Fleur were the last to leave. Bill took his littlest brother aside to impart some last-minute advice. Meanwhile, Fleur gave Lavender a few tips, should Molly start harping on about grandchildren and Ron and she weren't ready yet, wanting to enjoy some time alone before children came.

Hermione shook Bill's hand, and he asked if it was all right if he and Fleur still had contact with her. In reply, Hermione hugged Bill in the same fashion as when she was still part of the Weasley family; she assured him that the only one she had hard feelings towards was Molly. Bill looked away, embarrassed, before giving Hermione a faltering smile.

Fleur and Hermione exchanged brief kisses upon the cheek with an invitation for Hermione to join them New Year's Eve, if she was available. Hermione said she would have to check with Albert if she was available, as sometimes things during her apprenticeship would spontaneously require her attention and she might have to bow out.

Now that everyone had gone except for Ruthven Brown and herself, Hermione gave her sincerest wishes to the bridal couple that they would be happy together. She gave each of them a kiss upon the cheek before she Apparated back home.

Once back home, she told Marf she had to delay opening his present to her, feeling a bit taken back she hadn't gotten anything for him. She made her apologies before changing her clothes and heading over to Albert's house to begin harvesting the Christmas roses in bloom.

After Hermione was done with that one task, she would rush back to her flat and then maybe open the present, if she wasn't rushed to go over to her parents’ house. The now single witch had promised she would be there for Christmas dinner by three o'clock.

Who knew how long it would take to harvest all those Christmas roses, given that it had snowed the night before.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Off in the Pamir Pass, Harry had just finished setting up his very own yurt. It was outfitted with everything he would need.

He had the foresight to bring a whole lot of Galleons along, should he need the money during the broom race for food, lodging, and other sundries. It was those Galleons that paid for the warm yurt he was sitting in now.

The other men around the fire were from the small group of nomadic wizard herders, with whom Harry had become quick friends. They talked with the English wizard about his plans.

Thanks to a translation spell Harry knew that Kingsley had taught him, he began asking for advice on how best to kidnap his bride, since that was the expected custom for this part of the world when it came to nuptials.

============

A/N: I have a lovely fanart commission by Deaa drew for me you can view on my Tumblr page here (with commissioned ukulele performance to go with chapter segment): http://atdlhea-betz.tumblr.com/post/146318921950/anniversary-song-sung-by-david-cassel-the-ukulele
or on Deaa's DeviantArt page here: http://deealov3.deviantart.com/art/Commission-estump-565122246

I also commissioned a ukulele musician through Fiverr.com, Ukulelebandito, to perform “The Anniversary Song” Ginny and Draco dance to for their first dance. You can listen to it on my Tumblr page (link above).
UkuleleBandito's Fiverr page is here: https://www.fiverr.com/ukulelebandito

Thank you to my wonderful betas, JuneW and Hope, especially JuneW for correcting my Hawaiian here and there as needed.

'Ekolu means three in Hawaiian.

Male 'ana means wedding. 'Ekolu male 'ana means three weddings.

"The Anniversary Song" is an adaptation by Saul Chaplin and Al Jolson of Iosif Ivanovici's "Donauwellen Walzer."

Bride kidnapping? Harry kidnap a bride? All will be explained in Chapter 78. Just wait.
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And They Didn\'t Live Happily Ever After