Dedicated to the wonderful Clover Bay who reminded me in a polite but effective fashion that regardless of what I'm doing, this is on my list of priorities. After all, what is life without the sheer joy I experience in writing?

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"When is the big day?" Pernelle clapped her hands in delight before engulfing both Albus and Minerva in a bone crushing hug. "I am so happy for you both!"

"I don't know. We only decided to get married an hour ago." That was true. After clarifying that marriage was what they both wanted, Albus had carried her through the fireplace to share the news with Nicholas and Pernelle. As they were like parents to him, Minerva understood his eagerness to tell the Flamels. Would her father react so favourably? It was doubtful that he would squeal and clap his hands like Pernelle- it just wasn't Murdoch's way. Telling him in itself presented a challenge. For the first time since she had heard the news, Pernelle frowned.

"You do not know?"

"That's what Minerva said, darling." Nicholas looked up briefly from his book and smiled. "I too am delighted about your news." But she did know. Minerva placed a hand on Albus' shoulder, attracting his attention.

"I want to get married as soon as possible." Three heads turned to look at her. Albus looked as though he had been handed the moon- happier than she could ever recall seeing him. "But I would like it if Dad could be at least accepting before we do it." A hint of disappointment dimmed the sparkle in his eyes momentarily, but as he wrapped an arm around her waist and dipped a kiss to her forehead, Minerva knew that he understood. Albus was such a good man.

"You should marry anyway, Minerva!" She sagged against Albus, exhausted. Before either of them could protest, Nicholas shook his head, took her hand and led her from the room. Albus kissed her again. When it became apparent that the senior couple were not planning upon returning in the immediate future Minerva decided it was time to act.

"Albus? Let's go and visit Dad."

"Are you sure you're strong enough?"

"Quite, Albus." He evaluated her claim for a moment before scooping Minerva into his arms and carrying her into the fireplace. It was simply too comfortable to protest to Albus that his actions were unnecessary, and so she allowed him to carry her through the network and into her ancestral home. As her feet hit the plush carpet of the lounge, dread grew in the pit of Minerva's stomach. She aimed a smile at Albus, who looked as concerned as she felt, and hid her worry. Taking his hand she led him through the drawing room, into the hallway and up two flights of stairs.

During their journey Albus noticed portraits of Minerva's relatives, the majority of whom shared similar features with his lover. He tried not to dwell on the way her hand trembled in his, but the conscience of Albus Dumbledore was stronger than any sense of personal gain and so he asked.

"Minerva?" She stopped and turned, biting her lip. "Minerva, it can wait; we needn't do this."

"But I want to do this." She squeezed his hand gently and continued walking. Did she really want to tell her father this? Murdoch had been quite specific about how he felt the last time they had met, and Albus didn't see what could change his opinion- the man was easily as formidable as his daughter. Apparently they had reached their destination, an oak door unremarkable save for the fact it was close to causing her to hyperventilate. Something passed across Minerva's face and there was a tangible change in the air around them. She stood up straight, posture perfect once more, and it was the bold woman he loved that reached out to rap twice on the door.

"Enter." The door swung open to reveal the private study of Murdoch McGonagall. Minerva's father dropped his quill and gestured expansively for them to follow his invitation. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" He did a slight double take as Minerva crossed the room without assistance and leant against a niche in the bookshelf covering three of the four walls. "Shouldn't you be in bed resting?"

"I'm getting married, Da." Minerva's unwavering voice conveyed not a hint of her nerves or her weariness, but it occurred to Albus that she was exhausted. Murdoch placed his fingers in a steeple and leant back in the chair, eyes widening slightly but revealing nothing. Moving from the doorway, Albus headed towards Minerva but stopped dead in his tracks as Murdoch's eyes swivelled to focus on him. The older man brushed a hand through his salt and pepper hair.

"A minute with my daughter please, Albus." Nodding curtly, he watched as Minerva flashed him the tiniest of smiles before lowering herself into the seat across from her father. Reassured by her mobility, Albus turned and left the office. Thoughts about whether it would be more appropriate to sit or remain standing in the corridor flitted through his mind, and recalling the measure of comfort it brought Nicholas, Albus opted to pace. Despite the serene demeanour his mentor sported during his perambulations, the rhythm of his footsteps did nothing to ward off rogue scenarios of Minerva being convinced to end their engagement. It seemed more likely than securing a blessing on their union. Turning on his heel, Albus pulled out the pocket watch she had given him. Should the inscription hold true, she loved him at this very second- he couldn't process an alternative. It had been over twenty minutes and presumably they were still talking... unless both McGonagalls had lost their temper and were now unconscious.

