A/N: Surprise! I decided to hurry up and post the last chapter. Thank you to all who have supported me throughout the writing of this story. I was nervous since it was my first story, but all of you were so supportive and helpful and I really appreciate it! I don't know if I will be writing another story any time soon, but I am definitely leaning towards it. So here's the last chapter! I do not own Harry Potter

Epilogue:

Harry strode through the grounds, leisurely making his way up to Hogwarts. It had been a long time since he had visited, and taking in the familiar setting around him was giving him a wave of nostalgia. He smiled as he gazed at the lake and remembered the perfect afternoons he had spent sitting with Ginny in the shade of the trees.

His very pregnant wife was currently at home, grumpily staying indoors and resting on this hot summer day while James and Albus were on a playdate at Ron and Hermione's. The baby was beginning to get very restless and kicked almost constantly, so Harry was anxious to return home since Ginny could go into labor any day now. Ginny claimed that she must be pregnant with a girl this time, because only a girl could be this high maintenance, and Harry secretly agreed.

He had no idea why Headmistress McGonagall had owled him the previous evening requesting that he meet with her at his earliest convenience. While James was not yet old enough to receive his Hogwarts letter, he definitely showed early signs of having magic, as did Albus, so he knew she was not meeting with him to tell him either of his children were squibs.

He had reached the castle and now stepped inside the Great Hall, looking around at the familiar high ceilings and paintings. Hogwarts had been restored almost perfectly from the damage of the final battle, and he could not wait for his sons to get to experience the magic of it as he had.

Making his way up the winding staircase, Harry saw Peeves floating a little ways ahead of him and instinctively ducked into a hidden alcove. This turned out to be a good decision on his part, because moments later Peeves sent a hideous vase barreling down the stairs. Harry chuckled as he noticed that the vase looked a lot like one Aunt Petunia had bought him and Ginny a few years ago for Christmas.

When the coast was clear and he continued up the staircase again he thought about all of Aunt Petunia's interesting gifts over the years, which she thought were just darling.

Both Petunia and Harry had kept true to their agreement to stay in touch. At first they had met about once a month at a tea place in London, where they'd had a series of awkward conversations filled with much eye-avoiding. But as time went on these talks became less and less awkward until they became downright friendly. Petunia had even attended Harry and Ginny's wedding, definitely nervous to be surrounded by so many wizards, but encouraged by the sight of her son standing up front as one of the groomsmen.

Ginny still held a grudge against Petunia for her treatment of Harry as a child, but while she did not understand Harry's insistence to forgive her, she maintained a civil manner and occasionally joined Harry when he visited her.

As he reached the second floor and continued climbing, Harry's thoughts turned to Dudley.

Dudley's comic book series had been very successful in the muggle world after their release, immediately becoming best sellers. Dudley definitely had a knack for illustrating, but it was to Harry's immense surprise and embarrassment when wizards began buying them as well, even though the drawings did not move as they did in wizard comic books. The series soon became a best seller among the wizarding world as well, since they all wanted to know the entire story of their Chosen One. Harry was rather mortified, but Dudley was thrilled.

Soon after the series began to be sold in book stores in Diagon Alley, Dudley had received a visit from Dedalus Diggle and the Head of the Muggle Relations Committee. Diggle had gleefully informed Dudley that the ministry had decided to make an exception and allow Dudley to move into a room in the Leaky Cauldron, where he could continue his work on the series and possibly begin other projects as well if he wished to.

Dudley was thrilled and had packed up all of his things at once. Petunia was distraught that her "Diddykins" was moving out, but accepted the fact that he was moving into a residence in the wizarding realm, happy that he was happy. Both had decided to keep the news of Dudley's "corruption" from Vernon, who was happily oblivious to the world of comic books and believed Dudley to be an insurance broker living in a normal apartment in London.

Harry grinned in spite of himself as he reached the third floor and made his way down the long hallway that led to the stone gargoyle.

It was at the Leaky Cauldron that Dudley had met Amelia Dobkins, who had been a Hufflepuff one year above Harry at Hogwarts. She was a big fan of Dudley's comic books, and after initially meeting him and finding out he was the illustrator she had returned to the Leaky Cauldron every afternoon.

The two had spent much time with each other, showing off their separate worlds and educating each other on them, and Harry had soon found himself in the Best Man position at Dudley's wedding to Amelia.

Vernon remained blissfully ignorant about Amelia's heritage, but Petunia knew and absolutely adored the girl regardless. Amelia gave birth to a daughter soon after their marriage, and seeing Dudley wrapped around little Phoebe's finger had caused Harry to realize that miracles really do happen.

Dudley and Harry had remained quite close, seeing each other at least once a week, and even Ginny had warmed up to him after a little while. Even though Phoebe was several years older than James and Albus, the three often had playdates and got along very well as their parents talked and caught up.

Shaking his head at the mysterious workings of fate, Harry reached the stone gargoyle and repeated the password Minerva had included in her letter ("Severus") and ascended the spiral steps. After knocking twice on the door, he entered the familiar office.

Minerva had not changed much since he had last been inside, and Harry was strongly reminded of Dumbledore as he looked around, Dumbledore's portrait sleeping peacefully behind the desk. McGonagall looked up from sheaves of paperwork as he entered, and rose from the desk with a small smile, wearing the same square glasses and pointed hat that Harry remembered.

"It's good to see you Mr. Potter. I hope everything is well?" McGonagall asked briskly, shaking his hand.

"Very well Minerva. Although I must say I was quite surprised to receive your owl."

Gesturing for him to sit, McGonagall settled herself back in the chair behind her desk, shuffling a few papers aside and withdrawing a crisp piece of paper. Looking at it primly for a few minutes, McGonagall then turned her attention to Harry.

"Mr. Potter I will get right to the point since Merlin knows that wife of yours will want you back home promptly."

Harry grinned at her and she allowed herself a small smile before continuing.

"I have called you here for a rather unconventional reason. You see, it is tradition that when a child possessing wizarding qualities reaches their eleventh birthday they receive their Hogwarts Letter by Owl, inviting them to attend the school."

Harry nodded, confused. This was very common knowledge and he was not sure where McGonagall was going with this. She suddenly appeared to be suppressing amusement, and had to compose herself before turning to Harry again, holding up the piece of parchment she held.

"Mr. Potter I called you in here today because I thought than rather than allowing this letter to be delivered by Owl, you might want to do it personally."

No longer able to contain her smile, McGonagall handed the letter to Harry and he curiously began to read it.

Dear Ms. Dursley,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment-

Harry stopped reading abruptly and stared at McGonagall in astonishment, who was now holding a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. Then, breaking into a large grin, he stood and shook her hand.

"Thank you Headmistress, I definitely would prefer to deliver this letter in person, and I appreciate you giving me the option."

After saying their farewells, Harry walked quickly from the office, reaching the hallway in front of the gargoyle before bursting into roars of laughter.

Yes, the world worked in mysterious ways. Years ago Harry would have never believed that Dudley's daughter, Aunt Petunia and Vernon's granddaughter, would be a witch and attend Hogwarts. But now he held her Hogwarts Letter in his hands, and he could not wait to tell her and Dudley, who he knew would be thrilled. Even though Amelia was a witch, Harry had never once considered that any child related to Vernon would ever possess magical qualities.

Shaking his head and grinning from ear to ear Harry made his way out of the castle and into the blazing sun. Beaming up at it for a moment, Harry resolved to go straight home to his wife, cook her a magnificent dinner, and tell her the news. Then tomorrow he would visit his cousin.

Life was good and seemed to just keep getting better.

The Dursleys had not been a source of pain or bitterness for Harry for many years. All was well.