Just over a month had passed in which Severus and I had made a few decisions regarding the wedding. The concept that Severus is going to be my husband is surreal to me. It all feels like a dream that one would wish to return to every night. But luckily for me, it's reality.

We'd already gotten some of the main decisions squared away, such as where the wedding would be held, who would be attending, and what date it would happen on.

Severus had gotten Professor Dumbledore's approval for us to host it on the school grounds. We both thought that the most appropriate place to have it is where we first met, grew to love one another, and made the decision to marry. And that location is the willow tree down by the lake.

We also decided on inviting our closest friends and family. Which really only mean't my family and staff members of the school we were close with.

Today was an important day, though. I had planned to go to Diagon Alley to place an order of flowers at a flower shop. Those plans were cut short though when Severus told me he had that part covered. At first I was a bit wary and asked how he'd already taken care of the flowers, but I eventually gave up because he said it was for him to know and for me to find out.

Well then.. On to the next most important thing.

Catering.

Upon stepping into the quaint tea shop located in Hogsmeade, I noticed there was no one at the front desk. I decided to ring the bell on the counter, and not a minute later, Madam Puddifoot popped her head around a doorway and greeted me excitedly,

"Oh (Y/N) dear! I heard from Professor McHale that you were engaged! Why don't you come into the back with me and you can tell me all about it."

"Of course! That would be great." I smiled and then followed her through a door into the kitchen.

"Now, who is this mystery man you're engaged to, hm?" Madam Puddifoot asked as she hastily grabbed different baking materials off of the shelves.

"I don't suppose you remember Severus? We came here on occasion for tea." I reminded her of mine and Severus' many dessert excursions.

She stopped what she was doing and walked back up to me with a shocked but giddy expression on her face,

"Professor Snape?! Oh that makes plenty of sense! The two of you were nearly inseparable back then."

I chuckled at her response and helped her set some things down on the counter.

"Now then. What is the theme of this wedding of yours?" Madam Puddifoot asked while flipping through the pages of a wedding cake cook book.

"Well.. we don't have a definitive theme for it, but it's going to be held down by the Great Lake, so a naturey touch to the cake would be splendid." I explained the few details I could come up with on the spot.

"Although that isn't a whole lot to go on, a little challenge never hurt anyone." Madam Puddifoot wrote down some notes into a notebook of hers and then asked what other catering needed to be done.

"Well, we've already covered the meals. Except for the dessert that is. Though I do have a specific request I was hoping you could fulfill for me."

I spent some time describing a dessert that I thought people would enjoy.

"Well then! I'll make sure to have these ready by the wedding day." Madam Puddifoot gave me a smile and lead me back out to the front of the shop.

I thanked her once more for her help and then began making my way back to the castle through the soft but cold snow.

Around the time that classes would be ending for the day, I decided to head down to the Potion's Classroom. I had some things I needed to discuss with Severus and couldn't leave Elora with Minerva today, so she was happily looking around the dungeon halls while I brought her to the classroom with me.

I made it just after his class had let out and waited for the remaining students to leave before entering the room. Severus, as always, was sat at his desk reading something on some parchment paper and didn't seem to notice our presence until Elora let out a short squeal. Severus' eyes shot up to meet Elora's and then mine.

"She missed you." I stated as Severus stood up to come take Elora from me.

"Are you sure you aren't the one who missed me?" Severus chuckled lightly.

"Oh you- Why- You know what? Nevermind. I came here because we need to talk about what day we'll actually schedule the wedding." I chuckled at the unexpected remark of his and placed a hand on my hip.

Severus nodded in agreement and gestured for me to follow him out the classroom door. I followed him, curious as to what we were leaving the classroom for,

"Are you going to tell me where you're taking us?"

He shook his head and kept walking with Elora who looked just as confused as I was. I found it funny how she constantly mimicked my expressions.

Upon reaching out destination, I wondered why we were at the Willow Tree. Severus pulled gently on my sleeve, guided us to the tree, and sat down with me. Elora sat on Severus' lap with her back against his chest and gazed up at the leaves that were falling from the branches. He looked down at her curious expression and smiled. As did I. He then looked up at the lake for a moment and asked me a question,

"Around what time of year is this spot the most beautiful (Y/N)?"

"Well.. In my opinion, I quite liked the scenery here in the beginning of the Summer." I replied, thinking carefully about my response.

"Then I believe sometime after the students return home for the Summer break is the perfect time to have it." Severus told me, as he turned to face me.

"Alright, what day in specific do you have in mind then?" I inquired.

"The final school day is July 3rd, yes?" Severus stated in the form of a question.

I nodded before he continued,

"Then July 5th seems like a plausible day, does it not?"

"Alright, sounds like a plan." I smiled at Severus, to which I received a smile in response.

Our gazing was interrupted when Severus let out a hiss from some sort of pain. I was worried at first but then noticed a small hand grasped tightly around a lock of his hair.

"Elora!" I chuckled and detached her hand from Severus' hair.

He rubbed his head and looked at Elora's somewhat devious expression,

"She's definitely a Slytherin.."

I laughed at this, which caused Elora to start giggling as well.

"Still against tying your hair up?" I asked him to see if his answer might have changed.

"I suppose there might be some use in keeping my hair out of this little devil's reach.." Severus reconsidered while letting Elora grab onto his finger as a distraction.

"I knew you'd come around eventually!" I clapped my hands together eagerly at his statement.

Severus rolled his eyes and spoke,

"I haven't agreed to it ye- Em.. (Y/N). What are you-"

To his surprise, I had some hair ties on me with which I decided to begin tying his hair up.

"And.. done! I think it suits you quite nicely, Sev." I admired my own handiwork and watched as Severus' face grew a light shade of pink.

"I don't know how to feel about this.." Severus seemed unsure and began futzing with some loose strands of hair that wouldn't stay up.

I smacked his hand away and commented on his appearance,

"Well I think it makes you look 10 times hotter. So there's that.."

Severus looked at me in complete shock,

"I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me." I smirked.

"If that's truly the case, I know what I'll be doing with my hair this evening." Severus said in a hushed tone.

"Wow. That was pretty smooth on your part.." I appreciated his attempt at flirting and blushed.

Severus smirked at this and replied,

"I try, Love."

The remainder of that day was spent eating dinner in the Great Hall and then solving some crossword puzzles in our Living Quarters.