A/N: This is it folks! TDM is finally coming to an end. Thank you to all my faithful readers. You guys are the reason this got finished. Special shout-out to Indigold10 aka Paige Diggory, my best friend/unofficial beta/proofreader/sounding board/spousie extraordinare! Also a big thanks to all my reviewers, especially DarthVandola, laurashley11, Princess-Amon-Rae, and Rhika. Your words of encouragement kept me going. So now on to the epilogue!

Chapter 45: Epilogue

July 4th, 2003

Albus sat beside his wife. She had tears streaming down her face. He handed her a purple handkerchief with a smile. She gratefully accepted and dried her eyes. Minerva squeezed his hand.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Harry leaned over to Ginny and sealed their marriage. Everyone cheered.

The new Mr. and Mrs. Potter went back down the aisle with the happiest grins anyone had ever seen. They were followed by the best man, Ron Weasley, and the matron of honor, a very pregnant Hermione. Ginny's other bridesmaids, Luna Lovegood and Ginny's cousin Stephanie Weasley, came with their significant others, Neville Longbottom and Seamus Finnigan. All the men looked very dapper in their tuxedos. Arthur Weasley was especially pleased with the formal muggle attire. The ladies of the bridal party looked lovely in kelly green.

Albus and Minerva, as the groom's family, followed the bride's family to the reception. The party was held in a grand white tent, just like James and Lily's wedding years before.

Minerva handed Albus back his handkerchief. "Thank you. I'm finished crying now."

"Are you sure? I still have a speech to give, and, forgive me, but I do intend to get rather sentimental."

Minerva furrowed her brow very seriously. "Perhaps you're right. Oh I hate that I get so emotional at weddings. I cried at our wedding, James and Lily's, Poppy and Alastor's, Ron and Hermione's, and now at Harry and Ginny's. I'm a mess."

He cupped her cheek gently. "But a very beautiful mess. And there's nothing wrong with a few tears at a wedding. I've always said, Minerva, that you have a great capacity for love."

"Thank you, dear. Now stop or I'll start crying again," she joked.

He laughed. "Oh alright. But can I say again how pretty you look?"

"You may, thank you." Her gray hair was done up in an elegant chignon. Her dress was very modest, but the lavender color brought out her emerald eyes. Her green brooch, the final gift she had received from her parents, was pinned at her throat. She had aged, certainly, but she was still a lovely woman. Albus had said many times that she had softened as she got older; she smiled much more, and, as Sirius Black loved to say, she looked awfully pretty when she smiled. "And may I say that you look rather attractive yourself?"

He grinned sheepishly and blushed ever so slightly. "If you say so." His long hair and beard were both completely snowy white. He was wearing his favorite midnight blue robes with silver stars. They were elegant and whimsical, just like Albus himself. He always looked so distinguished. Minerva had always and would always be proud to be seen on his arm.

Everyone sat down at the many tables around the tent. Albus and Minerva took their seats at the wedding party table. The table had to be made very long to fit the entire Weasley family.

Ron, as best man, had to begin the toasts. He was very nervous to talk in front of so many people, many of whom he worked with (or for) at the ministry. He raised his champagne glass shakily and was about to start talking when a loud crack caused everyone to jump. Ron dropped his champagne.

Kingsley Shacklebolt strode into the tent. Everyone turned and stared as he sat down. "Sorry to be late, Harry."

Harry smiled. "That's alright, Minister. Glad you could come."

Ron tried to rearrange his note cards. Fred's five year old daughter, Ava, whispered loudly, "Uncle Ron, don't mess up or the minister might sack you!" Ron blanched and glared at his niece.

Fred gave his little girl a high-five. "Good one, Ava!" Her mother, Verity, was trying hard to stifle her giggles.

Ron took a deep breath and began his toast. "Well, um, hi everyone. I met Harry on the Hogwarts Express when we were eleven. I'm really glad all the other compartments were full, because he's been my best friend ever since. Some people might be upset when their best friend starts dating their little sister, but honestly, after some of the idiots Ginny was with, we're all glad she liked Harry best." Ginny stared daggers at her brother. Harry laughed and took her hand in his. She instantly calmed down and smiled. Ron continued, "So congratulations, Harry and Ginny. You've always been part of the family, mate, but now it's official."

They all applauded politely and Hermione, with Luna's help, stood up with a glass of pumpkin juice. Her speech was eloquent and lovely, as was expected. Minerva didn't really pay attention, unfortunately. She was lost in her own thoughts.

Ginny looked beautiful. The white dress went wonderfully with her red hair. It amazed Minerva that this strong, confident woman was the same terrified little girl on whose head Minerva had placed the Sorting Hat eleven years before. Ginny was only twenty one, the same age James and Lily had been when they got married.

How different they all were from Minerva herself. At twenty one, she was living on her own in London, working in the bookshop and doing Transfiguration research. That was the freest she had ever been. She had also been terribly unhappy. It wasn't until five years later when she began at Hogwarts as the librarian that she had felt truly content with her life. That was fifty years ago now. Perhaps if she had been in love as Ginny and Harry were, her life would have turned out differently. But Minerva knew that she had always been in love with Albus and always would be.

