Until Death Do Us Part

A/N: This was the hardest chapter for me to write. I had a hard time with the idea of a wedding, but I felt like you all would want it. This chapter is dedicated to my reviewers. Since, I don't really like this chapter. So, I'm sorry if this isn't the best chapter I have written. Also, please note that this is the first time Tom Riddle applies for a teaching position at Hogwarts. Not when he hid the diadem.

Harry opened the next envelope marked Summer 1945 and began to read.

"Tom and I were a year apart in school. On the day he graduated he asked me to marry him. At that time, we had been dating for four years and living together for the better part of three of them. During this time, it was not unheard for people our age to get married. In fact, I attended three other weddings that summer. I had no reason not to marry Tom. So, on August 1, 1945, I officially became Minerva Riddle." Harry's voice caught in the words he was reading.

"We all knew this was coming," whispered Hermione, but even she looked slightly paler in the rising sun of the morning. Breakfast was already over, so the four had been granted the kitchen once more.

"I guess we were all just hoping she would come to her senses."

"Keep reading, Harry."

"It is of course tradition that the bride was led down the aisle by her father. As you well know, by this time my father was dead, so were my older brothers, and my mother and I were not on speaking terms. Neither Tom or I had any living male relatives, so I had narrowed down my options to three people to give me away: Alastor Moody, my longtime friend, trusted companion, and on many of occasions the only person in my life who could speak honestly to me; Louis Longbottom, Augusta's future husband and someone who had known me for almost six years; or Albus Dumbledore, who for obvious reasons was a good choice. I never got around to asking Louie, but I have included Alastor and Albus' responses. It was Alastor who gave me away in the end. Something I never think he-"

Harry was abruptly interrupted by Ron's outcry. "Mad-Eye let her marry that bastard? How could he-"

"Ron! Calm down, let's watch the memory and-"

"No." He pushed himself back from the table and stalked through the kitchen door. Harry, Hermione, and Ginny scrambled after him.

"Oi! Mad-Eye!" The older man was sitting on the couch talking to Shacklebolt and Lupin who were sitting in seats across from him. He barely flinched at the sound of the red head's demand.

"What Weasley?"

"You…you let her-"

"Since when did I make Minerva's decisions for her?" He seemed to immediately know what Ron was referring to.

"Ron, shut up," snapped Ginny, smacking her brother on the back of the head. "Please excuse him. He's been cooped up in this house too long. Harry, get Ron back in the kitchen."

Ginny was pushing Ron towards Harry, but her boyfriend did not look to eager to help. "Actually, I want to hear this."

"You seem to want answers to a question you haven't asked yet."

"We are about to watch the memory of her wedding," said Hermione calmly from the back of the room. "And Ron seems to have lost his marbles over the fact that you gave her away at the altar."

"Aye, I did." Alastor shifted in his seat to face them. Both Shacklebolt and Lupin were watching the scene play out in unease.

"And you let her marry that monster." Even Ginny had stopped trying to force Ron back into the kitchen to watch his reaction.

"It was what she wanted. Who was I to stop her?" Moody sat back against the couch, watching as their loyalty to Professor McGonagall questioned how he did not stand between her and Tom Riddle. "Clearly, you haven't watched the memory yet. I only agreed to give her away, because if I hadn't, I would have lost her forever. Not that she was ever mine to give away in the first place."

"Harry, Ron, come on." Hermione turned back to the kitchen. Grudgingly, they followed her back in. Hermione picked up the letter and continued where Harry left off. "It was Alastor who gave me away in the end. Something I never think he forgave himself for. He was one of the few who saw through Tom's allure, but he could not find a reason that we shouldn't get married. So, on August 1, 1945, I became Mrs. Tom Riddle."

Minerva was waiting in the back of the crowd of boisterous people in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. The graduates of the Class of 1945 had completed their seventh and final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was wearing professional black robes with a light blue trimming and her hair was swept up in a loose French twist. Clearly, her internship with Madame Marchbanks had already begun and she had arrived just in time for the commencement ceremony.

At the present moment, Tom Riddle could be seen shaking hands and chatting lightly with Headmaster Dippet and Professor Slughorn. Minerva had a light smile on her lips as she watched him from a far and must have been deep in thought, because when Professor Dumbledore approached her, she seemed to be startled by his voice.

"Ms. McGonagall, what a pleasure to see you, my dear."

She started, but her smile widened when she realized who her companion was and responded with enthusiasm. "Professor Dumbledore! The pleasure is all mine."

