A/N: This chapter was so much fun to write. It's a balace of fluff and humor and it's just all-around happy. I hope you all like it! Please review and let me know your thoughts.

Chapter 28: Wedding Bells

July 20th, 1979

"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

James Potter leaned in to enthusiastically kiss his new wife. The crowd cheered and applauded. Tears of joy and pride came to Minerva's eyes. Next to her, Albus put his arm around her and gave her a comforting squeeze.

As they made their way to the reception, Minerva reminisced on the past year. James, Lily, Sirius, Paige, Peter, Remus, and many more of their classmates had eagerly joined the Order after graduating. Each of them was bright, talented, and incredibly devoted to the cause. Minerva could not have been prouder of a group of students.

As was a sort of tradition during wartime, many students became engaged during the graduation dance, James and Lily most notably. Minerva had cried then as well. Her nephew, despite his being unaware of the fact, held a very special place in her heart. Lily, of course, was always Minerva's favorite; Lily was everyone's favorite. Their union brought the entire Order great joy in these terrible times.

Since joining the Order, Sirius had mellowed considerably. He was still the prankster he always was—he had especially not forgotten to resume his flirtation with Minerva after graduating—but his sense of duty and responsibility prevailed most of the time. Minerva privately predicted wedding bells would soon be on the horizon for Sirius and Paige Diggory as well.

Albus and Minerva arrived together at the incredible tented garden that served as the reception area. James had a great deal of money from his parents, as well as his Uncle Harry who had passed just a few months before, so James had spared no expense in creating the perfect wedding for Lily. Albus had helped with some of the more complex magical decorations, and James had confided his frightful desire to make everything wonderful and perfect for Lily for the rest of their lives. Albus, of course, understood and was able to give some fatherly advice to the groom.

It was now common knowledge among most Order members that Albus and Minerva were married, for which they were both grateful. It was exhausting to keep secrets from one's friends. When Lily had learned that Minerva was a married woman and not an old spinster as everyone assumed, she had begged for advice from her former professor. Minerva happily obliged in helping Lily any way she could. Lily's parents were put into hiding for their own protection, and as Lily was the first of her friends to be married, she didn't have anyone who understood what she was going through. Minerva was delighted to offer her assistance. Not many people knew of her marriage, and even fewer asked for her advice as a married woman. She loved spending so much time with Lily; she was exactly what she had hoped Catharine would have been. Lily and Minerva had grown very close as a result.

Everyone at the reception sat at beautiful tables for the wedding luncheon. Food and drink flowed freely, and everything was exquisite. Sirius wasted no time filling his glass with all the champagne he could get his hands on. This probably wasn't the best course of action, as he still had to give his best man's toast.

He was rather tipsy by the time he called attention. "Prongs, Lily flower, you guys are great," he slurred. Minerva shook her head in exasperation, but smiled. It was a happy occasion and certainly wouldn't have been complete without Sirius making some sort of ridiculous faux pas. "See everyone? These are my best friends. And they're perfect for each other. I mean, look how pretty she is. And so nice. And smart. Lils, we were all in love with you from the moment we met you. So if it couldn't be me, I'm glad it was James. But I didn't do so bad either. See the maid of honor over there?" He sloshed his glass in Paige's direction. She had a big smile on her face but was red with embarrassment. "See how beautiful she is? She's mine. So don't anyone get any ideas!" James pulled Sirius down, effectively shutting him up.

Paige then stood up and gave a beautiful speech for her friends and opened the floor for anyone else who wanted to say something to the newlyweds.

Albus stood up. "I have had the great honor to see James and Lily grow from a brilliant troublemaker and shy, sweet girl to the truly exceptional wizard and witch they are today. I am even more honored to call them both my friends. I can say on behalf of the entire Hogwarts staff that we couldn't be more pleased that you two found each other. The terrible times in which we live bring fear and hatred and pain. James and Lily, you are a beacon of goodness, hope and love for all who are here today. Now I think this old man should sit down and let someone else say something. So congratulations and good luck for your future."

Every person in the room was rather misty-eyed. No one could even hope to follow Albus' lovely words. Minerva beamed at her husband's eloquent wisdom.

The band began to play, and James and Lily took their place on the dance floor for their first dance as a married couple. James twirled his bride about to Celestia Warbeck's "You Cast a Spell on My Heart." The melody and lyrics were beautiful and romantic. Lily smiled so much, it looked as though her face would burst. James' eyes were shining with complete adoration for his new wife.

Minerva watched the various couples join James and Lily on the floor: Frank and Alice Longbottom, Marlene McKinnon and Remus Lupin, and many others.

Albus stood and offered Minerva his hand. "Would you care to dance, Professor?"

