A/N: This might be my favorite chapter so far. I've waited to write it for a very long time. I really hope you all enjoy it. Please review and let me know if you all like it as well! :)
Chapter 21: Forever
June 27th, 1971
Peter Arnold Pettigrew, 68 Bath Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, Minerva addressed the envelope in green ink and signed another Hogwarts letter before addressing this one to Louisa Angela Pierce of Cardiff.
This was Minerva's first of what would be dozens of batches of Hogwarts letters. The first year letters had to go out first, and she was doing her best to finish as many as possible before the wedding. Filius, as part of his wedding present to Albus and Minerva, would spend one final summer doing Deputy duties, including all of the school lists for the returning students.
The entire process was really rather monotonous, but Minerva quite enjoyed seeing the names of all the new first years before they got to school. Some last names she recognized as children of people she went to school with, including Sirius Black, eldest son of Orion and Walburga Black. She sighed at the realization that her classmates' offspring were already eleven years old. She cleared the thought from her mind and turned to the next name and address on her list.
James Emmett Potter, 6 Kesteven Street, Sleaford, Lincolnshire. Minerva's eyes widened. Potter. Eleven years old. This was her nephew. James Potter. It was a very nice name, and Helen had given him their father's name. How wonderful! Minerva would finally get to meet her nephew! She began to wonder what he looked like when Poppy burst into the room.
"How are you still in your nightgown?"
"Quite easily, actually. I woke up, called a house-elf for tea and a bit of toast and then sat down to finish off the Hogwarts letters," Minerva replied facetiously.
Poppy was not amused. "Minerva McGonagall! This is your wedding day! We need to get you ready!"
Minerva raised her eyebrows. "We?"
"Yes, we. I'm your maid of honor, and it's my job to help you. And Madam Flamel is coming to do your hair and makeup later."
Minerva had to smile. Of course Pernelle would be doing her hair and makeup. Over the last few years, Albus and Minerva had spent quite a bit of time with the Flamels. Minerva and Pernelle had gotten quite close. Pernelle was a genius with anything beauty-related. This way, Minerva reasoned, at least I'll look nice for my wedding.
Poppy was becoming impatient. "Come along now, Minerva. Take your bath, please."
"I have twelve more letters. I'll be done in ten minutes. Please calm down."
"Oh fine. Leave it to you to be working on the very morning of your wedding." Poppy walked over to the radio and tapped it with her wand with a smirk. "I'll be back in an hour. I do hope you'll be ready for me by then."
Minerva waved her hand dismissively at her dear friend as she went back to her work. She put James Potter's letter aside and moved onto the next name and the next until she was finally finished.
She took a quick bath to wash her hair. It certainly wouldn't do for Pernelle to have to work with anything less than fresh clean hair. As Minerva worked in the lavender-scented lather, her mind began reeling with all the things that she, as Deputy, would have to deal with in the upcoming year.
Albus had admitted a young boy, Lupin was his name, who also happened to be a werewolf. The logistics of having him at Hogwarts had been frightful; they took months and months to work out. Minerva questioned the decision at first, but ultimately agreed with Albus that as long as they were very, very careful, there was no reason why the poor boy couldn't receive a proper magical education.
And now her nephew was also coming to school. Did he know about her? How would she be able to teach a class with him sitting right there? Minerva rinsed her hair and knew that she would somehow cope, as she did with every obstacle she encountered.
She tied her dressing gown and went into the sitting room. The radio was playing a muggle song that put a smile on her face.
Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get married.
Goin' to the chapel and we're gonna get married.
Gee, I really love you and we're gonna get married.
Goin' to the chapel of love!
Poppy returned along with Pomona Sprout and Pernelle Flamel. Pomona was noticeably covered in tiny cuts and scrapes.
Minerva eyed her questioningly. "What's happened to you?"
"Just planted the Whomping Willow over the passage to the Shack for the Lupin boy. Nasty tree, that is," Pomona responded.
Poppy took out her wand and muttered a few healing spells. The cuts disappeared.
"Ta, Poppy," Pomona said.
Poppy turned to Minerva. "Now to work on you." She looked very eager.
Minerva rolled her eyes and sat down at the vanity in her bedroom. The radio in the other room had started playing "Chapel of Love" over again. "Poppy, what did you do to my radio?"
Minerva heard her friends all giggle from the other room. "It's in honor of the day, Minerva!"
"That's all well and good, but one really cannot hear that song more than once. Please turn it off."
