Here we go, the next chapter is up. Yay! I did it. And we go into the wedding-challenge. Woohooo…

A/N: Well, to summarize this one I'd say: A little sap, an argument, a little embarrassment and 'Surprise, surprise' – a little cliffhanger. The chapter-title comes from the Musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and is performed there by Jane Powell and Howard Keel – Hey, what did you expect, I love musicals.

Disclaimer as usual.

This one is to my dear friend Maren. Yes, we do understand each other. I wouldn't make the coming year without you. Thank you.

Chapter 5: "When you're in Love"

The voice in the shadows sounded confused: "If I knew what?"

Uray sighed. "Let's go outside. I need to move. This whole thing just drives me up the wall."

With that they left the room.

****

At the head-table Albus turned to the ebony-haired witch by his side. "It seems like people are really enjoying themselves."

Minerva smiled. "It certainly seems so. And it's a good thing, too, because…" she pointed at Giovanni and Dimitri, who had put aside their earlier conflict and were now telling each other jokes with hands and feet. It was quite a sight and attracted the interest of nearly every one in the room. "because we will need every little bit of relaxation we can get before we go into battle again. And if many of us can not only become co-fighters, but friends, chances will be higher to defeat the Dark side for real. And there would be much more hope that there will only be the Light side in the future." Her smiled turned sheepish "No, I'm not philosophical. It's just something I gave a lot of thought to lately."

The man smiled back "Since you are thinking so much lately, why don't you think about giving the idea a thought to go outside with me, so I can tell you in private about the thoughts I've been having lately?"

She just rolled her eyes in exasperation, but nevertheless rose. That was easier said then done, as her vision blurred and the world began to spin.

Albus saw the woman stagger and gripped her arm to steady her. "Are you not feeling well, my dear?"

Minerva took a steadying breath and smiled up to him "No, no, I am perfectly well. It's just a little bit hot in here."

They both stepped out into the garden, where Dumbledore lead his fiancé over to a snowed-in bench. It was quite a romantic little setting, he thought, with the half-round bench next to a dry fountain adorned with putties and mermaids, all in front of a large lime tree. The whole scenery was thickly covered in white innocent snow and his Minerva fit in perfectly. She was as beautiful and innocent as the scene, in her rust-colored robes, her black hair pulled back as she smiled expectantly at him. She looked like an angel. His angel. His angel of live and light. And she loved him…

Sometimes he couldn't believe it to be true. She really loved him and wanted to share her life with him. How could he have gotten so lucky? 'Come on, Dumbledore, don't chicken out now. You can pull it off. Just do it,' he chided himself mentally.

"Albus, what is it? Albus? You said you want to talk to me. What is it?" Minerva pressed again.

"Ahem…um…You handled Dimitri extremely well in there. I was very impressed. And so were the others." 'Nice going. Really nice going, Man'

Minerva smiled "Well, sometimes it comes in handy to be the daughter of a diplomat. If nothing else, our constant moving made us learn many languages." She paused "But still, Uray would have done a better job. After all, he and Dimitri attended the Wizarding School near Kiev together."

'Yes I know. He was very reluctant in there. But I guess, we gave him quite a surprise. But he will come around. He only needs some time to get used to the idea. Then he will be alright" 'You are babbling, man. And you know it. And she knows it too.'

"You dragged me out in the cold to tell me this?" Minerva asked in amused disbelief. Albus was up to something, she just knew it.

The wizard closed his eyes and took a deep breath. 'Come on, now. Just do it. She will say yes. Just do it. – Ah well, here goes nothing.' And with those final thoughts Albus Dumbledore turned and got down on one knee.

"I know, we did this before, but the circumstances were not right. So I am doing it again….Minerva, I love you. I love you so much that I can't breathe, when you are not around. You are everywhere. In my thoughts. In my dreams. And in my worst nightmares you are – not with me. Then I am panicking that you could say no and force me to live my life without you. Please say yes. Say that you marry me."

With that he produced a diamond ring out of the pockets of his robe and looked pleadingly at the woman on the bench.

Minerva swallowed hard as tears were running freely down her cheeks. She tried to speak, but no sound came out. Finally she gave up and just threw herself into his arms.

"Is that a yes?"

She laughed under tears "Yes. Yes. Of course, it's a yes. Oh Albus, I love you too." She exclaimed.

Albus slipped the ring on her finger and they shared a sweet and tender kiss. And another one. And then one more. Each becoming more intense and passionate.

