Chapter 11
19 years later
The morning of the first of September greeted the Potter family with a crispness that hinted at the arrival of autumn. Golden sunlight bathed the surroundings as they made their way toward the bustling King's Cross Station. The air was filled with the faint scent of car exhausts and the breath of pedestrians, mingling with the sparkles of cold air like cobwebs.As they navigated the throngs of commuters, the family's progress was marked by the rattling of two large cages atop laden trolleys. Within them, the owls hooted indignantly, their feathers ruffled by the journey. Behind her brothers, a red-haired girl trailed tearfully, her grip tight on her father's arm.
"It won't be long now, and you'll be gone too.”
"Two years," Jean Luna sniffed, her tone filled with longing. "I want to go now!"
Curious glances from the commuters followed the family as they approached the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Amidst the clamor, Arthur Neville’s voice carried back to him as he recounted the argument between his sons they had started in the car.
“I won't! I won’t be in Slytherin!”
“James, give it a rest!” Ginny intervened, her voice tinged with exasperation.
“I only said he might be.There's nothing wrong with that. He might be in Slyth—”
As the five Potters approached the barrier, James seized the trolley with a cocky grin, breaking into a run and disappearing from sight in a blur of motion.
“You'll write to me, won't you?” Arthur's anxious inquiry broke the momentary silence, seeking reassurance from his parents.
“Every day, if you want us to."
“Not every day. James says most people only get letters from home about once a month.”
“We wrote to him three times a week last year."
“And you don't want to believe everything he tells you about Hogwarts. He likes to exaggerate, your brother.”
Side by side, they pushed the second trolley forward, gathering speed until they reached the barrier. With a victorious grin, Arthur led the way, but instead of a collision, they emerged unscathed onto platform nine and three-quarters, obscured by thick white steam billowing from the scarlet Hogwarts Express.
“Where are they?”
Amidst the mist, indistinct figures swarmed, voices sounding unnaturally loud in the detached atmosphere. “I think that's them, Al,” Ginny suddenly exclaimed, her relief evident as she pointed toward a group standing beside the last carriage.
“Hi,” Arthur greeted them with palpable relief, Lily beaming at him in her new Hogwarts robes.
“Parked all right, then?” James inquired, addressing Harry with a grin. "I did. Hermione didn't believe I could pass a Muggle driving test, did you? She thought I’d have to Confuse the examiner.”
“No, I didn’t,” Hermione interjected, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. “I had complete faith in you.”
“As a matter of fact, I did Confuse him,” James confided to his son, a conspiratorial smile on his lips as they lifted Arthur's trunk and owl onto the train. “I only forgot to look in the wing mirror, but let's face it, I can use a Supersensory Charm for that.”
Back on the bustling platform, amidst the chatter and anticipation, Jean and Leo, Lily's younger brother, engaged in an animated discussion about their future at Hogwarts. Their voices carried over the crowd, their excitement palpable as they speculated about which House they would be sorted into.
“If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you,” James quipped, a playful grin tugging at his lips, though his words carried a hint of jest. "But no pressure."
"James Charlus Potter!"
Jean and Leo erupted into laughter, but Arthur and Lily exchanged solemn glances, their expressions reflecting a mixture of concern and amusement.
“He doesn't mean it,” Hermione and Ginny reassured them in unison, their voices carrying a blend of reassurance and amusement. However, James seemed to have already shifted his attention elsewhere, exchanging a covert glance with Harry as they nodded toward a point some fifty yards away.
In the momentary thinning of the steam, three figures stood in sharp relief against the shifting mist.
Draco Malfoy stood there with his wife and son, a dark coat buttoned up to his throat. His once sleek hair was now receding somewhat, emphasizing the angularity of his features. The resemblance between father and son was striking, much like the familial resemblance between Arthur and Harry. As Draco caught sight of them observing him, he offered a curt nod before turning away.
“So that's little Scorpius,” James murmured under his breath, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Make sure you beat him in every test, Lils. Thank God you inherited your mother’s brains.”
