Epilogue
Epilogue
September 2009 (5 years later)
Harry hoisted his three-year-old daughter Lily on his hip while his other hand held that of his four-year-old son James. Hermione walked beside them; one-year-old Eleanor cradled against her chest. Rosalee walked just ahead, pushing her trolley full of luggage. “We literally work at Hogwarts; I don’t understand why we needed to bring her to kings cross.” Harry mumbled not for the first time. Ginny laughed from behind them, her daughter Lyra holding her brother Atlas’s hand trying to teach the three-year-old how to skip. “It’s a right of passage you wanker.” She offered unhelpfully. “Exactly, I want her to experience all of it.” Hermione smiled up at him, causing his heart to flutter in his chest. “Besides…I met you on that train when we were eleven, fell in love with you that same moment.” Harry groaned. “All the more reason for her to avoid it!” Ron laughed as he worked on wrangling his and Luna’s four children. The twins were seven now and anxiously waiting for their turn to attend Hogwarts. Ron could just imagine Minerva’s face when another set of Weasley twins walked through those doors. He held his three-year-old Celeste in his arms while she blew bubbles from her lips. Draco graciously held one-year-old Phineus while a very pregnant Luna waddled slightly behind. “I’m sure we will be here plenty of times over the years until you learn to keep your hands to yourself Weasel.” Draco grumbled as the baby smacked his suit with slobbery fingers.
“Oi! Harry!” Harry turned at the sound of Dudley’s voice. He hadn’t seen him and Katie since Christmas last year. Their relationship had gotten better over the years, exchanging an owl every few weeks. Dudley pushed the pram with their children, four-year old Vernon and two-year-old Maggie, inside of it. Harry let go of James’s hand giving Katie a hug. “Thank you for coming.” He said, “Was Petunia able to get away?” Dudley shook her head, “No, sick as a dog unfortunately but she sends her love. We wouldn’t miss our niece heading off!” He smiled wide, waving excitedly to Rosalee. “Mum and dad should be here shortly.” Ron offered as the group began to gather, watching as the students started to file onto the train.
Harry felt the gazes fall on them as they stood. Their group never failed to gain attention. Not after the war. Harry did his best to ignore them. “Grammy!” Rosalee yelled, finally catching sight of Molly and Arthur as they hurried towards the group. Molly scooped her up in a hug and squeezed her. “Oh, my darling girl! You’re going to be the best Gryffindor ever!” She exclaimed, “Hey!” Ron yelled, slightly offended, “Oh for merlin’s sake Ronald. Fine, you’re going to be the best Gryffindor Hogwarts has seen since your mum and dad!” Ron rolled his eyes, ignoring the jab while Luna rubbed his arm with a chuckle.
Harry sighed, looking around at his family. Five years ago, he felt like he had no one. A secret, a lie, some misguided notion nearly tearing him apart. He pulled Hermione into his side, hugging her to him. It had taken time. Time he was willing to take and to give, for them to get back to where they were in the tent eleven years ago. Hermione spent every day, making sure he never missed a single moment. Each pregnancy, she announced the same way, privately at his parent’s grave, including them they best way they could. He adored her all the more for it. “Harry?” She whispered, drawing his attention, nodding towards Rosalee. “I think she may need a moment with her father.” Harry sighed, kissing her chastely before passing his daughter off to Ginny and stepping towards Rosalee.
He pulled her off to the side. “What’s the matter?” He asked, crouching down before her. “I’m not sure, just nervous I suppose.” She answered with a shrug. “You shouldn’t be. You’ve been running the halls of Hogwarts since you were six years old. It wouldn’t be much different than it has been.” Rosalee glanced at the train, full of children. “It will be. There will be expectations now. I’m the daughter of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. There is a solid book written about you for wizarding history. I’m the granddaughter of James and Lily Potter… Mum was expecting me during the battle.” Sometimes he forgot how brilliant his daughter was as she spoke. He sighed, pulling her into a hug. “I understand that more than you know. When I arrived at Hogwarts, I was a celebrity in my own right for something I couldn’t even remember I had done. Expectations were put on me that had no business being put on me. Evey person standing here for you today experienced that same anxiousness in one way or another.” He stated, glancing behind him towards the group that gathered. “I won’t tell you that things won’t be difficult. Or that some children won’t simply want to befriend you strictly for your name.” He glanced back at Hermione as she rocked their one-year-old in her arms. “But you will find your army. You are your mother’s daughter, brilliant and brave. Just…” He paused, looking at the train full of children, “Steer clear of any boys for a while, would you?” Rosalee groaned and rolled her eyes, “Dad…” She whined.
Rosalee smiled from the train, waving as a few other children crowded into her car. Harry, pulled Hermione tightly into his side as she leaned her head on his shoulder. “What did you tell her?” She asked curiously. “Just to not worry so much, and to avoid the boys.” Hermione slapped him on the chest, “Harry James Potter you did not!” He chuckled, holding her hand against his chest. “Is it wrong of me to just want her to stay mine for a little bit longer?” The train let out a loud whistle as it started to chug away. “Shall we head home?” Hermione asked, glancing up at him. He smiled before nodding. “Yes. Let’s go back to Hogwarts.”
The End