A/N- Alrighty, I decided to do this epilogue a few chapters back and was going to do the send off to Hogwarts but decided that that was far too cliché. I got several suggestions, thank you very much for them, but I decided this would be a perfect view into the Weasley life. I can only hope you all agree with me!
Disclaimer: The last one. I own this whole scene and I'm going to say most of the children. Some will be cannon, of course, but most will be my creation.
*The following will be a list of children and who their parents are.*
Andie - Teddy, 13
Bill/Fleur - Victoire, 12, Dominique, 10, Louis, 8
Charlie/Christine - Jacob, 11, Jackson, 10, Jocelyn, 8
Percy/Penny - Calliopia, 10, Lucy, 7, Donald, 5
Fred/ Hermione - Alexis, 11, Alexander, 11, Axel, 11, Aaron, 9, Ashley, 6
George/Angie - Roxanne, 11, Harmony, 9, Heaven, 9, Trevor, 7
Ron/Bayley - Rose, 10, Evan, 8, Emily, 6
Harry/Ginny - James, 11, Albus, 8, Lily, 6
Neville/Luna - Alice, 10, Frank, 7
November 3, 2010 - Epilogue
Hermione couldn't wait until Molly got there with Miri to help Sipsy and Piper with the cooking. She could hear thundering footsteps in the hallway upstairs and she knew that bad things were happening from experience. Aaron and Ashley took after herself; thought pranks were a waste of time. The triplets, however, had a prank war every single day. She heard her daughter's laughter and shouts from the boys, meaning she was needed for intervention. Turning to Sipsy, she gave her a look of suffering.
"Can you watch this gravy, please? Those children of mine may manage to drive me crazy before I'm forty." When Sipsy nodded with a smile, Hermione headed up the stairs at a trot. What she saw when she reached the top of the stairs was enough to make her close her eyes and try not to laugh. Somehow Lexy had managed to cover both Alex and Axel in some slimy green goo. Hermione simply held her hands out to her sides in a questioning manner. Aaron walked past, deadpanned as ever.
"The score is now three to two. You would think the two idiots would realize that she's downright conniving and evil when they gang up on her. She's smart like you and she's been trained by Dad and Uncle George, just like they have. She just pays better attention." As Axel and Alex were protesting his words, Lexy turned her narrowed eyes on her brother.
"I am not conniving or evil. Take it back or you'll get the next prank." Aaron looked at her, unafraid.
"You're going to leave me and Ash alone or I'll tell everyone that sensitive piece of information nobody else is supposed to know." Hermione held her hands up, silencing them all with wandless magic.
"You, young man, are not telling everyone who your sister likes or you will not like your punishment, that's a promise. You, young lady, will not prank your younger brother and sister. If you do, you won't like your punishment. As for the three of you, if you insist on this prank war, continue it outdoors where my house isn't getting dirty. Be safe, have fun, and let me know who wins before bed." With a smile, all her children disappeared except Ashley.
"Mummy, may I help with dinner? Lily, Emily, and Donny aren't here yet so I'm bored." Hermione smiled and took her by the hand, leading her down the stairs.
"Of course you can, but I bet Lily is here by now. Aunt Ginny said she was coming early." Ashley released her hand and sprinted forward, giggles escaping her mouth when she, indeed, saw Lily. Hermione put her arms around James, soundly kissing his cheek.
"Happy birthday to my dear sweet nephew. Aww, the memories." James laid his arms around her hips.
"You really died on my birthday? When they pulled Lexy out?" Hermione laughed a little as she ruffled his hair.
"Your dad told you, didn't he?" When James nodded, Hermione smiled.
"Yes, I did die for a few minutes. But the healers were able to bring me back. The last thing I remember is hearing your mum screaming at the healer that they couldn't kill me because I was Hermione Granger." James laughed, but looked at her seriously.
"Did you really talk to Teddy's dad and my dad's parents?" She looked right in his eyes as she nodded.
"I did. On that note, I think you need to have a talk with Uncle Fred, Uncle George, and Teddy tonight. Don't worry, it's good. We'll call it mischief lessons." James gave her a big smile and a sloppy kiss before he ran off, presumably to find Teddy. Ginny pointed her finger at Hermione.