“James, for heaven’s sake,” Hermione interjected, her tone a blend of sternness and amusement. “Don't try to turn them against each other before they've even started school!”
“You're right, sorry.”
As the conversation unfolded, Sirius's voice boomed through the station, announcing their arrival. Behind him came Remus and their son. Remus cast a pointed glance at his son as he spoke, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes.
"We were almost late because someone," he began, his gaze lingering on his son, "didn't know what to wear this morning."
"Dad, it's not like Papa was doing any better," the boy retorted, crossing his arms indignantly. Harry couldn't help but chuckle recognizing the resemblance Regulus bore to his late uncle.
"Regulus Andrew John Black, show a little more respect. I'm your father," Sirius teased, giving his son's gelled head a playful smack. "Was all of this necessary? You're worse than my brother back in the day."
"Don't listen to your father, darling," Hermione greeted her godson warmly. "You look very handsome."
"Thank you," he replied, returning her hug before sticking his tongue out at his dad and uncle James, who shot him a scathing glare. "By the way, Uncle Reggie sends his love. He said he'll come by the office to talk to you later."
"Pull your son away from my wife right now," James growled through clenched teeth, shooting sidelong glances at his best friend.
"I can't believe you're jealous of my son, an 11-year-old boy," Sirius mocked, laughing at his friend's discomfort.
"Seriously, James, leave it. It's like a rite of passage to have a crush on Mione," Remus interjected with a smirk. "He'll get over it."
"Or he'll marry Lily. It's a possibility. We would officially be a big happy family, Prongsie. Your son and my daughter."
"Your son is not going to come near my daughter or my wife, is that clear? I already have enough with your brother's permanent presence in Hermione's office."
"You'll have to get used to it. She's the new Transfiguration teacher. She's bright and scary, like every boy's wet dream...or girl's. We've all been there at some point."
James turned to Remus, his expression serious. "You. Make sure no degenerate comes near my daughter or my wife."
"Lily already has Artie and Reggie to protect her, but I must say, she has inherited Hermione's temper. She will have no problem handling the boys who approach her," he reassured, his gaze fond as he looked at his goddaughter. "She's a smart girl."
"Just like her mother," James agreed, a smile playing on his lips as he watched Hermione interact with their children. "We've done well, haven't we? We have everything we've ever dreamed of."
"Of course, Prongsie," Sirius chimed in, draping an arm around his best friend's shoulders. "And now our children are going to be able to experience what we lived. Minnie is going to cry with happiness when she sees the new generation of Marauders."
"No child of mine is going to get into trouble, Sirius Orion Black," Hermione interjected firmly.
Ron and Harry exchanged amused glances before bursting into laughter. "Yeah, because there's nothing worse than being expelled, right?" They doubled over, tears streaming down their faces from laughter.
"I'm surrounded by idiots.”
"But we're your idiots," they both chorused, each giving her a loud kiss on the cheek. "You love us. We make your life more fun."
"Harry James Potter! You're walking a thin line there. I'm your mother.”
"We're literally the same age, Mione," Harry protested, crossing his arms indignantly. “Plus, what about Ron? Why isn’t he getting reprimanded? Why is it always me?”
"And I'm still your mother," Hermione retorted with an arrogant smile. “And Ron’s not my son.”
"Harry, son, I wouldn't go down that path," James warned, his laughter bubbling up as he wrapped an arm around his wife's waist. "You have everything to lose."
“I hate you all.”
"Okay. Artie, Jamie, say goodbye to your sister," Ginny began with a warm smile. Her children nodded, understanding the gravity of the moment, and approached Jean, who was tearful at the prospect of being separated from her brothers.
"Jeanie, don't cry," Arthur comforted her, wrapping his arms around her. "James and I will send you letters and sweets from Honeydukes. And before you know it, Christmas will be here, and we'll be back home with you."
"Artie's right, princess. Plus, you have Leo, and you'll get a break from us for a few months."
"I'm going to miss you," Jean said, her voice wavering as she hugged her older brothers tightly.
