"It won't be long, and you'll be going too," Harry told his daughter to reassure her.
"Two years," sniffed Lily, who was sad because her brothers were going away and she would be left behind. "I want to go now!"
As Harry was trying to comfort his youngest child, his ears caught his sons' voices. James and Albus had resumed their arguement.
"I won't! I won't be a Slytherin!" Albus protested.
"James, give it a rest!" Ginny chastised her oldest son.
"I only said he might be," said James, grinning at his younger brother. "There's nothing wrong with that. He might be in Slytherin." James, however, fell silent after he caught his mother's stern glance.
The Potters approached the barrier.
With a slightly cocky look over his shoulder at his younger brother, James took the trolley from his mother and broke into a run. A moment later, he had vanished.
"You'll write to me, won't you?" Albus leapt at the opportunity of his older brother's absence to ask his parents.
"Every day, of you want us to," reassured him Ginny.
"Not every day," said Albus quickly, "James says most people only get letters from home about once a month."
"We wrote to James three times a week last year," said Ginny.
"And you don't want to believe everything he tells you about Hogwarts," Harry put in. "He likes a laugh, your brother."
As they reached the barrier, Albus winced, but no collision came. Instead, the family emerged onto platform 9¾, which was obscured by thick white steam that was pouring from the scarlet Hogwarts Express.
"Where are they?" asked Albus anxiously, peering at the hazy forms they passed as they made their way down the platform.
"We'll find them," said Ginny reassuringly. "I think that's them, Al," said Ginny suddenly.
A group of four people emerged from the mist, standing alongside the very last carriage.
"Hi," said Albus, relieved.
Rose, who was already wearing her brand-new Hogwarts robes, beamed at him.
"If you're not in Gryffindor, we'll disinherit you," said Ron, "but no pressure."
"Ron!"
Lily and Hugo laughed, but Albus and Rose looked solemn.
"He doesn't mean it," Hermione and Ginny reassured their children, but Ron was no longer paying attention.
"Hey!" James had reappeared. It was clear he had just seen something he wanted to share with the rest. "Teddy's back there," he said breathlessly, pointing back over his shoulder into the billowing clouds of steam. "Just seen him! And guess what he's doing? Snogging Victoire!" He gazed up at the adults, evidently disappointed by the lack of reaction.
"Our Teddy! Teddy Lupin! Snogging our Victoire! Our cousin! And I asked Teddy what he was doing —"
"You interrupted them?" Ginny asked. "You are so like Ron —"
"— and he said he'd come to see her off! And then he told me to go away. He's snogging her!" James added as though worried he had not made himself clear.
"Oh, it would be lovely if they got married!" whispered Lily ecstatically. "Teddy would really be part of the family then!"
"He already comes round for dinner about four times a week," said Harry "Why don't we just invite him to live with is and have done with it?"
"Yeah!" said James enthusiastically. "I don't mind sharing with Al—Teddy could have my room!"
"No," said Harry firmly, knowing his sons very well. "You and Al will share a room only when I want the house demolished."
Harry, after looking at his watch, started saying goodbye to his sons. Ginny did the same and also told them to send her longtime friend, Neville, her love.
James outright refused, embarrassed to give one of his professors his parents' love. Ginny didn't seem to understand why, though.
Shaking his head at his mother's foolishness, James vented his feelings by aiming a kick at Albus. "See you later, Al. Watch out for the thestrals."
"I thought they were invisible? You said they were invisible!"
James merely laughed, permitted his mother to kiss him, gave his father a fleeting hug, then leapt onto the rapidly filling train.
"Thestrals are nothing to worry about," Harry told Albus. "They're gentle things, there's nothing scare about them. Anyway, you won't be going up to school in the carriages, you'll be going in the boats."
Ginny kissed Albus good-bye. "See you at Christmas."
"Bye, Al," said Harry as his son hugged him. "Don't forget Hagrid's invited you to tea next Friday. Don't mess with Peeves. Don't duel anyone till you're learned how. And don't let James wind you up." He reminded his middle child.
"What if I'm in Slytherin?" Albus asked, worried. The whisper was for his father alone, and Harry knew that only the moment of departure could have forced Albus to reveal how great and sincere that fear was.
