AN: Thank you to my sweet brown eyed Brit... you are amazing.

THE TIES THAT BIND

Chapter 17

THE RECEPTION

Minerva and Hermione McGonagall stood next to the emerald tents as the wedding guests filed by. Hugs and handshakes were enthusiastically given as a strong sense of joy permeated the area. The unicorns had excused themselves except for The Grand Sire and young Lourdane. Currently they stood off to the side with the elves watching as the guests began leaving via port key for the formal reception that was being held at Hogwarts. Molly and Ginny Weasley being the first to leave mumbling about getting the party started. Now, only a few friends and family stood by chatting with the happy couple.

Dumbledore raised a bushy eyebrow at his long time friend, "Well Tabby. How does it feel to be an old married witch?"

Minerva McGonagall flashed the elderly wizard the brightest smile he'd ever seen as she pulled her young wife close, "I feel... complete Albus. For the first time in my life, I feel like all the pieces finally fit."

The older witch felt a pat on her back. Turning, she saw her best friend, Rolanda Hooch standing there with Jean Granger, "I know exactly what you mean my friend." The Flying Instructor leaned down and placed a sweet kiss of Jean's plump lips.

Blushing, Jean poked Hooch in her firm belly, "Just... hush you.. you.. witch."

Grinning, Hooch shot Hermione a wink and whispered to Jean, "You better believe it. We'll take this up later luv." With that, she walked over to the nearby basket of port keys and picked up a scrap piece of tartan. Glancing at Jean she asked, "Are you coming?"

Hermione's mother leaned in and pecked her daughter on the cheek, "I'll see you at the school." Next she pulled Minerva into an embrace and whispered, "Welcome to my family... my new daughter."

The older witch threw her head back and laughed heartily as Jean clasped Ro's hand and together they disappeared with a flash.

Hermione stepped back and gazed at her new wife. So gorgeous, so beautiful, so noble, so... Minerva.

Her Minerva.

Reaching out her small hands, she straightened the tartan sash crossing her wife's chest. Next she fussed with adjusting the leather belt and scabbard, making sure the McGonagall sword was sitting just right.

Minerva's eyebrow raised as she quietly observed her wife's primping of her tartan and such. Amusement glowed in her sparkling emerald eyes as Hermione next made sure the ruffle at her throat was fluffed.

"Are you finished?"

Startled, chocolate brown eyes shot up to meet emerald green. A silent communication occurred... eyes, smiles, hands all speaking louder than any words could.

"I love you." Quietly spoken, but echoing through Minerva's heart. Those three little words said so softly by her wife...

Her wife.

Minerva couldn't help the ecstatic smile that creased her lovely face. Nor could Hermione help reflecting that joy back.

The Headmistress felt a nudge against her back.

'Thank you for letting me help!'

The high pitched voice of a child rippled through her mind causing her to turn around. The baby unicorn, Lourdane stood bravely in front of her. Clutching Hermione's hand, she smiled.

The young witch felt her wife grab her hand almost convulsively. Turning to inquire, her eyes widened at the appearance of the littlest unicorn. The little one stepped forward and gently nuzzled the young witch's hand.

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"That is... amazing!" John Granger whispered as he watched his daughter being nuzzled and sniffed by a baby unicorn. Oddly, Minerva stood back. Not even attempting to touch the young one. He'd momentarily forgotten his surprise and prejudice at seeing his ex-wife being snogged by another woman.. a witch no less. For the moment, so spellbound was he.

Arthur Weasley looked up to see what John was talking about. Smiling, he watched as Hermione scratched and petted the silver white creature with the strange black markings,"You would've been so proud at how Hermione saved that little one's life." He recounted the tale of the unicorn's birth to the muggle.

"Is that why Minerva isn't touching the baby?" Granger asked as he watched the older witch standing with a wistful expression on her elegant face.

Arthur nodded, "Because she has taken lives, she may not touch one so pure. It was only out of necessity that she touched Lourdane while he was being born. You can see the result."

John was astounded at his daughter's escapade. He knew this was a portion of her life that he could never truly be a part of. He was glad to know that Hermione Jean Granger... now McGonagall was making a difference in the world. His sad blue eyes took in the wonderous sight before him in awe. "So much I never knew..." He mumbled slowly approaching the newlyweds.

Arthur shook his head sadly at the muggle man's plight. There was a saying in the Bible that the eldest Weasley thought of.. 'Ye shall reap what ye sow..' So true was this for John Granger. He followed Hermione's father as he walked over to the newlyweds.

