Chapter Thirteen

I became Mrs. Albus Dumbledore exactly one month after that blissful day, and the day a Catholic priest- my parents had always been devout Catholics- laid my small hand in my lover's larger one, has always remained etched across my memory as truly, utterly and honestly the happiest day of my entire life.

I was a very young bride, perhaps- not even eighteen years of age yet- but I was sure, just the way I still am. I had found my soul mate, best friend, hero and lover all united in one person- what else was there to find for me? So yes, I was certain, despite my young age and the fact that I had not yet seen much of the world. I was certain, and perhaps it was exactly that certainty which convinced my father in the end.

Daddy was not exactly delighted, when his seventeen-and-a-half year old only daughter announced, just after having graduated, that she was planning to marry a man who was about eighty years her senior, of course. Mind you, he did not try to stop me. Even though technically I wasn't an adult woman yet, so he could, he didn't do any attempts to make me change my mind- he knew me too well for that- but I could feel he was uncomfortable with the idea altogether.

That changed after he met Albus for the very first time, only a week after my love's proposal.

I had always been somewhat aware of my Transfiguration teacher's bizarre ability to claim people for himself, to gain their respect and confidence with a mere blink of his spectacular blue eyes, but never so much as on that moment. Daddy was sitting in his study, of course- his invalidity having locked him once more to his chair- and as Albus entered I, who was standing behind my father, unconsciously held my breath. Partially out of fear, of course- but also partially because I was downright impressed by my fiancé's appearance.

I had perhaps forgotten about part of that strong- aura of his, because of our friendship- but all of a sudden it was once more as obvious as ever, and a strange feeling down in my stomach awoke an unknown memory inside of me.

I had seen this before. I had seen a man- a man like Albus- enter a room before- and I had stood behind another man, not my father, but someone else- and…

Here, though, my trail of thought stopped, because Albus smiled and, to my great surprise, so did Daddy.

"Good day, Mr McGonagall."

"Good day, Mr Dumbledore.

That's how their conversation started- and somehow, it didn't end anymore that night. For some reason, my father and Albus immediately liked each other- had lots of interests in common, too- and I will never forget what Father told me, immediately after Albus had left for the room we had prepared for him.

"Minerva, my child, you know I always said I wouldn't part with you unless it were for the best man in the world, no?"

I started getting a little bit afraid, so I grabbed my father's hand and bowed my head a little, waiting for the inevitable verdict.

Which never came.

"I think you've find him, my daughter. Marry him and be a very happy woman, Minerva. I trust both of you-"

I had pulled him into a very wild hug before he could even finish his sentence.

That night I slept in Albus's arms for the very first time. Daddy couldn't find out, of course- despite his approval of our upcoming wedding- but I was prepared to take the risk, and I daresay the expression on Albus's face wasn't exactly one of dislike as I entered the room.

As I fell asleep, my head on his chest, though, I couldn't but remember something else, something I couldn't even possibly remember.

Another man- another woman- another room.

Another time.

-

"I, Minerva Caitríona McGonagall, take you, Albus Wulfric Percival Brian Dumbledore, as my lawfully wedded husband- for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, till death us do part."

I had never meant any words more in my life- and yet secretly I wondered.

Would death really part us?