"Did Griselda let you off early?" There was a gleam in his blue eyes that seemed to seem even brighter against the bright yellow of his robes; they were embroidered with suns and he had worn the same robes to the past five commencements saying they represented the sun setting on one's youth and it rising to one's journey into the world.

"Yes, sir. Tom asked me to be here and she excused me for the afternoon."

"Of course, of course." Dumbledore gave a knowing nod. "Top of his class. Not unlike yourself, Ms. McGonagall. Do you miss school?"

"I miss your class," she teased. "Honestly, I sometimes miss the simplicity of Hogwarts. Everything you ever needed was inside these walls. But I love my job and the freedom of being on my own now."

"Ah, the simplicity of childhood." Turning his attention back to Tom Riddle, who was making his way through the crowd, he asked, "Do you know what he plans to do now that he has graduated?"

Minerva smiled sweetly and answered, "Tom? Oh, you know him. Keeps changing his mind. He has so many offers…but I honestly think he wants to travel."

"Traveling will be hard to do," said Tom, coming up beside her and placing a kiss on her forehead. His distrusting eyes never left Dumbledore, but Minerva did not seem to notice as she returned the kiss and offered her congratulations.

"Oh? And why is that Mr. Riddle?"

"Because I couldn't ask Minerva to put a pause on her studies."

"Surely, she doesn't have you tied down, my boy." Apparently, Slughorn had followed his favorite pupil across the room. Tom's single closest acquaintance, Augustus Rookwood, had also joined their small conversation. Felicity was by her younger brother's side with an enormous smile plastered on her face. Minerva raised an eyebrow at Felicity out of curiosity, but she was merely answered with a giggle.

"That all depends on whether she wants to be tied to me or not." Minerva blinked at Tom and then back to Felicity and Augustus. Professor Slughorn was beaming at the couple and there seemed to be a crowd around them.

"Tom…"

"Minerva McGonagall," started Tom. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black box and knelt down on one knee. A hush fell over the crowd as people craned their necks to see what was going on. "Will you do the honor of marrying me?"

"Oh, Tom..." A hand flew to her mouth in surprise. "Yes…of course. Yes!" He took her left hand and slipped the silver ring on her finger. Rising to his feet, Tom pulled his fiancé to him and kissed her firmly on the lips. They were met with a roar of applause. By-standers congratulated them on the engagement.

Minerva's eyes were alive with love and Tom looked at her with an emotion that was an inexplicable in itself. He reflected every ounce of passion that Minerva was feeding him, but there was a hint of pride in his achievement. The only time Minerva's smile faltered was when she turned around to find Albus Dumbledore was fading into the crowd.

The memory faded and when the smoky mist cleared and a restaurant came into focus. Minerva and Alastor were sitting across from each other. They seemed to be chatting pleasantly and Minerva was wearing her engagement ring.

"So, now that you're done with training, how is it being a real Auror?"

"Why don't you just ask me what you've been dying to ask since we got here?" Alastor set his fork down on the table and looked across to his friend.

"Look, Alastor, I talked to Rheanna and she said that it would be okay if…" Minerva fiddled with her ring. "Well, you see, my father is dead and I don't really have anyone to…"

"Yes?"

"Would you give me away at my wedding?" Alastor stared at her with a stone look on his face. He leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath.

"Min, look. I would have a hard time giving you away since I'm not going to the wedding." Minerva's eyes darkened at his response.

"I thought you and Tom had put your differences behind you! This is so childish!" She stood up, looking at him with disgust. "We've been friends since the first day of our first year. Can't you just be happy for me?"

He leaned forward, trying to keep his voice down to avoid causing a scene in the restaurant. "I can't be happy for you if I don't think he will make you happy!"

"I love him, Alastor. And I'm asking you to step up and be the friend you are supposed to be." She grabbed her bag and stalked out, leaving Alastor looking dejected and miserable.

The memory faded again and the next scene was Minerva and Tom walking hand in hand up the front path of Hogwarts. She was wearing a top hat that looked very similar to one she was known for sporting in the future. The only difference was that her dark hair was down falling around mid-back. When they entered the castle, Tom kissed the back of her hand.

"I'll be right back." She smiled at him with a nod.

"I'll just wander around until you get done." She reached up to kiss him and he left with a satisfied look on his face. Tom walked up the stairs towards Headmaster Dippet's office. Minerva looked around the Great Hall with a reminiscent smile on her face.