"Hermione Jean, I ought to hex you blue. Harry wasn't going to have him do that. Good student and all." To Ginny's surprise, Hermione laughed.
"He would have changed his mind. Besides, the legend of the Marauders must carry on. When they become animaguses, then worry." All the accumulated family started laughing.
The men took the party and the children outside, casting some atmospheric charms to keep it warm where the party would be held. The elves and some of the women continued to cook, dinner and cake needed to make the party a success. Hermione went outside to check on all the children since they had all been relatively quiet, despite their fathers supervision. Emily was running in her direction, smile on her face.
"Aunt Mione, you know what I just seen?" Hermione knelt to the small girls level with a smile on her face.
"No, tell me." Emily's excitement was paramount.
"Me and Donny saw Teddy kiss Vic. Teddy kissed Vic right on the lips!" Her hand went over her mouth and she started hopping a little. Hermione couldn't help but giggle.
"I have an idea, Em. Go ask your daddy about his first kiss." Charlie came up behind Hermione, tickling her sides.
"That was just harsh. Ron won't have any idea what to say." Hermione laughed richly, leaning into her brother.
"I know, that's why its such a great idea." As Fleur joined the laughing pair, she had a raised eyebrow.
"What's this Em is yelling about Teddy giving my baby girl her first kiss? Aww, the veela blood is hot and strong in her. Bill isn't going to know what to do with himself." They all laughed at the picture in their head of the scarred Weasley and his precious first born. Arms slid around Hermione's waist, pulling her into a familiar chest and scent. Fred stole a kiss when he thought nobody was looking but still earned a wolf whistle from Jackson. Fred raised his eyebrow at Charlie.
"Apple doesn't fall from the tree, does it? You teach him to whistle like that?" Charlie just gave him a a wide grin as he took a drink from his firewhiskey. Just as they took seats by the fire, a fight broke out between the older children. All the adults jumped up to break it up, but when they saw who it was, left it be.
Jacob was taking on Alex and Axel, doing a fairly good job of keeping the two of them from winning. Lexy was off to the side, face buried in her hands, faint whimpers from tears. Charlie and Fred sat back, arms crossed across their chests and let Jake teach them a lesson. When all three boys were bloody, Hermione finally walked into the middle of the row.
"Enough! Don't make me throw a hex! What's going on here?" Jake wiped a hand across the blood in the corner of his mouth.
"I was walking with Lexy and she was telling me about the presents she got for Alex and Ax. Out of nowhere, a jinx hit her in the face. When I told her that her face was purple, she burst into tears. Considering she was just telling me about their gifts, tickets to their favorite band, they deserved everything I just gave them. Those two are selfish little prats, they never even get her anything." Hermione wanted to smile but knew she couldnt. Ever since they were old enough the walk, Jake had always protected Alexis, always been closest to her. Hermione sighed, hands on her waist.
"Jake, I will never yell at you for protecting my daughter. You two remind me of myself and your father. However, Lexy enters these prank wars with her brothers voluntarily. She can't expect them not to retaliate. I don't want you to get drawn in and hurt when it's her fight. Ax, Alex, he has a point. You two never get your sister a gift. Maybe she would be less relentless if you two were nicer." Hermione marched to her daughter and raised her wand to her face, changing it back to normal. When it was normal, she shooed the children away. Heading back to the adults and the fire, she could only shake her head. Charlie simply laughed at her when she took a seat on Fred's lap.
"You know he'll never stop going after those two boys for her. What can I say, his old man taught him right." Fred laughed as Hermione gave him a small smile.
"You know, Charlie, as much as my little girl brings it on herself, and she can take care of herself, I love that your boy is always there to bail her out of scrapes. Those brothers of hers need taught lessons here and there just like you taught me." Charlie and Fred laughed, Hermione leaving them to it after kissing the tops of their heads.
Dinner was served outside, a large and noisy affair with twenty-seven children, twenty adults, and ten elves. Trevor and Jocelyn got into a fight, causing Jackson to step in and start fighting with Trevor. Evan and Louis started a food fight at their end of the table, then tried to blame it on Lucy and Frank. Adults all stepped in to stop the arguments, everyone helping parent each others children.
