The Epilogue

Molly turned around at the noise behind her with a big "Oh my God".

Her class had managed to unfurl a banner with a big, colourful "Happy Birthday, may you always be this young" written on it. They all started applauding and whistling as she laughed and bowed to acknowledge their well wishes. If she was embarrassed and hoped normal class would resume immediately, her hopes were dashed when students from the other departments came in too. She knew she was well loved, but this outpouring of wishes was a bit ridiculous.

She tried to put a dampener on the celebrations by insisting the class continue and requested the extra attendees to leave. Even as normal duties resumed, there was a buzz in the class that she couldn't ignore. She had to indulge in some negotiations with the students before she could proceed.

"So if I answer five personal questions, will you guys quieten down? Yes? Ok, Miss Nadar, Q1."

"Yes, it was in fact my 50th birthday and I celebrated it abroad, in Venice. It was a huge surprise for me, it was lovely."

"No, Miss Oswald, this is not my engagement ring. Next?"

"No, no cancelled or truncated lecture for celebrations. You still have to turn your paper in Mr Cole…by the way, I will consider that as a question." The class groaned collectively, throwing daggers at Cole.

"Ok guys, for the last and final time Greg is a dear friend, no matter what fanfiction you guys cook up, and no, he didn't arrange the Venice trip either."

"Ok last one… what was that?" Molly actually laughed out loud at the question. "That's a good one, HRH The Consulting Dark Prince of St Barts, I actually like that. And no, he didn't disturb or trouble me at all. Though Miss Stone, I would prefer you address my husband as Dark Lord rather than Dark Prince, suits him better yeah?"

It was a funny moment, as she would describe many times later, when the noise slowly died, there was pin drop silence till her words sank in and then the applause and shouts of congratulations begin.

"Oh God," as Myra Oswald slapped her forehead, "that's a wedding ring!"