She smiled brightly. "Certainly, Headmaster."

As they danced, Minerva realized something. "Albus, I do believe this is the first wedding we've ever danced at."

He thought for a moment. "You're right. We didn't even dance at our own wedding."

"That's because you were a bit eager to go on our honeymoon," she laughed.

Albus' eyes danced with mischief. "Can you blame me? You were breathtaking in that dress."

She blushed slightly. "You looked very handsome as well, as you always do. And I must confess that I wouldn't have traded our honeymoon for anything, not even a first dance as husband and wife."

Albus kissed her cheek and spun her in his arms. They danced serenely for the next few songs.

Soon, however, Sirius Black drunkenly stumbled over to them. "Minerva, love of my life, may I have this dance?"

Minerva sighed and was about to agree when Albus held her firmly in his arms and answered for her. "I'm afraid she's taken, Sirius."

Sirius looked at them with a sad-puppy expression on his face. "Professor Dumbledore, she's yours every night, of which I am very jealous. Can't I just have one dance?"

Paige and Remus were dancing nearby and watched the scene with much amusement. "Give it up, Padfoot," Remus told him.

Paige laughed at her boyfriend's silly devotion to their former Transfiguration mistress. "Why do you do it, Sirius? She's married for Merlin's sake! She shuts you down every time."

"Exactly!" Sirius exclaimed. "My charm works on everyone else. But she refuses me every time! Beautiful women never refuse me!"

Minerva had to laugh. "Beautiful? Please, Mr. Black. You do know I'm only a year younger than your own mother, don't you?"

"Seriously?" Sirius looked flabbergasted, at which both Albus and Minerva had a nice chuckle. "Well then it's even more impressive that you look so good."

"Well thank you, Sirius. I think I will let you dance with me. That is, if you don't mind, Albus."

Sirius grabbed her away before Albus could answer. "He'll get over it," Sirius told his prize.

Remus groaned, "She'll never get away from him now."

Minerva was surprised to find that Sirius, even as drunk as he was, was a very good dancer. However, when she expressed as much to him, he got overeager and began sliding his right hand down her back. She promptly replaced the wandering hand back on her waist, and unfortunately had to repeat the action multiple times.

Remus brought James and Lily's attention to Minerva's trouble. They immediately stopped the band, as they had a distraction in mind for him.

When the music stopped, Minerva stepped away from Sirius and his roaming hands. "Thank you for the dance, Mr. Black," she told him politely.

"The pleasure was all mine, Minerva. I'm only sorry that a dance is all we can share."

Minerva rolled her eyes and gave in to his self-pity. She placed a chaste kiss on his cheek before walking away to find Albus.

Sirius was dumbstruck, but quickly came to his senses. "Whoo! Did everyone just see that? I'm the man!"

From the bandstand, James called everyone to attention. "Lily and I would like to dedicate this next song to my best man, my best friend, Sirius Black."

The music started and Sirius ran to James and jumped on him with a hug-attack.

You walked into the party

Like you were walking onto a yacht

"Lily!" Sirius called to his muggle-born friend, who had chosen this particular muggle tune, "Lily! I don't get it. What's a yacht? Is this song about me?"

The entire room burst into laughter when the chorus came:

You're so vain,

You prob'ly think this song is about you…

"It is about me!" Sirius cried. "You guys are the best!"

Paige came over and took Sirius back to the dance floor, claming he hadn't spent nearly enough time with her that evening. "Not that I mind playing second fiddle to Professor McGonagall, but I'll give you more than a kiss on the cheek before the night is over, so I think you should give me a little more credit."

Sirius beamed. He took his hand off her waist and reached into his pocket. "Hey Paige?"

"Yeah?"

"Wanna marry me?" He pulled a diamond ring from his pocket. Paige screamed in excitement and plastered his face with kisses as he placed the ring on her finger.

Everyone applauded. Sirius took a bow. "Everybody! I'm engaged, everybody!"

Peter, James and Remus all exchanged glances, one thought on all their minds: About time!

Albus reached under the table and took Minerva's hand. "Love is in the air, isn't it?"

She sighed happily. "So it seems. I'm very happy for all of them. And very proud."

Albus kissed her hand softly. "What say we leave the young ones to their celebrating and do a little celebrating of our own?"

Minerva broke into wide grin. The Dumbledores wished James and Lily well before apparating to their island cottage to celebrate their own loving marriage.

A/N2: Go on YouTube and search "Robert Pattinson Hug Attack" and you will see what I'm referencing when Sirius hug-attacks James. It's one of the funniest things of my life. Oh and Indigold10, you should be very pleased with this chapter. You're engaged! Whoo! :)