When dinner was finally over, everyone helped clear the table. This had been employed as the family had gotten larger, two or three people no longer able to do it. Hermione took a seat as the cake was passed out by Sipsy, Ashley and Lily sat at her side, both looking beautiful in the sinking sunlight. Both were blessed with long, straight red hair and looked like sisters. Their only differentiating feature were their eyes; Lily taking after Harry's vivid green and Ashley taking after Fred's clear blue.
Hermione sought out her other child, Aaron, and wasn't surprised when she found him with George's twin girls, Harmony and Heaven, talking quidditch strategy. He was the child with all the recessive genes; blond curls with her expressive caramel eyes and Fred's freckles.
As she nibbled her cake, she sat back and surveyed her family. They were large, chaotic, and out of control, but she loved every single member. She had learned to embrace the chaos and let her children have their fun; they were only young once and she would never dream of taking their childhood as hers had been taken from her. Her daydream had been put to an end by Harry announcing that it was time for gifts.
Everyone gathered around James and the triplets, watching as they began ripping into their gifts. Hermione didn't get to see everything that her children received due to taking a few photos and the speed at which they were racing through them, but she was alright with it. She was simply happy that her children remembered the manners that she had drilled in their heads and thanked each person for their gift.
After gifts, the children scattered, leaving the adults to their fire whiskey and chatter. Hermione sat with her sisters, not having seen a couple of them in a couple weeks since Jake's birthday. She lost count of how many times she was asked for a drink, or to tie a shoe in the time that they chatted; she had long ago chalked these tasks up as part of motherhood.
For two years now, she had gone back to work full-time, two days a week under Charlie at the Ministry in the Department for Magical Creatures and three days a week at the shop, helping in production for the twins. She was completely happy, as was the rest of her family. In fact, she was to have babysitting duty in conjunction with Molly in just a couple weeks, when Charlie surprised Christine with a weekend getaway to a bed-n-breakfast tucked away in the moors of Ireland.
Hermione took an odd moment and watched Fred, laughing and chatting with George and Bill. He was completely relaxed in his chair, bottle of whiskey in his hand. George would start a story, take a long drink, Fred finishing the story after his own drink had been taken. After all these years, the pair of pranksters could still make her laugh. She watched Lucy take refuge from Dominique in his lap.
When Hermione realized that her siblings were starting to leave, she rose and began to help them round up their children, receiving hugs and kisses from them before they left. Louis gave her a hug round her hips, as well as Lucy and Trevor. Nearly all the children had come through when James wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Thanks again for the book on Potter family history. I'll enjoy reading it. I know Dad wishes he would have had one when he was my age. Love you, Aunt Mia." She smiled down at him and ruffled his hair before he tugged her hair so she would bend down.
"I had that chat you told me about. I owe you. School is going to be a lot more fun!" Hermione laughed, shoving him slightly.
"Love you too, James." Charlie and Christine came forward to use the floo, children lined up first. Jocelyn hugged her hips and gave her a noisy kiss before patiently waiting for Jackson to do the same. Jackson, however, was able to pick her up and make her laugh. When he had said his goodbyes, he took Jocelyn's hand and walked into the floo with her, disappearing. Jake followed Jackson's example, lifting his aunt in the air, as he kissed her goodbye.
"Love you, Aunt Mia. I'll see you tomorrow." Hermione ruffled his hair.
"Love you too, Jake. Better get home and to bed if you're planning on studying all day with my heathens." He gave her a smile before he disappeared in green flames. Christine hugged both Fred and Hermione, pledging her love. Charlie clapped Fred on the shoulder, told him he needed to learn to hold his liquor better, then kissed Hermione on the cheek before he disappeared into the floo with his wife as well.
Hermione started working on the house while Fred worked on the younger children, getting them ready for bed. With Sipsy and Piper's help, it only a half hour or so to put the house back in order. When she was finished, she walked into the living room and found the triplets, all quiet for once.
"So, who won? You're all usually boasting who the winner is." Lexy looked up, her eyes coy.
"Me, of course. Honestly, how often do those two win when they gang up on me? Even if they were prats and made me cry." The boys snickered softly but said nothing, not wanting to raise their sister's ire. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at her miniature.
