Epilogue
“Great game today. “ The driver said, looking back at a boy with messy raven hair.
“Thanks.” The boy said he was rummaging through his bag looking for something that didn’t look like it was there.
“James, what are you looking for?” The girl next to him said, she had bright red hair and startling green eyes. She was holding an infant who was staring at her innocently.
“My phone.” He said distractedly.
“We’ll just get a new one," the girl said.
“Lily-” The driver never got to figure out what he was going to say. The next few seconds were filled with sirens wailing and a faint feeling of blood dripping down his arm. His vision grew hazy after that.
—---
His eyes eventually opened to a bright room that was covered in pictures of skeletons and diagrams of breathing exercises.
“Wha- Where am I?” He said.
“The hospital… you were in a car crash. Do you remember your name sir?” The nurse asked politely.
“Uh… Stan… Stan Shunpike.” He breathed out. The nurse just nodded and wrote something down on her clipboard. “What happened?” Stan asked.
“Well you got in a nasty car crash.” She simply said.
“Is the other driver okay?” He asked, twisting his hands nervously on his sheets.
“The other driver is in jail. Killed twelve people on the sidewalk too. “ The nurse said thoughtfully. Stan’s face paled.
“Twelve…” He shuddered.
“Looked like he was aiming for the car right next to you.” she said.
“What happened to that driver?” He said cautiously.
“You didn’t hear this from me but I heard that the only thing left of him was his pinky. “ She answered.
Stan grabbed the remote and put on his tv. “James and Lily Potter tragically died today in a car crash. Details are still being reviewed about the accident but sources say that it was Sirius Black, heir to the Black family’s fortune. 12 pedestrians were killed in the incident along with rugby player, James Potter, and actress Lily Potter nee’ Evans…” He turned the tv off quickly and threw the remote onto the stand next to him. The guilt was creeping on him, he quickly stuffed the pills on his bedside table into his mouth and let the darkness consume him. Stan had no interest in waking up to a world where everyone hated him for killing two of the most beloved celebrities of their generation. The darkness one might say was nice, almost like falling asleep.
—----
The head nurse, Poppy Pompfrey, looked down at the sleeping baby in his bassinet. How could he not have been harmed was the only thoughts going through her head. Her heart went out to him, being an orphan was tough, she should know, she was one and had pledged her whole life to helping make sure that no kid would feel abandoned. Everyone would want to take possession of him. “The boy who lived” as the Daily Prophet has gone calling him which the whole world seems to have adopted as well. She looked up at the TV and the news was still going on about the car crash, the boy who lived stamped on all corners of the screen. Poppy sighed as she looked down at him again, he looked so peaceful with barely any blemishes well except for the one lightning bolt scar that ran from his forehead through his eye, which was acquired during the crash. The bell suddenly rang and a familiar voice rang through the intercom.
“Poppy, is he still there?” Dumbledore asked. The old man obviously did not have the patience to keep his voice low so as to not wake the baby.
“He’s fine, Albus.” She said, People gave her strange looks. I guess normal people don’t call the prime minister by his first name anymore. She heard shuffling footsteps coming from outside the door, “I’m here.” He huffed, regaining his posture after running up the stairs.
“He has to go to his Aunts. “ He said with an air of authority of a man who got his way for over fifty years.
“I’m calling Minervra first.” She sighed. She would know how to handle the situation. Minerva arrived ten minutes later, her hat falling off her head a little as she rushed to their sides.
“I’m taking him to his aunts.” Albus said.
“Albus, we met his aunt, and that was even before she was busy raising her own son.” Minnie sighed.
“Giver him to someone else.” Poppy argued. “Remus Lupin perhaps.” She suggested.
“He’s not gonna cope well you know that Poppy, he just lost all his friends. “ Minnie said.
“Mary,” Poppy whispered. “ She would love to, I just know it. “
‘Sorry to interrupt but I have received word that Mary has been missing since the crash, her husband said she couldn’t bear the news of their deaths and fell and knocked her head… She can’t remember anything, only her first name. “ The room fell into silence as his words sank in. Poppy wanted to cry but couldn’t, not in front of them.
“Give him to us, Albus you have to, I know we’re old but Minnie and I will raise him as our own. “ She said fast. “Please.” Poppy whispered. Minerva gave her a sad smile and nodded her head.
“Only if you promise one thing,” He said, the mischievous glint back in his eye. “He represents me and will outwardly support me. “ He smiled. Poppy glanced at Minerva and reluctantly nodded her head.
“Well if that’s settled, I’ll hand him off then. “ He smirked.
Poppy looked at Minnie and smiled, a family finally. She walked over to the baby and picked him up. His hair was practically identical to his dad’s, but his eyes, oh, his eyes, they were his mothers. A tear slipped down her cheek, the whole world was going to know his name, she vowed right then that she would protect him and lay down her life for him, her Harry, her boy.
“Poppy, we should go.” Minnie said, gently so as not to alarm the baby. “We’ll file the paperwork tomorrow morning,” She smiled at Poppy lowering her eyes to the baby.
“He’ll be safe, right.” Poppy said, eyes glimmering with hope.
“Of course he will, Poppy, we’ll protect him.” Minnie said certainly. And of course they tried, they always tried.