Chapter 5: Souls that are bound to last a lifetime.

"Will you stop pacing like that?" ordered Poppy Pomfrey as she watched her friend wear a path up and down the bedroom, fiddling with her delicate hands. "You're making me feel ill."

Minerva McGonagall came to an abrupt stop and whirled around to look at the medi- witch who was sitting on her bed. Minerva let her hands drop to her sides before joining Poppy on the bed.

"I have never felt this nervous in my life Poppy," said Minerva. "What if I trip over my dress and fall flat on my face. How could I ever show my face in public again?"

"Minerva," sighed Poppy with amusement "you're being a tad dramatic don't you think."

"No, I don't think," replied Minerva "I'm too nervous to think rationally!"

"Well I need to go and have a bath so that I can get ready," announced Poppy as she got to her feet. "I'll be an hour and when I come back, I want to see that you've had a nice long relaxing bath before we make a start on preparing for the big day. Oh I'm so excited Min!"

"How can you be so calm?" sighed Minerva

"I've already done it so I know it's not all scary," replied Poppy as she made her way out of the bedroom. "I'll be back in an hour Miss McGonagall!"

Minerva threw herself against her bed and closed her eyes. It had been nine months since she had heard the three words that struck a cord in her heart. And now, today, she was to marry the man of her dreams…Albus Dumbledore. Six months after she had taken him back to her small but welcoming home, he had dropped down on one knee and asked her to be wife. She didn't need time to think about it because she knew that they were meant to be together. She had accepted his proposal and made him the happiest man in the world. His blues eyes had twinkled brighter than ever before and the ring that he had slipped on her finger was divine. The engagement ring had been in the Dumbledore family for many years and was handed down to the oldest son. Originally, the ring would have been passed down to Albus' older brother Thesus, but sadly he had not lived past fifteen so the ring came to Albus.

Minerva opened her eyes and looked at the elegant ring that was on her ring finger of her left hand. It was a simple white gold band with a diamond in the center that was surrounded by two small shining emeralds. Minerva remembered her mother's reaction when she told them that she was to be married after courting the gentleman for six months. Her mother sat down in her chair and proceeded to cry. Minerva had been alarmed to see her mother in such an emotional state and wondered if she had accepted Albus too soon. But her mother soon put her fears at rest when she looked up and smiled through her tears and gave them her blessing.

Maxim McGonagall, Minerva's beloved father had taken more convincing. He had demanded that Albus come to the house so that he could give him the once over. No matter how many questions were fired at Albus, her beloved remained collected. Maxim had been pleased by Minerva's suitor and finally gave them the blessing of Minerva's parents but not before warning Albus that if he ever hurt his daughter then he would face the wrath of a disgruntled McGonagall.

She smiled to herself as she sat up on her bed and reached across for the red rose that Albus had placed on her pillow that morning without her knowing. It was a beautiful white rose that had the edges of the petals dyed red. Minerva brought the rose up to her nose and smelled it. It held a fragrance like sherbet lemons and after closer inspection she found that a sherbet lemon had been placed in the center of the rose where the bud usually was. Happy laughter consumed Minerva as she made her way to the bathroom to bathe before Poppy returned to do her hair.

Two and a half hours later, Minerva stood in front of the full-length mirror with a shocked expression on her face. She couldn't believe that the person staring back at her from the mirror was herself. She wore a long, fitted off the shoulder ivory colored dress that clung to her womanly curves. Small diamonds were sewn in at the hem of her long Tudor style sleeves and at the hem of the dress. Her long ebony colored hair was down and had strings of small diamonds interwoven between the lush thick strands of hair. Poppy placed a small diamond tiara on Minerva's head and helped with the veil. Poppy couldn't help but be struck by Minerva's beauty. She had known this woman for almost all her life and never really paid much attention to her physical appearance.

"Oh Minerva," exclaimed Poppy dreamily "you're going to blow Albus away when he sees you."

"So you think I'll do?" said Minerva softly.

