AN: I'm not quite happy with the way this last chapter goes, but my muse seems to have left me to struggle alone with it. I think it turned out nice, but not on par with the rest of the story. If anyone has suggestions for a better ending chapter, I'm willing to try.

15 Travel

They didn't spend the whole summer in London, though. As Harry had never had a chance to travel, they decided to take a week in France and another in Spain. Although they could afford luxury hotels, Hermione thought that staying a few days in each of the Potter or Black castles, houses, and villas scattered in these countries, was a better option.

"You have a castle in Normandy, not too far from the English Channel, a large house in the center of Paris and a villa on the French Riviera. I suggest we start with Paris, despite it being full of tourists at this time of the year. We may then spend the weekend on the riviera before going to Spain," she suggested.

"I don't really care. Whatever makes you happy is good enough for me, and everything will be new to me, wherever we go."

"I suggest we skip Madrid this time. It's too hot in the summer. We'll probably feel better near the sea. We can choose between the house at Ibizia, the villa at the Spanish riviera or the beach house at Tenerife. I think the one at Ibizia is best, as it's close to all kinds of entertainments for young people, including a nude beach," Padma added.

"Are you sure you want everybody to see you naked?" Harry asked.

Padma shrugged. "I only care about you, but all others will also be naked. Just think of seeing all those gorgeous girls nude and then having us to cuddle with." He could notice some glint in her eyes. He turned to Hermione. She looked less than enthusiastic about the nude beach.

"Don't you like it?" he asked.

"I've already visited such places when I was a small girl. I liked them then, but I'm not so sure now."

"We could ask your parents to join us," he suggested.

"No!" She sounded alarmed. "I mean, we'd feel restricted if my parents or Padma's joined us."

"What about Parvati?" he teased her.

Hermione shrugged. "I don't mind, and probably she doesn't either. She'd probably like exposing herself to men she doesn't yet know. I only like exposing myself to you."

"Can we skip the nude beach?" he asked Padma. She only shrugged.

They timed their vacation to allow them to take part in Bill's and Fleur's wedding, which occurred that summer. Without Molly's influence, the Weasley family accepted Fleur with no reservations. The wedding took place in the Delacour manor in southern France, and fitted nicely between the stay at Paris and the vacation at Ibizia.

When the Potter family reached the Hogwarts Express, all three were well tanned. Although nobody could see that, none of them had tan lines. Parvati joined them in their compartment as did Neville with Daphne and Ginny with Dean. Harry thought each couple was looking quite nice. He hoped these relationships would do good to all involved. Neville was already much more confident than a year earlier, and Ginny seemed to overcome the events of the previous years. She seemed quite content with Dean, and so was he.

"The twins wanted me to tell you that their store is doing great, as you can see by the money they're depositing each month in your account." Ginny also seemed proud of her brothers.

Harry didn't pay much attention to his accounts, yet Hermione did. 'We could live nicely only on what your share in their store pays back,' she informed him.

"I'm glad they're doing so well," Harry smiled at her. "They worked very hard to reach their goal, and I know they keep inventing new stuff for sale."

Epilogue – Thirty years later

The Potter house in London was festively decorated for Christmas. Harry, Hermione and Padma decided to celebrate the holidays in this less assuming environment, along with their family, in lieu of Potter Manor that was too far from London to be accessible by muggle means.

First to come were Hermione's parents, as usual. "We feared that the snow would create some traffic problems. Are we too early?" Jean asked.

"We were expecting you at about this time. Come in! It's too cold to talk at the door." The Grangers had aged nicely. They still looked trim, with only some wrinkles and their graying hair betraying their ages.

James Potter arrived with his wife and baby Harry using the Floo. "We would have taken the car, but there were warnings about ice on the road and we also didn't like to expose Harry to the weather," James apologized.

The next visitors came through the door. "Harry! Like quality wine, you seem to look better as the years pass." Dudley hugged him in brotherly fashion. "I think little Ann is starting to show some magic. Last time I had to babysit her, she had some toys appear in her crib. I'm sure they weren't there a moment earlier."

"So – another grandchild to Hogwarts?"

Dudley laughed happily. "Why not?" He then turned serious. "Mom wanted to come with us, but Dad got some pains in the chest. The doctor said it was just that he ate too much, yet Mom wouldn't leave him alone to come here. She sends you and your family her best wishes for the holidays and the coming new year."

They were soon joined by Lily Potter and Dora Black, who were now dating the Longbottom twins, after finishing auror training, and by Albert Potter and Zela Black, who had just graduated.

The elder Patil came by apparition, popping directly into the entrance hall, like always. Parvati arrived the same way a few minutes later, taking her mate – a former muggle playboy – in side-along.

As expected, last to arrive was Sirius Black with his two sons and his pregnant wife. "They made the car keys vanish and I didn't dare let Milli use the Floo in her condition," he said, yet he seemed more amused of his sons than angry at them. 'He's so much like his namesake,' Harry thought fondly.

They were already at the festive table, when the Floo flared and a voice said, "May I speak with Minister Potter? It's kind of urgent."

Hermione sighed and approached the fireplace. "What is it, Molly?"

"I think my water broke, and I don't know whom I can call to replace me here. Can you..." she paused as she probably had a contraction, "...call somebody else here, please?"

Hermione turned her gaze to her daughter. "Lily, will you take over? Somebody else will come to relieve you at eleven." Seeing the grimace on her daughter's face, she added, "Frank can come with you, and I'll have the house elves bring you some food as they serve it."

Lily still frowned. "Fine, but next year you shouldn't put a pregnant woman there."

"She volunteered, darling. You know she has a problem with the holidays, especially since she carries her grandmother's name."

"Fine, we're going." She still turned to the others. "I wish you all a happy evening, and get my advice – don't choose the minister as your mother."

As the others chuckled and returned the wishes, she grabbed Frank's arm and they both disappeared through the Floo.

So, we arrived to the end of another story. I enjoyed writing it and I hope (most of) you enjoyed reading it. And as usual, Please Review!