****

At the same time on the other side of the Inn

"Honestly, I don't see your problem, Uray. What, for Merlin's sake, is so bad about Min and Albus Dumbledore being a couple?"

"Peri, how can you be so lenient about it. He is trice her age and he was her teacher."

"Yes, you said it. He WAS her teacher. Years ago, at that. And the age difference will become smaller with every year. What is your problem?" The argument became louder and more agitated with each passing word.

"Mama and Pap are against this relationship. Don't you think, there is a good reason for this?"

Peri grinned knowingly. "Uray, think about those reasons. Mama? Mama is not against this relationship. She told me so last time I saw her. She said that she needed some time to get used to the idea of her youngest daughter falling in love and getting married first. But now, it's alright with her. And Papa? Papa is shocked that his baby girl is all grown up now and I think, he is also a little jealous. Remember when Min was little, she told everybody that she would marry Papa when she'd grow up. And now, she is grown up and doesn't adore him, but another man. And admit it, you are jealous too."

"Opera McGonagall, I am certainly not jealous. But Min is so young. She is way too young to get married."

Uray flinched as his older sister rose, now clearly angry, to her full size. His sisters, all three of them, were doing justice to their name patronesses. They were beautiful, smart and clever, very talented and powerful witches. But they were also extremely hot-tempered. To catch one of them on her bad side was never a good idea and now he had done just that.

"Uranos, I cant believe you," Peri yelled. "Did you actually realize, what you just said? Min is in her twenties. She is not a child, but a full grown woman. And she knows damn well, what she wants and what she is doing. And just because you are shocked and jealous, she won't change her mind. Didn't you get it? They did not ask for your permission or even your approval. All they wanted from you was to share their happiness. They are a couple and they are in love and they will get married. With you or without you. Didn't you get that?"

The man relented "Yes, I gathered as much. And I saw that they're in love. And he is a good man. It just was such a shock. When I had some time to get used to it, I will like the idea, I guess."

Peri calmed down and smiled "That's the Uray we know and love."

"But what about Mama and Papa?"

"They will come around. I mean, we are not talking about anybody here. This is Albus Dumbledore. Good family, powerful and respected wizard, nice person, handsome too and – if the prophecies are correct – future hero. What more could Papa actually want for one of his daughters?"

Uray grinned. His sisters. They were so much fun.

While arguing the siblings had rounded the Inn and were now in the back-garden. He looked around and caught his sister and Dumbledore locked in a passionate kiss.

"Oh come on you two," he wailed, "Do you have to do this? It's okay that you are in love and engaged and all. But do I actually need to see you kissing all the time?"

Peri snorted "Be happy they are only kissing. The first time I walked in on them, they were way past that stage. Believe me, that was really bad. I never wanted to know that much."

"Stop it, Peri!" Her sister exclaimed as she scrambled to her feet. Both, she and Albus turned beet-red at the memory. They came closer, hand in hand. "And besides, after such a wonderful proposal," Minerva sighed dreamily, "I just had to kiss him."

While Uray only rolled his eyes, Peri, with her hands on her hips, glared at the auburn-haired man. "You didn't get further? Albus Dumbledore, I did not come all the way to Metz for nothing. I want my money's worth here. So, would you please go through with the whole plan!"

Minerva's eyes wandered mystified from her sister to her fiancé "Plan? What Plan? Albus, Peri, what is going on?"

Dumbledore sighed and turned to the young woman by his side "Minerva, will you marry me…"

"Of course, I will," she interrupted, now clearly confused, "I already told you so."

"Will you marry me in two hours?"

***

Another A/N: Peri's actual name is Ceres Demeter Opera, but I decided to have all McGonagall-girls being called by their third given names. Confusions solved?

VoyICJ: Repetition is a stylistic device? You don't say. Lol. Thanks anyway. And where is the German version of your first story?????

Aeryn Alexander: I tried to describe the allied campaigns of 1943/44. When you look at it, the Allies kinda threw a sling around the German troops and then pulled – so the operating space for the Germans became smaller and smaller. The idea to defeat Germany through "its weak underbelly" (Churchill) would have gone like that with probably disastrous results.

Child-of-the-Dawn: I can see her doing that too. As a matter of fact, isn't Minerva actually running shows like that in the books?

MK: Thank you. And yes, they did that.

LinZE: Thanks. I hope this chapter answers your question. If not – let me know and I try to explain further.

Thank you all, and please review.