Next, James and Arthur bid farewell to their parents and the rest of the family, their expressions a mix of excitement and sadness. Meanwhile, Arthur lingered, waiting for her 'cousin' Lily to bid farewell to her parents and her younger brother.
"We are very proud of you, princess," James said, enveloping his daughter in a tight embrace. "Regardless of which house you end up in, although considering who your mother is, you could end up in any house... except Hufflepuff. If that’s the case, I’ll really have to disinherit you."
"James!"
"You wouldn’t mind if I ended up in Slytherin, Dad?" Lily asked tentatively, her eyes searching his for reassurance.
"Lily Dorea Potter," he began earnestly. "You are named after two tremendously powerful witches, and one of them was a Slytherin—my mother. Want me to tell you a little secret?"
Lily nodded eagerly, her curiosity piqued. James smiled, seeing the same spark of curiosity and determination that had characterized his mother.
"I was also almost sorted into Slytherin," he revealed, watching as his daughter's eyes widened in surprise.
Lily gasped, clearly intrigued. "I didn't know that."
"It would ruin my reputation of being a proud lion. The Sorting Hat takes your preferences into account, Lils. If you want to be a lioness, you will be. And if you want to be a Slytherin," James feigned a shudder, eliciting a giggle from his daughter, "you will be too. Your mother and I will be proud either way."
"Artie and Reggie are worried too. You've all been Gryffindors, so being different is a bit scary."
"Just think about how we'll make the world envy us even more. Your brother is the Boy-Who-Lived, your mother is The Brightest Witch of Her Age, and your father is supposed to be dead. If you and Artie are the first Potters in Slytherin, we'll shatter the mold of boring Gryffindors. And your Uncle Pads, even though he might not show it, will be immensely proud if Reggie ends up in Slytherin too. We'll wear green if we have to. We’d do anything for you."
Lily's eyes brightened with gratitude as she threw herself into giving her father a tight hug. "I love you."
"I love you too, princess," James replied, gently running his fingers through her brown curls. "Now go on and say goodbye to your mother and brother."
“Everything okay?" Regulus and Arthur inquired, concern evident in their expressions, as they watched their best friend sprinting toward them.
“Everything’s perfect,” she declared, enveloping her arms around the shoulders of her closest companions. "Ready for this?"
"I was born prepared.”
"Minnie doesn't know what's coming for her.”
"We did it," Hermione murmured, her voice soft with a mixture of exhaustion and contentment, as she rested her head on Ron's shoulder. Her other hand squeezed Harry's reassuringly, a silent acknowledgment of their shared journey and triumph.
"We wouldn't have done it without you," Ron remarked, his gaze lingering on his daughter Rose as she waved from the departing train. "You're our best friend, well, mine. Harry is your son."
Their laughter filled the air, a comforting melody amidst the bustling platform. Together, they watched the train disappear into the distance, a symbol of the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Turning to survey their respective families, they found solace in the chaotic joy that surrounded them. The three Marauders, forever young at heart, frolicked amidst the bustling station, while Ginny and Lavender kept a watchful eye on Leo, Jean, and Hugo.
"We'll be fine," Hermione whispered, her smile small but genuine.
Harry looked at his friends, gratitude swelling in his chest. They had been constants in his life, pillars of strength and support through every trial and tribulation. His hand instinctively went to the scar on his forehead, a reminder of the battles they had faced together.
"Does it hurt?" Her question brought him back to the present moment.
"Not at all," he replied, offering a reassuring smile. He wrapped his arms around their shoulders, a silent gesture of solidarity and camaraderie. "How about we have a couple of beers? My treat."
"You won't hear any complaints from me," Ron declared with a laugh, his spirits lifted by the prospect of a relaxed evening.
"After the chaos this morning, I think we could all use something stronger," Hermione teased, leaning into Herry’s warmth.
As they prepared to leave the station, Harry stole one last glance over his shoulder, taking in the scene before him.The platform bustled with life, the vibrant tapestry of the wizarding world stretching out before him.
They were going to be fine. Of that, he was certain.