"Albus?" He turned to see Minerva peering at him through a crack between the door and the wall, and judging by the raised eyebrow it wasn't the first time she had called him. "Come in." She pushed the door open wider and disappeared back into the room before Albus had time to analyse her facial expression.

"Are you planning on joining us or not, Albus?" That was a loaded question if ever there was one. Murdoch sounded remarkably similar to an impatient Minerva. Obediently he swept into the spacious office and stood abruptly before the desk, feeling like a child preparing for a reprimand. Minerva was seated in a winged armchair to his right, feet tucked underneath her body. Merlin he loved her. She nodded towards the chair across from her father and Albus sat, conscious of Murdoch's intense scrutiny. "You recall our discussion at St. Mungo's yesterday- why, pray tell, should I change my mind?"

"I- I love Minerva more than I have ever loved anything in my life, and she loves me too-"

"If I say no, what would you both do?" Minerva's stomach lurched, giving her a sensation akin to how she imagined splinching would feel. She grasped the arms of the chair tightly in an effort to control her shaking hands. Albus looked quite horrified, and she just knew that he thought he was about to lose her.

"Then we'll marry anyway." Indignant, Minerva stood and went to Albus as her father watched impassively. "Of course we will." Slowly Albus turned to face her, smiling sadly- not quite the reaction she had hoped for. Gently, with trembling fingers, he cupped her face in his hands.

"I love you too much to do this. Minerva you'll never forgive me and will therefore resent me in years to come if we do this without your father's permission." It was as though the carpet had been pulled out from underneath her feet. After a horrible moment of silence, he continued despite the growing ache inside his chest. "For me to do anything else would be unfair on both of us. You would grow to hate me."

"Unfair? Albus it has taken so long for me to realise that I want to be your wife- what is unfair is that you're trying to take that away from me now that it actually matters." Minerva blinked furiously, fists clenched. "I don't want to be without you; the world would become so cold, and I know you feel the same way about me." Albus winced, closing his eyes and Minerva reached out to stroke his cheek. "And I could never hate you. Could you conceivably hate me?" He shook his head, and Minerva knew that he wanted to believe what she was saying. "Albus, we could both die tomorrow and I can't do that without having known what it feels like to have you as my husband."

"You're sure this is what you want?"

"Yes." Albus dropped a kiss on the corner of Minerva's mouth, suddenly recalling the third occupant of the room. He turned to face the man who would soon become his father-in-law, one arm secured around Minerva's waist.

"Murdoch, it pains me to have to go against your wishes but Minerva will marry me." Contradicting Albus' expectations, the McGonagall patriarch did not lose his temper, nor did he appear to be close to doing so- instead he was regarding the pair of them with one of those enigmatic McGonagall gazes.

"I see..." Minerva's breathing and the ticking of the grandfather clock were the only sounds in the room. Murdoch stood and made for the baroque window. "I see. Then my blessings upon you both." Minerva spun to face Albus, her own shock matching his perfectly. She smiled then, toying with her braid, before taking several halting steps around the desk to her father.

"Da? Thank you." She joined him at the window, observing the expansive grounds that made up the property. Clearing his throat, Murdoch pulled his only child close for a brief embrace before brushing a stray hair from her face.

"Yes, well... you're very like your mother in many ways, Minerva- the way you smile, the charming way in which you dress, and the way your hair curls. You're like me too; your eyes, your temper and the way you frown when you read the newspaper. But you're also unique. You're old enough to decide what will make you happy, and if you believe Albus Dumbledore will do so now and in the future then I will not stand in your way." It was Minerva that closed the gap between them once more, but this time Murdoch held on to her for several moments. "You go back to Hogwarts now and rest. Tell me when you've decided on a date. And Minerva? I'll have an apoplectic fit if I hear the word 'children' before you've forged a strong career for yourself." Murdoch returned to his paperwork as they left. "Treat her well." Albus paused as he closed the door over but Murdoch gave no indication that he had just spoken.

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"Albus?" He looked down at his fiancée, who was now awake. "Albus we're getting married." Minerva was irresistible with her voice made husky by sleep and her hair normally styled to perfection mussed around her shoulders. For four hours since their return he had watched her sleeping peacefully, and for as many hours he had sat by her side dazed by his good fortune.

"Yes my love." Taking her hand, Albus noted how soft and warm her skin felt. She kissed each of his fingers in turn.

"When will we get married?"

"As soon as you're strong again we will do so." Minerva kissed him gently- the man who would become her husband. She would wake up every day beside him as his wife, content that nothing could divide them.

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