"You both look truly spectacular."

Minerva and Hermione looked up to see John Granger staring at them with wonder in his eyes. Hermione smiled and reached out her hand, "Come."

Her father cautiously moved closer.

Lourdane sensed the man's trepidation and decided to rectify the situation. With a tiny nicker, he stretched out his muzzle and sniffed at John. Sensing no ill intent, the little unicorn playfully poked the muggle in the belly.

A hint of a smile cracked the man's face.

Minerva cocked her head, "Go on now.. give him a pat." There was a tiny hint of envy in her voice.

The startled look of pure delight was enough for Hermione as a single tear trickled down her cheek, "Oh daddy..."

John Granger was lost in the utter joy of a boyhood dream come true. For here, standing before him was the epitome of that dream. A baby unicorn gently nuzzling him. He felt a slight dizziness come over himself and realized that he'd been holding his breath. With the softest of touches, he ran his large hand over the little one's back. Pausing at the black hand print on the baby's rump, "That looks like a hand print." He whispered remembering what Arthur had told him.

Minerva nodded sadly, "Yes... mine." The older witch's eyes clouded with unshed tears of regret.

'I don't mind.'

A young voice echoed through their minds as a tiny horn pushed at Minerva's hand leaving a small black smudge at it's tip.

John Granger's eyes widened as he realized that he'd "heard" the young unicorn.

With a regretful smile, Minerva shook her head, "No little one. You may not mind, but you're grandfather might." She noticed The Grand Sire had moved closer to them.

The little one snorted, 'Yes Mistress.' And ambled over to the elder unicorn.

The Grand Sire blinked his ebony eyes at the Mistress, 'It is regretable but necessary.'

The Headmistress nodded her understanding, "I thank you for everything Odaan."

'And I you.'

With that the two magical creatures turned and cantered back to the forest.

With deep understanding, Hermione reached up and caressed her wife's cheek, "Perhaps someday?" She smiled softly as Minerva's emerald eyes gazed back at her with infinite tenderness shining through.

John Granger turned away, having witnessed the sweet moment. He looked up to see Arthur Weasley standing before him with a huge grin on his face, "Whut?"

The red haired man raised an eyebrow, "Have your opinions changed somewhat?" Without waiting for an answer, Arthur walked to the basket of port keys and said, "Let's go."

Hermione's father rolled his eyes, "Magic! Oy!"

Hermione could've sworn she saw a twinkle in his eye though as he disappeared with Arthur.

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The traditional Scottish two tiered brandied wedding cake sat in the center of a long oak table laden with every kind of food imaginable. Anything you could possibly wish for was there. The castle and the elves of Hogwarts had outdone themselves.

Ron Weasley was in food heaven.

"Don't you even think about it!" Dawn Granger scolded her boyfriend. The young woman stood with her hands on her hips, fists clenched. Glaring daggers at Ron.

Giving her his best blue eyed "hang dog" look, he pleaded, "Just a wee nibble? I'm starving!"

Narrowed mocha eyes was the only answer he was going to get. Thrusting his hands into his robe's pocket, he scuffed miserably over to where Harry Potter was standing grinning like a fool.

"It's not funny you git."

Dawn shook her head frowning and made her way over to a side table. Her boom box was set up.

Her big sister had told her that she could select the music to be played. Dawn Granger may have been a wild child at one time, but she was an artist when it came to music and Hermione knew that her little sister would select appropriate pieces. The youngest Granger saw Ginny standing there and asked, "Did you cast an amplification spell on this?"

Ginny rolled her eyes, "Yes for the tenth time! It's ready to go." She loved Dawn, but Merlin! She was worse than her mother sometimes.

"I just want everything to be perfect." The young woman muttered as she sorted through the stack of CD's she'd brought with her. Grinning, she looked up, "Too bad we couldn't bring Minerva's music thingy here." She was referring to the enchanted cabinet in the grand ballroom of McGonagall Manor. Any type of music you wished for would be instantly made to appear.

"Music thingy?" Ginny asked, blue eyes wide.

Dawn grinned, "You know that cabinet in the grand ballroom."

Comprehension made it's way across the red head's pretty face, "Ah."

As Dawn and Ginny fussed over the music, Molly Weasley was fussing over everything else. One would've thought that one of her own children had just been married. The motherly woman couldn't help it. She felt as though Hermione might as well been one of her own as much as the young woman had stayed at the Burrow in the past.

