Little bit of a time skip...but you know me, I can't resist the fluff! :)


1 August 1978

The weather was perfect the day that Lily Evans and James Potter got married. Edgar Bones had offered them (the newest members of the Order of the Phoenix, along with Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, and a host of other fairly recent Hogwarts graduates) the use of his family's cottage on the Isle of Fife for the wedding.

There were only around thirty guests, all members of the Order. Minerva sat beside Elphinstone during the ceremony, unable to hold in her tears. She clutched her damp handkerchief in her lap and sniffled as James said,

"I do."

Elphinstone nudged her gently with his elbow, and she gave him a watery smile. He grinned and patted her hand.

"I declare you both bonded for life," said Albus softly, and with a whoop from Sirius Black and a round of applause from the wedding guests, James Potter and Lily Evans kissed.

And kissed.

"All right, break it up, both of you," Remus Lupin laughed, coming forward from the crowd with a camera. Dumbledore stepped aside, and Remus snapped a few close-up photos of Lily and James, who kept their arms coiled around each other. Sirius hurried over to squeeze in beside them, and soon the entire company was on their feet, coming forward to congratulate the bride and groom.

Minerva wiped a tear from her eye and stood up. "Everyone, you're all invited inside for cake," she said, clearing her throat. She felt Elphinstone rest a hand on her shoulder, and she turned to face him.

"I hope there's a dance for me tonight," he said with a smile.

She blushed a little, and nodded. "I'll think about it."

"Professor? Er…"

Minerva looked around again to see James and Lily, hand in hand, grinning at her like they'd both lost their senses. She smiled. "Congratulations, both of you," she said happily.

"Thank you for making all of this happen," said Lily, throwing her arms around Minerva and hugging her tightly. "I'm so glad you were here." She beamed and drew back, keeping her hands on Minerva's elbows. "My dad would have loved—" she broke off. "Just—thank you."

"Oh, my dear," Minerva said, embracing her again. "It's my pleasure."

"Hagrid!" James said enthusiastically, hurrying over to greet the groundskeeper, who towered over the rest of the wedding party.

Lily squeezed Minerva's hands. "I'm bringing him home next week, we'll see my mum, find out how she is—" her voice caught; Mrs. Evans, so soon after her husband, was not at all well. Minerva gave her a sympathetic look. "—And James is going to meet Petunia and—erm—her fiancée."

"Goodness," Minerva said politely, "Well, I'll have to hear about that."

"I'm sure I'll have lots to tell you," Lily laughed, shaking her head. "Not that I didn't love it, Professor, but—it's nice to not be your student anymore."

Minerva laughed. "You can call me Minerva, now, dear."

"Lily!"

Alice Longbottom, one of Elphinstone's newest top Aurors, her round face positively glowing with excitement, barreled straight into Lily's arms, her husband Frank directly behind her.

"Professor," Frank said, grinning sheepishly as his wife continued to hug Lily.

"How are you, Frank?" Minerva asked, smiling.

"Finished with my basic training," he said, sounding pleased. "Both of us are, actually." He wrapped an arm around Alice's waist.

"And how is your mother?" she asked.

"The same," Frank shrugged, a smile on his face. "Thinks Alice has stolen me away and I'd be better off teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Minerva chuckled. "Augusta means well."

"Of course she does, Frank," Alice said, digging an elbow into his ribs. "Honestly, you'd think she was some kind of harpy, the way he talks about her sometimes. She just likes things her way."

"That's certainly true," Minerva laughed.

"I'll tell her you said hello," Frank grinned.

Minerva smiled as they, too, melted away into the crowd. She headed towards the house to check on some of the preparations, and nearly ran straight into Edgar Bones. He was a large, muscle-bound man with a shock of dark brown hair and brown eyes that were usually full of laughter. Now, as he steadied Minerva with his large hands, he looked worried.

"Oh—Minerva," he said, "I was just coming to get you. Albus—"

"What's happened?" Minerva asked, her smile disappearing at once. She fell into step with Edgar as they both hurried to the cottage.

"There's been a massive attack in Diagon Alley—broad daylight, dozens of people killed," he explained, showing her inside. Dumbledore, Elphinstone, and Eleanor Bones—as slight and dainty as her husband was huge—were all gathered around a hunched-over figure that sat on the couch—Alastor was clutching a bloody cloth to a deep wound on his forehead, but he looked otherwise unhurt as he spoke to Albus.

"It was a woman, she was the ringleader," he growled, glancing up as Minerva came close. "That one you've talked about, McGonagall, the young one—"

"Bellatrix Black?" Minerva asked. "But—"

"Lestrange," said another voice behind her. Sirius Black, undoubtedly sensing trouble, had followed Minerva and Edgar into the cottage. He was ashen. "Her name's Bellatrix Lestrange, now, she's married one of the other purebloods," he said, coming forward to see Alastor's wound. He winced, and addressed Dumbledore. "My cousin Andromeda wrote to me, said she thinks the family kept it out of the papers because of Rodolphus's ties to Voldemort. She only just found out herself, she doesn't talk to Bellatrix."

Minerva frowned. "Were you going to share this information?" she asked. "You had names for two Death Eaters, and you didn't communicate that?"

"I honestly just found out, and I wasn't completely sure," Sirius insisted, looking pained. "I was going to say something at the meeting next week. Professor, I'm sorry—"

"Now is not the time, Sirius," Albus said, holding up a hand. "What is important is that we have people on the scene as soon as possible, preferably without disrupting this occasion any further. No, Sirius, you will remain here. James will notice if his best man vanishes from his wedding without explanation. Alastor, you will rest here—no, I must insist," he said over Moody's protest. "Elphinstone, you and I will pay a visit to the Auror offices."

"I'll go to Diagon Alley," Minerva said. "We'll need eyes there."

"I can go with her," said Edgar, glancing at Eleanor, who nodded hurriedly and went to fetch a medicine kit. "In case any of them are still hanging around, you shouldn't go on your own. It could be a trap."

Albus nodded, and looked at Minerva. "Send word if you run into any trouble."

Minerva grasped Sirius's arm. "Hold things down here," she said, as Eleanor and Elphinstone helped Alastor to his feet, taking him to a back bedroom to lie down. Minerva glanced towards the cottage door. "Let them have their wedding."

Sirius gave a faint smile, but was still positively white-faced, even ten minutes after Minerva and the others had Disapparated, when Lily and James came into the cottage for wedding cake and drinks.