Title: That Keeps Giving
By: Bridget McKennitt
Pairing: Harry/Severus
Rating: G
Word Count: 100x4 and a drawble
Prompt: snarry100 prompt 87: Gift
Contains: No warnings in as far I know that can't be extrapolated from the header itself.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by other companies. They are used here without permission, and for entertainment purposes only. No challenge or infringement upon the copyright is intended, nor should any be inferred.
Harry fumbled with the buttons on his crisp robes, waiting for someone to enter the room and tell him it was time. Today was his wedding day and he wanted everything to be perfect. For her. For him. For them.
A door opened and Harry spun around, still fidgeting with his outfit. "Hermione, is it time?" She shook her head and there was a sad smile on her face that Harry went to hug her. "Is something wrong? Is Ginny calling off the wedding?"
"No, but I think you should. Oh, Harry! Do you even know what you are doing?"
***
He dropped open his mouth, uncertain what to say. "Of course I do. I want to marry Ginny and she wants to marry me. We'll have tons of children who will grow up with your and Ron's children, and everything will be perfect. It's perfect."
Hermione's face softened, and she nodded. "It truly is, but I think you're marrying Ginny for the wrong reasons."
"What reasons are those?"
"You're marrying her because you want a normal life after all that's happened. I'm right, aren't I? She's just a convenience to you." Hermione studied Harry's face for clues.
"No, you're wrong."
***
Harry didn't want to tell Hermione the truth, especially not on his wedding day when she could make so much trouble for him, but she wouldn't leave him until she had her answers.
"I have to live for those who died," he whispered. "Dumbledore loved and lost and died. Cedric died. Fred and Colin died." He turned away so Hermione couldn't see his eyes. "Snape lived and died for me, Hermione, and he's always been alone. If I don't marry Ginny, I'll be going against everything those people died for. I need to do this, for him. Do you understand?"
***
Hermione embraced Harry, tears in her eyes. "Oh, Harry, I do understand, but the wrong reasons done for the right choice is still wrong. Call off the wedding."
"And do what!" he shouted. "Be alone forever like Snape and die childless? No, I couldn't do that."
Hermione slipped something into his hand and he stared at the Resurrection Stone. "Make the right choice, Harry, for yourself. Not for anyone else, including Ginny and I." She lowered her voice. "He's waiting for you."
Harry wouldn't have to be alone, if he did this. He'd have Snape.
"Tell Ginny the wedding's off."
***
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