"Oh yes," replied Poppy with a smile as she handed Minerva her bouquet of lilies and ivy. "Come on, let's go and get your dad. He is as nervous as you are."

The glass of firewhiskey that Maxim McGonagall had been holding before his daughter entered the room, fell to the floor and smashed into tiny pieces.

"Oh my wee Scottish rose!" exclaimed Maxim with tears of pride sparkling clearly in his dark green eyes. "Words cannot describe the beauty I see before me."

"Oh Papa," said Minerva who was trying to fight back her tears as her father embraced her and held her close.

"You make me so proud petal," said Maxim as he kissed her daughter on the cheek lovingly. "Today is very hard for me. I have to give my daughter away but I happy to give you away to a man who adores and loves you."

"I will always be your daughter!" said Minerva.

"Aye you will," replied Maxim. "No one can take that from me, though when you used to cry at the top of your lungs when you were a wee child, I did think about it."

"What?" cried Minerva in distress.

"Only joking petal," answered Maxim with a laugh. "Come let's get you married."

Maxim linked his daughter's arm through his own and led her out of the small cottage that stood on the Dumbledore estate. Minerva gasped in shock when she saw what was waiting for them. She eyed the three hippogriffs with uncertainty before chuckling to herself. She realized suddenly who had probably sent them. Minerva dipped herself into a curtsey and waited for an acceptance from one of the creatures. She didn't have to wait long because a silver and black hippogriff stepped forward and bowed. Minerva sat side saddled on the creature and waited for her father and Poppy to mount their magical creatures.

"Well this is certainly different!" said Poppy.

"I believe we have Aberforth to thank for this means of travel," replied Minerva with amusement.

"They are safe aren't they?" asked Maxim who was holding on for dear life.

"As long as you don't insult them," answered Minerva who looked over her shoulder at her father who was looking somewhat pale.

The three hippogriffs trotted off in the direction of the small family parish where Minerva and Albus were to be married. Many marriages had happened in this parish and she had fallen in love with it as soon as she had seen it. As they neared the small church, Minerva felt butterflies in her stomach and a sick feeling in the back of her throat. Her father helped her down from the hippogriff and she gently patted the creature tenderly before curtseying again.

"Ready my wee girl?" asked Maxim.

"Yes!" answered Minerva with a small nod as she held on to her father's arm tightly, as Poppy entered the parish first.

Minerva heard the wedding march playing on the small organ inside the church and her butterflies increased. She felt a gentle pull on her arm as her father led her in. There was a small gathering of their closest family and friends inside waiting for the bride to arrive. Minerva could see Winston Churchill among the small gathering and he smiled at her warmly as she passed him.

Albus Dumbledore turned around and caught the eyes of his future wife. He was blown away by her beauty and grace as she swept down the aisle towards him. Albus could see the pride glowing in her father's eyes as he handed his beloved daughter over to him. He nodded his head to Albus before joining his wife in the front row.

Albus and Minerva locked hands and stared at each other as the ceremony began. Their personal vows were exchanged and the rings were exchanged before the binding charm was placed on them by Armando Dippet. A bright light filled the room as two hearts and two souls became one and once the light had disappeared Albus was able to kiss his love for the first time since they were married. He heard her moan with delight as he deepened the kiss by sliding his tongue into her mouth before pulling away and cradling her face in his hands.

"You've made me the happiest man alive," he told her as his thumb brushed against her cheekbone.

"I love you," she answered with a smile.

"I love you as well Mrs. Dumbledore!" he replied.

"Oh I like the sound of that," she commented before placing a soft kiss on the tip of his nose.

"Come on put each other down," cried Aberforth. "You've got the wedding night to do all that. Now we eat, drink and be merry!"

Albus smiled brightly as he clasped Minerva's hand within his own and walked down the aisle, as they walked out of the parish they were met with claps, cries of joy and little pieces of paper that littered the skies above them. The happy couple were led over to an outdoor reception area, where there were long tables set out with food as well as balloons, banners and many other things that wished the new married couple luck.

