Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, nor am I making any money on this little side-story I just daydreamed up.

Thank you, Spin84, Pexchiee, susanweese, and Natto'n'aliens for your encouraging reviews!

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CHAPTER 23

(Summer 1989)

Minerva stepped forward to help her mother and father up off the ground. Robert and Isobel McGonagall had landed in a heap on the far side of Will and Lizzy's house, along with a dozen or so other members of Minerva's family. The only one who'd managed to avoid becoming tangled in the heap of humanity was Albus Dumbledore, who had just banished the old length of rope he'd charmed as a portkey.

"Thank you, dearest." Minerva's mother embraced her happily. "It's so lovely to see you! I can't wait to meet my new son-in-law!"

"Thank you for coming, Mother." Minerva smiled then moved to kiss her father's cheek.

"Thank you for coming, Father."

Robert McGonagall, looking a little dazed in the dim light, ruefully rubbed his backside. "I thought a port key would have something to do with a ship."

"You must admit that it's much faster, though, Father!" Malcolm McGonagall laughed as he stepped forward and swept Minerva into a crushing hug.

By the time Minerva had greeted her parents, Dumbledore, her brothers, her sisters-in-law, and her nieces and nephews, the sun had risen, and they all trooped into Lizzy and Will's house for some breakfast—which would feel like lunch to those newly arrived from Scotland.

Amidst all of the happy noise and the joyful chaos, only Minerva's enhanced animagus hearing perceived the knock at the front door. She slipped out the door and into Daniel's arms.

"Is it too late to elope?" She whispered into his neck.

Daniel laughed and then kissed her softly. "We'd still have to face them all eventually, and I'd rather do it without having offended all of my future in-laws first!"

She chuckled and leaned in for another kiss, but stopped short when she heard a discreet cough. She turned her head to see her parents standing in the doorway.

"You must be Daniel." Her mother offered her hand. "I'm Minerva's mother, Isobel, and this is Robert, Minerva's father." She gestured to her husband, who was demonstrating where Minerva had obtained her legendary eyebrows-furrowed-lips-thinned-don't-mess-with-me glare.

Minerva glanced anxiously at Daniel, who seemed unphased. He simply smiled while he shook her mother's hand and offered his hand to her father and said, "I see where Minerva gets her…looks."

Robert McGonagall was so surprised that he quite forgot to look severe, and Isobel's delighted chuckles were drowned out by guffaws of laughter from Malcolm and Robbie, who'd been standing behind their parents.

"I see why you fell for this one!" Robbie said.

"He's going to fit right in!" Malcolm said and reached between his parents to drag Daniel into the house.

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The night before the wedding found the McGonagalls and the Jamisons having dinner on the beach. The August night was sultry, but the breeze coming over the water was welcome and cool. Minerva looked around at her family—both current and future—and felt happier and more contented than she could ever remember feeling before.

Daniel, Jimmy, Will, Robbie, and Malcolm were gathered around the grill, debating the best methods for barbeque.

The teenagers were entertaining the smaller children, building elaborate sandcastles.

Dumbledore, Robert, and Daniel's father, Frank, were talking about fishing. It amazed Minerva how long men could talk about fishing. She'd been back and forth to their chairs to offer them drinks and food several times, and their topic of conversation had never varied.

"Are they still talking about fishing?" Isobel asked her, when Minerva sat down in her chair in a semi-circle with her mother, Lizzy, Daniel's mother, Debbie, and his sister-in-law, Lauren, and Robbie's wife, Becca, and Malcolm's wife, Sara.

"It seems as though men can talk about one topic all night long, while women can discuss 'shoes and ships and sealing wax and cabbages and kings' and everything else under the sun in the same amount of time!" Debbie commented.

Minerva smiled at the woman who would become her mother-in-law the next day. All of her anxiety about in-laws and inter-family relations had been swept away. The McGonagalls and the Jamisons had instantly taken to each other…rather like Minerva and Daniel had.

Minerva glanced at Daniel and gave a happy sigh. Isobel, watching her out of the corner of her eye, did too. It had been so long since she'd seen Minerva truly happy. Seeing her firstborn, her baby girl, so happy and contented was like a balm to her soul. Besides, she thought to herself, hopefully I'll get some more grandchildren soon!

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In the golden light of the setting sun, Minerva stepped carefully down the wooden stairs of Will and Lizzy's back deck and onto the beach. She glided through the soft sand to where Daniel was waiting with his hand outstretched to her and a star-struck smile on his face.

"You look so beautiful, Emmie!" he whispered as she took his hand.

Minerva's gown was white, gauzy, and swept down her slim figure in a way that was elegant and captivating—like the woman herself. The neckline was not low cut, but was wide and just slightly off the shoulder, displaying her lovely throat and collar bones. The bodice was fitted through the bust and down to her trim waist, but then free-flowing down her long legs to brush the tops of her feet with their sparkling beaded trim.

She was barefoot, wore no veil, and had left her long black hair down, swaying like her gown in the ocean breeze. In one hand she carried a simple bunch of purple crested iris flowers from Lizzy's garden. Tears of joy sparkled in her eyes as she took Daniel's hand and they stepped into the circle of their two families, standing around them with smiling faces and clasped hands.

Inside that loving circle, Robert McGonagall married Minerva and Daniel to one another, reminding them of their promises and duties while they exchanged rings, clasped hands, and gazed into one another's eyes.

When he told Daniel he could kiss his bride, Robert was a little shocked as his usually reserved daughter threw herself into Daniel's arms and kissed him so long and with so much enthusiasm that the family began to whistle and cheer.

"Hey! Hey! Save some for the honeymoon!" Jimmy joked. And everyone laughed at Daniel and Minerva's flushed and joyful faces.

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AN: I debated about having Pimona &/or Poppy come too, but I decided that MM's large family was enough, especially considering Will and Lizzy hosting everyone. Her friends will just have to throw her a little bridal shower later! 😉

Suggestions please: where should they go on their honeymoon? They already live at the beach, so let's not send them to a beach, okay?

I hope you're all doing well on COVID-19 lockdown. Please review!