Harry crouched down so that Albus's face was slightly above his own. From Harry's three children, only Al had inherited the green eyes.
"Ablus Severus," Harry said quietly, so that nobody but Ginny could hear, and she was tactful enough to pretend to be waving to Rose, who was now on the train, "you were named for two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin and he was probably the bravest man I ever knew."
"But they say-"
"—then Slytherin House will have gained an excellent student, won't it? It doesn't matter to us, Al. But if it matter to you, you'll be able to choose Gryffindor over Slytherin. The Sorting Hat takes your choice into account." Harry tried to give his son some comfort.
"Really?"
"It did for me," said Harry, recalling his sorting. He had never told any of his children that before, and he saw the wonder in Albus's face when he said it.
But it was now almost time for the train to leave, so Al rushed into one of the carriages, after saying goodbye to his parents and little sisters once more.
Harry and Ginny slowly started leaving and were now once again in front of the barrier.
"He'll be alright," murmured Ginny.
As Harry looked at her, he lowered his hand absentmindedly and touched the lightning scar on his forehead. "I know he will." The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years.
Then, out of the blue, he heard a somewhat familiar voice. "Harry?"
The Auror turned around and saw a face he never expected to see here. "Dudley?" Harry asked, shocked. He could hardly recognise his older cousin. Dudley had lost a lot of weight since they were teenagers and gained some muscles. He looked healthier -and dare Harry say, happier. "What are you doing here?"
Dudley glanced down at his daughter. Harry's bright green eyes followed his cousin's pale blue ones. There, next to Dudley stood a small girl with long blonde locks and eyes the colour of honey. She was a bit tall compared to other children her age and had chubby cheeks like most eleven year olds. "This is my daughter, Daisy" Dudley said as he placed a hand over his daughter's shoulders.
"Your daughter's magical?" Harry asked, suprised.
"Yes!" Daisy exclaimed, excitedly.
Harry smiled at the young girl before him. He was somewhat worried for her, since he knew the Dursley's opinion about magic. However, the child looked comfortable around her father and genuinely happy to go to Hogwarts. "If you want to go to Hogwarts, then you should hurry. The barrier closes in-" Harry looked at his watch, which previously belonged to Fabian Prewett "-six minutes."
"Where is the train?" Dudley asked.
"Oh, you just go through the wall between platforms 9 and 10" Harry answered.
"Uh... Harry," said Dudley, hesitantly "if this is because I was a right berk at you when we were younger-"
Dudley's was interrupted by his cousin's laughter. "It's true!"
Dudley squinted his eyes and led his daughter to platform 9¾. He caught her hand and carefully placed it on the wall. Daisy's hand passed through.
"Oh my God!" Dudley exclaimed.
"Wow!" Daisy shouted in awe.
Dudley also placed his hand on the wall but his didn't get through. "It's probably because I'm not magical..." He murmured.
Dudley turned to his daughter and wrapped his arms around her. Daisy hugged her father back, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears.
"Oi, don't cry. We'll definitely be in touch" Dursley comforted his only child.
"Really? Can I send you messages?"
"Of course. With the post office or owls or whatever other way there is"
Daisy smiled and hugged her father tight. She took her trunk and with a teary smile said good bye to her dad.
Dudley watched his child go through the magical barrier and disappear. He get torn. On one hand, he felt somewhat relieved because he now didn't have to watch over an energetic, prone to magical outbursts, eleven year old. On the other hand, he was already missing his wonderful child. She always brought a smile on his face no matter what had happened. She was such a sweet child.
He once again placed his hand on the wall and whispered. "Goodbye, Daisy."
"Don't worry, I'm sure she'll be alright" Harry said from behind him, taking Dudley by surprise.
"What the-" the blond almost jumped into the air. "Harry, you're still here?"
"Yes"
Ginny and the others had already left, but Harry had remained behind, waiting for Dudley for some reason unknown even to him.
An awkward silence had now befallen them. After all these years with no contact and their turbulent childhood, they didn't really know what to say to each other.