Minerva and Albus shared the first dance of the celebrations while everyone watched them and discussed what a handsome couple they made. The party was soon in full swing and everyone was enjoying themselves, especially Aberforth, who was trying to get Ministry backing for his goats. Bagnold politely told him that she was not there to discuss business but to celebrate a marriage. The hours seemed to fly by and before they knew it, Albus and Minerva had been married for four hours. Minerva looked across at her husband and smiled softly. He looked just as dashing in a tuxedo as he had that night at the ministry ball.

"My love," said Albus as he reached for her hand "are you okay?"

"I couldn't be better Albus," she replied. "I am just overwhelmed."

Dusk was falling over the wedding party and soon Minerva and Albus were bidding their guests goodbye and goodnight. The only people remaining were Albus' elderly father and his brother, who were making their way back up to the main house.

"I welcome you to our family my dearest Minerva," said Albus' father before placing a kiss on her cheek and squeezing her hand. "I couldn't have wished to see my son happier. Thank you."

Minerva watched as Aberforth helped his father up the stairs and was surprised to see him bounce back out of the house.

"Enjoy the wedding night," he cried as he waved his hands around in the air. "They say it all goes down hill after that!" Aberforth cried.

"Aberforth!" scolded Albus playfully, before placing his arms around Minerva's slender waist.

Aberforth dashed back inside and Minerva went to follow him but Albus grabbed her arms gently and led her away from the house.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"To the summer house," answered Albus as he leaned forward and kissed her temple. "Another family tradition."

"So are you going to tell me about this tradition?" questioned Minerva.

"We spend the night in the summer house, with the stars above us and water surrounding us. It's a very romantic spot my love," he told her as he helped her into a small boat.

Minerva didn't say anything as Albus rowed the boat out into the middle of the lake, until they reached a small island that she hadn't known was there. He helped her out of the boat and led her towards the summer house. He pushed to door open and let her look around first. He was delighted when he heard a happy gasp escape from his wife's lips. Minerva was about to take a step into the cottage but Albus stopped her.

"Wait!" he said as he scooped her up into his arms with ease.

"Albus!" said Minerva as she laughed. "What are you doing?"

"Carrying you over the threshold my beloved wife," he answered. "A muggle tradition."

He carried her into the summer house and used his foot to shut the door behind them. He whirled her around in his arms before placing her back down on the floor and kissing her passionately as his arms wrapped around her and brought her closer to him. The kiss was intense and deep; they lost all sense of time and placement as their lips danced together in a lovers' kiss. They pulled back from each other and looked at each other intently, neither of them believing that they were actually husband and wife, that they were bound together for life.

Minerva looked around the small summer house and her green eyes fell upon the huge king sized four poster bed that dominated the other side of the house. She could make out its' crisp white satin sheets and the red rose petals that had been sprinkled on them. Surrounding the bed there were dozens of candles and the scent of lavender filled the room. On the table beside the bed, Minerva noticed a bottle of chilled champagne and a pullet of large juicy looking strawberries.

"Oh Albus," she exclaimed softly "this is truly wonderful!"

"Only the best for you my love," he whispered in her ear before letting his tongue tease her ear lobe. That simple touch caused tingling sensations to shoot through her body.

"Ohhhhhhh" she moaned softly.

"My dearest," said Albus seductively "do you think we may be more comfortable on the bed?"

"I believe that you are right!" she replied as she led him over to the bed.

They stood beside the bed, their arms wrapped around each other as they kissed again. This time the kiss was slow and sensual as they let their hands explore their clothed bodies. Albus ran his hands up and down her back causing her to arch into his body. Minerva ran her hands over his shoulders and down his arms and she playfully nibbled on his lower lip.

The kiss became deeper as Albus gently pushed Minerva down on to the bed amongst the rose petals, their lips never breaking contact as they tumbled down with Albus pinning Minerva beneath him. He broke the kiss and looked down at his wife then reached across and picked up a strawberry, which he used to trace the outline of her swollen lips. He smiled at her before nibbling on the strawberry himself and pushing it into her mouth.

"Mmmmmmmm!" she said as she licked her lips.