She flitted from one table to the next, making sure guests were comfortable and such. As she neared the table where Poppy, Filius and Pomona were sitting, the mediwitch reached out and snagged Molly's sleeve, "Slow down woman! You're going to burst an artery!"

"I just want to make sure everything is perfect." The red haired woman replied in a huff.

Poppy shook her graying head, "Take a look around. The elves have everything under control."

It was true. Despite Molly's fussing, Izer, Livvy and a few other McGonagall elves were efficiently directing the Hogwarts elves and everything looked spectacular.

Molly looked around and saw that Poppy was right, "Oh..." She spied Jean Granger and Rolanda Hooch strolling through the doors to the great hall. Both looked slightly disheveled.. Was that a love bite on Jean's neck???

"Oh Merlin!" The Weasley matriarch pulled her wand out and marched over to the newcomers, "Have you no cooth Rolanda Hooch?" She screeched waving her wand over Jean's neck.

Hermione's mother looked horrified at Molly, "Did she??..."

"Yes she did!" Molly's narrowed eyes focused on Hooch. The latter had the good grace to blush and look away.

The love bite slowly disappeared as Jean continued to stare in disbelief at her lover, "You have never marked me like that. What the bloody hell was that about?"

Hooch was busted.

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Arthur Weasley entered the great hall with John Granger in tow. The muggle gazed up at the enchanted ceiling in befuddlement, "Wow." The ceiling had enchanted itself to look like a spring day.

Grinning, Arthur led John to a table in the corner, "Have a seat. I'm going to find my wife."

Granger nodded absently as Arthur headed off in search of Molly. He was still looking around in awe at the surroundings when a frizzy haired brunette witch abruptly sat next to him.

"Hi. You with the bride or the bride?" The middle aged woman asked as she threw back her head and laughed.

"Leave him be. You're with me!" A tall blonde witch wearing orange horn rimmed glasses plunked herself down next to the frizzy woman.

Ignoring the blonde, frizzy stuck her hand out, "I'm Rosemerta."

Taking her hand, John smiled cautiously, "John. John Granger." He raised an eyebrow at the two of them and added, "Is everyone in the wizarding world gay?"

Rosemerta giggled and grabbed the blonde's hand rather possessively, "You think so?"

The woman in the orange glasses interupted, "Granger? As in Hermione Granger?"

John fastened his faded blue eyes on the blonde, "I'm her father and it would be Hermione McGonagall now."

The blonde whipped out her notebook, "Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

Rosemerta frowned, "Really Rita, no work!"

John was curious, "Rita??"

Flashing the muggle a toothy grin, the blonde reached out and shook his hand, "I'm Rita Skeeter and I bet you are just a wealth of amazing information about our newlyweds."

Rosemerta frowned at her partner, "Rita I swear if you do a hack job on Hermione or Minerva I swear you're sleeping in the fireplace!"

This put John immediately on alert, "I think I'll be going now." He stood and bowed courteously, then went to find his ex-wife.

Rita looked at Rosemerta, "I'm not out to hack anyone. You have to admit though... this is a helluva story! Look around, the only other media representative is Luna and I work for her!"

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John Granger found an empty table next to a quiet young couple. The young woman had dark hair and eyes and wore a petulant expression. The young man was platinum blond and had calculating grey eyes. "I hope you don't mind?" Granger asked the young couple.

The young woman sniffed and shook her head, a bored expression on her face. Meanwhile, the young man looked at John and said, "Not at all."

Smiling, the older man introduced himself, "I'm John." He wisely left off his last name and added, "Are you here for the bride or the bride?" He chuckled slightly. Rosemerta's joke WAS funny.

Apparently not to everyone however, the young woman rolled her eyes and the young man plastered a fake smile on his face saying, "Neither. I'm with the Board of Governors. When the Headmistress decides to get married, it's considered good manners to attend the reception." He paused and surveyed the room, frowning when he spotted Harry and Ron. Almost as an afterthought, he said, "I'm Draco and this is Pansy."

"Nice to meet you." John replied as he accepted a glass of champagne from a passing elf.

Draco took a glass for himself and Pansy saying, "Indeed."

John took a sip from his glass as he spied Dumbledore enter the great hall and move with a speed that belied his advanced age, "Damn for an old guy he can really move."

Draco snorted, "You have no idea."

The trio watched as Dumbledore stepped up to the front of the head table. He pointed at Dawn Granger who nodded and moved to her boom box.

