A/N: Whimpers My Beta's abandoned me! That's why it took so long to get this fic up. But alas I will have to trudge it out without her wonderful insights and corrections. Here's hoping she comes back. I haven't abandoned this fic. It's just I am not going to be able to update much at all till uni finishes. So, hopefully this chapter will tide you over till then. And yes, I have run out of ideas for the moment. When inspiration hits then I'll update. But, I've wanted to write this scene for yonks. So, for all you true romantics, get out your hankies!

Chapter 8: The wedding

Minerva fixed her hair one last time and smoothed down her lily-white robes. Her mother was behind her, beaming at her second daughter finally getting married. Annabelle McGonagall had not approved of Minerva's first profession, but after realising she would lose her daughter if she didn't accept it, Annabelle had declared defeat.

"You look smashing darling," said the gravely voice of her father, his thick Scottish accent filling the room with love, pride and happiness. He had not objected to Minerva's profession, but had supported her all the way. He himself was a wealthy noble, and he saw in Minerva what his own father restricted in him. Fire, power and a determination to help those who couldn't be helped.

Minerva turned around from the mirror that was also beaming at her. Pure white lilies adorned her hair, which had been done in a complicated up do, and underneath her robes was the finest off-white gown that she could afford.

"Do I really? I can't help but feel nervous and unpolished," said Minerva turning to face her father finally. His grey hair and rugged face was so like her own, they could pass for twins. Her mother was more regal and graceful, since she had been an English noble.

"No, but here…." Charles McGonagall stepped forward and fixed a single white rose to the lapel of his daughter's robe. She gasped and looked up at him with shining eyes. "But….you can't….isn't this……."

"Aye. Athena wanted to be their for your wedding day……it's just a shame she can't. She……told me, before she……left….that if you ever got married I was to give you this," said Charles with moist eyes.

"Thank you," whispered Minerva before embracing her father. Her mother had started crying to at the mention of Athena McGonagall. Athena had been Minerva's older sister, but she had died in the war. Her role as a nurse meant that she had been cursed from behind with a Crucio, but had managed to survive for a few days. Minerva had been busy recovering when Athena had died. She had missed her sister greatly, but this rose was all Athena had left for the family before she died.

She had playfully told her father, that she wanted that rose to be given to Minerva whenever she, "Found someone willing to put up with her studiousness and fondness for staying in with books for days on end."

"It's all right Minerva, she's here with us now" said Annabelle smiling through her tears. It had hit Annabelle the hardest to lose her eldest daughter. She had shut everyone including her husband out, and it had taken this long to see her happy again.

Minerva sighed and fingered the rose. "Thank you Athena" she whispered before drying her tears and firmly taking hold of her father's arm.

They walked steadily down to the lake where the ceremony was being held. The warm summer sunshine made Minerva seem like an Angel, and Albus found himself catching his breath.

This beauty, this vision of heaven wanted to marry him?! Aberforth chuckled and nudged him. But Albus never felt the nudge. He was so captured by the beauty that was walking down that aisle, ready to commit her whole life to him.

Marcus Dabbin, a French marriage co-ordinator was overseeing the ceremony. Wizards had different ways of getting married, those marrying Muggles tended to opt for the Muggle version of a wedding, but Minerva and Albus had decided to go for a Wizarding ceremony.

"Welcome to the ceremony for the marriage between Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall. Before we start, does anyone have any objections towards this marriage?"

All the guests looked around but no one said anything.

"Very well, who presents this woman to this man?" asked Marcus

"I, Charles Cairbre McGonagall, present Minerva Gavrila McGonagall," said Charles before stepping back and taking a seat.

"Who presents this man to this woman?" asked Marcus. Aberforth stepped forward, "I Aberforth Eron James Aaron Dumbledore, present Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore," said Aberforth before stepping back.

"Albus will you and Minerva please come forward" said Marcus. They both obliged him.

He put Minerva's hand on top of Albus'. "Albus, with all my heart and soul, I freely choose to marry you, because I love you for who you are, and the way you make me smile. For the little things you do to make my life better. I am now and forever chose to be your wife in every circumstance that comes into our lives together"

Albus cleared his throat, truly moved by Minerva's words. "Minerva, with all my heart and soul, I freely chose to marry you, because I loved you from the moment I lay eyes on you. Your love has been my strength and your wisdom has enriched my life. I am now and forever choose to be your husband in every circumstance that comes into our lives together"

Marcus bound their hands with a red silk scarf, "From now and forever these individuals have chosen to declare their love in the presence of the ones they love. I bind you Albus and Minerva in life and death."

"Oh, how it is that Muggles say? You may kiss the bride!" said Marcus smirking.

Albus leaned forward and captured Minerva's lips, for a whole minute all that he understood was that this woman was his wife, his life.

"That was wonderful dear," said Annabelle coming to hug her daughter after the ceremony. The wedding feast had begun, and the guests were milling around piling their plates high with food, chatting and laughing.

"I'm glad you think so mother," said Minerva smiling, which seemed to be lit by the sun.

"Ah! Just the woman I was looking for!" said an acquaintance of her parents, as he dragged Annabelle off to introduce her to someone.

Minerva sighed. Everything had gone as planned but the day still had a hint of sadness to it.

"Hello wife" said Albus leaning over for another soft kiss.

"Hello husband!" said Minerva giggling.

"Are you OK? You just seem a little sad," said Albus looking at her worriedly.

"I'm fine, I just…..Father gave me this rose. Athena had told him to give it to me when I, 'Found someone willing to put up with my studiousness and fondness for staying in books for days on end.'"

"Ah. Well, if she gave that to you then she is here in spirit, as are my grandmother and my parents."

"Do you regret that they were not alive to witness this?"

"Yes and No. Yes of course I am, but No. I am glad they found their peace, and although it is hard, I know they would have approved. My grandmother told me that you were my anchor, so I had to come back" said Albus.

Minerva sighed, but this time it was a satisfied sigh.

"Marry not the person you think you can live with, but the person whom you can't live without." quoted Minerva, "Yes…..I think that sums up how I feel about you" said Minerva as she clasped her hand with her husband's and pulled him towards her for a warm embrace.