"You, my dear Alexis, are bound to be a Slytherin. You must be a joke that Draco has played on me, a Slytherin version of myself." Her daughter looked at her confused for a few moments but then looked haughty.
"No, I won't be in Slytherin. Teddy, Vic, and Roxy are all in Gryffindor. The whole family has been. Weasleys are meant to be lions." Hermione shook her head.
"I was almost put in Ravenclaw and Uncle Harry was almost put in Slytherin. Grandma Andie was in Slytherin." Lexy shook her head.
"I know I have the qualities, Mum, but I'm bold and brave as well. Not to mention, I'm extremely loyal. Harry told me you can pick. If the hat puts Jake in Slytherin, I'll go with him, even though my life will be a complete hell. I'm a half blood, at least Jake's a pureblood. If that's not loyalty, I don't know what is." Hermione laughed and kissed her daughter's cheek.
"You all have almost a year before you have to worry about it. Now all of you, up to bed."
Hermione followed her three children upstairs, kissed them all and telling them she loved them. Fred did the same after coming out of the shower. When Hermione finally changed and fell into bed with Fred, she couldn't help but share the conversation she had had with Lexy. She had been sure he would be shocked but he had simply laughed.
"I've suspected for awhile she's going to end up a snake. Charlie agrees and even said that Jake is worried he won't be there to protect her since she's a halfblood." Hermione scoffed.
"You know as well as I do that Lexy can take care of herself." Fred rolled on his side and smiled.
"I'll make you a bet, sweet wife. I bet, somehow, Lexy ends up in Slytherin and she forms an alliance between the two houses before she graduates." Hermione sat up, shaking her head.
"Oh no, I'm not betting that! That girl is conniving, I'm not betting against her and her abilities." Fred laughed and pulled her back down into his arms, tightening his hold on her small frame. He kissed her deeply, only releasing her when she needed a breath. When her head came to rest on his shoulder, he snuggled down into her peachy scent.
"I guess we have quite a few years to see exactly how it plays out then, don't we?" Hermione smiled into his chest as she felt her lids slide closed.
September 1, 2011
Hermione heard the pecking of an owl on the window and knew instinctively it was from Lexy. The boys wouldn't have written yet. Taking the letter from the unfamiliar owl, she slid open the letter and started reading.
Mum and Dad,
I'm going to make this short because so much has happened and I still have to unpack. We can just say that the history of Hogwarts is about to change.
Alex and Axel are in Gryffindor, as is James. Callie is a proud Ravenclaw, Alice is in Hufflepuff surprisingly. Rose is also a Gryffindor, I forgot about her, how I don't know. Jake was sorted before I was. He was so scared I would be in Slytherin alone so he asked to be a snake even though the hat said he was a lion by nature. The hat told me I was a toss up, that it was going to let me decide because it couldnt. I'm a proud Slytherin, Mum, I couldn't leave Jake by himself.
There is now a Weasley (or close friend in Alice's case) in every house. I do believe with the whole lot of us, house rivalries will be gone by the time we're all in school. Hogwarts will soon learn that the Weasleys loyalties lie with each other first. Anyways, lots to do still. Love you both.
Lexy
Hermione laughed aloud and handed the letter to Fred. She kissed him on the head as he read. When he was finished, she smiled.
"We have the best family. Eventually, house rivalries will be a thing of the past." Fred laughed.
"Told you, Mia." She stuck out her tongue as she took him by the hand, leading him upstairs.
"Come on, Mr. Weasley. I think this calls for a celebration." With a flick of her wand, the lights were off, letter folded up, and she gave her husband a smile as he carried her, laughing, past the children's room. When the door slammed shut, Hermione gave an errant thought to how perfect her life was and lost herself in Fred Weasley.
A/N- I want to give a HUGE thanks to everyone who has followed, favorited, read, and reviewed this story. You all have been my inspiration and kept me going, you have no idea how much I appreciate it. Those of you that reviewed every chapter, I owe you sooo much! Anyways, this is the official end of this story. I hope you all had as much fun reading it as I did writing it.
For those of you that are planning to read my Dramione story, I need to get an outline wrote out and I want to get a couple chapters wrote. Then, I'll start posting! I'm so excited to start another story as I'm so sad this one is over.
Thanks again to all who read and enjoyed ((: