Valentine's Day 1965
The air was damp with threatened rain, and heavy grey clouds shrouded the mountains that surrounded the small scottish valley, where the tiny white painted chapel stood. Next to it, there was an even smaller side building, and before the door of this stood a tall man, with a hint of grey in his black hair. He was dressed in a navy blue suit, which he seemed not all together at ease in, as he shifted uncomfortably and muttered to himself, "These Muggle clothes are dammed uncomfortable ..."
The man shot an anxious glance towards the narrow twisting path that led out of the valley, then tugged irritably at the leg of his trousers. "My robes aren't tight like this ..."
Suddenly the door of the small side building opened, and a tall black haired woman emerged. "Is he here yet?" She asked impatiently.
"Not yet." The man answered patiently, "After all, we are a little early."
The woman glared at him irately. "Well he should have been early too then, typical man, always on time, when they should be early!"
"Ah, I do believe that's him now..."
"About time too..." The woman's eyes followed the man's pointing finger, then she gasped in horror at the sight that met her eyes. "Merlin's beard! What has he got on?"
Towards them sauntered a tall thin man, with long silver hair and beard, which danced around him in the wind. He was brightly dressed, in a vivid tartan suit in rich emerald greens and bright reds. On his head was perched a scarlet top hat, which was set at a decidedly jaunty angle. "Good morning Adair, Mairi, what a beautiful day today is!" Albus raised his top hat courteously to Minerva's parents, and smiled brightly at them.
Minerva's father shook Albus' outstretched hand politely, but Mairi glared furiously at him. "Just what do you think you are wearing?"
"Isn't this what Muggles wear?" Albus asked.
"Only to fancy dress parties!" Mairi snapped.
Albus' bright smile faded a little, as he glanced down uncertainly at his brightly patterned trousers and unmatched shoes. "I did think Minerva might like it... it's the McGonagall family tartan, you see... and..."
"I know what it is!" Minerva's mother growled. Turning to her husband, she commanded, "Adair, do something with him! He's not marrying my daughter in that... that abomination!" Mairi turned on her heel, and vanished into the small side building, clsoing the door sharply behind her.
"It's a good job the priest is inside... he's a Muggle you know, just like you requested. Are you sure all this secrecy is really necessary Albus? The wizarding world is at peace, has been ever since you defeated Grindewald..." Adair muttered, as he whipped out his wand and changed Albus' suit to a sedate navy, with a wine red waistcoat over a white shirt. A swift flourish of Adair's wand, and a red rosebud nestled in the top pocket of Albus' jacket.
"We may have peace Adair, but the wizarding world is by no means safe from the rise of another dark wizard, one far more powerful than Grindewald was, or ever could be..." Albus paused, and sighed heavily, as Adair eyed him curiously.
The two men had had this conversation many times before, and Adair had the distinct feeling that Albus knew far more than he was letting on. Before Adair could question him further, Albus spoke again, "I have enemies Adair, they may be few, but I do have enemies..." Albus frowned as he recalled the masked rage and hatred in Tom Riddle's face, when he had once again refused him the position of Defence Against The Dark Arts Professor. "There are those who would do anything to gain vengance for perceived wrongs, if my marriage to Minerva is known of then she becomes a target too. I cannot risk that."
"You've told Minerva of your worries?" Adair asked gruffly, as his face darkened in worry, as it always did when he was concerned about his only daughter.
"Of course I have, my dear fellow," Albus answered, "I will keep Minerva safe, no harm shall befall her, you have my word on it." A light hand rested briefly on Adair's arm, and then Albus turned and entered the chapel to await his bride.
Albus stood nervously by the simple altar of the tiny chapel, slender fingers fiddling absentmindedly with his bow tie. As the wooden door of the chapel swung open, he drew in his breath sharply, then breathed again as Minerva's mother strode up the aisle towards him.
"That's much better." Mairi said approvingly, as she eyed Albus' outfit, and then turned to speak with the priest, who was lighting the candles on the altar.
As the seconds ticked by, each one seeming to last for an eternity, Albus grew more and more nervous. At last the door swung open, and Minerva and her father stepped into the chapel.
Minerva wore the same white linen dress that her mother had worn on her wedding day, and round her shoulders, was draped a light shawl in the vibrant reds and greens of the McGonagall clan. Her long black hair flowed freely down her back, and nestling among her hair was a single gem, that shone like a star in the midnight skies. The hem of Minerva's dress brushed the ground as she walked, and to Albus she seemed almost to glide across the stone floor, in a way that made the breath catch in his throat.
Though Albus' heart danced with joy at the thought of making Minerva his wife, he also felt a pang of regret that he couldn't give her the wedding she truly deserved. One with all their friends there, where everyone would be able to see how truly beautiful his Minerva was. Albus sighed as he saw the empty pews that lined the chapel, and his eyes clouded momentarily as he wished that things could be different, that there wasn't such need for secrecy. Minerva deserved better than this.
Albus watched awestruck as Minerva stepped towards him, her father at her side, his face beaming with pride. Her unassuming beauty and grace took his breath away. He could still scarecely believe that Minerva would soon be his wife. She could have had any man she wanted, and she had chosen him. He truly was the luckiest of men.
As Minerva stepped forward to stand by his side in front of the stone altar, Albus turned to her, and slipping his hand into her's, whispered, "I'm sorry it has to be this way... you deserve so much better than this..."
Her hand tightened around his, as Minerva answered softly, "I have all that I could ever need or want Albus..."
The sincerity in Minerva's voice, the way her emerald green eyes shone with love and joy as she gazed at him, made tears prick at the back of Albus' eyes. Today more than ever, he considered himself the most blessed of men.
Minerva's hand still held tenderly in his, Albus turned to face the priest. As the priest began to speak, Albus could feel Minerva's presence by his side, and warmth spread over him, as he realised that she would be there at his side for ever more.
As they repeated the simple vows, their eyes met and held each other's effortlessly. And as the priest pronounced them married, their faces lit with joy, and their lips met for the first time as husband and wife.
Author's Notes
Sorry this chapter took a bit longer than the others. I was busy, typical reality always getting in the way of writing. I'm not entirely happy with this chapter for some reason, but I did the best I could. ;) I hope I did okay?
I'm getting sleepy, so I hope I caught all errors. Oh, and I know that according to Pottermore that Minerva's parents have different names, but I went with calling them Adair and Mairi, because that's the names I gave them in another story of mine, which was written long before Pottermore. And I like how Scottish the names are. Mairi is the gaelic version of Mary by the way. ;)
After this, there should be another five chapters, since their story is only just begun. ;) One of them is planned to be a little sexy by my standards, unless Minerva threatens me into not writing it. ;)