"Harry-"
"Dudley-"
They both spoke together. They shared an awkward chuckle.
"Harry, I just wanted to say, I'm sorry for how I treated you back then." Dudley started saying. "I know an apology isn't enough and I'm not asking you to forgive me, but I just wanted you to know" The older boy fidgeted.
"I- It isn't entirely your fault, Dudley" Harry sighed. The Auror knew that this conversation would be quite long, so he invited Dudley for some tea back to his home, where prying eyes wouldn't reach them.
They were now standing in front of a large house - not big like a mansion, but definitely bigger than an average house.
"This is your home, Harry?" Dudley asked in awe. "It looks so nice"
"Thanks" Harry gave him a small smile. "Come in"
"Dad! You're back!" said Lily excitedly.
"Hey there, Lily" Harry smiled brightly at his youngest child. He then turned to his cousin. "Dudley, this is my daughter, Lily" Now he turned to look at his joyful daughter. "Lily, this is my cousin, Dudley."
"Hi!" said Lily cheerfully and extended her hand.
"Hello" Dudley awkwardly smiled at his niece and shook her hand.
Lily then ran off towards the living room. "Mommy! Dad's back!"
Ginny slowly approached her youngest child, her husband, and their gest. She smiled warmly at her husband. "Harry, you're back"
"Hey there, Ginny" smiled fondly at his wife.
"You two act like you haven't seen each other for days" Lily mumbled. "You were together just a few minutes ago"
Ginny slightly blushed and held back a chuckle. Harry barked out a laugh at his daughter's observation.
"So, Ginny, this is my cousin, Dudley" Harry said while gesturing at the blond. "Dudley, this is my wife, Ginny" Potter gestured at his spouse.
"Nice to meet you" Dudley said. He was feeling uncomfortable, but didn't let it show.
"Likewise" Ginny said, a bit bewildered, as she shook Dudley's extended hand.
Lily Luna ran off to her room, suddenly having the urge to play with her dolls.
The three adults went into the living room. "I'll go make us some tea" Ginny said, and everyone understood it was just an excuse to leave the two cousins alone.
"Harry I really am sorry" Dudley started saying. "You never were a waste of space, a freak or any other horrible name I called you when we were younger" The blond man apologised. "Harry Hunting and my attitude towards you in general was absolutely horrendous" Dursley said, completely disgusted with himself.
Harry sighed. "I... I forgive you, Dudley. I say we let bygones be bygones" Harry said, slightly hesitant in the beginning.
Dudley was slightly surprised; he hadn't really expected to be forgiven. "I- you don't have to forgive me if you don't want" he told Harry, picking up on his hesitance. "I just wanted to apologise because I know I was, frankly, a major asshole"
Harry almost let out a laugh at the way Dudley described himself. "I actually, do truly forgive you, Dudley" Harry assured his cousin. "Yes, you definitely were a huge git to me, but it wasn't completely your fault. You were raised like that"
Dudley gave his younger cousin a sad smile. "Indeed" Then added as an afterthought, "my parents've always disliked magic"
"Yeah, I remember" Harry scoffed. Then a thought crossed his mind. "How- Do they get on your daughter alright?"
"They- they haven't really seen her since she was a toddler" the older man admitted.
"How come?" Harry asked surprised. The Dursleys might have been jerks, but he thought they loved each other.
"Daisy started showing signs of being magic when she was around three years old" Dudley started saying. "So my wife, who's a witch, and I decided to seat my parents down and inform them. As you might have guessed, it didn't go well"
"Your wife's a witch?"
"Yes, we met in a pub. We kinda hit it off and went on a few dates" Dudley started explaining. "After eight months of dating we decided to get serious. I proposed to her. That's when she sat me down and explained to me that she was a witch and what the wizarding world was. She said she loved me and wanted to be my fiancée, but she wanted me to know what she truly was and then make a choice" A small smile appeared on his face. "I admit I was kind of shocked at first," Dudley admitted "but then I thought about how lovely and an amazing person she is. It was then I realised that just because someone is magical, doesn't mean their unnatural. It was also then that truly I realised how wrong I was for the way I treated you" Dudley let out a sigh. "I told her I knew about magic and that i have a cousin who's a wizard - I didn't tell her your name. I also informed her about how I treated you and told her I had regretted it"
"And since you now have a daughter, I assume everything went well?" Harry gave him a small grin.