"I'm surprised to see you here Mrs. McGonagall." She whirled around to see Professor Dumbledore in the doorway.

"Professor!" She smiled at him, pulling off her hat.

"How are you? I received your wedding invitation. August first?"

"Yes, sir. Will you be able to come?" Dumbledore sat down at one of the tables and motioned her down beside him.

"Of course, I will. How could I miss seeing my favorite student on the happiest day of her life?" There was a strange look in his blue eyes, one that echoed sadness and regret. Minerva on the other hand never seemed to notice the change in her old Professor's attitude.

"Wonderful!" Minerva's eyes danced with a glow that made her shine. It could not be more obvious that Dumbledore was only trying to make her happy. A thoughtful look passed over her face. "Professor, can I ask you a question?"

"Anything, my dear." Minerva tucked a piece of hair behind her ear as she regarded him nervously.

"Professor, when my father and brothers died, you were always there for me and you got me this wonderful job and I just wondered if maybe…well, I have no one to give me away on my wedding day." Dumbledore managed to cover his surprise with a smile.

"Minerva, I'm not sure what to say." He reached out to touch her hand gently. "I'm just not sure it is appropriate. Have you talked to Tom about this?"

She let out a light laugh and said, "Why would he care who walks me down the aisle as long as he's marrying me?"

Dumbledore was saved by Tom and Dippet entering the hall. They both rose quickly and Tom looked suspiciously at the two of them, immediately putting his arm possessively around her waist.

"Ah, Ms. McGonagall, good to see you as well." Dippet waved airily at them. "It was good to see you Tom and I hope to see you again in a couple of years. Get some experience under your belt and I'm sure we can find you a place in the staff. I will see you two at your wedding. Always a wonderful thing when two great minds come together. Don't you agree, Albus?"

"Ah, yes, wonderful."

"Thank you Headmaster, Professor," nodded Tom. Minerva placed her hat back on her head and the young couple turned to leave.

"Ms. McGonagall, I'm not sure if I can assist you with your problem. You may need to find someone else." There was disappointment in Minerva's eyes, but she smiled painfully back at him.

The memory changed once more and Minerva was standing in a small room looking into a set of mirrors. She was wearing a beautiful white wedding gown that had lace up to her neck and trailed long behind her. Her hair was pulled up with a veil covering her blushing features. Long and lean, there was no question that she made a graceful bride. Even the severity of her cheekbones was toned down by the loveliness of the veil.

Augusta, Felicity, and Rheanna were dressed in emerald colored dresses and were fawning over their friend. They were going over all the last minute details like arranging the train of her dress and managing the flowers. A knock on the door caused them to pause in their ministrations and Felicity cracked the door a bit.

"Alastor, what do you want?" she hissed at the person on the other side of the door. Rheanna stopped fiddling with her sash to walk over to the door, rolling her eyes.

"I need to talk to Minerva." Moody's voice came from the other side of the door. Rheanna traded places with Felicity.

"You are in so much trouble! First you say you aren't coming and then you insist on coming here and-"

"Rhea, I just need to talk to Minerva."

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, let him in," said the bride, crossing her arms across the lace on her chest. She began to tap her heeled shoe impatiently as her bridesmaids let the stubborn young man into the room. Alastor was dressed in a smart black tuxedo and his long hair was combed back into a ponytail. He seemed uneasy all polished up, but he shuffled into the room unabashed. "What do you want? I'm supposed to walk down the aisle in less than five minutes."

"Do you still need someone to give you away?" She stared back at him in shock. Clearing his throat, he approached her and took her slender hand in his. "Because it would be my honor to walk my best friend down the aisle on her wedding day."

"Oh, Alastor," chorused all four women. Rheanna threw her arms around him from the side, kissing him firmly on the cheek as Minerva smiled back at him.

"Come on, we need to go," said Augusta, who was the Matron of Honor. The three bridesmaids moved themselves out of the room.

Alastor pulled her hand into the crook of his arm and said to her softly, "I'm sorry I'm such an ass."

"Thank you for being here," she whispered back. Her attention was taken from him when they entered a room filled with people and Tom Riddle was standing at the front of the room. A smile appeared on her face and her eyes glowed with anticipation.

A/N: I've been trying to update once a week, but school has gotten rough and I'm not sure when the next time I'll be able to update. The next chapter is not written, but the two after that are. So as soon as I can get the next one done, we'll be back on schedule.