A/N: Well, this is it. The Epilogue.

I don't even know where to begin, honestly. This story has been such an immense journey for me. I started out thinking it was going to be a quick, easy, nice-and-fluffy story, and then it quickly morphed into some kind of epic saga that took me over a year and a half to write. But I'm proud of how it turned out. I poured a lot of heart into this story, and it's helped me to grow a lot as a writer.

But I'll be honest, I never would have finished this story if I didn't have such kind, awesome people following it and encouraging me. I know I say this nearly every chapter, but I seriously can't thank you guys enough. Whether you've been here since the beginning, or you've just started following a week ago, THANK YOU. Thank you for following this mess of a story, even during the times when I didn't update for two months and everyone thought I had given up. Thank you for suffering through the rough, horribly-written first chapters, and for all the plot holes that I'm sure are scattered throughout this whole thing. Thank you for your patience, your encouragement, and for just being amazing people. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Now, here we are. The end. It took a long time to figure out how exactly I was going to end this story, and I eventually decided that this was the best way. I tried to keep this short and to the point. I hope you guys enjoy it, and I hope it's a satisfactory ending. Thanks for everything guys. Enjoy.

The hustle and bustle of King's Cross Station was nothing new to Rose Weasley. She wandered through the hurried masses of people with ease, her family scurrying to keep up with her. Platform 9 ¾ was just the same as it had always been when they emerged, and yet the smile that lit up Rose's face was grander than ever. Her hazel eyes were aglow as they eagerly scanned the crowd for a head of silver hair.

"He's probably late, as usual," Albus reminded her gently, sounding slightly winded as he caught up to her.

"He's Head Boy now, he doesn't have time to be late," Rose grumbled.

"Well, would you mind sparing a minute for your family before you head off?" came the teasing voice of her father. Rose whirled around to see her parents arm-in-arm, alongside Harry and Ginny. Their faces were a mixture of love, pride, and sadness as the studied their children.

"Of course," Rose murmured, wrapping Ron and Hermione in a tight embrace. "I'll miss you both," she assured them.

"And we'll miss you," her mother answered. "So make us proud."

"Don't do anything stupid," Ron added. "And be careful with Scorp-" Ron suddenly broke into a fit of coughing as Hermione jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow. Rose's lips quirked upward in a smirk.

"I'll be careful," she replied.

"He better take good care of you," Ron continued, ignoring the glares of his wife.

"I'll make sure he does," Albus piped up as he finished his farewell with his own parents.

"And don't let them wander off to any broom closets by themselves," said Ron.

"Dad!" Rose protested, her tone mortified.

"Alright, we should let her go," Hermione jumped in, throwing a pointed look in Ron's direction yet again.

"I'll write to you," Rose said, giving them both one last hug.

Leaving her parents to bid farewell to Hugo, she led Albus to the nearby train.

"Rose!" a familiar voice called from somewhere in the crowd. Rose screeched to a halt, pivoting around to see Scorpius weaving his way towards her. A grin was etched across his handsome face as his silver hair fell sloppily over his brow.

"About time you showed up," said Rose, struggling to hold back a smile of her own as he approached.

Scorpius replied by grabbing her around the waist and lifting her into the air. Rose squealed in surprise, although it was swiftly cut off by a quick kiss as he swung her around gently. Her hands clutched his broad shoulders until he set her down, and then Rose embraced him fully.

"You know me," Scorpius murmured as he finally pulled away. "I have a flair for the dramatic." Rose swatted him playfully.

"You're a git, you know that," she muttered, shaking her head ruefully.

"A lovable git, yes," Scorpius agreed.

"Can we just get on the train already?" Albus asked from the sidelines. "I'm sure the twins are waiting for us."

"Where's your father?" Rose asked Scorpius as they followed Albus up the steps onto the nearest train car.

"He's putting away his luggage, I believe," Scorpius responded.

"Do you think he'll do well at Hogwarts?" Rose queried. Scorpius contemplated the question for a moment.

"I think so," he finally answered. "But it'll be a big change for him."

"This year will be a big change for all of us," Rose said matter-of-factly.

"I'm ready for a change," Scorpius replied. Rose smiled softly, taking his hand in hers.

"So let's make one."