She smiled. At twenty one, Albus was studying alchemy and researching the uses of dragon's blood with Nicholas Flamel. How she missed the Flamels. They were the perfect example of two people perfectly suited for one another. They remained madly in love for over six hundred years. Under the table, she took Albus' hand. They certainly wouldn't have six hundred years together, but their love was just as strong, if not stronger.

Applause rang out again. Hermione had finished her speech. Now it was Albus' turn. "Twenty four years ago, on a July day much like this one, a young man with glasses and unruly black hair married a beautiful girl with red hair and bright green eyes. Many of the people here today, myself included, witnessed the marriage of James and Lily Potter. Their time on this earth was cut far too short, but their love was strong. It was strong enough for you, Harry, to survive and become the man you are and give your heart to Ginny. And you, Ginny, are quite remarkable yourself. I've never met a Weasely I didn't like, and you are no exception. You belong to a family full of strength and goodness, and your union to Harry brings great joy to us all. So on your wedding day, Harry and Ginny, I wish you happiness and love to fill all your days and nights, and I leave you with this piece of advice: never forget how you feel in this moment; no problem is so great that the two of you cannot overcome if you remember your love and its strength. Congratulations to you both."

No one could follow that speech. No one could ever follow Albus' speeches. That man had a way with words, and Minerva had been fortunate enough to be at the receiving end of many a well-turned phrase.

A very nice dinner was served. The wedding party all talked and laughed as a big happy family, just as Harry had always wanted.

Minerva got into a conversation with Stephanie Weasley. The girl was Harry's age, but hadn't attended Hogwarts. Apparently her father was an eclectic artist who preferred to teach her at home. Her mother worked in the Department of Magical Transportation, where Stephanie now worked. That was how she met Seamus. He had lit his desk on fire from an accidental explosion, and she put out the flames. Minerva wasn't surprised. She had put out many a Finnigan fire during his time in her House. Stephanie and Seamus were now living together but had no plans of getting married. Minerva understood. She had been very happy with Albus for fifteen years before they were married.

When the plates were cleared, the band took its place for the bride and groom's first dance. They had chosen Elton John's "Your Song." The melody was beautiful and the lyrics very romantic. Anyone could see the love emanating from the two by the way they looked at each other.

Next, Albus danced with Molly while Arthur led Minerva around the floor. Molly wore a very nice turquoise dress which, Minerva noticed, clashed horribly with Albus' robes. Nevertheless, the dance they all shared was wonderful.

Minerva wanted to find her husband, but was caught first by Harry, wanting to share one dance with his aunt. "I know you want to dance with Uncle Al, but who knows when you and I will get to dance together again?"

"That's true. Merlin knows the next time I'll be able to get a dance out of you," she replied jokingly as they waltzed. "Harry, I want you to know how proud I am of you and how grateful I am to have had you in my life. You have your own family now, but I've loved our time together. But I expect nieces and nephews, understood?"

He laughed. "Yes, Aunt Min, Ginny and I want kids at some point. We've got a big family now, and it's only getting bigger. But no matter what, you'll always be my Aunt Min, and I love you. I can't wait for my kids to play with that silver tabby that protected me when I was small."

Minerva stopped dancing and held Harry close. They had nothing left to say, so they just had a big hug.

"I hate to interrupt, Harry, but I would like to have a dance with my wife."

"Sure thing, Uncle Al." Harry released his aunt to Albus' care.

Minerva was crying again. Once more, he handed her the purple handkerchief. "I've seen you in tears far more often than I'd like, Mrs. Dumbledore."

She smiled and wiped her eyes. She did love being called Mrs. Dumbledore. "Happy tears, my love, I promise."

They danced without talking, just savoring each other's presence. The Dumbledores didn't notice everyone's eyes on them. Old as they may have been, not even the newlyweds exuded such love and adoration as Albus and Minerva did when they danced together.

A series of loud bangs broke their reverie. Fred and George had provided the reception with deluxe fireworks from the new line of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. The children all chased the sparkling lights, as did one shaggy brown dog.

They had agreed for Sirius to come to the wedding in his animagus form as many ministry members would be attending. It wouldn't do to have a convict sitting next to the Minister of Magic. Even so, when Sirius got tired from running about, Kingsley came to give him a scratch behind the ears.

Albus decided that now as was good a time as any for him to whisk his wife away. He had warned Harry that he may take Minerva home early, so when he noticed them make their way out, Harry gave them a nod and a smile. Harry would make his aunt and uncle's excuses. It was worth it for them to spend their time together.

"Minerva, will you come with me please?"

She beamed up at him. "Anywhere, Albus."

He apparated them home to the island.

Albus took Minerva in his arms and gazed at her happily. "I thought this would be the best place to tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"That I love you, truly, deeply, madly, and for the rest of my life."

The End

A/N2: Thanks so much for reading all the way through TDM! It was a joy for me to write, and I hope you all loved reading it. Reviews are wonderful, so if you feel inspired, please let me know your thoughts on the ending. Also, there are a lot of scenes that didn't find their way into TDM, so put me on author alert so you can keep an eye out for some of these "deleted scenes!" Thanks again for all your support. Love you all!