My Hero, My Friend, My Love

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the plot.

Chapter Twenty-One: Epilogue

The horn from the crimson Hogwarts Express sounded loudly, announcing that students had ten minutes before departure.

Remus Lupin, now almost fully grey-haired, held the hand of a young boy. The young boy stared up at his father with big brown eyes. He was tall for his age and lanky, and he had sandy brown hair.

Ginny watched her husband and son from a short distance away. She continued to be amazed at Charles. Of course, he didn't actually look like his parents, but he had similar features, such as his father's hair color and build and his mother's eye color. If any passer-by glanced at them, they would assume he was their natural son. It was a blessing to both parents.

Remus knelt down in front of his eleven-year-old son. "Now Charles, remember what we talked about?" he asked.

The boy nodded. "Yes, Papa."

"Don't forget. While you're in class, he's Professor Black, not Grandpa Sirius," Remus said.

"Honestly, Remus, he knows all this," Ginny said walking over to them.

"Yes, I know, but I'm just reminding him," Remus replied. Ginny rolled her eyes and Charles snickered. He loved watching his parents together.

Ginny leaned down to her son. "Charles, remember, if you need anything you can go to Grandpa Sirius, okay? And if you don't want a teacher, Arthur and Molly are there too. And don't forget. It's Richard's first year too."

"But Mum, they're in Gryffindor. What if I don't get into Gryffindor?" he asked with fear in his voice.

"Nonsense, son," Remus said and put his hand on his son's shoulder. "Your mum and I were both Gryffindors." The boy grinned up at his father. He never told them, but he relished it when they referred to him as though he was their natural child.

They'd told him of his adoption on his tenth birthday, and he took the news well. He didn't quite understand why his parents couldn't have their own children, but he was glad he was theirs nonetheless.

"Thanks, Papa," he replied. "I'm sure you're right."

Suddenly, Fred and Hermione appeared through the barrier with all five of their children in tow. They came over to the other family and said hello. Hermione rolled her eyes at Ginny.

"I have no idea how your mother did it all those years, Ginny," she said tiredly.

"Well, maybe if you and Fred could have a little more, er, self control..." Ginny teased her sister-in-law. Hermione blushed and nodded. She and Fred went about getting Molly and Richard on the train, with their other children trailing behind them.

Molly, the oldest, was in her second year at Hogwarts; then came Richard, who was eleven and about to start his first year; twins Arianna and Alexander, aged six; and finally Percy, eighteen months.

Ginny and Remus exchanged a look. They were both such low-key people and were perfectly happy with their one and only son. He was the light of their lives and they adored him. In turn, Charles worshipped his parents, especially Remus.

Bill and Fleur came over to them, fussing over their baby daughter, Carys. Since they were running late, Arthur quickly hugged his parents and kissed his sister before running off after Molly. Bill and Fleur went to wave good-bye and see Fred and Hermione's brood.

Charles hugged his parents good-bye and kissed his mum's cheek. He promised to write often and behave himself, no matter what Grandpa Sirius said. He quickly followed his cousins to the train.

Remus put his arm around Ginny's shoulder. "Well, Mrs. Lupin," he said, "it seems we have an empty house until Christmas. Whatever will we do to pass the time?" He winked at her.

Ginny reached behind him and swatted his bottom. She smiled cheekily at her husband. "I'm sure we'll find something to do." She looked over at her son, preparing to climb aboard the train with his cousins. He was grinning broadly and waving like mad at them.

Ginny felt tears prickle in her eyes as she realized how much she was going to miss him. Remus sensed this and wrapped his arms around her tightly. "He'll be all right, Gin, and so will we," he whispered in her ear. She nodded and turned to kiss her husband's cheek.

The End