Epilogue

"Hurry up James." Lily called, while striding down the platform at King's Cross station. Her nine year old daughter, Rachel Hermione Potter was clinging to her hand, while her husband and son were lagging behind.

"We're coming." James called back. The family of four hurried to the barrier and leaned casually against it. Once on the platform they began to wade through the usual chaos of Platform 9 ¾.

"They are coming aren't they?" Harry asked anxiously.

"Of course dear. You know they wouldn't miss seeing you off for the first time." Lily replied soothingly.

"What about Uncle Remy?" Rachel asked.

"Remus can't be here. He has to get to Hogwarts before it starts remember." Lily reminded her daughter.

"Remember to give Moony a hard time for old times sake." James grinned down at Harry.

"James! Don't encourage him to mess around in his lessons." Lily said, smacking his arm.

"Sorry dear." James said, while winking at Harry behind his wife's back. Harry hid a snigger from his mother. "Look, there they are!" James added, pointed at three figures, standing halfway down the platform, just visible through the hustle and bustle.

"About time too." Lily cried, looking at the giant clock at one end of the platform. They only had ten minutes before the train left.

"There's my favourite godson!" Sirius called as he approached and pulled Harry into a tight hug.

"I'm your only godson." Harry replied, rolling his eyes.

"So. You're still my favourite." Sirius grinned.

"Hey Reg." James beamed down at the young boy who was grinning cheekily at Rachel. He looked up at James.

"Hey Uncle Jamie." He replied. He had longish, dark, curly hair that flopped in his chocolate brown eyes. Regulus Remus Black was Sirius and Hermione's only child. He had the regal, good looks of the Black line combined with his mother's softer features and eyes. His eyes sparkled with mischievousness that could only come from his father. Like his best friend, Rachel, he was too young to go to Hogwarts but had come to see Harry off with his parents.

"So Harry, make sure you have loads of fun yeah?" Sirius grinned, releasing Harry to take a good look at him. "And if you're not in Gryffindor we'll disown you." He winked.

"Sirius!" Hermione shrieked, as she hit him upside the head.

"Joking, joking." Sirius muttered, rubbing his head. "But if you're in Slytherin I might have heart failure."

"Pick Slytherin!" Lily stage whispered to her son. Harry chuckled as Sirius feigned hurt.

"Hey look, there are the Weasley's. If you're quick, you can find a seat with Ron." Hermione told Harry, with a secret smile to herself. Sirius noticed and squeezed her hand gently.

"Can't we go to?" Rachel whined, pointing at herself and Regulus.

"Not yet sweetheart." Lily said softly. "You still have a couple of years yet the pair of you."

"Right, you best get going Prongslet." Sirius said, checking the time. James loaded Harry's trunk onto the train in Ron's compartment.

"Oh there you are!" Called a flustered Mrs Weasley. James and Harry spun around to greet her.

"Hey Molly." James grinned.

"Hi Mrs Weasley." Harry called at the same time.

"Ron's already on the train." She told Harry, then gave him a quick hug and turned around to look for Ginny. The twins were nowhere in sight and Percy had already gone to the prefect carriage.

"Have a great term." Lily told Harry, hugging him tightly. "Write to us as much as you like."

"Yes Mum." Harry smiled warmly at her, then turned to his dad.

"Have fun son. Remember, there are loads of secret passages, I want to know when you find each one."

"James!" Lily groaned. James and Sirius exchanged a high five to the amusement of all the children.

"Don't worry."

"We can take care of him." Fred and George Weasley had appeared at their shoulder with identical, evil grins.

"I'd sooner trust the giant squid." Hermione commented drily. The twins put their hands on their hearts.

"You wound us Aunt 'Mione." They groaned. Just then the whistle blew.

"Bye Harry." Ginny said shyly, as she and Mrs Weasley re-appeared to wave goodbye to Ron.

"Bye Ginny." Harry replied, smiling at her.

"You'd best go." Hermione said, hugging Harry quickly. The twins each gave Sirius and James a fist bump, kissed Lily and Hermione on the cheek and went to find Lee Jordan. Harry gave his mother a fleeting kiss, hugged his sister and Regulus then ran off to find Ron. Once both boys were in their compartment, they hung out the window to wave goodbye.

As Hermione turned she saw a glimpse of the back of a girl with bushy brown hair, clambering into the next carriage along. Her breath caught in her throat as she turned slightly and immediately spotted her parents. They were holding hands and waving at the younger version of herself, exactly as she remembered. She hoped Harry and Ron would end up being friends with her, without needing a mountain troll to help things along.

"'Mione Harry is waving at you." Sirius said, then he saw what had caught his wife's attention. He wrapped an arm around her waist kissing her temple, much to the disgust of their nine year old son.

Hermione leaned into his side and forced herself to drag her attention back to Harry just as the train began pulling away. She began waving like mad at him and Ron, clutching her son's hand.

"My little Hare Bear is all grown up." Lily sighed.

"Time flies doesn't it?" Hermione smiled. They all watched the train disappear around the corner. Hermione smiled to herself.