Albus captured her lips again with his, while the kiss progressed. Minerva unbuttoned his tuxedo jacket and began to unbutton his crisp white shirt. Albus gasped as he felt her hands run over his newly exposed chest and he gasped even louder as she managed to wiggled down underneath him so her tongue could caress his chest as well.

"Oh my darling," he managed to say before he felt her tongue encircle his nipple and gently tug on it.

He rolled off her and reached across for the champagne glasses, which were already filled. He popped a strawberry in each glass and handed one to Minerva.

"To my beautiful wife and to all the wonderful years that lay before us," he said as he clinked his glass against hers.

"To my husband, to all the happy years together that lay before us and to our children which we may want in the future." she replied.

"Children?" questioned Albus.

"Oh!" said Minerva nervously. "Don't you want any children?"

"I would love children with you Minerva," he told her. "Come here darling."

She moved across into his arms and laid her hands on his bare chest as she kissed him lightly on the neck. She felt his hands move over the zipper that was keeping her dress on her small, delicate frame. He unzipped the dress and she moaned slightly as she felt his fingers graze against her back. He then used both of his hands to slip the dress off her shoulders revealing the silk camisole she wore beneath. He let his lips trail tender kisses along her shoulder and up her neck before catching her lips again. Minerva kneeled up and managed to slip out of her wedding dress and nudged it off the bed with her foot.

She pushed his tuxedo jacket and shirt off his shoulders and reached down to unzip his trousers. Albus helped her with his zipper and soon the pants too lay discarded on the floor along with the full glasses of champagne and Minerva's wedding dress.

Albus pushed Minerva down on the bed again and kneeled over her, his eyes drinking in the sight of the woman beneath him. He lets his hands caress her body through the silk material and he watched as she closed her eyes and relished his touch. He let his fingers wander down her body till they reached her thigh where he let his hand slip between her legs and gently teased her with his fingers as she pressed up against him.

Minerva reached up and fiddled with his long hair, running her fingers through his hair and letting her finger linger at a spot, which she knew had an effect on her husband. He moaned as her finger began to tickle the back of his head and he returned the favor by letting a long finger slip inside. She held on to him as he moved the finger around inside her causing her to moan with pleasure. She let her hands wander down his body and she let one hand enter his underwear where she came into contact with his desire for her. She let her fingers caress him and took delight in hearing the effect it had on him.

Their lips locked again as Albus somehow managed to release Minerva from her silk gown .He let his hand cup her breast and two his fingers played with her nipple as it hardened under his touch. She moaned into his mouth as she felt him pay attention to her breasts and she pushed his underwear down over his hips and began to tease the tip of his desire with her fingers.

"Oh goddess!" he moaned as her fingers made contact with him. "I love you so much, Minerva."

"Albus," she whispered softly as she looked up into his eyes that were full of love and desire, "make love with me darling!"

Albus didn't need to be told again as he settled down between her legs and pushed himself inside her, both gasping as they joined for the first time as husband and wife. Their lovemaking was slow and full of kisses. They wanted to remember this night forever and wanted to take their time before bringing each other into ecstasy. They moved together in unison with their eyes locked and their movements grew faster as they neared their release. Hungry kisses were lavished upon one another, their breathing became heavier and deeper as they lost control of their bodies and exploded together.

They held on to each other as electric currents poured through their aroused bodies and they collapsed together on the bed. Minerva curled up against his body and let her hands slowly stroke his chest as she caught her breath and let her body return to normal. Albus held her close, taking in the scent of her hair and relishing at the feel of her skin against his. He kissed the top of her head and she felt him smile against her head. She planted a tender kiss on his shoulder.

"Mmmmmm that was wonderful!" she told him.

"You were divine as always darling." he replied.

"Ssssshhhhh!" she scolded him. "You're making me blush."

"I like it when you blush sweetheart," he answered as he kissed her forehead. "Now let's get some sleep so we will be refreshed in a few hours."

Minerva giggled softly as she snuggled closer into him. He held her close and pulled the silk covers over them.