The music stopped and Pernelle stepped forward to beautify the bride. She looked incredible, as usual. Today, she sported a light summer dress of pale pink. Her necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring were all rubies, set in gold.
"Minerva, ma chère, how would you like your hair?"
"You mean I get a choice?" she scoffed.
"Mais oui! As long as it isn't that bun you always wear. That is far too plain for your wedding day," Pernelle replied.
"Well, I'd prefer it to be put up, but nothing too complicated, please Pernelle. Albus wouldn't like it and I'll just end up frustrated at the end of the day."
Penelle laughed her perfect feminine laugh. "Ah, I see. So our Albus likes to take your hair down, does he?" Minerva blushed. "Nicholas likes my hair as well. Never fear, Minerva. Albus will just adore this. And I think you will like it also."
Pernelle spent nearly half an hour trying different styles and apparently disliking all of them. Minerva began to get frustrated.
"Pernelle, I appreciate all the effort, but this is getting a bit ridiculous. I really don't care what my bloody hair looks like."
Poppy ran into the room. "Minerva! It's your wedding day! How could you not care?"
"Because it isn't important!" She stood up from Pernelle's tinkering. "All I want is to start my life with Albus as my husband. I could get married in a rainy street in my teaching robes for all I care. I just wanted to marry the man I love. Is that so hard?"
Pernelle put a supportive arm around Minerva's shoulders. "No, not at all. I am sorry. I was not thinking. Please sit down, and I'll be finished in two minutes."
Minerva did as she was told, and Pernelle kept her end of the bargain. Minerva was actually astonished at the quick transformation. Her hair was pulled up on her head in soft curls. It was simple, but just right for the occasion. And the makeup was perfect: minimal black liner on her eyes, a soft shimmery blush on her cheeks and a subtle red tint on her lips.
"Thank you, Pernelle. I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"It's alright. Every bride is a bit high-strung on her wedding day." Pernelle gave her friend a kiss on the cheek. "Everything will be just right, you'll see."
Just then, Pomona entered carrying Minerva's wedding dress. The month before, Poppy and Pomona had accompanied Minerva to find a gown at Gladrags in Hogsmead. Minerva disguised herself and pretended to be Poppy's cousin in order to keep the wedding a secret. Minerva hated the experience of dress shopping, but the other two had a marvelous time. In the end, they were able to find the absolute perfect dress.
Minerva couldn't help but beam with joy as she stepped into her wedding dress. It really was perfect for her. Delicate lace covered the long sleeves and tight, low-cut bodice. The chiffon skirt flowed around her legs, ending in a long train with the lace trim.
Pernelle, Poppy and Pomona all had misty eyes seeing their friend looks so beautiful and happy. No one deserved the perfect wedding more than Minerva and Albus.
Poppy came to her senses first. "Now all you need is something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue."
Pernelle walked over to Minerva with a sheer sheet of fabric attached to a dazzling tiara. "Minerva, this is my veil from my own wedding. It is almost six hundred years old. I would be honored if you would wear it." Minerva nodded and Pernelle fastened the tiara into the shiny black curls on Minerva's head. The veil floated down her back. It looked just right with the dress.
Next Poppy came over with a royal blue garter. "Put this on. It's new and blue. And now you're all ready!"
"Not just yet!" Pomona handed her a bouquet of what looked like red peonies with white and gold speckles. "I bred these in the greenhouse just for the occasion. I wanted to call them Minervas but I wasn't sure if you'd be mad."
Minerva chuckled. "No, I'm not mad at all Pomona. Thank you. They're absolutely gorgeous."
"Just like you," Pernelle told her. "Now it is time for you to get married!"
The four women made their way from Gryffindor Tower to the grounds. Hagrid and Albus had prepared a glade in the forest overlooking the lake for the wedding. An ivy-covered trellis created the altar where Filius would officiate the ceremony. Six chairs flanked the aisle. Four were already filled by Hagrid, Nicholas Flamel, Bathilda Bagshot, and Alastor Moody. Aberforth stood beside Albus under the trellis as his best man. Filius waited next to them nervously. He had never performed a marriage binding spell before, but both Albus and Minerva assured him that they wanted him to perform it.