Draco couldn't recall feeling this anxious in years. His feet quaked inside his leather boots as he climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express. Eyes were glued to him as he strode down the aisles. Students gazed at him in shock, some even in fear. Draco swallowed the nervous lump in his throat as murmurs and whispers seem to surround him. He glanced down at his attire, inwardly wondering if perhaps black hadn't been the best choice in color for his first day.

When he came to a car filled with first years, he noticed the looks and glares were of a more fearful kind. Although to be fair, first years were usually timid of everyone. Draco himself had been a rare exception to that rule.

The train hadn't changed a bit since Draco's days at Hogwarts. The same compartments, the same trolley lady, the same atmosphere. It brought back a slew of memories, and Draco felt a small smile grace his lips; something that was still a rarity these days.

Right as Draco was fixing to leave the first year car, he spotted a compartment with a sole student inside. It was a young, dark-haired boy, curled up in the corner with a distraught look painted across his round, freckled face. Curious, Draco cracked open the door and snuck his head inside.

"You alright?" he asked. The boy started, turning to face Draco with a gasp and wide eyes. To his surprise, Draco saw a look of relief flood the boy's face.

"I thought you were those boys again," the boy explained, offering him a shaky smile. "And no, I'm not alright." Draco frowned, entering the compartment and taking a seat next to the boy.

"What boys?" he inquired. The boy bowed his head, as if he were suddenly ashamed.

"A couple of the boys my age, they… they called me a 'mudblood'," the boy answered, his eyes troubled. Draco flinched.

"Are you a Muggleborn?" he queried gently. The boy's face scrunched into a look of deep thought, as if he were trying to recollect what the word meant.

"M-my parents weren't magical folk, if that's what you mean," said the boy. Draco nodded thoughtfully. "Is… is there something wrong with being a Muggleborn?" asked the boy.

"Not at all," Draco assured him hastily. "One of the brightest, most powerful witches I've ever known was a Muggleborn. So, ignore those boys. They're just a bunch of selfish, arrogant cowards, no doubt."

"Really?" the boy said, his smile steadying a bit. Draco matched his smile, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"You'll make a fine wizard," he responded kindly. The boy burst into a grin.

"Thank you," he murmured, then stuck out his small, pudgy hand. "I'm William, by the way." Draco shook the boy's hand.

"I'm…" Draco hesitated. "Professor Malfoy," he said at last. "I'm the new Potions teacher."

"Well then, I think Potions class will be my favorite," William replied. Draco felt a pang in his chest at the look of admiration stirring inside the child's eyes. This student had no earthly idea who Draco was, or the things he had done. And most surprising of all, he seemed exciting at the prospect of being taught by him.

"Maybe this year won't be so bad after all," the boy continued, his broad smile never ceasing. Draco felt his heart lift again.

"No, I don't think it will."

The position of Head Boy wasn't one that Scorpius wanted to take lightly. That being said, he was grateful for the silence after all of the prefects had been assigned to their duties and released to begin patrolling the train. Sucking in a deep breath, he turned to Rose, who had her nose buried deep in the papers scattered across their bench. Scorpius couldn't help but smirk at her serious expression as she mumbled to herself about her duties as Head Girl, and how she would have to rearrange her schedule.

Leaning back against the seat, Scorpius closed his eyes and took a moment to let it sink in. Here he was, heading to Hogwarts for his final year, and this time, everything was alright. There was nothing standing in the way of his happiness. The idea still seemed so surreal to him, he could scarcely believe that it was, in fact, reality.

Lucius was safely tucked away in Azkaban. His father was getting the fresh start he deserved. Rose was here by his side. The only missing piece was his mother.

A wave of sorrow crashed over Scorpius momentarily as he thought of his mum. He still missed her dearly. Not a day had gone by where he hadn't. But now, there was a light on the horizon, and Scorpius was sprinting towards it with all of his might. He knew his mother wouldn't want him to mourn forever. It was time to start moving on.

"How are you?" Rose asked, and Scorpius felt her warm, gentle hands on his. He realized that a few tears had escaped, cascading down his cheeks. He turned to her, smiling brightly through the tears. He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"I'm okay."

Rose's hazel eyes softened, and she placed a kiss on his cheek before going back to her papers, seeming to sense that he wanted a quiet moment to himself. He let out a deep breath.

Scorpius Hyperion Malfoy gazed out the window of the Hogwarts Express, a smile on his face and peace in his heart.

The End.