Author's Note : Super, special thanks to Thalia, without whom, this entire work would not be possible. I owe her a lot, and I just want to make it known that though the pairing mentioned in this story might still have existed, it would be nothing interesting without her. All thanks go to her, and a special nod should be given to her characterizations of Cassius Warrington and Kirsten Bundy as well as her help and input in using the character of Seamus Finnigan.

Disclaimer : I am poor and own nothing. All characters, situations, places, etc. therein belong to J. K. Rowling unless otherwise noted. No copyright is being infringed and no money is being made. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Emma Dobbs... sister of a deceased Death Eater. She's gone through as much horror and heartbreak as... the most seasoned and jaded of Aurors. When I met her, she was still a 5th year in school, struggling with her life, trying to make sense of things... trying to survive.

If one didn't know her well, one would never realize just what she'd been through, from how she looks right now. The music has just started, and she's being led down the aisle on Warrington's arm. She's... radiant isn't a word to describe it.

She almost glows with happiness. And at the altar, I see Ron Weasley (ever the incorrigible one) poke Seamus in the ribs, and Kirsten Bundy giving Ron a dirty look.

Warrington leads Emma up to the altar, and gives her a brief pat on the shoulder before stepping away, and she's now standing face-to-face with her groom. Just from the way her eyes gleam as she gazes at him... there's no one here but the two of them. They don't see anyone else.

"I, Seamus Patrick Finnigan, take thee, Emmaline Laurel Dobbs, to be my beloved wife, to love and cherish for eternity and beyond. With this ring, I solemnly vow to protect, adore and take care of thee, in sickness and in health, in light and darkness, for as long as both of us shall live." His voice is sincere, a trifle nervous, perhaps... but he means every word of it. He slides the slender band onto her finger, and she smiles. All for him.

I'm not one for crying or tears as Terence will attest to, but there is nothing my power to keep my eyes from watering over slightly as the bride takes her bridegroom's hands in her tiny ones and speaks.

"I, Emmaline Laurel Dobbs, take thee, Seamus Partrick Finnigan, to be my beloved husband, to love here on Earth and in all lives that stem from it in the future. With this ring, I promise and vow to love thee, honour thee, obey thee, and treasure thee in the good times and the bad, for richer or for poorer, for anything that life tends to throw at us, as long as we both shall live." Her voice is more steady then the one that came before, but just as loving. She takes the ring and places it on his finger as he pours all his love onto her.

And as they are pronounced man and wife, and Seamus draws his beaming bride into his arms, kissing her lips as her fingers (wedding band glinting in the sunlight) wind into his hair, everyone is silent for a moment. It's something sacred. It's something holy. Love, that conquers all the odds.

And then Ron Weasley gives a rather loud whoop, Kirsten elbows him, and we all start to applaud.

But the bride and groom don't notice, and no one can be surprised or blame them a bit.