Pernelle and Pomona hurried into their seats. Poppy stood at the end of the aisle and nodded at Flitwick, who charmed a few nearby trees to sing the wedding march. Poppy made her way to the trellis and everyone stood as Minerva seemed to float down the aisle. She smiled brightly as she gazed at Albus. His blue robes matched his eyes, which were tracking her every move. He was utterly mesmerized. Never in his life had he been so full of love. She was so exquisitely beautiful that he could barely breathe. It seemed a miracle that this goddess was about to be his wife. Minerva finally reached his side and handed Poppy the bouquet in order to place her hands in Albus'.
Filus cleared his throat and the trees stopped singing. "We are gathered today to celebrate the marriage of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore and Minerva Morrigan McGonagall. They will recite vows and then be bound to one another as husband and wife. Albus?"
Albus only heard about half of what Filius said. He was lost in sparkling emerald pools, filled with love and promise. He recited the vows he prepared. "Minerva, for thirty years, I have loved and protected you. Today, I vow that from this day forward, I will forever love you, protect you, and be faithful to you. You are the pure light of joy, love and passion in my life, and I treasure you always. As your husband, I shall be forever at your side and give you all the love in my heart."
Aberforth handed him a small gold band which Albus slipped on Minerva's finger.
Minerva wiped away the tears in her eyes and recited her vows. "Albus, I have loved you since the day I met you, and I have loved you more and more every day since. I am yours, heart, body and soul. Having you in my life is more than I could ever ask for. As your wife, I shall support you and be faithful to you. Most of all, I will love you until the day I die and forever afterward."
Poppy handed Minerva the wedding ring that she then put on Albus' finger.
Flitwick raised his wand. "Clasp hands, please." As Filius recited the spell, gold and silver beams of light encircled their joined hands, finally breaking off and entering the wedding bands. "You are now and forever bonded in matrimony. Albus, you may kiss the bride."
Albus drew Minerva close and kissed her softly. The guests all applauded and cheered. Minerva broke away with tears and the biggest smile Albus had ever seen. Above, Fawkes circled in song. The melody lifted everyone's hearts even higher than before.
Albus and Minerva greeted all their guests and thanked them all for their attendance. After nearly an hour of light conversation, Albus called them all to attention. "As you all know, my position in the Wizarding World puts those I love at great risk. Therefore, I have placed an enchantment on this ceremony and all who attended. You all will only be able to speak of the relationship between Minerva and myself to those others who are also present today. We both trust you all implicitly and love you very much, which is why you are all here today. My new wife and I thank you all for sharing this happy day with us. But now I'd like to go on the romantic honeymoon I've planned. Filius, Hogwarts rests in your capable hands. We'll be back on the third of August. Now, shall we be on our way, Mrs. Dumbledore?"
Albus took the smiling Minerva by the hand and led her out of the forest to the Hogwarts gates.
"Albus," Minerva protested, "I don't have anything packed. You haven't told me where we're going."
"I have it all arranged, my dear. Have faith in your husband!" He grasped her around the waist and pulled her body flush against his before disapparating.
Minerva glanced at the unfamiliar surroundings at which they had arrived. "Where are we?"
Albus kissed her hand. "This is an island off the south coast of Wales. It has no name, and its only inhabitants are some birds, deer, and now us. If you follow the path I've made, it will lead to a cottage overlooking the sea. It has been fully equipped with anything and everything we could ever need. So for the next four weeks, you and I have the house to ourselves on an island of our own."
Minerva flung her arms around her new husband's neck and kissed him. "Oh Albus, this is incredible. Thank you."
Albus scooped his wife into his arms and carried her through the woods to their new home. The door opened magically as they approached. He didn't stop to give her a tour, but took her right upstairs to their king-sized bed. Finally he put her down to gaze at the vision in white.
"You look like an angel."
Minerva quickly took Pernelle's veil off and carefully placed it on the dresser. She moved back to Albus. "You shouldn't think me so pure, husband of mine." Minerva then proceeded to remove Albus' robes.
His breath caught in his throat as her hands wandered his bare body. Her lips placed feather kisses on his ear, down his neck and on his chest. Albus turned her abruptly and unbuttoned her wedding dress, his breath hot on the nape of her neck. His fingers began undoing her hair. Black waves cascaded down her pale back.
She couldn't take it anymore. She banished all of their remaining clothing. Minerva then pushed a very surprised Albus onto the bed and straddled him, kissing him passionately.
She broke off. "I love you."
Albus smiled, his lust-filled eyes twinkling seductively. He rolled her onto her back. "I love you."
They proved it to each other until the moon was high in the night sky and husband and wife were thoroughly sated in their marital bliss.