Meanwhile, Dumbledore whispered the sonorus charm and began to speak, his voice greatly amplified, "Ladies and gentleman."

The room fell silent.

Albus pointed to the main doors and continued with a smile, "May I present Minerva and Hermione...the Lady's McGonagall!"

Nodding at Dawn, he watched as she pulled out a plastic square, opened it and inserted it into her music machine.

Dawn Granger turned up the volume as *Enya's "Storms In Africa" began to play...

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The crowd stood up as the doors to the great hall opened. The music began to play and Minerva and Hermione entered to the stunned gasps of the assembled crowd.

Regally, the married couple slowly walked up the center of the room. Arms intertwined with hands clasped, Hermione gazed up at her wife and Minerva gazed back. Their love a tangible thing. Everyone could see it. Even a stunned Draco Malfoy. Even a stunned Rita Skeeter.

Minerva, every bit the Highlander, proudly held her wife close. Hermione, looking like a fairy queen, leaned into her spouse. The couple reached the center of the room and paused.

Minerva faced the high table and Hermione turned to face the main doors. Side by side they stood for a moment. One arm behind their respective backs, the other reaching across their spouse's waist.

As one they began to move as the music's rhythm picked up. A delicate yet strong Highland Reel. Their feet moving as one. Their hearts pounding out another rhythm. One that ebbed and flowed along with the music but only audible to each other. The sound of forever.

As the couple danced, Dumbledore gathered those people who were closest to the newlyweds. Forming a large circle at the edge of the dance floor were...

Albus Dumbledore grasping Jean Granger who was holding Rolanda Hooch who held Dawn Granger who clasped Ron Weasley who had Molly Weasley who had Arthur Weasley who grasped Ginny Weasley who held Harry Potter who had Angus McGonagall who held Neville Longbottom who gripped Luna Lovegood who clasped Filius Flitwick who held Pomona Sprout who had George Weasley who held Angelina Johnson who gripped Fleur Delacour-Weasley who grasped Bill Weasley who clasped Percy Weasley who held Penelope Clearwater-Weasley who in turn had Charlie Weasley who was grasped by Hagrid who was held by Poppy Pomfrey who at last clasped John Granger.

The group formed the family circle within which Minerva and Hermione McGonagall danced their first dance as a married couple.

Behind the first circle an even larger circle of elves formed.

To the delight of the assembly, Minerva and Hermione began to glow. The radiance of their love and the strength of their connection allowing their bonding to be truly seen. The silver and golden swirls of magic darted and danced with the couple surrounding them with ever growing waves of pure love.

The group couldn't help but be affected. Tears and happy laughter burst from startled witches and wizards. Giggles and sighs from magical creatures and finally awestuck gasps from muggles and squibs.

Rita Skeeter pulled Rosemerta close and kissed her passionately.

Draco stared with his mouth hanging open as Pansy burst into sobs.

The castle itself vibrated with pure joy as the resident ghosts joined in the dance.

John Granger burst into tears as he experienced first hand the depth of Minerva's love for his daughter.

Jean Granger laughed out joyously as she felt her daughter's love for Minerva.

Minerva gazed down at her wife moving with her in time to the music. Her emerald eyes sparkled with unshed tears. She smiled at the tears the chocolate eyes of her wife could not hold back. Together they leaned close. Eyes closing, lips gently merging as the music drew them together.

The kiss went on and on as the passion between them became evident to the crowd. A reddish glow joined with the silver and the gold. The newlyweds slowly stopped moving as their kiss sped up. The passion rose to a blissful cresendo as the music slowly came to a close. Small arms wrapped around Minerva's neck as longer ones wrapped around Hermione's waist. The couple pulling each other closer.

The Highlander and The Witch of The Light were one.

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She watched from an out of the way corner as Draco Malfoy fell victim to the seductive power of the bonding radiating outward from the newly joined couple. The power of the joyous wave was a testament to the power of the witches involved. Rubbing her hands together, she couldn't wait to tell her mother of this development. Draco may have been her cousin, but he was in no way her equal in bloodline nor power. Once and for all her family name, Pendragon, would be avenged. The line of Merlin would pay for the damage done centuries ago.

Pendragon should be the purest family of the wizarding world.

Not McGonagall.

No... Minerva and Hermione's unborn children will be raised as Pendragon's.

That will be the ultimate revenge.

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-to be continued

AN: I don't insert a song into a story unless I feel it's appropriate.

*from Enya's CD "Watermark"