Dudley gave him a ghost smile. "Yes. We took our time and had a lot of conversations about magic, our families, and us. It really helped me leave the prejudice my parents raised me with behind, and it made mine and Callie's relationship stronger". Then Dudley chuckled. "I think I got out of topic here"
Harry smiled, "Indeed".
"So, we decided not to tell Mom and Dad about Callie being a witch. But when Daisy turned out to be a witch, we made the choice to tell them. And from then on, everything went downhill" Dudley explained. "My parents freaked out. Dad started yelling and calling both my wife and daughter freaks. But Mom's reaction was definitely worse. She started going on and on about how awful magic is, how everyone who's magical is an unnatural freak that shouldn't exist and other profanities towards my wife, such as her being a 'seductress'" Dudley rolled his eyes. "We argued and they gave me an ultimatum; I either break it off with Callie or they'll never speak to me again. The same day, I contacted a moving company to move my stuff out of their home" he added.
"I, uh, I'm sorry" Harry awkwardly apologised, feeling actually sorry for what transpired between Dudley and his parents.
"Don't, you have nothing to apologise for. If they can't get over their hate and prejudices, then they..." Dudley took a deep breath. "They don't really love me"
"Dudley-"
"Anyways, I just wanted to apologise" Dudley said.
Harry nodded. "Forgiven"
"So, how have you been? I heard from Callie that you beat that Vold- Vol- Volkswagen's ass?" Dudley asked.
Harry despite his best efforts, laughed loudly.
Dudley gave him a weird look. "Did I say something weird?"
Harry shook his head, still laughing. "No, it's just-" he said between bouts of laughter "-his name was Voldemort"
"Oh" Dudley dead panned.
"Yes, we fought and he finally died. The war had finally ended. We won" Harry said and touched his now faded lightning bolt scar, out of habit. "A lot of things happened afterwards and it took quite some time for our world to stabilise and move on, but now everything is going smoothly - or at least, as smooth as it can be". Then Harry went on about his life. "I made it into the Auror program and now I'm the Head of the Auror Department-"
"So you're like... the magical equivalent of a chief?"
"Indeed" Harry nodded. "I also married Ginny and we have three children together; the youngest is Lily Luna- whom you've already met, then there's Albus Severus who's the same age as your daughter, and my eldest is called James Sirius"
"You've been getting quite busy, huh?"
"Dudley!" Harry laughed.
"Three, huh? How do you manage? I only have one and it is quite hard"
"They are indeed a bit handful" Harry admitted. "James especially. He takes after his namesakes in some aspects, he's quite the prankster" Harry chuckled softly, remembering his first born's antics. "Al is a quiet child but he does get into a lot of silly fights with his brother" Harry smiled, remembering his middle child. "Lily is an energetic and cheerful child. She might look innocent, but don't be fooled, she's quite mischievous" Harry grinned as he talked about his only daughter. "I-"
Harry was interrupted by Dudley's cellphone ringing.
"Oh, sorry Harry, I have to take it, it's my wife" Dudley said as he accepted the call. Harry nodded.
"Hi, Callie" he greeted. "I'm fine, don't worry, I just met someone I knew on the station" Dudley said on the phone. "Yes, it was my cousin" Dudley affirmed. "Yes, we did" he answered. "Yeah, I'm going to tell you later, don't worry" he reassured his wife, letting out a soft chuckle in the end.
Dudley got off the phone with his wife and his attention was once again on Harry. "I'm sorry, Harry, but I've got to go" He told his cousin apologetically.
Harry nodded in understanding. He stood up and extended his hand to Dudley. Dudley also stood up and shook Harry's hand.
"Let's keep in touch from now on?"
Dudley nodded. "I'd really like that, cousin"
Harry gave him a smile and led the blond out.
"Goodbye, cousin. Until we meet again" Harry said.
"See you, Harry" And with that, Dudley Dursley left from the Potter household and returned to his home and his beloved wife.